A phony psychic vision goes wrong when a woman unexpectedly finds herself involved in a murder investigation, perfect for fans of May Cobb and Catherine McKenzie.
Twenty-five-year-old Jade Crawford spends her days selling crystals, conducting séances, and reading tarot cards in her shop in Winston-Salem, NC. But her connection to the other side is all a facade. After losing their mother to a terrible accident and their father serving jail time, Jade and her younger sister Stevie do what they can to survive. When a local politician goes missing, Jade sees a lucrative opportunity to drum up new clients and inject some much-needed cash into their pockets.
Jade submits a “psychic vision” to the police tipline only to discover that her shot in the dark is chillingly accurate when the police find the politician’s body. Caught in a media whirlwind, Jade revels in her newfound popularity and success, but she quickly finds herself the target of not only a police investigation but of the killer who is still on the loose.
With stunning suspense that is perfect for fans of Samantha M. Bailey, Finley turns the screws tighter into a taut and thrilling read.
Review
Jade submits a “psychic vision” to the police tipline only to discover that her shot in the dark is chillingly accurate when the police find the politician’s body. Caught in a media whirlwind, Jade revels in her newfound popularity and success, but she quickly finds herself the target of not only a police investigation but of the killer who is still on the loose.
I enjoyed Jade. She tries to do the right thing, she just can’t. She has good intentions they just fall apart because she has bills to pay so she reverts back to what she knows and that is conning people. And trust me, she goes above and beyond on quite a few of her schemes.
This story takes you on a wild ride of tarot readings and seances. However, it is a bit slow in spots but I was rooting for Jade. I know she is a con artist but she is just doing what she has to do to survive.
The narrator, Sarah Beth Pfeifer, did a very good job, especially with Jade.
Need a story about a fraud that gets herself in some hot water….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Powerful, haunting, and precise.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen
These aren’t just stories. They’re love letters.
Told through a mix of true stories and new fiction, Dear Orchid opens the heart in unexpected ways: through loss and love, silence and recovery, and the hard-won resilience of people who don’t always fit the mold.
With tenderness and heart, Dear Orchid is an Asian American author’s homage to Mary-Louise Parker’s Dear Mr. You, through letters to a girl newly freed from East Berlin, an aunt lost to Communist-era borders, and Purple Heart-decorated heroes. These intimate portraits explore the messy beauty of friendship, family, disability, and belonging.
You’ll meet a wounded hero who jokes through his pain, a beloved cat with a crayon note taped to his back (“HELP ME”), and characters who refuse to be defined by what they’ve lost.
The final chapter brings a fictional reunion with the unforgettable cast from the Goodbye Orchid trilogy, offering healing, closure, and a second chance romance.
Written in a lyrical, letter-style format, this collection blends memoir and imagination in a deeply personal exploration of grief, identity, and human connection. It’s a window into private moments that echo something universal. Underneath the heartbreak and humor runs the quiet pull between star-crossed lovers, whose stories unfold across time, distance, and impossible odds.
Whether you’re drawn to true stories of survival or fictional narratives filled with tenderness and truth, Dear Orchidoffers an emotional journey that celebrates love in all its forms.
A collection for anyone who’s ever loved, lost, or longed to understand the emotional truth behind the quiet moments that shape us.
Includes elements of multicultural and medical romance, true stories, and unforgettable moments of vulnerability and hope.
Excerpt
Was it a hand-me-down? Had you found it in a thrift bin? You boarded my New Jersey Transit train wearing khaki pants, loafers, and a decidedly unfashionable oatmeal-blue sweater. Scratchy wool hairs sprouted from its worn surface, its V-neck revealing a button-down shirt underneath. But you also sported a warm smile and a pile of books, not a common accoutrement at eleven p.m. on a Saturday night.
So, when you indicated with a nod that you wanted to join my row of three orange seats, I scooted towards the window, leaving an empty space between us. In that moment regarding you, I instantly absorbed an array of impressions. You seemed genuine, trustworthy, warm, and—I don’t know how else to put it—safe.
That night, your literary choice made all the difference.
“Is that John Irving’s new book?” I asked, my tone trending towards excitement as I eyed the patterned grey cover printed with the words A Prayer for Owen Meany.
“Yeah, he spoke at my sister’s college graduation, so I wanted to read it,” you said, your voice new to my ears. Yet you seemed familiar to me, like we’d known each other a long time already.
As the train swayed, you spoke over the clatter of the tracks to tell me about the book and your work as an engineer. You made me chuckle, acting out scenes from the British comedy troupe Monty Python. “It’s just a flesh wound,” you cried, mimicking the tone of the Black Knight after King Arthur dealt a blow that was clearly more than a nick. I always said if there was one quality I needed in a person it was a sense of humor.
In most ways, you weren’t like other men I was drawn to. In those young college days, I tended towards creatives, artists, an edgy style, and a hint of angst. Still, I was disappointe to hear that you’d be getting off at the next stop to change trains.
Then your big brown eyes lit with an idea. “At night, I work at Brentano’s Bookstore to help pay down my student loans. Just give me
your address and I’ll ship you a copy of John Irving’s book.” The train slowed to enter your station.
You were a stranger. Yet your demeanor seemed kind. I calculated a split-second judgment call. I took the pen you offered and scribbled an address into your notebook. Not my actual physical address, but a safe, central location for mail.
You studied my college P.O. Box address and granted me a smile.
“Bye,” you said.
I waved as you left.
It wasn’t goodbye.
A week later, I visited my post office to find a brown paper-wrapped book. Using your return address, I sent a thank you card. Then you wrote me a letter telling me about yourself. You mentioned your parents’ impending divorce. I replied, telling you about my life at school and expressing sympathy for the hard time you must be going through. A few letters later, you wrote to ask me for my phone number.
We spent hours talking, trading stories both heartfelt and funny. One day, you suggested that we meet for dinner.
On our first date, our clashing sartorial choices almost ended our evening prematurely. Your conservative 3-piece blue suit seemed to promise a professorial lecture rather than a fun-filled meal. You later admitted that my outfit gave you pause. My minidress nipped at the waist, black-and-white striped stockings, and shiny patent shoes with oversized bows seemed quirky.
Luckily, those first impressions soon melted away. Once we sat down for dinner, it felt as though there wasn’t enough time for all we wanted to say and do. We prolonged the evening by imbibing drinks at my friend’s bar, laughing and talking all the while. Then we rode the train to New Brunswick to dance at my favorite college hang-out, The
Melody, until its two-a.m. closing time.
When did you sense this wouldn’t be the last time we saw each other?
***
Our early correspondence now lives together with keepsakes from our travels, alongside handmade pottery from our international assignment to China, our twin’s grade school finger paintings, and marble tiles from our two-year home renovation. On a treasured bookshelf, two copies of A Prayer for Owen Meany have spent the decades of our marriage tucked side-by-side, like a long-time wedded couple.
Somewhere among the stuff we’ve collected over the years, if we dig deep enough, perhaps we could even find your scratchy wool oatmeal blue V-neck sweater. I no longer question your fashion choices. Your favorite “uniform” of a sky-blue button-down shirt, khaki pants, and loafers suits you. As does your kindness, care, and always, your good humor. Thank you, dear Mr. Blue Sweater, thank you for our laughter and our own stories. Enough to fill books, our hearts, and a lifetime of memories.
CAROL VAN DEN HENDE is an award-winning novelist who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her novels Orchid Blooming, Goodbye, Orchid and Always Orchid draw from her Chinese American heritage, and have won 40+ literary awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and Royal Dragonfly Awards for Disability Awareness and Cultural Diversity. Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named “heartwarming, heartbreaking” Goodbye, Orchid a most anticipated read. Glamour Magazine recommended this “modern, important take on the power of love.”Woman’s World called Always Orchid “One of 7 Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down.” The International Pulpwood Queens selected Goodbye, Orchid, Orchid Blooming and Always Orchid as Books-of-the-Month. Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, global marketer, digital strategist, Board Trustee and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all.
Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter investigates a murder that left a dog stranded in And to All a Good Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in David Rosenfelt’s bestselling series.
Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter can’t wait for Christmas. He doesn’t care much about the season, unless it’s football season. Andy’s excited to finally relax and watch the games. But when there’s a murder related to an old case in Paterson, New Jersey, Andy puts the games on pause.
Two years ago, a gas leak in an office building led to a tragic explosion that killed seven people. Jeff Wheeler was there to pick up his girlfriend and ran into the building to help. All he heard was the barking of a dog, Rufus, and was able to save him. The pup was the sole survivor and Jeff was named a hero. Initially, Rufus went to the Tara Foundation since his owner had died in the accident. But Andy met Jeff and liked him, respecting his courage and allowed him to adopt Rufus. Since then, Jeff and Rufus have formed an unbreakable bond.
The accident never sat right with Jeff. He believed that one of the building owners was responsible for the tragedy. Now that owner has been murdered and Jeff is arrested for the crime, Rufus is left with Jeff’s sister, who begs Andy to take the case. Andy remembered Jeff’s tremendous bravery and with the lingering Christmas spirit, decides to help reunite the two.
With David Rosenfelt’s signature humor and hijinks, it’s time to close this case for good and bid it a good night.
Review
I have read quite a few Andy Carpenter mysteries. I love the cute comments and of course the dogs!
Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter can’t wait for Christmas. He doesn’t care much about the season, unless it’s football season. Andy’s excited to finally relax and watch the games. But when there’s a murder related to an old case in Paterson, New Jersey, Andy puts the games on pause.
Andy always does a great job solving these mysteries. He has some very interesting side kicks that help him unravel the issue. And I just love to read about him in the courtroom. Talk about not wanting to be there…he does what he has to do to get home to his family and dogs.
I have always listens to these books. I love the narrator, Grover Gardner. These stories just fit him. He is very matter of fact. So when a bit of snarky comes in, it always surprises me and makes me laugh even more.
Need a good mystery with a bit of laughs and cute animals…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this from the publisher for a honest review.
Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster that’s sold more than 5 million copies and is now a hit Apple TV+ show, The Last Thing He Told Me.
Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.
As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be one way back to Owen.
A gripping, rich, and deeply evocative novel about the power of forgiveness, The First Time I Saw Him picks up right where the epilogue for the “genuinely moving” (The New York Times) The Last Thing He Told Me left off, giving readers the eagerly awaited and absolutely exhilarating sequel to Dave’s global blockbuster.
Review
Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them. But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.
Now, this picks up where The Last Thing He Told Me left off. (that was a cliffhanger!) I would suggest you read that one first. Just for the simple reason, the characters will mean so much more. You will understand the situation a bit better. And believe me, it is a bit complicated but it is intense.
There is not a lot of Owen in this book. It is more about Nicholas. Nicholas has a complex past. And the deal he made to protect his family is falling apart. But Nicholas is NOT going to let his past threaten his family!
I love when an author has a hook in every chapter and this makes you want to keep reading and not stop. Laura Dave is an expert and this. Trust me, when you pick this up you will not want to stop.
Need a book that is intense from start to finish…THIS IS IT! This book publishes January 6.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
It was worse than the date from hell. Teacher Leah Gerard waited hours for the man…until she saw his bloody body being dragged away. Did she imagine it? The police believe she did, as there’s no body to corroborate her story. Then Leah becomes their prime murder suspect. Determined to find the truth, Leah hires ace investigator Owen Walker, who delves into every possibility while protecting —and captivating—Leah. But when her longtime roommate disappears, troubling questions and danger follow. Who wants Leah charged with murder? And who wants her dead?
Review
Leah is waiting for her date, and waiting and waiting. Then she discovers his bloody body being dragged away. And Leah becomes the prime suspect. Determined to find the truth, Leah hires ace investigator Owen Walker, who delves into every possibility.
I enjoyed this story but it is a bit predictable and, dare I say, simple. Plus, the romance between Owen and Leah did not fit, in my opinion. It was almost like it was an afterthought to the murder.
But this story does move quickly, especially at the beginning. Even if it is a bit predictable, I did enjoy listening to it unfold.
The narrator, Megan Tusing, did a good job with all the different voices. And there are quite a few male voices and she had a different inflection for all of them.
Need a quick tale to get you through the week…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
This is 3.5 stars rounded up.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Sonora’s story is about not giving up in the face of setbacks. An inspirational tale.” —Booklist
“This one’s for the horse girls, the girls who fell in love with Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken and hoped someday they’d be like the fearless, determined, strong Sonora Carver whose love and belief in her horses made her an icon.” –Joy Callaway, international bestselling author
Inspired by a true story of one of the first female horse divers, Sonora explores a world of daring feats and extraordinary adventures set in the heyday of the American carnival scene.
Sonora Webster is penniless but plucky, and despite the looming Great Depression, she follows her wanderlust, answering an advert to dive with horses. Little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a world teeming with danger, excitement, and fierce competition.
As Sonora delves into the cutthroat world of show business, complete with trapeze aerial acts and juggling bears, her undeniable talent and unwavering dedication propel her into the limelight, making her a sensation, and after marrying the show runner, her entire life becomes their act and their horses. But she soon learns that a diver–and her horse–are only as good as their last show, a show some are hellbent on shutting down. When a tragic accident changes her life forever, can Sonora muster the courage to climb the forty-five-foot tower and dive again, risking her life to save the show and their horses from falling into the wrong hands?
In Sonora, Jenni L. Walsh vividly captures the spirit of a brave woman who defied societal norms to follow her dreams, diving into the unknown with courage and resilience.
Review
Sonora Webster is penniless but plucky, and despite the looming Great Depression, she follows her wanderlust, answering an advert to dive with horses. Little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a world teeming with danger, excitement, and fierce competition.
I love a book that has me researching. I had no idea that any of this happened. I had never heard of horse diving. This is a bit insane. But, it is true! This story had me researching all kinds of stuff! I mean…who would expect a horse to dive off into water…for fun! But this is what happened.
I am not gonna lie. When I first started this book, I was terrified that I was going to have to DNF it. I cannot do an animal passing away because of human cruelty or stupidity. But, luckily this author did a fabulous job explaining how this came about and how they took such great care of their animals.
Now that that is out of the way. You must read this because of Sonora! She was a real person. And boy, was she fierce. I loved her intelligence and her empathy. She is someone I would love to have a conversation with. And when you read this, you will understand why!
This is narrated by Piper Goodeve. She is a bit soft on places, but I liked her!
This is a very good tale about a true story that you do not want to miss. Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
A new holiday story set in the Scottish Highlands to warm booklovers’ hearts by Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop.
Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McKinnon, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McKinnon family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate—if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home.
But on the train to the Highlands, Mirren runs into rival book hunter Theo Palliser, and instantly knows that it’s not a chance meeting. She’s all too familiar with Theo’s good looks and smooth talk, and his uncanny ability to appear whenever there’s a treasure that needs locating.
Almost as soon as Mirren and Theo arrive at the castle, a deep snow blankets the Highlands, cutting off the outside world. Stuck inside, the three of them plot their search as the wind whistles outside. Mirren knows that Jamie’s grandfather, the castle’s most recent laird, had been a book collector, a hoarder, and a great lover of treasure hunts. Now they must unpuzzle his clues, discovering the secrets of the house—forming and breaking alliances in a race against time.
A treat for booklovers and treasure hunters alike, The Secret Christmas Library serves up a delicious mystery with a hint of romance, and plenty of holiday spirit!
Review
What a fabulous setting….snow covered Scotland, old castle, old books and a cute guy! 💙🏴📖🏰❄️
Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McKinnon, the handsome laird of a Highland ancestral holding which includes a vast crumbling castle. Mirren needs to find a rare book which could save the entire estate.
Mirren is a bit of a hot mess. This is what is so compelling about her. You just think she cannot get the job done. But, don’t count her out. Then there is Jamie…oooolala! He is a bit of a softie which just makes him so adorable.
I love anything set in Scotland. So, when I ended up in an old castle in a snowstorm, I was hooked. Add in a treasure hunt for an old book and you have a great read for anytime of the year!
Need a story full of secrets, great characters and great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Set at the turn of the 20th century, a mystical, tantalizing novel about a visionary’s journey toward her destiny.
In 1888, Katherine Tingley, a medium and clairvoyant, continues to have a childhood vision of a white city on a sundown sea. While serving the poor at her Do-Good Mission on Manhattan’s East Side, she encounters William Q. Judge, a mesmerist and leader of the American Theosophical Society. He recognizes her potential, convinces her to become his student, and guides her on a spiritual path that could make her mystical dream become a reality.
After Judge’s passing, Katherine assumes leadership of the Society and embarks on a world crusade to spread brotherhood, learn from ancient cultures, and search for a Himalayan Mahatma. In 1900, she moves the Theosophical headquarters to San Diego. Here, she sets out to establish Lomaland—a sacred space of learning, artistry, and divine harmony, built on a barren peninsula yet brimming with hidden potential. As people from around the world converge to share in her vision, they form a community united in purpose to spread enlightenment. However, betrayals, lies, and libels accumulate until a monumental court case ultimately decides her future and the fate of the white city on a sundown sea.
Review
I enjoy a book with a strong female lead! This book has it in spades!
In 1888, Katherine Tingley, a medium and clairvoyant, continues to have a childhood vision of a white city on a sundown sea. While serving the poor at her Do-Good Mission on Manhattan’s East Side, she encounters William Q. Judge, a mesmerist and leader of the American Theosophical Society. He recognizes her potential, convinces her to become his student, and guides her on a spiritual path that could make her mystical dream become a reality.
Not only is a strong female lead a favorite of mine, I adore a book with mysticism. Katherine Tingley is a clairvoyant with a plan. She is one of my favorite characters of the whole year!
This book takes you on a wild ride through many aspects of Katherine’s life. She did not fit into the norm of society. As a matter of fact, she took on this society with the fight of her life.
Need a wonderful, historical tale about a real person…THIS IS IT!
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Queen and Diana, a groundbreaking story of the riveting hot-and-cold relationship between the House of Windsor and Winston Churchill.
From an early age, Winston Churchill was convinced that he was a man of destiny. Today, it seems his premonition was correct—few figures in British history have been so deeply and consequently involved with the British family as Churchill. While many people in positions of power have advised kings and queens during their reign, Churchill was unique in his role: helping to shape not only a reign, but an entire royal dynasty.
In Winston and the Windsors, Andrew Morton, one of the world’s best-known biographers and a leading authority on celebrity, presents a meticulously researched joint biography of Winston Churchill and the House of Windsor. Throughout the course of his career and life, Churchill’s connection to the Windsors fluctuated wildly. At times, he was the royal family’s trusted confidant. At others, he was their leading antagonist. In exploring the complex dynamic between the two, Morton argues that, regardless of whether the attitudes of the royal family were warm or icy toward Churchill, their relationship was central to the twentieth-century history of the British monarchy.
From the Churchill family’s intricate relationship with the Crown, to Winston’s initially begrudging but ultimately fruitful partnership with George VI, to his enduring fondness for Queen Elizabeth II, this fascinating narrative biography sheds new light on the ways the Crown not only shaped Winston Churchill’s career, but the ways in which Churchill shepherded the monarchy into the modern era.
Review
This is very well researched and in depth. I am a big fan of Royal biographies. I did not learn a whole lot I did not know. But, I did enjoy the section about Winston and King Edward. I had forgotten what a huge role Winston played in keeping Edward in line after he abdicated.
Winston and Queen Elizabeth also had a unique relationship. Their admiration of each other was an essential part of their dynamic.
Winston was a powerful force with his intelligence and his energetic charisma. Andrew Morton does a fabulous job bringing this to the forefront. He also did a great job with Winston’s funeral. I teared up with the admiration shown to this man who helped shape a dynasty but also changed the world.
Johnathan Keeble is the narrator and he could not have been better. He was regal and noble throughout.
Need a good royal biography…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this from the publisher for a honest review.
A locked-room mystery meets white-knuckle horror in this mind-bending thriller, where strangers must survive a deadly night in a remote Texas motel.
In the frigid west Texas desert, weary travelers converge at a lonely roadside motel nestled at the foot of a massive mountain. Ethan and Hunter have left behind a corpse, a fire, and a horrific act of violence. Kyla and Fernanda are fleeing for the border. Stanley and his granddaughter are returning from Mexico with a mysterious man in hot pursuit. All of them are on the run from something. All of them are hiding something.
And somehow, they’re all connected to the motel’s other guest, an enigmatic woman named Sarah Powers.
Within hours, Sarah is dead. The strange twins who run the Brake Inn Motel inform the surviving guests that her murder demands justice. The guests are given an ultimatum: uncover the killer by midnight—or die when the protective lights around the motel go out.
Because something very old and very dangerous lurks in this corner of the desert. And it’s hungry.
But nothing at the Brake Inn Motel is quite as it seems. As time ticks away, alliances fracture, secrets unravel, and the guests will not only have to confront the violence of the past—they will need to face the darkness within themselves.
A masterful blend of psychological tension, supernatural horror, and layered storytelling, The Midnight Knock pushes the boundaries of what a mystery can be. And with its unforgettable climax, this novel cements John Fram as a contemporary master of the genre.
Review
In the frigid west Texas desert, weary travelers converge at a lonely roadside motel nestled at the foot of a massive mountain. Ethan and Hunter have left behind a corpse, a fire, and a horrific act of violence. Kyla and Fernanda are fleeing for the border. Stanley and his granddaughter are returning from Mexico with a mysterious man in hot pursuit. All of them are on the run from something. All of them are hiding something.
This story has a great premise. It is horror driven with a captured audience in an old hotel. And it has some terror filled moments. But, it just moved so slow. It took forever for the intensity to get where I needed it to be.
And as with some characters in a horror film…they make dumb decisions. And that is true in this book as well. It also has some weird Sci-Fi elements that just didn’t seem to fit.
This is 2.5 stars rounded up.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
reecaspieces 