Review: Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

About the Book

An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer.

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?

Amazon / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

Jaime Jo Wright never fails to impress. This was another hauntingly beautiful story full of spine-chilling moments and a hope-filled message.

This dual timeline takes place at Müllerian Manor in 1921 with Marian Arnold one year into prohibition and the present day with Remy Shaw.

The Arnold family's fortunes took a turn for the worse when prohibition became law. After the bankruptcy of the family's brewery and the death of her parents, the only thing left for Marian is their summer home, staffed with only a few remaining servants. Ghostly visions haunt her, and butterflies become an ominous portent of doom as a killer strikes.

In the present day, Remy is a biographer’s assistant staying at Müllerian Manor, helping to research Marian’s mysterious life and the elusive serial killer, the Butterfly Butcher. But danger is around every corner, and it’s not long before Remy is being targeted in the same way that the Butterfly Butcher’s victims were.

I was so invested in the mysteries and was completely surprised by the turn of events. I thought I had it all figured out several times, but nope! I didn’t see it coming until right before the reveals!

I enjoyed both timelines equally. I usually prefer one over the other, but not this time. They were both equally compelling. I enjoyed the characters from both times. And it was really interesting to see the connections and parallels between the two.

Elton, the biographer, was a hoot! I loved the bond he and Remy had. Their conversations and banter made me laugh several times.

I appreciated the way mental illness was handled. It's an important topic, and the author treated it with respect and dignity.

I can't say enough good things about this book. Jaime Jo Wright is a master in this genre, and she keeps upping the ante with each book. I love how she always weaves a strong Christian message into her spooky tales. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

 

FIVE STARS

Review: What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball by Elisabeth Aimee Brown

About the Book

Hester Flanders went to the ball for the food. She didn’t expect a prince to follow her home.

If there’s one rule Hester learned during her country upbringing, it’s never accept a gift: that’s how the Folk get you. Although she’s left her farm behind, she can’t leave her superstitions, even if no one else in the capital city seems to care. Hardworking but hungry, she’s looking for loopholes, and the king’s annual Commoners Ball seems like the perfect way to get a free meal that’s not technically a gift—and it would have been, too, except a pesky prince took a shine to her.

Inglebert Lucas Chesingwick isn’t just the crown prince: he’s also practical, responsible, and very annoyed to see his younger brother causing a scene by flirting with a peasant at the ball. He can separate them for one night, but his mischievous brother is determined to see the poor girl again. And again. And for some reason, Lucas keeps running into her, too. If only there was some way he could help her …

The princes might mean well, but Hester knows better than to accept favors from anyone, even royalty—even if it’s cheese—and even if saying no breaks her heart. After all, just because the Folk have never been seen in the city doesn’t mean they’re not around …

Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this cozy fantasy romance from debut author Elisabeth Aimee Brown. Pick up your copy and whirl away into a whimsical story of glittering gaslamps, frisky Folk, and huggable hogs.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This story was hilarious, sweet, and full of wonder. I loved every second of it. Well, except for the fact that it ended. I didn’t want to leave these characters or this world.

I liked Hester a lot. She was brave, sassy, and bold. I loved her attitude and how she handled herself in some rather out of the ordinary situations. I wish I was more like her! I have to say, though, that we do share the same affinity for cheese. The whole idea that she goes to a ball not for the Prince but for the food was such a clever twist! Things certainly didn’t go the way Hester imagined they would, but it was quite a fun ride, that’s for sure!

I loved all the characters. Well, maybe not so much Hugh. But Lucas, on the other hand, was a good and honorable guy who I instantly liked. And Chemmy was such a great friend to Hester. So loyal and caring.

I thought the lore behind the Folk was really interesting.

There was a twist that I didn’t see coming that completely surprised me. It made me want to go back to the beginning and read the story all over again to see if I could catch the clues. So good!

What a wonderfully delightful tale! It was an absolute joy to read! I loved it so much and am very eager to read more from this author. Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it.

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

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: The Killer's Therapist 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 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring The Killer's Therapist by Christy Barritt. Yep, another Christy Barritt book, lol. This is another standalone thriller from her and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's keeping me guessing!

About the Book

The mind is a dangerous place . . . especially when you can't trust your own.

Dr. Hadley Dawson's revolutionary theory—that even the darkest minds can be healed—has made her a rising star in criminal psychology. But when a string of unexplained deaths leads back to a former patient, her life’s work suddenly stands in question.

When the poster boy for her rehabilitation program is accused of murder, Hadley's conviction begins to crack. Has she been blind to the darkness lurking within those she sought to save?

Detective Josiah Brennan, her late best friend's husband and once her staunchest ally, now questions Hadley's judgment. Their friendship frays as the evidence mounts, forcing Hadley to confront an unsettling truth: her quest to reform criminals may have unleashed a killer.

With her reputation in tatters and her theories in doubt, Hadley races to uncover the truth. But each revelation only deepens the mystery. Is someone orchestrating an elaborate plot to destroy her career? Or is the threat more sinister—aimed at claiming her very life?

In a heart-pounding race against time, Hadley must outwit a cunning adversary before she becomes the next victim. But in a world where minds can be manipulated, who can she really trust?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

He paused inside the house and sucked in a deep breath. As he did, the scents around him filled his nostrils.

Friday 56

He watched Hadley from across the street, deep in the shadows of a narrow alley where no one could see him.

Just the way he liked it.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Deadly Revenge (Pearl River Book #3) by Patricia Bradley

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 Deadly Revenge (Pearl River Book #3) by Patricia Bradley releasing November 5. I loved the first two books, so I'm very excited for this third one. 

About the Book

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: The Christmas Catch: A Sweet Holiday Novella by Toni Shiloh

About the Book

When two high school sweethearts reunite, will they take another chance at love or let life sideline them at Christmas?

Benched with a career-ending injury, NFL wide receiver Jahleel Walker is forced to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia, during the holidays to heal, despite his rocky relationship with his father. Nothing shocks him more than running into Lucille "Bebe" Gordon.

Bebe Gordon came home to Peachwood Bay three years ago with a divorce certificate and her daughter. When Jahleel returns--for the first time in eight years--all the memories of the past come rushing back. The connection between them is still strong, but Jahleel has no plans to stay in Peachwood Bay, and Bebe won't risk him leaving her again. As their hometown's Christmas festivities bring them together, Jahleel must decide if he's only home for the holidays or if the Christmas spirit that brought them together will last all through the year.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a delightful Christmas story! I loved every second of this sweet second-chance romance.

I really liked Bebe and Jahleel. They had amazing chemistry, but they also had history. There were some unresolved issues that they still needed to work out. I was rooting so hard for them!

Jahleel and his dad had a big falling out when he left home years ago. There was a lot of hurt and resentment built up, but I was hoping they could get past all that and reconcile.

This book was a lot of fun, but it also had a lot of depth. I loved the strong message of faith that was woven so seamlessly throughout the pages. If you’re looking for a heartwarming Christmas romance, I highly, highly recommend this story. It was a breath of fresh air and just what I needed during a stressful time.

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

FIVE STARS

Review: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

About the Book

Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:

She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.

He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this book so much! If I could give it more than five stars, I would. It has everything I love but didn’t know I needed jam-packed into one delightfully fun story. There's a locked room mystery set in an English manor that's full of intriguing characters, hilarious situations that had me literally laughing out loud, and a swoony rivals-to-lovers romance. Yep, I was sold. What's not to love? I’ve been a big fan of Ally Carter since her Gallagher Girl books, and, I’ve gotta say, this is my new favorite.

Maggie and Ethan were so fun together. Their banter was hilarious. There was a definite spark between them, which had me rooting so hard for them. Maggie had a bit of a hard edge about her, but the more I learned about her and the more I discovered about her past, I understood her and was cheering her on. Ethan was a bit of a mystery himself. Very little was known about him, but I loved the slow reveal of getting to know him. I don't want to say too much, but, wow, what a swoony guy!

This story wasn't all laughs, though. I appreciated the fact that important and sometimes heavy topics were addressed.

I thought the mystery was excellent. I never knew who or what to trust. The ending was such a brilliant twist!

I need more books like this. I need more funny, mysterious, and suspenseful rom-coms. This was absolutely delightful, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

NOTE: There was a little bit of language, and while there was heavily implied intimacy, it remained behind a closed door.

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

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: To Defy a Dream by Mary Mecham

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 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring To Defy a Dream by Mary Mecham. I've been wanting to read something by this author for awhile and I'm glad that I finally did. This was a fun and unique twist to Sleeping Beauty. 

About the Book

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose?

Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous solution: Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle.

Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world.

Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves?

No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends.

To Defy a Dream is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romances, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Danger. That was the clear message that the bewitched spindle's cold, unforgiving metal gave me as it rolled between my fingers, the sharpened silver tip drawing my eyes repeatedly.

Friday 56

Everett had never looked so panicked, not in all of my recollections.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Splintered Mind (Shattered World #1) by W.R. Gingell

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 Splintered Mind (Shattered World #1) by W.R. Gingell releasing October 5.

About the Book

Viv just wants work—any work. Well, not quite any work. But she’s desperate enough to accept a job offer as personal assistant to Jasper Renner—the rich and mysterious owner of the Renner Tea House—even though odd things happen whenever he’s around.

She expects to deal with rich, entitled Melbournians and a full business schedule. Instead, Viv finds herself following Jasper into a strange new world where a murderous madman has been incarcerated in a secret floor at the old Kew Asylum that may or may not exist in the human world as she knows it.

Reality is just as worryingly soft at the old tea house itself, which hides a few too many not-quite-human secrets. In one of the downstairs rooms, there’s a little girl who has been a little girl for a suspiciously long time; in the uppermost floor, there are a few windows that show a view that doesn’t exist in Melbourne. And then there are the giant cephalopod tentacles that appear from nowhere and disappear again, seemingly at will…

Now Viv isn’t sure if she’s going mad, or if the world itself has gone mad and the lunatic in Kew Asylum is the only sane person she knows.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Warped on a Moon Trek: Time After Time (Sky Crimes and Mysteries #5) by Diane Vallere

About the Book

Tomorrow is yesterday and next week may never come...

Sylvia Stryker is the Moon Unit Corporation’s employee of the month. Impressive, since her side gig solving intergalactic mysteries takes up most of her time. But she is put to a new test after her mentor, Neptune, flies through a wormhole to meet with a reclusive scientist about the faulty chip powering their lunar module. The contact has been hiding from accusations of murder on another planet. Even more startling is the identity of the scientist: a family member Sylvia never thought she’d see again.

When Neptune’s space pod vanishes into a parallel timeline, Sylvia is quick to follow, but a face-to-face with her younger self threatens her reality. She is thrust into a time-bending journey where the unsolved murder becomes central to her mission. With a missing boss, a malfunctioning navigational system, and a family reunion hanging in the balance, Sylvia’s race against time just might save the world…or eradicate it from existence.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was so much fun! I was excited for another addition to this series. It’s been awhile since the last book was released, and I’ve gotta say, I missed these characters and their shenanigans so much.

Sylvia finds herself in quite a mess this time, and the stakes are incredibly high. There’s malfunctioning tech, wormholes, and time travel, just to name a few of the problems. And oh my goodness, the time travel causes so much trouble! (That’s putting it mildly, lol!)

It took me just a little bit to get into the story, but once I did, I was fully invested and absolutely loving it.

I don't want to say too much more because I don’t want to spoil anything. If you’re a fan of this series, this is a must read! If you’re new to the series, I recommend starting with book one. It’s such a fun series!

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Firestorm (Chasing Fire: Montana #4) by Lisa Phillips

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 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Firestorm (Chasing Fire: Montana #4) by Lisa Phillips. I'm loving this series! 

About the Book

SECRETS. BETRAYAL. SACRIFICE.
THIS TIME, THEY'RE NOT JUST FIGHTING FIRE.

An original series created by bestselling authors Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips.

He thought his life was over…and then she walked back in.

Charlie Benning has always been a rescuer—first with the Last Chance County Fire and Rescue team, and now as a firefighter with the Jude County Hotshots. But this summer isn’t about saving lives—it’s about hiding his own terrible secret. A secret he’s keeping from his estranged daughter, Alexis.

But fate is about to intervene.

Will their secrets destroy their second chance?

Jayne Price raised her son, Orion, on her own just fine, thank you. And now, she runs Wildlands Academy, a summer camp that teaches kids how to fight forest fires and confront their own teenage angst—kids like Alexis Benning, who clearly has a chip on her shoulder about her semi-estranged, firefighter father.

And Jayne has her own issues, like not wanting her only son to join the elite smokejumping corps. It’s enough that he’s risking his life as a hotshot on the Jude County team.

Then the wildfire turns its force onto the camp and suddenly the hotshots show up to help her fight it. Only problem…the last person she expects is for her former flame, Charlie Benning—the man she can’t forget—to show up working alongside her son.
Rather, his son.

Who he doesn’t know exists.

And then Charlie discovers the secret she’s been keeping, and he’s torn between anger and the long-simmering love that refuses to die. And Jayne isn’t about to let go of the man she loves a second time. But if the blazing wildfire isn't enough, a dangerous and relentless killer is on the prowl in the woods…

Now, with the camp cut off from the outside world and the fire closing in, it’s a race against time as Charlie, Jayne, Orion, and a team of courageous smokejumpers join forces to protect the campers against a merciless inferno and a murderer. But the biggest threat of all might be Charlie’s devastating secret that could destroy the happy ending they’ve waited for so long.

Prepare for an edge-of-your-seat journey that will leave you breathless until the very last page, in book four of the Chasing Fire: Montana series.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Everything was going according to plan.

Kind of.

Friday 56

The sound of a small engine approached from down the dirt road. A second later, an ATV came into view. On top of it, a man in uniform. The local sheriff.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Running into Forever by Jennifer Rodewald

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 Running into Forever  by Jennifer Rodewald releasing October 9.

About the Book

Wanted: Horsewoman, skilled at driving. Must be willing to live on a remote island . . . and marry her boss. Both are non-negotiable.

Taylor Everest loves his home on Sanctuary Island and running his family’s carriage business for the historic Shoreline Palace. But his standoffish personality has the local resort questioning the renewal of his contract. Not to mention the contract also has an old, pesky clause Taylor had thus far ignored: He’s supposed to be married by age 30. He just turned 31.

Not willing to let go of his family’s legacy, Taylor puts out a bold advertisement.

Sonora Hillary is good with horses and even better with people. Unfortunately, her sunshine personality wasn’t enough for Donovan Arlington—the man she’s dated for two years. When Donovan announces his engagement after a mere two weeks of dating another woman, Sonora loses her level thinking. She answers a bizarre ad, agreeing to move and to marry the stiff and grumpy man she’s to work for. At least it’s only temporary. And surely living so far away—not to mention being married—will help her put away the ache of Donovan’s betrayal.

After the tourist season, Taylor and Sonora will both have what they wanted, and with a clean annulment, they’ll go their separate ways . . . unless God can change their hearts and minds.

*****

Welcome to the shores of Sanctuary Island, where six bestselling authors of Christian romance bring you stories of love and redemption. From tender romance to enduring faith, each standalone novel in this series promises unforgettable characters and heartwarming small town charm.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting? 

Review: Vacation Friends by Christy Barritt

About the Book

Explore the dark side of paradise, where sun-soaked beaches hide deadly secrets . . .

When Maddie Waters joins her fiancé, Josh Harding, in Hawaii for his company’s luxurious weeklong corporate retreat, Josh wants her to help him secure the prestigious role of CEO for the high-tech firm. However, someone with a dark secret has other plans, and everything changes when a series of deaths and near-fatal “accidents” plague the event.

With a determined detective circling and her relationship with Josh unraveling, Maddie finds refuge in a new group of friends. She soon forms an uneasy alliance with the handsome and mysterious Brody, hoping he can help her uncover the truth.

As secrets are exposed, tension mounts and relationships crumble. Maddie finds herself nearly drowning in a riptide of lies and deception. She must unravel a complex conspiracy and confront her own past—or risk becoming the next victim.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

“She’d felt lately as if death was stalking her.”

This was another fantastic thriller from Christy Barritt. I was completely hooked from the ominous beginning until the thrilling conclusion.

I was incredibly worried for main character Maddie as she faced danger after danger and incident after incident. Disaster seemed to follow her wherever she went. Was it all a coincidence, or was somebody out to get her?

There was a big cast of characters, but they were all distinct, and I had no trouble keeping them straight. I immediately liked Maddie’s new vacation friends, but a big part of me wondered if I should be suspicious of any, or all, of them considering everything that was going wrong. It was hard to trust anyone, as it seemed like everyone had a secret.

The mystery was really good. I had my suspicions, but wasn't 100 percent sure until right before the reveal. There was also a secondary story that had me intrigued yet wondering how it connected to everything. When I figured it out, my mind was blown! What a masterful twist!

This is one of Barritt’s best books to date. If you’re a fan of twisty thrillers, you’re sure to love it.

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

FIVE STARS

Goodreads TBR Cleanup #1

I saw this meme over on Dark Shelf of Wonders and thought it was such a neat idea, so I wanted to give it a try. 

How It Works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Ask Siri to pick a number between 1 and however many books are on the list.
• Go to that book and look at it and the 4 after it, for a total of 5.
• Read the synopses of the books.
• Decide: keep it or should it go?
• Discuss here.

Original Creator: Mega Bunny Reads

The number I got was 3140 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 (I have a ridiculous amount of books on my TBR list. To be fair, there are a lot that I just put on there because I wanted to read them, not because I own them. And, also, there are a lot of Kindle Freebies.)

NUMBER 1

Mayor Kane: My Life in Wrestling and Politics by Glenn Jacobs

I'm a pro wrestling fan and have always liked Kane. His transition from wrestling into politics is very interesting.

VERDICT: Keep It

NUMBER 2

Now, Then, and Everywhen (Chronos Origins #1) by Rysa Walker

Time travel has always fascinated me, so, of course, I'm drawn to books featuring it. This one sounds really interesting, especially since it seems like one of the characters messes up the timeline which causes major trouble! I'm curious if things can be fixed.

VERDICT: Keep It

NUMBER 3

Deadly Deceit (Harbored Secrets #2) by Natalie Walters

Wait! I haven't read this one?! How did I completely miss it? I'm a big fan of this author and loved the first book and the series that came after this one. I guess I'm gonna have to try to remember to read this soon. 

VERDICT: Keep It

NUMBER 4

A Lovely Drop by Darynda Jones

I have no recollection of this one. It looks like it's one of those Kindle Freebies. It sounds interesting, but I don't think I'm keeping this one.

VERDICT: Toss it

NUMBER 5

Unidentified Funny Objects 7 by Various Authors

I usually enjoy these kinds of multiauthor collections. This one sounds like a lot of fun and it has a story by one of my favorite authors.

VERDICT: Keep It

I only tossed one, but every little bit helps. This was a lot of fun and I definitely want to do this again. Have you read any of these books? Would you keep them or toss them?

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Warped on a Moon Trek (Sky Crimes and Mysteries #5) by Diane Vallere

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 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over.

This week I'm featuring Warped on a Moon Trek (Sky Crimes and Mysteries #5) by Diane Vallere. I just started this one, so I haven't quite reached the quote for Friday 56, but I'm loving it so far. This is such a fun series.

About the Book

Tomorrow is yesterday and next week may never come...

Sylvia Stryker is the Moon Unit Corporation’s employee of the month. Impressive, since her side gig solving intergalactic mysteries takes up most of her time. But she is put to a new test after her mentor, Neptune, flies through a wormhole to meet with a reclusive scientist about the faulty chip powering their lunar module. The contact has been hiding from accusations of murder on another planet. Even more startling is the identity of the scientist: a family member Sylvia never thought she’d see again.

When Neptune’s space pod vanishes into a parallel timeline, Sylvia is quick to follow, but a face-to-face with her younger self threatens her reality. She is thrust into a time-bending journey where the unsolved murder becomes central to her mission. With a missing boss, a malfunctioning navigational system, and a family reunion hanging in the balance, Sylvia’s race against time just might save the world…or eradicate it from existence.

Can Sylvia repair the circuits of time, or will she stay lost in space with a killer?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

In my duties as undercover security officer for the Moon Unit Corporation, it is my responsibility to write up case files and record the identities of everyone who played a role in the episode. This case has proven too difficult to record.

Friday 56

"Seems to me if you don't solve this chip problem, the passengers are gonna be in a lot more danger than if you stick around for movie night."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Flashback (Chasing Fire: Montana #3) by Michelle Sass Aleckson

About the Book

SECRETS. BETRAYAL. SACRIFICE.
THIS TIME, THEY'RE NOT JUST FIGHTING FIRE.

An original series created by bestselling authors Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips.

He’s the last person she wants to see…

Allie Monroe is desperate for a fresh start. Grieving the loss of her first SAR dog, she’s gone to Montana to train her new K9, Scout. And when two boys go missing during a wildfire, she’s brought on board to find them.

But the one person tasked to help her is the last person she wants to see—arrogant and dangerous Dakota Masterson.

It’ll take exactly this man to save everything she loves.

Former SWAT officer Dakota Masterson is a new man after confronting the demons of his past, including his first unfortunate meeting with Allie. But admittedly, she’s the last person he thought he’d see again…or have to work with. Still, maybe this is his chance to prove to her that he’s a different man—because she’s the one woman he can’t seem to forget.

However, with the flames closing in, finding the boys might mean confronting the painful memories of their short-lived relationship. Then, Allie’s dog goes missing, suddenly someone is shooting at them, and they find themselves in a race against a wildfire and a threat that wants them dead. More, when Allie goes missing, Dakota’s past—and his issues—come roaring back.

It’ll take the SWAT officer in him to save the day, but will it cost them a future they both long for?

Get ready to be swept away in a world where survival, redemption, and second chances collide in book three of the Chasing Fire: Montana series.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was another exciting addition to the series. I was invested from the very beginning and did not want to put it down. The intensity and danger kept rising until the thrilling conclusion.

I liked Allie and Dakota. They both had some struggles and had made some mistakes in their respective pasts, but they were trying their best to overcome them.

I loved Scout, Allie’s new SAR dog. He was smart and so impressive with his skills. I could understand Allie’s reluctance to connect with another dog after the loss of her previous beloved canine, but I knew they’d make a great team if they could learn to trust each other.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author, and it certainly won’t be the last. I enjoyed it a great deal. This is the third book in the series, but I think it can be read as a standalone perfectly fine. The series has an overarching mystery, but it’s easy to jump right into.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

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 Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright releasing October 1.

About the Book

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?

Renowned as a "trailblazer extraordinaire" (Booklist) of inspirational dual-time suspense, award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright weaves a haunting tale of mystery, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of truth across two distinct eras.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Once Upon An Apple by Gabrielle Landi

About the Book
A lord’s son, a milkmaid, and seven mischievous goats.

After running from her past, Sophia built a new life for herself in the Northlands, taking a job as a milkmaid for the local nobility and creating her own family with the friends she meets at the Cozy Cat Café. She spends her days spoiling the goats and finally feels safe, but something is still missing. She wants more than just safety–she wants love and a real family of her own.

Lord Caspian Rendon has returned home to–in his Father’s words, get serious–and contemplate his life’s path. As a third son, he doesn’t have much other than his title–and while the past two years of training in the Royal Guard have set him up for a potential career, they haven’t done much in the way of finding him a wealthy wife, which had always seemed the more appealing option of the two.

When he runs into the beautiful, sweet, and always kind Sophia taking care of his little sister’s goats, he begins to realize there’s more to life than marrying into wealth. As the baby goats, a mischievous little sister, and Fall Festival planning keep bringing Caspian and Sophia together, he starts to fall for the goat girl. But when Sophia's mysterious past finally catches up with her, Caspian must make a hard choice ... Can he risk it all for love, or will he never see her again?

Once Upon An Apple is a Snow White fairytale retelling and the first book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

Amazon / Goodreads / Author's Website

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a cute cozy fantasy and sweet retelling of Snow White. I loved all the nods to the original story. It’s a little slower-paced in the beginning, but things really started to pick up during the second half.

I liked Sophia. She had such a kind soul. I enjoyed seeing the special bond between her and the seven mischievous goats. They were adorable and reminded me of one of my own goats, Millie. She’s such a troublemaker, but you can’t help but love her.

Caspian was an upstanding and honorable guy who I enjoyed getting to know. His aversion to getting dirty was funny yet relatable. There was an instant spark between him and Sophia that had me rooting for them.

This story was a breath of fresh air that left a big smile on my face. I recommend it to fans of sweet and swoony fairytale retellings. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

FOUR STARS