Eat, Pray, Hex by Tara Lush – Spotlight and Book Review

I’m excited to feature a paranormal cozy mystery today. Introducing Eat, Pray, Hex by Tara Lush.

In this post, I’m sharing a spotlight and book review. I haven’t been reading much lately so I’m sharing my spotlight first and will update this post with a book review later this week.

This post is part of a blog tour via Great Escapes with Dolly Cas. So, there’s a limited-time giveaway as part of the tour.

 

About the Book

Eat, Pray, Hex

Book 1 in The Crescent Moon Mysteries

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Publication date: 13 October 2023

Publisher: Independently Published

Number of Pages: 246 pages

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0CH5J8MTL

Book synopsis

Step into the mysterious world of weird Florida, where surprises and spirits are as common as sun and sand…

Amelia Matthews never anticipated inheriting a hotel in in a small southern town, but life's twists and turns have led her to the Sunshine State. Under the hotel's quirky, rundown façade lie haunting secrets—an unsolved murder and a restless spirit who keeps turning off the air conditioner. In the summer. In Florida.

From the moment Amelia reluctantly walks through the door of the Crescent Moon Inn, she embarks on an unwelcome spectral adventure. Her companions on this eerie journey include the sassy feline Freddie Purrcury, the overly enthusiastic and hilarious Liz with her New Age bookstore, and the charmingly handsome local historian, Oliver.

Then Amelia discovers her hidden psychic abilities. As spooky happenings escalate, she can't help but wish for a few minutes of peace. And maybe a margarita.

She faces a decision: sell the inn and run, or embrace her new destiny as a paranormal sleuth. In this spine-tingling cozy mystery, Amelia Matthews unravels the secrets of the inn's haunted past while navigating psychic powers, an ornery cat, and a quirky crew of new friends. If she doesn’t solve the mystery, she just might become the inn's next ghostly inhabitant…

Join Amelia in a captivating, laugh-out-loud adventure as she embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, and you'll find yourself immersed in a world where the line between the ordinary and the supernatural blurs.

 

About Tara Lush

Tara Lush is a Florida-based author and journalist. She's an RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow, and the winner of the George C. Polk Award for environmental journalism.

She was a reporter with The Associated Press in Florida, covering crime, alligators, natural disasters, and politics. She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush.

Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband and two dogs.

Her debut mystery series is published by Crooked Lane Books.

Connect with author Tara Lush via her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Giveaway

As part of this blog tour, there is a giveaway. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget or link below. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Dame Alice Hits Hollywood by Allie Mahoney – Book Review & Guest Post – Blog Tour

Today, I have two-part blog post for you. As part of a blog tour for historical fiction, cozy mystery Dame Alice Hits Hollywood by Allie Mahoney, I’m doing a book review along with an author guest post.

So, before we get ahead of ourselves, let me first share with you the book synopsis. Then, it’s the book review and the guest post, where the author talks about the ‘dream cast’ for her book.

This post is part of a blog tour, though I’m running a bit late posting my review.

 

Book synopsis for Dame Alice Hits Hollywood

April 1937: When Penelope Greenleigh, assistant at Ten Spot Press, learns she'll be heading to Hollywood to supervise script changes on the set of Lady Irwin's Diamonds, she should be thrilled. Who wouldn't want to mingle with movie stars in sunny California?

But there's a catch: Penelope, 29 and from Cape May, New Jersey, has been asked to impersonate Dame Alice Cartwright, the world's bestselling mystery author, who's 47 and lives in Copley-on-the-Wold, England.

On the night Penelope arrives in L.A., Lady Irwin's lead actress disappears and a Harry Winston necklace goes missing. Soon, gossip columnist Hattie Holiday threatens to expose Penelope's deception, mobsters are coming after the film's boozy director, and worst of all, Dame Alice's script has gone from murder mystery to Fred and Ginger-style musical!

The action unfolds at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Trocadero, and hotspot Chasen's as Penelope works to solve the crimes alongside a handsome detective and a hapless studio flunky. Can she find the diamonds, the actress, and survive a wild week in Hollywood?

 

Book Review of Dame Alice Hits Hollywood

Dame Alice Hits Hollywood is a quick-read novella by Allie Mahoney. It’s my first read for Mahoney but it’s unlikely to be the last.

Dame Alice Hits Hollywood is a different kind of mystery. There’s no death involved. However, a character and the Harry Winston necklace, a unique piece of jewelry with massive diamonds, disappear in the early chapters.

The book opens with a series of telegrams between the Farley Brothers studios and author Dame Alice Cartwright.

The Farley Brothers, who are producing a movie based on the Dame’s mystery novel, ask the Dame to be present for script edits. The Dame, on the other hand, is working on another novel and doesn’t seem interested in being present for the edits.

The result?

“Penelope Greenleigh, you’re about to become Dame Alice Cartwright for the next three weeks.”

Penelope thinks she’s under enough pressure posing as the Dame but then the lead actress, Zsa Zsa, in the movie inspired by the Dame’s book disappears, along with a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.

Now, Penelope posing as the Dame, along with her best friend Molly, and now-fired Farley Brothers’ assistant Toby, search for the necklace. Penelope and Molly also begin asking questions to learn more about Zsa Zsa and why she disappeared.

“It was one thing to type up Dame Alice’s murder-filled manuscripts, but another to land in the scene of an actual violent crime.”

The book is narrated from Penelope’s first-person perspective. Penelope is 29 and an American, while the Dame is in her late 40s and British. So, we get a lot of sarcasm and humor.

“Toby, you need to taste the stew,” Molly told the kid, handing him a spoon. “Is it beef, or is it Barry?”

“How’d I know if Mr. King was the main ingredient?”

As the story progresses, Toby receives a note saying:

This intrigues both Penelope and Molly, who begin to dig into The Beverly Hills Burglar’s previous thefts – seeing as the police are constantly busy playing music at various homes in Hollywood.

The book is fairly quick-paced. At 140 pages, the book takes place over the course of a week, from start-to-finish. It can be read in a sitting or two.

Several times while reading Dame Alice Hits Hollywood, I felt like I was reading – or watching – a play. The scenes were akin to a play rather than a story. In each scene, we have lots of people coming and going, as if on stage.

As one character exits, another comes in to deliver a certain piece of information and then leaves.

I don’t know if this was intentional on the author’s part or not, but it felt a bit odd.

What’s interesting about Dame Alice Hits Hollywood is the setting. The book is set in the late 1930s and in Hollywood. So, there’s lots of fancy lunches, dinners, dresses, and everything in between.

Penelope maybe posing as Dame Alice but she’s not on the Dame’s financial budget. So, instead of living luxuriously in Hollywood, Penelope has to make due by sleeping on Molly’s couch and borrowing Molly’s clothes.

The book picks up pace when the real Dame sets foot in L.A. and confronts the Dame-posing Penelope.

It’s exciting to see that the quartet, Penelope, Molly, the Dame, and Toby, will appear in the coming books. Dame Alice Hits Hollywood is the first in a series of cozy mysteries. It can be read as a standalone.

Overall rating for Dame Alice Hits Hollywood by Allie Mahoney: 4 stars

 

My Dream Cast for Dame Alice Hits Hollywood!
By Allie Mahoney

 

Sure, these actors are A-Listers, but why not think big when I envision an on-screen version of my new cozy mystery?

In Dame Alice Hits Hollywood, it’s 1937 Los Angeles, and the action takes place in Beverly Hills, at Chasen’s and the Brown Derby restaurants, and at fictional Farley Brothers Studios in Hollywood’s heyday. Can you picture the glossy convertibles, palm trees, and stylish pool parties? This story of impersonation, a missing movie star, stolen Harry Winston gems, and gangsters and gossips is made for the big (or small) screen!

As Penelope, the publishing assistant who’s been tasked with impersonating bestselling mystery author Dame Alice Cartwright on the set of Lady Irwin’s Diamonds, I imagine Selena Gomez. Yes, she’s too beautiful to be anonymous, but Selena has the ability to fit right in with Steve Martin and Martin Short, and she’d give Penelope just the right air of excitement at landing in L.A.

Since we’re conjuring star power, how about the gorgeous Zendaya as Zsa Zsa Le Coque, the actress who’s mid-fling with an Argentinian aristocrat while not quite divorced from her soup mogul husband?

Dame Alice Cartwright is based on my favorite author Agatha Christie, and when the real Dame shows up in California, she appears to be an introverted, retiring figure until she sips a few daquiris and starts solving crimes. I aspire to hire the real-life Dame (the highest honor in Britain) Emma Thompson. The reserved author unbends a bit while in L.A., and Thompson would do that with so much skill.

As Toby, the studio flunky and sidekick to Penelope, who could resist Simu Liu? While Liu himself is innately cool, which Toby isn’t, Liu is also very funny and doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. And would Bryan Cranston be available to take on the role of canned foods millionaire Morty Le Coque?

Finally, as the big-hearted, boozy oil heiress Emerald Elliman, whose mansion adjacent to the Beverly Hills Hotel hosts many starry soirees, I envision Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham inviting actors, gangsters, screenwriters, and the Dame herself to party like it’s 1937!

 

About the author

A longtime magazine journalist, Allie Mahoney has written for Town & Country, Time Out New York, and Cosmo. 

A lifelong Agatha Christie fan, her shelves are also filled with the books of P.G. Wodehouse, Dave Barry, Sophie Kinsella, and Carl Hiaasen. Additional guilty pleasures: Classic Hollywood movies, fashion, dogs, Bravo tv, BritBox, Phillies baseball, and the beach.

 

Lost and Found by Natalie Shampanier – Children’s Book Review

 

Lost and Found by Natalie Shampanier is a children’s poetry and picture book, illustrated by David Benitez Pavon.

The story is about a toy dinosaur that’s abandoned and left at a toy shelter. It attempts to escape but despite a lot of hard work, the escape plan fails. The toy dinosaur then receives a surprise and everyone gets a happy ending.

Here’s the synopsis:

Forgotten toys at a summer camp ground

Are tossed into the camp’s Lost and Found.

But Dino Boy refuses to spend his days on a shelf

He sets out to escape and find a home for himself.

A ballerina, a hippo, and a mood ring tag along

On this great adventure to find where they belong.

 

Lost and Found is written in the form of rhymed quatrains and it’s simply beautiful. I absolutely loved it! And I think parents will be reading this rhymed story to their children over and over again.

Though it’s a quick read, Lost and Found handles several important themes, including abandonment, friendship, team work, and family.

The illustrations by David Benitez Pavon are beautiful.

Overall rating: 10 stars!

About the author

Natalie has been rhyming ever since she was small,

And she’s still only pushing five feet tall.

She couldn’t keep rhyming while working as a shrink,

Somehow patients prefer prose when feeling on the brink.

She went on to write movies inspired by her childhood,

In a little-known town called Hollywood.

Her last film, “Paper Spiders” was a critical success,

But her kids are her greatest achievement nonetheless.

Raising her three wildlings is always a riot

She enjoys absolutely no peace and quiet.

Her nonverbal 10-year-old who speaks only in signs

Inspired this picture book with limited lines.

Thank you for giving Natalie’s bio a look,

Hope you enjoy reading her latest book.

Connect with author Natalie Shampanier via Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Add Lost and Found on Goodreads and get it via Amazon.

  

Note: I received a free copy of Lost and Found from its author Natalie Shampanier. This did not impact my review in any way. 

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Inheriting Her Ghosts by S.H. Cooper – Book Review

I got the opportunity to read Inheriting Her Ghosts by S.H. Cooper as part of the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) 2022.

It came in 5th place among the 10 finalists.

This review was supposed to go up earlier in May but life gets in the way… so, here it is.

 

Book title: Inheriting Her Ghosts

Publisher: Sleepless Sanctuary Publishing

Length: 120 Pages

Genre: Horror, Adult 

Publication date: 9 July 2021

Book Synopsis:

Inheritance often comes with strings attached, but rarely are they as tangled as those hanging over High Hearth.

When Eudora Fellowes learns she's the sole heir of her estranged great-aunt's seaside manor, she believes it will be the peaceful escape she's longed for.

What awaits, however, is a dark legacy shrouded in half a century of secrets, and it doesn't take long before Eudora realizes she's not the only one to call High Hearth home.

Add Inheriting Her Ghosts by S.H. Cooper on Goodreads.

 

Book Review of Inheriting Her Ghosts by S.H. Cooper

Inheriting Her Ghosts is my first read for S.H. Cooper and certainly not my last. It’s a horror novella of with a sort-of well-known premise. A woman inherits a mansion in the middle of nowhere but what she finds there isn’t what she expected.

The book opens with a strong and powerful statement:

“The house inherited me as much as I did it. We were alike, this house and I. Both filled with bones that creaked and dark hallways where memories lingered still.”

Eudora Fellows, 43, inherits her estranged great-aunt’s seaside manor, named High Hearth. She hopes it’ll be a peaceful escape from society. So, she packs up some of her belongings and takes her large dogs and heads for High Hearth.

But when she arrives there, she discovers that the people in town believe it’s haunted. They despise the house and its former resident, Eudora’s great-aunt.

Despite the fairly-traditional premise, Cooper draws you in with her writing. Her words flow on the page and you can’t put it down even if you’re not deep in the action.

“I awakened something in this house, and the more I sought to understand it, the more it resisted, resented, and in its anger, it took power.”

Though it takes a while for Cooper to get into the ‘action’ in Inheriting Her Ghosts, you still enjoy Eudora’s reflections, her descriptiveness. The book just flows…

“There is a darkness in High Hearth, one that has trapped the dead, and it stems from her.”

One of the things I liked about Inheriting Her Ghosts is that the main character isn’t the usual teen or mother, but a 43-year-old woman with a cynical, strong character.

“At forty-three, I was an oddity…there were expectations, and I’d failed to meet them all...I’d never much cared for the male species. Or, more accurately, the human species as a whole.”

There are many memorable quotes and lines in Inheriting Her Ghosts. I’ve mentioned a fair number in this review, but believe me, there are many more!

“Late was the hour of our arrival. High Hearth stood as a grand silhouette against the sky, its spires and peaks piercing upward and mall the more imposing by the night. The sight of it sent waves of cold washing down my neck, but they did not, could not, run deep enough to extinguish the firestorm within.”

 

Overall rating for Inheriting Her Ghosts by S.H. Cooper: 5 stars.

About the Author

S.H. Cooper is a Florida based, multi-genre author with a focus on horror and fantasy. Her work has been published by Sleepless Sanctuary Publishing, Cemetery Gates Media, and Brigids Gate Press.

In addition to short story collections and novels, she is also the writer for the horror comedy podcast, Calling Darkness.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing, talking about writing, or sleeping (wherein she dreams about writing). She is kept up and running through the tireless efforts of her extremely supportive family and coffee.

Connect with S.H. Cooper via her website, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

About BBNYA

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.  

If you are an author and wish to learn more about the BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website http://www.bbnya.com or Twitter.

BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Find Inheriting Her Ghosts via Amazon Canada, Amazon US, and Amazon UK.

 

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold – Book Review & Excerpt – Blog Tour

Once again, I’m featuring one of my all-time favorite authors! It’s Carolyn Arnold!

• You may have seen my reviews for here historical adventure books like The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh and The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure or her psychological CSI-like thriller books. I’ve read too many books in those series:
• The Little Grave (Detective Amanda Steele Mystery Series, Book 1)
• What We Bury (Detective Madison Knight Mystery series, Book 10)
• On the Count of Three (Detective Brandon Fisher series, Book 7)
• Past Deeds (Detective Brandon Fisher series, Book 8)

Today, I’m excited to be part of the blog tour for Arnold’s newest book and series, Sara and Sean Cozy Mysteries Series. The book is a cozy mystery called Bowled Over Americano.

This post is part of a blog tour organized by Dolly Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. As part of the tour, I’m doing a book review along with an excerpt from the book.

Keep reading to learn more about the book, read my review, and get a glimpse with an excerpt from the first chapter of Bowled Over Americano. Of course, don't forget to enter the giveaway.

About the Book:

Bowled Over Americano (Sara and Sean Cozy Mysteries Series)

1st in Series – Setting: New York

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.

Publication Date: 11 April, 2023

Print length: 263 pages

Digital ASIN: B0BKQC62FH

 

First, here’s the synopsis for Bowled Over Americano:

Sara Cain isn't your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.

Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.

 

About the Author:

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books.

Her genre diversity offers readers police procedurals, hard-boiled and cozy mysteries, thrillers, and action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Connect with Carolyn Arnold via her Website, Blog, Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

 

Book Review 

I'm still reading the book so I'll be updating this section as soon as I'm done!

Book Excerpt from Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold

 

Excerpt from CHAPTER ONE

 

“Books don’t write themselves.”

Sara Cain just wanted to finish writing one novel. High hopes and all that. It certainly had her muttering under her breath like a madwoman. She hadn’t realized when she’d chosen the working title of Dead in the Water how painfully accurate it would be. She’d been working on the book for two-plus years. It wasn’t all a loss, at least. The book’s setting, the victim, and the murder method were working. The motive was tripping her up. What had sounded good in her head fell flat on the page, and she had no idea how to fix it. She also had no clue how to lead her sleuths to the killer. All because she decided to jump in without plotting in advance. Big mistake. Though writing by the seat of her pants—organically, panster style—came with its fun moments. Until she hit a wall called writer’s block. And it was real, all right.

She swore the blasted cursor mocked her with every blink, as if hammering in the fact that zero words were hitting the page. Well, she’d show it! She closed the lid on her laptop.

Time for a break!

Sara put on her running shoes and stepped onto her front porch, drawing in a deep breath of the summer night air. Even with a touch of humidity, the temperature was perfect. She locked the door and headed out.

Nothing worked like a walk to clear the mind. Fingers crossed…

If her mother knew, she would try to talk Sara out of going because it was six thirty at night—sun still up or not—and there were safer neighborhoods in Albany. Even better, her mother would have preferred Sara stay in Cotton Spring Falls, about fourteen minutes from the city, and made the daily commute. “It’s safer here,” her mother would argue. But when Sara signed on with the Albany Police Department, she’d wanted a fresh start, and that meant a new place to rent.

Not like her mother had to worry anyway. Sara had some martial arts classes under her belt, and what she hadn’t picked up there, she learned on the job as a detective in Homicide.

Sara set off down a side street, enjoying a rather quiet Wednesday evening. The only sounds were birdsong and crickets getting an early start. It was the perfect night to drink wine and watch the sunset, ideally with that special someone.

She pushed her work partner, Sean McKinley, from her mind. He was five foot ten—three inches taller than her—with brown eyes that always regarded her with affection. And he had this ability to read her mind. But by far the most dangerous things about him were his smile and his charisma. The latter he wielded like a superpower that came naturally and required the slightest effort. He dated a harem and never got serious about any one of them, but she didn’t think of him as a player. She preferred to believe he was, like her, trying to find the one. Until that person came along, they had their friendship and solving murders to keep them company.

The sidewalk was mostly barren except for a young boy of about twelve pedaling his bike straight toward her at a fast clip. She got out of the way just in time.

“Sorry,” he called out over a shoulder.

Sara smiled. Thoughts of her book had been scared out of her.

A man reversing his car out of his driveway waved at her. She waved back. It was a sad stereotype that people in cities weren’t friendly; she always found a smile in the crowd. Her mother would tell her it had to do with the fact that she still had her youth and beauty. Sara hated to believe the world was that vain, but her youth was slipping away. She didn’t really want to think about her birthday next Wednesday. Yikes. The big three-three.

Maybe she could outrun aging, right along with her manuscript. She picked up her pace until she felt a soft burn in her calf muscles. She wasn’t inclined toward jogging or running, but she relished a cardio high.

She entered a nearby park, planning to stick to the paved path that cut through it. She passed a man and woman with two children. The girl was on a swing while the boy played in the sandbox. Their guardians paid them little attention. Both had their heads bent forward, their faces toward their phones.

It was sad how obsessed people were with their phones while their lives in the flesh-and-blood world passed them by. The seconds continued to pass, the minutes, the hours, the days… the years. Life was over in a blur. Possibly one reason people sought the distraction that electronics provided.

But Sara couldn’t escape the reality of death—not when it was her day job. She also had what most would consider a morbid pastime. She loved reading obituaries and sinking into the lives of strangers. Reading about their accomplishments inspired her.

Sean would tease her about seeking more of the macabre after work hours. He didn’t understand her desire to write a murder mystery either, but that shouldn’t be any of his concern. She viewed it as her outlet to escape. After all, the world she created and wielded at will constantly evolved at her fingertips.

The mystery of death may fascinate her, but so what? It might have to do with never knowing her birth parents. Her father, who had been raising her alone, died in a car accident when she was just a baby, and her mother’s only contribution had been birthing Sara. Sara found this out at age thirteen, after her adoptive parents, Jeannie and Leon Cain, traced her heritage. Her mother’s name was Monica Wilcox, but otherwise she remained a mystery.

These thoughts were bouncing around in her head when a beagle came out of nowhere and ran into her leg.

“Hey there, little fella.”

The tricolor hound wasn’t a stranger to her. She’d seen him before, even knew where he lived. She looked around. There was no sign of his owner, a miserable coot who was always scowling. The dog may have decided to go off leash to do some mind clearing of his own.

“We better get you back—” She bent over to grab the dog’s collar, but he darted away and ran across the lawn toward the baseball diamond. She’d call out his name if she knew it.

“Come here, boy. Here.” She clapped the front of her thighs.

The dog paid her no attention, bounding across the freshly mowed grass.

She looked down at her new running shoes—a brilliant white she’d prefer to keep. The dog really wasn’t her responsibility, but outside of the park, city streets and the vehicles that came with them posed a danger. She’d never forgive herself if he got injured.

She whistled for him, but his tail pointed in the air as he put his nose to the ground.

“Here goes…” She traipsed toward the dog. Stopped walking.

He had lifted his head and stood there watching her.

“Oh no. Don’t you dare run.”

Of course, that was exactly what he did—barreling toward her, then juking out of reach at the last second. This was a game to him. She became a tangle of arms and legs, trying to corral a twenty-pound beagle. She could use some help. A quick glance at the playground confirmed the man, woman, and children stood watching her escapade. Not that any of them made a move to assist.

The boy cried out, “Doggy!” followed by an outburst of giggles.

For the cuteness of the beagle, or in response to her antics

Not that it mattered now; she was committed to catching the dog. A few more bumbled attempts at reaching for its collar before victory. She looked at the family again, as if expecting applause, but they were gone.

No good deed…

“All right, little guy…” He had a name tag on his collar, which she flipped over in her hand. “Magnum.” Huh. “Nice name. How about we take you home?”

The dog made no argument, but it wouldn’t be much fun walking hunched over for half a block. She reached the path and noticed her shoes. Not a brilliant white anymore, but grass-stained like an abstract painter had gone wild with green paint. Her stomach sank. She liked her things nice and neat, organized, presentable. She’d have to put in some elbow grease scrubbing them, but hopefully with a pinch of luck…

She carried on, walking down the street, curious if any onlookers had surfaced from their devices long enough to pay her any heed and find humor in her situation.

“Almost there.” The redbrick home was a few houses down. She climbed onto the front porch. “We did it, Magnum.” She reached the door, prepared to knock, but it was cracked open. Guess the mystery of how the beagle had gotten loose was solved. “Hello?” she called out. “I have your dog, Magnum.”

She listened. Nothing.

Instinct told her to stay put. But what if the dog’s owner needed medical attention?

“Albany Police, I’m coming in.” She wasn’t there in an official capacity, but if the man was conscious, her presence shouldn’t frighten him.

Sara let go of Magnum’s collar and pushed the door with her elbow—a habit formed on the job to preserve evidence at a crime scene. But surely, that wouldn’t be an issue here. Blame the job for her cynicism and seeing murder everywhere she went.

“Hello?” she repeated.

As she opened the door farther, silence and the faint hint of a woman’s floral perfume greeted her. It became clear why her shouts were not getting a response.

Magnum’s owner lay on the entry floor. Dead. A large bloody gash on his head. Sara looked around, seeing nothing that could have caused the injury. This wasn’t an accident.

She looked at Magnum, now sitting next to his master. “Well, you certainly got my mind off my book.”

And right onto murder…

GIVEAWAY

As part of the blog tour for Bowled Over Americano, there's a giveaway. Enter using the link or Rafflecopter widget below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

21+ Books about Halloween, Magic, and Horror to Keep You Busy This Halloween

 

What’s my favorite month of the year? It’s October! And no, it’s not because my birthday is in October. It’s because it’s the lovely month of Halloween.

For me, Halloween means fantasy books, inspiration, magic (figuratively), and Halloween-themed desserts and accessories! 😊

As a blogger and writer, I haven’t had the chance to pen stories on paper over the past year. (Yes! Lots of stories going on in my head, but those don’t count.)

Since I haven’t been able to do much writing, I figured it’d be great to give those who have been able to write – about my favorite theme – a shout out and feature here on the blog.

So, if you’re looking for books about Halloween, magic, or a bit of horror, keep reading this post.

I will note that I haven’t read ALL of the books on this list. But I did reach out to fellow book bloggers for some recommendations.

Books that I HAVE read will be linked at the title and the link will take you to my review. If it’s a book I haven’t read, I’ll let you know.

The books are divided into sections so scroll down to find the section of your choice. Books are divided into:

•     Halloween-themed books
• Books featuring magic
• Horror books
• Fantasy and paranormal books (not witchy or horror)
• Book excerpts

Naturally, you can imagine there will be some overlapping books. I’ll note that in the description that follows each recommended read.

Last but not least, my last blog post on Recommended Reads for Halloween was in… 2015 apparently. This list only includes a couple of reads from the old list but the majority of these books were either published or read after 2016.

There are a few books on this list that are due to be published this month. I was planning to publish this post earlier in the month. So a couple of books were released since I started writing this post.

 

Now find your next read! If you’ve read a book that you think is worth a mention here, let me know in the comments!

 

Part 1: Halloween-themed books

Costumes and Cadavers by Katherine Brown

This is a Halloween-themed novella that I read earlier this year. I gave it a 3.5-star rating because I felt there were a couple of downsides with the main character. But it’s still worth checking out if you’re looking for a quick Halloween read.

The post also includes an exclusive interview with the author.

 

Cookies, Corpses, and the Deadly Haunt by Rachael Stapleton

Cookies, Corpses, and the Deadly Haunt is a Halloween-themed cozy mystery. It’s a fun read that got 4 stars from me.

Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela

I read Midnight Spells Murder a while back but it seems I forgot to write down my review so that’s on my never-ending to-do list. I do recall giving this book an overall rating of 4 stars.

Midnight Spells Murder is the second book in the Happy Camper Mystery Series. It’s a perfect Halloween-themed cozy mystery. So, time to snuggle up!

Here’s the book synopsis:

Spirit Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it’s boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop…until a murderer drops in for a browse.

To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne’s benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone.

Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch’s garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?

Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What’s worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne’s murder with the Happy Camper.

Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin’s report airs. Otherwise, Zo’s business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation… 

A Halloween Homicide by Tonya Kappes

I’ve read other books by Kappes but I’m loving this Halloween-y cover! A Halloween Homicide was published earlier this month so it’s brand new!

This looks like an exciting read combining Halloween with a cozy mystery. Since I haven’t read this, I’m sharing the book synopsis:

If y'all love holidays, small towns, undying relationships, southern food, animals, and a smidgen of homicide, THIS cozy mystery series is for you.

CELEBRATE GOOD CRIMES

In book 2, Violet Rhinehammer is busy trying to keep the Junctional Journal afloat and that includes the participating in all the Halloween activities planned. One problem, Violet is not a fan of Halloween or anything that comes with it. Including a haunted ghost walk.

Town folks believe Violet has woken an angry spirit due to the nature of her snooping around into the past history of Holiday Junction.

Darren Strickland, a life-long resident, thinks Violet is letting her imagination run away.

Violet begins to dig deeper when local law enforcement seems to be dragging their feet, after all, she's got a hot story to uncover, but really uncovers a buried secret along with some old skeletal bones that gives Violet the fright of her life.

Meanwhile, Mille Kay is adjusting to spending time with new friends and making sure she puts the southern in her new tradition even if it includes her coming face to face with the ghost!

Part 2: Books Featuring Witches and Magic

Those who know me personally know I love all things with a magical feel or magic-themed.

Call it magic, magick, magik, majik, whatever you like…Here are my book recommendations for magic-themed books including a few that are due to be released.

 

Bound by Kirsten Weiss

Bound is the first book in Kirsten Weiss’s paranormal cozy mystery series The Doyle Witch Mystery Series. I absolutely loved this book! So, if I can recommend a book for you this Halloween, it’s this one!

I have to warn you though, you may end up having to read the whole series – which is on my to-do, I mean to-read list!

Here’s an excerpt from Bound: 

 

Alchemy, Arsenic, and Alibis by Shea McLeod

Alchemy, Arsenic, and Alibis is the fourth book in the 5th series by Shea MacLeod. it’s a novella-sized magical cozy mystery with an amazing lead character. 

Though it’s the fifth book in the series, it was my first in the series. And I absolutely loved it!

After I finished it, I picked up the first book Potions, Poisons, and Perils, however I felt that book 4 was much better than book 1!

My overall rating for Alchemy, Arsenic, and Alibis is 5 stars, my review for Potions, Poisons, and Perils was 3 stars.

 

Echo: The Curse of the Blackwood Witches by Yasmine Maher

I’m really excited about this book not just because it’s got magic and witches but more importantly because it’s by my friend and former work colleague, Yasmine Maher.

Echo: The Curse of the Blackwood Witches was released on 10 October 2022. While I got an advanced reader’s copy (ARC), I haven’t been able to do much reading in September and October so I’ll be updating this post with a link once I’ve read and reviewed the book.

For now, here’s the book synopsis:

Master forbidden magic, destroy an immortal enemy, and prevent the apocalypse—all before college finals.

Echo Blackwood has no idea she’s a witch, but after supernatural beasts attack her sister’s wedding, she discovers her long-dormant magic, and she’s quickly catapulted into an impossible war.

The novice witch is the only one who can stop the immortal Jivar—but her magic hides a sinister secret. The dark arts run through her veins, and using their power could cost her soul.

Desperate to control her magic and uncover the truth about herself, Echo and her newfound allies must race against time to defeat Jivar before he unleashes his fury and destroys the world.

Can Echo use the powers of evil to save the world? Or will fighting fire with fire only end in her ruin?

Imbued with all the thrilling action and marvelous magic, Echo: The Curse Of The Blackwood Witches is a riveting and unforgettable read that will sweep you up and refuse to let you go.

Read the first chapter of Echo by Yasmine Maher here.

 

The Witches of Blackbrook by Tish Thawer

The Witches of Blackbrook is a must-read witchy and magical read. For some reason it reminds of the Charmed series, though it’s quite different.

Here’s an excerpt from my review:

“Quick-paced and easy to navigate, the story is about three witches: Karina, Kara and Kenna, who lived in the late 1600's, when magic was practiced freely. Mischief befalls the three, when a woman tricks the elder sister, claiming her baby is ill. After that, Karina is accused of killing the baby and being the devil's daughter. She is sentenced to burn at the stake, where she performs a spell to protect her and her sisters.

Karina's spell takes the sisters, and the rest of the witches, across time, to be reborn in different bodies every time.”

My overall rating for this book? 5 stars!

 

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait by Cleo Coyle

My first ever read for Cleo Coyle was The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait, a paranormal cozy mystery with a ghost from the 1900's!

Here's a part of my review:

“I liked how Jack offered tips and ideas to Pen using his dream-memory technique, while also giving her a heads-up along the way as she searches for a killer.”

The Ghost and the Stolen Tears by Cleo Coyle

While I didn't get a chance to review this book - it was part of a tour and I was scheduled for a review - I felt the paranormal and mystery elements deserved to be featured here.

The link will take you to the spotlight post for the 8th book in the series. Each book can be read as a standalone. 

Take it from me, I started the series with book 7 :) 

With Fire in their Blood by Kat Delacorte

With Fire in their Blood is a book featuring magic and political intrigue in ancient Italian city. The magic appears towards the middle of the novel. Published by Penguin Books, I felt there were a few problems with this book.

I read this book as part of a blog tour. Some people adored this book, others like me, had mid-way feelings about it. So it’s not a 100% recommendation. By the way, it’s a first in a series.

Love the cover though!

One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon

One Poison Pie is paranormal cozy mystery featuring kitchen witches! It was my first-time hearing about kitchen witches, though I may have seen something similar in a movie or TV series at some point.

“They didn’t wear black, pointy hats or fly around the moon. Mia’s magic was more about the colors, the food, the process of making a house a home.”

My overall rating for this one? 4 stars

 

Magick and Mayhem by Sharon Pape

Magick and Mayhem is a paranormal cozy mystery featuring magic and …. Merlin! Yes, you read that right! The great wizard Merlin finds himself in modern day California and he’s discovering foods like pizza and gadgets like the iPod (and the toilet!)

This is a 5-star, humor-filled, murder mystery that I highly recommend as a Halloween read.

"Did this man really expect me to believe he was the legendary wizard? He looked more like a Don Quixote wannabe."

A Charming Fatality by Tonya Kappes

If you’re into cozy mysteries, then you’ve probably picked up one of Kappes’s books at some point. A Charming Fatality is the 7th book in The Magical Cures Mystery Series. It’s also my first read in the series. And that’s the cool thing about cozy mysteries; they’re usually standalone books so you can start where you want! 

Part 3: Horror books

Now it's time to look at some creepy books that will make the room feel colder than it really is!

Fountain Dead by Theresa Braun

Fountain Dead combines paranormal, historical fiction, and horror. If you’re looking for an interesting read this Halloween, Fountain Dead by Theresa Braun is worth checking out.

The book moves across two storylines. One is in 1988, while the other is set 100 years earlier. The common factor: A mansion.

My overall rating for this book was 3.5 stars.

"Unbeknownst to Mark, the Victorian planned his summer boot camp the minute he stepped onto the property."

The Cabin Sessions by Isobel Blackthorn

I’ve not read Blackthorn’s The Cabin Sessions but I have read a few of her other novels. Both involved travel and one was on the paranormal side.

But The Cabin Sessions is different. It’s scary psychology and knowing Blackthorn’s writing style, I can bet you it’s going to be great read.

Here’s the book synopsis:

The Cabin Sessions brims with psychology and atmosphere.

A storm is rolling into the narrow mountain pass when hapless musician Adam Banks stands on the bridge over the river that cleaves the remote village of Burton. The night is already blighted by an astrological omen, and Adam thinks of turning back.

Instead, struggling against rising panic, he resolves to fulfil his obligation to perform the guest spot at The Cabin Sessions. He cannot let down his mentor, Benny Muir.

But bad news awaits him. And at least one fellow musician he would rather not meet.

Told from third person viewpoints of Adam and Philip, the town’s plumber, the evening is mapped out in slow eerie detail – that at once manages to evoke Burton’s fanatical cult history while also acting as a harbinger of the disaster to come.

In between these two male viewpoints, is the delicate first-person voice of Eva, the breath holder, whose recollections shed an unsettling light on the characters in The Cabin.

Read the first chapter of Isobel Blackthorn’s The Cabin Sessions via The Next Chapter.

 

Thirty Scary Tales by Rayne Hall

This is a collection of short stories by horror author and writing coach Rayne Hall. Featuring various settings and topics, the stories in this collection range from scary to occasionally gory. There are several stories with a supernatural theme, while some of the stories are inspired by some of the author’s real-life events.

Here’s an excerpt from my review:

“There are tales of vampires, ghosts, magic and dreams and other supernatural elements. They are all beautiful and enjoyable but do not compare to the pleasure and intrigue I experienced while reading The Grey Walker, Arete, Through the Tunnel, The Colour of Dishonour, Burning, and The Painted Staircase – just to name a few."

 

Monsters Exist (Anthology)

Monsters Exist is a collection of short stories featuring horrifying monsters, something mythical, and some more real than others.

However, I must note that it contains gore and adult themes. So not recommended for anyone under 18 or even 21.

It's one of the few books on this list with adult themes. 

Bellamy by Darcy Coates

Bellamy is a short horror story by horror-only (so far) author Darcy Coates. It features a long-abandoned children’s home. Leanne returns to Bellamy, where she was placed along with her brother. We later learn that Leanne’s brother went missing during their time in Bellamy and was never found.

My overall rating for Bellamy is 5 stars.

“There was something wrong with Bellamy. Leanne had been running from it for most of her life. It had brought her home, though. Perhaps it had always intended to. Perhaps no one ever truly escaped the building."

Anthologies for your Halloween

Want more scary Halloween reads? Crystal Lake Publishing has you covered! Here are 3 anthology recommendations from them to keep you under the covers this Halloween!

I haven’t read these books but I have read a couple of short stories for a couple of authors, though the synopses are enticing.

Anthologies for your Halloween

Want more scary Halloween reads? Crystal Lake Publishing has you covered! Here are 3 anthology recommendations from them to keep you under the covers this Halloween!

I haven’t read these books but I have read a couple of short stories for a couple of authors, though the synopses are enticing.

 

Shallow Waters: Special Halloween Edition (A Series of Supernatural Stories Book 9)

This short story collection will be released on 31 October 2022 *muaaahaha*

For more info, follow Crystal Lake Publishing on Twitter or visit their website.

Here’s the synopsis for the anthology:

Nothing stays buried this Halloween!

Not with 18 scary tales of flash fiction filled with Halloween goodness.

Shallow Waters is an official monthly flash fiction contest hosted by Crystal Lake Publishing, with different themes each month.

This Halloween Horror Anthology includes:

Introduction by Joe Mynhardt

“Mummy’s Boy” by Karen Bayly

“Tumshie” by William Meikle

“Arts and Crafts” by Madison McSweeney

“The Halloween House” by Sheldon Woodbury

“West Pennfield Township Newsletter, October 2021” by Tom Coombe

“I Want Candy by Larry Hinkle

“Let the Darkness In” by Ricki Whatley

“Soul Cake” by Anthony D. Redden

“The Pumpkin Fetch" by Tom Deady

“Wishing” by Jay Bechtol

“One Parent Survives” by Wil Dalton

“Don’t Eat the Candy” by Matt Bliss

“The Red Scarf” by Rhea Rose

“Shackled to the Shadows” by Richard Thomas

“Apple Tree Man” by Roxie Voorhees

“Smooth Man” by Kim Mannix

“Sleepy Hallowed” by Joseph VanBuren

“How to Create the Perfect Pumpkin” by Francesca Maria

 

From Crystal Lake Publishing:

“This anthology is perfect for fans of Halloween books, flash fiction, scary stories, classic horror tropes, horror books, mystery thrillers, horror anthologies, and mystery and suspense flash fiction stories. With a bit of dark humor and candy sprinkled over the top.”

Grab a copy of Shallow Waters via Amazon.

 

October's End: Halloween Horror Stories (Dark Tide Mysteries and Thrillers Book 3)

This collection was published on 7 October 2022. Grab your copy of October’s End via Amazon.

Anthology synopsis:

Three leading voices in modern horror take us on a journey through Halloween in the infamous town of Clifton Heights.

DAUGHTER OF THE MISTS by Kevin Lucia

Clifton Heights’ biggest classic horror movie cinephile finds himself plunged into the midst of his own personal horror movie nightmare, in which he discovers how savage the classic monsters actually are.

 

ONCE UPON A HALLOWEEN NIGHT by Jeremy Bates

In the days leading up to Halloween night, two brothers will discover the worst kinds of monsters are often human.

 

BROTHERS by Jason Parent

Sometimes, bonds between brothers are thicker than blood. Rand wants nothing more than to be an Alpha, a member of the most popular fraternity on campus. He convinces his best friend, Henry, to pledge with him.

Before they can join, Rand and Henry must follow the senior Alphas’ rule: a predicament that soon leaves them humiliated, victimized, and broken. Rand is left to face the torment alone but, hiding in the darkness, another is willing to share it with Rand, one who promises something more sinister than revenge...and a Halloween party the survivors of which will always remember.

 

Halloween Beyond: Piercing the Veil (Dark Tide Mysteries and Thrillers Book 4)

This collection is scheduled for release on 21 October 2022.

Book synopsis:

When the Halloween Beyond stores appear across America, they intertwine the lives of three visitors in a web of mystery and magic.

THE TALKING-BOARD by Lisa Morton

Can ancient magic exist in the modern world?

When Kayla’s sister Hailey went missing in the nearby Ghost Woods on Halloween night, the last person to see her was the solitary, elderly Brigid.

Kayla, who has long suspected Brigid of being involved with Hailey’s disappearance, dreads the first anniversary of her sister’s vanishing even as her best friend Sophie urges her to put the past behind her.

Halloween nears and Kayla pays a visit to the pop-up Halloween Beyond store, where an enigmatic clerk named Maeve convinces her to buy a talking-board. Kayla begins receiving messages which claim to be from Hailey, but is it actually something more sinister calling out from beyond the veil?

Brigid—who may be a witch—offers to lead Kayla into the Ghost Woods on Halloween in search of answers. Kayla discovers dark truths about herself as she and Brigid confront the terrifying supernatural forces that claimed Hailey.

 

NEW BLOOD by Lucy A. Snyder

Maddie is keen for Halloween, but when she moves to a strange coastal town, a Devils’ Night party forces her to face eldritch dangers that threaten her entire family.

 

A GENTLEMAN’S SUIT by Kate Maruyama

Halloween Beyond is magic. The store’s inscrutable clerk finds Lex exactly the right costume which somehow makes people see the nonbinary Lex for who they really are.

It’s Lex’s last Halloween at home before college, and it had better be good. When Lex’s father, Beto, known locally as the King of Halloween adds an enormous animatronic Death on a boat to the collection in his elaborate front yard haunt, Halloween night takes a deadly turn.

Lex is having trouble letting go of old friendships, of home, of Halloween itself, but they now face the hardest kind of letting go.

This anthology is perfect for fans of Halloween stories, supernatural, horror anthologies, classic horror, Mystery and suspense, the occult, magic, strong female protagonists, and thrillers.

Grab your copy of Halloween’s End via Amazon.

Part 4: Fantasy and Paranormal Books (But not witchy or horror)

If you’re looking for something that’s on the paranormal side but without the Halloween and magic themes and that’s not horror, this section is for you.

Dewey Decimated by Allison Brooke

Dewey Decimated is paranormal cozy mystery by Allison Brook. It’s not a witchy or fully-Halloween-themed but they do have a fun Halloween event in the book. There is murder and ghosts!

My overall rating for Allison Brook's Dewey Decimated is 4 stars.

Here's a quote from my review of this paranormal cozy mystery:

Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley

This is one of my most recent reads in 2022. Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley isn’t a witchy book but it’s a paranormal cozy mystery featuring vampires and characters leaping into books!

I've always had my eye on Elizabeth Pantley's books, now I got a chance to read an interesting and exciting one.

The blog post also features an exclusive interview with author Elizabeth Pantley. 

 

Road of the Lost by Nafiza Azad

Who doesn’t love a good fantasy? Road of the Lost by Nafiza Azad is a recommendation from fellow fantasy author Intisar Khanani, author of The Dauntless Path and The Sunbolt Chronicles.

You can follow Nafiza Azad on Twitter for more info.

Here’s the book synopsis: 

Perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince, this gorgeous young adult fantasy follows a girl who discovers she’s spent her life under an enchantment hiding her true identity on her quest into the magical Otherworld to unlock her powers and discover her destiny.

Even the most powerful magic can’t hide a secret forever.

Croi is a brownie, glamoured to be invisible to humans. Her life in the Wilde Forest is ordinary and her magic is weak—until the day that her guardian gives Croi a book about magick from the Otherworld, the world of the Higher Fae. Croi wakes the next morning with something pulling at her core, summoning her to the Otherworld. It’s a spell she cannot control or break.

Forced to leave her home, Croi begins a journey full of surprises…and dangers. For Croi is not a brownie at all but another creature entirely, enchanted to forget her true heritage. As Croi ventures beyond the forest, her brownie glamour begins to shift and change.

Who is she really, who is summoning her, and what do they want? Croi will need every ounce of her newfound magic and her courage as she travels a treacherous path to find her true self and the place in the Otherworld where she belongs.

Part 5: Horror and Halloween Excerpts

My American Nightmare, Women In Horror (Short story collection)

This book features a spotlight about short story collection My American Nightmare, Women In Horror by various authors. This was a Halloween post back in 2018 when the book was first released. It features a short excerpt from one of the short stories.

 

Daughter of Magic by Teresa Roman (Book excerpt)

This is a book excerpt post. I have not read the book myself. But feel free to check it out here.

Rising Tide by Claudette Melanson (Book excerpt)

I've not read Rising Tide but I do know it's free via Amazon and it's the start of a paranormal horror series featuring vampires!

You won't find any glittery vampires in this books! Here's an excerpt to get you started with this series.

By the way, Rising Tide and the rest of the series got the following awards or nominations:

2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for YA Mystery

2015 RONE Award Finalist for YA Paranormal

2015 New Apple Top Medalist for Young Adult Ebook

Chosen as one of 400 for the 2nd round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for 2014!!!

And that's it - for now!

Think I missed anything? Got books you'd like to recommend? Leave them in the comments below. 

I have a few more Halloween-themed cozies on my kindle and other reads... so I'll be updating the blog till the end of the year and hopefully have new post for next year.