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Recommend this book:
Bay of Darkness
S.K. Andrews
2020 Finalist
307 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Bay of Darkness: The Kelly Society by S.K. Andrews is the story of loss, second chances, and fighting for what is right. After her fiancé is killed by a shadowy creature, Vivian wakes up after a month-long coma and realizes that her life will never be the same. During her coma, her fiancé appeared to her and revealed that she holds immense physical and psychic powers. She is the only one who can save the world from an evil called Dagda. So Vivian begins her journey which takes her to Ireland where she learns to harness her powers and prepares to battle Dagda. However, her resolve is tested when she meets the enigmatic Neal. She quickly falls for the charming man and she feels guilty about that. But she finds out that her personal feelings need to take a step back if she wants to defeat Dagda. Dagda will end the world if Vivian cannot stop him. Can she do it? Is she strong enough?
I was blown away by the details and vivid descriptions. Everything is explained so richly that I had no issue with imagining what was going on. Author S.K. Andrews created a believable world with believable characters. I connected with Vivian from the moment she and Philip were introduced. The story opened with a bang and the author kept the momentum going. There was never a lull in the story, I never felt like something was missing and I enjoyed the progress of the story. The chemistry between Vivian and Neal was amazing; it was tough in the beginning, but they made it work as the plot progressed. I loved to hate Dagda too. I enjoyed Vivian's progress as she grew more confident and got better control of her powers. I cannot wait for what the author has in store for us in the future because Bay of Darkness really impressed me.
Bay of Darkness: The Kelly Society by S.K. Andrews is the story of loss, second chances, and fighting for what is right. After her fiancé is killed by a shadowy creature, Vivian wakes up after a month-long coma and realizes that her life will never be the same. During her coma, her fiancé appeared to her and revealed that she holds immense physical and psychic powers. She is the only one who can save the world from an evil called Dagda. So Vivian begins her journey which takes her to Ireland where she learns to harness her powers and prepares to battle Dagda. However, her resolve is tested when she meets the enigmatic Neal. She quickly falls for the charming man and she feels guilty about that. But she finds out that her personal feelings need to take a step back if she wants to defeat Dagda. Dagda will end the world if Vivian cannot stop him. Can she do it? Is she strong enough?
I was blown away by the details and vivid descriptions. Everything is explained so richly that I had no issue with imagining what was going on. Author S.K. Andrews created a believable world with believable characters. I connected with Vivian from the moment she and Philip were introduced. The story opened with a bang and the author kept the momentum going. There was never a lull in the story, I never felt like something was missing and I enjoyed the progress of the story. The chemistry between Vivian and Neal was amazing; it was tough in the beginning, but they made it work as the plot progressed. I loved to hate Dagda too. I enjoyed Vivian's progress as she grew more confident and got better control of her powers. I cannot wait for what the author has in store for us in the future because Bay of Darkness really impressed me.
Recommend this book:
Whispers of the Sidhe
A Gripping Supernatural Thriller (Zoë Delante Thrillers Book 3)
C.L. Roberts-Huth
2020 Honorable Mention
352 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Whispers of the Sidhe: A Gripping Supernatural Thriller by C. L. Robert-Huth is book 3 of the Zoe Delante Thrillers series. Zoe Delante, a police clairvoyant, is picking up the pieces of her life after the last case. When the phone rings, the last thing she expects to hear is her naga friend, Seth, pleading for help; he’s been arrested for murdering Zoe’s father. Only her father died nearly 30 years ago. Heading to Arizona, Zoe is dragged into a world of intrigue and politics, where nothing is as it seems and where she’s about to find out that her father’s death may not have been what it seemed either. Zoe needs to work out who her friends are, who she can trust, as she heads out of her comfort zone and into one of the biggest mysteries of her life.
Whispers of the Sidhe by C. L. Robert-Huth is an entertaining read. It is the third in a series and unless you have read the previous two you may just get a little lost in this – definitely NOT a standalone book. I haven’t read them but I managed to keep up with the story and, with a little background info dropped in by the author, I worked out who was who or what, as the case may be. In terms of the story, it had a smooth, flowing plot with plenty of action and some cool characters. Even without the previous books, you soon get to know who these characters are. Be prepared though; this is a complex and fast-moving story, with lots of different characters in and out all the time. That did kind of make it hard to keep up with and if you take your eye off the ball for one second, I suspect you might just lose the plot. Other than that, it’s a great story if you like supernatural tales with plenty of fantastical creatures.
