Category: book review

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?—August 10th, 2026

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet and share what you have been reading and what you are about to read this week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and was then hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I am Reading Now

Lady Isabella Seabrook fancies herself in love with Myles Fredrickson, Baron Norwich. A love which began as a young girl and blossomed more and more with each passing year. Her third season is coming to an end and he has yet to declare himself. Ever since his return from America, he has treated her differently. In order to help her cause, her friend, Stuart Spencer, offers his support in helping to make Myles Jealous.

Stuart offers his services to Lady Bella in hopes that by courting her she will transfer her love for Myles to him. She may believe his actions during their pretend courtship are false, but Stuart is determined to make it real and win Bella’s heart. He realizes he is foolish, but when a man is in love, what bloody else is he to do?

Myles always believed he was destined to marry Lady Bella. A trip abroad and a chance meeting with a mysterious woman changes all that. Guilt plagues him on a daily basis over the love he feels for a woman he can never have. Bella deserves someone who will love her above all others. Can he ever be that man?

What I plan to read Tuesday and Wednesday:

Sebastian Seabrook volunteers to go on a quest to find his long-lost, half-sister. After all, nothing is left in London for him after the woman he always believes he will marry, eventually, runs off to Gretna Green with a gentleman she’s just meet.

During his travels, a violent thunderstorm sets in, and Sebastian becomes lost in the northern countryside of England. He is attacked by highwaymen and left for dead. Upon awakening, he finds himself under the care of a Scottish lass who appears to be hiding secrets.

Teagan Murray, running from her father and the brute of a man he wants her to marry, flees Scotland with her brother and crosses the border into England. They set up keep in an abandoned cottage and adopt false names. One day, they encounter an unconscious man, and bring him home so Teagan can nurse him back to health. They strive to keep their true identity from the injured man. Afraid he may have been sent by their father.

During his convalescence, Lord Sebastian uncovers the truth about Teagan and the more he gets to know her the more he yearns for her and wants to keep her safe. As Murray’s men descend on the cottage with orders to kill, they take to the forest in hopes of staying alive. Will they make it to the safety of his family home alive?

Mr. Stuart Spencer has the misfortune to fall in love with two women. Neither of whom he has the privilege of marrying. Lady Isabella Seabrook wed another. Lady Miranda Carlton vanishes from London Society. Twelve years ago when Lady Miranda’s father refuses Spencer’s marriage proposal is one of the darkest days of his life. Something he never recovers from. The hurt and anger follows him for years. When he comes face to face with Miranda again, dare he believe they can travel back in time and pick up where they left off?

Lady Miranda falls in love with Mr. Stuart Spencer at the tender age of seventeen. The day she expects his offer of marriage comes and goes. A tragedy has befallen his family. When the mourning period ends she waits for his arrival, but he never comes. Broken hearted, her family penniless and in disgrace, they retired to the country. Twelve years later, her parents gone, Miranda is in desperate need of coin so she ventures to London seeking a husband. To her surprise and delight she finds Spencer, single, handsome and infuriating as ever. Can she risk her heart on him a second time? But more importantly, can she be a wife in the true sense of the word after what transpired only months ago? Something so heinous and shameful it plagues her every waking moment.

Goodreads Monday: The One Discovered (Chronicles of Diasodz: Book 1) by Yvette M. Calleiro

This is a weekly meme in which anyone can choose and highlight a random book from their Goodreads TBR. It was formerly featured on LaurensPageTurners and was taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog.

Goodreads Synopsis:

How do you choose when both options have dire consequences?

Sofia is a 17 year old who is quite content with her life. She has a caring boyfriend who also just happens to be her best friend since birth. She has a loving mother. She is successfully completing her last year of high school and enjoys her part-time job. She can’t imagine wanting more from her life…until Ar’ch (pronounced Ar-rick) enters her dreams, sparking a burning flame inside of her that she can’t seem to extinguish nor does she want to.

Ar’ch is a Diasodz (Die-ah-sodz), a species created by the Goddess back when God created humans. Diasodz were made to heal and protect humans, but when the Diasodz turned their backs on helping humans and left Earth to live in their own world, the Goddess abandoned them. Since then, their powers and their very lives have been fading. A prophecy foretold that a young girl born on Earth would be the Diasodz’s savior. Ar’ch and his brother, Angel, travel to Earth to retrieve her and bring her back to their world before her death day in order to save their kind. Ar’ch knows the drill: find the target, capture her, and safely bring her home. But what happens when the target captures his dormant heart?

Choices create action. Actions have consequences. When faced with the truth, what choice will Sofia make? Will she be able to accept the consequences that follow?

WWW Wednesday: August 5th, 2026

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

Here is what I am reading, what I recently finished, and what I plan to read from Thursday to Wednesday.

Let me know if you have read or plan to read any of these books!!

What I am currently reading:

Thomas Seabrook, the penniless Duke of Wentworth, walks into White’s for night cap. He leaves no longer in need of coin. In fact, he has become a wealthy man and owner of Hamilton Whaling Industries of New Bedford, Massachusetts and guardian of a seventeen-year-old girl. Thomas travels to Boston intent on bringing his ward back and marrying her off to the first eligible gentleman who requests her hand. Except the first gentleman to ask for her, is his own brother, Sebastian. Thomas refuses, because bloody hell, he wants her for himself. Emma Hamilton is not happy with her new situation. Her papa brought her up to be independent and assertive. How dare this stranger, this moody noble, dictate what she can do and not do? When she finds herself thrown into a London Season, being introduced from one gentleman to another, looking for a husband, she realizes only the duke will do. How can she break through the duke’s hard exterior and find the loving, caring gentleman she knows he hides from everyone.

