Things That Go Bump in the Night

Because I had so much fun putting together my favorite ghost and witch reads, I thought it would be fun to stick with the theme but add on to it. As in all things supernatural. Because what better way to celebrate Halloween all month long than to talk about those books that fit right in with it right?

So here are my top UF and PNR series and books that I just couldn't get enough of. 

There are so many I want to add from my ghost and witch list but, I will be good and not duplicate them, although if you haven't checked out that post yet stop by and check it out, you might find some new books and authors to try. You can find the post HERE.

I got to thinking about all those books that have zombies and vampires, and werewolves in them and decided I must create a list for them as well so, in no particular order, these are the series and books I just can't get enough off and whet my appetite for all things supernatural, prepare yourself, the list is long...:

I'm sure this series isn't new to everyone out there but for those that it is, Cecy's Weird Girls series (and the spin off) is still one of my favorites. And since the spin off is still going strong, I still get to dive back into this amazing world full of witches and demons, and all form of sups once in awhile.

It isn't often I enjoy books the focus a lot on the fae for some reason but this series is an exception. I've had so much fun with it and not only does it have faes but witches and other things as well. It really is a fun series to check out if you haven't already. 

This next one not only has witchcraft and sups but a dead (hilarious) pirate! And to top it off, its set in NOLA, one of my most favorite settings out there for anything supernatural. 

Linda Grimes Ciel Halligan series is a fun one because it isn't about your normal supernaturals. Nope, instead this one focus on an ability to take the form of others. That's right, the characters are chameleons of sorts. And not only does it have humor galore, but a touch of mystery and romance too. 

Who doesn't love a good assassin that is guided by none other than Death? This series is just so good, you really have to experience it for yourself to understand. 

This next one probably really should have been included in my last post all about ghosts and witches but I sort of forgot about her, which is s shame because Maria is an indie author with a lot of talent. In my defense though, I first read this series in 2011 I think, so yeah...it's been awhile but they are so good and definitely worth a second look.

And peaking of indie authors, who can forget Cambria Herbert's Heven and Hell series. So freaking good!

Here is one of the few angel series that had me hooked from the first book to the last. It was the author's debit novel and series and she did so well with it, I still think about it once in awhile. 

This was one of the first werewolf books I can remember reading that also set place on the fateful Titanic. It was a super fun read and devoured it whole. It is also a stand alone so bonus points for that as well. 

Aw, the Hemlock series. I absolutely adored this series. Yes it is YA but don't let that stop you because it really is good and well done and, come on now, the covers are just gorgeous!

This list wouldn't be complete without these next two series, the Mercy Thompson series and the Kate Daniels series. Still two of my absolute favorites and I'm so thankfully they are both still going strong.

Adn while we are speaking of the Andrews duo and Briggs, here are two other series by them you really need to check out. Both just as good as the two above and also huge favorites of mine.

Again, another series that focuses sloely on the fae that I absolutely loved, only this time it's a YA series, but again, don't let that stop you from reading it. It is totally addicting and hard to put down. 

Okay okay, no witch craft or demons here but this story does focus on time traveling and other goodies so it counts right? Actually I don't even care if it does because this trilogy is so underrated and word about it needs to get out. ;) 

However slight the supernatural element is to this series it needs a second look. It is fabulous, seriously so good and for those of you like like some historical mystery with a touch of romance are going to love it. The March bunch are unlike any family I know. Such a crazy group of lovable characters and Brisbane? Swoon worthy. 

Georgina Kincaid. Ah yes, just read it already, you are going to love it. 

What's Halloween without some vampires thrown in for good measure? This series, funnily enough took me three tries with the first book of starting and stopping before I got into it. But once I did, look out, it was all over. Still one of my top 5 vamp series out there. 

What's not to love about a group of young people that slay demons and fight for the innocent? Clare does have another series (her debut in fact) that is good too but this one, the one that takes place before her debut, is actually by far my favorite of them all. 

this next author actually has two series I love beyond words so I'm adding them both together. One if YA and the other adult but both equally good. 

As we all know Kelley Armstrong is a fantastic writer and has a lot of series. I love her mystery series a lot but since this is suppose to be about supernatural stuff, here is a series that I couldn't get enough of by her. It just ended this year and I was both sad and excited about it.  I have yet to try her Bitten/Otherworld series, I know I really need to. So many books...

Ghosts, myths, legends, and psychics? Yep, a little bit of it all. All on top of some gorgeous writing and characters you are going to fall in love with. I still miss Blue and her Raven Boys.

Talk about a series that has a little bit of it all and then some, this is that series.

Hmm maybe I read more fae books than I thought because here is another good one. A bit different from the rest though as it centers around a society that went to war with the fae and won...or did they?

Brigid Kemmerer is such a good writer and her debut series was a home run. These Merrick boys are so diverse even if they are brothers and ones you can't help but fall in love with.

Witches, curses, plantations and a whole lot of secrets makes up this series. 

Believe it or not but I only liked the first book so so but by the ending, I adored the whole series. Something fun and a bit different. 

Another vamp book that doesn't get enough recognition. To be fair I've only read the first but it was really good, really dark and something I plan to read more of.

You'll find a lot of angels and demons in this one as well as a swoon worthy hero who isn't always the hero. 

Even though I never finished this series the first five books held my attention, well maybe that had more to do with Bones than anything else. 

I encourage everyone I can to read this series because it really is just. That. Good.

This trilogy might be pushing the boundries of UF and just plain fantasy but there are beasties in it and some magic so I'm counting it. Plus, it's underrated and so good more people need to read it and love it too. :D

We all know Neill is a great writer whether it's her Chicagoland Vampire series or this one, they are so addicting but her newest series right now is a favorite so I'm only posting about it but if you still like a good vamp story, check out her other one as well. 

I can always count on Cat Winters to deliver something a bit strange, a bit crazy but always good with just a touch of the supernatural.  Her YA novel In the Shadow of Blackbirds is really good too and also has a touch of the paranormal about it.

This series is probably my favorite vamp series out there because it isn't like the others, at. All. These vamps are not friendly, they are not pretty, and they only want one thing and it isn't a kiss. 

Ever have those series that you just read because they are just plain fun? This is that series for me. 

This book has something, well, other in it but I read it in high school (my first King book) and I was never the same again. I would be remiss if I left it off my list of books that will both entertain you and scare the crap out of you. 

So there is my huge bad list of books and authors I sort of associate, or maybe just love more of this time of year. There is something about reading a good story full of supernaturals that I love. How about you, did I miss a favorite or do you see something that is new to you?

Review: The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano

Title: The Glass Spare
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Series: Book One in the Glass Spare Series
Published By: Balzer + Bray (October 24, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
A banished princess.
A deadly curse.
A kingdom at war.

Wil Heidle, the only daughter of the king of the world’s wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her father—whose obsession with building his empire is causing a war—Wil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance.

Until one night Wil is attacked, and she discovers a dangerous secret. Her touch turns people into gemstone. At first Wil is horrified—but as she tests its limits, she’s drawn more and more to the strange and volatile ability. When it leads to tragedy, Wil is forced to face the destructive power within her and finally leave her home to seek the truth and a cure.

But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with her power.


With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom that’s turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?

*Amazon*B&N*

I've been meaning to try this author for awhile now and even though I have many of her books in my TBR pile, I decided this story would be the one I would start with first.

I'm so very glad that I did. I opened this expecting cliches galore and a little bit of the same old same old that the YA market has been flooded with and instead I found a read that was not only engaging but easy to pick up and hard to put down. I quickly became not only interested in the story line and what the characters had to reveal but  I becamecaught up in it. It quickly captured my attention and I found myself even thinking about parts of it while I had to step away from it to do other things. 

It was sad in so many ways that I wasn't expecting, I would even go as far as to say emotionally charged at times. 

Needless to say, this took me by surprise with how much I really enjoyed it. I couldn't seem to get enough of it and it didn't take me long to read through it and be left wanting more by the end. I'm truly excited about this series and can't wait for more. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I  was not compensated for this review.*

In Honor Of All Things Spooky...

I absolutely adore fall. Not only is the Earth alive with gorgeous color but the mornings (and nights) are crispier and the days are at just the right temperature. I get to pull out my beloved hoodies and sweaters but can still get away with wearing my favorite sandals and flip flops.

It also happens to be the season of Halloween, one of my most favorite holidays. Who doesn't love scaring the crap out of each other and getting free candy to celebrate a job well done? And even more importantly, who doesn't love a good ghost story? Or a good witch story? and since it is Friday the 13th today, what better way to celebrate than with some ghostly good reads?



In honor of Halloween and the fall season I thought I would share all my favorite authors, books, and series that all have to do with ghosts, witches, demons, and all things creepy and scary. Maybe you'll see something new or something you like and I am always up for recommendations so feel free to tell me some of your favorites as well. I would love to find new authors to try!  

At the very top of my list of all things ghost related is this series. Not only is it super funny bu the characters are completely endearing. I eagerly am awaiting the release of the next book. I devoured these suckers.

And next is this series by indie author Bryan's. You might not think these books can get creepy, but trust me, they get creepy and they seem to be getting better as they go. Again, I can't wait for the next installment. 

And what would Halloween be with some witches and demons thrown in? I've only read the first two books in this series (4 books total) and the novellas but I absolutely love it. It is so good and classic amazing Bennett writing.

Another indie author that I absolutely adore. This series is just so much fun and so well written. I really do wish more people knew about it. It reminds me a bit of the Stephanie Plum series but with a very paranormal edge to it. It's all about the ghosts and witches and a few others thrown in for good measure.

And okay it might be cheesy and maybe even a little cliched at this point but I don't care because I adore this series and even though everyone has heard of it, I had to include it anyways because it will always be my top favorite witchy read. 

This next series is one that I've only read the first book of but I really liked it and it definitely had the creep factor going on with ghosts and possession, yeah, it might keep you up at night looking over your shoulder.

If you want a series that is all abotu the demons, you must read this one. Not only is it told in the POV of the demon herself but she is completely kick butt and not a goodie two shoes. Nope, this demon is evil and she doesn't hide it nor is she sorry for it. I still adore Meda and it's been years since I read this series.

Another underrated series that most probably don't know about yet is so much fun. It is in the YA genre but don't let that detour you, it is such a cute, fun and even creepy at times series that I couldn't help but fall in love with.

I seem to like the underdogs here but that's okay because I've found some amazing books out there because of it. Here is yet another one filled with ghosts that will keep you on edge.

Another YA series that was a fun one and still managed to have the creepiness that I love. Ghosts and possessions are king in this series.

I would be remiss if I didn't add witches and vamps right? And maybe a whole slew of other supernatural creatures. I have to be honest though, I didn't love this series until after book three. I hung in there and then once I started book four, it was like Magic and I fell in love with everything. So if you tried book one and didn't love or even book two for that matter, stick with it, it will surprise you.

This next one isn't your typical ghost story nor is it told in your typical manner and yet I loved it. So good and like Lisa's other stories, some great messages thrown in to boot. If you haven't tried this author yet, do it. She is so good and her books are so lyrical in design. 

One of my top favorite series out there that is both paranormal, supernatural and historical is this series. It is so good and when it came out was all the buzz but I think it deserves some recognition again because it is so well plotted and designed. Seriously, this is one heck of a read and for all you UF lovers out there this has a bit of it all. Ghosts, witches, demons, vamps, you name it. It is just so good. 

And who can forget everyone's favorite son of Stan and Grim Reaper? Not me. this series is still a favorite for me and with book 12 on the way, you need to pick it up, you won't regret it, Reyes alone makes it worth it.

Another adult series full of ghosts and hauntings that you do not want to miss out on. This series is seriously creepy and so darn good. With historical NOLA as the setting, you don't want to pass this one up. Plus, all the books are out (with a spin off planned sometime soon) and it even ended super good. 

This next series (only two books) is a prime example of how a YA book can be YA centered but still read like an adult book and make adults everywhere fall in love with it. It is dark and sinister and not full of rainbows and sunshine. The ghosts in this story, or rather Anna, you don't want to piss off. 

Just to change things up, Bickle has written one of my favorite apocalyptic zombie stories out there. It isn't scary in the ghosts and demons sense but more in the what if sense and so well written. A definite series for those lovers of zombies and those that want something that will make them both think and relish every page.  Plus the setting is fantastic and not something you see every day in any genre.

Okay this series might be breaking the rules a little bit because it doesn't have ghosts or witches but it does have demons. Horrible horrific demons and it is dark. So dark it is good and sad and yet completely unputdownable. A very underrated series and the series that made most of us fall in love with Sarah's writing. Try it, you'll like it. Definitely not YA although the man heroine is younger. 

I love this series just as much for the ghostly tales as I do the historic setting. Another one that if you like your paranormal mixed with a great San Francisco historic setting, you must read.

This was just a fun series and book two was even better than book one. I do wish there would have been more books in the series. If you love vamps, this author also has a fantastic vampire series you should check out as well. 

The Lockwood & Co series is one that is pretty much suitable for everyone. Yes it is YA but adults love it too and it doesn't have to be adult to be a good creepy read right? The first book wasn't as creepy (for me) as the second one but it was really good and definitely one to look into. 

For those of you that like some romance thrown in with your witchy reads, I loved both these trilogies by none other than Nora Roberts. They were both captivating and so hard to put down! 

This is a newer series with only two books out but I've absolutely loved it so far and of course, the history nerd in me once again loves the historical seaside setting. 

This author actually has several stand alone novels, all involving ghosts and the paranormal with just a slight touch of romance. So far, I've only read two of her stories but I've really enjoyed them both and it's so nice to have a good stand alone once in awhile. 

Whew! That was quite the list. I tend to forget how many books about witches and ghosts I read each year. 

Those are my top choices (that I can remember!) for a good spooky Halloween-y read this year. I would love some recommendations for anything that I may have missed! I am always up for a book that will make me want to sleep with the lights on. :)

Mini Review: Alone by Cyn Balog

Title: Alone
Author: Cyn Balog
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Sourcebooks Fire (November 7, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Horror
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
When her mom inherits an old, crumbling mansion, Seda’s almost excited to spend the summer there. The grounds are beautiful and it’s fun to explore the sprawling house with its creepy rooms and secret passages. Except now her mom wants to renovate, rather than sell the estate—which means they're not going back to the city…or Seda's friends and school. 

As the days grow shorter, Seda is filled with dread. They’re about to be cut off from the outside world, and she’s not sure she can handle the solitude or the darkness it brings out in her.


Then a group of teens get stranded near the mansion during a blizzard. Seda has no choice but to offer them shelter, even though she knows danger lurks in the dilapidated mansion—and in herself. And as the snow continues to fall, what Seda fears most is about to become her reality… 

*Amazon*B&N*

If there is one thing that Cyn Balog is famous for it is writing stories that are completely bizarre in the most perfect way. I can always count on getting something completely unheard of and something that more often than not, will throw me for a loop and make me think about it long after.

When I saw that her latest was a horror book, I knew, just knew I needed to read it and without a doubt would love it. And I absolutely did love it. It gave me chills, it made me think and it left me with an unsettling feeling I absolutely adored. It was everything I expected from this author writing in this genre and it was so much darn fun. I highly recommend it if you want a fast paced, easily read in one sitting horror story that will leave you reeling and wanting more and even slightly unsettled. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Blog Tour Book Review: Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Being a huge CoHo fan it doesn't take me long to sign up for one of her tours and to jump at the chance to read one of her stories. Her latest was both something unexpected and also something so classic YA CoHo. I loved every minute of it and can't encourage you enough to pick it up and try it for yourself. 

Title: Without Merit

Author: Colleen Hoover

Published By: Atria (October 3, 2017)

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)

Book Description:

In Colleen Hoover’s gripping novel, reminiscent of the bestselling works of Liane Moriarty and Jojo Moyes, a young woman decides to reveal the dark secrets of her seemingly-happy family before she leaves them behind, but when her escape plan fails, she must deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth.

*Amazon*B&N*

About the Author:

I detest bios, but this is what Wikipedia has to say about me.

Colleen Hoover is the New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels and five novellas. Hoover’s novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories.

Hoover published her first novel, Slammed, in January 2012. Since then, all her eligible works have become New York Times best sellers.

Colleen Hoover is published by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. Colleen also has several self-published titles.

In 2013, Colleen’s third novel, Hopeless, was the first self-published novel to reach #1 on The New York Times, where it remained for several weeks. Hopeless went on to become one of the top 20 bestselling ebooks of 2013.

In 2015, Colleen’s novel CONFESS won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance. That was followed up in 2016 with her latest title, It Ends With Us, also winning the Choice Award for Best Romance.

Her novel CONFESS has been filmed as a series by Awestruck and is due to release this spring on go90. Katie Leclerc and Ryan Cooper star in the series.

Ugly Love is slated to begin filming in late 2017.

Colleen founded The Bookworm Box, a charity subscription service and bookstore, with her family in 2015. The Bookworm Box is a subscription service that provides readers with an exciting opportunity to receive signed novels in the mail each month from authors all over the world. All profits from the subscription service are donated to various charities each month. To date, The Bookworm Box has donated over $850,000 to help those in need.

Colleen’s next release is WITHOUT MERIT, a contemporary romance novel due to release through Atria Books in October, 2017.

Colleen’s current work-in-progress is an exciting revisit to a previous novel, not yet announced, due to release in early 2018.

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CoHo never ceases to impress and even stun me with her work. Her books are always so emotional and moving that it is hard to not pick them up as soon as you get them, dive in and enjoy the ride. It is hard not to get chocked up, be shocked, cry, laugh, get mad, and a whole other slew of emotions. The woman knows how to bring them all out and she never lets me down.

With her last book she went into a territory that was not only a sensitive topic, but one that was near ad dear to her heart. Something personal and that emotional connection for her revealed itself to all her readers and we loved her all the more for it. 

Her latest release is just as mind blowing and is what I love CoHo for best. No matter what she writes, no matter the genre, she can do it and do it well and still leave it feeling fresh and new and even dare I say unique. She catches us by surprise and again, that is why we love her and anxiously await each new release from her. We know we are going to get something amazing and wonderful and something even heart wrenching. 

Time will stop while we are engrossed in her words, things will be left undone, meals may be missed, and sleep even lost and still, we will keep reading because once started, they are so very hard to put down. 

There is very little said in the description of this book and it should be left this way. It is best read with no expectations, with no idea of what you will get because it makes what comes, the emotion, the feels so very worth it and so satisfying. This isn't like her other stories and yet it is the same because once again CoHo poured her soul into it and it shows. It is real, it is raw and it is wonderful. 

Review: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones

Title: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
Author: Darynda Jones
Series: Book Twelve in the Charley Davidson Series
Published By: St. Martin's (October 31, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!



Book Description:
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the twelfth installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series.

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidently trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up. 


Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes, can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect? 

*Amazon*B&N*

If I said that I wasn't both eager and tepid to open this latest installment in the Charley Davidson series, I would both be a coward and a liar. I wanted so bad to get my hands on this story with the way that book eleven ended, it was heart wrenching but at the same time, I was so very nervous to do so. In fact once I got my ARC, I sat on it for a few days because I just couldn't bring myself to open it yet.

I didn't want things to change. I can't stand change and there was a big one at the end of the last book. A heart breaking oh my freaking heck change that I didn't see coming even though I probably should have. 

Sometimes denial is so great isn't it?

So I had to put my big girl panties on and finally break down and crack it open. Armed with a bag of chocolate, a water bottle and a whole heck of a lot of Kleenexes, just in case. 

This book. This series. This freaking author. 

She knows how to both make me laugh, make me angry, and tug at my heart strings and she did all of them, sometimes all within the same chapter. 

This group of friends, this family, once again proved how incredible they are. How I want them, every single one of them, in my life, if you know, they weren't all fictional and potentially hazardous to my health. 

I loved every single minute and once again Jones pulled no punches. She tore things open, exposed them, bruised them and they tried to knit them all back together again only to repeat the process. She is cruel, and mean, ad I love her for it.

The ending, was once again, brutal and once again, left me longing for me.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*