THE CALL TO WITCHERY by Lorraine Johnston
Fiction, Contemporary Paranormal
5*****

Blurb: A reluctant witch. A powerful amulet. A family legacy that refuses to stay buried. Abigail Winslow is perfectly content hiding from her magic. As an accountant in the quiet town of Farmridge, she’s built a safe life far from the shadow of her parents’ legacy. But when her Light Amulet unexpectedly awakens, so does the hidden power she has spent years denying—and it draws the attention of someone who won’t take no for an answer. Harmon Slade—celebrity philanthropist and Dark Witch—wants her amulet for himself. When Abigail refuses, he sends harpies to retrieve it by force. With the help of her fiercely loyal friends, a blue jay spy, a busybody squirrel, and a scholar still deciding whether Abigail is worth the trouble, she must learn to wield the magic she tried to deny. As grief, memory, and magic collide, Abigail must fight not just to survive, but to protect the people she loves and control the power she never wanted. Will she reclaim the magic she buried—before Harmon Slade takes it from her by force? For readers who love reluctant heroines, emotionally grounded magic, supernatural suspense, and a dash of humour amid danger, The Call to Witchery is the first spellbinding instalment in a contemporary fantasy trilogy.

THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this book! It made me cry (and laugh). Which means the author did her job of pulling out my emotions. The main character, Abigail, wants nothing to do with magic, but if she doesn’t activate her amulet soon, she will lose any chance of ever having it. So she does. And wow, do things start to really happen then. Her grandparents and cousins try to help her learn how to use her magic, but it’s a rough road with plenty of “Oops! Sorry!” happenings. She also has two beings who have been watching her all her life and now, they become her friends–a squirrel and a blue jay–who can talk to her. The squirrel is hilarious! I love him! And then there is the villain. He comes across as all kinds of friendly and suave – but he is definitely not!

This is a book full of emotions, action, a little humor, a lot of danger, suspense, magic, and more. It’s also obviously the first in a series as it left more than one thread dangling. So beware. Abigail’s story is not over by a long shot.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

THE OXFORD DETECTIVE SOCIETY by Faith Martin
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, British
4****

Blurb: As the Oxford Detective Society tackle their first case, someone is determined that a long-buried mystery should stay hidden… Oxford biographer Lyssa Moore is delighted to be commissioned to write about Amelia ‘Monty’ Montrose, the 1960s music icon who died mysteriously at her birthday party in 1966. But as Lyssa delves into Monty’s past, she discovers the wild child portrayed by the press was hiding far more than anyone knew. And someone is taking a very keen interest in Lyssa’s research. Her flat has been broken into, her phone is acting strangely, and she has a feeling she is being followed. Is Lyssa getting too close to a dangerous truth—was there more to Monty’s death than a tragic accident? With the help of her cat Bibbie and her Oxford friends, who form the Oxford Detective Society, Lyssa must uncover what really happened sixty years ago. Because in Oxfordshire’s country houses and picture-perfect gardens, the past refuses to stay buried…

THOUGHTS: The best part of this book for me were the references to ’60s music bringing back a lot of great memories (yes, I am that old). Every time the author mentioned another group or song from that era, I had to play it just to remember. So that part was great for me.
As for the mystery – it was a little slow, but interesting with all the twists and turns it took. The characters were unique, including the cat Bibbie! I think Lyssa was a good character, but she needed a little more backbone for me. Still, this was a good beginning to a series.

Recommended if you like British cozy mysteries.

SHARKS PRESCHOOL ACTIVITY BOOK by Chelsea Black
Nonfiction, Early Learning
5*****

Blurb: Kids ages 3–5 can splash into the busy world of sharks in this fun preschool activity book filled with sharks of all shapes and sizes, scuba gear, and ocean adventures! Preschoolers will have fun sinking their teeth into Sharks Preschool Activity Book and everything that has to do with shark exploration—learn what scientists wear underwater to study sharks, trace a path to help hammerheads migrate and color in deep-sea habitats, and more! Filled with activities like tracing numbers and ABC’s, matching, pattern recognition, mazes, and spot-the-difference pictures, readers will discover the essential building blocks of learning through their love of sharks. This shark book for kids features: ABUNDANT ILLUSTRATIONS: Engaging visuals for kids to color, fill in, and expand their imaginations! EVERYTHING SHARKS: Unique activities to highlight sharks from A to Z—including angel sharks, tiger sharks, and whale sharks and everything in between—kids will explore these incredible creatures and the worlds they live in. KID-FRIENDLY SHARK SMARTS: Written by a real shark expert, these pages are filled with fun facts and age-appropriate science designed to fuel kids’ love of the underwater world—a fin-tastic gift for kids to get excited about learning. 80+ PLAYFUL ACTIVITIES: Mixed assortment of puzzles for kids to engage, have fun, and practice fine-motor skills. FUN LEARNING: Educational activities introducing the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, opposites, and more to foster curiosity.

THOUGHTS: This is 112 pages of fun with learning. In addition to having colorful illustrations, there are practice pages for learning letters, numbers, colors, shapes, matching, learning opposites and same, mazes, and more. Although I received the ebook ARC for review, I do not recommend this version. The paperback would be much more useful and fun for the child. It would be a fun activity for parent and child to do together. I wish I had a little kid to do this with!

Definitely recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Zeitgeist Publishing and Netgalley for providing this ARC.

WOULD YOU RATHER? SILVER
Nonfiction, Trivia, Fun & Games
5*****

Blurb: Start lively conversations with these nostalgia-filled “Would You Rather?” questions for seniors! Take a trip down memory lane with entertaining “Would You Rather?” questions that invite you to play, remember, and imagine. Would You Rather? Nostalgia Edition is a game designed to challenge and engage readers of a certain age with questions that spark memories, laughter, and conversation. Would you rather sing along to Elvis or the Beatles? Would you rather watch Babe Ruth set his all-time home run record or Hank Aaron break it? Would you rather find meat loaf in your TV dinner or Salisbury steak? Only you can decide! These fun-filled pages 160+ “Would You Rather?” Keep your mind sharp with these thought-provoking, funny scenarios.A deep dive into Relive moments from your life through this entertaining memory game for seniors.Great conversation starters: Reminisce about topics including entertainment, history, sports, everyday life, and more.Fun for multiple Seniors can reminisce while younger generations can learn about their seniors’ lives—a perfect activity for older parents.Easy-to-read format for senior Large-print questions make the game accessible to all readers.
Your answers will turn this book into a delightful activity—one that will stir your memory, ignite your imagination, and remind you of moments that make you smile.

THOUGHTS: This is a fun book that is presented as a game, but also works as just a conversation starter. For instance, would you rather have Tang or Ovaltine? The book is divided into “trivia” sections like Entertainment, history, sports, around the world, inventions and innovations, food, adventures, and everyday life. There are over 160 prompts. I also liked that, even though I had the e-book version, the font is larger so that it wasn’t hard to read — a necessity for some older readers. For this type of book, though, I would really recommend a physical book. But either way, it’s a fun read and entertaining.

Definitely recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Zeitgeist and Netgalley for providing this ARC.

FANTASTIC FOLKLORE FOR KIDS by Frank Lesser
Nonfiction, Folklore, Ages 8-12
5*****

Blurb: Step into a world of mystery and imagination with this collection of folklore and tales of cryptids from around the globe, featuring legendary creatures like Bigfoot, the chupacabra, the Loch Ness Monster, and more. From hidden water dwellers and winged beasts to mischievous shape-shifters, discover the creatures and legends behind some of the world’s most unusual folktales, from North America to Japan, Scandinavia, and beyond. Learn about cryptids—mysterious creatures said to exist but not proven by science—and the tales and reported sightings that keep these legends alive. Meet unforgettable creatures with profiles that reveal how to say their names, where they come from, and what they’re known for. Dive into captivating tales that are thrilling, imaginative, and perfect for readers ages 8 to 12. Discover fun facts and cryptid questions that deepen understanding and spark curiosity. Explore global legends and the strange, spooky ways people across cultures have tried to explain the unknown. Filled with fascinating facts and engaging storytelling, this book delivers just the right amount of spooky fun.

THOUGHTS: This was a fun and interesting book with color illustrations of each “creature” along with how to say the name, where they were first “discovered” and where to (not) find them. The creatures come from all over the world. The author has the beings divided into sections including: Earthly Beasts (like Bigfoot and Unicorns), Water Dwellers (Loch Ness Monster and mermaids), Winged Beasts (dragons), Shape Shifters, and Otherworldly Beings. I thought I knew a lot about these things, but I learned more than I knew from this book. The reading is easy to understand and informative without being boring. Note: I read this as an ebook, which is good, but I think the physical one would be even better.

Definitely recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Zeitgeist publishing and Netgalley for providing this ARC.

