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BOOK REVIEW: THE LEGEND OF RACHEL PETERSEN by J.T. Baroni

KAREN SIDDALL — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:44:29 Z

The Legend of Rachel Petersen

J.T. Baroni

Eerie tale of a malicious young spirit intent on setting the record straight!

The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a satisfying, spooky, entertaining story that might not have been the best choice for bedtime reading. The author cleverly juggles multiple points of view and timelines to create a fun and eerie tale that will keep readers wondering about the existence of ghosts and a murder that happened over 150 years ago.

The main character, sportswriter Christian Kane, is fed up with his job at the Pittsburgh paper, where he has excelled for many years, and impulsively quits when passed over for a promotion. Instead, he decides to pursue his dreams of writing a best-selling novel. However, he is woefully unprepared for the daunting task of writing such a novel and for what it takes to get a book published once it's written. He's tentatively supported in this endeavor by his loving wife, Shelly, who worries about the practical aspects of their lives when he suddenly quits his well-paying job. While she is his most brutal critic, she is also his most enthusiastic cheerleader, continually boosting his spirits to keep trying.

The plot is well-paced, and an eerie creepiness sets in the moment the couple discovers the long-hidden tombstone on a walk, especially when Christian repeatedly visits the gravesite of his new muse (Rachel Petersen). Headstones are a marvelous source of inspiration, and a child's marker is always heartbreaking and raises questions. I enjoyed how the author told the stories of the Kanes, the Yoders, and Rachel and the Tremont family in alternating chapters, each from a significant character's point of view, showing how the past was bleeding into the present.

The rural Pennsylvania setting felt fresh and interesting, and I liked the inclusion of agricultural history and Civil War events near the farm. I enjoyed it when the Yoder family listened to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, and the author included the names of real entertainers of the time, famous names readers may recognize. The small and large details gave me a real feel for the place and the area's remoteness, which compounded the brooding atmosphere and unsettled feeling I had while reading. I read this book in an evening, completely absorbed by Christian's, Thaddeus's, and Rachel's stories.

I recommend THE LEGEND OF RACHEL PETERSEN to readers who enjoy paranormal thrillers and horror stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

BOOK REVIEW: NEXT STOP, BOSTON by Iris Dorbian

KAREN SIDDALL — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:21:43 Z

Next Stop, Boston

Iris Dorbian

So compelling, I couldn't put this book down!

Next Stop, Boston by Iris Dorbian is the compelling story of sixteen-year-old Geri Randall, whose older sister and guardian, supermodel Michelle, is killed in a car accident while on a photoshoot in Italy. In her will, Michelle leaves her assets and the guardianship of her sister to her fiancé, the fading rock star Dez Deacon, a man completely unprepared and unsuitable for the role. The story of Geri and Dez's tumultuous relationship over the next few months is unputdownable!

The main character, Geri, is good-hearted, naïve, and innocent, having been sheltered all her life in special schools to support her dyslexia. Her being hauled out of school and dragged along on Dez's concert tour is interesting on its own; she's a fish out of water, making the best of a horribly confusing situation. But the volatile, hot mess that is Dez Deacon made it traumatic and emotional. While both are grieving Michelle's death, their relationship is adversarial rather than mutually comforting. This situation is on Dez, as he's unable or unwilling to pull himself together and be the man he needs to be. It was heartbreaking watching his mercurial shifts in temperament and verbal abuse, and Geri's life always walking on eggshells around him. Told from multiple points of view, the added perspectives make this story even more robust. The situation continued to deteriorate, with surprising twists that made it impossible for me to put the book down.

I recommend NEXT STOP, BOSTON to readers of contemporary fiction who like unique plot twists and stories about rock-music concert tours.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: ALL GUILTY ANYWAY by Russell W. Johnson

KAREN SIDDALL — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:32:10 Z

All Guilty Anyway

Russell W. Johnson

Riveting courtroom drama and legal thriller.

All Guilty Anyway by Russell W. Johnson is a riveting legal thriller featuring a first-year attorney assigned to the defense of an immigrant mother in what appears to be a slam-dunk case of child abuse. But everything quickly goes off script, starting with no plea deal and ending with a courtroom showdown against a renowned assistant district attorney nicknamed "The Hatchet Lady."

Fledgling defense attorney Ivy Collins had turned her back on joining her father's prestigious law firm and gone to work for Lester "The Truth" Williams, a famed defense attorney who may be beyond his glory days. Sonia Cabrerra, the pregnant mother of eight-year-old Hugo, is in jail awaiting adjudication on charges of child abuse, based on the child's testimony that the scarring on his torso came from her deliberately burning him with a hot skillet grate. Speaking neither English nor Spanish well, she had given the investigating detective compromising answers that indicated she had hurt the boy in the past. However, subsequent questioning in her native language soon revealed a different story than what the police and district attorney were peddling. Still, obtaining corroborative evidence from those who could help prove Sonia's innocence hit roadblocks at every turn. Ivy has her work cut out for her in her first-ever court trial, defending a client who faces overwhelming evidence against her, whom she believes is innocent.

Ivy Collins is an engaging young attorney, ready to do all she can to provide a righteous defense. She's stubborn and headstrong when it comes to being told she can't do something: the initial reason she turned her eyes toward working as a criminal defense attorney rather than following in her demanding and larger-than-life father's footsteps. She's softhearted, too, and willing to help her friends, even considering some shady maneuvers to keep a coworker from being deported. She's a character you want to root for from start to finish.

The plot hinges on a horrible accusation by a seemingly charming little boy, so it's a long shot that readers will be persuaded to sympathize with the accused. However, the author pulls it off, and Sonia Cabrerra becomes the underdog, trapped by circumstances and facing impossible odds. The courtroom scenes are riveting, with all the involved attorneys portrayed as top-notch professionals. For once, none were made to look buffoonish or incompetent, just formidable adversaries. The resolution is satisfying, with careful attention to the future of Sonia and Hugo's unbearably broken mother-child relationship.

I recommend ALL GUILTY ANYWAY to readers of legal thrillers and courtroom dramas.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: THE HARLOT OF ST. CECELIA'S (INSPECTOR GARRETT MYSTERIES, #1) by Darcy Graves

KAREN SIDDALL — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:24:52 Z

The Harlot of St. Cecelia's

Inspector Garrett Mysteries, #1

Darcy Graves

Secrets run deep, and emotions run high in this new historical mystery debut.

The Harlot of St. Cecelia's is the first book in author Darcy Graves's new 1920s London-set mystery series featuring Detective Inspector William Garrett of the Dayneton CID. When the body of a beautiful French actress is discovered in the Reading Room of the university library, DI William Garrett is tasked with finding her killer. Clues, however, are hard to come by, and the only witnesses on site were purposely locked in the basement vault the entire time.

The 1920s time frame and London setting provide a vivid, often rainy backdrop for this tale of jealousy, betrayal, revenge, and murder. The victim, Isabelle Jalbert, while having had many admirers over the years, was not well liked among her peers, and several characters were glad to see her demise. Jealousies among the theatre fold abound, and I thought there were a couple of very strong suspects coming from that direction. However, Isabelle had also developed strong emotions in acquaintances outside the theatre, and Garrett had his eye on both witnesses from the library.

While Simon Cross, a former soldier with a damaged soul from his time in the First World War, seemed resigned to being the chief suspect, his sister, Meg, and his library companion, Eden Brior, were not nearly as complacent as to allow the police to dilly-dally around. I enjoyed how they teamed up and took the bull by the horns, working through several clues to try to identify the real killer. The final reveal is exciting and is a surprising showdown of sorts. I look forward to seeing these characters return for the next case.

I recommend THE HARLOT OF ST. CELELIA'S to readers of historical mysteries.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: HANGING BY A THREAD (SEWING STUDIO MYSTERIES, #2) by Dorothy Howell

KAREN SIDDALL — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:32:17 Z

Hanging By A Thread

Sewing Studio Mystery, #2

Dorothy Howell

A baffling murder, multiple storylines, and engaging characters make this second in the series a winner!

Hanging By a Thread is the second book in author Dorothy Howell's cozy series, the Sewing Studio Mysteries, and along with the murder of an abhorred local gold digger, there are multiple subplots of interest to unwind. This robust story caught my attention from the start, and I was quickly drawn into life in Hideaway Grove.

The main character, Abbey Chandler, a recent arrival to town after her high-pressure life in LA imploded, is good-hearted and willing to help her friends and business acquaintances out any way she can. She is swamped with work, mostly favors for others, including Janine, the town's flighty tourism manager, as she prepares for an important upcoming women's conference. Meanwhile, Abbey is trying to build her fledgling tote bag business and juggle volunteers for her charitable project making pillowcase dresses for young girls in Africa. It was exhausting, given what she had on her plate, but I could relate to her load, as could many other readers who have pitched in to make things happen.

The murder sets off the small-town gossip mill, and along with the fear of a killer on the loose, local business owners are scrambling, worried the failure of the sheriff to solve the case will impact the lifeblood of the tourist-dependent economy. Abbey's friend and local business owner, Anna, was most often the herald of imminent doom, spreading any and all rumors, no matter how outlandish. It got to the point where Abbey had to talk to her about the impact of her gossip, but someone needed to have an honest "Come to Jesus" with the woman.

The murder victim is a perfect target, almost universally disliked for her well-discussed and dissected shady past behavior. Not a soul sheds a tear on her behalf, and the sheriff appeared to drag his feet on the investigation. Even with Aunt Sarah directly in his sights, he makes zero effort to drag her in for questioning. However, Abbey, believing she needs to solve the crime herself to save Aunt Sarah, puts off talking to her aunt for far too long. Still, I loved where the story goes with the resolution of the murder.

Other intriguing subplots were winners with me and will have me anxiously awaiting future books in the series. Abbey and Zack's relationship teeters between romantic and antagonistic. Props to Abbey for refusing the flowers; she was way more understanding of how Zack spoke to her than I would have been. Caitlin's personal saga will be one to watch, too, with her perceived future and past dreams so at odds, and a third party in the wings with his own unrequited hopes for a future with her. The baffling mystery at the toy shop also makes a great side story, especially given the suspect's lovely reputation and personality. Tidbits about Abbey's projects and business are sprinkled throughout for the craft-minded among us to enjoy.

With multiple storylines and an engaging array of characters, I recommend HANGING BY A THREAD to cozy mystery readers, especially fans of the previous book and those who enjoy craft-themed stories or tales featuring small businesses.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: NARCISSI by Babette Fraser Hale

KAREN SIDDALL — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:04:18 Z

Narcissi

Babette Fraser Hale

Compelling story, immersive storytelling!

