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Home Read. Review. Repeat. Genres Contemporary

Category Archive

Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Contemporary”

Review: OONA OUT OF ORDER by Margarita Montimore

Janelle March 16, 2020 Book Reviews, Book Sparks, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary, Finished Copy, Flatiron Books, Science Fiction, Suspense Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Book Sparks and Flatiron for my free copy. Description: It’s New Year’s Eve 1982, and Oona Lockhart has her whole life before her. At the stroke of midnight she will turn nineteen, and the year ahead …

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Review: MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Janelle March 16, 2020 Advance Copy, Book Reviews, Contemporary, From Publisher, Literary Fiction, William Morrow Leave a Comment

Thank you so much William Morrow for my free copy. Description: 2000. Bright, ambitious, and yearning for adulthood, fifteen-year-old Vanessa Wye becomes entangled in an affair with Jacob Strane, her magnetic and guileful forty-two-year-old English teacher. 2017. Amid the rising …

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Review: FISHNET by Kristin Innes

Janelle December 1, 2019 Book Reviews, Contemporary, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Gallery Books, Mystery Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Gallery Books for providing my copy. Description: Rona Leonard was only twenty-years-old when she walked out of her sister Fiona’s flat and disappeared. Six years later—worn down by a tedious job, childcare, and an aching absence …

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Blog Tour: THE BOOKISH LIFE OF NINA HILL by Abbi Waxman

Janelle July 17, 2019 Berkley Publishing, BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Book Spotlight, Contemporary, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Humor, Salt Water Reads Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for my free copy.  Description:  The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and …

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Blog Tour & Review: THE FLATSHARE by Beth O’Leary

Janelle June 19, 2019 BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Finished Copy, Flatiron Books, From Publisher Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Flatiron Books for my copy.  Description:  Tiffy and Leon share an apartment. Tiffy and Leon have never met. After a bad breakup, Tiffy Moore needs a place to live. Fast. And cheap. But the apartments in her …

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Blog Tour & Review: VALENCIA AND VALENTINE by Suzy Krause

Janelle June 19, 2019 Amazon Publishing, BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Lake Union Authors, TLC Book Tours 2 Comments

Thank you so much TLC Book Tours, Lake Union Publishing, and Amazon Publishing for my copy.  Description:  Valencia, a timid debt collector with crippling OCD, is afraid of many things, but the two that scare her most are flying and …

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Blog Tour: ONLY EVER HER by Marybeth Mayhew Whelan

Janelle May 23, 2019 Amazon Publishing, BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Lake Union Authors, Mystery, TLC Book Tours 3 Comments

Description: Annie Taft’s wedding is four days away, and it will be one of the grandest anyone can remember in her small South Carolina town. Preparations are in order. Friends and family are gathering in anticipation. Everything is going according …

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Blog Tour: THE ACCIDENTAL BEAUTY QUEEN by Teri Wilson

Janelle December 9, 2018 BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, From Publisher, Gallery Books, Humor, Women's Fiction Leave a Comment

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson On Sale: December 4, 2018 Gallery Books | Trade Paperback Original ISBN: 9781501197604 | $16.00 E-ISBN: 9781501197611 | $7.99 Audio-ISBN: 9781508283553 | $17.99 Thank you very much Gallery Books for my free copy …

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Blog Tour & Review: WILDCHILDS by Eugenia Melian

Janelle October 11, 2018 BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary, Finished Copy, Publicist, Smith Publicity Services Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Smith Publicity for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own.  Description:  Seventeen years ago, Iris was forced to abandon Gus, the love of her life, and her career as a top model in …

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Review: IF YOU SEE ME, DON’T SAY HI by Neel Patel

Janelle September 29, 2018 Book Reviews, Contemporary, Finished Copy, Flatiron Books, From Publisher, Short Stories 1 Comment

Thank you so much to Flatiron Books for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own.  Description:  In eleven sharp, surprising stories, Neel Patel gives voice to our most deeply held stereotypes and then slowly undermines them. His …

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Instagram post 2277379099381027465_5480751027 @harperbooks #giftedbook #readwithjenna #bookreview VALENTINE by @elizabethwetmore is a poignant, captivating debut that focuses on what it means to be a woman in mid-1970s Odessa, Texas. We follow five extraordinarily brave female characters who are all connected in some way to the aftermath of the violent sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Gloria Ramírez was brutally attacked, battered and bruised. On the morning after Valentine’s Day, Gloria seeks help at a farmhouse where she finds Mary Rose Whitehead. Mary Rose takes her in as if she were her own in an attempt to help her escape this harrowing, dire situation. The city of Odessa is full of racism, sexism, and toxic masculinity so when woman like Mary Rose chooses to stand up and fight, you take notice - nothing pleases me more than strong, intriguing female leads. Wetmore’s writing is beautiful and the story is intense. The setting itself is written as a character, immersing you in the gritty, dry desert of Texas oil country. Alternating between multiple narrators adds weight and depth to the story. The story feels so real and the characters so authentic, you’ll think you can reach out and touch them. VALENTINE is a haunting, thrilling, emotional story that I will never forget. ★★★★
Instagram post 2276643591021637823_5480751027 @aaknopf #partner #bookreview #readcrimefiction #booksconnectus I have become a woman obsessed. I am proud to say I am obsessed with the Joona Linna series by the amazing author duo @larskepler. Ever since I read THE SANDMAN in 2018 I have been stalking @crimebythebook for the next @aaknopf release! I read THE STALKER next and now THE RABBIT HUNTER - WOW, just WOW. Every book I have read by them is OUTSTANDING. I’m not sure if you caught Abby’s interview with Kepler yesterday but it just made me love them even more. How does this lovely, sweet couple write such dark material? Again, OBSESSED. I am not going to go into the plot details because as a reader, I prefer to go in blind but just know I am super picky with police procedurals. Although, I love a good formulaic television show, I expect more from the novels I read. Every book I’ve read by Kepler has delivered 100%. Also, one of best qualities about the Joona Linna series is every book can be read as a standalone. I get intimidated by a large series because I like my reading to be versatile. This answered every wish and made me dive right in. And even though I will read the entire series, I wasn’t intimidated in the least. THE RABBIT HUNTER is gritty with a compelling plot, characters you can sink your teeth into including an ultra dark villian, and short chapters that help you breeze through the just over 500 pages. It’s a violent serial killer thriller that I wholeheartedly recommend. Do not hesitate to pick this book up. ★★★★★
Instagram post 2275941831164451947_5480751027 Thank you @smithpublicity and @flametreepress for my copy. #bookreview @tim.waggoner.scribe’s THE FOREVER HOUSE is a disturbingly dark story of a family and their wicked, macabre, and ravenous ways. In the small town of Rockridge, Ohio the Eldred family moves into what is nicknamed the “House of Blood” at the bottom of a cul-de-sac. A mother who lived there before had gone insane and murdered her entire family. But that didn’t keep the Eldreds from purchasing the house. In fact, it was one of the reasons this house was so appealing. The very odd, unusual family have an insatiable appetite for human despair, negativity, deplorable behavior, and horrific acts. They are ageless, “other” beings that literally feed on horror to survive. The characters are quirky, disgusting, and downright evil so they are the perfect family to build a story around. Let’s just say, you don’t want to be neighborly to this bunch. Waggoner writes a no-holds-barred type of story where there is absolutely nothing redeeming about its characters. There are some aspects that might be considered over-the-top, but they don’t take away from the enjoyment of this vicious novel. There are some scenes that might be difficult or uncomfortable for some readers - they didn’t bother me, but I should mention it. At the end of the day THE FOREVER HOUSE is exactly what I needed to get my mind off things. Highly recommended if you are looking for sinister characters to devour. ★★★★ —- Special thanks to @wherethereadergrows and @steelrainreviews for prompting this buddy read! #nightworms #flametreepress #theforeverhouse #horror #promotehorror
Instagram post 2275858054891437277_5480751027 Happy Sunday!✌🏻I loved this #mybookishworkspace tag from @bookishmommy! There are three pics to show different angles. My office is full of things I love and inspire me. It may be tiny but I adore it. Feel free to play along! —- Today I’m starting and finishing HUM IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE WORDS for #BuddyReadsToDieFor - raise your hand if you’re a procrastinator 🙋🏼‍♀️ Luckily, the writing is so beautiful I’m breezing right through it. —- What are you all reading today?
Instagram post 2275309639618989432_5480751027 I washed my hair today! I was tagged by the lovely Tav over at @readswithdogs for @mother.horror’s #currentlyreadingselfie challenge. —- This week has been a struggle for me. I’m an introvert with not much family so I live 90% of my life in my head. I am in awe of all of the parents who have also become full time teachers - I can’t imagine how much energy that takes. On the flip side there is me. SO MUCH QUIET. It’s getting to me. You can hear a pin drop in my house and my city is a ghost town. Reading has always been my escape, but right now I need more than that. Luckily, my writing projects and #bookstagram have saved me. Writing helps me get my thoughts outside of my head which is rewarding in a way. And there are so many diverse, kind, amazing people on bookstagram. Sometimes I need to connect, need to vent and these people I adore are there for me to do that. No matter how odd or nerdy I am, kindness prevails. I’ve tagged several KIND people so please give them a follow if you haven’t already! Cheers to tomorrow as we embark on this pandemic adventure together 🙌🏻🥂 —- What is the one thing that is keeping you sane right now?! Please share in the comments ☟
