Category: Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend

Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Not Just Another Book on Our Shelf, Reviews, witches words reads

Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Heather Gudenkauf has embraced the popular trend of the locked room mystery, but her latest novel takes a thrilling departure from the conventional trope. By intertwining the high-stakes drama of a reality show with a captivating mystery, she navigates the complex dynamics of a cast of characters competing for a jaw-dropping cash prize, each harboring their own secrets and motivations.

Much like Heather Gudenkauf’s other books, it’s the execution of suspense, that drives the pace, keeping me on the edge of my seat. What starts as a quest for the coveted cash prize soon morphs into a gripping battle for survival. With escalating tensions and long-held secrets, we are pulled further into a complex web of intrigue. The characters come to life, brimming with their own secrets, desires, and unwavering determination to triumph. As the plot unwinds, she unveils layers of deception, secrets, and concealed motives, delving deeper into a web of intrigue.

While the premise may verge on the extravagant and over the top, Heather Gudenkauf’s storytelling has undeniable entertainment value, making for a thrilling and satisfying read. The fusion of reality TV drama and compelling mystery elements creates a unique and exhilarating reading experience that had me eagerly turning pages until the final revelation.

I received a copy from the publisher through Edelweiss.

Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Reviews, witches words reads

Murder Road by Simone St. James

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Murder Road is a road best avoided, especially when the moon hangs low and shadows dance with secrets. April and Eric unwittingly journey down this ominous path and stumble upon a young woman, isolated and injured. As they become stranded in a small town brimming with untold secrets, they realize that leaving may not be an option when they become suspects of foul play.

Simone St. James crafts a bewitching, tense, and eerie haunting ambiance that propelled me to eagerly turn the pages in anticipation of each ghostly encounter. Known for her captivating blending of mystery, atmosphere, and supernatural elements, she offers a fresh perspective on familiar plot devices, that adds an extra layer of allure to her storytelling, drawing me into a journey filled with suspense, and fascination.

BUT and I always have one: I felt slightly let down when the motivation was unveiled, and the unresolved conflict surrounding the ghost’s motives seemed unclear. 

However, The character development is yet another spellbinding aspect of the story, with intricate personalities that are as flawed as resilient. The dynamics between the characters are well-crafted, unveiling their hidden secrets, which adds intricate layers to the narrative and enriches the dynamics of their relationships. My perception of one character underwent a fascinating transformation when their unexpected actions and motivations were revealed, adding an intriguing twist to the storyline.

Despite its flaws, Murder Road is a journey I enjoyed with its suspense, mystery, and supernatural allure that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish providing a thrilling ride.

A Witches Word Read

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

4
Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Not Just Another Book on Our Shelf, Reviews

The Heiress By Rachel Hawkins

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, her inheritance falls into the reluctant hands of her adoptive son, Cam. He wants nothing to do with the wealth and the familial entanglements that come with it. There have been plenty of rumors of Ruby’s mysterious childhood and the untimely demise of her numerous husbands, which adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

Ten years later, a summons draws Cam and his wife back to Ashby House following his Uncle’s passing, where Cam is reunited with his estranged family.

The story’s allure lies in the secrets that shroud Ruby’s past, such as why Cam wants nothing to do with the wealth and family. Hawkins weaves a web of mystery that kept me on my toes as I attempted to unravel the secrets.

While some familiar tropes appear, Hawkins injects them with a refreshing vitality, peppering the narrative with unexpected twists and turns. The anticipation builds as I grapple with the unanswered questions; the final revelation is a gratifying payoff.

Hawkings’ storytelling ensures that even the keenest readers are kept guessing, and those who pay attention might piece together the puzzle before the grand reveal.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

“We are all imposters. Own it.”

2
Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Reviews, Thrill of the Week

Halloween Thrill: Midnight Is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Ashley Winstead knows how to “give me pumpkin to talk about,” and this was my first eerie and thrilling encounter with her stories. The story weaves together a tapestry of eeriness, cleverness, and layers of exciting twisted twists. The pacing is spot on, building tension steadily to the story’s climax, and I was turning the pages as fast as I could as the danger increased for our main characters. Even if my room was filled with vampires thirsting for my blood—nothing could deter me from finishing this read.

“The church bells toll and secrets whisper in the shadows”

Ashley Winstead takes the familiar small-town, God-fearing community trope and spins it into a clever, exciting narrative that delves into themes of feminism and religious oppression. She weaves in themes of friendship, love, and vengeance, giving the story an exciting, unique feel. 

Throughout the story, I experienced and enjoyed a variety of vibes from other books and movies that added depth and intrigue, with one minor exception—the references to Twilight felt a bit overdone. It sometimes verged on the cheesy, leaving me uncertain about the author’s direction. Nonetheless, Ashley Winstead masterfully weaves it all together, culminating in a heart-stopping and gratifying ending. It’s in the conclusion that this story truly pays off.

I read this with my Traveling Witches, and we had a wickedly good time reading this one!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

2
Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Reviews

Bone Chilling Halloween Read: Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

The “And Then There Were None” trope, a popular classic in the realm of mysteries, has been used many times, and breathing new life into this well-trodden path can be challenging. However, Darcy Coates manages to break the mold by infusing this familiar setup with a relentless, action-packed narrative that races from the very beginning, injecting a spine-chilling dose of horror into the mix.
From start to finish, the story was a white-knuckle thrill ride, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Coates does not hold back when it comes to delivering grisly and horrifying murders that send shivers down my spine.

One of the highlights of this narrative is the choice of a locked-room setting in a remote, snowstorm-battered location. Coates expertly utilizes this backdrop to enhance the story’s eerie atmosphere, further intensifying the horror element.

As the body count rose, my suspicions shifted from one character to another, keeping me guessing until the shocking reveal, and I found myself suspecting everyone until each character met their untimely demise. However, I did manage to deduce the identity of the killer before the final “And Then There Were None” moment. The revelation of the murderer and their motive was a delightful surprise, and I liked the intricate web of connections among the characters, lending an air of credibility to the story that paid off in the end.

Whether you choose to delve into this one in the dead of winter, as a spine-tingling Halloween read, or even on a scorching summer day, one thing is certain: it will chill you to the bone and keep you enthralled until the very last page.

 received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Not Just Another Book on Our Shelf

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

What is going on between the covers

No Two Persons is a captivating and heartfelt exploration of books’ impact on readers’ lives. It relies heavily on the power of a story trope and explores it uniquely. The beautifully woven narratives show how one book affects nine readers, each connecting differently to the story. It’s more than how readers connect to a story through their experiences. It’s also about how authors pour their hearts into their characters and stories. Aspiring writer Alice is at the story’s heart, after experiencing a devastating event, she pours her heart into her book. Her book finds its way to diverse readers, including a homeless teenager, an ambitious free diver, an enraged artist, a bookseller, and a grieving widower.

My Two Cents

Lately, I have read a few books with the trope “the power of a story,” it seems to be a book trend, and I am a sucker for that theme. I read very few books where the characters don’t teach me something, or I see something different than I did before reading it. I loved how No Two Persons explores that while using an interesting and unique structure as we see how readers engage with stories and their impact on different readers. I loved how Alice’s story opened the characters’ minds, and they discovered new perspectives and paths forward.

“When Nola was young her mother used to tell her that books were like a giant neighborhood where every family is different, and every door was open. You can just go on in. Try on a new life. See how it fits.”

I loved the way the stories celebrates the power of literature through the distinct characters, each with their own hopes, struggles, and desires and I enjoyed the way I connected with the relatable and compelling character in some way and like Nora I find books to answer questions and tell the truths that people can’t or won’t say.

I mostly listened to the audiobook and loved the cast of narrators. I loved that a different narrator tells each chapter with a character connecting to Theo. I enjoyed listening to the different voices of each character, and it was easy to engage with the characters while enhancing their connection to Theo. I highly recommend listening to the story.

I received a copy of audiobook and digital from the publisher through NetGalley