Possess by Gretchen McNeil

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen (23 Aug. 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0062060716
• ISBN-13: 978-0062060716

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her overprotective mom, by Matt Quinn, the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, the voices are demons - and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. Literally.

Terrified to tell her friends or family about this new power, Bridget confides in San Francisco's senior exorcist, Monsignor Renault. The monsignor enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession, but just as she is starting to come to terms with her freakish new role, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. And when one of her oldest friends is killed, Bridget realizes she's in deeper than she ever thought possible. Now she must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone else close to her winds up dead - or worse, the human vessel for a demon king.

Cover:  I love this cover.  Dark, creepy, and a little bit different.

I have had this book on my shelf for the longest time, and as I am attempting to try and read more 'October-Halloween' themed reads, I finally decided to pick it up.
It was a great pick for Halloween- with demons, possessions and exorcisms.  There were moments when it reminded me of one of my favourite books- Anna Dressed In Blood.
There were definitely creepy moments...a possession in a doll shop being the one that stands out the most to me.
While I enjoyed it, and can't put my finger on why- I didn't LOVE it.
3.5/5 stars.

Read in October, 2015

The Zombie Apocalypse Book TAG

W...W...W...Wednesday 28/10/15

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading

What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

Recently finished reading A Double Edged Blade by Julie Moffett

I think my next read will be Simply Irrestible by Jill Shalvis

The Addams Family Book Tag

Teaser Tuesday 27/10/15 'The Dead House'

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 pageShare two “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 teaser.

 

This week's teaser comes from page 236 of The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich.




 

"Look, I don't know why the Shyan took Carly, if that's even what happened.  I think maybe it's to do with creating a gap where she used to be.  But a soul doesn't just pass on.  It takes time.  Assuming Carly's soul is beahaving like the soul of someone who died, then her spirit won't leave your body right away.  It'll linger.  Which means something is hiding her away in there.  I'd say we've got roughly a month to get her back.  Maybe morem maybe less.  Damn it, I don't know."  Naida leans forward, resting her head on her hands.  "I just don't know.  I don't know why a Shyan wants her soul at all.  But I'm going to find out."

Paper Dandy's HORRORGAMI by Marc Hagan-Guirey

Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Laurence King (7 Sept. 2015)
• ISBN-10: 1780675933
• ISBN-13: 978-1780675930
• Paper Dandy's Horrorgami features 20 kirigami (cut-and-fold) designs based around haunted houses and scenes from horror films by the creator of the successful Horrorgami blog and exhibition. Each project features step-by-step instructions and a template that you remove from the book. You then follow the lines on the template, cutting and folding to make your own kirigami model. All you need is a scalpel, a cutting mat and a ruler. Clear cutting tips help you with the tricky stages and give you an order in which to complete your work, while photos of the finished model show you the final design. Suitable for folding experts and beginners alike, Paper Dandy's Horrorgami makes the perfect Halloween activity.

This is simply perfect for October and Halloween- you can make famous scenes from movies such as Godzilla rampaging over a city or the headless horseman riding through Sleepy Hollow, or even the imposing sight of Dracula's castle.

There's a scale from easy to the trickier so you don't have to worry about getting too complicated too quickly.  This is such a fun project book, and a nice alternative to the adult colouring book trend!

Stunning cover

Image showing folding in process

Step by step guide

Each scene has a little information on it- aka the Farmhouse Bloodbath is based on the movie, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  As well as what the project should look like when complete.

 

October 2015 Book Haul | In My Mailbox

W...W...W...Wednesday 21/10/2015

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading

What do you think you’ll read next?

I recently finished reading Bella and the Beast by Olivia Drake

I'm currently reading A Double-Edged Blade by Julie Moffett

I think my next read will be Do Not Disturb by A.R. Torre

Book Haul | Walker Books Blogger Event

Teaser Tuesday 20/10/2015 'A Double-Edged Blade'

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 pageShare two “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 teaser.

This week's teaser comes from page 144 of A Double-Edged Blade by Julie Moffett.

"Paddy twisted her arm behind her back with a hard jerk, shoving her back against him.  "Aye, I'm here, and it looks like the tables have turned since we last met.  Now, let me give ye a piece o' simple advice.  Stop struggling or I'll 

shoot ye."  Faith felt something cold and hard press into the small of her back.

Oh, Christ, he had a gun.  A gun from the twentieth century."

The Girl in 6E (Deanna Madden #1) by A.R. Torre

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Orion (12 Feb. 2015)
• ISBN-10: 1409153509
• ISBN-13: 978-1409153504

I haven't touched a human in three years. That seems like it would be a difficult task, but it's not. Not anymore, thanks to the internet.

I am, quite possibly, the most popular recluse ever. Not many shut-ins have a 200-member fan club, a bank account in the seven-figure range, and hundreds of men lining up to pay for undivided attention.

They get satisfaction, I get a distraction. Their secret desires are nothing compared to why I hide... my lust for blood, my love of death.

Taking their money is easy. Keeping all these secrets... one is bound to escape.

What if you hid yourself away because all you could think of was killing? And what if one girl's life depending on you venturing into society?

Enter a world of lies, thrills, fears, and all desires, in this original thriller from A. R. Torre.

Cover: A striking and sexy cover.

