In the three years since Winnie’s grandfather passed away, business has been declining. Her Granny Smythe supports her plans to expand the business toIn the three years since Winnie’s grandfather passed away, business has been declining. Her Granny Smythe supports her plans to expand the business to keep it open and profitable year round. So, she books several tours for the day the bank official is to come and assess her proposal. After a rocky start, he seems to be coming around, but that all changes when her big reveal ends up being a dead body in the apple press. Turns out the dead woman is someone that Granny Smythe has been at odds with, making her the prime suspect. The business isn’t the only thing in jeopardy now.
I’m a huge fan of cozies. They have such fun titles and cover art. Apple Cider Slaying says fall and the cover is a perfect representation to the story. Including those two adorable kitties, which Winnie adopted.
And they usually have homey settings. The town felt like home. We had a crab apple tree where I grew up. There was nothing I liked more than to climb it and settle on these two branches that made a perfect place to sit and read a book. I suffered many an upset tummy from munching the apples before they were ripe. LOL
And the characters could be your family and neighbors. They are so genuine. Winnie was smart and brave. I thought she was awesome in how she handled the banker. Despite being nervous she really stepped up to the plate. Just like she did when her Granny was suspected of the murder. She dug in and sorted things out while also juggling other issues.
And the mystery kept me guessing. I had two suspects in mind for the murder and didn’t know which one it was until right near the end.
While cozy mysteries usually have a murder to solve, I found myself just as wrapped up in the characters everyday lives. Apple Cider Slaying is a great beginning to a wonderful series and I’d happily read more.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
Horror and science fiction are a blend of genres I’m drawn to time and time again. Throw in a frozen environment and a group of people who are cut off
Horror and science fiction are a blend of genres I’m drawn to time and time again. Throw in a frozen environment and a group of people who are cut off from help and have to make their own way and it’s like icing on the cake. And discovering aliens is the sprinkles on top.
I was quickly drawn into the story. Formed a bond with one of the characters right away and soon met some others I liked. There was one that I had my doubts about. He did some stupid, selfish things when things started going wrong. But he eventually kind of won me over.
A group of people arrive in Antarctica to investigate an anomaly discovered by NASA. They find a huge rift in the ice and decide to risk going down to see what’s there. A storm blows in and they’re forced to wait it out under the ice so they decide to do some further exploring. What they find is unbelievable. An alien ship. Knowing that the rift is growing and that the ship will soon be lost, they enter. Nothing can prepare them for what’s inside.
As I mentioned before, I was quickly pulled into the story. And once the group entered the ship it was break neck speed to the finish. There’s something, or some things alive. Not sweet little creatures from outer space. These are big, strong, fast and very, very hungry. As they run from one bad situation to another, they are forced deeper and deeper into the ship. It’s a race against time to find a way out before the ship slips into the sea.
Some seriously edge of your seat encounters happened throughout the book. From scary, to a bit gory, to bewildering. I was completely invested in discovering the fate of these characters.
And the ending was out of this world. I had to read it again. And think about it. And I came to the conclusion that it was nuts, but great too. I had to laugh. Talk about not seeing it coming.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given. ...more
I was curious about this after taking a close look at the cover. Having read many of Willow’s books, I spotted those vines and my imagination took fliI was curious about this after taking a close look at the cover. Having read many of Willow’s books, I spotted those vines and my imagination took flight. The author sets the tone right from the beginning. Camping in the Green Swamps of Florida. Creepy woods. Campers disappear. Oh yeah, this was gonna be fun.
They say you don’t fool with Mother Nature and they’re right. She bites back. But so does Patty. Her grandson is one of the missing campers and she enters the woods, bound and determined to find him.
So much happens in this book. I want to tell you about this scene. And that scene. And how wildly imaginative the author got with the ways Mother Nature took her revenge. Crazy stuff. And great for a movie.
