Review: The Edge of a Knife and Other Stories by Beka Gremikova

About the Book
Monsters. They are not always easily spotted, and often easily misunderstood. Sometimes, the monsters must be slain—and sometimes, they must be saved . . .

In this collection of nine folkloric fantasy and science fiction stories, you will find a motley crew of characters facing off against monsters or accepting the monstrous within themselves, including:

~a ruthless mermaid who must make a deadly choice to free her little sister from a dangerous mistake;

~a galactic gravedigger branded a traitor for burying a rebel—and forced to decide between her beliefs and the future she’s fought to build;

~a once-wicked queen who must face her darkest self in order to help another young woman avoid an unhappy fate;

~a ghostly creature trapped in a spaceship full of secrets—secrets that may destroy the young man set to inherit the ship’s dark legacy;

~and a desperate thief on the run, who must decide whether the wolf shifter tracking her down is a foe . . . or her best chance at survival.

Full of beauty and brokenness, romance and revenge, madness and mercy, these stories may just have you rooting for the monsters . . .

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a great collection of short stories! I loved every single one, which doesn’t always happen in a collection like this. Each one was impactful and meaningful. Some were dark, while others were funny. There was a good mix. It’s always impressive how much Gremikova can pack into such a small package.

The Edge of a Knife
This was a Little Mermaid retelling told from the perspective of one of her sisters. It was emotional and about sacrificial love and sisterly bonds. It had me tearing up.

The Stardust Smugglers
This was a fun and action-packed story about an investigator who captures smugglers with the help of his dog. I loved the surprising twist!

Golden Child
This was a tragic Romeo and Juliet/King Midas retelling. I enjoyed the unique combination of those stories.

Pay the Piper
This was a Pied Piper retelling about ambition and the price you’re willing to pay for it and the consequences thereafter. This had a twist I never saw coming! Loved it!

Every Bone in the Body
Set in space, this was a heavy and sad tale that had me invested from the very beginning.

Like a Fox
This was about a fox shifter who couldn’t shift. I felt so bad for the way Veya was treated but loved the hopeful ending.

Rats in the Grain
A foundling is tasked with getting rid of Plague Rats on the farm where she was sent. I loved this story. It was unique and had a great ending.

Echo among the Stars
Set in space, a young man learns about the family business and the disturbing secret that’s kept them successful. I really appreciated the anxiety rep in this story.

Once Upon a Pumpkin
This was my favorite story of the collection. I loved the mashup of fairytales and really enjoyed seeing a different side to one of the villains.

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

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Risking His Heart (Christmas in Redemption Ridge) by Emily Conrad

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 Risking His Heart (Christmas in Redemption Ridge) by Emily Conrad. 

About the Book

Falling for her best friend is not on her (forced, way-too-early, medical) retirement bucket list.

Career-driven cop Neenah Casper is forced by an injury to turn in her badge at age thirty-two. The same day she’s named guardian of an orphaned fifteen-year-old girl. With all her plans in pieces, it’s no wonder she starts feeling more than friendship for her supportive best friend Cody. But life’s taught her nothing lasts forever, and surely these feelings will pass once she finds a new life’s purpose.

Though Neenah friend-zoned him years ago, Officer Cody Adams has never stopped watching her back and hoping for more. Helping with her new ward could be just the opportunity to show her how much more he could be. Meanwhile, he’s also fighting to earn a promotion and impress his unpleasable police chief father by catching a home burglar and a Christmastime prankster. Neenah’s newly minted neighborhood watch might help him save Christmas and earn the job, if only the group didn’t bring complications of its own.

As Neenah and Cody wrangle octogenarian vigilantes, Christmas bandits, and complicated families, the chemistry between them only grows. But if they act on it, they won’t be able to go back. With their friendship and careers on the line, is love worth the risk?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

If good things come to those who wait, Cody was doing something very wrong.

Friday 56

In the same way that coffee helped kickoff his mornings, Cody's hour-long neighborhood watch shifts became his preferred way to wind down each day. 

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden

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 Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden releasing January 20, 2026.

About the Book

They lost each other once before; now the clouds of war may give them a second chance.

As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together--until betrayal tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in famine-stricken Belgium.

Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise funds instead. To his surprise, this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir--until duty sends them behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them--or the possibility of falling in love again?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Trail of Mountain Secrets (National Park Protectors Book 2) by Darlene L. Turner

About the Book

A case of mistaken identity.
A K-9 to the rescue.

Park archaeologist Violet Hoyt’s wilderness search for a missing family’s remains takes a deadly turn when a gunman mistakes her for someone else. The discovery of a grave of skulls reopens a cold case, and someone is determined to keep the truth hidden. With the help of K-9 handler Maverick Shaw and his human-remains-detector dog, Wolf, Violet must find the final family member—and evade the masked man who has targeted her. Soon Violet learns a shocking secret: She has a presumed dead twin sister who may still be alive, and now they’re both in danger. Can Violet and Maverick expose a conspiracy before this Christmas becomes their last?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This book was so good! Action-packed, full of wonderful characters, an intriguing mystery, and a great message of faith, I loved every minute of it!

I’ve always been fascinated by archaeology, so I thought Violet’s job was interesting. I wouldn’t have minded even more scenes about it. I really liked Maverick, and I thought his K-9, Wolf, was very impressive.

This is one of the fastest-paced stories I’ve read in a long time. It was almost nonstop action. Things were so exciting and moved so fast that, at times, I could hardly catch my breath! The characters couldn’t seem to catch a break. It was one thing right after another. Danger upon danger! I couldn’t read fast enough!

If you’re a fan of high-stakes romantic suspense with a strong message of faith, you’ll love this book! I highly recommend it! And even though it’s book two in the series, it can stand alone perfectly fine.

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

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Trail of Mountain Secrets (National Park Protectors Book 2) by Darlene L. Turner

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 Trail of Mountain Secrets (National Park Protectors Book 2) by Darlene L. Turner.

About the Book

A case of mistaken identity.
A K-9 to the rescue.

Park archaeologist Violet Hoyt’s wilderness search for a missing family’s remains takes a deadly turn when a gunman mistakes her for someone else. The discovery of a grave of skulls reopens a cold case, and someone is determined to keep the truth hidden. With the help of K-9 handler Maverick Shaw and his human-remains-detector dog, Wolf, Violet must find the final family member—and evade the masked man who has targeted her. Soon Violet learns a shocking secret: She has a presumed dead twin sister who may still be alive, and now they’re both in danger. Can Violet and Maverick expose a conspiracy before this Christmas becomes their last?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Searching for a skull in the dangerous northern tip of Asterbine National Park wasn't where park archeologist Violet Hoyt wanted to be six days before Christmas, but her leader had tasked her to find the other Hancock family member who'd been missing for two years.

Friday 56

The sound of stomping hooves and horse whinnies filtered through the barn, drowning out the music.

Wolf barked, then growled.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen

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 Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen releasing December 2.

About the Book

She expected her return to Painswick would bring memories of the past--not danger and romance.

Anne Loveday, a surgeon's daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place where she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year.

Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sickroom nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne's sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, a shadowy old house rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia's spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady's maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own.

As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her resolution to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real culprit--and protect her heart--before it's too late?

Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this compelling Regency-era novel laced with intrigue, love, and English village charm for fans of historical romance and whodunit mysteries.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Sons of Day and Night (Chronicles of Twinsbane Book 1) by Mariposa Aristeo

About the Book

Not even death can tell them apart.

In the wild and lush kingdom of Twinsbane, everyone has a look-alike, and each twin is cursed to die when their double breathes their last. When an ancient plague arises, the kingdom’s only hope is to sever these deadly ties. Yet King Daccias refuses to relinquish the cure, a legendary potion called the Separator.

Waruu, an orphan determined to break these ties, discovers he’s the king’s doppelgänger. He’s certain that if he can switch places, he can save the kingdom. But if anyone learns his true identity, he’ll lose everything—including the people he’s desperately trying to protect.

King Daccias wants nothing more than for his subjects to cease threatening to behead him if he doesn’t hand over the Separator. Intent on catching those opposing him, he finds himself ensnared in his own trap. If he doesn’t break loose, the kingdom will rest in the hands of an insolent boy who knows nothing about the truth behind the events unfolding around him.

To save their kingdom, both Waruu and Daccias must face their greatest enemy—each other.

Amazon / Goodreads / Enclave Publishing Store

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This book was an absolute blast to read! It had me laughing out loud in several places, trying to hold back tears in others, and on the edge of my seat. It held my full and undivided attention from beginning to end. I loved it so much!

The worldbuilding was fantastic. Inspired by Australia, it was rich, detailed, and fully immersive. I thought the premise was really interesting. The fact that everyone had a double had me so intrigued.

While neither Daccias nor Waruu was very likable in the beginning, I couldn’t get enough of them. They were interesting and flawed characters who I ended up loving so much.

I didn’t want this book to end. I tried to slow down and savor the last little bit, but I couldn’t. I had to find out what happened! It was so good! I highly, highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from this talented author.

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

FIVE STARS