Mini Reviews

I really wanted to like this book. Because it has all the elements I love, but sadly this one fell a little short with me. I wasn't overly fond of our main character, he was just so-so. I spent a lot of time confused on where things were going, or how we got to where we were. Maybe it was designed that way because our main character (whose name I cannot remember despite reading this on the bus on the way home) loses time, or not. The werewolf aspect was strange and only randomly popped up. It was a bit of a hot mess for me, and I probably won't be finishing this series. 2 Stars!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

They say don't judge a book by its 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!

You are alone in the woods, seen only by the unblinking yellow moon. Your hands are empty. You are nearly naked.

And the wolf is angry.

Since her grandmother became her caretaker when she was four years old, Bisou Martel has lived a quiet life in a little house in Seattle. She’s kept mostly to herself. She’s been good. But then comes the night of homecoming, when she finds herself running for her life over roots and between trees, a fury of claws and teeth behind her. A wolf attacks. Bisou fights back. A new moon rises. And with it, questions. About the blood in Bisou’s past and on her hands as she stumbles home. About broken boys and vicious wolves. About girls lost in the woods—frightened, but not alone.

Elana K. Arnold, National Book Award finalist and author of the Printz Honor book Damsel, returns with a dark, engrossing, blood-drenched tale of the familiar threats to female power—and one girl’s journey to regain it. 

HAPPY READING!!

Mini Reviews

This was a fun twist on the story of how Klaus became Santa, and was everything I've come to expect from a Grant Morrison story. The artwork was colorful and helped to carry the story wonderfully. It's a classic hero/villain story, but with an old world twist. I was in love with Lilli, and Magnus is a great villain. As a whole I enjoyed the story. I couple of times I stuttered as I read, confused about what exactly what was happening. There were a few times it felt like a started this story on the wrong volume, but by the end it all came together. And I loved the surprise pop up of Krampus! 3 stars!

HAPPY READING!!

Most Anticipated Releases of 2020 pt.1

I cannot believe that there are only a few short days left in 2019. Somehow this been the longest and shortest years I can remember. In fact I've read a lot of good books, and put even more good books on the over growing stack next to my bed. Books I wanted to get to, but just didn't have the time for. A stack that is only going to get grow into a second stack as 2020 rolls along. Because so many good books are coming out this year. So many sequels and so many new series by authors I adore. Honestly it's going to be hard to be my next read in 2020. I have reached the point of too many options. But, here is a look at some of the books I'm excited to get my hands on during the first half of 2020!

Most Anticipated Books Jan - July:

And, these are just the ones I'm itching to get my hands. The ones I will definitely be picking up after they came out. Some I've already pre-ordered. Others I'll pick up during SeaBook Store Day. This doesn't even include the second of the year! Or, that I just don't know about. Plus the books I was suppose to read this year and last year, and way before that. Which is why my TBR will never end It's a fact I've come to accept. Some goals are unreachable. Clearing out my TBR is one of those.

One that is for certain, 2020 is going to be an amazing year in books!

HAPPY READING!!

Book Mail - The Institute

Okay, so this time I'm not really that sorry for getting the song stuck in anyone's head. Why? Because I won a free copy of The Institute by Stephen King. My Ma and I share a love for his books. In fact, she's the one who got me hooked on him, and it''s been ages since I read one of his book. Honestly I don't have a good reason as to why. He's put enough books that I should have. In fact I've picked a few from my local library and never got around to them. Now, I have a reason to. Because I'm actually really excited to read this one. 

Thank you Goodreads Giveaway! This is the second lovely book I've gotten from then this year. However, unlike last time, this one I'm sure I'll end up shipping of to my Ma so she can read it once I'm done. After all, I came back the reading bug naturally thanks to her and my Mim.

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 17th century Hungary, Anna Darvulia has just begun working as a scullery maid for the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth Báthory. When Elizabeth takes a liking to Anna, she’s vaulted to the dream role of chambermaid, a far cry from the filthy servants’ quarters below. She receives wages generous enough to provide for her family, and the Countess begins to groom Anna as her friend and confidante. It’s not long before Anna falls completely under the Countess’s spell—and the Countess takes full advantage. Isolated from her former friends, family, and fiancé, Anna realizes she’s not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel Elizabeth. Then come the murders, and Anna knows it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her, too.

Why I'm Waiting: Elizabeth Bathroy a strange woman, and one who doesn't have a lot books written about her. I'm interested to see who this one tells her story.

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

They say don't judge a book by its 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!

1834. Sophia Thompson wants nothing more than to be one of the famed Bow Street Runners, London's most elite corps of detectives. Never mind that a woman has never before joined their ranks--and certainly never mind that her reclusive family has forbidden her from pursuing such an unladylike goal.

She gets the chance to prove her capabilities when an urgent letter arrives from her frantic cousin Daphne, begging Sophia to come look into the suspicious death of Daphne's brother.

As Sophia begins to unravel the tangled threads of the case--with the help of a charming young policeman--she soon realizes that the murderer may be even closer to her family than she ever suspected.

HAPPY READING!!

Mini Reviews

I can't believe I grew up in this area had have never heard of this family! This a crazy story of a family who killed during the early days on the Kansas prairie, and how they got away with it. It really is a story fit for TV since no one knows really who the Bender Family was, where they came from, or even where the went. What they do know is 21 bodies, include that of State Senator. Then all of sudden they were gone and their wagon was abandoned. Rick Geary did a great job telling this story, and bringing this family to life through his art. 5 Stars!

Prior to reading this I didn't know that much about the case around the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. I knew that over the years plenty of men have come forward claiming they were said child, but that was sort all it. This is a frustrating case to follow along, Rick Geary does his best to unravel the facts, but there are so many pieces to this story. So many people looking for their five minutes of fame, or a quick pay out. At the end of it all, its really just a tragedy. 3 Stars! 

HAPPY READING!!

Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky - Review

Series: Montague Siblings

Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction / Novella

Format: Hardback

Pages: 128

WE HATE RICHARD PEELE!

But, I adore Percy and Monty.

Monty is such precious bean and I'd forgotten how much I adore him. In fact I'd forgotten how much happens in the first book, but Mackenzi Lee does a good job of doing a small recap through Monty's inner dialog that I was quick to remember. Even better was the fact that it didn't seem forced. Just Monty remember pieces of what happened. She also tied up a few smaller loose ends the happened after the first book ended.

Guide to Getting Lucky  was a lovely why to start my December reading. Mackenzi Lee has created some amazing characters for this series, and it was great to see a few again. It was also nice for Monty to get a little fatherly advice toward the end, and to see him doing his best to stay sober. To see the promises he made in the first book, he was at least trying to keep.

While this is novella, and quite a quick read, it packs a punch to every feeling you can imagine. My heard ached for these two as they started to learn to be together. As Monty learned to navigate is first actual relationship. To see Felicity planning on going for dream of getting her medical degree (I haven't read her book yet!).

This was everything I loved about this first book, and so much more. It was great to see the characters till growing and changing as this story unfolded. To remember how much I adore Mackenzi Lee's writing style. She's sarcastic and witty, but doesn't hold back her punches when she goes right for your heart. Because I hurt for Monty in this one. In the first book it was great to see him pull his head out of his backside and start seeing the people around him, but in this one. Ugh! He's such a precious bean.

I'm so glad she was able to publish this novella for those us who were late to the party with this series. It would have sucked to have missed out on watching these to find their way together, and I cannot wait to jump back into this series. 

Buy, Borrow, or Skip: Get it! The whole series, and pre-order the new one! This is so not my favorite genre to read, Romance and Historical Fiction, but this series. Mackenzi Lee has carved out a beautiful story for this era. I adore it!

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 New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.

Why I'm Waiting: This will be my first book by Adam Silvera, but it sounds up my alley. Plus there aren't enough books about phoenixes!

HAPPY READING!! 

New Release Tuesday

Red Lady, Red Lady, show us your face...

In 1991, Heather Cole and her friends were members of the Dead Girls Club. Obsessed with the macabre, the girls exchanged stories about serial killers and imaginary monsters, like the Red Lady, the spirit of a vengeful witch killed centuries before. Heather knew the stories were just that, until her best friend Becca began insisting the Red Lady was real--and she could prove it.

That belief got Becca killed.

It's been nearly thirty years, but Heather has never told anyone what really happened that night--that Becca was right and the Red Lady was real. She's done her best to put that fateful summer, Becca, and the Red Lady, behind her. Until a familiar necklace arrives in the mail, a necklace Heather hasn't seen since the night Becca died.

The night Heather killed her.

Now, someone else knows what she did...and they're determined to make Heather pay.

HAPPY READING!!