Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: The Bungalow on Shadow Road (The Beach House Mystery Series #4) 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 in the meantime.

This week I'm featuring The Bungalow on Shadow Road (The Beach House Mystery Series #4) by Christy Barritt.

About the Book

Even the best opportunities come at a price . . .

When Melinda Marx receives a mysterious invitation to visit the quaint, historic oceanfront inn in Carova, NC, where she spent her childhood summers, it seems like the perfect opportunity to regroup after her painful divorce. But when she arrives, she learns this is no ordinary beach getaway.

The inn’s owner has died, and four strangers with their own invitations are already there waiting for answers.

Deputy Micah Warner never got over the woman who broke his heart years ago. Now, Melinda—one of five seemingly random visitors handpicked for a high-stakes competition to win the profitable inn—is back in town. But before Micah can come to terms with her sudden appearance, the surprise reunion takes an ominous turn.

Someone wants the contestants gone, and when people start disappearing, the question is no longer who will win but, rather, who will survive?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Alice Alabaster paused as she stepped inside the owner's suite at The Bungalow on Shadow Road.

Friday 56

Suddenly, Melinda wondered if she was standing in the presence of a killer.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Sleep No More (October Daye #17) by Seanan McGuire

About the Book

October is very happy with her life as the second daughter of her pureblood parents, Amandine and Simon Torquill. Born to be the changeling handmaid to her beloved sister August, she spends her days working in her family’s tower, serving as August’s companion, and waiting for the day when her sister sets up a household of her own. Everything is right in October’s Faerie. Everything is perfect.

Everything is a lie.

October has been pulled from her own reality and thrown into a twisted reinterpretation of Faerie where nothing is as it should be and everything has been distorted to support Titania’s ideals. Bound by the Summer Queen’s magic and thrust into a world turned upside down, October has no way of knowing who she can trust, where she can turn, or even who she really is. As strangers who claim to know her begin to appear and the edges of Titania’s paradise begin to unravel, Toby will have to decide whether she can risk everything she knows based on only their stories of another world.

But first she’ll have to survive this one, as Titania demonstrates why she needed to be banished in the first place—and this time, much more than Toby’s own life is at stake.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

The previous book ended on a massive cliffhanger, so I was very eager to get my hands on a copy of this book. It took longer than I’d hoped, but thankfully, the library got a copy. Anyway, I devoured it; I couldn’t read fast enough. It’s one of the best additions to this series in a long time. It didn’t have all the unnecessary recaps that a lot of the previous ones had, so I really appreciated that. This was fast-paced and full of high stakes.

Slight spoilers for previous books ahead...

In the aftermath of Titania’s wrath, we find Toby changed and living a completely different life than the one she had. And my goodness, it was weird seeing Toby that way. She wasn’t acting anything like herself. It was like her fire and spunk were gone, and I hated seeing that. But, every once in awhile, there was a glimmer of the old Toby that peeked through, which made me think that all hope wasn’t lost, and I was so eager for her to remember everything.

I’m eager to check out the next book, which shows us Tybalt's POV of the events that happened in this story. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, this series is a must-read. Be sure to start with book one, though, because these are not standalones.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Secondary Target (The Secrets of Kincaid) by Angela Carlisle

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 Secondary Target (The Secrets of Kincaid) by Angela Carlisle releasing May 7.

About the Book

A ruthless murderer. A deadly secret. An unbreakable love.

After the brutal murder of her mother and brother twelve years ago, Corina Roberts built a new life in Kentucky. But when strange things begin to happen, she is thrust into a perilous game of life and death. With nowhere else to turn, her best hope of survival depends on her ex-boyfriend, army veteran Bryce Jessup.

Recently returned from service, Bryce has every intention of staying away from Corina, but when threats close in around her, he isn't willing to leave her safety to chance. As their search for answers uncovers lethal secrets her detective father kept hidden, Bryce and Corina must untangle the mystery of the merciless killer intent on terrorizing and eliminating Corina's family before it's too late.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Twilight Falls (Shady Hollow #4) by Juneau Black

About the Book

The fourth book in the Shady Hollow mystery series sees Vera embroiled in a case involving star-crossed lovers whose affair may have turned deadly.

It's spring in Shady Hollow, and romance is in the air. Even reporter Vera Vixen is caught up in the season as her relationship with new police chief Orville Braun blossoms. But true love is not always smooth sailing, as two of the hollow's young residents come to find. Jonah Atwater and Stasia von Beaverpelt find themselves battling their families in order to be together. And when Jonah's father, Shelby, goes over the top of Twilight Falls, all signs point to Stasia being the murderer.