Narcissi by Babette Fraser Hale is a novel about a charming Texas travel writer and blocked novelist who finds himself adrift after the 'cut and run' dissolution of his second marriage. Cole Burnett loves people and learning their stories, but he is especially drawn to women, and they're drawn to him. Told as a thread of connected stories beginning in 1980, they trace his wanderings across Texas in search of his next column and through life, connecting with friends, some of them women, who become his lovers.

Cole is a magnet for interesting people, which serves him well as a writer but also distracts him from his career needs and goals. He writes a popular travel column for a statewide magazine, connecting with folks from all walks of life and circumstances. When he finds himself 'cut loose' midlife, he has a wide net of acquaintances to turn to. Still, he is an unsettled wanderer trying to fill an emptiness inside that his steadfast dedication to his career and craft doesn't. Many of his encounters with friends, readers, and subjects of a current project are women who respond to Cole unlike anyone else they've ever met. For the most part, he is not the pursuer but the pursued, and he willingly drifts into relationships, casual in his mind but inspiring unsubstantiated hope in many of his partners. Each one leaves an indelible mark on their beings.

Author Babette Fraser Hale crafts a mesmerizing, immersive story about these lonely people seeking connection, and I couldn't look away from the choices they make. I was completely caught up in Cole's life and the lives of the women in it, thirsty for each new vignette when someone from his past was revisited. The title and the narcissus flowering at the homestead near his country place with Julia felt absolutely perfect.

I recommend NARCISSI to readers of contemporary fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

BOOK REVIEW: ROCKET GIRL (KICK JOHNSON MYSTERY, #1) by Diane Vallere

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:45:27 Z

Rocket Girl

Kick Johnson Mystery, #1

Diane Vallere

A riveting space race mystery in a nostalgic Dallas setting.

Rocket Girl is the first book in Diane Vallere's delightfully nostalgic Kick Johnson Mystery series, set in an exciting, booming 1960s Dallas, Texas, during the first year of the Kennedy administration. Kathleen "Kick" Johnson, a recent widow, soon discovers her new life as a single woman is an unfair, uphill battle without a male head of the household. Banking, credit, and major appliance purchases were suddenly beyond her reach, and ready funds were soon to run out. While Trudy, her older sister, urged her to return to her old job at the airplane parts firm and find another husband there, Kick longed for independence and equity as she charted her own course for the future. Thinking she may have finally found her niche as a math aide at the top-secret Center for Rocket Science Research, Kick's dream career is almost over before it has even begun when she stumbles across the body of one of the research engineers. Things get even dicier when Kick discovers the murdered man may have had a connection to her late husband, who died in a tragic workplace accident at the airplane parts firm.

Kick is an engaging, sympathetic main character, thrust into the unpleasant realities of women's financial plight in the 60s. Equality for women has come a long way when comparatively viewed, yet there are still ridiculous constraints and prejudices at play today. Kick flourished under her older sister's care and sacrifices, and while she is aware of this on a superficial level, it takes deep consideration to understand what this meant for Trudy. Her older sister had, in effect, given up her teenage and young adult years to provide a secure home for her when their widowed mother had passed away at an early age. The sisters' relationship is evolving, and the changes are painful for both young women. Still, they keep returning to each other to work through their feelings and shape their shared vision for the future.

Growing up, Kick's interests and strengths lay in science and math, uncommon for girls of the era, so they were ignored or discouraged rather than nurtured. It was satisfying to watch this character blossom as she found a comfort zone with the people and in the tasks supporting the NASA missions. It may be surprising to some to note the racial integration among the female staff then, though the directors and managers were solidly all white males.

The plot gets edgy right away with Kick experiencing the financial discrimination against women and the quick discovery of a murder victim at her new workplace. With the divisive political climate and the rocket center's absolute need for secrecy in their work, rumors of stolen plans and traitors add another layer of mystery and danger. Kick doesn't know who she can trust as she investigates a secret connection between the dead man and her late husband, whom she's coming to realize kept his own secrets. As she gets closer to the truth, she also gets closer to a new relationship with a handsome, friendly engineer also working at the rocket center.

The 1961 Dallas setting is fresh and still nostalgic, with the author imbuing the city with the excitement and explosive growth of an up-and-coming urban center. Mentions of real locations and historic figures were fun, though some were sobering, as they couldn't help but foreshadow the tragic history to come two years later. The author creates a solid framework of clues that sharp-eyed armchair detectives will enjoy putting together, and the final resolution proves highly satisfying.

I recommend ROCKET GIRL to readers of historical mysteries.

For this and other book reviews, visit by blog, Boys' Mom Reads!

BOOK REVIEW - LOOKING PAST DEMENTIA: LEARNING FROM THOSE WHO LIVE WITH IT by Marysue Moses

KAREN SIDDALL — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 20:31:19 Z

Looking Past Dementia:

Learning From Those Who Live With It

Marysue Moses

Inspirational, informative, and useful tips, shared with care and love.

Looking Past Dementia: Learning From Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses is a unique discussion of dementia patients and how to relate to them again as people, rather than as the sum of their symptoms. Moses, a former activities director and dementia educator with years of hands-on experience, shares what she learned from residents of memory care units themselves, beginning with seeing them as the talented, worthy individuals they are.

I appreciated how the author illustrated each point with supporting vignettes from her time in the field or from personal knowledge gained from her mother and grandmother, who both lived with Alzheimer's. Moses depicts a variety of typical interactions with residents with many forms and at different stages of cognitive decline. Readers who have had, or are currently in, a relationship with someone living with any of these conditions will relate to many of the stories, which accurately portray experiences common among those with loved ones in memory care. I wish that I had had access to this book when I was responsible for a good friend's care a couple of years ago; we were both so lost, confused, and frustrated. This book answered many questions I had then and offered sensible, creative ways I could have responded if I'd known about them. As our family members and beloved friends continue to age, I imagine there will be more opportunities to put what I read here to use, and I feel inspired to face those challenges with more confidence than last time.

I recommend LOOKING PAST DEMENTIA to anyone in a relationship with someone experiencing cognitive decline.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: ALL THAT WAS LEFT UNSAID by Danielle Dragona

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:16:37 Z

All That Was Left Unsaid

Danielle Dragona

Long-held secrets come to light after the death of a woman's spouse.

All That Was Left Unsaid is a new women's fiction novel by Danielle Dragona that explores how a new widow is forced to face her new future, and I was glued to every page, so immersed in the story that I read it in one evening. After the death of her husband from cancer, Katrina Johnson must come to terms with the secrets he had been keeping throughout their long marriage. While working through her grief, she comes face to face with betrayal, disillusionment, and, eventually, her own mortality.

Katrina, the main character, met and married Sam Johnson during the Vietnam War, and theirs was what people called "a traditional marriage": he was the breadwinner, and she was the stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Never holding a job outside the home, except for an exceptional level of volunteerism for their small community, and not the one paying the bills, she is shocked when she uncovers some of Sam's secret financial activities. Katrina is also forced to confront the evidence of Sam's infidelity, the pain of which still lingers in her and their two grown children. Each has handled their father's long-ago betrayal in different ways, the damaging effects of which have long impacted their relationships with each other and potential partners as well.

The story is riveting. Just as you think Katrina's situation has hit rock bottom, a new twist comes along to dig the hole a little deeper. However, I wasn't surprised when one of the hits she takes involves her health, as I've seen this happen time and time again in real life. The descriptions of the medical treatments she undergoes are vivid and realistic. I was worried she would face additional complications as more details about Sam's infidelity were revealed.

The best part of the story for me was the evolving relationships between Katrina, her friends old and new, her adult children, and herself. Katrina experiences such growth, which felt especially amazing considering her age. She starts out so lost, hurt, and angry, and through her experiences becomes the woman she always wanted to become. It is all that she goes through to get to her destination, her journey, that makes this book such a satisfying page-turner. You may need tissues.

I recommend ALL THAT WAS LEFT UNSAID to readers of women's fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: THE LAST RIFT DRAGON (KNIGHTS OF THE SILVER FOG, #1) by Shami Stovall

KAREN SIDDALL — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 02:12:21 Z

The Last Rift Dragon

Knights of the Silver Fog, #1

Shami Stovall

Good vs. evil, with magic and dragons!

The Last Rift Dragon by author Shami Stovall is the wonderful debut novel in her new magical young adult fantasy series, Knights of the Silver Fog, and it is chockful of twists and turns, acts of bravery, loyalty, and honor, treachery and betrayal, and young knights just out of training desperately fighting to save their homeland and the last of their dragons. The story follows the exploits of young Master Richter Whitlock, on the eve of becoming a full-fledged protector of Bridgehaven, his island home, when they are attacked by their nemesis, the neighboring land of Whettin, whose warriors ride on the backs of nightmarishly giant black centipedes.

The main character, the orphaned Richter Whitlock, is the only child of two knights who were killed while defending their homeland. He has always dreamed of becoming a knight himself in honor of his lost parents. He is an earnest, loyal young man who has dedicated his life to training for his future, bringing his best friend and former servant, Valex Lex Thorn, along with him. Their relationship is close and heartwarming.

The author creates a vivid, magic-filled setting for the story to unfold. Her world-building is mesmerizing, creating a vibrant, immersive backdrop for the action and adventure to come. I was particularly taken by the magic element of the land of Bridgehaven and the gyfts that manifested in the people as a result of breathing the silver fog, the breath of the dragons, and how the loss of the dragons threatened the continued development of their special powers.

The plot hits the ground running, with Richter and Lex struggling to reach their final training assessment, and it continues with full-blown, bloody battles against skilled Whettin warriors. The storyline is full of twists and turns, and I was constantly kept off-balance as the characters were forced to pivot to meet the challenges presented. The good guys face treachery and betrayal from unexpected sources when they least expect it, and they dont always come out on top or unscathed, keeping the suspense palpable and decision-making critical throughout. And then there are the dragons -wild and wonderful, with a surprise tale all their own.

I recommend THE LAST RIFT DRAGON to readers of young adult fantasy, action, and adventure stories.

For this and other book reviews, visit my blog, Boys' Mom Reads!

BOOK REVIEW: HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME (ALTHEA ADLER MYSTERY, #1) by Samantha Larsen

KAREN SIDDALL — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 13:36:48 Z

Holmes Away From Home

Althea Adler Mystery, #1

Samantha Larsen

Despite not wanting to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Althea follows in the footsteps of her mother!

Holmes Away From Home is the first book in the fun, new Sherlockian Althea Adler Mystery series by author Samantha Larsen, featuring the daughter of Irene Adler, Holmess only adversary to get the better of him. In this charming debut, Althea, called upon by her mother to break into a safe in Holmess study but with no idea of what she is to retrieve, ends up at a weekend country house party, building relationships and looking for clues. But among the other guests is a troublesome young nobleman, Lord Sheffield, who has his own secret agenda for being there and a knack for getting in her way.

The story is delightful, and the main characters, Althea and William, are so engaging that I was easily and completely drawn in from the start. Larsen tells a compelling tale, and I would have loved to binge the book if I could have! While William is hiding his true nature and motives for wanting entrée to Lord Sloughs orbit, Althea gets dragged along, really only wanting to curry favor with Sloughs sister, Lady Sarah, and her best friend, Rosie Watson, the daughter of Holmess Watson, whose personal journals may hold the key to Altheas past: the identity of her father.

I recommend HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME to historical cozy mystery readers, especially those with a tendre for Sherlock Holmes pastiches.

For this and other book reviews, check out my blog - Boys' Mom Reads!

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: SISTERS ALONE by Shifa Saltagi Safeadi

KAREN SIDDALL — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:20:57 Z

Sisters Alone

Shifa Saltagi Safadi

A family secretly struggles with their grief after the sudden death of their wife and mother.

Sisters Alone by Shifa Saltagi Safadi is an emotional middle-grade novel written in verse about two sisters coping with grief after the unexpected loss of their mother six months earlier. Eighth-grader Rama and sixth-grader Leena secretly struggle mentally and emotionally in the aftermath of their mother's sudden death, neither one knowing what the other is going through because each claims to be doing okay. The truth couldn't be further from the truth. While Rama feels left behind and abandoned, she is slowly being consumed by rage and the burden of keeping the family together all on her own. Leena feels responsible for her mother's death because it occurred while her mother was running an errand on her behalf. Even their widowed father is finding it difficult to keep it together as he adjusts to life without the woman he loved and takes up the reins of being a single working parent.

On the surface, life has moved on. The sisters bicker as siblings are wont to do; the eldest striving for and demanding perfection, the younger girl careless and inattentive, with a penchant for getting her older sister to pick up the slack. But Rama has her own worries. Her best friend, Madiha, has begun including a new friend in all their activities, and seems to prefer her company over Rama's. Leena, trying to keep her mother's memory alive, is devoting all her time to creating a scrapbook rather than studying and completing her schoolwork and chores. This inattention becomes critical when the sisters are scheduled for a school-sponsored winter break ski trip, and only students who have met all academic requirements and submitted the proper paperwork can attend. Their father is counting on them to go so he can take a mandatory business trip to Japan, leaving the same day the girls will. So when Leena is denied a place on the bus at the last minute, the girls suddenly find themselves home alone with a massive blizzard headed their way. As their relationship troubles and individual emotional isolation come to a head, the storm hits, and the girls must work together under the worst conditions just to survive.

The author's writing is sublime, and her use of verse to tell the story is stylish, precise, and evocative. Told from the alternating points of view of the two sisters, readers are privy to what's really going on inside each girl's head. Both sisters are eminently relatable and engaging. The narratives shift frequently, creating natural stopping points for young readers to pause; however, readers with more time may enjoy the entire family drama in one riveting reading session.

I recommend SISTERS ALONE to middle-grade readers, especially those who enjoy stories about a family in crisis.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: DARKNESS FALLS (DETECTIVE NATHAN PARKER, #5) by James L'Etoile

KAREN SIDDALL — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:35:19 Z

Darkness Falls

Detective Nathan Parker, #5

James LEtoile

Parker is thrust into a riveting personal battle to save his family.

Darkness Falls is the fifth book in author James LEtoiles riveting Detective Nathan Parker series, and its main character is locked in the ultimate battle to save his loved ones. Called to a remote drug lab and the scene of a double homicide in an unsavory corner of Maricopa County known to law enforcement as Tweaker Heights, Nathan and his partner, Barry Johns, discover one of the bodies is that of The Birdman, a mysterious and, until now, elusive drug supplier, whose product has been all the rage among the more affluent college students and clubgoers in the greater Phoenix area. But smack in the middle of the crime scene, Nathan finds a familiar blue backpack, filled with the college textbooks and cellphone of his foster son, Miguel.

The underlying political goals driving the action make for a shocking motive. A county outsider with ties to an out-of-control private militia, the Night Watch, wants to win the coming election for sheriff, and drugs, migrants, and illegal immigrants are hot topics, both locally and nationally. The story is an absolute page-turner as Nathan and Barry try to get in front of the plans of the manipulative candidate and his cronies, who have infiltrated not only their own department but also the local offices of critical federal agencies. From the start, the partners cant be sure who to trust or who is leaking vital information to the bad guys. The plot has shocking twists and turns, and I was quickly and deeply drawn in by both the suspense and the relatable concerns of a parent with grown sons.

While all the series books have been cases with deadly personal ties for Parker, this one manages to up the ante, involving both Miguel and Linda, Nathans pregnant love interest. This story hits on so many parents nightmares with Miguel becoming the target of powerful but hidden forces, his sons complicity in the danger, and the senseless deaths of several young students barely into their teen years. Nathan doesnt want to believe Miguel is involved, but the clues are not adding up in his favor. It is up to Barry Johns to be the more detached, uninvolved investigator, leaving Nathan to do what he can to find who and what are really behind the murders and the influx of deadly contaminated drugs into their community. Nathan has been a target before, but with his son in the crosshairs and a new baby on the way, the stakes are so much higher than ever before.

I recommend DARKNESS FALLS to readers of thrillers, mystery, suspense, and especially fans of the previous novels in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: DEVIL WITHIN (DETECTIVE NATHAN PARKER, #2) by James L'Etoile

KAREN SIDDALL — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:31:55 Z

Devil Within

Detective Nathan Parker, #2

James LEtoile

I couldnt put this one down!

Devil Within is the second novel in author James LEtoiles Detective Nathan Parker series and is a tense, riveting follow-up to last years debut, Dead Drop. In this new story, time has passed since the events of the previous book. Nathan has fostered the young Miguel, who is fast approaching his 18^th birthday and attending community college. But when an old enemy comes back on the scene, the years fall away for Nathan, and hes ready to finally reap justice on behalf of his murdered work partner.

Detective Nathan Parker, the head of his unit, is a professional through and through. Hes a kind and thoughtful man and, like all parents, is conflicted about how to properly relate to the almost-adult Miguel, especially when he gets involved with Immigrant Coalition, an activist group gaining a reputation for some shady activities. Nathans past experiences and relationship with Miguel have also made him see immigrant issues through new eyes.

The story hits the ground running, and theres no stopping. Panic is near the breaking point in Phoenix as the Sun Valley Sniper kills one seemingly random victim after another. Many characters from the previous book return, including odd duck Billie Carson. Numerous new faces appear, too, many of whom are recent immigrants or help newcomers settle in or find friends and family. The events of the book offer a window into the unimaginable hardships and traumas those seeking asylum, or a better life for themselves and their families, endure to find safety and peace. I couldnt put this book down and read for long hours, needing to know what would happen next.

Phoenix and the surrounding areas are the perfect setting, vividly described with mentions of specific places and streets as Parker heads out to chase down leads and suspects. Check out the intriguing book cover photo. As for the plot, just when I thought the investigation would go one way, a surprise twist or a ruled-out suspect sent things in another direction. I did not guess the truth until it was revealed.

I recommend DEVIL WITHIN to mystery readers who enjoy tense, race-against-the-clock thrill rides.

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BOOK REVIEW: INVISIBLE JUSTICE (KYLE MCMANN & GRAHAM KURLAND MEDICAL THRILLERS, #1) by Gary Brown MD

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:38:10 Z

Invisible Justice

Kyle McMann & Graham Kurland Medical Thrillers, #1

Gary Brown, MD

A riveting tale of dedicated doctors and vigilante justice.

Invisible Justice is the first book in author Dr. Gary Brown's electric new Kyle McMann & Graham Kurland Medical Thrillers series, and readers will be glued to their seats as this exciting story unfolds. The story is so well done and polished that I was surprised and delighted to learn this is the author's fiction debut!

After losing her younger brother in an unsolved crime of violence, Dr. Kyle McMann struggles with guilt that she failed to save his life when he showed up in the ER where she was working. Other medical professionals who have also suffered similarly tragic losses join together to form the secret group called The Tribunal, where the members agree to enact retribution for victims whose perpetrators have escaped justice. Made up of medical doctors and two former Navy SEALs, The Tribunal's methods of punishment are ingenious, undetectable, and strive to fit the crime they are avenging. But a new doctor at the hospital where Kyle works has brought his own brand of brilliance to his job and is often only steps behind Kyle in figuring out what is wrong with the patients who were The Tribunal's targets. Relying on The Godfather's adage, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Kyle sets out to get close to Dr. Graham Kurland, only to discover a real connection forming between them.

After her devastating loss, Kyle McMann suffers her own medical emergency and is lucky to have survived. But as soon as she's able, she makes up any lost time, thriving while researching, writing, and advancing her career until she's one of the youngest department heads at her teaching hospital in Philadelphia. Graham Kurland, a decorated veteran, enters the medical profession after successfully preserving his family's business and serving in the military. He gives his new career his all, and it shows. I loved that these two middle-aged go-getters are both in a position to pursue their mutual attraction freely. They make a great couple, and their scenes together are fun and flirty, but with an underlying tension as Kyle tries to keep Graham from discovering her secret agenda and the true nature of The Tribunal's targets' afflictions.

The story is told through multiple points of view, and not just those of the two main characters. Good guys and bad guys alike have a part of the narrative, so readers know, without a doubt, who's who. The good guys have moments where they struggle with their actions but are convinced they are doing the right thing. The bad guys are overtly evil people, and the deeds attributed to them are heinous and shocking at times. The ingenious methods of retribution that the doctors on The Tribunal develop will take your breath away. The author writes with authority but explains medical details so clearly that even untrained readers can follow the plot: gripping and graphic, without delving too deeply into the science or relying on jargon that might go over the layperson reader's head.

With its compelling plot and engaging, complex characters, I recommend INVISIBLE JUSTICE to readers of medical thrillers.

For this, other reviews, and giveaways, visit by blog!

BOOK REVIEW: HALVYN DAWN (BLOOD BECOMING, #1) by Gail Waterhouse

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:34:02 Z

Halvyn Dawn

Blood Becoming, #1

Gail Waterhouse

Edgy, futuristic paranormal murder mystery!

Blood Becoming: Halvyn Dawn is the first book in author Gail Waterhouses new futuristic paranormal crime thriller series, Blood Becoming, and it nails you to your seat from the very beginning, eager to discover the truth behind the murders. Detective Chief Inspector Eleanor Moore investigates a series of unusual murders in which the victims are eerily and methodically drained of blood. The first two deaths, a sister and brother, occur aboard the Mar Despierta, a ship carrying the desperate fleeing survivors of an environmental disaster in Puerto de Málaga, Spain, including Eleanors own son. Jamie Moore is the only individual who has been seen interacting with the deceased pair and naturally puts him at the top of the suspect list. But as the deaths continue, Eleanor discovers there may be a connection to a widely distributed vaccine with some surprisingly far-reaching and hastily covered-up side effects.

DCI Eleanor Moore is renowned as a no-nonsense investigator but has recently suffered some personal setbacks. She is a very engaging and relatable main character. Although a clear conflict of interest exists, she must investigate the deaths of the Adebayo siblings even though her own son is among the passengers and suspects. She manages a large team, but her right-hand man is Detective Sergeant Zain Malik, also very likable, and they handle her sons involvement like everyone else. They have their work cut out for them, as anyone on board the ship is a suspect, and there are few guaranteed criteria to rule anyone out.

The story provides a first-person narrative from the shadowy, anonymous killer, who describes the hunger and need they feel and the details of their first kill: an accidental kill they never meant to happen, but one that initiated an unprecedented desire for blood. The author enhances the killers vampire-like addiction with a twist as they also receive the memories of the victim, vibrant, vivid, and as seductive as the hunger-assuaging blood.

The 2046 near-future English setting includes expected changes and advancements, but the world remains quite familiar. Its close link to present reality makes the revelations Eleanor uncovers all the more frightening and believable.

I recommend BLOOD BECOMING: HALVYN DAWN to readers of paranormal crime thrillers.

For this and other reviews and giveaways, visit my blog!

BOOK REVIEW: MAYBE YOU LIED by Jennifer Sadera

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:08:49 Z

Maybe You Lied

Jennifer Sadera

Mounting tension and long-held secrets kept me riveted to my seat!

Maybe You Lied, a new psychological thriller by Jennifer Sadera, blends an engaging, vulnerable main character with a mysterious setting and suspenseful plot to deliver a tale that kept me glued to the page and reading long into the night. After the death of his mother, young Will Lockhart falls on hard times, earning a dreaded and inevitable eviction notice. But as he gathers important documents in preparation for the coming changes, he discovers a deed, in his deceased father's name, for a house he knew nothing about.

At the urging of his family's attorney, he drives two hours away to see if it's a viable option for his new home. Vacant and little more than a cabin, Will is just about to explore further when an angry older man approaches him, demanding to know his business. But when he gets a good look at Will's face, this stranger seems to recognize him and turns fearful, his agitation precipitating a sudden medical emergency for which Will summons an ambulance, perhaps saving the man's life.

Feeling guilty for triggering the man's condition, Will doesn't correct the man's housekeeper, who soon arrives on the scene. Instead, he takes her to the hospital behind the ambulance and waits with her for the update from the doctors. Neither does he come clean when he meets the man's only daughter, Penelope, who believes the story that he just came across him, unconscious, in the wooded area around the vacant cabin. Will settles into his new home, and he and Penelope get closer. Her father's condition remains critical, and he continues to be unable to offer an alternative scenario. Will is living on borrowed time as he tries to uncover the story behind the house and the man's extreme reaction to his arrival.

The author drew me in from the very start with the shocking hints of what the very young Will may have seen of his older sister, Ange, and kept me rooted in place with her depiction of him at 21, suffering through survivor's guilt over the death of his mother in a car accident which occurred while he was driving. With his older sister's loss followed by his father's departure from the family when Will was only five, it had always been just him and his mother. The tension gradually builds as he is evicted from the apartment they shared after his long recovery from the injuries he himself sustained in the accident. Each twist in the plot heightens the suspense and shifts the story's trajectory, keeping me guessing and riveted for what's to come. I really felt for this character and was immediately invested in what he was experiencing, needing to know the answers to all the secrets he encountered as much as he did. I was absolutely not disappointed.

Sadera's writing style is clean, easy to read, and immersive, painting a vivid picture of what's unfolding around this vulnerable, sympathetic main character. Once I picked up the story, I was in for the duration and glued to the book well past any reasonable bedtime.

I recommend MAYBE YOU LIED to readers of psychological and domestic thrillers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: FLIMFLAM FAIRY (MAGICAL COZY MYSTERY BOOKSTORE, #1) by Elizabeth Pantley

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 Z

Flimflam Fairy

Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore, #1

Elizabeth Pantley

Fun beginning for this new paranormal cozy mystery spin-off!

Flimflam Fairy is the first book in veteran author Elizabeth Pantley's new Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore series featuring new business owners Willa Treadwell and Lucy Young, longtime friends who have retired but surprisingly find themselves at loose ends until they discover the most perfect resolution. In this series opener, readers learn about the store's magical functions and watch as Willa and Lucy jump in with both feet on their first journey literally inside a book and race against time to save a young fairy's life.

Willa and Lucy are personality opposites: Lucy is a spontaneous, colorful extrovert, while Willa is more reserved and cautious. But in the effort to get them in possession of their new-to-them bookstore and off on their first adventure, we really don't learn too much background about these two main characters; in fact, we are halfway through the book before we even see their surnames. Still, a comfortable familiarity grows, and they are a likable pair, each with quirks and strengths they play to throughout the story.

The series is a spin-off of the author's previous Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club but works well as a standalone. However, the earlier series is a 'must-read' for paranormal mystery fans who enjoy a literary-themed tale. This book focuses on the front-end process of supplying reading material to the magical libraries and book clubs across the series' world.

Willa and Lucy get the first look at new publications and are to vet their suitability for inclusion in the libraries. Yet behind-the-scenes secrets remain to unfold. As in the previous series, there is a talking cat and a crossover pink lizard character, an olm named Bob, who makes an early appearance to explain the functions and rules of bookstore ownership to the two women.

As before, there is plenty of good camaraderie and the sharing of delectable meals as the gals, along with their experienced cat companion, Banjo, go about their mission to save a life or solve the murder of a much-loved fairy in the magical setting of Whisperglow Village. While Banjo is attuned to the ways of the book journeys, the two women must quickly adjust to becoming characters in a novel they are experiencing from the inside out.

A new twist in this book journey is a time-travel element that gives the main characters the chance to change the story's outcome altogether. This surprising left turn jolts the new investigators into action, adding another layer of suspense and a race against time. Will Lucy, Willa, and Banjo be able to track down the Flimflam Fairy and avert a murder in time?

I recommend FLIMFLAM FAIRY to readers who enjoy literary-themed paranormal cozy mysteries, especially fans of the author's previous series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN by W.M. Gunn

KAREN SIDDALL — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:05:32 Z

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down

W.M. Gunn

Ingenious, exciting, and convincing alternate history!

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down is the first novel in a new alternate history trilogy by W.M. Gunn, offering a mesmerizing vision of the world and WWII if reality hadnt unfolded the way it did. With an original mix of fictional characters and historical figures, plus fantastical imagery and accounts of early World War One battle experiences, I was hooked the whole time and never disappointed by the resulting tale.

The story unfolds through some seemingly unrelated storylines; the book opens in 1914 on the frontlines of Belgium, skips to the rise of Hitler and the birth of a child near the aviation training fields of Fort Worth, and then whips the reader back to the time of Moses, the end of his wanderings in the desert and his imminent death, and back again. Each encapsulated thread was immersive and made for compelling reading, but disparate; the authors plan for them remained a mystery until he magically made them converge into a riveting whole.

The action sequences are well choreographed and easy to follow, and the vivid descriptions of places and historical details woven into the narrative add so much color, putting the reader in every scene. Best yet, though, are the characters themselves, because they truly came alive. Naturally, theyre not all pleasant people, and my skin still crawls just thinking about one character in particular, who wasnt physically in the story that long!

The plot juxtaposes the stories of a German family: Jürgen Kretz, a WWI flying ace and war hero, and his motherless twin boys, Manfred and Wolfgang, with the American Maxwell family, the father, Connor, also a WWI flyer, and his son, Allen, whose mother died during his birth. The sons follow in their fathers footsteps and fight their own battles in WWII. Jürgen, a bitter, angry survivor of his war, passes along his opinions to his sons, whose mother was a Jew. She passed away during the 1918 Influenza epidemic while Jürgen was away fighting, and he blames her wealthy Jewish parents for not doing enough to save her. This belief tips him over the edge to extremism, and he eventually becomes a willing pawn (and unwitting sacrifice) in Hitlers early schemes to attain power. Interestingly, one twin absorbs and champions his fathers vitriolic ideals while the other avoids his fanaticism and sides with his heritage. But the transfer of beliefs, based in fact or not, from one generation to the next is on full display.

If youre not a WWII historian, keep in mind this is an ingenious tale of alternate history, and the author deftly mixes factual events and historical figures with fictional events and characters. His convincing and immersive writing style makes it impossible to tell (unless you already know) which is which in some cases. Of course, I sincerely hope everyone knows how D-Day actually turned out.

I recommend AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN to readers of alternate history, historical fiction, and family sagas.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

BOOK REVIEW: VACANCY (THE DUST, #2) by Jann Alexander

KAREN SIDDALL — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 20:53:05 Z

Vacancy

The Dust, #2

Jann Alexander

Secrets and second chances exact a price.

Vacancy is the second book in Jann Alexanders West Texas-set womens fiction series, The Dust, and in this novel two women at different points in their lives face tragedy and second chances, finding common ground in their losses. Keep a box of tissues at hand as these characters quickly wedge their way into your heart.

Helen McCabe, the middle-aged, widowed kindergarten teacher, is shocked by her husbands sudden death, suffering the uncertainties and questions it prompts. In her grief, she becomes entangled in the life of one of her small students, a winsome, shy girl named Jillie, and concerns herself well beyond the boundaries shed normally recognize. Charlene Simpson, Jillies mother, has been trapped in an abusive relationship with Jillies deadbeat, drunk of a father, and a new pregnancy is the last thing she needs. Not only is he in no position to welcome another child into her tenuous living situation, but her boyfriend, Ray, who didnt want Jillie or Mick, his young teenage son from an earlier marriage, is going to take out his displeasure on her with his fists. Both women have drifted through their lives up to this point, and their conflict over Helens excessive interest in Jillie motivates both to seek a better way. A terrible accident reveals they have more in common than they ever thought.

Alexanders characters are strong and vividly crafted, and their choices drive the plot. I was immediately drawn into these two womens lives, waiting for the next shoe to drop because of the ominous foreshadowing from the beginning of the book. The descriptions of the struggling, dusty West Texas town of Hartless are cinematic, and the harsh extremes of the High Plains weather add another layer of challenge to everyones daily existence. The towns name itself hints at what the besieged young single mother may find there when the dust settles.

I recommend VACANCY to readers of womens fiction, especially those who want strong female protagonists and character-driven stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.