November Book Reviews #bookreview #books #amreading #readingcommunity #paranormal @SusanneLeist @dlfinnauthor @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I cannot believe I haven't posted a book review since August. Actually, I can believe it. This school year has been extremely busy. I think I'm just now starting to find a routine I can keep. I did read a book in August/September, but I had a hard time enjoying the story, so that review will not be posted here. This space is to share books I enjoy. 

Meet Me In Maine

by Susanne Leist

Genre: Romantic Fantasy, Supernatural Mysteries

Pages: 253 pages

Book Blurb:

Elizabeth Reading and Scarlett Harding travel from New York City to Blue Harbor, Maine, hoping to purchase a bed-and-breakfast in a peaceful town, but what they discover is much more sinister.

After settling into an apartment building and unpacking, Elizabeth and Scarlett visit a local ice cream parlor. As they approach the counter to order, a man rushes through the doorway, clutching his throat and dying in a pool of blood at Elizabeth's feet. When the police arrive, Elizabeth stares at the dashing, blue-eyed David throwing questions at her, stunned that she agreed to a date with him a few hours ago.

When they return to the apartment and Elizabeth begins to pack her bags to leave Blue Harbor, Scarlett pleads with her to keep the appointment at the inn. The next day, they fall in love with the quaint inn and eventually sign the papers, despite Elizabeth's misgivings about the death a day earlier.

After they move into the bed-and-breakfast, they hear of residents dying under unusual circumstances and rumors of a curse placed by the Penobscot Indians on the descendants of the town's original settlers. On their first weekend as innkeepers, a violent storm hits, and two guests are slashed to death in their beds. Then the lights go out.

Will Elizabeth and Scarlett sell the inn or stay and fight the curse alongside their new friends as bodies fall around them?

My Review:

I've read this author's vampire series, so I was curious about this book. Plus, the cover is just gorgeous! This story follows Elizabeth and Scarlett as they head to Maine to buy an inn and start their lives over. Unfortunately, they arrive just as a string of murders begin to take place. They find themselves in the midst of a cursed town where the original settlers want revenge.

The book is packed with action. In fact, I don't know if the characters ever had a moment to rest. Lol! Both main characters had distinct personalities, and I could feel the strong friendship between them. They both found themselves quickly into relationships that I had a hard time getting into. That could also be because for the longest time, they were part of the suspect list. Speaking of suspects, the author did a great job keeping the murderers' identities under lock and key, and I loved that!

The curse wasn't always clear to me. I got the anger between the original settlers and the descendants, but how they identified the cursed ones and had to kill them, no questions asked, was a bit unsettling. And then, I couldn't understand why the curse continued. I have a feeling some of it was left a mystery for a second book. Still, the characters and the action kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy paranormal mystery, I think you'd enjoy this book.

Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection

by D.L. Finn

Genre: Holiday Fiction

Pages: 153 pages

Book Blurb:

Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection’s eight tales bring light in the darkest of circumstances. In the novelette, A Perfect Ghostly Christmas, Julie has survived the foster care system and finally comes home. She now owns her grandparents’ house and has received an offer that appears too good to be true. On top of that, the family she felt had abandoned her during her difficult times has reentered her life. But it’s the otherworldly experiences that lead her to something her grandparents left behind. This discovery changes everything and opens a door to danger. The seven short stories explore fractured families, a widower's loneliness, a mall shooting, financial struggles, strained relationships, woodland kittens, and a woman haunted by a red truck. Whether it’s a ghost, an angel, or Santa, some unseen force is there to provide help when needed. A reminder in the busy holiday season or anytime we are never alone, and miracles are possible.

My Review:

I absolutely loved this book! It starts off with a longer short story about a girl who returns to her grandmother's house after many years to figure out what to do with the house. Memories resurface about how her grandparents died while others bring danger to her doorstep. It's a story that sucks you in and keeps you turning the pages until the end. 

The rest of the book is filled with short stories, each one focused on the holiday season. The author takes tragic moments and sprinkles each one with the Christmas spirit so beautifully. My favorites include Christmas Reunion, A Man and His Cat, and The Christmas Eve Walk. This is a wonderful collection of stories to read, and it would make a great gift for others.:-)

Have you read any good books lately? I'd love to hear from you. :-)