I can't believe I've left it this long to read this book!
I loved it!
Deanna locks herself in her apartment.  Never leaving.  Protecting society from her murderous tendencies.  Supporting herself by performing on web cams.  Until one particular viewer creeps her out.  Worried that the mans fantasies aren't enough for him- she tries to warn police.  Not taken seriously- Deanna leaves the apartment...with deadly consequences.
I found myself drawn in really quickly.
I loved Deanna's voice.  Her straight forward thinking, with dark, murderous undertones.
I found the story gripping, and it definitely built to a satisfying conclusion.  My heart in my throat a few times.
Perfect read for October, and I'm both intrigued and excited for the sequel.
4/5 stars. 

Read from October 07 to 11, 2015

[DISCUSSION] - 'Affording BookTube

Booking Through Thursday 15/10/2015 'Conversation'

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Booking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.
Do you have people you can talk to about books you’ve read? Share delight in plot twists, explore how much fun it was, or how badly written?

I have few friends that enjoy reading as much as I do OR who read the same things as me.  So it's difficult to rant or rave about a book when you're the only one that cares, or that knows what you're going on about.
That's the main reason I started by Book Blog and BookTube Channel- so that I could talk about the books I was reading with likeminded readers, that would be familiar with the books, authors, plots, covers etc. that I was talking about.
I've been very fortunate that through the blog and channel that I have made friends- some that I consider very close friends.  That I can talk enthusiastically to.

Waiting On Wednesday 14/10/2015 'The Official Outlander Colouring Book'

Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.

This week the book that I'm waiting on is The Official Outlander Colouring Book.
I am a huge fan of the TV show and Book by Diana Gabaldon, and I'm also really enjoying colouring books at the moment- so I'm really looking forward to the combination of the two.
Released 27th October.

W...W...W...Wednesday 14/10/2015

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading

What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently reading Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Recently finished reading The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre

Think my next read by be Raze by Tillie Cole

Teaser Tuesday 13/10/2015 'Possess'

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 pageShare two “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 teaser.

 

This week's teaser comes from page 76 of Possess by Gretchen McNeil.




"Bridget dragged her backpack through the front door and dropped it on the front door and dropped it on the spiral carpet, then sank to the floor herself and leaned back, clicking the door into place.  She reached up and bolted it.  The way her day was going, it was only a matter of time before someone else showed up at the house: Monsignor, Fathor Santos, Matt Quinn.  Nope, she was locking them all out."

Priest by Sierra Simone

Format: Kindle Edition

• Print Length: 352 pages
• ASIN: B00WHGBTHI

There are many rules a priest can't break. 
A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God.

I've always been good at following rules. 
Until she came. 
My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I'm twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again. 
I am a priest and this is my confession.

***
***Priest is a standalone, full-length novel with an HEA.  For mature audiences only.***

Cover: Nothing not to like about that cover.

I picked this one up because it was ALL over my Instagram feed.  I literally couldn't go onto Instagram without seeing it.  So decided to pick it up to see what all of the fuss was about.
And I can see the attraction.  Practically the ultimate taboo- of a priest and one of his flock.
I really did enjoy the premise of this one, but I think it fell a tad flat.  The sex scenes were hot don't get me wrong, but I think it focused far too much on that much too quickly.  Then there were some that made even ME uncomfortable.  I'm not religious by anyone's standards, but the use of some objects made even my a tad uncomfortable and I could easily see how some might take offence.  Turned it to smut really.  When I think the premise was there for a much deeper, romantic story.
Over all, I didn't hate this one, but I wish it had been developed that little bit more.

2/5 stars,

Read from July 09 to 12, 2015

[VLOG] Walker Books-Blogger Brunch 10/10/15

September 2015 Favourites

W...W...W...Wednesday 07/10/2015

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading

What do you think you’ll read next?

 

I recently finished reading Down London Road by Samantha Young

 

I'm currently reading The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre

 

I think my next read will be The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

 

Until Fountain Bridge (On Dublin Street 1.5) by Samantha Young

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 674 KB
• Print Length: 111 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (20 Jun. 2013)
• ASIN: B00CJ1NTBK
• An exclusive novella featuring Ellie and Adam, much loved characters from On Dublin Street and Down London Road
  
  Ellie Carmichael has been in love with Adam Sutherland for as long as she can remember. What started as a childhood crush on the protective and best friend of her older brother bloomed into full-blown infatuation over the years. Unfortunately, it also meant full-blown heartache, as Adam refused to fall for his mate's little sister.
  
  But it takes a crisis for Adam to realize he's wasted too much time denying his feelings for her. Unwilling to waste a second more, he decided to make Ellie his, no matter what the consequences. Now happily settled with the woman he's pined after for years, he's about to find out what their ten year courtship was like for her, through the journals she kept during their ups and many downs. And though Adam may have Ellie now, he has no idea how close he came to losing her . . .

Cover:  I love this cover.  I can't put my finger on why I love it so much, but I do.  A lot.

We first met Ellie and Adam in On Dublin Street, as side characters in Joss and Braden's story.
So I'm glad to see their story told, I just wish it had been a full novel instead of a novella, because they deserved one.
Ellie, a true romantic, has loved Adam for as long as she can remember.
Adam, has feelings for Ellie- but she's his best friend's sister.  The Carmichael's are like family to him, he can't risk losing them or hurting Ellie.
But when tragedy strikes, it brings them closer together- and makes them realise what's important- being together.
I enjoyed how this story was told- kind of in flashback form.  Adam and Ellie are going through stuff and find her old diaries- detailing their story.
Really enjoyed this one, and it's a must read for anyone that enjoyed reading On Dublin Street.  I blazed through it, reading it in just on day.

4/5 stars.

Read on June 03, 2015
 

September 2015 Reading Wrap Up