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Jake the Growling Dog Goes to Doggy Daycare: A Children’s Book about New Experiences, Friendship, Stress Relief, and Kindness (Jake the Growling Dog Book 2) by Samantha Shannon – Review by katie stapleton

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Jake the Growling Dog Goes to Doggy DaycareJake the Growling Dog Goes to Doggy Daycare by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jake the Growling Dog experiences a lot of mixed emotions when he has to go to a new place and meet new friends. It is a very relatable feeling, especially resonating with kids who are different. He quickly learns how to have fun with his new friends, but it is a comfort to have his best friend squirrel there with him. Though he doesn’t need to spend every minute with him, it shows kids there is a way to gradually introduce yourself into a new situation.

This book is complete with activities and breathing exercises. The author does a great job introducing mindfullness concepts and stress relief techniques in a way that kids can share with the significant people in their lives. The story is easy to read and the rhymes make it easy for kids to remember the lessons. The illustrations are so cute too! This is a great series for any age and I am excited to read more!!

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Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove Book 1) by Shannon Nikole – Review by Bobbi Wagner

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Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove #1)Finding Starlight by Shannon Nikole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this suspenseful romance story. I found this story to be well written and hard to put down. The author has great writing skills as well as attention to details that made the story realistic. The characters pull you into the story from the beginning. They are connectable and kept me coming back for more. This is a story where she is running from her past and he is returning home. The problem becomes that there is someone lurking in the shadows. This is where the story turns into action and romance. I found myself hoping these two characters would find their happily ever after but fate may have something else in mind. There is great growth with the characters as well as the plot. I enjoyed their chemistry and watching them grow. This is a great story that I really enjoyed reading. A fun, entertaining story that I highly recommend.

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Review by @bjwagner

Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove Book 1) by Shannon Nikole – Review by Beverly Finnie

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Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove #1)Finding Starlight by Shannon Nikole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finding Starlight is so much more than I could’ve ever imagined. It’s such a wonderful story of friendship, love, and family. Of course there’s definitely a dark cloud of drama/suspense woven in. One can definitely feel it too! Especially with the way it started, everything seemed perfect. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it definitely did. It just wasn’t who I was expecting.
Ellawyn ran away from everything she knew in Maine, family, friends, and an abusive ex-boyfriend. She’s become a recluse now living in Quimby Grove PA. Setting up camp on a daily basis in Starlight Books, with the shop’s owner Benji. Starting to live life again, while helping Benji through a tough time, someone starts to target her. Which very well could force her back into her shell.
Beckett being called away from Boston to come back home, he had no idea what he was walking into. When he found out his grandfather was sick he dropped everything to do what he could to help out. Mesmerized by this beautiful woman who seems to have set-up shop in Starlight books, he quickly learns she means a great deal to Pops(Benji.)
Between the two of them the author weaves a web, that if someone would pull the strings it would put these two closer together in the center. Navigating through Benji’s illness is no walk in the park. And the way the author puts the reader through the emotions you feel it’s your loved one and not a story you’re reading.
Getting emotionally invested is not an option. It’s going to happen and even more so if you’ve lived through any of the different narratives presented throughout. I speak from experience. So now it’s your turn, to live vicariously through the characters to see which narrative hits home the most while enjoying a fabulous story.

@placexba

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Distant Heart Sounds (Nurse Morgan Series Book 1) by Kate MacInnis – Review by Sheri Schrader

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Distant Heart Sounds (Nurse Morgan #1)Distant Heart Sounds by Kate MacInnis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Distant Heart Sounds is the first book in the Nurse Morgan Series. This is an excellent find if you are looking for a fun, paranormal romantic mystery. Nurse Morgan is a fun and understandable character. She is returning to work from a near-death experience and now sees things that no one else does. Her new psychic abilities have her questioning her sanity and causing her alarm, especially after she returns to work at the hospital. I liked her character and the other characters as well. The story is well-written and enjoyable. In addition, I enjoyed the mix of several genres. Though there were resolutions to the story, I’m excited to see where this story goes. I look forward to reading more from this author and seeing more of Nurse Morgan in the future.

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Distant Heart Sounds (Nurse Morgan Series Book 1) by Kate MacInnis – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Distant Heart Sounds (Nurse Morgan #1)Distant Heart Sounds by Kate MacInnis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Distant Heart Sounds is the first book in the Nurse Morgan Series. It was my first by this author and I really enjoyed it. I will be reading book 2 soon! The book follows Morgan, an Emergency Dept nurse, shortly after returning to work after a near death experience. She soon discovers she has new abilities- seeing auras around people, seeing the future and past events, and communicating with ghosts. The ghosts that live in her house are hilarious, and a good addition to the story. I like how all the characters personalities are a bit different, and complement each other. Morgan has great friends, and it was fun to see her abilities develop as the book progressed. I was hoping for more development into Dr Lightfoot’s character, so I hope book 2 builds on him more. I recommend this book- while paranormal in nature, it isn’t creepy. Its lighthearted and funny at times.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Devil’s Breath by Lang Johnson – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Devil's BreathDevil’s Breath by Lang Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devil’s Breath is a suspense romance about an assassin named Sera and her mark, Cassius. Sera grew up poor with an abusive father after her mother died from drugs. Sera’s biggest weakness is satisfying her father, no matter what. Her father and a couple of associates want to invest in a “gems” company. This “gems” company is actually a way to sell drugs under the radar due to Sera’s brilliant chemistry mind. However, while she is a millionaire, they need a backer, that is where Cassius comes in. Cassius is one of the associate’s brothers, who hates him and wants revenge on the family he was disowned from. What they all didn’t count on was Cassius’ crazy smart brain and the fact that Sera’s tough exterior could have a flaw. Will Cassius figure out the plan before he loses his life? Will Sera’s tough exterior faulter for anyone besides her father? A game of cat and mouse is a good one!
I enjoyed this book a lot. It always helps when you have a badass female lead who is an assassin with daddy issues. You get to see her transformation throughout the book and give you hope that people might be able to do and be better. However, her daddy issues did make me want to slap her at times. The two characters together had great banter, which I thrive off of. However, Cassius, oh my, he was my favorite character in the book. He was adventurous, charming, down to earth, and understanding. How he treated the people around him, especially Sera, just made you melt! He was a broken but honest, lovable, really good man that you just couldn’t help falling in love with.

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer Caribbean Suspense Book 1) by Nicholas Harvey – Review by Kerry Baker

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer #1)Deadly Sommer by Nicholas Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a fantastic start to a new series. It is exciting, fast paced and simply unputdownable. I was sucked into the story straight away and just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was blown away by how easily is connect with his work.
I really enjoyed the characters. Not just the main characters but a lot of the supporting characters too, which doesn’t often happen to me. I really did just enjoy this whole book from start to finish and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2.

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer Caribbean Suspense Book 1) by Nicholas Harvey – Review by Gillian Fawell

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer #1)Deadly Sommer by Nicholas Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this book kept me on my toes right from the start! The suspense and tension is built right from the first chapter – you just know something is going to wrong – it’s like when you hear that music on a TV show! Nora Sommer is not your average detective from her heritage to her attitude, she throws you at every turn! Definitely one to keep an eye on! Plus the setting – wow! Highly recommended!

Reviewed by @sparkinside

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Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series (A Dark Sparrow Novel) by India Kells – Review by Bobbi Wagner

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Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book SeriesDark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series by India Kells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great box set that I enjoyed each book. This is the Dark Sparrow collection of six books. They are by an author that has great writing skills and her attention to details make her stories pop. This is a collection of six men who are related as brothers and bound by blood. Add six females who have secrets of their own. Plus a dangerous father who is out to get everyone. This set is full of romance and suspense. They are each unique but link each book to the next. They are fast paced, engaging and hard to put down. This is a set you don’t want to miss out on. This is a great set that won’t let you down and will tick all your boxes. I highly recommend this box set and this author.

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Review by @bjwagner

Caging Grace (Grace Series Book 1) by Carsen Lane – Review by Katrina Evanochko

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Caging Grace (Grace Series, #1).Caging Grace (Grace Series, #1). by Carsen Lane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I went into this book thinking I knew what would happen, and boy was I wrong. This is not your typical romance. It is a book about hardship, determination, and learning how to love yourself. Grace is a character that you quickly connect with and immediately want to see her life improve. She is someone who doesn’t let adversity hold her back and she is determined to do whatever it takes to provide for her sick mother and younger sister.

I am not a UFC fan and know very little about the sport, but you don’t have to know anything to appreciate this story. Grace struggles with choosing to fight for more than just survival, and the reasons behind her feelings are absolutely heartbreaking. The way her story unfolds is well crafted. You are never just told what happened – you see the pieces of it through flashbacks, conversations with other characters, and her internal dialogue, and start to get a picture, and then when you finally see the whole picture, I cried for 14 year old Grace.

The supporting cast of characters are wonderful. Carl and Mason are in the background, but their support is what has gotten Grace through. Alasdiar took me by surprise. You think you know who he is and what role he will play in the story, and he became one of my favourite people. Johnny has his own trauma that he is dealing with, and while we don’t know much about his story, what we do know made my heart hurt for him. When he took down Zach for being disrespectful I wanted to cheer! There are multiple people who could be love interests, and all of them have reasons they could be good, or not good, but my reverse-harem-loving self wants her to have all of them LOL! I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series (A Dark Sparrow Novel) by India Kells

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☆❥•*•🌹•*•❥☆ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ☆❥•*•🌹•*•❥☆
Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series (A Dark Sparrow Novel) by India Kells
Preorder Now – https://amzn.to/3LFyvqi
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Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Romantic Suspense
Page Count – 1427
Cover Designer – Ivan Zann

Lost Bastard: Orphaned. Fighter. Alone. Aleksei Voronov had to fight for everything he ever owned. But when he discovers a kindred spirit – along with a family he never knew – this inked deviant must make an impossible choice between his powerful father and the woman who stole his heart.

Cold Bastard: Rich. Controlled. Cold. He built his empire alone. But when Archer Blackwood finds himself entangled with a sexy codebreaking babe who warms his cold heart, he’ll be forced to decide whether to risk everything to keep her safe.

Wild Bastard: Surfer. Joker. Delta Force operative. Kai Jones left his beach-boy persona back on Hawaii – but when his path collides with a forbidden siren from his past, his feelings threaten to drown him. Can he keep up the fight against Finch when faced with the women who abandoned him without a word?

True Bastard: Tough. Cunning. Sinner. Liam Harker is a no-nonsense cop and no stranger to sin. But when he finds unlikely help in the form of an angelic nun, he becomes torn between his duty to his brothers and the impossible attraction he feels toward his angel of mercy.

Dark Bastard: Warrior. Troubled. Determined. Sam Sarkhan was ready to end it all – until fate guided him to a young woman with a wounded soul just like his. But his father has big plans for him, and he’ll need to overcome his demons if he wants to escape Finch’s sinister clutches for good.

King Bastard: Alpha. Ruthless. King. Lazarus “Oz” King swore to deliver the killing blow to his father, and he won’t let love make him weak. But after a dazzling female doctor lands in his arms, he’ll have to take a gamble and plunge into the fight of his life to keep her safe.

Perfect for readers who adore pulse-pounding romantic suspense sagas with domineering alphas and the courageous women they crave, the Dark Sparrow series is a hot and sensual steam-fest that’s bursting at the seams with action and thrills.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series (A Dark Sparrow Novel) by India Kells

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India Kells is a USA Today bestselling romantic suspense author who loves nothing more than to take her readers on wild, pulse-pounding adventures with kickass women and courageous alpha men. As a lifelong fan of literature, she’s passionate about weaving together inspiring stories that explore deep themes with larger-than-life characters, exhilarating action and no shortage of steamy scenes!