HAUNTED HOMICIDE by Kelly Rey
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, #8 in Jamie Winters Mystery
4****

Legal secretary turned reluctant sleuth Jamie Winters doesn’t believe in ghosts…much. So when her significant other’s teenage niece, Maizy Emerson, drags Jamie along on a ghost hunt at the deserted Glendale Hotel, she’s beyond skeptical. That is until the Ghost Wrangler himself, Blaze Emerson, is found dead in the basement, leaving behind a series of notes requesting that Maizy find his killer. While Jamie may not believe in ghosts (much), she’s pretty sure a very real human killer was on the scene. Was it his hostile camera operator, his monolithic body man, his skittish makeup girl, or the one-woman research department who sent him to the Glendale? Or maybe it was an ex-employee and current competitor with a huge chip on her shoulder? Between a slew of suspects, the “help” of an intrusive law client with a snarky spirit guide, and her eccentrically brilliant teenage sidekick, can Jaime identify the killer before she becomes the next Ghost of Glendale?

THOUGHTS: Like others in this series, I had a little trouble getting into this story. It just started out too slow for me. But, that being said, the weird duo of Maizy and Jamie is odd, but works. Kind of. In this one, a friend of Maizy is ghost hunting in a dilapidated building that has more holes in the floors than ghosts. When one of the ghost hunting crew ends up dead, Maizy insists that Jane help her figure out who the killer is. Jamie doesn’t believe in ghosts so she and Maizy go after the human responsible. While I did have trouble getting into the story, the characters were intriguing as was the story. And the ending was satisfying.

Recommended with the caveat that the beginning of the story is a bit slow.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Gemma Halliday Publishing for providing this ARC.

MULTITASKING MURDER by Leslie Langtry
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, #40 in Merry Wrath Mysteries Series

5*****

Blurb:
It’s going to be a weekend to remember in Who’s There Iowa for multitasking ex-spy turned Girl Scout leader Merry Wrath! She has local medical examiner, Dr. Soo Jin Body’s, wedding, the grand opening of the Obladi Zoo Aviary, the graduation party for the Cult of Nicoderm’s teen druids, and her one of her troop and the youngest elected town official, Mayor Ava’s, re-election! As if that wasn’t enough chaos, someone is sending threatening letters warning these events to stop or else! Someone murdered…and some kind of clue! Merry’s worries about things like the mayoral candidate who thinks aliens have packed explosives under her house, squeezing Officer Kevin Dooley’s mysterious plus one into an unforgiving wedding reception seating plan, and the little problem of Hilly the assassin showing up with new her pet European wolf pale in comparison to what comes next. When someone is found murdered backstage at the mayoral debate, Merry decides she should take the threats seriously. With the packed weekend fast approaching, can Merry find out who is behind the letters and catch a killer before the bridal bouquet is thrown?

THOUGHTS: Merry and her friends are at it again in this, the fortieth(!!) addition to the series. And I laughed just as much at this one as I did the first ones. Just when you don’t think there’s anything else Merry can get into, she turns a corner and there’s another murder. Her town, Who’s There, has the highest murder rate in the state of Iowa. In addition, it’s populated by a whole bunch of “unique” individuals like the Hilly, a CIA non-assassin with a huge pet wolf. And then, there is Ava, the teenage mayor of the town and her Chief of Staff, Betty – who is definitely scary.

In this book, there’s one weekend where everything that could be going on, is. There’s the high school graduation of the druid crew, the mayoral election, and Soo Jin (Merry’s friend), and the opening of the new bird wing of the zoo. It starts out with Merry trying to find bobby pins – and she finds the exploding ones – not good for the bride. Then the four events receive threatening letters to cancel the event “or else”. The “or else” becomes a dead body at the mayoral debate. While preparing for all the events, Merry and her husband and friends look into the death and find out some interesting secrets in their town, one of which leads to the murder.

As usual, this was stupid fun. When you read these books, you have to be willing to accept without belief all the silly things that go on. Just sit back, read, and enjoy.

Recommended.

So… I have had to back off from doing as many reviews as I used to for a variety of reasons. I have this clearly stated on my “So you want a review” page along with what I do and do not read.

And yet, this past week, I received three requests for reviews from authors I have never worked with before for books in genres I do not – and will not – read. Which frustrates me because I do this to help fellow authors out. I make no money from this beyond the book that the authors or publishers gift to me. I do it because, as an author, I know how hard it is to get reviews.

All I ask is that you read the rules. And if you have negative comments on a review I did, maybe think about them before you hit send. When I review a book, I am stating what *I* thought of it. This can be a purely subjective thing. I may love a book that you absolutely hated – and vice versa. You may love something I don’t care for. Neither one of us is wrong. It’s just how we felt about the book as we were reading it. It’s personal feelings.

So, #1, please read the rules. #2, I am not currently accepting any new authors. Yes, you will see me putting reviews up, but these are mostly from publishers and authors I already work with. I do appreciate the interest in my site, but for now, this is how it has to be for me.

Thank you for your understanding.

HOME FOR THE HOMICIDES by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Holiday
4****

Blurb: ‘Tis the season . . . for murder. When Special Agents Holly Frost and Mark Shepherd report to the idyllic town of Christmas to investigate a very less than idyllic murder, they’re in for more than the average whodunnit. Welcome to Christmas, a town so cozy and charming it could be the backdrop of a Hallmark movie, where crime is never in season and it’s the holidays all year round. So when a tourist is found stabbed to death by an icicle in the middle of the town nativity scene, the local police are out of their depth—after all, how do you find a criminal in a town where crime doesn’t exist? The stakes are the whole town is relying on Holly and Mark to solve the crime before the annual Jingle Bell Jubilee festival (which naturally the town’s entire economic survival relies on), plus, whichever of them cracks the case will receive a promotion to Major Crimes—and there’s only one spot. Holly and Mark are both on thin ice after screwing up on the job. This assignment is their one shot at redemption, if they can put aside their bitter rivalry. And of course, it’s not only their jobs on the line, it’s their hearts, too—regrets of their holiday party hookup last year haunt them like ghosts of Christmas past, so they both want to wrap up this rom-com gone wrong as quickly as possible. But with just twelve days until the festival, the countdown to catch a killer—without killing each other—is on.

THOUGHTS: What an interesting – funny! – read. Unlike most cozy mysteries, this one starts with a prologue that introduces us to the narrator of the book who lets us know that they are omniscient and will be showing up throughout the story – which they do! Definitely different. The characters all have names that are almost cringe-worthy, especially since this takes place at Christmas time, in the town of Christmas. Holly Frost and Mark Shepherd have been sent to the town in order to discover who murdered a woman there. A town where crime does not happen. Plus… it’s Mark’s hometown! There is so much ridiculousness going on in this story that it’s almost absurd, but fun. And the heat between Holly and Mark. It’s a love/hate relationship that goes back and forth so many times, you can get dizzy. And there are a ton of suspects! But a satisfying ending.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for providing this ARC.

DEAD BEORE TEA TIME by M.C. Beaton & R.W. Green
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, British
4****

BLURB: Beloved New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton’s cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin—the star of her own hit T.V. series—is back on the case again. Agatha Raisin’s Cotswolds village is in an uproar when word spreads that their beloved Red Lion pub is set to close. The brewery that owns the building has raised the rent, ousting the pub’s owner so they can redevelop the space into apartments. As the villagers scramble to change the brewery’s mind, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations begin looking into more direct ways to save the pub. Meanwhile, Sir Charles Fraith attempts to wheedle his way back into Agatha’s affection, crossing swords with James—Agatha’s other paramour—who is determined to thwart his efforts. As the two attempt to woo Agatha at a local reenactment of a 17th-century battle, Agatha has her sights set on something else. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a body is discovered in a copse of trees just off the battleground. While many brush off the death as an accident, Agatha digs deeper after discovering the dead man had connections to the same brewery putting the Red Lion out of business. After an attempt is made on Agatha’s life during a visit to the brewery, her investigation becomes all the more urgent. Can she find the murderer before becoming their next victim? And perhaps even more importantly for the village, can she find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time?

THOUGHTS: Agatha is a PI who runs her own company, has very exacting habits and standards of conduct of other people. She is also someone who is always on the lookout for a good lay.

In this story, the local pub–the Red Lion–is going to be closed down by a over-rich nasty developer who wants to turn the property into high-class units. Agatha gets people who want to save the bar to go out and get petitions signed. They want to turn it over to the company who owns the property. In the meantime, the arrogant developer holds a local re-enactment of a local Civil War. During the event, he is killed. Agatha goes on the hunt, nearly getting killed herself in the process. I love Agatha! She is so unapologetically real and unique! She also intelligent and driven and sexually active. She takes no gruff from anyone, but she’s also soft and clingy when she feels like it – like when nearly killed in a brewery vat.

This book, the 37th in the series, delves into issues that face everyone today, like big companies taking over neighborhoods and turning them into executive places, and sexism that is never welcome but still happens way too often. I loved Toni’s reaction in that specific scene! And there is a very satisfying ending that makes the read worthwhile.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for providing this ARC.