It's Bad Witch o' Clock During Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. Day Weekend

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.

[a bookstack of 5 titles from top to bottom: Deja Brew, Bad Witches, Magical Meet Cute, How to Help a Hungry Werewolf, American Ghoul]

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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