Teaser Tuesday: Cold as Ice by Julie Mulhern

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! 

She crossed her arms over her chest. French nobles being led to the guillotine looked happier. Two disgruntled teenagers. My work was done. (15% through on my Kindle)

The above quotation is taken from an ARC and may appear differently in the final version. Cold as Ice by Julie Mulhern is expected to be published October 17, 2017 from Henery Press. It's number six in The Country Club Murders series. There's currently a Giveaway from the publisher available for it on Goodreads.

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!

Review: Haunted Nights edited by Ellen Datlow and Lisa Morton

Haunted Nights is a perfect October read. It's a collection of Halloween themed horror short stories edited by Ellen Datlow and Lisa Morton. From a haunted house to wandering Jack to the far-flung future of Halloween, there is enough variety to suit anyone. Lisa Morton, a well-known expert on Halloween, writes the enjoyable and informative introduction to the book.

Of the 16 short stories included in the collection, I really liked all but about 2 of them. I think as far as anthologies go, that's a pretty good success rate. My favorites were about the wandering Jack with the fiery turnip. Yes, there was more than one about Jack, but they were nothing alike. I also enjoyed the uniqueness of "The Seventeen Year Itch" by Garth Nix.

I liked that in addition to Halloween, some of the stories also dwelt on what was termed the time when the veil between the worlds thins, The Day of the Dead, All Souls' Day, and Devil's Night. The variety really made the collection a joy to read.

If you enjoy your horror with a taste of Halloween and other related themes, then this is a good book for you. The quality of the writing is there. The chills are present. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed it.

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

Review: The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian

The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed The Ninja's Illusion. As with her other Jaya Jones mysteries, Gigi Pandian makes the country the characters are visiting, its culture and pertinent history accessible and interesting.

There are 2 different mysteries at play. One involves the magicians; the other involves history. Each mystery is captivating in its own way. The mysteries begin even before Jaya has left the States for Japan. I found myself caught up in the book. There were a few lulls, but overall there is more action than not. Even during the lulls, the plot is moving forward, which is as it should be.

The characters are interesting and likable. And there is a good variety of characters. The story about the kitsune who has become a magician's assistant brings an exotic flavor to the plot. I liked that it was up in the air for much of the book as to just how much of a mischevious spirit fox she really was.

Overall, it's a well-written mystery made even better by Pandian's treatment of the location and culture. The history that is blended in makes the reading a richer experience. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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



View all my reviews

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #207: The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman

"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:

A covert mission
A royal demand
And a race against time

The fourth title in Genevieve Cogman's witty and wonderful The Invisible Library series, The Lost Plot is an action-packed literary adventure.

After being commissioned to find a rare book, Librarian Irene and her assistant, Kai, head to Prohibition-era New York and are thrust into the middle of a political fight with dragons, mobsters, and Fae.

In a 1920s-esque New York, Prohibition is in force; fedoras, flapper dresses, and tommy guns are in fashion: and intrigue is afoot. Intrepid Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in the middle of a dragon political contest. It seems a young Librarian has become tangled in this conflict, and if they can’t extricate him, there could be serious repercussions for the mysterious Library. And, as the balance of power across mighty factions hangs in the balance, this could even trigger war.

Irene and Kai are locked in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They’ll face gangsters, blackmail, and the Library’s own Internal Affairs department. And if it doesn’t end well, it could have dire consequences on Irene’s job. And, incidentally, on her life...

The Lost Plot is due out January 9, 2018 from Ace Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? Even though I am not familiar with the series, I am looking forward to this one. I love books set in the 1920s. And add in some wit, dragons, and Fae and the book sounds really interesting.

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!

Teaser Tuesday: We Are All Completely Fine by Daryl Gregory

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! 

We were a team of professional insomniacs. Once you know there are monsters under the bed, closing your eyes becomes a foolhardy act. (80% through on my Kindle)

We Are All Completely Fine by Daryl Gregory was published July 2014 by Tachyon Publications. It's an award winning horror novella. It won the Shirley Jackson Award for a novella in 2014 and a World Fantasy Award for Best Novella in 2015.

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!

Banned Books Week 2017

September 24-30, 2017

The Top Ten Challenged Books for 2016 are:

1. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki Illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

This young adult graphic novel, winner of both a Printz and a Caldecott Honor Award, was restricted, relocated, and banned because it includes LGBT characters, drug use, and profanity, and it was considered sexually explicit with mature themes.

2. Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Parents, librarians, and administrators banned this Stonewall Honor Award-winning graphic novel for young adults because it includes LGBT characters, was deemed sexually explicit, and was considered to have an offensive political viewpoint.

3. George by Alex Gino

Despite winning a Stonewall Award and a Lambda Literary Award, administrators removed this children’s novel because it includes a transgender child, and the “sexuality was not appropriate at elementary levels.”

4. I Am Jazz by Jessical Herthel and Jazz Jennings Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

This children’s picture book memoir was challenged and removed because it portrays a transgender child and because of language, sex education, and offensive viewpoints.

5. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Included on the National Book Award longlist and designated a Stonewall Honor Book, this young adult novel was challenged because its cover has an image of two boys kissing, and it was considered to include sexually explicit LGBT content.

6. Looking for Alaska by John Green

This 2006 Printz Award winner is a young adult novel that was challenged and restricted for a sexually explicit scene that may lead a student to “sexual experimentation.”

7. Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction Illustrated by Chip Zdarsky

Considered to be sexually explicit by library staff and administrators, this compilation of adult comic books by two prolific award-winning artists was banned and challenged.

8. Make Something Up: Stories You Can't Unread by Chuck Palahniuk

This collection of adult short stories, which received positive reviews from Newsweek and the New York Times, was challenged for profanity, sexual explicitness, and being “disgusting and all around offensive.”

9. Little Bill (series) by Bill Cosby 

This children’s book series was challenged because of criminal sexual allegations against the author.

10. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

One of seven New York Times Notable Children’s Books and a Printz Honor recipient, this young adult novel was challenged for offensive language.

Have you read any of these? And of note, this is the first time a series of books was challenged based on criminal allegations against the author.

All graphics and information are from the ALA website.

Sorry the graphic is cut off a little on the right. I haven't been able to figure out yet how to fix that and maintain readability of the graphic.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #206: The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

"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 The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo. And I won't have to wait too long. It's due to be released September 26, 2017 from Macmillan.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

Why am I waiting on this one? I love stories that draw on myth, folklore, and fairy tale. Even though I am unfamiliar with the Grishaverse, I still think I will enjoy this book because of the subject matter. And then there is the appearance of the book. The art that is to be within the pages sounds awesome. I can't wait to see the finished product. And I think the cover is lovely.

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!