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Midnight Falls by John Evans – Review by Amy Dean

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Midnight FallsMidnight Falls by John (ronin) Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Josh returns home after several disappointments growing up only to find his new home isn’t what it seems. Small towns are always slow to welcome newcomers but this town has it’s own secrets to be discovered. Moving in to a small town 10 years ago we have always had our own outsider experiences so this book is relatable; however, I’m grateful that those lurking in our town aren’t looking at us like a meal. This book was well written and kept me engaged. The vivid details were like watching a horror movie in the middle of the night then trying to sleep!

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“Absurd,” Said Bird : A Fun Children’s Adventure About a Mouse Who Dreams of Travel (Mouse Traveler) by Tricia Gardella – Review by Amy Dean

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“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD.: A mouse plans a trip to the moon. by Tricia Gardella

What a fun little book for kids! My girls loved it! They have requested to read it several times. Every time they read it out loud they get even sillier with the rhymes. The story line is amazing and if you dream it you can do it. Absolutely wonderful!

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A Vampire in Disguise (Creatures of the Midwest Series) by Ava Silvers – Review by Amy Dean

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A Vampire in Disguise (Creatures of the Midwest Book 1)A Vampire in Disguise by Ava Silvers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An eerie note brings Hazel Good across the Midwest to find her missing sister. She finds herself in a town who accepts witches like her and all things magical. She comes across Corbin who is also looking to find her sister and discover his true nature, even though his kind was supposed to be extinct. Their bond grows and she becomes more comfortable in her own skin and who she really is, but could hanging around with these other magical creatures put her in harms way? This book was very well written and kept me engaged the whole time. Also, it’s a bit fun to see when my home state can make an honorable mention in the very beginning of a book.

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Productivity is Power II: For Creative, Business, and Other Professionals by Hillary Rettig – Review by Amy Dean

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Productivity is Power 2: For Creative, Business, and Other ProfessionalsProductivity is Power 2: For Creative, Business, and Other Professionals by Hillary Rettig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Being an entrepreneur, I always try to find books to help improve myself and my business. I came across this one and I must say it was good! There is a lot of information to digest in this book so take it slow and read it again if you have to. The exercises were great mental challenges and I must say it was refreshing to read some of the things so I can allow a little more grace in my life.

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Come Home to Death by Marilyn Levinson – Review by Amy Dean

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Come Home to DeathCome Home to Death by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Erica Parker is madly in love with her newly married husband. She puts up with his mysterious schedule until the truth comes out about where he has been. She goes back home, a place she swore she would never go again, to help him get out of his situation. Going home was one of the worst mistakes of her life! This book is well written and keeps the writer engaged and guessing who is behind all the trouble in her life the entire time!

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The Better Man (A Silver Buckle Romance Series) by Laurie Lewis – Review by Amy Dean

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The Better Man (Silver Buckle Brides, #2)The Better Man by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laramee’s life was torn apart, so she ran, until she was forced to come back home to decide her family’s ranch fate. Jamie has spent most of his life trying to redeem himself from past mistakes. Their lives collide and are changed forever. This book is a beautiful rocky romance and shows the courage these two must face their past issues head on in the company of someone they barely know. When neither of them can admit their short time was as impactful as it was, it breaks the readers’ heart to see them part ways. The chapters are engaging and evolve the story quickly.

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Before I Let You Go by Kellie Wallace – Review by Amy Dean

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Before I Let You GoBefore I Let You Go by Kellie Wallace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elsbeths’ life was in shambles and needed something. A well-timed inheritance was just what she needed because it let her move and start anew. However, she inherited more than just a house and has to help save her new friends before she herself gets hurt. This book was well written and kept the audience engaged. Different twists and turns in the story made it exciting but yet not hard to follow.

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Critical Care (Chase Care Series Book 6) by R.L. Dunn – Review by Amy Dean

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Critical Care (Chase Care Book 6)Critical Care by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tim Holland had a decorated career taking care of others. His transition to working for Chase Care was far from different. While serving a medical assignment, he met the love of his life, Willow Colson was a dedicated traveling nurse. Their lives both led them back to D.C. but their budding romance hit one snag after another. This books was captivating to see how the characters’ lives developed and changed in a short amount of time and also kept you rooting for the main characters that things wouldn’t fall apart.

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The Curse of Jean Lafitte (The Big Easy Collection) by Mary Walsh – Review by Amy Dean

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The Curse of Jean Lafitte (The Big Easy Collection)The Curse of Jean Lafitte by Mary Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was filled with action, adventure, ghosts, and really kept a New Orleans feel throughout the book. The well written chapters flowed well into the next and kept me engaged. The characters were very relatable and the enchantment around the story was well done! Definitely a book I could see reading multiple times.

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Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Amy Dean

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Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite #1)Savage Lies by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Riley’s world is turned upside down when the life she and her mother is turned upside down by a man. She is now forced to try to blend into a new school but cannot since she has been the focus of one of the Elite’s and his want to be girlfriend. Her run ins with Cole get even more tangled and twisted as her mother drops a bomb on her about moving in to Cole’s dad’s house where things intensify. How strong can Riley stay? Very well written and easy to read.

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The Scent of Snow (The Winemakers Series) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Amy Dean

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The Scent of SnowThe Scent of Snow by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pedro and Anne’s love is powerful, but is it powerful enough to overcome hidden secrets and tragedy? Anne yearns for a child but Pedro’s dark past might be enough to break up the perfect couple. The time should be a time of celebration and happiness but the darkness seems to be taking over the beautiful winter. Will Anne ever be able to enjoy her family and the beautifulness of snow ever again?

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Amy Dean

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Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is nothing like a fresh start in a new town to really change things around, take a souvenir, and find a fresh attractive local boy to kiss and turn a young girls world upside down. What starts as a bully can change into someone you can’t get your mind off. This book is a quick page turner that leads perfectly into the next book and leaves you in suspense!

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Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Amy Dean Dec 2023

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Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid's Guide to Safe Dog Interactions (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog Interactions by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My seven year old really enjoys books about animals. She was able to read this book and see different ways that you can play with dogs. Some words were not real common for her but it is good to expose her to new words and meanings and after she read it a couple times, she felt much more confident in herself. Porter and Midge would be great companions for kids to learn new skills and new words!

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Whisper Creek (Logan McKenna Mystery Book 7) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amy Dean

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Whisper Creek (A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 7)Whisper Creek by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Logan McKenna goes to the New School to find some time to clear her head from recent news about her musical abilities and several new life developments like her recent engagement. She suddenly finds herself in the middle of a murder scene. Luckily this time the cops aren’t suspecting her, but they are her friends and she is determined to help save them from jail and keep their character in tact, even though several signs point to them. With her determination and possibly just luck, she is able to help solve the murder and get on to her happily ever after.

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Safe Harbor (Logan McKenna Series Book 5) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amy Dean Oct 2023

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SAFE HARBOR: Logan Book 5(The Logan McKenna Series)SAFE HARBOR: Logan Book 5 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Logan wants to enjoy a peaceful vacation with her family because they have not done so but in true Logan fashion, she ends up entwined in a murder down at the harbor. Can she gather enough information in time to save innocent lives? Can she keep herself out of prison when they turn to her as a suspect? Her past also comes up to haunt her in this book and can she come up to face it when she has no desire to do so? This book was a page turner and kept the reader guessing until the final chapters. Well written as always.

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A Death on Fools Lane (An Eve Sawyer Mystery) by Jane Suen – Review by Amy Dean Sept. 2023

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A Death on Fools Lane: An Eve Sawyer MysteryA Death on Fools Lane: An Eve Sawyer Mystery by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What was supposed to be a peaceful holiday vacation with friends quickly turned for the worse. Eve and her friends become wrapped in the middle of a death investigation to help save someone as a person of interest and find the killer so Mead can rest in peace. This book had me guessing who the killer was or if it was suicide throughout the whole book and was captivating. If you are looking for a light, easy reading mystery book, this is it!

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Vampires of Atlantis by Courtney Davis – Review by Amy Dean

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Vampires of AtlantisVampires of Atlantis by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kathrine lived a very simple and boring life surrounded by work, one friend, and countless romance novels and hopes one day to be swept off her feet like in them. Ian comes in at the knick of time to save her from certain death when he is forced to leave the underwater world of Atlantis after one of the most horrific monsters escapes. Together they have to save the day from monsters and Katherine will have to choose the life she knew or the life she doesn’t want to leave.

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A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta Book 2) by Elsa Winckler – Reviewed by Amy Dean July 2023

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A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta, #2)A Match Made in Montana by Elsa Winckler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many people dream of moving to a new town and building their dream life. Annie moves to Montana after her parent’s death and hopes to make her dreams of running a successful bed and breakfast a reality. Janice decides she needs some help getting ready for an event and invites her handsome nephew to town to help with it and works her hand at match maker with Craig and Annie as well as give her a boost to get her business off the ground. This book was an easy read that kept me turning pages quicky. As far as romance novels go, it was the perfect blend of passion and everyday issues.

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Talks Like Thunder (Red With Native Blood Book 1) by Randal Nerhus & Marjorie Carter – Review by Amy Dean June 2023

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Talks Like Thunder: Red With Native Blood: Novella OneTalks Like Thunder: Red With Native Blood: Novella One by Randal Nerhus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One small seven year old’s life falls apart after her parents pass away from deadly disease. This story follows Talks Like Thunder as she grows up being ripped from what she knows not once but twice and how she had to adapt to be able to survive to make it back to her family. This book kept me turning pages as it was unbelievably easy to read and open my heart to the main character. Her triumphant and determined spirit was refreshing to see such a young girl go through her life.

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Seen by Lori Nelson – Review by Amy Dean

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SeenSeen by Lori Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of Mouse and Meph started out as two siblings quickly turns into a fight for their lives. The well written book keeps you wanting to turn pages and find out what happens to Mouse next. This may have been written in a different time and technology, but it still feels very real. This easily could be made into a thrilling movie!

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Cabin Eight (The Millersville Series Book 3) by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Amy Dean

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Cabin Eight (The Millersville series)Cabin Eight by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were trapped in a situation where you had no control? How often do you consent to things (online or in print) without actually reading the fine print/disclaimers? This well written book makes you question what you would choose and how you prioritize things at times. Our heroine steps out of her norm and makes retributions for her past actions.

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A River of Crows by Shanessa Gluhm – Review by Amy Dean

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A River of CrowsA River of Crows by Shanessa Gluhm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A crow never forgets, and neither can one family after a searing pain from the loss of the young boy Ridge and the aftermath of destruction for two families. Sloan’s life gets torn apart and even when she tries to escape her past pains, the river calls her home to help with her mother who was released from a psychiatric hospital. This murder mystery kept me captivated the entire time. “Just one more chapter” turned into an hour more than once. Lessons of revenge tearing apart a person and a family cannot be ignored.

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Echoing Hearts (The Echo Series Book 1) by C.R. Alam – Review by Amy Dean

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Echoing Hearts (Book 1 of The Echo Series)Echoing Hearts by C.R. Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rae spent her life traveling the world but it took Dean to challenge her and ignite her to finally find a place called home thanks to his perseverance. This story was well written and such a page turner to keep up with the relationship saga. Two hearts meant to be together will find a way, even if it takes a bit of help from their friends.

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Loretta’s Caterpillar (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Amy Dean

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Loretta's Caterpillar (Loretta's Insects #4)Loretta’s Caterpillar by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Little Loretta was fascinated by the field of Monarch butterflies only to be sad when they all left. To her excitement, she was able to see a brand new caterpillar grow in front of her very own eyes. What a fun book to help teach children about the lifecycle of the Monarch butterflies. I also learned more about their migration habits from the foot notes in the back. The kid in me wants to find a caterpillar egg and watch it grow into a full butterfly!

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Arrrgh! Me Hate To Wait! by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Amy Dean

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An impatient little piggy cannot wait to go to pirate school like her big siblings. She eventually learns that good things come to those who wait. My 7 year old enjoyed reading this book out loud in her best pirate voice and was exposed to different words she does not encounter much to test out her skills of sounding things out.

Absolution by Anise Storm & Taylor L. Ray – Review by Amy Dean

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AbsolutionAbsolution by Anise Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Twists and turns in the story make for a steamy mystery of a young girl’s life and death. This story was captivating and had me guessing most of the story. Dominic and Whitney end up tangled together in several ways that help drive the story into a true page turner. Everyone needs their closure when things end abruptly and little did Dominic know how much he needed Whitney to be able to find his peace and a future of his own instead of being tied to his past.

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Things are Shaking (Invisible Magic Wand Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Amy Dean

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Things are ShakingThings are Shaking by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When one sibling has something fun, of course their sibling wants the same! Grandpa to the rescue for yet another magic wand to help speed up and slow time down. What an adventure for my child to read!

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The Hawke Family Complete Collection by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Amy Dean January 2023

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The Hawke Family Complete CollectionThe Hawke Family Complete Collection by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One family with completely different personalities will draw you in and keep you captivated throughout the entire collection. Love, mobs, drama, murder…this complete series has something for everyone and is so hard to put down!

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series Book 1) by Isobel Reed – Review by Amy Dean

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series, #1)Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lily needed a fresh start after she became stuck in a rut in London. Her father’s passing and leaving her a business was her perfect excuse to start over. With so much on her plate between her move, her mother, and starting a store, she never bargained for a man like Jake. The love story between the two kept me engaged and wanting to know more about their lives with and without each other. Most women want to find a man like Jake who will turn his life around just to be with her. I’m so excited to see the rest of what Isobel has in store for us in upcoming books.

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Gunner (Hollins & Haring Book 3) by T.J. Beach – Review by Amy Dean

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Gunner (Hollins & Haring #3)Gunner by T.J. Beach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having to quarantine for two weeks is a lonely ordeal so one colleague tells another that he is staying with her and her kids. A shocking story being revealed is a good therapeutic distraction for Debbie while her mother struggles with Covid while it stirs up distant suppressed memories for Gary. The stories he reveals gives her greater insight into his past actions when times got tough. This book is well written and keeps you engaged with the stories Gary reveals during younger years in his life. This book is number three of the series but is a good read standalone.

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