Coffee, reviews, and comparables.

Welcome to the nineteenth book review of fifty-three. As you know, I used to provide freelance book reviews to several review companies. It was a great experience that introduced me to new authors and their wonderful books. Each week this year, I’m opening my Weekend Coffee shares with a link to a review I’ve provided. Reviews are three stars or higher. The genres range from picture books to fiction and nonfiction titles.

The House in the Cerulean Sea
Author T.J. Klune
Published in 2020
The publisher is TOR
Available in Audiobook, eBook, and Hardcover, Paperback (416 pages)
Humorous Fantasy (Books) | Gay Fiction | Contemporary Paranormal & Urban Fantasy

If we were having coffee, I would share that I read The House in the Cerulean Sea for the book club I’m in. The theme was eclectic. I was a bit lost about what to read, so I did some Google searches. This book came up. Why? I assume that it is because of the unique children at the house on the island, the blend of magical (fantasy) with cozy. If you haven’t read this story, I recommend it.

If we were having coffee, my oldest son turned 16 last weekend. Where does the time go? He didn’t want to do anything fancy, so we celebrated with pizza (his favourite food) and an ice cream cake.

If we were having coffee, I would share the dates and locations of some book events that I have coming up. This is a really exciting year for book stuff. I love meeting book lovers and chatting about books. I feel grateful for my writing life.

• Event 1: Stirling Fun Fair
  May 22, 2026
  4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Event 2: Kingston Indigo
  June 14, 2026
  11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Event 3: Belleville ComiCon at the Quinte Curling Club
  August 29, 2026
  10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Event 4: Peterborough Indigo
  September 12, 2026
  10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Event 5: Belleville Indigo
  October 3, 2026
  12:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

If we were having coffee, I would share that Dug Up is available for eBook pre-order on Amazon. If you would like a bit more information about Dug Up before you commit to a pre-order, BookLife posted an editorial review that lists two comparable titles: Deborah Wilde’s Blood & Ash and Jim Butcher’s Storm Front. You can read the full review here: BookLife review. I would also share that I finished the rough draft of the middle-grade novel.

If we were having coffee, I would send out happy Mother’s Day weekend wishes to everyone.

By Shari Marshall (2026)