Fate, Frankincense & Funerals by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
While this is not a book I usually read, it captured me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. It is a very short and quick read, and left me wanting more. Highly recommend reading!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales Book 1) by Lee Wood. This book was so good. Its the story of Detective James Sheridan who was down on his luck, he’s lost his job, his family and his friends when one of the only friends he has left talks him into going to buy a lottery ticket. James really thought twice about it because he could have bought a burger with that money. When he decides to check him numbers and discovers he has won the largest lottery ever, 168 million, he’s in shock. Once he wins all this money you would think that his life would turn all around and be living high on the hog but the opposite happens. He has all kinds of people out to get him and saying he owes them for all kinds of things. Some have even threatened his life. Will he be able to survive this wild turn of events in his life? Read this fast paced book to find out!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the series. It is full of suspense, action, sadness and love. It captured me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend reading it!
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 is a children’s picture book designed for kids between the ages of newborn to six years of age. It is a cute little book that talks about all the different places that people live. Some people may live in a big home, while other people may live in a small home. Some people may live in the woods, while some people may live in a great big busy city. Some people may live with their families while other people may live alone. Regardless of where we live, home is where the love is. It is where we feel safe and loved. This is a great book that teaches children about different living environments, diversity, community, and belonging. The story is told in rhymes, which makes it fun and entertaining for children of all ages. The bright and colorful illustrations really helped bring the story to life.
The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Luckily Xero is saved by her boss and her boss defends Xero. Then they put Xero’s boss in charge of Xero. Way sooner than anyone anticipates they try to kill Xero and are unsuccessful. Overall I enjoyed this fast quick paced book. I recommend it.
Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Unmasking a Cowgirl is a fun, small-town romance story. It is the third book in the Match Made in Montana Series. This book can be read as a stand-alone story. Abby Whit is hiding a secret. She is not being completely honest about who she is. Joe Staunch is the town historian and is determined to discover what is happening with Abby. Of course, there is chemistry between the two, and they don’t quite like each other. This a clean and easy-to-read, enemies-to-lover type romance. The story is sweet and the characters are fun. I enjoyed Abby’s no-nonsense attitude. I grew to love Joe and the other characters. The plot moves smoothly. This is quite a fast read and it doesn’t waste time drawing you into the story. I will be checking out the other books in this series.
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 is a children’s book by Kim Ann. This book has smooth rhymes and colorful illustrations. Children will love reading along with easy sentences about all the places to live in the world. We learn about habitats for both animals and humans. We also explore how beings live. We get to see family units and those who live alone. This is a great book for young children to discover all the ways and places we live in.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Mr. Lucky is the first crime thriller in the Trentbridge Tales. The story has many characters, but it mainly revolves around Detective James Sheldon. Early in the introduction of the characters, you find out that James loses his family to an accident. This event sends him into a downhill spiral finding himself homeless. He gets “lucky” and ends up winning the lottery. However, this is a blessing and a curse you will come to find out. In winning the lottery, all eyes are now on him and not the good way. He starts to get wrapped up in pretty bad situations with criminals, drug dealers, etc. Being a former detective, this does not look well for him. He ends up trying to get himself out of many bad situations while also dealing with his past. Will he have enough luck on his side to come out on a good end of the situations he finds himself in?
This book started slow and confusing for me. The beginning is a bunch of stories introducing the characters, but it is hard to catch on to what the point is until you are about 30% into the book. Once that was over, the writing and the story did get better. There were many ups and downs, twists, and turns. If you like crime stories you will probably enjoy this. This is a British crime story, so that may be why I didn’t click with it as much as I wanted to, but it was suspenseful.
The Places We Call Home: A picture book to remind us that home is where all love begins. by Kim Ann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a cute little story and I think many kids will enjoy it. The story let’s children know that whatever their home is, that it is perfectly okay, because there are many different kinds of homes. I think this story gives hope and joy. I recommend that parents check this book out for their children. I think they will find it enjoyable.
Strings Attached by Loriana Cappello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Strings Attached A Braebeach Rockstar Romance – by Loriana Cappello – 5 Stars
Ash Chambers – Rock Star dreams spots his secondary school crush during the summer leave from university.
Calla Bryson – Literally runs into a pole when she spots her crush on her first day back home.
