Book picks similar to
Wayward Secrets: A Whispering Pines Mystery, Book 13 by Shawn McGuire
mystery
wicca
crime-mystery
female-protagonist
The Archived
Victoria Schwab - 2013
The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost, Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself may crumble and fall.In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.
The Curse of Bearclaw Castle Complete Series
Emilia Hartley - 2021
Roderick knows he’s losing himself to his bear, and he wants to see his brother one last time and say goodbye before that happens.What he’s not prepared for is an engrossing blonde who won’t stay out of his business—or his heart.When Morgan D’Marco sees trouble coming for the abandoned castle on the edge of town, she thinks her gift might be wrong for once. Nobody has lived in that place for years. Some say it’s haunted. Cursed might be more accurate. Either way, no one lives there.Book 2 – Teasing FateWade Santana’s idiot bear thinks it’s found their fated mate—but Carolina’s into women.Dumb beast. It’s been nothing but trouble since Wade woke up with the thing inside him after a feral bear attack. The only upside is the chance of finding forever love, but it doesn’t look like that’s in the cards for him, either. His bear might be excited about chasing down and taking Carolina, but Wade’s mother taught him to be a gentleman, and he’s certainly not going to force himself on a woman who doesn’t want him.Carolina Short is used to depending on herself. Her dad abandoned her early, and her mom’s a bit of a flake, but she’s proud of the life she’s made for herself. The only bright spot in her life at the moment is a handsome stranger who restores antiques for the new owners up at Bearclaw Castle.But rebound relationships never last. It’s too bad because being around Wade feels like coming home.Book 3 – Toying with FateAll Ana wants is an explanation.She thought Brandon was her forever love right up until he didn’t show up for their wedding. He left without a word. No justification. The year since has been grueling, and Ana wants to move on. But she can’t do that while she’s holding onto Brandon’s engagement ring—and his memory.Brandon hasn’t been fit for human society since a bear attacked him at his bachelor party and left him with his own internal beast. He’s certainly not fit to be around Ana. Seeing her makes him realize how much he has missed her, though.Maybe he can control himself and his beast around her, but she’ll never forgive him for leaving her at the altar.Will she?Book 4 – Twisting FateVaughn Carson vowed never to step foot in Bearclaw Castle again.The cursed place has brought his family nothing but pain for generations, so he doesn’t understand why his brother would want to restore it.Mimi Fisher knows better than anyone what’s wrong with Bearclaw Castle. After all, it was her ancestor who cursed the Carsons, bringing misery on both their families. Mimi is determined to find the remaining two stones whose destruction will break the curse, setting both the Carsons and her own family free.When she meets Vaughn, his gentle attention only increases her resolve. If anyone deserves the freedom to love and prosper, it’s Vaughn Carson.She’ll liberate him from the curse, even if it means she’s paving the way for someone else to love him.Book 5 – Triumph Over FateKai wants to see Bearclaw Castle razed, but he can’t destroy the place with his sister inside.Not that Kai is ready to forgive Mimi for leaving him alone to deal with their father, but he does still love her. He figures he should at least tell her the old man has died. While he’s still off balance from his sister’s betrayal, she comes in.Since her husband left her, Stormi Blackford has sworn off men, but Kai Fisher is tempting. She can’t remember the last time anyone looked at her with that kind of desire. Kai is just the right mix of protective and supportive. She’s beginning to wonder why Mimi thinks her brother is such a beast.Maybe it’s the influence of the ghost up at the castle?
Better Homes and Hauntings
Molly Harper - 2014
She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.
Witch Way: Books 1-3
Jane Hinchey - 2019
When local witch Harper Jones returns to her magical hometown of Whitefall Cove she keeps finding herself in the middle of murder mysteries. It all starts when her high school nemesis turns up dead and Harper’s determined to bring the killer to justice. Together with her familiar – an orange furball named Archie – and her hilarious Gran who thinks bedazzled Ugg boots are the height of fashion, Harper sets out to solve the mystery; and that’s just the start of her adventures. If you love witchy sleuths with a knack for finding out whodunit, then you don’t want to miss this bestselling series and your chance to binge read the first three books in this special boxed collection! WITCH WAY TO MURDER & MAYHEM - Book 1 To call Gran eccentric is somewhat of an understatement. She has questionable fashion sense, cough, can anyone say bedazzled Ugg boots and a tutu? But my Gran? She is awesome. So when she suggested I buy The Dusty Attic Bookstore I was all in, after all, what could go wrong? Try finding my high school nemesis dead on the floor of my newly acquired store for starters. Now I’m on the suspect list! WITCH WAY TO ROMANCE & RUIN - Book 2 To win the Decadent Dessert’s competition, you have to crack a few eggs. Gran is gearing up to finally take down the reigning winner of Whitefall Cove’s annual Decadent Dessert’s competition, only the former victor turns up dead, and Gran is the number one suspect. Now all eyes are on us. How on earth do I keep two feuding covens from outright war, prove Gran’s innocence, and keep my new bookstore afloat? WITCH WAY DOWN UNDER - Book 3 Tick Tock. Time is running out. My parents are missing in outback Australia. Only they’ve left me clues. Clues that tell me they were close to a significant discovery – the location of a copper scroll that leads to untold treasures. A scroll that treasure hunters would kill for. ★ WHY READERS LOVE THE WITCH WAY SERIES ★ “I fell in love with the characters from the first page of WITCH WAY TO MURDER & MAYHEM. Gran! I wish I had a gran like her. I didn't figure out who the culprit was until the author wanted me to. I couldn't put this book down, it has all the elements you'd expect with extras that fit seamlessly into the genre. Cannot wait for more in the series!” ~ Angie “I loved the characters in WITCH WAY TO MURDER & MAYHEM so much! Harper Jones comes home to Whitefall Cove after losing her magic, fiancee and job. While home living with Gran, who by the way is a hoot! Harper decides to buy The Dusty Attic Book store. This is when the Mystery begins! A murder and a whole bunch of suspects and one very hot detective! I highly recommend this book!” ~ Donna “WITCH WAY TO MURDER & MAYHEM is a great book! I had so much fun reading this! Gran is a hoot, I want to be like her!! Harper is amazing, even after going through such a horrible break up with a cheating McDouche, as Gran calls him, and losing her magic, she still pulls herself up and comes out ahead of it all. Such a great inspiration. I can’t wait until the next book comes out to see what happens!” ~ Jodi “WITCH WAY TO MURDER & MAYHEM - Gran had me rolling on the floor with belly laughs; I love that clotheshorse hussy. This is not your typical cozy murder mystery; there's actually interesting storylines, funny dialog, an interesting variety of characters, almost all likable. This clean story moves at a fast pace and there's plenty of intrigue.” ~ Texas
Guarding His Fake Family
Katie Knight - 2021
Alisha Lewis, the sister of one of his squad mates, could be his key to his next bestseller—if their smoldering chemistry doesn’t get in the way. She’s sexy, smart and just happens to be an investigative reporter working on what might be the perfect story. After the adrenaline rush of a stakeout-gone-bad, they share a night of passion—one they both agree was a mistake. But that one night has lasting consequences when Alisha learns she’s pregnant.Alisha didn’t expect Simon to insist on staying near to keep her and the baby safe. But when an abduction happens on their doorstep, she's glad the towering SEAL is there to protect her, and their unborn child. Soon, they’re up to their necks in crooked cops, kidnappers, and the kidnap victim’s abandoned baby. Not to mention the red-hot passion that continues to flare between them.Worse yet? As they work to solve the mystery, Alisha realizes she’s starting to fall hard for the sexy SEAL. But will they be able to survive long enough to fall in love?
Croak
Gina Damico - 2012
But Uncle Mort's true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He's a Grim Reaper. And he's going to teach Lex the family business.She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can't stop her desire for justice — or is it vengeance? — whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again.Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?
Witch World
Christopher Pike - 2012
The guy who broke her heart five months ago when he dumped her for no reason. The guy who’s finally ready to tell her why he did it, because he wants her back.But what Jessie doesn’t realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teaches her a game that opens a door to another reality.To Witch World.Suddenly Jessie discovers that she’s stumbled into a world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she’s lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?#1 Bestselling author Christopher Pike offers up another classic edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that keeps you guessing right until the last page.
Poison
Bridget Zinn - 2013
Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.
Touch
Jus Accardo - 2011
He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.A secret Kale will kill to protect.
Outsourced
Eric J. Gates - 2012
It's not long before he realises what it represents will change his life... with deadly consequences. Others want the package's contents too, including a high-tech Intelligence agency who will stop at nothing to obtain it. ...and the sender wants it back! The new fast-paced SUSPENSE THRILLER from Eric J. Gates will make YOU question your Destiny!
A Spell of Murder
Kennedy Kerr - 2019
This is Love’s Curiosities Inc., and its owner, Temerity Love, is sought by experts all over the world for her rare and magical gift: the ability to find lost things and learn their stories. When Lost Maidens’ pretty local school teacher is found murdered by a poisoned cup of tea, a strange antique hand mirror is discovered nearby. Temerity – with the help of witchy sister Tilda, their cats Scylla and Charybdis and the lovingly eccentric local townspeople – is determined to divine the story behind the mirror and its part in Miss Molly Bayliss’ untimely death. If only grumpy out-of-towner Angus Harley of Lost Maidens Police wasn’t on the scene. Temerity can’t solve the crime without him, but he’s distracting, and in more ways than one. Can this unconventional duo solve the most mysterious murder ever to blight Lost Maidens Loch before the killer strikes again? A magical and unputdownable whodunnit, perfect for fans of Adele Abbott, Amanda M. Lee and Leighann Dobbs.
Drink, Slay, Love
Sarah Beth Durst - 2011
fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast—as the entrees. The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?
Sparrow Hill Road
Seanan McGuire - 2014
Trouble was, he didn’t ask Rose what she thought of the idea.It’s been more than sixty years since that night, and she’s still sixteen, and she’s still running.They have names for her all over the country: the Girl in the Diner. The Phantom Prom Date. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown. Mostly she just goes by “Rose,” a hitchhiking ghost girl with her thumb out and her eyes fixed on the horizon, trying to outrace a man who never sleeps, never stops, and never gives up on the idea of claiming what’s his. She’s the angel of the overpass, she’s the darling of the truck stops, and she’s going to figure out a way to win her freedom. After all, it’s not like it can kill her.You can’t kill what’s already dead.
Falcon’s Heart
C.D. Gorri - 2021
But tell that to his Aunt Gerri!Gerri Wilder, prolific matchmaker extraordinaire in the Shifter world, has had it up to here with her honorary nephew’s refusals to use her services. She knows theFalcon Shifter will never find true happiness unless he learns to embrace one truth.He needs his mate, and luckily, Gerri knows exactly who the lucky female is!Annabeth Golden of the Blue Valley Pride is one frustrated Lioness. So, what if her sister almost castrated her high school boyfriend for being unfaithful? Was that really cause to make her persona non grata with the entire Pride?When she runs into Gerri Wilder, the famous owner of the Paranormal Dating Agency, Annabeth has hit the jackpot. Or so she thinks.But what happens when the cranky Falcon claims he doesn’t want a mate? Can this cat bag her bird?Find out in book one of the Tower Heart Tales.*Fast-paced, insta-love Shifter romance for lovers of paranormal romance
Illusions of Fate
Kiersten White - 2014
And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.