I read this sometime in 2014-15 as a part of my syllabus. It was interesting to read a play, not to enjoy it but to analyze and dissect it for the exam. It's a thoughtful play showing the lives of women in the then society though we can see the similarities even today. And that I remember a major portion of the play shows just how impactful it was (especially when I'm capable of forgetting plotlines quite soon after reading a book).

3.5 Stars

Well... an unpopular opinion, I suppose.

This was my first book by King, and I'm not sure what to say. The story was gripping, and the characterization was great. The book's part horror, part thriller. It has gore, torture, sadism, manipulation, cat & mouse games, and such. Some of it was sickening. Yeah, his vivid descriptions and my active imagination probably are the worst combination. The depravity of a sick mind has been portrayed with such care!

Yet, I didn't feel awed by the book. It was good, but that's it. I don't know if it's one of his best. Didn't feel like it, though. I didn't like how he used the word 'rape' in the book, but this was written more than two decades ago, and things have changed.

And boy, it was slow!

Well, I'm one of the authors of the book. But it's got 12 more stories, each of them belonging to a different subgenre of horror.

Read and enjoy the scare, gore, and terror if you are a horror aficionado.

Even if you aren't a fan, go ahead and grab the book. You might find something you like. :)

To Dream in Daylight by Cadence J. Thomas
Publication Date: 1 Sep 2020
Genre: New Adult/ Romance/ Fantasy/ Sci-fi
2.7 Stars
The cute cover and the blurb attracted me to the book. Imagine two people, dreaming of each other since childhood and wondering if the other is real or imaginary. It’s not until a humiliating video of the girl reaches the guy, thanks to social media, that he realizes she is indeed real.
His conflicting emotions and desire to meet her leads him to Chicago from Portland. Meanwhile, the girl, sick of all the unwanted attention, chooses to get off social media and go invisible. How will the dream mates meet? Will they find each other? Can they have a happy ever after?
That’s the premise of the book (in my words). Doesn’t it sound like a cute, angsty, sweet love story with the promise of HEA?
But does the book deliver? Yes and no.
Here is what I like about the book.
• The story has a HEA.
• The secondary characters are interesting.
• The relationship between Simon and his sister was warm and sweet.
• The concept of dreams was handled very well.
• The reactions are realistic to a good extent.
• Geeky references will make it a better book for some readers.
• There is enough mismatch of time to keep the readers hooked towards the end.
What I wished was better or was disappointed in the book-
• The narration alternates between Simon and Adri with the dream sequences in the third person. That’s very good. But, if not for the names and setting, I wouldn’t have been able to differentiate between Simon’s narration and Adri’s. They sound so similar, it’s hard to distinguish (until 80% of the book). That’s where Simon’s ready belief in Adri’s existence is contrasted by her disbelief. Even then, they react similarly, in just about every situation. The voices have got to be different and unique.
• The genre says NA, but the leads act like young adults. I couldn’t imagine either of them being over 18. But they were supposed to be in their 20’s, and I still can’t picture them in that age group. The writing style is typical YA.
• Adri is a lot more confused and stuck up on her ex. While it’s understandable she wants to live in the real world, she seems more disoriented about her life than Simon. Her character growth could have been better.
• Both characters are socially awkward, geeky, writers (with other jobs) and seem to let others make decisions for them. Similarities again, and having two awkward leads tends to cut down the appeal for me. (Another example of why it is more suited to be a YA romance).
• Finally, when the two of them do meet, the book is over. Bam! There is an epilogue of sorts, but that’s it. To read 90+% of the book only to know that it ends soon after they meet was disappointing. At least the ones who helped them should have been thanked or referred to. Considering our leads, without the supporting characters, their meeting wouldn’t happen.
Overall, it’s a clean romance (with mild kissing) and a decent YA (not NA) book.
I hope the team is going to proofread it another time before the final publishing. There are a few typos that need to be edited.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Shadesilk Press.
#ToDreamInDaylight #NetGalley

3.8 stars

Between Witches & Angels is the story of Megan and Jack with witches, demons, angels, and faith added into the mix. Megan and Jack are childhood besties with Megan loving Jack since forever, and this guy drinking himself to oblivion over the betrayal of his ex-wife.

Megan has magic in her blood and an immense interest in using her powers and herbs for healing. Her desperate move to Cornwall brings her new witch friends and a suitor with a magnetic personality. What happens when she agrees to marry the new guy, and Jack realizes he loves her? What happens when she disappears before the wedding and Jack feels she's in trouble? Can he find her? Will they have a HEA? What's the connection between Megan and demons?

The narration is descriptive and fast-paced. The story had me hooked from the prologue and sustained my interest throughout. It progresses over a few months, which are mentioned in each chapter. The settings are vivid, and I love how the author makes the atmosphere a tangible part of the story.

The story is written in both present tense and past tense, separated based on the timeline to avoid confusion. The story is in a limited third person from Megan's POV until her disappearance. It then moves to Jack's side of the narrative with an omnipresent third-person view whenever needed. The POV changes were smooth and flowing. Even with lots of internal dialogue, I had no trouble following who was thinking what.

*spoilers*

One thing that surprised me was the shift from routine fantasy to Christian fantasy. I knew there would be some of it, but towards the end, the emphasis was entirely on the Lord and becoming a good Christian. It was still a gripping read, what with angels and demons actively fighting each other.
What I would have liked was giving more importance to the witches (because I like them). There are good witches (the story has enough of them), and it made me sad to see Megan give up her magic towards the end. If magic is in her blood, she should use it for the good, as she wanted to.

*end of spoilers*


Despite there being another book lined up in the series, this one has a satisfactory ending. I love how you can read it as a standalone.

The characters are well developed though Megan has better characterization than Jack. She has more depth and layers, and Jack needs to catch up. His sudden giving up of alcohol seemed a bit unrealistic. He is, almost throughout the book, a weaker character than Megan and even his granny, who plays a vital role in the climax.
The other witches (Megan's friends in Cornwall) had good character definitions, and I hope there will be more of them in the next book.

Overall, it's an engaging read that'll keep you turning the pages to see who is who and if your guesses are right. If you like a few spells, some strong faith, the theme of good vs. evil, a clean romance with a pacy thriller, you'll enjoy this one.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#BetweenWitchesAngels #NetGalley

3.7 Stars (rounding off to 4 as 3 seemed to less)

I’d like to start by saying that this is my first book written by the author. While I have mixed feelings about the story, I am intrigued by her writing and have added her to my TBR.
The Wife is the story of Zoe, a 37 yo woman with a loving family and a happy life. She’s planning her 10th wedding anniversary celebration to make up for her fainting incident that marred the beauty of her wedding day. As the date comes closer, Zoe realizes that things are not what they seem. She is surrounded by lies and treachery. The blank space in her memory needs to be filled. Her questions need to be answered. But at what cost?
The story goes back and forth between the present and different sections of the past. We see the events through Zoe’s eyes, think her thoughts, and feel her overwrought emotions.
That’s where I’ve started feeling detached. I wasn’t able to think like Zoe nor feel like her. Her instincts were right (which I love). But she didn’t seem to be the kind to take a stand unless forced. The 2-3 times she does it, I kept cheering for her.
What made me wonder and wonder (until the climax) was her obsession with her younger sister, Dina. Somehow, that character was never real. The references to the differences between them, the causes for it, and the hints about what went wrong got repetitive over time. I just wanted to know and be done with it.
And when the reveal finally happens, it’s doesn’t seem strong enough. I was disappointed. More so because that’s the only place we get some sort of direct connection with Dina, and she is as surreal as always.
A few characters add little or nothing to the story, and others could have been developed in detail. The extra scenes emphasize Zoe’s insecurity and vulnerability, which was evident quite early in the book. I wanted to know more about the ones who play a major role in the story rather than the ones who come and go without much reason.
The pacing during the first half is quite slow compared to the second half, where everything happens in quick succession. That led to information dump in immediate scenes. Couple it with predictable twists, the book dips as it fails to sustain the balance.
However, there is tension, suspense, and a sense of fear about what would happen. That makes up for this misbalance to a good extent. The ending, though expected, was nice to read. Zoe seemed to be taking better control over things.
Then we have a final shot- the epilogue. I’ve always been a fan of epilogues. But this one leaves me with mixed feelings. It shows the true colors of a character (which I liked) but takes the story away from the lead character. Someone else manages to trump over the heroine, and not for the first time. With Zoe being the narrator throughout the book, to have an epilogue by a much stronger character dimmed the new-found strength of Zoe we get to see a page ago.
Overall, the narration is engaging and the shifting timelines were interesting. The book is a page-turner, despite a few misses.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Bookouture.
#TheWife #NetGalley

3.8 Stars

Myrtle’s Aunt Eve dies soon after calling her for help. Myrtle feels guilty for not listening to her aunt and helping her when she needed it. She visits the Witch’s Retreat, a B&B in Avebury, owned and run by her aunt. She knows for sure that her aunt’s death wasn’t an accident (or was it?).
All her life, she refused to believe in anything paranormal, often telling her aunt to not talk about witches. But Myrtle’s visit to the village results in a series of events that seem both manmade and mystical. Do witches exist? Why are people around her talking in circles? Who killed her aunt? Will Myrtle accept her aunt’s last wishes?
The story starts with Aunt Eve’s call and continues o take us through the next few days until the mystery is solved. Myrtle, the narrator, lost her parents when young and was adopted by Aunt Eve. She works as a teacher and definitely doesn’t believe in witches as her aunt does.
Avebury is lovely. The B&B is a tangible part of the story. The unpredictable weather also is wonderful to read about, even if Myrtle is not a fan of it. We have a good number of characters, some of whom are better developed than others, even our heroine. We have the usual suspects and two good looking men, one of whom might not be who he claims to be.
The guessed the culprit right before I reached half the book. Still, I enjoyed reading the book on the last page. The narrative style is descriptive but not overly so. I like to get a feel of the place, the atmosphere, and the author gives me that.
The pace was decent, though I wished it was better. While there isn’t much rambling, Myrtle was hell-bent on not believing in anything paranormal, dragging the story with her when she could have solved it faster. It fits the trope to the T but makes the reader want to shake some sense into her head.
Since it’s the first book in the series, I’m willing to let it go. The writer needs to set the stage, after all. The writing is light with bits of humor and sarcasm. Grief shows, but not enough to overwhelm the readers, just as it should be in a cozy mystery.
My only complaint is that I liked the side characters more than Myrtle. Still, it would be interesting to see her character development in the next books. Tiddles, the stinky cat, was a delight, despite the smell.
There isn’t much magic. We get to see it only towards the end. But it’s different and intriguing. I like the concept the author created here.
Overall, it’s an engaging book for cozy mystery lovers, especially if they also love descriptions of the settings.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Literary Wanderlust.
#InMyAttic #NetGalley

The Bluebell Girls by Barbara Josselsohn
Lake Summers Book 2 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 25th Sep 2020
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
4.2 Stars
“Three generations. One summer that will change everything.”
This line on the cover says it all. It is a book of second chances, of introspections, of understanding, compassion, and accepting life and love with a smile.
Jenna and her daughter Sophie, an eleven-year-old, come to Lake Summers, Jenna’s home. Jenna is in the middle of a messy divorce, her self-esteem all-time low. Sophie starts as a typical pre-teen but grows into a girl with more depth and layers to her characters. Sweet, Jenna’s mother, happens to hold the key to happiness and is a delightful person.
We see Chloe, Jenna’s elder sister, who appears to be dominant and controlling, but then we learn her thoughts and see her in a different light. Jenna meets Troy, her first love, and she begins to think about her life, her decisions, the past, and the present. Troy himself is battling with his demons and finds it hard to listen to his heart.
It’s been a while since I read romances, but I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as one. There is love, but it’s more in thoughts, in the past, and the words and gestures rather than two people being impulsive.
The writing is mellow, a bit slow in the beginning, and picks a little pace a while later. It doesn’t rush off towards the end but walks at a steady pace.
The book doesn’t have villains, baddies, or typical mean characters that throw a spanner just for the sake of it. The character arc of Jenna, from doubting her every action to become who she was once, a confident and bright woman, was crafted very well.
Sweet’s secret love story from her past, her bonding with Sophie, and how the threads tie-up at the end of the book were heartwarming without being too gooey. I did guess a few things (no spoilers), but that’s fine. The book isn’t based on the reader guessing anything.
Jenna has a lot of thoughts and conflicting emotions. She goes back and forth between past and present, but she doesn’t ramble. There are no repetitions in the story (except in one place). There is no information dump, either. We get to know bits and pieces of who Jenna was and how she let circumstances take away her spark. But she’s never bitter, sad, yes.
There are times when one needs to read something positive, hopeful, and sweet that’s not preachy and overly dramatic. This book fits the bill. The ending isn’t a perfect HEA. We know there will be issues. But we also know that the characters are now at a place where they are confident of finding ways to love and be happy.
I wish Troy had a better arc just as Jenna did. He is almost predictable, and that does cut down the points a bit. Lake Summers seems like a wonderful place to live, and boy, I love the use of bluebells in the story.
Overall, it’s a nice and satisfying book for those looking for something warm and cozy without too much drama.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Bookouture.
#TheBluebellGirls #NetGalley

3.8 Stars
Murder Old and New is the story of two incidents that take place in a gap of 70 years. Was the first death a suicide or murder? Are the latest deaths at the senior’s residence natural or unnatural? Is there a connection between the two? What does Livy Crowe, the owner of Better Days, a nostalgia shop, think?
In short, that’s the premise of the book. The story is narrated by Livy, a 45-year-old divorcee who lives a pretty contented life with her cat, Fudge. Her time is divided between the shop, visiting Gates Home (senior residence), and going to auctions. Thrown in Tim, a 30 odd young lad with a crush on her, a mother with signs of depression and dementia, and an envelope with pictures taken by her late father; the book starts with the photographs of a dead man hanging from a tree.
Now, that’s the kind of beginning I love to read. The story progressed at a slow and steady pace during the first half. While there were times I wished something happened, I could see the need to establish the setting and the characters. There are quite a few interesting characters, including the killer(s). The setting also plays an important role.
There are tidbits about old pulp fiction, comics, music, and stuff that I could have enjoyed even more if I had good command over the topics. Still, it was informative, and I liked reading about the types of paper and changing preferences of people over time.
Back to the mystery, Livy, as she declares it quite a few times, has an overactive imagination that helps her connect the dots and also takes her focus away from what is right in front of her. Some clues were too apparent, but she refuses to consider them and goes off tangent.
That’s the advantage of writing from the first person POV. The reader knows before the narrator can focus on it. This frustrated me at times, but then, it shows I was hooked by the story. The climax had all the elements a thriller should have. Everything that should go wrong, goes wrong, making it almost impossible for our leading lady. But she succeeds in her mission and captures the killer.
The loose ends were handled, even with a small surprise added to the mix. I just wished the two people who gave Livy some of the most pieces of important information were also mentioned at the end.
There is a sort of triangle story that starts sometime in the middle and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. I’m just not sure how I feel about it. If the roles were reversed and Livy was a man, well, he’d lose fans. Still, I don’t have any major issues with it.
One thing that stood out odd in the book was an overly graphic scene describing death. While most of them were glossed over (imagine a book that doesn’t even have cuss words), this one sticks out like a sore thumb. I don’t see any need for it, considering it adds nothing to the story. There’s another towards the end, but it is justified. I have no issues with gore that serve a purpose.
Overall, the book is worth a read. Be patient in the beginning, and you’ll enjoy the style of narration is both simple (in a good way) and engaging.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Cross Road Press.
#MurderOldandNew #NetGalley

3.8 stars

We have Declan, an ex-con out on parole and a stranger in Sugar Maple, Felicia, the owner of Tranquil Maple Nursery, her Nana, her friends (the Famous Five), and a bunch of other characters who play varying roles in this small-town romance.
The concept of the book is quite simple and sweet- sometimes all a person needs is a second chance. Not because they messed up the first time, but because they deserve to show their side of the story.
There are times when one doesn’t want to read anything too heavy or introspective. But what if one still wants to read a nice little story? That’s where this book scores points. The writing is engaging and easy. The storyline is more or less predictable and doesn’t drag at unnecessary places. It goes at a steady pace, touching various aspects of life. But none of them are dealt in depth to make it a heavy and somber read.
The characters are quite typical. We know what they will do and how they’ll react. Felicia, despite being referred to as a softie has enough spine to handle most of the stuff thrown at her. Her kind heart is a result of experiencing complexities rather than being a pushover.
Declan is again the typical hero with a troubled past and present insecurities. However, he doesn’t come across as rude, only sad, and resigned. I wasn’t sure how friendly the Famous Five friends were, but they managed to redeem themselves. Book one and two deal with the stories of two of these five ladies. Felicia gets the third book.
How Felicia and Declan help and get to know each other and how they make a difference to the lives of others around them forms the plot.
Overall, it’s a nice book one can finish without stressing too much about what’s and why’s. Just remember- don’t look for surprises in this book. Look for comfort and familiarity.

Trigger warning: Mentions of racism and domestic abuse (nothing explicit).

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Author Collective 20 and am voluntarily leaving a review.