A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

Title: A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon (Glimmer Falls #1)

Author: Sarah Hawley

Publisher: Berkley 2023

Genre: Romance

Pages: 367

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Spooky Season

Where I Got It: Library

Spice Rating: 5

Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.

Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can't leave Mariel's side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).

But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she's dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she'll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.

Oh another delightful spooky-lite romance featuring a very hot MMC. I do love a bit of a sunshine and grump trope mixed with forced proximity. This fun romp has both of those things. I really enjoyed the wild ride that Mariel is forced to take with Oz as they navigate her accidental summoning of a bargainer demon. We get lots of sexual tension and some fun encounters. I loved seeing these two characters eventually reach an understanding of their own relationship. Plus we get some fun mystery involving the magic in the town. I really really enjoyed this one and cannot wait to read the next one.

Gimmer Falls

#1 A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon
#2 A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch
#3 A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire

Next up on the TBR pile:

Toil & Trouble by Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson

Title: Toil & Trouble: A Women’s History of the Occult

Author: Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson

Publisher: Quirk Books 2022

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Reader

Meet the mystical women and nonbinary people from US history who found strength through the supernatural—and those who are still forging the way today. From the celebrity spirit mediums of the nineteenth century to contemporary activist witches hexing the patriarchy, these icons have long used magic and mysticism to seize the power they’re so often denied.

Organized around different approaches women in particular have taken to the occult over the decades—using the supernatural for political gain, seeking fame and fortune as spiritual practitioners, embracing their witchy identities, and more—this book shines a light on underappreciated magical pioneers,

Even though I knew a lot of the information in this book, I really appreciated how the authors clearly moved through the stories. We get a variety of women, from all sides of the occult world. We get to hear about some of the hidden women of history. Their stories are pulled into the light showing all their strength and resilience. My favorite pieces were obviously all those that I knew nothing about. This is the perfect book for readers wanting to know more about important women in history.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Title: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

Author: Sandu Mandanna

Publisher: Berkley 2022

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 318

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 52 Book Club - Books on the Cover; Romanceopoly - Journey’s End

As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos "pretending" to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.

As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn't the only danger in the world, and when peril comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for....

Our book club pick for August and it was a delightfully warm hug. We enter into a world full of secret witches and oddball characters all looking for a home. Thankfully they find their home, albeit after a few trials and some periods of self-doubt. I fell for every single one of the characters but I think Rosetta was my favorite. All the characters created their own space and place within the family. We get to see how they all fit together into a beautiful tapestry. I’m looking forward to reading the next book from Mandanna.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Title: Her Majesty’s Royal Coven

Author: Juno Dawson

Publisher: Penguin 2022

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 448

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR - Buddy Read Discussion

If you look hard enough at old photographs, we’re there in the background: healers in the trenches; Suffragettes; Bletchley Park oracles; land girls and resistance fighters. Why is it we help in times of crisis? We have a gift. We are stronger than Mundanes, plain and simple.

At the dawn of their adolescence, on the eve of the summer solstice, four young girls--Helena, Leonie, Niamh and Elle--took the oath to join Her Majesty's Royal Coven, established by Queen Elizabeth I as a covert government department. Now, decades later, the witch community is still reeling from a civil war and Helena is the reigning High Priestess of the organization. Yet Helena is the only one of her friend group still enmeshed in the stale bureaucracy of HMRC. Elle is trying to pretend she's a normal housewife, and Niamh has become a country vet, using her powers to heal sick animals. In what Helena perceives as the deepest betrayal, Leonie has defected to start her own more inclusive and intersectional coven, Diaspora. And now Helena has a bigger problem. A young warlock of extraordinary capabilities has been captured by authorities and seems to threaten the very existence of HMRC. With conflicting beliefs over the best course of action, the four friends must decide where their loyalties lie: with preserving tradition, or doing what is right.

Oh goodness! We picked this book hoping for a accessible and lighter read after some heavy choices. It was a much easier read, but one that was loaded with a lot of interesting questions and topics. Right away I picked up on the dichotomy between HMRC and Diaspora. We get some great conversations about race and privilege that harken back to many criticism of Third Wave Feminism. I’m looking forward to discussing the topic deeper during our discussion. We also get some great pieces about identity in general. I loved Niamh and Leonie so much as they try to navigate the intersections of their past and their present. I loved seeing how these two women were still supportive of all their coven sisters even when there were disagreements. I was rooting for both of those women to really come into their own throughout this story. The story itself becomes super fast-paced in the last 1/3 of the novel racing to a final confrontation. I did not quite see the ending playing out like it did, but was really enjoying the story. This volume leaves off on a very big cliffhanger, so beware. I will most definitely be picking up the next one once it’s released.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven

#1 Her Majesty’s Royal Coven
#2 The Shadow Cabinet
#3 untitled

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

Title: The Book of Life (All Souls #3)

Author: Deborah Harkness

Publisher: Viking 2014

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 561

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

After traveling through time in Shadow of Night, the second book in Deborah Harkness’s enchanting series, historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present to face new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home at Sept-Tours, they reunite with the cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency. In the trilogy’s final volume, Harkness deepens her themes of power and passion, family and caring, past deeds and their present consequences. In ancestral homes and university laboratories, using ancient knowledge and modern science, from the hills of the Auvergne to the palaces of Venice and beyond, the couple at last learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago.

Finally finished this wonderful book series. I was all in Diana and Matthew’s story through time. Thankfully this volume was set in the current er and revisited all our favorite characters. I wish we could have seen more from Gallowglass and Miriam, but at least we get more Marcus and Phoebe. I loved the conclusion of the series. Benjamin was a great villain. Plus we get see the downfall of Peter Knox and Gerbert (at least partly). Overall I loved this epic story. Now I need to find another great fantasy series to read.

All Souls Trilogy:

Next up on the TBR pile:

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Title: Shadow of Night (All Souls #2)

Author: Deborah Harkness

Publisher: Viking 2011

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 574

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Monthly Keyword - Night; Dancing with Fantasy and Scifi - Magical Law Enforcement

Picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night takes Diana and Matthew on a trip through time to Elizabethan London, where they are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana seeks out a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey.

The further journey of Diana and Matthew, but this time, we’re in 1590 Europe. Goodness! I was very excited to finally read this second book in the series. Once i dove in, I didn’t want to stop. I loved the larger storyline and all the great characters (both historical and fictional) that we met. I especially loved the various witches Diana meets in London. On a more negative note, I really didn’t like Matthew until about halfway through the book. He was too distant, too much the alpha male, too guarded with all his secrets. He came off as an arrogant asshole and I was not interested at all. Thankfully things turned more positive after their official mating. From there, he started to actually remind me of the Matthew that we met in the first book. All in all, it was a good addition to the series even if I think Harkness could have probably shaved off at least 75 pages.

All Souls Trilogy:

#1 A Discovery of Witches
#2 Shadow of Night
#3 The Book of Life

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Title: A Discovery of Witches

Author: Deborah Harkness

Publisher: Viking 2011

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 579

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Women Authors; Finishing the Series; Dancing with Fantasy and Sci-Fi - Witches

Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

All Souls Trilogy:

#1 A Discovery of Witches
#2 Shadow of Night
#3 The Book of Life

I enjoyed every page of this book! This reminds me of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Apparently, I really enjoy books that revolve around libraries, literature, and/or academic investigations. And of course, I fell for this book as soon as it was set at Oxford in the Bodlein Library. I was hooked! And then we get a good main heroine, although I must say she wasn’t my favorite from page one. But over the course of the book, I really come to like her and want to see the progress of her story. My favorite character is Matthew. This is a vampire done right. We get the allure and the charm and also the threat and the unworldly persona. I completely fell for Matthew within the first 10 pages of meeting him. As the novel progresses, we get to meet lots of other interesting characters (very intrigued by Satu and Marthe) and go on an epic adventure. I was predicting a horrid cliffhanger at the end of this book and it happened. But that’s okay, I waited to read this series after all the parts had been published. I can’t fit in the next book in April probably, but it’s on my list for May!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W. Jantha and Matt Griffin

Title: Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel

Author: A.W. Jantha and Matt Griffin

Publisher: Freeform 2018

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 528

Stars: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Seasonal Series - PoC Characters

Hocus Pocus is beloved by Halloween enthusiasts all over the world. Diving once more into the world of witches, this electrifying two-part young adult novel, released on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 1993 film, marks a new era of Hocus Pocus. Fans will be spellbound by a fresh retelling of the original film, followed by the all-new sequel that continues the story with the next generation of Salem teens.

The book club selection for my newly created club. So I have a bit of mixed feelings about this one. I love love love the movie and by extension I really enjoyed the novelization of the movie that is the first half of this volume. I loved pictured the Sanderson sister running amok on the streets of Salem. I loved the little extra scenes that added into the story from Winnie’s perspective. I really enjoyed the first half. And then we get to the second half and things aren’t quite as good. It wasn’t the storyline or the characters. (Although at times I hoped the characters would act a bit more immature than they were portrayed) What really disappointed me was the first person narration. It was very jarring from the first half of the book. In addition, first person narration often feels very lazy and trite. I just didn’t love Poppy’s voice at all. I was still excited to see the Sanderson sisters, meet their fourth sister, and even meet their mother.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Witches edited by Paula Guran

Title: Witches: Wicked, Wild, and Wonderful

Edited by: Paula Guran

Publisher: Prime Books 2012

Genre: Short Stories; Paranormal

Pages: 375

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fairytale Challenge

Surrounded by the aura of magic, witches have captured our imagination for millennia and fascinate us now more than ever. No longer confined to the image of a hexing old crone, witches can be kindly healers and protectors, tough modern urban heroines, holders of forbidden knowledge, sweetly domestic spellcasters, darkly domineering, sexy enchantresses, ancient sorceresses, modern Wiccans, empowered or persecuted, possessors of supernatural abilities that can be used for good or evil — or perhaps only perceived as such. Welcome to the world of witchery in many guises: wicked, wild, and wonderful!

Overall, a very hit and miss collection of stories. I really enjoyed a few such as "Walpurgis Afternoon" and "Basement Magic." But my favorite was definitely Neil Gaiman's story featuring Bod and the graveyard. The retooling of Rapunzel was also very intriguing. Unfortunately, many of the stories were dull.

The Lost Soul by Gabriella Pierce

Title: The Lost Soul (666 Park Avenue #3)

Author: Gabriella Pierce

Publisher: Alloy 2013

Genre: Paranormal - Witches

Pages: 250

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; 52 Books - W26

Jane Boyle has long since known that her mother-in-law is evil, but she'd never imagined Lynne Doran was actually the embodiment of a powerful, ancient body-snatching demon. Now that Jane has uncovered 666 Park Avenue's dark truth, she must race against the clock to find a way to destroy Lynne before she finds her next unwilling host. As Jane attempts to tap into powers stronger than her enemy's, her estranged husband, Malcolm, arrives in time to join the fight . . . but can she possibly learn to trust him again—before it's too late?

So better than the second book, but not my most favorite of the year. It was a decently satisfying conclusion the story. Jane even grew on me a bit in this volume. And I was excited to see more the Montague clan. Maeve was amazing as always, but I especially loved Emer. I appreciated that people actually died in this year. The stakes were actually high. It added a bit to the series. Overall, not an amazing book, but a decent read.

666 Park Avenue

The Dark Glamour by Gabriella Pierce

Title: The Dark Glamour (666 Park Avenue #2)

Author: Gabriella Pierce

Publisher: Alloy Entertainment 2011

Genre: Paranormal — Witches

Pages: 294

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read Your Freebies; 52 Books - W25

Gossip Girl meets Charmed in Gabriella Pierce’s fabulous follow-up to her debut supernatural romp,666 Park Avenue. Continuing her phenomenal gothic chronicle of witches, covens, and curses, and the darkness lurking behind the glitter of New York high society, Pierce enchants us once again with The Dark Glamour. Fans of Meg Cabot’s Insatiable and LJ Smith’s Vampire Diaries will love this edgy paranormal tale, as the unfortunate bride whose Prince Charming turned out to be the son of an elite Upper East Side witch must now reenter the Park Avenue mansion of horrors she only barely escaped with her life. But this time she has a whole new look…and some powerful new magic tricks up her sleeve.

Still reading this series. Mostly I want to find out what happens to Jane in the end. Plus, it's light and fluffy compared to most of my reads. I guess it's taking the place of my historical romances at the moment. But it's not the best series in the world. I think the characters got a little more interesting in this volume, but not by much. Most of the time I want to smack Jane for her ridiculousness. I'll still be reading the last book in the series.

666 Park Avenue

#1 666 Park Avenue
#2 The Dark Glamour
#3 The Lost Soul

666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce

Title: 666 Park Avenue (666 Park Avenue #1)

Author: Gabriella Pierce

Publisher: William Morrow 2011

Genre: Paranormal -- Witches

Pages: 320

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Mount TBR; New Author; Book to Movie

Elite Upper East Side Witches Rule Park Avenue! 666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce kicks off a wonderfully high concept and richly gothic contemporary series about the darkness lurking behind the gilded halls of New York City high society. For the original Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries fan who’s grown up and is ready for an edgier, more sophisticated read, 666 Park Avenue is the perfect paranormal diversion.

This book has been sitting on my shelf for a few years now. I've just never actually picked it up and started reading. After reading, I have mixed feelings. The writing was good. The characters were okay. But there was something that felt a bit too much like The Vampire Diaries, etc. Too soap opera in its tone. I finished the book and decided that I would probably finish the series, but only because I sorta want to see how it ends.

Television Show:

Wow! That was a waste of my hour. The television show has basically nothing to do with the book series. As far as I can tell from the pilot, the only similarities are that there is a building in New York City and the main female character's name is Jane. That's it! And don't get me started on the acting. It was torture just getting through the first episode. I am officially not going back to the rest of the series. Done and done!

666 Park Avenue

#1 666 Park Avenue
#2 The Dark Glamour
#3 The Lost Soul

2013 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Completed Edition

Look at all these finished challenges! I did good this year...

Goal: 35/35 books DONE!!!!!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)
Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
Gulliver’s Travel’s by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
Her Ladyships Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
The Sandman Vol. 11 (9/27/13)
The Sandman Vol. 12 (9/27/13)
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (9/29/13)
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)
Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)
Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!!

The Required Categories:

19th Century Classic — Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (12/18/13)
20th Century Classic — The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
Pre-18th or 18th Century Classic — Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
Classic that relates to the African-American Experience – The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
Classic Adventure — The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
Classic that prominently features an Animal - Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne(9/10/13)

Optional Categories:

Re-read a Classic — Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
Classic Non-Fiction title –The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
Classic Children’s/Young Adult title — The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
Classic Short Stories – The Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
Sandition by Jane Austen (12/18/13)

Goal: 5/5 books DONE!!!!!!

The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)

Goal: 60/60 Books DONE!!!!!!!!

Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
Locke and Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (1/4/13)
Locke and Key Vol 2: Head Games (1/4/13)
Locke and Key Vol 3: Crown of Shadows (1/5/13)
Locke and Key Vol 4: Keys to the Kingdom (1/6/13)
MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
Boneshaler by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)

Goal: 52/52 books DONE!!!!!

Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/13/14)
Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/13/13)
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/22/13)
Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (7/24/13)
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
The Sandman Vol. 11: The Dream Hunters (9/27/13)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)
Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
Sandition by Jane Austen (12/18/13)

Goal: 15/15 books DONE!!!!!!

History- US, World, European – Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
Autobiography, Biography, Memoir – A Long Way Gone by Ishamel Beah (1/21/13)
Food – Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
Family, Relationships, Parenting, Dating, Love – MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
Music, Film, TV – Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
Health, Medicine – Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy – The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
Anthropology, Archaeology – Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
How To – A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman (9/10/13)
Cultural Studies – Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
Business, Finance, Management – The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
Home – Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
Crafts – B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
Technology – Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
Government – Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)

Goal: 12/12 Books DONE!!!!!

January (cold) – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
February (family) – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
March (valley) – Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
April (garden) – The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
May (name) – Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
June (never) – Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
July – Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
August – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
September (shadow) – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
October (witch) – Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
November (number) – The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
December – The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)

Goal: 20/20 movies/books DONE!!!!

The Reader (1/24/13)
Mansfield Park (2/3/13)
A Game of Thrones (1/9/13)
One Day (1/29/13)
The Secret Garden (4/30/13)
Emma (5/22/13)
Never Let Me Go (6/20/13)
Coraline (3/21/13)
Stardust (4/11/13)
Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
300 (2/12/13)
Warm Bodies (6/13/13)
The Color Purple (6/24/13)
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (6/26/13)
Guns, Germs, and Steel (8/12/13)
The Host (8/24/13)
Pride and Prejudice (8/28/13)
The Count of Monte Cristo (11/22/13)
Gulliver’s Travels (10/3/13)
The Road (12/6/13)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!

Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)

Goal: 20/20 books DONE!!!!

300 (2/12/13)
Cowboys and Aliens (2/9/13)
The Walking Dead Book 5 (5/14/13)
Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
Wanted (1/2/13)
Chicken with Plums (1/2/13)
Locke and Key Vol. 1 (1/4/13)
Locke and Key Vol. 2 (1/4/13)
Locke and Key Vol. 3 (1/5/13)
Locke and Key Vol. 4 (1/6/13)
Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel (3/1/13)
Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
American Vampire Vol. 1 (8/21/13)
Hyperbole and Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)

Goal: 5/5 books DONE!!!!

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)

Goal: 6/6 books DONE!!!!!

Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)

Goal: 12/12 books DONE!!!!!

Translated fiction – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
Historical mystery – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
Romantic suspense – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
Made into a movie – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
New Adult – Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker Smith (11/7/13)
Urban Fantasy –London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
Memoir – Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
LGBT – Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)
Action Adventure –The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
Humour– Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
Published in 2013 – And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)

Goal: 5/5 books DONE!!!!

The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)

Goal: 15/15 books DONE!!!!!

Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
Gulliver’s Travel by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)

Goal: 15/15 books DONE!!!!!!!

ROMANCE

Contemporary – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
Historical – Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
Paranormal – Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)

HORROR

Science Fiction – London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
Psychological – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
Young Adult – Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)

THRILLER/SUSPENSE

Historical – A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
Action – Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
Supernatural – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)

SCIENCE/FANTASY

Vampire – Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
Epic Fantasy – A Game of Thrones by George Martin (1/9/13)

MYSTERY/CRIME

Historical – The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
Romantic – Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
Classic Whodunit – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King (2/26/13)

Goal: 25/25 Ebooks DONE!!!!!

The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson (2/26/13)
Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
Coraline by Neil Gaiman (3/21/13)
300 (2/12/13)
Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (9/10/13)
Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (9/20/13)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)

Goal: 8/8 series DONE!!!!

Started in 2012

Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series (6,7,8,9,10,11,12) (9/27/13)
Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series (3) (7/24/13)
Kendare Blake’s Anna Dressed in Blood series (2) (3/11/13)

Started in 2013

Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) (10/5/13)
Jennifer Armintrout’s Lightworld/Darkworld series (1,2,3) – DNF’d
Nora Robert’s Morrigan’s Cross series (1,2,3) (3/17/13)
Ally Condie’s Matched series (1,2,3) (7/12/13)
Susan Wiggs’ Chicago Fire series (1,2,3) (6/13/13)
Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles (1,2,3,4,5) (9/5/13)

Goal: 15/15 books DONE!!!!!

Neverwhere (3/30/13)
Good Omens (1/10/13)
Coraline (3/21/13)
Stardust (4/11/13)
M is for Magic (9/1/13)
Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
Sandman Vol 8 (8/29/13)
Sandman Vol 9 (8/29/13)
Sandman Vol 10 (8/29/13)
Sandman Vol 11 (9/27/13)
Sandman Vol 12 (9/27/13)
Anansi Boys (10/7/13)
The Graveyard Book (9/20/13)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (9/29/13)

Goal: 30/30 books DONE!!!!!

Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
The Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
The Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
The Host by Stephenie Meyer (8/24/13)
The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
The Sandman Vol. 9 (8/29/13)
The Sandman Vol. 10 (8/29/13)
M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)

What's in a Name 6 hosted by www.BethFishReads.com

Goal: 6/6 Books DONE!!!!!!

Up or Down: Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
Kitchen Find: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
Party or Celebration: The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
Fire: Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
Emotion: Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
Lost or Found: Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)

Goal: 18/18 Books DONE!!!!!!

Contemporary – One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
Historical – The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
Paranormal – Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
Fantasy – A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
Romance – The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
Thriller – The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/12)
Nonfiction – The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
Women’s Fiction – The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
Chick Lit – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/1713)
Dystopian – Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
Horror – Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
Biography – Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
Fairy Tales – The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
Classics – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
SciFi – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
Short Stories – The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
Erotica – Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
Epic Fantasy – A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors DONE!!!!!

Jane Austen (1/21/13)
Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
Ally Condie (3/1/13)
Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
Paula McLain (7/7/13)
Kate Morton (2/14/13)
Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
Lynne Thomas (2/3/13)
Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
Alice Walker (6/24/13)
Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors DONE!!!!!!

Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
David Brin (5/27/13)
Ally Condie (2/21/13)
Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
Steven Harper (5/4/13)
Joe Hill (1/4/13)
Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
Laurie King (2/26/13)
Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
David Levithan (8/15/13)
George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
David Nicholls (1/29/13)
Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
Darren Shan (4/14/13)
Steve Tally (1/14/13)
Jen Turano (1/3/13)

Goal: 24/24 books DONE!!!!!

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
A Game of Thrones: Graphic Novel Vol. 1 (3/1/13)
Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
London Eye by Time Lebbon (3/15/13)
The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
The Walking Dead Book Five (5/14/13)
The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/113/13)
Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
Reached by Ally Condie (7/12/13)

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Title: The Lace Reader

Author: Brunonia Barry

Publisher: William Morrow 2009

Genre: Mystery; Paranormal

Pages: 416

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Witches and Witchcraft; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I own it

Every gift has a price . . . every piece of lace has a secret.
Towner Whitney, the self-confessed unreliable narrator, hails from a family of Salem women who can read the future in the patterns in lace, and who have guarded a history of secrets going back generations. Now the disappearance of two women is bringing Towner back home to Salem—and is bringing to light the shocking truth about the death of her twin sister.

This book has been sitting on my shelves for awhile now. I finally brought it down to read and I am so glad I did. To be completely honest, I was not sucked in right away. The story is a slow build. We only get bits and pieces of the past and why it matters. And yet, I knew there would be some amazing if I just kept reading. Towner is an interesting character. I don't necessarily relate to her, but she intrigues me. In fact, all of the women in the novel were intriguing. I feel like the male characters weren't as fleshed out at the women, but it's a nice change of pace from male centric novels. I loved the mystery of the story. I love the way everything came together in the mind, even if it wasn't what I thought was going to happen. I loved the atmosphere of Salem. The town seemed almost like another character in the story. Overall, this was such a joy to read.

Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Witches 101: A Witches of East End Primer

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2011

Genre: Paranormal; Witches

Pages: 63

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Witches and Witchcraft; Monthly Key Word - October; ebook; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: iPad read

Almost three million copies of The Blue Bloods series in print, Melissa de la Cruz has now written her first paranormal romance for adults, on sale June 21st. The first in the Beauchamp Series, the book features a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites. It’s a page-turning, heart-stopping, magical summer read, fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.
But before you read the book, meet the Witches! In this primer, you’ll meet the three Beauchamp women – Joanna, Ingrid, and Freya – learn a little bit about their special powers, and even get some tips so you can cast a few spells of your own.

