The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Jennifer Reimer

The Exchange: A NovelThe Exchange: A Novel by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was not expecting this book to be filled with the twists and turns, unpredictable, the suspense, the thrill. I really enjoyed this book; it was a book out of my normal and I can’t not believe how amazed I was to be held on to by a book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I could not put it down to find out what would happen with Samantha, leaving home, wanting to inspire to be something and make a life that she would want to live. But of course, that all changed when she met a man that said he could help her. But not the way Sam was hoping for. This book was so well written and captivating that I honestly believe that it could be a true story. I had to read this book to the end.

View all my reviews

Deadly Intentions by Anise Storm – Review by Michelle Collier

Deadly IntentionsDeadly Intentions by Anise Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author never disappoints! Viviana was on a mission for vengeance for her friend. Nothing would stand in her way. Nazario was on a mission to kill his father, but he would need to stop her from doing before he was ready. She should hate the son of her enemy and she did, but there is a fine line between love and hate. Would they come together or destroy each other?

View all my reviews

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty Book 2) by C.B. Lyall Review by Candida Hopper

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty #2)The Veil of Corruption by C.B. Lyall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in this series and it is my suggestion that you read the first one before diving into this one for a better experience and because this one picks right up from the first one. This book is just as good as the first one. This story has action, magic, witches, wizards, suspense, twists and turns, great characters and so much more. I find this book to be original, entertaining and the author does an excellent job at building a world that will keep you captivated. I definitely had a hard time putting the book down once I started reading, I needed to know what was going to happen next. I can’t wait to see what journey the next book takes us on. I recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Emily H

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hansel and Gretel have heard the rumors about the witch that owns the gingerbread house. While out on an outing they discover the house, but are the rumors true?

This was a different take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Had problem solving skills as well as a couple of lessons along the way. Fun read.

View all my reviews

A Stranger in Disguise (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome) by P.J. Mann – Review by Candice Estes

A Stranger in Disguise: An Italian Murder Mystery (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome)A Stranger in Disguise: An Italian Murder Mystery by P. J. Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is written in English, but is set in Italy, and some of the grammar makes me think the author is more familiar with a different language. This in NO way makes the book unreadable, just seems like valuable information for readers who may have issues with this sort of style.

This book was very well written, and kept me guessing until the very end. This book is set in Rome, Italy, and follows Detective Maurizio Scala in his attempt to solve the murder of a costume maker for a foreign acting group that is set to perform at a local theater. What at first seems like a straightforward case soon reveals itself to be more complicated. The victim, who at first is thought to just be a part of the acting group, is in fact a part of a bank robbery that had taken place many years ago, and had ties to the Romania mafia. As Detective Scala tries to put the pieces together, he is pulled into a world of lies, deceit, drugs, and murder.

View all my reviews

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Anna Hirsch

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom
4 Stars

This is a cute version of the fairytale Hansel and Gretal. As this is a book for children, there are no scary parts like in the real fairytale. As Hansel and Gretal are hiking with their father, he mentions that the witch wants to enter the most beautiful house contest. The children find this really silly. Upon hearing a strange noise, they decide to investigate and get lost in the woods. What happens next is an adventure filled with animals, a witch and of course a gingerbread house. The book is filled with colourful pictures sure to keep your children’s eyes glued to the pages.

Review by @Anna Hirsch
View all my reviews

The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Jennifer Gordon

The Exchange: A NovelThe Exchange: A Novel by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A gripping psychological thriller which had me hooked from page one. The intriguing storyline and plot twists definitely made this an unpredictable story, and it kept me guessing until the end. Sam Crawford moves to Los Angeles having finished high school to pursue acting, but after several failed prospects she is no further forward with her plans. She then meets a man who promises that he can help her with her acting, and being desperate to succeed Sam takes Corey up on his offer. However, she was not expecting his proposition to be an exchange, that involves her unwanted baby. When her child goes missing four years later she doesn’t know what to think, has the exchange finally happened, or has Sam become a mastermind of organised crime. Sam is a great main character who really brings the story together, however she’s not a very reliable narrator, meaning as a reader you never really know who to trust or believe in this story, making it a suspenseful read. It definitely had me reading late until the night and I wasn’t expecting the promised incredible twist!

View all my reviews

Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart – Review by Kerry Baker

Ale's Fair in Love and War (Love on Tap, #1)Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Even before starting to read it, this book ticked all the boxes for me. Enemies-to-lover? Yes. Pranks and hilarity? Yes. Fun and relatable characters? Yes. As soon as I started this book I could not put it down. It is described as “your next weekend read” but I devoured this book in the space of an afternoon. It was such fun from start to finish, entertaining and hilarious. And yet, the author managed to strike the balance between that and a credible storyline.
I have read a few books by this author and I love how each and everyone of them is different. This is easily the most fun and the banter between the characters was amazing. I loved this book and already cannot wait to read it again.

View all my reviews

Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 3) by Winter Austin – Review by Rebeca Elliott Figueiras

Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, #3)Straight for the Kill by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 3 of the series and it was another incredible read. Once again, I was gripped beginning to end wanting desperately to know who was behind it all.
As with the last book, the author wrote this very well. The plot twists and clues had me second-guessing myself and who I believed was responsible/what I thought was happening. I truly believe the author found their calling writing crime thrillers, they do it so well!
The characters are written very well as before and learning more information about my favourite characters was great, and strategically done. The support that the characters show each other is great and I found myself getting emotionally invested and worrying for the safety of the characters and their family. I could not put it down.
Now I have the joy of being able to go back and read the first novel. I’ll be on the look out for more from this author!

View all my reviews

Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 2) by Winter Austin – Review by Rebeca Elliott Figueiras

Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, #2)Hush, My Darling by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh man, this was a good one! I was gripped from the beginning and I was kept guessing until the end.
The author wrote this so well – the plot twists and the clues sprinkled throughout were amazingly done and had me suspecting someone then changing my mind with the small details they added. The author definitely knew what they were doing throwing suspicion one way then the other.
The way the characters were written, fit with the twists and suspicions so well whilst also being the ‘perfect’ characters. Their interactions with each other, and the support they offer was great to witness. I went through a whole range of emotions and as I suspected one or another, my feelings about their actions changed as I read on.
I didn’t initially realise this was the second book in the series and although I will go back and read the first book I don’t think I missed anything too important. The author included the important and relevant information which I likely missed out from the first book so I felt like I had all the information I needed to enjoy the story. The thing I lacked from not reading the first is likely another great story.
I can’t wait to read more from this author!

View all my reviews

The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Chrissy Spulak

The Exchange: A NovelThe Exchange: A Novel by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel is a gripping story of an aspiring actor, Sam Crawford, and the unthinkable decision that she has to make. No matter what decision she makes, her life will be altered. This is a psychological thriller that does not disappoint. This story is realistic enough to frighten you into turning page after page. It is a decently paced story, with characters that make you care about the outcome. It is suspenseful and unpredictable and leaves you breathless with anticipation. The only thing I had trouble with was putting it down when reality beckoned. If you are looking for a suspenseful read that keeps you so engrossed that your eyes just zoom over the pages and your mouth hangs open, this is it. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty Book 2) by C.B. Lyall Review by Megan Conley

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty #2)The Veil of Corruption by C.B. Lyall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 2nd installment in a magical YA series about a young wizard who helps the witches and causes pandemonium. I really enjoyed this adventure. It’s really outside of my normal genres and it was a fantastic break. It’s a fairly lengthy read; however, it’s so well written that the pages just fly by. I love how invested C.B. Lyall makes the readers in the characters. And I love the way she builds the magical realms…absolutely fantastic. I would highly recommend reading the books in order as they definitely build on one another. Great YA fantasy!

Reviewed by @meggs1717

View all my reviews

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Megan Conley

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute retelling of Hansel and Gretel. As always, I love how Wickstrom weaves science and storytelling. Hansel and Gretel go out with their dad to have a picnic and along the way Gretel stops to identify and draw birds and other woodland creatures. They cross paths with the “witch” who makes them help her rebuild her house because they, and the animals, have been eating her “prize-winning house.” I do feel like this story ends abruptly and I had to go back a read it a couple of times to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

Reviewed by @meggs1717

View all my reviews

Cry Baby (Pierce Brothers Book 4) by Belinda Williams – Review by Lisa Helmick

Cry Baby: A Grump Sunshine Slow Burn Romantic Comedy (Pierce Brothers Book 4)Cry Baby: A Grump Sunshine Slow Burn Romantic Comedy by Belinda Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one was a little tough for me. I like the Pierce Brothers but the execution of the story was a struggle. There is a lot of introspection with one character in particular but it isn’t the only one. It just seemed too much and took me away from being in the moment with the story. Honestly I did some skimming during these times to keep the story moving along for me. This one deals with grief and denial for the most part. Sure there is the unknown baby element but it really takes a back seat to the problems that occur with the two main characters. This is listed as a rom com. I really don’t see that maybe smidgens but the darker side overtakes it all.

As stated I do love these brothers and their women. They are great support for whomever the story is about. I liked the breakdown of each of them from Noah’s POV.

I also enjoyed the growth that Noah’s character made. He had hard decisions to make but he did them smartly and I applaud him for that.

Overall this is an okay read for me. Not my favorite of the series but still good.

View all my reviews

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Maisie Dickinson

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love ItHow To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a beginner’s guide to writing a historical novel, such as historical romance or just historical fiction, and features information relating to research, writing tips, formatting, publishing, reviews, advertising, and self-publishing. I recommend this book because it has been a really interesting, informative, helpful book and Clark seems so intelligent and friendly, I would love to approach her if I ever write a historical novel and her comments throughout this book have made me feel comfortable enough to do that. It’s pushed me to get on with writing. ‘I write about different types of love because I’m fascinated that the one word ‘love’ has so many meanings and different feelings attached to it. And, let’s face it, I love love!’

View all my reviews

Spirit Guide (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 3) by Byrd Nash – Review by Helen Dawkins

Spirit Guide (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #3)Spirit Guide by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series by Byrd Nash. It is such a lighthearted story, but immediately grabs your attention and doesn’t let go! I read this book in one sitting! This is the 3rd book in the series “Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries” and personally this one has been my favorite so far! It went into a deeper explanation of exactly what the Morpheus Society and what they actually teach their students. The smaller plot with the romance with the duke of Archambeau kept me on the edge, wondering exactly what Madame Chalamet was feeling towards their relationship. I also enjoyed the banter between Madame Chalamet and her new apprentice, it showed a different side of Mys Chalamet and how she interacts with people. I cannot wait until book 4 is released and I can continue reading about their mysterious adventures and the relationship between the duke and Mys Chalamet.

View all my reviews

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty Book 2) by C.B. Lyall Review by Tausha Treadway

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty #2)The Veil of Corruption by C.B. Lyall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty Book 2) by C.B. Lyall. I have really enjoyed this series even though its not my favorite genre. Its the story of Wilf Gilvary who is teen wizard but wizardry is not his favorite thing. He loves soccer and just being a teen in Hong Kong. He is trying hard to hide his magic from his teammates and trying to keep it in control at other times. He shares a bond of attraction to Katryna who is a young witch but he’s only attracted to her due to their bond. Wilf is also trying to fix The Veil which is going all wonky because of him. On top of all that he’s trying to find Myra his sister who murdered their father. This read is so full of all the things, magic, emotions, murder and fantasy. This is such a fun series so buckle up and start this fun fantasy series!

View all my reviews

The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Jenique Bornman

The Exchange: A Novel by Nadija Mujagic

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

This story has the potential to be a best seller!

The storyline is extremely interesting and has a lot of surprising twists, especially the end.

The main character’s inner dialog is all over the place but in a good way, it kept me guessing what was real and what wasn’t. I was truly expecting it all to have been a psychotic breakdown or something.

My only reason for not giving this book 5 stars is because there are some time-line and time jumps that were really confusing and that took away from the story.

If the author sorts out those minor issues this book can definitely be a best seller

 

 

View all my reviews

 

Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart – Review by Jennifer Gordon

Ale's Fair in Love and War (Love on Tap, #1)Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable and engaging romantic comedy which kept me happily turning the pages. I love the main characters, Cash and Hollis who are both likeable and relatable characters with plenty of chemistry. Cash runs his family’s brewery and Hollis is a dog groomer and they are neighbours, the worst neighbours, this is an enemies to lovers romance. The pair have plenty of banter between them and they like to play pranks on one another, but when Cash thinks Hollis has gone too far, he’s willing to play dirty to save his business. This is a fun, lighthearted story with plenty of laugh out loud moments, but also full of emotion and of course romance. The couples sizzling chemistry leads to some rather steamy scenes, and I was cheering them on to a HEA.

View all my reviews

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty Book 2) by C.B. Lyall Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

The Veil of Corruption (The Virus of Beauty #2)The Veil of Corruption by C.B. Lyall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book two in the Virus of Beauty series continues the story from the first book and centers on teen wizard Wilf. In Book One we learned about Wilf who has no interest in magic and all he truly wants to do is play soccer. However, life has other plans for him, and he now finds himself caught in the middle of a long-held dispute between the witches and the wizards. The ongoing dispute has somehow destabilized the Magical Realm and it is up to Wilf to find the antidote for the Virus of Beauty that many of the witches have been plagued with before it is too late.

When Wilf’s stepsister, Myra, disappears it is left up to Wilf to find her and bring her to justice. In his quest to find her the defensive barrier known as the Veil between the witch and wizard cities becomes corrupted and Wilf is blamed. The corruption of the Veil allows the virus to spread and affects both wizards and witches throughout the magical realm. When evil strikes and his witch friend, Katryna, is kidnapped Wilf will do anything to save her even if it means that he risks his own life in doing so. He is the only one that holds the key to saving both his friend and the Magical Realm from certain disaster.

Book Two in the Virus of Beauty Series did not disappoint. The reader is transported to places all over the world as the wizards and witches fight to stabilize the magical realm before it destroys them all. Our teen wizard Wilf has to really step into his role as wizard because this unlikely hero is the only one who can save them. Wilf must put aside his thoughts and feelings on what his perception of a normal life may be and embrace his wizard side while fighting evil head on. Wilf really discovers who he is and what he is capable of as he becomes stronger as both a person and a wizard. It was interesting to read how his relationship with Katryna unfolded and how her family slowly came to terms with it.

This book has everything a YA reader can hope for in one place. Magic, self-discovery, adventure, suspense, unlikely heroes, family drama, young romance, and even some witty banter. It held my attention and kept me reading until the end. The overall most intriguing part of the story for me, since Book One, has been what the witches perceive as beauty in their realm. For them to catch a virus that makes them beautiful by our society standards is horrifying. In their realm ‘beauty’ is defined entirely different and for the witches you are ‘beautiful’ if you have warts, hairy chins, and large noses. It truly goes to show how perception can change everything and what one sees as normal, or beautiful, is not necessarily the same way another person may view it. Fascinating concept! I highly recommend!

View all my reviews@tarab

The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Heather Watson

The Exchange: A NovelThe Exchange: A Novel by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This the first book by Nadija Mujagic I have read, and I was a little disappointed. I was expecting to get my feet knocked off. I can see a lot of potential with this book. It is a good coming of age story and I saw some twist and turns. I was reading to see what was going to happen next. I enjoyed reading this story but just wish it flowed better.

View all my reviews

A Stranger in Disguise (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome) by P.J. Mann – Review by Jennifer Gordon

A Stranger in Disguise: An Italian Murder Mystery (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome)A Stranger in Disguise: An Italian Murder Mystery by P. J. Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a gripping crime mystery story full of suspense, which had me hooked from start to finish. Detective Maurizio Scala is in Rome, Italy, where he has a case to solve, a member of a foreign acting company has been brutally murdered. The Detective believes the last person to see the victim is a suspect, but then later fears he has a killer on his hands when she’s found by the river dead. As Detective Scala investigates he discovers that the apparent simple life of the victim is actually very complex. As more secrets emerge the Detective must stop the killer before they strike again. A thrilling whodunit, this is actually book four in a series, but I easily read it as a standalone story, however having been introduced to the Detective, I’m intrigued to read the rest of the series. The characters and setting came alive through the detailed descriptive narrative, and the plot twists kept me guessing as to the outcome of the story. An entertaining and engaging read, which I recommend.

View all my reviews

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennifer Allen

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of my favorite stories when I was younger was that of Hansel and Gretel. This is the retelling of that story, with a nicer version than the original. I enjoyed the concept Lois conveys of helping someone in need. A very quick read with a good message. If you like classic children’s tales with a slight twist, this is the book for you.

