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Phantoms of Old Louisville: Ghostly Tales from America's Most Haunted Neighborhood
Book
Old Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, is the third-largest National Preservation District in the...
TH
Templar Heresy: A Story of Gnostic Illumination
James Wasserman, Keith Stump and Harvey Rochman
Book
Set within the dramatic tableau of the medieval Crusades, this story of initiation, adventure, and...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2316 KP) rated Ghosts ‘N Graveyards in Books
Nov 24, 2020
Haunted Thanksgiving
It’s Thanksgiving, and Emma and her new husband, Phil, are planning a quiet holiday with their friend Jeremiah and his friend Rose. Like Emma, Jeremiah is also a medium who has solved mysteries with Granny, the ghost of Emma’s great-great-great grandmother. That’s going to come in handy with Granny shows up. It seems that one of the ghosts in Julian’s Pioneer Cemetery is more upset than usual. It sounds like she thinks someone is about to die. Is she right? Can Emma and Jeremiah stop it from happening?
It’s been a couple of years since we got a new Granny Apples story, so it is wonderful to get to visit some of the characters again with this short story. The story is a bit simple, even for a short story, but it serves as a great excuse to spend time with these characters again. While we don’t see everyone in Emma’s orbit, I was glad to get the update on the characters who are here. All of them, living and dead, are wonderful. We even get a glimpse of what might be coming for another character this author writes about. This is a story for fans, and they will be happy. If you haven’t met the characters, don’t jump in here, but do start this fun paranormal series.
It’s been a couple of years since we got a new Granny Apples story, so it is wonderful to get to visit some of the characters again with this short story. The story is a bit simple, even for a short story, but it serves as a great excuse to spend time with these characters again. While we don’t see everyone in Emma’s orbit, I was glad to get the update on the characters who are here. All of them, living and dead, are wonderful. We even get a glimpse of what might be coming for another character this author writes about. This is a story for fans, and they will be happy. If you haven’t met the characters, don’t jump in here, but do start this fun paranormal series.
Merissa (12660 KP) rated Eira in Books
Aug 5, 2021
EIRA is a standalone novella giving The Snow Queen a FF fairytale retelling.
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Sakho & Mangane in TV
Feb 17, 2021
Completely bonkers Senegalese cop show. Stern, serious veteran Sakho is forced to team up with young Mangane, who is a bit of a rogue. 'I work alone!' they cry in outraged unison: but the captain decrees otherwise. So for a few episodes they tackle cases in traditional police-procedural style, albeit with an African twist (sample dialogue: 'must have been a ritual killing, his balls have been cut off').
Then, halfway through the season and with virtually no warning, a villain with magic powers turns up, one of the characters likewise reveals he has occult abilities, and from this point on the show is stuffed with demons, zombies, evil magicians, strange cults, and so on: the police captain is told that rather than an elite crime task force, she's now running a secret paranormal investigation squad (not that she bothers to tell anyone on the team).
To say it's wrong-footing is a serious understatement, and I would love to know what was going on behind the scenes on this show (it's like Starsky and Hutch turns into The X Files mid-run), but it's colourful and pacy with interesting characters (I particularly enjoyed the perpetually-wasted police pathologist). The quality control, script-wise, is a bit iffy in places, but it obviously scores very highly on the 'what the hell am I watching...?' front.
Then, halfway through the season and with virtually no warning, a villain with magic powers turns up, one of the characters likewise reveals he has occult abilities, and from this point on the show is stuffed with demons, zombies, evil magicians, strange cults, and so on: the police captain is told that rather than an elite crime task force, she's now running a secret paranormal investigation squad (not that she bothers to tell anyone on the team).
To say it's wrong-footing is a serious understatement, and I would love to know what was going on behind the scenes on this show (it's like Starsky and Hutch turns into The X Files mid-run), but it's colourful and pacy with interesting characters (I particularly enjoyed the perpetually-wasted police pathologist). The quality control, script-wise, is a bit iffy in places, but it obviously scores very highly on the 'what the hell am I watching...?' front.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
May 27, 2021
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Torn (Second Sight #2) in Books
May 30, 2021
74 of 250
Kindle
Torn ( Secnd Sight book 2)
By Hazel Hunter
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
They are opposites in everything - except love.
Psychic Isabelle de Grey and FBI Special Agent Gavin "Mac" MacMillan are an improbable couple. But when her world of seeing into the past and his world of profiling criminals overlaps, an intense, sensual relationship quickly erupts. Despite bicoastal living arrangements, red-hot desire still consumes them both. Though Isabelle is thrilled that Mac is returning to L.A., her happiness is tempered by the grim reality they must face.
The serial killer who escaped them has struck again and found another young woman. Though Isabelle and Mac work together, he keeps their relationship hidden in order to preserve his job. As the investigation falters and the strain of secrecy takes its toll, Isabelle and Mac struggle to find a way forward. Despite the heated passion that explodes between them, hard decisions lay in store for the couple as they discover that every choice has its cost.
For a quick read it shows promise! It could be a very good full crime/paranormal novel it felt very force and very rushed to pack it all into 11 chapters. She clearly has a talent just these short blasts need more!
Kindle
Torn ( Secnd Sight book 2)
By Hazel Hunter
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
They are opposites in everything - except love.
Psychic Isabelle de Grey and FBI Special Agent Gavin "Mac" MacMillan are an improbable couple. But when her world of seeing into the past and his world of profiling criminals overlaps, an intense, sensual relationship quickly erupts. Despite bicoastal living arrangements, red-hot desire still consumes them both. Though Isabelle is thrilled that Mac is returning to L.A., her happiness is tempered by the grim reality they must face.
The serial killer who escaped them has struck again and found another young woman. Though Isabelle and Mac work together, he keeps their relationship hidden in order to preserve his job. As the investigation falters and the strain of secrecy takes its toll, Isabelle and Mac struggle to find a way forward. Despite the heated passion that explodes between them, hard decisions lay in store for the couple as they discover that every choice has its cost.
For a quick read it shows promise! It could be a very good full crime/paranormal novel it felt very force and very rushed to pack it all into 11 chapters. She clearly has a talent just these short blasts need more!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Accacias Curse (Sisters Of Hex #1) in Books
Dec 29, 2020
214
Kindle
Accacia’s curse ( sisters of Hex book 1)
By Bea Paige
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Born with a rare blood disorder that means she cannot go out in daylight, Accacia has learned to live in the dark, even if it has been incredibly lonely. Determined to find a cure that will finally allow her to walk in the sun, Accacia has spent her days and nights holed up in her laboratory doing just that.
After a freak encounter with a tall, dark, and ridiculously handsome stranger, Accacia might just have found her cure, but not in the way she expected. Drawn into a parallel world of paranormal creatures and a Queen who wants her dead, Accacia has to put her trust in three vampires who, seemingly, want to devour her in more ways than one.
It wasn’t bad! I enjoyed the whole idea of the characters and story. If I had one point that nagged at me was the constant need for Accacia to sleep with Rhain yes I get the whole saving him etc but felt it a bit pushy! I did love Devin though! I think now they are in the other world things will get interesting I’m looking forward to meeting these other clans!
Kindle
Accacia’s curse ( sisters of Hex book 1)
By Bea Paige
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Born with a rare blood disorder that means she cannot go out in daylight, Accacia has learned to live in the dark, even if it has been incredibly lonely. Determined to find a cure that will finally allow her to walk in the sun, Accacia has spent her days and nights holed up in her laboratory doing just that.
After a freak encounter with a tall, dark, and ridiculously handsome stranger, Accacia might just have found her cure, but not in the way she expected. Drawn into a parallel world of paranormal creatures and a Queen who wants her dead, Accacia has to put her trust in three vampires who, seemingly, want to devour her in more ways than one.
It wasn’t bad! I enjoyed the whole idea of the characters and story. If I had one point that nagged at me was the constant need for Accacia to sleep with Rhain yes I get the whole saving him etc but felt it a bit pushy! I did love Devin though! I think now they are in the other world things will get interesting I’m looking forward to meeting these other clans!
ClareR (5846 KP) rated Someone Like Me in Books
Jul 14, 2019
A great paranormal thriller!
I always know I’m going to get a book from M R Carey that stretches my imagination, keeps me guessing and makes me late for work (actually, that last one isn’t so good, to be honest). I don’t want to say too much about what actually happens in this book at the risk of giving the whole plot away, but here goes!
Liz is a single mother with two children, and the book starts with their father returning the children late from spending the weekend with him. When Liz points out that they have school in the morning, he snaps. He starts to strangle her, and just as she thinks he’s going to kill her, she senses an outside influence taking her over. This ‘influence’ saves her life.
Fran is a teenager coping with the PTSD and hallucinations caused by her kidnapping as a six year old. Their paths cross thanks to Zac, Liz’s seventeen year old son.
This is a story that requires the reader to leave their rational, logical mindset at the door - and I’m all for that! I loved everything about this book. I don’t know how M.R. Carey comes up with the ideas for his novels, but I’m just incredibly glad that he does!
Many thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book.
Liz is a single mother with two children, and the book starts with their father returning the children late from spending the weekend with him. When Liz points out that they have school in the morning, he snaps. He starts to strangle her, and just as she thinks he’s going to kill her, she senses an outside influence taking her over. This ‘influence’ saves her life.
Fran is a teenager coping with the PTSD and hallucinations caused by her kidnapping as a six year old. Their paths cross thanks to Zac, Liz’s seventeen year old son.
This is a story that requires the reader to leave their rational, logical mindset at the door - and I’m all for that! I loved everything about this book. I don’t know how M.R. Carey comes up with the ideas for his novels, but I’m just incredibly glad that he does!
Many thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Devil's Bargain in Books
Sep 6, 2019
3.5 stars.
I've read a lot of Rachel Caine books: 13 of 15 of her Morganville Vampires series, all of her Weather Warden books and 2 of 3 in her Revivalist series.
This and it's sequel, Devil's Due which I'll start any minute, are nothing like what I've come to expect, but they were written several years earlier than the books mentioned above. This wasn't as paranormal as I was expecting, what with the name of the book but even so I wasn't disappointed with the story at all.
It centres on two females who've never met but are brought together to form a detective agency and given jobs by a lawyers firm. Only things aren't as straight forward as they appear.
I really enjoyed the romance between Jazz and (James) Borden. It was drawn out but it was constant throughout the book and I think I have to blame Jazz for nothing happening sooner, she was a little prickly where James was concerned simply because she found him attractive, while James never hid his attraction to Jazz.
As I mentioned above, I'm going straight onto Devil's Due now to find out how it all ends.
I've read a lot of Rachel Caine books: 13 of 15 of her Morganville Vampires series, all of her Weather Warden books and 2 of 3 in her Revivalist series.
This and it's sequel, Devil's Due which I'll start any minute, are nothing like what I've come to expect, but they were written several years earlier than the books mentioned above. This wasn't as paranormal as I was expecting, what with the name of the book but even so I wasn't disappointed with the story at all.
It centres on two females who've never met but are brought together to form a detective agency and given jobs by a lawyers firm. Only things aren't as straight forward as they appear.
I really enjoyed the romance between Jazz and (James) Borden. It was drawn out but it was constant throughout the book and I think I have to blame Jazz for nothing happening sooner, she was a little prickly where James was concerned simply because she found him attractive, while James never hid his attraction to Jazz.
As I mentioned above, I'm going straight onto Devil's Due now to find out how it all ends.