In Search of the Paranormal: The Hammer House Murder, Ghosts of the Clink, and Other Disturbing Investigations, by Richard Estep

In Search of the Paranormal: The Hammer House Murder, Ghosts of the Clink, and Other Disturbing Investigations by Richard Estep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"When other kids my age were running around kicking a soccer ball, I was far more likely to be found curled up with a spine-tingling book about ghosts and haunted houses..." -Richard Estep, In Search of the Paranormal, Ch. 2.

This description could be me. Unlike the author, while I am still fascinated with the paranormal, ghosts and hauntings, especially, I don't particularly want to meet one! So when I saw this book was available on NetGalley, I requested it and was pleasantly surprised to be given a copy.

I totally enjoyed this book. It helps a little that Mr. Estep is "local," as in, he lives, works and investigates paranormal happenings here along the Colorado Front Range, so I was actually familiar with many of the places in this book. I'm always interested in reading about the history of the front range, and really all of the west. And I can relate to the expat Brit, since I've been married to one for nearly 25 years ;) Some of the English locations are places that I've been or at least heard of, as well.

All in all, I found the cases well recounted, with Mr. Estep being completely honest that in a lot of cases, they just don't get much of anything. There's no padding or embellishing the actual "ghost hunt" to make things more exciting. The investigations are as scientific as you can get when you're looking at something defined as "events or phenomena such as telekinesis or clairvoyance that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding." -Oxford Dictionaries, emphasis mine. When something does happen, an explanation is looked for, rather than automatically assigning something to paranormal activity.

For me, an amateur history buff, a lot of the appeal comes from the local history, tales and lore given about each location. If you're interested in ghost hunting or the paranormal, as well as a bit of history, pick up this book for yourself.

*I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

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Reading List for June

1. Spider's Trap, Jennifer Estep. Sci fi/Fantasy. ARC.
2. In Search of the Paranormal, Richard Estep. Paranormal. ARC.
3. If You've Got It, Haunt It, Rose Pressey, Paranormal Cozy Mystery
4. Dark Debt, Chloe Neill. Paranormal, Sci-fi/Fantasy
5. Spelled, Betsy Schow. Sci-fi/Fanstasy

That's just what I've got lined up to read right now. The first three are in progress, but I keep getting sidetracked by life and haven't been able to finish even one! And when I do manage to run away and read, I tend to hide in the bathtub, and welp, can't take my Kindle in there ;)

The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer, by Krista Davis

The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second book in the Paws and Claws series. Holly Miller is back in Wagtail for good, helping her Oma run their bed and breakfast.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I loved this one. For one thing, there's a lot less Ben (though he's in there). I do see this book going down the typical love triangle path eventually with Ben and Holmes, but for now the men are just secondary characters with bit parts to play.

This book is set during Howloween in Wagtail, and is full of fun activities for pets, their people and everyone else too. A group of ghost hunters is in town to film a TV pilot, and one of their hangers-on is popping up and being a pain in the rear. Mallory is obsessed with the leader of the ghost hunters, Mark, claiming they're going to be married, when really he wants nothing to do with her. Mark just wants to get back together with his ex-fiance, Eva, a ghost debunker.

When Mallory ends up dead in what seems to be an accident there seem to be a lot of people who aren't upset about it, and both Holly and Officer Dave have a gut feeling that it wasn't an accident.

The plot is fun with a nice cast of characters. I'm looking forward to book 3. I have enjoyed these two books sooo much more than Ms. Davis' Domestic Diva series! So far there's no obnoxious anti-heroine in the middle of everything!

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A Sliver of Shadow, by Allison Pang

A Sliver of Shadow by Allison Pang
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

2nd book in a trilogy.

I can't say I hated this book, it had some redeeming features, but they were few and far between. And the ending.... I really had a tough time finishing this book. I have to admit to skipping around, because I just couldn't deal with all the jerks.

Jerk #1 Ion
Jerk #2 Robert
Jerk #3 That Damned Unicorn, Phin
There are even more, but 3's already a crowd.

Ion was an ass in the first book, using Abby and abusing her trust, yet for some reason Abby thinks he's all that and a bag of chips. Umm, no. He's a Incubus, who eats your dreams and really treats you like crap.

Robert, cheating dirt bag and yet Charlie stays with him, blaming Moira for the whole lot. Takes two to tango, sorry Charlie.

Phin just freaking makes me crazy. Blech.

I HATED the end with a fiery passion, I HATED the love triangle (because frankly I hate the entire concept of the love triangle trope! Please, make them stop) and actually yes, quite frankly, can say, I HATED this book.

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The Diva Wraps It Up, by Krista Davis

The Diva Wraps It Up by Krista Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was ok. A whole lot better then the other one I picked up at the library at the same time, The Diva Paints the Town. I can't seem to get past the first 50 pages in that one! Yes, I know I am reading them out of order, but when I couldn't get into one, I moved on to another. I will likely try and read more in the series, because I did enjoy the book over all, once I gripped a bit out loud while reading it, haha.

It's Christmas, the neighborhood is out in full force, decorating for the holidays and swapping cookies (by the way, I made the Famous Pinwheel recipe, and it was flat out GROSS! I took one bite and spit it straight in the trash. My husband and daughter did exactly the same! What a waste of time and ingredients. Don't let the simplicity of the recipe fool you, it has NO redeeming qualities and I can't even think of ways to fix it so that the taste matches the lovely way these cookies look! Unless of course you like the taste of flour, then go for it...).

The cast of characters seemed a bit much, sometimes it was hard to keep them all straight, and the plot a little (lot?) convoluted. Sophie seems nice, as in a bit of a doormat. I don't care if they share a dog, what the heck is with her and her ex? He & Sophie divorce and then he hooks up with the Wicked Witch of the West (the complete opposite of Sophie, really) and still wanders back to Sophie on a regular basis. In this book he seems to spend more time with his Sophie than he does with Natasha.

Which brings me to my next point, get rid of Natasha. She's a stone cold bitch (and I think one reason that I can't get into the 1st book I tried) and a domestic diva with her own show?? Really, decorating for the holidays in pink and orange and then silver and black, why would anyone listen to her??

(view spoiler)[The victim is a lying, money grubbing bitch in her own right, trying to kill her husband's boss and make his wife look nuts, all so she can have money to spend again. Frankly, her death seemed like a gift to everyone.

And is it just me, or did Luis' wife Liza seem all too calm and collected at the end, for someone who discovered he'd been cheating on her with the victim, tried to kill her and then tried to kill Sophie too? I mean, if I discovered my husband was such a rat, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be in a holiday mood. (hide spoiler)]

My biggest gripe? The whole freakin' love triangle (although in this case it's more a square) between Sophie, Mars, Wolf, Alex. I am getting utterly sick of author's using this super formulaic plot device. I don't read a cozy for the romance, I read it for the mystery. And I would rather the mystery not be who the protagonist is going to end up with!

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Gateway to Freedom, by Eric Foner

Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad by Eric Foner
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

What should have been a cool book about a subject that interested me was too full of New York and not enough of the Underground Railroad :( It also came off very dry and academic feeling. I get it's non-fiction and history, but there's absolutely no reason it needs to be so dry.

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Marked Fur Murder, by Dixie Lyle

Marked Fur Murder by Dixie Lyle
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I love paranormal books, but I have to be able to suspend disbelief by falling into a decent plot and getting caught up in the characters. This series, at least in this book, has gotten a bit outlandish (and by a bit, I mean absolutely crazy wack-a-doodle!).

Cast of characters in this book:
-Foxtrot, seemingly normal PA. Can see and interact with spirit animals.
-Sidekick 1: Whiskey, ghost dog who can change shape at will.
-Sidekick 2: Tango, reincarnated pet cat from Foxtrot's childhood, who speaks multiple animal languages.
-Love Interest/sidekick 3: Ben, a Thunderbird
-Kooky Employer: Wealthy old hippy who spends money like water
-Kooky Employer's Deadbeat son, who seems to exist merely as filler when things get dull.
-Secondary employer, an enigmatic Spirit Crow, seemingly the overseer of the Animal Crossroads.
-Mysterious animal graveyard with an important role in the animal afterlife.
-More Thunderbirds, another reincarnated cat, more spirit animals, a pet "psychic" with a painting pooch, a crazy writer with imaginary friends and on and on and on.

The previous book was a little over the top, but in this one the author is just trying way too hard. This book was just too out there even for me! If there's another book in the series I will borrow it from the library and give the WTF trio another try, but I'm not sure where in the heck the author could possibly go from here!

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To Die Fur, by Dixie Lyle

To Die Fur by Dixie Lyle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The first book in the series wasn't bad, but I'm starting to feel as though this series is getting a bit preposterous. Yes, it's fiction, yes, it's paranormal fiction, which means it's going to be a bit out there, but this one goes beyond just "out there."

Cast of characters in this book:
-Foxtrot, seemingly normal PA. Can see and interact with spirit animals.
-Sidekick 1: Whiskey, ghost dog who can change shape at will.
-Sidekick 2: Tango, reincarnated pet cat from Foxtrot's childhood, who speaks multiple animal languages.
-Love Interest/sidekick 3: Ben, a Thunderbird
-Kooky Employer: Wealthy old hippy who spends money like water
-Kooky Employer's Deadbeat son, who seems to exist merely as filler when things get dull.
-Secondary employer, an enigmatic Spirit Crow, seemingly the overseer of the Animal Crossroads.
-Mysterious animal graveyard with an important role in the animal afterlife.

(view spoiler)[The entire mob boss plotline seemed to be reaching, and the lions, tigers and bears, oh my, made me smh. (hide spoiler)]

I'm to the point where I'm not really even liking the characters. *sigh* But apparently, I am a glutton for punishment, as the next book in the series is waiting for me to pick it up. Maybe in a few days...

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Vision in Silver, by Anne Bishop

Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I quite enjoyed this book, though the series is moving a bit slow for me. Maybe I am just impatient, but we know the confrontation between the Others and humans is coming, make it happen already! These little teasers/ clashes that are happening now just make me want to see the end of HFL! And now we know there are at least 5 books to the series, so I am just going to have to dial it back and enjoy the ride.

I like the relationships between Meg and the residents of The Courtyard, and I would have liked to see a bit more interaction between them. I flat out love Tess! Meg's human pack is finally learning just how dangerous the Others can be, but also learning that thanks to Meg, they're fair, unlike their other human neighbors.

I also liked the glimpse of the other Blood Prophets, and only wish more good had come for most of them. We are now getting a wider glimpse of the world and the more dangerous, elusive Terra Indigenes and I want to see more, NOW. Haha. March 2013 seems sooo far away.



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Gossamer Ghost, by Laura Childs

Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Thank god it's over! I'm done with this series. And really, who scrapbooks anymore, anyway? Lol.

I was barely two chapters in and I wanted to smack Carmela. Oooo, I heard something spooky so I am going to use my key and enter someone else's dark, spooky shop ALONE instead of calling for help. And then when she really should call for help, all she does is scream and figuratively wring her hands! Blech.

By the time I hit page 21 I already knew who the killer was. The rest of the book was just a slog to get through. I feel as though Childs is just phoning it in lately on all of her series.

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February Fever, by Jess Lourey

February Fever by Jess Lourey
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I should have left this book on the shelf at the library. I missed the previous two books in the series, normally I would have looked for them first. Instead, I picked it up on impulse. This book just left me sad and unsatisfied, and wishing I had never read it.

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“DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING,"

said Death. "JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH.” The world just became far less amusing :’( R.I.P Mr. Pratchett

Shaman Rises, by C.E. Murphy

Shaman Rises by C.E. Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had a hard time with this book. I was initially excited to bring it home, but then I just kept looking at it on the table, and walking away. Not because it was bad, but because I knew it was the last in the series, and I really didn't want it to end!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, once I made myself pick it up and start reading. I love Gary and Morrison and I was thrilled that they were back at Jo's side for everything. I'm thrilled to see Jo grow into her power.

