For charmed tea shop owner Shay Myers, getting steeped in Bray Harbor, California’s October festivities is spookier than she ever could have bargained for—especially when a bone-chilling murder mystery spells grave danger . . .
With Halloween around the corner, Shay Myers is brewing witchy seasonal sips at Crystals and CuriosiTEAS—while simultaneously steaming over pub owner Liam Madigan’s decision to take anybody but her to the town’s Monster Mash dance. Her romantic premonitions have missed the mark since she settled into coastal Bray Harbor, opening the door to questions about whether she’s really the gifted seer her late mother imagined. It’s why she second guesses the dark vision in her tea leaves about a local citizen and their obsession with genealogy, Irish folklore, and magic . . .
But when bad omens come true, Shay doesn’t have time for self-doubt. A woman’s body has been discovered, frozen in a strange pose with an eerie black butterfly on her forehead, leading to suspicions that the victim took a conjuring ritual too far due to limited experience—or was murdered by someone with too much. As an investigation stirs up a sinister connection to a boardwalk mystic shop, Shay, guided by her knowing dog, Spirit, finds herself tracking down a shady figure from her past, navigating the sudden reappearance of her ex-husband, and chasing down a wickedly perceptive criminal who might finally be her match!
My Thoughts
This is a pleasant afternoon read for those of you who like their mysteries cozy, uncomplicated, and with touches of the paranormal and romance.
There’s some information on teas and crystals included in the narrative, and a good dose of Irish folklore, which adds some appeal to the narrative. You’ll finish this one feeling like the characters are friends and you really want to be able to go visit the shop and hang out with them.
An evocative and charming novel full of secrets and mystery, from the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop
In a quiet village in Ireland, a mysterious local myth is about to change everything…
One hundred years ago, Anna, a young farm girl, volunteers to help an intriguing American visitor translate fairy stories from Irish to English. But all is not as it seems and Anna soon finds herself at the heart of a mystery that threatens her very way of life.
In New York in the present day, Sarah Harper boards a plane bound for the West Coast of Ireland. But once there, she finds she has unearthed dark secrets – secrets that tread the line between the everyday and the otherworldly, the seen and the unseen.
With a taste for the magical in everyday life, Evie Woods’s latest novel is full of ordinary characters with extraordinary tales to tell.
My Thoughts
What a lovely story!
The dual-time storytelling works beautifully here as we follow Sarah and Oran in the present as they learn about Anna and Harold in the past. There’s some suspension of disbelief needed here as we follow Sarah’s unexpected journey from NYC to Ireland and her discovery of Anna’s diary. However, every good story requires that suspension and it’s not hard to do here.
Woods spins a gentle but gripping tale of past small village intrigue with a modern tale of a woman examining her life and wondering how she got so off track. This will appeal to fans of Susanna Kearsley and those who enjoy dual-time stories.
A. N. Horton is a two-time award-winning author living in Nashville, TN with her husband, children, and moderately chunky Corgi. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, baking more cookies than her family can eat, and plotting crimes against her characters. Best known for crafting characters that steal her readers’ hearts as much as they shatter them, A. N. Horton is a cross-genre writer.
You write a blend of romance and fantasy. Tell us why you’ve chosen to tell the stories you’ve published.
For me, I love a brand new world. I love the idea of creating a universe that is not bound by the physical or natural laws of our own. I love the idea of magic and mystery and the development of cultures and species. My stories tend to cross genre boundaries, bringing romance and mystery into fantasy and sci-fi so you might find yourself reading about falling in love in a new world or engage in political espionage against the gods. I like to let my imagination run wild and challenge the normal tropes. You won’t find too many damsels in distress in my writing, either. One of my biggest motivations is writing heroines who can stand on their own two feet and have intellectual strength as well as spiritual and physical. And, as I always say, I write the story that I would want to read.
Do you have a favorite reference book or website?
I actually have several references I use while writing but the ones I use the most, I would say, are The Emotion Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi and wordhippo.com which is a new website I’ve found that is a thesaurus specifically for writers. It has helped me drastically in saving the time I usually spend staring at my computer trying to think of the right word or scrolling through a traditional thesaurus for the word with the right feeling behind it.
