The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Beautiful art work. Chester wants to to have the skills and qualities the messy kids have, he thinks they always do things better than he ever could, but, in the end, he is the leader, showing the messy kids how to clean up properly. I love this book showcases the good behind cleaning up your mess, being a leader instead of following along and, the imagination of children.
The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the funniest book I’ve read. Chester learns how to clean up messes the right way. This is a humorous story. My grandson and I read it in a restaurant yesterday waiting for our meal. We were giggling at the messes Chester and the Messy Kids got into. The ending was our favorite parts. The illustrations are bright colorful. You can’t help but laugh with the story. It’s entertaining and teaches a wonderful lesson. This is the funniest book I’ve read. Chester learns how to clean up messes the right way. This is a humorous story. My grandson and I read it in a restaurant yesterday waiting for our meal. We were giggling at the messes Chester and the Messy Kids got into. The ending was our favorite parts. The illustrations are bright colorful. You can’t help but laugh with the story. It’s entertaining and teaches a wonderful lesson.
Seen by Lori Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed everything about this book, right from the beginning. I couldn’t put it down or find out what would happen next to mouse. This read was filled with so much that can really keep you in the story till the end, sci-fi, adventure, action, violence, murder, mystery, suspense, drama. The way the settings were detailed it makes you feel like your right there in the story watching like a fly on the wall. It really brought the story to life and makes you feel like this world could be real. Mouse is an incredible character, she has to fight as a journalist but ended up seeing something that maybe she shouldn’t have, but she is a strong-willed girl. Mouses development in the story is incredible it’s like she grow up right before your eyes. The other characters are amazingly well written and well developed it makes you feel like you know them in real life. This was an incredible story and im happy I was able to read it.
Acting Counsel by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Acting Counsel is the 3rd book in the King of Screens series but can be read as a standalone. This book tells the story of Nathan, hot shot actor and known flirt and Catrina, a strong career driven attorney about to make a name for herself and become partner of her firm. That is, until she gets her next client and finds that its Nathan…. her unforgettable one night stand from 2 nights ago. This story is full of forbidden romance, secret flirting, stolen looks, touches, and kisses. Catrina an Nathan have a chemistry that is undeniable from the start that is written all over the pages. Mixed with some drama and ending with a HEA makes for a quick enjoyable read!
The Messy Kids by Lois J Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have read several books by Lois Wickstrom, and all of them tell a message or solve a problem but through a narrative or story instead of being preachy. I can see kids making up their own imaginary friends, or even turning this into a STEAM experience and have them make a messy helper to remind them to clean their spaces.
I appreciate how the illustrator always depicts kids with different skin colors, disabilities, etc. as well as the central messages of the story line. Some picture books tend to be too wordy for young kids, but this one does not- I could see young kids really enjoying it!
Acting Counsel by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Catrina Sinclair is a no nonsense lawyer and her firm has one major rule: not to sleep with your clients.
Easy enough. Until her one night fling walks into her office Monday morning. Now he’s her client and she’s got to keep her hands to herself. If only he’d do the same.
Nathan Logan has everything: power, success and fame. But he’s lacking someone in his life he can share it with who won’t turn around and sell him out.
When he meets Catrina all bets are off for the night, then she’s gone and he’s left wanting more, so when he walks into the meeting with his new lawyer and it’s her? He’s determined not to let her go even if it means losing everything he’s worked so hard to get.
I enjoyed this book in the King of Screens series almost as much as I enjoyed Married Blind (which I devoured in a day)! It’s got a ton of bantering and a whole lot of what ifs involved.
Enjoyable and definitely a hilarious read, I’m excited to read the rest of the Kings of Screens titles and sink my hands into more by this author.
If you’re a fan of one night turning into so much more, or forbidden attraction, or sexy men, then you’ll likely love this book too. These men are all tall, handsome, and YUM!
Hope and Lies by C.H. Lyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
For dystopian lovers
This was a brilliant read. The author has a flair for fantasy and builds a world that is unique and engaging. The characters are well developed and the plot was wonderfully executed. There are multiple layers and a world full of possibilities. I loved the world and the factions reminded so much of Divergent. I am looking forward to book 2. Highly recommend.
The Messy Kids by Lois J Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an author who writes fun and entertaining children’s books. I have enjoyed reading her books from the first book I picked up. They are great children’s stories that are engaging and have colorful pages that could tell the story without words. In this story Chester is asked to clean his room. But he finds cat-faced aliens who seem to get him in more trouble with his mother. Can he teach these aliens where his things belong or will he find himself in more trouble. I enjoyed Chester and his imaginary friends. They are great characters that any child will enjoy reading about and what happens to them. I highly recommend this book and the other books by this author.
Review by @bjwagner
Fireflies by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars
Mixed feelings
This was an interesting read – the cover and blurb drew me in. The story started strong with Dane and Mike looking to enhance their relationship by adding in a female. I think if the storyline stayed on this path it would have been enough. The story takes on some other aspects and I did feel a bit disconnected from the characters at times. I pushed through and the ending was not what I expected. Still worthwhile giving it a go.
Acting Counsel by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fun
This is the third book in the Kings of screen series and what an enjoyable read. With witty banter, flirtatious interludes and a guy who knows what he wants this contemporary romance is a quick read that is well written and draws you in. Carina and Nathan area great couple and I loved the dual POV. This is a great afternoon delight. Recommend.
Hope and Lies by C.H. Lyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dystopian novels are my favorite. I feel like there are not enough of the genre out there, but let me tell you, this is a great one. The author knows how to create amazing characters, a world that you can easily place yourself into, and a plot that flows seamlessly. I started this novel absolutely despising Juliana, but by the end I wanted to be her best friend. She starts out stuck up (as you would expect from a high caste) and she is put in her place by becoming a white star. I truly feel that she realizes by the end that she is supposed to be a moon.
The only bad thing I have to say about this novel is that it can be a little dense in parts, but that is because the author is creating this amazing world with explicit detail that cannot be missed. In my eyes, that does not deserve one less star; I cannot fault an author for detail. I also love that the storylines fall together by the end of this book. May is one of my favorite characters because she is an old lady that wants to help everyone she can. She ends up saving Anthony’s life, but I will not go into detail about that. You will just have to read and find out for yourself. I cannot wait to dive into the next in this series because I just cannot get enough!
Review by @aware
View all my reviews
Fireflies by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book really deals with adult situations and what happens when couples think their relationship isn’t meeting all their needs. a M/M couple wants to expand on their family or have one for that matter. This means opening the doors to situations or ideas that could possibly hurt their relationship or make it stronger. I haven’t read a lot of M/M/F books before so with that said, I feel that this books approaches the subject matter in a safe and educating way. I feel that the author was able to take this relationship and not only make a great story but also inform the readers in something that not everyone is well versed in. That is a true talent. I read this book quickly because I became emotionally invested in what was happening with the couple and how things were going to end. I recommend reading this not in public because the steam is off the charts and made me blush a bunch!!
Enjoy a new world or an existing one.
Reviewed by: @bbohls
Ghosts of Alda by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
~ The Horrors of Alda Continue ~
I have been looking forward to the second book in this series for awhile…and I am so stoked to have gotten the chance to read it! As with the first book in the Obscured Throne series, I don’t typically read dark fantasy. However this series seemed to whisper to me in a way I simply couldn’t resist. Ghosts of Alda by Russell Archey lived up to my expected hype, which was incredibly gripping from the beginning through to the end, I seriously couldn’t put it down!!!
The reader gets transported through several different character perspectives, each one not only haunting but also very well developed. I found myself lost in their tales. You learn more about the evil that is gripping the world of Alda, and the Black Gnarl at it’s center. We find out that the good forces, are being sustained by the Fifth magic, could there be hope after all? The Obscured Throne’s Eldritch Inheritors stand in the way though, they are elusive horrors worthy of any fright night tales.
Russell once again did an amazing job putting you right there in the world of Alda…hang on, because as you read you may find your spine tingling with fear right alongside the humans, dwarves, and elves in the realm of Alda.
Reviewed by @taylorkstephenson
Ghosts of Alda by Russell Archey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great imagery and adventure
This is the second book in the Obscured Throne Trilogy and is so well crafted that I couldn’t put it down. The characters and world building held me captive right until then end. This starts off straight after book one and the reader is thrown into an adventure filled with action, uncovered secrets, drama, magic, suspense and loads of mystery. It is hard not to get swept up in this author’s writing. Definitely start with book one. I can’t wait for book 3. Recommend.
Breathless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Acting Counsel by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Acting Counsel is another fun story and the third book in the Kings of Screen series by Morgana Bevan. It is a close proximity romance tale in the heart of all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. It can be read as a standalone but as I always say start at the beginning you never know what you may be missing. This light-hearted contemporary romance is a quick read.
I enjoyed the banter and the push of the relationship between Catrina and Nathan. I love that the story is told in dual POV. It shows you who the characters truly are. It exposes them warts and all.
She’s not putting her heart on the line for a client and not one that has a reputation.
He wants something real and is willing to let it all go.
If you want to know what happens then make sure you read it yourself.
With friendships and sassiness, chemistry and steam, angst and drama it makes for a nice escape for a few hours.
I look forward to reading more in the series.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Ghosts of Alda by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ghosts of Alda is the second book in The Obscured Thorne fantasy Trilogy. I said it before, but I will say it again Russell’s work reminds me of Tolkien works. I found myself immersed in this post-apocalyptic world.
This riveting tale is fast paced and intriguing. The world building, Russell’s imagination and the character development are all well-crafted. Multilayered threads have been woven together to create a multi-faceted world that is steeped in evil. The Ghosts of Alda shows world in ruin and people who are trying to save themselves from an evil entity.
Ghosts of Alda is an original and unique action-packed adventure story that kept me engaged and the pages turning. The book is a nice blending of dystopian fantasy with the right amount of darkness, and intensity that had me on the edge of my seat.
I am definitely hooked on this Trilogy now and looking forward to the third and final book.
The story has you wondering where Russell will take us next.
Reviewed by @jennadb
.•°*°•. BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE .•°*°•.
Chester doesn’t want to clean his room. He says he wants to clean the sandbox first. Four cat-faced aliens arrive in a merry-go-round-shaped spaceship and make an even bigger mess than he did. When he finally goes inside, the aliens put all his toys under his bed. His mom is not pleased. And she can’t see the aliens. But, she tells Chester to teach the aliens where his things go. The aliens copy him again. Will his mom believe him?
Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
Lois is a former science teacher. She has written a series of science-based folktales. In each modernized tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending because of learning scientific principles. Lois likes to garden, ride her bike with her husband, cook, and she votes in every election.
Ghosts of Alda by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Ghosts of Alda is the second spell-binding book in The Obscured Throne Trilogy by Russell Archey. I am loving this fantastic series so much- after reading book one and developing a bit of an addiction for Mr. Archey’s work I couldn’t wait to continue what we started in the first instalment, so when this second instalment released, I put aside everything else I was doing/reading and plunged right in.
This continues the intriguing adventure we began in the previous book- fully immersing us in a vividly detailed dark fantasy with a bit of a dystopian feel, plenty of action, drama, secrets, revelations, magic, agendas, mystery, suspense, emotion, and interesting characters- all woven into a rich, captivating, complex, and multi-layered plot.
As with the first book, I love Mr. Archey’s epic storytelling talent, writing style, and his ability to completely capture my attention- immersing me so completely in his story that the ‘real world’ ceased to exist- and for me that is the mark of a truly skilled writer. He packs so much into his story, crafting an epic tale that came to life before my eyes as his world building skills are excellent- everything seemed so real and believable, it was easy to imagine everything he was describing, like it was playing out on a screen, not words written on a page. And as with the previous book, I can see this making a great movie or television series.
The storyline is entirely unique, with lots of dramatic developments and other clever and unique touches that made the story quite gripping- a real page turner. It is told from multiple perspectives, which gives the story extra depth as well as added intrigue. I love the cast of character, each one is cleverly crafted into a fully developed individual with their own unique personalities, quirks, and flaws. They definitely were the ‘stars’ of the show here. I was fully invested in them and the outcome of their story.
As I mentioned previously, I am hooked on this trilogy now and can’t wait to see where we go from here. If you love fantasy with a darker, edgier feel- then this is definitely the series for you- but I highly recommend reading the first book before starting on this one as there is a lot of important information, storyline, and character details that you should know before you embark on this second instalment to fully appreciate the adventure.
Bring on Book #3!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Russell Archey!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a beautiful and delightful read! This wonderfully illustrated story has an entertaining and imaginative storyline! The flipflop of traditional world to an animal world and their observations of humans was so fun. I just loved the characters, Ranger Marco and his adventure with Fawn and family exploring the human world was so cute. The characters and their interactions really made the story. This is an easy read that is fun for the whole family. It will put a smile on your face!
People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a great way to teach kids to change their perspective! This book is about Ranger Marco and the animal scientists he is giving a tour to see what they think about humans and the things they do. It’s a fun journey with a deer family and their racoon guide. The illustrations are magical and fun, it gives kids a chance to think about the environment and some of the things we do, and it is laugh-out-loud funny on more than one occasion. I loved it as much as my kids!
Ghosts of Alda by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is actually the first book I’m reading by this author. I have to go back and read book 1. However I must say this is by far one of the most creatively written books I’ve read this year. I could visualize everything the author described it. I could feel the fear the characters felt. I was dang near on the edge of my seat the entire time. At first I was a tad frustrated because every chapter focused on a different character and time. However it all came together nicely at the end. Im a little heartbroken that one of the characters I fell in love with had such a fate bestowed on her. But it made the story that much more impactful. I hope the good guys win in the last book. Definitely a 9/10.
PROOF: People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My kiddos and I thoroughly enjoyed People Safari and its gorgeous illustrations! We immediately picked up other books by this author as soon as we finished this one. It will have you giggling and give you a whole new perspective of nature, animals, and our environment. I thought it was a very cute book and definitely made my kids pretend to be animals observing me for the rest of the day! I highly recommend picking this up and sharing it with the younger ones in your life.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Breathless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read other books by this author so I figured it would be a good book and it exceeded all my expectations. This book can be read as a standalone but I suggest reading all the books in this series because they are great reads. I loved following the story of Hank and Ella Mae, there was so much emotion in this story. I found myself invested in these two characters’ lives and the outcome of the story. I was pulled into this story and couldn’t put it down until I found out what was going to happen between them and what was going to happen with Hank and Ella Mae’s careers. You don’t want to miss out on this wonderful story, I’m not going to give anything away so it’s my recommendation that you read it. I will be reading more books by this author.
Truly Unfortunate by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was an amazing read to get lost in! I couldn’t read it fast enough and was constantly surprised by what would happen next. The way this author creates Truly’s world is nothing short of incredible. I’m not often taken by surprise by books as they can be fairly predictable, but this one delivered. The blend of paranormal and crime was so superb I am searching out others that fit this bill as best as possible! The chapters themselves are a bit shorter than most books I read, but they flow so well together that I barely noticed. I highly recommend picking this up and answering this question yourself…is Truly really unfortunate?
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Ethan Ashford is a business man that once let the less cynical side of him to rule his actions, hurting not only his family but the entire world where he lives and thrives. Now he is out for revenge and the ending side of it won’t be to please about it.
Siena Maynard used to be a princess within her perfect little family, but tragedy takes away her parents, and now she must face the cold real world along with a brother who can’t be bothered to be clear headed and free of a very dangerous luggaged.
This enemies to lovers story is full of suspense and action, you won’t be able to put down the book.
Helen was a girl full of love and adventure for her 1st husband, but the latter was just so but not for her, but for his country. After just 3 years that country will take him away from her and she will suffer greatly.
Conway was a gentleman in all that matter, his business, partners and taking care of those he loved. Begin this kind of man helps a friend in need, one whose sister must be escorted safely back to home. Oh but destiny has all in hand, and the red ribbon will act.
A short and fantastic romance full of friendship and the power of healing, this story is for one cozy sitting.
People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a cute book! It was interesting to see the animals describe what us humans do everyday, and I guess it would be an interesting and different way to teach young children about why we do some of the things we do. The illustrations in this book was also very cute and colorful. I very much enjoyed looking at those! I look forward to reading this book to my daughter when she gets a little older and understands more.
Acting Counsel by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m a huge fan of the forbidden. This book has just that. This is part of a series, I read it just fine as a stand-alone but I am excited to read the others. The characters got me hooked right from the start. I found myself wishing I had more time in a day to read so I wouldn’t have to stop. It’s a well written storyline with characters you can connect with and root for. This is a newer author to me but I definitely can’t wait to read more. Four big stars and highly recommended to everyone.
The Boys of Alpha Block by Nancy Nau Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 Stars
I was intrigued with the storyline and the cover of this book and decided to dive in….and this was quite an enjoyable read! This story gave me lots of suspense, intrigue, rawness of the characters and definitely my heart for these boys and what they suffer as far as abuse…this author did a great job of storytelling.
What is the ultimate price of freedom and is it truly worth the cost? The boys at the correctional institute stir up a way to escape…..but at what worth? Escape the abuse from the institute officers… something has to happen……..
This story is truly a very good read…the struggle and what the boys endure at times….my heart.