The Séance Garden: A Novel by Juliet Blackwell

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

New book alert! I just started reading this paranormal mystery for Summerween and must say, I am intrigued. I am really enjoying getting to know Harper and the town of Monterey. I can't wait to find out what happens next! 

Anyhow, I just wanted to alert you to this great new novel by Juliet Blackwell and provide a bit of information about it so that you will be enticed to grab a copy of your own. Here goes:

"After a cheesy ghost tour in one of California’s oldest towns stumbles upon an actual haunting, a skeptical historian of the occult becomes entangled in solving a murder case.

When Professor Harper Grae loses a bet with a friend, she finds herself on a local nighttime tour of “haunted” locations in Monterey. Harper’s a lifelong non-believer in the occult, though her academic career is devoted to the historical and societal significance of witchcraft, ghosts, and medicinal poisons of all sorts. But her skepticism immediately gets tested when the tour stumbles on the body of local artist Delilah Mason—who’s found murdered on the grounds of a nearly two-hundred-year-old mansion, once home to the infamous Perles family.

On the night Mason’s body is found, Harper catches sight of something in the house that she can’t shake, something that’s impossible to explain, at least not rationally. Soon the murder investigation reveals that this is the second time a woman has been found murdered beneath a sprawling cypress tree in the gardens of the Perles Mansion. And when Harper’s closest friend is questioned by the police, Harper fears the authorities will fail to uncover the real killer.

As Harper asks questions around town and digs deeper into the supernatural speculation and rumors surrounding the murders—two women killed in similar circumstances, separated by nearly two centuries —she sees evidence she can’t ignore that the notorious mansion truly is haunted by the ghost of Isabel Perles. 

What will it cost Harper to rethink everything she’s always believed to admit that the veil between the living and the dead might actually be crossed?"

How exciting does that sound? I always love these sleuthing mysteries - they make for such a fun time. Anyhow, I'm off to continue reading more - I'm still feeling under the weather, so reading all day sounds perfect. 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Unfathomable Curse: An Undetectables Mystery #3 by Courtney Smyth

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A witty, witchy fantasy murder mystery packed with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles. When Cornelia’s twin sisters are taken by the Wickermere Reaper, Mallory, Diana and Theodore must race against time to uncover the buried secrets of the Broadwicks before it’s too late. Perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries and cosy crime by authors such as Ben Aaranovitch, Josiah Bancroft and Tammie Painter.

The summer after the events of The Undead Complex, the unthinkable finally happens – Cornelia’s money is running out. Estranged from her family, furious at her parents following recent revelations, the Broadwick heir finds herself living on her own resources for the first time.

Meanwhile two crimes are rocking the Apparent community. The Wrackton Digger is stealing bodies from the cemetery, and a new serial killer – the Wickermere Reaper – has emerged. But when the Reaper snatches their next victims – Cornelia’s twin sisters – she must return to her family’s home, and seat of the Ghoul Council, to conduct the search.

With their resources split, and a ticking clock on the race to save the twins, The Undetectables must do what they do best – solve the strangest, most well-hidden magical mysteries to save the people they love.

my thoughts:

Book 3 is out today! Hurrah! I'm so excited to share about this fantastic book, The Unfathomable Curse, in Courtney Smyth's unforgettable and unputdownable series, An Undetectables Mystery.  

Think murder mystery with magic - how intriguing doest that sound?! There are witches, vampires, and other magical beings throughout this story and they all make for quite the eclectic cast of characters. And the story itself is chockfull of thrilling and chilling drama - a grave digger, a serial killer, the Ghoul Council, and of course, the Undetectables; along with the usual everyday struggles in life - finances and health. Plus, the writing is top notch - it's smart, captivating, and emotionally moving. I loved it! 

I would happily recommend The Unfathomable Curse to fans of the series, but also to everyone else looking for a new great read - you can definitely read this book as a standalone. However, I advise reading the first two, because they are amazing and you won't want to miss out. So, make sure to grab a copy ASAP!  Happy reading!

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Hollow And The Haunted by Camilla Raines

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

In this darkly magical, romantic YA fantasy debut, a closeted teenage psychic in small-town Washington foresees the death of his sworn enemy, and is forced to work with him to save his life. Sparks fly, but the dead are restless, and some ghosts don't want to stay buried...

Perfect for fans of The Raven Cycle, Cemetery Boys and Sixteen Souls.

Sixteen-year-old Miles Warren hails from a long line of psychics. Resigned to a life in the (not especially profitable) family business, Miles is perfectly happy, thank you very much―except for the part where he's constantly exhausted from long nights digging up graves, hiding his sexuality from his family, and unable to fulfil his dream of going to art school one day. Perfectly happy.

But Miles' comfortable routine is interrupted when has a premonition of a violent supernatural murder. He soon discovers that the victim is none other than Gabriel Hawthorne, whose family have a mysterious, decades-long feud with Miles' own. Gabriel is everything Miles expects from a Hawthorne―rude, snobbish, and irritatingly good-looking―but Miles isn't just going to stand by and let someone murder him. The two form an uneasy alliance, trying to solve Gabriel's murder and prevent it from taking place.

The odds are against them; death premonitions are notoriously hard to alter. As they uncover secrets about their families' feud and dark magic swirls around the pair, Miles is horrified to realize that he doesn't hate Gabriel as much as he's supposed to. He might even like him.

Too bad Gabriel is almost certainly going to die.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a fantastic story! I loved Camilla Raines novel, The Hollow And The Haunted - it was such a fun treat to read. 

Miles and Gabriel aren't friends. In fact, their families are feuding. And yet, they have agreed to work together to solve a murder...Gabriel's murder. Yep, turns out that Miles is psychic and he's had a premonition of Gabriel's impending violent death. Yikes! So, the two have joined forced to find out how they can prevent Gabriel from dying. The only thing is that stopping death isn't easy. Oh, and the more they work together, the more they find out about their families' decades long feud, which definitely leads to secret up on secret being revealed. Plus, the more time that Miles spends with Gabriel, he starts to seem him a new light...a romantic one. And, that is all I will share. Well, except for the fact that there will be a second book - hurrah!

Raines has written a terrific story. There's family drama, love, secrets, magic, and so much more - you will fall in deep with this unforgettable cast of characters.  And the story is captivating - you will be caught up in it right from the start. The Hollow And The Haunted is a must-read for everyone looking for their next supernatural YA story - make sure to grab a copy ASAP!

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Currently reading...

I wanted something fun to kick off the new reading year, so I went for Lisa Unger's latest novel, The New Couple In 5B. It's a mystery thriller set in a historic NYC building and it oozes with creepy vibes - I'm loving it! The book will be released March 5th. And, I just know that Unger's fans are going to LOVE reading all about the Lowans. 

And now, I'm off to find out what happens next once Rosie and Chad move into the Windermere. 

Hope you are having a terrific Monday morning.  Happy reading!

Thank you to HarperCollins for my advanced copy of this book!

Whispers At Dusk: The Blackbird Trilogy, Volume One by Heather Graham

 

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

When darkness falls, there’s nowhere to hide.

Four bodies have been discovered along Europe’s riverbanks, placed with care—and completely drained of blood. Pinpricks on their throats indicate a slender murder weapon, but DNA found in the wounds suggests something far more sinister. Tasked with investigating, the FBI recruits Agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter to Blackbird, an international offshoot of the Krewe of Hunters. If you want to catch a vampire killer, you need agents who can speak with the dead. 

The pair travel to Norway, where the shadowy forests of Lillehammer reveal a gruesome scene. The killer is thirsty for more victims, and the bloodless trail soon leads Della and Mason to a group that believes drinking blood is the key to immortality. To catch the culprit of such an intimate crime, the agents will have to get close. Mason’s already lost one partner; he’s not ready to risk Della as bait. But sometimes justice requires a sacrifice…

my thoughts:

Heather Graham is back with a new series, The Blackbird Trilogy. Whispers At Dusk is the first book and it is a thrilling and exciting read. I loved cozying up with it on a rainy night. What a great story!

Okay, so what's it about? FBI agents who can 'see' and talk to ghosts. Yep, Agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter are tasked with heading up the Blackbird Team, which is part of the Krewe of Hunters. And, they are going international. This new case will have them heading to Norway to hunt down a serial killer 

who may or may not be a vampire. And, they'll need the help of the dead to capture the 'undead'. Yikes! How awesome does that sound? 

Graham has created a great cast and terrifying adventures for them to tangle with. I loved getting to know Della and Mason - their chemistry was fantastic! And, I really enjoyed traveling all over with them - talk about action-packed! What a fun ride!

I would happily recommend Whispers At Dusk to fans of Heather Graham and to anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this new series! Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Vampire Weekend: A Novel by Mike Chen

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Being a vampire is far from glamorous...but it can be pretty punk rock.

Everything you've heard about vampires is a lie. They can't fly. No murders allowed (the community hates that). And turning into a bat? Completely ridiculous. In fact, vampire life is really just a lot of blood bags and night jobs. For Louise Chao, it's also lonely, since she swore off family ages ago.

At least she's gone to decades of punk rock shows. And if she can join a band of her own (while keeping her...situation under wraps), maybe she'll finally feel like she belongs, too.

Then a long-lost teenage relative shows up at her door. Whether it's Ian's love of music or his bad attitude, for the first time in ages, Louise feels a connection.

But as Ian uncovers Louise's true identity, things get dangerous--especially when he asks her for the ultimate favor. One that goes beyond just family...one that might just change everything vampires know about life and death forever.

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved this family-centric tome about vampires. In Mike Chen's latest novel, Vampire Weekend, we get punk rock music lover, Louise Chao, who happens to be a vampire. She LOVES concerts, wants to join a band, drinks blood from blood bags, works nights, and is pretty lonely. Yep, she's all alone since she fled from her family ages ago. Except, now, a long lost nephew has shown up and her life has grown complicated. First, there's a blood shortage, so she's had to join an app. Second, a vampire seems to have taken an interest in Louise. Third, her nephew has figured out her BIG secret - vampirism. Fourth, he wants a HUGE favor. And, that is all I will write about this fun and engaging story.  Just know that the writing is engaging and entertaining; the characters are intriguing; and the story itself will have you hooked right from the start - family drama is always a MUST-READ. 

Make sure to check out Vampire Weekend - you are going to fall in LOVE with this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Big Bad: A Novel by Lily Anderson

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Demondale, Callifornia, 1999...Like Sunnydale, but a whole lot more evil. 

Step into this alternate reality, where chaos reigns supreme. The Mayor’s sun-shade has created permanent darkness over Sunnydale, fully opening the Hellmouth once and for all. Now the newly christened Demondale has become a safe haven for vampires, beasts, and all types of ruffians. It's never been better to be bad.

Aspiring supervillains (and super nerds) Jonathan and Andrew attempt to hold their own in a town full of monsters, while three-hundred-year-old vengeance demon Anya is just looking for something to give her life purpose again, spending her days working at an evil juice bar. But soon word gets out that there’s a new Big Bad on the scene, one more powerful and more destructive than anyone who has come before. She, of course, is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And she’s hell-bent on rooting out all of this reality's evil by any means necessary. 

Now Jonathan, Andrew, and Anya must recruit a team of Demondale’s most notorious villains—including Angelus, Spike, Drusilla, and even Ripper the malevolent magic shop owner—in order to save their world. But it’ll be no easy feat to put their pride and differences aside and stop the worst thing that has ever come to town: good. 

Written by acclaimed author and Buffy super fan Lily Anderson, this novel brings together Buffy's most devious and beloved villains from the Trio to the Whirlwind to Anya, Glory, and Vampire Willow. This is one apocalypse Buffy fans are not going to want to miss!

my thoughts:

A book about Buffy the Vampire Slayer - how could I resist? I loved that show! The vampires! The Hellmouth! The magic! Willow, Zander, Cordelia, Angel, and Giles - loved them all! Such a fun and thrilling series! I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of Lily Anderson's book, Big Bad. A book that takes us to an alternate reality called Demondale where evil rules - seriously, how could I not read this book!?! And, the Big Bad being Buffy - say what?! How awesome is that idea? I loved it! Buffy will have to face off against all of the evil in Demondale - can she handle it? Will she prevail? Or will familiar foes finally defeat the Big Bad? As if I would even have to query that ridiculous notion, right? I mean, c'mon, she's the Slayer. Her name says it all, right? Anyhow, I was thrilled to sit down and read Big Bad - what a fun and entertaining treat! Talk about a nostalgic read. Made me want to re-watch Buffy for the umpteenth time. 

I just loved this book so much! Demondale is thriving, as it would where evil is concerned. Anya is trying to figure out how to make her life have purpose, whilst Jonathan and Andrew want to make a name for themselves. Vampires and demons play by their own rules. It's a lawless world. And it's so interesting to read all about it from their perspectives. Of course, things change once Buffy makes her appearance. Yep, it's the best to see her be the Big Bad in Demondale's world. Such a fun twist! Plus, who doesn't love it when Buffy kicks butt - fighting evil left and right. I really loved this book - it was so much fun to read!

I would definitely recommend Big Bad to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - you will LOVE this book to bits!! Make sure to check it out, because you won't want to miss out!!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!
 

The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Enchanting, mysterious, and deeply romantic, The Lighthouse follows a young woman's breathtaking journey far from home to discover where she truly belongs.

Something strange is happening in Seabrook. The town's lighthouse–dormant for over thirty years and famously haunted–has inexplicably started shining, and its mysterious glow is sparking feverish gossip throughout the spooked community.

Amy Tucker is only visiting for the night and has no plans to get caught up in the hysteria, but that changes when she meets Ryan, the loyal, hard-working son of a ranch owner who lives on the outskirts of town.

Their chance encounter turns into an unforgettable weekend, and against the backdrop of the lighthouse-obsessed town, the two of them forge a deep connection, opening their hearts, baring their souls, and revealing secrets long kept hidden.

But as they grow closer, and as the lighthouse glows ever brighter, a startling discovery about Ryan leaves Amy questioning everything she thought she knew. To uncover the truth about her new friend, Amy will need to enter Seabrook’s ominous tower, where waiting inside she will not only find the reason why fate has brought them together… but a shocking secret that will change the course of their lives forever.

"...smart, suspenseful, and briskly paced work... Parker offers plenty of heart, including messages about how love can conquer the unknown." - Kirkus Reviews

"Bloody amazing. The Lighthouse will have you laughing then weeping. I couldn't put it down." - Tina Shaw, author of The Children's Pond

"A meditative look at moving through grief. Parker's debut novel is a work of character-driven magical realism dealing with themes of filial love, grief, and existence in the liminal space between life and death. Readers who follow its mysterious light will be rewarded with intriguing twists and lovable characters." - Booklife

my thoughts: 

Wow! What a wonderful story. I LOVED The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker. It was magical, enchanting, and such a treat to read. 

In Seabrook, there is a lighthouse that is said to be haunted and long forgotten. Except, suddenly that lighthouse is starting to glow. Say what? Yep, it's glowing, it's shining, and no one seems to know why.  Amy's in Seabrook for the night and hears all the hysteria and gossip surrounding the lighthouse.  She decides to ignore all the hype and keep to herself, but then she meets Ryan.  He's a local who's father has a ranch on the outskirts of town. The two are drawn to one another and soon find themselves confiding in each other so much so, that Amy realizes she must go inside the lighthouse. She's convinced that she will find the answers she needs there. And so, she goes to the lighthouse and once inside she uncovers truths she never could have imagined.  Whoa! Talk about a riveting read! I was hooked from page one and did not put this book down for anything. What a ride!

Parker has written a creative and fun story that will captivate you. The town, the lighthouse, Amy and Ryan - all of it make for quite a moving read. There's romance, mystery, magic, and so much more. This is one book you won't want to miss out on. Definitely check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Lighthouse Witches: A Novel by C. J. Cooke

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. Twenty years later, one is found--but she's still the same age as when she disappeared. The secrets of witches have reached across the centuries in this chilling Gothic thriller from the author of the acclaimed The Nesting. 

When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it's an opportunity to start over with her three daughters--Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she's frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.

Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she's initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers--except she's still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she'll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn't realize just how much the truth will change her.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a fantastic story! The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke had me hooked right from the start.  This book was gripping, fun, and imaginative. I absolutely LOVED it to bits! Talk about the perfect Halloween read. 

Liv, a single mother of three gets a job on a remote Scottish island. Her job is to paint a mural in the 100-year-old lighthouse.  Convinced this job will be just the fresh start they need, she packs her family up and heads to the island. Once there, she hears rumblings from the locals about old legends and scary stories involving witches and the lighthouse. Talk about a warm welcome. Anyhow, as the family starts to settle in, Liv finds herself living her worst nightmare - 2 of her daughters have gone missing. Flash forward, its twenty-two years later and Liv's remains daughter, Luna, gets a call about one of her missing sisters.  She's been found. The only thing is that she is still the same age as when she went missing all those years ago - she's still seven years old. Say what?! To figure out what happened all those years ago, Luna decides she must head back to the remote Scottish Island where it all happened. She must confront her past to deal with the here and now. And, that is all I will write about this awesome story. Just know that you are in for quite a magical and mystical treat. This book will give you chills and thrills and you will love every second of it. So, definitely get your hands on a copy and dive right in!

I would happily recommend The Lighthouse Witches to fans of Cooke and to anyone looking for a spooktacular read - you will LOVE this book to bits! Check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Murder on Millionaires' Row: A Mystery by Erin Lindsey

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (from Goodreads)

Erin Lindsey takes readers on a chase through Gilded Age Manhattan, filled with wonderful historical details, ghosts, romance, and Pinkerton detectives in Murder on Millionaires' Row, a delightfully charming debut mystery.

Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears. Rose is certain Mr. Wiltshire is in trouble, but the police treat his disappearance as nothing more than the whims of a rich young man behaving badly. Meanwhile, the friend who reported him missing is suspiciously unhelpful. With nowhere left to turn, Rose takes it upon herself to find her handsome young employer.

The investigation takes her from the marble palaces of Fifth Avenue to the sordid streets of Five Points. When a ghostly apparition accosts her on the street, Rose begins to realize that the world around her isn’t at all as it seems―and her place in it is about to change forever.

my thoughts:

Wow! Murder on Millionaires' Row is an entertaining, compelling, and unputdownable mystery.  I just loved befriending Rose and following along her journey to find her missing employer, Mr. Wiltshire (aka the man of her dreams).  Yep, Rose is in LOVE with her boss.  So much so, that when no one seems bothered enough to search for him, Rose takes it upon herself to find out what happened to him.  As she begins unraveling the mystery of his disappearance, she starts uncovering new truths about him - to the point that she realizes she doesn't know him at all.  Along the way, Rose also finds out that world is filled with apparitions, witches, mediums and magic.  It seems that the paranormal is real and not imagined.  Talk about food for thought, eh? Rose now finds herself living in a world she didn't realize existed.  And that is all I will write about this terrific tale - you have to experience it for yourself.

Erin Lindsey has written a superb mystery set during the Gilded Age of Manhattan and let me just say -Wow! Her vivid descriptions bring NY to life and you can't help but picture the clothing, the buildings, and the people.  I just loved getting caught up in the city life and its inhabitants making their way.  The characters are interesting and unforgettable.  And, the paranormal mystery is such a fun way to see the city and the characters - I absolutely enjoyed it to bits.  This book was truly a treat to read.

I would happily recommend Murder on Millionaires' Row to fans of Erin Lindsey and anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!!



Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!