Thursday, February 25, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Eyes of Tamburah (Archives of the Invisible Sword #1) by Maria V. Snyder

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 Eyes of Tamburah (Archives of the Invisible Sword #1) by Maria V. Snyder. It's another great fantasy from her. I think it's my favorite thing I've read of hers since the Study series. It's so good!

About the Book
'He thinks you are the thief...'

Shyla is a researcher who resides in the underground desert city of Zirdai, which is ruled by the wealthy Water Prince and brutal Heliacal Priestess. Even though Shyla is sun-kissed - an outcast, considered cursed by the Sun Goddess - she is still renowned for uncovering innumerable archaic facts, lost artefacts, ancient maps and obscure historical documents. Her quiet life is about to change when Banqui, an archaeologist, enlists her services to find The Eyes of Tamburah: legendary gemstones that bestow great magic on their wielder. These ancient objects can tip the balance of power and give whoever possesses them complete control of the city.

But chaos erupts when The Eyes are stolen soon after they're found - and Shyla is blamed for the theft. Forced to flee, with the Prince's soldiers and the Priestess's deacons on her trail, Shyla must recover the jewels and clear her name. A quest that will unearth secrets even more valuable than The Eyes of Tamburah themselves...

Book Beginnings
The heat thickened the air in Shyla's room to an uncomfortable level. Sweat slicked her skin and dampened her sleeveless tunic. She adjusted the mirrors to better capture the thin ray of sunlight streaming through a single mirror pipe extruding from her ceiling. Moving another reflective panel until it illuminated the ancient map spread over her table, she resumed her work. The faded ink was barely discernable as it crossed the velbloud skin.

Friday 56
Shyla ran up the side of the dune. Or rather, she tried. Her boots sank into the sand up to her knees, limiting the speed of her ascent. And the sun... Oh the sun... It seared through the fibers of her sun cloak like tiny hot iron pokers. If she didn't know better, she'd swear flames danced on the garment.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Cast the First Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #1) by David James Warren

About the Book
One case haunts him. One chance to fix the past. One mistake could cost him everything.

Ex-Minneapolis Police Detective Rembrandt Stone walked away from a career he loved—just the price of being sure he can come home to the wife and daughter he cherishes. But he can’t shake the deep regret over a case left behind.

When his mentor, the former Chief of Homicide dies and leaves Rembrandt with a box of cold cases and a mysterious watch, he finds himself thrust into a world he recognizes—a world from twenty years ago—the same world he’s woken from in a cold sweat a hundred times. But is it a dream, or some kind of twisted reality?

If he solves the case that plagues him, and justice is finally served, will it destroy the life he loves?

Strap in for a mind-bending, time travel thrill ride in Book One of this riveting new series, The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.


My Thoughts

What an exciting start to a new series! I'm a big Susan May Warren fan so I was thrilled to hear about this new series she was writing with two other authors, James Rubart and her son David Curtis Warren. I'm also a big fan of time travel books so there was no doubt in my mind that I would love Cast the First Stone. And I've gotta say, it did not disappoint. It exceeded my expectations.

It did take me a couple chapters to really get into, but that was probably just the migraine that I was dealing with because once I got over that, I flew through the pages and read the majority of it in one day. It's such a thrilling read. The very definition of unputdownable.

I thought the time travel was handled in a really fascinating way. It was easy to understand and so compelling to read about. And the consequences for changing the past? Oh my! It creates quite a predicament. I'm very interested to see how things play out from here.

I'm so invested in this story and Rem's journey. I'm glad there's not a long wait for the next book because although this mystery was solved, there's a bigger story at play here that leaves this novel on quite a big cliffhanger.

4.5 Stars

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Curator's Daughter by Melanie Dobson

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 Curator's Daughter by Melanie Dobson releasing March 9.

About the Book
A young girl, kidnapped on the eve of Word War II, changes the lives of a German archaeologist forced into the Nazi Party and--decades later--a researcher trying to overcome her own trauma.

1940. Hanna Tillich cherishes her work as an archaeologist for the Third Reich, searching for the Holy Grail and other artifacts to bolster evidence of a master Aryan race. But when she is reassigned to work as a museum curator in Nuremberg, then forced to marry an SS officer and adopt a young girl, Hanna begins to see behind the Nazi facade. A prayer labyrinth becomes a storehouse for Hanna's secrets, but as she comes to love Lilly as her own daughter, she fears that what she's hiding--and what she begins to uncover--could put them both in mortal danger.

Eighty years later, Ember Ellis is a Holocaust researcher intent on confronting hatred toward the Jewish people and other minorities. She reconnects with a former teacher on Martha's Vineyard after she learns that Mrs. Kiehl's mother once worked with the Nazi Ahnenerbe. And yet, Mrs. Kiehl describes her mother as "a friend to the Jewish people." Wondering how both could be true, Ember helps Mrs. Kiehl regain her fractured childhood memories of World War II while at the same time confronting the heartache of her own secret past--and the person who wants to silence Ember forever.


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Monday, February 22, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud


Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I'm excited to share with y'all some of the books that have made me laugh out loud. There were a couple authors (Jen Turano and Bethany Turner) who I could've listed every single book of theirs. But I thought that would've been too much, lol, so I narrowed it down to just my favorite.
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About the Book
Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanaugh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances.
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About the Book
After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance–with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children’s parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?
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About the Book
On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.

She didn't.

And then she died.

Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.

Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.

But this year, everything is about to change. . . .
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About the Book
Baseball star Will Vandergriff knows any number of women who would happily pretend to be his girlfriend. In a last-ditch effort to restore his good standing with his team’s higher-ups, he enlists the help of his neurotic, goody-goody neighbor. Schoolteacher Olivia Pratt might be a bit quirky and a bit of a loner, but she’s a lot more inviting than she knows. Will hopes that bringing her to his next game might revamp his reckless reputation and help get his career back on track. The only problem? The plan works a little too well. Not only do the higher-ups love Olivia, but Will plays his best game yet. Suddenly his losing streak is a thing of the past, and Olivia is his new good-luck charm. Will feels anything but lucky.

After years of keeping the world at bay, Olivia Pratt is pulling off the ultimate performance—not only reluctantly posing as Will’s girlfriend but also insisting that she’s oblivious to his major-league appeal. But she can only lie to herself for so long. Being by Will’s side feels good. Really good. Maybe it’s finally time to make a pitch for everything she really wants—and to find out just how exhilarating love can be.
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About the Book
"As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure."

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.
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About the Book
A nerdy nobody is heaven's newest hero. It's too bad that the devil fights dirty…

Chris Loury is penniless and painfully geeky. So when the struggling illustrator makes a wish that grants him supernatural visions, the lines start to blur between his comics and reality. After he crosses paths with a protector who calls himself an angel, Chris must decide if being a hero is worth the danger.

When his newfound confidence helps him connect with the girl-next-door, he hopes he can balance a relationship and a superhuman secret. But after a devilishly gorgeous woman with money and an ulterior motive tempts him with career success and fame, he puts his crush, his town, and his life in jeopardy.

Will Chris fulfill his destiny and save the city from destruction?

Paranormia is an enthralling urban fantasy adventure. If you like underdog heroes, supernatural battles, and a dash of humor, then you’ll love Paul Regnier’s action-packed novel.
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About the Book
Ruth Erickson always spends her morning break doing the crossword puzzle. Tate Darrow just messed it up. What’s that old saying about love and war?

Ruth Erickson is good at crossword puzzles. Stupid good at crossword puzzles. It might even be her thing, if that weren’t a sad thing to claim as a thing. She would probably say her thing was taking care of her daughter, Emily, a spunky nine-year-old with a dog fascination. Maybe being a waitress, but she was mainly good at that in order to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.

In light of that knowledge about crosswords, it’s perfectly understandable why she freaked out when Tate Darrow started writing on her crossword puzzle at the cafĂ©. Who does that? Besides, she didn’t know at the time that he’d taken a sabbatical from his job as a photojournalist to visit his ailing father. Certainly didn’t know that his sudden inheritance of a dilapidated mountain cabin and a moody dog had him out of sorts.

Love is definitely in the air. Puppy love – between Emily and the dog. Romantic love between Ruth and Tate would be infinitely more puzzling. And yet . . .
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About the Book
Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme…

...Disney got it wrong.

My name is Nick Beasley. I’m the one they call when things go bump in the night...because I can always prove that there’s actually nothing to worry about. After all, magic and monsters aren’t real.

At least, that’s what I’ve been telling people for a long time. But now that I’ve been magically transformed into a big hairy monster, I’m not sure they’re going to believe me.

And no, a kiss won’t help. The only person who may be able to fix me is the enchantress who did this to me in the first place.

She says it was an accident, but I’m not sure I can trust her. Why would the Beast Curse randomly crop up again after hundreds of years?

And if it wasn’t an accident, what might the person responsible do next?

I have to protect the city of Talesend from the monsters in the shadows...even if one of the monsters is me.

Disney meets Dresden (with a pinch of Discworld) in this 1920’s urban fantasy. Don’t miss out on the series fans are raving about.
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About the Book
I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.

Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.

When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.

Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?

Get Ready To Fumble your way through this enchanting new series.
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About the Book
Sylvia Stryker wants to explore the galaxy. A family scandal kept her from leaving home. Can a white lie help her change her future?

Sylvia Stryker used to help run her parents' dry ice farm, until her dad's arrest nearly left them bankrupt. But after finagling a job on board an outer space cruise ship, she's ready to explore all that outer space has to offer. With a private room in the staff quarters, her robot cat by her side, and the responsibilities of uniform management, Sylvia is thrilled to return to work--until she discovers the second navigation officer dead in the inventory closet.

Neptune, the head of ship security, finds Sylvia's presence to be the most suspicious part of the incident; that's what happens when you hack your way into a last-minute job opportunity! But despite his efforts to pin the murder on Sylvia, she won't accept how the clues are unfolding. And if Sylvia doesn’t expose the murderer on the cruise, then she’ll never learn the truth about her family.

Fly Me to the Moon is the quirky first cozy mystery featuring uniform lieutenant Sylvia Stryker. If you like unique characters, delightful plots, and cool space fashion, you’ll love Diane Vallere’s entertaining Space Case Cozy series.

Buy Fly Me to The Moon to blast off into out-of-this-world cozy adventure today!
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 Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think about them? What are some of the books that made you laugh out loud?

Review: Glitch and Famous (Worst Detective Ever #10) by Christy Barritt

About the Book
Someone is determined to cancel Joey’s friend . . . permanently.

TV detective Joey Darling is back at her beach home after wrapping up filming on her latest show, and she’s ready to plan her wedding with real-life leading man, Jackson Sullivan. With a clear schedule, nothing will stop her.

Until . . . an old acquaintance battling public backlash comes to visit and puts a glitch in her plans. When her friend is beaten, finding the people responsible becomes first priority.

But as events escalate, Joey’s big day seems to move further and further away. Can Joey help her friend and finally plan her dream wedding? Or will Joey become guilty—and risk her own life—by association?


My Thoughts

I was so excited for this tenth installment of the Worst Detective Ever series. I had missed Joey and her crazy antics and the rest of the quirky cast of characters so much.

Joey's ready for some downtime as she plans her wedding to Jackson Sullivan. But as we all know, life is never dull for long when Joey's around. An old acquaintance of hers, Lennon Seagram, has come to stay with Joey to try to hide from the press after a publicity nightmare. It's not long before trouble finds Lennon as she's attacked and beaten up. Threats continue to pour in and the danger surrounding her and her friend escalates.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick and exciting read that I had an impossible time putting down. I figured out what was really going on pretty quick, but there was a nice little twist that came along and shook things up.

This series is such a breath of fresh air. It's so much fun and full of so many laughs and a ton of heart. I highly recommend it.

Four Stars

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Cast the First Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #1) by David James Warren

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.

Wow, we've had quite the week here in Texas. Our power went out Monday at 2am and was out for over 35 hours. Most of that time, the temperature outside was in the single digits. I didn't know it could get as cold as it did in the house. My goodness, it was horrible! We were so thankful when power came back and we could start warming up. We didn't have water for 3 and a half days which created nightmares of it's own. 

We're not used to weather like this around here. We'll maybe get one good snowfall every winter and rarely have multiple days in a row below freezing. It's been over a week of freezing temps and I have never been more ready for warmer weather. My favorite season has always been winter, but this storm might've just changed that. The weather's supposed to start warming up today and I'm praying the forecast is right. It's been crazy and I'm ready for a little bit of normalcy.

But anyway, back to books! This week I'm featuring a time travel crime thriller, Cast the First Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #1) by David James Warren. It's a collaboration between three authors, James Rubart, Susan May Warren, and Susan's son David Curtis Warren. It's SO good! 

About the Book
One case haunts him. One chance to fix the past. One mistake could cost him everything.

Ex-Minneapolis Police Detective Rembrandt Stone walked away from a career he loved—just the price of being sure he can come home to the wife and daughter he cherishes. But he can’t shake the deep regret over a case left behind.

When his mentor, the former Chief of Homicide dies and leaves Rembrandt with a box of cold cases and a mysterious watch, he finds himself thrust into a world he recognizes—a world from twenty years ago—the same world he’s woken from in a cold sweat a hundred times. But is it a dream, or some kind of twisted reality?

If he solves the case that plagues him, and justice is finally served, will it destroy the life he loves?

Strap in for a mind-bending, time travel thrill ride in Book One of this riveting new series, The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.

Book Beginnings
It's the regrets that keep me awake.

Friday 56
I'm without words, caught in the catastrophe, one thought like a fist in my still hammering head. I could have stopped this. 

What have you been reading lately?

Review: When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

About the Book
Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.


My Thoughts

Sarah Sundin has done it again! When Twilight Breaks is another stellar read from a master of WWII fiction. It's my new favorite of hers.

I always find it so interesting to read about what life was like in Germany before and during WWII. There's so many questions I find myself asking. How did the Nazis get so much power? How did the people come under the Nazis spell? What was the allure? Why didn't more people fight back against their atrocities? This book answers those questions and so many more. It gives such a fascinating look into the country during that time.

Journalist Evelyn Brand is doing her best to get the grim truth of what's really going on in Germany out to the American people, all while trying not to anger the Nazi government. It's not an easy job, but she's definitely up to the task. But because she's a woman in a traditionally man's job, she's gotta work twice as hard to prove herself. She's gotta be a strong, independent, formidable force. And she was. She was such an admirable character, steadfast and brave. I appreciated how diligently she fought for truth and justice.

Peter Lang is in Germany working on his PhD. He's disillusioned with the violence and chaos he experienced in America because of the Great Depression and is wowed by the seeming success and prosperity of Germany. He doesn't see the evil underbelly, the injustice, of it all, not at first. I didn't know what to think of Peter in the beginning, but he really came around. His character illustrated how easy it could've been to be fooled by the shiny, “perfect” facade the Nazis presented to the world. I loved watching him discover the truth and fight so hard for what was right. He ended up being one of my favorite heroes I've read about recently.

I know it's early in the year to say this but When Twilight Breaks is a serious contender for 'book of the year'. It might just be the best WWII book I've ever read. Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it to everyone. It's a must read.

Five Stars

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday: Unknown Threat (Defend and Protect #1) by Lynn H. Blackburn

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 Unknown Threat (Defend and Protect #1) by Lynn H. Blackburn releasing March 2.

About the Book
US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive. Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks. Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He's an expert at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.

FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her ability to solve every case she's assigned. She's been put in charge of the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke's life in danger, the stakes have never been higher. But it's hard to know how to fight back when you don't know who the enemy is.

As more agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to work together to bring a killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining their fallen brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Power outage


Hey y’all! I’ve been without power since 2am Monday and have limited cell phone battery. I thought we’d have power back by now, but there’s no time table for restoration yet. If you leave a comment on any of my posts, I’ll definitely get back to you, it might just take a little longer than usual. Sorry about this. It’s been a frustrating couple days. I do have posts scheduled for the rest of the week so it won’t be totally quiet here. Thanks! Stay warm and stay safe!


Cover Reveal: Secrets in the Mist by Morgan L. Busse


I'm so excited to join in the cover reveal of Secrets in the Mist by Morgan L. Busse releasing from Enclave Publishing in August 2021! This is the first book in the YA steampunk Skyworld duology and is available to preorder in Limited-Edition Hardcover.


About the Book
What’s lurking in the Mist is the least of their worries…

In a world where humanity lives in the sky to escape a deadly mist below, Cass’s only goal is survival. That is, until she finds a job on the airship Daedalus as a diver. Now she explores ruined cities, looking for treasure and people’s lost heirlooms until a young man hires her to find the impossible: a way to eradicate the Mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the Five Families that rule the skies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the deadly Mist and hopes to stop the purges used to control overpopulation. But what he finds are horrifying secrets and lethal ambition. If he continues his quest, it could mean his own death.

The Mist is rising and soon the world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning what's left of humanity into the undead.

Link to Preorder the Limited-Edition Hardcoverhttp://bit.ly/SecretsintheMist


Monday, February 15, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Happy Mardi Gras!


Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I'm excited to share some purple, yellow, and green covers with y'all today to celebrate Mardi Gras.
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Valiant by Merrie Destefano
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Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think about them?

Review: Hide and Seek (Lantern Beach Guardians #1) by Christy Barritt

About the Book
During a turbulent storm, a child is found on the beach, washed up from the ocean. Making matters worse—the girl can’t speak.

Lantern Beach Police Chief Cassidy Chambers can feel the danger lurking around them. As more mysterious incidents happen on the island, Cassidy fears each crime is somehow connected to this child—a child no one has reported missing.

Cassidy knows the girl’s life depends on finding answers. With the help of her husband, Ty, a former Navy SEAL, she scrambles to discover what exactly is going on.

Someone appears to be playing a deadly version of hide-and-seek—and using the girl as a pawn. But what will happen when the game finally ends?

*Hide and Seek is the first book in a three book series. Though the main storyline of each book will be wrapped up at the end, some plot lines will not be resolved until the end of book three.*

The Lantern Beach Guardian Series:
Hide and Seek
Shock and Awe
Safe and Sound


My Thoughts

I was so excited to be back on the familiar island of Lantern Beach with fan-favorite character Cassidy Chambers. It was so great catching up with all the island residents. I really missed them.

This time around, a little girl washes up on shore by Cassidy and Ty's house during a horrible storm. No one knows who the girl is, where she came from, or what she was doing at sea. And no one has reported her missing. The mysteries just keep coming, though, as several suspicious events and crimes pop up around the island.

This was a read that was full of excitement and suspense. I was glued to the pages, so curious about who the little girl was and what her connection to all the incidents on the island might be.

This was another great one from Christy Barritt. I can't wait to find out what happens on the island next.

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

Four Stars

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

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 Sarah Sundin's latest WWII novel, When Twilight Breaks. It's SO good! I think it just might be my favorite of hers yet. 

About the Book
Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.

Book Beginnings
Evelyn Brand had done a crack bit of journalism, and she hadn't even had to dress like a man to do so.

Friday 56
It felt good to be part of the group again. It felt secure. But that security was an illusion without her US passport. This morning she'd again debated which move was more dangerous - the red stamped passport or no papers.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder

About the Book
Every legend must start somewhere...

No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere.

Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell.

But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself.


My Thoughts
“Creator knew all this would happen before time unfolded. He could have stopped it in a hundred different ways yet chose not to because He knows the end already. An end which, whatever happens here, He has deemed perfect. Trust Him to bring perfection from the pain.”

This was such a unique and beautiful story. I quickly became completely immersed in it. I was right there alongside Oriel and all the other fantastic characters, totally enmeshed in this haunting world.

Oriel was a bright light in a world of darkness. She was so kind, brave, steadfast, and full of a seemingly infinite amount of hope. I also really enjoyed getting to know Gareth, Maggie, Brandon, and Iris. They were all such inspiring characters.

This book kinda just thrusts you right into the middle of things with little explanation, so it took me just a bit to get my bearings. Things are revealed slowly, so there were times when I felt a little lost. But, at the same time, I was completely captivated by it. It was fascinating to explore and when things would “click” for me, it was a great feeling.

Things were a bit dreary and melancholy, at times, but that just further illustrated the fact that beauty and hope can be found in even the darkest of places. It's a wonderful read that I recommend to fans of Christian Fantasy.

Four Stars

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday: Manor for Sale, Baron Included (A Romance of Rank #1) by Esther Hatch

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 Manor for Sale, Baron Included (A Romance of Rank #1) by Esther Hatch releasing February 25.

About the Book
She has everything Lord Farnsworth wants, including his manor.

Lord Farnsworth would rather rot in debtor’s prison than sell the one place that feels like home to him—his mother’s manor. That is, until he meets the woman who wants to buy it. Sally Duncan is beautiful, intelligent, and as rich as a baron—a rich baron, not a cash-strapped one like Lord Farnsworth. She’s the solution to every one of his financial problems and is bewitching to boot. All he needs to do is sell her his beloved manor and then charm her to the altar, and the manor will be his again. Simple, right?

But nothing is simple when Sally starts tearing apart his ancestral home and renovating it in a way no one would consider tasteful. She is wreaking havoc on everything, but he cannot give up on owning his mother’s estate again, nor can he imagine anyone but Sally as his wife.

And so he sticks with his plan.

What a horrible mistake.


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Monday, February 8, 2021

Review: Star of Persia: Esther's Story by Jill Eileen Smith

About the Book
In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast. When they finally leave, he decides on one more week of frivolity, which ends in the banishment of his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is sure he has a second chance at happiness.

In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes's wives is vying for position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther's adoptive father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to annihilation.

With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the romantic, suspenseful, and beloved story of Esther, queen of Persia.


My Thoughts

I don't really read much Biblical fiction but I couldn't pass this one up. Esther's story is one of my favorites from the Bible and this novel was a stellar retelling of it. It really expanded the story and got me to see things in a new light. It really came to life for me.

I enjoyed the fact that we not only got Esther's perspective but many of the other prominent characters as well. It really added a whole new and interesting dimension to the story.

This was my first time reading anything by Jill Eileen Smith and I'm definitely interested in checking out more from her.

Five Stars

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder

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 Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder, a very interesting and unique fantasy.

About the Book
Every legend must start somewhere...

No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere.

Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell.

But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself.

Book Beginnings
She appeared out of nowhere.

Friday 56
The first rays of morning found Gareth sitting at the point of a rocky outcropping, hands busy with some whittling. It didn't matter that not enough light had invaded to see by. He moved through habit, the shavings piling up at his feet. Besides, Gareth's attention wasn't on his work. Couldn't be, not when the outcropping overlooked Juliet's mountain estate.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Apprentice (Collective Underground #1) by Kristen Young

About the Book
The Love Collective is everywhere. It sees everything. Be not afraid.

Apprentice Flick remembers everything, except the first five years of her life. And for as long as she can remember, Flick has wanted to enter the Elite Academy - home to the best, brightest, and most loyal members of the Love Collective government.

Flick's uncanny memory might get her there, too … even if it is the very thing that marks her as a freak. But frightening hallucinations start intruding into her days and threaten to bring down all she has worked so hard to accomplish. Why is she being hijacked by a stranger's nightmare over and over again?

Moving to the Elite Academy could give Flick the future she's always wanted. But her search for truth may lead to a danger she cannot escape.


My Thoughts

It's been way too long since I've read a dystopia like this one. Apprentice was fantastic. I loved every minute of it. Okay, that probably sounds weird to say about a dystopia, lol, but it was so incredibly compelling, so thought-provoking, so intriguing, so unnerving. I had an incredibly hard time putting it down and when I did have to set it aside to do other things, it was constantly on my mind.

Kerr was a great character. Easy to like and with a memory that was seriously impressive. She was such a determined and focused girl. I was definitely rooting for her. There were a lot of secondary characters too. Some good, some horrible, and others with a mysterious agenda that I didn't know what to think about. All in all, a well-rounded cast of characters that I enjoyed reading about.

Apprentice reminded me of some of my favorite dystopias, (Hunger Games, Matched, Divergent, etc.) but it was still very unique in its own right. If you're a fan of this genre, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book.

4.5 Stars

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday: Calculated Risks (InCryptid #10) by Seanan McGuire

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 Calculated Risks (InCryptid #10) by Seanan McGuire releasing February 23. This has been such a fun series. I'm actually a book behind but am hoping to remedy that soon. Sarah has been such an interesting character throughout the entire series so I'm very eager to get her story.

About the Book
The tenth book in the fast-paced InCryptid urban fantasy series returns to the mishaps of the Price family, eccentric cryptozoologists who safeguard the world of magical creatures living in secret among humans.

Just when Sarah Zellaby, adopted Price cousin and telepathic ambush predator, thought that things couldn't get worse, she's had to go and prove herself wrong. After being kidnapped and manipulated by her birth family, she has undergone a transformation called an instar, reaching back to her Apocritic origins to metamorphize. While externally the same, she is internally much more powerful, and much more difficult to control.

Even by herself. After years of denial, the fact that she will always be a cuckoo has become impossible to deny.

Now stranded in another dimension with a handful of allies who seem to have no idea who she is--including her cousin Annie and her maybe-boyfriend Artie, both of whom have forgotten their relationship--and a bunch of cuckoos with good reason to want her dead, Sarah must figure out not only how to contend with her situation, but with the new realities of her future. What is she now? Who is she now? Is that person someone she can live with?

And when all is said and done, will she be able to get the people she loves, whether or not they've forgotten her, safely home?


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Monday, February 1, 2021

Review: Undone by E.B. Dawson , Kyle Robert Shultz, Beth Wangler, and J.E. Purrazzi

About the Book
Four powerful, creative short stories in a spectrum of speculative fiction categories.

"Mythtaken" by Kyle Robert Shultz is a quirky retelling of the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. It is a fun adventure with snarky humor and unexpected twists.

"Stealing Life" by J.E. Purrazzi is a high action cyberpunk heist story set in futuristic Japan. Wildly imaginative, this story will take you on an adventure you won't soon forget.

"Government Man" by E.B. Dawson is a fast-paced dystopian with deep, emotional themes, fleshed out characters, and some unexpected twists.

"The Lake of Living Water" by Beth Wangler is an uplifting Christian fantasy that will leave you feeling hopeful and refreshed.


My Thoughts

This was a fantastic collection of short stories. I loved every single one of these tales. There's not a weak one in the bunch. They range from humorous to bittersweet to thought-provoking and hopeful. Seriously, it was so good. I highly recommend it to fans of speculative fiction.

Mythtaken by Kyle Robert Shultz - A humorous retelling about what really happened with the Minotaur and Theseus in the Labyrinth. I loved it! It made me laugh and left a smile on my face. This author never fails to impress. 4.5 stars

Stealing Life by J.E. Purrazzi – In this cyberpunk story set in a futuristic Japan, a group of friends who have been experimented on by the corrupt technological giant Bakemono, try to rescue one of their own from the clutches of the powerful corporation. I quickly became absorbed in this story. The real world faded away and I was in the thick of things with these characters. This is the second short story I've read by Purrazzi and I'm eager for more. 4 stars

Government Man by E.B. Dawson – This compelling dystopia follows a character as he comes to the realization that he's been on the wrong side of things this whole time. It's amazing how much was packed into such a short story. I wouldn't mind diving even deeper into this world. It was a fascinating read. 4.5 stars

The Lake of Living Water by Beth Wangler – A retelling of the Biblical story of the fall, this Christian fantasy was absolutely beautiful. It was a wondrous read that showcased the immensity of God's love, the comfort of His presence, and the hope to come. I can't say enough good things about this prequel. I'm definitely gonna be checking out the series. 5 stars

4.5 Stars

A free copy of this anthology is available when you sign up for the Phoenix Fiction Writers newsletter.