Ashley Pohlenz – Derby Public Library's Blog

What’s Ashley Reading?: Warrior Princess Assassin

Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer

First line: The bells stopped tolling hours ago, so it must be near midnight.

Summary: King Maddox Kyronan has earned a reputation as a ruthless leader who will use his fire magic to get what he wants. Princess Jory has lived a sheltered life in the palace but is being forced to marry King Maddox in the hopes that his magic can help her kingdom. And Asher is the son of aristocrats who has been forced to live as a slave and now works for the assassin’s guild in order to survive. As the three characters come together there are prejudices between them and many secrets as well. Can they survive the threats coming at them from everywhere? Or will the secrets that they hold be their undoing?

My Thoughts: I absolutely love Brigid Kemmerer! Ever since picking up her Cursebreakers series, I have been obsessed with her fantasy novels. Now she has an adult fantasy and I was immediately ready to read it. It did not disappoint. There is mystery, magic, secrets, a little violence and romance. It has everything that the hot new genre of romantasy is all about.

I loved the characters and the romance. Each character has their flaws which leads them to make mistakes. As the plot moved along it took some turns that I did not expect. I thought it was going to go one way and it switched course. I liked the change to an expected narrative and this helped build up the tensions in the book. While the plot is pretty loose in this first book it is driven by the characters and their interactions. Near the end we get a little bit more of the drama which will most likely appear in the next books. This book will definitely pull you in with the intriguing character dynamics and the steamy romance. I will be constantly checking Netgalley for the next book in the series!

FYI: Physical and mental abuse, torture, language, sex, violence

What’s Ashley Reading?: Too Old For This

Too Old For This by Samantha Downing

First line: The remains of my dinner start to congeal.

Summary: Lottie Jones has spent the last few decades in a small town trying to move on from her past. She spends her time with friends playing bingo at her church. But then one day a journalist looking into the unsolved murders from Lottie’s past shows up on her doorstep and shakes up her quiet life. Lottie soon realizes that getting away with murder was much easier when she was younger but she will do what she needs to in order to keep her secrets.

My Thoughts: Starting this book I was very excited. It immediately gave me An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good vibes. We have an elderly woman who just happens to be a serial killer and has gotten away with it for decades. Sounds intriguing, right? And it really started out that way but after a bit I felt like the story was dragging on and on. At one point it felt like we had come to the end of the story but it was only 40% or so into the book. I wondered what could continue to happen after this. But more and more problems kept piling on to Lottie. She had to use her limited knowledge of technology and play up her feebleness to get herself out of some tough spots. It became almost comical in its complexity at times. I had fun and did really enjoy the story but it felt a little long. For Downing’s fans it will be a good addition to their TBR list this fall.

FYI: Murder, dismemberment, blackmail

What’s Ashley Reading?: You Belong Here

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda

First line: I knew how easily a story could shift.

Summary: Beckett grew up practically on the campus of Wyatt College. Her parents were professors at the college and it made sense to attend for her own education. Everything went smoothly until her senior year when two locals were killed on campus and her roommate went on the run for the murder. After these events Beckett left and rarely returned because the town never forgot and didn’t forgive the fact that she may have been involved.

Twenty years later, Beckett’s daughter secretly applies and receives a full scholarship to Wyatt College. Fighting against her fears for her daughter and the secrets of her past she allows her to attend. But then one weekend she receives a mysterious call and then the disappearance of her daughter draw her back to the town and the people who still blame her for what happened so long ago.

My Thoughts: Megan Miranda has been a very solid author. I usually rate her books a 3 or 4 star. They have good storylines and twists that can be shocking but at other times they fall a little flat. This one was a 3 star read for me. It took a while to get into the plot. I loved the short chapters and peeks into the past timeline. It helped explain things that were happening in the present and why Beckett felt the way she did about the town and college.

Having attended a small town college in rural Kansas there were things I could easily relate to. I pictured Tabor College in Hillsboro as I read, which was a fun addition to my reading journey. I also grew up going there for summer camps and visiting the town where family lived or for sporting events gave it this hometown feel. Having this book come out near the start of the school year is a perfect time as kids head to college. I think many will enjoy the plot and the atmosphere of the story.

What’s Ashley Reading?: She Didn’t See It Coming

She Didn’t See It Coming by Shari Lapena

First line: Bryden Frost is running late.

Summary: Bryden Frost has the perfect life. A loving husband, a luxury condo, a beautiful daughter and supportive friends but then one day she doesn’t show up to get her daughter from daycare. When her husband Sam comes home he finds her car, her wallet and no sign of foul play. It appears that she just vanished. As the police get involved pieces of their perfect life begin to fall apart. The police are now in a race against time to find her before it is too late.

