What's Happening (08-15-20) - The One Where Cass Has a Girlfriend

So I'm doing things a tad bit differently this year and will be combining all of my regular weekend posts.  This will enable me to add more content on Fridays and it is just starting to make more sense.  I'll still be linking up with Stacking the Shelves at Tynga's Reviews and Sunday Post at Caffeinated Reviewer.  Both blogs are awesome so make sure you check them out.

So I've not done a recap in about 2 weeks and to be honest, it's been some ups and downs.  Here are the highlights:

• Gpa is doing okay, not great but okay.
• I had my flu shot and shingles vaccine Thursday and I'm still not over it.
• My husband is driving me crazy with his various Youtube-of-the-day fascinations.  Some things I just don't care about!
• Work is driving me nuts and I'm still not back full time.
• Reading has been fairly good and I do have some new books to share.

So in a nutshell, there you have it.  However, I do have something very important to share.  My boy Cassius is in love.  We try to walk the boys at least once, sometimes twice a day.  We have a certain route and there is a high school girl who lives down the street on the corner.  She drives a light blue Fiat and is a Red Wing (which is basically a cross between a majorette and a cheerleader at our local school - which means she popular).  She probably doesn't weigh as much as Cass and she works at a local yogurt shop.  And Cass LOVES her.  And even more, she LOVES him.  When he sees her, his eyes gloss over and you can almost see the love in them.  And Emma, that's her name, drops everything on the sidewalk (keys, phone, etc) and hugs and kisses him and gives him the best belly and back scratches.  She lets him kiss her and one day this week, we weren't even near her house when she saw him and she pulled over, put the car in park, and proceeded to love on him for 5 minutes.  He mopes when he doesn't see her and honestly, I think I've been replaced.  But I am happy for him.  Every boy should have a first love.  And she even makes time to pet Apollo, even though you can tell she favors his big brother.

So on to the books.  I did some Amazon buying because they had a Kindle sale where you could get $8.00 in credit after purchasing so much.  I needed a pick-me-up so here's what I grabbed.

Stage Fright: Garrett Boatman

Curse of the Pigman: Asher Ellis

Tomes and Terriers: Hillary Avis

The Toymaker: Sergio Gomez

Camp Slaughter: Sergio Gomez

The Game: Linsey Miller

So I hope you all are having a great weekend.  I'll be spending tomorrow catching up on blog visits and comments.  Hope everyone is staying safe and look for a library haul next week!

Flame Tree Press Tour - Sins of the Father

TITLE: Sins of the Father
AUTHOR: JG Faherty
PUBLISHER: Flame Tree Press
PUBLISHING DATE: August 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

Henry Gilman has spent years trying to separate himself from his father's legacy of murder and insanity. Now he has the chance - all he has to do is figure out who's been killing people in Innsmouth. Then he'll be a hero and win the heart of the woman he loves, Flora Marsh. But soon he's caught in a web of danger, with the undead stalking the streets at night, a terrible monster lurking below the city, and a prophecy of destruction about to come true. In the process, his actions cause unwanted consequences and to save Flora he has to do the very thing he's spent his life trying to avoid: follow his father's footsteps into madness.   

MY THOUGHTS:  You know what I like better than horror?  Horror with tentacles!  And while I've not read a lot of Lovecraft, I definitely recognize the author's nod to the classic horror writer. 

The novel is set in the early 20th century.  As a child, his father was a renowned doctor whose healing techniques came into question when Henry's mother was dying of cancer.  Some of his father's experiments led to corpse reanimation and eventually landed him in an asylum.  Henry is now an adult working as a coroner/mortician in the town of Innsmouth.  He is investigating the death of a local policeman when he witnesses a demon coming from the sea.  One who resembles a fish-like creature and one whom Henry witnesses murder someone.  Soon Henry has to prove his own innocence which proves hard to do with cloud of his father hovering over him.

This book was fast-paced and exciting.  I've read a lot of thrillers lately but as the nights get a tad cooler, I found Sins of the Father just what I needed to satisfy my horror-loving soul.  I found myself liking Henry for the most past but don't get me wrong, he was sometimes a despicable man who did questionable things.  Maybe it was because of his flaws that I liked him. 

I have to admit that I wasn't completely satisfied with the conclusion and perhaps there is a sequel in the making out there somewhere.  I'm definitely game for it if there is.  Either way, if you are intrigued by Lovecraft or enjoyed his works, then I think this might just be a book for you.  Once again, Flame Tree Press doesn't disappoint and Faherty is an author I will definitely pick up again.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JG Faherty is a Bram Stoker Award® and ITW Thriller Award nominee and the author of six novels, nine novellas, and more than 50 short stories. He writes adult and YA horror/sci-fi/fantasy, and his works range from quiet, dark suspense to over-the-top comic gruesomeness.

His novels and novellas, all of which are listed on Goodreads, include THE CURE, CARNIVAL OF FEAR, GHOSTS OF CORONADO BAY, CEMETERY CLUB, THE BURNING TIME, LEGACY, CASTLE BY THE SEA, FATAL CONSEQUENCES, THIEF OF SOULS, THE COLD SPOT, and HE WAITS.

He enjoys urban exploring, photography, classic B-movies, good wine, and pumpkin beer. As a child, his favorite playground was a 17th-century cemetery, which many people feel explains a lot. His personal motto is "Photobombing people since 1979!" You can follow him at www.twitter.com/jgfaherty, www.facebook.com/jgfaherty, http://about.me/jgfaherty, and www.jgfaherty.com.

Cassius's Corner - Lily to the Rescue!

Welcome to my new feature I made especially in honor of the Dog Days of Summer Challenge.  However, I'm thinking I can convince Mom to let me pop in every once in a while even after the challenge is over.  Today, I'm reviewing a children's chapter book which me, Mom and Apollo read recently.

TITLE: Lily to the Rescue (Lily to the Rescue #1)

AUTHOR: W. Bruce Cameron

PUBLISHER: Starscape

PUBLISHING DATE: March 17, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: Lily lives with her girl, Maggie Rose. Once a stray, Lily was rescued by the kind people at the animal shelter run by Maggie Rose's mom. Now she has a very important purpose: to rescue other animals in trouble.

In Lily to the Rescue, Lily meets a crow with a broken wing, so she and Maggie Rose take the crow home to Mom. But when the crow starts to become too tame, some unexpected problems arise. It's Lily to the rescue!

MY THOUGHTS:  Lily is a rescue pitbull who lives with her human, Maggie Rose, and her parents and brothers.  Maggie's parents are really cool and love animals a lot because her dad is a Colorado game warden and her mom is a vet who runs a rescue.  On day at the dog park Lily saves an injured crow who they name Casey.  Maggie's mom tries to save Casey but in the process they fear they've made him too tame.  Also, Casey ends up rescuing a kitten hiding in a tree.  

Casey likes to eat peanuts (which I don't like but I do like peanut butter) and Lily likes meat sandwiches.  I would definitely eat sandwiches with Lily because she is kind of cute.  However, I already have a girlfriend, Emma, who maybe Mom will tell you about one day.  So I guess I would introduce Lily to Apollo.  It might give me some peace.

So this was a fun book to read with Mom and my bratty brother.  There were small pictures throughout done in black and white and accented in the blue which is on the cover which is a really nice touch and caught Apollo's attention.  I enjoyed hearing about all of the animals and am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.  I like this book a lot so Apollo better not eat it!

Oh, and I especially liked hearing about Boggs, a huge dog who likes to sit in the water bowl at the dog park.  Sounds like something Apollo might do.

RATING: 5 Paws (it's about a dog!  what do you expect from another dog?)

Can't Wait Wednesday (284) - The Dog Days of Summer Furry Edition!

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

FROM GOODREADS: A pack of rescue huskies inspires love and romance in a coastal Alaskan town fractured by feuding families—but can young pups really teach frozen hearts new tricks?

Taylor Lipin has made it her life's mission to leave her hometown and its ridiculous, century-old feud with the Porters behind. But when her sister needs help running the family inn, Taylor agrees to return to Helen, Alaska on a temporary, definitely not longer than two weeks, basis. Or so she thinks, until she's quite literally swept off her feet and into enemy territory by three happy huskies and their drool-worthy owner, Dr. Josh Krane.

Though Josh didn't grow up in Helen with the rest of his Porter cousins, he's heard the stories: Porters rescue huskies. The Lipins are cat people. Keep to your pack. But Taylor is too tempting to give up—plus, his dogs love her.

As Taylor and Josh grow closer, tensions in the town escalate and the need for secrecy starts taking a toll. Soon they'll need to decide whether their newfound love is just a summer fling or if they've found their forever home.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  You all the quickest way to get me to pick up a romance book is to put a cute dog on the cover and heck, this one has two!  Plus I always believe that puppies can teach people new tricks!

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CASSIUS'S PICK:

FROM GOODREADS: A mischievous dog takes matters into his own paws when his beloved owners split up in this offbeat romantic comedy.

The Man has custody Monday through Friday, The Woman has custody on the weekends. But that's not enough for Gatz, who will do anything to bring them back together--even if it kills him. And it almost did. Of course he knows chocolate is bad for him, especially two whole pounds of it, but it's the risk he's willing to take to get them back together.

Gatz knows that The Man and The Woman are perfect for each other--how can they not see it too? She is an editor and he's a writer. She's a social butterfly and he's as introverted as a guy can get. After the misguided death-by-chocolate attempt, Gatz thinks he still has time. But when New Man--so handsome, so nice, so perfect--enters The Woman's life, he realizes he'll need to step up his game. And you know what they say: drastic times call for drastic doggy measures.

A laugh-out-loud romance that will touch your heart and make you want a furry friend of your own.

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  Thank heavens I've never had to work to get my parents back together.  And if I did, even if they think they are stubborn, they know by now boxers are one of the most stubborn breeds out there so I'd win that battle.  But I am a tad worried about Gatz not knowing to stay away from chocolate - BAD OWNERS!

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Random Things Tours - The Silence

TITLE: The Silenve
AUTHOR: Susan Allott
PUBLISHER: The Borough Press
PUBLISHING DATE: August 6, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

Combining the emotional power and dual narrative style of 'Before We Were Yours' with the nuanced, layered, and atmospheric mystery of 'The Dry', a powerful debut novel revolving around a shocking disappearance, two neighbor families, and shameful secrets from the past that refuse to stay buried. 

It is 1997, and in a basement flat in Hackney, Isla Green is awakened by a call in the middle of the night: her father phoning from Sydney. Thirty years ago, in the suffocating heat of summer 1967, the Green's next-door neighbor Mandy disappeared. At the time, it was thought she fled a broken marriage and gone to start a new life; but now Mandy's family is trying to reconnect, and there is no trace of her. Isla's father Joe was allegedly the last person to see her alive, and now he's under suspicion of murder. 

Isla unwillingly plans to go back to Australia for the first time in a decade to support her father. The return to Sydney will plunge Isla deep into the past, to a quiet street by the sea where two couples live side by side. Isla's parents, Louisa and Joe, have recently emigrated from England - a move that has left Louisa miserably homesick while Joe embraces his new life. Next door, Steve and Mandy are equally troubled. Mandy doesn't want a baby, even though Steve - a cop trying to hold it together under the pressures of the job - is desperate to become a father. 

The more Isla asks about the past, the more she learns: about both young couples and the secrets each marriage bore. Could her father be capable of doing something terrible? How much does her mother know? What will happen to their family if Isla's worst fears are realized? And is there another secret in this community, one which goes deeper into Australia's colonial past, which has held them in a conspiracy of silence? 

Deftly exploring the deterioration of relationships and the devastating truths we keep from those we love, 'THE SILENCE' is a stunning debut from a promising literary star.  

MY THOUGHTS: Have I told you how much I love dual timelines in novels?  Sure I have.  And this is another great example of how well that format works for me.  This book is definitely one to look at if you are looking for some diverse reads as it is set in Australia and even addresses some nefarious dealings with Aborigine babies.

Allott manages to take the facade of a beautiful neighborhood where anyone would be proud to raise a family and then deconstructs it piece by piece to showcase that looks are only surface deep.  On top of that, she has appropriately titled her book The Silence as it delves into the damage that secrets and keeping quiet can do to families and neighbors. I don't want to share too much as I think the synopsis above tells you just enough, and maybe even a tad too much.  This is a book I loved going into blindly.

I love how the author is not afraid to delve into Australian history known as "Stolen Generations" and it was both a history lesson and an eye opener for me.  I think it is an apt time in history to showcase books like this and I'm glad I read it and can share it with you.  The Silence is Allott's debut novel and I can't wait to see what she shares with us next!

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Susan Allott is from the UK but spent part of her twenties in Australia, desperately homesick but trying to make Sydney her home. In 2016 she completed the Faber Academy course, during which she started writing this novel. She now lives in south London with her two children and her very Australian husband.

Orenda Blog Tour - Ash Mountain Paperback Release

TITLE: Ash Mountain
AUTHOR: Helen Fitzgerald
PUBLISHER: Orenda Books
PUBLISHING DATE: May 14, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

Fran hates Ash Mountain, and she thought she’d escaped. But her father is ill, and needs care. Her relationship is over, and she hates her dead-end job in the city, anyway. 

She returns to her hometown to nurse her dying father, her distant teenage daughter in tow for the weekends. There, in the sleepy town of Ash Mountain, childhood memories prick at her fragile self-esteem, she falls in love for the first time, and her demanding dad tests her patience, all in the unbearable heat of an Australian summer. 

As old friendships and rivalries are renewed, and new ones forged, Fran’s tumultuous home life is the least of her worries, when old crimes rear their heads and a devastating bushfire ravages the town and all of its inhabitants… 

Simultaneously a warm, darkly funny portrait of small-town life – and a woman and a land in crisis – and a shocking and truly distressing account of a catastrophic event that changes things forever, Ash Mountain is a heart-breaking slice of domestic noir, and a disturbing disaster thriller that you will never forget…  

MY THOUGHTS: I have to be honest and admit that it took me awhile to get into Ash Mountain.  And overall, it was a rather short book coming in at slightly over 200 pages.  But in the long run, the novel turned out to be a solid read and I felt as if I broadened my horizons some by reading a book that dealt with an Australian bushfire, a natural disaster I've not encountered before in my vast reading.

Fran has returned to her small hometown to take care of her father, despite not liking the area very much.  Her daughter is there on weekends and being in town has brought up some childhoods memories which help showcase the dysfunctional family.  Drama ensues during a devastating bushfire and soon the story becomes one of survival. 

At first Fran comes across a little harsh but after getting to "know" her, one can see her snarky and sarcastic personality shining through.  And those just happen to be characteristics I love.  The story was very engrossing and I could tell the author was writing about things she knows and has experienced in the past.  As the book progresses, it picks up pace and toward the end, I was both scared and optimistic about the conclusion.  If you are looking for a family centered thriller/suspense novel, look no further.


RATING: 3 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Helen FitzGerald is the bestselling author of ten adult and young adult thrillers, including The Donor (2011) and The Cry (2013), which was longlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and is now a major drama for BBC1. Her 2019 dark comedy thriller Worst Case Scenario was a Book of the Year in both The Guardian and Daily Telegraph. Helen worked as a criminal justice social worker for over fifteen years. She grew up in Victoria, Australia, and now lives in Glasgow with her husband.

Random Things Tours - Mime by Chrissey Harrison

TITLE: Mime (Weird News #1)
AUTHOR: Chrissey Harrison
PUBLISHER: Matador
PUBLISHING DATE: July 10, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

There’s a supernatural killer on the loose... 

Elliot Cross didn’t believe in monsters. At least, not until his brother died at the hands of something unnatural. 

Four years later and a string of impossible deaths leave the police baffled. Consumed by a desire to shine a journalistic light on the supernatural world, Elliot sees a chance to make a difference. Enlisting the help of his (only) employee, Samantha, he quickly identifies the culprit – a demonic mime artist whose invisible creations are fatally real. 

Way out of his depth, Elliot’s only hope is renowned demon hunter Gabriel Cushing. But tracking down Gabriel is only the beginning… The search for a way to end the demon forever will take Elliot and Sam across the country, uncovering lost history, buried secrets, and a few new truths about themselves.  

MY THOUGHTS: I knew when I saw this cover that Mime was a book I had to read.  And this is a case where the cover and what lies between it are both great.  And it seems like it's the start of a new series so now I'll be looking forward to the next installment.

Elliot Cross and his employee Samantha publish a monthly paper called Weird News.  Because of things that have happened in their past, they have dedicated their lives to debunking or assisting with unnatural cases.  When the book opens, a string of deaths in Bristol have the police baffled and even though they appear to have no connection, Elliot and Sam soon discover otherwise.  Before they know it, not only are they trying to catch a demonic mime artist who uses quite unique ways to kill his prey, but they are also running for their lives.

This book has it all.  Action, excitement, demons, complex characters, and intriguing backstory and even a hint of romance.  I feel in love with the tale immediately and it didn't even seem like I was reading a book over 500 pages.  Harrison weaves in historical elements with a current time frame to keep the reader completely involved.  In addition, I have always found mimes a tad terrifying and this book definitely solidified that fear.  I can't wait to see what Harrison has in store for Weird News next!

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Author of supernatural thrillers and other spec genre fiction.

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What can you expect from my books? Monsters, magic, action and adventure, and fragile human characters trying to muddle through as best they can. They make mistakes and bad choices sometimes, and they have to learn to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses and turn to their friends and loved ones for help and support.

My debut novel, "Mime", released June 2020. Working on this book has been an epic 10 year journey learning how to be a writer. Although Mime was my first project, it has routinely been on the back burner while I worked on other projects. You can discover the published ones in the books section of my website, and novelette "The Star Coin Prophecy" is available as a free download for subscribers.

FIND ME:
Website: http://chrisseyharrison.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/chrisseywrites
Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorchrisseyharrison

I'm a science geek, gamer, fan of sci-fi and fantasy, and wearer of many hats. Metaphorical hats, that is, not so much real hats. At the moment I mostly wear my writer hat, my designer and my crafter hat. I also used to wear my film maker hat when producing movies with my amazing colleagues over at The Great Escape.

I live in Clevedon in a creaky old Victorian terrace with my partner and my 17 year-old goldfish Ambition. One day I will own a cat... one day.