What are your favorite and least favorite things about interacting with your readers?
I always love interacting with my readers. Just hearing that someone took the time to read anything I wrote is such an honor, whether what they have to say is positive or negative. I have mostly had positive interactions with my readers and they are a fantastic community who are very supportive. They’re the type of readers who, once they find a new author they love, they champion that author’s work better than I ever possibly could myself and I am so appreciative of every reader that finds their way to my book. My favorite thing is probably reading the reviews. I love to read what people thought of my book. My least favorite thing is probably how difficult it is to interact. It’s quite hard to pierce the noise of the publishing industry to reach new readers in the first place but then, once I do, I’m limited in how often I can respond due to social media’s restraints meant to identify bots. But I always thoroughly enjoy it when a reader reaches out as I’m always thrilled to hear from them!
Do you have a favorite genre that you read? Why or why not?
I do! It is, unsurprisingly, fantasy. And all types of fantasy. I can swing from an epic, thousand page, fantasy to a light, romantic urban fantasy and enjoy both stories immensely. But, even though fantasy is my favorite, I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to genre and I’m open to pretty much anything. I’ve also got a soft spot for a cheesy rom com every now and then and enjoy historical fiction and mysteries as well. I am obsessed with trying to predict twists before they happen and am always eager to see which authors can fool me as I support them in their work.
For a fiction writer – Are there certain tropes that you are just OVER? Why or why not?
Yes, several. Though I hesitate to mention them because I know I’ll get some backlash for it. I will say that, just because these tropes aren’t for me, doesn’t mean that they won’t be someone else’s all-time favorite and no judgment! I would never yuck someone else’s yum. But for me, accidental pregnancies, third act breakups, and age gap are just not something I enjoy. I don’t necessarily need a happy ending and I’m just tired of vampire/werewolf romances.
Why do you write?
Because I love it. Even when it definitely doesn’t love me back. Writing is hard. We spend years developing worlds, plots, and characters which are then picked apart by editors and reviewers before making it to readers. But, even if just one person reads my story and falls in love with it just as much as I have, it’s all worth it. We suffer for our art but it’s worth it in the end.
Does it matter to you if your readers dislike your characters?
It does. It probably shouldn’t but I pride myself on crafting relatable characters who make my readers feel real emotion. So if I miss the mark on that, I take it quite personally. My stories tend to be more character-driven and I often write in first person because I feel that it gives the reader a better connection to the world and plot. If my narrative character, therefore, ends up as an annoyance, then I’ve failed.
Do you ever write characters based on real people?
Most of my main characters are females who project the strong feminine archetype that I wish I could be. In Seren, we have the thoughtful academic who harbors a brilliance that transcends the physical realm of her world. In Adrian, we have the unwilling rebel who keeps fighting even when very powerful people back her into a corner. And in Nori, from a work-in-progress I hope to reveal soon, we have the nurturing idealist who sacrifices everything to save her people. They are all flawed. They all have their traumatic backstories and emotional wounds which they are slowly healing from. But I would like to think that each of them also serve an ideal that I aspire to. As for my other characters, I will confess that some of the love interests share certain personality traits with my husband. Most notably would be their senses of humor and their resilience. And some of my side characters are based on friends I’ve known and people I’ve met but very loosely. For the most part, they are their own.
How important is historical accuracy in fiction?
I would say I’m far more lenient than most about this but it truly depends on what the book is billing itself as. If it states it’s a story about a spy in World War 2, I would expect that spy to have an extensive knowledge of true and accurate facts regarding WWII since that is what the story is about. However, if the book claims to be a historical romance in or around the regency period, I’m far more lenient because it isn’t about a specific place, person, or event. I read to escape the world so I am happy to suspend belief for the purposes of a sweeping historical romance. I have had readers argue with me, however. I think that if someone is that bothered by historical inaccuracy, they might want to consider nonfiction. Though I do encourage authors to do the proper research while writing, sometimes things are missed. We are not writing this in the 1800s and sometimes mistakes are made.
Do you hide Easter eggs in your narrative?
So many that I wonder if I’m even being subtle anymore. In my original award-winning series, I would foreshadow quite a bit and make early references to characters who would later have their own story. Now, in my fantasy world, I’m planting some new seeds as well and am eagerly awaiting my readers to see if they can spot any connections.
Your Amazon profile mentions two intriguing things: your “moderately chunky corgi” and baking cookies. Will you share a picture of your pup and a favorite cookie recipe?
Of course! For the cookies, I always get rave reviews when I bake these Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Cookies. They are soft and light with a deliciously spiced fall taste. Highly recommended now that fall is rapidly approaching! As for my corgi…her name is Tallulah, though we call her “Tully” and she’s four years old but just as rambunctious as ever. She loves playing with my kids and barking at everything that moves. I say “moderately chunky” because the vet recently put her on a diet and she is definitely not pleased.
Horton is currently promoting book one of her Immortal Plane series, All That Falls. She has just finished book two and will be searching for ARC readers in the near future. If you’re interested in being an early reader, sign up for her newsletter at https://authoranhorton.ck.page/deebdc9b8c
Step into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green.
Elsa Reisner’s lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.
As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate’s delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants’ futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa’s body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn’t through with her yet.
With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?
My Thoughts
Reminiscent of the old gothic romances of the 70’s, The Hudson Collection features a plucky heroine who teams up with a damaged but noble man to aid a young girl and her family in danger of losing their home. Elsa is one of the most appealing heroines I’ve come across recently – smart, vulnerable, and very brave. The story is very well-developed with action starting almost immediately and not stopping until the very end.
The historical elements here are fascinating, with dives into New York’s elite society scene post World War I, the polio epidemic and the far-reaching effects of medical research, and post-war mental health challenges for returning soldiers. If you’re tired of blood-and-gore mystery & suspense novels that focus on the most horrifying aspects of the human psyche, this book is for you. It is a captivating, gentle mystery that keeps your attention page after page.
Recommended.
Publication Date: June 4, 2024 Published By: Bethany House Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
Another day, another grand scheme! The thieving Fitzglen family are back in this second instalment of the spellbinding Theatre of Thieves gothic mystery series set in Victorian England.
London, 1908. The Fitzglens, one of London’s leading theatre families and part-time thieves, are plotting their next scheme when they receive terrible news about Great Uncle Montague. He’s been killed in a tragic accident at his Notting Hill home.
Montague will be much missed, not just for his talent in art forgery, but his death provides an unlooked-for opportunity: the chance to search for his infamous iron box. No one knows what it contains – if, that is, it even exists – but Jack Fitzglen is certain it has to be something highly valuable . . . or extremely dangerous. Why else would the grand master of storytelling have refused to even drop a hint?
Jack is amazed when he finds the box – and even more amazed by its contents. An unknown play by one of Ireland’s leading playwrights, entitled The Murderer Inside the Mirror. Jack reads the first few pages, and is struck by a nameless feeling of dread. But even he has no idea what kind of dangerous adventure the manuscript will take him on – one which will tangle him in revenge, madness . . . and murder.
This unsettling gothic historical mystery, following Chalice of Darkness, will appeal to fans of Daphne du Maurier, Laura Purcell, Rebecca James, Sarah Waters and Stuart Turton.
My Thoughts
Sarah Rayne rarely disappoints and in The Murderer Inside the Mirror she has delivered another tense, clever, and engaging mystery featuring the Fitzglens, one of her series families.
Rayne is exceptionally skilled at telling stories that alternate time periods and/or have some sort of time travel or past life connection. Here, the Fitzglen clan of actors and thieves find themselves embroiled in a mystery surrounding a previously-unknown play written by a well-known author which disappears as mysteriously as it was found. The search for the manuscript reveals a complicated web of scandal, betrayal, and love spanning centuries.
Rayne’s books are always well written and this is no exception. The plot will keep readers engaged, and will appeal to fans of mysteries, romance, and history. If you’re new to this author, check out her earlier series. All are terrific reads.
Publication Date: June 4, 2024 Published By: Severn House Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
Discover a spellbinding love story in this dazzling time-travel adventure from the NYT bestselling author of The Last Tiara, M.J. Rose.
Setting aside grief from the fallout of the second World War and putting her energy into curating an upcoming show critical to her career as the Keeper of the Metalworks at London’s renowned Victoria and Albert Museum, Jeannine Maycroft stumbles upon a unique collection of jewel-framed miniature eye portraits—a brilliant romantic device and clandestine love token of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
One piece among the assembly intrigues her more than all the others: a twilight-blue man’s eye framed by opals shimmering with enchanting flashes of fiery color. But the beauty is just the beginning. Not only is the painting a self-portrait of one of her favorite Pre-Raphaelite artists, Ashe Lloyd Lewis, but the brooch itself is a portal eight decades into the past.
Despite being cast into an era she was never meant to be in, Jeannine and Ashe develop an immediate and passionate bond, complicated by the undeniable fact that she does not belong in 1867, and the disaster about to destroy her family and reputation in her time.
Striving to live a dual life and dangerously straddling two time periods, Jeannine fights to protect her career and her father from scandal in the present while desperately trying to save her lover’s life in the past.
Forgetting to Remember—richly embroidered with historical detail and heartbreaking conflict—is another luscious and thrilling masterpiece by M.J. Rose. A beautiful and compelling story of art, war, magic, and survival, wrapped in a love that defies time.
My Thoughts
MJ Rose is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for incredible storytelling with a pleasing blend of history and romance. As an added benefit, she throws in some time-travel here, adding yet another dimension to her already gorgeous descriptive narrative and imaginative plot.
I can’t say much more about this captivating author except go get her books and immerse yourself in her worlds. This one can be read as a stand-alone, so start here by all means, then get the rest of her work from the library.
Recommended.
Publication Date: March 26, 2024 Published By: Blue Box Press Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
In the far west of Cornwall lies the White Valley, which cuts deeply through bluebell woods down to the sea at White Cove. The valley has a long and bloody history, laced with folklore, and in it sits a house above the beach that has lain neglected since the war. It comes with a reputation and a strange atmosphere, which is why mother and daughter Magdalena and Mila manage to acquire it so cheaply in the fateful summer of 1954.
Magda has grand plans to restore the house to its former glory as a venue for glittering parties, where the rich and celebrated gathered for cocktails and for bracing walks along the coast. Her grown daughter, Mila, just wants to escape the scandal in her past and make a safe and happy home for her little girl, Janey, a solitary, precocious child blessed with a vivid imagination, much of which she pours into stories about her magical plush toy, Rabbit.
But Janey’s rabbit isn’t the only magical being around. Legend has it that an enchanted white hare may be seen running through the woods. Is it an ill omen or a blessing? As Mila, her mother, and her young daughter adjust to life in this mysterious place, they will have to reckon with their own pasts and with the secrets that have been haunting the White Valley for decades.
My Thoughts
This story has all the things that captivate me in a book: magical realism, plenty of folklore, colorful characters, secrets from the past, and complicated family relationships.
In addition, Johnson is an accomplished writer, equally skilled at narrative description, character and plot development, dialog, and scene setting. There are so many wonderful scenes in this book that I keep going back to re-read parts long after I finished reading.
There is a nice balance of good and evil presented here, both between Mila and her mother, who harbors a horrifying secret from her own past, and between Jack and the Vicar who are bound by an equally horrifying experience from their past.
Johnson capably moves the story along through Mila and Janey, who act as the fulcrum for resolution of both storylines. I was reminded of Eve Chase’s work as I was reading, but also of Kate Morton, M.J. Rose, and Kate Mosse.
Highly recommended.
For fans of Alice Hoffman and Kate Morton, The White Hare is a spellbinding novel about mothers and daughters finding a new home for themselves, the secrets they try to bury, and the local legends that may change their lives.
Publication Date: October 2022 Published By: Simon & Schuster
Next in the #1 Sunday Times bestselling series, New York Times bestselling author Kate Mosse returns with The Ghost Ship, a sweeping historical epic of adventure on the high seas.
The Barbary Coast, 1621. A mysterious vessel floats silently on the water. It is known only as the Ghost Ship. For months it has hunted pirates to liberate those enslaved by corsairs, manned by a courageous crew of mariners from Italy and France, Holland and the Canary Islands.
But the bravest men on board are not who they seem. And the stakes could not be higher. If arrested, they will be hanged for their crimes. Can they survive the journey and escape their fate?
A sweeping and epic love story, ranging from France in 1610 to Amsterdam and the Canary Islands in the 1620s, The Ghost Ship is a thrilling novel of adventure and buccaneering, love and revenge, stolen fortunes and hidden secrets on the high seas.
My Thoughts
Kate Mosse is one of those authors who could write the alphabet and I’d gladly read it. She is one of the best builders-of-worlds writing today, and her historical research is impeccable. She tends to focus on women’s roles in various historical periods, throwing bright light on the horrible conditions and restrictions women endured. However, Mosse’s female protagonists are always those who rise above or go right through the patriarchy and she has outdone her previous characters with Louise.
There’s action, there’s adventure, there’s love all wrapped up in Mosse’s gorgeous prose. This one is a winner for sure and is one I’ll be adding to my print collection.
Publication Date: July 11, 2023 Published By: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
The list he left had just one item on it. Or, at least, it did at first…
Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists. He’d leave them for her everywhere. ‘Remember: eggs, butter, sugar’. ‘I love you: today, tomorrow, always’.
But now Arthur is gone. He died: softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he’s still left her a list. This one has just one item on it though: ‘Find D’.
Mabel feels sure she knows what it means. She must track down her best friend Dot, who she hasn’t seen since the fateful day she left more than sixty years ago.
It seems impossible. She doesn’t even know if Dot’s still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she’s still no closer to finding Dot.
What she doesn’t know is that her list isn’t just about finding her old friend. And that if she can admit the secrets of the past, maybe she could even find happiness again…
A completely heartbreaking, beautiful, uplifting story, guaranteed to make you smile but also make you cry. Perfect for fans of My Name is Ove, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and The Keeper of Stories.Readers are absolutely loving The Last List of Mabel Beaumont:
My Thoughts
I typically avoid books that are described as “heartbreaking” but something made me pick this one up anyway. The story is one of the most poignant I’ve read in a long time and peels back the veil that so many women have lived behind for decades, especially those who grew up in the early to mid-20th century when certain relationships were so very taboo.
This truly is a story about the power and sustainability of women’s friendships and ultimately their love and desire. Mabel lived 62 years with a man with whom she was comfortable but didn’t really love. It’s not until his death that she feels finally able to begin living her life.
There is heartbreak here, but it is banished by immense joy, love, and friendship. This lovely book may become a favorite for many people.
‘This beautifully written story of friendship, love, loss and second chances captured my heart. It’s a tender and uplifting read and I adored Mabel and her unlikely gang of colourful characters. If you enjoy a book that leaves you feeling warm, hopeful, and satisfied, The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is definitely for you.’ Lisa Timoney, author
Publication Date: August 4, 2023 Published By: Boldwood Books Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage of Opposites and the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the enduring magic of books.
One brilliant June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden, and books are considered evil. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?
Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.
As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote The Scarlet Letter? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: “A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.”
This is the story of one woman’s dream. For a little while it came true.
My Thoughts
Here is another gentle, lovely experience from Alice Hoffman who has an uncanny ability to build resilient, evocative female characters with whom I really want to be friends in real life!
Mia is such a complex character who shifts easily between worlds. Hoffman’s imagining of a true timeslip based on books is breathtaking for this lifelong reader/librarian. And what a story she spins here! I was a little skeptical at first because of the Scarlet Letter and Nathaniel Hawthorne connection because my recollection from learning about Hawthorne in school was that he was kind of a jerk, and I have not enjoyed most of his work. I remember being so angry at the injustice while reading The Scarlet Letter when I was teen.
The irony here is that Mia (and her mother) in the present time are far more controlled and restrained by a man than Mia is when she moves backwards in time to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s world. The juxtaposition of Mia’s experiences are startling and evocative.
Hoffman takes the Scarlet Letter premise and successfully applies it to both time periods, effectively demonstrating the destructive power one man can have over a woman but also giving her a way out.
Alice Hoffman is a true treasure of an author. Every single one of her books is a gift. This is one for my bookshelves.
Highly recommended.
Publication Date: August 15, 2023 Published By: Atria Books Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
It's All About the Book 