​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.