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Stop that Lion (Kingdom of Mir Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennifer Crain

Stop That Lion: A Tale of Friendship Love and Peace (Kingdom of Mir)Stop That Lion: A Tale of Friendship Love and Peace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Stop That Lion” by Lois Wickstrom is a charming and engaging story about solving problems through creativity and collaboration. The premise of the story, with the Kingdom of Sher’s lion causing mischief in the neighboring Kingdom of Mir, is both humorous and relatable.

The characters in the story, particularly Winnie, are endearing and relatable. Winnie’s determination to save her pet sheep, Paley, and her kingdom is admirable, and readers will root for her as she navigates the contest to Stop the Lion. The King’s willingness to listen to Winnie’s idea and give her a chance to solve the problem showcases the importance of listening to diverse perspectives and working together to find solutions.

The message of the story, that fair solutions and teamwork are key to overcoming challenges, is conveyed effectively through the entertaining plot and well-developed characters. The illustrations by Carol Thompson complement the story beautifully, adding depth and visual appeal to the narrative.

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The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Micalah Weatherholtz

The Glow in Loretta's Garden (Loretta's Insects)The Glow in Loretta’s Garden by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While not my first Wickstrom children’s book I enjoyed it as if it was. Lois always manages to captivate children with her tales, and wonderful illustrations, while always managing to teach them something at the same time. In this case, this being the fifth book in the series, Loretta takes us back to her garden to take us full circle in the life of fireflies. We enjoyed this one.

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Charming Chapter (Boomer Babes Book Club Romances) by Lori Haas – Review by Jules Herbert

Charming Chapter : A Later-in-Life Just Kisses Romance (Boomer Babes Book Club Romances 1)Charming Chapter : A Later-in-Life Just Kisses Romance by Lori Haas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As the name suggests this is a charming read with some wonderful characters and I really enjoyed Laura being an older age than you usually see lead characters in most romance novels these being days. I found the book club ladies fun and quirky. I’d definitely read more Of the Boomer Babes Book Club series.

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Touched: Elemental Passions Book One by Skye Turner, Sloane Nicole, April D. Berry, C.J. Pinard, Danielle Jamie, Darlene Tallman, Julie Morgan, Livell James, Machelle Hanleigh, and Melissa MacKinnon – Review by Micalah Weatherholtz

Touched (Elemental Passions #1)Touched by Skye Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn’t realize at the time of starting this novel that many authors came together to write this alluring, steamy, romance novel, and they all did a fantastic job. A love at first sight trope, fae, fantasy, and romance this novel had it all. It was a light, fun read that I’m glad to have read.

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Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Crystal Brehant

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid's Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great story to read to kids who want a dog. Kids can follow CJ and Lora as they learn about what it takes to take care of a dog. Owning a dog is not easy. These two kids do everything they can to show that they can be responsible pet parents. Kids can get really good ideas from this book about how to show they too, are ready to own a dog.

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Before You Say I Do by Marina Hanna – Review by Kimberly Filer

Before You Say I DoBefore You Say I Do by Marina Hanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A spicy romance that will leave you on the seat of your chair. When Emma meets Liam she can’t help but be attracted to him. Emma is trying to forget a horrid relationship one that left her so broken she can’t trust another person again. Liam has his own secrets he wants to keep hidden. In this spicy romance story its great to see how their lives unravel and the secrets they both try to keep hidden. Not for the faint at heart this book is steamy!

The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Glow in Loretta's Garden (Loretta's Insects)The Glow in Loretta’s Garden by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loretta is back in her garden, a place she loves to spend her time, and today, while she is planting flowers in a freshly prepared bed, she finds some glowing larvae, she is so intrigued by them that she runs to get her ant farm, which is currently empty and waiting for some new residents and so she moves some of the larvae in.

As she watches them tunnel, she finds that they are also building hut like structures around themselves from the mud, but what will happen to them now? This is a charming book about the lifecycle of a firefly which is full of information in a format which all ages will enjoy and all while learning about nature and insects all at the same time.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Stop that Lion (Kingdom of Mir Series) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Stop that Lion (Kingdom of Mir Series) by Lois Wickstrom
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Kids
Page Count – 22
Cover Designer – Timna Green


The Kingdom of Sher and the Kingdom of Mir were good neighbors.
But the Kingdom of Sher had a lion. And the farmers in the Kingdom of Sher raised sheep. Every night, the lion from the Kingdom of Sher sneaked into the Kingdom of Mir and ate sheep that belonged to families who lived there. The King proclaimed a contest to Stop the Lion. The servants announced the rules: The winning solution must be fair! The winner will be the King’s Royal Advisor. Losers must give the King their most precious possession.
Winnie doesn’t want to lose her pet sheep, Paley. She wants to save her kingdom. Will the King try her idea?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Stop that Lion (Kingdom of Mir Series) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Stop that Lion (Kingdom of Mir Series) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois is a former science teacher. She has written a series of science-based folktales.  In each modernized tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending because of learning scientific principles. Lois likes to garden, ride her bike with her husband, cook, and she votes in every election.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ GOODREADS ~ YOUTUBE ~ NEWSLETTER ~

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

Touched: Elemental Passions Book One by Skye Turner, Sloane Nicole, April D. Berry, C.J. Pinard, Danielle Jamie, Darlene Tallman, Julie Morgan, Livell James, Machelle Hanleigh, and Melissa MacKinnon – Review by Angela Hayes

Touched (Elemental Passions #1)Touched by Skye Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

‘ Aeris, the adventurous. Aeris, the rule-breaker. Aeris, the rebel.
That’s me. Though, I don’t ever actually intend to break the rules.
It just sort of… happens.
What can I say? I’m curious.
There’s a great, big world outside of our own and I want to explore it all.
Is that really so bad?
I don’t think it is. ’

‘ Smiling down at me again, he offers me his hand. I stare up at him, uncertain as to what to do. Do I go with Callum to where he wants to take me, or do I fly away to the safety of Laric and the wards and never see this man again? I know what I should do, but I’m not certain that I’m going to do it… Grinning with sudden bravado, I slide my hand into his. No adventure is ever told by running away from a story. It’s told while running toward it. Let’s see where this story leads. ’

Touched is the first book in the Elemental Passions series brought to us by 10 talented authors who have come together as one. I must say that I was curious about this book,, because at first I thought it was an anthology- but it isn’t- it is one story told/written by 10 different authors. Well, I have never heard of that being done before- so of course I had to grab a copy and see how the story turned out.
The ten authors who contributed to this book are:
-Skye Turner
-Sloane Nicole
-April D. Berry
-C.J. Pinard
-Danielle Jamie
-Darlene Tallman
-Julie Moran
-Livell James
-Machelle Hanleigh
-Melissa McKinnon
They have produced an intriguing paranormal romance with action, fantasy, adventure, magic, Fairies (Fae), sylphs, werewolves, drama, danger, agendas, fated loved/fated mates, forbidden romance, chemistry, steam, tension, mystery, elemental forces, prophecy, war, insta-love/insta-lust, and emotion.
With there being ten different authors lending their talents to this one story, it would be understandable if you were somewhat skeptical about the end result being cohesive. But I am here to assure you that this book reads as if there had only been one author- so colour me impressed.
Sneaking through the wards into the human realm isn’t anything new for Aeris, she’s been breaking the rules since she could remember- so what is different this time? Well, a tall dark stranger who knocks her off her feet and locks eyes with her is what…. Aeris and Callum are from two different worlds, a fairy and a human. But is he, human, that is. Afterall he can see through her glamour, which he shouldn’t be able to do. And why can’t she stop thinking about him? Things take a bit of a dangerous turn throwing these two into a situation they could never have predicted. What happens when their forbidden union is discovered? Where does prophecy and war fit in? And what does fate have in store for these two? Well, you really should read all the captivating details for yourself and discover how it all plays out in the end.
This is the first book in a five-instalment series- so I can’t wait to see where we go from here. Elemental Passions is the next book in the series (yet to be released).
Happy Reading…

Thank you to all the contributing authors!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Loris Opens Up His Heart (Courage Tales Series) by Dagmara Sitek – Review by Natalia Gonzales Castrejon

Loris Opens Up His HeartLoris Opens Up His Heart by Dagmara Sitek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the adventure that Loris took me on! He became such a strong and powerful character at the end and I really enjoyed this read. I most definitely recommend this book for kids who struggle or have struggled with the foster system. This book definitely had some good insights on how kids in foster homes might feel going into a new place and issues they combat at previous foster homes!

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Touched: Elemental Passions Book One by Skye Turner, Sloane Nicole, April D. Berry, C.J. Pinard, Danielle Jamie, Darlene Tallman, Julie Morgan, Livell James, Machelle Hanleigh, and Melissa MacKinnon – Review by Stephanie Runyon

Touched (Elemental Passions #1)Touched by Skye Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Touched is the first book in the Elemental Passions series. The book features Aeris, an inquisitive fae interested in humans outside of Laric. Despite warnings from her older brother, Cyrus, she uses glamour and sneaks out to watch humans without interacting with them. However, she learns that Callum, a police detective, can see her. Aeris bumps into Callum on the street. Seeing how distressed Aeris is, Callum tries to offer her help. Aeris flees and disappears from his sight.

Inside a dark bar, Callum meets with his informant about a drug drop location that the notorious Trahan brothers were planning for Friday at midnight. It is evident that Tony is afraid of being caught giving Callum information. When Callum is driving toward his precinct, he drops his phone long enough to distract him. He strikes a pedestrian and runs to the front of his truck to see Aeris lying in a pool of blood. Nobody can see her except Callum. While he is distracted by another person, Aeris heals herself. Callum convinces her to take her for a ride because he wants to know her better.

Aeris hides her interaction with a human from Cyrus. She researches glamour and finds it doesn’t work on mythical creatures. If a mortal has mythical blood, they can also see past glamour. She meets Callum again and reveals she is a Fae. Callum recalls his grandmother telling him he had Sylph blood but didn’t know what that meant. Noticing a storm forming rapidly, Callum tries to take Aeris to his truck but a strong wind snatches her away. Aeris knows she is in serious trouble since her father used a storm to bring her back to Laric.

There is a lot of suspense in Touched. Fae are not supposed to be around humans. Callum didn’t believe in fairy tales until Aeris entered his life. Something between them draws both of them together and it is obvious that the traditional alpha male persona that Callum has will be challenged by the strong-willed Aeris. What is a Sylph? What does it mean to be human and Sylph? Can Aeris convince her family and fellow Fae to accept Callum? Does Aeris have to leave Laric forever if she wants to be with Callum. All of these intriguing questions are answered in an unpredictable story of forbidden romance.

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Before You Say I Do by Marina Hanna – Review by Katie Kearney

Before You Say I DoBefore You Say I Do by Marina Hanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liam and Emma will pull you into their world so fast. I instantly felt a connection to each character. Their relationship is fun to watch grow and become something neither knew they were looking for. Emma is so sassy and her character is fun. Liam is just as fun mixed with his protective nature is the best recipe for the perfect book boyfriend. This one is definitely spicy so have a fan at the ready. It’s well written with characters you connect with and root for easily. Five stars and highly recommended.

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Charming Chapter (Boomer Babes Book Club Romances) by Lori Haas – Review by Katie Kearney

Charming Chapter : A Later-in-Life Just Kisses Romance (Boomer Babes Book Club Romances 1)Charming Chapter : A Later-in-Life Just Kisses Romance by Lori Haas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Listen I need to look into finding pet sitting jobs where I can travel! This book immediately had my heart. I have been married almost 20 years and imagine I’d be just as lost as Laura seems when navigating life after your partner is gone. This is a wonderful story about life after loss. But also about loving yourself and truly living afterwards. Laura drew me in so quickly and she was so easy to connect with I loved her adventures and watching her grow throughout the story. We so easy make everyone else a priority we sometimes lose us along the way and this book is a perfect outline on to find yourself again. This storyline is definitely in my heart and I loved the characters. Need a feel good storyline with amazing characters? Look no further because this one’s gonna steal your heart. Five big stars and very highly recommended.

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The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula Series, Book 4) by Cat Treadgold – Review by Michelle Marlow

The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 4)The Changed Man by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so happy to see Jake once again and get a story from his point. This series is well set up and the character building is done so well. Emotions are high in this one as well. And I love reading anything this author has done.

