Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: The Noticer by Andy Andrews


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
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 and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 
"Incidentally," he said with a smirk, "you ate sardines and Vienna sausages in the sand. I dined on surf and turf with an ocean view." He slapped me on the back. "It's all about perspective."
(p.15-16 - They had both eaten the same thing in the same place.)
Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #215: Murder on the Sugarland Express by Angie Fox


"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.


This week the book I am waiting on is Murder on the Sugarland Express by Angie Fox. It's due to be released November 25th, 2017 from Moose Island Books. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Verity Long is overdue for a little R&R (rest and romance) with her boyfriend Ellis, and a vintage train trip through the Tennessee mountains seems like just the ticket. The Sugarland Express carries history and nostalgia in every compartment, and Verity is determined to enjoy it—without ghostly interference. But the ghosts have other plans…

On a dark, desolate night nearly a century ago, the train was stranded in the mountains and a young woman was found stabbed to death in her locked compartment. The murder was never solved, and a ghostly Belgian detective is still pursuing the case from the grave.

To Verity’s dismay, all of the ghostly suspects are back. And when history repeats itself and a new murder mirrors the old, it’s up to Verity and her friends to discover which of the passengers—dead or alive—could be behind the murders before the killer strikes again.
 


Why am I waiting on this one? It's the 6th book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series. I've read other books in the series and have enjoyed them. There is humor to the mysteries as well as the paranormal since Verity Long can communicate with ghosts. I've found the others fun to read.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #214: Daughters of the Storm by Kim Wilkins


"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Five very different sisters team up against their stepbrother to save their kingdom in this Norse-flavored fantasy epic--the start of a new series in the tradition of Naomi Novik, Peter V. Brett, and Robin Hobb.

FIVE ROYAL SISTERS. ONE CROWN.

They are the daughters of a king. Though they share the same royal blood, they could not be more different. Bluebell is a proud warrior, stronger than any man and with an ironclad heart to match. Rose's heart is all too passionate: She is the queen of a neighboring kingdom, who is risking everything for a forbidden love. The twins: vain Ivy, who lives for admiration, and zealous Willow, who lives for the gods. And Ash, who is discovering a dangerous talent for magic that might be a gift--or a curse.

But when their father is stricken by a mysterious ailment, they must come together on a desperate journey to save him and prevent their treacherous stepbrother from seizing the throne. Their mission: find the powerful witch who can cure the king. But to succeed on their quest, they must overcome their differences and hope that the secrets they hide from one another and the world are never brought to light. Because if this royal family breaks, it could destroy the kingdom.


Daughters of the Storm by Kim Wilkins is due to be released March 6, 2018 by Del Rey Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? I'm intrigued by the comparison to the published writers. And I'm interested in reading a "Norse-flavored fantasy epic." Wondering how much will be pulled from folklore, mythology, and culture. It has potential.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: Paradox Bound by Peter Clines


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
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 and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 
Finding out the secrets of the alluring Harry Pritchard and her mysterious life had lost a lot of appeal in the past half hour or so. A few seeds of fascination still tickled his mind, but a much larger part of his brain screamed, Not worth it! (14% through on my Kindle)
Paradox Bound by Peter Clines was published September 26, 2017 by Crown.
Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Review: Perfect Gravity by Vivien Jackson

In a dystopian world, Kellen Hockley and Angela Neko knew each other once upon a time. They were friends and lovers while in school together. Now ten years have passed since they've seen each other or communicated in any way. Kellen has to tell Angela that someone in his group has killed her husband. Hearing Kellen's voice, though, works magic on Angela. After an attempt on her life fails, she reaches out to him. They find themselves drawn ever closer as things progress.

This is the second book in the Tether series. I didn't read book one, but I felt that I had enough background provided in the course of the book to enjoy it.

I liked Kellen right from the start. He had a gentle character with a good sense of humor and came across as caring. Angela, on the other hand, I almost had a love/hate relationship with her. Sometimes I really liked her and other times not so much. I wanted Kellen to be happy. I stuck with it to find out what happened. And by the end, Angela finally became more human and more likable for me.

It's a good plot. An interesting view of a dystopian world where the government might be able to control the weather to some extent. And there are androids of a sort that some people use as body doubles. The politics are twisted, but then when aren't they. And you get to sort out just who is the bad guy in all this and if there is more than one.

Overall, I gave it 3.5 stars mostly because of having some trouble staying warmed up to Angela. This is definitely a dystopian science fiction romance. I liked Kellen and his friends and family. I enjoyed the banter between Angela and Kellen. The science fiction parts are interesting with mech droids and Chloe. The cat plays an interesting part as well although I have to admit I was a little uncomfortable with the idea of enhanced animals. Overall, it's a good character driven science fiction romance - definitely a blend of the two genres and not to be read expecting purely one or the other.

Perfect Gravity by Vivien Jackson was released November 7, 2017 from Sourcebooks Casablanca. You can find out more about Vivien Jackson and her books on her website here.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #213: Bad Neighbors by Maia Chance


"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Agnes Blythe and her glamorous Aunt Effie must take a break from restoring their inn to rake in the clues when a local mechanic is murdered in national bestselling author Maia Chance’s charming second Agnes & Effie mystery.

It’s leaf-peeping season in Naneda, New York, and Agnes Blythe has settled into helping her eccentric Great Aunt Effie restore the Stagecoach Inn. It seems nothing can shatter the golden idyll―or the ka-ching of cash registers―until a mechanic at Hatch Automotive is found bludgeoned to death with a wrench.

Sweeping into action, Agnes and Aunt Effie are on the scene, when a tourist-laden motor coach breaks down outside of town. The Stagecoach Inn isn’t exactly ready for guests, but Agnes and Effie agree to take in a group of seniors while they wait for repairs. But then, Agnes finds herself pulled into the investigation when she learns her new boyfriend, gorgeous Otis Hatch, is the Naneda Police Department’s prime suspect.

With bodies falling faster than the foliage, Agnes must leaf through the more viable suspects and clear Otis’s name of murder in Bad Neighbors, the charming second Agnes and Effie mystery from national bestselling author Maia Chance.
 


Why am I waiting on this one? I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it. Been looking forward to the continuing adventures of Agnes and Effie. I loved the humor in the first book and the way the mystery was handled. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I wish it was out already because this would be the perfect time of year to read it. It's due out April 26, 2018 from Crooked Lane Books.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: Perfect Gravity by Vivien Jackson


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
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 and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 
He grunted. "In any case, it's colder'n a cast-iron commode out there. I am not going to gallivant around shirtless on the short-hair side of winter." (59% through on my Kindle)
Perfect Gravity by Vivien Jackson is being released today by Sourcebooks Casablanca. 
Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Review: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones

Reyes is back from a Hell dimension, but he's not quite his lovable self. Charley and her friends are trying to find a way to revert him to that state. And while she has a limited amount of time to perform this miracle there are other mysteries for Charley to solve including a grisly string of murders most likely committed by someone else supernatural. And there's a budding private investigator business to mentor. She's also seeing her usual ghosts.

The dialogue, both internal and external, is loaded with humor and sarcasm. Charley has quite a wit about her. And Charley wouldn't be Charley without the sarcasm, coffee, and the supportive group of friends.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well written and engaging. It's hard to put down. And it has a cliffhanger ending leaving you wanting the thirteenth book in the series ASAP, but you have to wait until next October for it. Number 13 is going to be the last book in the series.

While you probably could read it as a standalone, it's such a great series, I would recommend that you start with an earlier volume if you haven't read any yet. If you love urban fantasy or paranormal tales with some romance, this would be a good series for you. Charley is a kickass, snarky heroine. You can read more about the author and the series on her website here.

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones was released October 31, 2017 from St. Martin's Press.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #212: Cave of Bones by Anne Hillerman


"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings


Synopsis from Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman brings together modern mystery, Navajo traditions, and the evocative landscape of the desert Southwest in this intriguing entry in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito series.

When Tribal Police Officer Bernadette Manuelito arrives to speak at an outdoor character-building program for at-risk teens, she discovers chaos. Annie, a young participant on a solo experience due back hours before, has just returned and is traumatized. Gently questioning the girl, Bernie learns that Annie stumbled upon a human skeleton on her trek. While everyone is relieved that Annie is back, they’re concerned about a beloved instructor who went out into the wilds of the rugged lava wilderness bordering Ramah Navajo Reservation to find the missing girl. The instructor vanished somewhere in the volcanic landscape known as El Malpais. In Navajo lore, the lava caves and tubes are believed to be the solidified blood of a terrible monster killed by superhuman twin warriors.

Solving the twin mysteries will expose Bernie to the chilling face of human evil. The instructor’s disappearance mirrors a long-ago search that may be connected to a case in which the legendary Joe Leaphorn played a crucial role. But before Bernie can find the truth, an unexpected blizzard, a suspicious accidental drowning, and the arrival of a new FBI agent complicate the investigation.


While Bernie searches for answers in her case, her husband, Sergeant Jim Chee juggles trouble closer to home. A vengeful man he sent to prison for domestic violence is back—and involved with Bernie’s sister Darleen. Their relationship creates a dilemma that puts Chee in uncomfortable emotional territory that challenges him as a family man, a police officer, and as a one-time medicine man in training.

Anne Hillerman takes us deep into the heart of the deserts, mountains, and forests of New Mexico and once again explores the lore and rituals of Navajo culture in this gripping entry in her atmospheric crime series.


Cave of Bones by Anne Hillerman is due to be released April 3, 2018 from Harper. This is the 22nd entry in the Leaphorn and Chee mystery series.

Why am I waiting on this one? I enjoy reading the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito mysteries. I like the blend of the cultural information with the mystery.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!