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Janelle March 16, 2020 Leave a Comment

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#BookReview #NightWormsBookParty @jonbassoff’s

#BookReview #NightWormsBookParty

@jonbassoff’s CAPTAIN CLIVE’S DREAMWORLD is a roller coaster of a ride (pun intended). The story is clever, sinister, vibrant, and all too realistic. Let me just say, nothing creeps me out more than citizens of a suburban small town with fake kindness on the surface while simultaneously committing abhorrent acts. It’s just plain icky.

After a traumatic event, Deputy Sam Hardy moves into the idyllic town of Angels and Hope, where everyone is full of smiles, beyond friendly, and everyone knows each other. The neighborhoods are peaceful and whimsically odd to say the least. Picture a Pleasantville-esque place where its citizens live the American Dream and put all of their faith into a zealous leader, in this case, Captain Clive. Caption Clive is a charismatic, polarizing, self-made, and wealthy capitalist who has a lot of sway over this town. He promises to make your dreams come true, partially via his amazing theme park, Dreamworld. Deputy Sam Hardy was looking for an easy crime free job but can’t shake the feeling there is something deceptive about this so-called perfect town.

There are some serious Stepford Wives and Twin Peaks vibes in this book, and it’s glorious. The vivid, descriptive language really paints the picturesque scene like technicolor in your mind. There is a such thing as being too nice and Bassoff does a great job building the apple pie, cookie cutter, nobody locks their doors, kind of a place. Trust me, it’s a nightmarish place you wouldn’t want to be caught dead in. CAPTAIN CLIVE’S DREAMWORLD is not a dreamworld I would ever want to visit, but I certainly enjoyed reading it. Highly recommended!

Thank you so much @night_worms and @eraserheadpress for my free copy.

Are you adding this one to your #TBR?!!

Thank you so much @quirkbooks for my free copy of

Thank you so much @quirkbooks for my free copy of CURSED OBJECTS by J. W. Ocker. This book is exactly what it says it is: “Strange but True Stories of the World’s Most Infamous Items”

Folks, it’s fascinating! I read this cover to cover in one sitting and then found myself Googling like crazy to find out more. And YES, it includes the Annabelle doll, the Hope Diamond, and the tomb of King Tut. Ocker covers a few objects I already knew of but also many I have never even heard of. There is everything from cursed books to statues to jewelry. Ocker stays objective throughout and writes the perfect amount of information for each item including the history and events surrounding said object. I had the most enjoyable reading experience and it’s perfect for the spooky season. Highly recommended!

Side note: for some reason this chandelier in my new library/lounge looks like it should be a cursed object, haha. Do you have any experience with cursed objects or haunted houses?! As they say, I’m all ears 👻
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Scroll ⇦ to 👀 how gorgeous this book really is. @quirkbooks absolutely killed it!

✨✨ BOOK GIVEAWAY ✨✨ . . First off, I AM ST

✨✨ BOOK GIVEAWAY ✨✨
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First off, I AM STILL HERE. Instagram has this funny way of erasing people that can’t engage for a couple of days 🤪 DUDE INSTAGRAM...I had to move 💪🏻 #allthebooks Life happens, ya know? 🤷🏼‍♀️

And second, IT’S A @waterstones GIVEAWAY. I frequently buy UK hardcovers from this #bookstore and even though shipping takes a bit of time...it’s totally worth the wait! If you’re the lucky winner, you will have your choice of a book from their amazing online bookstore!

This is the first in a series of 20K giveaways so buckle up because it’s going to be a fun bookish few weeks! I love you all and appreciate YOU every single day since I started my #Bookstagram journey 🥰. See details below to enter! And of course, THIS GIVEAWAY IS INTERNATIONAL. Huzzah! 🎉🎉🎉
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To enter 👇🏻
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1. Like and save this post
2. Follow me @shereadswithcats
3. Tag your bookish friends. Especially the cool ones that love @waterstones quality editions 💁🏼‍♀️
4. Tell me in the comments which book from @waterstones you have your 👀s on 🎉
5. FIVE bonus entries if you repost this giveaway in your Insta stories for 24 hours AND be sure to use the HASHTAG #shereadswithcats20K 🤘🏻
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This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram 😜. The winner will be announced Thursday 9/17 🎈🎈🎈 Good luck my friends 😘😘
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#bookgiveaway #bookstagram #bookshelf #shelfiesunday #shelfie #booklover #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #bookaddict #bookaholic #giveawaycontest #bookphotography #currentlyreading #booksandchill #booksandcats #readallthebooks #shereadswithcats

