Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle

Holiday-GrindIt’s Christmas in the city and Clare Cosi is busy experimenting with new holiday-themed frothy drinks. From fa-la-la-la lattes to candy cane cappuccinos, the Christmas-infused coffees must be better than ever in order to boost sales.  But all the caffeine-induced yultide cheer comes to a roaring stop when the local Santa is found dead in the snow.

As usual the lazy city cops claim it’s nothing more than a random mugging, leaving Clare with no other choice but to strap on her gumshoes and ferret out the killer herself. With some help from her hilariously sardonic barista, Esther, she traces Alf’s (aka Santa) last steps and discovers quite a few shady characters on top of his naughty list.

Things get complicated when Alf’s daughter, who happens to be a former Village Blend barista, asks Clare to investigate a blackmail scheme. Was Alf peeking inside an apartment building before the sniper took him out? And was he willing to commit extortion just to keep his failed restaurant afloat?  Seems like this Santa wasn’t all cookies and milk after all.

On top of solving her friend’s murder and keeping her own restaurant in the black, Clare is dealing with some serious man drama between her sexually frustrated ex-hubby and commitment-phobe boyfriend.  The ex is clearly hung up on her, but can she really get back together with the man who left her broke and heartbroken? He’s clearly unhappy with his socialite girlfriend and it’s only a matter of time until they both have a moment of weakness. As for the sexy NYPD boyfriend, he needs to stop putting his job in front of his lady – especially during the holidays. And what’s the deal with him hanging out with that mean red-haired supermodel?

Mmm...doesn't a peppermint mocha sound good right about now?
Mmm…doesn’t a peppermint mocha sound good right about now?

Clearly Clare has some investigating to do. And she better solve the mystery soon – before her own good is cooked! As she moves in on the killer, crazy things happen. Let me tell ya, there was one jaw-dropping moment that had me glued to the pages until the very end! I won’t give away any spoilers, but I will say that if I ever take a ride on a ferry in the icy Atlantic Ocean, I’m steering clear of the rails.

 Overall, this book is the perfect cozy holiday read. The author does a fine job gradually introducing readers to the eclectic mix of characters and Clare’s backstory. Her love for New York City really shines in her lyrical descriptions of the snow-covered cityscape and iconic landmarks. Although I’ve never been to New York, I can imagine the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers and the ice skating at Rockefeller Park. Since I loathe crowds and city transportation, I doubt I’ll ever experience Christmas in New York, but it’s fun imagining myself catching snowflakes in Central Park and sipping frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity.

Needless to say, I’m a fan of Cleo Coyle’s fun little coffeehouse mystery series. She can weave a tightly-plotted whodunit without skimping on the romance and cozy coffeeshop ambiance. If you’re in the mood for a holiday thriller, give this one a shot. I’m now on to her Haunted Bookshop mysteries, which should be a lot of good, cozy fun!

Top Five Best TV Christmas Movies

3383250-pink-christmas-balls-in-snowMade-for-TV holiday fluff isn’t exactly chick lit, but how could I not offer up a listing of the best Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas movies ever made? Admit it – you know you can’t resist those cloyingly sappy holiday specials filled with romance, paint-by-the-numbers storylines and subpar acting.

Considering the dozens of new movies that crop up each year, I have a feeling the networks are more interested in quantity over quality.  I don’t mean to sound like a film snob, but come on – how many tired versions of a Christmas Carol are they going to make? And how many times have they recycled the “I’ll pay you to be my boyfriend for the holidays with my family” plot?

