Che-Michelle Tales

Spooky Edition

Happy Halloween! I wanted to write a blog for Halloween and had planned to have several blog posts. However, I did everything except write the past few weeks. But I did throw this quick Halloween-ish blog together with a wine recommendation for each series in the 11^th hour. (p.s. You can tell this blog post was rushed.) So, I would like to offer a few spooky- adjacent books I enjoyed fondly! Most of these books are fun, not too heavy, and not ultra-spooky. Like this is Splenda-lite mysterious books.

Christopher Moore- Vampires in San Francisco collection

Do you like Vampires? YES! Do you like Comedy? Hell YES! Do you like San Franscico? YEAH! If you answered Yes to any of these questions, read this series is for you. The three books in this series are “Blood-Sucking Fiends,” “You Suck” and “Bite Me.”  Moore mixes humor, romance, mystery, and comedy effortlessly and causes you to laugh at the absurdity of life. I have not read these books in almost ten years, so I need to go back and read them, but I enjoyed each book and would like to share a few books from my past that would be fun to read. The books do touch on serious subjects such as homelessness and the HIV epidemic. While reading this book, drink with Il Duca Imperiale Red Wine. It is sweet and fun, nothing too heavy. I also picked this wine based on the bottle; it reminded me of an old-world Italian wine with the design and crown on the front.

Erin Sterling/ Rachel Hawkins- The Ex- Hex Series/ Graves Glen series

I have currently read two of the three books in this series. The third book drops on October 15, 2024. The first two books follow the Jones/Penhallow family. The first book follows Vivienne Jones (https://chemichelletales.com/2022/10/15/the-ex-hex-was-ex-ceptional/), and the second book follows her cousin Gwen and her hijinks in Graves Glen. I loved both books. The first book was super cute. The second book is steamy 👀👀👀. These books are rapid reads that can be finished in a weekend. I love the idea of witches in Georgia with a UK connection. The third book is The Wedding Wish, around October 15, 2024. These books, to me, are also paranormal/ witches fix. The wine you should drink with this book: the ladies are more into vodka and spirits if you catch my drift. I would suggest a Pinot Noir Caliveda for this book series, one of Total Wine’s top twenty wines in 2023 (It is #1 on the list). It is a lovely, soft red wine with not too much punch, but it still entices you to keep drinking. Notes of Cherry and Plum mix well with toasted Oak—easy drinking for a weekend of reading and a reasonable price.

Luann G. Smith – A Conspiracy of Magic Series

So, if you follow the blog, you know I read the Vine Witch series a few years ago (https://chemichelletales.com/2021/11/29/the-struggle-of-the-vine/). I had mixed feelings about the Vine Witch, but I liked the rest of the series. The Conspiracy of Magic series is fantastic. The series includes “The Raven Spell” and “The Raven Song.” I am enjoying the character development and the story’s flow and pace. I love the Blackwood sisters and how they are as different as night and day. The Blackwood sisters remind me of my mom and aunt; my mom is a Capricorn, and my aunt is a Pisces, different from night and day to me. I digress. This book will fill your mystery and fantasy fix without making you jump out of your skin. The wine for this book is a sweet red blend called The Witching Hour. The wine has a hint of mystery but a sweet finish, and it is such an easy-to-drink wine. It will keep you captivated as you discover the Blackwood sisters’ secret lives. P.S. I can see these books being made into an Amazon Prime movie or series. I prefer a Movie cause a sequel might be too fast-paced, but I can see five seasons with the right actors.

Honorable mentions: Kaylnn Bayron, the Wicked Heart Series “This Wicked Heart,” and This Poison Heart.” I love both books, the amount of mystery and paranormal fantasy while highlighting Black family structures and representing the LGBTQIA+. It has everything you could want in a book.  I love the take on Greek Mythology and exploring with African Americans. There are NO wine recommendations because it is a YA book, but a Pumpkin Chai latte or a Pumpkin Hot chocolate.

I am currently reading the Jessica Cage series “The Djinn Rebellion series.” I am reading the first book. It is an exciting concept where magical/ spiritual entities take over the world. The war that followed leaves the world in a post-apocalyptic mess. We follow Mike in the first book, who discovers information that shakes his core. I hope to finish at least three books from this series by December 2024. A better update will be coming; right now, I would suggest Magic Box Red wine. It is complex, intense, plum, and cherry, with more oak and bite than any other wine.

My last series to cap off this blog is “The Time I Saved…” by Kimberly Lemming. I love these books. You get minority women going on adventures and falling in love with dragons, werewolves, and Lampreys! Also, it is steamy; Christopher Moore and Luann G. Smith’s books are not steamy. But Mrs. Lemming will give you a scene where you want a dragon to be your lover. I love the series because it shows Black women of all shapes and sizes being bold and enjoying life. These books are excellent. The series has four books, including a one-off called A Bump in Boohail. The main sequence is the time I saved….

 I am sticking to my red wine flow for this paranormal book, a Sweet Shiraz called Sugarbird. FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT JAM JAR! This Sweet Shiraz displays succulent berry flavors and dark chocolate undertones. It is super good and gets you in the mood to find out what these creatures are packing.

I hope you enjoyed this Halloween-ish list! Happy Halloween! Stay Spooky! Keep reading. Pass the Chardonnay!

Until Next time,

Che Michelle