The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Melissa Saxton

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Russel. We meet him as he’s struggling through school, failing exams, his best friend is now his constant bully. He’s been bumped to the basement for his room because his grandpa moved in. His father has a drinking problem. He feels resentful, he feels like he’s failing at everything.
Everyday he is supposed to bring grandpa to the park. Russell finds it silly grandpa wanted to ride the carousel every single day, but he’s about to learn just how special the carousel is!
Grandpa takes him on a journey to another land where Russel can be bold and brave. When they return from their first adventure grandpa has a stroke, leaving Russel to complete adventures
This book is a great read for school age kids with fantasty and real life components such as bullying, struggling at school, etc. So many great messages and I enjoyed the outcomes of the characters

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Crystal Brehant

Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very cute book that can help kids learn how to count from one to ten. The illustrations are cute and well done. I love the fun educational tidbits at the end. There is also a cute song that can be downloaded included. Great book to get a child’s attention and to keep it while reading.

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Cruel King by K.M. Scott – Review by Devon Pulliam

Cruel KingCruel King by K.M. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grab some tissues because you are going to need them with this book. There is some talk about grief so a little trigger warning for you.

It’s been a long time since I have fully fallen in love with a story and cried my way through it. This one had me feeling all kinds of emotions.

Ava and the King brothers have grown up together since she lives on their Estate. Her father works for their father. The brothers and her experience losing their moms and growing into adulthood together. The oldest Matthias has been anything but nice to Ava all these years. Theo and her are best friends and he always jokes she’s going to be Mrs. Theo King one day.

The dynamic between Ava and the oldest King brother changes when they are stuck together during a snowstorm several years ago. Fast forward 5 years and they discover that his dislike towards her is all because he was told by both fathers to steer clear. Even though he really didn’t want to.

Now Ava and the brothers are all back at the estate because the elder Mr. King is dying. When Matthias spills the secret he and Ava have shared all these years to Theo. The real test is can Theo and Ava repair their friendship? Will things change between Matthias and Ava to go back to those 2 snowy nights they had together? Will grief pull them apart?

I could see this book playing out as a movie the whole time I was reading it. It did not disappoint and as the first book I’ve read from this author I am now HOOKED!

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Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers Book 2) by Toya Richardson – Review by Mandy Ott

Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers #2)Mesmerised by Toya Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a first read for me by Toya Richardson and I was hooked from the beginning! There is suspense, romance, plenty of steam, plus heartache, and supernatural elements. Told from both Antoine and Donna’s perspective, this dramatic story kept me on my toes throughout the book. Toya Richardson uses such vivid details in her world building that I couldn’t help but find myself transported to the ocean-view home of Antoine or feel the exhilaration Donna felt while experiencing her new world. The characters are all original, realistic (even if many of them are supernatural beings), and rather likeable. This is the second book in the Hybrid Lovers Series but I was able to read this as a standalone and did not feel as if I missed anything by not reading the first book. Finishing this book, however, makes me want to read the first! Amazing supernatural romance by Toya Richardson!

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Alison Risher

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a heartbreakingly beautiful story. Parts of it are ripped from today’s headlines. The author gives a nod to various conspiracy theories. The main characters, two siblings along with their cousin, must use a science experiment to help a relative. The ending is happy-ish, with an important lesson about the way life works out sometimes.

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Julie Johnson

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

This is a bit longer than the typical Lois Wickstrom book and is geared more towards ages 7 and up.

In this story, Xenia is living with her mom and brother. Xenia’s mom is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. Her American father died while serving in Iraq before he was able to marry Xenia’s mom. Both Xenia and her brother are legal US citizens.

Having fear for being deported, Xenia’s mom rarely allows the kids to play outside. They also are expected to make great grades but not so good that it would bring unwanted attention to them. When a science fair project arises with a pretty cool reward, Xenia has to be careful with how she presents her project. Before she can turn it in however, her mom is arrested and sent back to Mexico. Xenia and her brother are living with a local lady from a church group and have to try to find a way to spend as much time as they can with their mom.

This book focuses on a great many issues that arise in our country today. This book is sad, yet encouraging. It is written in a way that could explain some of these issues to a youngster, while incorporating some aspects of fantasy to keep it on a lighter note. I also picked up on a few new spanish terms throughout this book.

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Ayla Eddy

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an amazing adventure story! Reading to the littles before bedtime and they absolutely loved it. So much so that we ended up reading the whole story in one night. The time travel off a carousel ride was a great way to transport the magic. The way Russel struggles with school and home had both my children ready to jump into the book to defend him. Grandpa was an adorable old man. I would highly recommend this book to other middle grade readers. My littles and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. A new bedtime staple in this home!

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Love Shots (Bluestone Series Book 4) by Isobel Reed – Review by Michelle Mulvey

Love Shots (Bluestone Series Book 4)Love Shots by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love shots was a very good read for me. I’ve read others by this author and this will not be the last. I enjoyed reading about Summer and Teddy and their relationship from when they were younger. I loved the way they were with eachother. Couldn’t wait to see what happened between them. Definitely recommend this book along with others by this author.

review by @xchellex

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Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Ashley Mertz

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Complicated Choices brings us the story of Claire and Harry. Clair is a senior in high school and Harry is her unplanned, fatherless four month old brother. Clair puts aside her needs to care for her brother during a very difficult time. Instead of focusing on high school and college, she finds herself raising her baby brother while her mom is hospitalized for postpartum depression. Amongst it all, her Uncle Pat is trying to take Harry away from them stating he would be better off being put up for adoption. Clair will not let him rip apart their family no matter the costs.

Complicated choices is full of……well, complicated choices. Our main character Clair is strong, resilient, and determined. She is faced with numerous confrontations not only with her Uncle but with friends who had no idea she had a baby brother. Clair is exposed to secrets and lies by the people she should trust the most. Clair finds her first love and has to put those feelings aside to focus on what matters most right now, Harry. This novel is a perfect example of how teenagers in today’s society are expected to grow up way too fast for all the wrong reasons. This was my first time reading a novel written by Nyman and I was extremely pleased. The story line made perfect sense and flowed well with just the right amount of detail. The characters were all lovable and had me rooting for them the entire way. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to a friend. Definitely a five star rating from me!

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Kimberly Filer

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful adventure story for young adults. The main character Russell is relatable and you can’t help but feel everything he’s going through. His father drinks to much, his grades are slipping, he’s responsible for watching his aging grandfather while his mother goes to work. He’s lost his bedroom when his grandfather moved in with the family and now is stuck in the basement where its damp and dreary. Every day Russell must take his grandfather for a ride on the carousel, something which Russell feels is so babyish until that one day when something magical happens. The stories his grandfather used to tell have come to life in this heartwarming tale.

The Guardsman (The Olympic Peninsula Series Book 2) by Cat Treadgold – Review by Rebeca Elliott Figueiras

The Guardsman (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 2)The Guardsman by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Olympic Peninsula series. I would recommend reading the first book prior to this one to get a deeper background on the characters and their connections to each other.

Liam is a character I took an interest in in the first book, as despite not actually meeting him properly he was featured heavily. It was thought that he may have been dead by most, but his sister firmly believed him to be alive. Getting to know him in this book was interesting, pieces together what I thought I knew to what is revealed started filling the gaps in knowledge, answering questions I’d had since the first chapters of the previous book. Liam has certainly been through and lot but remains strong despite this and his mistrust in people, he remains caring.
I loved Teresa in the first book, she was so sweet and welcoming so I’m glad to see her get a shot at true happiness in this book, she truly deserves it. They both do. Their story is a sweet one, slowly their opposites attract.

The descriptive language once again paints vivid imagery of both the scenery and characters, creating a world you could almost step right into.

This was another enjoyable book in the series, and I look forward to reading the next one in November.

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Vampires of Atlantis by Courtney Davis – Review by Santana Hicks

Vampires of AtlantisVampires of Atlantis by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ian is a vampire Prince from Atlantis. Protector of humans. When Atlantis sank, it had a prison filled with all kinds of monsters. When one escapes, Ian has to go to the surface to hunt it down. It had been years since Ian had been to the surface and struggled with how women dressed and acted in this time.

While on the trail of the monster named Norgis, Ian comes across a scent of a woman, named Katherine, that compels him to her instantly. He ends up following her trail instead. Soon he finds out that whatever Norgis is after, this woman seems to be involved somehow. Finding Katherine near death, Ian decides to take her to safety and heal her. Norgis is not known for his intelligence so Ian thinks there is someone else pulling Norgis’ strings.

A few days later, Katherine awakens and has no idea where she is or who this handsome man is in the room with her. When the memories of the attack flood back in her mind, she realizes that this man saved her. She tells Ian what she remembers and what the monster was after. Instantly, everything changes. The descendent stone is a very powerful artifact and now someone has it. Ian needs to find it before it is used all while protecting Katherine who he has now considered his mate.

At first, I thought the relationship between the two characters was going to be stockholm vibes but it’s not. Katherine is a strong, independent woman who isn’t afraid to voice her thoughts and feelings. Ian is out of his element with this female. Although he is swoonworthy, she holds her own and demands to be treated as an equal. I loved that about her.

I have read a couple other books by this author and they have written a masterpiece once again. The synopsis is quite unique and excitable. I have a lot of questions about some of the background things that were left unfinished but I expect they will be touched in the next book in the series (which I will be reading as soon as it comes out!).

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Paula R Sayers

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This historical time traveling book will be loved by kids!! I am an older adult and enjoyed it immensely. Russell is not happy when his grandfather moves in with his family and things begin to change. Add to that a bully and an abusive drunk father and Russell begins failing at school. But, one day his grandfather shares something magical with him and things begin to change. Such an inspirational book!!

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Oathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren

Oathbreakers AnonymousOathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marluck was once a paladin, but after making the mistake of not listening to his God he broke his oath. Without his powers he turned to booze. Until he stumbled upon oath breakers anonymous, people in the same boat. He hears rumors of being able to gain his powers back. He sets off with a few other oath breakers on the journey to hopefully restore their powers. They find there is more to life than just power.

If you play DND ( or just like fantasy) read this beautiful story about redemption, adventure, and a little betrayal. Oathbreakers by Scott Warren is an absolute masterpiece. A book that makes you sad it is over. I was so engrossed in the story and characters and fell in love. I hope to see more of this rag-tag group or individual stories of their backgrounds.

reviewed by @Melancholyrose

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Softest Touch by Adina D. Grey – Review by Emily H

Softest TouchSoftest Touch by Adina D. Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Derek is the owner of Wilson Creations, a fashion house that has him traveling all over the world. Derek returns from his holiday early to find his new assistant. Something about Melinda rattles Derek and he wants her gone. Melinda has a back bone that Derek never saw coming and once he gets to know her he realizes he wants more. Will Melinda share the same sentiment?

This was a fun read, good chemistry between Derek and Melinda. I liked the fashion design angle which only heightened the believability of the story. Looking for a entertaining quick read this is one to pick up.

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Cruel King by K.M. Scott – Review by Juls Dick

Cruel KingCruel King by K.M. Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cruel King by K.M Scott is a wonderful second chance romance. Ava has been best friends with Theo King for her whole life. Living on the family estate as her dad is employed by the Kings she has been around the family for as along as she can remember, when she unexpectedly finds a connection with the eldest King brother over a snowed in weekend she thinks things are finally changing. That is until she is ripped away from all she knows. When she returns 5 years later everything has changed, most notably her relationship with her best friend but more so with his eldest brother, who is not as happy to see her return. I really enjoyed this story, it was enraged at times as the main characters were misled by those around them but in a good way. I felt that some parts felt a bit rushed but overall found this to be a very enjoyable read.

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Rogue Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 3) by Lilliana Rose – Review by Callie Luna

Rogue Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 3)Rogue Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rogue Wolf is the third book in the Protector Wolf series. It picks up where Marked Wolf left off with the destruction left behind by the vampire attack. The shadow clan must rally together to defeat the vampire threat and get the blood opal back. Tamaska wants to become a wolf and part of the pack, but questions arise on if this is even possible. The ending of this book is worth the read and finally, it left on less of a cliffhanger than the rest of the series. I will be patiently waiting for the next book to come out.

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Fortune’s Favorite (Soulbound Journeys Book 2) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Callie Luna

Fortune's Favorite (Soulbound Journeys #2)Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I cannot say enough amazing things about C.L. Schneider! Fortune’s Favorite is the second book in the Soulbound Journeys. I also recommend reading The Crown of Stones Trilogy first. I absolutely loved this adventure of Ian Troy and Jarryd Kane. It picks up after the events of The Wandering Isles with both of them continuing the Shinree’s ancient journey. At first glance, Maldarehm is a prosperous city without war or struggles. Though Ian has an uneasy feeling about the island and its inhabitants. Ian searches for clues on the island’s past while Jarryd gets wrapped up in gambling where the stakes increase drastically. The growth that Ian and Jarryd go through in Fortune’s Favorite makes the impact of the story much more chilling. The layering in this story and the bond between Ian and Jarryd make it impossible to put the book down. I cannot wait to pick up the next book by C.L. Schneider!

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Love, Only Better (Bold Journeys Book 1) by Paulette Stout – Review by Michelle Troyer

Love, Only BetterLove, Only Better by Paulette Stout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The author has written a book about something a lot of women have a problem with and think it is taboo to speak of. She does a good job with showing how Rebecca learns the truth about intimacy. After being put down for so long and being called an ice queen, she finally meets the right guy who will help her learn and feel comfortable about it. I couldn’t put the book down.

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Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales Book 1) by Lee Wood – Review by Callie Luna

Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales #1)Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mr. Lucky is a great book to read. I started reading it thinking that crime would take place and our main character, James, would have to solve it since he is an ex-detective. James’s story slowly is revealed in the beginning with him begging on the streets and how he got there. It is incredibly heartbreaking what he has been through and details his life trying to survive on the streets. There are many different points of view in the book that move the story along including Dave Rex who is the main opposing force in James’s life. Once James gets incredibly lucky is where the story starts to pick up and I didn’t want to stop reading it to figure out how the story would end. Mr. Lucky is a different book with a great emotional impact on the reader. I feel like Lee Wood is giving us hope and showing us positive changes that can make a difference in the lives of others.

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Tina Vega

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Some of the best books are adventure books especially if they are geared toward a tween who can read and go on adventures they otherwise wouldn’t have. This book is perfectly written for that age group and can compete with some of my kids’ favorites that also involved magic and adventure. In this story, we see a young boy who doesn’t have a great home life but encounters a magical carousel that changes everything. Wonderfully written, really engaging for tweens, and an adventure for anybody. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

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Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers Book 2) by Toya Richardson – Review by Tina Vega

Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers #2)Mesmerised by Toya Richardson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful spin on the world of vampires and angels. We don’t normally see these two together. I loved the characters and the depth they brought to this story. A wonderfully spun romance in a fantasy world brought so many elements that I enjoy. I love not being able to guess/know what is always going to happen. I thought the story was well paced. Great writing! Looking forward to more from this author!

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Refrain (Off the Record Book 3) by Madelynne Ellis – Review by Kerry Carr

Refrain (Off the Record Book 3)Refrain by Madelynne Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a very emotional and deeply intense read. It is the 3rd book in the Off The Record series which I didn’t realise until I was already too deep in. I will however be going back to read them in order as at times I did feel a bit lost knowing who the characters were and their role. That being said it didn’t stop this from being a emotional rollercoaster of a ride. It deals with loss, secrets, lies,depression,and friendship. It is the story of Spook who has a trouble past, a past that is still affecting him today even though he is successful. When things get too much for him and he gets the urge to run he does just that leaving behind the band and group of friends he loves and his gf.
We follow not only Spooks journey through the darkness of depression and mental illness but also the effect it has on his friend Xane.
Xane refuses to give up on Spook and refuses to let him go through things on his own. Xane is determined to fight for his friend at the cost of everything, his relationships, even his own mental well being take a back seat to saving Spook from the dark pit he finds himself in.
The authors writing is amazing. The story grabs you right from the beginning and doesn’t let go. The story is really emotional but highlights the real struggle that some men go through but try to hide everyday.
I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next but I have my tissues at the ready.

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Cruel King by K.M. Scott – Review by Brittany Angel

Cruel KingCruel King by K.M. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You definitely get more than you expect with Cruel King! The grumpy male main character, Matthias, is devastatingly sad with the world on his shoulders. Our main female character, Ava, is head strong and knows what she wants. Ava is best friends with Matthias’ younger brother, but she and Matthias have never really meshed well, but one day, fate brought them together just as fast as it tore them apart. There is definitely heartbreak in this novel, but also a lot of character growth and love. I need a different book for every brother.

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The Anchor Knot (The Knot Series Book 2) by DonnaLee Overly – Review by Christine Baranek

The Anchor Knot:securing the knot of truth (Knot, #6The Anchor Knot:securing the knot of truth (Knot, #6 by DonnaLee Overly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Anchor Knot: Securing the Knot of Truth
By: DonnaLee Overly

This was my first novel by DonnaLee Overly that I have read. I definitely will read more of hers now, that is how much I enjoyed reading this one. This was a fantastic book about a character who is really in the process of discovering who she is. She is in the limelight of politics, but really doesn’t know if this is where she wants to be. She also is there by proxy, it isn’t her running for political office. Plus she is dealing with the loss of her late husband in addition to her fiance who is running for governor. She is the queen of putting everyone first, but she never stops and asks who she is or what she wants. This is something that I definitely relate to on an amazingly personal level. Gabby was very well written and her personal struggles were really well written and as the reader you really felt for Gabby and you wanted to see her find what she wanted, not what everyone else wants. I loved the complexity of the relationships in this book. This book is so fantastic. I definitely recommend it. I have found another author that I really want to read more of.

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Softest Touch by Adina D. Grey – Review by Lorralei Hoerner

Softest TouchSoftest Touch by Adina D. Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Sweet, forbidden contemporary romance that is totally swoon worthy. I enjoyed this story so much and the sizzle between Derek and Melinda…which did not get off on the right foot…I loved every page. Derek learns never to judge a book by its cover….as Melinda takes him by surprise with her wit and no backing down from his initial unkind words.

It is hard in the fashion business to be successful, but Derek has what it takes being owner of Wilson Creations that is built on success. Needing a new assistant, Melinda is hired to be the assistant that Derek needs, but initially he is cold and was outspoken that Melinda does not have what it takes to be his assistant. With each day working with each other, Derek and Melinda have more than just a working relationship, their connection runs deeper as they both push each other to be better in the fashion industry. Will Derek and Melinda find their HEA that they always longed for?

This is a wonderful romance story that I could not get enough of. This is my first book from this author and I am already looking forward to reading more from her.

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Fortune’s Favorite (Soulbound Journeys Book 2) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Naomi McDonald

Fortune's Favorite (Soulbound Journeys #2)Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the series. You can pick up the story and keep up without reading the first book, but I’d highly recommend the first one so you can get a deeper connection to the characters.
Fortune’s Favorite is an amazing story. The characters are brilliantly written with many layers. There’s mystery, suspense, action, and danger. And the worldbuilding is fantastic.
Definitely a page turner!

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Trish Ann

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a good book for kids! I would recommend this to my students to read. I found the plot enjoyable and themes relatable for the age group. I picked the book because the cover gave me a nostalgic feel of one of my favorite books as a kid. The allure of magic. The carousel and the grandpa were really good parts of the story for me.

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Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers Book 2) by Toya Richardson – Review by Kelli Harper

Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers #2)Mesmerised by Toya Richardson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though this is book two in the series, it is a total stand alone. The hybrid finding his mate, helping her get rid of the demons chasing her. Watching the mates get to know each other and join forces to rid the world of demons. Not only do they learn about each other but we learn about them as well. The author does a wonderful job of character development and keeps you engaged in the story.

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Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Felicia Bates

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never quite know what I’m getting into when I picked up YA or teen fiction. So many times I can not connect with young main characters due to their immaturity or… age. Complicated Choices by Risa Niman was really well written without my perception of awkward, uncomfortable characters. I loved Claire, our main character and felt she had the right balance of being a teenager and being a smart, driven and enjoyable leading female. The author wrote the story really well and often times I could imagine I was there conversing with Claire and Mads. The plot was great and the book flowed well, I didn’t want to put the book down.

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