My Review
Tales From Harborsmouth by E. J. Stevens
Series: Ivy Granger
Published by Sacred Oaks Press
Published on: July 11, 2017
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Mystery
Pages: 200
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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In Tales from Harborsmouth, readers get to delve deeper into the award-winning world of Ivy Granger.
Ivy Granger is a psychic detective with ties to Harborsmouth's paranormal underworld. Too bad those ties tend to ensnare Ivy and her friend Jinx in the Machiavellian schemes of the city's teeming population of bloodsucking vampires and psychotic faeries.
Tales from Harborsmouth is the first time the Ivy Granger novellas are together in one collection and features two exclusive short stories the series prequel Frostbite and the newest Ivy Granger tale Thrill on Joysen Hill.
Featured in this collection:
- FROSTBITE (Ivy Granger #0.5)
- BLOOD AND MISTLETOE (Ivy Granger #1.5)
- CLUB NEXUS (Ivy Granger #2.5)
- THRILL ON JOYSEN HILL (Ivy Granger #5.5)
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Tales From Harborsmouth is a collection of all the novellas that have been written about Ivy Granger, psychic detective. And while I love the full length books, her novellas are entertaining and usually add more to her overall story. It’s a good day when I get a new book or story about Ivy.
Frostbite
Harborsmouth. A city located on ley lines and besieged with the supernatural is Ivy Granger’s work place. As the city’s only psychic detective, she has seen it all or as in the case of Frostbite, she thought she had. This is a short story starring Ivy and her work partner, Jinx, as they try to help a lady that lives in a so called haunted house. Although short, it told an interesting and a bit horrific story and even had a twist to go along with it. Just another glimpse of what Harborsmouth is all about. 4 stars.
Blood and Mistletoe
The longest of the novellas, Blood and Mistletoe takes place during the holidays, but couldn’t be further from a Christmas story if it tried. Forneus, the demon with a huge crush on Jinx, has asked Ivy for her assistance in finding out who is kidnapping and killing all sorts of different fae in the area. Left at each scene is a pool of blood with a piece of mistletoe. This takes Ivy into the bowels of an abandoned hotel that is full of paranormal denizens and not of the good sort. All my favorite characters are back for this installment and as always they are what make these stories for me-including a kitchen brownie, a teenage troll, Kaye, a powerful witch and friend to Ivy, as well as Jinx and Forneus. Paranormal serial killer? It’s all in a days work for Ivy. Well written! 4.5 stars.
Club Nexus
This novella is broken up into four short stories, each with a different person’s perspective of the same night at Club Nexus, a club for supernaturals to gather and party. In Iced, we get the perspective of a former high born fae woman who is now working as a bartender at Club Nexus. She is spelled to not be able to escape from the club by Puck-the original trickster. She is pushed into something nefarious by a mysterious visitor and gets way more than she bargained for. In Dusted, we get the perspective of a rogue vampire with more than just a taste for violence while having his blood meal. At Nexus, Puck makes sure that the vampire clientele with these proclivities are catered to. In Jinxed, we get Jinx’s view of the events that transpire during her girls night out with Ivy at Club Nexus. Jinx is human and Ivy is half human, and half Fae princess. Most humans would never even know about Club Nexus, but of course Jinx does. She is followed there by Forneus, the demon, who is just trying to keep her safe. Of course, Puck wants to use Jinx for his illicit purposes. Forneus isn’t about to let that happen-hopefully. In Demonized, we follow Forneus and get his view of the events that are unfolding. We also get to read about what he looks like underneath his facade. It’s not pretty and Jinx is a witness as well. Will Forneus ever get to win the girl after this night? I enjoyed how all the events and perspectives came together-very well thought out and written by the author. 4 stars.
Thrill on Joysen Hill
Torn is another character that fascinates me. He’s lord of the cat sidhe and has been at Ivy’s side during many a battle. For some reason. I picture a younger Johnny Depp when I picture Torn. Ivy gets him to babysit for the kitchen brownie, the teenage troll, and a demon toddler that Ivy is raising. Just because the toddler doesn’t like Torn doesn’t mean anything can go wrong does it? Well of course it does. This is a short story and for me a bit of comic relief for these novellas. This one has a monstrous villain as well as a monster, but still parts of this one will make you smile. 4 stars.
Two of these, Blood and Mistletoe and Club Nexus, I had already read, but I ended up fully immersed in the stories all over again-as I was with the two new ones. If you haven’t met Ivy, psychic detective and Harborsmouth hero, then you need to. With Ivy and all the many different characters, the author has created a fascinating paranormal world. A world I completely enjoy escaping to as quickly as this author writes them. Highly recommended to ages 15 plus.
We’re giving away fun swag prizes, but first, grab a cupcake and check out these teasers.
—Ivy Granger, Frostbite
If a faerie, a vampire, and a demon walk into a bar, you wait for the punch line. At Private Eye, when a faerie, a vampire, and a demon walk through the door, it’s just another day at the office.
—Ivy Granger, Blood and Mistletoe
Of all the nightclubs, in all the cities, in all the world, the freakin’ demon had to walk into Club Nexus.
—Jinx, Club Nexus – Jinxed
I’d seen a lot in my nine lives, but nothing so strange as Ratfink’s Family Fun Palace and its tone-deaf taxidermied talent.
—Torn, Thrill on Joysen Hill
Want to read more books in this series? You’re in luck.
About E. J. Stevens
E.J. Stevens is the bestselling, award-winning author of the IVY GRANGER, PSYCHIC DETECTIVE urban fantasy series, the SPIRIT GUIDE young adult series, the HUNTERS' GUILD urban fantasy series, and the WHITECHAPEL PARANORMAL SOCIETY Victorian Gothic horror series. She is known for filling pages with quirky characters, bloodsucking vampires, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines. Her novels are available worldwide in multiple languages.
BTS Red Carpet Award winner for Best Novel, SYAE finalist for Best Paranormal Series, Best Novella, and Best Horror, winner of the PRG Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Young Adult Paranormal Series, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Young Adult Paranormal Novel and Best Urban Fantasy Series.
When E.J. isn't at her writing desk, she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.
For more, including a list of her books, freebies, and upcoming events visit her website.
We’re giving way an Ivy Granger Prize Pack, including a flashlight keychain, button, glow-in-the-dark fangs, and a collectible Passport to Ivy Granger booklet signed by the author. This giveaway is international. Giveaway begins July 11th and ends July 26th.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I have enjoyed what I have listened to of this series. I need to get the audio for book three! 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Review of The Supernormal Sleuthing Service
I haven’t listened to these yet. Maybe I will listen next time because I do love audios.
I still have not tried her books :/
blodeuedd recently posted…Every Heart a doorway and TMST: Do you find it is easier to read and review books that you have picked up on your own?
Oh you should if you ever find some time. I know you have a new baby. But they are really good and I do love Ivy!
I seriously need to start this series, it is so up my alley. 😉
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour and Book Review: No Good Deed by Kara Connolly
I think you would love these Ali! She has created a whole new paranormal world in the city of Portsmouth. Ivy is a great main character.
Great review, but I knew I already wanted to read it. I have been stalking EJ for a while now. 🙂
sherry fundin recently posted…Lovin’ This Cover – Gybe by Kristi M Turner @kristimturner19 @YABoundToursPR
Oh good! So you know how great Ivy is! I always love these books.
E. J. Stevens is a new author to me. This would be my first Ivy Granger book. Enjoy paranormal books and I’m looking forward to reading to reading her book.
Oh I hope you enjoy Ivy. She really is different and fun to read about.
Still haven’t picked up a book by this author. I know how much you love her work! This sounds like a great compilation for fans of her series!
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Lazarus
Yes, I had already read two of them before, but that didn’t stop me from reading and enjoying them all over again. Love Ivy!
I think I need to check this series out!
Jenea’s Book Obsession
I hope you enjoy it if you get the chance. Really worth reading just to meet Ivy!
I really love this series, which I tackle on audio. I’ve read Club Nexus and Blood and Mistletoe, too. I liked how Club Nexus was tackled with the same story from each character’s POV. I wasn’t sure how I would like it, but it worked out really well. I’m hoping that this will end up on audio. I would love to stay in that format.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti (@mlsimmons, @RebeccaZanetti)
It’s nice they bundled the short stories. I usually like short stories as part of a series :). Sounds like this collection had some great stories!
Lola recently posted…Review: Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis