Yvonne
I have these lovely new books to be added to my virtual shelf this week.
I am still trying to be good and schedule all the books I receive, so as not to increase my toppling TBR pile, and so far it is working, although it’s quite a close call!
First I have to thank the lovely Noelle, representing publisher Bookouture, for saving me space on this “Books On Tour” event
THE STREET PARTY by CLAIRE SEEBER
The party was supposed to be the highlight of the summer. If only I’d known that night would destroy our lives…
All the neighbours were laughing, drinking out of plastic glasses and getting along. I almost felt happy. Almost forgot about the terrible argument earlier and the sinister messages I’d been receiving from a strange address all week, threatening to expose the lies behind my perfect life.
As we finished with the red and gold fireworks and welcomed everyone back to our house, I believed that everything would be okay.
But I didn’t know who I was inviting in.
I never could have imagined what would happen here, in our home, after I’d gone up to bed.
Everyone saw something different.
It’s my daughter’s word against the story the boy from down the road is telling. But how can I find out what really happened that night without everyone finding out the truth about me?
I love working with publisher Flatiron Books, so thanks to Marlena for reaching out to me with this great sounding book. Another NetGalley download
THE HOUSE UPTOWN by MELISSA GINSBURG
Ava, 14 years old and totally on her own, has still not fully processed her mother’s death when she finds herself on a train heading to New Orleans, going to stay with Lane, her grandmother whom she’s never met.
Lane is a well-known artist in the New Orleans art scene. She spends most of her days in a pot-smoke haze, sipping iced coffee, and working on the mural that has been her singular focus for years. Her grip on reality is shaky at best, but her work provides a comfort.
Ava’s arrival unsettles Lane. The girl bears an uncanny resemblance to her daughter, whom she was estranged from before her death. Now her presence is dredging up painful and disturbing memories, which forces Lane to retreat even further into her own mind. Ava, meanwhile, is entranced and frightened by her grandmother. She wants to be included in her eccentric life, but can’t quite navigate Lane’s tempestuous moods.
Attempting to keep the peace is Oliver, Lane’s assistant and confidant.
As this unlikely trio attempts to find their way and form a bond, the oppressive heat and history of New Orleans bears down on them, forcing them to a reckoning none of them is ready for.
I love being part of the auto-approval scheme with publisher Head of Zeus and NetGalley, my thanks to both parties for this great opportunity.
THE SOUL BREAKER by SEBASTIAN FITZEK
The Soul Breaker destroys women.
He doesn’t kill them or mutilate them. But he leaves them completely dead inside, paralyzed and catatonic. His only trace a note left in their hands.
There are three known victims when suddenly the abductions stop. The Soul Breaker has tired of his game, it seems.
Meanwhile, a man has been found in the snow outside an exclusive psychiatric clinic. He has no recollection of who he is, or why he is there. Unable to match him to any of the police’s missing people, the nurses call him Casper.
Casper makes little progress regaining his memory, but he grows restless and wants to leave the clinic to piece together the few clues to his life. But the weather has taken a turn for the worse, and the clinic becomes completely cut off to the world outside.
No one is able to reach the clinic, and its staff and patients cannot leave.
So when the head psychiatrist is found trembling, naked and distraught, with a slip of paper clasped in her hands, it seems somehow the Soul Breaker has returned.
‘Mailbox Monday’ is a gathering place for readers to share links to the books that came into their house during the last week.
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well, after all you never know where that next “must read” book will come from
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They all sound very interesting and I am particularly like the Soul Breaker…I again need to update my Kindel…Thanks, Yvonne, for the book reviews. I really appreciate your efforts. Have a wonderful week ahead!
Hi Angie,
I always enjoy Sebastian Fitzek’s writing and the books are generally beautifully translated too.
I think that ‘The House Uptown’ is probably the one which might surprise you the most. It is not at all what I was expecting and I was blown away by the storyline. I am reading the book for a Blog Tour spot at the end of April, so not too long to wait now!
Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate everyone’s support, including your own lovely comments. You guys make it all worth while and I hope that your week is a happy one! 🙂
Oh my goodness! Of the three books you feature here it is The Soul Breaker that really speaks to me. The words ‘He doesn’t kill them or mutilate them. But he leaves them completely dead inside, paralyzed and catatonic’ have the hairs on my arms standing on edge.
I also like the sound of the Street Party even if the thought of neighbours laughing, and drinking out of plastic glasses seems but a distant memory … unless of course its been in the privacy of their own homes.
Hi Felicity,
Sebastian Fitzek always writes storylines which are, a little out of the ordinary shall we say, and definitely quite emotionally challenging. I do like his style though and his books are faultlessly translated.
I have ‘The Street Party’ in my Blog Tour Review schedule for June, so I am just waiting for my ARC to be uploaded so that I can get reading. Overall, the early reviews have rated the book quite highly, it is just one or two not so good ratings which have brought the average down, so I am definitely keen to check this one out for myself, as it does sound good. And who knows, by this summer, groups of people indoors drinking together, may not be a thing of the past, although I don’t think we shall be taking part in any mass gathering activities for some time yet!
It is great to have you stop by, I didn’t realise how long ago it is since we last chatted and I hope that all is well with you 🙂
The first two books look good but The Soul Breaker sounds too frightening for me! I hope you enjoy all of your new books and have a great week, Yvonne
Hi Mary,
I think you might enjoy ‘The House Uptown’ the most out of the three books. I have just finished reading this one for a review at the end of April and it might not be the kind of story you were expecting, I know I was surprised. There is a bit of a thriller sub story going on, which is really intriguing, however the main storyline is something much deeper and more emotional altogether. I really enjoyed the author’s style of writing.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, I value your comments and hope that you have some great books lined up for this week 🙂
Love the covers especially the cover of THE STREET PARTY.
Hope your books are all good ones, Yvonne.
Have a good week.
Hi Elizabeth,
I have a really eclectic mix of genres on my reading list right now, with some quite outstanding cover art. I was particularly struck by the ‘stand out’ cover of ‘The Soul Breaker’, it’s eye-catching in a very plain and understated kind of way. The premise of ‘The Street Party’ caught my eye and I am really looking forward to reading that one.
Thanks for visiting this week, I always value your support and I hope that all is well with you 🙂
The Street Party looks and sounds so good! Thanks for sharing, and enjoy your week. Here are my WEEKLY UPDATES
Hi Lorraine,
I have a spot on the Blog Tour for ‘The Street Party’ in June, so I am looking forward to reading that one very soon. It’s a scary thought that one of your neighbours is bringing trouble into your home, especially when it sounds as though it might involve children. On the other hand, keeping secrets is always a recipe for disaster, as well as making for a great storyline!
Thanks for taking time to stop by, I hope that you have some great books lined up to keep you busy this week 🙂
I would read any of these if placed in my hands, but I’m most drawn to The House Uptown. I’ve only been to New Orleans a handful of times, but I thinks it’s an interesting city and always enjoy novels set there. The Street Party might come in second for me.
Hi Kelly,
I finished ‘The House Uptown. over the weekend and my review is scheduled for April 23rd as part of an informal Blog Tour. I have to say that the storyline wasn’t what I had expected at all, but I loved it. There was a mystery/thriller side story running along in the background, which hit me in the face right towards the end. But basically this was a very character driven story, with glimpses into the New Orleans scene, although that wasn’t really central to the storyline. See what you think when the review goes live, but I do think you might enjoy it!
I have never visited that part of the US, however friends who have stayed in New Orleans and spent time exploring the area, loved the vibrancy of the place.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that all is well with you 🙂
Another book by Sebastian Fitzek. Of course I am very curious to see what you think about this one. I hope you’ll love it as much as you liked The package. 🙂
Hi Anca,
I know, Sebastian seems to have no shortage of storylines for a good, unique thriller, does he?
I still have ‘Passenger 23’ lurking in my schedule somewhere, however I do have to admit that I am getting a little tight for time to fit in all my reads for Blog Tour Reviews, so any books which aren’t on a fixed timetable for review, like this one, have been reassigned to a later date!
Naughty I know, but there really just isn’t enough time 🙂
All these books look good Yvonne. I like Bookouture, they offer a nice selection of review books over at NetGalley and then I have to stop myself from downloading since my TBR is a huge mountain and they have me on auto-approve.
Enjoy your books this week, The Soul Breaker has caught my eye especially. The premise is chilling.
Hi Naida,
I really enjoy working with Bookouture on their Blog Tour Reviews, although I am still not on auto-approve with them. I am on auto-approve with another great e-publisher, Aria/Aries books and their parent company Head of Zeus.
Bookouture expect reviews with their Blog Tours, so my NetGalley stats are now guaranteed. However Aria very often gave me the download, but then only expected a feature extract for the Blog Tour, so my actual reading of the book never happened through lack of time, making my NetGalley stats really bad. I am trying to get back on an even keel with them, but it is going to take an age, so until then I can only download from Bookouture if I sign up for the Blog Tour with a review.
Life is never easy is it, even when it is just a hobby 🙂
Sebastian Fitzek really does write some amazing thriller storylines and I think you wold probably enjoy his style.
Thanks for visiting and I hope that you have a good week 🙂
Three more engaging books that are new to me. The Street Party sounds intriguing and The Soul Breaker sounds creeeepy!
Have a good week and Happy (? or at least good) Reading!
Hi Martha,
You mention two of my featured books from the post, however it is actually the third one ‘The House Uptown’ I was actually scheduled to read first, which I have and thoroughly enjoyed, although that my not be quite the right word, as it was also very sad!
I am expecting much more of a chilling and creepy experience from reading the other two titles, particularly ‘The Soul Breaker’, as author Sebastian Fitzek has a very vivid imagination for a good storyline!
Thanks for stopping by, my week is good so far and I hope that yours is too! 🙂