Audiobook Review: Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

Forging Silver into Stars
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Narrator: Cecily Bednar Schmidt et al.
Series: Forging Silver into Stars (Book 1)
Publication: Bloomsbury Publishing (June 7, 2022)
Length: 17 hours and 28 minutes

Description: Forbidden magic. Secret romance. Dangerous alliances. Enter the world of New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer's electrifying series.

When nineteen-year-old Tycho, the King’s Courier, arrives in the remote village of Briarlock, he hopes to escape the demands of his new life in the royal court, where magic reigns for the first time in ages. He doesn't expect to fall for a handsome blacksmith with a bruised heart.

After years of cruelty in his father’s forge, Jax never dared to dream of a better life—until a magic-wielding young lord shows him an enticing alternative. But when rumors of a rebellion reach Briarlock, Jax wonders who he can trust—and if he'll even survive.

Jax’s best friend, Callyn, doesn’t trust anyone—especially not a handsome stranger with magic, which killed her parents years ago. When another royal emissary arrives, seeing a co-conspirator, Callyn finds herself embroiled in a plot that could lead them all to ruin. . .

As tensions flare throughout the kingdom, it won't be long before everyone must choose a side.

War is brewing. Passions are building. And magic may doom—or save—them all.

My Thoughts: FORGING SILVER INTO STARS begins a new epic fantasy series which includes characters from her CURSEBREAKER epic fantasy series.

The three main characters are Tycho who is nineteen and a King's Courier. One of his trips between his king and his king's brother results in a thrown shoe and the need to stop at a village named Briarlock. There he meets blacksmith Jax and baker Callyn. 

Jax has been abused by his father for most of his life. He had an accident which cost him a foot and ended a possible career as a soldier. His father's drinking and gambling have led to them nearly losing their smithy for failure to pay the taxes. In order to earn the silver needed for the taxes, Jax has agreed to hold sealed messages for the Truthbringers who say they want to protect the queen but get rid of the king who has brought magic to the kingdom.

Jax's friend Callyn has been running the family bakery since her father died in an attempted invasion of the palace. He had previously given all his silver to support this revolution. Callyn is also far short of the silver she needs to pay the taxes, save the bakery, and take care of her younger sister. She hates magic because she blames it for both her mother's death in battle and her father's death at the palace. 

While Tycho is waiting for his horse to be shoed and flirting with Jax, Lord Alex who is a rival at court makes an appearance. He's come to pick up the message Jax is holding. Tycho finds this very suspicious as do the king and queen when he reports this. Suspicions also fall on Jax who hasn't explained why he became a mail drop. 

Suspicions lead to Callyn being the new mail drop and to the attentions of Lord Alex who begins to court her and help her with needed repairs and also by making her popular with travelers who bring in lots of new business. She is falling for Lord Alex but doesn't really trust him and what he is telling her.

This was an engaging fantasy with interesting characters and interesting worldbuilding. I'm looking forward to reading books two and three. I also want to read the CURSEBREAKER trilogy. Luckily, I have all five books in my audiobook collection.

I bought this one January 18, 2026. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey

Spellbound by Murder
Author: Stacie Ramey
Series: A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane (March 10, 2026)

Description: Gilmore Girls meets Charmed in this spellbinding cozy mystery featuring a magical bookshop run by three generations of women.

When her grandmother suffers a nasty fall and asks for help managing the family business, coffee-addicted single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old rom-com-obsessed daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Veronica is ecstatic to return to New England, but when she arrives, she quickly finds out that Mystic Hollow Books, her grandmother’s pride and joy, needs more than a little TLC.

Hoping to save the bookstore from a big-box rival, Veronica enlists her sometimes mentor and sometimes crush, Adam Whitford, a controversial but popular author, as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival that will hopefully bring in a new wave of customers. But when Adam turns up dead, all that romantic potential turns into a nightmare as Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder.

As the local sheriff investigates his murder, Veronica decides to take matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. With the bookstore’s future on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Until her gran reveals the biggest secret of all—the bookstore is magical, and it was a botched love spell that led to this entire mess.

Witty and heartfelt, this mystery explores the price of magic and how it might be more hefty than one can hope, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Nina Simon.

My Thoughts: Veronica Blackthorne comes back to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut, with her sixteen-year-old daughter Phoebe when she gets a call that her grandmother has fallen and needs help running her bookstore. The call is timely since her daughter was in an incident at her school and has been suspended and because a hurricane is bearing down on their home in Florida.

She arrives in time to help organize a book festival which will provide needed cash for the town and save the failing bookstore. When the keynote backs out, Veronica calls on an author she's met at conventions and writing workshops since she is an aspiring author.

Adam Whitford is a controversial but popular author. When he is murdered, Veronica needs to solve the crime since she's a prime suspect. She enlists her mother, daughter and daughter's new friend to be part of her Scooby gang to solve the crime. 

There is magic in the story. The bookstore is magical and her grandmother is part of a secret coven. There are magical springs and a Lady of the Forest who helps. And Veronica needs the help. She has ADHD which often makes it difficult for her. But she's also bright and, with a little magical assist, is able to figure out the proper villains. 

This was a fun story. I enjoyed the interactions between mother and child. Veronica and Phoebe have a great relationship. I also liked the magic and the setting for the story. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 2, 2026)

 It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

I don't know where this last week in February went. Between doom scrolling, Braves Spring Training Baseball, and The Voice, it seems like I was watching something all the time. The weather was a typical late winter roller coaster. We did have a couple of warmer days. We hit 39 degrees on Thursday but also received 1.9 inches of snow that day. We got 1.1 inches of snow on Tuesday too and the high temperature was 31 degrees. The warmest day was Friday when we had a high temperature 46 degrees.

I am so looking forward to Spring. Those warmer temperatures were a tease though as it is 4 degrees as I'm writing this on Sunday morning. Nice and sunny though. We are already making some power today. While February had a lot of cloudy days and a lot of days when the panels were covered with snow, it was still the fourth best February we've had since the panels were installed in 2019.

I did keep up my book a day habit in February but just barely. I still have a bunch of March releases on my review stack and then 9 more for April. I need to concentrate on those since my cushion has slipped to less than two weeks of already read and scheduled posts. 

This coming week is appointment free. If I can stop doom scrolling, I should have plenty of time to read and listen. 

February Report

I read 29 books in February including 15 review copies. I also listened to 12 audiobooks for a little over 150 hours. Of the 14 books that were mine, nine were from TBR mountain and five were rereads. 

I added 18 books to my TBR pile in February. Ten of the new additions were review books and six were audiobooks. Four February books are still on TBR mountain, but they are also on my reading calendar for March and April.

Thus far in 2026, I have added 53 books to the TBR pile. Thirty-six of them were review copies. Ten were audiobooks. I've been using one Audible Credit a month but mostly choosing to "Add-On" the audiobooks when I buy the Kindle copy because it is cheaper. Only six of my 2026 purchases are still on TBR mountain (which doesn't include review copies).

I have been mostly using Christmas Gift Cards to purchase books this year. A couple of the audiobooks were exceptions since, for some reason, the gift card didn't apply. I still have a few dollars left on the gift card but it likely won't last through March. 

Here is my State of the Stack report for February. I have 47 books on my review stack with publication dates stretching out to August 18.

Read Last Week

• The Antique Hunter's Murder at the Castle by C. L. Miller (Review, March 17) -- Third in a series about some women who work for the FBI to recover lost or stolen antiquities. My review will be posted on March 10.
• Treachery in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread)
• Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips (Review, March 17) -- A new dad who is training to be a private investigator offers to help a young woman locate her father and finds himself dealing with murder and other crimes. My review will be posted on March 11.

• The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by C. M. Waggoner (Review, March 17) -- Tongue in cheek fantasy about a witch who wants to protect her foundling son from being made the king. My review will be posted on March 12.
• New York to Dallas by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread)
• Missing by E. A. Jackson (Review, March 17) -- Police procedural about a case that haunts a woman police officer for 30 years before she can finally get resolution. My review will be posted on March 13.

Currently

• Magelight by Kacey Ezell (Audiobook, mine since February 22, 2026)
• Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (Review, March 24)

Next Week

• The Survivor by Andrew Reid (Review, March 24)
• A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong (Review, March 24)
• The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst (Review, March 31)

• Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts (Audiobook, mine since January 25, 2026)
• The Barn Identity by Diane Kelly (Review, March 31)
• Family Lies by Karen Rose (Review, March 31)

Reviews Posted

• When All the Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz (Audiobook)
• The Gift of the Magpie by Donna Andrews (Audiobook)
• Don't Open the Door by Allison Brennan (Audiobook)

• A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn (Review Copy)
• Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey (Audiobook)
• Collared by David Rosenfelt (Mine)

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:

• Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst (Review, July 28)

Bought:

• Magelight by Kacey Ezell (Audiobook, Gift Card)

What was your week like?

State of the Stack (March 1, 2026)

This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.

1. The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander (February 17)
2. The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly (February 17)
3. The Wolves Are Watching by Victoria Houston (February 18)
4. Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Mathews (February 19)
5. The Ghost Women by Jennifer Murphy (February 19)
6. How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Phillipson (February 20)
7. A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn (February 24)
8. Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey (March 3)
9. Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett (March 4)
10. A Lie for a Lie by Ren DeStefano (March 5)
11. The Pie and Mash Detective Agency by JD Brinkman (March 5)
12. You Did Nothing Wrong by C. G. Drews (March 10)
13. The Antique Hunter's Murder at the Castle by C. L. Miller (March 10)
14. Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips (March 11)
15. The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by C. M. Waggoner (March 12)
16. Missing by E. A. Jackson (March 13)

DNF

1.  

Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.

1. Maybe This Once by Sophie Sullivan (February 3)
2. Enola Holmes and the Clanging Coffin by Nancy Springer (February 3)
3. Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz (February 4)
4. The Midnight Taxi by Yoshi Gunasekera (February 5)
5. Half City by Kate Golden (February 10)
6. First Sign of Danger by Kelley Armstrong (February 11)
7. Murder Will Out by Jennifer K. Breedlove (February 12)

New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.

1. A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong (March 24)
2. I, Spy by L. M. Kemp (May 5)
3. Archangel's Eternity by Nalini Singh (May 5)
4. Man of My Dreams by Olivia Worley (June 2)
5. A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery by Kate Khavari (June 9)
6. A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee Huber (June 23)
7. Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle (June 30)
8. Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead (July 14)
9. Death at King's Cross by Rosanne Lemoncelli (July 21)
10. Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst (July 28)

All TBR Review Books

March

• Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (March 24)
• The Survivor by Andrew Reid (March 24)
• A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong (March 24)

• The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst (March 31)
• The Barn Identity by Diane Kelley (March 31)
• Family Lies by Karen Rose (March 31)

April

• Blood Trail by Matt Query & Harrison Query (April 7)
• The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer (April 7)
• The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss (April 7)

• Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn (April 14)
• The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer K. Brown (April 14)
• Liar's Creek by Matt Goldman (April 21)

• Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan (April 21)
• How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin (April 28)
• Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto (April 28)

May

• Archangel's Eternity by Nalini Singh (May 5)
• I, Spy by L. M. Kemp (May 5)
• A Zoom with a View by Jess Cannon (May 5)

• The Anniversary by Alex Finlay (May 12)
• The Cupid Dilemma by April Asher (May 12)
• An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong (May 19)

• The Final Target by Nora Roberts (May 26)
• Ode to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (May 26)
• Storm Warning by James Byrne (May 26)

June

• Man of My Dreams by Olivia Worley (June 2)
• Beach Thriller by Jamie Day (June 9)
• A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery by Kate Khavari (June 9)

• The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis (June 16)
• Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson (June 16)
• A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee Huber (June 23)

• A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (June 23)
• Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan (June 23)
• Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle (June 30)

• The Neighbors Are Watching by Aggie Blum Thompson (June 30)
• Storm Tide by Paul Doiron (June 30)

July 

• Dead Men Don't Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt (July 7)
• The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen (July 7)
• Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead (July 14)

• Killer Vibes by Jack Friday (July 14)
• The Lightning Girl by Sam Ripley (July 14)

• Death at King's Cross by Rosanne Limoncelli (July 21)
• Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard (July 28)
• Fossil Feud by Maggie North (July 28)

• Pride Comes Before a Fall by Virginia Heath (July 28)
• Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst (July 28)

August

• Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan (August 11)
• For Services Rendered by Will Thomas (August 18)

 

Audiobook Review: Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

Fangirl Down
Author: Tessa Bailey

Narrator: Callie Dalton
Series: Big Shots (Book 1)
Publication: Avon (February 13, 2024)

Length: 11 hours and 29 minutes

Description: #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey launches a super sexy sports romance series with a rom-com about a bad boy professional athlete who falls for his biggest fan...

Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.

Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…

As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?

My Thoughts: This sports romance stars Wells Whitaker who is a golfer. Once a rising star, he has fallen on hard times. He's drinking too much, fighting too much, and losing too often. It also stars Josephine Doyle who was Wells' biggest fan. She showed up at his tournaments and cheered him on even when is was playing and behaving badly. But when Wells has on final tantrum and walks off the course in the middle of a tournament, Josephine has had enough.

Josephine has enough problems of her own. The latest hurricane has destroyed her family's pro shop after she has let the insurance lapse. It was a choice of paying for the insurance or paying for the insulin she needs for her Type 1 diabetes. She's also let her health insurance lapse and is forced to medicate her diabetes out of pocket. 

At her lowest, Wells comes to her with a crazy idea. He'll hire her to be his caddy. He hopes to turn his game around, but mostly he wants to help out his biggest fan. 

The two fall in love and there are lots of spicy (maybe very spicy) love scenes. But they still have real problems to solve. Josephine needs to be two places at once. She needs to caddy and she needs to be at home working on repairing her pro shop. As a caddy, she is helping Wells with his game, his temper, and his attitude, but she's feeling guilty for what she has left behind since it is her family's legacy. 

Wells needs Josephine with him but recognizes that she has other responsibilities. This creates a lot of tension between them.

This was an entertaining sports romance with quite a bit of depth. Fans of the genre will enjoy the story. 

I bought this one February 7, 2025. You can buy your copy here.

Audiobook Review: The Gift of the Magpie by Donna Andrews

The Gift of the Magpie
Author: Donna Andrews
Narrator: Bernadette Dunne
Series: Meg Langslow Mysteries (Book 28)
Publication: Macmillan Audio (October 20, 2020)
Length: 9 hours and 30 minutes

Description: New York Times best-selling author Donna Andrews returns with another Meg Langslow mystery crafted "firmly in the grand tradition of Agatha Christie's Christmas books" (Toronto Globe and Mail).

The 28th audiobook and the seventh Christmas mystery in the Meg Langslow series, The Gift of the Magpie is yet another wonderfully merry and funny book from New York Times best-selling author Donna Andrews.

Meg’s running Caerphilly’s Helping Hands for the Holidays project, in which neighbors help each other with things they can’t do and can’t afford to have done. Her hopes for a relatively peaceful (if busy) Christmas vanish when someone murders Harvey the Hoarder, whose house the Helping Hands were decluttering. Was there any truth to the rumor that he had something valuable hidden beneath all his junk? Was one of his friends, neighbors, or relatives greedy enough to murder him for the rumored treasure? And what about the magpie that has been bringing her family bits of tinsel and costume jewelry - does the bird’s latest gift hold a clue to solving the crime?

Full of intrigue, this Christmas mystery will take listeners home to Caerphilly, where the suspense falls as thick as the snow.

My Thoughts: Meg Langslow is running the Helping Hands for the Holidays program this Christmas season. Her biggest project is for Harvey the Hoarder who has a house and yard filled with clutter. His neighbors and relatives are threatening to sic Adult Protective Services on him.  

Having convinced Harvey to let them move everything to a closed furniture store so that other workers can do needed repairs on his house and let them have room to spread out his belongings to make it easier to sort them, the packing and moving begins. There are boxes and boxes of papers that range in importance from expired coupons to wills. 

Harvey goes home to spend the night after a day of sorting only to be attacked in his garage and left for dead. In fact, Doctor Langslow and the Chief of Police do announce that Harvey is dead. There are lots of suspects including his avaricious second cousins and the neighbors who have been keeping a very close eye on his house. But before Meg can figure out who wanted Harvey dead, she has to figure out why this shy, reclusive man would be anyone's target. 

This was another engaging episode in the long-running Meg Langslow mystery series. I enjoy the combination of mystery and humor in the series. 

I bought this one December 7, 2025. You can buy your copy here.

Audiobook Review: Don't Open the Door by Allison Brennan

Don't Open the Door
Author: Allison Brennan

Narrator: Amy McFadden
Series: Regan Merritt (Book 2)
Publication: Mira (January 24, 2023); Harlequin Audio (January 24, 2023)

Length: 11 hours and 11 minutes

Description: A family torn apart. A botched investigation. She’ll stop at nothing to get answers.

US Marshal Regan Merritt never bought the FBI’s theory that her ten-year-old son’s murder was tied to her job. Yet as leads went cold, she’d had to walk away from the marshals, the case and her now ex-husband, Grant, who blamed her for Chase’s death.

After Regan receives a chilling voice mail from her former boss, Tommy, claiming new information about Chase’s murder, she can no longer stay away from her pain-filled past. Especially when Tommy’s murdered before she can return his call.

Now more than ever, Regan’s determined to find the truth, but the more she digs, the more evidence points to Grant as the killer’s true target. But Grant isn’t talking. As she tries to pin down her ex, Regan discovers something much bigger and far more sinister is at play—and she’s running out of people she can trust.

My Thoughts: Regan Merritt left her career as a US Marshal after her son was murdered in their home. She and her husband divorced, and he blamed her and her work for their son Chase's death. She left the DC area and returned to her home in Arizona.

Regan's partner Tommy never gave up on investigating Chase's murder. He took a leave of absence around the time of the one-year anniversary of the murder. He left a message on Regan's phone that he had found something and was going to his bosses to lay out the facts. Before he could, a sniper shot and killed him outside his home. They took his files leaving Regan with only his cryptic message.

Regan comes back to Virginia to bury her friend - and continue his investigation. She soon learns that her ex was in communication with Tommy but is very reluctant to meet with Regan to tell her what he knows. It seems his law firm was into something really shady. 

There are lots of clues and lots of suspects in this story which might start with a bank robbery and the murder of a teller. The teller's sister has some information that she didn't know was important until Tommy tracked her down. Now the sister is on the run from fake FBI agents and Regan is trying to find her to learn what she knows.

This was a fast-paced and twisty thriller.

I bought this one May 12, 2025. You can buy your copy here.