India channels her untamed imagination to take readers on unforgettable journeys filled to the brim with strong women, wicked alpha males and electrifying tension that will leave you breathless. India currently resides in Montreal, Canada, and she can often be found traveling the world to find inspiration for her next story. Human nature is her greatest muse! Visit her website at indiakells.com and sign up for her newsletter so you won’t miss her next release!

Author Interview with India Kells

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☥ ~ 🛕 ~ 👁 ~ ⚱ PREORDER ⚱ ~ 👁 ~ 🛕 ~ ☥ Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes

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☥ ~ 🛕 ~ 👁 ~ ⚱ PREORDER ⚱ ~ 👁 ~ 🛕 ~ ☥
Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes
Preorder Now – https://amzn.to/3NkEbqQ
#preorder #comingsoon #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITS #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITSPROMOTIONS #PilotWhoKnowstheWater #TheLordHaniMysteriesSeries #NLHolmes #Historical #CozyMystery #Egypt
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Genre – Historical, Cozy Mystery
Page Count – 330
Cover Designer – Streetlight Graphics
Hani must secretly obtain a Hittite bridegroom for Queen Meryet-amen, but Ay and the faction behind Prince Tut-ankh-aten are opposed–to the point of violence. Does the death of an artisan have anything to do with Ay’s determination to see his grandson on the throne? Then, another death brings Egypt to the brink of war… Hani’s diplomatic skills will be pushed to the limit in this final book in The Lord Hani Mysteries.

Finding Starlight (Quimby Grover Book 1) by Shannon Nikole

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(˶◡‿◡)(´ ❥ `) BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE (´ ❥ `)(˶◡‿◡)
Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove Book 1) by Shannon Nikole
Preorder Now – https://amzn.to/37OwcTU
#ontour #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITS #ItsyBitsyBookBitsTours #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITSPROMOTIONS #BookSpotlightShowcase #FindingStarlight #QuimbyGroveSeries #ShannonNikole #ContemporaryRomance #RomanticSuspense #FindingStarligthBook #Romance
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Romantic Suspense
Page Count – 302
Cover Designer – Cat Imb of TRC Designs

A woman looking to escape her past.

A man returning to his roots.

And someone just beneath the surface, watching their every move… 

Quimby Grove, Pennsylvania is the perfect place for a fresh start.  After leaving her old life behind, Ellawyn Calloway is finally able to breathe a little easier.  She spends all her time at Starlight Books, a quaint bookstore café, and develops a friendship with the elderly shop owner, Benji. 

But everything changes when Benji requests that his grandson, Beckett Walden, return to Quimby Grove for a visit.  When Ellawyn learns of a devastating threat to Starlight Books, she doesn’t think twice, offering to help Beckett run the store. 

Ellawyn finds herself letting her guard down piece by piece.  But as those walls fade away, an unwanted presence finds a way to slip through the cracks and into Ellawyn’s life. With a stalker on the prowl, Ellawyn is in more danger than she ever imagined. 

Through tragedy, Ellawyn and Beckett begin to find love within each other, both oblivious to the real danger that is lurking in the shadows, desperate to get Ellawyn alone.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Finding Starlight (Quimby Grover Book 1) by Shannon Nikole

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Author Interview with Shannon Nikole

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🥊 ~ 웃❤유 ~ 🥊 PREORDER 🥊 ~ 웃❤유 ~ 🥊 Love is Worth Fighting For (The Meraki Series Book 3) by Effie Kammenou

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🥊 ~ 웃❤유 ~ 🥊 PREORDER 🥊 ~ 웃❤유 ~ 🥊
Love is Worth Fighting for (The Meraki Series Book 3) by Effie Kammenou
YouTube – https://youtu.be/gHPdeaOJVjc
Preorder Now – https://amzn.to/3MEtAHA
#preorder #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITS #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITSPROMOTIONS #ComingSoon #LoveisWorthFightingfor #TheMerakiSeries #EffieKammenou #ContemporaryRomance #Romance #Travel #Quest #Love
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Contemporary Romance
Page Count – 352
Cover Designer – Deborah Bradseth of Tugboat Design

The third installment of The Meraki Series:

All Krystina wants is to travel to beautiful locations, promote her blog, and achieve Insta fame. But with Loukas, her pesky frenemy from childhood, in toe, she hardly has time to breathe. If only he would leave her alone! But when the unforeseen strikes, forcing her to face challenging situations she never thought possible, it’s Loukas that helps her through it all.

And then there’s the search her sisters began to find out what happened to her missing grandfather¾the man her grandmother has pinned all her faith on, believing he will one day return to her. Krystina is determined to find and bring him home, even through the most challenging of times. This quest will test everything she has come to know. But she may learn that through it all, when everything else crumbles around you, love is worth fighting for.

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Queen of Hearts (Heels, Rhymes & Nursery Crimes Vol. 21) By Natalina Reis – Review by stephanie nicole

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Queen of Hearts (Heels, Rhymes & Nursery Crimes, #21)Queen of Hearts by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have just one word for this book…AMAZING! While I have read a few amazing stories from this author, I couldn’t avoid this one even if I wanted to. The cover is just simply breathtaking and the synopsis was intriguing. Upon starting the story you quickly discover great character development, a wonderful though slightly dark fantasy story, and of course brilliant word building. So if your looking for a great new fantasy novel, make sure to pick this one up today.

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PREMEDITATED: A Trust Betrayed, Lives Sabotaged, A Love Undaunted (Agents of Justice Book 2) by Susanna Haymond – Review by Amy Brennan

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PremeditatedPremeditated by Susanna Haymond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have dabbled in religion here and there and have never full felt the pull that one should when they have found their niche, their beliefs met, and found comfort in those thoughts. I have been on a couple of missionary trips with different churches, so this novel resonated with me. Especially since one of those trips was to Mexico. Of course, I didn’t go through near the adventure and fear that Nora did throughout this novel, but nonetheless, it was invigorating to read of such a trip, and makes me want to revisit the idea of going on more in the future. This author wove an intricate story, telling numerous different sides and did very well doing so.

I didn’t find it easy to get through the novel, however, I suppose it was just not my cup of tea now, as I found it a little difficult to connect with all the different characters within. Nora, and Dot’s friendship was one that I admire, and the descriptiveness within these pages was very well done, as I felt like the world building was well established. Overall, the mission’s trip, the DEA folks, and the supporting characters had a lot of thought put into them, just perhaps didn’t allow the reader to connect enough to maintain interest, truly the only spot I felt was lacking. A good read, and certainly worth it if your beliefs match those of the characters. Would recommend!

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Unlikely to Fit (Parker Lake) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Unlikely to Fit (A Parker Lake Novel Book 2)Unlikely to Fit by Ashlie Knapp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unlikely to Fit is the 2nd book in the Parker Lake series. While the characters do overlap, the book could be enjoyed without reading the series in order. This book focuses on Breckin and Griff. They have known each other forever, but didn’t really KNOW each other. They share common friends and were sort of pushed together, and both resisted at first. Then they slowed discovered their feelings for each other, which were made stronger by their broken hearts. They are such a fun couple, and I was glad their story had a happily ever after. I look forward to the next book, because I want to know what happens for them. The ending was perfect. Highly recommend this book, series and author.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Unlikely to Tell (A Parker Lake Novel Book 4) by Olivia Sherwood – Review By Angelina Frazzini

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Unlikely to Tell (A Parker Lake Novel Book 4)Unlikely to Tell by Olivia Sherwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is book four of the series. While it can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading the whole series. Not only is it great but you meet a lot of characters throughout the series as the series takes place in the same town of Parker, Oklahoma.

Karen lives her ideal life in Parker. Simple, quiet, uncomplicated. Just the way she likes it. She is very much unavailable. She has no desire to get close to anyone. Brody is coming home basically with his tail between his legs. He’s not the same kid he was before he left but boy does he feel like it. His job is in jeopardy and he has no clue what comes next. Karen and Brody meet and everything they’ve known seems to flip. Karen, after years alone, can’t fight what she feels and actually starts to confide in Brody. Brody, after “escaping” Parker has to decide if maybe New York isn’t where he’s meant to be.

I loved this book. The entire series has been great and this book was a great addition! I couldn’t put it down! The characters are always so relatable and it’s so well written you feel like you walk right into Parker as you’re reading. I definitely recommend!

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The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Angela Hayes

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The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

The Vardoger Boy is the second book in The Forerunner Series by Jay Veloso Batista. This epic fantasy picks up just after the end of book one and continues all the action and adventure we have come to expect from this dynamic author.
This saga is set in the middle ages, the year is 878, and Thorfinn, Karl, Cub and the rest of their clan are being tested, on many levels. With Vikings, danger, violence, battles, emotion, Norse mythology, curses, history, paranormal/supernatural elements, drama, challenges, mystery, and more…. all made for a very engrossing read.
Jay Veloso Batista has a gift for telling an epic tale and his attention to detail definitely helps to really immerse me in the story. He weaves quite a detailed and descriptive story with clever touches that pulled me into the adventure to experience everything right alongside the characters. I am fully invested in them and the outcome of their saga and thoroughly enjoying it all. This story wouldn’t be the same without these interesting characters, or the fantastic worldbuilding that Jay Veloso Batista has mastered so brilliantly. I am well and truly hooked now and can’t wait to see where we go from here.
Happy Reading!

Thank you, Jay Veloso Batista.
Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Alison Risher

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The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As original and compelling as its predecessor, the second book in this series does not disappoint! Beginning with a simple recap, this would also be great as a stand-alone read. The protagonist goes from being feared to being accepted by some of his family members. Other characters learn to face their weaknesses, and reach deep inside themselves to overcome obstacles. Set against the rich historical backdrop of the ascension of Alfred the Great, the author continues to entertain and enlighten readers.

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The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Shelly Kittell

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The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has been an intriguing cozy mystery. Alyssa and the ladies she is traveling with have to a rural town in Canada to find a husband. Well, Alyssa is hoping to move on. The problem is…the hotel owner has been found murdered and Rosie, one of the ladies (troublemaker) is a prime suspect. Alyssa, the Matron, and a couple of the men from the trip are investigating who did it. What makes this book so fun and entertaining to read are the characters: Peg-Leg, the injured in an accident hunting gold and grumpy as heck; Fred, the local moonshiner drunk that runs the stables and has a big secret and a few others. It does seem that there are a few secrets hidden throughout town. They have nothing better to do. Alyssa and the ladies are the first ladies to be seen in the town since the town was set up. This is the time of the Gold Rush. Bert, the hotel owner, was killed over gold nuggets. The book is well-written. The characters each have their own quirks and well-developed personality. Watching the romance between Alyssa and the doctor develop was my favorite part just because it was so obvious yet so subtle. The humor, mystery, and suspense kept you from wanting to put the book down. You were pulled in from the beginning. An excellent book that I recommend to all historical cozy mystery lovers.

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The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Jenni Bishop

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The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Prospect of Death is an historical, cosy mystery set in 1862 Run’s End British Columbia. This is the time of the gold rush when one and all sought to find wealth through gold. I realised once finished that this is actually book 2 in the series but it can easily be read as a standalone. I will go back and read the first book though to get the whole picture.

The story is well written and the historical information was fascinating and well researched. The characters are well-developed and likeable. I was pleasantly surprised with the vividness the narrative invoked. It is an easy and enjoyable to read as we learn about the time and the new lives of these women who find themselves in a strange new world and full of hope and intrigue at meeting prospective husbands.

Alyssa has her own agenda but a brutal murder and a smallpox epidemic find her stuck in the small town with lots of potential suspects trying to find a killer. Carmen takes the reader through false trails and red herrings.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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The Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace (Mermaid Science) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Alexandria Richard

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Mermaid and the Ice Cube NecklaceMermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everyday science experiments plus fantasy, love this series.

The next installment in the very cute Mermaid Science series. A great kids picture storybook. Includes some fantasy (imaginary friend, mermaid) plus everyday science.

I’m loving this series and the little science lessons and experiments which can occur with everyday items. I also enjoy that the characters (Maia, Fig, and Trezzie) look diverse in how they’re depicted and in their names.

Here, we get to see the effect that breath has on ice cubes, as well as external stimuli, such as warm air and cold water. A cool lesson for young ones that they can then replicate on their own (with supervision).

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The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Kerry Baker

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The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is brilliant book. It is a great example of a whodunit story and I was really pulled in to the journey of the characters. And what great characters they are. I loved the dynamic they all brought to the table. They were engaging and relatable.
This is an author that I have recently become more familiar with and I like her writing style. I enjoy her work immensely and this book shows why. A great story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Bobbi Wagner

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The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great mystery story which I enjoyed reading. This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites. This is a well written story that is full of suspense and just hard to put down. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story. They are strong, creative, supportive characters that brought the story to life for me. They have great growth which makes the story easy to read. I found this book to be fast paced and engaging. A story about finding a murderer in order to restore peace but the murderer is getting desprate. You don’t want to miss what happens next in this story. It is a great story that I highly recommend.

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Review by @bjwagner

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Lorrene Huisman

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The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a wonderful read from start to finish. I found the writing very charming and the story line heart warming and engaging at the same time. I love a good mystery, as I think a lot of us do, but this one really appealed to me as the characters really made the story!

For starters I loved Alyssa. She had the brain of someone not only intelligent, but someone who had her street smarts as well. The story takes off at a good pace, and I felt I was there in the time frame of the story solving the mystery that was at food. I really had a lot of fun reading this one! Loved it!

The story was a truly wonderful read, and I for sure will be reading more of Alyssa and her friends adventures. One was certainly not enough! Highly recommend this amazing author and this book!

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Romance Under Aquarius (Stargazing Series Book 1) by Danielle Jacks – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

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Romance Under AquariusRomance Under Aquarius by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting take on zodiac mythology and something unique that was interesting to learn about. I enjoyed how easily and quickly the story flowed throughout the book. I was also enchanted by the idea of merfolk and how they live – along with their system of life and culture. Each voice of the characters was well defined and multi-dimensional in a way that really helps the reader understand them and their actions. Told from the perspective of the four main characters, this story was short but ultimately satisfying to read.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom, Reviewed by Keri Leach

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oliver is a great children’s story about adoption. Adoption is not talked about enough today, so I think this book is a great conversation starter for our little ones to learn more about it. I also love how it touches on the adopted and their expressions and feelings, which in turn makes it a great book for any adopted child. This adorable story was written well, and the illustrations were perfect! This is a well written book for a wide range of adoption perspectives that I believe every child should read.

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No Pistol Tastes the Same (PTSD Disaster Book 1) by Jacob Paul Patchen – Review by Caralee Loonat

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No Pistol Tastes the SameNo Pistol Tastes the Same by Jacob Paul Patchen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

wow this is the first book by this author I have read and as it isn’t my usual go to genre I have to admit it was a gripping read. I was really impressed with how the author handles the subect matter. The characters are realistic and you really can’t help but really want the main character to come through.

This is a hard subject I Feel to bring into a story and it brings a great reality to the book. I did find it a little emotional for me to read but I was hooked. I was on the edge of my seat to see just how it all would pan out. I will read more from this author in the future..

Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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No Pistol Tastes the Same (PTSD Disaster Book 1) by Jacob Paul Patchen – Review by Ashley Johnson

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No Pistol Tastes the SameNo Pistol Tastes the Same by Jacob Paul Patchen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dealing with PTSD is something a majority of soldiers have to go through. This book shines light on that and how it’s hard to deal with being home from the military. Add that and an apocalypse together and you get a pretty rough life. I am interested in seeing where this goes and if my hatred of the brother in law grows or if he redeems himself…

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