FRIDAY PHOTO!

 Good  morning, friends!

Trick or Treat!!

photo courtesy of JillWellington on pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Halloween With A Vampire

 Good morning, readers!

We have reached our final October read and this was a good one. Good enough that I want to read Book 2 of the Holiday Romance series. 

AMAZON

BLURB:

He’s a vampire haunted by his past. She’s a cursed black cat shifter. This Halloween, will love finally set these two tortured souls free from the shadows of their past?

Joe Evensen has never been a fan of Halloween. However, as the owner of Last Drop bar, each year he hosts a Halloween Bash for Crescent Creek. It’s a business decision, but it also serves as a distraction from the ghosts of his past who torment him while the veil between the living and the dead is thin. Joe doesn’t expect this Halloween to be any different, but it is. 

Ivy Pendle has been cursed since her eighteenth birthday. She’s spent years only allowed to walk in her human form on Halloween in search of her mate and never finding him. Doubting she ever will, she decides to spend her last Halloween allotted as a human enjoying herself instead of stressing about being stuck in her shifter form forever.

When the two meet by chance, there’s a spark of something between them. But is it simply a case of misery loving company, or something more?

I've never been one to read shape shifters but this one was really good... like high number of quills good. Wait, I won't get ahead of myself.

I loved Ivy. Took me a minute when she talked about her cat after she'd shifted to human she was talking about her 'inner' cat. See, I told you I was new to this shape-shifter thing. I really got in tune when Ivy went to the Last Drop bar and felt something for Joe. Ivy's inner cat was not shy about voicing an opinion on the hunky bar owner. 

I also loved how Ivy felt at home the minute she was behind the bar. Like she'd found not only her soulmate but a true home where she felt comfortable. I won't give any spoiler alerts but I suggest when you pick up Book 1, go ahead and check out Book 2, New Years With A Dragon. It is also not lost on me that the word BOB is in the link for Book 2 - my husband's name and he collects dragon figures. LOL

I hope there will be more stories from this community. Crescent Creek kind of reminds me of Halloweentown before the evil mayor did his thing. 

If all the gore of the season is not your thing, then this cozy Halloween romance is the perfect quick read between trips to the door to pass out cand - if you can put the book down long enough to answer the door.

I'm giving HALLOWEEN WITH A VAMPIRE...

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Jennifer Snyder

 Good morning, readers!

With Halloween only a couple of days away, I thought we'd truly get into the spirit this week with a book by Jennifer Snyder called Halloween With A Vampire.

Here's a bit about Jennifer:

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina, where she spends most of her time writing Paranormal Romance fiction filled with fated mates, cozy small towns, and just enough danger to keep things interesting. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, sipping hot tea, or trying to stay on top of never-ending housework (with mixed results).

She has a mild Post-it note addiction, an unreasonable number of favorite pens, and a not-so-secret love for paranormal teen dramas. Jennifer lives with her husband and two teens, who patiently put up with her creative quirks—like playing the same song on repeat when inspiration strikes and talking through plot twists at the dinner table.

She believes in soul-deep connections, shifters who fall hard, and love stories that make you believe in fate.

You can find out more about Jennifer Snyder and her other books by clicking on any of the links below.

WEBSITE   BLOG   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS   AUDIO

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

aLLL 

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

With Halloween just a few days away, I thought I'd share a quote from one of my favorite movies to watch in October - Practical Magic! I'm looking forward to Practical Magic 2.

Do you have a favorite? Please share in the comments.

background courtesy of pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

Spooky season is growing closer. Would you visit this house?

photo courtesy of susan-lu43esm on pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Unlucky In Love: A Second Chance Romance With A Little Bit of Halloween Magic

 Good morning, readers.

AMAZON

If you love unique book stores as a setting, characters that keep invested, then Unlucky In Love is the perfect October read for you.  This is part of a holiday romance series. This one in particular  is Unlucky In Love: A Second Chance Romance With A Little Bit of Halloween Magic. 

This type of title is a new way of getting in keywords as a marketing strategy. 

BLURB:

What if one masked encounter could crack open a heart long sealed?

Maeve Carter knows the safety of sarcasm and solitude—especially in October, when her little bookstore glows with pumpkin candles and faux cobwebs. But a friend’s insistence drags her to a Halloween masquerade, where a chance meeting in lace and shadows leaves her unexpectedly unguarded.

He’s a quiet craftsman who prefers carving wood to crowded rooms, yet something about her quick wit and hidden kindness pulls him into her orbit. In that dimly lit world of masks and moonlight, they share moments that feel far more honest than any they’ve lived before.

Back in the real world, their paths cross again in texts and tentative invitations—coffee, late-night banter, a shared pastry—each small step a test of their courage. She battles old fears; he wrestles with ghosts of his own past. Yet each gesture, each gift left on a doorstep or whispered in a workshop, chips away at the walls they’ve built.

When misunderstanding and mistrust threaten to undo them, it’s the quiet bravery of unmasking that proves the deepest magic isn’t in grand gestures, but in showing up—again and again—for the chance at something real.

In a story carved piece by piece, Maeve and Eli discover that the truest kind of love is the one you choose to brave.

Maeve character reminds me a lot of one of Raj's girlfriends from The Big Bang Theory. Lucy was very insecure and they never came together. But the insecurity vibe with Maeve in Unlucky In Love was definitely there. Thankfully, she had her bestie, Jules pushing her out in a way only a bestie can. Eri had his sister Sofie pushing him along. Everyone needs a wing man/ woman, right?

I enjoyed this book so much I may grab Unlucky In Love: A Holiday Romance With A Little Bit of Christmas Magic for one of the December reads. 

If you're looking for a quick read, I recommend all 80 pages of Unlucky In Love: A Second Chance Romance With A Little Bit Of Halloween Magic. I'm giving this week's read...

You can catch up with Kiva Hart through the following links:

WEBSITE   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Kiva Hart

 Good morning, readers!

Are you enjoying the October reads so far? I am. Since I'm so busy over here, the short reads are perfect as the holiday season begins to sprout.

This week, I'm reading Unlucky In Love by Kiva Hart.

I have an abbreviated bio. If you want to learn more, click on her links below:

BIO:

Kiva Hart is a celebrated romance author known for her captivating narratives and unforgettable characters. With a masterful touch for weaving complex emotions and vibrant settings, Kiva has become a beloved voice in the romance genre. Her stories, often set in picturesque locales, explore the depths of human connection, love, and redemption.

I hope you'll stop by tomorrow to check out the review of Unlucky In Love. (Book 1 of 4)

In the meantime, click on any of the links below to learn more:

WEBSITE   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

I think cooler temperatures are back. yay!

background courtesy of pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

photo courtesy of pen_ash on pixabay

All my best!

~Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Pumpkin Spice Promises

Good morning, readers!

Squeezing in a bit late this morning. I'm on my way home today after another great Ozark Creative Writer's Conference followed by a couple of days with my sister, where her internet refused to play nice with my kindle - or vice versa.

AMAZON

BLURB:

Emmy Spice has everything she needs—her late grandmother’s bakery, a calendar full of pumpkin bread orders, and Maplewood’s Harvest Festival just around the corner. Everything but the courage to tell her best friend she’s been in love with him since forever. 

When firefighter Adam Fall returns home, Emmy’s world tilts. Their easy friendship feels different now—charged, unsteady, dangerous to her heart. But risking the truth means risking the one person she’s never wanted to lose. 

As autumn nights glow with bonfires and cider, Adam and Emmy must decide if friendship is enough…or if love has been waiting for them all along.

This story was eighty pages of pure delight. I chose short books for this month because I knew I had a busy couple of weeks in the stretch. 

Lauren Quinn wove a delightful fall story bringing two people back together. Pumpkin Spice Promises is Book 1 of three in the Hearts of Maplewood series. Because they are quick reads, I may have to pick up the remaining two just to find out what is up with Mrs. Peterson. I'm pretty sure she doesn't approve of Adam and Emmy reuniting. There is one in every crowd!

I love the bakery stories; heritage bakeries where the heroine is keeping the legacy of a grandmother or mother alive. Pumpkin Spice Promises is one of the best I've read so far. I can almost hear the bell above the door jingle, smell the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and cinnamon wafting around me as I enter. Makes me want to go home and bake my mom's pumpkin spice cookies

If you're looking for a quick read on a lunch hour or a great seasonal read any time, I recommend Pumpkin Spice Promises by Lauren Quinn. I suggest a coffee cafe with your favorite coffee flavor and a pumpkin spice muffin. 

I'm giving Pumpkin Spice Promises...

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Lauren Quinn

 Good morning, readers!

I'm just home from another great Ozark Creative Writers conference. Every year always brings something new for me to think about. If you're a writer, I hope you'll consider joining me at this multi-genre conference next year. Link to their homepage is always in the sidebar.

This week, I'm reading Pumpkin Spice Promises by author/ editor Lauren Quinn.

Here's a bit about Lauren:

Lauren Quinn is a writer, editor, and educator. Her work has appeared in Los Angeles Times, The Believer, Guernica, Hazlitt, and Best American Travel Writing, among others.

Lauren holds a BA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and an MEd from UCLA, and is an incoming MFA candidate at UC Irvine. She is at work on a speculative historical fiction novel, an excerpt of which earned her the Break Scholarship at the Autumn 2024 Tin House Workshop. A former high school teacher, Lauren is currently the executive editor of Motley Bloom.

Lauren lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. She will always be an Oakland girl at heart.

While you wait for the review, you can learn more about Lauren by following the links below:

WEBSITE   WEBSITE (BOOKS)   GOODREADS   INSTAGRAM

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good  morning, friends! 

I hope you have a great week.

background courtesy of pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

Welcome to October inspiration.

photo courtesy of Niko_Shogol - pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Countdown to Halloween!

 Good morning, readers!

I leave for the Ozark Creative Writers conference early in the morning. If you've not registered, there is still time to join us. The link icon is in the sidebar. This is a great multi-genre conference I look forward to attending every year. If you come to the conference, be sure to look for me. I promise to help make your first time at our conference a memorable one.

Today's read, Countdown to Halloween!

AMAZON

Blurb:

In the heart of October, with just twenty days until the most haunting night of the year, the town of Winterwood is buzzing with excitement. From finding the perfect Halloween costumes to setting up the eeriest decorations, the anticipation grows. But beneath the layers of pumpkin spice and candy corn, family drama simmers, threatening to boil over.

Amidst the chaos, an upstart social media influencer with a reckless streak, turns Winterwood upside down with wild antics and viral challenges. Every post, every video becomes more ridiculous than the last, upping the stakes and stress-levels of everyone involved.

Countdown to Halloween is a delightful tale of love, laughter, and lanterns, where every tick of the clock brings a new twist, turning a quaint town's Halloween preparations into an unforgettable adventure. It's a reminder that even in the midst of darkness and drama, there's always a reason to celebrate. Prepare for a spirited ride full of twists, turns, and treats that you won't forget!

While each book has its own special charm, this series follows a continuing storyline with growing relationships and deepening connections. For the coziest and most rewarding reading experience, I recommend starting from the beginning and enjoying the journey in order.

Countdown to Halloween is Book 6 in a 9-Book series; each one counting down to a different holiday.

I'm taking into consideration I should have, and do recommend, starting with Book 1 (perhaps a great book to kick off your Christmas reading)

Because I started with Book 6, there were a lot of characters to attempt to remember their names and position within the small town. For instance, One of the early mention of Granny by Grace (granddaughter) you get the impression she's past on. Yet in a future chapter, Granny comes into the room, along with her bestie, Gladys.  I had to read that passage three times to make sure Granny was still among the living and not a typo in the story. I know this is a Halloween story but I didn't think she meant raising her characters from the beyond.

I also realize this is a 'small-town' romance, with everyone coming together but there are a lot of characters trying to play a roll that I believe would best be played behind the scenes, not actually IN the scene. 

The sole focus should be on Grace and Cody, their romance and Grace trying to do too much. Even she admits she needs help. She and Cody put a plan into place to help balance that so they can both spend more time together. by the way, Cody is the hot cowboy in this story. 

I read books to escape the drama of real life. This story did not deliver that key component in why I curl up with a book.

For that reason, I'm giving Countdown to Halloween...

You'll find more about Dianna Houx and her books by following any of the links below.

WEBSITE   GOOD READS   INSTAGRAM

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

All my best!

~Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Dianna Houx

 Good morning, readers!

We're back with a new theme - October/ Halloween. Bet you saw that coming with Mr. October last week, huh? hehe

I thought I'd start the month off with a book series, so you can go back and catch the others. Which brings me to this week's author:

Here's a bit about Dianna:

Hi! I'm a small-town girl who never outgrew her love for heartfelt stories and happily-ever-afters. I live in a rural Missouri town of twenty-five hundred people with my husband and three boys in a late 1800s home we're lovingly restoring—one project (and paintstroke) at a time. 

When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, perusing antique stores, or dreaming up my next story on the porch swing with glass of lemonade in hand!

My stories are seasoned with over-the-top, funny happenings in small-town settings, but at their heart, they’re about real people with relatable struggles, hopes, and dreams. I write to entertain—and to remind readers that even the wildest moments can lead to something beautiful.

This author has a unique way of presenting herself. I love her concept. You can see for yourself by checking out her 'website' and other links.

WEBSITE   GOOD READS   INSTAGRAM

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

I have internet again and I'm back in the office. I have some great Halloween reads coming up. I hope you'll join me!

background courtesy of pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

I'm traveling a lot the next couple of weeks so wanted to make sure these posts were up on time. This week, I'll be in Coffeyville KS celebrating Dalton Days.  This is the final resting place of the notorious Dalton Gang. 

From Wikipedia

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Mr. October

Good morning, Readers!

Wow, October 1st. Hard to believe, especially with our temperatures still reading in the upper 80s. I am so ready for a true fall.

AMAZON

BLURB:

Halloween has come early in this steamy, friends-to-lovers, teacher/teacher romance filled with secret pining, fun hijinks, and quirky small-town feels.

Sabrina is no stranger to the Halloween pranks played around Grimsby, Indiana in the month of October. In fact, she is the recipient of nearly all of them. Usually, she would laugh it off and spend the rest of the month looking over her shoulder anxiously awaiting the next scare. But not this year. She’s ready to fight prank with prank…starting with her best friend and Grimsby High’s favorite history teacher: Mr. October.

I was not impressed with the story, over all. 

While the book says 'steamy, friends-to-lovers' trope, the writing was very juvenile. After the initial introduction when Sabrina and Adam meet, the first scene read more like a couple of teenagers, not teachers. 

While the author did bring the attraction in early, I think the whole sex scene was unnecessary. They went beyond steamy. Don't even get me started on the F-Bomb. I repeat, just not necessary. 

Amazon also lists that there were several grammatical errors and she was requested to fix them. Which brings up that she has a literary agency. 

I'm giving MR. OCTOBER...

To find out more about this author and the book, check out the links below and the amazon link below the book cover above.

WEBSITE   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS   LITERARY AGENCY

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~Angela