What I'm Reading: All of Us Murderers (KJ Charles)

Well, this was just delightful. If you were ever a fan of the old, mid-century, gothic novels have I got a book for you. It's creepy and atmospheric, featuring a truly horrible family house party where everyone's dying to leave, but no one can get away. There's an ADHD hero (actually, I think he's more AuDHD--there's that whole justice sensitivity thing) that I absolutely loved. And all the plot twists you could ask for.

I'll be amazed (not to mention seriously disappointed) if this doesn't get turned into a film along the lines of Mousetrap, Deathtrap, or And Then There Were None.

All of Us Murders

KJ Charles

https://kjcharleswriter.com/standalone-books/

 When Zeb Wyckham is summoned to a wealthy relative’s remote Gothic manor, he is horrified to find all the people he least wants to see in the world: his estranged brother, his sneering cousin, and his bitter ex-lover Gideon Grey. Things couldn’t possibly get worse.

Then the master of the house announces the true purpose of the gathering: he intends to leave the vast family fortune to whoever marries his young ward, setting off a violent scramble for her hand. Zeb wants no part of his greedy family–but when he tries to leave, the way is barred. The walls of Lackaday House are high, and the gates firmly locked. As the Dartmoor mists roll in, there’s no way out. And something unnatural may be watching them from the house’s shadowy depths…

Fear and paranoia ramping ever-higher, Zeb has nowhere to turn but to the man who once held his heart. As the gaslight flickers and terror takes hold, can two warring lovers reunite, uncover the murderous mysteries of Lackaday House–and live to tell the tale? 

Mug Shot: Momento Mori Mug

 

I think I got this mug in Marble Falls. It was definitely on a recent trip. It features creepy pics and sayings and inside there's an ouroboros encircling a skeleton inside to complete the creepiness. 

Again, not my husband's favorite, but certainly timely! 

What I'm Reading: Unbroken: Rath and Rune #4 (Jordan L Hawk)

Rath and Rune is a spin off of Jordan Hawk's popular Widdershins series. And this is probably an unpopular opinion, but I kind of enjoy it more than the original series. The reason being that it's more consistent. The world building in the original series kept evolving. So that almost everyone in the first book, everything you thought you knew about them, everything they thought they knew about themselves, kept changing. Normally, I like that in a series, but in this case...I don't know what to tell you, except that I'm enjoying the spin off so much more.  

I'd assumed that this would be the last book in the series (because reasons) so I was thrilled to realize that there would be one more book after this. 

Anyway, this is the fourth book in this particular series and I think it might be the best. But I don't want to post spoilers so feel free to start at the beginning of the series. I don't think you need to read the original, Widdershins series before reading this one, but if you enjoy this series, I'll bet you'll want to go back and read more in this world.

Unbroken
Rath and Rune, Book 4

Jordan L Hawk

https://jordanlhawk.com/products/unbroken-rath-rune-4-ebook

The hunt for the evil Books of the Bound nears its end, as Ves and Sebastian track an elusive killer who can raise the dead.

Librarian Sebastian Rath has Bound himself to three of the four necromantic Books created by his ancestors. Only the Book of Blood remains—and it’s in the hands of an elusive killer.

Someone is murdering members of the Widdershins Horticultural Society using the Book’s magic. In order to stop the killings and Bind the final Book, Sebastian and Ves must find their way through a forest of lies and deception. But the danger is closer to home than they think, and more than one killer has Sebastian in their sights.

Mug Shot: Halloween Candy Mug

 

So my husband hates this mug. He thinks commercial candy is poison and is not a fan of corporate merch. But it's perfect for this time of year because this is one of my favorite Halloween candies. 

Anyway, never mind that. Here's some Halloween music and reading. They'd both go perfect with candy. 

FREE Through October 20th!

https://books2read.com/GoingBack

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

 

What I'm Reading: Halloween Round-Up

I'm doing something a little different this week. I've been inspired by Nicole Luiken in her post last week on the Here Be Magic blog. Here's my "bingo list". 

GHOSTS: Into the Dark by Jordan L Hawk. It's the third book in her Outfoxing the Paranormal series. Ghosts galore in an exceptionally gothic setting!  

DEMONS: Wayward Devils, book four in Devon Monk's Souls of the Road series. I'd start with the first book (probably) or even the spin off, Oak and Ink. Love these and her Ordinary Oregon series. Highly recommended!

GRIM REAPER: Dead Serious (About You) by Alistair Kennedy. To be honest, I just started this one, but it looks like fun! 

WITCHES: Dead Witch in the Library (Sonoma Witches, book 7) by Gretchen Galway. I'd just about despaired of their being any more books in this series, so this was a pleasant surprise. Even though I think this one might really be the end. Another really good series. 

WEREWOLVES: Wolf Gone Wild, book one in Juliette Cross' Stay a Spell series. I'm re-reading this one for my book club this month. Another of my faves. 

VAMPIRES: Tanya Huff is one of those annoying authors who started writing in pre-internet times and still doesn't have a website. But her vampire books (originally--and rather horribly, IMO--titled "the blood books" because, apparently series titles hadn't yet been invented yet either, or no one else was writing vampires, or something) inspired me to start writing my own vampire series. Well, the TV series (Blood Ties, starring actor Kyle Schmid) certainly helped. 

I have a few Halloween-themed books, you can find them here: https://www.pgforte.com/happy-halloween

Two of them, Going Back to Find You and Hungry Heart are FREE between October 16th and October 20th. See the links below!

Halloween Freebies!

https://books2read.com/b/GoingBack

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

Mug Shot: Black Cat Mug

 

Well, it's October, so I had to find something suitably Halloweenish to post. And this year, with the influx of kittens in my yard (specifically black and orange kittens) I really felt like I needed a black cat mug. 

This is cutely cartoony, but the way the rim turns in makes it somewhat awkward to drink out of. Of course, YMMV and this didn't stop me from acquiring several more mugs all of which possess the same unfortunate feature. Such is life. I'm thinking that's the fashion now? Also, the ears and tail make this impossible to dry upside down on the edge of a ledge, which is my preferred means of doing so. 

What can you do? I guess it's irritatingly cat-like. 

What I'm Reading: Storybook Christmas (Terra Weiss)

I know, it's just October; so why am I reading Christmas books, right? Well, usually at this time of year I'm elbows deep in a Christmas WIP and it helps keep me in the right frame of mind if it's December in my reading worlds, as well. Real life can be very disconcerting, at times. 

Anyway, this was a cute book. Predictable in all the usual Christmas RomCom ways--which isn't a criticism, btw. Low angst--also not a criticism. And I loved the setting (inside a publishing company) and that both h/h were editors! That was different and fun and dear to my heart. Although I think it has to be said: those competing children's book they're both working on? They sound HORRIBLE. 

Storybook Christmas
Terra Weiss

https://www.terraweiss.com/storybook-christmas

The scorching hot stripper is my new co-worker? Yes, I drooled over Finn Hayes last weekend as he gyrated in a sparkly fuchsia thong. So what? 

But Lacy Callahan, the unflappable career woman, does not let her hair down, does not blab her secrets, and certainly does not try to kiss a stripper! Except last weekend. I flapped.

And now, I have to make senior editor at Sutton & Sutton Publishing by getting my author's children's Christmas novel on bookshelves everywhere. It's also how I plan to rekindle the spark between me and my ex, Joshua, who just got promoted at Sutton.​

My roadblock? Finn, who came up with a concept for a competing children's Christmas novel. Unfortunately, he's witty, quirky, and brings me chip-infused sandwiches. It's too bad I have to crush him.

And what's he hiding? Why is he editing by day and stripping by night?

Mug Shot: Banned Books Mug

 

So, it's banned book week. Hence the mug of the week. Obviously, as an author, I'm completely opposed to banning books. I'm old enough to remember when writing and publishing erotica was a criminal offense. And I was just coming of age when Miller V California came into effect. 

So yeah, banning books is bad. Free speech and freedom of the press are NECESSARY to human rights.  People need to get a life and start minding their own businesses. 

The theme of this year's event is, "Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights." Which...yeah. I wholeheartedly agree with. Books like 1984 and A Handmaid's Tale were meant as warnings, y'all; not instruction manuals. Get a clue!

https://pen.org/banned-books-list-2025/

What I'm Reading: Operation Glass Slipper (Linda Mooney)

I don't know how anyone could not love this series. It's the most amazing, tongue-in-cheek, hilarious mashup of classic noir detective fiction with Stephen Sondheim-esque fairy tales. They're clever and entertaining and nothing you're expecting. And the covers! OMG, I love the covers.

Operation Glass Slipper
Noir Fairy Tales Book 5

Linda Mooney

https://lindamooney.com/Noir.htm

Marybeth Cendrillon works her life away at her family’s bakery, but two nights a week she gets to be someone else. If her malicious stepmother and stepsisters knew about her other persona, she’d be locked in the attic for good. She lives for the nights when she can transform into Cindra, sultry songstress at Rosie’s Place.

Charles Charmer, co-CEO of Royal Steele, suspects his father, Kingsley Charmer, of dirty dealings and wants to stop him from sullying the family name and possibly ruining the company. There’s a plan to take the man down once and for all, but Charles could be caught in the crosshairs. 

A covert meeting with some of the members of the FBIM ends with Charles seeing Cindra, and he’s enraptured by the doll on stage. He wants her to perform at his father’s upcoming gala because she’d be perfect, and it would give him another chance to hear her voice again. He wasn’t expecting her to be caught in the crosshairs along with him.

With a little magical help, can they both find their happily ever afters?

Warning! Contains cherry tarts, a dangerous mission, magical raw diamonds, showing a little spine, a rope ladder, HEAMS, no go on just cake, and two people finding the courage to save themselves in order to accept each other's love.