Sisters of the Midnight Sun by Fiona Valpy

 Sisters of the Midnight Sun

Book Summary

Two women from different generations connect over their shared need to recover from trauma as they attempt to heal and begin their lives anew, from the bestselling author of The Dressmaker's Gift and The Beekeeper's Promise.

2001: Overwhelmed by grief in the wake of losing her twin sister, Ruby Reid has come to the north of Scotland to escape. Her new job as companion to Hanna Kristiansen, an elderly woman living on a rugged homestead in the wild and remote Shetland Islands, offers plenty of challenges and a welcome distraction from the devastating choice Ruby has to make.

1940: Hanna’s quiet life on the fjords of northern Norway is overturned when her hometown is attacked and her country falls into the hands of Nazi occupiers. But the Norwegians are a people as resilient as the ancient bedrock of their land. With her twin sister Hanna becomes involved in the resistance movement, fighting to end the war that has taken so much from her. She’s sent to Scotland for training, where she falls for a charismatic member of the shadowy special forces supporting Norway’s fight for freedom. Though she's torn between staying and going, Hanna must return to her homeland, leaving her new love behind, and face the dangerous underground work that lies ahead.

As Hanna shares her story, Ruby begins to navigate the path of her grief. Hanna in turn finds comfort in discovering that confiding in her younger friend is helping them both heal. Ruby also learns that, like the beautiful untamed land of Hanna’s rural croft, there is strength to be found in fragility, as well as hope for new life, in the wildness of an island at the end of the world.

My Thoughts

Some stories arrive quietly and end up glowing in your heart, and Sisters of the Midnight Sun is one of them. Fiona Valpy pairs a sweeping historical backdrop with an intimate portrait of women shaped by love, loss, courage, and hope. The dual timelines give the novel a beautiful rhythm, moving between the intensity of wartime struggle and the restorative pull of nature and human connection. Valpy is especially moving in her portrayal of grief and healing, showing how friendship, mentorship, and shared experience can help light the way forward. With the rugged Shetland Islands and the fjords of Norway echoing the characters’ inner strength, this is a richly layered, life-affirming novel for anyone who loves historical fiction with emotional depth and resilience at its core. By the final page, the story has left its light behind, warm, steady, and impossible to forget.

Curl up with your favorite bookmark, because today’s post has a little storybook sparkle, a pair of wonderful reads, and one very determined porch explorer. Fiona Valpy’s Sisters of the Midnight Sun is available from Amazon along with her other engaging stories. On Thursday, September 17, I’ll be featuring A Heart to Cherish by Amy Clipston. Meanwhile, my eighteen-year-old cat, Dickens, has been spending extra time on our screened porch, where she recently discovered that tiny frogs have moved in. Now she is fully committed to solving the grand mystery of their hiding place, and you would never guess she is eighteen. Here’s hoping your next good book brings as much curiosity, comfort, and delight as a cat with a mystery to chase.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Forbidden Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray

The Amish Widows Club

Book Summary

 

She finds belonging in the Amish Widows Club--but will she dare to love across an impossible divide?

Twenty-four was too young to become a widow, but Jenna Graber is learning that grief doesn't follow anyone's timeline. Nearly two years after losing her husband, Jimmy, in a workplace accident, she's still struggling to make ends meet while raising her five-year-old daughter. When Jenna is invited to join the Amish Widows Club, blooming friendships stir hope in her heart. And thank goodness for Nelson Harper, the Englisher who runs the mill where Jimmy worked. His steady friendship and generous help have been a lifeline.

Nelson knows he's treading on dangerous ground having fallen for Jenna and her precious daughter--their worlds couldn't feel further apart. Religious differences and Jenna's grief make the divide almost impossible to cross, and Nelson carries a burden that could destroy the trust between them. As long-buried secrets surface, Jenna must face hard truths about the past--and decide what her heart can accept for the future.

An Amish romance novel about grief, healing, and second chances from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray.

