[b:Angelfall|15863832|Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)|Susan Ee|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1381264956s/15863832.jpg|16435765]
Author: [a:Susan Ee|4890182|Susan Ee|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1370738953p2/4890182.jpg]
Publisher: Skyscape
288 pages
Genre: YA fiction

Angels of the Apocalypse have attacked Earth. For six weeks, humanity has endured horror and death. Penryn fears and hates the angels, as she struggles to help her family survive in war torn California. Despite her fear, she comes to the aid of an angel, Raffe, attacked in the street by his own kind. Her actions are the right thing to do even if the victim is an angel, but she can only watch in horror as the attacking angels grab her wheelchair-bound little sister and fly away with her.

She warily joins forces with the injured angel to rescue her sister.

Susan Ee tells a haunting, brutal at times, story of war and the apocalypse. Angels aren't from fairy stories. They are supernatural killing machines sent to Earth to end humanity. Penryn is a strong heroine. She fights to keep her family alive, even while her mother descends into madness. This is one of the best YA supernatural, action stories I have ever read. Ee's writing is action-packed and emotional. She describes war, the apocalypse, cannibalism, brutality while still keeping the story age appropriate for YA readers. There is violence and death -- you can't have a story about war without it. But Ee's descriptions are vivid, but never show more grotesque.

Due to the subject matter, I do think that this book really should be for ages 13 . Children who are susceptible to nightmares or other fears maybe should pass this one by until they are old enough to handle the subject matter.

This is the first book in a trilogy. I highly recommend it. Great action. Vivid descriptions. Great read!

My rathing: 8/10
Recommend ages 13 due to violence, descriptions of injury, death show less

This Time Together: Laughter & Reflection
Author: Carol Burnett
Audio Book
5.5 hours
Read by Carol Burnett

I usually don't listen to many audio books unless I'm going on a long drive by myself and need something for company. But when I saw this book on my local library's website, I knew this was one I needed to listen to instead of read. Carol Burnett telling her own stories....I knew it was going to be great!

I was not disappointed! Listening to this book was a joy! Burnett tells stories about her days as a struggling actress before she was discovered, then reminisces about her career. I think my favorite parts were the stories about performing The Carol Burnett Show before live audiences. It brought back so many memories of sitting in my parents' livingroom watching Burnett, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway performing their comedic magic. In my opinion, there has never been a funnier show on television. Their antics often had the live audience laughing uproariously, along with the cast members themselves.

Burnett also talks about her friendships with various celebrities including Lucille Ball, Julie Andrews, Cary Grant, and many more.

The anecdotes and stories she tells in this book are just delightful. If you are a Carol Burnett fan, I highly recommend the audio book version. Hearing her tell her stories just made the experience that much better.

P.S. - She does the Tarzan yell. :)))

My rating: 9/10
All ages

Christmas Tales of Terror features 7 spooky Christmas-themed tales. From a cursed drummer boy to demented snowmen, this book puts the ho ho ho in horror. This is the 3rd book by Priestley that I have read. His witty and clever horror stories never fail to deliver chilling, spooky joy.

The stories are written for middle grade age children, but are complex enough to be enjoyed by adults, too. The stories have scary moments and horrific twists, but there is nothing inappropriate for kids ages 10 .

Why should the Christmas season be all warm & fuzzy? Add a touch of horror to the season.....it might not be Father Christmas who is coming down the chimney, after all. *inject music stab here dah...dahhhhhhhhhh....dah*

I've been on a Christmas reading frenzy lately for some strange reason, and thought I would take a break from Scrooge re-tellings to enjoy some Christmas horror. Glad I did. I haven't yet come across a story by Chris Priestley that wasn't well done. If your kids enjoy scary stories, or if you want an easy spook-filled afternoon read, check out this book, or any of Priestley's short story collections.

This book differs from the other Tales of Terror books I've read so far (Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror, Tales of Terror from the Black Ship) in the way the stories are presented. In Uncle Montague and Black Ship, the stories were woven inside another story about a central main character. Christmas Tales just presents the 7 short stories. I enjoyed both formats.

The show more cover art for this book is just amazing! Very holiday horrific!

My rating: 8/10
Scary situations, but age appropriate
Ages 10 show less

As Christmas approaches, Lucy Stone is very busy at her job taking phone orders for Country Cousins, a mail-order company. Add in Christmas shopping, a visit from her mother, and the kids...well, Lucy really doesn't have time to get embroiled in a murder investigation. But, that's exactly what happens when she discovers the body of the founder of Country Cousins inside his car parked in the company parking lot. As she uncovers clues about who may have killed Sam Miller, little does she know that the killer is watching and waiting to kill those who get to close to the truth.

This book was just ok for me. The main character, Lucy, whines for the entire book about how busy she is. There is very little mystery, and a lot of complaining from her. After the first couple of chapters, I was really tired of hearing about how much she had to do. There was more discussion of her to-do list for the holidays or complaints about her job than there was about the murder mystery. It really got a bit tedious for me.

There are also some plot twists that make no sense, or add nothing to the plot. At one point, Lucy's cat is strangled. But after burying the cat, there is no more mention of who might have killed their family pet, or why the pet was strangled by someone. If someone strangled my cat and left it outside my home in the street, I would be calling the police and be very upset. But, as soon as the cat was buried, it was like nothing had happened. Then Lucy believes that someone may show more have hired a hitman from an advertisement in a gun magazine to kill her boss. Her idea to test that idea is to contact several of these possible professional killers to pretend that she is interested in hiring someone to kill her husband. But for the most part, they are men looking to provide sexual services rather than murders. One refuses to come to Maine in winter to kill someone. And one is a real hitman who asks for too much money. This weird tangent did nothing to further the plot. It just seemed.....stupid. I won't give any more examples as I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone.....but the mystery portion of this book really made very little sense.

I did like the bits of humor and real life that Meier added to her story, but I would have liked a bit more mystery and less discussion of how tiring it is to prepare for Christmas.

I will read another book from this series to see if this first book was just a warm-up. It might be the other books are better than this one. I would have given this book 2.5 stars if possible. Since it isn't, I bumped it up to 3. Just kinda meh for me. show less

Ashley and her mom move to Monkton Mills to start a new life following the death of her father. Ashley misses her father, and is worried about her mother. She hopes the move will help her mom become less sad, and that they can have a happy life again. They rent the upper floor of a house owned by Miss Cooper, a cranky, unfriendly old lady. Miss Cooper lets Ashley know from the beginning that she dislikes children, cats and just about everything else.

The first day at the house, Ashley sees a white cat in the hedges in the backyard, and follows it into an overgrown, old rose garden. While investigating the garden, she also meets Kristi, a little girl who lives next door. While playing in the garden, they discover an old secret buried for many years. Ghostly crying in the night and weird occurrences pull the girls into the past where they have a chance to help right old wrongs.

This story is beautifully told, and well written. The landlady is a cantankerous old biddy. Kristi and Ashley have squabbles as neighbor kids will. Add a ghostly secret to the mix and it's just a fun spooky read!

I have read several books by Mary Downing Hahn, and all of them are well-written and awesome stories.

This tale is a ghost story, but there is nothing inappropriate for middle grade kids. As an adult, I even enjoyed the story. It would be a perfect beach or summer afternoon read.

Just a lovely book!

My rating: 8/10
Ages 10

Mr. Popper's Penguins was originally published in 1939. It has been a children's classic ever since then and has never been out of print. I was delighted with the story of Mr. Popper in the 70's when I was in grade school....and enjoyed re-reading it as an adult.

Mr. Popper is a house painter, but he dreams of far off lands and adventure, especially the south pole. In fact, he wrote a letter to Admiral Drake, an explorer on a polar adventure. Mr. Popper tunes in to the explorer's weekly radio broadcast to hear about the polar trip. He is shocked when in addition to the "Hello Mama! Hello Papa'' broadcast from the pole, that Admiral Drake adds "Hello, Mr. Popper!'' Drake sends Mr. Popper a surprise in the post -- a penguin all the way from the south pole! Add a second penguin to the first....and then a load of baby penguins.....and you get pandemonium. And one of the sweetest, most fun children's stories ever!

Richard Atwater was a journalist in Chicago. He was in the middle of writing Mr. Popper's Penguins when he had a stroke in 1934. His wife, Florence, finished the book because her husband was too ill to continue. The book won the 1939 Newbery Honor Award. The inspiration to write the story came from a documentary about the polar expedition of Admiral Byrd that Mr. Atwater saw with his family in 1932.

The book is illustrated by Robert Lawson, who illustrated more than 40 children's books by other authors, and 17 of his own, including Mr. Revere and I. He was the only show more author to receive both the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Medal for excellence in children's literature.

All in all, a great children's book, but you must be able to suspend reality and just enjoy the story. :) In reality, a house painter could not have a penguin living in his modified refrigerator, and 12 penguins would make a lot of penguin poo all over everything. lol. Just forget about all that.....and go along for the ride. :) Delightful from start to finish. :) show less

I love to read about explorers. Not the ones who traversed the world murdering indigenous people to fill the coffers of their respective countries, but those men who were larger than life, fighting against the elements in the name of science, discovery and documentation. Men like Sir Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay struggling up Mount Everest, or Ernest Shackleton striking out across the ice to find the South Pole. Men struggling to fulfill their dreams, fighting to survive dangerous conditions while striving to go where no human being has ever been before.

Alone on the Ice is about Douglas Mowson and other explorers who struggled and died in the early 1900's exploring Antarctica. Many of their names are forgotten, overshadowed by the larger than life legends of Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen. I had never heard of Mowson before I read this book. I'm sure I had read his name before as part of Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition in 1907, but other than a name listed as part of Shackleton's party, I knew nothing about him. Mowson's story grabbed my complete attention immediately because he was driven, not by a sense of competition to be first (as Shackleton, Scott and others), but by a deep sense of wonder at being the first human being to traverse and scientifically document unexplored areas of the world.

The main portion of the story is about the Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Mowson from 1911-1913. But it also gives information about other earlier expeditions, such show more as Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition, because the background is essential to understanding Mowson and the difficulties he and others had already faced in Antarctica. Roberts provides many details and excerpts from several explorer's personal journals, plus photographs.

I can't even imagine what it was like for these men struggling to walk miles each day, pulling sledges filled with supplies. These sledges could weigh 600-1000 lbs. Sometimes they had to move only part of their equipment at a time. That meant walking several miles, dumping off equipment and supplies, then doubling back to get the rest of their gear and walking those same miles again. All in subzero weather, across dangerous ice. Not only was the weather dangerously cold, but there was the constant threat of injury or illness. Many times they lost men, supplies and dogs when they broke through thin ice sheets covering deep crevasses in the arctic ice. Desperation and starvation brought about dangerous physical illnesses. At times when food stores were low, the men were forced to eat sled dogs. The men didn't know that husky liver contains too much vitamin A,and if ingested can cause severe illness. They were starving and ate injured or weak sled dogs to stay alive, not knowing that this very desperation was only making them more ill.

This book is not a fictionalized account. It is a non-fiction, true account of these men and their expeditions in Antarctica, giving lots of details about their daily challenges, deaths and extreme conditions. Roberts did an excellent job pulling information from various explorer's personal journals to give a true sense of who Mowson was and to document the expeditions leading up to the AAE and Mowson's survival after losing the rest of his party in 1913.

I highly recommend this book to anyone w ho enjoys reading about polar exploration. I definitely want to read more about the polar explorers who got lost in the shadow of more famous men like Shackleton and Scott. I want to know about the men who were out of the limelight and more focused on science and exploration. This story was a joy to read, and I am still in awe of men like Mowson who were willing to put their lives on the line over and over again to learn all they could about the Earth and its wonders. show less

Everyone knows the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas that helped him mend his ways. But, ever wondered what happened to his partner, Jacob Marley, who started the whole thing? I mean, really, the person behind Scrooge getting another chance was his partner who appeared in ghostly form first to tell him that the spirits were coming whether he wanted them to or not. I always thought poor Marley really got the shaft because he helped Scrooge, but still flew off into the night dragging that long chain with money boxes and ledgers tied onto it. He did a kindly deed in helping his curmudgeonly partner -- surely he wouldn't be damned to a whole eternity dragging rusty bank boxes through hell.

When I heard about this book -- Jacob T. Marley -- I knew I had to read it! I wanted to know more about Marley, and what happened to him! The tale starts with Marley's childhood and how he grew into a man just as stingy and unfriendly as Scrooge. The story doesn't end with Marley's exiting the mortal coil, of course, because his ghost is an integral part of Scrooge's story. So, of course, Marley tags along with the spirits and Scrooge, and discovers a lot about his life, and what being a caring and kindly person means. Kindness and true charity not only help those on the receiving end, but bless those on the giving side too.

This book was a delightful read! Not just because A Christmas Carol is my favorite book of all time, but because I finally got to read a story about show more Marley and his fate. It blended Scrooge's travels on that fateful Christmas Eve, with the life, and afterlife, of Jacob Marley. Marley was dead as a coffin nail, but still had a lot of things to learn! Those who don't learn lessons during their life are fated to do so after death. That's not always a bad thing. Marley didn't appear to make Scrooge wonder about underdone potatoes and bits of undigested cheese.....he came back to save Scrooge from an eternity of torment and to make amends for his own empty life.

This book was a real joy to read. Even the cover art made me happy. :) Bennett kept the general feel of Dickens' original tale with a light dose of humor and a generous amount of morality tale. Definitely a good read! I've read a couple poorly done continuations of the Scrooge saga, but this one more than made up for those that lacked the right stuff. I heartily recommend it! No Bah Humbugs from me!

And.....Lord bless us every one!

My rating: 8/10
All ages. show less

I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't finish it. For me, I felt like I was dumped in the middle of a world with no explanation or description of anything. Trying to figure out the different types of witches, or what threads are, was just annoying for me. I felt the plot was too predictable and repetitive. The main characters spent all of their time arriving somewhere only to flee because their enemies were chasing them....over and over again. Ho hum. I just couldn't get into it. I declared this one a DNF and returned it to the library. Just wasn't my cup of tea. On to the next.....

I always love a visit to Chilson, Michigan and my favorite Bookmobile Cat, Eddie.

Mrr. :)

Pouncing on Murder is the 4th book in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery series by Laurie Cass. This series is by far my favorite cozy series, so I knew from page 1 that I was going to like this book. As usual, I was not disappointed. I sat in my comfiest chair with a cup of hot tea nearby, my fat cat Festus on my lap, and this book -- perfect way to spend a cold, crisp December evening.

In Pouncing on Murder, Librarian Minnie Hamilton is enjoying the thought of spring returning to Chilson. During the winter, she lives in her aunt's boardinghouse but when the weather warms up, she moves back to her houseboat. So, she's busy moving, cleaning her boat and planning the library's book fair. Her happy spring thoughts get interrupted, however, when local sweet-at-heart curmudgeon Henry Gill is killed by a falling maple tree. His death is pretty much declared an accident,but Minnie doesn't think so. When she meets Henry's friend, Adam, who was with the old man when he died, her thoughts that Henry might have been murdered are confirmed, especially when someone starts trying to kill Adam as well. Once again, Minnie is on the case, trying to catch a killer before anyone else ends up dead.

Minnie is a delightful main character. I enjoy her sense of humor and the fact that she talks to her cat. And Eddie's antics and delightful "mrr'' in answer to his zany owner just make me smile.

The mystery portion of show more the plot kept me guessing with several suspects and twists. The humor and subplots didn't detract from the mystery but added to it. This is a cozy series, so don't expect sex, spurting blood and cursing. It's a light mystery.....good humor, a pretty much bloodless murder, and a lot of Eddie's kitty antics. For those who enjoy cozies, this is a perfect read for a cold, winter's night.

There are five books in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery Series and a sixth book, Wrong Side of the Paw, coming out in July 2017. Since this is my favorite series, I have book 5 waiting on my TBR shelf and the 6th book is pre-ordered. I highly recommend this series to cozy lovers and cat enthusiasts alike! :)

Laurie Cass also co-authors the Victoria Square mystery series with author Lorraine Bartlett. For more information on Laurie Cass and her books, check out her website: http://catmystery.com/ show less

Ishmael Jones works for The Organization. He keeps to the shadows, never wanting to be noticed. It's his job to blend in and slip through society unseen and under the radar. When his boss, The Colonel, calls on him to investigate mysteries, dangerous people, or strange situations he does exactly as he's told. His job is to protect those who deserve it, and hunt down those who don't. When The Colonel tells him to join his family at Belcourt Manor for the Christmas holiday, Ishmael follows orders as usual, despite the fact that a blizzard is quickly making even main roads impassable. He arrives at the manor house,only to find that his boss has disappeared. As the snow storm effectively cuts the manor house off from the outside world and guests start turning up dead, the holiday festivities quickly disintegrate into a strange, locked room mystery.

Agatha Christie is my favorite author. I've loved her mystery novels since I was 9 years old and read The Mysterious Affair at Styles. The Dark Side of the Road reminded me quite a bit of Christie's style. The plot is very Christie-esque - a group of wealthy people gather together at an out of the way estate when one of them is found dead and a detective, who just happened to be invited, is there to puzzle out which guest is the murderer. This whodunit, however, is by Simon R.Green, so there are supernatural elements and strange twists added into the mix.

I didn't know exactly what to expect from this book. As a big fan of Green's show more Nightside series, I like his quirky writing style and strange plots. I was immediately on-board for this first book in the Ishmael Jones series, mostly out of curiosity to discover what Green could do with a murder mystery. I wasn't disappointed. The Dark Side of the Road is like a warped Agatha Christie novel. A classic style whodunit with a supernatural glow about it. Green makes multiple references to Christie's characters and book titles throughout the book, so the similarities are not accidental. As a classic mystery fan, I understood the sometimes cheesy character names and dialogue -- that comes with the territory. It made me enjoy the story even more. Once I got a couple chapters in and figured out where Green was headed with his story, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down.

There are two books in the Ishmael Jones series, with a third scheduled for publication in March 2017. Christie fans who also love a dip into the supernatural realm will love this series.

For more information about the author and his books, check out his website at http://simonrgreen.co.uk/ show less

Mary's world is a dark one. Her village is surrounded by a forest filled with flesh-eating undead. A fence separates the village from the dangers hiding in the trees. Nobody ventures into the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

Mary wants more from her life than marriage or joining The Sisterhood in their Cathedral. She dreams of the stories told to her by her mother. Stories of the ocean and what life was like before The Return, when the dead began to prey on the living. Everyone tells her the stories are just fairy tales and nothing exists past the village fence but death.

One fateful day, the village is overrun by zombies. Mary and other survivors learn the truth about what lies beyond the fence, and must either learn to survive or die.

Too many dystopian or apocalyptic stories fall into the same pitfall -- the belief that there has to be some sort of silver lining, a happy ending. In reality, sometimes there is no magical shining light at the end of the tunnel. Ryan is not afraid to portray death, loss and despair in this book. She avoids the pitfall and offers up a story where the main characters have major flaws and don't necessarily survive. But, this isn't a depressing story. In the end, it's realistic. And the light at the end of the tunnel is sometimes within the characters themselves. In the beginning, I found the main character, Mary, to be childish, self-centered and foolish. In her defense, she was still a child. And aren't we all self-centered when very young? But over show more time, she grew up, gained strength and learned that there were things more important than herself.

The Forest Full of Hands and Teeth is not just a frightful coming-of-age tale. It's also an enjoyable zombie horror story. I'm always up for a good zombie fight - and this was a good one! Anyone who enjoys The Walking Dead or other zombie fare will enjoy this book. It is YA fiction, but given the subject matter, the story does deal with violent death and other themes best for ages 16 . I am a few decades past 16, and still found this book enjoyable. It's a well written tale that can be enjoyed by teens and adults. In fact, I think being written for a YA audience strengthened the plot because the story wasn't bogged down in unnecessarily vivid gore, sex or profanity. Sometimes the psychological horror aspects get lost amid spurting bodily fluids and all forms of the F-word in more adult renderings of the zombie apocalypse.

There are two other books in this series, The Dead-Tossed Waves and The Dark and Hollow Places, plus several short stories. I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series.

Carrie Ryan is the author of several other books including Daughter of Deep Silence. Learn more about the author and her books at her website here show less

Liberty Cutter has returned to her hometown in Ohio to take over as director of the local library. Soon after, the library mysteriously burns down and is relocated to the nearby abandoned academy building. While supervising necessary renovations to the long-abandoned building and replacing books lost in the fire, Liberty discovers some strange, hidden secrets about the town. When she meets a talking dog amid the stacks in the library, Liberty realizes her life will never be the same.

This was such a fun book! Shapeshifters. Despicable werewolves. Talking dogs. Librarian humor (including some great insults using the Dewey Decimal system). It all comes together into a fun supernatural tale that I couldn't put down.

Released is the first book in The Shapeshifters Library series. I won a copy of the second book on Goodreads, so decided to read book one first. I'm definitely glad I have book two waiting for me on my tbr shelf...I want to know what happens next!! There are four books in the series so far.

To learn more about Amber Polo and her books check out her website here

Yancy Lazarus is a drifter, roaming here and there fixing problems for clients. In fact, he's known as The Fixer. He uses his wits and Vis, magic that uses the energy of the universe, to solve problems for his clients. But this time, someone doesn't want him solving anything. He has been told about a situation in California, but he's attacked twice before even making it out to LA. The case turns out to be quite a doozy -- Rival gangs. a massacre. Body snatchers. Monsters. Demons. This story has a little bit of everything. Think Dresden with a bit more grit, driving a souped-up El Camino rather than a VW bug.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. There were some spots where I felt it could have used a bit more editing. But, the rough patches here and there didn't really dampen my enjoyment of the tale. There was plenty of magic-slinging action, sprinkled with a bit of cheesy humor.

I have to admit that I didn't find myself really connecting with the characters in this book. The story was ok. The characters were ok. The humor was good. But.....it was all just....ok. I think the main characters just lacked depth. I was never drawn in and made to care about them in any way. The story was just a bit on the superficial side.....not really delving into the whys and motivations of the characters. Sort of like an action movie that is all shooting and special effects but no background or foundation as to why the shooting is necessary. There is very little world-building and not much show more in-depth characterization to draw readers into the meat of the story. It just lacked....substance.

There are four books in the Yancy Lazarus series. My guess is that the author gained momentum with world-building and characterization in the subsequent books. Yancy has great potential as a magic slinging badass....it just didn't really come out in this first book. '

Those who like urban fantasy would enjoy this series. For me, the first book seemed a bit lackluster. In the end that's just my opinion and others might really enjoy Yancy's debut adventure. I would definitely love to have his car! :) Nothing like a badass El Camino! show less

Gruesome murders are occurring in a small Kansas town. The first victim is found scalped, mutilated and displayed in a cornfield surrounded by authentic Indian arrows. Each subsequent killing gets more bloody and bizarre. A strangely pale, soft spoken FBI agent appears to investigate the case. Local authorities don't like Agent Pendergast. He asks too many questions and points out their inadequacies. But, Pendergast, with his slow southern drawl and finicky eating habits, is an almost supernatural sleuth. If anyone can figure out what's happening in southern Kansas, it's Pendergast and his local goth teenager side-kick.

I love this series! Preston and Child's books are beautifully creepy! I grew up in Kansas. In the late summer, we used to wait til dark, wander out into the corn and have a blast trying to find our way out again, scaring the crap out of each other as we ran through the rows. The whole time I was reading this macabre story about something lurking out in the fields, I kept thinking about how freaking creepy it is to be lost out in the middle of row after row of corn. Definitely creepy as hell.

Pendergast reminds me of The Shadow, a character from old radio and movie serial fame. His almost supernatural appearance and detective skills make him almost as creepy a character as the monsters he investigates. There are 16 Agent Pendergast novels. Still Life With Crows is the fourth. Readers who enjoy creepy, supernatural thrillers will love this series!

It isn't show more completely necessary to read the series in order, but the story does refer back to some prior occurrences from the first 3 novels. I really recommend starting at the beginning and reading forward, but the references aren't major plot points. It would be possible to start with this book without reading the prior books.

For more information on the authors and their books, check out their website here. show less

I've read a lot of books about the Titanic disaster. Factual books. Fictional narratives. Murder mysteries. Action and exciting adventures involving the cargo and even raising the damaged ship from the depths. But, I can honestly say, this is the first time I've read a story that placed zombies on board the doomed ocean liner.

I loved it!

The basic premise: An unknown plague rips through China, killing thousands. A German scientist manages to get samples of the contagion and takes it back to his homeland to find a cure. Others want to use the disease as a weapon. So, the scientist steals the only vial of the contagion and boards Titanic for America. Unfortunately, a spy follows him onboard with the intention of stealing back the plague-filled metal vial so he can return it to Germany, but not before testing it to be sure it contains the correct vile pathogen. The last days of the Titanic are filled with an epic battle below-decks to contain the infected.

This is a action-packed, tension-filled zombie tale! The authors used the names of well-known crew members and passengers to battle zombies. The action continued right up until Titanic slipped beneath the waves, heading to the bottom.

Anyone fascinated by the Titanic story, or who just likes zombie tales, will enjoy this book. It's a relatively quick read at 225 pages. Definitely worth reading!

Chris Pauls and Matt Solomon also collaborated to publish The Giant Smugglers in 2016.

Carl Kolchak. The Night Stalker. Reporter. Supernatural investigator. Loveable slob.

I am a huge fan of the 1970s television show starring Darren McGavin (before you ask, I am not even going to mention the shit remake that got almost immediately cancelled....that was dreck. What were they thinking? Same writers who attempted to put Dresden on television??? Ugh. Shoot...I said I wasn't going to mention it....and then I mentioned it. But I digress....back to the review....). Even though it only lasted one season, I have happily watched those few episodes over and over again since then. And I have eagerly read every Kolchak novel and comic book I've come across. I love the character and the concept. Maybe it has something to do with the fact I was a reporter for many years? Not sure. I never had the joy of covering anything even remotely supernatural. The murders, crimes and othe rmayhem I covered were all too real and not committed by anything but normal, although horrific, human beings. I think I love the Kolchak character because he's normal. He's not heroic, larger-than-life and anything above average that would stick out of the crowd. He's just a slobby reporter on the night beat in a wrinkled seersucker suit and an ugly hat, who just happens to be a magnet for all things creepy that go bump-in-the-night. Vampires. Ghosts. Animated suits of armor. Angry pagan gods. He's seen it all.

In The Lost World, Kolchak is his usual wrinkled, slightly unkempt self, just trying to show more make a living and escape his reputation as a weird-magnet. He is unable to do so, of course. Kolchak finds himself on a trip to the jungle to cover the story of a feud between major drug dealers. He soon finds out that the drug war is not just a war, but a fight over a mysterious group of men: The Seventy-Two, and the secrets they protect.

The story is short, but packed with action and the usual Kolchak creepy-weird happenings. The book is well-written, and true to the character I love. The action and tension is well-paced, packing a great punch into the 124 pages of this novelette. This is an updated Kolchak, not 1970's retro. He is internet savvy, a knowledgeable modern reporter, yet still lovably slobby and funny.

This is a great read for Kolchak fans, or anyone who loves a quick adventurous, weird read. This is a update of the character that Kolchak fans will approve of.....and not like that show-attempt-that-shall-not-be-mentioned-again.

C.J. Henderson has written two other Kolchak novels: A Black & Evil Truth and The Lovecraftian Horror. The Lost World is the first one I've read....I have definitely added the other two to my wish list!

For those fans of action/adventure retro-style who have never experienced Kolchak, you can find the old episodes on YouTube. It's an old show worth watching. Supernatural action/adventure with a bit of cheesy humor thrown in. :) show less

Tobi Tobias is worried. Her fledgling ad agency is not doing well, the bills are piling up and she's just received a 14-day notice to pay her overdue rent or be evicted from her apartment. Just when things look darkest, a new client comes to her office. Zander Closet Company needs a new ad campaign and a great slogan to make their company stand out from the competition. Tobi comes up with a great idea, but just as the campaign gets off the ground, a dead body falls out of one of the Zander closets during a home showcase event. Suddenly Tobias Ag Agency is getting bad press because of the new ad, exactly the opposite of what Tobi needed. The only way to save the situation and her company is to discover who killed Preston Hohlbrook and stuffed him in a closet.

Death is Advertising is the first book in the new Tobi Tobias series by Laura Bradford. The characters are interesting and a bit quirky in a fun way. Tobi is a great main character. She has spunk, intelligence, and a good sense of humor. Her bestie Mary Fran and her teenage son, Sam, are great sidekicks. The story flowed well with excellent pacing, several suspects and a few twists and turns. I figured out a few parts of the subplot quickly, but I didn't figure out the final outcome before it happened. Excellent mystery! Excellent first book! I will definitely be reading more of the Tobi Tobias series!

Laura Bradford writes romances and cozy mysteries, including the Amish Mystery and Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery show more series.

Death in Advertising will be available February 7th. I definitely recommend this book to anybody who enjoys mysteries and cozies. A fun, quick read!

To find out more about the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.laurabradford.com/

**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.** show less

As a disorganized person struggling to reform, I feel drawn to the Maggie McDonald Mystery series, mostly because the main character is a professional organizer. The idea of a highly organized person as an amateur detective is intriguing. Plus, I figure I might pick up a few organizational tips while reading.

Scheduled to Death is the 2nd book in the series. I haven't read the first book yet, but there is enough background information sprinkled in with the new plot to easily figure out the different characters and enjoy the mystery. Maggie is building her new professional organizing business. She's helping a professor organize his life. Linc wants to get married, but he's got to clean up his act first. Maggie arrives one bright cheerful morning to help him continue his progress, only to find something much worse than a messy desk. Linc's fiance and Maggie's good friend, Sarah, is dead on the floor. Something isn't quite right about the situation. Maggie finds herself teaming up with local police to find out what caused Sarah's death.

Each chapter of the book opens with an organizational tip from Maggie - a nice extra touch. The pace of the story is spot-on, and the subplots (organization, community gardening, etc) don't overwhelm the mystery. In fact, the organizational background of the main character helps to further the plot, rather than getting in the way of it. Romance is not a distraction in this cozy. Maggie is happily married with teenage children. I like all of the show more side characters. It's interesting to see how Maggie handles being friends with a suspect and the investigating officers. The way they all come together to help each other solve the case is another refreshing change from formula cozies where the police continually warn or even threaten anyone who tries to investigate. Nice change! I can't say there is no "dumb'' or annoying cop....but he is a side character that even the other officers can't stand. While reading, I found myself continually thinking if the main characters were real people they would be enormously enjoyable as friends.

All in all, a great cozy mystery! There are plenty of suspects, interesting clues and plot twists. The idea of community gardening is intriguing. I'm glad that was a subplot intertwined with the mystery. The organization tips were helpful and I'm going to try to implement some of the suggestions.

Scheduled to Death will be released by Kensington on January 17th! Organized or disorganized, cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this one!

A third Maggie McDonald Mystery, Dead Storage, is coming out in July!

**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book provided by Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.** show less

The community theater in Ruby Lake, NC is putting on a production of Annie Get Your Gun. But the rehearsals are plagued with freak accidents.When two of the performers are injured by a falling stage curtain, Amy Simms is pressured into taking over one of the parts. It's a small part, but Amy is busy running her shop Birds & Bees, arguing with a new neighbor and trying to save her business from the local planning commission. The production's string of bad luck escalates when a cast member is found murdered in a locked dressing room. Who doesn't want the show to go on? Amy is on the case to find the killer before anyone else dies.

I like this series. Towhee Get Your Gun is the 2nd book in the Bird Lover's Mystery series. Amy Simms is a likable main character, and the quirky side characters give the stories a sweet charm. The side plots just round out the bird theme and don't get in the way of the mystery. Accidents plaguing the cast of the local theater group's production of Annie Get Your Gun was a fun backdrop to the murder plot. I don't really care for the cantankerous boarder Amy got stuck with when she bought her shop building. Esther Pilaster, is incredi-annoying. But....she is supposed to be! So the character is effective if her behavior in the story makes me wish I could jump into the book just to tell her off. Amy doesn't call her "Esther Pester" behind her back for no reason. :)

It isn't necessary to read the series in order. There is background about the shop and show more the characters in the first book, but a reader could start with book 2 and still enjoy the story. Book one, Die Die Birdie, takes place when Amy is first opening her shop.

All in all, a fun cozy mystery! Towhee Get Your Gun will be available January 3rd.

I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

J.R. Ripley is the pseudonym of Glenn Meganck, writer of the Tony Kozol and Maggie Miller Mystery series. He also writes the Kitty Karlyle Pet Chef mystery series under the pen-name Marie Celine. Check out his website here: www.glennmeganck.com show less

**I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. The opinions stated in this review are entirely my own.**


Caprice De Luca is a home-stager and interior decorator by trade, and an amateur sleuth by circumstance. Shades of Wrath is the 6th book in the Caprice De Luca cozy mystery series.

In this newest installment, Caprice is not staging a home for sale but offering decorating ideas for a mansion that has been donated to Sunrise Tomorrow, a local women's shelter. Her task is to offer decorating suggestions for the rooms so that women will feel comfortable and safe when they stay there. Shelter Director Wendy Newcomb is dedicated to providing a discrete, safe haven for abused women. Renovations on the old, dilapidated mansion have barely started when Caprice receives a strange call from the director regarding blackmail. When Newcomb's body is discovered at the mansion the following day, Caprice finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.

This series does not have to be read in order. A reader could jump right in at book six and enjoy the story with no problem. There are a few minor character details from prior books in this series that would be helpful to understanding a few nuances, but nothing intrinsic to the plot.

I enjoyed this book! The mystery portion of the plot is clever and engaging. I don't know a lot about interior design, real estate sales or home-staging so I found the sub-plot details interesting. The show more sub-plot and hint of romance don't overpower the mystery. Caprice De Luca is a warm, engaging main character who works well with the supporting cast of characters in this cozy mystery.

This was the first book I've read in the Caprice De Luca series. I immediately added the prior books to my TBR list. Shades of Wrath was well-written. The characters are likable and the pacing was perfect. Overall, the book was an enjoyable evening read.

Karen Rose Smith is also the author of several romance novels. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: www.karenrosesmith.com show less

**I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this novel from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**


Although my idea of fashion is comfy sweats, a team jersey during football season and mom-jeans, I very much enjoy the Haunted Fashion Mystery series by Rose Pressey. The newest installment in this fun, quirky mystery series, Haunted Is Always In Fashion, just came out this month!

The basics: An author, Juliana McDaniel, contacts Cookie Chanel, owner of It's Vintage Y'all, because she is doing research on vintage fashion. They set up a meeting to discuss vintage clothing, but on her way to meet with Cookie, the author is shot dead in her car. Cookie is once again on the case with the help of her cat and ghostly buddies.

Haunted Is Always In Fashion is the 4th book in the Haunted Vintage series. I enjoy the quirky characters and humor of this series. Every book is fun to read! Cookie goes after murderers with the help of a cat who communicates through a Ouija board, a ghostly former socialite, and her spiritualist BFF. It's difficult for Cookie to appear sane to other people when she's talking to ghosts that nobody can see but her. Charlotte, the ghost of a snooty socialite that Cookie met in the first book, still hangs around and helps solve cases, while offering unwanted advice in other areas.

This is a charming, funny series. The mystery is always well-done with plenty of suspects and surprises. The background flavor of show more vintage fashion is always evident, but not overdone. Readers who aren't into fashion will still enjoy this series. I am completely uninterested in fashion, but this is one of my favorite cozy series. It's the humor and interaction between the characters that keeps me coming back to read the next book, not the vintage fashion tips.

It isn't necessary to read the series in order. There is enough background given in each book that a reader could jump in at any point in the series and still enjoy the book.

Rose Pressey is also the author of several paranormal romance series including the Rylie Cruz and Halloween LaVeau series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website at: www.rosepressey.com show less

I enjoy urban fantasy with a touch of humor and sarcasm. Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and Simon R. Green's Nightside books are on my list of favorites. But Green completed the Nightside series and Butcher is currently in-between books....so I went looking for something similar to fill the hole in my bookish heart.

Found it!

Hard Day's Knight is book 1 in the Black Knight Chronicles series. Jimmy Black and Greg Knightwood are vampires. They aren't exotically sexy and they definitely don't sparkle. In fact, they are two geeky guys that just happen to be undead. Greg is on a quest to collect every vampire movie ever made. And Jimmy has a tendency to make bad pop culture references. Yea, dorks can be vampires, too. And it's delightful! This book had me hooked the minute Greg crashed through a ceiling, sporting skin tight black spandex over his 240-pound rotund frame. He fell to the floor with a loud thump, then proceeded to fight with his cape because it flipped up over his head. Lovably dorky.

Despite their dorkiness, Jimmy and Greg do make a great PI team. In Hard Day's Knight, they try to protect a teenager from a witch's curse, only to discover children have been disappearing. The missing children are tied to an ancient evil that will be released into the world on Halloween. Jimmy and Greg only have a few days to prevent the end of the world, so they call on their friends to help. The future of humanity depends on two geeky vampires, a fallen angel who runs a strip club, a show more priest they call Dad, a witch and a police detective.

I enjoyed the humor and banter between the characters in Hard Day's Knight. It reminded me a bit of the sarcastically fun feel of the Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne. But....I do have to add that the writing in this first book is not on the level of Butcher, Hearne or Green. There are a few plot inconsistencies, some awkward grammar, and a few plot threads that were never resolved. But, despite a few rough edges, this story is still a fun read and I will be reading more of this series. I look forward to discovering the antics Jimmy and Greg get up to next! The jokes and interactions between the cast of characters in this first book make up for the few writing issues. My guess is that each book will get progressively better.

I read this book as part of Modern Magic, a collection of urban fantasy. The anthology gathers 12 first novels in a variety of urban fantasy series.

There are five novels in the Black Knight Chronicles series so far, plus several novellas. Hartness also writes the Quincy Harker Demon Hunter series. Discover more about the author and his books on his website: www.johnhartness.com show less

Magic Unveiled: An Anthology
Various Authors


Magic has many facets. Sometimes good. Other times evil. A blessing. A curse. Humorous. Frightening. This collection gathers nine supernatural stories that differ in style and tone, bringing together the many faces of magical, supernatural power.

Always a fan of magical tales, I was so excited to delve into this collection. I brewed a pot of tea, curled up on the sofa with my cat, and spent the evening in the fantasy world created by this collection of magical stories.

I was not disappointed! As with any anthology, I liked some of the stories better than others. But, all in all, this collection was an enjoyable, quick, read. It was a nice dose of magic on a fall evening.

The stories included are:

Gypsum Jane's Inkscapes by H.M. Jones. A tale of a man in mourning and a visit to a supernatural tattoo parlor. Jones' story masterfully weaves a tale that blurs the boundary between this world and the after-life. I loved this story!

The Black Dagger Gods by Alesha Escobar. A gang of Gods ventures forth to discover who murdered one of their own. Rogue deities. Fading power of the old Gods. And a guardian tied to both men and gods. Awesome story with a lot of action.

The Isis Enigma by Samantha LaFantasie. Young witch Audrey's college life is interrupted by a dream that leads her on a journey to discover her family's magical legacy and starts her on a quest to free an imprisoned goddess. This was a coming of age story with a magical show more twist.

Unusual Suspect by Ronovan Hester. Detectives investigate the death of a woman who was host to a Hell Soul. A tale of possession with a new twist!

Journey to a New Home by Jayme Beddingfield. A child's drawing takes her on a magical walk with her ill mother. This was a hauntingly beautiful story, my favorite in this collection.

The Dark Ones by Samantha LaFantasie and Keith Goodno. Anna discovers that some relationships are dysfunctional and toxic for a reason.

Three Wishes by Alice Marks. Always be careful what you wish for.

Blackwing by Devorah Fox. A handyman finds a pencil that just might change his life. This story made me, as a writer, happy in my soul. :)

Mirror Me by Raven Oak. A mirror that reflects a little bit more than just the truth.

All in all, an enjoyable short story anthology!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this story anthology from Creative Alchemy, Inc via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.** show less

**I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.**


24-year old Harper Adams relocates to Cold Creek, Vermont to escape a troubled past. This isn't the first time she has tried starting over, only to have her past as a faith healer and possible arsonist ruin her attempts at starting over. This time, Harper wants things to be different. Unfortunately, as her herbalist talents and healing skills become known around town, it seems history might be doomed to repeat itself. A militantly atheist veterinarian and other quirky residents of the town plus a shape shifting demon soon have Harper realizing that she isn't going to escape her fate or her magical powers quite so easily.

This book was an enjoyable, quick read. I liked Rael's depiction of the demon character Locke as likable yet untrustworthy and dangerous at the same time. The demon can take human or cat form. As a cat he is beautiful. His sleek white fur and blue eyes make him hard to resist. As the owner of two white kitties, I had a hard time thinking of a demon in that form, but I can understand why Rael made that choice. A demon would would have a hard time making any deals with humans if they were completely abhorrent. Harley distrusts Locke and rightfully so, but finds herself petting him and allowing him to sleep on her bed in cat form, because, well, who can resist a fluffy white cat?

The romance plot was basic formula -- show more troubled woman relocates to a town where she is not really accepted. She meets attractive male 1 who seems to hate her,but warms to her over time. Male 1 exhibits jealousy over bad-boy Male 2. Inserting magic, a troubled past, discussions of belief in God or atheism, angels, and a demon cat added the paranormal trappings to this light romance.

Boy Meets Witch is the first book in The White Cat Chronicles. This first book introduces the characters and sets up the action for subsequent books in the series. Boy Meets Witch will be available November 17, with Trial by Fire soon following in December.

Fans of light paranormal romance will enjoy this book. I definitely want to read the second book in the series to find out what happens next!

Rael is also the author of Wolf Daughter, a paranormal tale about werewolves. show less

**I received a copy of this upcoming book from Grove Atlantic via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review.**


This book is not about the drama and intrigue of the Tudor Dynasty that has been the subject of countless books and television shows. Instead, Tracy Borman describes the daily life of a Tudor, both pomp-free facets of a normal day and all-out royal special events.

The Private Life of the Tudors delves into daily life for all of the Tudor monarchs from its beginnings with Henry VII to its close, Elizabeth I. Borman includes tidbits about all sorts of subjects, ranging from care of the royal wardrobe, hygiene, hobbies, personal interests, rules for dress and behavior at court, and which servants and courtiers were allowed to actually touch the royal person.

I especially enjoyed the information about royal dinners. The amount of food and kitchen staff needed to prepare for a special event was astounding. The list of meats prepared for just one royal dinner event was unbelievable! A royal state dinner would have been a wondrous event, with formal place settings, up to 35 courses laid out and lasting for hours. Some dishes were shaped into the form of animals or other decorations and paraded about the room before being set out for guests. Guests at formal events were seated by importance with the number of special courses they were allowed to eat also limited by station. A cardinal at table could sample up to 7 courses, while a lower person might only be offered 3. show more So much food was provided that some dishes would go untouched. Uneaten foods were not wasted but passed down the line to servants in the household and the poor following the dinner. A 200 person kitchen staff was needed to keep the royal court fed. A royal privy kitchen was located below the privy chambers for times when the king or queen wanted a small meal in quarters, special favorite foods, or a meal/snack delivered just to them. Not all meals were extravagant feasts. And, kitchen staff that pleased the king or queen would often be rewarded. For example, King Henry VIII liked one of his pastry cooks so much that he gave her a house in reward for her quality work.

How each monarch differed in the running of their household is so interesting! I enjoyed reading about the differences in wardrobe requirements, servants, advisors, religion and other day-to-day needs.

I very much enjoyed this book because it was more about the actual daily lives of these most famous rulers, instead of just another tiptoe through their bedroom antics and exploits. Watch episodes of The Tudors online to get the tabloid version of the era. Come to Historian Tracy Borman for what real day-to-day life at court was like -- who washed the king's underclothes, what sports Henry VIII liked to play, where did Elizabeth I get her facial makeup, who raised the royal children, and daily life at court.

Anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes daily life for the Tudor Dynasty should read this book! There are facts of interest for those new to the era and those already knowledgeable.

Tracy Borman is a well-known historian and has written several other books on this era including Elizabeth's Women and The Story of the Tower of London. Find out more about the author and her books at her website: www.tracyborman.co.uk show less

**I received a copy of this upcoming book from Midnight Ink via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review.**


What a fun, magical series!

The Elusive Elixir is the 3rd book in the Accidental Alchemist Mystery series. Zoe Faust is an alchemist, living in Portland, OR. Her friend, Dorian, happens to be a 3 1/2-foot tall gargoyle brought to life by the magic of alchemy.

Unfortunately, the magic used to animate Dorian is back-firing. He is turning back to stone. Zoe is searching desperately for a cure before her pal turns back to stone, while investigating a decades old crime that might be linked to alchemy.

I just love the creativity in this series! Dorian is a gargoyle and an accomplished French chef, taught by a master who was blind and had no clue he was teaching a gargoyle. Zoe is a delightful character as well. She is centuries old and her life as an alchemist must be kept secret. The series just has such creativity and magic!

In order to follow the story better, I would recommend reading the books in order. The other two books in the series are: The Accidental Alchemist and The Masquerading Magician.

The Elusive Elixir will be published by Midnight Ink on January 8th, 2017. Discover the magic of alchemy!!

Gigi Pandian also writes the Java Jones Treasure Mystery series. Discover more information about the author and her books on her website: www.gigipandian.com

**I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review**


I am completely obsessed with Antarctica. I think it's because it is one of the last wild, unpredictable, un-tameable places left on earth. Due to the temperature, it's dangerous just to be there, so my vivid imagination just revels in the sparkling, beautiful ice, the howling wind and the frozen, icy quiet that can kill your ass in minutes.

What better place to set a horror novel?

The basic concept is not new by any stretch of the imagination. There have been dozens of books and movies about teams of scientists getting their clocks chimed permanently in the deep frozen Antarctic. I had to smile when in one scene members of the team at the research station are watching John Carpenter's movie The Thing -- it's about Antarctic scientists being attacked and killed by alien monsters. Later on, those same researchers watch Alien. Perfect!

I have no problem enjoying another story about the dangers of being an Antarctic scientist when there are aliens around. Hammott doesn't introduce a new, complex plot, but he does masterfully describe every gory detail of what they are up against in vivid cinematic writing. As the story unfolded, my imagination soared. I pictured every scene in my head as I read. I love it when a sci-fi or horror novel lets me sink into the story on that deeper level. It's like reading a book while watching a movie inside my head.

Don't expect a complex plot. The plot is show more simple....it's the details that will grab your attention and pull you into the story. That's the key to great horror -- make readers SEE and FEEL the terror. Hammott delivers. I was truly creeped out and on the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop reading!

The basics: A research team is sent to Antarctica to investigate a large ice rift. NASA has noted an anomaly in its scans of the rift, so the scientific team decides to venture into the chasm. When they discover a crashed spaceship frozen in the ice, the scientists see it as an incredible research opportunity. Little do they know the horrors that await them inside the ship.

This book surprised me. I was expecting a sci-fi action novel when I first started reading And I got it....with a large serving of very well done monster-alien-gore horror. Most alien horror stories end up cheesy and ridiculous. I can't say this book was cheese-free. A story about alien monsters can't escape a bit of the ridiculous, but the action was engaging, suspenseful and well, horrific. It takes a lot to give me the willies and this book has some truly spine-tingling suspense, horror and outright gore.

MONSTERS!!!! AHHHHHH!!!

The more I imagined what it would be like to be a part of the team investigating that ship....the more creeped out I became. At one point while I was reading, the alarm on my phone started beeping and I just about jumped out of my skin. I'm glad I set the alarm though! I was so intent on the story that the muffins in the oven would have been forgotten until they burned!

There were a few places that I felt the book could have used a bit more editing. For example, multiple times the team "failed to notice sets of eyes staring at them" from the ceiling. While it didn't dampen my enjoyment of the story at all, the constant repetition of the same phrase did push my inner editor button, pulling me out of my total immersion in the story for a moment.

All in all, a few rough spots but an enjoyable alien horror fest! Don't read this book at home alone this winter. You will be afraid to walk to the bathroom by yourself! And, always scan the ceiling for yellow, glowing eyes.....

Readers who enjoy sci-fi, horror and just a touch of campiness will love this Antarctic adventure! Monster and alien movie fans will also enjoy this book!

Ben Hammott has written several adventure books including the An Unexpected Adventure series and The Tomb, The Temple and the Treasure series. show less

**I received a copy of this upcoming book from St. Martin's Press Via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review**


Christmas. Puppies, Vegas. Murder. Political intrigue. Hit men. This book has it all!

I have to admit that the holiday cover art adorned with cute, fuzzy puppy faces drew my attention to this book immediately. Great marketing St.Martins -- who can resist a sweet puppy face? Definitely not this reviewer. Once I started reading though, I couldn't put the book down. This is the first book by David Rosenfelt I've read, and I found his writing engaging, humorous, and witty.

This is the 15th book in the Andy Carpenter mystery series. It isn't necessary to have read any of the prior books to enjoy this one. I jumped right in and enjoyed the story with no prior knowledge of the characters.

The action starts from the first page and the book continues a nice, suspenseful pace to the end. The dialogue between characters is witty and humorous. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The plot starts out basic, but soon becomes larger-than-life, but in a believable way. It doesn't come off as cheesy or over the top. This book is a fun mystery with a touch of Vegas thriller. It also throws in a bit of a holiday season theme, without taking it too far. The Christmas puppy angle doesn't over shadow the mystery, it's just a bit of garnish to decorate the plot.

The basics: Local dog rescuer "Pups'' Boyer comes under the scrutiny of the local zoning board after a show more neighbor complains about the number of rescue puppies at her home. Andy Carpenter steps in to assist her with the zoning issue because she does so much good for the local dog rescue center. The case soon becomes much more serious after the complaining neighbor is murdered and the gun discovered in Pups basement. As Andy digs into the case, he discovers there is more going on than feuding neighbors. Much, much more.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas will be available from St Martins Press on October 18th.

I am definitely going to read more of the Andy Carpenter series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Find out more about David Rosenfelt and his books on his website: www.davidrosenfelt.com show less

**I received a free kindle version of this short story collection from Paper Backward via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review**


Now that all the pumpkin spice products are appearing in grocery stores, I knew it was time to start my annual binge on horror and Halloween reading! This short story collection by James Livingood caught my eye on NetGalley as it promised to be a quirky, fun read. I was not disappointed!

Halloween Party includes 3 short stories: Frankenstein IT Support, Swamp Monster Voodoo and Vampire Caving.

In the first story, Frankenstein hates his job at McTech answering phone support questions. The building is too brightly lit, the walls make him claustrophobic, and everything is beige. A dungeon would have more character. So, he holds 9-volt batteries to his tongue several times a day for a shocking pick-me-up and drudges his way through his life in a cubicle.

I loved this story. Mental pictures of Frankenstein's monster working in phone tech support was delightfully fun. His habit of taking hits of electricity off batteries he hides in his desk drawer was awesome! The tech calls he receives are amusing. Having worked in tech support myself, it put a smile on my face as I received many, many completely silly calls from consumer with ID10T issues.

In Swamp Monster Voodoo, a swamp creature is mentored by a voodoo master. The creature can talk to the living and the dead, so the two work together to give clients messages from dead relatives. The two end show more up parting ways, however, after a client spots the swamp creature and accuses the voodoo master of consorting with demons. The monster decides to put his newly learned voodoo skills to work, opening a business that offers services to ghosts in return for them pointing out locations of buried treasure. When one ghostly client tries to rip him off, the creature has to teach her the importance of paying debts.

This tale had a spookily amusing moral to teach. Totally fun read!

And lastly is the tale of two vampires, Richard and Bernie. Friends in the 1920s when they were turned into vampires after a night of drinking, the two men join different bands of vampires. One group, called Doomdayers, builds underground lairs for survival and training new vampires. And the other -- the Hot Heads -- explores the world and brings back information, technology and other modern items to share with the Doomdayers. Richard is a Doomdayer. Bernie becomes a Hot-Head. Bernie wants to learn all about the origin of vampires, and Richard gives him information on a cave that might just have the answer to all his questions. Armed with all the gear he needs to go cave diving, Bernie ventures forth to discover his roots. He discovers more than he ever imagined.

This story was more fantastical than funny. The description of the cave and what he found there was done in a magical, engaging way. This was my favorite story of the 3!

This is a great, quick read for anyone wanting to get into the Halloween spirit. The tales are more amusing than spooky, but well worth a read!

James Livingood is the author of several other books including Pale Rider: Zombies Versus Dinosaurs. Check out his website: www.longtailwriting.com show less