#TuesdayBookBlog – A Thousand Yesteryears by Mae Clair

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Amazon Blurb: Behind a legend lies the truth…

As a child, Eve Parrish lost her father and her best friend, Maggie Flynn, in a tragic bridge collapse. Fifteen years later, she returns to Point Pleasant to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. Though much has changed about the once thriving river community, the ghost of tragedy still weighs heavily on the town, as do rumors and sightings of the Mothman, a local legend. When Eve uncovers startling information about her aunt’s death, that legend is in danger of becoming all too real . . .

So begins Mae Clair’s very shivery novel about a town still trying desperately to recover from the terrible tragedy that caused Eve Parrish and her mother to abandon their home, friends, and family for nearly fifteen years. Upon Eve’s return, she discovers, among other things, that the legend of Mothman still hangs over the town, and believe me, it adds an unexpected dimension to this tale of buried secrets and soul-crushing guilt.

As a fan of Appalachian folklore, I’ve read about Mothman many times, but have to give kudos to Mae Clair for her skillful rendition of what I originally thought was a pretty silly concept. In her able hands, it most definitely is not silly. In fact, I can’t wait for the next book to find out more. In addition to the continuing story of the Eve’s future plans and growing relationship with her childhood crush, Caden Flynn, the mystery of just who, or what, Mothman actually is, just might get laid to rest. I’m dying to learn exactly what the title of the book only hints at.

If you like your mysteries filled with evil aplenty of the human kind, and a touch of what might be something supernatural . . . or not . . . you should definitely check out A Thousand Yesteryears. And may I add, it’s always a pleasure to read a well constructed, well-edited, and solidly written book like this. I will be following along with this story, and will definitely continue reading more of Mae Clair’s work.

A Thousand Yesteryears

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#TuesdayBookBlog – The Pax Arcana Series by Elliott James

 

My Rating 5 of 5 Stars

“John Charming isn’t your average Prince…

He comes from a line of Charmings — an illustrious family of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers dating back to before the fall of Rome. Trained by a modern day version of the Knights Templar, monster hunters who have updated their methods from chain mail and crossbows to Kevlar and shotguns, John Charming was one of the best–until a curse made him one of the abominations the Knights were sworn to hunt.” (Amazon Blurb for Charming: Pax Arcana Book 1)

All of the above is true, but due to the aforementioned curse, John is now leading a very low-key life, tending bar–hiding–in rural Virginia, until the wrong people walk through the door, and turn his safe but humdrum life upside down. Not exactly an unusual premise as urban fantasy goes, but the surprise is in the writing, folks. Elliott James has a way with words. Especially funny, snarky words.

The adventures in Books 1, 2, and 3 are well written, believable, and yes, charming. But most of all, the ever-present one-liners are utterly addicting. I knew I was going to love the series the  minute I read, “Wait . . . did I just write that last part out loud?” That did it for me, and onward I went, pausing only to savor and highlight other droll and witty lines.

Combine those great lines with chapter titles that are worth the price of admission alone, and I’m a fan for life. How can you resist chapters like “If Shoving You is Wrong, I Don’t Want to do  Right,” or “The Norse Whisperer,” or my favorite, “Psychopomp and  Circumstance.”

Now for those of you who can take or leave that kind of humor, there’s still plenty of adventure and action, with all the usual suspects, and a few who aren’t so usual, like Valkyries and a very creepy Naga.

There are currently four books in the series out. I’ve only read the first three, but I’m quite confident I’ll enjoy #4 just as much. Highly recommended for fans of urban fantasy, magic, various and sundry supernatural creatures, and an extremely funny and appealing hero, determined to do the right thing, in spite of his bad luck so far. And if you don’t believe me, check out what Patricia Briggs, Kevin Hearne, Richard Kadrey, and my idol, Seanan McGuire have to say. It’s all there on the Amazon page! 🙂

Charming

Daring

Fearless

In Shining Armor