Whispers of the Sidhe: A Gripping Supernatural Thriller by C. L. Robert-Huth is book 3 of the Zoe Delante Thrillers series. Zoe Delante, a police clairvoyant, is picking up the pieces of her life after the last case. When the phone rings, the last thing she expects to hear is her naga friend, Seth, pleading for help; he’s been arrested for murdering Zoe’s father. Only her father died nearly 30 years ago. Heading to Arizona, Zoe is dragged into a world of intrigue and politics, where nothing is as it seems and where she’s about to find out that her father’s death may not have been what it seemed either. Zoe needs to work out who her friends are, who she can trust, as she heads out of her comfort zone and into one of the biggest mysteries of her life.
Whispers of the Sidhe by C. L. Robert-Huth is an entertaining read. It is the third in a series and unless you have read the previous two you may just get a little lost in this – definitely NOT a standalone book. I haven’t read them but I managed to keep up with the story and, with a little background info dropped in by the author, I worked out who was who or what, as the case may be. In terms of the story, it had a smooth, flowing plot with plenty of action and some cool characters. Even without the previous books, you soon get to know who these characters are. Be prepared though; this is a complex and fast-moving story, with lots of different characters in and out all the time. That did kind of make it hard to keep up with and if you take your eye off the ball for one second, I suspect you might just lose the plot. Other than that, it’s a great story if you like supernatural tales with plenty of fantastical creatures.
Recommend this book:
Ghost Hampton
Ken McGorry
2020 Bronze Medal
460 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Ghost Hampton by Ken McGorry is a thrilling paranormal tale with a difference. Lyle Hall, once a greedy lawyer, is a changed man. A year ago, he was in a car accident that left one woman dead and him confined to a wheelchair. The accident left him with empathic senses. His wife divorced him and his daughter, a police detective, has little contact with him. The ‘Old Vic’ is an 1880’s brothel, about to be bulldozed to the ground. Lyle encounters a young girl, Jewel, who looks 12, outside the brothel and soon learns she has been dead for 100 years. She needs help and to persuade Lyle, she shows him a vision of his daughter’s name on a grave. The date of death? Just four days away. And so begins a roller coaster journey to stop the destruction and help Jewel. Accidentally letting it slip that the place is haunted, Lyle finds himself at the center of a media frenzy, resulting in Silk, a paranormal news reporter, locking him into an exclusive contract. As the day of his daughter’s death approaches and more and more people hound Lyle, he turns to drink and makes a terrible decision.
Ghost Hampton by Ken McGorry is one of the best paranormal tales I have ever read. If I could review it in one word, it would be ‘wow!’ This story took hold of me from the very first page and got me reading right to the very end. I was hooked, on the edge of my seat, as the story picked up pace very fast and raced towards the end. The character development is second to none and you really get to know the main protagonist very well – you will be torn between rooting for him and wanting to shake him very hard! This story has everything – a great, unique plot, an eclectic mix of fabulous characters, plenty of drama, a little romance thrown in for good measure, enough well-timed comedy to lighten it and reality. Ken McGorry has written several plot lines and neatly woven them so they come together right at the end. Be prepared for a tense, suspenseful story that also has you laughing as well. Fantastic story, I hope there’s going to be another one – I feel Lyle’s story has a long way to go.
Ghost Hampton by Ken McGorry is a thrilling paranormal tale with a difference. Lyle Hall, once a greedy lawyer, is a changed man. A year ago, he was in a car accident that left one woman dead and him confined to a wheelchair. The accident left him with empathic senses. His wife divorced him and his daughter, a police detective, has little contact with him. The ‘Old Vic’ is an 1880’s brothel, about to be bulldozed to the ground. Lyle encounters a young girl, Jewel, who looks 12, outside the brothel and soon learns she has been dead for 100 years. She needs help and to persuade Lyle, she shows him a vision of his daughter’s name on a grave. The date of death? Just four days away. And so begins a roller coaster journey to stop the destruction and help Jewel. Accidentally letting it slip that the place is haunted, Lyle finds himself at the center of a media frenzy, resulting in Silk, a paranormal news reporter, locking him into an exclusive contract. As the day of his daughter’s death approaches and more and more people hound Lyle, he turns to drink and makes a terrible decision.