My Thoughts: Several years ago I found Shari Lapena and really enjoyed her stories. She wrote good mysteries with lots of twists and turns. They felt fresh and intriguing. With this one I started out really liking the suspense of finding Bryden. I was invested in what happened because so much seemed off about the scenario but as the story kept on I slowly lost interest as I put the story together before the big reveal. I felt it was rather anti-climactic at the end.

In relation to the characters many of the people involved were horrible. As things are revealed there are lots of secrets in their pasts. It could easily have been multiple people for many reasons. Several parts of the plot seemed to be added just to have some filler because they did not seem to be resolved by the end. It was an okay story but definitely not my favorite of Lapena’s work.

FYI: Release date is July 29, 2025.

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Island Villa

The Island Villa by Sarah Morgan

First line: For the first time in her life she was planning to kill someone.

Summary: Catherine Swift has spent her career on the top of the romance charts. Her books have sold millions of copies and earned high praise from her fans. If only her love life was as perfect as the ones in her books. But she is hopeful that this fourth marriage will be the perfect one and bring her family back together again.

Adeline has had a troubled relationship with her mother since she was young. After the affair, divorce and the birth of her younger sister, it has been hard for Adeline to forgive her mother for abandoning her for a new family. Now she has been guilted into attending her mother’s fourth wedding. How is she going to get through this week and the memories it stirs in her?

Cassie has dreamed of getting to know her older sister and she is hoping that this family wedding will help bring them closer. She is excited for her mother and her future husband but she has been hiding something from everyone about her own career. Maybe this trip will be the perfect time to reveal her secret.

As all three women prepare for several weeks together they each have their own expectations. However, as the days progress and secrets are revealed it seems that no one expected how this vacation was going to actually go.

My Thoughts: This was my first book by Sarah Morgan. I picked it up at a used bookstore several months ago with the plan to read it during the summer. As June rolled around it felt like the perfect time.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from her. Was it going to be a romance? Was there going to be drama? And the answer to both was yes. There are several romances throughout the book but nothing is explicit. It had a sweet romcom feel to it. However, there was definitely drama and secrets that gave some shocks to the story. Each woman learns something about their past and themselves through their journey in the book. This is a story where people are given second chances and the past is made clearer for all involved.

I liked the story even though much of it was rather predictable. If you want something set in a beautiful location, a little family drama and a sweet ending with it all coming together perfectly then this is it. So in summary this is a perfect example of a beach read!

FYI: Abuse, death, abandonment.

What’s Ashley Reading?: With a Vengeance

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

First line: The train isn’t empty, although it certainly feels that way.

Summary: Anna Matheson’s life was destroyed by a train disaster in 1942. For years she has ruminated on the people who ruined her life and now she has uncovered the truth behind their deeds from over a decade before. In a master plan to take down all of them she lures them onto a train from Philadelphia to Chicago which will end in their arrest for their crimes. However, someone on board the train has another plan for the conspirators. Anna must hunt a killer amongst them in order to get the justice she has been waiting years for which means protecting the people she hates the most.

My Thoughts: Once again Riley Sager has changed course from his usual format, not that it’s a bad thing but different than what he has written before. He has returned to a female main character but rather than only one narrator we get the perspective of all the passengers of the train. Early on you get the feel of Murder on the Orient Express and I was in for it.

I did really enjoy this book. I love closed door because it makes you pay attention to every little detail because these are the parts that may give you a clue to the killer’s identity. Everyone is a suspect and there are only so many places to hide. I think the addition of giving us other perspectives helped enhance the mystery but we still cannot trust anyone.

I had a lot of fun reading this but my one critique is near the end where there was cliché scene that felt silly. When you read it you will understand. It seems to be added because it is almost expected but I could have done without it. Even with this scene I found the mystery intriguing and entertaining. If you love Agatha Christie and a good closed door mystery, then I’d highly recommend Sager’s newest novel.

The Lineup : Ashley

Ashley’s Lineup

TV show/streaming: Community

On my recent trip to Seattle my cousin had Community playing and I became immediately obsessed with it. It is a group of misfits who form a study group at a community college and it centers around their antics and interactions with each other. It first aired back in 2009 so I am way behind the times on this one but it also means I can binge all the seasons right now! It is quirky and laugh out loud funny with a stellar cast.

Shopping: Old Town Farmers Market

It’s farmers market season! I love wandering around the Old Town Farmers Market in Wichita. There are all sorts of things available including baked goods, arts & crafts, dog treats and a few vegetables (it is a bit early for much). I have been taking my dog, Dudley, who gets very excited to try all the treats on offer. He gets all the admiring oohs and aahs. I have loved trying some of the foods on offer such as Polka Pierogi who has a weekly offering and usually sells out quickly. I am hoping to try one of the other food vendors this weekend and continue exploring all the market has to offer. If you get a chance visit the market in Old Town and find some goodies to take home with you!

Podcast: After Dark : Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

I absolutely love this podcast! The two hosts, Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney, are both historians of the eighteenth century but the expand their research for the show to all time periods. Their chemistry and banter on the show is perfect. They do such a great job of telling the stories or talking with experts about the topic of the episode. They have covered everything from hauntings, UFOs, the last days of historic figures and serial killers. I have learned so much from them which has led me to read or learn more. I currently have Maddy’s book from interlibrary loan and cannot wait to start it this weekend!

Genre: True crime

In the last several months I have been in my true crime era. I watch all the new documentaries on Netflix. I place holds on the upcoming historical true crime books. I don’t know what it is about the genre that has recently pulled me in and completely engrosses my attention. My most recent read was The Peepshow : The Murders at Rillington Place by Kate Summerscale. It details the crimes, trial and aftermath of the serial killings of Reg Christie in 1950s London. The book was a fascinating look into a sensational case of a serial killer who had possibly slipped under the radar for years. If you love true crime then I’d highly recommend this one. I am now anxiously awaiting my ILL of the mini-series based on the Rillington murders to arrive.

Hobby: Cross stitching

For years I have been working on a cross stitch of Beauty and the Beast in the style of Thomas Kinkade. I am getting near the end of it and excited to see it completed and framed. This is the most intricate project I have worked on and it will be very rewarding to finally finish it. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie and this will be a perfect addition to my home library decor. I have several other kits or projects lined up after this one which I cannot wait to get started on.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Kill Your Darlings

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson

First line: The first attempt at killing her husband was the night of the dinner party.

Summary: Thom and Wendy have been married for years and the whole time they have had a secret that has bound them together. But now Wendy is sure that she is ready to make sure that Thom will never reveal this secret, which means she needs to kill him. Everything leading the Wendy’s decision is evident from their past. Told in reverse the story hits on major life events going all the way back to their secret and the childhood that brought them together. Sometimes only two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead.

My Thoughts: Of all the Peter Swanson books, this was probably my least favorite. I loved the premise which several authors have used recently. Sometimes it works and other times not as much. At the beginning I was really interested in how it would work out. However, I felt that much of it dragged on and on. I did not like any of the characters. They all had major flaws and we see where it came from as the story progressed. Even the ending felt rather blah. There was a bit of information that ties back to the beginning and shows what consequences may be coming for our characters. This slow burn was interesting but Swanson’s other books have been much more engaging for me.

FYI: Release date is June 10, 2025.

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Love Haters

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

First line: It was quitting time on a Friday, but Cole Hutcheson didn’t care.

Summary: Katie Vaughn has had a turbulent love life recently and her career may be the next thing to implode. Her supervisor has recommended her for a promotional video about the Coast Guard starring none other than Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, who also happens to be her boss’s brother. Rather than expose the fact that she cannot swim she takes the job and decides she will tackle that speed bump when she arrives in Key West. However, upon her arrival in paradise things become messier than expected as Hutch happens to be the best looking man she’s ever seen and the chaos around the job brings them closer together.

My Thoughts: Katherine Center is definitely becoming one of my highly anticipated new release authors. This is my third book by her and I have enjoyed all of them. Her writing is witty but also it gives the characters flaws which makes them endearing. In her newest story, Katie struggles with image and self-worth issues that I believe many readers, especially women, will identify with. It can be a difficult topic to discuss but she did a great job with it. I really enjoyed seeing Katie grow through the story and accept herself for who she is.

In addition to Katie there are many other characters to love but I definitely was a huge fan of the Great Dane, George Bailey. He barrels into the book, literally, and steals the reader’s heart. I can easily picture this lovable dog who just doesn’t understand how big he truly is. I also loved Rue, Hutch’s aunt and Katie’s landlord in Key West. She is larger than life and has a personality that brings Katie out of her shell and adds some color to her life. In all I found the book to be an enjoyable read and perfect for summer and a cold drink by the pool or on the beach.

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Hunger Games trilogy

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

First line: When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.

Summary: Ever since the rebellion against the Capitol, the districts are forced yearly send one boy and one girl to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. For decades the districts have complied and submitted to the games but tensions are rising among the populace. Katniss Everdeen volunteers in place of her sister in the games and slowly wins the hearts of the Capitol residents and the districts. As she fights to survive the arena it appears that a fire may be catching throughout Panem.

<b>My Thoughts:</b> It has been years since I read The Hunger Games trilogy but after reading the latest installment, Sunrise on the Reaping, I decided it was a perfect time to revisit the original stories. As I went through each book and movie I noticed things that Collins built upon. Now that I was able to connect more with Haymitch and his story it gives a deeper look at his motives and personality. Little details I would never have remembered from my first reading became clearer. Characters that we know and love are able to seem more real and have deeper backstories. There were many times where I would smile or gasp as something happens that connects to Haymitch’s story. Katniss’ story is still as heart wrenching as the first time I read it but it is now richer because of the addition.

If you recently read the new book, then I would highly recommend re-reading the trilogy. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the author and her work.