Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch

January 29, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch
Publisher: Gollancz
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

The Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud, and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring him to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that the Faceless Man, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London’s two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter’s going to need help from his former best friend and colleague–Lesley May–who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch….

Detective Constable Peter Grant and Nightingale finally know who The Faceless Man is and their main mission is to now stop him. But when it comes to magic in London – and The Faceless Man in particular – nothing is ever easy, and this time the nefarious plan is already well under way by the time Peter and Nightingale finally feel they might catch up to him.

I have been thoroughly enjoying this series and can highly recommend all the books in the series. While I do feel if readers come fresh to this book having not read any of the previous installments the book is still quite enjoyable and a great paranormal mystery on it’s own merits, I do believe that a lot more connection and enjoyment can be had having read the previous books.

I was really pleased that a lot of the overarching plots got a semblance of conclusion in this book and while there are still plenty of loose threads and clearly more stories to come I do think a lot of readers who have been following along will find this story particularly satisfying.

Readers who enjoy magic and paranormal stories – especially with a bit of mystery and police procedure thrown in – should find this book and this series as a whole highly enjoyable. I absolutely love this series and find the whimsy and even at times laugh out loud craziness is a joy to read. The characters are vibrant and relatable and the plot is delightfully complicated while still having a bit of the messiness and craziness of real life added in.

A great series and one I can strongly enjoy. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Blessings and the Thief by Elaine Violette

January 20, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Blessings and the Thief by Elaine Violette
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Holiday, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Damien Reeves grudgingly agrees to host his ailing Uncle Lionel’s Christmas party at the Blackmoor Inn, a restored castle famous for absurd ghost lore. When he learns of petty thefts that have occurred among his uncle’s elderly friends, he hopes discovering the culprit might keep him from reliving his own tragic holiday memories. When a beautiful young woman arrives, a more enticing challenge appears.

Tessia Bennington is relieved to spend the holidays at the reputed haunted inn with her aunt and uncle after the man she’d expected to marry begged off. She enjoys the frolicking escapades of the aged partiers while ignoring the handsome host’s flirtations. What she can’t ignore is a ghostly presence seeking her help.

Neither Tess nor Damien could have imagined the bizarre events and this most unusual holiday. Will they part with special memories or shed their defenses and find happiness in each other?

Christmas is the perfect time for romance and ghost stories.

I enjoyed the gentle ambiance of this tale. The characters lived in a world where the most scandalous thing that could occur were a missing pair of gloves or two young lovers kissing for a moment when the elders weren’t looking. This was a place where everything always turns out well in the end even if there may also be a few mischievous ghosts rumpling the bedsheets or moving personal items around. There’s something to be said for spending time in such a peaceful world.

It would have been helpful to have more character development in this piece, especially considering how many people were staying at this inn over the holidays and how little time there was to get to know most of them. I found myself feeling sympathy for characters like Annabelle who tended to be described in ways that didn’t always paint her in the best light. While I’m not sure if this was the author’s intention, it made me wonder what she and other characters like her would be like if their virtues were highlighted instead as well as how this tale would be different if told from another perspective instead.

The paranormal subplot made me smile. I enjoyed learning the backstories of the various ghosts who were said to haunt Blackmoor Inn and seeing what the characters thought of them. Would they believe in ghosts or think that question was a silly one? Other readers should discover the answers to these questions for themselves, but I thought these scenes added depth and humor to the storyline.

Blessings and the Thief was a cozy Christmas tale.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Behind the Red Wooden Door by Sofia Ulrikson

January 10, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Behind the Red Wooden Door by Sofia Ulrikson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), LGBTQ, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Some doors, once opened, cannot be closed…

Following the departure of her only friend, Drew starts having strange dreams which feature a mysterious red, wooden door. Hesitant at first to explore this other world that feels as substantial as reality, she nonetheless finds herself drawn to the door upon witnessing a masked stranger with unconventional tendencies entering it alone.

Desperate to rectify her lonesome situation during her time awake, she endeavors to handle the weighty demands of her job and distant father. But when she meets Bonnie, an outgoing girl who reminds her of the best friend who left, Drew begins to wonder about the possibilities of second chances.

Still, the memory of her absent friend continues to haunt her, even in her sleep. As she works to unravel their mysteries, the effects of her dreams on her daily life become ever more apparent―for, as it seems, more than one hidden truth remains to be uncovered.