Ghost Hampton by Ken McGorry is one of the best paranormal tales I have ever read. If I could review it in one word, it would be ‘wow!’ This story took hold of me from the very first page and got me reading right to the very end. I was hooked, on the edge of my seat, as the story picked up pace very fast and raced towards the end. The character development is second to none and you really get to know the main protagonist very well – you will be torn between rooting for him and wanting to shake him very hard! This story has everything – a great, unique plot, an eclectic mix of fabulous characters, plenty of drama, a little romance thrown in for good measure, enough well-timed comedy to lighten it and reality. Ken McGorry has written several plot lines and neatly woven them so they come together right at the end. Be prepared for a tense, suspenseful story that also has you laughing as well. Fantastic story, I hope there’s going to be another one – I feel Lyle’s story has a long way to go.
Recommend this book:
Charleston Green
Stephanie Alexander
2020 Silver Medal
364 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Charleston Green is a work of women’s fiction penned by author Stephanie Alexander. Accessible to all readers with only one short scene of mild violence, this enjoyable tale mixes speculative and paranormal elements with relationship drama and family strife. Our protagonist is Tipsy Collins, a divorcee with three children, who is plagued by both an irritating ex-husband and the power to communicate with the dead. In her new house on Bennett Street, Tipsy discovers that couple Jane and Henry Mott are haunting the abode and that their martial arguments revolve around not being able to remember if one of them killed the other. So begins an intriguing and heartfelt drama.
The dual plot strands of the adorable characters in author Stephanie Alexander’s novel are sure to keep readers turning pages from cover to cover. For a story about ghosts and hauntings and custody battles, the air of the piece is wonderfully light for the most part and this is a genuinely enjoyable drama that uplifts as it unfolds. Alexander’s narration is filled with Southern charm and realistically drawn characters, and Tipsy, in particular, is a highly likable heroine who finds herself in the wake of some tough challenges as the plot twists and turns around her. I personally enjoyed the presentation of the genius-like Henry Mott the most, and the surprising conclusion to his and Jane’s plot. Overall, Charleston Green is a highly entertaining and enjoyable read for fans of women’s fiction; a cozy clairvoyant mystery and family saga.
Charleston Green is a work of women’s fiction penned by author Stephanie Alexander. Accessible to all readers with only one short scene of mild violence, this enjoyable tale mixes speculative and paranormal elements with relationship drama and family strife. Our protagonist is Tipsy Collins, a divorcee with three children, who is plagued by both an irritating ex-husband and the power to communicate with the dead. In her new house on Bennett Street, Tipsy discovers that couple Jane and Henry Mott are haunting the abode and that their martial arguments revolve around not being able to remember if one of them killed the other. So begins an intriguing and heartfelt drama.
The dual plot strands of the adorable characters in author Stephanie Alexander’s novel are sure to keep readers turning pages from cover to cover. For a story about ghosts and hauntings and custody battles, the air of the piece is wonderfully light for the most part and this is a genuinely enjoyable drama that uplifts as it unfolds. Alexander’s narration is filled with Southern charm and realistically drawn characters, and Tipsy, in particular, is a highly likable heroine who finds herself in the wake of some tough challenges as the plot twists and turns around her. I personally enjoyed the presentation of the genius-like Henry Mott the most, and the surprising conclusion to his and Jane’s plot. Overall, Charleston Green is a highly entertaining and enjoyable read for fans of women’s fiction; a cozy clairvoyant mystery and family saga.
Recommend this book:
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One Loan Soul
A Loan Soul Novel
L.B. Carter
2020 Gold Medal
284 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
In One Loan Soul by L.B. Carter, Darcie Rose died at age 29, a deceased taxidermist who killed her ex-best friend, landing her a spot in the almost highest circle of Hell. She successfully becomes the number one worker in Hell’s Souls On Loan Exchange (SOLE) Program. SOLE offers loans for those who aren’t willing to go all out to sell their soul to the Devil. In exchange for the life boost that they desire, their soul will temporarily switch places with Darcie, giving her a temporary reprieve from Hell. It's considered the best job that any condemned soul could hope for. Unfortunately, Darcie's next task is botched from the beginning. Someone or something is messing with the program, threatening her number one status. She needs to find out and right the wrongs before drawing ire from the Big Boss Lucifer himself.
“Rule number one: don’t let anyone know you’re impersonating your host. And rule number two: don’t interact with anyone from your life.” Who knew the working system in Hell could be so interesting? A loan instead of selling one's soul forever to the Devil? L.B. Carter's One Loan Soul is a bizarre but entertaining supernatural fantasy with an imaginative premise. In an engaging story from start to finish, I found Darcie Rose easy to root for, despite her being one of the Devil's minions. It's a fun rollercoaster ride with hilarious antics involving characters such as a plastic-surgery-addict actress, a Japanese intern, a shark-bitten surfer, and even a small horde of zombie animals. I'm eager to find out how she's going to fix the lives of several people who were unfortunate enough to be tangled up in SOLE's mess. Overall, a solid debut for the series from Carter.
In One Loan Soul by L.B. Carter, Darcie Rose died at age 29, a deceased taxidermist who killed her ex-best friend, landing her a spot in the almost highest circle of Hell. She successfully becomes the number one worker in Hell’s Souls On Loan Exchange (SOLE) Program. SOLE offers loans for those who aren’t willing to go all out to sell their soul to the Devil. In exchange for the life boost that they desire, their soul will temporarily switch places with Darcie, giving her a temporary reprieve from Hell. It's considered the best job that any condemned soul could hope for. Unfortunately, Darcie's next task is botched from the beginning. Someone or something is messing with the program, threatening her number one status. She needs to find out and right the wrongs before drawing ire from the Big Boss Lucifer himself.
“Rule number one: don’t let anyone know you’re impersonating your host. And rule number two: don’t interact with anyone from your life.” Who knew the working system in Hell could be so interesting? A loan instead of selling one's soul forever to the Devil? L.B. Carter's One Loan Soul is a bizarre but entertaining supernatural fantasy with an imaginative premise. In an engaging story from start to finish, I found Darcie Rose easy to root for, despite her being one of the Devil's minions. It's a fun rollercoaster ride with hilarious antics involving characters such as a plastic-surgery-addict actress, a Japanese intern, a shark-bitten surfer, and even a small horde of zombie animals. I'm eager to find out how she's going to fix the lives of several people who were unfortunate enough to be tangled up in SOLE's mess. Overall, a solid debut for the series from Carter.
Recommend this book:
The Beast of Rose Valley
Lorestalker #1
J.P. Barnett
2019 Finalist
284 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Beast of Rose Valley: Lorestalker #1 is a horror novel written by J.P. Barnett. Something was killing livestock in Rose Valley, Texas. Steve Witmer and his friend, Jake Rollins, were stunned and saddened at the sight of one of Steve’s lambs which had been savagely ripped in two. Sheriff Cam Donner actually considered briefly that the two of them had pulled this as some sort of deranged publicity stunt, but this was not the first such killing in the area. Donner wanted the matter dropped and forgotten, dismissed as the actions of coyotes or maybe even the cheetahs from the nearby animal reserve, but Jake and Steve knew no coyote or animal would have sufficient ability or inclination to rip a creature in two and leave it uneaten. The sheriff’s interest in keeping the matter under wraps was instantly thwarted, however, by the arrival of Shandi Mason, the local investigative journalist. Jake had made sure to send word to her before the sheriff locked it down. They all had history together, having grown up in Rose Valley, but Shandi had the rare ability to stand up to Cam Donner and actually win.
J.P. Barnett’s horror novel, The Beast of Rose Valley: Lorestalker #1, is a marvelous romp into the little-known world of cryptozoology as townspeople and a world-renowned cryptid hunter try to survive repeated encounters with a powerful and deadly creature. The author’s characters spring into being in that opening scene wherein childhood friends play very different roles as adults. I loved the rural setting with the town’s football games and the solidity of a place where everyone knows just about everyone else, and that bucolic ordinariness makes the bizarre aspects of the story work so very well. Barnett’s plot is clever and irresistible, and his book is a sheer pleasure to read. Horror, thriller and mystery fans alike will find much to their liking in this intriguing story about the unknown. The Beast of Rose Valley: Lorestalker #1 is most highly recommended.
The Beast of Rose Valley: Lorestalker #1 is a horror novel written by J.P. Barnett. Something was killing livestock in Rose Valley, Texas. Steve Witmer and his friend, Jake Rollins, were stunned and saddened at the sight of one of Steve’s lambs which had been savagely ripped in two. Sheriff Cam Donner actually considered briefly that the two of them had pulled this as some sort of deranged publicity stunt, but this was not the first such killing in the area. Donner wanted the matter dropped and forgotten, dismissed as the actions of coyotes or maybe even the cheetahs from the nearby animal reserve, but Jake and Steve knew no coyote or animal would have sufficient ability or inclination to rip a creature in two and leave it uneaten. The sheriff’s interest in keeping the matter under wraps was instantly thwarted, however, by the arrival of Shandi Mason, the local investigative journalist. Jake had made sure to send word to her before the sheriff locked it down. They all had history together, having grown up in Rose Valley, but Shandi had the rare ability to stand up to Cam Donner and actually win.
J.P. Barnett’s horror novel, The Beast of Rose Valley: Lorestalker #1, is a marvelous romp into the little-known world of cryptozoology as townspeople and a world-renowned cryptid hunter try to survive repeated encounters with a powerful and deadly creature. The author’s characters spring into being in that opening scene wherein childhood friends play very different roles as adults. I loved the rural setting with the town’s football games and the solidity of a place where everyone knows just about everyone else, and that bucolic ordinariness makes the bizarre aspects of the story work so very well. Barnett’s plot is clever and irresistible, and his book is a sheer pleasure to read. Horror, thriller and mystery fans alike will find much to their liking in this intriguing story about the unknown. The Beast of Rose Valley: Lorestalker #1 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
A Trace of Revenge
A paranormal thriller
Lyle Howard
2019 Honorable Mention
513 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
A Trace of Revenge: A Paranormal Thriller by Lyle Howard is a paranormal novel with an interesting protagonist. Matt Walker is a young boy when his parents are murdered. He witnesses the gruesome act but is able to escape. He eventually loses his sense of hearing but develops something else in its place — the unique ability to know the history of an object by simply touching it. Now a top secret weapon has been stolen from the government and someone is out to make a fortune from it. At a major baseball league game, it will take just a foul ball hit to set Matt on the journey to find the killer of his parents. The unraveling of the truth is filled with exciting action and fraught with danger. Follow this protagonist in his quest for answers.
What first caught my attention was the powerful premise. It is already a unique tragedy to witness the murder of one’s parents. But losing one’s sense of hearing just makes it even more complicated. But then the author is clever enough to compensate the protagonist with something even more astounding — his unique ability. The fact that the protagonist is limited makes him vulnerable and believable. He is not a superstar, in spite of his ability to know things by simply touching them. The suspense is strong and I kept on reading, wondering if the protagonist would get his revenge for the murder of his parents. The writing is atmospheric, with wonderful descriptions. The author takes readers on a journey into the heart of a young protagonist suffering loss and consumed with the desire for revenge. A Trace of Revenge: A Paranormal Thriller is deftly written, a real literary success.
A Trace of Revenge: A Paranormal Thriller by Lyle Howard is a paranormal novel with an interesting protagonist. Matt Walker is a young boy when his parents are murdered. He witnesses the gruesome act but is able to escape. He eventually loses his sense of hearing but develops something else in its place — the unique ability to know the history of an object by simply touching it. Now a top secret weapon has been stolen from the government and someone is out to make a fortune from it. At a major baseball league game, it will take just a foul ball hit to set Matt on the journey to find the killer of his parents. The unraveling of the truth is filled with exciting action and fraught with danger. Follow this protagonist in his quest for answers.
What first caught my attention was the powerful premise. It is already a unique tragedy to witness the murder of one’s parents. But losing one’s sense of hearing just makes it even more complicated. But then the author is clever enough to compensate the protagonist with something even more astounding — his unique ability. The fact that the protagonist is limited makes him vulnerable and believable. He is not a superstar, in spite of his ability to know things by simply touching them. The suspense is strong and I kept on reading, wondering if the protagonist would get his revenge for the murder of his parents. The writing is atmospheric, with wonderful descriptions. The author takes readers on a journey into the heart of a young protagonist suffering loss and consumed with the desire for revenge. A Trace of Revenge: A Paranormal Thriller is deftly written, a real literary success.
Recommend this book:
Give Them Unquiet Dreams
James Mulhern
2019 Bronze Medal
262 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Give Them Unquiet Dreams is a paranormal coming of age novel for young adults written by James Mulhern. Aiden Glencar was quite certain that his mom shouldn’t be locked up in McCall’s, a mental institution outside Boston. They had diagnosed her as being schizophrenic because of the visions she was experiencing about a man who needed help. Fourteen-year-old Aiden went to live with his Nana, his mom’s mother, and his older brother, Martin, had gone to live with their Aunt Clara. Aiden also had the gift of sight. The ghost of his grandpa visited him at night. Grandpa was in many ways the mentor Aiden needed so badly, especially with his father distancing himself further and further away from his two sons. It was 1976, and mental illness was not really understood, was considered a stigma and a source of familial shame. Aiden also had other issues he wished he could share with someone, even his no-nonsense, earthy Nana, but he seemed to be lacking the words to start. First he needed to get his mom out of McCall’s and back at home with them, and he would figure out a way to do just that.
Give Them Unquiet Dreams is a moving and evocative tale about a young adult coming of age in 1976, under the care of his brash and unorthodox grandmother, while his own mom is institutionalized. Mulhern brings the seventies back to life particularly well in this story as his character wrestles with the social implications of a mother in an insane asylum and his own worries about his inherited second sight and other issues. The author peoples this world with unforgettable characters, from Nana’s zany group of friends, to the quiet and supportive relationships between Aiden and Martin, and Aiden and his departed grandfather. After reading the blurb, I knew this book would be special, but had no idea just what a marvelous read it would actually be. Give Them Unquiet Dreams is brilliant; it’s most highly recommended.
Give Them Unquiet Dreams is a paranormal coming of age novel for young adults written by James Mulhern. Aiden Glencar was quite certain that his mom shouldn’t be locked up in McCall’s, a mental institution outside Boston. They had diagnosed her as being schizophrenic because of the visions she was experiencing about a man who needed help. Fourteen-year-old Aiden went to live with his Nana, his mom’s mother, and his older brother, Martin, had gone to live with their Aunt Clara. Aiden also had the gift of sight. The ghost of his grandpa visited him at night. Grandpa was in many ways the mentor Aiden needed so badly, especially with his father distancing himself further and further away from his two sons. It was 1976, and mental illness was not really understood, was considered a stigma and a source of familial shame. Aiden also had other issues he wished he could share with someone, even his no-nonsense, earthy Nana, but he seemed to be lacking the words to start. First he needed to get his mom out of McCall’s and back at home with them, and he would figure out a way to do just that.
Give Them Unquiet Dreams is a moving and evocative tale about a young adult coming of age in 1976, under the care of his brash and unorthodox grandmother, while his own mom is institutionalized. Mulhern brings the seventies back to life particularly well in this story as his character wrestles with the social implications of a mother in an insane asylum and his own worries about his inherited second sight and other issues. The author peoples this world with unforgettable characters, from Nana’s zany group of friends, to the quiet and supportive relationships between Aiden and Martin, and Aiden and his departed grandfather. After reading the blurb, I knew this book would be special, but had no idea just what a marvelous read it would actually be. Give Them Unquiet Dreams is brilliant; it’s most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Evening in the Yellow Wood
Laura Kemp
2019 Bronze Medal
346 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Evening in the Yellow Wood is a paranormal coming of age novel written by Laura Kemp. Justine’s childhood essentially ended one afternoon when her mother came and dragged her out of the community swimming pool where she was hanging out with her friend, Sherry. As her mom pulled into the driveway, she finally broke the news that Justine’s dad was gone. Her mom had no idea why or where, and the note her mom found added little to the mystery of his disappearance. He had indicated that one of his paintings had been sold, and he wanted the proceeds to be put towards Justine’s college funds, and he asked that they not try to find him. Justine would finish high school and go on to college as her dad had envisioned, but always there was that ache for what had been so abruptly torn away. Then, one day, a headline and a photograph on the front page of the local newspaper grabbed Justine’s attention. Her dad was in that picture and she was determined to go to Lantern Creek where the photo was taken and find him.
Evening in the Yellow Wood is unutterably transcendent and extraordinarily powerful. I was drawn into the story with the opening lines and loved every moment I spent following Justine as she leaves her familiar world and goes north to find her dad. The Northern Michigan setting cast its spell upon me, and it was only in remembering the harshness of winter that I was able to dissuade myself from considering a similar relocation in the future. Kemp’s characters are multifaceted and credible, and their interactions drive this compelling and remarkable coming of age novel as a quixotic adventure to find a long-absent dad becomes a life-changing reality. Kemp’s plot is original and complex. Mystery, the paranormal and cultural aspects add to the depth and intensity of this well-written and enthralling first novel. I’m looking forward to Laura Kemp’s next offering. Evening in the Yellow Wood is most highly recommended.
Evening in the Yellow Wood is a paranormal coming of age novel written by Laura Kemp. Justine’s childhood essentially ended one afternoon when her mother came and dragged her out of the community swimming pool where she was hanging out with her friend, Sherry. As her mom pulled into the driveway, she finally broke the news that Justine’s dad was gone. Her mom had no idea why or where, and the note her mom found added little to the mystery of his disappearance. He had indicated that one of his paintings had been sold, and he wanted the proceeds to be put towards Justine’s college funds, and he asked that they not try to find him. Justine would finish high school and go on to college as her dad had envisioned, but always there was that ache for what had been so abruptly torn away. Then, one day, a headline and a photograph on the front page of the local newspaper grabbed Justine’s attention. Her dad was in that picture and she was determined to go to Lantern Creek where the photo was taken and find him.
Evening in the Yellow Wood is unutterably transcendent and extraordinarily powerful. I was drawn into the story with the opening lines and loved every moment I spent following Justine as she leaves her familiar world and goes north to find her dad. The Northern Michigan setting cast its spell upon me, and it was only in remembering the harshness of winter that I was able to dissuade myself from considering a similar relocation in the future. Kemp’s characters are multifaceted and credible, and their interactions drive this compelling and remarkable coming of age novel as a quixotic adventure to find a long-absent dad becomes a life-changing reality. Kemp’s plot is original and complex. Mystery, the paranormal and cultural aspects add to the depth and intensity of this well-written and enthralling first novel. I’m looking forward to Laura Kemp’s next offering. Evening in the Yellow Wood is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Playing with Demons
Cally Edwards
2019 Silver Medal
290 Pages
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Fiction - Paranormal
Reviewed by Tanja Jurkovic for Readers' Favorite
Cally Edwards' novel Playing With Demons unravels an exciting world where humans are merely spectators, oblivious to the existence of powerful supernatural beings we only know from tales. These beings are running the world and maintaining the balance inside it. Introducing a very interesting background story, Edwards gives us a heroine of the modern-day, Grace Campbell, who is half-Nephilim, half-demon, fighting on the side of good. Grace is sent on a mission to infiltrate the demonic lair, or Hell, if you will, and obtain an artifact so powerful that it could destroy the world as we know it! Being half-demon herself, Grace blends in easily with the rest of the demon lot and joins a set of dangerous trials that will change how she sees the world, herself, the balance between good and evil, and life in general.
Cally Edwards puts Grace in the middle of an unlikely romance with none other than Lucifer's offspring, Zadeon, a Prince of Hell, during which she has to come to terms with her dark side and make tough decisions along the way. The playfulness and the excitement of this relationship is one of the things that makes this novel a thrilling read. Edwards describes it very vividly and realistically, sometimes putting the reader in Grace's shoes, thus allowing them to experience all the emotions that she has towards this dark creature, who is also her most dangerous opponent. Playing With Demons is an exciting supernatural story of love, unlikely friendships, full of action, challenges, and fights between good and evil, which shows us that nothing in life, especially the familiar, is what it seems at first.
Cally Edwards' novel Playing With Demons unravels an exciting world where humans are merely spectators, oblivious to the existence of powerful supernatural beings we only know from tales. These beings are running the world and maintaining the balance inside it. Introducing a very interesting background story, Edwards gives us a heroine of the modern-day, Grace Campbell, who is half-Nephilim, half-demon, fighting on the side of good. Grace is sent on a mission to infiltrate the demonic lair, or Hell, if you will, and obtain an artifact so powerful that it could destroy the world as we know it! Being half-demon herself, Grace blends in easily with the rest of the demon lot and joins a set of dangerous trials that will change how she sees the world, herself, the balance between good and evil, and life in general.
Cally Edwards puts Grace in the middle of an unlikely romance with none other than Lucifer's offspring, Zadeon, a Prince of Hell, during which she has to come to terms with her dark side and make tough decisions along the way. The playfulness and the excitement of this relationship is one of the things that makes this novel a thrilling read. Edwards describes it very vividly and realistically, sometimes putting the reader in Grace's shoes, thus allowing them to experience all the emotions that she has towards this dark creature, who is also her most dangerous opponent. Playing With Demons is an exciting supernatural story of love, unlikely friendships, full of action, challenges, and fights between good and evil, which shows us that nothing in life, especially the familiar, is what it seems at first.
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