Beware. The woods are dark and deep. Scary things creep....more
First off, I have to mention the cover. How perfect for this suspenseful story. And a psychological thriller it is. From the opening scene where Dr. AFirst off, I have to mention the cover. How perfect for this suspenseful story. And a psychological thriller it is. From the opening scene where Dr. Alicia Reese finds her new patient having a full blown panic attack, I could tell the author was writing from personal knowledge about dealing with situations like this.
Hopefully, not quite like this. The patient is seriously disturbed and the more sessions they have, the more dark it becomes. Soon Alicia is put in an ethical position that could cost her her life.
I was caught up from the opening pages and raced to the finish. The more I read, the more I needed to read. The suspense built. Had to know what Lucas would reveal next. What was he planning in that disturbed mind of his? How would Alicia handle him and the professional situation she was put in?
Each step closer to answers kept me on edge. A fast, furious psychological thriller indeed and I’ll be watching for more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
I enjoy collections like these. I get the chance to read some authors I’ve enjoyed before and discover some new ones. After finishing these, I’ve founI enjoy collections like these. I get the chance to read some authors I’ve enjoyed before and discover some new ones. After finishing these, I’ve found a few new authors to add to my list.
I’m thrilled to be able to say that I enjoyed all of these. That’s saying a lot, as I’m kind of hard to please after reading horror for so many years. And I won’t be sharing my favorites. That would be hard to do. So many of these stayed with me after I read them.
All of these felt complete. And they all made me feel a wide range of emotions. From sad to horrified and anxious to shocked. It was a no-brainer to give the collection my highest recommendation.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
I’m assuming you read the synopsis. Found it familiar. Was maybe thinking, been there, read that. A mysterious figure somehow kidnaps a groups of straI’m assuming you read the synopsis. Found it familiar. Was maybe thinking, been there, read that. A mysterious figure somehow kidnaps a groups of strangers. They wake up in a room with no idea where they are or what happened. Then the man behind the smiley mask tells them they must play a game. They play, or die. They follow the rules, or die. And they have to stay together. Let the scavenger hunt begin.
One of the things that made this plot stand out was the character’s stories. Why they were chosen. You can then decide if you care whether they live or die.
Another thing that stands out is the challenges the character’s face. Collings puts them through the wringer. It’s one race after another to complete ever more difficult tasks.
Scavenger Hunt is another thrilling, race to the finish read from this author. I’ve enjoyed many of his books and this one was crazy fun.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
It’s years after the infection started. The smilers are no longer hunted and killed on sight. Instead, they are tended to in facilities, allowed to spIt’s years after the infection started. The smilers are no longer hunted and killed on sight. Instead, they are tended to in facilities, allowed to spend remaining days with as much dignity as possible. Care givers tend to their needs until their last breath.
Emily is one of those care givers. She’s there to help them, give comfort and support, and protect them from others and themselves. She thinks she’s an ordinary woman. A single mother trying to make ends meet. I think she is brave. There’s still a risk of infection if careless. She watches as the night screams fade and the patients change. become the smilers, right before the end. Doesn’t shy from the dirty work. She’s already been through it on a much more personal level.
Where The Dead Go To Die is what I call a quiet horror story. It’s those hushed little scenes in between the ordinary ones that make the most impact. I know they have importance and stay in the back of mind, to be brought out later when the authors uncloak more.
I was so swept up in this story. The political machinations and moral ramifications bounced around in my head. The authors made me forget this was fiction and made me really think, Think how I would navigate this world, How I would feel about the smilers. Whether I might be one of those I looked down upon in the story or one of those I looked up to. How could I know? That questioning was very deep. Several times I actually stopped reading to contemplate what I’d just experienced.
And all through this quiet horror story, I knew bad things were coming. The quiet would be shattered by things horrific. The infrastructure would crumble. Things wouldn’t be contained. And the horror would become a roar.
This was an original and engrossing spin on zombie stories. I came away from it thinking I had to see what else these two authors had written. And I’m still catching myself thinking about what occurred in these pages.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
That title says tons. Talk about tripping the light fantastic. I was tripping all through this emotional read. Didn’t know if Margaret was coming or gThat title says tons. Talk about tripping the light fantastic. I was tripping all through this emotional read. Didn’t know if Margaret was coming or going.
It all starts when Margaret hits a deer while driving to her remote cabin. When she finally makes it there, the story immediately takes hold. Did she really see the ghost of her dead husband? Why did her former student come to her door? Who was the strange child she had in tow? What did they want?
Margaret wants answers. She’s confused and doesn’t know what’s real. To find out what really happened to get her locked up in a facility for the criminally insane and suspected of murder, she’ll have to work with a psychologist and dig through her fractured mind in order to find the truth. Past and present collide as those answers are brought into the light of day.
As I said before, the author had me coming and going. There were no wasted words. It was all to the point. And the point was captivating, mysterious and twisted. Several times I was caught unprepared by scenes I didn’t see coming. Like a deer caught in the headlights. Same for the ending. I really liked it.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
I’m a sucker for fixer upper stories. Especially haunted ones. This one had some hair raising moments and some fun surprises.
Hendrick’s isI’m a sucker for fixer upper stories. Especially haunted ones. This one had some hair raising moments and some fun surprises.
Hendrick’s is uprooted and moved to a new town and new school. She quickly makes friends and starts to adjust to her new life. But things start happening at her new house and she learns of it’s dark past. Her parents aren’t buying what she’s selling when she turns to them about strange and frightening things that are happening. They have their reasons, if misguided. So she turns to her friends and the strange boy that lives next door. As the danger escalates, she’s desperate to find answers. The ghosts are restless and out for vengeance.
I tore through this book. It was an easy ready and the characters felt real. I believed their actions. Which made the scary parts even scarier. Things took some surprisingly dark turns and I’m always happy when that happens. It is horror, ya know.
This is my first time reading this author and it won’t be the last.
I own a copy of this book. My review is voluntarily given....more
I’ve been struggling on how to write my review for this. So much I can’t tell. There are a few different POVs to follow and I did get a bit confused tI’ve been struggling on how to write my review for this. So much I can’t tell. There are a few different POVs to follow and I did get a bit confused there. Other than those bumps in the road, I couldn’t put this down. It had a brooding, dream like quality to the telling.
I’m all for books with an isolated setting and anticipated some hard times for these characters. Hard was putting it mildly. Whether reading about the past events or current ones, they were in for a world of hurt. Medwyn Hill could put Dracula’s castle to shame for dark and dreary. Just getting there was treacherous. Those cold walls oozed evil and finding out it’s secrets could get you killed.
Teeth In The Mist is a book you need to set time aside to read. There’s a lot to take in and I couldn’t figure out where the story was going. The eerier it got, the more I was compelled to read. The more tangled and mangled the mystery, the more I had to know.
And the ending, or endings, have me still thinking.
I won a copy of this book. My review is voluntarily given....more
I start every day thinking about something to be grateful for. And then I write it down, along with a few words about things I’m happy about. It’s a gI start every day thinking about something to be grateful for. And then I write it down, along with a few words about things I’m happy about. It’s a great way to start the day positive. So I was excited to get my hands on The Thankful Unicorn.
What a delightful little book. Each page has a list where you can write down what you are grateful for, your dreams and goals, what you love about yourself and your affirmations, along with a quote. The opposite page has whimsical illustrations of a unicorn which you can color. I broke out my big kit of colored pencils and markers and transformed the pictures into sparkling, magical wonder.
While this may appear to be a children’s book. I believe it is something for all ages. It feels good to open it up and read what I had written and be inspired to make the most of each day. And I love unicorns!
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
I really enjoyed Eyeshine, the first book in this series. PJ was a fascinating character. A woman reporter by day and a cat by night. She didn’t knowI really enjoyed Eyeshine, the first book in this series. PJ was a fascinating character. A woman reporter by day and a cat by night. She didn’t know why she changed and couldn’t control it but she used it to her advantage in getting stories and solving crimes. I was curious to see if she landed on her feet with this tangled up mystery.
I read this straight through. Couldn’t help myself after reading the shocking news revealed on the first page. I had to know if it was real. The author took me back to the weeks prior to the event and what started as one mystery grew into several. An odd cast of human and animal characters kept me second guessing what was really going on and who was doing it. That was fun.
What tripped me up a few times was how easily some tricky situations were dismissed when they should have been more worrisome. And many of the male characters behaviors were questionable. They had some serious flaws and acted strange. Some of that was addressed at the end. It did help me to see them in a different light. It had me thinking how sensual cats are. Could PJ being a cat and a human cause reactions from men? Could it also explain her confusion when around them? What I learned in the final pages had me more curious. Like a cat, ya know.
I never once wanted to put this book down. It kept me turning the pages to see what would be revealed. I have the next book to read and will be starting it soon as I want everything fresh in my mind. Several things have me thinking how they could work and I also wonder how some of the people involved in PJ’s life will fit in. Can’t wait to find out.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
I’m not going to go into a description of the book. The synopsis, which hooked me immediately, does that. What I will tell you is that two charactersI’m not going to go into a description of the book. The synopsis, which hooked me immediately, does that. What I will tell you is that two characters carry the plot, and what a thrilling one it is.
All through the book I was wondering what Opal was looking for. What made her take such a desperate step and steal a ship and it’s A.I. to search space for lost ships that might be just rumors. Was it a particular ship she was looking for? And was it the ship or what it contained that she was seeking?
The author put me in Opal’s shoes from the opening scene where Clarissa, the A.I. that Opal had stolen and named, woke her from sleep to say they were approaching something. I really enjoyed the dialogue between these two women. Yes, I’m going to refer to Clarissa as female. I know having Clarissa to talk to kept Opal sane, and safe. They were a formidable team as trust was built.
Once they find the lost ship it’s all action from then on. From the moment Opal donned her weaponized space suit to when she boarded the ship, I felt the tension build. Everything is checked and double checked. Space is unforgiving and there can be no mistakes.
I read the rest of the book at warp speed. So much is revealed about Opal, and what’s in the ship is the stuff of nightmares. I pictured many of the scenes from a movie I’d seen years ago and a book I read recently. The book took place in a cave, and space gave me the same enclosed, trapped feeling.
I hear there will be more written about these character’s and I’ll be waiting for their next journey.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
I knew this would be a challenging read when I read the description. I love animals, all shapes and sizes, and it hurts to know that there are so manyI knew this would be a challenging read when I read the description. I love animals, all shapes and sizes, and it hurts to know that there are so many being inhumanely used for experiments. Not to mention the rampant cruelty and abuse that so many live with in their short lives. I can’t even watch those commercials on television, asking for donations to save abused animals. That being said, I still had to read this book. I wanted to meet these warriors of animal’s rights.
Jude trained her new recruit. Gave him an assignment to infiltrate a company to get evidence of animal cruelty. He was supposed to keep in touch. So she knew something was squirrely when he sent her some strange photos and didn’t respond to her repeated calls. It was her job to go check on him when he disappeared shortly after.
Jude’s first step upon arriving at the farming town of Half Moon was to visit Tim’s hotel room and see if she could find out what her trainee had discovered. Things move fairly quickly after that and the plot thickens. What did he uncover? Who was involved? And did Tim pull his own disappearing act, or did someone make it happen?
I feel I should mention that, while this story is about experimenting on animals, what is being done isn’t dwelt upon. The author doesn’t go into detail. It’s still heartbreaking to know, and there is one scene that had me so sad, but there are also some happy ones. I hope for many more for the animals out there right now. Waiting to be loved.
So many bread crumbs. So many dead ends. The author sure kept me in the dark. Did the same thing to Jude, in more ways than one. I admired Jude’s fortitude. Her dedication to protecting animals from cruelty, even at the expense of her own health. I wanted to know more about her. This is the third book in the series and I plan on going back to the beginning. Meeting these character’s to see how they all wound up together. And really getting to know Jude and what drives her.
And I sure hope there is another book in the works. The ending has Jude battling a personal dilemma and I want to know how that pans out.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given....more
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