A Witch Awakens

Fire Circle Mystery, #1

by

Ellis Elliott

Strong, entertaining debut for this new Appalachian-set mystery series.

A Witch Awakens is the first book in author Ellis Elliott's new Fire Circle Mystery series featuring a disillusioned former dancer who abandons New York City to return home to Eureka Grove, Tennessee, to take over management of her grandmother's dance studio. When Jenny Newport, a long-time family friend and Cece's mentor, is murdered at a charity event, her grandmother's loyal handyman becomes suspect number one. Cece is drawn into the investigation to find justice for Jenny and clear Calvin's name. 

This was a unique and cozy mystery featuring interesting and engaging characters and a distinctive setting infused with plenty of Appalachian legend and lore. Tennessee "Cece" Chagall is the main character and, though disappointed her dance career didn't go as planned, remains upbeat about her return home and only occasionally succumbs to a little self-pity. 

Cece, however, has been dealing with another issue that has also prompted her to return to her roots; she has been having increased episodes where a random object triggers her to experience a smell, taste, or physical sensation. The occurrences, which only last seconds, have happened all her life. Her Aunt Granny (Grandmother's sister) called them her "peculiars," but they've never occurred as often as they are now. She hopes to get with Aunt Granny for answers to what is happening to her before resorting to another doctor and another MRI. Cece is relatable in her troubles, and I rooted for her determination to get to the bottom of what was behind Jenny's death. 

The story moves quickly, especially for the first book in a series, where the author must introduce readers to the characters, their backstories, and relationships, as well as the new setting. Elliott easily handles the heavy lifting without bogging down the story. I liked that Cece's high school sweetheart was still in town but had become a detective with the local police department. While they were already running into each other around town, the murder forces them into needful proximity and a different dynamic between the two forms. Naturally, he warns her away from his investigation, and just as naturally, she pays little attention and starts her own. The resolution is surprising but makes sense. 

I recommend A WITCH AWAKENS to cozy mystery readers who enjoy a touch of the paranormal in their stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic

Rufus & Magic, #3

by

Marilyn Levinson

Rufus meets his Uncle Hector, a rich and powerful witch with an evil reputation whom he never knew existed, at the annual Samhain celebration.

Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic is the third book in author Marilyn Levinson’s fun and exciting children’s fantasy series, featuring 5th-grade magic initiate Rufus Breckenridge and his family and friends. When the Breckenridge family attends the annual Samhain night celebration, they are surprised when Hector, Rufus’s father’s brother, shows up during the evening’s fireworks display. 

Rufus realizes Uncle Hector has come to the party looking for him even though they’ve never met before. Hector leaves after making eye contact with his young nephew; however, on the way home, Grandma Lavinia and Aunt Ruth caution Rufus to stay away from the evil witch, and for good reasons. But later that night, Uncle Hector makes another surprise visit, this time outside Rufus’s bedroom window. 

Rufus finds his uncle charming and fun and is persuaded to pursue a relationship with him despite his family’s warnings and without his parents’ knowledge. Uncle Hector has a beautiful estate but soon expresses some ideas and uses some magical spells that are contrary to what Rufus has been taught are right. But has Rufus gotten too close to his uncle to come clean with his family and escape his evil demands? 

Except for his magical gifts, Rufus is the epitome of what regular fifth-grade boys are like, and it was easy to understand how he was persuaded to disobey his parents and embrace the lavish lifestyle his uncle offered him. He is tempted to try out spells on his friends, even though he knows it is wrong to take advantage of them in this way, and crossing that line causes him to rethink his choices. Young readers will find the relationship between Rufus and his little sister, Griselda, relatable, and even younger children will be able to understand the lessons presented in the book when read aloud. The chapters are short enough to provide easy stopping points, and even though this is the third book in the series, the story can be read as a stand-alone. Readers new to the series should have no trouble jumping into the story at this point. 

With its themes of friendship, respecting boundaries, the use of power, and respecting parental rules, there are numerous opportunities for further discussion and enrichment. I recommend RUFUS AND THE DARK SIDE OF MAGIC to upper-elementary and middle-grade fantasy readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

The Winter Sorcerer and the Summer Witch

by

D. Lieber

An “opposites attract” spark sets off a delightful slow-burn romance in this magical marriage of convenience tale!

The Winter Sorcerer and the Summer Witch by D. Lieber is an absolutely delightful tale combining an ‘opposites attract’ and slow-burn romance with a marriage of convenience storyline. I enjoyed this book so much that I’m still smiling about it days later! 

Winter sorcerer Whittaker “Whit” Crawford must marry before the upcoming winter solstice, or his grandfather is going to change his will and leave the ancestral home, the only home Whit has ever known and has lovingly restored room by room, to a cousin with children. As all the winter witches he’s familiar with tend to be very cautious, careful planners and loath to make any decision without time-consuming deliberations, time Whit doesn’t have, he puts his chances of marrying one before the deadline as slim to none. Depressed and in need of cheering up, Whit and his best friend secretly crash a Halloween party in the woods held by the summer faction. There, he rescues a summer witch named Clover from the annoying attentions of one of the other guests. He is surprised and intrigued when she rewards his actions with a kiss. The next day, he begins to wonder if Clover Bronwen might be the answer to his problems. 

Clover and Whit are an adorably fun and relatable pair, both with hopes and dreams that aren’t much different from each other, although she’s sunshiny and spontaneous while he’s deliberate and far from impulsive – usually. They are perfect for each other. Their interactions, as they got to know each other, made me smile from the start, and I was all in for them to overcome all obstacles on their way to a happy ending. 

While the plot has all the earmarks of several romance tropes, they are combined with an unusual backstory that makes them feel fresh, fun, and exciting. The existence of two factions of magic users, based on the seasonal solstices of winter and summer, was an intriguing element that set up a wildly different “mixed marriage” scenario. Their slow-burn romance progressed at a pace that kept me completely engaged, making me read “just one more chapter” again and again. 

I recommend THE WINTER SORCERER AND THE SUMMER WITCH to romance readers who enjoy a paranormal element in their stories and fresh takes on the opposites attract, sunshine/grumpy, marriage of convenience, or slow-burn romantic tropes. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

Light Roast Larceny

Coastal Coffee Mystery, #1

by

Kate Montgomery

Great characters and an intriguing plot combine for an absorbing tale of mystery and murder.

Light Roast Larceny is the first book in Kate Montgomery’s intriguing new Coastal Coffee Mystery series. With its likable and relatable characters and fascinating plot, I was completely absorbed by the story from start to finish and absolutely ready for book two. 

The main character, Graciella “Cici” Larkin, is a recently laid-off twenty-something with two feisty little dogs and Brad, her very supportive husband, and living in a well-established Miami suburb of long-term older residents. When Francine, an elderly neighbor, has her wallet stolen and encounters disrespect and dismissal by local law enforcement, Cici steps in to advocate for serious action. While at the police station, she meets new employee and Louisiana bayou transplant, Officer Chandra Boudreaux, and the young women’s friendship quickly grows over their shared love of coffee and the delicious local breakfast pastries. They soon discover there’s been a rash of petty thefts occurring in Cici’s neighborhood over the previous couple of months, all targeting elderly residents who are treated in the same disappointing manner as Francine, and all dismissed with the pronouncement that they’ve just lost or forgotten where they’ve put their missing items. 

I really enjoyed this story for its fun characters and plot revolving around the elderly victims. Cici is such a well-developed, relatable, and memorable character with her reactions to being suddenly laid off, dealing with her unpleasant, self-appointed neighborhood watchdog, Edna Sparks, and her daily struggle for inspiration and producing an edible meal for the dinner table each night. Brad is a joy as he lends his support to her joint investigation with her new energetic, go-getter friend, Chandra. All three are dedicated coffee and breakfast enthusiasts, and the descriptions of their various meals and ethnic pastries are mouthwatering and serve to introduce Chandra to a new love interest. 

While elderly victims are not new in fiction, this story takes this theme further, with the wholesale gaslighting of the victims taking centerstage. Readers ‘of a certain age’ or those with close relationships with older individuals will easily relate to these victims’ treatment. This tactic literally angered me as I read, and I could relate to the characters’ frustration and humiliation. These vital, competent adults were, within seconds of the start of their interview, discredited and deemed unreliable and unworthy of further attention because of their perceived age. 

The perpetrators are gradually revealed, and a key element of the case remained elusive until almost the very end. However, even after the final reveal, I had questions regarding the motive for the mostly petty thefts. There doesn’t seem to be much return on investment for the extensive setup, as according to the story itself, until Gerald, the values of the items involved were minor and many of sentimental value only. Still, the story was a page-turner; I had to find out how it would all turn out. 

I recommend LIGHT ROAST LARCENY to cozy mystery fans, especially those with an affinity for coffee or those who enjoy stories featuring more mature characters. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

The Calendar

by

WM Gunn

A suspenseful tale of an asteroid on a collision course with the Earth.

The Calendar by WM Gunn is a suspenseful end-of-times tale about the approach of a giant asteroid on a trajectory that will cause it to collide with the Earth or pass so close that the planet will be destroyed in less than a year’s time. The story is filled with how humans, once they know of their impending annihilation, react to the news. 

The author creates numerous diverse vignettes written around a main storyline, stories within the story, featuring the scientists who discover the approaching asteroid, the world leaders who must decide whether or to alert the populace and, if so when the optimum time to do so would occur, and how several regular families or couples or single individuals choose to spend their final days. Each is a special capsule of human emotions and choices made. 

The plot evolves quickly as scientists and politicos scramble for solutions or safety for themselves in some cases. Heroic attempts to divert the terminal event are launched; their participants are fully aware that they are making the ultimate sacrifice so humanity will have a chance at survival. On Earth, while some take advantage to wreak havoc or settle old scores, many more choose to face destruction with courage, kindness, and compassion for their fellow man. These stories are uplifting and hopeful, even as the end comes. The stories are relatable and felt so authentic I couldn’t put the book down; I had to know what would happen to these people. 

With its suspenseful plot of inescapable doom and vignettes of hope and redemption, I recommend THE CALENDAR to readers of apocalyptic and end-of-times tales. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.