Can't Wait Wednesday: Three Missing Days (Pelican Harbor #3) by Colleen Coble

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 Three Missing Days (Pelican Harbor #3) by Colleen Coble releasing April 6.

About the Book

The third book in a riveting new series from USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble.

A shocking murder.

Chief of Police Jane Hardy plunges into the investigation of a tragic local murder, but everything in her personal life is unraveling.

Her son’s arrest.

Jane’s son is accused of manslaughter, and she has to decide whether or not she can trust her ex, Reid, in the attempt to prove Will’s innocence—and whether she’s going to trust Reid with her heart.

Three missing days.

With the recent discovery of her mother’s whereabouts, Jane learns not only that her mother stole something vital all those years ago but that she drugged Jane so she wouldn’t be able to remember. What happened in those three days could change everything.

It all started with one little lie. But the truth is finally coming out.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Lethal Outbreak by Lisa Harris & Lynne Gentry and Collision Course by Elizabeth Goddard

With so many good books on my TBR list and it seeming to grow daily, I've been trying to find the time to squeeze in some more reading time and have finally found an extra thirty-ish minutes a day right before bedtime. During this time, I've been reading a lot of short stories, novellas, and trying to make a dent in the copious amounts of boxsets I have. Depending on my mood, I've been going back and forth between romantic suspense, rom-coms, and speculative fiction. 

I've read two of the stories in the Dangerous Deceptions boxset and thought I'd share my review for them today. This boxset has been disbanded, but Lethal Outbreak is available to purchase by itself and I'm sure Collision Course will be soon, as well.

Lethal Outbreak by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry

A prehistoric virus has just been discovered in Tibet and has already infected a village. It's highly contagious and spreading fast. Virus hunter Aiden Ballinger has taken a sample of the virus to DC to study it but someone with a sinister agenda wants it for a bioweapon and is doing everything in their power to steal it, even going so far as killing for it. Can Aiden and epidemiologist Rachel Allen stop them before this becomes a worldwide pandemic?

This was an incredibly thrilling read that filled me with so much anxiety and had me feverishly clicking through the pages. The characters were dealing with an extremely time-sensitive issue, so the intensity was high and the danger just kept escalating. The romance felt a little rushed to me but other than that, I greatly enjoyed this exciting suspense.

4 stars

Amazon / Goodreads

Collision Course by Elizabeth Goddard

FBI Agent Reg was on a high-profile case when he was in a motorcycle accident that wiped out part of his memory. Sidelined from his job with a TBI, he's back home with his grandmother for the time being. PI Nicole is working on an art theft case and eager to get it done so she can work the new lead she has on her dad's murder. Reg and Nicole cross paths when they're targeted by a gunman. They both have enemies who want them dead, but which one of them is the bad guy after?

From the very first chapter, this story puts you right in the middle of the action. A lot was going on, which made for an exciting, yet chaotic read. I wasn't a huge fan of the romance either, but it was a compelling read, nonetheless. I was eager to find out who the actual target was and why.

3 stars

Goodreads

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman

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 Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman, a dual timeline that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was such a riveting read.

About the Book

Can a Legacy of Sadness be Broken at the Menger Hotel?

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

Young widow Hedda Krause checks into the Menger Hotel in 1915 with a trunk full of dresses, a case full of jewels, and enough cash to pay for a two-month stay, which she hopes will be long enough to meet, charm, and attach herself to a new, rich husband. Her plans are derailed when a ghostly apparition lures her into a long, dark hallway, and Hedda returns to her room to find her precious jewelry has been stolen. She falls immediately under a cloud of suspicion with her haunting tale, but true ghost enthusiasts bring her expensive pieces of jewelry in an attempt to lure the ghost to appear again.

In 2017, Dini Blackstone is a fifth-generation magician, who performs at private parties, but she also gives ghost walk tours, narrating the more tragic historical events of San Antonio with familial affection. Above all, her favorite is the tale of Hedda Krause who, in Dini’s estimation, succeeded in perpetrating the world’s longest con, dying old and wealthy from her ghost story. But then Dini meets Quinn Carmichael, great-great-grandson of the detective who originally investigated Hedda’s case, who’s come to the Alamo City with a box full of clues that might lead to Hedda’s exoneration. Can Dini see another side of the story that is worthy of God’s grace?

Book Beginnings

The tour ended where it began - in the courtyard of the Alamo, the fortress bathed in white lights, flags snapping in the night sky. Standing still after the nearly four-mile walk, Dini Blackstone felt the chill. The Victorian-esque costume she wore to lead the two-hour walking Alamo Haunting Spirits Ghost Tour of downtown San Antonio gave little warmth.

Friday 56

"Your story about going to Paragon Treasures, I'm afraid, isn't going to do your case any good." He opened his notebook and proceeded to read off a list of names, looking up as he finished. "No record of you, Mrs. Krause."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Solstice Countdown (SPI Files #7) by Lisa Shearin

About the Book

As an agent of Supernatural Protection & Investigations (SPI), I know that evil doesn’t take a vacation, but this time it made an exception and followed me on mine.

I’m Makenna Fraser, seer for SPI, and I’m taking my boyfriend, goblin dark mage Rake Danescu, home for the holidays to meet my family.

Weird Sisters is a small town in the North Carolina mountains that was built on a network of ley lines that magnify psychic and paranormal energies. It doesn’t show up on Google Maps, was named after the three witches in Macbeth, and the first word of the town name perfectly describes most of its human and supernatural citizens.

A stranger has come to town, bringing with him a dormant source of primordial evil. Soon, magically gifted locals start vanishing, and the power of the ley lines is turned against us, cutting us off from the outside world and any source of help.

For a town and its people steeped in magic, and my family sworn to protect both, it’s a race against time to use a local winter solstice phenomenon to free the town from its prison. But first, I must trust a father I’ve never known to fight and defeat an awakening evil that’s existed since the beginning of time. If we fail, and it is unleashed, the world will not survive.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

The Solstice Countdown was another excellent addition to the SPI Files.

This has been such a great urban fantasy series and, just like the previous installments, this book definitely brought the laughs, along with lots of action and life-or-death moments. It was just an all-around great read.

I loved visiting Mac's hometown of Weird Sisters, meeting the residents, and getting to know Mac's family. They were such an amusing set of characters. I'd love a spin-off series featuring them. I imagine it would be so much fun!

There were some very exciting, and game-changing, events that happened here and I'm eager to see where things go in the next one. If you're a fan of urban fantasy, I highly recommend this series. Start with the first one and you'll be hooked.

Four Stars

Can't Wait Wednesday: No Unturned Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #2) by David James Warren

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 No Unturned Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #2) by David James Warren releasing April 6.

About the Book

“The One Rule Is, Don’t Mess With The Past”

But he did, and now ex-detective Rembrandt Stone is reaping the devastation of ignoring those words when he traveled back in time to solve the one case that had haunted his dreams.

Yes, he solved the crime. Yes, he saved lives. But Rembrandt returns to find the unthinkable has happened and his life has shattered.

There’s only one answer: break the rule again. Go back in time once more, fix what went wrong, save what went right, and yeah, in his spare time solve another brutal crime.

But it’s not so easy to change time, especially when time turns you into a target. And of course there’s the strong possibility if he goes again, he’ll never get back.

Get ready for your mind to be blown in Book 2 of the time-travel suspense series, The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing as DAVID JAMES WARREN.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1) by Gail Carriger

About the Book

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

Soulless had been languishing on my TBR list for way too long and I'm so glad I finally read it. It was so much fun!

The world building was great. I love a steampunk setting and when you add supernatural elements, I'm even more stoked. Here we have vampires, werewolves and ghosts. They're not hiding in the shadows, but are very much known to the public and are a vital part of society. The vampires in this book are very interesting and rather different from what I'd previously read. They group together in “hives” and have a somewhat bee-like structure to their society. It's all very intriguing. The werewolves and ghosts were pretty much what I expected them to be though.

Alexia was a hilarious and all-round fun heroine to read about. She always had a perfectly-timed witty or sarcastic comment for everything. Her and Lord Maccon were perfect for each other. Their banter was entertaining and their chemistry was off the charts! And I can't forget to mention Lord Akeldama. My favorite character, he definitely stole the scene every time he showed up.

I'm very eager to check out book two to see what happens next.

NOTE: This is not a clean read. It does contain some extra steamy scenes.

Four Stars

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Solstice Countdown (SPI Files #7) by Lisa Shearin

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 Solstice Countdown (SPI Files #7) by Lisa Shearin. This is one of the most fun urban fantasy series I've ever read, so I was ecstatic to get my hands on this newest installment.

About the Book

As an agent of Supernatural Protection & Investigations (SPI), I know that evil doesn’t take a vacation, but this time it made an exception and followed me on mine.

I’m Makenna Fraser, seer for SPI, and I’m taking my boyfriend, goblin dark mage Rake Danescu, home for the holidays to meet my family.

Weird Sisters is a small town in the North Carolina mountains that was built on a network of ley lines that magnify psychic and paranormal energies. It doesn’t show up on Google Maps, was named after the three witches in Macbeth, and the first word of the town name perfectly describes most of its human and supernatural citizens.

A stranger has come to town, bringing with him a dormant source of primordial evil. Soon, magically gifted locals start vanishing, and the power of the ley lines is turned against us, cutting us off from the outside world and any source of help.

For a town and its people steeped in magic, and my family sworn to protect both, it’s a race against time to use a local winter solstice phenomenon to free the town from its prison. But first, I must trust a father I’ve never known to fight and defeat an awakening evil that’s existed since the beginning of time. If we fail, and it is unleashed, the world will not survive.

Book Beginnings

For a welcome change, I was doing what normal people did for the holidays.

I was going home to visit my family for Christmas and bringing my boyfriend to meet them.

That was where 'normal' screeched to a crashing halt.

Friday 56

Agnes Millicent Fraser, matriarch of both the Fraser family and the town of Weird Sisters, had decided what she was going to do, and no one with a lick of sense was about to change her mind.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Wide Starlight by Nicole Lesperance

About the Book

The Hazel Wood meets The Astonishing Color of After in this dreamy, atmospheric novel that follows sixteen-year-old Eli as she tries to remember what truly happened the night her mother disappeared off a glacier in Norway under the Northern Lights.

Never whistle at the Northern Lights, the story goes, or they'll sweep down from the sky and carry you away.

Sixteen-year-old Eline Davis knows it's true. She was there ten years ago, on a frozen fjord in Svalbard, Norway, the night her mother whistled at the lights and then vanished.

Now Eli lives an ordinary life with her dad on Cape Cod. But when the Northern Lights are visible over the Cape for just one night, she can't resist the possibility of seeing her mother again. So she whistles—and it works. Her mother appears, with snowy hair, frosty fingertips and a hazy story of where she's been all these years. And she doesn't return alone.

Along with Eli's mother's reappearance come strange, impossible things. Narwhals swimming in Cape Cod Bay, meteorites landing in Eli's yard, and three shadowy princesses with ominous messages. It's all too much, too fast, and Eli pushes her mother away. She disappears again—but this time, she leaves behind a note that will send Eli on a journey across continents, to the northern tip of the world:

Find me where I left you.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

Once upon a time, in a green house at the top of the world, there lived a girl and her mother.

This was an absolutely beautiful story showcasing the love between mother and daughter. It was heartbreaking and emotional and oh so moving. I loved it.

I became fully immersed in this world. I was completely captivated by it. The author's writing style really made things come alive. Everything was so vivid. I didn't want to leave the pages of this stunning story.

This was a great blend of contemporary, magical realism, and Norwegian folklore. It's one of my favorite reads of the year so far, and I'm definitely gonna be on the lookout for more from this author. Highly recommended!

Five Stars

Can't Wait Wednesday: All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese

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 All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese releasing April 6. I've only read one book from this author but am hoping to remedy that soon. I've got quite a few of her books on my TBR list and this one is getting added too. It sounds like a very thought-provoking read.

About the Book

Molly McKenzie's bright personality and on-trend fashion and beauty advice have earned her an impressive social media following, as well as a big paycheck each month. When her manager-turned-boyfriend says she has an audition to appear as a host on a makeover show that nominates underprivileged youth, her dream of further fame seems to be coming true. There's just one catch: she has little experience interacting with people in need.

When her manager-boyfriend convinces her to partner with a local organization, she begins volunteering with a summer youth program. The program's director, Silas Whittaker, challenges her at every turn, but she swiftly grows more attached to the kids--and him--every day.

As Molly experiences an acceptance unlike anything she's known, she wrestles with the lies she's been believing about herself for years. She thought she knew what mattered most in life, but maybe she's had it wrong this whole time, and there's more to being truly seen than what she's built her entire life on.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Shock and Awe (Lantern Beach Guardians #2) by Christy Barritt

About the Book
They thought the worst was over—but they were wrong.

When Police Chief Cassidy Chambers arrives at a grisly crime scene, she’s shocked at where the evidence leads. Then the threats start coming. Threats against her. Threats that could upend her life.

As more clues are uncovered, a sinister plot is revealed, and Cassidy fears the little girl in her care may be tangled in a deadly scheme. Cassidy and her husband, Ty, will do anything to protect the child, each other, and the island. But what happens when they might not be able to save all three?

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this second installment of the Lantern Beach Guardians series. It hooked me right from the first sentence. The intrigue and danger kept building until the exciting conclusion.

I'd definitely recommend reading book one before this one. Although there's a new self-contained mystery here, it does tie back heavily into the mystery from the first book.

I'm very eager to find out how things turn out in the next book, the conclusion to this series. I can't wait!

Four Stars

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Wide Starlight by Nicole Lesperance

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 Wide Starlight by Nicole Lesperance. It's such an emotional, heartbreaking, yet beautiful read. I loved it.

About the Book

The Hazel Wood meets The Astonishing Color of After in this dreamy, atmospheric novel that follows sixteen-year-old Eli as she tries to remember what truly happened the night her mother disappeared off a glacier in Norway under the Northern Lights.

Never whistle at the Northern Lights, the story goes, or they'll sweep down from the sky and carry you away.

Sixteen-year-old Eline Davis knows it's true. She was there ten years ago, on a frozen fjord in Svalbard, Norway, the night her mother whistled at the lights and then vanished.

Now Eli lives an ordinary life with her dad on Cape Cod. But when the Northern Lights are visible over the Cape for just one night, she can't resist the possibility of seeing her mother again. So she whistles—and it works. Her mother appears, with snowy hair, frosty fingertips and a hazy story of where she's been all these years. And she doesn't return alone.

Along with Eli's mother's reappearance come strange, impossible things. Narwhals swimming in Cape Cod Bay, meteorites landing in Eli's yard, and three shadowy princesses with ominous messages. It's all too much, too fast, and Eli pushes her mother away. She disappears again—but this time, she leaves behind a note that will send Eli on a journey across continents, to the northern tip of the world:

Find me where I left you.

Book Beginnings

You're not allowed to be born or to die on Svalbard.

Friday 56

Mormor isn't in her apartment when my dad and I stumble downstairs the next morning, jet-lagged and off-kilter, but there's a steaming loaf of fresh bread on her kitchen table beside a plate of brown cheese. Tucked under the plate is a note:

Help yourselves. Don't share with the newlyweds.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory #3) by Elizabeth Camden

About the Book

Luke Delacroix has the reputation of a charming man-about-town in Gilded Age Washington, DC. In reality, he is secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission is to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world.

