Review: The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts

 

The Mirror (The Lost Bride Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts

Publication Date: November 18th 2025 by St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 464

Audio Book Length: 15hrs 23min

Narrator: Brittany Pressley 

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Sonya, Cleo, Trey and Owen are busy living life while waiting for the remaining bride portraits to show up and trying to figure out a way to break the curse. Hester Dobbs starts escalating her attacks seeming to become more powerful, but so are the other ghosts on Sonya’s side.

 

The Seven Rings wraps up The Lost Bride Trilogy with a satisfying conclusion, but it took a while to get there. There were a lot of dinners, painting, clients, family and events and while it sounded fun, the pace suffered. I think the story would’ve benefited with some editing down and focusing, but it was a fun read. I rooted for Sonya to prevail and break the curse, not only for her sake but for the brides and other ghosts tied up by it. It was an exciting showdown and a wonderful conclusion!

 

I alternately read and listened to The Seven Rings. As with the other installments, Brittany Pressley did a wonderful job bringing all the characters to life! 

3.5 Stars

Book Description: 

The #1 New York Times-bestselling author concludes her compelling Lost Bride trilogy as two women—one dead, one alive—prepare for a terrifying final showdown…

Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house—a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions—but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear, and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop—and of her own future…

 

Review: Innocence Road by Laura Griffin

 

Innocence Road by Laura Griffin

Publication Date: November 11th 2025 by Berkley 

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Librofm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Leanne was finding her footing in the department as a newcomer transferring back to her hometown of Madrone, Texas after years away in the Dallas PD. When a young woman is found beaten and murdered, Detective Leanne Everhart is assigned to the case. Unfortunately, her Chief is more interested in managing the fallout of a past high profile murder case where the conviction has just been overturned. Leanne is very familiar with the case as her father was one of the detectives that investigated and the situation is a hot mess.

As Leanne digs into to her case, she discovers there are other unsolved murders in the area with a similar MO and is surprised no one has followed up. Also, she runs into resistance at every turn with her Chief.

I really liked Leanne and was frustrated for her as she was undermined in her efforts to solve the case. She goes about things methodically, adding facts and theories as she uncovers evidence. The past case with her father is troubling. Leanne’s also dealing with family issues and a romantic relationship. Although, the romance is very much in the background. It was a satisfying conclusion and I wonder if this is the start to a series. I’m all in if so!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Detective Leanne Everhart swore she’d never go back to her hometown near Marfa, Texas—but she returns when her brother needs her, only to find a town in need too, still torn apart by a decades-old crime.

Leanne Everhart knows women have something to fear in her artsy hometown, especially so if they’re not rich, white locals. Returning to town after her father’s death, she sees the ugliest sides of an area that draws people for its severe, untamed natural landscape.

While her department faces mounting backlash over a recent wrongful conviction in the long-ago murder case of a popular local teenager—which is now unsolved—Leanne is called to a fresh crime scene at the edge of the desert. A nameless woman was found murdered, with no clues as to her identity. As Leanne digs into the crime scene evidence, she grows convinced this latest murder case is linked with the local teenager’s murder. And to multiple cold cases, all unnamed female victims, that have all been shelved by her department without leads.

Now, with conflicted loyalties and without allies, Leanne must hunt down a serial killer, one who’s been preying on local women for two decades, growing bolder and more ruthless with every strike.

 

Audiobook Review: False Witness by Phillip Margolin

 

False Witness by Phillip Margolin

Publication Date: November 11th 2025 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 304

Audio Book Length: 6hrs 38min

Narrator: Thérèse Plummer

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Karen Wyatt was falsely convicted on a manufactured drug charge after exposing corruption in the District Attorney’s Office as well as the police. She served time before having the conviction overturned. She also won a large sum which allows her pick and chose the cases she wants to defend. She’s also still investigating whether there were others in the DA’s office behind her setup.

I really enjoyed my first read by Phillip Margolin! It was a fast-paced crime procedural with a lot at play and several POVs. Karen had a few cases she worked through, up against a lazy, arrogant DA and it was satisfying to see her beat him with her smart thinking and strategy. I really liked Karen and I hope we get more mysteries with her as the star!

Thérèse Plummer is one of my all-time favorite narrators so it was an added pleasure having her narrative the story! A definite recommend!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

A lawyer who was set-up, imprisoned, and disbarred, only to be vindicated and reinstated, is determined to find out who set her up and cover their tracks with a trail of dead bodies

Defense Attorney Karen Wyatt exposed corruption in the police force and the District Attorney's office while getting her client exonerated in court. But in doing so, she put a target on her back and she was set-up on fake drug charge, imprisoned and disbarred until the conspiracy unraveled and her innocence was proven. Now reinstated to the bar, Wyatt is still interested in finding out who ordered her to be set-up - but the key figures were either killed or are in Witness Protection. 

In the meantime, Wyatt is a practicing defense attorney, whose current client is either guilty of a heinous murder, or is a too-trusting patsy for an acquaintance set-up for a crime he didn't commit. It will take all of Wyatt's genius to defend her client successfully but that's just one piece of an increasingly complex puzzle.

With a deadly criminal drug gang, a powerful, corrupt figure hiding in the D.A.'s office, and a Congressman who turned up with an unbelievable story after disappearing for days, Traitor is twisty, breathtaking, and unpredictable thriller.

Review: A Judgement of Powers by Benedict Jacka

 

A Judgement of Powers (Inheritance of Magic #3) by Benedict Jacka

Publication Date: November 4th 2025 by Ace

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

Stephen Oakwood had been training with his father in the art of drucrafting (sort of magic) until his father went missing. Stephen didn’t know there was a whole world of drucrafters, with a hierarchy, politics, and grabs for more power. He’s learned a lot since the first book and has been settling in more and interacting with his family, the Ashford’s, a lesser family in the hierarchy but still an old and powerful one. Unfortunately, it’s unclear whether he can trust any of them. 

After narrowly escaping with his life in the last book, one of Stephen’s main goals is to gain more abilities and power. He makes a plan to accomplish this with some help from his friend Colin and fellow drucrafter, Ivy. Also, Hobbs, his super-cat, one of my favorite characters!

Stephen is now working with his family of House Ashford a bit more, earning money and gaining a bit more knowledge in the process. Members of the Winged still pressuring him to join, but he’s not sure why and they seem less than savory, but putting them off is becoming increasingly difficult.

In A Judgement of Powers the story picks up from the last book and is an exciting tale from page one! Stephan comes up against nefarious characters, his fighting skills, quick thinking serve him well, but these people are powerful and things were tense! After the way things end I’m eager for the next book!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

In a world where magic is controlled by wealthy families and vast corporations, one young man will need all the help he can get in this riveting contemporary fantasy from the author of the Alex Verus novels.

Stephen Oakwood’s ambitions used to be simple. Pay his bills, track down his father, and take care of his cat. Maybe study a little magic after work, if he had time. 

Now it’s a year later and he’s got everything he wanted. But it’s come with a price. 

The Winged, a mysterious group involved with his father, have noticed Stephen, and they want him to join them or else. His career as a corporate locator has hit a dead end. And his new job as bodyguard to Calhoun Ashford is proving a lot more lethal than expected due to assassination attempts from outside the House, and possibly also from within. 

To survive, Stephen’s going to need allies of his own. And along the way, he’s going to have to figure out the secret of his own gift, and what it means. The cults, Houses, and corporations of the magical world are locked in an endless battle for dominance, and Stephen is beginning to realize that he’s going to have to pick a side . . . before someone else picks it for him.

 

Sunday Post #315

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

It's been a flurry of activity this week because we leave for Italy today! I have a few posts scheduled and if I have some time in the evenings I'll do some visiting.

Puzzle completed: Birdie’s Perch, 1000 pieces.

Read: 

A Silence in Belgrave Square (Below Stairs Mystery #8) by Jennifer Ashley-5 Stars

False Witness by Phillip Margolin-4.5 Stars

Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft-3.5-4 Stars

Loved how A Silence in Belgrave Square turned out! It was a happy ending for sure, but I hope we do still get more books. False Witness was my first read of Phillip Margolin and I really enjoyed it! Night Watcher had me on the edge of my seat and I was definitely hooked but there were so many TSTL moves from Nola! Still, it was suspenseful and good! 

That’s it for now! 

How was your week?

Review: The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover

 

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover

Publication Date: September 23rd 2025 by Berkley

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Louisa’s life unravels when her longtime boyfriend, a famous rocker, suddenly ends their relationship. On top of that, she’s just failed her therapy licensing exam, despite completing her degree. But what hits hardest isn’t the breakup or the professional setback, it’s the thought of losing the old Victorian home she’s shared with him for years. With her ex having supported her financially, Lou can no longer afford to stay.

 

Desperate to hold on to the place that’s been her sanctuary, Lou comes up with an idea: she’ll turn the house into an inn for the brokenhearted. All she needs is her landlord Henry’s approval. Though hesitant at first, Henry agrees, and as the project unfolds, the two find themselves drawn together. Their shared vulnerability and emotional wounds slowly give way to trust, connection, and love.

 

I didn’t immediately connect with Lou. Her dependence on a man who was often absent and distant made her situation hard to sympathize with. But as her backstory emerged, I began to understand her choices, and my empathy grew. I also struggled with the idea of her running an inn for others dealing with heartbreak when she seemed to be kind of a mess. But once I realized she wasn’t offering therapy, just a safe, welcoming space for guests to decompress and feel heard, the concept felt more grounded and sincere.

 

Watching Lou and Henry confront their past and grow together was deeply rewarding. Their struggles felt authentic, and their journey toward healing was tender and uplifting. The Heartbreak Hotel is a sweet, emotionally resonant story about second chances, personal growth, and the unexpected places love can bloom.

4 Stars

Book Description:

A bed-and-breakfast for the brokenhearted might hold the key to another chance at love in this achingly hopeful debut romance.

Louisa Walsh emerged from a tumultuous childhood with a degree in counseling, a wealthy boyfriend, and her sunny outlook on life mostly intact. But that optimism is tested when she’s dumped and left unable to afford rent on their gorgeous house in the mountains of Colorado. Even with her life in disarray, Lou knows losing the one stable place she’s ever called home is not an option.

She asks her reclusive landlord, Henry Rhodes, to let her stay for free in exchange for renting out the house’s many rooms as a bed-and-breakfast. She’s shocked when he agrees to her terms, and even more surprised to discover Henry is a handsome thirtysomething veterinarian with silver at his temples and sadness in his eyes. One who does not take it well when Lou starts marketing her B and B as a retreat for the recently heartbroken.

But as the Comeback Inn opens its doors to its weary, hopeful guests, Lou and Henry find themselves dancing around both their undeniable connection and the closely held secrets that threaten to topple this fragile new start. A chance at love, here, could be too close to home…or it could be exactly where their hearts finally heal.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Before the End of 2025

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Reader where each week they post a new top ten list and ask fellow bookish folk to share their lists on that topic.

This week the theme is a Halloween Freebie so I'm posting: 

Ten Before the End 2025. 

(I know, this has nothing to do with Halloween, lol)

Ten books I hope to complete before the end of the year:

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier

I'm reading this as part of a read-along on Instagram for October so I need to read it soon! It sounds so good, though, so no hardship!

We Are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) by Karin Slaughter

I want to read this before the Goodreads Choice Awards start coming up. I'd like to be able to include for consideration for the mystery/thriller selections.

Immortal by Morning (Argeneau #37) by Lynsay Sands

My library lend is about to expire so I hope to get to it soon!

The Seven Rings (The Lost Bride Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts 

Can't wait to find out how it all turns out!

Great Big Beautiful Lie by Emily Henry

I'm sure will be a contender for the Goodreads Choice Awards so I'd like to read it before that comes up. Same with the Jimenez book.

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh

The Marriage Method (The Crinoline Academy #2) by Mimi Matthews

A Silence in Belgrave Square (A Below Stairs Mystery #8) by Jennifer Ashley

Another library lend about to expire! I need more hours in the day!

The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon

On my list from last year!

What books would you like to read before the end of 2025?

Sunday Post #314

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

The weather has been gorgeous and the leaves brilliant here in Northern California! It's been raining off and on today (Saturday) and will continue tomorrow. 

One of our maples turning red

Cosmos from the garden

1000 Piece Puzzle: Raking Leaves from New York Puzzle Co.

We've brought out the heating mats for the barn cats and finally got one where they use it in the garage. They have a cat door into the garage and already go in and out as they please. We have an electronic feeder with dry food in there but we also bring up plates of wet food, too. They really go through the cat food when the temperatures drop!

I've been experimenting with my packing as I'm only taking a carry-on and a duffle (my personal item) for a two and a half week trip to Italy with varying temperatures since I'll be in the North of Italy (Lake Como, Venice and Milan) and in a more temperate areas (Florence and Rome). I think I have it figured out. 

Read:

(Clicking on cover will take you to Goodreads)

Mate (Bride #2) by Ali Hazelwood-4 Stars

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover-4 Stars

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed #1) by Brigitte Knightley-4 Stars

I had a good reading week! Mate had me laughing throughout with Hazelwood's fast, witty humor. The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy was also funny and clever! I had started The Heartbreak Hotel a while back and had to set it aside because it wasn't grabbing me and I was having trouble with the female main lead, but I picked up again and gave it a chance. It picked up and I ended up pleasantly surprised!

Received:

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

The Seven Rings (The Lost Bride Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts

False Witness by Phillip Margolin

Thank you to Ace, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio!

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How was your week?

Audiobook Review: This is a Safe Space by Lucinda Berry

 

This is a Safe Space by Lucinda Berry

Publication Date: October 21st 2025 by Simon & Schuster Audio

Audio Book Length: 3 hrs 40 mins

Narrators: Danielle Savre, Alicia Crowder, Dan Bittner, Matt Godfrey & Janina Edwards

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

After secretly checking her husband’s phone, therapist Jenna makes a chilling discovery: her patient Kaitlyn, a college student paying her bills as an adult dancer, may be the same woman threatening her husband’s cousin, Bodie, following his wild bachelor party. It’s clear Kaitlyn has endured something traumatic, but she’s abruptly cut off therapy, leaving Jenna desperate for answers. Driven by concern and curiosity, Jenna begins to listen to their recorded sessions. What she uncovers is far more disturbing than she ever imagined.

 

Though trained to help others, Jenna is far from having her own life in order. Her messy past makes her actions understandable, but I couldn’t help but hope she wouldn’t unravel her life in her pursuit of the truth.

 

This is a Safe Space is a fast-paced, addictive listen that had me hooked from the first chapter! The full cast narration enhanced my enjoyment of this tense, twisty novella!

4 Stars

A therapist discovers an unnerving connection between one of her patients and her own family in this gripping audio thriller by the bestselling author of The Perfect Child and One of Our Own .

Jenna, who runs a successful private therapy practice, still struggles with trust issues of her own. She’s made a promise to stop snooping in her husband Colten’s phone, but sometimes she can’t help herself. One night, she discovers a troubling exchange between him and his cousin Bodie, who’s one of his closest friends. A dancer from a bachelor party they both recently attended is threatening Bodie, claiming they crossed a line sexually and that she’ll expose the truth to his family if she doesn’t get what she wants. They don’t know much about this woman, or how far she’s willing to go. But Jenna might.

Lexus Chardonnay, the stage name of the dancer from the party, is one you don’t forget. And Jenna’s heard it before—from one of her clients.

Kaitlyn is a medical school student who dances on weekends to put herself through school. Jenna’s been her therapist for years, except she hasn’t seen her for three months. Not since Kaitlyn stopped showing up for treatment, without explanation. As Jenna begins to listen back to their past sessions, desperate for answers, a more complicated picture emerges, and she must decide who to trust as her career and her family hang in the balance.

Specially produced for a dynamic listening experience, This is a Safe Space is a shocking, emotional thriller from “a leading voice in the genre and a force to be reckoned with” (Jeneva Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage).

 

Review: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

 

Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

Publication Date: October 21st 2025 by Ace

Pages: 288

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Asil has been an integral part of the Alpha & Omega series and a favorite character from the beginning.  So, I was thrilled to get what I thought was a collection of unrelated short stories with him as the main character. I was happily surprised to discover Blind Date with a Werewolf melded previous short stories with additional new ones to make a whole cohesive story with Asil at the center!  

 

A little backstory: Asil, a powerful old wolf, with a sad history, originally came to Bran (head of the North American werewolves) when his control over his wolf was waning. He requested Bran end him before he lost it. However, Bran refused and instead put Asil to work sending him to take care of problems within individual packs, which gave him purpose again, but happiness? Maybe not.

 

Here in Blind Date with a Werewolf, an anonymous party has decided Asil shouldn’t be alone over the holidays and so has “gifted” him with five blind dates. Let the fun and spilling of blood begin! I loved every minute!

5 Stars

Book Description:

When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous “friends,” his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series.


Includes two all-new stories as well as three previously published stories.

Dear

We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!

Sincerely,
Your Concerned Friends

Sunday Post #313

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

We had a nice trip to Cancun with family. The weather was beautiful. We went enjoyed the beach, a water park and I had a relaxing massage.  I enjoyed everything except the mosquito bites.

View from our room

We got back late on Sunday and I had to work the next day.

Now I'm finishing up all the bookings for our trip to Italy which is just a couple of weeks away. I found a new house sitter and I'm so relived! 

Puzzles completed over the last two weeks (I didn't post last Sunday):

1000 Piece Puzzle: Gothic Novels by Gibson Games

1000 Piece Puzzle: Old New England by Charles Wysocki (Milton Bradley)

The panicle hydrangeas are almost done blooming and are turning pretty shades of pink on the ends. I cut a bunch and have them drying but also brought some in for arrangements: 

Panicle hydrangeas

It's been cold here so we've been having a fire going in the wood stove. I love it! So does Peanut! 

Peanut napping

Read:

(Click on cover to take you to Goodreads listing)

A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan-5 Stars

Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne-4 Stars

The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong-4.5 Stars

Sweep of the Heart (Innkeeper Chronicles #5) by Ilona Andrews-5 Stars

The Impossible Fortune (Thursday Murder Club #5) by Richard Osman-5 Stars

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth-5 Stars

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea-4.5 Stars

Sharp Force (Kay Scarpetta #29) by Patricia Cornwell-4.5 Stars

It looks like a lot, but this is two weeks worth of reading. I had a bunch of time to kill on the plane ride back and forth from Cancun. A long flight each way!

After having a few duds a couple of weeks back I was thrilled to love everything I read. My favorite read was Sweep of the Heart! I just finished tonight so I'd be able to participate in our group chat tomorrow. I'm sad this is the last of the Innkeeper Chronicles so far! I forgot about that ending!

Received:

Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay

A Judgment of Powers (Inheritance of Magic #3) by Benedict Jacka

Thank you to Berkley!

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How was your week?