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ARC Review: Bewitching Bedlam by Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam
Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam Series, Book 1
ebook
Published January 9th 2017 by Nightqueen Enterprises LLC
As Maudlin and Aegis prepare to open the Bewitching Bedlam to guests, they immediately find themselves embroiled in a battle for customers. Ralph Greyhoof, the owner of the Heart’s Desire Bed & Breakfast, doesn’t like to share. The conflict heats up when Maddy finds a local witch dead in the rose garden. The woman looks a lot like Maudlin and suspicion falls on Ralph. But Maddy knows that, as competitive as Ralph is, he wouldn’t resort to murder. Maudlin and Aegis set out to find the killer, even as their own relationship is put to the test. Aegis’s old flame has returned, determined to win him back, no matter what it takes.
5 Stars
| With Bewitching Bedlam, Yasmine Galenorn has just given me everything thing I have been wanting in a fresh paranormal read.
Maudlin “Maddy” Gallowglass may have just become my favorite of Ms. Galenorn’s lead ladies. She’s hands down a total kick a** woman. Maddy has lived a long life, made history, loved and lost. Hundreds of years running, fighting and maybe even reeking a bit of havoc. Maddy is smart, strong and independent. A talented witch and an amazing friend. Maddy’s personality shines through the pages. She funny, snarky and powerful in more ways than one. Maddy is a complex character whom I very much connected with. Her charm and charisma make it very easy to like her, once I got to know Maddy, I was fascinated. Aegis is a smoking hot vampire musician. He just enough alpha to make me purr. He what I call the perfect romantic vampire. He commanding but not overly aggressive. He respectfully and caring. Excellent world building, a few plot twists and amazing characters make Bewitching Bedlam a fantastic read. Ms. Galenorn has outdone herself. First the world building- is truly excellent. An island that is 95% pretcom is the playing field for the Bewitching Bedlam series. I love the mixing of so many paranormal beings. You can almost feel the magic coming off the pages. The town itself is almost like a character. It has a personality that is all its own. Next, the plot twist- Ms. Galenorn kept me engaged and guessing through the entire story. Just when you think you got it, something will happen and change it all up. Characters- the cast of the story rock. Yes, all of them. Personality shines through, even with secondary characters. Making the story that much more enjoyable. Sandy is flamboyant, funny and bold. She is a riot and I absolutely loved her. Characters I really didn’t want to like found a way do so. Many characters have a long history with many ups and downs, creating a deep layer to this tale. Bewitching Bedlam is just what I have been wanting/needing in a paranormal read. The first full length book of the series is like a breath of fresh air. We’ve got every kind of paranormal creature you can think of, humor and sass, a touch of suspense, multiple layers of depth and personality and some smoking hot romance. What more could I ask for? A quick moving story with a fully engaging plot. Bewitching Bedlam will satisfy all of your paranormal needs. A copy of this title was provided for a review. |
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Review: Holiday Spirits by Yasmine Galenorn
Holiday Spirits
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz ‘n China Series, Book 6
When Kip gets himself in serious trouble, a strange spirit enters the house—one that at first poses as Santa Claus. But beneath that jolly exterior, lies a dark creature from legend and lore. Join Emerald O’Brien for the holidays, as she battles both psychic turbulence as well as the demons every mother faces when her child lands in trouble with the law.
4 Stars
A nasty Christmas spirit has taken residence in Emerald’s basement causing more than ghostly activity to be revealed. Kip is growing up and getting himself into trouble. Emerald shows that a mother’s love is sometimes tough but is always with love.
I so enjoyed seeing Joe and Emerald settling into being a family. The care they all show for each other is wonderful. I love seeing family traditions being passed down from one generation to the next. Yasmine Galenorn treats readers with a little visit with Emerald and family in Holiday Spirits. A little mystery, some lessons learned and humor make this visit very enjoyable.
A copy of this title was provided for an honest review.
Review: One Hex of a Wedding by Yasmine Galenorn
One Hex of a Wedding
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz ‘n China Series, Book 5
Emerald O’Brien is about to tie the knot with her fiance Joe, but one uninvited guest to their engagement party reminds her that some ties still need to be severed. Her ex-hubby Roy can’t hold his liquor–or his temper–and after brawling with Joe, he threatens to ruin their wedding. When Joe is wounded from a gunshot the next day, Roy becomes the prime suspect. Emerald knows her ex has a mean streak a mile wide but doesn’t believe he’d be capable of attempted murder. And when a sinister presence starts stalking her maid of honor, Em begins to worry that her marriage has been cursed before she’s even walked down the aisle…
3.5 Stars
Nothing like a wedding to shake things up…. Even magically.
Ms. Galenorn takes us out of the tea shop and the craziness has hit the fan. Emerald’s family is in town, the drunken ex shows up and the BFF has a stalker. That doesn’t even include the paranormal aspect of story! I loved all the family moments of One Hex of a Wedding. Getting to see a different side of Emerald, that just shows what a wonderful character she is.
Ms. Galenorn ends the Chintz ‘n China Series on a high note. One Hex of a Wedding has a good plot, excellent character development, great paranormal aspects and a well written mystery. Many moments to laugh out loud with. Along with a storyline that will keep you turning the pages. Ms. Galenorn consistently gave readers an engaging story, while keeping them guessing through the entire series. Emerald has grown considerably throughout the series, magically and personality. I have enjoyed spending time in the tea shop and shall miss visiting with them.
Review: A Harvest of Bones by Yasmine Galenorn
A Harvest of Bones
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz n’ China Series, Book 4
It’s harvest time in Chiqetaw, Washington; Emerald O’Brien’s favorite season. But this year, nature yields a most supernatural bounty. When Em and her sweetie, Joe, stumble over a bramble-covered foundation that has remained hidden for fifty years in the lot next door, strange events begin to occur. The cat vanishes. Will o’ the Wisps threaten to harm Emerald and her loved ones. And the ghost of a woman named Brigit and her beloved calico make themselves at home in the backyard. Now it’s up to Em and her friends to delve into the past, reveal the secrets of the dead and lay them to rest as they ring in the autumn with a harvest of bones.
3.5 Stars
A thoughtful gesture has caused a lot of ghostly havoc for Emerald and crew in the fourth book of the Chintz ‘n China Series, A Harvest of Bones.
As Emerald and Joe clear a vacant lot for the expansion of an herb garden, they uncover a foundation of a forgotten building and unknowingly unearthed something quite dangerous. The Magic and mystery fly as Emerald races against time to solve a decades old murder, help a ghost and find her missing cat.
A Harvest of Bones has a historical fiction feel mixed within the paranormal. The folklore and the journal entries enhance the storyline and depth to the book. Each of book of the series has a completely different feeling surrounding it. A Harvest of Bones has a somber and darker feel mixed within the mystery. I feel it allowed the reader to become closer with the characters. Emerald continued to grow along with the story. She was forced to face fears on the drop of a dime, She took them head on. I very much enjoyed A Harvest of Bones! Romance, paranormal and mystery weaved together for a wonderful tale.
Review: Murder Under A Mystic Moon by Yasmine Galenorn
Murder Under a Mystic Moon
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz ‘n China Series, Book 3
With her teenaged daughter’s birthday on the horizon and the town’s autumn festival in full swing, Emerald has her hands full with party preparations and teashop specials. But a request from her friend Jimbo has her using her abilities to look into the disappearance of his friend. In the woods surrounding the Klickavail Valley enclave, Emerald senses a strange energy manifesting itself-before literally stumbling across the body of Jimbo’s friend. While the police are willing to blame the death on a cougar attack, Emerald knows there’s something else wandering the forest-something that resembles the Klakatat monster of legend, but may actually be a monster of a more human kind.
3.5 Stars
Excellent paranormal mystery.
Someone has it in for bikers and Emerald has found herself tangled in another tale of mystery and murder. Murder Under a Mystic Moon, the third book of the Chintz ‘n China Series is filled with suspense and magic. Ms. Galenorn gives readers her twists on legend and lore, creating a unique story. A lot of character development with Emerald, which I love. I feel like I really got to know her in this book. Life throws her a lot of curveballs, and I enjoy seeing her work her way through them.
Murder Under a Mystic Moon is rich in imagination and has a nice twist with the suspense. A fine paranormal mystery.
A copy of this title was provided for review.
Review: Blood Music by Yasmine Galenorn
Blood Music
Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam Series
When fun-loving witch Maddy Gallowglass moves to Bedlam to restore an old mansion and turn it into a magical bed-and-breakfast, the last thing she expects is to meet her match in the gorgeous vampire Aegis, a former servant of Apollo. The prequel story to the Bewitching Bedlam Series
4.5 Stars
A fabulous introduction to Yasmine Galenorn’s new Series, Bewitching Bedlam.
Maudlin (Maddy) is a sassy and spunky witch who is on the recovering side of a divorce. She has lost part of herself within a relationship gone sour and rules that make her apress part of who she is. A few margaritas, her best friend and a crazy idea is the just the thing Maddy needs!
Purchasing a mansion that has seen better days but has a charm that Maddy can’t resist, it’s just the restart she needs. Bewitching Bedlam B&B is born. However the first guest arrives well before check in time. The biggest danger and something completely irresistible all wrapped up in one.
Ms. Galenorn has me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what is going to happen with Maddy and Aegis. Blood Music perfectly sets up what I am sure to be a very interesting, exciting and sexy series. In the short prequel you get a wonderful feeling for the world building and a great dose of personality from Maddy, Sandy and Aegis. Intense chemistry, a lot of humor and a very sensual underlying feeling to the book have me very excited and very much anticipating the first full length book of the Bewitching Bedlam series.
I received a copy of this book for review.
Review: Legend of the Jade Dragon by Yasmine Galenorn
Legend of the Jade Dragon
Yasmine Galenorn
Tarot cards seldom lie. So when they predict chaos and bad luck for her last client of the day, Emerald gets more than a little worried. He leaves behind a charming jade statue of a dragon–but promptly dies in a hit-and-run accident outside of her shop. When other terrible things begin to plague Em and her family, the only explanation is the jade dragon. To thwart its evil spell, she’ll have to follow a trail of heartache all the way back to China’s Ming Dynasty–and its ancient–and sometimes harsh–mysteries
4 Stars
After an uneasy reading Emerald finds herself the owner of a mysterious dragon trinket and the bearer of bad luck. Adventure and mystery with a touch of paranormal send Emerald and crew on a fact finding mission to break ancient curse.
Legend of the Jade Dragon is a fun and twisting small town paranormal mystery. Rich details allow the reader to fully picture story with in their minds. The characters are well-developed. Each containing depth, charisma and individualistic traits that make each character’s personality unique and very likable. The plot keeps the book moving along with keeping a reader guess. Legend of the Jade Dragon is a very enjoyable cozy mystery with a touch of romance.
ARC Review: Fury’s Magic by Yasmine Galenorn
Fury’s Magic
Yasmine Galenorn
Fury Unbound Series, Book 2
“My name is Kaeleen Donovan. I’m a Theosian-a minor goddess. They call me Fury.”
By day, I run the Crossroads Cleaning Company, and I also read fortunes and cast hexes at Dream Wardens, a magical consulting shop. But by night, I’m oath-bound to Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads. Hecate charged me from birth with the task of hunting down Abominations who come in off the World Tree and sending them back to Pandoriam.
On a routine cleaning job in Portside—a boat full of ghosts need their joyride cut short—Tam and I run afoul of the Devani. The ruthless soldiers of Elysium capture him and send him out to the Tremble, a place of wild, chaotic madness. Jason and I devise a plan to sneak in and help Tam escape. But Lyon and the Order of the Black Mist reappear, and I’m on their hit list. Lyon opens a door to the Netherworld and the dead are pouring into the city. Now, we must wade through both the Devani and the dead to save Tam. And we must close the portal on the World Tree before Lyon manages to wake the Elder Gods of Chaos.
4 Stars
Dark, dangerous, unique and suspenseful.
Fury’s Magic is the fast paced, action packed second book of the Fury Unbound series. I adore Fury! She’s strong, loyal and a great friend. Also a total kick butt woman. Fury made strides in dealing with some of her darker emotions. I loved seeing that growth in her, along with learning more of where she’s from. As of lover of lore and legends the origins of the Broken and the Theosians were an added treat for me. Meeting new characters and unexpected twist to the plot kept this reader on the edge of her seat.
Fury’s Magic is truly paranormal at its finest. Ms. Galenorn’s personal touch on myths, legends and lore is imaginative, fresh and exciting. Her world building is an art form in itself. It’s almost like the setting is a character in itself. Yasmine Galenorn’s imagination and talent for weaving words, together to create a fascinating world that draws readers in and makes them never want to leave.
A free copy of this book was provided for review. I voluntarily chose to review this title.
ARC Review: Autumn Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn
Autumn Thorns
Yasmine Galenorn
Whisper Hollow Series, Book 1
Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
In an all-new series, New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn invites readers to Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living and the lake never gives up her dead…
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I’m Kerris Fellwater, and when I returned, I inherited my grandmother’s house—and her gift. As a spirit shaman, it’s my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don’t always stay buried.
When I was little, I was told my mother ran off. But now it looks like she was murdered. With the help of my mysterious neighbor Bryan, we begin to unravel the mystery of her disappearance, and in doing so, unearth a dark force seeking to bury Whisper Hollow. Now I must work with the dead, rather than against them, because our enemy will do whatever she can to destroy the town, and she means to start with me.
5 Stars
Yasmine Galenorn raises the hairs at the back of your neck with the first book of her new Whisper Hollow series, Autumn Thorns.
The Town of Whisper Hollow has a personality that’s dark and mysterious shining through the pages as much as the unique and charismatic characters do. Ms. Galenorn’s intricate world building weave together lore and legend with her own twists giving a fresh feel in the paranormal world.
One of the things I love most about Ms. Galenorn’s writing is the secondary characters play as much of a roll as the primary. Autumn Thorns is no exception. Each character has their own brand of personality, spunk and mystery with an eclectic talents that shape this story. Trying to figure out who was friend or foe keeps the reader on their toes while becoming immersed in the mist of Whisper Hollow.
Enchanting, enthralling and dark. Autumn Thorns is Ms. Galenorn at her best. Action, mystery and passion consume the reader while leaving them looking over their shoulder. A fantastic Urban Fantasy/Paranormal read!
I was very lucky to receive a print Galley copy of Autumn Thorns directly from the author.
All reviews are honest and of my opinion.
Top Reads of 2014
Top Reads of 2014
Wow, where has this year gone! I can’t believe that Christmas is now over and the new year is upon us. It has been an amazing reading year for me. I read 119 books. Woot! That is a new record for me! I have found new authors that I have come to love. Had some wonderful recommendations that I would have never read otherwise.
So here are my top read for the year. Now mind you some of these book may not have been released in 2014, I did however read them this year, so they count!! LOL!
In no particular order:
Callum by Melissa Schroeder ( Cursed Clan Seires)
Claimed by Stacey Kennedy (Club Sin Series)
Forever Wicked by Shayla Black (Wicked Lovers Series)
Reaper’s Stand by Joanna Wylde (Reaper’s MC Series)
Surive To Dawn by PJ Schnyder (London Undead Series)
Hawk by Patricia A. Rasey (Sons Of Sangue Series)
Dirty Little Secret by Laramie Briscoe (Heaven Hill MC Series)
Preistress Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series)
Storm by Carian Cole (Ashes and Embers Series)
A Santini in Love by Melissa Schroeder (Santini Series)
Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James (Rough Riders Series)
Hard To Come By by Laura Kaye
(names and titles in italics, are new to me in 2014 authors)
I really stepped out of my comfort zone of reading this year. Most people know me as a paranormal girl. I like the things that bite. LOL!
I started reading a lot of contemporary romance this year and have found a passion for MC romance. I also have found a love of military men with lots of tattoos that just kick ass. I am amazed that I read so many books this year but also that I branched out and read things that I normally wouldn’t have. One of my favorite reads this year was a cowboy book. I would have never read a cowboy book had it not been recommended to me. That’s the wonderful thing about reading what I do is that through all the people I’ve met I’m always going to find something new to read. I can’t wait to see what 2015 is going to bring to my world of reading!!
Coffee Books Life 