It's November (somehow...???) and time to talk about books we read and enjoyed in October. I decided to try to stick to books that were either paranormal or felt otherwise seasonal for my reading last month, so that's what you'll find on this list. I reread a few favorites too, which I'm pretty sure I listed when I wrote about Halloween book recs, so I'm going to list the ones I read for the first time here:
Mastering the Flames by SJ Himes: This fourth book in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer series has a slightly different feel than the first three, which makes sense because we're seeing the world through Isaac and Constantine's eyes this time around. And it was really good. I loved their romance and seeing more of favorite characters and the paranormal world set in modern day Boston. I went back and did a reread of the first three books after and now I can't wait for more!
Defender by Claire Cullen: Defender is the first book in a new shifter series, The Lost Pack. I was intrigued by the world building and characters, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Beating the Bounds by Parker Foye: Beating the Bounds is a short novella set around Halloween and involving the fae. I could've wished for more (I almost always want more and longer stories!), but the setting and atmosphere were wonderful and the f/f romance was lovely.
Deosil by Jordan L Hawk: This is the 11th and final book in the Whyborne & Griffin historical fantasy romance series, and I can't believe it's over. It's been one of my favorite series and one of my most reread (I'd been doing an audio reread in the lead up to this book too). Though I'm sad it's the last book with these characters, it was a lovely and satisfying conclusion. The paranormal threat that had been building over the series is dealt with well, and the relationships are all handled beautifully, so we remember that family is one of the big themes of the series. I can only be grateful to the author for creating these characters and the horrible murder town that I would move to in a heartbeat. If you haven't read it, start with Widdershins and binge your way through it. I'm a little jealous of you getting to discover it for the first time.
Mainly by Moonlight by Josh Lanyon: This little paranormal mystery was definitely a fun romp—it also absolutely reminded me of the television show Bewitched, which was possibly deliberate, as we have a witch who doesn't seem to use his powers much marrying a human with no magic who doesn't believe/know about it. Here, the witch is accused of murder and the fiancee is the police commissioner, to add a bit of a wrinkle. I'll be reading the next to see what happens between these two. (As an aside, I never understood why Samantha was so willing to not use her magic in that show. I would never!)
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova: This young adult fantasy is about a bisexual Latina teenager who is also a powerful bruja refusing to use her powers. The world building is fantastic, especially the world of Los Lagos, where Alex has to journey to save her family. I'm definitely going to pick up the next book in the series.
Monster Till Midnight by EJ Russell: This short is so much fun! Set at Halloween, it has aspects of magic and time travel, and also a sweet romance. And while I would love to know more about what happens to these two guys, this story was so well done and well-realized, it didn't feel at all incomplete.
Love Spells (For the End of the World) by Alys Murray: This was a cute, quick read about a witch and the witch hunter who vowed to kill her when they were teenagers having to team up to save the world—and fall in love.
What did you read and love in October?
Mastering the Flames by SJ Himes: This fourth book in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer series has a slightly different feel than the first three, which makes sense because we're seeing the world through Isaac and Constantine's eyes this time around. And it was really good. I loved their romance and seeing more of favorite characters and the paranormal world set in modern day Boston. I went back and did a reread of the first three books after and now I can't wait for more!
Defender by Claire Cullen: Defender is the first book in a new shifter series, The Lost Pack. I was intrigued by the world building and characters, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Beating the Bounds by Parker Foye: Beating the Bounds is a short novella set around Halloween and involving the fae. I could've wished for more (I almost always want more and longer stories!), but the setting and atmosphere were wonderful and the f/f romance was lovely.
Deosil by Jordan L Hawk: This is the 11th and final book in the Whyborne & Griffin historical fantasy romance series, and I can't believe it's over. It's been one of my favorite series and one of my most reread (I'd been doing an audio reread in the lead up to this book too). Though I'm sad it's the last book with these characters, it was a lovely and satisfying conclusion. The paranormal threat that had been building over the series is dealt with well, and the relationships are all handled beautifully, so we remember that family is one of the big themes of the series. I can only be grateful to the author for creating these characters and the horrible murder town that I would move to in a heartbeat. If you haven't read it, start with Widdershins and binge your way through it. I'm a little jealous of you getting to discover it for the first time.
Mainly by Moonlight by Josh Lanyon: This little paranormal mystery was definitely a fun romp—it also absolutely reminded me of the television show Bewitched, which was possibly deliberate, as we have a witch who doesn't seem to use his powers much marrying a human with no magic who doesn't believe/know about it. Here, the witch is accused of murder and the fiancee is the police commissioner, to add a bit of a wrinkle. I'll be reading the next to see what happens between these two. (As an aside, I never understood why Samantha was so willing to not use her magic in that show. I would never!)
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova: This young adult fantasy is about a bisexual Latina teenager who is also a powerful bruja refusing to use her powers. The world building is fantastic, especially the world of Los Lagos, where Alex has to journey to save her family. I'm definitely going to pick up the next book in the series.
Monster Till Midnight by EJ Russell: This short is so much fun! Set at Halloween, it has aspects of magic and time travel, and also a sweet romance. And while I would love to know more about what happens to these two guys, this story was so well done and well-realized, it didn't feel at all incomplete.
Love Spells (For the End of the World) by Alys Murray: This was a cute, quick read about a witch and the witch hunter who vowed to kill her when they were teenagers having to team up to save the world—and fall in love.
What did you read and love in October?
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