2 Bloggers 1 Book - The Only Good Indians

Stormi and I were both eager to give this month's read a try.  Unfortunately, I think it worked out better for me than it did her.  So read on for my thoughts and then go check out Stormi's at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!

TITLE: The Only Good Indians

AUTHOR: Stephen Graham Jones

PUBLISHER: Gallery/Saga Press

PUBLISHING DATE: July 14, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

The creeping horror of Paul Tremblay meets Tommy Orange’s There There in a dark novel of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition in this latest novel from the Jordan Peele of horror literature, Stephen Graham Jones. 

Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way. 

MY THOUGHTS: I'm going to be honest, I almost don't know how to review this book.  I knew very little about it going in and you can see, the synopsis doesn't give much away.  The cover initially caught my attention and then the book itself started getting a lot of buzz.  All I knew was that being a horror lover, I couldn't wait to read it.

I think going into this book blind actually increased my enjoyment.  I'll admit that I was kind of confused in the beginning but after the first 50 pages or so, it started to fall into place.  However, it wasn't until the end of the novel that the full gravity of what I had read hit me.  The Only Good Indians tells the tale of four American Indian individuals who as teens, went hunting on sacred land.  When they were caught, they were forbidden to ever hunt again, yet for one of them, the weight of what they did weighed more heavily.  Now these Blackfeet men are older, have moved on and are living their own lives.  But are they safe from what happened years ago??

This book is broken down into different parts and at first, it felt like novellas woven together to form one cohesive tale.  And I guess maybe it could be looked at like that.  The reader is able to see both of the current day activities as well as the past experiences for various POVs.  The format worked well for me as I tend to love it when books show various time periods throughout.  One by one we see these men face their fears and struggle to come out the other side. 

The book is also so strongly founded in Native American culture.  The beliefs and customs are so deeply and play such a pertinent part in the story.  I felt for each character in a different way and even though the book was totally terrifying in places, I still had a hard time feeling completely sorry for what the men were experiencing.  I could see all sides and honestly, this is a tale that will stick with me for a long time.

I think this book is begging to be made into a movie and if it is, I'm there for it.  I'll anxiously sit and watch and probably tell my husband at least a time or two the book is better.  Because honestly, I don't know if a film can truly encompass the atmosphere and tone of The Only Good Indians. 

If you love horror then you seriously need to consider picking this book up.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ANIMAL ABUSE TRIGGER WARNING:  There are multiple disturbing and graphic dog deaths/animal abuse in this novel.  I wasn't forewarned and admit that it probably brought my rating down a notch as that is something  that severely bothers me.  However, I would still recommend the book so that tells you how much I loved it.

2 Bloggers 1 Book - Word to the Wise (Library Lovers Mystery #10)

I knew it wouldn't be too long before Stormi and I got to this book when we both received it.  After all, it's a favorite series for both of us.  So read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Stormi's at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for hers.  

TITLE: Word to the Wise (Library Lover's Mystery #10)

AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: September 3, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: Lindsey Norris is finally getting married to the man of her dreams--but it's not all roses for Briar Creek's beloved library director, as gardening enthusiast and town newcomer Aaron Grady gives the term "book lover" a whole new meaning. Inappropriate looks and unwelcome late-night visits to Lindsey's house have everyone from the crafternooners to Lindsey's fiancé, Sully, on edge. 

When Grady's dead body is found staged outside the library and all the clues point to Sully, Lindsey knows it's up to her to dig through the hidden chapters of Grady's previous life to find the real culprit and clear Sully's name. But becoming a thorn in the killer's side is not without its consequences, and the closer Lindsey gets to the truth, the more determined the murderer is to make her just a footnote. 

MY THOUGHTS: Most of you are aware that I love this series as well as this author.  It's one of the few series I'm actually current on so that tells you something.  The mysteries are always fun, the small town atmosphere is so quaint that I can see myself living there (even though I vowed to live in a small town after growing up in one) and the characters are awesome.  "Word to the Wise" is a strong addition to the series but I can't say that it was my favorite.

Lindsey and Sully are finally getting married and what should be a happy time is clouded by the appearance of a rose-growing stalker.  This man is more persistent than the most tenacious weed and it's no real surprise, as well as no real loss, when he ends up dead.  Once again Lindsey is thrown into trying to solve a murder to protect those she loves.

