REVIEW - EARTH SPELLS ARE EASY - Mid-life crises ain't though

Earth Spells Are Easy by Renee George

Date read: 2nd November 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Cosy Middle-Aged Witchery

Buy link: Amazon 

A middle-aged witch awakening - instant buy! Just what I was in the mood for without even knowing it.

So, Iris is 43 years old, freshly divorced, and has a teenaged son. What she really doesn't need right now is her magick sparking to life, as well as her garden gnome. But here we are! LOL 

I love this middle-aged self-discovery tale. It was a refreshing take on the trope. And there are certain characters who are super interesting - hello Keir! Linda is cutely rude; I kinda miss her original nickname for Iris. 

Well written, chaotic fun. Becoming a witch and crone in a potentially explosive way. 

I can't wait to read the next one! 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - SWITCHING HOUR - Fur realsies!

Switching Hour by Robyn Peterman

Date read: 29th October 2024

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Paranormal Romcom

Buy link: Amazon 

Oh, where do I start with this? This book is utter chaos. In a good way. 

It started life as a short story which does show through.

So, Zelda has been in magick pokey on parole. She has tasks to fulfil, but the details are scanty at best. 

Now, this witch has had no good role models thus far, so she's shallow and self-serving, which is how she ended up on the wrong side of witch law to begin with. And her stint with an annoying cellmate has done nothing to calm her down. 

Her habit of never naming people or places the same thing twice is a little irksome yet funny.

She's a firecracker with the mouth of a sailor and a fashionista sense of style - and I kinda love her for it. 

Her resurrected cat familiar has a fondness for cleaning his bits. A lot! And is delightfully snarky. 

The love interest is also stand-offish and a bit alpha-hole. 

This book is fast paced and has a wonderful host of characters. And quite a lot of blood and pain.

All-in-all, a fun read. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - PRINCE CHARMED - Ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

Prince Charmed by Duckie Mack

Date read: 19th October 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: M/M Fairytale Romance 

Buy link: Amazon 

(yeah, I totally quoted the Prince Charming song in this blog post title - Adam and the Ants forever!)

A new book by one of my favourite authors which includes magick and a prince? I couldn't one-click fast enough!! 

So, Mal and Flor were separated when they were young, having grown up together in the royal palace. And they've been pining ever since. 

Poor Flor had to learn about his magick all on his own, but has created a successful business thank you very much (and looks like a totally hot wizard whilst doing so). 

I don't want to say too much. But the little magickal oopsies the prince suffer are cute and funny. 

But can Flor's kiss transform him back into his handsome prince? 

I only wish it was a bit longer. I want more! 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE PROBLEM WITH DEAD PEOPLE - Cosy cosy

The Problem With Dead People by Saffron Amatti

Date read: 16th October 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Cosy Mystery Aided By Ghosts 

Buy link: Amazon 

This book had been on my radar far too long. The problem with this reader is their TBR is extensive!

However, I'm delighted I finally got around to reading it. 

I was seeking something different to read. And this was just the ticket. 

Set in 1920s England, about 10 years after the war, one gets immersed in that vivid world, still recovering from all that pain.

This book doesn't just contain one murder but several, owing to that it started life as 5 novellas. But I love how they're all in one book. You see, there is a trail of breadcrumbs being laid. 

Lucas Rathbone is a reporter for the local rag. Clara, his childhood friend and sweetheart, has moved to London, but comes running any time he needs her assistance. And they're just adorable together. He's all quiet and bumbly, and she's all 'grasp the nettle'. A raincloud/sunbeam relationship.

I thoroughly enjoyed following them around England, through the sleepy rural village to the seaside and even a jaunt into the city. Even if there were ghosts demanding assistance at every turn. And a nefarious group threatening them. 

The settings were all beautifully created, the people wonderfully portrayed and the plot was riveting. 

I will definitely be reading more in this series. 

A glorious cosy set of mysteries with a post-war backdrop. 

Think Miss Marple meets Ghost Whisperer, and you'll be in the right ballpark.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - FIRE FOX - Fiery FMC!

Fire Fox by Amanda Sloothaak

Date read: 5th October 2024

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: NA Nordic Fantasy 

Buy link: Amazon 

This is an awesome debut novel. A new adult fantasy (series) with a Nordic setting. 

The world-building is amazing. An ancient land filled with fires and snow. From the detail of the healers to the clothing and weaponry, everything is painted in wondrous colour. 

Dawn is in her late teens and is somewhat petulant. She has the 'world's against me' feels. But she is feisty and steadily learns how to put her fire to good use. 

I loved Ulf - the intriguing large wolf who is her friend. I'm sure there's a lot more to be discovered about him in the books to come.

Vidya is all kinds of mysterious. 

And Nilan is sweet but with his own secrets. 

There is plenty of danger as the Romanesque legion moves in. But then the lines get blurred between friend and foe, and a whole heap of trouble whirls around. And Dawn is left fighting for her life over and over. 

An action-packed novel for fantasy fans.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - LETTERS - Heart-wrenching Healing

Letters by Michael Robert

Date read: 21st August 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: M/M Healing Romance 

Buy link: Amazon 

Wow! This is a very special book (I read the combined duology), and I feel honoured to have read it. 

Full disclosure: I bought this months ago but had to wait for the right time in my own grief cycle before reading, as I did actually use this to help heal myself too. 

This book deep-dives into the grief process. It is heart-achingly poignant. The author takes you through the trauma of loss. BUT also, the beauty of healing. 

Perry was devastated at the loss of his husband, Jack. But he'd left Perry a letter just in case he went first. And that letter sent him on a road trip. Where he encounters some Divinely placed people with mystical talents. 

It is a voyage of finding oneself, really. Perry undergoes a transformation as he heals. And it really was beautiful to see. 

 And Lucas also undergoes grief and renewal as he faces his own challenges. 

The characters are all well-developed. The emotions are fully expressed - and there are joyful moments too. Very well-written. I sobbed at Jack's special bit (no spoilers). 

Jack is a wonderful, spiritual presence - maybe the overarching hero of this duology tbh; an incredibly special guy.

A lot gets explored; good families, bad ones, found family too. Work ethic. How to live well. Adversity. Homophobes. General gits. Overcoming so many obstacles. 

There is just so much love contained within these pages. 

Now, I just need to buy me a beach house!!

Always in love and light,

TL

BOUQUETS & BELONGING - REVIEW - Coming up roses (or sunflowers!)

Bouquets & Belonging by Duckie Mack

Date read: 16th August 2023

My rating: 4.55*
Genre I reckon: Sweet M/M Romance 

Buy link: Amazon 

So, I make no secret how much I love Duckie Mack books - I tell everyone who will listen. Because we all need sweet, adorkable yet steamy love <3 

As soon as this book was announced, I knew it was going straight on my TBR. 

I loved Marley in a previous Heartcraft Market book, and was excited to read his story. 

Each of this series can be read as a stand-alone btw. But the characters do cameo. 

Marley is a colourful extrovert, and I love that he tries to be a body positive larger guy. But he's also honest that when he sometimes gets wibbly about his image. 

But then we have Mr Serious, CMO guy in full business suit, Derek. 

It's a super meet-cute. But then a bit insta-love, if I'm being honest. 

However, as it's all so gorgeous, I'll allow it. I mean, Marley really takes no prisoners with his joie de vivre. 

Oh, and there's a kitten!! 

Just so much eep, and little bit ooh! 

Always in love and light, 

TL