Magical Possibilities

Every reader has a particular flavour of story they return to time and time again. For me, it’s the kind of fantasy where the world looks perfectly normal on the surface until you tilt your head, peer into the shadows, or do a double take. That’s when you realise something’s just a little bit off and strange.

I’ve just finished Haunted, Hexed and Dead by Bella Colby. Here’s what I thought:

*****

Another wonderful instalment in the Witchy at Fifty series. This time, all the fun of the fair leads to a dead body in the haunted house. Josie does her usual friendly sleuthing, with plenty of magical baked goods and, of course, the assistance of Einstein the cat. There’s a lovely helping of romance, a houseful of entertaining guests, and lots of clues to follow. Brilliant. *****

And here’s the blurb: A travelling fair has rolled into town, and rookie witch, Josie Appleton, is looking forward to candy floss and carnival fun. A dead body in the haunted house wasn’t part of the show. But Josie’s curiosity spins faster than a Waltzer when the crime looks more hexed than human.

The local DI may roll his eyes, but Josie’s enchanted baking is about to uncover fairground secrets the fortune teller’s crystal ball never saw coming.

Can she spell out the killer before the rides move on, or will she end up as the fair’s final fright?

I always like to pause a few months into the year and look back at what I’ve been reading.

You can find out what I’ve read so far in 2026, the patterns I’ve noticed, and what I’m planning to read next over on my blog:

I’ve just finished reading horror novel Closure May Never Come by P D Doling. Here’s what I thought:

If you like your horror served with a large helping of love and friendship, this could be the novel for you. Alongside the growing and torturous danger that Vikki finds herself in, we’re guided through the history of her relationship with Rob. We’re also introduced to Rob’s closest friends and how their lives work out as Rob and Vikki grow closer. It’s a precarious balancing act between normal, everyday life and doom-filled horror.

And here’s the blurb: When a romantic holiday ends in tragedy, Rob Wyatt is determined to help his wife, Vikki, recover from her accident.

As he fights to restore her to her former self, an ancient evil begins to manipulate their lives.

Fantasy worlds don’t stand still. They grow and evolve with each new instalment.

From the hidden magical community of Darkacre to the further afield journeys of Magic Bound and Haven’s Deceit, the world of the Haven Chronicles has steadily expanded, revealing new layers of magic, history, and danger.

With Book Four almost finished, I thought it was time to look back over how the world contained in the series has grown since we first met Steve.

Find out more here:

I’ve just finished reading Run to the Blue by P N Johnson. Now, I’m (impatiently) waiting for the next instalment in the series to come out later this year. Here’s what I thought:

*****

This crime thriller has journalist Tess Anderson in constant fight or flight mode. I mean, who wouldn’t be with a dangerous thug on your tail and possibly around the next corner?

Incredibly well written, exciting, and in the wonderful setting of the Greek Islands around Corfu, this was a novel I just couldn’t put down. With betrayal, romance, friendship, government intrigue, and a gutsy journalist thrown into the mix, this was always going to be a brilliant read.

I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

*****

Here’s my 5 star book review of sci fi novel Echoes by Phil Oddy.

*****

Poor Estrel. He just wants an easy life but what starts out as a standard sales trip soon turns into a mystifying run for his life. What is he meant to be doing? Why is he meant to be doing it? And who exactly can he trust?

This is time loop sci fi used to its full, intriguing potential. A brilliant start to the Entanglement series.

*****

The blurb:

I’ve been thinking a lot about how the world of the Haven Chronicles has changed since I first wrote Haven Wakes.

When you begin a series, you only see part of the map. The rest reveals itself slowly. That might be through the politics and culture of the world you’re writing about, the magic systems, the back history of your protagonist and friends, or the consequences of your characters’ choices.

The world contained in book four seems so much more immense and rich now. The characters have grown and learned about themselves. We know more about the different types of magic.  The stakes are higher and that world seems to be less forgiving than at the beginning of this journey.

I’ve seen a lot of people sharing photos from 2016 online. I may be a little late to the trend but here’s mine.

This is the year I turned 50 and my husband took me to Venice to celebrate. At the time, I wasn’t a published author yet. I was still wrestling with the story that would eventually become Haven Wakes.

My monthly newsletter is for people who love fantasy, bookish chat, and behind-the-scenes peeks at a series in progress.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, you can sign up here:

Fantasy stories are often remembered for the worlds they take us to, but for me, the main thing that keeps us returning to a series, book after book, is the people we find there and how they respond to each other.

Read The Relationships at the Heart of the Haven Chronicles to find out more:

I just finished reading Fatman Blues by Richard Wall. It’s a brilliant read, especially if the Blues is your taste in music and you love historical paranormal fiction. Here’s my 5* review.

***** As you'd expect from any Richard Wall story, this novel is steeped in the Blues. This is a deep dive into 1930s American culture with a paranormal slant. When Hobo John makes a deal with Fatman, he has no idea what he's getting himself into. This is a rich and immensely enjoyable read that doesn't shy away from heartbreak and darkness. And is all the better for it. 

*****

And here’s the blurb:

Here’s my 5* book review of The Stone of Destiny by Andrew Neil MacLeod.

*****

Having read the first book in the series, The Fall of the House of Thomas Weir, I was really looking forward to The Stone of Destiny. I’m pleased to say that I wasn’t disappointed. This is a wonderful follow-on from the dastardly happenings in Edinburgh.

There’s something for everyone in this novel: road trip adventures, friendly banter, paranormal beasties, folklore and ancient culture, scientific discoveries of the time, and an overarching quest to find the real Stone of Destiny.

Andrew Neil MacLeod hits just the right note in this historical adventure with plenty of things going bump in the night and believable dialogue too.

Will there be more from Johnson and Boswell? I do hope so.

The Blurb:

I’m writing an intense, dangerous chapter in book four of the Haven Chronicles right now. The darkling has choices to make and secrets to keep.

This chapter is set in one of the most magical locations I’ve created in my novels and I keep coming back to the thought of how lucky I am to write fantasy. It lets me ask big questions about power, belonging, and what happens when the rules change, while playing with magic and folklore too.

Just in case you’re thinking about buying the Haven Chronicles but can’t decide, I’ve put together a guide to the entire series (no spoilers though):

New to the Haven Chronicles? Start Here.

Here’s my 5 star book review of witchy cosy mystery, Christmas, Killers and Clues by Bella Colby.

*****

I've been looking forward to reading the latest Witchy at Fifty instalment, and I definitely wasn't disappointed. Josie and Einstein are back with a full B&B of guests, a touch of romance, and a murder to solve.

This whole series is a wonderful marrying of magic with murder mystery, supported by a colourful cast of locals, guests, and suspects. And after reading Christmas, Clues and Killers, I feel strangely drawn to baking and gingerbread lattes. I'll leave the sleuthing to Josie though.

Brilliant novel. Can't wait for the next one.

*****

And here’s the blurb:

She’s making a list and checking it twice… because someone gift-wrapped a Christmas murder.

Josie Appleton is full of yuletide cheer. Her B&B is fully booked, her magic is behaving, and even her usually snarky familiar is purring with turkey-fuelled sass. With snow falling and magical cinnamon buns rising, this rookie witch is ready for the perfect celebration. But news that the local animal rescue shelter might close for lack of funds bursts her festive bubble, especially when its owner turns up dead.

Josie’s sleuthing instincts kick in faster than a broom racing home in a snowstorm when the local detective enlists her help. And with a crime colder than a snowman’s backside, and her handyman heart-meltingly handsome in his jingle-bell jumper, it’s a challenge staying focused… and alive.