Book Review: Not Myself Today by Muriel Ellis Pritchett

I am excited to share a review for something different, a YA novel by Muriel Ellis Pritchett called Not Myself Today. As soon as I read the blurb, my inner teenager demanded I read it so thank you Rachel Gibley for inviting me to this blog tour. Scroll down to see if it matched my expectations.

Not Myself Today by Muriel Ellis Pritchett

Not Myself Today by Muriel Ellis Pritchett

Title: Not Myself Today

Author: Muriel Ellis Pritchett

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Genre: YA fantasy, paranormal

Release date: 24th September 2020

Blurb

High school soccer star Lindsey Anderson was at the top of her game with graduation approaching and a full-ride soccer scholarship offer in her hand. Then she dropped dead on the soccer field, only to wake up in the body of a teenage sex-trafficking victim. No one believes who she really is. Not even her dad. Chased by her new body’s drug-dealing pimp and rabid parapsychologists out to dissect her, Lindsey searches to get her body and her life back before graduation day. Can her BFF and the high school nerdy boy she detests help save her life?

Purchase Links

https://www.blackrosewriting.com/teenya/notmyselftoday

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Myself-Today-Paranormal-Thriller-ebook/dp/B08F5GFDNX/

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Not-Myself-Today-Paranormal-Thriller-ebook/dp/B08F5GFDNX/

 From October 8-12 (5 days) anyone in the US and the UK will be able to purchase an eBook copy of Not Myself Today for $0.99

My Thoughts

Lindsay is the perfect American athletic student with a bright career ahead of her. With a privileged background and friends, life can not get any better, but in an instant her role is changed when she wakes up in the body of a 14-year-old prostitute and addict. Body swapping has been used as a plot device before in many films to show different views and encourage character growth in both protagonists, such as Freaky Friday, Visa Versa and one of my favourite film, Heaven can Wait (1978) but this change is darker and more extreme. There could have been a risk this was too much, but it works. The stark contrast between the girls’ lives allows the reader to discover with Lindsay, the dark, murky world of child sex trafficking, and abuse in an accessible, non-graphic way. There is danger from the Annabeth’s pimp making it quick paced and page turning. Lindsay is a strong character and I doubt I would have been so calm in those circumstances, but I enjoyed watching her judgement change as she discovers more about Annabeth’s life.

It is a topical, action-packed novel about the importance of friendship, and identity highlighting the hidden and devastating world of child trafficking in the US. This is not a US problem, but worldwide.

Would I recommend?

Yes, this is a refreshing YA read that ticked all the boxes my younger self wanted in a book; paranormal, reincarnation, gritty subject matter, and strong characters. It is a thrilling, fast-paced, paranormal YA read I would loved to have had on my forever bookshelf as a teenager.

Author Biography

Muriel Ellis Pritchett

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Muriel Ellis Pritchett graduated from the University of Georgia and began her journalism career while living in Japan and Germany. Her journalism career included playwriting, editing and writing for magazines and newspapers, and working in public relations, university relations, and media relations.

After retiring, Muriel’s family doctor recommended she get a hobby.  So, she began writing fun fiction about feisty older women who had been wronged and had to pull themselves up out of the muck. But her award-winning fourth book, Not Myself Today, is a change in genres—a YA paranormal thriller. It is scheduled for release September 24, 2020. Her first three “fruity” books, fun romance for older women, are Making Lemonade, Like Peaches and Pickles, and Rotten Bananas and the Emerald Dream. She is currently working on another “fruity” book, titled Sour Grapes and Balmy Knight.

When not writing, Muriel loves cruising all over the world, eating good Belgian chocolate, and spending time in any Disney park. Her favorite Disney attractions are SOARING at Disney World’s EPCOT in Florida, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth at Disneyland Paris, Journey to the Center of the Earth at DisneySeas in Tokyo, and Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland in California.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: Muriel’s Fiction for Women @murielellispritchett https://www.facebook.com/murielellispritchett/

Twitter: @PritchettMuriel

Website: https://www.murielpritchett.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murielellispritchett/

Giveaway to Win a Signed copy of Not Myself Today (Open Internationally)*

To win a signed copy of Not Myself Today, click here

Good Luck

If you want to discover more about this book, why not visit other blogs on this tour.

Thanks Rachel’s Random Resources for supplying an advanced copy to review and give my honest, and unbiased opinion.

Happy reading and stay safe!

Love

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Book Review: The Unquiet Spirit by Penny Hampson

Autumn is here and we are on the way to Halloween, one of my favourite days of the year and a perfect time for spooky reads. I am pleased to share my review for The Unquiet Spirit by Penny Hampson which lends itself to be read on chilly, dark evenings while waiting for things to go bump.

The Unquiet Spirit by Penny Hampson

Title: The Unquiet Spirit

Author: Penny Hampson

Publisher: Darkstroke/Crooked Cat

Genre: Paranormal, suspense

Release date: 21st August 2020

Purchase Links – getbook.at/theunquietspirit

Blurb

A new beginning. A house with a past. A man with secrets.

It was a dream come true…that turned into a nightmare.

Kate Wilson thinks moving back to Cornwall might be the answer to her prayers. But it isn’t long before she begins to have doubts. Is the house she inherited from her godmother haunted? Or is she going out of her mind? With a stalker, threats, and attempted break-ins, Kate’s troubles multiply.

Then there’s her enigmatic neighbour, the brooding Tom Carbis; a man with secrets he doesn’t wish to share. Can she trust him when he says he wants to help?

In her quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding her, will Kate uncover more than she bargains for?

Set in beautiful Cornwall, The Unquiet Spirit is a gripping suspense with paranormal and romantic elements. Fans of Barbara Erskine will enjoy this tale.

My Thoughts

I was attracted to this novel for its setting, promise of spookiness and reference to Barbara Erskine, one of my favourite authors. I am always on the look out for authors similar in her style. The Cornish location for this novel and house offers the ideal set up for a ghost story and after an explosive start where I was thrown into action as Kate is pursued by a man, the hauntings begin with the smell of rosemary and classic spookiness. The authentic ghostly experiences were perfectly balanced with the developing relationship between Kate and Tom. The tension and chemistry between them kept me intrigued as did the discovery of a diary revealing the houses secrets.

Would I recommend?

Yes, this is a lovely, enjoyable ghost story for these colder nights with atmospheric setting and intriguing characters parcelled up with an historical mystery waiting to be solved. It sent shivers down my spine. I would love to read more from this author especially if she writes more paranormal.

Author Biography

Penny Hampson

Some time ago Penny Hampson decided to follow her passion for history by studying with the Open University. She graduated with honours and went on to complete a post-graduate degree.

Penny then landed her dream role, working in an environment where she was surrounded by rare books and historical manuscripts. Flash forward nineteen years, and the opportunity came along to indulge her other main passion – writing. Penny joined the New Writers’ Scheme of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and  three years later published her debut novel, A Gentleman’s Promise, a  historical mystery/romance. Other books in the same genre soon followed.

But never happy in a rut, Penny also writes contemporary suspense with paranormal and romantic elements. Her first book in this genre is The Unquiet Spirit, published by Darkstroke.

Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).

For more on Penny’s writing, visit her blog: https://pennyhampson.co.uk/blog/

Twitter: @penny_hampson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pennyhampsonauthor

Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to this tour, introducing me to a new author to watch and giving me an ARC so I could give my honest and unbiased opinion.

Happy reading and stay safe!

Love

Book Review: Son of Secrets by N J Simmonds

Nearly three years ago, I shared my review for an amazing book, The Path Keeper by NJ Simmonds.  The new adult novel blew me away with the pace, plot and characters. It was the beginning of a series; I longed to read more. I waited and, like many others, reread my treasured copy while we waited for news about the sequel’s release. The release was delayed but I am excited to say the waiting is over. The second book of the Indigo Chronicles, Son of Secrets is here! I was lucky to receive an advanced copy to review and it was one of those books I have been desperate to shout about ever since. Scroll down to see why. 

Son of Secrets by NJ Simmonds

SON OF SECRETS BLURB:

Ella has been waiting for Zac for three years. She’s convinced he’ll return for her, but fate has other plans. When Josh is thrown back into her life, Ella has a choice: step back on to her rightful path, or wait for the one who dared her to rebel.

But Ella’s not the only one missing Zac. Luci has been searching for her blue-eyed boy over two millennia and will stop at nothing to get him back. Even if that means hunting down the only girl he ever loved.

From Tuscany 5BC to 17th century witch hunts, Ella, Zac, Luci and Sebastian’s lives have been forever intertwined. The time has finally come to complete the circle.

In a fight against destiny – who will win?

LINKS:

njsimmonds.com
Facebook 
Instagram 
Twitter   
Goodreads
Amazon pre-order

My Thoughts

Oh, my! My love of the first novel in the Indigo Chronicles, The Path Keeper, is immense. I’m lucky enough to own a physical copy of the original run and it holds a treasured spot on my forever shelf. The wait to read this second instalment has been excruciatingly long, but it was worth every second.

Fate is battling to right itself after the heart stopping conclusion of The Path Keeper and the characters are reintroduced along with new ones. Ella is as feisty as always and handles her pain in her own way. She was never going to be a weeping damsel in distress and I respect and love her for it. The sorrow she and Zac feel leaps off the page and her step-brother’s hatred gave me goosebumps. It is an emotional, soul ripping read and the writing is more developed than before which I did not think was possible.

The introduction of Luci is inspired and is a character I will always remember and aspire to be for her strength and clarity. The novel blends historical events, fantasy and emotions perfectly to produce a study of the treatment of women in the past and present as well as exploring how the fear of strong women and those who refused to fit to the constraints set by stereotypes triggered the hysteria surrounding witchcraft. 

With angels galore, and passion sizzling between characters, it is definitely not a YA book. The central theme of reincarnation is captivating and with the well-developed characters and many twists and turns it kept me reading through the night. NJ Simmonds  has cast a spell on an idea to create something amazing.  I’m going to struggle to find a better book to read this year and a reading hangover is looming.

Would I recommend?

Yes, get it now and if you have not read The Path Keeper, you need to add it to your shopping basket. This is a series you can not read out of sequence. Son of Secrets is an emotional, thrilling novel of empowerment, grief, magic and eternal love.
I will be counting the days to read the sequel. It is one for my forever shelf. In fact I can not wait to get a hard copy of the series to admire.

Author Biography

N J Simmonds

N J Simmonds is the author of the fantasy series The Indigo Chronicles – she also writes Manga comics and is one half of Caedis Knight. Her stories are magical, historical and full of complex women. page-turning twists and plenty of romance. Originally from London, she now lives with her family in the Netherlands.

Thank you NJ Simmonds for inviting me to this tour and the advanced copy. If you would like to know more about the book or author visit other blogs on this tour for extracts, interviews and discussions on the characters. 

Love 

 

Book Review: The Devil’s Bride by Emma S. Jackson

I am very excited to be part of this blog tour for The Devil’s Bride by Emma S. Jackson; not only because I love the cover but also because I had the pleasure of meeting her last year and have been looking forward to reading her work ever since. This is her first paranormal romance and I hope it will not be her last.

The Devil’s Bride

Title: The Devil’s Bride

Author: Emma S. Jackson

Publisher: DarkStroke

Genre: Paranormal romance

Release date: 6th February 2020

Blurb:

No one goes near Edburton Manor – not since the night in 1668, when demons rose from the ground to drag Lord Bookham’s new bride to a fiery death. Or so the locals say.

That’s what makes it the perfect hideout for the gang of highwaymen Jamie Lorde runs with.

Ghost stories have never frightened her. The living are a far more dangerous prospect, particularly to a woman in disguise as a man. A woman who can see spirits in a time when witches are hanged and who is working hard to gain the trust of the most ruthless, vicious man she has ever known because she intends to ruin and kill him.

But when the gang discovers Matthew, Lord Bookham’s illegitimate brother, who has been trapped by a curse at the Manor ever since the doomed wedding, all Jamie’s carefully laid plans are sent spiralling out of control.

My Thoughts

If I saw this book on a shelf in a store, the striking cover would have drawn me in with its spooky design and I am happy to say it fits the novel perfectly. From the start I found myself immersed in the story by the atmospheric descriptions of the foreboding forest and the haunted house abandoned after the legendary wedding with its demonic guests. Once I met the protagonist, Jamie Lorde I could not stop reading until I knew her story and the outcome of the Highwaymen’s quest. Yes, it was one of those books I stayed up past midnight to read in one sitting. Jamie has a strength, intelligence and courage I admire and is memorable as are the other characters in the book. They all have depth which adds to the richness of the story and they all have secrets which adds to the thrill. The mix of paranormal and historical fiction gives it a delicious Gothic feel and has just the right balance of romance. The constant threat the others in her gang will discover her true sex or her psychic ability adds tension to an already unnerving set of events and the unexpected twists kept me on edge until the satisfying conclusion.

Would I recommend?

Yes, it may only be February but I know this will one of my favourite reads of the year. It made me feel excited about reading and I am pleased to have a copy on my forever shelf to reread in the future. It is everything I want in a paranormal novel and much more. I am looking forward to reading more by this talented author.

Author Biography

Author Emma S. Jackson

Emma Jackson is the best-selling author of A MISTLETOE MIRACLE, published by Orion Dash. A devoted bookworm and secret-story-scribbler since she was 6 years old, she joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association on their New Writers’ Scheme at the beginning of 2019, determined to focus on her writing. Her debut novel was published in November 2019. When she’s not running around after her two daughters and trying to complete her current work-in-progress, Emma loves to read, bake, catch up on binge-watching TV programmes with her partner and plan lots of craft projects that will inevitably end up unfinished. THE DEVIL’S BRIDE is her second novel, published by DarkStroke as Emma S Jackson. She hopes to continue working across sub-genres of romance, as she believes variety is the spice of life.

You can follow Emma on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESJackson1

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmmaJacksonAuthor/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emma_s_jackson/

Website www.esjackson.co.uk

Thank you Emma Jackson for an advanced copy so I could give my honest and unbiased opinion.

Happy Reading!

Love

Book Review: The House of Secrets by Terry Lynn Thomas

I am pleased to start this week with a review for The House of Secrets by Terry Lynn Thomas. As many of you know I love books about the supernatural so I was excited to be given the chance to be on this blog tour organised by @rararesources

The House of Secrets by Terry Lynn Thomas

Title: The House of Secrets (The Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book 2)

Author: Terry Lynn Thomas

Genre: paranormal crime

Publisher: HQ Digital

Release Date: 11th April 2019

Blurb

Sarah Bennett has two secrets: she sees ghosts, and she is in love with a spy.

When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.

As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geisler’s life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.

Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.

This book was previously published as WEEPING IN THE WINGS

Purchase Links:

US – https://www.amazon.com/House-Secrets-Sarah-Bennett-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07H3DKQQ4

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Secrets-Sarah-Bennett-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07H3DKQQ4

Purchase News: The House of Secrets is 99p throughout June as part of the June Kindle Monthly deal. The Spirit of Grace, book 1 in the series is also 99p throughout June.

My Thoughts

The opening scene grabbed my attention but the verdict of Sarah’s father murder trial clinched it, I knew I would like this book . The House of Secrets is the second in the Sarah Bennett series but it can be read as a standalone. It does make you curious about Sarah Bennett’s and Zeke’s back story which is why the previous one The Spirit of Grace is on my TBR list . The premise of a psychic protagonist investigating crime is not unique but set in the 1940s  the threat of being admitted to an asylum is ever present adding to the overall tension. Sarah is haunted by the past but determined not to sucked under by the spirits she hears or the gossip that follows her.

The prose and imagery made it a relaxing read and reminded me of the Agatha Christie Mysteries but with ghosts which I think is a wonderful combination. I was immersed in the working of the Geisler household and its occupants. It has been converted into an institute for psychiatric patients but with Dr Geisler’s interest in the occult some are also believed to have psychic abilities. Minna is a classic damsel in distress from a Gothic novel and was fun to read but my favourite character was sophisticated Cynthia. I would love to read about her and hope she plays apart in any future books. All the characters including Dr Gleiser have an air of secrecy about them and I felt any of them could prove to be Sarah’s undoing. Like Sarah I was unsure who to trust and where the story would go.

Would I recommend?

Yes, this a refreshing, cosy read for lazy days on the beach, Sunday mornings or hiding under the duvet. I am looking forward to reading more of the series and other books by Terry Lynn Thomas.

Author Biography

Author Terry Lynn Thomas

Terry Lynn Thomas grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back.

Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas.

Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/TLThomasBooks

Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources, and HQ Digital for allowing me to read this book for an honest review. For more information and reviews on The House Of Secret why not visit the other blogs on the tour.

I love ghostly reads so feel free to share your recommendations below and if you have read this series please let me know your thoughts.

Happy Reading !

Love

Other blogs on this tour

Book Review: And No Birds Will Sing by E.A Clark

It is nearly Halloween; my favourite time of year to read books with a spooky edge so I am pleased to share my review for And No Birds Will Sing as part of the blog tour organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.

 

And No Birds Will Sing by E.A Clark Book Cover

 

Title: And No Birds Will Sing

Author: E.A Clark

Genre: Horror, Suspense, Paranormal

Publisher: Crooked Cat Books

Release date:  3rd September 2018

Blurb

Not all spirits rest in peace…

Following a personal tragedy, a recovering Grace Clements relocates with her husband and daughter to an old cottage in idyllic rural Oxfordshire. As the family integrate into the seemingly benign local community, they learn unsettling facts about the cottage’s dark past. Grace quickly becomes uncomfortably aware of a menacing presence within their new home.

Stumbling upon a neglected cemetery, Grace and her daughter discover the graves of the house’s previous inhabitants, including those of nine babies. Dismayed to find herself pregnant, Grace suspects she has awoken something truly evil in her new residence. She develops a creeping sense of unease as she unravels the disturbing truth about the history of the cottage and the fate of its occupants.

Who is the sinister boy watching Grace and her family? Are there malevolent forces at work? Or is the mentally fragile Grace heading for another breakdown?

A spellbinding paranormal thriller from the best-selling author of Lay Me To Rest. You may want to keep the lights on…

Purchase Links

UK https://amzn.to/2Mvmbey

US https://amzn.to/2noxGJO

https://www.crookedcatbooks.com/product/and-no-birds-shall-sing/

My Thoughts

Within the first few pages, I questioned my wisdom of reading this book at night before I went to sleep. I instantly felt the tension and unease radiating from the cottage in the woods. This well-written novel has all the classic elements of a good ghost story – a rundown house with a back story the villagers are wary to discuss, a family wanting a new start and chilling episodes of hauntings which send shivers down your spine. It is made better by being on the right side of realism. The events are believable. Caught by E.A. Clarke’s imagery, I found myself emerged in the story. Emotionally attached to Grace as she struggled to deal with her grief alongside the hauntings and Cassie with her guide dog Jet, my fear was heightened. I was  trapped between wanting to find out more and wanting to put the book down because I was scared for the characters in peril. I tentatively turned the pages until the end.

Would I recommend?

Yes. This eerie book is perfect for a Halloween read.

Author Bio

E.A Clark Author

Elizabeth Clark was born and raised in the Midlands, where she continues to live with her husband and son, plus an assortment of pets. Much of her formative existence was spent with her head in a book, and from an early age, she grew to relish the sheer escapism afforded by both reading and writing fiction. Putting things on hold for a time to raise her three children, she has resumed her fervent scribbling.

She has a love of antiquity and a penchant for visiting old graveyards, often speculating on the demise of those entombed beneath. Whilst she has written short stories and poetry for many years, a lifelong fascination with all things paranormal culminated in her first novel for adults, ‘Lay Me to Rest’, published in September 2017 by HQ Digital.

‘And No Birds Shall Sing’, to be published by Crooked Cat in October 2018, is her second foray into the realms of the supernatural.

Social Media Links 

Twitter handle –  @EAClarkAuthor ;

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.clark.779857

Goodreads – E.A. Clark – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17100457.E_A_Clark

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/e-a-clark

 

Thank you Rachel Random Resources for the opportunity to review this book. Why not visit the blogs below for further reviews and info on the book and author.

Happy reading!

 

Book Blitz & Book review: The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part Three by Audrey Davis @raresources @audbyname #BookReview

The third and final instalment is here of The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part Three by Audrey Davis. I started reading the series in November 2017 so I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for an honest review.  Did I enjoy it? Scroll down and see.

Title: The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part Three

Author:  Audrey Davis

Genre: romance, woman’s fiction, supernatural

Release date: 30th July 2018

Purchase from Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haunting-Hattie-Hastings-Part-Three-ebook/dp/B07DT2P5Q3 

Blurb

Nothing lasts forever … Gary’s time on earth seems to be coming to an end. His visits are less frequent and his visibility is fading fast. But he still has a mission to accomplish, which involves Hattie and her ability to pass on a heart-rending message.

Best friend Cat’s ex-husband is determined to prove that he deserves another chance, but do leopards really change their spots?

Times are tough for Hattie’s mother Rachel, but where there’s life, there’s hope …
Meanwhile, is there someone already in Hattie’s life who can help her move on when it’s finally time to say goodbye?

Get your tissues at the ready – both for laughter and tears – with the final instalment of a trilogy that has been hailed ‘brilliant’, ‘hilarious’, and ‘a great feel-good read’.

My thoughts

This is a series to be read from the start rather than jumping in with this one. Without previous knowledge of the story line it maybe confusing and vital information would be lost. Reviews for Part One and Part Two can be found here.

It was lovely to catch up with Hattie and her companions after the break; I longed to discover what was going to happen next after part two’s cliffhanger. It leads straight on from the final scene of the last book so you are thrown straight back into Hattie’s life as she attempts to fulfil Gary’s request. The same characters appear and I loved seeing how they have developed from the beginning especially Cat, Hattie’s best friend. Her relationship issues could have a novel of their own. It is the ideal combination of paranormal, humour and romance as lovable Gary still visits and their relationship continues despite the obstacles death brings. From the start the love between Gary and Hattie has been realistic with their acceptance of each others faults.

I love books with a paranormal twist and this blend of ghostly visits and romance works well.  I did not want to be disappointed by the concluding book and I wasn’t. There is consistency in the writing throughout and the plot, pacing did not falter between books. Luckily, Audrey Davis has other work I can explore as I will miss these characters.

Would I recommend?

The series is a lovely, lighthearted humorous read; perfect for glorious sunny days on the beach. They deserve to be read in quick succession so treat yourself to a binge reading session.

About Audrey Davis
​

Audrey Davis

Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.

Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, fewer farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: ‘There’s been a murrrrder!’

After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for ‘artistic’ use of naked men’s bottoms.

Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn’t bode well …

Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it’s packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we’ll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two is published on 21 March 2018, with the conclusion following in July. After which she might have a wee lie down …

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/audreydavisbooks

Twitter– https://twitter.com/audbyname

Have you read the series? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Or maybe you have a spooky story to share, I would love to here them.

Happy reading!

 

Book Review: The Coven by Lissy

For those who know me and read my other blog, it is no surprise I was excited to receive this in my NetGalley shelf. I love books about witches and the blurb for this first installment sounded ideal.

 

The Coven book cover

 

Title: The Coven

Author: Chrissy Lessey

Publisher: BooksGoSocial

Release date: 27th June 2017

Blurb

The future queen awakens…

Newly single mother Stevie Lewis divides her time between raising Charlie, running a store with her best friend, and avoiding the meetings of her mother’s Beaufort Historic Society. Although her life has its challenges, it’s altogether average. Just the way she likes it.

When Vanessa, a ruthless dark witch, launches an attack against young Charlie, Stevie’s simple life derails, and her long-dormant powers awaken. A 300-year-old secret is exposed, revealing her destiny to one day rule the clandestine community of witches who hide in plain sight.

Now she must master her own magical powers before it’s too late. Because Vanessa’s on the warpath, and only Stevie can stop her.

My Thoughts

This was an enjoyable, easy read which delivered a sprinkle of magic on a dreary day. I love the illustration on the cover which would attract me instantly if I saw it on a shelf.

The town of Beaufort is full of magical secrets, known only to a select few.  When a stranger arrives Stevie’s life is turned upside down. She is a likable protagonist and I instantly felt a connection as she struggled to bring up son with autism. The book is littered with quirky characters with imaginative gifts that I loved.  It is part of a trilogy but it could easily become a bigger series by delving into the other older members of the coven. They must all have their own tales to tell. I am looking forward to reading the second installment of The Crystal Coast Series.

Would I recommend?

Yes. it is perfect for light, magical escapism.

 

Happy reading!

Publication Day: The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part 2 by Audrey Davis

Hattie Hastings along with her ghost husband, Gary are back in part two of this series. Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting back to review this book and congratulations to Audrey Davis on the publication of this new release.

 

Book cover for The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part two.

 

 

Title:  The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part two

Author:  Audrey Davis

Release date: 21st March 2018

Purchase from Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haunting-Hattie-Hastings-Part-Two-ebook/dp/B079WN5F5G

Blurb

The story continues … Hattie is used to her deceased husband Gary dropping in and out of her life. His timing might not always be great, but at least he’s still around. Although – when Hattie tentatively tries a spot of dating – his interference isn’t entirely welcome.
Best friend Cat is lapping up her new relationship with teacher Jamie, but ex-husband Stewart isn’t prepared to fade into the background.
Hattie’s mother Rachel faces a daunting battle, one she doesn’t want to burden family and friends with. But there’s someone waiting in the wings who might be more than a shoulder to cry on.
Gary still doesn’t know what his mission on earth is, and spirit guide Clarence isn’t offering any clues? Will an encounter with another provide him with answers, or put Hattie in an impossible situation?
Prepare for more laughs and tears in the second installment of a trilogy which takes a darkly comic look at life … and the afterlife.
Warning: Cliffhanger ending

My Thoughts

This book continues immediately from Part One so if you haven’t already it is wise to start there. The review of The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One can be found here.

The story follows Hattie, Gary, and Cat and the plot becomes more complicated with the arrival of another ghost as well Hattie starting the dating game. This is a quick, enjoyable, light-hearted read with the gentle humour from Part One threaded throughout. With the last page ending as it did, I am eager to learn what happens next in part three.

Would I recommend?

Yes, it is ideal to curl up under the duvet or on a beach for a light, humourous read. When part three is released I will reread them in a Hattie Hastings binge.

About Audrey Davis

 

Author Audrey Davis

Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.
Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, less farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: ‘There’s been a murrrrder!’
After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for ‘artistic’ use of naked men’s bottoms.
Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn’t bode well …
Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it’s packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we’ll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two is published on 21 March 2018, with the conclusion following in May/June. After which she might have a wee lie down …

 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/audreydavisbooks

Twitter- https://twitter.com/audbyname

 

Happy reading!

Book review and Giveaway: A Spell in the Country by Heide Goody and Iain Grant

As a fan of the paranormal genre and witches, I am excited to be on the blog tour for A Spell in the Country by Heide Goody and Iain Grant. Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced copy for an honest review ad the opportunity to take part in this tour.

 

Book Cover of A Spell in the Country

 

Title:  A Spell in the Country

Author:  Heide Goody and Iain Grant

Publisher: Pigeon Park Press

Blurb

“Dee is a Good Witch but she wonders if she could be a better witch.

She wonders if there’s more to life than Disney movie marathons, eating a whole box of chocolates for dinner and brewing up potions in her bathtub. So when she’s offered a chance to go on a personal development course in the English countryside, she packs her bags, says goodbye to the Shelter for Unloved Animals charity shop and sets a course for self-improvement.

Caroline isn’t just a Good Witch, she’s a fricking awesome witch.

She likes to find the easy path through life: what her good looks can’t get for her, a few magic charms can. But she’s bored of being a waitress and needs something different in her life. So when a one night stand offers her a place on an all-expenses-paid residential course in a big old country house, she figures she’s got nothing to lose.

Jenny is a Wicked Witch. She just wishes she wasn’t.

On her fifteenth birthday, she got her first wart, her own imp and a Celine Dion CD. She still has the imp. She also has a barely controllable urge to eat human children which is socially awkward to say the least and not made any easier when a teenager on the run turns to her for help. With gangsters and bent cops on their trail, Jenny needs to find a place outside the city where they can lay low for a while.

For very different reasons, three very different witches end up on the same training course and land in a whole lot of trouble when they discover that there’s a reason why their free country break sounds too good to be true. Foul-mouthed imps, wererats, naked gardeners, tree monsters, ghosts and stampeding donkeys abound in a tale about discovering your inner witch.”

Purchase Links

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078NRFL93/

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NRFL93/

My Thoughts

I have not read a book like this for a long time. It is a highly imaginative, clever romp of a book: full of magic, memorable characters and moments. The witches are all distinctly different and though I love them all, the star of the story has to be Jenny’s imp, Jizzimus with his outlandish quips and antics.* He made me splutter my tea more than once.

Throughout the book, the humour,  plot, and strength of personalities made it worthy of four stars but the concluding chapters rocketed it to a fantastic five. Full of action and unexpected turns this book is very visual and would make a wonderful film if done correctly.  I felt like a child again reading Roald Dahl’s The Witches for the first time and was sorry I had reached the end. I may have to just go back to the beginning and start again.

I am thrilled to know there are other books written by the duo to catch up on and they are on my TBR list.

Would I recommend it?

Oh yes! An ideal book to read for escapism and immerse yourself in zany fun.

 

*With  Jizzimus around this book is definitely not for children.

 

Author Bio

 

Heide Goody and Iain Grant

 

Heide Goody is the stupid one in the writing partnership and Iain Grant is the sensible one. Together, they are the authors of seven novels, two short story collections and a novella.

The ‘Clovenhoof’ series (in which Satan loses his job and has to move to Birmingham) has recently been optioned by a Hollywood production company. Their latest novel, Oddjobs 2: this time it’s personnel, was published in August 2017.

Heide and Iain are both married, but not to each other.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clovenhoof-Books-285544508177333/

Website: http://www.pigeonparkpress.com/

Twitter: @HeideGoody and @IainMGrant

 

Giveaway

 

Magical Prizes

 

I am pleased to announce for the first time on this site a giveaway! Some magical goodies could be flying your way by winning a Witch’s Pamper Package (Open Internationally)

The package, worth over £100 contains…

• A lacy gothic bracelet
• A witch’s hat fascinator
• A pair of green and black stripy tights
• A Yankee candle in “Forbidden Apple”
• A set of wand-shaped makeup brushes
• A gothic notebook (for spells!)
• A bookmark featuring a squashed witch (with just the legs sticking out!)
• A gemstone ring
• A gorgeous coffin-shaped vegan eyeshadow palette from Lunatick Cosmetic labs (with a bat-shaped mirror!)

For an opportunity to win please follow the link and good luck.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c6949467/

Heide Goody and Iain Grant are also guests on this blog so to hear more click here.

Happy Reading!