WEAVER’S WEB by Yasmine Galenorn

Book 6 in Moonshadow Bay Series
Nightqueen Enterprises
July 12^th, 202
ISBN- none available
Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Mystery, Romance
E-Advance Reading Copy

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Author

4 Hearts

It’s February in Moonshadow Bay, hearts and roses are in the air as Valentine’s comes closer, Killian and January are planning a short getaway for the holiday but before they can leave, a mysterious cupid is running around shooting people with a love potion enchanted arrow and Conjure Ink is tasked to figure out why a restaurant is being plagued with ghostly encounters that are turning dangerous. With everything happening in Moonshadow Bay, will January and Killian be able to get to their vacation in time or worse, will danger heat up to the point someone is in danger for real?

WEAVER’S WEB delivers a lovely addition to the Moonshadow Bay series and though part of the story involves a novella that was part of a now defunct anthology, the author does a great job expanding the novella story and fleshing out the storyline of that to include trouble in Moonshadow Bay. I have to admit this series and genre (Paranormal Women’s fiction) is a treat to read and one I just can’t get enough of. The author does a bang-up job capturing the characters perfectly, lets them take the lead as they move through the twists and turns of the story and in the process keep the reader glued to the pages till the very end. Even though I read a novella version of the WEAVER’S WEB, the additional fleshed out story captured my attention right from the beginning. It’s a fast paced, wild ride from start to finish and one I look forward rereading again in the future. I don’t want to give away any spoilers to the book and what happens in it.

If you read the Aged to Perfection novella of WEAVER’S WEB, then you get half the story here, but I highly recommend reading this expanded story as it includes two cases in Moonshadow Bay that had me guessing what was going on. It was fun, entertaining and at times had me on the edge of my seat as January and the Conjure Ink gang try to figure out how to stop these two cases from continuing. I really enjoy seeing how the characters continue to grow and expand as the series progresses. If you haven’t tried Ms. Galenorn’s Moonshadow Bay series, I highly recommend that you start right from the beginning. Its fun, enjoyable and full of unique and at times quirky characters that will steal your heart.  I can’t wait to see where she continues to go as January and the rest of the characters in Moonshadow Bay go in future books.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

 

AGED TO PERFECTION by multiple authors

 

The Raven
February 15^th, 2022
ASIN #: ‎ B09KXCX11Z
Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Romance
E-ARC
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Author
4.5 Hearts

Nineteen tales of older women finding their voices, finding love, and enjoying their second act in life. Get ready for AGED TO PERFECTION. This anthology has new and established authors telling tales that will sure tickle your imagination.

I will review the following three stories below:

Weaver’s Web by Yasmine Galenorn: When paranormal investigator and witch January Jones goes away for Valentine’s Day with her werewolf boyfriend, Killian, both find something more at the B&B they are at then meets the eye as ghosts, vampires and more crash their romantic vacation.

Running with the Devil by Mandy M. Roth: When a witch finds her ex in her small magic shop claiming he was set up for a murder, can she put aside her past with him in order to figure out who is out to destroy him?

My Big Fat Hairy Wedding by Robyn Peterman: When a forty-something werewolf supermodel is getting married to the Devil’s daughter’s son, she finds that her demonic mother-in-law is the least of her problems and in this case, bridezilla is more of a momzilla…in Hell, literally.

I was thrilled to see some of my favorite authors here as well as a few new to me authors to try in this anthology that celebrates life after forty. Three of the stories I will review as there are just too many to give a review for individually. This anthology has a diverse set of established authors (Mandy M. Roth, Yasmine Galenorn, etc.) to new voices in the genre making their mark. I found the mix of both to have some hits (quite a few hits to be honest) and a few misses that didn’t quite gel with me as a reader. I will be honest, the paranormal women’s fiction genre is something that is fun, entertaining and really new to the world of books. I find that I like these books a lot with their very relatable characters being over forty and so diverse that it is hard to decide which called to me more.

First up, Weaver’s Web by Yasmine Galenorn. This is part of her Moonshadow Bay series that I just love, and I am thrilled to see January and Killian enjoying some time away from their home base. The story is full of unique characters, a lush scenery that left me wanting to visit and a mystery to solve. The author does a wonderful job keeping my attention as I sped through the book, and I felt it was on par with the past Moonshadow Bay books as it was filled to the brim with twists that I sure didn’t see coming. All in all, a wonderful novella in the series.

Next is Running with he Devil by Mandy M. Roth. This was one of the first stories I clicked on and found to be highly enjoyable, entertaining and had me on the edge of my seat a few times with anticipation. I loved the sparks that flew between Kerri and Patrick. The mystery that surrounded Patrick was intriguing and I felt this should have been a longer book because I really wanted to know more about these two. Overall, a great story that fit nicely in the anthology.