Hmm... This was a free teaser ebook for the new Witches of East End series. I was intrigued by the series concept and the appearance of the Beauchamps in the Blue Bloods series. The ebook itself gives the reader a chapter about each of the Beauchamps. We are teased with a larger mystery and storyline. it definitely doesn't stand on its own, but I am fairly interested in reading the series now. I just kinda wish this was a full story to get us into the series, instead of the opening chapters.

MoM #23: ParaNorman

Title: ParaNorman

Year Released/Rating: 2012 PG

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Directed By: Chris Butler, Sam Fell

Written By: Chris Butler

Genre: Animation, Adventure

Star Rating: 5/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia:

During the last few weeks leading up to the film's release, Laika sent 49 packages to 49 people (including Neil Gaiman and Kevin Smith). Each package consisted of a wooden crate from "Blithe Hollow" full of "grave dirt" which recipients had to dig through to unearth a coffin. Inside the coffin was one of the seven cursed zombies, complete with background information and name.
Save for Judge Hopkins, the seven cursed zombies are not referred to by name, but they did have names: the aforementioned Judge Hopkins, Eben Hardwick, Thaddeus Blackton, Lemuel Spalding, Amelia Wilcot, Goodie Temper, and Wile London.
The story is set in the town of Blithe Hollow, whose name is a mash-up of two other ghost stories: Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit and Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Summary: A misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

Review:

How did I miss this movie? This is the cutest, most inventive animated film that I've seen in a long time. I love the style, the storyline, the characters. I loved everything about it. I must caution that it is not for the faint of heart. It may be animated, but it's rated PG for a reason. There are some great scares in this one. Plus you get witches, zombies, and ghosts. What more could you ask for?

Best Bits:

Norman Babcock: I'd like to be alone.
Neil: So do I! Let's do this together!
Neil: Don't make me throw this hummus... it's spicy!
Mr. Prenderghast: Pssstttt, you know who I am? Neil: The weird stinky old bum who lives up the hill? Mr. Prenderghast: [Points at Norman] I was asking him!
Courtney: Mom, tell the Zombie to stop saying stuff about me!
Neil: Can you see my dog, Bub? He was hit by an animal rescue van. Tragic and ironic.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Title: Garden Spells

Author: Sarah Addison Allen

Publisher: Bantam 2008

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 290

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Witches and Witchcraft; New Author; TBR Pile; 52 Books - Week 8

How I Got It: I own it!

The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures.A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.

I am including this book in my witches and witchcraft challenge, but it's a bit of a stretch. The Waverleys are witch-like. They know things and have very specific gifts, but they don't do spells or have unlimited powers. I see them more as natural witches, in tune with nature and the rhythms of the earth. That said, I absolutely loved this book. It's a great story of two sisters finding their places in the world. It reminded me a lot of Practical Magic, but a much better version. I felt very connected to Sydney on an emotional level. I desperately wanted her to find her way in the world and be content. And Evanelle is a hoot! Such a great character. The only thing I didn't love: the quick ending. You know someone is going to appear before the end of the book, but the appearance and then wrap-up seems a bit too convenient. I would have liked a bit longer for the conclusion. But overall, I adored this book. I want to get to Allen's other books...

2013 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Challenge Rules:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2013. I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)
Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.
Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.
Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.
You can move up levels, but no moving down.
Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:

Initiate: Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books

Maiden: Read 6 - 10 Witchy Books

Mother: Read 11 - 15 Witchy Books

Crone: Read 16 - 20 Witchy Books

The Prize:

Witchy book of choice up to $10 from The Book Depository!

Participants who have officially signed up by linking up a sign-up post declaring their level will be given one entry for every review they link up. The more reviews you write and link up, the more entries in the contest! An additional entry will be given to any who complete or exceed their challenge level! Winner will be chosen on Jan 11th 2014 to give everyone a chance to link up their end of year reviews.

I'm going for the Initiate Level of 5 books.

My TBR List:

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Storm Glass by Maria Snyder
Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz
TBD
TBD