Railway to Murder by Danny J. Bradbury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Railway to Murder was my first book by this author. I don’t normally go for westerns but I’m really glad I did. The characters were realistic and I really like the historical accuracy. It’s a super easy ready and I enjoyed it.
The Viper’s Bloodline Awakened: The Fifth Book in the Urban Fantasy series The Gods’ Scion by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Viper’s Bloodline Awakened is the fifth in the series and I DEF recommend you read it in order. I did not. I didn’t realize that it was the 5th when I started it and was rather lost. There is not much in the way of backstory and introducing connections and relationships. This story follows Rodrick and Arcelia, and learning who she can trust throughout their journey. Especially after being betrayed by her own family and Rodrick telling her half-truths and keeping truth from her in the beginning.
There are multiple POVs throughout and on quite a few I was reading the first page or two trying to figure out from whose POV we were reading, so that was rather confusing. The phrasing also wasn’t very consistent (ex: when a certain person shows up and spoils an event, at the following meeting he is using very formal wording but also keeps referring to the group as ‘you guys’.) The world building was epic.
Overall it was good, I do feel I would have enjoyed it more had I read it in order so that is on me.
Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lapidius is the first book in the Nation Found series. It follows a group of 4 young boys/teens as they are sent away to a military esq setting in a castle. It is a little slow in the beginning, lots of detail and good world building. Sort of dystopian meets Hunger Games meets fantasy fiction. Good all around.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales #1) is the first in the series by Lee Wood. It has many POVs that it shifts with throughout but mainly follows James Sheldon and David Rex. I normally love the multiple POV but this one seemed like it had too many. It was very slow going for the first half of the book, minus the first chapter. The first chapter has a mafia style hit that I am honestly not sure ever really played into the rest of the book… the last quarter of the book the urgency increased and I actually enjoyed it at that point.
Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Quest For Love: A Pride And Prejudice Variation Novelette by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a cute and fun read. Was very easy and quick, but a fun idea for follow up after the love story that is Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. The style of writing stays similar to that of Jane Austen and is a pretty fluid transition to a “sequel”. Of course, wonderful characters and a lovely happy ending without any unnecessary drama. Really enjoyed it and would recommend.
Decisions Matter: A picture book about learning right from wrong by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Decisions Matter by Suzanna Lynn is the 3rd book in the Blue Corgi series and teaches children the importance of telling the truth and making good decisions. When someone keeps getting into the trash at Buddy’s house, his owners find Buddy at the scene and assume it’s him. This story shows his dilemma over not being believed when he was telling the truth, and also how important it is to always tell the truth. This was a wonderful way to teach children. It kept my littles interested and explained the life lessons in a sweet and simple way for them. Definitely recommend.
Good Things Take Time by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good Things Take Time by Suzanna Lynn is the 2nd in the Blue Corgi series and is just as cute as the first! I love the sweet way the author shares important lessons, and how easy it is for my kiddos to understand. Can’t wait to read more to them.
You Are Special by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
You Are Special by Suzanna Lynn is the first in the Blue Corgi series. It was such a cute and fun read! The story is sweet, the pictures are beautiful and the sweet way she tells a story is wonderful. I loved reading this to my girls and they loved hearing it. Read a few more and it really is a lovely series.
Andrew’s Armor by Jill Monaco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Andrew’s Armor was such a good book! A really good way to explain putting on the armor of God and love of your parents in a fun way for kids. My littles really enjoyed it.
Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries: A Kid’s Guide to Homemade Dog Treats by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My kids love the Porter and Midge books and this one was no exception! They love the pictures and the rhyming words. The story is super easy for them to follow but also teaches them in a very easy way about taking care of and interacting with pets.
In this one, we learn how to make safe doggy treats. There are even recipes in the back! Once we get our own pet, they will definitely want to try them.
Forever to Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Forever to Fall was such a cute read! It is the 5th in the Buckeye Falls series but is totally fine as a standalone. This was my first read by this author and the first books are not necessary to be able to follow and enjoy this one. Although I am totally going to go back and read the others because it was such a fun story. It does get a little frustrating when the MMC can’t get past what is seemingly his own cowardice to tell Mal how he truly feels, and then in turn to be able to tell her brother/his best friend the truth of it as well. I get why he was hesitant, but think he was really selling his best friend short.
All in all, was really well written, wonderful characters and a happy ever after that wasn’t cheesy and cliche to get to. Easy to read and fun.
G is for Gossamer: A Children’s SMART & SOPHISTICATED ABC’s Book by Miss Whitaker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
G is for Gossamer is a fun little book! The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and I loved teaching my littles some fun new words. They were completely enamored by the pictures though! Definitely recommend for something new and captivating.
Dark is the Wood: A Young Adult Fantasy Romance by Kristin Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dark is the Wood by Kristin Ward was such a good book! I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope- normally not my fav but I thought it was well delivered and written here. I was insanely frustrated with Marius- how hard it was for him to see the selfish monster he had become over the centuries. Really loved the resolution at the end and the HEA that I wasn’t sure was going to happen. Very well written and enjoyable to read. Had a hard time putting it down.
The Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Veil by Karli Rush was really good! When it started off, I actually forgot for a second what genre of book I was reading and was a little thrown when the invasion started! So, that was a fun little twist. The world building was really cool, the characters were really well written and very relatable. The ending was not what I expected to be. Still a HEA, but not in the way I was expecting. Really enjoyed and would def recommend.
Pursuit into Darkness by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pursuit into Darkness is the 2nd book in the series and I really enjoyed it. The POV is the FMC, Julia, and it follows her and the Ka-Tet she is. The story is quick moving, plenty of background info that doesn’t bog the storyline down at all. The characters were well written and had great world building. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger and I really want to pick up the next one to find out more. Not sure if Julia was hallucinating, is going crazy, and if there really is someone playing with her head. Looking forward to the next one.
An Ember of Hope: War of Destiny by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An Ember of Hope: War of Destiny was a good read. I did have a hard time staying with it, but I think that’s because there really isn’t much dialogue for a good portion of the book. It makes sense for the story, it was just a harder read to get into than I thought it was going to be. The story is unique and I really did like the book overall. The last half of the book picks up and the last quarter I really enjoyed.
This is a side book following the events of the 2nd book in the series. It almost seemed like two different writers. The POV were from two completely different people, but I enjoyed the 2nd book more than this one.
No One Could See the Flea by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
No One Could See the Flea was a cute and easy read! Poor Shanks apparently has a flea, but no one can find it! Your kiddos should enjoy it. A really funny and sweet book.
Notebook Mysteries ~ Art of Deception by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Notebook Mysteries: I really enjoyed this book! I started off the series with the previous book and still haven’t had a chance to dive any further back; however, the author does a wonderful job of keeping the story line up to date but also gives enough backstory without bogging down the plot. I love the characters and the strong female lead, which is something that most period books just don’t have, or are not written as well as these are. I love the world building and the witty banter. It is romantic but not steamy. Loved it and will definitely read the next, and eventually the previous!
Blood & Ravens by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Blood and Ravens: this was a really unique book. I loved the little bit of history behind the casket girls and was definitely a new viewpoint (for me at least!) on a vampire storyline. The characters were well written, good story line, a few twists that I didn’t see coming, and a HEA that didn’t feel cheesy. Set up nicely for a sequel without a huge cliffhanger, which I love. Will definitely check out the next one.
Word Play by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Word play: This was such a cute read! Very simple and a quick one. Little Joe is excited for school because he gets to learn how to read, but is disappointed when they don’t dive right in to reading! He actually leaves the school and walks around town looking for someone to teach him to read! Joe is found, goes back to school and happy endings all around.
Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wheel of Evil: honestly my favorite book in the series so far! As always, I absolutely love the historical details given for such a fascinating period of time. The characters are so well written and I really feel like I’m actually getting to know them. Once again, Nefet finds herself involved in yet another murder/mystery. This time, however, since the plot involves her uncle with his and the entire families lives and safety at sake, not even her papa can find a valid reason to keep her from investigating. The plot twist at the end on this one threw me! Didn’t see it coming and I love it when that happens. Great read! Don’t have to read the first ones to understand, but I would recommend it.
The Handshake Agreement by A. Akinosho
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Handshake Agreement by A. Akinosho is a age gap/ rekindled and second chance love story.
I really wanted to enjoy it, but had a hard time with this one. It is easy to read; however, the lack of punctuation, incorrect phrasing, run on sentences and a litany of other grammatical errors did make it difficult to follow at times.
Without giving spoilers, the plot twist at the end was completely unnecessary and really detracted from the original storyline. Seemed rather disjointed. All this aside, I did have some issues with the leads: the MMC was heavy-handed, stalkerish and obsessive. I’m all for a touch-her-and-die, but this wasn’t pulled off.. for me at least. The FMC was meant to come across as independent and take no nonsense from the man who is used to having his way- which was supposed to be part of the appeal behind his love interest- but it fell short. She had these conversations in her head on how she was not going to let him just have his way. When the actual conversation took place, she resisted and stood her ground-once. Then immediately acquiesced. I feel like both could use some character development.
Overall, it was ok, would not recommend.
“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD.: A mouse plans a trip to the moon. by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD.: A mouse plans a trip to the moon was such a cute book! My girls (5 & 4) were giggling so much while reading it. They thought it was hilarious. Very easy to read and a quick one as well. Perfect for the “one last story” before bedtime.
The Orange Forest Rabbit Mysteries by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Orange Forest Rabbit Mysteries by Lois Wickstrom was a really cute book! A collection of short stories put together, it follows the series of strange events happening on Gregory and Jennifer rabbit’s farms. Wonderfully written and easy to read. Great for young readers (my 4 years olds didn’t have much interest in it though)
Raccoon Reunion by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Raccoon Reunion by Terry Sabol was such a fun little book! Very easy to read and entertaining for my kiddos. Rocky is nervous and worried about the family reunion because he hasn’t met anyone there and isn’t having a good time at all. He doesn’t know how to do the things his country cousins know how to do. When they find something that he knows how to do and they don’t, he learns that even though they are different, he has his own skills and they can learn from each other and teach each other.
The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About was such a cute book but also very helpful and informative! Porter and Midge are going to be out and about on adventures, leading up to the Independence Day parade in town. The book walks through the steps on acclimating a dog to loud noises and large crowds, how to teach them to sit and listen and reinforcing good behavior while also covering the importance of vaccinations for dogs. My littles have been asking for a dog so this has been very helpful for them in learning that it’s a big responsibility.
Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane by Terri Sabol is such a cute book despite the topic! Terri takes something that is normally scary for children and makes it less so. From the start of the hurricane to losing power and sleeping in the bathroom, to evacuation, Terri makes this an easy to understand learning lesson for the kids. By taking out the scary part and focusing on what-to-do in this event, the story helps take some of the fear away. Great read!
Ten Little Sea Turtles: Ocean and Marine Life Books for Children by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ten Little Sea Turtles by Kim Ann was a cute little book! Easy to read, beautiful colors and adorable illustrations. My littles loved it and loved counting along. They also liked seeing the life under the sea! Def recommend for your kiddos.
In the Midst of Omens by Nicole Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In the Midst of Omens by Nicole Bailey loosely follows the story of Gilgamesh. As a god king, he is cocky and on a relentless pursuit to ensure his name stands the test of time. This lifelong and obsessive goal is concerning for his goddess mother and mortal wife (who is more the role of best friend/little sister figure for him). With the interest of helping Gilgamesh see the real meaning of life, his wife beseeches his mother for help; thus the creation of Enkidu.
Unsure of what his life’s purpose is and why he was created, Enkidu is drawn to Gilgamesh once they meet. Both men feel something pulling them to each other, neither fully understand why or how they can help each other. Drama, adversary, angry goddesses and horrible beasts abound in this MM/polyamory love story.
(I was not expecting the MM POV, so heads up if that is not your koolaid). The book was well written and relatively fast paced, although I did have a hard time getting into it and honestly not sure why.
Opposite Day for Dinopotamus by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Opposite Day for Dinopotamus by Lois Wickstrom was such a good book! My girls love all of her books so I knew this would be a great one for them. As always, such a cute story and easy for toddlers to follow!
