Early Christmas Books to Read Now

by Susan Roberts

The weather is starting to cool a little bit, and it’s only 11 weeks until Christmas 2026.  Publishers have started offering their holiday books, and it’s never too early to start that list of books that you want to read over the holiday.  Here are a few that caught my interest and have been added to my Christmas list.

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The Crossword Murders by Helena Dixon ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A crossword that’s tricky to crack, a hot cup of coffee… and hidden clues? Can Jane Treen work this mystery out?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Nightcurse by Emma Hinds ~ a Review

by MK French

Emrys Swift was cursed to be a Revenant one hundred and fifty-seven years ago. He looks seventeen and works as an undead librarian of witchlore at the NeverEnd library. When a new Revenant arrives and magical artifacts start going missing, Emrys’s life at the library is jeopardized. The shapeshifter Aubrey Vale is determined to solve the mystery and is soon bonded to Emrys as they search the world of night-kin. They investigate all kinds of creatures while the Night Hunt chases them down. If they can save NeverEnd’s future, can they have a future together?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Under an Indiana Sky by Lynne Hugo ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

We all know someone whose life has been touched.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love.

Amazon affiliate links are use on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Merry Spooky Love by Josie Silver ~ a Review

by MK French

Melody Bittersweet tends to have haunted holidays, and this one is no different.  When Lucy Libertine, namesake of the charming old-school department store Libertines, unexpectedly dies, the store goes to her deceased sister's three children: businessmen twins Francis and Tom, and their younger sister Fleur. The twins plan to sell, so Lucy begins haunting them. They call in Melody's ghost-hunting ex to defend them, so Lucy goes to Melody to represent Fleur and the deceased Libertine family. Melody is all too happy to take another job, save a beloved local store, and maybe knock her ex down a paranormal peg or two. Paperwork states that the store cannot be sold within three months of the death of a board member—and Lucy has already been dead for one. With tensions riding high and her relationship with Fletcher caught in the crosshairs, Melody and her crew only have two months left to save the store.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Banned Books Week 2026

by Donna Huber

This week is Banned Book Week (Oct 4 - 10), and we like to shine a light on some of the books that are challenged each year.  

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The Phantom by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Soldier, spy, scout, saboteur, and French Resistance leader in the heart of Nazi-occupied Europe--the untold story of Marine legend Pete Ortiz.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Under the Orchard's Spell by Ann Adams ~ a Review

by MK French

Ali Reid must be cursed. The pear orchard she inherited from her late uncle is drowning in debt, her fiancé and best friend have left her for each other, and she can't harvest the fruit on her own. Ali turns to Logan Wright for help. He is the town’s carpenter and the first kiss she left behind fourteen years ago. Logan agrees to move into her farmhouse to help, and the orchard’s troubles turn increasingly bizarre. It looks like magic gone wrong, so Ali and Logan grow closer as they investigate. They soon suspect the land itself carries a curse, and Ali must uncover the orchard’s secrets before she loses the one she loves all over again.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Dark Current Redemption by Ashley Farley ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Some sins refuse to stay buried. Some wounds refuse to heal.

Newly elected sheriff Lane Sutherlin thought the worst was finally behind her.

She was wrong.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Mini Reviews: September Library Borrows

by Donna Huber

My reading pace is picking up a little as I read/listened to 12 books in September. While I did get a couple of audiobooks for review this month, I checked out 5 audiobooks from my digital library. I also borrowed 2 ebooks. (5 of the books I finished in September came from Libby.) Most of these had little to no wait at my library, so hopefully if something catches your eye, you can get it quickly too.

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The Ferryman's Daughter by Yasmin Angoe ~ a Review

by MK French

Forensic science teacher Sanaa Karrem had kept silent about her father being the serial killer known as the Ferryman, for how he placed pennies on his victims' eyes. He went missing eighteen years ago, but now bodies are found with pennies over their eyes. Sanaa receives threatening messages and increasingly disturbing "gifts" from the copycat killer, and she can't even tell her fiancé, Detective Marcus Morelli, the lead investigator on the case. She leans into her knowledge as a former medical examiner, but her father's legacy has persisted longer than she thought it would. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Last Train from Paris by Suzanne Kelman ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Paris, 1943: Charlotte clutches the children tightly to her as they board the train. "Don't worry," she whispers to them softly. "I will get you to safety, I promise..."

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Pumpkin Vice Cafe by Ellie Alexander ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

As autumn settles over the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, ushering in cool, crisp breezes and a stunning show of color, everyone at Torte is keeping warm by whipping up a bevy of fall treats and spicy lattes. Jules is nearing her due date, and the whole town is abuzz—placing bets on when the twins will make their grand debut. Helen and the team are working on a secret surprise baby shower, complete with cupcakes, cookies, and a feast fit for royalty, or maybe just a mother-to-be.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Hanford Necklace by Shannon St. Hilaire ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Dual-timeline family saga, set in a Manhattan Project town, about a granddaughter who uncovers her grandmother’s nuclear-age secrets and her own toxic inheritance.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Staying Still by Hieu Minh Nguyen ~ a Review

by MK French

Staying Still is a poetry collection involving loneliness, desire, and longing. They address rejection, grief, fractured family dynamics, and searching for a place to belong. Hieu Minh Nguyen is part of the Vietnamese diaspora, which is also reflected in the poems.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Books I Meant to Read in September

by Donna Huber

Even though I have read more books this month than in the last few months, I still have books on my September to-read list that I just did not get to. A couple of these are Christmas books which I'm purposefully waiting to read for our 25 Days of Christmas Reading in December. Did you read all the books you planned to this month? Did you read any of these?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Memory Tree by Heather Davey ~ a Review

by MK French

Kate accompanies her husband Ben on his first parish assignment in Hope-under-Barrow. It should be a fresh start for the family, but something feels off. The locals have odd rituals; a yew tree in the graveyard seems to bring on headaches and memories that aren't Kate's. She begins to investigate what's happening to her, delving into the town's history. The more she uncovers, however, the more she risks losing herself to something terrible.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Nantucket Christmas Stroll by Nancy Thayer ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

During their annual Christmas celebrations, a Nantucket family faces surprising news and unexpected decisions.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Twelve Loves of Christmas by Alexandria Bellefleur et al ~ a Review

by MK French

This is a collection of twelve Christmas-themed love stories that you can read one by one as a countdown to the holiday. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

5 Books to Read for National Comic Book Day

by Donna Huber

Today is National Comic Book Day. I'm not a big comic book fan, but I grew up reading the Sunday Funny Pages. It was almost as anticipatory as Saturday morning cartoons. I've tried a few graphic novels, but I'm just not a visual person, so I find that I don't always know what is happening in the story without more text. (I have a similar issue with emojis) I do better with illustrated stories because there is usually more text. Are you a comic book fan? Do you have a favorite graphic novel? 

Today, I'm featuring some comics, graphic novels, and illustrated stories that I've enjoyed.

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The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury ~ a Review

by MK French

Ginevra Bishop went to Oxford in 1951 as her mother once did to prove she's more than a debutante. Sidney Braithwaite is studying there to avoid the mining village of his childhood and the nightmares of war. The two clash in just about every possible way, but MI5 needs their help. A Soviet spy is at the college, and their agent was poisoned. Gin and Sid now must join forces to track down the spy, if the sparks between them don't ruin the operation first.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Trust No One by Mary Burton ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

After seventeen years away, public defender Raine Hale returns to her family’s crumbling Virginia estate when her estranged cousin Maria is hospitalized following a near-fatal cyanide poisoning. As sole beneficiary of Hale House and guardian to Maria’s five-year-old daughter, Molly, Raine confronts a troubling legacy she vowed never to revisit ― and is thrust into a deadly mystery.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Four Fantasy Novels to Enjoy this Fall

by MK French

It's officially Autumn! Are you ready to pull out the cozy blankets and pumpkin spice drinks? I have a variety of fantasy novels for you to choose from today. Whether it is a cozy fantasy, a supernatural thriller, or a paranormal romance you are looking for, you can go wrong adding these to your fall reading list.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Building 903 by Lois Lowry ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Twins Tessa and Theo live in a world ruled by the tyrannical Kozris, where there are no dangers or rebels… or so they've been told. In this world, citizens live long lives, and while many hate Koziris, they are comfortable and safe. So, when Tessa's brother disappears, nobody wants to discuss it. But then Miriam, their 135-year-old neighbor, slips Tessa a key – not only to her brother's disappearance, but to the source of all real magic … books.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

You Know Why by J. T. Ellison ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

A suspenseful domestic thriller about identity, revenge, and the dangerous secrets kept hidden from the ones we love most.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

How to Write a Murder by Jessica Brody ~ a Review

by MK French

The prestigious writing retreat is held at a former monastery high up in the mountains, where there is no wifi or cell service. Famous mystery author Ian McCloud is the keynote speaker, and many of the invited writers at the conference have a conflicted relationship with him. As a landslide knocks out the road and phone line, Ian is found dead. All the killer has to do is follow the rules of writing a mystery, and they might get away with murder. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Years after a meteorite strike obliterated Washington, D.C.—triggering an extinction-level global warming event—Earth’s survivors have started an international effort to establish homes on space stations and the Moon.

The next step – Mars.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Vineyard Next Door: Review of a New Trilogy by Michelle Major

by Susan Roberts

The Vineyard Next Door trilogy follows Emma Sullivan and Ethan Fox across three books as they fight their way from a forbidden first kiss to a hard-won happily ever after, tangling with feuding families, small-town gossip, and their own stubborn hearts along the way. It’s a slow-burn, second-chance romance best read in order.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Fifth Element: A Visual Retrospective by Patrice Girod and Arnaud Grunberg ~ a Review

by MK French

The 1997 movie The Fifth Element has become a cult classic. This book contains photos from the set, concept art, blueprints, prop models, and costumes. There is also the annotated script by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Queen of Bad Influences: Stories by Jim Shephard ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A masterful collection of short works of catastrophe fiction, Jim Shephard presents "underdogs" that we can either root for or detest. These twelve stories range across time and place to provide glimpses of lives broken apart by natural disasters and prideful action.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Welcome to Peachtree Bluff: a cozy coastal town where family secrets refuse to be washed away by the tide and close-knit community is everything. As New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey reunites the Murphy crew just in time for pumpkin spice season.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Love Notes series by Jodi McAlister ~ a Review

by MK French

Are you looking for a fun romantic comedy to enjoy for a lazy Sunday? Then pick up An Academic Affair today and preorder A Study in Sparkling to enjoy a mid-week binge-read session.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

In a world of burning books, one woman will risk everything to keep stories alive.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Hexy Beast by Avery Flynn ~ a Review

by MK French

Effie Sherwood is the eldest daughter of a prominent witch family but is chaotic and impulsive instead of responsible. She jumps onto Darius Aetos' motorcycle because he's hot, but he's the head of the Aetos werewolf pack and insists that she's his fated mate. Now Effie has to navigate pack politics and their mutual attraction. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen ~ a Review

by Donna Hubert

Part ghost story, part love story and steeped in magical realism, Paper Ghosts will transport you to a place where old secrets echo through the years and love finds a way of bringing us home.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

All Hallows Eve edited by Christopher Golden and Ellen Datlow ~ a Reviews

by MK French

Are you putting together your reading list for Halloween? Short story collections can be a great option while waiting for trick-or-treaters to ring the doorbell (or when pretending to not be home).

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Wish List Trip by Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

An unputdownable story of sisterhood, self-discovery and how not to smuggle your friend’s ashes through French border control… Addictive, escapist and bittersweet 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Level Up for Love by Lenora Woods ~ a Review

by MK French

Six years ago, Reagan Riley and Wesley Locke were competitors in their video game design program until Wesley ghosted her after a hookup. Now Reagan has given up on game design to stay close to family. She channels her creative energy into D&D,  but her longstanding group fell apart. She and her sister look into joining a game at the local game store, and the DM is none other than Wesley. When a new game design opportunity opens up, both vie for the opportunity again. Now they have to figure out not only who will win the job, but who will win between them if a new relationship begins.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

6 Bite-Sized Reads: Short Stories & Novellas Under 250 Pages

Have you seen the meme that says something along the lines of it's National Stay Home and Read Day? Well, today is the day to do that. September 6 is National Read a Book Day, and since it is Sunday, most people can stay home - it is the day of rest, after all! We've put together some of our favorite short stories and novellas that you can read in a day.

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A Thousand Painted Hours by Barbara O’Neal ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

In the shadow of the London Blitz, artist Elsie Turner clings fiercely to her canvases, refusing to let war dim the colors that define her. The bombs test her nerve, but the struggle also stirs memories of her golden youth in India and of the long-lost love of her life.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review

August Libby Haul and Why You Should Get a Library Card

by Donna Huber

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don't have a library card, you are missing out on one of the best resources in your community. In my state, almost every library is part of the statewide system. That means that with one library card, I can check out books at any library in the state (there are a few county systems that aren't part of the system, but the majority of the library systems are). Where I live, I have at least 5 brick-and-mortar libraries within a 30-minute drive. Here are some of my favorite resources I have access to with my library card.

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Cards on the Table by Lana Harper and Jilly Gagnon ~ a Review

by MK French

Tori and Cassie Bishop are descended from a Salem witch, but their Tarot readings don't pay the bills. Rose is a dying, wealthy widow who invites the sisters to her gothic estate to be her "witches in residence." The widow is desperate, and her family is conniving and awful. Some guests are drawn to the sisters in uncomfortable ways. Rose dies after a séance, and her millions vanish overnight. Now Tori and Cassie must untangle a web of greed and deception to clear their names. Someone else in Berwyn House is running their own con, and they’ve set up the sisters to take the fall.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Back to School Reading: YA Fiction to Read

by MK French

School's back in session. Whether you are looking for a gift to celebrate or reading material for those book reports, this list of young adult novels would be great for your teen (or for you!).

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Whisper by Chelsea Iversen ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A sweeping, atmospheric thriller following a group of friends and the power given to them by the trees.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Classic & Modern Monster Books to Read This Frankenstein Day

by MK French

August 30th is Frankenstein Day and celebrates the birth of the author Mary Shelley. To honor Shelley on this day, I've put together a list of monster books. 

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Murder in a Yorkshire Village by Helena Dixon ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A stream of bikes speeding along the road in the annual cycle race. And one in a ditch upside down, wheels still spinning… with a body lying next to it. Can Kitty Underhay get to the bottom of this?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium by Lexie Sharabianlou ~ a Review

by MK French

Talula Smith works at the Blue Moon Cafe, which is considered the worst coffee shop in town. That bad reputation hides its true purpose of providing new identities and safe passage to at-risk magical beings while keeping humans far, far away. The only person in Pine Hollow that comes around is Dahlia, who is very observant and is the focus of Talula's crush. Hunters begin moving in to kill magical creatures, and Talula's powerful mother goes to track them down.  With the impending Samhain festival to organize, magical refugees to help, half of the town turning against her, and her ever-growing feelings for Dahlia, Talula’s magical destiny feels further away than ever. But as the hunters set their sights closer to home, it’ll be up to Talula to master her craft, trust her heart, and bring her magical and human communities together.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Calamities by Chuck Wendig ~ a Review

by MK French

Mourning Mayne will someday have to take over control of his fiendish family's legacy. Dark magic derived from buying human souls is powerful, and the Maynes are one of the oldest and most influential fiendish families. Mourning's estranged father is demanding his return to the family, and along the way he meets Key, a black-market seller of human souls, and Quinn, an artist who may hold the dark might know the truth behind the fiends. Together, they might find a path out of the shadows.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

6 Unforgettable Historical Novels That Celebrate Female Resilience and Equality

August 26, 2026 marks the 106th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the U.S. the right to vote. The fight didn't end there, as women continue to fight for social equality, professional equality, and healthcare equality. These 6 works of historical fiction highlight the women who broke institutional barriers, subverted societal expectations, and reshaped history on their own terms, and are perfect reads for Women's Equality Day.