The Journals of Octavia Hollows Audio Blitz

Do you like urban fantasy and snarky heroines? Then you'll want to meet necromancer Octavia Hollows and her sidekick Bacon. We are celebrating the release of The Journals of Octavia Hollows by Stacey Rourke on Audio. This collection features all six journals in the series and was published by The Audio Flow. Come fall in love with this feisty heroine, her pet pig, and the brilliant narration provided by Brenda Scott Wlazlo.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ The Journals of Octavia Hollows ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

Grab your copy: Audible | Audible UK

With a touch of her hand, Octavia Hollows can restore life. Yet, she couldn’t save the man she loved from the horrific accident that stole him from her. Octavia thought she could outrun the pain, but ghosts from the past refuse to be silenced. Out of options, she chooses to retrace her wayward journey across the country in search of answers. Surrounded by baffling mysteries of the undead, what she learns about herself along the way might become her greatest weapon. This six novella series chronicles Octavia's adventures in: Wake the Dead Dead Man's Hand Caught Dead Drop Dead Gorgeous Dead Ringer Dead as a Doornail

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ Listen to A Sample ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ About the Author ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

Stacey Rourke is the award-winning author of works that span genres but possess the same flare for action and snarky humour. She lives in Florida with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.

Website| Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Audible

One lucky US winner will receive a signed paperback copy of the Journals of Octavia Hollows collection. The book will be signed by author Stacey Rourke and narrator Brenda Scott Wlazlo. a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post was made possible by Kimberley Costa @Caffeinated PR

Urban Faery: A (well-written) Modern Fantasy:

Urban Faery: A Modern Fantasy by Angela Savidge

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, that was nothing short of amazing! From the start, my eyes were drawn into an artist's impression of a god amidst the mother of the sea Gwenhwyfar (ya, that's just the Welsh spelling for Guinevere) but of some guy coming up out of the ocean, riding the waves on his surfboard in the middle of the night. He appears on Earth yet was from another world. A Night Owl was watching over him that had to do with some fairy tale about the Elders waiting for the right time to intervene in the world and make humans aware of the Fae creation, again. That surfer dude Luc was going to be the bridge. It was so good.

Just as it was apparent that Luc was harmless, guileless and good. His grandfather Madoc was a Dark Fae, not so good. His grandfather hates humankind for destroying the Earth. Anyway, I'm not going to go into detail of how Luc meets Cate but she was sort of on the path and destined for the encounter and again paranormal romances are still the ones I love. It's a love story.

Anyone who has ever lived in California and is from there would probably be thrilled for this book. Numerous places and areas are surrounding California that is referred to and to the Trump administration and the Malibu fires. Heck, Urban Faery A Modern Fantasy is the bee's knees, although the bees are gone and dying :P Ravens are a bad omen in this fantasy yet a Raven is Luc's spirit animal. It's complicated but exciting. The story is well-written with beautiful prose like a garden of flowers in bloom with rhododendrons :)

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Goodreads Summary:

Los Angeles, 2018 Cate has grown disillusioned with the realities of Hollywood and a deep sense of meaninglessness has been looming over her lately. Desperate to reconnect with the natural world, she wades into the ocean at one of Malibu’s most notorious surf breaks but is unaware that a powerful swell has moved in putting her in the direct path of danger. When Cate is rescued by a mysterious surfer named Luc, an alluring Welsh renegade and a modern-day descendant of the ancient Fae race, she is propelled into a new era of self-discovery and a total re-evaluation of the world around her. A metaphysical journey through the history and magic of Los Angeles and a shining example of visionary fiction, Urban Faery: A Modern Fantasy embraces universal wisdom and ecological consciousness and makes it relevant to the twenty-first century. If you are a fan of urban fantasy, Fae romance or New Age Fiction, this book is a must-read!

About the Author

Website

ANGELA SAVIDGE was born on an American military base in Germany and raised in rural North Carolina. She moved to New York City in her early twenties and has lived in Los Angeles for more than a decade where her debut novella, Urban Faery: A Modern Fantasy, was originally conceived as a pilot for a television series. Angela is a dreamer and writer with an insatiable urge to travel the world in search of all things magical. Currently, she is working on a series of Urban Faery-inspired photo shoots in which she will be transforming herself into a magical raven. In October 2019, Angela will be based in Cardiff, Wales where she will be completing research for book two of the Urban Faery series set to be released in February 2020.

Storm and Fury is Amazing

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A paranormal fantasy with a touch of romance is exactly the kind of matter Storm and Fury is made of. The way that Gargoyles are presented is nothing short of amazing. They are called Wardens and they serve a purpose: to protect humankind from demons and guard and protect Trinity Marrow. Trin, as she is called, is special and she might be a bit of a spoiled brat for being treated differently than any other human but there is a reason for it. She is a Trueborn which means she's a Nephilim. She is half-human and half-angel. Her father is a very big and important archangel and her mother was human and they .... well... had sex.

I loved Trinity's friends but some of them weren't as well fleshed out as others. Like I hated Misha, Trinity's so-called protector which we learn had been a mistake. Zayne and Peanut are my favourites. Peanut is a ghost! He is very funny who has a habit of not knocking lol

Demons run amok in Washington D.C and something is killing Wardens. However, what if we were wrong about demons? Is it possible we are mistaken about them? I for one wish it were the case because I happen to like Roth the Crown Prince of Hell! This demon knows love, and how is that possible? He is a fabulous character and I hope to see him again. Anyway, Bael is evil and remains elusive. If I remember correctly, Bael is the reason that Zayne and Trinity travel to Washington D.C. It kidnapped Misha, and Trinity is intent on finding him. Did I mention she knows how to fight and is a kickass warrior? She is. There are also witches and a Harbinger dun dun dun dun. Bring it on!

All in all, it was a fantastic read if you like that sorta thing. I enjoyed her Covenant series and Titan spin-off. Storm and Fury stoked the fire once again. Loved it!

Willow fights to escape a nation ravaged by Zombies

Willow (Defy the Ravaged Book 1) by E.M. Raegan 

Kindle Edition, 150 pages
Published June 30th, 2019
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Goodreads Summary

My name is Willow. His name is Jason. He hated me. I hated him— while silently hiding how much all that hate hurt deep down inside me. But all that was before. Before everything changed. Before I woke up to gunshots and screaming and death. Now he still hates me, along with his Uncle Paulie and their club brothers. But I don’t hate him. I can’t, not after he came for me. Not after he saved me. Not now that the ravaged are here. They come at you like you’re nothing. With their feral snarls, and bloodshot eyes. Their decaying mouths salivating for a bite of you. They are hungry for life and we are their meal. I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to accept it. But I can’t ignore them now that they’re everywhere. Now that the threat of them haunts us every waking moment. But with Jason standing between them and me— I can’t hate him anymore. I don’t want to. *This story ends in a cliffhanger* ***Warning. For readers 18 years and older. Contains explicit sexual situations, possible triggers, dark themes, language, and violence.***

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to Cortney E Designs for creating such a beautiful cover. I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise. Sci-fi or dystopia is not my favourite genre, but I try.

I like Willow and Jay but their relationship was very tumultuous. It must be the case that Willow comes from a messed-up family. Her mother was banging someone else's husband. It was very hard to keep up with everybody.
What I know is the one person who gave a damn about her is now dead and so is her mother. Furthermore, everyone else is dying around her as she fights to survive and escape a nation ravaged by Zombies.

The Turn of the Key

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

Narrated by Imogen Church
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Released Aug 27, 2019
1.2X speed 12 hours

My rating: 4 of 5 stars🔗

From the very start, we believed the Nanny's name was Rowan and she was on trial for murder. We don't know who was murdered but when she retells her story to her solicitor she has to go into detail with her side. It was a nightmare but the character building was formidable as I was drawn in and felt very close to the important characters which IMO were the children. Always the children ho-hum. Brats. Yes. They were brats. The only exception, 5 yr old Ellie. She was adorbs ♥

Heatherbrae House wasn't a "smart-house" if a young child could manipulate it AND from an older phone on top! UGH! I could never live in a house like that! I am not one who trusts technology enough for my life to depend on it. The house was wired up and could function on an app called Happy as it didn't even have doorknobs or light switches.

Still, creak...creak... goes the sound of something in the attic.

Admittingly the suspense was killing me but when the attic was finally opened up there were still the unexplainable open windows, the lost or stolen necklace, the sudden music disturbances and most importantly the history. Why would all the hired Nanny's tuck tail and run? The Turn of the Key is a well-written murder mystery/haunting but I felt I was deceived with all the hidden secrets. The main one being about who Rowan was.

I can't imagine what the girls had been through. Was it because of their father? What disturbed them so much? They kept repeating that they hated her and she should go away. Why? Was it not because of what their father made them do? 

The strange poison garden seemed exciting but I was disappointed that nothing became of it. All we know about the history of the house is that it used to be called Struan House and that Dr. Kenwick Grant planted rare poisonous plants nowhere else found in all of Scotland. His daughter died from ingesting some of those plants and he and his wife also passed away there. I wasn't convinced the house was haunted though *shrugs, even though it was meant to be believed as such. Not particularly fond of the end. Too many loose ends.

Stitches and Witches

Stitches and Witches by Nancy Warren

Amazon 🔗
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Stitches and Witches surround the Watts sisters who own the Elderflower tea shop next to Cardinal Woolseys. Mary Watts has strong suspicions of her sister's boyfriend, Gerald Pettigrew, and Florence suspects Mary of killing him.
There are more connections to a person if you want to catch a killer than is initially thought. With a little bit of magic and help from her vampire club, Lucy can solve the case and figure out who done it.

Some Mornings Release Day Blitz

In Some Mornings by J. L. Lora, a new city and a sexy morning arrangement give two friends a second chance at love. Come check out this sexy, standalone contemporary romance available today. Don't miss the sale of Some Nights, the first companion novel featuring the heroine's sister. Be sure to enter the fun giveaway as we celebrate the release of Some Mornings!

Some Mornings

Amazon | iTunes | B&N | Kobo 

New city. New job. New life. Recently divorced single-mom, Sierra Torres’ life is a hot mess. And now, her car’s been stolen. When she reports the theft, a tall and broad-shouldered blast from her past walks in. Years ago, he disappeared without a trace after a perfect seven minutes in heaven. The provider. The supporter. The survivor. Police officer Matthew Hunter lives to serve and protect, not only the people of Baltimore City, but what’s left of his family. He’s the responsible one—the reliable cop. Seeing Sierra again ignites a fire in him he thought he extinguished a long time ago. One look into her fiery brown eyes and it all comes back. But Sierra's not interested in romance—just a little fun. However, hearts have a mind of their own. Feelings deepen each time they see each other. Soon, that’s not enough. They crave more. But when things begin to unravel after their past catches up with them, are their seven minutes in heaven over for good?

Advanced Praise

"A great read from a new author to me. I loved how Sierra and Matt were not perfect characters. They had human foibles and vulnerabilities which made them more real. And when they get together, prepare for steam."- Tripip  (Goodreads)

Grab your copy of Some Mornings: Amazon | iTunes | B&N | Kobo 

About J.L. Lora

J. L. Lora is a Dominican-American author. Her stories explore the dark side of good characters, people living in the gray areas of life while playing the cards life has dealt them. She loves strong heroines and their equally powerful Men. She currently lives in Maryland, pursuing her dream of writing compelling, sexy, can’t-put-down stories about empowered, badass alpha heroines and take your-breath-away alpha heroes.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Instagram 

Some Nights

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Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card in celebration. Be sure to share daily and comment on blogs for extra entries.

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Review of The Witch of Willow Hall

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

Pub Date 02 Oct 2018
Lauren Ezzo (Narrator)👏
Audiobook: 12 Hours and 59 Minutes
speed: 1.2x

Goodreads Summary

New Oldbury, 1821
In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia, and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall.
The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline. All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end…

Dear reader letter, from Hester Fox

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**I received a Kindle copy from the publisher - HARLEQUIN - Graydon House Books (U.S. & Canada) via Netgalley in exchange for a review**

Lydia Montrose sure made an impression but at times it read like a sad lamentation of her sorry state in life. But, I am a sucker for HEA's and that is what The Witch of Willow Hall delivered.
All's well that ends well. I liked that Lydia was a good person and she would be a good witch. She didn't know she was one for certain until 80% of the way through even when she had inklings and hints of the power residing in her bones.
Her older sister Catherine was a real bitch. Wow. Lydia's relationship with her only reminded me of my relationship with my sisters. At least I could empathize and roll my eyes at both of them. Emaline, the younger sister was a doll but what bothered me was how distant and absent the parents were or maybe it only felt that way because of the way it was written from Lydia's POV. (IDK) I wasn't sure if their mother was catatonic but it sure seemed that way. I couldn't help but wonder what happened to them back in Boston that forced them to move out to the country. Their brother Charles(?) is an absolute mystery also. What happened to him? Where was he? Is he dead? I must have missed that part.
All's I know is he had to have been pretty close for Catherine to love him so much. I mean really? I was glad she lost the baby, one less thing to worry about and for Lydia to bear anyway. It is so sad that Lydia and Catherine did not like each other or could not be friends let alone sisters. I can relate though. Jealousy on the part of Catherine, for wanting what Lydia had, ruined everything. Honestly, it's a good thing Catherine was not a witch. She would have been a wicked and evil one, probably.
I loved John Barrett. He warmed my heart. Cyrus? What a nightmare.
I admit I sometimes was bored and couldn't keep my attention on the words I was reading but all in all I would read it again just as I anticipate the next book: The Widow of Pale Harbor.

About the author

Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. Most weekends you can find Hester exploring one of the many historic cemeteries in the area, browsing bookshops, or enjoying a seasonal latte while writing at a café. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and their son.
Hester is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Hardcover, 578 pages Published December 3rd, 2013 by Turtleback Books Audiobook: 18 hours Narrator: January LaVoy Amazon🔗Goodreads🔗

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Diviners was well written and I appreciated the aesthetic of the roaring '20s. On the other hand, damn anyone for taking bible verses out of context!! UGH! It makes me want to gag! I mean the world is full of crazies just like the Brethren in the Pillar of Fire Church.

A sinister entity was let loose by a group of unsuspecting and drunk partygoers playing with an ouija board. I was blown away with the semblance that something dark and terrible now resides in a cellar of a dilapidated house!! Admittedly I was terrified mmk? I don’t like Ouija boards because I BELIEVE what the Catholic Church says about it. Nuff said.

We follow the protagonist Evie O’Neill - a 17-year-old who is sent away to New York City to live with her Uncle who is a professor in the Museum of Creepy Crawlies BECAUSE she gets in trouble for indiscriminately using her gifts. Evie could tell things about a person simply by touching an object belonging to them. She is a diviner. Many call themselves diviners who have different abilities. Her powers can get her into trouble because it is equivalent to stealing; stealing people's secrets.

The 1920s were a time of dance marathons and the charleston and Ziegfeld girls, flapper dresses and ‘bobbed’ hairstyles. When Evie arrives in New York Penn station she meets Sam Lloyd, a pickpocket, thief and diviner who can slip away without being seen whenever he wishes. He ends up stealing 20 dollars from her and she swears vengeance if she ever saw him again. Their relationship is heavily flirtatious. She is excited to see her friend Mabel who is very smart and lives with her parents in the same fancy hotel as her Uncle. It is here they meet Theta Knight a Ziegfeld girl, also a diviner.

When Evie has earned her uncle's trust, she subsequently becomes more of an asset to the museum of creepy crawlies and in the murder investigations that are occurring around the city. She is finally allowed to use her ability to catch a serial killer, and she reminds me a bit of Buffy the vampire slayer. Naughty John Hobbes is the killer who happens to be an old dead person who is vying for the position of antichrist! The police require the expertise of Will Fitzgerald because of the nature of the crimes. The victims are seen having weird symbols carved into their flesh and uncle Will is an expert in weird occult symbols and objects. I didn’t realize it was going to be so scary and I can't wait to find out more in Lair of Dreams.

Author

Libba Bray is the New York Times bestselling author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels, both of which have appeared on ALA's Best Books for Young Adults list.

Publishers Summary

SOMETHING DARK AND EVIL HAS AWAKENED. . . .

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City-and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult. Evie worries her uncle will discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer. As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho is hiding a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened. . . .

Chills & Creeps Volume 1- Eight Scary Stories

Chills & Creeps: Eight Scary Stories by Nick Clausen

Kindle Edition, 153 pages
Published May 15th, 2019
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Reading these Eight Scary Stories contributed to the #FraterfestRAT and #Spooktastic Reads 2019

Under the Skin. This short reminded me of the Crimson Hag in The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. She would knit the entrails of flesh into a tattered gown of guts. However, Under the Skin is inspired by The Landlady by Roald Dahl. It's about an old withered woman who uses human flesh to re-upholster her furniture. Granny doesn't like marks on her upholstery either.
Snapper the Fish: The girl is a spoiled brat who needs to be taught a lesson. She got what she deserved.
Deadly Dreams: I am thankful we are spared of 10 levels of computer games except this game is very real. If you don't make it to the end alive then you die in real life too.
All birds hate me: Every character is named after a bird in this story.
Ghost Tennis: The house is haunted by a kid who plays with a tennis ball late at night and disturbs the new residents.
Drip-Drip-Drip: Dreams of drowning in a house filling up with water and fighting for your life trying to escape it.
When I Snap My Fingers: A hypnosis went terribly wrong.
Lights Out: A boy was nicknamed Lights Out because he could turn lights off and on just with his presence. He thought he had superpowers.

I liked the first 3 stories, Ghost Tennis and When I Snap My Fingers the most, but whatever, they were all well written as young adult short stories go.

From the author's website
 Chills & Creeps Volume 1 

Meet Peter, who is invited inside a creepy old lady's house, Mary, who gets a very special pet fish that will only eat human flesh, and Eagle, who suffers from a rare disease, which makes birds attack him wherever he goes. Those three and five other scary stories await you. 

Buy on Amazon

A Horror Novel You Need To Read This Halloween

I heard this book is really good but because I am broke AF I have to get it from the library. But my library doesn't have it! Who am I to recommend this book? They can't order it fast enough! I swear I need this book ASAP!

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas
At the end of a dark prairie road, nearly forgotten in the Kansas countryside, is the Finch House. For years it has remained empty, overgrown, abandoned. Soon the door will be opened for the first time in decades. But something is waiting, lurking in the shadows, anxious to meet its new guests... When best-selling horror author Sam McGarver is invited to spend Halloween night in one of the country's most infamous haunted houses, he reluctantly agrees. At least he won't be alone; joining him are three other masters of the macabre, writers who have helped shape modern horror. But what begins as a simple publicity stunt will become a fight for survival. The entity they have awakened will follow them, torment them, threatening to make them a part of the bloody legacy of Kill Creek.
Add to Goodreads

Review: The Vampire Knitting Club

The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren

Kindle Edition 219 pages
Published October 4th, 2018 by Ambleside Publishing
Buy on Amazon
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hoping to spend some time with her Grandmother and mend her broken heart Lucy arrives in Oxford only to discover Agnes Bartlet's knitting shop is closed and her grandmother is dead. Cardinal Woolsey's knitting shop was one of four shops that were targeted to sell. Her grandmother never wanted to sell her shop. So, someone murdered her because they needed the money.

With her grandmother's knitting shop now belonging to Lucy, it means she has a great responsibility to keep it. Her world is turned upside down when she is introduced to strange people who occupy the space in the back of her shop and that is one main reason why she needs to protect the shop and its secrets.
Out of all the supernatural things that were revealed, she couldn't have been less enthusiastic about knowing she was a witch. I mean she took solace in her cat familiar now that her grandma was dead but using magic could have solved many problems in helping her solve crimes.
I thought the story moved slower than molasses but with great magic comes great responsibility and Agnes Bartlet's knitting shop held many secrets.[ but I liked that the knitting shop had a secret underground vampire lair. (hide spoiler)]
The Vampire Knitting Club is only the beginning so I hope to be hearing more about this rag-tag club of knitting vampires.

Quotes

• Sherlock Holmes had his Baker Street irregulars, and I had my Harrington Street immortals.
• What did it say about me that knitting spells was easier than crafting a simple scarf?
• Everything I tried, whether it was a sweater, a pair of socks or a simple scarf ended up looking like a scrunched-up hedgehog.

Goodreads Summary: 

Vampires who knit A troublemaking witch Who killed Granny — and is she really dead? At a crossroads between a cringe-worthy past (Todd the Toad) and an uncertain future (she's not exactly homeless, but it's close), Lucy Swift travels to Oxford to visit her grandmother. With Gran's undying love to count on and Cardinal Woolsey's, Gran's knitting shop, to keep her busy, Lucy can catch her breath and figure out what she's going to do. Except it turns out that Gran is the undying. Or at least, the undead. But there's a death certificate. And a will, leaving the knitting shop to Lucy. And a lot of people going in and out who never use the door—including Gran, who is just as loving as ever, and prone to knitting sweaters at warp speed, late at night. What exactly is going on? When Lucy discovers that Gran did not die peacefully in her sleep, but was murdered, she has to bring the killer to justice without tipping off the law that there's no body in the grave. Between a hot 600-year-old vampire and a dishy detective inspector, both of whom always seem to be there for her, Lucy finds her life getting more complicated than a triple cable cardigan. The only one who seems to know what's going on is her cat ... or is it ... her familiar?

About the author

The USA Today bestselling author of more than sixty novels, Nancy is known for her funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She's an avid hiker, often tramping the hills with her Border Collie, Max. Nancy recently completed her MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, UK. Nancy is a three-time Rita Awards finalist, a winner of the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award, and was featured on the front cover of the New York Times for her Harlequin Nascar series. Love Nancy's books? The best way to keep up with Nancy and her work is to join the Nancy Warren Readers' List

Review: The Perfect Brew

The Perfect Brew by Jo-Ann Carson

ebook, 162 pages
Published September 16th, 2019 by JRT Publications

Goodreads Summary: 

An unexpected inheritance turns Cassie Black’s world upside-down, and she finds herself the owner of a sentient coffee-house that comes with an inter-dimensional portal and a side of ancient curse. When Cassie is summoned to attend the funeral of her great-aunt, Ophelia, she finds the picturesque village on the edge of the ocean is not at all what it seems. Her benefactor’s death is suspicious, and to make matters worse, after Ophelia’s lawyer explains her will to Cassie, he drops dead in a plate of cookie crumbs. That makes two unexplained deaths, which is two too many for a good witch to swallow.
Up to her neck in mysteries, and weighed down with a curse, Cassie canvases the town to find the murderer. Of course, there are many unusual suspects, a tall, dark and annoying human detective keeps getting in her way, and a seductive warlock offers his assistance.

Will Cassie catch the villain before he kills again? Will she be able to free herself from the curse? Will Sid, her beloved cat familiar with a naughty mind, convince her to play dirty with the boys?
This is the first story in The Perfect Brew paranormal, cozy mystery series, set in the modern world where magic remains hidden or at least tries to. There’s no sex or violence on the page, but be prepared for some serious romance, mystery, and magic. The Perfect Brew can be read as a stand-alone.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received an E-arc from Netgalley in exchange for a review

Reading The Perfect Brew also contributes to #FraterfestRAT and #SpooktasticReads 2019

The Perfect Brew guarantees to conjure ideas of coffee, magic and a side taste of paranormal.

I really love how much creativity and mystery unfold in The Perfect Brew.
Cassie Black inherits a coffee shop from her great aunt Ophelia, whom she has never met before. Dangerous things keep happening even to the detriment of the people inside. Actually, we suspect everyone is in danger.
There is more mystery to uncover when it comes to Cassiopeia's real identity. After arriving in Mystic Keep, Cassie literally runs into a police officer and is soon introduced to a couple of Ophelia's friends: A sea witch who is older than Ursula probably, and a handsome warlock.
The Perfect Brew is a great cozy mystery to read anytime. I loved it.

About the author:

Reports of Jo-Ann Carson’s death on a Gulf Island are greatly exaggerated or, at the very least, premature. The eclectic crew of ghosts that haunt her head spill onto the page in two series: The Gambling Ghosts and The Ghost & Abby Mysteries. A Viking with existential issues, a broken-hearted Highlander, a Casanova man-witch and a Pirate with a secret are just a few of the males her strong heroines encounter in tales of fantasy adventure and romance. A firm believer in the magic of our everyday lives, Jo-Ann loves watching sunrises, walking beaches near her home in the Pacific Northwest and reading by the fire.

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Review: The Grave Digger

The Grave Digger by Rebecca Bischoff

Kindle Edition, 192 pages
Expected publication: October 29th, 2019 by Amberjack Publishing
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Reading The Grave Digger contributed to Fraterfest 2019 Readathon and SpooktasticReads 2019!

What I liked about Grave Digger is that it was written from a young boy's perspective living in 1875.
Honestly, the story dragged on more than I cared for but it was a pleasure to go back in time and relive the way things used to be before modernization and the automobile.

Grave Digger got confusing halfway through because it was hard to keep up with all the characters.

The book read like a Nancy Drew mystery or Murder She wrote. Cap was determined to find answers to what was going on in his town but keeping everything a secret was a mistake. There was nobody he could talk too, unfortunately. He should have gone to the police sooner IMO.

A young boy and his father worked for a man called Lum aka Columbus Jones digging up graves but to Cap's dismay, the dead body comes back to life. For all Cap knew they needed the money and the body was someone who had a wife! It must have been awkward to try and explain how someone believed to be dead and buried came back to life after Cap touched it. Who would believe it? You had to have been there.

I was disappointed along with Cap when his power to resurrect the dead was not a possibility but simply science. Doctors quickly defeated that notion. Ho-hum.

Goodreads Summary: 

In 1875 Ohio, twelve-year-old Cap Cooper is an aspiring inventor—and a reluctant graverobber—enlisted by his father to help pay for his mother’s medical expenses. When one of the dead returns to life at his touch, Cap unearths a world of dark secrets that someone at the local medical school wants to keep buried. On the brink of discovery, he’ll have to use every ounce of cunning he has to protect those he loves most and save his own skin. The Grave Digger is an eerie mystery set in the aftermath of the Civil War, filled with action, friendship, and a hint of the paranormal, perfect for those who enjoy reading late into the night and long after the lights go out.

Update on It Read-along

I'm not going to continue to read the book, I have decided because there are certain topics I don't agree with.

I've heard, the book hints to an orgy.

Did Beverly Marsh make all the Losers Club have sex with her?

Did Pennywise make her do it? 

Really?!!! 

Stephen King also tends to discriminate and/or make fun of certain types of people. I mean, for example, Karen Carpenter having anorexia. In Mr. Mercedes she was made fun of and I thought it was very rude and disrespectful to talk about her that way. I'm also sick of bullying. That shit needs to stop! So does domestic violence. It's awful and it triggers those who have been abused and have seen children get slammed up against a wall and thrown across the room! Just like Richard Macklin with his two stepsons Eddie Corcoran and Dorsey.
Jeez, Louise how can you write about it and not be affected? So Stephen King, what makes you any different than Macklin or Henry Bowers and the insanely fucked murdering monsters you write about?  Hate and horror are definitely two peas in the same pod.
I've given Stephen King a fair trial because I've read many of his books. I've also come to realize that the author may not understand women all that much nor can he do romance well. Just saying.

Sharpest Sting (Elemental Assassin #18) by Jennifer Estep

Sharpest Sting by Jennifer Estep

Kindle Edition
Expected publication: October 8th, 2019
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**Thanks to Jennifer Estep for providing me with an E-arc in exchange for a review 

Gin Blanco is relentless and is determined to avenge the man responsible for killing her father Tristan and her foster father Fletcher. Mason fucking Mitchell is head of a secret society known as The Circle but when she uncovers the truth about a family member she feels the sharpest sting.

Pictured on the front cover is Gin in her bridesmaid dress at the wedding of her friends Stuart Mosley and Mallory Parker.

About the author

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. She is the author of The Elemental Assassin Series, Crown of Shards series, The Mythos Academy original and spinoff series, The Black Blade series and the Bigtime series. 

For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.jenniferestep.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Goodreads, BookBub, and Twitter and sign up for her newsletter.

It by Stephen King Book Infographic

It Posters

In an event for some artists to come up with a winning It poster, I would like to share some of the participating entries which I found on Posterspy