Music Monday's originated at The Tattooed Book Geek's fantastic blog and has shown up hither, thither, and yon since then.
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I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Olivia Lockhart’s Liar! This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.
BBNYA:
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Book Details:
Title: Liar by Olivia Lockhart
Genre: Romance, Paranormal Romance
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 276 Pages
Publication Date: May 11, 2023
About the Book:
Amber Carmichael splits her time between her nursing career and community spirited acts of kindness. This life fulfils her; she has no interest in nightclubs or the men her friends tirelessly chase. The spark of attraction has never lit within her and of this, Amber is glad.
Until one day her dreams begin to shift; something deep in her subconscious begs to awaken.
This stirring within her attracts the attention of an enemy. An enemy she doesn’t know exists; a threat she can’t possibly hide from.
Because how do you hide from the one soul in the world who truly sees you?
A heart has to fall before it can soar.
Book Links:
Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph
About the Author:
Olivia Lockhart (Livvie to her friends) is an English author who can’t quite decide if she wants to write contemporary romance or paranormal romance. Either way, it HAS to be romance.
She loves to write about the underdog, the one who got away, the bits of love stories we can all relate to.
When not writing she can be found drinking wine, cuddling her beloved pooch or with her head buried in a book.
My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
The Canvas of Creation: A Biblical Response to the Heresy of Racial Superiority
by Drew Poplin
DETAILS: Publisher: Crown & Covenant Publications Publication Date: October 30, 2025 Format: Paperback Length: 55 pgs. Read Date: November 9, 2025
What’s The Canvas of Creation About?
Recent years have seen a rise of despicable teachings advocating racial/ethnic superiority and separation, particularly among some groups online.
Thankfully, they’re not going unchallenged—recently, three denominations stated:
Condemn without distinction any theological or political teaching which posits a superiority of race or ethnic identity born of immutable human characteristics and does on the solemn evening call to repentance any who would promote or associate themselves with such teaching, either by commission or omission.
Drew Poplin, a minister of one of those, has written this short book to go along with that. He makes (or perhaps “sketches” would be a better word) five arguments. He arguing that it is contrary to nature, contrary to the law of God, contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ, contrary to the nature and government of the church; and then he seeks to answer the primary historic argument from Scripture. After this, he takes a look at the roots of the recent rise in this heresy and some practical applications in dealing with it.
This is a lot to tackle in 55 pages (less, after the Introduction), so Poplin cannot really get into depth. But he attempts to make up for that depth by the breadth of his considerations.
Dealing with Christians of the Past
This is a dicey thing—but “X minister” or “y theologian” from the past thought in terms of racial superiority, or owned slaves, or fill-in-the-blank. Does this mean we need to discount everything they said/wrote/passed down to the Church? Poplin suggests that no, we don’t—and makes a case to overlook this in love. His arguments are much like those of Jacobs’ in Breaking Bread with the Dead when it comes to people of earlier times writing and saying things that clash with contemporary mores.
I think his argument works—although I admit I want it to work, so it’s hard for me to evaluate objectively. Regardless, I’m glad he addressed this idea directly and didn’t leave it unanswered.
So, what did I think about The Canvas of Creation?
First, I think it is lamentable (in the sense Jeremiah would use) that a book like this needs to be written—ever, much less in 2025. I’m troubled even more that we’re going to need more like this. Because as good as this is, it’s not enough. (probably nothing will be enough until the Lord returns, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep swinging).
Secondly, it’s a good little book—Poplin makes the arguments that I’d think would be pretty standard—he also makes some (rather convincing) arguments along lines that I’ve never considered.
He does say a couple of things that only work in theologies committed to Christian magistrates and covenanted nations (not in a contemporary Christian Nationalist way, but in something more historic). As someone who has never been convinced by those positions, I found those parts of the book to be rather weak. But I probably wouldn’t if I accepted the premise.
Otherwise, I was with him every step of the way. I do appreciate the case Poplin makes to consider this kind of thing a heresy (while not wanting to overuse the word). I’m not sure I’d have called it anything but grave error before, but that time is over. Thank you, Rev. Popliln for that.
Get this, read it, give copies to friends.
Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
Forget Running Groups and Work Socials. Find a Book Club
In a reading rut? How to get back into reading for fun
Those blurbs on book covers? Don’t believe what you read.—this isn’t the point of the piece but Kate DiCamillo looks exactly like someone who writes her books should.*
Self-publishing trends for 2026
It’s Time To Put The “Where Are All The Male Novelists?” Debate To Bed—Yes, please.
It’s started already, Top X Books of 2025. P.L. Stuart names his Best Non-SFF Trad/Indie Published Books Read in 2025 and Top Indie & Top Trad SFF Books for 2025—the only book that didn’t tempt me there was one I’d already read. Hold on to your wallets.
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? NOT ME! Postmodern Picturebooks and Deconstructed Fairy Tales—This looks like a fun bunch
My Oddly Specific Bookish Traits—We all have them, few of us are self-aware enough to enumerate them.
* Be sure to follow me for more tips on how to stereotype!
To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago This Week?
Blameless by Gail Carriger
Any Other Name by Craig Johnson
The Promise by Robert Crais
The Shootout Solution by Michael R. Underwood (which is also the only book’s release I talked about)
This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Time God Warlock by Shami Stovall—I can’t tell you about this because I’m using this release as a reminder to read the last one. But it’s probably pretty cool.
Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz—”Guy Shadowfade is dead, and after a lifetime as the dark sorcerer’s right-hand, Violet Thistlewaite is determined to start over—not as the fearsome Thornwitch, but as someone kind. Someone better. Someone good.” Looks cute.
I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Chaz Lebel’s Litany of the Destroyer! This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.
BBNYA:
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Book Details:
Title: Litany of the Destroyer by Chaz Lebel
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook
Length: 294 Pages
Publication Date: September 7, 2022
About the Book:
After a close encounter with a summoned demon, Sir Galien Banforth is left in fear for his immortal soul, bound by oath to a life of bloodshed for his king. When the world’s greatest kingdoms march to war, Galien abandons the battlefield, and his knighthood, searching for a way to repent.
He’s about to find it.
After meeting Emi, a secretive orphan with a dark history of her own, the two uncover the works of a malevolent cult, and a conspiracy that threatens all of Europe. Soon, Galien will find himself in a new war, against the renegade angels of Hell, and the Apocalypse itself.
Litany of the Destroyer is intended for a mature audience. It contains depictions of graphic violence, and occult/religious themes some may find offensive. Reader discretion is advised.
No AI was used in any part of the creation of this book.
Book Links:
Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph
About the Author:
Chaz Lebel is a huge nerd with a passion for the power of a well-told story. He lives in El Paso, Texas with his dog Bailey and his existential dread.
My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Liz Sauco’s Lost Blades! This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.
BBNYA:
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Book Details:
Title: Lost Blades by Liz Sauco
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Age Category: New Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook/Audiobook
Length: 507 Pages
Publication Date: September 12, 2023
About the Book:
As the world ends once more, the goddess chooses who she will wield against Abomination.
In Lyndiniam: A street thief attempts a heist far more ambitious than anything he has done before, but due to circumstances outside his control, finds himself locked up for crimes he both did and did not commit. A strange woman with abilities Jamirh does not understand breaks him out, and he finds himself on the run – fleeing to Romanii, a country he thought no longer existed.
In Ni Fon: A shinobi is banished by the Empress for killing her daughter and his fiancée, Princess Hotaru. This is a ploy, however – Takeshi is still working for Ni Fon despite the murder, trying to learn information about a rebellion against the Rose Empire that Ni Fon will be able to leverage to regain their own freedom.
Though thousands of miles apart, both Jamirh and Takeshi find themselves pulled into an ancient struggle between forces far beyond anything they have ever dreamed of, whether they want to be or not.
Book Links:
Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph
About the Authors:
Liz Sauco is an author from Rhode Island who enjoys a host of nerdy pastimes, such as crocheting cute animal plushies and playing video games. After graduation from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Classics, she spent several years teaching Latin to high school students while working on her first manuscript.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Discord ~ Instagram ~ TikTok
My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
And to All a Good Bite
DETAILS: Series: Andy Carpenter, #31 Publisher: Minotaur Books Publication Date: October 14, 2025 Format: Hardcover Length: 293 pg. Read Date: November 13-14, 2025
“Will you help me?”
“I believe I will,” I say, proving once again that my mouth has a mouth of its own. It did not consult with my brain before saying it, which is a major breach of the decision-making chain of command.
What’s And to All a Good Bite About?
Two years ago, Jeff Wheeler watched the building his girlfriend was in explode while he engagement ring he got for her was in his pocket. In vain, he ran into the building to try to save her, but the fire was too intense. He was, however, able to save a dog.
He ends up—with Andy Carpenter’s help—adopting the dog, and the two of them are happy. Jeff has come to think that the building’s explosion wasn’t an accident, but was caused by the building’s owner. Jeff starts hounding the man, trying to get him to admit to it and trying to take him to court over it.
When that man is shot, Jeff’s an early suspect. When some evidence is uncovered conveniently close to Jeff’s home, he’s arrested.
Now it’s up to Andy to admit he’s not retired (again) and to do what he can to save Jeff’s life.
The Holiday-ness of it
This is about as far from a Christmas book that Rosenfelt could do—the holiday itself is dealt with in maybe 5 pages, and those are fairly early-on. It really could be a case of “which of these three novels I’m almost done with could I most easily insert the holiday?”
This next sentence is not really a spoiler, but it kind of is, so skip to the next heading if you want. Also, the body count in this book is high for this series (and potentially even higher), and the motive behind it seems to make it even worse. It’s hard to reconcile that with the Season of Cheer. (not that it needs to, I’m just thinking holiday stuff).
So, what did I think about And to All a Good Bite?
So my son eats vegetables….I find it hard to come to terms with that. I’ve been assuming for years that he will outgrow it, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen. But it still pains me when the waiter comes over and Ricky asks how they prepare the brussels sprouts.
We back up a little on Marcus’ intelligibility here—which felt odd, maybe Rosenfelt realized he’d taken too much of the mystery away from him—maybe even the superhumanness of him. Or maybe it’s a case of perception—I thought that Andy was fully capable of understanding Marcus recently because relative to most of the series, he could. But compared to Willie or Corey (check spelling of Simon Garfunkel’s human), Marcus is unintelligible. It could just be some re-calibration in general. Marcus’ super-humanness is seriously reinforced on other fronts this time.
The client’s dog is far more important to the story than usual—something I appreciate, as much as I like a cute dog photo on the cover, or a canine-related pun in the title (which has nothing to do with the plot at all). When the dog actually plays a role in the story, I like it.
Andy seems to make a call on the whole retirement/semi-retirement thing, which is nice. Otherwise, this is your standard Andy Carpenter book—some solid wisecracks, a clever mystery, some nice reveals, some convenient breaks, some courtroom hijinks, Andy’s familiar (yet fresh and entertaining) thoughts on jury selection and jury deliberation. There’s just enough that’s not typical to keep long-time fans engaged. Up to, and including, more Vince-related action than we’ve seen in a bit—up to the part where I could throw in a click-baity “You won’t believe what Vince does” kind of headline. But I won’t stoop to that. Really.
Oh, wait—Ricky is 16 now? I’m sorry, when did his actual aging creep into these books? How is Rosenfelt not keeping him a cute kid/tween for forever, the way that Tara is not a senior dog yet? Has Rosenfelt been giving us higher numbers for a while now and I just haven’t noticed?
Anyway, back to the “standard Andy Carpenter book” remark. That’s really what this is—that’s good news. It’s not a let-down, it’s not a rare stumble for Rosenfelt, it’s not shaking up the entire series with a gritty turn—it’s a reliable author giving his fans just what they want, quality entertainment with old friends. And that’s just the kind of gift an author like Rosenfelt should give his readers for the holidays.*
* That’s one of the cheesiest things I’ve written on this site, but I kind of like it.
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
I’m pleased to welcome the Book Tour for the sixth book in Vicky Earle’s Meg Sheppard Mysteryseries, Love and Death. You’re going to want to look into this one.
Book Details:
Title: Love and Death by Vicky Earle
Series: Meg Sheppard Mystery, #6
Format: Kindle/Paperback
Length: 324 pg.
Publisher: Wordzworth Publishing
US Publication Date: October 18, 2024
About the Book:
A cheating racehorse trainer is dead, and someone close to Meg is under suspicion.As she digs for the truth, past gang members involved in a murder, and a zealous animal rights group bring danger to Meg.
Wounded by a gunshot, Meg is reluctant to continue as a sleuth.
Does she have the resilience to face the danger and investigate a stolen horse, another death, and two attempted murders while struggling to cope with the likelihood of a devastating personal loss?
Book Links:
Amazon ~ Indigo (Canada) ~ Waterstones (UK)
About the Author
Vicky Earle is a recipient of a Canada Book Award and was CEO of the Ontario SPCA for several years. Her experience with owning and breeding thoroughbred racehorses, as well as country life, inspired her to write the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series. The series features fast-paced, action-packed mysteries which unfurl within the worlds of thoroughbred horse racing and country living.
Animals have always been a big part of Vicky’s life. She couldn’t imagine writing a book without including some.
Vicky currently lives on a small horse farm near Uxbridge, Ontario, with her husband.
My thanks to Paste Creative Book Tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Harshita Nanda’s Love Awaits: A Tale of Unbroken Promises! This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.
BBNYA:
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Book Details:
Title: Love Awaits: A Tale of Unbroken Promises by Harshita Nanda
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook
Length: 176 Pages
Publication Date: January 29, 2025
About the Book:
FA tale of enduring love that triumphs over adversity.
Mira is on a carefree holiday to a hill town when she stumbles upon Sunshine Coffeehouse, where she meets Raghunath Sharma. Every morning, Raghunath, an ex-professor, waits for someone in the coffeehouse. Intrigued, Mira wonders who Raghunath is waiting for and why. The revelation that Raghunath has waited for years fuels her curiosity.
The only person who can tell Mira Raghunath’s story is Manan. But will he reveal the story of the one person he loves most to a stranger?
Moreover, will Mira be able to ignore the attraction she feels for Manan and what her heart desires?
In a world filled with violence and negativity, Love Awaits, A Tale of Unbroken Promises reminds us of simpler times, evoking emotions through its heartfelt narrative.
Book Links:
Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph
About the Authors:
Harshita Nanda is an author, blogger and book reviewer based in Dubai, UAE. An engineer by qualification, she changed tracks to become a full-time writer. Her stories have a strong emotional quotient with a streak of feminism. Avoiding unnecessary drama, she focuses on the universal appeal of human emotions.
One of the shortlisted candidates for the Rama Mehta Writing Grant, 2023, her short stories have found a home in many anthologies such as The Blogchatter Book Of Thrillers, The Blogchatter Book of Love, and Lightning Strikes, An Anthology of Flash Fiction by Indian Writers. Her words have appeared on websites like Kitaab, Porch Lit Mag and Roi Faineant Literary Press.
An author of four books, Love Awaits: A Tale of Unbroken Promises is her fourth book.
My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
I finished my Goodreads Challenge last week, which was a nice little dopamine hit–the books I’ve been reading have basically been nothing but dopamine hits, but who doesn’t want more of that?
This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.
The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:
What are you currently reading?
 |
 |
| A Judgement of Powers by Benedict Jacka |
Turn Coat by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters |
Jacka’s new series keeps going in places and directions I don’t expect. I’m eager to see how he confounds me this time.
I remember Turn Coat having one of the more powerful endings in the Dresden Files (nothing compared to a few others, but still). I’m steeling myself already.
What did you recently finish reading?
 |
 |
| The Last Colony by John Scalzi |
The Greatest Possible Good by Ben Brooks, read by Emma Gregory |
The Last Colony is yet another of those books that I intended to read years ago (since 2011, according to Goodreads). I am so angry at myself for wasting all that time not being able to re-read it.
I’m honestly not sure what Brooks was going for in his book. There were some interesting bits, some decent writing, and solid characters–but I need to think a little more about it to know if it was worth it.
What do you think you’ll read next?
 |
 |
| Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis |
Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum by Michael J. Fox & Nelle Fortenberry |
Caspian might be my favorite Narnian book, so this is going to be fun.
Speaking of fun, Fox (and Fortenberry) writing about that strange period in his life when he was shooting Back to the Future and Family Ties and then narrating it? Sure thing.
How’ve you been sourcing your dopamine lately?