(view spoiler)[I knew something was wrong with Coyote right after he showed up. He was too intent on Annie, and just not acting like the Coyote we knew and loved. I was pretty convinced he was the Raven Mocker before he managed to convince Jo to go into the Space Needle. (hide spoiler)]

All in all, it was a good end to a good series, and one that makes me want to go back and start all over again with Urban Shaman.

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The Good, the Bad and the Emu

The Good, the Bad, and the Emus by Donna Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not a hardcore mystery, and really rather absurd, but always fun! The goofy cast of characters always makes me smile and occasionally laugh out loud.

It's what I was needing after a streak of not really being able to get into anything I was picking up.

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Shattered

Shattered by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Like the last book in the series, I had a tough time getting into this book, at first, picking it up and reading a few pages and then switching to something else. I liked Granuaile's separate plot line, though I felt as if her father was too easily disposed of.

But I could have done with less of Owen's POV. With three different views I got to feel like I was jumping back and forth a bit too much.

Not my favorite book in the series, I'm actually getting tired of the Loki mess. I'd like to see that wrap up soon.

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Money Grab!

Yarn Over Murder by Maggie Sefton
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I've read all of Maggie's knitting mysteries, and after the last one I was left with a bad taste in my mouth, and this one wasn't much better. I only picked this one up from the library because as someone who lived in the area during the fires the summer of 2012 (I actually was at the Wool Market in Estes when I heard the news), I was curious as to how she would handle it.

Money grab. That's all I can say. Next it will be a book based on the deadly flooding we had last September.

I'm sick of "Ft. Connor" (but using the real names of Loveland and Estes Park are ok...) where every other named detail of the town matches Ft. Collins. Why bother to change it if you were going to use the local landmarks?? And why change LaPorte to Landport?

Enough of Lambspun, (I'd rather go to the Loopy Ewe anyway, they're much more friendly and helpful. The real shop Lambspun is based on seems very high school cliquey to me and nearly turned me off of knitting back when I was first learning!) enough coffee, for crying out loud.

As ditsy and distracted by coffee and the restaurant as Kelly seems lately, how in the world does she actually support herself, let alone solve crimes for the police? Why isn't she in jail for interfering with an investigation (disclosing details to a person of interest, for crying out loud!)?

After so many trips for coffee and one too many reference to Landporte, I finally just said to heck with it and skimmed through the rest of the book. I'm done with this series.

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Great Little Gifts to Knit

NOTE: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is gorgeously photographed and the patterns all look to be clearly written, with easy to follow instructions and charts in many of the patterns. There's a little something for everyone in this pattern book, from beginners to stuff like intarsia that makes me quake in my boots! Each pattern is clearly labeled with skill level and approximate time to complete. The techniques section at the back is especially helpful to someone like me who is ready to try new techniques/stitches.

There are some really cute patterns in this book.

 Deco Backpack: I will admit I am a bit addicted to knit bags. And I already have two knit backpacks. But the look and texture of this bag make me want to go stash-diving!

 Masham Scarf: The trick of using different sized needles to make a light and airy scarf is something I never would have thought of, but oh what a look! The Kidsilk Haze just begs you to reach out and touch it. I love that just by changing that you get two completely different looks.

 Baby Love Blanket: I don't want to make a whole blanket (just did that, took forever and not ready for that kind of commitment again, yet, haha), but I'm tempted to try the center square of the baby love blanket, just for practice at shadow knitting. And the booties from the Shower Set! I may have to make the blanket recipient some booties to go with it.

 On the other hand, I am not a fan of fingerless gloves, (especially froufrou ones!), wristbands or leg warmers (sorry, the 80s are over, I don't want to go back there!) and I don't have a smartphone to make a cozy for. And while I love the Feather and Fan pattern, the Fiesta Shrug that looks to use that pattern makes me cringe.

 All in all though, I would say I like enough of the patterns to make this book a thumbs up.

Where does the time go??

I've been reading as always, just can't seem to find the time to sit down and write about anything I've read!

So instead I'll list the books I am looking forward to reading in the (hopefully) near future. My To Read list at Goodreads has 59 books in it at the moment, but here are some highlights.

FANTASY:
-Shaman Rises, by C.E. Murphy. This one will be bittersweet. I want to read it really badly, but it's the last of the series :(

-Cast in Flame, by Michelle Sagara. Ah, I need more Kaylin!

-The Winter Long, by Seanan McGuire. I pretty much love anything by Seanan McGuire (well,except for Sparrow Hill Road, but that's a completely separate review!).

-Shattered, by Kevin Hearne. The newest Iron Druid book.

 MYSTERY:
-The Good, the Bad and the Emu, by Donna Andrews. Andrews' book are always a fun, light read.

-Festive in Death, by J.D. Robb. I always look forward to a new Eve Dallas mystery.

-Yarn Over Murder, by Maggie Sefton. I wasn't a huge fan of her last book, but this newest book is set during the High Park fire a few years back here in Northern CO, so I want to read it. Although, cynically, I can't help wondering if the next book will be set during the major flooding last fall!

ROMANCE: Only one on my To Read list at Goodreads, Blood Magick, by Nora Roberts. Book 3 of the O'Dwyer trilogy.

Still dry, for now.

Our first sign of serious trouble was when the school district sent everyone home at 11 am Thursday, due to concerns that roads would soon be impassible. Since then, we watched the river rise, first in Estes Park.

To the right is one of two main roads to Estes Park. Totally gone, thanks to flooding. The town of Estes is pretty much inaccessible, with the other 2 main roads crumbling as well. The only way in or out is over Trail Ridge Road, which the National Park Service is keeping open despite snowfall, just so emergency services have a way in and out. Unfortunately, that's one heck of a detour :(

Then they had to release excess water down the Big Thompson which combined with the constant rain, and things went even more wrong, as you can see by the photo of the Narrows part of the canyon.

From the canyon the water raced through Loveland itself, flowing over farmland and neighborhoods alike.

Eventually, the water overran I-25, just south of town this morning. This is the main route in and out of Loveland, Eventually, the entire interstate closed from Denver to the Wyoming border. Crazy when the interstate becomes a river! At that point, every route into Loveland from the south was cut off, due to topped or destroyed bridges.

The river continues to rush east, into Greeley, taking out a trailer park and heading for the Platte River, into which most of them eventually flow.

National Guard helicopters are evacuating residents from areas that are inaccessible.

And unfortunately, more rain is predicted for the weekend.

But thankfully, we are high and dry, safe and well. We send our positive thoughts to those that are out of their homes or have lost their homes, as well as our gratitude for the amazing fire & police, sheriff, State Patrol and National Guard folks out there rescuing people and keeping us safe. Also, a huge shout out for the Searcfh & Rescue folks that have come in from Nebraska & Utah to help out. Bless you all!

*Sigh*

Honestly, I think it must be my attention span right now. I'm reading Carniepunk at the moment, and of course I started with the Kevin Hearne Iron Druid short story. And guess what? I cruised right through it and enjoyed it. I'm going through a bit of a stressful time right now, and instead of being able to escape in to a book, I can't seem to turn off my thoughts for any length at all. So maybe Carniepunk is a good book for me to be reading right now, since it's all shorts.

And I do love compilations, they introduce me to new authors that may become favorites. Like Sword and Sorceress intro'd me to Mercedes Lackey, I still love Tarma and Kethry. And I first read a Michelle Sagara Cast In story in a book of novellas that I got for the Mercedes Lackey story and so on. I always pick up books like this with the hope that someone new will grab my attention and make me search out other works by that author. Seanan McGuire came to me through a Toby short story in Home Improvement, Undead Edition, as a result wanting to read shorts by several favorite authors in it.

Then again, sometimes I end up disappointed, because I love a short so much only to find out that it's a one off and the stuff the author normally writes is completely different, or the author doesn't have anything else published.