Wishful Endings

A beautifully illustrated picture book... The Octopus by Guojing (Review) #newbooks #bookx #picturebook #kidlit #TheOctopus #Guojing

2026-04-21T05:00:00.091-07:00

The Octopus

By Guojing

Children's Picture Book

Paperback & eBook, 48 Pages

April 22, 2026 by Two Lions

Summary

Join a little girl as she discovers the hidden world of her new octopus friend in this stunning wordless picture book by critically acclaimed author-illustrator Guojing.

A little girl goes to the beach with her mother, never expecting the day full of magic and wonder that is ahead of her. When she scoops up a tiny octopus in her small, clear container, and they see each other eye to eye, there’s a spark between them! But a little octopus cannot be happy for long in a container. So the girl sets out to discover what the octopus needs. And that’s when something truly magical happens! Soon, the little girl is on an underwater adventure with her new octopus friend, where she discovers the joy and beauty of the octopus’s world and learns how she can help take care of the ocean in her own way.

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My Review

THE OCTOPUS is a picture book told completely through illustrations. And these illustrations are adorable in showing the story of a little girl and a tiny octopus who have a day of adventure and fun. There is a softness to the illustrations that conveys a feeling of calm while also showing movement and colors that draw the eye. The story itself leads the reader to think about the ocean and how it is cared for in a very non-pushing way, lending the reader to gather their own conclusions, without that overtaking the story. This is a beautifully illustrated and delightful book that give readers a little visit to the ocean until they can go and make their own memories there.

Source: I received a complimentary copy through MBC, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Guojing is a celebrated author-illustrator whose wordless and nearly wordless books The Flamingo, Stormy, and The Only Child were named to best-of-the-year lists by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and more. Her most recent books include the graphic novel Oasis, which received seven starred reviews, and the picture book The House That Floated. She holds a BFA from Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts and has also worked as a concept artist on games and in children's television. Guojing grew up in China and now lives in Canada with her family. Learn more about the author at www.guojingart.com and follow her on Instagram @guojing.art.

Do you have a favorite picture book that is set in the ocean or at the beach? Have you read any of Guojing's other books?

Can't Wait for... Lies, Spies and Alibis by Natalie Walters (Can't-Wait Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #bookx #newbooks #romcom #romancebooks #suspense #cleanreads #LiesSpiesandAlibis #NatalieWalters

2026-04-14T21:00:00.048-07:00

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

I've read a handful of Natalie Walters' books in the past and have enjoyed them. Her upcoming release is even more my type of read and I can't wait to dive in! It's my pick this week...

Lies, Spies and Alibis

By Natalie Walters

Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Romcom

Audiobook, Paperback & eBook, 336 Pages

May 19, 2026 by Thomas Nelson

Summary

They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Dive into a hilarious, fast-paced romantic suspense that balances danger with wit and charm. Early readers are loving the gripping twists, engaging humor, and clean, chemistry-filled romance that make Spies, Lies, and Alibis such a fun, page-turning ride. Grab your copy today for a story packed with intrigue, heart, and just the right amount of sass.

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Will you be reading this one?

Check out a Q&A with the author... The Lumber Baron's Wife by Lynn Austin (Interview) #TheLuburBaronsWife #LynnAusten #histfic #timeslip #christfic #newbooks #bookx @Crazy4Fiction

2026-04-14T05:00:00.088-07:00

I'm sharing a Q&A with the author from the publisher today for this new release. Read on below...

The Lumber Baron's Wife

By Lynn Austin

Christian Fiction, Dual-Timeline

Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback & eBook, 368 Pages

April 7, 2026 by Tyndale Fiction

Summary

When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual-timeline novel from bestselling author Lynn Austin.

1873. After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagined she’d leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy, a friend of her husband, John, offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town, where John’s skills as a doctor are sorely needed, Hannah reluctantly agrees. There, she meets Kate Abernathy, Henry’s spirited, much younger wife. Kate’s sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town’s elite, and when she begins confiding in Hannah, it’s clear her marriage is not what it seems . . . and that a secret from her past could destroy everything.

Present day. Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home—built in the 19th-century for a doctor and his wife—Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy mansion, now being transformed into a museum. While volunteering with the restoration, she stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance. What begins as curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth—one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own.

- Standalone historical fiction about marriage, grief, and the power of female friendships from the author of All My Secrets and Long Way Home

- A richly layered Christian women’s fiction novel with elements of mystery, perfect for fans of Martha Hall Kelly, Kristy Cambron, and Susan Meissner

- Includes discussion questions for book clubs

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Author Q&A

What first sparked the idea for this dual-timeline story set in Michigan’s lumber era?

I live in Michigan, which is well-known for its lakes and parks and natural beauty. I happened to see a photograph of the devastation left behind after millions of acres of trees, hundreds of years old, were chopped down during the state’s lumbering boom in the 1870s. I wanted to learn more about this era of greed in my state’s history. I thought it would be fun to compare the lumber barons, who destroyed so much land, with modern-day conservationists who work to preserve and restore it

You’ve written across many historical periods. What drew you to this particular frontier setting?

The setting in a Michigan lumbering town is based on a real city on Lake Michigan that prospered during this era, when much of the state was still a wilderness. I was fascinated by the contrast between thriving cities like New York, where Hannah and her husband came from, and the still-primitive conditions in parts of the United States where people were settling.

Hannah and Ashley live in very different worlds, yet their stories echo each other in powerful ways. What connects them at the heart level?

Much is different between Hannah’s life in 1873 and Ashley’s in the present day, but the things they care about are still the same. They are both learning about marriage, and love, and the compromises that marriage entails. Both have made the move to Michigan because of their husband’s work, and are trying to adjust to their new, altered life. The importance of friendship also connects them, especially as they wrestle with matters of faith. And home unites them and is important to them. They live in the same house but 150 years apart from each other.

Many of your novels feature women finding strength through faith and friendship. How do those themes evolve in this book?

Both Hannah and Ashley wrestle with difficult events in their lives, and their faith is challenged. Through their friendships—Ashley with Freida, and Hannah with Kate—they grow in faith, and are helped in making their very complex decisions.

Your novels often explore how faith anchors people in times of upheaval. How do Hannah and Ashley each experience that in their journeys?

Hannah is wrestling with disappointment with God, and she feels estranged from Him. Through the difficult events and challenges that she faces, she will be forced to re-examine her beliefs and decide if she can trust God. Ashley is not a believer, initially. She also faces challenges, and through her friendship with Freida, a Christian, she begins to see faith in God in new ways.

How do you hope this story speaks to readers?

First, I always hope to give readers a satisfying story that makes them laugh, makes them cry, and makes them think. These are qualities that I enjoy in the books I read. After that, I hope it will speak to readers about the partnerships and sacrifices in marriage. In a good marriage, each spouse encourages the other to grow and to pursue their God-given purpose. I also hope readers will reflect on the sanctity of life, and on the God who created us and loves us.

What did you like most about writing your novel, and why?

Because I usually write historical fiction, I really enjoyed writing the present-day storyline. It was a new challenge for me. And I loved looking for ways to tie the present day and historical storylines together.

Can you give us a glimpse into what story or historical period is next for you?

I’m currently working on a story about three women who enlist in the US Army Signal Corps during World War I and are sent to France as telephone switchboard operators. They end up in some dangerous situations close to the front lines—and it’s based on a true story!

About the Author

Lynn Austin has sold nearly two and a half million copies of her books worldwide. She has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction and was one of the first inductees into the Christy Award Hall of Fame. One of her novels, Hidden Places, was made into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Lynn and her husband have three grown children and four grandchildren. They are avid bicyclists and make their home in western Michigan where they love exploring its many trails. Visit her online and sign up for her monthly newsletter at lynnaustin.org.

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Have you read any of this author's other books or stories like this one? What connected with you in the interview?

Can't Wait for... Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer (Can't-Wait Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #bookx #newbooks #romancebooks #cleanreads #romcom #NotWhatWePictured #BeccaKinzer

2026-04-07T21:00:00.044-07:00

I've enjoyed a couple of this author's previous books and am looking forward to her newest that releases in a few weeks. It sounds like it's going to be a delightful romcom. It's my pick this week...

Not What We Pictured

By Becca Kinzer

Contemporary Christian Romance, RomCom

Audiobook, Paperback & eBook, 352 Pages

April 21, 2026 by Tyndale Fiction

Summary

This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going.

McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?

Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.

With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can’t help getting swept up in Nate’s bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate’s suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.

- A clean, witty rom com with a forced proximity trope and a reluctant allies love story
- Features laugh-out-loud humor and a sweet, endearing couple
- This contemporary summer romance with a Southern small-town setting is great for fans of Sarah Adams, Pepper Basham, and Emma St. Clair
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs

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Will you be reading this one?