Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Spotlight of A Charming Touch of Tarot by Melissa Holtz


PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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A CHARMING TOUCH OF TAROT
MELISSA HOLTZ
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF KAILA MUNDELL-HILL | PUBLICITY BERKLEY | TYLER SIMON | MARKETING ASSISTANT |PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE.

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Practical Magic meets The Break-Up Book Club in this follow up to 20224’s An Enchanting Case of Spirits.


Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Sarah Adler, Holtz delivers an alluring tale of friendship, romance, with a dash of mystery. 

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May 13, 2025
Berkley Trade Paperback Original
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ABOUT A CHARMING TOUCH OF TAROT:


Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne's friendship is being put to the test. With Nina's marriage falling apart, Lanie acting distant, Alyssa's new romance, and no one quite trusting Corinne, this may be more than their bond can take. But when Nina appears at Alyssa's door, and confesses not just a decades-old secret, but a newfound magical power, the friends know that the only way to face this is together.


Someone has been blackmailing Nina for years, but lately the threats to reveal her secret have changed to threats on her life, and on the lives of those she loves. With Alyssa contacting ghosts for insight and Nina getting used to her telepathy skills, they dash from city to city to track down the threat. There's someone out there that will go to any lengths to keep their control over Nina, and it will take all four friends to get out of this without ruining, or losing, their lives. But with the strength of their friendship—and a little help from the beyond—these women are out to prove they're not to be messed with.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Melissa Holtz is a former publicist and marketing expert in the romance genre. Now in an advisory role to several bestselling authors, she consults on industry marketing trends. A Charming Touch of Tarot follows An Enchanting Case of Spirits, her debut novel.

**AUTHOR PHOTO TAKEN FROM HER AMAZON BIO PAGE**

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FOLLOW HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram

Facebook

Goodreads
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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Spotlight of Smoke On The Wind by Kelli Estes

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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SMOKE ON THE WIND
KELLI ESTES
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF KAITLYN KENNEDY | PUBLICITY DIRECTOR | KAYE PUBLICITY INC.
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In the magnificent Scottish Highlands, two devoted mothers separated by centuries discover a haunting connection in a gripping novel by the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl Who Wrote In Silk.

This dual timeline novel is perfect for book clubs, women fiction readers and fans of Diana Gabaldon (it's set where the TV show filmed!) as it explores themes of motherhood, marriage, grief and resilience.

Inspired by her trips to Scotland and an interest in Gaelic Scottish culture and folklore, Kelli is passionate about telling stories that showcase how history is still relevant and for her latest she researched a little known-part of their history known as The Highland Clearances which was a traumatic displacement event that affected over 70K people in Scotland.

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June 24

Lake Union Publishing

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PRAISE FOR SMOKE ON THE WIND:


“Poignant and beautifully crafted, Smoke on the Wind shimmers with the misty allure of the Scottish Highlands and the invisible threads that bind us across time. With rich emotional texture and a haunting sense of place, this evocative novel captures both the tender ache and quiet strength of motherhood with stunning clarity and deep heart.” —Kelley McNeil, author of A Day Like This and Mayluna

“Suspenseful and beautifully written, I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see how these determined women would navigate their challenging circumstances and find peace within their own hearts.” – Pat White, award-winning author and screenwriter.

“Kelli Estes breathes life and wonder into her stories of loss and redemption. Beautifully evocative, Smoke on the Wind is a love letter to mothers across time, a journey both emotional and touching.” – Elizabeth Boyle, NY Times bestselling author of O Little Town of Bethlehem

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ABOUT SMOKE ON THE WIND:

About the book: Struggling with the tragic end of her marriage, Keaka Denney is on a bittersweet adventure in Scotland with her son, Colin. 

She’s joining him on a weeklong hike along the West Highland Way before he enters university in Glasgow.  Soon into the journey, Keaka's disquieting visions begin―a woman from ages past reaching for Colin, a burning cottage, violence.  Scotland, 1801.