Home for the summer these two run into each other. Both have had feelings for each other since school and neither knew about it. Catching up with each other and rekindling their friendship has both wanting more from each other. With Ash soon to be signing a record contract and Calla finishing her last year in Uni to get her business degree, can they both handle just a short summer fling?
Are their feelings for each other strong enough to go past a summer fling? Can they handle a long distance relationship with the fame of being a rockstar, temptations, trust and unexpected turns? Will they be able to fight for their love?
This is the first book I have read by Loriana Cappello and I have to say I loved this second chance romance. It had the right amount of steaminess to it as well as drama. I was rooting for Ash and Cal and that love conquers. The story is well written with all the aspects that I would imagine in real life. I could not put it down. I am invested in the secondary characters as well; rooting for the best friends to find their happiness! I will say I was not expecting to see Scott’s past.
To also see the heart break song was a very pleasant surprise, if only pages could give me the melody as well I would have it in my constant playlist. I can not wait to see more from Loriana! 5 stars all the way!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mr Lucky is book one in the gripping British crime thriller of the Trentbridge Tales series. This is an exciting psychological crime thriller with lots of twists and turns. I appreciate the mail the author includes in the beginning of the novel. Many times the reader tries to imagine the location and layout the characters are engaging in the story. There are British English words that I needed to look up while reading but I feel that it’s added to the plot. The story is original, intriguing, and full of suspense. You don’t want to stop reading it until the end!
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 is a delightful book that teaches children the true meaning of home.
It’s a beautifully illustrated book that parents can read to their children that explains the different places people live, such as the city, the countryside, or the beach. She even includes different places that animals inhabit.
It teaches the importance of love, family, and community. The overall lesson is that home isn’t a place but a feeling. Home is wherever your heart is, and it is a place of love.
Good Things Take Time: A picture book about learning patience by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is another little gem of a book by Suzanna Lynn!
In this particular book, Buddy teaches us a couple of lessons. Buddy reminisces about being adopted. He looks different than his siblings. He is blue, and they are all tan. The pups begin noticing people coming to the farm and looking at them. His mother explains that they will soon go to their forever homes and have even more adventures. As time passed, his siblings got adopted, and one family noted that they wanted a tan dog like all the others, not “the blue one.” Buddy’s feelings are hurt, and he thinks he will never find his forever home. However, a family arrives after driving several hours and takes him home, and it’s everything he ever hoped for.
Lynn does a beautiful job of explaining that everyone is created as unique and special. She also shows that waiting can be challenging, but with patience, life can turn out better than we ever imagined.
This is another book full of engaging young readers with a very positive message.
The Places We Call Home by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
The Places We Call Home by Kim Ann
The Places We Call Home is a cute children’s book that would be perfect for bedtime. The colorful illustrations help to bring the story to life and shows children different and unique ways and places people and animals live. Follow along on this adventure as we learn the importance of our Home and the memories and love shared within. My son loved this book. We highly recommend reading this book and look forward to reading more from this Author.
In this book while there is someone saying Angela can’t do it. She remains determined despite words said and actions happening. Holding the goals and stopping at nothing is what helps show others you are not what they say. Despite being told they can’t, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Midnight Falls by John (ronin) Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was one of the most intense books I have read in quite a while. It had me on the edge of my seat and cringing in bed at night, I had no clue what could happen next. The setting primarily takes place in one of those spooky old towns where everyone knows everyone else, and if you are an outsider, you are not welcome. The neighbors are all real creepy like they are all out to drive out any who are not a part of some big secret that only those from town know. The things that happened to our main character, Josh, had me looking over my shoulder at night, I was so jumpy at every little noise. I love finding a book that can have such an intense powerful reading experience. John Evans did an amazing job in writing Midnight Falls; I must say I cannot wait to read more of his books. I hope if you are into intense thrillers or horrors then you will give this book a read, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you do. Happy book hunting my friends, I’m on to my next search for another great read!
@Brandy Rymer
09/2024
The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 2nd book in The Discoveries of Julia Xero. I was definitely recommend reading these books in order as they follow on from each other and you need to read the first book to understand the position we find Julia is in now.
This is an urban fantasy thriller. There is so many elements to this story that the author has done an incredible job of making them all work together in a way that makes it enjoyable and gripping to read without getting confusing. This story is full of action, danger, threats, secret plots to stop humankind reproducing and threats to Julia’s very existence.
We are back with Julia and her friends. After learning some many secrets about her parentage and who she actually is there is now a target on her back by the council of purpose. They think she is an abomination and are undecided weather she deserves to live or not. However with more urgent matters she is released into her bosses care until they can make a decision.
However Julia’s life doesn’t go back to normal. With members of the Council already wanting her gone and someone else wanting her to not exist anymore the attempts on her life make things dangerous not just for her but for everyone around her.
As Julia trys to survive and protect her friends they are also still trying to investigate and stop a plot to stop the human race from reproducing but each step they get to uncovering who is behind it the more dangerous things become for everyone involved.
Will Julia be able to uncover who is behind the plot? Will she be able to uncover who is actually making the attempts to get rid of her? Is it members of the council or another unknown person? And can she keep herself save and all the people around her?
I honestly couldn’t put this book down. Every time you get a feeling that things are calming down something else happens which throws Julia in turmoil again. However what I do love about Julia’s character is she will not give up, she won’t hide and she is prepared to fight for her life, everyone around her and to stop the evil plot against humankind.
I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Night Sweats and Hockey Nets by Marika Ray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is wonderful, hilarious, fantastic!! These authors hit us with another tale of love the 2nd time around. Having characters in their forties is super relatable. We can’t all be 20-somethings anymore. 😁
Chloe is still grieving the husband she lost to cancer but is ready to reclaim her life. Being 42 isn’t old. When Chloe kisses a stranger in a bar, she knows it could never be more than that random stupid moment.
Nikolai is a dedicated goalie facing the end of his career. He is embroiled in a nasty custody battle for his young daughter. Nikolai also supports his family back at home. He has no time for relationships, especially if they would put his custody in danger. Not even for that raven-haired beauty he kissed in the bar. When she turns up unexpectedly at his coach’s house, Nikolai must find a way to avoid the biggest distraction he has ever met.
When Chloe makes an offer to help Nikolai out as a temporary nanny to help his custody battle, Nikolai refuses. When the professional nanny he found doesn’t work, Nikolai is stuck and asks Chloe to help. After some initial flirting, Nikolai and Chloe agree to keep it platonic and be friends. That only worked for so long. They gave into the heat, the sparks, the chemistry between them.
Nikolai and Chloe have some hurdles to overcome but the biggest ones seem to be themselves. They just can’t believe that they deserve to be loved and/or happy. Will they figure it out??
Loving this series!!
A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A sweet, YA tale of the new girl getting caught in a difficult situation. Holland just moved to Prescott. It is the first day of school and she meets a dream. He is tall, extremely attractive and super nice. Holland crushes hard on Asher immediately. A couple of days later after having a fight with her locker, Chandler helps Holland out and teaches her how to open the stubborn metal box. Chandler is tall, Hollywood handsome, cocky and for some reason interested in her.
After Chandler invites Holland to a family picnic, she discovers that Chandler and Asher are fraternal twins that have been competing against each other for years. Holland is totally crushing on both brothers but doesn’t want to be just another casualty in the longline of competitions between the Whittaker twins. After a disastrous event, Holland and the twins come to an agreement that she will go out on three dates with each twin and then they would get together to decide the next steps.
The first date with Asher was a perfect wreck with stuff like their picnic getting flooded, their car getting towed, and a lost phone. The first date with Chandler was nice…but he ordered a rare steak for her without asking, paid attention to the scores on his phone during dinner, and was more focused on him than her. The second date with Chandler almost happened but didn’t. Then Holland hd some serious family stuff going on so the dates got postponed.
Holland does figure out which twin is better for her. But I will let you read the book to find out. This author writes sweet, adorable tales of growing up. This is another one.
The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book picks up where Book 1 (The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller leaves off. Julia sure can’t catch a break no matter how hard she tries to get ahead! Lots of action, drama, and adventure as Julia tries to thwart off a new enemy trying to beat her down.
This has been an enjoyable series so far and I look forward to more!
Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book in the Match Made in Montana series, and it is just as wonderful as the previous books! Although I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series, you can definitely read this as a standalone without any confusion at all. Our two main characters, Joe and Abby, are incredibly well-developed. The palpable tension between them creates a compelling love/hate dynamic that kept me engaged to the very last page. Abby has a heavy secret which creates a strong emotional core to the narrative. The pacing is well-balanced, and the secondary characters enrich the small-town atmosphere. Overall, this is a charming read that captures the essence of love in the face of secrets. If you enjoy a clean romance full of love blossoming amidst misunderstandings and hidden identities, this book will not disappoint.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mr.Lucky is the first book and start to the Trentbridge Tales series. When James, a former detective finds himself at rock bottom, he decides to try his luck with a lottery ticket. He has lost his family and everything he cherishes and can not even afford to feed himself, so what does he have to lose? To his astonishment, he wins big; now all of his problems are solved, right? Not so much. Now he has some rather unpleasant people tracking him down and finding himself battling the underbelly of society, and his own demons. This was the first book by Lee Wood that I have read and it kept me guessing. This story is written in multiple POVs and has enough excitement, drama, danger, and psychological battle to make you love the writing. I am happy to continue on to the next book and see if the story continues and where the path leads.
reviewed by @zoltrixes
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Decisions Matter by Suzanna Lynn
5 Stars!
Buddy is trying his hardest to prove his innocence to his people while there is a trash bandit on the loose. Buddy perseveres through the tough times and learns that being truthful is always the best choice.
Author Suzanna Lynn does a fantastic job of showing how to work through the difficult times using easy-to-understand Bible verses to explain that God is always with us.
Decisions Matter: A picture book about learning right from wrong by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My children are two years apart and while often best friends, they’re still siblings. This was a great book to illustrate the importance of telling the truth and being held accountable for your own actions. The story flowed and was a fast read with good illustrations. My children enjoyed the book and I really liked that it was a lesson that didnt feel like a lecture!
Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable and engaging enemies to lovers western style romance. Joe is a teacher and amateur historian in the small town of Herd, in Montana. Ever since food truck owner Abby arrived in town Joe has had the feeling that she’s lying about her identity. Abby does in deed have a secret as she settled in Herd under an alias. Abby is actually the descendant of the infamous Whittier family and time is running out for her to claim her property. She’s worried this will destroy not only her life in the town but also her new relationship. The small town of Herd came vividly to life through the descriptive narrative as did the wonderful mix of locals. The chemistry between Joe and Abby came across in the story and I liked how their slow burn romance developed.
Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Quest For Love: A Pride And Prejudice Variation Novelette by T.L. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a Jane Austen fan, I’ve read my fair share of inspired stories, many of which have been about our fair Georgiana Darcy. This one was at the top of my list of favorites. It was a short read but I greatly enjoyed it. The writing style made it seem as if it was written by Miss Austen herself, which can’t have been easy, since not many others have pulled it off. I don’t recall reading this particular author before, but I will definitely be reading more from her in the future, and if you are a fan of Jane Austen, this short and sweet read will not be a disappointment.
A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a great YA romance story, told from the perspective of a brilliant female main character. Holland was easily the best character in this book. Her whole world seems to be flipped when she moves and find herself involved in a “love triangle”. I loved watching her character develop and how she interacted with the other characters.
This author really knows how to write to her audience. Every book I had read by her is perfectly suited for those intended to read the books. I always find myself engaging with the stories, and this one is no different. This is a great book from start to finish and I would recommend it for any fan of the genre.
A Pig and AA Poke by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I like being able to recommend good children’s books to people and this is another great one. I just wish my kids were little enough for them. I found that the author was able to really grab the reader into the story and make it fun. I like how the author is able to make the subject matter really easy and fun to read and has a really creative writing style. I like how the book is engaging and helps to teach younger kids. It has great illustrations and delightful characters. This is a great way for kids to get into a good reading habit and help them to learn in a creative and engaging way. I would highly recommend to any parent of younger kids to get and help their kids to learn some of life’s lessons and gain a good sense of competition and good citizenship.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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Decisions Matter: A picture book about learning right from wrong by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really cute children’s book about making the right decisions and choices. It’s easily understood and easy to follow. The beautifully illustrated pages follow the story and add to the reading experience.
Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you are looking for a small-town, cowboy romance complete with secrets, deceit, and bison then this is the book for you! I really enjoyed Abby and Joe as individual characters but when they got together…WHEW! You could cut that tension with a knife! This is definitely a slow-burn, clean romance with a lot of lovable side characters. This is the 3rd installment in the Match Made in Montana series but you can read it as a standalone (I did). I can’t wait to go back and read the other two and catch up on the characters I missed. I love Campbell’s writing style and the way she develops her characters and plot line. She’s quickly becoming a favorite author!
Reviewed by @meggs1717
