Frozen by Lies by Martha Sweeney My rating: 4 of 5 stars What a treat! This book features strong family ties. A forbidden romance begins to bloom between two members of feuding families. This is not the typical Hatfield-McCoy feud, but the twist is that these family groups each have special powers. The magic of […]
A Stranger in Disguise: An Italian Murder Mystery by P. J. Mann My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is part of a series, but a great stand-alone read. This is a classic who-done-it and it has mysteries within the mystery. The characters are well- developed, and the plot moves along at a good […]
Caim by T.S. Simons My rating: 4 of 5 stars Without giving away any plot points, I think I can safely say that the author has managed to delve into yet another aspect of humanity. Issues that the world experienced prior to their pandemic, resurface a few years later. It appears that some people learn […]
His Protector by Sara Vinduska My rating: 4 of 5 stars You should celebrate women’s history month by reading a book with a strong female lead character. This is the book for you, me, and women everywhere. Our heroine has a secret, unrequited love with a married man. Spoiler alert: he has a Very Important […]
A Mountain in the Air: A Trilogy by Laura Koerber My rating: 5 of 5 stars With three short stories weaved into a trilogy, the author packs quite a punch. Ancient Celtic tales bring to mind similarly named characters of Native American lore. If you seek a journey into a mystical land of long, long […]
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is unique because it features a nonbinary main character in one of its amazing dual story arcs. I like the way the author was sensitive with her nonbinary character. The other story arc features a group of teen students who find themselves […]
Mission 3047: One Soul’s Fantasy by Stuart Ledwith My rating: 5 of 5 stars A science fiction book with a twist. It is all about the healing power of love. The author weaves a tale of a love so encompassing that it actually heals. Subcultures of disabled veterans and disabled people in general, would benefit […]
Sessrumnir by T.S. Simons My rating: 4 of 5 stars Two decades have come and gone since the beginning of the storyline’s pandemic. Our fledgling societies have begun to struggle with fear, discrimination, and paranoia. Some main characters struggle with PTSD. The author forced characters to come to terms with serious issues that impact a […]
Ouroboros by T.S. Simons My rating: 4 of 5 stars This story does not disappoint! I relish the scientific details and information to be gleaned from reading these books. I feel they are well-researched. The science behind the details is explained in such ways that non-science lovers can understand. Another great read, and the introduction […]
The Liminal Space by T.S. Simons My rating: 5 of 5 stars The second installment does not disappoint! In a post-pandemic world, the main character goes on journeys both physical and emotional. And what journeys they are! From the bliss of becoming a first-time parent, to the hope of a reunion with a close family […]
Antipodes by T.S. Simons My rating: 5 of 5 stars If a global pandemic hit Earth, and some people were chosen to survive it, would I make the cut? Absolutely not! I’d like to think that I am intelligent enough, but as for the other criteria- ages roughly 20-30, single, no children? Well, I’m single […]
Arrrgh! Me HATE To Wait! by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl My rating: 5 of 5 stars The author addresses young children who are eagerly awaiting their chance to be finished with babyhood. Vivid illustrations accompany each scenario proposed by the main character concerning her future preschool. Readers learn what they might be able to look forward […]
Straight for the Kill by Winter Austin My rating: 5 of 5 stars A small rural community tries to withstand well-meaning outsiders. The well-meaning outsiders are uncovering corruption at the highest levels of the county government. Crimes from a quarter-century ago come full circle. It becomes a battle of vengeance versus justice, as both heroes […]
Chatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard My rating: 5 of 5 stars “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” This quote describes perfectly the plot of this captivating tale! The title derives partially from the setting of an internet chatroom. Catfishing co-workers collide with delusional personalities. It is […]
After She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is a whimsical wartime romance. A whirlwind engagement is quickly followed by the briefest of honeymoons. Our heroine is left with her (perhaps understandably) less-than-understanding in-laws. What gal can’t relate to that? As new family members become acquainted, hijinks and […]
Things are Shaking by Lois Wickstrom My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is an informative children’s book. The characters deal with sibling rivalry. They must learn to work together during a natural disaster. The illustrations are spectacular. The introduction of a neighbor near the end of the story brings some comedic relief to a […]
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker My rating: 5 of 5 stars I can’t stand snails, so, of course the title captured my imagination. An arranged marriage, and a vengeful, petty bride. The heroine (for that is what the bride grows into) reminds me of my own pettiness. Themes explored include twinship […]
The Taste of Light by Giovanna Siniscalchi My rating: 4 of 5 stars Wow! The author gives readers a chance to revisit the winemaking scene of Portugal. I must admit to ignorance of Portugal’s winemaking until having read the first book in this series. Our hero is a flawed individual from a noble yet disturbingly […]
Hanging Softly in the Night by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra My rating: 5 of 5 stars This author delivers! The moody and broody detective is the male protagonist. His tortured-by-a-psycho-family-member neighbor is the female protagonist. A murderer is loose in the Big Apple, wreaking havoc. Sparks fly, and suspense abounds, but will the heroes be able […]
Where Do Pirates Go on Vacation? : Fun pirate story that encourages imaginative and creative thinking. Ages 3 to 8, preschool to 2nd grade. by Kim Ann My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a fantastic story. It is full of musings. There are many different suppositions for swashbucklers to speculate. The possibilities to […]
Knight In The Museum by Alice Bienia My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book has it all! Romance, mystery, and suspense are all present, along with a glimpse of betrayal. Although fifth in a book series, the author presents a wonderful stand-alone story. This story is set in Canada, and features a privately- owned […]
What an amazing journey I took with these characters! Finding a seemingly worthless coin and having it mounted on a charm bracelet, the heroine’s life is forever changed. It turns out, the coin can help identify a villain. Said villain does not wish to be identified. The author provides a suspenseful mystery, with a tiny […]
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book is a quirky, fun read. It will be great to take along on vacation. It is equally as good to help as you recover from the flu this winter! It is romantic versus cynic in a wowzer of a […]
Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is the reason why post-apocalyptic is quickly becoming my favorite genre of fiction! This story takes place in the aftermath of a world-wide devastating illness. Sounds familiar, right? In a deviation from our all-too-real global pandemic, […]
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily My rating: 4 of 5 stars I could not put this book down! To the heroine, it must have seemed as though she had traveled back in time when she unwittingly stumbled across a group of natives who not only live off the grid, they […]
Reckless Heart by Jane Suen My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sometimes, impetuous choices we make as teens have long-lasting consequences. This is a story about second chances, ten years later. The hero and the heroine are amazing characters. Readers get to travel with them on a journey of self reflection. Readers get to witness […]
Malayeka by Brooke May My rating: 4 of 5 stars What a quaint story! This fable has feuding families that have managed to divide an entire town. Family loyalties are tested. A love for the ages is grown. Throw in a guardian angel for love, and you have the essential ingredient for a tasty love […]
Gunner by T.J. Beach My rating: 5 of 5 stars How each person navigated through the early days of the pandemic is a personal experience. This book provides readers a window into the lives of a family who must quarantine when the grandmother learns she has been exposed to, and ultimately contracts, Covid. Readers experience […]
The Sacrifice by R.L.S. Hoff My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wow! Imagine waking up to find that you are about to be a dragon’s meal, but it decides not to eat you, after all. You come to know the dragon, and one day you realize that you are the dragon’s pet! A nice dragon, […]
Shadow Patterns of Melt – Book One by J.R.P. Fogg My rating: 4 of 5 stars I wasn’t too sure at first, but now that I have read this book- I love it! If I understood more of the technical aspects, I would have given this book five stars! The storyline, though, is amazing. The […]
