Halfway Dead (Halfway Witchy #1) by Terry Maggert | A Book Review

I got this book from the author. He requested me to review all the four books in this series. This is the first book. This is also my first to read a book by the author. This is a story about Carlie. She's a cook at the town diner and is also a witch who people depend on to solve some problems and illnesses. One day, a handsome stranger came into town and Carlie had no choice but to follow him into the depths of the forest. There she encountered a thousand-year old vampire that had been trapped in the forest. Carlie had to attempt a few things she had never done before and to fight a very evil being. 

Halfway is a name of the town where Carlie lives and where the story is set. It's called halfway because of it's location which is exactly halfway in the middle of Utica, New York and the Canadian border. It's a tourist destination town and a repository for magical things which I think, both an advantage and disadvantage for Carlie being a witch. Just like her being a witch, it's both a gift and a curse and that's what's we're going to find out in this story.

Like all fantasy and paranormal stories, you'll meet here different magical creatures, including those evil ones. Carlie, being a new witch, has to navigate through this magical side of her life with the guidance of her grandmother and learn more about her abilities. Then, Jim Dietrich came to town to ask for Carlie's help. She didn't know that the help he requires may actually get her to use her gifts and go into the forest where something bad happened and Carlie may need her magic to put things to right. 

I did enjoy this story. What I really like was what started out as just a routine investigation to prevent corporate espionage has turned into a battle to get rid of evil spirits. It's a turn of events that you will not normally expect but it was done very well in this story. I was actually hanging on to every chapter because I was so curious. Then, it gets curiouser when other magical beings appeared and their origin is even more interesting. I'm glad that Carlie succeeded in this first mission of sorts with her using her abilities. I'm dying to know what adventures and creatures she had to exorcise in order to protect Halfway and it's people. 

I give the book 4/5 delicious waffles. This is a really good start to a new series. It's very suspenseful and you won't really know what's going to happen next in the succeeding chapters. I basically had no idea. I had no way of knowing. I did not formulate any theories as to what Carlie will do or what's going to transpire. I just enjoyed the story as it took me to where it went next and it was fun and a relief that Carlie succeeded. It was scary and nerve-racking having to watch Carlie face an enemy she had never seen before, except in books or heard from stories of her grandma. Having all these other mix of characters, both immortal and ordinary humans also add up to the whole dynamics of the story. I like the fact that in the first few chapters the author has laid it out that Halfway is a magical place. It's like a disclaimer or a warning. So definitely, you would expect supernatural and paranormal things to happen. I like that it somehow prepares the reader but not really that prepared because you'll never know what creatures are going to make an appearance. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series and how the rest of the book will unfold and as to what direction the story will take. This is a book that falls halfway between an easy and a not so easy read. Easy on the beginning but you will have to brace yourself in the later part because that's where the real fight begins. And then, you can take a deep breath of relief because Carlie was able to get out of that forest unscathed and probably just advanced into the next level, if there are levels in being a witch. After this assignment, she may have just become a newly-improved witch from being just a newbie.

But for now, I treat my magic like a new pair of shoes. Someday, we're going to love each other, but for now we're just trying to fit together comfortably.

You insult my waffles, and you've just launched the first salvo in a war.

Tea first, troubles second. 

- Terry Maggert, Halfway Dead - 

Thank you again, Terry Maggert for the copy. 

Being a Witch and Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara Pascoe | A Book Review

I have to admit, I like stories about witches. In fact, my favorite TV show is Charmed. I remember hurrying home from school so I could watch it every Monday night. I just love those Halliwell sisters. 'Til this day, I still watch it on the web if I have a chance, because unfortunately, I did not get to finish the whole show. So, it's not a surprise that I chose to read this book.

Do you remember bumbling your way through something new? Like a new hobby, or a new craze or your first time to wear high heels? Channel that experience and picture it. That is exactly how the main character--Rachel or Raya, felt in this story. She has to clumsily learn and work through her new abilities as a witch. Sometimes, she had to learn the hard way. This is a coming-of-age story of Raya as a witch.

The story started slow. It started to get really interesting when the powers of Raya manifested. What sets it apart from the other witch stories is that the story takes you to  some places and times in history. It was for me a learning experience about another culture. Being transported to an exotic place set in an earlier era is always exciting for me.

When Raya's powers started to fully unfold, the story also started to peak. I think the highlight of the story is when Raya embraced her gifts. When she accepted who she is, it's when the story flew it's heights. I especially liked that part. I also liked Oscar's witty comments and replies to conversations. Oscar added more life and character to the story.

I give this story 3.5/5 black cats. I enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to the next location of Raya, Oscar and Bryony's adventures. I am looking forward to meeting new and exciting characters just like in this story.

 

Why does it seem like my life is always interrupted for other people and their problems?

- Sara Pascoe, Being a Witch and Other Things I Didn't Ask For -

Thanks again Netgalley for the copy. 

 

Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore | A Book Review

This is not my first encounter with Heather B. Moore. I have read two other historical fiction books of hers and had really enjoyed them. When I saw that she had another book up for review on ebooksforreview.com, I was faster than a bullet to get signed up.

Condemn Me Not is based on real events and people. The main character just happened to be the 10th great-grandmother of the author on her father's side. Yes, Heather B. Moore's great-grandmother was one of those that got accused and hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. This book felt very close to home to the author. It's not everyday that you get to write and talk about a subject, much more a relative, who went through something so controversial and with a lot of mystery surrounding it.

I applaud the author for writing about Susannah North Martin's life story. What made me so curious right after reading the first page of this book was that this was a real event. This was like reading an article on a newspaper. This is about a real person who went through hell and never survived it. I have heard stories about the Salem witch trials. I even read about one version that explained the possessions and bewitching caused by a fungus found on the food eaten by the girls that claimed to have been possessed. And then, there were other versions, too. As far as I know, the versions were mostly pointing more to the allegation that there were really women in Massachusetts that dabble in witchcraft and ways of the devil. I have watched movies of the same subject also. But what set this book apart from all those mentioned is that this was written by someone related to one of the accused. Well, a few generations removed but nevertheless I have never heard of any accounts of the stories of the persons personally accused of the said crimes. This story is as close as to the horse's mouth as we can get. The author made extensive research to get to know her descendant and to understand the controversies surrounding her life and death. This also exposed the horrors and cruelties suffered by the accused parties while being held in their filthy cells waiting for their trials. 

I think people have a lot of opinions regarding the Salem witch trials. Some people may believe that those hanged were guilty, others would say they were victims. I personally do not believe them guilty or not. I know for a fact those trials and hanging happened but there were a lot of circumstances and events that were not known. I think there was a monopoly of information. There was more that condemn those that were accused than those that seek to shed light on the circumstances and understand. And having only a few references that contain accounts of those found guilty to go by, there is a possibility that those trials were actually done because of personal vendetta. After reading this, I am more inclined to believe that those people hanged might just have been innocent. One other thing about this story is, as the author intended, this was about the life, family and circumstances of Susannah North Martin and some of the people hanged. It did not really focus on the trials but on the kind of life lived by Susannah--that she was a good sister, a caring mother and grandmother loved by her family, a loyal and dedicated wife that had a loving and faithful husband and a love that survived even after death.

I give this book 4/5 mandrake roots. This was a refreshing other-side-of-the-coin story. The fact that this is my first time to read about accounts of those hanged for being a witch made this even more a must-read. This was so brave of the author to admit to be a descendant of one of those guilty in the Salem witch hunt trials. Surely, your great-grandmother, Susannah North Martin, is so proud of you for telling everyone her story. I condemn you not, or even Susannah and the rest.

If you lie and accuse another of witchcraft, you are exonerated. If you tell the truth, you are imprisoned.

- Heather B. Moore, Condemn Me Not - 

It was unfortunate that I was not able to read this in time for the deadline of the review. This review was supposed to be out last April 1. I apologize to Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the delay and for not being able to give you a heads-up. I was running some errands these past few days, was home late in the evenings and had no energy left but sleep. I assure you this will not happen again. Thank you again for allowing me to review this book.

Also by Heather Moore:

Slave Queen by H. B. Moore
A Second Chance 1of 6 of the Blind Date Collection ( A Timeless Anthology #18)