Not the Best Place to Relax - An Unwanted Guest Review

TITLE: An Unwanted Guest
AUTHOR: Shari Lapena
PUBLISHER: Pamela Dorman Books
PUBLISHING DATE: August 7, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: A remote lodge in upstate New York is the perfect getaway. . . until the bodies start piling up.It's winter in the Catskills and the weather outside is frightful. But Mitchell's Inn is so delightful! The cozy lodge nestled deep in the woods is perfect for a relaxing--maybe even romantic--weekend away. The Inn boasts spacious old rooms with huge wood-burning fireplaces, a well-stocked wine cellar, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just curling up with a book and someone you love. So when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity--and all contact with the outside world--the guests settle in for the long haul. The power's down but they've got candles, blankets, and wood--a genuine rustic experience! Soon, though, a body turns up--surely an accident. When a second body appears, they start to panic. Then they find a third body. Within the snowed-in paradise, something--or someone--is picking off the guests one by one. They can't leave, and with no cell service, there's no prospect of getting the police in until the weather loosens its icy grip. The weekend getaway has turned deadly. For some couples, it's their first time away. For others, it will be their last. And there's nothing they can do about it but huddle down and hope they can survive the storm.

MY THOUGHTS: I read "The Couple Next Door" when it was first released and really wasn't impressed by the author's debut effort.  However, I didn't mind her writing and had always wanted to give her another chance.  I'm glad that I took that chance on "An Unwanted Guest" because it ended up being a quick, atmospheric mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A group of individuals have all scheduled weekend getaways at a remote lodge, Mitchell's Inn, for different reasons.  You have the lawyer who was recently cleared of murdering his wife, a prominent heir and his new fiancee, two best friends with more secrets who apparently love keeping secrets, a husband and wife trying to rekindle their marriage, another random couple, and an author.  They manage to all arrive in the middle of a snowstorm which quickly turns into an ice storm which knocks out all power and any way into and out of the lodge.  And to top it off, suddenly there is a rash of murders and before the reader knows it, they are thrown into the middle of a struggle to survive.

This book definitely has a setting that I adore which I am sure led to some of my enjoyment.  An out-of-the-way inn as well as a snow/ice storm.  It also had a cast of completely unlikable characters but I did find one or two who I became interested in enough to want to see them survive.  I won't lie, I was rooting for some of these people to die - especially the creepy innkeeper's son Bradley.  The book ended up keeping me guessing right up until the end.  I had a few suspects, who eventually ended up dead themselves, and the author kind of surprised me by throwing in a special little twist at the end. 

Overall, "An Unwanted Guest" was a solid read and considering I pretty much devoured it in 2 days, you could say it kept my interest.  I will definitely be keeping an eye open for future Lapena works because even though I'm still not sold, I am more interested than I was after reading her first novel.  If you like winter settings, survival-like tales and stupid people doing stupid things, then give "An Unwanted Guest" a shot.

RATING: 4 PAWS

Can't Wait Wednesday (197)

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: Daphne Templeton's sister Piper is getting married--and their mother is getting carried away. She insists on hiring Sylvan Creek's top event planner, Abigail Sinclair, who proposes an Independence Day theme complete with Statue of Liberty-inspired bridesmaid dresses. With all the bickering among the families, Daphne's glad her only duty right now is pet-sitting for Abby's cat, Ms. Peebles. But there are some fireworks coming that aren't part of the ceremony. The Poconos will never be the same . . .

At a tension-filled dress fitting, the abrasive wedding planner is found strangled by a garter--a weapon both borrowed and blue. Now Daphne's services are required not just for organizing the big day, but for figuring out whether one of the in-laws is an outlaw . . .

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I love this series so much.  Sylvan Creek is such a great pet-centric small town and I can't wait for Piper to get married.  Plus, a Independence Day themed wedding - how unusual.  Plus, look at Socrates looking all dapper on the cover.  

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

TTT - Favorite Couples/Sidekicks

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

This week we are looking at our favorite couples.  I've decided to go even a step further and include in my list some of my favorite sidekick pairings.  So think out of the box while you look at some of my faves.\

No real surprise here.  I absolutely adore Veronica Speedwell and Stoker.

Daphne Templeton and Detective Black  and for that fact, Daphne and Socrates the Basset and Detective Black and Archie the Chihuahua.  So many great pairings in this series.

Lizbeth "Gunnie" Rose and Eli - not really a pairing yet but the series is still early.

Kate and Buttons the beagle.  Buttons stays by Kate's side not matter what monsters, real and medical, are thrown at her.

Rachel and Jinx.  That little pixie will forever be one of my favorite sidekicks.

Olivia and Gabriel or Olivia and Ricky.  Don't want to spoil this for anyone still reading the series.  But Gabriel is my favorite!

Atl and Cualli.  Cualli is one of the most badass sidekick dogs ever.

Charlie Brown and Snoopy.  Do I really need to explain this?

Lindsey and Sully and if I have to explain why, you clearly aren't reading this series - and should be!

Prince and Mayte.  Was their marriage perfect - no.  Did it end in divorce - yes.  But were the soulmates - most definitely.

So there you have it and I hope it kept you entertained.

Smooshie Saves the Day - The Pit List Murders Review

TITLE:  The Pit List Murders (A Barkside of the Moon Cozy Mystery #3)
AUTHOR: Renee George
PUBLISHER:  Barkside of the Moon Press
PUBLISHING DATE:  April 20, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: Lily Mason and her adorable pittie Smooshie both have a nose for murder, but this is one cougar-shifter who would give her left paw to never find another dead body. All she wants is to enjoy a simple life in her new town, her fixer-upper house, while working a job she loves. Besides, the mystery of whether Parker Knowles, her boss at the rescue shelter, will or won't finally ask her out gives Lily plenty to keep her guessing. But when an abandoned pit bull puppy leads Lily and Smooshie to the corpse of a local Lothario, she is once again drawn into the seedier side of small town living. Even though she's warned off the case by the local sheriff, Lily is determined to find the killer. It doesn't help matters that more nasty notes are showing up around town, making Lily wonder if the two things are connected. Lily and Smooshie need to crack the case of the dead Don Juan, while navigating what it means to live in an all human town, before the secrets of the people she cares for are exposed.

MY THOUGHTS: I had saved this book specifically to read for my "They Call It Puppy Love" challenge and I'm so glad I did because not only was it a solid mystery and a quick read, I got to spend time with my favorite Pit Bull (and Cass' book girlfriend) Smooshie.  

As the book begins, Lily is settling into life in Moonrise.  She has made a close-knit group of family and friends and more importantly, has become mom to one awesome Pit Bull, Smooshie.  One morning after a girl's night out, an adorable little Pit puppy is found wandering in the woods and we soon learn that Tino's womanizing dad has been killed.  Fearing a close friend's involvement, Lily uses her shapeshifter abilities to try to figure out what happened, and learns that someone may be trying to kill her as well.

I really like the characters of Moonrise and George does a great job of mixing a cozy mystery with some interesting supernatural elements.  There is just enough romance to keep things interesting and I can't help but cheer on a budding relationship between Lily and her shelter boss, Parker.

I have to admit I feared this was the last Smooshie book but a quick note to the author last week helped me discover that the next installment comes out in May.  Yay, time with these quirky characters.  My only real issue with "The Pit List Murders" is that I wanted more resolution for Tino.  Maybe I'll find out what happened to him in the next book "Pit & Miss Murder."

RATING: 4 PAWS

Book Discussion - Animal Cruelty in Books

So since I'm hosting the "They Call It Puppy Love" challenge this month, I wanted to take the time to have a little discussion about something that's been on my mind lately...

ANIMAL CRUELTY IN BOOKS (and movies)

Many of you probably saw last week's "What's Happening" where I spoke about the Netflix movie "Polar" and the horrible pup scene.  That really got my mind turning and made me start wondering about animal cruelty in books and movies and why we run into it so much.  

Let's be straight.  I know death happens.  I've faced losing beloved pets more times that I wish and it's on my mind every time we welcome a new one into our hearts and home.  And basically, the good and the joy they bring outweighs the bad of losing them.  But I don't want to read about senseless animal deaths.  I know in some cases I'll run into it in movies or books.  And especially in non-fiction.  A lot of time I'm forewarned and I can decide if it's something I can deal with or not.  Do people include it for shock value?  Does it ever really enhance the plot?  

For example, I've had this book forever.

I was so enraged when this whole incident happened and would still rather spit on Michael Vick than look at him.  Yet I can't quite bring myself to read it.  I know it's non-fiction and that it really happened.  I also know good things did come of it because it sparked awareness and activism on behalf of Pitties everywhere.  Yet  I know I will be brought to tears.

And here's another book I had on my TBR for quite a while but someone shared their was horrific animal abuse so I axed it.

But here is one of my favorite books from last year and it features a very saddening animal scene.

So what's the difference?  I think when the animal incidents are accidentally, or something that might have occurred but wasn't done TOO them I am more better prepared to stomach it.  

And I often hear people say but animals aren't people.  Well, they are my "people."  My children have fur and I don't want any animal hurt.  And it doesn't just go for dogs. I own "The One and Only Ivan" and can't bring myself to read it because I know it's going to be sad.