Finally, My Big Fat Hairy Wedding by Robyn Peterman. I got to admit this one had me laughing hysterically at times. Swoozie is a forty-five supermodel but also a werewolf who is marrying the Devil’s grandson. Add in a soon to be Mother-in-Law from Hell, the fact she doesn’t make friends easy and more well, let’s just say let the good times roll. This story was by far the perfect introduction to Ms. Peterman’s writing. The characters were highly entertaining, intriguing and one of the few stories that I can honestly say had me laughing from the first page to the last. I never wanted to know more about Swoozie and the rest of the gang than I did reading this story. The sheer fun that was in the story had me right from the start and I know I am going to check out this author’s books in the paranormal women’s fiction genre to see what else I can get my hands on.

Overall, AGED TO PERFECTION has some hits out of the ballpark and a few misses for me. The writing for some of the stories were fast paced and entertaining where a few others were just slow to heat up for me. I can say for the most part there were more hits than misses in this anthology for me that isn’t always the case. If you are looking for an anthology that gives you a mix of authors (new and old), stores to see if something may intrigue you to look more at the author’s books then try AGED TO PERFECTION and settle in for a fun time. I can highly recommend this anthology if you never read a paranormal women’s fiction book before. Perfect choice on a cold winter’s night.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

SHADOW WEB by Yasmine Galenorn

Nightqueen Enterprises
November 30^th, 2021
ASIN: B09BZYP8P9
Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Ghosts, mystery, Romance
Ebook ARC
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Author
4 Hearts

It’s Thanksgiving in Moonshadow Bay and January is hosting her first holiday dinner for friends and family. The Witch’s Guild has her working on a research project which has her with an unexpected houseguest in Tarvish the Funtime Demon who somehow downloaded into her house while doing the solstice research. On top of that, January’s grandmother, Rowan, asks her and Ari to go undercover to figure out a pyramid scheme that moved into the town and is doing more than taking money from its recruits. The danger heats up as January and Ari go undercover to figure things out there, but they have to keep their eyes wide open for if the leader of this scheme discovers their plan, danger will be more than they can handle. The holidays in Moonshadow Bay are heating up and it looks like its going to be an adventure in Moonshadow Bay.

Woot, SHADOW WEB delivers the holidays to Moondshadow Bay in a way that had me glued to the kindle as I flipped the pages. This time Yasmine Galenorn delivers two mysteries to solve though one is lighter than the other and easier to solve than the other. I enjoy this series so much. January is character I can relate to and its fun to see her interactions with everyone in her inner circle plus a few new characters pop in that had me wondering how they will go from here in the series. Plus, we got to know more about the town of Moonshadow Bay as well as Rowan., January’s grandmother as well. The writing is top notch as usual, and I was lost within this spectacular world Ms. Galenorn created. I got to admit, if Moonshadow Bay was real I would love to visit as it sounds awesome and friendly.

This time, January is hosting her first Thanksgiving dinner and man, I don’t envy her in the least. It’s a daunting task but January is up for it even as she finds herself tasked with other things by the Witch’s Guild and her grandmother. I loved how the author convey’ s January’s issues in a positive way with everything. From dealing with her ex-husband to the daunting task of hosting a holiday meal for friends and family. January is someone I could see being friends with as well as Ari and the rest of the gang. They are so lifelike and complex; you can’t help but enjoy them all. I do caution that even if you read this book first, its best to go from the beginning as you can see how January grows with each book in her powers, her life and more. It’s a lovely pleasure to read her journey into standing on her own two feet and I liked seeing her soar with each book as she gained confidence in herself. SHADOW WEB delivers the perfect Thanksgiving story to start your holiday reading off right and I am eager to see what happens next in Moonshadow Bay as well with January and the gang.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

THE LILAC HOUSE by Barbara Josselsohn

Publisher:      ‎ Bookouture
Published:      March 10, 2020
ISBN:      ‎ 978-1838881580
Genre:     Women’s Fiction
Format:     Print from Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

 FOUR HEARTS

Not long after their marriage Greg and Anna Harris bought Lilac House in Lake Summers, New York. They fell in love with the house and the town and spent every summer in the quaint, welcoming town. When their children, Zac and Evie came along they too came to love the house. It became a refuge and a place to recharge. And then everything came crashing down—determined to return home in the middle of a horrendous storm Greg died. Anna now has to deal with the aftermath of his death—two children trying to pull their lives together, selling the house and moving on. There is hope for her in the person of her Aunt Hope.

 

Hope had already moved to Lake Summers and has opened a dance studio and store. Anna is thrilled with Lilac Pointe, Hope’s shop and her plans. But there are secrets behind the plans…secrets from Greg and Hope. In an attempt to help Hope increase revenue to the store she goes to the city hall and there she meets Aidan Lawrence. Aidan not only offers some wonderful suggestions, there is an attraction between the two. As they become closer to each other it becomes clear that Aidan too has secrets, secrets that could harm more than one person. Revealing secrets can help or hurt those affected by them. And sometimes revealing them takes great courage. Do Anna, Aidan and Hope have the courage to change their lives?

 

I’m not usually a fan of women’s fiction. Generally I find it depressing to begin with and it goes downhill from there.  Barbara Josselsohn’s THE LILAC HOUSE has its share of sad and depressing moment, but it is an amazing book with the story she tells.  I was entranced by her descriptions of Hope’s dance studio and how she and Anna lived through their dancing. I’ve long enjoyed watching ballet, but after reading THE LILAC HOUSE the movements, the meanings of the steps, take on a new dimension. n for

 

I liked how not only Anna and Aidan consider the needs of those around them as their relationship begins, but also Hope and Koen’s. The characters are fully fleshed out—they have a range of emotions and at times the reader can relate to each one. She also takes on the issues around mental illness…how it can affect the person and those around him. She does it with compassion and understanding and then goes a step further and shows how we can, as a community stand behind someone who is.

 

I missed her debut, The Last Dreamer, but will be catching up with that and continuing with this wonderful series.  THE LILAC HOUSE is a wonderful read – one not only for adults, but perfect for young adults and even pre-teens to enjoy.

 

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

HARVEST WEB by Yasmine Galenorn

Book 4 in Moonshadow Bay Series
Nightqueen Enterprises
October 5^th, 2021
979-8486310706
Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Action, Mystery
Ebook ARC
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.,com)
Obtained by Author
4.5 Hearts

Summer was a quiet one for January and as summer wanes, she finds herself up in more mystery than she can shake a stick at as house renovations release a ghost in her house that has her wondering just what the heck is going on. Plus add in a dead man, a new case for Conjuring Ink with the Whatcom Devil on the move in the area and now January is trying to figure things out as well as stay alive as well. Can January put her house ghost to rest, solve the mystery of the dead body and try to stay away from the Whatcom Devil?

HARVEST WEB starts off slow and the author does a great job in capturing the mood of the beginning of the book- slow, easy and drama free. Well by end of chapter one, it all comes crashing down around January’s head when a mysterious ghost and dead body pop up in her house after renovations are done. I love how Ms. Galenorn continues to deliver a fun, action packed story that is filled with heart and a bit of romantic suspense as well. Her characters in this series feel so normal and life-like to me. It makes me want to pop in and have coffee with January, Ari and the gang one day.

The one thing I can honestly say about HARVEST WEB is how much fun it is. The story has a few twists and turns I don’t see coming and I love knowing more about January’s family, her heritage, and her powers. With every page I flipped, I got lost within HARVEST WEB until I looked up and saw hours passed and I finished the book. Now the waiting begins as the next book, Shadow Web, is out and we see what else is in store for January and the gang.

If you enjoy a fun, action packed paranormal story with characters that grow with each book and keep the reader glued to the seat, then I highly recommend this series for you to enjoy. Each book captivates the reader and I, for one, am eager to see where Ms. Galenorn’s goes with this series.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON by Susan Mallery

HQN Books
February 9^th, 2021
978-1335912794
Women’s fiction, Contemporary Romance
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Self-Purchase
4 Hearts




Mackenzie Dienes loves her life. Her job is fun and interesting in the family winery as an elite winemaker. Her close friends are her in-laws, and she has a beautiful home. But the family in charge of the winery isn’t her family, she just married into it and now her marriage is coming to an end. When her husband agrees that their marriage is over, the pain is unavoidable and Mackenzie is on the brink of losing everything she has come to love about her life: family, job, and friends. But sometimes when one door closes, another opens and when Mackenzie finds the strength to move out on her own, she will find something even more beautiful in her future if she has the strength to just reach for it.

Susan Mallery delivers another stirring story about changes, what makes a family and more in THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON and I can’t help but root for Mackenzie right off the bat. She is plucky, feisty and is very relatable especially as she tries to figure out how to move forward when her life seemingly falls apart. Ms. Mallery is a top-notch writer who captures her characters essence completely within her pages of the book and delivers a wild and heartfelt story in her latest women’s fiction novel. I love how Mackenzie finds the strength to move on and make something for herself instead of just maintaining the status quo with her soon to be ex-husband’s family. Within the pages we find Mackenzie finding the strength to move past the pain to see what the future holds even as her life becomes even more chaotic as her divorce moves forward and a surprise ends up giving her something to ponder and embrace.

THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON is a fast-paced story filled with amazingly complex characters and a setting so lush, it makes me want to go visit the place. Her characters are surprisingly relatable, and I found myself enjoying all of them even the soon to be ex-husband even if he is a dog at the end. This is truly one of her finest books to date and one I look forward to reading again.

If you enjoy a wonderful story filled with unique and entertaining characters and a setting that will make you long for a wine tour in Napa Valley, then grab THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON and get ready for an adventure that will leave you hooked from start to finish. I look forward to seeing where this author goes next as well as hoping we see more about Mackenzie and her endeavors in the future if possible.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement