Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Can't Wait Wednesday: Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink releasing February 27.

About the Book
When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake.
 
When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.

Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation…


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Monday, January 29, 2024

Review: Behind the Curtain (The Worlds Behind #4) by W.R. Gingell

About the Book
The world Between is full of dangers, shadows, and reflections. Athelas knows the dangers, is one with the shadows—and has finally encountered a reflection that could be just a bit too much like himself for comfort.

The house master has come back. Nobody will quite say who he is, or why he owns the house. And to Athelas’ growing irritation, no one will talk about the oddly powerful influence the house master seems to have over Camellia.

YeoWoo knows exactly who and what the house master is—and she knows exactly how much danger Camellia is in. The question she can’t quite seem to answer is: How much safer is it to put Camellia into Athelas’ power than to leave her in the house master’s power?

There are nightmares skulking in the corners. Pieces of curse lingering beneath the couch. And soon Camellia will have to make a choice between two evils.

To add insult to injury, the teapot has gone missing…


MY THOUGHTS

The previous book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I was extremely anxious to get back to these characters and see what would happen next. This ended up being an exciting, surprising, and unexpectedly emotional read. I really enjoyed it.

Camellia has been a bit of a mystery this whole series, and while we’ve gotten little nuggets of information here and there, I was excited that we learned so much about her here. I have a whole new respect for her. I don’t want to say too much, but it was awesome getting to see her true self.

I can’t say enough about how much I’ve loved watching Athelas’s journey to being a better person. It’s not been easy, or fast, but his redemption arc has been so satisfying!

This series has been so good; I can’t believe there’s only one book left to go! If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, you’ll love this weirdly wonderful series.

4.5 STARS

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Chaos (A Breed Apart: Legacy #2) by Steffani Webb & Ronie Kendig

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. Freda is taking a hiatus right now, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over until Freda returns.

This week I'm featuring Chaos (A Breed Apart: Legacy #2) by Steffani Webb & Ronie Kendig, a really exciting romantic suspense set in the jungles of the Philippines. 

About the Book
When Rio Silva is told her aunt and uncle are missing in a Philippine rainforest, she knows there is only one way to find them: the retired military working dog her dad entrusted to her. Chaos, however, has a mind of her own. A lot like Rio. Worse, they’ll have to trust arrogant, demanding former Army Ranger Cathal McGowan if she hopes to get them back.

The last thing Cathal McGowan wants as he heads into the darkness of the rainforest is to be shackled with a young, pretty teacher who has no tactical experience. But she has heart—he’ll give her that. And he has the expertise necessary to rescue her family.

Putting everything on the line, Rio and Cathal struggle to navigate the terrain, as well as their emerging feelings for each other. But the closer they get to mission success, the more things aren’t adding up, including who might be behind the disappearances. It’s not long before they realize the rainforest holds greater perils than deadly vipers…and the biggest danger of all might be to their hearts.

Dive into another thrilling A Breed Apart: Legacy adventure!

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
TWO YEARS AGO
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION,  IRAQ
Sweat dripped down his face. Down his back. The heat almost suffocating under the sixty pounds of gear strapped to him. And dirt. It was flipping everywhere and invaded every inch of...everything. What he wouldn't give for a day back in Kildare right about now.

Friday 56 
Adrenaline was making it hard to think, but she did know that this was a bad idea.

What have you been reading lately?

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Can't Wait Wednesday: Guardian (Children of the Consortium #3) by Cathy McCrumb

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Guardian (Children of the Consortium #3) by Cathy McCrumb releasing February 20.

About the Book
The Recorder's fate has been sealed, but the Consortium is not the only enemy.

Labeled an aberration by the Consortium, the Recorder is not yet free. Time is running out as an engineered bioweapon wreaks havoc on friend and foe alike.

Stopping both the biological agent and the people who created it is no easy task, especially since the Recorder and her friends are trapped on a research station infested with behemoth insects. Without Consortium technology, the probability of neutralizing the threat falls to nothing. In order to save her allies, the Recorder must activate a drone, but her success might destroy any hope for freedom, a future, and a name.


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Monday, January 22, 2024

Review: One Hit Blunder (The Worst Detective Ever #12) by Christy Barritt

About the Book
When the ending of Joey’s upcoming movie leaves her unsettled, she’s determined to rewrite the script.

