Can’t Wait Wednesday : The Sight by Melanie Golding
2 August 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't Wait Wedesday, Melanie Golding, The Sight, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : The Sight by Melanie Golding. The description and cover follows:
In the tradition of Camilla Sten and Victor LaValle, Melanie Golding’s newest thriller is a chilling carnival-set suspense, perfect for fans of Stranger Things .
Look into her eyes—she can tell you how you’ll die . .
As a child, Faith acquired the ability to see when and how people would die—a “gift” she neither wanted nor could get rid of.
After foreseeing a family tragedy and being ostracized, Faith learns to control her visions, and returns to perform in her family’s traveling carnival. But when an unruly customer attacks her, she has a vision in full view of a crowd
She is banned from the carnival she loves—and loses her only source of income to support her dying mother. Desperate to support her mother and with only one friend standing by her, she sees no reason to continue hiding her ability and goes to dangerous lengths to earn money. But when she sees herself in a man’s future death, Faith must face her own fears of her powers and tune into her gift to fight against a future that would ruin her life—and end someone else’s.
With The Sight , celebrated author Melanie Golding delivers another suspense-driven masterpiece with unforgettable characters and an ending that will leave you stunned.
Expected publication : September 2023
Claws and Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis (Regency Dragons #2)
1 August 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Claws and Contrivances, Regency Dragons #2, Stephanie Burgis
My Five Word TL:DR Review : I Absolutely Loved This Book
Well, this is not my first book by Stephanie Burgis and it certainly won’t be my last but I can say it’s my favourite book so far. I adored it. There’s a sweet, slow developing romance. A chaotic family who are totally lovable. A young female who has an almost modern feel to how she bends the Regency rules that constrained most women during that period. And, of course, dragons.
Claws and Contrivances is the second in the Regency Dragons series, the first being Scales and Sensibility. The first story brought to us Elinor Tregarth, orphaned and living with relations and this second story revolves around her sister Rose. I would say that although the stories are set in the same world, and indeed the protagonists are related, I don’t believe it’s necessary to have read Book 1 before picking this one up. I would of course suggest you do so because it is such a delightful read so why deprive yourself.
So, this time around we meet Rose. Similar to Elinor she finds herself at the mercy of relatives. Fortunately, her uncle and his family are totally lovely, in a madcap, chaotic and eccentric fashion, made even more crazy by their slowly crumbling away mansion. Rose’s uncle is a scholar, and fascinated with the study of dragons. In fact as the story begins the household is in turmoil trying to prepare for a visit by a prestigious dragon expert. At the same time a stray dragon manifests at their home and, believing this to be the property of their neighbour, Rose sets out to investigate.
I won’t discuss the plot further, suffice to say that a madcap romp ensues.
What I really loved about this book and in fact the series so far.
Firstly, we have this wonderful Regency creation that doesn’t totally adhere to all the rules and makes it a charming and oftentimes funny read. The characters and storylines have an Austen feel and certainly Austen readers who are not averse to fantasy should definitely pick these up. The fantasy elements in fact lend themselves very well to the story.
Secondly, the characters here are totally lovable. Plus we have this absolutely dreadful villain and the storyline feels like it could have popped straight out of Northanger Abbey and definitely plays into the love of anything gothic (or terrifying) that seemed to take hold during that period.
Thirdly, a lovely, slow burn romance, one in fact that the main character is oblivious to for the majority of the novel even though she seems to be the only reason for a certain young man to take his head out of a book.
In conclusion. I highly recommend not only this book, but this series. I cannot wait to see what the author comes up with next (no pressure there then). Literally, when is the next book due and please tell me there are quite a few more in the pipeline. My cunning plan is to gobble up everything that is forthcoming from the Regency Dragon series.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
I received a copy from the author for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
30 July 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up, Caffeinated Reviewer, Sunday Post
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
Well, lots of developments this week. I’ve been really busy. On top of that my phone has been broken which I will confess demonstrates quite powerfully just how easy it is for these little gadgets to insinuate themselves so easily into our lives. It’s a flipping nightmare. And, in other news, just in case things were becoming too simple we decided (rather suddenly and abruptly) to trial another rescue dog. Put bluntly, our hearts overruled our heads and so here we now are! Just over a year and a half ago we adopted a dog called Bones, a Podengo Grande, an absolutely beautiful dog with a heart of gold. He is very much a part of our family and so when we came across a slightly smaller female version (almost identical to him in everything but looks as though she’s been put in a machine to shrink her down – ‘honey, I shrunk the dog’ – well, yes, e couldn’t resist. So here we are. Just three days in, trying to give her a calm environment and give her time to let her anxiety begin to lessen. I can’t deny it’s hard work, and also messes up the routine. But it is rewarding. Between one thing and another there has been little time for anything this week. But I have completed my beta read and also moved forward with my current SPFBO read, I’ve also written a couple of reviews – slowly but surely I’m catching up.
Next Week’s Reads:
Sill reading Silver Nitrate., The Ferryman and the Ghost Ship. Perhaps I’ll leave it at that, something about the best laid plans!
Reviews Posted:
- The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence
- The Twenty by Sam Holland
- My Murder by Kate Williams
- The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd
- Soul Taken by Patricia Brigg
- Claws and Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Friday Face Off : The Twenty by Sam Holland
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). I’ve missed these for the past few months and so would like to get back to comparing covers (and hopefully I will be updating this page with a new banner. This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). . So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
My book this week is The Twenty by Sam Holland. I haven’t reviewed this one yet but hopefully this forthcoming week.
My favourite this week is :
This feels more relevant to the story and a lot more dramatic.
Join me next week in highlighting one of your reads with different covers.
Can’t Wait Wednesday : The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird by Louisa Morgan.
26 July 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't Wait Wednesda, Louisa Morgan, The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is :The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird by Louisa Morgan. Here’s the cover and description:
A woman’s ability to see ghosts draws her into a journey of redemption and unexpected friendship in this unforgettable story from the acclaimed author of A Secret History of Witches.
Beatrice Bird is plagued by ghosts. It’s a gift she’s had since she was a small child. Unfortunately, it’s a gift that has grown more intense, shifting from flashes and feelings to physical manifestations she can’t escape.
In a desperate attempt for relief, Beatrice flees her home, her partner, and a psychology practice in San Francisco for a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company. She sees as few people as she possibly can. She doesn’t call home. Then she meets Anne Iredale, a timid woman who has lost everything that matters to her.
For the first time in a long time, Beatrice’s gift will be called on to help someone in need. The path to healing awaits both of them—if Beatrice can find the courage to take the first step.
Expected publication date: November 2023
Books and travelling with Lynn 