Paranormal Romance Book Review ~ Bump in the Night (Midlife Spirits #4) by H.P. Mallory @HPMallory #PNR #Paranormal

 

Abandon hope, all ye who enter here...

With the ghost of Drake Montague possessing my body, I’ve broken the barrier between this plane and the next.

Now, to stop the ghost of the murderous Axeman from attacking New Orleans again, I’ll have to visit the most infamous building in the city—the LaLaurie Mansion.

In the 1800s, the LaLaurie Mansion was the location of unspeakable atrocities, and now I’m going to venture into the depths of this awful place, where I’ll experience first-hand what happened all those years ago.

The LaLaurie Mansion will lead me back to my least favorite of all places—Guarda’s shack of voodoo, where I’ll have to succumb to Guarda’s magic, yet again.

To stop bloody history from repeating itself, I’ll have to travel back in time to confront the Axeman at his roots, with the help of a certain handsome—and suddenly flesh and blood—police officer with a killer accent.

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ASIN: ‎ B099Y5DBD9
Publication Date: ‎ July 19, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 106 pages

My Review:

Bump in the Night is fun, romantic, intense, and a bit terrifying. The continued Axeman saga has Peyton seeking out a voodoo priestess to assist with the opening of her psyche. The little, old woman, though, is a bit scary. When they have to rely on Guarda again to deal with the Axeman on a different plane, in a different time, I was nervous for them. Whether this is truly the last we've seen of the Axeman remains to be seen.

I love Peyton, Drake, and Ryan. Peyton is fun, interesting, and her chemistry with Ryan is off the charts. Her chemistry with Drake is equally so but a bit more difficult to manage, her being human and him being a ghost and all. I love their interactions, banter, and discussions. They truly care for one another even if they can never be anything more than friends.

The book was engaging, fast paced, and a quick, easy read. I couldn’t put the book down. I look forward to the next novella in this paranormal romance series.

My Rating:

ARC Review ~ The Matchmaker Bride by Ginny Baird @GinnyBaird ~ Contemporary Romance ~ Blue Hill Brides Series @EntangledPub

 

A delightful romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Ginny Baird...

Successful Boston matchmaker and television personality Meredith Galanes’s reputation is on the line. During a guest appearance on a morning talk show, she’s broadsided by questions about her own romantic attachments, just as she’s trying to secure a syndication deal. Afraid to admit her love life is a total disaster, Meredith blurts out that she’s seriously involved with a very special man—a boatbuilder in Maine. She never expects that small slip to get spun into a story about her supposed engagement.

Or that the paparazzi will track the guy down…

Derrick Albright is laid-back about many things. Being hounded by the press about some imaginary engagement to a woman he’s only met once—and couldn’t stand—isn’t one of them. Then Meredith actually shows up at his cabin in Blue Hill, Maine, with an apology, a pot roast, and a proposal—play along until she secures her TV deal, and she’ll help him win back his ex.

It’s a simple plan, but if they have any chance of pulling it off, they’ll have to survive each other first...

Each book in the Blue Hill Brides series is STANDALONE:
* The Duplicate Bride
* The Matchmaker Bride

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ASIN:‎ B08JKB381B
Publisher:‎ Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Print Length: 271 pages

My Review:

Meredith Galanes has a problem. As a renowned matchmaker and tv personality she has successfully paired up many couples. Her successful tv show showcases her matches, proving she has the magic touch when it comes to setting couples up. This isn't Meredith's problem, though. Her problem stems from her inability to successfully match herself. Her love life has been nothing but one disastrous date after another. While trying to secure a syndication deal for her tv show, Meredith appears on a talk show and their main question involves her love life. She can't go in front of the entire viewing audience and admit that, while she can pair other couples up, her attempts at romance are epic failures. What's a little white lie in front of the camera?! Meredith has no idea that her little white lie would be escalated to the point that her new, fake boyfriend would be hunted down by the press.

Derrick Albright is a boatbuilder in Maine. He lives a quiet, laidback life. That all changes when reporters come knocking on his door wanting him to comment on his relationship and engagement to Meredith Galanes, matchmaker extraordinaire. There has to some mistake. Derrick has only met Meredith once and spent a lot of time trying to avoid her. Now, she's on his doorstep trying to explain away the reporters all while trying to butter him up with a homecooked meal, a proposal, and a guarantee she can find Derrick's ex and get them back together. First, they have to learn to get along or the entire plan will go up in smoke right along with Meredith's successful matchmaking empire.

Meredith and Derrick are an amazing couple of characters in The Matchmaker Bride. They were constantly bickering, in total denial of any feelings and chemistry, yet tried to convince the world they are perfect for one another. Their dance was one filled with missed opportunities, longing glances, cute moments, and miscommunications. All things that helped make this enemies-to-lovers/fake engagement romance novel hard to put down. 

I was engaged in their story from the very beginning and devoured the book. I enjoyed this contemporary romance. The author's writing style is smooth and conversational. The characters have depth and development. The setting was written well, and I was able to visualize the story as I read along. While this series is listed as each story being a standalone, I highly recommend you read the books in order so you understand what happened in book one between Meredith and Derrick. The author does a great job bringing in all the details from The Duplicate Bride into The Matchmaker Bride, I found myself searching for Meredith and Derrick's interactions in The Duplicate Bride as a refresher.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Paranormal Romance Book Review ~ Mischief Brewing (Midlife Spirits #3) by H.P. Mallory @HPMallory #PNR #Paranormal

Two is better than one; unless the second is hitching a ride in your body.

Then one is definitely better than two.

After agreeing to let the spirit of Drake Montague inhabit my body (probably not one of my better ideas), I soon discover the twentieth-century French policeman may be dead, but his lothario longings sure aren’t.

Now I have to find a way to explain to my sweet, sexy, and very alive boyfriend, Ryan Kelly, that a spirit has taken up residence in my head, whispering French words of affection day and night. And, ahem, French is a pretty… sexy language.

While I’m torn between my love for a living man and my growing affection for one deceased, supernatural activity in New Orleans is at an all-time high. Something wicked this way is definitely coming.

With the help of my friends (and a little voodoo), I learn that the demonic spirit of the Axeman may still be dwelling in my house. Thanks a lot, realtor.com

ASIN: ‎ B0999GZQY5

Publication Date: ‎ July 12, 2021

Print Count: ‎ 218 pages

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My Review:

A lot has happened leading up to Mischief Brewing. Peyton inherits a house in NOLA, she learns it's inhabited by not only the ghost of a policeman, but apparently a demonic entity she and Ryan's sister, Trina, allowed to enter through use of an Ouija board. A cleanse and an exorcism later and the entity is just plain ticked and feeding off of Drake's ghostly spirit. To save Drake, Peyton's only option is to allow Lovie and Christopher to perform a ritual allowing Drake to possess Peyton's body. Peyton's life is about to kick up the complications another notch. The supernatural activity in NOLA has also increased and Peyton's sure it's because of the Axeman. Now she must try and figure out how to send the Axeman packing.

Mischief Brewing is fun, romantic, intense, and scary. A lot goes on this book between Peyton and the entity, Peyton and Drake, and Peyton and Ryan. The involvement of voodoo increases in book 3 as Peyton works to handle Drake's possession, investigate the increased paranormal activity, and deal with the Axeman. I love Peyton. She's fun, interesting, and her chemistry with Ryan is off the charts. Her relationship with Drake is flirty, fun, and dreamy. The continuation of the long-ago murder mystery and how it’s woven into book 3 is interesting. I found the book completely engaging, fast paced, and I couldn't put it down. I'm excited to read the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Paranormal Women's Fiction Book Review ~ A Ghost of a Chance (Midlife Spirits #2) by H.P. Mallory @HPMallory ~ #PWF #PNR

 

Living in a haunted house is going to be the death of me…

Potentially literally.

In an attempt to cleanse whatever entity Trina and I let into my house after our bout with a Ouija board, things have only gotten worse.

When the entity begins to sap Drake’s strength, I realize I have to do something, and that something needs to be done now…

While Drake does drive me crazy with his pretentious airs, his womanizing ways, and his jealousy, the idea of coming home to an empty house leaves me feeling… well, empty. Yes, it’s true—I’m pretty fond of my ghostly Casanova.

Meanwhile, whatever this entity is, it’s getting stronger and more aggressive. It appears to be mimicking the attacks of the Axeman, a murderer who terrorized New Orleans over one hundred years earlier.

And there’s only so much Ryan can do to help me, considering he’s corporeal.

When forced to make a decision to protect Drake, I’ll face a consequence that could put my blossoming relationship with Ryan on a forever hold.

*Previously published as the Peyton Clark Series

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ASIN: ‎B098KRCDPW

Publisher: ‎Rain Press

Publication Date: July 1, 2021

Print Length: 235 pages

My Review:

After Trina’s experiment with an Ouija board in Peyton’s newly inherited home let something sinister in, it’s time for Peyton to figure out how to remove the entity. Peyton heads to the only place she knows may be able to help – the local voodoo shop. With absolutely no experience and little assistance from the shop employee, Peyton embarks on the quest to cleanse her home. Except, Trina pops in right before Peyton and Ryan being the cleanse. Now, the entity is even more aggressive and Drake, her resident ghost, is no longer safe, and neither is she. It’s time to hit the heavies and the only thing Peyton can do to save Drake, is drastic and may hinder any potential relationship with Ryan indefinitely.

A Ghost of Chance is fun, romantic, intense, and scary. A lot goes on this book between Peyton and the entity, Peyton and Drake, and Peyton and Ryan. I love Peyton. She's fun, interesting, and her chemistry with Ryan is off the charts. Her relationship with Drake is flirty, fun, and dreamy, although a bit intense in this story. The continuation of the long-ago murder mystery and how it’s woven into book 2 is interesting. I found the book completely engaging, fast paced, and I couldn't put it down. I'm excited to read the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Review:

Paranormal Women's Fiction Review ~ Spandex Sorcery (Wanda's Witchery, Book 2) by J.R. Rain & H.P. Mallory @HPMallory #PNR #PWF

 

A Haven Hollow Novel

Lorcan and I continue to attempt a spell that will return his vampire “kiss” and return me to the witch I once was, but the spell keeps failing.

To make matters worse, Lorcan is getting heat from the head vampire of his line, Rupert. Rupert wants Lorcan to either fully blood me or kill me. And while I’m not a fan of growing fangs, I’m really not a fan of growing worms.

When a stranger, who introduces himself as ‘Dev’, walks into my shop, and I suddenly start acting like a lovesick schoolgirl, I’m fairly sure magic is to blame.

Dev is definitely something supernatural, but I’m not sure what. All I do know is that he makes me feel alive in a very...carnal way. Soon, I’m having dreams that become a reality and I find myself getting more and more confused as to what’s real life and what isn’t.

One thing I do know is that I have to get to the bottom of Dev’s appearance in Haven Hollow and, more specifically, what he wants from me. Because it’s becoming pretty apparent that if he doesn’t want something from me, then he definitely just wants me…

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My Review:

Demon in Denim is the third book in the Wanda’s Witchery series, set in the Haven Hollow world.

Wanda is half-witch and half-vampire, affectionately known as a blood witch. Having been cast out of her coven after being turned by Lorcan, she finds solace in the supernatural town of Haven Hollow. This book finds Wanda’s powers continuing to grow wildly out of control and now her dreams are becoming realities, very unpleasant realities. That's not even the half of Wanda's troubles.

A stranger waltzes into town, focused on Wanda. He's handsome, seductive, and has bewitched Wanda. Parts of her that have been dormant are beginning to come alive. Her libido is growing ever so out of control. Dev has some sort of supernatural power and Wanda can't figure out what it is. All she knows is the sight or very presence of Dev turns her into someone she doesn't recognize. Between the horrible and alive dreams, and her increased sexual awareness, Wanda is on the edge of either being arrested or turned into a vampire - neither of which are activities she currently has included on her bucket list.

It's time to bring in her backup and discover who Dev is, what he wants, and how he's able to manipulate her mind. When things get really bad, Wanda has to bring the heavies and hope they aid her instead of banishing or killing her. She hopes it doesn't come to either one of those last options. She quick likes the life she's created in Haven Hollow.

Demon in Denim is another fantastic and fun novel in the Haven Hollow series. Wanda's character is great. She acts tough and unfeeling but it’s just an act, one engrained in her since she was child in the coven. Even though it’s how she was raised to be, her character learns to relax a little in her new home. This book brings out even more of Wanda and we see a completely different side of her. Lorcan's character plays a huge and fantastic role in the story. I really enjoyed him, even when he was obsessing over Wanda. Many of the characters from the Poppy's Potions series make an appearance in Demon in Denim since both series' are set in the same town of Haven Hollow. I love the dual settings in Wanda's Witchery and Poppy's Potions. Completely different stories and points-of-view but with identical characters and setting.

The Wanda's Witchery series by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain is excellent. This writing duo brings interesting stories, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking mysteries to life. The character development provides history and growth, and the world-building creates a fantastic world to watch the characters do their thing.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating: 

Paranormal Romance Book Review ~ Afraid of the Dark: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Midlife Spirits Book 1) H.P. Mallory #PNR #PWF @HPMallory

First in the "Midlife Spirits Series" by New York Times bestselling author, H.P. Mallory (co-author of the Haven Hollow Series)

Do you believe in love after death? I didn’t, until now…

Looking for a fresh start, I just became the proud owner of a piece of New Orleans history: an Antebellum-era two-story house in the Garden District.

It’s going to take time and a fat wallet to restore the fixer-upper to its former glory, but after my recent divorce, I could use the distraction. And a stiff drink, but that’s another story…

It’s not long before I discover I’ve moved into the haunted house of the flirtatious and very much dead Drake Montague. Now I’m receiving kisses from unseen lips and caresses from ghostly hands. Soon I even begin to have vivid dreams, bringing me face-to-face with the incomparably handsome ghost of a 20th-century French policeman.

Meanwhile, I’m also growing closer to my general contractor, Ryan Kelly—who is as charming as he is alive.

The chill in the air could only suggest Drake’s jealousy from beyond the grave... men, right?

Even though I’m definitely attracted to and interested in Ryan, I also can’t get Drake out of my dreams or my heart as I begin to uncover the frightening truth behind his death a century ago.

*Previously published as the Peyton Clark Series

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My Review:

Peyton Graves, now Peyton Clark after divorcing her husband in Minneapolis, MN, finds herself in NOLA. Peyton has inherited a mansion in the Garden District from her great-Aunt Myra. The mansion is in rough shape and going to need a lot of work. During a terrible storm, the mansion falls even further into disrepair, and Peyton is visited by her neighbor, Ryan Kelly shortly after the additional damage begins. He convinces her to move into a hotel run by his sister, but Peyton has her own request. If he wants her to stay there while the mansion is being renovated, he must be her general contractor.

The state of disrepair isn't the only problem with the mansion. Apparently, her moving in and the beginning of the renovations disturbs the resident ghost, Drake Montague. Drake was an early 20th-centrury police officer and visits her mostly in her dreams. He informs her about a series of axe murders and asks her to look into them and his very own death, as well.

As the renovations continue and she investigates the axe murders and the death of Drake, Peyton can't help but begin to fall for both Ryan and Drake.

I've never had to the chance to read the original Peyton Clark series, so HP Mallory's rebranding of the series is still new to me. I love Peyton. She's fun, interesting, and her chemistry with Ryan is off the charts. Her budding relationship with Drake is flirty, fun, and dreamy. The addition of the long-ago murder mystery and death of Drake is interesting. I found the book completely engaging, fast paced, and I couldn't put it down. I'm excited to read the next book, A Ghost of a Chance.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#ContemporaryRomance #Review ~ Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London ~ #Romance @EntangledPub

 

What happens when two people who’ve given up on forever find it in each other…?

Single men are as scarce in Forever Falls as a vegetarian at a barbecue. That is, until Ethan Hammersmith moves in. After his fiancée gave him an ultimatum, he left Australia and never looked back. He isn’t in America to find a new girlfriend, though. He’s searching for the father he never knew. But now it’s like he has a flashing sign above his head that says “available.” Thankfully, the manager of the local diner is willing to give him cover—if only she weren’t so distractingly adorable.

Monroe Roberts, town misanthrope and divorcée, knocked “forever” permanently off her wish list ever since the love of her life skipped town with the cliché yoga instructor. And good riddance. She’s got this struggling diner to keep her busy, trying anything to boost sales…until a hot Australian strolls in and changes everything. Monroe’s restaurant is packed full of women who aren’t there to order food, unless Ethan is on the menu. This could sink her business faster than ever. So—light bulb—what if they pretend to be together?

It sounds like the perfect plan. Until they realize there is some very real chemistry in this fake relationship. But is it enough to heal two hearts that have been so deeply wounded?

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My Review:

Monroe Roberts has lived in Forever Falls her entire life. Her family is the single most important thing to her. When she's betrayed by her husband three years prior, Monroe becomes a shell of herself and vows to never give her heart to anyone ever again. Besides, she's the manager of the local diner and it's in jeopardy of being closed down for good. She can't allow that to happen to her employees or the owner, who Monroe has known her whole life. When a new guy comes into town, though, her whole life changes. 

Ethan Hammersmith is only in Forever Falls temporarily. He's on a quest to find his birth father after his world comes crashing down in Australia. Ethan isn't looking for a happily-ever-after or even a happily-for-now, until he walks into The Sunshine Diner. As the object of the town's female population's desire, he just wants to remain under the radar while he searches out the next location where his birth father may have resided. When Ethan catches a glimpse of the diner's manager, he knows his heart is going to be in trouble.

Forever Starts Now is a sweet and steamy romance that had me devouring the book. Monroe and Ethan have so much baggage it's no wonder neither want to look for a partner. Sometimes, though, attraction, connection, and feelings don't care. The chemistry between Monroe and Ethan was off the charts and the author did a fantastic job making the reader aware of and feel it waft off the pages. The emotions, romance, and conflict in this supposed fake relationship story were impeccably written, completely believable, and filled with so much realism I felt like I was there in the story with the characters. 

Stefanie London just climbed to the top of my must-read romance authors list, where she is in good company with many of my other favorites. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating: