Showing posts with label Fall Reads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall Reads. Show all posts

Monday, October 5, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Book Covers That Give Me Fall Vibes


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Book Covers With Fall Colors/Vibes
This week’s TTT is perfect for the current aesthetic I have going on on my bookstagram account. When I think of fall colors I think vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows like the changing leaves outside my window. Here are ten books that make me think of fall...

1. Meet Me On Love Lane by Nina Bocci

2. At Death's Door by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 3. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

4. Murder, She Wrote Trick or Treachery


5. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Tales by Washington Irving

6. Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowlings

8. Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

9. The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

10. Headless

***
What books covers remind you of fall?
Let me know in the comments or drop a link to your TTT!
Happy Reading Bookdragons!
-Taylor

Thursday, September 10, 2020

If You Like That... Read These (Sleepy Hollow)

 


Hey Bookdragons! Fall is Coming! (although let's be honest, September 1st is the beginning of the fall season to me.) I don't know about you, but I have plans to read all kinds of thrillers, mysteries, and spooky books to get the feeling of the season. And one of my favorite classic books and it's movie adaptation is the perfect fall read...


Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is the quintessential fall read and if you love it as much as I do you'll want to devour all the retellings. Retellings you say? Yes!! Retellings aren't just for fairy tales! There have been quite a few amazing Legend of Sleepy Hollow retellings and I'm here to tell you about them. Each of these are unique takes and reimaginings of the classic story. There's a little something for every reader. Most of these I've read and loved but there are a few that are still on my to-be-read list...

The Hollow (The Hollow Trilogy Book 1) by Jessica Verday


The Hollow trilogy by Jessica Verday is the first Sleepy Hollow retelling I read. It also blossomed my interest in perfume making. 

Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana
While not my favorite Sleepy Hollow retelling, I did really enjoy this book. It's a standalone, so no cliffhanger endings. It also brings in one of my favorite female authors, Mary Shelley. Diversity alert: The main character Micaela is half Cuban. 

The Lantern's Ember by Colleen Houck
I almost don't want to include this book on this list since it was a near DNF for me but it is supposed to be a Sleepy Hollow retelling... before the author got sidetracked maybe? Anyway, I see some people on Goodreads liked it so I guess it's hit or miss. Like I always believe, you need to be the judge. You may love what I dislike and I may dislike what everyone else loves.

Crane (The Legends Saga Book 1) by Stacey Rourke
Crane is the most recent Sleepy Hollow retelling I've read and it's my second favorite after the Hollow Trilogy. Ireland is a spunky lead and I love that Stacey incorporated Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle into the Legend's origin story. P.S. the second and third books bring in Edgar Allan Poe and H.G. Wells so if you love classic gothic lit you must read these books!

Before I move on to retellings I haven't read here's some Shameless Self Promotion...

Headless by Taylor Fenner
Headless is my new adult debut and much sexier than any of my other books. As for the retelling part, our heroine Cora is the Headless Horsewoman taking vengeance on the men of modern-day Sleepy Hollow. 

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo

This one sounds like an interesting historical fiction retelling and one of the few retellings I've seen set during the actual time period which The Legend of Sleepy Hollow takes place. And Katrina turning to witchcraft? Sign me up!

For all these books and more including tv show and movie novelizations visit:

Sunday, September 1, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 2 September 2019



#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Happy Labor Day Bookdragons! I hope you're relaxing and reading and enjoying the end of the three-day weekend! 


What I Read Last Week:
So I ended up DNF'ing this one less than ten pages in. I didn't like the first book so I don't know why I thought the second book would be better. *Sighs* oh well. Another book off my shelf at least. 
I read all three Scary Stories books (bound into one hardcover) last week. I was so afraid to read these books as a kid and now I wonder why. They weren't scary, they were actually boring and fragmented. 

What I Am Reading Now:
I started reading this book at the coffee shop on Wednesday and I'm really enjoying it so far!  As a street team member (and even if I wasn't) I highly recommend preordering this November release. And guess what? If you preorder from One More Page you'll get your book signed (and personalized if you wish) with an exclusive crown stamp on the page! To preorder visit: https://www.onemorepagebooks.com/crown-oblivion-julie-eshbaugh-signed-featuring-exclusive-stamp-nov-12th

Last week I also started reading Bloodleaf. I'm not very far into it and I might put off finishing it for a while because I have more than a few books going right now for me to really devote time to this one.
I still need to finish the audiobook of It's Always the Husband. I'm only about 20% in because with last month's writing schedule I was so tired by the time I crawled into bed I was too exhausted to focus on an audiobook and I didn't want to miss anything because I love this author's writing! 

Up Next:
With a new month comes a new TBR list and this month I hope to read...
This should be easy to get through because I can always read a story or two before bed while still reading other books during the rest of my free time.
I've been meaning to read this book since it came out and I think it's high time I got into it.
The book I've been waiting for all year... I can't wait to get my copy of Capturing the Devil and see how this series ends!
I blew off most of my ARC reading last month so I'm catching up this month. I've been wanting to start this one, I just haven't had the time.
One of the things I love most about Fall is the spooky reads. This is another ARC I have to get to and it is the perfect time of the year to get started on it! 
What are you reading this week? Do you plan out a TBR for the month or do you just wing it?

Monday, September 17, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Upcoming Releases on My Fall TBR!


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme started by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Fall Releases on My TBR List!

This week's TTT is all about books we plan to read this fall, and as per my usual I'm showcasing the fall 2018 releases I can't wait to read this fall!

1. Escaping From Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3) by Kerri Maniscalco

2. Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness

3. Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

4. Broken Things by Lauren Oliver

5. The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout

6. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

7. Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep

8. For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig

9. What The Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra

10. Inked by Drew Elyse

What fall releases are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your TTT!
Happy Reading Bookdragons!
P.S. for those looking for a dark, sexy fall read, check out my upcoming release, Headless!


Monday, September 18, 2017

Book Review: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco
Blurb:
In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

My Review
I dove into this book blind after seeing the cover and having instant cover love and reading an excerpt from the first chapter on Entertainment Weekly. I hadn't read the first book, although I have since rectified that, but I found this book easy to get into. 

The world-building in Hunting Prince Dracula is fantastic and the story-telling was enchanting. I felt as if I stepped right into the pages and was living the story. Audrey Rose is the definition of a strong female lead, a term I find to be overused lately but the term definitely describes Audrey. She's brave, fearless, unafraid to get her hands dirty, and easily proves that girls can do all of the things that guys can do. I find sometimes that some characters take some time to like, but I liked Audrey instantly. 

Audrey and Thomas reminded me of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Their investigative skills blew me away and I loved all of the details of late-nineteenth-century autopsies and forensic studies, the author definitely did her research. 

I loved both the setting (having read other books set roughly in the same region and time period and loving those it felt like I was returning to something familiar) and the secondary characters that brought the story together perfectly. I never saw the ending coming! 

Overall, I was hooked on Hunting Prince Dracula from the first page. I didn't want to put it down and I'm already eager to read the next book! 

My Rating:
5 of 5 Stars!

Friday, September 1, 2017

Cozy Up With These Fall Releases! 12 Upcoming Novels For Your TBR Shelf

Ah fall, have I mentioned that fall is my favorite season? From the cool, crisp air to the pumpkin spiced everything to scary movies... and of course new books! Grab a pumpkin spice latte or your preferred coffee or tea and cozy up with these 12 upcoming releases you won't want to miss...


1. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
Tower of Dawn
Throne of Glass Series #6
Sarah J. Maas
Bloomsbury
September 5, 2017
Blurb:
In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire.

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.


But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

Why I Want to Read This Book:
I was unsure at first that I wanted to read Tower of Dawn because I'm just indifferent about Chaol, but since the events of this book might come up in the final TOG book, and since I love Sarah J. Maas no matter what she writes, I'm definitely getting excited to read this book. 

2. Warcross by Marie Lu
Warcross
Warcross #1
Marie Lu
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
September 12, 2017
Blurb:
For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.


Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

Why I Want to Read This Book:
I kept hearing about this book and at first, I liked the cover but the book didn't interest me, but then I read the blurb and it sounds really amazing. It sounds like stepping into a video game, maybe mixed with that book/movie nerve for some reason. I just hope there's some romance for my sake!

3. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
Autoboyography
Christina Lauren
Simon & Schuster
September 19, 2017
Blurb:
Fangirl meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this funny and poignant coming-of-age novel from New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren about two boys who fall in love in a writing class—one from a progressive family and the other from a conservative religious community.

Three years ago, Tanner Scott’s family relocated from California to Utah, a move that nudged the bisexual teen temporarily back into the closet. Now, with one semester of high school to go, and no obstacles between him and out-of-state college freedom, Tanner plans to coast through his remaining classes and clear out of Utah.

But when his best friend Autumn dares him to take Provo High’s prestigious Seminar—where honor roll students diligently toil to draft a book in a semester—Tanner can’t resist going against his better judgment and having a go, if only to prove to Autumn how silly the whole thing is. Writing a book in four months sounds simple. Four months is an eternity.


It turns out, Tanner is only partly right: four months is a long time. After all, it takes only one second for him to notice Sebastian Brother, the Mormon prodigy who sold his own Seminar novel the year before and who now mentors the class. And it takes less than a month for Tanner to fall completely in love with him.
Why I Want to Read This Book:
This is not my usual type of read. I've never been into books where the main characters are part of the LGBT community (because I don't relate, not because I'm against it or anything... I also dislike reading books in the male perspective as a girl, so there.) But I love Christina Lauren and this book actually sounds like I might like it. 

4. Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco
Hunting Prince Dracula
Stalking Jack the Ripper #2
Kerri Maniscalco
JIMMY Books
September 19, 2017
Blurb:
In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.


But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.
Why You'll Want To Read This Book:
Thomas and Audrey Rose are back, this time attending school in Romania in DRACULA's CASTLE! There will be murder, there will be vampire lore, there will be history, and there will be romance! In my opinion, this is even better than Stalking Jack the Ripper!

5. The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo
The Language of Thorns, Midnight Tales
 and Dangerous Magic

Leigh Bardugo
Macmillan
September 26, 2017
Blurb:
Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.


This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.
Why I Want to Read This Book:
I'm loving that there've been quite a few collections of short stories published this year and this one sounds particularly good. Legends and myths of the Grishaverse? Illustrated artwork? Yes, please! 

6. The Ravenous by Amy Lukavics
Blurb:
The Ravenous
Amy Lukavics
Harlequin Teen
September 26, 2017
From the outside, the Cane family looks like they have it all. A successful military father, a loving mother and five beautiful teenage daughters. But on the inside, life isn't quite so idyllic: the Cane sisters can barely stand each other, their father is always away, and their neglectful mother struggles with addiction and depression. 


When their youngest and most beloved sister, Rose, dies in a tragic accident, Mona Cane and her sisters are devastated. And when she is brought back from the dead, they are relieved. But soon they discover that Rose must eat human flesh to survive, and when their mother abandons them, the sisters will find out just how far they'll go to keep their family together.
Why I Want to Read This Book:
I needed at least one scary book to get me through the fall and Amy Lukavics always brings the scare! I'm curious about this one, it sounds a little different than Lukavics's other books so I'm interested to see if it will pack the punch that her other two books have. 

7.  One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake
One Dark Throne
Three Dark Crowns #2
Kendare Blake
September 19, 2017
Blurb:
The battle for the Crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.


In this enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other.
Why I Want to Read This Book:
This is just a maybe for me. I wanted to love Three Dark Crowns but I've tried reading it and listening to the audiobook with no luck. However, everyone that I've seen post early reviews have said how good One Dark Throne is, and how much quicker paced it is than the first book, so I kind of want to read it yet I'm kind of afraid to waste time on it after not liking the first book. 

8. There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
Blurb:
There's Someone Inside Your House
Stephanie Perkins
Dutton
September 26, 2017
Scream meets YA in this hotly-anticipated new novel from the bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss.

One-by-one, the students of Osborne High are dying in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasing and grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and the hunt intensifies for the killer, the dark secrets among them must finally be confronted.


International bestselling author Stephanie Perkins returns with a fresh take on the classic teen slasher story that’s fun, quick-witted, and completely impossible to put down.
Why I Want To Read This Book:
Did you miss the part where it says Scream meets YA?!?! Scream is only one of my absolute favorite horror movie franchises and for this book to be written in the theme/style of that is right up my alley! 

9. Ally (Nemesis #2) by Anna Banks
Ally
Nemesis #2
Anna Banks
Feiwel & Friends
October 3, 2017
Blurb:
Princess Sepora of Serubel and King Tarik of Theoria have formed an uneasy truce between their kingdoms since the deadly plague began to rip through Theoria. Since their feelings for each other are entangled in politics and power, they must use their own trusted resources to find common ground.


But when traitors with powerful allies arise from unexpected places, Tarik and Sepora face challenges that will change both of their kingdoms forever. Will they learn whom to trust—including each other—in time to save their kingdoms, their relationship, and even their lives?
Why I Want to Read This Book:
I really liked Nemesis and I can't wait to see how this duology will end. Seriously, I would have given my first born for an ARC of this book!  Will Sepora and Tarik end up together? I need to know! 

10. Piper by Jay Asher and Jessica Freeburg
Piper 
Jay Asher & Jessica Freeburg
Razorbill
October 31, 2017
Blurb:
Long ago, in a small village in the middle of a deep, dark forest, there lived a lonely, deaf girl named Maggie. Shunned by her village because of her disability, her only comfort comes from her vivid imagination. Maggie has a gift for inventing stories and dreams of one day finding her fairy-tale love.

When Maggie meets the mysterious Piper, it seems that all her wishes are coming true. Spellbound, Maggie falls hard for him and plunges headfirst into his magical world. But as she grows closer to the Piper, Maggie discovers that he has a dark side.


The boy of Maggie's dreams might just turn out to be her worst nightmare...
Why I Want to Read This Book:
You should know by now that I love retellings, but I didn't expect a retelling of the pied piper from the author of 13 Reasons Why. I'm intrigued, not only because of the author's genre change, but because this book sounds really good! Not to mention that it's a graphic novel and the cover is really awesome! 

11. Can't Let Go (Original Heartbreakers #5) by Gena Showalter
Can't Let Go
Original Heartbreakers #5
Gena Showalter
Harlequin
October 31, 2017
Blurb:
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers tale about an icy war vet and the only woman capable of melting him…

With trust issues a mile long, Ryanne Wade has sworn off men.  Then Jude Laurent walks into her bar and all bets are off.  The former Army Ranger has suffered unimaginably, first being maimed in battle then losing his wife and daughters to a drunk driver. Making the brooding widower smile is priority one. Resisting him? Impossible.

To Jude, Ryanne is off limits. And yet the beautiful bartender who serves alcohol to potential motorists tempts him like no other. When a rival bar threatens her livelihood, and her life, he can’t turn away.  She triggers something in him he thought long buried, and he’s determined to protect her, whatever the cost.


As their already scorching attraction continues to heat, the damaged soldier knows he must let go of his past to hold on to his future...or risk losing the second chance he desperately needs.
Why I Want To Read This Book:
I really love this series and I can't wait for it to continue with Ryanne and Jude's story. Sexy, damaged men (my favorite type) and sassy women? A guaranteed good read! 

Undone
Unknown Trilogy #3
Wendy Higgins
Self-Published
November 28, 2017
12. Undone by Wendy Higgins
Blurb:
Final book in the Unknown Trilogy! This story will be told in dual points of view, both Amber and Remy.
Why I Want to Read This Book:
I love this trilogy and I have to see it to the end and see what kind of resolution it will have. Will it have a positive ending? I'm not sure. I hope so, but the way things have become in the world in Unrest leaves me unsure. Even if all the characters end up with who they are supposed to will they be able to win back Earth from the aliens?





***

What do you think of the fall releases this year? It looks like September is going to be a pretty awesome month in my opinion. Did I miss any books that you're dying to get your hands on? Renegades by Marissa Meyer? All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater? Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows? Something else?

Read NIGHT OF TERROR