Chains & Flames by G.A. Aiken

If you've read the G. A. Aiken Dragon Kin series, you've encountered the Queen of Dragons, Rhiannon and her mate, Bercelak. Their story started when Bercelak fell in love. He battled to make himself invaluable to her mother's court and now her mother has finally decided that they are to be mates. But first, she binds Rhiannon so she can no longer turn into a dragon. She is dropped off as a human at Bercelak's cave. While he isn't happy that she is hurt, he is elated to know that she will finally be his. At least she will be as soon as he finishes wooing her. And makes sure that her mother won't kill her. 

A short story that could have been longer but gives some history to the Dragon Kin stories.

Three stars

This book came out... at some point (?)

Borrowed as Audible Plus book

Opinions are my own

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker very nearly declared themselves in the last book. But they were interrupted by Stoker's brother, Tiberius. After that, Veronica fled halfway around the world for six months, afraid of her feelings (whether or not she'll admit that to herself). She's barely back when Tiberius lures her to a remote island, to  a house party in a castle with promises of the larvae of a rare butterfly. Veronica knows he has ulterior motives but she's willing to do what it takes to get the butterfly. And maybe to tweak Stoker's nose a bit as she poses as Tiberius' fiancée. 

But it is even more mysterious than it first appears. Three years ago, a woman disappeared on her wedding day and the family has been in hiding ever since. This house party is their first toe into coming back into society. But a seance brings a ghost back to life and old secretes rise again.

The story was fine but the real draw for me was the growth for Veronica. A bit for Stoker as well but their story moved enough to be an enjoyable read.

Four stars

This book came out March 12, 2019

Follows A Treacherous Curse

Followed by A Murderous Relation

Opinions are my own

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown

Christopher has finally graduated. Unlike three of his four close friends, he is not going to university. He is still unsure (mostly) of what he wants to do with his life so he's going to head out into the world. Of course, that will be with his adventurous grandfather. This time, they are heading to Clearwell Castle where a friend of his grandfather's resides.

When they get there, a festival of some sort seems to be going on. One featured around Morgana. They find out that hundreds of years ago, one of the castle residents was supposed to marry a local girl (best guess on spelling) from Scouse. She disappeared before the wedding and he married and had a baby very quickly thereafter. Lo, these many years later, the mayor of the neighboring town is still using this as a platform to be elected. 

But there are more current matters to be concerned with as a local man has recently died under semi-suspicious and another person dies while Christopher and his grandfather are there.

This series is absolutely great in that we have an experienced detective along with the inexperienced amateur. Plus, Christopher isn't just immediately an awesome investigator, instead, he is learning the ropes.

Four stars

This book came out September 20, 2022

Follows The Curious Case of the Templeton Swift

Followed by The Snows of Weston Moor

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Witch Is Back by Sophie H. Morgan

Emmaline Bluewater was engaged to Bastian Truenote until the day he ran away. He didn't even leave a note for her, just for his parents. Emma was already known as lesser in their witchy society. Her family isn't prominent and, as a later born child, she doesn't have a lot of power. When he left, it was the lowest point of her life. But it opened the door to letting her escape her overbearing mother.

It's seven years later though and Bastian has just walked back into her life as though he never left. She's not very happy but he's got a hell of a reason- if they don't marry, his mother will die. So she agrees to a marriage in name only, just so that the contract will be fulfilled.

I wish we had seen more about she formed a friendship with Leah and more about how she, Leah, and Tia opened a bar. I also thought it would have been nice to know more about what she and Bastian did for the Exhibition.

Three and a half stars

This book came out 

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't really out to get you. Such is the case for Hugo Templeton-Swift who believes that he is being poisoned. When he is murdered, all evidence seems to point to his much younger wife. However, his three children are also visiting and have their own reasons for wanting to see Templeton-Swift dead. 

I hope we get to see more of Christopher's mother in subsequent books, she really is quite marvelous. Got to see Christopher grow a little more in this book though he still verges on tiresome at points.

Three stars
This book came out June 9, 2022

Follows The Tangled Treasure Trail

Followed by The Crimes of Clearwell Castle

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

I saw this book on the 2023 NPR Best Books and it was worth the read. It took me some time to appreciate the story as the first week is somehow most of the first half of the story but I ended up being glad I stuck with it. 

Set behind the scenes of an SNL-esque show, we meet Sally Milz, one of the writers. She enjoys her job but is stymied by how her fellow writers (male) keep hooking up with these superstars (female.) In fact, she makes a rule out of it. Everyone laughs. Except Noah Brewster who is a guest on the show. However, the two of them seem to have a connection. But maybe only Sally feels it. Then COVID hits and the two start communicating through email and getting closer without being physically close. Love ensues. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out April 4, 2023

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

Though this is the second book in a series, there is not much overlap with the book before and stands alone nicely. In this book, we are following Talia (one of three presenters on the Lost Night podcast.) She has been given a tip from a woman named Phoebe who purports to have a list of other people who have been experimented on. But when Talia shows up at the cabin, no Phoebe. But there is a Luke Rand and he also wants the list. In fact, he tries to hold Talia psychically to see if she knows where the list is. Talia manages to break free and also manages to find a pendant that she knows will lead her to Phoebe.

The search will take she and Luke to a San Juan island where they will have to pretend to be a couple. They go under the guise of attending a meditation retreat but they aren't interested. Luckily, the retreat is just a cover for some more nefarious happenings. 

Like usual, there are a LOT of things happening in this story. And you think you get to the end but then there's another end. And another. This book didn't sound as much like Krentz as she has added some current-ish phrases. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out January 9, 2024

Follows Sleep No More

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Libby March 2024