Review & Giveaway: Legend of Witchtrot Road by E.J. Stevens

Posted October 14, 2011 by Carmel in / 74 Comments

Title: Legend of Witchtrot Road
Series: Spirit Guide #3
Author: E.J. Stevens
Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Published: October 4th, 2011
My Copy: from Author

Surviving agitated ghosts, irritated witches, angry werewolves, and the horrors of high school has never been so hard.

The night of Samhain may be behind them, but Yuki and her friends have only begun to face the challenges of their paranormal gifts. Tensions are rising–in the pack, at school, and within their tightly knit group of friends.

The tragic death of Wakefield High student Dylan Jacobs has emotions boiling over. The J-Team, Yuki’s arch nemesis, have turned the entire football team against her. They claim that Yuki is a witch and blame her for the death of their fellow teammate. Will Yuki be able to solve the mystery of Dylan’s death, and the legend of Witchtrot Road, before tempers flare and things turn violent?

Emma is the friend that Yuki turns to when things get tough, but she’s been behaving strangely. Emma has been acting distant and seems to be coming down with a mysterious illness. What will Yuki and her friends do if their healer is truly sick?

Calvin has become Alpha and wants the best for his pack. He is a dedicated and compassionate leader willing to do anything for the good of his people, but will Cal be able to hold the pack together when a fiery, young werewolf comes seeking revenge?

Simon may still be a roguish playboy, but he is taking his role as Calvin’s second in command deadly serious. Will Simon be able to focus on his pack duties when he is forced to face his dark, emotional past?

I have to give props to E.J. and to her Spirit Guide series. This is the third time that she’s delivered a high quality, straightforward and entertaining read. Her success is no fluke! The momentum of this story is still holding strong and there’s no sign of it wavering anytime in the near future especially with two other installments already in the works. As reluctant as I was at first to read a book titled She Smells The Dead; now I find myself eagerly anticipating Yuki’s next adventure. I guess that just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover… err… I mean title.

I probably mentioned this point in my earlier reviews of this series but it’s worth reiterating. I adore E.J.’s no nonsense, straight-to-the-point writing style. Her direct approach ensures that there’s zero confusion. Readers always know what’s what and Stevens doesn’t waste our time with useless details in an attempt to camouflage holes in the plot line. There are no gaps in the Spirit Guide series. I’ve never once felt lost or had to flip back to previous chapters to figure out what the heck is going on and for that I’m grateful. There’s nothing I hate more than having to construct a flow chart while reading a book in order to be able to keep up with the convoluted story line. Keep it simple; that’s my motto. I also like the fact that her novels are relatively short. Like most of you, my TBR pile is massive so I’m elated whenever I can burn through a story in mere hours. I never skim parts of E.J.’s books because there’s no need. Every page is essential to the development of the plot line.

Forget about Yuki and Cal; I want to know what’s up with Emma and Simon! The path of the main power couple is obvious. There’s no real conflict between these love birds but the same can’t be said of their sidekicks. There’s a definite storm brewing between these two and I for one can’t wait to see lighting! Did Emma almost say the L word or did I just imagine that part? It slipped out so quickly and was covered up even faster that it’s hard to say for sure. E.J. gives us absolutely nothing in that area for the rest of this tale until a small glimpse at the end. Talk about MEAN! After all of the nice reviews I’ve written for this series. Hmph! I kid of course about that last bit but that’s not to say that I’m any less frustrated with her blatant teasing!

The sense of urgency wasn’t as prevalent in Legend of Witchtrot Road as its predecessors. The pace was still blisteringly fast but I just didn’t feel like everything was on the line this time around. That’s not a criticism. Obviously Yuki’s world can’t be threatening to end in every book, that would just be ridiculous! This story was more about her accepting her new found powers and using them to do good. The whole novel felt like a “smell mission”. Cal’s also adjusting to his new role as alpha nicely. He’s a strong character with a lot of responsibility but he handles it all in stride. How very grown-up of him!

The ending wasn’t what I expected. There was nothing really supernatural about it at all. Which struck me as a bit odd and somewhat disappointing. Wading through all of the mystery surrounding the Legend of Witchtrot Road only to discover that the answer is simple and 100% human. Also, other than the bit of intrigue surrounding Simon and Emma’s possible relationship progression, the resolution didn’t leave much of a segue to Brush With Death. But, who am I to question E.J. Stevens methods? She hasn’t lead me astray yet so I’m just going to have to trust her and go with it. A great addition to the Spirit Guide series. Here’s hoping for many more!

Find E.J. Stevens
Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Read Excerpt

Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Previous Books in Series My Reviews
  1. She Smells the Dead
  2. Spirit Storm
Also Reviewed by

Giveaway Time!

Open to UK, Canada & US mailing addresses. Please read my Giveaway Policy.

This Giveaway is now CLOSED. — Winner —

Witchtrot

Includes:
  • *signed* copy of Legend of Witchtrot Road
  • Oversize (5.5″ x 8.5″) Legend of Witchtrot Road Postcard
  • *signed* standard She Smells the Dead Postcard
  • *signed* standard Spirit Storm Postcard
  • *signed* standard Legend of Witchtrot Road Postcard
  • Yuki Character Postcard
  • She Smells the Dead Bookmark
  • Legend of Witchtrot Road Bookmark
  • Spirit Guide Series Trading Cards (10 cards)


To enter: leave a comment with your e-mail address and answer the following question: What’s your favorite Halloween legend? Contest ends on October 22nd at 11:59 PM EST.

Good Luck!

About the Blogger
I review Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books with a focus all things werewolf. Based out of Ottawa, Canada

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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!

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74 responses to “Review & Giveaway: Legend of Witchtrot Road by E.J. Stevens”

  3. Julie S

    I love the Hocus Pocus movie legend! Thanks for the reminder Kereesa! I’m going with that too 🙂
    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

  6. Mary Ellen

    I think my favorite is the hitchhiker legend. A man picks up a woman hitchhiker at night and when they arrive at the place she ask him to take her to he turns around and she has disappeared. He goes up to the house to ask if they know her and finds out that she died a few years before.

    Thank you for the chance to win!
    methom@earthlink.net

  8. Carmel

    @Kereesa – LOL Hocus Pocus was a GREAT movie! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

    @Chi Kittie – Aah yes, Bloody Mary is a classic! Great pick!

    @Julie S – Hehe glad to see I’m now the only one reminiscing about old school movies this morning!

    @nightlyreading – Yeah, I think those are more for scaring kids into not binging on candy…

    @Book Love 101 – That’s two for Bloody Mary so far! Good luck!

    @Mary Ellen – I’ve heard that one before but not the part about her having died years before. Thanks for sharing!

    @Melissa – Hmm, I’m not familiar with that one. I’ll have to Google it!

  9. TheBookAddictedGirl

    Ooh… Mine may be a little bit cheating, but I love the legend behind Halloween masks. Way back when everyone believed in demons and other superstitious things like that, people used to wear masks to trick all the nasties. Wearing a mask hid your human self from ghosts, making them think you were a fellow spirit. Therefore, protecting you from possession and other creepy things. 😀
    Awesome giveaway!
    thebookaddictedgirl@yahoo.co.uk

  10. Cesya MaRae Cuono

    Mine is definitely the Candyman legend. My friend and I did it when we were younger and freaky things started happening. But it was probably just us being scared.

    Great giveaway!

    cesyaslaughter(at)gmail(dot)com

  11. Ammy Belle

    I am a classic-ist – It would be “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” with all its New England incarnations for me! Headless horsemen, sometimes with Ghost Rider like flaming pumpkins, secrets in old towns and a sepia filter in my mind – am so there!

    Thanks for the contest – I have been meaning to get this series since I have heard so many good things about it!

    Thanks!

    Ammy Belle
    apereiraorama @ gmail . com
    http://lateintothenight.blogspot.com/

  12. Proserpine

    Oh my! Sleepy Hollow is my fav Halloween legend! I remember Walt Disney special Halloween edition with this legend when I was younger! Thanks for this giveaway 🙂

    proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com

  16. Carmel

    @TheBookAddictedGirl – That’s not cheating at all! I love that legend; great pick!

    @Cesya MaRae Cuono – Hmm… I’ll have to look this one up.

    @Ammy Belle – The fact that Johnny Depp’s stars in a Sleepy Hollow movie is an added bonus!

    @Proserpine – Gotta love the Walt Disney versions.

    @A Beautiful Madness – It is a great tale! Good luck!

    @SupaGurlbooks – Ooh, it’s always fun when there’s a local legend!

    @Brindle Chase – What a nice comment! I’m sure E.J. will be stopping by sometime today to check out the feedback this post is getting.

  17. Roxanne Rhoads

    The Legend of Sleep Hollow is probably my all time favorite. The headless horseman and Ichabod Crane- classics.

    I loved the movie version with Christini Ricci and Johnny Depp

    RoxanneRhoads @ aol. com

  19. Carmel

    @Roxanne Rhoads – I’m a fan of the Sleepy Hollow movie too. Great pick!

    @Brenda D. – This legend seems to be today’s winner but it’s still early.

  20. Lisa ~ Bookworm Lisa

    My favorite is the Legend of Sleepy Holllow. I fondly remember the Disney movie. Silly, but true. Thanks for a great giveaway. I have the first two books and would love to read the third.

    ke7yca at gmail dot com

  24. Keta Diablo

    Stopping by to support E.J. and Carmel, Hi chickies!

    E.J.’s a fab author so if you win her book you’re doggone lucky! I want a signed copy . . .mantra . . . I want a signed copy.

    Best of luck with your new release Witchroad and Carmel, as always your blog looks FAB!

    Oh, and if Johnny Depp is in any movie, it’s my FAVE — Halloween or not!

    Rock on, E.J.,
    Keta, http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
    (follow me, kids!)

  25. Writing Innovations

    Awesome review! My favorite legend is Why we Bob for Apples – that it originally had something to do with fortune telling.

    Thanks for sharing.

    BK

    bkwalkerbooks at comcast dot net

  26. Scorpio1974

    I’ve always liked one particular legend about jack-o’-lanterns. A friend had actually told me about this one but I couldn’t remember it all so I googled it to share.
    Stingy Jack

    According to legend, the jack-o’-lantern took its name from a reprobate Irishman known as Stingy Jack who tricked the Devil into promising he wouldn’t have to go to hell for his sins. When Jack died he found out he had been barred from heaven, so he journeyed to the gates of hell to demand his due. Wouldn’t you know it, the Devil kept his promise and doomed Jack to wander the earth for all eternity with only an ember of hellfire of to light his way. Thenceforth he was known as Jack O’Lantern. It wasn’t until Irish immigrants brought the custom of carving jack-o’-lanterns to North America that the more commonly available pumpkin came to be used for that purpose, and not until the mid-to-late 19th century that pumpkin carving became a Halloween staple across the United States.

    Valerie Long
    just.val.1974@gmail.com
    Jewelry Creations by V.S. Long – https://www.facebook.com/vsl1974

  28. LadyVampire2u

    My favorite legend is the Legend of Sleep Hollow. I saw the cartoon as a kid, watched the movies growing up and Johnny Depp’s movie about the famous legend is a favorite of mine.

    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

  29. barmybex

    I don’t really know many legends. There is a story in my area that says approx 50 years ago a young woman found out her husband was cheating on her and so tried to leave, but he followed her and drowned her in the river, and now every year you’re supposedly able to see a ghost walking down the path by the river crying. I’ve never been out to look though!
    Bl***y Mary always scared me too, still does – see I won’t even type her name properly.

    becca9@gmail.com

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

  34. Carmel

    @Lisa ~ Bookworm Lisa – I’m happy to meet another fan of this series! Good luck!

    @Katy S – Absolutely! It’s the first one that came to mind when I thought up the question.

    @Tore – Thanks for stopping by!

    @Blogger Name: Krystal Larson – I’m surprised with how many people are saying Hocus Pocus. I would never have guessed!

    @Keta Diablo – Thanks for the love!

    @Writing Innovations – I never really thought much about it until you brought it up. Interesting pick!

    @Scorpio1974 – Hehe, thanks for doing the research on your pick! 😛

    @Steph from fangswandsandfairydust.com – It’s a cool but somewhat disturbing concept.

    @LadyVampire2u – It is a classic!

    @barmybex – How sad. 🙁

    @Christina Madison – I can’t say that I know any Japanese legends… Make that’s a good thing if they’re that scary!

    @ReneeRearden – LOL too cute.

    @wyantebay – That’s a cool one.

    @Cassandra (The Book and Movie Dimension blogger) – Halloween is all about creepy after all!

  36. Chrystal

    I’m going with the legend of THE HOOK!

    “STORY: A teenage couple drives to a secluded spot and were making out when the music was interrupted with a special announcement on the radio. The radio announcer alerts them that there was a convicted killer, with a hook for a hand, who had just escaped from the local insane asylum and was on the loose. The announcer then urged everyone to “be on the lookout” and stay indoors.

    Immediately, the girl was frightened and she urged her boyfriend to take her home. He insisted that everything was okay and continued to kiss her. She heard a strange thumping noise, pulled away, and insisted they leave. Although he was irritated, he realized that the mood was broken and drove her on home.

    When they arrived at her house, her door was stuck and wouldn’t open. When the boy walked around to her side of the car to let her out, he was shocked to find a hook lodged in the door handle.”

    CREEPTASTIC!

  37. DJL

    The story of La Llorona has always been a favorite even if it is a creepy story. 🙂 The woman drowns her children, then kills herself only to be left wandering at night searching for them. If you’re standing near water when you hear the wailing of the woman, she’ll try to drag you into the water! There’s a Texas locale for the story on I-10 between Seguin and San Antonio. Pray you never break down near “Woman Hollering Creek.” *shivers!* Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂

    ~DJL
    djlibrarian3(at)gmail(dot)com

  40. Darkfallen

    I don’t know if it is really considered a Halloween legend but I love the story “Aren’t you Gald You Didn’t Turn On The Lights?”

    Basically it’s an urban legend about two college roommates. The one girl is always hooking up with guys. So when the other girl comes home and the lights are out, and she hears what she thinks is moaning, she puts her head phones on and gose to sleep. In the morning the roommate is brutally murdered and written in booed on the wall is “Aren’t you glad you didn turn on the lights?”

    Thanks for the giveaway! paranormalwasteland(at)gmail(dot)com

  41. Rockee

    I’m sad to say that I’ve never read any of the Spirit Guide books; so thank you for having this awesome giveaway, Carmel! You gave a very honest, detailed review, which only makes me want to read the series even more! Plus, I’m also curious about the Emma and Simon love angle. What can I say, I’m a romantic dork! Guilty as charge. Hehe. Thanks for this Spirit-tastic giveaway!:)

    Rockee at http://rokeemusikreads.blogspot.com
    Rockeeroad19@gmail.com

  42. Rockee

    Oops, forgot to answer your question: What’s your favorite Halloween Legend?

    I have to go with Sleepy Hollow as well. That movie was scary good! The headless horseman gave me goosebumps from head to toe! Tim Burton + Johnny Depp = Scary-awesome!’Nuff said.

  50. Julie

    My favorite legend, that I’ve passed on to my kids, is the Legend of Sleepy Hollow! I’m actually reading it to my son right now:)

    jwitt33 at live dot com

  51. Amanda

    I’ll have to go with Bloody Mary for my favorite legend. Such creepy fun!

    Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

    amanda(at)lettersinsideout(dot)com

  52. Denise Z

    My favorite Halloween legend has to be the old haunted house. Every town has one and the story goes who ever goes in does not come out. Strange lights are seen on dark nights and sounds can be heard, but not child to ventures in will ever be found. Thank you for the fun today and for the fun giveaway opportunity. I would love to read Legend of Witchtrot Road:)

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

  53. NoraA

    Halloween stories? I’m a classic story lover. Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman.

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot)com

  54. SpadesHighReads

    My favorite Halloween legend would be: To have a lit Jack-o-lantern out side your door or else evil spirits will come pay you a visit. and when someone pays you a visit don’t open the door unless you have a treat to give because you never know whose at your door **chills**
    I always have a lit pumpkin by the front door and at the back door leading to the backyard. I also have a bag of candy on hand just in case along with a can of salt =)

    GFC Follower: SpadesHighReads
    TValeros18 AT gmail DOT com

  60. Gothical

    What’s your favorite Halloween legend?

    Bloody Mary It’s always been my favorite and Yes I will admit I did spin around Chanting “Bloody Mary!” thirteen times in front of a candlelit mirror and I saw something and spooked the living daylights out of me I screamed bloody murder and turned the light on and saw nothing but blood on the mirror with hand prints dented trying to get out it freaked me out. Anyway Thanks for the giveaway!

    jazzwolf44@gmail.com

  62. Jasmyn

    I always like the Sleepy Hollow legend myself. There is something very timeless about it.

    jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

  64. Aliraluna

    Hiii my favorite halloween legend ( is kind of hard to say as I have a folder with a LOT of legends…. is a hobby) but it would be Bloody Mary. I’m planning to go and see Paranormal Activity besides beeing scary because is about Bloody Mary.
    Thanks for this awesome giveaway!

    queen.jade09@hotmail.com

  65. Angie

    My favorie halloween legend would have to be the legend of sleepy hollow. My teacher read to me in fourth grade. Boy, that scard me 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!

    Email: osnapitzAngiex3(AT)aol(DOT)com

  66. Sam

    Wow, that’s quite some giveaway! Thank you! My favorite Halloween legend would have to be Sleepy Hollow. It’s great!

    zahraparr(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

  67. whitewolfreads

    I too love the legend of Sleepy Hallow. But if I can pick creepy stories in general I love the Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart by Edger Allan Poe. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    whitewolfreads AT gmail DOT com

  68. Suz

    Thanks for this amazing giveaway – I would love to win! My favorite Halloween legend is Sleepy Hollow/Headless Horseman. Very creepy!

    susanw28 (at) mindspring (dot) com

  71. Sam

    The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a classic. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    zahraparr@hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

    🙂

  72. baugh40272

    ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ is my favorite Halloween legend. The idea from Buffy that supernatural creatures stay inside during Halloween is a close second.