Smorgasbord Bookshelf – Summer Book Fair 2022 – First in Series – #Paranormal #Romance Jan Sikes, #Psychological #Mystery Joan Hall

Over the course of the next three months I will be sharing the authors who feature in the Smorgasbord Bookshelf with the books that I have reviewed and can personally recommend.

In this first part of the summer fair, I am sharing books that are the first in a series in both adult and children’s books along with one of their five star reviews. I hope that this will encourage you to enjoy the series in full. I will feature every author on the shelves by the end of the summer. I hope you will enjoy.

The first book today is Ghostly Interference (The White Rune Series) by Jan Sikes and I can highly recommend this and the second book in the series Jagged Feathers.

About the book

Jag Peters has one goal in his quiet comfortable life—to keep his karma slate wiped clean. A near-miss crash with a candy apple red Harley threatens to upend his safe world. He tracks down the rider to apologize properly. Slipping into a seedy biker bar, he discovers the rider isn’t a “he”, it’s a “she”, a dark-haired beauty.

Rena Jett is a troubled soul, who lives in a rough world. She wants no part of Jag’s apology, but even while she pushes him away, she is attracted to him. When he claims to see a ghost—her brother—can she trust him? And could her brother’s final gift, a magical rune stone with the symbol for “happily ever after” have the power to heal her wounds and allow opposites to find common ground—perhaps even love?

One of the reviews for the book

D. W. Peach 4.0 out of 5 stars Romance with a capital R  Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2022

Jag Peters is a bit of a goodie-two-shoes nerd who grew up in an emotionally healthy family. He falls hard for biker/waitress Rena Jett, a woman with a troubled past who doesn’t trust anyone or believe that life will ever be kind. Though Jag’s attraction is immediate, it takes some time for Rena to warm up to him. Rena’s brother Sam, a soldier, died in Afghanistan, and his ghost makes it clear to Jag that he wants his sister to be happy.

Three-quarters of the book is romance with a capital R, focused on the growing relationship. There’s little conflict as the characters get to know and trust each other. Two aspects of Jag’s life get some extra text—his musical abilities and the music scene, and the “new age” spiritual beliefs he’s gained from his mother. There’s some graphic sex, but the majority of the read is Jag simply being thoughtful and nice. He’s almost too perfect, and for that reason, I found Rena a more compelling character.

The story takes a turn in the last quarter, flipping into some great action as Jag and Rena become involved in helping a friend in danger. Both of them shine as they risk their lives to save the day. This last part of the story zips by after the casual pace getting to this point. Recommended to readers who enjoy basking in romance and watching a relationship grow.  

Head over to buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

 A small selection of other books by Jan Sikes

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Website: Jan Sikes – Goodreads: Jan on Goodreads – Twitter: @rijanjks  

About Jan Sikes

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. I can still remember the excitement that surged through me the first time I realized I could decipher words. Many summers, I won the highest award possible from the Hobbs, NM Public Library for reading the most books.

There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.

Oddly enough, I never had any ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music to match the time period of each story segment.

In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.

Wrong!

The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain.

I am a member of the Author’s Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, Romance Writers of America, and the Paranormal Writer’s Guild. I am an avid fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.

The next author whose books I can recommend is Joan Hall who writes excellent atmospheric mysteries infused with the paranormal. Her short story. House of Sorrow: Legends of Madeira provided a great background to the first book in the Legends of Madeira series – Cold Dark Night which I can also recommend.

About the short story

Ruth Hazelton is over the moon when her husband Lee agrees the nineteenth-century Victorian in Madeira, New Mexico, is the perfect home for them. While he starts his new job as police chief, she sets about unpacking and decorating.

But it’s not long before Ruth needs more. She becomes a fixture in the community, making time for everyone, volunteering, hosting events—she’s every bit the social butterfly her husband is not. Through her friendships, she learns several former residents of her home met with untimely deaths. If she were superstitious, she might fear a curse, but such nonsense doesn’t faze her.

Until the unthinkable happens.

Now, as the end of Ruth’s life draws near, she must find a way to convey her message and stop the cycle to prevent anyone else from suffering in the house of sorrow.

My review for the book November 1st 2021

I have read great reviews for this prequel to The Legends of Madeira series, and I was certainly not disappointed. Great characters, descriptive writing and a sustained air of mystery throughout the story.

Set in the 1960s, and the town of Madeira, we are introduced to Ruth who has lived in one of the few remaining Victorian homes in the street for most of her married life. Following the death of her husband, a former police chief, Ruth is under pressure from family to move into assisted living.

She reflects on her life in the house and town since the 1960s and we discover more about her background, marriage and the major events of the decade that impacted the nation and the world with both sorrow and jubilation

Ruth had loved the house and lavished time and effort to bring both the interior and the porch back to its former glory. A favourite in the neighbourhood with neighbours and their children she becomes a much loved part of the community.

Over the years there are veiled hints about the house and its previous owners. Ruth brushes them aside as superstition, and the active imagination of Sam a close neighbour and friend. Until suddenly one day it all becomes very real.

Now in old age and alone, she carries a burden. Whoever lives in the house next must be warned.

This book is a great way to introduce the town of Madeira and importantly the house, opening the door to the first book in the series which I am looking forward to reading.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Other books by Joan Hall

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Read other reviews and follow Joan: Goodreads – Website: Joan Hall – Blog: Joan Hall – BookBub: Joan Hall – Facebook: Joan Hall Writes – Twitter: @JoanHallWrites

About Joan Hall

Joan Hall has always enjoyed reading or listening to stories about inexplicable events, so it’s not surprising she writes mystery and romantic suspense. A lover of classic rock music, songs often serve as the inspiration for her books.

When she’s not writing, Joan likes to observe the night skies, explore old cemeteries, and learn about legends and folklore. She and her husband live in Texas with their two cats.

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some books… thanks Sally.