On My E-Reader: Willow Walk

One of my favorite genres is mystery/thriller! Back in high school, I would stay up far too late binge reading them, one right after another. S.J.I. Holliday's debut novel Black Wood (book one of the Banktoun series) is a fantastic example of an excellent mystery/thriller. Which is why it's a shame I haven't read book two Willow Walk!

amazon
goodreads

Book Description: When the past catches up, do you run and hide or stand and fight?

When a woman is brutally attacked on a lonely country road by an escaped inmate from a nearby psychiatric hospital, Sergeant Davie Gray must track him down before he strikes again. But Gray is already facing a series of deaths connected to legal highs and a local fairground, as well as dealing with his girlfriend Marie's bizarre behaviour. As Gray investigates the crimes, he suspects a horrifying link between Marie and the man on the run - but how can he confront her when she's pushing him away?

As a terrified Marie is pulled back into a violent past she thought she'd escaped, she makes an irrevocable decision. And when events come to a head at a house party on Willow Walk, can Gray piece together the puzzle in time to stop the sleepy town of Banktoun being rocked by tragedy once more?

Reasons I Bought It: First, did I mention I loved Black Wood? Because I did. You can find my review of it here. I could leave it there, but let's talk about this cover: HOLY GOODNESS PINK LOVELY. Between an awesome book description, a solid start to the series in Black Wood, and this killer cover, buying Willow Walk was a must! I'm looking forward to reading Willow Walk soon and freaking myself out! 

Check out S.J.I. Holliday on
Twitter, FaceBook, and her website.

Pick up your copy on Amazon.

Have you read Willow Walk?

Did you review it?

If so, share it with me! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Ang reads: the February 2016 edition

Whelp!
2016 is underway.
As I posted last month,
I'm making it a goal to blog about the books
I've been reading at least once a month.
Let's recap, shall we!

Here's my GoodReads 2016 Reading Goal:

2016 Reading Challenge

Angela has read 0 books toward her goal of 50 books.

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0 of 50 (0%)

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Books read in January:
(links to reviews on GoodReads)
Holidays with Jane: Trick or Sweet published by Indie Jane Press
Black Wood by SJI Holliday
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Book One by L. Frank Baum
Attempting Elizabeth by Jessica Grey

Now, I know y'all are dying to hear what my favorite book was last month.
Truth to be told, I suck at picking favorites.
So you'll have to wait for my 2016 year end wrap up to get a straight answer.
However, I will say that there wasn't a book I read this month that I didn't enjoy.
I'm thinking that's a win-win all around.

Books I'd like to read this month:
The first is a book a great bookish friend sent to me last year.
i. am. ALL. the excited to finally read it.

The second is by a wonderful author friend of mine.
I loved Wind Chime Cafe hard
and look forward to this beautiful sequel!

And the last is the second book in a classic series.
One of my reading goals this year is to read all the Oz books.

link to goodreads

link to goodreads

link to goodreads


Annnnd on that note!

1. Whatcha been reading?! 
2. Quick: tea or coffee?
3. Heard of any good books you're dying to get your hands on?
4. Have you read Oz? 
WHAT THE HECK WITH THE TINMAN?!
5. What does love got to do with it?

Peeeeace!

Ang reads: the January 2016 edition

2016 is upon us! 

Meaning it's time to set a new yearly reading goal
whilst reflecting on the awesome reads to come.
In recent years I've slacked off when it comes to blogging about books.
This year I'm gonna attempt to update at least once a month.
Will Ang crash and burn or will she conquer all?! Only. Time. Will. Tell.
Let's just hope she never talks about herself in the third person again!

Here's my GoodReads 2016 Reading Goal:

2016 Reading Challenge

Angela has read 0 books toward her goal of 50 books.

hide

0 of 50 (0%)

view books

The four books I'm planning to read this month are:

link to goodreads

link to goodreads

link to goodreads

link to goodreads

Now it's your turn!
*pauses for boisterous applause*

1. Have you read any of the books I've listed?
2. What's your reading goal for 2016?
3. Got any MUST READ books that I HAVE to add to my to-read in 2016 list?
4. Speaking of GoodReads, wanna be friends there?
5. Quick: cookies or pie?!

Annnnnd on that note!

I hope your January is filled with amazing reads 

and a never ending supply of your favorite treats.

Peace out, Brussels sprouts!

Five for Friday -- With A Little Help From My Friends

It's Friday. 

I've got my Avenger tickets in my pocket

and a feel good vibe floating 'round inside my heart.

I think it's all the fairy dust in the air of late.

Whatever it may be,

I'm embracing it, jumpin' back in the saddle,

and putting together a fun times post complete with

cackles,

balloons, 

chocolate,

anthologies,

and marshmallow villains.

It will all make sense.
 

Ready. Steady. 

Let's get this party started!

1. This week in Tweet Tweet Land.

I made new friends.

It made my heart happy.

Here's why--

Sarah from re-raveling and I told fairy tales about eyelashes, big toes, and marshmallow men.

*out -- ya know how it goes on twitter. typos be running wild!

 Susi Holliday (who's blog is here) cackled and my heart sang.

Victoria Pearson (who's blog is here) came up with the best job EVER.

Jessica Grey (who's blog/website is here) wholeheartedly supported my decision to make a tumblr vs being productive in life.

p.s. I also made a pinterest, because ya know, I don't have enough to distract me.
*headdesk*

And my lovely friend Katie and I discussed Ben & Jerry's. 

word

2. This week in writing.

Speaking of Ben & Jerry's, 

this took place yesterday.

 Editing of Fluff, Nonsense, & Other Emo Crap commenced this week
and, let me just say, my brain-brain hurts.
It's a good thing the doctors decided I have two,
cause I'm pretty certain this whole process is gonna cause one to explode.

 3. This week in crazy awesome news that made my heart stop!!!
Speaking of exploding brains,
about a week ago I entered a flash fiction contest
hosted by @SJIHolliday & @ruanna3.
I do so declare it has been the best experience EVER!!!
Eighty-eight stories were submitted.
I've read every single one of them
and honestly adored them all.
There is no way I am going to win.
Having the privilege of playing a small role in this event has been my prize.
And then, low and behold, an announcement was made that knocked my socks off.

What is this wonderment @SJIHolliday is speaking of?
Why a published anthology of all the stories from the contest,
but of course.
ALL the stories, which means ME!
That's right, folks!!!
I'M GONNA BE A PUBLISHED WRITER!!!!
An actual physical book made of paper with stories in it
will have my name and my words in it!!!
I feel honored.
I feel stunned.
I feel verklempt!
I feel...
*brain-brain failure*

How doth one follow up that news?!
*ponders*
Oh, I know where to go next!

4. This week in heroes of the stache.
Speaking of feeling honored,
it's May and time for us to support our local staches.
This week I'm paying homage to a great hero of the stache--
Mr. Tom Selleck.

You, sir, are a god among staches.

Long live the stache!!

5. This week in yeah buddy.

And last, but oh so far from being least,
my family and I sent messages to our Rocketman last Saturday.

i love you, rocketman

It's been over a month since "the event."
It's weirdy in a far too comfortable kind of way.
And yet, I keep asking myself if it was all just a really bad dream
that I'm going to wake up from any day now.
*sighs*
For now,
I'm grabbing onto everything good and wonderful
and I'm refusing to let go.
Thanks to all of you for helping with the good and wonderful parts.
*hugs all around*
See ya on the flippy-flop.

Flash Fiction: Once Upon A Time Contest

The following is not only my first flash fiction attempt,

but my first entry into any type of writing contest.

I'm doing it for the sake of silliness,

tomfoolery, and shenanigans.

Also cause @ruanna3 sent the Excuse Fairy

to my house and man alive is she a feisty one!

The following contest is hosted by @ruanna3 & @SJIHolliday.

 You can find the guidelines at Yearning for Wonderland.

 And without further ado,

I give you a little ditty I shall now dub--

Once Upon A Puzzle

“Mom?” Adam whispered.

Adam’s wide eyes scanned the cramped space, a beat-up desk, two chairs— one wobbly, one with duct tape across its center—and scuffed yellowed linoleum. Huddled against a grease stained wall, Adam searched for his mother. One moment, she’d been sitting at the desk working on a jigsaw puzzle, while telling him a story about a panda bear who’d lost his teapot and had to travel from China to Australia to steal it back from a pesky kangaroo, when poof, she’d vanished.

His mother had been driving him to school that morning when their tire had blown out. They’d found themselves stranded in front of an auto shop. A man covered in grease and smelling of gas had ushered them into the waiting room. He’d grunted indiscernible words and disappeared through the only door in the room. Seeing a half finished puzzle on the desk, Adam’s mom started working on it, while Adam slumped in a chair.

Panic caused Adam’s heart to pound, his hands slick, his mouth dry. The windowless room pressed in on him, the air stale. His ears hummed and the tang of acid filled his mouth. A tear slipped down Adam’s cheek and he brushed it away. He straightened from the wall with a quick jerk.

Light pulsed from the table where he’d last seen his mother. Adam’s feet dragged as he walked toward the table. The light wasn’t coming from the desk, but from the completed puzzle. Adam’s body shook as he reached out a hand toward the puzzle. He wanted to stop himself, but couldn’t. His fingers brushed its corner.

“Adam!” He jerked his hand back, cradling it to his body.

He glanced around the room, his eyes wild. He’d heard his mother yell his name. But how?

“Mom?” Adam reached out once more, laying his palm flat on the puzzle.

“Adam, run!”

Adam’s hand fused with the puzzle. He gasped and bumped into the desk’s chair, which landed with a crash. The light of the puzzle faded as the door creaked open and laughter filled the empty room.

word count: 348