Mornin The Super Bird : Mornin Finds a Way to Stop Extinction by Jules Heartly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book. Its very educational. Showing the kids how to take care of nature. I loved that it was short and quick. I recommend reading it.
Tally and the Angel by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tally and the Angel: Book One India by Eleanor Dixon. This is such a good children’s book. Its the story of Tally who has lost her mom. She was given a necklace from her mom before she passed away with an angel on it. Tally is very young to have lost her mom so this necklace becomes very important to her. It actually has a real angel living in it named Jophiel. On top of losing her mom, her dad takes her out of her school and moves her to India to give her a broader view of the world. Tally seems to be magnet for trouble so Jophiel tries to keep her on the straight and narrow path. Once she arrives in India there is a mystery of some kidnapped children and she decides she is going to find them. Will she succeed or will she end up in trouble just like the children she is trying to save? Read Tally and the Angel to find out!
Mornin The Super Bird : Mornin Finds a Way to Stop Extinction by Jules Heartly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a wonderful, cute, kid friendly book that will have children and adults engaged in the message of fighting extinction. Not just that it is happening but ways to change our behaviors and improve how we take care of the planet.
This is a beautifully written and illustrated children’s book with an easy storyline to follow and bright colors that draw the eye in. Mornin works hard to not only engage other birds but kids as well. It allows kids the confidence to start a conversation of change and moving forward. That though they be little they are mighty. This would be a wonderful book for children’s groups looking at a service project to complete like with scouts or youth groups, but really any child. Small changes can lead to big impact!
House in the Woods by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
House in the Woods by Jessica Aiken-Hall. I LOVED this book and I LOVE Jessica Aiken-Hall. Psychological Thrillers are my favorite so I had high hopes going into this one and it exceeded my expectations! This is the story of Molly Jackson who has come home to Pine Grove, Vermont for the summer. She has just finished her first year in college and she has been asked to take care of her mom who has recently been told she has dementia. Shortly after getting there her mom starts disappearing and Molly has to call in reinforcements to find her. Her dad brings her back home one time but he’s very secretive about where she was. Molly finds this very odd. Molly also finds a flyer of a missing woman, Lucy, from several years back and the lady has a huge resemblance to Molly. Molly feels a strong attraction to Lucy and so she starts trying to find out what happened to her. This book will keep you guessing until the very last page! Its soooo good!
Tally and the Angel : Book One India by Eleanor Dixon
Tally and the Angel by Eleanor Dixon is a brilliant book for younger and older readers alike! When our protagonist, Tally, finds a piece of jewelry that once belonged to her mother, she realizes that it is actually a home for the angel Jophiel. With Jophiel’s help, Tally embarks upon adventures solving problems with her new best friend. Tally is a great character for young readers to love as she displays intelligence and tenacity along her missions. The author’s descriptions of India are magical. I very much recommend this book and will be adding it to my daughter’s collection for her to enjoy as she grows. This is the second book I have read from this author, and she hasn’t disappointed me yet. 4 out of 5 stars.
Tally and the Angel : Book One India by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a wonderful book that drew me in from the first page. I literally couldn’t put it down because it was such a good story. It’s a story that a lot of children can relate to. I thought that the main character showed such a strong, tough, and persevering disposition you couldn’t help but love her and root for her. She’s certainly a role model for many young kids. Adults as well. She has quite the fighter spirit and despite all the obstacles she faces she doesn’t back down. I highly recommend you pick this book up for your children. It’s a wonderful story with a beautiful adventure.
Moonlit Kiss by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! It just further solidifies for me the author’s status on my one click list. I love how she weaves her stories together and leaves the audience clamoring for more. More romance. More suspense. More… everything. From its beautiful cover to its gorgeous Italian setting, I devoured this book in one sitting. Contemporary romance lovers – buy this. Buy EVERYTHING from this author – IMMEDIATELY!
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was a new read for me, outside of my usual choices, however I could not put it down. I think it caused many sleepless nights and itching to continue reading through to the end. The characters were wonderfully developed and portrayed, so much so I could picture them in my head. If you are looking for an action packed, magic filled, roller coaster ride that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next while keeping you on the edge of your seat this is it!
This book pulls you in from the very first page with Teagan helping a teenage witch discover her abilities while attempting to reign in her own emotions after losing her grandmother. She must go through the trials and tribulations of dealing with loss all while trying to get a handle on taking over her inheritance and discovering what exactly comes with being the swamp witch. This is brought to the breaking point when the carnival comes to town, that is bent on destroying what she has built. Is what Teagan’s grandmother taught her enough? Can she find a way to protect all her charges without losing herself in the process? Will the residents of Firewater Springs make it out unscathed? No spoilers given here, you’ll have to read to find out but I assure you that it is well worth the journey!
Dragons by Ty Drago
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dragons by Ty Drago was a wonderful YA/Sci fi read. I loved how you dive right into the plot and there is so much that develops over time. Andy Brand was a relatable character and grew so much. I was captivated by the action, adventure, and suspenseful narrative that I did not feel the time go by. I did not want to put this book down!
Bound by Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Go Team J&K! This is the second book in Amy McKinley’s “Deadly Isles Special Ops” series, and I for one, was not disappointed. I enjoyed getting to know a little bit about Jaxon in the first book, but this one really allows for the reader to dig deep, and understand the Hale brothers’ relationship, and their Navy SEAL past. Jaxon is certainly a little more high-strung than his laid-back brother, Xander, but his character is just as heart-melting and endearing. The female main character, Kayla, is everything you would hope to be in a woman that’s just escaped an abusive relationship, and although I found the first little bit to be hard to read, due to the abusive content, you’re drawn into their stories, both separately and later on, together. As with all of Amy’s written works that I’ve read thus far, I was entranced, and in turn, was saddened, elated, heart-broken, and over all covered in goosebumps during this literary escape! I am so excited to start the third book in this series, in fact, have my weekend empty to do just that!
Twisted Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodness me! This book had my mind racing and trying to solve the mysteries introduced within a few chapters. I described it to my partner as my own little T.V show within the novel, and I just couldn’t put it down. This will be the fourth adventure I’ve experienced with Amy McKinley’s writing, and I haven’t been let down yet. I just loved the chemistry between Xander and Riley, and their own backstories. The way she incorporated the information about these two and their families was incredible. Thank you, Amy, for these adventures, and for a way to get out of my head for a while. I will certainly be recommending this to friends as well and cannot wait to start on the 2nd and 3rd novel in this series!
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent is a wonderful yet very emotional book that broke my heart . As a care giver or even a parent of a special needs child there are many circumstances you face. This author gives us incredible insight and suggestions on how to handle them. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling very overwhelmed with dealing with situations this book gives helpful information on how to handle them as well. You can feel how much love and pain this author went through with every page of this book. I pretty much used a box of kleenex as my emotions were extremely high. God Bless all parents and care givers along with anyone who is involved in the caring for a child/ adult of a special needs. It’s the hardest yet most rewarding job you will ever face. This author made it easy to understand as she experienced everything she wrote about . So rather you have a special needs child or you know someone who does I highly recommend reading this book.
Dragons by Ty Drago
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dragons by Ty Drago will definitely take you on and interesting and adventurous ride. When I first started this book I wasn’t sure what to expect, I’m normally not much of a Sci Fi reader but this one caught my attention from the beginning. This Sci Fi book is unlike any other that I have ever read, filled with lies, twists and turns in every chapter, interesting science, and social dynamics you’ll definitely want to keep reading to see what happens next. Not only was this book full of all the things I mentioned above but it is fun, interesting, thought-provoking and above all else entertaining. So if your looking for a fun book to read this week I highly recommend Dragons by Ty Drago.
Bound by Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The second book in the Deadly Isles Special Ops series, Amy McKinley’s Bound by Secrets is the perfect sequel to an amazing first book! With relatable characters, a suspenseful story line, and an inability to put it down for very long, it didn’t take me long to devour this book.
Amy did an amazing job at picking up where the last book ended, albeit with the focus on two new characters that were introduced in the first novel. From the first paragraph to the last kiss, I found my heart racing, whether from the steamy encounters or the suspense over what might happen next. Amy also did a great job at setting the scene for the next book in the series, leaving the book on a cliffhanger that inspired me to download the next book right away.
After reading this book, I look forward even more to reading more of her novels, and suspect that I will be reading many of them sitting by the lake or on my porch this summer!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shield and Shade traces the war between angel and demon in this epic battle with an explosive finish. Zoey, a teenage girl, becomes caught up in a feud between rival factions, and in the process learns about what happened to her 10 years ago, and just who and what her family are capable of. The plot twists and turns on a dime, loyalties are tested and divided. She and those around her learn the limits of their bravery.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The writing is solid, the characters are interesting and diverse, and the plot is constantly on a hair trigger. I would have liked a bit of a breather in the action – 2/3 of the book seemed to be one long fight scene. While illustrated brilliantly, I feel like it would have been more impactful if there had been a lull in the action, and then resuming. All in all though, I thought this was a good story, and will definitely be checking out more by this authour.
Reviewed by @ericalorraine
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Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Carnival of Shadows: A Teagan Blackwate Urban Fantasy Novel by Leslie Scott
Four Stars
Carnival of Shadows: A Teagan Blackwater Urban Fantasy Novel is the second book in the Black Water Magic Series by Leslie Scott. This is the first book by this author and it definitely won’t be the last. I didn’t find it hard to read without reading the first. That being said I probably will go back and read book one. This story has amazing characters and a fast paced story line. If you like paranormal, then this book will be perfect for you.
Review by @sunbarn
Liam Davenport is a workaholic who has his dream of making partner in his sights. He doesn’t want or need any distractions which is exactly what his assistant will be.
Kendall Tate is the lucky lady that gets to be the assistant to Liam. He may be easy on the eyes, but he is a jerk. It seems that no matter what she does it is never good enough.
This was a a good story. There were a few times where I felt kind of fed up with Liam being a jerk, but once we got a glimpse into his background it completely changed my way of thinking. By the end of the book I felt that these two had balanced each other out very well.
Dragons by Ty Drago
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this book! It could be because my maiden name is Dragon and I use to day dream about what it would be like to be one. I appreciated the author’s take on “dragons” and how they weren’t the great big lizards that we think about when we hear that name. I enjoyed the characters and development of how there was more than meets the eye to this book as well. It was wonderful world building, too!
Her Blackened Soul by Isra Sravenheart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Isra is a witch, but not just any witch. She’s a dark witch who wants to stay that way! Humans are a distration that she could live without, but she will help them when it suits her.
Kane is a “virtuous” knight wanting help with the ladies, but he doesn’t want to do the work himself. He seeks out Lady Isra to make his dreams come true, however Isra can see through his wicked heart and punishes him!
This is not your typical fairy tale story, but it does show that evil has it’s own sense of right and wrong. A new take on the evil witch and the morals of evilness
Dragons by Ty Drago
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Dragons by Ty Drago – Review by Krista Vaughan
This was an interesting read. Dragons totally aren’t what you think they are. Some of the engineering and space lingo was a little over my head, but the rest of the story was really interesting. Different planets and space-folk, many different atmospheres and climates. Andy has to try to figure out who is telling lies and who is telling the truth; all while trying to stay alive. If you like stories in space this is a good one for you!
Moonlit Kiss by Amy McKinley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Moonlit Kiss: A Venice Romance (Moonlit Destination Series) by Amy McKinley
3 out of 5 stars
Moonlit Kiss by Amy McKinley is a timeless tale of departed lovers searching for another. The setting for this story is the hauntingly, romantic floating city of Venice, which is as much a character in the story as Gianna and Sergio. Venice’s long history is full of memories and restless souls searching for what they lost.
Gianna Bellini lands her dream job of restoring and completing a fresco in Venice. From the moment Gianna steps off the airplane, she has a feeling of home. Gianna instinctively knows the twisting, windy streets of Venice despite this being her first time in the city. Through her experiences with the city and hearing the tales, Gianna starts to believe that she has been there before, just not in this lifetime.
Sergio Vitale, a handsome doctor, splits his time between his family home in Venice and his practice in Rome. With a little bit of magic, Sergio happens to be in the right spot at the right time to save Gianna from a tragic fall. Sergio and Gianna can’t deny that there is something there the moment they lock eyes. They explore a relationship as Gianna’s work on the fresco continues.
As Gianna nears completion of the fresco, will she discover her destiny with Sergio? Will the fates win in the end? Will the spirits of the past keep them apart? Only Venice and its silent canals know the truth.
Through the delicately told stories of the past, this story unfolded. Gianna never seemed to be able to shake the ghosts that led her through their stories to discover long hidden secrets. The story, like Gianna, took winding paths to get where it needed to go. With one or two exciting twists, this story ends the only way it could from Gianna and Sergio’s meeting in Chapter 2. It is a sweet tale but a tad disappointing.
Brink of Denial by Cam Johns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Brink of Denial (Sons of Sindicato Book 1)by Sonya Jesus and Cam Johns was riveting and kept me wanting to read more. It followed the thoughts of Mila and Dane and gave a different perspective for each of the main characters. I found myself excited to see what each character felt. The beginning was a little difficult to follow with the introduction to not only the main characters but many characters that played into the back story. After the story progressed, the characters merged and development was strong. At the end of the story, I found myself wanting more and can’t wait for the next book.
Jeremy Full of Grace by Greta Cribbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jeremy, Full of Grace is an interesting story looking at a world where society has broken down and faith and community is all we really have left. No one true religion is presented however each character has a choice to make regarding their beliefs and what truly matters to them. I really enjoyed this read, it was extremely well written, and I was easily lost in the story. While it posed an unbelievable plot it was presented in a way that made me really think about what is important to me and ask myself what would I do in the same situation? I recommend this book.
Review by Penelope Taylor June 2021
Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Carnival of Shadows is a Paranormal story and is the second book in the Black Water Magic series. It was interesting and had me turning page after page until the very end. Teagan is our MC and she is a swamp witch on a mission to find our who killer her grandmother. But the carnival is in town and there is alot more going on than she originially thought. SOOO Grab this book and find out what is really happening in the Carnival of Shadows!
I cannot wait to read more by this author in the future because it the writing is good and the charcters are great! I would definitely recommend to anyone that loves a good paranormal story.
Happy Reading!
This is a great book! I love a good vampire story and I recommend this highly! Kaysee is trying to save her family and still is bad azz like in book 1. And that Claudia!! She is evil! Finding out in the book that she is Dominic’s creator. She has something up her sleeve to tear Kaysee and Dominic apart…. This book is intense and fantastic… highly recommended!
House in the Woods by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! I could not put it down. I kept reading last night until I could not keep my eyes open and had to finish it this morning. It has so many twists and keeps you guessing throughout the whole book. Molly is an excellent lead character, with a great personality. The author has written all the characters very well and made them very believable and relatable. I would recommend House in the Woods to anyone who loves mysteries. It’s a wonderful mystery novel and I will definitely check out more by this author!
The Divine Devils by R. Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you like a mystery to solve, this is indeed the book for you. It is full of intense action, unrequited love, good guys, and the worst enemies that one would ever want.
Hunter Divine is a manly man, and every woman who meets him finds him very attractive including three women found in this story. The problem is Hunter does not seem to have a commitment bone in his body. Hunter is a “retired” US Marshall who works from job to job and sleazy hotel to sleazy hotel. He’s at a point in his life where he is tired of his life the way it is.
He doesn’t get much chance to ponder his status after his previous job because one of his former ladies, Paige, calls him in to help her family. Hunter learns that someone is trying to kidnap her children, 18-year-old Olivia and 14-year-old, Deion. Hunter agrees to help and calls in his team to increase the level of security for the whole family.
With each step the team puts into place, it seems that the kidnappers are always one step ahead. Can Hunter and his team keep the teens safe? When will they figure out who is behind this attempt on Paige’s family?
Stepping Stone by Dakota Willink is a sexy read. Alexander is a billionaire who is a dominant to Krystina. Alexander worries that he will be like his father. Krystina has been damaged but opens herself up to Alexander. The past shows up to try to destroy them both. Are they strong enough to survive?
Tally and the Angel : Book One India by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Can I just say what a wonderful story! 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 in my book. This story of Tally, who suffers the loss of her mother, whom left Tally a necklace with an angel. Tally embarks on adventure and mystery to help solve children missing in the city of Agra. This book is absolutely wonderful, full of drama, mystery and adventure for children and adults alike!
In His Kiss by Ava Alise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a flirty, whimsical, and fun read. Everyone loves unrequited love stories. Where the main characters are like ships passing in the night, their timing is never exactly right until it is. I like that the characters had a friendship before connecting on an intimate level. It is a guaranteed HEA- if you are in the mood for a quick feel-good read; look no further.