Instagram post 2274513792538981977_5480751027 Hey hey now! Who’s excited for the next #BuddyReadsToDieFor 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️ —- Next month our selection is THE NEIGHBORS by @hannahmarymckinnon! We could not be more excited about reading this book and we hope you will join us! What do you say, ARE YOU IN?!! Peep the synopsis below 👀 ☟ —- 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 ~ After a night of fun back in 1992, Abby is responsible for a car crash that kills her beloved brother. It’s a mistake she can never forgive, so she pushes away Liam, the man she loves most, knowing that he would eventually hate her for what she’s done, the same way she hates herself. Twenty years later, Abby’s husband, Nate, is also living with a deep sense of guilt. He was the driver who first came upon the scene of Abby’s accident, the man who pulled her to safety before the car erupted in flames—the man who could not save her brother in time. It’s this guilt, this regret, that binds them together. They understand each other. Or so Nate believes. In a strange twist of fate, Liam moves into the neighborhood with his own family, releasing a flood of memories that Abby has been trying to keep buried all these years. Abby and Liam, in a complicit agreement, pretend never to have met, yet cannot resist the pull of the past—nor the repercussions of the terrible secrets they’ve both been carrying…
Instagram post 2274444390732765739_5480751027 @aaknopf @berkleypub and other tagged publishers #gifted books IT’S FRIDAY! Does it feel any different than Thursday? 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m so grateful that my friends and family are safe. Marcus and I plan to do our part to support our community. We are going to get takeout with to-go cocktails every weekend from the local restaurants in our neighborhood. It’s the least we can do, amiright? 😉😂 —- Sooooo BOOKS! These are some of this week’s new releases! What do you think? Are any of these on your TBR? —- BITES OF TERROR is so cute and I’m super excited to read LAKEWOOD! I really enjoyed THE RETURN, THE GLASS HOTEL, and THE EMPRESS OF SALT AND FORTUNE. So many great books out this week!
Instagram post 2273789788073129947_5480751027 @henryholtbooks #giftedbook I’m #currentlyreading THE SUITABLE by Molly Pohlig and so far I’m intrigued. I picked it up next because @ouija.doodle.reads said it is DARK and that’s all I needed to know 🤘🏻 —- What are you all #reading today? Or watching? Is there anything to fill the TIGER KING void? 🐯 —- Also, thank you @tonyshorrorcorner for the #booksinthefluff tag! As you can see Abby makes a fantastic reading buddy! I tagged a few to play along 😻
Instagram post 2273098987806408256_5480751027 Thank you @tlcbooktours and @williammorrowbooks for this #giftedbook #bookreview What can I say except I am a forever fan of Peter Swanson’s books! They all go down easy with intriguing, questionable characters and EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS is no different. It’s a homage to the mystery “whodunit” classics that we all know and love. Several years ago, Boston bookstore owner Malcolm Kershaw (Mal) wrote a blog post about a list of what are considered unsolvable murders and called it the EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS. These are murders taken from legendary books written by authors such as Agatha Christie, Patricia Highsmith, Ira Levin, and Donna Tartt. But when FBI agent Gwen Mulvey comes to investigate a slew of unsolved murders that look oddly similar to the ones on his list, things get interesting. This novel is perfectly suited for fans of the crime fiction and mystery genres. I have an analytical brain, thinking and rethinking everything, so this book is everything. The idea that a killer goes on a spree based on my favorite mystery books is just pure genius. Mal is our sole narrator which is always tricky, especially when he second guesses every move, but he’s bookish and has a pure love of the genre. And he details the perfect murder, the undetectable crime, which has always intrigued me. CLEVER is an understatement for the plot, the writing, and the concept! Bottom line: I LOVE THIS BOOK. ★★★★★
Instagram post 2272342582786794838_5480751027 @aaknopf #partner #booksconnectus @emilystjohnmandel’s STATION ELEVEN is a book that will always be close to my heart. When I heard THE GLASS HOTEL was coming out, I basically set the date on my calendar. Mandel is an extraordinary writer and she just published an intellectually brilliant novel. With layer upon layer of story, characters, and details to unravel, she might make you work for it, but you will reap the rewards. Jonathan Alkatis owns a five star luxury hotel on Vancouver Island, only accessible by boat. He’s an elite, wealthy financier due to a complex Ponzi scheme he has concocted, affecting a string of unlucky investors. We start off with Vincent Smith lost overboard and continue through every character, revealing the domino effect this Ponzi scheme has on each of their lives. The themes in this novel are a powerful force packed into a poetic, haunting book. We analyze greed, humanity, morality, and emotion. Written in a nonlinear format, it gives the reader an ethereal feel, forcing us to reflect upon each section as we finish. Each character is connected to the hotel in some way and it’s this element that keeps the reader grounded and ultimately weaves the story together in the end. Mandel’s gorgeous prose is heavy on atmosphere, with several storylines, timelines, and interesting perspectives. THE GLASS HOTEL is not an easy book to process and to be honest, I struggled to put a star rating on it. But as I let it sink in each day while pondering my review, the rating crept higher and higher. A retrospective piece of literature indeed. ★★★★½
Instagram post 2271610009995464386_5480751027 @berkleypub @bloomsburypublishing @williammorrowbooks #partner How is everyone doing today?! Are we hanging in there? —- These are a few of the #newreleases from last week. I can vouch for DARLING ROSE GOLD, BEHELD, THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA, and THE BOY FROM THE WOODS. I haven’t read LAST COUPLE STANDING yet, but @jordys.book.club says it’s hilarious so I’m here for it ( #quaranTBR ). And THE EIGHTH GIRL looks really good! Have you read any of these? Are they on your #TBR ?? —- Sending you all good vibes, great health, and HAPPY READING 😍😘
Instagram post 2270788047434027642_5480751027 @duttonbooks #partner #booksconnectus #shelterinplace #selfisolation #stayhome24in48 #quaranTBR Pick whatever hashtag you want to use but whatever it is STAY HOME. We are in it for the long haul so let’s make the best of it! To piggy back on what @mother.horror posted, tell me your #silverlining from today? Mine is finishing HOME BEFORE DARK by the loveliest @riley.sager! And a second thing that brings me joy is my husband is reading it too! (scroll ←) —- What thing brought you joy today? —- There’s still time to checkout the live video of Abby from @crimebythebook’s interview with Riley Sager - I LOVE IT SO MUCH
Instagram post 2269025156397542088_5480751027 @torbooks is one of my favorite publishers so I am VERY grateful for these #giftedbooks Of course after receiving this I immediately bought #allthebooks in the MURDERBOT DIARIES and WAYWARD CHILDREN series! Also, I am drooling over HARROW THE NINTH because GIDEON THE NINTH is ahhhh-mazing! The only book I purchased out of this bunch is SISTERS OF THE VAST BLACK because @franzencomesalive said so 🤘🏻💀 —- I need your help!!! Which one do I read first?!! If you request a synopsis for one of these beauties, I’ll respond with it in the comments below☟
Instagram post 2268092251282385101_5480751027 Thank you so much @erinalmehairi and @rdspress for my free copy. THE FOURTH WHORE by EV Knight is an ambitious debut with vivid prose and intriguing characters. Not only is this story a mix of the horror and fantasy genres, it’s also heavy on feminism, revenge, mythology, theology, occultism, sex, and violence. It had my attention right out of the gate! It’s in your face shocking in a few scenes, so be warned of graphic content. I love to read retellings, biblical or otherwise, so this was definitely in my wheelhouse. It’s the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse except we have strong, bad-ass, sharply written female leads plotting and executing revenge. We follow several characters, but Kenzi and Lilith are the standouts. Lilith is fierce, cut-throat, and will stop at nothing to carry out vengeance. Kenzi is conflicted and complicated, which makes her an interesting character to read. Knight leaves no room for interpretation of her characters’ motivations and agendas. And I always enjoy attention to detail, so I really appreciate the Biblical structure of the book and of course, the gorgeous cover. The language is so descriptive that the images are seared into my mind. The only reason I’m not rating it higher is because the pacing felt a bit off so the story didn’t flow like I wanted. But make no mistake, I was never bored. It’s a solid ★★★ book. I would not hesitate to read the next EV Knight - this is definitely a writer to watch. As always, I am grateful for the @nightworms #nightwormsbookparty and for making the world a better place.
Instagram post 2267263327459868550_5480751027 Hey all! I hope you all are doing well. This is where you can find me for the next few weeks. Being surrounded by books always brings joy. I’m reading and writing like crazy! How are you coping? 🤓 ___ I’d love to give a special thanks to the healthcare workers, doctors, scientists, CDC etc. who are tirelessly working to get the situation under control and/or create a vaccine to kick this virus’ nasty butt. Also, the amazing people keeping us in supplies (grocery store employees, restaurant owners, delivery drivers etc). If we all take proper precautions for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, things will plateau and get more manageable. Let’s all hang in there and read our books! Or if you can’t, there are countless movies, shows, podcasts, emotional support animals, or find a friend to FaceTime. We are all in this together and I know everything will be okay.
Instagram post 2266539471228988462_5480751027 Thank you so much @berkleypub for my free copy. #BookReview #scaredsuspensebookclub Stephanie Wrobel’s DARLING ROSE GOLD is a compulsive, thrilling debut. It’s a read-in-one-sitting, ignore-everything, forget-getting-any-sleep kind of a book. Patty Watts is a single mother who raised her daughter, Rose Gold, the best she could. Rose Gold is chronically ill and wheelchair bound, and has been her entire life. Patty thinks she knows what’s best for her - you know the old adage “mother knows best”. That is until one day Rose Gold reports her to the authorities which lands Patty in prison for aggravated child abuse. She eventually testifies against her mother which puts her in prison for five years. Now that Patty is behind bars, Rose Gold decides to make a life with her infant son, and with the help of the community she renovates her mother’s childhood home for them to live in. After a five year sentence, Patty wants to mend fences and reunite with her family. I’m sure they will live happily ever after... The book covers past and present, split into two narratives: Rose Gold’s and Patty’s. Reading from the viewpoint of a master manipulator will keep you in questioning-and-tension-mode the entire novel. I COULD NOT STOP READING. It’s pure psychological warfare between this mother-daughter duo and I was hooked. And Wrobel does an excellent job showing the extent of the characters’ mindsets without giving away too much at once. This clever thriller reminds me of a “what if” to the Gypsy Rose case. What if she didn’t kill her mother? What if she followed the law and dealt with her mother in the aftermath. DARLING ROSE GOLD is twisty, suspenseful, and a MUST READ for any thriller or true crime reader out there! Ahhh heck, it’s a MUST READ for any reader. ★★★★
Instagram post 2265776999106663248_5480751027 #SundayVibes #CurrentlyReading Hang in there everyone—and stay safe! What’s the last book you finished? What did you think of it?
Instagram post 2265027316222690253_5480751027 @booksparks #partner #GetTheBookLook #SPRC2020 Who’s excited for these books to be released next month?! 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️ —- THE NEW HUSBAND by @djpalmerauthor promises to be a twisty, unputdownable thriller and I am here for it. LITTLE SECRETS by @jenniferhillierbooks is oh so good! Trust me, you’ll love this book. Thrillers are a perfect way to escape the craziness of the world around us. What are you reading today?
Instagram post 2264361762621130907_5480751027 Thank you @quirkbooks and @jenmurfee for my free copy. Also, shoutout to the @night_worms for the best book party ever! #mybookclubslaysvampires #bookreview THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES is pure gold. I have no idea how to explain Grady Hendrix’s writing style because it has a little bit of everything, with horror, humor, mystery, gore, and well developed characters. There’s a book club with a plethora of true crime. One of the characters’ names is Kitty. There is a vampire!!! And that’s just the beginning. I was laughing out loud within the first chapter. Set in the late 80s early 90s, Patricia is married to a doctor, has kids, and she loves her family, but is bored out of her mind. Being a homemaker is a difficult but thankless job and Patricia rarely gets any stimulating adult conversation. She barely makes it to the neighborhood book club which ends up being a bore. Luckily, there are some cool ladies in the mix that suggest starting a true crime, not so book club, book club. I’m not going to go any further but things stay humorous, get unsettling, make you gasp, get gory, make you uncomfortable, and warm your heart. I have read and LOVED every one of Hendrix’s books! Maybe it’s his nod to pop culture? I mean nobody writes the 80s and 90s era so well. Or maybe it’s because of his incredible talent to fuse horror and satire so perfectly? Could it be his well-developed characters that you swear you’ve made friends with? Or maybe, it’s because I can relate to his stories in some way and that he’s a damn clever writer? I say it’s all of the above. This is a bloody vampire horror story, but it’s also a sweet story about a group of Southern ladies that read true crime. I love THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES with my whole heart. All there is left to say is READ IT. ★★★★★
Instagram post 2263651881895172409_5480751027 Happy Thursday all! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I know things are getting REAL out there but as hard as it is, try not to over stress. COVID-19 is going to spread no matter what. That’s what pandemics do. BUT you can take the necessary precautions. Remember fear, panic, and hysteria are a contagion as well. I would hate for people to stress so hard they make themselves vulnerable. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Stock up on toilet paper because everyone will if you don’t (I learned that the hard way 😂). Be mindful, focused, proactive, and diligent. Wash your hands, keep your distance out in public (I’m looking at you close-talkers 👀🙅🏼‍♀️), and for God’s sake, DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE 😂 —- Now, for the #booktalk - do you see any favorites on this pretty shelf of books? One observation I made is in 99.9% of bookstores there is no horror section. I get it if it’s small, but none? 😳 So if you want horror, check out the fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery shelves. It’s like your own private scavenger hunt 🕵🏻‍♀️🤣 BUT I did find a #StephenKing endcap which was cool 😈🤘🏻 Speaking of which, one of my favorite books of last year is pictured here - can you spot it? I know @mother.horror can 😉
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@librofm: 𝖲𝖧𝖤𝖱𝖤𝖠𝖣𝖲
Instagram post 2277379099381027465_5480751027 @harperbooks #giftedbook #readwithjenna #bookreview VALENTINE by @elizabethwetmore is a poignant, captivating debut that focuses on what it means to be a woman in mid-1970s Odessa, Texas. We follow five extraordinarily brave female characters who are all connected in some way to the aftermath of the violent sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Gloria Ramírez was brutally attacked, battered and bruised. On the morning after Valentine’s Day, Gloria seeks help at a farmhouse where she finds Mary Rose Whitehead. Mary Rose takes her in as if she were her own in an attempt to help her escape this harrowing, dire situation. The city of Odessa is full of racism, sexism, and toxic masculinity so when woman like Mary Rose chooses to stand up and fight, you take notice - nothing pleases me more than strong, intriguing female leads. Wetmore’s writing is beautiful and the story is intense. The setting itself is written as a character, immersing you in the gritty, dry desert of Texas oil country. Alternating between multiple narrators adds weight and depth to the story. The story feels so real and the characters so authentic, you’ll think you can reach out and touch them. VALENTINE is a haunting, thrilling, emotional story that I will never forget. ★★★★
Instagram post 2276643591021637823_5480751027 @aaknopf #partner #bookreview #readcrimefiction #booksconnectus I have become a woman obsessed. I am proud to say I am obsessed with the Joona Linna series by the amazing author duo @larskepler. Ever since I read THE SANDMAN in 2018 I have been stalking @crimebythebook for the next @aaknopf release! I read THE STALKER next and now THE RABBIT HUNTER - WOW, just WOW. Every book I have read by them is OUTSTANDING. I’m not sure if you caught Abby’s interview with Kepler yesterday but it just made me love them even more. How does this lovely, sweet couple write such dark material? Again, OBSESSED. I am not going to go into the plot details because as a reader, I prefer to go in blind but just know I am super picky with police procedurals. Although, I love a good formulaic television show, I expect more from the novels I read. Every book I’ve read by Kepler has delivered 100%. Also, one of best qualities about the Joona Linna series is every book can be read as a standalone. I get intimidated by a large series because I like my reading to be versatile. This answered every wish and made me dive right in. And even though I will read the entire series, I wasn’t intimidated in the least. THE RABBIT HUNTER is gritty with a compelling plot, characters you can sink your teeth into including an ultra dark villian, and short chapters that help you breeze through the just over 500 pages. It’s a violent serial killer thriller that I wholeheartedly recommend. Do not hesitate to pick this book up. ★★★★★
Instagram post 2275941831164451947_5480751027 Thank you @smithpublicity and @flametreepress for my copy. #bookreview @tim.waggoner.scribe’s THE FOREVER HOUSE is a disturbingly dark story of a family and their wicked, macabre, and ravenous ways. In the small town of Rockridge, Ohio the Eldred family moves into what is nicknamed the “House of Blood” at the bottom of a cul-de-sac. A mother who lived there before had gone insane and murdered her entire family. But that didn’t keep the Eldreds from purchasing the house. In fact, it was one of the reasons this house was so appealing. The very odd, unusual family have an insatiable appetite for human despair, negativity, deplorable behavior, and horrific acts. They are ageless, “other” beings that literally feed on horror to survive. The characters are quirky, disgusting, and downright evil so they are the perfect family to build a story around. Let’s just say, you don’t want to be neighborly to this bunch. Waggoner writes a no-holds-barred type of story where there is absolutely nothing redeeming about its characters. There are some aspects that might be considered over-the-top, but they don’t take away from the enjoyment of this vicious novel. There are some scenes that might be difficult or uncomfortable for some readers - they didn’t bother me, but I should mention it. At the end of the day THE FOREVER HOUSE is exactly what I needed to get my mind off things. Highly recommended if you are looking for sinister characters to devour. ★★★★ —- Special thanks to @wherethereadergrows and @steelrainreviews for prompting this buddy read! #nightworms #flametreepress #theforeverhouse #horror #promotehorror
Instagram post 2275858054891437277_5480751027 Happy Sunday!✌🏻I loved this #mybookishworkspace tag from @bookishmommy! There are three pics to show different angles. My office is full of things I love and inspire me. It may be tiny but I adore it. Feel free to play along! —- Today I’m starting and finishing HUM IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE WORDS for #BuddyReadsToDieFor - raise your hand if you’re a procrastinator 🙋🏼‍♀️ Luckily, the writing is so beautiful I’m breezing right through it. —- What are you all reading today?
Instagram post 2275309639618989432_5480751027 I washed my hair today! I was tagged by the lovely Tav over at @readswithdogs for @mother.horror’s #currentlyreadingselfie challenge. —- This week has been a struggle for me. I’m an introvert with not much family so I live 90% of my life in my head. I am in awe of all of the parents who have also become full time teachers - I can’t imagine how much energy that takes. On the flip side there is me. SO MUCH QUIET. It’s getting to me. You can hear a pin drop in my house and my city is a ghost town. Reading has always been my escape, but right now I need more than that. Luckily, my writing projects and #bookstagram have saved me. Writing helps me get my thoughts outside of my head which is rewarding in a way. And there are so many diverse, kind, amazing people on bookstagram. Sometimes I need to connect, need to vent and these people I adore are there for me to do that. No matter how odd or nerdy I am, kindness prevails. I’ve tagged several KIND people so please give them a follow if you haven’t already! Cheers to tomorrow as we embark on this pandemic adventure together 🙌🏻🥂 —- What is the one thing that is keeping you sane right now?! Please share in the comments ☟
Instagram post 2274513792538981977_5480751027 Hey hey now! Who’s excited for the next #BuddyReadsToDieFor 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️ —- Next month our selection is THE NEIGHBORS by @hannahmarymckinnon! We could not be more excited about reading this book and we hope you will join us! What do you say, ARE YOU IN?!! Peep the synopsis below 👀 ☟ —- 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 ~ After a night of fun back in 1992, Abby is responsible for a car crash that kills her beloved brother. It’s a mistake she can never forgive, so she pushes away Liam, the man she loves most, knowing that he would eventually hate her for what she’s done, the same way she hates herself. Twenty years later, Abby’s husband, Nate, is also living with a deep sense of guilt. He was the driver who first came upon the scene of Abby’s accident, the man who pulled her to safety before the car erupted in flames—the man who could not save her brother in time. It’s this guilt, this regret, that binds them together. They understand each other. Or so Nate believes. In a strange twist of fate, Liam moves into the neighborhood with his own family, releasing a flood of memories that Abby has been trying to keep buried all these years. Abby and Liam, in a complicit agreement, pretend never to have met, yet cannot resist the pull of the past—nor the repercussions of the terrible secrets they’ve both been carrying…
Instagram post 2274444390732765739_5480751027 @aaknopf @berkleypub and other tagged publishers #gifted books IT’S FRIDAY! Does it feel any different than Thursday? 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m so grateful that my friends and family are safe. Marcus and I plan to do our part to support our community. We are going to get takeout with to-go cocktails every weekend from the local restaurants in our neighborhood. It’s the least we can do, amiright? 😉😂 —- Sooooo BOOKS! These are some of this week’s new releases! What do you think? Are any of these on your TBR? —- BITES OF TERROR is so cute and I’m super excited to read LAKEWOOD! I really enjoyed THE RETURN, THE GLASS HOTEL, and THE EMPRESS OF SALT AND FORTUNE. So many great books out this week!
Instagram post 2273789788073129947_5480751027 @henryholtbooks #giftedbook I’m #currentlyreading THE SUITABLE by Molly Pohlig and so far I’m intrigued. I picked it up next because @ouija.doodle.reads said it is DARK and that’s all I needed to know 🤘🏻 —- What are you all #reading today? Or watching? Is there anything to fill the TIGER KING void? 🐯 —- Also, thank you @tonyshorrorcorner for the #booksinthefluff tag! As you can see Abby makes a fantastic reading buddy! I tagged a few to play along 😻
Instagram post 2273098987806408256_5480751027 Thank you @tlcbooktours and @williammorrowbooks for this #giftedbook #bookreview What can I say except I am a forever fan of Peter Swanson’s books! They all go down easy with intriguing, questionable characters and EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS is no different. It’s a homage to the mystery “whodunit” classics that we all know and love. Several years ago, Boston bookstore owner Malcolm Kershaw (Mal) wrote a blog post about a list of what are considered unsolvable murders and called it the EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS. These are murders taken from legendary books written by authors such as Agatha Christie, Patricia Highsmith, Ira Levin, and Donna Tartt. But when FBI agent Gwen Mulvey comes to investigate a slew of unsolved murders that look oddly similar to the ones on his list, things get interesting. This novel is perfectly suited for fans of the crime fiction and mystery genres. I have an analytical brain, thinking and rethinking everything, so this book is everything. The idea that a killer goes on a spree based on my favorite mystery books is just pure genius. Mal is our sole narrator which is always tricky, especially when he second guesses every move, but he’s bookish and has a pure love of the genre. And he details the perfect murder, the undetectable crime, which has always intrigued me. CLEVER is an understatement for the plot, the writing, and the concept! Bottom line: I LOVE THIS BOOK. ★★★★★
Instagram post 2272342582786794838_5480751027 @aaknopf #partner #booksconnectus @emilystjohnmandel’s STATION ELEVEN is a book that will always be close to my heart. When I heard THE GLASS HOTEL was coming out, I basically set the date on my calendar. Mandel is an extraordinary writer and she just published an intellectually brilliant novel. With layer upon layer of story, characters, and details to unravel, she might make you work for it, but you will reap the rewards. Jonathan Alkatis owns a five star luxury hotel on Vancouver Island, only accessible by boat. He’s an elite, wealthy financier due to a complex Ponzi scheme he has concocted, affecting a string of unlucky investors. We start off with Vincent Smith lost overboard and continue through every character, revealing the domino effect this Ponzi scheme has on each of their lives. The themes in this novel are a powerful force packed into a poetic, haunting book. We analyze greed, humanity, morality, and emotion. Written in a nonlinear format, it gives the reader an ethereal feel, forcing us to reflect upon each section as we finish. Each character is connected to the hotel in some way and it’s this element that keeps the reader grounded and ultimately weaves the story together in the end. Mandel’s gorgeous prose is heavy on atmosphere, with several storylines, timelines, and interesting perspectives. THE GLASS HOTEL is not an easy book to process and to be honest, I struggled to put a star rating on it. But as I let it sink in each day while pondering my review, the rating crept higher and higher. A retrospective piece of literature indeed. ★★★★½
Instagram post 2271610009995464386_5480751027 @berkleypub @bloomsburypublishing @williammorrowbooks #partner How is everyone doing today?! Are we hanging in there? —- These are a few of the #newreleases from last week. I can vouch for DARLING ROSE GOLD, BEHELD, THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA, and THE BOY FROM THE WOODS. I haven’t read LAST COUPLE STANDING yet, but @jordys.book.club says it’s hilarious so I’m here for it ( #quaranTBR ). And THE EIGHTH GIRL looks really good! Have you read any of these? Are they on your #TBR ?? —- Sending you all good vibes, great health, and HAPPY READING 😍😘
Instagram post 2270788047434027642_5480751027 @duttonbooks #partner #booksconnectus #shelterinplace #selfisolation #stayhome24in48 #quaranTBR Pick whatever hashtag you want to use but whatever it is STAY HOME. We are in it for the long haul so let’s make the best of it! To piggy back on what @mother.horror posted, tell me your #silverlining from today? Mine is finishing HOME BEFORE DARK by the loveliest @riley.sager! And a second thing that brings me joy is my husband is reading it too! (scroll ←) —- What thing brought you joy today? —- There’s still time to checkout the live video of Abby from @crimebythebook’s interview with Riley Sager - I LOVE IT SO MUCH
Instagram post 2269025156397542088_5480751027 @torbooks is one of my favorite publishers so I am VERY grateful for these #giftedbooks Of course after receiving this I immediately bought #allthebooks in the MURDERBOT DIARIES and WAYWARD CHILDREN series! Also, I am drooling over HARROW THE NINTH because GIDEON THE NINTH is ahhhh-mazing! The only book I purchased out of this bunch is SISTERS OF THE VAST BLACK because @franzencomesalive said so 🤘🏻💀 —- I need your help!!! Which one do I read first?!! If you request a synopsis for one of these beauties, I’ll respond with it in the comments below☟
Instagram post 2268092251282385101_5480751027 Thank you so much @erinalmehairi and @rdspress for my free copy. THE FOURTH WHORE by EV Knight is an ambitious debut with vivid prose and intriguing characters. Not only is this story a mix of the horror and fantasy genres, it’s also heavy on feminism, revenge, mythology, theology, occultism, sex, and violence. It had my attention right out of the gate! It’s in your face shocking in a few scenes, so be warned of graphic content. I love to read retellings, biblical or otherwise, so this was definitely in my wheelhouse. It’s the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse except we have strong, bad-ass, sharply written female leads plotting and executing revenge. We follow several characters, but Kenzi and Lilith are the standouts. Lilith is fierce, cut-throat, and will stop at nothing to carry out vengeance. Kenzi is conflicted and complicated, which makes her an interesting character to read. Knight leaves no room for interpretation of her characters’ motivations and agendas. And I always enjoy attention to detail, so I really appreciate the Biblical structure of the book and of course, the gorgeous cover. The language is so descriptive that the images are seared into my mind. The only reason I’m not rating it higher is because the pacing felt a bit off so the story didn’t flow like I wanted. But make no mistake, I was never bored. It’s a solid ★★★ book. I would not hesitate to read the next EV Knight - this is definitely a writer to watch. As always, I am grateful for the @nightworms #nightwormsbookparty and for making the world a better place.
Instagram post 2267263327459868550_5480751027 Hey all! I hope you all are doing well. This is where you can find me for the next few weeks. Being surrounded by books always brings joy. I’m reading and writing like crazy! How are you coping? 🤓 ___ I’d love to give a special thanks to the healthcare workers, doctors, scientists, CDC etc. who are tirelessly working to get the situation under control and/or create a vaccine to kick this virus’ nasty butt. Also, the amazing people keeping us in supplies (grocery store employees, restaurant owners, delivery drivers etc). If we all take proper precautions for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, things will plateau and get more manageable. Let’s all hang in there and read our books! Or if you can’t, there are countless movies, shows, podcasts, emotional support animals, or find a friend to FaceTime. We are all in this together and I know everything will be okay.
Instagram post 2266539471228988462_5480751027 Thank you so much @berkleypub for my free copy. #BookReview #scaredsuspensebookclub Stephanie Wrobel’s DARLING ROSE GOLD is a compulsive, thrilling debut. It’s a read-in-one-sitting, ignore-everything, forget-getting-any-sleep kind of a book. Patty Watts is a single mother who raised her daughter, Rose Gold, the best she could. Rose Gold is chronically ill and wheelchair bound, and has been her entire life. Patty thinks she knows what’s best for her - you know the old adage “mother knows best”. That is until one day Rose Gold reports her to the authorities which lands Patty in prison for aggravated child abuse. She eventually testifies against her mother which puts her in prison for five years. Now that Patty is behind bars, Rose Gold decides to make a life with her infant son, and with the help of the community she renovates her mother’s childhood home for them to live in. After a five year sentence, Patty wants to mend fences and reunite with her family. I’m sure they will live happily ever after... The book covers past and present, split into two narratives: Rose Gold’s and Patty’s. Reading from the viewpoint of a master manipulator will keep you in questioning-and-tension-mode the entire novel. I COULD NOT STOP READING. It’s pure psychological warfare between this mother-daughter duo and I was hooked. And Wrobel does an excellent job showing the extent of the characters’ mindsets without giving away too much at once. This clever thriller reminds me of a “what if” to the Gypsy Rose case. What if she didn’t kill her mother? What if she followed the law and dealt with her mother in the aftermath. DARLING ROSE GOLD is twisty, suspenseful, and a MUST READ for any thriller or true crime reader out there! Ahhh heck, it’s a MUST READ for any reader. ★★★★
Instagram post 2265776999106663248_5480751027 #SundayVibes #CurrentlyReading Hang in there everyone—and stay safe! What’s the last book you finished? What did you think of it?
Instagram post 2265027316222690253_5480751027 @booksparks #partner #GetTheBookLook #SPRC2020 Who’s excited for these books to be released next month?! 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️ —- THE NEW HUSBAND by @djpalmerauthor promises to be a twisty, unputdownable thriller and I am here for it. LITTLE SECRETS by @jenniferhillierbooks is oh so good! Trust me, you’ll love this book. Thrillers are a perfect way to escape the craziness of the world around us. What are you reading today?
Instagram post 2264361762621130907_5480751027 Thank you @quirkbooks and @jenmurfee for my free copy. Also, shoutout to the @night_worms for the best book party ever! #mybookclubslaysvampires #bookreview THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES is pure gold. I have no idea how to explain Grady Hendrix’s writing style because it has a little bit of everything, with horror, humor, mystery, gore, and well developed characters. There’s a book club with a plethora of true crime. One of the characters’ names is Kitty. There is a vampire!!! And that’s just the beginning. I was laughing out loud within the first chapter. Set in the late 80s early 90s, Patricia is married to a doctor, has kids, and she loves her family, but is bored out of her mind. Being a homemaker is a difficult but thankless job and Patricia rarely gets any stimulating adult conversation. She barely makes it to the neighborhood book club which ends up being a bore. Luckily, there are some cool ladies in the mix that suggest starting a true crime, not so book club, book club. I’m not going to go any further but things stay humorous, get unsettling, make you gasp, get gory, make you uncomfortable, and warm your heart. I have read and LOVED every one of Hendrix’s books! Maybe it’s his nod to pop culture? I mean nobody writes the 80s and 90s era so well. Or maybe it’s because of his incredible talent to fuse horror and satire so perfectly? Could it be his well-developed characters that you swear you’ve made friends with? Or maybe, it’s because I can relate to his stories in some way and that he’s a damn clever writer? I say it’s all of the above. This is a bloody vampire horror story, but it’s also a sweet story about a group of Southern ladies that read true crime. I love THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES with my whole heart. All there is left to say is READ IT. ★★★★★
Instagram post 2263651881895172409_5480751027 Happy Thursday all! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I know things are getting REAL out there but as hard as it is, try not to over stress. COVID-19 is going to spread no matter what. That’s what pandemics do. BUT you can take the necessary precautions. Remember fear, panic, and hysteria are a contagion as well. I would hate for people to stress so hard they make themselves vulnerable. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Stock up on toilet paper because everyone will if you don’t (I learned that the hard way 😂). Be mindful, focused, proactive, and diligent. Wash your hands, keep your distance out in public (I’m looking at you close-talkers 👀🙅🏼‍♀️), and for God’s sake, DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE 😂 —- Now, for the #booktalk - do you see any favorites on this pretty shelf of books? One observation I made is in 99.9% of bookstores there is no horror section. I get it if it’s small, but none? 😳 So if you want horror, check out the fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery shelves. It’s like your own private scavenger hunt 🕵🏻‍♀️🤣 BUT I did find a #StephenKing endcap which was cool 😈🤘🏻 Speaking of which, one of my favorite books of last year is pictured here - can you spot it? I know @mother.horror can 😉
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