Carole´s Monday: Echoes of the heart

 

Author: Susanne Ash

Title: Echoes Of The Heart

Series: The Alphabet Sweethearts

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 56

Published: March 4, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Ben Holloway has spent his life protecting the Juniper Falls Mountain Preserve, following one rule above trust the land, not people. Raised by a single mother who warned him that everyone leaves, Ben’s past experiences have only reinforced her words. The last thing he needs is an ambitious wildlife photographer disrupting his quiet world with her bold ideas and relentless optimism.

Natalie Quinn is passionate about conservation and believes a visitor center at the preserve could inspire others to protect the wilderness. She didn’t expect her proposal to face fierce opposition from the gruff and stubborn park ranger—or to end up living under his roof after spraining her ankle during a rescue mission.

Forced to spend time together caring for an injured eagle, their sharp disagreements begin to give way to shared respect and undeniable chemistry. But when Ben’s insecurities and Natalie’s outsider status collide, old fears resurface, threatening to tear them apart.

With hearts—and the future of the preserve—on the line, Ben and Natalie must decide if they’re willing to take the ultimate trusting each other.

Review:

This is such a fun short series, and I love this town!

This time, we are following Natalie and Ben. The two love nature and want to protect it, but they have HUGE disagreements about how to do so. During a rescue mission to save an injured eagle, she sprains herself in the process. Ben saves her, saving an eagle, and now he's taking care of both. They realize how much they actually have in common and how much chemistry is between the two. However, Ben has deep insecurities, and Natalie is an "outsider" who will probably not stay. 

I liked this one. Natalie and Ben are sweet. They both care about nature. However, their ideas of conserving nature are vastly different. He wants to lock nature away and keep anyone from it. Natalie wants to make it open to the public to teach the people. Educate the next generation! 

Very sweet, and I loved watching them fall into friendship and then love. It was quick, but it worked for them after being stuck with each other. 

But yes, I can't wait for more from this town. It's sweet and quick. 

5 stars for this. 

Yumi and the nightmare painter by Brandon Sanderson

Series: Hoid's Travails (#2), The Cosmere Universe (#18)

Format: 365 pages, Paperback

Published: January 1, 2023 by Gollancz

FantasyScifi/own

I am conflicted, I love Sanderson, but it is just...this was sort of dull.

I love the idea of it. Two worlds, two souls that visit each other. Yumi is powerful for her people and not really allowed to do anything except get spirits to come. Then she ends up in another world and meets Painter, but as their souls kind of switched he is kind of a ghosts. Painter as she calls him protects sleeping people from living nightmares, but now he cant do anything. Except when he is in her world, where he is in her body and there he is helpless too and the people wonder why she can not bring out spirits anymore.

BUT, I do not know, I was kind of meh about the whole thing. I did not give up, cos hello Sanderson. But for me this was not one of his better ones

Yumi comes from a land of gardens, meditation, and spirits, while Painter lives in a world of darkness, technology, and nightmares. When their lives suddenly become intertwined in strange ways, can they put aside their differences and work together to uncover the mysteries of their situation and save each other’s communities from certain disaster??

The door-to-door bookstore by Henn Carsten

256 pages, Paperback

Original title: Der Buchspazierer

Format: 256 pages, Paperback

Published: August 29, 2023 by Bonnier

Fiction/own

I really enjoyed this one! Sure the chapters were really long, and the book was short. But it felt like I could take it in smaller pieces there. One longer chapter and some rest for it not to go by too fast.

It is about Carl, he is 72 and in the evenings he brings books to people. He enjoys it and he names his costumers with literary names. He does not really work at the bookstore anymore, he just goes on his rounds to bring the books people ordered. And then one day he meets a young girl who has named him Bookwalker and wants to see what he does with his books. And through her eyes he sees the people he meet to often with new eyes.

Just lovely. New beginnings, new friends and such good prose. I really enjoyed this book.

There's a book written for every one of us...

Carl may be 72 years old, but he's young at heart. Every night he goes door-to-door delivering books by hand to his loyal customers. He knows their every desire and preference, carefully selecting the perfect story for each person.

One evening as he makes his rounds, nine-year-old Schascha appears. Loud and precocious, she insists on accompanying him - and even tries to teach him a thing or two about books.

When Carl's job at the bookstore is threatened, will the old man and the girl in the yellow raincoat be able to restore Carl's way of life, and return the joy of reading to his little European town

Audio: Carl´s Doomsday scenario

By: Matt Dinniman

Narrated by: Jeff Hays

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 2

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Release date: 04-22-21

Publisher: Audible Studios

Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy

So I asked on threads if I should just get the audiobook and people were like yes!! And hey I understand why. This book is perfect as an audiobook! Non stop action. And audible had a sale and I might have bought books 2 to 6. I was crazy.

A new level. Carl and Princess Donut is going strong into Over City. This time they get an actual city, npcs, a market, a club, and a whole lot of monsters trying to get you. Carl is introduced to quests, they still have to be on stupid shows, and they make friends, and enemies.

I can't explain it, you have to live it. These books are crazy, intense, funny! I was hooked and yes I did enjoy the audio even more. Or maybe book 2 was even better than book 1 which was great. But hey I am an audiogal after all.

Just give them a try. I was really unsure the genre was for me, but I am glad I tried.

Obviously great narration.

"The training levels have concluded. Now the games may truly begin."

The ratings and views are off the chart. The fans just can't get enough. The dungeon gets more dangerous each day. But in a grinder designed to chew up and spit out crawlers by the millions, Carl and Princess Donut need to work harder than ever just to survive.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered prostitutes rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose.

Carl still has no pants.

Audio: A folly of youth by Amy D´Orazio

By: Amy D'Orazio

Narrated by: Elizabeth Grace

Series: The Engaged to Mr Darcy Series

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Release date: 10-02-23

Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing

Pride and prejudice variation/historical/audible

I decided to try all in this series. All the ways they could get engaged.

In this one Lizzy sneaks out to a houseparty when she is 17...in London! And it is not a normal party, now it is much much worse. She is "rescued" by Darcy and then the long wait begins. Her uncle say they must marry, her father refuses to give in, Darcy refuses to marry her.

3 years later they meet again when Darcy wants to court someone and he needs to get out of this "engagement" it is not real, but neither is he free to marry.

Darcy was a right horse´s ass in this one. So proud and did not give in.

Lizzy suffered for years ass people realised something was wrong and she was shunned. And her family treated her bad.

Bingley grew some balls, good on you Bingley!

Lizzy needs to marry, and Darcy will help her. And they fall in love! After much drama.

Another fun variation, even if Darcy was such an ahole. I thought they would never end up together. This one was a tough one.

Fun narration. All well done

My own folly had endangered me, my preservation I owe to the kindness, the integrity of another…

IN 1808, ELIZABETH BENNET is young, curious, and in possession of an invitation to a London party which she ought not to attend. Unable to resist the temptation, Elizabeth indulges her wish to see a party of the beau monde and finds herself in a dangerous situation. She is saved from a desperate fate by Mr Darcy of Pemberley but relief is short-lived; Mr Gardiner arrives and demands satisfaction on behalf of his young niece’s honour. BOUND FOR THREE YEARS—with no intent to marry on either side—Mr Darcy and Elizabeth both resolve to do as they must to end their unwanted almost-betrothal. Mr Bennet however refuses to allow it, fearing that Elizabeth’s character will bear a permanent stain that no amount of time or money could erase. Together, Darcy and Lizzy contrive a plan to overcome her father’s Darcy will find her someone else to marry, thus relieving himself of the obligation. THE FOLLY OF THEIR YOUTH, it seems, might be set to rights after all, until feelings arise which complicate the scheme. But will they realise their true attachment before it’s too late?

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating,

5/12/2026 What's a skill you'd like to master? 

You  know what, I would LOVE to paint or draw. Instead I draw worse than my kid. And she is always helpful saying that I need to practice, but I am pretty old and I have drawn a lot, and nope, I just suck.

5/19/2026 What is your favorite flower?

5/26/2026 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (June-August)

6/2/2026 What are your favorite beach reads?

6/9/2026 What’s your favourite board/card game? 

6/16/2026 Have you ever been surprised by a book that you didn't expect to enjoy?

6/23/2026 Do you have any summer plans? If not, what would you like to do?

6/30/2026 Mid-Year Check-In: What books have you loved so far in 2026?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Monday: Sight Unseen by Alexis Marie

 

Author: Alexis Marie

Title: Sight Unseen

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 393

Published: March 1, 2026

Where I got It: My shelf (Goodreads giveaway)

Summary: 

Veda Thorne is living on borrowed time. After exhausting every magical cure for the fatal curse trapped inside her, she’s accepted her fate. But Veda’s self-imposed isolation begins to crack when she’s asked to tutor Antaris, a child whose pain calls to her own.

Hiram Ellis left his wealthy, prejudiced family years ago. Now unexpectedly thrust into single fatherhood, he returns to his hometown, determined to build a life far from the cold privilege that stifled his own childhood. The last thing he expects is to be drawn to the fiercely protective, sharp-tongued woman helping his son.

When a trail of enchanted spider lilies leads Hiram and Veda to discover their deadly tie to a prolific serial killer, they’re forced to set aside their differences to unearth long-buried secrets. But the truth is as deadly as Veda’s curse, and both come at a devastating cost. As victims mount and motives emerge, their greatest challenge is choosing to trust and love each other.

Review:

Yayy. Another random giveaway book that I won! Weeee! 

Note - even though I was given this in a giveaway, my review will be honest and unbiased. 

In this one, we follow Veda and Hiram. Veda is living on borrowed time because of the curse that was placed on her. She wants to just live and be left alone. However, her isolation cracks when she is asked to tutor a boy whose recent loss resonates with her. Hiram left his wealthy, but prejudiced, family years ago. He wants nothing to do with them or to be like him. Fatherhood is dropped on his lap. He had no idea his ex had a baby, and now that she is passed, he will do his best to give his son the life and upbringing he never had. He hires Veda to help get his son on track, but he didn't expect to fall for her. On top of all this, there is a trail of spider lilies that is pointing to a serial killer. The two will have to put aside their differences and figure out what is going on. 

This book was a roller coaster for me. One moment, I was glued to the pages and couldn't stop reading. The next moment.....I was clock-watching and bored. And then I was itching for more and wanted more. Def all over the board with this one. 

I went back and forth on how I felt about Veda. I liked Hiram. The kid was sweet. Poor angel.

Peter was nice. I would've liked more of him. 

Some of the side characters seemed cool, but we needed more time with them. Some felt a little....2D?

The mystery was interesting enough. It didn't get really good until a tipping point.

The ending was lovely. Nice bow there. 

Honestly, I would've loved more romance. Yes, yes, I did enjoy the enemies-to-lovers aspect, but it took SOOOO long. A hair too long for my liking. Maybe a few more kisses would've been nice. Oh! Maybe a scene or two of them being close to kissing after fighting. 

Overall, this had a lot of potential, and it would make for a nice series, methinks. I would love to explore more of the world and the system. Maybe some side characters can have their moment in the sun. I wanted more out of this, but I did enjoy lots of it. Thus why it was an emotional roller coaster for me. The parts I liked...I LOVED. The parts I didn't like? Meh.

3 stars. 

Reading Challenges:

- Reading Romance Challenge #14 (Published 2026)

Audio: Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Kate Handford

Series: Book 4,  A Rip Through Time 

Release date: 05-20-25

Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Historical mystery/own

Yay, I read one more! This one was a tad different. They all travel to attend a wedding, but of course there is a murder. They do want to investigate, but the local police (a tool) is in charge.

Mallory accompanies Gray, Isla and Mccreadie to his sister´s wedding. She is again put in that weird position as she is not staff, but she is not a real guest either. And most people do think she might be Gray´s mistress (she wish).

That whole thing is something they do think about here. She thinks about Gray´s reputation, he thinks about her. And they do totally fancy each other.

Murder. Who did it? They dig deeper, and try to stay out of the sight of the local cop.

A good mystery with deep disturbing roots. I liked this installment. It was fun to see them away from the city

Great narration. She is always good

After slipping 150 years into the past, modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson has embraced her new life in Victorian Scotland as housemaid Catriona Mitchel. Although it isn’t what she expected, she's developed real, meaningful relationships with the people around her and has come to love her role as assistant to undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie.

Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie are on their way to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister's wedding. The McCreadies and the groom’s family, the Cranstons, have a complicated history which has made the weekend quite uncomfortable. But the Cranston estate is beautiful so Gray and Mallory decide to escape the stifling company and set off to explore the castle and surrounding wilderness. They discover that the groom, Archie Cranston, a slightly pompous and prickly man, has set up deadly traps in the woods for the endangered Scottish wildcats, and they soon come across a cat who's been caught and severely injured. Oddly, Mallory notices the cat's injuries don't match up with the intricacies of the trap. These strange irregularities, combined with the secretive and erratic behavior of the groom, put Mallory and Duncan on edge. And then when one of the guests is murdered, they must work fast to uncover the murderer before another life is lost.

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Haven's Rock (#3)

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: February 17, 2026 by Minotaur Books

Thriller/own

Srsly, how do they do it? They built a new town and still there are murders! Poor Casey, she is 8 months pregnant, and it is a risky pregnancy. And now someone is almost take, and then they later do find a dead naked body. They tried so hard getting the right people in, people who needed to disappear, who were in danger. And still someone snuck in. Or was it an outsider?

Casey and Eric is on the case, suspects are many. But the who and why? And she is supposed to take it easy!

Haven´s rock is up there with Rockton now, places I would not want to live in. Nope. But then you never really know anyone. Nowhere is safe from psychos.

Fast and easy read. Thrilling. I did not see it coming

Haven’s Rock is a sanctuary town hidden deep in the Yukon for those who need to disappear from the regular world. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are starting a family now that they’ve settled into their life here. As Casey nears the end of her pregnancy, she lets nothing, including her worried husband, stop her from investigating what happens in the forbidden forest outside the town of Haven’s Rock.

When one of the town's residents is drugged and wanders too close to the edge of town, she’s dragged into the woods kicking and screaming. She’s saved in the nick of time, but the women of the town are alarmed. Casey and Eric investigate the assault just as a snowstorm hits Haven’s Rock, covering the forest. It’s there they find a frozen body, naked in the snow. With mixed accounts of the woman's last movements, the two begin to question who they can trust—and who they can't—in their seemingly safe haven.

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis

Format: 368 pages, Hardcover

Published:  May 27, 2025 by Titan

Urban fantasy/own

Well this was different, and it really has a lot to do with the PTA.

Vivian´s daughter is horribly mutilated and bit by a werewolf...and now she is one! Wtf to do?! The werewolf clan gets them into a magical school, but life is hard.

Everyone has powers. There are sirens, wizards, you name it. And Aria stands out, not everyone is all shifter friendly. And who knew kindergarten was a cut throat business? You have to do well in 3 trials cos else you are kicked out of school.

Vivian navigates trying to prepare her child for kindergarten, the trials, a scary prophecy going around, and even scarier PTA ladies. It is hard to know who your friend is.

I liked it, but it took a few chapters, mostly cos we were as thrown into this world as Vivian was.

Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.

When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire.

As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors and demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society – shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group.

And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating,

5/5/2026 What toppings are on your ideal pizza?

Ground meat, tuna, cheese, sometimes that is all you need :) Ohh and nachos! We have this really good nacho pizza, and some cheese dip on top

5/12/2026 What's a skill you'd like to master? 

5/19/2026 What is your favorite flower?

5/26/2026 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (June-August)

6/2/2026 What are your favorite beach reads?

6/9/2026 What’s your favourite board/card game? 

6/16/2026 Have you ever been surprised by a book that you didn't expect to enjoy?

6/23/2026 Do you have any summer plans? If not, what would you like to do?

6/30/2026 Mid-Year Check-In: What books have you loved so far in 2026?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole's Monday. How to get away with murder

Author: Rebecca Philipson

Title: How to Get Away with Murder

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Format: Paperback

Pages: 368

Published: February 24, 2026

Where I got It: My shelf (Goodreads giveaway)

Summary: 

This fresh debut thriller finds a Scotland Yard detective trying to find the author of a self-help book that promises quite literally to teach readers how to get away with murder, which seems to have inspired London's newest murderer.

Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she's still got what it takes to be the Yard's most successful homicide detective. One of the cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim's backpack called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady.

Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.

Review:

I was a lucky duck and won this book in a giveaway! I never, ever win, so I was excited! I think for all the ones I have entered...my number of books I've won is at 2% hahaha. But yes, happy to see this pop up in the mail. 

Note - even though I was given this in a giveaway, my review will be honest and unbiased. 

Here we follow Sam Hansen, who has been on leave for a while recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work. When a 14-year-old girl is found murdered in the local park, Sam knows she has to go back. This case leads this team down a dark road when a copy of a self-help book called 'How to Get Away with Murder' is found on the victim's body. The author claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's heard of him. Sam is put in charge of finding this author and finding out if there is a connection.

I'll admit...I struggled with the first couple of chapters. However, I grew to love our main, and things were a huge tangle. Who, what, why...so many mysteries afoot but somehow all tied together. I loved watching Sam and her team untangle everything. 

The ending was phenomenal. I really was on the edge of my seat. I purposely woke up early to finish the last half of the book. I HAD TO KNOW. 

This would make a great book club book. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ENDING SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did want to scream with all the times someone was interrupted right when a vital piece of information was about to be shared or thought. Once...okay....twice...errr...more than twice? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? *shakes fist*

But yes, the mystery was good, and I didn't trust anyone except our Sam and her dog, which she saved. THAT ENDING?! I NEED TO TELL SOMEONE!!

I'll give this 4 stars. 

Audio: Maybe this time by Cara Bastone

By: Cara Bastone

Narrated by: Zoë Chao, Noah Reid, Josh Hurley, Beata Pozniak, Jim Seybert, Emily Lawrence, Tina Wolstencroft, Petrea Burchard, Joel Simler, Aaron Shedlock, Christian Barillas, Eric Yves Garcia, Alex Picard, Lorrie Grant, Full Cast

Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins

Release date: 05-02-24

Publisher: Audible Originals

Categories: Romance

Aww this one was cute, and different! It would be the perfect romcom movie.

June is stuck 85 years in the future after falling into a wormhole. She has been there for 5 years, hidden as to not destroy all of space and time.

In the present we have Mikey, gym teacher, good guy, and who knows June. The buttoned up teacher that he does not really have any contact with. But then he gets a weird phone call, from June, from the future. He was the only one that she strangely could contact. And she needs his help, befriend present day June so that she does not fall through the worm hole!

Future June is fun and quirky. Present day June has anxiety, a crush on the math teacher, too many responsibilities, and finds it weird when Mikey keeps talking to her.

Full cast, I was really living through it. Great narration from everyone, and it did feel like a movie. It was funny, I did not know how it would end? Obvi June and Mikey belonged together, but we have 2 Junes!

Fun, short! I like short, and enjoyable

Romance can be a little complicated when you get sucked into a wormhole. Just ask high school English teacher June Flint. One little solar flare happens and suddenly you find yourself 85 years in the future. Eighty-five years from your dream job. Your ailing mother whose only companion in this world is you. Your favorite stuffed-crust pizza from DeLucia’s on Sunday nights.

But when June’s cell phone inexplicably picks up a signal, she’s able to call back to the present—more specifically, four weeks before she accidentally time traveled. Problem is, the phone can only call one number: her work nemesis, gym teacher Mikey Shannon.

Now future June must help Mikey befriend present-day June to keep her from disappearing. But present-day June doesn't even want to be in the same room as Mikey, let alone become besties. And Mikey isn’t exactly...talkie. Yet he’s spending hours a day with future June on the phone, and even more time trying to befriend present-day June. Volunteering with June at school, check. Facing his fear of roller coasters to make June smile, check. Adopting a puppy and letting her name it. Check.

But what does succeeding in the present mean for future June, and for the serious feelings she and Mikey are starting to catch for one another? Stopping time travel is one thing—but can they stop themselves from falling in love?

Best of April

 

It's gonna be MAAAAAAAAAY.

Here are our faves for April. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - This Kingdom will not kill me by Ilona Andrews

"Best book, cos omg amazing."

Carole -  The Reunion by Meghan Quinn

"So dang good. I want to re-read it!!!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  Hamnet (2025)

"I was in awe. So good. Beautiful."

Blodeuedd - Thrash (2026)

"Best movie, because sharks are scary."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Mentalist (s1) & Ena: Queen Victoria Eugenia

"I finally watched s1 of The Mentalist, I also watched Ena, which I really enjoyed."

Carole - St Denis Medical (S2)

"I'm really liking this show. Love the cast. Sooo funny and oddly heart-warming."

Best Cover of the Month:

Carole's - "Creepy and cool!"

Blodeuedd's - "Cute!"

Honorable Mention:

Blodeuedd - Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

"People were right! It is even better in audio!"

Carole - The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig

"It was so nice re-reading this! So dang good."

The maid´s secret by Nita Prose

Series: Molly the Maid (#3)

Format: 403 pages, Paperback

Published: April 1, 2025 by Harper Collins

Mystery/own

No murder this time but a theft. Molly brings something to be valued and omg she is rich! But things happen and we have a mystery to solve.

I liked that we finally got her gran's backstory, but at the same time it took away so much from Molly so I did not enjoy it as much then.

Molly and the gang are fun, but yes this is a lot about her gran's history. I still enjoyed the book. This series is a fun and fastread

Molly Gray’s life is about to change in ways she could never have imagined. As the esteemed Head Maid and recently promoted Special Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel, good things are just around the corner, including her marriage to her beloved fiancé, Juan Manuel, only two months away. 

But Molly’s entire existence is upended when a film crew descends upon the hotel to shoot the hit reality TV show Hidden Treasures, starring popular art appraisers Brown and Beagle. On a whim, Molly brings in a shoebox containing a few of her gran’s old things for appraisal, and much to everyone's surprise, one item turns out to be a rare and priceless treasure. Instantly, Molly is both a multi-millionaire and a media sensation—the world’s rags-to-riches darling—until the priceless piece vanishes from the hotel in the boldest, brashest antiquities heist in recent memory.

The key to the mystery lies in the past, in a long-forgotten diary written by Molly’s gran. For the first time ever, Molly learns about Gran’s true-to-life fairytale, a young girl to the manor born, the only child of a wealthy magnate. But when Gran falls head over heels in love with a young man her parents deem below her station, her life is thrown into turmoil. As fate would have it, the greatest love of Gran’s life is someone Molly knows quite well….

Together with her friends, Molly combs the past and the present to catch the thief before looming threats against her become real.

The teller of small fortunes by Julie Leong

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

Published: October 16, 2025 by Hodderscape

Cozy fantasy/own

Awww, another cute one. I do admit, at first I was a little hesitant, cozy fantasy is just so sweet, and slow. Is this for me? But then I was swept away by this pleasant story. Easy to read, fast to read.

Tao travels around in her wagon telling small fortunes. Those are easier for people to handle. The big ones, yeah people are not good with those. She also moves on fast as people have a tendency to want one thing and when it does happen, kind of scary.

She meets a thief and a mercenary that is tracking bandits who stole the mercenary´s child. Then she also comes across a baker who wants to see more of the world, and maybe try new things. A cat shows up and suddenly they do need more wagons. They travel to villages, selling fortunes, baked goods, searching for a missing daughter.

There is some danger, two countries heading into war, and she is originally from the other one. And why is she travelling alone?

But this is a cozy fantasy, only good things happen. And things work out as this is one book. No cliffhangers. I enjoyed it a great deal.

Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences…

Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.

Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.

Audio: Summer with my Cowboy

Author Linda Lael Miller, Maisey Yates

Narrated by Renee Dorian

Publication date Apr 28, 2026

Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher: Tantor Media

Categories: Romance /to review

These were two sweet short cowboy romances.

First we have Kendra and Gabe. Kendra left a horrible marriage to start fresh. Gabe is a widower. They meet, there is attraction. But she does not want another failed marriage.

There is some tiny drama with someone from her past, but mostly it is these two getting to know each other and her daring to try things again.

Sweet short novella.

Then there is Jane and Spencer. Two foster kids who met a camp, fell in love and lost touch. Now Jane is back to be a counsellor as her life is stuck. Spencer is also one, and he has a ranch now.

He never forgot her. She does not really know what she want. They reconnect, find out what is important in life and get their hea.

Short and sweet too

Good narration. She handled the different stories well.

COWBOY WANTED by Linda Lael A painful divorce has brought Kendra Spencer home from Seattle to sunny Copper Ridge, Arizona. Despite a comfortable settlement, Kendra needs to keep busy—and keep herself from stalking her ex on social media. So she starts waitressing at the local diner, finding comfort in the regulars and her thankfully ordinary days. . . . Until far from ordinary newcomer Gage Elder walks in. Not only is he a champion bronc rider, turns out he's a widower—and maybe the one man understanding enough, kind enough—not to mention charming enough—to inspire Kendra to put the past behind her, and open her heart once more . . .

ONE MORE SUMMER WITH YOU by Maisey Between a fiancé with cold feet and a blocked promotion at the law firm where she works, it's as good a time as any for Jane Cahill to help out at the Oregon camp where she spent her summers as a troubled teen. But the place brings up a mix of memories, mostly about Spencer Quinn, who has also returned to volunteer. Now a ranch owner, Spencer was Jane's romance of three summers—plus one unforgettable night. In fact, neither has ever forgotten the other. And though fears about the future led Jane to break away, that future has arrived—and maybe this summer will be the one to last a lifetime . . .

TMST

 

 

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4/28/2026 What is your favorite sports team?

Nope, nope, sport is boring. Especially team sports,. Sorry 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

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Carole´s Monday: Marriage by Arrangement

 

Author: Sophia Singh Sasson

Narrator: Sharmila Devar
Title: Marriage by Arrangement

Series: (Nights at the Mahal, Book 1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 1, 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

When a business proposal turns

very personal…

Rule #1: Don’t fall for the client.

Because he’ll rock your world…

Architect Rani Gupta will never let a man compromise her career or freedom again. Which is a problem now that her newest client is irresistible hotelier Arjun Singh—aka the sexiest bachelor in India. A little fling with this gorgeous man would be scandal enough. But a fake engagement might just be more trouble than they bargained for—especially if Arjun has a prior arrangement!

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for something else. Yayyyyy! And it fits a challenge? Even better. 

Here we have Rani and Arjun. Rani is an architect, and Arjun needs a firm to help build his newest hotel. There are sparks immediately, but that can never be. Rani will never let a man and his family compromise her career or freedom EVER again. Arjun is supposed to marry a childhood friend, but neither of them wants it, and neither of them can find the courage to tell their families. Nothing can happen between them....nothing at all, but the universe has other plans. 

This was a lot of fun. I liked Rani and Arjun a lot. I loved watching them get to know each other and eventually fall into lust and then love. It was sweet. I did hate that Arjun didn't tell her of his engagement, BUT 1) Arjun and his "fiancé" made a pact they can date whomever and eventually they'll break it off or delay it for as long as they can, and 2) it was just a fling. He should've mentioned it, though, but I get why he didn't. 

I hated their families. Yes, yes, traditional values and etc, but GAH. I wanted to hit them all. They all eventually see the errors of their ways, but man, it killed me seeing Rani and Arjun treated like that. :/ I was very annoyed that there wasn't more resolution and more time for them to try and make it up to them. There needed to be more apologies and more conversation. It didn't sit well with me how quickly that was wrapped up and put to the side. 

The narration was lovely. Great voices and accents. 

All-in-all, I did like this one. It was not your A-typical boy-meets-girls and etc. It had a lot of differences and depth. Lots of twists and turns. 4 stars from me. 

 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #15

- Reading Romance Challenge #12 (Office romance)