Witchmark by CL Polk

Series: The Kingston Cycle (#1)

Format: 318 pages, Paperback

Published: June 19, 2018 by Tor.com

Fantasy/library

I even had this as a free ebook, but we all know those never get read here. So I picked it up from the library, finally! And I am glad I did because this was a really well written book. The one that is just so well written that you just float along for the ride.

It was an interesting world, an England of sorts where WW1 just ended and the men are returning home. Many with ptsd. There is magic, but the upper families hide that they are in fact the ones holding it. Miles the main character has magic, but he has the kind that he is doomed to be a sort of magic slave to someone else. Someone who would take magic from him and leave him used up. So he left.

There is a murder mystery that goes deep, and there is a threat that is growing bigger for each moment. Actually several threats but who is counting. And then there is a romance blossoming between Miles and a handsome stranger he meets.

But damn it was a trilogy! Now I need more, damn it.

In an original world reminiscent of Edwardian England in the shadow of a World War, cabals of noble families use their unique magical gifts to control the fates of nations, while one young man seeks only to live a life of his own.

Magic marked Miles Singer for suffering the day he was born, doomed either to be enslaved to his family's interest or to be committed to a witches' asylum. He went to war to escape his destiny and came home a different man, but he couldn’t leave his past behind. The war between Aeland and Laneer leaves men changed, strangers to their friends and family, but even after faking his own death and reinventing himself as a doctor at a cash-strapped veterans' hospital, Miles can’t hide what he truly is.

When a fatally poisoned patient exposes Miles’ healing gift and his witchmark, he must put his anonymity and freedom at risk to investigate his patient’s murder. To find the truth he’ll need to rely on the family he despises, and on the kindness of the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen.

Best of March

 

Bye-bye March! Hello April! 

Here are our bests of last month!

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd -  Witchmark by CL Polk

"Well written!"

Carole -  The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare

"Simply adorable"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - Nada

"Nothing was really 5 star worthy for March. Lots of okays...good. But not great."

Blodeuedd - Damsel (2024)

"Best movie goes to Damsel!"

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Love is Blind

"I am still watching Love is blind. The drama, oh the drama."

Carole - Ghosts (Season 3) & Quiet on Set (2024)

"'Ghosts' is always hilarious and fun! 'Quiet on Set' is so good, but will break your heart."

Best Cover of the Month:

B's pick - "Also best cover cos so cool!"

C's pick - "So beautiful and magical!"

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

4/2/2024 Are you fluent in more than one language?

Well, I like to think that I am pretty good at English, but who knows.

I can understand Norwegian at times (depends on where they are from), reading is easy. I can read Danish, but damn I struggle with understanding. Not fluent then since I can not speak either of them.

My German is rusty, so no I am not fluent. I think I am at that point that it is so far from school that I can understand but not really speak anymore. I did take 3 years of it.

And last, the bane of my existence, Finnish. The hardest language in the universe. Yes, yes I can understand, obvi, but please do not make me speak it. The grammar is so hard. I make so many mistakes. I aced word exams and understanding, but failed miserably at written things

And for those who went, what, isn´t she Finnish? We have two national languages, mine being the latter, and that is why I have a much easier time with indo-european languages than Finnish. 

4/9/2024 What have you been watching? Share your TV show or movie picks.

4/16/2024 What new-to-you authors have you enjoyed in the past 12 months?

4/23/2024 TBR Update: How is your list coming along?

4/30/2024 Social Media: Where can you be found these days?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Monday: Big witch energy

Author: Molly Harper

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi & Teddy Hamilton

Title: Big Witch Energy

Series: Starfall Point #2

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Published: October 19, 2023

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

The lost love that’s always haunted her is about to make an unexpected return....

Caroline Wilton has no time for romance. She’s too busy running her family’s bar to even think about dating. She’s also one of Starfall Point’s resident witches, responsible for keeping the local ghost population in check.

But even the most magical of witches can use a shoulder to lean on, which is what happens when Ben Hoult, the handsome doctor she never quite got over, walks back into her life. Ben is a single dad now, and as he and Caroline reconnect, they discover that they both have a knack for helping and protecting the people near and dear to them.

Soon they’re working together to unravel a centuries-old murder, and Caroline has to face the wrath of angry ghosts...and the uncertainty of opening her heart back up to love. She’s not sure which one is worse. All she knows is that keeping her heart safe will take every ounce of magic she’s got.

Review:

Couldn't resist starting book 2!!! I liked book 1 so much and Harper is always great for relaxing my brain. It's been stressful in the life of Carole lately. 

Okieee here we have Caroline and Ben. Back in the day they were young and in love. However, Caroline let him go so he could go to college and follow his dream. Why not go with him? Well, her family is cursed to remain on the Island. If they are gone over 24 hours they tend to have a little accident and die. Years down the line to the present. Ben is a successful doctor with two kids. He recently divorced his wife and is ready for a quiet life as a small-town doctor so he moves back to his hometown. Caroline has been single and ready to mingle and feeling lost until she falls into a witch coven. Her and her coven help ghost. Ben and Caroline reconnect but nothing is simple especially with a murderous ghost running around.

Ummmmmmmmm where is book 3? I'm ready LOL. 

This was fun. Loved Caroline. Loved Ben. Loved his kids. Loved her coven. I LOOOOOOVE this town. I would def move there in a heartbeat. Ugh Caroline's family made me angry...esp the lazy brothers and her dad. Yes, yes. I get that the one brother died a few years back after tempting the curse, but that is no excuse for making Caroline and the mom do ALL the work at the restaurant/bar. Grieve, yes, but neglecting your responsibilities? No. GAH. 

OOOO and Ben's ex? Screw her. She was a jerk and selfish and mean. Those kids are good kids and deserve a mom like Caroline. 

All the twists were fun!! I loved the mystery of the ghosts and the possible connection between one of the ghosts and Caroline's family's curse. That was nice. 

Loved the ending! It was sweet and it made me need more. 

Great narration as per normal. They do Harper's work justice. 

Mmmmm.....what else?

Always a blast. I would def say read book 1 first. Lots of backstory. 

In the end, I am def loving this series. This one was good. I'll give it 5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Fun

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #16

- Romance Reading Challenge #12 (Medical Profession)