Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #209: The Curses by Laure Eve

"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:

Picking up the pieces after the chilling events of the previous year isn’t easy, but the Graces are determined to do it. Wolf is back after a mysterious disappearance, and everyone’s eager to return to normal. Except for Summer, the youngest Grace. Summer has a knack for discovering the truth—and something is troubling her. After a trail of clues leads her to what could be the key to both her family’s mysterious past and the secret of Wolf, she’s determined to vanquish yet another curse. But exposing secrets is a dangerous game, and it’s not one Summer can win alone.

At Summer’s behest, the coven comes back together, reluctantly drawing their erstwhile friend River back into the fold. But Wolf’s behavior becomes unpredictable even as Fenrin’s strength fades, and Summer must ask herself whether the friend she so loves is also planning her family’s ultimate, cursed demise.

This riveting sequel to The Graces is saturated with magic, the destructive cost of power, the
complications of family, and the nature of forgiveness.

Why am I waiting on this one? I enjoyed the first book in the series, The Graces. There was definitely room for a continuation. I am surprised that it says River is drawn back into the group, but I'm sure that makes for good storytelling. I want to know what happens next in this series, so I will read on. The Curses by Laure Eve is due out January 9, 2018 from Amulet 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!

Teaser Tuesday: Gin and Panic by Maia Chance

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! 

"There was something to be said for those old-fashioned men, Mrs. Woodby. One felt there were adults in charge of things. It was, if nothing else, reassuring. Nowadays when I read the newspaper, I have the sense that enormous moody toddlers are running the show." (17% through on my Kindle)

Gin and Panic by Maia Chance is due to be released October 24, 2017 from Minotaur Books. It's the third book in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series. The above teaser is from an ARC and may appear differently in the final edition. There is currently a Giveaway on Goodreads from the publisher. It's a mystery that takes place in the prohibition-era 1920s and is full of humor as Lola Woodby and her cook attempt to solve it.

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!

The 2017 Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers

The 2017 winner is The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel. Honor Books are When by Victoria Laurie and Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

I know this isn't very new news, but somehow I missed seeing the announcement when the winner and honor recipients are chosen. I apologize.

I saw an article yesterday that they are making a movie out of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda which is supposed to be titled simply "Love, Simon" to be released in March of 2018.

Did you expect these books to win?

Nominees for the 2018 award have been listed on the website as well at this point. Check out the nominees and cast your vote at georgiapeachaward.org/

Voting closes on March 15, 2018. The winner and honor books will be announced Monday March 20, 2018 at the Kennesaw State University Conference on Young Adult Literature.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #208: The Fissure King by Rachel Pollack

"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 I'm waiting on The Fissure King: a Novel in Five Stories by Rachel Pollack. I won't have to wait long until it's available. It's due out October 10, 2017.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In the classic noir tradition of -Have Gun, Will Travel, - Rachel Pollack--one of the world's foremost authorities on the Tarot--gives us the tale of Jack Shade, an occult shaman for hire. Jack Shade has a secret, and this hidden part of his past sends him on a journey through time and space and a great number of metaphysical doorways. From the cozy poker table in the eleventh-floor apartment of the Hotel de Reve Noire to the ethereal Forest of Souls to the faded houses along the Gold River, Jack flows in and out of this world. Even when his own duplicate hires him to kill himself, Jack is mercury in motion. Jack the Nimble. Jack the Quick. 
The Fissure King: A Novel in Five Stories collects the four existing Jack Shades novellas and shows us Jack's final trick--one last story that finally reveals Jack's true nature. 
Only Rachel Pollack, one of the world's greatest authorities of tarot and an award-winning novelist and comic book writer, could dream of someone as mischievous and mythopoeic as Jack Shade. The King is dead. Long live the King.

Why am I waiting on this one? The format intrigues me. And the description of the main character as mischievous and mythopoeic interests me. 

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: 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.



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