Cast in Eternity, by Michelle Sagara

Cast in Eternity by Michelle Sagara

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay.

"A little less conversation, a little more action, please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark." -Elvis

Yet another book in the series with a heck of a lot of discussion and very little action that finally takes place at the end. (view spoiler)[And even that I skimmed through, as Kaylin once again attempted to find the true name of the baddie, because most of the search seemed to have little to do with anything. (hide spoiler)] Ms. Sagara is quite adept at using 30 words where three will do, I will give her that.

I waited and waited for this book from my library. My actual library still hasn't gotten their copies, despite it having released over a month ago. I finally ended up getting an inter-library loan, because I wanted it NOW, but no way was I going to buy it after the last book. And it's such a difference from the first several books that I would race through and re-read the previous books before the new one came out. This one took me almost a week to finish, and like the last book, I can't see re-reading it, ever.

I'm vested in the damned characters, so I will continue to read, but I will settle for waiting for them from a library.

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The Stranger Vanishes, by Wndy Corsi Staub

The Stranger Vanishes by Wendy Corsi Staub 

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars, I quite liked it.

This one took me a while to finish, but only because I got part way in and had to go search out the others in the series to read first! As the description says, you can start here and be fine, but once I realized it was several books in, I personally wanted to go back and read the others first. Once I got back to it, it was a fun, fast read.

I love the setting of Lily Dale and all the quirky spiritualist characters, along with the main character Bella, who doesn't seem quite sure what she believes. I absolutely know the feeling of, "But if the dead can communicate, why don't my loved ones talk to ME?!"

I hope there will be more in the series now that I have found it!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book, provided by the publishers, via NetGalley.*



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A Haunted History of Women, by Leanna Hieber and Andrea James

A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts by Leanna Renee Hieber 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.

Sigh. Another book that I thought would be interesting because I love ghost stories and history and a well told tale. Plus, spooky season is here, so yay!

But this book was anything but well told. It was dry, boring and highly judgemental. It felt like the driest of college course lectures on Women's Studies. Apparently the authors give ghost tours. Those must be just a ton of fun! Or not.

Did not finish.

Also absolutely stunned that Amazon has limited who can review this book to Verified Purchases "Amazon has noticed unusual reviewing activity on this product. Due to this activity, we have limited this product to verified purchase reviews." Apparently multiple poor reviews are unusual? So yeah, no Amazon review for this one.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Gently Haunted, by Corrine Kenner

Gently Haunted: True Stories from the Haunted Antique Shop by Corrine Kenner 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.

Honestly, this was not at all what I thought it would be. I read this, "Unlike a typical collection of ghost stories, Gently Haunted recounts uplifting and inspiring spiritual encounters," and thought it sounded interesting. What it was was boring. I couldn't get through it. The worst thing about it, it was just one big advertisement for the author's antique shop.

Did not finish. Not a good start to spooky season :(

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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Steeped to Death, by Gretchen Rue

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 1 in a new series.

A good start to a new series. It was a fast, fun read. I really like Phoebe, and of course, Bob the Cat is adorable. It was a bit formulaic, but I kind of expect that from the first book in a series, introducing us to the characters. MC and her cat, local nemesis, helpful neighbors and of course the love interest. But the touch of magic made it more fun, and though I'm more of a coffee fan than a tea fan, the teas and recipes sounded wonderful.

I'm looking forward to more in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Murder at the Blueberry Festival, by Darci Hannah

Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 3 in the series, and easy to read as a stand alone story.

I really liked this book. Enough that I went back and found the first two in the series to read. What's not to love about living and running a business out of your very own lighthouse?! And it's haunted by a friendly, protective ghost too. I like that Lindsey runs a bakery, and actually seems to spend a lot of her time baking and actually running the business, rather than haring off constantly to snoop, like so many cozy characters.

The story was fast paced and entertaining (I love blueberries too, so it made me hungry, haha). For those that aren't a fan of paranormal mysteries, the ghost is a very small part of the book, and mostly just adds a bit of character. This is absolutely a series I will continue to follow.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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With a Spirit of Vengeance, by Lena Gregory

With a Spirit of Vengeance by Lena Gregory 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I ended up liking it in the end.

Number 7 in the series. Don't start the series here! While there is background in the book, I feel like you at least have to have read book 6 first, since it continues part of that story arc.

This one was just an okay read for me. While I enjoy the main characters most of the time, this one just didn't keep me interested for long. I found myself putting it down and finding something else to do for a while before I could come back to it. I did find myself pretty hooked in the last several chapters though, so I gave it three stars instead of just two.

Cass, Bee and Beast are all good reasons to keep reading, so I will be waiting impatiently for the next in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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A Rip Through Time, by Kelley Armstrong

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First in the series.

I'm honestly torn on this one. I like Kelley Armstrong's books, but this one didn't hold my attention like they normally do. Maybe it was the period setting. It was an okay first book, and I'll probably read the next in the series, but historical mysteries really aren't my thing and combine that with the time travel element, and the whole thing is just off for me. It took a while to get through, just because I could only read for a few pages before some new shiny thing caught my attention.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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'Til Death, Carol J. Perry

'Til Death by Carol J. Perry 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 12 in the series.

Please do yourself a favor and don't start here. There's just so much going on in this one, it absolutely helps to know how we've gotten here.

It seems like all the couples in all of the series I am reading are getting married recently, which is fine, as long as the mystery is still solid.

The wedding took up a good chunk of the first part of the book, with a little bit of mystery about Aunt Ibby's new tenant.

The second part was devoted to Pete and Lee's trip to the area where Lee's parents died in a plane crash years before, and that's when things picked up and started getting good. A third mystery pops up, involving a hidden pirate treasure.

All in all, it was a good read. I enjoyed the second part more than the first, mostly because that's where the action was.

I will happily continue to read this series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Crimes and Covers, by Amanda Flower

Crimes and Covers by Amanda Flower 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay.

Book 5 and the final book in the series.

I've read every book in this series and enjoyed them. But this one, let's just say the series went out with a whimper instead of a bang.

I found it to be super repetitive and strangely stilted. It also didn't help that my personal opinion of Thoreau is that he'd never have really survived in solitude, since everything was done for him by family members and he was really a weanie, haha.

The plot seemed to plod along, with way too much wedding minutia and not enough mystery. In fact, for once, I picked out the killer right away. And darn it, I'd have liked to have seen more of Emerson and Faulkner! I adore the cat and crow.

All in all, it was a disappointing end to a series I loved.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Elements of a Haunting, by Brandon Alvis and Mustafa Gatollari

Elements of a Haunting: Connecting History with Science to Uncover the Greatest Ghost Stories Ever Told by Brandon Alvis 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, did not finish.

I love ghost stories. Books, TV shows, you name it, I consume it. Unfortunately, I decided a long time ago that I didn't trust Grant Wilson and by proxy, I didn't really trust his new team of Ghost Hunters. What few episodes I did watch, I didn't really care for any of the team, and now in their book, they come off as annoying and none of their "greatest ghost stories," are really all that great.

Also, might I suggest hiring someone who actually writes for a living to write anything else for you? Rambling sentences, cliches, and some really poor phrasing just annoyed the crud out of me.

I couldn't make myself finish it.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Grave Reservations, by Cherie Priest

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

First in the series.

I have to admit, I know Cherie Priest more for her stellar Twitter comebacks and pet posts than her books. I do own a few, but horror really isn't my thing. So when she announced this book, a paranormal cozy, I was quite excited.

It didn't disappoint. Leda the intermittent psychic and Detective Grady come off with a bit of an odd couple vibe, but actually work together really well. At times I laughed out loud, especially at Klairvoyant Karaoke. What a concept, haha.

All in all, this was a quirky, fun and fast read, and I am looking forward to more.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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Hypnosis is for Hacks, by Tamara Berry

Hypnosis Is for Hacks by Tamara Berry 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I loved it!

Book 4 in the series.

I love this series. Former fake psychic Eleanor Wilde amuses the heck out of me. This time she has to confront her past, when an old partner shows up while Eleanor is entertaining her visiting brother.

The plot is as usual, fast paced, funny, and well written. Eleanor is a strong character who doesn't suffer fools (though she might take advantage of them). I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one sitting. I love that Eleanor went from bogus psychic to village witch, complete with two cats and real psychic talents.

I can't wait for more in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas, by Lynn Cahoon

Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas by Lynn Cahoon 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

This is a novella length story in the newish series.

Ms. Cahoon seems to be fond of novellas, (Three in this series so far, with only two full length books), but in most cases I find they're too short to do the characters justice. There was a lot of decorating for Christmas but not a lot of story. It was an okay blurb, but I'd like to have had more. Mia and her grandmother are fun characters in the full length stories, so I will just have to sit back and wait for the next one to come out to really show them off.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Passport to the Paranormal, by Rich Newman

Passport to the Paranormal: Your Guide to Haunted Spots in America by Rich Newman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

This was a fast, fun read. I love reading about haunted places, and the history of a place. Why the place is supposed to be haunted is almost more interesting to me than the actual ghost story. Yes, I am a history nerd. It was interesting to read about what the author obviously considers the top haunted spots in each state.

The only thing I didn't like about the book was the description of the TV program the author was filming when he had some of his personal experiences. The idea of putting an unwitting person in a haunted location and filming them, without telling them, just doesn't sit well with me. Seems like typical shock TV and and makes me question the author's motives.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Spirit Seeks Asylum, by Lena Gregory

A Spirit Seeks Asylum by Lena Gregory 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 6 in the series.

This is hands down my favorite book in the series. The others have been okay, but this one really connected with me. I always enjoy Cass and Beast, and more Bee just added to the fun. The strong friendships between the main characters and the way they support each other, just makes me smile.

I have to admit, I also want to know more about Thea, and her grandmother. Hopefully Cass can help her blossom a bit.

All in all, a fun, fast read. I truly hope there are more in the series coming.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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See Something, by Carol J. Perry

See Something by Carol J. Perry 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 11 in the series.

Fast, fun, easy read, with a touch of paranormal. Lately, it seems like all I can handle are light, easy reads, so this was perfect for me. And I enjoy Lee and Aunt Ibby, and the Salem setting. I always learn a little something new about Salem, MA, too. Lee's boyfriend is growing on me, especially since he seems to accept Lee's gift.

I always look forward to more Witch City.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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One Poison Pie, by Lynn Cahoon

One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book one in the series, though it was introduced by a novella length story previously.

I like the characters, and I like the potential. There's some character building and world building to be done yet, but that's pretty typical for "First in the series," books.

One thing I didn't like though, was the "cliffhanger"ish foreshadowing. I'm going to read the next book, you don't need to leave me in suspense as to what evil might be lurking in the shadows, like some 70s tv show.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


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Bait and Witch, by Angela M. Sanders

Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was an okay start to a new series.

First in the series.

A cute, quick, and very light read, without a lot of serious substance. A typical first in the series, and getting to know the main characters.

I like that it was set in an old Victorian building turned in to a library. Some of the back story was a bit over the top, but I could overlook that.

I look forward to book 2

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Murder, Take Two, by Carol Perry

 

Murder, Take Two by Carol J. Perry 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 10 in the series.

This was probably my favorite of the series, purely because they staged a live CLUE game, haha. As always Leigh and Aunt Libby are fun characters, and of course O'Ryan is always fantastic. Add in the setting of Salem, and I love these books.

Leigh seems to be getting more and more comfortable with her gift with each book, and I love that Pete accepts her and her paranormally obtained information.

This was a little bit of a slower read, but still had an interesting mystery and a fun ending. I always look forward to more in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher, via NetGalley*

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