Winterset - Review

Winterset

By: Tiffany Odekirk

Expected Publication: October 7, 2025 by Shadow Mountain

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A hidden past. A house with secrets. And one chance for two wounded hearts to find love together.

Northern England, Late Fall, 1820

Katherine Lockwood is hiding for her life in the most unlikely of places: the forgotten priest holes in the abandoned Winterset Grange manor house. When Kate learns that Winterset’s long-absent owner, Mr. Oliver Jennings, is about to return, she is desperate to find a way to make him leave, even if it means “haunting” him from behind her protective walls.

After a grand tour of the Continent, Oliver returns home to England determined to make the most of his inheritance. But from the moment he arrives, nothing is as he expected. His manor is in disrepair, the steward hired to care for his estate is a thief, and to top it all off, Winterset is haunted. Undeterred, Oliver resolves to reclaim his life, piece by piece.

When Oliver discovers the hidden rooms, he’s shocked and pleased that his “ghost” is actually a beautiful young woman. Captivated by Kate and her story, he invites her to stay at Winterset under his protection.

Yet, danger persists as the man who threatens Kate’s safety learns of her ruse and attempts to exact his revenge. Kate and Oliver find themselves ensnared in a perilous game of cat and mouse against a powerful opponent while also trying to untangle their blossoming feelings in this enthralling gothic Regency romance.

I loved Summerhaven. And I have been looking for a new release from Tiffany Odekirk since. It's been over three years since Summerhaven. And I wasn't even sure if this would be connected to the previous book or not, but it is. Oliver was a front and center character in Summerhaven. He's finally decided to settle down and take care of the estate he's received through his inheritance. The only issue is that it's in disrepair. And he's been paying a man to be the steward over the estate for two years, only to find out that he's been swindled, and the man was simply taking his money and not fixing Winterset at all.

Katherine was a tenant of Winterset when her father passed away. She has reasons for hiding out at the estate, and the two remaining servants are determined to do whatever they can to protect her. She is determined that all she needs to do is convince Mr. Jennings that the estate is haunted, and that will scare him away. Then she can return to living in peace.

I thought I would like this part of the story more than I did. But I guess I kept getting frustrated with Katherine's antics, and I knew Oliver would be a gentleman with her. So I found myself frustrated more often than not in the beginning. I did appreciate seeing Damon, Hannah, and their family briefly towards the end.

Some pieces of Winterset felt too over the top to me, but those pieces are spoilers, considering much of this story is shrouded in mystery. I don't want to reveal too much.

The only sentence I highlighted had to do with my predictions of a piece of the mystery, so I won't reveal those.

I'm glad that Oliver finally got his story. And I'm looking forward to more from Tiffany Odekirk. I wouldn't mind a little less mystery, but that's a personal preference for me. Winterset gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Winterset? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 09/28/25

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Monday, Big Girl had pitching practice. Tuesday, we spent the day with my parents, had grocery pickup, and the big kids had martial arts. Wednesday, Big Boy had batting practice. Wednesday was a rough night. I'm still battling sickness, and all three kids came into our room during the night. Big Boy had a bad dream and scared the life out of me when he snuck into our room. Big Girl brought Scout in at 3 am saying he was barking to go potty, and then Little Boy came in some time after that and made a pallet on the floor because he was scared. We were home all day Thursday which was nice. Husband took the kids to Lowes and Home Depot with him. He was still off work this past week and working on a project. The kids love to go see the Halloween animatronics. Friday, we had an easier school day. As soon as I got Little Boy from school, we came home and rushed to eat lunch. Then we went to our local skating rink which was having a homeschool day and some of our co-op friends were there as well. My mom went with us. They kids spent the weekend with my parents. Friday night, Husband and I went on a date to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and to Hobby Lobby. I'm making a banner for Big Girl's 10th birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, and I wanted to work on it while they were gone. Saturday, my mom wanted to take the kids bowling, but I hated to miss out on their first experience with bowling so I went with them. We all had fun, and Big Girl was naturally good at the game. Granted, all of the kids had the bumpers on, and I did not. We grabbed Chickfila for lunch on the way home. I dropped the kids back off at Gramma's and went back home. I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do while the kids were gone, but I guess I got the most important thing done. I am finally starting to feel better. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm happy for the improvement I feel at all.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, # 1) by Kayla Edwards (3.5 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Fall 2025 TBR List
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
Friday: Homeschool Friday - How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger ( Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Winterset (Summerhaven, # 1) by Tiffany Odekirk
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of A Scar in the Bone (A Fire in the Sky, # 2) by Sophie Jordan
Friday: Homeschool Friday - I Really Like Slop

NEW BOOKS:

Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth, # 1)

By: Kristen Ciccarelli

Publication: February 20, 2024 by Wednesday Books

406 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Witches

Source: Borrowed from the elibrary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe – a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution – who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Crimson Moth is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch… is falling in love.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger

By: Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis

Publication: December 15, 2002 by Free Spirit Publishing

128 pages

Genre: Children, Parenting, Nonfiction, Emotion, Self-Help, Mental Health

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Anger is a part of life. We can’t avoid it, we shouldn’t stuff it, and we can’t make it go away.

Kids need help learning how to manage their anger. This book speaks directly to them and offers strategies they can start using immediately.

Blending solid information and sound advice with jokes and funny cartoons, it guides kids to understand that anger is normal and can be expressed in many ways—some healthy, some not.

It teaches them how to recognize anger in themselves and others, how to handle situations and emotions (loneliness, guilt, frustration, fear) that lead to or mask anger, and how to deal with the anger they feel.

Young readers learn that violence is not acceptable and there are better, safer, more positive ways to resolve conflicts.

They also discover what to do when people around them are angry, how to get help, and how to locate other resources (books, hotlines, school groups) when they need more support.

How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger was not really what I thought it was going to be. I was expecting a fictional story for some reason. That might be because it was so long between requesting this book and reading it that I forgot what it was supposed to be about. Also, I've tried to read quite a lot of fictional books about anger to my children--specifically my child who struggles with his emotions.

I quickly realized that this was more of an instructional manual for kids on how to help them with their anger. I highlighted a ton. I appreciated that actionable things were included. Anyone reading this book (adult or child) will be able to find something they can put into practice to help. The words a person uses to talk to themselves matter as much or more than words said to them by others. I love that this was addressed. I know my child can get frustrated with himself and gear towards the negative with his self-talk. Children are encouraged to find an adult they can talk to at certain times. The author tells them to find someone they can trust, but also, if they don't get the help they need from that person (for whatever reason), then find someone else to talk to. Not giving up after the first person doesn't help is so important. I like the positive messages given to kids: "you are stronger than your anger," and "you have the power to overcome your anger!"

Favorite quotes:

-Anger can stay with you for a very, very, very long time. This may be hard to believe, but some of the adults you know and talk to every day are still angry about stuff that happened when they were kids. Because they never dealt with their anger, it just stuck around like a bad smell. You probably don't want this to happen to you.

-Sure, other people may sometimes try to make you mad on purpose. But often they're just being themselves, or kidding around, or making mistakes. They may not even know they're angering you.

-Did you know that even just making an angry face may make you feel mad? ... So angry face, angry thoughts, and angry words often lead to more angry feelings. It's that simple.

-But you can't "smoosh" anger. What happens when you do? The anger won't stay down for long.

-That's the thing about angry or rude texts, emails, instant messages, and handwritten notes: you can't undo "send." Just remember: what goes on-screen stays on-screen. Forever.

-It's true that anger can really make you mad. But anger is never an excuse for being mean.

-Angry behavior doesn't solve problems. Most times, it makes things worse.

I also appreciate the resources (extra books to help on this topic) listed at the end for the parents. I will be checking out multiple of the books listed.

I haven't tried reading this book to my child or letting him read it himself, but I am trying to do the best job I possibly can with modeling the behavior I want to see. I would like to either read this to him or have him read it one day on his own. But from a parent perspective, I give How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger 5 Stars. Have you or your child read How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The House Saphir

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The House Saphir

By: Marissa Meyer

Expected Publication: November 4, 2025 by Feiwel & Friends

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From the #1 New York Times bestselling "Queen of Fairytale Retellings" and author of Cinder and Heartless, this is the tale of Bluebeard as it's never been told before—a thrilling romantasy and murder mystery.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling bogus spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir—otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu—who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-great grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Fall 2025 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Fall 2025 TBR List

1. The Folklore of Forever (Moonville, # 2) by Sarah Hogle
2. Save Me (Maxton Hall, # 1) by Mona Kasten
3. The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar
4. The Ever Queen (The Ever Seas, # 2) by LJ Andrews
5. We Met Like This by Kasie West
6. A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly
7. The Mist Thief (The Ever Seas, # 3) by LJ Andrews
8. Fallen City (Fallen City Duology, # 1) by Adrienne Young
9. Gilded in Vengence by Lyssa Mia Smith
10. And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens

Which books are you hoping to read this fall? Let me know!

City of Gods and Monsters - Review

City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, # 1)

By: Kayla Edwards

Publication: January 25, 2022 by Independently Published

762 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romantasy

Source: Amazon Prime Reading

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Welcome to the city of Angelthene. We hope you survive.

Loren Calla has only ever been ordinary. As a human struggling to survive in a city that caters to the needs of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural creatures, she always assumed her life would remain simple, predictable, and as safe as her world would allow.

Until she barely escapes abduction at the hands of Darkslayers—supernatural bounty hunters that possess the Sight, a magical tracking ability that allows them to see a person’s aura—and one of her friends is taken in her place. The abductors are demanding a ransom: Loren's life in exchange for her friend's safe return. Loren will do whatever it takes to get her friend back—even if it means accepting help from Darien Cassel, the leader of the Seven Devils, the most feared Darkslaying circle in the city.

Darien specializes in tracking down demons and criminals that are better off dead than alive, so when he takes a job to track down Loren and finds out she is human—and couldn't hurt a fly if her life depended on it—he decides to protect her instead of turn her in for a reward. As much as Loren doesn't want to admit it, Darien is her best and only chance at finding her friend alive, if she can somehow manage to get along with him—and not fall head-over-heels in love with him in the process, which is far easier said than done.

When more women start disappearing, and some of them slowly turn up dead, Loren and Darien's search for answers takes them deep into Angelthene's corrupt underbelly, where they discover a dark secret that threatens to unravel their world. And when tragedy strikes, Loren learns that love can make an ordinary person do extraordinary things.

From the author of Dreams of Ice and Iron comes a new fantasy romance perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas, Ilona Andrews, and Cassandra Clare.

Please note: This book contains explicit content, including violence, mature language, drug abuse, and sexual assault. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

Let me be honest. I read City of Gods and Monsters because someone I saw on Instagram said this was their top favorite book boyfriend of all time. That was high praise. I don't even follow this girl to know if we really have the same tastes in books. I finished this book on May 29, 2025, but I didn't write my review until September 17, 2025. So I won't have the most comprehensive review. I knew it would probably be a while before I wrote my full-length review so I wrote what I called a series of "rapid fire" reviews for books that I was behind on reviewing. This is what I wrote:

- FMC is annoying. MMC is a big softie that is supposed to be a big bad. The baddest group around, but the whole lot of them are softies. The twists kind of surprised me and kind of didn't. The will-they-won't-they drove the book but also drove me crazy. I'm not 100% sure why some rate the MMC as their top book boyfriend. Maybe I need to finish the series to find out. But they are so stinking long.

I'll do my best to write a little more in-depth from there.

Loren is friends with two other girls at her magic school. They were out partying one night and ended up walking home after dark. Apparently, in this fantasy world, being out after dark is extremely dangerous. All mythical creatures seem to be open to this fantasy world. But someone has put a target on Loren's back. Instead of kidnapping Loren, some bad guys kidnap her friend instead. Loren feels terrible that her friend has been taken instead of her. Loren is supposed to be a completely normal human in a world of supernatural beings. She can't understand why anyone would want to kidnap her.

Darien gets the target request. He typically hunts down criminals, but he quickly realizes Loren isn't that. He reluctantly decides to protect her and help her find her friend instead. Darien is supposed to be this big scary boss of a big scary gang, as I mentioned above. But I just didn't see it at all. He wasn't scary, and neither was his gang. I don't doubt they could put a hurting on some bad guys, but they're supposed to also be some of the bad guys. This wasn't a situation where the bad guys happen to do something good but are still bad. This was one of those cases where they are good all along but just supposed to look bad. Convenient.

As for the trigger warnings, I don't really remember much of any of them being included in the book. I definitely remember that the scenes weren't as frequent as I expected give the title, the trigger warnings, and the build up of this big bad gang. All of the things mentioned in the trigger warning were included, except I don't remember much about the SA mentioned. They just weren't the pieces I remember. I have a good ability to block that stuff out as I tend to skim it while reading anyway.

I don't remember too much of the twists and turns. I remember being somewhat surprised and somewhat not. I mostly remember that this book was so stinking long. I know fantasy books often need extra pages for world-building. I remember some pieces felt conveniently handled and not the best writing or plotting. I am intrigued about what will happen next, but I'm also not dying to know, especially given that book two is 778 pages. I am in no rush to pick up book 2, and at this point, I can't even say that I ever will. All of that being said City of Gods and Monsters gets 3.5 Stars from me. Maybe my expectations were too high going into it? Have you read City of Gods and Monsters? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 09/21/25

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

I don't even remember most of this week. Monday afternoon, Big Girl had pitching practice. Tuesday, we spent the day at my parent's house and did grocery pickup. We thought martial arts belt ceremony was that night, but it got moved because belts ordered hadn't arrived yet. The Big Kids ended up having practice that night. Wednesday, Big Boy had batting practice. Thursday, I thought we were going to have a chill at home day, but I ended up having to run a lot of errands. I dropped Scout off at the groomers. Then took the kids to Spirit Halloween. They wanted to see the animatronics and look for costumes. Then we ran a load of donations to drop off. We picked Scout back up from the groomer, and then we ran by a lady's house to pick up some books I'd bought off Marketplace. Thursday night was belt ceremony. Both kids moved to senior green--one by the skin of his teeth. Friday, Husband was off work. I started feeling sick. And Husband's new album published. This one is an update on the classic nursery rhymes. Saturday, was a super lazy day. I finished a book. But with feeling crummy I didn't do much.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Shadow and Storms (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 4) by Helen Scheuerer (4.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
Thursday: Review of The Little Wild Library: Elder by Clare Gogerty (3.5 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - A Crown for Kate (5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, # 1) by Kayla Edwards
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - How to Take the Grrr Out of Anger

NEW BOOKS:

The Martian

By: Andy Weir

Expected Publication: February 11, 2014 by Ballantine Books

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills — and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit — he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Curious George: Dog Show

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Curious George the Dog Show

By: HA Rey

Publication: January 22, 2006 by Clarion Books

24 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-1

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Description--In this early reader based on the Curious George TV, show George learns about counting and grouping at a dog show.

Curious George discovers surprises (and mischief) at his first dog show--and even brings the contestants home with him! When George becomes curious about how many dogs are in his apartment, he devises a clever way to find out. This simple story is perfect for children who are learning to sound out words and use visual clues to read stories. The animated series Curious George is available to watch on Peacock, NBC Universal’s streaming platform.

We're going through our collection of Step-1 or Level-1 readers with my now 7-year-old. He could probably advance to level-2 at this point, but I want to finish up the Level-1/Step-1 books that we have. He picked Curious George: The Dog Show out of our stack.

Curious George: The Dog Show is about George visiting a dog show for the first time. He watches the dogs stand around, but he expected them to do tricks. He loved visiting with the dogs after the show so much that he decided to take them home with him. Once home, he realized having all the dogs together was a little much and he decided to separate them. He separates them by big, small, and hairy. Then he counts each one. Ultimately the Man With the Yellow Hat and the dog owners show up.

Curious George: The Dog Show gets 4 Stars. It follows typical Curious George, getting into mischief and misunderstandings, but I liked how this book also had categorizing and adding included. These are both concepts that need to be developed by the same time or before being able to read Step-1 readers. Have you or your child read Curious George: The Dog Show? What did you think? Let me know!

The Little Wild Library: Elder - Review

The Little Wild Library: Elder: Simple things to do with the plants around you.

By: Clare Gogerty

Publication: September 16, 2025 by David & Charles

128 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Plants, Nature, Science

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A favourite of foragers, the Elder tree is the very essence of summer, with frothy blooms emerging in the late spring and filling the hedges and pathways with a glorious fragrance. As the seasons turn, the elderberry comes into its own, a delicious food for humans and animals alike, bursting with vitality and an excellent source of vitamin c.

In The Little Wild Elder, discover how to make the most of this beautiful tree, with recipes and makes to try throughout the year. Once you’ve found your favourite elder, come back as the seasons change and find new things to do with your foraged treasure – from edible treats to useful tinctures. Beginner-friendly, the elder is the perfect plant for those new to foraging to get to know – with easy-to-follow recipes for favourite makes such as the delicate and romantic elderflower champagne.

Learn how to identify the elder amidst its hedgerow friends from the comprehensive botanical information included, and take this pocket-sized book out on foraging adventures to help spot the elder blossom bursting forth in the spring sunshine – though you’ll be sure to catch its heavenly scent before you see it! As fall arrives, return to your favourite elder and gather the elderberries that shine brightly from its branches. Through the book, learn about the history of the elder, and discover some of the myths, legends, and folklore attached to this beautiful plant.

The perfect beginner's guide to foraging, in a handy pocket-sized format, The Little Wild Elder will reveal the secrets of the hedgerow and inspire those new to foraging to experiment and explore the beautiful plants around them.

I don't know exactly what I was expecting from this book. I was thrown off by the inclusion of folklore. I suppose it was interesting tidbits. Mostly, I'm interested in the elderberry cough syrup. This book didn't include a specific recipe labeled cough syrup. But there were two recipes listed with uses as cough remedies. I wasn't expecting to find elderberry facial balm or elder flower facial steam recipes. But I'm here for them.

I haven't had a chance to use any of these recipes yet, so I can't really include that in my review. We have elderberries planted on our property, and it is now September. Perhaps I will be able to harvest and make something soon. That's one of the reasons I wanted to get this book for review.

I will say that this wasn't formatted very well for my Kindle. It was probably the egalley version that I got. Hopefully, all of that will be cleaned up for the actual Kindle release.

The Little Wild Library: Elder was a quick read. It's easy to reference the recipes listed. I liked that the book wasn't overdone with recipes. Like, this isn't an extensive list of elderberry recipes. I'm giving this a 3.5 Star rating. My rating might increase after I try a recipe or two. The formatting wasn't great, and the folklore included threw me off. Have you read The Little Wild Library: Elder? If so, what did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Woman Down

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Woman Down

By: Colleen Hoover

Expected Publication: January 13, 2026 by Montlake

? pages

Genre: Adult, Thriller, Suspense

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--In this twisty thriller from New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a frustrated author looks for her muse in a remote hideaway, but what she finds defies all expectations…and reality.

Her words used to set the page on fire. But a viral backlash over her latest film adaptation forced Petra Rose to take a hiatus, resulting in missed deadlines and an overdue mortgage. Branded a fraud and fame-hungry opportunist, she learned the hard way what happens when the internet turns on you. And she’s been uninspired to write ever since.

Now, with her next suspense novel outlined and savings nearly gone, she retreats to a secluded lakeside cabin, hoping to find inspiration. It’s Petra’s last-ditch attempt to save her career—and herself.

Then he shows up.

Detective Nathaniel Saint arrives with disturbing news, his presence igniting a creativity in her she thought long since burned out. Petra’s words return in a rush, and her fictional cop character begins to mirror the very real cop who’s becoming her muse.

Their “research” sessions blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Each glance, every touch pulls Petra deeper into a world she thought she’d never lose herself in again. She’s never felt more alive. But inspiration this powerful comes at a cost.

When Saint starts taking his role in her career a little too seriously, Petra’s forced to confront the chaos she created. But doing so could cost her more than the reputation she’s been trying to salvage. The reputation the world wrote for her—the reputation only she can reclaim.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Shadow & Storms - Review

Shadow & Storms (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 4)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: June 20, 2024 by Alchemy

420 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--“She was ready to shed blood, ready to take back what was hers.”

The time has come to make one last stand against the forces of cursed men and monsters. But Thea’s enemies are only getting stronger. With allies divided and an outnumbered army, she must race against her own fate to secure the future of the midrealms – or die trying.

A prophecy is looming, and Thea’s life is in the balance. Does she have the power to cheat death itself?

Love and loyalty will be tested. Bonds will fracture forever. But all must fight for a better world.

In the final war for survival, will Thea and Wilder emerge victorious? Or will the shadows consume them at last?

Fans of Fourth Wing, The Witcher and The Bridge Kingdom, brace yourselves for sizzling romance, found family and heart-pounding battles in Shadow & Storms, the epic finale to The Legends of Thezmarr.

Shadow & Storms was literally the first book I read in 2025. Yet, the last day of May is when I finally sat down to write my review of it. Needless to say, this won't be my best work. I have forgotten so much. I vaguely remember that Fate & Furies also ended in a small cliffhanger. This was nothing compared to the cliffhanger of Vows & Ruins.

***This is the last warning you will have that spoilers for the previous three books in the series are ahead. Proceed at your own risk.***

Thea is now a Warsword. Wilder has been taken captive by Artos. War is looming. Thankfully, Thea goes to rescue Wilder pretty early in the book. I would have hated for the book to drag on with them being separated after the time they spent apart in Fate & Furies.

Thea, Wilder, Wren, Kipp, Cal, Torj, Talemir, Drue, Anya, and all of the others are mapping out the war. Who are the real enemies? Is Artos working alone? Who will we lose in battle? What about Thea's fate stone? The year on her stone is fast approaching. Will she have to say goodbye to everyone she loves after all? Will she have to say goodbye to Wilder again?

I will say that I liked the way that Helen Scheuerer worked the fate stone. I agreed with the approaching goodbye that Wilder and Thea were facing. I've felt that way before--missing someone before they're even gone. I'm sure many can relate. I liked the build-up between Torj and Wren. And I'd like to say that I'm eager to delve into their story. If I'd been writing this book review back in January when I finished this book, I could easily have said exactly that. Except, I've already read the first book in their series. And I want more.

Favorite quotes:

-‘If they discover who you’re after, they’ll know it was you. No doubt Artos already suspects your loyalty lies elsewhere. And if you use too much storm magic, any remaining cover you have will be blown. They’ll know that the heir of Delmira and Althea Zoltaire are one and the same. The world will know exactly who you are, and who’s important to you.’ ... ‘Then the world will know that if they hurt him, I’ll burn them all to the ground.’ Talemir nodded. ‘So be it.’

-She broke away, panting. ‘I love you,’ she gasped, refusing to tear her eyes away from him. ‘I love you so much I can hardly breathe. I’ve wanted to say it for so long—’...‘I’ll tell you every day until my last,’ she murmured.

-‘You’re dead anyway,’ she promised. ‘But touch him again, I dare you.’

-‘I am the storm,’

-‘You never need to thank me,’ Wilder told her. ‘I will always fight for you. And it’s my honour to do so.’

-‘Who would have thought Thezmarr’s most useless shieldbearer would be here planning our fights for us.’ ‘You were always slow off the mark,’ Kipp said casually.

-‘Promise me never again. Whatever we do from here on out, we do together.’ ‘I don’t think Kipp’s battle plans—’ ‘Not on the battlefield. In life,’ he said. ‘Where you go, I go, from now on.’

-But to anticipate the grief so intensely… It meant he loved just as hard, just as fiercely. Wilder knew he was lucky to have experienced a love so great, however quickly it would be ripped from him.

-Thea patted him on the shoulder. ‘You’ll slowly learn that of the three Embervale sisters, Wren is the one to fear the most.’

-‘It’s yours. The Laughing Fox is mine, or will be one day. And I don’t mean to see it overrun by shadow any time soon. I will not go quietly into the [...] darkness… Will you?’

-‘If this is to be our final stand, let us make it worthy of legend!’

-‘We are all daughters of darkness, Thea. We were born into a world of it, a place that would dictate the way in which we defend ourselves, the way we live our lives. No more. That world is no longer. And the next one will be what we make it.’

-‘You can do this. You were forged with blood and steel, with lightning and thunder… You were made for this war, made to end it, and you will, for all of us. When I first saw you spying on the Warsword meeting atop the cliffs, I sensed it in you even then.’ Tears lined Thea’s eyes. ‘What?’ ‘Greatness,’ he told her.

-For the first time in a long time, he realised that beneath the festering darkness, the world had been beautiful, and it would be again.

I had a couple of other quotes, but they were spoilers.

Ultimately, Shadow & Storms was a great ending to a great series. I'm giving Shadow & Storms 4.5 Stars. Thea and Wilder's relationship ranks with some of my favorites (Xaden & Violet, Rhysand & Feyre, Aelin & Rowan, etc). Language and on-page spice is always a little much for me, but the plot makes skipping and skimming totally worth it for me. Have you read Shadow & Storm? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 09/14/25

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

We are litterally halfway through September. Time goes so fast. This past week was good but busy. I don't remember much about Monday, but Big Girl had pitching practice. Tuesday, we went on a field trip to Majestic Caverns (aka DeSoto Caverns) in Childersburg, AL with my parents. We had a great day. The Big Kids had martial arts belt testing that night. Little Boy came home from MDO on Monday with a stuffy nose. By Tuesday he really wasn't feeling well. Wednesday, I kept him home from MDO. That was a stressful day with school and bad behavior from one child. Thursday was a much better day. We ended up going to a local park and meeting up with some friends. Friday was up and down. We ended up having a good day. We had a singing with our church family. My aunt and uncle came to teach us somne new songs and to fellowship with us. Saturady, I worked on some computer things, and I was steadily chipping away at the giant pile of tree limbs and trunks from the trees we had cut down several months ago. I made good progress, but it's barely a visible dent in the overall pile. I've been struggling with a little reading slump I guess. I did listen to on audiobook, but that's really it.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of To Hunt an Heiress by Martha Keyes (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Whispers at Painswick Court
Friday: Homeschool Friday - A Crown for Kate (5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Shadow & Storms (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 4) by Helen Scheuerer
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - How to Take the Grrr Out of Anger

NEW BOOKS:

The Little Wild Library: Wild Rose: Simple things to do with the plants around you.

By: Clare Gogerty

Expected Publication: September 16, 2025 by Verbena

85 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Plants, Nature, Science

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Peeking out of hedgerows and spilling a beautiful scent, the wild rose is one of the most charming wild plants to find. A favourite of bees when the flowers are in bloom, its vibrant red rosehips are a much needed burst of colour as fall turns to winter and the landscape darkens.

In The Little Wild Wild Rose, discover how to make the most of this beautiful plant, with recipes and makes to try throughout the year. Once you’ve found your favourite wild rose, come back as the seasons change and find new things to do with your foraged treasure – from edible treats to useful tinctures. Discover recipes that make use of robust and plump rosehips that decorate the branches in autumn, and return in the spring to forage and gather petals and flowers to explore new ways to use this most ancient of roses. All the recipes and makes are beginner friendly, making it easier and more fulfilling to engage with the natural world and form a connection to the plants and flowers that decorate our lives.

Learn how to identify the wild rose amidst its hedgerow friends from the comprehensive botanical information included, and take this pocket-sized book out on foraging adventures to help spot the rosa canina waving merrily on a spring breeze, or brightening a dull fall afternoon. Through the book, learn about the history of the wild rose, including how it got its name, and discover some of the myths, legends, and folklore attached to this beautiful plant.

The perfect beginner's guide to foraging, in a handy pocket-sized format, The Little Wild Wild Rose will reveal the secrets of the hedgerow and inspire those new to foraging to experiment and explore the beautiful plants around them.

The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn: Simple things to do with the plants around you.

By: Clare Gogerty

Expected Publication: September 16, 2025 by David & Charles

112 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Plants, Nature, Science

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Introducing The Little Wild Hawthorn – a captivating pocket-sized guide to the magical and practical hawthorn tree. Known for its frothy white blossoms in spring and vibrant red berries in autumn, the hawthorn is a beloved tree that provides shelter, food, and enchantment throughout the year. From the moment its blossoms appear in May, to the fall when its berries brighten the hedgerow, this book reveals how to forage, craft, and cook with this ancient tree, all while uncovering its deep roots in myth and folklore.
• Simple Foraging Guidance: Learn how to identify the hawthorn among its hedgerow companions, with easy-to-follow tips on when and where to forage its flowers and berries.
• Seasonal Recipes & Crafts: Explore beginner-friendly recipes and crafts, from hawthorn jelly to soothing tinctures, perfect for making use of this versatile tree all year round.
• Rich History & Folklore: Discover the fascinating myths surrounding the hawthorn, a tree considered sacred to the Celtic druids.

Whether you're new to foraging or looking to connect with the ancient plants of the hedgerow, The Little Wild Hawthorn is the perfect introduction to this magical tree. With its blend of practical foraging advice, seasonal projects, and enchanting folklore, this guide will inspire you to embrace the hawthorn’s many gifts and explore the natural world around you.

The Little Wild Library: Elder: Simple things to do with the plants around you.

By: Clare Gogerty

Expected Publication: September 16, 2025 by David & Charles

128 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Plants, Nature, Science

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A favourite of foragers, the Elder tree is the very essence of summer, with frothy blooms emerging in the late spring and filling the hedges and pathways with a glorious fragrance. As the seasons turn, the elderberry comes into its own, a delicious food for humans and animals alike, bursting with vitality and an excellent source of vitamin c.

In The Little Wild Elder, discover how to make the most of this beautiful tree, with recipes and makes to try throughout the year. Once you’ve found your favourite elder, come back as the seasons change and find new things to do with your foraged treasure – from edible treats to useful tinctures. Beginner-friendly, the elder is the perfect plant for those new to foraging to get to know – with easy-to-follow recipes for favourite makes such as the delicate and romantic elderflower champagne.

Learn how to identify the elder amidst its hedgerow friends from the comprehensive botanical information included, and take this pocket-sized book out on foraging adventures to help spot the elder blossom bursting forth in the spring sunshine – though you’ll be sure to catch its heavenly scent before you see it! As fall arrives, return to your favourite elder and gather the elderberries that shine brightly from its branches. Through the book, learn about the history of the elder, and discover some of the myths, legends, and folklore attached to this beautiful plant.

The perfect beginner's guide to foraging, in a handy pocket-sized format, The Little Wild Elder will reveal the secrets of the hedgerow and inspire those new to foraging to experiment and explore the beautiful plants around them.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - A Crown for Kate

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

A Crown for Kate

By: Jenny Phillips

Illustrated By: Ekaterina Kolesnikova

Publication: January 1, 2020 by The Good and the Beautiful

55 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-1

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads )

Description--Travel to a land long ago where a girl named Kate wants nothing more than to be a real queen one day. Although Kate, being blind, can’t see the beautiful mill and land where she lives, she can feel, smell, and hear the beauty around her. When Kate unexpectedly finds a real crown in the forest, she is taken on a journey that will change her life.

Most of the Level-1 readers we have are from publishers like Random House and Scholastics. But we use a homeschool curriculum company called The Good and the Beautiful for a lot of our curriculum. The Good and the Beautiful has its own books written by several authors. Jenny Phillips, the company's creator, writes many of the books herself. And the company emphasizes good and beautiful literature that has strong moral values. I cannot appreciate this more. Most of the "normal" level-1 reader books are about 32 pages long with one or two short sentences per page or opening. A Crown for Kate is a good bit longer with 55 pages and usually, one or two sentences per opening.

A Crown for Kate begins with a challenging words page that includes 5 words used in the book that might be a little beyond the child's reading level, but I like that this is included at the beginning of the book so that you can go over these words with your child before they come to them in the book. This way maybe they will already recognize the words and be able to read them from memory already. Or if they get to one of these words while reading and can't sound it out phonetically or remember it, they will at least not be surprised and feel discouraged for not being able to read a challenging word.

A Crown for Kate is about a blind girl and her family. The book focuses on all of the things Kate is still capable of doing despite her disability. Kate loved stories about queens and often made herself a crown out of flowers. One day, Kate stumbles upon a crown in the forest. Kate knows that the crown needs to be returned to the rightful owner, the queen. Kate and her father go to the castle to return the crown to the queen. Kate and her father were invited to stay at the castle for a week. Kate got to experience life in a castle, but she began to miss her home. Kate realizes that all the small things in her life gave her great joy. Kate realizes that being a queen is good if you do good. And being a regular man is good if you are a good man. No matter who you are if you are good and do good, that is what is most important. Now Kate dreams not of being a queen, but of being a very good girl.

A Crown for Kate is a 5-Star level-1 book for sure. (The Good and the Beautiful technically rates this book as a level 1B.) I love the morals and messages included in this book. We need more companies that focus on the messages we're sending to young kids. I also like that this is longer than a typical level-1 reader so that my son can get accustomed to reading longer books even though there aren't as many words on one page. This book is broken into three "chapters" so your child doesn't have to read it all in one sitting. Have you or your child read A Crown for Kate? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Whispers at Painswick Court

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Whispers at Painswick Court

By: Julie Klassen

Expected Publication: December 2, 2025 by Bethany House Publishers

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Regency

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Anne Loveday, a surgeon's daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year.

Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sick-room nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne's sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, a shadowy old house rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia's spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady's maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own. As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her determination to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real killer--and protect her heart--before it's too late?

Acclaimed Regency author Julie Klassen marries the best of historical romance and mystery in a novel full of English village charm, intrigue, and love.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

To Hunt an Heiress - Review

To Hunt an Heiress

By: Martha Keyes

Narrated By: Paula Hunt

Publication: June 2, 2025 by Paradigm Press

284 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--He’s after her heart—and her money. He’ll have to fight her for his dignity first.

Sebastian Drake is in dire need of a fortune. With limited time and a dearth of wealthy relatives to will him such a thing, he is left with only one marry money. Happily, London is full of eligible heiresses, but it is the newest arrival in Town who catches his eye.

Selina Lawrence is only just rid of one husband—the last thing she wants is to acquire another. When she finds herself the target of the charming Mr. Drake, a suspected fortune hunter, what is she to do but teach the man a valuable lesson?

However, both Sebastian’s attempts to woo Selina and her efforts to humble him backfire in unexpected ways, leaving them entangled in a battle of wits and hearts.

To Hunt an Heiress is a closed-door romance full of banter, fun, and swoony moments. The books in the Bachelors of Blackstone's series can be enjoyed in any order.

Oh my goodness, guys! This was such a fun book! We meet Sebastian and discover that he's in search of a wife, but his most pressing requirement is that she possess a fortune. We don't know why at first. So we see Sebastian propose to a lady with whom he has zero connection. This lady is eccentric at best, but the way she hands Sebastian his tail after this proposal is everything it needed to be. Sebastian then goes back to the drawing board to find a new prospect. His buddies point him in the direction of Miss Lawrence. He thinks that because Selina was not wealthy before her marriage, she might have married for money, as he's trying to do. And his thought process is that she won't fault him for doing the same thing she did. Only, he doesn't expect to find her attractive and enjoy her company.

Selina feels like she was duped into marriage. She feels like her parents pushed her into a marriage that she wasn't ready for. She originally thought her husband loved her, but she came to learn that he liked her for how she appeared as his wife. She was almost a prize to be shown, like one would show a work of art. He didn't love and value her. She isn't mourning his passing. But she doesn't have the desire to marry again at all. She is only sponsoring her sister-in-law's sister and trying to help her marry without the mistakes that Selina made. When the uncle (I think) of the first girl that Sebastian proposed to tells Selina that he only asked her to marry him because he's a fortune hunter, Selina decides to teach him a lesson.

Truth be told, Selina is hurt to find out that Sebastian might be a fortune hunter. She was beginning to genuinely like him. She places a series of challenges before him in such a subtle way that he doesn't realize he's being tested (and failing) until it's almost too late. However, Sebastian has good reasons to seek marriage for money. More than meets Selina's eye. And once he figures out her game, he decides that two can play.

I enjoyed every minute of this audiobook. The narrator, Paula Hunt, does a wonderful job. I never felt pulled out of the story because of her narration style. The marcupial, Pip, adds to the story. Who doesn't love a good monkey sidekick? I wish I had some quotes to share, but it's so hard to get them correct with audiobooks.

Ultimately, I loved this story. Selina and Sebastian were so easy to root for. Their pranks and challenges were hilarious. I even giggled out loud at least once. I will definitely check out more books by Martha Keyes. To Hunt an Heiress gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) To Hunt an Heiress? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 09/07/25

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Monday was Labor Day for the US, so we didn't have any school. And Husband was off work. We piddled around and didn't do much of anything special. That also meant our afternoon activities were cancelled for that day. Tuesdays we normally go to my parent's house, but they had a funeral in Georgia to go to. So we stayed home. We finised school in the morning. We did grocery pickup. And then the kids went swimming in the afternoon. We've had unseasonably cooler weather. It's still in the high 80s, but that is really mild for this time of year here. The Big Kids had martial arts that night. Wednesday was our first full school day of the week. Husband and I have been working on burning through a giant pile of limbs and tree pieces from where we had several trees cut down. I took Big Boy to his batting practice. Thursday, we did school in the morning, and then we met friends at the park for a playdate. We had a picnic lunch there. The Big Kids also had martial arts that night. Friday was a more challenging school day, but we finished the day. That's a full 4 weeks down into the school year. Husband was off work on Friday to use some PTO. Saturday, Grammy, Big Girl, and I went to a baby shower. That was some fun girl time.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: July & August 2025 EOM Wrap Up
Thursday: Review of Splendor of the Land (The King's Men, # 3) by Connilyn Cossette (4 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Booger the Bigfoot

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of To Hunt an Heiress by Martha Keyes
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - A Crown for Kate

NEW BOOKS:

Red Queen (Red Queen, # 1)

By: Victoria Aveyard

Expected Publication: February 10, 2015 by HarperTeen

388 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian

Source: Borrowed from the elibrary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--This is a world divided by blood—red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance—Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Booger the Bigfoot

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Booger the Bigfoot

By: Beau Bryan

Publication: February 14, 2022 by Beau Collins

30 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Description--The forest is full of fun and adventure...until Kip loses his way. Luckily, Booger the Bigfoot befriends him and shows him the way home. A story full of excitement, friendship, and lots of silly animals.

When my son was five years old, he went through a bigfoot phase. We got this book for his birthday that year, but this was the first time that he read it for himself. It isn't a popular book, and I wasn't able to verify what the reading level actually is. But my son wanted to read this book, and I try to never turn him down when he's requesting to read since he's such a reluctant reader.

Kip and his dog, Beasty, were bored and sitting around. They decide to go play in the woods. They saw many animals and were having fun. But they weren't paying attention to the sun setting as they got deeper and deeper into the woods. Kip suddenly realizes they're lost and it's dark. He remembers that his dad taught him how to be prepared. Then he realizes the forest is too quiet. Suddenly, a bigfoot appears and indicates that he's going to help Kip and Beasty get back home. The bigfoot returns Kip and Beasty back home, and Kip names him Booger.

My kids love trying to spot Booger throughout the book as he's on each opening hiding in the background as he watches Kip and Beasty play and explore.

My son needed some help with a few words, but I was impressed with how well he did. I guess the idea of letting the kids pick out what interests them is really true. He did much better with trying to read the harder words as well as not getting flustered with this book that he wanted to read rather than me forcing him to read one that I've picked.

Booger the Bigfoot gets 4.5 Stars. My son volunteered to read this which is a huge step for him. My kids all love finding Booger on each page. And there's a good moral about not judging what you see, being prepared, but most of all about being kind. Have you or your child read Booger The Bigfoot? What did you think? Let me know!

Splendor of the Land - Review

Splendor of the Land (The King's Men, # 3)

By: Connilyn Cossette

Publication: August 5, 2025 by Bethany House Publishers

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior forces Yonatan to present him with an ultimatum, Gavriel is sent on a mission to persuade a distant tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.

Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her talent, unmatched and unrecognized, is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a love that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in a way no one could have imagined. As they navigate through unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose his love forever.

Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, bestselling author Connilyn Cossette breathes life into the Old Testament era with this exhilarating tale of redemption, courage, and sacrifice.

Gavriel is a character that I've struggled with in the previous books. Zevi and Gavriel didn't seem to care about Shalem being missing when Avidan brought them evidence that he might have survived when they thought him dead. But then Zevi also has an experience that lends more credibility to this. Yet Gavriel is so wrapped up in his own ambitions that he doesn't pursue Shalem. This is a running subplot that ties all of the books together. It isn't the right time for the boys to pursue Shalem, so they don't. But their reasoning doesn't leave me feeling good about any of it.

Gavriel has been a part of Yonathan's (Saul's son) unit, but he's turned to women and drink more and more. Yonathan is sick of it and sends Gavriel on a mission with his friend Emmet. It's "complete this mission well or you're done." The mission is to relocate a group of Kenites away from Amalekite territory before Saul comes in to destroy the Amalekites.

Zavah has been learning her father's metalworking craft as he's slowly going blind. It's a secret that a woman is working in this way. And he's also passing down family trade secrets on how to create red-gold pieces, mostly used in jewelry. Zavah thinks she wants to marry her father's apprentice Rahm as he's the only man she believes will allow her to continue working in this way. Of course, we know that Gavriel would be amenable to that since he, too, has a metalworking background. And we find out that Rahm is more interested in making money and growing his powerful connections than in Zavah.

Zavah and Gavriel are forced to marry, but I do love a marriage of convenience or forced marriage story. Even though neither party wanted this marriage, I love how they both adapted to it quickly to make the best of their situation. Gavriel immediately becomes protective of Zavah and assumes his role as the protector without hesitation. They don't jump into a physical relationship, but the two team up pretty quickly and steadily head in a promising direction.

Now I will say that Zavah makes a decision that causes conflict that must be overcome. The decision is one of self-sacrifice that I suppose is honorable even if it isn't well thought out. These actions frustrate me. I don't find them heroic. Mostly, I just think of how many other people will be put in jeopardy to save you from yourself. But I suppose it was necessary to advance the story.

Favorite quotes:

-For those who feel unseen: The One who lit the stars aflame is calling you by name.

-But sometimes, when I stared at the vastness of the starry host above and listened carefully, it was as if there was a knowing deep in my bones I could not explain. As if the reverberation of an ancient whisper still trembled there at the core of my being--a tune hummed so low only the most astute of ears could detect its melody.

-"Compassion cannot come at the expense of obedience. Yahweh is God above all others, able to discern the heart of each man and woman. He can see what we cannot--past, present, and future. So we must trust the Creator, even when it makes no earthly sense, or suffer the same consequences as those destined for destruction."

-"My father always says Yahweh doesn't give us what we actually deserve, or we'd have nothing but sorrow. He gives us just what we need, even if we don't understand his reasons at the time."

-"Our family legacy is not things we make with our hands. It's our faithfulness to Yahweh."

I didn't really see where the title fit the story. I felt like that was slapped on there at the end. However, I did love the redemptive journey that Gavriel went on. I appreciated how his perception of his stepfather's actions was so far off from what was real. I loved the relationship between Gavriel and Zavah and how quickly they became a team working toward a shared goal. Splendor of the Land gets 4 Stars. I can't wait to see what Shalem has really been up to in the next book. Have you read Splendor of the Land? What did you think? Let me know!