Books from the Backlog #146

 

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks. This is a fun meme hosted by Carole's Random Life in Books!

Thanks to his relationship with the ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, Oberon the Irish wolfhound knows trouble when he smells it—and furthermore, he knows he can handle it.

When he discovers that a prizewinning poodle has been abducted in Eugene, Oregon, he learns that it’s part of a rash of hound abductions all over the Pacific Northwest. Since the police aren’t too worried about dogs they assume have run away, Oberon knows it’s up to him to track down those hounds and reunite them with their humans. For justice! And gravy!

Engaging the services of his faithful Druid, Oberon must travel throughout Oregon and Washington to question a man with a huge salami, thwart the plans of diabolical squirrels, and avoid, at all costs, a fight with a great big bear.

But if he’s going to solve the case of the Purloined Poodle, Oberon will have to recruit the help of a Boston terrier named Starbuck, survive the vegetables in a hipster pot pie, and firmly refuse to be distracted by fire hydrants and rabbits hiding in the rose bushes.

At the end of the day, will it be a sad bowl of dry kibble for the world’s finest hound detective, or will everything be coming up sirloins?

I added The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne to my TBR in October of 2016...although I have vague notions of seeing Kevin somewhere and getting it signed...and all those photo albums are in storage! Based on its release date it couldn't have been RT as the last one I attended was 2015 in May! It might have been Nola Storycon which I wish could've gone on longer than the two it did as that was FUN! I tried to squeeze it in when I was finishing The Iron Druid Chronicles last year but I think I was cutting it close and didn't want to risk not finishing the series in time before I went to another signing with him, so it's still unread! Luckily, it's just a fun novella that takes place between books that I don't believe is necessary to read, so to speak. But it's from Oberon's point of view so I wanted to read this one at least because that dog was funny and lovable! Lol. I think there might be a few more novellas but I will probably just stick to this one.

Can't Wait Wednesday #207

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

A woman must confront the demons of her past when she attempts to fix up her childhood home in this devilishly clever take on the haunted house novel from the USA Today bestselling author.

Clio Louise Barnes leads a picture-perfect life as a stylist and influencer, but beneath the glossy veneer she harbors a not-so glamorous secret: she grew up in a haunted house. Well, not haunted. Possessed. After Clio’s parent’s messy divorce, her mother, Alex, moved Clio and her sisters into a house occupied by a demon. Or so Alex claimed. That’s not what Clio’s sisters remember or what the courts determined when they stripped Alex of custody after she went off the deep end. But Alex was insistent; she even wrote a book about her experience in the house.

After Alex’s sudden death, the supposedly possessed house passes to Clio and her sisters. Where her sisters see childhood trauma, Clio sees an opportunity for house flipping content. Only, as the home makeover process begins, Clio discovers there might be some truth to her mother’s claims. As memories resurface and Clio finally reads her mother’s book, the presence in the house becomes more real, and more sinister, revealing ugly truths that threaten to shake Clio’s beautiful life to its very foundation.

I still have two other Harrison books to read but I liked the ones I did read! Lol. This one sounds pretty good AND I learned she's coming back to St. Louis on tour for it, so you know I've already bought that ticket! Lol.

TITLE: Play Nice
AUTHOR: Rachel Harrison
PUBLISHER: Berkley
GENRE: Horror
RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2025

Be Careful What You Wish For…

It’s Ari’s twentieth year in the floating city of Maldia. Her last year alive—

As one of the Eternal’s sacred star maidens, the time has come for the Great Fall, where she will descend to Earth and grant the wish of her Chosen. But when she finally plummets to Earth, she discovers her Chosen’s original wish cannot be granted… And now, she’s stuck in the mortal realm with a ticking clock.

Elias never wanted to be soul-bonded with Ari. A non-believer, he wants to rid himself of the bond that ties him to the beautiful woman demanding a wish. So, he imagines a new wish—win not only the championship fight at the Aura Festival, but win back his former lover in the process. Yet as time passes, a fire between Elias and Ari grows, and he’s no longer certain of what he truly wants…

But there is another watching in the shadows—

An immortal stranger has his sights set on Ari. Seductive and brimming with supernatural power, he promises Ari a genuine life if only she desires to fight for it—as his queen.

One decision. One second in time. One wish.

Nothing will ever be the same.

I STILL need to start this author's books but they all sound so good I keep adding them to my TBR pile! I think this one is still releasing this year...I know the one that was slated for November got pushed back and then she has another one coming out in 2026. It looks like this might be a novella

TITLE: Starfall
AUTHOR: Katherine Quinn
PUBLISHER: Self
GENRE: Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2025

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Purple Princess of The Purple Booker. 

