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I Am A Bold Asian Boy (Asian Family Series) by Yobe Qiu – Review by Angela Hayes

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I Am a Bold Asian Boy: A Positive Affirmation Book for Asian Boys (Asian Family Series)I Am a Bold Asian Boy: A Positive Affirmation Book for Asian Boys by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars

 

I Am A Bold Asian Boy: A Positive Affirmations Book For Asian Boys by Yobe Qiu is a cute and inspiring book that teaches children the benefits of daily affirmations. And although this is aimed at Asian boys- I think the affirmations are applicable to all children, with a little re-wording.
The affirmations are accompanied by some seriously cute, charming, interesting, and colourful illustrations that easily captures the reader’s attention, whilst also engaging the imagination, and thus helping to reinforce the affirmations..
Affirmations are a great way to build confidence, mindfulness, and possibility. This is full of many wonderful affirmations that will help nurture happier children.

“I’m a brilliant Asian boy
I’m curious and love to learn
I know it’s ok to be wrong
I can always take multiple turns.”

“I’m a balanced Asian boy
I’m excited for what my day brings
From school to play to family
I can juggle many things.”

This is an imaginative, fun, engaging, and enjoyable children’s picture book that helps develop confidence.
Happy Reading!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Grave Digger Academy IV (Grave Digger Academy Series Book #4) by C.A. King

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Grave Digger Academy IVGrave Digger Academy IV by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

“The first new teacher of the year reared his ugly face. Mr. Ogre looked much the same as storybooks described a male of the fantasy species his name implied. Inhumanly sized both in height and weight. Check. A disproportionately large head. Check. An abundant amount of greasy hair, a fat, round nose, thick eyebrows, and protruding lower jaw. Check, check, check, and check. Of course, he could have been a Neanderthal. Somehow she doubted her new teacher was the missing link to anything though. An actual ogre was more likely, especially given the stench which accompanied him. Curdled milk. Yuck! A growl accompanied a loud belch. “Take your seats. Ahem.” He tugged at the loose skin on his neck. “Ahem. You.” He pointed with a fat finger at a girl in the front row of seats. “Fetch me some water.” A second belch blew her hair straight back. “Quickly.” The girl did as requested. Anyone in the class would have. They all knew what came after burps like that. Stinky gas was one thing. Vomit was another. There’d be a crowd in the sick room if their teacher upchucked on all his students.”

 

Grave Digger Academy IV is the fourth engrossing story in the Grave Digger Academy series by the talented C.A. King. It follows on from the previous three Grave Digger Academy stories and continues the adventures of Makayla and all the intriguing events at the mysterious Grave Digger Academy.
As we previously discovered, Makayla didn’t really want to attend Grave Digger Academy, at all, but has since had plenty of intriguing and testing adventures. There’s always more to Grave Digger Academy than expected. And in this instalment, Makayla will face some big changes, and more challenges, while also unearthing a few discoveries – about her world, the Academy, and herself – along the way. Welcome to the fourth year of Grave Digger Academy!
As expected, this is a wonderful addition to the series, and with the rest of the series- it is a superbly crafted paranormal fantasy with plenty of adventure, action, mystery, magic, the supernatural, wonderful quirky characters, dramatic developments, tension, intrigue, danger, and clever twists and turns.
Although this is a short story, it has the impact of a much longer novel- which I love. I can’t wait for more. Bring on Book #5!
Happy Reading…

Thank you, C.A King!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Luna the Howling Husky Finds Her Howl (Jake the Growling Dog World) by Samantha Shannon – Review by Angela Hayes

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Luna the Howling Husky Finds Her HowlLuna the Howling Husky Finds Her Howl by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars

 

Luna the Howling Husky Finds Her Howl (Jake the Growling Dog World) by Samantha Shannon is such a cute and feel-good children’s book- suitable for all ages. The illustrations are just delightful and really make this story come to life. The are interesting, bright, and beautiful- all together, making a charming read.
After reading Ms. Shannon’s ‘Jake the Growling Dog’ series with my grandson, and enjoying them so much- I knew he would love this one too. I think this is my favourite of her books, so far- and my grandson was captivated by Luna too.
It’s a cute and sweet read with some adventure and wonderful lessons along the way, such as: finding our voice/speaking up, kindness- and how one small act of kindness can change someone’s day or life for the better, love, family, and friendship. It also promotes empathy, kindness, and acceptance. There are also some fun activities to find at the end of the book- a word search puzzle, conversation starters, a counting page, a kindness page, a critter search that spans the book, and a see-and-find-puzzle.
A wonderfully immersive story with wonderful messages.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Samantha Shannon!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Murky Murder (A Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery Book #4) by Hazel Smith – Review by Angela Hayes

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Murky Murder (A Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery, #4)Murky Murder by Hazel Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3 Stars

 

Murky Murder is the fourth book in the A Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery series by Hazel Smith. This is my first read from Ms. Smith, so I didn’t know what to expect from one of her stories- but I love a good cozy mystery, so I jumped right in to find out what happens. I also came into this series a little backwards, as I didn’t realise that this is the fourth book in the series- but thankfully, it can be read as as a standalone without feeling like you are missing anything. But, having said that, I enjoyed meeting these quirky characters and am curious about what they got up to in the previous books, so I will go back and read the first three books before continuing on with the rest of the series.

This proved to be a fun cozy murder mystery with a bit of a whodunnit feel. With quirky characters, hotel capers, banter, a little drama, intrigue, and some suspense made for a light-hearted, yet entertaining read.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Hazel Smith!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Be True with Me (Be with Me Series Book #3) by CA Miconi – Review by Angela Hayes

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Be True with Me (Be with Me, #3)Be True with Me by C.A. Miconi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Be True With Me is the third book in the Be With Me Series by C.A Micon. It is a contemporary, second chance, small town romance- with interracial couple (BWWM), chemistry, some forced proiximity, trust issues, a complicated shared past history, taking a chance on love again. emotion, drama, and steam.

Jake and Lauren have a complicated history where an unintended indiscretion tore them apart. Now, ten years later, they have to find a way to work together to help some children who are deserving. Add in their chemistry, some Christmas spirit, and the fact that you never forget your first love- and the book turns into a captivating read.
Looking forward to ‘Be Saved With Me (Book #4) – coming soon, I hope.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, C.A Miconi!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series Book #2) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Angela Hayes

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The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

The Cannibal Caper is the second book in the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series by Rosalind Barden. It is another fun historical cozy mystery set in the 1930’s Las Angeles following along with Sparky- our MC, who is a spunky, street smart, precocious tween- and amateur sleuth.
Even though she is only 11, she has been through quite a lot. Her adventures have been much more than most people would deal with in a lifetime. So you would think that would dampen her spirits- but not Sparky- she has a zest for life, a bit of a magnet for trouble, too.
This is a cozy mysteries with interesting/quirky characters, historical detailing, crime & investigation, adventure, action, and a cannibal. Did I say cannibal- yes, yeas I did- and if you want to know where the cannibal fits into this capper, then you really should read all the developments for yourself. It makes for an intriguing read.
As with the first book, the story contains all the historical detailing, language, sights, and societal norms that you would expect from the 1930’s era It’s richly descriptive and detailed. While the characters have been crafted into quirky and ‘colourful’ individuals with their own unique personalities, quirks, and flaws. And again the author did a great job of bringing everything to life.
From murder to mobsters, movie stars, and a little mayhem this turned out to be an intriguing and fun read.
Looking forward to ‘Monkey Island Murder’ (Book #3).
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Rosalind Barden!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Quick Affirmations for Children (Quick Affirmations Series) by Kim Ann & Yobe Qiu – Review by Angela Hayes

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Quick Affirmations for Children: A to Z of Easy Motivations for Creating Better days - Positive Affirmations for Happy ChildrenQuick Affirmations for Children: A to Z of Easy Motivations for Creating Better days – Positive Affirmations for Happy Children by Kim Ann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

‘Sometimes, you may not feel brave or confident. That’s ok. But it’s important that you know how special you are. Focus on the good things in your life. Smile! And remember that you are amazing.
Affirmations can make you feel happier. They can remind you that you are kind, clever, and unique. They can help you feel stronger and more confident…..
When you believe in yourself, anything is possible.’

 

Quick Affirmations for Children (Quick Affirmations Series) by Kim Ann & Yobe Qiu. It is a fun and inspiring book that teaches children the value of daily affirmations. Accompanied by interesting, charming, and colourful illustrations that easily captures the reader’s attention, whilst engaging the imagination, and thus reinforcing the affirmations…
Affirmations are a great way to build confidence, mindfulness, and possibility. This is full of many wonderful affirmations that will help nurture happier children.
“I am grateful for all that I have!”
“I am helpful to others!”
“I have joy in my heart!”
“I am kind to myself and kind to others!”
“I encourage and energize myself and my friends!”
Highly recommended. An engaging, fun, imaginative, and enjoyable children’s picture book that helps them with their self-growth and self-awareness too.
Looking forward to whatever Kim Ann brings us next.
Happy Reading

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Dark Moon Secrets (The Witch Moon Series Book #1) by Lilliana Rose – Review by Angela Hayes

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Dark Moon Secrets (Witch Moon #1)Dark Moon Secrets by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

‘I had no idea how to be a witch, but I would learn. I couldn’t wait to get started and discover everything this new world opening up for me had to offer.’

Dark Moon Secrets is the first book in The Witch Moon Series by Lilliana Rose. After reading her ‘Protector Wolf Shifter’ series, I was really excited to dive into this book as soon as it hit my Kindle. As expected, it was a superb paranormal romance with the rich and vivid world-building and scene-setting that I have come to expect from Ms. Rose. With a bit of an enemies to lovers element, witches, wolf shifters, agendas, secrets, destiny/fate, action, adventure, tension, intrigue, high stakes, chemistry, spice, and plenty more- I couldn’t put the book down- reading it in one sitting because I was so immersed and invested in the story.
Tanjie though she was a ‘normal’ human- but with the death of her friend and neighbour, her life takes a strange turn, and she discovers that there is much more to the world than she had believed. Now she must claim her birthright and accept what destiny has in store for her as the future of the coven depends on Tanjie- as they balance the power and actions of the ‘magical’ and supernatural world.
Again, Ms. Rose weaves a gripping story with plenty of suspenseful, intriguing, and mysterious elements that kept me turning the pages to find out what was going on. The story ended with things still unresolved – so everything is set to continue in the next instalment ‘New Moon Fate’ (Book #2) – and I can’t wait.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Lilliana Rose!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Raining Fish and Frogs by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes

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Raining Fish and FrogsRaining Fish and Frogs by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars

 

Raining Fish and Frogs by Lois Wickstrom is a cute children’s story that has an interesting storyline, sweet illustrations, some adventure, a touch of drama, and even a science lesson at the back of the book.
This cute story is engaging and fun- and the illustrations are interesting and cute. I just wish they had been in colour instead of black and white, as the cover of the book really draws the eye with all the ‘fun’ colours’ and interesting detail. While the inside illustrations are of high quality, I feel that they lack the impact and interest that coloured illustrations would offer. I feel that colour offers so much in the way of capturing the imagination, as well as keeping little minds focused on the ‘adventure’.
But a charming read none-the-less.
Happy reading!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Angela Hayes

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Secrets At the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram proved to be a tense and engrossing mystery. It is also my favourite of all Ms. Specht Oram’s books so far. This story weaves a complex tale with plenty to keep you avidly reading.
It’s a mystery, with a bit of a domestic suspense element, twists, drama, puzzling developments, a missing journal, an unexpected stash, discovery, rumours, buried secrets, colourful + quirky characters, surprises, family, tension, quirky characters, promises, and a small-town setting. I really enjoyed this book- I just wish the ending didn’t feel so rushed, as that did detract slightly from the rest of the story.
Karina’s never expected her promise to her grandmother would lead her on a tense investigation- untangling long-buried secrets, and putting together a puzzle in order to get to the bottom of things turns into quite a journey of discovery. Things aren’t exactly as they seem. With a missing journal, a promise to fulfil, and secrets at every turn won’t make this an easy quest for Karina- but she’s determined to do right by her grandmother. And so the intrigue begins….
A well-woven, creative, and tense read by Ms. Specht Oram. Looking forward to seeing whatever she does next.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Susan Specht Oram!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Christmas Cove by Sarah Dressler – Review by Angela Hayes

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Christmas CoveChristmas Cove by Sarah Dressler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Christmas Cove by Sarah Dressler is a sweet and captivating Christmas romance. With a small-town setting, plenty of Christmas spirit, fate/destiny, community spirit, finding where you belong, a pinch of drama, wonderful characters, and a dash of angst, makes this heart-warming and romantic tale about finding love unexpectedly all the more enjoyable.
This might be Ms. Dressler’s debut novel- but it has all ingredients I look for in an enticing read. I can see this making a wonderful Christmas movie, too. This holds so much promise of things to come from this talented author- and I look forward to the journey.
I wonder what Ms. Dressler has in store for us next? Can’t wait!
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Sarah Dressler!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Finding the End Zone (Game Time Series Book #1) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Angela Hayes

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Finding the End ZoneFinding the End Zone by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

Ok, confession time. I am not a huge fan of sports romance. I ‘like’ them at times, but rarely do they really ‘connect’ with me. So imagine my surprise reading this book to come out the other end not only enjoying the story, but finding it has become my favourite of Ms. DeRudder Jackson’s books- and I have read nearly all of them. So colour me impressed to have found a sports romance that I love.
Finding the End Zone is the first book in the Game Time Series by Tam DeRudder Jackson. As mentioned, it is a sublime and steamy NA sports romance, with a bit of a forced proximity element, angst, emotion, drama, and college/football life.
I am not going to say too much about the plot, as I don’t want to spoil it for you. But Callahan and Jamaica’s story is definitely worth the read- and the best sports romance that I have read lately.
Looking forward to continuing the rest of the series, as well as whatever Ms. DeRudder Jackson does next.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Tam DeRudder Jackson!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Grave Digger Academy III (Grave Digger Academy Series Book #3) by C.A. King – Review by Angela Hayes

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Grave Digger Academy IIIGrave Digger Academy III by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

Grave Digger Academy III is the third engrossing story in the Grave Digger Academy series by the talented C.A. King. It follows on from the previous two Grave Digger Academy stories and continues the adventures of Makayla and all the intriguing happenings at the academy.
It is a fantastic addition to the series, and I was really excited to rejoin Makayla for some more fun adventures. As with the rest of the series this is a superb YA paranormal fantasy with action, mystery, the supernatural, wonderful quirky characters, dramatic developments, tension, intrigue, danger, and plenty of twists and turns.
As we discovered previously Makayla didn’t want to attend Grave Digger Academy, at all- but has had plenty of interesting adventures since she started- that’s for sure. There’s always more to Grave Digger Academy expected and, in this instalment, where Makayla is about to start her third year, things certainly get off to a very interesting start. With mysterious happenings, disappearances, stricter rules, a little mayhem, tension, magic, and more- Makayla’s third year proves to be quite memorable, in all kinds of ways.
A wonderful addition to the series!
Looking forward to Book #4!

Thank you, C.A King!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Angela Hayes

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The Ocean in His Veins (The Ocean Series)The Ocean in His Veins by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3 Stars

 

The Ocean In His Veins (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley is a companion novel for/with ‘Where the Ocean Meets the Sky’. It is a literary fiction/women’s fiction story with plenty of emotion, drama, angst, challenges, pain, and more. This is Cal’s story- following him from age 16 to 45.
While this story did make me feel for Cal, I couldn’t help but be completely frustrated with him. There were times I wanted to reach into the story and shake him, or hit him- or both. This frustration made it hard to fully connect with him and his story. The author did a great job of crafting and developing him as a character though- so the lack of connection is on me- not for her lack of depth and development.
So don’t let my opinion and lack of connection put you off grabbing a copy for yourself and making up your own mind though- I have been on a bit of a dark thriller ride of late and that maybe ‘colouring’ my opinion. As with ‘Where the Ocean Meets the Sky’, I will revisit this again in a few weeks to see if I still feel the same way.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, A.R. Hadley!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Doombringer by Marcel Liemant – Review by Angela Hayes

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DoombringerDoombringer by Marcel Liemant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

Doombringer by Marcel Liemant is a bit of an epic fantasy adventure with magic, prophecy, secrets, discovery, monsters, action, war/battles, challenges, dramatic developments, and high stakes.
This story tells the tale of the lengths a father is willing to go to in order to save his daughter from doom. But in his quest to save her, he finds himself thrust into an adventure with the fate of the realm resting in his hands. He must find a way to end the war, but at what cost? Add some darkness, corrupting magic, terrifying beasts, danger, challenges, and great risk- and this story takes an engrossing turn.
This proved to be an intriguing read, and I am looking forward to exploring more of this author’s work in the future.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Marcel Liemant!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Ghost Takes A Vacation (Genie and Adriana Darling Cozy Paranormal Ghost Mysteries Book #2) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Angela Hayes

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Ghost Takes A VacationGhost Takes A Vacation by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Ghost Takes A Vacation is the second book in the Genie and Adriana Darling Cozy Paranormal Ghost Mysteries series by Carmen Radtke. Even though it is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did. Having said that though, this was such a fun read and has sparked my curiosity about the events in Book #1 — So I will definitely be snapping up a copy to explore before continuing on with this charming series.
It is a light-hearted and fun cozy mystery with paranormal elements, drama, adventure, quirky characters, intrigue, suspense, banter, & investigation, family dynamics, friendship, and more.
What’s not to love about a mystery that pairs the living and the dead. Genie is the living, and Adriana is a ghost (and Genie’s long-dead Great-Aunt). Together they make quite the pair. A little mayhem ensues as they set about solving their latest mystery. Making for a very entertaining read.
Looking forward to more from Genie and Adriana!
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Carmen Radtke!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Where the Ocean Meets the Sky (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley – Review by Angela Hayes

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Where the Ocean Meets the Sky (The Ocean)Where the Ocean Meets the Sky by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3 Stars

 

Where the Ocean Meets the Sky (The Ocean Series) by A.R. Hadley. This isn’t the first book that I have read by Ms. Hadley, so I thought I knew what to expect- something emotional and angsty…. and she did deliver that.
This is a companion novel for/with ‘The Ocean In His Veins’ – which is where I started this journey. Cal and Annie are such well-developed individuals with their own baggage, quirks, flaws, and personalities. They have been lovingly crafted into ‘real’ individuals who pull us into their emotional story.
This story touched me, but also frustrated me, because I found it hard to connect with the characters and become fully invested in them or the outcome of their story the way I would have liked to. And I’m not sure why exactly. This has all the ingredients that would normally grab me- but it didn’t. So, I have decided to revisit it again in a few weeks to see if I still feel the same way, or maybe I’ll find that I was just having an ‘off’ reading day this time around.
Don’t let my opinion and lack of connection put you off grabbing a copy for yourself and making up your own mind though.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, A.R. Hadley!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Baking a Bicycle (Invisible Magic Wand Book #7) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes

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Baking a Bicycle: Invisible Magic Wand Book SevenBaking a Bicycle: Invisible Magic Wand Book Seven by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

Baking A Bicycle is the seventh book in the Invisible Magic Wand series by Lois Wickstrom. Right from the get-go this book grabs your attention with the bright and interesting illustrations that accompany the storyline. It’s Caspian’s unbirthday again- and this time Caspian bakes a bicycle. How, you might ask. Well, follow along on this cute little adventure and find out. Caspian and Grandpa always have interesting adventures together and this was one of the more ‘fun’ ones.
This is a cute children’s story that has bright and colourful illustrations, fun, educational elements/lessons, and a touch of fantasy. As with the other books in this series, it is a slightly quirky tale that proved to be quite engaging- feeding both the imagination, as well providing a few lessons along the way.
Suitable for children aged 4 to 8.
The series consists of:
-The Empty Box (Book #1)
-Things Are Shaking (Book #2)
-Caspian’s Unbirthday (Book #3)
-The Sneaky Kitten (Book #4)
-The Know-It-All Kitten (Book #5)
-The Mind-Reading Hat (Book #6)
-Baking A Bicycle (Book #7)
As you can see, there are plenty of adventures to take with Caspian and Grandpa.
Happy reading!

Thank you, Lois Wickstrom!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Finding Your Heart by Nadia Han – Review by Angela Hayes

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Finding Your Heart: A Journal for Discovering Your HeartFinding Your Heart: A Journal for Discovering Your Heart by Nadia Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

This is a book I didn’t even realise I needed in my life till it popped up and grabbed my attention. What a wonderfully motivational book to inspire spiritual healing, spiritual growth and development, and reconnecting to humanity and our ‘hearts’.
Finding Your Heart is a journal with exercises for self-development, help, and healing. It helps ‘unclutter’ yourself spiritually, make peace with the past, while inspiring you to honour the present. With plenty of creative prompts, positive affirmations, and heart-opening activities this book is all about self-love, self-care, and prioritising ‘you’.
Beautiful!
“The Heart is a Flower. Let it Bloom.”
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Nadia Han!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob – Review by Angela Hayes

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The Catford Catastrophe ZoneThe Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

Stars

 

The Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob was a lot more intriguing than I expected. I mean I knew it would be good because I was quite engrossed by Ms. Jacob’s ‘Peddling Doomsday’ story- but this book is even better.
This has so many great ingredients- from a dystopian theme, futuristic setting, sci-fi elements, thriller-esque details, dramatic developments, a little satire, secrets, agendas, politics, social commentary, rebellion/rebels, mutants, danger, subterfuge, some action, adventure, a DNA-enhanced crime fighter, some mayhem, interesting characters, and a fight for survival.
The story wasn’t what I was expecting, in a great way. It was very intriguing, well-developed, and thought-provoking- but as expected from reading her previous book, Ms. Jacob has also set the tension and anticipation on high. The plot is complex, and layered- with a lot more going on between the covers than first meets the eye.
As with her other book, the characters were quite interesting individuals who were really well thought out, and all had their own quirks, flaws, and unique personalities. The setting and world-building were great and gave the story a unique ‘feel’. The world-building was really well-crafted- but, in saying that, I think it was the characters who really drove this story, pulling me in and keeping me turning the pages, following along to see how it all turned out in the end. They certainly made it more interesting, for sure.
If you love dystopian stories with more than a few surprising developments, then this is definitely the book for you.
I look forward to reading more of Ms. Jacob’s work.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Petra Jacob!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Lost and Found (Logan McKenna Mystery Book #9) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Angela Hayes

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Lost and Found: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 9 (Logan McKenna Series)Lost and Found: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 9 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Lost and Found is the ninth book in the Logan McKenna Mystery series by Valerie Davisson. We follow Logan McKenna on another intriguing crime and investigation story with mystery, murder, danger, drama, a tangled web of truth and lies, high stakes, dramatic developments, tension, challenges, and risks.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, because I say this with every new instalment, but this series really is getting better and better the further into it we go.
In this instalment Logan McKenna takes us on a foray into commercial crabbing where a dead body leads to a tangled web of truth and lies. Logan is asked to help find the truth. What secrets does she uncover along the way? Will she be able to unravel the everything before the stakes get any higher?
Even though this is the ninth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. But having said that, Logan has led us on a lot of intriguing investigations over the course of the series where we discover a lot about her personality, background, family, motivations, relationships, and character. So I recommend reading the previous books to get a fuller appreciation of Logan and the other intriguing mysteries she has taken us on.
The series contains:
-Bella: An Appalachian Love Story (Book #0 – 0.5)
-Jagged Dawn (Book #0.5)
-Shattered (Book #1)
-Forrest Park (Book #2)
-Devil’s Claw (Book #3)
-Vanishing Day (Book #4)
-Safe Harbor (Book #5)
-Lies That Bind (Book #6)
-Whisper Creek (Book #7)
-In Plain Sight (Book #8)
-Lost and Found (Book #9)
Wonder what Logan McKenna gets up to next?
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Valerie Davisson!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Sea of Demons (Blood and Sand Book #5) by Heidi Stark – Review by Angela Hayes

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Sea of Demons: A Dark Enemies to Lovers Mafia RomanceSea of Demons: A Dark Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Heidi Stark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

Sea of Demons is the fifth book in the Blood and Sand series by Heidi Stark. This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Stark- so I really didn’t know what to expect from one of her stories. But as dark romance is one of my guilty pleasures, and the darker the better, I couldn’t wait to discover all the suspenseful details.

This promised a dark romantic suspense with mafia, danger, dramatic developments, tension, raw and gritty details, violence, murder, action, chemistry, sizzle, emotion, and intensity. Which I guess it did. But, I just wished I had read the previous four books before diving into this one.
In this series, as far as I can tell, each instalment follows on from the previous book- and as these characters star in previous books- I can’t help but conclude that there are important aspects to the series that I am missing. The blurb isn’t clear on this, only ‘suggesting’ reading the other books if you prefer, giving the impression that this could be read as a standalone…. “Sea of Demons is a full-length mafia/gang dark romantic suspense containing potential triggers. Reader discretion is advised. This is the 5th book in the Blood and Sand series. Books 2-4 can also be found combined as Sinners, Rage, and The Brixton Trilogy, if you prefer to read the Brixton story to this point in its entirety.” But knowing what happened in those four books seems to be more important than that part of the blurb implies….. So, again, I wish I had known that going into this book, because I did feel like I wasn’t privy to important details/developments- and knowing/thinking that made me frustrated and anxious as I kept wondering what I had ‘missed’ in the previous books.
There were more than a few moments where I nearly gave up in order to go and hunt down the previous books to read them before continuing on with this one- but I persevered hoping that it would all ‘fall into place’ at some point. But I never did find ‘my groove’. Lesson learned. So, unfortunately my rating reflects that. But in saying all that, the story and characters have piqued my interest, and I am hoping that by reading their story in its entirety it will help me connect and invest in them all the better. So I have decided to go back and read the previous books, to see if they change my impression- so stay tuned- as they may impact on my review/rating for the better.
Take my advice, read the previous books first before starting on this one. Save yourself the anxiety and frustration that I experienced.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Heidi Stark!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Arriving Home (Lake Juniper Series) by Chelsea Lauren – Review by Angela Hayes

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Arriving Home (Lake Juniper Series)Arriving Home by Chelsea Lauren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3 Stars

 

Arriving Home (A Juniper Lake Series Novel) by Chelsea Lauren is a New Adult MM romance that’s woven with plenty of emotion, angst, heartache, family, past trauma, challenges, and drama. The story tugs on the heartstrings and has some raw and gritty elements and includes some sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers- subjects such as alcohol abuse/addiction, drugs, childhood trauma, emotional blackmail, and manipulation– so if have issues with any of these topics, then this is probably not the book for you.
The Christmas holidays bring together an author who is grappling with a case of writer’s block and a lonely chef who despairs of ever finding ‘the one’. But their future depends on leaving the pain of the past behind. Easier said than done…
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Chelsea Lauren!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Men of Eden Cove Manor by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Angela Hayes

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The Men of Eden Cove ManorThe Men of Eden Cove Manor by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

The Men of Eden Cove Manor by Naomi Valkyrie is yet another sublime paranormal MM romance with a bit of a ‘why-choose’ dynamic. It never ceases to amaze me at the abundance of creative ideas that Ms. Valkyrie must have buzzing around in her head, as this is yet another highly original plot, distinctive from the rest of her works, but still with all the trademark touches and ‘personality’ that I have come to expect from her work.
Well-developed and cleverly woven, this story has vampires, mystery, action, adventure, spooky encounters, agendas, chemistry, emotion, humour, banter, supernatural elements, high stakes, a time crunch, quirky yet endearing characters, tension, suspense, danger, choices, Halloween hijinks, and a lot of flirting with danger. The story is set on/around Halloween, which adds an extra element of mysteriousness to the story.
Lucifer is a somewhat bold, bratty, and sassy individual who’s new to town. When he hears all the rumors surrounding “Eden Cove Manor” his inherently curious nature is engaged, causing him to make the impulsive decision to break into the manor and do some investigating of his own. They are just rumors after all. Right? But Lucifer soon finds himself drawn into a situation he could never have predicted- discovering plenty about the ‘Men’ of ‘Eden Cove Manor’, and himself, along the way. Throw in a little blackmail, a HUGE secret, time running out, desperate hopes, chemistry, and some much-needed zest for life- and things take a fun and intriguing turn…
Highly recommended reading.
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Valkyrie has in store for us next…
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Naomi Valkyrie!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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This Egg Won’t Hatch by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes

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This Egg Won't HatchThis Egg Won’t Hatch by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 Stars

 

This Egg Won’t Hatch by Lois Wickstrom is a cute children’s story that has a lesson on overcoming fear. This could almost be a ‘companion’ book to “Just One More Egg”- as they have the same style illustrations, and the same Warbler ‘family’, nest, and feel- as the other.
The classic watercolour illustrations which accompany the story help to bring the story to life and engage the reader.
Again, what happens when a cuckoo lays her egg in a warbler nest? What happens when the all the chicks hatch, except for one? What happens to the last egg? You really should read the story if you want to find out…
Happy reading!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Heart’s Rescue (Fallen Hearts Book #3) by Meredith Hart – Review by Angela Hayes

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Heart's EscapeHeart’s Escape by Meredith Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

Heart’s Escape is Book #3, and the fourth and final instalment in the Fallen Hearts series by Meredith Hart. As with the other books in the series this is a captivating romantic fantasy- with an enemies to lovers theme, action, adventure, magic, danger, drama, desperation, chemistry, spice, challenges/obstacles, emotion, mystery, secrets, tension, intrigue, superb world-building, interesting characters, layers, banter, violence, a quest, and finding love unexpectedly.
This is Phaedron and Alindra’s story, which sees two ‘enemies’ joining forces out of desperation, and perhaps a little a touch of fate. We met Phaedron previously, as he is Rowan’s brother (Heart’s Rescue – Book #1). Desperate times call for desperate measures, and both Phaedron and Alindra have their own reasons for wanting to join forces. But trusting each other is a whole different story. Right? What unfolds makes for a captivating story of finding love in the throes of an adventure.
As I have come to expect from Ms. Hart, this is a richly detailed story with wonderful scene-setting which helped to bring her world, characters, and story, to life. I was pulled into the story from the very beginning, easily connecting to and investing in the characters and the outcome of the story. This was a bit of a bitter-sweet read for me, knowing it was the final in the series- but also needing to know how it all played out in the end.
I wonder what Ms. Hart has in store for us next? I am excited to find out.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Meredith Hart!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Mission Target (Jake Wolfe Thrillers Book #7) by Mark Nolan – Review by Angela Hayes

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Mission Target (Jake Wolfe, # 7)Mission Target by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

Mission Target is the newest addition (Book #7) to the Jake Wolfe series by Mark Nolan. It is another incredibly clever, intensely gripping, and suspenseful read. Mr. Nolan has come up with yet more heart-pounding situations for Jake and Cody to deal with – weaving a riveting adventure with a complex, multi-layered storyline that’s packed full of action, danger, tension, drama, intrigue, humour, mystery, murder, crime and investigation, covert ops, military/agency/police procedure, assassins, banter, secrets, corruption, greed, violence, a deadly drug, a dangerous international drug network with sinister intent, excitement, twists, high-sea escapades, and much more.
We once again we team up with former marine turned lawyer and covert operative Jake Wolfe, and his trusty companion, Cody, the highly intelligent, and loyal ex-war dog- who really is the smartest dog you’ll ever meet. Following along as all the excitement unfolds. When a deadly drug starts leaving bodies in its wake, Jake’s mission becomes cutting the head off the snake, stop the supply, trace the source, and eliminate the threat. This proves to be a bit more complicated when he becomes a target himself. Add a deranged serial killer, corruption, greed, danger, and high stakes- and the story becomes quite the adrenaline-fuelled ride.
It is a fast-paced story with lots of twists and surprising developments. This is such an absorbing read, I ended up reading it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.
This series just gets better and more addictive with each new release. I know I keep saying this, but I really can’t get enough of this series- and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of joining Jake and Cody on one of their exciting ‘adventures’- so I really hope there are plenty more stories still to come.
The next book can’t come soon enough for me!

Thank you, Mark Nolan!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Cold Kid Case (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series Book #1) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Angela Hayes

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The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

Stars

 

The Cold Kid Case is the first book in the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series by Rosalind Barden. It is an historical cozy mystery set in the 1930’s Las Angeles with a spunky, street smart, precocious tween named Sparky as our MC.
I love cozy mysteries, and this promised something a little different, so I was intrigued by what I might find under the cover.
Sparky takes us on a crime and investigation adventure when she becomes a murder suspect and has to work to clear her name. The story contains all the historical detailing, language, sights, and societal norms that you would expect from that era- it is richly detailed, and the descriptions are quite ‘visual’, and the characters are many and varied- but all are quirky and ‘colourful’. The author definitely did a great job of bringing everything to life.
From murder to mobsters, movie stars, and a little mayhem this turned out to be an intriguing and fun read.
Looking forward to ‘The Cannibal Caper’ (Book #2) and ‘Monkey Island Murder’ (Book #3).
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Rosalind Barden!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series Book #1) by MJ Murray – Review by Angela Hayes

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Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail: A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book SeriesDetective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail: A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series by MJ Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail is the first book in A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series, and debut novel, by M.J. Murray.
Budding detective Dylan is on the case when his neighbour’s mail goes missing. With the help of his sister, Emily, and their dog Theodore, these sleuths are determined to solve their first case. What ensues makes for a fun read.
This is a children’s chapter book with an easy to read and understand plot that captures the imagination by engaging the reader with a fun story that contains some ‘learning’ opportunities along the way. There are some fun, black and white, illustrations sprinkled throughout that help inspire the imagination.
This is aimed at children who are just starting to read ‘chapter books’ on their own, or with help- and contains a few ‘harder’ words to challenge them as they read (Reading Tier 2). There are also lessons in problem solving, working together, perseverance, taking initiative, finding ‘clues’, family, friendship, and more.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, M.J. Murray!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Joy’s Christmas Escape (The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride Book #1) by P. Creeden – Review by Angela Hayes

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Joy’s Christmas Escape: The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride Book 1Joy’s Christmas Escape: The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride Book 1 by P. Creeden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

Joy’s Christmas Escape is the first book in The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride series by new-to-me author P. Creeden. This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Creeden, so I really didn’t know what to expect from one of her books, but the blurb intrigued me enough to want to find out, and I love a good historical romance. So I let my one-click finger loose and snapped up a copy to set off on the adventure.
I am excited to find that this is part of (what appears to be) an 8-part series, something to look forward to. The author also has numerous other books to her name, so I can feel a book-binge coming on.
This was a sweet historical romance with all the ingredients needed to make it a great read:
-Down-on-her-luck mail order bride ✔
-Hunky lawman who desperately needs a nanny ✔
-Cute kids ✔
-Emotion ✔
-Superb historical detailing ✔
-Set at (in and around) Christmastime ✔
-Immersive scene setting ✔
-A damsel in distress ✔
-A touch of drama ✔
-A little angst ✔
-Christmas Miracle ✔
-Finding love unexpectedly ✔
And more…
A sweet story that is well worth the read.
Well done.
Happy Reading…

Thank you P. Creeden!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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