It’s #BOOKMAIL day! Here are some amazing books

It’s #BOOKMAIL day! Here are some amazing books that arrived on my doorstep! Thank you so very much to the tagged authors and publishers for the free books. Oh my goodness, check out the cool swag that came with a few of them! Those horror authors really know how to spoil a girl 🤘🏻💀
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I’m reading #Crossroads by @laurelhightower (it’s fantastic 🤭). What are you #currentlyreading?

I’m buried in books! How about you?! . . . . . .

I’m buried in books! How about you?!
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#booksbooksbooks #bookpile #bookstack #bookstagram #bookphotography #bookfeature #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #bookaholic #booknerd #bibliophile #bookaddict #booksaremagic #readingislife #bookishescape #bookfeaturepage #bookshelf #badassbookbabes #bookgram #booksandcats #shereadswithcats

#BookReview #NightWorms #BlogTour IT WILL JUST BE

#BookReview #NightWorms #BlogTour

IT WILL JUST BE US by Jo Kaplan is a gothic style haunted house story that is perfect for the spooky season. I believe houses can have memories and in Virginia, on the edge of a swamp, Sam Wakefield’s family mansion has a slew of them.

Sam and her mother reside in the home but one day her sister, Elizabeth (Liz), shows up unannounced. Liz is far along in her pregnancy, had terrible fight with her husband, and needs a place to stay. Unfortunately, this unsettling, ominous, and claustrophobic house isn’t meant for the innocent. There is darkness and anguish that has settled inside for generations and until now Sam has taken the brunt of it. But now that Liz and her unborn child are here, a disturbing ghost in the form of a faceless boy is running around wreaking havoc wherever it goes.

Oh man, do I love gothic novels with creepy old houses and scary ghosts. Although, it has a slow start and some of the writing threw me off, I really enjoyed the story. The Wakefield house is alive with ghosts from its previous occupants and there is folklore attached to the swamp land around it. The house will drive a person mad with locked rooms, confusion, and by messing with time. And the faceless ghost is absolutely terrifying. Overall, the language is atmospheric, vivid, and descriptive.

IT WILL JUST BE US is in many ways a familiar gothic haunted house story but with a few unique tricks of its own.

Thank you so much @crookedlanebooks for my free copy. @night_worms #NightWormsBookParty

HAPPY SUNDAY! What are you doing this weekend? Any

HAPPY SUNDAY! What are you doing this weekend? Any interesting plans for Labor Day?

My first #bookpic in the new house! This is the only room without boxes. I am SO excited to read S.J. Skuse’s SWEET PEA with my #BuddyReadstoDieFor peeps! There is still time to join us! What do you say?!! 🌷🌷🌷

It’s Friday! Yay! What are y’all doing for the

It’s Friday! Yay! What are y’all doing for the long weekend?!

Final moving day for us so we finally get to actually sleep in our new house. Sweet baby Jesus I’m happy!

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind and encouraging words. Book people really are the most amazing people. I love my bookish family 💋💋
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One last photo from my old house. This is my horror #TBR #bookcart right before I packed it up. I didn’t realize how possessive I am over my books until I had to pack them up 🤣

(Thank you to the tagged publishers and authors fo

(Thank you to the tagged publishers and authors for the free copies)

Happy Thursday! We got the keys to our new home yesterday so now we are rockin’ and rollin’. Our movers aren’t scheduled to come until Friday so today we are taking a few odds and ends over. Mostly books 😂 I have a few editions I refuse to put in boxes.

This is the last #bookmail stack photo in the house we are leaving. I cannot wait to show you all when my shelves go up in the library. Yeah that’s right, I said library.

Also, there are a couple of #bookishtruecrime books in the mix! AND my lovely friend @teamredmon sent me a birthday book - MIDNIGHT LULLABY from my @amazon wishlist (so sweet 😭😍). Oh and Alex over at @findingmontauk1 #gifted me an @amazon #giftcard which I used to purchased said #truecrime books! He is the kindest human and often makes my day. #bookfriendsarethebestfriends

How is your day going? Tell me something your grateful for this week?

🚫🚫 GIVEAWAY CLOSED 🚫🚫 🎉 JOSH MALERM

🚫🚫 GIVEAWAY CLOSED 🚫🚫 🎉 JOSH MALERMAN GIVEAWAY 🎉
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@keelyfuse85 and I decided to make today JOSH MALERMAN day and give away two of his books! We both had duplicate copies and want to share them with one of you! Isn’t that amazing?! MALORIE (the sequel to BIRD BOX) and A HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF A LAKE are books we both recommend 100%. See details below to enter 🎉🎉🎉
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To enter:
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1. Like and save this post
2. Follow @shereadswithcats & @keelyfuse85
3. Tag your book pals and tell us what you are #currentlyreading 🎉🎉🎉
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BONUS ENTRY: Please share this giveaway in your Insta story for 24 hours and be sure to tag us! 🎉
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US only • this giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram • winners will be chosen on 9/6 • good luck • HAPPY JOSH MALERMAN DAY 🎉
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#joshmalerman #bookstagram #freebook #bookgiveaway #malorie #birdbox #read #contest #readersofinstagram #booknerd #badassbookbabes #booksbooksbooks #bookaholic #bookphotography #booklove #shereadswithcats #keelyfuse85

WORST LAID PLANS - An Anthology of Vacation Horror

WORST LAID PLANS - An Anthology of Vacation Horror, edited by @ochenwevs is an excellent blend of stories that I happily breezed right through. The forward is written by my friend @mother.horror and I might’ve fangirled just a tiny bit (okay a lot 🤘🏻).

Here’s the funny thing: the first paragraph of the forward could’ve easily been written about me. My family went to Dillon Beach every year in November-ish and stayed at a beach house for a week. Except we were at The Anderson’s not Wit’s End. And yes, we stopped in Petaluma for lunch, haha.

Vacation horror just grabs you, doesn’t it? If you really sit back and think about every trip you’ve been on and everything that could’ve gone wrong, it’s terrifying. I am impulsive, adventurous, and often drunk on vacation so think of the possibilities. The only thing I will never do is go on a cruise - I would rather take my chances and jump overboard.
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Standouts -

@vlatinalondon The Cacuy of Cancun is about an ancient monster known as the “harbinger of nightmares”. It’s short and not a word was wasted. And I discovered a new favorite author.

S.E. Howard’s You’ve Been Saved is an intriguing cross-country road trip story. Two old friends take a trip only to run into what appears to be a harmless couple in an RV. Something is amiss and ending is awesome.

@haileypiperfights Unkindly Girls sneaks up on you in the best way. Piper has a way of setting up a chilling story involving an unconventional father-daughter relationship.

@kenziejennings2 Peelings is likely my favorite story. A mom trying to get a minute to herself during a family vacation at a theme park. The body horror is just written so perfectly.

@waylon.jordan Deep In the Heart is about a tourist trip into a cave to find stalagmites and stalactites. Unfortunately these tourists do not have a good time.

@scottcole1313 Penanggalan centers around a trip to Penang. There is a “vampiric creature” who practices black magic there so why not go check it out? But watch out for the smell of vinegar.

@heymalcolmmills The Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators by Malcolm Mills is an odd twist on an age old question and a particular fetish.

It’s Sunday for a bit longer so I’m going to u

It’s Sunday for a bit longer so I’m going to use this time to show you two things I love: ABBY & DEVIL’S CREEK by @toddkeisling.

I finished this book a while ago and I’m obsessed! It’s cult horror at its finest. I devoured it as the writing is top-notch and I’m a sucker for horror set in a small town. It’s immersive, haunting, intense, creepy, emotive, and multifaceted. It doesn’t get any better than that! DEVIL’S CREEK is truly a special book and I will recommend it until my dying days. Also, it’s ABBY approved.

I think I’m going to read Anxious People and Underworld Dreams next.

What are you reading?! ✨✨

Happy #IndependentBookstoreDay! I love to celebra

Happy #IndependentBookstoreDay!

I love to celebrate my indie bookstore as often as I can. There is something about how each store is unique and I always love to see what the staff recommends.

@librofm is one of the best ways to celebrate. Every #audiobook you purchase benefits the #bookstore of your choice - so every time you use #LibroFM you help to keep your beloved bookstore in business. #LinkInBio to sign up with my discount code.

How did you celebrate?!

Also, check out @indiebookstoreday for all the fun stuff going on! 🎉📚 (independentbookstore.com)

#librofmlisteningsquad #indiebookstore #usedbooks #booksbooksbooks #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookshelf #beersbooks #readmorebooks #booksaremagic #shereadswithcats

It’s my birthday! I’m 43! Wait, whaaat?! Haha.

It’s my birthday! I’m 43! Wait, whaaat?! Haha.

Hey all! This month has been bananas. Within 30 days my life has changed dramatically, but in a good way. We finally own our own home, after 12 years we got a new car, and I hit a milestone on Bookstagram I wasn’t expecting. It’s surreal for these good things to finally happen in our life but with the backdrop of the pandemic, human beings unjustly losing their lives, and with my home state in a blaze. I feel truly happy for our next adventure! But I want to make it clear that I am not ignoring what’s going on in the world or with my friends. I want things to change. I want my friends to feel safe.

I still feel like I need to pinch myself. This whole house thing feels like a dream and I’m very grateful to Marcus for being my rock through it all. And you know what having our own house means?!!...more pets! I want all the animals! But Abby will always be Queen 🐈👑
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TGIF! What are your plans this weekend?! We are having dinner in my parent’s backyard. Sushi, cocktails, and a Kahlúa/apricot cake...oh myyyy
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#shelfie #bookshelf #birthdaygirl #birthday #august28 #bookphotography #virgo #booksandcats #bookphotography #selfiesforbookstagram #shereadswithcats

#BookReview #NightWormsBookParty THE NIGHT SILVER

#BookReview #NightWormsBookParty

THE NIGHT SILVER RIVER RUN RED by Christine Morgan is one of my favorite books thus far from the splatter western series. Not only does it have an eye-catching cover, but it's also compelling and packs a punch.

The book's description, which includes a traveling carnival show of strange and unusual attractions, caught my attention from the get-go, so I had high expectations for this book. Although it started slow, it sped up quickly, and it's the magnificent storytelling that brought it home for me.

Cody McCall and his friends sneak out to see a traveling sideshow of grotesque attractions, marvels, and oddities set up on the outskirts of Silver River. These kids live in a small, quiet town, so this is precisely the entertainment they crave. All of the exceptionally freakish misfits in one place are just too good for this group to pass up. And of course, there is so much more than they bargained for.

I am a sucker for coming-of-age stories, especially in the horror genre, so it was nice to see it mixed in with the splatter western sub-genre. There are some genuinely terrifying, spine-tingling characters in this story, a couple of impressively brutal scenes, and plenty of bloodshed to go around by the end. All of the above tickled my fancy! Could there be more blood splatter throughout?...Always. But Morgan certainly delivers enough to satisfy my bloodthirsty craving. This is horror folks, so consider yourself warned.

THE NIGHT SILVER RIVER RUN RED had me engrossed with descriptive language, vivid imagery, and fun dialogue. I really enjoyed the world of sideshow characters and witty remarks. Morgan's writing style had me flipping through the pages, wholly spellbound and with several gasps in between. The shorter vignettes mixed in were unique and added to my already fantastic reading experience. Morgan brought her A-game to this series, and I will read whatever she writes next.

Thank you so much to the @night_worms and @deathsheadpress for continuing to supply me with amazing books.

More #bookmail that I am adding to my #tbr this we

More #bookmail that I am adding to my #tbr this weekend. I’ve read @cathryanhoward’s THE NOTHING MAN already and squealed when this finished copy arrived (go read it - it’s excellent).

@wendywalkerauthor and @backmansk are both auto-buy authors for me! @bookishmommy and @readswithdogs recommended HELL IN THE HEARTLAND (love me some true crime).

Super excited to read THE COMEBACK by @ellalondonlovesla which I believe @franzencomesalive enjoyed! And lastly, WHAT HAPPENS AT NIGHT has blurbs from Garth Greenwell, Sigrid Nunez, and Michael Cunningham - WOW, right?!

What are you reading today?

#BookMail Monday! There are so many fantastic look

#BookMail Monday! There are so many fantastic looking books in these stacks! What are you most excited for?!

There is everything from a thriller to horror to true crime, fantasy to memoir to literary fiction - a perfect representation of ME as a reader.

Thank you so much to the amazing authors and publishers who sent me these #gifted books. I have never been so excited!

FYI...this was the only photo I could get without boxes in the background 📦📦📦🤣

Happy Sunday! I have been a hot mess this past wee

Happy Sunday! I have been a hot mess this past week. BUT today starts out my birthday week! YAY ME 🎉😂 And even though 2020 has been a dumpster fire, I’m determined to enjoy it!

First off, I want to say how grateful I am for all the friends I’ve made here. And thank you to all of the people who have supported me. 20K is a huge milestone for me! A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into this account, and I am excited for what the future brings. Also, special shoutout to the @night_worms crew, my co-hosts at #BuddyReadstoDieFor and my first real friend here, Linds, over at @readingbetweenthe__wines - you all make the #Bookstagram world a better place.

Now onto book business 😂 Thank you so much to the tagged publishers for these #gifted books.

Are you excited for any of these books?

#BookReview #NewRelease (almost) I had the most e

#BookReview #NewRelease (almost)

I had the most enjoyable reading experience the minute I picked up @adamcesare’s CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD. It’s utterly addictive and highly entertaining, so buckle up folks for a fun ride.

After the death of her mother, Quinn Maybrook and her father wanted a fresh start. They moved from Philadelphia to the small Missouri town of Kettle Springs. Since they used to live in the city, this sleepy rural town takes some getting used to, but something about this place and its residents feels strange. The town appears to be stuck in a time warp from the 1950s. I caught the “Make Kettle Springs Great Again” message immediately. But more than that, Quinn can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong here, and even more so, these unnerving feelings continue to keep her on edge.

Cesare does a great job setting up the plot with great side characters, a brilliant main protagonist in Quinn, and of course the star character of Kettle Springs with cornfields as far as the eye can see. And YES, there are clowns, but mum’s the word as there are no spoilers here.

Bravo to Cesare for writing horror tropes like no other and his classic slasher-film-writing-style is enthralling. You start off with that immediate, conspicuous beginning typical of great retro horror movies, then move through the pages for that slow build up, which sets you up for the final, bloody pages. The gore sequences are playful and the story pays homage to those classic chills and thrills moments I’ve come to love.

The genre is listed as YA but take it from a reader who is picky with YA novels, the only thing YA about this book are the characters. Cesare pulls out all the stops and readers young and old will enjoy this book. However, this is a horror novel so be forewarned of the violent kill scenes, because there are plenty. CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD is a cinematic, heart-throbbing adventure that I highly recommend you try.

Thank you to the author and @harpercollins for my advance copy.

What do you say...are YOU going to pick this one up?!

Happy Tuesday lovelies! I was MIA on Instagram ove

Happy Tuesday lovelies! I was MIA on Instagram over the weekend, just collecting my thoughts and figuring things out. You ever need that time? I still feel a little funky, but I missed everyone so here I am 😂 How is your day going? I am starting to pack up my house which is a great feeling.

Also, here’s a #shelfie of my #bookshelf before all the books get packed up. There are books behind books behind books. It’s daunting 😉

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