Random Things Tours - The Crow Folk

 

TITLE: The Crow Folk (The Witches of Woodville 1)

AUTHOR: Mark Stay

PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster UK

PUBLISHING DATE: February 4, 2021

PAGES: 400

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: 

As Spitfires roar overhead and a dark figure stalks the village of Woodville, a young woman will discover her destiny… 

Faye Bright always felt a little bit different. And today she’s found out why. She’s just stumbled across her late mother’s diary which includes not only a spiffing recipe for jam roly-poly, but spells, incantations, runes and recitations… a witch's notebook. 

And Faye has inherited her mother’s abilities. 

Just in time, too. The Crow Folk are coming. Led by the charismatic Pumpkinhead, their strange magic threatens Faye and the villagers. Armed with little more than her mum's words, her trusty bicycle, the grudging help of two bickering old ladies, and some aggressive church bellringing, Faye will find herself on the front lines of a war nobody expected.

NY THOUGHTS: This young adult fantasy had me with witches and Pumkinhead. Do I need to say more.  Set in a small area of Kent during the war.  Faye is a teenager whose mother has passed.  While looking though some of her mother's stuff, she finds a mysterious book and discovers she is actually a witch.  She tries to learn how to use her mother's abilities against a backdrop of strange magic threatening Faye and the villagers.

I really liked the historical fiction aspects of this book and felt it provided an interesting juxtaposition with the whimsical and magical elements.  Faye was a great character and I immediately felt a connection with her.  I also cannot say enough about the relationship between her and her father.  It was during their scenes that Stay was able to weave in some humor and lighter moments.  I also really liked the two elderly women who work with Faye because I feel that any YA book can benefit from some elderly wisdom.

This book pretty much has something for everyone and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys magic, whimsy, historical fiction and demons.  I can't wait for the sequel!

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Stay co-wrote the screenplay for Robot Overlords which became a movie with Sir Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson, and premiered at the 58th London Film Festival. He is co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast and has worked in bookselling and publishing for over twenty-five years. He lives in Kent, England, with his family and a trio of retired chickens. He blogs and humblebrags over at markstaywrites.com.

Top Ten Tuesday - They Call It Puppy Love Edition

 

The top 10 weekly meme used to be hosted by The Broke and the Bookish they  handed over the reins to That Artsy Reader Girl who can be found HERE.  Each week she will focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading.

This week is a Valentine's Day/Love freebie so to celebrate my They Call It Puppy Love Challenge, I'm sharing five things I love about both Cassius and Apollo.

Five Things I Love About Cassius!

Can you believe he was ever this small?

• I love the way he looks at me.  Seriously, he has such deep chocolate brown eyes and I can see the love in them when he looks my way.
• I love his stripes.  Before my Dad passed away, he would always ask me and Mr. Barb when were going to get a "tiger striped boxer" so now I can't look at Cass without thinking about Dad.
• I love how he will clean his brother's ears when we aren't looking.  I know he loves Apollo even though he gets on his nerves sometimes.
• I love how lovable he is!  Just ask his girlfriend - he lights up, starts wiggling his butt and jumps in excitement whenever he sees Emma.  
• I love how he cuddles.  He will lay beside me on the couch when I read and often climbs in bed and cuddles before Mr. Mike comes up for the night.  He also had a large bed beside my side of the bed so I can always reach down and touch him during the night (and cover him up with his blanket but that's another story).

Five Things I Love About Apollo

• I love how fearless he is.  Of course, this also means at least five times a day I ask him what's in his mouth.  Has to be my most-used phrase each week.
• I love his energy.  He's always so excited about everything.
• I love how he meets his Dad on the sidewalk when he comes home because he has to carry his car keys into the house.  He literally gets angry if I'm not watching the door for Mr. Mike around 3:15pm each day.
• I love the velvet fur on top of his head and how if I rub it his eyes start getting heavy.
• I love how he runs so freely in the backyard and climbs on the picnic table and eats snow when it's falling and digs holes everywhere.

And since it's Valentine's Day week, I can't go without saying how much we love and miss Booker T.  He lives on every day in our hearts and on this blog.

Random Things Blog Tour - The Yorkshire Dipper

 

TITLE: The Yorkshire Dipper

AUTHOR: Maria Frankland

PUBLISHER: Autonomy Press

PUBLISHING DATE:  February 3, 2021

PAGES: 336

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: How many lives will be lost before something is done?

The River Alder bodes a notorious threat. The local police are over-stretched and under-resourced.

With each life that is pulled into the river’s depths, journalist Lauren Holmes becomes more suspicious and more determined to bring the truth to the surface.

Her police sergeant fiancé is well-placed to help her. Yet he is committed to maintaining police reputation and is happy to accept each death recorded as ‘drunken misadventure.’

Can Lauren get to the bottom of the deaths without risking her own ‘accident?’

MY THOUGHTS:  It was initially the cover which drew me to The Yorkshire Dipper.  I find it super eerie and it definitely fits the tone of the book well.  Women have been turning up dead in the River Alder and since they have all been intoxicated, the police have ruled them accidental.  Lauren Holmes, who just happens to be engaged to a local detective, feels there's more the story and she starts questioning the deaths and accusing law enforcement of not doing enough.  However, Lauren's actions might have just drawn attention from someone else besides the police and can she help figure out what is going on before it's too late.

First of all I really enjoyed the format of this book. It's divided into two parts and without giving anything away, part two definitely marks a major plot twist.  There are also chapters throughout from the POVs of all the victims and really brought the reader into their worlds.  The mystery kept me turning the pages much later into the night than I expected, and even though I thought I knew the perpetrator, Frankland added another curve ball at the end.

The only real issue I had with the book was the ending.  It wasn't really open-ended, but it also wasn't completely resolved. The mystery was cleared up but the way it was written left me wanting to know more about the fallout after the reveal.  The book was long enough but I would have enjoyed an additional 50 pages or so addressing what I mentioned above. 

If you love thrillers, this one won't disappoint.  I will definitely be keeping an eye on this one in the future.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Maria Frankland's life began at 40 when she escaped an unhappy marriage and began making a living from her own writing and becoming a teacher of creative writing.

The rich tapestry of life with all its turbulent times has enabled her to pour experience, angst and lessons learned into the writing of her novels and poetry.

She recognises that the darkest places can exist within family relationships and this is reflected in the domestic thrillers she writes.

She is a 'born 'n' bred' Yorkshirewoman, a mother of two and has recently found her own 'happy ever after' after marrying again.

Still in her forties, she is now going to dedicate the rest of her working life to writing books and inspiring other writers to also achieve their dreams too!

 

Twitter @writermaria_f

https://mariafrankland.co.uk/

2 Bloggers 1 Book - Eight Cylinders

 

In January, the author of this choice reached out to both of us so we decided to request his newest book and use it for one of our buddy reads.  I do believe I liked it a tad more than Stormi, so read on to see why.  Then hop over to  Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! to see her opinion! 

TITLE: Eight Cylinders

AUTHOR: Jason Parent

PUBLISHER: Crystal Lake Publishing

PUBLISHING DATE: November 13, 2020

PAGES: 82

SOURCE: Author

FROM GOODREADS: 

Sebastian “Seb” McAlister has run out of luck in Vegas. Cornered by a trigger-happy gang and shot through the stomach, he makes a desperate escape in his supercharged Hellcat. Fate guides Seb safely out of Sin City and into the desert, but as his wheels fade into the horizon, he fades into darkness. 

He awakes among a tiny community in the middle of nowhere. A mountain range circles the hodgepodge of shacks like prison walls looming high. And the warden that resides in those mountains is big, ugly, and deadly—a creature straight out of a Lovecraftian nightmare. If Seb hopes to escape that wayward way station, he’ll need enough cunning to outwit a force beyond comprehension… and a fast car. 

With a little luck and a ragtag group of would-be monster mashers racing alongside him, Seb just might have a shot of making it through the mountains alive.

MY THOUGHTS: One look at this cover and I knew this was a story I had to read.  I mean, fast cars and tentacles - that alone made my little cold heart beat faster.  And I have to admit, the story was as action-packed as the cover implies.

Since this is such a short novella, there's not much to add besides the synopsis and I don't want to give anything away.  So instead, lets focus on what worked for me about this book and a few things that fell short. Even though Seb was a criminal, I found myself really liking his character.  He definitely had a soft side as was seen by his concern about his best friend Carlos and his girlfriend.  He also takes on the task of getting one community member to safety when all odds are stacked against him.  I also really liked the tentacled-monster who has basically imprisoned everyone in the small desert community.  As the synopsis states, this creature is basically a warden.  Finally, the fast cars.  When I was born, my dad was a drag car driver so I was raised around fast and beautiful cars.  I guess you could say it's in my blood because I still love them and the faster the better.

Now for what fell short.  The ending wasn't what I wanted.  I'm pretty sure they will be a sequel eventually and there kind of needs to be so I can wrap some things up in my head.  Also, I'm pretty sure I didn't catch on to the meaning behind the ending. It left me feeling kind of dumb and confused.  Not feelings I like to have when I close a book.

That being said, this is the second book I've read by Parent and he is now a must-watch author for me. I really enjoy his writing style and am very curious where his imagination heads next.

RATING: 4 PAWS

Can't Wait Wednesday (308)

 

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: Dark Stars , edited by John F.D. Taff, is a tribute to horror’s longstanding short fiction legacy, featuring 12 terrifying original stories from today's most noteworthy authors, with a foreword by bestselling author Josh Malerman and an afterword by Ramsey Campbell.

Created as an homage to the 1980 classic horror anthology Dark Forces edited by Kirby McCauley, this collection features 12 original novelettes showcasing today’s top horror talent. Dark Stars features all-new terrifying stories from award-winning authors and up-and-coming voices like Stephen Graham Jones, Priya Sharma, Usman T. Malik, and Alma Katsu, with seasoned author John F.D. Taff at the helm. An afterword from original Dark Forces contributor Ramsey Campbell is a poignant finale to this bone-chilling collection.

So enter if you dare, dear reader, and discover what horrors await in Dark Stars... 

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I tend to love to collect anthologies and I just recently stumbled onto this cover which I think is sooooo spooky.  Also, if you don't know, later this year Tor, one of my favorite covers, is coming out with a horror imprint and I am already on board for all of their anticipated releases - bring them on!

CASSIUS'S PICK:

FROM GOODREADS: Introducing DOG SQUAD, the crime-fighting, tail-wagging, hilarious new series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and coauthor of Max Einstein!

When trouble calls . . . it's DOG SQUAD to the rescue!

Duke is not your average dog. Along with his crew, he fights crime and goes on claw-biting adventures helping dogs in peril in the hit streaming sensation--DOG SQUAD! Fred is a pretty average dog. He's scrappy. He's loveable. But he's not brave like his heroes on Dog Squad.

Fred looks an awful lot like Duke from Dog Squad though. In fact, when Duke needs a stand-in, Fred's the perfect choice. But the Dog Squad action doesn't always stop on screen! When there's danger in real life, can Fred find the courage to step up and save the day?!

It's all paws on deck in this action-packed, middle grade adventure series just right for anyone who loves dogs--and anyone who loves to laugh!

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  First of all, I think the dogs on this cover look like so much fun.  Plus, I'm not your average dog either so I want to join the Dog Squad.  PLEASE let me join Mom, I need a break from Apollo and growling at him to go away isn't working anymore!

I Needed a Book Break!

 

TITLE: Bait and Witch (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries #1)

AUTHOR: Angela M. Sanders

PUBLISHER: Kensington

PUBLISHING DATE: December 29, 2020

PAGES: 304

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: 
Librarian Josie Way moved to small-town Oregon to lay low. Instead, thanks to newfound magic abilities—and a killer on the loose—she’s leapt out of the frying pan and into a cauldron of trouble . . . 

Josie Way loved working among the Library of Congress’s leather-scented stacks—until she uncovered corruption and made herself a target. As Wilfred, Oregon’s new librarian, Josie can stay undercover until the case goes to court. But life in this little town isn’t as subdued as she expected. The library, housed in a a Victorian mansion, is slated to be bulldozed. Still digesting the news that her safe haven is about to become scrap lumber, Josie discovers a body in the woods . . . 

Almost as shocking, Josie learns that she’s descended from a long line of witches—and her powers have suddenly sprung to life. With help from a spoiled alley cat who just may be her familiar, Josie’s thumbing through a catalog of suspects, hoping she can conjure a way to save her library—and her life.

MY THOUGHTS: I have always loved cozy mysteries but honestly haven't made much time for them lately.  However, I kind of felt a slump coming on in January so I had to grab this one when I saw it at the library.  I won't lie, the fact that it centered around a librarian witch also grabbed my attention.

Josie, our MC, had been working in the Library of Congress but she overheard some information which placed a target on her back.  She took off to Oregon to hide out pending a trial and while there, some changes start to happen.  A stray cat attaches itself to her and at times, she swears she can see from the cat's POV, the books in the library start calling to her, and everything seems more vibrant.  

Her new job is at jeopardy though because someone is trying to sell the library's property.  Josie bands together with many of the town people to save the library.  Oh, and on the day she arrived, she finds a dead body in the woods next to the library so she fears she may have already been discovered.  

This book has everything I love in cozy mysteries - small town charm, colorful characters, a good mystery and a pet - although I REALLY want a witch with a dog for a change.  It was a quick read and a perfect way to spend a dreary Sunday afternoon.  I highly recommend this one and can't wait for the next one.

And by the way, does anyone know of any witch tales where the familiar is a canine?

RATING: 5 PAWS

Challenge Announcement - They Call It Puppy Love 2021`

 

So it's that time of year.  Love is in the air (at least we hope that's all that's in the air) and as usual, we want to give the pups some well-deserved attention this month.  I'm once again hosting my laid-back challenge and hope some of you will consider joining me.  It's easy and here are the rules:

• Make a sign up post and link it here to the blog.
• Read at least one book which: has a dog (or cat) on the cover or features a dog (or cat) in it.
• Do a wrap up post at the end of February with links to your review(s).

Seems easy enough huh?  At the end of the month, I will put all the participants in a bowl and Apollo and Cassius will pick a lucky winner.  That person will receive a $10.00 gift certificate to Amazon or Book Depository.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter