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

May 2026 Wrap-Up

Stack of fantasy books titled The Astral Compendium, Year of Dreams 2026, Whispers of Eloria, and Tales from the Void on a wooden table with glowing fairies, a candle, an open book, compasses, a lantern, and a steaming cup.

Personal Highlights from this month:

Week of April 26th through May 2nd:
- Mr. Z finished his internship this week. I can’t tell you how happy I am that this is over. With gas prices shooting up and it taking $50 to fill my car’s half tank, I am thankful I won’t be driving 15 minutes each way to drop him off/pick him up. He learned a lot from the internship and is now interested in IT (still wants to major in history in college).
- Miss R was sick at the beginning of the week. She was running a temp and just didn’t feel great.
- I had my sleep study on Saturday. Normally, the clinic doesn’t do sleep studies on weekends, but they are short-staffed and have people working weekends. I now know what kind of mask I will be using for my sleep apnea (I have central apnea).
- Mr. Z was able to register for classes at the end of the week. He meets with an advisor on Monday to see if the classes he picked will stay. His classes: 1st year seminar, Wellness Literacy, Historical Studies, Writing Inquiries, and Social Science.
Week of May 3rd through May 9th:
- It’s my birthday this week. I am now 40-something (late 40-something…lol).
- Mr. Z met with his advisor, and his schedule didn’t change. He was pretty happy. All he has left to do is send them his final transcripts, send the transcripts from CVCC (community college), sign the health form waiver, send over his vaccine records, and take out a student loan to cover the rest of his tuition.
- Miss R had field day on Tuesday. She had a blast (they let the kids keep their phones, so we got details on every event she participated in).
- Miss R also had her spring chorus concert on Thursday. Her grade sang “Don’t Worry Be Happy” (she had a solo) and “Shake It Off,” with a 6th/7th/8th-grade compilation of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/It’s a Wonderful Life” at the end of the show.
Week of May 10th through May 16th:
- Mr. Z had his banquet, which signaled the end of his internship.
- Miss R has her EOG (end-of-grade) testing on Wednesday and Friday.
- Miss R went to the orthodontist on Monday and was finally able to pick out colors for her bracket band. She went with red.
- Mr. Z went to the FAA building in Charlotte and got his drone license.
Week of May 17th through May 23rd:
- Mr. Z had his senior awards night on Monday. He got cords for his academy (computer science), was recognized for getting his FAA license (for the drone), was a founding member of the HS’s esports team, and earned a Platinum rating on his ACTs.
- Miss R passed her EOG’s. She was a little worried about math, but the teacher pulled her aside and told her that only 7 kids had passed the EOG (including her).
- Miss R had her 6th-grade awards ceremony on Thursday. She made the AB Honor Roll (for the year) and received an award for Most Likely to be the Sheriff in a Western (LOL).
- Mr. Z graduated on Friday!!!
- Miss R was accepted into a leadership camp sponsored by our local police department (SROs run it). She can’t wait to attend.
Week of May 24th through May 28th (split week due to this post going live on the 28th)
- Memorial Day here was rainy and cool. But I am not complaining, because we need the rain (we are under water restrictions due to drought).
- I also had to get used to not waking up at 5:00 am (easier said than done).

Books I Read:

Geek Girl Mysteries by Sherry D. Ficklin: I got the first book in this series for free, and I am waiting for the other books to either go free or be added to KU. I also started this book the last week of April and didn’t finish it in time for my April 2026 Wrap-Up.
- Playing with Fire (Book 1): This book stood out after a long series binge. As a YA mystery with a touch of romance, it offered a refreshing storyline. Farris’s character was memorable—snarky, strong, and vulnerable. While the cybercriminal’s identity was clear early, Farris’s method for discovering it was impressive. The book left me eager to read the rest of the series; it’s worth picking up if you’re looking for engaging YA mysteries.
The Districts series by Orion Enzo Gaudio: Another book that I got for free, and another series that I am either waiting for the rest of the books to become free or show up on KU.
- EMP (Book 1): An engaging introduction to the series. It introduces multiple intertwined plotlines and characters. I am left curious about several matters, such as whether the president survived and the whereabouts of the First Lady. I expect these questions will be resolved in future books.
Daughters of the People series by Lucy Varna: I have been interested in this series for years, but never had a reason to read it (it had been sitting on my TBR for a while). So far, I like it and will be reading the rest of the books in the series (they were on KU as of this post).
- The Prophecy (Book 1): This was an excellent series debut. It moved quickly, yet paused enough for meaningful character development. I appreciated Maya and Dierdre’s dynamic and their engagement with the other Daughters. Maya and James’ relationship evolved naturally from beginning to end. Several pivotal characters appeared, including those leading into the next book. The ending of The Prophecy was chaotic and intriguing, raising more questions than it answered. Normally, I prefer clarity, but this ambiguity was effective. The author thoughtfully added a glossary, which clarified terms used throughout the series.
- Light’s Bane (Book 2): This book starts shortly after the events in The Prophecy. Like the first book, the author doesn’t skimp on action. At the same time, she builds Dani and Dave’s relationship, complicating matters as the head of The Shadow People wants peace (even though his brother doesn’t). Around halfway through, a twist hinted at in book 1 is revealed, and because it involves Dani and her parentage, I felt shock and sympathy for her. When the truth comes out, Dani’s anger toward Rebecca feels entirely justified, and I share in her frustration. The end, just as chaotic as the first book, had a funeral scene that gave me chills and left me feeling unsettled. Finally, the author hints at who book 3 will focus on, and I am really looking forward to it.
- The Enemy Within (Book 3): This book is Indigo and Bobby’s love story. While I liked the book (and loved the second-chance romance), I did get a little grumpy about everything else that is going on. For instance, I thought Rebecca’s reaction to what Bobby did (the tattoo) and blaming it on Indigo was insane. Similarly, Bobby’s digging into Indigo’s past by asking her mother about her nightmares rather than asking Indigo felt off. Moving on, the whole storyline with India—her jealousy over Indigo having a husband (which made zero sense), her commitment to The Eternal Order, and her relationship with Bobby’s friend—was almost too much.
- Tempered (Book 3.5): This is Hawthorne and Aaron’s story. I liked Hawthorne—she took zero crap from anyone and had a soft side reserved for Lali, her granddaughter. In contrast, I wasn’t so fond of Aaron; not believing Hawthorne about her age was understandable, but telling others she was crazy was awful. The things he said to her face (calling her delusional, etc.) made me want to go into the book and smack him. However, he did redeem himself, mostly because of how he treated Lali (Aaron was her puppy… lol) and because he admitted he was wrong about everything. The Eternal Order appeared when Hawthorne’s niece tried to kidnap Lali to raise her in the Order, and the assassin also showed up. Overall, it was a fast, good read.
- In All Things, Balance (Book 4): This was Moira and Tom’s book, set right before, during, and after Bobby’s kidnapping. I loved Moira—a badass with a foul mouth and a kind soul, whose actions were fierce and touching. Tom, in contrast, frustrated me. He understood the Daughters’ customs but refused to follow them, leading Moira and Naomi (another Daughter) on, which unsettled me. Things worked out in the middle, aside from his bullheadedness, which almost got him killed. When Moira revealed what happened to her daughters during the Easter Massacre, my heart broke for her. The book ended in a shocking way after the Assassin’s actions, and the author set up the next book with Jerusha and Drew, leaving me eager for more.
- Sanctuary (Book 5): This is Jerusha and Drew’s book. Fast-paced and heavy on the sex, Sanctuary was set mostly in Turkey. I loved Jerusha and Drew’s relationship. The Oracle’s connection to the head of the Shadow People explained a lot. Heads-up for sensitive content: Jerusha was subjected to repeated sexual assault for 10 days by Marcus, the younger brother of the Shadow People leader. The end was interesting, as the author didn’t reveal the next couple.
Saturn Society series by Jennette Marie Powell: I was only able to read the first book in this series (which I got for free). I am waiting for the rest of the books to either go on KU or become free themselves.
- Time’s Enemy (Book 1): I felt somewhat ambivalent about this book. It started off strong, but towards the middle of the book (when he was saving Charlotte as a child), my interest waned. The rest of the book featured Tony moving back and forth in time, each time altering the future. I realized who Violet was early on, but her storyline frequently shifted. She moved from having amnesia to searching for her birth parents to knowing who she was, which made the plot harder to follow and didn’t seem to contribute much.
Beyond the Eyes series by Rebekkah Ford: As with 95% of the books I read, I got this for free (either from a newsletter or found on a blog I follow).
- Beyond the Eyes (Book 1): I was ambivalent towards this book. I enjoyed Paige’s relationship with her friends. In contrast, I disliked anything involving Matt and Brayden and the insta-love. I also found the bullying subplot with Ashley unnecessary. Furthermore, I wish the author had explained where the dark beings came from. Paige’s premonitions were discussed repeatedly in the first few chapters, but the visions only appeared twice and lacked an explanation. Lastly, the ending seemed rushed, and the explanation about what happened to the ring didn’t sit right with me.
Hollywood Alphabet series by M.Z. Kelly: I almost cried when I saw how many books were in this series (26). But I am determined to continue finishing the series (the books are on KU). So here goes nothing.
- Hollywood Assassin (Book 1): This was an outstanding start to the series. I appreciated Kate’s witty humor, even during setbacks. Her moral compass was uncompromising—she’d risk termination rather than distort the truth. I admired her commitment to the unexpected case she dove into. That case was wild, packed with unpredictable twists that left me reeling. The reveal of the antagonists stunned me, especially the last-minute surprise villain. Kate’s best friend, Natalie, was hilarious; I laughed out loud every time she appeared.
- Hollywood Blood (Book 2): This was a strong sequel in the series. Typically, the second book diminishes the first’s momentum, but not here. The story was chaotic from start to finish, and I enjoyed every moment. Kate skillfully assembled the mystery of how Myra knew Karma and the cause behind the deaths surrounding Karma. Myra was disturbingly evil, yet I sympathized with her. It seems she would have been deeply traumatized without meeting Azareal or suffering psychological and sexual abuse from him. Azareal’s true identity shocked me; the reveal was entirely unexpected. The final two chapters delivered a major twist.
- Hollywood Crazy (Book 3): This book occurs several months after Hollywood Blood. After Kate’s apartment exploded at the end of the previous book, she now lives with Natalie (who is separated from her husband) and other roommates. The roommates—and the thin walls—had me laughing uncontrollably. Conversely, I was fascinated by the investigation into the double murder. The plot was intricate and unpredictable, and Kate’s final revelation of the culprit and motive stunned me. A compelling secondary storyline involves Kate, her late father, and the circumstances of his death. I was genuinely taken aback by what was uncovered.
- Hollywood Dirty (Book 4): I enjoyed reading this book. It unfolds several months after Hollywood Crazy, and Kate’s life grows even more chaotic. She is tasked with reopening a cold case after glaring inconsistencies in the original investigation come to light. This book consistently made me laugh. Nana’s antics provided essential comic relief amid Kate’s inquiry into Jezzy’s murder. I was stunned by what she discovered and surprised that earlier investigators overlooked so much. The plot involving Kate’s biological mother took an unexpectedly painful direction, revealing clues about the man who killed Kate’s father. The story became even stranger when Kate tracked him down and learned he was dating her adoptive mother. The finale is packed with surprises. What I appreciated most was that Jezzy’s death involved multiple people, not just one. There was also a devastating twist I never anticipated. I am eager to read book 5!
- Hollywood Enemy (Book 5): This book is set shortly after Hollywood Dirty. I enjoyed the two main narratives: Kate’s search for the Artist and her being pursued by her biomother’s stalker. The FBI case she investigated captivated me. A serial killer inspired directly by a painting from a mentally ill artist was compelling. I appreciated how the author withheld the true culprit (well, in a way, he revealed it, but I didn’t recognize it until I finished the book). The stalker, who seemed like a literal chameleon, fascinated me. You never knew where or when he would emerge. The way the author wove both narratives together was impressive. The two twists at the end of the book stunned me and broke my heart.
- Hollywood Forbidden (Book 6): Set three months after the tragic events of Hollywood Enemy and on Catalina Island, this book examines healing from grief and navigating life after trauma. It also delves into cults, specifically a sex cult, highlighting perseverance and the instinct to protect others. With dual plotlines, it tracks crime and investigation concurrently. I found the investigation engaging, though I was frustrated by the two officers assigned to help Kate. Kate’s decision to help search for the girls felt compelling, given that her best friend’s niece was missing. The investigation proved challenging, and I appreciated that. Kate fought for every clue. I also enjoyed the storyline about Grace and the missing girls, admiring her ingenuity and determination to help the younger girls. Her decisive actions at the end saved Sissy and her friends. The conclusion was somewhat predictable (the antagonists were apprehended), yet it also offered surprises. The ending seamlessly set up the next book.
- Hollywood Games (Book 7): This book unfolds shortly after Hollywood Forbidden and delivers a thrilling ride. Kate and her friends (Mo, Natalie, and company) return energized after their “vacation.” While Kate investigates the murder of a former rapper turned reality star with a new partner (who has a phobia of dead bodies and aspires to act), she faces escalating turmoil in her personal life. The pace is relentless from the first page, and the author maintains strong momentum. A secondary storyline quickly intertwines with the main plot (FYI: blackmail has its limits). There’s also a thread about a cold case linked to the house where Kate is temporarily staying. And Kate’s ongoing romance with McCade, the cowboy sheriff from Catalina Island, adds depth. The plot twists are intense, and the ending is truly jaw-dropping.
- Hollywood Homicide (Book 8): This story is set a few months after Hollywood Games. The book is tightly constructed and moves briskly, stirring heartbreak and humor in equal measure. I found myself laughing with Natalie, Mo, Nanna, and other unforgettable characters, even as emotional moments emerged. The plot follows Kate as she confronts her mental health, various relationships, and her career. I empathized with Kate, who felt pressure from all directions, both personally and professionally. Still, even at her lowest, she stayed committed to the case. I found it smart that the author sent Kate to a therapist; her sessions brought visible relief and helped her recover her incisive, boundary-pushing spirit. I enjoyed how she unraveled the case and outmaneuvered both the head of Section One and Jessica, who seems especially vindictive. I’m also intrigued by how her working relationship with Pearce will evolve. I was not surprised by the identity of the murderer or the location of the body in the cold case.

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

April 2026 Wrap-Up

Personal Highlights from this month:

For the week of March 30th through April 4th:
- The first half of the week was full of appointments. I had my initial appointment with the Pulmonary Dr. (I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and need a C-Pap machine).
- I also went and visited my grandcats: Bug (who lived with us for 2 years along with his mom) and Coco (aka Coutore/the girls rescue kitten they adopted last Saturday). I also took in their mail/packages, topped off the cats’ water, fed both cats wet food, made sure the dry food dispenser was working, and cleaned the litterboxes. And, of course, I left my purse there, so BK, Miss R, and I went back to get it.
- We had a surprise visitor late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. An unknown man came onto my porch and was looking at either my leaf blower, my air conditioner, or the charger for BK’s electric car. He kept his face covered because we have a sign that says “monitored by Ring audio and visual“. Gotta love wanna-be thieves. He got scared off when BK turned on the living room light and banged on the front window. But, I’m sure he’ll be back…sigh.
- Miss R learned an important lesson about internet safety. She had lent her Instagram account to a school “friend“. Said “friend” posted very inappropriate pictures there, which were then shared on her Facebook. A friend of the family saw them and immediately called me. After talking to Miss R, we spent a few hours trying to delete the accounts (the girl kept undoing the deletes). We finally were able to move them all (6 of them!!) off her account, and Miss R changed her phone number, password, and put up 2-step verification. Like I said, a lesson learned.
For the week of April 5th through April 11th:
- It’s spring break here, so all school-aged kids in my household were home from school for the week.
For the week of April 12th through April 18th:
- Mr. Z officially has 2 weeks left of his internship. To be honest, I will not miss driving him to and from the hospital Monday-Friday.
- Mr. Z also decided that he wants to go to the prom. And, boy, tickets are expensive ($50 for stag, $100 for a couple). He will be wearing a black tux with red lining. He is going stag.
- Miss R rode a new horse this week, and she loved riding it. But, tacking her up was another thing. The horse wouldn’t let Miss R put the bit in her mouth, and if she got it in, the horse slipped the bridle off her head. It took two experienced people (her instructor and the barn owner’s daughter) to get the bit in.
- Miss R had her unofficial chorus concert on Friday. I didn’t go, but I heard from friends who did that the kids did an amazing job.
- Mr. Z had in impormto meeting with his drone class (which is why I didn’t get to go to the concert). I ended up waiting almost 2 hours for the class to finish (it was supposed to be 10-15 mins).
- Miss R had a sleepover with one of her best friends. She also spent all day Saturday and almost all day Sunday with this friend.
For the week of April 19th through April 25th:
- Mr. Z got his cap and gown this week!! He didn’t get his cords or his stole, but I think he’s getting them at Senior Night.
- Mr. Z went to his prom, and he had a blast. He actually got up and danced (which surprised his father and me).
- My best friend came up to visit on Sunday. We were able to catch up on a lot. I plan on driving down to visit her once school is out.

Books I Read:

Montana Promises Series by Vella Day (I wasn’t able to finish the last book by the end of March):
- Burning Seduction (Book 5): I believe this is the last book in this series (but there are other series in the same universe). This book centers on Charlotte and Trent’s relationship, with a murder investigation as its backdrop. I loved how their relationship progressed. I also loved the little catch-ups that the author threw in about the other Montana Promises couples. There was an interesting secondary storyline with Harmon (Trent’s brother), and I can’t wait to see if he has his own book (I need to look).
The Valkyrie Series by J.K. Hawk:
- The Nameless Survivor (Book 1): If you like a book told through diary entries and interoffice memos, this is the book for you. While I usually don’t enjoy this format, I did enjoy this book. However, some parts were difficult—such as the depiction of child rape in Mia’s recollections—and I was uncomfortable with the age difference between the survivor (whose name wasn’t given) and Mia, who was 15-16 years old, as it seemed to be at least 20-30 years. Other than that, it was a good read.
- The Surviving Son (Book 2): This book didn’t live up to the first. My main issue was that the only person who could cure the virus was inexplicably allowed to leave on a risky search for The Nameless Survivor’s son in Northern New England. The timeline was also muddled, as Abel was described inconsistently as either a six-year-old or a teenager. I wasn’t satisfied with the portrayal of The Nameless Survivor, now renamed Adam. Most frustratingly, the ending left Stephanie and Abel’s fate unresolved, leaving the conclusion feeling incomplete.
The Imp series by Debra Dunbar (I was able to get almost the entire series on KU. There are 5 books that were not on KU or not on Amazon).
- A Demon Bound (Book 1): This was an engaging book with a unique twist on the genre. Sam, an imp who has lived on Earth for 40 years as a slumlord, is drawn into a murder mystery when a werewolf blackmails her into trying to kill the rogue angel targeting her kind. The book is fast-paced, witty, and decidedly tongue-in-cheek.
- Satan’s Sword (Book 2): Another engaging book that centers on Sam and her friends. In this book, Sam had to bail her foster brother, Dar, out of hot water with a higher-up demon. All she has to do is get an ancient artifact and deliver it to said demon. Sam is also dealing with a serial killer who is taking ears as trophies and has moved from the homeless to children. This book was funny, a little gross (there was a lot of gore), and just an overall good read. I am very interested to see what happens in the next book with Sam’s new title, the elves, the demon trying to kill Sam, and the vampires.
- Elven Blood (Book 3): In this book, Sam must work for an Elven Lord to track down a unique elf/demon hybrid and bring it to the Elven lands, dead or alive. If successful, the Lord will resolve her demon problem. I found this book as enjoyable as the first two, and it was a quicker read. The plot had interesting twists, especially regarding the hybrid, and I liked Sam’s interactions with the Ruling Council of Angels.
- Devil’s Paw (Book 4): Sam, for once, doesn’t have anyone wanting to kill her. She is content doing impish things (having lots of sex and causing mischief). But things go sideways when Gregory (the angel) is convinced that Sam is behind the murder of an angel and several demons (because of her devouring ability). I loved this book. It was a little faster-paced than the previous three books and featured much more action. I loved Sam’s interactions with Gregory, but I didn’t love how he treated her. I also loved that Sam’s emotional maturity has come so far in just three books and that she has developed strong morals. I was a little surprised and upset by the ending. But saying that, I can’t wait to read book 5 and see what shenanigans Sam gets into in Hel.
- Imp Forsaken (Book 5): This book centers on Sam and Gabe (Gregory’s younger brother), split between Sam’s recovery in Hel after Gregory’s banishment and Gabe’s investigation into an angel rebellion in Aaru. The narrative alternates between their experiences: Sam’s struggle to heal/recover her powers, her violent encounters with powerful beings, and her leadership in a violent rebellion; Gabe’s efforts to uncover the source of unrest among the angels. The story is marked by intense violence and significant character development. I enjoyed seeing how Sam’s experiences shaped her, and I am eager to see her reunited with Gregory.
- Angel of Chaos (Book 6): The book follows the Nephilim, Sam, and Gregory (revealed as Archangel Michael), focusing on the chaos Sam creates. It features significant violence and both physical and spiritual sex. The author expands on why angels cannot procreate. Another side of Gabe emerges, as hinted at in Imp Forsaken. Harper, a mortal, was enthralled and impregnated by an angel against her will, which led to anger and trust issues. The ending was expected, and Sam’s absorption of others into her household was intriguing. I’m curious about the Kingdom of Lies and Sam’s deals with sorcerers Kirby and Gabe.
- Kingdom of Lies (Book 7): This book picks up a few months after Angel of Chaos. Sam’s quest to retrieve a dangerous, modified gem for a sorcerer becomes more perilous when a greedy demon uses the gem’s power to grow stronger. Meanwhile, Sam manages her relationship with Gregory, the tensions in her household, and the mystery of gates opening to other dimensions. Kingdom of Lies is fast-paced, plenty violent, but light on sex. The snark level is high (I love Sam’s sense of humor and her skewed moral compass). The author does something interesting by exposing humans to demons, angels, and other supernatural beings. I was slightly disappointed that the gate closings didn’t get more time, but that would probably take another book. I’m eager to see where Exodus (the next book) will go.
- Exodus (Book 8): As the angel rebellion peaks and the Ruling Council pressures Sam to leave while elves advance on humans, chaos erupts. In response, Sam welcomes all refugees into her household (most of them on temporary status). She plans to defend Aaru alongside Gregory and his brothers using her Lows. The ensuing battle is tense and well described; plot twists unfold logically yet remain surprising. Ultimately, the conclusion is impactful, as Sam’s allies prove formidable.
- Queen of the Damned (Book 9): This book starts several months after the events in Exodus. The angels (and Sam) are still locked out of Aaru and trying to get back in. Soon after, Sam learns someone has kidnapped three of her Lows. The investigation is chaotic, but she eventually uncovers the culprit—a very odd figure, like Mr. Rogers with an Ancient twist. The Ancient who took the Lows is unsettling, but ultimately seems fine. As she continues, Sam discovers the Ancients have awoken and want to return to Aaru—a storyline that is both humorous and a bit sad. Later, a surprising twist involving Harper’s angel baby daddy brings the plot full circle and adds a bittersweet note. At the very end, Samael is revealed to be alive. Overall, the book was a compelling, enjoyable read—I couldn’t put it down.
- The Morning Star (Book 10): This book concludes Sam and Gregory’s journey, focusing on Samael’s rumored return after a 2-billion-year absence. When this rumor proves true, Sam tries to unite the Ancients and demons to avert war on Earth, all while raising Lux, an adorable Angel of Order. The fast-paced, hilarious story delivers well-written twists. Although I had anticipated the Samael reveal back in book 8, the actual revelation and the intense ending twist exceeded expectations. Lux’s biological sire wants him back, but Sam stands firm, and she discusses Lux’s safety with Remiel. The author delivers an astonishing final twist that powerfully concludes the series.
- With This Ring (Book 11): Several months after The Morning Star, Sam is adapting to her new life, balancing committee responsibilities and personal milestones, including serving as a bridesmaid in Amber/Irix’s wedding. Her adopted angel Lux brings unexpected chaos by taking his ring-bearing role literally. Amid challenges—humans wielding powerful weapons, strict immigration rules, evasive elves, and a zombie onslaught—Sam is overwhelmed but ultimately solves everything in her signature chaotic style. This chaos, paired with her indifference to rules and deep love for Lux and her found family, grounds her and makes the book a joy to read. The hilarious sex toy scene exemplifies the humor, keeping me laughing throughout.
- A Crown of Imp and Bone (Book 12): I expected this to be the last book, but the author announced book 13, which I’m eager to read. In this installment, Sam faces her most dangerous challenge, juggling wedding preparations and a quest for peace after Lux steals the Seelie Queen’s ring—breaking a historic contract and threatening humans. Sam’s mission plunges her into conspiracies: rescuing kidnapped Seelie girls, investigating mysterious towers, battling the Wild Hunt, Unseelie King for help, and a climactic fight. For the first time in the series, I genuinely feared for Sam’s survival.

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

Phantom Reunion (Hailey Arquette Murder Files: Book 4) by Reily Garrett

Publisher:

Date of publication: December 29th, 2023

Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Thriller

Series: Haily Arquette Murder Files

Perfect in Death—Book 1 (review here)

Deceptive Silence—Book 2 (review here)

Unlikely Justice—Book 3 (review here)

Phantom Reunion—Book 4

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N

Goodreads Synopsis:

Casper Decuir’s psychic gift allows her to communicate with spirits, all fine and good until one wakes her up in the middle of the night to demand her time as intermediary with the police. As the younger half of H&C Investigations, she is tasked with finding an assassin who leaves no trace of his presence other than a corpse.

When a student at the Gifted Elite School is threatened, Casper’s first lead takes her to a shifter with a mysterious connection to the murder victim.

Whispers of Hailey Arquette’s heritage includes Vodou priestess, psychic, and all around pain in the butt. When a group of shifter assassins targets her partner, she must choose those worthy of trust and those most likely to betray them all.

First Line:

“Go to Texas,” they said. “It’ll be exciting and open your life to new adventures.” Casper ignored the spirit’s impatient hand gestures to exit her sleek Camaro in favor of finishing her breakfast sandwich.
Phantom Reunion by Reily Garrett

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: Phantom Reunion’s pace is medium fast.

POV: Phantom Reunion is told mainly from Hailey and Casper’s 3rd person POV. There are also snippets from Trenton and Dante’s POV in the book.

Trigger/Content Warning: Phantom Reunion has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Foster Care (mentioned)
Classism
Blood
Dead Bodies
Gun Violence
Murder & Attempted Murder
Organized Crime
Physical Assualt

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Phantom Reunion.

Language: There is light to moderate swearing in Phantom Reunion.

Setting: Phantom Reunion is set in and around Hamchet, Texas.

Age Range: I recommend Phantom Reunion to anyone over 16.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Casper’s psychic gift of communicating with the dead didn’t bother her until a very insistent spirit woke her up. One who only wants Dante and who refuses to talk to Hailey when she arrives at the murder site. Both Casper and Hailey are surprised to see that there is no trace of a killer left behind.

While they are looking into that murder, Casper follows a lead that takes her straight to her school: the Gifted Elite school. When the niece of a top donor is killed, Casper follows the clues the spirit has given her to a pack of shifter assassins.

But what is the connection between the first murder and the murder of Casper’s classmate? And how do the shifter assassins, Dante and Casper’s mysterious past, figure into everything?

Main Characters:

The main characters of Phantom Reunion are Casper and Hailey. But, this book focuses more on Casper and her investigation into the two murders. Hailey, Trenton, and Dante, while a big part of the book, are more in the background.

My review:

I enjoyed reading Phantom Reunion. While the ongoing storyline and the two murders are the book’s focal point, I liked that the attention was on Casper and her search for her parents. I loved how it was woven into the storyline.

Phantom Reunion’s storyline was a filler book. Don’t get me wrong; it is well written and filled with Casper’s snarky humor and her and Hailey’s habit of getting into trouble. But, it was also a book explaining and revealing the answers to questions in storylines from The Guardian Series (mainly: who are Casper’s mother and father and what happened to them).

Call me crazy, but I was thrilled that the author added other types of animal shifters to this universe, not including Casper’s boyfriend (who can shift into any animal). There were coyotes, cougars, and tigers. There might have been bears, too. I was over the moon about that. The shifter angle of this series and The Guardian series (it came later on in that series) was always a favorite of mine. I can’t wait to see if the author expands on this!!

I was puzzled as to why Dante didn’t tell Casper upfront about her parents. Several times, she had made it clear that she wanted to know names and reasons. But once he explained everything, I understood. I felt horrible for him, and the guilt must have been overwhelming.

I was intrigued by the tease of another group of psychics in this universe. I hope the author expands on that also (as well as Hailey’s developing psychic abilities).

The mystery and thriller angle of Phantom Reunion was well written. I liked how the author tied both murders together. I feel we will be seeing more of the person behind everything fairly soon.

The end of Phantom Reunion did pull at my heartstrings. But it also got me very excited for book 5. It should be one heck of a ride!!

Many thanks to Reily Garret for allowing me to read and review Phantom Reunion. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Phantom Reunion, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Reily Garrett:

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery: Book 4) by Jacqueline Frost

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Date of publication: October 17th, 2023

Genre: Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction

Series: Christmas Tree Farm Mystery

Twelve Slays of Christmas—Book 1

‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas—Book 2

Slashing Through the Snow—Book 3

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree—Book 4

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N

Goodreads Synopsis:

Tis the season to solve a murder—and innkeeper Holly White knows she’ll have to make her list and check it twice if she wants to catch the killer in the fourth Christmas Tree Farm mystery from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

For inn keeper Holly White, Christmas time in Mistletoe, Maine, is the ultimate holiday gift. Business at the Reindeer Games Inn is booming, her wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray is nearly here, and the annual parade is about to begin. The town is lucky to have another gift this year with the state’s ballet company staying for several performances of The Nutcracker. But disaster strikes when Tiffany, the lead ballerina, shows up dead on a float during the parade, the Rat King’s mask nearby. Holly will have to spruce up her sleuthing skills if she wants to catch the killer before Christmas—and her wedding day.

Immediately, Holly discovers that Tiffany had more than a few secrets. She finds out that the star of the show had a super fan that no one knows anything about. And the show’s understudy slips some other intriguing information Holly’s way: not only was Tiffany secretly seeing someone romantically, but there seems to be more than one rat in this company. When Holly discovers a secret passage leading to Tiffany’s dressing room, with footprints leading out; she wonders if this is evidence of a secret lover—or a stalking killer.

With an impending snowstorm and the ballet company on the way out of town, Holly must act quickly if she wants to find the person responsible for this terrible murder. Will she be able to save Christmas—or will her investigation turn cold like the weather?

First Line:

“Hold that pose, Mrs. White,” my best friend, Caroline, called.
Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost

Christmas in Mistletoe, Maine, is always special; this year is no exception. With an upcoming wedding to plan, charities to donate to, and a booming business to run, Holly doesn’t have a minute to breathe. Things get even more hectic when the prima ballerina, Tiffany, collapses during the town’s annual Christmas parade and is later pronounced dead from arsenic poisoning. Holly immediately starts investigating and finds several clues pointing to a superfan, the choreographer, the Rat King, and the understudy. Will Holly uncover who killed Tiffany?

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree is the 4th book in the Christmas Tree Farm series. You can read this as a standalone book. But, and I always say this, I do recommend reading books 1-3 first. That way, you better understand the characters and their backstories.

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree was a fun read for me. I wasn’t expecting it to be, if I am going to be honest. I am not a fan of picking up books mid-series. In my experience, I usually end up missing something when I do that. But this is a rare case of that not happening. The plot was fast-paced, the characters were well-fleshed out, and the mystery was twisty.

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree’s main storyline centers around Holly and her investigation into Tiffany’s death. The author didn’t veer from this storyline too much and kept it focused on its objective: To find Tiffany’s killer and the motive. The storyline was well-written, and it kept me glued to the book.

There were several secondary storylines in Stalking Around the Christmas Tree. The two main secondary storylines were Holly’s wedding and Libby’s stalker. The author kept both secondary storylines separate from the main storyline and the author did something that surprised me. She kept the storylines separate throughout the book. Did they crisscross? Absolutely but in no way did either storyline join the main one, and I loved it.

The storyline with Tiffany’s murder and Holly’s investigation was twisty. The author did a great job of keeping how the killer was under wraps until the end of the book. I was surprised at who it was and why that person did it. Oh, and how they did it too.

The storyline with Holly’s wedding was sweet. Since this has been a storyline that continued from the last book, I am sure that readers of the series were thrilled with how it ended. I know I was!!

The storyline with Libby and her stalker was sad. Again, this was a storyline the author carried over from the previous book (maybe books?). Once Holly confronted Libby with what was happening, I figured out who the stalker was. It did break my heart a little bit to read the ending scenes (where the stalker is caught) because of why this person did it.

The end of Stalking Around the Christmas Tree was terrific. I loved how the storylines ended. I hope there is another book in the series.

I recommend Stalking Around the Christmas Tree to anyone over 16. There is mild violence, mild language, and fade to black sexual situations.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and Jacqueline Frost for allowing me to read and review Stalking Around the Christmas Tree. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoyed reading this review of Stalking Around the Christmas Tree, then you will enjoy reading these books:

Other books by Jacqueline Frost:

Dream Giver (Dream Runners: Book 4) by Ann Hunter

Publisher: Rebel House Ink

Date of publication: April 1st, 2022

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia

Series: Dream Runners

Dream Shatter—Book 1 (review here)

Dream Runner—Book 2 (review here)

Dream Watcher—Book 3 (review here)

Dream Giver—Book 4

Dream Rising—Book 5

Dream Legacy—Book 6

Purchase Links: Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

Members of Anyone have gone missing.

The Circle is still determined to take down the rebel faction, Anyone, by any means necessary. After infiltrating The Capitol, Logan and Reina are shocked to find their comrades are being kidnapped, then returned– chipped, forcing them to come to heel beneath The Circle’s thumb.

The only way to level the playing field is to destroy the devices controlling the people. Logan and Reina must set out to find the small, hidden tech, and disable the chips that are turning friends into foes. The only problem? There’s a mole in the ranks of their allies revealing the duo’s next move before they can act.

Can Logan and Reina uncover the traitor before The Circle forces Anyone to destroy itself?

Fans of The Matrix, Inception, and The Giver have been dreaming of this series for a long time coming.

First Line:

I am Logan ve Elehna. I’ve killed two men.
Dream Giver by Ann Hunter

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler free as I can get):

Dream Giver starts immediately after the shocking and heartbreaking events of Dream Watcher. Kendall Kent, Logan’s father, has chipped Reina and is trying to force Logan into leaving Anyone, the rebel faction. But Logan refuses and gets away with Reina. Soon after, Logan and his team take over the building where Logan used to work. They discover that The Circle has nefarious use for the chipped and are horrified to see it in action. They also find a traitor in their midst—someone reporting back to The Circle and telling them Anyone’s plans. Logan, Reina, and their allies must not only find out who the traitor is, but they need to destroy the devices that control the chips. Can they destroy the chips before The Circle forces Anyone to destroy themselves? And who is the traitor?

Main Characters

Logan Kent: Logan is the son of Kendall and Naressa Kent, two high-ranking officials in The Circle. He is also the biological son of Elehna, the head of a rebel group called Anyone. Logan has discovered the truth about his birth in the previous books. In Dream Giver, he works with Elehna and Anyone to free The Capitol from The Circle. Logan has matured throughout the books but still does act impulsively. He is a natural ambassador and has brought Anyone and the Duners together to fight for The Capitol (even though the Duners might not be entirely on his side).

Reina: Reina is a medicine thief whom Logan met in Dream Shatter. She is a member of Anyone and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her people free and unchipped. Reina showed Logan that Anyone isn’t the monstrous rebel faction that The Circle has been portraying. In Dream Giver, Reina has finally recovered from her numerous injuries and being chipped. Reina is with Logan when the chipped Anyones are turned into zombies. She is turned but, with the help of an old friend, is brought out of kill mode.

Kendall Kent: Kendall doesn’t become a significant part of the plotline until this book. He is portrayed as a weak man who defers to his wife, Naressa. But, in Dream Giver, Kendall shows his true character. He is willing to do anything for his son to keep him safe.

Elehna: Elehna is the head of Anyone’s council on Base Nain. She is also Logan’s biological mother. Elena is helping Logan with trying to take over The Capitol. But she also might have an alternative reason for assisting Logan. Elehna is a voice of reason when Logan is upset. She has a very calm demeanor. Also, I should note that she is chipped. She got chipped in place of Logan, and Naressa has been able to keep tabs on her that way.

My review

Dream Giver is book 4 in the Dream Runners series. You cannot read this book as a standalone. You need to read books 1-3 to understand what is happening in Dream Giver.

Dream Giver is a well-written story that does follow some predictable storylines. I was okay with that and looked forward to the predictability. There were enough unpredictable storylines that kept me on my toes while reading.

The storyline with Logan, his father, what was happening to the chipped rebels, and Reina was harrowing. I didn’t know where this storyline would take me or who would be affected. I understood Logan’s anger and why he acted the way he did at the beginning of the book. But I also liked that Elehna made Logan look at what Kendall did from another angle: as a parent terrified for his child. I was horrified at what The Circle had the chipped rebels do and what Reina almost did to Logan. It made the ending so much more horrifying.

The continuing storyline with Logan and Reina’s budding romance was sweet and a little funny to read in parts. I liked seeing Logan’s feelings towards Reina grow. Of course, the author kept Reina’s feelings under wrap until the very end of the book. All I have to say is what a way to find out!!!

The end of Dream Giver broke my heart. I did not expect the events to unfold the way they did. I also didn’t expect Naressa to make the appearance that she did and didn’t expect her to try what she did. She did get what was coming for her. But, saying that, I think she will be a considerable part of the next book (just a feeling). I hope Logan can get his revenge because if he doesn’t, I might have to drop into the book and do it myself.

I would recommend Dream Giver to anyone over 16. There is violence but no language or sexual situations. There are a couple of scenes where Reina remembers her attempted rape by the Duners. There are also a couple of scenes where the author describes Reina’s chip being overridden and her being forced to hurt Logan.

Many thanks to Ann Hunter for allowing me to read and review Dream Give. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Dream Giver, then you will enjoy these:

Other books by Ann Hunter:

The Shadow Girls (Natalie Lockhart: Book 4) by Alice Blanchard

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: July 25th, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

Series: Natalie Lockhart

Trace of Evil—Book 1

The Wicked Hour—Book 2

The Witching Tree—Book 3

The Shadow Girls—Book 4

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N |AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Someone is playing deadly games. Lieutenant Luke Pittman lies in the hospital in a coma after being attacked by one of their own. Veronica Manes, Burning Lake’s most respected modern-day witch, is dead, her murder left unsolved. Natalie Lockhart has become embroiled in a case with threads that become increasingly difficult to untangle.

Now, a new horror is uncovered, one that shocks the town as never before, and the dark, shadowy path forward for Natalie is paved with challenges that haunt her past―Veronica’s unsolved case. Her sister’s traumatic murder. The long-lost disappearance of her old best friend. Natalie’s obsession with finding the truth leads to a twisted, elemental struggle between good and evil―and nothing will ever be the same again.

/.The woods have secrets.

The trees are carved with curses.

There’s something wicked in Burning Lake.

First Line:

Thirty-seven-year-old Stevie Greenway drove across town to Murray’s Halloween Costumes and parked in the sprawling let behind the sooty brick building.
The Shadow Girls by Alice Blanchard

If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you know how much I dislike reading books out of order (if they are in a series). If I come across a book that interests me, I usually shelve it and then pick up book one in the series. But, when it comes to reviewing books, that rule becomes obsolete. That was the case with The Shadow Girls. When St. Martin’s Press emailed me with the review request, I immediately accepted. Then kicked myself when I realized it was part of a series.

The Shadow Girls is book four in the Natalie Lockhart series. You must read the first three books to understand what is happening in this one. The author briefly explained what happened in the previous three books, but I needed more. I was confused when everything came together at the end of the book and was left scratching my head.

The Shadow Girls is a fast-paced book. While I enjoyed the book’s pace and felt it complemented the storyline, I was overwhelmed. The main reason was that I had to backtrack and reread paragraphs and sometimes chapters.

The main storyline in The Shadow Girls centers around Natalie and the 2-3 cases she investigates. The storylines were well written, and I loved how the author connected and interconnected them. But, again, it would have been helpful if I read the previous books.

The storyline involving Natalie, the murder at the Halloween shop, and her investigation was interesting. There weren’t that many twists in this storyline. The only two notable twists came mid-storyline when the author connected this murder to another storyline, and then at the end, it was revealed why the guy was killed. I liked seeing how the investigation was handled, as well as how cold cases were handled. Also, the book’s title comes from this storyline (fun fact!!).

The storyline with Natalie and the investigation into Veronica Manes’s death was well written. I liked the twists and turns this storyline took and its interconnectedness with the other two storylines. I was shocked at how this one ended up.

The storyline with Natalie, her missing best friend, and the investigation/personal issues that stemmed from that was sad. This storyline had the most twists out of the three main storylines. I was surprised at every single thing that was uncovered.

The end of The Shadow Girls was a chaotic mess. It seemed like every single storyline was solved, but I am a little skeptical. I hope there will be a book five because I would love to see more of the town.

I would recommend The Shadow Girls to anyone over 21. There are language, violence, and sexual situations.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Alice Blanchard for allowing me to read and review The Shadow Girls. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoyed reading this review of The Shadow Girls, then you will enjoy reading these books:

Other books by Alice Blanchard:

A Stolen Child (Maggie D’Arcy: Book 4) by Sarah Stewart Taylor

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: June 20th, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Ireland, Mystery Thriller

Series: Maggie D’Arcy

The Mountains Wild—Book 1

A Distant Grave—Book 2

The Drowning Sea—Book 3

A Stolen Child—Book 4

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sarah Stewart Taylor is known for her atmospheric portrayal of an American detective in Ireland, and her critically acclaimed series returns with A Stolen Child.

After months of training, former Long Island homicide detective Maggie D’arcy is now officially a Garda. She’s finally settling into life in Ireland and so is her teenage daughter, Lilly. Maggie may not be a detective yet, but she’s happy with her community policing assignment in Dublin’s Portobello neighborhood.

When she and her partner find former model and reality tv star Jade Elliot murdered—days after responding to a possible domestic violence disturbance at her apartment—they also discover Jade’s toddler daughter missing. Shorthanded thanks to an investigation into a gangland murder in the neighborhood, Maggie’s friend, Detective Inspector Roly Byrne, brings her onto his team to help find the missing child. But when a key discovery is made, the case only becomes more confusing—and more dangerous. Amidst a nationwide manhunt, Maggie and her colleagues must look deep into Jade’s life—both personal and professional—to find a ruthless killer.

First Line:

“Guard! Guard and American Guard! Guard and American Guard!” My partner, Garda Jason Savage, and I were just finishing up our community patrol when we see two boys beckoning us along the South Circular Road.
A Stolen Child by Sarah Steward Taylor

Maggie D’Arcy is finally a Garda after months of training. It is a step down from her American role as a homicide detective in Long Island, but she is happy. She loves community policing with her partner in the Portobello neighborhood in Dublin. Things change when she and her partner are called to a murder. The victim, a former reality TV star and model, has been found strangled in her house. But, to their horror, they find out that the victim also has a toddler daughter, and she is nowhere to be found. Due to Garda shortages because of a gang murder, Maggie is brought in to help investigate. They are not only tasked with finding the toddler but solving the murder. And the deeper that Maggie digs into the victim’s life (professional and personal), the muddier it gets. Who killed the victim and why? And more importantly, where is the baby?

A Stolen Child is the 4th book in the Maggie D’Arcy series. This book can be read as a standalone book. But I always suggest reading the previous books to catch up on the backstories. I have added books 1-3 to my Goodreads list, and hopefully, I will get to read them at some point.

A Stolen Child is a medium to fast-paced book. I was a little torn on how to describe the book’s pacing. It was fast-paced up to about the middle of the book and then slowed down to a medium pace. I thought that slowing down the storyline would throw the reader off. Surprisingly, it didn’t. There was a slight lag after Laurel was found, but it didn’t affect my interest.

A Stolen Child occurs entirely in Dublin, Ireland, with a few brief forays into a small village on the outskirts of Dublin. I loved it. Ireland ranks very high on my bucket list of places to visit when the kids leave the house.

The main storyline centers around Maggie and the investigation into Jade Eliot’s death and the disappearance of her toddler, Laurel. The author did a fantastic job of showing how the Garda deals with child abductions in Ireland. I also loved seeing how the police investigated a murder in Ireland. When Laurel was found (about halfway through the book), the author turned the storyline into Jade’s murder, which became this twisty-turny storyline that captivated me.

The characters in A Stolen Child were well-written and well-fleshed out. Even the secondary characters had a depth to them that I liked.

I liked Maggie. She was no-nonsense about her job and genuinely enjoyed it. I was thrilled with her when she was asked to be on the murder investigation. It made sense since she was a homicide detective in Long Island. She brought an American approach to Jade’s murder investigation that I felt helped it.

The main storyline, Laurel’s disappearance and Jade’s murder, was well written. I was genuinely afraid that they wouldn’t find Laurel alive. I also did guess who took her. It wasn’t a huge stretch to figure it out. But, on the other hand, Jade’s murder was this twisty turny mess. I spent the entire book trying to figure out who killed her. I was not expecting who it was or her storyline’s turn. Talk about a substantial unexpected twist for both.

I wasn’t too sure what to make of the ending. As I said above, there were a couple of massive twists that I didn’t see coming. I am hoping that there will be a book 5. I am curious if Maggie gets promoted to detective in the Garda.

I recommend A Stolen Child to anyone over 21. There is language, violence, and nongraphic sexual situations.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Sarah Stewart Taylor for allowing me to read and review A Stolen Child. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.

If you enjoyed reading this review of A Stolen Child, then you will enjoy reading these books.

Other books by Sarah Stewart Taylor

Dearly Beloved Departed by Nancy Lynn Jarvis

Publisher: Good Read Mysteries

Date of publication: March 3rd, 2023

Genre: Mystery

Series: PIP Inc

The Glass House—Book 1

The Funeral Murder—Book 2

The Corpse’s Secret Life—Book 3

Dearly Beloved Departed—Book 4

Purchase Links: Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

Pat is hired by attorney Jason Forman to “get some dirt” on his daughter’s fiancé. Before she gets very far in her investigation, the young man is murdered. Did his past catch up with him or is what Pat fears, that there’s a serial shooter going after Christmas Eve grooms, the reason he was killed? Pat and her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Tim Lindsey, are planning a Christmas Eve wedding which means, if she’s right, he’s on the shooter’s hit list.

First Line

Except for her black pencil skirt and the leopard briefcase she shouldered, Pat was dressed entirely in green clothing that matched the center emerald in her new engagement ring.
Dearly Beloved Departed by Nancy Lynn Jarvis

When Pat is hired by her former work colleague to get some dirt on his daughter’s new fiance, she doesn’t expect him to rush out of his office after she presents him with what he wants or what happens. She was shocked to find out that he and the fiance had been involved in a shooting, which left the fiance dead and the attorney injured. Busy preparing for her Christmas Eve wedding, Pat starts worrying when grooms on a popular wedding planner app start getting shot at. The tie-in; they were all getting married on Christmas Eve. Pat can’t help but wonder if everything is related to the first shooting where her client was injured, and his daughter’s fiance was killed. Who is shooting the Christmas Eve grooms? What is their motive? Will Pat and her fiance make it through their wedding unharmed?

Dearly Beloved Departed is the fourth book in the PIP Inc series. Readers can read this book as a standalone, but I suggest reading books 1-3 before picking this one up. I wish I had done that because I was lost on how some relationships were started and how Pat met her fiance.

The main storyline of Dearly Beloved Departed was very twisty. The book focused on Pat and her investigation into Emigido (Devon) Sanders, Jason Foreman, Julie Foreman, and the other shootings. The author did an excellent job keeping me on edge about everything. I had zero clue who killed Emigido and who was doing the other shootings until almost the end of the book. I was with most of the characters in suspecting someone they had already had in custody. But, as I said above, it was twisty, and I did lose track of the plotline a few times. I was able to get back on track after rereading the last chapter I was on, but still. It stunk, and I wasn’t a fan of it.

I liked the characters in Dearly Beloved Departed. Pat was the one who stood out to me the most. She did an excellent investigation into Emigido while he was alive and used that skill to dig around his case. I liked that she immediately shared what she found with the police. That was a huge point I disagreed with in a couple of other mysteries; the main character didn’t turn over evidence immediately.

The mystery angle of Dearly Beloved Departed was well written (and twisty, see above). The author kept me guessing who killed Emigido and who was shooting the grooms. I thought they were two separate people until she brought them together in the last half of the book. She threw out red herrings left and right, making me suspect people I may not have.

The end of Dearly Beloved Departed was enjoyable. I liked that the author brought together the two storylines, merged them, and then solved the mystery. I was shocked at who it ended up being. In hindsight, looking back, I should have known, and I did kick myself after I was done reading.

I recommend Dearly Beloved Departed to anyone over 16. It is a clean book with no sex or sexual situations. There is mild violence and mild language.

Many thanks to Nancy Lyn Jarvis for allowing me to read and review Dearly Beloved Departed. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoyed reading this review of Dearly Beloved Departed, you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Nancy Lyn Jarvis:

Shadowed Spirits (The Guardians: Book 4) by Reily Garrett

Publisher:

Date of publication: August 19th, 2022

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

Series: The Guardians

Shadowed Horizons—Book 1 (review here)

Shadowed Origins—Book 2 (review here)

Shadowed Passages—Book 3

Shadowed Spirits—Book 4

Purchase Links: Amazon

Goodreads Synopsis:

One man’s curse is another man’s weapon.

Genetic engineer Neah Haversham thought unlocking the code to her psychic gift would ease the way to blocking it, something she’d wanted since puberty.
Unable to turn off heightened senses means experiencing life on a different level. Shiya, her golden retriever, is the only companion tolerated.
Within months of finishing her studies, she learns the life she planned has vanished with the rescue of a sarcastic, hardheaded teen with an unprecedented ability.
Ouray Bernard is a healer and warrior, a Native American who uses his skills to train other uniquely talented individuals. When called to help the woman invading his dreams, he can’t refuse.
Loyalties collide as each defends their position in the battle against a secret society determined to dominate them all.

First Line:

Concrete is porous. Most people think it’s the same as cement.
Shadowed Spirits by Reily Garrett

I was immediately sucked into the book when I started reading Shadowed Spirits. I was thrilled that Ouray was getting his HEA, and I couldn’t wait to see who Neah was and what abilities her character would have. I wasn’t disappointed!!

Shadowed Spirits are the 4th book in The Guardians series. Technically, readers could read this book as a standalone mainly because the author does go over what happened in the previous books in the beginning. I would, however, strongly recommend reading the first three books before reading this one.

As noted in the first paragraph, Shadowed Spirits are the love story between Neah and Ouray. This book starts shortly after the last book’s events and introduces Neah. Neah is a genetic engineer coming close to cracking the code of not only her psychic gift but everyone like her psychic gifts. But Neah is on a mission from her mentor when the book starts. That mission is to rescue a gifted teenager from people who wish to harness her ability. But that mission goes sideways, and Neah finds herself joined to Ouray’s group. Determined to keep the teen safe and finish her research, Neah doesn’t have time for romance. But as she gets to know the group, Neah realizes that maybe her research wasn’t for the greater good and was selfish. When her research is stolen, and the teenager kidnapped, Neah must put aside everything she thinks about her gift and use it. Will Neah and the group be able to rescue the teen? Will Neah come to terms with her gift? And more importantly, will Neah and Ouray recognize their feelings for each other?

I liked Neah. From the minute she was introduced in the book, I was fascinated with her. Her gift was unique, and I could sympathize with her frustration with it. It must have been not very good to live with heightened senses. I understood why she went into genetic research. She wanted a way to turn it off. It made sense to me. She mildly annoys me when she refuses to listen to reason with her research (it could put people like her at risk). But other than that, I enjoyed her character.

I was super happy that Ouray got his love story. A little of his background was released, and I wish the author had released more of his background. He was a stabilizing force with Caspar and Neah once they overcame their initial distrust of him. Plus, he trained them (which they both needed). I enjoyed his character a lot.

I wasn’t expecting Caspar and her abilities. Just for the record, Caspar is not her real name. She got the nickname because of her ability. Caspar can phase through inanimate and animate objects. She reminded me of my almost 17-year-old daughter: headstrong, spunky, and with a heart of gold. She cared more than she let on. I also was in awe of her ability. The more the author released, the stronger it got. She phased through a mountain to escape the bad guys while holding Neah in one memorable scene. In another memorable scene, she could phase her hand through a chest and grab a heart in her hand as an intimidation tactic. I cannot wait to see where her story ends up.

The romance angle of Shadowed Spirits was very slight and almost overlooked. I didn’t feel Neah and Ouray liked each other that way until nearly the end of the book. And that was only after Christine’s vision that Neah saw herself with a black-haired toddler boy.

There were zero sex scenes in Shadowed Spirits. Ouray and Neah kiss, but it is towards the end of the book. Honestly, I liked it like that. I felt that sex would have taken away some of the storylines with everything going on.

The author very well wrote the plotline regarding Neah, her research, the two groups helping her, and the group kidnapping people with abilities. Some of those scenes were gripping, and I couldn’t put my book down. I also loved what happened with Pandora towards the end of the book. Let’s say that she deserved what she got.

The plotline centered around Neah; her background and her abilities were interesting. I did figure out who Neah was related to by the middle of the book. But, I was still surprised when the author made the grand reveal at the end. It did make sense.

The plotline centered around Caspar, her background and her abilities were well written. I enjoyed watching her character flesh out during the book. As I mentioned above, I was in awe of her abilities. She was one of the more powerful, gifted people I have read in the series. Her background is revealed at the end of the book. She found out where she came from and how she ended up in the foster system. The only thing that the author didn’t release was her true name.

The end of Shadowed Spirits was terrific. The author wrapped up Neah and Ouray’s storyline and part of Caspar’s. But she left all the rest open and threw in a shocking bit of information that made my mouth drop. I have a feeling I know who the next couple will be, but I’m not going to say.

I would recommend Shadowed Spirits to anyone over 21. There is no sex. There is language and violence. There are also scenes of people being held against their will and drugged and kidnapped.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: