Oddfrid and her parents are vampires.  Oddfrid struggles to make friends at school because of her condition, but she finds comfort in one of her teachers. However, when  Oddfrid's father loses control and kills her teacher, Oddfrid goes on the run. Making her way to Central America, Oddfrid must learn to fend for herself.  She makes friends, gets her first kill and explores. Something else happens along the way, Oddfrid decides to take the opportunity to become human and experience life in a way that she never has.  As Oddfrid experiences life's highs and lows, something fractures within her, changing her reality.

Oddfrid Barfred is a unique coming of age story with a completely unexpected ending. Oddfrid's story easily resonates with anyone who has ever been an awkward teen or felt like an outsider.  Though a vampire, Oddfrid's family life and feelings about her parents are familiar and even funny.  Oddfrid's insights into her own emotional wellbeing during her adventures were the most interesting parts of the story for me.  Tracking her emotional journey—from feeling like the fibers of wood before a dam bursts, to realizing she had to become like her parents to escape them, to not knowing why she thought becoming mortal would solve her problems in the first place—showed significant emotional growth for a twelve-year-old in a short period.   Oddfrid Barfred is a shorter story and I would have loved more background on the Vampire Libreration Army and what they were fighting for, it wasn't really necessary in the end. 


This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. ​

When Garrett Mueller proposes to his longtime girlfriend Marie Renault, she surprisingly says no. When Marie explains her decision, it sounds like an unlikely excuse.  The Renault family are the keepers of a haunted house, known as a Hellspot, where supernatural entities Breach every few years.  If everyone bound by blood or by oath does not return to the house, the Breach could widen, endangering the world.  Marie brings Garrett to the house for a trial period as a Breach is arriving.  Garrett quickly learns some of the house's quirks and gets to know Marie's family.  He spends time in the library learning about the spirits and mekar that will soon attack.  This Breach; however, is off to an ominous start and is ramping up to be one of the worst the family has seen.  As Garrett and the Renaults are continuously attacked, Garrett unravels a series of secrets that will change everything. 


Secrets Gnaw at the Flesh is a unique haunted house horror experience.  The residents of the house know that it is haunted and why, they simply have to survive the Breach.  The human characters create much of the suspense in the house while the supernatural elements remain in the background until the ending.  Each family member brings a different element to survive the Breach.  For Marie, it is her optimism, for others it is intelligence, humor, strength or language skills.  As Garrett finds his place with the family, he becomes the person onto whom everyone unloads their emotional burdens.  The middle section of the story dragged a little as all of the family members secluded themselves within the house and alternately spilled family drama.  I actually would have liked a little more ghost action in here.  The ending delivers a powerful deluge of supernatural horror as spirits attack and mekar make unexpected deals.  

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​The Waxwing Creek Motel was built on the site of the gruesome Dakota Family murders. When the original proprietors hit hard times, they decided to host a seance to contact the Dakotas.  The seance ends badly with a guest dead under highly unusual circumstances.  From there, the Waxwing changes hands numerous times, maintaining its reputation for mysterious deaths, murders and disappearances throughout the years.  

Waxwing Creek is a series of stories set within the Waxwing Motel, spanning from 1989 through 2023.  Each story has a different set of characters; however the stories do not feel disconnected. Aside from the setting, all characters drawn to the Waxwing exhibit a sense of desperation.  The writing does a wonderful job of making each of these stories and all of the characters unique and complete in a short amount of time.  I enjoyed reading about each character's reason for visiting the Waxwing and how the forces there affected them.  I wish there was a stronger connection throughout the stories, culminating in the investigation of the first death, which then connected to each subsequent death.  I did enjoy the ending, where we find out more about the Dakota family and the force attached to the land. 



This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Seraphina Addington has always been able to see ghosts.  They have never caused her much trouble.  However,  as the London Blitz rages, the ghosts begin interacting with her and Seraphina has trouble telling the difference between the living and the dead, putting her own life in danger.  Her father offers Seraphina refuge at the country home of a wartime friend, General Lewis, at All Hallows. Despite a rough time finding the manor, Seraphina enjoys its charms.  The caretakers, the Goswicks, are a welcoming family despite their son Julian's oddities. Seraphina also finds companionship in Ross, a soldier stationed nearby.  Seraphina soon finds that All Hallows has both friendly and hostile ghosts, as well as a mystery involving a woman who goes missing every five years, and the mark is approaching.  Seraphina must use her ability to communicate with the dead in order to save herself from becoming the next target.

The Ghosts of Lewis Manor is a captivating Gothic mystery.  Seraphina's character pulled me in from the beginning, not only with her ability to see ghosts but also with her caring and determined nature.  The writing did a wonderful job of describing All Hallows and centering the house as a character itself, complete with secrets and mysteries to be solved.  The mysteries of All Hallows are carefully layered and slowly teased out, keeping me guessing about the missing women and their connection to the ghosts of the manor.  I enjoyed seeing Seraphina's relationships evolve with Elliot, Ross Julius, Carolyn and Mrs. Goswick. Julius was the most complex character; he had his own secrets, an ability similar to Seraphina's and his own motives for keeping All Hallow's secrets.  Seraphina and Ross' romance mirrored that of Rose, the original missing woman, giving Seraphina a unique insights and further reasons to find Rose. With plenty of suspense, mystery and surprises, The Ghosts of Lewis Manor is a wonderfully atmospheric story.

This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. 

​When Lina and her younger brother Matteo lose their father to a tragic shooting, they are sent to Blackwater Manor to live with their Uncle Bartholomew and Aunt Eleanor. Forgoing the start of her year at Oxford, Lina moves to Blackwater to protect Matteo because she fears Bartholomew played a role in her father's death.  Lina soon learns that Bartholomew plans to marry Lina off to Elaenor's nephew, Bray, who is handsome but philandering.  Meanwhile, Matteo seems preoccupied with a mysterious Blackwater inhabitant, and Lina is woken up everynight by strange sounds and a ghostly woman. In addition, Max, a soldier staying in town keeps crossing paths with Lina. Lina becomes determined to solve the mystery surrounding the manor and her father's death.

The Haunting of Blackwater Manor is an immersive, gothic story filled with mystery and suspense.  This was a complex, carefully layered mystery involving danger from both the paranormal and human sources.  The writing pulled me in with its rich atmosphere and compelling characters.  Blackwater is an amazing setting, it is set back in the countryside with a gloomy and foreboding appearance, perfect for an unpleasant uncle.   Each character is well-developed and unique. From Catalina's determination and protective nature to Matteo's innocence and joy, every person was distinctive and added layers to the layers of mystery around Blackwater.  I was especially interested in Max and Mrs. I was glad when the larger roles for Lester's characters were revealed.  An unexpected ending tied together the paranormal and real life mysteries at Blackwater for a surprising and satisfying conclusion. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

On a school trip to Hollow Lake National Park, the girls of Cabin 9 are all pulled into the mystery of the disappearing island.  Steeped in lore with everyone who ever set out in search of it disappearing, Evie, Callie, Gaby, Vivian, Adalyn, Blake, Megan and Sunny all begin to hear the island's call and set out in the middle of the night to find it.  When the girls make landfall, a fire is burning for them and they fear the stories may be true.  When their boat disappears, the eight girls must survive on the island with whatever forces brought them there.  After months, five of the girls find their way off the island and back home, bringing their own traumas, followed by an investigation.  However, when the body of one of the missing girls washes up, the investigation reopens and the other people involved in the girl's disappearance are targeted. Evie decides she must return to the island to give it what it wants. 

Lost Girls of Hollow Lake is a fast-paced young adult thriller mixing paranormal and psychological horror. I was hooked on the mystery from the beginning.  The writing bounces back and forth between the present, featuring the five girls who have returned from the island and their time on the island with the other eight girls, creating tension between what we know happened and how it came about.  Told mostly from Evie's point of view, the story masterfully blends terrifying and dark events with Evie's emotional journey on the island and after her return home.  Evie's insights into her survival, the island girls' dynamics, and how she dealt with death, love, and friendship during their ordeal showed great emotional depth.  I especially loved the chapters from Evie's dog, Tiger's point of view, which made him an integral part of the story. Amazing imagery made me feel like I was on the island with the girls and could hear the water lapping even when they were home. The story kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to decipher the island's mystery.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. 

​The Hangman has been given his first mission: to investigate a murder at an isolated, rural motel.  Hangman is a Servunday, investigating potential involvement of a Tryst, or shifter in the area.  When he arrives at Rose Hill Motel under the alias Fleet, he quickly gains the favor of the proprietor, Harlow or Lowy, who had discovered the severed hand days earlier, leading Fleet to her.  Upon investigation, Fleet finds a series of strange symbols, abandoned buildings and an interesting cast of characters who have taken up residence at the Rose Hill and in town.  As Fleet gets to know everyone better, he focuses on one guest at the Rose Hill as his potential Tryst, but something much bigger is brewing beneath the surface.

The Hangman's Belief is a paranormal thriller blending mystery, suspense, and supernatural elements.  An exciting and gruesome prologue pulled me into the story from the antagonist's point of view. After the prologue, the story builds slowly, focusing strongly on character development and Fleet's relationship with these characters during his mission to find the Tryst. While I enjoyed getting to know Lowy, Dash, Jill, Oreen and BJ at the Rose Hill motel, I kept waiting for something to happen.  The full information regarding what aTryst exactly is, a Servunday's role and Fleet's true nature isn't revealed until the last third of the story. In the last third of the story, all of the action happens as Fleet uncovers what is occurring in the small town.  Continuous action and gore fill the ending as Fleet finds a zealot who created Tryst in the name of power.  

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​
Dana and Lucas Glass have just decided to purchase the former Gemini House, the site of the cult-like Sunshine Family's suicide.  Lucas believes fate brought them to the house and it will make a perfect site to film his next macabre documentary.  Dana is fascinated by the house and believes it will help save their troubled marriage.  Their children, Lily and Rae are excited to move into the new house.  Lily, having been in a traumatic incident before, is aware of the many ghosts within the house and is quickly advised by the  ghost of a young boy she has met before to be wary of the entities in the house. Rae, having interests similar to her father, seeks out what is waiting for her in the house.  When Rae meets the Sisters of Sorrow, she is introduced to the Happy Family Game, setting in motion a series of events within the house that cannot be undone.  

From the beginning, Glass House is a unique and creepy haunted house story where the house is a character itself.  The action begins as the Glass family is touring the house and doesn't let up. The pacing of the writing effectively reveals the house's layers involving the Sunshine Family, the Sisters of Sorrow, and the unsettling detail that the house was built from coffin wood. I was intrigued by the Sunshine Family and how a cult created a mainstream music phenomenon as well as what attracted them to the Gemini House in the first place. Dana and Lucas were compelling characters, though their individual troubles and obsessions seemed to overshadow their consideration for each other and their children.   Lily and Rae definitely took center stage in the story as they noticed and interacted with the different parts of the house that went unnoticed by the adults despite their desperate attempts to connect. Rae shares her father's love of the occult and quickly connects with the Sisters of Sorrow believing that they will help her family.  Rae's innocence, yet misguided understanding of the otherworldly created an unusual dynamic between her and a group of supernatural beings meant to devour and destroy.  Lily's connection with her ghost, the Rattling Boy, helps her to see the menace behind the house.  With their parents unable to help, Lily and Rae must find a way to save themselves.  Overall, a unique  and multi layered haunted house story. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

​
 Duane Minor, a Vietnam War veteran returns to Portland, Oregon to work at his in-laws' bar, Last Call, while struggling with sobriety. He and his wife, Heidi, are also raising their niece, Julia, after Julia's mother is jailed. Complicating matters, Duane's mother-in-law makes a deal with drug dealers to sell at the bar to save her dying husband. Duane, strongly against this, expels the dealers, incurring the wrath of their leader, John Varley. Varley, a ruthless vampire, retaliates against Duane's family. Left with nothing, Duane and Julia embark on a vengeful cross-country pursuit of Varley, with Julia ultimately making the supreme sacrifice to defeat him.

Coffin Moon offers a fresh perspective on vampire horror, featuring compelling characters. The townie bar setting and its regulars create an ominous atmosphere. The narrative effectively uses flashbacks to delve into the motivations of Duane, Julia, and Varley. Varley is portrayed as a cruel and violent antagonist, though the addition of a partner hints at a softer side. Julia's tragic upbringing as a thirteen-year-old is powerfully depicted, making her decisions for vengeance and survival understandable. Duane's character is complex, undergoing significant emotional development as he seeks revenge for the loss of his wife and in-laws. The dynamic between Duane and Julia drives an exciting and intense chase across the country as they confront Varley's destruction while grappling with grief, vulnerability, and the limits of their bond. The vampires in the story are genuinely terrifying without relying on reinvented mythology. Overall, it's a thrilling vampire novel with a profound emotional journey for its characters.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Tomás has trained and worked in the family business his whole life, taking care of paranormal incidents and killing demons.  Tonight, after he kills his last demon Tomás is leaving the business, this means never seeing his family again, leaving Budapest within 72 hours and accepting a charm to change his appearance. Before he moves on for good, Tomás wants to check in on an old friend, Petra, who runs a luxury paranormal hotel.  Even with his charm, Petra is drawn to Tomás and recognizes something in him.  Just before he is scheduled to leave, Petra receives a complaint of a wisp in the hotel which Tomás offers to take care of.  However, the wisp turns out to be something much worse and in his investigation, Tomás also discovers Petras unusual connection to the hotel.

The Black Heart of Budapest is a fun, paranormal romance with plenty of mystery and intrigue.  I enjoyed that Tomás' story began with an ending.  As he fought his last demon, I could see Tomás' dedication to his family alongside his exhaustion of always being in a battle.  I loved Petra's hotel and the strange way she and the hotel were connected.  I would definitely love to know more about the history of the hotel.  Petra and Tomás' connection was undeniable from the start, even though Petra wasn't able to recognize him.  Their interactions ranged from super cute to incredibly spicy.  The mystery of what was terrorizing Petra's hotel was intriguing and led to plenty of paranormal investigation, wonderful opportunities for Tomás and Petra to spend time together as more insight into the paranormal world.  With an unexpected ending, I'll be looking forward to book two.
 
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.