Current Read and Teaser: Enchantress by Maggie Anton

I just began reading Enchantress by Maggie Anton for a review I will be posting next month during a blog tour.  It is a very different book than I have read before set in the 4th Century in Babylonia and full of Jewish mysticism and history that I am unfamiliar with. It is very interesting..

"Em had assured me that my reputation would spread as a consequence of casting Dakya and Chatoi's love spell, nut I was unprepared for how soon that happened. The day after I was immersed,  I was so inundated with clients that every propitious hour until Pesach was soon scheduled for inscribing amulets or installing incantation bowls." ebook, 22%, loc 1202 of 5532

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Ghosting by Edith Pattou

Ghosting by Edith Pattou 423 pages, hardcover Published August 2014, Skyscape
Source: NetGalley, BookSparks Fall Reading Challenge
It is the last weekend of the summer and a group of teens are out to celebrate the start of the new school year and their last year of high school. Emma, her boyfriend Brendan, her old elementary school friends Maxine and Felix, and her friend Chloe and her boyfriend Anil. Their angst, insecurities and daring behavior along with a mix of alcohol and pot lead to an unforgettable, but regrettable night for all of them.  Ghosting is told in free verse by each of the characters. You get a glimpse into their lives, their thoughts and their fears. In the planning of the night out you can feel that something terribly wrong is going to happen, you just don't know what exactly. What does happen is a shocker. I enjoyed the way the story was told. Each character had a different style of verse and a very distinct voice. It made it easy to keep track of who was sharing. The short chapters (poems) made it easy to read on the go. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Praise for the book:

“Eight teens’ fates intertwine and recombine in the aftermath of a prank gone very wrong…[Ghosting is] a novel in verse…engaging.” —Kirkus Reviews

Buy the book:

• Amazon Hardcover: http://amzn.to/1rNzM3c
• Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1jQzVkb

About the author:

Edith Pattou has found acclaim as a writer in middle-grade fantasy with such award-winning books as East, which received starred reviews in Booklist and School Library Journal; was selected as a Top Ten Book for YA, an American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Top Ten YA Book, one of the 100 Best of the Best YA Books for the 21st Century by the Young Adult Library Services Association; and was nominated for numerous state awards. It’s a nominee for NPR’s all-time Best YA Novels list.

Connect with the author:

• Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1qg9bMx
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/epattou
• Website: http://edithpattou.com/
• Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1rhAA0n

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Awesome Audiobook Arrival

Look at all the audiobooks that arrived in the mail last week! Awesomesauce.

I won these in a giveaway from BookRiot. Lots of exciting SciFi books to get lost in. I especially cannot wait to listen to the Dresden Files book (after I catch up in the series). It's read by Spike (James Marsters)!

What books came into your house?

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Four Today

My little girl is four!  It is hard to believe it has been four years sometimes. It is going fast. She is a joy- happy, smart, social and imaginative. She loves to read, make art and still happily gives me big hugs and squishy face. Love her bunches and bunches.

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl! _________________________________________

Favorite Photo Friday

It's kind of frightening, right? Haha. A certain little girl is already excited about Halloween and the stores around here are helping her out. Don't think we will be going with the pig mask, thankfully. She has her heart set on being Elsa this year. :) Happy Friday! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier 384 pages, Mass market Paperback Pubished July 2002, Avon, Reprint Edition
Source: purchased
"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again."
How had I not read this before? Wow. I absolutely loved it.  The foreshadowing and build up of Manderley, the first person retelling of the new Mrs. de Winter of how she came to Manderley and what she did- Perfection. I especially enjoyed when she would imagine what was happening elsewhere or conversations between others that had occurred years prior. Her mind works a bit like mine- dwelling on what others are saying, doing and playing it out all in her head. 
My first introduction to the strange character of Mrs Danvers, was actually in Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books. This was years ago, and still I never felt the need to pick up this book. Finally, for book group, I got the chance and I couldn't put it down. It may need a reread again very soon. I feel like little details could easily have been missed as I sped through to find out what exactly happened to Rebecca. 
Aw, Rebecca. So loved by all, presumably. How could the new Mrs. de Winter compare? Really enjoyed learning all about her slivers of information given by Mrs. Danvers, the staff,  neighbors and Max. The side looks, the resistance to talk about her- all so mysterious.
Have you all read Rebecca? What did you think about it?
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Current Read and Teaser: Ghosting by Edith Pattou

It has been a really long time since I have shared a Teaser on Tuesday. Thought I would start it up again. I love seeing what others are reading and to share what my current read is.
I am currently reading Ghosting by Edith Pattou for BookSparks Fall Reading Challenge. It is written in verse, each short entry is in first person by a different character, teens going out on the last night out before the beginning of the new school year. Here is a little tease...

"finally the water stops. after a few minutes the bathroom door opens and mom comes out, wearing a robe, her hair wet, her eye still swollen shut." 

I am reading this on Kindle so the formatting is off and I am not sure of the page. I am 27% in, though.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

On the Hook

I have become quite the crocheter lately. Been doing more of it than knitting lately. My latest project is a Ripple Blanket using Attic24's Neat Ripple Pattern. I am using Berroco Comfort in navy blue, Robin's Egg Blue and teal. Love this yarn. It is really soft, washable and perfect for blankets. Wish I had thought of it before using the cashmerino for the little girl's Granny Square afghan.  This one is turning our great but I am going to run out of yarn. Everytime! Have already sent out some requests on Ravelry to purchase some from other Ravelers. 
Do any of you crochet?
Happy Hooking! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Favorite Photo Friday

Ft. Lauderdale Beach

A couple weeks ago, the little girl and I tagged along to Florida on the hubby's business trip. Can't complain about this view and the weekend in Disney World. 

Review: The Hidden Girl by Louise Millar

The Hidden Girl by Louise Millar 400 pages, paperback Published August 2014, Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Moving can be such an ordeal but throw in an old house in the middle of nowhere, strange and sinister neighbors and a blizzard that traps you there on your own with no heat and no help it can quickly turn into a nightmare.
Hannah has a lot to deal with- a husband who doesn't want to be there, a house in need of some fixing up before a visit from Barbara- a social worker approving them for adoption, and a freak snow storm that traps Will, her husband, in London. She attempts to find help amongst her neighbors when the boiler stops working. She seems to find some nice helpful neighbors, but are they really? She quickly realizes that she and Will are not wanted in this close knit community. They may learn the secrets that have kept hidden for generations.
This was a creepy psychological thriller that I could not put down. The mystery of the house and its previous owners and the strange collection of neighbors kept me intrigued. I thought I knew their secret, but I was wrong. Oh, how I was wrong.  This was a great book to read late at night, if you don't mind getting a little freaked out.
For more information about the book and author visit her WEBSITE.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Review: The Secret Place by Tana French

The Secret Place by Tana French 464 pages, Hardcover Published September 2014, Viking Adult
Source: NetGalley
I was so excited to get this book approved to read early. I am a huge fan of Tana French's books. I have all four of her previous books on my shelves and this one, The Secret Place will be purchased and added alongside them.
An unsolved case gets some help from Holly Mackey when she shows up at Dublin Castle with information to share with Stephen Moran about a murder that happened on the grounds of her school a year before. He hasn't seen her in years. Since the events in Faithful Place. Stephen knows her and is quick to believe her.
He takes the info to the lead detective on the case, Antoinette Conway- tough, no nonsense and not a favorite of the other detectives in Murder.  Together, they spend a day at the school investigating, interrogating the girls and trying to discover what was missed a year ago.
I loved the interaction between Moran and Conway-first full of apprehension and suspicion that, in a short time, changes to trust and respect. The girls at the boarding school are all so interesting. Some, typical teens while others have so much depth with interesting stories to tell. The plot is fast paced-taking place during one day. The flashbacks are perfect, sharing a little more info about what happened the year before. There is even a little bit of magic thrown in. 
Another great addition to the Dublin Murder Squad Series. Go get yourself a copy! The book came out today. 
For more information about the book and author visit her WEBSITE.


Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.