Operation Escape by Landra Graf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book one in this series was hot, hot, hot!! While I absolutely loved it this one was even better. We get into a new HEA adventure with Sera and Markus. We see some familiar characters and meet up with some new ones! These stories are quick reads but well worth it!
“My words disappeared when I was fifteen months only.” Emerson was a happy child who went from counting to not being able to string words together to communicate what she desires to say. Emerson Was diagnosed with functional nonverbal autism on top of a sensory processing disorder. The book, Non-Verbal give the reader first hand insight about Emerson and her family’s lives. It is really amazing to read this book from the perspective of Emerson Because you know exactly what she is struggling with throughout the book. This book is well written and is impactful. This book would be great to pose discussions with teenagers and young adults about people who are different and how their world looks. Non-Verbal gives everyone a glimpse into Emerson‘s life and is based on a true story, I only hope that going forward that there are many more books like this one.
A Spot of Earl Slay by Aubrey Elle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Fun, easy cozy mystery to curl up to and such an enjoyable story. What happens when Naomi Front finally divorces her husband and uproots her daughter to a new home in a small town of Fayette? Nothing like arriving with what is the next step in their journey to hopefully come to a better place but rather be talk of the town moments upon arrival….yes a dead body at their new home’s shed. Who is this person and what happened?
Naomi’s neighbors, Ingrid and Barbara, whom are tea lovers at heart, try and “spill the tea” so to speak and try and piece together the puzzle of what become the newly deceased while also welcoming both Naomi and Ella into their little town. Secrets, money, lies and danger as trying to piece the clues together….will the ladies be able to solve this mystery before the the police while Naomi is battling her ex-husband and his family at the same time.
This is a very fun read…very enjoyable and the story really captured you right from the beginning. Can I say that Ingrid and Barbara (the neighbor ladies) were a total hoot! I am looking forward to getting my hands on book 2 of this series!
Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker is a collection of poetry. This collections takes the reader on a journey through their senses and allows them to experience each poem differently from someone else. Making it a truly individualized experience. I have to say I loved the artwork. It was nice to not feel like I was reading some ordinary book. Each page was colorful and aesthetically pleasing. Each poem was beautifully written and I like the lyrical feel as well as the rhyming nature. Although some I found a little more confusing than others, but I did read them a couple times. There’s also a lot of words I looked up and that helped me as well.
Overall I really enjoyed this collection.
A Spot of Earl Slay by Aubrey Elle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Spot of Earl Slay is the first book in this fun new series by Aubrey Elle, the Tea Time Troubles series. I have not read anything by this author before and it was an easy read to settle into.
What exactly does the small town of Fayette hold in store for our characters hoping for a change of pace and a new start? The town is full of quirky characters and town gossips and the like.
This short story starts out with a corpse, an ex who wants to play hardball, and a plethora of suspects for this mother daughter duo to delve deep into investigating. It’s hard not to laugh when a teenager gets involved.
This fun cosy mystery finds amateur sleuths Naomi and Ella and their tea-loving friends trying to solve the mystery of the death of the town gossip. What kind of danger do they find lurking in the shadows?
If you like cosy mysteries pop in with a cup of tea and a biscuit and say hi to the gang.
Reviewed by @jennadb
White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved the story overall…. the beginning and ending are fast-paced and excellently written; the middle drags a little. Loved the characters- I grew to love all of them. For tackling tough subjects (death, marital issues), the story was heart wrenching at times.
