If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I had a Magic Wand
By Melissa Lavi
This is such a sweet book! It made my Momma heart happy, as they are all things we wish for our children! I loved it so much I will be getting it for my brother and sister-in-law as they get ready to welcome their first child. 5 ⭐️ I loved it!
Much Ado About Dying: An Irish Urban Fantasy Novel by Rowan Dillon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book had me hooked from the first page. This book is full of action, suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are amazing and the hardships they have to endure are stressful. This book did have me stressed but it was all worth it in the end.
Minotaur’s Lair by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 3rd book in the Servant of God’s series and wow. Unfortunately for me this is where I started but i will definately be going back and reading the series from the beginning. The author’s writing is really captivating and I was hooked from the beginning. I loved the mix of historical and mythical and the danger as the different sides battle to find the last artifact.
The characters are amazing written even though they are descendents from God’s they all seem like real people which makes the story fantasy but in parts believable.
Evan and his friends along with the High Priestess have been captured by the Amazon Queen. She then drugs them so they forget their God’s Quest and they settle into a life of helping the Amazons become great again. While the men do this the Queen places the High Priestess in a cell and keeps her as a prisoner. As the High Priestess’s health deteriorates the God’s try and make her see she needs to rescue herself and her Companions and complete their Quest to save the God’s and their way of life. They need to recover the last ancient relic which is hidden in the Minatours Lair.
Meanwhile the Dark Lord has almost completely his mission to overthrow the God’s and take over himself.
Can Evan escape from the Queens grasp and find the ancient relic? What happens when Evan starts to question the God’s and their plans?
This story is full of twists and turns, excitement and danger as Evan trys to escape and then continue with his quest. I can’t wait to read the series from the beginning.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is so beautiful and heartwarming! If I had a Magic Wand is a book about wishes for our babies and children of the world. The magic wand is handed from parent to parent and baby to baby throughout the pages. With each pass there is another wish/dream for our babies. It’s also a rhyming book so kids can learn at the same time as reading a book for bedtime. This magical book shares messages for all parents, soon to be parents, and anyone who believes in the magic of our children’s futures. I got this book for my girls who are 7 and 10. Of course with them both it was an easy read, but they enjoyed the pictures and the wishes as the book went along. I think this would be a wonderful baby shower book or maybe even a 1st birthday book for kiddos. So pretty and inspiring!
As an elementary librarian, I adore the book, Amaleigha Loves a Good Story. Amaleigha has the world’s biggest heart and always finds ways to help the people around her. She loves to read books but soon notices that the bilingual section of her school library does not have many books. She crafts a plan to enhance her school library collection and soon has the whole community’s support.
Janice Pratt has a knack for writing amazing stories that show children how to be better people in a relatable manner. One of my favorite things about this book is that it provides a message that children need access to bilingual books at school and in the community. Pratt even included the mayor’s message in different languages which makes the message shine through her book.
Many social-emotional points can be spoken about within the story… Speaking to children about these different points can help them become more like Amaleigha.
– How can we have big hearts?
– How can we help others?
– How can we work together as a community?
– Even as a child, you can do great things.
This book would be a great way to spark the interest of children in creating a little library. Speaking of which, the back of the book provides information about creating a little library.
I also want to give a shout-out to Alina Kralia who truly brings the story to life with vivid illustrations. Kralia does an amazing job even with the smallest details of the illustrations.
As a side note… I have to say that for one of two reasons, the dedication made my heart smile: I serve as a school librarian and I know of a few librarians in the Oklahoma area.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The most beautiful children’s book ever! The illustrations are stunning! I absolutely loved it. I read it to my little ones. I even got a little teary eyed while reading it to them. I loved the diversity in the book and will definitely share this lovely story with all the kids in the family.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a short but heartwarming story giving guidance and wishes from parent to parent on what they want to instill in their kids as they grow up.
The illustrations are beautiful and watching the wand be passed parent to parent and child to child was just charming.
This also rhymes so it would also be a nice bedtime story to read. I currently do not have any kids, but if I do, I will definitely read them this.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
For a kid’s book, I found it inspiring and as a kid’s book, that’s downright surprising. I not only enjoyed the characters but admired Amaleigha the most! Her personality rang true for a lively 5-yea-old and entertained me and my kids upon reading this to them. My 7-yr-old is still acting like her at home and at school: don’t judge me, LOL but it’s so funny.
Witty, funny and downright informative: she reminds me to keep the inner child in me alive and kicking!
Minotaur’s Lair by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book 3 and the final book of the trilogy. I found it quite exciting and the adventure will pull you in from the beginning. It picks up from where book 2 left off. Evan and the gang are on the Amazon warrior island. The drama kicks back off there and just doesn’t end until the very end of the book. I found the characters quite intriguing. It’s a good book for historical fiction. I did find myself wishing that the plot was a little less glitchy with transitions. In moving around the story, I felt it was a touch rocky. Overall, the drama and the characters will pull you in. The books really need to be read in order so I would start with book 1.
The Labyrinthine Journey by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book 2 of the trilogy is quite exciting. That naughty Zeus is at it just doing what he wants to get what he wants. Evan is thrown into the story and gets deep into the drama as he and the others are looking for the sacred articles to save the Gods. Are the Gods selfish much? This was an entertaining story as it gives an interesting perspective at what the Gods would do to survive a threat to their lives. I found the Gods to be quite full of themselves. The other characters were well-developed. They each played a very important role in the story. Evan is probably the most relatable character. His struggle is so real (from the modern world. Sleep disorder? Tumor?) This is where I came into this trilogy and I’m looking forward to reading book 1 to see how it began. It’s a fascinating book in the historical fiction genre.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was great for little kids. It gives you a strong message to show kindness in all people. The writing style felt like a type of poetry but also a small story. This story flowed very well together and I loved how it ended. I also loved all the pictures that were included in the story. It tied it all together perfectly.
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Emma has just gotten her degree and is on her way to becoming a Vet but as the heir to The Thorn Ranch her future seems all too predictable, wanting to explore more the outside world, but her world is about to explode in a way she was not expecting but will she have lost forever.
This is my first book in this series and from this author and I have to say it was breath-taking and stunning to read. The premise of the book is somewhat unique storyline which I have not discovered before, which made it interesting and thrilling to read, and with the wonderful characters and the interactions along the way I could not put the book down.
I don’t want to give too much away as I think the elements of the surprise enhances the story but the character of Emma and her enthusiasm for life and adventure comes through with every word written and how she is such a strong woman and not letting the predicament get to her which she embraced tried to learn the ways of The People.
This story was well written and well developed and would love to read more by this author in the future, thank you for letting me peak inside the world you created.
Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Return to Gallanvaig (A Quirk of Destiny Book 2) by Catherine Greenall
Return to Gallanvaig is the second book in the A Quirk of Destiny Trilogy and is a Post Apocalyptic Dystopian with Sci-Fi features that will keep you turning the pages till the end. I highly recommend reading the first book if you haven’t already as it gives you a better understanding of what has happened and you get to know the characters better plus it picks up two years after the first one and its just as good as the last one. This maybe my favorite yet it’s kinda a eye opener to how things could possibly be if things don’t change. Im not going to give anything away but will say this is one of the absolute best books I’ve read in a while. Its one that will make you look around and think hard. I highly recommend reading this book and I look forward to reading many more books by this author.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
If I Had a Magic Wand is a beautifully written children’s book that is wrote in lyrical style and shows us that love is love no matter if the child is yours biologically or adopted or whatever the case may be. Love is Love . What a sweet little book with as my son said pretty pictures of different people holding hands. This made my momma heart sing. I highly recommend this children’s book to anyone with children of any age. It’s a great reminder that Love is Love. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hands down one of the funniest books I have read this year. Packed full of adventure and the budding friendship that grows is fantastic. This book is FULL of awesome minor characters as well. I really hope there is a spin off on this and they delve into the other couples and continue on with new characters to make Kamana Wanayala a thriving business again. Absolutely recommend this story!!
Road to the Mansfield by CB Laurence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What is there not to love about a story that brings three strangers into the same situation on the same night and the story was inspired by Reba McEntire!! I enjoyed this suspenseful story that was full of twists and turns! This was a new author for me, and I was impressed! The author had a unique writing skill that really brought this story with great detail to life. It was well written, easy to follow and sometimes that’s hard to do, especially when you are writing about three different characters. One fateful night, three worlds collide, and no one could see what is coming. I enjoyed how the characters were well developed and kept the story engaging, entertaining, and easy to read. This was a fast paced story full of twists and turns that had me turning pages like no tomorrow! I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author!
Mary Espinoza, December 2022
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
To fall in love or not fall in love….that is the question! Talk about an entertaining book! I was drawn in right away with the wittiness and playfulness between the characters. Tenley and Teagen, are two people with very opposite opinions about the subject of love. Their opinions are so different that Teagan decides to invite Tenley to Hawaii on a romantic getaway and let’s just say…things do not go as planned!
This story was a fun and entertaining read! The author truly did put a lot of work into making you feel the tension and attraction between the characters! There were definitely plenty of laugh out loud moments! And don’t let the title fool you…just because the storyline is based around Christmas time, does not mean it’s not a good read anytime of the year!
Mary Espinoza, December 2022
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Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Kamana Wanalaya was the 1st book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy reading books from different authors and seeing their different writing styles.
This was a quick read. Definitely entertaining. It was funny and spicy. The characters were great. It would make for a great holiday movie if the author ever decided to do that I’d definitely watch it!
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PREORDER ~ ~ ~ 
When New York transplant Ginny Meyer returns to her small hometown to help her father recover from surgery, she isn’t looking for any complications. No Christmas caroling, no cookie decorating, and certainly no time spent with her ex-husband, Max. The trouble is, she’s looped into helping with the Christmas Jubilee—and a certain ex is her planning partner. Now all her plans to avoid Max disappear in a puff of tinsel. But she can resist his charms, right?
Max Sanchez has three great loves in his life—his diner, Christmas, and his ex-wife. He’s spent two years missing the woman who broke his heart and left town, and he’ll use any excuse to spend time with her. Max hopes some holiday cheer, and his famous cheese enchiladas, can help them find their way back together. Buckeye Falls hasn’t felt the same since Ginny left, and Max can tell she’s warming to the idea of staying in town. Now if only he could get her to stay with him…
With a little help from the residents of Buckeye Falls, this Christmas is bringing more than presents under the tree.
Author Libby Kay’s books are perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins’ second chance romances or Sharon Sala’s smalltown romances. Readers will fall in love with Buckeye Falls, Ohio and the townspeople as they embrace the holiday season. Slip in to this enchanting smalltown and stay awhile! You might just fall in love…
BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 
The Minotaur stirs.
Evan is drugged to forget the gods’ quest.
Evan and his fellow companions are enslaved by the Amazon Queen Antioche and her warriors. The Dark Master’s victorious revenge over the gods is almost complete. The plight of the High Priestess is precarious, her health ailing, imprisoned in a dark room, and unable to rescue her brother and fellow Atlanteans.
One more sacred relic must be recovered, within the lair of the Minotaur. Evan leads his companions into the final battle against the Dark Master on the lands of mystical Krete. He must succeed in his mission so his father Zeus fulfills his pledge to return him home. Then there is Queen Antioche, and the precious gifts she presents him.
Will Evan return home, and what will become of his future?
Minotaur’s Lair is the third and final book in the action-packed Servant of the Gods historical fiction series. A must-read for all historical fantasy fiction fans, ideal for readers of Wilbur Smith, Rick Riordan and Steven Pressfield.
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Minotaur’s Lair (Servant of the Gods Book 3) by Luciana Cavallaro
Luciana Cavallaro, genre-bending fiction author, is the multi award-winning author of The Labyrinthine Journey and The Guardian’s Legacy. She has been nominated for book awards in the action/adventure and historical fiction genres, Finalist in the New Media Film Festival and Finalist in the Page Turner Awards. She is also rather proud of her ambitious attempt at driving her first car at the age of three. (Just between us, this was when she gave her father high blood pressure … and the beginning of her adventures). Visit her website at https://luccav.me/
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m always looking for mysteries and “who done it’s” that are engaging and don’t get bogged down and boring in the middle, the historical aspect was definitely a plus, and Murder on Oak Street absolutely fit the bill. This book has lots of drama, suspense, and misconceptions that pull you in and doesn’t let go until the end albeit reluctantly as I found myself wishing for more. Murder on Oak Street is ultimately an investigation within an investigation as a previous reviewer stated, and I enjoyed every minute of it. If you like historical, crime, mysteries you should definitely give this a try and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another sweet, wonderfully illustrated, well written Amaleigha story. This one stars the independent, creative, curious Amaleigha. She really enjoys being outdoors and investigating the changing seasons, and all the intricacies that nature, and the world have to offer but wants everyone else to be able to have the same opportunities to do so as well. Amaleigha gathers her family, and individuals throughout town and together they build a barefoot park. I really loved how the author includes directions on how to build your own barefoot park to really get the readers engaged and having fun. This is a wonderful children’s story.
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Murder on Oak Street by I.M. Foster is an intense ride of a murder mystery. It follows Dr. Daniel O’Halleran as he tries to untangle the webs of intrigue surrounding the deaths of two wealthy and influential men which may, or may not, be connected. The long list of suspects are full of secerts, lies, and scandal. It’s cleverly written, well-paced, and full of colorful characters. Foster had created a wonderful story with enough twists to rival Knives Out. Happy sleuthing!
Reviewed by @whisperhymer
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fun 5 star read. This was my first read from this author and I really enjoyed it.
The author had me pulled in right from the start, I was LOL.
Tenley and Teagan were opposites attract for sure. They both had different views on love, watching their story develop was so great. And the challenge was great, will it change the views on love?
My favorite quote from the book is “God gave men both a penis and a brain, but only enough blood to supply one at a time. “
Overall this was a great read. The characters were great and we got some steamy scenes as well. I had several LOL moments. If you’re looking for a fun opposites attract romance this is the book for you. I look forward to reading more from this author. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
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After She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
While the romance of the story was great at the beginning, the problems with an in law definitely meant the honeymoon was over. Laurel was in love no doubt. Robert’s twin sister was making things hard. It seemed like a good portion of this book was really about the twin sister instead of the romance which made me lose interest to a degree. Overall, Laurel was a lovely person, and we are rooting for her throughout the story.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is the perfect gift for a new parent. It includes wishes of happiness and love as a magic wand is passed from mother to mother in a stunning visual of colors and inclusivity.
This was such a sweet book about love and wishing the best for your child. The rhymes were well done and the pictures are beautiful and inclusive to women of a variety of cultures and religions.
This would definitely be a book that would be good in a child’s collection for a mother to read with them.
Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don’t even know where to start with this review because there are so many wonderful things about this book. I don’t want to ruin anything though!!
It’s been a couple of years since the Genies started taking over. Calum finds himself even more intent of saving his family and those he loves. The Genies have gained power and are becoming even harder to stave off. Then another world power comes to light causing even more trouble.
What’s more troubling than this? The fact that this book could potentially become reality in some sense. Can humanity be humane again? Just like the previous book, don’t try to eat anything while reading this book. As a matter of fact, this book will have a person questioning food at all. How about finding a new source of nourishment?
This author has a way of gripping the reader from page 1 to the end. There is a significant cliffhanger that has me hungering for more and I can’t wait to read the next book!
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is beautiful & full of love! Amazing representation as well, which is great for my biracial children to see. One of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read, the flow is gentle, & the sentiment is deeply relatable. This has quickly joined our regular rotation & we are so happy to have discovered it!
Reviewed by @lalilovely
Snow in Love by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wonderful, feel good contemporary romance just in time for the holiday season! I loved every bit of this story of two contending Paralympic athletes in skiing that are hot both on and off the slopes.
Sienna is definitely the ultra focused Paralympic skier who knows nothing outside of focusing on the Winter Games Gold. Everything around her is controlled by her mother down to every detail. When Conner comes aboard in training with Sienna and her coach for his Paralympic dreams..Sienna starts to question what does she truly want and does she want everything in her life to be controlled. As both Sienna and Conner peel the layers back and get to truly know each other on a deeper level than skiing….love blossoms and some demons are shed and let go….will Sienna and Conner go for gold in both love and skiing?
This story really pulled my heart strings…it made me smile and melted my heart on both characters back stories….this is truly a wonderful contemporary romance that just is filled with love, hope, joy and some Christmas magic….Happy Reading!!!
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author is new to me and one of the main things I enjoyed was the description of the Thorn Ranch and the beautiful scenery. I thought it was interesting that the Thorn Ranch was handed down to girls. Emma and her mother Josie were easy to connect with. The story takes a bit of a turn when Emma finds herself in the middle of a group of people living in caves underground on the Thor Ranch property.
The story is exciting, descriptions are beautiful, and the family’s story just makes you want to keep reading.