'The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches' by Katie Ortiz - book tour promotional post10/11/2026 
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'THE SOUTHERN SORORITY OF SUPERSTITIOUS WITCHES' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS, ALCOVE PRESS / CROOKED LANE BOOKS, and KATIE ORTIZ!
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches
Katie Ortiz Publisher: Crooked Lane Books / Alcove Press Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026 Genre: Adult Historical Fiction Synopsis: In this spellbinding Southern Gothic novel, three women weave together old Southern folklore and magic to fight sexism and educational discrimination in post--Civil War Alabama, perfect for fans of Hester Fox and Louisa Morgan. When Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria are invited to participate in a trial semester for women at Alabama's most prestigious university, they each have their own reasons for accepting. Lucille wants freedom from both her father's control and reminders of her traitorous first love. Catherine wants to escape an arranged marriage meant to halt her attraction to women. And Victoria wants to run from the guilt that haunts her after the death of one of her fellow mill girls. The trial semester will determine whether or not women across the state will be allowed to attend other universities. But the enrolled women quickly learn that success is not guaranteed, and some of their male cohorts are determined to see them fail. When the men's pranks go too far, Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria form a coven under the guise of a sorority and call upon witchcraft steeped in the traditions of southern folklore to fight back. As they gather their fellow witches, they discover there is something darker at work at the university, a force that is determined to expel all the women at the university, and they'll need all the allies they can get if they want to succeed. For fans of 'Witchcraft for Wayward Girls' and 'Weyward,' this historical speculative novel explores the darker side of human nature and the ways in which women navigate—and survive—oppressive, male-dominated societies.
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About the Author:
Katie Ortiz is a writer, teacher, wife, feminist, and cat mom from Alabama. She’s a member of the Alabama Historical Association and writes accessible historical fiction with a speculative twist. Her writing often explores the darker sides of human nature and the ways in which women navigate and survive in oppressive, male-dominated societies. She attended the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Alabama Writing Day Workshops and the 2023 Atlanta Writers Conference. When she’s not writing at her favorite local coffee shop, she fights for the right to education every day as a public school teacher, reads witchy books, or takes her two cats on walks.
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False Start
Paw Prints on My Heart #2 Rebecca Minelga Publisher: Liminal Publishing Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026 Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction Synopsis: A sweet, grumpy/sunshine romance where love is a four-legged word. She's sunshine and sweetness. He's a fallen hero with a plan. And the dog? He might be the only one who can teach them both how to love again. Jif Pritchard lives for laughter, late nights, and making life fun, but when a classroom crisis shatters her carefree world, she's desperate to help her students feel safe again. Enter Miles Porter: ex-firefighter, professional brooder, and the man who lost everything when an injury ended his career. Now he's stuck playing therapy handler with his four-legged partner, Nix, and the last thing he needs is a whirlwind teacher who talks too much and smiles too big. But as Nix works his magic on Jif's shell-shocked third graders, Miles starts to see the cracks behind her glittering facade. And Jif? She can't stop wondering what it would take to melt the walls around his scarred heart.
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I definitely have mixed feelings about 'False Start' by Rebecca Minelga.
On the one hand, the book is structurally sound. It hits the important beats along the way. It's a mostly light-hearted, quick read. and there are some very cute moments between the MC and the love interest. Miles is charming, despite his grumpy exterior (of course).. and Jif isn't bad most of the time. At least she's not another female lead named Ashley, or Taylor, or Madison. She's a bit self-pitying, but there's plenty of that going around in the book. What she's great about is finding ways to make things easier on others. On the other hand, she's really unrelatable almost immediately to the average person.. in my opinion.. from the perfection with which she's described.. to her lifestyle.. and in a subgenre where relatability equals connection with the reader, that's probably not encouraging for some. Unfortunately, while they each have a few good traits and I found them generally likeable, there's very little overall character growth.. which isn't exactly ideal in a character driven story. Along that vein, the majority of the supporting cast just reads as half-formed caricatures built on stereotypes. Many of the occurrences feel forced. The interactions read awkwardly, not because the situations themselves are meant to be awkward, but because there's no natural rhythm to them and the relationships tend to suffer from the same thing. While the potentially intimate scenes are fade-to-black, the book doesn't feel like that's important at all. It isn't missing a feeling of connection and the characters even have good reason for not being all over one another. Sadly, most real emotional scenes are also sort of fade-to-black. With one or two exceptions, anytime there's real conflict.. it's kind of glossed over or swapped out, making most of the book feel kind of thin. That being said, the book is fine. The author feels relatively inexperienced in managing relationships between her characters. Even sometimes simple plot devices feel clunky and often overexaggerated for what they entail, but I still enjoyed the couple well enough to continue navigating it and eventually even got a little invested. If you enjoy quick, easy reads with warm, gruff romantic interests.. this may still be the book for you. 
About the Author:
Rebecca Minelga is an author and speaker who uses the power of words to navigate the liminal spaces between who we are and who we are becoming. She raises Guide Dog Puppies and two sons – in that order – with her husband just north of Seattle. When not writing, she can be found working with her Therapy Dog Santana, open water swimming in her local lake, or traveling the world on an adventure! In 2016, Rebecca was thrilled to work closely with Guide Dogs for the Blind and KTF Films to create the multi-award-winning “dog”umentary, Pick of the Litter, now streaming!
AUTHOR LINKS: REBECCAMINELGA.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | BLUESKY | X (formerly TWITTER) | FACEBOOK
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'DEVOURED' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS, LITTLE BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, and JORDAN STEPHANIE GRAY!
Devoured
Bitten #2 Jordan Stephanie Gray Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026 Genre: Adult Romantasy Synopsis: The breathtaking finale to the instant New York Times bestseller, 'Bitten!' Welcome back to the Wolf Queen's Court. Vanessa Hart is done being a victim. After the brutal winter massacre stole everything from her, she vows vengeance against her enemies once and for all—even if that means killing the boy she once loved... Vanessa bides her time playing the role of a docile subject. But beneath her mask, she sharpens her powers, embracing the werewolf within while weaving a complicated web of lies, betrayals, and alliances to topple the throne. Unfortunately, vengeance isn’t easy, and nothing in the Wolf Queen’s Court is ever as it seems. As the darkness of the castle bleeds into human society, it’s clear no one is safe. Cora’s vicious reign grows stronger by the day, Sinclair continues hiding deadly secrets, and Calix—the boy Vanessa might loathe most of all—is threatening her every plan. With nowhere to run and no place to hide, Vanessa sheds the last of her humanity to play this lethal game of werewolves. And if she doesn’t win, the consequences will destroy her life—and the entire world as she knows it—forever.
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About the Author:
Jordan Stephanie Gray is the author of the young adult paranormal romantasy, 'Bitten,' and the adult mermaid romantasy, 'The Wicked Sea.' When she isn’t lounging by the pool and typing away at her computer, she is likely cuddling her pugs in sunny Florida. 
The Haunted Librarian
Auralee Wallace Publisher: Ace / Berkley Publishing Group / Penguin Random House Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026 Genre: Fantasy Synopsis: A lonely librarian finds love, friends, and a few ghosts between the shelves in this cozy, paranormal tale from bestselling author Auralee Wallace. It’s a dark and stormy night…and Amelia Bates is caught in the rain. Life hasn’t always been kind to her, and being a ghostseer certainly doesn’t make things any easier. Glowing warmly through the autumnal downpour is her safest haven: the library. Amelia, the newly hired librarian, has always relished the comfort of curling up with a novel, vastly preferring it to the company of humans (alive or ghostly). But Amelia is shocked to discover the building is full of more than quiet stories and warm cups of tea. There are curious, talkative patrons, a shy, bespectacled head librarian who makes her heart skip a beat, and three quirky spirits causing paranormal havoc that endangers the future of the library. To help the ghosts and save the building, Amelia will have to gather all her bravery and wits, because learning to trust others might just be the first step to a happily ever after she only thought was possible in books.
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Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'WHERE THE BONES TOOK ROOT' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS, PAGE STREET YA / PAGE STREET PUBLISHING, and JUNIPER KLEIN!
Where the Bones Took Root
Juniper Klein Publisher: Page Street Publishing / Page Street YA Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026 Genre: YA Fantasy Synopsis: Four times, Jayde has tried to resurrect Soleste, the girl she loved, with forbidden magic. Four times, she’s failed—and she’s convinced it’s because she’s missing the secret ingredient: the life of Soleste’s murderer. When an alchemist’s son named Barrick catches her in the wake of her latest failure, he offers her a choice: he can expose her crimes, or she can help him infiltrate the alchemy cult she’s certain is hiding Soleste’s killer. Desperate, Jayde agrees—and binds him to her side with a magical oath. But as Jayde and Barrick deceive their way through the cult’s hierarchy, her hunt for Soleste’s killer unearths buried truths. Soleste may have been keeping secrets of her own, and Jayde’s growing feelings for Barrick can no longer be explained by the magic that binds them. The closer Jayde gets to the truth, the more it threatens everything she believed—about Soleste, the night she died, and her enemy-turned-accomplice. To bring Soleste back, Jayde will have to confront her grief and decide how far she’s willing to go for the girl she loved… and whether it’s worth sacrificing the boy who accepts every dark piece of her.
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About the Author:
Juniper Klein is a YA fantasy author based in Houston, Texas, where she battles the humidity and serves as a devoted butler to her White Swiss Shepherd. A Texas A&M University graduate and a former engineer, Juniper writes emotionally driven fantasies that explore grief, memory, and the dangerous things people will do for love. Her stories blend dark magic, immersive settings, sharp banter, and lovers who were meant to be enemies. When she’s not writing, Juniper can usually be found taking French classes, planning her next escape to somewhere wild or less humid, or pushing herself beyond her comfort zone. She is represented by Paula Weiman at ASH Literary. 
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'DEMONOLOGY FOR OVERACHIEVERS' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS, HENRY HOLT & CO. (BYR) / MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS, and LILY ANDERSON!
Demonology for Overachievers
Lily Anderson Publisher: Macmillan Publishers / Henry Holt & Co. (BYR) Pub Date: Sept. 22, 2026 Genre: YA Paranormal Synopsis: Dark academia takes a fresh twist in this YA novel, where a determined high school senior strikes a bargain with a demon to win a coveted scholarship--only to discover her rival has made the same deal. Merritt Maldonado has done everything right. But for every club she’s founded, tree she’s planted, and sport she’s played, her academic nemesis Linus Lexington has been right there. By her side. Copying her every move. And now they're neck and neck for a coveted full ride scholarship. Desperate to gain an edge, Merritt finds herself making a deal with a demon. But when other applicants start dying in gruesome ways, Merritt realizes the demon is killing off her competition. And to make matters worse, she finds the demon’s mark on Linus. Now Merritt and Linus' souls are tied to the same deadly demon. With bodies piling up, they have to work together to break the pact, stop the killings, and maybe admit that the bond they share isn't just supernatural...
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About the Author:
LILY ANDERSON is the Printz-Honor winning author of several novels, including SCOUT’S HONOR, UNDEAD GIRL GANG, and THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN ME IS YOU. A former school librarian, she is deeply devoted to Shakespeare, fairy tales, and podcasts. Somewhere in Northern California, she is expressing strong opinions on musical theater. 
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'ESPÍRITU' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS, FEIWEL & FRIENDS / MACMILLAN CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING GROUP, and AIDEN THOMAS!
Espíritu
Cemetery Boys #2 Aiden Thomas Publisher: Macmillan Children's Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026 Genre: YA Fantasy Synopsis: Julian used to be a ghost and now he can't stop seeing them. Ever since being sacrificed as part of a forbidden ritual, Julian has been able to see and communicate with the spirits of passed brujx. And that would be okay, if it allowed him to be part of his new boyfriend's community. But Julian’s also seeing other things: shadows in the corner of his eyes, glowing eyes in the dark, and “dark spots” on people – gaping, black gashes that are somehow wrong. He did ask his new magical boyfriend about it, but Yadriel has never heard of anything like it either, and he’s so busy with his new Brujx responsibilities, trying to figure out where all the new malingos are coming from, that Julian hates for his problems to ruin what little time together they have. Then, a strange new brujx shows up. Ángel, as a nonbinary brujx, can heal the living and release the dead, but more than that, they can also see the same dark spots as Julian. Despite Yadriel’s reservations, Julian eagerly accepts their help. But, Ángel’s ruthless methods feel wrong to Julian, who wants to move away from hurting others. With the shadows growing darker, and the discovery of a gaping dark spot on his friend Luca, Julian has to decide who he wants to put his trust in, and just how far he’s willing to go to save what is his.
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About the Author:
Aiden Thomas is a New York Times bestselling author celebrated for writing heartfelt, genre-blending young adult fantasy that centers queer and Latinx characters. Their debut novel, Cemetery Boys, became a New York Times bestseller, was a finalist for the Lodestar Award, and was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. They have since authored multiple bestsellers, including Lost in the Never Woods, The Sunbearer Trials, and its sequel Celestial Monsters. Aiden is a passionate advocate for trans and Latinx representation in literature, and has taught with organizations such as Tin House and Lambda Literary. Their work is widely praised for its joyful defiance, immersive worldbuilding, and celebration of chosen family. Aiden holds an MFA in Creative Writing and lives in Portland, Oregon. Pronouns: he/him and they/them 
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'UNTIL THE SAND CLAIMS US' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS and ISRAH AZIZI!
Until the Sand Claims Us
Israh Azizi Publisher: Page Turner Press LLC Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2026 Genre: Adult Fantasy Synopsis: Two terrifying truths await her: She must marry the prince of death. And she's been ordered to kill him. Yildiz serves as the Southern princess’s bodyguard, but when the princess vanishes, she’s forced to take her place. Disguised as the royal bride, Yildiz enters the enemy palace, betrothed to the Northern prince. Dayyan is known by all as the ruthless Northern executioner. He’s compelled to serve the shah or else risk harm befalling his family. When he takes the Southern princess as his bride, her fierce spirit and unwavering resilience begin to chip away at the solid walls he’s built around himself. If Yildiz’s identity is exposed or she fails to eliminate the Northern heirs as instructed by her sultan, it means certain death. If Dayyan succumbs to his growing feelings for his new wife, it will be another weakness that can be wielded against him. In a land ravaged by war, Yildiz and Dayyan are bound in a union that will forever change the destiny of the Khatatian Desert. A marriage meant to secure peace becomes something more than a mere obligation, and they have the impossible task of choosing between their duty and their hearts. Until the Sand Claims Us is a Central Asian inspired new adult fantasy romance perfect for readers who crave slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, forced marriage, and the heartbreak of having to choose between duty and desire. 
About the Author:
Israh Azizi resides in the land of ten thousand lakes with her family and five cats. Since she was a little girl she has been a lover of words and fanciful tales. It was her dream to one day share a story of her own with the world. With sheer determination, lots of love, and decent amount of caffeine, she managed to make that dream come true. Besides reading and writing, she has a dizzying number of hobbies, some of which include bossing around her younger siblings, experimenting with new baking recipes, and playing board games with her family and close friends. When life’s plot twists don’t cross her path and her fingers aren’t dancing across the keyboard building a fantastical adventure, she can usually be found in quiet corner with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee. 
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'WICKED ENDEAVORS' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS, LITTLE BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, and KAMILAH COLE!
Wicked Endeavors
Kamilah Cole Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026 Genre: YA Fantasy Synopsis: Perfect for fans of 'The Shadows Between Us' and 'Powerless,' this high stakes romantasy follows a vengeful teen who cons her way into an elite society of tyrannical witches. But her warring feelings for two people--an enemy prince and her childhood friend--could ruin everything. Caya was once the ward of Coventry’s royal family…until they were killed by the three witch Houses that now rule the peninsula. Now eighteen, Caya plans to infiltrate the witches' glittering world to enact justice. With the help of a mysterious benefactor, she adopts the persona of Marisol Vinyet, a disarmingly beautiful aristocrat. As Marisol, she'll attend the annual Coronet, a cutthroat social season during which witches increase their power by binding new members to their Houses. The Coronet will draw even the prince of neighboring Domingo—Tomás Castellan—to the peninsula just in time for “Marisol” to kill him. After all, his family set the witches upon Coventry in the first place. But Tomás is more charming than Caya ever anticipated. Worse, her estranged childhood friend, Bas Arroyo, is the prince’s protector, and she struggles to control her complicated feelings for him. To take down the witches from within, Caya will have to keep both her identity and her desperate heart under Although she’s made herself a weapon, she might be the one to bleed.
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About the Author:
Kamilah Cole is a USA Today & national indie bestselling author who has been nominated for a Dragon Award, a Lambda Award, a Lodestar Award, and an Astounding Award. Jamaican-born and American-raised, she works in publishing by day and by night she writes like she’s running out of time. In the past, she’s also worked as a journalist and at a hotel, two jobs that give you amazing stories to tell at parties. You know, if she went to parties. A graduate of New York University, Kamilah is currently based in the Pacific Northwest, where she’s usually playing Kingdom Hearts for the hundredth time, quoting early Spongebob Squarepants episodes, or crying her way through Zuko’s redemption arc in Avatar: The Last Airbender. You can connect with her on social media at @wordsiren or on her website kamilah-cole.com. 
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'CURSEBREAKER (NIGHTWEAVER #3)' book tour brought to you by TOPPLING STACKS TOURS, LITTLE BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, and R.M. GRAY!
Cursebreaker
Nightweaver Series #3 R.M. Gray Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026 Genre: YA Fantasy Synopsis: Embark on the thrilling, romantic, and swashbuckling finale to the New York Times bestselling 'Nightweaver' series that's perfect for fans of 'Powerless' and 'Heartless Hunter.' At last, pirate Aster Oberon is setting sail—but danger is on the horizon. Armed with her crew of family and friends, Aster is pursuing the evil queen Morana in order to save the world as she knows it. Her heart is desperately torn between Will and Titus, but she’ll have to put her feelings aside to destroy the Underling army once and for all. Unfortunately, Aster isn’t the only one hunting. Morana is seeking three mythical treasures: a helm that reveals the entrance to Elysia, a key to unlock the gates, and a sword to vanquish the creature within. If Morana is successful in her search, she could destroy the barrier between the heavens and their realm. Now, Aster must race to find the relics first, if she has any hope of bringing peace to the Known World. But some things would rather stay hidden. When the discovery of the treasures comes at a devastating price, Aster must push past her deepest fears and step into her true power, or else risk dooming the world to darkness. Fearsome sea creatures, heartbreaking betrayals, and desperate desire fill this exhilarating new installment of the Nightweaver series and the finale to Aster’s journey.
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About the Author:
R.M. Gray lives in Texas with her husband and two giant dogs, where she enjoys writing stories about pirates, magic, mystery, and all things fantastical. A self-proclaimed expert at whistling and a dedicated collector of lightsabers, she spends her days drinking too much Earl Grey tea, rewatching old cartoons, and thinking up new ways to break readers' hearts. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Nightweaver series. She invites you to visit her online at rmgraybooks.com or @rmgrayauthor. |
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