Once Drew has opened the door, things might not return to the way they used to be…

An emotional and fantastical exploration of mental health and healing, this beautifully written magical realism novel combines the cozy and heartfelt elements so beloved by readers of Lonely Castle in the Mirror and When the Coffee Gets Cold.

Change is possible, but it’s not always simple.

This was a sympathetic portrayal of how depression can sap a person’s energy and make even the smallest tasks feel all but impossible, and I was impressed by how accurate it was. Drew felt stuck in her stressful and low-paid retail position but couldn’t see how she could switch to something better anytime soon. When combined with other life difficulties, this made it hard for her to feel motivated or look for new opportunities. She was the sort of character I wanted to hug and give some genuine encouragement to.

With that being said, I struggled with the slow pacing and repetition. Drew noticed the red door multiple times before deciding if she wanted to open it to see what was inside, and even after that decision was made, she continued to put off making other choices that might have helped her in her journey to discover what that door meant and why it kept appearing in her nightmares. Yes, her depression went a long way in explaining why she behaved this way, but the pacing also made it difficult for me to remain highly interested in what might happen next because she continued agonizing over the same small decisions over and over again. This is something I’m saying as a reader who would have loved to give a higher rating and thought there was plenty of good in her story, too.

While I did see the ending coming in advance, it was still interesting to observe how Drew reacted to it once she figured out what was really going on. This wasn’t the sort of tale that needed a big plot twist in order to make everything work even though I continued to wish for more conflict and action at times. The quietness of it suited both Drew’s personality as well as what had happened earlier on in the storyline. She was the sort of person who would react well to gradually learning something that changed the way she thought about the world.

Behind the Red Wooden Door was thought provoking.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Hauntings and Hoarfrost by Rhonda Parrish (editor)

January 1, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Hauntings and Hoarfrost by Rhonda Parrish (editor)
Publisher: Tyche Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Holiday, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Wild storms, the sound of ice skates cutting across an empty pond and blankets of soft, white, beautiful death.

In the dark depths of winter, it is easy to become isolated as snow obscures landmarks and drifts create claustrophobic situations that can leave you huddled in your house, struggling to keep warm . . . and, perhaps, to ignore the message scrawled in the frost on the window.

Within these pages, you’ll discover eerie tales of long ago ghosts stretching frost-bitten fingers into the present, unexplained footprints in the snow, screaming madness, and icy cold sanity.

Editor Rhonda Parrish presents Hauntings and Hoarfrost, an anthology brimming with chilling stories and poems of the mysterious and uncanny for all lovers of horror, fantasy, and gothic.

Winter has many faces.

I adored the friendly ghosts in “And We All Come to the End, Around, Around” who all died in or near the same rustic cabin in different years. Finding the similarities between them was exciting due to the wide variety of eras they lived in and lifestyles they lived. I also enjoyed the plot twist later on that involved the ghosts deciding to band together and do something no one could ignore.

I was impressed with how many different approaches were included in this collection, from the kind and gentle tale I mentioned earlier to much darker and scarier interpretations of the theme. “Neither Rime Nor Reason” was one of these, and it followed a man named Donnan who walked into a deadly mountain range to try to save his foolish brother. The anger, confusion, and despair in this instalment made me curious to read more because every single character felt at least one – and usually more than one – of those emotions even if it wasn’t immediately noticeable to the reader. Peeling back those layers to try to figure out why everyone felt this was satisfying and made me want to learn more.

One of the worst things about winter is being deliriously sick and home alone during a blizzard. “Ice Lamp” explored the confusion and danger of that experience for a character who can’t quite tell which parts of their experience are memories of the past, distorted glimpses of their cold, damp cabin when viewed through the perspective of someone experiencing a serious illness, or vivid dreams that simply feel real. While I can’t provide any hints about which of these interpretations are correct, I felt like I was experiencing all of these possibilities alongside the protagonist as they struggled to figure out what to do next.

Hauntings and Hoarfrost was the perfect read for a cold, snowy day.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Tales of the Forthcoming: An Anthology of Science-Fiction and Supernatural Short Stories by Steven Blows

December 20, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Tales of the Forthcoming: An Anthology of Science-Fiction and Supernatural Short Stories by Steven Blows
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

It is impossible for anyone to know what the future will bring or even what is lurking behind the next corner, but it is possible to wonder, to question, to imagine. Have you ever imagined?

Machines with science beyond compare, intergalactic relics possessing unlimited power, creatures of nightmares, troubling family dinners, and more are included in this enthralling anthology of the awe-inspiring, the wonderous and the bone-chilling. Examining topics of greed, love, and fate, there are stories designed to make your heart race, others designed to melt it.

Possible futures and the horrors of today, Tales of the Forthcoming is a collection of ten short stories like no other.
So make a cuppa, sit back, and forget the world for a short while as you dive into a world of make-believe where imagination rules.

Science can’t explain everything yet.

I was intrigued to discover what speculative fiction twist could be found while reading about someone taking their dog for a walk in “Mezameru.” It was such a routine but wholesome moment in life that I kept a close eye out for hints that would guide me in the right direction. What a fun way to expand the audience’s expectations of what might happen in this genre! This reminded me why I like science fiction so much.

Some of the stories in this collection would have been better if more details had been included in them, especially when it came to character and plot development. “Highway,” which followed a young man who planned to travel down an empty and eerie road in Australia in order to reach his brother who needed a temporary caregiver, was one of them. As much as I enjoyed the cashier’s stern warning to the protagonist to avoid that highway at all costs, I found myself wishing someone had better explained what sometimes happened on that road to people who were travelling alone. There were so many different possibilities and only scant evidence for any one of them being the most accurate one.

As someone who also struggles to enjoy Christmas,“Possibilities” grabbed my attention immediately. The protagonist’s long standing effort to make this holiday special for the people in his life who do look forward to it was an excellent testament to his kind and generous personality. I also enjoyed the twist later on as the family was decorating their home. What a thoughtful way to draw readers in and make them wonder what they’re currently overlooking in their own lives.

Tales of the Forthcoming: An Anthology of Science-Fiction and Supernatural Short Stories was a wild ride.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Book of Thunder and Lightning by Seb Duncan

December 19, 2024 By Leave a Comment


The Book of Thunder and Lightning by Seb Duncan
Publisher: Roundfire Books
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A vigilante ghost stalks the East End of London… Before the lightning, he was just a boy, now he’s ready for revenge. The Book of Thunder and Lightning is a Gothic mashup of Oliver Twist and Top Boy, a love letter to London, wrapped up in a mind-bending ghost story. In 1888, unlucky Tom Baxter is thrown into a world of toxic masculinity, where his only weapon is his imagination. But at least he’s got his crew, a gang of misfits just like him, to back him up. As lightning stretches across time and space to a gritty 21st-century London, history is repeating itself. Tom has the chance to save his modern-day twin, with help from a reluctant hero, a posh girl from Chelsea, and a donkey called Dorris. His luck has to change sometime, right?

Life isn’t always fair.

Both of the settings involved characters who were not only participating in illegal activities but involving kids in their crimes as well. This was something I expected to find in the historical timeline but not so much in the contemporary one. Some of the most interesting scenes to me were the ones that explored what the kids thought about the secret errands they were sent on or the odd things the adults in their lives occasionally said or did. A child’s understanding of these things isn’t going to be the same as an adult’s, after all!

I struggled with the time jumps between the late 1800s and the modern era. It took quite a while for me to discover the connections between them, and while I found the conflict interesting there weren’t many detailed descriptions of the characters or settings to grab my attention in the meantime in the present day. I found myself wishing that these scenes were as easy to visualize as the ones set in and around 1888.

It was intriguing to learn how the afterlife worked in this universe. Instead of focusing on traditional options like heaven or hell, at least some of the dead could earn the opportunity to do things they genuinely wished to do. Although I can’t go into detail about what they did to earn those treats without giving away spoilers, I did enjoy learning about how that system worked and what the dead thought of it.

The Book of Thunder and Lightning made me smile.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Christmas Storm by D. V. Stone

December 16, 2024 By Leave a Comment


A Christmas Storm by D. V. Stone
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Holiday, Inspirational, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

An early storm is brewing in Upstate New York, and military wife Lacey Prescott is caught unprepared when it turns into a blizzard. Defeated by her own lack of preparation and the recall of her husband’s Christmas holiday leave, her joy in the season is replaced by bitterness and anger.

In an unexpected turn of events, Lieutenant Matthew Prescott’s leave is reinstated. But the journey home is not an easy one since a Nor’easter stands between him and his family.

Amidst the storm’s fury, Lacey gets a glimpse of the past, present, and possible future, while Matt gets assistance from a mysterious stranger.

In a heartwarming story of determination, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unexpected kindness of strangers, the possibility of a Christmas reunion brings a sense of hope with a message of love and support from friends and family that embodies the true spirit of Christmas.

Everyone needs to slow down eventually.

Treating the weather almost like it was a character was a creative move that makes me want to read more from this author. Snow is beautiful, but blizzards can be deadly even for people who are experienced with them. I smiled and nodded along as the characters briefly discussed the things that can go wrong when the roads are treacherous for driving and a family hasn’t stocked up on food, fuel, and other supplies before the storm arrived. While the blizzard itself wasn’t sentient, its presence added plenty of conflict and tension to the storyline as Lacey and her loved ones tried to figure out how to best ride it out.

I would have liked to see more attention paid to developing the plot, especially since it was inspired by Dickens. The author could have done so much more with the intersection between Lacey’s stubborn personality and the blizzard that had her trapped at home. Some important plot points involving the dangers she faced were smoothed away when I thought they should have been explored in greater depth. I would have happily chosen a higher rating if the narrator had been willing to show more examples of the risks she took by not being prepared for this storm and not wanting to ask for help.

With that being said, I enjoyed the modern spin the author put on A Christmas Carol. It was updated nicely for the twenty-first century and included a protagonist that I found relatable and generally pretty likeable, too. Her flaws were realistic, especially considering the glimpses of her past that were shared with the audience that showed why she’d become such a fiercely independent adult. Honestly, I could see myself acting just like her if I’d had her childhood and young adulthood!

This is the third instalment of a series that does not need to be read in order.

A Christmas Storm was heartwarming.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Devin Drake and the Roller Ghoster by R. M. Clark

December 6, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Devin Drake and the Roller Ghoster by R. M. Clark
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Devin Drake, a twelve-year-old paranormal ghost detective, is asked by Cassie Waite, the smartest, most athletic girl at their middle school, to help with a ghost problem.

It seems her family’s house, built on the site of a former amusement park, is haunted by two roller coaster-riding ghosts from a century ago.

While trying to figure out who they are and what they want, Devin realizes the amusement park spirits are in danger and he’ll need all his paranormal powers to find them a new hangout in the afterlife.

But when the ghosts trick Cassie into getting on the haunted coaster, Devin enlists the help of an offbeat, local historian to rescue Cassie from their world before she is trapped in it forever.

The past can never be forgotten.

I enjoyed Devin’s unique and sometimes slightly quirky friendship with Cassie. There were a few times in the beginning when I thought she was a little rude to him, but my brief confusion was soon replaced with an explanation that made a great deal of sense and helped me to get to know them both better. Everyone has off days, after all, and it was interesting to see how he responded to her when she said and did things that other kids might have found odd. There is something endearing about characters who don’t always know how to respond to each other, and I look forward to reading more about them in the future if the author writes a third instalment.

It would have been helpful to have more details included here. I had some trouble imagining what was happening because of how little time was spent describing the characters, settings, and a few moments later on in the plot that discussed how the ghosts died that I thought could have used extra attention. As much as I wanted to choose a higher rating, this was something that held me back from enjoying this tale as much as I had hoped I would.

The mystery elements of the storyline were well done. I liked the way the author shared most of the clues slowly as the plot required them. That kept my interest levels up as I waited to find out who the ghosts were, when they died, and why they continued to haunt that old amusement park. As much as I’d love to dig more deeply into this topic, I think other readers will enjoy it more if they know as little about the ghosts as possible ahead of time.

This is part of a series that does not have to be read in order, but I do recommend checking out Devin Drake and the Family Secret to anyone who enjoyed this mystery.

Devin Drake and the Roller Ghoster kept me guessing.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Demon’s Queen by Katee Robert

November 13, 2024 By Leave a Comment


The Demon’s Queen by Katee Robert
Publisher: Trinkets and Tales LLC (Self-Published)
Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

Eve’s life might not be perfect, but it’s hers. She has money, freedom, and a client list that she’s handpicked over the years. If sometimes she gets a little too attached to those clients? Well, that’s her problem. After a stressful day, she’s looking forward to dinner and a long night with Azazel…until he asks her to sign a contract under the guise of roleplay—and then kidnaps her to another realm.

