Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm – Review by Janel Bernotas
What a twisting and turning, fast paced novel! This one left me with my jaw hanging, mouth agape! Fans of historical mystery novels will definitely not be able to put this one down. Very well-written novel by Shanessa Gluhm. Five stars!!
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Janel Bernotas
Set in the 1800s, this was a great book of mystery and intrigue. Featuring Nikola Tesla and his devices was a fantastic addition. Very good character development. Pacing was just right. This book left me clinging to each page to solve the mystery!
Jake the Growling Dog by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jake the Growling Dog: A Children’s Book about the Power of Kindness, Celebrating Diversity, and Friendship (Jake the Growling Dog Book 1) by Samantha Shannon – Review by Janel Bernotas
A sweet story about Jake, a happy-go-lucky dog who happens to growl all the time. He’s not mad or aggressive. It’s just how he is. This first book in the “Jake the Growling Dog” series teaches kindness, love, and understanding. It includes some thoughtful kindness sharing exercises at the end to help children spread love and care toward others. This has become one of my favorite childrens book series!
Caring for Kingsley, Believing in a Better Way When Canine Cancer Comes Crashing Into Your World by Alli Eldridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Caring for Kingsley, Believing in a Better Way When Canine Cancer Comes Crashing Into Your World by Alli Eldridge – Review by Janel Bernotas
A story that will touch the hardest of hearts. I could not imagine a beloved pet and it’s family going through all that Kingsley and his family had to face. The strength they all showed is outstanding. This is a great tale of the love for a pet and what you would do to save that pets life. Heartwarming read!
The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Janel Bernotas
An easy and flowing read. I was pulled in right from the start. Great scene and character building at the perfect pace. I look forward to more novels by Carmen Radtke.
Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail (Jake the Growling Dog Book 3) by Samantha Shannon – Review by Janel Bernotas
A cute little story about overcoming fear and worry, and accepting others for who they are…and whether or not they look different from us. This is shown by Jake and his dog pals accepting a new dog friend who has three legs instead of four. A heartwarming story.
No Pistol Tastes the Same by Jacob Paul Patchen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
No Pistol Tastes the Same (PTSD Disaster Book 1) by Jacob Paul Patchen – Review by Janel Bernotas
What a fantastic book! This was the first novel I’ve ever read by Jacob Paul Patchen, and I was definitely not disappointed. The novel centers around Sergeant JP Grimm and the mental and emotional war wounds he brings back from his tour in the Middle East. He feels extreme guilt for the things that occurred out there but bottles them all up and refuses to talk about them or seek help for his PTSD. Eventually, he drives away his wife and son when they no longer feel safe around him and his personality changes, and he becomes suicidal. Throughout the book, I kept mentally cheering him on. Wishing he’d just talk to someone…anyone!
“No Pistol Tastes the Same (PTSD Disaster Book 1)” most definitely hit me in my heart. Not just for the characters…for myself too. My younger brother served as an SSG and MP with the US Army during Operation Enduring Freedom. He committed suicide in 2013 at the age of 25. Jacob Paul Patchen’s novel gave me a glimpse of what may or may not have gone through my brothers mind. Though this novel was very triggering for me at times emotionally, it was a great read and a much needed read. For that, I thank the author. I look forward to reading more upcoming novels by him.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Janel Bernotas
Another adorable story by Lois Wickstrom! On this one, Oliver is the main character and knows he is adopted. He gets in trouble and sent to his room for climbing a tree. He’s upset and angry at the fact that he’s being punished. He imagines what it’d be like to have other parents, what it’d be like if his birth parents kept him, why his birth parents gave him up for adoption. In the end, he goes back downstairs and chats with his parents about adoption. This is a cute and explanatory story that I think would be helpful in explaining adoption to young children. I love the black and white sketched illustrations too! Very well done, yet again, Lois Wickstrom!
Flame and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Janel Bernotas
Wow! What a fantastic and magical novel! I’m partial to tales of the fae and other magical beings. Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns Book 1) by Kay L Moody absolutely kept me enthralled and turning pages long into the night. The writing style is so descriptive that you can visualize every scene, character, and smallest little detail in your mind. It makes you feel like you’re actually there watching the tale unfold in front of you. The characters like Chloe, Quintus, Grace, and Elora are written so descriptively and “real” that you feel like you’ve known them for ages. I loved every bit of this book, and cheered Chloe on as she fought to save Faerie from the mortals. I give this novel 5 stars. To me, it is like reading some Harry Potter and J.R.R. Tolkien wrapped up in one. I look forward to reading more of Kay L. Moody’s work.
Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse (The Forerunner Saga Book 1) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review By Janel Bernotas
Wonderful book! I personally love Norse mythology and history so this was one I couldn’t put down. It was a little difficult at first to keep the names and families straight. Thorfinn inherits the generational curse imposed by a witch and receives the ability to morph between being a human, and being a ghost. As a ghost he can eavesdrop on conversations. He can learn of planned attacks on his family, as well, in his ghost form. The tale leaves you turning pages late into the night. I really loved this one, and look forward to reading more books by Jay Veloso Batista! Highly recommend!
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace (Mermaid Science) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Janel Bernotas
Such a cute little childrens story! Imagination, curiosity, and a little science lesson on the properties of water thrown in too. Kids will learn without realizing that they’re learning. Great illustrations…very vivid and appropriate to the story’s dialogue. Would definitely recommend this book to parents and children alike. Also would be great for a science teacher to have in the classroom!
The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas – Review by Janel Bernotas
I genuinely enjoyed this book! Set during the World War II era, it’s the story of a young girl who wants a better life for herself than the life her mother lived. It takes the reader through careers, marriages, children all with the fears and losses of war amidst it all. I found myself rooting for the young girl, Maggie, in hopes that she achieved her dreams. Through heartache, loss, and an unexpected twist, she does just that. The Scent of Gardenias is not usually the genre of book that I find myself reading but I’m really glad I did! What a great story! Highly recommend reading this one!
The Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The-Know-It-All-Pencil (Invisible Magic Wand Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review By Janel Bernotas
This is such a great children’s book! Every year on his “Unbirthday”, Caspian receives a gift from his grandfather. This time it was a magic pencil that wrote words on the notepad by itself. The words confused Caspian until he realized they were things that other people around him needed or needed his help with. A wonderful story about helping others in need with a little bit of science information thrown in too! The-Know-It-All-Pencil is beautifully illustrated. The artwork is vivid, and descriptive of what is happening in the story. All in all, this is a good book for children to read, and I would love to read more of this series. I absolutely recommend this book to other parents to both read for themselves and read with their children!
The Last Cabin Girl by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers – Review by Janel Bernotas
5 stars! I absolutely loved this book! Right from the beginning it’s a page turner, and it kept me up reading late into the night. The author, Tom Swyers, has a way of writing that’s so descriptive it feels like you’re right there watching the story unfold yourself. The main character, Josie, has escaped her abusive criminal of a husband with their two children. She moves with the children into her parents riverfront cabin in New York. Josie finds a body floating in the river one morning while taking a walk. The same river she also found a body floating in when she was a 12 year old girl. Josie is soon being investigated by the FBI and charged with murder in relation to the most recent body. To add to the story.. Josie also discovers her parents aren’t who she thought they were, Covid-19 is taking over China and has just reached the United States, and her ex-husband won’t sign the divorce papers. The Last Cabin Girl is the perfect blend of mystery, thriller, family dynamics, and current events all rolled into one. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and look forward to more from Tom Swyers!!