I pretty much had the mystery figured out about halfway through the novel but McKinlay still through a twist or two in at the end which kept me on my toes.  The book manages to introduce a few new characters while still showing us plenty of our favorites and I like the direction the next book seems to be heading.  Plus I give the book extra kudos for featuring Lindsey's pooch Heathcliff on the cover.

The only real negative I found in the book is at times it seemed to be pushing feminism too much.  Now I'm all for that as well as equality but it felt almost forced at times and I'm not sure it needed to have such a strong presence in a cozy mystery.

If you haven't picked up this series and you love cozy mysteries, then you are really missing out.  I hope McKinlay has no end in sight for this because this is one series that I am not tired of even though this is the 10th book in the series.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

COYER CHALLENGE UPDATE: Strong female protagonist

Two Bloggers One Books 2019 - Who Killed the Fonz?

So it's no secret Stormi and I liked reading the same books.  Heck we are now doing two buddy reads each month and truth be told, there have been months where we've actually read some of the same books unplanned.  She's always enabling me and vice versa.  So we knew from the beginning we would end up reading this month's book together, it was just a matter of waiting until it closer to publication.  So continue on to see my thoughts on this month's selection and then head over  to Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and see what Stormi thought.

TITLE: Who Killed the Fonz?

AUTHOR: James Boice

PUBLISHER: Simon Schuster

PUBLISHING DATE: February 19, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: Late October, 1984. Prince and Bruce are dominating FM radio. Ron and Nancy are headed back to the White House. Crockett and Tubbs are leading men everywhere to embrace pastels. And Richard Cunningham? Well, Richard Cunningham is having a really bad Sunday. First, there’s the meeting with his agent. A decade ago, the forty-something Cunningham was one of Hollywood’s hottest screenwriters. But Tinseltown is no longer interested in his artsy, introspective scripts. They want Terminator cyborgs and exploding Stay Puft Marshmallow men. If he isn’t interested in that sort of thing, his agent tells him, he’s gonna have to find new representation. Then later that same day he gets a phone call with even worse news. His best friend from childhood back in Milwaukee, back when everyone called him Richie, is dead. Arthur Fonzarelli. The Fonz. Lost control of his motorcycle while crossing a bridge and plummeted into the water below. Two days of searching and still no body, no trace of his trademark leather jacket. Richard flies back for the memorial service, only to discover that Fonzie’s death was no accident—it was murder. With the help of his old pals Ralph Malph and Potsie Weber, he sets out to catch the killer. Who it turns out to be is shocking. So is the story’s final twist. Who Killed The Fonz? imagines what happened to the characters of the legendary TV series Happy Days twenty years after the show left off. And while much has changed in the interim—goodbye drive-in movie theaters, hello VCRs—the story centers around the same timeless themes as the show: the meaning of family. The significance of friendship. The importance of community.

MY THOUGHTS: I had such high hopes for this read and while it didn't really disappoint me, it wasn't exactly everything I wanted either.  Richard (don't call me Richie) Cunningham is living in California with his family and is trying once again to write and direct a critically acclaimed film.  Despite having previous success, he is currently struggling when he returns home one day to discover his childhood best friend, the Fonz, has died.  Richard returns to Milwaukee for the funeral and once he arrives, he starts questioning if Fonz's death was actually an accident.  So he, Ralph Malph and Potsie team up to find out what really happened.  

Let's get the main issue out of the way so I can gush about the rest.   Overall, I felt "Who Killed the Fonz" had a pretty weak mystery.  In fact, it was almost downright predictable.  And while there were a couple of twists thrown in for good measure, one I guessed before I even cracked the spine (or in my case, turned on the Kindle).  That being said, this books was crammed full of nostalgia and 80's references.  There were numerous pop culture references and considering I grew up watching Happy Days (and may have even had a crush on Fonzie for awhile) there were some aspects I had a blast reading.   I was sorry that Pinky Tuscadero was never mentioned those because I ALWAYS wanted to be Pinky.

So if you are looking for a wonderful mystery, then you're expectations may be a tad high.  However, if you are looking for nostalgia and pop culture references, then you can't go wrong with "Who Killed the Fonz." 

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Two Bloggers One Book - The Devil's Fingers

This month Stormi and I figured we better have a shorter book to buddy read since December seems to be really busy. Plus, we both needed to read the 3rd installment of Hunter Shea's One Size Eats All novella series.  Seemed like a perfect fit.  Besides, who doesn't like a little horror for Christmas?  So check out my thoughts and when you're done, hop over to Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and see what Stormi thought.  

Also, look for the buddy reads to continue in 2019 and we also have a "Two Bloggers One Series" year-long feature planned as well.

TITLE: The Devil's Fingers (One Size Eats All #3)

AUTHOR: Hunter Shea

PUBLISHER: Lyrical Underground

PUBLISHING DATE: October 23, 2018

FROM GOODREADS:  WHAT HAS LONG PINK FINGERS AND SMELLS LIKE ROTTING FLESH?

It is a slime-covered fungus known for its pinkish red tentacles and pungent odor. It is indigenous to Australia but has spread to North America. Its Latin name is Clathrus Archeri, also known as Octopus Stinkhorn. Most people call it The Devil’s Fingers . . .
 
I DON’T KNOW BUT IT’S GROWING ON YOUR NECK. 
Deep in the woods of Washington, botanist Autumn Winters stumbles onto a field of the luridly colored fungi. Two of her fellow campers make the mistake of touching it. Now it’s growing on them. Fleshy gelatinous pods. Sprouting from their skin. Feeding on their blood . . .
 
AND IT’S STILL GROWING.
Autumn watches in horror as her friends are transformed into monstrosities—grotesque, human-fungal hybrids as contagious and deadly as any virus. Autumn knows she must destroy these mutations before they return to civilization. But if there’s one thing that spreads faster than fear, 
it’s The Devil’s Fingers . . .

MY THOUGHTS: So "The Devil's Fingers" start out with a group of hormone filled college graduates camping so that Seth can say goodbye to his father and spread his ashes in his favorite fishing lake.  While on the journey, they stumble across a rare fungus and luckily, their friend Autumn, just happens to be a botanist.  After a night of drinking, one of the lovely couples treks off into the dark to find some privacy.  Unfortunately, the stumble into a whole field of Devil's Fingers. The next morning, nothing will ever be the same.

Of all three books in this novella series, I liked "The Devil's Fingers" the least.  I had very little tolerance for the gang and found myself cheering on their deaths.  And this is a Shea book so you know there will be deaths.  I will admit though that the book is high on what I like to call "the ewww factor" which you could probably guess from the cover.  I also think this installment was a tad slow to start but once the action picked up, it was a pretty quick read.  

There's not much else to add since it is a shorter read.  If you like Shea's novels, then you kind of know what to expect and this one won't necessarily disappoint.  I think it will be hit or miss for some fans but I still love Shea's works and am eagerly anticipating what he has planned for 2019!

RATING: 3 PAWS

Two Bloggers One Book - We Were Kind of Prepared

So as you know by now, Stormi and I pick a book to read each month together as a buddy read.  Truth be told we usually end up reading several of the same books but we always target at least one.  Sometimes they're new releases we both have ARCs for or somethings we try to dig something off our older shelves.  This month we chose a sequel to a cozy mystery we read together earlier this year.  Neither of us were sold on the first one but we both also have the third one already so read on to see how this one fared.  And when you are done, cruise over to Stormi's blog @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and if we were on the same page.

TITLE: Read Herring Hunt (Mystery Bookshop #2)

AUTHOR: V.M. Burns

PUBLISHER: Kensington

PUBLISHING DATE: April 24, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: To the town of North Harbor, Michigan, MISU quarterback Dawson Alexander is a local hero. To Samantha Washington, owner of the Market Street Mysteries Bookstore, Dawson is more than a tenant—he’s like an adopted son. But to the police, he is their prime suspect after his ex-girlfriend is found murdered. It’s more than enough real-life drama for Sam to tackle, but her role as a mystery writer also calls. Returning to the English countryside between the wars, she finds Lady Daphne Marsh in quite the quandary. Someone has tried to murder the scandalous American divorcée Wallis Simpson, for whom Edward VIII so recently abdicated his throne. It seems finding a suspect is no small challenge when most of England has a motive . . .

While Sam’s lawyer sister Jenna rushes in to build Dawson's defense, Sam and her lively grandmother, Nana Jo, huddle up to solve the mystery and blow the whistle on the real killer. With the tenacious members of the Sleuthing Senior Book Club eager to come off the sidelines, Sam and her team just might stop a killer from completing another deadly play . . . 

MY THOUGHTS:  So as I mentioned, there was an element in the first installment that really bothered me.  Sam is recently widowed and has bought a mystery bookshop.  She is also attempting to become a budding author of British Mysteries.  So the first book was set up as a book within a book.  Well, that trend continued and while I managed to make it through  the British part of the first one, I wasn't so lucky this time around.

The young man who Sam has basically adopted now lives in the garage apartment and has become a local college football star.  However, when his girlfriend ends up dead, he becomes the prime suspect and Sam, her sister and her Grandmother, decide it's up to them to clear Dawson's name.  Now I do have to admit I really like the characters in this cozy.  Sam is making her way in the world without her best friend since her husband died and she really relies on  her family.  Also, Dawson is a great young man who clearly loves baking as much as he does football.  But the best part of the book is Sam's Nana Jo and her friends at the retirement home.  These ladies are a hoot and I always chuckle during their scenes. 

The mystery itself was pretty good and kept me engaged.  I figured it out but not until near the end so that was fine.  However, the British novel that Sam is working on in this installment completely lost me and after the first few forays into it, I just started skipping it altogether.  So my rating is based on the cozy aspect of the book and not "the book within the book."  

Since I already have book #3, I will likely continue on but I don't know that I'll go much further.  However, the author also has a cozy dog centered series she just started and I do enjoy her writing enough to know that I will definitely be giving those books a go.  Overall a decent mystery with a few issues.  

RATING: 3 PAWS

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Two Bloggers One Book - An Accidental Buddy Read

Stormi and I had our monthly buddy read all planned out at the beginning of the month but we were both sucked in by a new title and ended up reading it at the same time without really planning to do so.  Therefore, we decided to share our thoughts with you on this one and save the other one for later.

Once you read my review, make sure to check out Stormi's @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!  However, I don't think either of us enjoyed this month's feature.

TITLE: The Boy at the Keyhole

AUTHOR: Stephen Giles

PUBLISHER: Hanover Square Press

PUBLISHING DATE: September 4, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: An electrifying debut in the vein of Shirley Jackson and Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, about a British boy who, after his mother is abruptly called away to America, begins to suspect that perhaps she did not leave, but was murdered—by the housekeeper who cares for him in the family's isolated country estate.

Nine-year-old Samuel lives alone in a once great estate in Surrey with the family’s housekeeper, Ruth. His father is dead and his mother has been abroad for five months, purportedly tending to her late husband’s faltering business. She left in a hurry one night while Samuel was sleeping and did not say goodbye.

Beyond her sporadic postcards, Samuel hears nothing from his mother. He misses her dearly and maps her journey in an atlas he finds in her study. Samuel’s life is otherwise regulated by Ruth, who runs the house with an iron fist. Only she and Samuel know how brutally she enforces order.

As rumors in town begin to swirl, Samuel wonders whether something more sinister is afoot. Perhaps his mother did not leave, but was murdered—by Ruth.

Channeling the masterful suspense of Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca and the haunting, claustrophobic atmosphere of the works of Shirley Jackson, The Boy at the Keyhole is an electrifying debut about the precarious dance between truth and perception, and the shocking acts that occur amid tightly knit quarters.

MY THOUGHTS:  I think the above synopsis details the book pretty well. Samuel's mother left over 4 months ago setting sail for America in an attempt to save her deceased husband's business.  Samuel is stuck staying with Ruth, the housekeeper, who is not the nicest person in the world.  Fueled by his friend's overactive imagination, Samuel starts to suspect Ruth has done something to his mother preventing her from returning (unless it would be in ghostly form - hey, that might have been more interesting!).  Samuel tries to unravel the mystery of what happened to his mother but what he learns may be more terrible than he ever imagined.

So first of all.  This book is classified as an adult thriller.  I usually don't get hung up on genres and age recommendations but I think the publishing company missed the boat and should have geared this toward YA or MG.  Also, I honestly couldn't stand anyone in this book.  Samuel is a spoiled brat and Ruth is crotchety and mean.  They both kind of deserve each other and if the mom did in fact skip the country, she may have had the right idea and just may be the smartest one in the book.  The ending was disappointing and overall I was just glad it was over.

This is a relatively short read and I had high expectations for a Gothic atmospheric tale.  Glad I was able to grab this one from the library and didn't spend good money on it.  And one final caution - without including any specific spoilers, I will leave you with a closing picture.  If you don't want to risk learning too much STOP READING NOW!

If you love bunnies - step away from the book!

RATING: 2 PAWS

Two Bloggers One Book - With a Twist!

So this month Stormi and I decided to shake up our buddy read a tad.  Instead of reading the same book, we both picked a book the other has been wanting us to read for a long time.  It was really fun and encouraged us both to read a book from our backlist.  Overall I'd say it was a success.  So once you read the review of the book Stormi picked up for me, make sure to stop by her blog HERE and check out what I chose for her!

TITLE: The Moor

AUTHOR: Sam Haysom

PUBLISHER: Unbound Digital

PUBLISHING DATE: May 8, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: It begins with a ghost story around a campfire. Teenagers out on a walking trip, trying to act brave in front of each other. 

But as the walk gets underway and the boys begin to fall out, odd things start to happen. 

Noises in the night. A severed rabbit’s foot outside someone’s tent. 

Soon, the boys begin to disappear. 

As panic sets in and a storm approaches, the remaining boys must band together to face a darkness not even the local ghost stories could help them predict.

MY THOUGHTS:  I've been wanting to read this for quite some time but as the cover reminds me of a certain book I didn't like that everyone else loves (AKA: Katsu's The Hunger) I kind of put it off. However, with some encouragement from my blogging BFF, I finally picked it up, and she was right, I really did like it.

"The Moor" has dual timelines, something I really tend to enjoy, and tells the story of a group of boys who go on a camping trip with a coach and his son in the moor, an area wrapped up in urban legend and ghost stories. Over the course of several days, some of boys disappear, and it's up to those remaining to escape from an indescribable entity (and really, it is indescribable but I'll get to that in a moment). Because of the way the novel is arranged, the reader knows right away some of the campers have survived, and as the tale weaves on, we are clued in to what really happened on that camping trip.

As I mentioned, I liked the dual timelines and I also enjoyed reading the book from the boys' POV.  The setting was very atmospheric and spooky with just a hint of monsters and the supernatural.  That being said, I was a tad disappointed in the ending because I felt the the author never did let the reader know what was really happening.  I love reading about monsters but I do prefer to know what they are!

That being said, "The Moor" was a engrossing read and I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for any future works from this author.  I also think this would be a great book to pick up with Halloween and the spooky season right around the corner.  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Two Bloggers One Book - Another Shea Buddy Read!

It seems that Stormi and I are always game for a Hunter Shea buddy read and since he is such a prolific writer, it seems that we've featured more of his books than any other author.  I'm just so glad we continue to strike gold with our choices.  Hope our luck doesn't run out next month but we are switching it up a bit for the month of September so we'll just have to see.  So I hope you enjoy my thoughts an "Rattus New Yorkus" and then  make sure to hop over to Stormi's @  Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for her thoughts as well!

TITLE: Rattus New Yorkus (One Size Eats All #2)

AUTHOR: Hunter Shea

PUBLISHER: Lyrical Underground

PUBLISHING DATE: August 21, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: 

THEY’RE BIGGER

Deep in the sewers of New York City, the rat population is growing. Dr. Randolph Finch is determined to break the cycle. His new rodenticide, Degenesis, doesn’t kill rats. It sterilizes them from reproducing. But nothing adapts faster than a New York rat . . .

THEY’RE SMARTER
City exterminators and soon-to-be divorced Chris and Benita Jackson think they know how these rats think. They know how rats breed. And they fear that Degenesis has only made these rats stronger. More aggressive. More intelligent. And more ravenous than ever . . .

TONIGHT’S DINNER SPECIAL: US
After a noticeable surge in rat den activity, the Jacksons witness something strange. Without warning, the rats disappear—only to reassemble in a massive lair beneath Grand Central Station. Millions upon millions of them. Working together. Operating as a hive mind. Feasting on the flesh of the homeless below—and planning their all-out attack on the unsuspecting humans above . . .

MY THOUGHTS:  While I loved "Jurassic Florida," the first book in the series, I honestly have to say I enjoyed this one even more.  I don't know if it's because personally I found the rats to be creepier, or if because Shea was SUPER descriptive in this one and I could actually "smell" the situations (which trust me, is awesome and NASTY all at the same time). 

Also, I felt a better connection with the MCs in "Rattus New Yorkus" and thought Chris and Benita were people I could really root for.  However, if you read a lot of Shea novels, you also know that it isn't always smart to get attached to his characters.

"Rattus New Yorkus" has plenty of action and there really is never a dull moment.  It also has one despicable character which always seems to make horror books fun - hey, I have to cheer on someone's possible demise.  Shea has become an auto-read author for me and is one of my top 3 favorite horror authors.  I can't wait to read the next in this series as well as anything else he produces.

RATING: 5 PAWS (or should say rat tails?)

Two Bloggers One Book - Stormi and I Are On a Roll!

Well, after Stormi and I had a bad run of it with "The Hunger," I can honestly say they last few months have hit it out of the ballpark.  And needless to say, both of us had high expectations when we picked Stephen King's newest book , "The Outsider" as this month's buddy read choice.  So hope down below to read my thoughts and then make sure to hop over to Stormi's @  Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for her thoughts as well!

TITLE: The Outsider

AUTHOR: Stephen King

PUBLISHER: Scribner

PUBLISHING DATE: May 22, 2018

FROM GOODREADS:  An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.

An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.

As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.

MY THOUGHTS:  So it's kind of hard to review this one without giving much away.  A horrible crime is committed in Flint City and the popular baseball coach and teacher, Terry Maitland, is arrested.  But as convinced as the cops are that Terry is their culprit, there is also overwhelming evidence that there is no way he could be responsible.  Evidence they chose to ignore.  This arrest sets a lot of different things in motion and before long, not only do readers find themselves in the middle of a legal mess, but also in a supernatural one as well.  

I really fell in love with this book and it was a great one to pick up while on vacation.  I found King's writing to be informative and fast-paced and once again focused heavily on character development.  The mystery really had me going for a while and although I did think the police made some really critical errors, I still found myself feeling badly for some of them when it all blew up in their face.  I've heard it said that many think King has a difficult time with the endings of his book but I have to admit, I was pleased with how this one wrapped up.  

Without spoiling things, there is a character that appears in "The Outsider" which is a crossover character from the Bill Hodges trilogy.  I knew that going in and even though I've not read those books, I had seen the first season of the Audience series so I decided to dive in.  I have to admit that the character that appears is easily my most favorite in the book and one of the main reasons I loved it so much.  I also see that Goodreads is now calling this "Finders Keepers #4."  Is that really a thing?  I think it may have been mislabeled.    

So it's been a while since I've read a book by my favorite author but this most definitely reignited my love affair with all things King. In fact, I'm hoping to pick up several more from him before the year is out.  I know some people have become hesitant to pick up King's newer works, claiming they don't measure up to his older stuff and hey, to each his own.  However, I loved "The Outsider" and hope more people give it a chance.

RATING: 5 PAWS

Two Bloggers One Book - Vacationing in Florida This Year???

So thank heavens it seems like Stormi and I have finally started a good run on buddy reads.  Last month we scored big with "MEG" and this year we reverted back to one of our favorite authors.  I haven't counted but I know Stormi and I have read a lot of Hunter Shea books together.  So venture below to see my thoughts on one of his newest titles "Jurassic Florida" and when you are done, hop over to Stormi's @  Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for her thoughts as well!

TITLE: Jurassic Florida (One Size Eats All #1)

AUTHOR: Hunter Shea

PUBLISHER: Lyrical Underground

PUBLISHING DATE: June 19, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: FLORIDA. IT’S WHERE YOU GO TO DIE.

Welcome to Polo Springs, a sleepy little town on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s a great place to live—if you don’t mind the hurricanes. Or the flooding. Or the unusual wildlife . . .
 
IGUANAS. THEY’RE EVERYWHERE. 
Maybe it’s the weather. But the whole town is overrun with the little green bastards this year. They’re causing a lot of damage. They’re eating everything in sight. And they’re just the babies . . .
 
HUMANS. THEY’RE WHAT’S FOR DINNER.
The mayor wants to address the iguana problem. But when Hurricane Ramona slams the coast, the town has a bigger problem on their hands. Bigger iguanas. Bigger than a double-wide. Unleashed by the storm, this razor-toothed horde of prehistoric predators rises up from the depths—and descends on the town like retirees at an early bird special. Except humans are on the menu. And it’s all you can eat . . .

MY THOUGHTS:  I devoured this book in one day (pun intended) and had tons of fun while doing it.  Shea has a way with creatures and someone in Hollywood, pay attention and option some of these for movies.  Especially summer creature-features!  

So the town of Polo Springs has a problem and while they initially just think they are being overrun by small lizards, they soon learn they have a giant problem- a giant iguana problem.  Add to it a hurricane on the way and a pretty competent 18 year-year-old mayor trying to save the town and you have a fun romp called "Jurassic Florida."  

Shea always manages to amuse me and I have a soft spot for his titles.  In fact, whenever I see new ones coming out, I start stalking Netgalley trying to get my hands on the latest as soon as possible.  This book is novella length and my only complaint is the abrupt ending - I could have thoroughly enjoyed a much longer book.  However, I already have his next release "Rattus New Yorkus" on my TBR so I have something more to satisfy my creature feature urge.  If you want an "out-of-the-box" summer read, grab "Jurassic Florida" now!

RATING:  4 Paws 

Two Bloggers One Book - Sharks and Summer Go Hand in Hand Right?

Stormi and I were long overdue for an awesome buddy read for our monthly feature and I think this time, we hit the jackpot!  Was the book we chose perfect?  No, but it sure was a lot of fun.  Plus, I got great use out of my shark stickers on Messenger while talking about it.  So let me present to you my thoughts on "MEG."  I don't know about you but Memorial Day always makes me think of sharks (cue my Jaws obsession).  When you're done reading my thoughts, hop over to Stormi's @   Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for her thoughts as well!

TITLE: Meg (Meg #1)

AUTHOR: Steve Alten

PUBLISHER: Viper Press

PUBLISHING DATE: December 8, 2015 (revised edition)

FROM GOODREADS: All New Revised and Expanded! Inclydes Meg: Origins. Carcharodon megalodon apex predator of all time, the most fearsome creature that ever lived a 70-foot, 60,000 pound Great White Shark. Hundreds of 7-inch serrated teeth filled jaws that could swallow an elephant whole. It could sense its prey miles away, inhaling its scent as it registered the beat of its fluttering heart, and if you ever came close enough to see the monster...it was already too late. For Navy deep-sea submersible pilot Jonas Taylor, it nearly was too late. Years ago, on a top-secret dive seven miles down into the Mariana Trench, Jonas came face to face with an ancient monster everyone believed extinct. Having barely escaped with his life, Jonas must prove to the world that Meg still exists. When an opportunity to return to the trench presents itself, he takes it, intent on returning topside with a 7-inch tooth! But man s presence in this unexplored domain releases one of the sharks from its purgatory, and now Jonas is the only one who can stop it.

MY THOUGHTS:  I love sharks and am pretty much fascinated by them, which is easy to say from my landlocked state because no, I've never seen a real one up close.  I'm sure then my opinion would change.  So I was thrilled to pick up "Meg" and for it to be my buddy read with my blogger BFF for the month of May.  My love of sharks was fueled by my father as he introduced me to "Jaws" when I was young and as the release of the "Meg" movies grows closer, I only wish he was here to watch it with me.

So this edition starts out with the "Origins" novella, which made the first book make so much sense that I can't imagine reading it after the fact (as it was originally released).  I can best describe "Meg" as a creature feature in a book.  A bunch of scientists and explorers, some good and some not-so-good, are trying to prove the megalodon actually still exists.  Well some are also trying to prove the MC and believer, Jonas, is stark-raving mad.  But I bet you know where this is leading right?  They do discover a megalodon and they've really pissed her off. I was fearful this book might be too scientific to hold my interest but that was not the case and other than a few scientific info-dump paragraphs I could have lived without, the book kept my interest.  Of course, it also helps that there were plenty of "lunch worthy" characters for Meg to chose from for dinner and that I enjoyed cheering on the deaths of some.  

Now I also have to admit a secret - I actually felt sorry for Meg.  I mean, she was living at the bottom of the Mariana Trench when humans interrupted her routine life so I can't blame her for being mad.  And even though the humans were hunting her down to keep her from killing people and upsetting the ecosystem, it was all their fault to begin with.  So yep, the shark gets all my sympathy. 

So if you are looking for a good summer creature feature, there's still time to read this before the movie releases.  And in case you've not seen the trailer, check it out!

RATING: 4 PAWS (or should I say fins?)

Two Bloggers One Book - A Cozy Fail?

So last month was kind of a fail for Stormi and myself so this month, we thought "Let's read a cozy!"  We both enjoy them so much and to be honest, they are usually such quick reads...key word here...USUALLY.  So read on to see how this month's pick REALLY turned out.  Then hop over to Stormi's @   Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for her thoughts as well!

TITLE: Fiction Can Be Murder (Mystery Writer's Mystery #1)
AUTHOR: Becky Clark

PUBLISHER: Midnight Ink

PUBLISHING DATE: April 8, 2018

FROM GOODREADS:  LIFE BECOMES STRANGER THAN FICTION WHEN CHARLEE'S LATEST NOVEL INSPIRES A REAL MURDER 

Mystery author Charlemagne "Charlee" Russo thinks the twisty plots and peculiar murders in her books are only the product of her imagination--until her agent is found dead exactly as described in Charlee's new, unpublished manuscript. Suspicion now swirls around her and her critique group, making her confidence drop as severely and unexpectedly as her royalty payments.

The police care more about Charlee's feeble alibi and financial problems than they do her panicky claims of innocence. To clear her name and revive her career, she must figure out which of her friends is a murderer. Easier said than done, even for an author who's skilled at creating tidy endings for her mysteries. And as her sleuthing grows dangerous, Charlee's imagination starts working overtime. Is she being targeted, too?

MY THOUGHTS:  Cute cover right?  Makes you want to just curl up in this chair and read the day away right?  Well, my suggestion, pick another book to do so.  "Fiction Can Be Murder" has the honor of having one of the most annoying characters I have met in a long time.  Charlee Russo is a mystery writer, although how I have NO idea because she's pretty darn clueless.  One morning, her agent ends up dead and is killed in the exact same manner as written in Charlee's upcoming, unpublished novel.  This puts Charlee, as well as her mystery writer's club, as targets for the police investigation and in order to save herself, and those she cares about, Charlee starts looking into the death herself.  

This book kind of flowed oddly for me.  I'm not even sure why but the title itself doesn't even work in my brain.  I was able to keep reading because in the end, I really did want to know who killed the bitchy agent.  Which I might add no one really seemed to care that she was dead - not even her husband.  As I mentioned, Charlee is annoying.  In fact, during most of the chats with Stormi, we ended up calling her "paranoid girl."  This girl could find reasons why a blade of grass was out to get her.  This book also lacked what I love about mose cozies.  There's no quaint small town setting and no extremely likable characters (although I did like the elderly upstairs neighbors and the two guys who owned the local book store).  I will say there were a couple of cute dogs in the mix.  One Charlee rescues from a local alley and one is owned by the elderly couple I mentioned - Peter O'Drool (so the author does get points for the adorable Pug name). 

I really can't recommend this book to cozy lovers.  It was a pretty annoying read.  And spoiler alert, Stormi didn't think much of it either.  We joked that Charlee probably killed her agent herself and forgot about it because not only is she "paranoid girl" she's "scattered girl."  I'm sure plenty of people have enjoyed this book, it just wasn't what I was looking for. Oh well, better luck next time.  And I mean  it!  Stormi and I better have better luck with May's read!!!!

I received this book from Netgalley and the published in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 2 PAWS