Toasted by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this. Who doesn’t love a fireman? A fun and entertaining rom-com. The characters had a lot of chemistry. I found it was fun to read and watch them come together. A well-developed story that kept me engaged from the start. I didn’t want to put it down. I read it straight through. A fun romp. I can’t wait to see what’s next in book 2
Under Jackson Bridge: A thriller by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a thriller this is. I loved it. Irena has some crazy people surrounding her. Jack is a shoe addict behind on child support. He’s up to no good and disappears. The story revolves around that. Oh my, the secrets, the twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down. I love this author. Her books are intense, exciting and get you on the edge-of-your-seat with adrenaline flowing. I can’t wait for the next one to see where we are going.
Purrfectly Framed: A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love cat cozies, from Lilian Jackson Braun to Ruth Harman. These stories are funny as you are trying to figure out who the murderer is. The author doesn’t make it quite so easy but it is still an enjoyable story to laught and try to solve. I love the cat hijinx. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Productivity is Power 2: For Creative, Business, and Other Professionals by Hillary Rettig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I found this to be an interesting book with very useful ideas that can help people get out of those darn ruts we may fall into. There is a little something for most people in the book. Of course, for some, there may not be. I found it easy to understand. There were several ideas that I will be putting to use. I always need help with productivity. It’s a good resource to add to your business library.
One Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fun story. It’s a paranormal cozy which is a fun little area for the YA genre. I found this to be a clean, which is a nice turn for most books. I can recommend this to my grandkids and feel good about it. I sure enjoyed this story. I love this author’s writing. She makes it fun, easy to relate to the target audience and so darn enjoyable. I had a few eye-rolling moments with some flat-out giggles. I loved every moment of it. It was a whole new look to fairy tales.
Moonlight Drive by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an emotional read. I absolutely love a romance with feelings. This is one of them. It’s written with a powerful story. Two characters with a story that is relatable in many ways. I felt the powerful tug with this one that had me rooting for them and I also felt their struggle. I can recommend this one if you like romances with struggles.
Make Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald Creek by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a beautiful second-chance romance. i absolutely loved the story and how well it was written. You couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters. They were so easy to relate too. This is a story that will grown right on you. I was drawn in right from the beginning. i would love to see more.
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not So Little Things is a story that captivates you from the beginning…giving you family secrets that come to light, loss, denial and a sense control.
Tina Edward’s is trying to navigate the handling finding out her mother is ill and in need of staying with Tina during her treatments….but Tina has been resolved, anger and resentment towards her mother since her father passed years ago and Tina feeling like it’s her mom‘s responsibility of his death. As Tina works through her unresolved issues with her mother…. she works with Jake Martin to help replicate some rooms in the family mansion.
As Jake gets to know Tina Moore, there are so many stories from the past that help bring family back together again. When Tina‘s mom finally has the chance to open buried secrets, will Tina be able to handle everything that is thrown her way once she finds out the full truth of her mother, father and Aunt Liddy?
Definitely listen to the story and find out. The story really takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and trying to peel back the pieces of the secrets. This was a very well told story.
Finding Love by Lacey Furr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a beautiful story. Hailey and Loch turned out to really need each other. Loss affected both of them. Reading about Hailey hearing Loch’s nightmares in the hall was kind of heartbreaking. Watching them work through it and come together felt good though. Loss and grief is ard to get through. The story is well-written and the characters are unique and fit so well into the story. Ican’t wait to read more in this series.
Toasted by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up. This author’s books are engaging and hard to put down. I enjoy their writing skills as well as their attention to details that pull you into the character’s world. This book is no different. It is a well written story about a toaster fire, the owner of said toaster and the firefighter that comes to the rescue. Libby and Zach are great characters that I had no problems connecting to. They have great chemistry from the beginning and watching their growth throughout the story just made it easy to read. I enjoyed how they pulled me into their world and had me turning pages fast just to see what would happen next with them. What will fate have in store for these two? This is a fast paced story that is entertaining to read and one you don’t want to miss. This is one of my favorites by this author yet. I highly recommend this book.
Review by @bjwagner
Moonlight Drive by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked. This is one of my favorites yet. I enjoy this author’s attention to details that pull me into the story with ease and keep me turning pages to the end. The characters are written with a lot of heart and are easily connectable. This is a story about how hard the music industry can be. A story that will give you all the feels. A story where being lost and found may just be the same thing. I enjoyed how I was pulled into the story from the beginning. There is a great growth of the characters throughout which makes the story easy to read. There are some triggers but if you can get past them you will find a story that is fast paced and hard to put down. This is one you don’t want to miss. Will Dani be able to prove herself in a man’s world? Can what is lost be found? I really enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author. I highly recommend this book.
Review by @bjwagner
Dinopotamus Goes to School by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a cute story. He just wants to fit in and be like the kids. They do their best to help him. They even teach him to use a communication device. It almost reminds me of how our kids with autism want to fit in. I loved this story. I find the artwork helps the kids relate too. My grandsons loved it when I read them the story. My younger grandson is very into dinosaurs. He wants a dinosaur to take school. This is another winner for our family library.
A Cold Day in Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve read all the books of the books to this series. They are each about a different set of characters, but the characters are each in every book. This one was about Hadassah, an angel who has lost her powers and is serving time exiled from heaven and Jezebel, who can shift into dogs.
When Hadassah is told by Mal that she needs to connect with his family while she is staying with them, she thinks Jezebel is the best person to seek out thinking she will be turned away. However, Jezebel’s past has caught up to her, and she must run.
It’s a ride and a lot of angst following Jezebel and Hadassah’s story, but it’s a good one. I recommend reading the entire series so you can get to know each of the characters.
A Cold Day in Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Cold Day in Hell by Noami Valkyrie
5 Stars
Haddassah is an Angel probation on Earth as a punishment for helping her brother. She is living with his family and isn’t trying to be social and except them, mainly because she will be going home to Heaven and because they are demons. When Mal her brother asks her to try more Haddassah decides to try with Mal’s friend Jezebel who is living in the guest house and seems to be secluding herself as well. Haddassah shows up thinking she will be sent on her way by Jezebel and she can say she at least tried. Until later that night when Jezebel notices she has been found and needs to run again, Haddassah joins her on the journey to help. Only for Jezebel to be kidnapped by her ex-fiancé Devland a necromancer.
Great story, fast read for me but I enjoyed it all the same.
I don’t normally read books in a series that I haven’t read from book #1, a I liked this. It showed love and loyalty for family, and I am big on that! I will definitely go back and read the first 4 books soon.
Mealtime at the Zoo: PB&J Café by James Williamson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Meal time at the zoo can be quite the experience. When James, the butler monkey, delivers the meals (PB&J) to each of the animals, they respond in a variety of ways. A very catchy book, with a rhyming, sing-song pattern, that will grab the attention of beginning readers.
Review by Terri Jo McAllister
One Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The theme of this book is the power of our choices. Our choices make up who we are ultimately. Hero or villain? Our destinies are borne of our decisions. The main character must go through major personal growth in order to fight for the future she wants.
Can I Keep Her? by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wynnie finds an egg and everyone is surprised when a baby dragon comes out. Frightened of what could happen, Wynnie is told to get rid of the dragon. She begs the King to let her train the dragon and he gives her one day. Can she tame the beast? A very cute children’s book.
Review by Terri Jo McAllister
A Cold Day in Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Cold Day in Hell by Noami Valkyrie
5 Stars
Haddassah is an Angel probation on Earth as a punishment for helping her brother. She is living with his family and isn’t trying to be social and except them, mainly because she will be going home to Heaven and because they are demons. When Mal her brother asks her to try more Haddassah decides to try with Mal’s friend Jezebel who is living in the guest house and seems to be secluding herself as well. Haddassah shows up thinking she will be sent on her way by Jezebel and she can say she at least tried. Until later that night when Jezebel notices she has been found and needs to run again, Haddassah joins her on the journey to help. Only for Jezebel to be kidnapped by her ex-fiancé Devland a necromancer.
Great story, fast read for me but I enjoyed it all the same.
I don’t normally read books in a series that I haven’t read from book #1, a I liked this. It showed love and loyalty for family, and I am big on that! I will definitely go back and read the first 4 books soon.
The Strategist By Nadia Han is the fifth book in the Water Fyre series, that I have to say was AMAZING and a book I was able to finish in two sittings. While yes, it is in a series you can read as a standalone. The other parts are now sitting on my kindle and ready to read! Nadia Han is also a new author to me, and one I now want more of. The character building, the slow start, the building of the intense feelings with the character all make for an amazing read!
Vivian and Arrow are the main characters in this book, and OH these two. Vivian has a past and that past made her build walls all around her, then comes Arrow, who also has a past and scars. But he wants Vivian and wants to tear down all the walls she has built around her!
I highly recommend this book and can not wait to read more in the series!
Toasted by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Libby is brand-spanking-new in town and has finally reached the end of her first day. She is in her comfy pink Disney pajamas and just wants some toast to unwind – which is how and when she learns that an old toaster and uncleaned crumbs can cause a real life fire! Totally flabbergasted, she finally comes to a bit more to her surroundings when an insanely hot fireman is coaxing her out of her new home to safety. Zach is a fireman in Libby’s new town and happens to be the one coaxing her to safety, and a very welcome but distracting view.
There really weren’t any surprises in this storyline but it was so fun, so cute, I had an abundance of moments where I actually laughed out loud. The chemistry and character building was great and I will absolutely be following up with the other additions that will be made to this series. Such a super read for summer – fun and light and hilarious and a touch steamy. Loved Libby and Zach!!
Make Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald Creek by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved this book!! Sweetness and spice and all things nice!! A sweet alpha male like Burke and a no holds barred heroine like Shayna make for the perfect combo. Kept a smile on my face reading their story as I cheered them on!
Reviewed by @sparkinside
Secrets, Lies and Betrayals by Lynn Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An absolute page turner. Michaela Manning, an adorable 3 year old is shot during the assassination of her grandfather a US Senator. Her life is anything but normal, she grows up under a false identity and is hidden away from everyone. That is until her entire world comes crumbling down and her true identity is exposed, but by who? A story that makes you question everything you think you knew about history and politics. Throw in some romance and it’s a book you can’t put down and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat till the very end.
Troy: A Crown of Stones Origin Story by C. L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Troy: A Crown of Stones Origin Story by C. L. Schneider
Troy: A Crown of Stones Origin Story is a fast paced Epic Fantasy that once I started reading I couldn’t put it down till the end. This is the Prequel to The Crown of Stones Trilogy and holy cow this author did not disappoint. This gives us back story on Ian Troy and the other nations fighting along with the Rellan Army. This was everything I expected it to plus more. I’ve read several books by this author and this may top my list of favorites. This story has drama, suspense, magic, adventure and so much more. I highly recommend reading this book and if you haven’t read the Crown of Stones Trilogy I’d recommend reading it as well. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
^ ^ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ^ ^ ~
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Secrets, Lies and Betrayals (Protect and Honor Series) by Lynn Wood
If you’re playing hide and seek, Lynn’s default hiding place is always between the pages of a book. Whether it’s a recent bestseller or the latest release from one of her favorite authors, or creating new stories of her own, Lynn’s world must include books to fall into, to be dragged under, to immerse herself in fantasies, romances, thrillers, ideas, or new ways of looking at and experiencing life. Her writing reflects her wide-ranging interests, but you’ll find most of her books in the romantic suspense, mysteries and thrillers and historical romance genres, usually with a magical or supernatural thread woven through the tapestry of the stories. When she’s not reading or writing, Lynn spends time with family and friends, traveling around the country and the world, and whenever she can, at the beach, under an umbrella…reading a book, of course.
.•°*°•. BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE .•°*°•.
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Dinopotamus Goes to School (Dinopotamus Series) 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.
༻••༺BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ༻••༺GOODREADS – Moonlight Drive by A.R. Hadley
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Moonlight Drive by A.R. Hadley
A.R. Hadley writes imperfectly perfect sentences by the light of her iPhone.
She loves the ocean.
Chocolate.
Her children.
And Cary Grant.
She annoys those darling little children by quoting lines from Back to the Future, but despite her knowledge of eighties and nineties pop culture, she was actually meant to live alongside the Lost Generation after the Great War and write a mediocre novel while drinking absinthe with Hemingway. Instead, find her sipping unsweet tea near a beautiful garden as she weaves fictional tales of love and connection amid reality.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205046152-come-home-to-death” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Come Home to Death” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706049774l/205046152._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205046152-come-home-to-death”>Come Home to Death</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/161602.Marilyn_Levinson”>Marilyn Levinson</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6527244337″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Erica Parker is in for a bit of a rude awakening. Her husband, Terry, is not who he seems. He is supposedly 20k in debt due to gambling and she is desperate to get the money together to pay off these thugs. While talking to the family lawyer about borrowing against her allowance she discovers that she is a multimillionaire. How could her aunt’s keep this from her? There are many secrets in this book that keeps you turning the pages to find out how many of them get revealed.
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/106111308-charlisa-wahtomy-alba”>View all my reviews</a>
Come Home to Death by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When you commit your life to someone, and decide to accept their marriage proposal, how well do you really know your spouse, or could they be hiding things? Horrible things that could potentially cause your demise? That is the case with Come Home to Death by Marilyn Levinson. Her husband is always disappearing on ‘business trips’ and one day two thugs appear on her doorstep claiming he owed them money. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone. This was a fast paced novel that kept you on the edge of your seat, wondering what was going to happen next. Lots of twists and unexpected turns that will keep you turning pages. I don’t think anyone could be disappointed in picking up this one.
One Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was definitely a different change of pace from what I usually read. I really enjoyed reading it. I loved the idea of a villain getting a happy ever after. Finding out that you are one quarter villain, after doing everything you are told to do, was quite the shock for Maddy. She starts to question who she is, and what really makes a villain. The back and forth between Maddy and Leo was absolutely adorable. Once I realized it was a YA book, I roped my daughter into reading it with me, and she absolutely loved it. It’s definitely a book for everyone to enjoy. Cori does an excellent job tackling the topics of good vs evil and the topics surrounding it.
Under Jackson Bridge: A thriller by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Under Jackson Bridge has suspense right from the beginning, and kept me hooked. I have read other books by this author, and liked most of them. I think this was her best one yet, and look forward to the next book. The ending was not what I expected! I am glad that the author kept things under wrap until the end. While I did have some suspicions, I didn’t figure it all out. I really want to know more about how Craig was involved and see what happens to Jack’s shoe collection. Hopefully the 2nd book in the series wraps all that up.
Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy