Monday, April 20, 2026

#BookReview ~ New Sins for Old Scores by Tj O'Connor ~ @Tjoconnorauthor ~ #ParanormalMystery #Mystery

New Sins for Old Scores by Tj O'Connor



Book Details:

New Sins for Old Scores by Tj O'Connor
Black Opal Books
May 27, 2017
Paperback 367 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1626946750
E-Book ASIN: B071S213GB
Goodreads

About the Book:

Murder, like history, often repeats itself. And, when it does, it’s the worst kind of murder.

Detective Richard Jax was never good at history—but, after years as a cop, he is about to get the lesson of his life. Ambushed and dying on a stakeout, he’s saved by Captain Patrick “Trick” McCall—the ghost of a World War II OSS agent. Trick has been waiting since 1944 for a chance to solve his own murder. Soon Jax is a suspect in a string of murders—murders linked to smuggling refugees out of the Middle East—a plot similar to the World War II OSS operation that brought scientists out of war-torn Europe. With the aid of a beautiful and intelligent historian, Dr. Alex Vouros, Jax and Trick unravel a seventy-year-old plot that began with Trick’s murder in 1944. Could the World War II mastermind, code named Harriet, be alive and up to old games? Is history repeating itself?

Together, Jax and Trick hunt for the link between their pasts—confronted by some of Washington’s elite and one provocative, alluring French Underground agent, Abrielle Chanoux. Somewhere in Trick’s memories is a traitor. That traitor killed him. That traitor is killing again. Who framed Jax and who wants Trick’s secret to remain secret? The answer may be, who doesn’t?

My Review:

New Sins for Old Scores takes place in modern day but features a lot of flashing back to the 1940s. Detective Richard Jax - or just Jax - was just ambushed during a stakeout. He is wounded and his partner, Leo, is dead. As he lays dying, Jax attempts to make sense of what just happened, all while hearing voices. He awakens in a hospital room taken aback by the ghost he can see and hear. His new ghost friend is Captain Patrick McCall - or Trick - a former OSS agent from WWII. Together, Jax and Trick have a dual agenda - find out who killed Leo and shot himself plus find out who killed Trick 70+ years ago.

Tj O'Connor does a fantastic job with all of the misdirects he has written into New Sins for Old Scores. I found myself bouncing back and forth between characters trying to figure out who was responsible for the deaths in 1944 and the deaths now. I was certainly surprised at the outcome of the story and to finally find out who Harriet was and how the two time periods connect.

The world building, both in present times and in the past, is wonderfully descriptive. The development of each scene was done with precision and I was able to fully visualize everything that transpired. The author's writing style is easy and flows along nicely. Even with all of the angles, threads, characters, and time spans, the author does a great job keeping everything in check.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.


My Rating:


Visit the Author:


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#BookReview ~ High Spirits at the Village Inn by Sharon Booth ~ #CozyRomance #Romance #Paranormal ~ @BoldwoodBook

 High Spirits at the Village Inn


About the Book:

Spring has arrived in the Cotswold village of Rowan Vale and everyone is in an optimistic mood.

Everyone except Danny. He’s had a rotten eighteen years stuck in a village where all his hopes and dreams were shattered. His annoying ex-work colleague, who seems determined to look on the bright side of the afterlife, won't leave him alone. And – as if that wasn’t bad enough – he’s facing eternity dressed as Adam Ant.

Meanwhile, in London, Rory plans to whisk his wife Kirsty away to the Cotswolds for their wedding anniversary. But when they arrive in Rowan Vale, Kirsty is horrified. How could her husband be so insensitive?

Rory insists that they stay at The Quicken Tree Inn and face up to the issues in their marriage. Kirsty has no choice but to go along with him, hoping she can finally put what happened all those years ago behind her. But when she spots her long-dead cousin in the village, things take a decidedly difficult turn...

Will confronting the ghosts from her past be a recipe for happiness or disaster?


My Review:

High Spirits at the Village Inn is a delightfully different ghost story. 

The novel begins with a couple who've lost their way after 10 years of marriage. Cassie and Rory are at a milestone anniversary and Rory plans a trip out of town to celebrate. The town in question? The place where dear family members had passed 18 years prior. Cassie's discomfort with Rory's decision reaches a whole new level when she sees the cousin she lost. Rowan Vale is filled with spirits of the dearly department, and her cousin isn't the only one to appear. 

The novel turns into a story of second chances, unpacking of emotional baggage, admissions, and redemption. I really enjoyed this paranormal fantasy romance. I found the story unique and enjoyable. The characters are fun and entertaining. I loved meeting the living and the ghosts. Rowan Vale village is a quaint town thriving on the nostalgia. High Spirits at the Village Inn is a lovely cozy romance with paranormal elements.

Of the four books in the series, this is only the second one I've read. I'm going to read the others, don't worry. I just need to carve out some time. 

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.


My Rating:



Visit the Author:

Sharon Booth is the author of feel-good stories set in charming, quirky locations, and now writes cosy romances with a magical twist for Boldwood. She lives with her husband in East Yorkshire, England.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: @sharonboothwriter

Instagram: @sharonboothwriter

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SharonBoothNews

Bookbub profile: @sharonboothwriter


Purchase Link:

Amazon

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Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

Friday, April 10, 2026

#NewRlease #BookReview ~ Crepe Capers: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel: (Wanda's Witchery, Book 11) (Haven Hollow, Book 46) by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory #PWF

 

Crepe Capers
Wanda's Witchery, Book 11
Haven Hollow, Book 46



About the Book:

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as Haven Hollow’s High Witch, it’s this: when life gets weird, it usually means someone cursed something.

And lately? Things are getting very weird.

It started with a simple package delivered to my shop, Wanda’s Witchery. Inside were two rings—one for me and one for my cousin Astrid. I thought they were a sweet surprise.

Turns out they were a curse.

Now Astrid has her humanity back… and I’ve been turned into the very thing I’ve spent my life fighting.

A vampire.

No heartbeat. No magic. And an overwhelming craving for blood that I’m trying very hard not to indulge—especially when it comes to my annoyingly attractive vampire husband, Lorcan.

But becoming undead is only the beginning of my problems.

Someone hired private investigators to spy on me. The vampire establishment is starting to question whether my “turning” was real. And if they discover the truth about the lie that kept me alive, they won’t just be angry.

They’ll kill me.

As if that weren’t enough, the cursed rings may be connected to a terrifying entity using my cousin as a pawn—a creature powerful enough to rewrite magic itself.

Which means my sudden transformation might not be an accident.

It might be a move in someone else’s game.

Now I have to figure out who’s behind the curse, why they targeted us, and how to survive vampire politics without losing the town—and the life—I love.

Because I may be undead now…

…but I’m still Wanda Depraysie.

And if someone thinks turning me into a vampire is going to stop me from solving this mystery, they clearly don’t know witches very well.


My Review:

Crepe Capers is book 11 in the Wanda’s Witchery series, a spin-off of, and book 46 in the Haven Hollow series. Things are really crazy in Haven Hollow in this book. A PI has been hired to catch Wanda being less than truthful in her turning into a vampire. With fortuitous timing, Wanda and Astrid fall victim to a pair of cursed rings that swap them; Astrid becomes mortal and Wanda becomes a vampire. A blast from Lorcan’s past turns up, causing mayhem. The final straw? The same being using Maverick as a pawn in whatever game is being played, has now contacted Wanda with an incredible, but totally unhinged, offer.

Crepe Capers is another fantastic and fun novel in the Haven Hollow series. I love Wanda, Lorcan, and the entire crew. We don’t get a whole lot of the other Haven Hollows characters in this book but buckle up for a wild ride with those we do get to see. I loved the story, characters, setting, and writing.

The Wanda's Witchery series by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory 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 grow and evolve.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.


My Rating:



This post contains affiliate links.
If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.
Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.