Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 11
October 22, 2024
Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Remains of Christmas
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.
The Remains of Christmas by Megan Montgomery
Holiday RomCom, Standalone
eBook, Paperback
November 5, 2024
Blurb:A man, a woman, a disembodied skull… What could go wrong this holiday season?
Everything.
Traipsing through the woods, searching for a century-old skull is just another day at the office for forensics professor, Dr. Chris Carter. But this call couldn’t have come at a worse time.
He’s recently been jilted by his long-term crush. It’s days away from Christmas and he’s spending the holidays alone. It’s bone-chillingly cold, he really needs that third cup of coffee, and there’s nothing remotely interesting about this cut-and-dried case.
Until his colleague’s new assistant bounces onto the crime scene.
Daphne McKinnon is bubbly and gorgeous, with a keen intelligence and an eye for detail that makes her an excellent anthropologist. Their eyes linger too long inside the caution-taped perimeter. Her smile stretches wide as his thumb accidentally brushes hers over a dirt-encrusted orbital bone.
It’s more than flirtation. It’s magic.
Why I Want to Read This Book:I don’t usually go for Christmas books but this one sounds fun and a little morbid which is right up my alley. Let the spooky season continue with this one!
Will you be checking this book out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
October 20, 2024
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 21 October 2024 and WWW Wednesday – 23 October 2024
This week I’m linking up to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date and WWW Wednesday hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words!
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
WWW Wednesday was created by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and was taken over by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. To participate answer the 3 W’s:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
I’m fully into my spooky season reads now that we’re getting to the end of October! I’ve done some rereads of my favorite books and have a couple fun novellas/Halloween themed reads borrowed from KU.
Currently Reading:Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall
I’m about halfway through my annual reread of Rules for Vanishing! This is a creepy read I look forward to every year!
Two Wicked Desserts by Lynn Cahoon
I’m just about finished with this audiobook. I liked the first book better and find the narrator’s voice to be really annoying when doing certain characters. Probably better read in physical or ebook format.
Recently Finished:The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich
I just finished with my annual reread of The Dead House! I debated listening to it in audiobook this year but I stuck to my trusty hardcover. This is my forever favorite book and I always look forward to it each year!
Beyond Those Gilded Walls by Jessica S. Taylor
I enjoyed this one! It had all the right vibes for the spooky season.
Reading Next:Hollows Grove by Lee Jacquot
I borrowed this spicy Halloween novella from Kindle Unlimited and I’m excited to read it!
What are you reading and loving this week? Have you read any of these?
October 19, 2024
The Sunday Post: Schedulus Interruptus, Fall Leaves, and Self-Care
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Schedulus Interruptus, Fall Leaves, and Self-Care:Hey Book Blogger Friends! How was your week? Mine has been very long. And I’m ready for my “weekend” to start tomorrow.
I ended up with some unexpected OT this week which knocked my sleeping schedule off course. On the same day I had to wake up in the middle of the afternoon (I work nights) to sign for a delivery so the whole next night I was a bit zombie-ish
We seem to finally be at peak colors for our fall leaves and my drive around town has been so bright and cheerful. I wish the leaves had been like this when I was in New England at the beginning of the month!
Now that my week is winding down I’m looking forward to having a movie night or two and I might go on a hike today since it will probably be the last 70 degree day we’ll see until spring. This coming week I’m getting a new tattoo and I’ll talk more about it next Sunday!
Last Week on the Blog:
ARC Review: Ready or Not by Jenn Plummer
ARC Review: Beyond Those Gilded Walls by Jessica S. Taylor
Stacking the Shelves: 19 October 2024
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 21 October 2024 and WWW Wednesday – 23 October 2024
Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Remains of Christmas
Time Travel Thursday and Throwback Thursday: 24 October 2024
First Line Friday: 25 October 2024
Stacking the Shelves: 26 October 2024
Physical:
eBook:
October 18, 2024
Stacking the Shelves: 19 October 2024
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.
Books Added to My Shelves This Week:I got surprise book mail this week and added a couple KU ebooks to my shelf!
Physical:This was surprise book mail from the author herself! I’m excited to read it after the spooky season!
Kindle Unlimited:I borrowed this spicy Halloween novella to read before the holiday because I’m really enjoying Halloween themed reads this month!
I’ve also really been in a dark romance mood lately and this one was recommended to me.
What books did you add to your shelves this week? Have you read any of these?
October 17, 2024
ARC Review: Beyond Those Gilded Walls by Jessica S. Taylor
Beyond Those Gilded Walls by Jessica S. TaylorGothic Fantasy
eBook, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, 408 Pages
October 15, 2024 by Sailor House Press
Blurb:In a kingdom drowning in blood, all Odyssa Duhiva wants is to save her family. But the price of salvation may be higher than she ever imagined.
The kingdom of Veressia has been forsaken by its prince, who has chosen instead to drown out the screams of the dying. Trapped in a kingdom without a leader and blamed by her brothers for her mother’s death, Odyssa has little hope of ever succeeding at honoring her mother’s dying wish.
Driven by desperation, Odyssa ventures into the heart of the barricaded castle, masquerading as a servant amidst the prince’s nightly opulent parties. But as she delves deeper into the castle’s secrets, she uncovers a sinister connection between the coward prince and the devastating plague.
After attracting the attention of the prince’s most trusted advisor, Odyssa finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of power and deceit. With each step closer to the truth, she realizes that her fate—and the fate of her family—rests in the hands of the handsome stranger whose true intentions for betraying his prince and helping her seem content to remain shrouded in mystery.
As forbidden passions ignite, tentative alliances are forged, and dark secrets are revealed, Odyssa must choose between following her heart or sacrificing it for the promise of salvation.
Inspired by various works of Edgar Allan Poe, Beyond Those Gilded Walls is a standalone adult gothic fantasy romance brimming with rare magic, treacherous romance, and dark opulence.
My Review:From the moment I heard about this book I knew I had to check it out – from the Poe inspiration to the aesthetics and the gorgeous cover I was definitely intrigued.
Beyond Those Gilded Walls is set in the Kingdom of Veressia which is suffering from a blood plague – but the prince and his people have locked themselves away in the castle throwing opulent parties while the common people are falling ill and dying by the thousands. Very few have survived the plague – enter our main character Odyssa.
After the death of her mother, Odyssa has had enough and decides to take action. She’s going to kill the prince and sneaks into the castle under the guise of a servant. Once there she attracts the attention of the prince’s most trusted advisor who has his own reasons for wanting to betray the prince…
I thought this book brought all the perfect spooky vibes of the season. I loved all the nods and Easter eggs of Edgar Allan Poe’s works without this being a retelling of any one specific story (think of it like Netflix’s Fall of the House of Usher which incorporates many of his stories).
I thought the writing style was gorgeous throughout and the worldbuilding was well crafted.
My only draw back at times was trying to connect with the main character, Odyssa. I liked her at the beginning of the book and was eager to see where her story went but some of her choices/the way she portrayed fell flat and I felt at times that this book resembled others I’ve read and didn’t overly stand out from the rest.
Overall for the vibes, the worldbuilding, the writing style, and the Poe references I did really enjoy this one.
My Rating:
4 of 5 Knives!
ARC Review: Ready or Not by Jenn Plumber
Ready or Not by Jenn Plumber
Age-Gap Dark Romance, Aspen Ridge Holiday Novellas 1.5
ebook, Paperback, 113 pages
October 15, 2024 by Wild Lupine Books LLC
Blurb:Wes
Lilith Aspen. Daughter of the founding family of our small town, and the most intoxicating woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. She’s also eighteen years younger and my son’s ex-girlfriend. There’s something dark and depraved that she keeps hidden deep inside her. It calls to my primal side that wants to unleash when she’s around. I don’t bother fighting my obsession. She’s my match in every way, she just needs to be shown. Hunting her becomes my addiction. And on Halloween night, I plan to bring her dark side out to play.
**Ready or Not is book 1.5 in the interconnected Aspen Ridge universe and can be read as a standalone. HEA guaranteed!**
This was my first read by this author and I have not read the rest of the series this is an offshoot of but I found it really easy to get into the story.
Wes is a sexy male lead even though he’s completely obsessed and a little devious (in a hot way). I also really connected with Lilith. She’s not ashamed to be who she is even when her ex-boyfriend tries to cut her down.
Together their chemistry is scorching which made for an enjoyable short read perfect for the spooky season. I would definitely check out the main series by this author in the future.
My Rating:
4 of 5 Knives!
October 6, 2024
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading – 7 October 2024 and WWW Wednesday – 9 October 2024
This week I’m linking up to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date and WWW Wednesday hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words!
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
WWW Wednesday was created by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and was taken over by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. To participate answer the 3 W’s:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
I was on vacation most of last week and didn’t get a ton of reading done. I did finish a novella for an ARC tour and I’m halfway through an audiobook.
Currently Reading:Leather and Lark (The Ruinous Love Trilogy #2) by Brynne Weaver
I’m about 60% into this one and hoping to finish it soon. I don’t love it as much as the first book but I’m still really enjoying it!
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
I picked this one up on vacation and casually started reading it. It’s easy to get caught up in so far! And now I want to go to Savannah (maybe I should have read this in 2023 when I was planning my trip… but I had to cancel due to a hurricane anyway so here’s to a future trip!)
Recently Finished:Ready or Not (Aspen Ridge Book #1.5) by Jenn PlumberThis author is new to me but I really enjoyed this spicy Halloween novella!
Reading Next:The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman
This is an eARC that’s out in February 2025. I started it a few weeks ago and I’m about 15% in but I set it aside for a couple October ARCs I had to fit in. I’ll return to it later this week.
What are you reading and loving this week? Have you read any of these?
October 5, 2024
The Sunday Post: Fall Road Trip
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Fall Road Trip:Hey Book Blogger Friends! How was your week? I returned from a 9 day road trip through New England on Thursday and I’m settling back into my daily routine.
I took a blogging hiatus for the last two weeks (except pre-scheduled posts) as I was taking a road trip from Portland, Maine to Mystic, Connecticut from September 25 – October 3!
Portland Head Lighthouse, Portland, MaineI spent 4 days in Salem, Massachusetts in the middle of my trip and got to visit all of the witch museums!
Salem Witch Museum, Salem, Massachusetts Other highlights were the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Cape Cod, the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast, and Alice’s Little Haunted Bookshop in Mystic, Connecticut!
Alice’s Little Haunted Bookshop, Mystic, ConnecticutLast Week on the Blog: ARC Review: I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
Stacking the Shelves: 5 October 2024
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 7 October 2024 and WWW Wednesday: 9 October 2024
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Bookish Brags
Can’t Wait Wednesday: A Minor Inconvenience
Physical:
eARC:
For more, see this week’s Stacking the Shelves!
October 4, 2024
Stacking the Shelves: 5 October 2024
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.
Books Added to My Shelves This Week:I just got home on Thursday night from a 9-day road trip through New England and while I was out east I stopped at Alice’s Little Haunted Bookshop in Mystic, Connecticut. I also got a few ARCs this week.
Physical:Did you know I almost went on vacation to Savannah in September 2023? There was a hurricane and I didn’t get to go but I’ve been meaning to check out this book for a while. I found a hardcover copy at Alice’s Little Haunted Bookshop.
eARCs:The publisher offered me an eARC of Cold as Hell because I’ve read and reviewed Kelley Armstrong’s last 3 releases. I don’t believe I’ve read this series before so I might have to check out the previous book or books.
Ginny Myers Sain is another author I’ve ARC read books by before and this one was available for 48 hours on Netgalley earlier in the week.
Kindle First Reads:
These were the two books I chose this month. An Age of Winters appealed to me because of the witch history.. I spent 4 days in Salem, Massachusetts during my vacation and I’m interested to learn more about witch trials / witch accusations from around the world. J.T. Ellison is one of my favorite authors so I eagerly picked up her next release through Kindle First Reads.
What books did you add to your shelves this week? Have you read any of these?
September 30, 2024
ARC Review: I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
Horror, Thriller, Standalone
eBook, Hardcover, Audiobook, 336 Pages
October 1, 2024 by St. Martins Press
Blurb:From New York Times Bestselling author Kelley Armstrong comes a spellbinding new tale of supernatural horror involving a haunted-house, seances, lost loved ones, and a sinister spirit out for blood…
Nicola Laughton never expected to see adulthood, being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a child. Then medical advances let her live into her thirties and she met Anton, who taught her to dream of a future… together. Months after they married, Anton died in a horrible car crash, but lived long enough to utter five words to her, “I’ll be waiting for you.”
That final private moment became public when someone from the crash scene took it to the press―the terminally ill woman holding her dying husband as he promised to wait for her on the other side. Worse, that person claimed it wasn’t Anton who said the words but his ghost, hovering over his body.
Since their story went public, Nicola has been hounded by spiritualists promising closure. In the hopes of stopping her downward spiral, friends and family find a reputable medium―a professor of parapsychology. For the séance, they rent the Lake Erie beach house that Anton’s family once owned.
The medium barely has time to begin his work before things start happening. Locked doors mysteriously open. Clouds of insects engulf the house. Nicola hears footsteps and voices and the creak of an old dumbwaiter…in an empty shaft. Throughout it all she’s haunted by nightmares of her past. Because, unbeknownst to the others, this isn’t her first time contacting the dead. And Nicola isn’t her real name.
That’s when she finds the first body….
In this atmospheric, thrilling new ghost story, Kelley Armstrong’s full talents are on display to thrill, chill and leave the reader guessing how Nicola escapes with her life–if she can.
My Review:This book is an addicting blend of dealing with grief, ghost story, and tense horror/thriller.
Nicola is a complex character. She’s lived longer than anyone expected with her CF, which I didn’t know a lot about before reading this book and thought was very respectfully represented. Now she’s unexpectedly a widow when she thought her husband Anton would outlive her and she is drowning in her grief – going from phony medium to phony medium trying to contact Anton after a news story made her tragedy infamous.
Her friends suggest one last seance with a respected parapsychologist during a getaway to Anton’s grandmother’s former home that has been converted into a vacation rental. One last shot to make contact.
But from the moment Nicola, her brother-in-law Jin, her friend Shania, and the parapsychologist, Dr. Cirrilo arrive odd things begin happening. As Nicola reflects on the past – on another seance gone terribly wrong – it becomes clear that Anton may not be the only spirit the group has brought back.
This story grabbed me early on and I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the stunning conclusion. It’s tense, well-written, and all of the characters are well rounded and come to life on the page. Nicola is clearly sitting on a secret that unravels through memories throughout the story. Shania seemed too good to be true and definitely has flaws underneath. And Dr. Cirrilo reminded me a bit of Joyce Reardan from Rose Red or an unrepentant Mr. Marrow from The Haunting.
Overall this is a perfect spooky season read and will definitely become a mainstay reread for me for years to come. But it’s more than horror or thriller, it’s a gripping portrayal of dealing with grief while not wanting to let go of the person you love – even though you know they would want you to keep living, especially in Nicola’s case with her medical condition.
My Rating:
4 of 5 Knives!
