Saw This Happening a Mile Away (or at least two books back)

 

TITLE: Lost and Lassoed (Rebel Blue Ranch #3)

AUTHOR: Lyla Sage

PUBLISHER: Quercus

PUBLISHING DATE: November 5, 2024

PAGES: 368   

SOURCE: Library 

FROM GOODREADS: Teddy Andersen doesn't have a plan. She's never needed one before. She's always been more of a go with the flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn't seem to be going her way this time. Her favorite vintage suede jacket has a hole in it, her sewing machine is broken, and her best friend just got engaged. Suddenly, everything feels like it's starting to change. Teddy's used to being a leader, but now she feels like she's getting left behind, wondering if the life she lives in the small town she loves is enough for her anymore. 

Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He doesn't know what's taking care of his family's 8,000-acre ranch or parenting his spunky six-year-old daughter, who is staying with him for the summer. Gus has always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he slips up, and he has to admit that he can't manage everything on his own. He needs help. His little sister's best friend, the woman he can't stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy's the only option he's got. Teddy decides to use the summer to try and figure out what she wants out of life. Gus, on the other hand, starts to worry that he'll never find what he needs. Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether or not to act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?

MY THOUGHTS: This is the third book in a four-book series, and I have to admit, it was probably my least favorite.  Of course, that's really not the ding it could be because I've given every one at least a 4- or 5-star rating.

Teddy is Emmy's best friend which means she is often at the ranch and grew up irritating Emmy's older brother, Gus.  The shop where Teddy works and designs clothing is closing, and she needs a way to make some more money while she is planning her next move. The mother of Gus's young daughter is out of town for the summer for work and with Gus being so busy working on the ranch, he needs a sitter.  Emmy puts two and two together and convince Teddy and Gus to put their dislike for each other aside and assist each other out.  And if anyone can't see where this is headed, you've probably never read a romance novel.

Teddy as a character is a lot.  I liked her but I can see why Gus sometimes finds her annoying.  However, she clearly has a heart of gold and will go above and beyond for those she loves so seeing her and Gus become a couple was not that big of a stretch.  Plus, their banter back and forth in the previous books made it evident early on they were more than likely end game.  This book does tackle some heavier themes though such as single and co-parenting, caretaking for elderly parental figures and how friends cope when best friends enter serious relationships.  

Overall, this was another great addition in the series. I love the Rebel Blue Ranch setting and all its workers and inhabitants.  It was also fun to see some of the previous characters and couples again and see how things are progressing along with them. Only one more review in this series to go!

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

 

Feed Your TBR - Legend

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

December 2, 2025

FROM GOODREADS: In the scorching and riveting conclusion to Hollow, a dark academia and gothic romance reimagining of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod Crane, and Brom Bones have unraveled the bone-chilling mystery of Sleepy Hollow's Headless Horseman.

But their journey is far from its end. As they share the enigmatic halls of Sleepy Hollow Institute, their lives become increasingly entangled, both emotionally and intimately. Amidst their exploration of dark desires, Kat grapples with the affections of two possessive men who hunger for not only her, but for each other.

As their passions deepen, unsettling secrets within the school's ancient coven come to light, threatening to unravel the very fabric of their existence. Each character faces a profound test, with one harboring a hidden past that could shatter their newfound unity.

In a suspenseful tale of desire, obsession, and the lurking shadows of Sleepy Hollow, these three souls will be pushed to the brink, facing the chilling consequences of their deepest secrets and darkest cravings.

Watch your head.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  This is not something you see a lot of around Booker T's Farm as I'm not a huge romantasy reader.  However, I just received the first book in this series and plan on preordering this one so the duology is complete.  I am totally blaming this impulse read on the fact that I am obsessed with the Sleepy Hollow lore.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Book Haul - September 2025

 

I'm getting this up a bit later than I wanted to but that is life, and the important thing is that I'm getting it up right?  There are the ARCs I received over the past months.  You'll see a few familiar ones because they happen to be ones I featured on Feed Your TBR and then got approved for.  Feel free to click on the link to check out the Goodreads information.

Meat Bees: Dane Erbach/08-04-26
Dollface: Lindy Ryan/02-24-26
You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom: Vincent Tirado/03-10-26
Dig: J.H. Markert/03-24-26

A Ghastly Catastrophe (Veronica Speedwell #10): Deanna Raybourn/03-03-26

The Whistler: Nick Medina/04-16-25

City of Others: Jared Poon/01-13-26

Operation Bounce House: Matt Dinniman/02-10-26

The Body: Bethany C. Morrow/02-10-26

I'll Follow You: Charlene Wang/10-01-25

Dead Girls Don't Tell: Ashley Brandt/05-21-25

Spellbound by Murder - A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery: Stacie Ramey/03-10-26

Cowboy It's Cold Outside: Maisey Yates/10-28-25

The Meet Poop: Noelle Salazar/12-02-25

Witches of Dubious Origin: Jenn McKinlay/10-28-25

Murders at Cinnamon Falls: R.L. Killmore/04-07-26

So there you have it.  Quite a haul and I'm appreciative as always.  Have you read any of these?  What should I bump up?  What did you haul last month?

Magical Mice, Squidward the Cat and a Haunted Van!

 

TITLE: Slayers of Old

AUTHOR: Jim C. Hines

PUBLISHER: DAW

PUBLISHING DATE: October 21, 2025

PAGES: 352   

SOURCE: ARC 

FROM GOODREADS: Three former Chosen Ones have joined together to spend their retirement in peace and quiet, running Second Life Books and Gifts in Salem, MA. A calm, peaceful, tourist-filled oasis, where they never have to worry about saving the world. Until some of the locals start summoning ancient creatures best left where they were…and they discover that their bookstore basement just may be the portal to the underworld. These ex-heroes may have thought they were done…but if they want to finish their retirement in peace, they’ll have to join together to save the world one last time. 

Fun, funny, and heartwarming, this is a story of community, second chances, and the healing power of scones.

MY THOUGHTS: I won't lie.  I grabbed this book because tentacles on the cover gets me every time.  I've also read from this author years ago and remember enjoying his writing style. I'm glad I did, and this was a fun way to spend my extra time this past weekend.

Annette, a succubus, Jenny, a Hunter of Artemis, and Temple, a 99-year-old wizard live together in a grand old house in Salem Massachusetts.  They are all three retired from their old jobs and spend their days running a bookshop in the front part of their home and patching up magical creatures seeking and sanctuary.  Temple's family has resided in the home for generations and he is magically linked to the home.  It feeds off his power and takes care if its inhabitants (like making sure their favorite snack is always in the fridge or controlling the temperature when it gets cold at night).  However, the house is weakening, and Temple feels his time of earth is about to end.  However, there may be more going on than Temple and his "family" realize.

A young man named Ronnie shows up in the shop one day and Annette worries he can't be trusted. Ronnie is allegedly harbinger meant to stop destruction, and he has his sights set on Temple and his crew. Annette also thinks he is responsible for the injured harvester who needed help the night before.  The three soon learn someone is out to cause the end of the world.  This person is linked to one of the three through history and they are recruiting Annette's grandson to help complete the job.

This book was so much fun.  I'd say it's best described as fantasy/urban fantasy but there are some horror elements as well.  There are all kinds of scary and fun creatures and entities, including Ronnie's mother Mary, who is haunting his van in order to keep him safe. The book is told in alternating chapters for the three characters' POVs which worked really well and provided depth and backstory for the crew. All three of the characters have their own issues they are dealing with which adds depth to the fight to stop the end of the world. 

Full of cosmic horror, supernatural creatures, tricky mice, Gods, Squidward the cat (see the disturbing yet cute cat on the cover) and found family, this book has something for everyone.  I think any fantasy lover would enjoy it as well as anyone who likes octogenarian characters.  I don't know if it is a series or a standalone.  It wraps up nicely but I think there is a potential for future installments and I kind of hope there are. If this book isn't on your radar, maybe it should be!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

Who Knew the Headless Horseman Knew How to Swim?

 

TITLE: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow

AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong

PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press

PUBLISHING DATE: October 14, 2025

PAGES: 288   

SOURCE: ARC 

FROM GOODREADS: When Samantha Payne’s grandfather dies, she figures she won’t even get a mention in the will. After all, she hasn’t seen him in fourteen years, not since her father took his own life after being accused of murdering a child at their lakefront cottage. Her grandfather always insisted her father was innocent, despite Sam having caught him burying the child’s body, his clothing streaked with blood. 

But when she does attend the reading of the will at the behest of her aunt, she discovers that her grandfather left her the very valuable lakefront property where the family cottage sits. There’s one catch: Sam needs to stay in the cottage for a month. To finally face the fact she was wrong, and her father was innocent, in her grandfather's words. 

Traveling to Paynes Hollow, Sam is faced with the realities of her childhood and the secrets kept hidden in the shadows of her memories. When her aunt goes missing a couple days into their stay, Sam begins to question everything again. Plagued by nightmares and paranoia, she begins hearing sounds in the forest and seeing shapes crawling from the water as the rippling waves of the lake promise something unspeakably dark lurking just below their surface.

MY THOUGHTS: Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and this is actually the 23rd book I've read by her.  I was excited when I first saw it announced, and the cover and the title hinted as some kind of Sleepy Hollow reimagining, but the synopsis didn't go there so I wasn't sure.  However, I can now say with validity this book builds upon the Sleepy Hollow tales in ways I couldn't imagine.  Kudos to Armstrong's imagination on this one!

When Sam was a child, her family would spend summers on the family's lakefront property.  Sam had fond memories of the time, up until she saw her father burying a young child in the woods.  Sam turned her father in, after all she was just a kid who didn't understand what was happening, and her grandfather never forgave her.  He spent the rest of his life swearing his son was innocent and ostracizing Sam and her mother.  

The book opens with Sam's grandfather passing and Sam learning that she is in line for a huge payout, if she will spend 30 days on the lakefront property.  Knowing this is her grandfather's last jab at her, Sam does so because she desperately needs the money.  Sam knows it won't be easy, but she has no idea what awaits in the lake and the surrounding woods.

I feel in love with the book early on and devoured it in two days.  Even now, I'm a bit disappointed that it is over.  Armstrong weaves a wonderful tale full of mystery, dysfunctional family dynamics and forgotten memories.  Sam is a flawed but well-developed character who is haunted by a father she feels she never really knew.  She also holds herself responsible for him killing himself after she reported what she saw so she is grappling with a lot of guilt.  There are also some great side characters, including the older brother of the child killed who is the caretaker of the property Sam is staying on.  Their relationship is rocky but the friendship that grows from mutual trauma really flourishes toward the end.  

October would be the perfect time to read this book, and I urge everyone to make time to squeeze it into their reading plans. There is even a cute dog moment at the end.  Who knew?  I will continue to add everything Armstrong writes to my TBR and the scarier things she comes up the better.  I honestly believe there are few genres this author hasn't tackled and tackled well!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS (or should I say horse hooves?)

October Coming Attractions

 

Seems like I manage to complete one of these posts every two months.  There's just been a lot going on behind the scenes which I promise I'll explain one of these days.  So, let's jump right in and look at some things you might see on the blog this upcoming Spooky month.  October is one of my favorite months of the year so I'm going to do my best to make it count!

First up are my buddy reads with my friend Stormi of Storm Reads.  I remember reading Watchers as a teen when I was on a huge Koontz kick but remember nothing about it except the dog.  Don't be surprised if you see Domain (Rats #3) show up again in November.  We didn't realize these three books alone are over 1500 pages of reading.

By the time you see this, I've already finished The Haunting of Paynes Hollow.  There is a reason Armstrong is one of my favorite authors.  Look for my 5-paw review soon.  And what is Halloween without a holiday themed slasher?

  

I really hope to get to all three of these.  Murder Most Haunted looks like a Christmas book but I've read the synopsis three times and don't see any indication.  I love Jenn McKinlay and Slayers of Old is too good to pass up.  Plus, tentacles!

And finally, here are some hopefuls.  Maybe it's because I read horror all year long, but I plan for spooky season reads and then when October rolls around, I want to read a Christmas romance.  So I've added Undead and Unwed in here in an attempt to scratch that itch.

Have you read any of these or are any of them on your reading plans?  Let me know your most anticipated read this month in the comments below.

Feed Your TBR - Morsel

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

April 14, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: Lou did what the children of parents with back-breaking, poor paying jobs are supposed to do; pulled up her bootstraps, went to college, and got an office job with coworkers who won’t stop talking about their multi-level marketing scheme disguised as self-betterment.

Determined to lift her ill mother out of poverty before it's too late, and in the spirit of climbing the corporate ladder, Lou accepts an assignment in the rural hills of Ohio. She quickly finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere with a sabotaged truck, a dog she’s determined to keep safe, and something stalking her through the ancient Appalachian woods.

If she can’t escape the woods in time, she’ll come face to face with the fact that her job isn’t the only thing that wants to eat her alive.

Morsel is a chilling testament to the burden of generational poverty and the all-consuming nature of capitalism, where the monster and the monstrous, in the end, are not the same.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I'm very curious about the Ohio/Appalachian wood setting, seeing as how I live in the middle of the Appalachian area.  I am a bit worried about the dog she is trying to keep safe, but I have a feeling I will admire her efforts to do so. 

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???