Book Beginnings + Friday 56: A Witch to Remember (A Wishcraft Mystery #9) by Heather Blake

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. 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.

This week I'm featuring the final book in my favorite cozy mystery series, A Witch to Remember (A Wishcraft Mystery #9) by Heather Blake. I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters.

About the Book

Not even a witch can keep her secrets safe in the sizzling ninth installment of national bestselling author Heather Blake’s Wishcraft series.

Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather’s enchanted wedding plans are put to the test when murder invites itself to her bridal luncheon…

The Enchanted Village always has a touch of magic about it, but the buzz of excitement over the wedding between wish-granting witch Darcy and Police Chief Nick Sawyer is positively electric. With every spellbinding detail planned to perfection all that’s left is to sit back and let wishes come true. But Darcy’s dream wedding is threatened when the Divinitea Cottage, the tea room hosting her bridal luncheon, goes up in flames, revealing the strangled body of the owner, Leyna Noble.

Making vows to solve the crime without delaying the nuptials, Darcy focuses on her prime suspect, and number one nemesis, wicked witch Dorothy Hansel Dewitt, a notorious firebug. But when a psychic vanishes without a trace, Darcy’s investigation shifts to Leyna’s mysteriously bewitching past. Darcy must sort through mystical claims and old, vengeful grudges to find a killer before she is forced to forever hold her peace.

Book Beginning

"This wedding might be the death of me, and I'm not even the one getting married. So much to get done, so little time."

Friday 56

Her gaze narrowed on me. "How are you faring, Darcy? You look" - her brows knitted - "anxious."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Vow of Justice (Blue Justice #4) by Lynette Eason

About the Book
FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes his life to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her "murder." As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn't sure how he's supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time--this time for good.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason closes out her Blue Justice series with a story that will have you tearing through the pages to get to the stunning conclusion.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

What an exciting conclusion to a fantastic series! I've loved the time I've spent with the St. John family. There's been so much suspense, so many adventures, and heart-racing moments. I've enjoyed every minute of it and am sad to say goodbye. Though I hear there's a novella featuring Derek coming soon, so I still have that to look forward to.

Vow of Justice is finally Linc's time in the spotlight. Allison, the woman he loved and thought dead is actually very much alive. He feels slightly betrayed at not being let in on the secret, but he sets his frustration aside to work with Allie to stop a ruthless killer before she dies for real this time.

Never a dull moment, Vow of Justice was an anxiety-inducing thrill ride that kept me thoroughly entertained and gasping for breath from beginning to end. I had my suspicions about a couple of things pretty early on, but wasn't 100% sure until the reveal. This was one of my favorite books from Eason. And though it's book four, it stands alone just fine. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.

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

Five Stars

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Single Light (The Line Between #2) by Tosca Lee

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 A Single Light (The Line Between #2) by Tosca Lee releasing September 17.

About the Book

In this gripping sequel to The Line Between, which New York Times bestselling author Alex Kava calls “everything you want in a thriller,” cult escapee Wynter Roth and ex-soldier Chase Miller emerge from their bunker to find a country ravaged by disease, and Wynter is the only one who can save it.

Six months after vanishing into an underground silo with sixty others, Wynter and Chase emerge to find the area abandoned. There is no sign of Noah and the rest of the group that was supposed to greet them when they emerged—the same people Wynter was counting on to help her locate the IV antibiotics her gravely ill friend, Julie, needs in order to live.

As the clock ticks down on Julie’s life, Wynter and Chase embark on a desperate search for medicine and answers. But what they find is not a nation on the cusp of recovery thanks to the promising new vaccine Wynter herself had a hand in creating, but one decimated by disease. What happened while they were underground?

With food and water in limited supply and their own survival in question, Chase and Wynter must venture further and further from the silo. Aided by an enigmatic mute named Otto, they come face-to-face with a society radically changed by global pandemic, where communities scrabble to survive under rogue leaders and cities are war zones. As hope fades by the hour and Wynter learns the terrible truth of the last six months, she is called upon once again to help save the nation she no longer recognizes—a place so dark she’s no longer sure it can even survive.

Fast-paced and taut, A Single Light is a breathless thriller of nonstop suspense about the risks of living in a world outside the safe confines of our closely-held beliefs and the relationships and lives that inspire us.

Why I Need It

I LOVED the first book and have been impatiently awaiting the sequel to find out what happens next. So excited! 

What upcoming release are you excited about?

Review: Fire Storm (Kaely Quinn Profiler #2) by Nancy Mehl

About the Book

When FBI profiler Kaely Quinn's mother is diagnosed with cancer, Kaely takes time off work to go to Dark Water, Nebraska, to help her brother care for their mother. Upon her arrival, she learns of a series of fires in the small town, attributed by the fire chief to misuse of space heaters in the frigid winter. But Kaely is skeptical, and a search for a pattern in the locations of the fires bolsters her suspicions.

After yet another blaze devastates a local family, Kaely is certain a serial arsonist is on the loose. Calling upon her partner from St. Louis, Noah Hunter, and her brother's firefighter neighbor who backs Kaely's suspicions, Kaely and her team begin an investigation that swiftly leads them down a twisted path. When the truth is finally revealed, Kaely finds herself confronting a madman who is determined his last heinous act will be her death.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

Kaely Quinn is one of the most unique and interesting characters I've ever read about. In Fire Storm we get to know her and her family better when she returns to Nebraska to care for her sick mother. When there's a string of suspicious fires around town, Kaely questions whether they're accidents like the officials have ruled or if there's something more sinister going on.

I'm not gonna lie, the first book in this series was spectacular, one of the most suspenseful books ever. To say my expectations were high for this one would be an understatement. Was it as good as Mind Games? Not quite. Occasionally, things felt robotic and stilted, and the ending was abrupt, feeling a bit rushed. But in no way does that mean this was a bad read. I did, mostly, enjoy it. It was nice getting to see more of Kaely's family. I felt like I was beginning to understand her better. And the mystery was good, keeping me invested and trying to figure it out alongside Kaely. I finished it in two days which is fairly quick for me.

Despite the few issues I had with this book, I still plan to continue the series. I want to know what happens to these characters. Plus, I just read the synopsis for the third book and oh my! Sounds like it's gonna be a doozy!

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

Three Stars

Review: Colt, Billionaire Reunion: Sweet, Clean Christian Romance with Suspense (Billionaire Protectors Book 2) by Alexa Verde and Autumn Macarthur

About the Book

Billionaire protectors. They'll risk their lives to protect the woman in jeopardy. But will they risk their hearts?

When the ex-wife scientist Colt Jarvis assumed left him for another man returns, his attraction to her flares. But he can't trust her. During their brief marriage, she kept way too many secrets. She still does. For the past year, they've only seen each other during her visits to their children.

Fiercely independent security expert Mirabella Jarvis didn't choose to leave her husband and children. An accident followed by years of amnesia weren't part of her plan. Slowly, she's picking up the pieces of her old life, including rebuilding the trust of her twins again. Her husband's trust is far tougher to gain, especially as he never trusted her in the first place.

When the serial killer who almost murdered her once before threatens her life, Colt will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if it means falling in love with her all over again.  

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited

My Thoughts

A story of second chances and learning to trust again.

Mirabella is being targeted in a way that's suspiciously similar to the serial killer she hunted down and thought dead. She lost her memory, years of her life, the trust of the man she loved, and the privilege of watching her kids grow up because of that man. Is it really the same guy or a copycat killer?

I loved Brett, the first story in this series, and was so excited for Colt. It was so good! What an exciting ride! Although we met Colt, Mirabella, and their adorable twins, Kitty and Corbin, in book one, it was nice to get to know them even better here.

The mystery was really good. There were lots of suspects and any one of them could've done it. But when the reveal came, I was completely shocked. Didn't see that coming!

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a little suspense with their romance. I can't wait for David's story!

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

Four Stars

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Playing Hearts 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. 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.

This week I'm featuring Playing Hearts by W.R. Gingell, a really fun twist on Alice in Wonderland.

About the Book

It begins the way it has always begun: with a card on Mabel's pillow. But Mabel has been in Underland before, and she's not so anxious to go back. No matter what name it takes, Underland is always bizarre, always mad, always dangerous.

There's the Queen of Hearts, terrifying, powerful, and possibly insane. There's Hatter, purple-eyed and undoubtedly mad. March Hare has always been one sandwich short of a picnic, and Sir Blanc is missing his wits.

And then there's Jack. Jack the aristocratic son of the Queen. Not quite mad, but not far off. Disinclined to help anyone but himself. A liar. And, thanks to an ancient ceremony performed by the Queen, Mabel's fiancé.

Fall into the rabbit hole with Mabel as she climbs through tea-pots, battles the Jabberwock, and attempts to overthrow the Queen of Hearts herself.

Don't lose your head.

And whatever you do, don't be late...

Book Beginning

It started the way it usually starts: with a card. It was on my pillow that morning when I woke, its red pips showing up clearly against the whiteness of the pillow-slip. The Jack of Hearts.

Friday 56

Jack narrowed his eyes at me from across the room, and scooped up the two full glasses. "Have you been annoying Mother Dearest again?"

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

About the Book

Brought together by a charming bookstore in England, three women fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.

As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.

Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.

Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.

Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

The Secrets of Paper and Ink follows three women, Sophia, Ginny, and Emily, and spans two timelines, Cornwall 150 years in the past and present day. It was my first time reading anything by Lindsay Harrel and I absolutely loved it! I'm definitely looking forward to more from her.

I was completely sucked into the story and read about 60% of it in one afternoon, which is pretty fast for me. I couldn't put it down. I had to know how the story ended, how the mystery resolved, and if everything worked out.

I was afraid I'd find one POV more entertaining than the others, or possibly not enjoy one of them at all, which has happened to me a few times before with books like this. But I had no need to worry. All three women were likable, interesting, and compelling to read about. They were so connected to each other and the story flowed really well switching between them all.

This was a beautifully powerful story of the journey, struggles, triumphs, and second chances of three women. And the healing power of paper and ink.

4.5 Stars