Azazel has been in love with Eve for years, but he knows his place. The window to offer her a contract has long since closed, so he takes her in the only way he can—as her client. Until one of his enemies realizes exactly how much Eve means to him…forcing him to lie to her to protect her.

Unfortunately for Azazel, Eve isn’t thankful for the protection. She may be stuck in the demon realm with her new captor, but she’s going to make him choke on every moment they spend together.

Too bad her heart is more in the mix than she’d ever admit…

“In my heart of hearts, I simply want someone to choose me, to love me above all others. I’m too old for fairy tales – I have been since I was a child – but some fantasies persist even when you know better.”

Informed consent is a big thing in the world of Katee Robert’s A Deal with a Demon series, and bargainer demon leader Azazel commits one of the biggest no-no’s ever in tricking Eve (an escort who he’s been seeing for months) into a lifelong contract. Determined to make him pay for it, a lot of frustration and angst ensues as each side tries their best to understand the other.

I’ve been waiting for this book ever since the first official one (The Dragon’s Bride) came out, and I have to say it did not disappoint. I’m really impressed with how the author has managed to write essentially 6 books that are happening almost simultaneously. Eve is the final ‘human’ that was put up to auction, but her deal was unique in that it wasn’t for seven years, and she didn’t really get anything out of it like the others. After seeing Azazel so calm and collected in previous installments, it was interesting to see him frazzled and bent out of shape in an effort to keep his territory together and keep Eve safe.

Azazel and Eve have an interesting dynamic. They go from casual lovers, to hating each other, and back to lovers again. Eve (understandably) makes Azazel grovel for forgiveness and it was quite fun to watch. It was also quite satisfying as a fan of the series to get more in depth as to Azazel’s motivation for holding the auctions in the first place.

Overall, a great read and a great ‘end’ to the series (since all of Ms. Robert’s books are interconnected in some way). If you enjoy short paranormal romance books with a monster flair, a guaranteed happily ever after ending, and a bit of drama, this would be a great choice. I highly recommend reading the series in order (starting with The Demon’s Bargain, which is set in the same world), as that will provide the best reading experience in my opinion.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Crossroads Hotel by Karen Avizur

October 22, 2024 By 1 Comment


The Crossroads Hotel by Karen Avizur
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Welcome to the crossroads, where hospitality reigns supreme for the guests who are anything but human.

Marjorie has spent the last two years managing the Crossroads Hotel and Diner, a roadside stop in rural Missouri with a guest list that’s anything but ordinary. The locals are one thing, but it’s the visitors from other dimensions that keep her on her toes. Now, as she trains her new assistant, Josh, he’s quickly learning that dealing with shapeshifters and ageless little girls is just part of the job. But when an unexpected earthquake shakes more than the ground beneath them, Marjorie and Josh discover something far stranger is at play, and it’s no mere anomaly. At a hotel where the bizarre is business as usual, handling the changes might just be the toughest check-in yet.

The customer is always right in supernatural matters.

One of my favorite aspects of this tale involved the backstories of the human characters. It takes a special sort of person to work at The Crossroads Hotel, especially on days when paranormal activity is much higher than usual. Some visitors can do and say alarming things, for example, and not everyone who stays at this hotel is necessarily who or what they appear to be. It made sense, then, that so many of the human employees had good reasons for wanting to work at such an unpredictable place instead of a nice, quiet hotel in another city.

The ending was what convinced me to select a full five-star rating for this piece. Looking back, there were a few clues I hadn’t fully understood at the time that could nudge a reader in this direction, but they could have also been interpreted in wildly different ways, too. I adored the surprise waiting for me in the last few scenes and thought it was executed beautifully. It fit the storyline and character development nicely, and it was also just plain fun to read.

The world building was strong and intriguing. Ms. Avizur created a comfortable but unusual setting where humans coexisted with all sorts of other sentient creatures. The rhythms of hotel life were sometimes interrupted by otherworldly conflicts, but I was honestly just as interested in the ordinary aspects of keeping guests from such a wide variety of backgrounds happy. Customer service remains the same everywhere even if one’s customers happen to be furry or immortal.

The Crossroads Hotel made me yearn for more. The sequel can’t appear quickly enough for my tastes!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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