Category Archives: Contests and Giveaways

Summer Skate by Sean Avery /Leslie Cohen-review & giveaway

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Summer Skate by Sean Avery /Leslie Cohen-review & giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 9, 2025

Summer has begun on the East End of Long Island and bestselling author Jessica Riley finds herself unable to deliver on her highly anticipated second book. Her children are demanding. Her husband is preoccupied. With a deadline looming, she fakes a mental breakdown to get away . . . only to find that the house next door is filled with rowdy hockey players.

One of those players is Carter Hughes, a soon-to-be rookie on the New York Rangers, and in Carter and his friends, Jessica discovers a treasure trove of material for her next book. But she quickly finds herself in over her head, as her connection with Carter spirals out of control and his behavior becomes more erratic. Meanwhile, as Carter mixes with the power scene in the Hamptons, one false move could turn what was supposed to be a summer of training and good times into a game he can’t afford to play.

•••••••

REVIEW:SUMMER SKATE, co-authored by former NHL hockey player Sean Avery, and Leslie Cohen, is a contemporary, adult, romance story line focusing on thirty-five year old, author Jessica Riley, and NHL rookie Carter Hughes.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jessica and Carter) SUMMER SKATE follows author Jessica Riley, a married, mother of two children, who has lost her muse. With a deadline fast approaching, Jessica opts for a month alone in the Hamptons but never expects to fall for her neighbor, a rookie NHL player, who knows what he wants, and he wants our story line heroine. Carter Hughes is a player both on and off the ice; a reputation for aggressive play, and contentious face to face moments in his public life. Spending the summer in the Hamptons, with his best friends, hockey players and former college teammates Jack Thomas aka JT and Scott Harper, Carter discovers that his actions off the ice are about to affect the world in which he plays. Falling for his neighbor Jessica Riley was never what he expected but as a married woman, Jessica is struggling with the reality of the family she left behind., and everything she could lose.

The world building follows Jessica and Carter as they navigate the invisible line between love and lust, marriage and infidelity. Carter knows Jessica is married but our ‘hero’ wants the woman he cannot have: Jessica’s guilt about her attraction forces our heroine to come to terms with the present, the taboo nature of their relationship, and the possibility of losing everything in the future. Set against the rich and famous of the Hamptons, Carter discovers his actions are being watched, while Jessica is hoping to survive with her life intact.

The relationship between Jessica and Carter is a married, older woman/ younger man. Carter’s professional life is just beginning but their actions could prove to be a detriment to them both. Jessica struggles with her attraction to a Carter while Carter is hoping for a summer fling before his professional life takes off. The $ex scenes are passionate, but mostly implied, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Carter’s friends and roommates, JT and Harper, both of whom party hard without thought to the consequences of their actions. There are several social media influencers; the team owners and agents, as well as the paparazzi who can destroy careers with the click of a button.

SUMMER SKATE is a story of secrets and lies, attraction and need, infidelity and questionable actions. The premise is entertaining yet challenging in that the actions of the main characters are controversial and for many problematic, but saying that, many of the darker romance story lines present characters with over the top behavior without consequences, and are acceptable as a romantic tale. The romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

The Reading Cafe and BenBella Books (Simon & Schuster) are graciously offering a HARD COVER copy of THUNDER GAME to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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10. Giveaway runs from September 11- 15, 2025

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The Ever King by LJ Andrews – Review & Giveaway

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The Ever King by LJ Andrews – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
They stole his crown, so he stole their daughter…

For years Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.

Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.

She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

Welcome to the passionate world of the Ever Kingdom where pirates, sirens, and fae collide with Vikings in a dark fantasy romance between a villain and the innocent princess who holds his heart.

 

 

 

Review:

The Ever King by LJ Andrews is the first book in her The Ever Seas series. We meet Erik Bloodsinger, who is the King of Ever; with his people desperate to heal their lands. Erik, is the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father. Erik decides to kidnap his enemy’s daughter, Livia, as he plays a vicious game of revenge; but he cannot let the past memories get in the way of his plan to give her back to her to her father, the fae King, in exchange for the magical mantle.

Livie Ferus remembers the boy who many years ago was kept in prison, and she loved to read to him (even if he was the enemy). Erik remembered the kindness Livie showed him.  Livie always heard rumors about the bad Ever people; as she thought she knew they were violent and ruthless. Livie was strong, compassionate, spirited, fierce, caring and in time she knows she is the light to his darkness. Even though they both at times hated each other.

Both Livie and Erik began to have strong feelings for each other.  She would listen to him, not jump to conclusions; and Livie was willing to stand for herself and Erik. Even though Erik was ruthless and unforgiving, he knew he was falling in love with Livie. Their relationship between them progressed as their romance battled the way from hate to love.  They both recognized each other’s darkness. 

I loved the part where Erik no longer listens to others on the council, since he wears the crown of Ever. He points to Livie, claiming that he is their King, and she is mine.  She is the Ever Queen.  The first Ever Queen. I loved this part.

The Ever King is a fast-paced fantasy, enemies to lovers, sirens, witches and faes.  The ending is a cliffhanger, with an amazing twist.  The Ever King was very well written by LJ Andrews. I cannot wait for the next book.  I suggest you read The Ever King.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Berkley is graciously offering a paper copy of The Ever King by LJ Andrews to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from August 7th – 11th , 2025

 

 

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It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle – Review & Giveaway

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It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle – Review & Giveaway

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Description:
Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

Review:

It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle is the 17th book in her Harmony (Ghost Hunters) series. We meet Leona Griffin, who is a gifted para-archeologist, having a powerful psychic ability. Leona is asked by her boss to attend a reception at the Antiquarian Society where she will use her para-abilities in authenticating a few items being offered to those interested in the artifacts. Her high profile ability attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors.

When a dead body is discovered, she joins hands with museum director Oliver Rancourt, as they try to track the source of crystal relics, as well as learn more of the missing Vortex. Oliver has powerful talents on his own.  Oliver helps Leona escape just as the police raid the place looking for stolen artifacts. The chemistry between Oliver and Leona was sizzling, as their attraction to each other, searching for the truths, which would require both to reveal their own secrets.

Oliver asks Leona to go to Lost Creek with him, to search for a vortex machine that is believed to enhance people’s psychic talents. Lost Creek turns into a dangerous town, where the locals are obsessed with a legend involving a long-dead cult leader and serious paranormal experiments.

I loved Roxy, the adorable dust bunny, who becomes attached to Leona.  Roxy turns out to be a wonderful aid to their search in helping find the clues; as well as being a wonderful source of amusement.  Roxy was a great addition, and lots of fun.

It Takes a Psychic was a strong, charming, independent heroes (Leona-Oliver), crazy relatives, fantastic dust bunny, many villains to fight off; and wonderful romance.  It Takes a Psychic was very well written by Jayne Castle.  I look forward to from the world Harmony.   

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

                    IT TAKES A PSYCHIC -Excerpt

The psi-lock was relatively simple. It had been designed to keep the dust bunnies inside, not to keep humans from opening it. She touched it with her fingertips, rezzed her senses, and unlocked the door.

The dust bunnies tumbled out. They bounced up and down in front of her-she got the feeling she was being thanked, and then all of them-including the one that had gotten her attention in the gallery and led her to the lab-dashed out the door and vanished into the dark hallway. Evidently they didn’t need her help to escape the mansion.

“Guess my work here is done,” she said under her breath.

But the discovery of the imprisoned dust bunnies put a new light on the Society. She had been well aware that the organization was one of the university’s major donors-that was why she had been sent to the gala-and she’d suspected that several of the members dabbled in the gray market. Avid collectors were obsessive by nature. They rarely went out of their way to ensure the legal provenance of valuable artifacts.

But discovering that the Society was conducting research using dust bunnies as test subjects was too much. It could not be overlooked. She would report the news to the director of the para-archaeology department when she met with him in the morning. Morton Bullinger might be willing to ignore issues of sketchy provenances, but even he could not ignore this. He would have to take the information to the university’s board of directors and they would be forced to confront the endowment fund people. There was no way the institution could continue to accept money from the Society.

She started toward the door. She was tempted to examine some of the more interesting artifacts on the workbenches, but she had taken enough risks. She could not afford to get caught inside the lab.

She changed her mind when the beam of her flashlight swept across a gracefully curved black crystal bowl in a glass case. She could feel the disturbing vibe of power in the object from across the room.

Curious, she went closer and rezzed her senses a little. The bowl was definitely Alien in origin and there was a lot of energy locked in the object. Fascinated, she put her fingertips on the lock of the glass case.

A sharp frisson of awareness sparked across her senses, rattling her already tense nerves. She was no longer alone. She whirled around, struggling to come up with a believable explanation for her obviously illicit presence in the lab. She was good at thinking on her feet but there were not a lot of options here. Something along the lines of the classic I was looking for the restroom would have to do. It was weak, but combined with her temporarily famous status and her connection to the university, it might work.

She opened her mouth to start talking very fast but she went blank when the beam of her flashlight illuminated the man in the slightly rumpled tux standing in the doorway. She recognized him immediately. She had picked him out of the crowd earlier in the evening when she realized she was being watched. Somehow she had known he was the one who had been keeping an eye on her. She had concluded that he was either undercover security or a professional antiquities thief. The one thing she had been certain of was that he was not the boring, harmless-looking collector he was pretending to be.

Oh, shit.

“Good evening, Dr. Griffin,” he said. He adjusted his black-framed glasses. “I thought I’d lost you. Are you selecting a little souvenir to take with you when you leave tonight? I don’t blame you. There are some very nice items in the Society’s collection.”

***

He thought she was a thief.

Under the circumstances, that made sense-after all, she was not supposed to be in the lab. But that left his own status unclarified. Was he a security guard, or did he plan to steal one of the artifacts himself? If she were a betting woman, she would have put her money down on the latter possibility. She was quite sure she was dealing with a professional thief. He probably saw her as competition and, maybe, a threat.

There was nothing notable about him-nothing at all-and that was precisely what had given her goose bumps. A man like this one ought not be the sort who got overlooked in a crowd, yet that was exactly what had happened out there in the ballroom. He had moved through the throng of well-dressed guests as if he were a ghost.

Not that he went completely unnoticed. On a subconscious, psychic level, people were aware of him. She had watched, intrigued, as individuals moved out of his way when they sensed his aura. A powerful energy field had that effect on others.

As far as she could tell, she was the only one who had really paid attention to him. She was pretty sure there was only one explanation for his near-invisibility-he possessed some serious talent. Yet he was going out of his way to try to conceal it. His ability to do that was even more interesting.

At one point he had cruised past her while she sipped a glass of sparkling water and pretended to admire a statue of the Society’s founder. She’d caught a glimpse of specter-cat eyes behind the lenses of the black-framed glasses and picked up the vibe of his powerful energy field. It would be very easy to underestimate this man. She would not make that mistake.

________________________________________
Excerpted from It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle Copyright © 2025 by Jayne Castle. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.


 

 

Berkley is graciously offering a paper copy of It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Thunder Game (GhostWalker) by Christine Feehan-review & giveaway

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💚Thunder Game (GhostWalker 20) by Christine Feehan-review & giveaway💚

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 6, 2025

Diego Campos has come home to die. The GhostWalker is tired of walking a dark path shaped by countless losses. There has never been a moment of good in his life that wasn’t followed by something bad. But as he makes his way to his family’s homestead in the Appalachian Mountains, his plans are interrupted by a violent ambush that sets his life on a new course.

In between fighting off a small army of assailants, Diego is struck by a beautiful, brutal warrior woman unlike anyone he’s encountered before. Compelled to rescue her, Diego uses his psychic gifts to make Leila’s broken body whole again and save her from certain death. With each new breath she regains her strength, showcasing her humor, intelligence and courage as she reveals the truths of her past and inspires feelings Diego never thought his heart could experience.

After a lifetime alone, in the middle of firefight, Diego has finally found a light to guide him through the darkness—and one brief touch is enough to set them both aflame.

••••••

REVIEW:THUNDER GAME is the twentieth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult GHOSTWALKERS paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of enhanced men and women known as the GhostWalkers (GW). These ‘super soldiers’ were once part of an unauthorized government experiment performed by Dr. Peter Whitney. The original GhostWalkers struggled without a female anchor, a female whose genetic and enhanced powers were often in tandem with the men involved. This is Diego Campos, and Leila Fenton’s story line. THUNDER GAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Leila & Diego) THUNDER GAME follows Team Four GW Diego Campos as he returns to his home in the Appalachian Mountains where he reconsiders the direction of his life. Sensing other enhanced soldiers nearby, Diego will find himself in a firefight and rescue of the woman with whom he will fall in love. Leila Fenton had been a prisoner and a test subject of General Phil Chariot, but her younger sister Bridget was struggling with the abuse performed by Dr. Peter Whitney. Desperate to save her sister, Leila left a part of herself behind in Chariot’s compound, taking refuge with a great uncle in the Appalachian Mountains but our couple will find themselves defending against several enhanced teams of soldiers, many of whom were battling the enhancements themselves.

The world building follows the rapidly building relationship between Diego and Leila as our couple must defend themselves against the enhanced soldiers sent to destroy their lives. One of Diego’s abilities is revealed, something with which he struggles to come to terms in the face of emotional and physical abuse as a child. A powerful GhostWalker, Diego’s low sense of self-esteem is the antithesis of the usually confident super soldier.

The relationship between Diego and Leila begins as a rescue but one of immediate attraction. Although the author has altered and revised some of the enhancements and ‘fated mate’ qualities as the series develops, Diego knows Leila is the woman that calls to his heart. And similarly to his brother Ruben Campo’s story line LIGHTNING GAME, there is little to no focus on the sexual needs and wants of our story line hero. There is one-lone, tepid $ex scene, only warranting a few sentences in the story.

There is another large ensemble cast of enterprising, familiar, supernatural and powerful secondary and supporting characters including several members of Diego’s GhostWalkers Team Four who are determined to protect their brother: Ezekiel (Bellisia), Mordichai and Malichai Fortunes, Colonel Joe Spagnola, Gino Mazzo (Zara), Wyatt and Pepper Fontenot, and everybody’s favorite grandmother Nonny Fontenot: Logan Maxwell (Team Two), and Trap Dawkins, whom the author seeks to remind the reader at every opportunity of Dawkins neurodiversity, in the face of the negativity and backlash of Trap’s book VIPER GAME. We are introduced to General Phil Chariot, another career military officer determined to create his own team of super soldiers; Leila’s sister Bridget, and their great uncle Luther. The requisite evil has many faces

THUNDER GAME is a partly introspective look at one man’s struggle with his life and the choices he has made; a story of power and control, betrayal and action, family and friendships, relationships and love . The premise is inviting and edgy; the characters are animated and dynamic; the romance is limited but passionate.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.

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The Reading Cafe and Berkley/Random House are graciously offering a HARD COVER copy of THUNDER GAME to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper-review & giveaway

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The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper-review & giveaway

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 1, 2025

When a young librarian discovers historic dollhouses in a hidden room, she embarks on an unexpected journey that reveals surprising secrets about the lost miniatures.

Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco, is meticulously dedicated to the century’s worth of inventory housed in her beloved Beaux Art building. She loves the calm and order in the shelves of books and walls of art. But Tildy’s life takes an unexpected turn when she, first, learns the library is on the verge of bankruptcy and, second, discovers two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses.

After finding clues hidden within these remarkable miniatures, Tildy sets out to decipher the secret history of the dollhouses, aiming to salvage her cherished library in the process. Her journey introduces her to a world of ambitious and gifted women in Belle Époque Paris, a group of scarred World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney’s bustling Burbank studio in the 1950s. As Tildy unravels the mystery, she finds not only inspiring, hidden history, but also a future for herself—and an astonishing familial revelation.

Spanning the course of a century, The Library of Lost Dollhouses is a warm, bright, and captivating story of secrets and love that embraces the importance of illuminating overlooked women.

•••••

REVIEW:THE LIBRARY OF LOST DOLLHOUSES by Elise Hooper focuses on the discovery of a secret room at the Belva Curtis Lefarge Library in San Francisco, a library and museum that will struggle to remain open in the wake of changing times.

Told from first person perspective (Cora Hale) and third person (Mathilda ‘Tildy’ Barrows) following several (non-linear) timelines from 1910-1974 and 2024, THE LIBRARY OF LOST DOLLHOUSES is a story of historical fiction that focuses on Tildy Barrows as the journeys through the past in the hopes of discovering the truth about the what she found in the secret room at the Belva Curtis Lefarge Library. In 2024, Tildy Barrows is the Head Curator at the archival library, and finding a collection of exquisite and detailed miniature dollhouses pushes Tildy to unravel a centuries old mystery including the history about a painting titled Young Woman in Hat but as Tildy begins her search for the truth, the reality will change the course of history for not only for Tildy but everyone involved.

The backstory begins in 1910 when we are introduced to a young woman named Cora Hale, and for the next six decades we are up close and personal with the talents of a woman forced to hide her true self but a woman who also hides the stories of the woman who have been purged from history, for who they were, and what they did. As Tildy begins to dig deeper into the past, her own family history will become entwined with the stories buried in the miniatures and Cora Hale.

THE LIBRARY OF LOST DOLLHOUSES is a slow building story blending some historical fact with fiction focusing on secrets and lies hidden by the talents of Cora Hale. From two world wars, to the inception of Disneyland and beyond, the fictional Cora and her talent tell a story that remained hidden for close to one hundred years. The premise is detailed and imaginative; the characters are numerous and unique.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

From the author’s website:

Social Media: Facebook/ Instagram/ Website/ Goodreads/

A native New Englander, Elise Hooper spent several years writing for television and online news outlets before getting a MA and teaching high-school literature and history. Her debut novel The Other Alcott was a nominee for the 2017 Washington Book Award. Three more novels—Learning to See, Fast Girls, and Angels of the Pacific—followed, all centered on the lives of extraordinary but overlooked historical women. Her next book, The Library of Lost Dollhouses (releasing 4.1.25) is inspired by a dollhouse that’s been in her family for five generations. Elise lives in Seattle with her husband and two daughters.

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The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn-review, excerpt & giveaway

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The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn-review, excerpt & giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 18, 2025

Piers Corbin has always had an affinity for poisonous things—plants and men. From the pokeweed berries she consumed at age five that led to the accidental death of a stranger, to the husband whose dark proclivities have become… concerning, poison has been at the heart of her story.

But when she fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her volatile marriage and goes to stay with her estranged great aunt in the mountains, she realizes her predilection is more than a hunger—it’s a birthright. Piers comes from a long line of poison eaters—Bane Witches—women who ingest deadly plants and use their magic to rid the world of evil men.

Piers sets out to earn her place in her family’s gritty but distinguished legacy, all while working at her Aunt Myrtle’s cafe and perpetuating a flirtation with the local, well-meaning sheriff to allay his suspicions on the body count she’s been leaving in her wake. But soon she catches the attention of someone else, a serial killer operating in the area. And that only means one thing—it’s time to feed.

•••••

REVIEW: THE BANE WITCH by Ava Morgyn is a contemporary, adult, paranormal, thriller focusing on Bane Witch and interior designer Piers ‘ Acacia’ Corbin.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Piers ) and third person (Reyes) THE BANE WITCH follows Piers Corbin in the aftermath of faking her death to escape her abusive and controlling husband. The only family she knows of is her aunt Myrtle, a strange woman she met only once but a woman who will reveal the reality of who and what is our story line heroine. For as long as she can remember, Piers has been drawn to plants and poisons, but more specifically the berry of the pokeweed, and in this, her need to devour and eat pokeweed is disconcerting until the arrival of her aunt Myrtle who sees more than Piers could have ever thought possible. Fast forward to present day, now working and living in Crow Lake with her aunt Myrtle, Piers, now known as Acacia, will discover she is descended from a long line of bane witches, women who consume poisonous plants and berries, using their powers to rid the world of dangerous men. As the body count increases, local sheriff Regis Brooks begins to suspect a connection to Piers and Myrtle, and the investigation into Piers’ ‘death’ arrives in Crow Lake, near the Canadian border.

The world building is detailed and complex as Piers aka Acacia learns about the family history, the legacy and the venery (practice of hunting) she knew nothing about, details hidden by her mother, a woman who denied her heritage in the wake of debilitating need and pain. Meanwhile, there is a serial killer hunting in the woods of the Adirondacks, and Piers suspects she may be a target of the Saranac Stangler.

There is a building romance and relationship between Piers (Acacia) and Sheriff Regis Brooks but a relationship that struggles in the face of the numerous murders, and the sheriff’s suspicions regarding the method of killing. Piers and Regis’ love is forbidden but Piers is determined to protect the man who has stolen her heart. The $ex scenes are limited and mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and interesting secondary and supporting characters including several members Piers’ extended family, known as the venery. We are introduced to Piers’ aunt Myrtle, cousin Azalea, Sheriff Regis Brooks, Detective Emil Reyes, Piers’ husband Henry Corbin, as well as a number of local villagers including Ed and his dog Bart, and targeted victims and abusers. I am hoping the author has plans for future story lines involving Piers’ extended family of witches.

THE BANE WITCH is a magical story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and madness, abuse and murder, family and acceptance. The premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are determined, charismatic and disconcerting; the romance is subtle.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Click HERE to read an excerpt from THE BANE WITCH by Ava Morgyn

St. Martin’s Press is graciously offering a paper copy of THE BANE WITCH by Ava Morgyn to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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The Reading Cafe’s 13th Anniversary Celebration List of Winners

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The Reading Cafe’s 13th Anniversary Celebration List of Winners

The Reading Cafe 13th Anniversary Celebration Winners

All of us at The Reading Cafe want to take this time to thank everyone for helping celebrate our 13th full year on the web. The month long Anniversary Celebration is now over, and the winners selected and notified. We have been amazed at how close our small community truly is and have enjoyed being able to offer such great giveaways to all of our members.

2024 was a year of new beginnings but for some of us we lost family and friends, and many continue to struggle in their daily lives.

We want to thank the publishers who have graciously donated the wonderful prize packages.

We have been blessed to have been able to meet many wonderful people along the way, as well as to read so many fantastic books from new and established authors, post interviews and offer giveaways from the publishers and authors.

From Barb, Sandy and all of our contributors, we THANK YOU for being a part of The Reading Cafe. As we head into our 14th year, we hope to see you and invite you back to participate in all of our promotions and giveaways. We love introducing new authors to old friends.

The Reading Cafe Team-Sandy, Barb, Vickie, Julie B, Erin, and Sarah

••••••••••••

NOTE: ALL of the winners have been notified, and have responded.

February 1, 2025

Sarah Hawley – Servant of Earth
Jayne Ann Krentz -Shattering Dawn
Jayne Castle -People in Glass Houses

WINNER: Annetta W.

••••••

February 8, 2025

Jenn McKinlay- Love at First Book
Katie Ruggle – The Scenic Route
Katie Ruggle – Fish Out of Water

WINNER: Melanie B

••••••

February 10, 2025

Sylvia Mercedes -Bride of the Shadow King
Kate Golden -Reign of Rose
Roselle Lim – Night for Day

WINNER: Cecilia R

•••••••

February 15, 2025

Sarah Hawley- Servant of Earth
Sylvia Mercedes -Bride of the Shadow King
Raquel Vasquez Gilliland -Lightning in Her Hands

WINNER: Latesha B

•••••••••

February 18, 2025

Tiana Smith- Mr. Nice Spy
Sara Desai- Til Heist do us Part
Richard Roper – This Disaster Loves You

WINNER: Suzie R

••••••

February 22, 2025

Mimi Matthews- The Muse of Maiden Lane
Bryn Donovan – Her Knight at the Museum
Lana Long -Pickleballers

WINNER: Barbara B

•••••••

February 26, 2025

Mary Balogh -Remember When
K.X. Song – The Night Ends With Fire
Selena Montgomery (Stacy Abrams)- Power of Persuasion

WINNER: Denise H

•••••

February 28, 2025

BERKLEY PUBLISHING PRIZE PACKAGE:

SERVANT OF EARTH by Sarah Hawley
PICKLEBALLERS by Ilana Long
I GOT ABDUCTED BY ALIENS AND NOW I’M TRAPPED IN A ROM-COM by Kimberly Lemming
BOOK BOYFRIEND by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
FIRST TIME CALLER by BK Borison

WINNER: Amber K

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The Reading Cafe’s Anniversary GIVEAWAY from Berkley Publishing

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The Reading Cafe’s 13TH ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY from Berkley Publishing

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

PENGUIN/ Random House Publishing is graciously offering a 5 book  prize package to ONE (1) commenter.

One (1) commenter will receive all 5  books from Berkley /  Penguin Publishing

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9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs until February 28-March 5, 2025

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