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El Diablo (Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series) by Kathryn Dodson – Review by Julie Johnson

El Diablo: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel (Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series Book 2)El Diablo: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

It’s been two years since we meet Jessica in Tequila Midnight. She’s in law school and working as a paralegal. Things are finally calming down with her and her husband Angus. Life is great…until a young girl confides in her that she’s been touched in appropriately by a man in charge of an afterschool program.
Jessica is on the prowl to find out more information about this “man” and she will stop at nothing to preserve these precious young ladies. There are twists and turns and at times, you’ll be on the edge of your seat reading how this book ends.

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Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries A Kid’s Guide to Homemade Dog Treats (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Julie Johnson

Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries: A Kid's Guide to Homemade Dog Treats (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries: A Kid’s Guide to Homemade Dog Treats by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fun book and one that you’ll want to share with your kids. It’s an interactive book, having both a story and then recipes to make treats for your favorite doggo!

Grab this book and then plan a time with the kiddos to read the short story and then incorporate cooking skills to make some treats! A great bit of educational fun for all!

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The Taste of Treachery by Emily Bybee – Review by Julie Johnson

The Taste of TreacheryThe Taste of Treachery by Emily Bybee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is everything to love about this book! First of all, it’s a military read and I love those! They are second in line to medical reads for me! Next, we have a suspenseful situation to deal with, followed with some romance to boot. There is also a female hacker, which is totally cool!

Super great read that will keep you wanting to read until you finish. Be warned, no breaks allowed while reading this one!

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Shadowed Storm: A Shadow Defense Security Thriller Book 4 (Shadow Defense Security Series) by Mavery Ellscott – Review by Julie Johnson

Shadowed Storm (Shadow Defense Security, #4)Shadowed Storm by Mavery Ellscott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This entire series is a must read!! Each of these books *could* be read as stand alones, but you’re cheating yourself if you don’t read them all! There is an overarching theme that travels through each book, as well as several of the characters, so I highly recommend it.

There is non-stop action when Alexis discovers that her former research professor is about to unleash a strain of algae that could wipe out the world through the water supply. She will stop at nothing to confront him with this and try to put a stop to his actions. It’s not long before Alexis learns that she’s being pursued by people trying to stop her from stopping the exposure of this corruption.

Seb is an ex-Navy SEAL that is set out to protect Alexis on her endeavors. He’s trying to keep her safe while she’s worried about keeping him and his friends safe. They make a great team!

I want to talk about the ending but I won’t because I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone. However, Ms. Mavery Ellscott, if you are reading this, please get book #5 out ASAP! 🙂

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The Crown of Stones Trilogy Box Set (The Crown of Stones Series) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Julie Johnson

The Crown of Stones Complete TrilogyThe Crown of Stones Complete Trilogy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read this set of books at different times in 2023. It’s now out as a trilogy set and I want to make sure you don’t miss this series! I’ll post my reviews here of each book in the trilogy. This series is worth the time to read!

Magic-Price 4 stars Read in 2023
In book 1 of this series, the reader is introduced to Ian Troy, a self-imposed exile. He’s a Shinree and those of his kind are drawn to magic. They become addicted to the use of magic. Ian is different though, after a tragic event changes the course of his life forever.

This book is full of adventure, mystery, magic, and so much more. I loved the character Malaq as he brought some levity to the story.

Magic-Scars 4 stars Read in 2023
It’s two years later and Ian Troy wakes up in a prison cell. He’s been tortured and drugged, all to keep him from using his magic. Little did he know the price he’d have to pay for all this magic!! There are a lot of people wanting or needing him to be free so he’s not without some help.

I struggle to write reviews on epic books because I never want to give anything away. Just know that you should read this but be prepared for the journey ahead!

Magic-Borne 4 stars Read in 2023
Ian Troy is at his lowest low. The entire realm is falling apart and he’s the only one who can do anything about it. Or can he?

This book features elements of time travel and hallucinations. I find that difficult to process when reading (or even in watching something). I struggled with keeping up with aspects of the story for this reason.