View all my reviews

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Kristin Boutelle

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love ItHow To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How to Write a Historical Novel and Love It has quite a bit of information from the writing portion all the way to publishing. I did learn that there is way more to it than just writing a story. There are a lot of things to consider depending on what era you’re more interested in. The author wrote this in a way where everyone can understand and there are a few quirks in it to keep it from being too boring.

View all my reviews

Cry Baby (Pierce Brothers Book 4) by Belinda Williams – Review by Tausha Treadway

Cry Baby: A Grump Sunshine Slow Burn Romantic Comedy (Pierce Brothers Book 4)Cry Baby: A Grump Sunshine Slow Burn Romantic Comedy by Belinda Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cry Baby (Pierce Brothers Book 4) by Belinda Williams. I love this author so it was no surprise that I loved this book in the Pierce Brothers series. Its the story of Noah Pierce and how his life has been turned all kinds of sideways. He is a hard working guy that seems to have a chip on his shoulder. He is much better with numbers than people and he loves being alone so when his best friend passes and leaves him custody of her little girl Noah is scared to death. Enter Amy who becomes his nanny and tries to be his friend. She is trying to break down his walls and in doing so she falls in love with him. Amy is so easy going and loves life so they are totally different but she’s really good for Noah. Noah is determined to find the father of this little girl and Amy is determined to make Noah realize how much he needs this family. Read Cry Baby to find out if Amy succeeds.

View all my reviews

Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart – Review by Tonya Merritt

Ale's Fair in Love and War (Love on Tap, #1)Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A classic enemy turned into a lovers story. Sylvia gives you a storyline and follows through with enough real life events to make you feel like you are living the book but adds the spice you always think about in your dark thoughts. Cash needs to save his bar but Hollis keeps pranking him. Will they call a truce and find the love they are meant to find?

View all my reviewers

Echoing Hearts (The Echo Series Book 1) by C.R. Alam – Review by Katie Matthews

Echoing Hearts (Book 1 of The Echo Series)Echoing Hearts by C.R. Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a beautifully written story, I really did enjoy it. The characters were well written and were likeable. Dean and Rae were both great characters to read about, their first encounter actually made me chuckle – Dean was not impressed but there was so clearly an instant attraction between them. They both had past issues that was preventing them both from even contemplating a relationship but I was desperately rooting for them both the whole way through the book. I think Rae was definitely my favourite character, she had such a wonderful personality and was so full of confidence and independence – I just loved her!
Overall a lovely read that is well written. I would definitely recommend it to other readers.

@katiem
View all my reviews

Deadly Intentions by Anise Storm – Review by Katie Matthews

Deadly IntentionsDeadly Intentions by Anise Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always get excited when I see a new book from this author as I have read and enjoyed so many of hers and this was no exception. I will admit with was a dark romance read but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was well written with a great pace and flow to it. I loved the twists and turns and the characters were great to read about. This had a really gritty storyline that kept me turning the pages so I could see what was going to happen. The characters Nazario and Viviano were both really strong – I found them really interesting to read about especially Nazario – he was certainly different to what I expected!
I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy the romance on the darker side! You won’t be disappointed!

@katiem
View all my reviews

Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart – Review by Katie Matthews

Ale's Fair in Love and War (Love on Tap, #1)Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this author so much! Her stories are so much fun to read and this new release from her was just amazing! I loved every minute of it and is definitely one of my favourite reads of 2023 so far!
I loved the banter between Hollis and Cash – I’m pretty sure if they were younger they would pushing each other over in the playground and pulling each other’s hair! They had an undeniable amount of chemistry between them but hated each other equally!
There were a lot of laugh out loud moments especially between the two main characters which made it very entertaining to read! I am really looking forward to the next book in this series!

@katiem
View all my reviews

The Thieves (The Millersville series) by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Shelly Kittell

The ThievesThe Thieves by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book 2 of the series and it’s just as good as the previous book. It’s a fast-paced story of two duos and this book will have you wanting to see what’s coming next. I was pulled right back into the story after finishing book 1. It’s exciting and I personally found the characters to grow on me after a bit. I couldn’t put the book down. I have enjoyed the series and I do hope for more.

View all my reviews