On McPig's Radar - Never the Roses

 

Did I already read this? 

Yes!

Am I still totally looking forward to getting this beauty in my eager trotters? 

YES!

Believe me: you want this book! 

It's utterly amazing and beautiful in and out! 

Go preorder: I totally did.

Never the Roses

by Jennifer K. Lambert

UNSTOPPABLE WAR. UNSPEAKABLE SINS. IMPOSSIBLE LOVE.

Genevieve Gornichec’s The Witch’s Heart meets Madeline Miller’s Circe in this epic and deeply emotional romantic fantasy debut by Jennifer K. Lambert. The hardcover edition features beautiful stenciled edges.

The Dread Sorceress Oneira has retired. She’s exhausted from fighting the endless wars of kings and queens, and has long accepted that her death is near. Alone at last but for a few uninvited companions―a near-mythical wolf, a goddess’s avatar, and a feline that embodies magic itself―Oneira realizes that she’s bored. On a whim, or perhaps at the behest of fate, she makes an unlikely trip to the most extensive library in existence: the home of her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearanos.

By recklessly stealing a book from him, Oneira inadvertently initiates a forbidden correspondence. Taunting notes and clever retorts reveal a connection neither has found―nor could ever find―in any other.

But Oneira soon learns that Stearanos, bound to a vile king, is tasked with waging war on the queen she once served. A relationship with him is far too dangerous to pursue despite their mutual desire―and yet, Oneira can’t seem to stay away.

A bond with Stearanos could alight the long-extinct flame of life within her… or it could destroy her entirely.

Expected publication July 8, 2025

The Unseelie Crown - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Unseelie Crown (Maze of Shadows #2)

by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

What is it about:

The gods brought her back. But was it to stop Valroy, or to become his queen?

Valroy will let nothing block his path to the Unseelie Crown. He was born for the crown, born in blood and death, and he is willing to stop at nothing to see both Tir n’Aill and Earth as his dominion, and crushing the self-righteous Seelie beneath his bootheels.

He’d wished for Abigail to stand beside him as his queen, but that went terribly wrong when she chose death over becoming his bride. It was a setback, certainly, but not one he could not overcome.

Yet despite being wrenched from the song of life, Abigail returned to Tir n’Aill, only to be hunted by both Seelie and Unseelie alike. She did not know why she was returned or for what purpose, but it was clear that two paths lay before her: to become Valroy’s enemy, or to allow him to make her his queen in chains.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I had a total love/hate relationship with book 1. Loving the scenes and tension between Abigail and Valroy, hating some of the other ugly violence scenes. Still love won out and I got the whole series after finishing it.

This book was less vicious, but it also mostly lacked the tension between Abigail and Valroy as they are apart for the biggest part of the book. I still loved it, but it felt a bit like a filler book at times, giving you more information about the characters and the world. There were some interesting character developments though, and things got tense again at the end. The next book promises to have even more tension again, so I'll be reading it soon.

Why should you read it:

Great worldbuilding (if a bit violent at times) and intriguing characters

Teaser Tuesdays - Wizard of the Pigeons

 

This is a reread. First time reading it has to be between 2001 and 2009 somewhere. 

I borrowed it and now finally have my own copy.

I mostly remember atmosphere, vibes, and that I loved it. Starts out promising, the writing is so good!

He swallowed queasily. The footlocker seemed to swell to fill his room, muttering its ugly secrets to itself.

(page 35, Wizard of the Pigeons by Megan Lindholm/Robin Hobb)

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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!

Locked Out - Book Review

 

Locked Out (Zombie Bedtime Stories #2)

by Thea Isis Gregory

What is it about:

Doctor Anna Lewis administrates a team of researchers who find their facility co-opted by the military, with a very special project. They're charged with looking for a medical cause to the sudden outbreak of violence and riots in the capital, which have begun spreading to neighboring cities. They must struggle to assimilate new equipment and talent, while searching for a scientific explanation.

What they discover challenges their sense of ethics, and draws them together while simultaneously tearing them apart. As the unrelenting enemy draws closer, their research is superseded by the need to survive long enough to report their chilling discoveries to the world.

What did I think of it:

This second story in this zombie series is a bit longer at 51 pages and just as cool as the first one.

Told from the perspective of a scientist who gets roped in to find out what's going on, it's engaging and suspenseful. I really liked Anna and rooted for her and for the army major who has been send to oversee her lab and the research.

It soon is clear things are bad and maybe getting close too quickly. Some things I could see coming, but this short story did have some surprises hidden in its 51 pages. 

You bet I'll be reading the next one soon.

Why should you read it:

Zombie Goodness!

On McPig's Wishlist - The Farmhouse

 

The Farmhouse

by Chelsea Conradt

Every woman who has lived on this farm has died. Emily just moved in. 

When Emily Hauk's mother dies, it's time for her and her husband, Josh, to finally leave San Francisco. A farm in rural Nebraska is everything they want for a fresh clear skies, low costs, and distance from the grief back home. 

They should have asked why the farm was for sale. 

Three years ago, a teenage girl went missing from the farm. Soon after, the girl's mother mysteriously died. The deeper Emily digs, the more stories she finds of women with a connection to her new home who've met their own dark ends.

The farmhouse was meant to be Emily's fresh start, but with each passing day, her sanctuary slips further away. The barn seems to move throughout her property, as though chasing her. Her mother's favorite music drifts across the corn. She swears she saw blood in one of the farmhand's trucks. And the screams that wake her are not foxes, no matter how many times her husband says otherwise.

Despite Josh's skepticism, Emily feels the darkness that has seeped into the soil of her farm. And if she wants to claim this place as her own, she'll have to find the truth before whatever watches from the cornfield takes her too.

Expected publication June 17, 2025

Locked In - Book Review

 

Locked In (Zombie Bedtime Stories #1)

by Thea Isis Gregory

What is it about:

Haley is enjoying her new job as a paramedic on a beautiful summer’s day. Not even her dour and sullen partner, Frank, can deflate her enthusiasm for life. Responding to a routine call near her former high school, she is excited to see her old hang-out spot, the park. On arrival, something is clearly wrong, and Haley is attacked by one of her old friends. Soon, she begins to experience disturbing changes in her personality and food preferences, until she wakes up a zombie. Her consciousness is suspended in a body that she can't control, and she needs to find a way to escape.

What did I think of it:

I'm always on the lookout for a good zombie story, so when I encountered the author on Social Media and she mentioned zombies I immediately got hold of her Zombie Bedtime Stories series and read the first book as it's only 18 pages.

And what a cool read!

It's told from the perspective of someone who has been infected and it's so well done! I was immediately hooked and wondering how this could and would end. Those 18 pages flew by. I was very glad I immediately got the whole series of short stories, because this one tastes like more!

You bet you can expect a review of the secons book real soon!

Why should you read it:

This is an amazing zombie read! 

Teaser Tuesdays - The Teller of Small Fortunes

I'm still reading this one. So far this is a really fun read, but I got stuck somewhere without physical book, so started on an e-book and read that first before continuing with this book.

But here with two unwanted escorts of dubious reputation, it had become something loud and unfamiliar. But not, thought Tao as their small party clanked on, entirely unpleasant.

(page 38 The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong)

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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!