Book Review: Whispers of a Gypsy by J.T. Patten

 

Title: Whispers of a Gypsy

Author: J. T. Patten
Genre: Horror - Thriller - Dark Fiction
Publisher: Helbound Productions - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 18, 2022
Read: December 17-20, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warning: Contains references to domestic violence, child abuse, racism, The Holocaust, and scenes of graphic violence and medical procedures.

Synopsis from Publisher: Neurodivergent, young Dwight Skinner considers his mental challenges to be a superpower, but it's a pure bloodline that will put him in danger. When a tragic event brings a mysterious Romani neighbor, Mr. Mortimer, out of seclusion and into the Skinner family's lives, Dwight and his emotionally overloaded mother find an unsuspecting protector in this dark whisperer. Death and horrific secrets trail the unfolding life of Mr. Mortimer's past, and questions soon arise as to who has the more sinister of intentions, Dwight or the "Gypsy" he unconditionally trusts. The whispers have the answer. 

Note: Whispers of a Gypsy is a story about how purity of heart dies in a world of hate. Using the word "Gypsy" refers to members of the Romani people (and/or their sub-groups Roma, Sina, etc.). The G-word, however, is pejorative. It is used in this case for conscious correction and to relate to an Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp book and the over 500,000 Romani killed by the Nazis. This group was one of the foremost peoples who suffered inhumane tests while in the camps. Na bister 500,000

Review: J. T. Patten is a former government intelligence and special mission advisor, and it clearly shows in his writing. Whispers of a Gypsy is more than a horror story. It's both a historical in its scope and contemporary in its tone. It's both a spy thriller and a commentary on modern society. It's both a "whodunnit" and a supernatural horror show. It's a blend of genres, beholden to none, and I loved every page of it.

The plot is complex and spans decades from the horrors of Auschwitz and Josef Mengele to the modern-day Chicago suburbs. It touches on both Jewish and Romani folklore with references to both dybbuk and golem legends and even blends a little Shelley's Frankenstein and zombies into the supernatural aspects to create a truly unique version of an anti-hero. Told in alternating timelines of past and present as well as multiple points of view, the overall effect is a dark tale rooted in historical fact with far too plausible outcomes.

Whispers of a Gypsy is a thought-provoking novel that treats one of the most horrific episodes of human history with care and the reverence it deserves while also spinning a yarn of contemporary fantastical horror and international intrigue. Any fan of dark fiction will be delighted by J. T. Patten's work, and I look forward to his next book.

Book Review: Nourishing Vegan Every Day by Amy Lanza

Title: Nourishing Vegan Every Day

Author: Amy Lanza
Genre: Cookbook - Vegan
Publisher: Fair Winds Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
Read: December 10, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Nourishment meets flavor in this collection of vibrant and delicious vegan recipes. 

Nourishing Vegan Every Day embraces the flow of everyday life by providing recipes that range from nutritious to decadent, recognizing the important balance between time and taste buds. Whether you’re in need of a quick and energizing breakfast or a show-stopping meal to impress your guests, this book will provide inspiration for delectable plant-based meals. 

With gorgeous photography for every recipe and helpful kitchen tips, discover family favorites like Cheesy Pesto Tomato Swirl Buns; weeknight meals like Cashew Cauliflower and Spinach Dahl; and delightful vegan desserts like Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake. 

Beyond bringing flavorful meals to the kitchen table, this book creates a basis for nourishment and satisfaction, giving you the tools to build your own plant-based pantry. From kitchen staples to easy vegan swaps, learn more about low-waste meal preparation and methods to enhance your cooking experience as you craft delicious meals, snacks, and desserts. 

Breakfast: Nourish on the go with quick morning recipes such as Nourish Me Smoothies or Overnight Oats! The choice is yours. 

Brunch: Lazy weekends and beautiful brunches are the perfect time to serve up towering plates of delicious Chocolate Chip Raspberry Waffles or Vegan Eggs Benedict. 

Lunches, Salads, and Light Meals: Liven up your lunch break with easy-to-prep recipes like Herby Chickpea Tabouleh Salad and Moroccan Style Quinoa Salad. 

Dinner: Vegan dinner has never been more versatile! Chock full of vegetables and nourishment, recipes like Sweet Potato Gnocchi and Sesame Chili and Garlic Tofu Noodles will be a hit at the dinner table. 

Snacks: Easy recipes such as No-Bake Chocolate-Covered Muesli Bars and 2-Ingredient Flatbreads will have you reaching for homemade plant-based snacks, whether you’re craving something salty or sweet. 

Desserts: Enjoy a variety of vegan treats sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, such as No-Churn Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Ice Cream or Apple and Blackberry Crumble Pie. 

Celebration and Gathering Dishes: These sweet and savory recipes will prove to be crowd-pleasers at your next gathering. Impress your family and friends with a Vegan Celebrations Snack Board or Pumpkin Layer Cake.

Review: I don't often review cookbooks, but I am happily making an exception for Nourishing Vegan Every Day by Amy Lanza. OMG...I want to cook up every single recipe in this book! Over the past year or so, I've been steadily transitioning to a fully vegan diet--no small feat when living in small town Mississippi and the term "vegan" is often misunderstood as meaning "those little green guys from Venus" or maybe someone hailing from Las Vegas. Either way, telling someone you're vegan in Mississippi means they'll more than likely look at you as though you've sprouted two heads. Thankfully, there are a plethora of cookbooks on the market catering to the vegan/plant-based lifestyle.

Amy Lanza's dishes in Nourishing Vegan Every Day are hunger-inducing. (My stomach began growling almost instantly!) Using simple, easily sourced ingredients each recipe seduces the reader/cook to try it. What can be more simple than whipping up a batch of overnight oats? Easily when provided multiple variations? And the Vegan Eggs Benedict...oh, honey. Eggs Benedict have been a favorite of mine since my dad introduced them to me when I was a teen. Now I can have a vegan version of them? Yes, please! From breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner to desserts and more, every page is filled with mouthwatering recipes and bright, colorful photos you'll want to lick because they look so amazing. (Gingerbread Layer Cake, I'm looking at you, and you, too, Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Ice Cream...)

Whether you're new to the vegan lifestyle, curious about the plant-based food hype, or just looking to incorporate more healthy meal alternatives into your diet, Nourishing Vegan Every Day makes veganism approachable, simple to understand, and delectable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some cooking to do.

Book Review: The Magic of Astrology by Jessica Allen

 

Title: The Magic of Astrology

Author: Jessica Allen
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Driven - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 29, 2022
Read: December 10, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Find your place in the stars with this fun and accessible guide to the 12 signs of the zodiac. 

Are you spontaneous and impulsive, or do you like to look before you leap? Are you constantly full to the brim with big ideas, or do you prefer to tackle your goals and dreams one at a time? Learning about your astrological sign can help you find out what energizes and challenges you, how you relate to different signs, and how to get to know not only yourself but also your friends and family better. 

• Organized by the 12 zodiac signs, each chapter covers everything you need to know about how astrology relates to you. 
• Beautiful illustrations and helpful charts throughout feature each sign’s classic and lesser-known traits, tips on travel and décor, communication style, health and wellness, and beyond. 
• Fun bonus material includes a sun sign yearbook page, a zodiac compatibility matrix, lists of famous duos and their zodiac signs, and career ideas for each sign.

Review: I've reviewed several astrology books in the past couple of months, and The Magic of Astrology is one of the better books I've read. It's not a long or difficult read (only 176 pages) but is packed with lots of useful information. Unlike some authors, Allen doesn't spend time explaining how to create or interpret a birth chart, and instead focuses on the individual zodiac signs. Each sign is provided with information on ruling planet, compatibility with other signs, health, careers, and a lot more. Handy charts make it easy to reference and cross-reference everything Allen packs into these pages. If you're looking for a quick-reference guide to the zodiac, this is the book for you.

Book Review: Blame It On The Pumpkin (Anthology) - Edited by Tara Moeller

 Title: Blame It On The Pumpkin

Author: Various; Edited by Tara Moeller
Genre: Horror - Anthology
Publisher: DreamPunk Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 8, 2022
Read: December 8-10, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: What's the best-and worst-part of Halloween? The pumpkins, of course. 

Enjoy these 8 scary stories centered on a Halloween event-a pumpkin patch festival, a pumpkin-growing contest, a séance... Just beware of those rotting jack-o-lanterns. 

Includes stories by Pamela K. Kinney, Jennifer Kyrnin, Greg Partick, S. P. Mount, and more. Deja Vu edition

Review: Horror fiction is my jam. I love fantasy and science fiction, but horror has always been the genre I love the most. Combine it with my favorite holiday, Halloween, and my little black heart swells like a bloated vampire in an empty blood bank.

If only this anthology could have given me that...

Consisting of eight short stories, one nonfiction piece, and a single flash fiction entry, Blame It On The Pumpkin tries--bless its heart--to be spooky but fails across the board. Plagued with typos, spelling and grammar issues, lackluster plots, flat characters, and a complete lack of atmosphere, the short stories are universally, for a lack of better words, bland. Given the fundamental problems in this anthology, I question whether there was any editing performed or if submissions were simply accepted "as-is" and a cover slapped on the collection along with a price tag.

Here's a breakdown of each selection along with my grade in stars:

1. From pumpkin to Jack-o'-lantern (nonfiction) by Marjory Leposky: A brief "essay" outlining how a pumpkin is grown, transported to market, and then turned into the quintessential Halloween accessory, the jack o'lantern.  (3 stars)

2. Moonlit Hunt (flash fiction) by J.M. Silverleaf: Paragraph. Visual. (3 stars)

3. Pumpkin Hollow (short story) by Pamela Kinney: Five friends venture to an unknown haunt in a rural Virginia town. (1star -- typos, flat characters, absence of atmosphere)

4. Vampire Gourd (short story) by Jennifer Kyrnin: A man takes growing the biggest blue ribbon vegetable to an extreme. (4 stars -- probably the most fleshed-out character and plot as well as a unique twist on the vampire trope)

5. Nasty Old B!tch (short story) by S.P. Mount: Myrtle Soppingbottom makes plans to go out with a bang on Halloween. (2 stars -- had so much potential but the overuse of slang and multiple typos killed it...no pun intended)

6. Flock of Badb (short story) by S.P. Mount: Is Winnie caught in an Alfred Hitchcock film or is she the latest victim of a long-standing family curse? (2 stars -- again, had so much potential but the overuse of slang and a rushed ending were this story's downfalls)

7. Alone on Halloween (short story) by Michael Gore: A tragedy the year before finds a teen alone and in a new town on Halloween. (4 stars -- lots of atmosphere, good character development, and a twisted plot makes this story the best in the bunch as well as my favorite)

8. Dance of Masks and Fire: The Witchfinder's Shadow (short story) by Greg Patrick: Salem, Massachusetts is the backdrop for this Halloween night showdown between old enemies. (2 stars -- typos, a convoluted plot, disorienting character points-of-view, rushed and confusing action...could've been so much better)

9. Trick or Treat: Once Upon a Hunter's Moon (short story) by Greg Patrick: One man's Halloween night goes horrible awry after moving into a rumored "witch house." (3 stars -- the typos are few and the plot is more fleshed out than in the previous offering from this author, however, the overall story feels familiar)

10. The Halloween Séances (short story) by E.W. Farnsworth: Four widows gather on Halloween for their annual séance. (2 starts -- as with most of the stories offered here, this one had potential but failed thanks largely to a lack of atmosphere, non-existent plot, flat characters, and and overall lack of editing)

Overall, Blame It On The Pumpkin largely fails because of a disconnect between the stories and the horror genre. Horror requires atmosphere, dynamic characters, twisted plots, and above all, the steadily creeping sense of impending doom. Even novels can struggle with these elements, but short stories must deliver on these quickly and with bigger stakes. I can see the potential in these stories and if given a greater word count/page number, perhaps most of them would be able to reach and even surpass that potential. Unfortunately, Blame It On The Pumpkin is largely a disappointment.

Book Review: Astrology Magick by Lindsay Squire

Title: Astrology Magick

Author: Lindsay Squire
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Leaping Hare Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 8, 2022
Read: December 7, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Astrology is a powerful tool for tuning into and better understanding yourself and others around you. Aligning your actions with the patterns and signs of the stars can bring you comfort and control in the 21st century, and empower you to really reflect on your present and future actions, and live your happiest life. 

Whether you're new to witchcraft OR astrology, discover how to use simple witchcraft and astrology to boost your wellbeing, find self-love and acceptance, and harness the power of the stars and universe in your life as well as your craft. 

Beautifully illustrated by Viki Lester, of @forensicsandflowers, this visually enchanting book will help you reconnect with the astrological bodies, rebalance your energies, and find spiritual meaning in the universe. 

Learn about: 

• How to incorporate astrology into your witchcraft practice 
• The different types of astrology (predictive, natal, karmic, and synastic) 
• The 12 zodiac signs, 9 planets, and 12 astrological houses 
• Your sun, moon, and rising sign 
• How to calculate and read your birth chart 
• What retrograde means and how to survive (and thrive!) when mercury is in retrograde 
• Astrology and its relationship to the moon 
• How to use astrology as part of your magickal and self-care practice

Review: Lindsay Squire makes astrology accessible to all in Astrology Magick. Whether you're new to the practice or an experienced follower of the stars, this book takes the complex subject of astrology and breaks it down into easily digestible chunks. Handy diagrams and a conversational writing style add to the book's overall quality. The illustrations by Viki Lester are beautiful and enhance Squire's information. 

Each chapter covers a different aspect of astrology--everything from creating a birth chart to how the placement of planets on the chart affect an individual's personality, outlook on life, relationships, and more. Also included are suggestions for tarot readings based on the different zodiac signs. Astrology Magick, regardless of whether or not you practice Wicca/Witchcraft, is by far one of the best resources I've found on the subject, and certainly one of the most approachable.

Book Review: Seal, Sigil & Call by J.R. Mascaro

Title: Seal, Sigil & Call

Author: J.R. Mascaro
Genre: Magic - Occultism
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 8, 2022
Read: December 5-8, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Practice Your Own Ritual Magic and Achieve a Higher State of Being 

Drawing from Eastern and Western traditions to form its unique path, Seal, Sigil & Call introduces you to a new school of ceremonial magic. This beginner-friendly book uses Tantric, Qabalistic, and tradition-free spiritual exercises to teach you concepts of energy and centered awareness. Once you've built a solid foundation, J. R. Mascaro shares the practices of paneidolism, his innovative system of ritual magic. This system shows you how to contact and work with various eidolons―spirit entities that aid your personal development. Seal, Sigil & Call helps you lift the veil of material awareness by providing powerful ontological tools that are not restricted by any single spiritual tradition. With Mascaro's guidance, you'll find greater peace through inner exploration and manifest your highest experience of being.

Review: The best way to describe J.R. Mascaro's Seal, Sigil & Call can be summed up as "ceremonial magic without the ceremony." Mascaro draws from a number of different sources including ceremonial magic, the Qabal, Buddhism, Wicca, and others to create a wholly original magical path that can be used either alone or incorporated into an already established system. 

Central to Mascaro's practice are the eidolons, which he describes as either spirit beings or archetypal aspects of the human subconscious. He leaves it up to the individual to ascertain how they choose to perceive the eidolons. He does "gift" eighteen eidolons to the reader--basically, these are beings/aspects that are open to being contacted by others seeking to work with eidolons--that comprise what Mascaro calls the Inner Host of the Ark. Eidolons are categorized in three ways: Otherworld Spirits, Primals, and Celestials. Each category comes with its own challenges and benefits. Once the magician has connected with and become accustomed to working with the Inner Host, more eidolons await to be discovered.

Mascaro does an admirable job of organizing his research and procedures for contacting eidolons. Some of his phrasing can be a repetitive and writing tends toward the overly flowery at times but overall, the information is unique and presented in an easy to follow manner. While Mascaro states he has not (as yet) encountered a malevolent eidolon, anyone seeking to make contact with possible spiritual beings should exercise the proper protection methods and use caution. Fortunately, he provides different methods for achieving this and although his passion for working with eidolons is evident, he does seem to acknowledge that doing so isn't for everyone. 

Overall, Seal, Sigil & Call is an uncommon approach to an aspect of magic that is often part of a large path or tradition. It goes beyond a basic "how to" book and offers a new perspective on familiar topics. Anyone who is interested in ceremonial magic would find this book useful and a welcomed addition to their library.

Book Review: Freddy's Magic Garden by Angelina Dayan

Title: Freddy's Magic Garden

Author: Angelina Dayan
Genre: Cats - Memoir - Slice of Life
Publisher: Angelina Dayan Publishing - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: September 8, 2022
Read: November 29 - December 3, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: If you like cats, you will enjoy this delightful book filled with wonderful stories told by cutie Freddy cat & his mum, based on real-life adventures. Perfect for animal lovers, these heartwarming tales can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. You will whizz through the pages as the end of each chapter brings a longing to find out what happens next. These uplifting stories will make you smile and laugh and maybe even bring a tear or two to your eyes from time to time.

Review: Told in a first person point of view by Freddy (a stray kitten turned contented house cat), his human Mum, and other felines, this is a sweet book filled with wonderful stories of how Freddy and his sister were saved from a hard life in a vacant lot, learned to live with their adopted Maine Coon siblings, and saw their feline family and friendships grow over the years. 

Anyone who knows me in real life knows I'm a sucker for animals, especially cats. (I have two rescue kitties of my own, but they are only the latest in a long line of rescues stretching back to childhood.) I loved reading the stories told from the cats' POVs. So charming and alternating between funny, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching. The photos of Freddy and his feline buddies are adorable! 

Overall, it's a cute book and a fairly quick read. If you love watching cat videos on Instagram or TikTok, you'll love reading Freddy's Magic Garden by Angelina Dayan.