Tag Archives: read in 2026

New Release Review – The Secret Winners Club by Donna Galanti @DonnaGalanti #thesecretwinnersclub

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Secret Winners Club by Donna Gilanti is written for those between the ages of eight and thirteen, but I think people of all ages can relate to the message: Embrace your own unique self because you’re special just the way you are.

Each chapter begins with an illustration that spotlights a character’s point of view. I love when an author adds that something extra to the story.

Thirteen year old Sunny Whitlock is the main character. She has alopecia, an auto immune disease that caused her to lose her hair. I love the way she deals with it, by making her own headscarves. She doesn’t hide with bland colors, but bursts with colorful designs. She also has joined the junk bot club competition. Her father owns the scrapyard in town, so she has access to a lot of the parts, but her father also donates parts to the club. She gets picked on because of his work. It’s still the usual that we all struggle with, the haves and the have nots and those that are considered different, ouside the norm.

Sunny’s best friends are also auto immune deficient and together they form The Secret Winners Club. The goal is to step outside of their comfort zone, support each other and to win…at any cost. Do you see where this is going? What will be the cost of putting winning ahead of all else? This is one of those things…it’s a great idea, but they are doing it for the wrong reasons. As they begin to succeed, they learn the cost of their decisions.

The Secret Winners Club is a coming of age story that shares thoughts, feelings, and actions we can all learn from. I loved how the characters developed, learning life lessons as they strive to achieve the goals they set for themselves.

Tbank you Donna Galanti for the opportunity to read The Secret Winners Club.

5 Stars

ABOUT THE SECRET WINNERS CLUB

1st Rule of The Secret Winners Club:
Do whatever it takes.

Thirteen-year-old Sunny Whitlock has alopecia; an autoimmune condition that’s made her lose her hair—and she’s desperate to be seen as more than just the bald kid. But how? By setting an epic goal: win her school’s junkbot club competition. And if she’s #1, then other kids will have to see beyond her disease … and she’ll finally fit in.

Sunny’s immune-deficient best friends are also tired of looking different and achieving second place in their school competitions. With a bold plan, Sunny bands with them to create The Secret Winners Club, a club devised to win—at any cost—and push them outside their comfort zones.

They promise to trust no one else. It’s all classified! And in total secrecy they aim to help one another become #1 before this middle school year is over. But as they start to succeed, they quickly discover that crossing the line and hurting others can make them even more visible and even more an outsider.

Bookshop / Amazon / B & N / Books A Million / Apple

ABOUT DONNA GALANTI

Donna Galanti is the author of the middle-grade ooks Unicorn Island series, Joshua and the
Lightning Road series, and Loon Cove Summer. She’s lived in fun locations including England, her family-owned campground in New Hampshire, and in Hawaii as a U.S. Navy photographer. Donna is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature lover. She volunteers for the Old-Growth Forest Network and the National Audubon Society. For details on her books, events, and school programs, visit donnagalanti.com.

GIVEAWAY

Donna Galanti is offering a paperback (US ONLY) or ebook (International) of her book, Loon Cove Summer. Entry is easy peasy.

Enter a comment that answers the question, do you go on summer vacations?

Giveaway ends 3.10.26

MY DONNA GALANTI REVIEWS

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Review – Dead Woman Walking by Carolyn Arnold @carolynarnold #netgalley #deadwomanwalking

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Here we are. Back with Amanda Steele in Dead Woman Walking, Book 15, and this time it hits close to home. Amanda’s half brother is dating Christine Lane, a realtor and the murder victim. Carolyn Arnold is quit to set the hook and that is only one of the reasons I love her books so much. She is great at taking us step by step, through the investigation.

The owner of the house where Christine Lane was found is Dominique Sharp, a lawyer who has a long line of disgruntled employees and so many secrets and a trail that leads to the killer. Could Christine’s murder be a case of mistaken identity?

Carolyn Arnold has a way with words. The short chapters make for an easy read with the mystery set at a steady pace. She has a way of creating doubt, when it comes to flushing out the villain. She calls in help from characters that appear in other series she writes. So, brace yourself for another great read in the Amanda Steele series.

 

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Preparing the empty house for another viewing, she knows she’s taking a risk showing it at night. She never told anyone she was here, but she desperately needs this sale. If she pulls it off, she can finally give her daughter the life she deserves. But as she climbs the stairs, goosebumps spread down her arms. She’s not alone…

When the body of realtor Christine Lane is discovered in one of Woodbridge’s most affluent homes, Detective Amanda Steele is left reeling. The victim was dating Amanda’s half-brother, making him an immediate suspect. They’ve never been close but Amanda knows he’s not a killer.

As forensics move in to process the crime scene, Amanda is ambushed by a well-dressed woman desperately trying to get inside the house. Dominique Sharp is a successful lawyer and expected her house to be sold by the time she returned from a business trip to DC. Could she have been the intended target?

Delving into Dominique’s business, Amanda and Trent discover a long line of disgruntled employees and a dark web of secrets that lead them to a killer who will stop at nothing to get their deadly revenge on her.

But can Amanda take the greatest risk of her career to lure the killer back into the light? And will she have to sacrifice someone close to her to ensure justice is finally served?

A totally addictive and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Mary Burton, Elle Gray and A. J. Rivers.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural, Suspense, Thriller
  • 337 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication February 25, 2026 by Bookouture
  • Series: Detective Amanda Steele #15

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

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AWESOME – Review – Redemption by V E Huntley #VEHuntley #redemption

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They think his love for her makes him week with phoenix
they're about to lean it makes him unstoppable
my penance will never be enough redemption

 

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Whew (as I brush the sweat off my brow). Redemption by V E Huntley is the heart pounding conclusion of Aden and Ellie’s story in the Bloodstone Legacy trilogy. Between the smoking hot sex (XXX Rated) and the bloody and savage battles, I can’t think of one thing V E Huntley left out. I love her original interpretation of the vampire world.

We see the story from two points of view, Aden’s and Ellie’s. I love when I can see events unfold from different perspectives, delving into the minds of each character, allowing me to empathize with them, even when they are wrong.

I will keep this review short and sweet, seeing I really do not want to spoil anything for those who will begin the series with Damnation. I cannot recommend the Bloodstone Legacy enough. The vampires are unique and have the same issues as us humans, politics, communication, and kids. What will they turn out to be? Vampires? Half breed’s? Humans?

What a fabulous happy ever after ending to a mind blowing conclusion of Aden and Ellie’s story. Any time I see V E Huntley’s name, I’m hoping she has come out with a new book. She is definitely hovering around the top of my must read author list.

My thanks go out to V E Huntley for the opportunity to read, review and share my thoughts for Redemption.

 

5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

MY PENANCE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH The breathtaking conclusion to The BloodStone Legacy trilogy—a dark, seductive paranormal romance about forbidden love, impossible choices, and the price of redemption.

They think his love for her makes him weak. They’re about to learn it makes him unstoppable.

For centuries, vampire commander Aden Westcott’s reputation for brutality was legendary. Until her. When Ellie awakens feelings he thought long dead, their forbidden bond becomes both his salvation and his greatest vulnerability.

In a society divided by power and blood, redemption demands the highest price. In this final chapter, Aden and Ellie’s choices will echo through eternity. Some say love conquers all. In Aden and Ellie’s world, it might just destroy everything.

Perfect for fans of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City, Scarlett St. Clair’s Adrian X Isolde, Karina Halle’s The Dracula Duet, and readers who crave their romance dark, passionate, and unforgettable with brooding anti-heroes paired with resilient heroines.

Redemption is Book 3 of a trilogy. It ends with the HEA you’ve been waiting for.

Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance and dark fantasy who crave high stakes, forbidden love, and a brooding immortal hero facing his own redemption.

