Review: Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors Book 1) by Darlene L. Turner

About the Book

A search for a kidnapped camper

could cost them their lives.

Park warden Dekker Hoyt’s father-son camping trip turns into a nightmare when a serial killer abducts his father. With just seventy-two hours to find him, Dekker turns to criminal investigative analyst Blaire Tremblay to identify the Park Campfire Killer. As they follow his taunting clues and face increasingly violent threats, Dekker and Blaire know that one wrong step could be fatal. With the ruthless criminal following their every move, can they stop a killer in hiding…waiting to complete his deadly plan?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
National Park Protectors

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! Danger in the Wilderness was so good! This high-stakes, fast-paced romantic suspense held me in its grip from the first page to the very last. It’s one of the most intense and anxiety-inducing stories I’ve read in a long time. I absolutely loved it!

There was a sense of danger and urgency that poured out of the pages. There were times when I forgot I was reading about fictional characters. Their emotions felt so real. The danger and harrowing situations they were in felt so real. I was so worried for them.

Speaking of those characters, I really liked Dekker and Blaire. I thought Blaire’s job as a profiler was really interesting. I loved watching Dekker’s faith grow.

My mind was working overtime trying to figure out who the serial killer was. I had so many theories but was completely shocked by the final reveal. I didn’t see that coming!

If you’re a fan of high-stakes, faith-filled romantic suspense, grab a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed. I loved it!

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

FIVE STARS

Review: Elphie: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire

About the Book
What happened to young Elphaba before her witchy powers took hold in Wicked? Almost 30 years after the publication of the original novel, for the first time Gregory Maguire reveals the story of prickly young Elphie, the future Wicked Witch of the West—setting the stage for the blockbuster international phenomenon that is Wicked: The Musical.

Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, will grow to have a feisty and somewhat uncompromising character in adult life. But she is always a one-off, from her infancy; Elphie is the riveting coming-of-age story of a very peculiar and relatable young girl.

Young Elphie is shaped and molded by the behaviors of her promiscuous mother, Melena, and her pious father, Frex. She suffers ordinary childhood jealousies when her sister, saintly Nessarose, and brother, junior felon Shell, arrive. She first encounters the mistreatment of the Animal populations of Oz, which live adjacent to but not intertwined with human settlements, haunted by a Monkey and receiving aid from Dwarf Bears. She thrashes through her first bruising attempts at friendship, a possible lifeline from her tricky family life. And she gleans the benefits of an education, haphazard though it must be—until she arrives at the doors of Shiz University, about to meet the radiant creature that is Galinda.

Elphie is destined to be a witch; she bears the markings from childhood—most evidently in her green skin but more obscurely and profoundly in her cunning and perhaps amoral behaviors, as she seeks to make do, to slip by, to sneak out, to endure, and to aspire.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I really wanted to like this story, and while it had a promising start, it just didn't live up to expectations.

It's split up into four parts, with each part focusing on a different part of Elphie’s childhood. It felt more like a collection of random short stories featuring Elphie rather than a flowing, fleshed-out, and in-depth look into her childhood, which is what I was expecting.

The writing style took some getting used to. It was overly wordy in places, which kinda took me out of the story at times. I don't remember struggling as much with Wicked or the other books in the series. Maybe I did and I'm just not remembering, but I definitely struggled with it here.

Despite my issues with this book, there was never a moment where I thought about not finishing it. In fact, I kept thinking about it when I’d have to set it aside to do other things. And I was always eager to get back to it. I enjoyed visiting this world and these characters again. I also really liked seeing the sisterly bond between Elphie and Nessa. It was complicated, but you could tell that they really did care for each other.

As you can tell, I have mixed emotions about the book. It wasn’t bad. I think my expectations were just a little off. I'd recommend it to people who have already read Wicked. I don't think this would be a good starting place for someone new to it.

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

THREE STARS

The Crime Brulee Bake Off by Rebecca Connolly

About the Book

The Great British Baking Show meets a cozy mystery with a contemporary romance and a Regency-era twist.

