Waiting on Wednesday (48)

"Waiting on" Wednesday" is weekly meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming anticipated releases. 

May 3, 2016

FROM GOODREADS: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels—“the Mark Twain of things that live under your bed”*—comes a new novel of Midnight, Texas, the town where some secrets will never see the light of day...
 
At Midnight’s local pawnshop, weapons are flying off the shelves—only to be used in sudden and dramatic suicides right at the main crossroads in town. 
 
Who better to figure out why blood is being spilled than the vampire Lemuel, who, while translating mysterious texts, discovers what makes Midnight the town it is. There’s a reason why witches and werewolves, killers and psychics, have been drawn to this place. 
 
And now they must come together to stop the bloodshed in the heart of Midnight. For if all hell breaks loose—which just might happen—it will put the secretive town on the map, where no one wants it to be...

WHY I'M WAITING:  I love this small town of intrigue and mysterious characters.  I think this series is much better done than Sookie Stackhouse as well.  I've heard there is only three planned, making this the last one, so I both anxious and sad to read this one.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS WEEK?

TTT - Ten Books I Love But Haven't Talked About in a While.

This top 10 weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and can be found HERE.  Each week they focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading.  This week I am focusing on ten books which I love but just haven't talked about enough or recently. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling.  I really do love this series, I just never really talk about it.  There is so much Harry Potter love out there already that I feel like I rarely have anything to add. Reading this series truly was a magical experience though.

Minion (Vampire Huntress Legend #1) - L.A. Banks.  This series pretty much started my fascination with urban fantasy.  I think I have read the first 4-5 in the series before getting sidetracked.  However, it is one I would like to pick back up one day, even if it means starting over.  There are 12 altogether and I am just grateful Ms. Banks was able to finish it before she passed away.

Snow Garden - Christopher Rice.  I am sure I picked this book up initially because he is Anne Rice's son.  However, it was quickly transported into this mystery and although the book still haunts me, I can't really pinpoint why. 

Dead Witch Walking (The Hallows #1) - Kim Harrison.  Another wonderful urban fantasy read.  All I can say in Jenks...I need some more Jenks in my life.  Another series I don't mention much but is certainly one of my favorites.

The Trouble with Magic (A Bewitching Mystery #1): Madelyn Alt.  A great cozy mystery series which started my fascination with paranormal cozies.  I don't mention this series much at all.  The author abruptly stopped writing them and I could never track down any information about why.  #8 even had a cover and everything!

The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein.  One of the best dog books ever.   I love Enzo!

The Birthing House - Christopher Ransom.  One of the scariest books I have ever read and I don't get scared.  It has everything - possession, sexual obsession, murder, and a snake scene that will forever be burned in my mind (I hate them!!!!).  If you love horror, you should definitely check this book out.

Darkfever (The Fever #1) - Karen Marie Moning.  This series has really blown up over the past year, yet I rarely talk about it.  Must be because I read it in 2008 before everyone jumped on the bandwagon (for a change).

Going Bovine - Libba Bray.  Everyone knows this author because of The Diviners series, the Gemma Doyle series, and Beauty Queens, but I read this before I knew anything about her and OMG, I love this book!

Plague Town (Ashley Parker #1) - Dana Fredsti.  I don't think I have ever mentioned this book on my blog but this is one of my favorite zombie series.  It is tagged as Buffy meets The Walking Dead.

So, I am sure I have mentioned some pretty obscure titles, but I hope it encourages some of you to check them out.  I know I am always finding new things to read on Top Ten Tuesdays!  

 

The Taxidermist's Daughter - A Wonderful Gothic Mystery

TITLE: The Taxidermist's Daughter
AUTHOR: Kate Mosse
PUBLISHER: William Morrow
PUBLISHING DATE: March 29, 2016

FROM GOODREADS: A chilling and spooky Gothic historical thriller reminiscent of Rebecca and The Turn of the Screw, dripping with the dark twists and eerie surprises that are the hallmarks of Edgar Allan Poe, from the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Citadel.

