Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Life is chaotic and nobody said life is easy. Detective James Sheldon life is a roller coaster. This book definitely shows you against all odds if there is a will there is a way. I highly recommend reading this book. I can’t wait to read more.
Midnight Falls by John (ronin) Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Midnight Falls was the perfect prelude into spooky season. We meet our main character, Josh, at the end of the story as he sets up the tale for us. There are creatures unknown and secrets in a small town. As we reach the climax, your heart rate is definitely running rampant. The writing gives off Grady Hendrix vibes in a wonderful way. If you aren’t a big horror reader, this is a great introduction.
Amazing Read! Love the dairy entries of the characters, great way to get know them. Story line was gripping with lots of twists and turns. This is my first read by this author, and I was not disappointed. I am ready to dive into the next one. I recommend this book to those that like a good crime thriller.Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amazing Read! Love the dairy entries of the characters, great way to get know them. Story line was gripping with lots of twists and turns. This is my first read by this author, and I was not disappointed. I am ready to dive into the next one. I recommend this book to those that like a good crime thriller.
To be a Fae Rogue by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series has been amazing. One of my top 3 of all time. Yes there’s magic but the most important part is Titania. Her selflessness and desire to protect fae and humans is inspiring. The sacrifices she continues to make is amazing.
The events that unfold in To Be A Fae Rogue are happy, sad, terrifying, and celebratory. I cannot wait for the last installment. Tricia another amazing job!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
While I enjoy reading thrillers from time to time I mostly find them pretty predictable and I’ve never read a British Crime Thriller at all. I was pleasantly surprised by Mr. Lucky, which happens to be Book 1 in The Trentbridge Tales, it jumped right into an intense scene from the beginning, and kept me engaged throughout. Mr.Lucky was told through multiple view points that takes a little while to sort out, but it does all come together.
The Places We Call Home: A picture book to remind us that home is where all love begins. by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Places We Call Home showcases many different places people call home in a kid friendly, rhyming manner that will draw young children’s attention to the story while it’s being read and can generate curiosity and questions for lots of fun discussions. Happy Reading!
Luca Magoo, Don’t Eat The Glue: A back-to-school tale that encourages positive classroom behavior and creative expression. by Megan Delgado
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In Luca Magoo: Don’t Eat the Glue Luca’s teacher announces they will have a day full of art and she brings out a bunch of art supplies, markers, crayons, paint, glue, etc. Luca immediately decides that he will do something with glue. Luca’s school story is a cute, fun, well illustrated stories that helps kids understand that all behaviors have consequences, and what could potentially happen if he did in fact have a taste of glue.
This is the first time I have read anything by this author. I absolutely loved this book. The main character James Sheldon, was once a police detective whose life was destroyed when his family was taken away from him through a hit-and-run. He doesn’t really care what happens to him after losing them, so it doesn’t shock him when he loses his home. Now living on the streets, he has run ins with a lot of different people. Some just want to hurt him while he is already down and others try their best to help him. One of those people who tries to cause him pain continues to try to bring him down after winning the biggest lottery ever. Can he see through this person’s selfishness or does he spiral down a rabbit hole? You need to read this book to find out, I promise that you will find yourself wanting more by the end of the story. This is one of seven books, so I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first time I have read anything by this author. I absolutely loved this book. The main character James Sheldon, was once a police detective whose life was destroyed when his family was taken away from him through a hit-and-run. He doesn’t really care what happens to him after losing them, so it doesn’t shock him when he loses his home. Now living on the streets, he has run ins with a lot of different people. Some just want to hurt him while he is already down and others try their best to help him. One of those people who tries to cause him pain continues to try to bring him down after winning the biggest lottery ever. Can he see through this person’s selfishness or does he spiral down a rabbit hole? You need to read this book to find out, I promise that you will find yourself wanting more by the end of the story. This is one of seven books, so I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Decisions Matter: A picture book about learning right from wrong by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another cute and important lesson in this series. Lynn has such a great way of bringing adorable illustrations for children to visualize the story’s concepts and message. Buddy learns through a mess he didn’t make that consequences affect him when he wasn’t in the wrongdoing. The best circumstance is being honest and truthful as well as not taking fault for someone’s wrongdoing. At the end, there is a Bible verse and ties into the story and its message. This is such a great lesson for young children to understand from the beginning as they become integrated with their peers and others moments like these can occur but in essence, it is best to follow through with your honesty.
The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Julia Xero is back and after surviving the confrontation with Jake and learning something about her past, she has no time to process this when she is summoned to appear before the Council of Progress, the Secret Humankind council who make the decisions on how to protect themselves and the humans they share their cities with, but apparently not everyone is happy with living side by side with them.
Fortunately, she isn’t alone during the meeting and her boss, who also happens to be the local Guardian, goes with her, but what she learns while there about her past opens up a whole new can of worms, especially when one of the Councillors decides to take the matter into his own hands and try to kill her using the implant given to her when she started working at the company which cleans up after the dead and by chance, the best job she has ever had.
Unfortunately this isn’t the end of things when Julia is remanded into the custody of the Guardian and given strict conditions to her future, but this doesn’t stop her from going back to the office and continuing trying to figure out who is behind the plot of which Jake was involved. What she doesn’t expect is the welcome she receives from the others around her and the warmth she is, for the first time, experiencing, of having people care about her, who she cares for in return.
Things begin to get serious when events show that someone really doesn’t want Julia to continue existing and this starts putting her new found friends in danger and that is something Julia just cannot abide, so amidst the chaos, Julia’s survival instincts kick in and she does everything she can to keep herself and those around her safe, but will she be able to do that and uncover more about the two secrets she has begun to uncover before it is too late? This sequel is a web of secrets in which a deadly spider reigns where every step is dangerous and nothing is what it seems as you follow along trying to uncover the mysteries lying within.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Fate, Frankincense & Funerals by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have read a few books from this author and she always blows my mind. I love a good short romance story but this one exceeded my expectations. You can help but to fall in love with these characters right from the start. You will be rooting for their love all the way until the end. I can’t wait to read more books from this amazing author.
Acheron is a vulture shifter and he was always told that he will never find love. He is safe at his home in Kharon. Acheron doesn’t understand why he is being called to Mandara but he goes on a journey to get there. When he gets there he meets the very handsome Errapel. Acheron finds out that Errapel is a nurse for the dying souls. They get to know each other and they feel something between them that they never felt before. Will they find a way to be together or will the laws separate them for ever?
Review by @heatherbass
A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Great story for YA Readers. Holland is the new kid in high school, she is also late on her first day. But as she goes about her days, she finds herself making friends. While her dream was to go back to Colorado and go to college with her best friend. Things change and she finds herself in a romantic triangle. She is a strong independent young lady and puts up with nothing. The story is funny and the family and friends’ relationships are real. I love this author. Her writing is easy to follow and keeps you engaged in her book. I am looking forward to reading more from her.
Review@cinful
The Places We Call Home: A picture book to remind us that home is where all love begins. by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a cute picture book that tells us about where other people live. I read this with my niece and she absolutely loved it. She loved the pictures which matched the story perfectly. We loved how the story also included some animals as well . I can’t wait to read more from this author to my niece.
Review by @heatherbass
View all my reviews
The Places We Call Home: A picture book to remind us that home is where all love begins. by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a book about the different homes we live in. Ann, did a wonderful job of comparing the text similar to poetry. The illustrations are full of color and details to keep the reader engaged with the story.
Decisions Matter: A picture book about learning right from wrong by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another great story of Buddy and his siblings! This book focuses on honesty. Buddy is being blamed for the trash being dumped over every night. He knows he’s not the one doing it but can’t prove who it is until one night he catches them. However, he’s the one left standing in the mess as the real culprit got away before the humans got to them.
I am really enjoying this series! It is written from a Biblical basis and there is a Bible verse at the end of the story. It’s a great way to share these Truths with young ones! The illustrations are also very well done throughout the story. I highly recommend this series!
Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Unmasking A Cowgirl is a sweet redemption story.
One that started off a little slow but got better once it started to move. The author brings us a main character who not only needs to overcome her family’s name and history, but once found out that she lied to everyone in the small town about it.
Which makes for an interesting set of circumstances.
Does everything work out? I guess you will just have to crack open the book and see.
Abby has ingrained herself into the lives of the people of Herd. All while carrying a big secret that could ruin it all. Just like her ancestors ruined the livelihoods of so many in the town not once but twice years and years ago. She needs to claim her family’s land before it lapses but by doing so she will also have to come forward. How will the town feel? What about the remaining 2 families of the original three founding ones? Joe’s research leads her to believe it’s not going to go all too well.
Joe knows there’s something off about Abby. Knows there’s a missing piece to the puzzle, which is why he’s always been passive with her. However once it’s revealed he will do anything is his power to help her. He never wanted her to end up feeling alone. He wants her to fight. He also has feelings for her he doesn’t quite want to accept yet. Though it’s becoming harder to resist.
Will he help her?
Will he act on his feelings?
Well first he needs to start with an apology and the rest you can find out by jumping on in.
Again it’s a sweet story of redemption. With some attraction and awkwardness thrown in.
It’s worth giving a shot!
Such a cute little story I read to my granddaughter at bedtime. It shows all the different places you can call home and that everyone lives in different places, but it teaches us that home is wherever you may live, but it’s always where your family is. The illustrations are bright and colorful and add so much to the little story.
Buddy, the Corgi is back again! He is in his new home with his new family. In this book, we learn about getting in trouble and telling the truth even when it looks like you are the one doing great the wrong and we also learn about not lying. Another great read for my granddaughter.
The Places We Call Home: A picture book to remind us that home is where all love begins. by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was such a delightful journey into the enchanting world of homes in all their forms. I read this with both of my kiddos and although they are older than the target audience, we still enjoyed ourselves! I feel like rhymes are captivating no matter your age and work their magic even more so when paired with a heartfelt adventure and beautifully crafted illustrations. The rhyming flows smoothly which makes it an excellent choice for classroom read-alouds or bedtime stories. What stood out to me the most was the message that home isn’t just a physical space, but a place filled with love, safety, and connection. I highly recommend grabbing a copy to share the joyous exploration of homes with the little ones in your life. It’s a beautiful reminder that home is truly where the heart resides!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
This was a roller-coaster of a ride. It’s a short and fast read told from the two main characters POV. Even though it was a short read, I found myself struggling through parts of it. Nothing in particular, I would just kind of lose interest. I’m glad I finished the book because it ended well. There were just parts that I felt could have used a little more explanation. I think if the book was just a little longer, it would have given it that little bit of edge to make it an excellent read. Overall, a solid 3.6 read.
Decisions Matter: A picture book about learning right from wrong by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another wonderful story and life lesson learned and shared by Buddy the Blue Corgi! My kiddos and I have read and loved the previous books in the series, so there was no doubt in my mind that I would be bringing this one home. You can read them out of order or as standalones since they are children’s books, but they do have a nice progressive flow to them in order. The illustrations are just as beautiful as the other books as well and complement the story, bringing Buddy’s world to life. When Buddy is adopted, he starts loving his life with his new brothers, Donut and Salem. There is a trash bandit in the house that keeps making messes in the kitchen, and Buddy is getting blamed for it. Will he be able to prove that it isn’t him? This is an engaging lesson in honesty which makes it a perfect read for parents and teachers looking to spark discussion about characters and values. I highly recommend adding this to your library!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Joey, Kyle, Brian and Lucas head to a military academy which other kids have been sent to. Nervous to see what the academy is all about, they find it is nothing like they imagined. Trained to be an asset for a war that is coming, they will be put through a grueling change in their life that has Joey concerned about his mom. What will happen when the threat gets closer?
I thought this was written beautifully, very visual in the writing. I could imagine this world, the people and the magical moments that implode on the pages. I definitely will be reading more, very curious to what happens next.
The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am blown away again by this author’s sheer talent to craft a captivating tale! This fast-paced sequel in The Discoveries of Julia Xero series picks up right where we left off with Julia. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, I highly recommend you do so before jumping into this one. We plunge back into a world where the supernatural mingles with the everyday, creating an environment that feels both familiar and excitingly strange. I particularly enjoy the author’s marvelous capability in illustrating the underlying themes of identity and belonging. Julia is an amazingly engaging heroine with relentless determination. This is a plot twisting rollercoaster that will keep you guessing the entire way through! If you are looking for a compelling blend of mystery, action, and the exploration of what it means to belong, you won’t want to miss a moment of this.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
The Places We Call Home: A picture book to remind us that home is where all love begins. by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My daughter thought learning about different homes was great and really loved the illustrations as well! Her reading level is fairly low and she was able to breeze through with only minor assistance. I myself thought the layout and all the different types of homes were great and the story flowed well.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In ‘Mr. Lucky’, Lee Wood weaves a gripping tale of chance, destiny, and deception, filled with surprising plot revelations and complex character dynamics that will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing and invested in the characters’ lives until the very end.
The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second book in The Discoveries of Julia Xero series. I didn’t read the first book first but this was still easy to follow. I don’t think you have to read them in order but I do recommend reading the first book as it’s a great story.
This takes place right after the first book, and has Julia dealing with the aftermath of Jake’s death and the assignation attempts on her life. You find out more about her past and her connection to the Secret Humankind.
This is well written and keeps you engaged. It has great storyline with wonderful characters and a lot of action. I really liked the writing style and it makes it an easy read. I hope there will be more stories of Julia and her friends.
The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read a lot of fiction, but don’t typically choose science fiction. I have read both of the Julia Xero books that are currently published and have really enjoyed both of them. Gloria Oliver does a good job creating a science-fiction world embedded in “the real world” and characters you feel connected to. Book 2 picks up right where book 1 ended (I only minorly regret not having re-read book 1 before picking up book 2, the gap of time had some of the details a little bit fuzzy) but I love when books continue on as if you haven’t missed a beat. Definitely looking forward to book 3!
Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Unmasking a Cowgirl (Match Made in Montana Series) by Rachelle Paige Campbell. This is the 3rd book in the Match Made in Montana which is a clean cowboy romance series. It can be read as a standalone but I always enjoy series best when read in order. This is the story of Abby who is a food truck owner that has recently come to the small town of Herd, Montana. Joe is a history teacher and the town’s unofficial historian and there is something about Abby that doesn’t sit right with him. He just feels like she lying about something. Abby does have a secret and its that her long ago relative who was not a great person has left her the only heir to some property in town. She is worried that when she claims it all the relationships she has developed in town will be destroyed. There is also a love/hate relationship between Abby and Joe and she knows that relationship won’t survive. Will Joe find out her secret before she comes clean? This is such a fun, sweet small town romance.
The Places We Call Home: A picture book to remind us that home is where all love begins. by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This charming children’s tale educates young minds about the diverse habitats where various living things reside. It’s an engaging and informative read with simple language and vibrant illustrations. I would age this book at about Pre-K level or just a fun, short read before bed.
Decisions Matter: A picture book about learning right from wrong by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a great book to teach kids that its not ok to be a tattletale, but also not ok to let someone take the blame for something they didnt do. Buddy stays up all night to see who is knocking over the trash can because he keeps getting in trouble for it.
