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Mom, Is There a Santa Claus? by Susan J Berger Illustrator: KC Snider – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Mom, Is There a Santa Claus?Mom, Is There a Santa Claus? by Susan J. Berger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My children are now grown old enough to understand that there is no Santa, but there was a point of time when they did come and ask, ”Mom, is there really a Santa?”. This book helps us answer the question with a lovely story, which Lucas’s mom tells him when he asks her the same question. The spirit of Christmas is explained so well to keep the notion of Santa alive in the minds of the young and old alike. A beautiful book and a must read for all children who have come of age to understand that Santa Claus is magical and not real.

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery) by Merissa Racine – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery)Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book a very enjoyable mystery read. Lauren Besoner is a free lance court reporter. Her financial situation lands her with a job of a substitute stenographer, with her ex-husband , a judge. Handling one of her cases, she finds herself drawn to a certain murder case, where an elderly woman is murdered. Is the accused truly guilty? Lauren senses something is not right and begins her own investigation. Hidden ugly secrets are revealed. Are the secrets ready to be spilled out in open, or some of them are best kept buried?
This is a very nice mysterious read, I loved every bit of it. I like courtroom mysteries and this was
real fun !

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Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship (The Perfect Pairing Series Book 1) by Parker Fairchild – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship (The Perfect Pairings Series Book 1)Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship by Parker Fairchild
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship (The Perfect Pairings Series Book 1) by Parker Fairfield is a fun christmas romance, reminded me of a Hallmark movie.

Olivia Chasen, a chemist, and a budding writer, is on a cruise to escape spending Christmas with her twin sister and her new fiancé—ex. Jace is a Navy SEAL. He’s on the cruise going to his friend’s wedding. But unknown to them, they are up for a treat of their lifetime, when Mr and Mrs Claus themselves step in to make a perfect Christmas match.

It is a lovely book to bring on the Christmas spirits. I enjoyed every bit of it.

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Love’s Reverie (The Stardust Duet, Book 2) by KG Fletcher – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Love's Reverie (The Stardust Duet, #2)Love’s Reverie by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second book is a continuation of the first book, where both Philip and Kat are reunited after going back and forth in time. But now the bigger question remains, how and where they are going to spend their future together. Philip decides to take a giant leap and goes in search of his mother’s ring. But his ex-girlfriend appears to cause severe damage to his plans. This is the book of uncertainties and how their love has to face the tests of compromise to be together.

I had loved the first book too, it is a very mature relationship portrayed which requires a great deal of love and understanding between the protagonists as they travel back and forth in time. I loved this book as much as the first one !

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Snowflakes & Stockings (A Wilton Hills Christmas Book 4) by Marianne Rice – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Snowflakes & Stockings (A Wilton Hills Christmas, #4)Snowflakes & Stockings by Marianne Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Santa brings opposites together ! Liberty an investigative reporter is all set to find out who is the secret Santa in the town. She narrows down on Sawyer Campbell, a joint owner of a tech firm. But Sawyer is someone who could be technically called the “opposite of Santa”, He is strictly business like , and not very good at family relations. Liberty is exactly the opposite, warm, caring, loving. Now when they two meet, sparks fly between them but the differences also stand out between them. Can they resolve these differences and make their relationship work?
It is nice romantic story with a christmasy feel to it. A good way to head towards the holiday season !

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Stranded (Cetacea Chronicles Book 1) by Feather Chelle – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Stranded: Cetacea Chronicles Volume 1Stranded: Cetacea Chronicles Volume 1 by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My son is into marine life and I ended up reading this book with him. Loved every bit of it. More than me, he loved it. The book is very educational and gives a lot of insight about marine life, especially, the dolphins, the whales and their habitats. There is a fantasy weaved as a plot where the animals have to journey to escape from a deadly virus. As part of the journey, we learn a lot about the animals itself. I would like to get the book in paper back, except that it is a tad too long for a child to read by himself. Neverthless, loved the book .

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Death under Palm Trees (A Jack and Frances mystery Book 4) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Death under Palm TreesDeath under Palm Trees by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, a good old time mystery book, is a good way to end the weekend. I love mysteries, Agatha Christie is my favorite, in fact I chose this book because it is historic mystery, you get a feel of the 1930s.

Two detectives want to indulge in their hard earned holiday on new year’s eve abroad a ship when work comes calling. They end up on the wrong side investigating missing documents instead. To make matters worse, there is a murder. Will they be able to solve the mystery before it goes public?
This is the crux of the story. It is a very well written captivating mystery. I loved it.

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Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals #1)Kingdom of Embers by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trying to be normal when you are not has it’s own consequences. This is the crux of this interesting fantasy, Kingdom of Embers. Alena is a unique 17 year old girl, a hybrid, half vampire, half witch. Her mother is a Vampire and the identity of her father is unknown. She keeps moving from place to place because of her mother’s job. Now at senior year, with an absentee father and typical teen problems, roller coaster emotions, Alena has a lot on her plate. This is Alena’s journey in her school, her friendships and how she tries to gel in with the rest of her friends and eventually figures out details about her father.

It is a well crafted story. I have read Tricia Copeland before and have thoroughly enjoyed her novels. This one is no exception, and she has tried to meddle and blend two different fantasy tribes which makes the book even interesting.
Cannot wait for the sequels.

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Saratoga Roan by Bree M. Lewandowski – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Saratoga RoanSaratoga Roan by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book of second chances, a contemporary romance which celebrates growth, love and loss in a relationship. After 5 years of break up, Cassandra and Rhett come face to face with each other, Cassandra wanting to give it a second shot and Rhett blaming her for breaking the relationship. Rhett has too much on his hands and the hurt and anger he feels towards her is understandable. How the two characters mature, understand each other and let the hard feelings go forms the central piece of this beautiful romance. I especially liked the way the two lead characters are portrayed, their hurt, their anguish and eventually the growth. It is a gradual process.
I enjoyed this romance, it was a good read.

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Swindler’s Revenge (Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 5) by Ellen Butler – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Swindler's RevengeSwindler’s Revenge by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not many times you end up reading a laugh out loud mystery. I really enjoyed this book and there were times when I was chuckling to myself reading this book.
Swindler’s Revenge is book 5 in the Karina Cardinal Mysteries series by Ellen Butler .
Karina Cardinal is the feisty spirited heroine who has a knack of getting into trouble all the time. When her Ex Boyfriend, FBI agent Mike Finnegan, is accused of a serious crime, she cannot keep her hands off the case as she knows deep in her heart that he is innocent. With a little help, she intends to prove it just the same.
The book is a real page turner and keeps the reader hooked till the very end. Overall I loved the mystery.

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Love’s Refrain (The Stardust Duet, Book 1) by KG Fletcher – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Love's Refrain (The Stardust Duet, #1)Love’s Refrain by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book felt like a love letter, a love letter going back and forth between two eras, 1947 and the current time. Kat is a jazz singer who is just finishing a tour when she meets a stranger who gifts her with a locket. She finds a message in the locket and stumbles upon a portal that takes her back in time. Then the saga switches between the two eras and you fly on the magic carpet when the leading duo pull you into the world of jazz and everything vintage and retro.
It is a beautiful read, I loved every bit of it. Beautiful romance . Hats off !

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Stand Your Ground by A. J. Ullman – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Stand Your GroundStand Your Ground by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a racing crime thriller, took me back to the days I was reading Grisham and Archer. Cady, a successful lawyer dreams big and is on the brink of reaching to the stars. She is about to become a partner in the law firm she works at. However , on a bike ride back home in the inner park, she faces a man with a nefarious intent and she ends up shooting him. Now faced with a possible murder charge she puts forward a case that she shot and killed him in self defence, which means “Standing her ground”. But will the police believe her? Can she retain her status or will everything be taken away from her? Will she win the case and avoid death sentence?
This book is a racing thriller and keeps you hooked from beginning to end. I enjoyed reading it.

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Potager Plot (A Backyard Farming Series Book 5) by Vikki Walton – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Potager Plot: A witty cozy mystery with a hint of romance. (A Backyard Farming Mystery Book 5)Potager Plot: A witty cozy mystery with a hint of romance. by Vikki Walton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love these type of mysteries. At the end of a tiring day, pick up a book, set in a small town , a group of women meeting in a garden and then there is a murder, the murder of the head of the gardening club, President Billie Whitman. Everyone in the town is keeping a secret. Now it is upto Anne, the protagonist to trace the clues and solve the case. It is a light-hearted read with drama, secrets, danger and suspense. A very interesting plot and a dash of romance.

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Murder Among Friends by Linda Burson – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Murder Among FriendsMurder Among Friends by Linda Burson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder Among Friends by Linda Burson is the first book I’ve read by this author. Camille Thurston , a private investigator , she goes to Connecticut to spend time with her brother Zach (who is a police officer), his wife and their children. While visiting, a woman is reported missing and her brother takes up the case .
Camille assists her brother in the investigation and things get complicated as she falls in love with the missing woman’s husband. How she manages to crack this mystery with her personal apprehensions forms the rest of the story . It was a great read with a combination of mystery and romance . I enjoyed reading it .

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Decisions and Possibilities by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Decisions and PossibilitiesNotebook Mysteries ~ Decisions and Possibilities by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Notebook Mysteries- Decisions and Possibilities is centered around a vivacious heroine Emma, who is much ahead of her age and also in her time. At a tender age of 18, she develops a keen acumen of solving crime mysteries, builds a business of her own at a time when business schools were strictly for men, helps other women who are in dire needs, and also takes care of her own family connections. She seems to be a well-rounded iconic role model who we all women wish to be.

It is a book full of fun and adventures, and Emma , who speaks for all modern-day women is definitely someone to look up to. Love this YA novel.

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Effacement by Hieronymus Hawkes – Review by Anantha Rusum

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EffacementEffacement by Hieronymus Hawkes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A gripping sci/fi thriller, this book is centered around Dr Cole Westbay , a gifted scientist who has developed the revolutionary neurochip, a kind of life log that the American population is required to have in order to get a job, open a bank account etc. Everyone in this society is dependent on this lifelog for their daily means and things seem to go smooth unless they don’t. Unless they find one fine day, there is breach, and there is a series of deaths. When Westbay begins to investigate, his work and life is put to danger and he must find out why and who is behind the cover up.

This was a very fast paced read, it showcases the downside of relying on technology too much, and for all we know our own society will be the same plight a few decades down the road. I enjoyed reading the book.

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Sweet Nightmares (The Dream World Chronicles Book 1) by Chynna Pace – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Sweet Nightmares (The Dream World Chronicles #1)Sweet Nightmares by Chynna Pace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet Nightmares is the first book in The Dream World Chronicles by Chynna Pace. Alex Rokosz, who is fifteen years old, has always yearned for a family. Life takes a strange turn for Alex when her mother dies and she and her sister, whom she has never met move in with their paternal grandmother. Amidst new connections, She soon discovers that what it seems is not what it is and Nightmares are real. She is introduced to prophecies and destinies all of a sudden and the truth about herself is thrust on her from nowhere.
This is a good Young Adult fantasy filled with action and adventures. The pace is not uniform and at times the plot slows down a bit and it becomes a little difficult to follow the plot, but overall, this is a good read.

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Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail (Jake the Growling Dog Book 3) by Samantha Shannon – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Jake the Growling Dog Shares His TrailJake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the series I loved from the very beginning and even have had my boys read all the books. The graphics is amazing and the message given is very cute and clear. In this book, Jake and Neet, his best friend, find some strange tracks on their regular hiking trail. Jake gets frightened and lets his imagination go wild. He loses his sleep over the strange tracks. But along with few other friends, brave as they are, they decide to investigate. They find who the culprit is and figure out that what they thought was not what it is. A sweet story of inclusion and acceptance, this book is a jewel in the series. Highly recommended.

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The Dream Catchers (Prestoria) by J. U. Menon – Review by Anantha Rusum

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The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1 by J.U. Menon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Dream Catchers is a fast paced fantasy book, through Indian folklore . Set in the land of dreams, the heroine Radhika Varma is picked to compete in a challenge in Prestoria, the realm of nightmares. She has to rely on her overactive imagination to save herself. She has to create her own defenses and fight against the demons, and travel to a mystical gateway before dawn to win the challenge. Similar to Jumanji, if she fails to do so, she is locked in her dreams.
But then there are more challenges than what meets the eye. She is accused of assaulting one of the other dream catchers. Will she clear her name and emerge victorious from the challenge forms the crux of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it reminded me of Jumanji time and again. A very good fantasy around Indian myths, I loved every bit of it.

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Flirting with my Enemy (Love is a Mystery Book 1) by Laura Burton – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Love is a Mystery #1)Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Laura Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This fun rom-com did remind me a little bit of you have got mail. Elle, the heroine, runs her late mother’s bakery and then a handsome hot rich dude opens up a cake shop next door. She is conflicted to him and is suspicious of him, but she falls for him nevertheless. Then there is a mystery of a stealth of a recipe and certain other ridiculous events which cause her to suspect him more. Slowly the mystery unfolds and all well, that ends well. A hilarious sweet rom com with a mystery twist to it. I enjoyed this book.

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Death of a Coupon Queen (Sophie Parker Mystery Series) by Jenna Harte – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Death of a Coupon QueenDeath of a Coupon Queen by Jenna Harte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cozy mystery is one of my favorite genres. Usually set in a small town, with a heroine being a sleuth, gossip, action, humor and murder – they are usually huge hits with me. Sophie Parker is happy with her part time job trading coupons until she finds out her coupon mentor is dead and she gets tangled in the mystery. She then puts her romance and her job aside and takes it on her head to solve the mystery despite the disapproval of her boyfriend. Will she be able to find the murderer? It is a fun read, and I finished it in one sitting. A great book.

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Bittersweep by Wareeze Woodson – Review by Anantha Rusum

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BittersweepBittersweep by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of those intriguing old-fashioned mysteries, Bittersweep is centered around a woman, who comes back to the town fifteen years after her family had to disown it. She takes up a job of a school teacher, and is determined to find the answers to the questions about her childhood. But, fate has other plans and she finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery. She becomes the talk of the town and is in the limelight for all wrong reasons. With a murder and a bank robbery, this story is much more than romance, it is an adventure ride. The plot is gripping and keeps you guessing till the end. I really enjoyed this historic fiction. A good read !

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Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series Book 6) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 6)Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series Book 6) by Cynthia Hamilton is a fast paced mystery book. Her characters are very relatable and easy to connect. The plot is quite gripping, In their journey to search to find one person, Madeline and Mike discover that there are more missing people and also a stolen piece of art. There are multiple twists and turns and the plot is nothing short of a roller coaster ride. I enjoy detective stories and I liked this mystery very much. I should very much like to go back and read the rest of the books in this series.

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Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures by Leon Stevens – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and PicturesLines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures by Leon Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an inspiration for me. As a writer, I have a collection of poems and short stories , all scattered around . When I read this book, it was a sign . A sign to follow one’s heart (which is what the author did). Each short story and poem is heartfelt, the author touches on various topics which involve the environment and human emotions, which are so realistic. Every word you read, you feel, that it is written in such a simple well expressed language and you can connect easily to both the prose and poetry. I absolutely loved the book. And Leon Stevens, you are an inspiration.

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A Cold Day In Hell (Life Is Hell Book 5) by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Anantha Alagappan

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A Cold Day in Hell (Life is Hell #5)A Cold Day in Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This fantasy book has every element attached to it, super natural, family, drama, romance and suspense. The book is about an angel Hadassah who is on suspended duty from heaven and has been sent to earth because she helped her brother rescue a demon. But that doesn’t stop her to reach out to her brother’s friend , Jezebel, who is a dog shifter. How the chemistry between these two unfolds is a crux of the story. I haven’t read the previous books, so I could not relate much to the characters. But the plot kept me going. It was fun reading this book. Overall it was an interesting read.

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Mr. Nice Guy (Pierce Brothers Book 1) by Belinda Williams – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Mr. Nice Guy (Pierce Brothers, #1)Mr. Nice Guy by Belinda Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mr. Nice Guy is the first book in the Pierce Brothers Series by Belinda Williams. A fast-paced romance book, this is a story of friends who are transformed to lovers. Tom and Chelsea are flat mates and Tom is her brother’s best friend. Chelsea always gets into relationships only with bad guys, so Tom decides to show her what a nice guy is like. They reach an agreement that they will date for seven days. But as the situation progresses, the line blurs and how the two react to the new relationship forms the basis for the rest of the story. It’s an easy romance comfort read. I liked it!

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The Halfling’s Court (A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale Book 1) by Danielle Ackley-McPhail – Review by Anantha Rusum

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The Halfling's Court: A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale (Bad-Ass Faerie Tales, #1)The Halfling’s Court: A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lance Cosain knows he is a halfling, half-human half-fae is the leader of The Wild Hunt Motorcycle Club . Not knowing his origin , he clashes with few of the bad characters and also learn about his past. The book is quite engrossing and is filled with funny and cunning characters, and the illustrations add more to the charm. It is a very engaging book and is fully action packed.

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Motherland (The Tom Grant Series Book 3) by Samantha Adair – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Motherland (Tom Grant #3)Motherland by Samantha Adair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story is full of intrigue and suspense, centered around a daughter’s promise to her father on the deathbed that she will bury him in his motherland. Isabella is determined to fulfill the promise at all costs. She asks for Tom’s help, and both of them tread on a dangerous mission which puts their lives in danger. This was an enjoyable suspenseful ride, it kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page. The characters are engaging and the plot quite gripping. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a good suspense action packed read.

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MORNIN THE SUPER BIRD – FINDS A WAY TO FIGHT EXTINCTION by JULES HEARTLY – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Mornin: The Super BirdMornin: The Super Bird by Jules Heartly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a sweet children’s book with nice illustrations. This is a story most children will relate to, especially those who are interested in the animals. There are many endangered species in this world and Mornin, the super bird realizes that he does not want to go extinct. He wants his friends and family to thrive and flourish. So he sets out with a staunch determination to keep the animals, and the nature from extinction and he passes on his learnings to the other birds and also to the young readers. It is a very captivating read, I enjoyed it thoroughly and I would give it to my boys to read it.

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Travels Through Aqua, Green, and Blue: A Memoir by Mary E. Gregory – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Travels Through Aqua, Green, and Blue: A MemoirTravels Through Aqua, Green, and Blue: A Memoir by Mary E. Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful and profound piece of work, this book paints a vivid picture of a turbulent childhood of a girl, who is born with a deformity, and had to sail through harsh waters because of the decision her parents had taken. Her mother, takes her children and travels from place to place, running hand to mouth after separating from Mary’s father. She does not bother about cleanliness or food and tosses her children from place to place on the basis of her whims and fancies. The story is about how Mary handles her childhood, and adolescence, her school, her relationships and emerges into a fine young woman who can handle things on her own. This is the story of a girl who had to face the turbulent storms and emerge victorious, a mighty and majestic force with her soul in the right place. This book is a beauty and anyone who has weathered a storm can relate to this book.

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