Bone Voyage (Midlife Spirits, Book 5) : HP Mallory

Spiritual connections and disturbing information.

This novella is book five of Midlife Spirits, a Paranormal Women’s Fiction series of short novels from HP Mallory. The book is set in the Garden District of New Orleans, USA. 

This short story is set just after the events in book four (Bump in the Night). Peyton is hired to solve a mystery using her new found abilities to communicate with the spirit world. During her task, she uncovers a disturbing piece of information regarding Voodoo Hoodoo Priestess, Guarda, which could have an impact on how the rest of the story unfolds.

I am eagerly awaiting book six in this series. I love the way the characters have really come to life and I’m invested in their journeys. HP Mallory writes in a well paced style, which draws the readers into her world.

The reading order for this series is as follows:

Book 1: Afraid of the Dark

Book 2: A Ghost of a Chance

Book 3: Mischief Brewing

Book 4: Bump in the Night

Book 5: Bone Voyage

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Fallen Warrior (The Fallen, Book 5) : Layna Snow

A Dark Elf. A Demon-possessed Fallen Angel. A love which really could be Apocalyptic.

This is the fifth and final book in the Fallen series. Although the book is part of a wider series, it can be read as a standalone novel. The book is a Paranormal Romance set in the USA. There are descriptive scenes of a sexual nature. 

Aamaya is a former demon-fighting Warrior Angel, who has fallen. Now on earth, living the life of a wingless human, she’s experiencing an increasing number of blackouts and can’t account for the missing time. There’s a darkness within her. It’s getting stronger and trying to take over but she doesn’t know how to combat it by herself. The problem is, she’s always been fiercely independent and now she’s alone with nobody to turn to. 

Malyk is a Dark Elf who left his own realm for a life on Earth. He’s difficult to approach, doesn’t play well with others and he wears a glamour at all times to keep his true nature hidden. He works for the Hunters; a group of supernatural beings led by another Fallen Angel. The Hunters’ ultimate mission is to prevent the Apocalypse and save humanity at any cost. 

When a Seer’s vision identifies Aamaya as a key component of the Apocalypse, Malyk is tasked with watching her and eliminating her if it becomes necessary. When the demon possessing Aamaya forces them together, all Hell really could break loose.

Layna Snow has an easy to read style of writing and good worldbuilding which is easy to get to grips with. There are all manner of supernaturals in this story; Elves, Angels, Demons, Vampires and Shifters, amongst others. I read this book as a standalone and I enjoyed it. I will likely go back and read the previous four books to get more insight into some of the characters in this story but not having read them didn’t detract from my ability to understand and enjoy this book.

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Dark Legacy (Crawford Investigations, Book 7) : JC McKenzie

There’s no such thing as a quiet life for the Queen of Corvids. 

This is the seventh book in the Crawford Investigations series.The book is Urban Fantasy with some level of romance. There are mentions of sexual activity but no descriptive scenes.This book once again focuses on Raven Crawford and is set six years after the first book and follows on directly from the books about Raven’s sister, Juni. 

There’s no such thing as a quiet life for the Queen of Corvids. It seems that everyone needs Raven’s attention: the young Troll Prince is missing and the Trolls are requesting her help to find him; her brother, Mike, is investigating another case of a missing boy and needs her help to find him; yet another Roller group is causing problems, attempting to link their souls to the Realm of Light; to top it all off, Juni has been coerced into binding herself to the Lord of War and Raven is forced to look for a way to break the binding. 

As ever, JC McKenzie’s style of writing is fluid and easy to read. The story is well paced and although there is a lot going on, we don’t lose track of it. The world building is very good. We get more of a glimpse into the Realm of Light in this book. The characters are well developed and interact with each other in a believable and relatable way. The story is increasingly complex; the big shiny hook at the end has definitely reeled me in and I want to know more.

I’m enjoying this series. If you like to read predominantly Urban Fantasy with a touch of Paranormal Romance and worldbuilding which takes you beyond the mortal realm, then this is the series for you.

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Bump in the Night (Midlife Spirits, Book 4) : HP Mallory

Time is running out. Peyton has the opportunity to vanquish the demon but it might cost her everything. 

This is book four of Midlife Spirits, a Paranormal Women’s Fiction series of short novels from HP Mallory. The book is set in the Garden District of New Orleans, USA. There is some romantic interest and there are some mild descriptive scenes of a sexual nature.

I absolutely raced through this book. I couldn’t put it down. 

A further visit to the Voodoo Hoodoo Priestess leaves Peyton’s senses fully open to the spirit world and a subsequent meeting with the mysterious and otherworldly Loa of the Dead, Baron Samedi, leads to her remembering her first session with the untrustworthy Priestess.

Peyton finds herself attempting the seemingly impossible in order to save herself and other members of the town from the impending bloodbath at the hands of the demon Axeman. To succeed she promises Baron Samedi anything he wants, which is a broad and dangerous promise to make.

While her relationship with Ryan is progressing well and she does love him, Peyton is finding herself increasingly drawn to Drake, who has become more to her than a haunting spirit residing within her body. The more she learns about Drake, the more she realises that she also loves him, despite the fact that a relationship with him will never be possible.

I love the complex dynamic of the relationship between Peyton, Ryan and Drake; how torn she is between the two men she loves and who both love her. I found myself getting increasingly invested in the story. That ending; I could feel everything Peyton was feeling, I was so drawn in. This story is well paced and beautifully crafted. I can’t wait for the next installment.

The reading order for this series is as follows:

Book 1: Afraid of the Dark

Book 2: A Ghost of a Chance

Book 3: Mischief Brewing

Book 4: Bump in the Night

Available from Amazon

Mischief Brewing (Midlife Spirits, Book 3) : HP Mallory

Impending tragedy and a brush with the spirit world. Has our heroine put her own mortal soul in jeopardy?

This is book three of Midlife Spirits, a Paranormal Women’s Fiction series of short novels from HP Mallory. The book is set in the Garden District of New Orleans, USA. There is some romantic interest but no descriptive scenes of a sexual nature.

Peyton has successfully exorcised the malevolent demonic entity from her home but will it be enough? All signs point to a sudden spike in paranormal activity throughout the town which coincides with the exorcism and it seems as though she has only two days to try and figure out how to stop tragedy from striking the town again.  

The local Priestess and Warlock who helped her before are concerned and seeing no other option, they take Peyton to see a powerful Voodoo Hoodoo Priestess. Can this Priestess be trusted though? Drake, the spirit possessing Peyton, doesn’t think so and he might be right. Is Peyton getting herself too embroiled in local witchcraft and putting herself at risk? Could this Priestess have traded Peyton’s soul? If she has, what is it in exchange for?

Meanwhile, she has to come clean to Ryan about Drake possessing her. How will Ryan react and what will it mean for their fledgeling relationship?

This book has wonderfully descriptive scenes of frustrated passions, hauntings, possession and a glimpse into the ritual practices of voodoo witchcraft. This story arc ends on a dramatic note and leaves the reader itching to dive into book four, which fortunately is now published. 

As ever, HP Mallory’s fluent style of writing draws the reader in. The story is well paced and makes the reader feel like they are being taken on a journey. The character development and world building are good and I find myself further invested in what happens to Peyton, Ryan and Drake. 

The reading order for this series is as follows:

Book 1: Afraid of the Dark

Book 2: A Ghost of a Chance

Book 3: Mischief Brewing

Available from Amazon

Undertow (The Carolina Files, Book 2) : Willa Blackmore

Urban Fantasy meets Horror in this tale of kidnap, murder and possession.

This is book two of The Carolina Files Series; Urban Fantasy meets Paranormal meets Horror. The book is set in the town of Henley-on-Hale, North Carolina. A unique town where supernatural beings mix freely with local mundane humans.

Tula Whitlow is one of three witch sisters who run a local Inn for Supernatural beings. The three had let their talents lapse and were living the high life until recently, when trouble landed on their doorstep and they were forced to start learning their witchcraft to defend the town. 

Trouble continues to plague the town. A series of gruesome murders of local teenagers comes to light. Demonic sigils found tattooed on the dead teens and daubed at the sites where their bodies are left leads local law enforcement to call in Tula to help investigate. All signs point to a ritual sacrifice which took place 15 years before. Were the teens involved in a demonic cult or are they paying for the sins of their parents?

I really enjoyed this book. The descriptive world building and character development is great; I like Willa Blackmore’s style of writing. It’s well paced and draws you into the story. I like that we see a bit more of what Tula’s sisters can do. I hope we get to know them better as the series progresses. I like that Tula hasn’t suddenly become an all-powerful, all-knowing witch and is having to actually learn her craft and hone her skills. I love Ruby and I like the way she is pulled in to help and uses everything as a teaching moment. I love that Tula hasn’t leapt into a relationship with the vampire, Victor, even though I kind of really want her to. 

This story is more complex than the first book and it’s all the better for that. I was completely immersed in this tale from start to finish. I really enjoyed it. I’m excited to see what the next book will hold. This is definitely one of the more interesting new series I’ve read lately. Willa Blackmore is an author to watch.

Available from Amazon

Invasion (The Carolina Files, Book 1) : Willa Blackmore

A paranormal mystery story with a touch of comic horror  

This is the first book in The Carolina Files; a planned Urban Fantasy meets PI series. I originally read and reviewed this book in April 2021.

The story features Tula Whitlow, a magic user who has let her talents lapse. She is one of three witch sisters, living in the small town of Henley-on-Hale, North Carolina. The town is a peaceful one and is made up of a good mix of magical and non magical inhabitants.

Mystery and peril arrive, brought by visitors who are caught up in events just outside of the town’s borders. This is a tale of magic, villainy and a summoned malevolent ancient god. What could possibly go wrong? 

I loved this book. The main and secondary characters are well defined, grow throughout the book and I found myself invested in their journeys. I could definitely relate to the main character, who finds herself thrust into situations she has no idea how to manage, yet somehow makes it through, often by the skin of her teeth. She grows from a young lady who is winging her way through life and not really taking anything seriously, to a woman whose need for magical skill has been thrust back upon her, giving her a focus and sense of purpose by the end of this story arc. 

The writing is easy to read, funny in places and there were no grammatical issues to pull me out of the flow of the story. I found myself staying up into the early hours because I wanted to know what came next and I couldn’t put the book down.

I’m delighted that there will be more books to come. I loved the humour and the comic horror element and I am really looking forward to what has the potential to be an excellent paranormal PI series. 

Available from Amazon