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Touched: Elemental Passions Book One by Skye Turner, Sloane Nicole, April D. Berry, C.J. Pinard, Danielle Jamie, Darlene Tallman, Julie Morgan, Livell James, Machelle Hanleigh, and Melissa MacKinnon – Review by Ashley Lape

Touched (Elemental Passions #1)Touched by Skye Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On the magical streets of New Orleans who knew there could be a whole underworld of magical Fae. Aeris is a young curious fae who can’t help but cross the world from Laric to the human in search of adventure. Aeris’ older brother Cyrus warns him to be extra careful because he has a bad feeling. Come to find out that bad feeling lands Aeris to finding her Kinder or her sole mate. Callum has no clue what is going on but he just laid eyes on the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. The problem for Aeris is that humans can´t see Fae unless that human has magical blood themself.
I have read Fae books before but this particular book was one of a kind. The author’s development of the story, characters, and plot was beyond amazing. I can’t wait to see what else this author comes out with.

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reviewed by @alape

The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Melissa Fink

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1GPZVERWKLOD7/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

The Glow in Loretta's Garden (Loretta's Insects)The Glow in Loretta’s Garden by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was another beautifully written by Lois Wickstrom. This author truly never disappoints, I love how all her books have amazing illustrations. They are also educational. The world building and characters was greatly thought of. It was easy to read.

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https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3578184109

Rhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral Mystery (Rhapsody In… Series, Book 1) by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra – Review by Crystal Jimmo

Rhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral MysteryRhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral Mystery by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop! We are introduced into the world of ballet from Elena’s point of view. She’s a principal ballerina that has been invited to audition for Black Rhapsody, at her old ballet theatre. She gladly accepts and is excited to audition, but not for the reason everyone thinks. From sabotage, to secrets to accidents, something is going on at the world renown theatre, and all fingers point to Elena. Just when I thought I figured out what was going on, Maria would throw a curve ball and I would have to rethink everything I knew and go back and go over everything all over again. This novella was beautifully well done, and the character development was absolutely phenomenal.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Julie Johnson

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have had a desire to travel abroad for many years. The likelihood of actually travelling abroad for me is pretty unrealistic, however if anyone wouldn’t mind tucking me into your suitcase, I’ll gladly go!

When I came across this book, I was excited to see that it is a true hidden gem. I feel like I’ve travelled to England through the pages of this book! The author has compiled an extremely thorough book of everything you need to know if you were planning a trip to England. She covers various legends and myths, hidden gem locations, the best places to eat and times to go, places to stay, how to manage converting money, best times to travel, best ways to travel and so much more! Terminology used there that might not be familiar is also defined.

Great resource and I’ll refer to it again if I ever do get the opportunity to actually travel there. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through the pages of this book!

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The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula Series, Book 4) by Cat Treadgold – Review by Melissa Fink

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2IXMBOWFLIY7Y/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 4)The Changed Man by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have listened to a few of this authors books and they never disappoint me. The detailing is great. I highly recommend starting from the first book or you wont be able to follow along with the story. The characters and world building was greatly thought of. I enjoyed this one so much.

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The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Donya Pedigo

The Glow in Loretta's Garden (Loretta's Insects)The Glow in Loretta’s Garden by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve read a lot of Lois Wickstrom’s books, but this is my first adventure with Loretta. I love how you learn without even realizing it while reading this clever book. The illustrations are really fascinating and colorful as well!

Have you ever wondered about the life cycle of a firefly? Well Loretta finds out all about fireflies as she observes them through multiple stages of their lives. I also love the added information at the end of the story that allows you to learn even more about fireflies. I will definitely be checking out more of this series.

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Drag Me Down (Full Throttle Cyborgs Series) by Landra Graf – Review by Bobbi Wagner

Drag Me Down (Full Throttle Cyborgs, #4)Drag Me Down by Landra Graf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from her first book that I picked up by her. I never hesitate to pick up her books as I know that I am in for quite a journey. This author never lets me down. This is the fourth book in this series which is just as great as the previous books in the series. I highly suggest reading them as well, you won’t regret it. This is a well written story where the author brought the characters to life on each page. They are strong, creative and add so much to the story. This is a story that starts out as revenge but then turns into something more. These characters don’t see it coming. I enjoyed watching the growth and chemistry throughout the book which made it easy to pick up. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story. An engaging story that will keep you coming back for more. This is a really great story that I enjoyed reading. I highly recommend this book.

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Review by @bjwagner

The Winemakers Box Set (The Winemakers Series) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Megan Pesek

The Winemakers - Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical RomancesThe Winemakers – Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical Romances by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Winemakers is a beautifully written set. The character development and world building are outstanding and add to the overall plot. This historical romance series is a taste of history with enough action and suspense to keep the story moving. The characters have real depth and the historical details add to the story rather than slowing it down. Worth a read!

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The Winemakers Box Set (The Winemakers Series) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Bobbi Wagner

The Winemakers - Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical RomancesThe Winemakers – Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical Romances by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The True Purpose of Vines:
I enjoyed this romance story. This is a well written story about two people who fight for a cure and for a relationship. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and attention to details that added so much to the story. This is a fast paced story that is engaging and a page turner. This is a story that is written with a lot of emotion and it certainly took me on an emotional roller coaster. I enjoyed how the characters were able to pull me into the story. I had no problem relating to the characters as they are connectable, strong and supportive of each other. Julia and Griffin are great characters that have great chemistry. Their struggle to find a cure and keep their relationship together is left in the hands of fate. This story has great world building and growth throughout. There is alot going on in this story but I enjoyed how the author was able to keep me engaged. I really enjoyed this book and what the characters brought to the story. I highly recommend this book.

The Taste of Light:
I enjoyed reading this romance story. This is a new author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills as well as their attention to details that made the story pop. I look forward to reading more from them in the future. This is a well written story about discovering that love isn’t always perfect like they say. This is a story that has some suspense as well. It made the story easy and entertaining to read. A fast paced story that is hard to put down. There is great growth with the characters and the plot. The twists and turns had me turning pages fast just to see what would happen to these characters next. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.

The Truths about Myths:
I enjoyed reading this fantasy romance story. This is a story where the author used her writing skills as well as her attention to details to make the characters pop. She has created a story that feels realistic and hopes that the characters get happily ever after. I found this book to be well written and hard to put down. Isabel and Henrique are great characters that I enjoyed watching their growth as well as their chemistry throughout the story. I enjoyed how they pulled me into their adventure and kept me engaged to the end. This is a story that has a little bit of everything in it from romance to twists and turns that you don’t want to miss. I really enjoyed this story and I think you will too. I highly recommend this book.

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Review by @bjwagner

The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shannen Kern

The Glow in Loretta's Garden (Loretta's Insects)The Glow in Loretta’s Garden by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My entire household loves this author, and the kids get so excited when I bring a new book home. Imagine their surprise when it was centered on their favorite insect, lightning bugs! When Loretta happens upon some luminous larvae, she is intrigued and embarks on a journey to understand the life cycle of these new creatures. I love the way the author is able to flawlessly weave educational tidbits without losing the interest of kiddos. The illustrations were a little different from other books by Lois, but they are still wonderful and helpful for the young ones to gain more context. I loved the facts about fireflies even as an adult! These books always spark such wonderful conversations with my kids. I highly recommend having this in your classroom or at home and letting it light up your little one’s curiosity!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Rhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral Mystery (Rhapsody In… Series, Book 1) by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra – Review by Bobbi Wagner

Rhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral MysteryRhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral Mystery by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this suspenseful story. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed their writing style and attention to details that made the twists and turns come to life. This is a well written story about Elena and a ballet performance that is good for her dancing. What she doesn’t expect is the events that lead to murder and secrets. I enjoyed Elena and what she brought to the story. She is a strong, connectable character that made the story easy to read. I enjoyed watching the growth of this story that not only made it engaging but hard to put down. This is a fast paced story that I truly enjoyed. It had me turning pages fast just to see what would happen next. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author in the future. I highly recommend this book.

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Review by @bjwagner

The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula Series, Book 4) by Cat Treadgold – Review by Shannen Kern

The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 4)The Changed Man by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite book in The Olympic Peninsula series by far! I already loved the previous books so it was a no brainer that I would pick it up and enjoy it. Although you can read these as a standalone, I highly recommend reading them in order to get the full extent of the characters and background. I was excited to see that this was Jake’s story because we met him early on in his less-than-pleasant stages. He’s made enormous leaps and bounds in his life it seems, and his family isn’t sure what to make of him now. Getting to see Jake’s side of the story is eye-opening and pulls at your heartstrings. This was quite the emotional rollercoaster with plenty of angst, romance, and family ordeals. The flow of the story felt effortless which is no small feat! I highly recommend picking this up as well as the rest of the series. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the next installment, I’m on pins and needles!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Touched: Elemental Passions Book One by Skye Turner, Sloane Nicole, April D. Berry, C.J. Pinard, Danielle Jamie, Darlene Tallman, Julie Morgan, Livell James, Machelle Hanleigh, and Melissa MacKinnon – Review by Dawn Mitchell

Touched (Elemental Passions #1)Touched by Skye Turner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is book one of the Elemental Series. This is not my normal genre since I don’t get into supernatural and fantasy but I figured I’d give it a try. While Aeris and Callum were good characters that have the great tension plus bad girl, good guy scenario…I just couldnt get into it. It was too far fetched. I did love how these two learned each other, compromised and listened to each other in every way possible. Hopefully you have better luck!

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The Winemakers Box Set (The Winemakers Series) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Beverly Finnie

The Winemakers - Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical RomancesThe Winemakers – Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical Romances by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Winemakers Series is one boxset to get behind. The author brings you into a world of love, happiness, drama, loss, conflict, and so much more! 3 books that will keep you reading for hours that you won’t want to put down.
Pedro is my favorite character across the series. Being heavily featured in book 1 & 2. He’s a man who is misunderstood but will eventually get what he deserves in life. I would go into detail but I don’t want to give any spoilers going from book 1 to 2. Let’s just say, don’t judge a book by its cover when it comes to him.
These books come with a lot of lust and passion amongst the characters. Maybe not as steamy as some, however that’s not the only way to feature lust and passion. Every character has a story, it’s just a matter of which book it’s featured in. They all also come in and out in supporting roles when it’s not their story.
Can they be read as standalones, sure but is that any fun? Reading them straight through would be my suggestion. Just make sure you have time because as I stated before you won’t want to pit them down.
Good luck, and I wonder who you’re favorite character will be?!?!

@placexba
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Loris Opens Up His Heart (Courage Tales Series) by Dagmara Sitek – Review by Lorralei Hoerner

Loris Opens Up His Heart: An Emotional Story For Kids (Courage Tales)Loris Opens Up His Heart: An Emotional Story For Kids by Dagmara Sitek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Loris Opens Up His Heart is a emotional read that is aimed at children from 5-10 years of age, but I believe that this is a must read for anyone. The story of Loris really brings out emotions of being afraid, angry and feeling alone and abandoned but also educational teaching of love, acceptance, patience and kindness.

Loris is being juggled around to many foster families until he is with a family that include Cam and Inaya whom want to make Loris feel welcomed. When Cam and Inaya are getting ready for a charity run for Susie, they want to include Loris…who has no interest at first. When Loris finally opens up about his feelings and heart…he soon learns that he is loved and accepted.

This is truly a must read for the young and young at heart. The story is heartfelt and the illustrations are beautiful and engaging and bring the story to life. We can all learn a lesson how to open up our hearts…There is someone who always cares….

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Rhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral Mystery (Rhapsody In… Series, Book 1) by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra – Review by Jenni Bishop

Rhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral MysteryRhapsody in Black: An Elena del Carral Mystery by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rhapsody in Black by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is the first book in the Elena del Carral Mystery series. It is a tribute to her mother who was a famous prima ballerina.
This cleverly crafted mystery is fast-paced with some thrills that is as interesting as it is intriguing.
With accidents, drama, threats, scheming, sabotage, secrets, agendas, romance, and so much more Rhapsody in Black takes the reader in to the cutthroat world of dancing, ballet. But it is not all doom and gloom there are some laughs to be had as well.
The characters are well written, and the plot is cleverly crafted but some of the story is told by recounting of events that I feel would have been much better had they been made a part of the main story itself.
Elena a ballerina and choreographer has been invited to perform but she soon remembers why she left this life behind. Nothing has changed from when she was in it but now it seems it has only gotten more deadly.
Ballet enthusiasts will love this story and if you aren’t it is something different than your average cosy mystery.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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