And Then She Fell by Dreena Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Susie’s mom doesn’t believe her death was an accident. She accepted her death but not the way she passed. After a year she is following several different leads from workers and friends. Figures out she might not have known her daughter as well as she thought. My first read from this author, it definitely will not be my last.
More Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a very emotional story for me to read because I related to Peggy in so many ways. I have struggled with weight and self confidence and also becoming a mother and losing my identity. This story covers an issue which isn’t really discussed which leaves women feeling alone and like it’s just them going through it.
Since losing her husband Peggy has been working hard to raise her twins and carry on with her life. As the time has gone on Peggy has lost herself. All she sees herself as is a widow and a mother. Everything about her such as her confidence has gone and over time her weight has increased making her more unhappy.
With her children leaving for college she now had the task of readjusting her life. Maybe now is time to think about herself.
We follow Peggy on her journey from a unconfident mother who has lost her identity to a beautiful person who is a mother but also so much more than that.
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Suspenseful and intriguing
There are plenty of twists and turns in this historical mystery. Daniel O’Halleran is an easy character to connect with and the cases kept my interest until the end. This book has drama, angst, suspense and murder. The historical setting is well done too. This is a strong first book in the series and I am looking forward to reading more.
More Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved every moment of this book. Peggy was Very real, raw, and flawed as any and all human beings can be. Losing her husband and raising her kids alone truly isolated and put her into a place where she felt she had no one and her survival mode was food, her children, and her home. She proved to be was an amazing character! Even though she got to a place in her life that made her unaware and complacent just trying to live….when she was given the opportunity to spread her wings again she did. She transformed that fear and place of sadness and became the remarkable woman she once was. Her goals were her own, and when she found a man who saw her and appreciated her that was the icing on the cake. Anyone can end up where Peggy did, but how many can rise again?
Peggy was Very real, raw, and flawed as any and all human beings can be. Losing her husband and raising her kids alone truly isolated and put her into a place where she felt she had no one and her survival mode was food, her children, and her home.
Snow in Love by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Connor and Sierra are two skiers at a local lodge meeting up to train. Poor Sierra feels like a brand and all she wants is to feel like a woman. Connor is coming to terms after losing his leg in a motocross accident. This is a beautiful romance written in such a way that you feel their pain and the emotions felt as they come to terms with trying to make this relationship work. Even the antagonist, Beverlly, Sienna’s mom, is a bit of a troublemaker but you still feel for her. I enjoyed the story. It was a fairly quick read with a simple plot. Quite entertaining with a little fun in there. You root for Conner and Sierra. A quick Christmas read that would make a great read for those snowy nights by the fire with hot cocoa.
The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked the plot. I didn’t expect the book to end so quickly after the climax. I wanted to read more! This book had great world building!
Gunner by T.J. Beach
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m sure it is a good book but I couldn’t get farther than chapter 3. I don’t recall anything about COVID in the book description and I just couldn’t get past it. I’m not opposed to modern timed books I just don’t want to have to think about COVID when it happened in the very recent past. It was also confusing going back and forth from country’s. One moment they are in Australia in current times then you are in Britain and it isn’t clear when the transition happens, to me at least.
Snow in Love by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Snow in Love is my first foray into Libby’s romance tales. This is a sports enemies to lover’s romance set in an Aspen winter wonderland that should be read cuddled up in front of the fire with a nice hot drink or in my case stretched out in the sun for a few hours of escape.
Snow in Love follows 2 Paralympians who are good at what they do with plenty of passion but not so good when it comes to their personal lives. There is laughter, a little bit of steam but there is also lots of emotions due to their pasts and coming to grips with it. The question is can they move on and open their hearts to what could be? To find out you will have to read it to find out.
There is a lot of push and pull to make the journey interesting to say the least.
If you are a fan of sports romances, you will enjoy this enemies to lovers Christmas tale by Libby Kay.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Knight In The Museum by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Knight in the Museum
By: Alice Bienia
This is a fantastic mystery, with a female heroine. I have to say that I have read no other of the Jorja Knight books before this one and this one definitely stands on its own. BUT I loved it so much that I will definitely be going back to read the other ones. Jorja Knight is a wonderful heroine who uses her PI skills to solve mysteries. This book was full of twists and turns and even contained a twist of a possible curse. I was definitely guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it!
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amaleigha and the Big Idea
by Janice Pratt
This is the sweetest story! It contains the sweetest main character – Amaleigha and it focuses on her love of nature. This story does a great job of showing its young readers that anything really is possible that you believe in. I love that it also builds creative thinking. I have to say my favorite part was the focus of nature. I really think it would have children thinking bigger about the outdoors around them and inspire them to get out and be creative in nature! Great Story!
More Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to say that this book had me at a loss for words, it was amazing! I have not read a book by this author before and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed reading this. I found myself not able to put it down when I was working and found myself wanting to be off of work so I could keep reading and find out what happened. I cannot wait to read more books by this author. I cannot wait to tell my friends about this book!
Painter of the Damned by Rob Samborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a rich and detailed story that I couldn’t put down once I had started reading. Everything about the book is well thought out and just amazing. I was caught up in the stories and the characters, both complimenting the other.
The author has packed so much into this book and he has really captured all the detail so well. As a new author to me I still don’t fully know what to expect from his books but I hope it is more of this in the future!
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve really enjoyed this historical crime story. It is a story that grips you from the beginning and doesn’t let go. I loved the main character Daniel. He’s a very smart determined man and when he senses something is wrong he is determined to not let anything stand in his way of the truth.
Daniel is a coroners physician. He is fed up of people not taking him seriously and his opinions not counting. He also doesn’t like the way that murders are swept under the carpet and not investigated. The final straw comes when he is left at the alter. Taking this as his sign he leaves New York and heads to Long Island.
This could be just the change he needs. A slower pace and a job where he is taken seriously. However the pace changes when he is asked to investigate a case from 2 years ago and when there is links between this case and his first case in New York Daniel starts to wonder if they were committed by the same person.
Could there be a serial killer out there or is it just coincidence? When another murder happens Daniel is in a race against time to solve this case.
This story is gripping, full of twists and turns, danger and mystery. I love how the author incorporates history and themes of the era which really brings the story a sense of reality.
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Emma is a heiress to The Thorn, a ranch that has been in her family for generations and is the largest ranch in Texas. She knows the land like the back of her hand. Yet, going out for a ride one night, she finds a tribe living among her property and the hold thinking the spirits sent her to them. She tries to return home and her family searches for her and exhausts all resources to find her.
Emma learns a new way of life all while trying to plan an escape.
This was a great book. It was read by the point of view of both Emma and her mother Josie and he endless search of her daughter. You got to learn about the land in Texas and the old ways of The People, who have been able to live off the land undetected for years.
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A murder mystery that keeps you guessing.
Set in 1904, Daniel O’Halleran just keeps taking hits. It’s time for a change for himself. He’s always had a knack for investigation and when he starts looking at an old case, he soon realizes that this was his very first case.
Very intriguing story and a great start to a series.
Gunner by T.J. Beach
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
How each person navigated through the early days of the pandemic is a personal experience. This book provides readers a window into the lives of a family who must quarantine when the grandmother learns she has been exposed to, and ultimately contracts, Covid. Readers experience a story within a story. One main character delivers, in increments, to the other main character, a part of his history he had previously kept silent about. This story within is exceptional. Learning to depend on others, and to what extent we depend on them, while isolating and quarantining- I feel that may be the ultimate lesson we take away from the pandemic.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
Amaleigha and the Big Idea is a sweet yet inspirational children’s book with great illustrations. My four and a half year old son loves books and this one had him thinking of big ideas and how to make them come to life. This is about Amaleigha who is five years old and has big ideas. She loves to explore the outdoors. Follow along with her and the help of her friends and family as they bring together all her favorite things in one spot for all of the community to share. My son loves books and this one will definitely be on the reread list. I highly recommend this cute children’s book and look forward to reading more from this Author.
The Perfect Mrs. Claus by Barbara Matteson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book that I have read from this author and she has a new fan. I love Christmas books during this time of the year. This story had me hooked right from the beginning. I could not put this book down until the end. The story line is amazing and you can’t help but to fall in love with the characters. If this book doesn’t get you into the Christmas spirit I don’t know what will. I read this book in only a few hours. I can’t wait to see what she will write next.
Savannah Bradley is a fifty three year widow and it gets harder every day. She feels like there is nothing left in her life. Savannah’s son is going to be moving to Switzerland in the spring so she will have no one. She is at a store seeing all her favorite Halloween decorations but she doesn’t realize that someone was watching her. Savannah gets a call from Howardson’s Emporium about a job opportunity. She is offered the job of Mrs. Clause and she accepts. Savannah is going to take a trip for herself so she needs the money. Will she get to go on her trip or will she find something else is this job?
Review by @heatherbass
View all my reviews
Faultless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My first KG Fletcher book did not disappoint. This beautiful love story has everything that you would want in it, true love, companionship, some heat, and sacrifice. Teddy made a huge sacrifice many years ago while trying to do the right thing, leaving behind the love of his life Robyn. The story begins six years later, but has so much back story as it progresses. I loved his entire family and it reminded me a little bit of one of those cowboy shows you find yourself immersed in.
Robyn, was a very sweet character and I appreciated her devotion to Teddy. I didn’t necessarily understand her relationship with Anderson, but in the end that part of the story didn’t matter and didn’t take away from the main aspect of the story. I adored Sam and can’t wait to see what happens with her storyline. The father, Roy was such a strong Matriarch of the family and you could feel the love and protection that he had for his children and I just wanted to hug him.
In multiple ways the story pulled at your heartstrings and one part of the story elicited such strong emotion for me I could literally see it playing out in my head when Teddy is injured. The authors writing style is smooth, sincere, and has just the right amount of surrounding detail. For my first book by this author I was pleasantly surprised and felt connected to the story. I look forward to reading previous books by her and the future books in the series.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60057769-kiss-away-your-pain” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts, #2)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1653331201l/60057769._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60057769-kiss-away-your-pain”>Kiss Away Your Pain</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20904214.Debbie_Cromack”>Debbie Cromack</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5122972652″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Candi had her heart broken when she lost the love of her life. She doesn’t believe that you have more than one in a lifetime so she isn’t really looking to be with anybody. Enzo himself has been hurt and he doesn’t do relationships, but when he sets his eyes upon Candi he knows she is someone worth knowing. After being turned down he doesn’t think he will ever see her again. When they run into one another at a photoshoot they strike up a friendship that slowly becomes something more. They both however have a lot of baggage that they are dealing with individually that they must get rid of before becoming serious. Neither wants to have their heart broken again but maybe this is their opportunity for a happily ever after. Will they be able to overcome their personal obstacles and be happy together or will they walk away always wondering what if?
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/106111308-charlisa-wahtomy-alba”>View all my reviews</a>
~ ~ ~ ~ PREORDER ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tallie Brown has spent a lifetime hiding from the ghosts of someone else’s past. Raised by a paranoid woman on the run, Tallie learned from an early age how to disappear. Now she must employ her unique set of skills to track down hundreds who have simply vanished, so when an Amber Alert wakes her in the night, she is the first to respond to the call. But tracking the missing girl comes with unexpected consequences, leading her down a deadly path paved with lies and personal loss that ends in a single devastating truth: General Cai Kaswell, the father she just discovered and the world’s best hope for peace, is among the vanished.
As she struggles to find General Kaswell, Tallie is drawn into a conspiracy that links her past to the string of unsolved disappearances. Her search for answers sends her around the globe, but when it nearly takes the lives of her trusted friends and leaves her alone, she is assigned to a charming operative she doesn’t fully trust. Forced to watch her own back as she searches for General Kaswell and the others, not only does she discover she is the unwitting catalyst for the disappearance of the missing people but she and her father are also lured into a plot that threatens the Constitution and the balance of world power.
The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Highly recommend for readers who like short stories with suspense and interesting twists. With vampires, magic, werewolves, and ghosts, you don’t know what else will be thrown your way! Short, to the point, and with fated mates, you can not go wrong with this book. If only it was a little longer, but there’s plenty other stories by the author to keep us going!
Knight In The Museum by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars
Knight In the Museum is the fifth book in the Jorja Knight Mystery series by Alice Bienia. I was unaware going into this suspenseful read that it was the fifth book in the series. But luckily it is able to be read as a standalone without feeling like I was ‘missing’ anything by not having read the previous books. Having said that though, this book has definitely left me wanting- wanting more of Ms. Bienia’s books that is. I was drawn to the book by the intriguing title and interesting cover- plus I love a thrilling mystery- so I happily one-clicked a copy and started the adventure. I was immediately pulled into the story and spent the rest of the afternoon glued to the pages, reading avidly, and devouring the entire book in one sitting just so I could discover how everything played out in the end.
This may have been my first read from Ms. Bienia, but after this engrossing mystery, it definitely won’t be the last. This has whet my appetite for more of Ms. Bienia’s work, and more of Jorja Knight’s adventures, so I will definitely be going back to read the rest of the series- I am halfway through Book #1 already.
Jorja Knight is a Private Investigator who is asked to look into the suspicious death of a friend-of-a-friend. What was supposed to be an accidental drowning leads Jorja to more bodies, and an ever-mounting web of intrigue. Add in an ancient, cursed relic into the mix and the case takes an even stranger turn. The puzzling nature of this latest investigation means Jorja will be tested like never before. With the body-count mounting, and danger circling- it is apparent that sinister forces will do anything and everything to prevent her from finding out the truth. Putting a rather large target on her back. Not everything is as it seems. And Jorja begins to suspect that the fallout could hit closer to home than she ever could have suspected going into the case. What ensues makes for an exciting read.
I love it when I discover an author who can completely capture my attention with their stories- pulling me into their world so completely that I lose all sense of time and place. This book did that for me. Ms. Bienia has cleverly crafted a tightly woven crime and investigation story- a whodunit mystery with a cursed relic, murder, a determined PI, sinister foes, agendas, action, intensity, danger, puzzling developments, twists, adventure, humour, banter, tension, and drama- as well as a lot of interesting and well-developed characters.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Alice Bienia!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Daniel O’Halleran is a coroners physician in 1904 New York. He is dissatisfied in his job and feels no one takes him seriously – they’re always rushing his work, hoping to get more cases “solved” by pushing answers through quickly. In the midst of his unhappiness at work, he gets stood up at the altar by his fiancee and decides he has finally been given enough signs – it’s time to move on from here.
Soon, he accepts a coroners assistant position in Long Island for a change. Daniel’s new boss warns him life is much slower in Long Island than in New York, but he’s happy for a new routine and having time to give answers. Before he even gets an opportunity to settle into that new routine, the local librarian suggests Daniel check out a local two year old murder case. In a twist of fate, it turns out to be the first case he had ever worked on and the first one to ever make him feel something was wrong.
Excellent descriptions, characters, suspense, dialogue, and sticking to era appropriate reactions. Wonderfully written, enjoyable historical mystery. Highly recommend!
More Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book surprised me for several reasons, some good, some bad. This book has a heartwarming story with a fantastic ending. The author is right that it is not the amount of weight you lose when starting a weight loss journey, but about how you feel about yourself during and at the end of the journey. The weight is just a number.
Peggy is fighting more battles than she knows. Fourteen years ago, her husband was tragically taken from her. Luckily, he provided enough for her to be able to stay at home and raise their twins. Now the twins are graduating high school and headed off to college, trying to start their own lives. Peggy has really not paid attention to herself since her husband died. She saw herself as the twins’ mom. Peggy has gained some weight. Peggy has also developed a small obsession with a tv show about a medium that speaks to folks that have passed away. Peggy feels that if she went on the show, she would finally get validation from her husband that she raised their twins right. Peggy’s daughter said that her father would not recognize Peggy from all the weight she has gained. So Peggy’s daughter and son give Peggy an exercise program. Peggy struggles with the decision to go.
Peggy finally goes and meets some new people, developing friendships. This is something Peggy hasn’t had since her husband died and she started identifying herself as “the twins’ mom”. As Peggy learns to manage the new friendships, the changing relationships with her children, the desire to hear from her husband, and life in general, Peggy is gaining more than she is losing.
Although I don’t agree with how the author presents Peggy’s weight, the delightful story about Peggy finding herself is a fantastic read. As a lifelong bonus-sized individual, I have learned that it is not about the number on scale, it is about who you are as a person. I was so happy to read about the picture Peggy’s son texted her, finally getting everything she needed.
Kiss Away Your Pain by Debbie Cromack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved it! Kiss Away Your Pain was sad and sweet. The author wrote a wonderful book to add to the series. I read Nicco and Destiny’s story, so I was excited to jump into Candi and Enzo. These two characters have been through so much tragedy it’s hard to believe. Though it’s a book of fiction these tragedies are very much real. So be mindful in regards to your own history it could be a trigger. Besides that, don’t even pass this book up. It has so much to offer. It’s a book that could be the first steps to healing a broken heart. Well that’s what it is to me.
Candi lost the love of her life. Made a decision at that point she would remain single for life. She never expected Enzo to blow into her life. He’s rocked her existence. He’s shown her that her dreams are still possible.
The question is, is she brave enough to go for it?
Or will her fear of leaving Dom behind hold her back?
Enzo never wanted anything serious. He just doesn’t have time. But when Candi walked into his life, that all changed. He wants more with her. He wants to break down her walls. He identifies with her on such a deep level, he refuses to give her up.
Will he get her to see how good moving on could be?
Candi’s growth is beautiful, slowly blooming as the book progresses.
I enjoy Candi’s spitfire, no nonsense attitude. I’m sure you will too. Beautifully written as a standalone but it’s definitely the next book in a series. Saying that, read it!
Shadow Patterns of Melt – Book One by J.R.P. Fogg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a good read. I was a little iffy with it just because of all the science fiction jargon. I love sci-fi, but sometimes the jargon just gets me and this was one of those times. Once I got passed the confusion I really enjoyed the story. I just don’t think I was in the mood for this particular one today though. I really enjoyed the characters, and it was a very unique story. I would love to give this another reread once I’m in the mood for science fiction again though!
National Parks by Laikyn Meng
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well written new adult, contemporary love story that had me drawn by the beautiful cover. As I turned each page I loved the story of Enzo and Phoebe….but their story is definitely not easy..and many times a gut punch. How you can be in love so hard with every bit of might you have and turn and walk away that leads to guilt, sadness, tears and never feeling whole.
Phoebe is a photographer whom travels the world……she meets Enzo by chance encounter as they were strangers. Enzo ends up following Phoebe to all her beautiful destinations so she can capture the beauty in her pictures…but family pressure leads Enzo down the road to a different path. That path seals the fate for many years for both Enzo and Phoebe. Will their love survive the true hardship that comes their way?
This story is beautiful and moments are hard, but the story is so raw and real. The author really captures the true essence of a love that was broken and trying to find the way back. The use of famous National Parks and the descriptive beauty is very captivating. This is a great read.
More Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There is struggle with extended grief and depression mixed with humor. Barnes captures the reality of depression and issues with self-image through the main character Peggy. Penny is such a relatable character and brings humor to the story. I was pleasantly surprised the way Peggy’s struggle with her weight was told in the story. It was entertaining, positive, and kept the pages turning late into the night. This is a wonderful read!
Review by @bilberrysweet
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such an a descriptive, imaginative, beautiful and inspirational story. This is a children’s story, but it seemed like more. The way the writer is so descriptive was beautiful. It really brought the seasons and feelings to life. The illustrations as well were amazing, so colourful and beautiful. The way that Amaleigha was so determined to share her love of nature was inspirational for all, Love this story, will definitely recommend!
Review by @heather26