Castle Ever Dark by Sara Knightly

Hello my friends, 

Today I am reviewing “Castle Ever Dark by Sara Knightly.  I loved this sequel to Secrets Ever Green even more than the first book! 

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The secrets have bloomed . . . beware of the thorns.

Ivy Rune is shocked to receive a position at the Count’s forbidden castle, until the Count’s charming young heir, Jack reveals her late father’s connection there. Ivy accepts, determined to finally uncover her father’s secret life and learn more about her magic.

But the castle holds more secrets than her father’s last journal. Unspoken rules govern the halls, danger lurks around every corner, and knowing who to trust is impossible. Soon it’s clear that her father's secrets are not the only ones hidden in these walls—others are keeping secrets too.

When Ivy discovers a friend in grave danger and learns the dark reason behind the Count’s Woodworking Tournament, she is desperate to protect her friend and escape. To succeed, Ivy must solve her father's clues and unlock her true potential. But if she fails, Ivy will meet the same mysterious fate that claimed her father.

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A Note From the Publisher

Castle Ever Dark continues Ivy's journey from Book One, Secrets Ever Green. 

If you enjoyed the grand halls in House of Salt and Sorrows and the gothic atmosphere of Belladonna, you'll love this lush fantasy world brimming with suspense, magic, and friendship.

🥀 Secret castle hallways 
🥀 Magical suspense
🥀 Slow-burn romance

I devoured this captivating sequel in one sitting, utterly enthralled by the continuation of Ivy and York’s journey! The story masterfully weaves together themes of friendship, trust, and the unknown, with a dash of mystery and magic that will keep you spellbound. I found myself deeply invested in Ivy's struggles, as her fears and anxieties were portrayed with remarkable realism. I'm now eagerly awaiting book three! 

If you're a fan of YA fantasy, do yourself a favor and add this series to your reading list - you won't regret it!"

I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

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Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Come Shell or High Water the first instalment in “A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery” series by Molly MacRae set on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. What a great start to a new series!

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When widowed folklorist Maureen Nash visits a legendary North Carolina barrier island shell shop, she discovers its resident ghost pirate and the mystery of a local’s untimely death . . .

 As a professional storyteller, Maureen Nash can’t help but see the narrative cues woven through her life. Like the series of letters addressed to her late husband from a stranger—the proprietor of The Moon Shell, a shop on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. The store is famous with shell collectors, but it’s the cryptic letters from Allen Withrow, the shop’s owner, that convince Maureen to travel to the small coastal town in the middle of hurricane season. At the very least, she expects she’ll get a good story out of the experience, never anticipating it could end up a murder mystery . . .   In Maureen’s first hours on the storm-lashed island, she averts several life-threatening accidents, stumbles over the body of a controversial Ocracoke local, and meets the ghost of an eighteenth-century Welsh pirate, Emrys Lloyd. To the untrained eye, all these unusual occurrences would seem to be random misfortunes, but Maureen senses there may be something connecting these stories. With Emrys’s supernatural assistance, and the support of a few new friends, Maureen sets out unravel the truth, find a killer, and hopefully give this tale a satisfying ending . . . while also rewriting her own.

Rating: 4.5 stars 

The first installment in the 'A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery' series, 'Come Shell or High Water' by Molly MacRae, is a captivating debut that sets the stage for a promising new series. Set on Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina, this mystery novel expertly weaves together elements of suspense, humor, and supernatural intrigue.

When widowed folklorist Maureen Nash visits a legendary North Carolina barrier island shell shop, she discovers its resident ghost pirate and the mystery of a local’s untimely death . . .

MacRae's writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed and relatable. The story is skillfully paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The author's vivid descriptions of the island setting and its quirky inhabitants add to the book's charm.

Overall, 'Come Shell or High Water' is an excellent start to the 'A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery' series, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, this book is definitely worth checking out."

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Cozies and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

A Cornish Campsite Murder by Fiona Leitch

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Cornish Campsite Murder” the 7th instalment in The Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery series by Fiona Leitch.  I cannot get enough of this series, if you love mysteries set in England this is for you!

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Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is back in 2024 with a brand new Cornish mystery to unravel…

Just along the coast from Penstowan, the local festival has filled the area with revellers young and old. Former Met police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker has agreed to step in and help run the Pie Hard food truck, along with her rather reluctant fiancé, DCI Nathan Withers.

As they prepare for a weekend of camping and being elbow deep in shortcrust pastry, Jodie hadn’t bargained on witnessing a fight between members of the lead band.

But when the body of one of the band members is found not far from the campsite, Jodie finds it hard to believe it was an accident. Especially when the other members had so much to gain…

I love visiting Cornwall and Jodie, Daisy, and her mum but let’s not forget about Germaine the Pomeranian! This time we are attending the annual music festival with it seems like the whole family and friends in one capacity or another. I like where Jodie’s relationship with Nathan is going and the dynamics between him and Daisy as well as Jodie’s mum.

The mystery was really interesting, well plotted, and had just enough twists to keep you engrossed and wanting to know what happens next. I really hope there will be a book 8 coming out soon, as I can’t get enough of this series.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Harper Collins UK.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,