Teaser Tuesdays - Dead Silence

 

"Oh, yeah," he says, pointing at me. "Exactly. Now that's the kind of crazy I'm talking about. Fuck the Ginsburg. We're going to be rich!"

(page 28, Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading Update

 

I've been very slow in my reading lately, but I hope to get back in the groove soon. Here's a sneak peek at some of the books I'll be reading and reviewing as soon as I find the time.

Expect a teaser from one of these books tomorrow!

As for my challenges: I finished the Charley Davidson series in February, and have read 6 TBR Orphans so far this year. Three of them in March. So even with my slow reading and no Orphans read in May I'm on track.

Orphans read: 

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones (in TBR since August 2018)

Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones (in TBR since January 2020)

End of Days by Susan Ee (in TBR since May 2015)

Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs (in TBR since March 2021)

Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine (in TBR since June 2017)

Symbiont by Myra Grant (in TBR since July 2019)

Back Next Week

Reading is going slow atm, so no reviews this week.

The Ruins - Book Rant

 

The Ruins

by Scott Smith

What is it about:

Trapped in the Mexican jungle, a group of friends stumble upon a creeping horror unlike anything they could ever imagine. Two young couples are on a lazy Mexican vacation–sun-drenched days, drunken nights, making friends with fellow tourists. When the brother of one of those friends disappears, they decide to venture into the jungle to look for him. What started out as a fun day-trip slowly spirals into a nightmare when they find an ancient ruins site . . . and the terrifying presence that lurks there.

What did I think of it:

*spoilers ahead*

I read this book for the Horror Book Club I'm part of.

So... 

In the first chapter the characters are introduced. There's a German with an eagle tattoo among others... Not long after the adventure begins once again attention is steered towards the 'creepy' tattoo. This all turns out to be a big fat red herring, leading nowhere.

Then there's the Greek who is so flat as a character (he can't even communicate with the others as he only speaks Greek), you just know he's the red shirt.

The two young couples are not much better. All of them act so stupid you actually want them to die a terrible death.

All of this might be overlooked if the actual danger would be cool.

Alas...

The 'terrifying presence' lacked any real horror for me. At times it seemed that even without it everything would have gone to shit anyway with how stupid everyone acts.

No real explanation about why the 'presence' is there and is doing what it does, is given. And seeing as it does some pretty unbelievable things I really wanted an explanation for it to make any sense.

And I don't mind an author using another language (even though it felt like a lame way to try to up the creep factor here), but if they do: please check if it's right! (And yes: I know my English isn't always flawless, but I'm a reviewing amateur (and a piggy at that), not a published author)

All in all the only reason I finished this book is because I wanted to see if there was an explanation for what's happening, and to see if maybe it would get better.

You bet it won't be a reread.

Why should you read it:

Yeah... I got nothing. 

On McPig's Wishlist - Improbably Yours

 

Improbably Yours

by Kerry Anne King

An unusual inheritance leads to a life-changing journey in a novel of romance, secrets, and the treasure of found family.

Blythe Harmon is on the fast track to a life she never wanted. On her thirtieth birthday, just as she’s about to lock herself into a high-powered job and accept a marriage proposal to match, an unusual bequest from her beloved late grandmother, Nomi, offers an escape and an invitation to adventure.

Equipped with Nomi’s urn of ashes and a treasure map, Blythe sets off for a small island in the San Juans where she rents the mysterious and unsettling Improbable House. Secret by secret, clue by cryptic clue, she begins to unravel the puzzle her grandmother has left her to piece together. Her quest is complicated, though, by a powerful attraction to an enigmatic islander and empathy for his orphaned niece, both of whom are inexorably tied to the old house.

Just when Blythe thinks she’s on the verge of solving the mystery, her quest takes an unexpected turn and she discovers that the treasure she’s really seeking is something that could never be buried in the ground. On the treasure hunt of a lifetime, the past and the future are coming together in this magical novel by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This.

Expected publication: October 18th 2022

preorder here

Under One Roof - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1)

by Ali Hazelwood

What is it about:

A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis – it leads to combustion.

Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn….

As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side…but Helena was her mentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.

The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him…and the easier it is to love him.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I absolutely loved The Love Hypothesis, so I preordered this novella in hope it would be just as delicious.

It was a nice enough read.

The story starts near the end and then jumps back to the start to show how Mara and Liam end up together. I wasn't a fan of the moments-in-time-like storytelling this novella uses. I didn't feel connected to Mara, so wasn't very sympathetic to her troubles.

Liam was nice. I could understand why he doesn't like Mara at first. The way they finally get together felt contrived though.

I will confess that the Enemies to Lovers trope isn't my favorite either. Apart from the rare exception it feels like Enemies to Lovers is either 'Not actual enemies, but snarky lust' or 'Why the actual F do these people want to be in a relationship after all that?'.

All in all not a bad read, but not what I was hoping for. I will give the next novella a try though, in the hope it will reach the same heights as The Love Hypothesis again.

Why should you read it:

If you like Contemporary Enemies to Lovers you might like this.

buy from Amazon

Teaser Tuesdays - Bitten and Smitten

 

For a dead woman, I felt surprisingly good.

I figured I had to be dead, since the first thing I noticed after opening my eyes was someone burying me in the cold ground.

(page 1, Bitten and Smitten by Michelle Rowen)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Ascendant - Release Alert

 

Ascendant (The Made Ones Saga #3)

by Vicki Stiefel

If You Were Young Again…

Would it be a dream come true or truly a nightmare?

For Sybelle, the youngest of the Balazova sisters, awakening on the parallel world of Eleutia is no dream come true. From near suffocation to changes in her flesh, Eleutia seems a strange and hostile place, though the world itself feels oddly familiar. Her resonance with The Kestrel, the mysterious leader of the CastOuts, only increases her bewilderment, as does the appearance of Mother Tree. 

As Mother pulls Sybi into her orbit, the controlling Alchemics continue to tighten the noose on Eleutia. War is brewing—no longer will Eleutia’s symbiotic animal clans tolerate the Alchemic strictures. 

Could Sybelle be the fulcrum fated to avoid destruction and save this strange world? Or is she merely a pawn to be used by the Alchemics in their battle for supremacy?

Worse, Sybi’s tug-of-war may ultimately destroy her, the sisters she adores, and the man who has come to mean the world to her? 

Or will Sybelle ascend, triumphant, and save all she holds dear? 

Read the prologue here

Buy from Amazon

or buy the entire trilogy as a set here

Tall, Dark & Dead - Book Review

 

Tall, Dark & Dead (Garnet Lacey #1)

by Tate Hallaway

What is it about:

The line between magic and sanity is very thin.

That's part of why I, Garnet Lacey, quit cold turkey.

Never touch the stuff. No exceptions.

But magic is so addictive...and my inner Goddess Lilith is hard to resist. Besides, restraint isn't easy when you manage Wisconsin's premiere occult bookstore, and get customers like Sebastian Von Traum--piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body in denim and black leather. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he's dead...

And that means trouble. I guess I'm a sucker for it. The Vatican witch hunters are on to us. My long-lost vampire ex has crawled out of the woodwork looking for action. And Sebastian's frustrated ex is stirring in her grave.

So what's a girl to do if she's hot for a dead man walking? Run like hell--and take full advantage of the nights...

What did I think of it:

I was browsing the shelves of a friend's bookshelves and came across this book. It sounded fun, so I decided to give it a try. 

And it was everything I had been hoping for!

This book is a great mix of funny and suspenseful. I loved Garnet, and could understand why she tries to stay away from magic. But magic and adventure manage to find her. I was really intrigued by Garnet having an actual Goddess inside her, and loved discovering what it did to her.    

Sebastian is a cool character as well, I was eager to find out what his deal was, and once I did I had to keep reading to find out if Garnet could save Sebastian, herself, and the day.

The romantic entanglements in this book were just a bit triangly, but not in an annoying way. I'm curious to see how things will develop in future books. 

There are some really fun side characters as well. I loved Garnet's friends and hope they'll be in future books as well.

The ending is satisfying and you could read this as a standalone, but you bet I borrowed the next three books in this series to see what's next for Garnet.

All in all a very enjoyable read.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun and suspenseful Paranormal Read.

buy from Amazon

The Kitchen Witch - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Kitchen Witch (Accidental Witch Trilogy #1)

by Annette Blair

What is it about:

Do you believe in magic?

IS SHE A GOOD WITCH OR A BAD WITCH?

With a flip of her raven black hair, a flash of her topaz eyes, and a shake of a stick, rumored witch Melody Seabright has cast a spell on single dad Logan Kilgarven. What else can explain what's happening to him? Logan, a television producer, can't seem to concentrate on anything since he met his enchanting new neighbor....

LOGAN HOPES SHE IS BAD, *VERY BAD*.

When Logan agrees to help Melody find a job at his TV station, he never expects the culinary-challenged siren to land her own cooking show. Her charisma keeps things bubbling on the set, and behind the scenes, things are starting to steam up between them. Logan knows he can't resist her charms -- but is there more to their attraction than the here and now? If only he had a crystal ball to show him...

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

This is a fun romance.

When Logan really needs a babysitter for his son, he promises his neighbor an audition for a new cooking show. Melody manages to land the job. There's only one problem: she can't cook!

The situations Melody manages to get herself into are fun and funny. I had such a great time seeing her mess things up only to turn events her way and come out on top.

I even liked the little kid in this book, and I usually don't like kids in my romances.

Logan had to grow on me. He has a stick up his @ss at first, but slowly he starts to unbend until I really could root for him and Melody to solve the problems that keep them apart.

All in all a delightful read. I might try other books by Blair in the future.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun Contemporary Romance.

buy from Amazon

The Bone Bride - Book Review

 

The Bone Bride: A Short Story

by Merrie Destefano

What is it about:

Grimm's Fairy Tales meet Dark Epic Fantasy.

A high-born girl learns she’s been sold as a bride to a dead goblin prince.

Being betrothed to a goblin prince is bad enough—they’re all ugly and horrid and live in dark tunnels underground. But being betrothed to a dead goblin prince? That’s an immediate death sentence!

Nineteen-year-old Rowan attempts to flee when she learns about her arranged marriage. But there’s no escaping a contract signed by the dreaded Goblin King.

Now, all the dark magic in the Realm is against her. The gruesome King of Death himself will be looking for her soon.

Rowan’s only hope is to convince the fair Nicholas—the boy she planned to run away with—to destroy her marriage contract. But it must be done before the sun rises.

And already, the sky is brightening with light.

Please note this 30-minute short read is a Dark Fantasy with Grimdark elements and unreliable narrators.

What did I think of it:

This is a really cool read!

It is atmospheric and dark. It reminded me of old Irish ghost stories in mood and the way it was told, and I was drawn in from the start.

The story has several viewpoint characters and I liked reading them all. I was eager to find out what would happen and if Rowan would escape the marriage her father arranged for her.

The story ends in a way that has me eager to get my trotters on the next book. You bet I'm stalking Destefano's facebook page!

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful, atmospheric short story.

buy from Amazon

Sorcerous Moons Now in Kindle Unlimited!

 

Jeffe Kennedy's Sorcerous Moons series got brand new covers AND is available in Kindle Unlimited!

All 6 books will be available in print as well! 

Guess what this piggy will be getting his greedy trotters on.

Go read this series now: It's awesome!

Find out more here

Buy from Amazon

Kingdom of Needle and Bone - Book Review

 

Kingdom of Needle and Bone

by Mira Grant

What is it about:

It begins with a fever. By the time the spots appear, it’s too late: Morris’s disease is loose on the world, and the bodies of the dead begin to pile high in the streets. When its terrible side consequences for the survivors become clear, something must be done, or the dying will never stop. For Dr. Isabella Gauley, whose niece was the first confirmed victim, the route forward is neither clear nor strictly ethical, but it may be the only way to save a world already in crisis. It may be the only way to atone for her part in everything that’s happened.

She will never be forgiven, not by herself, and not by anyone else. But she can, perhaps, do the right thing.

What did I think of it:

I love some of Grant's book, while I don't care about others. Sadly this novella falls in the second group.

For one the writing was too detached to make me care for what was happening. Reading this two years into a global pandemic and seeing how people reacted to that didn't help either. On top of that I thought that if Grant was trying to make a case in favor of vaccinating that she didn't do a good job at it. I was both bored and annoyed.

And then there was the ending... That put this novella even more firmly in the 'not for me' category. I will pick up the last book in the Parasitology trilogy soon, but this novella won't be a reread.

Why should you read it:

Maybe you'll be able to enjoy it more than I did.

buy from Amazon

Teaser Tuesdays - The Monsters Club

  

'You're back?' He laughed through a mouthful of food.

'Yes. Since its early in Japan. We might as well do another one.'

(page 18, The Monsters Club by Lotté Jean Elliott )

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Lottery - Quick Book Review

 

The Lottery

by Shirley Jackson

What is it about:

In a small American town, the local residents are abuzz with excitement and nervousness when they wake on the morning of the twenty-seventh of June. Everything has been prepared for the town’s annual tradition—a lottery in which every family must participate, and no one wants to win.

“The Lottery” stands out as one of the most famous short stories in American literary history. Originally published in The New Yorker, the author immediately began receiving letters from readers who demanded an explanation of the story’s meaning. “The Lottery” has been adapted for stage, television, radio and film.

What did I think of it:

Maybe it was because I already knew what this short story was about, including the ending, but it didn't do much for me. The style was pleasant enough, but otherwise it didn't draw me in. Yes: it's a classic, and it questions tradition, but overall it wasn't for me.

Why should you read it:

It's an American Classic.

Buy from Amazon