Now that we are nearing the end of the year I have less planned reads. The only planned reads for this month are the three from the Mystery Book Club; my in person book club read, that I actually picked for this month—it's a book I've been wanting to read for a while—and my pick it for me book, that was chosen off a list of books I compiled that I've been putting off for a while, but want to read. The rest of this list are books I spontaneously added at the end that I've been wanting to read for a while. Some of our ongoing buddy reads have been pushed until January, and I've finished up all but two of my reading challenges for the year. There's still the monthly challenge which is Cozy November, and I only have three books on my reading list right now that would probably fit that. My book club book also kind of fits, so I'm going to be casual about the rules for that challenge and just add those books I'm already planning to read to it. The other challenge is a reading prompt challenge and I only have four left to do before the end of the year. Three of them are on this list and they're books I've been wanting to get to for a while. They weren't planned specifically for the challenge, but ended up working for the challenge.
Reading with the mystery book club-
The Cold Light of Day (Verity Kent #7) by Anna Lee Huber
June 1920, Ireland: The streets of Dublin
seethe with revolution as the Irish Republican Army clashes with
British authorities. Roving assassination squads mean nowhere is truly
safe, particularly for Verity Kent and her war hero husband, Sidney.
Given their celebrity as society darlings and intrepid sleuths, they
must tread carefully to go unnoticed—nearly impossible when they are
called upon to search for Verity’s fellow spy and friend . . .
Captain
Alec Xavier has seemingly vanished after traveling to Dublin to
infiltrate the IRA at its highest levels. Doing her best to maintain a
modicum of normalcy and stay under the radar of both the rebels and
British Intelligence, Verity works undercover by day and waltzes through
the city’s elite social scene by night. Still, she fears the worst for
Alec—until shocking evidence mounts that not only is he alive, but that
he has switched sides . . .
Already disillusioned with the
British government, the news leaves Verity and Sidney reeling. Worse,
they learn of a conspiracy within Dublin Castle, where personal
vendettas are being carried out and sanctioned by British Intelligence
under the cover of revolution. With the distinction between friend and
foe never more blurred—or the margin for error narrower—Verity and
Sidney cannot turn a blind eye. Especially when a familiar adversary
appears, bringing a threat almost too terrifying to confront—even in the
cold light of day . . .
The Icarus Changeling (The Icarus Saga #4) by Timothy Zahn
Gregory Roarke – former bounty hunter, former
Trailblazer, current agent for the ultra-secret Icarus Group – has
received a new locate a suspected but as-yet undiscovered teleportation
portal on the backwater colony world of Alainn.
The rival Patth
are also searching for the device, and have considerably more resources
at their disposal. Fortunately, Roarke has Selene and her incredibly
sensitive Kadolian sense of smell. On paper, it should be a
straightforward enough job.
But that was before there was a
murder in the small town of Bilswift…and another one…and the discovery
that the Patth are already on the scene and have narrowed the search to a
heavily forested area in the hills and mountains east of town.
Most
disturbing of all is the discovery that one of Selene’s people, a
Kadolian teenaged boy named Tirano, is working at one of Bilswift’s fish
markets. A boy who may have lost his parents before his proper
socialization was completed. A boy who may be connected to both the
murders and the Patth.
A boy who may be the potentially dangerous wild card that the Kadolians call changelings.
Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton
Just before dawn in the hills near the Scottish
border, a man murders a young woman. At the same time, a hot-air balloon
crashes out of the sky. There’s just one survivor.
She’s seen the killer’s face – but he’s also seen hers. And he won’t rest until he’s eliminated the only witness to his crime.
Alone, scared, trusting no one, she’s running to where she feels safe – but it could be the most dangerous place of all . . .
My pick it for me book-
The Housemaid (The Housemaid #1) by Freida McFadden
“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as
I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around
the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can
pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’
secrets are far more dangerous than my own…
Every day I clean
the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter
from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before
heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.
I try
to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she
tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew
seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown
eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to
live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect
husband.
I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once.
Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I
realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too
late.
But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.
They don’t know what I’m capable of…
An
unbelievably twisty read that will have you glued to the pages late
into the night. Anyone who loves The Woman in the Window, The Wife
Between Us and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to put this down!
Reading for book club-
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (Whimbrel House #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg
Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family,
writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in
the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more
than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he
has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him,
Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.
Hulda
Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has
been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their
historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of
bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s
best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need
to move in, too.
Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic
tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves
unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the
investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they
anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something
outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could
be more dangerous than what rattles within.
Other books I want to read-
Drumidor (Riyria Chronicles #5) by Michael J. Sullivan
HE PLANNED TO OBLITERATE AN ENTIRE CITY. HE THOUGHT NO ONE COULD STAND IN HIS WAY. BUT HE HADN'T HEARD OF RIYRIA.
When
a master-craftsmen dwarf is fired, he threatens retaliation. The
rogues-for-hire known as Riyria are commissioned to find and stop him.
Traveling to the paradise resort of Tur Del Fur, the two are granted a
lavish allowance that, along with the easy job, promises to turn the
trip into a vacation. Everything would have been perfect except that the
disgruntled employee’s last name is Berling and the target of his wrath
is the legendary towers of Drumindor.
Endfall (The Kingfall Histories #5) by David Estes
Be bright but do not burn. Embrace the shadows but do not live in the darkness.
Those
are more than just words; they are truth revealed to only the bravest
of souls, those who have the power to change the course of history and
rewrite a future otherwise etched into Kingfall's flesh itself. But will
good finally overcome the storm of evil brewing in the north? Or will
the ancient invaders have their pound of flesh? The answers to these
questions may surprise both heroes and villains alike.
In the
east, Sampson, Grym and Charlotte seek to unearth the seventh and final
godblade. But to do so, they must overcome the wiles of the magical
forest of Echoeswood while facing enemies lurking in every shadow.
In
the west, dragonriders Peony and Dane must unite what is left of the
fractured nations of Kingfall, but a surprise visitor has the potential
to destroy what small measure of peace the bondmates have managed to
restore to Travail.
In the north, Rose must come to terms with her own undeadness while facing demons no living human has ever faced.
In
the south, Ando and his merry band of misfits journey the Loslandian
wilderness in search of their purpose, a purpose that destiny always
knew would lead them back to Kingfall. But will they arrive in time with
their entire crew intact?
And all the while, the enemy draws
closer, the creatures known as the Thousands drawn by the scent of human
blood and the promise of chaos. If they reach Kingfall's shores, gods
save us all.
The Best of Friends (The Huntresses #2) by Sarah M. Eden
Daria Mullins just accomplished the seemingly
she successfully convinced her parents to grant her one final London
Season. Though their concession comes with certain expectations, Daria
is determined to enjoy every moment alongside her dear friends, the
Huntresses, as they make their annual foray into the Marriage Mart.
Toss
Comstock has no interest in marriage. His only purpose in London is to
enjoy his Bachelor Season before he’s forced to follow whatever path his
elder brother deems best. But his plans are quickly turned upside down
when he strikes a bargain with the lovely Miss Mullins at the Debenham
Ball. The longtime acquaintances discover that they share the maddening
affliction of familial pressures, leading them to hatch an outlandish
they will engage in a friendly competition. Whoever participates in the
most activities their family would disapprove of will be crowned the
winner. But amid the fun and games, Daria and Toss never imagined that
true love would become the ultimate prize.
Sea Glass From the Past (Blue Heron Cottages #8) by Kay Correll
Rose is poised at the beginning of a new chapter of her life. She’s ready for a fresh start and a place to call her own. But just when she thinks her life is settling down, secrets are revealed that shatter everything she’s believed about her life.
And
what about Aspen and Willow? They stand at a crossroads. Their
inheritance remains a puzzle, and their father's fate, an unsolved
mystery. Will answers finally come to light?
Enjoy
this book full of long-held secrets, deep-rooted friendships, and the
heartwarming spirit of a close-knit community. Join Rose and her friends
as they find love, healing, and a few surprises in the conclusion of
the feel-good Blue Heron Cottages series.
