Close Up by Amanda Quick

If you’d like to know more about my love for Amanda Quick and Burning Cove, here’s a review from May 2020 for book 4 in the Burning Cove series. Enjoy!

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Book 4 of the Burning Cove series

I have a longtime relationship with the author that goes by so many names: Amanda Quick, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Jayne Castle. When I learned I was pregnant with my son, I was already off for the summer and took “resting” to a whole new level. I started at the beginning of the Jayne Ann Krentz shelf at the Library and worked my way, one to two books per day, through the Library’s entire collection. When I exhausted that section, I found her other pen names and worked my way through them. When I discovered that she did three book arcs throughout all three pen names, I had to start those over and read them as trilogies. I have an entire shelf in my private library dedicated to signed copies I ordered from Seattle bookstores. She doesn’t know it, but I love her.

I know exactly what I’m getting when I pick up one of her books and this book did not disappoint.

Close Up by Amanda Quick is the fourth installment in the Burning Cove series. Vivian Brazier is a talented photographer with dreams of becoming a famous art photographer. When her wealthy family cuts financial ties with her after walking away from a respectable and lucrative marriage proposal, Vivian is forced to take portrait appointments and crime scene photos to pay the bills. The mysterious Dagger Killer is on the loose and Vivian's crime scene photos provide insight to the local police force but also place Vivian in grave danger. When a private investigator named Nick Sundridge, and his gentle giant of a dog Rex, show up on her doorstep and declare her life is in danger, Vivian is not only shocked, but also not really surprised. With some reassurances from a police detective, Vivian and Nick work together to expose the threat against at Vivian and also, to expose the attraction between them.

I'm a longtime reader of Amanda Quick and have enjoyed all of the different story lines that are woven together to create the Arcane Society world. In Close Up, Quick provides us more clues to the range of psychical gifts found in certain people and the their connections to different members of the Society. Devoted readers of Quick, and her other pseudonyms, will not be disappointed in this high stakes adventure full of 1930's glamour, set in the highbrow world of the arts.

Interested in your own copy? You can get yours here:

More in the Burning Cove series:

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title, all opinions and mistakes are my own.

Comfort Reads: The Bride Wore White by Amanda Quick

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Content Notes: a list of content notes can be found at The StoryGraph

Back in the summer of 2007, I was pregnant, off for the summer, and decided to take things very easy. After losing our first pregnancy just a few months previously, I wasn’t willing to take any risks and spent that summer reading as many books as I possibly could. I finally went to our closest library only to discover that wasn’t where I was supposed to get my library card and after successfully acquiring said library card from the correct library, discovered Amanda Quick. Quick, the historical romance pen name of Jayne Ann Krentz, became my obsession that summer. I read them all. Every single title the library, and the surrounding libraries, had. I read through the trilogies that spanned time and pen names. Books set in the 1800’s written by Amanda Quick. Contemporaries written by Jayne Ann Krentz. Futuristic paranormals written by Jayne Castle. These books all contain her core story: an independent and ambitious woman saves herself from danger with the help of a handsome and grumpy man who has a complicated and tragic past. Some are incredibly dated, pretty sexist, and, with a lot of love, formulaic. But, I still love them and will continue to read them.

I have shelves of signed books and preorder swag. Whenever I find a hardcover in one of those bargain bins at Menards, seriously the best part of the store, I always buy them. Sometimes you just need a book that is going to go exactly as you know it will. No surprises, no new and exciting ideas. Just a book that brings a smile when you realize that you hit that point in the book, just like you knew you would. The books where they always say the whole name of a town or hotel every single time it’s brought up. The books where the villain always spills their guts as they’re about to harm the main characters. The books where everyone is so concerned about High Society and it’s Expectations. The books that make you chuckle every time you realize you could play a bingo card off the tropes. I love it all.

When I was prepping everything for my hysterectomy last week, I knew I would need an audiobook that I would enjoy but also not really need to pay attention to. Something that would keep me entertained but also not one that required 100% of my focus because hello, pain and pain meds are kind of known to be distracting.

So what did I pick? Wow, it’s in the title folks.

Book 7 of the Burning Cover series, The Bride Wore White, brings us the story of Prudence Ryland, aka Madame Ariadne, a psychic dream consultant who is obsessed with tea. (They all are. Every single heroine.) When a client mysteriously dies after a consultation, Prudence packs her bags and heads to Burning Cove to start a new life away from the suspicions of the tightly knit psychic community and the high society clientele they serve. There, mysterious circumstances cause her to enlist the help of Luther Pell and his investigator Jack Wingate. Together, Prudence and Jack race against time to uncover the threat against her and of course, fall madly in love with each other.

It was everything I could have hoped for! It truly was. Prudence does have real psychic powers and once in Burning Cove, goes on to get a job as a Librarian in an academic library where she quickly discovers she has a great talent in working with psychic research and materials. So of course she becomes obsessed with Jack’s manuscript on criminal profiling. Jack had a disastrous ending to his previous case which left him scarred and with horrible nightmares. With so much love, of course the psychic dream consultant falls hard for the grumpy handsome guy with nightmares! Truly, this book was exactly what I needed, when I needed it. The perfect comfort read.

If you’re interested in checking out this series, know that people from previous books show up, but you can definitely read all of them as stand-alone novels. If you haven’t read her Arcane Society novels, I highly, highly recommend them. The way the characters are woven together across time always makes for fun cameos and were an absolute nightmare to shelve at the Library.

I hope this book brings you as many smiles as it did me.

If you’d like to add this book to your shelf, you can click on the cover above or here for ordering information. I listened to my copy through Libby from my library.

This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Reading Randomness

I thought, silly me, that after having survived The Kid’s freshman year of high school, I knew what to expect. But no, sophomore year seems even busier and overwhelming and my reading time just hasn’t made it very high on the priority list. And no, The Kid is not overwhelmed, I am. He is doing fabulous and loves all the extra time with his friends and the fun side of school and his various clubs. I just have to find the time to take him everywhere, make sure the Farm Friends are content, fit in a job, and you know, sleep.

But, I have been able to fit in a few series books! Normally I don’t find it very useful to review books in long running series because it’s hard not to spoil earlier books and if you’re really interested to know if book #26 is worth reading, you’re going to read it anyways because you already the first 25.

But with that said…

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg is just as delightful and engaging as Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. It picks up right after book 1 ends and I loved it just as much as the first. Boy of Chaotic Making, book 3 in the Whimbrel House series is scheduled to come out February 13, 2024 and I’ve already pre-ordered it. Both book 1 and 2 are available in KU and it looks like book 3 will be as well.

Dark Olympus Book #5! Just as hot and steamy as the rest of the series with even more mystery surrounding the actual magical workings of the city of Olympus itself. I really love how Katee Robert isn’t afraid to explore non-traditional romantic pairings and includes a diverse range of characters. Everyone is interesting, everyone has a secret, everyone wants to sleep with everyone and we get to see it all! This one did leave me wanting a little more in the “how did we go from pants feelings to heart feelings” area, but overall I really enjoyed it.

If you’re looking to start your Spooky Season reads and don’t know where to start, here are two books coming out soon to add to your pre-order list! Full reviews will come soon.

I’m about 60% through Black River Orchard, which comes out 9/26/23. One of the darkest, creepiest, most enthralling books I’ve read in a while! I am absolutely loving this one! If you loved Wendig’s other books, you’ll love this one. It’s about a man who plants seven apple trees in his family’s orchard and then the whole town becomes obsessed with the fruits. Very, very disturbing to read as I am currently working my way through our own apple harvest…

Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson comes out 10/3/23 and is absolutely terrifying! One of the most beautifully written horror novels I’ve ever read. It’s quietly chilling and utterly compulsive. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t tear myself away. I read this several months ago and I still think about it at least once a day. Definitely pre-order if you’re a horror fan.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and mistakes are my own. Both digital copies of Black River Orchard and Bloom were advanced copies I received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Lassiter by J.R. Ward

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It’s here! Lassiter has his book!

From the author’s website:

Lassiter, the fallen angel, is too good at the savior business.  In his new role overseeing the fates of all vampires, he’s influenced outcomes he shouldn’t have- so the Creator is calling him home.  But the angel has a reason to stay in Caldwell.  He’s bonded with a mysterious female who’s seemed to appear from out of nowhere… and has powers that defy all reason.

Rahvyn is well aware that she doesn’t belong in the present.  And she never intended to stay, for her true place is in the past.  Lassiter proves to be undeniable, however, and she lets herself fall for the angel- until a secret he’s been keeping comes out and she fears that for him, it’s not about love, but duty.

As the Omega’s son reestablishes the Lessening Society, and the Brotherhood must resume the deadly war- an unfathomable tragedy occurs.  In the aftermath, Rahvyn has to decide whether to stay and help- or save herself from an immortal heartbreak she knows will crush her very soul…

I have been a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood from the very beginning. When my husband and I built our bookshelves around our new fireplace, these books were the first to be shelved. When I was pregnant with my son, I was so scared of losing another pregnancy that I took rest very seriously. During this time, I fell back in love with reading for pleasure and discovered many authors that have become the core of my reading. But with all long running series, this is book 21 of just the core series!, sometimes you get a bit of reading fatigue. I fully believe that you can love a series with all your heart and also wonder how much longer an author is going to keep it going. If you have felt that way at all with the BDB, I get it, and also, this book made me remember why I love Ward and this series so much. And, as with long running series, it’s so hard to discuss them without all the spoilers.

So here’s what I loved:

• Lassiter really gets to show his humanity and express his true feelings about his role in the Brotherhood’s life.

• Rahvyn’s character is given more depth and complexity. I really like her storyline.

• Lassiter and Rahvyn’s romance felt so pure, but also so fragile. I really loved the uncertainty of it all.

• Beth gets to be more than LW’s mom.

• Devina and Lash. My word these two are diabolical. I love it.

• I screamed during a pivotal scene. Screamed. While working a local election.

• (I live in a tiny district and it was a sloooow day. Don’t judge.)

• I think this book sets up the opportunity for a huge shift in the world.

This book was amazing! I fell right into the story and was completely enthralled from beginning to end.

Thank you to the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Entranced by the Basilisks by Lillian Lark

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Reader Friends, I love Lillian Lark’s books. I love how imaginative and sexy they are. I love how the characters have real, interesting lives and jobs. I love how easily she can turn magical elements into something that feels completely believable and relatable. I also love how imaginative and sexy they are.

Her books are so hot. So. Hot.

In Entranced by the Basilisks, we are back with Emilia from Deceived by the Gargoyles. She is still reeling from learning that magic is real and the discover that her best friend and co-worker has been lying to her for their entire relationship. When a crate of books is delivered to her office for restoration, she follows all of the precautions taught to her by Grace, including using crystals to check for, and deactivate any magical wards. When the first book appears to be nothing more than a beautiful antique book, Emilia is delighted to have a project that will keep her busy and focused on something other than her new-found magical knowledge.

But, magic is fickle and instead of hours of peace and quiet, Emilia discovers a curse. A curse that turns her into a Medusa-like creature and a threat to all who come near her. Desperate to find a cure, Emilia finds herself at the magical Love Bathhouse and in the capable hands of Rose, our favorite magical matchmaker. Will finding her mate cure the curse? Will finding pleasure on a serpent’s tongue be just what she needs?

Gods I love a book with the possibility of sex magic!

Luckily for Emilia, everyone steps up to help her control her new magical power. Everyone, including Jasper Adder, her very grumpy boss who has been harboring a secret crush on his employee. Everyone, including Ari Zeyad, the rich antiques dealer who has spent the last seven years wanting a real relationship with Jasper, only to be pushed away.

Lark has gifted us with a steamy romance that is a glorious blend of enemies to lovers, workplace pining, age gap, and “ancestor did something wrong so the entire line suffers” longing. It’s an incredibly sweet book, with characters that feel real even with all the magic involved. Jasper and Ari have a long and complicated history together with real reasons for not taking their relationship public. Ari’s tendency to be very pushy and manipulative makes things more difficult, not just for his relationship with Jasper, but for his relationship with both Jasper and Emilia. Emilia isn’t one for casual relationships and to just jump into a relationship with not one, but two men is an incredibly hard choice to make. Add in their shapeshifting abilities and the whole “magical curse” thing and it’s quite a lot for her to take in. But it all works. Lark is able to weave together all these elements and craft a beautiful, steamy, romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is part of the Monstrous Matches series but can be read as a standalone. Deceived by the Gargoyles is fabulous so I recommend you read that first, then come back to Entranced by the Basilisks. Both are available in KU.

If you’d like to add this fantastical romance to your collection, you can click on the cover above or here for ordering information. If you’re interested in starting a Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can find information here.

This post contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Resting Witch Face (Stay a Spell #5) by Juliette Cross

Happy Halloween and do I have a huge treat for you! Today is the release day for one of my most anticipated books of the year. I fell in love with the Stay a Spell series with the first book, Wolf Gone Wild, and the series continues to deliver super hot romance set in a well-crafted magical world.

Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

CW: gore, violence
Friends, this book opens with a literal bang! We have been witness to the potent tension between Jules and Ruben for many books now and, in Resting Witch Face, the fifth book in the Stay a Spell series, we finally learn the history behind the longing and animosity. What we also get is more insight into the governing council of all supernatural beings and its history and power structure.

As Jules and Ruben travel the world, meeting with the leaders of the various covens to petition the inclusion of the werewolves into their guild, they are forced to come to terms with their attraction to each other and the complexities behind the failure of their relationship years before. Overcoming distrust, dealing with the effects of their gifts, and the constant need to balance work and family is a lot for any couple to grapple with, let alone two of the most powerful and respected members of their covens. There are real, complex reasons that their relationship collapsed in the past and Cross does an excellent job of showing two people who genuinely want to repair the damage and forge a new path forward.

Resting Witch Face is a hot, second-chance romance, full of political intrigue and danger. Cross is known for her dirty talking heroes and Ruben is no exception. This book is full of incredible banter, angst, and intense longing. I really, really loved it.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.


View all my reviews

If you’re interested in adding this amazing book to your collection, you can click on the cover for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert

It’s here! It’s finally here!

The third book in the Dark Olympus series gives us the very steamy retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus. When Helen realizes her brother intends for her to marry the person who literally wins her hand in a gladiator style competition, she decides to compete for herself. She wants to win her freedom to live her life on her terms and not that of someone who must bend to the will of a political alliance. What Helen doesn’t anticipate winning is the hearts of two gorgeous men who are willing to worship the ground she walk on…and her.

It’s so good you guys! In true Katee Robert fashion, this story is hotter than hot with truly interesting characters. Achilles wants the power that a marriage to Helen would bring, but he isn’t interested in maintaining an actual relationship with her…until about three minutes after he meets her of course. Patroclus wants Achilles happy and is willing to ensure that happiness at any cost. Both Achilles and Patroclus have ties to an agency outside of the Thirteen and are interested in the power that agency can provide, but Achilles would be out if he married Helen, leaving Patroclus behind. Patroclus, being Patroclus and wanting only happiness for Achilles, knows he’ll be left behind and is willing to let that happen if it means Achilles is happy. So much angst! So much “I love you more than my own happiness and I would raze the world for you” going on in this book. Everyone has their own end goal and the three of them ending up together? Not even on anyone’s radar. The journey these three take to fall in love is truly magical and I loved every single bit of it. It’s so good!

If you would like to add this amazing book to your shelf, you can click on the cover or here for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Heart and Hand by Rebel Carter

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Back in November, I received the most delightful book mail after winning the monthly paperback giveaway from Lucy Eden. Included in that giveaway was my very first Rebel Carter romance and Reader Friends, it’s definitely not my last! I loved this book! Absolutely loved it. I’m not typically an early American historical reader, but this book involves the interracial marriage between a New York socialite and two ex-Union soldiers living in the Montana territory.

Two Husbands!!! How does anyone pass up a book with two husbands in 1886 Montana? I know I don’t.

Julie Baptiste is tired of society life and is looking for something more fulfilling in her life. When the opportunity to move west and become a school teacher, as well as a wife to a couple of ex-Union soldiers, is made available to her, Julie decides to take a leap of faith. Forrest and William are both settled in Gold Sky, Montana as local lawmen and want a wife and children to complete their family. After months of letters between Forrest and herself, Julie knows that moving to Gold Sky offers her the best chance at the happiness and fulfillment she’s been searching for.

Oh, how I love this book! Not only do we get to see Julie bravely take the risk of moving halfway across the country, by herself, to marry two men she’s never met, but we also get to see her fall in love with teaching and become a respected member of Gold Sky. Julie has to take a train, by herself, for nearly a month to travel to Gold Sky from New York. The thought of being stuck on a train for a month sounds horrifying and I can’t imagine how miserable it would have been. I also love how Julie knows from the beginning that she’s marrying both Will and Forrest. There is no bait and switch here-she goes in, eyes wide open, to marrying these men. And did she ever get lucky! Both Forrest and Will go out of their way to make her feel comfortable, cared for, and respected. They really take care of her down to the smallest details like choosing a house with many bedrooms, including one for herself if she’d like. They also left much of the decorating for her so the house felt like hers, not just theirs. When the school fundraiser gets thrust on her last minute, they both step up to help in any way they can. Such a good guys.

It was also really beautiful to watch how the trio learned to navigate their new relationship and the intricacies of this type of marriage. The respect they all had for each other and for their relationship was really to satisfying to see. It’s just so good! I wish I had the words to tell you how good it is!

If you would like to add this amazing book to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest

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This is hands down, one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s hilarious, full of heart, quirky, and just an absolute delight.

When Seattle police detective Grady narrowly misses a plane crash due to a last minute flight change by his travel agent Leda, he knows he has found the one person who can help him solve a cold case. With her ability to see flashes of memories while holding objects, Leda makes a perfect partner. But Leda hasn’t really spent a lot of time honing her ability and uses it mainly as way to draw customers to a friend’s bar where she performs karaoke inspired by objects people bring her. Can her unpredictable gift help solve Grady’s cold case and possibly, the case of her murdered fiancé?

I loved this book so much! It was full of hijinks and amazing friendships where everyone has great quippy banter. Leda was a really fun character. She has this amazing gift of seeing flashes of memory when she handles objects and has a devoted following at her friend’s bar where she gets to drink for free while she wows crowds with her Klairvoyant Karaoke. Her day job is the owner-operator of Foley’s Far-Fetched Flights of Fancy and I think that is one of the best fake business names I’ve ever heard. That business name? Tells you about everything you need to know about the tone of the book. Even though our characters are searching for a killer, it’s done in a very light-hearted and sarcastic way. Leda and her best friend Niki take over the bar’s whiteboard to create a “murder board” and manage to wrangle all the bar’s employees to help in solving the murder of Leda’s fiancé and another victim. Detective Grady Merritt takes his job very seriously and truly wants to solve the case, but also feels deep down that trusting Leda is key to finding his murderer. There are some great scenes where Grady and Leda are trying to question witnesses but it devolves so quickly into chaos.

The story moves along very quickly and I was completely enthralled from start to finish. It’s so well plotted with so many twists and funny moments that I never wanted to put it down. Luckily, I had this with me on vacation last month and was able to read it in pretty much one sitting. The humor is great, the friendships were delightful, and the plot never gets to gruesome. Sorry, I just want to keep you telling it’s delightful because that’s the best description-it’s just absolutely delightful. If you like Darynda Jones and any of her series, you will love this.

Seriously, pick this book up. It’s amazing. If you’d like to get your own copy, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post also contains affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, and I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha

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The Mercenary Librarians and the Silver Devils are back in The Devil You Know, the next installment of USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Kit Rocha’s post-apocalyptic Action/Romance, with hints of Orphan Black and the Avengers

Maya has had a price on her head from the day she escaped the TechCorps. Genetically engineered for genius and trained for revolution, there’s only one thing she can’t do—forget.

Gray has finally broken free of the Protectorate, but he can’t escape the time bomb in his head. His body is rejecting his modifications, and his months are numbered.

When Maya’s team uncovers an operation trading in genetically enhanced children, she’ll do anything to stop them. Even risk falling back into the hands of the TechCorps.

And Gray has found a purpose for his final days: keeping Maya safe.

I absolutely adore this series! Kit Rocha has created a thrilling and dark world for their characters to navigate through as they continue their quest to save the people around them in a post-apocalyptic Atlanta. Maya is a technological genius who has used her skills to maintain their precious Library and provide those around her with the knowledge necessary to keep the community fed and safe. Of all the Mercenary Librarians, Maya is definitely my favorite. She doesn’t have the typical super strength and fighting skills the other Librarians and Silver Devils have, but what she does have is a perfect memory and a level of empathy that makes her the perfect addition to their crew and community. She’s also a gorgeously curvy and soft heroine who finds herself obsessed with book scanners. 

Her relationship with Gray develops in such a gentle and respectful way and is at complete odds with their surroundings. They have both been treated horribly in the past, and yes, horribly is a vast understatement, but are still able to overcome that abuse to develop a true level of trust. Also, these two show us that there is nothing sexier than consent. 

The Devil You Know also gives us a truly cathartic story of a really bad guy who gets all the consequences coming their way. There is some true justice served that is incredibly satisfying. 

This fast-paced, thrilling adventure is a perfect balance of dark and light. There is a true sense of community between the Mercenary Librarians and the Silver Devils that really shines in this novel. A little something that is much needed in our current climate. 

Intrigued? Want to add this amazing series to your collection? You can find ordering information here:

Mercenary Librarians Book 1

Mercenary Librarians Book 2

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Tor Books for the advanced copy of this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. 

This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers

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I recently listened to the latest episode of Smart Podcast, Trashy Books where Becky Chambers spoke of wanting to write a book that would be like “sending a hug out into the world.” Chambers definitely delivered that warm hug with A Psalm for the Wild Built. In a world that has turned the corner from near climate devastation, a monk has found themselves wanting to make a vocational change and start a new journey as a tea monk. After a slightly rocky start, Dex becomes one of the most popular tea monks in the area. Helping people talk through their struggles and sadness, finding the perfect cup of tea to meet their needs, and traveling from town to town is both exciting and emotionally draining. When Dex begins to feel overwhelmed, they strike out on a spontaneous journey to find an old hermitage in the mountains. Along the way, they encounter a robot. A real, honest-to-goodness robot named Mosscap who has  just met his first real, honest-to-goodness human. Together, the two begin a journey that will take them into the unknown wilds of Panga, and the unknown territory of a robot and human friendship. 

This is such a lovely story set in an imaginative new world. Panga, the world’s one continent is carefully divided into areas for human living and carefully protected wildlife. Balance between the humans and the living world has been found and the people now treat their world with reverence and respect. Chambers has created a world that understands the need for tech for things like communication and data storage, and strives to learn from the devastation that an oil-fueled civilization had on the planet. 

Dex and Mosscap are wonderful and interesting characters. Together, they explore what it means to be human, what it means to evolve, and what it means to be brave. Mosscap is a gentle and enthusiastic robot who loves to learn about everything. Absolutely everything! Their fascination with Dex’s belongings and confusion about many of their actions played out in a delicate balance between child-like wonder and old-soul wisdom. Dex is an incredibly relatable  person who could be from any planet and from any time. Dex is struggling to find their place in the world, their purpose in life, and unsure of why they never feel fulfilled. 

I loved this little book and can’t wait to see what Chambers comes up with next in the series. Will there be more adventures with Dex and Mosscap? Will we get to meet other robots? Explore more of Panga? I know I’ll be watching for book 2.

If you would like to add this lovely novella to your bookshelf, you can find ordering information here: 

This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne

Book 2 in the Ink & Sigil Series

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Al, Buck, and Nadia are back and this time, they are battling supernatural beings in the wildly beautiful Australia. 

When the local sigil agent goes missing in Australia, Al and Buck immediately prepare for a search and rescue mission. Armed with sigils and the sharp wit of a hobgoblin, Al and Buck find themselves embroiled in a much larger conspiracy involving the Iron Druid, a God, and finally let us in on a few secrets about our mythical monsters. 

*Spoiler!* It’s Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster! We finally get her secrets! 

Hearne has delivered another action-packed joy ride full of humor and sharp dialogue. In this latest installment, we get even more insight into the lives and lore of Celtic legends and discover that there may be more to Al’s secretary, Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, than previously known. One thing I love about Hearne’s writing is how his characters are not annoying all-knowing creatures who can come across as talking down to readers. Al truly doesn’t know what’s going on with Gladys and the missing sigil agents' curious connections to the Iron Druid. As Al learns about the connections, the reader does as well. I dig that. 

This book is absolutely laugh-out-loud hilarious. Buck is one of my favorite characters, and his ability to bring levity to some pretty dire situations was quite a feat. His love of stolen whiskey and cheese and powers of spicy peppers bring so much fun and joy to the story. I also really enjoyed how Nadia gets to showcase her amazing fighting skills and all-around kick-buttness as she helps save the day again.  Also, with Atticus entering the scene, now known as Conner, we get to spend some time with our favorite good dugs Oberon and Starbuck, and as always, they are an absolute delight.

This is a solid second book in the series and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m hoping Gladys is the focus of the next book but I completely understand if she remains a mystery forever. 

If you would like to add this book to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. 

This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualified purchases.

A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones

Available Now!

CW: sexual assault, murder, child abduction, and death of a parent.

Reader Friends, I cannot express to you how much I love this author. I fell in love with the snark, sarcasm, and witty banter during the Charley Davidson series and stayed for the steaming hot spiciness that is the Charley and Reyes Farrow relationship. All of that deliciousness was brought back for her latest mystery series centered around Sheriff Sunshine Vicram. A Good Day For Chardonnay is book two in the series and you really should read the series in order to fully appreciate it. That said, if you haven’t read book one, start with A Bad Day for Sunshine and then meet me back here.

Between shaking off annoying suitors set up by her parents, a rascally raccoon named Randy who is terrorizing the police force, and a daughter intent on solving the murders seemingly committed by a local serial killer, Sheriff Sunshine Vicram is a bit busy. Oh, don’t forget the bar fight that nearly kills the love of her life and possibly leads to clues in a years old kidnapping case. Wait, there’s also the prisoner who claims to know what truly happened that day, years ago, when Sunshine herself was kidnapped and the true identity of her daughter’s father.

It’s a lot to take in and in true Sunshine fashion, she stumbles through it all with gallons of coffee, several glasses of chardonnay, and with the help of her loyal friends and family who she would gladly die for. Really, I think she has a t-shirt that says so.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment of the Sunshine Vicram mystery series. In classic Darynda Jones fashion, A Good Day for Chardonnay tackles intense crimes such as kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder with the perfect amount of levity to keep the story from going too dark. Her characters are incredibly relatable and human and you can feel the pressures they face as they try to solve crimes, raise children, and just live in the world. Sunshine is still trying to regain her memories of the time she was kidnapped at 17 and the identity of the person who rescued her. The complexity of her feelings over not remembering that experience, wanting to move on with her life and pursue a relationship with Levi, and protect her daughter from the trauma of learning she may be the child of rape really influences so many of her decisions. You can feel her frustration in wanting to move on with her life but not feeling like she can trust her judgement. But because Sunshine is a true badass, she manages to deal with all of that emotional stress while also solving major crimes and I love that Jones creates such powerful and complex female characters. One of my favorite parts of this series, and Jones’ writing, is the friendships found within the books. Sunshine and Quincy are absolute ride-or-die and their interactions made me jealous of not being in their group text.

A Good Day for Chardonnay is hilarious, heartfelt, and a delightfully witty tale of friendship, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to find justice for those they love. I cannot recommend this series enough and if you would like to dive into this amazing series, you can find ordering information here:

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Available Now

In the latest installment of space drama set in the Galactic Commons, our characters spend more time on land than in space. In a refreshing take on space-based science fiction, we get a glimpse into the lives of the travelers who make the Five-Hop, One-Stop the most delightful and inclusive travel rest stop in the galaxy. Ouloo and her teenager do their very best to make guests of all species and shapes as comfortable as they can while they wait for access to the wormholes that connect the different worlds in the Galactic Commons. 

When an incident causes a catastrophic communications failure, the guests at the Five-Hop, One-Hop, as well as everyone on the planet are stranded until further notice. During their impromptu lay-over, the various guests of Ouloo’s travel stop do what they can to minimize the stress of the travel delays that while inconvenient for some, could be life-changing for others. As the guests spend more and more time together, they discover that with all of their differences: political, physical, spiritual, and ethical; they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. 

I just love this series. It’s so imaginative and hopeful with an emphasis on characters that don’t default to human. In The Galaxy, and the Ground Within, we are introduced to the Laru Ouloo and Tupo who have four paws, long necks, and choose their gender after adolescence. In my mind, Tupo was always the little Llama from the Anne Dewdney series…I’m sure that’s wrong but xe was such a grumpy teenager that it seemed fitting. 

There is also the first methane-based life form, Speaker, that I have read and it was fascinating how much detail went into allowing Speaker to interact with the other guests and the obstacles that she had to overcome to do so. There is a scene, not a spoiler I promise, where someone brings up food around Speaker. When Speaker questions the guest as to why Speaker never eats around them, they assume it’s the ingredients. Nearly all the guests haven’t considered that Speaker would die if exposed to the air that they all rely on for life. Speaker spends her time on the planet in a type of robotic space suit that allows her to breathe and move, but no one takes into account if she’s every comfortable or if they could arrange for food to be brought to her so she can participate fully in the spontaneous parties that Ouloo keeps arranging. 

Becky Chambers gave a really interesting interview on Imaginary Worlds, an excellent nerdy podcast, about how she developed her characters and the attention to detail that is needed to create non-oxygen breathing humanoids. While the characters in The Galaxy, and the Ground Within are some of the most unique and otherworldly that I’ve read, the issues discussed amongst them such as gender, politics, families, and personal choice are incredibly familiar. 

My favorite scene in the book involves Speaker and Pei, two individuals who have incredibly different views on a long-running war and have to work hard to maintain civility when around each other. When Pei realizes that she has a choice to make that is loaded with personal, political, and cultural significance, Speaker quite calmly explains that not wanting to do something is always a valid decision. We can always choose to not do something simply because we don’t want to. It’s a short but incredibly powerful conversation between the two and the fact that two would be enemies in any other situation carries so much weight. Chambers writes it beautifully and it’s one of those scenes that will stay with me for a long time. 

Unfortunately, this is the last book the Wayfarers series. While I’m always sad when a series ends, this is one that can be re-read over and over again, each time coming away with something new. Also, I can’t wait to see what Chambers brings us next. 

If you would like to dive into this imaginative and diverse world, you can find ordering information here: 

This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire

Available Now

Seanan McGuire is back with another installment in the Wayward Children series. In this stand alone novella, Regan discovers a doorway leading to the Hooflands after facing a devastating betrayal by her best friend. In a world inhabited by centaurs and unicorns, Regan’s appearance can only mean that something big is going to happen as humans are seen as true heroes and must begin their heroic journey immediately. But as time goes on, Regan convinces her new centaur family that she isn’t a hero, merely a young girl who wants to be accepted for who she is and to find a place where she truly belongs. 

This novella truly can be read without any knowledge of the previous installments in the series, though all of the books are definitely worth reading. Like the other books in this series, McGuire takes great care to create relationships between characters that are loving, kind, and accepting. Regan learns from her parents that she is intersex after an emotional discussion about her lack of physical development as compared to her friends. Her parents are incredibly honest and supportive in answering Regan’s questions and remind her repeatedly that she is perfect as she is. After Regan shares this information with her best friend Laurel, Laurel’s shameful and outraged reaction sends Regan reeling. It’s through this haze of hurt and disbelief that Regan discovers her doorway, as all the series’ characters do. On the other side, Regan is seen as a hero and any differences she may have from her new family solely stem from her being human and have little or nothing to do with her gender. Regan’s humanity makes her a target for other centaurs to capture and be taken to the fabled queen, but Regan’s newly found family accepts her belief that she isn’t a hero and provides her protection and training. The world building is incredibly well done and I loved the support and love found among the cast of characters. One of my favorite parts of the world is in the Hooflands, Regan learns that unicorns are silly creatures that need constant attention from their farmers, the centaurs, and this information is a delight to watch unfold.

McGuire has given us a wonderful twist on the classic “horse girl” trope and plays with the classical hero’s journey. Regan has no desire to be a hero, even as all the centaurs around her firmly believe that she is the harbinger of some big change as all humans are heroes. It’s an honor for Pansy to have been the first to see her and claim her as her own. It’s no surprise then, that when the time comes for Regan to fulfill her hero’s duty, she does it her way without any regrets. 

Perfect for young adult fantasy readers, this is a wonderful invitation to pick up this amazing series. 

If you would like to add this book to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Available Now

I’m late to the game on this one.

I have been slowly adding in more authors to my auto-read list and Mira Grant, a.k.a. Seanan McGuire, is one of them. Writing as Grant, we know going in that we are in for a chilling and horrifying exploration of humans and their connection to the world. I loved the Newsflesh series where we are shown that no matter how many good people there are in the world, the selfish and greedy still manage to ruin it for all. And, unfortunately, it’s usually the greedy and selfish that are in power. In Into the Drowning Deep, human curiosity and hubris will lead a group of scientists to uncover one of the greatest mysteries of the sea.

Mermaids are real. 

They’re not nice. 

Not at all.

Seven years ago, Anne Stewart was working as a reporter on a mockumentary film crew that was exploring the Mariana Trench. Hired by Imagine Entertainment, the crew included scientists, actors, camera crews and the standard crew for the ship and those on board never really intended to come across anything scarier than the already documented sharks and fish. When the ship was finally found adrift, the entire crew was gone and all that was left behind was shocking and unexplainable footage of creatures attacking the crew. Experts tried to write off the footage as fancy camera work and a stunt by Imagine Entertainment, but the crew was never found and no bodies were ever recorded. Determined to discover the truth behind her sister’s disappearance, Victoria “Tory” Stewart jumped at the chance to join the crew of the Melusine and continue their mission of searching the Mariana Trench for the monsters that killed her sister. 

Now, the crew is more prepared to battle the dangerous creatures that took the lives of the Atargatis crew. Big game hunters and security guards have joined the scientists and camera crews and the ship is equipped with far more defensive features than the Atargatis. But this wouldn’t be a horror novel without every step of their plan going horribly wrong. 

This book has the perfect balance of non-stop action and deep character development. All of the characters are interesting and it’s a very diverse cast. We have characters who are queer without it being their defining feature, characters with disabilities who are given vital roles on the crew, and I believe an equal amount of female scientists as male. It’s a pretty large cast of characters but Grant is such a talented writer that by the end, each character feels as equally fleshed out as the next and vital to the story. 

This book is incredibly tense. You know at some point the mermaids are going to make contact but there are so many twists and turns, it’s hard to predict when it will happen. Several of the crew seem to have ulterior motives for being on the expedition making them very unpredictable. There are also problems with the ship’s security measures that no one really wants to share and what’s up with the scary tanks in the science lab? Many of the main characters are scientists and were really good about getting caught up in their work and becoming oblivious to their surroundings. That ego can get in the way of safety measures. Just saying. 

On top of all the wonderful characters, tense atmosphere, and bloody action, there’s also a bit of romance and some really great supportive friendships. The mermaids are wonderfully imagined creatures and I really enjoyed Grant’s take on them. I’m really hoping that there will be more books after this-I think the ending left it open for a sequel. 

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for anyone that isn’t squeamish or minds having nightmares for a while. 

Want to add it to your collection? You can find ordering information here:

This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Available October 6, 2020

Black Sun is an absorbing new novel set in a magical world inspired by ancient civilizations. Told from multiple points of view, we are thrown into the world of a future god, a ship's captain, and a man intent on seeing their paths cross.

Ever since his birth, Serapio was raised to believe he would one day ascend to become a god. Enduring painful rituals and life of intense training, Serapio begins the next phase of his journey with the help of the strong and fierce Xiala, a Teek sailing captain. Using her unique gifts, she is tasked with providing him safe passage to Tova, a Holy City, in time for the winter solstice. Along the way, we learn of the complex societies that make up a beautiful and richly developed world.

Roanhorse has created an incredible world for her characters. The descriptions of the Sky Made clans and the Sun Priest and their religions was beautiful. The attention to detail on the expansive world filled with incredible cities, diverse people with extraordinary gifts, and the ability to live in harmony with the animals that were closest to their clans. Full of political intrigue, spectacular world building and complex characters, Black Sun sets a new standard for fantasy.

This book is amazing! Absolutely amazing. It's the start of a new series so it ends a pretty hefty cliff hanger but it's worth it. Roanhorse's writing is so detailed and rich that you can picture every home built into the cliffs, the ship on the sea, and the crowded city streets. The beginning of this story is really rough but it shapes so much of Serapio's character and explains the deeply held beliefs of his mother.  The weaving together of this complex society with their different clans and beliefs was masterful. I was just as invested in learning more about the clans and their beliefs as I was about the political machinations going on behind the scenes. Xiala was an equally intriguing character. Her people, the Teek, have a beautiful story of their creation that I can't wait to hear more about in future books. Xiala has a special ability that allows her to guide the ship safely and swiftly across the sea that causes her crews to be both highly suspicious and in awe of her.  Both Serapio and Xiala are outsiders-she has been banished from her homeland and he has lived his whole life with little interaction from others outside of his tutors. Both are feared for their differences and ostracized for it. Another interesting and important character is Okoa, the son of a high ranking clan matron. Choosing to live his life at the military training school instead of fulfilling more political duties puts him at odds with his family and when his mother dies, the guilt is nearly overwhelming.

The politics that weave these three characters together are intense. Strict protocols that guide religious officials combined with the impending winter solstice create for a tense and urgent atmosphere. There are some great discussions about the different social classes and what is and isn't allowed within them. The darker side of the priesthood comes to light through discussions of poverty, the denial of education, and how placing people in debt creates a cycle that will always leave people in forced subjugation and vulnerability.

This book is a lot. There is a ton of action, lots of characters, and a whole world to learn and I loved every single page. There were even a few parts that I knew what way over my heard and I didn't care because I was so invested in keeping my favorite characters alive. It's an incredible ride from start to finish and I can't wait to read more books set in this glorious world.

If you want to add this incredible book to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Saga Press for the opportunity to read and review this title.  All opinions and mistakes are my own.

This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Close Up by Amanda Quick

Available Now

Book 4 of the Burning Cove series

I have a longtime relationship with the author that goes by so many names: Amanda Quick, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Jayne Castle. When I learned I was pregnant with my son, I was already off for the summer and took “resting” to a whole new level. I started at the beginning of the Jayne Ann Krentz shelf at the Library and worked my way, one to two books per day, through the Library’s entire collection. When I exhausted that section, I found her other pen names and worked my way through them. When I discovered that she did three book arcs throughout all three pen names, I had to start those over and read them as trilogies. I have an entire shelf in my private library dedicated to signed copies I ordered from Seattle bookstores. She doesn’t know it, but I love her.

I know exactly what I’m getting when I pick up one of her books and this book did not disappoint.

Close Up by Amanda Quick is the fourth installment in the Burning Cove series. Vivian Brazier is a talented photographer with dreams of becoming a famous art photographer. When her wealthy family cuts financial ties with her after walking away from a respectable and lucrative marriage proposal, Vivian is forced to take portrait appointments and crime scene photos to pay the bills. The mysterious Dagger Killer is on the loose and Vivian's crime scene photos provide insight to the local police force but also place Vivian in grave danger. When a private investigator named Nick Sundridge, and his gentle giant of a dog Rex, show up on her doorstep and declare her life is in danger, Vivian is not only shocked, but also not really surprised. With some reassurances from a police detective, Vivian and Nick work together to expose the threat against at Vivian and also, to expose the attraction between them.

I'm a longtime reader of Amanda Quick and have enjoyed all of the different story lines that are woven together to create the Arcane Society world. In Close Up, Quick provides us more clues to the range of psychical gifts found in certain people and the their connections to different members of the Society. Devoted readers of Quick, and her other pseudonyms, will not be disappointed in this high stakes adventure full of 1930's glamour, set in the highbrow world of the arts.

Interested in your own copy? You can get yours here:

More in the Burning Cove series:

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title, all opinions and mistakes are my own.