Flame Tree Press Tour - Queen of the Cicadas

 

TITLE: Queen of the Cicadas

AUTHOR: V. Castro

PUBLISHER: Flame Tree Press

PUBLISHING DATE: June 22, 2021

PAGES: 256

SOURCE: ARC

SYNOPSIS: 2018 - Belinda Alvarez has returned to Texas for the wedding of her best friend Veronica. The farm is the site of the urban legend,La Reina de Las Chicharras - The Queen of The Cicadas.

In 1950s south Texas a farm worker- Milagros from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, is murdered. Her death is ignored by the town, but not the Aztec goddess of death, Mictecacíhuatl. The goddess hears the dying cries of Milagros and creates a plan for both to be physically reborn by feeding on vengeance and worship. 

Belinda and the new owner of the farmhouse - Hector, find themselves immersed in the legend and realize it is part of their fate as well.

MY THOUGHTS:  I could make this review really short and just tell you that if you love horror, you need to read this book.  But I'll break it down a tad further.  Belinda travels to Texas for the wedding of her best friend.  She has recently lost her job and is questioning a lot of her life choices.  Belinda soon discovers that the farm B&B where the wedding is taking place was the site of a horrible tragedy in the 1950s.  Drawn to this tragedy in part because of her own heritage and in part because she has found a new friend in the farm's owner, Hector, Belinda sets out to right the wrongs which were done years ago and face the terrors which may await.

I immediately took a liking to Belinda.  She is a flawed character but is very open about her flaws and doesn't pull any punches.  The book is formatted in current day events with Belinda and Hector and flashbacks to the history of Milagros and her brutal murder.  

Parts of this book were truly terrifying and I honestly love to see this made into a motion picture.  Castro's descriptions were horrifying and beautiful - often at the same time.  I loved learning of the legend of La Reina de Las Chicharras and I couldn't read this book fast enough.  Rarely am I disappointed from Flame Tree Press but this book deserves to be shouted about.  So I'm shouting - READ IT NOW!

I can't wait to read more from V. Castro and she is a horror voice to be reckoned with!

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Violet Castro was born in San Antonio, Texas to Mexican American parents. Since Violet was a child, she wrote short horror stories and was always fascinated with dark fiction beginning with Mexican folklore and the urban legends of Texas. At eighteen Violet left Texas for Philadelphia to attend Drexel University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and History. 

Violet now lives with her family in the U.K. writing and travelling with her children. She tries to return to the US twice a year to see her parents, three sisters and extended family. 

For More information about her books and other publications, please visit www.vvcastro.com. You can also follow her on Twitterand Instagram @vlatinalondon. 

Random Things Tours - Let's Fly

 

TITLE: Let's Fly

AUTHOR: Giles Fraser

PUBLISHER: Matador Books

PUBLISHING DATE: May 28, 2021

PAGES: 336

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: How do you survive when a lucky break turns out to be the worst thing that ever happened to you?

Nick Hunter is about to find out. He made a colossal mistake when he was barely out of school and now his whole world is in jeopardy as he races against the clock to save his family and his business from disaster.

In 1979 Hunter heads to London, and a squat in Notting Hill, with dreams of musical success. With his fellow squatters he forms a band and they record four short songs before tensions and misunderstandings drive them apart. Nick lies and tells the record company the songs are all his own work. Six years later one of the songs, Let’s Fly, is picked as the soundtrack to a blockbuster movie and Nick makes a fortune in royalties.

In 2017, Nick, his wife Sam and daughter Jen now live in the house opposite his old squat. His successful gig economy, online food business is about to go public, but someone is on his back. Nick is in massive debt and the heavies are closing in. Disasters are befalling the business just at the wrong time. Then Sam is snatched and, with a price on her head, Nick must come up with the money or lose her. With his life and family on the line – and just days to play with - Nick has to stop whoever is destroying his life and come clean with those he loves in order to hang on to everything he holds dear.

MY THOUGHTS: When the book opens the reader sees the main character, Nick, down on his luck after having lost everything. We are then transported back into the 1970's where we learn Nick used to be in a bad which eventually split up and then he made some pretty questionable decisions as life progressed.  Little by little the story unravels and the reader gets a good picture of what exactly led to Nick's miserable position when the tale first opened.  

While I never really loved Nick as a character, it was interesting to see what happened to him.  I love anything related to music so the parts about Nick and his band were extremely enjoyable, even if everyone made some stupid decisions along the way.  I also really liked how Fraser portrayed Nick - flaws and all.

This was a relatively quick read and I would not hesitate to pick up another book by this author in the future. If you like coming of age stories and don't mind a somewhat depressing scenario along the way, then I'd highly recommend Let's Fly.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Giles Fraser co-founded and runs Brands2Life, one of the world’s leading PR and communications agencies specialising in the technology and online sectors. He studied under Richard Skinner at The Faber Academy in 2015/16. He lives in Barnes, West London. 

 

Random Things Tours - The Murder of Graham Catton

 

TITLE: The Murder of Graham Catton

AUTHOR: Katie Lowe

PUBLISHER: HarperCollins

PUBLISHING DATE: June 10, 2021

PAGES: 400

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS:

Who do you believe?

The Wife

Hannah Catton: bereaved wife, doting mother, clinical psychologist; says she remembers nothing of the night her husband was killed.

The Suspect

Mike Philips: a 19-year-old repeat offender whose clothing was found at the scene, but who has repeatedly protested his innocence over the 10 years since he was imprisoned.

The Journalist

Anna Byers: host of the famous CONVICTION podcast that has seen numerous prison sentences overturned. She believes the wrong man is in jail, do you?

Someone knows more about the murder than they’re telling. It may have been Hannah’s husband who was murdered, but listeners are about to become judge, jury, and executioner on the new season of CONVICTION. 

MY THOUGHTS: So basically 10 years ago Hannah's husband Graham was murdered.  Although Hannah was home when it happened, she has no memory of the incident and no one was ever convicted.  Now Hannah and her daughter have moved on - she has remarried, her daughter is older, and Hannah is now a practicing psychologist.  However, a podcast called CONVICTION has decided to look into the cold case, and each episode causes more and more of Hannah's life to unravel.

I love me a podcast book and this one is no exception.  While there definitely is a lot going on in this book, I enjoyed watching everything happening slowly chip away at Hannah's sanity and security.  I liked Hannah but I found I was truly invested in finding out what really happened to Graham.  While this is a somewhat lengthy book, Lowe's pacing was consistent and I couldn't read it fast enough.  Anyone who enjoys a book featuring a podcast element would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn't pick this one up!

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Katie is a graduate of the University of Birmingham with a BA(Hons) in English and an MPhil in Literature and Modernity, and in 2012 started her blog, Fat Girl PhD - writing about body image, feminism and health. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Independent, and the BBC, as well as a number of media outlets in the US, Canada and Australia. Katie is currently working on a PhD in Female Rage in Literary Modernism and the #MeToo Era. THE FURIES is her first novel.

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!