Showing posts with label Cats. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Clowders Book Blitz

Welcome all! Do you love horror? How about cats? Are you looking for your next horror packed novel that is filled with mysterious cats? Then look no further! We have a special treat for you today - Clowders is FREE! So, if this book intrigues you...keep reading and be sure to grab yourself a copy!

Clowders by Vanessa Morgan

Genre: horror, supernatural thriller, cats

Age group: for adults

Description

Clervaux, Luxembourg. This secluded, picturesque town in the middle of Europe is home to more cats than people. For years, tourists have flocked to this place – also known as “cat haven” - to meet the cats and buy cat-related souvenirs.

When Aidan, Jess and their five-year-old daughter, Eleonore, move from America to Clervaux, it seems as if they've arrived in paradise. It soon becomes evident, though, that the inhabitants' adoration of their cats is unhealthy.

According to a local legend, each time a cat dies, nine human lives are taken as a punishment. To tourists, these tales are supernatural folklore, created to frighten children on cold winter nights. But for the inhabitants of Clervaux, the danger is horrifyingly real.

Initially, Aidan and Jess regard this as local superstition, but when Jess runs over a cat after a night on the town, people start dying, one by one, and each time it happens, a clowder of cats can be seen roaming the premises.

Are they falling victim to the collective paranoia infecting the entire town? Or is something unspeakably evil waiting for them?

Their move to Europe may just have been the worst decision they ever made.

Inspirations

Although the book's location – Clervaux in Luxembourg – exists in real life, Clowders is actually is inspired by Japanese cat islands, such as Tashirojima and Aoshima. where tourists visit to meet and play with cats. On these islands, cats outnumber the human population, and they are known for their cat-themed decorations and merchandise. The only difference is that these cat islands aren't cursed.

Cat tourism not a new concept, but it's gained popularity in recent years. Destinations like cat cafes and cat islands attract tourists from all over the globe who want to interact with cats. These places often have themed decorations and merchandise centered around cats. Cat-related tourism offers a unique experience for animal lovers and travelers alike.

Are you interested in knowing more about these destinations? Then check out the author's blog, Traveling Cats, which is all about cat tourism.

About the author

Vanessa Morgan is the editor of the movie reference guides When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals, Strange Blood: 71 Essays on Offbeat and Underrated Vampire Movies, and Evil Seeds: The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children. She also has had one cat book (Avalon) and four supernatural thrillers (Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside, A Good Man, and Clowders) published. Three of her stories have been turned into movies. She has written for myriad Belgian magazines and newspapers and introduces movie screenings at several European film festivals. She is also a programmer for the Offscreen Film Festival in Belgium. When she's not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching movies, eating out, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats.

What others have to say about Clowders

"A startling new voice in horror" - Lucky McKee (director)

"Vanessa Morgan has the gift of pacing and spookiness." - Scott Nicholson (author)

"One very fine writer for both books and screen - Vanessa has a style that is intoxicating." - Grady Harp (Amazon Top 100 Reviewer)

"The female version of Stephen King." - Pedro Chaves (director)

"A first-rate horror story." – Port Jericho (blog)

"A surprisingly scary book." – With Love For Books (blog)

"An intelligent piece of classic horror with a family at the heart of the story." – The Shades of Orange (blog)

"Clowders is a book that reminded me a lot of vintage, small-town European horror from the likes of Herbert, Hutson, Clark, and Campbell. Vanessa Morgan weaves a creepy, suspenseful tale about urban legends and rural superstitions, with a plot that feeds on paranoia and fear." - Sally Bend (author)

"I think Clowders has a Children of the Corn vibe. Replace the corn with cats, and replace the kids with adults. You'll find the same theme." - Kathy Finfrock (author)

"A horror novel written in a way that has me picturing its scenes as though I'm watching a horror movie." - Miranda Burski (author)

"Great story. Solid characters. Well crafted suspense." – Hatched Mouth (YouTube)

"A good shiver-causing read." - Toni Lesatz (author)

"Really terrifying." – Bookshelf Life (blog)

"Full of suspense and terror." – Warm Days Will Never Cease (blog)

"It's riveting and chilling and unlike anything I've ever read. I can already see it as a movie." – Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, and Meows (blog)

"I really enjoyed having no idea if the impending doom was real or just a figment of the townspeople's imagination. It really left me second guessing what was truly going on." – The Book Return (blog)

"My hats are off to Vanessa Morgan for her ending. She didn't settle, and she hit the right plot points." – The Literary License (podcast)

"Ms. Morgan has certainly scratched out a special niche in the horror genre with Clowders." – Tome Tender (blog)

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Bakeries and Buffoonery Review Spotlight

Bakeries and Buffoonery by Elizabeth Pantley is the fourth installment in her Magical Mystery Book Club series, and for readers of this series – you’re not going to want to miss out on this book. Paige, Glo, and the gang are back! Along with Mollie the ghost if you forgot. It’s time for a new book club meeting, and for a new mystery novel to be chosen! When the group finds a book about the drama surrounding a cake competition, it sounds like the perfect choice! Right?! Who wouldn’t want to investigate a mystery that swirls around an annual cake competition? But! Are they prepared for the twists and surprises that are in store for them? Well, there is definitely going to be a lot of cake, so dive in to see where the crumbs will lead them!

Bakeries and Buffoonery is a deliciously delightful addition to the series. The end of book three saw the entire book club come back to “reality” together, though with one new addition – Molly, the ghost. So the question will arise – will this new adventure see someone end up staying behind? Guess you’ll have to wait and see what happens. But brace yourself for the frosting to fly! Now, let the choosing begin!

This book, as the title suggests, the characters decide on a fun cozy mystery novel called “The Great Cake Rivalry.” Sounds like a fun choice right? Well, it’s all fun and games until someone gets murdered. What’s really different about this book is that you “meet” the killer in the first few pages. Don’t get too excited, you don’t “meet them meet them.” You get to see or hear things from their perspective. What once started out as a small humble baking competition got out of hand rather quickly and someone isn’t a fan of it. So, they’ve taken things into their own hands. A little mischief here and there, but when the contest refuses to be tamed, well, bigger plans must be made. Can the group step in and find out who the perpetrator is before they do more harm? Or will they not be able to figure things out before it’s too late?

The humor element of this novel is well done. You get sprinkles of it in the right places to keep the story entertaining without going overboard. Frank, especially himself gets into a couple of “predicaments” but they are really funny. Plus, he lets slip a little secret! Will we get to find out more about this tidbit of information that he lets slip out? Guess time will only tell, but for now be prepared to wait, because answers won’t be forthcoming in this book!

Vee takes center stage with this book in key moments in this book. Since Vee is an experienced baker she’s the go-to person for the other characters when it comes to the baking competition that is the focal point of the mystery. This competition isn’t solely for the pros, there’s a part that amateurs get to participate in as well! You’re going to be drooling over the descriptions of the various cakes described in this book. The confections described in this book will be a feast for your mind and have you wishing that you could have a taste. Man, these characters are so lucky to get to sample the various confectionery works. I know I’m going to be doing some research to find recipes or something similar to create myself. LOL!

The variety of characters in this book really helps this book shine. You’re always wondering – who is the culprit that they are looking for? Why do they (the culprit/killer) hate cake so much? If they hate cake so much, why haven’t they found some other place to live? I mean, I get it – the town used to be called “Lake Pleasant.” It’s understandable that not everyone is going to be pleased with the change to “Frosting.” There are quite a few red herrings scattered throughout this book though. You have the main “danger,” and then there is someone else who has an issue with...(gasp) pies?! Now THAT is an outrage! LOL! Who doesn’t like pie?! Brace yourself for quite a few surprises in this book.

Hoping for some sparks of romance? Great news! There is some in this book! What will it mean for the book club though? Will everyone be happy with the budding romance? Well, as we all know, things typically work out in the end, and this book will be no different. You will get a little teary-eyed though, so make sure you grab a kleenex.

With the addition of new elements, the author helps to keep this series fresh and from going stale. The characters come off as realistic and quite often relatable. You won’t be able to help laughing at some of their antics, and agreeing when one tries to “direct” another in more appropriate tactics. The characters really make the story enjoyable as they are often simply trying to one-up each other with their silliness.

Vee takes the cake with this book though. She shines brightly with her baking skills and dedication to the contest overall, even though there is no “grand prize” for the amateurs. Even when things go awry she never loses her cool! There are a couple of scenes where you’re going to expect her to get upset, but she never does. Tip of the hat to you Vee. You’re awesome and way better than me. LOL!

Packed with ups and downs, new discoveries, and pleasant surprises this book is a must-read for those who have enjoyed the series to this point. New to the series? You can dive into this book if you want to, but it’s always a good choice to start the series from the beginning and dive in so that you get the full immersive experience.

I’m rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to the author, Elizabeth Pantley, and the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Bunny's Reviews