Mini Reviews

Holy Crap this was so cute! Cats do the strangest thing on catnip, especially mine. One of them storms the house like she's reading for battle. While the Beast does the cutest things. It was so cute to see other cats react to catnip. The photos were amazing quality and the cats super cute. It was the perfect little book to read on my way to work.

This was actually a re-read for me. I've been in a slump recently. So I thought pulling out one of my favorites, I'd get back into a reading habit. I forgot how much I loved this book, and I adore Henry. I love Seth Grahame-Smith's writing style and they way he twists the world events to fit his timeline. I have my fingers crossed we'll get another book by him soon. I'd kill for another book with Henry. Because I need more Henry!

HAPPY READING!!

Tony Cliff Book Event

FINALLY!? The last time Tony Cliff was in town I had plans with a friend to go. We got tossed into the world of Delilah Dirk thanks to Goodreads. It was one of the first books I ever received for free hoping I'd review it. Not only did I review it, but I fell in love with the series. However, when Tony Cliff toured for with The King's Shilling we couldn't go because traffic was a nightmare thanks to a Justin Bieber concert happening the same night... Luckily this year I had no problems because he was speaking at a bookstore close to where I live!

It was really cool to hear him talk about his writing process and how the books all come to life. To see all the elements that sort of came together to create a character I adore. It was also really cool to see all the kids who came and loved the books as much as I did. The series had something for readers of all ages and that's just one reason to love the series. Delilah is a strong female characters that carries three books of amazing adventure, all while trusting her friend Selim through them. I'm also excited to know that there will be at least one more book in the series. Maybe more, but for sure we'll be getting a fourth!

I'm so glad I got to the event, it was a lot of fun.  I'm really looking forward to finally finding some time to sit down and read the new book, The Pillars of Hercules. And, maybe rub it my flatmates face just a little that I got to meet Tony Cliff while she was away with work. Just a little.

HAPPY READING!! 

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about what we have yet to read. Generally they are books that have yet to be released, but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine. 

What started as a normal, everyday, child-sucked-into-a-magical-land-to-fulfill-an-inane-quest has changed Fairyland forever. In the continuation of SKOTTIE YOUNG'S saccharine fantasy-satire, Gertrude hands over the spotlight to Larry, Duncan Dragon, and some of Fairyland's other supporting cast, misfits, and forgotten threats.

Collects issues 16 through 20.

Release Date: September 4th, 2018

Author: Skottie Young

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 120

Why I'm Waiting: Because I love this series and I love Gert, because I was low key this child. The fact this volume is all about the side characters makes me want to get her so much quicker. I Hate Fairyland is filled with hilarious and amazing side characters, and I'm glad they're getting their own volume!

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Author: Martin Stewart

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 336

1982, the summer before seventh grade. Five kids with nothing in common--Sep, Arkle, Hadley, Lamb, and Mack--become instant friends. On the last day of summer, they find a stone box buried in the forest, and each places an object inside to seal their friendship. And they make rules:

Never come to the box alone. 
Never open it after dark. 
Never take back your sacrifice.

1986, the summer before eleventh grade. The five haven't spoken since that day in 1982. Sep has gone through the past four years alone and plans to escape to boarding school. But strange things are happening--mirrors are breaking unexpectedly, electricity is flickering in and out, and people are coming down with inexplicable physical ailments.

Someone has broken the rules. And it seems the five committed more than objects to the box's ancient stone--they gave it their deepest secrets and darkest fears, and now these are being returned in a flood of shambling corpses, murderous toys, and undead pets. The gang must reunite in an attempt to discover the secrets of the sacrifice box--and Sep might be the only one who can stem its tide of evil before it's too late.

This sounds right up my alley, and so close to the Fall when it's my favorite time to read these kinds of books. I'm so excited! And, totally ready to sleep with the lamp on!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sundays

They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon! Some are by authors I already enjoy, some are the reason I gave the book a longer look. Either way they're all going to find their way here!

Release Date: October 2nd, 2018

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

The war is over, and army priest Tomas Piety finally heads home with Lieutenant Bloody Anne at his side. When he arrives in the Stink, Tomas finds that his empire of crime has been stolen from him while at war. With his gang of Pious Men, Tomas will do whatever it takes to reclaim his businesses. But when he finds himself dragged into a web of political intrigue once again, and is forced to work in secret for the sinister Queen's Men, everything gets more complicated.

When loyalties stretch to the breaking point and violence only leads to violence, when people have run out of food, and hope, and places to hide, do not be surprised if they have also run out of mercy. As the Pious Men fight shadowy foreign infiltrators in the backstreet taverns and gambling dens of Tomas's old life it becomes clear; the war is not over.