After Sorcha Chisholm and her son are wrenched from their home in a brutal eviction, they face an arduous trek toward a new beginning.

When Sorcha learns she’s wanted for a murder she didn’t commit, she and her son run for their lives.

Then help arrives from the strangest woman in the most unexpected ways.

Centuries apart, Keaka and Sorcha walk the same path―devoted mothers in circumstances beyond their control who will do anything to keep their sons safe.

Defying logic, they find strength in each other. But what does their connection mean? And how far will it go?

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TALKING POINTS:

• Inspired by her own travels to Scotland and a West Highland Way hike completed with her teenage son (similar to the main character in the book who also hiked withher son), so far Kelli has completed three of Scotland’s long-distance trails, including one her literary agent joined.

• The novel is set where the TV show Outlander was filmed and the language consultant for the show, Gillebrìde MacMillan, wrote a bespoke poem exclusively for Smoke on the Wind.

• Kelli’s own personal passion for the Scottish Gaelic heritage and folklore played an important role in her research as she not only learned the Scottish Gaelic language but even how to play the Scottish fiddle.

• The Highland Clearances is a little-known part of history and Kelli can discuss her research of this traumatic displacement event that affected 70,000 people.

• Incorporating real art work in fiction and storytelling

• Writing mother-son relationships and how the narrative parallels Kelli's own relationship with her teenage sons.

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ABOUT ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Kelli Estes is the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl Who Wrote in Silk, which has been translated into eleven languages, was the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Nancy Pearl Book Award and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR Award, and is currently under option for film/TV; and Today We Go Home, a nationwide Target Book Club pick.


Kelli is passionate about stories that show how history is still relevant to our lives today.


Her lifelong love of Scotland has her learning the Scottish Gaelic language and the Scottish fiddle (both badly, but she’s working on it).


She has walked three of Scotland’s long-distance trails (so far) and is currently planning the next.


Kelli lives in Washington State with her husband and two sons.

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SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Website

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Monday, June 23, 2025

Spotlight of The Ruins In Which We Bleed by Steve N. Lee

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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THE RUINS IN WHICH WE BLEED
STEVE N LEE
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR.
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This is a story of courage and a fight for survival like none you have ever read.  Guaranteed! 

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June 12, 2025

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ABOUT THE RUINS IN WHICH WE BLEED:

Inspired by a true story... 

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland, 13-year-old Helena is imprisoned in the Warsaw ghetto, a squalid hellhole rife with disease and starvation. Yet, although the Nazis have destroyed her home, her life, and her future, they haven't destroyed the only thing that truly matters — her family. Helena might be just a child, but she's a fighter, and she'll do whatever it takes to help her loved ones. 

Making sacrifices no child should ever have to make, seeing horrors no child should ever have to see, Helena bravely battles on as her world crumbles amid random killings, slave labor, and deportations. And through it all, her compassion helps to protect her family. But then the Nazis unleash new horrors. 

With the ghetto a raging sea of flames, explosions, and gunfire, Helena runs for her life only to hurtle straight into an unimaginable hell from which there seems no escape. And the Nazis are closing in. Can her love for her family give her the strength to survive?
 
Inspired by a heartbreaking true story of unbelievable courage, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit, The Girl Under the Ghetto reveals that, even in the darkest of times, one person can make a difference through the greatest power of all — love.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Apart from animals and writing, Steve’s passion is travel. He’s visited 60 countries and enjoyed some amazing experiences, including cage-diving with great white sharks, sparring with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and watching a turtle lay eggs on a moonlit beach. 

He’s explored Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China, yet for all that, he’s a man of simple tastes — give him an egg sandwich and the TV remote control, and he’ll be happy for hours!

He lives in the North of England with his partner, Ania, and two black cats who arrived in the garden one day and liked it so much, they stayed. 
 
Graciously, the cats allow Steve and Ania to stay in 'their' house.
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CONNECT WITH STEVE ONLINE:

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Don't Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine

Annabelle hates to go to sleep.

She keeps having awful dreams that seem to come true with no reason for dreaming about these situations.

Other problems are going on in Annabelle's life as well.

She thinks her husband is having an affair.

Her daughter is talking to someone online and hasn't told anyone.

DON'T OPEN YOUR EYES has quite a few characters and jumps from one time frame to the next making it a bit confusing about who is who and what is going on.

Despite this bit of confusion, the stress that continues to build in Annabelle's life will keep you glued to the pages.

I was most worried about the teenager talking to that stranger.

This confusion had me wondering where this was all going, but it still kept me turning the pages as the tension mounted and answers were revealed.

And boy were the answers revealed - the ending turned out to be a wow!! 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.  All opinions are my own.





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Mailbox Monday - 6/23/2025

  

BOOKMAIL THAT ARRIVED THIS WEEK.

WHAT ARRIVED FOR YOU?

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. 

Mailbox Monday is now hosted by Vicki!!

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On Monday, June 16 I received:

1.  THE WIVES OF HAWTHORNE LANE by Stephanie DeCarolis, courtesy of Dan Denning of Penguin Random House and NetGalley.

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On Tuesday, June 17, I received:

1.  TYPEWRITER BEACH by Meg Waite Clayton, courtesy of Harper and NetGalley.

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On Wednesday, June 18, I received:

1.  THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKSHOPS by Poppy Alexander, courtesy of Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley.

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It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 6/23/2025

                              http://bookdate.blogspot.com/

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I hope you had a great reading week.
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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
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Books Completed:

ASYLUM HOTEL by Juliet Blackwell - review will be on July 30, 2025.

Disappointed - I'm not into paranormal - not sure why she ventured from historical fiction.  

LOVED all her other books.

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TYPEWRITER BEACH by Meg Waite Clayton - spotlight will be on July 3, 2025.

I was looking forward to reading this book because of the title, but it didn't work out.

Normally love her books but was disappointed in this book - I didn't continue reading.  

It may be good for others.

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THE LIES THEY TOLD by Ellen Marie Wiseman - review will be on July 29, 2025.

An excellent history lesson, but very heartbreaking and upsetting.

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THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline - review will be on July 25, 2025.

A little confusing, but turned out good.

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SECOND CHANCE AT SUNSHINE INN by Amy Clipston - review will be on July 12.

A lovely, heartwarming read with a great main character.

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THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White - review will be on July 22, 2025.

An enjoyable read.

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WAYWARD GIRLS by Susan Wiggs - review will be on July 16, 2025.

Oh my is this good - another FAB read by Susan Wiggs.

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DON'T LET HIM IN BY Lisa Jewell - review will be on July 2.

SO GOOD - her books are hit and miss for me - this one was a HIT!!

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THE LAKE ESCAPE by Jamie Day - review will be on July 15, 2025.

A good mystery - a slow startup, but turns out great!!

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THE NIGHT SPARROW by Shelly Sanders - spotlight will be on July 4, 2025.

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PARTY OF LIARS Kelsey Cox - review will be on July 1, 2025.

Oh YES!!  This was GOOD!!  Thriller fans won't want to miss it.

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IT'S NOT HER by Mary Kubica - review will be on Goodreads by Friday, May 23, 2025, but other reviews will be on February 3, 2026.

SO GOOD - DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!  Might be her best one yet!!  :)

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THE SUMMER OF STARTING OVER by Savannah Carlisle - review will be on June 29, 2025.

So uplifting - you will love the characters and the setting.

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DON'T OPEN YOUR EYES by Liv Constantine - review will be on June 23, 2025.

A bit slow, but the ending makes it all worthwhile.

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BEYOND THIS PLACE OF WRATH AND TEARS by Jack Ford - review will be on June 26, 2025.

Historical fiction - interesting

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BEFORE DOROTHY by Hazel Gaynor - review is in the book's title.

LOVED THIS BOOK!!  DON'T MISS IT!!

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LAST DANCE BEFORE DAWN by Katharine Schellman - spotlight is in the book's title.

It was the fourth book in the series - I didn't realize that and wasn't following the storyline.

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HAZEL SAYS NO by Jessica Berger Gross - review is in the book's title.

Pretty good read.

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SHAW CONNOLLY LIVES TO TELL Gillian French - Spotlight is in the book's title.

Wasn't connecting with me.

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THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE by Katherine Reay - review is in the book's title.

A slow start, but worth the wait.

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THE EXPAT AFFAIR by Kimberly Belle - review is in the book's title.

Not a favorite of hers for me.

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Book Currently Reading:

SUMMER ON LILAC ISLAND by Lindsay MacMillan - review will be on July 31, 2025.

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Books Up Next:

THE LOCKED WARD by Sarah Pekkanen - review will be on August 5, 2025.

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THE WRONG SISTER by Claire Douglas - review will be on August 6, 2025.

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MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE - review will be on August 8, 2025.

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HIGH SEASON by Katie Bishop - review will be on August 12, 2025.

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THE WITCH'S ORCHARD by Archer Sullivan - review will be on August 13, 2025.

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TOO OLD FOR THIS by Samantha Downing - review will be on August 14, 2025.

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GONE IN THE NIGHT by Joanna Schaffhausen - review will be on August 15, 2025.

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JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME by Kerryn Mayne - review will be on August 19, 2025.

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ONE DARK NIGHT by Hannah Richell - review will be on August 20, 2025.

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THE MARIGOLD COTTAGES MURDER COLLECTIVE by Jo Nichols - review will be on August 21, 2025.

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THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW by Pamela Terry - review will be on August 22, 2025.

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THE SECOND CHANCE BUS STOP by Alli Zetterberg - review will be on August 23, 2025.

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FORGET ME NOT by Stacy Willingham - review will be on August 26, 2025.

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THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKSHOPS by Poppy Alexander - review will be on August 28, 2025.

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SHIP OF DREAMS by Donna Jones Alward - review will be on August 29, 2025.

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BODIES IN THE SAND by Crystal Murphy - review will be on September 1, 2025.

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THE CABERNET CLUB by Margie Zable Fisher and Rona S. Zable - review will be on September 2, 2025.


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THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS by Mariah Fredericks - review will be on September 3, 2025.

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BEES IN JUNE by Elizabeth Bass Parman - review will be on September 4, 2025.

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THE RIGHTEOUS by Ronald A. Balson - review will be on September 9, 2025.

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A MURDEROUS BUSINESS by Cathy Pegau - review will be on September 16, 2025.

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NO REST FOR THE WICKED by Rachel Louise Adams - review will be on September 17, 2025.

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THE WASP TRAP by Mark Edwards - review will be on September 19, 2025.

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THE GUEST IN ROOM 120 by Sara Ackerman - review will be on September 23, 2025.

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THE WIVES OF HAWTHORNE LANE by Stephanie DeCarolis - review will be on September 24, 2025.

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THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton - review will be on September 30, 2025.

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DINNER AT THE NIGHT LIBRARY by Hika Harada - review will be on October 1, 2025.

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THE SECRET OF ORANGE BLOSSOM CAKE by Rachel Linden - review will be on October 10, 2025.

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THE HITCHHIKERS by Chevy Stevens - review will be on October 7, 2025.

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THE GALLERY ASSISTANT by Kate Belli - review will be on October 14, 2025.

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THE FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY by Heather Webber - review will be on November 4, 2025.

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THE HIDDEN CITY by Charles Finch - review will be on November 5, 2025.

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THE PERFECT HOSTS by Heather Gudenkauf - review will be on November 6, 2025.

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THE MAD WIFE by Meagan Church - review will be on November 7, 2025.

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THE BRIDESMAID by Cate Quinn - review will be on November 10.

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