Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter by J. S. Barnes

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

Ebenezer Scrooge is a ghost hunter?! Say what?! Whoa! Now, talk about a definite must-read. This is one book that I am excited to gobble up over the holiday season. I mean, c'mon, how could I not, right? Scrooge is from one of my favorite reads - A Christmas Carol; and now he's hunting ghosts? It's a look for him I never thought I would see and I must say, I'm intrigued. So, what exactly is this book about?

Well, according to the description...

'In 1850, only one man stands between the living and the dead; only one man can uncover the secrets of the afterlife. His name? Ebenezer Scrooge.

An uncanny festive sequel to the classic novel, written in the tradition of Charles Dickens.

Perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Kate Griffin. 

Seven years have passed since the events of A Christmas Carol, seven years since the night Ebenezer Scrooge took to a life of philanthropy and kindness.

But there is another side to Scrooge. Those afflicted by spirits and hauntings know of him as a man who can help rid them of the unquiet dead. Alongside his trusted companion and old friend, Captain Ambrose, Scrooge faces off against malevolent poltergeists, and supernatural wickedness.

So when Louisa Fell invites him to investigate her family home on the coast of England, he is more than happy to oblige. But the mysteries at the Fell house are deep and terrifying, and the more Scrooge uncovers, the more he risks awakening the ghosts of his past, present, and of things yet to come.'

Are you kidding me? How exciting and fun does that sound? I know I'm eager to find out about this other side to Scrooge and also to see him in action, so to speak. Like, what exactly does he see when he sees theses spirits and how exactly does he get rid of them. I mean, I have to find out. So, I'm definitely looking forward to sitting down with a huge cuppa and diving right in. 

What about you? What do you think? Let me know. Is a ghost hunting Scrooge your cup of tea? I'd say, yes! Make sure to grab a copy! Happy reading! 

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Turning of Sally-Mae by Nuzo Onoh

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

A historical African-Wild West horror story of supernatural vengeance and terrifying occultic magic from the winner of the Bram Stoker Award® for Lifetime Achievement. Two fearsome deities battle each other for the souls of white twins destined to either bring vengeful devastation or salvation to their community in Texas, USA, for a great injustice done to their mother.

When Sally-Mae Jenkins is violated and impregnated by the twin scions of a wealthy rancher, she’s sent to join the African missionary ship as a widow. Pregnant and terrified, Sally-Mae vows vengeance on all those who abused her and her family. 

Amara is a young woman with the body and face of an old hag. The village outcast, Amara can ‘eat’ the diseases ravaging the villagers and cure the most deadly ailments. But her powers drain her youth and her strength and the only help she has is the fearsome entity that claimed her soul, the spirit known as Aja-Mmọ, the death-giver and physician of the dead.

When Sally-Mae arrives in Amara’s village, her unborn twins become the focus of both the Python-Goddess, Asata, who wants the twins dead, and Aja-Mmọ, who wants the twins alive in her service, just like Amara. And suddenly, Sally-Mae finds the boys, with their unearthly and fearsome powers, have become the weapons of her vengeance against the unsuspecting citizens of her home town back in Texas….

A gripping tale of supernatural horror, bitter revenge and battling deities, suffused with Onoh’s trademark thrilling storytelling, wit and dark humor.

my thoughts:

Whoa! The Turning of Sally-Mae by Nuzo Onoh is a unique and compelling read. I fell in deep with this story the more pages I read. I found myself utterly captivated by the characters - fascinating, strong, and powerful. Oh, and the story itself was mesmerizing with its distinctive take on African folklore, the  supernatural, magic, and vengeance. I wound up sitting down with this book and not getting up until I finished the very last page - there was just no way I was going to put this book down for anything. It was just too damn good. 

The writing was top notch. Onoh's talent is clear right from the start - her ability to write horror with a bit of a comedic bent showcases her storytelling prowess. She can make the gruesome beautiful and touch on triggering topics in a clever way. Plus, her characters are truly the heart of the story and their individuality is on display, making their story unputdownable. I loved this book to bits!

I would happily recommend The Turning of Sally-Mae to fans of Onoh and to anyone looking for their next great read - you are going to love this one! Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! 

Thank you Titan Books for provindg me with a copy of this book!

My Friday Five

1. Early morning walks are now my jam. I love the stillness of the morning when no one else is awake (or at least it feels that way) and you have the whole neighborhood to yourself as you walk around it and take in all the Halloween decor and the beautiful pink early morning skies. It’s bliss. The only downside is that my anxiety tries to ruin it all by making me feel rather unsteady on my feet. Ugh. 

   
   

2. Pocket sized notebooks - the small ones that are the size of the palm of your hand. I am loving jotting down quotes in them lately. And, I throw in a sticker or two, too.

   
   

3. Watching journaling videos and learning how other people view journaling and what they use for supplies. I find that the people who barely use anything are the ones that interest me the most. Makes me realize how little we actually need when it comes to writing it all out. 

4. Just received this book in the mail and I can’t wait to dig in:

   

   
   

   5. Hallmark’s Christmas movies - the new ones - start today. Hurrah! I’m excited to get into the Christmas spirit a bit early this year and this is the perfect way to do just that. Happy holidays! LOL!

You Let Me In: A Thriller by Lucy Clarke

(Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for providing me with a copy of this book!)

As a huge fan of Lucy Clarke's novels I am highly recommending her latest release - You Let Me In. This book is fantastic! Chock full of suspense, mystery, and thrills - this story will captivate you right from the start. I had such a fun time gobbling it up - trying to guess what was going on and who was behind everything. It was such a treat to read. 

Here's the summary from Goodreads:

'TWO MILLION COPY AND INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

“Utterly compulsive! Twisty, atmospheric, and beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down.”—Claire Douglas, bestselling author of The Wrong Sister

Lock Every Door meets Rear Window in this white-knuckle thriller about a struggling writer locked in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse with a stalker hell-bent on dredging up her past

I’m in your house. I’m in your head. And now I know your secret.

Elle Fielding is floundering. Her once perfect marriage is falling apart and she’s on the verge of losing her book deal—and, by extension, the dream home she’s poured her savings into. As her finances dwindle, Elle decides to rent out her Cornish home on Airbnb. Just this once.

But when she returns home after a writer’s retreat away, nothing feels right. There’s a new coldness. A shift in the atmosphere. The prickling feeling that someone is watching her every move from the shadows. Maybe it’s all in Elle’s mind? And yet every threat seems personal. As if someone has discovered the secrets that keep her awake at night. As fear and paranoia close in, Elle’s own home becomes a prison. Someone is unlocking her past—and she’s given them the key.

With Hitchcockian dexterity, Lucy Clarke unlocks one of our most primal fears in this mind-bending thriller about the horrors that lurk behind closed doors. In a world where technology has brought us closer to both loved ones and strangers, You Let Me In is a disquieting and nightmarishly intense addition to Lucy Clarke’s searing oeuvre.'

How great does that sound? Like a definite must-read, especially for fans of Lucy Clarke. I always love books where the protagonist is a writer - always seems more fun to read. Plus, I knew that Clarke would have me on the edge of my seat reading about all the strange goings-ons that Elle was dealing with. Plus, I loved how social media was explored in the story - the way it can harm you when you decide to share too much information to strangers. Also, truth be told, I just love a good thriller and Clarke writes top notch ones. 

Make sure to check out You Let Me In - you are going to LOVE it to bits! 

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monstera by Delilah S. Dawson

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (Goodreads summary)

A reclusive young woman moves into what seems like the perfect apartment and is obsessively drawn to her mysterious neighbour, who keeps a lush garden and is hiding a deadly secret… Eat the Ones You Love meets Wilder Girls in this sensual, sapphic, botanical horror novella from the New York Times-bestselling author of Bloom and House of Idyll.

When Lucy McClintock moves into a dreamy Victorian in downtown Savannah after years of suffering under the rule of her overbearing grandfather, she feels like she's won the lottery—well, outside of the creepy landlord. She soon notices a glorious green haven in the backyard and meets her downstairs neighbor, Saskia, a weightlifter who lives in a magical apartment overflowing with plant life and beautiful artwork. Naïve and lonely Lucy is drawn to strong and secretive Saskia, and as the two women grow closer, they discover they share more than just an apartment building…

A seductive, heady, sinister breathless romance and bone-chilling suspense collide in this sweet and deadly tale.

my thoughts:

Enjoyed this short novel by Delilah S. Dawson. I was expecting horror and instead got a romance with a splash of horror. Monstera is about Lucy and Saskia, two neighbors drawn to each other, and the secrets they harbor. It's sexy, eerie, and suspenseful. And, it's a treat to read. I gobbled it up in one sitting and found it to be a fun and delightful story. 

Dawson is a great writer and Monstera is a clear example of her talent. The book has unforgettable characters and an unputdownable story. We get romance vibes and some creepiness woven together that help build up the mystery factor of the story. And, we also get a bit of botanical horror now and again, which adds to the darkness of the story. Overall, Dawson has created a horror romance that is more lovely than scary. 

I would happily recommend Monstera to fans of Dawson - you are going to love this book to bits! Make sure to grab a copy ASAP. 

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!