Review: Where the Dead Walk

I had never heard of this author before but if anyone knows me, they know that I LOVE books that delve into the supernatural.  Do I believe in ghosts?  I'm still undecided on that topic but any book that deals with the paranormal or TV/movies that focus on the paranormal are in my opinion, fascinating.  I found this book as I was browsing other book blogs and it caught my eye right away. As soon as I read the blurb, I grabbed it.

Synopsis from Amazon:
Kate Bennett, presenter of paranormal investigation cable TV show, 'Where the Dead Walk', isn't sure what she believes, other than she seems cursed to lose all those closest to her. After investigating a neglected cliff-top house, empty for a decade because it's 'haunted', Kate is convinced a spirit within holds the answers to a childhood she can't remember and an unimaginable crime. What she can't know is that the house's owner, Sebastian Dahl, is searching for something too, and he intends to get it, whatever the cost. 

My Review:
Where the Dead Walk was truly entertaining.  I didn't want to put it down.  When I did, I couldn't wait to get back to it.  You Have to enjoy the paranormal to enjoy this story because it is "ghostly" from beginning to end.  The characters were easy to relate to and memorable.  I felt a huge amount of empathy for Kate, who has had more than her share of bad luck in life and there were a couple of spots in the story where I was angry at the obstacles thrown in her way when she was so close to experiencing happiness.  Henry was perfect as the crew member/hero of the story who loves Kate and is determined to come through for her, even when she seems blind to her own bad decisions.

The book has many spooky scenes and several twists and turns.  It is easy to follow but I did find myself having to go back once to make sure I understood correctly what was happening. Most of the time however, I was completely engrossed in the storyline.  It wasn't overly violent and reminded me of a good old-fashioned scary movie.  

                                                                                                                                         

Teaser Tuesday (June 23, 2015)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. 

I actually wasn't going to participate this week because I hadn't been very far into my book and no sections had yet inspired me to share.  However, sitting at the pool reading, I just came across a fabulous tease for this paranormal thriller I am reading (I can't get enough of these!).  If you are a fan of ghost hunting shows (which I happen to love), you will enjoy this one.

My teaser:

"The moan decayed to an eerie silence.  All eyes fell upon Kate, to find her stock still, head bowed, face veiled in deep shadow.  No one seemed to dare move;  all were reduced to bewildered inaction.  Henry recovered first and reached across the table for her hand, her name on his lips.  His fingers were on the verge of making contact when she suddenly threw up her head.  What he saw caused him to snatch back his hand quick.  The woman in Kate's seat wasn't Kate at all; someone else had taken her place."

Where the Dead Walk
John Bowen
                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                         

Review: Lost in Lies

I've always enjoyed fairytale adaptations, but anything involving Peter Pan sparks my interest immediately.  This has always been one of my favorite fairy tales and I love to see the various ways in which authors put a twist on them.  It doesn't matter if it is a children's book, a YA novel, Adult, etc... I'll read it.  I enjoyed Get Lost, the first book in the Never Say Neverland series by Xavier Neal. This title, Lost in Lies, is the second installment and I'm already anxiously awaiting the third.  :)

Synopsis from Amazon:
When Peyton left her entire world behind to treasure hunt with the infamous gang known as The Lost Boys, she expected to just be used in cases of emergency. After all, what does she really know about conning and stealing? Aside from pulling a fast one over on her parents and the sexy fedora wearing Justin Ryan, who introduced her to the art of theft, she really is clueless about most things in that category. Seducing a teenage billionaire because he just so happens to have the next clue on this mission she willingly let herself get sucked into? Don't think that's enough pressure for a seventeen year old? Try adding on the fact she's being hunted by her parents, some mythical society she knows nothing about, as well as a rival gang from Neverland, the place they were supposed to be headed. And just when the complications are wound tighter than Belle's mini skirts, she's stuck making that choice every teenager hates making. Family? Or friends?

My Review:
This is definitely one of the stranger versions of Peter Pan that I have read, but it is also one of the most interesting.  When I first started the series and found that Peter was being portrayed as an obnoxious late teen with a drinking issue, I was both disappointed and intrigued at the same time. The main characters ended up being Peyton Darling and Justin, who is one of the lost boys, with Peter, Belle (Tinkerbelle), a couple more lost boys, and some villains of course.  Once I finished the first chapter, I was completely hooked.  I loved the mystery they were trying to solve, and ended up adoring all of the characters, including Peter, who is definitely NOT the hero thus far in these stories.  Peyton's character started out a loner but slowly opened up as her relationship with Justin grew and she saw the temptation of another path in life.  At the end of the first book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second to see where the author took Justin, Peyton, and the rest of the gang.

This book starts up right where the first story leaves off.  In fact, if you buy this book, you actually get both books in one purchase.  A potential love triangle starts and Peyton begins to question the decision she made in becoming part of Peter's gang.  She experiences a lot of growth in this book and she is thrown head first into this new life.  Plenty of action scenes with a nice plot that wasn't too complicated and stems from the first book.  The relationship between Peyton and Justin (and Nick) is a big part of the story but the plot came first, romance second.  It was a fast and fun read and I found myself laughing several times at Peyton and Peter's constant bickering and his obnoxious behavior.  It still cracks me up that the author painted Peter in this light.  He continues to be a huge jerk but we do start to see a glimpse of a heart in this story.

Magic does exist in the book but again, the plot is at the forefront.  The characters can fly, there are some magical weapons and potions, and of course there is a ship that can take them back to Neverland, but we haven't traveled there... yet.

This has become one of my favorite YA adaptations of the story.  I think I like it the most because it is so off beat.  Both books are a quick read and a lot of fun.  

                                                                                                                                         

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Books on our Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.  click the photo above to join!

My top ten reads for the summer include a lot of quick, fun reads for the beach or pool.  Nothing too deep and a lot of magic and mayhem! I'm hoping to get all them read between now and September. All the photos below are linked to Amazon if you want to read more about them.  :)

                                                                   

Waiting on Wednesday (June 10, 2015)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Library of Lost Souls

Ransom Riggs

Publication Date: September 22, 2015 (not soon enough!)

Synopsis from Amazon:

Time is running out for the Peculiar Children. With a dangerous madman on the loose and their beloved Miss Peregrine still in danger, Jacob Portman and Emma Bloom are forced to stage the most daring of rescue missions. They’ll travel through a war-torn landscape, meet new allies, and face greater dangers than ever. . . . Will Jacob come into his own as the hero his fellow Peculiars know him to be? This action-packed adventure features more than 50 all-new Peculiar photographs.

My son and I have been waiting for this book for over a year and are super excited about its release.  If you are a reader who loves books similar to Harry Potter or The Graveyard Book, you will love this series and you still have time to read the first two before the third hits the shelves! Click on either of these links to see the first two books.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children    

Hollow City