MISTER MAGIC by Kiersten White

Mister Magic by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here's another book I've had on my Paperwhite TBR pile for a while.

After Val's father dies, her small world is shattered when three people, she can't remember from her past, appear out of nowhere. According to Isaac, Marcus, and Javi, they were all part of a cult children's TV show. Mister Magic shut down thirty years ago, but now a podcast wants to interview them to reboot the series...

Wow. What an amazing and darkly imaginative book this turned out to be. It's creepy, mysterious, and packed with engaging characters.

Val's story is as fascinating as it is frightening. A woman living a quiet and isolated life with her father finds out about her past when it comes knocking on her door after his death. Rediscovering her childhood and the friends she left behind takes her on a very dark journey into the desert. To a bizarre house in the middle of nowhere and the townspeople who helped conceal a menacing secret.

It's an intriguing tale about loss, rediscovery, and facing human evil disguised by malicious magic. And the ending is so freaking melancholy, because while it's the best conclusion, it's very sad.

I also have to mention that you shouldn't skip the acknowledgements page. After reading the author's words, everything about Mister Magic made even more messed-up sense. The line between religion and cult is almost non-existent.

Awesome book about a cult TV show that slipped into the shadows. Let's be honest, a lot of children's programming is creepy as fuck. I enjoyed this so much!


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DEAREST by Jacquie Walters

Dearest by Jacquie Walters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this book for a while because that cover is super creepy, so I got stuck into it the other night.

Flora, a new mother with a newborn, feels isolated. Her husband is deployed, she's lonely, is having trouble sleeping, and is permanently uncomfortable. Then she reaches out to her estranged mother, and is surprised when she turns up at Flora's door...

Ooooooooh. The fever dream quality of this eerie horror tale sucked me into Flora's nightmare from the very beginning. I couldn't wait to find out what was really going on.

At times, I was convinced Flora was suffering from a severe case of postpartum depression and exhaustion. Then I thought she was slipping away from reality because of being alone all the time. I even suspected that there was a monster after her. But one thing's for sure, this story is very disturbing, and perfectly captures the raw and hardest parts of being a new mother.

I enjoyed Flora's heartbreaking tale SO much. The writing style kept the narrative dark and mysterious, with dread creeping up in every scene. The revelations are shocking and sad. The family secrets are terrible. The way Flora deals with everything gave me whiplash. And the ending is: 😳!!!

Excellent, trippy book.


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OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this book the other night and was instantly absorbed by the melancholy tone.

Miri and Leah are married and live in an apartment with the permanent noise of their neighbour's TV filtering in through the walls. Leah is a marine biologist who left on a three-week submarine expedition but didn't come back until six months later. And now that she's back, she's not the same. Leaving Miri with a wife who feels and looks more like a stranger every single day...

Wow. What an eerie and intriguing book.

Miri and Leah's alternating POVs tell their separate stories so we find out about their relationship, friends, and jobs. Miri delves into the awful six months living without knowing where her wife was. Leah reveals what happened under the sea and how it changed the three-person crew. Both experiences are interesting and captivated me for different reasons.

While the story is grimy, sad, and leaves you feeling a little sick from the effects of how the sea changes Leah and destroys their relationship, it's also full of inspiring situations and connections. I particularly liked the way the events unfolded. How well the past and present are woven together, leading to a tragic, horrifying conclusion. At the same time, the ambiguity stitched into the very core of this book also offers up an even sadder conclusion, similar to what is presented in the message board Miri frequents during Leah's abscence.

Either way, this tale of love and grief is written so well that both narratives work. Fantastic!


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The Last Month of the Year is here!

Hey! Long time no see. 😁

How are you? What's going on? How's December treating you so far?

Well, it's finally summer in Sydney and the weather has been totally nuts. It's either raining and the temp drops dramatically, or it's too hot and so sunny that stepping outside during daylight hours feels like your skin is melting as fast as your lungs. It's all over the place and very extreme. That's what happens when the people in power DGAF about the environment and are actively destroying everything. Ugh.

Anyway, enough of that. LOL.

We finally got our annual blood tests (everything's okay except my iron), finally found a chemist that has the latest Covid booster, and got the jab.

Last month I mentioned that I had one final vampire story-related piece to complete, and I did! It was something that's mentioned in the novels and some of the shorties, so it lived inside my head for almost a year. I'm happy to say that it turned out better than I expected, and clocked in at 377 words.

That was the last story I had on my list, but I still wondered if anyone else would start whispering in my ear. But they didn't. All the stories revolving around the main and secondary characters are told. And this is the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty-four short stories.

That means the collection has now crossed 82k. Not bad. 

I'm very happy with all the stories that I've written in this world, and now that these are done... I can turn my attention to the two spin-off ideas. But first, I need a bit of a mental break because I've been writing and revising non-stop this year. And December is the perfect month for taking it easy.

So far, I've spent most of this month reading and it's been a LOT of fun.

At the end of September, I decided to read only women authors until the end of the year, and that's what I've been doing. Different genres and lengths, paperbacks and ebooks. As long as it's written by a woman, I want to read it. Also, I have to be honest, it's not a hard challenge for me because I primarily read female writers anyway. 😁📚

Did you guys watch Stranger Things, Volume 1? We did and I was underwhelmed. They're messing with the world building, the characters are stagnant, and nothing made any real sense. It felt a little off, tbh. The only thing I liked was the final episode 4 reveal, but even that doesn't make sense if you think about it. Personally, I also think that breaking it up into volumes is a silly idea. Especially for someone like me, who can't stop thinking about all the plot holes!!

At least season 5 of Only Murder in the Building was fantastic. I LOVE this cozy show.

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to ride out the effects of the booster and hope I get over the worst of it soon.

Hope you have an awesome weekend!!

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR by Ally Carter

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's December and I've got a few Christmas-themed books on my Paperwhite and Kobo, so I decided to start reading them. Starting with this one.

Maggie Chase is a cozy mystery writer who doesn't like the festive season. Ethan Wyatt is a popular thriller writer who gets on her nerves. But when they're both invited to England, Maggie and Ethan stumble into a mystery involving one of the most well-known mystery authors in the world...

This is such a charming romantic mystery that fits perfectly into the festive season. It's fun, isolated, and absolutely cozy. Not to mention that the chemistry between Maggie and Ethan makes the story even better.

The rom-com banter and seemingly mutual hate between the two main characters keeps things light, but the reality of what makes these two so real (and perfect for each other) is their backstory. Maggie, the lonely woman everyone abandons and her ex-husband's gaslighting pushed her to the point of not trusting her own instincts. Ethan, the son of a soldier who failed to live up to his father's expectations. Both with shattered pasts that left mental (and physical) scars.

I really enjoyed the mystery at the heart of the story because Eleanor is another cool character who makes a huge impression even though she's missing for most of the book. Also, the snowy location inside a huge manor in the English countryside matches the mysterious/dangerous vibes.

Terrific story!


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WITHIN THE SPACE OF A SECOND by Elise Helliwell

Within the Space of a Second by Elise Helliwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first thing I noticed about this book was how beautiful it is. Yes, I've got the special edition with the lovely moon-sprayed edges. So pretty.

Mariella Adams is afraid she's going to inherit her mother's mental illness, and waking up with a strange buzzing beneath her skin doesn't help. The day she meets two strangers, Rose and Parker, everything she thinks she knows about herself is turned upside down...

Wow. I raced through the pages of this book, hooked on every detail and clue peppered throughout. And I had a blast!

Imagine meeting someone you're in love with in the future. Someone who's already lived a relationship with you but all you have is an instant attraction. Yeah, that's (some) of what happens in this intriguing time travel story about a young woman who desperately wants to be normal so she can escape her unstable and heartbreaking past.

Determined to become a psychologist, Mariella is convinced that understanding psychology will help her find out the truth about what really happened to her mother. Little does she realise that her differences might be the only skills she needs.

Enter Parker and Rose. Two strangers to Mariella, but both know her in their own way. And my favourite thing about these two characters is how easily they open up the world building and help shape the rules and mystery that's at the core of this excellent tale.

Although the biggest mystery—Mariella's mother—isn't solved in this installment, a lot of other things are revealed slowly. If you pay close attention, it helps make sense of a lot of things. I've actually got a theory about her mother, so I can't wait to see if I'm right.

Anyway, I loved this book. The characters, the setting, the writing, the clues, the romance... All of it.

Looking forward to book two!


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HAUNT SWEET HOME by Sarah Pinsker

Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this last night and couldn't stop.

Mara starts a lot of things, but lacks motivation and can't complete anything. So when her cousin mentions the ghost hunting/home makeover show he hosts is looking for a production assistant, she accepts the challenge...

What a great novella! It's a ghost story at heart, but also deals with the sham of reality TV, a restless young woman trying to find her place in the world without a plan, doubting your own ability to create, and accepting that sometimes you need a helping hand.

Another thing that really stood out for me is how the main character is portrayed so well that her existence makes her appear to be the most ghostly figure in the whole story. For example, she's seemingly invisible to the rest of her extended family because she's so young. But everyone else treats her the same way. It's sad, but also very relatable.

The ghost angle is also very satisfying because most of it is staged, but I enjoyed the surprises that popped up. Although I guessed the twist, I didn't expect the ending.

Overall, I found this novella intriguing, fun, and full of interesting characters.


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HEKATE by Nikita Gill & ROSALINA'S STORYBOOK (Nintendo)

Hekate by Nikita Gill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Greek mythology and always enjoy reading retellings. Whether set in the time of gods and goddesses, or putting these familiar characters in modern day settings, I'm interested. I've even written quite a few stories featuring figures from Greek mythology.

So I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one!

Hekate, the daughter of the Titans, Perses and Arcadia, finds herself alone in the Underworld with a handful of dark gods she can trust to keep her safe. But a promise made to her mother isn't enough to keep Hekate from seeking out her fate...

Wow. What a beautiful retelling. I loved every minute of this book. Ever word counted. Every sentence filled my head with vivid imagery. Every new page took me deeper into the life of a very fascinating goddess.

For me, this book combined several of my personal favourites: the Underworld inhabitants and Hecate/Hekate. It was also written in a way that really captured the spirit of the mythology. While most of the story unfolds in verse, several sections are in full paragraph narrative. And it all works together very well.

Also, I have to say that I loved Thanatos. He's such a calm and kind character, yet he's one of the most feared gods. Same goes for Charon. I loved his portrayal. But the best thing about this lush tale is Hekate herself. Watching her grow from an abandoned young girl to a woman who embraces her own power, is fantastic.

Loved this! So much.

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Rosalina's Storybook by Nintendo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My husband received this gorgeous hardback today and suggested I read it. Of course I jumped at the chance. By the way, this is the storybook featured in Super Mario Galaxy.

The day a young girl finds a rusted spaceship with a star child inside, the girl and Luma go on a journey to find Luma's mother and instead discover a whole lot more...

This is such a beautiful picture book that tells the heartwarming, and oftentimes, sad story of how Rosalina befriends a lonely Luma and eventually becomes a mother to a whole family of Lumas. It's an adventurous tale, one with a lot of heart, and a found family that enhances how strong, smart, and kind Rosalina really is.

I love the bright artwork, and even the size of the book is lovely. It's a quality product, and a must for all Nintendo collectors.

Also, it's always cool when another form of media is released to double the enjoyment of the original game, movie, or show.


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I'LL BE WAITING by Kelley Armstrong

I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been a while since I read a Kelley Armstrong book, so I decided to get stuck into this one.

Nicola Laughton has Cystic Fibrosis but has managed to live well into her thirties. She takes her health seriously, enjoys her programming job, but most of all, she loves her husband Anton. The night he dies in a car crash, her world falls apart, and she's haunted by his final words: “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Well, this turned out to be quite the creepy, dark story. Not just because Nic finds herself totally consumed by the need to use spiritualists and mediums to try and contact Anton, but also because she knows none of them can actually help her communicate with her dead husband. Yet, she keeps falling into the same trap.

Until a professor of parapsychology offers to conduct a séance in a place that mattered to Anton, and some really eerie stuff starts to happen inside the large house. Things that suggest there's a ghost staying with them, and when the undeniable signs of a haunting manifest, Nic starts to hope. But can't stop second guessing everything.

I really enjoyed this ghost story for many reasons: the way the past séance blends so well with Nic's present day problems, how strong and determined Nic is regardless of all the health obstacles in her way, that she doesn't give up on Anton, and I especially liked how so many creepy things happen all at once and she starts to question her own sanity.

The characters are also great because every single one of them is flawed and no one is free of suspicion. Great book!


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THE OTHER BROTHER by Tierney Page

The Other Brother by Tierney Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While checking out the discounted books at K-Mart last weekend, this one caught my eye. Then I decided to check it out to see if it grabbed me... and I couldn't stop reading. LOL.

When April's fiancé, Lucas, betrays her trust and breaks her heart, she's devastated. But with the help of her good friends, Anna and Gemma, as well as her sweet cat, Basil, she starts picking up the pieces. Then falls for someone new: Lucas's younger brother...

Like I said above, I couldn't put this book down, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

At first, I thought the forbidden romance aspect might end up being problematic because of the brother thing, but it wasn't. To be honest, I actually thought the chemistry between April and James shone a lot brighter than April and Lucas. And Lucas is such a jerk anyway, so I didn't care about that douche.

This is such a great story. Not just because the heat between April and James sizzles off the page, but also because at its core, April's book is about how she finds her way back to trusting someone else after the ultimate betrayal. And how leaning on her friends strengthens her motivation and steers April towards finding her way back to herself.

I loved Anna and Gemma, by the way. Between Anna's sarcasm and Gemma's sexcapades, there are a lot of funny interactions between these three friends. And the same goes for James and his bandmates.

Overall, this is a well written, very romantic love story between two people who are made for each other. It kept me glued to the pages and had me rooting for the two leads.

Very fun story!


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