Two Bloggers One Series -

 

So, Stormi and I finally got around to reading another book in the Krewe Hunters series by Heather Graham.  The number of books this author has is astounding and while I like her writing, I sometimes don't always find her books to be a complete hit.  So read on for my thoughts on our latest buddy read and then hop over to Stormi's and check out hers.  

TITLE: The Unspoken (Krewe of Hunters #7)

AUTHOR: Heather Graham

PUBLISHER: MIRA

PUBLISHING DATE: July 31, 2012

PAGES: 328   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: 1898: Bound for Chicago, the freighter Jerry McGuen goes down in Lake Michigan, taking with it every man aboard. But what other fate could befall a vessel carrying the ill-gotten sarcophagus of an Egyptian sorcerer? 

Now: A veteran diver and "ghost ship" expert is exploring the legendary wreck for a documentary. He dies inexplicably inside the freighter's main saloon. Then another diver is killed and panicked rumors rise like bubbles from the lake: ancient demons have awakened below! 

The expedition's beleaguered financier calls paranormal investigator Katya Sokolov to Chicago to save the film—and perhaps some innocent lives. Along with media forensics guru Will Chan, Kat plumbs the depths of an evil that may date back to the time of the Pharaohs. But some secrets are best drowned in the seas of the past.…

MY THOUGHTS: As I have mentioned before, these book kind of all follow the same formula.  A new case arises in a new location, members of the team, some old, some new or some from different locations, join together to solve the mystery.  Then someone falls in love and on to the next book.  Because they have a supernatural element, I usually enjoy them for the most part.  However, this was definitely my least favorite of the first seven.

Fresh off of the last books Egyptian mystery, Katya is sent off to Chicago to look into another Egyptian mystery.  A boat carrying Egyptian artifacts, sunk years ago and recently the wreckage has been uncovered. The dive and recovery are to be made into a documentary but when the man who made the discovery turns up dead, everyone wants to blame an ancient Egyptian curse.  However, Katya, and Will Chen, a Krewe Hunter from another branch, start investigating, they learn the death may not have been an accident after all. More people start dying and the mystery starts to unravel, and will Katya and Will fall in love in the process?

I guess overall the mystery element was intriguing, I just didn't need back-to-back Egyptian curses.  The main issue was that I did not like Will at all.  He was introduced as an egotistical pig and when he and Katya started getting closer, I kept asking myself why did her opinion of him change so quickly? He was more tolerable toward the end and the relationship more believable, but they are definitely not my favorite Krewe couple.  I did find myself liking some of the side characters in the book quite a lot, especially some of the elderly men who were in the Egyptian society club that played a role in solving the mystery.

If you've enjoyed previous books in this series, then you will probably find this one enjoyable as well.  I think the mystery was much more solid than the relationship, but because it was another Egyptian related one, my interest was weak right off the bat.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

I Will Definitely Be Skipping Drinks from this Bartender

TITLE: The Dive Bar at the End of the Road

AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong

PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press

PUBLISHING DATE: October 6, 2026

PAGES: 288   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: A forested road at night, slick from the pounding rain and eerily illuminated by flashes of lightning. Just before midnight, a car swerves to avoid something—or someone—mysteriously standing in the road, only to slam into a fallen tree instead. In the pitch black, four more cars follow in a pileup no one can seem avoid. 

Stumbling out of the wreckage, soaked from the rain and nursing various injuries, five strangers find themselves in a backwoods dive bar, waiting for daybreak and hoping for cell service. But as tensions rise and the storm rages on outside, the occupants of the dive bar start to notice that not everything is as it seems. Time is moving differently, and they quickly learn that going outside—whether to assist another accident victim or to hike for help—is a very bad idea. 

There’s something in the woods, something that isn't natural. Could the figure in the road have been a warning? Or something more sinister? None of this is normal, and they'll need to work together to figure out what’s happening if they have any hope of surviving through the night.

MY THOUGHTS: I love Kelley Armstrong.  She is one of my favorite and most-read authors.  She writes a variety of genres, and I've read tons of her urban fantasy, a few mystery/thrillers, a few romances and a few horror.  Of course, when I saw this one was coming out, I immediately requested an arc and I'm so glad I did.  While this didn't end up being al all-time favorite, it was a solid read and one I enjoyed getting lost in for a day or so.

Ellie has recently lost her job and is traveling back home to her parents so she can get back on her feet.  She has always felt she has never reached her full potential and she is struggling to determine what to do next.  She ends up taking a detour through a woodland backroad in a horrible rainstorm and ends up slamming into a tree in order to avoid a mysterious woman standing in the road.  However, once she is able to get her bearings, she cannot locate the woman and is panicking that perhaps she killed her.  While Ellie is trying to figure out what is going on, she ends up getting rear-ended by Henry, an off-the-clock paramedic also traveling to meet up with some fishing buddies.

With no cell phone service, Henry and Ellie decide to walk for help.  Henry is able to patch Ellie up enough for the journey and soon the come across a bar in the middle of nowhere.  Seeking shelter from the storm, the bartender offers them a few drinks and the only other patron is a mysterious woman, who Ellie believes just might be the woman she encountered.  Before the reader knows it, the pileups continue, some people show up, some people get killed by mysterious creatures, and the bartender starts to show his true colors.  

Ellie and the others fight find a way out of this "pocket universe" but everything seems to be a constant struggle and their nightmares seem to be coming alive.  What exactly is happening and why?  Who will be standing at the end?  And who is this mysterious woman?

I've seen this book compared to Final Destination and Cabin at the End of the World. Neither of those comparisons sold the book to me as much as just the author and my love for her writing.  I would say this book definitely gave me vibes of the MGM series, From. Now that is a comparison that would have sealed the deal.  I loved Ellie as a main character and seeing her and Henry bond so quickly to try to figure out what is happening was an added extra (but I'm not talking insta-love because this definitely isn't a romance).

I have yet to read an Armstrong book I didn't enjoy. My only complainant was this one seemed a bit repetitive at time, which I'm sure was needed to expand the plot and further the suspense and action.  However, it did irritate me a bit - but not much! I am sure I have recommended many books by this author over the years, and this one is no different.  This horror is perfect for spooky season and releases tomorrow, just in time to land on everyone's TBR.  I can't wait to see what this author releases next!

MY RATING:  4 STARS

Feed Your TBR - Death at the Dog Hotel

 

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.

November 19, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: Having achieved local fame due to their crime-cracking exploits, Charlie Boardman and his fellow dogwalkers are delighted to receive invitations for a festive stay at a new dog-friendly boutique hotel on the outskirts of seaside town, Framstone.

A chance to enjoy some luxury and pampering, not to mention spending Christmas together, is gratefully accepted. That is, until one of their fellow hotel guests turns up dead in his room.

The dogwalkers soon realise they’ve got their paws on a murder. A rare White Christmas is now stained with red.

But who checked into the Dog Hotel with murder in mind?

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I just reviewed the first book in this series Monday and mentioned I hoped there was a sequel planned.  Well, unbeknownst to me, it was recently announced and it is coming out in less than two months. As this one centers around the Christmas holidays, it will definitely be read sooner rather than later, and I believe I may even have to preorder a copy!

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

Those Dogs Sure Did Walk a Lot

TITLE: The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency

AUTHOR: Michael Hogan

PUBLISHER: Pegasus Crime

PUBLISHING DATE: June 2, 2026

PAGES: 480   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: They've got a lot of leads...but can they collar a killer? 

When Charlie Boardman and his beloved Staffy, Ruby, stumble across a corpse in the woods, the sleepy coastal town of Framstone is rocked by the discovery that the local pub landlord has been murdered. 

Charlie and his fellow dogwalkers take it upon themselves to try and sniff out any clues that might help the local police with their investigation. 

But what begins as idle speculation and gossip quickly becomes something more sinister, when Charlie starts receiving anonymous threats warning him off the case. 

Then, a second body washes up on the beach… 

Can Charlie hunt down a killer, before he becomes the next victim?

MY THOUGHTS: I grabbed this book last month when I was perusing the "New Release" shelf at my local library.  I'm sure it is a shock to no one why I gravitated towards it. I have to admit it wasn't a perfect read but for the author's debut, it definitely was a solid one. 

Charlie has moved back to his hometown of Framstone to take care of his ailing mother.  He is a self-employed graphic designer who spends a lot of time walking his precious Staffy Ruby and hanging out with a group of dogwalkers in town.  One day when walking a favorite path in the woods, Charlie and Ruby stumble across the body of an ex-copper in town.  Although a bit shook up, he and his friends decide to start looking into the death on their own, and their activities only intensify when Charlie discovers another body on the beach.  On top of that, Charlie starts receiving threats against his mother and Ruby. He tries to back off the investigation but finds he misses his cronies too much and he is tired of living in fear. Can Charlie and the gang solve the crime when the police seem to be spinning their wheels?  And more importantly, can Charlie keep his mom and Ruby (let's be honest, that is who I am worried about) safe in the process?

I loved Charlie, his group of colorful friends, and all of their pets.  Charlie also renews a friendship with an old high school crush, who happens to be a very married Detective now, which aids in the sharing of information as the plot thickens.  This book also has a lot of twists and turns, including the one at the very end I really didn't see coming.

My only real complaint is the length of the book.  Just shy of 500 pages, it seems a bit lengthy for a mystery.  However, the chapters are extremely short, and the author somehow manages to come up with a title for each one.  This kept me interested and helped the pages turn quite quickly. I also was a bit worried about Ruby about 45% into the book.  Let's say she managed to come away unharmed, and she and the other dogs ended up helping take down the culprit, but it was a bit dicey for a while. 

I'm not sure if this is the beginning of a series or if it's a standalone.  I would definitely pick up another book in this world and would love visiting with the old gang and their lovable pooches again.  If you like small-town vibe mysteries, and don't mind a lengthy read, this one might be for you.  Oh, and don't forget dogs!

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - Messy as Hell

 

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.

January 12, 2027

FROM GOODREADS: CAUTION! All employees must correctly dispose of otherworldly biohazards found on Dark Enterprises property. Failure to comply may result in one hell of a mess...

"If a door is closed, you leave it alone."

That's the one rule janitor, Sam, is given when he starts cleaning the infamous thirteenth floor of the Denver branch of Hell-like multinational corporation Dark Enterprises.

Sam is thrilled to be that much closer to his idol, Constantine Galanos, Denver’s ruthless and charming CEO, but he's even more excited to uncover the tantalizing secrets lurking up on the executive level. Maybe he’ll find something juicier than tawdry workplace affairs and petty office gossip, something he can share with his closest friends, daredevil Mia and secret crush Calvin.

When Sam comes across a closed door his first day on the job, he thinks one little peek can't hurt. But he’s dead wrong. Behind that door is a Type A biohazard—infernal materials from Hell on company property—and a deal that could spell doom for Dark Enterprises and Earth...signed by the CEO himself.

Sam is in deep trouble now, and the problems keep piling up. The CEO's homicidal assistant wants him fired (read: killed), Calvin is literally losing his mind over a secret project, and there’s something very unusual about Mia’s emotional-support rabbit, Mr. Bun-Bun…

It’s a mess like no other, but Sam is a janitor at Dark Enterprises. If he can’t save humanity and the man of his dreams, no one can.

 WHY I CAN'T WAIT: My job is driving me crazy right now, mainly because we have been down 2 workers most of the summer, so I think this one sounds like a fun read to escape with.  Also, I really need to know more about Bun-Bun!

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

And I Thought Conner Was My Favorite Sister

TITLE: Free Falling (Sweetwater Peak #2)

AUTHOR: Lyla Sage

PUBLISHER: Dial Press

PUBLISHING DATE: September 22, 2026

PAGES: 336   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Old haunts, new feelings. 

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series returns to the haunted town of Sweetwater Peak for another love story, this one featuring an antique shop owner and a farmer who fake a relationship to save their legacies…but will they be able to fool the ghosts of their past? 

Clarke Cartwright probably needed to get out more. She just had a lot to do. Running Toade’s Antiques was no small feat, especially considering that the roof was in shambles and half her merchandise was unsellable. But dealing with that felt easier than her other two options: third-wheeling with her best friend…again, or chatting it up with the ghost of her childhood crush’s father, who just can’t seem to leave her alone. 

Leith Wilkes has spent his life preparing to take over his family's farm. Well, he’s actually spent most of his life flirting, but now he’s ready to buckle down, which has nothing to do with an oddly specific clause that his dad left in his inheritance. Leith is pretty sure he’s the only one who knows about it…until Clarke drunkenly spills that she knows, too, along with a bunch of other Wilkes family secrets. 

Leith starts to wonder if there’s more to Clarke than she lets on…and if his dad has something to do with it. And if she is keeping secrets of her own, maybe she won’t mind helping him with his.

MY THOUGHTS: So I read the first book in this duology, which featured Clarke's twin sister, Conner, in January of this year and loved it.  I became a die-hard fan of Lyla Sage after devouring her Rebel Blue Ranch series when my mom was in the hospital in 2025.  This series may not have a ranch and cowboys (although this book did feature a farm) but it does have a small-town vibe with paranormal aspects.  No matter what it has, this one knocked all my expectations out of the ballpark again and even though I was sure I would like an entire book about Clarke after meeting her in the first one, I was completely wrong.

Clarke is still reeling from the storm that caused havoc with the family-owned antique store in Sweetwater Peak.  On top of that, she is getting really tired of avoiding the ghosts that keep trying to reach out to her and which are causing her headaches to worsen by the week.  However, a few weeks back, an old school friend's (kind of more like annoying classmate) contacted her and mentioned his son, Leith, needs to examine the details of the will he left behind. Although she doesn't tell him why, Clarke does encourage Leith to examine things more closely and he finds that if he hasn't married by the time his father has been dead five years, the family farm, which is critical to the economy of Sweetwater Peak, reverts to his uncle, who can't wait to sell it off to the highest developer.  

Clarke and Leith have had secret feelings for each other for years, which have expressed themselves in avoidance and snarky comments, Clarke agrees to help Leith secure the family farm.  This involves a lot of fake dating and lying to those they care most about, but this is a romance book so come on, we know what this really involves right?

Once again, I found myself devouring a Sage book.  I just can't seem to put them down once I start.  I loved Clarke and though romance is hot and heavy at the forefront, this book deals with strained family relationships, small-town economic impacts, and cute dogs (I'm looking at you Pearl and Billy).  Oh, and don't forget the ghosts.  The ending was more than your happily ever after and I am sad to see this duology end. I also want to note that the book deals heavily with the topic and symptoms of depression. The author even shares what she was experiencing around the time of writing it so if you do pick this one up, make sure to read the author's notes!

I can't recommend this duology enough and since the book releases next week, you can pick them up and binge them, unlike me, who had to suffer through months of waiting and pray to the arc God's for and advance copy (BTW, thank you arc Gods).

MY RAING: 5 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - These Twisted Hearts

 

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.

February 2, 2027

FROM GOODREADS: A romantic YA Midwestern gothic thriller, from the New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies, featuring a storm-chasing teen girl in a town cursed with violent weather.

One year ago, Ezra Winslow vanished from storm-plagued Promise, Oklahoma, and seventeen-year-old Jubilee Callahan is still searching for her first love and tornado-chasing partner. Then a monster twister touches down, and the strange and beautiful Star Holloway walks out of the wreckage claiming that he’s there to stop the deadly storms, and that Jubilee is destined to help him.

When the search for Ezra leads Jubilee to blood-soaked secrets buried just below the prairie dirt, the land itself turns against the people of Promise. Tall grass grows wild, animals flee, and red rain falls across dying farms.

Now, to make things right, Jubilee and Star will have to unleash a storm powerful enough to wipe Promise clean, right down to the bones.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I was hesitant to feature this one as I don't read a lot of YA anymore, but I do love the sounds of this one and think the storm aspect sounds pretty unique.

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