Hexes Go Well with Tequila by LeAnna Ehrsam

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Women's FictionLeave a comment

Hexes Go Well with Tequila (The Lost Souls Series, Book 1)Hexes Go Well with Tequila by LeAnna Ehrsam

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Lost Souls #1

Release Date: October 20, 2026

After years of slowly losing herself, Ursula Cambridge decides enough is enough and makes the decision to change her life, and almost immediately she receives a magical invitation to move to Salem, MA and take up residency at the Lost Souls House. She doesn’t even think twice, she packs up her belongings and her dog, leaves a note for her domestic partner and makes her way to Salem, with no idea what is in store for her.

She arrives at the lovely old house and is greeted by an older woman named Crystal, who explains the terms of Ursula’s tenancy, she will be the new caretaker of the Lost Soul’s House and is required to visit the Graveyard of the Lost Souls at least four nights a week and keep them company. It all seems surreal to Ursula, but she agrees and settles into the house that seems to come alive and provide for her. But it isn’t just the house that welcomes her, several women come to welcome her and for the first time in years, Ursula has other women to bond with. And bond they do…with lots of girl talk, cooking, drinking and even a little hexing men who have wronged them. But not everything is perfect, namely a grumpy (yet incredibly attractive) carpenter by the name of Jenson Lancaster, who happens to be cursed and some very vile men who will do anything to keep their secrets.

I was so excited for this book, it seemed like it was going to have fun witchy vibe just in time for Halloween, and to a certain extent it did, but it was mostly about a group of women who have been ill-used by men and a really ugly political campaign. I love a story of strong women who encourage and support each other, but this was not that story. This story felt like every woman was a victim and every man was evil, which made for a stressful read. While I appreciated an older heroine who didn’t feel any less of a woman for not having children, I was a bit disappointed that not one of her new friends was in a happy, loving relationship. On top of that, the romance between Ursula and Jenson just didn’t feel right, I think the author was going for an enemies-to-lovers trope, but it really didn’t develop that way – at least not to me. Overall, I didn’t love or hate this book and wished it had more magic and less vitriol, so while I didn’t hate it, I wouldn’t read it again and I am not sure I would read the next book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC/ALC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Mystery, Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Innkeeper's Intrigue (Lockstone Hollow Mystery Series)The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lockstone Hollow Mystery, #2

Release Date: October 13, 2026

Lady Lisette Birtwhistle has finally come to terms with the events surrounding the murder of her former betrothed and has settled into village life. As the primary leaseholder of the village thanks to her late brother, the Duke of Winbury, Lisette has big plans for the town and hopes to help all the townspeople profit from the changes she has in mind. But when another body is found, it could mean disaster, so the sooner the murderer is found the better.

Though Lisette is leery to get involved, especially after the danger she found herself in last time, when the grumpy constable, Maxwell Sowerby, asks for her help, she can’t refuse. The victim was a good friend of the constable, so he has even more reason to find the assailant. They work together and follow the leads, but rather than bringing them closer together, despite the mutual attraction, Lisette realizes that Maxwell has no intention of making Lockstock Hollow his home and that as long as that is true, they can have no future. And when they almost come to blows after they have different ideas on how to proceed and once again Lisette finds herself in peril.

This was another well written and nicely plotted mystery by Deb Marlowe, and I enjoyed returning to Lockstone Hollow. Lisette is once again called upon to help solve murder, but this time her help has been requested, which makes readers believe that she might decide about her feelings for the constable. In the previous book, I had hoped that Lisette would end up with the constable, but after this book, I am hoping she saves her heart for Royce Logan, the mysterious carpenter. That aside, the story was filled with intrigue, lots of possible suspects, family secrets, blackmail, cute goats, and finally a very suspenseful ending with a bit of a romantic twist. Overall, this was a very intriguing read that I think will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy historical mysteries featuring a strong, intelligent heroine.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *