TO CONDEMN A WITCH by Lisa A. Traugott – LSLL Book Campaign: Review & Giveaway

TO CONDEMN A WITCH

By LISA A. TRAUGOTT

Historical Fantasy

Publisher: Rose Castle Media

Pages: 399

Publication Date: August 11, 2025

SYNOPSIS

A stolen scroll. A cursed bloodline. A prophecy that binds three witches across life and death…

Scotland, 1729. When clairvoyant healer Fiona MacLeod discovers an enchanted scroll, she awakens a prophecy linking her fate to two other women: Eleanor, a servant-turned-mistress caught in a scandal, and Matilda, a vengeful ghost burned for witchcraft. Together, they must form a coven—maiden, mother, and crone—to protect a changeling child marked by ancient magic.

But a ruthless witch hunter is closing in—one who will stop at nothing to destroy the child and the women sworn to defend her.

Spanning the infamous Hellfire Caves of England to haunted Scottish glens and the wilds of colonial Virginia, To Condemn a Witch is a haunting prequel in the Tales of the Witchblood series—a dark tale of feminine power, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between witches who rise, no matter how often they are condemned.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa A. Traugott is the award-winning author of the Tales of the Witchborn series (To Rescue a Witch and To Condemn a Witch), a haunting historical fantasy saga in the realm of ghosts, goddesses, and rebellion. She double majored in history and theater to guarantee unemployment yet somehow became a full-time author. An original cast member on American Grit with John Cena, she also had five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

She lives in Austin with her husband and two kids where they enjoy walking ghost tours and telling scary stories around the campfire. You can get a FREE chapter of To Rescue a Witch at LisaTraugott.com.

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REVIEW

Ms. Traugott must have a touch of the supernatural herself, because she concocted a spellbinding story that kept me engrossed for several hours straight. To Condemn A Witch is fantastical, with its themes of ancient spirituality and magic, and is also rooted in factual historical events. The combination makes for a fascinating read.

Told from multiple points of view, the story spans several decades and various locations, both real and fictional, including Scotland, London, across the Atlantic, the Virginia Colony, and the Otherworld. The author’s impeccable research provided a backdrop that was so vividly described, it almost felt like the reader time-traveled to witness the events firsthand as they unfolded. Many of the scenes were gruesome, horrifying, and some were even downright scary. But there were also tender moments and funny segments as well.

The major characters were complex and compelling. The villains (the witch hunter, the betrayed wife, the shape shifter) revealed themselves early and were consistent in their evil deeds. Those who were considered protagonists (the coven members — Fiona, Matilda, and Eleanor; William MacLeod) were not necessarily likable or sympathetic, but they had redeeming qualities that proved their humanity and placed them on the right side of the story. They had strengths and flaws, which gave them dimensions that enriched the story. Matilda especially stands out for having made realizations about herself throughout the course of the story that guided her actions later.

Although this book was released later than Book 2, I recommend reading it first before To Rescue A Witch for a more complete experience. Be aware of the contents that may cause anxiety or discomfort — violence, deaths, mature themes, slavery, and historically accurate but objectionable language.

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UNDER THE GULF COAST SUN by Skip Rhudy – LSLL Book Campaign

UNDER THE GULF COAST SUN

By SKIP RHUDY

Romance / Coming of Age / Surfing

Publisher: Stoney Creek Publishing

Pages: 266

Publication Date: April 22, 2025

SYNOPSIS

This coming-of-age tale set against the sun-soaked beaches of 1970s Port Aransas, Texas, is a love letter to the people and culture of the Texas coast and the enduring allure of the Gulf of Mexico.

Eighteen-year-old Connor O’Reilly isn’t ready to leave his beloved hometown until the tourist girl he met the previous summer, Kassie Hernandez, returns to Port Aransas for one final vacation before college. Their tumultuous summer fling is wrecked by a freak accident in which Connor is lost at sea. His long years of surfing and fishing in the Gulf, as well as Kassie’s desperation to reunite with him, are pitted against the enormity and utter indifference of the sea.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Skip Rhudy grew up surfing in Port Aransas, Texas. He has translated poetry and prose from German to English, and translated Wolfgang Hilbig’s novella Die Weiber for his master’s thesis in 1990 at the University of Texas. His short stories were published in numerous small press magazines in the mid-1990s, and his novella One Punk Summer was published in 1993 and reprinted in 2021.

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REVIEW

What an entertaining read! A true destination romance, Under The Gulf Coast Sun took me to Port Aransas, a place I haven’t been, and to the nineteen seventies, a time not-too-far gone yet a whole lifetime ago. I am equally delighted and aghast that this book is considered a historical romance. I was already alive during the time setting of the story, so I’m feeling old. But I’m also not old enough to say I could relate to the characters in this coming-of-age love story.

Skip Rhudy did a wonderful job of infusing his characters with a balance of confidence, confusion, and insecurity that typifies teenagers of every generation yet placing them in distinct situations that could only have been experienced by the youth in the seventies and early eighties. The younger drinking age, the loose parental controls, and the existing media and technological selections are some examples that place this book in the past. Connor and Kassie are fully fleshed-out characters who acted true to their ages. They are sympathetic and easy to root for, having virtues and flaws that make them real.

Usually, I don’t like the main conflict in romance caused by a misunderstanding and lack of communication, but I understood why it happened here. I appreciate how Mr. Rhudy laid it out, so it came out organic and a natural offshoot of Connor and Kassie’s backgrounds.

The surfing scenes and the locations are described incredibly well, a testament to the author’s talent and lived experience. The dialogues flowed naturally. The language was plain, easily understood, and true to the time. My only critique is the head-hopping and unnecessary points of view from a couple of secondary characters.

Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.

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VANISHING INTO THE 100% DARK by Amber Royer – LSLL Book Campaign

VANISHING INTO THE 100% DARK

By Amber Royer

Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Golden Tip Press

Pages: 288

Publication Date: March 4, 2025

SYNOPSIS

Bean to chocolate maker Felicity Koerber has been invited to be part of a chocolate festival in Tokyo. It’s a big deal for a Texas gal with a chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand, so a whole group of her friends come along to support her. It’s intimidating enough to be giving a class on chocolate making with the help of a translator – she also stumbles across the scene of a murder, where a quirky group of international actors and stunt performers are making a monster movie. Felicity has already solved half a dozen murders back in Texas, so at this point her friends basically expect her to get involved – even before the young media influencer in Felicity’s group becomes the main suspect.

Felicity has taken on the role of chaperone for Chloe, so she can’t imagine how she could explain what went wrong to the girl’s mother. Which gives her even more motivation to figure out the real killer.

In the meantime, things get complicated at the chocolate festival when a rival chocolate maker tries to get her disqualified from the awards competition – and claims that her amateur sleuth status is bringing undesirables into the festival. And things are even more complicated as the stress of being in an unfamiliar place brings out secrets about Felicity’s friends – and her fiancé.

Honda the calico cat makes an appearance on the movie set, making Felicity homesick for her pet bunny, left at home. But the cat may know more about what happened than she is letting on. Can Felicity solve the murder in time to keep Chloe from getting arrested, while making things right with the people she cares about, and presenting a good showing at the chocolate festival?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amber Royer writes the Chocoverse space opera series and the Bean to Bar Mysteries. She is also the author of Story Like a Journalist: a Workbook for Novelists and has co-authored a chocolate-related cookbook with her husband. She also teaches creative writing and is an author coach.

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REVIEW

A fresh spin on what’s promising to be a long-running series. I have been reading Amber Royer’s Bean to Bar Mysteries series from the beginning and am delighted with the setting change. I enjoyed getting to know Galveston and the community Felicity Koerber has built there. I also appreciate the author widening her character’s world and inviting the readers to travel with them.

In moving this latest installment to Japan, Ms. Royer retained her signature elements while creating new challenges for her amateur sleuth to conquer. Vanishing Into The 100% Dark brought Texas to Japan through Felicity and her large entourage–her fiancé, his sister and her partner, a former love interest and his partner, a podcaster and his fiancée, and a teenage YouTuber. Even those left in the US like Carmen and Autumn showed up via FaceTime.

As with the previous seven books, events happen early and quickly. New characters are introduced, the main (murder) mystery to be solved is established, and suspects pile up. As usual, a first edition copy of a mystery novel shows up and it’s somehow connected to the case. There’s also a business rival to contend with, and loads of familiar and newly-created chocolate flavors mentioned. Finally, there’s always a pet involved — this time, a calico cat.

With seven solved cases under her belt, Felicity has developed a keen sense of when an impending disaster is about to happen. She has resigned herself to the fact that she must lead the investigation. Finding out who did it is never easy, but especially difficult in an unfamiliar location while trying to navigate cross-cultural communications using technology and relying on the generosity of strangers.

I loved Ms. Royer’s integration of Japanese culture in this story–about the kaiju (media involving giant monsters), shogi (chess-like board game), the food, and the daily life of local citizens. I also admire the massive research she undertook while creating this book. It clearly showed up in the dialogues, the anecdotes, the backgrounds of new characters, and the case resolution.

There’s a lot to enjoy in this latest book in the series. However, this is best suited to those who have already read the previous seven. First-time readers might find the multitude of characters, loads of information, and fast pace overwhelming. Plus, there are relationship updates that would spoil storylines from earlier installments. They should also get familiarized with Felicity’s unique style of investigation, otherwise they would not appreciate her methods.

The last thing I want to say is–I want more chocolates. Felicity’s competence specialty was not fully highlighted here like in previous books. Ms. Royer can’t go wrong with more chocolates in her next book.

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THE BORDER BETWEEN US by Rudy Ruiz – LSLL Book Campaign

THE BORDER BETWEEN US

By Rudy Ruiz

Literary Fiction

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Pages: 256

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

SYNOPSIS

The Border Between Us is a poignant coming-of-age novel from one of the most exciting voices in fiction.

Ramón López was born along the US–Mexico border but is determined to get out and embrace the American dream—and he’s not sure whether his complicated family is a help or a hindrance. As the son of immigrants, as Ramón grows, his admiration for his entrepreneurial father sours as he watches his dad’s dreams of success wither on the vine. Ramón’s mother is constantly preoccupied with his younger brother, who struggles with intellectual disabilities.

And the outside world is rife with danger and temptations threatening to distract Ramón from his dreams of making it to New York and succeeding as an artist.

As dreams clash with reality and values conflict with desires, Ramón finds the American dream within his reach—but will it demand too big a sacrifice?

Award-winning author Rudy Ruiz brilliantly captures the beauty and danger of border life as Ramón struggles to understand his home and his place in the world. The Border Between Us is a stunning, compassionate story about a son’s fraught relationship with his father, the challenges of pursuing a creative life when one comes from humble beginnings, and the power of embracing one’s whole self.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rudy Ruiz is the author of The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez and Valley of Shadows. He is a winner of the Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Book of Fiction, the Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction, and multiple International Latino Book Awards. A bilingual native of the US–Mexico border, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Harvard University. Rudy lives and writes in Texas and New England with his wife and children. Visit his website at RudyRuiz.com.

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Painfully emotive, The Border Between Us has earned a place on my Top 25 Reads in 2025 list. Ramón López’s coming-of-age story affected me like no other literary work I’ve consumed this year. It was so involving; I finished it in one sitting. Even when the heart-rending scenes and difficult conversations made me cry, I could not stop reading.

Life is like the river. It has many twists and turns.”

I found the harsh beauty in Rudy Ruiz’s hyper realistic storytelling immensely compelling. It was hard to tell which part was fiction and which actually happened. At times, it read like a biography. Doubtless, Mr. Ruiz vivified the real-life experiences of countless Mexican Americans from the border in creating the characters in the story. From Ramón to his father and entire family to Dante to Clara, the author made them three-dimensional people–powerfully drawn, unquestionably authentic. He did this without using divisive narrative and I applaud him for his discipline.

Another laudable achievement was the incredibly vivid descriptions, especially those of the locations and the paintings. This book took me along for the ride across the US-Mexico border, to the schools, to Coffee Port Road, and to New York. As for the art, I want to believe they’re displayed and celebrated in some gallery in South Texas.

When the branch sways, the eagle does not fear, for to its wings it clings.”

In a story about a boy’s growth into a young man as he searched for his identity amidst forces he couldn’t control, there is bound to be angst. Yes, there was danger and tragedy, betrayal and adversity. Lots of them. But there was also success, joy, support, resilience, and in the end, hope. The romantic in me finds balance in that.

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HOME TO COMFORT by Kimberly Fish – LSLL Book Campaign: Review and Giveaway

HOME TO COMFORT

By Kimberly Fish

Women’s Fiction / Contemporary / Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Fish Tales Publishing

Pages: 382

Publication Date: October 10, 2024

SYNOPSIS

Gloria Bachman has pivoted so many times this year she has whiplash. Now, in the middle of winter and drenched in Mexican sunshine at a five-star resort, she has a role to play: Mason Lassiter’s “arm candy” in a sting to nab his not-actually-dead, first wife, Patsy. It didn’t make any sense to her either, but who argues with government officials offering an expense-paid trip and a reason for a new beach wardrobe?

With Patsy leading resort security, FBI agents, and Mason on a merry chase, Gloria knows that if you want to catch a woman of a certain age, you have to think like a woman of a certain age. Thankfully, she’s got the credentials.

If only she could understand the other people in her life—particularly Gardner Rogers. Gloria returns home to Comfort, Texas with a ring, a pressing need to organize her house, and a custom order of Sweeties signature truffles to be delivered to White House chefs. When her business partner embarks on last-minute travel plans, one of her best friends announces a retirement, romances bloom from unlikely sources, and Gardner and her ex-husband, Harry Rogers, come unhinged—quite publicly—it all forces Gloria to face her strangest challenges yet.

This final book in the Comfort and Joy trilogy weaves happy endings for the townsfolk that readers have come to love, and just deserts for those they don’t. It’s Kimberly Fish at her finest, and a treasure for brave people who don’t retire quietly.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kimberly Fish has been in the writing industry for over 30 years. An amateur historian and fan of cozy mysteries, she weaves history and mystery into her stories of women finding their grit and sweet second chances.

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REVIEW

In the middle of a crowd, one’s heart can always find home.”

Comforting and joyful, this series lives up to its name. This final book evokes all the wonderful feelings one attributes to the word “home”– family, safety, trust, hope, happiness, and love.

As I stated in my reviews of Kimberly Fish’s previous books, Gloria Bachman’s story and personality appealed to me even before her own series started. She is a fun mix of immensely capable and incredibly lucky. Perfect for a heroine who often finds herself unwittingly in the center of intrigue and mayhem.

In the conclusion of the saga concerning her love interest Mason Lassiter’s first wife, Gloria showcased her crime-solving abilities. Aided by her quick wit, intrinsic female knowledge, lived experiences of being underestimated, a great dose of sense of humor, and timely help from trusted friends, she bested both the FBI and the villains.

Her musings about relationships — marriage, friendship, adversaries — in addition to her insecurities, doubts, and impatience made her a wholly relatable character.

And if it hasn’t worked out, it’s not the end.”

I have always admired how Ms. Fish can make her settings come alive and that’s especially true in Home to Comfort. The descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations Gloria was experiencing took me to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and to a large part of Texas. The drive from Dallas to the Hill Country was something I had experienced myself and reading it here made me smile.

With the satisfying resolution of conflicts and a hopeful ending for the major characters, I can’t really be sad that the Comfort and Joy series is complete. It has entertained me for an extended period, and I’m grateful to its creator.

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WOODS AND WINGS by M.W. Devers – LSLL Book Campaign: Review and Giveaway

WOODS AND WINGS

by M.W. Devers

YA / Fantasy / Action & Adventure

Publisher: Midnight6 Publishing

Pages: 430

Publication Date: November 19, 2024

SYNOPSIS

She never sought the path of a hero. Destiny had other plans.

In the peaceful village of Rhigov, where traditions hold sway, fifteen-year-old Astraya Myna dreams of little more than escaping the confines of her kitchen duties. But when a malevolent force known as Vronti shatters the village’s tranquility, Astraya is thrust into a journey she never imagined.

Guided by a legacy she barely understands, Astraya joins forces with her brother, Raustra, and a small band of allies.

Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to protect their home from wingroans, dragon-like creatures whose powers are as formidable as their intentions are mysterious.

As shadows of betrayal and hidden truths close in, Astraya navigates a world where loyalty is tested and power proves both elusive and dangerous. With each step she uncovers more about her family’s past and her own untapped strength, until she must decide: how far will she go to save her people and what is she willing to sacrifice to discover the truth about herself?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M.W. Devers has been crafting stories since childhood, drawing from a lifelong love of reading that began at age three. The idea for Woods & Wings took root during a family vacation to a theme park, and he’s been dedicated to bringing it to life ever since, beginning in 2022. This is his first published work of fiction.

MWD enjoys the quiet magic of early mornings spent world-building and shaping characters, all from his home in New Braunfels, Texas, where he lives with his family.

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REVIEW

I always turn to reading when I’m looking for an escape from an increasingly tumultuous world. Normally, I prefer Romance, but sometimes, I choose to lose myself in the pages of Fantasy books. This is one of those times. In Woods and Wings, I found solace in the heroic adventures of the Myna family — Astraya, the fifteen-year-old Stonebreaker; her brother Raustra; their grandfather Amir; and their mother Elizabyth — as they try to save their town from the menace of the dragon-like sibling wingroans Vulmen and Vronti and the cruel machinations of a person in power.

Decisions made on behalf and for the good of others have a way of creating their own kind of curse.”

With the effective use of multiple points-of-view narration (including those of the fearsome creatures), M.W. Devers created a fascinating world that consists of elements both original and familiar. He told it in a language that reaches a wide range of audiences not just in age but also in levels of literacy. The exciting action scenes are balanced with emotion as the characters develop within themselves and their interpersonal relationships.

As usual with the genre, this story has many named characters. The author capably made them distinct and memorable — be they protagonists, antagonists, or supporting cast. I could not pinpoint which character grew the most because they all did by the end of this first story. I expect more revelations as the series progresses.

Keep your family close and anchor your courage around those bonds of love.”

I found the fight scenes riveting and thought them cinematic in scope. I could totally see this book adapted to the big screen. The strong family core differentiates this from other series out there with orphaned main characters fighting against the world. In fantasy and real life, having people you love around you will always lead to winning.

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THE DOLL FROM DUNEDIN by ML Condike – LSLL Book Campaign

THE DOLL FROM DUNEDIN

By ML Condike

Historical Mystery / Genealogy Mystery

Publisher: Harbor Lane Books

Pages: 428

Publication Date: October 22, 2024

SYNOPSIS

The Doll from Dunedin is the sequel to the 2024 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal winner in Fiction – Mystery – General, The Desk from Hoboken.

Still reeling from the dangers of a recent case, forensic genealogist RaeJean Hunter takes on a supposedly routine case to locate the missing heir of a woman she met in Central Park a year ago. Tantalized by a hefty income, she accepts.

But there’s a catch-she must find the heir within six months or the forty-million-dollar estate is donated to a local university.

With the tight deadline comes the chance of a sizeable bonus, a series of unforeseen obstacles, and the unexpected connection to a cold case from 1910, when perfume heiress Dorothy Arnold disappeared without a trace.

Armed with only her genealogical skills, the books and historical documents she unearths, and an antique doll that seems to be guiding her toward the answers she needs, RaeJean faces dangerous events that threaten to shatter her world and challenge her to meet the deadline. Her travels throughout the United States and New Zealand in search of answers bring with it its own question: Will she find the heir before time runs out?

But someone doesn’t want her to solve the case. The clock is ticking, and it will take every ounce of grit RaeJean has to solve this mystery and outwit the dangers that threaten her present while she sifts through the past.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ML Condike’s novel, The Doll From Dunedin released October 22, 2024, is the second book in her genealogy mystery series. The first novel, The Desk From Hoboken (March 5, 2024), received a gold medal in the 2024 Readers Favorite, General Mystery category. Her stories blend facts with fiction, using historical records and current technology to solve century-old cold cases.

She’s published in seven anthologies including Granbury Writers’ Bloc (2019, 2022); Key West Writers Guild (2023); and SinC North Dallas (2022, 2023, 2024).

She’s a member of MWA, Florida Chapter, Sisters in Crime National, Sisters in Crime North Dallas, Granbury Writers’ Bloc, and Key West Writers Guild.

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A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT by Marlene M. Bell – LSLL Book Campaign

A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT

Marlene M. Bell

Cozy Mystery / Small Town Mystery
Publisher: Ewephoric
Pages: 368
Publication Date: September 5, 2024

SYNOPSIS

A manipulator.

A fatal plan for revenge.

Award-winning author of the Annalisse series, Marlene M. Bell, brings distant friends together in the rural South only to have one of them become the victim of a brutal crime of passion.

Once celebrated for her show-stopping pastries and irresistible desserts, former celebrity chef Laura Harris is now making headlines for a far darker reason.

Laura has been accused of murder.

How could this petite chef have brutally smothered the beloved small-town matriarch, World War II ferry pilot veteran, Hattie Stenburg? Hattie wasn’t just a pillar of the community; she was Laura’s confidant and mentor. The shocking twist? Hattie’s will contained recent changes, bypassing next-of kin and leaving her entire fortune and historic estate to Laura.

As Laura scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the town’s idyllic surface. The real murderer is always one step ahead, leaving taunting clues and threatening Laura to leave Texas—or face deadly consequences. With time not a luxury, Laura must untangle the web of deceit before the killer makes her the next victim.

In A Hush at Midnight, Marlene M. Bell twists an amateur sleuth crime mystery into a race against the clock to solve her mentor’s murder.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marlene M. Bell is an award-winning author of the Annalisse romantic suspense series. She’s also an acclaimed artist and photographer using her pictures for descriptive prose that eventually lands in her mysteries. Marlene lives with her husband of 42 years on their East Texas ranch with numerous sheep. When she’s not writing, drawing or painting, she is shepherdess to their Katahdin hair sheep and ranch kitties.