Stuck In Books

June 20, 2025

Witcha Gonna Do? by Avery Flynn

#Witches #Paranormal #Fantasy #Romance #Magic

An unlucky witch and her know-it-all nemesis must team up in the first of a new, spicy romantic comedy series from USA Today bestselling author Avery Flynn.

Could it possibly get any worse than having absolutely no magical abilities when you’re a member of the most powerful family of witches ever? It used to be that I’d say no, but then I keep getting set up on dates with Gil Connolly whose hotness is only matched by his ego. Seriously. I can’t stand him. Even if I also can’t stop thinking about him (specifically kissing him) but we’re going to pretend I never told you that part.

So yeah, my life isn’t the greatest right now, but then it goes straight to the absolute worst hell when I accidentally make my sister’s spell glitch and curse my whole family. And the only person who can help non-magical me break the spell? You guessed it. Gil the super hot jerk.

Now we have to work together to save my family and outmaneuver some evil-minded nefarious forces bent on world domination. Oh yeah, and we have to do all that while fighting against the attraction building between us because I may not be magical, but what’s happening between Gil and I sure feels like it.

Goodreads

Amazon

#Review

I received book 2, Head Witch in Charge for review. Thought I should read book 1 first. I do enjoy a good witchy book. This one is a humorous family centered witchy book. I read it quick and it was enjoyable.

I like the premise of this book. Tilda is not your perfect witch in body or craft. She doesn’t have the perfect body. She is the youngest in a very powerful magical family but doesn’t have a drop for herself. Stuck being the social media coordinator for her family, she thinks she has dealt with the lack of magic. But her extra thick glasses aren’t enough to help her figure out her life or dating life. Blind dates aren’t working for her. Everyone watches everything she does waiting for her to mess up again. They love to video her and post on social media immediately. All the time, she is talking to the reader about her life. It is amusing and entertaining.

I do like Gil. He certainly tries to not be the good guy but he is. His inner dialogue is almost as amusing as Tildas. Here’s the deal though, both of them have too much personal negativity. I think it was overstated to make sure we get the point. It was a moral to the story kinda thing. Believe in yourself and you can do anything you set your mind to. I guess that’s not why I read.

The story was slightly predictable. I mean I knew from the moment they had their 3rd, no 4th blind date, that the cards where trying to tell them something. The rest fell in line from that point on. It was easy to work out how it would go. While I don’t mind predictable plots, I found myself thinking there should be a set-back here. And it showed up.

Then there is the ending. I wanted more details about how they got out of the mess they made. The epilogue gave a few hints but mostly gave teasers to upcoming books in the series. It could be that I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy lately and needed more from this book than was intended. It truly is a lighthearted romcom kind of witch story. It’s an evening snack, not a rich dessert that takes days to enjoy completely. I get that and I’m good with that. Just make sure you know what you are getting into.

Three stars for this evening snack kind of book.

Head Witch In Charge by Avery Flynn

#Witches #Paranormal #Fantasy #Romance #Magic

When two witches with a tangled history are forced to team up, it spells disaster in this steamy rom-com from USA Today bestselling author Avery Flynn.

It’s the curse of every family’s heir to be the responsible one. My family being the most powerful family in all of Witchingdom doesn’t eliminate that fact, it only makes it worse—and that’s why I, Leona Amber Sherwood, never do the unexpected. Except for that one time I did.

Believe me, I have rued the day that I got married in a midnight ceremony under a full moon to Erik Svensen, the heir to my family’s deepest, bitterest enemies, and now, he won’t agree to a divorce unless we return an ancient spell book to his family’s secured facility.

But on our road trip to return the book, I learn more about Erik as we encounter trolls, nymphs, satyrs, and more. The longer we work together, the more I’m convinced that he might not be the evil trickster I assumed he was. Any more time together will leave me even more enchanted with my husband and that’s the last thing I want. And if I keep telling myself that, maybe I’ll start to believe it.

Goodreads

Amazon

#Review

Leona has been raised to take over as the heir of the Sherwood family. It’s her responsibility to marry the right person with enough power to put the council in its place. The three choices for husbands she has been given is not what she wants. She wants the love her parents have. But she understands her duty. Erik has been raised to find the loophole in every agreement. To find a way to win. His family has the opposite reputation of the Sherwoods. His father is a selfish man that will use anything he can to keep the family power for himself. He doesn’t care about his heir or his other children. He uses Erik’s younger brother and sister against him to keep him in line. Erik believes he’s just as bad as his dad but the fact that he protects his brother and sister from his father tells you the real truth. Erik is not on the list of possible husbands .

The story includes a trip to Vegas where things definitely don’t stay in Vegas and a multi day road trip where these two are forced to spend time around each other. They have instant chemistry and struggle to stay away from each other. Erik has a plan to protect his siblings from his father. Leona is trying to live up to her family responsibilities. These two plans won’t work together so they find themselves on opposite sides. And fate has something to say about the whole thing.

The same inner dialogue romcom that played out in book one showed up in this book. Leona is desperate to do the right thing for their family and Erik trying to convince us he’s the bad guy playing through their minds nonstop. Add to that the serious chemistry these two have. Forced proximity creates all kinds of sexual tension between these two. It’s all amusing for a while but I will admit to feeling like we were stuck in a rinse and repeat loop as they went through similar distractions on a quest to get their main goal accomplished. As a result, I sat the book down too many times. And I became less and less interested in picking it back up.

It’s a cute read that’s heavy on the sexy times. But I needed a little more from the story than forced proximity meant to convince them of what the reader knew from the trip to Vegas.

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June 17, 2025

Through the Woods
D. M. Million, R. M. Carpus
(A Short Story Anthology, Vol. 2)
Publication date: September 9th 2025
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal
Welcome to Thorn Valley, where the dead make the rules and the living follow them.

Everyone knows what goes on at the Thorn Valley Cemetery. The locals never stray from the three sacred rules.

Don’t speak when you enter through the gate.

Never visit at night.

Never visit alone.

Seems simple enough, but in this town, nothing is simple, and no place is safe. Don’t let the white picket fences and cozy shops on Main Street fool you. Here, the dead don’t sleep, and they’re always in charge.

Escape to the small, eerie town of Thorn Valley in this fresh collection of spine-tingling tales from the much anticipated next installment of THROUGH THE WOODS.

Goodreads / Pre-order

—

SNEAK PEEK:

Then I see where I’m standing, at the edge of an ivy-covered gate, black iron, sharp-toothed rods I recognize well, even in the damp, cold night. The entrance to the Thorn Valley Cemetery. My freezing fingers lace tighter around Eva’s, and I look down at my bare, mud-caked feet. I’m in my blue satin nightgown, half-sheathed by my lace ivory bathrobe. Gasping, I cover myself and whirl around in the damp cold, searching the night for signs of life
or reason.

“Why am I here? What are we doing here?”

Eva releases my hand but keeps her eyes locked on mine as if I might disappear. She shakes as she tugs the quilt from her shoulders to wrap me in its warmth. “You had another spell,” she says, still trembling as she guides me away from the gate. “You were trying to climb up and over. Your sister called me and said you were gone, that your bedroom window was open, the curtains pulled wide. She woke up to make tea because she couldn’t sleep and had a feeling

she should check on you.”

“Another dream.”

“Yes.”

“They’re getting worse.”

“I know.”

“I was . . . on the coast.” Dizzy and dazed, I pause for a beat to get my bearings. Eva stalls too, waiting patiently for me to find my balance. “The sea was coming for me, it wanted to drown me. I was running, then climbing . . . trying to climb toward the sky.” I can feel Eva’s horror, her pupils like frozen, black saucers stunned as they study my face.

“There was so much sun, so much blue, an unwavering stillness on land. But the sea . . . it roared, it wouldn’t stop reaching for me. I felt an earthquake, an imminent tsunami in the distance, even in the stillness. I couldn’t let it have me, I just couldn’t—” Eva takes hold of my shoulders, carefully turning me toward her. I know in that moment my eyes are tinged with a ripple of madness, and that she sees it, too. “This is going to stop.”

-“Night Fever,” Thorn Valley – R. M. Carpus

Author Bio:

DM Million: I grew up in southern New Jersey, reading fantasy and paranormal books. I love anything that whisks me away to another world, and I wanted to create my own worlds for readers like myself to enjoy. I believe reading is not only an escape from our real-world problems, but a way to expand our minds, keep us sharp, and bring us joy. What I love about books is that we can use our imaginations to “see” what the author sees. When we watch TV or a movie, we can turn off our creativity and mindlessly view what the creators intended for us. But reading requires the engaging of our creative minds. I hope that you will enjoy my stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

R. M. Carpus is the author of THE CITY WIFE and co-founder of Wraith House. Born in Philly and raised in sunny Southwest Florida, her nomadic spirit has carried her all over the U.S. She now resides in the moody Pacific Northwest, where she dwells with ghosts of the bygone grunge era, always on the lookout for Eddie Vedder, killer whales, and inspiration for the next book. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s engrossed in ’90s music and reruns, catching a film at SIFF, or hiding away in the San Juan Islands or the Olympic Peninsula. She loves animals, the ocean, and spooky season.

GIVEAWAY!
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June 16, 2025

Hello everyone! My giveaway is for a book of your choice up to $15. US addresses only. Once you’ve entered, check the bottom & click on the linky frog to check out the other blogs in this hop! Lots more giveaways to check out.
a Rafflecopter giveaway MamatheFox, Mom Does Reviews, and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

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June 14, 2025

Hosted by Reading Reality

I’m adding on some other weekly posts that follow new books and blog activity.

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly post to share what’s new on your shelf. Check out the rest of the Stacking the Shelves posts on Reading Reality Blog! Here’s info on how to join Stacking the Shelves.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. This post let’s you share what you read last week and what you hope to read next week

The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. This post gives you a chance to share news including books for the week.

The Sunday Salon, it is now being hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

I’m also linking to Stacking the Shelves which is hosted by Reading Reality. Similar to Sunday Post, it’s a chance to share news including book for the week.

News

I’m enjoying my summer break with reading, working in my yard and spending time with my dachshunds. They follow me everywhere and love their walks.

I read two books this week and reread an old favorite. I worked on the blog and posted on Instagram. A very wonderful and boring summer week.

From the Blog this week

Review – The Wolf King by Kauren Palphreyman

Review – Deadly Storms by Christine Feehan

Review – It Takes A Psychic by Jayne Castle

Now Available from Berkley Romance

Two giveaways still happening on the blog

Just Beachy by Wendy Wax

A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell

New Books this week

Until recently, I was purchasing middle school / YA books for our school. I received an email from the publisher for this new YA romantasy, Seven Deadly Thorns, that is coming out in November. Very excited to read it.

A Dawn of Onyx has been on my wish list for a while and I was able to purchase it this week.

What’s new on your shelf? Hope you had a great week!

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June 13, 2025

#Romantasy #Shapeshifters #EnemiesToLovers #Werewolves #ForbiddenLove

Romantasy

When a princess is kidnapped by an alpha , war rages between the humans and the wolves. But soon, forbidden attraction starts to grow. . .

Princess Aurora longs to escape the castle and the marriage that has been arranged for her.

But on the night before her wedding, at a dog fight where captured werewolves are made to fight for sport, she spares the life of a young wolf. It puts her on the radar of the powerful alpha who was going to kill him. And it changes everything.

That night, when the alpha escapes, he kidnaps her and takes her to the rugged lands north of the border — where the once warring werewolf clans are beginning to unite. He thinks that she is the key to winning the war against the humans.

Only, as they spend time around one another, forbidden attraction starts to grow. And as Aurora learns that not all wolves are bad, the alpha discovers that she is in danger from both his enemies, and those he once considered friends.

With monsters on both sides, a bloodthirsty war between humans and wolves raging, and undeniable passion growing between them — will their story end in love? Or tragedy?

And will Aurora ever get home?

Does she even want to?

Goodreads

Amazon

#Review

I was drawn to the shifter aspect of this book but what held my interest was the world where humans have the control. The moon magic has been limited to allow the wolves to only shift when the moon is full. This allows the humans to control the wolves and cage them. Forcing them to fight has become a human spectator sport. The wolves are seen as only animals. But Aurora sees more.

Aurora is made to witness a fight the night before her arranged marriage to a horrible man. A man she would do about anything to escape. As her heart is drawn to the wolves in the fight, she can’t help but expand that anything she is willing to do. And so when the alpha wolf escapes, Aurora is not fighting him when he takes her with him.

There are monsters on both sides of the war in this story. Human monsters and wolf monsters. It is a battle for power. Aurora just wants to be free to make her own choices. But this world doesn’t respect women to make those kinds of decisions. Only looking for freedom, she plays the game to win it.

I enjoyed the world the author created. This romantasy will hold the your interest and keep you guessing. The rugged setting makes for some interesting forced proximity that makes things interesting. Trust is slow to build and so is the burn. Then everything falls apart.

Both main characters are likable and have their secrets. Each piece we learn about helps me cheer them on. I see them grow as they learn more about each other. By the end, I was desperate for book two, The Night Prince. Make sure you have both when you start this one.

If you are on board with the current romantasy craze, don’t pass this one by. It’s a monster ride for Aurora’s freedom as the sides flex and change. Who will win in the end and where will Aurora’s heart land?

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June 11, 2025

#RomanticSuspense

Danger is gathering on the horizon in this gripping novel of romantic suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Shabina Foster does her best to lead a normal life. She takes comfort in her friends and her dogs and finds passion in running her own small-town café in the eastern Sierra. But she can’t help always looking over her shoulder, not after what happened in her past. Since then, Shabina has worked very hard to build herself up and live life to the fullest.

Still, there’s no denying the scars she carries. Truly opening up her guarded world seems like an impossible dream—especially when it comes to the one man who makes her feel safe. Shabina already feels like she’s ruined his life and is determined to keep her distance, even as the ghosts of her past emerge from the shadows.

Security expert Rainier Ashcroft knows firsthand that a storm is brewing and that Shabina is in real trouble. Threats are approaching on all sides—and there’s no telling when the next hit will strike. But convincing the woman he loves to truly let him in will be just as difficult as keeping her alive.

Goodreads

Amazon

#Review

I read an ARC so I don’t know if there will be a note to readers regarding the trauma in this book. None of the trauma plays out on the page but there are triggers that throw her into nightmares where it is clear what happened without experiencing it. Anyone who is sensitive to such things should take note.

I do love a puzzle and this author does such a great job or creating that puzzle. She gives you so much information and you try to figure out what’s character development and what’s going to tell you more. And I think I figure it out. But, alas, she surprised me. This time, she divided what I was thinking in two and really confused me. What an enjoyable read.

I love Christine Feehan books. I’ve read almost everything she’s ever written. Her writing is excellent and the plot is always enjoyable. Her characters always come alive for me and I love how her series’ build relationships over multiple books. While, Deadly Storms can be read stand alone, there were some tidbits from previous books that tie them together nicely. It is truly a talent this author has.

Shabina is an amazing person that I really liked. She suffers from PTSD related to the secrets in her past. Despite the counseling and wonderful friends, she refuses to call Rainier when triggers start bringing up the past. He’s the only one who knows what happened to her but she feels she ruined his life. She tries to go it alone. This whole beginning really captured my attention. Trying to piece together what had happened to her based on the triggers and the strange events that started happening. It was a well crafted puzzle that I really enjoyed putting together one page at a time.

I do wish we’d had more page time with Rainier. I really loved when he stood up for her. She had done an excellent job of standing up for herself but when she’s pushed too far, he calmly handled it. I do understand she needed the page time to work through her issues but I did enjoy when he was on the page.

I also appreciated how the author helped us understand that PTSD is a life long struggle. It’s not something that can just be fixed. While Shabina’s PTSD stemmed from extreme circumstances, it was also clear that many people have varying degrees of it from trauma in their lives. The story was strengthening. I also appreciated the authors note about the research she had done to allow her story to ring true.

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June 10, 2025

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle (Theives of Dragemor #1)

Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.

Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. A black market flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.

Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?

Goodreads

Amazon

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

A band reunion may be enough to change two musicians’ tune on love in this electric romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

Micah’s relationship to music is complicated. As teenagers, her band took off after being featured on a popular TV show, but the group barely released their sophomore album before breaking up. Now, over a decade later, the band is reuniting for one more performance on a themed cruise, and Micah is determined to learn from her past mistakes — no losing herself in the music, and no losing her heart along the way.

John misses playing in a band, and mostly he misses Micah, who’d been his best friend until the music stopped. Back then, he didn’t take the lead, either in his guitar parts or while he sat back and watched her date another bandmate. John’s never been one to rock the boat, but he’s faced with another chance now that this cruise has brought music — and Micah — back in his life.

Onboard, Micah can’t help but see John with brand new eyes, and John’s feelings only intensify as the discordant band’s tension grows to a breaking point. With five days at sea, there’s a ticking clock on anything that might develop between them, and they’ll have to decide if their relationship is destined to be more than a one-hit wonder.

Goodreads

Amazon

A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell

When an aspiring archaeologist teams up with her childhood enemy for a treasure hunt, they find it impossible to bury their growing feelings, in a charming queer historical romance from the author of A Shore Thing.

Elfreda Marsden has finally made a major discovery—an ancient amulet proving the Viking army camped on her family’s estate. Too bad her nemesis is back from London, freshly exiled after a scandal and ready to wreak havoc on her life. Georgie Redmayne is everything Elfreda isn’t–charming, popular, carefree, distractingly attractive, and bored to death by the countryside. When the two collide (literally), the amulet is lost, and with it, Elfreda’s big chance to lead a proper excavation. Now Elfreda needs new evidence of medieval activity, and Georgie needs money to escape the doldrums of Derbyshire. Joining forces to locate a hidden hoard of Viking gold is the best chance for them both.

Marsdens and Redmaynes don’t get along, and that’s the least of the reasons these enemies can’t dream of something more. But as the quest takes them on unexpected adventures, sparks of attraction ignite a feeling increasingly difficult to identify as hatred. It’s far too risky to explore. And far too tempting to resist. Elfreda and Georgie soon find that the real treasure comes with a steep price… and the promise of a happiness beyond all measure.

Goodreads

Amazon

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June 8, 2025

#RomanceLite #Paranormal #SciFi #Mystery

Adventure Romance

Two unlikely allies search for the secrets of their pasts while on the run within the Alien world of Harmony in the thrilling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

Goodreads

Amazon

#Review

I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. I express my own reading experience.

When I started reading this book, I realized jumping into the world mid-series would be just fine. There is a great note from the author at the beginning of the book that helps you understand the world quickly. I also discovered that it was the second book in a mini-arc and I needed to go back and read the book before it. I was glad I did. There were lots of little nuggets I wouldn’t have understood without that. But overall, this series lends itself to reading out of order. Something I appreciate in very long series’.

Let me explain the feel of this book and why I label it #RomanceLite. There are threads in this story. Lots of pieces that come together to build an enjoyable read. The main thread is a mystery. There are lots of little crumbs that the two main characters do a good job of gathering up. Mystery is the primary feel to this book. Next there is a thread of paranormal talents. They come into play throughout the story but are not the main focus. They make things interesting. The world itself is sci-fi. Harmony is a distant planet generations in the past were able to colonize. The aliens that had lived there gone. And finally, there is a romance that takes place. It’s the kind of romance that happens when two people meet and share an adventure together. They get to know each other. They learn to trust each other. They realize how much they have in common, how much they are willing to do for each other. Over the course of their adventure, they realize they don’t want to be without each other. In that way, this book is a romance.

I enjoyed reading this book as much as if not more than the previous one, People In Glass Houses. The characters did it for me. Both Leona and Oliver felt real to me. They had doubts and had been hurt by many events in their lives. At their heart, they are good people willing to do the right thing. I enjoyed watching them grow closer together and learn to trust each other. They made this book.

The star of the show was Roxy. Her chortles and protective nature was the best. You could trust her senses to know if you were safe or not. She was so much fun. When someone didn’t like Roxy (which surprisingly did happen), it was clear that person could not be trusted. And I loved the amusement park. Silly Roxy. Nothing better than a dust bunny that adopts you as their own.

If you’re the kind of person who wants a good world with a great story line that doesn’t just revolve around two people’s love life, then this is a good choice for you. It’s a fast enjoyable read!

Have you read this book? What are you reading?

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June 7, 2025

Hosted by Reading Reality

I picked up the first book in two different series where I wanted to read book 2. Gotta read book 1 FIRST, right? Then there was the 16th book in a series. Yeah, I had to get the one before it.

Witcha Gonna Do? by Avery Flynn

The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin

People In Glass Houses by Jayne Castle

What’s new on your shelf? Check out the rest of the Stacking the Shelves posts on Reading Reality Blog! Here’s info on how to join Stacking the Shelves.

What were your May reads?

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June 6, 2025

#Paranormal #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #RomanceLite #mystery

Dive into the alien world of Harmony in this new novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.

His name is Joshua Knight. Once a respected explorer, the press now calls him the Tarnished Knight. He took the fall for a disaster in the Underworld that destroyed his career. The devastating event occurred in the newly discovered sector known as Glass House—a maze of crystal that is rumored to conceal powerful Alien antiquities. The rest of the Hollister Expedition team disappeared and are presumed dead.

Whatever happened down in the tunnels scrambled Josh’s psychic senses and his memories, but he’s determined to uncover the truth. Labeled delusional and paranoid, he retreats to an abandoned mansion in the desert, a house filled with mirrors. Now a recluse, Josh spends his days trying to discover the secrets in the looking glasses that cover the walls. He knows he is running out of time.

Talented, ambitious crystal artist Molly Griffin is shocked to learn that the Tarnished Knight has been located. She drops everything and heads for the mansion to find Josh, confident she can help him regain control of his shattered senses. She has no choice—he is the key to finding her sister, Leona, a member of the vanished expedition team. Josh reluctantly allows her to stay one night but there are two rules: she must not go down into the basement, and she must not uncover the mirrors that have been draped.

But her only hope for finding her sister is to break the rules…

Goodreads

Amazon

#Review

I started reading book 17 in this series, It Takes a Psychic. The author has a nice note at the beginning of the book that brings the reader up to speed on the world for this series. But it became clear quickly that book 16 and 17 went together. So I backed up to read this one first.

Set in a future where Harmony was easily accessed from Earth through a curtain that appeared and then a few years later disappeared. Harmony has alien power in crystals that have given humans psychic powers. The people that settled in Harmony developed a family centered society and after a few generations of people there is a full array of powers. Our story is full of mystery and secrets.

Molly’s sister has disappeared and she will do whatever it takes to find her. The last person to see her was the guide that took her expedition into the underworld. Her talents help her convince Josh to help her. While this is the main focus of the story, there are several other side stories that fill out this book.

One of my favorite side stories is Newton. He’s a dust bunny who loves zig chips. No doubt he makes the story. A new companion for Molly, he follows her everywhere. His expressive chortles shows his intelligence and readiness to help. He definitely helps and I enjoyed him very much.

The writing is well done with a good plot. I was drawn into the book and my interest continued as I read. The world is very interesting and easy to follow. The aliens have long since left and the world they created has lots of possibilities for good stories. I will definitely read more from this series.

Molly is a fun character with a family secret, a free spirit, and clear dating rules. Her family is strong and they support her completely. I did enjoy the two moms and their dedication to their two daughters. Josh is a broken man when Molly meets him. He tries very hard to push her out the door but Newton has something to say about that. I did enjoy these two together.

I will say that I would not call this a romance. Molly and Josh’s relationship is clearly in the background. It happens as the mystery unfolds but it is never the center of the story. Josh will tell you he is not a romantic guy. Physical contact, touches, and stolen moments were not part of this story. Don’t expect to swoon. But it may have been more genuine for it. Their relationship happened while they spend time together working on a common goal. They learned about each other and discovered that they cared about it each other.

Though this book is not an over the top read, it is a good and enjoyable read. I read it quickly and enjoyed it completely.

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