The Veil by Wanda Luthman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a quick read and centers on the veil in the tabernacle ripping during the crucifixion of Jesus. It is biblical fiction and revolves around a Jewish boy turning 13 and the importance and customs that go along with that. He ends up witnessing the ripping of the veil. It is interesting to imagine the people who actually witnessed these events, and this book helps tell that story.
Moby Plays the Flute by Eeha Bhatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Moby’s dad is a Marine and is deploying right before her birthday. He leaves her a present, a bamboo flute, to open after he’s gone. The flute won’t play and she is really disappointed but after a while she gives up and forgets about it. When she talks to her dad he encourages her to keep trying. She discovers the problem with the flute and this leads to her continuing to try in other areas, which is unusual for Moby because she has a habit of giving up on any kind of effort forward.
This is a cute book that opens up the opportunity to discuss many life lessons with your child or students. There are additional talking points and activities included in the back of the book. The illustrations are beautiful and are done by the author.
Moby Plays the Flute by Eeha Bhatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Moby’s dad is a Marine and is deploying right before her birthday. He leaves her a present, a bamboo flute, to open after he’s gone. The flute won’t play and she is really disappointed but after a while she gives up and forgets about it. When she talks to her dad he encourages her to keep trying. She discovers the problem with the flute and this leads to her continuing to try in other areas, which is unusual for Moby because she has a habit of giving up on any kind of effort forward.
This is a cute book that opens up the opportunity to discuss many life lessons with your child or students. There are additional talking points and activities included in the back of the book. The illustrations are beautiful and are done by the author.
Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a super cute, two book download about two dinosaur friends working together even when they have different ideas. The illustrations are great, too.
In the first book, Conifer (a female T-Rex) notices that a volcano is erupting and wants them to run to safety but Spike (a male ankylosaurus) wants to give the volcano a present. The friends work together to figure out what to do.
In the second book, Conifer is sitting on her next of three eggs when Spike runs to warn her that there is a fire. This time Spike is ready to run but Conifer can’t leave her eggs or carry them all to safety. Again, the friends work together on a solution.
The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Any novel that combines art, history, mystery and action is my kind of book. Add in a love story that involves time travel (but much more than your average time travel!) set in the beautiful city of Venice and you have one of the best debut novels that I’ve ever read. The author does such an amazingly beautiful job of describing Venice that you truly feel like you are there. The characters are well developed, and I became invested in them from the beginning. All of this plus a surprise ending- don’t miss out on this one. As one reader stated, “think The DaVinci Code meets Outlander”.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clayton “not Clay” is trying to rebuild his life after a gambling problem that ended up costing him his job and his marriage. He works for a repo/recovery business and things get interesting when one of the boats they hook belongs to the cartel. Worlds start colliding when the FBI, the cartel, his co-workers, his irresponsible half-sister and his estranged dad all end up involved.
This is the first book in a new series and I was hooked (no pun intended) from the beginning. Great writing, an interesting story line that keeps you wanting more and characters that you cheer for- what more can you want? I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and I also plan to read some of the author’s other books.
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mia needs help. Her father and step-brother have plans for her but she has other plans. This is where Nico enters the picture. Nico has never let a woman breach the walls of his heart and he is very content with his life just the way it is. Can an agreement be reached? Can these rivals end up helping each other- protection for information? What’s the cost and what is the reward?
This mafia elite series has quickly become one of my favorite series. I get so excited when a new book in this series is released. They are all so good and just continue to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. If you haven’t read this latest jewel, start it today!
The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Maia, Fig, and Trezzie, their mermaid friend, are back for another adventure. Trezzie finds an interesting fossil and Fig teaches them how to make a magnifying glass out of a plastic container so they can see the marks on the fossil better. The story is really cute and a great explanation of how magnifying glasses work is included. This would be a great book for teachers or parents to use to introduce magnifying glasses before having students experiment with a homemade one.
Levi by Edith Mackenzie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An English aristocrat, the Russian Mafia and a former Navy SEAL- a varied group of characters woven into a well-written, well-developed storyline that keeps you invested in their stories and wondering what happens next.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this clean, wholesome romance. I became very attached to all of the characters- Bella/Beccy, Levi, Amos, Elijiah and “Squirt”. This is the first of three books about the triplet brothers of Creekside Ranch and I can’t wait to read the other two as they are released.
Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is such a cute book that tackles some very important topics. Jake is an adorable dog, with sweet, adorable friends. They go on adventures, play and make new friends. However, Jake and his friends also deal with some pretty big real-life issues like worrying, fear, being different from our friends, disabilities, sharing and how important it is to be kind to everyone. The author does a great job of using animals and rhyming to keep kids interested. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and so colorful. I highly recommend this book.
As Close to Perfect by Maria Jane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bree has had some bad breakups and has imposed a set of rules for herself about dating. Of course as new men enter the picture that interest her, she’s going to have to break some of her own rules in order to date them.
This is a cute, fun read about figuring out who you are and what you want, and don’t want, in life. I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series until I was half way thru it. It can definitely be a stand alone book but it was such a cute story that I’ll probably go back and read the first two.
The Killer Jack Mystery by C.H. Sessums
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When her dad’s PI business is going under and he’s not available to work, Jenny has a decision to make- let it go under or step in and take matters into her own hands. It’s a no-brainer, right? But it’s 1936 in Tyler, Texas, and Jenny doesn’t have her credentialed paperwork to work as a PI.
This book was an absolute joy to read. It’s a warm, historical mystery with great character development. The author did an awesome job describing the scenery, buildings, people, etc and helps you feel like you’re right there with them on their journey. I quickly became invested in the story, caring what happened to characters. This, to me, is the sign of a well written book. Can’t wait to read more in this series.
No Way Out by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the Mafia Elite series and tells the story of Max and Liliana. It’s very well written with lots of romance, action, twists and turns. The alternating POV makes is easy to feel like you’re right there with the characters living their story.
There are so many great characters in these books. I LOVE all of the strong women in this series and their friendship and unbreakable bond. And the men? Let’s just say they could protect me anytime!
This is my second Mafia Elite book to read so obviously I’m reading them out of order. They can function as stand-alone reads but definitely build on one another.
Collateral Damage: A Second Chance Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
We meet Trey in some of the other books in this series but we finally get to really know him and his story- and it was worth the wait!
Dr. Trey La Rosa works as a surgeon at a hospital but he is also available to his mafia family anytime he is needed. Trey has lots of female “fans” but he’s very guarded because he lost his true love. Enter Hailey- she’s in trouble and needs help. Can Trey save her? Can he keep his guard up or will she steal his heart in the process? This book has it all- action, adventure, suspense, intrigue, romance, twists and turns. Another great read from this amazing author.
The Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s Caspian’s Unbirthday and he can’t wait to see what surprise Grandpa got him this year! When he opens the box he finds a yellow pencil and a small pad of green paper but it’s not just any pencil, it’s a Know-It-All pencil! Caspian sets out on a “star adventure” on his way to school.
This is a cute children’s book that involves make believe, doing good deeds, helping others out and trading for things others want/need. There is a lot of diversity among the characters, which I think is really important in a children’s book. The illustrations are very colorful and super cute. I would recommend this book for kiddos age pre-K thru 3rd grade.
Ruthless Heir: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Summer and Luc meet in a bar and end up having a one-night stand. Little do they know that it is truly only the beginning, of everything!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick and entertaining read. Although it is the 5th book in the Mafia Elite series, it is also great as a stand-alone book. That being said, I enjoyed it so much that I plan to go back and read books 1-4 and any future ones in the series.
