Tag: supernatural

#BadMoonRising Ghostly Interference by Jan Sikes #ghost #supernatural

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising76 Comments

Today’s author is here with her award winning novel, the first in a series (so you can get started now!). The only reason you’d find her with a haunted doll is if she was attempting to exorcise it. What a Good Samaritan she is. Welcome Jan Sikes!

Which Stephen King novel unsettled you the most?

Hands-down, “Misery.” The thought of being trapped in an isolated, remote location with a deranged psychotic person who loves you to death is about as unsettling as it gets for me. It was such a great story premise, and the movie was equally as good as the book.

Would you buy a doll that you knew was haunted?

Not only NO but Hell No! Why invite trouble when life is hard enough! I might try to find a way to destroy the haunted doll and release the spirit, but I’d never knowingly bring one into my home.

Do you believe in any ‘mythical’ monsters like chupacabras or shadow people?

Yep. Myths and legends get started from somewhere or someone’s experience. So, I definitely believe some of these myths and legends come from actual occurrences. I haven’t seen any mythical monsters, but I have seen ghosts and UFOs.

How do you use social media as an author? 

I think my response would be what most authors would say, and that is to forge connections and gain readers. I use Twitter exclusively for all things author-related. I use Facebook for personal reasons, as well as authorly. But ultimately, all social media platforms need to serve a purpose, or I won’t use them. My favorite social media platform is my blog.

Have you ever traveled as research for any of your books? 

Yes! In May, I took a trip to a certain part of Missouri to learn about the area and to actually lay eyes on the landscape. I utilized a local library to go through reels of microfiche from the time period my story takes place. I found some pretty coincidental things such as a death notice for a person with the same last name of my character, which I adopted as my character’s father. It was also helpful to see the price of items in 1947.

What are you working on now?

This question goes hand-in-hand with the traveling for research one. The book I am currently working on is Literary Fiction or Historical Fiction set in 1947 in a tiny town in Southwestern Missouri. The title is “A Beggar’s Bargain.” And I am past the 50,000 word mark, so it is coming along. This is different from anything I’ve ever written. There are lots of challenges to staying true to the time period, but I am loving everything about this story!

Jag Peters has one goal in his quiet, comfortable life—to keep his karma slate wiped clean. A near-miss crash with a candy apple red Harley threatens to upend his safe world. He tracks down the rider to apologize properly. Slipping into a seedy biker bar, he discovers the rider isn’t a “he”, it’s a “she,” a dark-haired beauty.

Rena Jett is a troubled soul who lives in a rough world. She wants no part of Jag’s apology, but even while she pushes him away, she is attracted to him. When he claims to see a ghost—her brother—can she trust him? And could her brother’s final gift, a magical rune stone with the symbol for “happily ever after,” have the power to heal her wounds and allow opposites to find common ground—perhaps even love?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Interference-White-Rune-Sikes-ebook/dp/B08KW1KFMW/

BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghostly-interference-jan-sikes/1137871003?

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ghostly-interference

iTUNES: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghostly-interference/id1535082886

GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=PCwNEAAAQBAJ

AUTHOR BIO AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. The entertaining true story comes to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books.

And now, this author can’t find a way to put down the pen. She continues to write fiction and has published numerous award-winning short stories. She published her debut paranormal romance novel, Ghostly Interference, Book 1 in The White Rune Series, in 2020, which won a bronze medal award from Reader’s Favorite. Jagged Feathers was released on January 31, 2022, as Book 2 of that series and garnered an Honorable Mention from Reader’s Favorite, plus won 4th place in the North Texas Book Festival Book Awards.  Saddled Hearts, Book 3,will release on October 19, 2022.

She is an active blogger, an avid fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.

WEBSITE: http://www.jansikes.com

BLOG:  https://jansikesblog.com/

TWITTER:  https://www.twitter.com/jansikes3

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks

BOOKBUB:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK 

Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco and Daphne by Josh Malerman #bookreview #horror #asianmyth #vampires #LGBTQ

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews21 Comments

I know I’ve been featuring more reviews than usual lately (and you’re probably getting a little tired of them), but I’ve been trying to get the September releases posted before Bad Moon Rising takes over the month of October. The fun starts tomorrow with the preview of BMR authors!

