It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (June 2, 2025)

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...

This was a pretty quiet week. I got a haircut which turned out a lot shorter than I had intended. I won't need more than a trim for months now. I also had a bone scan to check for osteoporosis. Results were mixed but there will be no change in my medications or dietary plans which is a good thing. 

I did a lot of reading and listening and enjoyed some Braves baseball. My Braves aren't doing very well this year. This coming week should be the same minus the appointments. I expect lots of reading time and lots of review books. 

I added four more books to my Review stack this week. All of them as the result of invitations to read and review. I also bought the Kindle and Audible copies of a book that I had requested for review but had never heard back from the publisher about.

May Reading

I read 39 books in May. Twenty-two of the books were mine including seventeen audiobooks. Seventeen of the books I read were review copies. I didn't read any nonfiction in May leaving me one behind on my goal of reading twelve nonfiction books in 2025.

I added forty-nine books to my LibraryThing account in May including twelve new review copies and six audiobooks. I added all of the Cork O'Connor mysteries by William Kent Krueger mysteries since they were on sale for $2.99 each. I took advantage of fourteen BookBub daily deals and five Chirp daily deals. Thirty-five of my new additions are still on the TBR pile. 

Here is my State of the Stack post. I have lots and lots of review books in my immediate future. 

Read Last Week

• Echoes in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 44th in the In Death series.
• The Journal of a Thousand Years by C. J. Archer (Mine since March 17) -- Finale in a historical fantasy series with engaging characters and interesting magic. My review will be posted on June 11.
• The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (Review, June 10) -- First in a fantasy duology. I enjoyed the characters and the worldbuilding. My review will be posted on June 10.

• Secrets in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 45th in the In Death series
• Dark in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 46th in the In Death series
• Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis (Mine since April 23) -- Novella which begins a trilogy. Twisty plot and characters. My review will be posted on June 14.

• A Not-So Shocking Murder by Lily Stirling (Mine since April 27) -- First in a humorous mystery series. It was free when I got it. My review will be posted on June 12.
• Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell (Review, June 24) -- Reissue of the first in the Trixie Belden mystery series first published in 1948. My review will be posted on June 17.
• Leverage in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 47th in the In Death series. 

DNF

• A Novel Murder by E. C. Nevin (Review, June 17) -- Way too many indistinguishable characters. 

Currently

• Trixie Belden: The Red Trailer Mystery by Julie Campbell (Review, June 24)
• Connections in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread)

Next Week

• Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath (Review, June 24)
• The Secrets We Keep by Amy Lillard (Review, June 24)
• Them Bones by David Housewright (Review, June 24)

• The Masquerades of Spring by Ben Aaronovitch (Mine since January 17)
• Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Review, July 1)
• Tricks of Fortune by Lina Chern (Review, July 1)

Reviews Posted

• He's to Die For by Erin Dunn (Review copy)
• Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Chirp Audiobook)
• A Lethal Cocktail by Ciar Byrne (Review copy)

• One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver (Review copy)
• It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle (Review copy)
• Just Beachy by Wendy Wax (Review copy)

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

Review:

• Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (Review, August 12)
• Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander (Review, August 26)

• And to All a Good Bite by David Rosenfelt (Review, October 14)
• Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley (Review, September 2)

Bought:

• Heir of Light by Michelle Sagara (Kindle & Audiobook)

What was your week like?

State of the Stack #165 (June 1, 2025)

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. Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews (May 13)
2. Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong (May 14)
3. Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts (May 20)
4. The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson (May 21)
5. Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines (May 22)
6. Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney (May 24)
7. A Lethal Cocktail by Ciar Byrne (May 27)
8. One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver (May 28)
9. Just Beachy by Wendy Wax (May 29)
10. It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle (May 31)
11. Grave Words by Gerri Lewis (June 3)
12. Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King (June 3)
13. A Botanist's Guide to Rituals and Revenge by Kate Khavari (June 4)
14. Believe Me Now by S. M. Govett (June 5)
15. Making Friends Can Be Murder by Kathleen West (June 7)
16. The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (June 10)

DNF

1. A Novel Murder by E. C. Nevin (June 17)

Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.

1. Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay (May 1)
2. Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh (May 3)
3. No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack (May 6)
4. Hounding a Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin (May 6)
5. The Language of the Birds by K. A. Merson (May 7)
6. Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala (May 8)
7. Skin and Bones by Paul Doiron (May 10)

New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.

1. The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (June 10)
2. Atonement Sky by Nalini Singh (July 15)
3. Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (August 12)
4. Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman (August 26)
5. Claws Out by Cate Conte (August 26)
6. Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander (August 26)
7. A Tour to Die For by Michelle Chouinard (September 23)
8. The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong (October 14)
9. Revenge, Served Royal by Celeste Connally (November 11)
10. Midnight in Memphis by Thomas Dann (November 18)

All TBR Review Books

June

• Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell (June 24)
• Trixie Belden: The Red Trailer Mystery by Julie Campbell (June 24)
• Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath (June 24)

• Them Bones by David Housewright (June 24)
• The Secrets We Keep by Amy Lillard (June 24)

July

• Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (July 1)
• Tricks of Fortune by Lina Chern (July 1)
• Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt (July 1)

• The Blue Horse by Bruce Borgos (July 8)
• Rage by Linda Castillo (July 8)
• Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert (July 8

• The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths (July 8)
• The Myth Maker by Alie Dumas Heidt (July 8)
• Fateless by Julie Kagawa (July 15)

• Death of an Ex by Delia Pitts (July 15)
• Atonement Sky by Nalini Singh (July 15)
• Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods (July 15)

• The Last Wizard's Ball by Charlaine Harris (July 22)
• Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher (July 22)
• Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell (July 22)

• Road Trip with a Rogue by Kate Bateman (July 29)
• Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku (July 29)
• Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee (July 29)

August

• For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews (August 5)
• The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd Robinson (August 5)
• Hunter's Heart Ridge by Sarah Stewart Taylor (August 5)

• Picking Up the Pieces by J. B. Abbott (August 12)
• Knife in the Back by Karen Rose (August 12)
• The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan (August 12)

• Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (August 12)
• The Story that Wouldn't Die by Christina Estes (August 19)
• The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by JD Nichols (August 19)

• Murder by the Book by Amie Schaumberg (August 19)
• Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander (August 26)
• Death at an Irish Village by Ellie Brannigan (August 26)

• Mrs. Christie at the Myster Guild Library by Amanda Chapman (August 26)
• A Lonesome Place for Murder by Nolan Chase (August 26)
• Claws Out by Cate Conte (August 26)

September

• Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley (September 2)
• The Deepest Cut by P. J. Tracy (September 9)

• No Rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams (September 16)
• Beyond Her Reach by Melinda Leigh (September 16)
• A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau (September 16)

• A Tour to Die For by Michelle Chouinard (September 23)
• You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan (September 23)

• Murder in Miniature by Katie Tietjen (September 23)
• Murder at Blackwood Inn by Penny Warner (September 23)
• The Librarians by Sherry Thomas (September 30)

October

• The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong (October 14)
• Death on a Scottish Train by Lucy Connelly (October 14)

• Fallen Star by Lee Goldberg (October 14)
• Dying Cry by Margaret Mizushima (October 14)
• And to All a Good Bite by David Rosenfelt (October 14)

• And Then There Was The One by Martha Waters (October 14)
• Death on Dickens Island by Allison Brook (October 21)

November

• The Hidden City by Charles Finch (November 11)
• Revenge, Served Royal by Celeste Connally (November 11)

• Innocence Road by Laura Griffin (November 11)
• Midnight in Memphis by Thomas Dann (November 18)

ARC Review: It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle

It Takes a Psychic
Author: Jayne Castle
Series: A Harmony Novel (Book 11)
Publication: Berkley (June 3, 2025)

Description: Two unlikely allies search for the secrets of their pasts while on the run within the Alien world of Harmony in the thrilling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

My Thoughts: Leona Griffin has been hired to authenticate artifacts at a gala being held by an organization of elite and secretive collectors. When she discovers that one of the artifacts is definitely radiating psychic powers but is of Old World provenance, she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy. 

Oliver Rancourt is also at the gala because of the object Leona is authenticating. It was stolen from his family's museum. When the police raid the gathering, Leona and Oliver manage to escape with the object and after discovering a murdered server. 

They decide to team up to discover the thief. Oliver wants to know who has stolen the object known as Pandora's box. And Leona wants to track down an artifact that has a connection to her and her sister's origins. 

Leona also finds a friend in a dust bunny she names Roxy and who has a fascination with fascinators. The trio travels to a small town that was purportedly once the center of Vincent Lee Vance's plans to overthrow the existing government and replace it with his own. Rumors say that he was put into stasis and will return someday. 

This was an engaging paranormal romance. I loved the banter between Leona and Oliver who each have psychic gifts that they were trying to keep secret. The dust bunny also adds humor to the story. 

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

Friday Memes: It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle

 Happy Friday!

Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader. She asks that the first sentence is posted along with the author and title of the book and the reader's initial thoughts on the sentence, the book, or anything else it inspires. 

Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower.org also provides a linky for sharing first lines and connecting with others. This meme asks that the chosen books be PG or marked as Mature if they are not. 

Beginning:

The dust bunny chortled from underneath a nearby display stand.

Friday 56:

"Good morning, you two," Darla sang out. "Any manifestation sightings last night in your room?"

"Afraid not," Leona said.

This week I am spotlighting It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle. This eleventh book in the Harmony series is from my review stack. Here's the description from Amazon:

Two unlikely allies search for the secrets of their pasts while on the run within the Alien world of Harmony in the thrilling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

Audiobook Review: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Moon Called (Dramatized Adaptation)
Author: Patricia Briggs
Narrator: Full Cast Audio
Series: Mercy Thompson (Book 1)
Publication: Graphic Audio LLC (August 14, 2024)
Length: 6 hours and 43 minutes

Description: Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifter, and while she was raised by werewolves, she can never be one of them, especially after the pack ran her off for having a forbidden love affair. So she’s turned her talent for fixing cars into a business and now runs a one-woman mechanic shop in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State.

But Mercy’s two worlds are colliding. A half-starved teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work, only to reveal that he’s a newly changed werewolf—on the run and desperately trying to control his animal instincts. Mercy asks her neighbor Adam Hauptman, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, for assistance.

But Mercy’s act of kindness has unexpected consequences that leave her no choice but to seek help from those she once considered family—the werewolves who abandoned her...

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Performed by Khaya Fraites, Gregory Linington, Christopher McLinden, Rayner Gabriel, Chris Stinson, Renee Dorian, Aure Nash, Chris Davenport, Damon Alums, Daniel Llaca, David Cui Cui, Earl Fisher, Elias Khalil, Eric Messner, Gabriel Michael, Holly Adams, James Lewis, James J. Johnson, Jon Vertullo, Julie Hoverson, Kay Eluvian, Laura C. Harris, Mark Harrietha, Mike Carnes, Nanette Savard, Nora Achrati, Robb Moreira, RJ Bayley, Scott McCormick, Sheree Wichard, Stephanie Németh-Parker, Todd Scofield, Torian Brackett, and Wyn Delano.

My Thoughts: Here a dramatized version of a book I have read a few times was an interesting experience especially with a full cast of voices. 

Mercy Thompson was raised by werewolves but is a coyote shifter herself. She also a mechanic who works on German cars. When a strange young werewolf come to her shop looking for work, she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy.

We get to meet her friends including a vampire named Stefan, a gremlin named Zee, and a variety of werewolves including the marrok of the werewolves in North America. 

The story was filled with action. 

I think I still prefer a regular audiobook because of the things this dramatic production left out, but it was a well-produced product and entertaining.

I bought this one from Chirp February 2, 2025. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Just Beachy by Wendy Wax

Just Beachy
Author: Wendy Wax
Publication: Berkley (June 3, 2025)

Description: A former actress in need of a reset reunites with her grandmother, her first crush, and the ladies of Ten Beach Road in this escapist novel from USA Today bestselling author Wendy Wax.

After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lie low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.

Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime-solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between herself and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.

My Thoughts: Sydney Ryan has lost her acting gig as Cassie Everheart on Murder 101 because she has run afoul of an A-List actress. She decides to visit her grandmother in Florida while she tries to decide what to do with the rest of her life. The A-Lister has made it impossible for Sydney to get another job in LA, but she's opening that her reach doesn't extend to Florida.

Sydney is also glad to spend time with her Grand in Florida and reconnect with a high school crush who is now a police officer. And it is lucky that she has met Luke again since Grand's house has become the target of a number of break-ins and searches. Grand has a secret that she is trying to keep from Sydney.

Meanwhile, Grand, Sydney and another friend are getting ready to open a beachside bookstore with space for Sydney to conduct story hours and give acting lessons while Grand offers art lessons. Sydney is able to put the skills she learned as a television detective to use when she is able to protect her grandmother from the villains who want a painting that she has kept hidden for many years. 

Sydney also has time to wonder if she really wants to go back to acting or if she wants to build a new life with Luke and her Grand in Florida. 

This was an engaging romance with more than a touch of mystery. 

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

ARC Review: One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver

One Final Turn
Author: Ashley Weaver
Series: Electra McDonnell Series (Book 5)
Publication: Minotaur Books (June 3, 2025)

Description: The fifth and final installment in the Electra McDonnell series brings safecracker Ellie on a mission across World War II-era Europe to Lisbon, Portugal to rescue a key group of escaped POWs.

Ellie McDonnell is about to embark on her most perilous mission yet: go to Lisbon, Portugal to save her beloved cousin Toby who has reportedly escaped from a German prisoner of war camp. Toby has been missing since the Battle of Dunkirk and Ellie had all but lost hope in ever seeing him again until Major Ramsey, the British military intelligence officer she had been working closely with over the past few months, shared the news he’d intercepted.

Nothing will stop Ellie from finding her cousin, not even the awkward experience of having to travel to an unknown country with Ramsey after he’d dismissed her for being untrustworthy just as she’d realized she had fallen in love with him. Under the supervision of Captain Archie Blandings, a charming intelligence officer based in Lisbon, Ellie meets with undercover operatives to track down where Toby might be hiding from the Nazis and whether they are too late to safely recover him, all the while fighting her feelings for Ramsey and the incessant burden of war looming around her at every turn.

My Thoughts: This book is the finale of the Electra McDonnell series and brings Ellie to Portugal to, hopefully, find her cousin Toby who was taken prisoner by the Germans. 

Ellie has been fired from her post in intelligence by Major Gideon Ramsay for a failure to follow orders, but Captain Archie Blandings thinks she could be useful in Portugal. He's trying to make the escape route from occupied France safe from German intervention and help Ellie find out the fate of her cousin. 

Ellie isn't pleased when she learns the Major Ramsey is also a part of the mission. She has fallen completely in love with him but doesn't see a future for them. But she throws herself into the investigation to learn about this route, meeting all sorts of agents and double agents, and stumbling onto a dead body or two along the way. 

When they can't find a way to talk to a Portuguese official who might have information about the secret route, Archie comes up with a plan the involves getting married to each other. While Ellie is reluctant, she's willing to do anything to find out about her cousin. Through a variety of circumstances, Ellie finds herself married to Major Ramsey instead of Archie.

This was an excellent story. I thought it nicely wrapped up the threads of the previous books in the series and had a wonderful "happily ever after" ending too. Fans of the series will enjoy this satisfying finale. 

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