The Final Target - Romantic Suspense Review

Goodreads:  The Final Target by Nora Roberts

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: 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?

Genre: Romance - Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  I always enjoy Roberts' books so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression:  This was an entertaining read with a mix of cozy elements and some nail-biting scenes.  The basic structure of the book reminded me quite a bit of a previous book - The Obsession - something bad happens, then we have the main character making her home and getting settled, followed by some more bad stuff.  The plot is completely different and other than being in creative fields Arden and Naomi don't have anything in common.  This did make me want to reread The Obsession because I enjoyed this one so much and remember enjoying that one as well.

Arden is a likable main character who can be a bit standoffish with new people which makes a lot of sense considering her backstory.  I loved the buildup of the story and the evolving of the world Arden lives in.  The bad guy in this is super creepy in a completely believable way.  I enjoyed Gideon's character and really loved his relationship with his grandfather.  

As I would expect from Nora Roberts, this was a great read with a fantastic group of characters, a well paced plot and just compulsively readable.  I always enjoy her yearly standalone romantic suspense and this was no exception.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This made me want to reread some of her past books I enjoyed while I wait for her next book.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy romantic suspense but still want likable main characters this is a must read.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

The Dancing Floor - Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Dancing Floor by Barbara Michaels

Rating: Just Okay (2 Stars)
Source: Purchased

Description:  For years, Heather Tradescant had dreamed of the journey she and her father would take to England--a pilgrimage to the great gardens of history. Now that her father is dead, Heather is determined to fulfill his dreams. Unfortunately, her request to see the fabled 17th-century garden of Troytan House is denied by the owner. Though unwelcome, she braves the walls of briars and reaches the Victorian manor house beyond. She senses a strange mission of evil lurking, tainting the manor's peaceful beauty. Only then does Heather begin to wonder whether it is only stories of long-vanished witchcraft that haunt Troytan House or whether there is some more modern horror, nearer at hand, and far, far more dangerous. Continuing in the classic tradition she established with such acclaimed novels of suspense as Stitches in Time, Vanish with the Rose, and House of Stone, New York Times bestselling author Barbara Michaels has penned a chilling tale that will keep you reading until the last page.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  I love so many of Barbara Micheals' books that I wanted to read this one.

My Impression:  Michaels is so fantastic at setting a scene and she does not disappoint here.  Troytan House is decidedly eerie with something dark lurking behind the scenes.  Heather ends up being taken into the house by the eccentric and wealthy owner, Frank.   There is a thread of witchcraft past and present running around the house and the village that increases the sense of unease that permeates the book.

Unfortunately, this book was just okay.  For starters I just really didn't like Heather.  She's prickly and quite often just plain rude.  As well, the constant mentions of her appetite and the amount she ate got to be a bit much as well as the fact that every male character seemed to fall instantly in love with her.  

The ending also left quite a bit to be desired.  It wrapped up kind of out of nowhere and there were a few developments that just felt completely out of left field.

Anything by Michaels (or under the name Peters) is going to be readable and well paced but I was glad to see the end of these characters.  It definitely isn't going on my reread shelf.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would definitely read more from this author but I will not be rereading this one.

Would I Recommend this Book? Probably not.  I love Michaels but this one just isn't a winner.

Friday Fives - Five Books I Bought For My Birthday

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.  Last year I bought every book I could find but this year I've been a bit more restrained, so I only have 5 (though I suspect I've got some used bookstore trips coming up!).  

1.  The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick - This has been on my TBR and in person the cover is gorgeous - and there are sprayed edges involved.

2.  A Secret in the Garden by Jeneanne O'Riley - More sprayed edges and gorgeous covers AND it looked nice and creepy.

3.  The River Muse by Laura Resau - Another gorgeous cover (are you seeing a theme) and an interesting premise with a bit of magic.

4.  Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver - This was on the staff recommends shelf and it looks really good.

5.  Whose Body in the Library by Eva Gates - This is a preorder so I don't have it yet but I'm really looking forward to it.  I've really enjoyed the series and I'm intrigued by the new direction.

The Lake House - Contemporary Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Lake House (Firefly Summer #2) by Lori Foster

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: When Pixie Nolan first came to Bramble, Kentucky, the abandoned and desperate young single mother found hope, healing, and a fresh start. With the loving support of her best friends—Marlow Heddings and her handsome Marine husband, Cort—Pixie is now happily raising her toddler son in a cozy cottage, managing Marlow’s thriving boutique, and designing firefly logo t-shirts that are selling like hotcakes. The past is behind her, and life is good.

She never expected to make an electrifying connection with a summer renter, a retired Navy SEAL with his own complicated past . . .

A rugged warrior with scars both seen and unseen, Brogan Rafferty arrives with an adorable baby girl in tow and settles into the lake house next door. And while he’s a stunning addition to the gorgeous scenery, it’s his caring devotion that captures Pixie’s heart—the way he gently snuggles away the precious infant’s cries, or swoops Pixie’s delighted little boy high in the air with his tattooed, muscular arms.

But it’s no coincidence that Brogan has found Pixie, and his startling revelations make it clear she’s the key to healing old regrets and building new dreams. And when a hostile stranger turns up with shocking accusations against Bramble’s new hometown hero, Pixie must put her own fears and heartbreak away for good—and learn what it truly means to trust.

Genre: Fiction - Contemporary/Romance

Why I Picked This Book: I enjoyed the first book in this series and wanted to see more of the story.

My Impression: This was a nice book about nice people who have found each other and built a found family.  Pixie Nolan and her son Andy met Marlow in the first book when Pixie had hit rock bottom and had nowhere to turn.  Now happy, healthy, and firmly on her feet she meets Brogan Rafferty.  While he doesn't seem helpless or at rock bottom, he's looking for family and acceptance - even if he doesn't know it yet.  

This isn't a dramatic book.  There are some encounters with some pretty vile people and the main two characters have sad backstories but the story itself is positive and full of hope.  It's nice to see such a strong found family that really supports each other.  There's a bit of repetition especially in the first half of the book and this isn't necessarily a story that will really stick with me.  That said, it's a nice bit of escape reading with genuine characters and enough heart to not be silly.  It's a perfect relaxation read.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would!  This was a really lovely, sweet read and I enjoyed it just as much if not more than the first book.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're looking for a comforting read this is a good choice though I would recommend reading the first book before this one just to give you the background.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Secondary Characters

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Favorite Secondary Characters.  I love a lot of side characters but there are 2 that stand out as my least favorite so I had to include those too.

1.  Inspector Japp from the Poirot mysteries by Agatha Christie - I love Japp and his interactions with Poirot.  He does a good job of being respectful and exasperated at the same time.

2.  Will in the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong - Will is such a good balance to Casey and Dawson's intensity but is still extremely capable.  I'm torn if I want spoilers or not on the fate of his character.  If it's going to be bad I think I probably do so can you warn me?

3.  Cas in The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst - How can you not love a sentient spider plant with a cheerful nature and a bit of sass?

4.  Steve Wheeler in We Solve Murders by Richard Osman - I loved Steve and his willingness to help. His page time was some of my favorite moments in the book.

5.  Abigail in the Scottish Isle Mysteries by Lucy Connolly - I love Abigail and how intelligent and humble she is but also how she's starting to really relax into her new role.

6.  Ms. Cole in the Library Lovers series by Jenn McKinlay - Ms. Cole has one of the best character development journeys of any cozy mystery side character.

7.  Cherry Baker in The Mirror Crack'd by Agatha Christie - She's in at least one other book but his is where she makes her appearance.  I love how she deals with the companion Miss Marple's nephew has stuck her with especially.

8.  The puffin in Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan - How can any book featuring a side character of a puffin not be on this list?

Least Favorite Side Characters

9.   Queenie from the Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen - Queenie drives me crazy.  She's incompetent and unwilling to learn.  I get why Georgie still has her around but I'm happier when she doesn't have much page time.  She at least has a good heart so that's one (and only one) point in her favor.  

10. Jackie from A Year Round Christmas Mystery by Vicki Delany - Unlike Queenie above, Jackie doesn't have a good heart.  I do not understand why Jackie still has a job.  She's argumentative, disrespectful and overly flirty with male customers.  I've read every book in the series and have yet to find a redeemable character trait.  

Who are some of your favorite secondary characters?

Reading What I Love - Under the Stars

The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read.  There's no real rhyme or reason.  I just go through my library list and my shelves and pick the books that are calling to me.  My focus in 2026 is reading books I think I'll love - or at least really enjoy.

Goodreads:  Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams

Blurb:  Audrey Fisher has struggled all her life to emerge from the shadow of her famous mother by forging a career as a world-class chef. Meredith Fisher’s glamorous screen persona disguises the trauma of the tragic accident that haunts her dreams. Neither woman wants to return to the New England island they left behind and its complicated emotional ties, but Meredith has one last chance to sober up and salvage her big comeback, and where else but discreet, moneyed Winthrop Island can a famous actress spend the summer without the intrusion of other people? Until Audrey discovers an old wooden chest among the belongings of her estranged bartender father, Mike Kennedy, and the astonishing contents draw the women deep into Winthrop’s past and its many secrets…attracting the interest of their handsome neighbor, Sedge Peabody. How did a trove of paintings from one of America’s greatest artists wind up in the cellar of the Mohegan Inn? And who is the mysterious woman portrayed on every canvas?

On a stormy November night in 1846, Providence Dare flees Boston and boards the luxury steamship Atlantic one step ahead of the law….or so she believes. But when a catastrophic accident leaves the ship at the mercy of a mighty gale, Providence finds herself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the one man who knows her real identity—the detective investigating the suspicious death of her employer, the painter Henry Irving. As the Atlantic fights for her life and the rocky shore of Winthrop Island edges closer, a desperate Providence searches for her chance to escape…before the sea swallows her without a trace.

Why I Think I'll Love This One:  Family issues AND a historic shipwreck plus an author I've had pretty good luck with in the past sounds like a win!

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book!  I liked Audrey as a main character and her relationships with both her parents was really interesting.  I also really enjoyed the other two timelines how they looped together.  I would have liked a little more from Meredith's - especially with how it carried into the present timeline - but all three were really interesting.  I really enjoyed the relationship between Sedge and Audrey as well.  She jumps to conclusion about him at first meeting and it definitely isn't instalove but it feels real.  I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author - and luckily she has a pretty good sized backlist!  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Who Knew Mood Was So Important - A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping

Goodreads: A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Library

Description:  Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her magical Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests' shenanigans, tries to keep the talking fox in check, and longs for the magical future she lost.

When she learns about an old spellbook that holds the secret to restoring her power, she turns to Luke Larsen, a gorgeous historian who might just be able to help her unlock the book’s mysteries. Luke, who has his own reasons for staying at the inn, never planned on getting involved in the madcap goings-on around him and certainly had no intention of letting certain grumpy innkeepers past his icy walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he not only agrees to help, but also finds himself thawing .

Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone... and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.

Genre: Fiction - Cozy Fantasy

Why I Picked This Book: I didn't love it when I first read it so I wanted to give it another try.

My Impression: This was a reread for me and when I originally read it I gave it 3 stars and was kind of meh about the whole experience.   Part of the issue is when I first picked this up I had it in my head that it was going to be a sequel to Mandanna's first book.  It was not and it took far too long to get my head around that concept.  As well, I tried to read this book in a rush and I have learned that cozy fantasy is not a genre to be rushed.   Cozy fantasy needs to slow read as the reading is the point not the solution.  

So in a different frame of mind I picked this one and got a very different result.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I liked Sera even which she was prickly and annoyed.  She was doing her best to keep everything going all while living with the loss of her magic as well as the frustrations of her absent parents.   She's devoted and loyal to those around her - especially her Aunt - and never hesitates to take people in (even if she does complain).  I loved watching the relationships evolve as the journey went along and looked forward to picking up this book every day.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  Though I will go into the next book by this author in the right headspace!

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are looking for a slow (but not slow paced) cozy read with a quirky and likable group of characters this is a good choice - provided you don't make the same mistakes I did.