Rogue Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In this third book from the Protector Wolf Shifter series you’ll continue to follow Tamaska and her journey into shifting. I recommend reading from the beginning book as these aren’t stand alone books. It is a paranormal love story. It has action and mystery and stubbornness. It is an easy read and allows you vivid imagery.
Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants is a few steps up from the normal Lois Wickstrom books. Still a children’s book but an older child. I believe children in fifth grade to seventh would love this story, maybe even earlier than fifth grade if they like chapter books. It has all the science and imagination you see in all her books. It is a wonderful tale co-written between Milagros Darling and Lois Wickstrom. They do an excellent job of telling the story easy and not getting you lost in the magic or science of it.
Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This author is one of just a few where all I have to do is see the name on the book and I know I have to read it. This book absolutely delivered with every page turned! I was hooked from the start and held captive by fabulous writing that made you truly see everything the author was writing about. I highly recommend reading in order to enhance your experience. I don’t want to give too much away concerning the storyline, you really need to discover it for yourself, but I will say Ian and Jarryd are back and if you love a bit of adventure and magic with some danger thrown in then this is the book, no series for you! I promise you will be as hooked as I am. I can’t wait for more!
Taz: by D.M. Earl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I want to start by saying that I absolutely love the cover for this!
Taz is a Mom who kicks a** and takes name especially when it comes to her son, Teddy.
She is the bookkeeper for the Handmaiden’s. When a white supremacy group starts making trouble and the past starts to catch up with her, she finds a family that help protect her and Teddy.
I was not expecting to be so engrossed and captivated by this book as I was. I knew it may pull at my heartstrings but I wasn’t prepared by how much nor how much I would love the characters.
I am not a big fan of different POV chapters but it works very well.
I read that there is another book scheduled to be released in September. I am looking forward to reading it.
Love Shots by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVE this series and the fantastic characters brought to life by this talented author. They weave their way straight into your heart and stay there long after you’ve read the last word. I really loved Teddy and Summer. They are such fun characters. They have been friends for years and even though they had feelings for each other neither one was brave enough to tell the other. Life took them in different directions but now they are both back in Bluestone and they can’t fight their attraction and longer. This book can absolutely be read as a stand alone but why do that and miss out on all the other amazing books in this series!! Grab them all and get bingeing! You won’t regret even a second of it.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
WONDERFUL!!! This book is full of detail and it will take you through so much in Russel’s life. While this story is geared towards kids, I (being almost 50) was drawn in and captivated by the details and the adventures. What a wonderful way to spend time with your Grandfather. Wonderful book that will hopefully be enjoyed by many!
Love Shots by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A sweet romance about a 2nd chance at 1st love and true love. Summer and Teddy had been in love with each other since they were 10 years old. Things and people stood in their way until now. Now the only thing standing in their way was each other.
Summer was escaping a stalker ex while trying to refind her place in the world. Teddy was recently out of the military, needing time to recover after a really bad tour. Each returning to the only place they felt safe enough to start to heal, Mickey’s. Mickey’s was Summer’s grandfather’s bar until he recently sold out to Teddy, unknowingly stealing Summer’s dream. Now they are back in town, together, for the first time in about a decade.
Sparks fly. Feelings come out. Memories are relived. Flames are rekindled. Magic and romance happen. Exs appear.
If you are in the mood for cinnamon roll alphas and sweet romance, this is your jam!!
Love Shots by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A sweet romance about a 2nd chance at 1st love and true love. Summer and Teddy had been in love with each other since they were 10 years old. Things and people stood in their way until now. Now the only thing standing in their way was each other.
Summer was escaping a stalker ex while trying to refind her place in the world. Teddy was recently out of the military, needing time to recover after a really bad tour. Each returning to the only place they felt safe enough to start to heal, Mickey’s. Mickey’s was Summer’s grandfather’s bar until he recently sold out to Teddy, unknowingly stealing Summer’s dream. Now they are back in town, together, for the first time in about a decade.
Sparks fly. Feelings come out. Memories are relived. Flames are rekindled. Magic and romance happen. Exs appear.
If you are in the mood for cinnamon roll alphas and sweet romance, this is your jam!!
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a cute book!! I got this for my 10 almost 11 year old, but as I read it I really enjoyed it myself! I was captivated by each horse/pony! What little/big girl doesn’t love horses?! Poor Russell’s’ life is been all downs lately in life’s’ crazy ups and downs. He’s not been doing well at school (about failing!), his over the top storytelling grandfather moved in and took his room (plus he has to care for him after school!), he was basically banished to the basement (yelling up and down stairs all the time. ugh!), and he can’t seem to do anything right (dad’s drinking isn’t helping!). Pre-teen life at it’s finest! He has big dreams of being a firefighter like his uncle, but he really isn’t courageous/brave enough. He can’t stand up to school bullies, his grandpa keeps making him go to the park for a baby ride (the carousel), and everyone seems to yell at him for everything. Life sucks. One day after fighting with his grandfather (about that stupid baby carousel), he rides the carousel with him and they’re magically sent for a ride!! Shot back into the past where they face a life and death experience, has Russell looking at his grandfather’s “crazy” stories closer. Has he really lived all these stories? Different lives almost? Each time he rides a horse, he is brought into that horses’ world and he gets to experience their life for a short song. Each ride has it’s own obstacles and adventures though, and when Russell looses the magic brass ring (his grandfather gave him) he could be stuck forever!! Can he make it back? Will he learn all the secrets to the ring and the horses? What about the lead horse? Will he find it?? There are so many questions you will find yourself asking throughout this book (I suggest you ask your kids what they think while you read together for more interaction!), but it is so wonderful! I really enjoyed “getting to know” each of the different horses on the carousel and so did my daughter. I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
The Reluctant Suitor: BWWM Historical Western by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This small town historic romance book has some pretty hard issues within its pages. Billie is fighting for her rights and equality! And she’s also falling for someone, that others don’t agree with. This book sucked me right in because of the angst, the drama and the story alone! I really enjoyed the characters and I wish the book was a bit longer so I could read more about them. I always get sad when a book ends. Super fast paced book!
Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars
Amaleigha Makes A New Friend is a cute addition to the Amaleigha series by Janice Pratt. I absolutely love the beautiful illustrations in this sweet children’s story, they really help to bring the whole story to life. The story is sweet, interesting, educational, and has meaningful messages about friendship, helpfulness, compassion, and making a difference. The author sprinkled in a little drama and angst too, which gives the story an added element of interest.
Amaleigha’s third grade class learns a lot about the Ukraine when her teacher assigns their class a pen pal program. The class will be exchanging letters with student in the Ukraine, and Amaleigha’s pen pal is Vova, a nine-year-old boy. Through exchanging letters back and forth with Vova, Amaleigha learns about him, his family, and life in the Ukraine. With war on his doorstep, Amaleigh worries for her friend. Things seem quite dire. She and her classmates all want to help and decide on a class fundraising activity to try to make a small difference. And so, a sweet story is born.
As with Amaleigha’s other stories, this book also promotes the idea that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. The messages are inspirational and easy for children to understand.
Happy reading!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Sing For Me by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I gotta say I had fun reading this book. The chemistry between Ashleigh and Blu had me holding my sides when I was laughing. They were fun with each other and Ashleigh challenged Blu to be better and the shenanigans that Blu did to try and wear Ashleigh own had me in stitches. Both are really sweet characters and there were some moments where I wanted to beat them over their heads, but overall I really did like the characters. I love when author’s do the dual POV’s because its great getting an inside look of how the character’s thinking works. Out of all the characters in Sing For me, Blu’s mom was my absolute favorite. She was caring, wholesome and definitely made sure that Blu stayed grounded and didnt let him get away with things just because he was a big rockstar now. She seriously need her own book! I can’t wait to read about the other band members books, and for sure will be adding this author to my bookshelf so I can read her books over and over again!
Saved by the Everyday Hero by Amelia Hayden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This anthology is broken up by spice level which is unique!
The first story I read was Unexpected Heroes by Naomi Valkyrie. I was immersed into this story quickly and found myself relating to the characters for different things throughout.
Elijah is a single dad who has moved to a new town to start over with his infant son. His new neighbor catches him at a weak moment and he inserts himself pretty quickly into helping. With a love interest and some mystery this was a great quick read.
Another book in this collection was Into the Flames by Dawn Luedecke.
A firefighter and a photojournalist spent one night together and both never forgot it. Now Sadie is back and Dalton won’t let her go. With Sadie risking her life for animals and Dalton risking his for Sadie will they fan the flames between them?
Fallen Honor by Pandora Snow was another story that stood out to me.
This one had me hooked! An ex marine, mystery and heat! I really wanted this not to end. I wanted to know more.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a fantastic story and I just loved the overall feeling of magic, family, imagination and life lessons. The story is geared from ages 9-12 but truly this story can be enjoyed for the young and the young at heart (like me). I am already eagerly waiting for more in The Brass Ring series. Highly recommend read and just overall wonderful story.
Russell is trying to survive 5th grade so he can make it to middle school. With his grandfather living with the family, an unruly bully on his heels and some family drama….all Russell wants is to grown up and become a firefighter. When a daily outing with his grandfather to the local carousel takes Russell and his grandfather on a magical journey, Russell learns new challenges may make or break from him wanting to become the firefighter he wants one day.
As each journey on the Magic Carousel embarks on just a new adventure for Russell, he will learn not only to be brave when he thinks he cannot but to also make his grandfather happy.
Magical wonderful story……..I cannot wait to see where the Magic Carousel takes me next.
Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. I think it deals with a very important topic and will benefit kids as they learn that people who live in another country are not that different from them. The story was really good and had a good flow. This would be a good story for any child in grade school as they will relate to the characters and the story. I recommend this book and this author if you have a child who loves to read and learn about new places.
Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a fantastic read!
Amaleigha’s 3rd grade class gets pen pals from Ukraine. It’s in these letters that they get to learn about each other’s cultures, countries, families, and everyday life. As they keep writing, they get to ask questions and learn more and more about their new friends. Everything was going amazingly until the Ukraine students wrote and told Amaleigha and her classmates about the possible war they were facing with Russia and how scared they were. This proceeded to open up all the fear the students had for their friends while also giving them the incentive and chance to learn more about different types of unrest in the world.
Janice Pratt has written a very thought provoking book about differences between individuals and the struggles they endure. She really handled the war in such a sensitive manner that allows you to ease into learning more about the world around you and how everything can and usually does affect everyone else in some way. I also really enjoyed the colorful illustrations and was pleasantly surprised to learn that they were drawn by a Ukrainian artist, Alina Kralia, who has had to relocate because of the unrest in Ukraine.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a wonderful story and start to this series! This is the second time I’ve read from this author and just loved this one as well! These books are great for those older elementary and middle school age groups and love when their imagination takes over! This book is also great to read out loud or for bedtime reading with your imaginative youngins.
The main character Russell has been going down a downward spiral as far as bad grades and bullies from school but the one thing that remains consistent is him taking his grandfather to the carousel everyday after school, his grandpa’s favorite spot. What Russell ends up finding out is the magic brass ring that belongs to his grandpa unlocks the magic within through a time travel adventure. Through this adventure that Russell embarks, he becomes a stronger person to conquer those areas in which he feels weak and defeated. Read this book with your kids and you get to go on the adventure as well! Can’t wait to read the others in this series!
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Great Story! An adventure awaits, strong characters and great storyline. This author will draw you in and keep you going to the end, painting you a vivid picture in your mind. Fast paced, I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I know this was aimed at an audience way younger than me, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Both of my kids (ages 7 and 11) absolutely adored this book, and it really started some good conversation in our family as well. This author is new to me, so I was pleased to find that they wrote a captivating tale of time-travel and family. We are eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series because we couldn’t get enough! I highly recommend picking this heart-felt, adventurous tale and sharing it with the kids (or just young-at-heart) in your life!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Ten Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book has beautiful illustrations and a fun rhyming read along for the young ones in your life. My youngest kiddo is 7 so he’s a little bit older for the counting part, but he still loved the pictures and the facts about starfish. Both of my kids thought the singalong was FANTASTIC! We had never seen that before, so it made it interesting and so much fun. This would be absolutely perfect for school and it’s definitely one we won’t soon forget. I highly recommend picking this up and having a blast with the kids!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Sing For Me by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wowza! Tam has done it again for me. Blu and Ashleigh are everything I love in a pair. Her no nonsense attitude and his playboy lifestyle, I knew it was going to be electric from the jump, and I was NOT disappointed. Their chemistry through this book was OFF the charts, no matter how much one or the other was trying to deny it. This world (the rock & roll world) has always been a world I love to get lost in. And Ash just fits into so perfectly. I love her drive and determination to make sure she is still her own person. This story is one I will definitely be reading more than once. I can’t wait to read more of the Balefire books. They are gonna be ELECTRIC!!!
Review By Manda Kelly
Master Campania is searching for witches and some traitors who have set up resistance in his territory. This book kept my attention throughout and I had to keep reading. The author did a great job of world and character building. Enjoyed reading about the budding attraction between Willow and Master Campania. I would recommend any book by this author and this series in particular is my favorite. I hope you like it too.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow what a magical and phenomenal read! It’s for a younger audience but my goodness, I’m so glad I decided to read this. Fantastic characters and it sincerely captured my heart. It was such a magical adventure that I never wanted it to end. If you want a book full of adventure, magic, challenges, emotion, bravery and courage…please read this! You will not want to put it down.
Granting Katelyn by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I could barely put this book down. I love the strong female characters in this series, and this book was every bit as good as the first book. Katelyn is sweet as pie and tough as nails, and strong as an ox. Reading her story unfold as she rehabilitates a broken horse, and his rider in the process, was captivating. It will have you rooting for love and letting go of expectations and acceptance until the end. Simply beautiful.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I’ve read by K. L. Small. I was intrigued by the title and the cover photo. I got hooked from the beginning. Russell is very relatable, especially to kids at the preteen age. He doesn’t want to be responsible for his grandpa! He’s got his own issues to deal with, like an old friend turned bully and his slipping grades. This book took me on adventures right along side Russell and his grandpa. I would recommend this book for many age levels and to be read to a younger group. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
Cruel King by K.M. Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed the storyline of this book, and some of the character development, but I felt like Matthias lacked some depth. The fact that no one checked him when he was being out of line in his cruelty to Ava and that he continued this brutish behavior as an adult made him less believable as the man he shows up as later in the book. Also, Ava’s dad seemed contradictory in his love and tenderness towards her and his actions following the snow storm. This one just didn’t really hit the spot for me, but I also tend to like more realistic romance stories. If you like drama, slow burns, and love/hate stories, you might enjoy it.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Adventure. While this isn’t the first book, I have read by the talented K.L. Small this one was very different. Its life, a ten-year-old boy named Russell is in fifth grade, he’s bullied by his old best friend Tyler and thinks he is nothing but a failure in everything he does.
Russ dreams of being a firefighter like his Uncle Ethan, but his fears of everything get in the way. In the past year everything has fallen around Russ, his grandma passed away leading to his grandpa moving in with his family. He lost his room to his grandpa, now his room is the unfinished damp basement that smells like dirty socks. All his grades have dropped this year, his father only ever thinks he has done something wrong and tells him he fails. Grandpa always tells amazing stories not fantasy stories but true stories of horses throughout history, he talks about them like they are people and not just an animal that people ride. Every day after school he must take grandpa to the park to ride the carousel, something he tries to hide from while there because of Tyler and Matt. In a moment of panic after a run in with the bullies he tells his grandpa today is the last time. Grandpa’s only request it to have one more ride. Roscoe, river, bear. Grandpa tells him they were there in 1827 and that it was magic, but then he has a stroke giving Russell his brass ring as he is taken away in the ambulance. Little Bit, mine, explosion.
How is it possible? Did grandpa ever take mom for an adventure when she was little? No explanations on how just told magic, then the magic seems to be tugging him back to the carousel everyday making him yearn for another adventure. The world is ours; reality is both the good and the bad. The author’s ability to mix in some magic while not losing the overall story of life is interesting and easy for the age group to understand and hold on to the magic in the world. Heroes are everyday people or in this case animals that accomplished amazing feats throughout time. I truly cannot wait for the next instalment of this new series.
The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Russell feels like a failure in everything to do with his life. He is flunking school, being bullied by his old best friend and his own alcoholic father. His dream is to be a firefighter when he grows up but he knows he’s too weak and not brave enough to actually be one. On top of all that, his grandfather moved in and stole his bedroom. Russell’s mother works full time so it’s on Russell to take his grandfather to the park where there is a carousel his grandfather wants to ride everyday. Everyone thinks his grandfather is crazy. He always has these unbelievable stories he tells. Russell hates being seen with his grandfather as he thinks the bullying will get worse.
One day, Russell’s grandfather convinces him to ride the carousel with him. Reluctantly, Russell agrees. The duo was transported into another time and place on the horses they were on via the carousel. Russell realizes that the stories grandpa told might be real and his grandfather isn’t as crazy as originally believed.
From that day forward, Russell rides a different horse everyday and is transported into different scenarios, learning lessons about bravery and standing up for oneself.
Even though this is technically a kids book, I really enjoyed it. I like how every adventure was different and Russell was able to take something from each ride. The author did a good job with Russells character coming into his own as he embraces himself and becomes more confident with the help of magic.
Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a well written book that shows how a young person can develop a friendship across the ocean through written letter. This story shows how Amaleigha makes a new friend in the Ukraine and develops an understanding of where her friend lives – which is much different than were we live. Not only did she learn about the present Ukraine, but her teacher taught them the history of the country – giving them the background needed to know and understand present day Ukraine. This story provides a glimpse of how children view wartime and how those of us not living it can have empathy. What a great book!
Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Liz has been raised by her grandmother since she was 10. And she was a very loving and devoted grandma, to the point that she’s still lovingly meddling even in death. Liz goes on an adventure where she discovers that her grandmother wasn’t just her grandmother but had a rather spectacular life she gave up to raise her. She also meets a handsome man who knew her grandmother along the way! Very good book with a sweet love story built in!
