Tag: books

Review: A Curse for Samhain

A CURSE FOR SAMHAIN by Dahlia Donovan

Fiction, Paranormal Cozy Mystery Romance

Blurb: Welcome to the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good, strong brew. Gender fluid, autistic vampire Hyde Snodgrass runs Between the Leaves—a cosy village book store. Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the two cats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew. When one of the leaders of the village coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hyde finds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side with their long-term crush, Teresa Vega. Suspicion immediately falls on other members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to find answers to the growing list of questions. It’s made all the more difficult when the killer has them in their sights. Can working together spark the romantic flame within them? Will they solve the mystery before death comes too close?

THOUGHTS: I absolutely loved the characters in this story. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was the ending. I felt a little let down by it. But…the characters! Thank you so much for making them who they are. Hyde is a youngish vampire who sometimes goes by she and sometimes by they; they are also autistic; and they own a bookstore in this amazing hamlet where paranormals who don’t fit elsewhere fit. Hyde’s girlfriend, Teresa, is a witch who owns a taco bus and has anxiety/panic attacks. Having two main characters like that, and having them live their lives as they are really touched me.

In this story, Hyde and Teresa are trying to figure out who killed another witch in town, broke into and trashed Teresa’s bus/home/taco business (all in one), poisoned Hyde, and more. We do find out who the murderer is but not necessarily who did all the rest. It’s a little fuzzy.

But even with fuzzy, I would highly recommend this book if only because of the characters and the setting. Nicely done.

Review: Black Magic Murder

BLACK MAGIC MURDER by Polly Holmes

Fiction, Paranormal Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: Careful what you wish for! Graduating to a fully-fledged witch on my upcoming birthday should be a momentous occasion, but when a local hairdresser turns up dead, I know it’s going to be one hell of a week. Saltwater Cove’s resident infuriating fae looks like a good suspect for the murder, but insists she’s innocent and reveals a huge secret too amazing to be a lie. But if she didn’t do it… then who did?
The murder triggers the return of a dark force… dark enough to send even the most experienced witches into panic mode. Harriet, Jordi and Tyler join me as I try to find the culprit, putting my magical abilities to the ultimate test. When the killer strikes even closer to home, I need to up my game if I’m going to keep evil at bay.…or have I finally met my supernatural match? If you like witty witches, talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then step into the fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery world of the Melting Pot Café series where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is sure to leave you craving more.

THOUGHTS: This was a fun story with a lot of twists and turns. Although this is the sixth in the series, you don’t really have to have read the others to understand what’s going on. I didn’t – though I’m going to. And is seriously suggest you do as well so you do get some of the nuances of the story – like them hunting for a Sphere that appears to be a continuing plot line.

In this one, Evelyn is approaching her twenty-fifth birthday which is when she’ll become a full-fledged witch. If she passes the test of the Council. Everyone wants to throw her a grand party, but she wants nothing to do with that. Especially since she has to prove to the cops that she wasn’t responsible for a recent murder.

I enjoyed the quirky characters, the family/friend dynamics- and the ending (not giving it away, but it was good). But the series is definitely not over as the thread of the Sphere and the mystery surrounding the deaths of Evelyn’s parents continues on.

Recommended.

Review: Balloons, Allies, & Dead Guys

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, #7 in series

4****

Blurb: From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Fischetto comes a locked-room mystery that will leave you chilled to the bone!There’s nothing more important to ghost whisperer Gianna Mancini than family. Which is why for Pop’s 60th birthday, she’s planned an intimate family get-together, just before an impending Nor’easter hits their town. A quick catered dinner and cake, and everyone will be home before the first snowflake falls.Or so she thought.Pop’s eccentric extended family from New Jersey decides to crash their quiet celebration, and before Gianna can do more than react, she’s hit with another unwanted surprise—in the form of a dead body. As if murder wasn’t enough to put a damper on the partying mood, the blizzard arrives early, forcing Gianna and her family to spend the night with a killer.With the help of her police detective brother, Enzo, Gianna knows she needs to get to the bottom of this mystery… before more family ends up dead. Who would want the deceased gone? Why would they do it at Pop’s party? And where are they hiding… or perhaps, are they hidden in plain site among the party guests? Too bad the dearly departed isn’t giving up any clues. Secrets unfold, suspects emerge, and as Gianna gets closer to the truth, she fears the killer may be one step ahead of her…

Thoughts: I love this family! They are incredibly weird, but also such a tight-knit group who love each other no matter what. Gianna and Julian are with her family to celebrate Pop’s 60th birthday. What is supposed to be a small, quiet gathering turns into a madhouse when Pop’s sister and her large family arrive. Then it starts to snow. And blow. And they’re stuck there, so Gianna goes to look for sleeping bags, and finds a dead body. 

So now both family’s are stuck in the house during a blizzard with a murderer. Gianna, Julian, and Gi’s brother Enzo (a cop) go to work with very little help from the ghost of the dead man since he doesn’t want his past revealed.

The family is kooky and a little spooky, but always full of love and laughter.

Recommended.

Review: A Traveler’s Guide to the Lucky Gryphon

Recipes & Regalings by Stephen Warren & McKenzie

Fantasy, Cookbook, Short Stories

5*****

Blurb: Hello there, traveler!Welcome to The Lucky Gryphon, the most magical tavern in the Crossroads. We’ve been expecting you. Your quest is keep this book safe. What you’re holding is a journal unlike any other. This book will reveal some of the tavern’s history, as well as scraps of insight on mine and Minthie’s origins. There are even some personal notes from the others that call The Lucky Gryphon home.
-Quincy

Over the centuries, this collection of tales has become a bit much for Quincy and me to remember. So, we’re sharing with you a few of our secrets, and inviting you to learn some of our famous recipes.
-Minthie

“A Traveler’s Guide to The Lucky Recipes & Regalings” is a cross between a fantasy storybook and cookbook. Accompanying each recipe is a short story detailing the recipe’s origin, lore about the tavern, or a personal tale from one of the tavern keepers, Quincy and Minthie. With over 60 illustrations depicting everything from savory meals to sweet desserts, delicious drinks and easy snacks, there’s something in here for every foodie. From the archives of Minthie’s Library to you, this book is perfect for any fan of magic, fantasy, and food.

Thoughts: This book is a combination tale and recipe book that brings the characters of Quincy’s Tavern to life. There’s Quincy, Minthe, Stubby, and so many more. I love the tales of how some of the recipes came into being. And the names are as unique and fun as the tales behind them. And yet, they are simple to make and the ingredients easy to find. 

If I have any reservations about this at all, it’s that this book is only available in e-book format. I really, really want to hold a print book in my hands. 

Thank you to the authors for creating such a wonderful “recipe” book. 

Definitely recommended.

Review: Return to Victoria Island

RETURN TO VICTORIA ISLAND by Karen Andover

Fiction, Romantic Suspense

4****

Blurb: When hardworking accountant Ava Morrison is passed over for her dream promotion, she is disappointed. But when her employer gives her two weeks to sign a high-value client or be fired, she is devastated. Victoria Island’s annual boat show seemed like a good place to recruit wealthy businesspeople. Someone is stealing from property developer Jack Rutledge and he needs the help of a discreet accountant. He asks Ava to audit his company books and in return he will introduce her to potential clients. But soon things turn dangerous. And the partnership becomes personal. Will it add up to love or a fatal miscalculation?

Thoughts: This was an entertaining story with a lot of angst and suspects. There was really good imagery, putting you on the beach, in the heat, in the parties with the rich people. The setting fit the plot in that it needed to be near the ocean for certain elements to work. The characters were unique and believable and the reasons for what was happening worked well too.

Ava has spent five years trying to build up her client list at the accounting firm where she works, but unless she can bring in big-name clients, she’ll be fired. I was mad enough at her boss to wish she’d just have walked out then and there, but that didn’t happen. She’s given two weeks to make it so she heads to her parents’ vacation condo on Victoria Island. Unfortunately, her “vacation” turns nasty when vandals continually harass her, both online and at the condo. She takes a temp job with the Rutledge firm to try to figure out who’s embezzling money. When she discovers the thief, things take a turn from bad to worse. It’s up to Ava and Jack to figure out who all the players are and why these things are happening.

The romance is nicely done – and this is a clean-cut story – no physical details at all. Which is fine for a change. There’s a HEA ending that satisfies, and hints at further stories on the island.

Recommended.

Review: Mele Kalikimaka Murder

MELE KALIKIMAKA MURDER by Aimee Gilchrist

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Aloha Lagoon Series

4****

Blurb: The only thing that Aloha Lagoon Resort manager Charlotte Conner hates more than her employees working on “island time” is Christmas. It isn’t just the over commercialized tripe, but it’s also the fact that once-upon-a-time her Christmas would-be wedding went up in spectacular flames. Now she has to share the hated Hawaiian holiday with her twin sister (the one responsible for Charlotte’s ruined vows), Alexander Cho (the one currently responsible for destroying Charlotte’s peace of mind and libido), and the body of one very dead assistant. Aloha Lagoon’s police department can’t find anyone else with a better motive for killing Charlotte’s assistant than Charlotte herself, so now it’s up to her, Alex, and her irritatingly ever-present twin to hunt down the real murderer before Charlotte spends her Christmas in a jail cell for a Mele Kalikimurder she didn’t commit. This is one holly-jolly holiday that just might end up deadly!

Thoughts: I enjoyed this book – and I hope there’s going to be a follow-up because I really want to know what happens with Charlie and Alex and Georgie and Martin.

Everything is chaotic at the resort the week before Christmas. There are luaus and parties and games and tons of guests and it’s up to Charlotte (Charlie) the manager to coordinate it all, which she does with lightning efficiency. But when her assistant ends up dead, things start to break down. Then her twin sister Georgie shows up and needs a job. And the assistant manager, Alex, becomes a problem for her emotionally. Charlie can’t afford to get attached. She can’t.
But she does.
As she and Alex and Georgie look into the woman’s death, they discover more than they bargained for. A lot more. Things are not all sunshine and sandy beaches on Kauai.

Definitely recommended.

A Contract Between Us

Doing something a bit different today. So pull up a chair, grab a favorite drink (green mint for me today) and let’s chat. I’d like to talk to you about reviews. Why I do them – or why I don’t.

As an author myself, I do reviews for other authors to help them out. This is not an easy career we have gotten ourselves into and I figure every little bit helps. And for some reason, review seem to be the way sellers decide where your book goes in their analytics. Plus, I love to read. And tell others about the books I read.

But, if you ask me to review a book for you, I see that as a sort of contract between us. Although you can’t force me to give a review, once I’ve accepted your book, I feel obligated to read it. That’s just who I am. But there are times… I’m reading one right now that I do not like. But I am slogging my way through it – mainly because it’s by a writer I have loved in the past. Had I read this one first, I would never have bought another by her. I had certain expectations when I picked it up and it is not living up to those expectations. In this past year, I have read almost 200 books. Of that 200, there were only two that I did not finish at all. One was sent to me as a paranormal fantasy – one of my favorite genres. When I opened the story, the first two pages were full of zombies and gore. If you read my “So You Want a Review” page, you will see the first thing I say is that I do not read horror. Or gore. Or zombies Or anything like that. Ever. I will not do it. And this person sent me his book anyway. His blurb (which I did read) lied about what was in the story. He lied to me about his story. And his name is now in my notebook to never read another book of his, to never recommend him, and to never help promote him. He broke his contract of expectations with me. I did not write his book up at all. The second one was a nonfiction book that was not well-written, had no citations for quotes, and no footnotes or endnotes for those citations along with other nonfiction issues. But understand this, reviewing is completely subjective. I may detest a book, but others may love it. What I will do is give those I enjoy as honest a review as I can. But as always, it is only one person’s opinion – mine.

Two books out of 200. Most of them I enjoyed. A few, like the current one, I slogged my way through, but I did finish them. A friend asked me why I kept reading if I didn’t care for the book. It goes back to that implied contract. I really do try to find something good in each book I read. I know how hard it is to write one, let alone get it published. And I will continue to promote authors (except that one guy!) when I am able. This is my contract with you, the author.

And coming up in the next few weeks, you will get a look at my favorite books for the year. So stay tuned for the Best of 2024 from me. And keep writing those 5 Sparkler books!