Welcome to Litsy!

I have the tagged cued up for October from my TBR. I‘ve only read one St. James so far, but they seem perfect for spooky season.

#SundayFunday

“Someone should write a poem, I thought, about the women. Not just about the men marching bravely to war and dying, but about their wives, their girls, their mothers and sisters and daughters, sitting in silence and screaming into the darkness. Unable to fight, unable to stop it…”

#Lost

#SpringSkies

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

This historical novel about family secrets, war, and its trauma, is the fourth Simone St. James‘ book I‘ve read. The author can tell an engrossing gothic tale with paranormal elements, suspense, and romance. I didn‘t expect how the mystery and family issues played out, but overall it was an enjoyable read. This was supposed to be for last month‘s #AuthorAMonth but my timing is bad.

A healthy stack of #Lost books for #AutumnPlease among varying genres.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Simone St. James never disappoints! This turned into one of my favorite of her period stories complete with ghosts, madness, family secrets, war drama, and epic house parties. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville #scarathlon #skeletoncrew @Emilymdxn

Jo Manders is a young widow who works as a paid companion to her husband‘s aunt, Dottie Forsyth, in post-World War I England. Jo‘s husband, Alex, was a pilot who went MIA over Germany three years prior. She accompanies Dottie to her family estate, Wych Elm House, where she discovers that the Forsyths have a dark and troubled past, involving a mysterious death, a family curse, and a ghost that haunts the woods; checking all the eerie boxes. ✅

⭐️⭐️⭐️ No one writes a believable ghost story like Simone St James. I love that my #bookclub chose this lesser known of her books (thanks, Becky!) We followed likable protagonist Jo Manders as she was torn between two main narratives that, honestly, felt kind of thrown together. For most of the story, I struggled with how the ghost story and war story connected. My least fave St James, but still worthwhile.

#TemptingTitles #WithLost Pretty exciting that there are still a few St James titles I haven‘t actually read yet! @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

#12BooksOf2022 @Andrew65

May's top book was a close race but this one wins. I'm always in the mood for a little creepy mystery.

Honorable mentions to A Thousand Splendid Sons, which was good, but books about human suffering just haven't been favorites, and The Thief of Time. The story was great but it got a little long winded considering the outcome.

🎶🎵 On the fifth day of #12BooksOf2022 my book log gave to me… my favorite book of May 2022!

@Andrew65

#12BooksOf2022 Day 5- May

I love Simone St. James' books, and how she mixes mystery with the paranormal. In this one, Jo is a war widow who becomes the assistant to her husband's aunt. She soon realizes that all is not what it seems.
@Andrew65

The second time St. James appears on my #12BooksOf2022 list! This time it‘s May‘s selection; I gave this one 5 stars, so definitely a favorite of mine by her. This has mystery and supernatural elements and dark secrets all rolled into one. There‘s also a dash of history thrown into the mix, so just perfection for me.

This is my fifth book by Simone St. James and my favorite so far. She blends just the right amounts of romantic suspense, historical fiction and paranormal. Her atmospheric writing makes me feel like I‘m in the forest with the MC. She always has beautiful book covers, too! For me, this was the perfect October read. 🍃🎃🍁10/22 #litsylovereads

I liked it. A bit long/drawn out in parts, but overall a good ghost story.

#MayStats #historicalfiction #mystery #policeprocedural #chickit #romance #nonfiction #readtoescape
May Reads 2022.

My bad timing this month meant I didn‘t finish this until after the final #SundayBuddyRead discussion. If you like Simone‘s other supernatural historical mysteries, then this one will also be right up your alley. Elements seemingly inspired by Rebecca and Jamaica Inn and the least problematic romance of any of this author‘s books I‘ve read, make this more of a standout. However, I didn‘t really care for the main character or the ghost story plot.

Another St. James pick & a favorite (although I say that after most of them—someday I need to put them in an official favorites order).😉Great characters, post WWI Britain setting, great twists, plots & subplots that kept me guessing & an atmospheric supernatural edge are all this author‘s signature & it works for me. Thanks to @TheBookHippie for hosting the always engaging #sundaybudfyread discussions-it will be hard to wait August & her newest!

I loved it! Ghosts, creepy mansion, lots of mystery; I can't wait to discuss it tomorrow 👻
#SundayBuddyRead @TheBookHippie
#BFC2022 @wanderinglynn
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#Pantone2022 #fragilesprout @Clwojick
#WyrdAndWonder #Readalong @imyril

❤🤐

I mean, obviously it was werewolves. 😂

#SundayBuddyRead @TheBookHippie

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Strong female lead, terrible humans, multiple suspects, and some super natural flavor. St James is a master at her craft and this one is no exception. Read for #sundaybuddyread and overlapped as my #doublespin 🤘

I LOVE this authors writing. Modern day/historical setting I‘m there for it! This book had such great gothic vibes and I truly felt immersed in the story right along with the characters and that to me the sign of a fantastic read! #BuddyRead #mayreadinglist @TheBookHippie @Librarybelle

Jo is a war widow who becomes the assistant to her husband's aunt. She soon realizes that all is not what it seems. Another great St. James book! I love how she mixes mystery with the paranormal.

Thanks @TheBookHippie for picking another great book for the #SundayBuddyRead!

Did I stay up way late to finish this one? Yes, yes I did. I‘ll pay for it tomorrow, but I had to find out what happens! Without giving away any spoilers, this #SupernaturalThriller is probably my second favorite by St James…she has this incredible way of building suspense with a multitude of clues and a creep factor that makes me keep all of the lights on as I read. Cannot wait to discuss this next Sunday! #SundayBuddyRead #BBRC #YeahBaby

#sundaybuddyread #SimoneStJames #ghosts #supernatural #historicalfiction
I had to finish this today! The ending was just as surprising to me as I expected it would be. No review because I do not want to say anything to spoil our discussion next Sunday.

#porchlife #afternoonsnack #sundaybuddyread #SimoneStJames
I am excited to be finishing this up after today‘s discussion.

🤐🤐🤐🤯🤯🤯 #sundaybuddyread