Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #355: The Best Thing You Can Steal by Simon R. Green

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

Welcome to London, but not as you know it. A place where magics and horror run free, wonders and miracles are everyday things, and the dark streets are full of very shadowy people . . .

Gideon Sable is a thief and a con man. He specializes in stealing the kind of things that can't normally be stolen. Like a ghost's clothes, or a photo from a country that never existed. He even stole his current identity. Who was he originally? Now, that would be telling. One thing's for sure though, he's not the bad guy. The people he steals from always have it coming.

Gideon's planning a heist, to steal the only thing that matters from the worst man in the world. To get past his security, he's going to need a crew who can do the impossible . . . but luckily, he has the right people in mind. The Damned, the Ghost, the Wild Card . . . and his ex-girlfriend, Annie Anybody. A woman who can be anyone, with the power to make technology fall in love with her.

If things go well, they'll all get what they want. And if they're lucky, they might not even die trying.

The Best Thing You Can Steal by Simon R. Green is the first book in a new series. It's expected out April 6th, 2021 from Severn House.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like that it sounds like a twist on a thief character. Imagine being able to steal a ghost 's clothes. Gideon's support team members sound interesting too. And I'm wondering what he will be attempting to steal.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 "You're another folklorist," said Tobias, trying to keep up.

 "A practical folklorist," said Mrs. Silver. "Vampires eliminated, ghouls laid to rest, fairies discouraged, and so on. It was my late husband’s profession and now it is mine." 

(p. 64)

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh was published June 18th, 2019 by Tor.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #354: Bottle Demon by Stephen Blackmoore

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

The sixth book of this dark urban fantasy series follows necromancer Eric Carter through a world of vengeful gods and goddesses, mysterious murders, and restless ghosts.

The Necromancer is dead. Long live the Necromancer.

After being attacked by a demon in the one place he thought he was safe, Eric Carter has been killed, his soul sent to take its place as a stand-in for the Aztec god of death Mictlantecuhtli. But somebody on Earth isn't done with him, yet. Somebody with the power to bring him back from the dead. He doesn't know who, and worse he doesn't know why.

Between an angry death goddess, family secrets steeped in blood, a Djinn who's biding his time, and a killer mage who can create copy after copy of himself, Eric's new life looks to be just as violent as his last one. But if he doesn't get to the bottom of why he's back, it's going to be a hell of a lot shorter.

Bottle Demon by Stephen Blackmoore is expected to be published April 27th, 2021 by DAW Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like that it's urban fantasy. And it has the twist of a necromancer being brought back from the dead. I haven't started this series yet, but it looks good. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:

My fiance and best friend were sleeping together and hiding their secret identities from me. I didn't know which betrayal hurt worse. Or which made me angrier. (p. 8 on my Kindle)

Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep was published May 1st, 2007 by Berkley.

Synopsis: 

Investigative reporter Carmen Cole gets the surprise of her life on her wedding day when she discovers that her fiance and best friend are sleeping together – and that the two of them are her town’s resident superhero and ubervillain. Shocked and hurt, Carmen reveals their secret identities and then decides to devote her life to unmasking every superhero and ubervillain who crosses her path.

A series of successful unmaskings lands Carmen a job at The Expose, one of the biggest newspapers in Bigtime, New York, a city that’s full of superheroes and ubervillains. Carmen is in her element – until she gets kidnapped by the Terrible Triad, Bigtime’s most dangerous ubervillain team.

The Triad orders Carmen to uncover the secret identity of Striker, the leader of the Fearless Five, Bigtime’s most popular superhero team – or else they’ll drop her in a vat of radioactive goo. With that threat hanging over her, Carmen sets out to unmask Striker, but what she doesn’t count on is falling for the sexy superhero. But with the Terrible Triad lurking around, this is one story that just might be the death of her …

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #353: Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

In this blazingly smart and voracious debut, an artist turned stay-at-home mom becomes convinced she's turning into a dog.

One day, the mother was a mother, but then one night, she was quite suddenly something else...

     An ambitious mother puts her art career on hold to stay at home with her newborn son, but the experience does not match her imagination. Two years later, she steps into the bathroom for a break from her toddler's demands, only to discover a dense patch of hair on the back of her neck. In the mirror, her canines suddenly look sharper than she remembers. Her husband, who travels for work five days a week, casually dismisses her fears from faraway hotel rooms.

     As the mother's symptoms intensify, and her temptation to give in to her new dog impulses peak, she struggles to keep her alter-canine-identity secret. Seeking a cure at the library, she discovers the mysterious academic tome which becomes her bible, A Field Guide to Magical Women: A Mythical Ethnography, and meets a group of mommies involved in a multilevel-marketing scheme who may also be more than what they seem.

     An outrageously original novel of ideas about art, power, and womanhood wrapped in a satirical fairy tale, Nightbitch will make you want to howl in laughter and recognition. And you should. You should howl as much as you want.

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder is due out July 20th, 2021 from Doubleday Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like that the plot is imaginative. I've read a few shape-changing stories, but I don't remember one quite like this, if that is indeed what's happening. Plus the group of mommies who may be more than they seem interests me. And I like that there may be humor in the story.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: 1 Flew Over the Raven's Nest by J.B. Lynn

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“I just love what they’ve done with the place,” Conroy drawled. “It’s a perfect mix of Dark Shadows and The Addams Family chic.” I considered tucking the owl pendant back into my shirt to limit his observations. Instead, I added, “With a healthy serving of Deliverance thrown in.” (Second page of Chapter Three)

1Flew Over the Raven's Nest by J.B. Lynn was published September 30th, 2020.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Book review: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

 

Set in the 1990s, this is the story of a group of housewives who create a book club to read true crime books and escape a little from their everyday lives. More particularly, it's the story of Patricia Campbell and her friends and family. Patricia has a workaholic husband, two teenaged children, and is caring for her mother-in-law who is slowly losing her mind.

One night after a book club meeting, Patricia is rather viciously attacked by an elderly neighbor. Later they find out that the woman's nephew has been visiting her. And soon James Harris has wrangled invitations into all of their homes and the book club. He rapidly becomes a part of their community. 

Then children across town start to go missing. Patricia becomes convinced that James Harris has something to do with the disappearances. She's thinking serial killer, but that doesn't exactly describe him.

Billed as Steel Magnolias meets Dracula , the book lives up to its advertising. Patricia comes across as a real, conflicted woman who has unintentionally invited evil into her home and life. The other ladies are also individuals and not just carbon copies of what you would expect to find in their community. 

The monster, James Harris, is monstrous. We see and hear more about his deeds than him for a good part of the book. We see what's going on from Patricia's perspective for the most part. 

The plot moves along at a good pace appropriate for the story. There is a lull at one point, but it's the calm before the storm. And what happens in the lull goes to show just how much influence James Harris has on the community. The ending isn't exactly happily ever after, but it is satisfying.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I felt like the take on vampires was original. The characters are well written. The pace suits the book. The story is well told. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy horror and vampire or monster stories. 

I'd like to add there are a few things that could be triggering: rape, suicide, graphic violence, gaslighting. 

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix was published April 7th, 2020 by Quirk Books.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #352: The Conductors by Nicole Glover

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

As an escaped slave, Hetty Rhodes helped dozens of people find their own freedom north using her wits and her magic. Now that the Civil War is over, Hetty and her husband, Benjy, still fight for their people by solving the murders and mysteries that the white authorities won't touch.

When they discover one of their friends brutally murdered in an alley, Hetty and Benjy mourn his loss by setting off to find answers. But the mystery of his death soon brings up more questions, more secrets, more hurt. To solve his death, they will have to not only face the ugly truths about the world but the ones about each other.

Perfect for fans of Victor LaValle and Zen Cho, The Conductors is a compelling debut by a fresh voice in fantasy fiction that will leave you longing for more.

The Conductors by Nicole Glover is expected out March 4th, 2021 from Del Rey.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like the idea of mysteries and magic in the same story. I don't think I've read a fantasy type book set in this time period from quite this angle before. I find the originality intriguing.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Killer Queen by Julie Mulhern

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:

He jumped backward. "What is that? Do you have elephants?"

 "It's Grace." I used both hands to clutch the counter. I needed the stability - a shot of lust before my morning arabica left me shaky. (p.140)

Killer Queen by Julie Mulhern was released June 30th, 2020 by J & M Press. It's the 11th in The Country Club Murders series.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #351: A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe for his fantasy novel debut, A Master of Djinn

Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.

So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world fifty years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage.

Alongside her Ministry colleagues and her clever girlfriend Siti, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city – or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems…

A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark is expected out May 11th, 2021 from Tor Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like the sound of it. To me it sounds like an urban fantasy set in 1912 Cairo with strong female characters.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The days dawned noonday hot, and gas tanks hissed when you took off their caps. The sunlight fell hard and sharp, and insects roared in the bushes, only taking a break in the dead hour between three and four in the morning. (p.94 on my Kindle)

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix was published April 7th, 2020 by Quirk Books.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 "A reader lives many lives," James Harris said. " The person who doesn't read lives but one. But if you're happy just doing what you're told and reading what other people think you should read then don't let me stop you. I just find it sad. "

(p.77 on my Kindle)

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix was published April 7th, 2020 by Quirk Books.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

 

Noemi is sent by her father to check on her cousin Catalina who sent them a letter that sounded a little off asking for help. Catalina is living in a house called High Place outside of a small town in Mexico. Noemi hasn't seen Catalina or her husband, Virgil, since their wedding. Turns out High Place is Virgil's family home. They live there with a handful of relatives and a few servants.

The house is dark and foreboding. It's perfect for a gothic tale. There is electricty, but not every fixture has a bulb. They make liberal use of candles and oil lamps. There is mold and fungus throughout the house staining the wallpaper and eating at the books. Curtains are kept shut. No smoking is allowed. And quiet is enforced at the dinner table. The state of the house reflects the inner lives and conditions of the house's occupants.

Noemi is an unlikely heroine being a 1950s socialite and used to being the life of the party. She is close to Catalina. Catalina has always been more reserved, but her current state is not what Noemi has become accustomed to expect from her. The more I read the more I rooted for the girls. 

The pace of the book is slow at first as Noemi settles into the house. The longer she is there, the faster the pace becomes. By the end it is really flying.

There are several things that some people may find triggering: unwanted sexual advances, near rape, gaslighting, eugenics, incest, and cannibalism. The book only has these things generally in small amounts.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well-written. Really is gothic. I found Noemi to be an interesting character. The twists towards the end are surprising. My only complaints were how slow it is at first; and I could have done without the cannibalism. Otherwise this is really a good gothic book. 

Mexican Gothic By Silvia Moreno-Garcia was published June 30th, 2020 by Del Rey.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect the content of my review.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #350: Last Strand by Jennifer Estep

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

Every bloody thread has been leading to this . . .

I’ve battled a lot of bad guys in my time, both as Gin Blanco and as the notorious assassin the Spider. But I’ve never faced off against anyone quite as powerful and deadly as the dastardly leader of the Circle secret society.

Just when I finally have a lead on how I can defeat the evil group once and for all, new information comes to light that throws me for a loop. Suddenly, everyone and everything I love is in imminent peril of being destroyed, and I’m racing against the clock to figure out a way to save my friends.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the danger has never been greater. Somehow, I need to weave one last strand in my web of death—and kill my enemies before they kill me . . .

Last Strand by Jennifer Estep is expected out March 16th, 2021. It's available for pre-order on Amazon now.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like the series. This is the nineteenth book in the Elemental Assassin series. Jennifer Estep says it will be the last full length book for a while in this series. She is planning some novellas from different characters' points of view. And she has some other projects in the works. I like the characters in the series and am really looking forward to seeing what happens to them in this book.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Pride and All This Prejudice by Alex A. King

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 "The laugh is this close to erupting out of her chest, Alien-style, when the subtle shift of Marko's expression changes her mind. So the man is capable of feeling, of being wounded. Interesting. She never would have guessed it."

 (p. 87 on my Kindle)

Pride and All This Prejudice by Alex A. King was published November 24th, 2014 by Citizen A Press.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Book Review: Stoker's Wilde West by Steven Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi

 

Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker have returned to their more or less normal lives after the events of Stoker's Wilde. But how normal can your life be when your brother is a werewolf or your coworker is a vampire. Their normal comes to an end when they receive a message that vampires have been found in America.

Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde were already booked to go to America. One to manage a theater company and the other to have his play performed. Florence, Bram's wife, is along for the ride which turns out to be a very good thing when Bram finds himself on the wrong side of the law. They pretty much encounter all that the Wild West has to offer and then some.  

The story is told through telegrams , diary entries, meeting transcripts, and other first person point of view documents. This is much the same as Dracula. The majority of entries are from Oscar, Bram, and Florence although there are other sources. Entries really show each character's personality. Bram and Florence are slightly more reliable narrators than Oscar. Oscar tends to embellish a little though he usually admits to it in the end. 

I enjoyed the friendship that Florence strikes up with Calamity Jane. Oscar and Bram make a nice counter pair with their own relationship and adventures. 

While a little slow in a few places, overall the plot moved along at a good pace. There are also some nice twists. 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well-written and in an interesting format. At first the format makes it a little confusing as it introduces characters that aren't picked up again until much later. Overall, it's a good story and worth a read. It is a sequel, but can be read as a standalone, which I did. I would recommend it to people who enjoy weird westerns, vampire stories, or paranormal stories.

Stoker's Wilde West by Steven Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi was published  August 11th, 2020 by Flame Tree Press.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion or the content of this review.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #349: Jolene by Mercedes Lackey

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

The beloved Elemental Masters series moves to America for the first time in a rich retelling of The Queen of the Copper Mountain, set against the backdrop of Tennessee coal country.

Anna May Jones is the daughter of a coal miner, but a sickly constitution has kept her confined to the house for most of her life. Hoping to improve her daughter’s health—and lessen the burden on their family—Anna's mother sends her to live with her Aunt Jinny, a witchy-woman and an Elemental Master, in a holler outside of Ducktown.
 
As she settles into her new life, Anna learns new skills at Aunt Jinny’s side and discovers that she, too, has a gift for Elemental magic that Jinny calls “the Glory”. She also receives lessons from a mysterious and bewitching woman named Jolene, who assures her that, with time, Anna could become even more powerful than her aunt.
 
But with Anna’s increasing power comes increasing notice. Billie McDaran, the foreman of the Ducktown mine, begins to take an interest in Anna and her abilities—even though Anna has already fallen in love with a young man with a talent for stonecarving.
 
If she wants to preserve the life she has come to love, Anna must use her newfound powers to oppose the foreman and protect those around her.

Jolene by Mercedes Lackey is expected out December 1st, 2020 from DAW.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like the sound of it. Set in the South with witchy women sells it. And Mercedes Lackey is a talented writer.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

The beloved Elemental Masters series moves to America for the first time in a rich retelling of The Queen of the Copper Mountain, set against the backdrop of Tennessee coal country.

Anna May Jones is the daughter of a coal miner, but a sickly constitution has kept her confined to the house for most of her life. Hoping to improve her daughter’s health—and lessen the burden on their family—Anna’s mother sends her to live with her Aunt Jinny, a witchy-woman and an Elemental Master, in a holler outside of Ducktown.
 
As she settles into her new life, Anna learns new skills at Aunt Jinny’s side and discovers that she, too, has a gift for Elemental magic that Jinny calls “the Glory”. She also receives lessons from a mysterious and bewitching woman named Jolene, who assures her that, with time, Anna could become even more powerful than her aunt.
 
But with Anna’s increasing power comes increasing notice. Billie McDaran, the foreman of the Ducktown mine, begins to take an interest in Anna and her abilities—even though Anna has already fallen in love with a young man with a talent for stonecarving.
 
If she wants to preserve the life she has come to love, Anna must use her newfound powers to oppose the foreman and protect those around her.