"Nothing Will Be Left" by October Kane

In the nice, quiet little town of Quill Point, something evil stirs as an unusual cloud appears, blotting out the sky. When the storm breaks, it brings a destructive earthquake. Phones stop working and cars won't run. Then, when groups of people start trying to walk to the next town, that's when things start getting really bad, and people start getting killed. But are the beings doing the killing aliens, demons, or something completely different? That's something no one seems to know, along with why it was happening. Or whether or not the whole world was affected or just this one town.

This was a very creepy horror novel. For me, it evoked a feeling of early Stephen King novels combined with old Twilight Zone episodes. It did manage to send some shivers down my spine more than once. This is a full-on horror story, complete with all the violence and gore you would expect to see in a scary movie. So if you enjoy reading books that are meant to frighten, then I believe this one might be right up your alley.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book and will be watching for book 2 in this series to become available. I may not often read horror stories the way I did back when I was in high school, but this one left me wanting to know what happens next. And obviously for that, I'll need to wait for book 2 to be released.

This book can also be found through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/quillpoint01

"Antique Magic" by Kait Disney-Leugers

Brie is a graduate student, sharing an apartment with her brother and looking for a part time job to help them make ends meet. She finds one working at what appears to be a small, not very busy antique shop. The owner seems to be a cranky, but sexy man, and the clientele are also rather odd, to say the least. And the strangest thing? Even though the store does appear to be open to anyone, part of her job is to chase away any tourists who wander in. What kind of antique shop doesn't want tourists to shop there? Clearly there's more going on than meets the eye.

This was a fun and interesting paranormal urban fantasy novel that I received a review copy to read. The customers of the store are all manner of magical beings, from fae, to vampires and everything in between. Many are friendly (some almost too friendly, like the incubus who visits the store), while others are not so friendly. Including one who actively dislikes her, and leaves her feeling threatened whenever he is around. Why though, comes as a bit of a surprise to her.

This was, in my opinion, primarily a paranormal romance with a number of twists along the way. I thought it a fun story, and one that I believe most people who enjoy paranormal fantasy books would enjoy. Do be aware that there are a few sex scenes in this book. Not many, but they aren't The "fade to black" style.

This book is also available through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/magicloveandmischief01

"To be Normal" by Jessica Salina

In the City of Riverpeak, Colorado, a group of friends have been helping a superhero who goes by the name of Hematite. Hematite can't die. He uses his powers to fight evil and try to rid his city of the corruption infesting the east side. Drugs are being produced and sold, and young women are going missing. When Hannah, a popular fantasy author moves to town, Hematite is suspicious. Is her arrival merely a coincidence? Or is she part of the drug ring?

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. It was the second book in this series, and after reading it I want to track down book 1 to learn more about Hematite's origins. And then of course, I'll need to wait for the release of book 3. This series has captured my interest, making me want to learn more. As someone who collected and wide read a variety of comic books over the years, naturally a book about a small town superhero would capture my attention.

If you enjoy books about superheroes or, like me, enjoyed reading comic books as a kid, then I think you will enjoy this book just as much as I did.

This book can also be found from the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/riverpeak02

"The Quarter Mage" by Angelina J Steffort

Princess Sanja tried to run from an arranged marriage to a cruel man. But after being brought back & married despite her unwillingness, her new husband has her father immediately killed and has her stabbed with the two bodies disposed of. However the man who was supposed to kill her, once he has her away from her new husband, does what he can to heal her. Then he sends her off to hide in the neighboring faerie kingdom. Faeries, however, enjoy tormenting humans. And without the help of a human mage who takes her in as an apprentice, she would likely have been dead within a matter of days.

I received a review copy of this book, and I enjoyed it a great deal. The characters were interesting, and the human/faerie interactions made quite clear the often malevolent fascination that each had with the other. It also left me with some questions about the faerie prince that I hope will be answered in book 2 of this series. Because to me, he certainly seems to be more than a little interested in her, but it's not quite clear if in the future he is meant to become a friend or foe, both or neither.

This book left me wanting to read the next one in the series, which I plan on doing soon. I found it to be an unusual and interesting fantasy novel, and if you enjoy books involving the interactions of those who are born without magic, those who can learn it, and faeries, as well as stolen kingdoms, then give this one a try. I think you'll enjoy it too.

This book may also be available through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/3GpzeL

“An Ideal Vessel” by Sarah Hans

Zuzanna has a job cleaning an exhibit at the 1993 World’s Fair. One night, after everyone else had left, one of the automatons in the exhibit comes to life. It claims that it is a spirit possessing the form and needs help. It is on a mission to hunt down a demon who has escaped from another realm and is wreaking havoc and death wherever it goes. The demon must be found and destroyed before it can commit even more harm than it already has.

This was a shorter book with a darker theme than I normally read, but I enjoyed this story. It ended feeling like there is or will be a sequel (and I may have to hunt it down.) But even if there is not one, this story is a complete and interesting tale, even if the theme is a bit darker than my usual tastes. In my opinion, it carries a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster theme about it that I believe many would likely enjoy.

This book may be found at the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/bWpzXY

"Bells and Bombshells" by Trixie Silvertale

The week before her wedding to Sheriff Erick Harper is a big one for Mitzi, full of unexpected surprises. First, Erick retires as the town's Sheriff, with Deputy Paulson, being named as acting Sheriff until the next election. So what will he be doing now? He has surprised her with the opening of Harper / Moon private investigations, where they will work together solving crimes. And just before their wedding, they have their first case… finding out who has killed 2 people, leaving Mitzi's mentor and friend Silas being blamed for the murders. 

This was the first book in the new Harper/Moon series and was just as good as the previous Mitzi Moon series. Watching the former Sheriff realize how much more difficult solving crimes without the authority he used to have helped to make this book even more entertaining. Watching him try to come up with an on the spot cover identity and backstory showed that in some ways Mitzy was ahead of the game in this case. I very much enjoyed reading this book and will be looking forward to the next one.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, the previous Mitzy Moon books, or books with a large paranormal component, then I think you will enjoy this one too.

This book is available from the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/bPL5PA

 

"Us of Legendary Gods" by Nick Savage

The main characters are a group of high school teens, living ordinary lives, just trying to make it through to graduation and then go on to college. But are they really nothing more than anyone else? Or, as someone seems to believe, are they something else? Something dangerous that needs to be studied and destroyed? And what exactly is it that someone suspects they are? And why?

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a very unique take on the traditional vampire/werewolf/mythical creature stories; one that makes a lot of sense if you think about it, but at the same time was a concept that I had not seen previously explored. And as one might expect from a "monster" story, there is violence, bloodshed, as well as some other potentially triggering topics explored, though those subjects seem to be handled as carefully as possible.

And when I got to the end of the story, I wasn't ready for it to be over. Fortunately, book 2 is available already, and I immediately had to buy a copy. (In other words, the ending left me really wanting to know what happens next.) Obviously, I can't give the ending away, but it really left me holding my breath at the end and very glad that the next book was already available. 

If you like stories of the paranormal and new takes on old legends, vampires, werewolves, and other mythical beings, I think you'll love this book as much as I did. It's not your typical vampire or werewolf story. Recommended.

This book is also available from the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/b5WrNG