This is a series that definitely needs to be read in order as there is too much information carried over from previous books in this series. Fantasy adventure readers will love this series and hope for more!

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Rock Crush and Roll by Hunter Snow – Review by Julie Johnson

Rock Crush and RollRock Crush and Roll by Hunter Snow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

Hunter Snow is a debut author with a background in the music industry that she shares in the writing of this romantic comedy.

This book is set in Canada so some of the geographical settings were unknown to me, as I’m not super familiar with the layout of that country(note…expand horizons!). I tried to not let that affect the story as I went along. One thing I know about Canada though is hockey, and this book had some of that! I also enjoyed the music references throughout the story. If you’re a fan of 70’s-80’s styles of music, you’ll enjoy the trip down memory lane!

Overall, a decent debut novel.

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Word Play by Tricia Gardella – Review by Julie Johnson

Word PlayWord Play by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s Joe’s first day of school and he’s so excited to learn to read. He spells his name in his morning cereal before heading out for what’s bound to be an exciting day. He gets to school and his teacher starts telling them all about where to put their things. They have a lesson on colors. They go out to recess. Joe’s wondering when he’ll get to learn to read! He goes on an adventure and meets a kind woman named Bea…not Bee…who teaches him a lesson.

Great story and one that kids will love, just as long as they don’t become Joe on their first day of school! The illustrations in this book are also very well done.

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Falling for a Star in the City (Stars in the City Series) by Krysten Lindsay Hager – Review by Julie Johnson

Falling for a Star in the City (Stars in the City #2)Falling for a Star in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This is a sweet, second chance romance that involves a bit of a love triangle. This is geared more towards young adults but us more seasoned folks can find some moments of enjoyment in this as well. My favorite part is the hockey aspect, as I’m a huge fan and love reading stories about hockey players.

An enjoyable read for a quiet day!

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G is for Gossamer: A Children’s SMART & SOPHISTICATED ABC’s Book by Miss Whitaker – Review by Julie Johnson

G is for Gossamer: A Children's SMART & SOPHISTICATED ABC's BookG is for Gossamer: A Children’s SMART & SOPHISTICATED ABC’s Book by Miss Whitaker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The illustrations in this book are absolutely breathtaking! The colors are very vibrant and the pictures look like they could pop off the page!

I also love how this isn’t a typical ABC book. The words….they are long and beautiful and can be used to teach new vocabulary! I was trying to pick a favorite letter but I love them all in this book! Actually, I really like “H”, “I”, and “P”. There is a listing of definitions in the end for those words that might be difficult. I had to look to be sure I understood a couple of them.

This is a must-have for your home library. Homeschooling families will especially appreciate the depth of the vocabulary!

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Be My Little Baby (London Detective Agency Series) by Stephanie R. Caffrey – Review by Julie Johnson

Be My Little Baby (London Detective Agency Book 2)Be My Little Baby by Stephanie R. Caffrey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is all about chemistry! There is the chemistry of baking and then there is the chemistry between Tessa and James!

Tessa is hoping that her little bakery will bring about a lot of business, as she’s new to the area and wanting to do well. She never expected for things to progress as quickly as they have, and on top of that, there are some very threatening photographs and letters that could damage her business and reputation. That’s where James steps in. He’s a private investigator that is easy on the eyes. He won’t date a client though but could Tessa find a way to his heart through her baking?

This is the second book in a series. This can be read as a standalone but why not go back and pick up the first one?! You’ll see some characters from the previous book make an appearance in this one.

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Where’s Gramma? by Tricia Gardella – Review by Julie Johnson

Where's Gramma?Where’s Gramma? by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gramma is quite the adventurous gal! She wants to show her family all the places that she can be found and, in the process, they discover what a fun-loving, free spirit she is! She’s also not afraid of hard work!

A cute book to share with your littles while they are curled up in your lap!

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The Queen’s Dance (Heart & Hand Series Book 2) by Nicole E. Kelleher – Review by Julie Johnson

The Queen's Dance: A Sizzling Slow Burn Fantasy Romance (Heart & Hand Series Book 2)The Queen’s Dance: A Sizzling Slow Burn Fantasy Romance by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Allow yourself to get swept up in this great read!! It’s obvious that a lot of time and attention to detail have gone into writing this epic fantasy read. There is a play on words in the title, even though it’s not to a depth that I would have thought. There is mystery, intrigue, lore, and of course, romance to keep you captivated from the first to last words!

This is the second book in a series. This can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend going back and reading the first book as well!

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Oscar and Emmy Visit Grandma (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Julie Johnson

Oscar and Emmy Visit GrandmaOscar and Emmy Visit Grandma by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s time for the family to go on a cruise and unfortunately, pets are not allowed. While most people might board their pets with a trusted pet sitter, Oscar and Emmy are able to go to Grandma’s for the week! They are not fond of the car ride and find themselves a little scared when first arriving at Grandma’s, but find that it’s not so bad and they have an enjoyable week!

This is another fun read in this series of books about pets. A great way to share more stories with your littles!

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Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Julie Johnson

Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet: A book to explain how visiting the vet with your pets can be fun!Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet: A book to explain how visiting the vet with your pets can be fun! by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy reading this series about Oscar and Emmy!! In this book, they are going to the vet for their yearly checkups. Everything goes well and the family even learns some interesting facts about cats and dogs!

This would be a great book to read with littles before taking their furry friends to the vet for the first time. It will give them an overview of what happens at the vet and could help alleviate any anxieties they may have about their pet going to the doctor.

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Art of Deception (Notebook Mysteries Series) by Kimberly Mullins- Review by Julie Johnson

Notebook Mysteries ~ Art of DeceptionNotebook Mysteries ~ Art of Deception by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a fun series to read and this one continues that enjoyment! Based on an actual crime that took place in the at the turn of the 20th century, Emma and Jeremy are embroiled in yet another mystery. They have a family now so that is complicating a few matters but it won’t stop them! There are secrets, mysteries, some laughter and even a bit of romance to keep the reader entertained!

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The End Of Try Try Again by Kristen Carter, MS – Review by Julie Johnson

The End of Try Try Again: Overcome Your Weight Loss and Exercise Struggles for GoodThe End of Try Try Again: Overcome Your Weight Loss and Exercise Struggles for Good by Kristen Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a rather interesting take, and one that I can get behind, on how to approach weight loss and exercise struggles. For most of my life, I’ve had a struggle with weight and I viewed it from the standpoint that it was all just in the food I was eating. This author takes a look at, and encourages the reader to also take a look from the inside out. How does motivation influence our choices? There is also a focus on baby steps and not just jumping in with both feet and expecting to thrive. Overall, a good book with some pointers that I plan on implementing myself.

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“Absurd,” Said Bird : A Fun Children’s Adventure About a Mouse Who Dreams of Travel (Mouse Traveler) by Tricia Gardella – Review by Julie Johnson

“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD.: A mouse plans a trip to the moon. by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kids of all ages will be drawn to the very vivid images in this book. It’s also a super fun rhyming story about a mouse who wants to go to the moon! Mr. Mouse is on a mission but needs the help of other friends on the farm to make this mission a go.

This would be a great addition to any library!

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From Darkness into Love (Hope & Hearts from Swan Harbor Book 1) by Sophie Bartow – Review by Julie Johnson

From Darkness into Love (Hope & Hearts from Swan Harbor, #1)From Darkness into Love by Sophie Bartow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a re-release of a previously published title. I have not read anything by this author before but I’ve heard some great things about her, as well as a sports (ice skating and hockey) storyline drew me in. This story is a bit reminiscent of a movie I saw one time with a similar plot line, which caught me off guard a couple of times, but this story is still it’s own.

I was immediately drawn to both characters of Jessie and Cameron. I felt like I was their best friend looking in on their story. They really welcome you into the story from the beginning and don’t want you to leave in the end. This is a series I’ll be looking for when new releases come out!

If you enjoy a good romance with some mystery and suspense worked in, you’ll find this to be an enjoyable read!

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Murder the Tey Way (Golden Age of Mystery Book Club) by Marilyn Levinson – Review by Julie Johnson

Murder the Tey WayMurder the Tey Way by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun read! Lexi’s book club is meeting again and this time they are discussing the way that Josephine Tey handled mysteries. Lexi gets a call from her long lost sister who soon shows up on her doorstep under mysterious circumstances. The next day, Lexi finds a dead guy in her backyard and her sister is packing up and getting away as quickly as possible. Lexi is sure her sister has nothing to do with the guy in her backyard but does she really know her sister?

There are several plot twists, secrets, lots of deception and more in this great read!

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No One Could See the Flea by Tricia Gardella – Review by Julie Johnson

No One Could See the FleaNo One Could See the Flea by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Shank!! Jack and Shank are out for a walk when Shank gets an itch. Jack thinks what any reasonable pet owner would, and that is that Shank must have a flea. Jack goes through several “home remedies”, some of which are pretty humorous, before deciding to leave this mystery to the hands of the professionals.

Kids will love the humor in this book!! Just make sure they understand good pet ownership and that not all of these recommendations should be tested out. The illustrations are also very well done and give way to more humor in the story. I highly recommend adding this one to your personal library!

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Dinopotamus Solves a Mystery (Dinopotamus Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Julie Johnson

Dinopotamus Solves a MysteryDinopotamus Solves a Mystery by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dinopotamus is with his friends at school again and it’s naptime. The kids are all lying on the floor and it’s a bit cold where they are. However, where Dinopotamus is, the floor is nice and warm. No one can figure it out until Dinopotamus uses his scientific reasonings of deduction to come to the proper answer.

This is a cute story that kids will love. It has scientific elements in it taught by a dinosaur! There was one section where I felt like it was repetitive but maybe it was felt that it was needed there. A very enjoyable story and another winning read by Lois Wickstrom!

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Love Rinkside (The Playmakers Series) Audiobook by G. K. Brady – Review by Julie Johnson

Love Rinkside (Playmakers)Love Rinkside by G.K. Brady
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This was a fun, but very superficial romance. There is humor throughout, which earned it the additional half star for this review.

Drew Foster and Katie Denning both find themselves at a Halloween mascot party for different reasons. Neither of them really want to be there so they hatch a plan to run off together and get out of their respective costumes. They have a pretty hilarious encounter with some law enforcement personnel who will play a part later on in the story too.

Drew and Katie find themselves missing each other after that first interaction and soon find themselves going on a date. They can’t stand to be apart until they have to be and then the questions and doubt come into play. Are they really meant to be a couple?

This was just an ok read for me. I would have liked the relationship to develop much deeper emotionally before it did physically.

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Lost Hollow: A Small Town Science Fiction Romance (Alienville Series Book 1) by Donna S. Frelick – Review by Julie Johnson

Lost Hollow : A Small Town Science Fiction Romance (Alienville Book 1) (Alienville Series)Lost Hollow : A Small Town Science Fiction Romance (Alienville Book 1) by Donna S. Frelick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a new-to-me author and this is a new series. I read some reviews on other books by this author and decided to give it a chance.

What a great start to this series! There is pretty of action and drama to keep you engaged throughout. The writing style is easy to follow too! I look forward to more books by this author!

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Tally and the Angel, The Sands of Time (Tally and the Angel Series) by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Julie Johnson

Tally and the Angel, The Sands of Time: Thrilling Middle Grade fantasy adventure where Greek Myths come alive!Tally and the Angel, The Sands of Time: Thrilling Middle Grade fantasy adventure where Greek Myths come alive! by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great adventure awaits for Tally and her Angel Jophiel. This is such a fun series to read and I highly recommend reading them in order to better understand who the players are. This time, Tally is travelling to the Greek Islands. There she will encounter lots of adventure, mystery, action, challenges, and more!

Tally kinda reminds me of a female Indiana Jones in a way. She loves adventure and usually finds some pretty intricate mystery that involves solving a puzzle or two along the way. There is some humor infused as well, as Jophiel can be a bit funny at times.

Overall, a great read!

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The Fallen Man (The Olympic Peninsula Book 5) by Cat Treadgold – Review by Julie Johnson

The Fallen Man: A Heartwarming Holiday Romance Set in the 1990s (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 5)The Fallen Man: A Heartwarming Holiday Romance Set in the 1990s by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the conclusion to a very enjoyable series. I do highly recommend reading these books in order as the progression of the story is important to understanding how this all comes together. It’s always fun to read a series in it’s entirety, but it can bring about a bittersweet ending to a family that you feel like you’ve become a part of during the time you were reading.

This story is sweet but not without drama, action, suspense, and a few deep rooted secrets. You’ll find yourself feeling like a part of this family, especially if you’ve followed them all the way through the series. I also have to mention this cover. Just look at those eyes and the scenes behind him! Both drew me into this book!

A definite must read!

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Raccoon Reunion by Terri Sabol – Review by Julie Johnson

Raccoon ReunionRaccoon Reunion by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Family reunions can be fun, exciting, nerve wracking, trainwrecks sometimes! You just never know what’s going to happen or who you might meet. Rocky is going to his first family reunion and considering he’s never met his family outside of the city, he’s not quite sure what to think. He’s a little on the shy side but a situation comes up that he has the perfect solution to fix!

This is a super cute read that can evoke memories of your own family reunions of the past. It’s a great way to tell kids about their family and how keeping in touch is important. It also encourages younger children who may not be super confident that it’s ok to share a strength, even when they are unfamiliar with those they are around.

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The Amanda Mini-Mysteries by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Julie Johnson

The Amanda Mini-MysteriesThe Amanda Mini-Mysteries by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this book! It’s a series of 12 very short stories (1-2 pages each) about a particular problem that Amanda is facing. These problems are pretty common amongst people. At the end of each story, there is an explanation of why or why not the problem worked out the way Amanda was wanting it to. There are some pretty cool things explained!

I highly recommend this read, especially for those who are very curious about science and the body and the way everything works.

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Orange Forest Rabbit by Lois Wickstrom and Lucrecia Darling – Review by Julie Johnson

The Orange Forest Rabbit MysteriesThe Orange Forest Rabbit Mysteries by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of Lois Wickstrom, as most probably already know if you’ve read any of my recent reviews. This book is a collection of 3 stories featuring the Orange Forest Rabbit and his dog, Robes Pierre. There is adventure, some sci-fi characteristics, fantasy and mystery spread over these three stories. This book is geared more towards older readers (ages 7-12) but younger ones would appreciate the stories being read to them. The first story is my favorite of them all!

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The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Julie Johnson

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and AboutThe Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Porter and Midge are excited! They’ve heard all about an upcoming parade with fireworks but they also know that they aren’t quite ready to go out and enjoy them all just yet. Their owners have a few responsibilities to meet with them before the big day. Porter and Midge learn all about treats and how to earn them. They also learn that going to the vet isn’t so bad either. Finally, the topic of pet vaccinations is covered too! Now they are ready for the big, fun Fourth of July event!

Such a cute book that can guide a new pet owner through some steps they should take. This is a fictional story that has great tips and tools but as always, consult with a professional on matters that are concerning.

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Red (Modern-Day Fairy Tale Book 2) by MK Harkins – Review by Julie Johnson

Red (Modern-Day Fairy Tale, #2)Red by M.K. Harkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love that this is a continuation from book one, Ashes! This modern day Little Red Riding Hood has some unexpected twists and turns throughout. A very enjoyable read that makes it hard to review without giving too much away!

This can be read as a stand alone but you’re missing out if you don’t read Ashes too!

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