Blog Tour and Giveaway: Lionborn

Middle grade fantasy is one of my favorite genres; who doesn’t love a story filled with adventure, magical realms, loyal friendships, and a tween who must rise to a daunting challenge? I’m always on the hunt for new, captivating novels that fit the bill for middle school readers. Today, I’m excited to share a new middle grade adventure, Lionborn by Sharique Zea, a perfect pick for readers who love fast-paced, action-packed stories.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Lionborn

Written by Sharique Zea

Ages 10+ | 228 Pages

Publisher: Sharique Zea (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0682018-2-0

Publisher’s Book Summary: "A Boy with Hidden Power. An Evil Sorcerer. Three Daring Trials to Test His Courage.

Fionn Hurley feels different. Worried his nightmares might be real, the twelve-year-old has visions of strange creatures and wakes up covered in mysterious marks that heal in a flash. But when a lion cub appears beside his reflection, the curious boy travels to a mystical land… and discovers he’s a Lionborn with powerful magic.

Fionn is shocked to hear an evil sorcerer wants him to bring back a dark overlord. But after finding a clue to defeating the wicked enchanter, the brave young hero discovers three perilous trials stand between him and victory.

With everyone out to get him, can Fionn embrace his abilities and save the people he loves?

If you like friendships full of courage, jaw-dropping surprises, and worlds bursting with magic, then step into Lionborn and let the adventure roar!"

Readers can purchase a copy of Lionborn here and learn more about Sharique Zea by visiting his website. 

 

The Giveaway:

 

I have partnered with Sharique Zea to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Lionborn. Enter for a chance to win one of 10 signed paperback copies of Lionborn by Sharique Zea. A grand prize winner will also receive a signed copy plus a $50 Amazon gift card to explore even more magical reads. Good luck! 

Lionborn: Book Giveaway

 

Captivating Novels to Dive Into After Enjoying Bridgerton

With a new season of Bridgerton finally here, I can’t stop thinking about all the excellent Regency romances waiting on our shelves. If you’re curious about the Bridgerton series itself, you can find my reviews here—but if you’re craving read-alikes to binge next, you’re in the right place.

 

The Gilded Age Heiresses series by Harper St. George

"Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can't buy entrance into the upper echelons of Victorian high society--for that you need a marriage of convenience."

Miss Lattimore's Letter by Suzanne Allain

 

"The woman who never made a match of her own is making matches for everyone else in this hilarious Regency era comedy of manners."

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

"Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor."

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

Brand new paperback edition featuring her sexy, funny, emotionally rich writing and one of the fiercely feminist heroines that made Entertainment Weekly crown her “the utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance.”

Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig

"Willig hits the ground running in a highly entertaining debut novel that romps between centuries and offers a swashbuckling mix of romance, swordplay, espionage, and historical sleuthing."

 

 

 

Last Duke Standing by Julia London

"Fans of Bridgerton will love the this sparkling, witty, and sexy new series from New York Times bestselling author Julia London! With a young future queen in the market for a husband, and the charming--and opinionated--Scottish lord tasked to introduce her to the ton's most eligible bachelors."

 

 

The Rokesby series by Julia Quinn

The first novel of the delightful Bridgerton Prequel series in a stunning new package. There were Bridgertons before the eight alphabetically named siblings, and in this novel, we go back to where it all began."

 

 

  

On My TBR LIST: 

 

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

"A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford suffragists in which a fiercely independent vicar's daughter takes on a powerful duke in a fiery love story that threatens to upend the British social order."

 

 

Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell

"The brooding, illegitimate son of a duke meets his match in the determined woman hired to transform him into a gentleman."

 

 

 

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

"In this fresh and hilarious historical rom-com, an estranged husband and wife in Regency England feign accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attention—and maybe just win each other back in the process."

 

 

 

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

"This book delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked."

 

 

 

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

"A lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation."

 

 

 

Mr. Malcom's List by Suzanne Allain

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that an arrogant bachelor insistent on a wife who meets the strictest of requirements—deserves his comeuppance."

 

 

 

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

"The first book in her beloved Wallflowers series. The Wallflowers: four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what it takes."

 

 

 

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

"When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules. It's the first book in the Girl Meets Duke series."

 

 

 

While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan

"Sometimes the man of your dream isn't who you think. It's the first book in the Rogue Files series."" 

 

 

 

Mad and Bad: Real Heroines from the Regency by Bea Koch

"Discover a feminist pop history that looks beyond the Ton and Jane Austen to highlight the Regency women who succeeded on their own terms and were largely lost to history -- until now."

 

Shop All Books Here:

 

What are some of your favorite Bridgerton read-alikes? Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Book Review: Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: January 13, 2026

Publisher: Penguin

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: First Lie Wins,

and 10 Blind Dates 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Everyone at Chantilly’s Bar noticed out-of-towner Camille Bayliss. Red lips, designer heels, sipping a Negroni. But that woman wasn’t Camille Bayliss. It was Aubrey Price.

Camille Bayliss appears to have the picture-perfect life; she’s married to hotshot lawyer Ben and is the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana family. Only nothing is as it seems: Camille believes Ben has been hiding dirty secrets for years, but she can’t find proof because he tracks her every move.

Aubrey Price has been haunted by the terrible night that changed her life a decade ago, and she’s convinced Benjamin Bayliss knows something about it. Living in a house full of criminals, Aubrey understands there’s more than one way to get to the truth—and she may have found the best way in.

Aubrey and Camille hatch a plan. It sounds simple: For twelve hours, Aubrey will take Camille’s place. Camille will spy on Ben, and the two women will get the answers they desperately seek.

Except the next morning, Ben is found murdered. Both women need an airtight alibi, but only one of them has it. And one false step is all it takes for everything to come undone."

 

Camille Bayliss appears to live the perfect life from the outside, as she is wealthy, resides in a gorgeous home in Louisiana, and is married to Ben Bayliss, an exceptional lawyer. But things aren't what they seem. Ben is hiding secrets, and Camille is determined to uncover them, but Ben has full control of her. He tracks her every move - literally-  and micromanages her. The story opens with Audrey Price, who is working together with Camille, to help her figure out what Ben is hiding. Audrey is pretending to be Camille. When Ben tracks her, he will think she is in one place; meanwhile, the real Camille is snooping through his office. However, things take a dark turn when Camille finds Ben murdered in their house! Cue the mystery, even more secrets, suspects, red herrings, and more. Plus, the two women will need an alibi! Ashley Elston's Anatomy of an Alibi starts out as a promising domestic thriller, but then slowly evolves into a clunky story with a lot of misdirection and too many characters.
 
While Audrey and Camille present themselves as intriguing characters in Anatomy of an Alibi, I found it challenging to connect with them. They seemed to lack some development, possibly due to Elston's tendency to shift perspectives and timelines frequently, which occasionally led to a feeling of disconnection. Audrey’s suspicions about Ben’s actions serve as a significant point of convergence for the two women as they decide to join forces. However, their backgrounds are quite different—while Camille hails from a privileged Southern family, Audrey has faced considerable challenges, having lost her parents and continuing to navigate a difficult path in life.

There are even chapters from Hank Landry's point of view in Anatomy of an Alibi. Hank is Ben's law partner and friend. As you can see, there were a lot of characters to really keep your eye on, and the amount of misdirection made that tough. Once I figured out where the story was going, more suspects unfolded in the small, sleepy town; it felt like many people had issues with Ben.
 
While I enjoyed Elston's First Lie Wins, Anatomy of an Alibi  was just ok for me. There were some major moments of suspense and some twists that I didn't see coming, so I can see why many readers enjoyed this one, but ultimately, it wasn't for me. 
 
Have you read Anatomy of an Alibi? Are you a fan of Ashley Elston? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.   

 

 

Audiobook Review: My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

Genre: Adult Fiction/Audiobook

Pub. Date: January 20, 2026

Source: Personal Copy

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Other Books By Author: Beautiful Ugly,

Daisy Darker, Rock Paper Scissors and His & Hers

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person's date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

My Husband’s Wife is a tangled web of deception, obsession, and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

 

 

Eden Fox, an artist, is starting over with her husband in the sleepy coastal town of Hope Falls. It's the day of her opening at a new art gallery, and she wants to make a good impression on her new community. Before the opening, she goes for a run, as she always does, and leaves her cell phone and belongings behind, except her house key. Once she returns from her run, the key does not work. This has never happened before. When she struggles to open the door, another woman answers it, impersonating her! When she demands to talk to her husband, even he doesn't think she is who she says she is. In a parallel storyline six months prior, Olivia, whom they call "Bird," gets an upsetting terminal diagnosis that upends her life. She finds out she inherited a house from her grandmother called Spyglass in Hope Falls. While at this house, she finds a letter from a mysterious company called Thanatos predicting the exact date of her grandmother's death. Bird, a detective, dives into this mystery surrounding her family. The two stories blend perfectly in Alice Feeney's new psychological/domestic thriller, My Husband's Wife, which is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to.
 
How could readers not feel for Eden Fox once she comes home to someone impersonating her! The deception runs deep, and I was fully on board as she tried to figure out who was impersonating her, whether her husband was in on it, and ultimately why this person had hijacked her life. But things aren't always what they seem in a Feeney novel, and secrets abound. Slowly, readers make a connection between Bird, Eden, Eden's husband, and even more characters that slowly enter the plotline. I will say I was confused at times, but in the best way possible. Feeney kept me guessing; once I thought I knew where the plot was going, she turned the tables on me, and I was back to second-guessing my theories. Feeney truly is the queen of plot twists, and My Husband's Wife has quite a few.
 
My favorite aspect of My Husband's Wife was the listening experience. Not only were the narrators top-notch, but the audio was so immersive. I have never experienced an audiobook like this one before; I loved it! There were sounds to enhance the story, such as footfalls while Eden was running, the sound of windchimes, crashing waves, and more. It was so well done and really enhanced my experience of the story. 
 
If you love a good mystery with some psychological/domestic thriller aspects to it, look no further. Alice Feeney's My Husband's Wife is one of my favorite books of the year and an audiobook that shouldn't be missed. Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of Feeney and if you have read My Husband's Wife.  

 

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: How to Be Best in Class

If you’ve ever trained a puppy, or if your family is getting a new one, this picture book will resonate with you immensely. How to Be Best in Class by Lorena M. Proia is an adorable new picture book that shows it isn’t so bad to be different and unique. When a new puppy starts obedience school, plenty of laughs ensue, along with an important reminder for us humans, too: everyone learns differently, and everyone is unique.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

How to Be Best in Class 

Written and Illustrated by Lorena M. Proia

Ages: 4-8 | 32 Pages

Publisher: Self Published D.B.A. PnM Publishing (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9885730-1-2

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Obedience class is hard. Especially if you don’t do things like the other dogs do. Phebe’s flair for drama isn’t appreciated by her classmates, and when Rae says, “Come!” she stays. When she says “Stay!” she comes.

Seeing the world a little differently than everyone else makes it easy to be misunderstood. Rae wants Phebe to fall into line, but Phebe can’t help but be herself.

Will Phebe ever learn to be a perfect pup?"

Readers can learn more about Lorena M. Proia by visiting her website and joining the kickstarter campaign for How to Be Best in Class. 

 

Enter the Giveaway:

I've partnered with Lorena M. Proia to host a giveaway to promote How to Be Best in Class.  Back this book on Kickstarter to help reach its funding goal AND enter our giveaway for the chance to win an extra-special bundle featuring a signed copy of the first book in this delightful series, How to Make a Sandwich, a matching set of Phebe-n-Me T-shirts (one child size and one adult size), and a gorgeous collection of 12 blank note cards with Phebe-n-Me designs. Good luck! 

 How to Be Best in Class: Book Giveaway