Full of court intrigue, queer romance, and terrifying monsters—this gothic epic fantasy will appeal to fans of Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree and the adult animated series Castlevania.

Remy Pendergast is many things: the only son of the Duke of Valenbonne (though his father might wish otherwise), an elite bounty hunter of rogue vampires, and an outcast among his fellow Reapers. His mother was the subject of gossip even before she eloped with a vampire, giving rise to the rumors that Remy is half-vampire himself. Though the kingdom of Aluria barely tolerates him, Remy’s father has been shaping him into a weapon to fight for the kingdom at any cost.

When a terrifying new breed of vampire is sighted outside of the city, Remy prepares to investigate alone. But then he encounters the shockingly warmhearted vampire heiress Xiaodan Song and her infuriatingly arrogant fiancé, vampire lord Zidan Malekh, who may hold the key to defeating the creatures—though he knows associating with them won’t do his reputation any favors. When he’s offered a spot alongside them to find the truth about the mutating virus Rot that’s plaguing the kingdom, Remy faces a choice.

It’s one he’s certain he’ll regret.

But as the three face dangerous hardships during their journey, Remy develops fond and complicated feelings for the couple. He begins to question what he holds true about vampires, as well as the story behind his own family legacy. As the Rot continues to spread across the kingdom, Remy must decide where his loyalties lie: with his father and the kingdom he’s been trained all his life to defend or the vampires who might just be the death of him. 

I’m a fan of Chupeco’s YA books and jumped at the chance to read their first foray into the adult genre. I nearly did a happy dance when I learned the story involves vampires.

Remy’s life hasn’t been an easy one. He’s a vampire hunter but is shunned by other hunters because of rumors his mother ran away with a vampire – and Remy might be half vampire. His father, a human and former hunter, is ambitious, power-hungry, and constantly demeans Remy. He also pimps Remy out to the wives of men who hold strategic positions in society in order to gain information. Trust me, no Father of the Year trophies will ever grace this guy’s mantle. As a result of all this, Remy doesn’t think highly of himself and believes he’s not worthy of kindness from anyone. He’s definitely an easy character to root for.

When a new breed of vampire shows up, Remy finds himself teamed up with an engaged vampire couple, both of them high up in their respective courts. Having read several vampire books, I liked this different take on a mutant strain of vamps. I also enjoyed seeing a human and vampires working alongside each other, encountering plenty of obstacles along the way, in order to discover who’s behind the Rot. What Remy lacks in self-esteem he more than makes up for as a hunter and can hold his own in a fight. And there are plenty of bloody ones in this story. It’s also full of gothic atmosphere, and the polyamorous relationship that develops between the three of them is pretty amusing at times because of differing personalities. Seeing Remy begin to realize he’s worthy of love and kindness also comes with some heartfelt moments.

At over five hundred pages, this is a chunk of a novel that moves at a brisk pace. It’s not listed as a series on Goodreads, but the ending makes me believe a sequel will be coming – and I’ll absolutely be reading it. HIghly recommend to fans of supernatural mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It’s the last summer for Kit Lamb: The last summer before college. The last summer with her high school basketball team, and with Dana, her best friend. The last summer before her life begins.

But the night before the big game, one of the players tells a ghost story about Daphne, a girl who went to their school many years ago and died under mysterious circumstances. Some say she was murdered, others that she died by her own hand. And some say that Daphne is a murderer herself. They also say that Daphne is still out there, obsessed with revenge, and will appear to kill again anytime someone thinks about her.

After Kit hears the story, her teammates vanish, one by one, and Kit begins to suspect that the stories about Daphne are real . . . and to fear that her own mind is conjuring the killer. Now it’s a race against time as Kit searches for the truth behind the legend and learns to face her own fears—before the summer of her life becomes the last summer of her life.

Mixing a nostalgic coming-of-age story and an instantly iconic female villain with an innovative new vision of classic horror, Daphne is an unforgettable thriller as only Josh Malerman could imagine it.

When you’re told not to think about a certain thing, see how well you do. It’s not easy. At all. In this novel, if you think about Daphne, she comes for you. And you won’t survive the visit.

