FairyLoot Exclusive Red Rising Editions

Omg!! My FairyLoot Red Rising Editions Finally Got Here! I love the so much!

The Shining by Stephen King

Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old. 

MY REVIEW: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ 

Found me an old school copy with pics inside!!












*
4.5 Stars

I'm not sure why I only saw the movie and never read the book. I loved the movie so much it makes no sense, but back in the day, not many things make sense to me.

I will have to go back and watch the movie again to see all of the different little changes. Now I know why some things happened. You know those things, the little things that are only in the head, written in the book, but doesn't show up in the movie part. Wow! I know the book messed with my head but I didn't realize it would make me write that way! I hope anyone reading this can understand what I meant.



I really did enjoy the book, although I did feel a bit crazier than I am at times with all of the voices in everyone's head! :)

I didn't want one of the bad things that happened in the movie to NOT happen in the book. I didn't want to read that part and lo and behold, it didn't happen! Yay!

The ending in the book was a lot better than the movie. Once again, I really did enjoy this book and look forward to reading and re-reading more of the golden oldies!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

Ascender Vol 2 The Dead Sea by Jeff Lemire & Dustin Nguyen

The hit fantasy series from powerhouse creative team JEFF LEMIRE and DUSTIN NGUYEN continues!

After a bruising escape attempt from the planet Sampson, Andy finds himself in the clutches of the militia, which means the murderous Mother can't be far behind. Meanwhile, Mila has booked passage on a ship piloted by none other than the irascible Captain Telsa. And while vampires may rule this strange galaxy, they're no match for Kanto, the Blood Scrapper-the most badass vampire hunter in the universe!

Collects ASCENDER #6-10

MY REVIEW: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ 

I love this new series. But this one was a bit sad in some parts 😕







Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

Blood Kin by Ronald Kelly

PRAY FOR THE DAWN — The vampire curse of the Cravens ended over a century ago when Josiah Craven was buried in an unmarked grave and a stake driven through his heart. But tonight, his ancestors have awakened their Great-Grandpa Craven. They're planning a party in the backwoods of Tennessee. And the folks of Green Hollow are in for the night of their lives. The last night of their lives...

A teenage girl is found with her throat torn open and her body completely drained of blood... A young bride sprouts fangs and turns on her husband ...A little girl's pet rat develops a murderous mind of its own ...A preacher goes insane and slaughters his entire congregation before feasting on their blood... 

MY REVIEW: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ 

Buddy read this with some friends and the author at Castle Dracula. I was late to the party but some talked to me about it 😉 



This book was so damn good! Old school vampire story set in Tennessee. I’m set in Tennessee people 🤣😂. I loved the characters and hated when some died. I loved the atmosphere as well. I would recommend this book to old school horror buffs!

Happy Reading! 

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

Would Like To Meet by Rachel Winters

In this charming, feel-good debut novel, a cynical assistant at a screenwriting agency must reenact the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedy movies in order to help her #1 client get his scriptwriting mojo back--but can a real-life meet-cute be in store for someone who doesn't believe in happily ever after?

After seven years as an assistant, 29-year-old Evie Summers is ready to finally get the promotion she deserves. But now the TV and film agency she's been running behind the scenes is in trouble, and Evie will lose her job unless she can convince the agency's biggest and most arrogant client, Ezra Chester, to finish writing the script for a Hollywood romantic comedy.

The catch? Ezra is suffering from writer's block--and he'll only put pen to paper if singleton Evie can prove to him that you can fall in love like they do in the movies. With the future of the agency in jeopardy, Evie embarks on a mission to meet a man the way Sally met Harry or Hugh Grant met Julia Roberts.

But in the course of testing out the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedies IRL, not only will Evie encounter one humiliating situation after another, but she'll have to confront the romantic past that soured her on love. In a novel as hilarious as it is heartwarming, debut author Rachel Winters proves that sometimes real life is better than the movies--and that the best kind of meet-cutes happen when you least expect them. 

MY REVIEW: 4 Stars ⭐️ 

Super cute! 



Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

The Rest Of The Story by Sarah Dessen

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Dessen comes a big-hearted, sweeping novel about a girl who reconnects with a part of her family she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl—and falls in love, all over the course of a magical summer.

Emma Saylor doesn’t remember a lot about her mother, who died when Emma was twelve. But she does remember the stories her mom told her about the big lake that went on forever, with cold, clear water and mossy trees at the edges.

Now it’s just Emma and her dad, and life is good, if a little predictable…until Emma is unexpectedly sent to spend the summer with her mother’s family that she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl.

When Emma arrives at North Lake, she realizes there are actually two very different communities there. Her mother grew up in working class North Lake, while her dad spent summers in the wealthier Lake North resort. The more time Emma spends there, the more it starts to feel like she is also divided into two people. To her father, she is Emma. But to her new family, she is Saylor, the name her mother always called her.

Then there’s Roo, the boy who was her very best friend when she was little. Roo holds the key to her family’s history, and slowly, he helps her put the pieces together about her past. It’s hard not to get caught up in the magic of North Lake—and Saylor finds herself falling under Roo’s spell as well.

For Saylor, it’s like a whole new world is opening up to her. But when it’s time to go back home, which side of her—Emma or Saylor—will win out? 

MY REVIEW: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ 

I loved it so much. The end. 



Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.

MY REVIEW: 4.5 STARS ⭐️ 

Damn! I found a gem!



When I first started the book I was like oh no, not another same ole thing book. THEN! I was like what in the hell is this girl. Wait... what the hell are these bastards doing to this girl!! We have a touch of grimdark in the ya book. What?!

The magic is awesome, the creatures are awesome, the girl-uh-things are awesome! This is a female empowerment book and I liked that. There is some torture and rapes, which are mostly just mentioned but it’s enough to want to kill some bastards and feel super bad for these people.

I’m looking forward to the next book. Okay, no I’m not. Let’s just leave it like it is in case something extremely bad happens to my peeps 😳 Well, more extremely bad. Just read it and you’ll know what I’m taking about!!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani

When Myriam, a French-Moroccan lawyer, decides to return to work after having children, she and her husband look for the perfect nanny for their two young children. They never dreamed they would find Louise: a quiet, polite, devoted woman who sings to the children, cleans the family's chic apartment in Paris's upscale tenth arrondissement, stays late without complaint, and hosts enviable kiddie parties. But as the couple and the nanny become more dependent on one another, jealousy, resentment, and suspicions mount, shattering the idyllic tableau 

MY REVIEW: 3 Stars ⭐️ 

What the literal hell!! I had to read a nanny book for a challenge and thought, "Oh the library has this book! This sounds good!" I’m binge reading it because it reeled me in, I’m all like, HOLY EVIL GINGERBREAD MEN, THIS IS GOOD! 



Then I come to the end!! I turn the page and there were the acknowledgements! I’m like what the hell! I sat here all excited and you gonna end like that! I’m stumped! 



I was about to toss my tablet, but no, not the tablet. Then I thought, 1 ass Star I’m giving you!!! Then, fine, 3 stars because you had me going the whole way through the book! You rat bastard!! 

Happy Reading! 

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

Devastation Class by Elaine Mongeon and Glenn Zipper

An annihilation force of invading aliens. Human civilization on the brink of extinction. Earth’s only hope—seven cadets and the legendary starship they were never meant to command. No matter the cost, they will stop at nothing to survive. No matter the odds, they will fight to save their future.

The distant future. Earth’s Alliance forces have emerged victorious from a brutal nine-year war with the mysterious Kastazi—a vicious, highly advanced alien race. In the dawn of a new peace, the Alliance Devastation Class starship California embarks on a mission of science and learning with a skeleton crew of seasoned officers, civilian students, and inexperienced military cadets in tow.

For JD Marshall and Viv Nixon, gifted cadets and best friends, the mission holds special meaning: It offers an opportunity to prove themselves and begin to escape the long shadows of their legendary war hero parents.

Suddenly ambushed by a second wave of invading Kastazi forces, JD and Viv make the impossible decision to spearhead a mutiny to save the California and everyone on it. In command and quickly out of options, they are forced to activate the ship's prototype Blink Reactor—an experimental technology they expect to send them to the safe, distant reaches of space. When their escape transports them to a reality they don’t recognize and reveals unimaginably terrifying secrets, they must fight their way home to save not just everyone they love but also humanity itself. Standing in their way are an insurmountable enemy, saboteurs from within, a mystery eons in the making, and the fabric of time and space itself.

MY REVIEW: 3 Stars ⭐️ 

I liked the way this one sounded and it was okay. I enjoyed the characters, but I did get confused at times. It seemed like the narrator kept switching or maybe I’m just crazy. 

Some people have called this a YA Star Trek and I can totally see that, but it held its own. I mean NOTHING can compare to Star Trek!! 

This is one of those book you will just have to decide for yourself. I would like to know where the next book is going with the way this one ended! 

*Thank you to Netgalley and Blink Publishing for a digital copy of this book. 

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

Down Comes The Night by Allison Saft

A gorgeously gothic, deeply romantic YA debut fantasy about two enemies trapped inside a crumbling mansion, with no escape from the monsters within.

Honor your oath, destroy your country.

Wren Southerland is the most talented healer in the Queen’s Guard, but her reckless actions have repeatedly put her on thin ice with her superiors. So when a letter arrives from a reclusive lord, asking Wren to come to his estate to cure his servant from a mysterious disease, she seizes the chance to prove herself.

When she arrives at Colwick Hall, Wren realizes that nothing is what it seems. Particularly when she discovers her patient is actually Hal Cavendish, the sworn enemy of her kingdom.

As the snowy mountains make it impossible to leave the estate, Wren and Hal grow closer as they uncover a sinister plot that could destroy everything they hold dear. But choosing love could doom both their kingdoms.

Allison Saft’s Down Comes the Night is a snow-drenched, gothic, romantic fantasy that keeps you racing through the pages long into the night. 

MY REVIEW: 2 Stars ⭐️ 

I’ve had a hard time trying to rate this book. I did not like the beginning of the book. In my opinion, this is just a murder mystery. There is a castle and it had the opportunity to be a gothic story but it just wasn’t. 

I love the name Wren and was so excited for this book. Wren was an idiot during the beginning of the book. I guess it was the 30% mark it started to get relatively interesting. And I love the cover! 

I enjoyed Wren more when she was at the castle taking care of Hal. I enjoyed the slow burn little romance but it was mostly a let down for me. I will say the ending was good and that made me happy. 

I’m in the minority as most people love this book so you need to read it and make up your own mind. 

*Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for a digital copy of this book. 

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

Harriet The Movie

Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Haunted by memories of those she left behind, Harriet (Cynthia Erivo) ventures back into dangerous territory on a mission to lead others to freedom. With allies like abolitionist William Still (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and the entrepreneurial Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monáe), Harriet risks capture and death to guide hundreds to safety as one of the most prominent conductors of the Underground Railroad. Witness the story of a woman who defied impossible odds to change the course of her life and the fate of the nation.

I thought I might start doing mini reviews on movies of all kinds. I’m going to start with Harriet. I just got through watching this on my Prime HBO add-on subscription. I’m certainly glad I did as I knew nothing about this inspirational woman!! Now I’m just going to add a few quotes and pictures from the movie as I want to read one of the books about her and do a more in depth review. 

The actress, Cynthia Erivo, did an exceptional job of playing the role. I loved all of the characters. They all did fantastic jobs!! 

Harriet is a hero in her own right and a freaking woman that did this makes it even better. Nothing bad to any men that do great things. It’s just great to hear of these women. 

Just a few more pictures and info from the movie 

Harriet Tubman was the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad, leading over 70 slaves to freedom. 

During the Civil War, Harriet became a spy for the Union Army. 

She led 150 black soldiers in the Combahee River Raid, freeing over 750 slaves. 

Harriet remains one of the few women in US history to lead an armed expedition. 

She later remarried and dedicated her life to helping freed slaves, the elderly, and Women’s Suffrage. 

She died surrounded by loved ones on March 10, 1913, at approximately 91 years of age. 

Her last words were, "I go to prepare a place for you."

Red Creek by Nathan Hystad

There's a dark shadow over Red Creek.

Once a best-selling horror author, Paul Alenn is in a slump. His wife and daughter are across the country, moved away to the West Coast, leaving him alone in his Central Park-adjacent New York townhouse.

When his sister calls, asking for help packing up his estranged mother’s house in his old hometown, Red Creek, he decides to put the past behind him and face his demons.

What he finds back home is an ongoing mystery that stems from his childhood, a time he has no recollection of. When a boy is taken on his second night in the Creek, Paul starts to unravel a dark past…one he hadn’t even known was buried. All paths lead to the orchard and the eccentric owners, but Paul doesn’t know if the shadow he keeps seeing is real, or his imagination’s cover-up of a traumatic event.

With help from his former best friend, his brother-in-law, and a cranky old sheriff, Paul digs up the truth of the shadow looming over Red Creek. 

MY REVIEW: 3.5 Stars ⭐️ 

Read with my awesome friends from Horror Aficionados



The beginning of the book didn’t grab me. In fact, I thought I just might stop reading the book. I’m glad I stuck it out. I loved the characters, even the ones I was sure I would hate through the whole book.

I don’t want to keep writing the same thing as everyone else ...but... Paul is a writer. He comes back to his hometown to get his family home ready to sell. Well, Paul gets back in with some of his old friends and they end up having to fight some evil.

This shadow man or someone is taking the children in the town. Paul and his friends do everything to stop the evil. Seems it has something to do with Paul’s childhood as well.

I want to know who this shadow man is.

Paul whimpered and froze in fear. The shadow man was here for him, just like it had been for all the rest of them, it’s lair full of their small undeveloped bones.

The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but it does say at the end of the book to read the second book
to get any answers from this book. FYI: Both books are on Kindle Unlimited US

Happy Reading!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

August Owlcrate Unboxing

Yay!! Here is the August Owlcrate and I love all of the items! 

First we have a beautiful Star bottle with push pins and the enamel pin of the month 

Next we have a Strange The Dreamer Bandana & a Star Pen 

Next is a booksleeve from The Starless Sea & an Aurora Rising Clipboard. Then we have the BOTM I’ve been wanting with beautiful purple sprayed edges. 

Happy Reading! 

Love, 
Mel ♥