But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented access to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.

Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

What a great ending to this awesome series! The Prince of Spies was another fantastic historical romance from Elizabeth Camden.

One of the things I love most about Camden's books is the fact that they're filled with little known historical facts. And I love that it's always presented in a way that makes me want to learn more about the subject. It always takes me longer to read one of her books because I'm constantly looking up information about the subject and trying to learn as much as I can about it. I love it when a book can make history fun.

Similar to book one, The Prince of Spies takes a look at the food industry in the early 1900s. This time around we're introduced to the Poison Squad. I had no knowledge of the Squad beforehand so learning about them was extremely interesting. A group of brave young men put their lives on the line as human test subjects to ensure food safety. They were fed countless amounts of harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, borax, benzoate, salicylic acid, etc. These chemicals were routinely used in food production and the Poison Squad was testing to see if they were safe to eat and what the side effects might be. They were crusaders in the fight for food safety and I'm forever grateful for what they did.

There's a bit of a Romeo and Juliet feel to this book. The Delacroix and Magruder families had been feuding for decades. To say there was bad blood between them is an understatement. So even though there was an attraction between Luke and Marianne, a relationship between the two seemed like it was destined for failure.

I've loved Luke since book one and I was so excited to get his story. He's a wild and restless soul but the very best guy out there. He's just an all-around good, upstanding, God-fearing man fighting for what's right.

Marianne... Oh where do I begin? I struggled with a lot of her decisions. I could understand where she was coming from but there were times I wanted to shake some sense into her and tell her to open her eyes and see the truth about her family. The Magruders absolutely infuriated me. They were downright despicable at times and I wanted her as far away from them as possible.

I've greatly enjoyed my time with the Delacroix family and am sad to say goodbye to them. If you're a fan of historical fiction, this series is a must read. These books are top-notch, impeccably researched romances. I can't recommend them highly enough.

Four Stars

Can't Wait Wednesday: Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham

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 Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham releasing April 1.

About the Book

Uncover the Story Behind a One-Hundred-Year-Old Love Letter

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in Derbyshire, England, Clara seeks to uncover truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: This Life (Murphy Brothers Story #4) by Jennifer Rodewald

About the Book

They’ve been stripped of everything but a refurbished bus and each other. And it might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them.

Jacob Murphy always felt like the invisible brother…until he fell in love with and married the woman who dated his younger brother. Then he became the despised brother. Driven to prove himself worthy of respect, he gambled everything on becoming the successful brother, but with his property speculation business falling apart, he’s ready to admit defeat. He’s lost nearly every worldly good he’s acquired, and after years of disappointments and heartache, it looks like his marriage is about to go the same way.

Kate Murphy lied her way out of life in a trailer park—a life she felt both trapped in and ashamed of. Only Jacob knows the truth about her background. But keeping up appearances has slowly strangled her life and relationships, and even her marriage has become strained at best. In desperation, she makes a plan to escape from it all—ironically, in a skoolie. But there’s still a tender place in her heart for the man she married, and in a moment of compassion, she offers to take Jacob with her.

Stripped of pride and pretension and struggling to adjust to their new 160 square-foot mobile lifestyle, Jacob and Kate are forced to confront the deception, hurt, and loneliness that have plagued them both. Will their strained circumstances be the death knell for their marriage, or will they allow humility to usher in the healing they need to rebuild?

This Life is a tender love story of second chances in marriage, of romance and redemption.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

“God sometimes pries our fingers from the things we clutch the hardest so that we have open hands to receive what He longs to give us.”

This was another fantastic contemporary romance from Jennifer Rodewald. I absolutely loved this faith-stirring novel of hope, redemption, and new beginnings. 

I was never overly fond of Jacob and Kate in the previous books but this story completely flipped my opinion of them. I saw a completely new side to them as they faced some seriously daunting challenges. I admired their grit and determination and was rooting so hard for their success.

I love how Rodewald always puts God at the center of her novels. She's so good at showcasing His mighty love, at showing that no matter how hard life gets, He's always right there with us.

All of the books in this series have been excellent but I think this one just might be my favorite. If you're a fan of this genre, I highly recommend picking up a copy. You won't regret it.

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

Five Stars

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory #3) by Elizabeth Camden

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 Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory #3) by Elizabeth Camden. It's another fascinating historical romance from Camden. It was so interesting reading about the Poison Squad. I'd never heard of them before, but I'm so thankful for all they did in making our food safer.

About the Book

Luke Delacroix has the reputation of a charming man-about-town in Gilded Age Washington, DC. In reality, he is secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission is to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world.

But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented access to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.

Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?

Book Beginnings

January 1902

Marianne ventured farther onto the frozen river despite people warning her against it. "Don't do it, ma'am!" someone shouted. "You're going to fall through the ice!"

Friday 56

By evening Luke was feeling better. Everyone on the Poison Squad was given a reprieve from chemically treated food for the rest of the week. The last vestige of the headache was a painful reminder of what polluted food could do to a man, and it strengthened his resolve to push for government regulation of these chemicals.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Eyes of Tamburah (Archives of the Invisible Sword #1) by Maria V. Snyder

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...

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

Wow, where do I even begin? I'm a huge Maria V. Snyder fan so I was beyond excited to finally get my hands on a copy of this book. It was released in Australia over a year ago but not here in the US. Talk about torture! It was well worth the wait though. It's fantastic. I think it's her best work since the Study Series. Which is saying a lot because I've LOVED everything I've read by her.

Like I've come to expect from Snyder, the world-building was spectacular. It's so complex and detailed, yet explained in a way that's easy to visualize and understand. The underground city of Zirdai was so interesting with all the different levels, people, and secrets.

The characters were fantastic, as well. Just as complex and detailed as the world-building. Shyla was such a great leading lady. So strong and fierce despite all the challenges she faced. And the growth she displayed from the beginning of the story to the end was striking. I loved seeing her come into her own and embrace who she really was. The rest of the characters were great too. There were times I didn't know who to trust. Times when I didn't know who the good guys were or what their motivations were. But trying to figure all that out was part of the fun.

This was a fast paced read. I wanted to fly through the pages but I made myself slowdown to savor it as long as I could. I wanted to spend as much time in this world and with these characters as possible. I didn't want it to end. If you're a fantasy fan, this book is a must read. I highly recommend it and can't wait for book two.

NOTE: This book does contain some strong language.

Five Stars

Can't Wait Wednesday: Before Time Runs Out (Charles & Company Romance, #1) by Amy Matayo

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 Before Time Runs Out (Charles & Company Romance, #1) by Amy Matayo releasing March 9.

About the Book

Graduate student Bree Sanders is failing the one class she needs to get her degree. So when her professor gives her an ultimatum—ace her dissertation or risk having to repeat her final semester—she knows she has to pull out all the stops. After scrambling for an idea, she decides to create her own Ghost Club, a club that blames ghosts for unsolved crimes, the same type of club originally founded two centuries ago by Charles Dickens.

What she doesn’t expect is to find an original copy of one of Dickens’ early works, or to be transplanted into Dickens’s actual ghost club meeting, circa 1870, the instant she picks it up.

When Bree shows up in nineteenth-century England wearing cut-offs and an old t-shirt, her only option is to hide. The Cambridge of 1870 won’t look kindly on a woman dressed like her. So, when Theodore Keyes finds her tucked behind a bookcase at the Trinity College library and immediately demands to know where she came from, she knows he doesn’t belong here either. Turns out she’s right; the same book caused him to time-travel from 1947 almost three months ago and he’s been stuck in England since.

Together, the two vow to work side-by-side in their search for the lost book that will take them home. But as their feelings for one another deepen, Theo and Bree are caught between a desire to return to the lives they each left behind, and the knowledge that if they find the book, they won’t be able to leave together.

In the end, they each must decide which sacrifice is worth making—the one that will cost them their hearts, or the one that could cost them their very existence.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Antiheroes (A Phoenix Fiction Writers Anthology)

About the Book

Seven science fiction and fantasy stories about antiheroes:

-A man determined to get justice for his family, no matter the cost
-A gynoid with two conflicting programming directives
-A teenage boy determined to protect the people who have become his friends
-A monster slayer who is not everything she appears to be
-A young cyborg who makes an unthinkable choice in hopes of a better future
-A mischievous shopkeeper trying to stay one step ahead of trouble
-A blood hunter who discovers a lie that will change the course of her life

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

Antiheroes was another fantastic speculative fiction anthology from the Phoenix Fiction Writers. If you're a fan of the genre, I highly recommend it.

The Wolf at the Door by Kyle Robert Shultz – Beasts and monsters roam the Black Forest and Wilhelmina Grimm arrives to fight them. But is she really the hero come to save the day, or a vicious monster in disguise? I LOVED this story. The intro was hilarious but the story itself was a bit creepy and had some dark undertones. It was a very compelling read. I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read by this author and am eager to read even more. 5 stars

Vengeance Hunter by Hannah Heath – This was a unique and fresh take on vampires. I couldn't get enough of it and would love to visit this world again. Blood Hunters are given a list of criminals by the Guild. Their task is to hunt them down, kill them, and take their blood to feed their starving communities. But Hunter Ishtaka starts noticing that the criminals aren't acting very “criminal” at all. Something sinister is going on and Ishtaka is about to find out just what it is. 5 stars

The Word Thrower by Beth Wangler – After hearing of nefarious goings on at another Academy, Word Thrower student Dax goes undercover to investigate what's really going on. I loved the whole concept of word throwing. It was so fascinating. I wish the story had been just a little bit longer, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless. 4 stars

The Astoundingly Mortal Peril of Denna Dorwen by Nate Philbrik – After a rather unfortunate accident destroyed priceless books and scrolls, Denna has been paying the Iron Gleaners nearly her every cent to fix the damage she did. But her next payment is due and she doesn't have a spare iron to save herself. What's she to do but get the money by any means necessary. All the while, finding herself in increasingly ridiculous situations. This was absolute sheer fun. Totally ridiculous, but it did make me laugh on numerous occasions. 3.5 stars

Stealing Freedom by J.E. Purrazzi – A sequel to Purrazzi's story Stealing Life that was in the Undone anthology, this cyberpunk tale pulled me in and refused to let go. I loved revisiting this world. It was definitely more character driven than the previous one, but just as good (maybe even better). Koya has made it to America, having gotten away from the evil and corrupt Bakemono Corporation. He's finally found freedom, or so he believes. But he just can't seem to escape the many corporations and finds himself in another one's sights. When they task him with an unthinkable job, he wonders if this is any better than what he originally escaped from. 4.5 stars

Gynoid by K.L. + Pierce – This was quite an interesting read with a unique concept. It was a little confusing at times though. I think a longer format would've benefited it well and made it easier to understand the different organizations and their conflicting agendas. It dealt with some intriguing moral dilemmas and emotional conflicts that did keep me turning the pages. I wouldn't mind reading a longer story set in this world. 3 stars

Striker by E.B. Dawson – Danny's out for revenge for what happened to his family and will do anything necessary to achieve it, even sacrificing himself to the notorious Striker program. Danny had very strong motivations for doing what he was planning and it was thrilling to read the lead up to it's possible completion. It always amazes me how much story Dawson can pack into such a small space. She's quickly becoming one of my favorites. 4.5 stars

Four Stars