Like shopping at TJ Maxx, you have to weed out a lot of baddies in order to find some quality stuff. That’s why I decided to make it easy for you and splotlight a list of my most favorite holiday TV movies. If you’re a fan of romance, fluffy animals, or just a good tear-jerker, do yourself a favor and save these on your DVR.

seasonmiracles_xlg_615x346A Season for Miracles

I watch this tear-jerker at least twice a year and it never fails to fill my heart with the warm fuzzies. The picture perfect ending is somewhat preposterous – but you know what – sometimes we have to suspend our beliefs in order to imagine that miracles really do happen. The movie revolves around a devoted aunt who goes on the run with her deadbeat sister’s two kids in order to keep them from the snares of the foster care system. Lo and behold her sad little car breaks down and she conveniently gets stuck in a quaint little Norman Rockwellesque town called Bethlehem. How stinking cute is that?!? With some help from a guardian angel, she ends up squatting in a gorgeous Victorian mansion and captures the hearts of the townsfolk, especially the super cute sheriff.  The romance, the random acts of kindness, the rags to riches ending – everything about it makes my heart sing!

stealing-christmas-02Stealing Christmas

I have a small-time crush on Tony Danza, and boy does this Italian stallion look mighty fine in a Santa suit! Raging hormones aside, this is a quality flick chock-full of witty dialogue and really good acting. Let’s face it, when it comes to Lifetime movies, those important cinematic attributes are hit or miss. Tony does a fine job playing a fugitive bank robber with his New Jersey accent and street-tough attitude.  After an ill-fated mall heist, he disguises himself as a mall Santa and ends up working at a small town Christmas tree farm run by Lea Thompson. They both had such great chemistry – and the romantic tension was quite palpable. Oh and did I mention that Betty White also makes an appearance? This movie is crazy good – and I highly recommend that you just buy the DVD because Lifetime hardly ever runs it on the holiday playlist anymore.  

old_fashioned_christmas_hallmark_1An Old Fashioned Christmas

Every year I scour the Hallmark Channel guide for this fine holiday film set on-location in a picturesque Irish castle. From the intricate Edwardian costumes to the gorgeous Irish countryside, this movie transports me back to a time when people celebrated the holidays by singing carols by the piano and knitting Christmas stockings. The beauty of these period films is that I get to escape the dizzying digital age and imagine myself at a writing desk crafting longwinded love sonnets under the soft light of a candle. The story, which is a sequel to An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving, begins when Tilly and her high-society grandmother pay a visit to Castle Shannon to celebrate Christmas with the Earl of Shannon. Tensions rise when they discover the scheming Lady of Shannon has an agenda of her own. They’re fortune is gone and she needs to marry her son Cameron off to a highfalutin society lady STAT! But little does she know, Tilly is already engaged. Romantic tension ensues when Tilly is unable to resist Cameron’s flirtations – and who can blame her – he’s smoking hot!

536586_320A Heartland Christmas   

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this Canadian TV series. Based on a young adult book series by Lauren Brooke, the show centers on a young girl who is gifted with her late mother’s ability to rehabilitate emotionally wounded horses.  Like a steaming bowl of chicken soup, this show soothes my soul with the gorgeous splendor of Canada’s mountain landscape. The horses, the acting, the sweet romance between Amy and Ty – everything about it is perfect. While watching the Christmas special, I wistfully imagined myself helping Amy and her family save wild horses from a treacherous avalanche, trimming the Heartland Ranch Christmas tree, and sitting around the hearth with Grandpa Jack. Oh how I wish that was my life!

hhof_resources_movie5A Dog Named Christmas

Since I spend most of my free time at an animal shelter, I’m a tad biased about this movie. In addition to addressing the critical need for shelter fosters and volunteers, this movie shows how dogs rescue their owners right back. When a mentally challenged farm boy hears a radio advertisement pleading people to take a home a shelter pet for the holidays, he jumps at the chance to bring home a dog. When his reluctant father finally relents, he visits the local shelter and decides to do more than just give one dog a home for the holidays. He launches a big campaign and eventually convinces the entire community to get involved. This wonderful movie not only touches on the need for more pet rescue efforts, it also shows the therapeutic benefits of a dog’s unconditional love.

What’s your favorite TV Christmas movie? Post a comment and tell me about it.  I promise not to judge!

Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1) by C.C. Hunter

sundaysIn honor of Sunday – a day I reserve for reading and lollygagging – I bring you a short and sweet book review! 

8705784From the publisher: One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Why I picked it up:  A friend of mine told me she spent the entire weekend reading three Shadow Falls books in a row! When she told me about the series, I decided to pluck the first book off of my Nook wish list and give it a try. Needless to say, I was hooked from page one. The perfectly plotted pacing, the complex characters, the boy drama – everything about it had me completely enthralled.

Why I liked it: Considering two paranormal hotties are thrown into the mix, I expected this book to center mostly on the love triangle. But surprisingly, there’s so much more to the story! From her parents’ messy divorce, to her best friend’s pregnancy scare, to her newfound ability to speak with the dead – she’s got a lot more on her mind than who she’s going to kiss at the campfire. A good chunk of the book focuses on Kylie’s friendship with her camp roommates: Della, a moody Goth vampire, and Miranda, a bubbly, boy-crazy witch. Despite their differences, all three girls are fiercely devoted to each other – and I can’t wait to see how their bond develops in the next three books!

What irked me: The Taylor Swift lookalike on the cover doesn’t do Kylie justice. She’s strong-willed, quirky, and a tad self-conscious – nothing like the statuesque blonde beauty striking a sulky supermodel pose inside a spooky tree. To be honest, I get annoyed when publishers feature the image of a main character on the cover. I’d so much rather use my own imagination…isn’t that the reason why we read in the first place?

Why I’m on team Derek: Since Lucas and Kylie formed a connection back when they were little kids, it’s apparent they’re destined for each other. Plus with his dangerous back story and James Dean good looks, he embodies all the hallmarks of a paranormal soul mate. But just for this once, I would like the werewolf underdog (pun intended!) to get the girl.  Derek is sweet, protective and an all-around hottie. Plus it’s no mystery that he’s really into Kylie. There’s one tiny hitch: He has the ability to manipulate emotions with his fairy powers. That adds a miniscule element of danger, but there’s no mistaking that he’s the overlooked  good guy. And as the saying goes, nice guys finish last.

Overall: If there is one book teens – and adults – should have on their must-read list, Born at Midnight is it! Fans of paranormal romance and mystery will hurry to the end of each chapter in anticipation of what will happen next. Unfolding at an easy pace, Kylie’s mystical journey of self-discovery had me glued to the pages until the wee hours of the night. Can’t wait to pounce on the second book!

Friday Finds: Holiday Edition

i found you!It’s probably a tad bit selfish to treat myself to goodies during the season of giving, but I just couldn’t fight the gravitational pull toward the mall bookstore. All the new titles with glossy red and green covers were too hard to resist!

Although I didn’t make much progress on the holiday shopping list, I did procure a nice little bundle of Christmassy reads!  Thanks to MizB at Should Be Reading, I get to brag about my latest literary shopping spree in this Friday Finds post.

Which one shall I read first?

 Holiday Grind: A Coffeehouse Mystery, Book 8

6296907Clare’s grown very fond of Alfred Glockner, the part-time comic and genuinely jolly charity Santa who’s been using her coffeehouse as a place to warm his mittens. When she finds him gunned down in a nearby alley, a few subtle clues convince her that Alfred’s death was something more than the tragic result of a random mugging, despite the conclusions of the police. More…

Silent Night: A Lady Julia Christmas Novella

16152023After a year of marriage – and numerous adventures – Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together – until they find themselves at her father’s ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals. Nevertheless, Julia looks forward to a lively family gathering – but amongst the celebrations, a mystery stirs.  More…

 A Countess by Christmas

9427063The Earl of Bridgemere is happy to encourage his reputation as a curmudgeonly recluse if it repels the grasping females who usually attend his lavish Christmas parties. Helen Forrest is like a breath of fresh air, uninterested in his wealth and not cowed by his temper.  Bridgemere’s seasonal duty suddenly becomes a pleasure as he sets about making Helen his countess—by Christmas! More…

 A Wreath of Snow: A Victorian Christmas Novella

118219558940165422_sykPUxdi_cAll Margaret Campbell wants for Christmas is a safe journey home. When her plans for a festive holiday with her family in Stirling crumble beneath the weight of her brother’s bitterness, the young schoolteacher wants nothing more than to return to the students she loves and the town house she calls home.  Then an unexpected detour places her in the path of Gordon Shaw, a handsome newspaperman from Glasgow, who struggles under a burden of remorse and shame. More…

Friday Finds is a weekly meme spotlighting books you’ve bought or hope to buy in the future. Hop over to Should Be Reading for more details.

A Lovely Surprise!

one-lovely-blog-award2A big thanks goes out to Chrissy Anderson, author of The Life List, for bestowing the One Lovely Blog Award to Chick Lit Café! I just love getting these congratulatory blog hops because usually I get to talk about my favorite subject – MYSELF!

Per the rules, I must divulge seven random tidbits about the fascinating world of Jessica Sinn.

  1. My second-grade teacher sparked my love for mysteries when she introduced me to The Secret Garden.
  2. When I’m not reading and blogging, I work in public relatons at UT-Austin.
  3. I can’t resist doing the Macarena and the Electric Slide at dance clubs and office holiday parties.
  4. I met my husband in Tijuana, Mexico.
  5. I love to shoot skeet with my dad out in the boondocks.
  6. Transylvania is at the top of my “bucket list.”
  7. I’m a closet introvert.

Now it’s my turn to nominate a handful of lovely bloggers for this award:

  1. Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries and More
  2. Books by Banister
  3. In the Hammock Book Reviews
  4. The Cozy Chicks
  5. Lovey Dovey Books
  6. Lauren Clark
  7. Chick Lit Bee

The rules:

1) Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
2) Place the One Lovely Blog Award badge on your blog.
3) Tell seven things about yourself.
4) Nominate seven to fifteen other blogs for the award. List them with links to their blogs.

Jessica’s Cranky Corner: Black Thursday and Corporate Greed

I saw something absolutely horrifying this morning. Keep in mind, I’m an avid fan of zombie apocalypse movies, so it takes a lot to rattle my cage.  No, it wasn’t a snake coiled under my bed or a rabid Rottweiler crouched next to my car. It was something far more disturbing. When I flipped on the news, images of ravenous bargain-hunting fiends crawling over each other at Wal-Mart checkout stands flashed upon my TV screen like a bad omen of humanity’s impending doom.

You’re probably thinking, “So what? It’s Black Friday – a fucked up holiday tradition that corporate America has taught us to embrace.” But that’s where you’re wrong. You see, Black Friday is now one and the same with Thanksgiving. Rushing the holidays before Halloween just isn’t enough anymore. Now the big box stores are eclipsing Thanksgiving by launching their big sales on Thursday evening.

Oh sure, we’re still given a small window for turkey eating, but you can forget about wasting time on all of those little things like catching up with family, beating your big sister at Monopoly or watching a post-feast movie. As a matter of fact, all of that banter around the dinner table is just a distraction from your bargain hunting emails and apps. And geez – why did Grandpa Joe have to waste a whole five minutes on the blessing? All of that talk about being thankful for family, food and American freedom almost made you forget to text your BFF about the newly marked down iPhone.

Good thing you were able to catch up on the latest bargains by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, the world’s longest commercial. You know, I used to enjoy that parade, but this year did it seem like the producers said, “Let’s throw a little parade into our commercial”? Eventually I had to turn it off before Santa’s appearance because my hand was getting tired from all the fast-forwarding.  

Maybe it’s the same old parade. And maybe this Black Thursday business is just a new way for retailers to get back on their feet. Perhaps I’ll learn to let our society’s infatuation wtih consumerism roll off my back. But right now, I’m pretty irate about greedy corporate giants and the millions of dedicated shoppers who allow them to exploit their workers. Next time you’re shopping at Wal-Mart, be sure to be a little nicer to that disgruntled cashier. Don’t take it personally when they ignore you or respond to your questions with a dismissive grunt. They’re probably just a little bitter because while you’re asking about what kind of apps you can download on the new Google tablet, they’re probably thinking about all the fun their family is having without them at Thanksgiving dinner. Or heck – they could be dying a slow painful death because they’re unable to afford their health insurance premiums.

So on this retrospective day when we should all be breaking bread with our loved ones, storming the “door-busters” should be the last thing on our minds. Techy gadgets, designer jeans and 50-inch flat-screens will not hold your hand at your grandmother’s funeral. They will not drive out of their way to help you fix a flat tire. They will not hold you close on a cold winter’s night.  I love a good sale as much as the next girl, but I think it’s worth it to pay a little extra at the mall than to ditch my friends and family – and the meaning of Thanksgiving – for a bargain basement deal.

Pie, Pie, Pie!

On this blessed day of thanks, I’m grateful for family, friends, good books – and most importantly – PIE!  Oh how I love me some warm, gooey, scrumpdiliumptious pie. Nothing beats the down-home goodness of a freshly baked pie. From the sugar-ensconced fluffy meringue toppings to the rich, decadent chocolate cream fillings – these delicious dishes evoke some of my fondest childhood memories.

When it comes to the nostalgic bliss of pie, nobody says it better than Beth Howard, author of Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie:  “Pie is accessible, affordable, all-encompassing. Pie is meant for sharing. Pie connects people. Pie knows no cultural or political boundaries. Pie makes people happy. And happy people make the world a better place. That’s why the world needs more pie.”

In honor of America’s most iconic dessert, here is a little taste of two pie-themed books.

In Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie, Beth Howard shares how her lifelong love of pie helped her get through the pain of bereavement. After her husband’s untimely death, she seeks refuge in the art and craft of pie baking. With some help from good friends and her own inner strength, she sets forth on a cross-country pie-baking documentary project in her husband’s Winnebago. Filled with a multitude of pie analogies, this book is both heart-warming and gut-wrenching. Like a big hunk of chocolate cream pie, this journey of self-discovery will stick to your ribs long after you devour it.  Go to her website to read all about her book, pie-baking tips, and her American Gothic house.

I should also mention an upcoming book by one of my most favorite chick lit authors, Lauren Clark. In Pie Girls, a spoiled Southern Belle must return to her hometown and rebuild her life after it all falls apart in the big city. Somehow she finds herself involved in a Pie Lab, which is based off of a real restaurant that offers job training for high school dropouts and people in need of vocational skills. Sounds like a tasty read to me! Go to her blog for a sneak preview.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sneak a bite out of my delicious pumpkin pie while my husband isn’t looking! I’m sure our guests won’t notice that tiny little dent…right?

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

In honor of Sunday – a day I reserve for reading and lollygagging – I bring you a short and sweet book review! 


From the publisher
: Amy Goodnight’s family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

Why I picked this book: Confession – I had absolutely no business buying another book because I have a stack of review copies to attend to. But how could I pass up a book titled “Texas Gothic”? I spent a good 20 agonizing minutes at BookPeople picking up the book, setting it down, picking it up again and then setting it down. My conscience was telling me to be practical and wait until after I read my stack of books…but the devil on my shoulder always wins.  Come to think of it, this is the exact process I go through in the ice cream aisle at HEB. Texas Gothic is the literary equivalent of a big calorie-laden tub of Blue Bell.

Why I loved it: OMG – where to begin? The hot cowboy next door, the foreboding “Mad Monk,” the Nancy Drew mystery, the hilariously quirky main character – everything about this book roped me in like a steer at a Texas rodeo! Plus it’s set in the Texas Hill Country, a deeply storied region steeped in ghostly legends and lore.  And if that’s not enough – the author (a fifth-generation Texan, I might add!) researched a forensic archeological dig project at my alma mater, Texas State. As a student, I was always interested in the body farm, so this was a real treat. I’ve also been very fascinated by the ghosts and legends of the Texas Hill Country, specifically the Devil’s Backbone. I consulted with Bert Wall, author of a series of books about the haunted hill country, and the Texas Ghost Hunters for a special Halloween story for my college newspaper. Read more about it here.

The romance: The chemistry between Amy and Ben McCullough, the rugged cowboy next door, really revved my engine. They have the whole love-hate thing going on – and it works! Imagine pairing up Nancy Drew with a young, hot Clint Eastwood and throwing some ghost-hunting and witchcraft in the mix. I’m not sure what was more fun, solving the mystery of the missing gold mine and the evil “Mad Monk” or watching Ben and Amy’s relationship develop.

Favorite scene: The author did a fine job using the eerie backdrop of the hill country’s lonely roads and rugged canyons to her advantage. I really got the creeps when Amy pulled over on the side of the road on a dark, moonless night to investigate a ghostly apparition. Lo and behold, she falls down a sinkhole and finds herself trapped in a dark cave caked with bat guano. The thought of being inside a dark cave with a dangerous ghost – and possibly some murderous gold-digging humans – on the loose, really gives me the heebie jeebies!

What I want more of: I’m hoping the author will write another novel about the Goodnight sisters, but with a focus on Phin, the absent-minded genius of the family. I got a big kick out of her nutty experiments and scientific theories. And unlike her self-conscious sister, she has no qualms about waving her “I’m a magical witch” flag around in public. The dynamic between the two sisters is quite hilarious.

Overall: This book is a surefire winner for fans of whodunits and the supernatural. It’s a welcome departure from high-fantasy YA thrillers filled with fairies, sprites, swoony vampires and Hogwarts rip-off academies. If you’re in the mood for a good paranormal-infused mystery with fun characters and hilarious dialogue, give this book a shot.

The Watcher in the Woods by Florence Engel Randall

There’s no denying that The Watcher in the Woods is one of the darkest, spookiest Disney movies ever made. The old, paled-faced Bette Davis shrouded in black, the isolated estate surrounded by dark woods, the clairvoyant little girl – everything about it gave me the willies back when I was a kid. Oh heck – who am I kidding? This movie still gives me nightmares! 

So when I stumbled upon the book at an obscure used bookstore, I couldn’t believe my luck. Who knew there was a literary version of this creepy cult classic? Considering the book is always better than the movie, I knew I was in for a treat. Boy was I mistaken. 

Let me break it down for you like this. Here are three reasons why I loved the movie and how the book failed to deliver.   

Spoiler Alert! Karen’s Otherworldly Disappearance:  In the movie, Karen’s disappearance was caused by a group of kids playing around with the occult. Aligned with a solar eclipse, the ritual opened a door to another dimension, causing poor Karen to be spirited away to the great beyond. Spooky stuff, my friends.  

In the book, however, it was all one big alien-conspiracy acid trip. This book was written back in the early 80s – the tail end of the “dazed and confused” era – so I’m wondering if the author was chasing the white rabbit while writing about alien stalkers. The philosophical ramblings also had me scratching my head at times.  

The Foreshadowing: The little hairs on the back of my neck still stand on end when I think about the funhouse scene where a blind-folded Karen appears in the mirror maze mouthing the word “help.” Or when the little bratty sister falls into a trance and writes the name “Karen” backwards on a dusty window. And who can forget the motorcross scene where a message from beyond saves Jan from getting reamed by a flying motorcycle?

These spooky elements are few and far between in the book. Aside from a couple broken mirrors and a psychedelic TV scene, the author didn’t really get too creative with foreshadowing.   

The Ending: WTF? That was the question running through my mind as I polished off the last couple pages. There’s a plot twist hidden in there somewhere, but I just didn’t get it. The movie did a fine job tying up the story with a neat little bow, but the book left me with more questions than answers. I think someone got sucked into a wormhole through space and time, but I’m not quite sure. Shit man, I don’t even know if the alien was good or evil! If you fully grasped the convoluted turn of events, please post a comment and fill me in!

Teaser Tuesdays: Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore


I’m about halfway through with this fun little Texified thriller – and let me tell ya – it’s downright addictive! Somehow this author found a way to mesh a super creepy ghost story with hilarious hijinks without getting too cutesy. Plus it’s set in the gorgeous Texas Hill Country, so I’m an instant fan!

On a side note, in her acknowledgements, she thanked my former internship supervisor, Jayme Blaschke, for helping her research Texas State University’s body farm. Never have I been so proud of my alma mater!

Without further ado, I bring you a funny little snippet from Rosemary Clement-Moore’s YA thriller, Texas Gothic:

“They lived in the limestone caves that riddled the hills, and dusk brought them out to hunt bugs. I was generally pro-bat, except when I was trekking through the dark trying not to think about the inevitably dire fate of every horror movie character stupid enough to go into the dark with a flashlight and check the fuses.”

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.