✨️ 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗟 ✨️
I'm so honored to be able to share this stunning cover for @lauriedoveauthor 's upcoming release, CRY OF THE RAIN CROW - the 2nd book in her Carrie Starr series. If you remember, Mask of the Deer Woman, book 1, was one of my favorite books of last year!! And I'm already counting down the days until I can get my hands on this beauty in December!!
𝗖𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄 by @lauriedoveauthor
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: @berkleypub
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 12•8•2026
Cover Illustration: Michael Rogers
Cover Design: Rita Frangie Batour
📖 Synopsis
There's something in the water, & Tribal Marshal Starr fears that a gruesome death in the lake is only a symptom of a greater danger in this mystery from USA Today bestselling author Laurie L. Dove.
At the height of summer, Backstreet Oil finally starts drilling on Saliquaw Nation. But when an oil worker is found dead, inexplicably missing his heart, the already controversial oil deal is put at risk.
Starr is still chasing cold cases of missing women, with hardly any leads & even fewer resources to follow them. This perplexing death of an outsider--a white man--is the last thing she needs to distract from her mission.
But when a suspect in a fifteen-year-old disappearance returns home to the rez, employed by the same shady fracking company, Starr wonders if he might be the key to solving both mysteries--past & present.
All the while, there are strange phenomena among the reservation's wildlife--bison display aggression, fish wash ashore, & Starr begins hearing a Rain Crow's distinctive call everywhere she turns. The more Starr learns, the less it all makes sense...& the cry of the Rain Crow warns that a storm is coming.
** Pre-order link is in my profile!
❓️ How much does a cover sway you to pick up a book? What's the last book you picked up solely because of the cover??
#CoverReveal #CryOfTheRainCrow #LaurieLDove
Book News | Mystery | crime fiction | Carrie Starr series | Berkley publisher | December Release | anticipated release | cover love | favorite author | book influencer | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
Upcoming Anticipated Reads--2nd Q 2026 ✨️
Here are the books I'm most excited to read in the next 3 months...not that I won't be reading other books, but these will be at the top of my list.
As you can see, I've already managed to read a few & cannot wait to get to the rest. It's a mix of genres, something I'm really trying to focus on this year.
❓️ Do you have any of these on your tbr or have you read any yet? OR what's one book you hope to read that coming out in the next few months?
#BookGuide #2026Releases #AnticipatedReads
Books I'm most excited to read | 2nd quarter 2026 releases | Anticipated Reads of 2nd quarter 2026 | what to read in 2026 | Book recommendations | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 🩸✨️
Thank you @bantambooks@prhaudio for the gifted books & ALC.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 by @andepliegowrites
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5•5•2026
Not all fairytales were meant for children...
This was one my most anticipated reads this month & it delivered in every way possible & then some. A locked-room thriller set in a haunted library is as thrilling as it is gripping, this book had me on edge, unable to set it down until I finished it. And even though I started the print version, once I saw it was narrated by a full-cast, I immediately switched versions.
This book is so incredibly atmospheric & chilling. I loved the way the fairytales are woven in -- I mean I always knew they had a dark origin & Pliego really runs with it here, using it to create such an ominous tone! And so fun having the fairytales she used connect to a character...so clever!
The story is told from the POVs of all the characters & it quickly becomes evident everyone has secrets. I think I suspected just about everyone at one point & as the twists started hitting, it really becomes clear no one can be trusted!
This is such an immersive read -- you feel as if you are in the library with these characters, going through each of the rooms. And the murder mystery itself really kept me on my toes...I had so many guesses!
🎧 thoughts: This audio is narrated by a full-cast & it is phenomenal!! Xe Sands, Euan Morton, Brittany Pressley, Susannah Jones, Hillary Huber, Saskia Maarleveld, Andre Santana, Allyson Ryan, Jay Ben Markson & Philip Hernandez all bring their A-game to this one, & are some of my favorites!! I found myself unable to stop listening because I was so engrossed in both the story & the narration!!
🎙 I'll be doing an IG LIVE with Ande sometime in May...stay tuned for details!!
❓️ Is this on your list? Have you read Ande's debut novel yet? Would you ever tour a knowingly haunted building?
#TheLibraryAfterDark #AndePliego
Five star read | pub week | Book thoughts | book recommendation | must read | locked-room thriller | | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
𝗔𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗟 𝗪𝗥𝗔𝗣-𝗨𝗣 ☔️
Thanks to the tagged publishers/publicists for the gifted copies.
April was the beginning of my busy season & yet I still managed to read a lot of great books! It's true that when reading is a passion, you find ways to fit it in, even when life is busy!! But with so many great books this month, selecting my standouts was hard!!
✨️ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 ✨️
☆ These Familiar Walls
☆ The Calamity Club
☆ Mad Mabel
☆ Everything Has Happened
☆ The Beheading Game
📖 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 📖
• Sorry for Your Loss
• Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell
• Harmless Women
• The Ending Writes Itself
• Look Closer
• Holy Island
• Last One Out
• These Familiar Walls
• Invasive Species
• The Midnight Taxi
• In the Great Quiet
• The Caretaker
• The Calamity Club
• The Anniversary
• Thunder Bay
• Mad Mabel
• The Girls in the Dark
• Dark is When the Devil Comes
• Everything Has Happened
• The Cove
• Crooked House
• This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone
• The Beheading Game
• A Founding Mother
As usual, still have some reviews to still write. And some have only been posted to my blog/Goodreads, so be sure to check there.
❓️ What was one of your favorite reads of April? Did we read any of the same books this month?
#MonthInReview #AprilReads
April wrap-up | April reads | Favorite reads | what I read in April | reading update | monthly recap | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
Author Spotlight/Series Love 🖤
Thank you @poisonedpenpress for the gifted copies.
Have you discovered the amazing @ljross_author yet?
How lucky are we that Poisoned Pen Press has discovered this gem!!! Did you know that she has 3 series out & that PPP is re-releasing them here in the states? I've had the chance to read the 1st book in each of the series & I'm hooked!! Of course, as a serial series reader, it was an easy win for me, but here's a little bit about each one to maybe win you over, too!
𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧
This is book 1 in the Dr. Alex Gregory series. Forensic psychologist Doctor Alex Gregory has a reputation for being able to step inside the darkest minds to uncover whatever secrets lie hidden there.
I read this one back in February & loved it. Of the 3 series, this is the darkest. The 2nd book in this series, Hysteria, will be released here in the states in June.
This is available now.
𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙮 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙
This is actually L.J. Ross's debut novel!! It's book 1 in the DCI Ryan Mystery series & is a police procedural mystery/romantic suspense series set in Northumbria, England.
I read this & quite enjoyed it. It reminded me a bit of the Nora Roberts' romantic suspense books with a more police procedural bent.
This is available now.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙫𝙚
The first book in the Summer Suspense Mystery series.
I also read this & of the 3 series, this is probably the lightest, but still involves murder, so take that as you will.
This will be published next week, May 5th.
And if you get the chance to meet LJ Ross, I highly recommend it. She is so charming & wickedly funny!! I met her a few weeks ago at @hamptonswhodunit & I'll be seeing her again next week at Thrillerfest...I can't wait!!
❓️ Have you heard of this author or read any of her books? Who is the last author you read that had you adding their entire backlist to your tbr?
#LJRoss #poisonedpenpress
Author Spotlight | Favorite New Author | Alexander Gregory series | DCI Ryan series | Summer Suspense Mystery series | I love reading series | mysteries and thrillers | author love | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
🔪 Thriller Thursday Review 🔪
Thank you to @minotaur_books@librofm@macmillan.audio foe the gifted book & ALC.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 by @alexfinlayauthor
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5•12•2026
I have been a fan of Alex Finlay since his debut...& he never fails to disappoint. There is one book I still need to read -- looking at you, Night Shift -- but I feel pretty confident in saying this is his best book yet. This one has a little of everything -- a serial killer, romance, nostalgia -- & it comes together in an unforgettable way!
What I loved:
🔪 serial killer storyline...the predator strikes every year on May 1st!
🖤 the romance angle...this got me all up in my feels!
🔪 the nostalgia...I grew up in the 90s!!
🖤 the way the author explored trauma & guilt
This is a fast-paced, dark read that had me hooked from the beginning. I was glad I was able to finish this one one go because I was on edge, needing resolution...& let me just say the twists are perfectly placed & quite surprising!!
🎧 thoughts: I was lucky enough to be able to listen to this in one go & the narrators helped with that, making the story impossible to walk away from...Brittany Pressley & Ari Fliakos do an amazing job bringing these characters to life.
Bottom line--this book is not to be missed!
❓️ What was the last book you read in one go? Or your last five-star read?
#TheAnniversary #AlexFinlay #thriller
Five-star read | Upcoming Release | Must read thriller | book review | bookish thoughts | book influencer | 2026 release | book recommendation | audiobook recommendation | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 👑🧵
Thank you @crownpublishing@prhaudio for the gifted book & ALC.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 by @rebeccalehmannauthor
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 3•24•2026
📖 mini synopsis
Disgraced. Beheaded. And out for revenge...
We all know what happened to Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. But what if she woke up the day after her execution & took it upon herself to seek justice?
✏️ my thoughts
As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it - I mean I was sold when I saw it involed Anne sewing her head back on after her murder! That was it -- I didn't need to know any more other than I had to read it!! And while the concept did seem strange, this mixing of historical fiction & fantasy totally works. It's unhinged, it's wild, but if you know the history & you are a fan of a good revenge story, it's easy to get behind this one!! And...it's a debut!
It is very clear the author did her research before writing this book. She brings in all the players -- the royals & others involved in the court at the time of Anne's execution. She makes you feel as if you are there, the details as so vivid.
And Anne -- oh how I loved cheering her on! She was so fierce & determined & quite clever!! I loved that we got her side of the story but I also loved that Anne
This book is for anyone who loves reimaginings with a historical twist, is fascinated with the Tudor period & willing to stretch their imagination or for those who love a strong female character!
🎧 thoughts: I did an immersive read with this one, alternating between the print & audio. The narrator, Florence Howard, did an amazing job bringing Anne to life.
❓️ Let's change it up today...ask me something!!
#TheBeheadingGame #RebeccaLehmann #prhaudiopartner #prhaudioinfluencer
The Beheading Game | Rebecca Lehmann | book review | bookish thoughts | book influencer | historical fiction | fantasy | horror | books about Anne Boleyn | reimagined history | 2026 release | book recommendations | audiobook recommendations | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 🌷📚
Thanks to the tagged publishers/publicists for the gifted copies.
Here is a comprehensive list of A L L the books, as of today, that I have with a May pub date.
Key:
⏳️ currently reading
✔️ read
🎧 only have audio copy
📱 only have e-galley
𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟱𝘁𝗵
✔️ A Founding Mother
⏳️ Caller Unknown
✔️ Five
📖 I, Spy
📖 Immersion
📖 Liar's Creek
📖 Payback
📖 Summer State of Mind
✔️ The Calamity Club
✔️ The Cove
📖 The Fine Art of Lying
⏳️ The Library After Dark
𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵
📖 Nerve Damage
✔️ The Anniversary
📖 The Forgotten Midwife
📖 The Last Mandarin
📖 The Mediator
𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟵𝘁𝗵
📖 Last Seen
📖 The Burning Side
𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟲𝘁𝗵
📱 A Fortune of Sand
🎧 Dead Weight
📖 I'll Watch Your Baby
📖 Murder Most Delicious
📖 Night Objects
📖 The Final Target
❓️ What book are you most excited to read in May? Have you read any of these or do you plan to?
#MayReleases #MayBooks #tbr
What I'm planning to read in May • my May tbr • books publishing in May • book recommendations • Alwayswithabook • K2reader
✨️ 𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘆 ✨️
Thanks to the tagged publishers/publicists for the gifted copies.
It's the last pub day of April & we have a great bunch of books hitting the shelves, including a paperback release!!
I was fortunate to read 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 last year when it first came out. Today it's out in paperback...& is the perfect book to hold you over until Kristy's new summer book comes out next week!!
I already posted my review for 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙖𝙨 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙--spoiler alert: I loved this one!! My review is a few posts back.
I just posted my review for 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙄𝙨 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨--see previous post. I also loved this one!
I finished 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙀𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚. This is the latest in the Vacation Mystery series & it's just as enjoyable as the previous 2 books. I'll be posting my review to my stories & my blog soon.
I'm really excited for 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡, a historical fiction based on tumultuous life of screen icon Katharine Hepburn.
And 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙡𝙪𝙗 looks like it will be a great summer read!!
So many books, definitely not enough time in the day, right??
❓️ What's caught your eye on this pub day?? Have you read any of these or do you plan to?
#pubday #newreleases
New Releases | Books I've recently read | Books out today | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 🩵👻
Thank you @minotaur_books for the gifted copy & @librofm@macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC.
𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗜𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 by @daisypearce3000
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 4•28•2026
📖 mini synopsis
Unrelentingly scary & thrilling, Dark Is When the Devil Comes is an ambitious & chilling novel from acclaimed horror author Daisy Pearce.
The woods are known as the place to avoid. What goes in, doesn't come out.
✏️ my thoughts
After loving Daisy Pearce's debut Something in the Walls last year, I knew I'd be reading anything & everything she wrote, so I didn't even hesitate to request this one...& it did not disappoint, even when it scared the crap out of me!!
This book is a genre mashup, which I loved. It's the perfect mix of horror, thriller & some paranormal elements & it had me on edge almost from the get-go. I mean, a kidnapping, an unhinged man, voices, the hair...this is exactly the type of book that gets under your skin & is unsettling, creepy & disturbing...& I loved every second of it. I don't even want to say much more than that because I think it's best to go in as blind as possible...it's the best way to enjoy this one!
If you like books that have you questioning everything, this is for you! But be forewarned...it's not the best book to read right before bed!!
🎧 thoughts: This was great one audio with the narrator, Catrin Walker-Booth, capturing the mood perfectly.
❓️ Have you read this author yet? Who is one of your must-read authors & why?
#DarkIsWhenTheDevilComes #DaisyPearce #newrelease
Book Review | must-read author | horror | thriller | book recommendation | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 📖💙❤️
Thank you @angelabookspr for the gifted copy.
𝗔 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 by @stephanie.dray@laurakamoie
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: @williammorrowbooks
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5•5•2026
💡 why I picked this up
I have always been fascinated by the First Ladies of our Country & so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. Plus...I love reading about the women behind the history! And how fitting that this book come out this year, just in time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States.
💭 my thoughts so far
While I have read Stephanie Dray before, I haven't read anything that she written with Laura Kamoie, though I do have another book on my shelf by the 2 of them. Their writing is engaging & immersive & if the other book is anything like this one, I'll be picking that one up sooner than later.
This book is providing such a fabulous picture of the formidable woman that Abigail Adams was...complex, strong & determined. As much as the book is filling in my lack of knowledge about her, I am still finding myself stopping at points in the book to do further research just because I want to know more...that is what I love about reading historical fiction.
I have a feeling this is going to be a favorite book of the year -- I'm about 75% in, & while I am taking my time, I should be done in a few days. It is very evident the research the authors did before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) & I would never have known there were 2 authors penning this book, the writing is so seamless.
💻 Full review to be posted on my blog when I finish reading.
❓️ What are you starting the week off reading?
#AFoundingMother #StephanieDray #LauraKamoie
What I'm currently reading | my thoughts so far| porch reading | book recommendations | books to read for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the US | Historical fiction | books about US History | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 💌📚
Thanks to the tagged publishers/publicists for the gifted copies.
I received some amazing books this past week & it's hard to not want to just out all my adult responsibilities aside & pick one of these up to read immediately! At least I know I have some great reads coming up soon!!
𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
▪︎ Beach House Rules -- Paperback release (I read this last year & loved it!!)
▪︎ A Murder Most Camp
𝗠𝗔𝗬
▪︎ Payback -- 5/5
▪︎ Last Seen -- 5/19
𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘
▪︎ 4 Janes -- 6/30
𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗬
▪︎ With Friends Like You -- 7/21
𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧
▪︎ One Good Eye -- 8/11
▪︎ The Silent Appeal -- 8/25
▪︎ They Say a Girl Died Here -- 8/25
𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥
▪︎ Mother Daughter Sister Stranger -- 9/1
▪︎ The Oxford Guide to Scandal & Lies -- 9/1
❓️ Which one are you grabbing first? Have you read any of these or do you plan to? What book would you drop everything for to read if it showed up in your mailbox today??
Bookmail | Upcoming Releases | 2026 Releases | Upcoming reads | New Books | Anticipated Reads | Bookstack | Alwayswithabook | K2reader
