The Enchanted Greenhouse - Early Book Review

 

The Enchanted Greenhouse

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst invites you to her new standalone novel nestled on a far-away island brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes, and honeyed love. The hardcover edition features beautiful sprayed edges.

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.

But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Funny, kind, and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.

What did I think of it:

*I was lucky enough to get a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book*

This is a standalone set in the same world as The Spellshop, but anyone who read and loved The Spellshop will recognize who Terlu is, and so needs to read this! New to this world? You can totally read and love this book without reading the Spellshop first, but believe me: you need both these books, they're both awesome!

I liked Terlu, and had a lot of sympathy for her, but then the grumpy gardener Yarrow was introduced, and just Wow! He and I have a lot in common I have to confess. From that point on I so rooted for the both of them,(maybe a little bit more for Yarrow) that they would succeed in saving the greenhouses.

I feared one of my least favorite tropes would happen in this book, and it did, but Durst managed to write it in a way that didn't make me want to puke like I usually do with this particular trope (which I will name the 'Shiny Happy People' trope to not spoil too  much). 

So with a certain trope handled in the best was possible this was just as beautiful and emotional a read as The Spellshop. I loved reading about the wonders in the greenhouses, and learn more about the world Durst created. There's tons of beauty and whimsy, next to a really emotional story that also has lots to smile about.

You bet I will impatiently wait for the release and get my trotters on the hardcover to place it next to The Spellshop. And if there's to be more books: I'm going to hope it will be about certain characters who have a small role in this book.

Why should you read it:

It's a great, cozy Fantasy with a wonderfully grumpy gardener.

Expected publication: July 15, 2025 by Bramble

On McPig's Wishlist - The Serpent Called Mercy

 

The Serpent Called Mercy

by Roanne Lau

The Witcher meets Squid Game in this Malaysian Chinese-inspired epic fantasy novel where a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena for some fast coin, but quickly learns the most dangerous beasts are outside the ring, by debut author Roanne Lau

Lythlet and her only friend Desil are shackled to a life of debt and poverty that she fears they will never escape. Desperate for money, they sign up as arena combatants who fight sun-cursed beasts in the seedy underworld of the city.

Match-master Dothilos is initially enamored of Desil’s brawling reputation, but after seeing Lythlet lead the pair to triumph with her quick cunning, he takes her under his wing, scorning Desil. Ambition takes root in Lythlet’s heart as a life of fame and wealth unfolds in her imagination.

But Lythlet isn’t the only one out for coin and glory, and she soon finds herself playing an entirely different game—a game of politics and deception. As the cost of her ambition grows, she will have to decide if sacrificing her honor, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.

A whirlwind of blood-pounding battles as characters grapple with their choices in the face of wealth and financial security, The Serpent Called Mercy's heart is the underlying, steadfast friendship between its protagonists.

Expected publication: March 25, 2025

The Spellshop - Book Review

 

The Spellshop

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

What did I think of it:

When Jeffe told me I should read this book, I was easily convinced as I absolutely love Sarah Beth Durst's The Queen of Blood (I'm so going to get my trotters on the new paperback once it releases, because: have you seen that new cover!). 

And this book is so going on my keeper shelves and will be hugged, treasured, and reread!

What a beautiful, touching read. If you need a cozy Fantasy read: look no further and get your hands on The Spellshop!

I loved Kiela from the start, and don't get me started on Caz, because I'll be singing his praises for hours.  I mean: an intelligent, talking, sarcastic spider plant!!

The story is so sweet, and I kept reading to see what happens next for Kiela and Caz. There's some danger to keep you on edge, but mainly this book was delightful and full of whimsy. It made me smile while reading.

So you bet I jumped on the chance to read an Advance Reader Copy of the next book set in the same world as The Spellshop.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful, cozy, and heartwarming Fantasy read.

Teaser Tuesdays - The Naturalist Society

 

Beth wondered why showing her journals to Mr. Harold Stanley felt more risqué than stealing a kiss. her heart raced; her hands shook.

(page 3 The Naturalist Society by Carrie Vaughn)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Unseelie King - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Unseelie King (Maze of Shadows #4)

by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

What is it about:

One king is dead, and the other is in chains.

Tir n’Aill perches on the edge of a knife in the wake of a series of betrayals that has shaken the fae to the core.

Abigail finds herself questioning who is friend and who is foe. When she is forced to make her decision between mercy and love, she finds her choice is one that might tear the very world apart.

Forces gather to wage war and decide the fate of Tir n’Aill. And in the center of it all, Abigail is nearly torn in two, caught between her desire to protect her new people and her love for Valroy.

For he is now the Unseelie King. The world is his to burn.

And only she can stop him.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

*more spoilers ahead*

So I gave this book a 5 star rating on Goodreads, and I stand by it, but this book destroyed me.

I know I talked mainly about Abigail and Valroy in my other reviews, but there were other really cool characters as well. Especially Anfar, the best (and probably only) friend of Valroy.

In this book things get dark, gruesome, but it seemed there could be a solution that would lead to a satisfying ending. And to be fair: there is a kind of bittersweet Happily Ever After if you don't overthink it. But the costs to Valroy and Anfar: too high in my opinion. I cried so hard over the ending. That'll teach me to fall in love with a dark creature from the Unseelie Court and his 'creature from the depth of the ocean' best friend.

All in all this is a great series, but I might be too soft for it, and too invested in friendship over the main romance.

Why should you read it:

It's a really good if you can handle the dark stuff in it.

On McPig's Wishlist - Hemlock & Silver

 

I totally need this!

Hemlock & Silver

by T. Kingfisher

From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes Hemlock & Silver, a dark reimagining of “Snow White” steeped in poison, intrigue, and treason of the most magical kind.

Healer Anja knows little of politics but much of poisons. When she is summoned to treat the mysterious illness afflicting the king’s daughter, she finds herself against the clock, desperate to track down the source of the poison killing Princess Snow. But the chance discovery of a strange alternate world inside a magic mirror leads Anja to darker discoveries, including what really happened to Snow’s dead sister, Rose, and why their mother seemingly went mad and cut out her heart.

Aided by a taciturn bodyguard, a narcissistic cat, and a late Renaissance understanding of the scientific method, Anja must navigate the mysteries of the mirror world before the dark queen that dwells within rises to threaten them all.

Expected publication August 19, 2025

The Unseelie Throne - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Unseelie Throne (Maze of Shadows #3)

by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

What is it about:

When the prize is death, some games are better lost than won.

If she loses, she becomes his queen, and he unleashes war across Earth and Tir n’Aill alike. If she wins, he dies. The answer seems clear. But then why can’t she bring herself to want victory?

The longer Abigail wanders through his Maze of Shadows, the less sure she becomes of anything—allies, enemies, wrong, right, evil, good, hate…and love. With every twist and turn, her heart is more fully trapped in his snare.

Facing the choice of whether to win—and kill the Bloody Prince—or lose and become his queen, Abigail can’t decide which is worse. In fact, she is starting to think that she might no longer want to win at all.

No matter the cost.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

*spoiler ahead*

The second book felt a bit like filler, even though I enjoyed it very much. This book is back on track, and there's lots of good scenes between Abigail and Valroy.

I was so invested in this story and the likely doomed romance between them. They might be attracted to each other, but are on opposite sides. Can you be both lovers and enemies?

Then there's finally the first 'all the way' scene and I was... disappointed. It was more about how looooong Valroy is (Peter Steele would have liked a word, were he still alive) than it being satisfying after all the tension and waiting.

Luckily later scenes had the steam and enjoyment I really needed after all the bad things that happened to Abigail since the start of this series.

And then the ending!

I immediately needed the last book to see if this series could end happily or if I would get my heart broken.

Why should you read it:

It's a really addictive if sometimes brutal Dark Fantasy (Romance?)

Teaser Tuesdays - The Drowners

 

Last night, I dreamt of a windowless room with pale green walls and blank clock faces without numbers. Where time had vanished, and no doors existed.

(First 2 sentences of The Drowners by David A. Anderson)

This is an uncorrected ARC, so text and cover might be different on release: March 17, 2025.

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Taken by an Immortal Elf - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Taken by an Immortal Elf

(Elves Among Us: Forbidden Love #0.5)

by L.E. Sunwick

What is it about:

My captor sees me as one of those destroying his sacred forest. I see him as the most gorgeous male on earth.

So handsome. Those muscles. That athletic self-confidence. He is an immortal elf more than a century older than I. He calls me a lioness because I stand up to my wealthy uncaring parents - and him. Ours is a forbidden attraction. He is an elf of legend. I am a mortal duchess and a human he does not trust. We cannot be together.

But I would sacrifice my happiness to save his sacred lands from my parents’ greed. My brief time with him was a lifetime’s worth. If I don’t do something, lives - and our budding love - may be lost. Even the courage and prowess of a hundred real lionesses may not be enough. But for a tiny chance at true love, I am willing to find out.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I recently participated in one of those 'Stuff your Kindle' events, and got signed up for tons of newsletters because of it. One of them was the newsletter of L.E. Sunwick. When there was a call for ARC/early readers for a rewritten book 1 in this series I got curious, signed up, and dug through my Kindle app what story of L.E. Sunwick I downloaded. It turned out to be this prequel story, so I decided to immediately give it a try.

And this turned out to be such an enjoyable read, that has several things I can't resist in my romances.

Hunky immortal elf: check!

Heroine I liked from the start: check!

Forbidden Love: double check!

This is a short story (82 pages), but it feels complete, and has romance, action, steam, and sacrifice. I finished this in no time at all, and you can be sure I'm already looking forward to reading more in this series. Each book can be read as a standalone as well I've been told, so I might check out book 2 soon.

Why should you read it:

It's a very enjoyable Fantasy Romance read

On McPig's Radar - A Web of Obsidian

 

A Web of Obsidian

(The Obsidian Sisterhood #1)

by Lydia M. Hawke

At 69 years old and with two martial arts black belts to her name, Sister Monica Barrett has never been one to back down from a fight. But the one that just landed on the ragged front lawn of the women’s shelter she runs may be more than she’s equipped to handle.

At first glance, the assailant in pursuit of a young woman seems like an all-too-familiar story. But this attacker has powers—he moves with uncanny speed, strikes with brutal accuracy, and isn’t after the woman at all. Instead, he wants what she has: a flat, black stone with a spider’s web embedded in it.

The instant Monica touches the stone, her world is turned upside down. Power surges through her and destroys her adversary—the kind of supernatural power that should belong only to the God she serves. A horrified Monica is determined to rid herself of the stone and whatever it holds, but with more attackers coming after her and the women she shelters, she needs to move fast.

Can Monica find where the stone came from before it falls into the wrong hands? Will it be safe to return it to its rightful place? Or has a nun of a certain age just inadvertently become the keeper of a dark power no human should wield?

Expected publication February 25, 2025

Wolf Games - Book Review by Voodoo Bride (repost + reread)

 

Wolf Games (Granite Lake Wolves #3)

by Vivian Arend

What is it about:

After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor s body and her inner wolf are in full revolt. Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.

Erik expected to meet Maggie in Whitehorse to escort her to the home of her sister, his pack s Omega. Sheer chance puts him in the right place at the right time to catch her, but the realization that hits him with the force of a full body shot is no accident. She s his mate. An even bigger shock? She wants no part of him not until she resolves her issues.

She ll have to work fast, because they re both selected to represent the pack during the premier sporting event for wolves in the north. Not only will she have to work as a team with Erik, she ll have to face down her fear of wolves. Let the Games begin."

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

This is the third story in the Granite Lake Wolves series and so far my favourite! It's got all the thing that I liked in the first two stories and more. Where in the first two stories the romance won out over the action storyline, here it's a perfect balance and the characters are even more defined than in the earlier stories. There's also more interaction with other characters and that makes the world that Arend build even more lifelike. All in all I can't wait for the last story in this series.

Thoughts on rereading:

I still love this story the most out of the Granite Lake Wolf series. There's just something about big, strong, but gentle men that I can't resist. And I really like learning about the bigger world that's painted in this story. I'd also forgotten about TJ, who is a really fun character, and gets his own romance in book 4. Time to dig up my print version of book 3 & 4, as the ebook version of book 4 is probably on my old ereader.

Why should you read it:

Romance, action and one big, hunky werewolf!

Teaser Tuesdays - The Unseelie Throne

 

“You…you know?”

“Not in as many words. He has not said it to me.” She broke off a piece of bread on her plate and fiddled with it idly.

(page 99, The Unseelie Throne by Kathryn Ann Kingsley)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

A Sorceress Comes to Call - Book Review

 

A Sorceress Comes to Call

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

A dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic

Cordelia knows her mother is unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms, and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend—unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him. But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t sorcerers.

After a suspicious death in their small town, Cordelia’s mother insists they leave in the middle of the night, riding away on Falada’s sturdy back, leaving behind all Cordelia has ever known. They arrive at the remote country manor of a wealthy older man, the Squire, and his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother intends to lure the Squire into marriage, and Cordelia knows this can only be bad news for the bumbling gentleman and his kind, intelligent sister.

Hester sees the way Cordelia shrinks away from her mother, how the young girl sits eerily still at dinner every night. Hester knows that to save her brother from bewitchment and to rescue the terrified Cordelia, she will have to face down a wicked witch of the worst kind.

What did I think of it:

I've read several book by T. Kingfisher and loved them all. Still I kept mostly to her more horror-like books, with A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking the exception. I also had two more of her horror titles in my TBR when I received this book as a present. It had been on my radar (even had it in my greedy trotters when birthday shopping, but decided on another book), and the copy that I got was so pretty, and it had geese on the end-papers! So I immediately moved this to the top of TBR mountain.

And what a gorgeous, beautiful, amazing read!

This is a re-imagining of the faerie tale The Goose Girl. And it certainly has things that I recognize from the faerie tale, but mostly this is so much its own totally amazing story!

You get the story told from a couple of different viewpoints, mainly Cordelia and Hester. 

I really liked Cordelia and felt for her. Her mother is a character I disliked and grew to hate the more I learned. I wanted Cordelia to find happiness. 

I totally loved Hester! In her early 50's she has to deal with people thinking she's old, a bad knee, and her own insecurities. She also used to breed geese! I rooted for her even more than for Cordelia I can tell you.

(Voodoo Bride again wants me to add she really loved one of the male characters, and she says she wants a Richard of her own. Everyone needs someone like him in her opinion.)

There were several really cool other characters, and with how things were going I feared for a lot of them with good reason. This might be a retelling and not a horror story, there were enough bad things happening to keep me on edge.

After finishing this I had to take a breather before picking up my next book as I was still full of this one. You bet this will be reread and treasured! I will pick up one of the other Kingfisher books in my TBR soon.

Why should you read it:

It's Absolutely Amazing!

On McPig's Wishlist - Paladin's Grace

 

Paladin's Grace (The Saint of Steel #1)

by T. Kingfisher

Stephen's god died on the longest day of the year…

Three years later, Stephen is a broken paladin, living only for the chance to be useful before he dies. But all that changes when he encounters a fugitive named Grace in an alley and witnesses an assassination attempt gone wrong. Now the pair must navigate a web of treachery, beset on all sides by spies and poisoners, while a cryptic killer stalks one step behind…

From the Hugo and Nebula Award winning author of Swordheart and The Twisted Ones comes a saga of murder, magic, and love on the far side of despair.

Party Planning Can Be Murder - Early Book Review

 

Party Planning Can Be Murder: A Party Planner Mystery

by Kerry Schafer/Kerry Anne King

What is it about:

Wish List: pick up my pills from the pharmacy, plan my party, be there when I die…

Despite a few harrowing incidents with nervy Bridezillas, Addy Winters’ small town party planning business has been murder free – until now. But then, she’s never before been hired to throw a star-studded after-death party for a client who has their death scheduled on their calendar.

When Leno Masterson—former classmate, now legendary rocker with a flair for drama—turns up dead four days earlier than he’d planned, Addy suspects that someone helped him along. Sure, he left a melodramatic goodbye letter and his right-to-die paperwork is all in order, but even when the coroner rules natural causes, Addy isn’t buying it.

Addy’s family and friends – and Leno’s smolderingly hot brother Owen – warn her that she’s diving in over her head, and they’re right. She’s woefully unprepared for either the media onslaught or the secrets the people she thought she knew are hiding. But nothing is going to stop her from getting justice for Leno – and throwing a killer party while she’s at it.

If you love your mysteries with humor, heart, and a side of romance, this is your next must-read. Perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan and The Thursday Murder Club!

What did I think of it:

There are some authors you follow to whatever genre they decide to write next. Kerry Schafer is one of those authors. When she switched from Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Thrillers to Women's Fiction as Kerry Anne King, I followed and loved those books as well. Her next release will be by both pen names and is a Murder Mystery!

You bet I jumped on the chance to be an early/ARC reader and let me tell you I devoured this book!

I was drawn in and emotionally invested from the first chapter. I fell in love with Addy and wanted her to succeed in everything she does. (I also thought some very not nice things about her family, apart from her brother and grandmother.)

I was already enjoying myself very much with this story when Leno turns up dead and the mystery begins. And I can tell you: there's tons of things Addy has to figure out to discover what happened to Leno. I couldn't stop reading: I needed to know who or what caused Leno's death.

The writing (as with every book Kerry has written) is so good in my opinion. There's lots of humorous situations and the writing fits those perfectly.  

Voodoo Bride wants me to mention Owen: according to her Owen was the dreamiest and coolest character in the book. I myself can't say if he is indeed the dreamiest, but he for sure was a character I really didn't want to see ending up as the killer.

I'm not going to spoil the ending of course, but you can bet I want more books in what I hope will become a long series. I'll also grab the print version to hug and reread once this releases next month.

Why should you read it:

It's an awesome Mystery read!

Expected publication: March 11, 2025

Teaser Tuesdays - The Spellshop

 

Kiela never thought the flames would reach the library. She was dimly aware that most of the other librarians had fled weeks ago, when the revolutionaries took the palace and defenestrated the emperor in a rather dramatic display.

(page 1, The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!