The Reading Diaries

Synopsis

Three unusually gifted sisters in Georgian Scotland must protect their family fortress from those who would steal it’s rumored treasures—and their hearts—in this sweeping, adventure-filled, historical romance series for readers of India Holton, Lex Crocher, Manda Collins, and Evie Dunmore.

Despite their village’s wild, insistent rumors, middle sister Freya MacLeod is no more a witch than her extraordinary siblings. Quiet and observant, she can’t control the weather—although her magnificently skilled drawings often predict it. But now a very different sort of storm has besieged their home of Castle Cairncross. When Freya’s fearless younger sister disappears and is accused of murder, Freya is determined to prove her innocence—and bring her back. That means matching wits with a warrior—no matter how dangerous he may

be . . .

A reluctant laird, Callum is glad to escape his clan’s intrigues. But helping to protect Castle Cairncross as a favor to a friend is far more difficult than he thought. Especially when the seemingly timid Freya eludes him, his battle-honed instincts—and enrages the village into putting a bounty on both their heads . . .

As they flee, Freya is stunned to see how caring—and vulnerable—Callum can be. . . . But he must keep his growing feelings for her hidden in order to honor a secret promise to his clan. Yet as their peril increases, they may find that battling side-by-side will uncover something more precious than gold . . .

Review

I received How To Lose a Laird in return for an honest review from TLC Book Tours.

The MacLeod sisters have been called witches by the towns people but that's as far from the truth as you can get. They are just a little different after all her sister has a gift with animals. When the town is after her sister thinking she murdered someone even Freya is forced to flee. Callum has been tasked with keeping her safe and drags her off to his home.

I love Freya she's such a great character who loves her sisters even if they tend to force her to leave her home. I love her chemistry with Callum he's jus the perfect partner for her. I felt like I was really able to connect with them both and cheered them on through the whole story. Neither one was looking for it but they can't deny the connection they have, it's sweet steamy and just works so well.

This is my first book by the author and I'm addicted. Each but in the series is a interconnecting standalone. I have not read read the first book with Cat's story but I think that's on the agenda. I need to be ready for out third sisters story which comes out next. I devoured this one in just one afternoon hooked from the first page till the last. I'm in my historical era and this one hit all the right spots. The author did a beautiful job of creating a story that captured my heart as well as imagination. I loved every moment of Freya and Callum's story. If you enjoy historical romance I highly recommend.

Monday, June 1, 2026

Book Review: Wings of Life

Title - Wings of Life

Author - Meghan Le Fay

Series - Dragonbound Chronicles

Genre - Romantasy

Format - eArc

From - Page & Vine

Synopsis

Fans of enemies-to-lovers romance and epic dragon-filled fantasy will be swept into Le Fay's Wings of Life, where duty, danger, and forbidden desire collide.

They cast me off to Rihtlond as a bride.

They don’t care if I come back alive.

Too sharp-tongued and too curious, I am my mother’s greatest lament and my father’s constant frustration. Unwilling to bow to their will, I’ve become expendable, worth sending on a mission doomed to fail.

Armed with nothing but a coded journal, a quill, and my wits, I’m thrust into the kingdom of our oldest enemy—a land of storms and warriors—to wed their high dane’s son. Trapped on their ruthless continent, I am no blushing bride. I’m a spy sent to unlock Rihtlond’s weaknesses… a cuckoo in the robin’s nest.

But my heart still bleeds red when the weaponmaster of these strange people steals it away. Through him, I learn to unlock their secrets. What I uncover is more dangerous than I ever imagined: magic thrumming in the roots of Rihtlond, a dragon hidden in plain sight, and a love I was never meant to feel. Holding this knowledge, I am meant to return home and bind myself to a future I was given long ago.

Now, as war rises and alliances crumble, I must choose between duty and desire, between the family who cast me aside and the bond that awakens who I truly am. To protect what I’ve found—and who I become—I must risk everything. Even if it brands me a traitor. Even if it costs me my life.

Review

I received Wings Of Life in return for an honest review from Page & Vine.

Serae is betrothed to a rival prince to form an alliance between two waring kingdoms. However, her father has other plans and sends her in to discover secrets and he will sweep her away before the wedding. The more time she spends with Wep the more she starts to question everything add in secret dragons that she's formed a connection with. She may not be able to betray the people she's come to care about.

I love Serae as she's been forced into a marriage she didn't want and sent away from the only life she has known. Instead of rolling over she embraced it even forming a connection with a dragon and finding that maybe friendship and even romance. This is an action packed story from start to finish I was on the edge of my seat till the last page.

I was hooked right from the very first page and devoured this book in just one long afternoon of reading. I couldn't put it down and had to know what was going to happen next in Serae's advantures as well as I needed more dragons. I am official obsessed with the authors storytelling it was beautifully written and stole a place in my heart. I can't wait for the next book to come out. Highly recommend if you are in your romantasy era as it checks all my boxes.

Cover Reveal: To Have & To Stalk

TO HAVE AND TO STALK by Mary Catherine Gebhard

Release Date: June 18th

Genre/Tropes: Dark Rom com / Standalone / Stalker / Hidden identity / Failed ONS / Exploring kinks / Anti-hero/good girl / Domestic violence / Knife play / Stalking/Monitoring / CNC / Somno (consensual) / Primal/Prey

CHECK OUT THIS STUNNING COVER! We are honored to share the cover reveal for TO HAVE AND TO STALK by Mary Catherine Gebhard, releasing June 18th! Make sure to preorder this all-new dark rom com TODAY!

PREORDER TODAY! https://geni.us/ZAcYc

BLURB

From USA Today Best Selling author Mary Catherine Gebhard comes a brand new dark romcom about a girl who makes a dating profile to live out all of her spicy, bookish fantasies. He was all my twisted, dark book boyfriend fantasies come to life. Masked. Tattooed. Dirty talking—and totally unhinged. Morally grey? Check. Stalker? Check. A very illegal, very bloody hobby? Check. Possessive, obsessive, and calls me a good girl? Check. Check. Check. I should probably call the police. I definitely shouldn’t take dirty selfies because I know he hacked my phone. But what’s a girl to do? It’s my very own stalker romance.

About the Author:

I started writing the moment I could read. My first characters were Wibbley and Squig and I used MS Word and clipart to bring them to life when I was a kid in elementary school. I started seriously thinking about being a writer in High School and I remember the day exactly, because it was such an epiphany. I was always so uncertain. You know how everyone was always asking what you wanted to be when you were older? Well I NEVER could decide. I wanted to be a marine biologist. An actor. A FIRE FIGHTER (thank you Joaquin Phoenix in Ladder 49 for that phase). One day it hit me—A WRITER. I could do it ALL. Then you couldn’t stop me from writing. I penned my first novel at fifteen (but don’t ask me to show it to you, because it’s like I was in competition to beat the thesaurus). When I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, writing became even more important, because it became my therapy. When I wrote my characters, suddenly I wasn’t so alone. These days you can find me daydreaming about where to travel with my husband, singing in my car, or lost in the newest K drama. And planning my next novel, of course Connect w/Mary Catherine: Website: https://www.marygebhard.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marycgebhard/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/YouOwnMeMCG/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marycgebhard/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marycgebhard Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8441964.Mary_Catherine_Gebhard Amazon: https://amzn.to/32yfz6B Bookbub: https://bookbub.com/profile/mary-catherine-gebhard Newsletter Signup: mcglinkinbio.subscribepage.io

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Happy Release & Review: The Final Target

Title - The Final Target

Author - Nora Roberts

Genre - Thriller

Published - May 26th 2026

Publisher - St.Martin's Press

Format - Paperback Arc

Synopsis

A young author becomes the object of a fan’s desire—and rage—in the gripping thriller by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Nature.

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

Review

I received The Final Target in return for an honest review from the publisher St. Martin Press.

Arden is a new author enjoying book signings when a overly excited fan shows up attempting to gain more than her signature. She's not the social type but for her book she's willing to try and joins him for a quick coffee. The unwanted attention quickly turns into an obsession and Arden finds herself forced to start over after brutal attacked. Now starting over across the country she's learning to live again and even meets Gideon. Things are finally look up till the past comes back to haunt her.

I loved Arden she refused to be a victim and learned to protect herself even got a dog. She's such a great characters I was able to connect with her right from the start. I think we all have a bit of introvert in us as I know I do. This is a thriller with romance elements and I think her love interest was perfect for her. Plus he's building her a bookshelves for her library, and we all need custom bookshelves with a ladder one day.

I ended up devouring the story in just one afternoon as I was hooked right from the start. The characters are fantastic and the story kept me captivated from start to finish. I'll admit I've been reading the authors books since I was a kid as my mom was a huge fan so I had some high expectations and they were exceeded. I loved the story and I loved the characters. It's aa perfect balance or romance to thriller and I'm here for it. I love a good mystery that keeps me on my toes till the very end and this one did just that. Highly recommend if you enjoy a thriller with some romance mixed in. I loved it!!! I can't wait to read her next book she's one of my autobuy authors you could say I'm an obsessed fan.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Book Review: Summer With My Cowboy

Title - Summer With My Cowboy

Author - Linda Lael Miller & Maisey Yates

Publication Date - April 28th 2026

Genre - Cowboy Romance

Format - Paperback Review Copy

Publisher - Kensington

Synopsis

Tough and tender, once a cowboy wins your heart, no one else will do—as two special women discover over the course of one sweet and sultry summer in this duo of romantic novellas from bestselling authors Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates...

COWBOY WANTED by Linda Lael Miller

A painful divorce has brought Kendra Spencer home from Seattle to sunny Copper Ridge, Arizona. Despite a comfortable settlement, Kendra needs to keep busy—and keep herself from stalking her ex on social media. So she starts waitressing at the local diner, finding comfort in the regulars and her thankfully ordinary days. . . . Until far from ordinary newcomer Gage Elder walks in. Not only is he a champion bronc rider, turns out he’s a widower—and maybe the one man understanding enough, kind enough—not to mention charming enough—to inspire Kendra to put the past behind her, and open her heart once

more . . .

ONE MORE SUMMER WITH YOU by Maisey Yates

Between a fiancé with cold feet and a blocked promotion at the law firm where she works, it’s as good a time as any for Jane Cahill to help out at the Oregon camp where she spent her summers as a troubled teen. But the place brings up a mix of memories, mostly about Spencer Quinn, who has also returned to volunteer. Now a ranch owner, Spencer was Jane’s romance of three summers—plus one unforgettable night. In fact, neither has ever forgotten the other. And though fears about the future led Jane to break away, that future has arrived—and maybe this summer will be the one to last a lifetime . . .

Review

I received Summer With My Cowboy in return for an honest review from TLC Book Tours.

Summer With My Cowboy is two short novellas in one single book by two very talented authors. In the first story we have Kendra who's moved back home after a bad divorce. Hoping to make a fresh start. She meets Gage who's new to town and just what she needs to restore her faith in love. Who knew all it took was moving to a small town.

Jane grew up in foster care but her summers were spent at a troubled youth camp. When her perfect life falls apart she returns home to her camp that saved her life and just happens to meet the boy she who let her walk away all those years ago. Only he's no longer the boy. Together they can't deny the attraction is still there and she finds what she's been missing in her life.

. I devoured both of these in just a couple of hours and enjoyed both of the stories. Each story I felt like I was really able to connect with the characters and I feel in love with each of the couples. I've read books before by both authors so I had some high Expectations and they did not disappoint. I loved bother stories and now I need to read all their backlist. This was a perfect balance of story and romance.

Monday, May 11, 2026

Monday Bookmail

I did a little flatlay for my bookmail the past week and included my new ebook arc's too.

I received from Fairyloot Death's Daughter by S.A. Barnes this is the Romantasy Box.

I received my Smut & Sip box with Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St. James - I love her books and have read several but have many more to read.

From Amazon Publishing I received Fog and Fury, Mist and Malice by Rachel Howzell Hall. While the Dark Remains and When the Light Returns by Joanna Ruth Meyer.

From Valentine PR I received Stay With Me by Nikki Sloane

My pre-orders this week are Fury Bound by Sable Sorenson - I already devoured this one.

Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn - she's a autobuy

Twisted by Emily McIntire - I love her books and this is one of my favorite series.

Ebook Arc's

Glitchborn Heart by HJ Spence

Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett

Swipe Bite by Alexandra Vasti

Devour Me by Emily Rath

Saving Soul by Ann Penny

I did have a lot of one clicks but I didn't make a list this week.

It's Monday! My Hopefuls

Gosh it's already a new week this year is just flying by so fast. I've got a decent stack for the week.

I admit that I have a lot of review books on my list this week.

I'm currently reading Glitchborn Heart by HJ Spence

It releases August 2026

The Cupid Dilemma by April Asher

Releases this week

The Heart You Kept by T.L Swan

Released last week

Saving Soul by Ann Penny

Releases this week

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett

Released Last month

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Releases this week

A Game of Cat and Witch by Ruby Rune

Released this weekend

The Final Target by Nora Roberts

Releases on the 26th of this month

The Killing Spell by Shay Kauwe

Released Last month

You can't Hurry Second Chances by Michelle stimpson

Released last week

The Reaper and the Waiting by January Sun

Released Last week

I have a great list and hope to add some manga, monster romance and MM romance to this list. For now though it's a great start.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Book Review: Just Another Summer Romance

Title - Just Another Summer Romance

Author - J.S. Cooper

Genre - Romance

Tropes - Friends to Lovers, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity

Published - April 16th 2026

Format - eArc

Synopsis

“You’re invited to the wedding of the summer. We hope you can join us. Mia, it’s a pity you don’t have a date.”

After receiving that rude invite from my childhood crush Rex, things took a wildly unhinged turn. My best friend, Luke (Rex’s brother), suggested we go to the wedding together and pretend we’d been secretly dating for a year. And I, like a fool, said yes!

The rules were simple:

Pretend we were soulmates, written in the stars.
No crossing physical lines (I was dumb).
Break up immediately after the wedding.

Somewhere between the shared hotel room, lingering practice kisses, and tantalizing touches, our chemistry starts to feel too real. Rule #2 went out the window faster than you could say, “This is a bad idea.”

When Rex decides he wants me after all, our fake relationship becomes even more complicated. Now I have to decide if a summer romance I never saw coming is turning into love or if I’m risking the best friendship of my life.

Just Another Summer Romance is a small town summer romcom between two best friends faking a relationship for a wedding.

Review

I received Just Another Summer Romance in return for an honest review.

Luke and Mia have been best friends since they were little even though they are living in different parts of the country. Luke left to prove to his family he had could make it on his own after his brother took over the company. Now his brother is getting married and it's time to return home but after some snide messages on his and Mia's invites they come up with a plan. To fake date each other as they are after all best friends what could go wrong.

I loved Mia and Luke they are just perfect for each other and after being apart for so long neither can deny the attraction. I feel like they are totally meant to be even if they don't see it. We have a whole supporting cast from friends to family and the grandma's are hands down my favorites. Coconut Beach is totally a town I would love to live in and Mia's job is kind of perfect. I loved the whole cast and really felt like I could connect with both Luke and Mia.

I devoured this one in two quick reading sessions as I was hooked right from the start. It's a sweet romance with just the right amount of spice. I found myself giggling throughout the story and having moments when I wanted to toss my kindle at Rex. This isn't my first book by the author so I had some pretty big expectations and she blew them out of the water. This may be my favorite book by the author. I can't wait to read the next one. Highly recommend if you enjoy friends to lovers romance.

Can't Wait Wednesday!

It's a new week with a new book on my list that I can't wait for it to release.

A Game of Cat and Witch

Releases May 10th so just around the corner.