Deception Cove by Jayne Castle

I quite enjoyed this addition to the Castle canon. The story falls close on the heels of The Lost Night with Harry's brother Drake becoming the hero.
Three years ago, Drake was in an explosion that made him unable to see in the daylight. In fact, any strong light causes pain. But he can see quite well in the dark and even people who are trying to make themselves invisible.
Alice North is an unusual woman. In a society that focuses on family, she was raised an orphan. Also, she is a strong enough light talent that she can literally shift light enough to make it appear as though objects disappear.
Drake and Alice meet one night when (like many of the Castle books) Alice's latest place of employment has been shut down and she is now in the midst of being attacked by two street thugs. Alice handles it herself and Drake is duly impressed (and attracted, this is a romance after all). He then propositions her. A Marriage of Convenience that will help keep her ex-mother-in-law off her back and let Alice earn some money. In exchange, Alice has to travel with him to Rainshadow and help take down the paranormal storm that is raging out of control.

What does Alice have to lose? A chance at enough money to keep her going for awhile, even some fabulous riches, get her mother off her back and all she has to do is honeymoon at the same place her last new husband tried to kill her. Piece of cake. 

Three stars

This book came out August 27, 2013

Rain Shadow #2, Ghosthunters #10

Follows The Lost Night

Followed by The Hot Zone

Hard copy of mine

Opinions are my own

Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd

Someone has stepped up to claim Miss Morton’s family title. The Scuttons from Epping in Essex have applied to the earldom. Except, of the three there, Mrs. Scutton, the claimant’s mother, seems like the only one who is pushing the information. Thomas seems somewhat indifferent while his sister Mary downright doesn’t believe it. 

But, before Caroline can pull out the information that Mary knows, the woman is killed. Mrs. Scutton is there and sees Mary's newly-freed-from-prison husband and his brother running away. We don't get to see the husband much, but everyone seems inclined to beleive Mrs. Scutton. Why would she lie?

If you've read the Miss Morton stories before, you can probably guess some of the twists. Still fairly light and I really wish we had gotten to see more of the husband, but a quick, mostly enjoyable read. 

Three stars

This book comes out September 30, 2025

Miss Morton #4

Follows Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own 

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

I picked this book up based on the description of it being a thriller/comedy. It was both but there was more comedy than thriller. I very much made sure to read this during the day but it wasn't as gory as I thought it was going to be. There were some bits toward the end but it was so far past the suspension of disbelief it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. 

Vesper Wright is estranged from her family. She has been for 6 years. But now an invitation has shown up on her front door. One for her cousin's wedding... to the boy Vesper had thought she was going to marry. So Vesper goes back home. And things unravel from there.

A fun romp but not very deep. There were definitely some gore aspects but not as many as I was expecting from other reviews. The whole story wasn't very deep, neither was the character development but it was fun. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 19, 2023

Book I borrowed from the library

Opinions are my own

The 5 Resets by Aditi Nerurkar

I've read any number of books that are self-help or related to yoga or about how to decrease your stress. This one isn't necessarily groundbreaking, but it is put together really well and I like the suggestions. The one that comes up the most is don't start All The Things at once when you're trying to make a change; choose one or two and start with them. Once they are part of your normal routine, you can add more things. 

There are 5 resets but then each one has techniques of how to implement each. Different topics will appeal to different readers but it can also be a little overwhelming with all of the options. 

Four stars

This book came out January 16, 2024

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel

I enjoy Bogel's podcast and figured I'd listen to her book before it left Audible Plus. Is there brand new research or anything particularly startling? No. But there are many good reminders that are all gathered into one book. None of which I can remember a day later but it was nice to listen to it. The three main sections were How We Spend Our Time, Take Charge, and Let the Sun Shine In. It was a nice companion to listen two right after I finished The 5 Resets. 

Three stars

This book came out March 3, 2020

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis

I really didn't like any of the people in this book. Heath was sort of blandly perfect, Lexi was passive, and Ashley was not much more than young and short. It's loosely part of a series but I don't remember any of the other characters from other books. 

Lexi has returned to a home she didn't really grow up in to a sister she didn't really grow up with. I've seen a lot about siblings in the same household having different childhood experiences and that is true for Lexi and her stepsister. While Ashley's childhood with Daisy was more idyllic, Lexie's experience was more of a mother who promised many thing but never came through. And I'm fairly annoyed that Ashley and Heath kept getting after Lexie to forgive her mother. I've experienced that in my life and it's really annoying. I know that your experience with that person was more positive than mine but that doesn't mean I HAVE to see them the same way. I think they both chilled out a bit by the end but I was already so annoyed it was hard to see it.

Two stars

Sunrise Cove #8

This book came out June 24, 2025

Follows Better Than Friends

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon with narrator Angie Hickman

Mia Malone is a kitchen witch. Her magic is geared toward healing and world peace, nothing flashy. She recently broke up with the fiancee who was using her but kept his younger sister, Cleo. Mia has bought the old school house in the small town in Idaho where her grandmother lives. The plan is that she will start a catering and food takeaway business. Her first big catering job is for her grandmother's best friend and one of the least-liked women in town. 

SInce this woman is not well liked, it's not a surprise that she ends up dead. It's just too bad that it's before Mia actually gets to cater her birthday and showcase her talents. It's equally bad that Mia seems to be on the suspect list.

There seemed to be some back story that might have been included in the prequel to this series and that threw me off a few times.

Three stars
This book came out June 26, 2021

Kitchen Witch Mysteries #1 

Follows Chili Cauldron Curse

Followed by Murder 101

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own