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Wild Hare’s Daughter (Wild Hares) by Laura Koerber – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Wild Hare's DaughterWild Hare’s Daughter by Laura Koerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wild Hare’s Daughter was so much better than I expected! This is a new story to me, and I didn’t read the first book in the series, Wild Hare. That being said, this book can (and was) enjoyed without feeling like I was missing something. I was pleasantly surprised to learn it was told from the main character’s point of view, and her DAD’s. More often that not, when we hear a story about a daughter, the focus is on the mother. I really liked this book, it was catchy. The characters were very personable and their relationships real and down to earth. You can feel their personality shining through with their mannerisms and thoughts and language. I really connected and now will go back and read the first book. I will say, I don’t love the cover art- it didn’t draw me in, and now really looking at it, I see so much more than just blue. Highly recommend, and look forward for more.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Face the Fire (Moore Family Saga Book 5) by Michele Sims – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Face the FireFace the Fire by Michele Sims
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was happy to see another book in the More Family Saga. Face the Fire was not my favorite in the series, but it was still a good continuation. The story picks up shortly after the previous book left off- with Miles and Bella still newly weds and managing life after the birth of their twins. They are listed as stand alone books, but I think you should read them all to get a full story. Miles has a unique gift, better explained in early books, and their relationship and overall family dynamic is built upon. I felt like this story had too much focus on external characters, mainly Pharroh. Pharroh is an artist within Ari Music, and Bella is his handler, so to speak. He develops a crush on her, and drama ensues. The book had a good ending, wrapping everything up nicely. I hope to have the next book focus on the twins.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Apocalypse Thoughts (The Pox Series Book 5) by Kendra Griffin – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Apocalypse ThoughtsApocalypse Thoughts by Kendra Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Apocalypse Thoughts was a great book, I didn’t want to put it down. It is the 2nd book in the Pox Series, but I didn’t read the first. I was worried I wouldn’t understand what was going on, but that was not the case at all. The author did a great job filling the book with so much vivid detail. Think of it as COVID 19 times combined with every zombie movie out there… but with humor. The book follows a group of teens/early 20s as they navigate through the Appalachian trail during an apocalypse. The book is told from Kella’s point of view and I love the way she describes things. With her on the adventure is her brother and her cousin. Along the way they join up with a couple other people, who leave, but reconnect. The book is fascinating and I love the imagery. I was able to envision what the kids are going through, and the terms they came up with perfectly fit what we are “seeing.” The ending was a total cliff hanger, which was pretty upsetting to me. I kept looking at what I had left, and where the kids were on their journey, and thought it would wrap up nicely. Wrong. There better be another book ASAP!

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Swipe Right to Bite (New Orleans Nocturnes Book 6) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Swipe Right to Bite (New Orleans Nocturnes, #6)Swipe Right to Bite by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Swipe Right to Bite is the most recent book in the New Orleans Nocturnes series, but can be enjoyed freestanding. This series has overlapping characters, but they are all written in a way that you can read independently. I love this book, it is funny and kept me hooked. This is the most… adult themed… out of the series, since the main characters are Succubus and Incubus, which are sexual by nature. So reader beware, mature audiences. That aside, this book is hilarious. The author has a great sense of humor and the characters are wonderful. Katrina is independent and fun. I was happy to see Gabe was a nice guy, apparently nice guy demons are a thing… Their relationship has a funny start, and they quickly go from enemies to friends to lovers. They are very witty and this book puts a paranormal twist on a common love story. Highly recommend and cant wait to read more in this series… I’m invested!

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Written by @way2gosmartguy

States of Grace (Grace Locke Mystery Series) by Mandy Miller – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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States of GraceStates of Grace by Mandy Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

States of Grace was a really good book, I was shocked to see it was the first by this author. It had a lot of hints toward previous events, I thought for sure I missed a book. I hope there is a prequel in the future, as I want to know more about Grace’s past. I want to know about her military time, her marriage/ex husband and her hitting rock bottom. It seems there is quite the backstory and I want to read more about it… However, that being said, the book was really good. I was hooked from start to finish and didn’t want to put it down. The book was action packed from start to finish. The characters are well developed and have good solid relationships. The author really did her research and it shows. The ending was not at all what I expected, which is good. I like when I don’t have it all figured out, and to be caught off guard. I highly recommend this book, and am super impressed for a first time author. I genuinely can’t wait to read more about Grace Locke!

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Unlikely to Stay (Parker Lake) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Unlikely to Stay (A Parker Lake Novel Book 3)Unlikely to Stay by Ashlie Knapp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unlikely to Stay is the first book I have read in the Parker Lake series. I haven’t read the first two, but I am planning to go back and read them now. Unlikely to Stay is book 3 in the series, but it can certainly be read as a stand alone book. This one is amazing and has strong lovable characters. They are down to earth and relatable. The writing of this book makes me wish I lived in a small town.
Unlikely to Stay follows Brant Billings, and Colleen Chandler, known to her friends as CC. CC grew up in the small town of Parker, Oklahoma. She was always known as the weird kid, due to her hippie parents, but she has grown up and now is her own business owner. She is the town hair stylist, and is still best friends with her childhood girl friends Annabelle and Breckin. She has been crushing on the town’s Nurse for 2 years but thinks he is way out of her league.
Brant is now a successful nurse, running Parker’s Medical Clinic, but his life wasn’t always great. He had a druggie mom, that landed him in the foster care system, bouncing from home to home until he was 11. Then he was placed with Betty Billings, who took him in and changed his life for the better. Turning his life around, and adopting him. Due to his history, Brant has always kept to himself and avoided friendships and dating. He has been eyeballing the town’s hairstylist for 2 years, but thinks she hates him. CC and Brant’s friends play matchmaker, and set them up on a date. Now its up to them to put their past assumptions and fears aside, and see if they can finally have a meaningful relationship.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

A Cold Creek Christmas (Reigning Hearts, Book 5) by KG Fletcher – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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A Cold Creek Christmas (Reigning Hearts, #5)A Cold Creek Christmas by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Cold Creek Christmas is part of the Reigning Hearts series, but can be read as a stand alone. There are mentions to past characters, but the story is independent. This was a cute quick story to get you in the Christmas spirit. The book focuses on Amber, bar owner and not a fan of the holiday and Giovanni (Geo) who loves the holidays. He has a young daughter, so he lays the Christmas spirit on thick. The two quickly hit it off, much to the delight of Gio’s grandmother, who is trying to play matchmaker between the two. I did enjoy the story and will be reading more by the author. My one complaint was the steamy scene… the words chosen were very… high school… and made me chuckle. But it didn’t take away from the story at all. I was glad to have a happily ever after.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No Names to be Given is probably the best book I have read all year. It really stuck with me, and I didn’t want to put it down. While it is not advertised as being a true story, it totally could be. This book follows 3 women throughout teen and adulthood, and focuses around the tragic event that ties them together. Three unwed girls in the 1960s, shamed into a maternity home by their parents, and forced to give their children up for adoption. They did not even get to see their child, not knowing if they had a daughter or a son. All 3 had different back stories, again very realistic. This book was especially captivating after the recent events surrounding abortion and women’s rights. I loved that all three women turned out to have wonderful lives, although very different. I did not expect all the events surrounding their adulthood and children, but it was perfect. I love how it all tied together in the end. Highly highly recommend this to all!

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MURDER OFF ROUTE 82 (Eve Sawyer Mystery Book 3) by Jane Suen – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Murder off Route 82 (Eve Sawyer Mystery, #3)Murder off Route 82 by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder off Route 82 is the 3rd book in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series. While it does have overlapping characters, it doesn’t really need to be read in order or as a series. It can be enjoyed as a stand alone, as it’s a full story. I always look forward to this author’s books, and never know what to expect. They never seem to turn out the way I think they will, and this was no different. There is a HUGE bomb dropped on us at the very end, out of left field, so to speak. I didn’t see it coming, but it wrapped up the book nicely. The characters aren’t super deep, I didn’t feel any attachment or connection to them, but they are each unique with their own background story. The mystery kept me going, but I felt like the actual reveal of where the girl and her boyfriend were was a little bland and anti-climatic. I was hoping for something more intense, but the bomb previously mentioned made up for it.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite Book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite, #3)Born in Darkness by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Born in Darkness is the 3rd book in the Mafia Elite series. I love this series and cant wait for the next book. Each book focuses on one couple within the 5 families in the Chicago Mafia. This book is the story of Emiliana and Stefano. They have known each other the whole lives, and liked each other since their teen years, but haven’t been able to pursue a relationship. Life of a Mafia underboss and Mafia princess are complicated, and you often can’t make your own choices. But when a rat is suspected within the family, they must put their feelings aside and focus on uncovering the traitor. Everyone has their suspicions, and the true rat was a shock to us all, me included. Things got a little graphic and dark during the interrogation, but I loved seeing that side of all the characters. It reminds us that they are raised to be tough and violent when needs call for it. I was happy with the ending, and cant wait to read Marco and Elena’s book next!

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy