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Spirits & Spells
Spirits & Spells is a podcast by USA Today bestselling authors Heather Marie Adkins & Alex Owens, both of whom are obsessed with things they can't explain - especially the weird, the witchy, and the woefully spectral.
Step beyond the veil with twenty-one spooky tales of TRUE supernatural encounters by some of today's hottest paranormal authors. Between these pages, you'll witness a pair of disembodied legs cross the street and wake up beside ghostly felines; you'll experience visits from deceased family members and be haunted by terrifying shadow people.
But be forewarned: these strange tales will send shivers down your spine and make you certain you're not alone, even when you are.
The old saying is true: real life is stranger (and scarier!) than fiction.
Stories included:
Heather Marie Adkins - Residual Darkness
Alex Owens - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
Rick Gualtieri - A Ghost Cat, Broken Crystal, and No Body in Sight
Karin Cox - Paws For Thought
Jennifer Rainey - Up Close and Personal: A Visit to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Candace Osmond - Nightmares
Lily Luchesi - The Man in the Black Hat
Alyssa Breck - Wicked Game
Michelle Hughes - A Haunting on North Street
Kim Cleary - Uplifting Real Life Paranormal
Lindsey R. Loucks - Just Curious
Ann Gimpel - The Benson Hut Ghost
Shannon McRoberts - Precognition
Caia Daniels - We See Dead People
Tanya Dawson - My Paranormal Experiences
Brea Viragh - Poppy's Coming
Debra Kristi - A Ghostly Research Trip
LA Kirk - Gravity in Reverse
Selene Kallan - The Chase
Bria Lexor - Encounter with the Devil in Mexico
S K Gregory - A Ghostly Encounter
and a bonus novella from Caroline Peckham - A Game of Vampires (A Vampire Games Prequel Novella)
Step beyond the veil with twenty-one spooky tales of TRUE supernatural encounters by some of today's hottest paranormal authors. Between these pages, you'll witness a pair of disembodied legs cross the street and wake up beside ghostly felines; you'll experience visits from deceased family members and be haunted by terrifying shadow people.
But be forewarned: these strange tales will send shivers down your spine and make you certain you're not alone, even when you are.
The old saying is true: real life is stranger (and scarier!) than fiction.
Stories included:
Heather Marie Adkins - Residual Darkness
Alex Owens - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
Rick Gualtieri - A Ghost Cat, Broken Crystal, and No Body in Sight
Karin Cox - Paws For Thought
Jennifer Rainey - Up Close and Personal: A Visit to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Candace Osmond - Nightmares
Lily Luchesi - The Man in the Black Hat
Alyssa Breck - Wicked Game
Michelle Hughes - A Haunting on North Street
Kim Cleary - Uplifting Real Life Paranormal
Lindsey R. Loucks - Just Curious
Ann Gimpel - The Benson Hut Ghost
Shannon McRoberts - Precognition
Caia Daniels - We See Dead People
Tanya Dawson - My Paranormal Experiences
Brea Viragh - Poppy's Coming
Debra Kristi - A Ghostly Research Trip
LA Kirk - Gravity in Reverse
Selene Kallan - The Chase
Bria Lexor - Encounter with the Devil in Mexico
S K Gregory - A Ghostly Encounter
and a bonus novella from Caroline Peckham - A Game of Vampires (A Vampire Games Prequel Novella)
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2018
380 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
Alex Owens
31 books111 followersBorn in the Deep South and raised right over the Mason Dixon line, Alex grew up feeling unsure where she belonged. That is, until she met up with a traveling Freak Show one fine day. Now she celebrates the unusual and appreciates how interesting life can be when you (ahem) open yourself to unique situations.
Residing in coastal Virginia, Alex spends her days wrangling words and children, and on occasion a sassy cat (or three), a bull-headed Labrador, or her old, cantankerous horse. Her husband has figured out that toeing the line is easiest in the long run. He’s a smart man.
