Blue Is for Nightmares (Blue Is for Nightmares #1)

Reader reviewed by Lilibeth

It begins with the nightmares. Trying to decipher what they mean, besides the obvious. That her best friend is going to be killed. Marking off the days with lilies. 4, 3, 2, 1....What eggs Stacey on is her determination and the fact that this has happened once before, three years ago; and she won't let it happen again.
It starts with the mysterious, possessive prank phone calls, made by the stalker himself, only to justify his relationship with Drea, the one only he thinks he has. Being her roommate at their boarding school, Stacey knows from the very beginning that something's amiss in their relationship--Drea and the cryptic caller, and she doesn't need her nightmares or her damp sheets to verify that. This midnight caller does that all himself when the girls--Stacey and Amber--listen in on one of their phone conversations and the starting of the countdown for the big surprise event he's got planned. Stacey, with her grandmother's and past generation's scrapbook of spells, is firmly determined to find out who the mystery stalker is. Before it's too late.
When another girl at school is murdered on school grounds, after allegedly claiming of being stalked then not wanting to help, it is all the confirmation Stacey need to trust her instincts and find Drea before she's next. Without anyone to trust or help, Stacey knows she's on her own and not even the police will come this time....Will Stacey be able to find out who is after Drea, once and for all? Will magic, herbs, candles be enough to lead her in the right direction? All Stacey knows for sure is one thing, she will not let what happened in her past happen again; not if she can help it.
My favorite character is definitely the MC, she can hold her own, and dish out with the truth at the same time. Even with all the witchcraft, going to a prep-bitch school, and the bed-wetting, she can find a little romance but at the same time be there for...people in general, I guess I should say. But, after what happened three years ago, Stacey is in no hurry to open up old wounds left to heal. In this suspenseful novel, Drea, the beautiful at-times-sincere, can-be-bitchy-too best friend, with four initials to her name is the main victim and is being stalked by an oppressive--more aggressive, in the end--lover.
Usually I like some cat fights between enemies, but when those enemies become victims or when you're fighting against your best friend over a guy in the middle of everything else that's going on, things tend to get a little out of focus. With a flirt as a best friend and the main victim, suspects are a bit difficult to differentiate.
I, personally, love witchcraft; mostly the herbs, home remedies, candles. So when Stacey cuts the arch of her foot on a piece of glass and decides to use half of some "Idaho Gold"--yes a potato--to clot the bleeding, a dash of lemon juice and a bandage to wrap, because that's the way her family still does it sometime; all I thought was, hello!
Anyway, in a sense the characters are all connected in Blue is for Nightmares, you have your typical prep school. Typical high school. Throw in a stalker to mix and all you get is more gossip, no spilled beans here, no looking back. I have to say that some characters seemed a bit too vague and nondescript for me (Amber, PJ) because they have no up-bringing and seem to pop out in the plot of the novel. Could have been leaning to more of a thriller instead of a suspenseful romance, with just a bit more details. As for the ending, liked it. *Minor spoiler warning for the next sentence!* Can't say I loved it because I think that the stalker/killer should have gotten way more jail time than was given as verdict, lol. No doubt recommended if you like reading some fantasy mystery mixed up with real high school dilemmas, especially with a heroine that does not get distracted from her main goal--most of the time, anyway.

Reader reviewed by Crimin

Stacey Brown is not your normal teenager.  She casts spells of protection and remembrance, can predict your future with a deck of cards, and has prophetic dreams of a not-so-great tomorrow.

She also wets the bed.

When I first picked up Blue is for Nightmares, I was skeptical.  I love books about magic and witchcraft, but this was a whole different world.  It wasn't another book about the flashy magic I adored.  The witchcraft in this book was actual (I think) Wiccan spells and rituals.

And I must say, I swallowed it down greedily. 

I happened to get the 'Deluxe Spellbook Edition' which is loaded with fan-made spells and some poetry. A pleasant way to end a rather morbid book.  I suggest you pick up this edition over the normal one. I don't think the price differs in the least.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out and pick up this book.  Now!

Reader reviewed by bria

This book was recommended to me by my friend but i wasnt sure that it was my type of book. I started to read it and found out that it actually was a pretty good read. I liked the main character and how she knew a lot about magic and had visions. The story line is good and the minor stories about the past of Stacey and chad. This book is defenitaly one that everyone who likes these types of thriller/love stories.