Paranormal Jelly: An Anthology of Whimsical Narratives Regarding the Comical Facets of the Occult by Zwahk Muchoney

May 6, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Paranormal Jelly: An Anthology of Whimsical Narratives Regarding the Comical Facets of the Occult by Zwahk Muchoney
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Paranormal Jelly blends the bizarre with the everyday in the early internet era of 1996. Middle-aged author Albert runs a popular website, sharing tales of eldritch horrors, baby Sasquatches, cigarette-smoking ghosts, and dark cultists. A skeptic at heart, he dismisses it all as fiction—until reality starts to blur. Cryptids and hauntings become alarmingly frequent, always just out of the reporter’s sight, but impossible to ignore. As Albert struggles to document these strange events, he’s drawn into a web of the supernatural that threatens his very existence.

Both skeptics and true believers are welcomed here.

I loved the playful and humorous tone of Albert’s adventures. The fantasy and science fiction themes were subtle in some places, but that only made those scenes even more exciting once they popped up again and made me look at what just happened in a new light. It was a nice contrast to the more skeptical characters who didn’t always believe the stories about ghosts, cryptids, aliens, and other creatures they heard.

As much as I liked reading about the various characters in this novella, there were so many of them that only the protagonist was given a chance to become more well rounded. Even then, I didn’t feel like I got to know Albert as deeply as I would have liked to due to the relatively short length of this piece and how much was going on with the plot. With stronger character development, this could have been a four or five-star work as the storyline and themes themselves were fantastic.

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that provided scientific explanations for why things like orbs sometimes appear in photos and why certain types of people are more – or less – likely to believe in conspiracy theories and the paranormal in general. There are many different reasons why strange things happen and why people can have a wide variety of responses to the same event. I thought these passages treated both believers and skeptics fairly and assumed the best of everyone. That makes these sorts of stories so much more interesting to read as I knew the author had good intentions and wanted everyone to think critically about what they’ve read, heard, or maybe even seen with their own two eyes.

Paranormal Jelly: An Anthology of Whimsical Narratives Regarding the Comical Facets of the Occult kept me guessing.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Whippoorwill Hill by Jules Parker

May 5, 2025 By 1 Comment


Whippoorwill Hill by Jules Parker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

After a rocky divorce, Leslie Downing travels to the small town of Rosemont, Kansas, to lick her wounds and help renovate her uncle’s newly acquired home. But when a handsome policeman comes knocking on her door, she soon finds out that Rosemont harbors some dark secrets–and that her own problems pale in comparison to the trouble headed her way. Ex-sheriff turned ex-con, Dane Chappell, has lost everything at the hands of Rosemont’s crooked mayor. In his quest for revenge, he doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process, not even the beautiful, stubborn newcomer who now occupies his home. When the temperature rises, can Leslie handle the heat? Or will Dane be the one going down in flames?

I almost didn’t pick up this book because the synopsis revealed so little—but that turned out to be its genius. I was intrigued by how a small-town sheriff could become an ex-con and even more curious about what would drive him to risk his freedom for revenge. Who was the mysterious outsider standing in his way, and why was she there? I was ready for a romance wrapped in a suspenseful mystery, and my imagination couldn’t have prepared me for what unfolded. The storytelling was incredibly creative, and now I understand why the synopsis was so vague—there would have been too many spoilers!

What I can share is that the heroine is Leslie Downing. Her eccentric uncle, Claven, bought a house in a small town, and she arrived early to get everything set up before he moved in. Leslie is intelligent, grounded, and guided by a strong moral compass; her special bond with her uncle adds an extra layer of warmth to her character.

As with any small town, there’s a full cast of quirky, interesting characters—but I’ll let you discover them for yourself. I love when a story makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a community where everyone knows each other, secrets simmer beneath the surface, and loyalty runs deep… mostly.

Then there’s Dane Chappell. Ooh la la. This former sheriff turned ex-con turned brooding hero is the strong, justice-driven character I couldn’t help but swoon over. The chemistry between Dane and Leslie was instant and electric, and their emotional tension kept the pages turning.

This suspenseful romance had more plot twists than I could’ve ever predicted. Just when I thought I had things figured out—bam! Another twist. I wasn’t even close to guessing the real culprit behind it all.

If you’re in the mood for a gripping mystery wrapped in steamy romance and small-town charm, this book delivers on every level. Just be prepared—you’ll want them to bronze the last cookie (inside joke), and you won’t want to put the book down.

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The Marriage Bribe by Amber Cross

May 2, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Marriage Bribe by Amber Cross
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Prissy is drowning in debt. Her only hope lies in finding a man equally desperate to marry her for six months so she can cash in on a big payout.

Logan has a solid reputation as a respectable businessman, yet he’s worried that won’t be enough to guarantee custody of his late brother’s unborn child.

When Prissy offers him a bribe-half her money for six months of his life-he takes the deal to strengthen his case with the courts.

Prissy doesn’t care why he agrees, if it means she can sleep through the night without visions of debt collectors coming to take her away.

It’s a simple deal. Live together for six months, and they both walk away better for it. But will they be able to walk away from the attraction growing between them?

When I opened The Marriage Bribe to the title page, I noticed a tagline beneath the title: A grumpy/sunshine marriage of convenience love story. I couldn’t have summarized the plot better myself—it perfectly captures the essence of this book.

The hero, Logan, carries emotional baggage so heavy that it fully justifies his grumpy demeanor. Personally, I’d describe him as downright bad-tempered at times, considering how mean he could be. Meanwhile, the heroine, Prissy, is the ultimate ray of sunshine—relentlessly positive and full of energy. She presents Logan with an offer he can’t refuse: a marriage of convenience. If they stay married for just six months, they’ll both receive a significant sum of money.

At first, Prissy doesn’t know (or care) why Logan agrees to the arrangement—she’s too focused on her own financial struggles. She’s drowning in debt, and this deal is her only way out. However, the why behind her situation turns out to be a dramatic plot twist I didn’t see coming. Her reason for needing the money also explains her over-the-top optimism, which makes for an interesting contrast with Logan’s brooding personality. Between the two of them, there was almost enough drama to drown me—but luckily, the supporting characters helped balance the story and kept it flowing smoothly, leaving me eager to keep reading.

Set in a small town where everyone knows each other and lends a helping hand, the story has a charming community feel. From Prissy’s coworkers and family to Logan’s close-knit group of friends, I loved how the secondary characters enriched the narrative and made the town feel real.

The chemistry between Prissy and Logan was sweet. Their mutual attraction was complicated by the boundaries of their agreement but watching them navigate those feelings made the romance even more satisfying. I especially enjoyed the ending, when they renegotiated the terms of their marriage—I always love a happily-ever-after!

If you enjoy small-town romance with a grumpy/sunshine dynamic and a heartfelt love story, The Marriage Bribe is definitely worth a read.

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Hands Down by Felix Francis

April 30, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Hands Down by Felix Francis
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Sid Halley, a private investigator, has a new left hand, having had a transplant since his last appearance in Refusal. After receiving death threats, an ex-jockey trainer friend calls Sid to ask for his help, but Sid has his own problems to deal with; like recovering from surgery and saving his crumbling marriage.

When his friend’s stable yard is torched, horses killed, and the friend is found dead, Sid can only blame himself for not helping sooner. The police think it’s suicide, but Sid is not convinced after his friend’s terrified phone calls. Heavy with a guilty heart, Sid starts to investigate and soon finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy that cuts to the very heart of the integrity of British horse racing.

Can Sid figure out what happened to his friend, or will he be the next one that the killer targets?

Sid Halley is having a rough time. His beloved wife, Marina, has decided she needs a break to think about their future and has gone to visit her dying father in the Netherlands with their young daughter. Still reeling from this emotional blow, Sid is asked for help by a friend who is an ex-jockey now trainer. Gary is being threatened and needs a friend he can trust, only before Sid can discuss what’s going on Gary’s stable is torched and his horses killed. Can Sid investigate what’s happening and sort out his marital crisis without anyone getting hurt in the meantime?

I’ve been a big fan of the various Sid Halley stories and found this addition was quite good. While all the previous books don’t need to have been read, I do feel that knowing who the main characters are in this series would give the relationship/emotional plotline a bit more oomph and have more meaning. The mystery aspect is new to this book and doesn’t really have any cross over to the previous books so I feel readers primarily concerned with the investigation side of things should be able to easily pick this book up by itself.

Readers looking for a fast paced or more action orientated mystery might find this doesn’t quite suit their needs. While I do feel the action is quicker than many British police procedural novels, I’ve read this isn’t an American or spy thriller where everything is just go-go-go from the first page till the explosive conclusion, but neither do I feel the is the pace slow or at all plodding. This is a nice balance somewhere in between.

I do admit that Sid’s marital issues take up a fair chunk of the pages and while I personally thought this helped balance out the story and made Sid feel more of a well-rounded family man I could understand if some readers are only really interested in the mystery and investigative aspects to the book.  This was a solid mystery with a well thought out plot.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Strange Bedfellows by Steven Donahue

April 29, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Strange Bedfellows by Steven Donahue
Publisher: Conquest Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

“Politics makes strange bedfellows, and I like to keep my sheets clean.”
Hayfield’s current mayor, Jade Weatherby, thought she had the mayoral race in the bag. That was until cafe owner, and Independent candidate, Finn Haley joined the game.

Amidst their political rivalry and social pressures put on them by the small town’s populants, Jade and Finn immediately fall for one another.

When a third candidate for mayor emerges with plans that could endanger the town, Jade and Finn are forced to make tough decisions about their careers and their growing relationship.

Let me start by saying that Strange Bedfellows is a truly unique contemporary romance. It’s unlike any other romance novel I’ve read—it doesn’t resemble the stereotypical Harlequin love story, nor would I compare it to a Hallmark movie.

I’ll admit, I was initially unaware of all the meanings of the word bedfellows. I assumed it only referred to two people sharing a bed, but I’ve since learned that it also means an alliance. And that’s exactly what this story is—an alliance between Jade, the heroine, and Finn, the hero. At first, I expected some steamy chemistry between them, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, the romance in this book was mature, respectful, and deeply rooted in mutual admiration.

Jade and Finn are political rivals, both running for mayor. Jade is the current Democratic mayor, while Finn is running as an Independent. I’m not particularly interested in politics, but the synopsis mentioned a third candidate emerging with plans that could endanger the town, forcing Jade and Finn to make tough decisions. That element of unknown danger intrigued me, which is why I decided to give this book a chance.

The romance between Jade and Finn was sweet and understated. As an older couple, their dynamic was mature and responsible. Their chemistry was subtle—they shared a few kisses while dancing, but overall, they carried themselves with class. Their playful banter over who would win the election made for some entertaining moments.

The heart of the story revolves around Jade and Finn’s mayoral race. I enjoyed the feeling of being behind the scenes, watching the political drama unfold. Finn’s father, who also happened to be Jade’s campaign manager, was an interesting character, as was Jade’s assistant, Raydrick Lee. The third candidate, Preston Slade, brought a suspenseful element to the plot. There were also several side characters that enriched the story and made the small-town setting feel immersive. I was glad I didn’t have to cast a vote in the election—it would’ve been a tough decision!

If I had to vote on whether this book is worth reading, my answer would be yes. Strange Bedfellows provided an enjoyable escape and was a great way to pass a few hours.

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Mountain Interlude by S.V. Brosius

April 28, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Mountain Interlude by S.V. Brosius
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Can broken hearts mend if they are frozen in time?

Deep in the mountains of Colorado stands an old house shrouded in mist. A lonely, divorced woman will come face to face with the attractive man who owns the property. She will find herself in a world of paranormal mystery: a place where the lost are taken care of, the injured are healed, and time stands still.

Healing is for everyone.

Maizie’s character development was strong and made me want to spend even more time with her. She was an intelligent, resourceful person who could quickly solve problems if she felt threatened or confused. This is something I’m always happy to come across in stories, especially ones involving a woman driving alone in the middle of nowhere who has car trouble and needs to seek help. That’s a situation that just about any woman would feel rather vulnerable in, so it was a relief to meet a character who took her predicament so seriously.

It was never quite clear to me what the limitations of the paranormal elements of the storyline were. They seemed to wax and wane depending on what Maizie and Tony were currently doing, but it was never entirely clear to me if this was because their moods were influencing the spirit world or if this were a coincidence. If more attention had been paid to the logic of how this all worked, I would have happily given this tale a higher rating as it was well-written and memorable.

I must tip my cap at the author for their creative and thought-provoking ending. It was not at all what I expected it to be, but it fit the tone of this tale perfectly and made me wish for a sequel. There’s definitely something to be said for stories that play around with the audience’s expectations in order to keep their genre fresh and interesting.

Mountain Interlude was full of surprises.

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Watch and Prey by JM Dalgliesh

April 25, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Watch and Prey by JM Dalgliesh
Publisher: Hamilton Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

You can hide, but you can’t run…

When the body of a church warden is discovered hanging from the belfry of a village church, DI Tom Janssen and his team must investigate the circumstances that led to his death.

Whilst navigating the fallout from the conclusion of their previous case, the Norfolk CID team is under intense scrutiny with another police force investigating their recent conduct. Some people would like nothing more than to see the team fail. With no clear motive for murder or a reason to take his own life, the team have little to go on.

Meanwhile, a hit and run accident on the Sandringham Estate leaves a pregnant woman in hospital and when the fleeing vehicle is located – abandoned beside a coastal sailing club – the investigating team find more than they bargained for when they look inside.

The hunt is on for a brutal murderer whose motives and goals are unknown, and when other interested parties appear in the area the stakes are raised further. Just who are the hunters, who is watching, and, more importantly, who is the prey?

Still trying to navigate and digest the ramifications of their previous case, DI Tom Janssen and his team are shocked to be called back in to work almost immediately. The body of a church warden has been found hanging from a belfry, and small inconsistencies have them all agreeing the scene isn’t quite what it appears to be. When a hit and run then leaves a pregnant woman and her toddler in hospital, the team is stretched thin and working hard to keep afloat. Can DI Janssen and his team uncover the truth behind everything before it’s too late?

I have found this to be an enjoyable British Police Procedural mystery series. This latest book picks up almost immediately after the evens of the previous book wrap up and while there are still some tendrils of the past case woven into this story, I do feel they are explained well enough that readers should feel comfortable reading this book even if they haven’t read the previous one.

What I thoroughly enjoyed though was there were two different cases in this book and while I felt from the beginning, they might be linked the author took everything at a solid pace and there were plenty of turns and investigation. While I didn’t feel at any point, I had to suspend my disbelief there were a few coincidences and I think some readers might feel the cases are a little too closely linked. That said this is a fairly rural area and so to me it does seem fair that residents and families are quite overlapping at times.

With two solid murder mystery plots and a primary cast of strong and memorable characters I feel this is a well plotted and enjoyable book and a good series to sink your teeth into. I’m looking forward to more of these books soon.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Murder Of The Bride by Faith Martin

April 23, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Murder Of The Bride by Faith Martin
Publisher: Joffe Books, London
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

DI Hillary Greene is called out to attend a suspicious death at Three Oaks Farm in the picturesque village of Steeple Barton.

The large farmhouse is filled with music and revellers, but when she steps into the farm’s cowshed, Hillary finds a dead bride. Dressed in a sumptuous white wedding gown, the young, beautiful redhead had clearly been strangled.

But not everything is what it seems, and the victim turns out to be at the centre of a web of jealousy and intrigue in the close-knit village. Many of the villagers have a motive for murdering her but they’re not giving up their secrets easily.

Can Hillary discover the real reason for this brutal crime and cope with the spiralling revelations about her dead ex-husband?

When a young lady at a fancy dress party is found murdered in a cow shed DI Hillary Greene and her team are called in to investigate. The beautiful woman – dressed as the bride she would never become – doesn’t appear to really have any enemies. But the more Hillary digs into her life, the more she realizes just how complicated people really are.

I have been greatly enjoying this series and found this to be a strong addition. The murder mystery is interesting and while the pace is a little slower – more that of a Police procedural rather than an action/adventure – I really did find that the plot unknotted quite well. I also really enjoy that there are a few longer running story arcs through this series, like that of Hillary trying to get her house back and the leftover dregs of her ex-husbands schemes. The possibly blossoming romance also is a very slow-burn and seems to be starting to get somewhere. I also appreciated that there is a new boss for Hillary and her team and the author made it clear this character was going to have quite the mysterious background and motivations for his transfer.

Overall I found this a really interesting book and I’m eager to keep reading. While the mystery plot can absolutely be read alone readers who dislike reading longer story plot arcs out of order might want to consider reading this series in the correct order. I do feel that everything is explained well enough people can pick this up by itself and still thoroughly enjoy it, but for me personally a lot of the fun is in the fact there are a few longer-running character storylines, and I could understand if readers wanted the full story in order and not get muddled or spoilers. I’m enjoying this British police mystery.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Killing By Numbers by MS Morris

April 23, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Killing By Numbers by MS Morris
Publisher: Landmark Media
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A work of art. A mysterious number. A secret worth killing for.

When reclusive artist, Gabriel Quinn, is gunned down outside a gallery on Oxford High Street, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart investigates the world of contemporary art, where paintings can change hands for millions in the auction room.

Bridget is convinced that the last words spoken by the artist – a mysterious code of 8 digits and a letter – are key to unravelling the mystery of his death.

But when her ex-husband, Ben, now a senior detective with the Metropolitan Police in London shows up with new information about the murdered man, Bridget’s personal and professional lives are brought crashing together with dramatic consequences.

After her success with leading her first murder investigation, DI Bridget Hart is enjoying a well-earned day off and looking forward to a date later that evening at the opera. Her relaxing day is toppled, however, when she’s called in on a new investigation. A young artist has been shot outside a gallery on Oxford High Street and it’s up to Bridget and her team to discover what’s going on.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was very pleased to find this second book just as enjoyable. A solid British Police procedural style of murder mystery set in Oxford I found the pace and plotting to be well written and enjoyable to follow along as it unfolded. I really enjoyed the various characters of the main team and found the few secondary characters in Bridget’s personal life to be equally well written and an excellent source to round out Bridget and her day-to-day life.

There’s a bit of understandable conflict between Bridget and her teenage daughter. While I admit I found it a little annoying that Chloe was the typical teenager I have to give kudos to the authors for the fact she is realistic and utterly relatable to anyone who knows young adults around that difficult age. This also added some conflict to the plot without dropping too far into the usual “love life is a disaster” arena which gets a lot of use in many series like this.

Readers looking for a slightly different (i.e. non-Met, non-London based) British mystery should find this a refreshing change of pace. I liked it and am eager for the next in the series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Venus by Marteeka Karland

April 21, 2025 By 1 Comment


Venus by Marteeka Karland
Iron Tzars MC 13
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Venus: I come from world filled with violence, death, and impossible choices. I’ve only backed down from fight once, and that left me with pain and regret. But now, I have chance to balance scales. I’m known as most dangerous member of Salvation’s Bane MC. But truth is, beneath tough exterior, I’m still a scared young woman running from monsters, trying to protect those I love. That fear ends today. Only problem? Biker named Piston. Doesn’t know meaning of personal space. He’s always there, watching me, protecting me, and even though I’d never admit it, his presence brings strange sense of peace. He makes me want things I can never have.

Piston: For more than a decade, I’ve been Venus’s silent protector. In the shadows, I’ve watched her, stalking her every move. When she settled in Palm Beach with Salvation’s Bane, I made sure to be close by. I keep an eye on her, guarding her, even if she doesn’t realize it. But when an enemy from her past threatens her, I step out of the shadows. Venus is on the hunt, and the monster she’s chasing has awakened the beast in me. I protect what’s mine. And Venus? She’s mine.

Venus is dangerous and this book or this heroine is not one that is going to wait for someone to come and help her. She has the skills to do what needs to be done, so she will do it. I loved seeing their chemistry develop. Their chemistry is spicy. There are aspects of bondage such as tying hands in this.

He is a bit of a stalker and knows more about her than she thinks. The author did a wonderful job keeping the book short as well as making sure the person reading understands the characters. She explains the past well for both the characters without it taking chapters. Or going to a full-on scenes to the past.

Though this is series, you do not need to read the whole series to read this book. At the same time, I do think there is an underlying secondary storyline that have stretched from the first book, but since the author is good at explaining everything and mixing it to the book so well, I don’t even know which one it is. So, good job.

I do think it would be great if there was a page at the least dedicated which book to start and what is the recommended order if the reader ever wants to fully understand this world. Because it is a world. The author has created a world within these series. I loved how she had ended this; it showed how big of a world she had created.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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