Book Review: Monster Inside (Shadow Pact #1) by River Starr

Monster Inside (Shadow Pact #1)
by River Starr
Expected publication: April 21st 2022
Received via Xpresso Book Tours and the author

Sometimes the most enchanting monsters are the ones you can’t see, only feel…

I am a survivor. For the past ten years, I’ve been forced to give every part of me to sinister vampires in a feeding community. But when I touched an ancient book and recited a spell out of sheer desperation and zero arcane knowledge, a dark entity came to me. Rescued me. Mrak helped me escape.

I have no idea what I’ve gotten myself into. But Mrak has been at my side for the last three months—well, inside me, anchored to my existence and lovingly tender with his ethereal touches. It’s not quite possession, not quite a haunting. But it’s real, it’s sexy as hell, and he’s mine. Or I’m his. Either way, we’re now in this life together.

Mrak is distracting, seductive, and powerful, but he’s also keeping a secret. One that’s now put me in immense danger despite his claims he’ll do anything to protect me. Because the cops have come calling. Bodies have turned up. And despite his reassurances, I’m starting to wonder if Mrak has a hidden agenda that he’s somehow kept secret from the inside.

My life might be in my monster’s debt. My body might be his for pleasure. But my future is mine no matter how much he wants and uses my body. I’m no longer the weak woman he saved from a vampire lord, and it’s time to take my body—and my life—back.

Review: 

Not what I was not what I was expecting. From the start you can tell Aisling is a strong young woman. Going through what she has in the feeder community, for the last ten year after being sold into it by her family. Understandably her trust is hard to earn. In desperation she makes a pact with an unknown entity. This leads to the destruction of the community and the freedom of the feeders who were little more than slaves and food. Fast forward and Aisling has made a new life for herself. She has a business and a friend; things are looking up. Until a guy shows up looking for a sword that has a rune on it that will block Mrak and she is attacked, while out at a bar.  

The story is fast paced, a lot of action paired with a bit a mystery. We’re kind of dragged along with Aisling as she learns to trust this entity that has latched itself on to her. I would have liked more building on their relationship see how it developed. We just kinda jump into it and Aisling goes from not really trusting Mrak to I love you, which for me based on Aisling’s wary nature was a bit hard to swallow. That aside the world building was solid. The idea was original and Aisling was easy to empathize with if a bit frustrating. I’m hoping for a bit more character development for both Aisling and Mrak in book two. The plot was a whirl wing and does keep you reading. 

Book Review: Ghost of a Promise (Phantoms #1) by Kelly Moran

Ghost of a Promise (Phantoms #1)
by Kelly Moran 
Published January 31st 2022 
Received via NetGalley

The haunting lore of her family's estate on the coast of Maine never bothered Ava Trumble. Truly, the big ole house seems less lonely with a ghost or two. However, when it finally becomes her time to inherit the elaborate mansion on the bluffs, the deed comes with a shocking ultimatum. She has exactly one year to solve the two-hundred-year-old mystery of the disappearance of a girl that has always plagued their town, or her dreams and the property will wind up in the hands of the Historical Society.

As the lead investigator for the hit paranormal TV show Phantoms, Jackson Granger is prepared for any metaphysical encounter. Until now. It's not just the uncanny sense of "coming home" since getting his team inside Trumble Mansion or even his reaction to the fiery redhead owner who seems to consume his every waking thought. No, it's that, as the investigation unfolds, the ghosts are using Jackson and Ava's attraction to play out a centuries-old tragedy. Heartbreak. Loss. Overwhelming passion.

Now, Jackson and Ava must determine if they're sharing something real...or if they've merely been possessed by a love that never died.

Book Review: I’ve been looking for a book like this for awhile, and just managed to trip over this on NetGalley. 

Ava inherits her family home from her great aunt, a home that is possibly cursed and haunted by the ghosts of their ancestors. There is one stipulation to her getting the house, she has to solve the mystery of a death on the property that happened over a century ago. I was drawn into Ava’s plight and how she just wanted to fulfil her dream of turning the old house into a bed and breakfast.  

As a last ditch effort she calls in a paranormal group/ show to investigate the house and hopefully find some answers. As Jackson and his crew investigate things get kinda weird, especially after it comes out that Jackson is distantly related to the victim. As the investigation goes on the attraction between Ava and Jackson grows. The sexual tension between these two is intense. Yet I was pulled in and kept reading to find out if it was genuine or due to the spirits.  

The mystery paired with the relationship between Jackson and Ava kept me reading. The plot was well done dropping hints and offering clues for both the readers and investigators. I found myself engaged and wanting to know more about the whole team, not just Ava and Jackson.  

Book Review: When the Moon Shines (Six Shooter and a Shifter Book 1) by Lucia Ashta

When the Moon Shines (Six Shooter and a Shifter Book 1)
by Lucia Ashta
Published April 1st 2022
Received via Xpresso Book Tours and the author

Welcome to Traitor’s Den. I hope you like it here, because there’s no leaving the small western town that’s more theme park than authentic. Once you walk through the portal, you’re stuck as a boot heel in a half foot of mud.

I’ve never seen the outside world and I don’t care. The cannon-toting, trigger-happy residents here are like family, even if most of them are a few spoons short of a full set. Eventually, everyone grows on you, kinda like nail fungus. But the booze flows freely, and Tiger keeps me company. He’s as much a prisoner as I am.

I don’t figure there’s much point in wanting what you can never have. I’ll eventually accept one of my boyfriend’s marriage proposals and then keep policing the one-way town while I pop out the babies he wants. I was born knowing how to make chicken salad out of chicken shit.

At least I won’t be bored. Denners aren’t fans of following the rules, and the longer they’re in town, the worse they behave, thanks to the spell that keeps us all trapped here.

Just when I think I’ve made my peace with my lot, the portal pops open and two men shoot through, throwing punches before their feet even finish landing in my town. When they finally look at me, all I see is problems. Big, ginormous, entirely-too-handsome problems. And that’s before I even take into account the little “surprise” they brought through with them.

No one’s ever looked at me the way they do.

They aren’t the kind of men who back down after claiming something.

Or someone...

Did I say I had my life in Traitor’s Den all figured out? Hell, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Book Review: I haven’t read many of the reverse haram books, but this one was a lot of fun. 

Loretta is sheriff of Traitors Den, a little western town stuck inside a magic bubble, temporal rift, ok not quiet sure on that one. Alright so the town is actually more of a old west theme park version of a town. All the inhabitants are stuck there dumped out of a one way portal. The other catch is all of the inhabitants are magical, either shifter or magic users. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule and Loretta is that exception she doesn’t have magic. Even without the help of magic she is one tough lady. I loved Loretta and her take no crap attitude. 

When two new guys fall through the portal they bring a whole heap of trouble with them. The plot is very character driven and if I hadn’t been so taken with Loretta I might not have gotten invested in the story. Rhett and Zeke the two who fell through the portal, are sexy as sin and twice as troublesome. They’re taken with Loretta, but she already got enough relationship problems. The sexual tension between these three was thick.  

I enjoyed the banter, jokes and general world building that the author used. The cliffhanger ending left me a little sore but over all I really liked this book.  

Book Review: The Better To See You (Transplanted Tales #2) by Kate SeRine

The Better To See You (Transplanted Tales #2)
by Kate SeRine 
Published March 2022 by eKensington
Purchased on Kindle

Once upon a time, a spell went awry and Make Believe characters were cast into the ordinary world. And the results aren’t always happily ever after…

Everyone thinks fairy godmothers can do no wrong. But if not for a certain spell mis-cast by Lavender Seelie, Cinderella’s former fairy godmother, the Tales would not be stuck in the Here and Now. Fortunately for Lavender, she’s about to get a second chance at a happy ending…

The Refuge, a sanctuary for wayward Tales, seems like the perfect place for Lavender to start a new life—especially when she discovers an unexpected ally in Seth, the brooding werewolf who’s been typecast as a villain ever since his run in with Little Red Riding Hood. But when humans from nearby towns start turning up dead, their bodies mutilated with archaic Tale symbols, Lavender wonders if Seth’s deep sensuality has blinded her to the truth. And that distraction could put innocent lives in danger. Including her own…

Review: After reading Red I was eager to know how the Tales ended up in the “Here and Now”. This is Lavender’s story. How she went from one of the most promising fairies to one of the most hated Tales. Ok possibly this is a little melodramatic but it’s how Lavender sees herself. In need of a new start she goes to the Refuge. A place for Tales who couldn’t quite hack it in the “Here and Now” or just need a new start. Red sends her to stay with an old friend, who ends up being none other than the big bad wolf himself. The tension between these two is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Yet neither is ready to be burned again.  

If this isn’t enough to keep you reading there’s the mystery of the missing Tales and dead ordinaries. And lets not forget someone sent hellhounds to stalk Seth and Lavender. While this might seem overwhelming the author does a great job of balancing everything and keeping the plot moving.  

The story is engaging, the characters are likable and easy to empathize with. I felt for Lavender and Seth they were both flawed yet wanted to do the right thing. I really enjoyed this story and the twist on nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and lit characters.  

Book Review: Scarecrow: Witch Queens: Tales from Oz (Dark Fairy Tales #1) by S. Cinders

Scarecrow: Witch Queens: Tales from Oz (Dark Fairy Tales #1)
by S. Cinders 
Published (first published February 23rd 2018)
Read via Kindle Unlimited

The Witch Queens:

Dark new series that reimagines the Oz saga...

EAST: The four daughters of the King were each given land to prove themselves worthy of being selected as the heir to the entire kingdom. When munchkins start turning up dead, Indy- Queen of the East, knows that she has to do something drastic. Swallowing her pride, Indy approaches the only man for the job. He is one badass, sexed up, tattooed, six-ft-four piece of man meat that they call Scarecrow.

NORTH: Sent to rule over the Lion-shifters, Mombi- Queen of the North, knows that she will never truly be accepted as one of their own. What is worse, Jake- the Lion King, is missing, and rumor is that he left because of her. The pride is now under Dorothy's control.

SOUTH: Prince Gregory has been sneaking into the Emerald City and pretending to be the ‘great and powerful Oz.’ His real intention is to be near Glinda- Queen of the South, whom he has loved since he was a child. But true love doesn’t seem to follow the yellow brick road. Will these two ever have a chance when her sisters hate everything about him?

WEST: Elphaba- Queen of the West, has had just enough of Steele’s lies and games. The immortal broke her heart once, and it won’t happen again. His name might be Steele, but he’s nothing but a heartless Tin Man. And she is one queen that won’t be melting at his feet.

The new girl, Dorothy, must die. Don't be fooled by her pigtails and sparkly stolen shoes. She's a killer, who has been wreaking havoc in the land of Oz. The four Witch Queens must come together to defeat Dorothy once and for all and discover where each of their destinies lies.

Book Review:

I’ve never been a big Oz fan. While I remember as a kid watching the movie on this little rabbit eared T.V. it was never a favorite. Yet this version had me captivated. Probably because it focused on the Witches of Oz and not Dorthey. This book turns Oz on its head. Dorthey is the evil witch and the witches are the heroines.  

As the title proclaims our main characters are Scarecrow and Indy, the wicked witch of the East. They already have a history and the chemistry between them is intense. Scarecrow is intense and positive. Their relationship is hot and heavy with wisps of BDSM. Each of the well-known characters is represented Mobi is paired with Jake a lion shifter. Elphaba paired with Steele aka the Tinman, and Glinda with Gregory who moonlights as the Wizard of Oz.  

The pairs each get a small spot light having a history before reuniting to take on Dorthey. I enjoyed following Indy and Scarecrow as they tracked down Dorthey and grew closer. While this book has lots of spicy bits in the plot and characterization are well done pushing the story. Just keep a glass of ice water handy because it gets hot.   

 

Book Review: The Corpse Princess (Nemesis #1) by Jayce Carter

The Corpse Princess (Nemesis #1)
by Jayce Carter 
Published:  March 15th 2022 by Totally Bound
Received via Goddess Fish Book Tours and the author

Karma is a bitch—but then again, so am I.
Ten years ago, a group of men murdered my mother and thought they had killed me. I’ve spent every day since planning revenge against the man behind the attack—my father. As the head of a powerful crime family, he won’t be an easy target, but nothing matters more than making him pay for what he’s done.
Now, I return in disguise, only to end up on the radar of the Quad—the four most dangerous men in the city…men I’ve been desperately in love with since I was a teen. I have no idea if they were in on the plan to have me killed, but I can’t stop myself from craving their taste, their bodies and their rough, domineering touches. Even though I know the risks, I keep falling deeper into our twisted relationship.
My plan is simple—find and get rid of the people who carried out the attack, kill my father…and don’t fall in love with the men who might have betrayed me.
This world already killed me once—let it try again.

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of murder, attempted murder, and violence. It includes a morally gray heroin

Book Review: I enjoyed the story but the characters kinda fell flat. The plot of this book, captivated me. I found myself routing for Nem wanting to know if she would receive her revenge and how she would deal with the Quad. The author dropped clues at just the right time and strung me along with little teases. 
I loved Nem how she was a bad a** b*tch (excuse the lang) and made no qualms about being one. She was able to bust the Quads erhm you know and give them tit for tat. Yet even with her attitude I found the characters a bit one dimensional. The Quad was overly alpha and possessive which made them a bit cliché. While Nem was this really good character her thirst for revenge kind of stunted her. We see her begin to grow but then regress, it’s a weird yo-yo effect. 
The plot and story of this book is what got me. It’s extremely well done; the writing is top notch. I was pulled into Nem’s world from the first page and just wanted to keep reading. I wanted to know everything. And it’s intense. The intrigue, the action and even the intimacy, it’s all intense. The cliffhanger ending had me searching out book 2 to see when it would be out. 

Book Review: Witch of the Black Circle by Maria DeVivo

Witch of the Black Circle
by Maria DeVivo
Published: March 7th 2022 by 4 Horsemen Publications
Received via Booksprout

When it comes to witchcraft, it's never just a teenage phase...
For as long as she can remember, high school senior Joephie Turner's mother has told her she is cursed by a witch. As she settles into her new hometown of Northport, Long Island at the height of the 1980s Satanic Panic era, Joephie is accepted into a circle of friends obsessed with the occult. Demonic messages on cassette tapes, shady youth group leaders, and passionate sexual encounters push the teen into a thrilling world that lends a deeper meaning to the proverbial mantra: "sex, drugs, and rock and roll." Until it all goes wrong.
A decade later, haunted by nightmares of cults and rituals, formidable burgeoning witch Joephie pieces her memories together in search of answers about the small group of suburban teens that meddled with dark forces. As an adult, Joephie will have to decide what, or who, she is willing to sacrifice from her past in order to claw her way back to sanity.
Inspired by true events, Witch of the Black Circle is a deliciously wicked and nostalgic journey through time where the lines of reality and the supernatural blur. Content warning: satanic rituals; sex; graphic violence; language; drug use.

Book Review: I was intrigued and confused by this book. It takes place in the 80’s during the height of the satanic panic. Joephie is the new girl in town and soon makes friends with kids like her. Into sex drugs, rock n’ roll and witchcraft. At first you think these are just kids and it’s a passing phase. Yet as the book progresses I wasn’t sure if things were happening in Joephie head or reality.  

There was also this weird change of POV around the middle of the book that threw me and I didn’t realize it was her mom till much later. Unfortunately I found the characters lacking in depth. The plot was eh. I kept reading out of shear confusion wanting to understand what the heck was going on. Even after finishing the book don’t feel like I got closure from it.  

Book Review: Red (Transplanted Tales #1) by Kate SeRine

 

Red
(Transplanted Tales #1)
by Kate SeRine
Published August 2nd 2012 by Kensington Publishing Corp.
Received via the author and Caffeinated PR

“My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red.”

Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…

Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…

Book Review: Little Red Riding Hood is all grown up and kicking butt. 

I loved the idea behind this story, literary characters have been brought to the real world. Tess "Red" Little also known as Little Red Riding Hood is an Enforcer for the Fairytale Management Authority. Think the police force for Tales, that's what they call people transplanted from the books. The world building is decent, although I would have like to know more about how they ended up in this predicament. I mean we learn that it had to do with Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and Aladdin's genie, but what actually happened? The mystery aspect of the plot was ok, it kept me reading so it did it's job but I figured it out pretty quickly. 

The characters were good, I liked Red's spunk and wit, but she had some issues. Mainly I found her a bit overdramatic and I'm not sure if it was supposed to be a character flaw or the writing style. If it was a character flaw kudo well done, if it was writing style maybe tone it down. I like it when a heroine is both tough yet can show a vulnerable side, it makes it easier to empathize with them. Red was this she had the tough girl persona down, yet had a soft side which we saw time and again. The sexual tension between her and Nate was electric. I thought the romance aspect of the book was well done. 

This was a fun entertaining read. I liked how it entwined literary characters into the real world and it's problems. It was a new take on the fairy tale trope and it was overall well done. 

Audio Book Review: My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

My Best Friend's Exorcism
by Grady Hendrix
Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller
Published May 17th 2016 by Blackstone Audio
Purchased from Audible

1988. Charleston, South Carolina. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth grade. But after an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act… different. She’s moody. She’s irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she’s nearby.

Abby’s investigation leads her to some startling discoveries - and by the time their story reaches its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby and Gretchen will be determined by a single question: Is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?

Like an unholy hybrid of Beaches and The Exorcist, My best Friend's Exorcism blends teen angst, adolescent drama, unspeakable horrors, and a mix of '80s pop songs into a pulse-pounding supernatural thriller. 

Book Review: This book was a bit nostalgic for me as a child of the 80's. I found myself repeatedly trying to put myself into Abby's position. At times it was a bit hard, I have to admit. I found the beginning a bit confusing, but finally got my footing. 

The plot was good, but I didn't get why Abby did some of the things she did. Even as a teen I don't think I would have done some of the things she did or put up with the stuff she did. Yet I can also remember being willing to walk through hell for my best friends. However I still had a hard time with the characters. They just didn't feel fleshed out, I found them one dimensional and a little bland. 

The events leading up to the exorcism were a bit cliché. Although I did find the end of the exorcism pretty original and it brought a smile to my face. While not a stand out book, I did find it a entertaining read. 

Book Review: A Ruin of Roses (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #1) by K.F. Breene

A Ruin of Roses
(Deliciously Dark Fairytales #1)
by K.F. Breene
Published October 8th 2021
Received from Kindle Unlimited

I could save him, but he would ruin me.
The beast.
The creature that stalks the forbidden wood.
The dragon prince.
He has suffered a fate worse than death. We all have. A curse put upon us by the mad king.
We are a kingdom locked in time. Shifters unable to feel our animals. Stuck here by a deal between the late king and a demon who seeks our destruction.
The only one keeping this kingdom alive is Nyfain, the golden prince to a stolen throne. The last dragon shifter.
He’s our hope.
He’s my nightmare.
When he catches me trespassing in the forbidden wood, he doesn’t punish me with death, as he’s entitled.
He takes me, instead. Forces me back to the castle as his prisoner. Seeks to use me.
Apparently, I can save him. I can save the whole forgotten kingdom, locked away by the demon king’s power.
But it would mean taming the monster beneath his skin. It would mean giving myself to him.
It would mean my ruin.

Book Review:  I saw this book on a couple different blogs and was taken by the cover. The blurb drew me in, but I did not expect how actually spicy this book was going to get. Seriously get yourself a glass of ice water and some pearls to clutch. 

I was immediately pulled in by Finley and her plight. I thought she was an amazing character, strong yet still vulnerable. She had her flaws and new it, yet didn't let them bring her down. Nyfain was your typical strong, broody, alpha, but I kinda find that hot so. I found the characterization of all the... well characters to be well done and through. I became invested in the story, wanting to know more about them and what was happening to them. 

The plot carried me along and the world building was outstanding. This was one of those books that I couldn't put down and couldn't wait to pick back up. I also found it interesting the myriad of ways the main characters got down with out actually doing the deed. The sexual tension between Finley and Nyfain was like a raw nerve pulsing and ebbing. All the while Finley was growing and expanding her knowledge becoming more. The biggest and only disappointment for me in this book was the cliffhanger ending. At the time of my writing this I have already downloaded the next book in the series and look forward to getting to read it.

Book Review: Lethal Red Riding Hood (Dark Goddess Chronicles #1) by Leonard Wilson, Ann Marie Wilson

Lethal Red Riding Hood (Dark Goddess Chronicles #1)
by Leonard Wilson, Ann Marie Wilson 
Published October 4th 2020 by Lost In The Wood Press, LLC
Received via Silver Dagger Book Tours

Bloody Scarlet, the skull collector of the Crimson Forest, is just a cautionary tale to keep children from wandering in and getting lost — isn’t she? Well something’s out there.
In a world dominated by a cruel Inquisition that sees demons and witches everywhere it turns, Keely just wants to make a dishonest living convincing the obscenely wealthy to part with their excess riches through guile and trickery.
When the Inquisition shows up to destroy her life anyway, Keely goes on the offensive rather than scurry back into the shadows. To set it up for a fall she lures the Inquisition into an invented race to find a heretical book of prophecy that may never have existed.
When Keely builds her lies on existing rumors, though, and points the hunt in the direction of the Crimson forest, a new player introduces herself to the high stakes con game as a deadly wild card.
Whether or not the woman in red is the real Bloody Scarlet, the closer Keely gets to the dark, twisted heart of the forest the more quickly things spiral out of control.

Book Review: I'm a sucker for a good fairytale retelling, but that's not exactly what we're getting. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson pull elements from classic fairytales weaving them into a creative and dark world of their own making. Filled with dangers both known and unknown Keely drags both her motley cast and the reader on an adventure. This book had wonderful worldbuilding, great characterization and excellent writing. My only complaint was the amount of POV's in the book. This paired with the flash backs meant there were times that I got really confused then had to go back and reread a section to get my bearings. Even with that I still felt Mr. and Mrs. Wilson did a great job creating a story that was a mix of fantasy, mystery, sprinkled with romance and even a little horror. The plot swept me along, keeping me interested and engaged enough to keep reading despite my confusion. 

Book Review: The Legend of the Dogman by David C. Posthumus

The Legend of the Dogman

by David C. Posthumus
Published: January 11th 2022 by Timber Ghost Press
I received a copy of this book free via Silver Dragger Book Tours from the author. 

Something dark and malevolent stalks the majestic Northwoods of Michigan, and each corpse sends a new wave of terror through the small town of LeRoy. Anthropology professor Jack Allen uncovers a pattern of strange encounters, disappearances, and unsolved murders that shake him to his core. The deeper Jack delves into the horror in the woods, the more his life falls apart around him. With his family and all of Northern Michigan hanging in the balance, Jack must find a way to stop the cycle or risk losing everything to the ultimate predator. Meet a new kind of monster in David C. Posthumus’s bone-chilling suspenseful thriller, The Legend of the Dogman!

Review: Most people into cryptozoology know the story of the Dogman. It's one of those urban legends that people latch onto and go searching for. Jack becomes one of those people only it seems that the legend is searching for him. With multiple unexplained deaths at the hands of what seems to be a large dog popping up and Jack seeing a strange humanoid creature with glowing eyes. He then finds he father's chest which drags him down a rabbit hole of strange occurrences that happen every seven years. 

The story is well told with a plot that grabs you and keeps you reading. My only real complaint was that at times Mr Posthumus over explained things. He went into great detail about little things that really didn't effect the story as much as you would be lead to believe by the amount of information he was giving you. The other thing that kinda bugged me but also seemed to work in a way was the telling aspect. I felt like a lot of the book was being told to you, yet it also worked in a way because it was being told to Jack. So I was a bit ify on how to feel about it. In way it bothered my, yet also was justified. I did like that the characters were well fleshed out and easy to empathize with. The story once it got going played out a bit like a movie in my head, dragging me along on this horrific roll-a-coaster. 

Book Review: Krampus and the Crone (Horned Holidays #1) by Honey Phillips

Krampus and the Crone (Horned Holidays #1)
by Honey Phillips
Published December 3rd 2020
Received from Kindle Unlimited

Can a horned alien warrior and an isolated woman grant two children their holiday wish for a family?

Jaelle is lonely. Ostracized by the village, like her mother and grandmother before her, she poses as an old witch in order to eke out a meager living selling herbal remedies to people who don't want to admit they need her help. When children start disappearing from the village, she is determined to find an answer to the riddle. She doesn't expect to find a massive, horned alien - one who sees through all her disguises.

Since crash-landing on K.R.S Three, Commander Krampusarian D'Marchandar spends his time working on his ship and secretly observing the other inhabitants. During his explorations, he discovers a strange, beautiful female. It is an impossible attraction - but when he sees her treatment at the hands of the other villagers, he decides she is his to protect.

Book Review: I really enjoyed this story. It was short fast paced but intriguing and engaging. It was a unique take on the story of Krampus. This evil spirit is not a spirit but an alien and not so much evil as down right smexy. Krampusarian becomes fascinated by Jaelle a lonely young women who lives on the outskirts of the village below where he crash landed. When Jaelle is attacked by one of the village men, Krampus misguidedly kidnaps one of the village children thinking it will be a fitting revenge on the man. The boy then convinces him to kidnap his sister. When Jaelle finds out the children are missing she ventures into a snow storm to search the mountain to find them. Of course you can see where this is going so I'm not going to give any spoilers.

I enjoyed how they characters came together it was a lighthearted, read with a touching ending and just the right amount of sexiness'. It was a nice holiday read.

 

Book Review: Reindeer Runes (Winter Witches of Holiday Haven #2) by Danielle Garrett

 

Reindeer Runes
(Winter Witches of Holiday Haven #2)
by Danielle Garrett
Read via KindleUnlimited

Have yourself a very Merry Witchmas in Holiday Haven, where the magic and mystery of Christmas is snow joke!

Lumi Northrop is a powerful guardian of the north—the North Star Reindeer Sanctuary, that is.

When Rudolph vanishes the week before Christmas, Lumi is thrust from the peace and quiet of her family’s farm, into the magical town of Holiday Haven to help find him.

Lumi quickly discovers that Rudolph isn’t the only local celebrity who’s gone missing. Jack Frost is also MIA, just days before his coronation as the next Frost King.

Teaming up with Corbin Frost, Jack’s reclusive brother, Lumi finds more questions than answers. What she thinks is an odd coincidence quickly turns into something more sinister.

With time running out for Rudolph and Jack, can Lumi use her powers to save the North Pole? 

Review: To be fair I almost didn't read this, I wasn't crazy about the first book in the series and considered passing this one up until I realized that they weren't done by the same authors. So I gave it a chance and oh my goodness I am so glad that I did. I loved Lumi, she's a down to earth witch who finds herself caught up in two mysteries. I also really liked Corbin and these two make such a cute couple. They have great chemistry as they go hunting for Jack Frost who's gone missing. 

The writing is top notch and the characters are wonderful. The plot moves along at a good clip keeping you engaged and guessing. My only real problem was it was over to soon, it's kind of a short read. Although there are two other books in the series featuring Lumi and Corbin, yes I jumped around but to be fair the series can be read as stand alones. While they do take place in the same world and do bleed into one another there are no spoilers from one main character to another. The series is a lot of light hearted Christmas fun, splashed with mystery and sprinkled with a hint of romance. 

Book Review: A Dead-End Job by Justin Alcala

A Dead-End Job 

by Justin Alcala 

Published October 5th 2021 by Parliament House

Received a copy from BookSirens

Death needs a vacation. Badly. But there's a catch: There are people who cheat the system, always falling through the cracks and not dying like they're supposed to. Who's going to take care of them while Death's sipping on sangria? 

The answer is simple: Death needs an intern, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that one prospect, Buck Palasinksia-a bankrupt hitman with a roleplaying addiction-might have what it takes. While scoping out his next target, Buck gets drilled in the forehead by a bullet and falls right into Death's lap. If they shove him back into his body, he'll have a few weeks to prove that he has what it takes to be Death's right-hand. All he has to do is take out Public Enemy No. 1, John Dillinger, and quit smoking.

Book Review: So I ended up raving about this book so much that I convinced one of my co-workers to buy it. Like right then and there. He looked it up on the Kindle app and bought it right in front of me. I only mention this because it has never happened to me before, ever. It was kinda surreal to be honest. 

Ok enough about that on to the actual review. 

Much like many of us Death is over worked, underpaid, and desperately in need of some vacay time. What's a guy to do? Get an intern of course. But it can't be any intern, not only is Death very particular he is also a bit of a perfectionist and workaholic. So who better to become Death's left hand, he's already got a right, than Buck Palasinksia. Buck is a down on his luck hitman, who finds himself on the wrong end of a minigun. After taking a bullet to the head, Buck is left with two choices become Death's intern or go Hell, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, straight to the fiery pits. It's not much of a choice really so he takes the job.

This was very Terry Pratchett esk, yet totally Urban Fantasy. While Buck was great, I think my favorite character was Death himself. I loved the dry dark humor and geeky references throughout the book. The plot was captivating and I found myself seriously jones to get back to reading this. I didn't want to put it down. You're dragged along with Buck on this crazy ride, learning about all the things in the paranormal underground and how they work. With a cast of very colorful individuals including John Dillinger. Neither you or Buck really knows who to trust. It's been awhile since a book has kept me on the edge of
my seat like this one. Paired with some really great action, it was like a movie in my head and ten times better than anything Hollywood could come up with. Ok to sum it up, writing was amazing, characters were amazing, whole damn book was amazing! I want more!

Book Review: A Grave Conjuring (The Haunted Ones #2) by Michelle Dorey

A Grave Conjuring
(The Haunted Ones #2)
by Michelle Dorey 
Published October 6th 2019 by Monarch Moments
Read Via Kindle Unlimited

Two orphaned sisters. A spirit without a grave. Can two orphans solve a murder before death claims another victim?
Ashley and Maya wish they could take back the hurtful things they told their parents before the deadly car crash. Two years later, the young orphans try to make the most of their new life with their lonely aunt. But the remote lake house in upstate New York doesn’t feel like home without their mother’s touch. When the girls discover a Ouija board in the dusty attic, they think they’ve finally found a way to tell their deceased mother how they really feel. With help from a séance-savvy friend and a couple of neighborhood troublemakers, the girls summon the spirits… and an unsolved murder mystery. When a restless ghost terrorizes the household, the sisters know they’ll never be free of her menacing presence until they help her rest in peace. If the girls don’t find her body soon, the portal they opened will cast them all into the world of the dead.

Book Review: I've been thoroughly taken with this series. I love that it takes place in upstate New York, and in little used locations for settings. Having visited many of the places I can envision them easily. While I enjoyed the story, the ending was a little expected. I did like how characters from the previous book in the series was incorporated yet this can be read as a standalone. The plot played out like a scary movie in many aspects, yet unlike a scary movie this book didn't have many of the stupid points where your screaming at the character to not do something. 

I found the characters well developed and fleshed out. My only complaint is that I would have liked to see more of a twist at the end. The clues offered weren't really done with any finesse it was to easy to put them together and figure everything out. Yet other than that, I liked the book and enjoyed it.

Book Review: Shifting Silence (Mane Shift #1) by Laura Bickle

 

Shifting Silence
(Mane Shift #1)
by Laura Bickle 
Published February 21st 2021 by Syrenka Publishing LLC

This witch takes in strays. Stray animals, not stray ex-boyfriends, magical cultists, or shifters.

At least, that used to be the rule…

Luna Summerwood has always taken in strays. As a witch who runs a veterinary clinic, she’s healed creatures that fly, swim, and crawl. She’s not the most powerful Summerwood witch; her only magic is the ability to communicate with animals. But when an exotic maned wolf is brought to her in the dead of night, Luna is plunged into the shadowy underground world of shifter trafficking.

With the help of her ex-boyfriend—who also happens to be a local deputy and someone who pushes all her buttons—she investigates a series of occult crimes involving missing farm animals. After her ex is nearly killed, Luna discovers that the Casimir, a cult of magical collectors, plans to steal the maned wolf.

This beautiful maned wolf is more than he seems—he’s a shapeshifting man named Renan. He was once captured by the Casimir and forced to do their dark bidding. Luna is his last chance at finding sanctuary…and perhaps love.

But the Casimir want more than just Renan. Centuries ago, the Summerwoods warred with the Casimir. Now, these sorcerers will stop at nothing to possess the Summerwood land and the buried magic of the witches themselves. 

Book Review:  I really enjoyed this story. I thought the concept was interesting and unique. As were the characters. I liked the fact that Renan could shift into a maned wolf, I find it interesting when authors use shifters that were outside the norm. Ms Bickle did a great job mixing mystery, the supernatural, and romance. I found Luna to be a wonderful character, she was well rounded and not without flaws. She was a little whiney on the subject of her sisters, but still I liked her. I thought the idea of a veterinarian witch who could talk to animals was a pretty neat idea. Her attraction to Renan was kinda fast, but I'll forgive that cause you know... magic. 

The plot moved along well and was engaging. Stringing you along with bits and pieces of knowledge and clues. There is also a good deal of action as well. Over all a very good book and I'm looking forward to reading book 2. 

Book Review: Shepherd's Warning (The Elders #1) by Cailyn Lloyd

Shepherd's Warning (The Elders #1) 

by Cailyn Lloyd 

Published July 10th 2019 by Land of Oz LLC

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Land of Oz LLC, and the author via Book Siren in exchange for an honest review.

For years the abandoned MacKenzie mansion remained hidden in rural Wisconsin. Rumors and stories of apparitions, odd noises, accidents, and strange deaths in or near the property were enough to convince the townsfolk it was haunted and they stayed away. Lucas MacKenzie and his brother Nate know nothing of this when they inherit the property and decide to bring their families to Wisconsin for a major renovation project with HGTV stardom in mind. As they tear out old fixtures and open shuttered windows, the house begins to reveal secrets of a terrible past and it soon becomes clear the MacKenzies are in grave danger. In the end, only one person can save them.

Review: I was conflicted about this story. Lucas and his brother Nate inherit the MacKenie mansion which their mother abandoned. They take their families and move to the house while fixing up the place and trying to use the renovation as a spring board to get a tv show on HGTV. Little do they know what lurks in the old house. 

First off I found it confusing with all the names and points of view. I felt like there were just to many characters. Shepard's purpose and place in the book confused me as well. With a few changes his character could be written out and the book would actually have been better in my opinion. I felt Ms. Lloyd kind of shoehorned him in for whatever reason. There were also a lot of magical things that just didn't feel right in the story. 

The story itself was well told and the writing decent. Despite the confusion I felt, about what I pointed out above, the plot does move along well. Over all the book was ok, not great but alright.

Book Review: Haunted Hideout (The Haunted Ones #1) by Michelle Dorey

Haunted Hideout (The Haunted Ones #1)
by Michelle Dorey 
Published January 14th 2018 by Amazon

Ghostly terror awaits in the so called ‘safe house’.

They didn’t know it was the last day of normal. Liam—husband, father—the rock who anchored them in a comfortable life in sunny Miami had been gunned down by a hit man.

The wounds of losing him are raw when Lydia and her two children are snatched for their own protection. The FBI scoop the family into the Witness Protection Program. Their safety from the drug cartel is assured.

Or is it?

The FBI makes a serious mistake in the relocation plan. The secluded farmhouse in a northern state is anything but a sanctuary. No one questioned why they could buy the house so cheap. No one listened to the local yokel tale of what happened there.

A tale of a dark and tragic history. Ghosts of the past have abided there for years, forcing other families to flee for their lives. At first the entities toy with Lydia and her children, flickering the lights, banging doors, and revealing fleeting glimpses.

When a raging blizzard traps the family there, the haunting escalates. What had been frightening escapades become dangerous threats. Deadly threats. Years before there had been a massacre in this house. It’s time for another.

Will they survive the night?

Reviews:  I chose this book because one of the reviews I read said it took place in Northern New York, which is where I live. I didn't think that it would actually take place 30 mins away from where I live. So I found myself trying to picture the location and if the house might have been based on a real place. Sadly I couldn't think of anything that matched, but it was fun trying.
Lydia and her children are swept away by the FBI when he husband is found out as a snitch for a drug cartel. Her husband is dead and the family is being stalked by the drug cartel. The story is extremely fast paced and I found Lydia taking things at face valve a bit unbelievable. While I felt this was a good bases for the story and characters, I would have like to see things built up more. I felt like this should have been a full length book and not just a short story. It would have played out better with more of a build up than what we got. There was a great foundation, but nothing solid to sink the readers teeth into. 
With that said I did like the story, it was exciting and had it's moments. I just wish there had been more to it. 

Book Review: The Redwood Asylum

The Redwood Asylum 

by L.A. Detwilers 

Published March 12, 2021

The dead do talk ... if you’re brave enough to hear their sinister secrets. In a thick forest sits a forgotten stone building, The Redwood Asylum. Once inside, the criminally insane, the darkly disturbed, and the eternally confused residents learn one thing very quickly: they are at the mercy of ruthless evil in many forms. At twenty-six, Jessica Rosen starts a new job at Redwood in the hopes of forgetting an insidious past. She quickly realizes, however, that Redwood harbors malevolent secrets and beings in every chilly corner. On her second day adjusting to her job, the unstable man in 5B quickly latches onto Jessica in an unsettling way. When his rantings and warnings start to make sense, though, Jessica will be taken on a ride of secrets, murder, and dangerous beings. As she begins to uncover the horrifying truths behind the man’s past , the terrors of Redwood Asylum will follow her home and make her question her own sanity. Can Jessica solve the secrets of the man in 5B in time to save herself, or will the terrors trap her in Redwood’s evil clutches forever?

Review: I was intrigued and disappointed by this story. Jessica is starting her new job as a nurse at Redwood Asylum. After something happens in her past she is trying to leave it behind and just move on. Yet after meeting the man in 5B she's pulled into a dark terrifying ride. 

I actually liked the story, the plot was well done and moved along well. Ms Detwiler did a really good job of keeping the reader interested and reading. I liked Jessica, she was a good protagonist. I found her believable and it was easy to be empathic toward her.  As the story progresses you know she did something horrible, yet can also tell she feels bad for whatever it is. On the other hand she had made her decisions and has to live with them. I really wanted her to find redemption in trying to figure out the mystery behind the ghosts haunting her. 

This leads me to the biggest disappointment of the book which was the ending. I won't do spoilers, but lets just say things did not end the way I had hoped they would. While this is fine, most the time. The whole ending of this book just left me feeling frustrated. 

I thought Ms. Detwiler's writing was well done and she did a great job of creating a paranormal mystery. If you're in the mood for a spooky read then give this book a try maybe you'll feel differently.