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Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Amaleigha Makes a New FriendAmaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amaleigha Makes a New Friend is a children’s book for kids between the ages of six to ten years of age. The story focuses on third grader, Amaleigha, who attends Happy Days Elementary School. When her teacher asks the children in his third-grade class to become pen pals with children in the Ukraine Amaleigha is excited to learn about another country. As Amaleigha and her pen pal, Vova, write letters back and forth, each learn about the other’s lives and cultures. They ask each other questions about what their homes look like, how many siblings they have, and what activities they do for fun. Amaleigha’s teacher also shows his class about the Ukrainian culture by showing them how Christmas is celebrated and what foods they eat. When a war develops between Russia and the Ukraine Amaleigha is worried about her new friend and his family. She has a big heart and wants to find a way to help so Amaleigha and her class raise money to help their new friends affected by the war in the Ukraine.

This was a beautifully written book that was informative and educational for children. It not only taught a lot about the cultures in the Ukraine but also touched on a difficult subject in an easy-to-understand manner. The illustrations were bright, colorful, and really brought the story to life. I highly recommend this book!

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Collateral Damage (Mafia Elite Series Book 6) by Amy McKinley – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Collateral Damage (Mafia Elite, #6)Collateral Damage by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trey is one of the best surgeons around and for all outward appearances is a saint. Everyone who meets him is instantly smitten with him and his charming demeanor. The nurses he works with, both young and old alike, swoon over him and fight to get his attention. Trey, however, is not interested in anyone since losing his one and only true love. This, along with his involvement in the Mafia, are things that Trey does not openly share with many. Then he meets Hailey at a charity event for the hospital and he finds himself attracted to her. Feeling as though he is betraying the memory of the love he lost Trey puts Hailey out of his mind. Hailey, feeling hurt after being rejected by Trey, also tries to put him out of her mind.

All of that suddenly changes when Trey’s boss at the hospital asks for Trey’s help to save his stepdaughter, Hailey, after she is abducted. He is aware of Trey’s involvement in the Mafia and feels that having Trey help is the best option because of Trey’s connections. He also does not want to risk police involvement for his own sordid reasons. Before long, Trey has found Hailey and when she explains what her stepfather has done Trey and Hailey decide to team up. Together they follow a trail of money that leads them farther and farther into danger as they unearth dark secrets that put both of their lives at risk.

Trey is the ultimate blend of good guy and bad guy mixed perfectly together in one sexy package. Hailey is a girl on a mission to stop her stepfather from his self-serving ways. Together Trey and Hailey make a great team as they fight evil and corruption together. I really enjoyed reading to see what would become of them and if they would realize their feelings for each other. I was intrigued by the secrets they unravelled and completely thrown off guard by the twist at the end. I highly recommend this book!

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Rivals (Mafia Elite Book 7) by Amy McKinley – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Rivals (Mafia Elite, #7)Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nico is content with his life within the Mafia and at peace with who he is. He is happy to be alone and not allow any woman to penetrate his heart or get close to him. Then along comes Mia, who has sought him out to enlist his help with her father, a well known and feared New York Mafia boss. She has known Nico for a long time and feels as though he is the only one she can trust and the one person who can help her. Mia asks Nico to marry her and offer her protection in exchange for information on the underground sex trafficking ring that her father and stepbrother are running. Mia wants to expose them and take down their operation. She also wants her father out of her life for good and will do anything to stop him. Nico is reluctant at first to help Mia, but he finds himself strangely attracted to this beautiful woman. He also feels the strange need to protect her from the horrible things she has had to endure at the hands of her father and stepbrother. Mia was reluctant to ask Nico for his help and unsure if she can trust him but is desperate for love and protection, things she no longer has since her mother passed away. Tired of being abused and used as a pawn in her father’s sick games she feels there is no other option.

Although Nico and Mia come together in one of the most unlikely of ways the attraction between them is undeniable. The author does a great job of unfolding the story of Nico and Mia as she builds up from that initial attraction they feel for one another and how that attraction builds into love. It seems Nico has finally found a woman who can penetrate the thick armour he has built up around his heart and Mia has finally found someone to love and protect her. As their story unfolds the reader is drawn into a world of crime, danger, suspense, action, and romance. A must read!

View all my reviews@tarab