Random Things Tours - Preacher Boy

 

TITLE: Preacher Boy (The Dr. Harrison Lane Mysteries #1)

AUTHOR: Gwyn GB

PUBLISHER: Chalky Dog

PUBLISHING DATE: June 5, 2021

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS:

A MISSING BOY’S BODY FOUND IN WOODS

A SECOND BOY SNATCHED
CAN THE PSYCHOLOGIST WITH A PAST HELP THE CHILDREN WITH NO FUTURE?

When Police find the body of a young boy they fear a Satanic connection and call in Dr Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit. When a second boy is kidnapped, it becomes a race against time to save him. But he seems to have literally disappeared without trace. It’s down to Harrison to work out who could have taken him and where they’ve gone. The trouble is, the investigation reawakens the dark shadows in Harrison’s own past…

Preacher Boy is the first in the Dr Harrison Lane mysteries, fast-paced crime suspense novels full of murder and intrigue, with a little romance and humour included. Harrison travels all over the British Isles: from the atmospheric Cambridgeshire Fens, north to Durham and to the centre of the City of London, as he solves the crimes hiding behind folklore, superstition, religion, and ritual. 

MY THOUGHTS:  I knew when I saw the synopsis of this book it would be a series I'd want to start. And I LOVE getting into series from the beginning (Type A personality anyone?).  And needless to say, I'm so excited that I jumped on the bandwagon for this one and I can wait for the author's future installment.

I tend to gravitate toward dark and twisty thrillers so when I saw the words "satanic," "ritualistic," and "folklore" I had high hopes.  And I was not disappointed.  When a young boys body is found and a second boy is kidnapped, it's up to Dr. Harrison Lane and his Crime Unit to figure out what is going on before it's too late.  We get to delve into this mystery and are privileged to see the big pictures from various people involved in the tale, rather than from just a few characters POV.  It took me awhile to adjust  to the writing style but overall I couldn't read fast enough and had to know what was happening.

Finally, I have to say that I cannot wait to learn more about Dr. Lane.  He has a unique background in that his father was Native American who was part of the American Shadow Wolves, a unique drug enforcement group and his mother was very Bohemian in nature.  We learn that his mother was murdered which led Dr. Lane to spend his life tracking down evil.  I am sure in future installments the reader will only learn more and more about what makes him tick.

Preacher Boy is wonderful start to a new series.  If you like your mysteries with an element of dark and twisty thrown in, then this is a book for you!

RATING: 4 Paws

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gwyn is an Amazon Top 20 bestselling author. She’s a former UK national TV newscaster and presenter, and journalist for national newspapers and magazines. Gwyn became a journalist because all she wanted to do was write and has finally realised her dream of being a full-time fiction author. Born in the UK, Gwyn now lives in the Channel Islands with her family, including a rescue dog and 17-year-old goldfish.

Gwyn launched her debut novel, Islands as Gwyn Garfield-Bennett in 2016, the romantic suspense book rose quickly into the Amazon top 20. Her first crime mystery series, featuring DI Falle, launched with Lonely Hearts in 2017.

You can find out more about Gwyn at www.gwyngb.com
Or on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GwynGBwriter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GwynGB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwyngb/

Random Things Tour - The Cursed Girls

 

TITLE:  The Cursed Girls

AUTHOR: Caro Ramsay

PUBLISHER: Black Thorn

PUBLISHING DATE: June 3, 2021

PAGES: 256

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS:

Megan Melvick has returned home after a three-year absence to visit her dying sister, Melissa, for the last time. As she approaches the grand Scottish country estate where she grew up, the memories come flooding back. Just what did happen on the night of Melissa's wedding five years before? Where has Megan and Melissa's mother disappeared to? And why does Melissa whisper that solitary word before she finally slips away: Sorry. 

In order to overcome her demons, Megan must confront her painful recollections of that terrible night, the night of Melissa's wedding. The night somebody died. But can she really trust her memories? And who is so determined that she should forget?

MY THOUGHTS:  If you are looking for a slower-paced unpredictable, atmospheric read with an intense family dynamic then look no further!  I wasn't sure what I expected when I picked this book up but it surely wasn't the fact that I would devour its contents in less than 24 hours.  Megan Melvick is returning home to her elite family estate because her sister Melissa is dying.  Right from the beginning Ramsay clues the reader into that everything may not be what it appears and then weaves a tale and gives more bite to a story than I ever expected.  We have a missing mother, a dying sister, an elusive father who may love art more than his children, mysterious household staff and a character who I came across to me as a ghost - at least initially.

I really enjoyed this book and although I will warn that its definitely on the slower-paced side, the pacing completely fits the story and actually lent itself to the mysterious atmosphere.  I'm not sure I ever really loved any of the characters, but boy was I interested in them and what secrets they held.

If this sound like something you're interested in, then I definitely recommend you give it a go.  And might I add that I found it to be a perfect rainy day read!

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Caro Ramsay is the Glaswegian author of the critically acclaimed Anderson and Costello series, the first of which, Absolution, was shortlisted for the CWA's New Blood Dagger for best debut of the year. The ninth book in the series, The Suffering of Strangers, was longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2018.

Can't Wait Wednesday (320)

 

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.

October 5, 2021

FROM GOODREADS:  Winter, with its unsettling blend of the cosy and the sinister, has long been a popular time for gathering by the bright flame of a candle, or the warm crackling of a fire, and swapping stories of ghosts and strange happenings.

Now eight bestselling, award-winning authors - master storytellers of the sinister and the macabre - bring this time-honoured tradition to vivid life in a spellbinding collection of new and original haunted tales.

From a bustling Covent Garden Christmas market to the frosty moors of Yorkshire, from a country estate with a dreadful secret, to a London mansion where a beautiful girl lies frozen in death, these are stories to make your hair stand on end, send shivers down your spine and to serve as your indispensable companion to the long nights of winter.

So curl up, light a candle, and fall under the spell of The Haunting Season . . .

Featuring new and original tales from:

*Bridget Collins

Sunday Times bestselling author of The Binding

*Imogen Hermes Gowar

Sunday Times bestselling author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock

*Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Sunday Times bestselling author of The Mercies

*Andrew Michael Hurley

Sunday Times bestselling author of The Loney

*Jess Kidd

International award-winning author of Things in Jars

*Elizabeth Macneal

Sunday Times bestselling author of The Doll Factory

*Natasha Pulley

Sunday Times bestselling author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street

*Laura Purcell

Award-winning author of The Silent Companions 

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I think cold snowy weather is the perfect time to read scary ghost tales so I think this book will be one I definitely have to add to my winter TBR.  Doesn't hurt that it has some fantastic contributors as well.

CASSIUS'S PICK:

September 28, 2021

FROM GOODREADS: Thanks to an accidental phone swap, two adorable rescue pups, and a coffeehouse clash, a holiday flirtation goes to the dogs and hilarity ensues, from New York Times bestselling author Julia London.

All Harper Thompson wants for Christmas is the huge promotion she's worked so hard for--which she should get, as long as her launch of the hip new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, goes according to plan. Jonah Rogers is trying to save his family's coffee shop, Lucky Star, from going out of business, which will be tough with the brand-new Deja Brew opening across the street.

When Jonah and Harper meet for the first time after accidentally swapping phones, their chemistry is as electric as a strand of Christmas lights. He's a tall, handsome, compassionate hunk of engineer, and she's an entrepreneur whose zest for life is very sexy. They love all the same things, like scary movies, greasy food--and most of all, dogs. It's a match made in heaven...until Jonah finds out that Harper's the one about to put him out of business.

Only one coffee shop likely can survive, and a competition of one-upmanship ensues in a battle of the brews. The paws really come out when the local rescue shelter has a fundraiser where local businesses foster dogs, and patrons vote with their dollars for their favorite pup. Harper takes in an adorable old bulldog on behalf of Deja Brew, while Jonah fosters a perky three-legged dachshund for Lucky Star. As the excitement builds for who will be crowned King Mutt and king of the coffee hill, Harper and Jonah must decide if their connection was all steam or if they are the perfect blend.

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT: Mom doesn't know this but this book is  going on her Christmas reading list.  She really has to read first book, Lucky Dog, before that happens though,  If I can figure out how to use my nose and move it up on her Kindle, perhaps I can get her to do that.  And isn't the cover adorable?  Reminds me of Booker T!

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Read That Made Me Want More!

 

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's topic is books I've read which made me want more like them.  Not sure if there's a better way to word this but once I start hopping, I'm sure I'll see what you all came up with and think "Yea, that makes more sense!"

T

After finishing this book from Gatz's POV, I immediately wanted more books told from the family pet.

I'm STILL waiting for the second book in this series so I guess you could say I definitely want more like this!

This book did such a good job incorporating mixed media that now I'm a sucker when I see a book includes podcasts, diary entries, police reports, etc.  BTW, if you haven't read this, go do it!

There will never be another book like Hollow Kingdom (and at the time I read it, I didn't know if there would ever be a sequel) but reading this made me wish there were lots more books out there like this one.  

After falling in love with the book, I decided I need more TJ Klune in my life. And more Lucy.  Please do a sequel!!!!!

So I'm leaving it a 5 this week but I think they are a great 5.  Can't wait to see everyone else's lists this week!

Thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm!

Well Now That Was Interesting...

TITLE: Dial A For Aunties

AUTHOR: Jesse Q Sutanto

PUBLISHER:  Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: April 27, 2021

PAGES: 320

SOURCE: Library

 

FROM GOODREADS: 

A hilariously quirky novel that is equal parts murder mystery, rom-com, and a celebration of mothers and daughters as well as a deep dive into Chinese-Indonesian culture, by debut author Jesse Q. Sutanto.

• 1 (accidental) murder 
• 2 thousand wedding guests 
• 3 (maybe) cursed generations 
• 4 meddling Asian aunties to the rescue! 

When Meddelin Chan ends up accidentally killing her blind date, her meddlesome mother calls for her even more meddlesome aunties to help get rid of the body. Unfortunately, a dead body proves to be a lot more challenging to dispose of than one might anticipate, especially when it is accidentally shipped in a cake cooler to the over-the-top billionaire wedding Meddy, her Ma, and aunties are working, at an island resort on the California coastline. It’s the biggest job yet for their family wedding business—“Don’t leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!”—and nothing, not even an unsavory corpse, will get in the way of her auntie’s perfect buttercream cake flowers. 

But things go from inconvenient to downright torturous when Meddy’s great college love—and biggest heartbreak—makes a surprise appearance amid the wedding chaos. Is it possible to escape murder charges, charm her ex back into her life, and pull off a stunning wedding all in one weekend?

MY THOUGHTS: So I read this book last weekend over the three day holiday when I was on a big romance binge.  And let me start out by saying this book was not what I expected.  Meddy's believes that she met her one true love when she was attending college but rather than hold him back, she gave him up and decided to take a job helping her mother and her aunts with a new business endeavor - event planning.  Fast forward a few years and something tragic happens on a blind date which Meddy's mother arranged.  Things quickly go from bad to worse when her date ends up dead and she has to rely on her family to help her find her way out of a no-win situation.  Add in an over-the-top wedding and the reappearance of her one true love and you have a recipe for potential disaster.  

I really enjoyed all the cultural aspects of Dial A For Aunties and for the most part, I found the Aunties quite hilarious.  They all have very strong, very colorful personalities.  I will admit in the beginning I got all of the aunts confused at first but it was easily sorted out as the story progressed.  

Now for the main thing that bugged me and probably kept me from enjoying this book to its fullest.  A murder, even an accidental one, is a murder, and the whole book is spent trying to cover it up.  And worse, we involved person after person into being accomplices.  

That being said, I found the ending cute and convenient and reading it wasn't a bad way to spend the afternoon.  There is a sequel on the horizon and I am probably interested in it enough to pick it up.  If you are looking for a quirky, yet odd, murder mystery/rom-com (and it really isn't much of a mystery), with a lot of humor thrown in, then give this book a shot.

RATING: 3 PAWS

What's Happening (06-05-21)...

 

So once again I'm going to try to make this a regular feature.  I got really bad about updating at the end of 2020.  Hopefully I'll get better at checking in regularly.  As always, I'm linking up with Stacking the Shelves at  Tynga's Reviews and The Sunday Post at The Caffeinated Reviewer.  

The past two weeks at The Farm have been pretty  good.  The weather has been hot, then really cool, and the hot again.  Over Memorial Day weekend Mr. Barb and his friend put new roofs on the front and back porches and then replaced a few of the wooden siding boards.  The boys were thrilled with the noise, and truth be told neither was I, but it's nice to have those two projects checked off. 

Work has been going fine and I feel like each day I'm growing more comfortable with what I'm doing.  I work with a great group of people and so far haven't had to really travel any and have been working from home.  I honestly have the two best on-site co-workers in the world - Cassius and Apollo.

Speaking of Cassius, his girlfriend graduated last weekend.  He didn't get to go to the graduation party, because I'm sure the restaurant would have frowned on it, but he did get to deliver his gift to her and met her entire family.  Everyone  loves him and calls him Emma's boyfriend.  She will be home for the summer but then is headed to my college Alma Mater to become a coroner.  Her step-mom said she'd have to fill in for Emma and give Cass back scratches and tummy rubs while she is aware.  

I watched the entire season of Panic last week. I never read the book and never really wanted to but the series was addictive and at the very least, entertaining.  And it even has a tiger - didn't see that one coming!  We also watched Army of the Dead and was thrilled this week when they announced they were filming a sequel.  

I've been reading a lot but not reviewing much which has put me really behind.  I need to desperately catch up because I've read some great books I really want to share.  Right now I have three books on the go and one sitting in waiting.  Here's what's up in my reading future:

So hope you all are enjoying the start of your summer.  Look for some reviews coming this week which feature books I know some of you will want to read!

Top Ten Tuesday - 5 Paw Predictions

 

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 freebie topic so I'm doing something I don't think I've done in the past, five paw predictions.

I loved No Exit and have high hopes for this one, which comes out soon.

Here's another thriller I'm reading in June which I hope is more hit than miss.  I've heard great things about the author so I'm predicting I'll love this one.

As much as I loved Hollow Kingdom, I'd be shocked if this is anything less than a 5 paw read!

I've heard only great things about this read and really need to read the copy I have sitting on my shelf.

You know I love Hunter Shea and this will be a perfect October read this year.

As much as I loved Until Summer Comes Around, this has to be just as great, right?

I'm sure the second book narrated by Gatz the dog will be just as great as the first.

I adore this cozy mystery series which is still going strong.  This is the 12th in the series.

Another cozy series with a librarian witch.  I've been waiting not-so-patiently for this 5 paw prediction to hit the shelves.

I've really been enjoying romance lately so my list wouldn't be complete without at least one cute rom-com.

Have any of these been 5/5 ratings for you?  Let me know where I should start in the comments below.