In a remote village near the English coast, residents gather in a misty churchyard. More than a decade into the twentieth century, superstition still holds sway: It is St. Mark’s Eve, the night when the shimmering ghosts of those fated to die in the coming year are said to materialize and amble through the church doors.

Alone in the crowd is Constantia Gifford, the taxidermist’s daughter. Twenty-two and unmarried, she lives with her father on the fringes of town, in a decaying mansion cluttered with the remains of his once world-famous museum of taxidermy. No one speaks of why the museum was shuttered or how the Giffords fell so low. Connie herself has no recollection—a childhood accident has erased all memory of her earlier days. Even those who might have answers remain silent. The locals shun Blackthorn House, and the strange spinster who practices her father’s macabre art.

As the last peal of the midnight bell fades to silence, a woman is found dead—a stranger Connie noticed near the church. In the coming days, snippets of long lost memories will begin to tease through Connie’s mind, offering her glimpses of her vanished years. Who is the victim, and why has her death affected Connie so deeply? Why is she watched by a mysterious figure who has suddenly appeared on the marsh nearby? Is her father trying to protect her with his silence—or someone else? The answers are tied to a dark secret that lies at the heart of Blackthorn House, hidden among the bell jars of her father’s workshop—a mystery that draws Connie closer to danger . . . closer to madness . . . closer to the startling truth.

MY THOUGHTS: When I first saw this book, I have to admit it immediately caught my attention. I have always been intrigued by a good gothic tale every once in awhile and the fact that it was a mystery to boot made it all the better. I also have never read a Kate Mosse novel and I like giving new-to-me authors a try. I am certainly glad that I did.

Connie and her father Gifford live in a decaying house in Sussex. In the beginning, we learn that something happened to Connie as a child which caused her to block out 10 years of her life, and that her father, who suffers from depression and a serious drinking problem, knows more than he lets on. Quickly we are introduced to a unique and sometimes seedy cast of characters. As the story unfolds, the reader learns more about everyone's history and why the past still haunts them. Gifford used to be a famous taxidermist of birds, but has long fallen from grace so Connie has taken over the task. The art of taxidermy is critical in this book. In addition, there are a lot of birds throughout and they play an important role in putting the pieces together.

The setting it basically another character in this book and Mosse does a wonderful job weaving it, along with the dark, dreary and often stormy weather, into the tale. I immediately liked Connie as well as several of the other characters, especially Davey, the young man who does what he can to survive and who is also losing his childhood except for different reasons. Although the mystery itself was a tad predictable, the way in which it was told was not and even though I knew what was going on, I still couldn't wait to learn all the surrounding details.

The Taxidermist's Daughter is a truly enjoyable tale. Anyone who likes mysteries or just dark, gothic tales is likely to enjoy this one. I will definitely be checking out more of Mosse's works, probably sooner rather than later.

I received a ARC of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 4 PAWS

 

Stacking the Shelves (57)

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves or TBR piles, may it be physical or virtual.  This means you can include books you buy in a physical store, online, books you borrow from the library or friends, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks! The original meme was started over at Tynga's Reviews.  Clicking on the book should take you to the Goodreads page. 

First up is a wonderful book which I received in the mail from the author this week.  I can't wait to read it and Janelle will be doing an author interview in April so keep you eyes out for that.

I had to go to the library and pick up a hold (Riders) so this is what came home with me.  You know it can't just be one book.



The Ghost Network has very mixed reviews from Goodreads so I am not sure if I will get to it or not. Mainly, I made the trip just to pick up Riders.

 I received 3 books from Netgalley this week.


I remember my grandmother loving Vincent Price and he will always be the iconic voice of Michael Jackson's Thriller. Had to grab this when I saw it. Before the Feast sounds like another trip into the odd and weird. It's a translated novel so we will see.

And finally I got this beautiful hardback from Bookoutlet! I've been wanting it for some time and I think I paid $2.99 plus shipping.

 Did I scare ya??? It will make a good Christmas read this year.

So what did you add to your shelves this week?