Actress Joey Darling has a new role. She’s starring as one-hit wonder Emma Jean Gibbons in an upcoming biopic. But the more she learns about the singer, the more Joey suspects Emma Jean’s death wasn’t as accidental as everyone thinks.

Joey sets out to uncover the truth. As the evidence piles up, she’s more convinced than ever that her gut feeling is correct. But the deeper she digs, the more Joey realizes she’s one blunder away from also facing an “accidental” death.

Will Joey manage to rewrite the script? Or will danger derail her movie . . . and her life?


MY THOUGHTS

Twelve books into this series, and it’s still so good! I love spending time with Joey and reading about her hilarious antics and unconventional crime-solving. She’s such a fun character.

Joey’s latest role has her starring in a biopic about one-hit wonder Emma Jean Gibbons, who tragically died young. The details of her death don’t add up to Joey, so she decides to try to figure out what really happened to the singer.

The mystery kept me guessing. I had a lot of suspicions about what really happened and who the guilty party might be, but could never nail it down.

If you’re a fan of mysteries that will make you laugh, this series will not disappoint.

FOUR STARS

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Behind the Curtain (The Worlds Behind #4) by W.R. Gingell

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. Freda is taking a hiatus right now, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over until Freda returns.

This week I'm featuring Behind the Curtain (The Worlds Behind #4) by W.R. Gingell. This is such a fun and weird series. I love it! 

About the Book
The world Between is full of dangers, shadows, and reflections. Athelas knows the dangers, is one with the shadows—and has finally encountered a reflection that could be just a bit too much like himself for comfort.

The house master has come back. Nobody will quite say who he is, or why he owns the house. And to Athelas’ growing irritation, no one will talk about the oddly powerful influence the house master seems to have over Camellia.

YeoWoo knows exactly who and what the house master is—and she knows exactly how much danger Camellia is in. The question she can’t quite seem to answer is: How much safer is it to put Camellia into Athelas’ power than to leave her in the house master’s power?

There are nightmares skulking in the corners. Pieces of curse lingering beneath the couch. And soon Camellia will have to make a choice between two evils.

To add insult to injury, the teapot has gone missing…

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
"Ex-husband," Camellia said.
To YeoWoo, her voice sounded as though it contained great weariness. She was speaking, however, and that was a very big improvement upon the until-now silent and ashy presence she had been.

Friday 56
"We need to get him out of the house," YeoWoo said, rather mulishly. She was aware that she was repeating herself, and that she had been doing so for the last few days; she resented Athelas for making her do so. "We can't do anything to him until we get him out of the house."

What have you been reading lately?

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Can't Wait Wednesday: Rocky Road (Sons of Scandal #2) by Becky Wade

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Rocky Road (Sons of Scandal #2) by Becky Wade releasing February 14.

About the Book
Christy Award Hall of Fame Author

FBI Agent Jude Camden handles every aspect of his job with by-the-book professionalism. There's no reason why his latest assignment—which calls for him to pose as the boyfriend of perfumer Gemma Clare—should be any different.

Except Gemma is different. She's creative, bold, and feisty. And as soon as she meets Jude, she wants to loosen him up, wrinkle his perfect shirts, and test every ounce of his towering self-control.

The FBI has an iron-clad rule against romances between those working together on operations. Jude's never met a rule he didn't respect. But adhering to this one is going to be tough because, as time goes by, he finds Gemma more and more irresistible.

Buckle up! It's going to be a rocky road.

Escape to Maine for this swoon-worthy "fake romance"! Banter, humor, perfume, and a mystery from the past intertwine in this sweet Sons of Scandal love story.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Monday, January 15, 2024

Review: I Am In Here by Creston Mapes

About the Book
"Little Do They Know, I Can See and Hear Everything!"

Eighteen-year-old Hale Frodele is presumed braindead from a tragic church bus accident in which he lost his younger brother, Nate.

Little does anyone know—Hale hears and understands everything with crystal clarity.

Hale remembers when his mom died at age 44 of pancreatic cancer and his dad turned his back on God.

Hale understands that the unbeliever his dad remarried whispers bitterly that Hale is ‘pitiful’ and ‘ruining’ her marriage.

Hale knows his father has borrowed a large sum of money from a deranged loan shark named Sebastian and the payback is due in 48 hours.

Hale believes in his best friend Gilbert, who still visits him weekly, prays for his healing, and is beginning to realize something is very wrong in the Frodele household.

Hale is in here . . . and he has a mind-blowing story to tell.


MY THOUGHTS

This was a unique, intriguing, and unputdownable thriller. It's the very definition of “page-turner." I was hooked from the first sentence to the last.

I liked Hale instantly. His narration was very engaging. I loved how strong his faith was. Despite everything he was going through, it never wavered. Talk about inspiring! I was glad he had a friend like Gilbert. His belief in Hale, his loyalty, and the way he still treated him so normally (unlike some other people) was so nice to see. On the other hand, Hale’s stepmom was a nightmare! Cruella de Vil was quite an apt nickname for her.

If you’re looking for an exciting and faith-filled thriller, grab a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed.

FIVE STARS

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Review: Drake Hall (The Secrets of Ormdale #2) by Christina Baehr

About the Book
Edith’s ancient home is full of secrets…and dragons are the least of them.

As the new dragon keeper in the hidden valley of Ormdale, Edith expects her first dragon mating season to involve venomous bites and amorous wyverns.

She doesn’t expect to find herself growing closer to an inconveniently appealing suitor next door, or to stumble upon a dragon poacher lurking in the outbuildings, or to uncover a family scandal in the Abbey.

Fortunately, Edith has a mentor to help her sort things out, the spellbinding Helena Drake of Drake Hall. Or does Helena harbour secrets of her own?

For Edith, the dragons were always going to be the easy part.

DRAKE HALL, Book 2 of The Secrets of Ormdale, takes Edith deeper into the cosy gothic world of Yorkshire dragons and the mysterious families who guard them.


MY THOUGHTS

What a fantastic sequel to Wormwood Abbey! This was every bit as good as the first book. It’s such a charming and cozy read.

We get to know the characters even better in this book and see new layers to all of them. I already liked them, but now I love them even more. I love the family dynamics, the friendships, and the slow-burn romance. And I loved that there were more dragons! It’s so cool learning about them!

There’s something so comforting about this series. I just want to dive into the pages and live in this world. I’m loving it so much! I highly, highly recommend it.

I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: One Hit Blunder (The Worst Detective Ever #12) by Christy Barritt

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. Freda is taking a hiatus right now, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over until Freda returns.

This week I'm featuring One Hit Blunder (The Worst Detective Ever #12) by Christy Barritt.

About the Book
When the ending of Joey’s upcoming movie leaves her unsettled, she’s determined to rewrite the script.

Actress Joey Darling has a new role. She’s starring as one-hit wonder Emma Jean Gibbons in an upcoming biopic. But the more she learns about the singer, the more Joey suspects Emma Jean’s death wasn’t as accidental as everyone thinks.

Joey sets out to uncover the truth. As the evidence piles up, she’s more convinced than ever that her gut feeling is correct. But the deeper she digs, the more Joey realizes she’s one blunder away from also facing an “accidental” death.

Will Joey manage to rewrite the script? Or will danger derail her movie . . . and her life?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
"Life feels like sand slipping through my fingers," I murmured as I pedaled down the dark road on my bike. 

Friday 56
If I was going to get out of here, it needed to be now. I might not have another chance.

What have you been reading lately?

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Can't Wait Wednesday: While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden releasing February 13.

About the Book
Amid the hushed city, two hearts must navigate danger and deception, bound by a love that outshines the stars.

Katherine Schneider's life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar.

Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her . . . even as he keeps his deepest secrets hidden at all costs.


What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Monday, January 8, 2024

Review: Shade Grown (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #8) by Heather Day Gilbert

About the Book
Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

During Lewisburg's popular summer home and garden tour, Macy and her brother Bo discover new aspects of their hometown's history. One of the last homes they visit features a lush commemorative shade garden marking where a Civil War soldier's bones were buried. As Macy pauses to admire a bed of blue hostas, she glimpses a shadowy shape lying beneath the dinner-plate leaves. It turns out to be the body of famed movie star Cody Franklin, who'd purchased the garden house as a quiet country retreat.

Back at the cafe, Macy speaks with Cody's distraught sister, who lets slip that she's afraid her brother's killer will target her next. Macy's heart goes out to the bereaved sibling, and she agrees to speak with Cody's local acquaintances in hopes she'll uncover some helpful backstory.

But someone powerful is lurking behind the scenes, and Macy has to zoom in on the killer before everything fades to black.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.


MY THOUGHTS

I was so excited to visit the Barks & Beans Café again. This is my favorite cozy mystery series, and this latest installment did not disappoint.
 
The mystery was really good and kept me guessing until the shocking reveal. My jaw was on the floor; I was so surprised! I never would’ve guessed the guilty party, but it made perfect sense.

I can never get enough of spending time with these characters and their adorable dogs. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, pick up a copy of this series. You’ll love it!

Fave Quote: “I’d received an extra helping of social awkwardness in my genetic code." (Yep, that’s totally how I feel, lol! Macy is so relatable!)

FIVE STARS

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: I Am In Here by Creston Mapes

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. Freda is taking a hiatus right now, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over until Freda returns.

This week I'm featuring I Am In Here by Creston Mapes.

About the Book
"Little Do They Know, I Can See and Hear Everything!"

Eighteen-year-old Hale Frodele is presumed braindead from a tragic church bus accident in which he lost his younger brother, Nate.

Little does anyone know—Hale hears and understands everything with crystal clarity.

Hale remembers when his mom died at age 44 of pancreatic cancer and his dad turned his back on God.

Hale understands that the unbeliever his dad remarried whispers bitterly that Hale is ‘pitiful’ and ‘ruining’ her marriage.

Hale knows his father has borrowed a large sum of money from a deranged loan shark named Sebastian and the payback is due in 48 hours.

Hale believes in his best friend Gilbert, who still visits him weekly, prays for his healing, and is beginning to realize something is very wrong in the Frodele household.

Hale is in here . . . and he has a mind-blowing story to tell.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
I can see, you know.
And I can hear. Oh, can I hear. It's become my secret weapon—my hearing.

Friday 56
I hear the front door open and can almost feel the cold air and sense of peril sweep into the house.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: My True Love Gave to Me by Karen Witemeyer

About the Book
The Twelve Days of Christmas get a romantic Texas twist!

Anna King has pledged her heart to Simeon Shepherd, but her father refuses to grant her hand to the young farmer. Simeon determines to be patient and earn David King's respect over time with hard work and evidence of his ability to provide. However, when a wealthy new suitor arrives in Bethlehem, Texas to woo Anna with her father's support, patience is no longer an option. Simeon has twelve days before Christmas to best his rival and prove once and for all that he is Anna's true love.

A fun, quirky read that is short enough to squeeze into even the busiest holiday schedule.

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

This was a very short story, but there was a lot packed into it. I liked Simeon and Anna instantly and was rooting them on to try to figure out how to stop Anna’s dad from forcing her to marry someone else.

I loved Simeon’s family (especially Grandpa Joe). I thought their idea of how to help was really clever, and I liked how it tied into the song.

If you’re looking for a quick Christmas story that gives you all the feels, grab a copy of this one. I loved it!

4.5 STARS

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Can't Wait Wednesday: Mortal Queens (The Fae Dynasty #1) by Victoria McCombs

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Mortal Queens (The Fae Dynasty #1) by Victoria McCombs releasing February 6.

About the Book
They vanish without a trace, disappear into the night . . .

Each year on the center island, one girl is chosen to be the next Mortal Queen of the idolized fae. The mortals praise these lucky girls, but their daughters are never seen again.

The fae realm is eternal night, where disputes are settled by chess matches, power is acquired through the most devious kinds of trickery, and seven illusive kings roam. The fae hide their faces behind masks and guard their glass hearts to keep them from shattering. But beyond the veil of this luxurious paradise, a dark secret simmers, for their Queens have disappeared.

When aspiring artist Althea is selected, she is desperate to avoid the same mysterious fate. With no one to trust, she conceals messages in paintings and receives anonymous replies from a stranger who slowly reveals the tale of a girl who outwitted the fae. Only if she is clever enough will Althea survive the fate of the Mortal Queens. As long as the king who cannot love does not claim her first.


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Monday, January 1, 2024

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books of 2023


Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week's topic is Favorite Books of 2023. I read so many awesome books last year, so it's almost impossible to pick just ten. So... I didn't. I picked fifteen.... LOL. These aren't listed in any particular order. If you're curious about my full thoughts on a book, you can click the title of the book and it'll take you to my review.
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All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

I absolutely loved this story! I loved that even though it's a fun rom-com full of hilarious laugh-out-loud moments, there was a lot of depth there too. It tackles some real-life issues with grace and honesty. I laughed a lot throughout this book, but I also shed a few tears.

About the Book
Two workplace rivals. One festive competition. And a romance that upends it all.