My Thoughts

Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Forbidden Caller immediately draws readers in with its tender blend of heart, hope, and quiet strength. This beautifully written story explores loss and grief with compassion, offering characters who feel genuine and easy to care about. Jenna’s path is deeply touching as she begins to heal, finds a true sense of belonging, and slowly opens her heart to hope after being widowed at just twenty-four. Nelson makes a wonderful counterpart to Jenna with his friendly, calm, caring, and patient nature, and I loved watching the connection among Jenna, Nelson, and little Katie grow. Their relationship unfolds gently as they navigate different worlds, grief, faith, friendship, and the first stirrings of romance.

The Amish Widows Club is a thoughtful and meaningful part of the story, providing community, understanding, and support for widows who need space to heal without being rushed into another marriage. Although The Forbidden Caller is the second book in The Amish Widows Club series and can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading The Unexpected Caller first for the fullest experience. Warm, uplifting, and full of grace, The Forbidden Caller is a heartwarming reminder that healing can lead to friendship, love, and renewed hope.

Grab your favorite bookmark, because there are some lovely new reads and exciting book updates waiting for you. The Forbidden Caller is now available from Amazon, and if you’re new to The Amish Widows Club series, you can begin with The Unexpected Caller. The third book, The Persistent Caller, is coming on March 2, 2027. 

I’ll be back on Wednesday, September 16, to feature Sisters of the Midnight Sun by Fiona Valpy. If Amish fiction is your cup of tea, you may also want to take a look at The Amish Candlemaker’s Fake Fall Marriage by McKenzie Boone. And today brings two more wonderful releases to celebrate: Kristan Higgins’s thought-provoking The Me I Used to Be and Amy Clipston’s uplifting A Heart to Cherish. I hope one of these stories finds its way into your hands, your heart, and the happiest corner of your reading stack.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

 The Mystic and the Missing Girl

Book Summary

Small town secrets, a reluctant psychic, and a cold case that could expose them all.

Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects—she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.

Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.

But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain—finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging—could change everything.

In The Mystic and the Missing Girl, Vikki VanSickle seamlessly draws readers into an utterly charming world in this unputdownable, small town mystery.

My Thoughts

Grab your tarot deck and a cozy drink—The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle is ready to pull you into its small-town mystery. I was quickly charmed by the metaphysical shop, psychic gifts, and cold-case setup, and Drew Benson makes an appealing lead with just the right mix of curiosity and determination. The mystery unfolds in an accessible, satisfying way, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the ride, while the pacing gives readers time to savor the atmosphere and world-building. The story offers plenty of charm, a satisfying ending, and a fun peek into the world of mystics and psychics. For VanSickle’s first adult novel and paranormal mystery, this is a warm, inviting start—and I’ll happily keep one eye on the cards for whatever mystery comes next.

Cue the cozy reading nook and fluff up that favorite pillow—there is a new mystery waiting to be cracked! 📚✨ Vikki VanSickle’s first adult novel, The Mystic and the Missing Girl, is available now from Amazon. I will return on Tuesday, September 15, with The Forbidden Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray, the second book in The Amish Widows Club series. I hope your weekend is filled with wonderful stories, comfy pages, and just enough mystery to keep your bookmark busy. Until next time, happy reading and may your TBR stack always have room for one more! 🔖📖

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Society of Second Chances by Deborah Raney

 The Society of Second Chances

Book Summary

Welcome to Hope Valley, Kentucky, where a mysterious—and apparently very wealthy benefactor—brings together four women with extraordinary talents and compassionate hearts. Helen Janway, Rachel Hooper, Jennifer Stanton, and Evelyn Richmond receive a check for a large sum to cover expenses and are invited to become a covert “team of angels,” tasked with a secret mission: to offer God’s love, grace, and mercy to a young woman in need of a fresh start.

Their first assignment proves challenging. The Society of Second Chances is called to help Harmoni Branaham, a young woman newly released from prison and struggling to find her place in the world. As the women work to earn Harmoni’s trust and guide her toward a brighter future, their own lives—and secrets—begin to surface. For Rachel, the risk is deeply personal, as she fears her darkest secret may undo the fragile bond forming among the group.

My Thoughts

Every once in a while, a story comes along that feels like a warm hand reaching out with hope—and The Society of Second Chances is one of those stories. Deborah Raney has crafted an uplifting, feel-good novel that drew me in from the very first pages and kept me invested with its wonderful cast of characters. With compassion and grace, the author tackles challenging topics, including the difficult road a formerly incarcerated person faces when reentering society. Through Harmoni’s story, we see how quickly people can judge an ex-offender, and how powerful kindness, faith, and community can be in offering someone a true second chance. 

I loved the anonymous benefactor’s thoughtful effort to bring four women together—not only to help Harmoni, but possibly to open doors for others in the future. The story also explores the ripple effect of secrets on individuals, friendships, and families, while gently weaving a meaningful thread of faith throughout. By the end, I was smiling, hopeful, and sincerely wishing for more. If The Society of Second Chances is the beginning of a series, then readers are in for something truly special.

Grab your favorite bookmark and settle in—this one is all about fresh starts, feel-good fiction, and happily turning the page! 📚✨ The Society of Second Chances is available now from Amazon. If you enjoy heartwarming, inspiring women’s fiction, be sure to explore Deborah Raney’s other novels, too. I will be featuring The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle on Thursday, September 10, and I hope you will stop by to learn more about this charming story. Until then, may your to-be-read stack be tempting, your reading chair be cozy, and your next chapter be a delightful one. 💕📖

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Fury in Death by J.D. Robb

 Fury in Death

Book Summary

In the new crime thriller from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author, Lt. Eve Dallas journeys into the darkness where murder is born…

NYSPD lieutenant Eve Dallas never knows what to expect when she gets word of a body. It could be an elderly man who made the mistake of climbing a ladder in slippery footwear. And the next call could be a wealthy biotech executive beaten to death in his home office—but what was Larry Chu’s mistake?

The victim’s corpse is so mangled and damaged it’s hard to believe a lone, unarmed assailant could have managed it. The killer was clearly unnaturally strong—and smart enough to find a way into Chu’s highly secure building. Most of all, whoever did this was very, very angry.

The excessive violence leads Dallas to conclude that this was a deeply personal act, born of a rage that she can’t excuse but can understand thanks to her own traumatic past. And though the motive seems rooted in heated emotion rather than cold hard cash, she can’t ignore the suspicious bank account in the Cayman Islands, or the shadowy, profit-hungry company Chu worked for. The mystery only grows when it turns out Chu isn’t the only victim—and Dallas will need to tear through one layer of secrecy after another to reveal what lies behind this explosion of fury...

My Thoughts

After sixty-three books, the In Death series still knows how to deliver a pulse-pounding ride—and Fury in Death is no exception. J.D. Robb brings readers back into Eve Dallas’s world with the familiar mix of suspense, sharp characterization, and emotional warmth that makes this long-running series feel like a reunion with old friends. Eve, Roarke, Peabody, and the rest of the gang continue to grow and evolve, and it is always a pleasure to catch up with them. Of course, Galahad deserves his own spotlight: that chubby scene-stealer adds just the right touch of charm and humor whenever he appears. 

This installment takes a slightly different approach by revealing the culprit’s identity and motive early on, which gives the story a fresh, tension-filled angle rather than a traditional whodunit structure. While I usually enjoy puzzling out the mystery alongside Eve, this format lets the focus shift to the why, the how, and the race to bring everything together. The case itself is intriguing and clever, with intense moments that underscore just how high the stakes are. Some of the darker details are vivid, but they also reinforce the urgency of Eve’s work and the strength it takes to face such brutality head-on. Watching the pieces fall into place was deeply satisfying, and Fury in Death ultimately delivers another gripping, character-rich entry in the series. Best of all, newcomers can jump in and enjoy this book as a standalone—though longtime fans will find even more to love.

Bookish excitement alert! 📚✨ If you are ready to dive back into the thrills, twists, and page-turning drama of the In Death series, Fury in Death is available now on Amazon along with the other books in the series. J.D. Robb—also known as Nora Roberts—has Birth of the Witch coming out November 17, so be sure to follow J.D. Robb on Amazon to get notified when a new release hits the shelves. To learn more about Nora Roberts and her many books, visit her website. I will return on Wednesday, September 9, with The Society of Second Chances by Deborah Raney. Until then, may your coffee be warm, your bookmark never go missing, and your next chapter be a delightful one. ☕📖

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury

The Oxford Guide to Scandal & Lies

Book Summary

Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Oxford University, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is the irresistible debut from Kate Westbury that seamlessly layers mystery, romance, and a dash of academia to introduce the Crown’s newest undercover operatives.

Oxford, England, 1951 - The Honorable Ginevra Bishop likes red lipstick, clever retorts, and earning top marks in her tutorials. She’s following her mother’s footsteps by studying at Oxford, eager to prove she’s more than a debutante.

Sidney Braithwaite likes brooding, Latin, and ignoring his nightmares. He’s determined to forge a new life for himself at Oxford, far from his childhood mining village and free from memories of the war.

Though Gin and Sidney have little in common, the British Security Service is keen to unite her charm with his espionage experience: there’s a Soviet spy at the university, and the agent tracking them down was poisoned. MI5 wants Gin and Sidney to pick up the trail and identify the informant before more sensitive information is compromised. As a team, the pair of undergraduates clash in personality, upbringing, and taste––but have a connection neither can deny. Gin and Sidney must unite their respective talents to follow the clues before they’re caught in the traitor’s crosshairs…if the sparks flying between them don’t blow up the operation first.

My Thoughts

Step through the gates of Oxford, and you’ll find secrets tucked into every shadow. The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury is a delightful blend of espionage, history, mystery, and sparkling character dynamics, all woven into one wonderfully engaging story. I especially enjoyed the chemistry and witty banter between Gin and Sydney, as well as the way their romance unfolds slowly and naturally. 

The mystery is well-crafted and thoughtfully plotted, with secret clues, coded messages, suspicious professors, whispered conversations, and the thrilling sense that someone may be watching from just around the corner. I love a mystery that keeps me suspecting everyone, and this one does exactly that. The Oxford University setting is another highlight, filled with rich history, beautiful libraries, secret corridors, and intriguing academic societies. Westbury brings it all vividly to life through picturesque descriptions that make the story feel atmospheric and immersive. Charming, clever, and full of intrigue, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies left me eagerly hoping this is only the first case in a brilliant new series.

Let’s wrap up the week with a little bookish sparkle! Kate Westbury’s debut novel The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is now available from Amazon, and today also brings a deliciously spooky treat: Sue Hollowell’s boo-tifully spicy cozy mystery Food Truck Fright Night. This is my last post for the week, but I’ll be back on Tuesday, September 8, with The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle. Until then, may your weekend be cozy, your coffee be strong, and your reading pile be delightfully irresistible!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen

Paper Ghosts

Book Summary

Part ghost story, part love story and steeped in magical realism, Paper Ghosts will transport you to a place where old secrets echo through the years and love finds a way of bringing us home.

Every family has its secrets . . .The Wester women live inside theirs.

For decades, the women of Wester House have unsettled and fascinated their small, timeless North Carolina town. Their home is full of whispers, old griefs, and uncanny knowing. But when Willamena Wester reaches out to the granddaughter she once pushed away, long-buried truths begin to stir.

1976: Restless young Willamena falls for a stranded musician who brings freedom and the promise of another life to her carefully controlled world. Their brief, incandescent love story promises to escape the pull of the Wester legacy until Willamena makes a fateful choice that changes her life forever.

Present day: Returning home is the last thing Bailey Wester wants. Yet as she reconnects with Willamena, the grandmother she feared, Bailey begins to understand the love, heartbreak, and impossible choices that shaped the women in her family and realizes the past may not have been trying to haunt them after all. A luminous novel filled with Sarah Addison Allen’s stunning prose and signature blend of romance, Southern charm, and wonder, Paper Ghosts reminds us that in order to have the future we really want, sometimes we need to live with the past, and not let go of it.

My Thoughts

There is a special kind of excitement that comes with opening a new Sarah Addison Allen book, and Paper Ghosts arrived with all the promise of mystery, family secrets, and a touch of magic. Ever since I discovered Garden Spells, I have looked forward to each new release, and I was eager to settle in with this story. While Paper Ghosts unfolds at a gentler pace than I expected, that slower beginning gives readers time to step into its shadowy atmosphere and appreciate its quieter moments. The unexpected shifts in time add an intriguing layer, even as I found myself wishing for a smoother path through the characters’ histories.

Wills has the beginnings of a truly compelling story, and I especially enjoyed the hints of her connection with her grandmother. I would have loved even more time with that relationship, particularly during Wills’s growing-up years, because those details could have made the family history feel even richer. Tug and Bailey also bring interesting possibilities to the story, and a deeper look at their lives would have added another warm layer to the family thread. Although this book leans darker than the author’s earlier work, with moments of violence and characters who are more complicated than cozy, it is still clear that Allen is exploring a different side of her storytelling.

I couldn't resist using this image!

Most of all, I wanted to spend more time with the family’s gift—the magic that gives the story its spark—and I finished the book curious for more answers. Even though Paper Ghosts was not my favorite Sarah Addison Allen novel, it reminded me why I continue to follow her work: her stories always invite anticipation, conversation, and the hope of discovering something enchanting on the next page. I will happily be first in line for her next tale, ready once again for whatever magic she chooses to share.

A little bookish magic is in the air today! Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen is now available from Amazon, and if you haven’t yet discovered her work, I highly recommend starting with my personal favorite, Garden Spells—an enchanting story that feels like stepping into a garden sprinkled with charm, secrets, and just a touch of wonder. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on Kate Westbury’s The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies on Thursday, September 3. Until then, may your day be bright, your tea be warm, and your next read have just the right amount of magic.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

We Wish You a Messy Christmas by Melody Carlson

We Wish You a Messy Christmas

Book Summary

This Christmas, the perfect gift might just be learning to let go and love the chaos.

It's Christmastime, and Olivia Bradshaw is dating her childhood neighbor, veterinarian Malcolm McEntire. Life should be merry, but Olivia is worried about her mother Jane's reaction to this budding romance. Their families couldn't be more different. Perfectionist Jane cannot tolerate the unorganized, messy, fun-loving McEntires, and the thought of being permanently linked as in-laws will surely send her over the edge.

Desperate to save both Christmas and her romance, Olivia and her dad concoct an intervention to turn Jane's holidays into a big mess. But they barely launch their plan before fate intervenes with a serendipitous mess of its own.

In this delightful Christmas novella full of faith and hope, Melody Carlson delivers small-town charm, family dynamics, and a sweet contemporary romance perfect for the holiday season.

My Thoughts

Jingle bells, messy halls, and a heartwarming lesson or two make We Wish You a Messy Christmas by Melody Carlson a delightful holiday treat. I always look forward to Carlson’s yearly Christmas novella because I know I can count on festive fun, heartfelt moments, and a meaningful takeaway. Her friendly, engaging writing style makes the story easy to settle into, while the humor sprinkled throughout keeps the tone light and cheerful even as the novel thoughtfully explores OCD and the way it affects both an individual and a family.

 I especially enjoyed how the story reminds readers that Christmas does not have to look the same for everyone. There is no single right or wrong way to celebrate—only the way that best fits your family. I also appreciated seeing the story unfold from different perspectives, along with the gentle thread of faith woven throughout. We Wish You a Messy Christmas is charming, hopeful, and full of holiday heart, with an ending that left me smiling. So, grab a mug of cocoa, ignore the stray tinsel, and enjoy this sweet seasonal story.

Grab a cozy mug and settle in—this week’s bookish sleigh is jingling with treats! We Wish You a Messy Christmas is available from Amazon, along with the author’s other delightful Christmas stories. Melody Carlson also has The Sweet Life Goes On coming out February 16, 2027. Today’s new releases offer a cheerful little treasure hunt: Amy Matthews brings us the entertaining and heartfelt The Treasure House, Linda Byler delivers the uplifting A Christmas Surprise, Kate Westbury adds sparkle and mischief with the clever and intriguing The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies, and Mindy Steel rounds things out with the delightful Murder, Plainly Written. There truly is something for everyone in this merry batch of book releases. 

I’ll be featuring Sarah Addison Allen’s Paper Ghosts on Wednesday, September 2. Until then, may your day be bright, your reading stack be tempting, and your bookmark always easy to find!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.