Waiting On Wednesday .... Kingdom of the Wicked

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

The #1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco introduces her next blockbuster series, a dark, intoxicating tale of a beautiful young witch, a troubled demon, and their epic romance, set against a lush 19th century Italian backdrop.

Emilia and her twin sister Victoria are streghe - witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Victoria misses dinner service at the family's renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin...desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to discover who did this, and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, the outlier among the seven demon brethren, always choosing duty over pleasure. He’s been tasked by his master with investigating a series of women’s murders on the island. When Emilia and Wrath’s fates collide, it’s clear this disturbing mystery will take a bewitching turn...

Witches are definitely having a moment in young adult literature right now. There are so many amazing sounding witchy reads coming out within the next year.

Witches seem to be a new upcoming trend for the later half of 2020 and into 2021. Kerri Maniscalco's new series is just one of the many witch centered reads that will be releasing and I am definitely in. I am a huge fan of the paranormal genre and I am loving this resurgence that we seem to be having.

Kerri's previous series, which started with Stalking Jack the Ripper, is one that I am definitely enjoying and I look forward to seeing what she'll do with this take on witches.

The book, unsurprisingly, has a fall release date which will have it perfectly timed for the spookiest season.

Expected release date - September 15, 2020

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Another Sunday posting! Lots to share this week (at least when it comes to the television show Lucifer).

BOOK

Cover Of Capturing The Devil by Kerry Maniscalco  (goodreads)

The final book in Kerri's Stalking Jack The Ripper series has a cover and it is just as pretty as the others! I love the golden hue it has!

This one takes place in Chicago and incorporates H. H. Holmes into the story. Really excited to read this one!

TV/MOVIE

Lucifer Seasons 1 - 4 Recap

I was thrilled when Lucifer was picked up by Netflix after being canceled by Fox. Netflix is dropping some amazing promo for the next season and that includes this fun recap!

'So grab a drink. You'll need one' is probably my favourite line in that promo simply because it sets up season four to hopefully be deliciously intense.

Lucifer Season Four Trailer

Netflix also released a trailer for the fourth season and it looks so good! 

Eve is showing up this season (which seems to be messing with Chloe and Lucifer) which could be interesting! I am excited to see what happens this season and love the fact I am going to be able to binge watch it.

Lucifer Key Art

Netflix also released the key art for this season and I LOVE it!

It puts Chloe and Lucifer at the forefront and seems to hint at a darker tone for the show (which I am fully on board with).

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting On Wednesday ... Capturing The Devil

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Capturing The Devil by Kerri Maniscalco

**potential spoilers for previous books in the series**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer---or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

I loved Stalking Jack The Ripper and intended to get to the rest ASAP but the last book in this series sounds incredible! It has Audrey Rose and Thomas involved in the very real case of H. H. Holmes whom I assume will be a character in this story.

The Chicago setting, the backdrop of the World's Fair, and the very real inspiration may just make this book the best one of the series!

I love so much about how Audrey Rose was written and cannot wait to read another book about her again! It's autumn release date not only offers the perfect setting but ensures everyone has time to read the previous books in this series.

Expected release date - September 10, 2019

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Happy Christmas Weekend everyone! A few fun things to share, but mostly everything is winding down

BOOK

Stalking Jack The Ripper #3 Title Reveal (goodreads)

This series is a delight to read and I am thrilled that we get TWO more books to flesh out the series. The title for the third book was just recently revealed and I am VERY excited about the storyline possibilities that this hints at.

It's a little different than the Jack The Ripper and Dracula focus of the first two novels but still super exciting! 

TV/MOVIE 

Ocean's 8 Trailer

The Ocean's 8 trailer is here! I was so happy while watching this trailer. This looks like a fun movie filled with a bunch of bad ass ladies! I love that Sarah Paulson is in this because I am such a fan of hers.  

Obviously, the comment section for this trailer is a bit of a garbage fire but I refuse to let that lessen my excitement for this movie.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Waiting On Wednesday .... Hunting Prince Dracula

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

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.

I really liked the first novel in this series (Stalking Jack The Ripper) and was so happy when I discovered that the second novel will focus on a Dracula like murderer. The fact that I am going to get to read more banter between Audrey Rose and Thomas is just icing on the already awesome sounding cake.

If you haven't read the first book in this series, I urge you to do so while you wait for this to be released this autumn. It is going to be a long wait, but totally worth it.

Expected release date - September 19, 2017

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

A small Weekly Obsessions but one filled with some pretty amazing things!

BOOK

Hunting Prince Dracula cover (goodreads)

Stalking Jack The Ripper was one of my favourite reading experiences of last year. I was very excited when it was announced that the next book would revolve around Dracula.

The cover was just released and I love it! So much!

The stake in her hands! OMG! It is perfect. I love the white outfit against the dark background. I am hoping this will be at  Book Expo America this year because I need to read it ASAP!

TV/MOVIE

Beauty and the Beast (live action)

I went to see this movie Thursday night and was completely charmed. I already want to see it again. The movie is very similar to the classic animated version and I predict anyone who LOVED the original will not be disappointed by this remake. I thought Emma Watson was a perfect Belle. Dan Stevens is wonderful as Beast (and he has an incredible singing voice). Luke Evans was charmingly evil as Gaston. Josh Gad was wonderful as LeFou. The entire cast was great and I loved the new songs they added to the movie with Evermore being a personal favourite.

Have you see the Beauty and the Beast remake yet? If so, let me know what you think in the comments.

Red Nose Day .... Actually

I was excited when it was announced that Love Actually was going to have a reunion of sorts for Red Nose Day! They recently released a trailer for the event and it is, as expected, perfect.

This teaser, of course, is a callback to Andrew Lincoln's iconic scene in the original. I wonder if Mark will be outside Juliet's house with more poster boards in this follow up. 

OTHER

Book Expo America

I received notification that my press pass application was approved for BEA this year which means I'll be traveling to New York City in May for the annual event again this year! I am so excited to see everyone, meet some authors, and basically fangirl over books in general. It is one big bookish party and I am so excited to be a part of it again this year.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo

Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo
Release Date - September 20, 2016

Publisher Website - Hachette/Little Brown
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

There is something about the Jack The Ripper case that draws people's interest all these years later. Perhaps it is simply us seeking to know the unknown. Solve what appears to unsolvable. It is a hook of sorts, and as a result we see books, movies, and TV shows inspired by the grisly case pop up again and again. Stalking Jack The Ripper may have the infamous case at its centre, but it has more to offer than just a splashy hook.

The setting of this novel pulses through each page. Victorian era England is captured through the vivid descriptions. The tone is set with foggy alleyways and darkened rooms. It is the idea setting for a mystery and Kerri Maniscalo uses it to her full advantage. It is easy to picture the crime scenes, and the other locations within the novel simply because of the way it is written and the care given to ensuring this world was as darkly enthralling as possible.

If the tone is pitch perfect, the characters are delicious icing on an already well constructed cake. They are the pulse of the novel, and what, I feel, people won't soon forget after they have finished. Audrey Rose, in particular, stands out. She will instantly be a new girl crush for many readers. She's progressive for her time, especially wanting to have a job of her own, be educated, and especially her interest in forensic medicine. She has very little patience for people telling her what to do or how to act. This is especially true when it comes to the men in her life. She, as her mother would say, is a 'delicate rose with thorns' and you cannot help but love her for it. She pushes for what she wants, and isn't afraid to scandalize by breaking societal norms. She wears pants instead of skirts when it suits her, and sneaks around at night. The author, however, allows her weaknesses, and a love for things that are considered 'girly' like makeup and pretty dresses. She is this wonderful mix of passion, faults, drive, and intelligence. It made her seem very human. I anticipate many will love her for both her strong opinions, and vulnerability.

The romance in this novel is filled with witty banter, a roguish scoundrel, excruciating sexual tension where you just want to force them to kiss already, and enough scandalous moments (at least for this time period) to add a little something extra to it. It will be nearly impossible to not become invested in this ship if you're a fan of razor sharp banter, and couples who push each others buttons.

Plenty of research went into the mystery aspect of this novel. People will instantly recognize well known elements from the Jack The Ripper case. It is evident that care was taken to ensure that she remained as true as possible to the events that happened, while still crafting her own vision. The Jack The Ripper case weaves seamlessly into the story being told, but is not the whole story. This is really the story of a girl who is forging her own way. She just happens to be solving a crime as she does it.

A entertaining mystery that unravels at just the speed. Filled with romance, danger, action, and a heroine who wants to leave her own mark on the world in her own way, Stalking Jack The Ripper is a perfect Halloween season read that will have you breathlessly awaiting the next case Audrey Rose gets mixed up in. 

Waiting On Wednesday .... Stalking Jack The Ripper

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget. 

The Jack The Ripper case has always fascinated me. I think it's the fact that it remains unsolved, and that it is so easy to theorize and become immersed in. This novel is said to include period photos to heighten the reading experience, and I am really curious what Kerri is going to do with the Jack The Ripper tale. It also doesn't hurt that it seems to have a complex, interesting main character who also happens to be female!

Expected release date - September 20, 2016