Tag: #paranormal

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: A Kelly Society Christmas by S.K. Andrews

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for A KELLY SOCIETY CHRISTMAS (The Kelly Society Book #2) by S.K. Andrews for this Black Tide Book Tour.

Below you will find a book summary, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Summary

Vivien Kelly’s Christmas list: Pick up Christmas tree—check, buy Christmas gifts—check, order pumpkin pies—check, save my friend Josh from Krampus the Christmas demon—check!

After killing a demon and saving the modern world, paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly only has three days till Christmas. She scrambles to buy gifts, grocery shop for holiday feasts, and get a Christmas tree. She’s on track when suddenly, her young friend Josh calls the wrath of Krampus, the Christmas demon.

Can Vivien buy gifts, cook Christmas dinner, decorate the tree, and also save Josh before Krampus drags him to an eternal hell? Vivien must call upon the most frightening goddess of all for help—Hel, goddess of the underworld.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61630871-a-kelly-society-christmas?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=2ngVd5UOH1&ra

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

A KELLY SOCIETY CHRISTMAS (A Kelly Society Book #2) by S.K. Andrews is a fun holiday novella addition to this new paranormal/urban fantasy series featuring paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly. This novella picks up almost immediately after Bay of Darkness, the first book in the series leaves off. This book can be easily read as a standalone, but you get more of an understanding of Vivien’s past and powers if you read book one first.

After paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly saved our world from a dystopian disaster, she only has three days left until Christmas. As she rushes to buy gifts, she suddenly has a vision of one of the young men who works at her local coffee shop facing Krampus’ wrath. Vivien and her friend’s do everything in their power to keep Josh safe, but Vivien realizes Krampus will not relent and she must deal with his frightening mother, Hel, the goddess of the underworld.

This is a fun paranormal alternative to a traditional Christmas story. Vivien is a is wonderful protagonist who has her everyday normal problems and then must deal with Celtic mythical creatures come to life at the same time. The Kelly Society personnel are not present in this novella, it is focused on Vivien, her boy friend Neal, and the coffee shop employees. The descriptions of Half Moon Bay decorated for Christmas and Vivien and Neal preparing for Christmas all bring the holiday to life even as Vivien faces down Krampus and Hel. The worldbuilding is just as strong in this novella as in the first book of the series and I hope there will be more Kelly Society books to come.

I really enjoyed this holiday paranormal novella.

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About the Author

When S.K. Andrews wasn’t swimming in the Pacific Ocean in her hometown of Laguna Beach, California, she busied herself by writing fantasy stories and acting on stage. Having grown up watching Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone and Night Gallery shows on TV, S.K. quickly fell in love with paranormal tales with a message of wisdom and love. Also, being a fan of romance novels and non-fiction ghost stories, she decided to marry the two and write paranormal novels of suspense, adventure, and intrigue with a strong romantic foundation. The sense of adventure inside her came from summers of camping with her family in Mexico (Baja California) and walking along beaches with no other footprints but hers, as her family members unpacked the camper and got ready to collect clams right off the shoreline for dinner.

After attaining a B.A. degree in Theatre from University of California, Irvine, and a Professional Acting Certificate from LACC Acting Academy, an idea sparked for interviewing actors to help student actors entering the theatre arena. Her non-fiction book The Pursuit of Acting; Working Actors Share Their Experience and Advice was published by Praeger Publishers. In The Kelly Society book series, S.K.’s heroine, paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly and her team are in a race to rid the modern world of deadly Celtic creatures. Bay of Darkness and A Kelly Society Christmas (July 2022) are the first two books in the series. Bay of Darkness won the Finalist prize in 2019 from N.N. Light’s Book Heaven and also placed Finalist with Readers Favorite in 2020. The beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York is where S.K. calls home.

Social Media Links

https://www.skandrews.com

https://www.facebook.com/starra.andrews

https://www.instagram.com/starraandrews/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6dzir_I6LhEIWOYCJQFCw?disable_polymer=true

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Moonlight Becomes You by Robert Herold

Hi, everyone!

Today is my turn on the Blackthorn Book Tour to share my Feature Post and Book Review for MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU (An Eidola Project Novel Book #2) by Robert Herold.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media link. Enjoy!

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Book Description

The Eidola Project travels to Petersburg, Virginia, to investigate a series of murders in the Black community—rumored to be caused by a werewolf. Once there, danger comes from all quarters. Not only do they face threats from the supernatural, the KKK objects to the team’s activities, and the group is falling apart.

Can they overcome their human frailties to defeat the evil that surrounds them?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57249183-moonlight-becomes-you?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=DrnLnd4Tlf&rank=2

MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU

  • Genre:  Gothic horror
  • Print length: 209 pages
  • Suitable for young adults? This is an adult book but suitable for mature teenagers 16+
  • Trigger warnings: Some sexual scenes. Supernatural violence. Recollected murder of a child.

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU (An Eidola Project Novel Book #2) by Robert Herold is an intriguing and entertaining historical paranormal horror story set in rural Virginia twenty years after the Civil War. The Eidola Project team come together in Book #1 “The Eidola Project” and while each book has a complete paranormal investigation, I feel it is best to read these books in order due to the continued character revelations and interactions.

Dr. William James and the other paranormal investigators on the Eidola team have been asked to investigate a series of mutilation murders within a small black community in Petersburg, Virginia. The team does not know at first if they are dealing with human monsters riding as the KKK or a true werewolf. It soon becomes apparent they are dealing with both.

This book is such a wonderful mix of paranormal horror and historical reality. The author does an amazing job of mixing and balancing both throughout the entire story. The Eidola Project team is an eclectic group that take their research seriously, but also each have their own very human foibles and weaknesses. All the team members and secondary characters are fully fleshed and time-period appropriate. This book kept me captivated from start to finish even though it is not your typical paranormal werewolf story.

I highly recommend this historical paranormal horror story, series and author!

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About the Author

The supernatural always had the allure of forbidden fruit, ever since Robert Herold’s mother refused to allow him, as a boy, to watch creature features on late night TV. She caved in. (Well, not literally.)

As a child, fresh snow provided him the opportunity to walk out onto neighbors’ lawns halfway and then make paw prints with his fingers as far as he could stretch. He would retrace the paw and boot prints, then fetch the neighbor kids and point out that someone turned into a werewolf on their front lawn. (They were skeptical.)

He has pursued many interests over the years (among them being a history teacher and a musician), but the supernatural always called to him. You could say he was haunted. Finally, following the siren’s call, he wrote The Eidola Project, based on a germ of an idea he had as a teenager.

Ultimately, he hopes the book gives you the creeps, and he means that in the best way possible.

Social Media Link: https://robertheroldauthor.com/

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TVHMNGN

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Black Magic’s Prey by Kristin McTiernan

Black Magic’s Prey (Siren Song #1) by Kristin McTiernan

#BlackMagicsPrey #KristinMcTiernan @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Hi, everyone!

Today is my turn to post on the Blog Tour and share my Feature Post and Book Review for BLACK MAGIC’S PREY (Black Magic Book #1) by Kristin McTiernan.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb

Hiding is no longer an option.

Tess has been stalker-free for fifteen years. She’s been living in trailer parks and preparing to run at any minute—all because in ninth grade she turned down the wrong Brujo. He comes from a long line of male witches and even back in high school, his powers were terrifying.

He used those powers to punish Tess. To make her do things. Awful things.

Now she has a new life. She’s got a good job, a decent Airstream trailer, and a best-friend-maybe-girlfriend. She’s careful not to reveal too much about her dark past.

But none of that matters. No matter where Tess goes, he will always find her. Unless she’s willing to trust a man who may be even more twisted than her stalker’s curse.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42196330-black-magic-s-prey

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

BLACK MAGIC’S PREY (Black Magic Book #1) by Kristin McTiernan is the start to a new paranormal/urban fantasy series by a new to me author.

Theresa “Tess” Cooper is an HR consultant who has been living in her own trailer and ready to run at a moment’s notice for the last fifteen years of her life. You have to be able to move quickly when you are stalked by evil.

Tess has been stalked by a psychotic Brujo since she turned him down for a date in the ninth grade. The entire male only line of Brujo lived across the street from Tess and her parent’s home. When he catches up with her again, she decides it is time to return to her childhood home in Kansas City and ask for forgiveness and get help from his father, Luis.

Is Luis willing to help Tess against his son?  Could his help be worse than her stalker’s curse?

I enjoyed this first book in this new series. For such a short book, only 175 pages, Ms. McTiernan does a good job of pulling me in to invest in Tess’s story and the worldbuilding was unique. The main storyline of this short book was tied up, but this is an episodic first-person saga so it leaves questions that lead you into the next book. The sex throughout the book is basically behind closed doors except for one scene which is intense and a pivotal point in the story, so I cannot discuss it. No spoilers here.

I recommend this paranormal/urban fantasy. It is a different world that I am not used to reading about and I have already purchased the next book in the series to find out where the series goes.

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About the Author

After waffling between joining a convent and enlisting in the Marines, I settled on the latter at the age of seventeen. After finishing my enlistment, I studied English literature with the intent of becoming a teacher. But after realizing I loved words more than teaching others, I used my degree to become a professional writer and editor, first with the federal civil service and then with the private sector. A lover of all things spec-fic, I wrote about women in weird situations, whether it’s magic or time travel, and enjoy the journey I take my characters on.

Social Media

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

Website: https://www.kristin-mctiernan.com/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kristinmctiernanthenonsensefreeeditor

Purchase Links

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Magics-Prey-Siren-Song-ebook/dp/B07HWS5M7N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=black+magic%27s+prey+kristin+mctiernan&qid=1590326557&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Magics-Prey-Siren-Song-ebook/dp/B07HWS5M7N/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=black+magic%27s+prey&qid=1590326130&sr=8-2

Publishing Information:

Published in paperback, audio and digital formats on October 15th 2018

Book Review: Captivated by a Gargoyle by Lisa Carlisle

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

CAPTIVATED BY THE GARGOYLE (Boston Stone Sentries Book #3) by Lisa Carlisle is the next in a series of paranormal romances following Larissa and Roman. Although this is the third book, I believe you receive enough backstory and can pick-up the storyline and romance quickly enough to read this as a standalone.

Larissa Riley is still on suspension from the Boston P.D. at the start of this book. She discovered that she is a witch and she is the best hope to save her friend from an incubus demon king. She has not been trained and her belief in her power is spotty, but Roman believes in her and her power.

Roman is a gargoyle shifter and Commander of the Boston Stone Sentries. He knows Larissa is a powerful witch, even though she still has doubts and he knows she is his life-mate. When Larissa’s best- friend, Janie is kidnapped by the demon, Roman will follow Larissa through the portal into the demon realm to save her.

I enjoyed this addition to the series. Roman and Larissa are put through their paces in this action packed plot and their romance gets back on track. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous. I enjoyed how Larissa matured and grew into her powers and emotions in this finale. I also enjoyed the other gargoyle sentries becoming more three dimensional and integrated into the plot as characters and not just placeholders. This novella wraps up Roman and Larissa’s story well and hopefully Ms. Carlisle will follow more of the gargoyle shifters into the future.

Book Review: Better Dead by Pamela Kopfler

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

BETTER DEAD (A B&B Spirits Mystery #1) by Pamela Kopfler is the first book in a new cozy mystery series set in a Louisiana B&B. The spirit in this book adds a touch of the paranormal and I can only assume that since this series is called a B&B Spirits Mystery there will be others in future books.

Holly Davis owns Holly Grove plantation turned B&B. It has been in her family for several generations and she especially needs to make it a success and profitable now that her cheating husband is dead. Killed in a plane wreck before Holly could divorce him, Burl nearly bankrupt the B&B and was involved with drug smuggling on the property.

As Holly drinks to celebrate her untimely freedom, Burl shows up as a spirit with unfinished business. Burl needs Holly’s help to move on. Holly needs Burl’s help to make Holly Grove a truly haunted plantation that will draw in guests to pay the bills.

Jake McCann, Holly’s former high school sweetheart, returns to town to help with the town’s paper while the owner is on vacation. He works out an agreement with Holly to stay at the B&B, but is that the only reason he has returned?

This was a fast read and had some laugh out loud scenes especially when you read about Gold Member and some of Holly’s disasters. The interaction between Holly, her ex’s spirit and Jake was also well written.

I was disappointed that Holly made so many bad decisions that placed her in jeopardy. One or two is fine, but I prefer a smarter heroine. I am not sure if it was done for screwball comedy sake, but it was just too many times. For me, Holly’s long-time housekeeper and cook was more of a caricature than I was comfortable with. I also would have preferred Jake to become more romantically involved further into future books. It felt rushed at the end of this book.

Overall, this is an entertaining cozy, but not sure if I will continue with the series.