Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #552: Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

From the publisher: When a librarian discovers she’s descended from a long line of powerful witches, she’ll need all of her bookish knowledge to harness her family’s magic, in this enchanting cozy fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.

Zoe Ziakas enjoys a quiet life, working as a librarian in her quaint New England town. When a mysterious black book with an unbreakable latch is delivered to the library, Zoe has a strange feeling the tome is somehow calling to her. She decides to consult the Museum of Literature, home to volumes of indecipherable secrets, some possessing dark magic that must be guarded.

Here, among their most dangerous collection, the Books of Dubious Origin, Zoe discovers that she is the last descendant of a family of witches and this little black book is their grimoire. Zoe knows she must decode the family’s spell book and solve the mystery of what happened to her mother and her grandmother. However, the book’s potential power draws all things magical to it, and Zoe finds herself under the constant watch of a pesky raven, while being chased by undead Vikings, ghost pirates, and assorted ghouls.

With assistance from the eccentric staff of the Books of Dubious Origin department—including their annoyingly smart and handsome containment specialist, Jasper Griffin—Zoe must confront her past and the legacy of her family. But as their adventure unfolds, she’ll have to decide whether or not she’s ready to embrace her destiny.

Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay is expected to be released October 28th, 2025 from Ace.

Why am I waiting on this book: I love books that have to do with librarians or booksellers. That she is a witch is an added bonus.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry

 

From the publisher:

After solving a crime blamed on Vodou in New Orleans’s French Quarter, Vodou priestess turned amateur detective Reina Dumond has returned to her benevolent work as a healer. But when her friend and enigmatic client Evangeline “Vangie” Stiles comes to her for a spell, Mambo Reina quickly realizes what Vangie really needs is a sleuth.

Something is amiss in the Stileses’ marriage. Five thousand dollars has inexplicably appeared in the bank account Vangie shares with her scam-artist husband, Arthur, and she smells trouble. So does Reina. Especially when her investigation into Arthur’s likely new con leads to murder. Considering the manner of death and the signs on the victim’s body, Reina recognizes it for what it is: ritual magic of the vodouisant kind.

As Reina digs deeper, she encounters a conspiracy exploiting vulnerable youth—one of whom may have abilities just like hers. With the help of her friends Darryl and Tyka, Reina must hone her ever-evolving skills to uncover a mystery that reaches further than she imagined.

The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry was released February 28th, 2023 by 47North.

My thoughts: 

 The main character, Mambo Reina, is a fully fleshed out character. She has her good points and her flaws. Often she rushes in where angels fear to tread seemingly without thought to the possible consequences. Despite the flaws, she is a likeable amateur detective. Her beau, Roman, I didn't like as much. I don't think they are well suited for each other, but time will tell. Her found family on the other hand, including Darryl and Tyka, are a perfect fit. And Houngan Lucien is full of surprises.

The pace of the novel was good. It started out slow and speeded up as the book went on. It did slow down again towards the end, but I think that's because it was setting up possibilities for a sequel.

I did like the plot. I felt it was quite original and the author points out in the afterword that something similar had been in the news at one point, but unsurprisingly I missed it. I liked how she was set on her course by a question from Miss Vangie. And that led to a whole domino chain of events. Also, in this book it shows just how strongly her desire to find her mother motivates Reina.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. There is more than one mystery to solve even though they are connected. The plot idea is original as is Mambo Reina. It moves along at a good rate once it gets going. And I'm looking forward to book 3. I need to see where some of the loose ends will be sewed up.

If you enjoy paranormal cozies with a fleshed out female lead, this could be a good book for you as well as the previous book in the series, Quarter Storm. It's definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #408: Demon Hunting with a Southern Sheriff by Lexi George

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

Rowdy rednecks. Shifty shapeshifters. Deadly demon hunters.

THIS TOWN'S GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL.

With its cross-cultural mix of good ol' boys, big bad wolves, and otherworldly beings, Behr County is the last place you'd want to be a cop. But for Sheriff Dev Whitsun, it's Sweet Home Alabama—and he plans to keep it that way. Famous last words. When a gruesome shifter massacre rocks the community, the sexy sheriff needs more than a badge and a few silver bullets. He needs the help of an immortal demon hunter. Her name is Arta, High Huntress of the Kirvahni. Whatever that means. Dev is no position to be picky about partners right now. But when Arta turns out to be the one female he could really fall for, Dev knows he's in for one hell of a ride. God help them all . . .

Demon Hunting with a Southern Sheriff by Lexi George is expected out April 12th, 2022 from Lyrical Press. 

Why am I waiting on this book?  It sounds different to me. I haven't read any other books where there's been a mix that included good ol' boys and werewolves. I'm wondering how a demon hunter will be able to help the sheriff.  The romance part is secondary to me. The mystery aspect is my primary draw.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It had unnerved him, seeing what living alone could do to a man. He could wind up in a split level, surrounded by tiny, yippy dogs who were constantly trying to tunnel out to freedom like fuzzy little prisoners of war. If it’d happened to Jim after his wife had died, it could happen to anybody. (44% through on my Kindle)

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest was published October 26th, 2021 by Atria Books.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: 1 Flew Over the Raven's Nest by J.B. Lynn

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“I just love what they’ve done with the place,” Conroy drawled. “It’s a perfect mix of Dark Shadows and The Addams Family chic.” I considered tucking the owl pendant back into my shirt to limit his observations. Instead, I added, “With a healthy serving of Deliverance thrown in.” (Second page of Chapter Three)

1Flew Over the Raven's Nest by J.B. Lynn was published September 30th, 2020.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!