Waiting on Wednesday #148: Teetotaled by Maia Chance

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Expected publication:
October 4th 2016 by Minotaur Books

Teetotaled by Maia Chance is book #2 in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series. It's due out October 4, 2016 from Minotaur Books.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

After her philandering husband died and left her penniless in Prohibition-era New York, Lola Woodby escaped with her Swedish cook to the only place she could—her deceased husband’s secret love nest in the middle of Manhattan. Her only comforts were chocolate cake, dime store detective novels, and the occasional highball (okay, maybe not so occasional). But rent came due and Lola and Berta were forced to accept the first job that came their way, ultimately leading them to set up shop as a Discreet Retrieval Agency, operating out of Alfie’s cramped love nest.

Now they’re in danger of losing the business they’ve barely gotten off the ground—they haven’t had a job in months and money is running out. So when a society matron offers them a job, they take it—even if it means sneaking into a detox facility and consuming only water and health food until they can steal a diary from Grace Whiddle, a resident at the “health farm.” But barely a day in, Grace and her diary escape from the facility—and Grace’s future mother-in-law is found murdered on the premises. Lola and Berta are promptly fired. But before they can climb into Lola’s red and white Duesenberg Model A and whiz off the property, they find themselves with a new client and a new charge: to solve the murder of Grace’s future mother-in-law. 

Why am I waiting on this book? I read book 1 in the series and I enjoyed it. Lola and Berta work well together. Maia Chance uses humor in her writing as well. And I enjoy reading books that take place in the 1920s prohibition era. 

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 ever-growing TBR list. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Graces by Laure Eve

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
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!

Expected publication:
September 6th 2016 by Amulet Books

"So at the risk of looking like an idiot coming back for another serving," he said to me, "Why do you enjoy being alone?"

from father down the same page...

I forced myself to look straight into his eyes. "I can stop pretending when I'm alone."

4% through on my Kindle

The Graces by Laure Eve is a YA book due out September 6,2016 from Amulet Books. These teaser sentences come from an ARC and may appear differently in the final copy.

Review: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

Expected publication:
August 2nd 2016 by Shadow Mountain

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen is a Gothic, steampunk Beauty and the Beast retelling with elements of the paranormal.

Our heroine, Lucy, is smart, attractive and works for the Botanical Aid Society seeking a way to combat the Vampire Assimilation drug which allows vampires to walk among people undetected. Her brother served with Miles in the war. Cousin Kate has married Miles brother, Jonathan. Where she has rarely been ill in the past, Kate is now taking on the appearance of an invalid. With her experiences with the Botanical Aid Society, Lucy is hoping to find a cure for Kate. Lucy looks forward to a restful sleep, but is denied that when a ghost visits her in her room.

Miles is hiding something. He is rightfully bothered over the recent deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister Marie. Clara died of an unknown illness, much like Kate's illness. Marie died a violent death at the hands of an unknown and possibly paranormal assailant. He broods and snaps at anyone who dares enter his space.

Miles and Jonathan have an Aunt Eustace and a couple of cousins, the Charlesworths, that descend on the manor and further disturb the peace.

Will Lucy be able to save Kate? Will Miles and Lucy connect in spite of his foul temper and tendency to brood? Will Lucy be able to love the man in spite of his beastliness?

I enjoyed this retelling and give it 4 out of 5 stars. It's well plotted and moves along quickly. Lucy and Miles are well developed characters, the others a little less so. It's an interesting retelling with the paranormal and steampunk elements. The steampunk is less of an issue than the paranormal, but it is still important character wise. The book has book club questions at the end as well. If you like Gothic tales, this is a good one for you. Also it works well for people who enjoy a bit of the paranormal in their tales.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #147: Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Snow has spent the majority of her life within the walls of the Whittaker Institute, a high security mental hospital in upstate New York. Deep down, she knows she's not crazy and doesn't belong there. When she meets a mysterious, handsome new orderly and dreams about a strange twisted tree she realizes she must escape and figure out who she really is.

Using her trusting friend Bale as a distraction, Snow breaks free and races into the nearby woods. Suddenly, everything isn't what it seems, the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur, and she finds herself in icy Algid--her true home--with witches, thieves, and a strangely alluring boy named Kai, none of whom she's sure she can trust. As secret after secret is revealed, Snow discovers that she is on the run from a royal lineage she's destined to inherit, a father more powerful and ruthless than she could have imagined, and choices of the heart that could change the fate of everything...including Snow's return to the world she once knew.

This breathtaking first volume begins the story of how Snow becomes a villain, a queen, and ultimately a hero. 

Why am I waiting on this book? I love retellings. The story being told from the point of view of the villain has been done in other fairy tales, but I don't think it's been tackled in the Snow Queen yet. So, it promises to be an interesting book. I haven't read any of the author's other books yet, but I know Dorothy Must Die received a lot of praise. I expect the quality of the writing will be really good.

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 ever-growing TBR list. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
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!

"After leaving the library and its surly master the night before, sleep had been a long time coming. And she hadn't retrieved a book from the library, which had been her goal in the first place." 

~16% through on my Kindle

This tale is a version of Beauty and the Beast in a steampunk setting. I'm about 55% through the story now. It reads like a gothic tale with steampunk dressing. There are shifters and vampires as well. So far, I am enjoying it. 

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever-growing TBR list. Hope you're enjoying your read!

Quickie Review: The Thing at the Foot of the Bed and Other Scary Tales by Maria Leach

The Thing at the Foot of the Bed and Other Scary Tales by Maria Leach

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The stories in this book are all about things that go bump in the night and the creepy things that can sneak up on you - ghosts, witches, and more. They are written in an easy to read manner making it accessible for both children and adults. The black and white drawings that go along with the stories add to the creep factor.

This book was originally published in the late 1950s. It could be considered a precursor to the Scary Stories books that Alvin Schwartz has written. The stories are enjoyable as they are written or embellished for oral performance. Some of them do seem to beg for embellishment.

In addition, adults who are into folklore will enjoy the information at the end of the book which briefly tells of the origins for the stories. Altogether this is an enjoyably creepy collection of tales. I give it 3 stars out of 5.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.



View all my reviews

Review: Unwanted by Jennifer Estep

This novella is considered #14.5 in the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep starring Gin Blanco. Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Elemental Assassin #14: Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep.

The e-novella is told from the point of view of Finnegan Lane and takes place after the events in Bitter Bite, but before the upcoming #15 in the Elemental Assassin series, Unraveled.

The mini family reunion that occurred in Bitter Bite has left a bad taste in Finnegan Lane's mouth. It was a worst case scenario ending in the deaths of several innocent people at the bank where he works.

Attending the funeral for one of the guards, Finn finds out that the widow is being shaken down for some debts owed by the guard's brother. He decides that this is something he can take action on and that the widow shouldn't feel obligated to pay off the giant delinquent. Rather than call on Gin to deal with it, he takes matters into his own hands.

It's a good novella, 4 star quality. We see things from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, a well liked character in the Elemental Assassin series. Here though, he is disliked and full of self-loathing after the disastrous reunion in the previous book. It's interesting to see how he deals with the resulting emotions.

The story moves along at a good pace. It sets up some plot elements that could be built on in future stories. It"s all Finnegan and no Gin. This novella is best recommended for fans of the Elemental Assassin series who have already read book #14. It will please readers who have wanted to see a deeper side to Finn especially about how he feels after the events of Bitter Bite.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #146: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Synopsis from publisher: 

A magical debut novel for readers of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, and Neil Gaiman’s myth-rich fantasies, The Bear and the Nightingale spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent with a gorgeous voice.
 
At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind—she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.
 
After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.
 
And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa’s stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for marriage or confinement in a convent.
 
As danger circles nearer, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed—this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse’s most frightening tales.

Why am I waiting on this book? I love retellings of fairy tales. This seems like an interesting one. I like that it refers to Neil Gaiman's books in the praise as well as Uprooted and The Night Circus. It sounds promising as a quality fantasy tale. 

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 ever-growing TBR lists. Thanks for coming by!

Teaser Tuesday: Beyond the Woods edited by Paula Guran

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
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!

Published July 5th 2016
 by Night Shade Books

From Beyond the Woods:Fairy Tales Retold edited by Paula Guran

From the short story "Travels with the Snow Queen" by Kelly Link on page 148:

"You are sick and tired of talking animals, as well as travel. They never say anything that you didn't already know."

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever-growing TBR list. Thanks for coming by!

Review: Tempting the Dragon by Karen Whiddon

Rance Sleighter is a photo journalist. He promises his very ill step-daughter that he will get a photograph of a lake monster for her. He has investigated some of the other lakes rumored to have monsters and is now in the small town of Forestwood, New York hoping to finally end his search.

Jade Burnett and her family have a witchy reputation with the town. And some of the Burnetts have indeed been guardian to a lake monster over the years. Townspeople tell Rance to go talk to Jade about the lake monster rather than wasting their time.

Rance and Jade meet in a restaurant in town and get off on the wrong foot.  Of course this will not be the only thing to get in the way of their developing a loving relationship. Family and fae will too, for a minimum.

Rance and Jade are both shifters, but of different sorts. This too inhibits their relationship because they aren't supposed to talk about what kind of shifter each is and more.

I wasn't thrilled with what comes off initially as insta-love, but really is more insta-lust. Their loving relationship has to be built over the course of the book. And Rance just isn't very good at it. Despite what he is doing for his step-daughter, he is somewhat self-centered and very much into protecting himself from hurt.

The subplot of dealing with the fae is good. It was very straight forward. My only objection to this part of the book was that things seemed to be settled too easily.

The pace of the book is good and the characters are interesting. There is suspense as to whether or not Rance will be allowed to meet the monster as well as a few other things. I found myself reading quickly to find out what happens next.

This is a standalone novel. I thought this was a good story. It's well written. I give it 4 stars out of 5. It's good, but not great. Still, if you enjoy books about shifters, fae, and romance, then this would be a good book for you. It would make a good beach read too.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #145: Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:
The new full-tilt, razor-sharp, unstoppably hilarious and entertaining novel from the best-selling author of Bad Monkey, Star Island, Nature Girl, et al.
When Lane Coolman's car is bashed from behind on the road to the Florida Keys, what appears to be an ordinary accident is anything but (this is Hiaasen!). Behind the wheel of the other car is Merry Mansfield--the eponymous Razor Girl--and the crash scam is only the beginning of events that spiral crazily out of control while unleashing some of the wildest characters Hiaasen has ever set loose on the page. There's Trebeaux, the owner of Sedimental Journeys--a company that steals sand from one beach to restore erosion on another . . . Dominick "Big Noogie" Aeola, a NYC mafia capo with a taste for tropic-wear . . . Buck Nance, a Wisconsin accordionist who has rebranded himself as the star of a redneck reality show called Bayou Brethren . . . a street psycho known as Blister who's more Buck Nance than Buck could ever be . . . Brock Richardson, a Miami product-liability lawyer who's getting dangerously--and deformingly--hooked on the very E.D. product he's litigating against . . . and Andrew Yancy--formerly Detective Yancy, busted down to the Key West roach patrol after accosting his then-lover's husband with a Dust Buster. Yancy believes that if he can singlehandedly solve a high-profile murder, he'll get his detective badge back. That the Razor Girl may be the key to Yancy's future will be as surprising as anything else he encounters along the way--including the giant Gambian rats that are livening up his restaurant inspections. 

Why am I waiting on this one? I've come to enjoy Carl Hiaasen's offbeat writing. The characters certainly sound unique. And there is always some humor to what Hiaasen writes. And note from the reviews of ARCs that I've seen, this is definitely a book for grown-ups. Razor Girl is due out September 6, 2016 from Knopf.

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 ever-growing TBR lists. Thanks for coming by!

Quickie Review: Strange History by Bathroom Readers Institute

Strange History by Bathroom Readers Institute

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoyed this book of strange historical facts. It's easy to dip into when you have a few minutes or longer. The sections are short. The facts are often offbeat which makes for interesting reading. Among the treasure pieces in this edition lie the first use of silver bullets to kill werewolves as well as the story of a cow named Fawn who was picked up by tornadoes more than once and survived to moo the tale. And who knew there once existed a kit marketed to children to make your own shrunken head?

If you are looking for a book that is readable in short increments of time and has some interesting historical trivia, then this is a good book for you. I give it 4 stars out of 5 based on the information and the humor it has to offer.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.



View all my reviews

Review: Dreams of Distant Shores by Patricia A. McKillip

Journey through time and place in this collection of short pieces by Patricia A. McKillip. There are 5 short stories, 2 novellas, and a nonfiction piece. All of which are excellent.

I think my two favorite pieces were the first story in the collection, "Weird" and another piece entitled "The Gorgon in the Cupboard."
"Weird" keeps you guessing as to what's going on. "The Gorgon in the Cupboard" is a story about artists, models, and muses.

All the stories struck me as treasures, though. I loved her use of language. Even in the novella "Something Rich and Strange," the language sets the tone. You can feel the distraction of the characters.

The nonfiction piece was about writing high fantasy. I like the idea that she puts across that she uses different tropes, but twists them enough to make them something different and new. The afterword was written by Peter S. Beagle, another really good writer, who respects Patricia McKillip's crafting of stories.

This book is appropriate for people who enjoy fantasy. There are a variety of settings and themes to enjoy. And if you like the behind the scenes look at things, the essay and the afterword are very interesting. All in all, I give this book 5 stars for excellence in craftsmanship.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.