Monster

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the MONSTER by Brynn Chapman Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: MONSTER: A Tale of Murder, Madness and Plastic Surgery (MONSTER Plastic Surgery Mystery Series 1)

Author: Brynn Chapman

Pub. Date: April 14, 2023

Publisher: Twenty Seven Dresses

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 270

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/MONSTERCHAPMAN

MONSTER. The word evokes images of fairy tales and horror. But once, in 1850 Philadelphia, it was actually the term commonly used in physician’s case notes for the victims of fire.

Conflagrations were common in this period—clothing, especially women’s lace, was highly flammable. Once the flesh was destroyed, there was no cure. These unfortunate souls lived out their lives as MONSTERS, secluded away by family. Once burned flesh gives way to contractures, disfigurements to rival even Bram Stoker’s imagination were born. And the hearts of the people inside the shell perished.

Lorelei is one such MONSTER. Born to a wealthy family, disfigured by fire, she fake’s her own death, leaving the world she knows behind—because in her mind…freedom, even if it is a workhouse, is preferable than the life of a shut-in, a burden on her family's name.

1850’s Philadelphia is an epi-center of medicine. Rival medical schools search in desperation for bodies—cadavers to teach the art and science of anatomy to their medical students. Corpses become so rare, a new profession evolves. Resurrection Men, or body snatchers, dig up the graves of the newly decreased for high pay.

Rory Henry is one of the Resurrection Men. A Scots-Irish Immigrant, he has fought his way off the streets, and into medical school by whatever means necessary. He is not above digging up corpses—he cuts them by day, and searches them out by night.

These two lives intersect in an explosion of personality-Rory is designated as Lorelei’s surgeon. Entrusted with performing the new operation called, The Mutter Flap. Once he sees her face, will the unrequited love die, or ignite?

People are disappearing. Someone has discovered that murder is far more lucrative than grave robbing. And many of the bodies are from Lorelei’s workhouse. Will she be next?

PRAISE FOR BRYNN CHAPMANS BOOKS:

Dark twists and turns abound in this fast-paced and riveting gothic thriller. I consumed it in one sitting!”--Lea Nolan, USA Today Bestselling Author

"Exquisitely written! Requiem Red is a haunting tale of monsters, music, insanity, and the power of love where one least expects to find it.Brava, Ms. Chapman! This book will remain forever in my heart!" -- Darynda Jones NYTimes/USAToday Bestselling Author The Charley Davidson Series

"A rollicking ride of a story, with a tender heart -- A Circle of Crows is a thrilling adventure where the impossible comes to happen; where past meets present; and where a reader can't help but realize that some bonds can't be broken by time or distance."-- Jodi Picoult, author of The Tenth Circle, Vanishing Acts, and My Sister's Keeper.

"Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!"-- Grace Burrowes NY Times Best Selling Author

"The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored." --Best Books Ever Blog

"The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!"-- Christy's Cozy Corners Blog 

 

REVIEW:

Lorelai escaped a dangerous situation in Ireland, one that left her scarred after a fire. Lorelai landed in Philadelphia and found an orphanage to take her in while she works in a matchstick factory. An orphan that Lorelai cares for, Molly is suffering from Phossy Jaw and Lorelai takes it upon herself to find help. Help comes in the form of Rory Henry, a student under Dr. Mutter. Rory can help Molly and recognizes a kindred spirit in Lorelai. Lorelai and Rory quickly become enamored with one another. However, Rory's means to pull in extra money as a resurrection man along with the sway that the orphanage Reverend has over Lorelai and a murderer on the loose, their way out of 1850's Philadelphia is not an easy task.

Monster is an exciting historical romance with plenty of suspense, Irish folklore, medical drama, and the realities of the immigrant experience. From the beginning, I was engaged in Lorelai's story of escape. The writing expertly pulled together all the different strands into an exciting story that firmly grasped the setting and characters. Lorelai and Molly's story is endearing as they band together to survive the orphanage and the terrible working conditions at the match factory. Rory's story enlightens early medical care and teaching practices with how students learned anatomy. I also learned about Dr. Mutter, the father of plastic surgery, and his ingenious way of helping those who were labelled monsters by society. I enjoyed the added folklore of the Cailleach and what she meant to Rory and Lorelai. The romance, although quick, was heartfelt and genuine. With a promise to be continued, I can't wait to see what Lorelai and Rory will face in the next book.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

 

About Brynn Chapman:

Brynn Chapman has dissected cadavers, toured asylums and has a love of all things wierd. A celtic folklore enthusiast (she blames her ancestry), her titles combine history, frights and complicated love stories. Shes won RWA awards, and made it to the top of her Amazon- category-lists. Shes 'Small-town-scary," and she fervently hopes her novels force you to leave the light on.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.

Ends April 30th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/10/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
4/11/2023	Cara North	Excerpt/IG Post
4/12/2023	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
4/13/2023	@shangread_la	IG Review
4/14/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
4/15/2023	Living in a Fictional Reality	Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

4/16/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/17/2023	Inked Book Reviews	Review/IG Post
4/18/2023	Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer	Review
4/19/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
4/20/2023	100 Pages A Day	Review
4/21/2023	Book Briefs	Review/IG Post
4/22/2023	Breysreviews	IG Review

Week Three:

4/23/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review
4/24/2023	@lexijava	Review/IG Post