It is only just beginning.

This cover is amazing! Plus, I love a book told from the "villain" point of view. So I'm really excited for this one to come out.

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about what we have yet to read. Generally they are books that have yet to be released, but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine. 

How do you stop a murder that’s already happened?

At a gala party thrown by her parents, Evelyn Hardcastle will be killed—again. She's been murdered hundreds of times, and each day, Aiden Bishop is too late to save her. Doomed to repeat the same day over and over, Aiden's only escape is to solve Evelyn Hardcastle's murder and conquer the shadows of an enemy he struggles to even comprehend—but nothing and no one is quite what they seem.

Release Date: September 18, 2018 (USA)

Author: Stuart Turton

Genre: Mystery 

Pages: 512

Why I'm Waiting: Because the US release was some seven months after everywhere else... It wasn't my choice to wait! I was ready in February!! I've also hear some really good things from those lucky enough to have read it already. So I'm pumped for this one!

New Release Tuesday

Author: Drew Williams

Genre: Sci-Fi

Series: The Universe After #1

Pages: 448

Jane Kamali is an agent for the Justified. Her mission: to recruit children with miraculous gifts in the hope that they might prevent the Pulse from once again sending countless worlds back to the dark ages.

Hot on her trail is the Pax--a collection of fascist zealots who believe they are the rightful rulers of the galaxy and who remain untouched by the Pulse.

Now Jane, a handful of comrades from her past, and a telekinetic girl called Esa must fight their way through a galaxy full of dangerous conflicts, remnants of ancient technology, and other hidden dangers.

And that's just the beginning . . 

While I don't read a lot of Science Fiction, this sounds like something I'll adore. So I'm excited to bust into these pages!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon! Some are by authors I already enjoy, some are the reason I gave the book a longer look. Either way they're all going to find their way here!

Release Date: September 11, 2018

Genre: Non-Fiction

Pages: 480

In The Field of Blood, Joanne Freeman recovers the long-lost story of physical violence on the floor of the U.S. Congress. Drawing on an extraordinary range of sources, Freeman shows that the Capitol was rife with conflict in the decades before the Civil War. Legislative sessions often were punctuated with mortal threats, canings, flipped desks, and all-out slugfests. When debate broke down, congressmen drew pistols and waved Bowie knives. One representative even killed another in a duel. Many were beaten and bullied in an attempt to intimidate them into compliance, particularly on the issue of slavery.

These fights didn't happen in a vacuum. Freeman's dramatic accounts of brawls and thrashings tell a larger story of how fisticuffs and journalism, and the powerful emotions they elicited, raised tensions between North and South and led toward war. In the process, she brings the antebellum Congress to life, revealing its rough realities--the feel, sense, and sound of it--as well as its nation-shaping import. Funny, tragic, and rivetingly told, The Field of Blood offers a front-row view of congressional mayhem, and sheds new light on the careers of John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and other luminaries, as well as introducing a host of lesser-known but no less fascinating men. The result is a fresh understanding of the workings of American democracy and the bonds of Union on the eve of their greatest peril.

The Civil War era is one of my favorites to study. So much was going on in our country at this time. I'm excited for this one because this is one area I haven't read a lot about.

HAPPY READING!!

Edgar Cantero Book Events

I've only been waiting on this to happen for three years since I read Supernatural Enhancements. With This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us finally on shelves, Edgar Cantero was on tour, and I managed to snag a evening off from work to go hear him talk about it.

As is the usual I brought one of our cupcakes to reading, because who doesn't love cupcakes?!

It was really cool to hear Edgar Cantero talk about his work outside of the States. Which blew my mind that he had a hard time publishing anything in his home country of, Barcelona, because it didn't fit a mold. Honestly that is reason I love his writing so much. Cantero has his own of telling a story telling that isn't like most anything out there. I love that it doesn't really fit into label, and I love how he bends and uses pop culture. So to hear him talk about the process he used to create was amazing. It was also really cool to hear about some of the things that might be coming in the future. Some of which I have my fingers crossed for.

After hearing him read a big from the new book, This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, I'm really excited to bust into it. In fact it's bumped a few books farther back down my TBR. Because it just sounds so good!

However, the best part of the night was having him doodle in my books! Not just any doodles though, something connected to the book, and I got to pick which character from Meddling Kids. Of course I went for Nate, because of all the Scooby-Gang Nate is my spirit animal.

I'm really glad that I was able to squeeze away from work for this event. I really have adored the first two books by Edgar Cantero, and I really can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans A.Z. Kimrean gets into. I also really excited to see how Cantero spoofs one my favorite genres.

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about what we have yet to read. Generally they are books that have yet to be released, but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine. 

Growing up in an orphanage, Leila was bullied for being different. But she turned her hardship into skill by becoming an escape artist--a valuable trait when belonging to a group of magical best friends. When a famous psychic comes to town, however, Leila and her pals won't be able to escape the big mystery heading their way. Whether chasing mad monkeys or banishing ghosts from haunted hotels, these six friends will do their best to keep Mineral Wells safe--but can they still protect themselves in the process?

Join the Magic Misfits as they discover adventure, friendship, and more than a few hidden secrets in this delightful new series. Whether you're a new fan of stage magic or a longtime expert at illusion, Magic Misfits is sure to delight even more than sawing your assistant in half!

Release Date: September 25th, 2018

Author: Neil Patrick Harris

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 336

Why I'm Waiting: The first book was so cute! I'm so excited to see what trouble this group of misfits gets into next!

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Author: Annie Sullivan

Genre: Re-Telling

Series: Stand Alone 

Pages: 320

King Midas once had the ability to turn all he touched into gold. But after his gift—or curse—almost killed his daughter, Midas relinquished The Touch forever. Ten years later, Princess Kora still bears the consequences of her father’s wish: her skin shines golden, rumors follow her everywhere she goes, and she harbors secret powers that are getting harder to hide.

Kora spends her days locked in the palace, concealed behind gloves and veils, trying to ignore the stares and gossip of courtiers. It isn’t until a charming young duke arrives that Kora realizes there may be someone out there who doesn’t fear her or her curse. But their courtship is disrupted when a thief steals precious items from the kingdom, leaving the treasury depleted and King Midas vulnerable. Thanks to her unique ability to sense gold, Kora is the only one who can track the thief down. As she sails off on her quest, Kora learns that not everything is what it seems—not thieves, not pirates, and not even curses. She quickly discovers that gold—and the power it brings—is more dangerous than she’d ever believed.

Midas learned his lesson at a price. What will Kora’s journey cost?

There is nothing calm about how I'm waiting for my copy to get here. Not even a little bit. I'm super excited for A Touch of Gold. 

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sundays

They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon! Some are by authors I already enjoy, some are the reason I gave the book a longer look. Either way they're all going to find their way here!

Release Date: October 2nd, 2018

Pages: 384

Genre: Young Adult

A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction!

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. 

When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.

DUDE! This cover is amazing! It catches my eye every time I flip through my TBR for different reasons. Plus, one of my tattoos on the cover! I was sold on it just from all of that, but it does sound like an amazing read. I'm all for badass women battling it out!

HAPPY READING!!

Bout of Books 23

Just a few more weeks until another Bout of Books is upon us! This one will be my seventh Bout of Books Read-a-thon. For me I use it as an excuse to turn off the TV. I pause whatever I'm currently watching on Netflix, pause any movies I have on hold at the library. I don't have a set TBR, mostly because I never stick to one if I make it. This is gonna happen after a lot of really good books have come out. So I'll have so many good things to chose from!!

Don't have a blog. No problem! Bout of Books connects through Social Media as well. So check our there blog here, and if you feel like joining in, you can up here!

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about what we have yet to read. Generally they are books that have yet to be released, but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine. 

In The Field of Blood, Joanne Freeman recovers the long-lost story of physical violence on the floor of the U.S. Congress. Drawing on an extraordinary range of sources, Freeman shows that the Capitol was rife with conflict in the decades before the Civil War. Legislative sessions often were punctuated with mortal threats, canings, flipped desks, and all-out slugfests. When debate broke down, congressmen drew pistols and waved Bowie knives. One representative even killed another in a duel. Many were beaten and bullied in an attempt to intimidate them into compliance, particularly on the issue of slavery.

These fights didn't happen in a vacuum. Freeman's dramatic accounts of brawls and thrashings tell a larger story of how fisticuffs and journalism, and the powerful emotions they elicited, raised tensions between North and South and led toward war. In the process, she brings the antebellum Congress to life, revealing its rough realities--the feel, sense, and sound of it--as well as its nation-shaping import. Funny, tragic, and rivetingly told, The Field of Blood offers a front-row view of congressional mayhem, and sheds new light on the careers of John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and other luminaries, as well as introducing a host of lesser-known but no less fascinating men. The result is a fresh understanding of the workings of American democracy and the bonds of Union on the eve of their greatest peril.

Release Date: September 11, 2018

Author: Joanne B. Freeman

Genre: NonFiction

Pages: 480

Why I'm Waiting: The Civil War Era is on of my favorites to read, and learn, about in American History. So much was happening in our country during that time. So I'm excited to dive between the pages of The Field of Blood.

HAPPY READING!!