My Book Reviews

Category: Horror

This category contains any posts published in reference to books of Historical Fiction genre.

  • The Echoed Realm by A. J. Vrana

    The Echoed Realm by A. J. Vrana

    The Echoed Realm

    The Echoed Realm by A. J. Vrana

    Release: August 10th 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Parliament House Press
    Source: MTMC Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads , Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Book Depository 

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    An epic, macabre folktale for a new generation.

    Miya’s world ended in Black Hollow.

    It’s been three years since the Dreamwalker upended her life and left her with a heavy burden. A fledgling to the ethereal realm, Miya stumbles into the nightmares of those haunted by spectres. Little does she know, one of them is coming for her, clutching a dark secret abreast.

    Kai has found a new purpose with his companion, but the price is his freedom. Bound and beholden to Miya, he struggles to adjust to his new role as her vanguard.

    Meanwhile, Mason discovers he may be a pawn trapped in a web of schemes. Was his time in Black Hollow an accident, or was it only the beginning of some greater machination?

    As Black Hollow’s bloody stain spreads beyond its wooded borders, Miya fights to evade a past she barely understands. The Dreamwalker’s legacy is a vise grip, and it isn’t letting go. Primordial horrors draw near, fables come alive, and long-buried histories rise from the grave, ready to hunt.

    Sharpen your claws and bloody your teeth. There’s fear to be sown. 

    About the Author:

    A. J. Vrana is a Serbian Canadian academic and writer from Toronto, Canada. She lives with her two rescue cats, Moonstone and Peanut Butter, who nest in her window side bookshelf and stares at nearby pigeons. Her doctoral research examines the supernatural in modern Japanese and former Yugoslavian literature and its relationship to violence. Moreover, when not toiling away at cafeteria, scholarly pursuits, she enjoys jewelry making . Besides, she concocts dark tales to unleash upon the world. Her published works include The Chaos Cycle Duology: The Hollow Gods (2020) and The Echoed Realm (2021) from The Parliament House Press .Also included are a short supernatural horror story, These Silent Walls (2020).

    Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

    The Echoed Realm Review:

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    “The Echoed Realm” is the second book in “The Chaos Cycle” duology, and it does not disappoint!

    I loved reading the first book, “The Hollow Gods,” and could not wait to start reading this one. We reunite with our main characters Miya, Kai, and Mason. Miya and Kai stand out in the story, and I loved the scenes. Miya, in particular, is the highlight as she navigates her way in the role of Dreamwalker. She goes through a lot of emotions in the tale, and I was rooting for her throughout. Kai is also excellent in the story, and some moments were heartwrenching to read. Although Mason is less prominent in the story compared to the first book, he has his moments. I enjoyed his scenes where he comes to Orme’s Rest. Moreover, the author adds many thrilling moments, like when Miya fights the imp.

    The author also introduces us to characters like Crowbar, Dawn, Rusalka, Kali, and Velizar. Although we see some of these characters from the first book, they are more prominent in this story. Frankly, I loved reading about the more extensive cast of characters, and it was interesting to see Gavran and Velizar get their perspectives. Honestly, I liked Rusalka a lot and would not mind seeing a spinoff series for this enigmatic character. While the first half of the story is gripping, the second half of the story, though, just blew me away! The author amps up the action and drama as Miya has to make the most challenging decision in her life.

    Overall, “The Echoed Realm” is a satisfying end to the duology, and I will miss these characters.

    The Echoed Realm

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Echoed Realm by A. J. Vrana Blog Tour hosted by MTMC Tours.

     

  • The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana

    The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana

    The Hollow Gods

    The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana

    Release:July 28, 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher:  Parliament House Press
    Source: MTMC Tours
    Find it at:   Goodreads , Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Book Depository , Indiebound

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    A perfect story for contemporary fantasy readers who love their narratives razor-sharp and their secrets dark and deadly.

    Black Hollow is a town with a dark secret.

    For centuries, residents have foretold the return of the Dreamwalker, an ominous figure from local folklore. He is  said to lure young women into the woods and possess them. Yet the boundary between fact and fable is blurred by a troubling statistics . And occasionally women do go missing. Alos after they return, they almost always end up dead.

    When Kai wakes up next to the lifeless body of a recently missing girl, his memory blank. In fact, he struggles to clear his already feeble conscience.