What I recently finished reading:

Dubbed the “American Princess” after her rescue from months in the hands of ISIS, soldier and firefighter Penelope Turner has struggled silently since her return to Texas. The media, the danger of her job, the pressure of knowing lives are in her hands…all of it and more has combined to slowly fill Penelope with seething guilt and doubt. Missing memories from her moment of capture cause even more angst. Is she responsible for the deaths of her Army patrol unit? And without knowing what happened, how can she be trusted by her fellow firefighters—or trust them in return?

Worse…how can she ever be worthy of the man who believes in her most?

It took seeing Penelope in the hands of terrorists—in viral videos seen around the world—for Tucker “Moose” Jacobs to realize just how much he loved his fellow firefighter. He died waiting for her rescue, then died all over again when Penelope abruptly left Texas, trying to outrun her past. Now that she’s returned, the kid gloves are off. Moose is a patient man, but even he has his limits. He loves Penelope, and he knows it’s past time for her to face her fears, and remember she has an entire tribe of friends who not only have her back, but need Pen to have theirs, as well.

In the end, Penelope will have to trust Moose, her friends, and most of all herself, if she’s going to make peace with her past…and have any kind of future.

What I plan on reading Thursday through Sunday:

Lady Amelia Seabrook spends her days at her brother’s country estate, far removed from London Society. Ever since the tragic death of her betrothed, Captain Rycroft, she can’t bear the London Social Scene. Most days she can be found sitting on the banks of a small stream daydreaming about happier times with her captain. One day a stranger appears and spoils everything, or does he?

Living in self-imposed exile the past twelve years, William Spencer, the Earl of Bridgeton loves the solitude of the countryside. Some days it bothers him to read the daily papers from London and still see his name being mentioned. After twelve years one would think the gossip mongers would have someone else to gossip about. Someone else to blame for the murders he did not commit.

Lady Isabella Seabrook fancies herself in love with Myles Fredrickson, Baron Norwich. A love which began as a young girl and blossomed more and more with each passing year. Her third season is coming to an end and he has yet to declare himself. Ever since his return from America, he has treated her differently. In order to help her cause, her friend, Stuart Spencer, offers his support in helping to make Myles Jealous.

Stuart offers his services to Lady Bella in hopes that by courting her she will transfer her love for Myles to him. She may believe his actions during their pretend courtship are false, but Stuart is determined to make it real and win Bella’s heart. He realizes he is foolish, but when a man is in love, what bloody else is he to do?

Myles always believed he was destined to marry Lady Bella. A trip abroad and a chance meeting with a mysterious woman changes all that. Guilt plagues him on a daily basis over the love he feels for a woman he can never have. Bella deserves someone who will love her above all others. Can he ever be that man?

Sebastian Seabrook volunteers to go on a quest to find his long-lost, half-sister. After all, nothing is left in London for him after the woman he always believes he will marry, eventually, runs off to Gretna Green with a gentleman she’s just meet.

During his travels, a violent thunderstorm sets in, and Sebastian becomes lost in the northern countryside of England. He is attacked by highwaymen and left for dead. Upon awakening, he finds himself under the care of a Scottish lass who appears to be hiding secrets.

Teagan Murray, running from her father and the brute of a man he wants her to marry, flees Scotland with her brother and crosses the border into England. They set up keep in an abandoned cottage and adopt false names. One day, they encounter an unconscious man, and bring him home so Teagan can nurse him back to health. They strive to keep their true identity from the injured man. Afraid he may have been sent by their father.

During his convalescence, Lord Sebastian uncovers the truth about Teagan and the more he gets to know her the more he yearns for her and wants to keep her safe. As Murray’s men descend on the cottage with orders to kill, they take to the forest in hopes of staying alive. Will they make it to the safety of his family home alive?

Mr. Stuart Spencer has the misfortune to fall in love with two women. Neither of whom he has the privilege of marrying. Lady Isabella Seabrook wed another. Lady Miranda Carlton vanishes from London Society. Twelve years ago when Lady Miranda’s father refuses Spencer’s marriage proposal is one of the darkest days of his life. Something he never recovers from. The hurt and anger follows him for years. When he comes face to face with Miranda again, dare he believe they can travel back in time and pick up where they left off?

Lady Miranda falls in love with Mr. Stuart Spencer at the tender age of seventeen. The day she expects his offer of marriage comes and goes. A tragedy has befallen his family. When the mourning period ends she waits for his arrival, but he never comes. Broken hearted, her family penniless and in disgrace, they retired to the country. Twelve years later, her parents gone, Miranda is in desperate need of coin so she ventures to London seeking a husband. To her surprise and delight she finds Spencer, single, handsome and infuriating as ever. Can she risk her heart on him a second time? But more importantly, can she be a wife in the true sense of the word after what transpired only months ago? Something so heinous and shameful it plagues her every waking moment.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?—August 3rd 2026

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet and share what you have been reading and what you are about to read this week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and was then hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I am Reading Now

Hiding from her ex is exhausting enough, but for Hope Drayden, putting her seven-year-old son through a life on the run and living on the streets has been mentally torturous. When a kind diner owner offers her a job, Hope begins to claw her way toward a new beginning for herself and Billy, one tip at a time. But since her son’s recent abduction, and with threats from her ex still fresh in her mind, she’s constantly looking over her shoulder. Then a surprising, and lucky, tip from a diner regular puts yet another target on their backs.

At the request of a friend, medical examiner Calder Stonewall has been looking for Hope and Billy for weeks. When they unexpectedly show up at the scene of a crime, his interest soon becomes personal. He’s amazed by the beautiful, brave woman and her resilient son. He’s also surprised by his growing need to take care of them both, although winning Hope’s trust won’t be easy. But when a tragedy thrusts the couple together, Calder quickly proves he’s a man Hope can rely on.

Which is a good thing…because she’ll need all his support, and love, to get through a threat they never saw coming.

What I plan to read Tuesday and Wednesday:

Freak. Witch. Ugly. Abomination.

Having grown up with a port-wine birthmark on her face and neck, Quinn Dixon’s heard them all. Her own mother couldn’t bear to touch her, let alone strangers. Years of stares and insults from everyone from classmates to foster families have made her understandably reluctant to trust. So when John comes along, of course he couldn’t be interested in more than a brief affair. He’ll get sick of all the gawking and whispers soon enough and leave her…just like everyone else.

John “Driftwood” Trettle was captivated by Quinn the moment they met. After months of skirting around their attraction, one pivotal evening finds John seizing the reins and refusing to be denied a chance to prove he’s worthy of Quinn’s time, her trust, and her love. To show her he’ll have her back, always, and defend her against anyone cruel or stupid enough to hurt his woman.

But he can’t protect against an unknown threat. Even if it wears a familiar face…

Discovering your ex is a serial-killing religious zealot would put anyone off dating for a good long while. That’s where Hudson “Taco” Vines’s head is at when he meets Koren, a woman who looks a little too much like his ex for comfort. But he can’t deny their attraction, and the more he gets to know her, the more Taco realizes how different Koren is from his ex, in all the best ways. It’s not long before he’s feeling things for her that he’s never felt for anyone, ever. After the drama of his last relationship, maybe this is his reward…a supportive, comfortable life with a woman he’s coming to love.


Koren Garner is no fan of drama, and it certainly seems Taco and his friends have all seen more than their share. So you’d think meeting him for the second time at the scene of her own car accident would be enough to warn her away. But Koren can’t resist the sexy firefighter. A little drama might be worth the risk…even when an unknown threat starts targeting Taco’s friends. Someone’s setting fires, and the danger’s escalating with each blaze. Koren and Taco can only pray the culprit is caught before their relationship—and their lives—go up in smoke.

Goodreads Monday: Survival (Twisted: Book 1) by Rebecca Sherwin

This is a weekly meme in which anyone can choose and highlight a random book from their Goodreads TBR. It was formerly featured on LaurensPageTurners and was taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog.

Goodreads Synopsis:

With intertwining memories and a world of deceit and betrayal yet to be exposed, Survival, book #1 in the Twisted series, is an intense, compelling page-turner, seen through the eyes of Skye ‘the Skillet’ Jones.

With no friends, no family and a life of loneliness ahead, Skye was looking for a reason to fight. To live. To survive. A once happy family was torn apart, leaving a hazy cloud of confusion, abandonment and fear in its wake. Her twin brother, Oliver, was all she had… until the talons of death and the consequences of his dangerous coping mechanism tore his life from him.

Skye was left alone, mourning the loss of her brother and the life he would never live, when Cut Throat Curtis swooped in and taught her to fight; to control her emotional anguish with physical strength. But he was dangerous, a force to be reckoned with. A man with turmoil and secrets of his own. He soon left as quickly as he’d appeared, becoming a ghost in the life she no longer knew.

She had nothing. She had no one.

When all Skye had was her will to survive, fate gave her Thomas. He fought for her, he fought with her and he loved her like no other.But fate was waiting, ready to strike with the force of a hurricane when she thought she had everything she’d ever wanted. It was coming, the cruel twist of fate that would bring Skye to her knees and threaten her survival once more…

Popsugar 2026—July

Popsugar 2026 bookish theme

A book about the mob

Bonus: A book inspired by a real song, album, band, or artist

From the nursery rhyme

Romanceopoly 2026—Final Frenzy Cup (Fall Event)—July

Full Moon Free Throw: Read a book that features secret societies, ancient curses, or forbidden knowledge

Bookish Travels: July 2026 Destinations

I saw this meme on It’s All About Books and decided to do it once a month. Many thanks to Yvonne for initially posting this!!

This post is exactly what it says: the places I travel to in books each month.

Enjoy my travels, and please let me know if you have read these books.

Countries I visited the most: United States, Italy, England, Denmark, Ireland

States/Provinces I visited the most: New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Fanoe Island, Texas

Cities I visited the most: New York City, Bass Harbor, Boston, Rome, London, Nordbo, Esbjerg, Copenhagen, Dublin, Albany, San Antonio

United States

Italy

England

  • Ruthless by Michelle St. James
    • London
  • Lawless by Michelle St. James
    • London

Ireland

Bali

Denmark

Poland

Egypt

Turkey

Monaco

Clear Your TBR 2026—July

Text: Clear your TBR 2026, bookish theme

Reader’s Choice

A Red Book

An Anticipated 4-Star Read

Reader’s Choice

July 2026 Wrap-Up

Personal Highlights from this month:

  • For the week of July 1st through July 4th:
    • Miss R had camp from Monday to Thursday (Barn owner canceled Friday due to extremely hot weather).
    • We are in the middle of a heat wave. It is so hot that Miss R’s barn put off all lessons until Monday, at the latest.
    • We had my best friend, Mrs. H, over on the 4th of July. She has just moved to NC (lives 45 mins from me) and is my oldest friend. We’ve been friends since we were 12, and we’re both turning 50 in the next year.
  • For the week of July 5th through July 11th:
    • We are still in a heat wave, but the dangerous heat has gone away, for now.
    • Mr. Z got his final bill in for college. They were missing some of his federal loans, but he should be all set once the college applies them. He forgot to do something on the FAFSA website (watch a 30-minute video and take a quiz). According to App State and FAFSA, the next time App State refreshes its server (which it does often), they will be applied.
    • Miss R is having a relaxing week off from helping at the barn/lessons. But starting next week, she will begin lessons with her new trainer and counseling at camp.
    • We attended a meeting for the police leadership camp that Miss R is attending in 2 weeks. This is a wonderful program (Miss B attended it when she was in 7th grade and it was just starting).
    • Mrs. H came and hung out at my house for a little while this week. We went out and had Mexican (which she loves but normally doesn’t have because her husband doesn’t like it). We made plans to see each other next week, with me driving to her place.
    • I took Biscuit to the vet this week. She is small (weighs almost 8lbs) but healthy. She got her 3-year rabies vaccine and her 1-year distemper/panleukemenia vaccine. I was told that next year they will be giving her the 3-year distemper/panleukemia vaccine (which they haven’t done before).
  • For the week of July 12th through July 18th:
    • Miss R was a counselor at her barn’s horse camp again.
    • She also asked her new instructor about having lessons twice a week. The instructor said we can either pay (unsure how much that would cost) or she can work at the barn to pay for the 2nd lesson. She said she’d work at the barn. This kid is a horse girl through and through… lol.
  • For the week of July 19th through July 25th:
    • We’re still having awful heat and humidity. I don’t think we’ve had a day where it’s been under 90. I am so looking forward to fall!!
    • Because of the heat, Miss R has been having lessons either super early (between 8-9) or in the evening (7pm).
    • Miss R also switched instructors because the one she’s been with for almost 6 years is moving to Virginia to be with her daughter. The instructor she has now is tough but fair. She plans on having Miss R show in the fall (too hot for the horses to show right now).
    • Mr. Z is in the final weeks before we move him into his dorm. His tuition is fully paid for (thanks to a student loan and 2k more in grants). We just have to get him packed, and he’ll be all set.
  • For the week of July 26th through July 29th:
    • Miss R started her leadership camp with our local police department today. Our department has been doing this since 2017/2018 (can’t remember). The SROs handpick the kids who attend. Miss R has been looking forward to it. They do everything from CSI to mock car stops/arrests to various demonstrations (taser, K9, etc.), as well as field trips (local aviation museum, movie theater, and a state park).

Books I Read:

  • Mob Boss Series by Michelle St. James
    • Ruthless (book 1):
      • Triggers
        • Abduction and Captivity
        • Dubious Consent / Dark Romance Dynamics
        • Organized Crime and Violence
        • Murder and Death
        • Explicit Sexual Content
      • My thoughts: I enjoyed this book, even though it felt a little far-fetched in places and Angelica got on my nerves. I felt bad for Nico, but he seemed too soft (aka nice) to run a Mafia family. He and Angelica had insane chemistry, but I kept wondering whether it was real or Stockholm Syndrome. I guess I’ll have to see in the next books!!
    • Fearless (book 2)
      • Triggers
        • Violence and Bloodshed
        • Kidnapping and Hostage Situations:
        • Death of a Parent / Grief
        • Suicide
        • Sexual Assault (Mentions)
        • Dubious Consent (Dubcon) Dynamics
        • Explicit Sexual Content
      • My Thoughts: I liked Fearless better than Ruthless (go figure). Nico and Angel’s chemistry was still off the charts and made for some very steamy sex scenes. The kidnapping storyline was interesting, but once body parts started arriving in the mail, I lost interest. I felt for poor Daniel, the only innocent one in this whole series. I am not a fan of cliffhangers, and this book was no exception.
    • Lawless (book 3)
      • Triggers
        • Violence and Gore
        • Murder and Death
        • Explicit Sexual Content
        • Captivity and Abduction
        • Profanity and Substance Use
      • My Thoughts: This was a whirlwind of a book. Once a hit was taken out on Angel and Nico came back from the dead, it was super fast. There were times when it seemed the storyline was running on fumes (mainly towards the end), but overall I enjoyed it. The end was predictable and sweet.
  • Memory’s Wake Trilogy by Selina Fenech
    • Memory’s Wake (book 1)
      • Triggers: Taken from the official trigger and content warnings listed by the author.
        • Violence, Harm & Trauma
          • Assault and violence
          • Murder and execution
          • Mass death and war
          • Kidnapping
          • Amputation and branding
          • Descriptions of blood
          • Nightmares about traumatic events
        • Child-Related Themes
          • Child abuse
          • Threats involving a baby or child
          • Childbirth
        • Social & Interpersonal Themes
          • Misogyny
          • Forced marriage
          • Use of the word “savage”
        • Mental Health & Substance Use
          • Suicide and suicidal ideation
          • Underage drinking
          • Profanity
      • My Thoughts: This was a great start to a series. I loved the plot but felt it could have been developed more in places. A couple of twists took me by surprise, especially the one revealed in the memory. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series once it is either free or on KU.
  • Emma Frost series by Willow Rose
    • Itsy Bitsy Spider (book 1)
      • Triggers
        • Captivity and Abduction
        • Graphic Violence and Gore
        • Cannibalism
        • Child or Minor Peril
        • Physical and Psychological Abuse
        • Mental Health Struggles
        • Religious Trauma / Cult Dynamics
      • My Thoughts: I had been waiting a long time to read this book. It has been on my TBR since 2018. I have read other Willow Rose books, enjoyed them, and expected no less from this one—I loved it. There are dual storylines (Emma and Astrid/Sebastian) that offer no clue as to how they are connected. The author revealed that connection very slowly. When the big reveal happened—the killer and motive behind the killings—I was shocked. I am looking forward to reading the next book!!
    • Miss Polly Had a Dolly (book 2)
      • Triggers
        • Kidnapping and Abduction
        • Child / Minor Peril
        • Psychological and Emotional Abuse
        • Captivity and Confinement
        • Violence and Harm to Minors
      • My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, even though it broke my heart in places. There are three interconnected storylines, one of which is told through flashbacks. I figured out who Patrick was fairly early, but I didn’t figure out who Helle was or who the old lady was, and that surprised me. I thought the book’s ending was sad, and I didn’t get any real sense of closure.
    • Run Run as Fast as You Can (book 3)
      • Triggers
        • Violence Against Mothers / Women
        • Gun Violence
        • Abduction and Kidnapping
        • Child Distress / Abandonment
        • Grief and Bereavement
        • Stalking
        • Cannibilism
      • My Thoughts: Another book I enjoyed. I figured out who the killer was, since the author made it very clear. But the motive wasn’t clear until almost the end of the book, which surprised me. I liked the secondary storyline with Lisa, even though it grossed me out. I loved that Emma turned what happened to her into bestselling books. I also liked that she took Victor seriously and had him help Sophia. Of course, I am curious to see if and how Lisa will get caught.
    • Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die (book 4)
      • Triggers
        • Graphic Violence and Murder
        • Gore and Blood
        • Confinement and Captivity
        • Stalking and Surveillance
        • Psychological Trauma and Repressed Memories
        • Bullying and Peer Cruelty
        • Death of a Parent / Family Trauma
        • Sexual Assualt/Rape
        • Drugging
        • Traumatic Dental Procedure/Medical Procedures
      • My Thoughts: This was a doozy of a book, and I don’t even know where to begin. It was written as a locked-room murder mystery that paid homage to Agatha Christie. I did enjoy the book, but I got confused by the multiple POVs (6-7). I was truly surprised when everything was revealed at the end. I was not expecting what was revealed. As with the other books, Emma is central to the storyline and helps solve what happened/who the killer was. I am very interested in reading the next book because I believe it will address the aftermath of this one.
    • Peek A Boo, I See You (book 5)
      • Triggers
        • Child Abduction and Endangerment
        • Graphic Violence and Body Modification
        • Stalking and Severe Harassment
        • Parental Dread and Psychological Terror
      • My Thoughts: Another Willow Rose book I enjoyed. The author split the storyline into three parts: the killer’s parents, Emma’s investigation, and one of the killer’s victims, rescued fairly early in the story. The author had me doubting what was going on with the killer, and I was surprised when the big twist was revealed. I didn’t see it coming at all.
    • Tweedledum and Tweedledee (book 6)
      • Triggers
        • Violence Against Children & Child Endangerment
        • Graphic Descriptions of Murder / Dismemberment
        • Grief and Loss of a Child
        • Gun Violence
        • Psychological Terror / Stalking
      • My Thoughts: In my opinion, this is the darkest of all the Willow Rose books that I have read so far. Like the other books, this book has two storylines: Emma’s vacation, the murders on the ship, and the past, focusing on the twins. I was completely shocked by the killer’s identity (it isn’t who you think) and the reason why.
    • Easy as One Two Three (book 7)
      • Triggers
        • Severe Medical Trauma & Coma
        • Child Endangerment & Teenager in Peril
        • Severe Vehicular Accidents / Hit-and-Run
        • Parental Panic and Distress
        • Abduction and Missing Persons
        • Murder
        • Assault (sexual and physical)
        • Captivity
        • Child abuse (sexual-no details; told through flashbacks)
        • Drugging
        • Loss of memory
      • My Thoughts: If I thought the previous book was the darkest, this was the scariest. It touched upon fears I have as a parent. I would not, in any way, like to live in this universe. The police are incompetent, as are the medical personnel. There are three storylines in the book: Emma’s, Mads (past and present), and the numerologist. I liked how the author connected everything. I also liked that two characters from a previous series were secondary characters in the book. I wasn’t surprised by the ending, but I was surprised by the epilogue.
    • There’s No Place Like Home (book 8)
      • Triggers
        • Graphic Murder and Slasher Violence
        • Stalking and Home Invasion
        • Gory and Macabre Imagery
        • Child in Peril / Family Endangerment
        • Psychological Manipulation
      • My Thoughts: This book paid a strange homage to The Wizard of Oz. The killer was obsessed with the movie and used his victims to portray various characters (Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion). As with her other books, this one was fast-paced and had a plotline with more twists than anything. There were three storylines: Emma (present), Louise (past and present), and Bjarke Lund/Jesper Melander (past and present). I loved how the author tied all three storylines together. She doesn’t hide who the killer is, but she does hide his accomplice. The reveal of the accomplice shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was. Oh, and the numerologist from Easy As One Two Three appears as a secondary character (a counselor helping Maya with her amnesia).
    • Where the Wild Roses Grow by Willow Rose (book 10)
      • Triggers
        • Graphic Murder and Violence
        • Teenage Pregnancy & Historical Child Abuse
        • Violence Against Women
        • Stalking and Intimidation
        • Grief and Bereavement
        • Profanity
        • Descriptions of Corpses
      • My Thoughts: This wasn’t my favorite book in the series. Emma really got in over her head when she questioned the Gardai over the murders, and that put a huge spotlight on her and Morten. I did not like how Morten treated Emma throughout the book. Violet’s storyline also broke my heart. Now, I kinda figured out the partenage of the murder victims about halfway through the book, but I was only halfway right. As for the murderers themselves, I did feel bad for them, but my sympathy only went so far. By the end of the book, I was just glad that Emma and Morten were able to get out of Ireland without being arrested.
    • Waltzing Matilda (book 11)
      • Triggers
        • Violence & Murder
        • Child Endangerment
        • Supernatural/Horror Element
        • Atmospheric Dread
      • My Thoughts: This is the weirdest book in the Emma Frost series. Up until now, the crimes were rooted in reality, but this book went full-on paranormal. There were hints in the previous books (Victor), so I shouldn’t have been surprised when the author chose the route she did. But besides being weird, it was actually fun to read. I loved that the author fleshed out Victor, and I loved that he made a friend. I also loved that Maya started sleuthing on something totally different. I do wonder whether this supernatural aspect of the book will carry over into the remaining books. Guess I’ll have to see!!
    • Drip Drop Dead (book 12)
      • Triggers/Content Warnings
        • Triggers
          • Murder
          • Drowning
          • Death of multiple adults (serial killings)
          • Psychological distress
          • Claustrophobic situations
          • Peril and life-threatening situations
          • Fear of the unknown
          • Child endangerment (non-graphic)
          • References to death and mortality
          • Bullying
        • Content Warnings
          • Crime scene investigations
          • Corpses
          • Suspense and psychological tension
          • Eerie, supernatural-leaning atmosphere
          • Unexplained/paranormal phenomena
          • Small-town fear and paranoia
          • Family members placed in danger
          • Police investigations
          • Deception and secrets
          • Isolation
          • Anxiety and panic
          • Mild horror elements
          • Discussions of grief and loss
          • Emotional stress
          • References to unexplained scientific or paranormal events
          • Some blood and non-graphic descriptions of deceased bodies
      • My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, and the supernatural/paranormal elements worked well in this series. The author wove them seamlessly into the thriller/mystery angles. This book was a fast read compared to the others. It also ended on a cliffhanger, which I didn’t like. There was some light shed on Skye and her origins, as well as more children like her in the community. I did wonder about Victor and whether he was a foundling of some sort. I cannot wait to read the next book. I hope the author is able to resolve at least some of the storylines not resolved in this book.
    • Black Frost (book 13)
      • Triggers and Content Warnings
        • Triggers
          • Murder
          • Child death
          • Child endangerment
          • Serious illness involving a child
          • Medical trauma
          • Near-death experiences
          • Death from exposure (freezing/hypothermia-like symptoms)
          • Psychological distress
          • Fear for a child’s safety
          • Death of multiple adults
        • Content Warnings
          • Crime scene investigations
          • Corpses
          • Autopsy discussions
          • Cold- and winter-related deaths
          • Police investigation
          • Emotional distress
          • Parents fearing the loss of a child
          • Hospital scenes
          • Medical procedures and treatment
          • Suspense and prolonged tension
          • Small-town secrets
          • Conspiracy and deception
          • Grief and mourning
          • Blood (limited)
          • Descriptions of deceased bodies (non-graphic to mildly graphic)
          • References to infectious disease or unexplained medical conditions
          • Anxiety and panic
          • Peril
          • Themes of justice and revenge
      • My Thoughts: I thought this was a fitting ending to this series. The author managed to wrap up almost everything in this book. I still had questions about who Maya’s father was, and I wasn’t thrilled with Morten’s actions, but otherwise I was pretty happy with how everything ended. The paranormal storyline was merged with Lisa (the mayor )’s old storyline from a few books back, and Lisa, well, she delivered. As for Emma, Victor, Skye, and Maya’s storyline, I was hooked. I almost wished there were an epilogue showing what happened a few years later. I will be keeping an eye out for more books in the series, but given that this book was published in 2020, I highly doubt there will be one.
  • The Black Parade series by Kyoko M: I only read the first book, which I got for free from Amazon. I’d have to pay for the rest, and since I’m cheap, I’m waiting for it to go on KU or become free.
    • The Black Parade (book 1)
      • Triggers and Content Warnings
        • Trigger Warnings
          • Death and dying
          • Murder (including accidental killing)
          • Hell and eternal damnation
          • Demonic entities
          • Psychological distress
          • Violence
          • Blood and gore
          • Torture (including supernatural)
          • Threats of eternal suffering
          • Possession and supernatural manipulation
          • Alcohol misuse
          • References to suicide and suicidal thoughts
          • Trauma and survivor’s guilt
          • Emotional abuse
          • Kidnapping and captivity
          • Death of loved ones (referenced)
        • Content Warnings
          • Ghosts and spirits
          • Afterlife themes
          • Paranormal and occult elements
          • Demons and exorcism-like themes
          • Religious imagery and mythology
          • Murder investigations
          • Physical fights
          • Weapons and gun violence
          • Injuries
          • Graphic supernatural violence
          • Corpses
          • Profanity
          • Dark humor
          • Romance
          • Kissing and sexual tension
          • Alcohol consumption
          • Smoking
          • Moral dilemmas
          • Grief and loss
          • Anxiety and panic
          • Betrayal
          • Human sacrifice (referenced)
          • Monsters and supernatural creatures
          • Life-or-death situations
          • Suspense and horror elements
      • My Thoughts: I enjoyed reading The Black Parade, but I almost DNF’d it after the 2nd act (it’s split into three acts). The book seemed to go on and on before it finally ended. I liked Jordan and Michael’s romance, especially that it wasn’t insta-love. There was a lot of graphic violence that I wasn’t fond of, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of reading it.
  • The Velvet Rooms series by Linnea May: As with most of the books I read, I got this book for free from Amazon. And, also like most of the books I read, I am waiting for the rest of the series to go on KU/free.
    • Black Velvet (book 1)
      • Triggers and Content Warnings
        • Triggers
          • Emotional abuse
          • Psychological manipulation
          • Coercive relationship dynamics
          • Power imbalance
          • Emotional trauma
          • Consent negotiation and boundary-pushing
          • Obsessive behavior
          • Controlling behavior
          • References to past emotional wounds
          • Sexual coercion
        • Content Warnings:
          • BDSM themes
          • Dominance and submission (D/s)
          • Explicit sexual content
          • Sex work (escort/professional companionship)
          • Contractual relationship
          • Age-gap romance
          • Praise and degradation dynamics
          • Orgasm denial/sexual frustration
          • Voyeuristic themes
          • Possessiveness
          • Jealousy
          • Power exchange
          • Emotional vulnerability
          • Manipulation and mind games
          • Profanity
          • Romance
          • Explicit sexual language
          • Kissing and intimacy
          • Themes of trust and healing
          • High emotional tension
      • My Thoughts: This was a good book and reminded me of an explicit Pretty Woman. It wasn’t a fast read and took me two days. There are some very explicit sex scenes (see above), and most of the book takes place in the sex club, with cutaways to Elene and Damon’s personal and professional lives. I liked the HEA and can’t wait to read the next book.
  • Bridgewater County series by Vanessa Vale: I was only able to read the first book in the series, which I had gotten for free from Amazon. You have to buy the rest of the series, so I am waiting for those books to go either free or on KU.
    • Ride Me Dirty (Book 1)
    • Content and Trigger Warnings
      • Content Warnings
        • Explicit sexual content
        • Multiple romantic partners (MFM ménage romance)
        • BDSM/light power exchange
        • Consensual dominance and submission
        • Dirty talk
        • Nudity
        • Strong sexual themes
        • Strong language
        • Alcohol consumption (social)
        • Family inheritance
        • Small-town romance
        • Cowboy/ranch lifestyle
      • Trigger Warnings
        • Grief following the death of a family member
        • Bereavement
        • Emotional vulnerability
        • References to parental loss and family history
        • Mild jealousy
        • Possessiveness
      • My Thoughts: So, I am not a huge fan of ménage romances. Yes, I will read them, and yes, I do enjoy them, but I do not like the dynamics involved. But in Ride Me Dirty, I was pleasantly surprised. I was also pleasantly surprised that this book wasn’t all just sex. Instead, it focused on Kate’s stress, her job, her nasty ex, and her feelings about getting involved with Sam and Jack.
  • Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes series by Susan Stoker: Again, it’s the end of the month, and I am finding myself reading another 15-book series. So, like last month, I will be continuing the series into August. I am also pretty excited because I have read and enjoyed Susan Stoker’s books in the past.
    • Justice for Mackenzie (book 1)
      • Trigger and Content Warnings
        • Content Warnings
          • Romantic suspense
          • Law enforcement/criminal investigation themes
          • Texas Rangers and police procedural elements
          • Serial killer investigation
          • Kidnapping
          • Stalking and threats
          • Violence and danger
          • Weapons/firearms
          • Crime scenes and investigations
          • Strong language
          • Sexual content
          • Trauma recovery themes
          • Protective/heroic romance dynamics
        • Trigger Warnings
          • Serial murder
          • Murder of women
          • Kidnapping
          • Abduction/captivity
          • Burial alive
          • Threat of death
          • Psychological terror
          • Stalking
          • Fear and intimidation
          • Violence against women
          • Past trauma
          • Grief and loss
          • PTSD/trauma responses
          • Life-threatening situations
          • Physical violence
          • References to depravity and cruelty
  • My Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this book. The love story between Mack and Daxton was adorable and very realistic, well, besides the whole serial killer angle. I loved that Mack had diarrhea of the mouth. It made for some pretty interesting conversations. And Daxton was amazing. He was respectful, funny, and when Mack went missing, was willing to burn the world down to find her. The ending of the book was also perfect!!
    • Justice for Mickie (book 2)
      • Trigger and Content Warnings
        • Content Warnings
          • Romantic suspense
          • Undercover FBI operation
          • Motorcycle club/gang setting
          • Organized crime
          • Illegal drug trafficking
          • Violence
          • Firearms and weapons
          • Crime and law enforcement
          • Strong language
          • Sexual content
          • Deception/hidden identity
          • Protective romance
          • Family conflict
        • Trigger Warnings
          • Organized criminal violence
          • Drug trafficking
          • Murder
          • Attempted murder
          • Threats of violence
          • Kidnapping
          • Physical assault
          • Stalking
          • Intimidation
          • Psychological manipulation
          • Emotional distress
          • Betrayal and deception
          • Life-threatening situations
          • Grief and loss
          • Trauma related to violent crime
          • Sexual assault
          • Dubious consent scenarios
  • My Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this book. Cruz and Mickie were complex characters. They both had baggage from previous relationships that made them wary about getting involved. Cruz was undercover in the same MC where Mickie’s sister was being set up to be a club whore, which was a little crazy. There is explicit sex (which I didn’t mind). The end of the book was insane. I want to drop some spoilers but won’t. Just be prepared to have your tissues out.
    • Justice for Corrie (book 3)
      • Content and Trigger Warnings
        • Content Warnings
          • Romantic suspense
          • Blind protagonist and disability representation
          • Medical setting (chiropractic practice)
          • Law enforcement themes
          • Murder investigation
          • Violence
          • Firearms and weapons
          • Crime
          • Strong language
          • Sexual content
          • Protective romance
          • Disability discrimination and misconceptions
        • Trigger Warnings
          • Mass shooting/multiple homicide
          • Murder
          • Witness to violent crime
          • Attempted murder
          • Stalking
          • Threats of violence
          • Physical assault
          • Home invasion
          • Psychological trauma
          • Fear and intimidation
          • Ableism
          • Emotional distress
          • Life-threatening situations
          • Grief and loss
          • Blood and violence
      • My Thoughts: Another great book in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes series!! The author did a great job of telling the story through Corrie’s observations. Since she’s blind, the author used smell, hearing, and touch to convey emotions. I loved that Corrie was super independent, but what I loved more was Quint and his love for Corrie. When things went sideways at the end of the book, I was more upset for him than I was for Corrie. I figured Corrie, who was always thinking two steps ahead, would figure something out, and she did. Their romance wasn’t a slow burn; it was Instalove (yuck), but it was sweet. And the sex scenes were amazing. Overall, a great book!!
    • Justice for Laine (book 4)
      • Content and Trigger Warnings
        • Content Warnings:
          • Romantic suspense
          • Search and rescue
          • Survival
          • Accident and emergency response
          • Explicit sexual content
          • Strong language
          • Protective romance
          • Animal companion (stray dog)
          • Family and friendship themes
        • Trigger Warnings
          • Accidental fall
          • Trapped in a well
          • Confined spaces
          • Claustrophobia
          • Fear of suffocation
          • Fear of dehydration
          • Isolation
          • Search and rescue emergency
          • Physical injury
          • Emotional distress
          • Threats to life due to environmental circumstances
      • My Thoughts: I was surprised that I was able to read this book in one sitting. Then I reread the blurb and saw that it is technically a short story. Anyway, it was a good read. I liked the sparks between Laine and Weston. Their relationship moved fast (think Insta-love fast), but it was believable. When Laine went to the property and fell into the old well because she was trying to help the dog, it was believable too. I loved how Weston knew something was wrong and acted on it, instead of waiting. I also liked that we got to see Daxton/Mack, Cruz/Mickie, and Quint/Corrie in this book.
    • Shelter for Elizabeth (book 5)
      • Content and Trigger Warning
        • Content Warning
          • Romantic suspense
          • Explicit sexual content
          • Strong language
          • Firefighter and emergency response themes
          • Trauma recovery
          • PTSD
          • Anxiety
          • Therapy and healing
          • Grief
          • Protective romance
        • Trigger Warning
          • References to past kidnapping
          • References to a serial killer
          • PTSD and trauma responses
          • Panic attacks
          • Anxiety
          • Agoraphobia/fear of leaving home
          • Survivor’s guilt
          • Obsessive coping behaviors
          • House fire
          • Emotional distress
          • Grief and loss
          • References to the kidnapping and murder of a sibling
          • Rape (mentioned in a flashback)
          • Torture (mentioned in a flashback)
      • My Thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised by this book. When I first started reading this book and read about Beth’s phobia and what caused it, I was afraid that the author was going to gloss over everything. So, when the focus of the book, well besides Cade and Beth’s romance, was Beth’s agoraphobia, I was pleased. I liked that the author chose not to have Beth be mysteriously cured. I liked that she chose to get in-patient treatment at a facility that was dedicated to helping people with agoraphobia. And let’s talk about Cade. He was perfect but imperfect at the same time (when he confronted Beth after the 2nd fire). I loved watching their love bloom and survive. Oh, and the sex scenes were very spicy.
    • Justice for Boone (book 6)
      • Content and Trigger Warnings
        • Content Warnings
          • Romantic suspense
          • Explicit sexual content
          • Strong language
          • Law enforcement themes
          • False allegations
          • Stalking
          • Obsessive behavior
          • Protective romance
          • Small-town setting
          • Jealousy and relationship conflict
        • Trigger Warnings
          • False accusations of domestic abuse
          • Stalking
          • Obsessive ex-partner
          • Harassment
          • Psychological manipulation
          • Emotional distress
          • Threats of violence
          • Attempted murder
          • Fear and intimidation
          • Relationship-related trauma
        • My Thoughts: This book tells Hayden and Boone’s story, and it really is quite a story. Both characters carry a lot from their pasts: Hayden was emotionally and psychologically abused growing up, while Boone witnessed domestic violence as a kid and teen. At first, I felt unsure about how they met, especially since Boone’s ex accused him of domestic violence, but I moved past that pretty quickly. I enjoyed seeing Hayden go from hiding her femininity to embracing it. I didn’t fully connect with Boone, but that’s okay—I don’t always need to relate to every main character. The sex scenes were fantastic, and I loved watching Hayden slowly become more comfortable and open with Boone. What really stood out to me was how the story explored healing and trust. Both Hayden and Boone had to face their past traumas and learn to be vulnerable with each other, which made their journey feel genuine and meaningful. Seeing Hayden reclaim her sense of self and Boone work to break old patterns gave the book a deeper message about empowerment and the chance to build healthier relationships after tough experiences.
    • Shelter for Adeline (book 7)
      • Content and Trigger Warnings
        • Content Warnings
          • Romantic suspense
          • Explicit sexual content
          • Strong language
          • Firefighter and emergency response themes
          • Epilepsy representation
          • Disability representation
          • Service dog
          • Workplace harassment
          • Medical content
          • Protective romance
        • Trigger Warnings
          • Epileptic seizures
          • Medical emergency
          • Workplace harassment
          • Emotional abuse
          • Obsessive behavior
          • Stalking
          • Harassment
          • Psychological manipulation
          • Threats of violence
          • Attempted murder
          • Emotional distress
          • Fear and intimidation
          • Mental Illness
        • My Thoughts: This is another great book in the series. It was fun to see Dean get caught off guard by Adeline, and I enjoyed watching Adeline slowly open up to him. The way the author handled the service animal debate, especially the restaurant scene, was really well done. I also appreciated how Adeline’s epilepsy was part of the story without taking over the plot. I guessed who her stalker was pretty early, but it didn’t spoil the suspense. The ending was just right for the story.
    • Shelter for Sophie (book 8)
      • Content and Trigger Warnings
        • Content Warnings
          • Romantic suspense
          • Explicit sexual content
          • Strong language
          • Firefighter and emergency response themes
          • Disability representation (stutter)
          • Medical research/pharmaceutical workplace
          • Childhood trauma
          • Poverty
          • Prejudice and misunderstandings
          • Protective romance
        • Trigger Warnings
          • Emotional abuse (past)
          • Childhood neglect
          • Poverty
          • Discrimination and prejudice
          • Bullying
          • Harassment
          • Emotional distress
          • Threats to life
          • Physical injury
          • Medical emergency
          • Trauma recovery
      • My Thoughts: This was the sweetest book in this series. I loved Sophie and Chief (Roman )’s relationship. Yes, it might have gotten off to a rough start when Chief overheard part of a conversation that made it seem like Sophie was taking advantage of people of color/people who didn’t have much money (she wasn’t). But once they cleared the air on that, the romance was on. Now Chief did have some issues of his own (OCD and trauma from a childhood that consisted of poverty and racism), but again, he was able to work them out. Sophie also had trauma (bullying as an adult and a child due to her severe stutter), but unlike Chief, she was able to come to terms with it. I loved that the author included Navajo terms, phrases, and superstitions into the book. There was a turn towards the paranormal towards the end (starting with Sophie getting carbon monoxide poisoning and ending after the ritual). Still, it was written in a way that was respectful of Navajo culture. And speaking of the end, it was amazing. I liked seeing Sophie and Chief getting their happy ending.

Monthly Playlist (I use songs featured in the book, if there are any, along with a playlist generated by ChatGPT).

Featured Song of the Month