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True Colors (The Colors Trilogy Book 3) by K.R. Raye – Review by Barbie England

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True ColorsTrue Colors by K.R. Raye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this final installment of the trilogy, we see the friend group tested more as they experience the joys and sorrows of life. Imani now must cope with her own tragedy when she loses the love of her life. Melody is trying to support Imani and her fiancé, who was good friends with Marco. She calls on Lance, who is re-entering the group after a period of separation. I love how the characters are strong and independent on their own, but able to also lean on each other when life throws difficult times their way. Everyone could use an Imani, Melody, and Lance in their lives!

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The Colors of Love (The Colors Trilogy Book 2) by K.R. Raye – Review by Barbie England

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The Colors of Love (Colors Trilogy, #2)The Colors of Love by K.R. Raye
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Colors of Love was the first book that I have read by this author. I love that she tells a story in a way that is believable to what happens in real life. Not all the parts of the story have happy endings. Mainly follows the different relationships of a trio of friends. The group experiences a tragedy in the first few pages. Melody is left especially damaged from this event. Her best friends Imani and Lance try to love her the best they can. Lance is a college football star who is known as the campus playboy who doesn’t have long-term relationships. Melody struggles with commitment after abuse. Imani is focused on being happy, but sometimes that means making choices that were not a part of her plans. This book has a mix of different situations that young adults can experience.

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Azreya, Aztec Priestess: An Illustrated Mythology Legend by Tricia Copeland, Illustrated by Matt Maes – Review by Barbie England

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Azreya, Aztec PriestessAzreya, Aztec Priestess by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the things that I really enjoy about illustrated works is comparing the mental picture the words give me with the illustrations. While reading Azreya, Aztec Priestess I found myself looking for those depictions. The world building Ms. Copeland provides is top-tier, and the illustrations add to this reading experience. I think the passion the author has for legends behind the Aztec people is on display through this story. Azreya has a mark on her arm at birth that her people think signifies she is cursed. She goes to live with a respected spiritual leader, but will his intentions prove to be good? As Azreya learns more about the spirit inside of her, who she calls Tecuani, will her mission to save her people be successful? You have to read the story to find out!

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Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Barbie England

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Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer's EggsDinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a combination of two cute children’s stories in one book. The first story, A Present for the Volcano, has the two dinosaur friends work together to make a necklace for the volcano who is about to erupt. In the second story, Saving Conifer’s Eggs, the friends are united to work together to keep a forest fire from damaging Conifer’s eggs. I think both of these stories would be a good addition to a classroom library. There are social, emotional messages of cooperation and teamwork, creative thinking to problem solve, emotional regulation, and friendship in the book. Kids who enjoy dinosaur stories would also engage well with these books. The illustrations also add a vivid picture to the words.

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The Cool Thing: A Dark Comedy. Or Not. by Robert Rife – Review by Barbie England

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The Cool Thing: A Dark Comedy. Or Not.The Cool Thing: A Dark Comedy. Or Not. by Robert Rife
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy books that make me question the author’s intentions. I think the extended title, “A Dark Comedy Or Not,” kind of answers this. I read this book during a time that I was going through some intense personal struggle, and it definitely helped me escape my reality. There is a diverse cast of characters in The Cool Thing. Many of them have baggage, and that helps to make them relatable and highlights the humor in the story. Mr. Rife did a fantastic job in creating this comedy that included monsters and aliens. It is a good start to the series.

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The Letter Carrier by L.C. Lewis – Review by Barbie England

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The Letter CarrierThe Letter Carrier by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is based on the real life experiences as seen through the eyes of Michelle Naget. Ms. Lewis did a through job in interviewing Michelle for the details in this book. The story started with the attacks by Germany on France during the second World War. The Naget family first has to flee their home. When they return a few days later, nothing will ever be the same. The Germans began controlling not only the small village of Braquis, where the Michelle’s family live, but even invade their home. Michelle’s step-father (Father) works in his tool shop. Mother teaches Michelle various domestic duties as they are made to serve the different German military officers that have dominated their home throughout the war. Eventually Michelle also must take on the duties of the village’s PTT (which is basically like a mail carrier). Through all the horrors of war, Michelle does the best she can as she tries to survive all the tragedies she had to witness every day. This story was both heartbreaking and captivating.

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Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Book 1) by Armand Rosamilia – Review by Barbie England

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Shake DownShake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shakedown is the first novel in the First Coast Thriller series. It highlights the story of what happens when a cartel’s boat gets repossessed. Clayton Conway is an ex-cop who works for D&D Recovery, and while he is trying to help the FBI with their investigation into the cartel he is also in the process of recovering from his personal demons. Xavier and Jimmy who are both Clayton’s co-workers assist him try to keep the cartel from dominating Jacksonville Florida. Cassie (Clayton’s sister), he is daughter, Reese, and his estranged father, Wendell all play a role in what happens with the crew of D&D. This first book in the series sets up a nice cliffhanger for the next installment of the First Coast Thriller Series.

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Uniquely Mine (Fitz Series Book 1) by Theresa Sederholt – Review by Barbie England

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Uniquely Mine (Fitz, #1)Uniquely Mine by Theresa Sederholt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s not a mystery to the reader who is the murderer in this story as it starts out with a chapter from the killer’s perspective. We then follow Fitz who is a police detective in New York. He is working with Captain Jack to hopefully find the serial killer before he strikes again. During the investigation we met some of Fitz’s chosen family. One of those turns out to be MJ. The same woman who has had a crush on Fitz since she was five. MJ sometimes struggles with the level of protectiveness that Fitz displays, and also her long held feelings for him. Fitz does everything he can to hunt the killer, but keeps his family number one always. I had to keep reading to discover what was going to happen. I was fully invested in the characters and the story from the start! In Uniquely Mine you can find crime, romance, and family devotion.

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It Will Always Be Us (Fitz Series Book 3) by Theresa Sederholt – Review by Barbie England

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It Will Always Be UsIt Will Always Be Us by Theresa Sederholt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You should read the first two novels in the series before you read this book (Uniquely Mine and Silent Innocence).
By the time this story picks up, Fitz has decided to retire from the police force and work with some family at a private detective agency. He has two children, and is a loving, devoted family man as he has been since the start. The Medical Examiner, Gail, that Fitz worked with has a friend who needs his help. Bailey Davis has been widowed, and it seems as though she is drowning in debt that her husband left. As Fitz begins the investigation, some secrets are discovered that can change everything Bailey thought about not only her husband, but friends as well. Even her dog, Sad Sack, plays a vital role in solving the puzzles. Read it to find out what answers Bailey is left with at the conclusion of the investigation!

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Silent Innocence (Fitz Series Book 2) by Theresa Sederholt – Review by Barbie England

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Silent Innocence (Fitz, #2)Silent Innocence by Theresa Sederholt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read the first novel in the Fitz series, Uniquely Mine first!!
In the second novel, Silent Innocence, Fitz is brought into to discover if there is a connection between a string of recent kidnappings and the murder of one girl. While he was walking through the precinct, he saw a little girl, Stella, who was in tears. Fitz discovers Stella is deaf, and signs with her to communicate that he is going to help her. It is discovered that Stella’s mom, Effy, has also been kidnapped. Through his investigation Fitz encounters a friend of the murder victim, Hudson, who is a lot of help to him in finding the truth of what has happened to the girls. I love how fast paced these stories are, and how vivid the details allow the reader to be fully immersed in the story!

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I’m Not Your Difference (Fitz Series Book 4) by Theresa Sederholt – Review by Barbie England

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I'm Not Your Difference (Fitz, #4)I’m Not Your Difference by Theresa Sederholt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read the first three books in the Fitz series before proceeding.
The fourth book focuses on the relationship between Fitz’s brother/best friend, Andy. Andy is a single dad. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he doesn’t want that to hold him back. Andrew, his ex-husband, wants to meet Andy to see if they have another shot. Meanwhile, Fitz has begun an investigation into some deaths of homosexual men that were all ruled as suicide. The deeper the investigation goes, the more Fitz is convinced that there is a serial killer who is targeting homosexual men and Andy might be next. A page turner once again. I binged the first four books in this series over three days! I can’t wait until the next one is finished!

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Kiss a Thief by Marina Hanna – Review by Barbie England

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KISS A THIEFKISS A THIEF by Marina Hanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kiss A Thief is told in alternating perspectives between the two main characters. First, there is Mia Harris who works as a curator for her boss, Charlies, in an art gallery that is located in a suburb of London. At an exhibition Mia meets Dylan Knight who is a billionaire. The two quickly develop an intense connection to each other that has plenty of hot/spicy scenes. Along the way the reader is also introduced to Emma, who is a friend of Mia’s that works as a bartender. There is also the business partner of Dylan’s whose name is Liam. Who is the thief? That’s the mystery you have to read to discover! Find out if Mia and Dylan’s relationship will survive the questions. I couldn’t put this down until I found out!

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Antipodes (Antipodes Book 1) by T.S. Simons – Review by Barbie England

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Antipodes (Antipodes, #1)Antipodes by T.S. Simons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the level of detail in this book! Antipodes is a post-apocalyptic novel about a select group of people who have been isolated from the effects of a global pandemic that threatens to eliminate life on Earth. The main character, Cam, struggles with how he fits into society and all of the differences in living under the dome. You can tell that Simons put a lot of thought into making sure that all of the readers’ questions would be answered because this novel has a phenomenal amount of world building. This story set up the sequel in a way that made me want to pick it up right away!

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Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass (Mermaid Science Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Barbie England

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The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass (Mermaid Science, #3)The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wickstrom did an amazing job of explaining the science behind water magnifying glasses and told the story in a way that would captivate the attention of young readers. The story follows the friend duno of Fig and Maria. The friends are playing near a lake when Trezzie, a mermaid that only Fig can see, helps them build a magnifying glass to examine a fossil. The back of the book includes instructions that could be used to make one of our own. Teachers could use “Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass” to help illustrate ways that their students can investigate the world around them without the use of expensive equipment.

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Truth or Kill (Twisted Legends Collection Book 1) by A.C. Kramer – Review by Barbie England

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Truth or Kill (Twisted Legends Collection, #2)Truth or Kill by A.C. Kramer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just look at the cover of this book! Honestly, I had a good feeling just from the cover. I like books that have cover art that actually contributes to the story in a meaningful way. From the first chapter I was hooked! “Truth or Kill” was read almost entirely in one sitting for me. I love the journey that the two main characters take in this story. First, there’s Sydney, who is invited to what she thinks will be a relaxing retreat in the woods. Then, there is Kage, who Sydney first meets at the reception desk of the lodge where the group is staying. The relationship that develops had me wondering about their individual thought processes, and how their decisions would direct the future of each of their stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!

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Caring for Kingsley, Believing in a Better Way When Canine Cancer Comes Crashing Into Your World by Alli Eldridge – Review by Barbie England

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Caring for Kingsley, Believing in a Better Way When Canine Cancer Comes Crashing Into Your WorldCaring for Kingsley, Believing in a Better Way When Canine Cancer Comes Crashing Into Your World by Alli Eldridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caring for Kingsley is a heartfelt novel that left me feeling a range of emotions throughout reading it. From the joys that come with playing with a new puppy and showing them your world, to the heartbreak that accompanies a life-threatening illness, Allie detailed her emotional journey that came with being Kingsley’s mom. She shared many vivid details of life with her adorable fur baby. This book would be helpful for anyone who is struggling with a pet illness. I found the logical progression of Kingsley’s story easy to follow. I will definitely be reading this author’s future works.

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Burned by Fire (Firehouse 13 Book 4) by Danielle Jacks – Review by Barbie England

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Burned by Fire (Firehouse 13, #4)Burned by Fire by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Danielle Jacks brought the thought processes of the two main characters in her novel to life wonderfully. Solomon (Sol) summed up his point of view after an injury left him unable to continue as a firefighter by saying, “Being a hero means nothing without the firehouse.” His former mentee, Ember, has an infatuation with Sol. She tells him, “You’re not my hero because you’ve saved lives. You’re my hero because you inspire me to be better.” The story begins with Sol seeing a therapist, who turns out to be Ember’s aunt, to help him deal with issues that have caused him to drink alcohol frequently. It follows the relationship between Sol and Ember, with alternating perspectives from these two main characters. Burned by Fire: Book 4 has the perfect amount of angst, character development, and even a few spicy scenes!

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