Fetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl My rating: 5 of 5 stars What a phenomenal story! Two young girls from opposite sides of the world become pen pals through a school assignment. They are total opposites, yet they encourage one another and inspire many people across two continents. This is a heartwarming lesson in love, […]
A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is so heartwarming! It has a melodic rhythm. There is a pleasing rhyme scheme. The illustrations go hand-in-hand with the words of the author. It makes my teacher- heart say, “Awwwww.” View all my reviews
Falling Again: A Buckeye Falls Novel by Libby Kay My rating: 5 of 5 stars Although this is fiction, the author realistically portrays the reality of marriage when life has intruded upon it. I love how the main characters are parents who struggle to communicate with one another. Their kindergarten daughter runs around with a […]
A Match Made in Montana by Elsa Winckler My rating: 4 of 5 stars Two sets of wounded families collide in Montana. Typical small town living assures readers of some hilariously awkward moments! The protagonists face some seemingly large obstacles to their potential happiness. One has a gaping wound in the psyche left over from […]
The Hussar’s Duty by Griffin Brady My rating: 5 of 5 stars Although I do not enjoy war or warfare itself, there is a special place in my heart for warriors. The main characters are a warrior and his wife in medieval Poland. There are similarities to German spellings and the grammatical syntax of the […]
Talks Like Thunder by Randal Nerhus My rating: 5 of 5 stars What a phenomenal book! I picked this book because I enjoy reading about Native Americans. I learned so much about Apache culture. Sadly, I was also reminded of things that were quite unpleasant, such as how natives were treated by the government, the […]
The Synchronicity of Love: Stories that Heal, Transform, and Awaken by John David Latta My rating: 3 of 5 stars The author shares details of his spiritual journey. From a lapsed Catholic, to an unbeliever, to a self-proclaimed mystic- the author unabashedly provides his story. There is original poetry interspersed throughout the memoir. Aside from […]
Seen by Lori Nelson My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is amazing! The characters grapple with ethical dilemmas that we face today. People try not to look at things too carefully- if you don’t see something bad happening, you don’t ever have to do anything about it. However, actions have consequences, and some […]
Ways to Improve Bailey by Cori Cooper My rating: 5 of 5 stars Two collegiate siblings live together and share their lives. The loveable, if slightly overbearing brother, has decided that his sister could improve her attitude toward others- hence the title. Hilarity ensues, as she reluctantly goes along with her brother’s suggestions. The heroine […]
Trapping The Butterfly by Debra Parmley My rating: 5 of 5 stars Time swiftly got away from me while I was reading. I wasn’t ready to leave the characters yet! An orphan with an inheritance, left with unkind relatives. A handsome lawman. Seemingly chivalrous gangsters. Women who make poor choices. Unfortunately, all these types of […]
What Do the Plants Say? by Lois Wickstrom My rating: 5 of 5 stars Along with beautiful artwork by the illustrator, the author grows readers a story of communication. Plants communicate with us. But do we know what they are saying? A determined protagonist wants answers. She learns what the plants are saying, then she […]
Secrets of the Sorcery War by Elise Carlson My rating: 3 of 5 stars The second installment of this trilogy was a good continuation of the storyline. The author gives a nod to popular culture by having a nonbinary main character. The sorcery battle scenes were well-depicted. The author includes diplomacy throughout the story. One […]
Editor Kill Fee by G.G. Collins My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is an excellent mystery! The characters are from all walks of life. The storyline makes me wonder at some of my more questionable choices. After all, how often have I driven down a dark road with a mysterious reputation? What would […]
The Promised Plan by Sharon Hughson My rating: 5 of 5 stars I chose this book because my mom wishes that my sister and I were closer. It really struck a chord with me. I feel that any reader who has a sibling would l be able to relate to this story. The author composed […]
The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is the beginning of a fabulous new series! The characters are amazing. Secret societies, and special schools. There are siblings, friends, foes, and loved ones. I love the way the author set up the next installment. I read this on my […]
Raising Elle by S.E. Reichert My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a story of courage. It is the story of what it may take to start over after leaving an abusive situation. It is the story of second chances, of overcoming baggage. I found it to be haunting, for I, too, have made […]
Cabin Eight by Susan Specht Oram My rating: 5 of 5 stars Kudos to the author! I found this tale to be witty, and it gave me pause as I reflected on some of my own poor choices. Is this a psychological thriller? Is it a redemption story? Journey along with the protagonist as she […]
A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a new kind of Cinderella story. There is an evil stepmother, and a nearly-comatose father. There is a step-sister (only one, though), but she seems kind of …nice? There are rats, and there is a ball. The author […]
Yeti Left Home by Aaron Rosenberg My rating: 4 of 5 stars The author has an original take on the myth of Bigfoot. A creature feared and hunted has been framed for dastardly slayings. The characters come to life through clever illustrations. Readers will be glad they picked this one- the ultimate in escapism. The […]
Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Book 1) by Nadija Mujagic My rating: 5 of 5 stars I picked this book to read because of the title. To be frank, I knew it was a war memoir, but I was thinking seashells, not mortar shells. Once I recovered from my chagrin, I devoured the […]
Noah’s Not So Super Summer by Brittany Tucker My rating: 5 of 5 stars What a fantastic read! I laughed out loud as I read this book. It was so whimsical and humorous for an apocalyptic tale. The author has a unique take on her post-apocalyptic world. A group of tweens and teens are heroic- […]
Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker My rating: 5 of 5 stars This volume of poetry is quite interesting. Having recently completed a unit of poetry with my high school students, I was happy to come across this gem. The rich […]
Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions by Kimberly Mullins My rating: 5 of 5 stars The author really knocks it home with this one! Two previous storylines wrap up in this book. I really like how a former plot that was only so-so resolved, became well and truly resolved. Characters that have previously been on the bench, […]
Other People’s Money by Cynthia Hamilton My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a great mystery read. This book features a private detective agency run by a husband-and-wife team. Three seemingly unrelated cases merge together in an explosive conclusion. I really enjoyed the characters of the private detectives, especially as they sought ways to […]
The Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a fabulous book! I love the what-if concept of this take on real-life events. I find the characters to be written very well. They are believable. The heroine takes my breath away with her grit and determination to do all that […]
Under My Care by R.L. Dunn My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is full of action and adventure! The book is set in a small rural hospital amidst a brutal blizzard. I love to watch medical dramas, so the setting of this book is a bonus for me. The two main characters are […]
Streets of Shadow by Rebecca Bischoff My rating: 5 of 5 stars Oh, my word! What a wonderful, beautiful story! A pampered young woman is betrayed by family and left to fend for herself in a patriarchal world. She learns to do things for herself, and for others. At the same time, she learns to […]
Destiny of Light by Catherine Greenall My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wow! The author does not disappoint as she wraps up this series! Sci-fi meets religion. The characters are engaging, and the storyline moves at a believable pace. Who knows? Perhaps these events could really happen, and maybe they have already begun. I am […]
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 […]
