Thursday, December 30, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Crime Strikes a Chord (The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. 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 Crime Strikes a Chord (The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt, an entertaining cozy mystery.

About the Book
With Christmas fast approaching and Grand Isle Music Conservatory’s big show to oversee, Camryn Paine has plenty to keep her occupied. Add a request to locate a stolen—and possibly cursed—Stradivari violin into the mix, and she fears it’s more than she can handle. After some pressure from her boss, Camryn agrees to investigate.

Things take an alarming turn when a suspect is found dead. Then someone from Camryn’s past appears with a secret that turns her world upside down. Suddenly, her busy Christmas seems perilous as well.

The more clues Camryn uncovers, the deeper she sinks into danger. With the holidays upon her, and both her past and future feeling uncertain, Camryn knows she can’t rest until she has answers. But the cost may be more than she’s willing to pay.

Book Beginnings
Had my husband been cheating on me?

Friday 56
I was just glad that I didn't have to be around Zeke for any extended period of time today. I was certain things would be awkward between us, and awkward wasn't my favorite emotion.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Lost in Darkness (Of Monsters and Men) by Michelle Griep

About the Book
Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.

Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?


MY THOUGHTS

I had high hopes for this novel and I'm happy to say it lived up to my expectations. Exceeded them, even. Frankenstein is one of my favorite classics and this story was a great homage to it. This gothic tale was dark at times, but it was also brimming full of hope and love. It was such a thought-provoking read. I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.

I became so wrapped up in this story that the real world faded away and I felt as though I was right there back in 1815 England with these wonderfully endearing and realistic characters. All the characters, even the despicable villain, were fully fleshed out and three-dimensional. Colin has to be one of my favorite characters in recent memory. He'd faced a lot in his life, been dealt a hard blow, but he was such a good guy, so kind. I hoped, prayed, wished so desperately for a good outcome for him.

I can't say enough good things about this novel. It's one of the best books I've read this year. I highly, highly recommend it and am eager to read more from Michelle Griep.

I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday: Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson

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 Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson releasing January 11.

About the Book
Amelia Pembroke is in a unique position in Regency England: She can obtain financial freedom. But in order to do so, she must marry one of two gentlemen. The trouble is, she might be falling in love with another man entirely.

1819, Kent, England—Everything changed the moment Amelia became heiress to Moorington Cross. A young widow and patient at Cluett’s Mesmeric Hospital, Amelia is stunned to learn that her doctor—and the only father figure she’s ever known—has altered his will naming her his primary beneficiary. Such an opportunity is beyond what any Regency-era woman could dare to dream—especially one with a sleeping disorder that finds her falling asleep at the most random of times.

There is, however, a perplexing condition attached to the will: she must wed one of two named men, wholly unknown to her. Doing so would provide her with a secure future. But how can she marry one of these men when her heart is intrigued by the charming solicitor, Mr. Hawkins?

Everything takes on a new sense of urgency—and danger—when Mr. Cluett is found dead in his bedchamber only hours after announcing his updated will. Now Amelia only has thirty days to decide which man she will marry. But she is just as determined to uncover the truth of her benefactor’s demise with the help of Mr. Hawkins. After all, this sudden turn of events couldn’t merely be a coincidence—could it?

From award-winning author Abigail Wilson, Twilight at Moorington Cross is a mysterious Regency romance full of intrigue, mesmeric treatments, and abandoned corridors that proves love is the greatest testament of all.


What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Monday, December 27, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I Read In 2021


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 super excited to share with y'all the best books I've read this year! Like always, I couldn't narrow it down to just ten, so there are a few extras here. Also, the links lead to my review, in case you're curious about my full thoughts on the books. :D

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The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman

(This is probably my favorite dual timeline I've ever read. Both timelines were compelling and I'm still thinking about this story today. I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could.)

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?

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

(Star of Persia really expanded the story of Esther and helped me see things in a new light. I absolutely loved this one.)

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.

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The Wide Starlight by Nicole Lesperance

(This was an absolutely beautiful story showcasing the love between mother and daughter. It was heartbreaking and emotional and oh so moving. It's a great blend of contemporary, magical realism, and Norwegian folklore.
 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.

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When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

(Sarah Sundin never disappoints and this book is my favorite from her yet. It was fascinating getting a look at what it was like in Germany at the start of the war.)

