Summer in a Bottle by Annie Rains

In this tender, uplifting novel for fans of Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle, a young woman returns to her North Carolina hometown hoping to make new memories, but finds history repeating itself—literally . . .

Dumped by her fiancé, opinion columnist Lyla Dune returns to small-town Echo Cove to heal, and to help her parents prep their house for sale. When she decides to open a time capsule she buried in high school, past memories lead her to a diary filled with memorable moments from the last summer she spent at home, right before college. Some of the events feel like they happened yesterday. That’s normal. Not so normal is that they actually start happening all over again . . .

Lyla gets a flat tire in the same spot and is saved by the same person. The same movie is playing at the theater. Her house has the same leak it once had. As her current summer increasingly mirrors that last one, Lyla worries it will end just as with a category 3 hurricane—and with losing Travis, the best friend she was always secretly in love with. If only she hadn’t been too scared to admit it.

She revisits other fears too, like the fear of rejection that led her to abandon her passion for fiction writing. And when she reconnects with Travis, Lyla becomes certain that unless she does what her younger self was unable to do, she’ll suffer the same regrets. But if this time around she can gather her courage, maybe the life that was falling apart when she arrived will fall back together—even better than before.

Kindle Edition, 343 pages

Publishing date April 29, 2025 

by Kensington Books

3.5/5 stars

I have recently discovered Annie Raines, she is a refreshing, clean author.

Summer in a Bottle is a perfect summer, beach read, which is exactly what I did on a recent vacation. The story started out at a great momentum with Lyla returning home to help her parents pack up their house to sell. It is here that Lyla reflects on her past, especially as she digs up her time capsule from 10 years previous. It was a fun read as she returns to a town and friends she quite suddenly abandoned. As things start to happen that reflect her last summer home, it opens up old wounds.

Summer in a Bottle is a story of friendship, lost loves and discovering oneself. It started out great, petered out a bit in the middle with an ending that picked up the pace. There was one trope that I’m not a fan of so that didn’t help, I won’t specify which one as it will definitely be a spoiler.

All in all this was a great beach read and an author that I will be reading more of.

 

My thanks to Kensington Books for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review

Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner

Two pairs of siblings, devotees of Jane Austen, find their lives transformed by a visit to England and Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother and keeper of a long-suppressed, secret legacy.

In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.

In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson—bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.

The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons—and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.

It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Audiobook, 11 hours, 12 minutes

Expected publication May 6, 2025

 by St. Martin's Press and Macmillian Audio

3.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Natalie Jenner book, even though I do have her previous ones in my TBR.  Austen at Sea releases next month and I was given both the Kindle edition and the audiobook for review.

Taking place in 1865 from a couple different view points. There are the sisters who are two women ahead of their time. They have a on going correspondence with Sir Frances Austen, who just happens to be the brother of Jane Austen. Another is from the Nelson brothers, bookstore owners who also just happen to have a correspondence with Sir Austen. These four meet on a ship bound for England, along with familiar faces in history.

I will confess that I have not read much Jane Austen, actually Pride and Prejudice is my only one, though I am intrigued after reading this book. Austen at Sea is an interesting read, and I much preferred the e-book versus the audio. I found the voices in the audio just a bit distracting.

Austen at Sea is a story of relationships, women ahead of their time, and well, Jane Austen and her legacy. It was atmospheric as it reflected the time. How women were treated and the tension between England and America. I am intrigued enough to head over to my TBR and boost Natalie Jenner‘s books up closer to the top.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and Macmillian Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

A man awakes in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. 

Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts.

 His only help from the "real world" should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, except his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he figure them out in time to survive?

Hardcover, 366 pages

Published June 27, 2023 

by Tor Books

3.5/5 stars

This is book #2 in Brandon Sanderson’s secret project series. Each book is a standalone so no need to read in order.

Given the title I was expecting somewhat of a familiar setting in mediaeval England, but then I remember this is Brandon Sanderson and there is really nothing predicable in his writing.

An entertaining story that revolved around a portal that can send people through time.  So this man goes through the portal where his problems begin right away.  Mainly he doesn’t remember where he came from or his purpose. Plus his handbook is of little use. As he slowly begins to regain his memory, while at the same time making new friends and enemies. And of course his past slowly comes back to haunt him.

A unique plot that disperses snippets of the handbook for time travel. Though I don’t read a lot of Sanderson books, have you seen the size of some of them, what I have read I have enjoyed.

This was a hybrid read, switching between the book and audio.  I recommend both methods, the readers were great and the book not to heavy.

This was part of my 2025 Reading off my shelf challenge and it is book #16

The Undercover Book List by Colleen Nelson

Governor General’s Award Finalist Colleen Nelson’s tale of identity, unlikely friends, and a secret book club, now available in a new paperback format.

 Between her father’s posting overseas and her best friend Sienna’s move to the other side of the country, seventh grade is looking lonely for Jane MacDonald.

 But Sienna has left her with one last a hidden message in a library book—the perfect plot to start a secret club and find Jane a new book-loving friend. Tyson Flamand has problems of his own. 

Since the fourth grade he’s had a reputation as a bad kid, and there’s no point fighting it when teachers always think the worst. So when he finds an anonymous note in the library looking for a nerdy new friend, he knows he’s the last person in the world it could be meant for. 

But something makes him answer it anyway, and Tyson finds himself pulled into a secret book club where being hidden may be the first step to being truly seen. 

With the insight of a veteran middle-school teacher, Colleen Nelson, weaves together two stories of identity, expectation, and the courage to challenge both. As their paths move ever closer, Jane and Tyson both discover their own self-reliance and their ability to overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable.

Paperback, 264 pages

Published November 15, 2022

 by Pajama Press

4/5 stars

This was such a fun read, kind of makes me wish something like this happened while I was in the seventh grade.

Jane MacDonald's best friend has moved to the other side of the country and she is lonely. But Sierra has left a hidden message in a library book that sends Jane on a journey.  A journey that includes a mystery new friend and the discovery of  many books she has never read before.

I was drawn to this book not just because of it bookish theme,  bookish cover, but also Colleen Nelson is a Canadian author that I have heard many great things about.

The Undercover Book List is a story of friendship, reading,  stepping out of one comfort zone and ultimately about being honest while under peer pressure. It was a fun read that will appeal to all readers, but beware you will be adding to your TBR with the many book recommendations. The chapters are not long and told from two perspectives really rounded out this story nicely.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge and is #15

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

Inheritance is the first in The Lost Bride Trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts―a tale of tragedies, loves found and lost, and a family haunted for generations.

1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about―and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth―and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.

Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease―and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

Audiobook, 14 hours, 27 minutes

Published November 21, 2023

 by Macmillan Audio

4/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Nora Roberts book, I guess the mood reader in me thought it was time.

I have to say I really enjoyed this book, I don't know why that should surprise me, but it does. Most of it was an audio read, but I did sit down and read a few chapters. Both methods I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was a fun ghost story with an old manor house, some history that goes back a couple centuries, and the story of seven brides who through connections to this manor or rather family lost their lives. Nothing that looks outright sinister, but the ghosts seem to differ on that opinion.

Basically, Sonya inherited a house from a relative that she did not know existed and part of the stipulation of the will is that she lives there for three years. Call it love at first sight. She connected to this house and accepted the invisible occupants. It was actually an addicting listen, it was spooky, mysterious, and with Yoda by her side, what can go wrong.

Yoda is her dog by the way, every good story needs a dog.

This is book 1 in The Lost Brides Trilogy, I’ll definitely be reading book 2, The Mirror and look forward to November when book 3 comes out.

My copy was obtained through my local library and the audio via Everand

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

A woman investigates her brother's mysterious death while coming to terms with her own haunting past in this atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow

The only thing James and Johnny Golden have ever had is each other. For as long as she can remember, James’s deep connection with her twin brother, Johnny, has gone beyond intuition—she can feel what he feels. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she’s alone—truly alone—for the first time in her life.

When James arrives in the rural town of Hawthorne, California to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to rehash the ominous past she and Johnny shared and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it. He’s also the only man she’s ever loved.

But James soon discovers that the strange connection she had with Johnny isn’t quite gone, and the more she immerses herself into his world, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was keeping secrets, and he’s not the only one. What she uncovers will push her to unravel what happened in the days before Johnny’s death, but in the end, she’ll have to decide which truths should come to light, and which should stay buried forever.

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published January 7, 2025

 by Delacorte Press

3.5/5 stars

This is my second Adrienne Young book, the previous being The Unmaking of June Farrow, which was a magical realism story. 

James returns home to go through your brother’s belongings after his sudden and tragic death. Johnny was killed in the bush while researching the lifestyle of a certain owl. James left many years ago after the tragic death of a friend that still brings up bitter memories of the past.

This was very slow paced story that I did a combo read and listen to the audiobook, it isn’t very long, but still managed to keep my attention with the multiple layers. It slowly unraveled the past to reveal what happened in the months previous to Johnny’s death. There were parts of the story that took me by surprise, not anticipating some things. It wasn’t the best mystery suspense story that I have read, but it was entertaining as it talks about the connection between twins, and even in your 30's this is a story of self discovery. 

I continue to read this author as I found she delivers with unique plots and likeable characters.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge (#20) .

The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold

Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital. 

All Rio wants is for Mum to get better so he can return home. But everything changes when he joins a whale-watching trip and meets White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea. 

Rio forms an instant bond with the whale, and for the first time in ages he feels a spark of hope. 

Then White Beak goes missing and Rio may be the only person who can help.

Can Rio draw on their special connection to somehow find and save his whale . . . ?

Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold

Paperback, 336 pages 

Published February 2, 2023

 by HarperCollins

4.5/5 stars

When Rio is sent to live with his grandmother, whom he hasn’t seen for many years, the loneliness creeps in as he misses his mother back in England.

The Lost Whale is a story of family, mental health, the environment and friendship. After finding a box of his mother‘s treasures when she was a child, Rio is introduced to a whale that sent him  not just on an emotional journey, but a physical one as well. It is through the struggles that Rio grows closer to his new friend, his grandmother, and even his mother who is thousands of miles away. 

This was a well written story that will grab at the heart strings as this 12-year-old boy grows in ways he never imagined. It was an informative story to learn about the habits of whales along the western coast of Canada and the US along with the dangers they faced along the way.

This was my first time reading a Hannah Gold story. I'm excited to explore her back list and see what other adventures she takes readers on.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #20, it was obtained through a book box by onceuponbookclub.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.

Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. But after an unbearable tragedy strikes, Charlotte knows her future will never be the same.

New York City, 1978: Eighteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for iconic former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.” Though Annie soon realizes she’ll have her work cut out for her, scrambling to meet Diana’s capricious demands and exacting standards.

Meanwhile, Charlotte, now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art, wants little to do with the upcoming gala. She’s consumed with her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.

That is, until the night of the gala. When one of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing . . . and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening.

As Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they’re to have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger.

Hardcover, 339 pages

Published January 7, 2025

 by Dutton

4/5 stars

It felt good to not only get back into historical Egypt and the Valley of the Kings, but also to read a Fiona Davis book. It has been a while and once I started reading, I felt the familiarity of why I enjoy her stories.

This dual time-period story alternates between Egypt 1936 and New York City 1978. I love both time periods, the historical one because I have a soft spot for Egypt having had the privilege of touring Giza once while on a cruise. In 1978 it was a refreshing change reading a time-period without the distraction of social media, cell phones, etc.

The Stolen Queen is a story of two women from vastly different backgrounds, but each connected to the Met, specifically the department of Egyptian art. I love the history lesson on Hathorkare, whom I knew nothing about. I enjoyed getting a glimpse at the agricultural digs and also the illegal activity of stolen artefacts and fakes.

The Stolen Queen is a story of women ahead of their time, it has an intricately woven mystery, there is deception, and lost treasures. Released earlier this year. I highly recommend this book to those that like historical fiction off the beaten track and strong women.

My copy was obtained through my local public library with the audio via my Spotify account.

The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer

From the exceptionally original mind of CWA Gold Dagger Award winner and Booker longlisted author Belinda Bauer comes this sweeping tale of obsession, greed, ambition, and a crime that has remained unsolved for a hundred years.

How do you find something that doesn’t exist?

1926. On the cliffs of Yorkshire, men are lowered on ropes to steal the eggs of the sea birds who nest there. The most beautiful are sold for large sums. A small girl—penniless and neglected by her family—retrieves one such treasure. Its discovery will forever alter the course of her life.

A century later. In a remote cottage in Wales, Patrick Fort finds his friend, Nick, and his mother tied up and robbed. The only thing missing: a carved case containing an incredible scarlet egg. Doggedly attempting to retrieve it, Patrick and Nick discover the cruel world of egg trafficking, and soon find themselves on the trail of a priceless collection of eggs lost to history. Until now.

A taut, wonderfully imagined novel brimming with skullduggery at every turn.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Audiobook, 8 hours, 16 minutes

Expected publication April 8, 2025

by Grove Atlantic & Dreamscape Media

4/5 stars

This is my second book by Belinda Bauer, Blacklands being my first.  This was a hybrid read, meaning I read the book while alternating with the audiobook - the reader did a read job bringing this story to life.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started, a book about eggs. It sounds not that interesting but I was intrigued. What I got was an entertaining and highly educational read about a subject I knew nothing about.

Beginning in 1926 as recently laid eggs are stolen from the nest of migrant birds. I did not realize how sought after these eggs are because of their colour and shell designs. An act that is illegal now and rather barbaric. A tiny hole is made to empty out the shell.

This is a dual time-period story that shows what length people will go to for these treasures.  A captivating story about greed, friendship and deceit.  It was mysterious, suspenseful and like I said educational.  And yes, I did Google it, what a fascinating subject. It gives homage to the learn something new every day saying.

My thanks to Grove Atlantic (for the kindle edition) and Dreamscape Media (for the audiobook) in exchange for a honest review.

The Ghost Woods by C.J. Cooke

In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.

This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.

Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.

Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.

Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live in the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.

As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear.

Kindle Edition, 408 pages

Published October 13, 2022

by Berkley

3/5 stars

This is my second time reading a CJ Cooke novel, The Lighthouse Witches was the first and quite enjoyable.

The Ghost Woods is a dual time period story, 1959 and then in 1965. The setting for both is the same place, a manor for unwed pregnant women, mostly in their teens. Yes it gave off YA vibes.

I was in the mood for a spooky ghost story and unfortunately, it felt flat for me. But please take that with a grain of salt so many raved about this book. I felt the two timelines were to similar, especially when the first started to catch up to the second and the characters overlapped . Though the chapter heading note a change in time period,  all of those chapters have chapters within them. If you stop reading in the middle of a section it took me a minute or so to figure out where and when I was. Which was jarring, losing some of the momentum.

This had a unique plot with a great setting, atmospheric with the gardens, woods and house along with a mystery and characters that I really struggled to connect with.  All in all and OK read.

My thanks to Berkley for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey

In a dark thriller from USA Today bestselling author Samantha M. Bailey, a TV reunion brings costars back for the drama and betrayals their viewers once craved—and this time, the stakes are deadly.

Ivy Westcott fled LA as her acting career imploded. In a flash, she lost her first love and chosen family—her Hello, Juliet castmates. But she never discovered who turned her closest friends against her. Now the whole world knows her as #PoisonIvy.

A decade later, Ivy is horrified when a celebrity exposé thrusts the Hello, Juliet cast back into the limelight, dredging up the old scandals she hoped to escape. Desperate for a fresh start and some financial stability for her mother and manager, Ivy agrees to participate in a top-secret reunion episode.

Ivy’s poised for a comeback, but past betrayals become a present danger when she and the man who once broke her heart find their costar dead.

Determined to find justice and clear her name, Ivy must tear down the facades of cast and crew to uncover chilling secrets that have plagued the Hollywood set from day one. Or she could be the next to die.

Kindle Edition, 303 pages

Expected publication April 29, 2025

 by Thomas & Mercer

4/5 stars

Hello Juliet is Samantha Bailey’s 4th novel, she’s one author I have managed to stay current with.

Hello Juliet is told in dual time periods. Current day Ivy has discovered the body of a former friend and castmate. A decade earlier on Ivy was cast in the lead role in a teen drama that ended with her reputation ruined - social media handles that role.

Hello Juliet is a twisty story that goes into the life of a celebrity and how one wrong move can ruin a career. It's a story of friendship and what can divide them, secrets because everyone has them, and the search for new beginnings. A captivating slow burn mystery with nice short chapters, making it a perfect fit for just one more chapter (pun intended). Along with the right amount of tension amongst the many layers that revealed a satisfying ending. 

Coming in at 303 pages it didn’t take long to zip through this, but don't let the size fool you into thinking this is a cozy mystery because it isn't.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review

The Keeper by Charles Martin

In this fourth book in the Murphy Shepherd series, Murphy knows Bones didn't hesitate to give his life to stop the evil perpetuated by his brother, but there's still work to be done. Though Frank is gone, his organization is not, and almost even before Bones's funeral in Arlington is complete, Murph receives a call that the three daughters of presidential hopeful Aaron Ashley have been taken and there are no leads.

The girls' lives on the line and time is of the essence. But Murphy has never done this without Bones. How can he grieve his friend and mentor, figure out who he is without Bones, and navigate a new role for himself with team . . . all while putting total focus into finding these daughters?

When his daughters are finally rescued, Ashley steps back from the presidential race. But Murph knows something about the timing is a little too convenient for the senator who steps in to take his place. The far-reaching tendrils of Frank's organization are entangled even here, and Murph and his team will stop at nothing to root them out.

Audiobook, 14 hours, 51 minutes

Publication date - April 1, 2025

by Harper Collins

4.5/5 stars

Tell me what you know about sheep...they are lost without their Shepherd

The 4th book in the Murphy Shepherd series was yet again another emotional read. Following the death of Bones, Murphy is at loose ends. Bones wasn’t just his best friend, he was his teacher and mentor.

Even though in the previous book the head of a human trafficking ring was killed. That doesn’t mean the end of this barbaric group. What follows here in The Keeper is a prime example of how powerful it is. This was a gripping story that is slightly repetitive in that it goes over things from the previous books which would work for those that have not read them or those who have not binge read this series like myself. However, I feel for this series  you really do need to start with book 1 to really feel the emotional impact as each story continues.

Again, this was a telling story that does come with some action. There are the great characters that I have come to love, including Gunnar the dog who is part of the gang. A twisty story that took this reader on a ride that felt a little bit more predictable than his previous books. 

Will there be a sequel to this one? I’m not sure. But for now I will dive into Charles Martin's backlist, though I wish Jonathan K. Riggs was the narrator of some of those because he did an awesome job with this series.

My only criticism about the series is that the endorsements state two well known authors that combined is what the series is made of. To me that is off-putting as one of the authors is one I do not read anymore, and I feel that could be a deterrent for possible readers.

My thanks to Harper Collins for the e-audio (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

The Record Keeper by Charles Martin

With gripping action and heart-wrenching emotion, Charles Martin continues to explore the true power of sacrificial love.

Murphy Shepherd's last rescue mission very nearly cost him his life. He'd like nothing more than to stay close to his wife and daughters for a while. But Bones's brother must be stopped, and there are so many who need to know that they are worth rescuing.

As the cat-and-mouse game moves into the open, Murphy is tested at every turn—both physically and mentally. And then the unthinkable happens: his beloved mentor and friend is taken. Without a trace.

Murphy lives by the mantra that love shows up. But how can he do that when he has no leads? With heart-stopping clarity, The Record Keeper explores the true cost of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one.

Audible Audio, 10 hours, 6 minutes

Published July 5, 2022 

by Thomas Nelson

5/5 stars

Book 3 in A Murphy Shepherd Series was another audio read for me. Jonathan K Riggs is the reader and again he does a stellar job.

Continuing shortly after book 2, The Letter Keeper, The Record Keeper begins. This was such a gripping novel that I listened to it in record time. And even though the first half of the book is very much a tell story, the action in the last half kept me on the edge of my seat with an ending that was both shocking and heartbreaking.

Again, Charles Martin’s weaved a story that goes back in time to the history of both Bones and Murphy Shepherd. Though most of it does centre around Bones and his upbringing. I won’t say too much more just that he was a man who saw good even in evil. The one who always asked, tell me what you know about sheep, which has become a trademark in the series.

The Record Keeper is another emotional read into the world of human trafficking along with the power and search for love and freedom. This is book 3 and I highly recommend, to get the full enjoyment and impact, you need to start at the beginning of the series. At present there are three books but come April 1 book 4 entitled The Keeper will be released. I am listening to it right now

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan fiction audio for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland

The lies are bigger and the plots more treacherous when your favourite backstabbers return in the mind-blowing sequel to instant Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Mai Corland's epic adventure fantasy Five Broken Blades

The King of Yusan may be the greatest liar of them all.

His sister's ring is in his sights, and he will do anything to get what he wants. Even manipulating the five blades to steal it...

Bonded by deceit, the blades must rely on their skills to pull off King Joon's pursuit or risk his legendary wrath.

A foreign rule of law stands between them and Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan. Now they have one month to steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. But that impossible task might be easier than trusting one another, even though their lives, their families, and the realms depend on it.

They can all agree on one thing: the king can't win. But can they beat him at his own game?

Because for the blades, this time it's not just personal, it's revenge. Lies may have torn them apart, but now vengeance will bring them together.

The lies have only just begun...

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published January 7, 2025

 by Entangled: Red Tower Books

4/5 stars

Book 2 in the Broken Blade Series continues right where Five Broken Blades leaves off.

Secrets have been revealed, lives have been drastically changed and the story continues as each of these unique characters have not only confronted what happened but now seek answers. I am being careful with what I say, don't want to be giving spoilers from the previous book.  Suffice to say this is an intriguing series, with unique characters and motivation along with a storyline that keeps me on my toes.

Book 3,  Three Shattered Souls - see a trend there, releases this summer.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge and is #5

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin

Combining heart-wrenching emotion with edge-of-your-seat tension, Charles Martin explores the true power of sacrificial love.

He shows up when all hope is lost.

Murphy Shepherd has made a career of finding those no one else could—survivors of human trafficking. His life’s mission is helping others find freedom.

But then the nightmare strikes too close to home .

When his new wife, her daughter, and two other teenage girls are stolen, Murphy is left questioning all he has thought to be true. With more dead ends than leads, he has no idea how to find those he loves.

After everything is stripped away, love is what remains.

Hope feels lost, but Murphy is willing to expend his last breath trying to bring them home.

Audiobook, 9 hours, 49 minutes

Published June 8, 2021

 by Thomas Nelson

5/5 stars

This is booked 2 in Charles Martin’s Murphy Shepherd Series. The Letter Keeper pretty well continues where The Water Keeper ended. This is definitely a series that you need to read in order.

This is only my second Charles Martin book, but already I know that he writes emotional stories with heartbreaking subject matter. His writing again tackles the subject of human trafficking, but done with respect and compassion, while at the same time tells it like it is.

No longer on the Florida coast Murphy has returned to Freetown with those he rescued in The Water Keeper, there is hope for these women in Freetown, however evil is still crowding in on him. Here we get more backstory into his relationship with Bones and his first wife Marie. I have found that his stories tend to have a tell verse show to them which works perfectly fine here. Especially since I was given the audiobook from the publisher, it's like Murph is telling me his story.

Not to say too much about The Letter Keeper, because honestly, I am still reeling from the next book in series (review coming soon)..

I highly recommend the audiobook which is read by Jonathan K Riggs, who did another amazing job.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio for the audiobook 

in exchange for a honest review.

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

The New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with a novel spanning three generations of women about a famous lost book, a famous lost mother, and an artist searching for both.

In 1927, in Bluffton, South Carolina, a famous American—former child prodigy author Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham—disappears, abandoning her eight-year-old daughter and husband. She leaves behind a sequel to her children’s fantasy blockbuster about a young girl named Emjie who is caught between worlds. But the sequel is written in the author’s secret and untranslatable created language.

Now in 1952, Bronwyn’s lost words have been discovered in a private library in England by a man called Charlie Jameson. Bronwyn’s daughter, Clara Harrington, a children’s book illustrator and divorced mother of one, goes on a quest to England to retrieve the lost words of her mother, words she believes will translate the sequel and help her discover what happened and why her mother abandoned her. Clara takes along her own eight-year-old daughter, Winnie, who is precocious, funny, and wise, and who has an imaginary friend, also called Emjie, after her lost grandmother’s novel.

But when Clara and Wynnie sail to England, they arrive during one of London’s greatest natural disasters—the Great Smog. Wynnie is a fragile child with asthma and the air is deadly. Charlie Jameson helps them escape London and make their way to his family’s country home in the Lake District, where the tale unfolds in the wild and glorious landscape of Esthwaite Water and the land of Beatrix Potter. It is there that the tangled roots that tie Charlie and Clara together will be revealed, and the fate—not only of Emjie, but of Bronwyn herself—will come to light.

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication March 18, 2025

 by Simon & Schuster 

5/5 

Patti Callahan Henry is an auto-read author for me. This, her latest book, releases in less than a week.

Clara is only eight years old when her mother disappears. No one hears from her again. Not only has she abandoned her child and husband, but the sequel to a novel she wrote is left with no closure, oh and she was 12 years old when she wrote this best seller.  Jump ahead to 1952, Clara has her own eight-year-old daughter when her mother's last words are found in a private library in England. What choice does Clara have but to take her daughter and sail to England for some answers and hopefully closure.

I was completely enraptured with this book. It is atmospheric with its vivid details and though some might find it a bit overwhelming I loved it with it poetic and fairy tale vibes. I fell in love with England, Clara, her daughter Winnie, and the landscape.  As Clara arrives in England so does The Great Smog along with other historical nuances that take place in that time.

The Story She Left Behind is an emotional story of longing and loss with some adventure and mystery.  A mother‘s love for her child along with some great characters had this well written story pulling at my heartstrings. The secret of the lost words are slowly revealed to a great conclusion.

My thanks to Simon and Schuster CA for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.

A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner

1956, Malibu, Something is not right on Paradise Circle.

With her name on the Hollywood blacklist and her life on hold, starlet Melanie Cole has little choice in company. There is her next-door neighbor, Elwood, but the screenwriter’s agoraphobia allows for just short chats through open windows. He’s her sole confidante, though, as she and her housekeeper, Eva, an immigrant from war-torn Europe, rarely make conversation.

Then one early morning Melanie and Eva spot Elwood’s sister-in-law and caretaker, June, digging in his beloved rose garden. After that they don’t see Elwood at all anymore. Where could a man who never leaves the house possibly have gone?

As they try to find out if something has happened to him, unexpected secrets are revealed among all three women, leading to an alliance that seems the only way for any of them to hold on to what they can still call their own. But it’s a fragile pact and one little spark could send it all up in smoke…

Kindle Edition, 347 pages

Expected publication

March 18, 2025 by Berkley

3.5/5 stars

Susan Meissner is an auto read author for me and I was excited to get a advanced copy of A Map to Paradise which releases next week. Even though it has a trope that I am not really a fan of, being the Hollywood scene, I couldn’t not read one of her books.

Taking place in the 1950s it is more than just a story of Hollywood but of actress Melanie Cole, who was recently blacklisted because of ties to a possible Soviet sympathizer. While in seclusion she is with her maid Eva and the next-door neighbour June. Each of these women comes with assorted pasts, which includes some secrets that if got out in the open could have grave repercussions.

A Map to Paradise is the story of an unlikely friendship taking place during a time in history that had people looking over their shoulders. It was a well written story that had many layers with a few twists. For me it was a bit on the quiet side that wasn’t as addicting as her previous novels have been. But still it was entertaining.  I did love the time period, it seems to be trending lately with it strong female characters and historical setting.

My thanks to Berkley for a digital arc in exchange for honest review.

How to Survive a Bear Attack: A Memoir by Claire Cameron

In this debut memoir from the bestselling author of The Bear and The Last Neanderthal, Claire Cameron confronts the rare genetic mutation that gave her cancer by investigating an equally rare and terrifying event—a predatory bear attack.

When Claire Cameron was nine years old, her father, a professor of Old English, told her he was dying. In the years after he was gone, she found a way to overcome her grief among the rivers and lakes of Algonquin Park, a vast Canadian wilderness area.

 Around that same time, in 1991, a couple was killed by a black bear in a rare predatory attack in the park. Claire was shocked and, never fully sure of what happened, the attack haunted her.

Now older, with children of her own, Cameron was diagnosed with the same kind of deadly skin cancer as her father. Caught in a second wave of grief, she was told by her doctor, “the ideal exposure to UV light is none.” No longer able to venture into the wilderness as she once had, with long scars on her back, she became obsessed with the bear attack in Algonquin Park again.

 How could terror rip through such a beautiful place? Could she separate truth from fiction? She headed north to investigate.

Claire seamlessly weaves together nature writing with true crime investigation in this unflinching account of recovery. How to Survive a Bear Attack is at once an intimate portrait of an extraordinary animal, a bracing chronicle of pain, obsession, and love, and a profoundly moving exploration of how we can understand and survive the wildness that lives inside us.

Audiobook, 7 hours, 44 minutes

Expected publication March 25, 2025 

by Penguin Random House Audio

4.5/5 stars

I remember distinctly October 1991 when the tragic incident with the bear happened in Algonquin Park. I remember it because it was the same weekend my family was going on a canoe trip and their destination was somewhere within that park, but at the last minute they changed their mind. So reading this book brought back memories of family adventures in the great outdoors.

This was an audio read for me with the author being the reader, she did a great job and kept me captivated with her stories.  It was a blend of her life, information about bears, their wanderings and the park.

Relatively a fast listen I had a hard time putting it down, a lot of the area was familiar to me.  In fact on my first canoe trip we were visited in the wee hours of the night by a bear. This was an educational, personal and enlightening glimpse into her life, her motivation into why she investigated this tragedy.

