imogen markwell-tweed | Lost in a Good Book

Holiday Haunts by Imogen Markwell-Tweed and Wendy Dalrymple

Published: 21 November 2021 (print)/21 November 2021 (audio)
Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing/Bryant Street Publishing
Pages: 226/4 hrs and 21 mins
Narrator: Jessica Craig, Biff Summers and Faith Connor
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

Christmas is the perfect time of year to fall in love; especially if you’re a specter or a retail employee, that is. At Holiday Falls Mall, love blooms in sweet and spooky ways for four shop employees during the holiday season. This collection features two stories from queer romance writer Imogen Markwell-Tweed, and two stories from sweet romance writer Wendy Dalrymple for a unique, intertwined anthology of paranormal romance novelettes.

This collection of queer paranormal stories was one I picked because I was looking for a quick read and being the holiday season I thought what was more perfect, the queer paranormal element was an added bonus and didn’t disappoint.

The focus of these stories, despite the holiday setting, wasn’t actually Christmas stories per se. They were at Christmas, but not about Christmas. Each one was about love, finding love and discovering love, and both authors balanced the sweetness perfectly so it never became saccharine. The paranormal was balanced perfectly too. As a reader there was mystery to tantalise you, unspoken things, little hints and clues that laid traps or meant nothing. Sometimes you were waiting for the reveal, like the first story, Up to Snow Good where I forgot there was a paranormal element I was so caught up in Gemma’s story. Or Heavenly Reads where Markwell-Tweed drops crumb after crumb so we know Something isn’t right, but not sure what.

The stories are short, simple, some certainly more engaging than others but that was a personal choice. With four stories there isn’t going to be a wide range of opinion, I certainly liked some more than others but all were enjoyable and unique. The paranormal elements different than what I was expecting.

You can purchase Holiday Haunts via the following

Booktopia | Dymocks | Blackwell’s

Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Book Bingo 2023 Wrap Up

After last years complete nonexistent Book Bingo attempt, I am calling this a win. Not only for making it, but also for getting quite a lot of spaces filled. I liked my categories and I think I managed a great variety in books in filling each spot. Of course practically none have reviews, but maybe through the upcoming year I will be able to fill some review gaps with these books. Especially cause some were really great reads.

I am particularly proud of a few of them because they have been incomplete for decades. Decades. Now I can finally say I have finished them. Things like finally finishing The Hitchiker’s series, or finally finishing a book about The Simpsons I started reading sometime prior to 2010. That has to be an achievement in itself.

I took a few chances on these books too, looking for a certain style of book for research purposes, or to fit a holiday mood. Some were because I needed a book in that moment and it suited, others I had been hanging out to read for ages and finally got around to it. I love doing these bingos because it gives me a chance to pick things up, or finally read something I have had sitting on my shelf patiently waiting. It makes me broaden my reading, but it also makes me read the stuff I want to read but find excuse after excuse, or it seems to hard. I might try and force my hand a bit more next year and get through my TBR and my own shelves, especially because this one was filled accidentally. I should try to actively complete it next time. I already don’t like my chances but one can live in hope.

Did you do a bingo card this year? If you’re looking for ideas check through my bingo tag to find previous years and see if you can challenge yourself next year.