Circus of the Dead (Circus of the Dead #1) by Kimberly Loth | ARC | A Book Review

It's been a while since I last read a Kimberly Loth. I have missed her stories. They've always been so fascinating and intriguing. Waiting for the next book in the series was a pain and a form of torture. But it always ends up all worth the effort because it's always full of surprises that come from nowhere. I will always be an avid fan of her stories. And with this new book, I was reminded of how I have always enjoyed her stories. How her characters have made me hopeful and inspired in spite of all the hardships and stresses in the world. 

Circus of the Dead is just what it says. A circus full of horrors. Nasty clowns whose goal is not to make someone happy but miserable. A real deadly circus where there's always someone who ends up dead. There are ghosts and vampires too. It's not a place of fun, not unless you're a masochist or a sadist or think that seeing blood is fun. It's a place for the morbid and people who have a death wish. How Callie ends up in this horrible place is unfortunate. What was supposed to be a fun summer vacation with his Uncle in New Orleans, turned out to be a living nightmare she might not get out alive. 

This story reminds me of Stephen King's Bazaar of Bad Dreams. The only bright spot in the whole story is Callie who is full of spunk and will never give up. I guess, if it were someone of lesser strength and personality than she is, that person would have succumb to all the temptations already just to end everything. But not Callie. I root for her. Every attempt that she tries to get out of the island, I totally want it to succeed. Unfortunately, some greater magic is at work here that Callie has yet to understand in order to beat it and get out of the island and back to the loving arms of her family. 

I think the story is a bit relevant in this current time because with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are all like Callie, trapped in an island in New Orleans and finding a way to get out back to sunny California. And like some of the visitors of the circus, sadly, some people did not know that the time they spent at the circus, whether they were there out of curiosity or due to peer pressure, is actually their last time on earth. And like Callie, we try our best to stay alive in this forsaken island while biding her time until she can think of a way to get out for good.

The Circus of the Dead, just like the current pandemic reminds us of what's important in life. Family, friends and just the basic necessities. All else are unnecessary and we can do without. We will survive if we keep our wits and take one day at a time. And just like Callie, learn about the surroundings, the people and never lose hope. For Callie, she has to stay alive to get out of the island. She can't lose sight of that goal. She has to remind herself of that every day. 

I did enjoy the story even though it's a bit morbid and gruesome. But then again, every reader is forewarned. The title itself tells you that. Read at your own risk. But even so, as I have said, Callie's character is just so strong and she's a fighter. I think she was purposely lured to this place because there's something in her. I am not sure if she has a certain special ability of supernatural kind but she is special. And I would hate to say it but Samuel would rue the day he met Callie. I have faith that Callie will beat all odds and get out of the island and maybe bring back sunshine and hope to all the cursed inhabitants there also. But that's just me looking so far ahead. 

I give the book 5/5 gutsy fire dancers. This book is not for the faint and chicken-hearted. If you are a fan of Stephen King, you'll definitely love this story. If you've been following Kimberly Loth as I have, this is another story to be excited for. This type of story coming from Loth does not surprise me at all. With her talent of coming up with incredible and fascinating tales of adventures, I, in a way have expected she will likely come up with this one. I am excited and psyched as to what other horrors and blocks Callie has to go through in order to finally be back to the real world and be with her family again. I am also sure that Callie, with her mindset and attitude, will never let anything defeat her. She will find a way. I know she will. I guess, the best thing about Loth's stories are her characters. They're simply not to be messed with. They would find a way to beat the enemy or find a way to go around the obstacle. And I have a feeling that Callie's the type who can think out of the box. With that kind of thinking, I know she will outsmart Samuel. I bet on it. Watch out Samuel!

He's got that look that is dangerous but devastatingly handsome. The kind of guy who is sure to treat you like crap and yet, you run back to him because his kisses curl your toes. 

Not very good clowns unless their mission in life is to make everyone else as grumpy as they are.  

- Kimberly Loth, Circus of the Dead #1 - 

Thank you again, Kimberly Loth for the advanced review copy. I have missed you. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series. 

Deadly Spirits (A Mac McClellan Mystery #4) by E. Michael Helms | A Book Review

One of my favorite genres is mystery. It's just lately that I started to like horror mysteries. I'd prefer reading them than watching horror movies. My imagination is too active for my liking and I'd end up imagining seeing those scary creatures in the room. But if I am familiar with the actors who are in the horror movie, it would seem like the movie would not be that scary anymore. I don't know if that's weird but that's how I see it.

I got this from the author. He reached out to me April of last year through this blog and asked if I would want to review his book. Yes. It seemed like that was a lifetime ago. Time flies too past and as always, I'm playing catch up with my reviews. Reading has never been a problem for me. I can read two or three books in one day, if I have nothing else to do. It's always been writing the reviews that's a challenge. It seems like I have to be in the mood. Sometimes, I find myself in a certain mood to write a review for another book instead of the other one that I was supposed to or planned earlier on to write a review. There's no exact formula on how I write my reviews. These past few days I tried another method. To try to write one for each day. We'll see if I can sustain it. I really hope so.

This mystery story at first seemed like not really ghost related. Like Mac McClellan, I too was skeptical at first. I too thought the mysterious deaths were done by someone alive and breathing and not by a ghost. How the events had turned out in the story was very interesting and curious. It's enough to make the hair on my arms stand on end. 

The mix of a ghost story and a series of murders is very fantastic. The addition of the paranormal element into the story tends to draw me in ever more. Who can resist a ghost purported to be on a killing spree? Really curious, right? Good thing, we have Mac, as skeptical as any PI could be. Of course, in his line of work, he can't just accept or take anyone's word for it. Evidence is important and it had to be as tangible as possible. More so, it should stand scrutiny and probe. 

Like the rest of the small towns where everybody tends to know everybody, that's what's going on in this story also. Everyone seems to be connected to one another. And that connection, that somehow contributed to how the case of the murders were solved. Of course, we can't discount Mac's PI prowess and skills. 

I just really like how the murders were resolved. It wasn't predictable but yet you can't help but suspect that there's a connection between some of the characters in this story. Now, I am curious what the other previous books were about. What were the previous adventures of Mac? Did they all had a sprinkling of the supernatural?

I give the book 4/5 old school tape recorders. Like these old relics of the past, a good old detective work goes a long way. And that there are no secrets that will stay hidden. Eventually they all come out into the open. Just like the very old murder in this story, even if it was after three long decades, finally it was resolved. Even if closure was delayed, at least that body and mystery could now be put to rest. I really enjoyed this book. The suspense of how dead bodies just fall one after the other with no obvious reason or suspect. I was glued and I didn't let go of the book until the story was over. It's been a while since I last read mystery stories like this. I have missed this. Thank you again, E. Michael Helms for the book copy. What's next for Mac? 

By the way, I love that Henry is part of this story. Having loyal and cute pets in a story always adds a certain element to the story. Plus, I love dogs. The love and hate relationship between Sheriff Pickron and Mac is also very amusing. It seems like Mac tests the sheriff's very limited patience and knows how to push the wrong buttons of the sheriff. I feel sorry for the sheriff, yet in a way felt he deserves it also. 

And I just love this quote. I am hoping I could use this sentence in real life. But it would go like this. "What right has my asthmatic lungs have to tell your liver what to do?" I don't smoke and I don't drink, so my only right to claim for authenticity to the statement is my having hereditary asthma. 

What right does my liver have to tell your lungs what to do?

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive.

- E. Michael Helms, Deadly Spirits -

One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn | A Book Review

This review should have been done in time for Halloween but I was feeling out of sorts for these past few days. My mind was all over the place and I thought that if I write my reviews, they will only reflect my state of mind and emotions and not the real feelings the stories evoked from me during the time of reading. Now, I am bit better but still trying to figure out some personal things. One step at a time. Though, all I want to do is run to some faraway place.

This story is set in 1918. The time when the outbreak of Influenza was wrecking havoc in the US. Annie, a new girl in school was claimed as a best friend by Elsie, a girl who was teased by the other girls, an outcast. Her classmates call her a tattletale, a liar and a thief. Annie was forced to befriend Elsie, even though it seems like she's the last girl she wants to be friends with. Then, Elsie got stricken with the flu and died. She then started to haunt Annie as revenge for the cruelties she had suffered while she was alive.

This is a story about bullying but in this story it was not so clear who's who--the bullies and the bullied. It seemed that Elsie, who claimed to be bullied by everyone, in a way, deserved it because she was a bully herself.  Elsie was a very lonely child, one who was unloved and in need of attention. Only, her way of getting those was forcing it out from someone. Annie was a victim and she was right not to stick with Elsie because she was just a thorn in the side and a force of negative energy no one needs. In the end, all Elsie needed was a friend and a little kindness.

I feel sorry for Annie for having the misfortune of meeting Elsie. If I was in Annie's place, I too would avoid her, but Elsie was just a force all on her own. There was no avoiding her and her wrath, even after death.  

I am not sure if I liked Annie at all. In some way, she and her friends have it coming for them because they tormented Elsie to no end. Yes, Elsie had it coming also because she was no model character at all but then, the taunts and teasing should have stopped somewhere. I think it went too much that Elsie also was pushed to the wall and her only way of getting even is to take her revenge, after death. Life was so unkind to her and she should have been kinder but out of depravity, she somehow thought that she was owed something that she must collect.

This is a scary enough ghost story which was written from the author's mom's story. A story fit for children to scare them and teach them of kindness. Whether this story is true or not, it is a good tool to teach kids how important it is to be kind to others. I would definitely pass this on to my nephews, nieces and kids to be. Not to scare them but more to do with what damage bullying can cause.

I give this 3/5 angel statues. The moral of the story is to be kind to everyone. Everyone has her own battles, more so with the bullies. Jealousy is never a good thing. The more you feed it, the more it will control you. Elsie was a deprived and jealous kid that she somehow demanded from Annie attention, friendship and kindness, which in some way, should have been given freely if she were just open to it. I pity Elsie and I hope that no child is as deprived, sad, desperate, jealous and vengeful as her. That somehow, she will find comfort and kindness in life, unlike Elsie.

One Crow for sorrow,

Two Crows for mirth;

Three Crows for a wedding,

Four Crows for a birth;

Five Crows for silver,

Six Crows for gold;

Seven Crows for a secret, not to be told;

Eight Crows for heaven,

Nine Crows for hell;

And ten Crows for the devil's own self.

- Counting Rhyme (from The Folklore of Birds, by Laura C. Martin, 1993) -

Thank you Netgalley for the copy.

Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff | Blog Tour and Giveaway | Book Review

Grimm Woods

by D. Melhoff

on Tour April 1 - May 31, 2017

Genre: Thriller

Published by: Bellwoods Publishing

Publication Date: December 2016

Number of Pages: 384

ISBN: 0992133130 (ISBN13: 9780992133139) 

Purchase Links: Amazon | Goodreads

A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. Trapped in the wilderness, the remaining counsellors must follow a trail of dark children’s fables in order to outwit a psychopath and save the dwindling survivors before falling prey to their own gruesome endings.

Drawing on the grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales, Grimm Woods is a heart-pounding thriller about a deranged killer who uses traditional children’s stories as tropes in elaborate murders. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Michigan, it’s a journey through the mind of a dangerous zealot and a shocking glimpse into the bedtime stories you thought you knew.

 

This is the summer camp of horrors story. Instead of having a great and fun summer, it turned out to be a nightmare. Definitely an unforgettable summer. 

What made me sign up for this tour and review this book are the words Grimm and fairy tales. I love fairy tales and I wanted to know what kind of Grimm fairy tale stories are in this book. It turned out it was not what I expected. Really far off the mark. I did agree that most of us have been Disney-fied. I love all things Disney and like what the author said in this book, it allows us to reconnect with our inner kid. I did suspect that a lot of the original versions of the Grimm fairy tales were really grim. That not all of them had happy endings. Because of this book, I now want to read the original versions of the Grimm Brothers' fables. I was also curious about the other tales mentioned in the story that I  am not familiar with. I want to read them all.

True to its form, this story is indeed horrifying. Not the fairy tales we would want to read about. The author definitely did a good job on that front. I think it started very slow like bracing for the inevitable. The author deemed it right to lay out all the characters. Like an introduction-a who's who. I did not know where the story was going. I was starting to wonder how the fairy tales fit in. It felt like the author did not know how to proceed with the next parts. She was like hesitating and then decided to just give it all full blast which was when everything got so interesting. It was like, here goes nothing and fired the machine gun. Yes, the deaths had my eyes bulging and glued to the book. And how the rest of the story unfolded was even  more shocking. The next scenes were so graphic that if this were a movie, I would have had my hands in front of my face and just peek through every once in a while. Good thing, this was not a movie because I think I would definitely have the scenes etched forever in my mind. This is not the way fairy tales should go. But then, the author never intended this to be a happy-ever-after-story. So, I say, read at your own risk. 

The dark past comes back to hunt you. This story is a great example of that. The past is back to collect payments for your transgressions. It's payback time. The story spoke of justice, of revenge, of making amends but in a form of an eye for an eye. Whatever you sow, you shall reap. Whatever form of hurt you cause, you will experience the same torment. This to me felt like a twisted form of justice. Though, I admit, there were times that I would have exactly felt doling out the same hurt that I got to the same people who caused them. But then again, we really don't know what goes on in each person's head. What made them act like that? What were their motivations? Their demons? Like some of the teens here, they have in some way paid for their sins and atoned for them. So, instead of justice served, it turned out to be vengeance even though the intention was to hand out justice. 

I give this book 3/5 arrows. This is one twisted fairy tale and a very good horror story. This would really make a good movie but I won't watch it because I for sure would have nightmares. I'd prefer to read horror stories than watch them in the big screen. In a way, this story shows the hard truths about life and the society. And the reality is some of us are victims of our circumstances. Some, now matter how hard they tried, never seemed to have a way of getting out. They had to live  through the torment and pray for some form of aid or miracle to save them. Some are fortunate and strong enough to get out, survive and make a great life to make up for it. Others, sadly don't. Sometimes, there are just experiences that are too hard to escape from. Some never get out of them alive, others escape with very little of themselves left and are never the same again, in turn view they world in a different way. Exactly what the story is telling us.

Maybe it's not that I never knew my inner kid. Maybe I just don't miss him.

...sometimes we need the bad guy to make us better. Because without a villain, justice lacks its catalyst, and without justice, all you're left with is a world full of outlaws where the wolves eat you alive.

- D. Melhoff, Grimm Woods - 

July 7th, 5:44 a.m.

One hacksaw. One hammer, six boxes of nails. Twelve Mason jars, four hunting knives, two pairs of handcuffs. Fifteen gallons of gasoline divided evenly among three dented jerry cans.

It’s time.

A work glove hovered over the table where the objects were laid out side by side and began ticking the air as though marking off an invisible checklist. The chamber reeked of mildew, and the walls had no windows or electrical sockets—no lamps, no wires, no switch covers. A single red candle provided the only light, its crimson wax dripping down its shaft like blood.

The hand picked up a piece of paper from the table and slipped it into a blank envelope. Below, a beetle scuttled across the floorboards. The insect—its gangly antennae tuned to some foul frequency in the gloom—raced past the sole of a giant boot just as a drop of liquid fell through the air and struck it dead center, engulfing its body in a hot, gelatinous blob that filled its orifices and burned it from the inside out. Another droplet tumbled from the candle, plopping onto the envelope this time, and then a brass stamp came down and pressed the wax into a hardened seal.

Drawing in heavier, raspier breaths, the figure held the envelope up to a corkboard that was bolted to the wall. More than a dozen pictures of young men and women were tacked to the panel by their throats and foreheads, smiling in the shadows.

The figure pinned the envelope to the board and stepped back to take in the room again.

The table and the switchblade.

The book of matches.

The iron rods, the hatchet, the .22 Smith & Wesson.

The smiling faces.

Now, the figure mused, watching the photographs flicker in the bloodred light. Who’s the nicest, Who’s the worst, who wants to hear a story first?

D. Melhoff was born in a prairie ghost town that few people have heard of and even fewer have visited. While most of his stories are for adults, he also enjoys terrifying younger audiences from time to time, as seen in his series of twisted picture books for children. He credits King, Poe, Hitchcock, Harris, Stoker, and his second-grade school teacher, Mrs. Lake, for turning him to horror.

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Something by Shelby Lamb | A Book Review

Something 

by Shelby Lamb 

(Wisteria, #1) 

Publication date: March 7th 2017

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, New Adult

Review copy source: Xpressobooktours

“I will find true love and everything will be okay. I will find true love and everything will be okay…” she chanted.

They say be careful what you read. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong. It can happen to anyone. This is just four teenagers’ story. Aubrey Golding hates her face, her body, and is devastated after Nathan Silva leaves her. Alone, suicidal, and desperate for love, she discovers a book called Something and unknowingly links others to a dark and terrifying curse that is beginning to consume her. Nathan is glad to be moving on with someone new and can hardly believe what is happening now. Wild child and amateur porn star, Bella Broadhurst, loves bullying that “emo whore” Aubrey with the other girls, but mostly she loves partying, hookups, and plain ol’ drama when terror arises. And Kendra Coke is just a new teen mother working on a delicate relationship when things start becoming utterly bizarre. Chilling sleep disturbances and figures hiding in the corners of their rooms are just warnings of what is to come. Be careful what you read, they say. Tread carefully.

This book answered my craving for a horror story. I prefer to read them than be frightened out of my wits by the movies. I never watched the Conjuring or any other recent horror movies. I would rather stay sane and not drive my imagination to overdrive and scaring myself shitless. 

Aubrey Golding is a character I am not sure I like, I pity or hate. Or maybe all of the above. She skates the thin line between nice and being mean. She is suicidal and has very low self-esteem. She is bullied and had very few friends. Her best friend is not even loyal and honest with her. But all these changes when she found a mysterious book in a second-hand bookstore.

I can't imagine seeing and experienceing bizarre things after reading a book. I hope that never happens. I love going to second-hand bookshops and the possibility of opening a book that is sort of a portal to the undesirables and unearthly beings are way beyond terrifying. Being stalked by the devil is not on my bucket list. 

Reading this story when the lights are out and at the wee hours of the night added to the mystery and scary factor. There were some parts that the hair on my arms stood on end and I am seeing objects out of the shadows by the window. There's a part of the story where you will be carried away by Audrey's scare. I had to remind myself that I am at home, in a safe place and this house has been blessed twice by the Catholic priests so no unholy elements could penetrate its walls. I believe.

Bullies reading this book will come to know fear. Knowing what happened to the bullies of Audrey in this book, I hope will lead them to a change of heart. Something sinister is lurking and walking in these pages. Whether you are nice to people like Audrey or not is no reason you will be spared, especially if you are mean. 

I give this book 4/5 skateboards. This book talked not just about the third eye but something more otherworldly. More horrifying and stupefying. I never heard of this ability before this book. It's an ability no one would want because it is disturbing. You will never ever have a good sleep. 

The story is very unique and I never figured out what was really going on until it was explicitly expressed. To my surprise, I have never heard of such thing before and it got me curious. I am looking forward to the next book. For everyone who wants to get into a very different story that has never been heard of, you have to read this book. That is if you don't mind the devil at your door.

Ya fourth eye is your internal spiritual eye dat opens, lettin' you see and be seen. And ya can't shut it back.

- Shelby Lamb, Something - 

Thank you again, Giselle of  Xpressobooktours for the copy. 

The Haunted Manor: Torn Between Love and Power by Emilia Hartley | ARC | A Book Review

I changed a few things on my blog. I added drop-down pages and a contact tab. I got this book by way of the said contact tab. One of the authors who may have visited my blog sent me a message asking if I wanted to review her book. Obviously, I said yes. I could not and would not turn down any authors asking me to review their book. It is such an honor for me to be even spared a notice.

The Haunted Manor is a very entertaining horror and romance story. This was a very good fix to my wanting to read horror stories lately. I had been thinking of reading more horror stories. I think they feel less terrifying than seeing them on the big screen. I sometimes enjoy watching them but I only watch those that I can take. I don't want to end up awake the whole night because of my super-active imagination. That's why I never watched The Conjuring and other stupefying horror movies.

The Haunted Manor as I said is a horror story but it was more of a mystery/suspense to me. I prefer it that way than ending up with my eyes open wide till morning. It was not that horrifying but I enjoyed it. The love story factor just made it more interesting. In a way, there was a bit of comedy in it. Lord Michael Baird's personality made the story a little funny. I was grinning at his antics. It is always funny to picture someone appearing to be unfazed and then turned out to be scared out of his wits, he almost pissed his pants. That was how I imagined Lord Michael in the morning after the first night of his stay at the manor.

I give the book 4/5 ghosts. It was an entertaining horror story which was just a little scary. I was not looking to be scared to death so this was just to my liking. I would like to read more of Emilia Hartley's books. I have been enjoying this and I am curious as to what other stories and genre she has up on her sleeve. This has been a good introductory story. It is nice to meet you, Emilia Hartley. Looking forward to reading the rest of your works.

Thank you again, Emilia Hartley, for the ARC.

In the Hands of the Unknown (The Field Researchers #1) by A. E. Hellstorm | A Book Review

I chanced upon the author's Facebook page and she was asking if anyone wants to review this book. I can't remember if I have read the blurb but I think it was H.P. Lovecraft that made my decision. I am familiar with the name. I am sure since he is so popular, some of you have heard of him too. But unfortunately, I have not read any of his books. And this book was based on the world created by that famous author. So, I was curious. And since it's October, the traffic on the the entire social media was all about Halloween. I was thinking this was a good scary book to read. I have not read a lot of horror novels. There is only one that is on top of my head - The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King. So, as evidenced by this post, I got a copy of the book. Thank you again A. E. Hellstorm.

In the Hands of the Unknown  is about  a FBI team called Field Researchers. Any case that is out of the ordinary and leaning towards the bizarre is assigned to this team. There are three members of the team. One is our main character - Miriam Goldblum. So, there was one of these cases. It was a girl who died after coming home from camping. And the facts surrounding the cause of death were very disturbing. The team will soon find out that this case is far more complicated and sinister than any they have ever worked on. Will our three friends be able to get to the bottom of this?

It was late in the night when I started reading this. The lights were out and the rest of the house was asleep. I prefer to read at night because by then I would have finished my chores and I won't have to worry about anything interfering with my reading. So, a few chapters in to the story, I was starting to feel cold and thought I should not be reading this in the dark. Well, the air conditioning unit is on, so that would explain the cold. And as I said, every one else was sleeping so lights were out. I was reading an e-book, so the lights were not an issue. I just realized that the atmosphere was all set for the story and my imagination started running to where it shouldn't. I started looking around the room and tried listening for unfamiliar sounds. Yes, the first few chapters had me feeling a little creepy but I could not put the book down. I was thinking, "this is just a story. Horror movies are far scarier than this because of all the sound and effects. I am just reading. The only sound I would be hearing would just be my breathing and that should not scare me". I was trying to reassure myself by giving my self a pep talk.

In short, I did not finish the book. I had to sleep too.(Sounds like an excuse?) The next day, after lunch, with the sun so bright by our terrace, I picked up where I left off. And to my dismay, it was not as exciting as the last time I was reading it. Not because the story was not interesting anymore but because it was warm and sunny. I had to admit, the dark and coldness of the night added to the thrill. It felt like I was really there with the FR team and examining the dead bodies. Like how it is when the hair on your neck stands on its end and you have goosebumps all over your arms.

I was still glued to the book, even though there was a noticeable difference in the ambiance. Like some character in a horror movie who was not supposed to open the door or follow the sound, but can't help but do it anyway. That was how it was for me. I had to finish the story fast. I wanted to get to the end as soon as possible. Same with the characters in the story, I had to find out too what or who was the source of all these strange incidents. 

This is probably, one of the best horror stories I have read. In the end, it wasn't that scary after all. My imagination got the best of me. I finished it with the sun in all its glory but it did not dampen my enthusiasm to still enjoy it. In the end, this felt like a mystery/suspense and less like horror but I still had a great time. But the first few chapters were really creepy (shivers). I would love to read more of the next assignments of the FR (Field Researchers) team.  I felt like an honorary member already having to go through this with them. I think I can handle the next one, even with the lights out the whole time.

I give this 5/5 Faberge eggs. You will have to read the book to know about the Faberge  eggs. I  am keeping  my mouth  shut. No, I  am not giving any clues. Trust me, it will be a  very exciting and a creepy experience. You don't want to miss it.

I did not find any quotable lines in the book but I have one really good trivia about chai tea. And for all those tea lovers out there like me, here it is:

Chai's not the exact word for what were drinking (tea). It's Masala Chai, which means "mixed-spiced tea" in Hindi. Masala Chai,was originally used in India as herbal medicine and the earliest mention of this particular kind of tea is from Ayurvedic medical texts. Mostly to improve digestion and clear up mucus. The Ayurvedic traditions has a lot to do with the body and mind connections.