Shalom Israel: A place like no other by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This unique picture book takes us through Israel with engaging rhymes and colourful pictures. I would highly recommend this book for all ages to experience the streets of Israel in a distinctive way.
This book is such a refreshing way to celebrate teachers, especially when the world is making their jobs more difficult. I can say from personal experience that teachers have full plates, and that we are humans. All teachers are different and act differently. I love how the story includes various ways that teachers look, act, and care about students. This book would be a great back to school gift for any teacher. I could also see this being a wonderful gift for elementary education graduates.
A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A very sweet dedication to teachers everywhere! This book shows that teachers have their students in their hearts all the time. I know many teachers and this book describes them all perfectly. This book should be given to all children as they enter primary school. A kids should reference it often!
wonderful illustrations and a great quick read!
Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have absolutely loved this entire series, honestly, enough that I will likely read again soon! I do not do that often, so that speaks volumes for this series and author!
Brutal Nights is a continuation of Damon and Sky’s story. I’m captivated from the very start with each book and this one was no different. There is so much drama, heat, and angst in this book, Damon and Sky might just be my favorite couple from this series. I am and always will be a sucker for the bully romance trope. Please, if you are a fan of this genre, do yourself a favor and read this series, you will not be disappointed!
Falling Again: A Buckeye Falls Novel by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In this poignant, sweet romance, Natalie and Anthony realize that they are missing something, each other. They are parents, business owners, the mayor, friends, siblings, children to their parents….but there seems to be a title missing. Husband and wife. It seems like they have forgotten that part.
Natalie constantly feels that she is failing with her children, her job, her responsibilities as the Mayor’s wife, and even failing herself. The biggest problem is that she can’t remember when she was Anthony’s wife. When he looked at her this morning as she stripped her chocolate stained shirt of to bathe their daughter, she realized that it has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too long since that has happened. She can’t remember the last time she saw him shirtless, much less naked.
Anthony has such big shoes to fill. Since his father was Mayor before him, Anthony feels the weight of his father’s shadow everywhere. Throw in trying to be a good dad, a decent son, an okay brother to a sister he doesn’t understand, a friend, Anthony forgot that he needs to be a good husband. Natalie is his everything. She is an amazing mom, a true support, and a better partner than he deserves. It takes a morning disaster for Anthony to realize that he needs to be better, do better.
When Anthony’s father asks him to take Natalie out to their summer house and pack it up to get it ready to sell, Anthony sees this opportunity to get some time with his wife. To finally have time to talk to her. To reconnect. After an almost perfect week, Anthony and Natalie come back ready to recommit to their marriage and lives. Anthony thinks he has found the perfect way to show Natalie this, a surprise 10th anniversary party. The only problem?? Anthony sucks at keeping secrets. He screws everything up. He is on the verge of losing Natalie and now must rely on friends to help, something he has never been good at doing. Will she forgive him? Or will this be the final straw that drives Natalie away?
This was a smash addition to this series about 2nd chances at love. The emotions that Natalie and Anthony felt were so real and raw. Anyone that has been in a relationship for 10 years or more knows what they were going through. Sometimes you just know that person is going to be there and you just forget to nurture them and the bond. Beautiful story.
Smooth Hoperator by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Smooth Hoperator is the second book in the Love on Tap series by Sylvie Stewart. This was such a fun romcom with witty banter, chemistry, sizzle, antics, endearing zany characters, family, friendship, animal antics, drama, grumpy vs sunshine, finding love unexpectedly, and emotion. The humour, antics, drama, and zaniness were nicely balanced by the emotional aspects of the story, as well as some sweet and tender touches.
I loved Cash and Hollis in the first book and so I was really looking forward to this second instalment in this fabulous series. I think it may have just eclipsed the first book for me, and I loved every second of Sunny and Carter’s story.
The ending has left me anticipating what Ms. Stewart might have in store for us in the next instalment- bring on Book #3!!
If you love a great romcom with endearing characters, emotion, and lots of laughs- then I highly recommend this book and series….
