Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Audiobook Review: The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

The Shop on Hidden Lane

Author:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky
Publication: Recorded Books (January 6, 2026)
Length: 8 hours and 42 minutes

Description: New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz dives into an enthralling new romantic suspense novel filled with deeply entrenched grudges, psychic dangers, and a conspiracy that threatens not only two families but also the entire paranormal community.

The Harper and the Wells families have regarded each other with deep suspicion for four generations. The Harpers have been known to offer their psychic talents for less-than-legal purposes, and the powerful Wells clan has a reputation for playing both sides of the street. But for all the years of history and distrust between them, there is a mysterious pact binding the two. They share the responsibility for protecting a long-buried and very dangerous secret.

Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are shocked to learn that her aunt and his uncle have been sleeping together—and now they are both missing. Not only that, but the last traces of them are at the scene of a murder soaked in negative paranormal energy. Clearly, someone is willing to kill to obtain the secret their families have been charged with protecting. Despite their mutual distrust, which, as far as Sophy is concerned extends to Luke’s hellhound of a dog, they both know that the terms of the pact must be honored.

Their investigation uncovers a psychic trail leading to a bizarre desert art colony where nothing is as it seems. But Luke and Sophy are concealing a few secrets, too. By a strange twist of fate, a Harper and a Wells have no choice but to trust each other and the fierce attraction that is binding them as surely as the pact between the families.

My Thoughts: Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are the great-grandchildren of men who were once business partners, but who broke off their partnership and began a feud many years earlier. They are both psychics from psychic families who have taken different paths. The Harpers have traveled on the less-than-legal side of things while the Wells have become rich doing security and working all sides. 

Luke comes to Sophy to see if she knows where her aunt and his uncle might be. Sophy finds it hard to believe that they could be together. They trace the couple to an art colony in Arizona known for its vortex energy and learn that his uncle has made reservations for them under an assumed name. 

Arriving at the colony, the couple and Luke's new dog Bruce whom he rescued from the side of a road with a gunshot wound have lots of questions. The art seemed to be infused with psychic vibes, the artists are unhappy to be there, and the eccentric millionaire running the colony has two very scary, blond, female bodyguards who are raising alerts for both Sophy and Luke.
 
This was a twisty story that brings in elements from a lot of Krentz's recent books. Events at Fogg Lake, the Arcane Society, missing crystals and missing weapons that can only be used by someone with strong psychic talents all make for a complicated plot. 

Then there is the relationship between Sophy and Luke. Her psychic powers don't frighten him. In fact, he helps her with the aftereffects of using her gift. And she helps him when he has issues with his psychic talents. Their gifts seem to resonate with each other in a way that is new to both of them. 

This was a fun paranormal romance/romantic suspense story. 

I bought this audiobook April 1, 2026. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Man of My Dreams by Olivia Worley

Man of My Dreams

Author:
Olivia Worley
Publication: Minotaur Books (June 2, 2026)

Description: A romance author is shocked when one of her characters-in-progress seemingly comes to life… but is he too good to be true, in this dramatic and twisty thriller perfect for fans of Ashley Winstead and Kate Alice Marshall, where the truth really is stranger than fiction.

Read this if you like:

*Meet cutes gone wrong (like, really, really wrong).

*Your boyfriends as unreliable as your narrators.

*Bringing him to meet your family, Murder Edition.


Bestselling romance author Ivy Harcourt has been as unlucky in love as she’s been successful in writing—as her sad relationship track attests, there are no good dating options left in New York . . . Until she rescues an escaped dog in the park, and runs into Liam. Charming, British, hot architect Liam. The exact description of the love interest in her next book.

When an instant connection leads to a whirlwind relationship, Ivy is convinced she’s found the dream man. Except he may be too perfect. He may be hiding something.

And Ivy may have secrets of her own.

My Thoughts: Ivy Harcourt is a successful author of romances but very unsuccessful in her personal romance department. However, when she stops a dog from dashing into the street, she meets Liam who is the embodiment of the hero of her latest romance. But is he too good to be true?

It seems that Ivy is having stalker issues which don't combine well with her sleepwalking. There are also allusions to secrets from her past which might have something to do with the stalker.

I found this book to be confusing since I was expecting a romance and found myself in the middle of a psychological thriller with unreliable narrators and unreliable characters too. 

If you are looking for "twisty." this one certainly will satisfy. 

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

Monday, May 25, 2026

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (May 25, 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...

This past week was a nice quiet one. The weather has been cooler than average, but the trees are finally leafing out. The wildfires near Duluth are either out or contained which means no more smoky skies. The new recipes we tried last week both went into the "keeper" folder. I'm still finishing up the pork roast which is making really nice sandwiches. 

This week was an excellent one for adding new review copies. I got eight and all are by authors I've read before. That isn't a guarantee that I'll like them, but it raises the odds. I'm a little concerned about Laurell K. Hamilton's since the previous book came out in 2014. I feel like I'll have to at least read the one before the new one but should probably read more of the previous books. 

I had my first DNF of 2026 this past week when I set aside Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan. I usually enjoy her books (Note: I recently read and reviewed two of them.), but this one was a straight thriller and my mind kept wandering to other books I'd rather read. I substituted A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 6 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. I wasn't going to read this anthology because, while I wanted to own it, I believed that I'd already read all the stories. I was either wrong or my memory is faulty. I discovered a story I didn't remember and revisited a couple that I had enjoyed previously.

Next week I should finish the rest of my June review copies and also fit in some of my 2026 TBR books. I also have to set up my July calendar this week with the draft posts since reviews of this week's planned reading will complete my June calendar. At least for the moment, I have more scheduled posts than draft posts.

Read Last Week
  • Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd (Review, June 16) -- Second Nora Breen historical mystery has her working to discover who is murdering attendees at a seance. My review will be posted on June 9.
  • A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton (Audiobook, Mine since May 16) -- First in a new series of urban fantasy with intriguing worldbuilding and interesting characters. My review will be posted on June 16.
  • Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson (Review, June 10) -- Entertaining romantic fantasy. My review will be posted on June 10.
  • The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis (Review, June 16) -- A reunion of campers on the Azores leads to murder and treasure hunting. My review will be posted on June 9.
  • Restless Bones by Gillian French (Review, June 16) -- Second Shaw Connelly mystery was packed with action and emotion. My review will be posted on June 11.
  • Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle (Review, June 30) -- The latest Harmony novel was filled with action, romance, and snappy dialog. My review will be posted on June 25.
  • An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly (Audiobook, Mine since April 8) -- First in the Mercy McCarthy cozy mystery series. Author Mercy and her twin move to Ireland after inheriting a house and bookshop from the grandfather they never met. My review will be posted on June 18.
  • A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee Huber (Review, June 23) -- 14th Lady Darby mystery takes place at a house party which is to introduce Trevor's intended bride and her family. My review will be posted on June 18.
  • Death in Irish Accents by Catie Murphy (Audiobook, Mine since April 8) -- 4th Dublin Driver mystery has a body fall into Megan's lap and has her driving an American author around Ireland. My review will be posted on June 23.
DNF
  • Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan (Review, June 23) -- I quit this one at 32%. I usually like the author, but this thriller just wasn't doing it for me. 
Currently
Next Week
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:
Bought:
What was your week like?

Friday, May 22, 2026

Book Review: The Missing Witness by Allison Brennan

The Missing Witness

Author:
Allison Brennan
Series: Quinn & Costa (Book 5)
Publication: Mira (January 23, 2024)

Description: When a key witness goes missing, Quinn & Costa must find her before a killer silences her for good…

Detective Kara Quinn is back in Los Angeles to testify against a notorious human trafficker, finally moving past the case that upended her life. But when the accused is shot in broad daylight, the chaotic scene of the crime turns up few reliable bystanders. And one witness—a whistleblower who might be the key to everything—has disappeared.

After another person close to the case is killed, it’s clear that anyone who knows too much is in danger, and tracking down the witness becomes a matter of life-and-death. But as explosive secrets surface within the LAPD and FBI, Kara questions everything she thought she knew about the case, her colleagues and the life she left behind months ago.

Now with FBI special agent Matt Costa’s help, she must race to find the missing witness and get to the bottom of the avalanche of conspiracies that has rocked LA to its core…before it's too late.

My Thoughts: Detective Kara Quinn in back in Los Angeles to testify in the case that caused her to leave LA and join Matt Costa's Mobile Response Team. But before she can testify, David Chen and his bodyguard are murdered and so is the ADA who was set to prosecute him.

With the FBI in the form of her nemesis Bryce Thornton wanting to investigate her for the crimes, she needs to depend on her new team to prove that she is innocent and to find out just what is going on in LA.

This episode has graft and fraud centered around the homelessness crisis. One of the viewpoint characters in Violet who is a computer nerd working in city government and who has a mother who is part of that population. She's been working with a man named Will who has founded his own group to try to end homelessness. 

All of the deaths, which keep piling up, are related to the central issue of homelessness including that of David Chen. 

This was a fast-paced and engaging thriller about a woman who had her world rocked when she needed to leave LA and has it rocked again when she returns. I like Kara Quinn a lot. She's a great cop though a little reckless. She's also a woman who was hurt badly by her parents and doesn't trust or like very many people. She is learning that there are good people that she can trust and maybe even love, but changing is a slow process.

I bought this one February 1, 2025. You can buy your copy here.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Audiobook Review: Seven Girls Gone by Allison Brennan

Seven Girls Gone

Author:
Allison Brennan
Narrator: Suzanne T. Fortin
Series: Quinn & Costa (Book 4)
Publication: Harlquin Audio (April 25, 2023)
Length: 12 hours and 48 minutes

Description: When nobody will talk and corruption runs deep, turning to outsiders is the only way to make sure women stop disappearing…

For three years, women have been disappearing—and eventually turning up dead in the small bayou town of St. Augustine, Louisiana. Police detective Beau Hebert is the only one who seems to care, but with every witness quickly silenced and a corrupt police department set on keeping the cases unsolved, Beau’s investigation stalls at every turn.

With nobody else to trust, Beau calls in a favor from his friend on the FBI’s Mobile Response Team. While LAPD detective Kara Quinn works undercover to dig into the women’s murders and team leader Matt Costa officially investigates the in-custody death of a witness, Beau might finally have a chance at solving the case.

But in a town where everyone knows everyone, talking gets you killed and secrets stay buried, it’s going to take the entire team working around the clock to unravel the truth. Especially when they discover that the deep-seated corruption and the deadly drug-trafficking ring at the center of it all extends far beyond the small-town borders.

My Thoughts: Corruption is running deep in St. Augustine, Louisiana, and women are going missing then turning up dead. Detective Beau Hebert is running into trouble investigating since his chief is constantly shutting him down. Beau contacts his old Navy buddy Michael who is now part of the FBI's Mobile Response Team. 

Michael and LAPD Detective Kara Quinn are the advance guard coming to see what is going on. But the rest of the team isn't far behind them. The local Chief of Police is part of the problem. He refuses to ask for FBI help even when the FBI will be picking up the costs. But the FBI does have jurisdiction when it comes to prisoners dying in jail especially when a really substandard medical examiner is quick to declare suicide instead of doing an autopsy.

Kara uses her twelve years as an undercover cop to insinuate herself into situations where she hopes to find information. Her disguise is so good that one of the deputies, also corrupt, turns a traffic stop into sexual touching and other inappropriate behavior. Matt Acosta who is dating Kara determines right then and there that the guy will be losing his badge as a minimum consequence. 

As the team investigates, they learn that there is a gang moving drugs through the bayou and the murder victims all knew too much. Getting proof and stopping them puts the whole team in danger. And then there are the alligators...

Of course, Kara would rather face alligators than take a look at her relationship with Matt. Gators are much less scary. 

I bought this one April 4, 2026. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Final Target by Nora Roberts

The Final Target

Author:
Nora Roberts
Publication: St. Martin's Press (May 26, 2026)

Description: A young author becomes the object of a fan’s desire―and rage―in the gripping thriller by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Nature.

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude―but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

My Thoughts: Arden Bowen has written her first book and is at a signing at the bookstore where she works when she signs a book for Dustin. He shows up at her next signing and the one after that too. He wants to take her for coffee or a meal. She agrees to a coffee just to appease him and that ends things for her.

It doesn't end things for Dustin who becomes fixated on her. He breaks into her apartment and takes trophies. Then he arrives with flowers, forces his way in, and attacks her. Luckily her downstairs neighbors hear the noise and rescue her. 

While Dustin is sentenced to five years in a psychiatric facility because of the influence of his rich mother, Arden in left with fear of going outside. She's determined to overcome her anxiety, but it is a slow process with lots of backsliding. She has the support of her loving family and friends.

Arden leaves Ohio and moves to Riverbend, Oregon, to be near her family and to get away from Dustin. She is making a new life including a new relationship with Gideon who is working in his grandfather's hardware store and doing woodworking after his career as a Los Angeles detective implodes. She's moving on a building a new life.

But Dustin isn't willing to move on. He has spent his five years building fantasies about Arden and planning revenge on those he feels did him wrong including his mother, his lawyer, the judge and the police officers who arrested him. When he's released early because his father is dying, he begins his revenge by killing his mother and heading to Oregon for Arden.

This was an excellent thriller filled with memorable characters. I love the way Roberts writes relationships from friendship to love. The villain was a counterpoint to Arden's life and his viewpoint sections extremely creepy. 

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

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

ARC Review: Ode to the Bones by Carolyn Haines

Ode to the Bones

Author:
Carolyn Haines
Series: Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery (Book 30)
Publication: Minotaur Books (May 26, 2026)

Description: The next novel in the series that Kirkus Reviews characterizes as “Stephanie Plum meets the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” featuring sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney.

Private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney returns to her Mississippi Delta roots, hoping that long drives through cotton fields and the companionship of her dogs will ease her restless spirit. Instead, she’s confronted by a ghostly vision of a woman in white on the Tallahatchie Bridge, who disappears before Sarah Booth can investigate further.

When the local bank president hires her to find a missing farmer, Danny Anderson, Sarah Booth is forced to shift her focus back to the land of the―hopefully―still living. Danny is about to lose his family’s generational farm to foreclosure and is rumored to be entangled in a secret affair with a preacher’s wife. As Sarah Booth and her feisty partner Tinkie dig deeper, they uncover a web of gossip, ghost sightings, and a shadowy land buyer snapping up vulnerable farms.

With the help of her resident ghost-turned-spiritual-guide, Jitty, and her own unrelenting instincts, Sarah Booth must unravel the mystery of Danny’s disappearance, confront a town full of half-truths, and decipher the cryptic clues left behind―including those wrapped in lyrics and riverwater. But someone is watching her every move, and if she isn’t careful, she may be the next body swept away by the Tallahatchie’s current.

My Thoughts: Sarah Booth Delaney and her partner Tinkie are hired by Tinkie's bank president husband to find Danny Anderson. He's a farmer who is about to lose his farm to foreclosure. 

As they search the Mississippi Delta for him, they uncover secrets and plots. There's a rumored affair between Danny and a local preacher's wife. There's a jealous woman fanning the rumor mill. There's a beautiful model home from New York also searching for Danny. There're buried gold coins from the Civil War era that could save a number of the local farmers farms from foreclosure. 

Sarah Booth is aided by Jitty, a ghost turned spirit guide, who appears to her in the guise of a number of singers from the past including Bobbie Gentry and Bob Dylan who provide musical clues. Sarah Booth also sees a woman in white on the haunted Tallahatchie Bridge made famous in Gentry's Ode to Billy Jo. 

This was another engaging episode in this long-running series. 

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