The Book Bag

Monday, June 22, 2026

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? June 22, 2026 #IMWAYR

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Working Class Hero

(Hart's Ridge #16)

by Kay Bratt

eARC for review

Pub date ~ July 8

House of Teeth

(The Women of Paradise County #3)

by Anne Shaw Heinrich

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ June 16

Everything We Give

(Everything #3)

by Kerry Lonsdale

audio-book from my TBR shelf

Book #4 coming out August 3!!

What I recently finished

The Architect

(Seaside Saga #27)

by Joanne Demaio

e-book for review

Published June 2, 2026

What I am going to read next

(this is always subject to change)

😊

Everything We Found

(Everything #4)

by Kerry Lonsdale

eARC for review

Pub date ~ August 3

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Release Day! Dark Current Reckoning by Ashley Farley ~ My Thoughts #DarkCurrentReckoning

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Ashley

on the release today of

Dark Current Reckoning!

Dark Current Reckoning by Ashley Farley

(Sutherlin Files Series #3)

Women's Crime Stories, 263 pages

Published June 16, 2026 by AHF Publishing

Lane Sutherlin has dragged Tidewell’s darkest secrets into the light—except the one still poisoning its future. A powerful faction of the Old Guard, including Lane’s own stepfather, is quietly orchestrating a land grab that will wipe out Tidewell’s most historic neighborhood and replace it with a waterfront casino. But before Lane can stop them, a far more personal truth resurfaces.

New evidence emerges about the boat accident that killed her brother nineteen years ago, forcing Lane to confront the lies that shaped her life and the man who buried them. Sheriff Boone didn’t just fail her—he hid the truth to protect one of Tidewell’s most privileged sons. And the boy who “rescued” her that night wasn’t a savior at all.

As Lane digs deeper, the Old Guard closes ranks, desperate to silence her before she exposes their final, most dangerous secret. And complicating everything is Briggs—the town’s embattled commonwealth’s attorney—whose feelings for Lane are getting harder to deny, even as the pressure threatens to break them apart.

With enemies closing in, a community on the brink, and the past demanding justice, Lane must decide what she’s willing to risk to finish what she started. Tidewell is running out of time.

And this time, the reckoning is hers.

My thoughts about Dark Current Reckoning ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"Cold bites through my gloves as I lift the binoculars to my face."

I just read another great installment in this exciting series by Ashley Farley. Once again I got to travel into the world of the formidable Lane Sutherlin and the evil that is lurking in Tidwell. As Lane battles the Old Guard of her community, she is also try to discover the truth surrounding the death of her brother years ago. Who and what was involved in the coverup? At this point, Lane isn't sure who she can trust and who is working against her. But this task is a lot for just one person to take on. Who can she let into her inner world?

I love this series as the drama and excitement kept me turning the pages. Any book by Ashley is a page turner but when she added the dark side of Tidwell and the tenacity of Lane to her formula, she definitely upped her game.

And just when I got to the end of this story and desperately wanted more, I found out that there is going to be a book four in this amazing series! Yay for us!

I highly recommend this series, where you'll get it all—Ashley's wonderful storytelling, amazing characters, plenty of drama, and the feeling that the bad guys can not win. Dark Current Reckoning was an exciting read and did not disappoint! I suggest that you get started on this series right away.

I received an eARC of Dark Current Reckoning and this is my honest opinion.

Dark Current Rising - Read my thoughts here

Dark Current - Read my thoughts here

Dark Current Reckoning - Out now!

I just discovered that Ashley is putting out a book 4 of this wonderful series! Coming October 6th!!

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About the author

Amazon Charts and USA Today bestselling author.

Ashley Farley writes heartfelt, faith-infused women’s fiction about love, loss, and second chances. Her stories shine a light on everyday women—mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends—facing life’s toughest moments with courage, hope, and grace.

Originally from South Carolina, Ashley now makes her home in Virginia’s Northern Neck, but her heart still belongs to the Lowcountry—with its moss-draped oaks, salty air, and soulful Southern charm. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with family or wrangling her two opinionated Labradors. ~ Amazon

Connect with Ashley

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Release Day! House of Teeth by Anne Shaw Heinrich #HouseOfTeeth

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Anne

on the release today of

House of Teeth!

House of Teeth by Anne Shaw Heinrich

(The Women of Paradise County #3)

Family Life Fiction, 344 pages

Published June 16, 2026 by Speaking Volumes LLC

Jules Marks and his five little sisters can finally relax. Their feckless parents from Shakey's Half are doing time in the Paradise County Jail, and their Uncle Larry, Aunt Sally and Aunt Clarice have swooped in to give them the safety and security they deserved all along.

As they settle into the closest thing to normal they've ever known, their neighbors and classmates are quick to remind them not to get too comfortable. Poulson's only dentist makes a generous offer to help the children fix their long-neglected teeth, but many folks object to the free treatment they receive.

Meanwhile, Jules is figuring out how to be a man as he holds onto an ugly secret involving his dear friend, Violet Sellers. When cancer strikes the family, Jules decides to right a wrong that's gone unchallenged for far too long.

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Read my thoughts about God Bless the Child.

Read my thoughts about Violet is Blue.

I am currently reading House of Teeth and my thoughts will be posted soon.

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About the author

Anne Shaw Heinrich has written features and marketing copy for newspapers, the health and nutrition industries, higher education and not-for-profit organizations. A graduate of Eureka college in Eureka, Illinois with an English degree, she previously served as the society and entertainment editor for a suburban Chicago newspaper.

Besides reviewing local and national touring theater productions, she also interviewed celebrities such as Debbie Reynolds, Judy Collins, and Opera great, Beverly Sills. One of her essays, "Grandma's Big Secret" appeared in Marlo Thomas's book " The Right Words At The Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!" ( Published by Atria Books, 2006).

In addition to her consulting work, Anne wrote a monthly column called " Small Talk" in the small town newspaper of Dwight Illinois, where she formally lived with her husband and three children. Anne has also contributed a chapter in " Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Cancer Book."

Anne is currently working in the fundraising/public relations department for City Academy. A private school that admits under privileged students on full scholarship. Anne also has two completed rough draft novels waiting to be published and several side projects are always in the works. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Anne

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!