Mindy's Book Journey

  Title: The Appeal Author: Janice Hallett Genre: Crime/Mystery Published: Original Release 1/14/21 New Hardback Release 1/25/22 by Atria Books I received a copy for review from the Publisher through NetGalley for review. An appeal to earn the money for a young girl's cancer treatment is such a great cause. How could anything go wrong? The Appeal is a fascinating epistolary novel following law students as they sift through emails and texts preparing for the appeal for a crime committed while a wealthy friend group and drama club is earning money for one of the most influential families child's treatment.  The best most striking element of this story is the format in which is told. The modernized epistolary style is very engaging. It puts the reader in the middle of the same evidence as the law students are reading it. This was a fun way to try to unravel the mystery of what was happening within this friend group, and how things went so wrong.  The characters were not always lik

  Title: The Wakening Author: JG Faherty Genre: Horror Published: January 25, 2022 by Flame Tree Press Thank you to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for providing a copy for review. A team of paranormal investigators, a priest and a defrocked priest with a dark secret join forces to combat of a vengeful ancient demon, and the evil spreading throughout a small New York town. Goodreads   My Thoughts: This is the exorcism story that I have been searching for since reading The Exorcist. This story does rely on classic exorcism cliches, but adds elements to make it something all it's own. This possession was turned up to 11 since this was no lower level demon, but Asmodeus the right hand man to the devil himself. There are other paranormal and preternatural elements in the story as well making this a real page turner. Every chapter had frightening scenes and the pace was very fast. The characters assembled to fight Asmodeus and all very flawed, fleshed out, interesting characters to fo