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham--Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the promotion isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.
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Vortex by Anne Wheeler

The first chapter was incredibly intriguing, and things just kept getting more interesting from there. The characters were complex and the world-building was fantastic. Sometimes I get confused with all the science in these kinds of books, but not here. Everything was easy to understand but didn't feel dumbed down. There were twists I never saw coming and a sense of danger that never quite went away. (I want to reread this one soon!)

About the Book
Bloodthirsty immortals weren't part of his orders.

When Coralie Frazer arrives at Nimbus Station aboard the National Space Research Council starship Triumph, it’s not as the engineer she expected to be. Light-years and several wormhole jumps from Earth, she’s now the prisoner of her former crew, and they want nothing from her but the blood that keeps them alive. When she’s granted a sliver of unexpected freedom, she jumps at the chance to escape—but fleeing seems impossible when Earth might as well be in another universe.

Commander Josiah O’Donnell has his own problems, and taking reluctant command of the newest United States Orbital Guard cutter Bayonet is the least of them. Fresh off medical leave and tasked with locating Triumph and rescuing her crew, he knows the wormholes he’s meant to traverse are hazardous—but what’s on the other side might be more perilous than he ever imagined.

Desperate to save her fellow captive blood sources, Coralie doesn’t intend to fail. Haunted by the memories of his disastrous last assignment, Josiah won’t allow more death. There’s just one problem: success for either means condemning a thousand others.
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Black and Deep Desires by Claire Trella Hill

My goodness, this book was fantastic! Such a beautifully written Gothic romance. I was instantly pulled into the story and completely captivated. I didn't want to put it down. I used to read a lot of vampire romances, but they started to get a bit stale after awhile and were always a bit too steamy for my tastes. I'm happy to say that this book rekindled my love for the genre, all while being a clean read that featured a strong Christian perspective. I loved it! 

About the Book
Is the vampire in Ophelia’s cellar a man she can save, or a monster out for blood?

From an early age, Ophelia learned to keep her pets away from her unfeeling scientist father or they would disappear into his laboratory, never to be seen again. When her father unexpectedly returns to their isolated Yorkshire estate with a mysterious box, Ophelia’s suspicions are aroused…but nothing prepares her for the bloody business she finds.

Caged in silver and hungry, Salem is out for blood. Someone has betrayed knowledge of vampire existence to humans—but before Salem can discover who, he must escape diabolical experiments seeking the source of immortality. He cannot afford to trust the frustratingly intriguing girl who says she wants to help and smells of orange blossoms. He especially cannot wonder how she would taste.

Even though the darkly mysterious Salem insists he has no soul, that he’s dangerous, Ophelia can’t leave him to be tortured. But to help him escape, she must risk her family’s wrath—which may be a bigger threat than the monster in the cell.

The supernatural bleeds into Victorian England in this captivating YA gothic paranormal romance novel, perfect for fans of Lakesedge, Down Comes the Night, Erin A. Craig, and anyone who longs to run across a dark windswept moor in a nightgown.
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Wormwood Abbey (The Secrets of Ormdale #1) by Christina Baehr

This book was so good! I loved the cozy, gothic vibe. It was such a charming and enchanting read! This book came to life, and I didn't want to leave the pages of the story. I was completely entranced. I fell in love with the setting and the characters. There was an air of mystery to the abbey that kept me intrigued, and I was very eager to learn its secrets. I loved every second of this story, and I know I'm gonna want to read it again and again. I'm so glad it's the start of a series! I highly recommend it to fans of historical fantasy.

About the Book
As a Victorian clergyman’s daughter, Edith Worms has seen everything — until a mythical salamander tumbles out of the fireplace into her lap.

When a letter arrives from estranged relatives, Edith is swept away to a crumbling gothic Abbey in the wilds of Yorkshire. Wormwood Abbey isn't just full of curious beasts and ancient family secrets: there’s also a tall, dark, and entirely too handsome neighbour who is strangely reluctant for her to leave.

An unexpected bond with her prickly cousin Gwendolyn gives Edith a reason to stay in this strange world — especially when it turns out that Edith herself may have a role in guarding her family's legacy.

But not all of the mysteries of Ormdale are small enough to fit in her lap...and some of them have teeth.


WORMWOOD ABBEY, Book 1 of The Secrets of Ormdale, is a cosy gothic novel of mystery, dragons, and the perils of friendship, perfect for fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Maria Grace.
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The Wonderland Trials (The Curious Realities #1) by Sara Ella

If you know me, you know I love a good retelling, and this was one of the most imaginative ones I've ever read. It's not only the best Alice in Wonderland retelling, but one of my favorite retellings in general. I loved all the clever nods to the original story, but I thought it was unique in its own right too. (Also, this duology is complete!) 

About the Book
Solve the clues. Face your fears. Survive the Trials.

All Alice Liddell wants is to escape her Normal life in Oxford and find the parents who abandoned her ten years ago. But she gets more than she bargained for when her older sister Charlotte is arrested for having the infamous Wonder Gene—the key to unlocking the curious Wonderland Reality.

Soon, Alice receives a rather cryptic invitation to play for Team Heart in this year’s annual—and often deadly—Wonderland Trials. Now she has less than twenty-four hours to find her way into Wonderland where nothing is impossible . . . or what it seems.

The stakes are raised when she discovers players go missing during the Trials each year. Will she and her team solve the clues and find the missing players? Or will betrayal and distrust win, leaving Alice alone in a world of her own? Follow the White Rabbit into this topsy-turvy fantasy where players become prey, a sip of the wrong tea might as well be poison, and a queen’s ways do not always lead one where they ought to go.
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Calor (The Nightingale Trilogy #1) by J.J. Fischer

This book was fantastic. I was captivated from the first sentence. The world building was fascinating. It felt wholly unique and, yet, there was something familiar about it, too. The post-apocalyptic atmosphere was harsh, cold, and unforgiving, but there were strong undercurrents of hope, love, and freedom, too.

About the Book
What if you could edit memories with a single touch?

The world-that-was is gone, lost to everything except living memory . . . but remembering comes at a terrible price. Sixty-two years after the apocalypse, a new society has emerged from the ashes of the old world where highly valued memories are traded and nostalgia is worth dying—and even killing—for.

Enslaved by a cruel master, Sephone Winter is forced to use her rare ability to manipulate memories to numb the darkest secrets of the ruling aristocracy.

Then Lord Adamo appears, speaking of a powerful relic capable of permanently erasing memories and recovering Sephone’s own lost childhood. But not everything about the young lord is as it seems, and soon Sephone must choose between helping Lord Adamo forget his past or journeying deep into the land of Lethe, where the truth about who she really is might finally be revealed . . . and a long desired future restored.

The Nightingale Trilogy is a fantasy transformation of Hans Christian Andersen's beloved 1843 tale The Nightingale, with echoes of the myths of Hades and Persephone.
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Bard Tidings by Paul Regnier

This was so much fun! It was exactly the kind of upbeat and humorous fantasy novel that I've been looking for. I loved the characters, the setting, and the fact that there was a good message too. There was never a dull moment. It was fast-paced, exciting, and impossible to put down.

About the Book
The spirit of a warrior lies deep inside a bard. Deep down. Way, way down.

Jonas wakes up each day regretting his position as the king’s bard. He dreams of escaping the kingdom and returning to life as a traveling musician with his best friend Elrick. But when his love Bree is taken prisoner in the castle, he and Elrick must act. Their attempts at rescue go horribly wrong, and the king marks them for death. Now they must flee the kingdom with a hefty reward on their heads.

Meanwhile, the king’s soldiers march to war, placing Bree’s hometown in their path of destruction. Jonas must go from lute player to monster slayer as they travel through dangerous lands on a desperate quest to stop an army.

Their adventures throw them in league with fearsome lycans, stabby assassins, and a cursed warrior. With their help they must survive a pursuing dragon, slay a sorcerer, defeat an army, and of course, compose the perfect song along the way.

Can Jonas and his friends survive the journey and save an innocent town before it’s too late?
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The Study of Poisons by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study is one of my all-time favorites. I’ve read it countless times, so to get the story from Valek’s POV was something special. It was so great seeing some iconic moments from Valek’s perspective. To see what he was thinking in the moment and to learn his motivation behind certain things. When I reached the end, I immediately wanted to go back to the beginning and read it all over again. I loved it so much!

About the Book
Fierce, determined, dangerous. No wonder her soul called to his.

As Chief of Security of Ixia, Valek has spent the last fifteen years keeping Commander Ambrose and his citizens safe. With his complex network of spies, informers, and soldiers, it’s his job to hunt down and capture criminals, including the intriguing Yelena.

Sensing there is more to the story of why she killed a general’s son, Valek arranges for Yelena to become the Commander’s new food taster, training her in the delicate art of detecting poisons. As mysteries and a devious plot to harm the Commander unravel, Yelena’s presence becomes crucial. Will her intelligence, stubbornness, and survivor instincts be a help to Valek’s investigation, or a hinderance?

A companion novel to Poison Study, The Study of Poisons reveals Valek’s side of the story. Return to the world of Ixia and discover just how the lovely Yelena got Valek’s cold heart pumping!
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The Body Electrocution (Bobbie Sue Baxter Mysteries #2) by Marissa Shrock

This was so much fun! The mystery kept me guessing right up to the reveal. I liked the fact that it tied into an old mystery too. It added another interesting element to the story. I love that this series is set in the 80s. There are so many fun references! If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, this series is a must read!

About the Book
Bobbi Sue Baxter has a serious choice to make because both love and murder are on the line.

The summer of 1988 is possibly one of love, and that’s the problem. Aspiring journalist Bobbi Sue Baxter has feelings for a man who’s engaged. But then again, he seems to return the vibe. Adding more mud to the already unclear waters, his fiancée might be involved in a murder that happened in the building where Bobbi Sue was taking an aerobics class. So should Bobbi Sue get involved?

That’s a definite yes.

Not with Hemi Miller—the flutters-in-the-stomach producing guy—but with the investigation of his fiancée, who screamed at Hemi’s ex-girlfriend to stay away. Because that ex-girlfriend wound up electrocuted in the community center locker room the next day.

So Bobbi Sue starts asking questions. What she discovers is a tapestry of intrigue—a secret love decades past, the supposed ghost of a custodian that stalks the community center halls, and a motive for murder that neither Bobbi Sue nor anyone else in town saw coming.

Return to Wildcat Springs, Indiana, for a Bobbi Sue Baxter tale even more riveting than the first!
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My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

I pretty much had a smile on my face the whole way through this book. It was such a sweet and fun read. Author Courtney Walsh has just found a permanent spot on my 'must-buy' list. I can't recommend it highly enough!

About the Book
A chance meeting. A hunky hockey player. A fake romance.
Hardly an ordinary day in the life of Poppy Hart.


My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

A full-fledged fake romance complete with contract negotiations, pretend dates and phony PDA.

But as I get to know the real Dallas Burke, who is not the man the press says he is, it becomes clear that if this isn’t real. . . someone better tell it to my heart.
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Memory Lane by Becky Wade

This is my new favorite Becky Wade book. These characters really came to life and occupied my mind even when I had to set the book aside for "real life". In fact, I'm still thinking about them. While this book had its funny and cute moments, it was so much more. It had a lot of depth too. Serious subjects were broached and handled with care. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I loved every second of it and didn't want it to end.

About the Book
After surviving a trauma several years back, Remy Reed relocated to a cottage on one of Maine’s most remote islands. She’s arranged her life just the way she wants it, spending her time working on her wood sculptures and soaking in the beauty of nature. It’s quiet and solitary—until the day she spots something bobbing in the ocean.

Her binoculars reveal the “something” to be a man, and he’s struggling to keep his head above water. She races out to save him and brings him into her home. He’s injured, which doesn’t detract from his handsomeness nor make him any easier to bear. He acts like a duke who’s misplaced his dukedom . . . expensive tastes, lazy charm, bossy ideas.

Remy would love nothing more than to return him to his people, but he has no recollection of his life prior to the moment she rescued him. Though she’s not interested in relationships other than the safe ones she’s already established, she begins to realize that he’s coming to depend on her.

Who is he? What happened that landed him in the Atlantic Ocean? And why is she drawn to him more and more as time goes by?

There’s no way to discover those answers except to walk beside him down memory lane.

Travel to the rocky coast of Maine for "opposites attract" banter, witty humor, a fascinating mystery, and destiny-changing love. This sweet contemporary romance kicks off Becky Wade's new Sons of Scandal series!
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Lake Shore Wandering (Redemption Shores #1) by Jennifer Rodewald

What a great start to a new series! Hazel was very much an outdoorsy country girl, while Bennett was very much a fancy city boy. Polar opposites, to say the least! So, you can just imagine the sparks that fly, right? There were so many hilarious, laugh-out-loud moments, but this was also a sweet and tender read. I loved every second of it and didn't want it to end. (I could list all the books in this series, but for the sake of space, I'm just posting the first one.)

About the Book
Is love worth the gamble? And if so, will memory-restored Bennett still feel the same?

Hazel is working on a plan to keep her peaceful, remote life. When Bennet shows up pretending to be something he’s not, she knows she’s running out of time. Luckily for her, he hit his head and can’t remember a thing. With sudden inspiration thanks to an eighties rom-com, she’s got a whole new plan.

Convince Bennett they’re married? Check. Convince Bennett he belongs in Elk Canyon with her? That’s another task altogether . . . one that just might end up gambling her heart.
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Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch

This was downright chilling and features one of the creepiest villains I've ever read about. I was invested from the first page and couldn't read fast enough. There were twists and turns galore. Many I never saw coming. I had lots of suspicions about who Rhyme really was. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times, but, in the end, was utterly shocked by the reveal. It was so good!

About the Book
When a cold-case serial killer returns, FBI special agent Fiona Kelly has one last chance to stop him before he claims the prize he’s always wanted—her.

The sight of a goose feather at a murder scene modeled after a children’s poem is enough to make FBI special agent Fiona Kelly's blood turn to ice. Almost two decades ago, a feather was left with her sister's body—and with every subsequent victim of the Nursery Rhyme Killer. Now he's back. Only this time, his latest gruesome murder is a message to the only one who ever got away: Fiona.

Finding “Rhyme” is an obsession that's fueled Fiona's career—and destroyed her marriage to fellow FBI agent Asa Kodiak. Now Fiona and Asa have to put their past tensions aside and work together one last time. But Rhyme is watching, and catching this killer may force Fiona to reveal her biggest, darkest secret…the one only he knows.
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Man of Shadow & Mist by Michelle Griep

This book was so good! It's the kind of Gothic yet faith-filled read that I can never get enough of. And what a wonderful homage to Dracula! Since Dracula is one of my all-time favorite books, I loved all the nods to the classic. I had to smile every time I noticed a familiar name or place. I can't say enough about this book. If you're a fan of Gothic historical romance, you're sure to love it too.

About the Book
“The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.”
–Bram Stoker, Dracula

England, 1890

Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.

James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.

When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.

Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?
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The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright

Jaime Jo Wright did it again! The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is another gothic masterpiece! I've read all of Wright's books, and this is one of my favorites. I'm always in awe of the way she is able to write spooky and atmospheric tales that have such a strong and unwavering Christian message. This story immediately drew me in and had me gripped to the pages. A cursed theater, missing people, mysterious deaths, and a ghost-hunting TV show? How could I resist?

About the Book
It promises beauty but steals life instead. Will the ghosts of Barlowe Theater entomb them all?

Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy's eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta's younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.

Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater's curse unravels Kit's life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.
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Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? What are some of your favorite books of 2023?

Review: The Looking-Glass Illusion (The Curious Realities #2) by Sara Ella

About the Book
Step through the looking glass. Slay the Jabberwock. Seek the King.

Alice is not prepared to face what awaits beyond the Tulgey Wood. When she and the rest of Team Heart enter the fourth and final Wonderland Trial, it’s up to her to lead them to victory. But this Trial is more than a game. If Alice and the others fail to defeat the Jabberwock and reveal the truth about Wonderland, more than points and fame will be lost.

Chess Shire never believed he’d make it this far. Now he’s stuck navigating a Trial he’s seen but doesn’t remember, all while searching for the brother he left behind. Not everything is as black and white as the game that shares his name. And if Alice discovers his deepest regret? Chess might just lose her too.

Apart, Chess and Alice scour the eight squares of the Heart Trial in search of memories, truth, and an Ivory King who seems more illusion than reality. Will they learn to lead together to face their greatest fears? Or will they remain pawns in a queen’s game, never truly seeing the Wonderland they’ve come to believe in?


MY THOUGHTS

Wow! What a fantastic follow-up to The Wonderland Trials and the perfect conclusion to the series!

This starts right where the last one left off, and because it had been a little while since I’d read that one, it took me a couple of chapters to get my bearings. But once I did? Oh my goodness, I was completely invested and fully absorbed in Wonderland.

The worldbuilding was excellent. I thought all the nods to the original story were really clever, but never overdone. The story was unique in its own right, and I loved how inspired it felt.

I’ve always said that Beauty and the Beast retellings are my favorites, but this series has me rethinking that. I need more Alice in Wonderland retellings in my life!

This was a super fun read that also had a great message that felt very allegorical. The ending was absolutely brilliant. It was so fitting! So moving!

FIVE STARS