    Miya, a floundering university student, experiences signs that she may be the Dreamwalker’s next victim. Can she trust Kai as their paths collide, or does he herald her demise?

    And after losing a young patient, dejected oncologist, Mason, embarks on a quest to debunk the town’s superstitions, only to find his sanity tested.

    A maelstrom of ancient grudges, forgotten traumas, and deadly secrets loom in the foggy forests of Black Hollow. Can three unlikely heroes put aside their fears and unite to confront a centuries old evil?  Will they uncover the truth behind the fable, or will the cycle repeat?

    About the Author:

    A. J. Vrana is a Serbian Canadian academic and writer from Toronto, Canada. She lives with her two rescue cats, Moonstone and Peanut Butter, who nest in her window side bookshelf and stares at nearby pigeons. Her doctoral research examines the supernatural in modern Japanese and former Yugoslavian literature and its relationship to violence. When not toiling away at cafeteria, scholarly pursuits, she enjoys jewelry making . Besides, she concocts dark tales to unleash upon the world. Her published works include The Chaos Cycle Duology: The Hollow Gods (2020) and The Echoed Realm (2021) from The Parliament House Press .Also included are  a short supernatural horror story, These Silent Walls (2020).

    Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

    The Hollow Gods Review:

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    “The Hollow Gods” turned out to be SO much better than what I had expected, and I devoured every minute of it.

    I have read my fair share of urban fantasy with wolves and other paranormal entities, and after a while, you see many of them follow a similar pattern. However, “The Hollow Gods” stands apart because of the beautiful way the author narrates it.

    Firstly, I loved all the three main leads. Kai, Miya, and Mason are strong characters, and I loved each of their storylines. The author creatively alternates between these three while telling the story, and it was interesting to see how they reacted differently to what they encountered. Frankly, I loved Miya and Kai’s storyline and how they got together, particularly the scenes where they witness the events of 1868. Similarly, I also liked Mason’s quest to discover what is happening in Black Hollow with Amelia’s disappearance. I also loved the scenes where Miya and Kai encounter the Raven. On a side note, even Mirek’s flashback was one of my favorite parts of the tale.

    Secondly, in my opinion, this is one of the few books where the author has incorporated a little bit of all genres. You have a touch of horror, a dash of crime, and a splash of romance, and sprinkles of historical fiction too. And it all blends very nicely! The author progresses the tale in a fresh manner, where we learn something new in each chapter.

    Overall, “The Hollow Gods” is a fantastic book, and I cannot wait to read the continuation in the “The Chaos Cycle” duology.

    The Hollow Gods

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana Blog Tour hosted by MTMC Tours. 

     

  • Dead Before Dinner by Kerry Schafer

    Dead Before Dinner by Kerry Schafer

    Dead Before Dinner

    Dead Before Dinner: A Shadow Valley Manor Mystery (Shadow Valley Manor #3) by Kerry Schafer

    Release: July 13th 2021
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Write at the Edge
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD

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    Veteran paranormal investigator Maureen Keslyn never asked for life to be easy-for her, nothing is more invigorating than hunting down and ending a dangerous paranormal adversary. Fortunately, life at Shadow Valley Manor tends to be a little more…interesting…than the experience at your average retirement community.

    Right now, though, even she has to admit that things are getting out of hand. The bizarre murder of one of her elderly residents is only the beginning. How is she going to focus on tracking down the killer when there’s a spider loving middle-schooler underfoot? Worse, she’s acquired an unwelcome roommate-an elderly woman with dementia and a penchant for walking through walls.

    Maureen is ever resourceful, but the death count keeps rising despite her best efforts and the help of her team. With the life of a child hanging in the balance, Maureen has to take extraordinary measures-but will they be enough?

    About the Author:

    Kerry Schafer writes fantasy and paranormal mysteries featuring fun supernatural chills, dark humor, and quirky characters. Her alter ego, Kerry Anne King, is a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller who writes family dramas with an undercurrent of romance. She has been voted the 2020 Writer of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Association.

    In addition to writing, Kerry is enthusiastic about encouraging and supporting other writers. She is a writer mindset coach and speaker, and the host of Tell Me Your Secrets, a videocast/podcast featuring lively, informal interviews with authors and other people involved in bringing books into the world. When not absorbed in creative pursuits, you’ll find Kerry hanging out with her real-life Viking on their little piece of heaven in rural northeastern Washington.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Dead Before Dinner Review:

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    Creepy spiders, ghosts, and DNA tampering are only a few of the strange things that happened in “Dead Before Dinner” and make it a captivating read.

    What’s nice about this series is how you can read each book as a standalone and enjoy it. This book starts off a bit different from the previous ones in that it feels more like a murder mystery initially without the supernatural elements. Maureen finds one of the residents, Ida Mae, dead, and in the beginning, it doesn’t feel like anything supernatural. However, once the death count starts increasing, the story gets suspenseful as we try to figure out who is behind it.

    Similar to the previous books, I enjoyed Maureen and Jake in the lead. Poor Maureen. Many people disagree with her in this book, from Jill to Karin to Mac. We get new characters like Ellen, who adds creepiness to the tale. Jake and Maureen also share a friendly camaraderie, and what I liked about this tale is how they have conflicting thoughts about the suspects. Maureen is fun and snarky as always, and I enjoyed her in this book. Karin is also interesting as another new character, and I loved how creative the author made them. Some of the memorable moments in the tale are when Maureen goes to Ellen’s house to find out more about her or when Maureen learns about the Queen.

    Overall, “Dead Before Dinner” is the third book in the “Dead Before Dinner” series and is equally entertaining as the previous two. Even though you can read it as a standalone, I recommend you read the entire series to know the character’s history.

    Blog Tour Schedule

    Dead Before Dinner

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Dead Before Dinner by Kerry Schafer Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours.

  • Junction by Daniel M. Bensen

    Junction by Daniel M. Bensen

    Junction

    Junction by Daniel M. Bensen

    Release: January 10th 2019
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Flame Tree Press
    Source: NetGalley
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

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    When Japanese nature show host Daisuke Matsumori finds himself on an alien world, he hopes to rekindle his passion for his work. Daisuke travels through a newly discovered wormhole in the Papuan highlands. And  he joins biologist Anne Houlihan on Junction, a patchwork planet of competing alien ecosystems.

    But  their exploratory party crashes in the alien wilderness. Daisuke and Anne try to lead bickering soldiers and civilians back to civilization alive. They trek across one unearthly biome after another and members of the party continue to die.  However, Daisuke wonders whether human politics might be more deadly than alien biology. One of his companions might be a murderer.

    FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

    About the Author:

    Daniel M. Bensen is an American Bulgarian author of speculative aspirational fiction, including science fiction, alternate history, and fantasy. His work also includes the speculative biology novel Junction and its sequel Interchange, the optimistic post apocalyptic comic book First Knife. 

    Daniel classifies his work as “speculative aspirational fiction,” which means that he explores other, better places. He loves learning about real life and extending from it to build plausible and surprising worlds. At odds with themselves and each other, the people in these worlds struggle to turn themselves the right way around, and so generate stories.

    Daniel studied biology and history . However he teaches English as a foreign language. Also he survived cancer. After growing up in Chicago, Maine, California, Montana, Japan, and Boston, he followed his then fiancée to Sofia, Bulgaria. There he has continued to grow up. He now teaches, writes, and resides with his wife, daughters, and in laws in the Balkan Tower of Matriarchy.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads

    Junction Review:

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    “Junction” is a gripping science fiction novel with many other elements that will keep you guessing.

    I am not a fan of science fiction, but I make an exception for Flame Tree Press as I love their selections. I admit, when I started reading “Junction,” I wasn’t sure what was happening. It took me a while to get used to the world and find out what was happening. But, as soon as Daisuke goes through the wormhole and finds himself on the alien planet, the story picked up full swing. The author excitingly narrates the story as Daisuke, and the crew navigates the new world. I also enjoyed the world-building, where we see exciting creatures like the Shmoo and how they behave.

    Moreover, the author also wrote the characters wonderfully. We have an array of nationalities, from Indonesian to Russian, and it was interesting to see how politics played a role in the story. Daisuke is charming in the lead as he tries to figure out who is good and who isn’t. Did I mention there is also a traitor among the crew, who is murdering them one by one? I loved the mystery element that the author incorporated as we try to figure out who the killer is. Also, some of the deaths were shocking as I did not expect core characters to get killed. There is also a romance between Daisuke and Anne, which I thought added well to the science fiction plot. The story also ends in a cliffhanger that makes you want to pick up the sequel “Interchange” and continue reading.

    Overall, “Junction” turned out to be much better than I expected, and I could not put it down.

  • World Tree Girl by Kerry Schafer

    World Tree Girl by Kerry Schafer

    World Tree Girl

    World Tree Girl: A Shadow Valley Manor Mystery (Shadow Valley Manor #2) by Kerry Schafer

    Release: November 21st 2019
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Write at the Edge
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Kindle, Audible, B&N, TBD

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    At the discovery of the body of Shadow Valley resident Dason Williams  in his mother’s basement, it appears to be a clear-cut case of suicide, but seasoned paranormal investigator Maureen Keslyn knows otherwise. Also, a photograph on the dead man’s wall links him to a murdered teenage girl whose body bears the marks of a dangerous paranormal creature known as the Medusa.

    Convinced that the Medusa is on a killing spree, Maureen joins forces with an unwieldy team–Jake, the local sheriff, Matt, the Shadow Valley Manor cook, and Sophronia, a teenage girl with an uncanny affinity for ghosts. There is a complication to the case by the ghost of Maureen’s former partner who refuses to cross to the other side, and his much-too-alive daughter Jillian who shows up to claim her father’s ashes–and take charge of the Manor.

    With the life of one of their own in deadly peril, Maureen and the team enlist unlikely allies as they race to unravel a mystery that threatens not only the residents of the Manor, but all of Shadow Valley.

    About the Author:

    Kerry Schafer writes fantasy and paranormal mysteries featuring fun supernatural chills, dark humor, and quirky characters. Her alter ego, Kerry Anne King, is a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller who writes family dramas with an undercurrent of romance. She has been voted the 2020 Writer of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Association. 

    In addition to writing, Kerry is enthusiastic about encouraging and supporting other writers. She is a writer mindset coach and speaker, and the host of Tell Me Your Secrets, a videocast/podcast featuring lively, informal interviews with authors and other people involved in bringing books into the world. When not absorbed in creative pursuits, you’ll find Kerry hanging out with her real-life Viking on their little piece of heaven in rural northeastern Washington.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    World Tree Girl Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    The main reason why I enjoyed this story is because of the crime fiction element. I felt the author wrote the mystery of the world tree girl and its details very nicely. I had no idea where the story would go, mainly when the author introduces new characters like Ravenna. Moreover, the author adds fun elements like tarot readings and mysterious science experiments that kept the story fresh. Also, similar to the previous book, there are many moments of thrilling adventure, especially towards the end. One of the memorable scenes in the story is when Maureen goes to Aunt Leo to get answers and interrogate the parents.

    The characters stand out in the story too. I enjoyed Maureen, Jake, and Sophie in the lead. The three of them share an incredible connection, and it was interesting to see how they handled the case. I particularly liked Sophie and felt she is the most complex because she doesn’t know how to handle her emotions.

    However, while I enjoyed reading the story, I felt that the first book was much better. The only reason I say this is because of the characters. I felt like we got to know many supporting characters like the tenants of the Manor and learning about their specialties in the first book. But, this book primarily focused on Maureen, Jake, and Sophie investigating the case. We don’t get to see much of the tenants from the first book, which was a tad disappointing. However, I did enjoy the new characters like Jill and Ravenna.

    Like the first book, this one also teases what we can expect in the next book, which I look forward to reading. Overall, “World Tree Girl” is a lovely continuation of the series.

    Blog Tour Schedule

    Dead Before Dinner

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Dead Before Dinner by Kerry Schafer Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours. 

  • Dead Before Dying by Kerry Schafer

    Dead Before Dying by Kerry Schafer

    Dead Before Dying

    Dead Before Dying (Shadow Valley Manor #1) by Kerry Schafer

    Release: October 30th 2019
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Write at the Edge
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo, TBD

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    Twisting and eerie, sharp and unforgettable, DEAD BEFORE DYING brings a heroine worthy of Sue Grafton to a terror worthy of Dean Koontz.
    In this supernatural thriller, shot through with biting wit, Maureen Keslyn checks herself in to Shadow Valley Manor to recuperate and rehabilitate from her last job. There, she runs afoul of the stern director and makes friends with some of the other residents, mostly older, all harboring either a secret or a grudge. With secrets of her own, like why she has her own Federal Agent checking up on her, and how she injured herself in the first place, Maureen fits right in, even as she sticks out like a thorn.

    But Shadow Valley isn’t just for rest–Maureen is working undercover, seeking to find and eradicate whatever forces are picking off the residents (and staff) at a grisly clip. With her resources dwindling one death at a time, and unnatural forces seething to rise up once more, Maureen’s experience fighting the supernatural will be her only hope to destroy a clever and powerful evil–and her only chance at surviving it. She’ll need people as paranoid as she is–from the sheriff, to the undertaker’s daughter, to a cook whose knife skills in the kitchen could prove deadly out of it–if she is going to bring rest to the weary, and peace to the dead… 

    About the Author:

    Kerry Schafer writes fantasy and paranormal mysteries featuring fun supernatural chills, dark humor, and quirky characters. Her alter ego, Kerry Anne King, is a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller who writes family dramas with an undercurrent of romance. She has been voted the 2020 Writer of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Association. 

    In addition to writing, Kerry is enthusiastic about encouraging and supporting other writers. She is a writer mindset coach and speaker, and the host of Tell Me Your Secrets, a videocast/podcast featuring lively, informal interviews with authors and other people involved in bringing books into the world. When not absorbed in creative pursuits, you’ll find Kerry hanging out with her real-life Viking on their little piece of heaven in rural northeastern Washington.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Dead Before Dying Review:

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    When I started reading this book, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought it would be a story of a woman going into a strange manor on a secret mission. In comparison, it is all that, but the book is so much more.

    What’s interesting about the tale is that initially, you (and even Maureen) are not aware of the mission. Maureen has not a clue why Phil calls her to live in the manor. When something happens to Phil, it is up to her to figure out the mystery and investigate herself. The author also adds many twists and turns where you don’t know how things will turn out. There are a lot of suspects in the story.

    Moreover, even the list of victims shocked me. Some of them are prominent characters who I did not expect the author to kill off some of these characters early on in the story. The author does a lovely job of keeping the suspense in place.

    I also liked Maureen as the central character. The author writes her in a slightly insensitive yet entertaining manner. Moreover, I also liked the supporting characters like Jake, Sophie, and Matt. Another nice thing about the story is how my perception of many characters changed throughout reading the book. Similarly, people who I initially disliked turned out to be some of my favorite characters. I enjoyed the interactions Maureen has with Jake when they both suspect each other. Some scenes gave me a creepy vibe, like when Maureen investigates the manor and senses a supernatural presence.

    Overall, “Dead Before Dying” is an exciting start to the “Shadow Valley Manor,” and I look forward to seeing reading the rest of the series.

    Blog Tour Schedule

    Dead Before Dinner

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Dead Before Dinner by Kerry Schafer Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours. 

  • All the Tommys in the World by Javier Gombinsky

    All the Tommys in the World by Javier Gombinsky

    All the Tommys in the World

    All the Tommys in the World by Javier Gombinsky

    Release:August 17th 2021 
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Pigfarm Press
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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    They know something we don’t.

    For horror Youtubers Lilith and Nate, zombie movies are escapist fantasies. So a real zombie uprising in the streets of New Southport is quickly thwarted. And they know those familiar-looking ghouls are hiding something. They should know. Lilith birth was with a weak heart in the funeral town of Leatelranch, built around the largest cemetery in the world. Lilith’s parents raised her with zombie stories to keep her from learning the truth about what happens inside the cemetery walls.

    As for Nathan, the caretaker’s son… he has his reasons to be so cowardly. So they get outsmarted by seemingly droning ghouls and are forced to split up. Now  the uncanny coincidences are undeniable. And as things start to look more and more like Lilith’s apocalyptic visions, and  a darker threat lurks, . Now it’ll be up to them to piece the puzzle before everyone they love faces a fate worse than becoming a zombie.
    Can you stop them? Are they just playing dead? Do they have a plan?
    They know something we don’t. And whatever it is, they hate us for it.     

    About the Author:

    Javier Gombinsky was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the neighborhood of Chacarita, the real-life inspiration for the town of Leatelranch in his novel All the Tommys in the World. His love of horror started with Argentinian children’s books by Elsa Bornemann. Then came The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, Freddy Krueger, and finally zombies with the greatest zombie movie ever made: Return of the Living Dead. Since then, he’s been consuming all things horror and zombies, and keeping a list in the back of his mind about all the things he wanted to happen, but didn’t. He’s now in the business of turning that into books.

    Website | Twitter | Goodreads

    All the Tommys in the World Review:

    I felt “All the Tommys in the World” had the potential to be excellent. The story is about the invasion of zombies, which is always my guilty pleasure. Moreover, I love the cover as it gives the story a nice touch.

    Firstly, a lot happens in the story, where you never feel a dull moment. The author also does a beautiful job of adding intense moments like when the team fights a human centipede or when Lester and Yoshi fight the scorpion monster. I also loved the scenes where Lilith gets trapped in the cemetery. The story also contains a lot of shocking moments that stand apart on their own. Moreover, the characters are also unique and dynamic where you don’t know what some of their intentions are. For instance, Renwick and Ophelia unnerved me, and I loved Ron, Lester, and Yoshi fighting the monsters. Lilith is dynamic as well, and they all create a lovely canvas of characters.

    However, I had trouble with the pacing. There are times where I felt the story jumped between the chapters, and I thought I had missed reading something in between. Moreover, there were too many things happening one after the other, which did not transition well, that I felt as though we read several versions of the same tale. I think the book would have been terrific had it been edited nicely. We also get instances when the story flashbacks between the past and the present, and some chapters where you think a character is dead, but they are alive.

    Overall, “All the Tommys in the World” is still a nice story to read if you are in the mood for some zombie action.

  • Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos

    Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos

    Eat Your Heart

    Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly DeVos

    Release: June 29th, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Razorbill
    Source: TBR and Beyond Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, IndieBound.

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    Shaun of the Dead meets Dumplin’ in this bitingly funny YA thriller about a kickass group of teens battling a ravenous group of zombies.

    In the next few hours, one of three things will happen.  1. Rescue .2 Freeze to death 3.Eaten by zombies
    Vivian Ellenshaw is fat, but she knows she doesn’t need to lose weight. So she’s none too happy to find herself forced into a weight-loss camp’s van with her ex-best friend, Allie, a meathead jock who can barely drive, and the camp owner’s snobby son. And when they arrive at Camp Featherlite at the start of the worst blizzard in the history of Flagstaff, Arizona, it’s clear that something isn’t right.

    Vee barely has a chance to meet the other members of her pod, all of who seem as unhappy to be at Featherlite as she does, when a camper goes missing down by the lake. Then she spots something horrifying outside in the snow. Something that isn’t human. Plus, the camp’s supposed “miracle cure” for obesity seems fishy, and Vee and her fellow campers know they don’t need to be cured. Of anything.

    Even worse, it’s not long before Camp Featherlite’s luxurious bungalows are totally overrun with zombies. What starts as a mission to unravel the camp’s secrets turns into a desperate fight for survival, and not all of the Featherlite campers will make it out alive.

    A satirical blend of horror, body positivity, and humor, Kelly DeVos’s witty, biting novel proves that everyone deserves to feel validated, and taking down the evil enterprise determined to dehumanize you is a good place to start.

    About the Author:

    Kelly DeVos is from Gilbert, Arizona, where she lives with her high school sweetheart husband, amazing teen daughter, and superhero dog, Cocoa. And she holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. Kelly can typically be found with a mocha in hand when not reading or writing, bingeing the latest TV shows, and adding to her ever-growing sticker collection.

    Besides, Kelly is represented by Chloe Seager of the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency in London. Her work on body positivity has been featured in the New York Times and Vulture, Salon, Bustle, and SheKnows. Also, Kelly’s debut novel, Fat Girl on a Plane, was named one of the “50 Best Summer Reads of All Time” by Reader’s Digest magazine. Her second book, Day Zero, is available now from Inkyard Press/HarperCollins.

    Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

    Eat Your Heart Out Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “The Walking Dead” meets “Friday the 13th” meets “Dumpin’”! As a fan of campy slasher movies, I found “Eat your Heart Out” thoroughly entertaining.

    To begin with, I liked all the characters. Each of them brought something new to the story and made it fresh. While you have the stereotypical jock, popular girl, nerd, and the others, the author makes the characters distinctive. From the women, my favorites were Allison and Rachel. I thought Allison was badass, whereas my heart went out to Rachel.
    Similarly, I liked Paul and Sheldon from the boys. I loved how the author portrays Paul’s guilt as he feels partly responsible for the events. Likewise, Sheldon is intelligent, engaging, and he also surprised me with his bravery.

    Similarly, the author tells the story in a gripping manner where you wonder how the story will lead. As the story progresses, the death count starts to rise, and you wonder who will survive in the end. Some of them were pretty shocking as I expected them to stay. Also, Some scenes had me at the edge of my seat, particularly towards the end. The concept and the background of the zombies were also interesting.

    However, while I loved the book overall, I wish there was more depth to the characters. The story is pure camp and thrills, and while I loved it, I would have liked the author to personalize the characters more. Moreover, I would have appreciated more background on Zanna and Kaiser, as it felt that the author only touched the surface of that background.

    Overall, “Eat Your Heart Out” is very entertaining and perfect for readers who love a good slasher story with teen characters.

     

    Book Tour Schedule

    Eat Your Heart

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly DeVos Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours. 

    June 28th
    Shelf Love – Interview & Review
    Rae’s Reading Lounge – Review & Favourite Quotes
    The Portuguese Bibliophile – Promo Post
    A Bronx Latina Reads – Review

    June 29th
    The Book View – Review
    Kait Plus Books – Journal Spread & Top 5 Reasons to Read Eat Your Heart Out
    Bookishfairytail – Review & Favourite Quotes
    The Broke Book Blog – Review & Playlist

    June 30th
    Melancholic Blithe – 15 Reactions While Reading Eat Your Heart Out & Mood Board
    Stuck in Fiction – Promo Post
    Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile – Review

    July 1st
    Luminosity Library – Interview, Review & Mood Board
    Nine Bookish Lives – Review
    Ace Reader – Review & Top 5 Reasons to Read Eat Your Heart Out
    Popthebutterfly Reads – Review

    July 2nd
    Cinelinx – Review
    A Book and Chai – Review & Top 3 Reasons to Read Eat Your Heart Out
    Storme Reads A Lot – Promo Post

    July 3rd
    The Book Dutchesses – Review
    The Clever Reader – 15 Reactions While Reading Eat Your Heart Out
    Confessions of a YA Reader -Review
    Rajiv’s Reviews – Review

    July 4th
    Frolic Media – Interview
    Miss Linda Bennet – Review & Favourite Quotes
    Twirling Book Princess – Promo Post
    I Dream in Books – Review, Playlist & Favourite Quotes

  • Screams from the Void by Anne Tibbets

    Screams from the Void by Anne Tibbets

    Screams from the Void

    Screams from the Void by Anne Tibbets

    Release: May 18th, 2021
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Flame Tree Press
    Source: Publisher
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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    “A tense, gripping SF house of horrors in space, where not all the monsters are inhuman. I enjoyed this enormously.” — Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

    For two years in deep space, the freighter Demeter and a small crew have collected botanical life from other planets. It’s a lesson in patience and hell. Mechanics Ensign Raina is ready to jump ship, if only because her abusive ex is also aboard, as well as her overbearing boss. It’s only after a foreign biological creature sneaks aboard and wreaks havoc on the ship and crew that Raina must find her grit.  And maybe she can create a gadget or two to survive. If the crew members don’t lose their sanity and turn on each other in the process. 

    FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018, the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; award winners and exciting, original voices.

    About the Author:

    Anne Tibbets worked in television production as a post-production coordinator, writer’s assistant, and freelance scriptwriter. After that, she turned her attention back toward her first love, novels. She published two works of post-apocalyptic science fiction for Carina Press, The Line Series: Carrier and Walled, in 2014, and two more under the pen name Addison Gunn for Abaddon Books, Extinction Biome: Invasion in 2016, and Dispersal, in 2017.

    Then, her next novel, a space horror, Screams from the Void, was published under her own name and launched with FLAME TREE PRESS in May 2021.

    Anne lives in Los Angeles with her family and a menagerie of pets collects typewriters, watches far too much TV, and shoots aliens regularly via her gaming console. Also, she is a member and has volunteered for, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and the International Thriller Writers Association (ITW).

    When Anne isn’t trawling Twitter @AnneTibbets, she’s working as a book doctor and literary agent.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Screams from the Void Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    Being a fan of space horror movies like the “Alien” franchise and “Life,” I dove right into “Screams from the Void” because of its intriguing premise. I loved reading this book, and it gave me goosebumps!

    This book had it all! A foreign species that comes on board and starts attacking the space crew? Check. A strong heroine? Check. The author got me hooked right from the beginning as she introduces us to the team aboard the “Demeter.” The author writes the story so grippingly that I had to find out what would happen to the characters. I loved the story from the first page and wondered who would survive and who wouldn’t. The story turned out to be a mix of horror and survival and had me at the edge of my seat!

    Coming to the characters, I liked Raina from the get-go and felt she was perfect for the story. She is just a mechanic, but she stands out among the others with her quick thinking. Moreover, I loved her complex relationship with Morven and thought it added beautifully to the story. The author also switches the timelines between the past and the present making the story intriguing. I found something unique about each crew member, whether Tamsin, Osric, Pollux, Avram, or Niall. Also, I was not too fond of Osric because he used to mock and demotivate Raina at every step. Similarly, I adored Avram and Pollux and enjoyed the flashbacks about the spores.

    Overall, “Screams from the Void” is a fantastic space horror novel, and I highly encourage horror fans to check this book out!

  • What Lives in the Woods by Lindsay Currie

    What Lives in the Woods by Lindsay Currie

    What Lives in the Woods

    What Lives in the Woods by Lindsay Currie

    Release: September 14th, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers 
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo

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    Welcome to the decrepit Woodmoor Manor…where something in the woods is always watching. Scritch Scratch’s author comes to a chilling middle-grade story about a creepy mansion and sinister creatures in the woods.

    All Ginny Anderson wants from her summer is to relax. But when Ginny’s father—a respected restoration expert in Chicago—surprises the family with a month-long trip to Michigan, everything changes. They aren’t staying in a hotel like most families would. No, they’re staying in a mansion. A twenty-six-room, century-old building surrounded by dense forest. Woodmoor Manor.

    Locals claim the surrounding woods are inhabited by mutated creatures that escaped a mad scientist over a hundred years ago. And some say campers routinely disappear, never to be seen again.

    When the creaky floors and shadowy corners of the mansion seem to take on a life of their own, Ginny uncovers the wildest mystery of all. There’s more than one legend roaming Saugatuck, Michigan, and they definitely aren’t after campers.

    They’re after her.

    About the Author:

    Lindsay Currie loves a great mystery and is the author of several award-winning mystery books for young readers. Moreover, her titles include THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET (2017, S&S) and SCRITCH SCRATCH (2020, Sourcebooks Young Readers) and the forthcoming WHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS (2021, Sourcebooks Young Readers) and CURSES OF EASTPORT (2022, Sourcebooks Young Readers).

    Lindsay’s debut middle grade (PECULIAR INCIDENT) has been to several print runs, was featured in TIME for Kids, was a final nominee for a children’s book award in seven states, was an Amazon Prime Book Box pick, and continues the capture the hearts of young readers every single day. Also, SCRITCH SCRATCH follows in those footsteps by going to a second print run only one short month after release, being one of only sixteen titles chosen for the national March Madness book event, and becoming an Amazon Book Box pick for April 2021. In addition, her books have all sold audio rights and foreign rights, as well as having earned a glowing blurb from the master of children’s mystery/horror himself, R.L. Stine.
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    For more details on Lindsay’s upcoming books, please visit the My Books tab at the top of the page.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    What Lives in the Woods Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    I adore reading spooky middle-grade books and loved the author’s previous novel “Scritch Scratch.” Hence, I started this reading as soon as I got the copy, and I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one sitting, and it exceeded my expectations!

    The story has the perfect vibes and all the elements for a good haunted house story. Even though this is a middle-grade novel, some scenes gave me chills even as an adult. As soon as Ginny sets foot in Woodmoor Manor, she starts to experience strange things. Some of my favorite scenes were when she is in her room and hears scratching noises in the window. The mannequin also creeped me out a lot! I get goosebumps just thinking of it. Similarly, the typewriter also gave me shivers and the strange things that Ginny experiences with it.

    Moreover, Ginny is a fantastic protagonist and fits perfectly in the story! I LOVED her references to Agatha Christie novels, and this book inspired me to re-read some of the classics. Not only was the story creepy, I thought the author played wonderful homage to Agatha Christie and her novels, especially about the red-herrings. I also enjoyed her interactions with Will and wanted to know more about the ballroom. Ginny, Will, and even Leo turn out to be a fantastic duo as they investigate if the hauntings are genuine or if someone is behind them. The author has a beautiful talent for writing middle-grade horror, and I think this is her best one yet!

    Overall, do check out “What Lives in the Woods” if you love middle-grade horror like “Goosebumps,” particularly if you love haunted house stories, because this book will not disappoint!