The Month in Reading - Spooky Books for Fall

I love Halloween! It's my absolute favorite holiday, which is why I always reference it in my books :)

Here's me with my brother one Halloween. I'm Minnie Mouse. 

Growing up, I regularly dressed up my pumpkins and named them.
Meet Ernie and Fred. Lol.

There is certainly something about fall that makes me want to curl up with a good book - especially one that's dark and brooding.

If you're looking for something to read, here are some of fall favorites:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

 

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

Ghost Stories by M.R. James

What are you reading this fall? Share below.

Locke and Keye Cover Reveal!

On September 7, one of my favorite authors, Christie Stratos, will release the next book in her Dark Victoriana Collection - Locke and Keye.

I've been dying to read it, so it goes without saying that I'm ecstatic to do a cover reveal of Christie's new book on my blog today.

Drumroll, please...

This book cover is wondrously creepy and mysterious!

What dark secrets await on the other side of this door?

And the description is so enticing:

"Brothers in the art of keeping secrets." This is the mantra Mr. Locke's carefully chosen five employees must repeat together every day before starting work.

If you won't tell them your name for Locke and Keye's ledger, they'll find out. They have their ways—and many of them. Yes, these talented locksmiths can make a new lock and key set for you. They can even make a special padlock for a diary you never want to share with anyone. But just remember: when they make the lock, they keep a key—and it's only a matter of time until they use it.

Day by day, each of these young, single, alone-in-the-world workers is being molded into the family they crave. A family in which each member has his use toward an end he doesn't even know exists.

How do the brotherhood and the town's secrets interlock? Only Mr. Locke holds the key.

Unlock the second book in the Dark Victoriana Collection with Locke and Keye.

As a standalone novel, Locke and Keye’s distinct characters and tense atmosphere create a dark Victorian experience that will stay with you after you turn the final page. As the book immediately following Anatomy of a Darkened Heart, Locke and Keye leads the Dark Victoriana Collection in a whole new psychological direction while expanding familiar characters and scenes to continue the Whitestone legacy.

Pre-order it today, read it September 7, 2017.

And, if you haven't read Anatomy of A Darkened Heart yet, there's still time!

~~~

Have you checked out my other articles about Christie and her books?

• How to Write Historical Fiction Without Really Trying - Guest Post by Christie Stratos
• Victorian Mania - What's On My Nightstand
• Criticism Sucks: Christie Stratos Shares How To Ignore Harsh Criticism

Victorian Epitaphs and Horror Novels - My Interview with Fiona Mcvie

Now that I've finally finished my new book (YAY!), I have more time for interviews.

I had a blast answering Fiona Mcvie's questions. She asked me everything from what I want on my tombstone to what new authors have grasped my interest. You can check it out here.


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Have a question for me that's not posted here? Leave it in the comments and I'll respond. :)

Don't Be Afraid to Experiment - My Interview with Ingrid Foster

What's my advice for struggling authors? 

How did my background in environmental studies influence my writing? 

Find out the answers to these questions, and more, in my interview with Ingrid Foster.

While you're there, be sure to check out Ingrid's books. I just finished reading My Father's Magic and was stunned! I didn’t know what to expect with this book, especially since it’s labeled as ‘suspense’, which is something I haven’t read much of, but I can tell you I was very pleasantly surprised.

I felt like Alice falling further and further down the rabbit hole of magic and mystery. Whenever I thought I was starting to figure out where the story was going, it would take an unexpected twist. As the story unfolded, it became darker and more haunting, and I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading it. I especially liked the character Esme. Her charisma, stamina, and flaws made her likeable and relatable. She was painted so vividly that I felt like I was watching her in a movie. Ingrid is a talented author. Her writing is succinct and thoughtful, accentuating this fantastical suspense story.

Book Review - Harables by Haidji

I rarely read poetry or short stories these days, but I've been meaning to read Harables - a collection of interesting and honest short stories by Haidji - for quite some time. The book was free to download via Kindle Unlimited, which is always nice, and I tore through it in only a few days.

Each story contains meaningful and powerful messages, the central themes being: to not let go of our childish wonder, to be our true selves, and to always look for the good in our selves no matter what. 

Her writing is incredibly vivid, and in many of the stories I was completely swept into the moment, and then left pondering the meaning of each story and how it related to my personal experiences.

Overall, Haidji's stories are unique, peculiar, interesting, alluring, and like nothing I’ve ever read before. Is it worth a read? Definitely! I'm looking forward to reading some of her other books now, especially SG- Suicide Game.

~~~

Haidji actually just released a review of my latest book, The Nightmare Birds, today, so I thought I'd share a snippet of it:

"With a fast speed, this book is a mixture of fantasy, mystery and --could I say-- thriller? It is like being in a race where you aren't sure where the finish line is and don't know exactly who is racing with you or against you."

I'm so thrilled that such a talented author said this about my book! You can read her full review HERE.

Book Impressions - Reading By Moonlight

Ruthie Jones at Reading By Moonlight just posted her review of The Nightmare Birds and needless to say I am OVERJOYED. Reviews like this make me all warm and fuzzy inside. :D

Here are some snippets from her 5/5 star review!

"I am completely enamored by the theme of Memory in both the first book and this second book in the Strange Luck series. Memories can be both comforting and horrifying, sweetly true and devastatingly false. The Nightmare Birds takes this idea of Memory and cloaks it in mystifying darkness. I love it!"

"The writing is crisp, and the plot is fast paced. This book is hard to put down."

I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Ruthie!

You can read the full review HERE.

If you've read my book(s), I'd love to hear what you think. Shoot me an email, post in the comments, or send me a link to your review.

National Book Lovers Day - Recommended Reads

It's National Book Lovers Day! Observed each year on August 9, (and sometimes on the first Saturday in November) bibliophiles everywhere are celebrating. So, find your favorite reading place, a good book (whether it be fiction or non-fiction), and read the day away. Need some suggestions? Here's what I've been reading lately:

Only Human by J.D. Estrada is a delightfully clever read full of imaginative, high-concept YA and Fantasy elements. As the description states, ‘this isn’t your typical book.’ The originality of this story, its many twists and turns, and the seamless weaving of real moments in history definitely mark this book as out-of-the-ordinary.

Through the main character, Nathaniel, we get to meet vampires, angels, demons, therians, plant people, and other supernatural beings, as well as learn some interesting insights about “humans”. Nathaniel’s quips were always entertaining and the subtle philosophical components were also a nice touch. There were many quotable lines in this story, but my favorite was: “He who wins the battle defines history.”

At first the story reminded me of The Man in the High Castle meets 12 Monkeys, then it took a completely unexpected and clever direction that no longer became definable. Estrada has written a fresh and original story that is sure to delight any reader. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Human Cycle series and see what’s in store.

The House of Seven Gables was recently recommended to me and I was lucky enough to find a copy at my local library book sale. Score! Set in the mid-19th century, the story follows a peculiar, gloomy, New England mansion, which has been haunted since its construction by fraudulent dealings, accusations of witchcraft, and sudden death. Muhahaha! I'm only a few chapters in, but I'm loving this haunting Gothic tale.

It's no surprise that I'm reading another H.P. Lovecraft book. He's my favorite author of all time and his writing never ceases to amaze (and scare) me. Lovecraft's Dreams of Terror and Death short stories are haunting and compelling. Each one is more frightening than the next. Some of his stories are 2-3 pages long, others are 30+ pages. I wanted to share my favorite stories, but simply couldn't narrow it down. If you're a fan of horror, you'll love this book! 

What are you reading for National Book Lovers Day?

The Happening of Unhappenings

It started with a BoingBoing article about a curious book called Unhappenings. The cover instantly intrigued me, then I read the description:  

When Nigel Walden is fourteen, the UNHAPPENINGS begin. His first girlfriend disappears the day after their first kiss with no indication she ever existed. This retroactive change is the first of many only he seems to notice.

Several years later, when Nigel is visited by two people from his future, he hopes they can explain why the past keeps rewriting itself around him. But the enigmatic young guide shares very little, and the haggard, incoherent, elderly version of himself is even less reliable. His search for answers takes him fifty-two years forward in time, where he finds himself stranded and alone.

And then he meets Helen.

Brilliant, hilarious and beautiful, she captivates him. But Nigel’s relationships always unhappen, and if they get close it could be fatal for her. Worse, according to the young guide, just by entering Helen’s life, Nigel has already set into motion events that will have catastrophic consequences. In his efforts to reverse this, and to find a way to remain with Helen, he discovers the disturbing truth about the unhappenings, and the role he and his future self have played all along.

Equal parts time-travel adventure and tragic love story, Unhappenings is a tale of gravely bad choices, and Nigel’s struggle not to become what he sees in the preview of his worst self.

Time travel. Fantasy. Weirdness. Could this book be more perfect? I did some research on it and bought it a few days later. It's on my nightstand right now and I've been loving it! Aubry does a wonderful job of jumping through time sequences without it being too confusing and I love the concept of events "unhappening." I tweeted a pic of me holding the book, and not only did Aubry respond with kind words, he then bought a copy of my book. How cool!!!

In the process of my research, I came across a review of Unhappenings on Tome Tender Book Blog. I was amazed by all of their book reviews, giveaways, and reading recommendations. After getting lost for awhile, I decided to submit Strange Luck for a review. I just got the five star review back today! Here's a snippet:

"Welcome to a world of magical dreams, curious claims and the spellbinding writing of Amie Irene Winters. Welcome to the tale called Strange Luck. Ms. Winters will mesmerize every reader with the complexity of her tale, while causing goosebumps at the thought of losing those precious treasures within our minds and hearts."

I'm beyond thrilled! Click here to read the full review. I just saw that they also posted a cover reveal of The Nightmare Birds. Awesome!

So, in short, I'm really glad that I happened upon Unhappenings and hope that this doesn't unhappen. ;)

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Disney Meets The Devil - What's on My Nightstand

Random. The only word to describe how I select books to read and the order in which I read them. I do it because it’s, well…fun. If you’re looking to read some totally random (good) books, then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what I’ve been reading (in this order):

1) The Lurker at the Threshold By: H.P. Lovecraft: The more books I read, the more I realize that Lovecraft is my favorite author of all time. He was not only a genius with creating a complex pantheon of gods, but his style of writing has a way of getting in your head. Lovecraft never really tells or shows you anything to evoke fear; instead, it subtly creeps into the story on its own. The Lurker at the Threshold is one of the very few actual books he wrote—the rest are all short stories—and it does not disappoint. This horror story not only had me clinging to every masterfully written word, there were a few moments when I didn’t want to read it alone. I’m so sad that it’s over now :(

2. Anne of Green Gables By: L.M. Montgomery: I watched the movie and show growing up, but for some reason never read this beloved classic until now. It’s filled with wholesome, Disney-style antics and plenty of heart-warming moments, and I liked that every chapter had a different adventure. Montgomery’s descriptions of Prince Edward Island are absolutely breathtaking.

3. Meditations By: Marcus Aurelius: I always like having a non-fiction book to read, and I usually pick one that’s philosophical in nature. I’ve been obsessed with Stoicism for a few years now and have read many of Aurelius' insightful passages, so I’ve been really enjoying reading his complete insights in Meditations.

4) Lost Souls By: Poppy Z. Brite: Billy Martin, professionally known as Poppy Z. Brite is a trans man and prefers male pronouns and terms, which I will do so here. Much of his work features openly bisexual and gay characters in dark, gothic scenarios. Years and years ago, I read Exquisite Corpse and LOVED it. Then I tried reading one of his newer books, Liquor, and really didn't like it. I had completely forgotten about him until my hubby recently let me borrow Lost Souls from his library, and I’m so glad that he did. This book has me completely and totally hooked! The essence of New Orleans is effortlessly captured. Dark, twisted, and unbelievably addicting, this is the real McCoy of vampires books!

What are you reading at the moment?  Have a recommendation for me? Post your comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

Victorian Mania – What’s On My Nightstand

Can you say WEIRD?

I’ve been really getting into Victorian-themed everything lately, like weird Victorian pictures (above). I’ve been totally binge-watching Masterpiece Theatre too (Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge are my favorites at the moment, although it all began with Avonlea back in the day), and then I randomly picked up a couple of Victorian-themed books. Now it’s all I want to read! It’s been influencing me so much that a lot of the Victorian aesthetics are trickling into my new book, The Nightmare Birds—the second book in the Strange Luck series. If you’re of a similar Victorian mania mindset, or just looking for something new to read, here’s what’s currently on my nightstand:

The Cure for Dreaming By: Cat Winters: The gorgeous cover is what initially drew me to this book. Something about the picture is just so irresistibly strange and creepy. My favorite! :) The Cure for Dreaming is a peculiar Gothic love story, seamlessly weaving in the complexity of gender roles in Victorian life. Cat writes so simplistically, yet her words carry deep purpose and beauty. I also love the old pictures and quotes scattered throughout the book (very Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children). The parallels with Dracula are also a nice touch. 

This story has kept me guessing and I can’t wait to see what happens. I’ll definitely be reading more of Cat’s books in the future.

Anatomy of a Darkened Heart By: Christie Stratos: In a word…Wow! I am absolutely and totally addicted to Anatomy of a Darkened Heart. From the first sentence, I was totally transported into time and place, wondering what was going to happen next—especially with the creepy baby. The concept reminds me of The Omen meets Rosemary’s Baby meets Downtown Abbey. All winners! 

Christie’s writing style and use of description is elegant, unique, and emotional. I'm dying to see what happens next. Oh, and the cover is freakin' awesome!

What I’ll Be Reading Next:

Bad Medicine By: David Wootton: Until the invention of antibiotics in the 1930s doctors, in general, did their patients more harm than good. This book is a fascinating look at the history of medicine—from Hippocrates, the Victorian era, to present. 

Anne of Green Gables By: L.M. Montgomery: I’ve always loved this story. It’s due time for a re-read.

 
Other Cool Victorian Things to Check Out:

7 Ways Victorian Fashion Could Kill You: No wonder most people didn't live past age 30!

10 Weird Things the Victorian’s Did for Fun: The anthropomorphic taxidermy is by far the weirdest.

Weird Victorian Beauty Standards We Thankfully Don’t Deal with Today: Ahh, the sting of poison in your eyes. All in the name of beauty.

How We Lived Then Museum: Next time I'm in England I'm totally going here.

 

Ragged School Museum: The authentic Victorian classrooms are a must see. 

Is there an awesome Victorian book, movie, or museum you’d like to share? Comment below! If not, you'll have to answer to him...and that's one mean looking chicken!