Pre-Order Daughters of Victory: A Novel

Local author Gabriella Saab (The Last Checkmate) returns with another fabulous historical fiction: Daughters of Victory, releasing January 24 for $17.99.

Nxq6cnT7MHuyHQF2Nhg5q49Hq6LT2KQJvhMGRIBB5SAAbout Daughters of Victory: A Novel

From the acclaimed author of The Last Checkmate comes a brilliant novel spanning from the Russian Revolution to the Nazi occupation of the Soviet Union and following two unforgettable women…their fates intertwined by ties of family and interrupted by the tragedy of war. Perfect for readers of Kate Quinn, Pam Jenoff, and Elena Gerokhova.

Russia 1917: Beautiful, educated Svetlana Petrova defied her stifling aristocratic family to join a revolution promising freedom. Now, released after years of imprisonment, she discovers her socialist party vying for power against the dictatorial Bolsheviks and her beloved uncle, a champion of her cause, was murdered by a mysterious assassin named Orlova. Her signature? Blinding her victims before she kills them. Svetlana resolves to avenge his death by destroying this vicious opponent, even as she longs to reunite with the daughter she has not seen in years.

USSR 1941: Now living in obscurity in a remote village, Svetlana opens her home to Mila Rozovskaya, the eighteen-year-old granddaughter from Leningrad she has never met. She hopes to protect Mila from the oncoming Nazi invasion, but when the enemy occupies the village, Svetlana sees the young woman fall under the spell of the resistance—echoing her once-passionate idealism. As Mila takes up her fight, dangerous secrets and old enemies soon threaten all Svetlana holds dear. To protect her family, she must confront her long-buried past—yet if the truth emerges victorious, it holds the power to save or shatter them. A risk Svetlana has no choice but to take.

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

Cursed by Marissa Meyer Comes out Tuesday and we have signed copies left!

Snag your copy now so you can come by and get it on Tuesday!

OKsnJEl-TC6RnBTHwImF4Y_CEwycYOmGv34i5XauoPUAbout Cursed

The stunning sequel to Gilded, a young adult Rumpelstiltskin retelling from Marissa Meyer.
Serilda and Gild attempt to break the curses that tether their spirits to Adalheid’s haunted castle before the Endless Moon, when the Erlking means to capture one of the seven gods and make a wish to return his lover, Perchta, from the underworld. But it soon becomes clear that the Erlking’s hunger for vengeance won’t be satisfied with a single wish, and his true intentions have the power to forever alter the mortal realm. Serilda and Gild must try to thwart his wicked plans, all while solving the mystery of Gild’s forgotten name, freeing the ghosts kept in servitude to the Dark Ones, and trying to protect their unborn child.

Romance, danger, and Serilda’s journey to finding her power as a woman, a mother, and a storyteller make this reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin one that Meyer fans – old and new – will treasure.

A Night of Romance & Fantasy: The Haunted Book Shop and Oyster City Brewing Company present a book signing with Sierra Simone, Emily McIntire, and Piper CJ

A Night of Romance & Fantasy: The Haunted Book Shop and Oyster City Brewing Company present a book signing with Sierra Simone, Emily McIntire, and Piper CJ—three bestselling authors—November 16, 2022, 5:30-7:30p.m., at 600 Government Street.

Meet Sierra Simone (author of the sizzling trilogy Sinner, Saint, and Priest), Emily McIntire of the dark romance Never After Series in which she gives our favorite villains their happily ever afters, and TikTok sensation Piper CJ, author of The Night & Its Moon fantasy series. Buy copies of their latest releases and have these fabulous women sign your new book treasures.

Yes, if sipping a craft brew while choosing your next spicy read in the Tap Room of Oyster City Brewing Company sounds like a fantasy to you, your dream will become reality on November 16, 2022, 5:30-7:30p.m.

As supplies are limited, The Haunted Book Shop recommends pre-purchasing copies for the event. You can find all the books on our website at this link. Pre-purchased copies can be claimed at Oyster City Brewing Company on November 16. Unclaimed purchases will be brought to our store for you to pick up then.

Praise for Simone, McIntire, and CJ:

“In Saint, Simone delivers a story that does what she does better than anyone else–marry the spiritual and the secular; the filthy and the pure. I was rapt. I was challenged. I was DEBAUCHED, and devoured every minute of it.” — Kennedy Ryan, USA Today bestselling author

“Emily McIntire took time to create a slow burn, a tangible tension.” — Lake Country Press on Scarred by Emily McIntire

“The novel is a solid set-up to a high fantasy epic.” — Portland Book Review on Piper CJ’s The Night and Its Moon

Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 17) Releases Tomorrow!

Wimpy Kid lovers rejoice! A new installment releases tomorrow: Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 17)!

Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 17)

In Diper Överlöde, book 17 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley is finding out that the road to fame and glory comes with some hard knocks.

When he decides to tag along with his brother Rodrick’s band, Löded Diper, Greg doesn’t realize what he’s getting into. But he soon learns that late nights, unpaid gigs, fighting between band members, and money troubles are all part of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.

Can Greg help Löded Diper become the legends they think they are? Or will too much time with Rodrick’s band be a diper överlöde?

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

Pre-Order Bones of Holly: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery by Carolyn Haines

Attention Carolyn Haines fans, Carolyn Haines has a new Bones novel coming out soon! Bones of Holly: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery, releasing October 11th in hardcover for $26.99.

About Bones of Holly: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery

The latest novel in the series that Kirkus Reviews characterizes as “Stephanie Plum meets the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” featuring sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney.
Sarah Booth and Tinkie, along with baby Maylin, are in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi for Christmas this year, as judges for the annual library tree decorating contest.

The other two judges are writers Sandra O’Day and Janet Malone. They’re bestselling Mississippi authors, but bitter competitors. In fact, the feud between them is the stuff of legends. For years, they’ve brawled, their sales skyrocketing with each cat fight. Sandra’s most recent true crime book documents the 1920s rum-running era of Al Capone, who built a mansion in BSL and a distribution network for his liquor. Janet’s book, scheduled to be published in January, is a fictional account of the same material—which only heightens their bitter rivalry.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are shopping with little Maylin when they see Sandra and Janet outside a bookstore, fur flying, and when Sandra vanishes from her own gala later that night, suspicion turns to Janet. Janet accuses Sandra of attempting to manipulate the media by a fake disappearance, but is it a stunt, or is something more sinister at play?

Sarah Booth and Tinkie will have to dive deep into the history of Bay St. Louis, and even Al Capone himself, to get to the bottom of this case. But the trail in fact leads them back to several prominent families still residing in the area. Families who may not want their secrets known…