I highly recommend the audiobook.

My thanks to Penguin Random House for the audio in exchange for a honest review.

The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo

From master storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes an original fairy tale—with enchanting illustrations by Julie Morstad—in which five puppets confront circumstances beyond their control with patience, cunning, and high spirits.

Shut up in a trunk by a taciturn old sea captain with a secret, five friends—a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl—bicker, boast, and comfort one another in the dark. Individually, they dream of song and light, freedom and flight, purpose and glory, but they all agree they are part of a larger story, bound each to each by chance, bonded by the heart’s mysteries. When at last their shared fate arrives, landing them on a mantel in a blue room in the home of two little girls, the truth is more astonishing than any of them could have imagined. A beloved author of modern classics draws on her most moving themes with humor, heart, and wisdom in the first of the Norendy Tales, a projected trio of novellas linked by place and mood, each illustrated in black and white by a different virtuoso illustrator. A magical and beautifully packaged gift volume designed to be read aloud and shared, The Puppets of Spelhorst is a tale that soothes and strengthens us on our journey, leading us through whatever dark forest we find ourselves in.

Hardcover, 149 pages

Published October 10, 2023

 by Candlewick Press

4/5 stars

As I slowly making my way through Kate DiCamillo's backlist, I came across this one, the start of a series. I am glad I had a print copy because the illustrations, thanks to Julie Morstad, were a wonderful addition.

This is a middle grade story however I think it would also be enjoyed by those of a younger age. As you can see from the cover, there are five puppets.  Each tell their story which begins after being released from an old sea captain’s trunk.

These five characters are sold off and land in the home with two young girls. This is a book that had a lot of heart as each puppet had ambitions and unique personalities. They go on adventures while learning a lot of about themselves.  It's a story of friendship, imagination and hope.

This is the first book in a trilogy with book 3 being released this fall.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #13

The Blackened Heart by Alison Weir

The Blackened Heart by foremost and beloved historian Alison Weir is an e-short and companion piece that bridges the first two novels in the Six Tudor Queens series, Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick will delight in this mysterious tale, drawn together from fragments of history - and a good dose of speculation. Or is it...?

Margery Otwell, a self-made gentleman's young daughter, gets her first taste of courtly life when she takes up a position as chamberer to Lady Peche of Lullingstone Castle. Dances, music, feasting - and a seduction - follow, and Margery learns the rules of courtly love the hard way.

Saved from disgrace by the kindly Sir John Peche, Margery finds herself at court waiting on Queen Katherine. Little does Margery know that she is already a pawn in a game of power, irrevocably bound to the fall of the lady she will come to love as her mistress, Queen and friend.

Kindle Edition, 45 pages

Published March 9, 2017 

by Review

3.5/5 stars

As I continue my reading through Alison Weir's Six Tudor Queen Series, I have been reading some of her short stories that are scattered throughout this series.  Available only through Amazon UK, a pity since I would like to read them all.

This is book 1.5, during the time of Katherine of Aragon, wife #1.  Coming in at 45 pages it was a relatively quick read.  As a teen Margery Otwell enters into service for the queen and is a life long companion through all the drama.  A story of mystery, drama and romance.

My copy through kindle - it pays to take kindle while traveling, in addition to reading but also to grab through editions not available in my location.

The Defence by Steve Cavanagh

The truth has no place in a courtroom. The truth doesn't matter in a trial.

The only thing that matters is what the prosecution can prove.

Eddie Flynn used to be a con artist. Then he became a lawyer. Turned out the two weren't that different.

It's been over a year since Eddie vowed never to set foot in a courtroom again. But now he doesn't have a choice. Olek Volchek, the infamous head of the Russian mafia in New York, has strapped a bomb to Eddie's back and kidnapped his ten-year-old daughter Amy.

Eddie only has 48 hours to defend Volchek in an impossible murder trial - and win - if wants to save his daughter.

Under the scrutiny of the media and the FBI, Eddie must use his razor-sharp wit and every con-artist trick in the book to defend his 'client' and ensure Amy's safety. With the timer on his back ticking away, can Eddie convince the jury of the impossible?

Lose this case and he loses everything.

Kindle Edition, 321 pages

Published September 1, 2023

 by Headline

3.5/5 stars

This is the first book in the Eddie Flynn series. A few months ago I read Witness 8, which is book 8, and while it was fine on its own. But I was intrigued with all the characters and how a con artist turned into a lawyer came to make that transition, so alas here I am having read The Defence.

I’ll be very honest here and say that I struggled for the first part of this book, there seemed to be a lot of suspending of belief and I just wasn’t enamored as I was with Witness 8. However I persevered and then read the last third in a day.

The Defence is a story of a father‘s love for his daughter and the lengths he will go to protect her. It is a story of the Russian mafia and the control it had on New York. And it is a story of a murder trial that Eddie needs to win to save his daughter. All in all, a fast paced story with many layers, characters and has what I have come to expect in Eddie Flynn, he has a lot of cards up his sleeves and you never know what his next move will be, he keeps those thoughts to himself until he shows his hand.

I will continue the series because I have had book 4, Thirteen on my shelf for a while and it sounds very intriguing.

My copy was obtained through my Kindle library, you can find this book in Canada for 4.99 via Kindle or Kobo, unfortunately I was never able to find it as an e-book through my library.

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin

A riveting new story of heroism, heartache, and the power of love to heal all wounds.

Murphy Shepherd is a man with many secrets. He lives alone on an island, tending the grounds of a church with no parishioners, and he’s dedicated his life to rescuing those in peril. But as he mourns the loss of his mentor and friend, Murph himself may be more lost than he realizes.

When he pulls a beautiful woman named Summer out of Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, Murph’s mission to lay his mentor to rest at the end of the world takes a dangerous turn. Drawn to Summer, and desperate to find her missing daughter, Murph is pulled deeper and deeper into the dark and dangerous world of modern-day slavery.

With help from some unexpected new friends, including a faithful Labrador he plucks from the ocean and an ex-convict named Clay, Murph must race against the clock to locate the girl before he is consumed by the secrets of his past—and the ghosts who tried to bury them.

With Charles Martin’s trademark lyricism and poignant prose, The Water Keeper is at once a tender love story and a heartrending search for freedom.

Audiobook, 11 hours, 35 minutes

Published May 5, 2020 

by Thomas Nelson

4/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Charles Martin book, this was an audio read for me.

I didn’t know what to expect and honestly I didn't even read the blurb. Charles Martin is an author I have been debating about reading and I jumped at the chance to grab this audio from NetGalley . It is book 1 with book 4 coming out April 1, and yes, I have the series loaded and waiting for me.

Beginning with a scene that grabbed my attention. I was captivated with this audio. It is the story of Murphy Shepherd, a man of many secrets. His life is dedicated to rescuing those that are taken no matter how dangerous the situation is.

The Water Keeper is a fitting start as people are introduced, a bit of their past is shown, and the author has made me like all of them, not just Murph, but Clay, Ellie, Summer, and of course, to round everything up there is a dog named Gunner. Having cruised on the intercoastal waterways in Florida it wasn’t hard to feel the setting, envision things and get a real sense of what was taking place.

The Water Keeper is a heartbreaking story, it was emotional given that what takes place is so relevant these days. It is a story of love, danger and new beginnings. There is a cliffhanger ending which had me opening up book 2, The Letter Keeper right away.

If you haven’t started the series, I highly recommend the audio, Jonathan K Riggs was the narrator who brought the story to life.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook in exchange for a honest review.

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Two good neighbors make the best of a bad Valentine’s Day in a funny and improbably romantic short story by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer.

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much. But when disaster traps them one flight up and no way down, an outrageously precarious predicament forces a tree-loving guy and a rattled girl next door to embrace their captivity. Soon their defenses are breaking away. Considering how close they both are to the edge, Charlotte and Seth could be in danger of falling—in love.

Kindle Edition, 82 pages 

Expected publication March 1, 2025 

by Amazon Original Stories

4/5 stars

The thing with any Abby Jimenez short story is that, though they are short and sweet, I would love this to be a full length novel.  But given that she has a new release next month this is a great teaser.  Not that the new book involves the same characters, its her writing and unique/fun stories that we get.

The Fall Risk actually does start with a bang or at least things that go bump in the night (or early morning).  What followed were 2 characters with trust/love issues that are forced to spend time together and develop a nice little friendship.  Kinda weird how it happened, but whatever this was a fun rom/com with great banter, strong subject matter and a couple zany friends that added that extra spark.

As with typical Jimenez fashion there is always a critter that tries to steal the show, in this case its Swim Shady.

I received a digital copy free via the Amazon First Reads program in exchange for a honest review.

The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh

Perfect for fans of bubbly wine and Kristin Harmel, this historical fiction novel follows Mme. Clicquot as she builds her legacy, and the modern divorcee who looks to her letters for inspiration.

Reims, France, 1805: Barbe-Nicole Clicquot has just lost her beloved husband but is determined to pursue their dream of creating the premier champagne house in France, now named for her new identity as a Veuve Clicquot. With the Russians poised to invade, competitors fighting for her customers, and the Napoleonic court politics complicating matters she must set herself apart quickly and permanently if she, and her business, are to survive. 

In present day Chicago, broken from her divorce, Natalie Taylor runs away to Paris. In a book stall by the Seine, Natalie finds a collection of the Widow Clicquot’s published letters and uses them as inspiration to step out of her comfort zone and create a new, empowered life for herself. But when her Parisian escape takes a shocking and unexpected turn, she’s forced to make a choice. Should she accept her losses and return home, or fight for the future she’s only dreamed about? What would the widow do?

Audiobook, 9 hours, 36 minutes

Published December 10, 2024 

by Blackstone Pub

3.5/5 stars

The Champagne Letters is a dual time period story taking place in France.

For Natalie Taylor, a recent divorcee, she takes an impulsive trip to Paris that sets her on a journey of self discovery. But it is a journey that isn’t easy with many bumps along the way. It is at a book stall that she discovers a collection of letters published by Barbe-Nicole Clicquot written in 1805. 

This was an audio read for me with the narrator being Cassandra Campbell and Jackie Sanders. Both are ones I’ve listened to before and have enjoyed. Again they brought the story to life with the required accents to make it as authentic as possible.

The Champagne Letters is a story or rather a journey for two women on their own and the decisions they make that will form their future. I’m glad I went the audio route, it was easy listening with emphasis on the wine market or rather champagne house in France.  I liked both characters and both storylines the same and like how they parallel each other.

Released just this past December it is readily available in all formats and I recommend for those that like their historical fiction with travel and relevant subject matter. Oh and yes I loved the fact that Clicquot was a real historical figure - yes I googled her.

I was able to obtain the audiobook via my library through CloudLibrary

The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley

1613: King James – sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots - has unified both countries under one crown. But the death of his eldest son, Henry, has plunged the nation into mourning, as the rumours rise the prince was poisoned.

Andrew Logan’s heard the rumours, but he’s paid them little heed. As one of the King’s Messengers he has enough secrets to guard, including his own. In these perilous times, when the merest suggestion of witchcraft can see someone tortured and hanged, men like Andrew must hide well the fact they were born with the Sight.

He’ll need all his gifts, though, when the king sends Andrew north to find and arrest Sir David Murray, once Prince Henry’s trusted courtier, and bring him a prisoner to London to stand trial before the dreaded Star Chamber.

A story of treachery, betrayal and love…

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication March 4, 2025

 by Simon & Schuster CA

3.5/5 stars

It has been a while since I ventured into historical fiction from the 1600's. I was glad to be reacquainted with that era by Susanna Kearsley‘s new book The King’s Messenger.

It is evident that the author knows the time period, I knew this from past experience. With an authentic story that takes place during the time of King James 1 of England/James IV of Scotland, who inherited the English throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth. He is the son of Mary Queen of Scots. Here we are a decade later when James‘s son Henry has died under mysterious circumstances.  Andrew Logan, a King‘s Messenger is tasked with travelling to find and arrest David Murray, a person of interest in his death. We get a clear picture of what a Messenger's job entails.

Told through a number of different points of view, first and foremost was Andrew Logan who takes his job very seriously and is very good at it. He also has a second sight and can sometimes see things others can’t, which added a nice twist to the story. There is also a scribe and his daughter, along with a wee lad Hector, who was an endearing fella.

The King’s Messenger is a slow paced story that was atmospheric with attention to historical facts. There was a touch of romance, adventure and some magical realism.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a print arc in exchange for a honest review

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

Three friends team up to find a hidden treasure in an abandoned 1940s fun house.

Twelve-year-old Sarah Kelley wants nothing more from her seventh-grade year than to beat the hardest escape room left in her town with her best friends West and Hannah. But when her house receives a foreclosure notice everything changes. After her father became ill two years ago, things have been bad, but she did not think they would become lose-your-house bad.

She feels helpless until the day Hannah mentions a treasure rumored to be hidden in the walls of an abandoned fun house. According to legend, Hans, Erik, and James Halloran were orphaned at eight years old and lived with different families until they were able to reunite as adults. Their dream was to build the best fun house in existence. They wanted the experience to be more than mirror mazes and optical illusions, so they not only created elaborate riddles and secret passages, but they also claimed to have hidden a treasure inside. Sarah, West, and Hannah decide to explore, but once in, they realize the house is unlike any escape room they've attempted.

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published April 2, 2024

 by Sourcebooks Young Readers

3.5/5 stars

I received this book in a Once Upon a BookClub box last year. I myself have never been in an escape room, it sounds like fun and maybe one day I’ll try it.  This book really went into great detail as to what it was like.

How fun as 12 year-olds to explore an abandoned Funhouse in search of hidden treasure. Which is exactly what Sarah did with her two best friends, West and Hannah. The motivation is that her home is in foreclosure and she is hoping to help her family out financially by discovering this lost treasure - they don't even know what the treasure is.

Taking place mostly over the day that they are searching gave the explicit workings of an escape room, the clues, the riddles, the adventure and even the risks.  It is a story of friendship, family and the bonds that keep them together. This was a fun read for the middle grade audience.

I have previously read a Lindsey Curry novel which I enjoyed and look forward to seeing some of her  backlist. 

This book was part of my 2025 reading of my shelf challenge and his book #11.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.

Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.

Hardcover, 527 pages

Published January 21, 2025

by Red Tower Books

4/5 stars

I went into Onyx Storm with an open mind and low expectations, social media has been up and down.  But I did do a reread of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame so that I was prepared when this book was released. And to be honest, I wasn’t really a fan of Iron Flame until I did a reread and now question where my brain was during that initial read because there was so much that I forgot or didn’t pay attention to, I quite enjoyed it 2nd time around.

Onyx Storm continues where Iron Flame left off, approximately 18 months after Violet walked to the parapet. Even though this book comes in at 527 pages in hardcover, it’s tiny print so it might as well have been 800. I can honestly say that I enjoyed my time reading. There was lots of action, dragons, conflict as well as twists and family secrets. And of course it leaves us hanging with a cliffhanger and no estimated delivery time for book 4, but that’s fine because I’d rather have a well written book than one that is rushed.

Other than the tiny font size the only issues I had with Onyx Storm were the amount of characters. I got to the point where I didn’t even bother trying to remember who and what they were except for the ones that I see most often. I enjoyed the maps that came with the book which made their travels easier to keep track of.

As for the storyline, my usual non-fantasy brain was able to follow even though it might have dragged a bit and could have been a few dozen pages shorter.  I loved that Andarna got more pages and Tairn was his grumpy self, well most of the time.  All in all  I found Onyx Storm to be an entertaining read and look forward to what comes next

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and this book #12

Anna of Kleve: Queen of Secrets by Alison Weir

Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir tells the little-known story of Henry VIII’s fourth wife, as a grieving king chooses a bride sight unseen in the fourth novel in the epic and intrigue-filled Six Tudor Queens series.

Newly widowed and the father of an infant son, Henry VIII realizes he must marry again to insure the royal succession. Now forty-six, overweight and unwell, Henry is soundly rejected by some of Europe’s most eligible princesses, but Anna of Kleve—a small German duchy—is twenty-four and eager to wed. Henry requests Anna’s portrait from his court painter, who enhances her looks, painting her straight-on in order not to emphasize her rather long nose. Henry is entranced by the lovely image, only to be bitterly surprised when Anna arrives in England and he sees her in the flesh. She is pleasant looking, just not the lady that Henry had expected.

What follows is a fascinating story of this awkward royal union that had to somehow be terminated tactfully. Alison Weir takes a fresh and surprising look at this remarkable royal marriage by describing it from the point of view of Queen Anna, a young woman with hopes and dreams of her own, alone in a royal court that rejected her from the day she arrived.

Hardcover, 511 pages

Published May 2, 2019 

by Headline Review

4/5 stars

This is Book 4 in the Six Tudor Queen Series, the wives of King Henry VIII. What makes this series unique is that they are told from the point of view of the Queen.

Beginning when Anna is still a teen, we get a glimpse of her earlier life in Kleve, which is a small German Dutchy. I enjoyed reading about how important her marriage to Henry VIII was, for an alliance and the steps that went into making the wedding happen. I already knew abit of what happened in Anna‘s life after she married the King, but it was nice to read the story through her eyes. I also listened to part of the audiobook, which was well done. 

What I really liked about this book was that it almost felt like a standalone given that the previous three Queens had overlapping storylines. Meaning in Catherine of Aragon‘s story towards the end has Anne Boleyn entering the picture, so we see Catherine‘s view of Anne. Then in book 2 we get Anne's view of Catherine through her narrative.  Same with Jane Seymour (Queen 3). With this book Katherine Howard doesn't enter till near the ending, so really Anna of Kleve's story.

All in all I recommend the series for historical fiction lovers and those that are fascinated with the Tudor dynasty and their queens. I have read a number of Alison Weir books and have always enjoyed them. I bought this series from book depository (oh I miss them) when they were first released, thankfully I have a matching set of covers. 

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #10.