Tag: paranormal

REVIEW: The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert

REVIEW: The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Sabrina is back home in the Dells after losing her job. She just needs to pay some bills and find a new gig, and she can leave. Sure, she loves her family. It’s the ghosts she can do without.

The women in Sabrina’s family can see and speak with ghosts. And it’s their job to help the recently departed finish their unfinished business and cross over. With Sabrina’s anxiety, she doesn’t need the added stress of ghosts and ghostly conversations.

Ray has purchased a supper club in Wisconsin – The Otter Club – much to his mother’s dismay. She’d do anything to get Ray to give up this “foolishness” and return to New York. But Ray’s dad gives him one chance to stay – find the money to buy out his late uncle’s portion of the business, and show his parents he belongs in Wisconsin by planning the annual Goodbye Gala.

Ray and Sabrina keep running into one another. And there’s definitely a spark there. But she has her mind set on leaving town as soon as possible. And he has family secrets to uncover and a quest to secure the life he wants in Wisconsin. Can a spark overcome two people headed in opposite directions?

Review

This was so great! I loved the combination of the contemporary romance with the paranormal/ghostly piece. I’ve read plenty of paranormal stories before, but there was something different about this that I adored. The ghostly piece is light, and sometimes funny. But the punch of it is the impact it has on Sabrina with her high levels of anxiety. And Ray’s reaction to the ghostly part of her life is going to be crucial to what happens between then.

From the characters to the setting (Wisconsin!) to the humor and the sweet romance, this was a treat to read! I was so busy that it took me a few days to finish the book. Every time I thought about getting back to it, I smiled. Just thinking about these characters and the story made me smile. I still feel that way now that I have finished it. The whole story is a delight. I would absolutely read this one again.

Don’t miss this one if you enjoy contemporary romance or romance novels with light paranormal elements! (Language, sex, edibles used for anxiety, TW: anxiety/panic attacks)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would read again.

REVIEW: A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

REVIEW: A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Alex has quit her job and gone to Bellamy Bay, North Carolina for vacation with her mother’s side of the family. The family her father refused to visit after her mother’s death. The people he forbid Alex from seeing. But with her father and her job gone and her future up in the air, family is just what Alex needs.

Alex, and her dog Athena, are staying with her aunt Lidia and cousin Minka. Minka’s sister, Kamila, lives in town as well. Aunt Lidia has an apothecary called Botanika, and Alex pitches in there to spend time with her family while she sorts out the upheaval in her life.

Randy Bennett comes to the store in search of a “good luck potion.” Lidia isn’t there, but Minka waits on him. But when Lidia walks in, she flies into a temper at finding Randy in her shop. She tosses his tea at him and bans him – again – from her store.

It’s weird enough that a customer would ask for a “potion.” Add to it Lidia’s temper; it looked like she lifted Mr. Bennett off the floor in her rage. Then there’s the gossip columnist who says Alex’s family are witches. But those problems are weird, and minor, compared to the death of Randy Bennett. The one Lidia is arrested for.

Review

This is a fantastic paranormal mystery! It’s similar in tone and feel to the Wishcrafters series, but with a paranormal hook that’s all its own. The water witch/mermaid piece is unique, and well designed, tying into actual legends from Poland. I thought the world-building here was great!

Alex and her family are characters I would love to know in real life. In fact, finishing the book was actually disappointing because it will be awhile before there’s a sequel. I can’t wait to spend more time in Bellamy Bay.

There’s the usual cozy mystery romance with a law enforcement officer here, or at least the potential for one. But there are actually hints at a possible romantic triangle. Usually I hate those, but this one was fascinating and well written.

The mystery here was top notch. I was guessing all the way to the end, which was so satisfying. There are some unresolved threads here to carry readers into book two. And I can’t wait to read Alex’s next adventure. Paranormal cozy fans – don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower

REVIEW: Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Fiona Knox arrives in Scotland in somewhat of a haze. She lost her flower business in Nashville. Her fiancé left her for their cake decorator. And her beloved godfather died and left her his family cottage and grounds.

One of her favorite parts of her godfather’s land was his garden. But when Fiona arrives at the cottage, the garden has died. The groundskeeper says everything died when Fiona’s godfather died. But now that Fiona has arrived, the garden would revive. Fiona has already noticed the ivy on the walls greening up. It’s like magic. But no magic can help the dead man she finds.

The handsome police officer who shows up to look into the death finds Fiona’s arrival at the same time as the death suspicious. And when the death is ruled a murder, Fiona and the groundskeeper, Hamish, are at the top of his suspect list. But plenty of other folks had a reason to hate the man and want him out of the way. Maybe Fiona can puzzle it out as she gets to know the people in her new town and keep herself and Hamish out of jail.

Review

The first book in the Magic Garden mystery series is a treat! I have enjoyed the author’s Amish Candy Shop mysteries and the Magical Bookshop series. This is a great addition to her cozy mystery collection (she has other series besides these three)!

I enjoyed the unusual setting for this mystery. And the town near Fiona’s new cottage has a lovely, eclectic group of residents. Well, most of them are lovely. The magical elements of the garden are a fun twist on the classic cozy formula. There are still some things to be discovered in future books (like a punchy reveal right at the end of this one), which I am looking forward to reading.

There’s a solid mystery with plenty of plausible suspects. I’m curious to see what becomes of some of the disagreeable people in the book who happened to be innocent – this time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