Can’t-Wait Wednesday: A Widow’s Charm

Happy Wednesday everyone! It’s been a few weeks since the last time I partook in a Can’t-Wait Wednesday. It’s just all the books I’ve been interested in all came out on the same days this month! There’s still one last book coming out that I’m looking forward too, though, so I’ll be happily focusing on that today.

But yeah, Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings (and was previously hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine where it was known as Waiting on Wednesday) to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. They’re usually books that have not yet been released.

This week’s book is:

A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson! 🍄🍋

I’m really looking forward to this one! So many things about the book description are hitting for me, and I can’t wait to crack this book open next week!

A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson

LENGTH: 432 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Del Rey

RELEASE DATE: 31 March 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

In this witty fantasy romance, a widow blackmails her rakish necromancer neighbor to bring her husband back to life and save her home – only to find herself falling for him instead.

Lady Hildegarde Croft is accustomed to changes in position. After all, she rose from maidservant to lady of the manor when she married Lord Thorgoode Croft. But when he drops dead quite unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde from her malevolent brother-in-law die along with him. What’s a widow to do?

Fortunately, potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Erol Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead and save his own life. Now he’s injured, destitute, and miserable, stuck hiding out at the neighboring estate.

For Hilde, blackmailing Lord Elmwood to resurrect Thorgoode seems like the perfect solution. For Elmwood, beautiful Lady Croft seems like the ideal distraction from his troubles. The problem is, all she wants from him is the horrifying power he knows he can never use again.

Are you looking forward to A Widow’s Charm? What books are coming out in the near future that you’re looking forward to?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 3/2 – 3/8

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a good week! It’s time for another Weekly Wrap-Up!

Last week was fine. I missed a blog post or two that I’d wanted to do, but that’s okay. I’ve certainly had worse. I also read a book again this past week, which I’m really happy about.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Tuesday 3/3: The Most Interesting Looking New Books of March 2026

Last Tuesday, I posted a list of the books that I’m looking forward to this month. Or, at least the ones that I think look the most interesting. It was the The Most Interesting Looking New Books of March 2026. As always, it’s basically only fantasy and science fiction, as those are the two genres I primarily read. This time there were once again six books on my list.

The Most Interesting Looking New Books of March 2026

Wednesday 3/4: Can’t-Wait Wednesday / WWW Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday again. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Brighter Than Nine

I also participated in WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. It focuses on the Three Ws of Reading: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? and What do you think you’ll read next?

WWW Wednesday: 3/4

Friday 3/6: Stolen Midnights Review

On Friday, I finally posted my review for Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn. It’s a never fantasy novel, that just came out last month. I had mixed feelings about it.

There was a lot to like about it, but there were just as many – if not more – things to dislike about it. I thought the world building and magic and mystery was interesting, but I was less impressed with the characters and romance. I gave it ★★✫☆☆.

Stolen Midnights Review

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, I think that last week was pretty okay. I’m hoping to do at least as good this week, if not a little better. I want to keep up with at least a book a week again – I miss doing that. Fingers crossed. 🍀🤞

Regarding my blog activity for the week, I want to definitely post my monthly reading wrap-up for February 2026. I wanted to do it last week, but sometimes things happen. I also want to participate in at least a couple of my favorite weekly memes, as well as get out another book review. For my reading, the next book I’m planning on diving into is Brighter Than Nine by June CL Tan, which comes out tomorrow.

Concerning stuff outside the blog, last week I switched over my decorations from Valentine’s Day to St. Patrick’s Day. So now the decor is now shades of green instead of red and pink. Aside from that, my spouse and I are still up to our usual.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Brighter Than Nine

Hey all! It’s rather late, but Happy Wednesday nonetheless!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings (and was previously hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine where it was known as Waiting on Wednesday) to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. They’re usually books that have not yet been released.

This week’s book is:

Brighter Than Nine by June CL Tan! 🗡️✨

One of my most anticipated books of 2026, and one of my top two anticipated sequels of the first half of the year! (The other being the new Murderbot Diaries book.) I’m so excited for this book!

Brighter Than Nine by June CL Tan

SERIES: Darker By Four #2

LENGTH: 400 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Storytide

RELEASE DATE: 10 March 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The Shadowhunter Chronicles meets Chinese diaspora folklore in this sequel to the #1 Sunday Times bestseller Darker by Four! The Shadowhunter Chronicles meets the Chinese underworld, drawing inspiration from diaspora folklore, in this epic, sweeping contemporary fantasy duology from Jade Fire Gold author June CL Tan.

Rui has her life back together – or so it seems. Hailed as a hero, she’s finally on her way to becoming an important member of the Exorcist Guild. But she knows the Hybrid Revenants are still out there, and they’re planning something big. Something evil.

Zizi is trapped in the underworld. As his mortal body deteriorates, he realizes he can access the Fourth King’s memories, which may be the key to keeping the mortal realm safe. To save the girl he loves, he must defy fate – and escape Hell.

Yiran watches from the shadows, magicless once more. When he discovers a dark family secret that changes everything he thought he knew, his hunger for power tempts him toward a possible betrayal. And he must decide what he truly stands for – before it’s too late.

As the consequences of the past wreak havoc on the present, three lives bound by the threads of fate must weave a new destiny for themselves – and the realms.

Are you looking forward to Brighter Than Nine? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks that you’re looking forward to?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/23 – 3/1

Hey there, I hope you had a good week. It’s time for another Weekly Wrap-Up!

This past week was great! My blog activity was pretty high, and I read a book and a half! Woohoo! And I know the next couple of books that I want to read next, as well as have an idea of what I’ll probably read after them. (The latter could change of course – sometimes my reading whims are weird.)

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Tuesday 2/24: Top Ten Tuesday

Last Tuesday, I participated in Top Ten Tuesday for the first time in a couple of weeks. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. The prompt for last week was Quotes From/About Books.

Top Ten Tuesday: Quotes That I Really Liked From Ten Books That I Love

Wednesday 2/25: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday again – for like the fifth time in a row. Wow! I’ve never been on a roll like that before – and I’m not planning on stopping now!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Green and Deadly Things

Thursday 2/26: Strange Animals Review

Last Thursday, I posted my review for Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson. It was an interesting new fantasy novel, and it featured cryptids, which I loved.

Despite the excessive purple prose and my other couple of criticisms about it, I thought that it was a pretty decent book overall. There were even a couple of things that I really liked about it. I gave it ★★★✬☆.

Strange Animals Review

Friday 2/27: First Line Friday

This past Friday, I participated in First Line Friday again. Two weeks in a row! Not quite the streak that I have on Wednesday, but not too shabby. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words. It’s where you guess what book the post is highlighting based on the book’s first words.

First Line Friday: 2/27

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, I’m really happy with last week, and I hope I can keep it up this week. I’m also feeling ready to read the next books on my To Be Read List, so I’m hoping that the slump I was in last year is officially over. Already I’m doing better than the first couple of months of 2025, though – four books in January and February as opposed to three. Fingers crossed! 🍀🤞

Concerning my blogging this week, I want to definitely post my book review for Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn. I’m also going to do my interesting looking new books in March 2026 post, and I’m planning on doing that before today is out, actually. For other posts, I’m going to do my monthly reading wrap-up for February 2026, and hopefully a couple of the usual weekly posts I usually participate in. I’m also hoping to post more often on the weekends going forward – I just haven’t had the time the last couple of months.

Regarding my reading, Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews is next, and I’m definitely planning on reading it this week – probably even starting it tomorrow. After that, it’s most likely going to end up being Brighter Than Nine by June CL Tan, which is releasing next week. Beyond that, I’m not super positive, but I have ideas. I’m thinking I might want to get back into catching up on the next arc of One Piece that my spouse and I left off at, sometime next week, as season two of the live action is coming out next week as well. Then, possibly the Dresden Files – I do want to get back into the series, I’m just not sure when I’ll get around to it.

Outside of books and blogging, the biggest thing my spouse and I did was watch a full playthrough of Resident Evil 9 officially known as Resident Evil Requiem, the latest main installment of the Resident Evil videogame series that came out last week. We just finished it and it was absolutely fantastic – we loved it. Other than that, we’ve done a few other things, but that was definitely the biggest highlight of the week by far.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Green and Deadly Things

Happy Wednesday! It’s been over a month since I’ve had a break between these. There are just so many interesting looking books coming out lately, and they’re just not stopping!

This week’s book is:

Green & Deadly Things by Jenn Lyons! 🌿🪾

Green & Deadly Things by Jenn Lyons

LENGTH: 432 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor Books

RELEASE DATE: 3 March 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Centuries ago, necromancy almost destroyed the world. That’s how history remembers it.

Mathaiik has studied all his life to join the sacred order of the Idallik Knights, charged with defending their world from the forces of necromancy and the grim witches who practice it. Only vestiges of that cursed magic remain–nothing like the fabled days of the Grim Lords, the undead wizards who once nearly destroyed the entire world.

Until monsters once more begin to wake. But something about them is even stranger: whole forests coming alive and devouring anyone so foolish as to trespass, formerly peaceful animals mutating into savage carnivores… as if the land itself has turned upon humanity, in a riot of chaotic magic the Knights quickly prove powerless to stop.

It’s a good thing, then, that the Grim Lords were never truly destroyed. One of their number sleeps below the Knights’ very fortress. And when an army of twisted tree monsters attacks the young initiates in his charge, Math decides to do the unthinkable: he wakes her up.

This is only the beginning of his problems. Because said necromancer, Kaiataris, knows something history has forgotten. The threat of this wild magic is part of a cycle that has repeated countless times: life after death, chaos after order. And if she and Math can’t find a new way to balance the scales, this won’t just be the end of the world as they know it, but the end of all life, everywhere.

Are you looking forward to Green & Deadly Things? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks that you’re looking forward to?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/16 – 2/22

Happy New Week! It’s slightly later than I usually aim for, but I’m here with last week’s Weekly Wrap-Up!

This past week was pretty prolific for me, particularly on the blog. My reading wasn’t too shabby either though – I started a new book! Either way, I’m pretty happy with last week’s stuff.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Tuesday 2/17: January Reading 2026 / Top Ten Tuesday

Last Tuesday, I posted my Monthly Reading Wrap-Up for January 2026. Unfortunately, I posted it rather late in the month again. Ugh – I gotta stop that. For those who don’t know, monthly wrap-ups are when I go over the books I read over the past month, as well as my stats over on The StoryGraph.

Monthly Wrap-Up: January Reading 2026

I also participated in Top Ten Tuesday for the first time in a couple of weeks. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. The prompt for last week was Books for Armchair Travelers, but I wasn’t feeling it, so I went with one from a TTT a couple of weeks ago that I missed – Book Covers Featuring Cool/Pretty/Unique/etc. Typography.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Covers Featuring Pretty and/or Unique Typography

Wednesday 2/18: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday again – two weeks in a row. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox

Friday 2/20: First Line Friday

This past Friday, I participated in First Line Friday for the first time in a few weeks. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words. It’s where you guess what book the post is highlighting based on the book’s first words.

First Line Friday: 2/20

Sunday 2/22: Birthstone Book Covers

On Sunday, I participated in Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was February, and its birthstone is amethyst. So the colors to pick from are shades of purple.

Birthstone Book Covers: February 2026

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, last week was much better the week before. And two weeks ago as well, honestly. I hope to not only keep up the pace with what I managed to do this past week, but to hopefully surpass it. Just a little. As always, however, we’ll find out what happens.

In regards to my blogging for this week, I’m planning on at least one book review, participating in at least a couple of the usual posts I engage in, and possibly doing a Bewitching Book Covers post. I’m wanting to do at least three or four additional posts this week, aside from this one.

Concerning books and reading, I actually just finished up Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson, so I’ll be starting another book soon. And I’ve already decided which one – Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn. I’m pretty excited about it. And I’m also pretty certain I know what book I’m going to read after that one – Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews. I’m also quite eager to read that one, too. After that, I’m not as sure, but I’m also reading Brighter Than Nine by June CL Tan (the sequel to Darker By Four) when it comes out. So that’s on the horizon.

Outside of books and blogging, not much else went on last week. Just my spouse and I trying to be healthier, but that’s pretty much it. As usual on weeks like that.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox

Happy Wednesday! It’s been four of these in a row now! I’m on a roll! (Thanks to all the new interesting looking books coming out, of course.)

This week’s book is:

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina Kwan! 🦊🔥

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina Kwan

LENGTH: 320 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: S&S/Saga Press

RELEASE DATE: 24 February 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From the author of The Last Dragon of the East comes a sweeping fantasy adventure with a dash of romance between a nine-tailed fox and the demon-hunter who captures her, banished to the underworld together and forced to form a reluctant alliance in order to escape the circles of Hell.

Yue may be the last of her kind. At night, she stalks the streets of the capital city of Longhao, luring in unsuspecting victims with the mask of a beautiful woman, then consuming them in her true form of the nine-tailed fox.

When she is captured by a powerful demon hunter named Sonam and banished to Hell, she manages one final act of revenge: dragging him – and two of his subordinates – down with her.

Now trapped in an abyss with unimaginable terrors, they’ll need each other’s help to navigate Hell and bypass the gods who preside over each circle, each of whom presents the group with a unique and deadly challenge. Forced to depend on one another as they claw their way out of the underworld, both demon and demon hunter discover that there might be more to the other than meets the eye.

Are you looking forward to The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks that you’re looking forward to?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/9 – 2/15

It’s Monday again, which means it’s time to wrap up last week!

Last week was… eh. I wasn’t really at my best, unfortunately, with either the blog or reading books. Oh well. Part of that was due to a rough last few days of the week, but a lot of it was just me getting busier or distracted with other stuff. This week I definitely want to do better.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Wednesday 2/11: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

Last Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday for the first time in a couple of weeks. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter

Thursday 2/12: The Bones Beneath My Skin Review

On Thursday, I finally posted my review of The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune. It took a little longer than I wanted (for reasons), but I’m happy to have finally reviewed it!

The book was a weird and wild ride throughout, and I enjoyed it. There were a few things that I didn’t care for about the novel, but it was an overall great reading experience. I recommend it to fans of TJ Klune’s other stuff. I gave it ★★★★☆.

The Bones Beneath My Skin Review

Friday 2/13: Friday the 13th

This past Friday was Friday the 13th. It’s not a holiday or even close to anything like that. I just like acknowledging it for some reason. And since it’s in February this year and it’s not a leap year, we’ll have two Friday the 13th’s this year. So that’s kind of cool.

Saturday 2/14: Valentine’s Day

Last Saturday was Valentine’s Day!! 💝🌹💌🌷🍫💐 I hope anyone who does anything for it had a good one. We usually do ours on a different day, as most places are usually pretty busy (especially with it being on a Saturday this year). So on the day of, we didn’t do much. It’s still Heart Day, though, so I always like to point it out.

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, last week wasn’t the greatest, but it could’ve been worse. I’m hoping to do better this coming week, though. So we’ll see how it goes.

This week I’m absolutely posting my monthly reading wrap-up for January 2026. I was angling to do it last week, but I don’t know what happened there. I’d also like to participate in a couple of my favorite weekly posts, as well as my favorite monthly one. And hopefully a book review if I get around to reading and finishing one. I actually know what I’m reading next for once, as well as the book I want to read after it.

Outside of books and blogging this past week, Valentine’s Day happened, as I highlighted above. Other than that though, there wasn’t a lot that went on. My spouse and I are still working on being healthy, but that’s about it.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter

Hey everyone and Happy Wednesday!

This week’s book is:

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawsett! 🐈‍⬛📚

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawsett

LENGTH: 368 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Del Rey

RELEASE DATE: 17 February 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Heather Fawcett comes a healing and heart-warming fantasy with magic shops, rescue cats and a second chance at love.

All strays are welcome here.

Agnes Aubert is very fond of making lists. These lists kept her afloat when she lost her husband two years ago. And now, as the founder of a cat rescue charity, her meticulous organization skills feel like the only thing standing between her beloved cats – His Majesty, Banshee and sweet elderly Thoreau, to name a few – and utter disaster.

But when Agnes is forced to move the charity, she soon discovers that her new shop is being used as a front; right under her feet is the lair of the decidedly disorganised – not to mention self-absorbed and infuriatingly handsome – Havelock Renard.

Havelock is everything Agnes doesn’t want in her life: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue, perhaps even romance. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats…

Are you looking forward to Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks that you’re looking forward to?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/2 – 2/8

Right on time this week! I know I’ve been saying this for the past few weeks, but man did last week fly by.

Last week wasn’t too bad, regarding my blog activity, though I didn’t do everything that I’d wanted to. I didn’t get to reading any books either. Oh well. I’ll aim to do better this week.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Tuesday 2/3: The Most Interesting Looking New Books of February 2026

Last Tuesday, I posted a list of the books that I’m looking forward to this month. Or, at least the ones that I think look the most interesting. It was the The Most Interesting Looking New Books of February 2026. As always, it’s basically only fantasy and science fiction, as those are the two genres I primarily read. This time there were six books on my list.

The Most Interesting Looking New Books of February 2026

Wednesday 2/4: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday for the first time in a couple of weeks. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Strange Animals

Friday 2/6: Bewitching Book Covers

This past Friday, I posted a Bewitching Book Covers for the first time in over a month. Bewitching Book Covers (formerly known as Majestic Mondays and Tasteful Tuesdays), is when I gush over a book cover that I like as well as analyze it (sometimes). I also typically give the book covers funny rating systems – not the usual blank out of five stars kind of thing.

Bewitching Book Covers: Stolen Midnights

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, last week was okay. It wasn’t great, but it was fine enough. I’m hoping that this week I’ll be a little bit better with my blog stuff, and that I’ll at least read one book. We’ll see.

For my posts, I’m at the very least planning on (finally) posting my review for The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune, as well as my monthly reading wrap-up for January 2026. I’d also like to participate in at least a couple of the usual weekly posts that I try to join in during most weeks.

Regarding books and reading, I think I’m going to read a February new release. After that, it’s a little bit up in the air at the moment. I’ll see what I’m feeling after I finish the next book I decide to go for.

Concerning stuff outside of books and blogging, I did a little more than my usual last week. I mean, yeah, my spouse and I are still trying to be healthier, but I also finally got around to changing the decor. So the Christmas and Winter decorations have at last been taken down, and now the Valentine’s Day stuff is up. Yay! I’m very happy to finally be switched over. So is my spouse, haha.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar