Review: Thaw of Spring by Rebecca Zanetti

Rebecca Zanetti returns us to the small town of Knife’s Edge, Alaska where a powder keg of secrets is just waiting to explode! 

About the Book

Welcome to Knife’s Edge, Alaska, where the four Osprey brothers return from military service with shadows in their eyes and secrets in their hearts. As danger looms, new romances ignite, and these rugged men must fight for love…and survival.

Christian Osprey prefers the wilderness to the company of people. A former Navy Special Operator, he’s built for isolation and thrives in the untamed wild. He doesn’t want ties, doesn’t need anyone—but he can’t seem to stay away from Amka, the soft-eyed tavern owner who always greets him with a warm smile, a hot cup of coffee, and no expectations.

Amka Pinga has spent her life being strong for everyone else, even as her own life unravels. Trapped in an engagement that feels more like a cage, she’s tangled in obligations that threaten to break her spirit. Christian’s quiet strength feels like a lifeline she doesn’t dare reach for—but danger is circling Knife’s Edge, and this time, she’s at the center of it.

When Amka becomes a target, Christian will stop at nothing to protect her. But their simmering attraction explodes into something fierce and undeniable, and keeping her close blurs the line between protection and possession. In a town where secrets run deeper than the icy rivers and trust is as treacherous as thin ice, survival means risking everything—even their hearts.

My Review

Thaw of Spring starts with a bang and ends with a WTF revelation that will leave you breathless! I was on the edge of my seat with nail-biting anticipation! 

Knife’s Edge is a sleepy town full of secrets. Not everything is what it seems. Who can you trust? And why are the Osprey brothers so broody and too gorgeous for their own good? That is one mystery I don’t mind waiting to unravel. Drag it out, make us readers work for it 😉

OMG I absolutely LOVE this book! I love the dynamics and the simmering chemistry between Christian and Amka. There is so much going on in this story. If you blink you’ll miss it. 

Thaw of Spring can easily be read as a standalone but I encourage reading the first book, Dead of Winter to get the backstory on the town and its people. This book is explosive, mysterious, and so much fun to read. I highly recommend the series and can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Purchase Links*

Rebecca Zanetti Website

About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and #1 Amazon bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than sixty novels, which have been translated into several languages, with more than five million copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publishers Weekly starred reviews and have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Woman’s World, and Women’s Day Magazines. Her novels have also been included in Amazon best books of the year and have been favorably reviewed in both the Washington Post and the New York Times Book Reviews. Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest. Learn more at rebeccazanetti.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf by Isabelle Taylor

The grumpy-sunshine appeal of It Happened One Summer meets the cozy fantasy vibes of The Baby Dragon Cafe in this utterly charming, spicy, Alaska-set fated-mates romance

Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf is a fun read with extraordinary characters and a romance so spicy it’ll fog up your Kindle screen!

About the Book

Welcome to Claw Haven, where monsters go to find some peace and quiet.

Spoiled heiress Luna Stack is meant to be sipping mai tais on a beach with her fun-loving fiancé. Instead, a snowstorm strands her in Claw Haven, Alaska, a cozy town full of monsters living the quiet life. At least the werewolf innkeeper’s hot—until he opens his mouth. 

Luna’s more than ready to leave the grumpy wolf and his decrepit inn behind as soon as the snow clears, but when a potion mishap bonds the two of them together, she resigns herself to staying in Claw Haven, just for a little while.

She’s only werewolf married, though, not married married, like, legally. No big deal.

Oliver Musgrove wants nothing to do with his new “wife.” He has annoying, friendly townsfolk to ignore, and he’s lost his ability to shift, which means his alpha ambitions are currently on hold.

Unfortunately, no matter how much Oliver wants to keep his distance from Luna, the bond says otherwise. Even though the two can’t stand each other, maybe they can stop bickering long enough to explore the magical spark between them…

After all, what’s a little knotting between enemies?

My Review

The story begins with Luna somewhere in Alaska trying to get to the airport. She was at a work convention representing her family business and is trying to catch her flight to the Bahamas to meet up with her fiancé. The trip is important to her because it gave her the opportunity to show her father she’s more than just a party girl. 

As the weather gets worse, Luna realizes she’s not going to make it to the airport and ends up in a small town named Claw Haven trying to find a room. She loses control of the car and runs over the inn’s sign and almost hits the building! 

Luna apologizes to the grumpy–yet super hunky–innkeeper and promises to pay for the sign. She gets a room, takes a shower, goes in search of a hair dryer and then BING BANG BOOM she’s accidentally mated to a werewolf! 

I know what you’re thinking: 

“But she has a fiancé?!?!?” 

“How can she be mated to a werewolf?!?!?!” 

“HOW did she get mated to a werewolf?!?!!?” 

“Consent much?!!?!?”

All your concerns are valid and will be answered as you read the story. That’s why I picked up the book. I have to know how this happened and what are they going to do about it? Hold on to your hats people, it’s about to get wild!

I absolutely adore wolf shifter romances/stories and I love that the author puts a unique twist on the werewolf legend, especially the mating parts. I love the big, boisterous pack Oliver has and I love how welcoming they are of Luna… well with a few exceptions. You can read about that later 😉 

I will say though, because Luna is engaged to another person and she seems to be in a new “relationship” with Oliver as his mate, some lines get crossed. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that it does get a little messy, but I can’t say more without spoiling things. I will say though that I am not a fan of cheater books. I hate them with a fiery passion and if there is cheating between an FMC and MMC, it’s an automatic DNF. That being said, how things turned out between Oliver and Luna, it wasn’t enough to make me DNF this book. So, if you have issues like this, please read at your own discretion. 

I absolutely loved the story and am completely in love with the town of Claw Haven. I am so excited to read more stories from this fun and enchanting series.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Harlequin Romance

Ebook and Audiobook: on sale October 7, 2025

Trade Paperback: on sale March 24, 2026

About the Author

Isabelle Taylor writes sweet, steamy fantasy romance. She works in a bookstore in New Zealand and has a Creative Writing Masters from the International Institute of Modern Letters. She can be found on Instagram and Tiktok @isabelletaylorauthor.

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews turned a serial story on their blog into a series! I'm not sure what kind of magic they possess but I'm totally here for it!

We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy.  Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

About the Book

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition…  Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in a labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach’s secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

My Review

What started out as a serial story on Gordon and Ilona Andrews’s blog turned into a new and colorful world full of danger, mystery, and survival. 

Ada and Bear get trapped in an interdimensional cave when their mission goes tits up. Trying to find a way out takes them on a wild and dangerous journey through portal after portal, encountering all manner of deadly creatures, plants, and civilizations. What motivates Ada is a promise. A promise to her kids that she’d come home to them. And I’ll tell you one thing, there ain’t nothing stronger than the will of a parent trying to get home to their children.

The Inheritance is a brilliantly crafted universe with vibrant worlds, monstrous adversaries, and takes readers on a journey of strength, self discovery, and courage.

Like all Ilona Andrews books, I highly recommend this and every book from the author.

Purchase Links*

Ilona Andrews Website

About the Author

“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) 

We write together, we live in Texas, we have two daughters and way too many animals. Learn more at ilona-andrews.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: By the Horns by Ruby Dixon

By the Horns is the second book in Ruby Dixon's Royal Artifactual Guild monster romance series.

The special first edition hardcover will include a gorgeous, shimmering jacket with effects, brilliantly illustrated four-color endpapers, striking and detailed-stained edges, and a beautiful foil-stamped case.

By the Horns is a thrilling story with mystery, suspense, ghosts, and steamy monster love.

About the Book

In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman with a deadly magic secret needs the help of the minotaur she’s trying to forget in the sizzling sequel to Ruby Dixon’s New York Times bestseller Bull Moon Rising.

Gwenna has always considered herself a normal person. A former servant, she wants nothing more than to land a steady job with the Royal Artifactual Guild so she can make some steady coin to send home to her mother. She’s not special. She’s certainly not a necromancer. That would be impossible, given how necromancing (or any ‘mancing) is forbidden upon penalty of death. So if the dead keep talking to her? Well, she’s going to keep on ignoring them. They’re not going to stand in the way of her dreams.

Also standing in her way? One big, arrogant, far-too-flirty Taurian named Raptor. They slept together once, and now he wants more . . . but she doesn’t have time for that. Her focus is on being a fledgling, a trainee for the Royal Artifactual Guild. But Raptor won’t go away. He’s on a secret mission for the guild to find an artifact thief.

Problem is, he thinks the thief is Gwenna.

How can she convince Raptor that he’s got the wrong girl when all the signs point to her? And how do you tell a Taurian you can’t date him because you hear dead people and it might cost you your life?

My Review

What a wild freakin’ ride (figuratively and literally) this is! Not only do we get to solve a mystery with Gwenna, Raptor and a new gang of guild apprentices–and a few familiar faces–we get more page time with Aspeth and her minotaur hubby, Hawk (Book 1). 

I sure do love a story where a strong and determined female lead strives to beat the odds and tries to prove every misogynistic jerk wrong. Gwenna was Aspeth’s maid in the first book and now it’s her time to shine, and shine she does. 

Gwenna didn’t have the education Aspeth did growing up and she struggles a lot trying to keep up with her classmates. But whatever her shortcomings, Gwenna makes up for in her fierce spirit and tenacity. She’s also loyal and has so much heart. I absolutely love her and loved watching her grow into the woman she’s meant to be.

The storyline is exciting, fun, funny, and gets pretty spicy in a few spots. This is definitely a wide open door romance 😉

If you like your monster romances with incredible world building, interesting characters, witty dialogue, and wicked debauchery, then the Royal Artifactual Guild series is your perfect match. 

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Penguin Random House | Ruby Dixon Website

About the Author

Ruby Dixon is an author of all things science fiction romance. She is a Sagittarius and a Reylo shipper, and loves farming sims (but not actual housework). She lives in the South with her husband and a couple of goofy cats, and can’t think of anything else to put in her biography. Truly, she is boring. Learn more at rubydixon.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: A Scar in the Bone by Sophie Jordan

Magic awakens.

Darkness swells.

A hero rises—and she’s ready to fight…

New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan is back with an all-new epic romantasy set in the high-stakes world of A Fire in the Sky.

That's right! SHE'S ready to fight! 

Come watch Tamsyn grow from an orphaned whipping girl to a strong and resilient dragon in A Scar in the Bone. 

 

About the Book

It’s been a year since Tamsyn transformed. From royal whipping girl in the palace of Penterra to the bride of Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands. From the enemy in the Beast’s bed to the wife he sacrificed himself to save. From an ordinary girl...to a dragon. And not just any dragon—a powerful fire-breather...and the best hope to keep magic from flickering out forever.

With Fell gone, torn from her side in the dangerous swirling mists of the Crags, Tamsyn is heartbroken and alone among the dragon pride. An unwelcome outsider still learning to survive in this fiery skin of hers within a new cutthroat society, she trains in the arena until her muscles burn and her blood spills. Slowly, Tamsyn forges herself into a warrior in the shadow of Fell’s enigmatic brother, Vetr, whose silver eyes track her with distrust...and maybe something more.

But is Fell truly beyond her reach? Their bond pulls at her, as fiercely as the drive to protect both humans and dragonkind from the growing threat posed by Stig, once her closest friend, now a relentless enemy determined to hunt her down and destroy her—and with her, all things magic.

Magic stirs in the darkness, strengthening all who believe in it. But will it be enough to save Tamsyn, the pride, the kingdom...and a fiery love fated to endure for centuries, as deep as a scar in the bone?

My Review

A Scar in the Bone is an exciting and heart-wrenching story. 

My heart was in knots watching Tamsyn struggle as she learned her new strength as a dragon, trying to survive her new pride while waiting for a knife in her back, and doing all this knowing her love–Fell–is gone. She is a multifaceted character with so much depth and heart. Tamsyn is easily relatable and such a strong woman, I greatly admire her. 

Sophie Jordan is a brilliant storyteller and she has me completely enthralled in this fantasy series. I feel like we’re only scratching the surface of what’s really going on. And I am here for it!

The story is full of interesting surprises and a few twists I didn’t see coming! I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

If you are searching for a fantasy series with great world building, dynamic characters, and a love story literally forged in fire, look no further than A Fire in the Sky series.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Harper Collins | Sophie Jordan Website

Deluxe Limited Edition

About the Author

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than fifty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and streaming anything that has a happily ever after. Learn more at sophiejordan.net

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Dead of Winter by Rebecca Zanetti

Welcome to Knife’s Edge, Alaska, where the four Osprey brothers return from military service with shadows in their eyes and secrets in their hearts. As danger looms, new romances ignite, and these rugged men must fight for love…and survival.

About the Book

Brock Osprey has spent years in the rugged Alaskan wilderness, far from civilization and even farther from his past. A former Navy Seal, Brock is now the unwilling protector of Knife’s Edge, a remote town with more secrets than residents. But when FBI agent Ophelia Spilazi arrives to investigate the unsolved murder of his guardian—and recent unexplained deaths in the area—Brock’s carefully guarded world is thrown into chaos.

Agent Ophelia Spilazi has one last chance to save her career, and Knife’s Edge is her shot. The isolated town is full of secrets, and she’s certain Brock knows more than he’s letting on. The town’s recent string of mysterious deaths only heightens her suspicion, but the more time she spends with the brooding Alaskan, the harder it becomes to ignore the dangerous chemistry between them.

As a brutal storm traps them in the isolated wilderness, Brock and Ophelia’s growing attraction ignites, even as shadows from their pasts threaten to tear them apart. But with a dangerous conspiracy and powerful enemies lurking in the shadows, their only hope is to trust each other—before the wilderness consumes them both.

Originally published 2021 in Kindle Vella

My Review

I am a huge Rebecca Zanetti fan and every time a new book or series starts, I’m first in line to read. I kinda hung back on Dead of Winter a little bit because it sounded similar to Rebecca’s Laurel Snow series. As I started reading and getting into the mystery, I was thinking that Laurel Snow could help solve these cases. I had to separate the different stories in my head so it wouldn’t color my thoughts about the new series and my review, unfortunately it was more difficult than I thought.

While the story DID start out feeling like the Laurel Snow series, the similarities began disappearing the deeper I got into the book. This Alaska small town is isolated during the cold months and the townsfolk band together and take care of each other. I love that small town feel and that everyone is in everyone else’s business. But small towns can also hold big secrets and that’s what FBI Agent Ophelia Spilazi discovers as she tries to solve a string of mysterious deaths and the murder of one of the locals. 

I sure do love a good mystery and there are plenty in Dead of Winter. Especially the mysterious Osprey brothers. I really enjoyed learning the town dynamics and meeting the unique townsfolk. Some are not what they seem and some are exactly what they appear to be. In Knife’s Edge, you’re either born there, vacationing there, or you’re hiding from something there. It’s always a thrill trying to figure out which is which!

Overall, Dead of Winter is a solid start to a promising series and I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.

Purchase Links*

Rebecca Zanetti Website

About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and #1 Amazon bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than sixty novels, which have been translated into several languages, with more than five million copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publishers Weekly starred reviews and have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Woman’s World, and Women’s Day Magazines. Her novels have also been included in Amazon best books of the year and have been favorably reviewed in both the Washington Post and the New York Times Book Reviews. Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest. Learn more at rebeccazanetti.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Sleigh Bells at Moonglow by Deborah Garner

Deborah Garner's Moonglow Christmas series is a cozy small town Christmas series with lots of warmth and holiday spirit. 

All the books are currently available to read on Kindle Unlimited.

The series centers around the Timberton Hotel and the eccentric chef, Mist. The hotel is a magical place where people can come to heal and to celebrate the joy and magic of the holiday season. 

Sleigh Bells at Moonglow is Book 11 in the series and absolutely doesn't have to be read during Christmastime. They can be read anytime. I highly recommend them all!

About the Book

Christmas in the small Montana town of Timberton is always filled with heartfelt camaraderie, exquisite cuisine, and holiday cheer. An old-fashioned sleigh ride through the forest this year promises to bring plenty of joy as well as a sense of community for both visitors and townsfolk as they celebrate the season.

Resident artist and chef, Mist, always finds a way of bringing inspiration to those around her. Add in the traditional Christmas Eve feast in the Moonglow Cafe and the sweet gathering for Betty’s Cookie Exchange, and it’s guaranteed to be a holiday to cherish. As always, no one leaves Timberton without renewed hope for the future.

My Review

I am absolutely enamored with the Moonglow Christmas series and I enjoy visiting this quaint Montana town during the holidays. 

The series is centered around the town of Timberton and the local hotel where every guest is welcomed like family. Mist, the quirky and eccentric proprietor of the Moonglow Cafe inside the hotel puts her special touch on everything from the decor, to personalized gifts for the guests, to the food, and infuses Christmas joy into everything she does. Working alongside the innkeeper Betty, Mist makes every guest’s stay special and somehow has a “knowing” of just what each guest needs to make their holiday brighter. 

This year, the town has added a sleigh ride event to the local Christmas festivities and it’s simply enchanting. The townsfolk are all welcoming and everyone helps out each other. There is such a community and so much love and care that I just want to live inside Timberton with everybody else. 

As always, the author has several pages of holiday cookie recipes that’ll make you smile and keep your belly full and happy.

Sleigh Bells at Moonglow is a perfect addition to your holiday reading list. I highly recommend the entire series! 

Purchase Links*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Deborah Garner Website

About the Author

Deborah Garner is an accomplished travel writer with a passion for back roads and secret hideaways. Born and raised in California, she studied in France before returning to the U.S. to attend UCLA. After stints in graduate school and teaching, she attempted to clone herself for decades by founding and running a dance and performing arts center, designing and manufacturing clothing and accessories, and tackling both spreadsheets and display racks for corporate retail management. Her passions include photography, hiking and animal rescue. She speaks five languages, some substantially better than others. She now divides her time between California and Wyoming, dragging one human and two canines along whenever possible. Learn more at deborahgarner.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.