Savage start was so so good! I hardly put it down, finishing the same day I began. The author is wonderful at creating a story, characters and a bit of mystery with the plot. We don’t know much about either of the main characters, Riley or Cole. But it’s enough to have sucked me in. They both have a lot of baggage with their family, and a bit of mystery surrounding their life. The ending was such a cliff hanger, it was frustrating… but the author did warn us of that! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I am sure this will be a series I love!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2023-02-12 19:57:062023-02-13 09:18:09Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Upon reading the description of True Colors, I thought it would be good for my 13 year old. I wanted to read it first, to see how it approached the topics outlined. I really enjoyed the story line, and it was relatable to middle school life for a girl. It addresses topics of parent separation, friend betrayal, jealousy, peer pressure, self esteem, first crushes, and more. I liked that the author showed how these things made Landry feel, and the different friendship styles among the girls she hung out with. Each girl had her moment, where she was supportive, or not such a good friend, and how each girl handled it. It made me remember how mean kids can be and how hard the teen years are. The only thing I thought was unrealistic was the financial aspects- Landry makes comments about her mom being tight on money, but then Landry is at the movies or mall every weekend. It was a well written book, and I will be suggested it to my daughter to read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2023-02-05 21:53:482023-02-08 12:19:15True Colors (Landry’s True Colors Series Book One) by Krysten Lindsay Hager – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I went back and forth if I wanted to read Chat Room with a View. I liked the synopsis, but it also sounded kinda creepy. I ended up giving it a try, because I kept coming back to it… I had a hard time getting into this book. I really liked the plot of the story, but I felt it was a little much. It got pretty dark and twisted in places, so a little of a warning on that for readers who are iffy. I also felt like there was too much psychological issues… like every main character seemed to have something…. off… about them- paranoid, dangerous, killer, bipolar, schizophrenic, depressed, something. Not all are clearly identified, but the author did a wonderful job giving us a view into their feelings and actions, which I was happy about. It gave more detail and depth to the book. The bark started dark, and seemed to get worse and worse… It was like watching an episode of Law and Order SVU mixed with 13 reasons why. There was just so much trauma and bad things going on. I did like how it addressed the nature vs nurture topic, and whether some things are learned behaviors, or genetic. Makes you think and wonder…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2023-01-29 21:49:572023-02-02 09:42:57Chatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I had no idea what this book was about when I opened it. I just really loved the cover art. That being said, I have mixed feelings about My Pearl Heart. The first half of the book I was really annoyed at what was happening and feeling like I was missing information. The whole relationship between Jasmine and James really didn’t sit right with me. They were expressing interest right under the nose of Candice. However, as the book goes on and we are given more details, things start to fall into place. Once all was revealed, my feelings switched to justifiable karma and I ended up liking the ending. I thought the author did a great job bringing everything together and wrapping up the story nicely. I would read more by this author, and recommend the book. But, give it a shot. I wasn’t feeling it in the beginning, but I liked it at the end.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2023-01-22 21:53:232023-01-27 08:16:19My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Night Hawke is a prequel to the Hawke Family Second Generation series. I have not read any of the others and it didn’t seem to matter. The author did a really good job of giving you just enough information to draw you in and keep you wanting more. The book was a little steamy for my liking. While I want to say that I won’t read anymore, that’s probably a lie. I’m pretty drawn in and want to know who these characters really are. So I will likely skim over those particular scenes, so I can continue the story. Both characters use fake names and very little detail is given about their lives. It is hinted at them both coming from pretty important families, and I want to know more about “Jack.” In reading the description of the next book, it makes me want to know that much more!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2023-01-18 16:49:122023-01-27 07:39:38Night Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Prequel) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Underboss’s Retaliation is the 2nd book in the Dark Mafia Romance series. I did not read the first book, and still enjoyed this one. I could tell it was an ongoing story, and there was references to previous events. However, the author provided enough detail that it wasn’t lacking. It is similar to other mafia romance books, but I really enjoyed it. The characters are well written, and their love and devotion to the Family is undeniable. It had a good balance of suspense and romance. Dominic is strong and loyal, but can be sweet under his terrifying outside. Emelia is feisty as all get out, and I love how strong females tend to be written in these books. I look forward to reading the rest of the
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2023-01-11 21:45:092023-01-16 15:02:00Underboss’s Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Falling Home is one of the cutest books I have read in a while (and I love that it is a clean romance). It is the first book in the Buckeye Falls series, and I am so excited to see there will be a 2nd book. At the end of the book, I was hoping CeCe would get her own story, and then there it was- a sneak peak at the 2nd book. This book is an adorable story with a happily ever after. It takes place in a small town in Ohio, and gives a second chance at love for main characters Max and Ginny. I loved that the story had lingering feelings and confusion for both characters, so it was not one sided. Max is a total sweetheart and anyone could fall in love with him. Ginny is a woman determined to not follow in her mother’s footsteps, to the point that she may find herself there anyway. The supporting characters are wonderful, and I would love for Harold to get his own story as well. Highly recommend and look forward to book two.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2023-01-08 21:25:492023-01-16 14:32:36Falling Home (Buckeye Falls Book 1) by Libby Kay – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Revenge Never Rests is the 2nd book in the Tallie Brown series. It picks up shortly after the first book finished, which I was happy for. Tallie had a bomb of information dropped on her in the end of the first book, and she is still sorting it all out. There is a bit of struggle, as she tries to compartmentalize her life. The book had a good recap of the information from book one, although not the full story… enough as a refresher. Likely couldn’t be enjoyed without reading the first book. This book was much more clear, and written better than the first. I really like the characters of these series and the author did a good job of representing Tallie’s (and sometimes Jackson’s) feelings. There is so much suspense in this book, and it is action packed. I like that Tallie continued to refer back to her childhood teachings, despite the new heartbreak and inner struggle she is weighing. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to more from the author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-28 20:41:032022-12-30 07:49:51Revenge Never Rests (Tallie Brown Suspense Book 2) by Laurie Lewis – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Secrets Never Die is the first book in the Tallie Brown series. The book is pretty complex and has a complicated storyline. In the beginning I was really confused, and struggled to follow the story. The characters don’t seem to be related, and made it hard to understand what was going on. However, stick it out… it comes together, and all makes sense in the end. Still, a very complex story, but it was really good. I didn’t really like how Jackson’s story was revealed… the whole book, it seemed like we were missing details from a previous story. There was a lot of references to a previous event without much back story. Tallie is a really amazing girl, with so many skills and a tough life. I felt bad for her but also was very impressed by her. I hope the 2nd book continues the relationships that were developed in the end of this book. First read by this author, but I will be reading more.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-28 20:32:282023-08-04 23:14:03Secrets Never Die (Tallie Brown Suspense Book 1) by Laurie Lewis – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I read Where Do Pirates Go on Vacation with my 6 year old son. He liked the book and that it rhymed. He liked the pictures and said they were very creative. They are so bright and colorful, with a wide variety of pirates drawn, so everyone can feel represented. My son thought it was cool they drew one of the pirates in a wheel chair. I think the last page should have been a statement rather than a question… but overall it was a cute book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-28 20:18:172022-12-30 07:49:32Where Do Pirates Go on Vacation? by Kim Ann – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Love Tools is a sweet romance story with a happy ending. I really enjoyed the story, and loved both main characters as well as the supporting siblings. Lily left England and moved to a small town in the US, after inheriting a hardware/tool store. Jake is a cowboy who lives on a ranch with his sister, and is a smart a$$ but also very sweet. There are parts that made me laugh out loud, and others that had me saying awwww. I enjoyed the tidbits about Lily getting to know her dad, after he passed, as well as Jake giving his mom a second chance. Their love story, while a bit predictable, was sweet and funny. I am looking forward to the next book, because Alice seems to be even more of a firecracker than Lily.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-21 17:51:502022-12-30 06:20:20Love Tools (Bluestone Series Book 1) by Isobel Reed – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Amaleigha Loves a Good Story is a cute inspirational story. I read it to my 6 year old and he loved it. He said it was a really good idea and she was smart to think of it. He likes that it gives you the steps to make your own little free library. I think this book is a little intense for young children to read themselves. But it is a good book to read to them. Any elementary age would enjoy the story. It really makes me wonder if it’s a true story- seems advanced for a 6 year old though process, but it wouldn’t surprise me either. I love the networking shown to children, to get the community involved in their projects.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-18 19:33:482022-12-19 10:28:56Amaleigha Loves a Good Story by Janice Pratt – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I read The Sneaky Kitten to my 6 year old. He said it was strange, but good. He loved the pictures and kept pointing things out in them. He remembered Caspian from previous books and now wants to read the one where he got his hot cocoa socks. Stuck is a silly kitty with special powers. I love how colorful the pictures are, and that the book is multi generational.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-14 19:08:482022-12-19 09:45:27The Sneaky Kitten (Invisible Magic Wand Book 4) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
My son and I really enjoyed Amaleigha and the Big Idea. Before we even got to Page 2, he stopped me and said “there are so many words and I didn’t expect that. I visioned all the stuff without it being in the pictures.” Despite being 6 years old and not knowing the right words, he it not wrong. There are a lot of words for a children’s book- so this is more of a parent or teacher read story. Not so much a beginning reader, but it was a great story. The idea was a big idea for anyone, let alone a 5 year old. But it was a good idea and cute. I love the resources at the end, in case you and your child want to create their own version. The illustrations were bright and cute. We have another of her stories on our TBR list.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-11 20:23:132022-12-12 10:22:46Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Snow in Love is a cute winter romance story. Grab a blanket and a cup of coffee or cocoa, and curl up on the couch for a quick read. The progression of the story is predictable, but I still really enjoyed it. Connor and Sienna are professional skiers who meet at a private training at an abandoned lodge. I love the little details the author put into the story. Each character is well written with a back story and family connection. Sienna is at a turning point in her career and needs time to discover what she wants for herself and stop living for her mom. Connor is struggling to find himself again after an accident that claimed half of his leg. I love his brother Colby and how helpful he was, while still being a typical college boy. I look forward to reading more by this author. She has a way with words and the book is short but sweet.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-11 20:18:242022-12-12 10:22:36Snow in Love by Libby Kay – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I found If I Had a Magic Wand to be a very cute story. My 6 year old didn’t love it. He sat through it but said they should do cooler stuff with a magic wand. Even after I explained the book, he still didn’t seem too interested. The rhyming was good and made the story flow. I love love the illustrations. I love the parents passing the wand, to what I interpreted as other parents as well as their kids. I love that different nationalities and genders and ages were represented throughout the story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-07 20:26:322022-12-08 14:58:24If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Road to the Mansfield is a 3 part story. Francie is the first story we read. If you have ever heard Fancy by Reba McIntire, that’s basically the plot to the story. She is basically sent to a whorehouse when her mom is dying where she is expected to work for her room and board. She has a beautiful voice and negotiates her freedom, by being the entertainment instead. She has a hard life but remains strong and breaks free. She then negotiates a deal for herself to be a singer in a nightclub. We then hop to the next story, of Rose. Rose is young, just 18 and is blinded by what she believes to be love. She is desperate to leave her Podunk town, that she runs away with a man she’s known less than 3 weeks. He turns out as we expect and treats her badly. Both Rose and her husband end up working at the Mansfield. As we see Rose’s marriage deteriorate, we see her friendship grow with Ruby. The last part of the story is quite different. It focuses on Beau, a lawyer. His story is a bit shorter, but eventually he too winds up at the Mansfield, but not yet meeting Ruby and Rose. The book was amazing and I loved it. I am not happy with the ending. Total cliff hanger…. but Book 2 comes out in 1 week so I don’t have long to wait for the continued story. While researching, I saw the author was inspired by Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson music video for Because of You… and it all makes sense. I can see it and she did wonderful expanding a 3 minute music video into what I anticipate to be a wonderful series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-07 19:05:512022-12-08 14:57:38Road to the Mansfield (Express Investigations Book 1) by CB Laurence – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I Love you Today is the 2nd book in the Trading Heartbeats series. It should be read in order because there is a lot of back story. It probably could be read alone, but you won’t have the full details of the character’s relationships. I loved this book! Casey and Austin are both great characters. I love that Casey is a klutz and not a perfect cookie cutter girl. She is a down to earth, every day girl, and Austin is pretty cool too for how rich his family is. I can’t believe what he did to Casey but I was happy with their ending. The ending of the book on the other hand, not cool… I need to know what happens next and read Lauren and Mitch’s story. Please be quick with writing and publishing it! But seriously I love this book and series. It is clean but cute and romantic. Can’t wait for book 3.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-06 21:58:382022-12-06 21:58:38I Love You Today (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 2) by Julie Navickas – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Reckless Heart is the 2nd book in the Second Chances romance series. It could be enjoyed as a stand alone book. There are crossover characters and references, but there is enough background details provided that it doesn’t feel lacking. I really loved this book. Brad and Mary were friends in high school, and both had crushes on each other, but Mary ended up with one of Brad’s friends. A wedding brought them back into each other’s lives and a mutual friend pushed them together. They spent a holiday weekend reminiscing about the past. Will they both speak up about their feelings, both past and future? Or dwell on the hurt from teenage stupidity? Or perhaps bury the past and start over? Wouldn’t you like to know……
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-12-04 21:55:272022-12-08 14:37:51Reckless Heart (Second Chance Romance Series Book 2) by Jane Suen – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I love most books by this author, but we didn’t love Super Enemies. I read it to my 7 year old, and my 13 year old listened in. Both said the ending didn’t make sense, and I have to agree. The story presents us two siblings who fight constantly, never agreeing on things, like many brother and sisters. They seem to fight just for the sake of fighting, which is understandable, my kids do the same. But once they got to the beach, Mira is, in the words of my 7 years old “being so rude.” Carl is doing his own thing, building a sandcastle, and Mira comes over and destroys it. When Carl stands up to her, she taunts him and runs off. It bugged me that their dad sat there and did nothing- there was no show of intervention. Carl rebuilds his castle, just to have Mira ruin it. The process repeats over and over. The dad, and now other beach visitors are shown watching the children cause a scene. There is one image that the dad is shown shaking a finger at Mira, but I feel like the story should have shown dialogue of the dad scolding or coaching Mira on her behavior. At the end, dad says its time to go, and the family walks away with smiles asking to do it again tomorrow. I feel like it ending so abruptly, and didn’t really address the rivalry and fighting. There is no moral to the story- like even though you may fight, your siblings can be your best friends. Or maybe that Mira was acting that way because she felt left out, and should use her words to ask to join. Or perhaps working together to build an even better castle. The story just seemed to end… without any reason to the story. It caught us all off guard and didn’t really make sense. I do love the illustrations- the faces are very expressive and the scenes are bright and colorful. I enjoy most of the authors books, but not this one…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-27 18:23:092022-11-29 13:58:06Super Enemies by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I loved the book More Than! It was a light hearted book but also pretty inspirational and creative approach to dieting. Peggy is a widowed stay at home mom, who has spent years eating her feelings. Her kids are off to college and she has to find a way to cope with her empty nest. She has focused on being a mom for so long, she lost her own identity and realizes she is alone in the world with her kids gone. As a gift, they gave her a prepaid boot camp (diet gym camp). She dreads the idea but finds good reason for wanting to get back in shape. I loved seeing Peggy make friends and rediscover herself. It’s hard to start over and re enter the dating world… it’s even harder as a middle aged widow who is overweight and has no self esteem. I loved the book and will be reading more by this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-23 20:00:282022-11-25 11:59:07More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Pardon me, Please was a cute Thanksgiving book. The illustrations are colorful and cute. I read the book to my 7 year old. He enjoyed it and was happy with the decision the family made. After we read the book, my son wanted to look up if the story was true. I had never heard of the president pardoning turkeys, but it seems it’s been going on for decades. It was a creative way to teach young kids about history and traditions. We read up on the start of the tradition. We both learned something new. Cute book for younger elementary school aged kiddos.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-20 07:14:592022-11-21 11:57:45Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Operation Blackbird is the 2nd book in the Brass Compass Series, however, it can be read as a stand alone. There are some overlapping characters but it is a solid story on its own. This book takes place in the 1940s after WW2 and during the Cold War. It is a historical fiction, based around true events, but with some of the authors imagination to fill in the gaps. This book had me so hooked from the get go. Miriam has a couple alias along the way, as a operative for the CIA. She and her team are sent to retrieve and rescue a Soviet and his family. Their mission is to get them out of Berlin and to America. They are dodging and evading agents from KGB, Stasis and even other CIA operatives. Staying alive and keeping their “package” alive proves to be harder than expected. I love the suspense of this book as well as the added relationships of Miriam and her friends. The ending was perfect. I look forward to more and recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical stories.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-16 19:47:432022-11-18 11:54:44Operation Blackbird (Brass Compass Series Book 2) by Ellen Butler – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Lucas the Spy Cat is a really cute imaginative children’s book. I read it to my 7 year old, and he loved it. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful. Lucas is a pet who goes outside at night, and his owners are suspecting what he might do. They have put a camera on his collar, to capture his night time adventures. There are several fun ideas, parties in the woods, taking on cases of escaping pets, and more. Then at the end, the owners review the video and are shocked by what they see! I wish the owners were drawn a bit younger. We did love the creative rhyming the book is written in. My son loved the activities at the end, looking for Lucas’s friends, and completing the word search. He loved that the last page included a picture of the real Lucas.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-16 19:40:252022-11-18 11:54:37Lucas the Spy Cat (Jake the Growling Dog) by Samantha Shannon – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Defiant Princess is a short story that is a prequel to the Mafia Elite series. I am obsessed with this series and was so excited to read it. It gave us a little back story on the girls of the Five Families, though I wish there was more info given on Marissa. I still want to know what happened!! So please, I beg, at some point let us know who dun it!! This book takes place before any of their marriages. They are enjoying their last year in college, dreading the future their fathers have chosen for them. I enjoy seeing the love and protection from their brothers. And how close they all are to each other. While I love this series and enjoyed the book, I don’t feel like it added much to the series. Reading this AFTER all the other books, I feel like there wasn’t much new info provided. I think it would be more enjoyable as a true prequel to hook a new reader on the series. But, as I said, I am obsessed with this series, so I still recommend it and look forward to more.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-09 17:26:152022-11-18 08:56:16Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Divided Lives is an action packed story, with so much going on! The book bounces around in the time line quite a bit, and uses memories/past events to set the scene. It was sometimes hard to follow all that was going on. The book revolves around Lottie, a successful, unconventional young woman living in early 1900s New York. She is quite ahead of her time, in her profession and her personal life. The “divided lives” refers to the balance of her personal and professional life and the thin line separating them. I enjoyed the story directly relating to her, including her relationships with Henrietta and Danny, Rose, Frank, etc. However, the story surrounding the trial was hard for me to follow. It has a lot of people involved, without much knowledge of the going ons and background. Despite that, I’m impressed with the level of detail the author has. She created a whole world and within it, a whole crime and all the details behind it. I love the authors opinion of what might have been with the trials and guilt. While this book isn’t written as a sequel to the Notebook Mysteries series, and under a different pen name, it has many of the same characters. I recommend both, and look forward to more books by the author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-02 23:32:472022-11-07 20:38:10Divided Lives by K.R. Mullins – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I was drawn into Stumble and Fall from the cover art. This book warrents a strong trigger warning. The entire book focuses around sexual assault and rape. It was very intense and had me hooked from start to finish. I have not read the first book, so I may be missing some background information, but I still enjoyed the book independently. The beginning had me a little thrown off, trying to determine how all the characters were connected, but it came together mid book. The chapters alternate focus on two sisters- Tilly and Kate. They have similar jobs, both focused on helping those in need and taking down rapists. They have suffered massive tragedy in life but are strong and powerful women. I am not happy with the ending- Tilly’s ending was too abrupt in the epilogue. Kate’s story is left hanging, with a lot left to resolve. There better be a sequel to wrap up her case! Highly recommend this book to those who love crime thrillers and mystery drama, but be cautioned of the content.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-10-26 22:53:422022-10-27 11:38:54Stumble & Fall (A Legacy of Silence Book 2) by Amy Rivers – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
The Musical Murder Mystery series is a great collection of funny, light hearted, sometimes suspense filled, mysteries. Each book can be read alone, as it has enough details provided. However, all 3 books follow Ruby Ecco as she travels around the country with a touring theater company. Each book relates to the play, and the characters are great. We meet Ruby, Rudy and Nova in the first book, and get to know them a bit more as the series progresses. For a good part of the first book, I thought there was for sure another book before it… There is a lot of references to past events and a previous murder Ruby was part of. After some research, I found that it is part of another series, by the same author, and now Ruby is getting her own series. I am curious to read the other book, as there is a lot of references to it and its main character Sunshine. The Sound of Murder is the first book in the Musical Murder Mystery series. This book made me laugh a lot, which I did not expect. The characters Ruby and Nova are great, and I could really envision them. Ruby is very quirky and not your typical lead character, but I loved her even more for it! West Side Murder is the 2nd book in the Musical Murder Mysteries series. It references 2 previous “cases” Ruby helped solve, though only one is in this box set. This is a very creative series, loosely mimicking the musical main character Ruby stars in. She seems to find trouble where she goes, and enjoys investigating and solving crimes in her spare time. I was happy to see the relationships with Nova and Rudy develop a bit more in this book. It had me laughing out loud several times. Little Shop of Murder is the 3rd book in the Murder Mystery series. In this story Ruby and her friends work together to try to uncover a possible Catfish situation for her boss. It escalates and Ruby uncovers a Murder within the case. The ending is a shock, and I hope there are more books to come. I want to see what happens next for Ruby and Rudy as well as Nova and Noah.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-10-19 20:44:162022-10-21 09:47:10Musical Murder Mystery Boxed Set #1 Books 1-3 by K.L. Montgomery – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
In Inheritance to Die For is the 4th book in the Cozy Mysteries to Die for, but it is a stand alone book. I have not read all the books in the series, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Beck owns a book store, but recently obtained her private investigator license. Her college roommate hires her to investigate her father’s death. It has been deemed a suicide, but Jacqueline (the roommate and the victim’s daughter) doesn’t believe that to be the case. She thinks her father was murdered, likely by her stepmom, and hires Beck to prove it. I love the characters in this book, they are all well written with their likes and dislikes of each other. I was happy the mystery held out to the end, and I didn’t know if it would turn out to be a suicide or murder, and if murder, who the killer was. I was a little surprised at the end. I look forward to more books, as I want to see what happens between Beck and Devon.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-10-12 22:02:582022-10-17 09:36:04An Inheritance to Die For (Cozy Mysteries To Die For Book 4) by Judy Moore – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
I love the Mafia Elite series, following the Five Families. Each book focuses on a couple, and they are action packed. They are a good balance of romance and suspense. The characters are all wonderful, and I wish this was a TV series! Each book is well written enough that it could be a stand alone, but I don’t recommend it. All the characters overlap, and all the books are ah-mazing. So just read them all… for real. The Five Families are all married into each other, as the next generation of Chicago Mafia. The characters are great, and I love that the women are strong, independent women. They have an amazing support system for each other. At the same time, the men have a softer side that shows when around their sisters or wives. I love that the characters are strong and independent on their own, and when together they are even stronger.
Savage Secrets is a very fitting title for the 4th book in the Mafia Elite series. While the book mainly focuses on Elena and Marco, there is added details to the other family members along the way.
Ruthless Heir is the 5th book in the series. I was a little confused at first how the characters fit into the story, as neither seemed to be related. However, it all came together and turned out to be another great addition. There were a couple of parts that made me laugh out loud. The chemistry between Luc and Summer was strong, and I love how they fit into the couples from the Five Families.
Collateral Damage is a great book just like all the others in the series, HIGHLY recommend. This book focuses on Trey and Hailey, alternating point of view. I like that Hailey is a normal girl, not born into the Mafia, yet fits in perfectly into their lifestyle. Trey is not one of the bosses, but still involved, serving as their doctor, and the little brother to the new Boss. He is very sweet and reasonable, understanding Hailey and her feelings, and giving her time to explain disagreements. There were some surprises along the way, with some of the supporting characters (read to see what I mean). I wish there was more closure with Justin, I felt like a lot was left hanging when it came to him. I also hoped for some peace between Hailey and her mom, but still did not take away from the book, just wishful thinking.
Rivals is the latest book in the Mafia Elite series, and it was ah-mazing, just like all the others. This is one of my favorite series and am sad that it is likely coming to an end. Mia is a character I kind of forgot about, as she is part of the New York mafia families. Most of the series focuses on the Chicago Five Families, and Nico is part of that group. Their story is slightly different from the others, in that the main characters didn’t know each other growing up. They meet for the first time when Mia pulls a gun or Nico and soon after, negotiates their marriage. The build of their relationship is a good story, and has a couple twists and turns along the way. I love the bomb dropped toward the end, changing the course of action. There is justice served and everyone gets what they deserve.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-10-12 21:54:472022-10-17 09:35:59Mafia Elite Series Box Set Volume 2 by Amy McKinley – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance: Hidden Valley Elite Prequel by Isla Vaughn