This book is a dark paranormal romance. Be mindful of the trigger

Graphic violence
Sexual situations
Blood Play
Adult language – the word “fuck” is used a lot

  • Genre: Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
  • 647 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published February 19, 2026
  • Series: The Bloodstone Legacy #3

ABOUT V E HUNTLEY

V.E. Huntley is a retired producer who has spent her life telling stories in one way or another. Just ask her cats. They had to endure a lifetime of her endlessly reciting entire dialogue scenes to them, even though all they desperately wanted to do was nap.

Her childhood fear of Dracula was so intense that she couldn’t sleep without the lights on and her mother guarding her bedroom door. Over time, this fear evolved into a lifelong obsession with the dark and twisted world of vampires and the concept of immortality. So, after more than two decades in the film and television industry, she ultimately chose to pursue her true passion—writing dark and sexy paranormal romance.

Besides writing, her hobbies include reading, watching movies, traveling, and keeping her husband busy with an endless honey-do list.

Website

MY V E HUNTLEY REVIEWS

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Review – I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig #ferguscraig #netgalley #ImNottheOnlyMurdererinMyRetirementHome

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

With a title like I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig, I had to pause and check it out further. A serial killer is moving in…even better. A little humor served up with murder is always wicked good fun.

Carol is a serial killer, convicted of killing seven people. Now, she’s being released from prison and heading toward the retirement home. Her murdering days are over, even though she is surrounded by so many murder weapons. How ironic. She also discovers there are plenty of criminal investigators that she will be living with. It looks like she will be on the other side of the coin, when there is a murder at her retirement home. Because her secret is exposed and so many are pointing their fingers at her, she begins her own investigation into the death.

I enjoyed my time at the retirement home. It’s not often that I can laugh with a serial killer and watch as they try to solve a crime, instead of commit one. It’s fun to meet intriguing characters that keep the easy to read story flowing smoothly. There’s even a little romance to be had.

3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home…until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn’t do it this time….

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She’s hoping her past as a serial killer won’t come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it’s not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol’s true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn’t the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it’s filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol’s guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong…without killing anyone, for once.

  • Genre: Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Humor, Mystery
  • 272 pages, Hardcover
  • Expected publication February 17, 2026 by Berkley

ABOUT FERGUS CRAIG

Fergus Craig is a multi-award winning writer, actor and comedian. Fergus has written two parody novels based on his character Detective Roger LeCarre. The second, Murder At Crime Manor, was shortlisted for the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction. His third novel, I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home, is out in February 2026.

He is a big fan of Newcastle United, pubs, desserts and lying awake at night worrying about things he has zero control over.

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Review – Adrift by Will Dean #netgalley @willrdean #adrift #netgalley

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Adrift was so much more than I thought it would be. The subtle evil of Drew’s manipulations had Peggy questioning her own actions. Drew stepped up his machinations when he found out his wife, Peggy, had sold a novel. They were both authors, but he has turned into a has been. He begrudges Peggy’s success in every way, whether it was getting a check from a publisher or getting a job with the library. He sabotages all her successes. Denies her and his son food and water. Isolates them, continually moving their canal boat farther and farther away from everyone else.

Peggy is determined to find a way out for her and their son. She didn’t want him growing up to be like his father, a failure in every way. Samson is fourteen years old and bullied by the kids in school. His determination to do well in school and leave town when he is older drives him to endure. The isolation and poverty is brutal.

My emotions were all over the place. If you want a character to hate, Will Dean has supplied one. Every time I didn’t think Drew could do something worse, he did. As Peggy searches every nook and cranny in their canal boat, she discovers some truths.

As their worst moments came about, I saw the ending unfold. Some I knew and some I hoped for.

My thanks go out to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read Adrift by Will Dean. What a wild ride it was. He’s definitely on my radar now.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    The author of the “master class in suspense” (Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author)The Chamber returns with a high-tension thriller about a family’s descent into darkness that is perfect for fans of Dennis Lehane and Lisa Jewell.

    Peggy and Drew, both aspiring writers, move to an isolated canal boat with their fourteen-year-old son. Peggy is the glue that holds their family together, even as their son is bullied relentlessly for his physique and his family’s lack of money. But when Drew becomes frustrated by his wife’s sudden writing success, he moves their boat further and further from civilization.

    With their increasing isolation, personal challenges become harder to ignore, even as they desperately try to break toxic generational patterns. But when Drew’s gaslighting becomes too much for Peggy to take, it sets off a catastrophic series of events.

    With Will Dean’s signature “well-drawn characters and excellent prose” (Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author), Adrift is gripping exploration of the ties that bind when everything spirals out of control.

    • Genre: Adult, Dark, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
    • Kindle Edition
    • Expected publication February 17, 2026 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books

    ABOUT WILL DEAN

      Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands, living in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. He was a bookish, daydreaming kid who found comfort in stories and nature (and he still does). After studying Law at the LSE, and working in London, he settled in rural Sweden. He built a wooden house in a boggy clearing at the centre of a vast elk forest, and it’s from this base that he compulsively reads and writes. He is the author of Dark Pines.

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      Review – They’ll Take Everything by C H Connor @CHConnor_ #theylltakeeverything

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      Amazon / Goodreads

      MY REVIEW

      I love the cover for They’ll Take Everything by C H Connor. The colors and content are eye catching. And that title…definitely draws me in. For a debut novel, C H Connor hit it out of the ballpark.

      David Dale carries a heavy weight of guilt. He feels responsible for the car accident that killed his family. He decides to make a drastic change, trying to find redemption. He is going to start a charity that will help others that find it hard to move on from a tragedy. Bev, a close personal friend of thirteen years, agrees to join in. It’s not long before things begin to happen. Anonymous messages, Threats. Extortion. David stands firm on his mission.

      The suspense builds slowly as the danger increases. Revenge is coming, knocking at his door.

      WTF? That’s why I don’t read ahead. I love when an author can surprise me and I didn’t see it coming, though I knew who the villain was. I went back and reread the last chapter because it was just that great.

      My thanks go out to C H Connor for the opportunity to read They’ll Take Everything.

       

      4 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      David Dale has been running from guilt for three years.

      The car accident that killed his family was his fault. Now he has one chance at redemption: opening a charity for families shattered by tragedy.

      But that’s made him the perfect target.

      Days before the launch, anonymous messages begin. Precise. Threatening. Someone’s been watching him. Someone knows exactly how to break him. What begins as extortion becomes a calculated campaign to dismantle David’s life, piece by piece.

      The charity launches to national attention — which only makes things worse.

      David finds himself targeted by a criminal syndicate who don’t leave witnesses. As he unravels the conspiracy, he’s forced to confront the past he thought he’d buried. But that’s when he realises the terrifying truth.

      This isn’t extortion. It’s revenge.

      Three years of guilt. Two weeks of terror. One truth that changes everything.

      How far would you go to turn heartbreak into hope?

      Perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson and Harlan Coben, and for readers who crave layered suspense, emotional depth, and immersive, character-driven stories.

      • Genre: Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
      • 323 pages, Kindle Edition
      • Expected publication February 16, 2026

      ABOUT C H CONNOR

      C.H. Connor is the debut author of the psychological crime thriller, THEY’LL TAKE EVERYTHING, released 16 February 2026.

      Connor built his career in software before putting pen to paper and publishing his upcoming novel. Connor lives with his partner and son in Manchester, UK.

      You can connect with Connor on Instagram. To receive updates on his latest work and upcoming events, you can sign up to his spam-free newsletter at chconnor.com.

      Connect on Instagram: ch_connor

      Website

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      Review – I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill @brownboywriting #idontwishyouwell

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      Murder is just the beginning...
      Unlikely detective duo, small-town scandal, Friday Night Lights meets a Good Girl's Guide to Murder

       

      Amazon / Goodreads

      MY REVIEW

      The eye catching cover and title for I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill made me curious. You can say curiosity killed the cat, because Pryce Cummings, a podcaster and aspiring journalist, starts his own investigation into Moss Pointe, Louisiana’s Trojan mask killings and someone wants to keep the secrets buried. Did they really catch the killer? There are many who believe they had convicted an innocent man, and the deeper Pryce dug, the more he is convinced they got it wrong.

      Moss Pointe is a small town with small minded people. Church and football were worshiped. Being gay in a racist town had Pryce struggling to keep his sexuality secret, at least until he left for college, where he felt free to explore.

      Pryce gets help from an unlikely source, free spirited Izzy. He wears his gayness in the open. Pryce slowly begins to understand what he has sacrificed to keep his secret.

      “That paranoia hasn’t drained you yet? God, I felt suffocated under it when I lived here.”

      Halfway through the pace picked up. Bodies fell and secrets were exposed. All the questions raised by vigilante justice arise. I love thought provoking books, and I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill had me wondering…what would I do if I walked a mile in someone’s shoes?

      My thanks go out to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill.

      4 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      A teen investigative podcaster decides to dig into the truth behind a grisly murder spree that rocked his hometown five years ago, but soon discovers that this cold case is still hiding deadly secrets—in this chilling thriller perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

      Five years ago, the infamous Trojan murders turned the small town of Moss Pointe, Louisiana into a living nightmare. Four teen boys—all star players on Moss Pointe High’s football team—were murdered one after the other by a Trojan-mask wearing killer. 

      Eventually, the murderer was unmasked. But the community has never forgotten—and some folks in town still wonder whether the police got it right.

      Eighteen-year-old Pryce Cummings is one of them. An aspiring journalist, Pryce is pretty sure he just stumbled upon evidence that throws the killer’s guilt into question. It’s the perfect story for his own podcast, and a reason to go back to the hometown he’s avoided since coming to terms with his sexuality while at college.

      But in Moss Pointe, digging into the past is anything but welcome. There’s so much more to what happened in there five years ago, and Pryce is ready to crack it all wide open . . . if he lives to tell the tale.

      • Genre: Crime, Fiction, LGBTQ, Mystery, Queer, Suspense, Thriller
      • 400 pages, Hardcover
      • First published January 20, 2026 by Delacorte Press

      ABOUT JUMATA EMILL

      Jumata Emill is a journalist who has covered crime and local politics in Mississippi and parts of Louisiana. He earned his BA in mass communications from Southern University and A&M College. He’s a Pitch Wars alum and a member of the Crime Writers of Color. When he’s not writing about murderous teens, he’s watching and obsessively tweeting about every franchise of the Real Housewives. Jumata lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is the author of The Black Queen and Wander in the Dark.

      Website

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      Review – Songbird Of The Sorrows by Braidee Otto #netgalley #songbirdofthesorrow #braideeotto

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      Amazon / Goodreads

      MY REVIEW

      I was born dead.

      The first sentence of the book wrapped it’s hooks around me and it didn’t take long for me to be hanging on every word.

      I love books where the characters are forced to face life altering decisions, so Songbird Of The Sorrows by Braidee Otto was a wonderful choice. This romantic fantasy will challenge Princess Aella. She is torn from the palace, the only world she has ever known, and sent to the Aviary to be trained as an assassin. She is not only a princess in hiding, only a few people knowing who she really is, but she is to be trained to be a scout, a spy, an assassin, a thief, a songbird.

      The rules: Don’t ask questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. Most of all, love no one.

      “…I know the rules.” I’m just not very good at following them…

      Nyssa cracks me up. She’s Aella’s friend and knows her true identity. She will stick by her side, no matter what the outcome will cost her.

      Forbidden love. Does that peak your interest? It did mine. I love to see how the characters figure out what is most important in their life and then find a course of action that will allow them to get it. I love to watch characters grow and develop as fully fledged characters.

      Aella is tasked with competing in the bridal trials held by the Prince of Eritrea…as herself.

      I love when an author creates a world I want to get lost in. Where the characters have me holding my breath in anticipation, waiting to find out what happens next. The adventure is filled with danger and betrayal. Will there be war?

      OMG…talk about a cliffhanger. I can hardly wait for the next book, Myths of the Empyrieos.

      I am so glad I saw this on NetGalley and grabbed a copy for myself.

      Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
      4 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      An outcast princess turned spy embarks on a mission to infiltrate a rival kingdom, but the secrets she uncovers force her to decide whether to follow orders or defy them.

      Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all, love no one.

      Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.

      Princess Aella was ousted from the Palace of Sorrows as a child, shattering her world and forcing her to abandon the truth of her royal lineage. Instead, she was raised in The Aviary, which disguises itself as a school for orphaned children but is actually a secret order designed to train its students as spies for an intelligence network embedded throughout the Empyrieos.

      Now twenty-three years old and having completed her final tests, Aella is summoned to join Alpha Flight, the Aviary’s elite team of assassins that’s led by none other than her former flame, Raven. Everything about him calls to her—he’s brave, loyal, and lethal. But is Raven worth breaking the rules and risking everything she’s worked so hard to achieve?

      Before she can decide, the Alpha Flight team is sent on a dangerous mission that tests Aella’s resolve in every way. Her role is crucial and she must assume her former title of Princess of the Sorrows, the identity she once had to forsake, to compete in the bridal trials held by the Prince of Eretria. As old sparks reignite and the harsh realities of the realm reveal themselves, the mission begins to unravel, and Aella must decide if she is brave enough to disobey her superiors in order to do what she believes is right.

      Songbird of the Sorrows is the first book in Myths of the Empyrieos, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows a feisty heroine through trials, a perilous heist, court intrigue, kingdom politics, and a journey of self-discovery, true love, and redemption.

      • Genre: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Greek Mythology, Romance,
      • 387 pages, Kindle Edition
      • First published June 18, 2024 by The Dial Press
      • Series: Myths Of The Empyrieos #1

      ABOUT BRAIDEE OTTO

      A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Braidee Otto combines her academic background in Literary Studies with a deep passion for storytelling to create heartfelt, immersive narratives. Songbird of the Sorrows is the first installment in her debut adult romantic fantasy series, Myths of the Empyrieos. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia with her partner, two beloved dogs, and a cat that appeared in her backyard on the winter solstice.

      Website

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      Review – Caged In Desire by Sadie Winchester #sadiewinchester #cagedindesire

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      Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

      MY REVIEW

      I will start off by saying that Caged In Desire by Sadie Winchester is recommended for those eighteen and over. When you read the sexy scenes, you will know why.

      Caged In Desire by Sadie Winchester is a story about gods and godesses and I loved it. It has a very pretty cover. We meet Charlee Amoretti, who is better known as Cupid. It’s Valentine’s Day, so she is happily delivering the Double Tap, where two hearts will beat as one. She knows it will never happen for her…When she meets a grouchy Eryx Nightvale, the God of Discord, both their lives will be changed forever.

      The story may be a quick read, but it is full of love and laughs. That twist at the end…I love it! Makes me want more of Sadie Winchester’s world of gods and godesses.

      Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
      4 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      Born among the gods and bound for eternity as a matchmaker to the mortals, my life has been dedicated to pairing hearts and souls. But these powers come at a high cost. By bonding couples together, I’ve been robbed of having that same connection with another.

      Valentine’s Day has come around, as it always does, filling people with a deep desire to find true love. And just when I think this will be another successful year, I find myself on the doorstep of a man whose heart and life have been cast in darkness.

      Eryx Nightvale isn’t just any man—he’s the god of discord, everything I’m not, and he’s determined to break everything I represent.

      Now I’m caged, my heart and body trapped behind bars. Will I be able to charm my captor into opening the lock keeping me prisoner? Or will we both be lost to the shattered remains of our own making?

      *This book is intended for mature audiences 18+ years. Please check the trigger and content warnings on the author’s website.*

      • Genre: Enemies To Lovers, Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology, Romance
      • 162 pages, Kindle Edition
      • Published February 2, 2026

      ABOUT SADIE WINCHESTER

      A dark romance author, Sadie Winchester is looking forward to sharing the stories living in her head rent-free with the rest of the world. She writes across a variety of sub-genres, including mafia romance and paranormal romance.

      During her high school years, she fell in love with writing short stories which continued on/off into adulthood. Finally, she decided to pursue her dream in 2023, and the rest is history.

      Sadie lives in the Pine Barrens with her husband and son. When she’s not reading and writing, she enjoys spending time outdoors, sipping local brews, and binge-watching her favorite shows.

      Website

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      Review – Stolen In Death by J D Robb #jdrobb #stolenindeath #netgalley #stmartinspress

      Posted on by

      Amazon / Goodreads

      MY REVIEW

      I have been reading J D Robb’s and Nora Robert’s work for many years now, and she has never let me down. That makes it easy to snatch a copy of one of her books whenever I see it. I want to thank NetGalley for my copy.

      “You’re here. No dead bodies.” “Night’s young,” Eve said.

      I love the Eve Dallas and Roarke stories. Eve is a homicide police lieutenant and Roarke is a retired billionaire thief. When murder and a hidden safe holding many valuable objects is discovered, Eve is on the case. Roarke’s expertise will come in handy. Roarke’s past can sometimes make Eve’s life more complicated, but she couldn’t be sorry about it. I’m glad, because they make an intriguing couple.

      I was waiting for something to happen, and now, we’re off and running.

      The year is 2061, and while most things are the same, there are some things that bode well for the future. Such as, the AutoChef. Hungry? How about a burger from the AutoChef? Thirsty? How about a tube of Pepsi? I love it, seeing I am not a very good cook and a little on the lazy side when it comes to preparing food. And prison? How about an off planet cage for criminals?

      J D Robb doesn’t waste any time setting the hook for her futuristic suspense, In Death, thriller series. The pacing makes the story flow smoothly, and the mystery growing. Stolen In Death may be J D Robb’s 62nd book in the series, but it still has a lot of bite.

      Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
      4 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      A violent death and a vault of stolen treasures has Eve Dallas struggling to solve crimes old and new in the latest thriller in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series.

      A blow to the head with a block of amethyst has left multibillionaire Nathan Barrister dead―while nearby, a vault, its door ajar, sits filled with priceless paintings, jewelry, and other treasures. Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband, Roarke―who misspent his youth in Ireland as a scrappy thief―recognizes at least two stolen pieces among the hoard. The crime scene suggests a burglar caught in the act. But only one item seems to be missing.

      Then it’s revealed that the vault had actually belonged to the victim’s late father―and no one in the household knew it was there until a recent remodeling project exposed it. To protect the family name and business, they explain to Eve, they’d been looking for a way to return the ill-gotten gains anonymously and avoid the police. But now the police are all over their elegant house, and have a bigger, bloodier mystery to solve.

      By all accounts, Nathan Barrister was a good man, a generous employer, a devoted husband and father. As for his father―he clearly had secrets. Now it’s up to Eve and her team to find out if those secrets got Nathan killed―and if it was a crime of passion or revenge.

      • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
      • 368 pages, Hardcover
      • Publication February 3, 2026 by St. Martin’s Press
      • Series: In Death #62

      ABOUT J D ROBB

      J.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Stolen in Death (St. Martin’s Press, February 2026) will be the 62nd entry in the series.

      MY NORA ROBERTS REVIEWS

      • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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      • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
      • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
      • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
      • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
      • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!