Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Come Awake: Five Original Fantasy Stories (Tales from Karneesia Book 4) by Claire Trella Hill

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 Come Awake: Five Original Fantasy Stories (Tales from Karneesia Book 4) by Claire Trella Hill. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Come Awake. I'm really enjoying it so far. The first snippet is from the first story of the collection, Imani and the Creature Without Fear. And the Friday 56 quote is the first line of the second story, Kai and Keziah and the Desert Slain.  

SYNOPSIS

The land of Karneesia has lacked wild magic for centuries, but now the land is stirring…

A young magic user returns to her long-lost family and masters her fears to protect her island home from an elemental threat.

A woman flees danger and finds unlikely allies in an undead company of soldiers, a young man journeying home after ten years, and the ghost of a king.

Magic flourishes as Kai and Keziah find their places in the desert, and a long-hidden prophecy emerges concerning the return of the dragons to Karneesia.

Two mercenaries assist a Deaf lady who was accused of murder by a singing bone harp.

And a lonely girl joins forces with a wolf to escape the abusive reach of her mother, a witch.

In these five original stories set in the land of Karneesia, unlikely heroes will rise, and the currents of magic will shift in Come Awake.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

When Imani stepped foot into Natimai Harbor, she saw the sea for the first time in nine years. 

Friday 56

In Damslar, war was only a state of being, unrest a way of life.

What have you been reading lately?

Cover Reveal: The Secrets of Everlight by Julie Hall

I'm so excited to be part of the cover reveal for The Secrets of Everlight by USA Today bestselling author Julie Hall, coming October 6, 2026 from Ace Books! Isn't it gorgeous?

SYNOPSIS

A thief turned spy must unravel an assassination plot against the fae prince by disguising herself as a princess competing for his heart in this entrancing romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Julie Hall.

For nineteen years, Rowan has fought to survive: first on the streets scavenging for scraps, then bound by a decade-long contract to a corrupt master. She longs for freedom but spends her days stealing from the highborn to pay off her servitude.

When a mysterious fae buys her contract, Rowan seizes her chance to escape. But her freedom comes at a price: uncover the assassin targeting Prince Dryden of the Ember Kingdom. To do so, she must pose as a princess among the royals competing for the prince’s hand in marriage.

Thrust into a world of silks and finery, Rowan has weeks to master her role while hunting a killer hidden in plain sight. Eavesdropping and sneaking through gilded halls may come naturally, but the bonds she forms with the other princesses—and Dryden’s growing interest in her—are complications that threaten to unravel everything.

As whispers of danger beyond the kingdom rise, Rowan realizes the stakes are far greater than she imagined. And every stolen glance with the prince pulls her closer to a desire that could cost her not only her future, but the kingdom itself.

PREORDER HERE: www.TheSecretsOfEverlight.com

Title: The Secrets of Everlight

Series: Shattered Kingdoms #1

Author: Julie Hall

Publisher: Ace Books
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Adult Romantasy

Tropes:

• Slow-burn romance
• Forbidden attraction
• Fae court intrigue
• She saves Him
• Thief heroine
• Marriage competition
• High-stakes political intrigue
• Hidden identities
• Hidden powers
• Reluctant allies
• Forced Proximity
• Werewolf & Vampire Otherworlders
• Love Triangle… with a twist

Review: Roses and Rage: Echoes of Olympus by Anna Hawke

SYNOPSIS
Betrayed by Zeus. Stripped of his godhood. At the mercy of a woman who fled his rule.

Ares, God of War, has fallen. Cursed to live as a mortal, he seeks shelter with the woman he once loved as attacks against the divine rise. With war looming on the horizon, he vows to eliminate those who threaten the pantheon—and the gods who’ve scorned him.

A cunning demigoddess, Zoya balances temple management, single motherhood, and undercover operations for the ruling pantheon. When her patron god shows up human at her door, she risks everything to keep him safe. If Zeus discovers the powerful magic she commands, her life is forfeit.

When a prophecy binds them together, the flame between them reignites. Will Ares and Zoya succumb to the wicked chaos that threatens everything they cherish—or will their love survive the imminent supernatural war?

Echoes of Olympus is a non-explicit shared world of dark fantasy and paranormal romance reimagining classic Greek myths through shadow and desire. Each story follows different myths, different couples, and a different descent into danger—where gods and mortals collide.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This book was so good! I loved it so much! It was just as compelling as the first book, Sunshine & Sin.

I really enjoyed reading about Ares. It was really interesting seeing him adjust to life as a mortal. It wasn’t an easy adjustment, but he handled it better than I thought he would. And I loved seeing the transformation in him as he got used to the idea.

I liked Zoya right off the bat. She was fierce and protective and a great mother. Her daughter Rei was adorable. I loved seeing the sweeter side of Ares come out when he was with the little girl.

I loved the second chance romance aspect of this book. There was quite a bit of history and strong feelings between Ares and Zoya, which had me rooting so hard for them.

I really enjoyed this book and highly, highly recommend it! I can’t wait for the next one!

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

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Callers: The Journey Home: Book 3 by Kiah Thomas

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 The Callers: The Journey Home: Book 3 by Kiah Thomas releasing June 16. I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and am excited to check out the conclusion.

SYNOPSIS

The thrilling conclusion to the Callers trilogy, an exciting new middle-grade fantasy series that explores the power of summoning objects into being and the ominous consequences of doing so. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan!

Quin’s world is in turmoil . . .

The limits on Calling have been lifted, and Callers are now allowed to conjure up anything they want—from tables and chairs to food and clothes. But many on Elipsom still don’t realize that everything they Call is being stolen from Evantra, a secret continent on the opposite side of the world.

Quin, Allie, and Davinia have been fighting to show people the truth. But Adriana Octavius, the Chief Councilor of Elipsom, will do anything she can to suppress the rising rebellion. Even if it means endangering the Vine, the life-giving force for all of Evantra and Elipsom. With Allie in jail, Davinia working desperately to keep up appearances as a committed Councilor, and Quin stranded on Evantra, their struggle is more desperate than ever. Tensions are rising across Elipsom, and the three friends will have to find their way back to each other, reveal the truth, and heal the Vine . . . before it’s too late.

Moving and action-packed, the conclusion to the Callers saga shows the power of standing up for the truth and that anyone can change the world.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Fangs, Fate, & Mondays (The AzRIO Files Book 1) by Hayley Reese Chow

SYNOPSIS
In Azalea Springs, a family curse just means more paperwork.

After her best friend was murdered, Dessa Blue McKinney swore she’d never return to the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. But after she walks in on her fiancé cheating with her business partner, she has nowhere else to go but home. Desperate for a distraction, she agrees to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office until she decides what to do with her life. But when the new intern is the handsome golden boy of the most notorious family in town and her dead friend’s sister goes missing, old secrets bubble to the surface, and the past may not be so willing to let her go.


Meanwhile, perpetual screw-up, Jamison Kane, is reeling from his role as the primary suspect in a triple homicide and the brand-new bearer of a family curse. When Dessa’s uncle offers him an internship to search for a cure, he reluctantly agrees—and totally not because Dessa was his high school crush. The job description? Keep the werewolves and vampires from tearing each other’s throats out, solve the missing persons case, and don’t fall in love with Dessa McKinney.

It definitely sounds like a Monday, but at least in this office, the coffee really is magical.

Fangs, Fate, and Mondays is a fantastical paranormal mystery that feels like a magical version of The Office meets Supernatural meets Veronica Mars, with a romance that is authentically slow burn!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a really fun urban fantasy. It was my first time reading anything by this author, but it won’t be my last. I’m really looking forward to reading more of her books. While this was a little slow in the beginning, it wasn’t long before things picked up and I became completely invested in the story. I didn’t want it to end!

I loved the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. It was really cool seeing all the different supernatural creatures live and work together. And speaking of work, I loved the AzRIO office. What a cool concept!

I really liked Dessa and Jamison. They were former classmates and had a bit of a rough reintroduction, but I enjoyed seeing them work together, learn to trust one another, and become friends (with the possibility for more later on down the line, maybe).

I enjoyed learning about the paranormal world alongside Jamison. I was very curious about his curse. I’m hoping that will be explored more in future books.

I can’t say enough good things about Fangs, Fate, & Mondays. I highly, highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next installment!

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

FIVE STARS

Review: Achilles (Discarded Heroes: Scions Book 3) by Ronie Kendig

SYNOPSIS

She needs his skills to survive. He needs her secrets to uncover the truth.

For two years, Dillon Jacobs has refused to accept his father's death. He's chased every lead across multiple continents—burning bridges and risking everything to prove Max Jacobs is still alive.

Cove Galtieri is fighting her own impossible battle. Desperate to clear her father's name of corruption charges that threaten to destroy their family legacy, she's gathering evidence to prove the man who raised her isn’t the monster the world claims.

After Dillon's hunt intersects their paths in Paris, their worlds soon collide again in gunfire and chaos at the Galtieri estate in Italy. But that collision becomes a revelation: Dillon's missing father and Cove's accused father were photographed together in Yemen. The evidence Cove has been gathering contains clues Dillon desperately needs.

Two quests. One conspiracy. A partnership forged in fire.

Every ally could be an enemy. Every clue could be a trap. Racing across international borders—from Italian vineyards to Greek islands to the dangerous ports of Yemen—Dillon and Cove must navigate a deadly game where trust is a luxury they can't afford and love might be the most dangerous weapon of all.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! Achilles was fantastic! It was one of my mostly highly anticipated reads of the year. I’ve been very eager to find out what was going on with Dillon and if his dad really was still alive. This book exceeded all of my very high expectations. It was a constant thrill ride from start to finish.

I really liked Dillon and Cove. They had amazing chemistry and made a great team. I enjoyed seeing them learn to trust each other while working together.

There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. There were quite a few intense moments where I caught myself holding my breath. I didn’t know how they were going to get out of the predicaments they were in.

I loved this book so much and highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys heart-pounding romantic suspense. Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I look forward to whatever Ronie Kendig writes next!

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: Achilles (Discarded Heroes: Scions Book 3) by 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 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 Achilles (Discarded Heroes: Scions Book 3) by Ronie Kendig. Our internet was out for a couple of days earlier this week, so it feels like I'm still catching up on things. But I should have my review up for Achilles tomorrow. 

SYNOPSIS

She needs his skills to survive. He needs her secrets to uncover the truth.

For two years, Dillon Jacobs has refused to accept his father's death. He's chased every lead across multiple continents—burning bridges and risking everything to prove Max Jacobs is still alive.

Cove Galtieri is fighting her own impossible battle. Desperate to clear her father's name of corruption charges that threaten to destroy their family legacy, she's gathering evidence to prove the man who raised her isn’t the monster the world claims.

After Dillon's hunt intersects their paths in Paris, their worlds soon collide again in gunfire and chaos at the Galtieri estate in Italy. But that collision becomes a revelation: Dillon's missing father and Cove's accused father were photographed together in Yemen. The evidence Cove has been gathering contains clues Dillon desperately needs.

Two quests. One conspiracy. A partnership forged in fire.

Every ally could be an enemy. Every clue could be a trap. Racing across international borders—from Italian vineyards to Greek islands to the dangerous ports of Yemen—Dillon and Cove must navigate a deadly game where trust is a luxury they can't afford and love might be the most dangerous weapon of all.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Paris, France

"Arrêtez, Police!"

Friday 56

Her heart felt like a battering ram as he sat next to her. 

What have you been reading lately?