A CHARMING TOUCH OF TAROT by Melissa Holz

Fiction, Paranormal Mystery, #2 in series

4****

Blurb: Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne’s friendship is being put to the test. With Nina’s marriage falling apart, Lanie acting distant, Alyssa’s new romance, and no one quite trusting Corinne, this may be more than their bond can take. But when Nina appears at Alyssa’s door, and confesses not just a decades-old secret, but a newfound magical power, the friends know that the only way to face this is together. Someone has been blackmailing Nina for years, but lately the threats to reveal her secret have changed to threats on her life, and on the lives of those she loves. With Alyssa contacting ghosts for insight and Nina getting used to her telepathy skills, they dash from city to city to track down the threat. There’s someone out there that will go to any lengths to keep their control over Nina, and it will take all four friends to get out of this without ruining, or losing, their lives. But with the strength of their friendship—and a little help from the beyond—these women are out to prove they’re not to be messed with.

Thoughts: I did not realize this was part of a series when I chose this book, but it’s obvious from the beginning that it is one. I discovered later that this is #2 in the series. Still, though the beginning was a bit confusing, once I got into it, it was easier to follow. Add to that, the huge thread left dangling at the end and you know the series will go on. The smaller of the two mysteries was settled by the end, which was nice.

I loved the slow burn between Alyssa and Nick. They’re not going into their relationship in a hurry. But the best part of that was the ghost of Nick’s old girlfriend trying to make sure they’re suited for each other, including asking Lyssa about her interest in football and racing (neither of which Nick is into anymore). She really wants someone for him to love so she can move on. So funny.

If I wanted anything more, I’d love a small (one sentence) explanation of each card that heads the chapters so we know why they relate to that chapter. Maybe a sub-heading type of thing.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC of “A Charming Touch of Tarot” by Melissa Holtz. All opinions are my own and are not influenced or required by anyone.

Note from me: I’m not usually a “thriller” type reader, but this is an amazing book. The emotions and suspense are well-done. This is a 5-Sparkler book. If you love suspense, pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.

Will they finally put an end to his sadistic reign of terror?

Blurb: Two years earlier, Jessica witnesses a serial killer, David, in action, and becomes his next target. With help from Jon, a former FBI agent, she manages to survive his murderous wrath and believes him dead.

On the day of their daughter’s birth, Jessica and Jon learn David is alive and plans to come after them again. Running with a newborn daughter and a nine-year-old son isn’t an option. Instead, they fortify their homestead with high fences and a sophisticated security system, preparing to make a final stand.

Despite being surrounded by allies, Jessica struggles to care for her newborn under the strain of their living situation. Alone in the night, she sees and hears things the cameras don’t capture. She questions her sanity but refuses to break, determined to protect her family from the monster of her nightmares—David.

David can’t forgive Jessica, and he can’t move on. Instead, time fuels his obsessive need for revenge. With a new identity and a surgically altered face, they’ll never see him coming.

Buy Links: https://www.books2read.com/FatalStand

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218656396-fatal-stand

https://www.bookbub.com/books/fatal-stand-the-fatal-series-book-3-by-michelle-godard-richer

I live in a retirement community. In one of the main buildings, we have residents who have memory problems. The higher ups are trying to engage dementia patients more. Many of them used to be avid readers but can no longer do that because they can’t remember from one day to the next what they read. I suggested Flash Fiction – which they’d never heard of. But they bought a couple books and it is gaining interest.

So… do you know of any good Flash fiction writers/books that I can recommend to them? I’d really appreciate it. And so would they. It has to be something they can read in one sitting or no more than a day.

Thank you!

As we get ready to turn over the page to a new calendar, allow me to offer some heartfelt wishes to you all.

First, may your coming year be filled with enough… Enough food to eat, enough happiness, enough comfort, enough friends, enough… whatever you need for a good year.

May those of you who are writers have great book sales and keep writing.

May you have good health – mentally, physically, and emotionally.

And here’s to a great new year.

Will finding out the truth about their past bring two people together or tear an entire world apart?

Even in outer space there are dictators. Eiko, a crystal hunter for the Massaki people escapes marriage to a man she reviles. Forced to flee, she mourns the loss of her fiance’ Hopper who disappeared thirteen years ago. Hopper’s life is torn apart when he is kidnapped. His mind and body abused–leaving him with no memory of the past. Now, as captain of the ship Amaya, he finds information about the woman who haunts his dreams. Trapped and injured, Eiko is startled to find Hopper is not dead. His attempt to save her is derailed when some of the same forces who put his kidnapping into place abduct Eiko. Can Hopper, with Amaya, his living ship, their friends and the Blessed Three bring down a dictatorship or die taking a stand for honor and right?

This is the fourth book in the Galactic Danger series.

Available through these fine retailers…
Amazon
Walmart
Target
BooksAMillion
Indie Bound
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Google Books
ITunes

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I’m going to be taking a few days off to be with family and friends over the next week. I hope you and yours have a blessed holiday no matter what or who you celebrate.

Here’s to more great books in 2025 and to all you wonderful writers whose work I love.

Thank you.

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Booked on Murder by Allison Brook

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Mixing Up Murder by Emile Lyn

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Pinned 4 Murder by J C Eaton

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I get a lot of newsletters from authors and usually I love seeing them and reading what’s going on in favorite authors’ lives. But there are some newsletters that irritate me. These are the ones that you scroll through and, at the end, it says “message clipped, click here to see full message”. This requires me to click and scroll and move to a different website and start scrolling again. Those are the ones that, when I reach the end (finally), I almost always click on that line that says “unsubscribe.”

Yes, they may be amazing and showing me all sorts of books that I might be interested in, but all that clicking and scrolling takes too much of my time. I like a newsletter that is, well, newsy. Tell me about your life. Tell me about your latest book, not every book you’ve ever written. Or about all your friends’ books. Or about every book you’ve read. Just give me one or two – and don’t make me click through to another site. Keep your newsletters short, sweet, and informative. Make them fun to read. I will always come back to one that made me smile.

I really do like going through these newsletters, but don’t make me work for them. And keeping them short and sweet is easier on you too!

Have a good one!