So, first things first, I should’ve taken a minute to read this submission before I did the graphic and used the name she used on the post. Oops. But I’m behind schedule, so we’re sticking with that. Sorry, Noelle.
More importantly, here’s what Perry Dog Publishing has to say about this author: “Dog mom, Bark Box buyer and the authors known as E. N. Crane (thriller, humorous mystery, action adventure) and Noelle Rider (romance, witchy RomCom, general smut). My books are all focused on the bond between plus-sized women and their pets with romance, sass and A LOT of coffee.
“Please, for the love of dog, SEND MORE COFFEE!”
Noelle put a special, seasonal twist on this list. Which tempts me to reach out to her every few months to see what she’d come up with.
Top 5 Books for Spooky Season
-Noelle Neal-Crane (aka Perry Dog Publishing’s E. N. Crane & Noelle Rider)
The Irresponsible Reader asked for my top 5 “Desert Island” books to help with October content. Since I failed to complete my Author Interview (SORRY! Talking about myself is hard), I figured I owed him. More than owed him, I LOVE FALL!
So I added a twist – this is my Top 5 Spooky Season / Fall deserted cabin in the woods books. (You would never catch me on an island – Islands are humid and humidity makes me feel like I’m suffocating because sensory processing issues). I’m going to preface this by saying I’m not into scary Halloween. I don’t do horror, fear or loud sudden noises. Cute Halloween, like Mickey’s Halloween Party and friendly monsters are my jam. You will find no Stephen King here… who I dislike for his book On Writing and the narrative about the creation of Carrie… to be so nonchalant about bullying and… Sorry, not the placce.
All my picks are romance, it’s all I’ve been up for reading recently. The top 3 are available through the library (because that’s where I read them from) and one of them was written by me.
Without further ado – Let’s FALL into this!
5. Pumpkin Spice, Noelle Rider – Alright, this is shameless self-promotion (well, some shame or I wouldn’t feel the need to justify it… selling myself is hard… that’s what she said, OK I’m done). Pumpkin Spice is a fall themed Novella I wrote under my romance author pen name. Pumpkin Spice is an intro into the land of Pumpkin Valley and it’s a spicy small town romance with a plus-sized woman and awkward romancing. I loved writing it, but I’m not delusional, so I can admit that it needed more… more what I’m not sure, but more. I have a proper Witchy RomCom based in a supernatural valley in Northern Idaho in the works, so if you read this and you like it, join my newsletter to find out when Witching and Scheming, A Huckleberry Hollow Romance Novel is released!
4. The Wolf’s Return, Lucille Yates – This book is the second in the Bite of Magic Series, but it’s my favorite so far. Probably because of the werewolves instead of straight witches and magic. Just… werewolves. The Wolf’s Return is another Romance (as advertised, I’ve been on a kick), and it’s a second chance, fated mate, supernatural romantic suspense. There’s a plot line started in the first book regarding a big evil luming over Georgia (besides humidity, huge bugs, and racism) that continues into this one. I can’t guarantee you can start here without missing key points, but they are all good. Plus, Hailey is a total badass and watching her adjust to the furry lifestyle while holding her own is… #lifegoals
3. The Me You Love in the Dark, Skottie Young – An adult graphic novel, The Me You Love in the Dark is CREEPY. Like… horror flick dolls creepy. The novel has five parts, but I got 1-5 from the Library for the BCAF item in the Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge and… honestly, it’s disturbing with incredible art and an awesome story line composed of a few words and a lot of dark imagery. The story line is an artist moves into a rumored to be haunted house to work on her art for a big upcoming show. She’s not a believer but finds it suitably inspiring, and begins talking to the imaginary spirit who is supposedly inside. Though he isn’t imaginary… TW: GRAPHIC, demon, implied/ drawn on page sex, murder, dismemberment… there could be more.
2. A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, Sarah Hawley – A fake dating, accidental summoning romantic comedy. This book is, as advertised with romantic comedy, reasonably predictable and meets all trope expectations. HOWEVER, the way it got there was both unique and heartfelt. While I found the first chapter fairly long and a bit… slow, it picked up quickly. If you’re an advocate for nature, finding your voice and hot demons, this will be your new favorite read. Think Fern Gulley meets Sabrina the Teenage Witch (nineties style, not the new darker Netflix version) with an HBO finish that would make it NC17. This says its a series and the next book is out in November, hopefully it holds up!
1. Not the Witch You Wed, April Asher – A Maxwell triplet Supernatural Singles book… is absolutely HILARIOUS! Violet is sassy, smart and floundering. The first born triplet, she’s supposed to inherit her grandma’s position as leader of the supernatural council… except she has no magic. Lucky for her she has two more, very slightly younger, siblings and Rose is ready and willing. So Vi is bartending, volunteering, and holding petty grudges against men who betrayed her a decade ago… at least until she has to fake date and move in with the North American Alpha wolf shifter. I didn’t sleep for 24 hours to read this, it was so good.
Happy Autumn and blessed Samhain to you all! Read long and prosper.
Visit Perry Dog Publishing to learn more about all the books available there, and (presumably) to find a way to send her coffee!
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
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