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a page
3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE
4. Name the title, author, etc.

This teaser is when I fell in love with the Warrior! Lol.

"Maybe she's afraid of her own brother.

A bit of fury coils in my gut as I remember that he first proposed a marriage between himself and my sister. If he ever has the occasion to loom over Victoria like that, I'll turn him into a pile of ash piece by piece, starting with his favorite appendage." p 91*

*Quote comes from the ARC, therefore it and its page number are not final.

TITLE: Warrior Princess Assassin
AUTHOR: Brigid Kemmerer
PUBLISHER: Avon
GENRE: Fantasy Romance
RELEASE DATE: August 12, 2025

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and The Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week's topic is: Top Ten Books I'd Read on the Beach

*in no particular order

10. THE EXTINCTION TRIALS by S.M. Wilson--a TBR book, as most of these are with teens trapped on an island that's scary!
9. SCREAMS YOU HEAR by James Morris--this one is another thriller mystery that takes place on an island!
8. HAPPILY AND MADLY by Alexis Bass--another thriller that seems to have beachy or water themes!

7. STARS by Colleen Oakes--back again with this title! Naturally, Neverland is an island, so lots of water there too! Lol.
6. THE TELLING by Alexandra Sirowy--about to be republished, I still need to read this one. With the OG cover I was getting watery thriller vibes!
5. CAPTIVATE by Vanessa Garden--one I've read but need to re-read so I can finish the series! This takes place UNDERWATER!

4. ECHOES by Alices Reeds--another one I actually read! This was a creepy thriller with two teens trapped on an island with some seriously scary stuff happening! Think LOST!
3. NIL by Lynne Matson--another TBR read with more teens trapped on a creepy island!
2. CURSED CRUISE by Victoria Fulton & Faith McClaren--one I can't wait to read after loving their first book! The title says it all!

1. JAWS by Peter Benchly--for the irony! Lol. Plus the movie turned 50 this year, so it's the perfect time to read it!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a fun meme where we gather to share what we've read last week and our reading plans for this week.

Last Week I Read:

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor (3 stars)

Currently Reading:

Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer (ARC)

What I Plan to Read Next:

Carving Shadows Into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

Other Posts of Interest:

Let's Discuss: Travel Limits
Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays
Can't Wait Wednesday #206
Books from the Backlog #145
Book Blogger Hop #368
Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves

 

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks! The meme is now hosted by Reading Reality.

I write this post early once again as Saturday I will be attending Anderson's YAM Fest! It's a YA author event that I attended last year. I think it's basically replaced the one they use to have in the fall. So since I'll come home late on Saturday, I will likely be too tired to write up a post! If I get any books and goodies, I will be sure to share next week! This week wasn't too bad. Work is picking up again and it was a bit stressful this week as I volunteered myself for chaos because no one else wanted the problems and now I know why! Lol. I did get to go to two signings this week as well! I saw Hannah Whitten again for her final book in her trilogy and then I saw Sarah Beth Durst for the first time! I read her one YA thriller and loved it and then decided to read her cozy fantasy book and it was super cute! A nice light fluffy read but still filled with magic and magical people!

Onto the haul!

Fateless by Julie Kagawa--keeper copy! This should've arrived last week, but alas, the DCONR held onto it for an extra day or two! Sadly I didn't get to see Julie who was supposed to attend the event yesterday, hopefully next time I'll see her somewhere!
Arcana Academy by Elise Kova--an impulse preorder from the last B&N sale
The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine--love her YA books and still need to read her adult debut from a year or two ago, but had to get this one too!

The Nightshade God by Hannah Whitten--SIGNED!
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst--SIGNED!

Then I also got my Fairy Loot book for this month. It wasn't one I was real excited for but it'll go on my maybe someday pile for now at least!

I am a big fan of Jim Shore! He makes little statues of Disney characters and of course sculptures that are more everyday and generic and things for the holidays! Then I saw this piece and it was on sale so I thought it HAS to go with my OUABH books...once I get a house and shelves and can properly display everything!

It's a cute little fox! I still have my cute little fox with an apply that I found at The Dollar Tree, so they will likely be on the same shelf one day! Lol.

And that was it for me as of Friday! Whatever came Saturday will wait for next week! What all did you get?

Book Blogger Hop #368

 

This meme is hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addict!

This week's question is: If you set a goal on Goodreads, do you place it realistically, lower than what you think you will read, or higher than you think you will reach? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

MY ANSWER: I plan for contingencies with trying to be realistic at the same time! Lol. I usually set my goal for 50 in the past years since I changed jobs. I can't read as long as I'd like to during the day, lol. And then there's always the fear of if I read this mega long 700+ page book, how long will it take me? Will I still make my goal when GR tells me I am BEHIND?! So I really ought to make it at least 52 books but I always go with 50. And I have no problem meeting this or even surpassing it! But then, like now, I have snuck in graphic novels and some novellas or just shorter novels which sometimes feels like cheating to me. Lol. Okay, definitely the graphic novels just because those are such quick reads, maybe the novellas depending on their length, but the 200 page books I ought to give myself credit for just because the average book length these days seems like 400+ pages!

Books from the Backlog #145

 

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks. This is a fun meme hosted by Carole's Random Life in Books!

Cat and Bones fans, sink your teeth into this new outtakes compilation from New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost!

Indulge your love of paranormal super couple Cat and Bones with this ultimate “director’s cut” collection of deleted scenes and alternate versions from the first four novels in the Night Huntress series, complete with author commentary on each selection. Includes: the original beginnings of Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave, At Grave’s End, and Destined for an Early Grave: a chapter written in Bones’s point of view; alternate versions of sections of Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave, and Destined for an Early Grave; the “white wedding” scene between Cat and Bones that never made it into the final books…and much more!

I added Outtakes from the Grave by Jeaniene Frost to my TBR pile in October of 2016! This was basically a compilation of scenes and such that were cut from her Night Huntress series! I LOVED this series so I naturally wanted to read these extras and whatnot, but just haven't circled back around to it yet!

Review--The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

 

The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Seven years ago, Maeve Abenthy lost her world, her father, even her name. Desperate to escape the stain of her father’s crimes, she lives under a fake name, never staying in one place long enough to put down roots.

Then she receives a mysterious letter with four impossible words Your father was innocent.

To uncover the truth, she poses as an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post, where she’ll be trained in the art of scriptomancy—the dangerous magic that allows couriers to enchant letters and deliver them to other worlds. But looking into her father’s past draws more attention than she’d planned.

Her secretive, infuriatingly handsome mentor knows she’s lying about her identity, and time is running out to convince him to trust her. Worse, she begins to receive threatening letters, warning her to drop her investigation—or else. For Maeve to unravel the mystery of what happened seven years ago, she may have to forfeit her life.

Emily J. Taylor's The Otherwhere Post was a mysterious and intriguing read, much like her debut, but yet for some reason I struggled a bit with this one too. I can't tell if it's me, my surroundings and my struggle to concentrate with the book, or the writing. I think it might be the first two, I need to start wearing my headphones when I read, but then I might not hear my laptop ding when things come in!

Anyway, in this one we follow Maeve Abenthy, a teenage girl who is trying to unravel the mystery of her father who was framed for a heinous crime. Everyone believes he committed it, and maybe Maeve even believes a little bit. She has had to change her name several times to avoid recognition or persecution from others, for "the sins of our fathers..."

But then Maeve receives a mysterious letters, and letters in this world can be very mysterious and magical. This letter proclaims that Maeve's father might have in fact, been innocent and Maeve is determined to prove his innocence. But to do this, she will need to get inside the Otherwhere Post as an apprentice to gain a magic key that gives her access to all the answers she'd ever need. But this is easier said than done.

Donning yet another new persona, Maeve manages to get inside the post as an apprentice but she finds she has caught the eye of the postmaster's son, Tristian. Tristian also harbors his own secrets and naturally these two collide together. Tristian is determined to uncover Maeve's secrets, but not in any way that seems nefarious, simply a boy trying to get to know a girl. And naturally, Tristian is assigned to be her mentor at the post.

While the premise of this book was intriguing, I struggled to get into the mystery itself and figure out where Maeve was going all the time. I get that magic was involved, but I guess with my distracting surroundings, it held me back from understanding key components. Again, this is likely another me issue. As I did still enjoy aspects of the book. Maeve was a great character to follow and I enjoyed her interactions with Tristian. The romance was also the sweet kind that took awhile to bloom, but was perfect once it did!

If I ever get the time, I might try re-reading these one day without the distracting surroundings. I think I need to get me some head canceling headphones or at least an app on my phone to allow such noise cancellation when it comes to these new to me reads.

This was another one that had potential to be amazing for me, yet I just struggled to get into. Curse my circumstances for sure as I think it really held me back from truly enjoying this one.

Overall Rating 3/5 stars

Can't Wait Wednesday #206

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Two teen girls must uncover the dark, occult secrets lurking in their Cape Cod town to solve a series of murders—and save themselves from the same fate—in this twisty, witchy thriller.

When Mazzy and her best friend Nora sneak down to the beach one moonlit night to cast a spell, they don’t expect to find a dead body. But as the tide rolls in, it carries the remains of a woman who is missing her hands and teeth.

The girls know they should leave the investigation to the police, but they can’t shake the weird, supernatural connection they feel with the dead woman. Using spellwork and divination, they set out to find answers of their own. But after they uncover a rash of local disappearances stretching back years—and both girls start having occult visions and hearing ghostly, whispering voices—Mazzy worries that she and Nora are in danger.

Then, Nora finds a second body. And a whispering voice is telling her where to find more. With everything spiraling, Mazzy needs to figure out who to trust and how to sever this supernatural connection—or she and Nora might be the next bodies to wash up on the beach.

I STILL need to read Lesperance's books that are on my TBR pile but this one sounded too good to pass up either! Lol. So onto my list it went!

TITLE: A Spell to Wake the Dead
AUTHOR: Nicole Lesperance
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
GENRE: YA Paranormal
RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2025

Crescent City meets Fourth Wing in this fast-paced and romantic debut, in which a teenage girl must survive ruthless werewolves, a glittering court, and deadly politics to exact revenge on the monsters who destroyed her.

After a vicious werewolf attack on the night of her seventeenth birthday party, Vanessa Hart loses everything she loves in a split second. Her best friend, her father, and even her home.

Bitten and imprisoned without explanation, Vanessa endures an agonizing transformation into the very beast that maimed her, and her captors make it clear she cannot escape: she will either swear her life to the Wolf Queen’s Court, or she will die.

With no other choice, Vanessa joins their enchanted Castle Severi—where flowering vines grow through the walls, gifts are bestowed by the stars, and a claw can break through skin as easily as silk—but she hasn’t forgotten what they stole from her.

Vanessa still seeks vengeance, scheming in the shadows even as she finds herself mesmerized by the golden prince Sinclair Severi, who threatens to steal her heart though he is promised to her nemesis. And by his brooding, disgraced cousin, Calix, whose smoldering gaze hides even darker secrets. Immersed in the magic of their whimsical yet cruel society, Vanessa soon learns not all is as it seems.

The Court is at war, and she may simply be a pawn in its lethal game.

For Fans of:
Forbidden Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Werewolves
Paranormal Romance

 

SUPER excited for this one! I don't think I even read the blurb! I just saw that cover and I wanted it!

 

TITLE: Bitten
AUTHOR: Jordan Stephanie Gray
PUBLISHER: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
GENRE: YA Paranormal
RELEASE DATE: September 30, 2025 

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Purple Princess of The Purple Booker. 

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a page
3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE
4. Name the title, author, etc.

"Four words were penned in a deep red ink that glimmered with an inner fire. She'd never seen that shade before.

I'm watching you, Maeve." p 96

TITLE: The Otherwhere Post
AUTHOR: Emily J. Taylor
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
GENRE: YA Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: February 25, 2025

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and The Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week's topic is: Top Ten Books Set in Neverland (or an equivalent)

*in no particular order
**some of these I still need to read, but they were added because of the Peter Pan vibes, so I'm not 100% positive Neverland is in the book, but would figure some version of it should be there or at least mentioned! Lol.

10. NEVERLAND by Anna Katmore--this one had Wendy as a teenager if I recall, I remember thinking it'd be NA, but it read more like YA. Also a rare Peter is still the good guy one!
9. SECOND STAR TO THE LEFT by Megan Van Dyke--another TBR but the cover again tells me Neverland has to be there!
8. ESCAPING NEVERLAND by Melissa Lemon--still TBR, but since someone needs to escape it, Neverland must be in it! Lol.

7. DUST by Kara Swanson--another one that I've had on my TBR forever! I just ordered the sequel as I write this as I realize I never picked it up! London's on the cover but since they're flying I suspect Neverland isn't far behind!
6. TRAPPED BY NEVERLAND by Megan Charlie--another TBR book but another one where I suspect Neverland is definitely in the story! Lol.

5. THE LAST LOST GIRL by Casey L. Bond--another recent TBR addition! Pretty sure Neverland is here in some fashion!

4. EVERLAND by Wendy Spinale--a Neverland of sorts...I assume. Another TBR book I've had for ages!

3. WENDY DARLING by Colleen Oakes--another TBR book! Pretty sure a return to Neverland is afoot in this one!
2. TIGER LILY by Jodi Lynn Anderson--one of my first Peter Pan retellings and ironically, it's from Tink's point of view! And yes, they are on Neverland, but not the one we all know!

1. LOST BOY by Christina Henry--one of my favorite Hook origin stories! This one was awesome and yes, Neverland is featured!