Lesa's Book Critiques: Once Upon a Christmas Spell by Nora Roberts
Saturday, November 07, 2026
KRL Update
Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun cozies for your fall tbr-"Murder at the Toy Soldier" A Cozy Capers Book Club Mystery by Maddie Day, "Death on the Books" A Blue Ridge Library Mystery by Victoria Gilbert, and "The Quilt Whisperer Investigates" by Peggy Ehrhart https://kingsriverlife.com/11/07/more-fun-cozies-for-your-fall-tbr/
And a review and giveaway of the latest Matthew Venn mystery novel from Ann Cleeves, "The Dying Light" https://kingsriverlife.com/11/07/the-dying-light-by-ann-cleeves/52
And a review and giveaway of "The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies" by Kate Westbury along with an interesting interview with Kate https://kingsriverlife.com/11/07/the-oxford-guide-to-scandal-and-lies-by-kate-westbury/
We also have the latest Mystery Coming Attractions from Victoria Fair https://kingsriverlife.com/11/07/mystery-current-coming-attractions-november-2026/
Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Kirill Khrestinin about writing their new book "Via Dolorosa" https://kingsriverlife.com/11/04/writing-redemption/
And another special midweek guest post. In this one mystery author Joe Cosentino interviews one of his main characters in his new book "Oh, Detective!" https://kingsriverlife.com/11/04/joe-cosentino-interviews-leading-character-detective-reese-franco-for-the-release-of-oh-detective/
Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "No Bones About It" by Annie McEwen- https://www.krlnews.com/2026/11/no-bones-about-it-by-annie-mcewan.html
And a review and giveaway of "The Woman Who Wouldn't Die Quietly" by Katarina Bivald https://www.krlnews.com/2026/11/the-woman-who-wouldnt-die-quietly-by.html
And a review of "Twig's Traveling Tomes" by Gryffin Murphy. It's a fun a cozy fantasy with a touch of mystery and a little romance about a book witch with a traveling bookstore https://www.krlnews.com/2026/11/twigs-traveling-tomes-by-gryffin-murphy.html
Happy Reading,
Lorie
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Jerry's House of Everything: GREEN HORNET COMICS #7 (JUNE 1942)
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Scott's Take: Magik and Colossus: Bound by Blood by Ashley Allen, illustrated by German Peralta, Cover Design by David Nakayama
Magik and Colossus: Bound by
Blood
by Ashley Allen, illustrated by German Peralta, Cover Design by David Nakayama, collects the miniseries, Magik and Colossus. This is the latest
Magik series by Ashley Allen who has done several of the Magik series to date.
In this one, Colossus (Magik’s older
brother) is dealing with the fallout of being mind controlled for several
months. He was forced to kill his girlfriend, betray his friends, and pretty
much destroy everything he has ever loved. He has always been big on self-sacrifice
and seems to think death would be welcome at this point in his life. In this
deep depression, he decides to return to his home country of Russia.
Magik just happens to return to Russia
at the same time. The siblings reunite and soon stumble across monsters
terrorizing Russia. Old creatures, myths, and more have returned to Russia.
Instead of retreating to gather more X-Men (even though Magik is a teleporter
and could return with back up in minutes) they two decide to handle this
together. The estranged siblings are going to save Russia and, hopefully, deal
with their issues.
Colossus has never forgiven himself for
not saving Magik from being kidnapped by a demon. Because she was captured, she
spent a number of years pf her life in Hell. Magik is mad still at Colossus that
he has not accepted that she is part demon now whether they like it or not. She
is also tired of Colossus willingness to die.
This is action packed adventure with
Russian myths at the heart that also dives deep into both characters. Colossus
has found his import reduced since the Juggernaut has become a hero, thus most writers are picking the Juggernaut
over Colossus as a team member. Then there is the fact that Colossus’s
popularity, and relevance, has been eclipsed by his younger sister. So, this is
a much-needed spotlight for the character. Additionally, Magik has broken out
of her niche character status by becoming mainstream by playing prominent roles
in several video games and being a core character in a lot of modern X-Men
stories.
I really enjoyed this team up book and,
as a fan of both characters, I am glad they got to team up. They are parting
again, but hopefully future writers will continue their relationship. This miniseries was good.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4hubBEj
I read this through Marvel Unlimited
months ago. The trade was just released earlier this week.
Scott A. Tipple ©2026
Friday, November 06, 2026
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Review: Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin
When
I realized that Laura Griffin, author of the very good Innocence
Road, had a new book coming out, I put my request in on NetGalley. I
would not have noticed if not for the awesome Lesa Holstine who brought it to my
attention. She did, I went and looked, and soon was approved. While I liked that
book more, this one is also a solidly good read.
Like
Innocence Road, Thunderbird Ranch has a strong
female detective being marginalized by her boss. The read also has a lot going
on and gets very complicated very fast.
As
Thunderbird Ranch opens, Lilian Lasko is going with her
boyfriend, Will, to meet the family. It is a Friday, deep in the searing heat
of a Texas summer, and the day before a birthday party for his widowed mom.
Faye’s birthday also will mark the one-year anniversary since her husband,
Will’s father, died. It has been a horrible year, the ranch has major issues
that some point on the old barn will not fix, and the drought that is searing
Texas is taking a toll everything. At least part of the place is still looking
good thanks to the reach of a spring fed creek.
Faye
Bowen McCann is a strong-willed woman and certainly does not seem to be
devasted by grief, no matter what Will said. Faye McCann is not impressed with
Lilian and has the resources to address that issue. She also has big plans for
the ranch. Plans that Will’s brother and sister do not like at all. They also
do not seem to care for Lilian at all.
Then
there is Sheriff’s Deputy Kate Graham. Late one day she has been out at Mason’s
Quarry chasing away beer drinking kids from an adjoining county. Dispatch calls
her on her cell phone to tell her that the sheriff wants her to get out to
Thunderbird Ranch immediately. He won’t say why, but did tell dispatch to tell her
to keep it off the radio.
Once
Deputy Graham gets out there and finds the sheriff, she realizes he said to keep
it off the radio for good reason. There has been a murder.
Before
long, Sheriff Bruce Hard has made her the lead detective of the case. A case
that gets more and more complicated as the pressure from the Sheriff as well as
the District Attorney demand it be solved. This is her first murder case, and
it easily could be her last, for more than one reason.
A
complicated read full of interesting characters, Thunderbird Ranch
is well worth your time.
Amazon
Associate Purchase Link: https://link.amazon/B0eWgiHxl
My
digital ARC came from the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, through NetGalley,
with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2026
Thursday, November 05, 2026
Thursday Treats 11/05/2026
Some reading opportunities of interest this week.
Black Cat Weekly #270 is out. This
final issue includes short stories by SMFS list members Michael Bracken (Zombie Girl’s
Temporary Agency and Spare Parts Emporium), Barb Goffman (Just One Twist) and Paula Messina (The Closer). The
cover story is by SMFS list member Robert Jeschonek (The Biggest
Grudge of All). You can pick up the final issue here.
Personal note: I am very sad to see this
end. John Bentacourt was great to work with and I wish I had submitted more to
him. My short story, A Plan Comes
Together,
appeared in BCW #254. You can pick up the issue here.
Speaking of stuff I have been involved
with, Santa Rage II: Another Killer Claus Compendium, is on the
way and available for preorder. I announced the TOC Sunday, but thought I would
mention it here as well. In alphabetical order,
John T. Aquino (The Bad Side of
Santa Claus), Madison Blackwell (The Contract), Ron Clyburn (Jingle Bell
Justice), Michael Ferreter (Get What You
Need), John M. Floyd (Up On The Roof),
Tom Haftmann (Christmas Week
at the North Pole), Geoff Holder (All l Want For
Christmas Is An Ass Tattoo), April Kelly (The Devil's In
The Details), Beverle Graves
Myers
(Slay Ride), Pat Remick (The Throuple
Claus(e)), Kevin R. Tipple (Second Contact), and Christine
Verstraete
with “Nick's Secrets.”
SMFS list member Pam Ebel announced that her
short story, The Thrill is Gone!, was published online at Kings River Life
Magazine. A Halloween related tale, you can read it for free here. While there, you
can also read fellow SMFS list member Debra
Bliss Saenger’s short story, Knocking on a Heathen’s Door, here.
Speaking of KRL, the most recent Mysteryrat's
Maze Podcast was Halloween themed and featured SMFS list member Leslie
Budewitz. The mystery short story, Pepper Reece and the Ghost of Arthur
Goodwin, runs a little over 12 minutes. You can listen, for free, here.
SMFS list member Abe Margel announced that his short
story, Weather Report, was published online at Mystery Tribune. You can read
it, for free, here.
Another free online read is Umbrea Magazine. SMFS list member John M. Floyd announced that his short story, Rainbow's End, had been published here. Fellow SMFS list member Martin Hill Ortiz also announced his short story, Eyetooth, had been published and was free to read here.
SMFS list member H.K. Slade announced that his short story, Dodging a Train, had been published by Close to the Bone Magazine. You can read the tale, for free, here. You can also read some background on the story at the author’s website.
SMFS list member James Patrick Focarile announced that his short story, Some Other Time, appeared at the substack, Rat Bag. You can read the 300 word story, for free, here.
Author J. R. Lindermuth announced on Facebook that his novel, A Favored Child: A Sheriff Syl Tilghman Book, was now out. This is the fifth read in the Sheriff Syl Tilghman series and is published by Sunbury Press. You can pick it up at Amazon , where it is also part of the Kinlde+ program or direct from the publisher.
A reminder that Mystery Fanfare:
Mystery Readers Journal: Cross-Genre Mysteries is now available for
purchase. SMFS list members Kaye George (My Ghost
Mystery) and donalee Moulton (Trials and
Tribulations of Researching Life -- and Death -- in 1734) publicly announced on
the list their presence in the read. Lots of other familiar names contributed
pieces to the read. Learn more at the website.
Also, Crimeucopia - Objection!
Overruled!! is now out from Murderous Ink Press. The anthology
includes short stories by Wil A. Emerson (Three
Strikes—You’re Out) and John M. Floyd (Nothing but
the Truth). The read is available at Amazon and other
vendors.
Until next time…
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
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