The evidence against Stasia appears overwhelming, and Orville arrests her. It looks like the case is closed, but Vera isn't so sure. There are almost too many clues indicating Stasia is the killer, leading her to suspect someone is setting Stasia up. Besides, what about the mysterious ghostly creature skulking around town at night? Maybe he or she was involved? As Vera investigates further, her sleuthing puts her in direct opposition to Orville, and soon she's stirred up a hornet's nest of trouble.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Twilight Falls was another charming addition to this series. I always enjoy visiting Shady Hollow and catching up with the delightful woodland residents.

This book took a little longer to pull me in than the previous ones, but it wasn’t long before I was fully invested and solving the mystery right alongside Vera. I was pretty sure I had it all figured out early on, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure until close to the end.

If you’re in the mood for a charming cozy mystery, grab a copy of this series! Start with book one, and you’ll be enchanted!

FOUR STARS

Review: The Erlking's Daughters (The Karneesia Chronicles #1) by Claire Trella Hill

About the Book

The Unseelie Caverns are closing in on Morwë. The handsome prisoner may be her only way out.

The Unseelie faefolk dwell in darkness, consume human life force, and care for no one… except for the half-human daughters of the Erlking. Morwë encases her feelings in walls of ice, only allowing herself to care for her younger sister—and even then, not openly. She navigates hostility from family and acquaintances alike and believes there is no other way to live. But her world is shaken with the abrupt arrival of a prisoner who sees her—in more ways than one.

Arken has always placed family first. When his village is attacked and his younger brother stolen, he sets off determined to rescue him. An encounter with faefolk out of stories and spook-tales wasn’t in his plan, and neither is the woman with haunting eyes just as trapped as he is. She’s his enemy. He shouldn’t trust her. But she may be his only hope for salvation.

As a forced marriage looms and violence mounts in the caverns, Morwë must choose—acquiesce to the bleak, terrifying future she thought was her only option, or risk everything to escape with the human prisoner and protect their siblings—even if it costs her life.

A dark fantasy with slow burn romance, The Erlking's Daughters is perfect for fans of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf, Robin McKinley, Kate Stradling, and anyone who loves to see characters move from darkness to light.

Amazon / Kobo / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this book so much! It was dark, but I loved that, despite all that darkness, there was still an abundance of light and hope.

The worldbuilding was impressive! There was a lot to take in at first, but I never got confused or overwhelmed. I was instantly intrigued by the Unseelie court. It was a harsh and dangerous place, filled with some brutal and intimidating characters.

I really enjoyed the multiple POVs. It was a nice way to get to know the characters. I loved seeing their growth and watching them discover new things about the world and themselves. I can’t say that I liked Morwë in the beginning, but by the end of the book, she became one of my favorite characters I’ve read about in a long time.

I didn’t want this book to end! It was so good! I highly, highly recommend it. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, 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

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Sleep No More (October Daye #17) by Seanan McGuire

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 in the meantime.

This week I'm featuring Sleep No More (October Daye #17) by Seanan McGuire. Oh my goodness, what a wild ride this one is! I'm almost finished and it's so good! (And so stressful! LOL!)

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Samhain and Beltaine are the hubs around which the rest of Faerie's year turns. The two Moving Days, when the least among us - those ranked even lower than changelings like myself - are free to pack up their lives and move along to their next home.

Friday 56

At least I didn't black out, which seemed like a real accomplishment after the day I'd had. I groaned, rubbing my face with my less-bloody hand, and pushed myself back into a sitting position. "Everyone okay?"

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Chromatic (Color Theory #3) by Ashley Bustamante

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 Chromatic (Color Theory #3) by Ashley Bustamante releasing May 7.

About the Book

Light is Found in Every Hue

Magus is dying from the inside out, and only the destruction of the barrier can save it. Even color magic can't defend against earthquakes, strange weather patterns, and erratic wildlife behavior.

After discovering hundreds of captive Yellow magic-users, Ava and Elm fight to set them free. However, new dangers and unexpected enemies await at every turn, forcing them to face their greatest challenges yet. The calamities inside the barrier slowly manifest in the outside world as well, pulling citizens from both sides of the battle into the fray. In this new war, they may not all make it out alive.

Elm and Ava must confront the growing darkness and create a future in a world that has been all but stripped of hope. Can Magus be restored, or is it already too late?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?