Residing in coastal Virginia, Alex spends her days wrangling words and children, and on occasion a sassy cat (or three), a bull-headed Labrador, or her old, cantankerous horse. Her husband has figured out that toeing the line is easiest in the long run. He’s a smart man.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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May 8, 2019🎁 FREE on iBooks today (5/8/2019)! 🎁
August 15, 2019
1. Residual Darkness
2. Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
3. A Ghost Cat, Broken Crystal, And No Body In Sight
4. Paws For Thought
5. Up Close And Personal
6. Nightmares
7. The Man In The Black Hat
8. Wicked Game
9. A Haunting on North Street
10. Uplifting Real Life Paranormal
11. Just Curious
12. The Benson Hut Ghost
13. Precognition
14. We See Dead People
15. My Paranormal Experiences
16. Poppy’s Coming
17. A Ghostly Research Trip
18. Gravity in Reverse
19. THE CHASE
20. Encounter with the Devil in Mexico
21. A Ghostly Encounter
22. A Game of Vampires
These stories was all entertaining
A Game of Vampires was my fav
2. Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
3. A Ghost Cat, Broken Crystal, And No Body In Sight
4. Paws For Thought
5. Up Close And Personal
6. Nightmares
7. The Man In The Black Hat
8. Wicked Game
9. A Haunting on North Street
10. Uplifting Real Life Paranormal
11. Just Curious
12. The Benson Hut Ghost
13. Precognition
14. We See Dead People
15. My Paranormal Experiences
16. Poppy’s Coming
17. A Ghostly Research Trip
18. Gravity in Reverse
19. THE CHASE
20. Encounter with the Devil in Mexico
21. A Ghostly Encounter
22. A Game of Vampires
These stories was all entertaining
A Game of Vampires was my fav
April 15, 2020
Spirits and Spells is a compilation of stories from different authors. Found that information about the authors were longer than most of the stories.
Very disappointed with this book until I got to the last story "A Game of Vampires" by Caroline Peckham. Well written and very entertaining. Thank you
Very disappointed with this book until I got to the last story "A Game of Vampires" by Caroline Peckham. Well written and very entertaining. Thank you
December 23, 2018
Mediocre writing styles
The storyline for several of the tales were good. However, the presentation left a lot to be desired. Good ideas presented thru mediocre to poor writing.
The storyline for several of the tales were good. However, the presentation left a lot to be desired. Good ideas presented thru mediocre to poor writing.
August 25, 2020
I DID NOT FINISH THIS BOOK AS I JUST COULD NOT GET INTO IT. IT WAS KIND OF DIFFICULT TO TELL WHERE THE STORY STARTED AND ENDED AND WHERE THE AUTHORS WERE TALKING ABOUT THEMSELVES.
December 1, 2021
The saving grace for this book is the 20k-word prequel to a vampire novel at the end.
I have no doubt the compiler-contributors had the best of intentions, based on their real life experiences.
And, like them, I have no problem believing there exists a world from which our brains have closed us off. The 'fourth dimension', if you will.
Now, of the 20-odd stories, a few of the embellishments/journals worked a treat. Good stuff.
I also understand that, as a free book, the contributing authors would want to plug a book of their own along with their submission.
What I can't get over is the fact that many book plugs (at the end of each story) were either 'deeper' than the submitted story or came with extremely higher grade polished copy.
The lesson I learned from this book is that the role of an editor is more critical to relating a tale, no matter how good/original, than one may give them credit for.
I'd wager most of the stories herein came straight from the desk of the contributing author and ne'er saw the hard disk of an editor's PC.
Style, cohesion and even punctuation and grammar were missing from/erroneous in many stories, which only added to the feeling that some of the tales—far from being true—were 'crafted' purely to get a plug into the anthology for the respective author's latest release.
I don't like giving bad reviews, but, other than the final story and maybe one or two others, this is a wholly missable read.
I have no doubt the compiler-contributors had the best of intentions, based on their real life experiences.
And, like them, I have no problem believing there exists a world from which our brains have closed us off. The 'fourth dimension', if you will.
Now, of the 20-odd stories, a few of the embellishments/journals worked a treat. Good stuff.
I also understand that, as a free book, the contributing authors would want to plug a book of their own along with their submission.
What I can't get over is the fact that many book plugs (at the end of each story) were either 'deeper' than the submitted story or came with extremely higher grade polished copy.
The lesson I learned from this book is that the role of an editor is more critical to relating a tale, no matter how good/original, than one may give them credit for.
I'd wager most of the stories herein came straight from the desk of the contributing author and ne'er saw the hard disk of an editor's PC.
Style, cohesion and even punctuation and grammar were missing from/erroneous in many stories, which only added to the feeling that some of the tales—far from being true—were 'crafted' purely to get a plug into the anthology for the respective author's latest release.
I don't like giving bad reviews, but, other than the final story and maybe one or two others, this is a wholly missable read.
December 4, 2018
Do you like things that go bump in the night? Ghosties, ghoulies, and others? In this collection, brought to you by the newest podcast on the creepy block, Authors Heather Marie Adkins and Alex Owens culled through many true-life ghost stories to bring you some spine tingling real life stories by some of the Indie Author Communities favorite authors.
I thoroughly enjoyed this free anthology. You’ve got everything from a pair of disembodied legs walking across a road late one night, to phantom cats who knead while the author sleeps. Not all stories are super scary, some are great to share with your children, just ask my 10-year-old who now wants her very own ghost kitty. Whether you’re sitting around an evening fire, out camping in the middle of the forest, or sitting in your favorite chair with your reading device, this set of stories will keep you entertained until the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this free anthology. You’ve got everything from a pair of disembodied legs walking across a road late one night, to phantom cats who knead while the author sleeps. Not all stories are super scary, some are great to share with your children, just ask my 10-year-old who now wants her very own ghost kitty. Whether you’re sitting around an evening fire, out camping in the middle of the forest, or sitting in your favorite chair with your reading device, this set of stories will keep you entertained until the end.
November 4, 2018
Spirits & Spells True ... A charming book! 4.2 *s
An interesting way to be introduced to new authors and their experiences with supernatural events in their own lives. Most of us have seen the filmy image that we thought was a family member approaching us in our beds, but then they evaporated and we covered up with our blankets. Many of their experiences were similar. It is especially nice to read about the authors and their stories. Very nice.
An interesting way to be introduced to new authors and their experiences with supernatural events in their own lives. Most of us have seen the filmy image that we thought was a family member approaching us in our beds, but then they evaporated and we covered up with our blankets. Many of their experiences were similar. It is especially nice to read about the authors and their stories. Very nice.
December 20, 2018
Book report
I read this book to get to read new author's especially Heather Marie Adkins. I enjoyed the different writing styles. I also found a few new author's that I would like to follow up. This was just so different than picking just one story because the authors also gave personal accounts of their own life moments.
I read this book to get to read new author's especially Heather Marie Adkins. I enjoyed the different writing styles. I also found a few new author's that I would like to follow up. This was just so different than picking just one story because the authors also gave personal accounts of their own life moments.
March 25, 2020
Small stories but big tales
I loved these short stories. They were completely different, it gave the reader a great intro to new authors. The ending story was so engaging, I was on the end of my seat. Eve and Josh are so interesting and Varik..loved hating him! Thank you for sharing your stories, I look forward to reading each of your books.
I loved these short stories. They were completely different, it gave the reader a great intro to new authors. The ending story was so engaging, I was on the end of my seat. Eve and Josh are so interesting and Varik..loved hating him! Thank you for sharing your stories, I look forward to reading each of your books.
November 28, 2018
A must read for true paranormal fans.
I enjoyed reading this book. I love how these authors used true experiences to write this anthology. They do let you know which stories are fictional.
I enjoyed reading this book. I love how these authors used true experiences to write this anthology. They do let you know which stories are fictional.
January 12, 2019
Good shortreads
This anthology has a bit of everything. Fiction, non-. Fiction, ghost stories and things that go bump in the night. It also has links to each of the author's sites for further information.
This anthology has a bit of everything. Fiction, non-. Fiction, ghost stories and things that go bump in the night. It also has links to each of the author's sites for further information.
January 26, 2019
Another Amazing Anthology
I just love the writings of Lily Luchesi. Besides my BFF, TL Travis, I have to say that Lily is my other favorite author. This was a great mix of stories by a lot of talented authors. You won’t be disappointed.
I just love the writings of Lily Luchesi. Besides my BFF, TL Travis, I have to say that Lily is my other favorite author. This was a great mix of stories by a lot of talented authors. You won’t be disappointed.
April 4, 2019
Good storys
I enjoyed the true storys. Most were very short. Great bedtime 🌙 book. I enjoyed each new author as well. Biggest thing for me was story that were too short of left me hanging.
I enjoyed the true storys. Most were very short. Great bedtime 🌙 book. I enjoyed each new author as well. Biggest thing for me was story that were too short of left me hanging.
May 13, 2019
This book is a collection of slightly fictionalized true haunting/ghost stories that were experienced by the writers or someone they know. It is a great variety of ghostly tales. I was slightly disappointed that the last quarter of the book was a prequel for a vampire series.
August 17, 2020
Slow starter
The book started off extremely slow. The initial stories uninteresting, I was ready to delete it. Then it picked up. I couldn't put it down. I'm glad I continued reading.
The book started off extremely slow. The initial stories uninteresting, I was ready to delete it. Then it picked up. I couldn't put it down. I'm glad I continued reading.
January 19, 2022
Good read to get to know new authors.
This was an interesting collection of stories true & made up to introduce us to lesser known authors. It's very telling. I have had several "odd" happenings in my life. So, I'm a bit of a believer in those kinds of things.
This was an interesting collection of stories true & made up to introduce us to lesser known authors. It's very telling. I have had several "odd" happenings in my life. So, I'm a bit of a believer in those kinds of things.
November 9, 2018
Good reading!
This was a good read that I couldn't put it down until I finished. Different horror story in one book. Great job!
This was a good read that I couldn't put it down until I finished. Different horror story in one book. Great job!
December 19, 2018
Loved it
I lived reading there experiences and story. It gave you a little something from the authors. I even found and author that I want to read.
I lived reading there experiences and story. It gave you a little something from the authors. I even found and author that I want to read.
January 26, 2019
Loved all the personal haunts from these amazing authors.
July 14, 2019
My favorite story was ...
The one written by Caroline Peckham. It is my first time reading anything by this author and it would not be the last.
The one written by Caroline Peckham. It is my first time reading anything by this author and it would not be the last.
January 22, 2020
Paranormal Romance
Well edited short paranormal romance stories. No cliffhangers. I signed up for some of the authors that I wasn't already following.
Well edited short paranormal romance stories. No cliffhangers. I signed up for some of the authors that I wasn't already following.
May 3, 2020
This is a great collection of short stories. Each story had its own intrigue. I really liked the bonus V Games novella from Caroline Peckham at the end. Definitely worth a read.
October 21, 2020
I enjoyed this book, appropriate for October (Octogre?). These are purported ly true stories, or fictionalizations of true stories, but whatever they may be, they entertained me.
November 17, 2020
GOOD!
I found the stories quite interesting. Definitely worth the read. I can be easily bored but these were interesting enough to keep my attention.
I found the stories quite interesting. Definitely worth the read. I can be easily bored but these were interesting enough to keep my attention.
August 13, 2021
An alright read
If you're into short stories this is your thing. For me it had some great stories that sent shivers down my spine but wish some of them had a more rounded storyline.
If you're into short stories this is your thing. For me it had some great stories that sent shivers down my spine but wish some of them had a more rounded storyline.
August 1, 2023
This book was good just not great it wasn't what I expected I guess. But it was well written I just think you have to be in the mood to read it and I had too much going on to really get into it.
October 21, 2023
Not for me at all. Stories do not get me involved.
October 26, 2024
Fast read
Some of the stories were good, it was hit or miss. Also the stories vary in length which was nice
Some of the stories were good, it was hit or miss. Also the stories vary in length which was nice
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews