THE FINAL TARGET by Nora Roberts

Fiction, Romantic Suspense

4****

Blurb: 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?

THOUGHTS: The best part of this book was the characters. Nora really gets us into their heads, including Dustin, the stalker. He is so evil… and you just know he’s not going to give up on going after Arden. The romance part of the story wasn’t great, but the suspense was good. I loved that Arden wasn’t just sitting around waiting for him to attack her again or waiting for someone else to rescue her. She panicked a little, then made a plan and followed through. She was a very strong character. The plot was a little slow for me in places, but not so much that it detracted from the overall story. And the setting details definitely added to the story.

I will note that there are some scenes in here that might be triggers for some readers. The attack and rape scene at the beginning and the kidnapping and murders. But this is a thriller/suspense novel so readers should expect this kind of darkness in the story. And the scenes themselves were very well done.

I’ve been a fan of Nora Roberts for years and, though for me, this wasn’t one of her best, it was good enough for me to definitely recommend it.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Blurb:  Voices have two rules—don’t fall in love with your mortal, and don’t reveal what you are. Over the centuries, those rules haven’t been a problem for Nik, son of the Muse, Erato. That is until his latest assignment, a result of a promise he made to his last client, her grandmother, a well-known romance novelist. “Will you help her as you helped me? Please?” The promise was made. And now he faces the consequences of breaking those rules. With MJ, who used to believe in fairy tales and myths. Can she again?

Buy Link:  https://www.rowanprosepublishing.com/paulachaffeescardamalia.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222449562-the-tempting-voice

Bio: Paula Chaffee Scardamalia is an author and book coach who loves helping other writers write their stories and life discoveries using her experience and knowledge along with intuitive tools such as dreams and the tarot. She’s the author of the recently released mythic contemporary romance, The Tempting Voice, and a romantasy, In the Land of the Vultures. She also has written three nonfiction books on writing and the creative life, Enchanting Creativity, Tarot for the Fiction Writer, and the award-winning Weaving a Woman’s Life: Spiritual Lessons from the Loom. Divine Muse-ings is her weekly newsletter on writing, creativity, dreams, and tarot. She lives with her husband in an 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse, constantly in need of TLC, in the foothills of the Catskills.

Social media links: facebook.com/paulascardamalia  instagram.com/paulascardamalia  paulamuse.bsky.social  threads.com/paulascardamalia

CONDITIONS by Skye Mueller

Fiction, Romantic Suspense, steamy

4****

Blurb: Being married to a thief had one definitive upside—financial security for her sister’s medical expenses. Up until acupuncturist Summer Halley experiences pregnancy loss while on a heist, she was willing to overlook the immorality of her husband’s crimes. But the miscarriage elicits broken vows and sacrificed money, a perfect combination for the FBI to exploit.
Forced to assume the role of informant in her ex-husband’s realm, Summer also faces the undeniable tension building between her and Agent Liam Reyes, her handler on the case. As she reconciles the choices surrounding her past, Summer concedes to cooperating with Reyes, even when he reveals his own conflicted feelings. Just as Summer and Reyes stop seeing each other as adversaries, a new target threatens their tentative trust while the truth about her sister’s deception is exposed.

THOUGHTS: This was an interesting romance with a definite twist. Summer Halley was once married to a man who was building a crime empire. She even works for him on occasion, trying not to let what she does get to her. After all, she needs the money for her sister who has cancer. But when she loses her baby due to an accident during a crime gone wrong, the marriage falls apart and she divorces him. Fast forward a year and she has her own small acupuncture clinic and is living a quiet life. Then Agent Liam Reyes pushes his way into her life. For a chance at immunity for her own past crimes, the FBI wants her to entrap her ex. As he lays out her options, Summer realizes that she has no options and agrees to help them. But getting back with her ex isn’t easy, and the longer she works with Liam, the more she realizes that her ex was bad for her in more ways than one. As their feelings for each other grow, Liam and Summer turn from enemies to lovers.

Summer is a good character with a lot of issues. I will note a trigger here about her losing the baby and occasional talk about her angel baby (a term I love). It’s a thick theme throughout the story. Add in her sister’s cancer (and some other issues) and you have a character with a lot of baggage. Liam isn’t exactly free of baggage either. Which makes interesting conflicts on multiple sides.

The story was a little slow for me at first, but definitely picked up by the end and there were several scenes between Liam and Summer that will have you reaching for a cold drink and a fan. I did think the ending with the ex was a touch of a letdown, but overall a decent read.

For those who like their suspense spicy.

Murder on the Sea Otter Express: In the third installment of the Grace “the Hit Mom” Mysteries, a field trip to the New Haven Aquarium ends in disaster when a creepy chaperone falls to his death in the beluga whale tank…when Grace was the one who was supposed to kill him. Now, Grace will have to solve the murder, settle decades-old grudges, and keep her own secrets—all while taking care of her family…and serving as flower girl at her handler Madge’s wedding. As the tasks, and the stakes, keep rising, Grace isn’t sure she’ll live to dance at the wedding.

Buy: 2/10/26 from Turner Publishing/Keylight Books: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Sea-Otter-Express-Mysteries/dp/B0DW7R6MM4/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Nikki Knight is the pen name of Kathleen Marple Kalb, an anchor/author/mom…not in that order. An Agatha and Derringer nominated author of short stories and more than a dozen novels, she’s also a longtime weekend anchor at New York’s 1010 WINS Radio. Her series include the Grace the Hit Mom, Vermont Radio, and Ella Shane Mysteries. Active in writers’ groups, she’s currently a Marketing and Communications Liaison on the National Board of Sisters in Crime, and a past VP of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and NY/Tri-State SinC. She and her family live in a Connecticut house owned by a large calico cat. 

Website:  https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/nikki-knight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiKnightAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mysterymarple.bsky.social

Red Gate Farm By D. V. Stone

A heartwarming tale of second chances and the healing power of coming home.A spirited rancher and a country boy returning home find themselves tangled in horses, government notices, and a little lakeside magic—where second chances bloom and love trots in on four hooves.

Blurb: Nestled in the countryside on the outskirts of Lake Unami, Little Flower Ranch is more than just a patch of land—it’s Addie Martin’s whole world. Her dogs, goats, and horses, both rescued and boarded, know her better than most people do. A life built with grit and rooted in compassion. Until Addie’s peaceful life is thrown into turmoil by a man from her past, with a government notice that threatens to take it all away. Henry Price never planned to come back to Red Gate Farm, but after losing his job and his sense of purpose, the old homestead near Lake Unami calls him back to the place where he grew up surrounded by love and family. But the simpler life may not be so simple when your family introduces you to a woman who has troubles of her own. Lake Unami has its own quiet magic, the kind that works through neighbors, animals, and special guardians. As Addie and Henry navigate old wounds and new beginnings, they’ll discover that sometimes the smallest towns hold the biggest miracles… especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Links

https://books2read.com/u/ml08j9

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-gate-farm-d-v-stone/1148973033

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243837437-red-gate-farm

http://bit.ly/3L6oQ1Y

Bio

D. V. Stone is an award‑winning author and speaker known for crafting stories filled with heart, hope, and a touch of the extraordinary. Writing across middle‑grade paranormal mysteries, fantasy, and romance, she blends emotional depth with imaginative adventure. Drawing on her background in human and animal medical fields, she brings empathy and authenticity to every character. Based in Northern, New Jersey, she finds inspiration in travel, nature, and seasonal traditions. Through her popular blog and community outreach, she champions creativity and connection, inviting readers and writers alike to celebrate the power of story. You can find out more at-

https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/

https://linktr.ee/d.v.stone

SECRET RECIPE: A REDFORD FALLS STORY by Darlene Fredette

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, #4 in series

4****

Blurb: She has one last hope – a small, family-run bakery that might just be baking up second chances. Dwindling finances has Jesse Robinson running out of options. With a past filled with failures, she longs for a new beginning. Applying for a job she isn’t qualified for may be another crazy mistake, but at this point Jesse has nothing to lose. Juggling two jobs, Travis Cooper has absolutely no time for a relationship and isn’t looking for one. But when his mother hires an unqualified baker, he has more to worry about than three-tiered wedding cakes. Like whether to break his own no-dating-employees rule and make a little room in his life for love.

THOUGHTS: This was a different kind of romance story – oh, not in the general sense. We still have boy meets girl, loses girl, gets girl back for a HEA ending. But the characters. Or at least the heroine – and her past. Jess Robinson has moved to Redford falls and lives in a tiny apartment where she’s a month behind on her rent, drives a rusted car that breaks down quite regularly, and is broke and looking for a job. Most places won’t hire her because of her father—Slick Vic—who is in prison for murder. Her father raised her to be a conman (woman) and she was quite good when she was a kid. But she wants desperately to put that past behind her. Unfortunately, fate has other ideas.

Even though she knows nothing about baking, Jess stops in at a bakery that is looking to hire help. The woman who owns the place gives her a test—and Jess passes it (blueberry muffins). Jess discovers that she loves the job, not as a baker, but out front with the customers. Then her father calls her and needs her to do something for him. If she doesn’t he’s in trouble, even in jail. And it has to do with the bakery.

Meanwhile, the owner’s son, Travis, is leery of the new hire. Yes, she’s beautiful and smart, and good with the customers, but there’s something about her…

I loved the tie-ins with the other stories in the series, especially when the rabbit shows up at the moment Jess goes into the bakery (you have to read the other stories to understand why this is important). I love the way Travis’ mother Heather handles everything with a touch of mysticism. This is a sweet romance with a touch of suspense and a HEA that satisfies.

Enjoy!

I’D RATHER KISS YOU GOODNIGHT by Christine Columbus

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Mature Adults

4****

Blurb:  has sworn off relationships. At forty-seven, she finds herself stuck in a rut and feels as if she’s going nowhere. Until her mother needs help to fix up her house, now Sally spends her weekends driving three hours to plaster and paint walls. Ty is also lending a hand with the repairs, and their attraction simmers just beneath the surface. As the house takes on a new life, so does Sally’s heart. By day, they work on the house, but in the evenings, they escape to a local campground, overlooking river sunsets and diving into a summer romance. What does Sally do when summer fades to fall, and Ty prepares to leave?

THOUGHTS: This story started off really slow for me and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but I’m glad I stayed with it because by the time it finished, I was really rooting for Sally and Ty. And for her mom too (even though she was not a likeable character at first). In this story, Sally’s mother’s boyfriend of ten years has passed away and his sons want to sell the house she lives in. But she doesn’t want to move and even if they do put it up for sale, it needs significant remodeling. Sally gets her to agree to move once the renovations are done and spends her summer weekends driving three hours to help with the remodeling and grows closer with the oldest brother Ty. Back at work during the week, she’s in a dead-end job that is draining her. Her two friends convince her to have a summer fling with Ty, but Sally was burnt by a crooked ex and is leery about getting into another relationship. But she does and has the time of her life during the weekends, and finds herself falling for Ty. But come the end of summer, he’ll be leaving for a life on the road in a big trailer. When he invites her to go with him, she isn’t sure she should take the chance.

The characters were well-done and the setting was beautiful with campfires, starlight (and yes, mosquitoes!). But the beginning was slow for me and Sally’s wishy-washy attitude got to me a bit. Still, by the end, she did find a backbone and go for the HEA instead of a boring life. And I really enjoyed the bits of humor scattered throughout – especially what happened to Sally’s ex at the end (not saying because you should get to enjoy the laugh). A satisfying HEA will make you smile.

Recommended.

A SCOOP OF DECEIT by Lena Gregory

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Publication date: March 26, 2026

5*****

Blurb: Spring has finally sprung on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York, and Danika Delaney is ready to take a break from running her old-fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, to help her mom start planting for the season. With visions of colorful tulips and delicate daffodils in mind, Danika and her mother browse through the local garden center, where they can’t help but notice a confrontation between out-of-towner Sebastian Krane and the local cashier. Unfortunately, as Krane storms off, aggravated and not paying attention, he hops into his BMW, and crashes right into Mrs. Delaney as she’s backing up in her borrowed pickup truck. As if that weren’t enough to put a damper on her sunny mood, Krane then has the nerve to file a lawsuit against her. But when Dani shows up at his mansion to try to straighten things out, she finds him dead, with a knife in his back. Apparently, someone had it out for Sebastian. Someone other than her mother. A fact Dani she sets out to prove with the help of her sidekicks, Gwen and Eli, wading through a slew of shady suspects from the victim’s stormy past. Can Dani clear her mother’s name and find the truth behind Krane’s murder? Or will Dani be in danger of pushing up daisies herself this spring?

THOUGHTS: This is number 7 (I think!) in the “Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries” and we’re back with Dani, Gwen, Eli, and all the other wonderful characters in this cozy mystery. Dani runs a cafe that specializes in unique ice creams, drinks, and pastries. On Sundays, the entire Delaney clan get together at Dani’s mother’s house for Italian family dinners. And family includes a lot of extras (and I would love to be one of them!). In this one, Dani goes to the garden shop with her mother to help load plants for her mother. As they are leaving, a car backs into their truck and the man driving gets out and accuses them of causing the accident, then sues them. Then ends up dead, and Dani’s mother is one of the suspects. Dani, Gwen, Eli, and Meghan put their heads together and come up with way too many suspects, but when Eli takes off to prove he knows the perp, things go from bad to worse.

I love the characters in these stories. They draw me in and entice me to be one of them. And I would love some of the ice cream concoctions they come up with–blueberry cheesecake ice cream in this one. Yum. There are lots of twists and turns through the story and, while setting isn’t prominent, you know you’re in a small town near the ocean in springtime. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Just a taste. Like the banana split Uncle Jimmie made. And while all of the books are stand-alone, you get so much more from the stories if you start with the first one. Then you really get to know the people well. And all have a satisfying ending.

Definitely recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Gemma Halliday publishing for providing this ARC.

CHANCE MEETING by Christine Columbus

Fiction, Contemporary Romance

4****

Blurb: Melody is fostering her niece while her sister, Captain Opal Erickson, is deployed to Kuwait. A chance meeting at work with Clayton, a construction manager, awakens feelings of the love and romance. Everything is perfect until Opal reveals a family truth and swears Melody to secrecy. To honor her sisterly pledge, Mel attempts to reject any advances from Clayton, until he guesses the truth. Torn between loyalty to Opal and love for Clayton, she pours herself into work, making a mess of everything. When the dust settles, Mel is left wondering if she’ll be able to put the pieces of her life back together.

THOUGHTS: Melody is looking after her 6-year-old niece while Opal, Mel’s sister, is deployed overseas. In addition, she’s been given a promotion at work which more than doubles what she’s responsible for. When she meets Clay at work, sparks fly, especially when they find out their mutual love of baseball. Thing come to a head when she finds out a family secret, decides to quit her job because of a rude boss, and has issues with Clay… all in the same day, pushing her to her breaking point.

The characters are all well-developed, though Clay does seem a little too good to be true at times. Especially when he takes over the little girls’ backyard camp out. Mel threw me off a little when she didn’t stand up for herself with her boss, but then she did stand up for her team, so that worked out. The ending was definitely a HEA one that left me smiling. This is a sweet romance that is emotionally satisfying and an easy read.

Definitely recommended.

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: Come join the fun with this cute cozy mystery! House falling down? Check. Pet sitting job with annoying clients? Check. Ability to speak to ghosts, which has the unfortunate side effect of having to listen to what they say back? Double check! Hot high school crush still in town being all successful and stuff while you protest his building projects? All kinds of checks! Did anyone say Witch of Mintwood? Yup! Just add murder and this will be a week to remember!

THOUGHTS: This was a cute, quick read. Lemmi (Lemonia) is a witch who can see and talk to ghosts—including her grandmother’s pet cat, Paws. She also has a trio of snobby tea-drinking ladies on her front lawn and a nasty lady out back (along with ghostly mice, squirrels, etc.). She has moved into her grandmother’s dilapidated house along with her two best friends. Lemmi is broke, drives a car as broken down as her house, and pet sits for whatever she can get. 

In this story, the backyard ghost wants Lemmi to find her missing granddaughter. As she investigates, she discovers several other issues in their small town, including a decades old murder linked to the missing girl. And she’s protesting the tearing down of an old barn in the town – one that her old teenage crush now owned. Her grandmother had always told her to stay away from the Wolf family but had never given her a reason. Lemmi can’t help it, the man is beyond gorgeous. No matter how much she tries to deny it, she is very much into him. 

Enjoy the ride as Lemmi and her friends solve their mysteries, deal with ghosts, and Lemmi tries to figure out what she’s supposed to be doing. 

Recommended.