Ghosts at the Coast

Magical Midlife Crisis #3

by S.C. Stokes

It never snows on the Gold Coast. They call it the Sunshine State for a reason.

When the Leanansidhe takes over a local amusement park, Alasdair and I are the first and last line of defence. If we can’t root out this fae incursion all hell might actually freeze over.

I might have prevented the Leanansidhe from killing my father. But her failure has only encouraged her to seek a softer target, me.

Outnumbered and outgunned, I might have to ask for help from the one person my mother has always tried to shield me from; my father.

Given that he is Oberon, the King of the Winter Court, dad just doesn’t sound right.

Genres: Fantasy

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2023

About the author

Sam is a writer of magically-charged fantasy adventures. His passion for action, magic and intrigue spawned his Arcanoverse; a delightfully deluded universe that blends magic, myth, and the modern world in a melting pot that frequently explodes.

When he isn’t hiding away in his writing cave, his favorite hobbies include cooking, indulging sugary cravings, gaming, and trying to make his children laugh. You can find more of his work at www.samuelcstokes.com.

Reviews

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog)]

Ghost at the Coast

Saddle up for a fast-paced wild ride! From the start I was sucked in and thrown into this crazy adventure complete with warlocks, yetis, banshees, Fae, and so much more! I can’t wait to see where things go from here.

[Donadee's Corner]

Sam Stokes – Magical Midlife Crisis, Bk 3 – Ghosts At the Coast

A shopping trip & her theme park visit are nothing like Nora figured they would be!

After the previous fiasco, Nora wanted to treat her children and take them to the local amusement park. She buys the annual pass every year, but there has not been time to take it in with the new job. She planned to take the kids on Saturday, but Alisdair told her he had planned a shopping trip. They needed some supplies. Saturday arrives, and so does hunk Alisdair and off they go. Are you kidding? A junkyard? What the heck could they use from here? Well, it seems everything is not as it appears, and in they go. Wow, what an experience. So that took all day, and not enough time was left for the park. Arriving home, she promises the kids they will go the next day.

Very early on Sundays is her workout time with the “Old One.” They took their time, and when they were finished, he requested that she promise she would always have Alisdair’s back. He was apprehensive about him. Ok, so that means Alisdair is going to the park with her and the kids. Now as they sit watching the show, they are stunned when the Leanansidhe makes a dramatic appearance, freezes the lake, and lets loose some enchanted animals. The same Leanansidhe that she had stopped from killing her father. But her failure has only encouraged her to seek a softer target, the king's daughter, herself. Nora and Alasdair figured out they would have no help and have to save the world by themselves. I mean, it was not like she could ask her dad, Oberon, the King of the Winter Court; it just didn’t sound right. So now the story begins…

What did I like? I have truly enjoyed this series and all of Sam’s books, but this one is a little closer to my heart because of Nora’s age. She looks at life like I do! Of course, I also like her attitude toward Alisdair. Just because she is a little older does not mean she can’t fall in love again! The humor that Sam uses and her reactions make this book sing!

What will you like? Now that we are in book three, our protagonist kicks up the game in this storyline. She has had time to learn her new trade, from her training with “the old” and the showdown with the Leanansidhe, plus the other surprises Sam has in store for you. Sam is one of the masters in fabricating this type of action that will reach out and grab you! Enjoy and sit down for the fun ride!

• ASIN: B0BHY2DQQK
• Publication Date: 2/1/2023
• File Size: 4674 KB
• Print Length: 294 pages
• Genre: Paranormal & Urban Fantasy

[Shivani McFarland]

I love Mr. Stokes urban fantasy books and his new series Magical Midlife Crises is no exception. Book three Ghost on the Coast has all the questions answered for me regarding Nora, the snarky, kick butt, 40 something single mother of two. She's a bounty hunter along with her mentor Alisdair of magical creatures wanted for their crimes. Book three starts them off going to The Yard a black market in the veil where you can buy or sell anything from information to wares. I sure hope Mr. Stokes includes The Yard in some of his upcoming books, it looks like a very interesting place. The rest of the story takes place in Brisbane Australia at Sea World. Nora and Alisdair go there for a long need reward for the kids Shay and Conor. As you can imagine this break turns into a nail-biting adventure for all. Sam pulled out the stops for Nora on this one as she comes into her own and goes places she never thought she would. I so enjoy Sam's writing style and thought process as he takes his characters on their journey, they become like family to me and I'm right there with them through all their trials and tribulations. Sam's books are not just popcorn but like a good satisfying candy bar and each book in the series just keeps getting more exciting.

[Bec]

I love this series.
Nora is the most relatable super ice queen ever and her story just keeps on growing. I won't give spoilers but her smart mouth is still getting her in trouble, her never say die attitude might be more than just positive self talk and, her mother bear instincts push her to new limits to say the least. Look out for the magical seamstresses who give her a glow up worthy of Yennifer! Yetis, magical butchers, Alaidairs and Old Ones back story bread crumbs are all in this too. I received a copy, to beta read. But as am I'm librarian in training, it's mutually beneficial work experience for me, and proof reading for Mr Stokes. Honestly, my favourite series right now in the paranormal romance genre!

[Roger]

Ghosts At The Coast: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Magical Midlife Crisis Book 3), my eleventh read from author Samuel Stokes. Breakneck pace, intricately & tightly woven storyline, a 326-page urban fantasy, action-packed adventure. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Fae Drama Is Bad Karma (Magical Midlife Crisis Book 4) already high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Noxwitchbooklife]

Fantastically funny and action packed.

This series is just so easy to read and I love how the settings are described so brilliantly like even though I have never been to this zoo park it's really easy to picture it from the descriptions.

I'm really enjoying Nora becoming this wonderful powerhouse learning all about who she is and having discovered her father I really liked her relationship building with him and the new dynamic with her family in this book.

Looking forward to more with Nora and the gang!

[Tracey]

I received an ARC in exchange for a review but this review is my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Nora more, she has really stepped it up in this book, overcoming things she's always believed about herself and she's now feeling better about it.
This book is extremely well paced with lots of action and plenty of story to bind it together.
I'm loving Nora's journey and can't wait to see what else is in store for her and her family.

[Christinaraven]

Nora and the rest are back for another fun adventure. And it is just as awesome as the rest. Lots of action, craziness, surprises, supernatural problems and this time a trip to the amusement park gone wrong. Nora is learning more as time flies for her and its time for her to do the impossible again and survive the craziness that is her life. I laughed and groaned and was entertained the whole time. Loved it.

[Quilting Tangent]

Believe in yourself!
In this wonderful supernatural, action, adventure. Kick ass Nora starts believing in her abilities. She gets a taste of what her winter side is capable of, as she deals with all sorts of creatures from beyond the veil. Great world building and characters bring this story to life. Looking forward to her next adventure!

[Carol Brandon]

Another great book in the series! I love Nora. A middle-aged woman, who is coming into her own - as the daughter of the King of Winter! There are bread crumbs trying in the other series set in this universe. I can’t wait to see how everything gets pulled together in future books. There was some swearing. I received a free copy off his book, with no obligation.

[LooseBoots]

What a wonderful action packed rollercoaster fantasy ride this was. Absolutely breathtaking.
Loved Nora’s journey in this book. A true awakening and revelation.
All of this series has been masterfully written and is definitely up for a re-read at some point, it’s that good.
Well done Sam. More of the same please😉

[Releanna]

I give 5 stars for the story but I wish there was also a rating for poor editing, I found several basic grammatical errors (and my first language is not English), but what really is annoying is the inconsistency with three names of main actors, Shay or Shea, Alistair or Alastair and the Old One is Ethan but was something else (I don't remember exactly) in book 2.

[Dorothy]

Nora never gets a break. Family day at the park seems perfect. See the marine life. Walk into a coup to take over her father’s kingdom and try to save the humans while protecting the kids. Multitasking is just part of being a mum!

[Mary T]

Wonderful!
Nora faces so many challenges in this book. It is fascinating to see how her character develops without losing as ounce of her motherly protectiveness and love when danger comes from all sides.

[DJ]

I have caught up on this series and look forward to more.
Nora & Alastair’s commitment as mentor and mentee is growing into more.
The family in general has learned so much about themselves in this story.
The next just can’t come soon enough.

[L K Stow]

Loving the series

Loving this series the characters are sassy and sexy (who can resist a Scottish accent) the storyline is full of action and humour, can't wait to read the next one, I'm devouring them quicker than they can be written

[lindA oRRs]

Great read

I stayed up all night with this book. I couldn't put it down until I finished. Talk about intriguing. It has so many elements intertwined that it keeps you on your toes to keep up. This set of books just gets better with each book.
Linda Orrs, Ogden, Utah, USA

[Stephen Levesque]

This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!

[Jackie]

What a story. I was drawn in to this interesting book. You’re introduced to Yetis, Warlocks, Banshees and more. There’s no stopping until the last page. Ready for the next book.

[James Widmark]

Fabulous Read!

Just as the other two books… a fun and fantastic book. A great blend of the Fea world and the hear and now.

[Marlys]

This a great addition to the series. It is great to see Nora developing confidence in herself. I loved this book. I didn't want to put it down. Looking forward to the next book in this series.