With summer at an end and fall upon us, Halloween is fast approaching, bringing ghosts and witches, vampires, spooks, and all things paranormal to the forefront. For those of you interested in curling up with a good book and a blanket on a cool October evening, here are some suggestions, along with short reviews and the links in case one of them grabs your attention. They are books that I enjoyed and all include aspects of the supernatural.
When the Rooster Crows at Midnight, The Mallory Shane Witch Detective Series by Hargrove Perth is a book that grabbed me from the outset. Written in the first person, the story is told by Detective Mallory Shane, who is employed by the City of Pittsburgh’s Immortal Detective Association of Witches, the IDAW. Detective Shane is a witch.
When witches are being killed by an assumed serial killer, it is up to Detective Shane to figure out who is responsible and why others of her kind are being attacked. At the same time, she needs to focus on keeping herself out of the killer’s path. “When a rooster crows at midnight, a witch will die…” And the rooster has been crowing. With memorable characters and a fast pace, this well-done novel will keep you entertained and turning the pages quickly. And it is a bargain at $1.99! https://www.amazon.com/Rooster-Crows-Midnight-Mallory-Detective-ebook/dp/B0B3BK3NH3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RJUDV529A8P8&keywords=When+a+Rooster+Crows+at+Midnight&qid=1663870141&s=digital-text&sprefix=when+a+rooster+crows+at+midnight%2Cdigital-text%2C58&sr=1-1
Meet Me in Maine by Susanne Leist is a story told through the eyes of Elizabeth, who is fleeing an oppressive relationship as fast as her feet will carry her. She and her best friend, Scarlet, move to Maine where they purchase a Bed and Breakfast. Immediately upon their arrival, the two ladies meet a couple of attractive, single, former military men who are infatuated with the Inn’s new residents and the girls get more than they bargained for.
Not expecting to be thrust into the center of a town whose residents have been cursed, Elizabeth and Scarlett are horrified to witness several grisly murders. As the story unfolds and the murders pile up, paranormal activity escalates. The plot is good and those who enjoy paranormal, with a bit of romance woven throughout, will enjoy this one. https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Me-Maine-Book-Harbor-ebook/dp/B0972C155B/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WGZJL5V14MWZ&keywords=meet+me+in+maine+susanne+leist&qid=1663872594&s=digital-text&sprefix=Meet+me+in+Maine+%2Cdigital-text%2C117&sr=1-1
Breathless by Yvette Calleiro, is an entertaining cross between be-careful-what-you-wish-for and karma-is-a-beast. In an adult fairy tale, the author contrasts love and hate, good and evil, happy and sad, then weaves them all together with a touch of magic. The result is an engaging short story with exactly the right ending, which I doubt is what you will expect. It is a good one! https://www.amazon.com/Breathless-Short-Story-Yvette-Calleiro-ebook/dp/B08BLVDHQX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30CG46VTPZ5WH&keywords=Breathless+Yvette+Calleiro&qid=1663878276&sprefix=breathless+yvette+calleiro%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-1
Handprints by Wanda Fischer is a well-done short story that realistically portrays the relationship of two women living in a mental institution. Both Edna and Anne are involuntarily committed by their husbands. While Anne has family contact, Edna has no one, until Anne. Whether mental health issues were actually present before her commitment is unclear, but Edna is determined to make the best of the life she had been forced into. The two women are inseparable until Anne passes away and Edna learns, or perhaps she always knew, that love lives forever. An excellent short story, it is worth every penny of $.99! https://www.amazon.com/Handprints-Wanda-Adams-Fischer-ebook/dp/B09GLC26NQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Happy Reading!
Stories By Karen 