ARC Review | A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong

A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong

Published by: Minotaur Books

Publication Date: February 9, 2021

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Detective, Crime, Thriller

Page Count: 368

Rating: 4/5

Source: Publisher

Goodreads | Indigo | Amazon CAN | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository


In the next riveting thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, the paranoia increases – along with the stakes – as the town of Rockton tries to solve the latest mystery at their door.

Detective Casey Duncan has noticed fewer and fewer residents coming in to the hidden town of Rockton, and no extensions being granted. Her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, presumes it’s the natural flux of things, but Casey’s not so sure. It seems like something bigger is happening in the small town they call home.

When an injured hiker stumbles from the woods, someone who seems to have come to the Yukon for a wilderness vacation but instead is now fighting for her life, it’s all hands on deck. What – or who – attacked this woman, and why?

With the woman unconscious, and no leads, Casey and Eric don’t know where the threat is coming from. Plus, the residents of their deeply secretive town are uneasy with this stranger in their midst. Everyone in Rockton wants this mystery solved – and fast.


I’ve received a digital copy of the book from the publisher for an unbiased and honest review.

When you find a series that slowly pulls you into an intricate world, you marvel at how you arrived at the sixth installment. But here we are. Rockton is somehow magical and surreal yet tangible. Since I first encountered this off-the-grid Yukon town, where people escape from society or officials, I knew it was a place I wanted to explore endlessly. And Kelley has a way of drawing you in and won’t let you go.

Casey Duncan, the town’s deputy, and Eric Dalton, the Sheriff, deal with internal and unknown external forces that affect their and the town’s way of life. They don’t know who to trust, what to think, or how to protect their people. As a stranger interrupts their night off, they need to figure out how she found out about Rockton and who else knows of them as well.

The Rockton series is one number one favourite thriller. I don’t read many from this genre, but Kelley has a way of convincing you to dive in. Each new novel of this series grows to be more addictive. And readers, including me, need to know what’s next for the Rockton family. Kelley offers you complex characters and thrilling storytelling. You’re rooting for characters who normally don’t enjoy reading. You fall in love with nature and the dangers of the land.

In this installment, Kelley uncovers deeply hidden secrets of the town. I’ve been dreaming of the day when we readers find out. And I have to tell you: I’m impressed. The author knows how to draw out a storyline, and I love her for it. Even when finding out, I knew my love of the Yukon town wouldn’t diminish. Each character, story arc, and misadventure provide a unique reading experience. You look past the flawed characters, even killers, and piece together who they are as humans. The series is a beautifully crafted experience for the human condition.

If you’re a fan of Kelley Armstrong and her Rockton series, A Stranger in Town is your next read! Don’t miss out on this series.

Top Ten Tuesday | Books I Meant to Read in 2020 but Didn’t Get To

Happy Tuesday, bloggers!

I’ve lost count of how many books I need to catch up on. Sure, 2020 was a fire dumpster, so I have some reason for an excuse. But I bought several physical copies and many more ebooks. Thankfully, I have time now.

Top Ten Tuesday, originally created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is a weekly meme. The next prompt is books I meant to read in 2020 but didn’t get to.

Enjoy!

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Top Ten Tuesday | Books I Hope Santa Brings

Happy Tuesday, bloggers!

Christmas is coming soon. And even though I’m not quite in the holiday spirit, and another lockdown is starting until a few days, I love this season.

Top Ten Tuesday, originally created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is a weekly meme. The next prompt is books I hope Santa brings.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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Top Ten Tuesday | Questions I Would Ask My Favourite Authors

Happy Tuesday, bloggers!

Yes! I can put my journalism skills to good use. Okay, we bloggers and readers would all love the chance to talk to our favourite authors, whether alive or dead. So I’m quite excited for this prompt.

Top Ten Tuesday, originally created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is a weekly meme. The next prompt is questions I’d ask my favourite authors.

Have fun reading!

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Beyond the Blurb | Why, as an Adult, I Want to Read Percy Jackson

Morning, everyone!

Who doesn’t know about Percy Jackson? Not many. But I never thought I should read it, until recently. Maybe I thought I wouldn’t fit into the series. Even though I’ve (recently) picked my Hogwarts house proudly, I always felt like an outsider in that fandom. So why wouldn’t I feel the same with PJO?

As an adult, I didn’t experience this fandom at all, but I wanted to. I related to a 12-year-old child who’s father abandoned him more than I did with a child with a lightning bolt on his forehead.

So when I heard that Uncle Rick started working on the pilot of his PJO show, I knew I couldn’t pass up the series again. Now, back in the day, I did read some of The Lightning Thief. I remembered Grover, all the shenanigans the trio got into, and some of the storyline. Yet I didn’t finish the book though. When I was younger though, my family couldn’t afford a ton of books, so I often borrowed copies from my friends or local library, if it had what I was looking for. Not this time. So I bought myself the box set, and I haven’t looked back since.

But why should I read this iconic series though? I’m an adult, not a teen or middle grader. I’m outside of the target audience. So what’s the point? That thought is what sparked this post. Here are the reasons why I, and you, should read Percy Jackson and the Olympians!

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Top Ten Tuesday | Spring 2020 TBR

Happy Tuesday, bloggers!

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. And while many of us are staying away (or should stay away) from bars, I still want to celebrate it. So Happy St. Paddy’s Day, everyone!

Top Ten Tuesday, originally created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is a weekly meme. The next prompt is Spring 2020 TBR. Since I’m staying inside much more often than I usually do, my TBR list has grown quite a bit, but these picks are at the top.

Enjoy the post!

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Review | Cruel Intentions by Siobhan Davis

Cruel Intentions (Rydeville Elite #1) by Siobhan Davis

Published by: Independently published

Publication Date: June 12, 2019

Genre: New Adult, Romance, High School

Page Count: 398

Rating: 5/5

Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon CAN | Amazon US | Book Depository


Life is a cruel game where only the most ruthless survive. It’s a truth my mother rebelled against, and she paid for it with her life. Now, I play their game. Publicly accepting the destiny that lies in wait for me when I turn eighteen.

But, behind closed doors, I plot my escape.

Trent, Charlie, and my twin, Drew, rule the hallways of Rydeville High with arrogance and an iron fist. I execute my role perfectly, hating every second, but they never let me forget my place in this world.

Everyone obeys the rules. They have for generations. Because our families have always been in control.

Until Cam, Sawyer, and Jackson show up. Throwing their new money around. Challenging the status quo. Setting hearts racing with their gorgeous faces, hot bodies, and bad boy attitudes.

Battle lines are drawn. Sides are taken. And I’m trapped in the middle, because I made a mistake one fateful night when I gave my V-card to a stranger in a blatant F you to my fiancé.

I thought it was the one thing I owned. A precious memory to carry me through each dark day.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Because the stranger was Camden Marshall, leader of the new elite and my perpetual tormenter. He hates me with a passion unrivaled, and he won’t be the only one. Fire will rain down if the truth is revealed, threatening alliances, and the power struggle will turn vicious.

My life will hang in the balance.

But I’ll be ready, and I’m not going down without a fight.


“I want to feel something real,” I reply without uncertainty. “I want to let go of these chains that bind my body. To feel like I’m in control even if it’s only an illusion.”

I devoured this all-consuming and intensely hot novel in less time than I ever imagined. It monopolized my entire time that I forgot to function. If you’re looking for an enemies-to-lovers, dark bully romance, then Cruel Intentions should be on your list! Lies, betrayal, deadly secrets, teenage angst, bullies, and hot-as-hell guys who have stolen my heart, Cruel Intentions has it all and more.

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Top Ten Tuesday | Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf

Happy Tuesday, bloggers!

Since I’ve been in a book slump, I haven’t kept up on my book orders. But I’m slowly getting out of it, and I hopefully find more books to buy soon!

Top Ten Tuesday, originally created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is a weekly meme. This week’s prompt is the top ten most recent additions to my shelves. I’m going with the top seven picks.

Enjoy the read!

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Review | Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Published by: HarperTeen

Publication Date: September 3, 2019

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Witches

Page Count: 528

Rating: 5/5

Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Indigo | Amazon CAN | Amazon US | Book Depository


Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou’s, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou’s most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.


“I loved her. Despite everything. Despite the lies, the betrayal, the hurt…I don’t know if she returned that love, and I didn’t care. If she was destined to burn in Hell, I would burn with her.”

You can set my pyre on fire. I’ve found my new enemies-to-lovers fave. All I needed to know is that a witch and a witch hunter fall hard for each other. Then I’m hooked. But if you’re looking for a filthy but perfect romantic fantasy, Serpent & Dove is your book! I fell for this book. It took me weeks to dig through my emotions and thoughts. Shelby’s debut novel may be one of my favourite reads of 2019. And I wasn’t expecting such a reaction though.

Shelby crafts convincing, endearing main characters who make you invested in their journey and struggle. While the plot is a solid read, I believe the characters are what makes this debut. Louise le Blanc, a witch who abandoned her coven, makes me laugh, cry, and squeal. Yes, squeal! Her mouth is dirtier than mine. And I adore how she has survived so much. She’s ruthless, but she’s universal.

Shelby’s storytelling gives you a unique outlook into Lou’s and Reid’s inner thoughts. Each chapter offers up a stronger understanding of these multi-faceted characters who were pawns in a larger game. Reid Diggory, the holiest witch hunter I’ve ever read, may be my next love. Seeing him evolve from a naive boy into a male of worth is one of the best character developments I’ve seen lately.

The romance and the writing follow at a close second. I cannot separate them since they work together beautifully. This love story will break your heart. The writing and storytelling will keep you fighting through the pain. The hype is strong yet real, so don’t let that worry you though. Serpent & Dove is a superb debut worth the read.

“Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from you.”
“Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay.”