The Phantom Paragrapher

Review: Return to Wyldcliffe Heights - Carol Goodman - July 2024 Reading Return to Wyldcliffe Heights felt like stepping into a world of eerie deja vu. Even though Goodreads told me I hadn’t read it before, there was something about this book that felt so familiar—perhaps because it taps into a beloved trope of mine: the unreliable narrator. It’s a type of story I can never resist, and this one absolutely delivered. Agnes Corey, a junior editor, is hired to transcribe the long-awaited sequel to The Secret of Wyldcliffe Heights , a 1993 literary hit by the reclusive author Veronica St. Clair. St. Clair’s life has been shrouded in mystery since the release of her book, which was followed by a tragic fire that left her scarred and blind. When Agnes arrives at St. Clair’s crumbling estate, once a psychiatric hospital for “wayward women,” she expects a routine project. But as St. Clair dictates the sequel, Agnes uncovers chilling details that blur the line between fiction and reality, h...

Review: A Tempest of Tea - Book #1 Blood and Tea Series - Hafsah Faizal - February 2024 A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal is a whirlwind of steampunk vibes, danger, and deceit, with a twist of romance and intrigue that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Set in the vibrant city of White Roaring, the story centers on Arthie Casimir, a criminal mastermind who runs a seemingly innocent tearoom by day, which secretly transforms into an underground bloodhouse catering to the city's feared vampires by night. When her empire is at risk, Arthie must forge an unlikely alliance with a dangerous adversary to protect her world—one that balances precariously between the living and the undead. Faizal’s world-building is exceptional. Picture the elegance and intrigue of The Parasol Protectorate series combined with the high-stakes action of Heist Royale, and you’ll get a glimpse into the dazzling yet perilous life of White Roaring. Arthie is a force to be reckoned with, balancing power, wi...

Review: The Problem With Neighbors - Book #1 The Town of Gentry Series - M.Morgan - February 2025 If you’re after a small-town romance that packs a punch, M. Morgan’s The Problem with Neighbors is everything you need and more. After devouring Morgan’s dark romance These Vicious Games , I was intrigued to see what her take on a lighter, funnier romance would be—and wow, did it deliver! Marcilynn’s fresh start in the quaint town of Gentry is anything but easy. Moving on from a painful betrayal by her ex-fiancé and sister, she’s ready to open her dog grooming business and live life on her own terms. Enter Tucker Dixon, her grumpy but undeniably handsome neighbor who keeps getting in her way (in the best possible way). From the get-go, their chemistry is undeniable, but what starts as a reluctant, fake relationship quickly turns into something much more real. Tucker, a lifelong Gentry resident, likes his quiet, routine-driven life, and the last thing he needs is a messy, sassy neighbor ...

Review: Her Dying Day - Mindy Carlson - June 2022 The mystery surrounding Her Dying Day by Mindy Carlson captivated me from start to finish, not only because of the eerie disappearance at the heart of the plot but also because it evoked memories of the infamous real-life vanishing of Agatha Christie.   Aspiring filmmaker June Masterson is on a quest to document the mystery of Greer Larkin, a renowned mystery author who disappeared under strange circumstances. Growing up on a remote commune, June first heard about the case at fourteen, and now, years later, she’s determined to uncover the truth behind Greer’s disappearance. This book is a must-read for fans of unsolved cases, as it explores every possible theory about what happened to Greer. Was it her controlling fiancé, Jonathan? Did Greer take her own life due to writer's block, as her agent suggests? Or was it one of the women closest to her—her possessive mother, Blanche, or her obsessive best friend, Rachel? The twist...

Review: Pretend You're Mine - Book #1 Benevolence Series - Lucy Score - October 2015 I have to admit, when it comes to Lucy Score’s books, I’m either all in or completely out. Pretend You’re Mine was definitely one of those hits for me! I was completely hooked from the start, drawn in by characters that were so easy to love and a romance that had all the feels. Harper is on her way to stay with her friend Hannah when she gets lost and finds herself in the middle of a fight, stepping in to defend a woman being beaten. She doesn’t walk away unscathed, but luckily, Luke Garrison is there to help. Luke, a broody and selfless National Guard soldier, takes her in so she can heal. What starts as a simple act of kindness quickly turns into something more. Harper ends up sticking around, finding a job, and—of course—falling hard for Luke. And despite his best efforts to resist, Luke falls right back. But Luke isn’t looking for love. He’s already lost his wife and unborn child, and he ref...

When a second job takes Sierra Watson to Chesapeake Heights, she finds herself entwined with the powerful Freeman family in a world of tradition, loyalty, and love. Free to Fall is a soulful story of resilience, redemption, and a love so powerful it breaks through the toughest barriers. Readers who love Kennedy Ryan and Jessica Prince will devour this steamy, small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance from Louise Lennox. Read Now! She’s his greatest temptation. He’s her biggest risk. Together, they just might fall... Jabari Love? I don’t do that anymore. I’ve had my fill of betrayal, of trusting the wrong people, of letting my guard down only to be burned. My life is about control now—running the Freeman family empire, upholding our legacy, and keeping my heart locked behind walls no one can break. Then she shows up. Sierra Watson is nothing like the women I’ve known—bold, beautiful, and completely unimpressed by me. She challenges me, meets my sharp edges with smooth confidence, a...