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Book Review: Wormwood Abbey, by Christina Baehr

I won a copy of Christina Baehr‘s Wormwood Abbey over on Instagram.

As a Victorian clergyman’s daughter, Edith Worms has seen everything — until a mythical salamander tumbles out of the fireplace into her lap. When a letter arrives from estranged relatives, Edith is swept away to a crumbling gothic Abbey in the wilds of Yorkshire.

Wormwood Abbey isn’t just full of curious beasts and ancient family secrets: there’s also a tall, dark, and entirely too handsome neighbour who is strangely reluctant for her to leave.

An unexpected bond with her prickly cousin Gwendolyn gives Edith a reason to stay in this strange world — especially when it turns out that Edith herself may have a role in guarding her family’s legacy.

But not all of the mysteries of Ormdale are small enough to fit in her lap…and some of them have teeth.

I really thought this was marvelously cozy in a fantastical, historic England. I adored the gothic setting, classic literary references, kindnesses, humour, and the characters. I especially enjoyed Edith. I always appreciate a practical heroine, and she is very practical. No hysterics for her, even in the most dire of circumstances. I did think it a little slow, and some of the narrative, while stylistically appealing, was a bit vague on detail. I’d be more than happy to finish the series out, though.

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Book Review: Wormwood Abbey (The Secrets of Ormdale #1) by Christina Baehr

Book Review: Vampire Heir, by Heather Renee

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I have a signed paperback of Vampire Heir, by Heather Renee. I believe it was purchased through an online multi-author event. But it’s possible I won it somewhere instead.

Sometimes befriending the enemy is the only option.

After losing my family, I’ve spent the last seven years hunting the monsters who killed them. I know my purpose and what I want most in this world. At least I did until a striking vampire shows up just in time for the threats to begin.

Maciah West makes me feel ways I shouldn’t and tells me things that can’t be possible. I don’t want to believe him, but as my past finds its way back into the present, I don’t really have a choice.

Even as I begin to accept the new changes in my life—and my growing feelings for Maciah—I don’t let that deter me from my goals. I’m still a vampire hunter and I’ll do whatever it takes to get the vengeance I’ve been fighting for.

No matter how many vampires are out for my blood.

I’ve read one other Heather Renee book. My review of that book starts out, “This book is 295 pages long and basically nothing happens until the last 5 pages, when some action finally happens…” Renee seems to have a formula. The numbers are a bit off; my paperback copy of Vampire Heir is 284 pages, and something finally happens in the last 20 or so pages. But otherwise, this snippet of review works just as well here as it did for Wolf Kissed.

I was simply bored throughout. The book seems to bounce from one pointless event to the next at random. The FMC has the emotional depth of a firefly, and I simply didn’t like her. (I kept thinking of Barrie’s Tinker Bell, who can only feel one emotion at a time, and it’s usually anger.) I liked the MMC, but he’s a paper cutout with no depth or development. I felt zero chemistry in the instant (but not insta-love even) relationship. The side characters are stereotypes, and all sound exactly the same. And the book is disappointingly predictable.

I own several of Renee’s books that I’ve picked up here and there. So, I’d hoped disliking the first was a one-off. Not every book is right for every reader. But I’m beginning to think her writing formula is what’s not for me, and therefore, I’m unlikely to enjoy any of them.

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