Week in Review #11

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

I hope those who celebrate Thanksgiving had a nice one, I ate way to much but it was very tasty. :)

This week was fairly quiet, thank goodness.

I did binge watch Wednesday on Netflix and really enjoyed it. I was afraid it was going to be two dark from the trailer and that they made Wednesday two dark and psycho but that wasn't the case it was just that one part at the begining in the first season after that she was pretty cool. It was kind of like a supernatural mystery.

What you might have missed on my blog

Two Bloggers One Book ~ The Witching Hour (spoiler alert DNFed...lol)

Review of Pretty Dead Queens

Books I have added

 

• High-Stakes Blizzard - MC is being hunted through a blizzard! I am curious. :)
• Secret Alaskan Hideaway - Man has amnesia and I think a female doctor lets him stay at her home that is kind of hidden as he thinks someone is after him he just can't remember.
• A Season of Flirtation - Historical and that is my jam and I liked the cover...that's about all I needed lol. :)

Books read last week

 

• Beyond Reach - The end of a series and not a very good one, truly hated the ending.
• Carnal Innocence - I really enjoyed this one! That ending was a shocker!
• The Christie Curse - I thought this was a decent start to a series.
• A Doomful of Sugar - This was also a decent start to a series.
• Death Waits in the Dark - The fourth book in this series and I really enjoyed it.
• Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? - My one book for Non-fiction November and well it was interesting, disturbing but also funny...lol.
• School of Phantoms - Second book in the serie and it was fun.

Currently reading

 

• Quest Kids - With all the other books that wasn't on my radar that I read I didn't have time to read this one, so it's still here from last week.
• Deepdark - Same with this one, but hoping to work on both of these.
• Blood Brothers - Priority read as I want to try and finish as many Nora Roberts as I can for my Nora November. :)
• Grilled 4 Murder - Love this series!!

What might be up next

 

How was your week? What did you get?

Review of Pretty Dead Queens

 I received this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.

Pretty Dead Queens by Alexa Donne

Publisher: Crown

Page count: 336

After the death of her mom (screw cancer), seventeen-year-old Cecelia Ellis goes to live with her estranged grandmother, a celebrated author whose Victorian mansion is as creepy as the murder mysteries she writes. On the surface, life is utterly ordinary in the California coastal town . . . until the homecoming queen is murdered. And she’s not Seaview’s first pretty dead queen.

With a copycat killer on the loose, Cecelia throws herself into the investigation, determined to crack the case like the heroines in her grandmother’s books. But the more Cecelia digs into the town’s secrets, the more she worries that her own mystery might not have a storybook ending. 

What I thought

I am always looking for a good young adult mystery and they normally end up being about average. This one I am having a hard time deciding what I my thoughts are on it. Part of me thinks it was sort of average, but the ending was pretty interesting. 

Cecelia has to move in with her grandmother that she doesn't really know very well because her mother died of cancer and she is only seventeen. Her grandmother isn't just an ordinary one, she is a legend in the small town. She is the successful author of several murder mysteries but the big thing is, is that she wrote a book based on a true story that happened right there in the town. 

Cecelia learns from some kids in school that a long time ago there was a homecoming queen murdered and that Maura's first book was based on that murder and that between it and the movie it has pretty much made Seaview a tourist town because people have morbid curiousity. 

Cecelia becomes friends with some of the popular sect, probably because of who her grandmother is, but she doesn't care. She likes them and they seem cool and Natalie seems to be taking her under her wings or making her into her newest play thing, but Cecelia lets it happen. Then during the homecoming football game after those who are running for homecoming Queen have their percession through the football field it's not long till Cecelia finds Natalie in the same school pool, and it looks a lot like the murder from before. 

Maybe it's part curiosity and part dealing with her mothers death but Cecelia decides she must be the one who figures out what happened. There are a lot of suspects, all of her friends plus a few others. 

It took me way longer than it should have to read this but I don't think it's the books fault, I just was busy and it was easier to listen than read, but that also means it didn't grab me either. The first 30% was a bit draggy as the murder doesn't happen till about 30% and then it started getting more interesting but still didn't really grab me but at the same time I wanted to know who done it. 

I thought it was kind of easy to get the killer of the present day murder but a little harder for the older murder. Even if it was easier to guess a few things it could be harder for some to guess the twist and that was probably why I am not sure what I want to rate this one. 

I am going to go with maybe my own personal rating of 3.5 stars, but 4 stars on Goodreads.

Two Bloggers One Book ~ The Witching Hour

 

Barb wanted to tackle a favorite from her younger years and well I was like sure but man it's a long one but I will give it a try and well it didn't go so well...lol. Once you see my thoughts you can go check out what she has to say about the revist at Booker T's Farm. 

What I thought

So I have never read an Anne Rice novel! I know it's crazy right. I have liked horror books for a long time but never tried her books. I think I figured out why, they are to long and wordy! 

So I didn't finish this book, I actually gave it a good try and got to 63% and that was listening to the audiobook. I don't think I would have made it that far if it wasn't for listening to it. I trudge on with it but I really never cared that much about what was going on. The chapters are so long and at first I was so confused as it bounced from one character to another and wondering why do we have to learn about these people

Then it finally started to make a little bit of sense but by that time I really wasn't caring that much about what was going on. I understand that it was a lot of build up to knowing who Rowan is and who she came from as she is part of the Mayfair Witches and was adopted so she didn't always know this but knew she was different. 

So it takes you back to the begining and through the lineage of the Mayfair witches leading up to who her mother was. You also get glimpses of things that Rowan had done when she saved a young man who should have drowned and then he seems to be drawn to her. There is also this man named Lasser which I believe is like the family demon who wants something but you know what I don't care.

Even at 63% into the book I still had a whole book to go before finishing the book so I know it seems like that was close to finishing but it really wasn't as its a 1200 page book and I just didn't care. I tried but I just didn't want to pick it up. I put it down and actually let the audiobook go back so someone else could listen to it and then wait for it to come back and listen some more but I have been trying with this book since September and it was just time to say nope and DNF. Maybe I will give the tv show they are making or have made of it.

Have you ever read this one?

Week in Review #10 ~ Long week

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

This has been a week, first I have been having a really bad toothache, so bad I couldn't think or do anything. It's let up some but still hurts. Anyway, I don't have dental insurance so found a low income place and filled out paperwork but they are like well we don't have an opening till Dec. 29th and I was like seriously! They are like you can call every day and see if we have an opening.

Well on Thursday they had an opening so I went but that was pretty much just a look see and x-rays and things like that. He was like two back teeth one top and one bottom needs to go but its swollen and looks like it's been cutting my cheeck so on antibotics, but now he needs a larger window and the 29th that I was orginally set up for isn't enough time and can't get in till Jan. 3rd! Still I can call and see if I can get in earlier but goodness...so it's been fun around here...blah. 

Then Friday we made the decision to put are large dog Scooby down. He had cancer and was just looking really bad. It was dads dog so he is really bummed. It just hasn't been great around our household for our dogs. So I am down to just one little dog, Dresden. She is keeping me company. 

So it's just been a week and I am ready to go back to those I have nothing to say weeks. :) 

Have a great week and happy reading!

Books I have added

 Netgalley

• Spellbinder: The Not So Chosen One - How far would you go to play the hero? One lonely seventh grader gets way more than he bargained for when he is swept into the fantasy quest of his gaming dreams in this magical illustrated series full of laughs, adventure, and twists. Sounds like a fun adventure fantasy book!
• The Big Flush - A hunk of space junk is headed right for the base! And it's not just any hunk of junk! It's a giant toilet! Even worse? A traitor on base is working with angry aliens to coordinate the attack. Haha, I really enjoyed the first book it was fun so I can't wait to try this one. I mean giant toilet trash from space...lol.

Books read last week

 

• Honest Illusions - This is my least favorite Nora Roberts book that I have read this month. I just couldn't get into the story much, I think it was just the way it was written and the fact they were thieves.
• Grounds for Murder - First in the Coffee Lovers series and it was a decent start to the series.

Didn't get much read this week but I am in the middle of a lot...lol.

DNFed:

• Every Missing Piece - This is more contemporary than mystery as I was hoping and I just thought it was boring. It's a bummer but I just didn't care so putting it aside.

Currently reading

 

• Carnal Innoence - Almost halfway through this one and I am enjoying it. The narrator is male and has a very southern accent which is fun.
• Quest Kids - This is an ARC I got and need to get to it so added it to my rotation of reads. It's silly and fun.
• The Darkdeep - Seen this at the library in the Tween section and it looked interesting. (Yes, I browse the kid section...lol.)
• Beyond Reach - The last of the Grant County books and thank goodness as I am not a fan of this series. This one is way to long and I really don't care about most of the characters in this series but I am buddy reading it and wanted to finish out the series...lol.

What might be up next

 

• How to Betray a Dragon's Hero - Book 11 in the How to Train Your Dragon series. Kind of sad to think only one more book after this one and finished.

How was your week? What did you get?

Two Bloggers One Series ~ Wild Man Creek by Robin Carr

 

Barb and I are back in Virgin River and happy to be there! We both really enjoy this series, some have been better than others but it's always nice to be back with familiar characters. Go check out Barb's thought at Booker T's Farm after you read mine! :) 

My thoughts:

So Wild Man Creek is the 12th book in the Virgin River series so we are doing pretty good with this series and getting through it pretty quickly. A few books back we learn a few things that happens to Colin who is one of the Riordan brothers and how he got injured and I figured we would be getting his story soon. I was a little worried because he was a bit cranky and I wasn't a fan...lol. 

In this story we have Jillian who was a PR guru who got stung personally and proffesionally by an affair with a co-worker who had his eyes set on climbing the ladder and didn't mind going through her to get it. She needs a break so she heads off to a small town she remembers going through and spending a little time. While in Virgin River she sees an old Victorian home that has great gardens and remembers how she use to garden with her grandparents and grow all sorts of yummy veggies and decides to rent the place.

Colin who is still recovering from his injuries and has started doing lots of painting was out finding that perfect spot to paint and runs into Jillian and there is an instant attraction, but Jillian isn't sure she wants to get involved because of what happened in the city and she has her gardening to do. Though they start seeing more and more of each other and even though Colin just wants it to be a fling as he doesn't plan of sticking around in Virgin River things get a bit more complicted than just a fling. 

I really liked both Jillian and Colin and thought they made a cute couple. I will admit I was afraid I wouldn't like Colin but he has made some great strides since the other book were he was very cranky all the time. Jillian was fun with loving her gardens but I will say that I did think she was a little over exuberate when it came to the gardens...lol. Sometimes it was funny and other times it was like if I have to read about her and her gardens one more time! 

Other than the over gardening I really enjoyed this one and the author leaves it pretty clear to who the next couple will be and I very curious about that one! 

5 stars! 

Week in Review #9

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

Besides the nasty weather change it's been a fairly quiet week. I am guessing the cold is here to stay now and I am not happy about it. Now that the time as changed I will be counting down till get gets lighter outside as I hate the early darkness.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Books I have added

 Netgalley

• The International House of Dereliction - Looked like a fun middle grade book.
• Nine Liars - The fifth book in the Truly Devious series! So excited to find out there was a new book coming out!

Print ARC

Thanks Simon and Schuster!

• Delicious Monsters - Looks like a creepy YA horror and hope I enjoy it!

Books read last week

 

• Wine and Punishment - First in series and I really enjoyed it!
• The Witness - My favorite Nora Roberts book so far!
• Labyrinth of Doom - Print ARC that I had and second in the Once Upon a Tim series and it was silly fun.
• Camp Scare - This was an okay MG spooky.
• Wild Man Creek - I really liked this one! It's the 12th book in the Virgin River series.
• Naked In Death - A decent start to a long running series. I liked it enough to try another next year.

Currently reading

 

• Honest Illusions - Next up in my run of Nora Roberts book hand picked by my friend...lol. So far there hasn't been a bad one so hopefully I will enjoy this one too!
• Every Missing Piece - MG mystery and it's okay so far, hoping it picks up more or I might put it to the side, to many books!
• Pretty Dead Queens - This one is starting to pick up which is good! Only took till about 30% to finally get to the murder so hopefully the solving of it will be interesting! :)

What might be up next

 Not a clue, but probably more Nora and then a cozy mystery just not sure what yet. :)

How was your week? What did you get?

Week in Review #8

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

This week has been a stressful week as it seems when it rains it pour around our place. Last month you all know I lost my senior dog and then Dresden had to have emergency surgery, well now our outside dog (More dads dog than mine) is going to need to be put down. He has a tumor on his leg and they said it isn't something that will get better and he is an older dog. Dad wants to hold on to him for a little longer and it was just sad. I told dad it was up to him. So just been a bummer of a week on that account but reading wise I have had a decent week.

That is pretty much all the news I have of the week so happy reading!

Books I have added

 

• Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials - Second book in the Cameron Battle series and I enjoyed the first one so was happy to get the latest one. Thanks Bloomsbury!

Books read last week

 

• Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game - Love this series and reading this prequel book catches me up, I am excited and bummed at the same time. :)
• Dark Witch - First in the Cousin O'Dwyer series and I enjoyed it. Lots of witchy fun as I am still in that sort of book mood.
• Midnight Bayou - This one wasn't to bad and so far I haven't hated my Nora books. :)
• Reckoning - Such a creepy middle grade horror book and I loved it! It's the third and latest book in my favorite middle grade horror series.
• Vacancy - This was a pretty creepy middle grade haunted house story and I liked it.

Currently reading

 

• Curiosity Thrilled the Cat - Everyone has been wanting me to start this series and my friend even put it on my TBR she made me as she was nice enough to add some cozies to go along with the Nora Roberts books...lol. So far I am enjoying it.
• Labyrinth of Doom - I love Stuart Gibbs as I am sure you know so I am excited to get to the second book in Once Upon a Tim which comes out this month! Super cute!
• Pretty Dead Queens - I am enjoying this one just not getting a lot of reading time for it. I am about 24% into it.

What might be up next

 

How was your week? What did you get?