So what are your thoughts?  Do certain things make it easier to stomach things like this?  Are there any books you just KNOW I need to avoid?  

And on a parting note, I will NEVER watch "John Wick" because I know that poor little beagle's fate.

What's Happening....

So I'm doing things a tad bit differently this year and will be combining all of my regular weekend posts.  This will enable me to add more content on Fridays and it is just starting to make more sense.  I'll still be linking up with Stacking the Shelves at Tynga's Reviews and Sunday Post at Caffeinated Reviewer.  Both blogs are awesome so make sure you check them out.

So we've had a brief warm up, but as I write this on Friday it's cold again so I guess we can't disguise the fact that it's still winter.  Honestly, I'm already over it so bring on Spring.  This past week has been busy and odd.  Not bad and hard to describe, just odd.  

We have managed to watch a few movies.  Mr. Barb had really been wanting to see "Overlord" so when it came out on digital Tuesday, he bought it.  I have to admit the effects were pretty good and the plot decent, but I expected more monsters from it.  Then we watched a foreign horror "Mermaid: Lake of the Dead."  I actually liked it well enough even though the characters kept making stupid decision after stupid decision.  But sometimes that a horror staple right?

I have been reading and yes, "The Passage" is still haunting me.  It WILL be finished this month.  I'm almost finished with "Pit List Murders" and will then move on to "An Unwanted Guest" and "A Dog Called Jack."  

So I picked up a few holds at the library this week.  I'm super excited to get to "Hunting Annabelle" and "No Exit", as well as a little leery of "Slayer." 

And this week's Kindle Freebie of the week is "The Curse of Sara Douroux."  This sounds like a pretty decent haunted tale so I couldn't resist grabbing it.  

So how was your week?  Any good plans for the weekend and books are you hauling and reading???

The Hate U Give Buddy Read Update #4

So finally Maria from A Night's Dream of Books and I read chapters finished up this book by reading the last 6 chapters.   Well, actually, you know by now that I read ahead and finished this before but so did Maria so it's all good.  So here's this week's questions.  Once you read them  hop over to her blog and see what I asked her. 

1.) How did you feel about Chris stopping Starr when she really wanted to make love with him? He said that she was "not in a good place". 

I feel that it was very thoughtful and considerate of him.  It showed me that he truly cared for her and obviously wanted their first experience to be very special.  It actually made me love Chris even more and went further to convince me that he is the guy for Starr.

2.) The BIG question! What was your reaction when a radio DJ announced that the grand jury was NOT going to indict Officer Cruise for Khalil's murder?

Actually I had dual reactions.  First, I was glad the author continued on making this a realistic book and didn't end up doing a "happily ever after" type of finish.  Thomas wasn't afraid to continue the controversy and make the book more pertinent to today's news and society.  Secondly though, I wasn't surprised at the verdict.  We've seen it time and time again right?  And honestly, nothing in the news surprises me now.  Which is sad.

3.) At the climax of the book, Starr actually becomes an activist. What impact -- if any -- do you think her actions will have on the Khalil murder case? 

This will probably come across jaded but honestly, I don't think her activism will have any impact on the case.  That being said, I do think her activism is a good thing.  Starr needed to speak up and fall into this roll to help herself and feel like she was taking steps to make a difference.  And honestly, it takes a bunch of individuals working together on anything to make needed changes.  So in that aspect, I think what she did was a good thing.  Sadly, Starr did what she needed to do and the outcome was still negative.  She has to learn to live with that decision and not feel defeated.

4.) I finished the book wanting MORE of these characters and their story. In your opinion, does Angie Thomas most likely feel that the story is complete in this one book? 

I've heard her new book which just released actually takes place in Garden Heights as well.  I don't know if any of the same people end up making appearances but I feel this this tale is complete.  I think history as a whole is still being written and I'm not sure when she would take these characters. Although, it would be fun to visit them 10 years from now, when they are adults, and see what they are doing and how Khalil shaped their lives.  Would Chris and Starr still be together?  Would King still be alive?  And what would become of cute yet obnoxious Sekani?

5.) Maria threw in an extra question. How do you feel about the way the book ended? 

I don't like the ending as far as the verdict or Mav losing the store but I do like how it ended on hope and the family rebuilding and wanting to strengthen the community.  I do worry about Devante's outcome because I don't think turning in evidence on King is as easy as it sounded and don't know that it will make his life any safer.  I think if King is removed from the picture, maybe Seven can rebuild some sort of relationship with his biological mother which would be good.  

So there you have it.  Next week will be my final review so I've hope you've enjoyed getting a more in depth look at "The Hate U Give."  Stay tuned because I think Maria and I may be tackling a fantasy novel sometime down the road.