I enjoyed the format of the story (current times then flash backs to the incident with Curtis), and felt all the minor characters were needed to keep the story flowing. I would read a sequel to this book if one was written.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Non-Verbal by Molly Zenk. This book was a eye opening, emotional, amazing read. Its about a young girl named Emerson who at the super young age of 15 months lost all ability to speak. She was also diagnosed with Autism at the same time. On top of Autism she was also diagnosed with having sensory issues and a intellectual disability. When a child has a disability it effects everyone in that child’s life and this book documents that. This story takes us on the journey of Emerson as she functions in her own way in this crazy world. It has to be so hard to be talked about and understanding what they are saying but not being able to respond. Emerson is very lucky in the fact that her parents are strong advocates for her and will fight until their last day for her. This book opened my eyes to the hard road that children with disabilities have along with their families. I cried several times thru this read. It is written so wonderfully to make you actually feel what this child and parents are going thru.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I wasn’t sure what to expect as this was my first book by this author, but I was blown away. This was a very emotional yet incredibly relatable read as I also have ASD. Molly Zenk perfectly illustrates life in middle school which already includes emotions, cliques, and confusion, but added to the mix of navigating life as a non-verbal teenager. It is heartbreaking to think of people around you speaking near you but never even trying to engage with you because of the differences. The amount of challenges Emerson and her parents face can feel insurmountable, but they are all determined to succeed no matter what. I highly recommend picking this up as it is so well written and will have you feel nearly every emotion throughout Emerson’s story. I believe it would be especially helpful to you if you know someone with ASD as it helps you see the world through their eyes a little bit. This was such a magnificent read and will not soon forget it.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Non-Verbal
By: Molly Zenk
This is such an important book. It is definitely recommended for middle grades, but frankly I recommend it for everyone. As an educator, I believe that this book definitely gives insight into a section of the population that many people do not understand.
This book focuses on Emerson and her family. Emerson is diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and all her words disappeared when she was 15 months old. This book shows many of the ups and downs that she experienced from this point forward. Emerson navigated being nonverbal in a verbal world as well as she can and this book is definitely heart wrenching. I found myself cheering and crying throughout the book. Emerson definitely faced her struggles during a period when many young adults struggle.
I definitely recommend this book. I think it definitely is a great read and one that will have you looking at the world around you a little differently.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a wonderfully engaging read and although an emotional one it is also inspirational, and I was captivated from start to finish. The storyline focuses on teenager Emerson, who is severely autistic and who’s words disappeared when she was just fifteen months old. However, this does not mean that she has no voice. Throughout the story we learn about how she deals with her life and the challenges that her autism causes from her own point of view. It’s soon obvious that she’s a very independent and strong teenager. Along with friendships which she does not find easy, sadly Emerson is also bullied and her obvious frustrations turn to self injurious behaviour.
She also has to deal with over protective and stressed out parents who also cause her to become frustrated. The story also shows how much her parents have to deal with having a severely autistic daughter, who also suffers from mental and emotional instabilities. It’s not just day to day living which is difficult, but her parents have to fight just to get their daughter the appropriate support and treatment that she needs in both the health and education systems, both of which are lacking in options for intensive needs teens. I was definitely taken on am emotional rollercoaster whilst reading this book, however the issues are dealt with sensitively and honestly and there are lighthearted moments as well.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Non-Verbal is inspired by a true story and tells the life of severely autistic Emerson Rayne from her point of view. Emerson lost her ability to talk at the tender age of fifteen months old. Now, at the age of fourteen, Emerson is trying to navigate the difficult world of middle school. Middle school is tough enough as she deals with bullies, friendships, and the stress of being a teenager but for Emerson she must also deal with over protective stressed out parents and stressed-out teachers. She tries to remain good Emerson so she does not stress everyone out but finds that sometimes bad Emerson cannot help but lose control. Sometimes she cannot fight the urge to run away or eat the things that she knows that she should not eat. Sometimes the bugs crawl on her skin and she cannot stop scratching. Sometimes she feels like her body is on fire and she tries to make it stop. Having a daily routine usually helps to keep Emerson grounded and from having outbursts but sometimes the sensory overload from the bright lights and loud noises at school set her off. Now for some reason she is having outbursts that lead her to self-harm and she seems mentally and emotionally unstable. It is up to Emerson’s parents to try to keep her safe and find her the help and support she needs in both the health and education systems.
This was an absolutely beautiful and moving story that tells the point of view of someone who has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder, an intellectual disability, and a sensory processing disorder. We see firsthand from her point of view life through Emerson’s eyes and although she is unable to speak, she has a voice and wants to be heard. We see the struggles and challenges she faces everyday as she fights the urge to do things like run, run, run. How she so desperately wants to be good so she does not worry those around her but cannot control how she reacts to certain stimuli in her environment. Bullies, loud noises, bright lights, and straying from her routine all set Emerson off and she is unable to stop from reacting. Good Emerson turns to bad Emerson, and she is saddened that she has worried those that love her and care for her. Emerson’s parents do everything they can to protect her, get her the help she needs, and show her that they love her. It was easy to empathize with Emerson and her parents with the struggles they all faced. A touching story that really gave insight on the dynamics surrounding those that have ASD and the daily struggles and challenges they face. A poignant, thought provoking and heartfelt read.
Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal is a rich and wonderful paranormal story. I really enjoyed the twins Jacqueline Duval and Angélique Laforge. The twins are strong and brilliant. I also love the historical setting of Nineteenth-century France. There is something for everyone’s paranormal desires. This story is fun and well thought out. I had a lot of fun with this book.
White Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
White Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson is a heartbreaking story of Julie; a mom that has done her best to give her family the perfect life that she did not have. After Julie has one moment of weakness, her world falls apart. This was such a beautifully written story. I was able to relate to Julie so completely and my heart broke for her as she was enduring the events of the book. All the characters are very believable and it was very moving to see how they also endured their struggles. A very good story!
Return to Hoodoo: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel by Reggi Dupree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! The characters are intriguing and vibrant. The world building is good. The only thing that could have been better is having some of the backstory fleshed out a bit more. But even so, I was so into the story that I kept turning the pages. The snark, sass, and witty banter throughout the book is amazing.
The author wrote a phenomenal main character in Gwen. She’s real and gritty. She’s tough, but deep down, she cares. It’s a great balance of strong and soft.
Ash… swoon. I need more Ash!
And that ending. Why is the next book not out yet, lol???
Overall, a stellar read!
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22731901-magic-scars” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones, #2)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406925418l/22731901._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22731901-magic-scars”>Magic-Scars</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7704723.C_L_Schneider”>C.L. Schneider</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5503264471″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
What an amazing continuation from the first on the series. The world building and character development is top notch.<br />Ian Troy has been imprisoned, drugged and when finally freed finds the world has changed, the Shinree are not slaves but not free either. Ian needs to find out who he is, who he can trust and what hope can do.<br />The story is certainly not without its angst, fights and magic. This words that the author has shared with us will keep you hooked as this epic fantasy story keeps evolving.<br />
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34425105-tracy”>View all my reviews</a>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29233832-magic-borne” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones, #3)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456082906l/29233832._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29233832-magic-borne”>Magic-Borne</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7704723.C_L_Schneider”>C.L. Schneider</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5503239525″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
What again an absolutely encompassing continuation in the series by this author.<br />And exactly how much can Ian do in the name of freedom and peace. Ian must understand the past and the creation of the crown of stones, to bring freedom to his people and to stop his father from realising his dreams of a magic empire ruled over by himself.<br />On his quest to find the truth Ian uncovers many truths and secret kept and lost over the time that the Shinree has been enslaved and drugged.<br />Once again CLSchneider keep you totally engrossed and rooting for our hero Ian.<br />If you are into reading deep fantasy with twist and turns, history , politics, magic, tragedy and a really good story line then the whole series is for you.
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34425105-tracy”>View all my reviews</a>
Non-Verbal by Molly Zenk gives an insightful and compassionate look into the daily life of 14-year-old Autistic Emerson Rayne. This book is very much outside the normal genres that I read. However, I was absolutely captivated and felt I could really empathize with Emerson’s character. Even though her Disability made her obstacles more complicated it really showed that on a base level we all struggle with the same core desires. To be loved, to make our friends and family proud, and be the very best version of ourselves that we can be. The descriptions of how her Autism affected her really painted a different picture from what we generally understand about people who struggle with it. Her dynamic with Ryleigh absolutely melted my heart. It was also extremely real and raw to see her parents’ struggles to help her and how it affected their relationship and daily life. Overall, I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was eye opening, thoughtful, and the kind of book that really makes you think. The representation this book will bring is incredible. I cannot recommend this book enough.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was an amazing read from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down, and had to know if things would get better for Emerson. Emerson Rayne is a middle school girl who is Autistic and mostly non-verbal. She can speak sometimes, usually short one or two word answers, and very infrequently. When she was a toddler, she could speak perfectly fine, until she was around fifteen months old, and then her words left her. Emerson wants to be like the neurotypical girls she sees sometimes at school, but the sensory overload that comes from being in a school with bright lights, loud noises and mean kids, sometimes makes Emerson’s days more difficult. Emerson wants to be a good girl, but sometimes she finds it too difficult to fight the urges to run away, to eat things she shouldn’t, and possibly worst of all the feeling of bugs crawling on her that she knows is not on the outside, as well as the feeling of fire that is also not on the outside but leads her to harming herself in an effort to make the pain stop. Sometimes her attempts to get the feelings to go away cause her to hurt those around her, like her best friend Ryleigh or even her teachers. As her behavior problems at school continue to escalate, her parents try everything they know how to try and so does the school, until the finally are forced to put her back into what she calls the hospital school, an inpatient treatment for children experiencing behavior crisis. Between a new treatment plan, and a new school targeted at helping ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) kids, Emerson and her family hope things will get better. As a part of two ASD kids, as well as a SpEd parapro for a middle school child, I found this book to be very authentic and helpful. I quickly got attached to Emerson, while also being able to empathize with her parents as well as with her teachers/parapros. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know a little more about what it’s like to be in any of these positions.
A Spot of Earl Slay by Aubrey Elle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book! I really liked that the main character is an older character and has a teenager. I really like overall the way she is and how she reacts to things. The main character, Naomi Front, is relatable and really enjoy that. I plan to continue on in the series.
Reviewed by @purplesky25276
Other People’s Money by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Madeline and Mike have their hands full with this book! Three exciting stories in one book?
Madeline’s friends are back asking for her help. She must find one person, check up on another and hope things turn out for all that are involved. Many twists and turns that will keep you reading until the very last page. There are No Spoilers for you here. This author writes with her mysteries laid out. She captures every question her readers could possibly ask. This Mystery Thriller will keep you entertained as well as on the edge of your seat. I found this story was hard to put down, as I worried about the characters and their predicaments. I love a great mystery, but give me this author’s book and watch me disappear. I look forward to reading so much more from her.
Review@cinful
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a really emotional and inspiring read for me. This story is based on a true events which make what you read even more of an emotional read.
In this story we follow Emerson Rayne. When she was 15 months old she lost the ability to use her words and she went from a “normal” functioning child to a child diagnosed as being part of the Autistic spectrum.
What follows is an insight into Emersons life and how her disabilities impact her daily life in ways we don’t even think about. I love Emerson’s character she is a determined young woman who just wants what every girl her age does, to fit in and have friends. However these are hard things for her and you can feel her anger and frustrations as she tries to find her way.
We also see how Emerson’s disabilities impact those around her including her parents and it was hard to read how her parents struggled to get the help and support Emerson needs to be able to have a normal life.
This story really hit home for me as I had an aunty who couldn’t communicate and suffered with different physical and mental disabilities. It has made me realise just how hard things could be for her and it helped me to understand why she used to get frustrated when we couldn’t understand what she wanted to say.
This is a very moving story which gives you a insight into what it is like to live as Emerson does and how hard she tries to navigate and fit in. No matter how hard she never gives up.
The Lone Star Child by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Lone Star Child (The Gods’ Scion Book 3) by Winnifred Tataw. This is such a good fantasy, science fiction book. I highly recommend reading the first 2 books so that you aren’t lost. Its a story full of star hopping, action, family, greed. After a millennia the monsters are on full attack and Caro is missing. They have no clue as to where she has gone. Caro is known for getting herself into trouble all the time but this time feels different. Will the acolyates and zodiack find Caro in time. Will the families remain intact after this debacle or will they be forever changed. Read this fast paced, young adult adventure, you won’t be disappointed.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of the most meaningful books which I have read in the past few years. This is written in a perspective from a non verbal autistic teen, Emerson, who is labelled to have autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, Intellectual disability and also non verbal.
It demands a compassionate look into her daily life, her routine and the struggle her parents go through to support her and get her fair share of education. Our heart breaks as we read through her journey, how stressed she is when people around her talk as if she does not understand. Her stress and the pressure her parents go through to help her is so realistic.
I have seen Autism in close quarters , and I can relate to each and everything the author conveys through this book. Hats off for asserting the significance of inclusion of neuro-diversified kids in our education system . Molly zenk, take a bow . Keep writing. We are here to support you and stand up for Autism.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a GREAT story that gives you insight into the life of a young girl with autism. I liked that it gave perspective from both the parent/outside view and the thoughts of Emerson. It is easy to make judgements based on behavior, but we forget to think about the frustrations of a person with Autism. The author did a nice job of telling Emerson’s story.
The Lone Star Child by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was incredible, it was filled with action, adventure, revenge, betrayal, and just so much more that it kept me wanting to read till the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book other then I did not read the first two books so I felt a little lost and confused because something were not answered or explained which could be things I missed in the other books. This book was so well written thou I felt like I was right there with the characters dealing with the issues and story with them, it was very entertaining and wonderful world. This book was a page turner, and I couldn’t put it down even thou I was not caught up with everything from the other books. I highly recommend this wonderful book.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As the mother of several teenagers, I know the struggles they have everyday. In this book you see those teen struggles from the point of view of Emerson, who has autism and is non-verbal. I have seen non-verbal individuals and had no understanding of what they were going through. This book I feel gave me a glimpse of the complexities that are going on in a person’s mind even if they can not express it to the world.
Operation Escape by Landra Graf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up. This is the second book in this series which I enjoyed just as much as the first book. I highly suggest reading the previous book as well to help your enhancement of this series and to see where characters have been. I found this book to be well written and hard to put down. A story that is full of sci-fantasy that has some romance mixed into it. I enjoyed how the author used details to pull you into the story from the beginning. The characters are connectable and ease you into their world and keep you there until the last page. There is great growth of the characters as well as the plot which I enjoyed watching. This is an easy, fast paced story that has great entertainment value. Find out what happens on a simple rescue mission on planet Earth which is being held prisoner. This is a series you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend this book.
Review by @bjwagner
How to Make a Flying Carpet by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an author that I never hesitate to pick up to read to children. Her books have meaning behind the plot as well as an educational aspect to it. This book is no different. It is a fun story that is easy and creative to read. The illustrations are interactive and will leave the children talking about them throughout the story. This is a story about Alex and what she does with a broken magnetic. This is a great book for any child and one you don’t want them to miss. I highly recommend this book and looking at others by this author as well.
Review by @bjwagner
A Spot of Earl Slay by Aubrey Elle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh my goodness, I do believe I have found my favorite cozy of the year. Naomi and Ella get the “Welcome Wagon” special of a dead body in their shed when they arrive at their new home. From gossiping neighbors to the Moody police chief, I found the cast of characters delightful and quite entertaining as I tried to figure out who did it. I loved the writing because it was kind of laid back and kind of like it was a neighbor sharing a story with you. Ella’s teen mouth will have you laughing as she holds nothing back. A definite must read.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a beautifully written book about the life of Emerson and her parents. Emerson lost her words at 15 months of age when diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This book chronicles the challenges and victories that she has, along with those around her.
This book had me experiencing a variety of emotions at any given time. As a parent of a young adult with ASD, I could recognize many of these factors that Emerson is going through. It’s difficult to understand ASD at all but for those experiencing it, it’s scary.
I hope and pray that this book can be used to inspire others who are on this journey to never give up on themselves or their loved ones. This ultimately is a story of triumph but shows the scars (literal and figurative) earned along the way.
This book is recommended for young adults with ASD and I agree but would also recommend it for parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, and friends of anyone with ASD.
