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Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom Review by Gabrielle

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Mr. Barsins' Toy EmporiumMr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting read that will grab the imagination of young readers. The four young children have an adventure that they will always remember. The toy store and Mr. Barsin is a world full of magic and wonder. Each of the children have unique stories and they must come together on this journey. Just like in this author’s other books there are lessons to be learned. The children must find a way to work together and help each other to defeat Mr. Barsin. It was nice to see the children grow and find there way. Magic and friendship shine throughout this story giving young readers an exciting ride.

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Conversations with the Tarot by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Gabrielle

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Conversations with the Tarot: Bewitching Meditations on Reading the CardsConversations with the Tarot: Bewitching Meditations on Reading the Cards by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting look at tarot cards and what they mean to this author. It includes poems and insights from the author. Readers also get to see how the cards have guided and influenced the paths taken in her life. Maria DeBlassie shares her thoughts and ideas around the cards and their meanings, yet the reader is encouraged to make up their own mind. If you are interested in tarot cards and how they might work this is a nice way to introduce yourself to the idea. Seeing this authors journey and how they changed her life may help you understand and appreciate tarot cards and what they can do for some people.

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Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers Book 2) by Toya Richardson – Review by Gabrielle

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Mesmerised (Hybrid Lovers #2)Mesmerised by Toya Richardson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting story about finding love and what you would do to keep that love. It was nice to see the way Donna and Antoine’s relationship takes shape. Donna has had a hard life and when she has had enough it takes Antoine’s intervention to save her but will it be enough? Their story is an engaging read. I like the idea of the Angel and vampire hybrid. Antoine and Donna are strong characters and both have dealt with a lot but are ready to fight for a future together. This book has a mix of everything, the author does a good job of mixing the action and the romance. Emotions play a strong part in this book and I enjoyed seeing Donna blossom with the support and help of Antoine.

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Murder in a Gated Community by Laura Koerber – Review by Gabrielle

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Murder in a Gated CommunityMurder in a Gated Community by Laura Koerber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting story full of peculiar characters and their lives. Each of the characters has a story to tell. As we see the way their lives intertwine, we also get to see the problems with the HOA of the community. From garden spots to barking dogs this story has many things that will grab your attention. I enjoyed seeing the characters interact and all the problems with the HOA. It was fun to see the different personalities and how they deal with all that goes on in the community. I enjoyed getting to meet the characters living in this community and getting a glimpse into their lives.

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Saved by the Everyday Hero (Limited Edition Romance Collections) by Naomi Valkyrie & Various Authors – Review by Gabrielle

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Saved by the Everyday HeroSaved by the Everyday Hero by Amelia Hayden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are many stories out there full of heroes, form secret agents to superheroes. This collection centers around those heroes that you might meet in your everyday life. No less super and just as much heroes These authors have created worlds and characters full of life and emotions. The stories vary in heat and action. As with most anthologies there were stories that stuck out more for me than others but as a whole this is a good read. I enjoyed stories from authors that I am familiar with and found new ones to enjoy. Each story is special and unique in its own way. Love comes in many forms and shines no matter who the hero is.

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Love Bites More (The Darkness & Light Duology, and the Love Bites World) by TL Clark – Review by Gabrielle

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Love Bites MoreLove Bites More by T.L. Clark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An interesting story about the strength of love. Friends Elan and Arwyn soon find that friendship may just be the beginning of what they want. When Hassan enters their world things begin to change. Emotions play a big role in this book and you are taken on a ride full of ups and downs. There is no stopping fate and these three men learn to follow their hearts. It was nice to see the way that their relationship grows and deepens. Each man has a distinct personality and together they are something that no one can tear apart. Theirs is a fast-paced story full of a good mix of emotion and action.

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve – Review by Gabrielle

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy TalesWhen Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting collection of stories. They give a new look into fairy tales. You will recognize many of the characters that give these stories a helping hand. They will remind you of tales that you heard as a child and when magic ruled. The author has brought the old and familiar into the present day. It was nice to see the way the stories evolved and tied together. I enjoy reding new and updated fairytales and this collection had some engaging reads. Some stories and characters stood out more than others abut as a whole this collection was a good read.

