In each of the following books characters tap into their freedom to choose who they will become and how they'll move forward with their lives despite significant opposition.
American Ghoul by Michelle McGill-Vargas
historical speculative literary fiction
Blackstone Publishing, September 2024
Hard choices often generate unintended consequences and Lavinia's choices create collateral damage for herself and others. Is she a reliable narrator of her journey? Maybe or maybe not. A mash-up of The 1619 Project meets Interview with the Vampire and a supernatural Thelma and Louise. Sly levity makes the heavy themes less crushing. Insightful sociopolitical observations track a continuum from the racist, sexist, classist past to the real-life present. Racial slurs of the time included.
[printing note: My borrowed library hardcover copy had the last pages of chapters 35 & 36 switched.]
Bad Witches by H.B. Akumiah
contemporary speculative fiction
Blackstone Publishing, August 2024
Insta-friends Maya, Gabbie, and Delali get much more than they expected on their shared birthday and end up working together with another friend and a mentor to access their powers to save the magical world. Compelling surprises and chaos are unleashed. Clever nods to Practical Magic included.
Deja Brew (Elemental Love #3) by Celestine Martin
contemporary romance
Forever, October 2024
As individuals, Sirena and Gus are struggling. Together, their attraction has the potential to make their powers exponentially stronger while helping to heal their past hurts. Smalltown shenanigans and scorching chemistry along with hints of Groundhog Day make this a love story that delivers all the feels.
Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer
contemporary romance
Mira, August 2024
A hateful act indirectly leads an artist to love.
Did she manifest the man she wanted or is his sudden appearance a coincidence? Fans of While You Were Sleeping in particular should enjoy this clever romance with deeper themes relevant to the current sociopolitical environment.
How to Help a Hungry Werewolf (Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures #1) by Charlotte Stein
contemporary supernatural romance
St. Martin's Griffin, October 2024
A clever homage to the HEA Stephen King's Carrie deserved combined with magical mayhem, unintended consequences, variations on themes about bullies and bullying, sincere remorse and forgiveness make Cassie and Seth's love story poignant and super sexy. It's a strong start to what's destined to be an entertaining series. Make sure to read the author's note for interesting tidbits about what inspired this concept.
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