Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 29
October 16, 2023
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
Standalone, Christmas Thriller
eBook, Hardcover, audiobook, 112 pages
October 17, 2023 by William Morrow
Blurb:New York Times bestselling author Peter Swanson pens a spectacularly spine-chilling novella in which an American art student in London is invited to join a classmate for the holidays at Starvewood Hall, her family’s Cotswold manor house. But behind the holly and pine boughs, secrets are about to unravel, revealing this seemingly charming English village’s grim history. Ashley Smith, an American art student in London for her junior year, was planning on spending Christmas alone, but a last-minute invitation from fellow student Emma Chapman brings her to Starvewood Hall, country residence of the Chapman family. The Cotswold manor house, festooned in pine boughs and crammed with guests for Christmas week, is a dream come true for Ashley. She is mesmerized by the cozy, firelit house, the large family, and the charming village of Clevemoor, but also by Adam Chapman, Emma’s aloof and handsome brother. But Adam is being investigated by the local police over the recent brutal slaying of a girl from the village, and there is a mysterious stranger who haunts the woodland path between Starvewood Hall and the local pub. Ashley begins to wonder what kind of story she is actually inhabiting. Is she in a grand romance? A gothic tale? Or has she wandered into something far more sinister and terrifying than she’d ever imagined? Over thirty years later the events of that horrific week are revisited, along with a diary from that time. What began in a small English village in 1989 reaches its ghostly conclusion in modern-day New York, many Christmas seasons later.
My Review:This Christmas will be killer.
This book begins with a woman reflecting on her life and how she doesn’t accept invitations to people’s houses for Christmas. Instead she cleans, and comes upon an old journal from many Christmases ago.
We follow Ashley Smith as she is invited to pretty, more popular Emma’s house in the Cotswolds for Christmas. She diligently recounts through a series of journal entries her arrival at Starvewood Hall, meeting Emma’s parents and charismatic brother Adam who she immediately falls for.
But a darkness follows Adam, who has been accused of murdering a girl he was involved with some months earlier.
This book was a fast, interesting read that held my interest to the very end. It has a twist halfway through that the reader may or at not suspect but is still thrilling nonetheless followed by a second half that seems to explain the behind the scenes of part one.
I honestly did love it. This was my first read by this author but I will definitely check out his other books as I have been meaning to for a while.
For anyone wanting a seasonal read filled with murder and mystery, I definitely recommend The Christmas Guest!
My Rating:
5 of 5 Knives!
October 15, 2023
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 16 October 2023
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
Hey Bookdragons! Happy Monday! I admit, my reading progress has been a bit slower in the past two weeks as I’ve been focusing much of my free time on writing. I have finished a couple books though…
Lately I’ve Read:The Return by Rachel Harrison
Reread – even better in audiobook!
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Book club pick. The book was good, I just didn’t care for the narrator on the audiobook.
Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend by Penny Reid
I devoured the first 1/2 of this book, the last 1/2 was a bit slower but over a definite 4-Star Read!
Currently Reading:Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
I’m about to finish the audiobook of this one and I’m loving it. Yes, I still love Death on the Nile better but this one is good too! I love Kenneth Branagh narrating!
A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand
I’m just starting this one but I’m really excited! It’s one of my most anticipated new releases!
Next Read:A Ghost of A Chance by Brittany Kelley
This one sounds cute and it’s a perfect palate cleanser before my annual reread of The Dead House for Halloween!
Have you read any of these? Are any on your TBR? What are you reading this week?
October 11, 2023
Spooky October Book Cover Challenge & Giveaway – Part of FraterfestRAT 2023
Welcome to the 2023 Fraterfest Readathon Spooky October Book Cover Challenge! This event is open to participants of the 2023 Fraterfest Readathon. Fraterfest Readathon is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer! You must take part in the Readathon to enter the giveaway but everyone is welcome to do the cover hunt.
Spooky October Book Cover ChallengeFind a cover that best matches the descriptions below. If you are taking part in the readathon, add your linky # in the rafflecopter and titles. If you aren’t part of the readathon and want to play along, leave answers in comments!
Find A Book Cover With:
1. A cat on the cover
2. Ghosts
3. Vampires
4. A moon on the cover (crescent or full is fine!)
5. A creepy/haunted house
6. Flames/Fire/Candles
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
October 7, 2023
The Sunday Post: Headaches, Movie Days with Friends, and Writing Progress
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.
Headaches, Movie Days with Friends, and Writing ProgressHey Bookdragons! Happy Sunday! Today I’m packing up some books I sold on Pangobooks and catching up on blog posts and comments plus working on some TikToks and bookstagram posts. It’s a catch-up day.
This week I’ve been taking it easy since I’ve been getting headaches on and off. Don’t worry, this is pretty normal for me to get headaches for about 1 week a month.
In the spirit of rest and self-care a couple of my author friends and I had a virtual viewing of The Mummy yesterday. It was a lot of fun and I hope we do it again soon!
Meanwhile the main reason I’m behind on blog posts and social media is because I’ve been making an effort to get more writing time. I wrote about 5,000 words this week in my WIP, It Rose From the Ashes, and I should hit 50,000 words in the next day or two. My goal is to hit 60,000 by the end of the month.
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Ghost Island
The Friday 56: You Shouldn’t Have Come Here
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 9 Check-In
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 9 October 2023
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Midnight on Beacon Street
Spooky October Book Cover Challenge & Giveaway – Part of FraterfestRAT 2023
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 10 Check-In
eBooks:
Physical:
None This Week!
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season Week 9 Check-In
I’m starting to feel a chill in the air! This week I’m welcoming in warm blankets, cozy sweaters, hot lattes, and movie and reading days. Welcome back for our week 9 check-in!
If you’re just joining us, Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 is a 92-day celebration of all things spooky, cozy, and halloween vibes from August 1-October 31st, hosted by me, Taylor Fenner: author, book blogger, and all around spooky season lover. We have Spooky Season Bookish Bingo all season long and a readathon and Instagram photo challenge coming up in October. Link up on the original post here.
Reading:The Return by Rachel HarrisonI just finished my annual reread of The Return and this time I listened to it in audiobook. I think it added even more to the story and I love it even more now!
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady HendrixI just started listening to this one for the October pick of the book club I’m in. I didn’t know it was set in the Charleston area! Bonus!
Watching:This week I watched a mixture of thriller, horror, sci-fi horror, and cozy movies
A Simple Favor
Practical Magic
I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer
Black Christmas
No One Will Save You
The Mummy
I had a pretty good writing week, about 5,001 words added to It Rose From the Ashes. I fear I’m veering slightly into romantic suspense and I need to get back to the horror in the plot but I’m hoping to hit 50k words in the next day or two.
This coming week I’d like to start on a dark, gothic paint by number painting I bought last month.
Tell me all about how you’ve been celebrating Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 this week and remember to tag me on socials so I can see your posts and use hashtag: #taylorfennersspookyseason2023
October 5, 2023
The Friday 56: You Shouldn’t Have Come Here
The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. How to participate: Grab a book, any book. Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay. Find a snippet, short and sweet. Post it, and link up on Freda’s Voice so everyone knows to visit.
This week I’m participating with: You Shouldn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose
Blurb:AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“Everything I want in a thriller. Sexy, shocking, and tense with an ending I never saw coming. Jeneva Rose is the queen of twists.” –Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times bestselling author
The highly anticipated new thriller from the USA Today and #1 bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage and One of Us is Dead.
You’ve opened up your house and your heart to a total stranger … What could possibly go wrong?
Grace Evans, an overworked New Yorker looking for a total escape from her busy life, books an Airbnb on a ranch in the middle of Wyoming. When she arrives at the idyllic getaway, she’s pleased to find that the owner is a handsome man by the name of Calvin Wells — and he’s eager to introduce her to his easygoing way of life. But there are things Grace discovers that she’s not too pleased about: A lack of cell phone service. A missing woman. And a feeling that something isn’t right with the ranch.
Despite her uneasiness, the two bond and start to fall for one another. However, as her departure date nears, things change for the worse. What began as a playful romance soon turns into a complicated web of lies. Grace grows wary of Calvin as his infatuation for her seems to have morphed to obsession. Calvin fears that Grace is hiding something from him — including her reason for staying at his ranch to begin with. Vacation flings typically end in heartbreak, but for Grace and Calvin, it’ll be far more destructive.
Friday 56 Excerpt:The sound of a woman screaming pulled me from my sleep. I jolted up in bed. The room was bathed in moonlight, and the window behind the headboard was partially cracked open.
What do you think? Would you read this one? I loved it and plan to check out the author’s backlist ASAP!
October 3, 2023
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Ghost Island
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.
Ghost Island by Max Seeck
Jessica Niemi Series #4, Thriller
ebook, Paperback, 384 Pages
February 27, 2024 by Berkley
Blurb:On a secluded island, homicide detective Jessica Niemi must investigate a drowning that is tied to a frightening ghostly legend in this riveting new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of THE WITCH HUNTER.
Jessica Niemi is put on leave after a violent altercation between her and a belligerent man makes headlines. To escape the unwanted scrutiny, Jessica travels to a remote island in the Åland archipelago and rents a room at a small seaside inn. She is hoping to be left alone as she faces the possibility that she is losing what is left of her sanity but three elderly visitors have arrived at the inn for their yearly sojourn. Jessica learns that they are the remaining ‘birds of spring’, former refugees who fled Finland as children during World War II and lived together for a few months in an orphanage on the island.
The orphanage no longer exists but the local legend about one of its inhabitants, a girl named Maija, still haunts the surviving orphans. Every evening Maija would put on her blue coat and stand on the pier, looking out at the dark water until one night, she disappeared and was never seen again. When one of the ‘birds of spring’ is found dead, drowned alongside the same pier, and Jessica learns about two other deaths from the past, also connected to the orphanage, she has no choice but to try and put the pieces of this terrifying mystery together.
Jessica can’t be sure whether she’s facing a killer or—just like the legend says—the ghost of Maija, the girl in the blue coat. Uncertain what is real and what is not, Jessica desperately searches for answers that she hopes will stop the murders and finally silence her own demons once and for all…
Why I Want to Read This Book:I learned about this one through an email from Netgalley and it sounds really good. I know there are 3 books prior so hopefully I can catch up on those before this one releases. I love the secluded setting and ghostly legend this one describes.
Will you be checking this one out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
October 1, 2023
Mega Weekend Wrap Up: Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 8 Check-In, The Sunday Post, and It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Hey Bookdragons! Happy Weekend. I fell off track this week because I had so many other things to get done so I’m combining 3 posts in 1.
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 8 Check-InIt’s officially October now so let’s ramp things up for Halloween! Welcome back for our week 8 check-in! If you’re just joining us, Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 is a 92-day celebration of all things spooky, cozy, and halloween vibes from August 1-October 31st, hosted by me, Taylor Fenner: author, book blogger, and all around spooky season lover. We have Spooky Season Bookish Bingo all season long and a readathon and Instagram photo challenge coming up in October. Link up on the original post here.
Tell me all about how you’ve been celebrating Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 this week and remember to tag me on socials so I can see your posts and use hashtag: #taylorfennersspookyseason2023
Reading/It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
Last Week I Read:You Shouldn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva RoseI devoured this one! It was so good and I couldn’t wait to find out how things were going to end! I can say I will never stay in an AirBnB again! Hahaha!
Currently ReadingThe Return by Rachel HarrisonThis is a yearly reread for me. I’m listening to it in audiobook this time and it’s adding so much more to a story I already love!
Next Read:The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady HendrixThis is the book club I’m in’s October pick. I will be listening to it in audiobook.
Watching:I’ve been watching a lot of spooky movies this week and rewatched a favorite spooky show. This week I watched:
Urban Legend
Urban Legends: Final Cut
Black Dahlia
The Thing
Phantom of the Opera
Dead Silence
The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)
Scream 6
This week I added 2,322 words to It Rose From the Ashes and am just past 44k words overall. I’m hoping to hit 60k words by the end of October.
The Sunday Post: Me Time, Movies, and Welcoming OctoberThe 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.
Me Time, Movies, and Welcoming OctoberI’m doing things a little out of sequence this week bookdragons. I totally dropped the ball on all the reviews I was going to post last week and took an unintended blogging hiatus.
While I wouldn’t say most of my week was stressful, I did have quite the to-do list of things to attend to all week and wasn’t able to get my posts done.
By the end of the week I needed to take some much needed me time so I loaded up on snacks and watched marathoned The Haunting of Hill House on Saturday to welcome in October today. Today I ran some errands then came home and watched Scream 6. Tomorrow (Monday) I will be back to my to-do list before it’s back to work Tuesday.
Hiatus – Did Not Post
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Ghost Island
The Friday 56: You Shouldn’t Have Come Here
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 9 Check-In
I’ll also try to get in some reviews!
Kindle Unlimited:
Physical:10 Hercule Poirot Books That Should be Made Into Movies NextWHY CHOOSE OMEGAVERSE special edition blind date with a book PREORDERIf you’ve made it this far, thank you! I just decided it was best to kill 3 birds with one stone.
September 23, 2023
The Sunday Post: Celebration of Life, Author Event, and Travel Planning
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.
Celebration of Life, Author Event, and Travel PlanningHey Bookdragons! It’s already the last Sunday in September! It feels like this month has been a blur right?
Yesterday was the celebration of life for my mother. It was nice seeing so many of my mom’s friends and our extended family. It feels like we haven’t really seen any of them since my mom passed but I suppose they’ve been busy with their own stuff. It was also a bit of a bittersweet day.
On Thursday night I made two exciting decisions. The first was when I saw a post in the Wisconsin Authors group I’m part of for an author event in Door County on November 4th that was looking for more authors. I’m going to be up in Door County for a mini writing retreat/vacation November 1-3 so it was a no brainer to extend my trip by another day. I’m really excited! I haven’t done a book signing since Headless released in 2018!
The other exciting (for me) decision I made revolves around my spring 2024 vacation. I know I said New Orleans would be the spring trip but after trying to find a set of dates that would not be 4 million degrees and not love bug season (which I did not know was a thing but they are truly grotesque bugs) while also trying not to choose a month when we could have blizzard conditions and ice storms here in Wisconsin I felt discouraged. Then I was scrolling through my TikToks and came across my photo reel from my trip to Charleston this past April and… I’m going back. April 2024. I’m so excited. There’s still so much to see and explore and I miss the sights and the food and have I mentioned how much I love Charleston? I know, this will be my 3rd trip in 4 years and I’m afraid people will say I’m weird for going to the same place all the time but I just love it so much. Ok… mini ramble over. I’m just so excited!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 18 September 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: A Multitude of Dreams
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Fall 2023 To-Read List
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Until the Stars Fall
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 7 Check-In
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 25 September 2023
Book Review: A Multitude of Dreams
Book Review: Such Sharp Teeth
Audiobook Review: Death on the Nile
Book Review: The Last One
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 8 Check-In/September Wrap-Up/October Events
Physical
Kickstarter UPCOMING PROJECT: The Women of Purgatory:10th Anniversary Luxe Edition Omnibus
September 22, 2023
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Week 7 Check-In
Hey Spooky Season Fiends! Our yard is full of yellow leaves this week and I’m starting to see bright colors when I’m driving around. Welcome back for our week 7 check-in! If you’re just joining us, Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 is a 92-day celebration of all things spooky, cozy, and halloween vibes from August 1-October 31st, hosted by me, Taylor Fenner: author, book blogger, and all around spooky season lover. We have Spooky Season Bookish Bingo all season long and a readathon and Instagram photo challenge coming up in October. Link up on the original post here.
Week Seven:This week I spent some time with Stephen King, Michael Myers, and Hercule Poirot.. in movies and books that is.
Reading:About to Start…
I’m starting The Agatha’s this week. It sounds like a really cool YA mystery.
Currently Listening:
I’ve gotten in the Sleepy Hollow mood this week, first with the Johnny Depp movie and now with this audiobook. So far it’s more of a romance involving the characters than what I was hoping for… an interesting take on the legend like in my book Headless or Stacey Rourke’s Crane or a few others I’ve read and enjoyed.
Just Finished:
I enjoyed both of these earlier in the week!
Watching:This week I watched:
Sleepy Hollow
Halloween 6
Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning
Death on the Nile
Halloween H20
It: Chapter 1
It: Chapter 2
Creating:This week, after last week’s vacation I found it hard to get back into the writing routine so I did not make any progress. Back at it tomorrow!
Bingo!Last week I made Bookish Bingo and forgot to mention it! How are you doing on the challenge?
Tell me all about how you’ve been celebrating Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 this week and remember to tag me on socials so I can see your posts and use hashtag: #taylorfennersspookyseason2023
