Stacking the Shelves (131)/Sunday Post

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. And it now has a new co-host where individuals can link up as well - Marlene from Reading Reality.  Clicking on the book (or title) should take you to the Goodreads page.  I'm also now linking up with the Sunday Post which is hosted by Kimberly@Caffeinated Book Reviewer. 

This week a little retail therapy was in order.  Still looking for a used vehicle and not having the best luck - but I will soldier on.  It could be so much worse.  I did grab 4 books for my Kindle.  Several were fairly cheap and I've wanted "Devils & Thieves" ever since I first saw it.  "Behold" is one I've had my eye on for a while and was planning on ordering a physical copy but when I saw it for $2.99 as a Countdown Deal I went ahead and grabbed it.  I had to have "Gisele" and "Sins of our Father," both part of the Witches of Auburn series I read and reviewed earlier this week so I got them too #noapologies.

Next I grabbed a couple of books I saw being offered for free.  "Some Dark Holler" sounded pretty interesting and I know I've seen "Bleed" somewhere before.  "The Vampire Skeleton" and "Corpses Say the Darndest Things" both caught me attention and since they were free, I couldn't help but click.

Finally, Netgalley struck again.  Stormi was talking to me about "Alone" and how her friend wanted her to read it to hear her thoughts so I couldn't resist #StormiMadeMeDoIt.  "The Hunger" is a book I first saw mention of over at Books Bones & Buffy and it is about the infamous Donner Party and witches so I was thrilled when I snagged an early copy #TammyMadeMeDoIt.  "Deja Moo" is part of an on-going series and really, who can resist that title, and "The Ripper's Hellbroth" - hello!  Jack the Ripper reference.  Someone I'm almost as fascinated with as Lizzie Borden.  

So as you can see, I'm still in Halloween mode and I am thrilled to get to all of these eventually.  Stormi - you know you need to grab "The Ripper's Hellbroth."

What did you guys grab this week???

Weekly Reads 10/05/17

So we're already into the first week of October and I just know this month is going to fly.  I have always felt that once Halloween hits, it's no time until Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Still looking for a vehicle but am using Grandpa's and he's not in any hurry to get it back so it's very appreciated.  Oh, and the cousins got their own place.  I found out Wednesday night when Grandpa told me his prayers had been answered!

We ended up watching a movie called "The Sound."  I hadn't heard of it but it was pretty creepy.  It stars Rose McGowan, who IMO has had too much plastic surgery and didn't need it, but despite that, I liked it.  It's good for the Halloween season.  We are also still watching "Mr. Mercedes," "American Horror" and "Fear the Walking Dead" although in the last one I'm still wishing for everyone to die!

The pups are fine and Cass has to go to the vet Saturday to get shots.  There is a vet tech there who is IN LOVE with Booker T and she said he needed to come as well - so she can love on him.  They like going together so it will be okay.  We also have a wedding to attend late Saturday afternoon although we'll probably just go for the ceremony, drop off the gift at the reception and then return home. At least I hope that's the plan.

I'm trying to get some blog tour books out of the way so I can start on "Rosemary's Baby."  Between you and me, I've already read the first two chapters and I'd really liked to dive in and finish it but you know, commitments.  So here is what I plan on reading this weekend and the first few days next week.  I've already started the first one. At least they all seem appropriate for the Halloween season!

So what are your plans this weekend? Hope everyone has a good one!

The Witches of Auburn Blog Tour

TITLE: The Witches of Auburn: The Gifts of Our Mothers 
AUTHOR: Hazel Black
PUBLISHER: Brunswick House
PUBLISHING DATE: October 2, 2017

FROM GOODREADS: In the dark woods I’m forbidden to go into, lying on top of the one person I swore I’d stay away from, and hiding from the men who chased him, I hold still as Ike Kennedy whispers in my ear, “Don’t leave me.”

The questions of why my mother packed up our lives and moved us to Auburn, New Jersey when she, herself, fled here twenty years ago, plague me every day. Her past and the people in this town loom over our family with a haunting understanding of the coven I was born into, but realize I know nothing about. The enemies I heard stories about as a child attack without warning or regard for human life, but I don’t know who they are.

I’m Ever Ayars. I can fly. I can disappear. I can move things with my mind, but my gifts are my only clarity. Lost within a new school, new friends, and a new life, there is only one thing I know for sure.

I’m not leaving Ike Kennedy.

MY THOUGHTS:  When I agreed to review "The Witches of Auburn: The Gifts of Our Mothers" I had no idea I would like the book as much as I do. I am automatically drawn to witchy books and knew I'd be reading it in October, so it seemed like a solid, safe pick. However, this book drew me in and kept me captivated so easily that upon finishing, I went to Amazon and picked up the next book in the series as well as a novella. 

"The Witches of Auburn" weaves two tales together uniting them in one final outcome. We have two covens - an adult one and then one which consists of their daughters. When Helene was 18, she was betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend, which broke the original coven and initiated a curse that would follow them for years. 17 years later, after suffering some severe losses, Helene's coven moves back to Auburn where the three ladies live with their three daughters - Ever, Maya and Ruby. These three also form a coven but they soon learn something is missing. Ever meets Ike at school and there is an immediate attraction. There is also some connection to his sister Gwen. Helene and Ike's mother Gisele forbid the two to date, which we all know in teenage-speak is the same as throwing them together on a deserted island where no one else exists.

I liked that this book tackled both the adult and teen sides of the spectrum. Several chapters were told through Helene's perspective and the author does a really good job at handling obvious teenage tropes yet not falling into some pitfalls I usually find when reading YA - specifically love triangles and insta-love. I really liked Ever, but enjoyed the adult characters even more and loved learning about their history and magical shenanigans.

This book is about family - those you are forced into and those you chose, friendships, loss and love. It's also about healing and creating your own fate with some paranormal aspects and some creepy individuals added in for extra intrigue. As I mentioned, I can't wait to continue the series and since the book left on a pretty good cliffhanger, I'm just thrilled I was able to get the next book so soon.

RATING: 4 PAWS

September Wrap-Up - Lots of Scary Reads

So September flew by and it was mostly filled with reads for my 2017 Halloween Bingo which runs for 2 months.  I'm loving all the thrillers, mysteries and horror books I've been picking up and am glad that I have another month to look forward to.  I haven't gotten BINGO yet but I'm so close.  I'll attach a picture of my card and how it stands at the end of the wrap up.  Without further adieu, let's see how those challenges are stacking up!

GOODREADS: 78/100 (Still ahead on this one so I'm thrilled)
2017 CLOAK & DAGGER CHALLENGE: 34/25 (Dial Meow for Murder, When I Am Through With You, A Conspiracy in Belgravia)
2017 FLIGHTS OF FANTASY CHALLENGE: 35/18 (Black Bird of the Gallows)
2017 HORROR READING CHALLENGE: 23/15 (We Are Always Watching, Money Back Guarantee, Afterlife with Archie, Dark Exodus)
2017 WHAT AN ANIMAL CHALLENGE: 22/20 (Afterlife with Archie - it all starts with bring a dog back from the dead, Dial Meow for Murder, Black Bird of the Gallows)
2017 NEW RELEASE CHALLENGE: 56/61 (We Are Always Watching, Dial Meow for Murder, Money Back Guarantee, Black Bird of the Gallows, When I Am Through With You, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, Dark Exodus)
BLOGGER SHAME REVIEW: 2 (oh well, we could set our own number so I'm giving up and calling this done)

So as you can see, I just have the Goodreads Challenge and the New Release Challenge to complete.  I'm super excited about where things stand and most imporantly, am having tons of fun.  I had 7 4-paw reads and 1 5-paw read this month.  My favorites were clearly Money Back Guarantee and A Conspiracy in Belgravia. 

Here's my pretty BINGO card!

The haunted houses are squares I've read which haven't been called yet, the spiders are squares which have been called and I haven'r read, and the skull and crossbones are squares I've read which have been called.  I'm even doing better than this now but this was the last September update.

So how did you do last month???

Can't Wait Wednesday (126)

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: When murder strikes in a small New England town in the early 1800s, rumors of witchcraft swirl, and Valentine Deluca must find the killer on her own before she's arrested and hanged like her mother.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  There really isn't a lot of details about this book but it takes place in New England, which is one of my favorite settings, mentions witchcraft and the word "Gothic" is on the cover so I'm willing to take my chances! 

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

TTT - Ten Creatures That Could Live in My House

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's topic is Top Ten Book Boyfriends/Girlfriends.  I don't "do" book boyfriends maybe because I found my one true love.  However, there are many dogs and some other creatures I'd love to live with me so instead, I'm sharing those!

Enzo - He's described as a philosopher with a near-human soul.  I loved him sooooo much and he could come shack up with Booker and Cass anytime.

Socrates - Boxers are pretty high energy and high maintenance.  A laid-back Basset might do wonders for our household - or else get totally lost in the shuffle.  

Kinski - In this graphic novel, a salesman goes out of his way to rescue this abused and adorable pup.  I totally wanted to bring him home and love him after reading it.

Jake - See laid-back Basset comment above 😉

Mr. Snuggles - Ok, so I'll probably never own a cat but if I did, it was be a smart-ass, snarky one like Mr. Snuggles who could talk!

Maybe - Booker T would never forgive me if I didn't add his "book girlfriend" Maybe to this list so she could come live with us.  T is a very dedicated boyfriend and has been committed to Maybe for years.

Elvis - I'm starting to see a trend with Basset Hounds so maybe the Universe is trying to tell me something.  Anyway, Elvis is the snarkiest most opinionated dog I've met in books in a long time.  We'd be great pals.

Jenks - He is clearly my favorite character in this series and it would be fun to have this little pint-sized pixie as a guest/permanent resident.

Beezle - I ADORE this gargoyle - wisecracks and all!

Sherman - Look at that face?  He'd be an awesome companion for Booker and Cassius!

So there you have it - 7 dogs, 1 cat (don't tell the pups), 1 pixie and  1 gargoyle.  What a house full!

A Tad Disappointed - Saga Vol. 7 Review

TITLE: Saga Vol. 7
AUTHORS: Fiona Staples & Brian K. Vaughan
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PUBLISHING DATE: April 4, 2017

FROM GOODREADS: From the worldwide bestselling team of Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughan, “The War for Phang” is an epic, self-contained Saga event! Finally reunited with her ever-expanding family, Hazel travels to a war-torn comet that Wreath and Landfall have been battling over for ages. New friendships are forged and others are lost forever in this action-packed volume about families, combat and the refugee experience. 


MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit that Vol. 7 kind of fell flat for me. There were aspects I liked, such as the introduction of a new species/friends on one of the home planets which strongly resemble walking, talking merekats. I also enjoy seeing Hazel grow and mature. Marko and Alana are expecting a new baby, and the relationship between the two of them is stronger than ever. And I can't forget Lying Cat. He's still present and going strong. However, the entire time I was reading this I couldn't help but wonder if there is an ending planned for the series. I felt like some of the story lines are being drawn out too much and it just didn't hold my attention like some of the earlier volumes. I will continue on, especially since I'm able to grab these from my local library, but I look forward to some changes to shake things up.

RATING: 3 PAWS