Review: Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2)

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2)
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Horror
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 19, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

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.

In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco’s haunting #1 debut 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?

Review:

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell travel to Romania to compete for a place at the school of forensic science at Bran Castle. The castle was home to Vlad the Impaler, a legendary vampire. On their trip to Romania, a body is discovered on the train, impaled with a stake. Then, other murders start happening, with all signs pointing to a vampire murderer. Audrey can’t help but investigate these murders, which bring back the memories of her investigation of Jack the Ripper.

A Romanian castle was the perfect setting for this vampire themed novel. The history of the castle was important to the story. There were also descendants of Vlad present which added to the historical elements and the long family feuds.

There were some very creepy scenes. I actually didn’t find the autopsies and murders to be the most gruesome parts. A couple of scenes had bat and spider attacks, and I found those much more disturbing. However, these creepy scenes were worth it for the surprising ending!

Hunting Prince Dracula is such a creepy read. I can’t wait to read the next one!

What to read next:

Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Other books in the series:

Have you read Hunting Prince Dracula? What did you think of it?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – September 1

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson. The expected publication date is September 14, 2021.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out in this chilling YA psychological thriller and modern take on the classic haunted house story from New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson!

Marigold is running from ghosts. The phantoms of her old life keep haunting her, but a move with her newly blended family from their small California beach town to the embattled Midwestern city of Cedarville might be the fresh start she needs. Her mom has accepted a new job with the Sterling Foundation that comes with a free house, one that Mari now has to share with her bratty ten-year-old stepsister, Piper.

The renovated picture-perfect home on Maple Street, sitting between dilapidated houses, surrounded by wary neighbors has its . . . secrets. That’s only half the problem: household items vanish, doors open on their own, lights turn off, shadows walk past rooms, voices can be heard in the walls, and there’s a foul smell seeping through the vents only Mari seems to notice. Worse: Piper keeps talking about a friend who wants Mari gone.

But “running from ghosts” is just a metaphor, right?

As the house closes in, Mari learns that the danger isn’t limited to Maple Street. Cedarville has its secrets, too. And secrets always find their way through the cracks.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Happy Pub Day – August 31

Happy Pub Day to all of these new books!

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter

The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins

Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan and Jennifer Niven

Life, Unscheduled by Kristin Rockaway

The Bennet Women by Eden Appiah-Kubi

The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

Forestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker

The Last Words We Said by Leah Scheier

Tobyn: The It Girl by Ashley Woodfolk

Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer

What books are you most excited for this week?

Top Ten Tuesday – Fictional Crushes

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Fictional Crushes. Here’s my list:

1. Will – The Infernal Devices

2. Rhysand – A Court of Thorns and Roses

3. Hawke – Blood and Ash

4. Jesse de Silva – The Mediator

5. Mr. Darcy – Pride and Prejudice

6. Thomas – Stalking Jack the Ripper

7. The Darkling – Shadow and Bone

8. Kell – Shades of Magic

9. Kaz – Six of Crows

10. Cardan – The Folk of the Air

(All book covers from Goodreads)

What’s your list of books on your Top Ten Tuesday?

Blog Tour Review: Where I Left Her

Title: Where I Left Her
Author: Amber Garza
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Mira Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

From the author of When I Was You comes a spine-tingling new thriller about a mother’s worst nightmare come true, when her teenage daughter goes to a sleepover and doesn’t come back.

Whitney had some misgivings when she dropped her increasingly moody teenage daughter, Amelia, off at Lauren’s house. She’d never met the parents, and usually she’d go in, but Amelia clearly wasn’t going to let something so humiliating happen, so instead Whitney waved to her daughter before pulling away from the little house with the roses in front.

But when she goes back the next day, an elderly couple answers the door—Amelia and Lauren aren’t there, and this couple swears they never were, that she’s at the wrong house. As Whitney searches for Amelia, she uncovers a trail of lies her daughter has told her—from the Finsta account to rumors of a secret relationship. Does she really even know this girl she’s raised? And Amelia’s not the only one with secrets. Could Whitney’s own demons have something to do with her daughter’s disappearance, and can Whitney find her before it’s too late?

Review:

Whitney dropped off her sixteen-year-old daughter, Amelia, at a friend’s house for a sleepover. She didn’t meet the friend’s parents or walk her inside, despite feeling protective of her daughter, because she knew it would humiliate Amelia. When Whitney returned the next morning to pick up her daughter, an elderly couple answered the door. They’d never heard of Amelia and didn’t see her the night before. Whitney has to search for her daughter, which brings back some dark secrets from her past.

This story didn’t waste anytime getting right into the drama. I loved this premise. Even though I new it was coming, I still found it creepy when Whitney went to her daughter’s friend’s house and she wasn’t there. There were twists and cliffhangers at the end of the chapters that kept me turning the pages.

I thought I had the ending all figured out, but I was completely wrong. Twice I was certain I knew what had happened but I was wrong both times. Though my predictions were wrong, the ending made sense.

Where I Left Her is a suspenseful thriller!

Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

When I Was You by Amber Garza

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

About the author:

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California.

Have you read Where I Left Her? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – August 30

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

This weekend I finished Where I Left Her by Amber Garza.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Hunting Prince Dracula by kerri Maniscalco.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading The Bennet Women by Eden Appiah-Kubi.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – August 29

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 7 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Hunting Prince Dracula

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m reading Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

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.

In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco’s haunting #1 debut 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?

What book are you in bed with today?

Six for Sunday – 2021 Books I Bought/Requested Because of the Cover

This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.

This week’s prompt is 2021 Books I Bought/Requested Because of the Cover. Here’s my list:

1. They’ll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman

2. Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain

3. The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George

4. Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

5. Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

6. Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price

(All book covers from Goodreads)

Did you make a Six for Sunday list?

Review: Sunny Days

Title: Sunny Days
Author: Deborah Kerbel, Miki Sato
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Pajama Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 4, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Morning sun, golden skies Softly waking sleepy eyes 

For preschoolers, sunny days are full of possibility. A sunbeam on the floor is the perfect place to curl up with a furry friend, and warming weather means seeds in the garden, mud pies in the yard, adventures at the beach, and ice cream in the shade. Evening brings the silly fun of watching little shadows stretch out long, and there’s nothing so cozy as watching the sun set as a family.

In Sunny Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again weaves a spell of early childhood magic with couplets as bright as a summer afternoon. Illustrator Miki Sato’s textural collage art nearly rises from the page with fascinating features made from paper, felt, and embroidery silk.

Review:

This picture book is about all the different things that you can do in the sun, from morning to night. When you wake up, there’s a golden sky. Then, throughout the day you can garden or swim. In the evening, the sky turns a rosy pink to say goodbye to that day. Each page had short rhyming lines that went along with the pictures.

This is a beautiful children’s book. I love the style of art, with layers of paper creating a picture. Each picture was made with pieces of coloured paper layered on top of one another. Some of the illustrations also had thread woven to make small lines and add texture to the pictures.

At the back of the book, there was a list of activities to do in the sun. These include, leaving objects on construction paper in the sun to create patterns, and tracing a puddle after the rain with sidewalk chalk to see how the sun shrinks it. These are fun and simple activities that kids can do after reading this book.

Sunny Days is a beautiful children’s book!

Thank you Pajama Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Snow Days by Deborah Kerbel, Miki Sato

Sun Dog by Deborah Kerbel, Suzanne Del Rizzo

Have you read Sunny Days? What did you think of it?