Ruff Justice by Tara Choate

January 16, 2026 By 2 Comments


Ruff Justice by Tara Choate
A Canine Accounting Caper
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Irene Lisner was not expecting a request to mediate her sister’s marriage. Or to drop her own list of cases to help a coworker. Or a new dog to come into her life. Or a date. A talented principal and a rigid business manager have squared off over accusations of false enrollment, improper purchasing, and state curriculum violations. As Irene investigates the charges, she finds hidden agendas and ulterior motives that make her wonder if she can restore justice to the hardworking school. And, of course, Irene’s irrepressible best friend has something to say on everything, especially the new dog.

There are many different ways to learn the same lesson.

My review of the first book in this series, Paw Prints in the Ledger, mentioned a few pacing problems I noticed with the storyline. While of course I can’t say for sure whether or not Ms. Choate took that into account while writing the sequel, I was quite pleased with the pacing this time around. Irene steadily discovered new clues about what was truly going on, and there was never a good stopping point when I needed to take a break from reading. That reluctant feeling of tearing my eyes away from the page is something I love to experience as it means that there will be even more wonderful passages to read once I can return to the plot!

It would have been helpful to have a little more time dedicated to developing the mystery elements of this tale, especially when it came to the conclusion. I was a bit surprised by how quickly things were wrapped up given how complicated they seemed earlier on and how many of the early clues either didn’t pan out or could be interpreted in more than one way. This was the only thing holding me back from selecting a full five-star rating.

The subplots were well written and added depth to Irene’s character and life. One of my personal favorites involved a romantic arc that I thought blended in beautifully with the protagonist’s already busy life. It was something I’d love to see more of if or when this series continues as it did such a nice job of showcasing the softer side of a character who must always remain professional and practical at work.

Ruff Justice was thought provoking.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The New World by Shirley Bigelow Dekelver

January 14, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The New World by Shirley Bigelow Dekelver
Climate of Fire, Book Three
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

It is 2047, two years since Vancouver was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami. Taylor West, Carlie Fleming, and Mai-Li Wong, and two children, Eddie Coleman, and Debbie Ross, fear retaliation from Willie Arbuckle who they banned from their group for stealing food and threatening Carlie. They leave their winter sanctuary and continue their journey to the Interior and arrive at Blackfoot and are welcomed by the Chinese and the Similkameen Band.

Chief Pete Johnson and Mai-Li, now ruler of the Chinese, tell Carlie she must exonerate Willie, as there’s no room in Blackfoot for resentment and malevolence. Taylor tells Carlie he loves her, but before they can be together, she must confront Willie. Without informing her, he leaves with Pete on an expedition. Unable to forgive Willie, Carlie is banned from Blackfoot. She returns to the cabin and Lance, Pete’s grandson, goes with her. He talks about the culture and traditions of the Similkameen people and confesses he has feelings for her.

Taylor and Pete arrive at the cabin; Lance must return to Blackfoot to undertake leadership of the Band. Carlie refuses to return and is left on her own. She discovers an interest in wildfires and while exploring one day, is captured by Lars, a violent man from Taylor’s past who has a grudge against him. She escapes and is injured when she falls from an embankment. Will help arrive in time, will she find the strength to absolve Willie, and find peace and contentment with the man she loves?

Letting go of the old ways is the only way to survive.

The foreshadowing was handled nicely. While Carlie continued to make some decisions that she really should have thought twice about given everything that had already happened to her, I liked the way Ms. Bigelow Dekelver used those lapses in judgement to push the storyline forward. Everyone makes mistakes, after all, and there is something to be said for seeing what happens when someone had advanced warning that certain choices aren’t the best ones but insists on taking that route anyway.

Just as I mentioned in my review of the second instalment, Treachery, I once again found myself wishing that the romantic subplot had either been given more space to grow or left out of the tale entirely. I was happy to see a little more attention paid to it this time around, but it still didn’t have enough development for this reader’s tastes. This was especially true due to how many other conflicts Carlie was juggling simultaneously. She had such limited free time even before romance came into play. Of course I wanted her to find true love and live happily ever after, but at this point in her life she didn’t seem to have much energy to devote to a longterm relationship.

One of the things I’ve consistently appreciated about this series is how much effort it puts into describing what life would be like if society as we knew it disappeared. That is to say, Carlie and every other survivor had to adapt to a world where there were no stores left to buy essential things like medicine, food, or clothing. The social safety net that still existed in this universe relied upon small groups of people taking care of each other and sharing what little they had which meant that something as ordinary as falling off of a horse could have much more serious consequences than it would in the before times when doctors and hospitals still existed.

This is the third book in the Climate of Fire series that should be read in chronological order for plot and character development reasons.

The New World made me hope that we’ll someday have a fourth instalment!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

January 6, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When Beth March is found dead in the woods on New Year’s Day, her sisters vow to uncover her murderer.

Suspects abound. There’s the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls. Meg’s manipulative best friend. Amy’s flirtatious mentor. And Beth’s lionhearted first love. But it doesn’t take the surviving sisters much digging to uncover motives each one of the March girls had for doing the unthinkable.

Jo, an aspiring author with a huge following on social media, would do anything to hook readers. Would she kill her sister for the story? Amy dreams of studying art in Europe, but she’ll need money from her aunt—money that’s always been earmarked for Beth. And Meg wouldn’t dream of hurting her sister…but her boyfriend might have, and she’ll protect him at all costs.

Despite the growing suspicion within the family, it’s hard to know for sure if the crime was committed by someone close to home. After all, the March sisters were dragged into the spotlight months ago when their father published a controversial bestseller about his own daughters. Beth could have been killed by anyone.

Beth’s perspective told in flashback unfolds next to Meg, Jo, and Amy’s increasingly fraught investigation as the tragedy threatens to rip the Marches apart.

I’ve read the book Little Women more times that I’d like to admit. I know these characters. Katie Bernet does an admirable job in bringing the March sisters into the twenty-first century. The writing is fast-paced and kept me involved with the story. I needed to know what would happen and how it happened. I wasn’t able to figure out the ending, which is great. I like to be kept guessing.

The reader is introduced to the March sister, Amy, Jo, Meg and the perished Beth. Each girl’s personality shines through and they have been written in a thoroughly modern way. I liked the updates. That said, some who haven’t read the original book might not get the references to the Louisa May Alcott original, might get a little lost in the sauce. If one knows the source material, then this is a fun, twisted retelling. If one doesn’t, it can be a little confusing. There are a lot of characters to keep straight, which might be a challenge for some readers. While many readers may not mind the present first person telling of the story, it took me out just a bit. None of this is to say this isn’t a good book. It is.

If you’re looking for a novel with characters that seem familiar (or if you’ve read the original, are familiar) with plot twists you won’t see coming, then this is the book for you. This book kept me guessing. I suggest you find a copy and get to reading!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

One Killer Night by Trilina Pucci

December 17, 2025 By Leave a Comment


One Killer Night by Trilina Pucci
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: Contemporary, Horror, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love will stab you from behind.

It’s Halloween night, and out-of-work writer Goldie Monroe’s trip to the drugstore scares up more than the fake blood she’s looking for. It leads to the man of her naughtiest dreams. And in spite of her costume, sparks fly from the moment they meet.

Noah Adler, aspiring sneaker designer, is impossibly gorgeous—like a tatted-up version of Goldie’s favorite blue-eyed vampire. He’s there for candy, but it’s Goldie he can’t resist. When she invites him to her sister’s F/X company bash, he’s all in without a second thought.

The pair’s flirty connection heats up fast, carrying them to electrifying new heights. But after Goldie discovers Noah is hiding a dark secret, it all starts to crumble. Looking for answers about her own past awakens new dangers, and when Goldie and Noah land at a slasher camp for adults, a deadly tragedy threatens to repeat itself. If they can survive this one killer night, they can definitely slay a happily ever after.

A meet-cute that goes a little sideways, but could be the best thing to happen? There’s that and more in One Killer Night.

Trilina Pucci has written a hot book with twists and turns. It’s a quicker read because of the humor. The characters are interesting and it’s easy to root for them, even if the reader isn’t always sure of their intentions, but isn’t that the mark of a good mystery or horror book? This one sure kept me on my toes. Goldie and Noah are fascinating, but can they be trusted? I had to keep reading to find out.

The one thing that was a bit of a distraction for me was how this book felt like an adult retelling of the 80s teen slasher films. Yes, it was a good read, but it was almost too throwback and took me out of the story at times. That’s not to say all readers will feel the way I did. Most will like this story, plus Goldie and Noah do have off the charts chemistry.

If you like slasher films in book form, like mysteries that need to be unraveled and want something that’s a little throwback, then this might be the book for you. Check it out.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Wrapped in Tinsel by Sarah Stein

December 2, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Wrapped in Tinsel by Sarah Stein
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

IVY CANE TINSEL
He’s bad news.
But I can’t help staring.
His eyes pick me apart every time we’re in the same room together.
He’s drop-dead gorgeous, and my body reacts in a way that surprises me.
I thought his job was complete, but it was just the beginning.
He’s taken residence in my mind and refuses to leave.

ASHER BOYD
I was hired to do one job, and that was it.
Unfortunately, things never happen as expected.
It takes longer than expected, only because of her.
Just as I finish, another request pops up.
I’ve never played Santa before.
My only thought is whether Ivy will take the opportunity to sit on my lap and reveal her Christmas wishes.

The holidays are the perfect time for a little romance, whether for a few nights or maybe for much longer than that.

Ivy and Asher were a good match for each other. Not only did they have similar personalities and interests, they had nice chemistry as well. All of these things were important to establish early on in order to help explain why their relationship heated up rapidly, so I was glad to see so much proof that these two were compatible right away.

I did find myself wishing that a few plot holes involving the protagonists’ places of employment had been filled in better. Given how busy both of their jobs seemed to be, especially in a store during the holiday season, I would have loved to have a more thorough explanation as to why they seemed to have so much free time to do things other than work. There were hints that Ivy had some truly caring and fantastic bosses and Asher was the boss at his workplace, so this could have been easily explained with a few more details added to show why there were so many lulls in activity.

There was a fun Christmas-themed plot twist involving Bells & Whistles, the store Ivy worked at, that made me smile. Obviously, I can’t go into detail about what it was without sharing spoilers, but I appreciated the humor it injected into the storyline and thought it fit the mood of this piece nicely.

Wrapped in Tinsel was playful and festive.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Great Hunter by Kel Paisley

November 25, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Great Hunter by Kel Paisley
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Kel Paisley’s The Great Hunter takes us back ten thousand years, to Mesolithic Britain – a very different country from today. Not yet an island but a peninsula of Europe, with fast rising seas to the south, west and north-east. A peninsula covered mostly by forest or woodlands and home to tribes of hunters, fishers and gatherers, warriors and shamans.

Powerful spirits and other supernatural beings influence everything in the minds of these people, from the weather to illness, to childbirth and success in hunting or courtship.

Life is not without its challenges, but the real hardships of the Ice Age that ended over sixty generations before are becoming a distant memory. There is an abundance of game animals, fish and plant foods too, in season. Rich pickings for the numerous bands of hunter-gatherers. Yet the country is as hazardous as it is bountiful. Bears, wolves, aurochs and other wild animals that could kill a man roam the landscape. Floods, blizzards, wildfires and tree-felling storms may strike with little or no warning. Still more danger comes from the tribal wars that might suddenly flare up, with their brutal raids and counter-raids. Destruction may also come from enemies within.

Sometimes it takes more than love to make a relationship work.

This was a good example of crisp, clean writing. Some passages required detailed descriptions of what was happening since the vast majority of people living in the modern era do not need to go hunting or gathering in order to have something to eat for dinner, but these sections were balanced out by other moments when the audience was given free range to interpret certain emotional reactions and human impulses for ourselves. Having this delicate balance in an already 450-page novel meant that I never quite knew what to expect next, only that the narrator would share exactly what was necessary to understand the storyline and characters and not a single word more. It was exactly what I was hoping to read in that regard.

I struggled to keep track of the large cast of characters at first, especially since their names were often so similar that only a few letters separated them. While I appreciated the abbreviated list of characters that was shared before the first chapter began, it would have been nice to see more names listed there so that I could more easily keep track of who I had and hadn’t met before. What helped this issue to improve for me as a reader was how often the author reminded us of who certain characters were and how they were connected to one another. It was still a little confusing sometimes as I wandered deeper into the plot, but these reminders went a long way in prompting my memories about who was who. Speaking of lists, do take note of the Names & Author’s Notes section at the very end of this book as it does include some important cultural and historical context for this tale.

The immersive world building kept my attention levels high from the first scene to the final one. I especially enjoyed figuring out the aspects of Garetto’s society and environment that don’t translate well to life in the twenty-first century. For example, there was a description of strangers about a third of the way through this book that was quite frightening in context but also contained clues about their true identities that made me smile because of what we in modern times now know about those people that Garetto never would have guessed. Yes, I know this is a little vague, but figuring it out was a delight that I want other readers to experience for themselves.

The Great Hunter was an exciting peek back into the Mesolithic era.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter by Brionni Nwosu

November 12, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter by Brionni Nwosu
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Most humans cower in the face of Death. Not Nella May Carter. She sees him. She doesn’t hide. Instead, she bargains.

Born enslaved in eighteenth-century Georgia, Nella still believes in the will to survive amid the most untenable of conditions, in the glory of life, and in the ultimate goodness of the human race. She asks that Death, doubtful and curious, allow her to live long enough to prove it. He’s giving Nella all the time in the world.

Challenged, Nella embarks on an epic journey across the globe and centuries. Each new incarnation records the joys and losses, and the friendships and heartbreaks, throughout her lifetimes. When she meets handsome and passionate professor Sebastian Moore―the first man to whom she has ever revealed her secrets―Nella yearns for the mortality that escapes her. She can’t bear to leave this love behind.

As Death keeps watch, has Nella’s journey come to an end? Or is a new one just beginning?

Love is eternal.

Some of my favourite passages in this book were the ones that debated the true nature of humanity and whether our collective good deeds make up for the horrific things we’ve done to one another throughout the generations. While I tended to agree more with Nella, both protagonists made intelligent points with their arguments, and it was quite interesting to see them go back and forth with evidence for their positions. This is something I’m saying as a reader who generally shies away from philosophical works. Ms. Nwosu did a wonderful job of blending philosophy into an exciting story in ways that made those scenes feel natural and encouraged me to think critically about every argument that was made and refuted.

I would have preferred to see stronger world building in this novel. Some of the settings were easy to visualize, especially the first one in 1774 as well as Nella’s experiences during World War II, but other ones like France didn’t include enough descriptions for me to easily imagine what the main character’s life was like there. Had this been included, a five-star rating would have been a strong possibility from me!

The complex relationship between Nella and Death made it difficult for me to stop reading. It was delightful to see how her reactions to him evolved over the centuries as she grew accustomed to her immortality and began to question some of the rules that Death had put into place about what she could and couldn’t do during her quest. Without sharing too many spoilers, these developments made the last hundred pages or so incredibly rewarding for me as a reader.

The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter was beautiful.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight by Christine Columbus

November 5, 2025 By 2 Comments


I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight by Christine Columbus
Surf, Sand, and Romance #5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Sally has sworn off relationships. At forty-seven, she finds herself stuck in a rut and feels as if she s going nowhere. Until her mother needs help to fix up her house, now Sally spends her weekends driving three hours to plaster and paint walls. Ty is also lending a hand with the repairs, and their attraction simmers just beneath the surface. As the house takes on a new life, so does Sally s heart. By day, they work on the house, but in the evenings, they escape to a local campground, overlooking river sunsets and diving into a summer romance. What does Sally do when summer fades to fall, and Ty prepares to leave?

Summer is the perfect time for some romance.

Sally’s character development was handled well. Sometimes her passivity irritated me a little bit, but I also came to understand why she was so reluctant to make any major changes to her life given her recent relationship trauma. Honestly, I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes, and I soon found many other parts of her personality I deeply loved such as her creativity and her compassion for others. There is definitely something to be said for creating such a relatable and well-rounded protagonist.

I struggled with the pacing in the beginning and middle of this novel. There wasn’t much conflict to begin with, and every new development in these sections felt slower than I would have preferred to see. While things did eventually pick up in the last fifty pages or so, it was noticeable enough for me to take note of it for my review given how I sometimes had trouble remaining invested in what was happening in the non-romantic subplots.

With that being said, this was a good example of how to slowly build romantic tension between two characters. I appreciated the amount of time the author spent exploring how Sally and Ty felt about each other and why they were so attracted to one another. That’s exactly what I like to find in the romance genre, and it made for a solid read.

I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight was playful and filled with love.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Maria La Divina by Jerome Charyn

October 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Maria La Divina by Jerome Charyn
Publisher: Bellevue Literary Press
Genre: Historical
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

An intimate portrait of the world’s most iconic opera singer

Maria Callas, called La Divina, is widely recognized as the greatest diva who ever lived. Jerome Charyn’s Callas springs to life as the headstrong, mercurial, and charismatic artist who captivated generations of fans, thrilling audiences with her brilliant performances and defiant personality.

Callas, an outsider from an impoverished background, was shunned by the Italian opera houses, but through sheer force of will and the power and range of her voice, she broke through the invisible wall to sing at La Scala and headline at the Metropolitan Opera, forging an unforgettable career. Adored by celebrities and statesmen, the notable and notorious alike, her every movement was shadowed by both music critics and gossip columnists—until, having lost her voice, she died alone in an opulent, mausoleum-like Paris apartment.

It’s like being there with the singer and watching her go through her life.

This book is a wealth of knowledge about the singer Maria Callas. I felt like I was right there with the singer, going through her life and seeing how she handled the hurdles in her way. I liked how the author really delved deep into the singer’s life and loves. I was saddened for how her life turned out, but also feel this is something everyone who follows music should read. If you’re a fan of the current singers, a la Taylor Swift, then this book shows where the genesis of the music and celebrity business started.

The one thing I will say is that if the reader isn’t familiar with the many names dropped in this book, it can get a bit confusing to keep them all straight. That’s not to take away from the writing. The writing is fantastic and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. There are simply a lot of people to keep straight.

If you’re looking for a book about celebrity at the turn of the century, celebrity at its start and how that celebrity can affect people, then this is the book for you. The psychological look at Maria Callas and how she handled her life was great. give this book a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , ,

Shhh! A Flash Fiction Library by Matthew Roy Davey

October 2, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Shhh! A Flash Fiction Library by Matthew Roy Davey
Publisher: Chapeltown Books
Genre: Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Welcome to the flash fiction library where the shelves are groaning with bitesize fiction.

Libraries are quiet places, ordered places, places of intellect, culture and civilization. But hiding inside are words that can explode like bombs, words to anger and appall, to titillate and tease, words to amuse and entertain. Which will you choose to read first?

Matthew Roy Davey offers us a wealth of bijou tales in his perfectly formed Shhh!

If one can’t decide what to read, why not read a little of everything?

One of my favorite tales in this collection was “A Tent on a Hill.” It showed what happened to a student named Henry who kept staring at a tent on a nearby hill instead of listening to his teacher. He had good reasons for his attention difficulties that were revealed later on, but what I really enjoyed about his days at school was how curious he was about the world around him. What a sweet and imaginative kid he seemed to be!

Some of these pieces were so short and sparse that I struggled to connect with them. This is something I’m saying as a reader who enjoys flash fiction in general, but I do need something vivid or unusual for my mind to latch onto for stories that are only a few paragraphs long. “All That I’ve Done” was one example of this. It was written from the perspective of a serial killer who had an unusual regret in life. If only he or she had more time to explain to the reader why this was so important to them!

“Ball Bag Stew,” which followed a group of scientists who had just received a message from extraterrestrials living on a faraway planet in another solar system, was another good read. I was intrigued by how these characters reacted to the news that other intelligent beings exist in our universe as well as by what they decided to do with this information. This could have easily been a much longer piece, but I was satisfied by what was shared.

Shhh! A Flash Fiction Library was an interesting mixture of genres.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »