Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Just the Nicest Person (True Crime Junkies #1) 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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Just the Nicest Person (True Crime Junkies #1) by Christy Barritt. Yep, another Christy Barritt one, lol. This is the start of a brand new series, and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's a little different than Barritt's norm, but so good!

About the Book

Strangers—each with their own secrets—are thrown together after the murder of a beloved true crime podcaster.

Disgraced attorney Andi Slade is seeking justice for the killer who destroyed her reputation and her career. But going undercover as an ice road trucker in Alaska to find answers is just the tip of the iceberg. A brutal snowstorm, a handsome stranger, and an unsolved cold case send Andi's plans into a tailspin.

Former CID investigator Duke McAllister refuses to give up searching for his fiancée who disappeared two years ago on the Dalton Highway. When he rescues a woman on the side of the road, he knows just how much danger she’s in. Stranded together and butting heads, they discover a common interest: true crime.

When their favorite local Alaskan podcaster goes radio silent right before revealing the name of a cold case killer, they dive in to investigate only to make a terrifyingly frigid discovery. Can these strangers work together to find answers before the biting, dangerous cold claims their lives? Or even worse . . . before the killer comes looking for his own brand of justice?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

"Henrietta Blanco was just the nicest person. She was a mother, a wife, and a homesteader, loved by her family, church and community. And she was murdered in cold blood eight years ago."

Friday 56

"I didn't want to freak out Mariella and Matthew." He lowered his voice. "But do you have any idea who that shooter was? Is there anything you're not telling me?"

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Rogue Pursuit (Shades of Starlight Book 1) by B.L. Dean

About the Book
A smuggler, a spy, a brewing revolution…and a rogue agent who could destroy it all.

Perrin Hightower can fly a run-down freighter through the galaxy’s most dangerous wormholes blindfolded, a handy skill in her shipping business…and her smuggling enterprises.

Special agent Tai Lawson dreams of leading the Ruby Confederation’s spy agency. But when his partner steals a top-secret list of revolutionaries and vanishes, Tai’s accused of helping his friend escape.

When Tai seeks her navigation expertise, Perrin would rather jump out an airlock than help. But the missing person is her ex-boyfriend—a double agent she thought was helping the revolution. Her name’s on that list, and she’ll do anything to keep it secret.

Hiding their true agendas, Tai and Perrin follow the rogue spy’s trail across the galaxy. Each must decide where their allegiance truly lies when they learn the spy carries more than a list of conspirators—he carries information that could shatter the fragile peace in the galaxy.

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

This was so much fun and so action-packed! There was never a dull moment. Life has been super stressful lately, so this book turned out to be the perfect distraction and exactly what I needed.

 

I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It's the first time I've read anything by her, and I'm looking forward to more. The world-building was great. I loved all the science, especially the wormholes. They were fascinating! The characters were likable and three-dimensional. Perrin and Tai were so fun together. Their banter was great, and they had me laughing so hard. It was interesting how they were trying to accomplish the same goals but were on opposite sides of the law. I was very curious to see how that would work out.

 

I highly recommend this book to fans of sci-fi. I had a ton of fun reading it and am excited for the next one!

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Eternity Gate (The Threshold Duology #1) by Katherine Briggs

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Eternity Gate (The Threshold Duology #1) by Katherine Briggs releasing September 12.

About the Book

Destroy the key. Save her people and herself.

The Eternity Gate is found, and kings and monsters battle over its legends of treasure. But rumors whisper that someone stole the gate's ancient key.

Seyo, handmaiden to the princess, keeps three secrets. First, she's gifted in fire, not light, and may as well be cursed. Second, she translates a prophecy warning that the gate does not offer treasure but judgment. Third, Jorai, the scorned prince and Seyo's confidant, entrusts her with the key and disappears.

Surrounded by war, Seyo and her companions embark on a journey to seek help from a faraway empire and find Jorai, unaware of the trap awaiting them. But what should Seyo do with the key? Who can survive judgment, especially someone as flawed as her? Will hiding the key—or destroying it—save her people or ensure their defeat?

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: A Novel Escape by S. R. Breaker

About the Book (From Goodreads)

Reading is an excellent escape from reality. But what if... you couldn't escape from your escape?

Astrid loves to read. Astrid made a wish. Now Astrid's stuck in a book.

Cue the evil kelpie. The Armageddon. The feral troll army.

The fantasy realm of fiction is everything Astrid ever hoped for.

Except it's probably going to take her life.

Astrid needs non-fictional guts, determination, and sheer will to survive before she can return to the real world.

But will she even want to?

A fun, fast-paced portal fantasy adventure novella. Perfect for fans of "A Wrinkle in Time" and "The Neverending Story."

Offbeat, easy reading fantasy and science fiction. Check out other books by S. R. Breaker.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I think every bookworm has probably wondered what it would be like to literally get sucked into the story they're reading. Well, after making a wish that the book she was reading was real, Astrid gets more than she bargained for!

This was fun, fast-paced, and very short. It kinda felt like things had just started when it ended. We're thrown right into the story, and since it's so short, I felt like I was just getting my bearings when it ended. It had a really cool concept, though. I'd love to see it expanded.

THREE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Rogue Pursuit (Shades of Starlight Book 1) by B.L. Dean

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Rogue Pursuit (Shades of Starlight Book 1) by B.L. Dean.

About the Book

A smuggler, a spy, a brewing revolution…and a rogue agent who could destroy it all.

Perrin Hightower can fly a run-down freighter through the galaxy’s most dangerous wormholes blindfolded, a handy skill in her shipping business…and her smuggling enterprises.

Special agent Tai Lawson dreams of leading the Ruby Confederation’s spy agency. But when his partner steals a top-secret list of revolutionaries and vanishes, Tai’s accused of helping his friend escape.

When Tai seeks her navigation expertise, Perrin would rather jump out an airlock than help. But the missing person is her ex-boyfriend—a double agent she thought was helping the revolution. Her name’s on that list, and she’ll do anything to keep it secret.

Hiding their true agendas, Tai and Perrin follow the rogue spy’s trail across the galaxy. Each must decide where their allegiance truly lies when they learn the spy carries more than a list of conspirators—he carries information that could shatter the fragile peace in the galaxy.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Perrin Hightower's curiosity was at war with her desire not to get arrested.

Friday 56

The ship quaked. Metallic clanging sounded deep inside the vessel, followed by a snap.

Yet another thing in her life that was breaking.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Seams like Murder (Grace Designs Mysteries #1) by Tilly Wallace

About the Book
There are two things that can’t talk—moving pictures and dead showgirls…

1920, Wellington, New Zealand. Grace Devine is poised to build her thriving dress design business as the twenties begin to soar. But when a fashionable client is murdered, suspicion falls on Grace as the last person to see Agatha alive.

As wary clients cancel and business begins to fail, Grace decides there’s only one way to prove her innocence and save her career…this seamstress will turn sleuth to find who really murdered the showgirl.

The more she learns, the more she uncovers of the darker side of the dead woman’s personality. Agatha liked to collect secrets and use them against people. But what target snapped that fatal night? Can Grace stitch together the clues before her life is torn apart…

These heart-warming historical mysteries will send you on a unique New Zealand adventure.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I really wanted to like this book, but it ended up being a miss for me. It had a slow start and things never really picked up. There were spots where the writing felt very stilted and unnatural. It didn't flow smoothly, which surprised me because I've enjoyed some of this author's other books.

I never connected with the characters. In fact, most of them were unlikable. Even Grace, who we were told time and time again about how much of a kind heart she had. But I never really saw it. SPOILER: 

Like when she extended credit to a customer who repeatedly didn't pay. We were told it was because she had such a kind heart and was sweet. But, she did it because she was being blackmailed and was also promised fame and fortune.🙄

This was almost a DNF, but I was curious enough about the mystery that I wanted to see whodunnit. I did enjoy the setting of Wellington, New Zealand and I thought that Grace's special ability was interesting. I wish it had been explained and used a little more, though. I think I'll be skipping the rest of this series and just stick with this author's paranormal romances.

TWO STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: You Make It Feel like Christmas by Toni Shiloh

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 You Make It Feel like Christmas by Toni Shiloh releasing September 5. Two Christmas books in row, lol! Can you tell I'm ready for some cooler weather? It's been scorching hot here.

About the Book (From Amazon)

It's the most wonderful time of the year--for everyone except Starr Lewis.

As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn't bad enough, she's dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister's uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding--to Starr's ex-boyfriend. But when her brother's best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn't so bad after all.

As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother's Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away--to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Thief Liar Lady by D. L. Soria

About the Book

“Happily Ever After” is a total scam, but at least this time the princess is the one controlling the grift—until her true love arrives and threatens to ruin the whole scheme. Intrigue, magic, and wit abound in this Cinderella fairytale reimagining, perfect for fans of Heather Walter and Naomi Novik.

I’m not who you think I am.

My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.

My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we want in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.

But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created…and that could prove fatal.

There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y'all know I love a good fairytale retelling, so I was very intrigued when I first saw this one. It turned out to be a fun and unique twist on Cinderella. I did have a few issues with it, but I ended up enjoying it.

This had a slow start. In fact, there were a couple of times I thought about DNFing it because it just wasn't holding my interest in the beginning. But I'm glad I kept reading because things started to pick up when Rance showed up. He turned out to be my favorite part of the book. He was so interesting and mysterious. I wanted to learn more about him. There ended up being a lot of palace intrigue, which really piqued my interest and kept me entertained. I will say that it took a while (well over half the book) before I started liking Ash. She wasn't a sympathetic character at all, but I enjoyed watching her growth. There was more cursing than I expected, and it felt out of place to me. Also, I could've done without the open-door bedroom scenes.

All in all, this was a mixed bag of a read. But despite the issues I had with it, I had fun reading it.

NOTE: This is NOT a clean read.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

THREE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Thief Liar Lady by D. L. Soria

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Thief Liar Lady by D. L. Soria. This is a very unique Cinderella retelling. Not what I expected at all, but despite a few criticisms, I ended up enjoying it. I should have my review up on Monday.

About the Book

“Happily Ever After” is a total scam, but at least this time the princess is the one controlling the grift—until her true love arrives and threatens to ruin the whole scheme. Intrigue, magic, and wit abound in this Cinderella fairytale reimagining, perfect for fans of Heather Walter and Naomi Novik.

I’m not who you think I am.

My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.

My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we want in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.

But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created…and that could prove fatal.

There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I never thought the tale of my daring escape from servitude into the glittering world of the royal palace could be boring, but after the hundredth telling it had begun to lose its shine.

Friday 56

The dinner party the next night was a grand affair, even if I was too embroiled in my own concerns to enjoy it.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Vortex by Anne Wheeler

About the Book

Bloodthirsty immortals weren't part of his orders.

When Coralie Frazer arrives at Nimbus Station aboard the National Space Research Council starship Triumph, it’s not as the engineer she expected to be. Light-years and several wormhole jumps from Earth, she’s now the prisoner of her former crew, and they want nothing from her but the blood that keeps them alive. When she’s granted a sliver of unexpected freedom, she jumps at the chance to escape—but fleeing seems impossible when Earth might as well be in another universe.

Commander Josiah O’Donnell has his own problems, and taking reluctant command of the newest United States Orbital Guard cutter Bayonet is the least of them. Fresh off medical leave and tasked with locating Triumph and rescuing her crew, he knows the wormholes he’s meant to traverse are hazardous—but what’s on the other side might be more perilous than he ever imagined.

Desperate to save her fellow captive blood sources, Coralie doesn’t intend to fail. Haunted by the memories of his disastrous last assignment, Josiah won’t allow more death. There’s just one problem: success for either means condemning a thousand others.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was my first time reading anything by Anne Wheeler and now I want to read everything she's written! This was so good! One of the best I've read this year. I've been in the mood for a good sci-fi book for a while now, and while I've read a few lately that I've enjoyed, they didn't quite hit the mark. But this one? It was exactly what I was looking for and so much more!​

The first chapter was incredibly intriguing, and things just kept getting more interesting from there. The characters were complex and the world-building was fantastic. Sometimes I get confused with all the science in these kinds of books, but not here. Everything was easy to understand but didn't feel dumbed down. There were twists I never saw coming and a sense of danger that never quite went away.

This book followed me into my dreams. It was constantly on my mind. I'm still thinking about it and I imagine I will for a long time. If you're a fan of science fiction, don't hesitate. Run and grab yourself a copy of this book right now. You won't be disappointed.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

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's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon releasing September 5.

About the Book (From Goodreads)

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham--Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but the raise will help him as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the job isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.

'Tis the season for romance, faith, and humor--all wrapped up in this enchanting holiday rom-com from award-winning author Sarah Monzon.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting? 

Review: Cold Pursuit (Ryland & St. Clair #1) by Nancy Mehl

About the Book (From Goodreads)

Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case that went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.

But as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. With a killer on the loose set on finishing the job he started, will River be pulled back into her tormented past or finally face the demons that haunt her?

With her trademark blend of page-turning thrills and intricate plots, Nancy Mehl delivers a spine-tingling thriller that will keep readers up all night.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a fast-paced book that I had a hard time putting down. The first sentence grabbed my attention, and I was immediately hooked. There was a ton of suspense and intrigue that kept ramping up, and there were multiple times where my anxiety rose so high that I could hardly catch my breath.

 

I quickly came to care for both River and Tony. I liked the fact that they were both former Behavior Analysts. That job fascinates me, so it was really interesting to see them use the skills from their previous job in their new roles as private investigators. And while River annoyed me a time or two in the beginning, I was still fully in her corner and rooting her on, hoping she'd get past her issues and see the glorious light of God.

 

The bad guy was very unnerving. He made the hair on the back of my neck stand up several times. I had literal shivers running down my back a couple of times too. Chilling! 

 

There were multiple mysteries, and a lot was going on, but I never found it to be confusing or too much. While the main mystery was solved, there's another one that, I'm guessing, will continue throughout the whole series, which I'm very eager for. The next book can't come out soon enough!

 

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

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Cold Pursuit (Ryland & St. Clair #1) by Nancy Mehl

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Cold Pursuit (Ryland & St. Clair #1) by Nancy Mehl. It releases this coming Tuesday, July 11. I'm almost done reading the ARC and it's so good! So suspenseful!

About the Book (From Goodreads)

Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case that went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.

But as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. With a killer on the loose set on finishing the job he started, will River be pulled back into her tormented past or finally face the demons that haunt her?

With her trademark blend of page-turning thrills and intricate plots, Nancy Mehl delivers a spine-tingling thriller that will keep readers up all night.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

River Ryland was convinced that madness exists only a breath away from genius. The man who stood in front of her and Tony had proven this to be true. He'd kept his identity hidden from the FBI's best. Now River and Tony's lives were about to end, and there was no one to save them.

Friday 56

"Andromeda, I'm going to ask you a question," River said, "and I need you to answer me truthfully. But you have my word this isn't anything that will get you into trouble, do you understand?"

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Wags, Woofs, and Wonders: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology

About the Book

Every dog has its day.

Is there anything as faithful or loyal as a dog? Always ready to lend a paw, cuddle up next to you, or chase away foes (because their noses know!).

This feel-good collection features eight magical stories of whimsical, true-hearted, and rascally hounds. From a blind dog with surprising gifts to a watery pup with a winsome secret to a fiery hound, ready to test his new dog-sitter to his limits. Danger may lurk, but don’t worry! Every story is guaranteed a heartwarming, happy ending.

This sixth anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy showcases incredible authors dedicated to telling doggone good fantasy fiction that will make you laugh, sigh, and cuddle your own furry friend.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was an imaginative, heartwarming, and highly entertaining collection. Some of the stories were funny, some serious, others action-packed. All were lovely. They made me feel all the emotions and had me shedding a tear or two along the way.

Dragon Dog by A.J. Bakke
A dog raised by a dragon is sent out into the world to make its own way and makes a surprising friend along the way.

The Legacy of the Houndguard by Amber Gabriel
This story gives a snippet of what a day is like in the life of a Houndguard and his son protecting a ranch.

Goggles and Tails by E.J. Kitchens
A steampunk tale where a boy with autumn eyes (eyes that could get him killed) gets help from a Sky Keeper and his faerie-touched dog.

Grim Guardian by Sarah Pennington
Opal Seymour and her son investigate the appearance of a strange hound in a graveyard.

Second Sight by Laura L. Zimmerman
There’s something extra special about a grieving boy’s special-needs rescue dog.

The Potion Maker & The Nuisance by Brianna Tibbetts
A playful seal pup keeps interrupting the potion maker's work.

Triple Threat by Hailey Huntington
A broke college student takes a job dog-sitting Cerberus.

The Witch of Stone Gnome Mountain by Selina R. Gonzalez
To save his wife, a man and his dog visit the witch of Stone Gnome Mountain... A witch who prefers to be paid in dogs…

This anthology is a must-read for dog lovers. I enjoyed every single story, which isn't always the case in collections like this. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson

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 Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson releasing August 8.

About the Book

In a strange part of the forest, the divide between worlds grows thin.

After the accident, Meg would do anything to wake her best friend from his deadly coma. At least, that’s what she whispered into the woodland shadows. She never imagined her wish would trap her in a gray other-earth, void of any color.

Meg's vibrant humanity is a priceless artifact in the gray kingdom, coveted by the royal court. All she wants to do is find a way back home. Until she discovers the other-earth contains healing powers that can save her friend. But only if Meg becomes what the gray people need—a human bride for Kalmus, the powerful king of the capital city.

With her heart torn between earths, Meg’s choices may cost more than she knows.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Half Truth (Squeaky Clean In Between Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt

About the Book

*This book officially falls between It Came Upon a Midnight Crime and Organized Grime. It can also be read as a standalone.*

Big trouble can come in small packages . . .

Gabby St. Claire grabs the chance to check an item off her bucket list: attending an auction of unclaimed storage units and hitting a jackpot with her winning bid. But her expectations plummet faster than her bank account on Tax Day when she gets a glimpse of what she’s won.

Convinced she’s wasted her money on a risky venture, Gabby soon realizes that there’s nothing ordinary about her winning items. In fact, the contents of the storage unit appear to be evidence from a crime—a deadly one.

With a suspicious man following her and new clues discovered at every turn, Gabby must figure out what happened. But someone is out to stop Gabby. Will the killer strike again and keep the truth buried? Or can Gabby uncover the truth—the whole truth—before another death occurs?

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

This was another fun and quick mystery from Christy Barrett. Even though it's an In Between mystery connected to her Squeaky Clean series, it stands alone just fine. I haven't read the books this one falls between yet, but I wasn't lost at all.

 

Storage Wars has been on TV a lot in our house recently, so it was fun seeing Gabby buy a storage unit at an auction and discover what was inside it. It was a big shock to find out that some of the items might've been connected to a crime! What follows is an exciting, hilarious, and suspenseful mystery that I couldn't put down. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced and humorous mystery.

FOUR STARS