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.

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Secrets She Knew by D.L. Wood

(This had one of the most shocking twists I've ever encountered. I'm still thinking about it today. I had to take a small break from reading mysteries after this one because they just couldn't live up to it.)

About the Book
Boston police detective Dani Lake dreads returning to her small hometown of Skye, Alabama, for her ten-year high school reunion--and not just for the normal reasons.

At only fifteen, Dani tragically discovered the body of her murdered classmate, setting in motion the process that led to the unjust conviction of her dear friend and an unshakable burden of guilt she carries to this day. So when new evidence surfaces during her trip home which suggests the truth Dani’s always suspected, she embarks on a mission to expose the real killer, aided by Skye police detective Chris Newton--who happens to be the man Dani’s best friend is dying to set her up with, and also the only person who believes her.

But when Dani pushes too hard, someone pushes back, endangering Dani and those closest to her as she unearths secrets deeper and darker than she ever expected to learn—secrets that may bring the truth to light, if they don’t get her killed first.

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A Dream within a Dream by Mike Nappa and Melissa Kosci

(I loved the first two books in this series, so I was ecstatic to finally read this long-awaited third installment. It did not disappoint. Loved catching up with these characters.)

About the Book
Trudi Coffey only realizes that she hasn't seen Samuel Hill in weeks when the FBI shows up asking questions about him. After a strange encounter with an armed man demanding her help and an attack by a member of the Boston mob looking for someone named Dream, Trudi manages to find Samuel--or rather, he finds her. He's made some pretty powerful enemies, but right now his full attention is on protecting Dream from the mob. Because Dream has something they want--the map to the location of artwork stolen from the Gardener Museum during the infamous 1990 heist.

With danger closing in from all sides, Trudi and Samuel will have to call on all of their allies to keep Dream safe and discover the identity of the people who have been hunting down Samuel. The real questions are whom can they trust? And who will make it out of this thing alive?

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False Prophet (Windy Ridge Legal Thriller #4) by Rachel Dylan

(I was super excited about this new installment in one of my favorite series. It's just as good as I remember the previous ones being. It's been a few years since I read book three, but I was able to dive right back in. I love these characters and am so invested in the fight for Windy Ridge.)

About the Book
When an arsonist destroys Windy Ridge Community Church, Pastor Dan is shaken to the core. He calls on attorney Olivia Murray and her boyfriend Grant Baxter to help secure a place for worship services. Shockingly, the City of Windy Ridge denies the church’s application to use the civic center, and Olivia brings a lawsuit to protect the church’s constitutional rights.

During this already challenging time for the Windy Ridge community, an outside pastor decides to open a place of worship within the city limits. People begin flocking to the young charismatic preacher especially since Windy Ridge Community Church lost its building. Olivia worries that this new and radical approach to faith will lead people astray, but with each passing day, his popularity continues to grow.

When the police make a surprise arrest in the church arson, the battle lines are drawn across Windy Ridge. Alliances are shaken and relationships are tested like they’ve never been before. The forces of darkness are working overtime to shake the faith of the believers. Can Olivia and Grant stand up for their faith and prevail in the battle of good versus evil?

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Plot Twist by Bethany Turner

(Bethany Turner is my go-to author for rom-coms. She always makes me laugh and keeps a smile on my face. Plot Twist was crazy-good fun! Probably my favorite Turner book so far!)

About the Book
An aspiring screenwriter has a chance encounter with an actor on his way to an audition. Over the next ten years, she’ll write the story . . . but will he end up being the star?

February 4, 2003, is just another day for Olivia Ross—a greeting card writer whose passion project is a screenplay of her own. After she and a handsome, struggling actor have a near-magic encounter in a coffee shop, they make a spontaneous pact: in ten years, after they’ve found the success they’re just sure they’re going to achieve, they’ll return to the coffeehouse to partner up and make a film together. The only problem? Olivia neglected to get the stranger’s name. But she doesn’t forget the date.

For the next ten years, every February 4, Olivia has an exceptional day, full of coincidences and ironies. As men come and go and return to her life, and as she continues to write her screenplay, she still wonders about the guy from the coffee shop—the nameless actor she’s almost certain was Hamish McDougal, now a famous member of the Hollywood elite.

But a lot can happen in ten years, and while waiting for the curtain to rise on her fate, the true story of Olivia’s life is being written—and if she’s not careful, she’ll completely miss the epic romance playing out right before her eyes.

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Stubborn Love (Murphy Brothers #5) by Jennifer Rodewald

(I could've picked any one of the books Rodewald released this year. They were all fantastic 5 star reads and are some of the best books I've read this year. They're so emotional, authentic, and faith filled. But for the sake of space, I'm just posting this one.)

About the Book
Their love survived his accident, but can it survive the long, hard road to recovery?

Tyler Murphy had his life all planned out: finish college, go back to Sugar Pine as his dad’s able-bodied business partner, and most importantly, marry Rebecca Colson. But a fall from a roof leaves him less than able-bodied, and the pain he suffers as a result goes beyond the physical. Wrestling with his new disability seems manageable only by way of the pharmacy. Which is fine…until the refills run out and he’s denied a new prescription.

Rebecca Colson can’t wait for the day she’ll finally become Mrs. Rebecca Murphy. Tyler’s accident and resulting amputation are traumatic hurdles on the road to marital bliss but nothing they can’t overcome together—until Rebecca stumbles onto Tyler’s secret and approaches his family for help. Suddenly, the love of her life turns cold. In his eyes, her betrayal is unforgivable, and just like that, their hopes and dreams disintegrate.

Becca finds herself facing a future she doesn’t recognize—one where each step forward is a step away from the future she’d planned with Tyler. When a recovered Tyler finally seeks her out, he’s not sure he deserves another chance with her—not after the way he broke her heart. Becca is equally uncertain that Tyler has room in his new, very different life, for her. Is it too late to restore their relationship, or will their stubborn love forge a new path for a future together?

Stubborn Love is book 5 in the Murphy Brothers Stories; Christian novels full of romance and redemption. Don't miss this family of seven brothers as they navigate through life, faith, and love.

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On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright

(This was another winner from Jaime Jo Wright. If you're in the mood for an atmospheric, gothic dual timeline, check out her books. This is right up there with Echoes among the Stones as my favorite from her.)

About the Book
1885.
Adria Fontaine has been sent to recover goods her father pirated on the Great Lakes during the war. But when she arrives at Foxglove Manor--a stone house on a cliff overlooking Lake Superior--Adria senses wickedness hovering over the property. The mistress of Foxglove is an eccentric and seemingly cruel old woman who has filled her house with dangerous secrets, ones that may cost Adria her life.

Present day.
Kailey Gibson is a new nurse's aide at a senior home in a renovated old stone manor. Kidnapped as a child, she has nothing but locked-up memories of secrets and death, overshadowed by the chilling promise from her abductors that they would return. When the residents of Foxglove start sharing stories of whispers in the night, hidden treasure, and a love willing to kill, it becomes clear this home is far from a haven. She'll have to risk it all to banish the past's demons, including her own.

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Songs in the Night by Laura Frances

(I absolutely loved this book from a new-to-me author. The writing was so beautiful and descriptive. It's set in a brutal world full of many evils and touched upon some heavy subjects with grace, shining a light on the brutality of these atrocities without being graphic.)

About the Book
From the author of The Slave Series...

Book one in a series of short novels...

What would they do if I screamed…if the force of my voice ripped these walls to shreds?

Thirteen years have passed since five-year-old Eris crossed the border into Omaria, finding shelter among a wary band of drifters. But Sithian slaves are branded like cattle, and the scars across her palms serve only to alienate her from the people she once trusted for protection.

After word reaches the forest of a violent Sithian attack in the northern regions, and fearful rumors of sorcery hum on the air, Eris is blamed when a night of violent sickness sweeps through camp.

Forced to flee for her life into unfamiliar land, Eris once again finds herself at the mercy of cruel men. Captured by traders and imprisoned in a cage, she determines to do whatever it takes to protect a fragile, sick woman chained to the bars.

But as they draw close to the border and hope of escape fades, a frightening power rises within Eris, fueled by the bitter grief warring in her heart. The scars across her palms burn, and Eris fears she may be becoming the very thing the king’s knights vow to destroy: a diavok cursed for evil.

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Unleashing Fire (Fallen Legacies #3) by Julie Hall

(This was such an epic conclusion to this awesome series. I experienced pretty much every emotion you could think of, and I loved every second!)

About the Book
The world will ignite and so will I.

The Forsaken hunger for vengeance, leaving Steel and I with no choice but to follow Camiel to the only place strong enough to protect me — Eden, an ancient, hidden city darkened by my family’s secrets.

But Eden isn’t the safe haven I expected, and family runs deeper than blood.

As Thorne grows stronger by the day, his Fallen forces threaten to raze London — and then the world — to cinders. In order to stop him, the entire angelic community has to unite, but ancient feuds and millennia of prejudice put everything at risk.

My heart knows where I belong — fighting besides my loved ones — but I have a secret that could doom them all. There’s a dark power growing inside me, hellish and spiraling beyond my control.

The realms have merged. The darkness calls to me. And there's only one thing standing in my way... Steel.

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Between Decisions (The City Between #8) by W.R. Gingell

(This is my favorite urban fantasy series at the moment and this book finally delivered on some long-awaited answers. Oh my goodness, what a doozy! It just about wrecked me!)

About the Book
Life is complicated.

I mean, life has always been complicated, but there’s a difference between monsters-are-trying-to-kill-you complications and monsters-are-in-love-with-you complications. I’m still not sure which is more dangerous.

G’day. I’m Pet. Two-thirds of a pet, anyway: the vampire isn’t claiming ownership these days, but he’s definitely encroaching. On the list of other encroaching complications is the threat of heirling trials, a certain fae lord, and a mysterious librarian—not to mention the thing that’s killing people on Hobart’s waterfront…

One day, I’ll have a normal life. Today is not that day.

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Heart of Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #6) by David James Warren

(This was such an awesome conclusion to what's turned out to be my favorite series of the year. It's been an exciting and unpredictable adventure traveling through time with Rem. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and racing through the pages, hoping for a good outcome. There were so many twists and turns. Loved it!)

About the Book
Rembrandt Stone has nothing left to lose…or does he?

Detective Rembrandt Stone doesn’t recognize himself in the mirror. Doesn’t recognize the world he’s returned to. Doesn’t even know his own name. But he knows one thing…living in this world is impossible.

Good thing he has an ally—an unexpected friend from the past. And together, they just might be able to unravel the entire mess. But first…Rembrandt will have to return to the past one final time and intercept himself before he makes a lethal mistake.

Time has outwitted him. It’s time for him to outwit time. Can he reconstruct a past he just destroyed or is there nothing left of his world to save?

The explosive ending to the True Lies of Rembrandt Stone!

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Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep

(I just recently finished this one and will have my review up this Thursday. But what a way to end the year! This gothic tale was dark at times, but it was also brimming full of hope and love. It was such a thought-provoking read. I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.)

About the Book
Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.

Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

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What have been some of your favorite books this year?

A Couple of Villains Ever After Reviews: The Baker and the Wolf & Carabosse and the Spindle Spell

About the Book
A mysterious stranger, an enchantress grandmother, and an overprotective mother. Can Cerise trust any of them?

Cerise DuBois might as well be invisible. Not even her scarlet cloak attracts male interest, and her mother begins to despair of snaring a husband for a boring middle daughter with no magic ability. If not for her baking talents, Cerise would be a hopeless burden on the family.

Or so she believes until a dark man with eyes like gold appears in the family bakery to deliver an invitation from a grandmother she has never met . . . and real trouble begins. What if everything Cerise believes about herself and her family is false?

Unlike other men, the stranger gives Cerise his undivided attention, yet he has a habit of vanishing when she needs him most—for example, when a huge black dog (surely it can’t be a wolf) follows her through the city park.

Worst of all, he claims that if she follows the magical path to her enchantress grandmother’s cottage, her entire world will change. Should Cerise trust this fascinating foreign mage, or will he eat her alive?

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

This was a sweet Little Red Riding Hood retelling that kept a smile on my face. The romance moved a little fast for my liking, but it is a novella, so that's not all that surprising. I loved the baking aspects of the story. All the yummy desserts made my mouth water and stomach growl.

I will say that while I was reading it, I was completely into the story and enjoying it, but as soon as I put it down, there was no sense of urgency for me to get back to it anytime soon. It was a cute story, I just wasn't as invested in it, or the characters, as I wanted to be. I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes.

THREE STARS
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About the Book
Shy but magically talented, Princess Carabosse only wants to help her people as they face the looming threat of the Warlock King and his daughter, Aurora. Aurora was gifted from infancy with fairy blessings that make her the most lethal magic-user the world has seen in centuries . . . and she wants Cara’s kingdom.

The only hope for fighting off this deadly threat is the loyalty of the twelve Dragon Lords. They have sworn allegiance to the Briar Crown. But when the crown falls into Aurora’s clutches, who will the dragons serve?

Armed only with a humble spindle and a gift for spinning magic, Cara alone stands against the Warlock and his daughter. Will she find unexpected help from the twelfth Dragon Lord, handsome shape-shifter Torald? Or will the vows he swore to the Briar Crown force him to turn against Cara and serve the beautiful Aurora?

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting.

MY THOUGHTS

I've been wanting to try this author for a while now. I just didn't know where to start. All of her books sound so good. That's a bookworm's dilemma, though, lol! I'm glad I ended up picking this one. It's a standalone retelling of Sleeping Beauty based on the ballet, not the Disney movie we all know and love. I'm not familiar with the ballet version, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment one bit. It was so good! The magic system was intricate and so fascinating and the characters were great. I was surprised by how fully fleshed out and three-dimensional they were with such a short story. If you're a fan of retellings, I definitely recommend checking out this story. I'm excited to read more from this author.

FOUR STARS

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Cover Reveal: SHADOW ANGEL by Julie Hall and Leia Stone


I'm super excited to be part of the cover reveal for SHADOW ANGEL by Leia Stone and Julie Hall! Shadow Angel is a YA urban fantasy featuring angels and demons, a strong female lead, found family and a handful of hold-your-breath swoony moments. It releases January 21st, 2022 but is available for preorder now.


About the Book
From the moment I saw the shadows come to life, I knew my world would never be the same.

Yesterday I was a teenager waiting tables in Manhattan, and today, monsters exist and I can see them.

Overnight I’m thrown into the realm of the Watchers, a society of earthbound angels split into two factions: The Shades, whose powerful dark magic is given to them by the fallen angels, and the Lumens, whose abilities are bestowed on them by the archangels of Avalon.

They’re on opposite sides of a brutal war, and I only have a few days to pick which side I want to join. I’m ready to choose when the Shades force my hand by cursing someone I love.

The only hope I have of saving them rests on the broad shoulders of the prickliest Shade alive, Gage Alston. He’s cold, arrogant, and quite possibly the most attractive guy I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Do I trust him? No.
Do I need him? Yes.
Do I want to kiss him? Maybe.

Perhaps I’ll choose darkness after all.


BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Shadow Angel, Book One
Series: Shadow Angel
Authors: Julie Hall & Leia Stone
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: January 21st, 2022




Thursday, December 23, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Lost in Darkness (Of Monsters and Men) by Michelle Griep

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 Lost in Darkness (Of Monsters and Men) by Michelle Griep

About the Book
Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.

Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

Book Beginnings
London 1815
There was something glorious about the first day of June. The time of year when the earth exhaled a warm breath, coaxing tender shoots and delicate emotion. And for one blessed moment, Amelia Balfour surrendered to the wonder of it, lifting her face to the sunshine beaming through her bedroom window. Surely this was how heaven would feel.

Friday 56
Two days. Just two. And then what? An entirely new life? Or death on the operating table? Colin grimaced, hand on the door latch. Both presented their own dangers, each as perilous as striding outside right now and baring his face in public. Lord, he was weary of living in a cage. But most of all, he was weary of playing it safe. Hiding. Ever hiding.

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed holiday! 

Review: Aftermath by Terri Blackstock

About the Book
A devastating explosion.

Three best friends are at the venue to hear their favorite band. Only one makes it out alive.

A trunk full of evidence.

When police stop Dustin Webb with a warrant to search his trunk, he knows there’s been a mistake. He’s former military and owns a security firm. But he’s horrified when the officers find explosives, and he can’t fathom how they got there.

An attorney who will risk it all for an old friend.

Criminal attorney Jamie Powell was Dustin’s best friend growing up. They haven’t spoken since he left for basic training, but she’s the first person he thinks of when he’s arrested. Jamie knows she’s putting her career on the line by defending an accused terrorist, but she’d never abandon him. Someone is framing Dustin to take the fall for shocking acts of violence . . . but why?


MY THOUGHTS

This was an absolute thrill ride from beginning to end. It starts off with a literal bang when a bomb goes off at a presidential candidate's campaign rally, and things hardly let up from there.

It follows four different characters. Dustin, who's wrongly accused of being the bomber; Jamie, his old friend and lawyer; Taylor, a young woman who survived the bombing; and Travis, Dustin's business partner. When there are multiple POVs like that, I usually gravitate more towards one or two of them, but I found all four of them compelling, and each one held my full interest.

I forgot how much I enjoy Blackstock's books. They're always so engaging, fast-paced, and impossible to put down. This one was great, and I'm looking forward to reading whatever she releases next.

FOUR STARS

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday: Crimes and Covers (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #5) by Amanda Flower

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 Crimes and Covers (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #5) by Amanda Flower releasing January 11, 2022.

About the Book
Christmas is coming to the Western New York village of Cascade Springs, and so is the long-awaited wedding of Charming Books proprietor Violet Waverly and police chief David Rainwater. Grandma Daisy and Violet's best friend, Sadie, go all out to make the nuptials the event of the season--whether Violet likes it or not. But the reception becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons when a woman's dead body floats by on the frigid Niagara River.

Violet is shocked to recognize the deceased as a mysterious woman who visited Charming Books two days before the wedding, toting a rare first edition of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Well aware that a mint condition copy could be worth more than $14,000, Violet told the woman she would have to have the book appraised before she could consider buying it. Most displeased, the woman tucked the precious tome under her arm and stormed out of the shop. Now she's dead, and an enigmatic message scrawled in pen upon her palm reads, "They stole my book."

It's a confounding case, indeed. But fortunately, Violet can draw on the resources of her bookshop's magical consciousness, which communicates clues to Violet via quotes from Walden. With Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow at her side, Violet sets out to recover the priceless book by solving a murder most transcendental.


What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Monday, December 20, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Hope Santa Brings/Book Wishes


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.

Merry Christmas, y'all! I'm excited to participate today. This is gonna be so fun! Book Wishes was so popular when it was done in June that we’re doing it again for the holidays! List the top 10 books you’d love to own and include a link to your wishlist so that Santa can grant your wish. Make sure you link your wishlist to your mailing address or include the email address associated with your ereader in the list description, so people know how to get the book to you. After you post, jump around the Linky and grant a wish or two if you’d like. You can make your identity known or be someone’s secret Santa! Please don’t feel obligated to send anything to anyone! If you would rather not include your wish list, just share the books you hope you find under your tree on Christmas morning. 


About the Book
Together beyond death...

A new unnatural horror is about to rattle Hannah Miles’ quiet existence, and it’s not the short-tempered viscount prowling the hallways. Someone is creating a monster by stitching together pieces of different people. When a limb makes an escape attempt, Viscount Wycliff is called to investigate. All of London knows there is one mad scientist among them capable of creating such an ungodly monster… Sir Hugh Miles.

Hannah’s father is suspected of a most heinous crime and she is determined to clear his name, even as Wycliff works to see the murderer hang. Buried secrets that touch all their lives will be brought to the surface. One such secret belongs to Hannah and could tear her world apart.

With Hannah and Wycliff on opposing sides, can they find the real monster and will it be the hand that wields the scalpel, or the creature hiding in the dark?

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Case of the Curious Crystals (Lucky Lexie Mysteries #2) by Shanna Swendson

About the Book
Small-time Crime, Big-time Danger

Of all the crimes to plague the idyllic small town of Stirling Mills, Texas, Lexie Lincoln never expected jewelry theft. But thieves are breaking into local homes, stealing cheap costume jewelry and stirring up paranoia. When a ghost suggests that the jewelry may be more valuable than anyone realizes, Lexie finds herself delving into forgotten chapters of the town’s strange history.

It seems the jewelry might actually be valuable to those with the ability to use its power, and that poses a real danger as the crimes escalate. Lexie needs to track down the thieves before they can use the gems for nefarious purposes—and before the town tears itself apart with fear and suspicion. She can’t exactly tell local cop Wes Mosby that she’s getting hot tips from ghosts, so it’s up to her to crack the case, stop the thieves, and foil their sinister agenda in time to save the town’s spring festival.

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Recorder by Cathy McCrumb

About the Book
The Consortium is All. But Recorder Can No Longer Obey.

Recorder has no family, no friends, and no name. Donated to the Consortium before birth, her sole purpose is to maintain and verify the records. A neural implant and drone ensure compliance, punishing for displays of bias.

Suddenly cut off from controlling technology, Recorder tastes what it means to be human. But if the Consortium discovers her feelings, everyone she knows will be in danger.

With no name, no resources, and only an infinitesimal possibility of escape, Recorder's time is running out.

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Charmed Waters (A Cormac and Amelia Story) by Carrie Vaughn

About the Book
Horsetooth Reservoir is an artificial body of water in land-locked Colorado. So how did a mermaid end up there? Cormac, former bounty hunter turned supernatural problem solver, doesn't much care how she got there.

But he's determined to get her home, no matter who tries to stop him. And a surprising number of people are trying to stop him.


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Elite (Collective Underground #2) by Kristen Young

About the Book
Where do you find safety when your world is falling apart?

Apprentice Flick thought the Elite Academy was the answer to all her problems. But the revelation of her past turned everything upside down. Now, she is caught between two worlds set on a collision course.

Will she embrace the chaotic memories that flood her every waking moment? Or will she run to the security of her Elite training?

Discovering her parents’ identities takes her to a secret underground bunker where she finds new friends, opportunities, and maybe even love. But Flick must decide where her allegiances lie soon, or the Triumph of Love festival might bring about her demise.

_______________________________________


The King of Koraha (Archives of the Invisible Sword #3) by Maria V. Snyder

About the Book
Hard on the heels of trouble in Zirdai city, Shyla Sun-Kissed and Rendor are ordered to report to the King of Koraha - a summons that is deadly to ignore. The King holds the key to Koraha's existence, but a formidable new enemy threatens Koraha's very survival and the King desperately needs Shyla and Rendor's help.

Wielding a terrifying and unknown magical power that can convert opponents into devoted soldiers, the mysterious army is hellbent on usurping the crown. Shyla and Rendor are tasked with discovering who in the seven hells these insurgents are. And what their real endgame is.

Trekking through the punishing conditions across the searing surface of Koraha, and facing numerous unseen foes and untold danger, they must follow the clues to uncover the truth before it's too late. The fate of the King and all the citizens of Koraha rests in their hands...

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Lights Out (The SNAP Agency #1) By Natalie Walters

About the Book
CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.

Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency (SNAP) for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn't at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It's hard to trust a woman who's already betrayed you.

Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning--the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.

Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn't trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world--and their hearts--hangs in the balance.

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The Nature of a Lady (The Secrets of the Isles #1) by Roseanna M. White

About the Book
1906
Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn't favored in society. She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles into the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage's former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished.

Oliver Tremayne--gentleman and clergyman--is determined to discover what happened to his sister, and he's happy to accept the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth's summer cottage . . . especially when he realizes it's the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology. But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can't quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.

As Libby and Oliver work together, they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.

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A Portrait of Loyalty (The Codebreakers #3) by Roseanna M. White

About the Book
Zivon Marin was one of Russia's top cryptographers until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee to England after speaking out against Lenin, Zivon is driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits. But never far from his mind is his brother, who Zivon fears died in the train crash that separated them.

Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father's connections in propaganda, she's recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.

After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they're unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon's loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple's future dreams—it becomes a matter of ending the war.

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Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen

About the Book
A steampunk retelling of Cinderella.

Emmeline O’Shea is determined to save the world—single-handedly, if necessary. A strong voice for societal reform, she is the natural choice to deliver a key speech at the end of the International Shifter Rights Organization’s week-long Summit in Scotland.

But when a death threat arrives at Emme’s home, she is immediately placed into protective custody, watched over by none other than her personal nemesis, Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. The two have crossed paths many times, with disastrous results, but now they will have to work together in order to reach the Summit before midnight of the last day in order to ensure legislation is passed to protect the Shifter community.

As unseen enemies close in around Emme and Oliver, they struggle to reach Edinburgh by any means necessary, only to find Emme’s vindictive stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, and a dangerous political minefield awaiting them in Scotland.

Even more difficult is their own refusal to admit that the fiery animosity that once burned between them might be turning into the heat of romantic passion. Could a straitlaced policeman determined to uphold the law and an outspoken activist willing to break the rules ever find true love? Or will all their dreams shatter like glass when the clock strikes midnight?

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The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

About the Book
Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?

Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.

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Thanks for stopping by! What books are you hoping Santa brings you this year?

Review: Silent Night: A Lantern Beach Christmas Novella (Lantern Beach Mysteries) by Christy Barritt

About the Book
Catch up with your favorite Lantern Beach characters as they come together to help the town's beloved police chief.

On the night before Christmas Eve, as she begins her maternity leave, Lantern Beach Police Chief Cassidy Chambers disappears. Suspecting foul play, law enforcement officers combine forces with the Blackout Security team and island residents to find her.

Despite a snowstorm in his path, Cassidy’s husband, Ty, desperately tries to return home in time to save her. With his wife’s and baby’s lives on the line, he needs a Christmas miracle.

Will the tightknit community of Lantern Beach be able to rescue their beloved police chief in time? Or will Cassidy’s cries for help be met only with silence?


MY THOUGHTS

Weeks away from giving birth, Police Chief Cassidy Chambers is abducted outside the police station just as she's about to start her maternity leave. The whole town joins forces to find her.

This was a super quick read that I finished in one afternoon. I seriously could not read it fast enough. I loved that we got to revisit so many of the Lantern Beach residents. Each chapter was told from the perspective of either Cassidy, Ty, or a different townie as they raced against time to save their friend. 

I really enjoyed this Christmas novella. It's a must read for fans of the Lantern Beach series. 

FOUR STARS

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Aftermath by Terri Blackstock

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 Aftermath by Terri Blackstock.

About the Book
A devastating explosion.

Three best friends are at the venue to hear their favorite band. Only one makes it out alive.

A trunk full of evidence.

When police stop Dustin Webb with a warrant to search his trunk, he knows there’s been a mistake. He’s former military and owns a security firm. But he’s horrified when the officers find explosives, and he can’t fathom how they got there.

An attorney who will risk it all for an old friend.

Criminal attorney Jamie Powell was Dustin’s best friend growing up. They haven’t spoken since he left for basic training, but she’s the first person he thinks of when he’s arrested. Jamie knows she’s putting her career on the line by defending an accused terrorist, but she’d never abandon him. Someone is framing Dustin to take the fall for shocking acts of violence . . . but why?

Book Beginnings
Taylor Reid's phone flashed as she snapped the selfie with her two friends, their heads touching and their backs to the stage. The shot from the third row, with the lead singer in the background and the three of them in the foreground, was perfect. No one would believe their seats were so close.

Friday 56
"I realize this is a PR disaster." Jamie sat rigid in the conference room after the staff meeting, fully prepared to fight to keep Dustin's case. When the partners had asked her to stay behind to brief them on it, she'd known things could go badly.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Heart of Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #6) by David James Warren

About the Book
Rembrandt Stone has nothing left to lose…or does he?

Detective Rembrandt Stone doesn’t recognize himself in the mirror. Doesn’t recognize the world he’s returned to. Doesn’t even know his own name. But he knows one thing…living in this world is impossible.

Good thing he has an ally—an unexpected friend from the past. And together, they just might be able to unravel the entire mess. But first…Rembrandt will have to return to the past one final time and intercept himself before he makes a lethal mistake.

Time has outwitted him. It’s time for him to outwit time. Can he reconstruct a past he just destroyed or is there nothing left of his world to save?

The explosive ending to the True Lies of Rembrandt Stone!


MY THOUGHTS

This was such an awesome conclusion to what's turned out to be my favorite series of the year. It's been an exciting and unpredictable adventure traveling through time with Rem. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and racing through the pages, hoping for a good outcome. There were so many shocking twists and turns. The characters were definitely put through the wringer. Rem, Eve, Burke, Shelby, and all the others will stay with me for a long time to come. I'm sad to say goodbye, but am so glad to have gone on this journey with them. I can't recommend this series highly enough!

FIVE STARS