Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Murder Will Out by Jennifer K. Breedlove

  

Murder Will Out by Jennifer K. Breedlove

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Gothic, Mystery
Content: Strong Language

 

Come for the memories. Stay for the murder...

Little North Island, off the coast of Maine, is so beautiful it could be a postcard. Organist Willow Stone cherishes her memories of childhood summers spent on the island with her godmother Sue... even though her visits ended abruptly, and she hasn't seen or heard from her godmother in over fifteen years. Until a letter from Sue—and word of Sue’s death—brings Willow back to the picturesque island.

The islanders rarely mention Sue without also bringing up Cameron House, and the controversy around Sue’s unexpected inheritance of the sprawling mansion. When Willow overhears someone threatening the next heir to the property, she starts to question whether Sue’s death was really an accident, and can’t help but wonder whether someone on this sleepy island is willing to stop at nothing—even murder—to claim Cameron House for their own.

Through Willow’s eyes, as well as those of others on the island, a mystery unfolds that keeps drawing Willow back to Cameron House and the very real ghosts that walk its corridors.
 

 

I enjoyed certain aspects of this story. I really liked the ghosts. I didn't care all that much for most of the living characters though. They were just kind of bland and uninteresting to me. Then there was this thing where the main character and the police officer disliked each other. It felt very childish, and got on my nerves. It was mainly perpetuated by the main character as she had bad memories of him as a child. It seemed very petty and immature that she couldn't get past something silly from when they were kids. Eventually they warm up to each other, but it took way too long.

As a gothic mystery goes this was ok. The house was definitely a character in it's own right. It was enormous with lots of hidden secrets. I kept wondering how they could afford the upkeep on it. There appeared to be no employees for that either. The mystery kept me guessing, mainly because there were too many obvious suspects, and I felt like because they were so obvious, none of them would be the person behind the murders. I also feel like there weren't enough clues in certain places to help deduce who was behind things. There were a few twists, one that I didn't see coming, but despite that this book just felt really mediocre to me.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for Providing me with an ARC of this book.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, March 5, 2026

March 2026 Reading List

There are seven books on my list to read this month. 

 

 

Pushed from February-

 

Twelve Months (The Dresden Files #18) by Jim Butcher

 

Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has always managed to save the day—but, in this powerful entry in the Dresden Files, can he save himself?

One year. 365 days. Twelve months.

Harry Dresden has been through a lot, and so has his city. After Harry and his allies narrowly managed to save Chicago from being razed, everything is different—and it’s not just the current lack of electricity.

Harry lost people he cared about in the battle, and that’s the kind of loss that takes a toll. Harry being Harry, he’s doing his best to help the city and his friends recover and rebuild, but it’s a heavy load. He needs time.

Time is one thing Harry doesn’t have, however. Ghouls are prowling Chicago and killing innocent civilians. Harry’s brother is dying, and Harry doesn’t know how to help him. And last but certainly not least, the Winter Queen of the Fae has allied with the White Court of vampires—and Harry’s been betrothed to the seductive, deadly vampire Lara Raith to seal the deal.

It’s been a tough year. More than ever, the city needs Harry Dresden the wizard—but after loss and grief, is there enough left of him to rise to the challenge?
 

  

 

 


Reading for NetGalley- 

 

The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep

 

Bedfordshire, England, 1820: Ruined by the sins of her father, Juliet Finch is cast into a life of self-reliance. Survival is a harsh taskmaster, but she is a quick learner and excels at tracking and snaring wild game to feed herself. Juliet embraces her new identity until the day Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land—a crime punishable by death. Henry, however, has other offenses on his namely, the troublesome stalker who’s making a misery of his sister’s life. To try to put a stop to her torment, Henry charges Juliet with tracking the elusive villain so he can be brought to justice. Using her skills, Juliet hunts down the rogue. . .but may just become the prey herself. 

 


 

 

Reading at Fantasy Buddy Reads-

 

Dragons of Eternity (Dragonlance: Destinies #3) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

 

An intrepid woman and her friends have inadvertently altered the future of their world—now they must try to restore time in this thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Dragonlance series.

When Destina Rosethorn and her companions were transported to a time centuries before their birth—to the days of the Third Dragon War—the Graygem of Gargath brought chaos to the battlefield and changed the course of history. Upon returning to the Inn of the Last Home, where their journey began, Destina’s party discovered a world completely changed. The forces of evil now hold sway over their land.

The River of Time is rising, flowing inexorably toward the present day. Destina and her friends must make one last, desperate attempt to restore time’s river to its proper channel. If they do not succeed, the altered past will sweep over the present until no trace of their old world remains.

 

 

 

 

Reading with The Mystery Book Club-

 

Devils Bargain (Cass Leary #3) by Robin James

 

This attorney’s darkest regret just knocked on her front door…

Cass Leary thought she was done defending shady mobsters. But when the boss calls in a favor, she realizes her debt has yet to be paid. And if she wants to keep her family safe, she must find a way to let a known hitman walk free…

As the ones she loves question her decision, Cass must mount an incredible defense to acquit her ruthless client. With the pressure on, the ace attorney discovers that while Ghost Man has definitely killed, this time the cold-blooded mobster might actually be innocent…

Can Cass secure the right verdict without becoming the next victim?



 

Her Cold Justice (Keera Duggan #3) by Robert Dugoni

 

To save a client accused of murder, defense attorney Keera Duggan must fight a complex web of corruption in a riveting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

In a quiet South Seattle neighborhood, a suspected drug smuggler and his girlfriend are murdered in their home. When a young man named Michael Westbrook is accused of the brutal double homicide, his uncle JP Harrison turns to Keera Duggan to defend him. JP is Keera’s trusted investigator, and he desperately needs Keera to save his nephew against escalating odds.

The evidence is circumstantial—Michael worked with one of the victims, drugs were found in his possession, and he bolted from authorities. Ruthless star prosecutor Kim Tran has gotten convictions on much less. With the testimony of two prison informants, the case looks grave. But Keera never concedes defeat. To free her client, she must dig deep before Tran crushes both of them.

As the investigation gets more twisted with each new find, Keera is swept up in a mystery with far-reaching consequences. This case isn’t just murder. It’s looking like a conspiracy. And getting justice for Michael could be the most dangerous promise Keera has ever made.

 

 

 

 

Reading for Book Club-

 

The Fountains of Paradise by Arthur C. Clarke  

 

Renowned structural engineer Dr. Vannevar Morgan seeks to link Earth to the stars-through the construction of a space elevator connecting to an orbiting satellite 22,300 miles from the planet's surface. The elevator would lift interstellar spaceships into orbit without the need of rockets to blast through the Earth's atmosphere-making space travel easier and more cost-effective.

Unfortunately, the only appropriate surface base for the elevator is located at the top of a mountain already occupied-by an ancient order of Buddhist monks who strongly oppose the project. Morgan must face down their opposition-as well as enormous technical, political, and economic challenges-in order to make the project successful.

Winner of the Nebula and Hugo awards, this novel combines believable science based on the knowledge of the time with heart-stopping suspense-sure to delight science fiction readers and fans of Clarke alike.
 

 

 

 

 

Pick it for me book-

I really want to read this one but I'm still not very far into my Pick it for Me book from February, so we'll see if I have time to get to this one too. 

 

The Raven Scholar (Eternal Path Trilogy #1) by Antonia Hodgson 

 

Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, Bersun the Brusque must end his reign. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders compete to replace him. They are exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists—the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor’s brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer before the trials end. To do so, she must untangle a web of deadly secrets that stretches back generations, all while competing against six warriors with their own dark histories and fierce ambitions. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in.

If she succeeds, she will win the throne. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won’t let that happen.

We are the Raven, and we are magnificent.

 

 

  



Saturday, February 28, 2026

February 2026 Reading Wrap-Up

In February I read 7 full length books, 1 short story, I made progress on a reread of The Will of the Many, and I started 1 book at the end of the month that I'm also still working on. Despite really wanting to, I haven't gotten to Twelve months, the latest Dresden Files book yet but it's on the top of the list for March now.

 

 

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre:  fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling
Content: Clean

 

I really enjoyed this loose retelling of the Goose Girl. This ended up being my second favorite book by this author, behind A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

  

 

 

 

 

Part of Your World (Part of Your World #1) by Abby Jimenez

I loved this! Review to come.

 

 

 

 

 

Silent Witness (Cass Leary #2) by Robin James

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre:  Romance
Content: Strong language

 

This one didn't work for me. I found the family drama annoying and the courtroom drama was almost non-existent. Cass's siblings don't deserve everything she does for them. I wanted to lock her sister Vangie up myself, whether she had done the murders or not!

 

 

 

 

 

Murder Will Out by Jennifer K. Breedlove 

Review to come.

 

 

 

 

 

The Fall Risk (Valentine's Day #2) by Abby Jimenez 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre:  Romance
Content: Strong language

 

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


I read this cute short story this month for the Short Month, Short Books reading challenge I'm participating in but it also fit in nicely this month for Valentine's Day. I have to say that I'm loving this author's books. Contemporary romance can be hit or miss for me, so I'm happy to have found another author that I love.

  

 

 

 

 

The Stars My Destination by  Alfred Bester 

Review to come. 

 

 

 

 

 

Teen Henry 1994 (Henry Bins #0.5) by Nick Pirog

Review to come.

 

 

 

 

 

Dragons of Fate (Dragonlance: Destinies #2) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre:  Fantasy
Content: Clean

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Reverence (Letters of Enchantment #0) by Rebecca Ross

Still reading so no rating yet.

 

 

 

 


 

Friday, February 20, 2026

The Library of Amorlin (The Age of Beasts #1) by Kaylin Josephson

 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre:  Fantasy
Content: Strong Language

 

Former con artist Kasira expected to spend her life as a soldier, miserably working off her prison sentence by hunting down magical creatures for the fanatical kingdom of Kalthos. But when the Kalish ambassador arrives with a non-negotiable assignment, Kasira finds herself swept into the biggest con of her life: infiltrating the Library of Amorlin. 

As the heart of all magic and the protector of magical creatures throughout the six kingdoms, the Library is historically politically neutral. Kasira is meant to pose as the new Assistant to spy for the ambassador and destabilize the Library from the inside, clearing the way to dethrone its Librarian. 

But when she arrives, Kasira learns that the Library is not all she was told it would be. Neither is the prickly, handsome Librarian, Allaster, whose own monstrous secrets are about to catch up with him. 

Swept into the enchanting world of the Library, Kasira’s reluctant con is jeopardized by her growing affection for the wondrous life the Library promises…and by her complicated, burgeoning attraction to Allaster. As the ambassador’s game closes in, Kasira must decide where her loyalties lie: to her newfound home, or to her own survival? 
 

 

I wanted to like this so badly. The description sounded good and that cover is gorgeous. I wanted to pre-order the hardcover because it was so pretty, but unfortunately I did not like this book. My biggest issue with it is that I disliked the main character, Kasira for most of the book. Besides that, I thought Allaster was kind of lackluster as a male lead, and I felt zero chemistry between them. 

The story was also very slow, and I found myself getting bored with it. I did appreciate the reveal at the end but nothing was ever shown in this book. Lots of things happened between the pages and we're just told about these events. We are told how good Kasira is at conning people but we're never actually shown her doing that, just told about it later. Also, this is supposed to be an adult fantasy but it reads like a YA fantasy. Overall, this was a huge disappointment for me. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, February 15, 2026

January 2026 Book Club: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Strong language

 

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer―naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain―and his entire nefarious empire―out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.
 

 

I'm sorry to my friends who liked this book. I really wanted to like it too and I wish I had but unfortunately, this wasn't for me. Going into this I was actually hoping the villain wasn't really a villain, but a Robin Hood type instead. In some ways that's kind of true, but Robin Hood didn't torture people, so this villain was actually a villain in my opinion. It seems a lot of other reviewers felt the opposite about him, that he wasn't villainous enough, and I can see where they're coming from if they picked this up hoping for a character that did lots of dark things. I can also see where they are coming from because this villain is written in a way that doesn't make sense. A person who likes torturing people would be a lot more hardened than this guy was.

I not only have problems with the way The Villain is written in this book, but I also have problems with the way the book is written as a whole. It was supposed to be funny, and I know other people found it funny, but the humor fell flat for me. It's also seems like it's supposed to be either cozy fantasy, romantasy, or satire, and in my opinion it fails at being any of those things. I'm not really sure if the author knew what she wanted it to be. The villainous acts of The Villain (though not as villainous as some people wanted him to be), make this not a good cozy fantasy, and the lack of any real romance in the book makes it a poor romantasy. There's a lot of longing and admiring that goes on but only one kiss and a couple of hugs actually take place. This could have worked as a satire if the author would have fully gone for that, but it doesn't lean into it heavy enough. There's also the fact that it reads like a middle grade or YA novel, and it's supposed to be written for adults. It felt very juvenile, but with cursing and dead tortured bodies thrown in. It just didn't work for me.

 

 

 

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

The Creaky Old Barn (The Irish Escape #2) by B. E. Baker

  

The Creaky Old Barn (The Irish Escape #2) by B.E. Baker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre:  Romance, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction 
Content: Clean

 

Three failing families. Two different continents. And one creaky old barn that heals them.

With her marriage over and her kids (mostly) excited about moving to another continent, Natalie’s finally en route to Ireland. There’s a lovely and expansive estate waiting for them in southern Ireland.

Samantha’s bags are packed (again) and she’s ready to jet across the pond as well. She’s said all her goodbyes, and she’s ready to fall in love with new horses in Lismore.

But when they discover that their dear friend Vanessa’s struggling, they reconfigure their plans to rally behind her, because that’s what friends do.

In the meantime, creaky old barns and crumbling old estates don’t just maintain themselves. Can these three best friends patch up the leaks and fix up the creaks in their lives (and their hearts) and find a way forward. . .together?

 

I read this back in December and I meant to write a review for this but life got busy around the holidays and I didn't. So here I am now finally writing my review of this wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, and I would say this one was just as good. One thing I'm really loving about this series is the friendship between the three women, and how they're there for each other. I'm also enjoying the love interests that have been introduced. There were a couple of surprises in this one that I didn't see coming. One involves the ex-husbands of two of the women, and the brother-in-law of the third one. Oh boy, let's just say I can't stand them. The other thing that surprised me involved a switch-up, but that's all I'll say, except that I liked how it ended up. I'm looking forward to book three!

Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.