Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 34
August 1, 2023
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Nightbane!
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.
Nightbane by Alex Asher
Lightlark, Book 2
YA Fantasy
eBook, Hardcover, 384 Pages
November 7, 2023 by Abrams Books
Blurb:Isla Crown has secured the love of two powerful rulers and broken the curses that plagued the six realms for centuries, but few know the true origins of her powers. Now, in the wake of a crushing betrayal, Isla finds herself hungry for distraction, preferring to frequent Lightlark’s seductive haunts instead of embracing her duties as the newly crowned leader of two separate realms. Worse, her fellow rulers haven’t ceded victory quietly, and there are others in Isla’s midst who don’t believe her ascent to power was earned. As certain death races toward Lightlark and secrets from the past begin to unravel, Isla must weigh her responsibility to her people against the whims of the most dangerous traitor of all: her heart.
Why I Want to Read This Book:I loved the first book, Lightlark, and I’m eager to see what’s going to happen in book 2!
Will you be checking this one out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
July 31, 2023
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023 Kick Off: 92 Days of Spooks, Scares, and Cozy Reads
Hey Horror, Fall, and Halloween Fans! We’re back for year 2 of Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season! This year is going to be bigger and better than ever featuring games, giveaways, a read-a-thon and 92 days of spooks, scares, and cozy reads now-Halloween!
How it Works:Calling everyone who loves reading spooky, paranormal, or cozy books during the fall season. Everyone who’s streaming queues are loaded down with slasher flicks, paranormal treats, and seasonal movies/shows. Join me in celebrating Spooky Season 2023!
How You Can Join In:Declare your Spooky Season TBR List on social media or in a blog post and tag it with #taylorfennersspookyseason2023 (Horror, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Vampire, Werewolf, Witchy Reads Welcome! They don’t have to be first time reads, rereading is welcome!)Make A Spooky Season Watch List Make a post (blog, twitter, threads, TikTok, facebook, instagram, etc.) talking about your favorite things that go bump in the night, favorite movie monsters, mini or full reviews of your Spooky Season reads and movies and use hashtag: #taylorfennersspookyseason2023Make a post (again anywhere you wish) about folklore, Halloween behind the scenes, or events local to you that have an air of the spooky season and use hashtag: #taylorfennersspookyseason2023Show off your Halloween costumes!Participate in Spooky Season Bingo, participate in the Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season Bookstagram Challenge in October, and participate in the Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season Halloween Weekend Read-a-Thon! Spooky Season TBR:Happily Haunted Afters by Brittany Kelley
The Wicked Unseen by Gigi Griffis
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
Don’t Stay Up Late by R.L. Stine
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie
A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand
Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich
The Return by Rachel Harrison
Spooky Season Watchlist:The Last Voyage of the Demeter
A Haunting in Venice
Hocus Pocus 1 & 2
Scream 1-6
Halloween 1, 2, H20, and Halloween Ends
Friday the 13th
Halloweentown 1-4
The Fog
Crimson Peak
Virgin River Season 5
Light as a Feather (Hulu)
First Kill (Netflix)
The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)
Good Witch (movies and show)
and more…!
Events:August 1 – October 31
Tag @taylorfennerwrites (IG and TikTok) and @tayloredinwisconsin (IG and Threads in posts so I can see them
Use hashtag: #taylorfennersspookyseason2023bookishbingo
1 Randomly Chosen Winner who shows a filled out bingo card will receive a book off their Amazon wishlist (US) or a $15 Amazon e-gift card (Winner Chosen November 1, 2023)
October 1-31
Post books following the weekly themes on Instagram and use hashtag #taylorfennersspookyseason2023
October 27-29
What Genres Count?
Horror, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Vampire, Werewolf, Witchy, Seasonal, Books Set in Fall! Rereads are totally fine! Audiobook, Physical Books, eBooks, However you read books!
Use hashtag #taylorfennersspookyseasonrat on social media to join the fun.
There will also be a post where you can link up your Goodreads shelf or blog posts to track your progress!
Let me know below if you will be participating by linking to your Goodreads shelf for “Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season 2023” or your blog post/social media post!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: A Death In Door County
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Socrates Book Reviews where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week bloggers will choose a book or books of the week (which will be one of the books that you are currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme.
This week I’m participating with: A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan
First Chapter, First Paragraph:
Blurb:A Wisconsin bookstore owner and cryptozoologist is asked to investigate a series of deaths that just might be proof of a fabled lake monster in this first installment of a new mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Annelise Ryan.
Morgan Carter, owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin, has a hobby. When she’s not tending the store, she’s hunting cryptids—creatures whose existence is rumored, but never proven to be real. It’s a hobby that cost her parents their lives, but one she’ll never give up on.
So when a number of bodies turn up on the shores of Lake Michigan with injuries that look like bites from a giant unknown animal, police chief Jon Flanders turns to Morgan for help. A skeptic at heart, Morgan can’t turn down the opportunity to find proof of an entity whose existence she can’t definitively rule out. She and her beloved rescue dog, Newt, journey to the Death’s Door strait to hunt for a homicidal monster in the lake—but if they’re not careful, they just might be its next victims.
What do you think? Would you keep reading? I just got this book and I’m looking forward to reading it soon. Plus it’s set in my home state!
July 30, 2023
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 31 July 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! How was your weekend? Did you get a lot of reading done last week? I finished a couple books.
Last Week I Read:Powerless by Elsie Silver
I decided to set this one aside for a while. Maybe I’ve read too many of this type of book in a row or maybe I’m just having trouble connecting with the main characters. I’ll come back to it in a month or so.
The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky
I enjoyed my reread of The Mary Shelley Club. I think I liked it better in audiobook than when I originally read it in physical format.
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
This was a quick novella and I liked that it was written in a diary type format. It kept me flying through the pages.
Currently Reading:In the Pines by Mariah Stillbrook
Cover to be Revealed!I just found out I was part of the street team for this book and received my eARC so I’m just starting this one today. I’ve really been looking forward to this one!
Next Read:Death on Cozumel Island by Cindy Quayle
I met Cindy through the #writerfriendschallenge on Instagram and I’ve been wanting to read Death on Cozumel Island for a while. I’m planning to hit the beach one day this week and this would be the perfect beach read I think!
Have you read any of these? What are you reading and loving lately?
July 29, 2023
The Sunday Post: Playing Catch-Up, Self-Care, and Movie Days
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.
Playing Catch-Up, Self-Care, and Movie DaysHey Bookdragons! Happy Sunday! I missed posting last week because I got side tracked with other things and before I knew it it was 11:00 on Saturday night, I didn’t have a post ready, and I was tired. But here I am.
This week I spent some time catching up on comments and scheduling posts for the next week or so where able.
I’ve been spending my days off getting out and about now that I can get in the car and go whenever I want. The week before I went to visit my mom at the hospice center, had lunch at a couple of my favorite restaurants, and had a day of frivolous shopping and it felt great. Today I might hit the beach if the weather holds up and then this coming Friday I’m looking forward to celebrating my 31st birthday getting my nails done and having dinner out before work.
Yesterday I went to see the new The Haunted Mansion movie. I’d been looking forward to it and I was really craving movie popcorn.
Covering July 17-29
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 17 July 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Heartless
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books with 1-Word Titles
Can’t Wait Wednesday: A Haunting on the Hill
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 24 July 2023
The Broken Darkness Audiobook Tour
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: The Bones of the Story
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Books I Did Not Finish
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Happily Haunted Afters
What I’m Binge-Watching July 2023
The Friday 56: The Bones of the Story
The Bones of the Story Book Review
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 31 July 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: A Death In Door County
Taylor Fenner’s Spooky Season Kick-Off – 92 Days of Spooks, Scares, and Cozy Reads
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Nightbane
The Friday 56: The Mary Shelley Club
eBooks/Kindle Unlimited
Physical Books:
August 2023 Releases – A lot of these sound good and a few were already on my radar with a lot more added to my TBR!
Library Book Review – Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto – This book has been on my TBR for a while and I enjoyed this review!
July 28, 2023
The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman
The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman
Thriller
eBook, Hardcover, Paperback, 336 Pages
July 11, 2023 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Blurb:The twisty locked-room mystery from two-time Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning author Carol Goodman, about a group of former classmates trapped on their college campus—with a murderer among them.
“One of the best and smartest locked-room mysteries I’ve read in a long time. A page-turner with both heart and brains. Don’t miss it!”—David Bell, New York Times bestselling author of Try Not to Breathe and She’s Gone
It’s been twenty-five years since the shocking disappearance of a female student and the distinguished Creative Writing professor who died while searching for her. The Briarwood College community has never forgotten the double tragedy. Now, the college President is bringing together faculty, donors, and alumni to honor the victims from all those years ago.
On a cold December weekend after the fall semester has ended, guests gather on the vacant campus for the commemoratory event. But as a storm descends, people begin to depart, leaving a group of alumni who were the last ones taught by the esteemed professor. Recriminations and old rivalries flare as they recall the writing projects they shared as classmates, including chilling horror stories they each wrote about their greatest fears.
When an alumna dies in a shockingly similar way to the story she wrote, and then another succumbs to a similar fate, they realize someone has decided at long last to avenge the crimes of the past. Will the secret of what they did twenty-five years ago be revealed? Will any of them be alive at the end of the weekend to find out?
My Review:We all know I love locked door mysteries, books set at colleges/boarding schools, and friend groups reuniting years after a dark event tore them apart, each coming back with horrible secrets. So this book was like catnip for me.
I read A Sea of Lost Girls by this author several years back and I really enjoyed it but The Bones of the Story was even better.
Once I started I couldn’t stop reading this one, it held my interest start to finish and while I suspected who the killer was, the reveal was like whoa, did not see that coming.
I love that the murders happened in the way the characters had written stories of back in college, definitely a creative way to go… especially with “the hunter” story.
The only thing I found repetitive and annoying in this book was the author’s constant reminder of how everything shut down during the pandemic. Once would have been enough but the author brought it up again and again. We get it already, we all lived through it, you don’t need to remind us 20 times.
Overall I found this to be a smart thriller and I really enjoyed it and honestly felt sad to finish it.
My Rating:
4.5 of 5 Knives Rounded Up!
July 27, 2023
The Friday 56: The Bones of the Story
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: The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman
Blurb:The twisty locked-room mystery from two-time Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning author Carol Goodman, about a group of former classmates trapped on their college campus—with a murderer among them.
“One of the best and smartest locked-room mysteries I’ve read in a long time. A page-turner with both heart and brains. Don’t miss it!”—David Bell, New York Times bestselling author of Try Not to Breathe and She’s Gone
It’s been twenty-five years since the shocking disappearance of a female student and the distinguished Creative Writing professor who died while searching for her. The Briarwood College community has never forgotten the double tragedy. Now, the college President is bringing together faculty, donors, and alumni to honor the victims from all those years ago.
On a cold December weekend after the fall semester has ended, guests gather on the vacant campus for the commemoratory event. But as a storm descends, people begin to depart, leaving a group of alumni who were the last ones taught by the esteemed professor. Recriminations and old rivalries flare as they recall the writing projects they shared as classmates, including chilling horror stories they each wrote about their greatest fears.
When an alumna dies in a shockingly similar way to the story she wrote, and then another succumbs to a similar fate, they realize someone has decided at long last to avenge the crimes of the past. Will the secret of what they did twenty-five years ago be revealed? Will any of them be alive at the end of the weekend to find out?
Friday 56 Excerpt:“I have some shocking news to share with you,” I say with no preamble (sitting in Moss’s chair gives me an extra dose of authority). “Hotch is dead. Ben, Truman, and I found him shot in the head at his desk.”
Ooh a murder! What do you think? Would you read this one? I read it last week and loved it! My review will be up tomorrow.
July 26, 2023
What I’m Binge-Watching: July 2023
What I’m Binge-Watching is a weekly meme to document all of our favorite binging obsessions. Follow along and let me know what you’ve been binge-watching lately!
Hey binge-watchers, how has your summer been going? Mine has been pretty hectic and if you’ve been following the blog you know my mom is in hospice and currently in a facility and I’m juggling working full time and keeping up with my book commitments. I’ve just gotten back into some comfort binging.
What I’ve Been Watching Lately:CSI
I’m about halfway through season 14 and finding it kind of boring rewatching it without my mom.
NCIS
I’m about halfway through season one. I forgot a lot about this show. Abby is still my favorite character.
Witches of East End
I love this show, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched it and I always wish it would have lasted more than 2 seasons.
Daisy Jones and the Six
I finally made time for Daisy Jones and the Six and I loved it! I just finished binging all ten episodes yesterday.
True Blood
I’m casually watching True Blood again and I’m about to start season 2. I was inspired to get back into it after flipping through the True Blood cookbook for a recipe recently.
Want to Watch:Riverdale
I think I lost touch with this show around season 3 and I really should go back and watch it.
What have you been binge-watching lately?
July 25, 2023
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Happily Haunted Afters
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.
This book is technically out already but for some reason I thought it was releasing this fall. Oh well, it’s now on my Fall/Spooky Season TBR!
Happily Haunted Afters by Brittany KelleyContemporary Romance / Holiday
eBook, Paperback, 306 pages
August 22, 2022
Blurb:Nothing is spookier than a second chance at love.
I’m done juggling dead-end jobs and deadbeat boyfriends. It’s time to nail down my goal of owning a hotel — and fix my friendship with my ex-best friend, Jack Colson. He’s a big shot investor, and I’m going to need one. Nailing him barely crosses my mind.
I might actually get my life in order, especially if I snag the deep (and deeply weird) discount for staying an entire weekend at my dream property. It’s hard not to fall in love with the place. Though I could do without the creepy doll that lives there, the noises Jack insists are raccoons, and the eerie AF abandoned hotel I’d need an even spookier amount of money to renovate.
The worst part is, I’m falling for Jack… again. He’ll never invest if he finds out I have feelings for him. But as we work through the phantoms of problems past, we’ll have to figure out if the property is infested with rodents — or something else that goes bump in the night.
Happily Haunted Afters is a spooky, spicy standalone small-town romantic comedy with a happily ever after guaranteed.
Why I Want to Read This Book:Halloween is my favorite holiday and while I love all the horror and thrillers I read sometimes it’s nice to enjoy something a little cozier in the fall and this book sounds perfect.
Will you / have you checked this one out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
July 24, 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Books I Did Not Finish
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Books I Did Not FinishThis week’s TTT is about the last 10 books I DNF’d. I’ve learned not to suffer through books I can’t get into, but remember this is just me.. I might have been in a mood for a certain type of book and there might not be anything wrong with any of these books…
1. The Broken Darkness by Theresa Braun
*Didn’t like the narrator*
2. The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn
Interesting premise, long chapters that did not hold my interest.
3. Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards
Highly anticipated that bored me from the beginning.
4. Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
Disliked the main character, couldn’t get past the first couple chapters.
5. Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban
Just not for me.
6. Sallow Bend by Alan Baxter
Sounded really interesting, I just found the writing boring.
7. The Last Party by Claire Mackintosh
I didn’t like the Welsh words in this one, it was hard to read.
8. The Hunter by Jenika Snow
I loved The Beast but I didn’t like the characters in this one.
9. Happy Place by Emily Henry
I don’t know why, I just didn’t click with this one.
10. The Camp by Nancy Bush
I was so looking forward to this one but I ended up skimming it to the end.
Do you DNF books or try to struggle through to the end?
