REVIEW: Shot Through the Hearth

Shot Through the Hearth
Author: Kate Carlisle

I love old houses, and the idea of a construction company that specializes in the restoration and reconstruction of old Victorians makes me happy in my soul. There's just something magical and homey in an old house. The main character in Kate Carlisle's Fixer-upper Mystery series, Shannon Hammer, breathes new life into old Victorian houses...so of course, I had to give this series a try!

Shot Through the Hearth is the 7th book in the series. Normally I don't jump into a series after so many books, but I was willing to try it to see if I would like the characters and the plot. I'm glad I did! This was an enjoyable cozy! I was easily able to figure out most of the characters and their relationships, although I think I would have understood the nuances a bit better had I started at the beginning of this series.

In Shot Through the Hearth, Hammer Construction is hired for a complicated reconstruction and new construction project. They have 8 months to refurbish a large Victorian home, and build some green eco-friendly structures, including an eco-friendly barn. Their client, Rafe Nash, made his millions in the tech industry and energy efficient inventions. He plans an eco-friendly convention just after the construction projects are finished. Shannon finds herself really liking Rafe (which is good since he is engaged to a close friend of hers), but his business partner, Dillon, is another matter altogether. Things get dicey when a body is found in the barn during the convention.....and then another body turns up. With more than 500 people in attendance at the conference and most of them quirky in one way or another.....there are a lot of suspects and lots of investigation!

For me this was a nice introduction to this series. I'm definitely going to backtrack and read the Fixer-upper Mysteries from the beginning!

**I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book from Berkley via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Those Who Came Before

Those Who Came Before
Author: J. H. Moncrieff

This book is an awesome blend of several genres I enjoy -- horror, crime procedural/investigation, and sci-fi -- with a splash of historical fiction and cryptozoological/monster folklore goodness thrown in for strong flavor.

When Reese goes camping with friends, he has no idea that he will be the only one to leave Strong Lake alive. His friends are brutally murdered. What saved him? A strange voice telling him to leave and a weird burned tree. Yeah -- the detective investigating the mass killing doesn't really buy that story either. Until she hears the voice herself.

This story features one of my favorite monsters from Native American Folklore.....the Wendigo. As the story unfolds, it jumps back and forth from modern time to the colonial era. Usually I don't really care for repeated time jumps....but for this story it worked. The tale of a indigenous people persecuted and killed by European settlers mixed well with the modern storyline, giving it context.

This is a horror story -- the death scenes are gory and gruesome. The Wendigo is not a quiet, well-controlled killer. There is lots of ripping and spewing blood. Be forewarned. If you don't like slashy scream fests with a great story -- then you might want to avoid this one. The story is solid....it isn't just about gore. But the gore is there. 

Very entertaining, creepy read! I thoroughly enjoyed it! This is the first book by J.H. Moncrieff that I've read. Definitely reading more of her work! I've already added Return to Dyatlov Pass to my TBR list....and she has so many other titles that sound so good! :)

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece

Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece
Author: Rose Pressey

Rose Pressey's Haunted Vintage books are some of my favorite cozy mysteries! I like her writing style, humor, and fun plotlines. So, I jumped right on this new series! I'm glad I did! This first book in the Haunted Craft Fair series was a very enjoyable read!

Celeste Cabot longs to ditch her regular job and sell her paintings full time. The Summer Arts & Crafts Fair at Gatlinburg, TN is her first foray into living off sales of her art. She moves in her cute pink travel trailer, sets up her booth, and hopes for the best. Things almost immediately go wrong.....strange foreboding figures appearing in her paintings, stolen money, bad vibes, a ghost and.....a dead body.  While sales are going well, things at the craft fair seem to be getting increasingly dark and dangerous.

What a cute book! Celeste is a fun main character. Her family is a hoot, and I just love the idea of a chihuahua named Van Gogh. :) I have a chihuahua and a pomchi, so I can identify with the ins and outs of owning one of the little bundles of fierce. Chihuahuas can stuff a lot of courage into their tiny bodies. The front cover art featuring Van Gogh is just incredibly cute!

I live near Gatlinburg, TN and have been there many times. A cozy set in the mountains of Tennessee in that huge tourist area is definitely appealing, especially since Celeste is a local not just a visitor. She isn't there for miniature golf and a hotel with a lazy river pool....but she's selling her artwork to tourists at Gatlinburg's many holiday/seasonal/touristy events. I can see how that will have plenty of plot possibilities!

Great start to a new series! I am eagerly awaiting the next adventure! Luckily, I won't have too long to wait. The next book in the series, Murder Can Confuse Your Chihuahua, will be out soon!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Hearthstone Cottage

Hearthstone Cottage
Author: Frazer Lee

Two couples and one younger sister. An isolated cabin in Scotland near a loch. No cell phones. No internet. Just peace. A celebration of college graduation. Perfect getaway, right?

Wrong.

Mike Carter knows something is very, very wrong almost from the start. Hearthstone Cottage is beautiful, but has a strange vibe. Something doesn't seem right. Visions of a dead stag. Meggie's missing dog. Hallucinations and nightmares. Strange creatures in the woods. An eerie circle of stones. Local legends about a witch's execution. Surprise revelations. As Mike feels his grip on sanity ebbing away, their trip only gets worse.

I love stories like this! As I read, I kept visions of the story playing in my head like a mental movie. This would make an excellent late-night film! Has most of this story been done before in one way or another? Sure....vacay in isolated cabin gone wrong is a popular horror book and movie plot. Why not? Don't we all have a fear of being pursued by evil we can't escape or don't fully understand? A mix of our own secrets and a dark presence.......that's the stuff of nightmares. Makes for a great story!

I read most of this book sitting out on my porch after dark with a coffee and a fuzzy blanket. It just sets the perfect atmosphere for a horror story. Woods across the street rustling in the breeze...a few snapping twigs...sounds of night creatures scurrying....the velvet darkness. About halfway through the story, I had to come inside. It was creeping me out to read this tale in the dark. I love it when a horror story creeps me out enough to go running back inside! :)

Great creepy story! I thoroughly enjoyed it! This is the first book by Frazer Lee that I've read. I will definitely be reading more. I like his writing style. This story builds suspense and creepy vibes from the very start. Well-written, entertaining and definitely creepy!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Christmas Sweets

Christmas Sweets
Authors: Joanne Fluke. Laura Levine & Leslie Meier

I was a little disappointed to discover that my annual dose of Hannah Swensen Christmas cheer was a recycled story published in Sugar & Spice in 2006......but, while waiting for the next book in the series, (coming out in February 2020!) I'm willing to take any dose of Hannah that I can get! Plus, the book has two more awesome Christmas theme cozy stories! Laura Levine contributes a Jaine Austen holiday tale. I have had the Jaine Austen series on my TBR shelf for a long time. Gotta move it up to the top and start reading!  And, Leslie Meier has a holiday Lucy Stone Christmas gift for readers.

Ok....Hannah first.... (of course!) The Twelve Desserts of Christmas:  Sugar & Spice (the book this story was originally published in) is a collection of Christmas romance novellas, so this story is more romance angle than cozy mystery. There are quite a few recipes included and a bit of a mystery to solve....but it's mostly Christmas kissie face fun. No dead bodies in this story. Six students remain at the boarding school outside Lake Eden, MN. The kids are staying at the school for Christmas break so two teachers have to remain as well. Is there romance in the air? Maybe....but someone really, really wants to squash any chance of romance. Hannah, delivering lovely baked holiday cheer, is on the case to find out the truth.

Cute story! And there are of course 12 yummy recipes included as well! Despite the fact I was disappointed this was not a new story, it will still fun to read!

Nightmare on Elf Street: Laura Levine jumps in after Joanne Fluke's tale with a story featuring Jaine Austen. I have never read any of the series yet. Most of the books have been on my TBR shelf waiting for me to get to them for several years now, so this novella gave me a perfect jump start to move the series to the top of my to-read list!

Jaine heads to the local swanky upscale mall hoping for an advertising job, but somehow ends up dressed as an elf for the holiday season. The only thing worse than dressing in striped tights and a hat with a fuzzy pompon is......a dead santa.

Although it took awhile for the mystery to appear in this holiday story, I enjoyed every bit of this holiday tale. A horrible minimum wage gig that involves an elf costume....a cat named Prozac who refuses to don reindeer antlers for a photo....and a drunk, unruly, horrific santa claus. What's not to love?? This story definitely earned the Jaine Austen series a higher spot on my TBR list! Book one is sitting right at the tippy top! Humorous and fun, this story was an entertaining read!

The Christmas Thief: Leslie Meier offers up a short mystery featuring her sleuth Lucy Stone. Lucy and her friend Miss Tilley fly to Florida to help Elizabeth Stone out of a serious predicament. Elizabeth has been put on leave at her job at a hotel in connection with some missing jewelry. Not just any jewelry. Very, very expensive jewelry. Millions of dollars. Yikes! Can the three ladies work together to salvage the holiday and keep Elizabeth out of trouble??

My favorite story in this collection is Nightmare on Elf Street. Just imagining Jaine Austen in that horrible costume having to deal with a nightmarish santa claus.....oh my! The humor made the story entertaining and fun. This story easily breezed by the recycled Hannah story because it's one I already read 13 years ago!

Cute Christmas cozy collection! And I will definitely be awaiting these holiday novella collections each holiday season! It's become a reading tradition for me!

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Apple Cider Slaying

Apple Cider Slaying
Author: Julie Anne Lindsey

Winnie Montgomery is trying to help her family save its apple orchard in this first book in the Cider Shop Mystery series. She's pulling out all the stops to bring tourists to Smythe Orchard -- fall tours, tastings, even Christmas at the Orchard. When their cantankerous next door neighbor is found dead in the apple press, it doesn't bode well for the failing farm. Winnie is on the case to clear her granny of any suspicion and save the orchard's reputation.

Such a cute story! I like Winnie as a main character. She's funny, intelligent and determined! She has a dream and is working so hard to try and make it happen. A dead body in the apple press is a bit of a hiccup in the plan....but she got to work immediately to solve the problem. The story is a nice mix of mystery and humor. I like all the quirky side characters. There were plenty of suspects and some interesting twists along the way. Everything came together to make a very entertaining, fall/winter theme, light mystery! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, and luckily it won't be a long wait. Book #2, Pulp Friction, will be out in Spring 2020.

The front cover is so colorful and cheery! I always get sucked in by cozy covers! :)

Great start to a new series!

This is the first book by Julie Anne Lindsey that I've read. I will definitely be reading more! She also writes the Geek Girl Mysteries, plus several other mystery/thriller and romance titles.

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Between Worlds

Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland
Author: Kevin Crossley-Holland
Illustrator: Frances Castle

Folktales are magical portals to the past, passed down from generation to generation. Magical beings, morality lessons, social commentary, legends, tales of heroes, revenge, evil....there's a little bit of everything in folktales. I'm especially fond of tales from Ireland and Britain.....it's in my DNA. Plus it's the perfect time of year to enjoy some old tales of strange, eerie and legendary happenings. And, this book delivers! Great stories! Awesome illustrations!

I read this book slowly, savoring each of the 50 stories. I like to take my time with story collections, even when they are short. I read the stories one at a time and let them soak in....making the book last. I thoroughly enjoyed each story. And I've ordered a physical copy of this book for my keeper shelf. I will be re-reading this one!

The stories are separated by theme -- magic, legends, faeries/little people, passion & love, tricks and ghosts. My favorite tale in the book is King of the Cats. That's been a favorite story of mine for a very long time, and the author did a great job with his version. My favorite section is of course the ghost story portion. I love ghostly stories, and Kevin Crossley-Holland picked some good ones to include!

A very enjoyable reading experience! This is the first book by Kevin Crossley-Holland that I've read. He's written many books including one about Norse Myths. I'm definitely going to be reading more of his work! The illustrations by Frances Castle in this book are awesome and showcase the folktales perfectly! The book's front cover is perfect as well.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this story collection from Candlewick Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Marley

Marley
Author: Jon Clinch

Jacob Marley and Ebenezer Scrooge meet as boys at the gloomy Drabb's Academy for Boys. Marley has a keen talent for trickery, deceit and all things dishonest and Scrooge is magical with numbers. So, of course, they go into business together. But it's all based on the slave trade, side-stepping the law, and trickery. But two men with very little moral fiber are going to come to odds sooner or later....and when Scrooge and Marley have a falling out, it is definitely epic.

A Christmas Carol has been my favorite book since childhood. I own several well-read copies, plus several movie versions and a few re-tellings/re-visits. So of course when I saw this book available for review, I jumped right on it. I'm always up for a little visit with Ebenezer and Marley. This time Marley was definitely not dead as a doornail....but he was definitely a scheming, evil little man! Ebenezer isn't much better. I enjoyed this revamp of Dickens story and characters. A little update....a dash more evil intent....and a little added violence. Nicely done!

This is the first book by Jon Clinch that I've read. I'm definitely interested in reading his re-telling of the Tom Sawyer story, Finn. I hope it is as good as Marley!! I love the front cover...the chains are a perfect fit to the story!

Definitely an enjoyable read! I think Dickens would approve.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Mission from Venus

Mission From Venus
Author: Susan Plunket

A call goes out across the universe....volunteers are needed for a mission to Earth. Seven times it has been tried to liberate humanity from the dark lords that keep the planet from progressing. And every time the effort has failed. Many respond to the call, eager to free Earth from its dark lords and  help humankind venture into the fourth dimension and beyond. Volunteers will be transported to Earth, stripped of their memories, and mingled into society. Before the battle against the evil forces holding the planet, the Venutians will have to remember who they are and bring forth their multi-dimensional strengths for the war to free earth. But it will be difficult. The dark lords use many vices to hold humanity prisoner....drugs, power, money....it will be a hard fight.

The world building in this book is an interesting concept, but nothing really new. The rest of the universe has evolved past selfishness and more base emotions to a higher class of emotions....love, peace, acceptance for all, etc. While humans on Earth are held back by their more base emotions and behaviors. While based on truth, I have to be honest and say I found the obvious social commentary difficult to read. I understand the intent, but the story really isn't sci-fi. It's a 344 page tale about the evils of current political, social and acceptance issues....with multi-dimensional aliens thrown in. While I applaud the effort to weave a intergalactic mission around current problems, this sort of story has been done to death in the past few years in one way or another, and the plot of this book just wasn't strong enough to carry it out in a good way.

I stopped reading at about 75% and DNF'd this book. This story is just clearly not for me. I did not like the writing style and found the obviously contrived plot just too much to slog through for 300+ pages. I agree with the basic underlying idea -- we need to evolve past petty hatred and violence. But, I'm not going to make it through a tale of peace-loving aliens coming to save us from our backwards ways. The writing and plot are just not strong enough to carry the concept. That is only my opinion as a reviewer. Others might like this story and offer a differing viewpoint. But, I have to always be honest in my reviews.....and I just could not finish this book.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from John Hunt Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Slash

Slash
Author: Hunter Shea

Five years ago Ashley King was the Final Girl. The one who survived. She went urban exploring at an abandoned resort with a group of fellow enthusiasts. Ashley was the only one who left alive. A killer, nicknamed The Wraith, killed them all in gruesome ways and was never caught. And five years later, Ashley hangs herself in the basement of the home she shares with her fiance, Todd Matthews. Todd wants to know why......and he wants to catch The Wraith. What is the truth about what happened that night at the Hayden Resort?

This book is a bloody, campy romp.It wouldn't be slasher horror if it wasn't. Expect lots of cheesy dialogue, grisly deaths, spurting blood and strange twists. The body count definitely clocks upwards quickly.....and the secret behind the entire event is twisted. Perfect! Hunter Shea never fails to deliver!

The front cover design is perfect!

This story grabbed my attention from the start and kept me going the entire time. I found myself talking to the characters "NO! Don't go in there!'' and "RUN!!!!''  But it didn't help. Mince meat.

Great October read! This book is not for the faint of heart -- it's a slasher story. If blood is a bit too red for your comfort.....then best read something a little less.....slashy.

**I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Hippo at the End of the Hall

The Hippo at the End of the Hall
Author: Helen Cooper

A strange invitation to the Gee Museum arrives at Ben's house. His mom is always busy with her shop, so he decides to go by himself. Turns out, the museum is a very magical place and some bad people are trying to destroy it. Ben knows that he has to do everything he can to save the museum and its magical exhibits.

This is such a magical story for middle grade kids! The Gee Museum seems like such a fantastical place! I wish it was real....I would definitely be first in line to have a tour!

The story is pure magic. The illustrations are awesome! This book would be great to read out loud at home or in a classroom/homeschool setting. It would be so easy to incorporate all sorts of lessons along with the story...writing prompts, a trip to a local museum, art projects....lots of possibilities!

Well-written. Colorful, vibrant front cover. Engaging illustrations. Very enjoyable book!!

This is the first book by Helen Cooper that I've read. I love to read children's books, so I'm sure I will be reading more of her work! She's written quite a few middle grade books. As I looked through her list, I definitely saw more than just a couple that I want to read!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Pursuit

Pursuit
Author: Joyce Carol Oates

The nightmare has plagued Abby since childhood. Skeletons in a field. The skulls in the grass. She thought the dream was finally gone for good, but on the eve of her wedding, it returns. In a panic, strange thoughts flooding her head, Abby runs off a city bus and is struck by a car. While recuperating, she opens up to her new husband, Willem. There are so many secrets....

This story is suspenseful and builds slowly, revealing Abby's life little bit by little bit. It isn't an exciting, edge of your seat sort of burn....but a very atmospheric, strange but compelling story. Abby reveals her life slowly. It shows the depth of feeling and trust she has for Willem. The story switches back and forth from Abby to Willem's POV several times. Usually I don't really care for bouncing POV, but in this case, it really works.

This is the first full-length novel by Joyce Carol Oates that I've read. Yeah, I know....I'm late to the party. I have no excuse....just ponderous TBR and only so much time. After reading two short stories by Oates -- Miao Dao and The Sign of the Beast -- I knew I needed to delve into her gigantic list of published novels. I enjoyed this book. I will definitely be reading more of her work!

I think what I liked best about this story was the slow build. Oates doesn't hurry. She doesn't use quick action to build her story, rather she lets it tumble out just like Abby's rambling revelations about her parents and childhood. Her writing style and word choices help build the feeling of panic, helplessness, and secrets. Pursuit is well written. Very enjoyable read -- dark and more than a bit creepy.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Grove Atlantic. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Janis

Janis: Her Life and Music
Author: Holly George-Warren

I have always loved Janis Joplin's voice. Her earthy vocals and the way she clearly put her soul into her performances makes her music so enjoyable for me. I knew she had a rough time growing up in Texas. I knew she was a bit of a rebel who lived life by her own set of rules. And I knew how she died. But I really didn't know much about her life, her friends and family, and her personality until I read this book.

I'm so glad I read this book! It gives intimate details about Janis' childhood and teenage years in Texas, her love of art, her discovery of music, bands she played with.....everything up to her death in 1970.

I get a bit emotional when I think about Janis' treatment by her high school classmates. She was different, outspoken and misunderstood. And she was bullied terribly for being herself.  I had similar experiences in school. Kids can be cruel to anyone who stands out as different. As I read about her experiences growing up, I kept hearing her voice from a television interview in 1970 with Dick Cavet. She said "They laughed me out of class, out of town and out of the state. So I'm going home.'' She traveled home to Port Arthur, TX for her 10th high school reunion. Just a few months later she was dead of a heroin overdose. What a waste of such an awesome talent. I hope in the end she found peace and some pride in herself, her talent and her music.

This biography of Janis Joplin is well-written and obviously thoroughly researched. I had an amazing time reading! I'm listening to her music as I write this review. An amazing talent! The picture on the front cover is so hauntingly beautiful. What an amazing person she was -- you can see her fire, creativity and boldness reflected in her gaze. Just lovely!

I highly recommend this book to any Janis Joplin fan or those who enjoy 60s/70s music!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from Simon & Schuster. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thanks so much for sharing your music with the world, Janis. RIP**

REVIEW: The Stranger From the Sea, The Miller's Dance, The Loving Cup, The Twisted Sword, Bella Poldark

The Stranger From the Sea
The  Miller's Dance
The Loving Cup
The Twisted Sword
Bella Poldark
Author: Winston Graham

I really have no clue what rock I was living under....I have no excuse. But, up until recently, I had no idea the Poldark series on television is based on a series of books! I love sweeping historical family sagas. I have no earthly clue how I missed this one! Rectifying the situation immediately!

There are 12 books in the Poldark Saga, written by Winston Graham from 1945-2002. The books are set in Cornwall, starting with Ross Poldark in 1783 and ending with Bella Poldark in 1820.

It's official -- I love this series! And I'm reading my way through all of the books before I watch the television series. I have a rule that before I can watch a film or television adaptation, I have to read the books first. Then I'm acquainted with the characters and can see what they changed/added/kept true to the original, etc. There are actually two Poldark television series. One from BBC in the 1970s that serialized the first seven books. And then the newer series that started in 2015. There have been five seasons of the new show. I can't wait to watch it! Still reading my way through the books first...and enjoying every page!

The four books listed here are books #8-12 of the series. I had review copies of all 5 novels and read them cover to cover. Binge read them, to be honest. I love the characters...the setting....the history. I had to stop periodically and look some things up as I'm not familiar with the time period or history of Cornwall at all. The one problem with reviewing books is that I'm under a deadline. With historical fiction or family sagas, I like to take my time and let the story sink in and savor the characters. But with five books to read, and not having read the first books in the series beforehand, I was a bit lost in names, places, etc.  The story was enough to carry me through! I loved every book!

I'm backtracking now and reading the series from the start....and I will re-read these books when I come back around to them. I will have an even better understanding of the characters and history during my second reading! And then I can watch the television show. I'm curious which books it has already covered and which ones are upcoming -- whether it stays true to the books or goes off course, etc.

Great books! I highly recommend this series to any readers who enjoy historical fiction, family sagas, and just history in general!

Love, love, love! :) Here are some extra exclamation points in case I did not make it clear that I enjoy this series: !!!!!!!!

**I read review copies of these novels from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

REVIEW: Secrets of the Chocolate House

Secrets of the Chocolate House
Author: Paula Brackston

Xanthe can travel back in time using antique items from her shop. Some antique items just sing for her, telling her that they hold secrets that need to be told. Ever since she touched a chatelaine and was transported back to 1605 in the first book in this series (The Little Shop of Found Things), I've been eagerly awaiting Xanthe's next trip back in time! This time, a copper chocolate pot calls out to her...and she decides to answer the call of the past again.

This story is just as entertaining and exciting as the first one, but with a lot more character development. Xanthe is learning to take time travel in stride...taking time to better prepare and being more open to learning more about her strange calling (or talent, powers....whatever you want to call it). I enjoyed seeing Xanthe's relationship with her grandmother Flora develop a bit more....plus her relationships with locals in present time become a bit deeper.....and her coming to terms with her ties to the past and history.

A reader could jump in and start reading with this story. It isn't totally necessary to have read book one first. There is enough information given to understand the characters and situation. But, in order to fully understand all the nuances, it really is best to read book one, The Little Shop of Found Things, first. Plus, it's a very enjoyable book!

Nice addition to this developing series. I will definitely be reading more by Paula Brackston!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Twisted Ones

The Twisted Ones
Author: T. Kingfisher

Melissa travels to Pondsboro, NC to clear out her grandmother's house after her death. Her relationship with her grandmother was complicated. The woman was mean, difficult and just....off. Turns out she was a hoarder, too. As she slowly starts to clear out the house, she finds her step-grandfather's diary and notices strange things about the surrounding woods. Weird rock carvings. Disfigured animals. Strange effigies. And the tapping sounds....always the tapping. Melissa -- Mouse to her friends -- and her faithful dog Bongo soon discover there are a lot more things lurking in the trees than just deer. Terrible, horrible things.

I live in NC. In fact, my house sits down in a quiet neighborhood with a dense stand of woods right across the road from our house. We live in the middle of town, but deer frequently come through our yard and bound across the street in front of my car. The hills around the small town where we live are covered with tall mountain trees. The forest is beautiful.....but also thick and dark in places. Perfect setting for a horror story. I kept comparing Pondsboro to where I live.....homey, southern people with some weird commune/quirky stuff going on. And.....some real evil crap hiding in the trees. Sucked me right in. To add to the creepy feel, I waited until it was dark outside and sat to read this book on my front porch. Each time Melissa saw something in the woods or Bongo bounded off into the trees, I looked across the road at the tall, dark woods and just let that "I feel like I'm being watched" moment sink in before I continued reading.  Perfect!

I loved this story! Very creepy vibe and great suspense. The author said it was based a bit on an old horror story from 1904 -- The White People by Arthur Machen. I have never read this story....but I'm definitely going to find a copy!

T. Kingfisher is a pen-name for author Ursula Vernon, who writes children's books. While I have never read any of her books for kids, I'm definitely looking forward to more of her books for adults! This story was creepy, entertaining and quite scary in places (especially when I'm reading about the NC woods.....sitting quite close to the NC woods! lol)

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Saga Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Cursed

Cursed
Author: Thomas Wheeler

Ok....who else gravitates to books/graphic novels that have that lovely sticker "Soon to be a Netflix Original Series'' or "Now a Major Motion picture"?  I know I do!

While I hate the darn sticker on the front cover of my book (Geez....wrap them in plastic and put that darn tag on the plastic so you aren't marking up  my book!!' And DON'T make it a perma-part of the cover art....I don't want an ad displayed on the front cover of a book I paid for! Mini rant over.) I come running every time I see those tags, but I follow my rule which is I have to read the book before I watch any television adaptation. Then I understand the characters and I can join in on the complaining about what they changed/left out and any huzzahs about special effects, casting, awesomeness.

I have been both wildly entertained and completely disappointed in my quest for the most awesome book/film adaptations. I often go in expecting another Haunting of Hill House but prepared to deal with an Iron Fist.....ending up happily entertained somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.

I enjoyed this book. And I'm looking forward to it coming to Netflix in 2020!

Cursed is a twist on the King Arthur legend. The Lady of the Lake gets to be more than just a silvery hand appearing holding up a sword. This tale is told her her point of view. Nimue experiences the brutality of the world at a very early age....her entire village is slaughtered and her mother dies. But that is not her fate. Her fate is intertwined with a magical sword, Merlin, and Arthur. Add in some great art by Frank Miller, and it's a very entertaining read.

I have the suspicion that this story was written for television. The tale reads like a fleshed out script. The story is a nice update to the traditional Arthur legends....all the main characters are there....doing a new version of what they usually do. It just had the feel of a film script with some bookish details and flow added, plus nice artwork. A teaser for the Netflix series.

I'm definitely on-board for more ..... and I will definitely watch the series. But....I feel this is following the current YA trend. Trends get old when they are recycled again and again and again.....and again and again.  Yes, I am totally in support of strong female characters....but the theme is getting done to death over the past couple of years. I hope this revisit to Arthurian times stays fresh and creative.....and doesn't get bogged down in what will soon be The Same Old.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Simon and Schuster via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Beast

The Beast
Authors: Ally Condie & Brendan Reichs

In The Darkdeep, a group of kids saved their town by holding back monsters formed from their own imaginations. The Figments were formed from their thoughts by the Darkdeep, which they now hold at bay as Torchbearers. Well, they are supposed to hold it at bay anyway....  As the kids try to learn what they have to do to keep control of the Darkdeep and stop the formation of Figments, things start to spiral out of control. Figments begin to form on their own, a creature stored in a jar on the boat might be communicating with one of them, and YouTubers show up in town searching for a legendary sea monster called the Beast. Can the kids protect Timbers once again?

The first book in this series, The Darkdeep, totally hooked me on this group of characters and the premise of the Darkdeep. It's like Stand By Me, The Goonies, Gremlins, or Stranger Things....a group of kids thrown together having to deal with some scary and out of control situations. Except these kids can conjure up whatever pops into their heads. Dinosaurs, pop culture characters, scary monsters....whatever they think of, the Darkdeep can create and bring to life. While creating things using the whirlpool was fun at first.....it quickly became a problem when monsters over-ran the town during a local festival. This new story in the series finds kids are trying to learn their responsibilities as Torchbearers, while things around them rapidly warp out of control.

Loved this book! Definitely still middle grade appropriate, but still entertaining and fun to read for adults! I love the characters and the premise. The story alternates point of view between the kids. Usually I find jumping POV to be distracting, but for this story it works. I felt so sorry for the kids trying to deal with the Freakshow in town. The Darkdeep has to remain hidden and that's really difficult with YouTube monster hunters in town. The ending leaves it open for another book. I hope so! I'm enjoying this series! I hope it continues.

So far, this is the only series by either Ally Condie or Brendan Reichs that I have read. I really enjoy this concept, so I think I will branch out and try other books by these two writers. Brendan Reichs Co-authored the Virals series with his mother, Author Kathy Reichs. Ally Condie writes YA novels including Summerlost and The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Bloomsbury USA via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Malamander

Malamander
Author: Thomas Taylor

Eerie-On-Sea is a seaside town where folklore and legends are just part of every day life. Herbie Lemon at the Great Nautilus Hotel is the local Lost and Founder. He gathers items he finds and keeps them in his Lost and Foundery until owners come to claim them. When a girl slips in a hotel window and begs to be kept hidden from an old man with a hook hand, she asks Herbie to find her missing parents. They went missing on a cold winter's night years before and their disappearance might be related to a local monster tale. And so begins a very magical and awesome children's story!

I read middle grade books all the time as palate cleansers in between heavier adult fiction. This book was a total joy to read! The characters are charming....the story engrossing and entertaining....and the tale just sucked me in from the start! Fun read!

My favorite part of the story is the fact that during the tourist season the town is Cheerie-on-Sea....but when winter rolls around the first two letters on the town sign disappear -- Eerie-On-Sea!  Made me laugh! :)

The front cover art is awesome! That monstrous eye peering out at me is what made me want to read this book!!

Wonderful story! I can't wait to read more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: A Cosmology of Monsters

A Cosmology of Monsters
Author: Shaun Hamill

I love it when a debut novel catches me completely by surprise. A Cosmology of Monsters is creative, engrossing and just plain entertaining. It's a mash-up of monster horror, coming-of-age and family saga with a splash of strange fantasy and fate. The Turner family's story spans decades and is told by the youngest child, Noah. His family is plagued by monsters....both real and imagined.

I don't want to give away too much and ruin any part of the story, so I'm not going to say much about the plot or even the structure/POV of this novel. It all works together to bring the story full circle. I can say that this story completely sucked me in. I was up reading until the wee hours because I wanted to finish. Very entertaining read!! And very well-written. The story was something new....and it's well told. Nice mix of creepy and emotional.

I totally did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I expected a run-of-the-mill monster sort of story. But this book is so much more. Totally surprised me! Loved it!

I'm definitely looking forward to more by this author. I like his style.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Knopf-Doubleday via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocol

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocol
Author: Nicholas Meyer

I love the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. I've read all of them over and over again. Even though I know the outcome of each story...I still love to read them again. The Hound of the Baskervilles has always been my favorite. And as a Sherlock fan, I've watched many movies and television shows based on the characters and devoured many re-tellings and new stories with relish. Some have been great -- others not so good. Certain classic characters are just difficult to revisit with the same feel as the original....and Sherlock is probably one of the most difficult, in my opinion.

I have to admit that I have never read The Seven-Percent Solution or any of Nicholas Meyer's other Sherlock tales. I have always heard great things about his tales based on memoirs of Dr. Watson. But in my quest this year to read more books that I've been meaning to read but never seem to get to.....I had Nicholas Meyer's books on the list of must-reads! So, when I saw this new book coming out, I jumped right on it. I'm so glad I did! Very enjoyable story!

I'm picky about my Sherlock stories....new forays into his exploits need to be true to the original character and not mess about with his personality too much. I have to say I enjoyed Nicholas Meyer's slant on the characters. He tweaked a little bit...but not in any way that made me cringe. The plot is appropriately grandiose -- Sherlock doesn't take on just any old case, you know! Go big, or stay at home smoking your pipe and playing the violin. It's a big case with plotting evildoers....but not over-the-top cheesy. Perfect. Boo, evildoers! Go get them, Sherlock! And be sure to write all this down, Watson!

The front cover art is awesome! Very engaging and colorful!

All in all, a very enjoyable tale!! I definitely need to backtrack and read Meyer's other Sherlock stories. I'm sorry that I never took the time to do so before now. I'm sure I missed out on several enjoyable books! Rectifying that now!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from St. Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Read and Buried

Read and Buried
Author: Eva Gates

I enjoy this series and read each book as soon as it comes out. I'm a North Carolinian...and it's set in one of my favorite spots on the NC coast -- Nag's Head! I've been to the tippy top of Bodie Lighthouse and gone out on the walkway. All 214 winding metal stairs. I'm afraid of heights, but still enjoyed the view! Each time I read this series, I do have to remind myself that author's often take license with real places. Bodie Lighthouse is not large enough on the inside to house a library, or an apartment. It's barely bigger than the staircase to the top. But, because I love the idea of a library inside a NC lighthouse....I'm willing to forget that I've been to the real place. :)

This time around, foundation and repair work is ongoing at the lighthouse. A crack had formed at the base of the lighthouse and it was in danger of collapse. So lots of construction workers and heavy equipment are at work around the library to fix the problem. When a construction crew finds a mysterious metal box buried under the lighthouse, Lucy finds herself in the midst of mystery. The box contains a civil war era diary and a map of the Outer Banks written in code. Problems immediately start. All sorts of people want to see the artifacts....and then a library board member is found dead inside the library. Break-ins at the library continue as the whole town gets in on the attempts to decipher the code. Is an old secret worth killing for?? What does the code mean and why murder for it?

I enjoyed the plot of this newest book! The mystery was engaging and hooked my attention right away! There were plenty of suspects and some interesting investigation as Lucy worked to solve the case.

Read and Buried is the 6th book in the Lighthouse Library series. Eva Gates is a pen-name of Vicky Delany.

Great book! I will definitely be awaiting the next book in this series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror

Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror
Authors: Various (AHOY Comics)

It's back to school season as I write this review....so I am already gearing up for Halloween. I am going to stuff my head full of all the horror, ghosts, ghoulies and things that go bump in the night that I can until that time of year where things morph from fall to jingle bells. As that gets earlier every year, I start reading horror earlier each year. My Halloween time must not be encroached upon by Santa Claus! Soon I will be reading Poe at Easter. I have already seen one dollar store in the area with Christmas ornaments for sale. Made me rush home and start filling up my horror TBR pile.

I always start out with more light hearted stuff.....horror mixed with comedy, cheesy plots, stories that could be late late night movies.

I saw a graphic novel with an obviously dead drunk (or maybe drunk and dead would be a better way to put that) Edgar Allan Poe with a goblet of very suspicious looking liquid. Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror? Oh hell yeah I'm reading that! Immediate click. I will review weird stuff like this all day long! What fun!

Now....I do have to say....I am usually quite defensive about Mr. Poe. He has been maligned since his death in 1849. He's been accused of being a pedophile (for marrying his young cousin), a drunk, a drug addict....and the story goes that before his death he was found raving nonsense in a gutter in the midst of a fatal overdose. Well....when your obituary in the newspaper is written by an enemy, anything is bound to be said....right?? I have always been of the opinion that Poe was attacked, poisoned, met a fate not completely of his own fault.....and then his reputation was ruined by jealous fellow writers, journalists and sleeze buckets because he was no longer able to defend himself. Shit rakers. Now this could be true....totally untrue.....or partially true.....or a flight of fancy by people who love Poe's dark writing. I'm always keen to give people the benefit of a doubt.   That being said.....I also have a sense of humor. And I think Poe did too. So this comic did not upset me as a Poe fan....I chuckled at the artwork, the mangling of his stories for fun and the lovely little horrific wonders in this illustrated anthology. It is better to be open and honest about poking fun.....rather than sneakily do it to ruin someone as the shit rakers in 1849 did.

Some caution is needed here -- this anthology is not for kids or those easily offended. There is a bit of harmless nudity. No dangly bits.....just some butt cheeks. But for those who don't want to see an artistic representation of Edgar's butt....you might want to pass this by. Those who really do want to see Edgar's butt might also want to pass this by.....it's not done in a booty sort of way, but rather a drunken moon fashion. There are also some illustrations of vomit and other gross things.  Humorously done.....but eww. :)

The stories are varied. Some are parodies of Poe's work and some are completely original short works of horror/disgust/strangeness. I do wish they had not mixed in quite so much political satire. I am getting weary of the same old shit.....I wanted horror not thinly veiled SJW short pieces or jabs at el presidente. (Despite the fact it is very very easy to poke jabs at that certain person) One or two pieces that were political satire rather than other forms of  dark comedy/horror I could have enjoyed and moved on to the rest of the darkness...but there were just too many. I found myself skimming a couple of the stories because I just wasn't interested. But....with any anthology collection (even a small one), there will be stories a reader enjoys and ones that aren't for them. Variation is the spice of life....and reading.  So, I didn't make any judgments on the pieces I didn't like.....just thought of them as "not for me.''

As I finished, I couldn't help comparing this collection with MAD Magazine. Irreverent. Fun. Bit of dark jabs at every day life. And a bit of fun at Poe's expense. All in all, I enjoyed this collection! But I went in to it knowing what I was going to be reading....a reader can't pick up this book thinking it is actual horror stories. It's meant to be dark comedy, satire, strange pieces that hit sideways....all narrated by a drunken, angry Poe. Strap on your sense of humor and love of the strange before you start reading....and all will be well. No sense of humor? Walk on by, love.

This anthology collects issues 1-6 of the comic by Ahoy Comics. The artwork is great! The wrinkles on Poe's butt were quite realistic...hee hee. :) Loved the snark! Not sure if that was really Poe's butt though.....it may have been a stunt butt. :)

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Diamond Book Distributors via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. I did not laugh at Poe during my reading...but with him...sort of. Maybe. A bit. **

REVIEW: A Savage Generation

A Savage Generation
Author: David Tallerman

The world changed with the coming of a sickness with no cure. Civilization has descended into violence and chaos. Those who are well struggle to survive and avoid the Sickers. At a former prison, now called Funland, survivors hunker down and form a safe zone. Sickers can't get inside the prison walls, but sometimes survivors are even more deadly than the infected.

This story reminded me so much of The Walking Dead. It definitely has the same vibe. Survivors not only have to avoid those who are infected, but other survivors as well. Power struggles. Violence. Scavenging. Human nature.

There is a lot of action in this story. Definitely never a dull moment. It definitely kept my attention from beginning to end. Total binge read. Once I got sucked into the story, I just couldn't stop reading. I kept seeing the action playing out in my head like a movie. I love it when my head gets totally immersed in a story like that. Definitely gave me the same feeling that The Walking Dead used to -- in the seasons where they were in the prison or fighting The Governor. Great action! Exciting and lots of drama and power struggles going on. There are a lot of characters and the point of view changes between them. Usually I don't like POV switching around like that, but for this story it really worked.

Thorougly enjoyed this story! I look forward to reading more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: One by One

One by One
Author: D.W. Gillespie

A family buys an old house that needs some love and repair. Their daughter Alice enjoys the new place at first. It's fun to explore and discover things about the old house. But when a child's drawing is found on a wall underneath old wallpaper, the sinister side of the house is revealed.

OMG! This story creeped me the hell out! As mysterious X's started to appear on the drawing, Alice's family starts to disappear...one.....by......one. Such a creepy-cool atmospheric story! I loved it! Yes, that is a lot of exclamation points....but this was a binge read for me, so it earned a few !s. Any book that keeps me up until 3 am reading is a great story....IMHO.

I'm a big fan of this sort of horror. Atmospheric.....a creepy old house with evil lurking. Innocent characters....a family who just wants a fixer-upper to turn into a happy home. And some slow burn suspense. Nicely done!

This is the second book I've read by D.W. Gillespie. I enjoyed The Toy Thief as well. Definitely looking forward to more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Batman: Nightwalker (The Graphic Novel)

Batman: Nightwalker (The Graphic Novel)
Author: Marie Lu
Illustrated by: Christian Wildgoose

My parents did not approve of comic books. I wasn't allowed to read 99% of the titles on the shelf at the drug store (the only shop that sold comics in the little town I grew up in). Allowable titles were mostly Disney. Huey, Dewey and Louie are cute....and I loved all the comics I was allowed to read.... but the exciting, more mainstream characters were off limits for me. To this day, I don't really understand why. Superman, Batman and the other superheroes were fighting to save humanity, right? I guess it fell somewhere between "Violence and fighting are bad'' and "Girls don't read comic books.'' I think they were hoping I would turn into a dress-loving, girlie girl if they kept me away from what I naturally gravitated to....but it didn't work. I was always up a tree in the yard reading a book or chasing the neighbor kid with a garter snake. (In my defense, the kid was annoying.....sometimes the only way to get rid of him was to chase him with a snake.)

So......the end result....I was an adult, and married to a long-time comic book enthusiast, before I ever really delved much into comic books and superheroes. This leaves me out of many nerd debate topics on cannon, reboots, different artists, weird plot tangents, etc. I just read and enjoy. With slight rants about some of the horrible movies, I love Batman. What's not to love about a billionaire businessman who has every freaking cool gadget ever invented....plus an awesome cave lair.

My point is this -- I don't know cannon or most past plots from the comic book world -- Marvel or DC. I just love the characters, the art, and the storylines! So I jump on every graphic novel I can get my hands on that involves superheroes.....Love, love, love!

I thoroughly enjoyed Batman: Nightwalker! The storyline features a young, 18-year old Bruce Wayne who has just come into his fortune. A group of thieves is targeting wealthy residents of Gotham. The Nightwalkers start out stealing money from the wealthiest of the wealthy.....but they quickly descend into more violent actions like murder, blowing up buildings, etc. Bruce tries to talk to one of the captured Nightwalkers who sits in a cell at Arkham Asylum. She refuses to say one word to anybody, but Bruce gets to know her. He discovers that there really is only a fine line between his brand of vigilante and the Nightwalkers.....

I have never read the book this graphic novel is based on. I did however see much ranting about it online. And promptly ignored most of it. This is a young version of Bruce Wayne. He's a teen and trying to cope with the loss of his parents, coming into his wealth and figuring out what to do with himself. He's feeling a bit of angst....gets into trouble.... and ends up serving community service in Arkham of all places. And he meets someone who confuses and intrigues him. I enjoyed seeing his character develop. He makes a decision to use his drive to better the world in a positive way, rather than delving into the dark side of a more criminal element. It's a YA Batman story....with some nice tech elements (drones, robots, etc) and interesting "bad guys'' thrown in.

I enjoyed the story. The muted colors of the artwork was awesome! And I liked the message. Even superhero billionaires have to discover who they are at some point -- Batman included. I can see this version of the character as a nice update to the present.

Looking forward to the next Marie Lu graphic novel!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from DC Entertainment via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Alaskan Catch

Alaskan Catch
Author: Sue Pethick

Emily accepts an internship at a fish cannery in Alaska to get away from her domineering mother. She wants to branch out and get a bit closer to her dream of being a marine biologist. Emily wants some independence and she's really not looking for romance, but you know....when you are least expecting it, sometimes things just happen. It all starts with a big dog named Bear....who knocks Emily flat right into gross fish guts. Sometimes what starts out badly turns out right in the end.

I don't normally read romance novels, but I made an exception for this one. The cover got my attention first....Bear is just too darn cute! I have a soft spot in my heart for great big loveable dogs! And then I read the blurb and it sounded sweet and cute. So why not? We all have to branch out sometimes. I'm glad I decided to read a romance book. This story is a cute feel-good light romance. Add in the awesome dog, and it made for an entertaining afternoon of reading.

Charming read! Perfect for a relaxing reading escape!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Timothy Mean & the Time Machine

Timothy Mean & the Time Machine
Author: William A. E. Ford
Illustrations: Marcelo Simonetti

Timothy Mean is bored. He's imaginative and wants to find something to do. So, he finds a cardboard box, some glue and crafting supplies and builds a time machine. Every day of the week he uses his time machine to zoom off to a fun place in history. From pulling dinosaur tails to playing pranks on astronauts, there is nothing Timothy Mean can't do with a vivid imagination!

This is such a cute book for young kids! The rhyming story of Timothy Mean and the colorful, fun illustrations would make this a perfect book for beginning readers to read themselves or have read to them. Timothy has some pretty awesome adventures using his time machine. I can see this story being used in an elementary or home school classroom setting for group or supplemental reading, with related art and writing projects. If you could build a time machine and pop back to have some fun, where would you go? What would you do? I imagine a group of kindergartners or first graders could make some pretty awesome time machines, too!

Cute story! Engaging, colorful illustrations! And an adventure for each day of the week! Great book! Full stars from this former home school teacher, Mom and Oma! Fun read!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book by William A. E. Ford. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: 29 Seconds

29 Seconds
Author: T. M. Logan

Alan Hawthorne is a college professor, television personality...and a reprehensible human being. He

treats the female professors he works with abominably. Sexual harassment is just the tip of the ice

berg. It makes Sarah's job a living hell....but she has to endure it or face annihilation of her career. One afternoon she sees a little girl in danger and takes action to protect her. Turns out the little girl is the daughter of a very dangerous man. That man offers her a burner phone and 72 hours to think things over. Then she can pick one person. And he will make them disappear. Forever. Poof. Gone.

Just a few seconds. One decision that could change her whole life......and would definitely change the life of whoever she chooses. Yes......or no.

Holy crap this book was one hell of a ride! I've read one other book by T. M. Logan, so I expected this to be suspenseful and twisted. And I was right! The story sucked me in from the start. I cannot even imagine working for the pig that Sarah had to put up with day in and day out.....but on the other hand, I couldn't imagine facing the choice that Sarah has thrust in her lap either. And she only has 72 hours to decide if she accepts the offer.....or declines.

I thought I had things figured out.....and then the ending hit me upside the head. Nicely done! I love it when a story has a fun last snap or two!

Another great read from T. M. Logan! Lies was good.....29 Seconds, in my opinion, is even better!
I'm definitely looking forward to more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Dachshund Through the Snow

Dachshund Through the Snow
Author: David Rosenfelt

Andy Carpenter's wife Laurie loves Christmas. She starts the holiday early and finishes it way after the season is over. She has decided on a new holiday tradition. Local children leave wishes on a tree at the local pet shop. Laurie plans to fulfill as many of those wishes as she can. One wish particularly gets her attention. Danny asks for a gift for his mom, a sweater for his pet dachshund.....and that santa find his missing dad. Turns out his dad is on the run from a murder charge that he didn't commit. Can Andy Carpenter and his family/friends solve the case and bring this family back together for the holiday?

I enjoyed this book....but I jumped into this series on book #20....so it took me awhile to understand the characters and their personalities, relationships, past history. I think I would have enjoyed the story more or gotten sucked into the action faster had I already been familiar with the series. As it is, I liked the characters and the nice dose of humor, plus action and great investigation. Very enjoyable story!

I think my favorite character has to be Andy's wife. She is intelligent, sassy and a bit extra. Bigger than life. She put a lot of fun into the plot. I love the front cover art. The cute dachshund on the front is what first made me want to read this book! :)

**I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Extinction Agenda

The Extinction Agenda
Author: Michael Laurence

FBI Special Agent James Mason and his team discover a conspiracy to inflict a deadly virus on humanity. They launch a night raid to prevent release of the pathogen, but the group behind the cosnpiracy knows they are coming. The building explodes, killing most of the strike force. Mason realizes the plot is much worse than first thought and at the center is an evil that has caused pandemics in the past. And Mason is determined to stop the killing...once and for all.

This story has a real Mission Impossible vibe to it. I liked the characters, action, and vivid detail. The author definitely did a lot of research and mixes many, many facts into this fictional story. I like his writing style, although at times the story did get bogged down in a lot of extra details. It didn't harm my enjoyment of the story -- I got sucked into the action and couldn't stop reading. There is definitely a lot of suspense, gruesome details and action sequences. I could see this book being made into a movie. I would definitely watch it!

Enjoyable story! I will definitely read more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Nobody People

The Nobody People
Author: Bob Proehl

The Bishop Academy in NY hides a secret. Its students are different than other people. They have special abilities....the equivalent of superpowers (although they don't like that word). Called Resonants, they've been in hiding from the general population of the world for a long time, mostly because people fear things that are different or that they can't understand. Avi is a reporter contacted by this group to help them announce their presence to the world. It's a lot for him to take in...especially when it's revealed to him that his young daughter is also a Resonant.

I enjoyed this story. It's well-written and the characters are engaging and mostly well developed. But....I have to be completely honest and say I felt the entire time like it was too much like the X-Men.  Wayyy too much like the X-Men. This type of story has been done before.....supers reveal themselves to the world and the S hits the fan. I get that the purpose is to hit at the issues of racism, immigration, etc. But lately that's pretty much been done over and over and over again. I wanted something new from this story.....and it never really materialized.

Enjoyable tale....but nothing new here. A bit disappointing.....

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Random House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Long Call

The Long Call
Author: Ann Cleeves

I have heard very good things about Ann Cleeves' other two detective series -- Vera Stanhope & Shetland Island -- both of which are also hit television shows. I haven't read the books...or watched the shows....but both are on my tbr list/to watch list. When I saw that Cleeves had a new series, I jumped right on book 1 with gusto just to see what readers are raving about.

Wow! I just moved Cleeves' other books up to the top of my TBR stack! This book is really, really (really x 10) excellent! I read a lot of detective fiction, and this story is by far the best I've read in quite awhile. Well-written. Complex. Suspenseful. Excellent reading!

In North Devon, Detective Matthew Venn is reeling from the death of his father and the fact that a family schism precludes him from even attending his funeral. He stands outside the church where he can hear the words and music, but feels his exclusion sharply. Just then, a phone call comes in....a body has been discovered on the nearby beach. A man has been murdered. The case gets quite complex. Venn and his partners Ross May and Jen Rafferty discover a pit of hidden secrets, cover ups and lies. But they are determined to find the truth....and a killer.

I love how complex the main characters are. Each has their own personality and reasons for being in law enforcement. Their particular strengths add up to quite the investigation team. Each have weaknesses as well...problems in personal lives, past demons, personality hangups. They are human, after all. The mix of personalities and the facts of the case really make this such an interesting read. I found it realistic and incredibly suspenseful. My favorite character? Lucy. A 30-year old woman with downs syndrome who ends up in the middle of a dangerous situation but shows bravery and strength beyond other people's expectations of her. Lovely character!

I'm so sorry I took so long to read one of Ann Cleeves' books! While eagerly awaiting the next book in this new series, I'm going to backtrack and read her other two series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: The Starlight Claim

The Starlight Claim
Author: Tim Wynne-Jones

Nate is still reeling from his best friend's disappearance four months before. Dodge is presumed dead in a boating accident, but the body was never found. Nate has nightmares where Dodge is floating under the ice in the frigid water of Ghost Lake begging him to come save him, find him, help him.....  Nate has plans to travel to the remote campsite with a friend. They have proved they can make the journey by themselves. His own father, Burl Crow, made sure Nate has the skills to make the trip. At the last minute, Nate's friend can't go. Nate decides to go alone. He wants to search for Dodge. Maybe he can find him even though others failed. But when he arrives he finds the camp occupied by strange men....violent men....and it becomes a much more dangerous game of survival than Nate ever expected.

I think everyone has an experience as a young person that pushes them over the edge towards adulthood. For Nate, this trip up to his family's remote campsite by himself is just that sort of experience. He learns life lessons and truths about his life, his friend, and even strangers on his journey. We are all the sum of our choices....and Nate has a lot to discover about himself, his parents, and his feelings of guilt about his friend's death.

The story is well-written and engrossing. There's action, suspense, and emotion in this story. It definitely kept my attention from start to finish. Nate's journey is more than a physical one. This is such an action-filled, complex story about a young boy facing loss and harsh truths for the first time. Loved it!

Tim Wynne-Jones has written several books for young adults and children. I definitely want to read more!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Missing Ones

The Missing Ones
Author: Edwin Hill

This story is dark, twisted and disturbing.....but completely mesmerizing. Hester has been caring for her best friend's child, 4-year old Kate, ever since her friend left unexpectedly. Daphne left a note saying she would be right back....but it's been a year, and she hasn't returned. Daphne is the twin sister of Hester's boyfriend, Morgan. Then out of the blue Hester receives a text from Daphne saying she's on an island off the coast of Maine and Hester needs to come get her. When Hester gets there she finds the situation is bleak -- the house is full of squatters and drug addicts. Not only that, but Hester discovers a dead body as well. There is a lot going on at Finisterre Island....and Hester wants to get to the bottom of it.

Wow....this was such an intense story. It was a bit hard for me to follow in spots. The Missing Ones is actually the second book in the Hester Thursby series, and I haven't read the first book, Little Comfort. I think I would have understood the situation and the characters a little better had I read the first book. But the plot in this story was strong enough to keep my interest, despite the fact I didn't quite understand the Daphne/Hester/Morgan issues. I'm going to backtrack and read the first book.....then re-read this one.

This book deals with some pretty intense adult situations -- drug addiction, kidnapping, violence, dirty cops. The story is not for the faint of heart. The suspense is wicked....and the story is twisted. Great read! I'm definitely looking forward to more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**