Can't Wait Wednesday: So Into You by Kathleen Fuller

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 So Into You by Kathleen Fuller releasing December 3.

About the Book

Opposites attract when an introverted vlogger and a reformed party boy exchange lessons on art, confidence, and yacht rock.

Artist Britt Branch has a successful online channel where she teaches a variety of art lessons. Obsessed with the 1970s, she has a style all her own. But she also has a huge problem--severe social anxiety. She lives with her mom, and while she pays her own bills, she wonders if she'll ever have the courage to move out and move on. When her best friend announces she's getting married, Britt decides it's time to make a change.

Gorgeous Hunter Pickett has always skated by on his model looks, applying very little effort to anything except sports, and even that was iffy at times. The third son of extremely wealthy and successful parents, he dealt with being the black sheep of the family by drinking and using drugs. By his third year of sobriety, he's still dealing with aimlessness. Late one night he catches Britt's channel and ends up watching her videos. He's not interested in art . . . at first. And when he sends her an online message, he's surprised she responds. Before long they are chatting every day, and once they start meeting in person, a spark-filled friendship begins.

But both of them are keeping secrets. Big ones. When all truths are revealed in one pivotal moment, Britt and Hunter are at a crossroads. Will he fight for the happiness he's worked so hard to obtain? And will she continue to hide from life, or can she finally step out of her own shadow?

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Cover Reveal: Warsafe by Lauren Smyth

I'm so excited to join in the #coverreveal for Warsafe by Lauren Smyth releasing from Enclave Publishing in May 2025! This YA sci-fi standalone is available to preorder in hardcover today.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Play. Win. Survive.

There’s one building on her island that Halley has never visited: the Mercenary House. Perched atop a mountain, surrounded by unnaturally evergreen foliage, the House is rumored to be a breeding ground for criminals. Mercenaries are liars, cheats, spies . . . and maybe, depending on who you ask, killers.

At the Warsafe headquarters in Seattle, Roscoe is beta testing the company’s new video game. It’s her job to track down glitches–but something is different about this one. Lurking behind the lines of malfunctioning code is a secret that threatens to drag her deeper into the game, forcing her to put her life on the line if she ever wants to come home.

Worlds collide as Roscoe teams up with Halley to uncover the island’s secret and expose Warsafe’s designs. But some mysteries are better left unsolved. As traitor after so-called traitor is revealed to be on their side, they begin to wonder: Could Warsafe’s mission be critical enough to justify its cruelty?

PREORDER:

AMAZON: https://amzn.to/40Imj38

ENCLAVE PUBLISHING: https://www.enclavepublishingstore.com/waresafe-hardcover

Review: Cornered: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, & Natalie Walters

About the Book

Prepare for three times the thrills with these nail-biting page-turners from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In In the Dark by Lynette Eason, accountant Steph Cross is cleaning out a coworker's desk after her untimely death when she finds cryptic notes that lead her to believe her friend's car accident was no accident at all. Detective Tate Cooper is determined to help her crack the case before someone else gets hurt. But can he protect the woman who has so quickly laid claim to his heart?

In Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn, chef Cassie Quinn gets an offer she can't refuse: to fill in as chef at an exclusive mountain resort. But when the kitchen is destroyed and it becomes clear Cassie is in danger, she's forced to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend, Detective Donovan Bledsoe, to find the culprit and keep her safe.

In Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters, teacher Lahela Young becomes the target of someone with a twisted obsession of righting a wrong. The first person she turns to is her good friend Briggs Turner. Briggs may have left his career as a police officer, but he still has the instinct to protect--especially for Lahela.

Amazon / Baker Book House / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This fantastic collection features fast-paced and exciting stories from three of my favorite suspense authors. Sometimes novellas can feel rushed and leave me unsatisfied, but that was not the case here. These stories were jam-packed full of everything I love in a romantic suspense. I loved all three of them.

In the Dark by Lynette Eason
I was hooked from the very first page. I liked Steph and Tate together. They had great chemistry right from the start, and I enjoyed watching them work together to try and solve the mystery surrounding her friend’s murder. There was so much intrigue! I couldn’t read fast enough. I could hardly catch my breath during the climactic ending. And that twist left me reeling! So good!

Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn
This story was suspenseful and full of danger. I was really rooting for Cassie and Donovan to work through their issues because they were so good for each other. I thought Cassie’s dislike of confrontation was relatable, especially after what had happened to her. I loved to see so much character growth packed into this novella. I also thought that the Hatfield and McCoy-esque feud added a really interesting aspect to the story.

Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters
This was an intense and action-packed story that gripped me from the very beginning and didn’t let go until the very end. I instantly liked Lahela and Briggs and was eager to see them go from friends to more. They had amazing chemistry! The danger started off kinda slow, but it kept ramping up until I could hardly catch my breath. I was so worried for Lahela. There was one point near the end where I could hardly read fast enough. My anxiety was at an all-time high. There were a couple of moments that sent chills down my spine.

If you're looking for edge-of-your-seat, heart-pounding romantic suspense, grab a copy of this book! You won't be disappointed. Even though these stories are connected to the authors’ series, they standalone perfectly fine.

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

FIVE STARS

Review: Valley of Dragons (The Secrets of Ormdale #5) by Christina Baehr

About the Book
The joyous and suspenseful conclusion of The Secrets of Ormdale.

Now that Edith and her friends have everything they need to ransom Simon from captivity, hopes are high for a brighter future for both the people and dragons of Ormdale.

But then a surprising invitation from Edith's past leads her to a clue to the mysterious nemesis that threatens her family's legacy, and news reaches her that the sinister Dr Farley is at large. And Edith begins to wonder if the most potent threat to her happiness may be much closer to home.

In this last chapter of their story, Edith and her friends, family, and allies must come together to free themselves from the final secrets of Ormdale and determine the future of England's dragon keepers—and their extraordinary dragons.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely adored this conclusion to the Secrets of Ormdale series. All the books have been a joy to read, and this final one capped it off in a wonderful way. It had everything I hoped for and so much more.

I’ve really enjoyed watching the characters’ growth throughout the series. They’ve all faced some monumental moments, and it was so great seeing them face those challenges with such determination and heart.

I’ve loved the slow-burn romance, and I've gotta say, the payoff was well worth the wait! I have a big smile on my face thinking about them.

I wanted to take my time reading this book. I wanted to linger in this charming and cozy world and hang out with these wonderful characters for as long as possible, but it came to a point where I couldn’t help myself, and I was reading as quickly as I could.

These characters have stolen a piece of my heart. I’ve enjoyed my time with them so much. If you’re a fan of cozy fantasy, this series is a must read. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

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: Cornered: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters

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 Cornered: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters. This book releases Tuesday, November 19. I just finished the ARC and loved it! Each story was so suspenseful! I thought I'd share the first line and 56-ish of each story. 

About the Book

Prepare for three times the thrills with these nail-biting page-turners from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In In the Dark by Lynette Eason, accountant Steph Cross is cleaning out a coworker's desk after her untimely death when she finds cryptic notes that lead her to believe her friend's car accident was no accident at all. Detective Tate Cooper is determined to help her crack the case before someone else gets hurt. But can he protect the woman who has so quickly laid claim to his heart?

In Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn, chef Cassie Quinn gets an offer she can't refuse: to fill in as chef at an exclusive mountain resort. But when the kitchen is destroyed and it becomes clear Cassie is in danger, she's forced to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend, Detective Donovan Bledsoe, to find the culprit and keep her safe.

In Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters, teacher Lahela Young becomes the target of someone with a twisted obsession of righting a wrong. The first person she turns to is her good friend Briggs Turner. Briggs may have left his career as a police officer, but he still has the instinct to protect--especially for Lahela.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

In the Dark by Lynette Eason

The September sun had barely risen over the mountain town of Lake City, North Carolina, casting a warm, golden glow that filtered through Stephanie Cross's kitchen window.

Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Cassie Quinn dropped her speed as she approached the employee entrance to The Haven. Everyone in the small town of Gossamer Falls knew Cassie had a lead foot. But violating the fifteen-mile-per-hour speed limit within the gates of The Haven was a one-way ticket to unemployment.

Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters

"But why would they put a flamingo in jail?" 

Friday 56

In the Dark by Lynette Eason

Steph was grateful for her big brother, truly. But if James hadn't left when Tate and Cole drove up, she was going to have to kick him and his helicoptering out. 

Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Donovan tried to keep his shock from showing on his face. He'd known it had been bad, but he hadn't expected it to be that bad.

Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters

Lahela's hand flew to her mouth, barely blocking her gasp. Her body stiffened even as she shook her head like she didn't believe it.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson

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 Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson releasing December 3.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Gemma's anxiety gets the best of her, she opens her sock drawer and starts counting. Lately, she's been counting a lot of socks.

As a high school history teacher, Gemma Jones loves the certainty of the past--specific names, solid dates, proven statistics. Maybe that's because her own past resembles a jumbled-up sock drawer, one where it's impossible to find a match.

On paper, Gemma's life is just like any other successful, single thirtysomething. Her students adore her. She lives in a cute beachside cottage next door to the world's sweetest neighbor, Margie. And she's definitely caught the eye of Karim, the resident hot PE teacher at her school. But every day of her life, she can't get one thing out of her mind: the baby she gave up for adoption when Gemma was just sixteen years old.

This is the year that Baby--the only name Gemma has for her little girl--will turn eighteen. And it might be the year she actually meets her daughter face-to-face. Or maybe she already has. Katie, a new student who's moved into the area, shares Gemma's hair color (bright red) and build (long and lean). And BTW--totally random stat--she also shares the same birthday (October 3) as Baby. And they're both about to turn eighteen. What are the odds? But Gemma and Katie's mom are becoming good friends, and Gemma is concerned that their newly minted friendship will unravel fast if Katie is indeed Gemma's birth daughter.

Gemma doesn't know if this will be the year she finds Baby. But maybe, just maybe, it will be the year she finds herself--and finds peace with her life--past and present. And maybe that's what truly counts.

Fall in love with Debbie Johnson's heartwarming novel (previously published in the UK as Forever Yours). Now available for the first time in the US!

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Lethal Kings (The Fae Dynasty #2) by Victoria McCombs

About the Book

You've been warned many times, you cannot trust the kings . . .

The old queen is dead, a new queen is in play, and the realm has descended into darkness. For the first time in history, a queen has rejected the game. Eliza will start her reign with no alliances while Althea must fight to save her tenuous bond with the king who cannot love. Her relationship threatens to break, but Althea’s attention becomes divided after receiving a few harrowing clues connecting her past and the game at hand.

Before she can find answers, a mysterious fae appears promising the power of the seventh king to whoever can solve a series of riddles, leaving the fae realm in shambles as they race to come out on top. Althea has one year left. New alliances are forged. Old stories come to life. She must make her move, or the fate of the queens will consume her.

Amazon / Enclave Publishing / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Oh my goodness, y’all! What a perfect conclusion to this duology. It surpassed my very high expectations. The first book, Mortal Queens, ranks among the best I've read this year, yet this sequel outdid it, which I didn’t think would be possible.

All of the characters came to life. Thea was a strong and determined leading lady who I was cheering for in her quest to find a way to change the fate of the Mortal Queens.

I was completely engrossed in this story. I was glued to the pages and didn’t want to set it aside for anything. There were so many unexpected twists and surprising turns, I was constantly kept guessing. I had no idea how things were going to end.

This was such an imaginative and twisty tale. And while it felt like my heart completely shattered a couple of times, things came together in such a brilliant way in the end. I was so happy that all my questions were answered. I know I’ll be wanting to read this series again and again. It’s my new favorite series featuring the fae. Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it. If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll love it! It’s a must read.

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

FIVE STARS