Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Christmas time does not stop ghosts nor death. Emma decides to look into a death that has been ruled a suicide by the police. Emma’s own life may be in danger as more bodies begin to stack up. This fast paced novella was a great addition to the Notebook Mysteries series.
Blood Sector by Lexi C. Foss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book, it is not usually a book that I would read but I took a chance. I enjoyed the story and the characters, each character had so many layers and were so good together. the cover also made me want to read this book because the couple looked great but the backround intrigued me and made me want to open the book. Once I was in the book the story took over.
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas is a short novella part of the Notebook Mysteries series. If you need a bit of Christmas mood but want a good mystery, this is the novella for you. Emma is back at it trying to help Evan answer questions about his father’s death and a bit of a haunting.
I have read several books in this series (not necessarily in order) and have enjoyed the characters and the stories. The snowy weather and historical references to A Christmas Carol are set in Chicago. Everything combined creates a fun read. I enjoyed this story and look forward to more in this series.
Gathering of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Post apocalyptic adventure awaits in this page turner of a novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and simply couldn’t put it down. If you are like me and find yourself glued to stories and simply can’t turn off the lights and go to sleep I recommend not reading this on a school or work night. I literally didn’t sleep and went to work still thinking about this story. The characters development and the strength of the storyline really adds up to an amazing fantastical tale that has you wanting more. A brilliant read for anyone who loves fantasy and adventure!
Gathering of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Gathering of the Four is a very diverse book. I’m here for the LgBTQ moments!
This story is set thousands of years from now in post apocalyptic America. The way the author writes has had me hypnotized and drawn into the book. The world building is phenomenal, and I love the little Easter eggs throughout the book.
There are some “fresh” scenes in the story, meaning spicy!
The use of magic and technology has me super geeked out! Obviously I have to read the next book!
Scepter Of Fire by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Whew, this is Dex’s version of the paranormal mystery series of the Vigilants. This is one series that you want to read in order. Dex is in it deep in this one. With the help of some new and some old friends, he ends up on an adventure to find answers. Mystery, drama, and the paranormal make for one of the best YA paranormal series you’ll find out there. I picture it as a contemporary take on the battle for good and evil. Even as an adult, I eagerly wait for each new book this author puts out. Her writing is fresh, new and relevant. The characters all have personalities that are relatable. The athletes, though paranormal, sound like some of the jocks I knew in high school. Go ahead, you know you want to read this one. Click that button.
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am a big fan of the heroine of this story, Emma, the intrepid young detective, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in this YA cozy mystery series. I was looking forward to this story which has a festive feel, as it’s set at Christmas time, and the storyline has more than one Charles Dickens reference in it. Emma is looking forward to the Christmas parties with her friends and family, the baking has been done and she’s about to decorate the tree, when a simple delivery reveals a deadly stranger. Emma’s Christmas plans change dramatically as she has another adventure to go on and a mystery to solve, using all her skills. However, when a friend of Emma’s asks for her help in investigating a reported haunted mansion, things become more complicated, and slightly spooky. Rattling chains, secret doors and possible spirits, all add to the Dickens feel to this fairly short but action packed story. Once again I was hooked by Emma’s adventures, and I felt fully immersed in the storyline, as though I was there alongside her as she investigated her latest mystery. I look forward to catching up with Emma and her friends again soon.
Battling Beckett: A Contemporary Step Brother Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a very good story. Our FMC finds herself in a mansion and new school where the MMC is less than pleased. What set this apart was that while there was catty girls it wasn’t OTT. While Beckekett was a jerk, he wasn’t impossibly so. He also didn’t “run the school” like other male leads have done in other books.
Battling Beckett: A Contemporary Step Brother Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Soooo I have step siblings. I don’t like to use the word “step” because to me they’re just my siblings. That being said I was very curious as to how this book would make me feel seeing as I could never look at one of my siblings as anything but my sibling…BUT…no lie it was a great story.
I liked that they were from different social groups. Beckett is rich, popular, good looking quarter back of the football team. Every guy wants to be him and every girl wants to be with him. Greer is not poor but doesn’t come from money, quiet, not popular, pretty but a “no one really sees her” kinda girl.
I enjoyed the tension between the 2 of them. They both had internal battles about their relationship. They don’t really like the other person but can’t help this magnetic pull towards each other.
There is also some drama/danger there that makes the story a little more interesting and helps bring the couple closer together.
I think there was some really good supporting characters in the story as well. I really enjoyed how the football team started to treat Greer like a little sister.
All in all I really enjoyed the story. I think it’s one of those stories that would make a great lifetime or hallmark movie.
River Witch by Cheryl Burman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a wonderfully written story, inspired by the true story of a ‘wise woman’, skilled in healing who was accused of witchcraft in the early 20th century, in the Forest of Dean, where the author lives. This engaging story focuses on a farmer’s daughter, Hester, who dreams of more, as she envies the freedom of the river nymphs and hears Sabrina’s whispers of “Be wise, be strong”. Hester believes that the healing wisdom of fields and forest is what Sabrina wants her to do, and this is reinforced when she meets a man powerful in herbal lore, Aaron. However her mother scorns her daughters dreams and ambitions as ‘witchery’, and orders Hester to find a husband and settle down.
Hester flees to Aaron but is surprised when he too insists that she should marry and be like ‘ordinary’ folk. Hester is a strong, independent and determined heroine and she fights for her dreams. Meanwhile, Aaron has to reconcile his past if he’s to accept the future, and the river will either help or hinder them both. This is a captivating story which had me hooked all the way through. The detailed descriptive narrative brought the setting vividly to life, making me feel immersed in the storyline. The plot twists kept me gripped, and I found myself reading late into the night, as I could not put this book down. The characters are so well defined, I felt like I was there alongside them, and I was left thinking about Hester, long after I had closed the book.
Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
These are cute and very “interesting” stories for kids. They follow two dinosaurs, who get into highly dangerous situations, but use the power of friendship and their thinking caps to keep one another safe from harm. The stories are definitely unique but gave me a chuckle. 4/5 for me.
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really good story! It was fast paced and quick, and I enjoyed this as it was a very quick read. Enough mystery and suspense to hold you, while also being slightly light hearted because of the Christmas theme of the book. I enjoyed the aspect of A Christmas Carol that was used throughout, and I will admit that the end was fairly shocking and I was wrong about the suspects. I would also love to use the recipes that were included at the end of the book sometime!
The Blood Prince by Ayla Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was hooked from the beginning. Action packed with a mystery story and captivating characters. From the moment I pick it up I couldn’t put it down.
Necrosis by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I am always fascinated by books like this. It was a quick read and had a lot of good action in it. I usually do not like zombies but I didn’t mind the idea of them in this read. The female lead was good and I found the story enjoyable.
Jake by Toni Denise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I typically lean away from blind date books but this was so clever! A wonderful surprise! Jake is a genuine person who craves a partner. You fall in love with him. Meanwhile our heroine, is opposed to men with money. However, she doesn’t know if she wants to resist him. I wouldn’t either!
Gathering of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a fantastic book. This story pulls you in right from page one and doesn’t let go at all. the book is exciting and fast paced, taking you on a journey. A sci-fi book set in the future, the author does a great job of creating a post-apocalyptic world. It was easy to imagine and vivid in the description.
I loved the blend of characters used as well. They all worked in their context and created a book with depth. This is a fantastic story and I can’t wait for book 2.
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is just another great book that is part of this series. I loved the fact that this one was set at Christmas time, I thought it had a real festive feel to it. The book was exciting and action packed, with so much going on for a novella.
Each book added to this series just strengthens it overall. I love the writing style and I find it so easy to engage with the characters time and again. This is a great book that is worth the read.
Hairballs and Homicide by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cozy mystery with a cat café? Sign me up!
Ellie Warren is the owner of Kitty Beret Café, a cat café with hopes of getting the kittens adopted.
When an older woman visits the café, sprouting how much she hates cats, Ellie is shocked. She is even more shocked when the same lady is found dead behind the shop. Could the cats have killed her?
It has been a while since I read a cozy mystery. For past few weeks haven’t been the best so being able to lose myself in a novel is a pleasure in life that doesn’t happen as much as it used to.
It has a predictable plot with a romance that I see a mile away. Which adds even more charm to it. It’s a fun read. Dressing up the cats in costumes was a bit annoying. Cute I’m sure, by annoying because of course cats aren’t much of a fan.
I wonder how many novels this will be. I look forward to the next Ellie adventure.
Felines and Fatalities by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Ellie Warren returns for the second novel of the series.
She is still owner of the Kitty Beret Café where she still dresses up the cats in cute costumes to help them get adopted (I am not sure if that is helping or not).
When she is approached to host a cat show, Ellie is unsure. Because the show is for rescued cats, she agrees. What was suppose to be a fun performance, becomes more deadly when one of the judges is murdered.
With the help of her cat Templeton and Detective Dare, Ellie once again gets swept up in the investigation and wants to find the killer.
What I love about cozy mysteries is that there are so many different directions to go and various paths to setup the plot as well as the murder. I find this one to be very creative.
I enjoy the characters and the setting of a cat cafe (which I really need to go visit one). At Least this gives me a glimpse of what a cat cafe would be like.
I searched online to see if there was another book to look forward to but sadly I didn’t see anything. I really hope so.
A Love Restrained by Becky Flade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read from this author and she now has a new fan. I love a good slow burn romance but this story exceeded all my expectations. These characters drew me into their story right from the beginning. I loved how you got to read both of their points of views. I could not put this book down until the end. It only took me a few hours to devour this amazing story.
Kylee Parker is a really good police officer in Philadelphia. She loves her job putting the bad guys away. Kylee goes to a call and finds herself arresting her high school crush, Jayson Donovan. She knows he is one of the bad guys but she can’t help the feelings she has for him. Kylee and Jayson get to know each other again and they find out they do care for one another.
They better be careful because when you know a bad guy there are more to follow. Will Kylee and Jayson find love or will the past destroy it?
Review @heatherbass
The Lonely Hearts of San Sity by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jules is looking for just the right cowboy to star in her upcoming Dating Show. Mitchel is hot, hot, hot, but will not, not, Not be any part of the show or anything to do with T.V. Thing is while these two bicker and fight each other off. They are very much attracted to each other. So what do you think will happen with these two enemies? Or will they become lovers? The author has written this fast paced, steamy, story, and done it well. The characters at times are so funny and at other times they are hot and steamy. This is a must read for those 18 and older.
Review @cinful
Battling Beckett: A Contemporary Step Brother Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Beckett learned at a young age that the women who take interest in his father are out for one thing, his money. When his father moves in his new fiancée and her daughter Greer, he decides he is going to keep a watchful eye on both of them because although they seem to be down to earth they are likely not.
Greer has watched her mom put her first all her life and she loves her for it, she knows Beckett is not thrilled to have her move to his home and now attend his prestigious school. He has made the fact known to her loud and clear. That being said, Greer keeps her head down and tries to stay under the radar at home and at school. It only works for so long though and the secret is out that she is living with him. That puts a target on Greer’s back though and when Beckett finds out he decides to protect her. Everything about Greer baffles Beckett, she is a ray of light to him but the rough exterior surrounding Beckett makes it difficult to put in words how he really feels. Will it be too late to fix his mistakes though when it comes to Greer?
I really enjoyed this one. Beckett is a jerk to Greer, no doubt about it but Greer just keeps on going. Greer is a wonderful character, she at first keeps quiet but not for long and their is a fire within her that calls Beckett to task. I would definitely read more by this author, very well done.
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my stars this boy is HOT!! Not only is it sexy in a deliciously dark way, but the feelings and backstory of the main characters is wonderful. He has a secret past & she has years of pining. One explosive scene in a naughty club & ooooh the chemistry! Can they figure out how to be together? Do they want to? I am in LOVE with this series!
Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a 2 for one book, just flip it over for the next story. Spike ( an ankylosaurus) and Conifer (a tyrannosaurus) are friends and work well together. Sometimes they disagree but most of the time not. When a volcano in the distance is erupting what do you think happens next? In Book 2 there is a fire and Conifer has got to save her eggs. Spike comes to help her and they make a plan to get to safety. Where do you think they go? I will not give out spoilers! I have been following this author and her children’s books. They all have something new for the children to learn. The illustrations are just as interesting as the story itself. I recommend this book to teachers and children alike.
Review@cinful
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a short story based around the rest of the Notebook Mysteries series. I loved this Christmas theme in this book and it gives the story a completely different feel to the stories, while keeping the characters that we know and love.
The authors way of describing the scenes and telling the story is so good that you actually feel like you are there witnessing things first hand. It is a story that is full of twists and turns that will keep the reader guess and as with the other stories you can’t figure out the story until the author is ready to reveal it to you.
I loved the mixture of the excitement of the Christmas season, the planning of family parties and arrangements as well as the danger than lurks with the meeting of a stranger and a new mystery of a haunted house to solve and unravel. Emma is yet again on the case, doing what she doesn’t best in her own unique way.
Destiny’s Daughter: It was the best of times. by Lynda Filler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A very real, raw, and unfiltered story of the author’s journey to find love. After packing up her entire life into just one suitcase Lynda sets off on a journey to faraway lands where she hopes to continue her writing. What she never expected was to fall in love with a young Turk and ultimately end up living in Istanbul. Nor did she expect to live through a worldwide pandemic that resulted in lockdowns and deaths around the globe or find herself living close to a war zone. In the aftermath of so much change, and surrounded by chaos, Lynda suddenly finds herself dealing with anxiety that leaves her questioning her life and her decisions.
I found that I could relate to Lynda on so many levels as I read her memoir. As an empath myself I know how trauma can have a very adverse affect to our bodies on both a mental and physical level. It is imperative to take care of our mental health otherwise it will manifest itself in our physical self. I too love sweets and chocolate but not dark chocolate because it is revolting. Did someone say chocolate, yum. I, as well, have been referred to as a cougar because I fell in love with, and married a man fifteen years younger than myself. When my husband and I first got together we had friends that poked fun at us and those that mocked us because of the age difference. This left me with doubts, and I became paranoid about what strangers might think when they saw us together in public. I am happy to say that after 11 years together, married for 8 of those, that our relationship is still going strong. I could also strongly relate to the getting older thing and feeling as though I was living life backwards. I went to college in my late 30’s, got married in my early 40’s, and now at the age of 51 feel as though I can live my best life. I no longer care what others think and have learned to sever ties with those that are toxic. I have come to terms with my past trauma, have taken the lessons I learned from it, and feel as though I can fully move forward and pursue my dreams.
I loved the author’s writing style and how she says it like it is without filtering anything out. It made me feel as though I was sitting there with her, having a conversation, and getting to know her. I admire her strength and how she managed to find the positive in every difficult situation that she encountered throughout her life. So often life has a way of kicking us while we are down, and it can be extremely difficult to bounce back from it without being negatively affected. I also admire her for the courage it took for her to share her painful story with others to try to possibly make a difference in their lives. Thank you for being brave enough to share your raw and unfiltered story with us! You are a true inspiration!
Felines and Fatalities by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A fun cozy mystery.
Ruth Hartmann
Felines and Fatalities is the second book in the Kitty Beret Café Mystery series by Ruth J. Hartman. It’s a fun cozy cat mystery- this book has lots of humor, cats, a cat Café, crime and much more. Ellie gets persuaded to host a cat show for rescue cats. While at the cat show something mysterious happenes. With a nose for mystery, Ellie gets swept up in the investigation and is soon on the hunt for the killer. What happens at the cat show? What goes on? This was a cute, adorable, crime filling cozy mystery. It had me laughing and liking the characters and the felines. A good read.
Happy Reading!
The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Nick and Julia O’Connor are on the trip of a lifetime to Venice after one of Julia’s photographs has been chosen to be in an exhibit there. While touring one of the local museums Nick is inexplicably drawn to a portrait of a beautiful young woman in Tintoretto’s work of art, Paradise, the world’s largest oil painting. When the woman in Paradise starts to speak to Nick, he feels as though she is his soulmate and becomes compelled to save her from being trapped in the painting.
Nick’s wife, Julia, is naturally concerned because Nick has recently suffered a concussion from a hockey injury, and she fears his hearing voices is a side effect of his brain injury. Nick tries to prove to Julia that he is not suffering from delusions and that this woman is his soulmate from a previous life which he lived in the 16th Century. Julia wants to believe her husband and even she is unable to explain how he understands a foreign language that he has never spoken before. Julia is unsure how to help Nick and begs him to get help from his doctor. When he ignores her pleas, Julia decides it is best to cut their trip short and return home. Unfortunately, Nick has now disappeared, and Julia is frantic to find him.
Nick’s obsession with the woman in the painting has consumed him and he seems to have forgotten that he is currently married to Julia in the present day. His focus is on learning more about this mysterious woman in the painting and he starts to investigate who she is. Through a series of blackouts, he learns this woman is Isabella Scalfini, a beautiful aristocrat that he had fallen in love with in 1589. As the blackouts continue, Nick is drawn back to his time with Isabella and the fate that brought her to her soul being forever trapped in Paradise. His obsession with the beautiful woman in the portrait leads him to uncover a secret religious Order that has been condemning souls to the painting for centuries. His beloved Isabella pleads with Nick to free her from the painting so he sets out on a mission to destroy the painting and save his beloved soulmate, only to discover that it is the Painter that he must destroy. However, the Order will never allow anything to happen to the painting and therefore have it heavily guarded. Nick now finds himself running for his life as the members of the Order are determined to destroy him so he cannot divulge the secret of the painting.
This book was very well written and both the past and present were beautifully interwoven together. I enjoyed reading the flashbacks as Nick was drawn back to his previous life in 1589 and his time with his beloved Isabella. My heart broke for Julia as she felt such deep concern for Nick and was worried about what was happening to him. She loved her husband and wanted to believe him but was also worried about his declining mental health. Then he just vanishes without a trace, and she has no idea of his whereabouts or if he is even still alive. How gut wrenching for poor Julia to be put through that. Nick was conflicted between his past love, Isabella, and his present-day love Julia which must have been confusing for him. Yet, at the same time, you just want to shake Nick and tell him to get a grip. How is he going to save a soul trapped in a painting? Why put your life in danger and that of your wife’s for a woman in a painting. I wanted to scream at Nick to get a grip, go back to his wife, and leave the country. Forget the painting, the Order, and get out of Venice while you can. I am anxious to see what will happen in book 2 to learn what became of Nick and Julia. Did their marriage survive? Does Nick still think about Isabella? Was Nick really suffering delusions? What will become of the souls in Paradise?
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have loved following Emma and her adventures for quite some time now. I personally loved this one. The change of weather in the book was very real and descriptive, plus holidays. And a mystery, How could I not love this latest mystery at hand for our dear Emma to solve?
As usual the author creates a mystery that is fun to solve, as well as, danger lurking around the corner the deeper you go. Emma was her usual self, but this time with holiday spirit at hand as well! I was wrong with the mystery, I thought I had t=it, nope was a bit off! This was a short adventure for our sleuth, but the story was full of intrigue, and clues that led to the conclusion! Loved the talk of Christmas decorations and cookies as well! I swear I could smell things baking in the oven! The author is very creative and quite good at weaving a tale of a mystery and strong development of characters in each book! Loved this one!
Never will tire of this wonderful author and Emma’s mysteries! I can never get enough of this series, its a wonderful collection! I highly recommend this book as well as the whole series! Must read all around!
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A quick read with suspense and adventure! Emma and her friends try and catch a murderer and investigate a supposed “haunted house..” this book was a real page turner for me and I couldn’t put it down until I was finished with it. It’s set for Christmas time and it’s really got me in the mood for the holidays! I just wouldn’t be investing a haunted house 🤣 I loved the characters and I loved the plot. Highly recommend this book! I’ll be checking out more of Kimberly’s books because I really enjoyed this one!
