Book Review: The Wind on Her Tongue by Anita Kopacz

 

From the publisher:

In this lyrical and stirring companion to the “spellbinding” (Harper’s Bazaar) Shallow Waters, Oya—the Yoruban deity of the weather—is brought to life during 1870s America. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Sun.

Born in Cuba after her mother Yemaya’s adventures in the New World, Oya has inherited otherworldly powers from her Yoruba Orisha lineage. While Yemaya is known for her healing abilities, Oya’s influence over the storm proves to be destructive, posing a threat to her mother and the island’s safety.

Sent to New Orleans to study under Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo, Oya begins a journey across the still young America, encountering a myriad of historical figures, including Mary Ellen Pleasant, Jesse James, Lew Hing, and more.

As Oya navigates the landscapes of racism, colorism, and classism, she grapples with her own identity and powers, striving to find her place in a fraught and complex society. A moving, vivid exploration of resilience, heritage, and the enduring spirit of a young woman coming into her own, The Wind on Her Tongue transports you to a world where magic and reality intertwine.

The Wind on Her Tongue by Anita Kopacz was published January 21, 2025 by Atria/Black Privilege Publishing.

My Thoughts:

It's an interesting story. Oya needs to learn how to control her great gift. Marie Laveau guides her with help from a set of twins. And then she is drawn to make a cross country journey.

I liked the book, but I liked the first part where Oya was in New Orleans better than the latter part of the book. It seemed richer in description. Later on, it felt more superficial to me. The story in San Francisco didn't seem as well described as the part in New Orleans until close to the end.

Otherwise, it was interesting to see how Oya learned to control her gift and what she could do with it once it was under control. Told from Oya's point of view, the voice was like a whisper in your ear for much of the book. It was as if she was telling you the story over a cup of tea. And it was interesting to get some of the bits about her mother. I didn't read the first book, but this seems to work as a standalone and also as a continuation. And, I felt the ending was a little abrupt. It came at a logical point in the story, but just seemed to come quickly. I suppose it paves the way for either more about her in another book or sets up the next book to be about the next generation.

I gave this book 4 stars. I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy magical realism stories. And I would also recommend it to people who like their magic to occur in historical settings. 

Have you read it? What did you think? Drop a line in the comments and share your thoughts with us.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not influence my review. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Book Review: Nightmare of a Trip by Maureen Kilmer

 

From the publisher:

This is one family getaway they’ll never forget . . .

Leigh Somerset wants to spend some quality time with her kids before they grow up, and her husband has always fancied himself sort of a Clark Griswold figure. So the Somersets will be spending their family vacation on the road, driving from suburban Milwaukee to Orlando, Florida. Already off to a rocky start, they stumble upon an abandoned, half-burned down farmhouse in Indiana, and the Somersets inadvertently unleash an eerie history that will follow them the rest of their trip.

From creepy indoor waterparks to paranormally plagued Cracker Barrels, it’s one thing after another in the pursuit of the great American summer road trip. Will the Somersets be able to shake these bad vibes and get on with the family bonding? Or will the road less traveled quite literally become the highway to hell?

Nightmare of a Trip by Maureen Kilmer was released September 10, 2024 from G.P. Putnam"s Sons.

My Thoughts: Any long trip with your family can be a nightmare in and of itself. Then you have the added fun of being haunted by a family. If one doesn't drive you crazy, the other might. I enjoyed the book overall. There were National Lampoon's Vacation references, humor, and creepiness.I like my horror with humor, so this was a good fit for me.

"Every time you are able to find humor in a difficult situation, you win." For the bulk of the book, Leigh, Nick and the kids are able to find the humor when things go wrong. It gets harder and harder as the trip goes on. I felt that telling the story from Leigh's point of view was the best choice. As a parent, I could relate to how a threat to the family would freak her out. My minor complaint is that her husband believes everything she tells him the first time. I really expected some denial there.

The humor and the horror are both low key for the most part. It seems like everything that can go wrong will. It's one of those things where if it happened to you, you would find it funny eventually, but maybe not so much at the time. Still there were a lot of good humorous moments for us as readers. I thought that there would be a little more escalation of the horror as the story progressed. It was still good and creepy though.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a good story. It's well written. It kept my attention. And most importantly, there was humor to go with the horror. If you enjoyed her other books, you will enjoy this one as well. It's definitely worth a read.

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

Book Review: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

 

In Eleanor Dash's first book, art imitated life. Now on tour in Italy, life is imitating art. Eleanor wants to write Connor Smith out of the book series he appears in. She's plotting the demise of his character. Now it seems as though someone has it out for Connor in real life. But who? And will they stop there? Join Eleanor, Connor, a handful of other authors, and a bus load of fans to find out.

I really liked Eleanor and her sister Harper. They have a good relationship. Eleanor narrates the book and is something of an unreliable narrator. She has a lot of good snark. Being a mystery writer, she is quick to see who might have a motive for what all is going on. It's like whoever organized the tour did so to maximize conflict.

The book moves along at a good pace with murder and attempted murder. The only thing that slows it down a little is the use of footnotes. Some of them are funny or informative. I found myself just skimming them after the first few chapters. I don't think I missed much. Another plot device used was the main character breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the reader. Generally this works well, although it did slow momentum in a few places.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well written and interesting. I partially figured out what was going, but not all of it. I liked the main character breaking the fourth wall, but wasn't keen on the footnotes. I liked enough of the characters to want to know what happened to them. If you like cozies with an author for the main character and some humor, this might be a good book for you.

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack was published April 30, 2024 by Minotaur Books. This is the first book in The Vacation Mysteries series. I'm looking forward to the next book.

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

Book Review: Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer

 

From the publisher:

Nice witches finish last…

A guilt-ridden former coven is forced to tap into the magic of their past . . . if they want to stop their lives from going up in flames again.

On the outside, luxury real estate agent Sarah Nelson looks like every other mom in the suburb. But she has an edge that others don’t: She’s a witch. And no one knows . . . except her estranged ex-coven and college friends, Katrina and Alicia.

One terrible night during their freshman year, the trio accidentally burned down their dorm, and soon after they scattered. Their secret had been safe, until Sarah learns they’ve been invited back to commemorate the anniversary of the fire.

Suddenly, the magic doesn’t want to be controlled. Sarah’s orange tabby cat, Katy Purry, now argues with her. Her broom has become self-brooming, and her fridge somehow restocks thirty pounds of sliced turkey for school lunches. As it grows increasingly difficult to hide the magic and the past, Sarah, Katrina, and Alicia must harness their power together . . . before they find out if polite society still burns witches.

Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer was released September 19th, 2023 from G.P. Putnam's Sons.

My Thoughts:

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a good horror story with some humor, Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer would be a good book for you. 

Three very different friends made up a coven while they were in college. They did get some good out of it, think Sarah being able to communicate with her cat telepathically and use small magics to help her around the house and in her career. The dorm fire was a major drawback. 

Coming back together, their basic personalities haven't changed much. Magic surges and the three of them are caught in the web again. This time they are dealing with a podcast journalist who threatens to upend their lives.

I kind of wish that there was more of how the three women used to be shown. But the story still works. Two out of three of the women show character development. The third one seems stuck out of fear.

The book moves along at a decent pace. I thought the twists were well done. And I thought that the tension in the story was also done well.

Overall, it's worth a read. In particular, if you enjoyed Suburban Hell then you will enjoy this book as well. And if you like your horror with a touch of humor, you will also like this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Book Review: The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

 

From the publisher:

Most people wouldn’t buy an infamous murder house to renovate for fun . . . but Sarah Slade is not most people.

A therapist and self-help writer with all the answers, Sarah Slade has just bought a gorgeous Victorian in the community of her dreams. Turns out, you can get a killer deal on a house where someone was murdered. Plus, renovating Black Wood House makes for great blog content and a decent distraction from her failing marriage. Good thing nobody knows that her past is just as filthy as the bloodstain on her bedroom floor.

But the renovations are fast becoming a nightmare. Sarah imagined custom avocado wallpaper, massive profits, and an appreciative husband who wants to share her bed again. Instead, the neighbors hate her guts and her husband still sleeps on the couch. And though the builders attempt to cover up Black Wood’s horrifying past, a series of bizarre accidents, threatening notes, and unexplained footsteps in the attic only confirms for Sarah what the rest of the town already knew: Something is very wrong in that house.

With every passing moment, Sarah’s life spirals further out of control—and with it, her sense of reality. But as she peels back the curling wallpaper and discovers the house’s secrets, she realizes that the deadly legacy of Black Wood House has only just begun.

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin was released September 12th, 2023 from Bantam Books.

My Thoughts: 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's interesting - comes across as a gothic thriller. The plot moves along at a good clip. I haven't read a character quite like Sarah Slade before. And there are many twists that help to move the plot forward.

Sarah Slade has a shadowy past. What she has done to cause her to flee her home before this one isn't revealed all at once. It feels like she's being set up for an identity twist. As the book goes on, it becomes clear there is more to Sarah than meets the eye.

Speaking of twists, this book has many. I think I anticipated two of the twists. The rest of them surprised me right up to the final twist. This is a good thing.

It's sort of a gothic story. There are hints that the house or something in it may be a character. And there are hints that the town may be conspiring against Sarah. There is sort of a descent into madness that makes you question not only her sanity at the moment, but at every previous moment before that. There are layers to the story which just make it so much more enjoyable.

If you enjoy gothic thrillers, then this would be a good book for you. There are many surprising twists right up until the end. And it's a bit of a page turner. I give 5 out of 5 stars to this debut novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Book Review: Thief Liar Lady by D.L. Soria

 

From  the publisher:

I’m not who you think I am.

My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.

My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we wanted in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.

But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I’m in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created . . . and that could prove fatal.

There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.

My Thoughts:

i gave this book 4/5 stars.It's an interesting take on the Cinderella story. Happily Ever After isn't guaranteed. It's up to Ash aka Lady Aislinn to use her wits, charm, and magic to work towards that goal.

I thought it was interesting that magic is dependent on lustre - a substance that can be mined. How the lustre is used plus the willpower behind the spell affects the results. Ash has been using lustre to establish herself in the palace. As the book goes on, there is a shortage of lustre due to unrest among the miners. Ash must then rely on her wits and charm to continue to hold her place in the palace. Good thing her stepmother taught her how to do that as well as how to perform spells.

Overall, the book is well-written. It is slow a bit in the beginning as the stage is set. Later on, the pace picks up and maintains a good clip until the end. I found myself struggling a little in the beginning. Once I reached the point where the pace picks up I found myself reading late into the night to find out what would happen next.

I liked Ash more than her alternate persona Lady Aislinn. I think even Ash prefers to be herself than to perform as Lady Aislinn. Prince Everett who plays the role of Prince Charming falls for her as Lady Aislinn. He is next in line for the throne. Everett is okay, but the hostage prince shines. I especially liked that he has a dog that he treats quite well. 

Happily Ever After is not guaranteed. Ash, along with her stepsisters, must make it happen if they can. I had a little trouble accepting the ending. But, it is still a good ending.

Setting wise, it's a little unclear. The time period strikes me as a little medieval, but they have running water in the bathrooms. I was happy for Ash and them that it's like that, but it occasionally brought me out of the book when it was mentioned.

Overall, it's a good book. It's well written though it is a little slow in the beginning, the rest of the book makes up for it. I liked the characters I was supposed to like and didn't like the ones we are supposed to find unlikeable. There are some characters that start out in one column and end up in the other as the story progresses. This makes it more interesting. If you enjoy retellings, this is an interesting one.

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

Book Review: Ravensong by TJ Klune

 

From the publisher:

The beloved fantasy romance sensation by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, about love, loyalty, betrayal, and joy. The Bennett family has a secret: They're not just a family, they're a pack. Ravensong is Gordo Livingstone's story.

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack who left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves. It should have been enough. And it was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. In the end, they faced the beast together as a pack… and won.

Now, a year later, Gordo has found himself once again the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them. But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s crawling from within. Some bonds, no matter how strong, were made to be broken.

The Green Creek Series is for adult readers.
Now available from Tor Books.

My thoughts: 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a good followup to the first book in the series, Wolfsong. As the synopsis states, this is Gordo Livingstone's story. Some of it is his view of some of the events from Wolfsong. Most of it is about what happened after Wolfsong. 

I liked getting to know Gordo and seeing things from his point of view. He is a magic user rather than a werewolf. And he is a tether - he helps hold the wolves together so they don't lose themselves to the wolf within. I liked that Gordo grows and changes as the book goes on.

Green Creek is described again though maybe not as thoroughly as in the first book. Most of the action takes place in and around Green creek. The world building extends to the werewolves and how magic works in their world. There is a lot more about the Omega wolves in this book too. 

The book was slow to take off. It repeated some of the events from the first book, but from Gordo's point of view. Things picked up when new events began to happen. 

I still had the same nitpicky little things that bothered me about this book that bothered me about Wolfsong. So much happens to these characters, I guess I had too much empathy for them at some point and found it hard to read and a little depressing. Once again I almost DNF'd the book, but I stuck with it and was glad I did so in the end. Also the sex scene was a little too graphic for me. I am more of a fade to black kind of reader. I can understand why the author chose to include the scene, it just wasn't for me.

Overall, Ravensong is worth a read, especially if you've read Wolfsong and wondered what happened next. If you enjoy werewolf stories with some romance, then this might be a good book for you.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This didn't affect my opinion.

Book Review: Wolfsong by TJ Klune

 

From the publisher: 

The Bennett family has a secret:
They're not just a family, they're a pack.
Wolfsong is Ox Matheson's story.

Oxnard Matheson was twelve when his father taught him a lesson: Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then his father left.

Ox was sixteen when the energetic Bennett family moved in next door, harboring a secret that would change him forever. The Bennetts are shapeshifters. They can transform into wolves at will. Drawn to their magic, loyalty, and enduring friendships, Ox feels a gulf between this extraordinary new world and the quiet life he’s known, but he finds an ally in Joe, the youngest Bennett boy.

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his heart. Violence flared, tragedy split the pack, and Joe left town, leaving Ox behind. Three years later, the boy is back. Except now he’s a man – charming, handsome, but haunted – and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

The beloved fantasy romance sensation by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, about love, loyalty, betrayal, and family.

The Green Creek Series is for adult readers.

Now available from Tor Books.

My thoughts:

I gave this book 4 stars. I enjoyed reading about Ox and the Bennett pack. 

It's not a stretch at all to say Ox was my favorite character. I loved his quiet strength and the fact that he is smarter than many people assume he is.I did enjoy other characters as well, but none as much as Ox. As things turn out, he is an exceptional man. I enjoyed watching him grow and change throughout the book.

The world building was well done. Green Creek becomes a hometown not just a place for action to occur. Also the author did a good job at hinting and showng that there is something special about the area.

I found the four classes of werewolf interesting. There are of course Alphas and Betas and pack members. It's the fourth class of the Omegas - the ones lost to their wolves- that is different. They've lost control of themselves and seek out powerful wolves in an attempt to join their packs and heal. But it doesn't seem like there is any coming back from becoming an Omega.

I had two little nitpicking things that bothered me. One was that a lot happened to the Bennett pack and Ox. Sometimes I found this stressful to read and a little depressing. At those points I found it hard to go on and almost DNF'd the book. The second was that when the sex scene occurs it is rather graphic and I am more of a fade to black kind of person. I get why the author went with it the way he did, but it just wasn't for me.

Overall, it is a good book. It's worth a read. I would suggest this book to adult readers who enjoy werewolf stories with a sort of complicated romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not influence my opinion of the book.

Book Review: The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni

 

From the publisher: 

Reality and the supernatural collide when an expert puzzle maker is thrust into an ancient mystery—one with explosive consequences for the fate of humanity—in this suspenseful thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Angelology.

All the world is a puzzle, and Mike Brink—a celebrated and ingenious puzzle constructor—understands its patterns like no one else. Once a promising Midwestern football star, Brink was transformed by a traumatic brain injury that caused a rare medical condition: acquired savant syndrome. The injury left him with a mental superpower—he can solve puzzles in ways ordinary people can’t. But it also left him deeply isolated, unable to fully connect with other people.

Everything changes after Brink meets Jess Price, a woman serving thirty years in prison for murder who hasn’t spoken a word since her arrest five years before. When Price draws a perplexing puzzle, her psychiatrist believes it will explain her crime and calls Brink to solve it. What begins as a desire to crack an alluring cipher quickly morphs into an obsession with Price herself. She soon reveals that there is something more urgent, and more dangerous, behind her silence, thrusting Brink into a hunt for the truth.

The quest takes Brink through a series of interlocking enigmas, but the heart of the mystery is the God Puzzle, a cryptic ancient prayer circle created by the thirteenth-century Jewish mystic Abraham Abulafia. As Brink navigates a maze of clues, and his emotional entanglement with Price becomes more intense, he realizes that there are powerful forces at work that he cannot escape. 

Ranging from an upstate New York women’s prison to nineteenth-century Prague to the secret rooms of the Pierpont Morgan Library, The Puzzle Master is a tantalizing, addictive thriller in which humankind, technology, and the future of the universe itself are at stake.

The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni was released June 13th, 2023 by Random House.

My Thoughts: 

There's a lot going on in this book. From puzzles of different kinds, historical happenings, haunted dolls and golems, and quantum computers and cryptocurrency, there is so much covered in this book. But, the author manages to pull it off. I have to admit, my eyes glazed over a little at some points because of the amount of detail. At those points I skimmed a little to get the gist of what was happening. There weren't many parts like that though.

I also skimmed ahead a little reading some of the parts with the dog. I was worried for the dog and needed to know what would happen to it before I could go back and read what all was going on with the people. The inclusion of the dog seemed to do two things. It helped to humanize Mike Brink. And it ratcheted up tension a little. Frankly, I could have done without the inclusion of the dog, no matter how cute the name Conundrum is for a puzzle master's dog. Honestly, I had to look ahead because I was on the verge of DNF'ing the book because of the inclusion of the dog. But, because of the way things worked out, I was able to go on and finish and enjoy the book.

My favorite characters in the book were the lead character Mike Brink and the Kabbalah expert. The rest of the characters were ok. Cam Putney and Jameson Sedge played good villains.

Generally, the book moved along at a decent pace. Things were explained along the way as part of what was going on. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it to people who enjoy thrillers with both a supernatural and technical aspect. The supernatural aspect appealed more to me than the technical parts.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. 

Book Review: Old Ghouls by Alex A. King

 

From the publisher:

As the owner of Finders Keepers, a business dedicated to finding solutions, gifts, and information that's eager to remain buried, Allie Callas has been desperate for a shot at playing Indiana Jones. Today is her lucky day. She’s got the hat. She’s got the backpack. She’s got the map with an X on it. And now she’s rummaging around in the bushes on a remote and nameless island for a clay pineapple. The job is a dubious success until the handover. One slip of a foot and the Greek island of Merope suddenly has a growing zombie problem.

If zombies aren’t enough to keep Allie busy, she’s been hired to clear a serial killer’s name. All evidence points to Greece’s favorite weatherman’s guilt, but his annoyingly attractive conman cousin insists she can find anything—even if that anything is nothing.

His logic is excruciating.

Allie might have an uncontrollable eye twitch, but she’s determined to enjoy the Christmas lights with her honey, Detective Leo Samaras, and to find a forever home for the enormous dog that’s taking over her home and heart. Although it's starting to look like she could use a sidekick with teeth.

My Thoughts:

This is book 7 in the Greek Ghouls Mysteries series. I still enjoyed reading it. The series is full of outlandish happenings and paranormal activity. A good example of this is that Allie's dead grandmother is hanging around and Allie can see her.

This time around though there are more paranormal beings. We learn more about the man in black. And there are zombies. Some of the zombies are an improvement on the person before they died. 

I enjoyed reading about Allie and her crazy life. I like that her relationship with Detective Leo Samaras is heating up. She is a good aunt to her nephew and niece who are also blessed with the ability to see dead people. Her sister still has trouble dealing with all this. There's not a lot of character development in this book, but there will be opportunities for growth in the next addition to the series. 

It's frustrating to have to wait for the next book. This one had a bit of a cliffhanger ending. Otherwise, the plot moved along at a good pace. The cliffhanger ending is the only reason I couldn't give it 5 out of 5 stars. Honestly, I hate it when authors use that as a hook.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the characters and the madcap adventures of Allie and her four-legged companion. I love the humor in the book and the interactions between characters. I would recommend this series and book to people who enjoy humorous paranormal mysteries. And I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Book Review: Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa

 

From the publisher:

Boardwalk Empire meets The Vanishing Half with a touch of earth magic in this sexy and action-packed historical fantasy set in the luminous Golden Twenties from debut author Desideria Mesa, where a part-time reporter and club owner takes on crooked city councilmen, mysterious and deadly mobsters, and society’s deeply rooted sexism and racism, all while keeping her true identity and magical abilities hidden—inspired by an ancient Mexican folktale.

Yo soy quien soy. I am who I am.

Luna—or depending on who’s asking, Rose—is the white-passing daughter of an immigrant mother who has seen what happens to people from her culture. This world is prejudicial, and she must hide her identity in pursuit of owning an illegal jazz club. Using her cunning powers, Rose negotiates with dangerous criminals as she climbs up Kansas City’s bootlegging ladder. Luna, however, runs the risk of losing everything if the crooked city councilmen and ruthless mobsters discover her ties to an immigrant boxcar community that secretly houses witches. Last thing she wants is to put her entire family in danger.

But this bruja with ever-growing magical abilities can never resist a good fight. With her new identity, Rose, an unabashed flapper, defies societal expectations all the while struggling to keep her true self and witchcraft in check. However, the harder she tries to avoid scrutiny, the more her efforts eventually capture unwanted attention. Soon, she finds herself surrounded by greed and every brand of bigotry—from local gangsters who want a piece of the action and businessmen who hate her diverse staff to the Ku Klux Klan and Al Capone. Will her earth magic be enough to save her friends and family? As much as she hates to admit it, she may need to learn to have faith in others—and learning to trust may prove to be her biggest ambition yet.

My thoughts:

Luna is a strong female protagonist. This is very much her story. And while I didn't like all the choices she made, I did like her overall. 

I found Luna's magic as well as her grandmother's magic interesting. Her grandmother is capable of bigger acts of magic than Luna at the moment, but she encourages Luna to practice and learn to better use her magic. I liked that family ties were a strong part of the book. And that magic was accepted as a natural part of the world.

I was surprised at Luna owning a club as Rosa. It would be difficult because she was a woman. And then she also employed minorities like her own brother. There were men who wanted to take control of her club and barring success, they wanted to put her out of business. And there were good men as well who helped her to set new goals and meet them. But, it is a dangerous world she lives and works in. I was a little surprised at the appearance of the KKK, but in retrospect, they would have probably thought Luna would be an easy target.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I gave it 4 stars out of 5. I liked the characters associated with Luna in general. I enjoyed seeing how her choices turned out. And I liked the way she weathered the struggles she faced.

If you like stories with a strong, magical female protagonist and stories that are set in the 1920s, then this would be a good book for you.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Book Review: Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer

 

From the publisher: 

A Chicago cul-de-sac is about to get a new neighbor...of the demonic kind.

    Amy Foster considers herself lucky. After she left the city and moved to the suburbs, she found her place quickly with neighbors Liz, Jess, and Melissa, snarking together from the outskirts of the PTA crowd. One night during their monthly wine get-together, the crew concoct a plan for a clubhouse She Shed in Liz’s backyard—a space for just them, no spouses or kids allowed.
 
    But the night after they christen the She Shed, things start to feel . . . off. They didn’t expect Liz’s little home-improvement project to release a demonic force that turns their quiet enclave into something out of a nightmare. And that’s before the homeowners’ association gets wind of it.
 
    Even the calmest moms can’t justify the strange burn marks, self-moving dolls, and horrible smells surrounding their possessed friend, Liz. Together, Amy, Jess, and Melissa must fight the evil spirit to save Liz and the neighborhood . . . before the suburbs go completely to hell.

My thoughts:

The story is told from Amy's point of view. Once Liz has been possessed, it's Amy's drive that keeps the ladies going seeking a way to save her. And while all this is going on, she somehow volunteered to organize a school carnival. Amy is a devoted parent, spouse, and friend. 

The book is well-written. The plot moves along at a good rate. There's plenty going on. And in addition there is building suspense and a good dose of humor.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I love the combination of horror and humor. It made me think of both The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and the program Desperate Housewives. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy light horror with a good infusion of humor. I will definitely be looking for Maureen Kilmer's next book.

Suburban Hell is expected out August 30th, 2022 from G.P. Putnam's Sons.

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

Book Review: Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian

 

From the publisher: 

An impossible crime. A family legacy. The intrigue of hidden rooms and secret staircases.

After a disastrous accident derails Tempest Raj’s career, and life, she heads back to her childhood home in California to comfort herself with her grandfather’s Indian home-cooked meals. Though she resists, every day brings her closer to the inevitable: working for her father’s company. Secret Staircase Construction specializes in bringing the magic of childhood to all by transforming clients’ homes with sliding bookcases, intricate locks, backyard treehouses, and hidden reading nooks.

When Tempest visits her dad’s latest renovation project, her former stage double is discovered dead inside a wall that’s supposedly been sealed for more than a century. Fearing she was the intended victim, it’s up to Tempest to solve this seemingly impossible crime. But as she delves further into the mystery, Tempest can’t help but wonder if the Raj family curse that’s plagued her family for generations—something she used to swear didn’t exist—has finally come for her.

My thoughts: 

I think it's worth a read. It's the first book in a new series and can be read as a standalone. It's a cozy locked room mystery. Gigi Pandian writes this sort of story well.

I had a little trouble getting into the story, but it was worth it. I didn't anticipate the who or why of the mystery. And I'm still a little foggy on the how. But, a magician never shares her secrets.

The concept of a contracting company that specializes in making secret rooms and staircases is interesting. The company is Tempest's Dad's bread and butter. Their home is full of these types of things. 

I liked the characters. Tempest grew up in a very nurturing multi generational home. If you've read her Jaya Jones series, you will recognize Sanjay the Hindi Houdini. And I liked that some of the characters actually showed growth before the end of the book.

All in all, it's an interesting mystery and a good start to a new series. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. If you've enjoyed other works by Gigi Pandian you will most likely enjoy this book. I would also recommend it to people who enjoy locked room mysteries. This book was published March 15th, 2022 by Minotaur Books.

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

Book Review: Demon Hunting with a Southern Sheriff by Lexi George

 

From the publisher: 

Rowdy rednecks. Shifty shapeshifters. Deadly demon hunters.

THIS TOWN'S GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL.

With its cross-cultural mix of good ol' boys, big bad wolves, and otherworldly beings, Behr County is the last place you'd want to be a cop. But for Sheriff Dev Whitsun, it's Sweet Home Alabama—and he plans to keep it that way. Famous last words. When a gruesome shifter massacre rocks the community, the sexy sheriff needs more than a badge and a few silver bullets. He needs the help of an immortal demon hunter. Her name is Arta, High Huntress of the Kirvahni. Whatever that means. Dev is no position to be picky about partners right now. But when Arta turns out to be the one female he could really fall for, Dev knows he's in for one hell of a ride. God help them all . . .

My thoughts: Welcome to Hannah, Alabama where the supers live alongside the norms but try to keep that part of their identity hidden. Shapeshifters, gods, goddesses, demon hunters and more reside there. 

There are a lot of characters in this book. Being as this was my first book in the series and it was book 6, there were quite a few mentioned that I didn’t know. I found I needed to focus on the main characters for this book and let the rest kind of slide. That way I was able to enjoy the book. If you’d read other books in the series, this might not be an issue.

The characters are interesting. There is a lot of good banter. Some characters speak in a Southern dialect. Others speak a more medieval type dialect full of thees and thous. At first I found this annoying. Later on it helped keep straight who was talking. And I’m not a big fan of insta-love, but it seemed to be in the nature of some of the characters. 

Overall, I gave it 4 stars out of 5. It’s got a fast moving plot. You want to know what happens next. And the characters are interesting. If you’ve read the earlier books, it might be easier to understand some of what goes on. Still if you like your urban fantasy with romance, this would be a good series to try.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Quarter Storm by Veronica G. Henry

 

From the publisher:

Haitian-American Vodou priestess Mambo Reina Dumond runs a healing practice from her New Orleans home. Gifted with water magic since she was a child, Reina is devoted to the benevolent traditions of her ancestors.

After a ritual slaying in the French Quarter, police arrest a fellow vodouisant. Detective Roman Frost, Reina’s ex-boyfriend—a fierce nonbeliever—is eager to tie the crime, and half a dozen others, to the Vodou practitioners of New Orleans. Reina resolves to find the real killer and defend the Vodou practice and customs, but the motives behind the murder are deeper and darker than she imagines.

As Reina delves into the city’s shadows, she untangles more than just the truth behind a devious crime. It’s a conspiracy. As a killer wields dangerous magic to thwart Reina’s investigation, she must tap into the strength of her own power and faith to solve a mystery that threatens to destroy her entire way of life.

My Thoughts: 

I like the character of Reina. She believes strongly in what she does. She has a good nature and wants to help and guide people for the best possible outcome. She gets tied into a murder because a woman visits her the day before it happens. Reina feels a strong need to get involved and find the truth. 

The plot involves a lot of investigation and deduction on Reina's part. The other characters she interacts with are interesting, but I can't say I liked her ex much. I enjoyed the parts with Vodou and Reina's magic. The plot slows occasionally during the investigation, but overall progresses at a good rate. 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It has interesting characters, a good plot, and makes interesting use of magic and Vodou. I look forward to the next book in the series. 

Book Review: Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne

 

From Goodreads:

There’s only one Al MacBharrais: Though other Scotsmen may have dramatic mustaches and a taste for fancy cocktails, Al also has a unique talent. He’s a master of ink and sigil magic. In his gifted hands, paper and pen can work wondrous spells. 

But Al isn’t quite alone: He is part of a global network of sigil agents who use their powers to protect the world from mischievous gods and strange monsters. So when a fellow agent disappears under sinister circumstances in Australia, Al leaves behind the cozy pubs and cafes of Glasgow and travels to the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria to solve the mystery.

The trail to his colleague begins to pile up with bodies at alarming speed, so Al is grateful his friends have come to help—especially Nadia, his accountant who moonlights as a pit fighter. Together with a whisky-loving hobgoblin known as Buck Foi and the ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, along with his dogs, Oberon and Starbuck, Al and Nadia will face down the wildest wonders Australia—and the supernatural world—can throw at them, and confront a legendary monster not seen in centuries.

My thoughts:

It's a good book. It's well-written. This is book two in The Ink and Sigil Series. It picks up close to where book one left off.

I liked the world building. It's an interesting Australian setting. How things work is consistent with book one. You might be able to read this as a standalone, but having read book one will give you some idea of what to expect and how things work.

The characters are varied from human to definitely not human. Al's receptionist, Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, makes an appearance in a couple of places. There is more to her than meets the eye. Not everyone is exactly what they seem to be. Nadia has a large part to play in this book as in book one. We learn more about some of the characters through stories told by them during a lull. Al learns a little more about the curse(s) affecting him. He is especially mindful now that he knows it can cost the life of someone working for him.

Plot wise, it's pretty good. it moves along at a somewhat steady pace. There is a lull, but it's filled with stories that tell more about the characters. After the lull, action picks up quite a bit.

The story is resolved well. It's set up to make you look forward to the next book without being a cliffhanger. There is still plenty to explore with this cast of characters.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy as well as those who enjoy Kevin Hearne's writing.

Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne is being released today, August 10th, 2021 by Del Rey Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A. Harwood

 

Eleanor aka Ella was once treated like the daughter of the woman of the house. But things changed drastically when Mrs. Pembroke died and Mr.Pembroke became her guardian. Ella was sent below stairs. All of her privileges removed, she worked hard as a housemaid. Her hands become red, dry, and cracked from the hard work. 

Ella's one pleasure is when she sneaks into the library late at night and reads. Books transport her away from reality. And it is here she meets the shadow woman. The shadow woman comes across as some type of fairy godmother at first, but as things progress there are elements of Faustian type stories. For every wish Eleanor makes, there is a terrible price. And if she makes all the offered wishes, she will pay the ultimate price of her soul.

This story is definitely gothic in nature. The atmosphere is dark, grimy Victorian London. Even Granborough house is dark and crumbling. There is a perceived innocent and paranormal elements. And there is much mystery. 

The book is well plotted generally. It is a little slow in parts, but makes up for that later. 

I kind of liked Eleanor at first. As the book goes on, it gets a little harder to like her even if it is easy to understand why she would make some of the choices she does. Some of the other characters are hateable - Mr. Pembroke, for example. Some more likable, think Charles Pembroke.

Overall, the book is well written. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but it fits. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's definitely an interesting take on a Cinderella story. It's worth the read. 

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

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.

Review: Life and Limb by Jennifer Roberson

Gabe and Remi grew up in very different places but with one similarity - the man they knew as Grandaddy. He taught Gabe to shoot and Remi to throw knives. And he told them things they would need to know that they would forget in the short term, but remember someday when they needed it most. He was preparing them for a coming war between good and evil.

Gabe and Remi are summoned to a bar in Northern Arizona where Grandaddy explains to the boys, now men, that they will be working together to fight in this war. On their path they will meet others who work for good as well as those who are ambiguous and others who are downright evil.

Grandaddy also explained that all of those fictional things from folklore, religions, and mythology are real - both good and evil. Among others they meet the Morrigan from Celtic mythology and an African god who talks to volcanoes.

I liked Gabe and Remi. Their struggles as they begin to work together make them sympathetic. I also liked the character of the Morrigan. She was no nonsense and just what they needed exposure to.

There is plenty of adventure. Plotwise it works well except for the occasional info dumps that slow things down a little. They have plenty of opposition to help them grow as characters.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It has an interesting premise. The main characters are sympathetic. I enjoyed the folklore and mythology bits. I liked the occasional humor as well. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but not terribly so. I will most likely read the next book. I do want to know what happens. I recommend this book for fans of urban fantasy with a supernatural bent.

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

Book Review: Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen

Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Andrew Yancy used to be a detective. These days he detects things that would shut down restaurants. He also spends some of his time trying to find his way into his previous boss's good graces hoping he will be reinstated to the force.

In this edition of Andrew's life, he has his hands more than full with a variety of characters such as Merry the razor girl who bumps a car into his life while shaving her bikini area. There's also Buck Nance, the star of a "reality" show where he plays at being a redneck raising roosters for their feathers to tie flies. Benny, aka Blister, who idolizes Buck to an extreme. Add in a mafia boss and his girlfriend. And a lawyer addicted to the product of the company he is suing. And more. The characters are wild. The specific combination really makes the book.

While the book might be a little slow in parts, overall it moves at a decent pace. Between the characters and the deft somewhat increasingly complicated plotting, it kept my attention.

I really enjoyed this humorous, offbeat tale. If you're looking for an unusual book with a sense of humor that defies being placed in one genre, this could be a good book for you. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.



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