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Sylvie Stewart!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a really gripping story from the very beginning! The author takes you on a thrill ride into the mind of the main character Mitch. Reading from his point of view is disturbing at times but that makes the book that much more interesting. Throughout the book I thought I had figured out what was going on and then by the end realized I had no idea. This story completely took me by surprise. The author did such a good job writing this story and taking you on a deep dive into the character’s mind. This was such a great page turner that I was not expecting. I read this book in a few hours because I could not put it down. I will definitely be looking into their other books!
Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a great 5 star read. Once I started I finished pretty quickly. I really enjoyed this story and characters. My emotions were all over the place. The author does a great job of pulling you in with her writing. Heath is missing something from his life and Grace just might be the person he is looking for. But they come from two different worlds. Can Heath convince Grace to give him a chance? Overall I enjoyed these two, I had LOL moments at the bantering. All of the characters added a great element to the story. It was nice seeing some from previous books. This book can be read as a stand alone but I suggest starting with book one. I look forward to reading more from this author. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
View all my reviews
The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3 Stars
The Misery House is the first book in The House on the Hill series by David Duane Kummer. This book marks the start of a three-book series that promises lots of chills. This story had me intrigued from the moment I saw the cover and I didn’t have to know anything else before I snapped up a copy and dove right in to discover what happens. This has all the ingredients that I love to find in an engrossing story…
-psychological thriller
-peaceful small town
-small-minded townsfolk
-prejudices
-a creepy old house
-urban legends
-fear
-tension
-horror
-high stakes
-investigation
-sinister feel
-intensity
-mystery
-suspense
The only thing that I felt would have made this even better was I would have liked the story to have had a bit better flow, as it did seem to get bogged down at times which gave it a choppy feel. But this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that will lead us into the next book- so I am intrigued to continue the story in Book #2.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, David Duane Kummer!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Falling Again: A Buckeye Falls Novel by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m happy to say it’s time we returned to Buckeye Falls. Falling Again is the third book in this series and probably my favorite. The way this book played out is different but felt so real. I understand that what the author wrote is fiction, but it’s very relatable. Being a workaholic myself I understand how one could get lost in their work and distance themselves from what matters most. It’s also easier said than done to overcome that hurdle to create balance. That’s exactly what these characters are doing in this story.
Natalie and Anthony are the face of the town, and though everyone believes they are perfect they truly are struggling inside. This book takes them on a path of self discovery for why they got married in the first place. To find their spark that’s been lost the last few years.
Which is why I said it’s relatable, marriage isn’t easy. But you need to make sure there’s balance. Work life and home life, communication, physical activities, because if you lose all that why stay together. Some people choose that time to walk away, others find a way to try and fight through before giving up. And that’s exactly what these two characters do, they fight to find a way.
Unfortunately something happens that deters that whole effort. Is it too late to fix it?
The drama that unfolds will have you rooting for the grumpy mayor from the previous two books to come out on top.
I hope this isn’t the end of this series and there’s more to come, because it’s one of my favorites.
The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Amazing psychological thriller. Grabbed me right from the beginning and kept me turning pages and wanting more, I didn’t want to put it down. Great suspense and good plot twists to keep you guessing. Characters are very well written. Remember this is the book one in a series, so definitely a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next book.
House of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The moment the book starts you know it will be filled with passion. Caitlin, must go to New Orleans on business instead of vacation; Evariste owns the company that Caitlin is inspecting. From the first moment the two interact, there is instant connection. Evariste knows that fate had to bring Caitlin to him as she appears to be his late wife. Caitlin doesn’t understand her intense attraction. This was an intense book with constant surprises. If you’re looking for a great fantasy with wonderful character development, definitely pick this book up.
When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is an interesting collection of stories. They give a new look into fairy tales. You will recognize many of the characters that give these stories a helping hand. They will remind you of tales that you heard as a child and when magic ruled. The author has brought the old and familiar into the present day. It was nice to see the way the stories evolved and tied together. I enjoy reding new and updated fairytales and this collection had some engaging reads. Some stories and characters stood out more than others abut as a whole this collection was a good read.
The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, David Kummer has made it on my favorite authors list for sure with this book. I can not wait to read the other books in the series! A psychological thriller full of suspense and twists. I could not tell what the secrets were until they were revealed. Just can not brag enough about this story and how well David told it.
Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love this series so damn much! Each book just gets more amazing and intense! I can’t get enough of them. The drama, the thrill, the suspense, the angst, the SPICE 🥵 I will never stop suggesting this series. And this book captivated me just like the others. I could put it down because I just needed to know what happens next! READ THIS!
Rise of the Hunter by Barb Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Details. While this isn’t the first book I have read by the incredible Barb Jones, it is the first Blood Prophecy book I have read. With that being said, I didn’t feel lost while reading the story despite it being the fourth book in the series, it is the first book in a new trilogy, the Tall Dark Man. Told from several perspectives throughout the book jumps around between varies times in ancient history, and in some cases creation itself and the present day.
The Tall Dark Man was long thought dead, but he is alive and is planning his revenge on the queen. Determined to keep the peace Queen Amber sets out on a new quest, to complete the task Michael was working on before his death. The Romani book chose her to continue the quest of finding all the missing pages, to succeed at stopping evil. Raven is given the task of finding the book while Arioch is given the task of finding Malakai and bringing him to their master. After being cursed by Raven, Malakai seeks help in hopes of being able to undo the curse without putting Amber in danger and returning to her side.
Will the Tall Dark Man succeed in getting his vengeance? Can Amber find all of the pages and keep the evil from getting the fifth stone? The author’s ability to put so much history into her work while keeping you guessing how it’s all going to play out is incredible. While at first, I found the multiple perspective jumps not only between characters but time frames difficult to keep up with. It was truly fascinating to see how the relevance was seamless as it all built upon the prophecies and what was to come. I was in a constant state of anticipation with each page as I was eager to discover how it would turn out. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what will happen next.
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my third book by this author because her writing style is completely addicting. She’s one of the few authors that I would pick up any book without reading the synopsis because I know I’m going to enjoy regardless. I love dark psychological thrillers so this one was right up my alley. We get to get inside the mind of a narcissistic professor, Mitch, which was pretty unsettling, but the mysterious circumstances he finds himself in are unbelievable. Without giving anything away, know that you are on a ride full of twists and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end! It just goes to show that the truth can only be buried for so long.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
https://www.amazon.com/review/RJQVGPDF66OZ0/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It kept me second-guessing where I thought the story was going to go and the ending was quite a surprise. A definite whodunit thriller! It left me wondering how things would continue if there were to be a sequel. I can honestly say that I was surprised at how it ended, definitely not what I predicted would happen. It was easy to empathize with the characters in the book and understand how they would be feeling.
I look forward to reading more from Nadija!
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2222775792
A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Way Out gripped my attention from the very first chapter to the very last! I enjoyed everything about this book. This author writes characters that you can relate to even if you’ve never been in their situation, which I find rare and intriguing. The story of Maria and Oz is anything but conventional, but I was still fully invested throughout the whole book. I loved their chemistry, and the flow of this story was perfect. It is part of a series (that I will be picking up) but I read as a standalone and didn’t feel lost at all. Pick it up and get lost in this spectacular contemporary romance for the day!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ok, I just don’t know how I feel about this book. It absolutely had my attention, and I couldn’t put it down. But it was shocking and tragic. The story is about Mitch Wegner. Mitch works at Vermont University. He is intelligent and rather egotistical. But his life is shaken when a student dies. Evidence and circumstances seem to point to him being responsible. This starts him having strange thoughts and a general unraveling in his mind. There was a twist of sorts at the end, and it ended in a sad way. That being said, I read it quickly to find out what happened, so I give it 4 stars!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn is the start of Phoenix and Aspen’s story. This short prequel starts with a bang and does not let up! It’ll be tough waiting for the rest of their story. I need to know how it unfolds from here because Phoenix is resembling his own father’s path in this prequel.
If you’re just starting the Hidden Valley Elite Series you could start here, but I’d highly recommend starting from the very beginning to get the full effect of the plot lines and characters.
House of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my first book by this author, but I love all things paranormal, so I gave it a chance. I always go into a book with an open mind, and I am simply blown away by this one! I definitely stayed up way too late finishing it because I had to know what was going to happen. The level of detail was just the right mixture before becoming overwhelming and the story flowed so well. I highly recommend picking this up and getting lost in the story of Caitlin and Evariste/Gage, you’ll be addicted too!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this retelling of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, instead of Goldilocks destroying the Bears home, she comes back to help fix the things that she broke using the simple machines she learned about. Everything from pully’s, inclines, the wheel, screws and the other simple machines she is able to right her wrongs that she did previously. Teaching about the six simple machines in a creative way is fantastic and adorable. My kids immediately wanted to try them out after they read this story and thought of different ways and little projects they could do.
Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In the second half of Skylar and Damon’s story, they have been discovered in a compromising fashion. To say Gia is livid is an understatement. Gia is somehow still popular despite Damon not choosing to date her. Gia does all she can to ensure Sky’s life is as miserable as possible. Instead of seeking revenge, Sky has decides the only way to redemption is to stay away from Damon and endure Gia’s tormenting actions all while dealing with complications from her father.
Damon fights for Skylar and their happily ever after. Meanwhile, Skylar is making herself miserable by fighting Damon’s pull. Once Sky is honest with Damon about matters in her personal life, Damon will do all he can to keep Sky. Will Damon and Skylar get their happily ever after or go separate ways to find love?
A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My kiddos and I absolutely loved this story! The illustrations are beautiful and my youngest wanted me to linger on each page a little longer just to take them in. Every teacher is different with their styles and the way they relate to their students, but they ALL care so much about their kids year after year. Teachers love to watch their students finally grasp a concept or share knowledge they have with others in the class. I highly recommend reading this with the kids (and teachers) in your life!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series has been really good so far! This is the fourth book and follows Kimber, Tasha’s sister. This story really grabbed my attention and so far may be my favorite in the series. We meet Fabian in this book and he is a very interesting character. We learn so much more about Kimber and her background.There is a ton of character growth and I loved that so much. I really enjoy the way the author writes the characters and their feelings. I so enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
My Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thought the cover of this book was pretty cute as I love to travel, so I picked it up without paying much attention to the synopsis. I dove right in and found myself in love with Tessa and Simon, who seem to embody the ‘opposites attract’ theory we hear so much about. I found myself engrossed in all of the places these two keep encountering each other, and I would have had such a difficult time turning away after just the second meeting! The story flowed well, and I couldn’t read fast enough to see the ending through the emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend if you like deep emotions that bring out a tear or two!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Magic Calls is a collection of fantasy paranormal fairy tales that will surely sweep you away to magical places that are a bit out of the ordinary. This collection will have you looking at things differently and wondering if perhaps there is magic all around us in our everyday lives, in the ordinary things we overlook. Places like a magical museum for instance, that almost seemed to appear out of thin air because nobody could remember it being constructed. Ordinary tales that have taken a bit of a darker twist into something paranormal. This collection was beautifully written with wonderful characters and interesting stories that draw you in and compel you to keep reading. The author did a fantastic job of creating modern fairytales that combine creativity with fun while adding a spooky element to them. I highly recommend this book!
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Master of Demise by Nadja Mujagic
3 Stars
I don’t usually read thrillers. I came across this book and the blurb drew me in. I was intrigued. Mitch has a good life. He’s married to a woman whom he loves very much. He’s an accomplished scholar and professor at a university. He also has a blown up sense of self importance. I struggled to like him. You find out that his childhood wasn’t the most pleasant. I kind of felt bad for him but I believe in karma so he got what he deserved.
The story has many twists and turns. The author did a good job keeping the reader guessing “ who done it”. There were times that I was confused because there are two characters talking in the first person but the chapters didn’t differentiate between the two. I also found the story to be a little slow at times. Honestly I was disappointed with the ending. The book started off really well then took a slow nosedive.
Review by @Anna Hirsch
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Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Just sweet and steamy. This is my first time reading Bree Kraemer and all I can say is that I am now a fan.
This is book 3 in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Heath is your all star pitcher who has had a great career but realizes he is at a standstill in his personal life. Well until he encounters Grace, someone he didn’t know he wanted until he realized he was lying to himself. Grace is from the part of time someone like Heath shouldn’t want someone from. Grace is smart, bossy and has goals.
This story was sweet, steamy and frustrating all in one for me. I absolutely love the character buildup and the banter between characters. You get a full story that is not rushed. You get front row seats to them being vulnerable, their relationships with their friends, family and pets. It is definitely a great read and I can’t wait to read more stories by this author.