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Bound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski – Review by Gabrielle

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Bound by the HinterlandsBound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting story full of the paranormal and romance. Cressida has had a hard life. Her mother has passed and her father is controlling and abusive. Now he makes her life even harder by marrying Cressida off to a stranger, a baron from another land. Cressida takes this in stride and does her duty. Yet soon she finds that this new world and its people have stolen her heart but all is not as it should be. As Cressida and Caravahl try to find their way an evil is trying to take what it wants. It was nice to be along for their adventure but I did not fall in love with the characters. For me there was more telling than showing in their story and I did not get lost in this world but there is a good amount of character development and the plot does move at a good pace. It was nice to see Cressida and Caravahl learn to fight for what is truly important. We see their strength and what it can achieve if given the chance.

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Rise of the Hunter (Blood Prophecy Series) by Barb Jones – Review by Gabrielle

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Rise of the HunterRise of the Hunter by Barb Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting book that combines a lot of myth and magic. There is a lot going on and the reader really has to pay attention to what is going on. It is the fourth book in a series so you need to have read the previous books so as to understand this world and its characters better. Lots of characters and timelines are going on in this book but it all is going on at the same time through the book so every few pages it is another character or time that you are reading about. While it all connects it can be a bit hard to follow. With a lot of different characters having their say it was sometimes hard to get immersed in the story. The main focus of this book is the character The Tall Dark Man and the beginning of a new story arc. As much as I like the idea of this story, I always find it hard with so many changing narrations and times lines so quickly.

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People Safari by Feather Chelle – Review by Gabrielle

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People SafariPeople Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this short and fun look at humans from an animal’s perspective. A family of deer are guided on a tour of a human town by a racoon. They get to see many of the differences between humans and animals and the way they live. This is a cute story that people of all ages will enjoy. While visiting the humans can be fun the young deer also finds out just how unnerving it can be. This is a cute read that gives readers a look at how animals might interpret the way we live. The deer family has some good questions and the pictures are fun and invite discussions. This story is an easy way to start a discussion with young children. The descriptions that the racoon uses to explain the way humans live are very entertaining and will bring a smile to everyone.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Gabrielle

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Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting retelling of a fairytale sleeping beauty. I enjoyed meeting Ayo and Yi and getting to be along for their journey. Magic and Eastern kingdoms take center stage in this story. It was nice to see Asian main characters. Yi and Ayo are both strong characters and must fight hard to find their happy ever after. Their story is a sweet romance filled with a nice mix of cation and emotions. Not only do we get the main story but many of the supporting characters have their say. The plot is good but does drag in some places. The author does a nice job of bringing a new twist to an old tale.

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Tally and the Angel: Book Three, Japan by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Gabrielle

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Japan (Tally and the Angel #3)Japan by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story takes Tally and her father to Japan. When Tally lost her mother, she gained an Angel and he has been with her ever since. As Tally and her father explore Japan Tally finds herself with a mystery to solve. It was nice to see Tally encounter some of the Japanese culture. Tally is a smart and inquisitive young lady; I liked the way she listens and discovers the many Japanese customs. Tally learns many lessons on her travels and adventures and it is nice to see the way she matures through her journeys. Life is full of challenges and Tally takes them full on. This is an engaging read that pulls the reader in. Tally’s adventures are a great way to introduce different customs and lives to young readers as well as giving them an exciting story to immerse themselves in.

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REIGN: The Rise of the Lich (The Silver Blood Knight Book 2 by Carol McKibben – Review by Gabrielle

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REIGN: The Rise of the Lich: The Silver Blood Knight (Book 2)REIGN: The Rise of the Lich: The Silver Blood Knight by Carol McKibben
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting story full of magic and paranormal. Alongside Reign are the Morretti brothers and together they must work with and take care of Adam the human mage. Now they must fight the evil and save Italy. This is the second book in this series and it would be good to read the previous book to better understand and enjoy this book. I like the world that is being built in this series but I am having a hard time connecting with the characters, it was nice though to see the way everyone fights together against the evil. There are many different paranormal creatures in this world both good and evil. You never know what they might encounter next. The journey for those involved is not over yet and I am interested to know just what they will do next.

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Aliens on Earth Anthology (Limited Edition Romance Collections) by Various Authors – Review by Gabrielle

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Aliens on EarthAliens on Earth by Mandy Melanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a nice collection of stories. Each author brings readers into a new world and characters. I enjoyed these stories and would find it hard to pick just one as a favorite. Alongside the authors that I read there were a lot of new authors for me to enjoy. This collection has a good variety of characters from an alien dating app to alien mafia and a lot of what is in between. These short stories give you a glimpse into so many worlds and many different relationship, there are also different heat levels and matches that there should be something for just about everyone in these stories. It was nice to find myself immersed in different journeys and configurations but always finding the love shine through it all.

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Gabrielle

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Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Two young boys who had nothing but each other growing up. As they grow so do their feelings but one-night changes it all. Kyle and Lyle have no idea what to do about the emotions that they have been denying since they were young. Now that a tragedy brings them together again will they stop ignoring what they truly feel?

Their story is an interesting and painfilled story. Both men must learn to deal with their feelings and find a way to happiness. This is an emotional read and will pull on your heart at times. While I found the plot to be compelling, I found that I did not connect with the characters. I had a hard time liking Lyle, while I understand his actions, he is not very likeable in this book. As this is the first in the series, I hope that he becomes the man that we see glimpses of in this book.

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Little Red, the Detective (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Gabrielle

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Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a cute retelling of the little red riding hood story. Red is off to see her grandma and bring her some flowers. Along the way she meets the wolf and the mischief begins. The wolf helps Red but is he really helping her or does he have a nefarious plan in the works?
Young readers will enjoy this quick read. It is easy to follow and understand. The story is fun and exciting. Red learns to look for the truth and figure out a mystery. A little more information and details would make this book better. It was nice to see a strong young character who is smart and inquisitive. This story moves at a fast pace and feels rushed at times. The words and pictures go together well and the pictures are just as important to this story as the narrative is. All in all this is a good way to get children excited and interested in science and nature,

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Messenger (Star-Crossed Celestials Book 2) by A.L. Morrow – Review by Gabrielle

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Messenger (Star-Crossed Celestials Duet #2)Messenger by A.L. Morrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Watcher and messenger two beings from opposite sides that are always supposed to be enemies. Yet Jace and Cyrus feel a pull like no other and face the worst imaginable if they act upon it. love is not ready to be denied. The two are forced apart and their bond is put to the test and when one thinks the other is dead all bets are off.

This book continues to bring the reader into the imaginative world of the paranormal. No matter what side they are on Jace and Cyrus are good together. The two work hard to find their way and they will fight to keep their love. Emotions are strong in this book and it will pull on your heart. Their story is fast paced and there is a lot going on. I enjoyed seeing the two stand up and fight for what they want. The love between the two shines through in everything that they do. Both of these characters endeared themselves to this reader and I was quickly pulled into their story. This is an interesting take on the story of Romeo and Juliet. The author has created an engaging world with interesting characters and I am eager to see what will happen next.

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Insomnia: (A Short Stories Collection) by Kelly Covic – Review by Gabrielle

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Insomnia (A Short Stories Collection)Insomnia by Kelly Covic
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an engaging collection of short stories. Each story gives you a glimpse into a world where you should listen to your other senses. Some will have you sleeping with the lights and others will have you looking warily at your surroundings. The author does a good job with these nine stories. Each one is fresh and keeps your attention. As with most collections there were those that stood out more than others but as a whole this collection is a nice read. If you are looking for a little excitement to your reading these stories may bring a bit of horror to your library.

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Doctor Frank Enstein (Doctors of Eastport General) by C.A. King – Review by Gabrielle

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Doctor Frank Enstein (Doctors of Eastport General)Doctor Frank Enstein by C.A. King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Frank is a doctor who is tired of making pretty women even prettier and he longs to make a difference. When he sees a chance, he takes it and transfers to a burn unit where he knows he can make a difference. A chance meeting with Barbara has the doctor making assumptions and insulting her. Once Frank learns the truth can he make amends and help Barbara or has he gone too far already?

Barbara and Frank’s story is an amusing one. The two are good together and it was nice to see the way their relationship grows into something more. There is good banter between the wo and I liked that Barbara is a strong woman that can hold her own. The author does a nice job with the chemistry between these two but I found it hard to connect with this couple. Their story was ok but the characters did not pull me into their lives.

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God of Fire: Greek Myths A New Retelling Audiobook by Helen Steadman – Review by Gabrielle

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This is an interesting tale of the Greek god Hephaestus. I am an avid fan of Greek mythology and was excited to see a retelling of the life of Hephaestus. This story is told from the viewpoint of the god himself. The author takes liberties and reimagines the stories as their own. This tale is about many of the high and low points in his life. The author gives the listener more of a personal take on the gods and goddesses and not the exact stories from Greek Mythology. I was not a fan of all the shortening of the gods’ names as they spoke to and about each other. If you enjoy Greek mythology, you will recognize many of the things that happen and the characters in this book. Narrator Christopher Swift speaks clearly and keeps the narrative flowing.

Master Calabrea (Masters of the Consulate Book 6) by Sylvia Black – Review by Gabrielle

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Master Calabrea: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 6)Master Calabrea: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As the vampires search for the traitor to their kind, Master Calabrea is paired to work with Tansia; a human. The two share an attraction right from the start but fight hard to ignore it. Soon the two find that not all is what they think. Tansia and Calabrea cannot ignore what is between them forever. When danger comes for Tansia will Master Calabrea be there for her?

This is an interesting story that gives readers another look into the paranormal world that this author has created. Be aware that it is book six in this series and does end on a cliffhanger. I liked that Tansia is a strong woman who can hold her own and she is a good match for Calabarea. The two work hard at what they have and when evil comes to interfere Calabrea must make a choice about his emotions and Tansia. I enjoyed seeing the relationship build between these two as the worked together to defeat the evil that threatens them all. The author does a nice job of mixing the romance and action together giving readers a nice addition to this series.

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Emissary (Star-Crossed Celestials Duet) by A.L. Morrow – Review by Gabrielle

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Emissary: An MM Forbidden Romance (Star-Crossed Celestials Duet)Emissary: An MM Forbidden Romance by A.L. Morrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting take on the world of demons and angels. Kai is an angel of death and he has been trained from birth to kill. He has been taught that demons are evil and do not have emotions but that all changes when he meets Byron. The young demon shows Kai how wrong everything he has been taught is. When Kai is assigned to kill Byron, he begins to question things and lies begin to unravel as Kai and Byron fight to survive.
I enjoyed meeting Kai and Byron. The two are good together and their story pulled me in right from the start. The two quickly endeared themselves to this reader. Kai has gone through a lot in his life and he is surviving but the pain has left its mark. Byron is a young man who sees the good in Kai and trusts him to keep them safe. It was nice to watch their relationship take shape as the two work to figure out why Byron has been targeted. I also enjoyed seeing the relationship and interactions of Byron and his family. Their story moves at a good pace and I was immersed in the world and characters that the author has created.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Gabrielle

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saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a different take on the original Hansel and Gretel fairytale. In this story the brother and sister are on a picnic and get lost. When they come upon a gingerbread house the old lady makes them help her repair the damage that the animals have done to her house.

This is a quick easy read that will keep youngsters engaged. It helps to teach children to make up their own minds and find ways to solve problems without giving up. While this was an interesting story, I would have liked to see more to it. The ending is left open so this is a nice way to get children thinking and imagining. The children in the story are curious and smart making this an easy story to engage little ones with questions and have them give ideas.

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Loretta’s Caterpillar (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Gabrielle

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Loretta's Caterpillar (Loretta's Insects #4)Loretta’s Caterpillar by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a nice book that teaches children about the life of a butterfly. It explains the different stages in the life of a butterfly and its migration pattern. The story is simple and easy to follow and explains each new phase in a way that keeps the attention of young children. They get to understand and enjoy facts about a beautiful insect. I also liked the science facts that are listed after the story giving the young readers more information about the butterfly while still making it interesting.

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Arrrgh! Me Hate To Wait! by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Gabrielle

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Arrrgh! Me HATE To Wait!Arrrgh! Me HATE To Wait! by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A cute story for the little ones. It is about a young piglet who can’t wait to get to big kid school and the surprises that await her. This is a quick story that little ones will enjoy especially those in preschool. The little piglet has interactions with family and friends learning how to wait and being curious about what will happen at her new school. Little ones can relate to the piglet and it is written in a way that entertains and explains easily to them, making this a fun and entertaining read for preschoolers.

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Saving the Bellydancer (Green Brotherhood: SEAL Team XII Book 3) by Debra Parmley – Review by Gabrielle

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Saving the Bellydancer (Green Brotherhood: SEAL Team XII Book 3)Saving the Bellydancer by Debra Parmley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Seal Team XII series. It can be read as a stand alone but you would enjoy it more if you read the earlier books. Each of the books in this series give readers a story of each Seal finding love. This story is about the Seal named Cutter. He is a man who enjoys life and women but his latest date leaves him dismayed and doing some inner perspective. A chance meeting with beautiful dancer named Zarifah changes the direction his life is going in and soon he finds himself doing what he swore he never would do again. Their story is a fast paced one that contains not only romance but action as well. The pace is quick and the plotline was interesting but I would have enjoyed more of a storyline. The characters needed a bit more depth for me to connect with them. I do like seeing the camaraderie between all the men on the seal team. It is nice to see how they all enjoy being together and work well not only as a team but as friends.

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Bees in Loretta’s Bonnet (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Gabrielle

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Bees in Loretta's Bonnet (Loretta's Insects #2)Bees in Loretta’s Bonnet by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a nice book that shows young children that bees are not something to be afraid of and that they will help your garden grow. Young Loretta finds out a lot about bees and how they help to pollenate the plants in the garden. She learns about how the bees grow in the different seasons and what the bees nest look like. Nice to see the way the parents show and teach Loretta about bees, she is able to learn as she is encouraged to be curious and to enjoy nature. It was also nice to see a section at the end of the book showing children how they can make nests for the bees themselves. It is an easy step by step guide with pictures.

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Night Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Prequel) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Gabrielle

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Night Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation #0.5)Night Hawke by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a short prequel to the series about the second generation of the Hawke family. In it we meet two strong personalities. The attraction that the two have is off the charts but each one is hiding their own secrets. They agree to only one night together no real names and no information so there is not a lot of character development. The two burn up the sheets and emotions begin to become a problem, especially for “Jack”. She cannot let her heart lead her astray even for this one man who could be the world for her. As hot as this story is I am sorry to say that these characters did not pull me in. I need a little more depth to the characters to want to see what happens to them next. This story is mostly about their sexual connection and the need to keep everything secret but I think that if you are a big fan of the Hawke family series this might have you eager to see what happens to these characters from the second generation.

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Things are Shaking (Invisible Magic Wand Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Gabrielle

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Things are ShakingThings are Shaking by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Caspian and his cousin are enjoying a fun breakfast with their grandfather and when he uses his magic wand his cousin insist on getting one of her own. As the three enjoy their breakfast and the wands when something starts to happen and the shaking starts. This is a quick read and shows how the three are able to help each other using their own wands. It is a nice way to show communication and how to help others. The only part that I did not like was the way the cousin demands her own wand at the start of the book and she is given it. Otherwise, this is a nice story to show young children how easy it is to help others.

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Amaleigha Loves a Good Story by Janice Pratt – Review by Gabrielle Lee

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Amaleigha Loves a Good StoryAmaleigha Loves a Good Story by Janice Pratt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a nice story that shows young ones that they can make a difference in the world. Amaleigha is a strong girl who wants to help those that need it. When she realizes the lack of books for the students and their families that speak other languages at her school and neighborhood Amaleigha decides to do something about it. It was nice to see a book about a someone so young doing something for their neighborhood, giving children someone that they can relate to and showing that they can make a difference as well no matter what their age. I liked seeing the multiple languages in the book as well as the instructions in the back on how to do this in your own neighborhood.

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