Kait Layton Reviews How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix – Also we have signed copies left!

Kait Layton reporting in with a review of How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix which released this past Tuesday!

how%20to%20sell%20a%20haunted%20house.jpgThis is my fourth Hendrix novel and I am a huge fan. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s note at the beginning that states the inspiration behind the story was to get far away from the pandemic and dive into something else. I actually read this book in three days while being in quarantine, so it was exactly the distraction I needed!

I thought it was going to be a ghost story just after reading the title. Then, the main character’s family is very religious and talks about demons and I had just finished “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” and thought, “Oh no, not this story again!” However, that is not how the story ends and I was extremely surprised. It’s one of those stories where you are like, “WTF!” but you keep reading to find out what happens to the family and the house.

My only complaint is that I wish it had more gore. There are tons of creepy moments, but there is only one big scene where the main character and her brother are getting attacked and it was grisly. I just wanted more.

Puppets are creepy, especially when they move around the house independently, leave notes for you, turn the tv on, and start talking. I haven’t read a horror novel that includes puppets before, so thank you, Hendrix, for writing such a creative story that kept me entertained and distracted!

Kait Layton Reviews All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

This book ripped me apart over and over. Stacy Willingham has a way of twisting a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end!

Everyone should read this to find out what happens to Isabelle and her missing son, Mason, but also read this because Isabelle is a strong mamma jamma who deserves some recognition!

all%20the%20dangerous%20things.jpgKait Layton reporting in with a review of All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham which released on January 10th!

This book ripped me apart over and over. Stacy Willingham has a way of twisting a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end!

Isabelle Drake’s toddler son goes missing from his bed in the middle of the night while she and her husband are sleeping. A whole year has gone by and Mason is still missing, Isabelle’s husband has left her, she has not slept a full night since Mason’s disappearance, there has not been a break in the case, and Isabelle’s ex has started a new relationship and seems to have moved on from her and Mason all together.

Isabelle doesn’t give up, though. Even when everyone suspects her, blames her, shames her, and pities her.

Everyone should read this to find out what happens to Isabelle and Mason, but also read this because Isabelle is a strong mama jama how deserves some respect!

Kelly Reviews Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Baldree wrote a coffeeshop AU (alternate universe) within the same universe, giving Viv a chance at the peaceful life of a business owner in a world of swords and sorcery. I sincerely hope this book opens the door to more cozy fantasy novels about retired heroes….This book is made for every person who has ever wished for their long-suffering hero to have a peaceful, happy ending.

Kelly McLeod reporting in with a review of Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree which released November 8th.

LegendLattes.jpgThis book is made for every person who has ever wished for their long-suffering hero to have a peaceful, happy ending. The heroine, an orc woman Viv, has been adventuring for years and is ready to retire. After slaying one last deadly foe, she takes her prize and travels to the city Thune to open a coffeeshop, the first the city has ever seen. The book follows her as she braves the trials of entrepreneurship and the problems of establishing a market for a product no one has seen before, as well as problems with the local mob and a previous colleague that comes to visit with ill-intent in his heart.
The book is just a delight. Baldree wrote a coffeeshop AU (alternate universe) within the same universe, giving Viv a chance at the peaceful life of a business owner in a world of swords and sorcery. I sincerely hope this book opens the door to more cozy fantasy novels about retired heroes.

About This Book

A delightful fantasy debut for fans of TJ Klune and T Kingfisher, about a retired orc who trades the warrior life for the quiet life. Or so she planned…
The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree’s novel of high fantasy and low stakes.

This new edition includes a very special, never-before-seen bonus story, ‘Pages to Fill.’

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

“Take a break from epic battles and saving the world. Legends & Lattes is a low-stakes fantasy that delivers exactly what’s advertised: a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug. This is my new comfort read.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

Kelly Reviews Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw

Kelly reporting in with a review of Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw which released Tuesday, October 03 2022

Cover of Breakable ThingsHave you ever tried to describe your dream to someone else and had them respond, “Sounds like a nightmare.”? And you respond, “Oh, no, it was beautiful and strange, yes, but….well, actually….no, that does sound horrific, huh?”

That’s what this collection of short stories feels like. Beautiful, captivating, and plumbing the darkest wells of humanity with lyrical prose. It makes you appreciate how the word “viscera” slides off the tongue, makes you hungry for a bowl of brains, and then sick with anger for what torture our dear protagonists experienced. Lots of gore, body horror, and excellent, eloquent prose. There was no one story I wanted to skip through and I devoured the whole collection in a night. Highly recommended.

About Breakable Things

Cassandra Khaw’s dynamic and vibrant debut collection, Breakable Things, explores the fragile and nebulous bonds that weave love and grief into our existence. This exquisite and cutting collection of stories showcases a bloody fusion of horrors from cosmic to psychological to body traumas.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Kait Reviews The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

Kait reporting in with a review of The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson which released Tuesday, September 06 2022

Cover of The Weight of BloodTiffany Jackson’s newest novel, ‘The Weight of Blood’, is a retelling of the King novel, ‘Carrie’. I have not read ‘Carrie’, but I have seen the movies, so I had that as a base to go off of when I was reading ‘The Weight of Blood’.

I really enjoyed the modern take on how race is still an issue in our communities and schools. I was interested to see how Jackson tied in dumping a bucket of something on the Maddy’s head, and I was not disappointed to find out what it was and what it symbolized. The whole scene where Kenny is trying to get the police officers involved and how they react….it was beautifully written and heartbreaking. I also enjoyed the writing style where it would break away from the telling of Maddy’s story and show pieces of interviews from different witnesses of Maddy’s destruction.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I read the entire ARC in about 3 days. It isn’t necessarily an original story (being that it is a retelling), but the references to race and police brutality are incredible. It is also just a dang good horror! There are grisly parts that make you want to keep turning the pages and you are drawn in to Maddy’s character.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Kelly Reviews A Dreadful Splendor by B. R. Myers

Kelly reporting in with a review of A Dreadful Splendor by B. R. Myers which released Tuesday, August 23 2022

Cover of A Dreadful SplendorA con-artist who pretends to speak to ghosts is brought to a “haunted” mansion to soothe the lord, whose fiancee died the night before their wedding. However, he insists that his fiancee was murdered and wants our heroine to fake a seance so well the murderer confesses. As she prepares and gathers information about the dead fiancee, it starts to feel as those a real ghost is haunting her.

As a gothic mystery, the book is excellent and while I did figure out some parts of the mystery, I was utterly surprised by others (but the clues were there!). The romance in the book felt like a forced, minor subplot, like the whole thing could have been cut entirely without affecting the rest of the book. However, this is my only criticism of the book and it was a fun, captivating read regardless.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Candice Reviews The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling

Candice reporting in with a review of The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling which released Tuesday, September 20 2022

Cover of The Kiss CurseThis is the perfect companion to The Ex Hex as we get to know Gwyn and Rhys’ older brother Wells better. (And it’s nice to see Vivi & Rhys again!)

The enemies-to-lovers trope was nicely done. The banter, delightful. I just inhale Rachel Hawkins books. They’re so much fun to read.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Candice Reviews A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

Candice reporting in with a review of A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow which released Tuesday, October 05 2021

Cover of A Spindle SplinteredHarrow has been on my list of Want-to-Read authors for a bit so when I got my hands on this novella, I was super excited. It did not disappoint. I adore fairytale retellings and this was absolutely smart and wonderful and sad and thought-provoking and hopeful. It tied in all the different facets of the Sleeping Beauty stories and fairytale tropes, then turned them on their heads. Charm is just the best Best Friend, I love how Zin finds herself, and I’m so glad Sleeping Beauty finally gets her story. And that the “Evil Fairy” gets a chance to share her tragic origin story and be understood too.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Angela Reviews Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond

Angela reporting in with a review of Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond which released this past Tuesday, October 05

Cover of  Not Your Average Hot GuyIf you love paranormals but also rom-coms, this one’s for you! A fun romp where the hero is none other than the son of the devil. Also a great cast of side characters.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Candice Reviews Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone

Candice reporting in with a review of Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone which released on 2021-09-28

Cover of LakesedgeI loved everything about this lush & atmospheric Gothic novel! I thought all the different reveals were placed so cleverly that the pacing made it hard to put down, even when I wanted to slow down my reading so I could luxuriate in the gorgeous prose. I adored the nods to a secret walled garden, and I loved the romance and Violetta’s decision-making process. She never takes any option at face value and always seems to find another. Another way to twist and uncover more of the magic system and the Corruption. I thought the monster was very well written and could easily see what drew Violeta to Rowan. Cannot wait for book two!

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store