Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Can't Wait Wednesday: Shattered Sanctuary (The Erin Delaney Mysteries Book #1) by Nancy Mehl

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 Shattered Sanctuary (The Erin Delaney Mysteries Book #1) by Nancy Mehl releasing March 18.

About the Book
Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her newfound peace is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a haunting presence lurking in the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a baffling murder case, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop a merciless serial killer but also confronts the ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

In this propulsive series starter, bestselling author Nancy Mehl steals readers away to the perilous Tennessee town of Sanctuary, setting the stage for an action-packed mystery that will keep them on the edge of their seats.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter

About the Book
They weren’t looking for love

But these puppies will bring them together

Police officer Grant Emerson’s temporary trip home is turning into a disaster. Instead of selling the family farm, his mom and aunts have opened an animal shelter—and already rescued several puppies! When neighboring single mother Meg Kittering offers to help, the matchmaking sisters are convinced she can cure Grant’s grumpiness, despite his protests. But behind Meg’s sunny smiles are struggles Grant can relate to. They’re both in need of love…but can they help each other accept it?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.


MY THOUGHTS

This was another great story from Allie Pleiter. Full of wonderful characters, adorable puppies, a gorgeous setting, and a swoony romance, I was hooked!

Grant is exactly the kind of lovable grump that I enjoy reading about. And Meg is exactly the type of sunshine that he needed. Meg's kids were adorable. I loved how they brought out the softer side of Grant. And I loved seeing Meg's generosity despite having her own problems.

I thought the Three Sisters Rescue Farm was such a cool idea. I loved reading about all of the puppies, especially Daisy. I'm so glad this is the start of a new series. I can't wait to visit the farm again! If you're looking for an inspiring and heartfelt romance, grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it.

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

FIVE STARS

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter. This was a really sweet romance. It releases Tuesday, so I should have my review up then. 

About the Book
They weren’t looking for love

But these puppies will bring them together

Police officer Grant Emerson’s temporary trip home is turning into a disaster. Instead of selling the family farm, his mom and aunts have opened an animal shelter—and already rescued several puppies! When neighboring single mother Meg Kittering offers to help, the matchmaking sisters are convinced she can cure Grant’s grumpiness, despite his protests. But behind Meg’s sunny smiles are struggles Grant can relate to. They’re both in need of love…but can they help each other accept it?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
Meg Kittering watched the enormous dark-eyed man yank open the diner door and then practically fill the doorway. He scanned the Sundial Diner until he found her. Glaring in a way that somehow made his eyes even darker, he walked straight to her.

Friday 56
Half the diner lights were off, but the strings of lights hadn't yet been unplugged. Bright and cheery by day, the shadows and tiny golden bulbs made the diner seem ... romantic. As if they were having dessert at a cozy restaurant. As if they were on a date.
Which they were not. Funny how she kept having to remind herself that.

What have you been reading lately?

Cover Reveal: Amidst Fury and Valor - Compiled by Anne J. Hill & Moriah Chavis


I'm so excited to be part of the cover reveal for Amidst Fury and Valor! This is a very special collection from Twenty Hills Publishing! Ebook pre-orders are live on Amazon and wherever you buy your ebooks. Paperback pre-orders will be live in a few weeks. The release date is March 28.


About the Book
This collection is put together by Anne J. Hill and Moriah Chavis in order to raise money and bring joy to Brook J. Katz's son, Ephriam, who is battling his own dragon: cancer. 85% of royalties will go to support him and his family. Not only do we hope this can help relieve some of the financial burden, but we simply want to bless Ephriam with adventure right from his hospital room. If you'd like to give directly, you can tap the link in @brookjkatz's bio on Instagram, and it'll lead you to their GoFundMe.

Blurb:

In realms of new tales and ancient legends, dragons take flight in this collection of stories filled with courage, heroism, and sacrifice in the dark unknown.

Whether fighting foes on a battlefield or struggling against inner demons, these heroes in Amidst Fury and Valor remind us that true bravery is facing our dragons even when afraid.

Publishing this March 28th. Keep an eye out for more details. If you'd like to ARC read, or share on publication day, you can sign up via the link in the @twenty_hills 🅱️ℹ️🅾️ on Instagram.



Review: An Overdue Match (Checking Out Love #1) by Sarah Monzon

About the Book
Can a librarian's matchmaking mischief lead to a love that rewrites their stories?

If the covers of every romance book ever published didn't convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn't heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what's a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that's what. Armed with library patrons' check-out histories, she's determined to make at least one love connection--even if it's not her own.

Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn't surprise him when the town's quirky new librarian believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can't help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline's secret matchmaking scheme, he's not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can't judge a book--or each other--by the cover.

This is a sweet he-falls-first, opposites attract, matchmaker romantic comedy with disability representation. Perfect for fans of books about books and kisses-only romances.


MY THOUGHTS

I love books about books. And I love reading about characters who love reading. So this book was sure to be a winner! It had me laughing in spots and crying in others.

I liked Tai and Evangeline. At first glance, they seemed like complete opposites, but they had more in common than first thought. Plus, they were just flat-out great together. And I loved that we got both of their POVs.

I liked that Tai wasn’t the stereotypical bad boy. And I thought it was really cool that he was a tattoo artist. And while I did feel like he was a little unrealistically perfect, I liked him a lot.

I like that this book tackled serious subjects in the midst of the humor. It felt very balanced. I really appreciated the light it shined on alopecia. I knew a little about the autoimmune disease, but I appreciated learning more.

If you’re looking for a humorous and heartfelt romance, give this book a try! I’m excited that it’s the beginning of a series. I can’t wait for the next one.

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

FOUR STARS

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Can't Wait Wednesday: Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore

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 Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore releasing March 4.

About the Book
Thirty years after a federal agent and two suspects disappeared in the wilderness, the case is cold, and they’ve never been found. Now their suspected killer is about to go free. But is the truth really what it seems?

In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.

Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true-crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she least needs the distraction. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.

With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Cover Reveal: All the Wild Hearts by J.M. Hackman

I'm so excited to be part of the cover reveal for All the Wild Hearts the first book in the Stardust Hearts series by J.M. Hackman! It's releasing April 29 and is a futuristic sci-fi fantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood! 


About the Book
Who’s afraid of the big bad businessman? Everyone.

On the snowy planet of Amaris, Avarill Engle makes deliveries for her grandmother and the residents of Skift, while avoiding unwanted advances from the gray tycoon Wolfgang Vujic. When the crooked CEO buys the mortgage to her grandmother’s neo-res, the only way to keep their home is to go to work—for him.

With every passing day, Avarill feels more desperate and afraid. Blaiz Weylin, her new friend and expert codestitcher, creates a plan to destroy Vujic, and Avarill eagerly joins the sting operation. But Blaiz’s past entwines with Vujic in ways he can’t confess, even as his feelings for Avarill deepen. When his secret comes to light, Avarill must make a choice: trust in the man who could break her heart or fight to free herself from Vujic’s iron grasp. With one wrong move, her freedom will become a distant memory. Time is running out, and the wolf is closing in.

There are no preorder links at this time but be on the lookout for this book at the end of April!