"Connolly, known for romances, ably opens this new ro-mystery series, crafting a slow, charming, sweet fall and filling the case with details of baking, estate living, and reality TV filming." --Library Journal

When Claire Walker is selected to be a contestant on the immensely popular cooking show, Britian’s Battle of the Bakers, she is thrilled. She can’t wait to spend eight enchanting weeks baking at the picturesque estate of Blackfirth Park. She can almost smell the fresh pastries wafting through the air as she and her fellow contestants use historical equipment to bring pre-1900s recipes to life. If she can win the fifty thousand pounds, she’ll be able to ditch her teaching job and launch her baking career.

The Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley, is the custodian of Blackfirth Park and an eligible bachelor. With his family’s income dwindling, he reluctantly agrees to host the entire production team, but he refuses to participate since he’s had enough of single women who see him as nothing more than a potential conquest. But when a contestant is found dead soon after filming begins, Jonathan is forced to get involved. To make matters worse, the baker’s death is eerily similar to the legendary death of the tenth Viscountess of Colburn two hundred and fifty years earlier, which sends rumors racing through the estate.

Even as suspicion falls on some of the bakers, a decidedly different kind of heat begins to simmer between Claire and Jonathan. If they are to have any hope of a future romance, they must first solve the mystery before the show gets canceled or someone else falls prey to the Blackfirth Park ghost.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Claire lands a spot on Britain’s Battle of the Bakers, but things take a nasty turn when a fellow contestant is murdered.

I love baking shows, in particular The Great British Baking Show, which this book's competition takes inspiration from. I thought it was a really fun idea for a novel. Add in a mystery, and I was doubly intrigued.

I will say that it had a bit of a slow start. Once the mystery began, though, things picked up, and while I did have a little trouble connecting to the story, I ended up enjoying it.

The baking scenes were fun and made me so hungry! And I liked Jonny. He was a classic but lovable grump.

I loved the setting of Blackfirth Park and was very intrigued by the history of the manor. Though, I wish that history would’ve been explored a little more in depth, along with the legend of the murder of Lady Coburn.

The mystery was intriguing. The "who" was fairly obvious, but the "why" surprised me. If you're looking for a sweet cozy mystery, give this book a try. It's the start of a series, and I'm curious to see where that will lead.

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

THREE STARS

Review: Cole and Laila Are Just Friends: A Love Story by Bethany Turner

About the Book
Cole and Laila have been inseparable since they could crawl. And they've never thought about each other that way. Except for when they have. Rarely. Once in a while, sure. But seriously . . . hardly ever.

Cole Kimball and Laila Olivet have been best friends their entire lives. Cole is the only person (apart from blood relatives) who's seen Laila in her oversized, pink, plastic, Sophia Loren glasses. Laila is always the first person to taste test any new dish Cole creates in his family's restaurant . . . even though she has the refined palate of a kindergartener. Most importantly, Cole and Laila are always talking. About everything.

When Cole discovers a betrayal from his recently deceased grandfather that shatters his world, staying in Adelaide Springs, Colorado, is suddenly unfathomable. But Laila loves her life in their small mountain town and can't imagine ever living anywhere else. She loves serving customers who tip her with a dozen fresh eggs. She loves living within walking distance of all her favorite people. And she's very much not okay with the idea of not being able to walk to her very favorite person.

Still, when Cole toys with moving across the country to New York City, she decides to support her best friend--even as she secretly hopes she can convince him to stay home. And not just for his killer chocolate chip pancakes. Because she loves him. As a friend. Just as a friend. Right?

They make a deal: Laila won't beg him to stay, and Cole won't try to convince her to come with him. They have one week in New York before their lives change forever, and all they have to do is enjoy their time together and pretend none of this is happening. But it's tough to ignore the very inconvenient feelings blooming out of nowhere. In both of them. And these potentially friendship-destroying feelings, once out in the open, have absolutely no take-backs.

If When Harry Met Sally had a quippy literary love child with Gilmore Girls' Luke and Lorelai, you'd get Cole and Laila. Just . . . don't tell them that.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a fun friends-to-more romance full of endearing characters, hilarious moments, pop culture references, a charming small town, and a big city adventure to boot. 

While I really enjoyed the prologue, I was never fully pulled into the story. Not to say that I didn't enjoy it. I did. I just felt a bit disconnected from what was going on. But that was probably just me and the mood I was in.

I genuinely cared about Cole and Laila and only wanted the best for them. (Which was each other, of course!) And I really enjoyed catching up with Brynn and Sebastian.

I absolutely adored the small town of Adelaide Springs. I wish it was a real town! I'd love to visit it!

There were a plethora of pop culture references, and while I usually enjoy that, there were so many that it kinda pulled me out of the story at times.

While this wasn’t one of my favorite Bethany Turner books, I still had a lot of fun reading it and look forward to her next one.

This is connected to Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, but you don’t have to read that to enjoy this story.

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

THREE STARS

Review: The Proper Thing and Other Stories by Seanan McGuire

About the Book

From the end of the world to the beginning, with a nice charcuterie plate to sustain us on the way, it’s time for another journey through the eccentric, eclectic short fiction of Seanan McGuire. From dangerous holidays to the beauty of the library, from the power of cheese to the power of love, this volume will take you from the past to the future, sometimes on the same page.

Learn about the insecurities of the superheroic world, and how hard some people will work to survive the end of absolutely everything. Discover what everyone knows, and watch what happens when the cultural foundations are pulled from under your favorite cuisine. See what people will do when all else is lost, and watch what happens on the day the music dies.

And when all that is through, visit our magical cheese shop for something truly delicious, impossible and unique. We have a little something for everyone in our box of delights. Don’t be afraid—just reach in, and choose a treat to improve and enhance your day.

We’ve been waiting for another trip to the store on the corner, where they sell Wensleydale and wishes side by side. Come along now, let’s go.

Amazon / Goodreads / Publisher Website

MY THOUGHTS

This book is hard for me to review. Like with any anthology, there were stories that I absolutely loved and others that just weren't my cup of tea. I will say, though, that even the ones that I didn't like kept me engaged. McGuire has a real talent for pulling the reader into a story, fully enveloping them in it, and making the real world disappear. I really liked that McGuire had an intro before each story. It was nice to get some insight into them. My favorite stories are listed below.

Coafield’s Catalog of Available Apocalypse Events - This was a bit of a “choose your own apocalypse." It was a fun, yet slightly terrifying, way to start the anthology.

Now Rest, My Dear - This was an emotional and whimsical love letter to libraries.

In the Land of Rainbows and Ash - I really enjoyed this one. While it isn’t a 'Wayward Children' story, it very much felt like one.

Heart of Straw - An ordinary Halloween night of trick-or-treating turns out to be anything but ordinary.

Good Night, Sleep Tight - This was another story about the library, only this time, with more bugs. Yikes!

Rise Up, Rise Up, You Children of the Moon - I thought this was one of the best stories in the anthology. It's set in a dystopian world where night and darkness are forbidden. There’s no place for the monsters in the shadows, but the monsters fight back. I loved the connection to Snow White.

Under the Sea of Stars - This story is about the horrors found in the Bolton Strid. I loved the historical setting of this one.

What Everyone Knows - This was an emotional story about Kaiju. I loved it.

So Sharp, So Bright, So Final - A rabies outbreak causes a zombie-like apocalypse. Terrifying because it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Pedestal - This was a superhero story that delved into the cost of celebrity. I really enjoyed this one. I thought her superpower was really interesting and would love to read more set in this world.

The Proper Thing - This was the longest story in the anthology and the best. It’s McGuire at her finest. I'll just say one thing: magic cheese.

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

THREE STARS

Review: Caught in the Crosshairs by Natalie Walters

About the Book

When it comes to a battle of the wills, these two may have met their match--in each other

Claudia Gallegos's career in the CIA once sent her to the Middle East, but that was in the past, and it's against policy to be in contact with any foreign entity outside the scope of a mission. So when the personal bodyguard of a Saudi prince exiled to Virginia calls her with an urgent plea for help, her first instinct is to ignore the request. She's not going to risk her job over some pampered black sheep from a royal family. But, it couldn't hurt to just check it out . . .

Former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman is comfortable putting his expertise to use to influence governments, organizations, and people in ways that are more favorable to the mission at hand. Now he's been charged to use those skills on a fellow intelligence officer to determine whether she's compromised her oath and is involved in the death of high profile foreign national on US soil.

Thrown together in a fight not their own, Claudia and Ari have no reason to trust one another. But they must learn to work together to prevent a coup that could put America at risk.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was an exciting and fast paced read. I loved seeing some familiar characters and enjoyed getting to know Claudia better.

Claudia finds herself in a bit of a tricky situation when she receives a phone call and texts from the head of security for a foreign royal asking for her help. There’s an address, a security code, and a request to hurry. When she arrives, she’s too late. She walks into a brutal crime scene just minutes before the police arrive, making her the perfect suspect. Was this a setup? How can she prove her innocence?

Even though this story is connected to Natalie Walter's Harbored Secrets series, it stands alone perfectly fine. I liked Claudia and Ari, and thought their banter was entertaining. This is a novella, so I thought it was a little lacking in some places and a little too fast moving in others, but I enjoyed it overall.

THREE STARS

Mini Review: On the Run by Lynette Eason

About the Book

She's worked hard to distance herself from her father's legacy--but family ties are hard to break

When FBI Agent Daria Nevsky returns home to an intruder, she's not exactly surprised. She's been on high alert ever since her father, a powerful figure in Russian organized crime, was killed. She is surprised, however, when the man in a ski mask and hoodie tells her that her father sent him.

Dr. Ryker Donahue knows he's heard the name Daria Nevsky before. As he tends to the young woman's wounds, he tries to put the pieces together. No sooner does she show up at his hospital than it becomes painfully clear that whoever she is, she's in trouble. He feels a strong pull to protect her--but he quickly realizes that this is a woman who knows how to handle herself.

It will take both of them--and a handful of their skilled friends--to figure out who's after her, what they really want, and how to make it out alive.

Amazon / Goodreads

(This is also part of Targeted, which can be found here)

MY THOUGHTS

This was a quick and fast-paced read where danger seemed to follow the characters every step of the way. Some suspension of belief was needed a few times, and I felt like the nonstop action got to be too much at times, but overall, this was an enjoyable read. I thought Daria and Jeremy had a fun dynamic, and I enjoyed catching up with characters from some of Lynette Eason's previous books.

THREE STARS

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

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

Review: Crimes and Covers (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #5) by Amanda Flower

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.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Crimes and Covers is the fifth installment of the Magical Bookshop Mystery series. You could probably read this as a standalone but I'd still recommend starting at the beginning just to have a better appreciation and love for the characters. I've really enjoyed this series, so I was excited to solve another mystery alongside Violet, Grandma Daisy, Faulkner, and Emerson.

Charming Books is a book lover's dream. I could imagine spending hour upon hour at the store, never wanting to leave. As in the previous books, the store played an integral role in solving the mystery. The shop aids Violet in solving the crime by highlighting clues from a specific author's works. This time, Henry David Thoreau was the spotlighted author.

There were times that the dialogue felt a little awkward and stilted. And there was quite a bit of repetition of information that had just been given, just said in a different way, which got a little annoying after a while, but all in all, I enjoyed this trip back to the charming town of Cascade Springs.

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

THREE STARS

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?

Amazon / Goodreads

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

_____________________________________________

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?

Amazon / Goodreads

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

Review: Over the Woodward Wall (The Up-and-Under #1) by A. Deborah Baker

About the Book

If you trust her you’ll never get home…

Avery is an exceptional child. Everything he does is precise, from the way he washes his face in the morning, to the way he completes his homework – without complaint, without fuss, without prompt.

Zib is also an exceptional child, because all children are, in their own way. But where everything Avery does and is can be measured, nothing Zib does can possibly be predicted, except for the fact that she can always be relied upon to be unpredictable.

They live on the same street.
They live in different worlds.

On an unplanned detour from home to school one morning, Avery and Zib find themselves climbing over a low stone wall into the Up and Under – an impossible land filled with mystery, adventure and the strangest creatures. And they must find themselves and each other if they are to also find their way out and back to their own lives.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Over the Woodward Wall was an entertaining novella from Seanan McGuire writing under the new pen name A. Deborah Baker. It's connected to her book Middlegame, but stands alone just fine.

It might've just been my mood at the time, but I didn't feel any urgency to get back to it when I had to set it down. It should've taken me one day, two at the most, to finish, but it ended up being four days until I reached the end. Which is so weird for me with a McGuire book. I usually gobble them up as fast as I can. But not this one. And I really can't pinpoint why that was the case. It sounded exactly like something I'd love. It had a fairy tale vibe to it, very reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz. It was whimsical. The writing was great and what I've come to expect from McGuire. It just didn't resonate with me and I'm kinda sad about that. But I guess that happens sometimes. We can't love every book.

I wouldn't say this is one of McGuire's best, or one of my favorites from her, but it was still an entertaining read, nonetheless. And I am curious enough about what will happen next that I'll probably pick up the sequel.

THREE STARS

Double Review: A book about conspiracies and a flash fiction anthology

The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: Decoding History's Unsolved Mysteries by Brad Meltzer

This was a bit of a disappointment. It just barely skimmed the surface of these conspiracies. There was really no depth. Maybe I was just expecting too much from it, but I think it would've been better if it had been longer.

It wasn't all bad, though. It shed some light on some familiar conspiracies and introduced me to some new ones. It was very interesting reading about the rumors surrounding the Spear of Destiny. And the sections about John Wilkes Booth and then the missing Confederate gold held my interest. As did the bit about the gold at Fort Knox.

But there were some duds here too. The Georgia Guidestones, White House cornerstone, and Da Vinci's apocalyptic predictions didn't really stick with me. They kinda slipped my mind as soon as I finished them and I didn't remember them until I went back and looked at the table of contents. And don't even get me started on the chapter about JFK's assassination! What a total and complete letdown!

This was an okay read. I learned a few new things and have a few more questions about some things. But if you're looking for a book of conspiracies with depth, this isn't it.

3 STARS

Amazon / Goodreads

(At the time of posting, it's available in Kindle Unlimited)

Sensational: Havok Season Four (Havok Flash Fiction Book 4) by Various Authors

This was a great collection of flash fiction featuring a broad range of speculative genres. There's something here for everyone. And I loved that I could read them when I had a spare minute or two.

Like with any anthology, I enjoyed some stories more than others, but they were all unique, thought-provoking and well written.

Some of my favorites were Window by Sarah Wilson, Poisoned Melody by Kaitlyn Emery, A Recipe for Disaster by L.G. McCary, The Alien Mask by Paul Regnier, and Dolor of Defeat by Ronie Kendig. (Kendig's story is connected to her Droseran Saga, and it really made me want to dive right into the main story. I can't believe I still haven't read it. I've gotta remedy that soon.)

This anthology was a fun way to discover new authors. It always amazes me when an author can pack so much story into such a small space.

4 STARS

Amazon / Goodreads

(At the time of posting, it's available in Kindle Unlimited)

Review: The City of Zirdai (Archives of the Invisible Sword #2) by Maria V. Snyder

About the Book

Through her courage and tenacity, Shyla Sun-Kissed has awoken the power of The Eyes of Tamburah. But this feat only marks the beginning of the challenges that the magical order, the Invisible Sword, faces to free the underground city of Zirdai.

Though they have allies among the monks and splinter cells inside the city, Shyla knows the Invisible Sword doesn't have the strength to win. With the group fracturing due to the strain of losses from their latest ordeal, thinly veiled suspicions and endless disagreements, it's up to Shyla to forge a new united order.

When both the draconian Water Prince and brutal Heliacal Priestess learn of Shyla's new powers, life becomes even more complicated as they will stop at nothing to capture Shyla and take the magic of The Eyes for themselves. Hunted at every turn and unable to hide, Shyla and the Invisible Sword must use every resource at their command - and unearth new ones - in their race to save the city from destruction. But their enemies always seem to be one step ahead. And the cost to win the battle may be more than Shyla would ever be willing to pay...

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MY THOUGHTS

This picks up pretty much right where the last one left off. It took me just a bit to get back into it and get my bearings, but once I did, I was right back in the thick of things.

The world-building was fantastic. Everything really came to life and I could picture things perfectly. It was so realistically described that I could almost feel the heat and the sand on my skin.

It was slower-paced than I expected. Not that that's a bad thing. But it was surprising because the characters seemed to face crisis after crisis. I just didn't feel that sense of urgency I'd expect from those kinds of situations. They'd solve one problem and then another one would immediately pop up, and while I should have been racing through the pages, I was just slowly making my way through it. It wasn't bad, though, just not what I expected.

While this wasn't one of my favorite Maria V. Snyder books, it was still an enjoyable and interesting read. I am looking forward to the conclusion of the series.

THREE STARS

Review: Rocco (Lantern Beach Blackout: The New Recruits #1) by Christy Barritt

Rocco by Christy Barritt 

It was great being back in Lantern Beach with this new spin-off series.

You’d think delivering cupcakes would be safe, but baker Peyton Ellison finds out that’s not always the case. Making a late night delivery at the request of her brother turns dangerous when bullets start to fly. What kind of mess has Peyton found herself in?

The new Blackout crew has been hired to catch a person trying to sell company secrets and are staking out the location where the transfer is supposed to go down when Peyton shows up to deliver a box of cupcakes. Trying to figure out how she fits into the investigation, but knowing in his gut that she’s innocent, Rocco vows to protect Peyton and get to the bottom of what’s really going on here. This simple investigation has just turned complicated. There’s danger at every turn as they try to unravel this complex mystery.

It took a few chapters for me to really get into this book, and I’m not sure I ever connected with the characters. There was also some suspension of belief needed for some things, but, all in all, this ended up being an enjoyable mystery. And I'm eager to visit Lantern Beach again soon.

3 STARS

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Review: Manor for Sale, Baron Included (A Romance of Rank #1) by Esther Hatch

About the Book

She has everything Lord Farnsworth wants, including his manor.

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

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

And so he sticks with his plan.

What a horrible mistake.

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My thoughts

This was a ton of fun. It was full of lots of laughs and tenderhearted moments.

Jonathan and Sally's introduction was hilariously memorable, thanks in large part to Jonathan's friend Oliver. (I hope he gets his own book later on.) Most of Sally and Jonathan's interactions, especially in the beginning, brought so many laughs.

Jonathan seemed annoyingly snobbish to begin with but as we got to know him better, we learned that there was a whole lot more to him. There was a lot of depth there and he ended up being a genuinely good guy.

Victoria was my favorite character. She had so much spunk and fire. She didn't let her disability slow her down and I'm very much looking forward to her story.

While I loved the first half of this book, I didn't enjoy the second half quite as much. One of my biggest pet peeves in novels is when the conflict between two parties could be solved with one simple conversation. Well... the second half of this story was rife with that issue. There were multiple issues that could've been solved had they just had one conversation. I wanted to scream at them to just talk! I got so frustrated with them.

Despite that issue, I did enjoy the majority of this book and will be on the lookout for the next one.

Three stars

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

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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

Review: Airborne by DiAnn Mills

About the Book
Heather Lawrence’s long-awaited vacation to Salzburg wasn’t supposed to go like this. Mere hours into the transatlantic flight, the Houston FBI agent is awakened when passengers begin exhibiting horrific symptoms of an unknown infection. As the virus quickly spreads and dozens of passengers fall ill, Heather fears she’s witnessing an epidemic similar to ones her estranged husband studies for a living—but this airborne contagion may have been deliberately released.

While Heather remains quarantined with other survivors, she works with her FBI colleagues to identify the person behind this attack. The prime suspect? Dr. Chad Lawrence, an expert in his field . . . and Heather’s husband. The Lawrences’ marriage has been on the rocks since Chad announced his career took precedence over his wife and future family and moved out.

As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.

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My Thoughts

What an intense and timely read considering what's going on in the world right now. It was scary and anxiety-inducing at times, but there was hope mixed in there too. The chapters were short and the pace was fast, making this a quick read. The plot was strong, but I never really connected with any of the characters. I kept hoping I would, but it never happened. There were also times when the dialogue was a little awkward and it kinda took me out of the story for a minute there. But all in all, it was a good read that kept me interested in trying to figure out what was going on.

Three Stars

Review: Fire Storm (Kaely Quinn Profiler #2) by Nancy Mehl

About the Book

When FBI profiler Kaely Quinn's mother is diagnosed with cancer, Kaely takes time off work to go to Dark Water, Nebraska, to help her brother care for their mother. Upon her arrival, she learns of a series of fires in the small town, attributed by the fire chief to misuse of space heaters in the frigid winter. But Kaely is skeptical, and a search for a pattern in the locations of the fires bolsters her suspicions.

After yet another blaze devastates a local family, Kaely is certain a serial arsonist is on the loose. Calling upon her partner from St. Louis, Noah Hunter, and her brother's firefighter neighbor who backs Kaely's suspicions, Kaely and her team begin an investigation that swiftly leads them down a twisted path. When the truth is finally revealed, Kaely finds herself confronting a madman who is determined his last heinous act will be her death.

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My Thoughts

Kaely Quinn is one of the most unique and interesting characters I've ever read about. In Fire Storm we get to know her and her family better when she returns to Nebraska to care for her sick mother. When there's a string of suspicious fires around town, Kaely questions whether they're accidents like the officials have ruled or if there's something more sinister going on.

I'm not gonna lie, the first book in this series was spectacular, one of the most suspenseful books ever. To say my expectations were high for this one would be an understatement. Was it as good as Mind Games? Not quite. Occasionally, things felt robotic and stilted, and the ending was abrupt, feeling a bit rushed. But in no way does that mean this was a bad read. I did, mostly, enjoy it. It was nice getting to see more of Kaely's family. I felt like I was beginning to understand her better. And the mystery was good, keeping me invested and trying to figure it out alongside Kaely. I finished it in two days which is fairly quick for me.

Despite the few issues I had with this book, I still plan to continue the series. I want to know what happens to these characters. Plus, I just read the synopsis for the third book and oh my! Sounds like it's gonna be a doozy!

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

Three Stars

Review: Outbreak by Davis Bunn

About the Book

The waters off the West African coast are a menacing red, full of algae thick enough to stand on in places. In nearby villages, mysterious deaths start to occur--and the panic mounts. But before an alarm can be sounded, the sea currents shift, the algae vanishes, and the deaths stop. Everyone is relieved when things return to normal, and local government officials are happy to sweep the publicity nightmare under a rug.

An American biological researcher, Avery Madison, is dispatched by his employer to piece together exactly what happened, having long feared an ecological disaster just like this could occur. He's had little evidence to go on before now, and what he finds in West Africa is rapidly disappearing. But Avery knows the danger hasn't disappeared--it has just moved on.

When parts of the Caribbean start turning a familiar red right before hurricane season kicks into high gear, the implications are clear. If Avery and his colleagues can't convince the world of what's about to happen, toxic destruction could be loosed on American soil. Will their efforts prove too late?

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My Thoughts

Featuring an intriguing mystery and a fast-paced race to figure out what's causing an epidemic that could have worldwide, devastating consequences, Outbreak kept me glued to the pages until the last word.

I will say that I was a little confused here and there, and felt like I had missed something. I never felt much of a connection to any of the characters either. But, overall, it was good story that I read really quickly. I was completely invested in finding out what was causing the “outbreak”. And I was left wondering if something like this is happening, or even has happened, and we just don't know about it.

The ending was a little more open-ended than I usually prefer, so I have my fingers crossed for a sequel.

Three Stars