Daphne is kind of an urban legend in this town. Seven feet tall, the owner of a muscle car, and rumored to be a murderer, she was an outcast in high school, but has been dead for many years. Or has she? When one of the basketball players tells a ghost story about Daphne to the team, the body count begins a couple days later. With her friends dying one by one in horrific ways, Kit is sure it’s only a matter of time before Daphne pays her a visit. Can she be stopped?

If you’re a fan of both basketball and horror, you’ll be thrilled with this book. Basketball isn’t one of my interests, so I skimmed over a good bit of those parts. But when Daphne is on the page? I couldn’t look away. Those scenes are creepy, bloodcurdling, and exactly what I’d hoped. For me, this had the feel of an 80s slasher movie, and it was something I really liked. As a KISS fan, I also appreciated them being mentioned, but chuckled over Kit not knowing who they were.

Daphne is a chilling blend of horror and psychological thriller that may keep you awake at night. Just try not to think about her. Good luck.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros #bookreview #fantasy #supernatural #LGBTQ #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews20 Comments

A haunting fantasy following Toma, adopted daughter of the benevolent undead, making her way across a civil war-torn continent to save her younger sister as she discovers she might possess magical powers herself.

The Kosa empire roils in tension, on the verge of being torn apart by a proletarian revolution between magic-endowed elites and the superstitious lower class, but seventeen-year-old Toma lives blissfully disconnected from the conflict in the empire with her adoptive family of benevolent undead.

When she meets Vanya, a charming commoner branded as a witch by his own neighbors, and the dethroned Tsar Mikhail himself, the unlikely trio bonds over trying to restore Mikhail’s magic and protect the empire from the revolutionary leader, Koschei, whose forces have stolen the castle. Vanya has his magic, and Mikhail has his title, but if Toma can’t dig deep and find her power in time, all of their lives will be at Koschei’s mercy. 

I think I’ve read all of this author’s books, and I can always count on incredible world-building. His previous novel, The City Beautiful, is set in Chicago during the World’s Fair and features a Jewish main character possessed by a dybbuk. The setting of Bone Weaver is very similar to Imperial Russia, and its monsters come from Slavic folklore.

Toma remembers little from her early life, other than her mother’s death after telling her to run. She does know they were running from someone, and it was extremely important that she not lose her mother’s rushnyk (an embroidered tapestry), which seems to have some magical properties. Fortunately, Toma was taken in by a family of upyri (undead, but they’re nice). When her six-year-old upyri sister (her age when she died) is captured by soldiers, Toma travels across a war-ravaged continent to find her. Along the way she teams up with Vanya, who possesses magical powers, and Mikhail, the dethroned tsar whose magic was stolen. It’s an adjustment for Toma as her home is very secluded, and she hasn’t lived among humans for many years.

Vanya is a prankster at times, but he’s also outraged at how commoners are treated. Those who possess magic are branded as witches and killed since magic should only belong to the elite. While trying to regain his throne, Mikhail has the rare opportunity to experience the reality of what’s going on in his country and vows to change things. With very different personalities, Mikhail and Vanya tend to clash at times, and I especially enjoyed their banter.

Soldiers aren’t their only threat. These three encounter dangerous creatures at nearly every turn and have to fight for their lives more than once. Learning about Slavic folklore was both enthralling and horrifying. Once a person is killed in this world, there’s a chance they may return as upyri. To prevent that, they’re dismembered, their body parts scattered, and their mouths filled with dirt and moss. Not all upyri are like Toma’s family – some are prone to feasting on flesh.

This story deals with difficult topics of war and religious and cultural persecution. But it also features strong found family vibes, friendships, and discovering where you belong. This is a quote from the book that struck a chord with me. “And wherever you go from here, always remember – all that you love will return to you.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Belladonna (Belladonna #1) by Adalyn Grace #bookreview #YA #gothic #mystery

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews29 Comments


Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.

However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine. 

A restless spirit, mysterious illness, family estate, and Death helping solve the mystery? This checked so many boxes for me.

I love a gothic atmosphere, and it absolutely dripped from the pages throughout this book. I’m also a fan of the 1850s time period. Signa hasn’t had an easy upbringing. Orphaned as an infant, she’s passed around to several guardians, most of them caring more about the allowance that comes along with her than Signa herself. When she’s taken in by the Hawthornes, distant cousins, her dreams of a stable home and the opportunity to be introduced into society are finally coming true. But there’s something she’s never told anyone – she can communicate with spirits. When the ghost of recently deceased Mrs. Hawthorne requests her help, and maybe not in such a nice way, Signa finds herself in the middle of a mystery. Time is of the essence because the family’s daughter seems to be suffering from the same illness that killed her mother.

I haven’t come across many novels featuring Death as a character, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about him at first. He escorts people to the other side, so that can’t be good, right? My perception of him gradually changed throughout the story as I came to understand exactly what he does, and it’s actually kind of beautiful. He and Signa share an unusual bond I won’t spoil. She’s still unsure of exactly where she belongs, but her journey to understanding is wondrous. Signa makes some reckless decisions, but she’s persistent, and I enjoyed watching her and Death solve the mystery. I had part of it figured out, but the final reveal was a shocker. Didn’t see that one coming.

I’d originally believed this to be a standalone, but was thrilled to see another book is coming. If you’re a fan of atmospheric, gothic mysteries interlaced with a bit of romance and magic, you can’t go wrong with Belladonna.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Promise of Lost Things by Helene Dunbar #bookreview #YA #supernatural #paranormal

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews14 Comments

Three characters with their own agendas converge in a town filled with mediums, where most residents make their living speaking to the dead…and there’s no such thing as resting in peace.

Russ Griffin has always wanted to be a fantastic medium. Growing up in the town of St. Hilaire, where most residents make their living by speaking to the dead, means there’s a lot of competition, and he’s always held his own. But Russ knows the town he loves is corrupt, and he’s determined to save it before the sinister ruling body, The Guild, ruins all he’s ever wanted.

Willow Rodgers is St. Hilaire royalty. An orphan, raised by The Guild, she’s powerful and mysterious. But she has secrets that might change everyone’s fate. She’s done with St. Hilaire, done with helping desperate customers who think mediums work for them. She wants to end the cycle for good and rid the town of ghosts, even if that means destroying the only home she’s ever known.

Asher Mullen lost his sister, and his parents can’t get over her death. They sought answers in St. Hilaire and were left brokenhearted. Now they want to expose St. Hilaire as a fraud. Asher is tasked with infiltrating the town, and he does that by getting to know Russ. The only problem is, he might be falling for him, which will make betraying Russ that much harder.

Russ, Willow, and Asher all have their own agendas for St. Hilaire, but one thing’s for certain, no one will be resting in peace.

This book has the same setting and many of the same characters as Prelude for Lost Souls, but is more of a companion novel and can easily be read as a standalone. Still, I’d recommend reading Prelude first.

Russ was my favorite character in Prelude for Lost Souls, so I was thrilled to see him return. He’s feeling the stress in this story – trying to covertly take down The Guild, missing best friend Dec, dealing with his boyfriend/ghost Ian, and carrying the responsibilities of youth counsel leader. Abandoned by his mother a few years ago, Russ and his father are also struggling to make ends meet. Although he may not make the best choices sometimes, Russ’s intentions are pure, and he and Ian only want to save St. Hilaire from the corrupt Guild. When alive, Ian was a powerful medium who enjoyed being the center of attention and maybe flaunted his power occasionally. The Guild is still intent on using him to their advantage, and Russ is now the only person who can summon him.

Asher’s situation broke my heart, and I wanted to reach through the pages and just hug him. After losing his sister in a tragic accident, he’s still grieving and is all but ignored by his parents. With the family moving so often because of his parents’ jobs, he has no friends and is excited at the thought of making one after he meets Russ. Asher’s parents are the hosts of a Ghost Hunters-type show and intent on proving the town of mediums are frauds. Willow is an ambitious girl who has plans for her future and St. Hilaire, and her motives are always suspect.

POVs alternate between Russ, Asher, and Willow, and Ian also has his say in one very revealing chapter. Conflicting agendas, misunderstandings, and story lines converge at an unexpected and somewhat bittersweet ending, but it’s perfect and hopeful. If you’re a supernatural/paranormal fan, I’d recommend both books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Summer’s Edge by Dana Mele #bookreview #YA #supernatural #thriller

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews25 Comments

I Know What You Did Last Summer meets The Haunting of Hill House  in this atmospheric, eerie teen thriller following an estranged group of friends being haunted by their friend who died last summer.

Emily Joiner was once part of an inseparable group—she was a sister, a best friend, a lover, and a rival. Summers without Emily were unthinkable. Until the fire burned the lake house to ashes with her inside.

A year later, it’s in Emily’s honor that Chelsea and her four friends decide to return. The house awaits them, meticulously rebuilt. Only, Chelsea is haunted by ghostly visions. Loner Ryan stirs up old hurts and forces golden boy Chase to play peacemaker. Which has perfect hostess Kennedy on edge as eerie events culminate in a stunning accusation: Emily’s death wasn’t an accident. And all the clues needed to find the person responsible are right here.

As old betrayals rise to the surface, Chelsea and her friends have one night to unravel a mystery spanning three summers before a killer among them exacts their revenge.

Honestly, it was the mention of The Haunting of Hill House that caught my eye, and this sounded like a perfect creepy summer read that just might cause goosebumps.

Long-time friends with a tradition of spending a summer weekend at a lake house, an abundance of secrets, several betrayals, and eerie happenings inside the house. I read this in two days over Memorial Day weekend and couldn’t put it down.

The story begins with the friends meeting at the lake house one year after Emily’s death. It hasn’t been an easy year for any of them, and they’re all in various stages of grief. Some are still looking for a person to blame. I had a love/hate relationship with these characters – sometimes I felt sympathy for them and all they were experiencing, and other times I was so annoyed with their narcissistic tendencies and manipulations I wanted to reach into the pages and knock some sense into them.

With a few different POVs, I began to notice inconsistencies in the story that frustrated me. Was this a mistake (I had an ARC)? Was the character an unreliable narrator? Exactly what were we dealing with? Close to the end things clicked, and I figured out what was going on. The twist, although not original, is clever and something I didn’t suspect in early chapters.

A perfect summer setting, tarot cards, heated accusations, ghosts, complicated relationships, and revenge add up to a compelling beach/lake read. Grab a chair, some sunscreen, and a drink and settle in with this YA supernatural thriller.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’m traveling today, so I may be slow to get to comments. Bear with me.

Hide by Kiersten White #bookreview #horror #supernatural #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews24 Comments

The challenge: spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park and don’t get caught.

The prize: enough money to change everything.

Even though everyone is desperate to win–to seize their dream futures or escape their haunting pasts–Mack feels sure that she can beat her competitors. All she has to do is hide, and she’s an expert at that.

It’s the reason she’s alive, and her family isn’t.

But as the people around her begin disappearing one by one, Mack realizes this competition is more sinister than even she imagined, and that together might be the only way to survive.
Fourteen competitors. Seven days. Everywhere to hide, but nowhere to run.

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

The ferris wheel on the cover immediately caught my attention. Then I saw it was written by a YA author I’ve read before, and this was her adult debut. Once I read the description I was sold.

A week in an abandoned amusement park with a tragic history playing a warped game of hide and go seek. If you’re not found, a significant amount of cash is the prize. Mack, who bounces between homeless shelters, has a distinct advantage over the other thirteen contestants – she was the only survivor in her family when her father went on a killing spree and murdered her mother and sister. Mack knew where to hide.

Mack is the main focus of the story, but POV alternates between several characters. They come from all walks of life, but each has a reason for wanting to win the game varying from fame to making friends. After the first couple of days, it becomes clear this isn’t your average reality show. Once you’re found, you’re not just out of the game – you’re dead.

The aging, abandoned rides lend a macabre atmosphere to the story – a haunted house, decrepit roller coaster, and a sinister tunnel of love just to name a few. I actually snickered when one contestant shelved his fear of clowns to hide inside the mouth of one in a bizarre display. I rooted for several characters to make it to the end – some survived, others didn’t. Besides being hunted, the contestants also learned to be wary of each other. Some play dirty.

The description gives no indication of the direction this story takes. It’s unexpected, but I was completely on board with it. There’s a reason these contestants are chosen. I admit the multiple POVs confused me at times. There’s a good bit of head-hopping going on, with multiple changes on the same page sometimes. I had to backtrack more than once to figure it out.

Hide has an imaginative premise that immediately intrigued me and kept me glued to the pages. It isn’t heavy on the horror, so it would also appeal to supernatural thriller fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe #bookreview #YA #historicalfiction #fantasy

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews20 Comments

The only life Mae has ever known is on the island, living on the charity of the wealthy Prosper family who control the magic on the island and the spirits who inhabit it. Mae longs for magic of her own and to have a place among the Prosper family, where her best friend, Coco, will see her as an equal, and her crush, Miles, will finally see her. Now that she’s eighteen, Mae knows her time with the Prospers may soon come to an end.

But tonight is First Night, when the Prospers and their high-society friends return to the island to celebrate the night Lord Prosper first harnessed the island’s magic and started producing aether – a magical fuel source that has revolutionized the world. With everyone returning to the island, Mae finally has the chance to go after what she’s always wanted.

When the spirits start inexplicably dying, Mae starts to realize that things aren’t what they seem. And Ivo, the reclusive, mysterious heir to the Prosper magic, may hold all the answers – including a secret about Mae’s past that she doesn’t remember. As Mae and her friends begin to unravel the mysteries of the island, and the Prospers’ magic, Mae starts to question the truth of what her world was built on.

Forbidden magic, a family secret, and a night to reveal it all… 

Although this is about magic on an island, the cover gave me Great Gatsby vibes (one of my favs), and I enjoy reading about that time period.

I immediately was captivated by the lush imagery in this book and intrigued by the magic. The beauty of the island and its ocean views filled my mind, and I felt as if I was running along the cliffs with Mae. The spirits who reside there add to the atmosphere – until they begin to die. There’s also a huge buildup of anticipation to the family secret reveal – I imagined all sorts of things and came up with several theories.

After Mae’s father, a servant to the family, passes away when she’s a young girl, Lord Prosper promises to let her remain on the island until she’s grown. Her best friend is Coco, Lord Prosper’s granddaughter, and she dreams of marrying Miles, his grandson. She longs to learn magic, although it’s only taught to the heir – never any outsiders. Why Mae would want to join this family or be anywhere near them is beyond my understanding. There’s not one likeable person among the clan. They’re a manipulative, spoiled bunch, and all I can conclude is since she’s never been off the island and gotten to know other people, she just doesn’t know any better. Ivo has potential, but he doesn’t get a ton of page time, and he repeatedly warns Mae away from magic. Even Mae didn’t impress me very much. She comes across as materialistic, nosy (she’s big on eavesdropping), and dim-witted. Once she figures out the lay of the land and exactly what’s going on, she becomes more tolerable, and by the epilogue I liked her much better.

This is loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, but it’s been years since I read it so I can’t make any comparisons. Although I had mixed feelings about most of the story, the ending is perfect and exactly what I’d hoped. Overall, Bright Ruined Things is an enjoyable story, but you may struggle to find a worthy character to root for.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Light (Wake-Robin Ridge #4) by Marcia Meara #bookreview #supernatural #mystery

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews54 Comments

The Magic is Back!

For Robert MacKenzie Cole—or Rabbit, as he’s known to all—the chance to accompany his family to see North Carolina’s infamous Brown Mountain Lights has him nearly dizzy with excitement. And what better night to watch this unexplained phenomenon unfold than Halloween?

But when the entrancing, unpredictable lights show up, Rabbit gets far more than he bargained for. He’s gifted with what folks in the Appalachians call “the Sight,” and it’s this extrasensory perception that enables him to spot the one light different from all the rest.

In his biggest challenge to date, Rabbit—aided by his daddy and his newest friend, Austin Dupree— begins a quest to learn more about the mysterious light. Their investigation unveils a web of cons and corruption none of them expected and exposes a brutal murder along the way.

Throughout all, Rabbit is unfaltering in his commitment to do whatever it takes to understand the truth behind the glowing orb and to determine how he can help it. After all, it followed him home.

Every book in this series has not only warmed my heart, but offered an immersive and compelling supernatural mystery.

I’ll say it again – I’d love to join this fictional family. I’d be quite happy with them at Angel House in the NC mountains. Until reading this book, I wasn’t familiar with the Brown Mountain Lights, but it’s a fascinating, true mystery that goes back hundreds of years. I liked how the author cleverly worked this phenomenon into the plot and turned part of it into a puzzle for Rabbit to solve. Austin is a wonderful addition, and the sibling type relationship that develops between him and Rabbit is one of my favorite parts of this story.

With the “web of cons and corruption”, I was confident I knew the direction the story was headed – but I was quickly proven wrong. I love a good surprise. What might have been more of a predictable, but no less engrossing mystery developed into an unexpected redemption story with a bittersweet outcome and a new friend.

This is a feel good, addictive series that I’m sad to see come to an end, but I’ve heard rumors the author may be considering extending it? I really, really hope? I’ve enjoyed every page and made friends with a little boy who grabbed my heart and didn’t let go.

#BadMoonRising Dead of Winter series by Teagan Riordain Geneviene #paranormal #supernatural

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising72 Comments

Happy Halloween Weekend! It’s a rainy Friday morning here, but today’s guest is sure to brighten up any day. Whenever I hear the word whimsical, I immediately this of this author’s books. She can put her own spin on anything and “Teaganize” it. Her featured series takes a different path and has received nothing but outstanding reviews. See figures in your peripheral vision? You might want to consider what she says about it. Welcome Teagan Riordain Geneviene!

Friday, October 29, 2021

Dead of Winter 8 Characters promo by Teagan
Dead of Winter Featured Characters, image by Teagan R. Geneviene

Hi Teri. Thanks for letting me bring my monthly series, Dead of Winter, to Bad Moon Rising. I love your questions. Here are the ones I chose, and my answers.

Have you ever had a tarot card reading?

Oh, yes. Actually, I’ve also done tarot and other card readings for decades. From November 2019 and all through 2020 I worked on an urban fantasy/atom-punk duology where tarot cards are prominently worked into the story. Unfortunately, I gave the heroine too many of my own problems, and I haven’t been able to finish it. Maybe next year…

Wheel of Fortune by Teagan Rirodain Geneviene, Copyright 2019
Wheel of Fortune by Teagan Rirodain Geneviene, Copyright 2019

Would you rather dunk for apples or carve a Jack o’ lantern?

I’d better bob for apples. I really can’t be trusted with a knife, especially on something hard like a pumpkin. I’m way too clumsy.

In “Dead of Winter” the heroine’s homeland celebrates a holiday similar to Halloween. It also marks the new year in her country. I named the day Galan’gaeaf. Here’s a snippet.

After her errand, Emlyn wandered down to the outskirts of Llyn Coombe. She walked past the village green where in years past people would have begun putting up decorations for Galan’gaeaf, the cross-quarter day that marked the midpoint between autumn and winter, as well as the beginning of the New Year. It was a holiday that was celebrated in nearly every land.

Legends said that spirits were abroad at that time of year. Emlyn wondered if other people might share her strange ability during Galan’gaeaf. She fantasized about how it would be if everyone could interact with the dead, and she didn’t need to hide her ability. She might be normal.

Do you ever see figures in your peripheral vision?

OMG, all the time! I also see them in reflections, like tile or chrome. Back in my days of metaphysical explorations/education, I was taught that when you frequently see them in a certain spot or area, it means that place is a place where spirits and entities can easily come and go.

Dead of winter characters banner 05-30-2021

If you decided to write a spinoff of a side character, who would you choose?

Gethin, the horse whisperer, has an exciting backstory of swordplay and heroics. However, I would choose Zasha and Tajín. They have interesting backstories individually, and the story of how they came together is exciting. All these are revealed as Dead of Winter progresses through the monthly novelettes, but not in great detail. I’ve always wanted to expand on it.

Which book have you read more than once?

Pride and Prejudice is one. Incidentally, I’ve been doing a takeoff or re-telling of it for Amazon Vella serials called “Pride and Flowers, Prejudice and Dirigibles.” (Sorry, Amazon only has that available in the USA.) It has a combination steampunk-Regency ascetic, with lots of “Teaganization.” The setting is a cloud city, and all the characters have flower and plant names.

Universal Link: Pride and Flowers, Prejudice and Dirigibles | Kindle Vella (amazon.com)

Pride n Flowers Amazon Promo
Image by Teagan R. Geneviene

What are you working on now?

I continue to work on editing “Dead of Winter” into novelette-sized books. I call them “Journeys,” since the characters travel their complex world. Although I’m not certain how many there will be, I expect 12 to 14 in total. When this post goes live, I will probably be on Journey 10.

Here’s a narration of the initial prologue.

I also have my blog serial, which is free to read at www.teagansbooks.com. It’s a zany atom-punk story, told in my “interactive” three things method of storytelling.

The Series Blurb

Dead of Winter cover A
Series cover by Teagan R. Geneviene

Dead of Winter Is a high fantasy, published monthly in novelette-sized installments. The serial will take approximately a year to complete.

It takes place in a world that resembles some lands in the past of our own world. The heroine, Emlyn, is a 12-year-old girl who sees and hears spirits.

The religious fanatics who took over Emlyn’s homeland say she is an abomination. She escapes, and is taken in by travelers belonging to the Deae Matres — a society of intelligent women who travel the world, seeking out and preserving knowledge.

Meanwhile, Emlyn’s encounters with spirits become more frequent, because the Veil, which separates the world of the living from the realm of the dead has become dangerously thin. As the Veil deteriorates, chaos ensues when the dead begin to cross into the living world. Journey with Emlyn as she explores her world in Dead of Winter.

Author Bio

Dead of Winter is a departure from Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene’s usual all-out whimsy. The whimsical nature is there, but it’s expressed in a more serious way. Like her other work it is colored by the experiences of her early life in the southern states and later in the southwest, as well as a decade in Washington, DC.

The tale of the tale is here: Wednesday Writing — Winter’s Nightmare or Why It Took 10 Years – Teagan’s Books (teagansbooks.com)

After a successful career as an editor and writer in the information technology field, Teagan is now devoted to writing fiction fulltime. She also makes book covers and promotional images. In free time she enjoys conversations with friends, painting, and playing her piano.

Teagan’s work is colored by the experiences of her early life in the southern states and later in the southwest, as well as a decade in Washington, DC.

You can also visit me at:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teagan-Riordain-Geneviene/e/B00HHDXHVM
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teagangeneviene
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeagansBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teagangeneviene/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM-z7_iH5t2_7aNpy3vG-Q
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagangeneviene/

Dead of Winter — All the Journeys

Universal Purchase Links

Amazon Author Page relinks.me/TeaganRiordainGeneviene

Series Link (Kindle): relinks.me/B09C94FB2M

Journey 9, Doors of Attunement

Kindle: relinks.me/B09F8Y5DML

Paperback: relinks.me/B09F1BB9RW

Journey 8, The Lost Library

Kindle: relinks.me/B09C6MPTYT

Paperback: relinks.me/B09C34XR7P

Journey 7, Revenant Pass

Kindle: relinks.me/B098MS8P48

Paperback: relinks.me/B098GV1G5V

Journey 6, The Fluting Fell

Kindle: relinks.me/B096CPJNSX

Paperback: relinks.me/B096CPJNSX

Journey 5, Llyn Pistyll Falls

Kindle: relinks.me/B09431TD6G

Paperback: relinks.me/B0942KC471

Journey 4, The Old Road

Kindle: relinks.me/B092G5LB7R

Paperback: relinks.me/B092M51Y88

Journey 3, the Fever Field

Kindle: elinks.me/B08XTNZ9M8

Paperback: relinks.me/B08XXY3JXF

Journey 2, Penllyn

Kindle: relinks.me/B08VMNSF97

Paperback: relinks.me/B08VLMR2KD

Journey 1, Forlorn Peak

Kindle: relinks.me/B08RBBVRGX

Paperback: