Friday, May 29, 2026

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
"ArrĂȘtez, Police!"

Friday 56
Her heart felt like a battering ram as he sat next to her. 

What have you been reading lately?

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Can't Wait Wednesday: To Dance with a Duke (Dollar Princess Series: Five Gilded Age Stories Inspired by Movie Musicals Book 2) by Gabrielle Meyer

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 To Dance with a Duke (Dollar Princess Series: Five Gilded Age Stories Inspired by Movie Musicals Book 2) by Gabrielle Meyer releasing June 9.

SYNOPSIS
For those who love The Gilded Age and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

In 1884, Ames Welby, the Duke of Severton, is desperate. His ancestral home is falling apart, his tenant farmers are starving, and his family name is tainted by a mysterious scandal that keeps people away. With no fortune and no time, he does the unthinkable—marries for money. But Lily Parker, the American heiress he weds in haste, is no pampered socialite. She’s practical, passionate, and has a plan to restore Pickering Castle—and the reputation of the five reclusive Welby brothers.

Inspired by her love of matchmaking and her longing for connection, Lily invites four eligible young women to a summer house party, hoping to spark romance and rebuild the family’s future. What follows is a whirlwind of mischief, mismatched couples, and unexpected love. But when Lily’s belief in true love clashes with Ames’s fear of family curses and social ruin, their fragile marriage is put to the ultimate test.

As storms rage and secrets unravel, Ames must decide: will he fight for legacy—or for the woman who’s taught him that love is the most daring risk of all?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Review: A Refuge in Montana (Three Sisters Rescue Farm) by Allie Pleiter

SYNOPSIS
In Big Sky Country,
Sometimes forgiveness takes the most courage…


For her son’s sake, widowed veterinarian Vicky Siden works hard to pretend all is well. But the arrival of game warden Nick Youngston at her family’s animal rescue—with a horse and donkey in tow—changes everything. With three-year-old Taylor eager to help Nick rehab Buddy and Dunk, Vicky can’t avoid her late husband’s best friend, who she’s always blamed for his death. Nor can Nick avoid the real reason he’s in town. As old wounds resurface and feelings spark to life, facing the truth could keep them apart—or lead to an unexpected second opportunity at love.


MY THOUGHTS
“Of all the unpleasant, unwanted surprises in Vicky Siden’s life, few topped the sight of the man standing in front of her.”
This was a really sweet and heartwarming story of grief, hope, and forgiveness.

There was a lot of history and hurt between Vicky and Nick. He was her husband’s best friend, and she blames him for his death. When he brings a neglected donkey and horse to the Three Sisters Rescue Farm for some rehabilitation, they have a chance to hash things out. I was really rooting for them to work things out.

Vicky’s son Taylor was adorable. And I loved Dunk the donkey and Buddy the horse. I liked seeing Taylor’s sweet relationship with the animals.

I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet and inspiring contemporary romance. Even though it’s part of a series, it stands alone perfectly fine.

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

FOUR STARS

Monday, May 25, 2026

Review: Scent of Peril (National Park Protectors Book 3) by Darlene L. Turner

SYNOPSIS
An innocent witness taken…
A K-9 in hot pursuit.


Dispatched with her K-9 partner, Shadow, to locate an abducted boy, Constable Taylor Grant finds herself ambushed in the wilderness along with Wyatt Hoyt, the child’s father. As Taylor and Wyatt relentlessly pursue the kidnappers and follow the little boy’s cryptic clues through treacherous terrain, they face persistent attacks and lethal traps. Each step closer to rescuing young Levi uncovers a deadly conspiracy tied to Wyatt’s past and a weapons-smuggling ring. With time running out, can they outwit a ruthless mastermind to save Levi before it’s too late?


MY THOUGHTS

I loved this action-packed romantic suspense! There was hardly a dull moment. The danger kept intensifying, which made this book impossible to put down. I flew through the pages.

I really liked Taylor and Wyatt. They were exes, but I liked how they were able to come together to find and protect his son. There were still obvious feelings between the two. They had amazing chemistry despite the tense circumstances. Shadow, Taylor’s K-9, was awesome, and Wyatt’s son Levi was adorable.

I had a pit in my stomach for parts of this book. There were many times I forgot this was a fictional book. It felt so real that I found myself praying for these characters.

I loved the strong message of faith to let go, surrender, and trust God. It was really powerful. If you’re a fan of inspirational romantic suspense, don’t hesitate to grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it! It’s fantastic!

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

FIVE STARS

Friday, May 22, 2026

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Scent of Peril (National Park Protectors Book 3) by Darlene L. Turner

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 Scent of Peril (National Park Protectors Book 3) by Darlene L. Turner

SYNOPSIS
An innocent witness taken…
A K-9 in hot pursuit.


Dispatched with her K-9 partner, Shadow, to locate an abducted boy, Constable Taylor Grant finds herself ambushed in the wilderness along with Wyatt Hoyt, the child’s father. As Taylor and Wyatt relentlessly pursue the kidnappers and follow the little boy’s cryptic clues through treacherous terrain, they face persistent attacks and lethal traps. Each step closer to rescuing young Levi uncovers a deadly conspiracy tied to Wyatt’s past and a weapons-smuggling ring. With time running out, can they outwit a ruthless mastermind to save Levi before it’s too late?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
Silence blanketed the normally bustling wilderness of Teragoose National Park, Newfoundland. Odd.

Friday 56
Taylor extracted a butter knife from the utensil drawer with her shaky fingers and took several cleansing breaths to calm her shattered nerves.

What have you been reading lately?

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Review: A Taste of Tea and Tenderness by Gabrielle Landi

SYNOPSIS
A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line.

Running the Cozy Cat CafĂ© while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another complication: catering the local school’s fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable…until the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll.

Conrad hasn’t been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that she’s on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he can’t shake, proving that he’s the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected.

Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned?

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes.


MY THOUGHTS

This was a really sweet and cozy read. It’s a Thumbelina retelling, which was fun. I haven’t read many of those.

Linnea is taking care of the Cafe for a little while. Even though she was intimidated, I loved seeing her commitment to it. I thought her and Conrad were very sweet together. I appreciated having both of their POVs.

I love the world of Galamere and always enjoy revisiting it and its characters again. This is standalone, though, so if you haven’t read any of Landi’s other books, you’ll be able to dive right in.

While there wasn’t much conflict or tension, this was still an enjoyable read. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a very cozy, non-stressful read. I look forward to reading the author's next book!

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

THREE STARS

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile (A Daughters of Genius Society Novel) by Angela Bell

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 Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile (A Daughters of Genius Society Novel) by Angela Bell releasing July 7.

SYNOPSIS
Margaret Kingsley's routine revolved around invention not investigation--until her ordered world springs a gasket.

London, England, 1895
Ambulatory wheelchair user Margaret Kingsley secretly crafts gadgets for the Daughters of Genius Society, a covert team of lady inspectors disguised as harmless bluestocking spinsters. While her fellow inspectors gallivant about London solving crimes, Margaret has been perfectly content assisting from the sidelines--until her expertise is needed to infiltrate the domain of London's most prolific inventor.

Charles Noble sacrificed his career as a musician to support his family after his father's stroke. Now he balances ledgers as a secretary by day and tends his disabled father by night, but he can't pass up the chance to take a temporary job as event coordinator for a famous inventor commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of his mechanical empire. As strange occurrences cause Charles's event planning to collide with Margaret's case, the pair must unravel a plot of sabotage against the inventor's legacy while also investigating the sparks of attraction between them.

 "Utterly charming! What an original and adorable story."--JEN TURANO, USA Today bestselling author on A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

Little Women meets Inspector Gadget in Angela Bell's witty romp of brilliant women, whimsical gadgetry, and sweet he-falls-first romance set in the Victorian era with themes of disability representation, women in STEM, light academia, and steampunk.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?