Weekend Reads (3/18/16)

Seems like I spent all week finishing up The Taxidermist's Daughter, but it was mainly because the family had quite a few errands and obligations this week.  I still managed to squeeze in an graphic novel read so all in all, I'm pleased with the way the month continues to shape up.  Hopefully it will be a pretty laid back weekend so here is what I plan on reading.

WE3 - Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.  The unforgettable story of three innocent pets-a dog, a cat and a rabbit-who have been converted into deadly cyborgs by a sinister military weapons program.  I'm looking forward to learning more about this one as I picked it up on a whim at my local library a few weeks ago.

Glass Shatters - Michelle Meyers.  I need to get this one started as I have a blog tour coming up the first week in April.










I hope to make good process on these two so that early next week, I can start another book from the Penguin First to Read program.  I also have 3 authors slated to to do guest posts/interviews in April so I am excited to add those to the blog.  

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

A Few Graphic Novels to Share

TITLE: Spider-Gwen
AUTHOR: Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriquez (artist)
PUBLISHER: Mavel
PUBLISHING DATE: November 17, 2015

FROM GOODREADS: The breakout hit of the biggest Spider-Event of the century is taking the comics world by storm with her own series! Gwen Stacy is Spider-Woman, but you knew that already. What you DON'T know is what friends and foes are waiting for her in the aftermath of Spider-Verse! From the fan-favorite creative team that brought you Spider-Gwen's origin story in EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE, Jason Latour and Robbie Rodriguez! 

MY THOUGHTS:  I am sure my opinion will probably offend someone, but I didn't really care for this graphic novel at all and more than likely will not be continuing on with the series. I think Spider Gwen is a great concept, and I am all about more females in the superhero world, but I found the first 5 issues combined in this book to be disjointed. They really didn't catch my attention and they certainly didn't hold it. I actually found myself skimming the end just to be done, which I almost never do with graphic novels. I am glad some people are enjoying it, but luckily for me, there is plenty else to read.

RATING: 2 PAWS
 

TITLE: Baba Yaga's Assistant
AUTHOR: Marika McCoola, Emily Carroll (artist)
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press
PUBLISHING DATE:  August 4, 2015

FROM GOODREADS: ASSISTANT WANTED ASAP
Must have skills in hauling, obeying orders, cooking, and cleaning. Magical talent a bonus. Must be good with heights. Enter Baba Yaga's house to apply.

Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, and that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga's house on chicken legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!

Wry, spooky and poignant, Marika McCoola's debut--with richly layered art by acclaimed graphic artist Emily Carroll--is a storytelling feat and a visual fest.

MY THOUGHTS:  Cute story and as expected with Emily Carroll being the artist, the graphics were great.  Don't know a lot about the Baba Yaga folklore so this was a good introduction.  Middle grade book would be suitable for any children interested in venturing into the graphic novel world.

RATING: 3 PAWS

 
 

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

"Waiting on" Wednesday" is weekly meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming anticipated releases. 

 

June 14, 2016

FROM GOODREADS:
In her extraordinary debut, Spells of Blood and Kin, Claire Humphrey deftly weaves her paranormal world with vivid emotional depth and gritty violence. Bringing together themes of death, addiction, and grief, Claire takes readers on a human journey that goes beyond fantasy.

When her beloved grandmother dies suddenly, 22-year-old Lissa Nevsky is left with no choice but to take over her grandmother's magical position in their small folk community. That includes honoring a debt owed to the dangerous stranger who appears at Lissa's door.

Maksim Volkov needs magic to keep his brutal nature leashed, but he's already lost control once: his blood-borne lust for violence infects Nick Kaisaris, a charming slacker out celebrating the end of finals. Now Nick is somewhere else in Toronto, going slowly mad, and Maksim must find him before he hurts more people.

Lissa must uncover forbidden secrets and mend family rifts in order to prevent Maksim from hurting more people, including himself. If she fails, Maksim will have no choice but to destroy both himself and Nick.

WHY I'M WAITING: Dark fantasy, paranormal elements and magic - everything I like in a good book and I can't wait to see what this one delivers!

What are you waiting for this week?