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Hay Goes Home (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by La Toya Lewis

Hay Goes Home (The Adventures of Cray)Hay Goes Home by G Pa Rhymes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hay Goes Home by G Pa Rhymes is the fourth book in The Adventures of Cray series. In this book, Cray goes with his friend Fox Hay to her mother’s birthday party. Along the way, they run into situations that test their bravery. This is a great story that shows how friends will be there for you if you just ask and how to be brave in scary situations. The different scenes make it easy for kids to understand how to be brave even when they are afraid. It also shows how to advocate for themselves by asking for help and how to help those who ask. All great lessons for kids to learn early. The illustrations are beautiful as usual.

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Beach Ball Blunder (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by La Toya Lewis

Beach Ball Blunder (The Adventures of Cray on the Bay)Beach Ball Blunder by G Pa Rhymes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beach Ball Blunder by G Pa Rhymes is the third book in The Adventures of Cray Series. We meet Cray’s friend Seal Gray. Gray is having fun on the beach with his ball when it suddenly all goes wrong. We watch as Gray first denies his mistake and then does the right thing. This book is wonderful. The easy rhymes help children to engage in the story. Gray is very relatable. What child hasn’t had an accident that they were afraid to own up to? This book is great for teaching accountability. The illustrations are bright and wonderful as usual. This is another great children’s book to add to your collection.

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Dark Sky at Dawn (Free Men and Dreamers Book 1) by L.C. Lewis – Review by La Toya Lewis

Dark Sky at Dawn (Free Men and Dreamers, #1)Dark Sky at Dawn by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dark Sky at Dawn is the first book in the Free Men and Dreamers series. This story follows Jed Pearson and Hannah Stansbury during the days of the War of 1812. This historical fiction gives a lot of historical facts intertwined with a lot of intriguing fiction. The plot was well-crafted and made me feel as if I were watching a movie. There is so much detail and knowledge poured into the story. The characters are complex. The author navigates our nation’s complicated history very well. This story was very informative and engaging.

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Divinely Dramatic (Divine Vintage Series) by Sandra L. Young – Review by La Toya Lewis

Divinely Dramatic (Divine Vintage)Divinely Dramatic by Sandra L. Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Divinely Dramatic by Sandra L. Young is the second book in the Divine Vintage series. While this is the second book in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. In this book we follow Marcy Alexander who is Tess’s assistant from the first book. Marcy finds herself in a ghostly mystery when she sees an unattached aura while doing a costuming gig. Marcy is used to seeing the auras of the living but not of ghosts. Of course, Marcy is in for a ride when she finds herself in a ghostly mystery. We also meet Mike, the director of the play that Marcy is costuming. They find themselves a bit at odds but of course, that changes. I enjoyed this story. I loved the first book so much and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about a change in the main character but Marcy was just as lovely as a main character as she was as a side character. The story was just as engaging as the first book. The chemistry between Mike and Marcy was great and the romance was sweet and just right. Ms Young writes ghost stories so well. I am always drawn into the world of her stories. I adore the characters. The writing is absolutely lovely. Please do yourself a favor and read this book and then go read Divine Vintage if you haven’t yet.

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Cray Saves the Day (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by La Toya Lewis

Cray Saves the Day (The Adventures of Cray on the Bay)Cray Saves the Day by G. Pa Rhymes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cray Saves the Day is a fun and cute story about caring for the animals and environment. It is the second book in The Adventures of Cray series for children. In this book, we go along with Cray as he observes humans having a fun day at the beach. To Cray’s dismay, the humans leave the beach a mess. Cray and his friends get together and with the help of Mer May, they clean the beach. The book’s cute rhymes and beautiful illustrations help teach children about keeping the earth clean and caring for and respecting the animals and environment. This is such an important lesson that is done in a fun way. This is a great book to add to your child’s collection.

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Portrait of Deception (A Southwest Suspense Novel) by Kathryn Dodson – Review by La Toya Lewis

Portrait of Deception (A Southwest Suspense Novel)Portrait of Deception by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Portrait of Deception by Kathryn Dodson is a thriller that follows Margo McAllister. Margo is a photographer who is very close to fulfilling her dreams. When she refuses a job by a corrupt politician, everything goes downhill. Margo decides to take the job because she needs the money and discovers that this politician has a lot of secrets and lies. This was a very suspenseful and engaging story. There were plenty of twists. I enjoyed the character of Margo. She is strong, determined, and tough. She refused to back down and did everything she had to do to get her life back. This was a book that drew me in. There is a very well-told story with a character that you love to root for.

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A New Day for Cray (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by La Toya Lewis

A New Day For Cray (The Adventures of Cray on the Bay)A New Day For Cray by G. Pa Rhymes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A New Day for Cray is a fun little kid’s book by Pa Rhymes. This book follows a crabby crab named Cray that likes to pinch and bully. After Cray is confronted by his friends he has an accident and learns what friendship means. This was a sweet book. It has beautiful illustrations and easy-to-understand lessons for kids. The way Cray’s friends confront Cray is a great way to show children boundaries and what to do if being bullied. The way Cray’s friends are there for him when he has trouble despite his earlier behavior shows the true meaning of forgiveness and friendship. I highly recommend this story.

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Good Enough (The Deadman’s Tribe Series Book 1) by Nicole Craig – Review by La Toya Lewis

Good Enough -- The Deadman's Tribe Book 1: A Protector Romance / Romantic SuspenseGood Enough — The Deadman’s Tribe Book 1: A Protector Romance / Romantic Suspense by Nicole Craig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good Enough is the first book in The Deadman’s Tribe Series by Nicole Craig. We follow Kai Serrano. Kai is a Hollywood director who needs consulting from Navy SEALS. When her brother calls in a favor she ends up working alongside Waters. Soon they find themselves wondering if Kai’s life is in danger and does it have anything to do with her missing brother. I thought this was a pretty good romance suspense. Plenty was going on to keep you guessing and clues to keep you intrigued. I enjoyed the dynamic between Waters and Kai. There was good chemistry. They were fun. I thought this was a really good start to the series.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by La Toya Lewis

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Cannibal Caper is the second book in the Bunker Hill Mystery Series. We are once again hanging out with street kid turned sleuth Sparky. Sparky’s life has gotten better as she builds a life with Tootsie. She has her own room and much to her chagrin Tootsie wants to send her to school. Of course, Sparky lands smack dab in the middle of another mystery. This time Sparky finds herself on the trail of a cannibal. Once again I found myself on a wild ride with spunky Sparky. This book was even better than the first. The author draws you into the shady 1930s perfectly. I love how immersive everything feels. Of course, I also loved the relationship between Tootsie and Sparky. This was a fun and adventurous story with a very well-written plot.

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Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by La Toya Lewis

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

Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog by Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen is a fun kids guide to having a happy dog. The story follows CJ and Lora and their dogs Porter and Midge. As their dogs play together, they run into several friends who give very useful advice on how to keep their dogs happy. This book had so much useful information. Although it is for children, adults can find tons of tips that they may not have known. The information is clear and very easy for kids to understand with a fun rhyming scheme. The illustrations are also fun.

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Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog Interactions (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada

Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid's Guide to Safe Dog Interactions (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog Interactions by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety is the second book in the Porter and Midge Children’s Series by Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen. This book focuses on teaching children safety around dogs and treating their pets with respect. The book follows Lora and CJ and their dogs Porter and Midge. CJ and Lora give smart advice that is easy for children to understand. The book also provides beautiful illustrations that show children exactly what to do. This is a very good book for children who have dogs as pets or anyone who wants to have good advice about dogs.

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The Cold Kid Case (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by La Toya Lewis

The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Cold Case Kid by Rosalind Barden is part of the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series. When 11-year-old street kid Sparky discovers a dead body, she is made a suspect for the crime. She has to hide out after she sees everyone turn on her. Sparky puts her wits to good use and goes on a mission to try to solve the crime. This story was not what I expected. Despite being aimed at kids this was a very engaging story for adults. Sparky is a well-written preteen. Sassy, spunky, and very much a street kid. There was humor and twists that helped keep you engaged. The story is richly woven and pulls you in. I enjoyed this story.

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A Journey for Dorothy (The Reluctant Wagon Train Bride Series) by P. Creeden – Review by La Toya Lewis

A Journey for Dorothy (The Reluctant Wagon Train Bride #8)A Journey for Dorothy by P. Creeden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Journey for Dorothy is book 8 in The Reluctant Wagon Train Bride Series by P. Creeden. When Dorothy Mason finds herself wanting to join a wagon train going west to Oregon, she finds that the operator will not allow an unmarried woman to join his wagon train. When she comes across Rev. Elias Stone, who is going west to help lost souls, they see they can help each other. I enjoyed this historical romance. I loved the setting and the attention to detail from the author, to bring that setting to life. I feel like Dorothy and Elias were great together. They are both well-written characters that you can relate to. Their story is very engaging and I enjoyed seeing these two get to know each other. This is a very rich and engaging story.

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Carrie’s Flight (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

Carrie's Flight (Grandma's Closet)Carrie’s Flight by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carrie’s Flight(Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom is a fun book that stokes the imagination and also teaches a lesson. When Carrie’s grandmother moves away she finds a box with antique wings. Carrie gets to engage in trying to make the wings work. In this story, we get to see a beautiful bond between grandmother and grandchild. We also get a lesson on birds. This book has beautiful illustrations. My sons loved reading this and imagining what it would be like to fly. This is a heartwarming story that had me missing my grandmother.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by La Toya Lewis

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recipe for Revenge is book 2 of An April May Cozy Mystery Book series by Hazel Smith. In this story, we follow April May, a reporter who lives in the small town of Laurel Lakes. Everything is going from bad to worse when what starts as a robbery ends up with its owner being presumed dead. This is a fun cozy mystery. The plot is entertaining and keeps you guessing. We also get a fun cast of characters including the cuteness of Ralph the dog. This is the second mystery I have read by this author and she knows how to keep you hooked. Extra credit for good, fun small-town vibes.

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A Christmas Amish Courtship (Amish Courtship Series) by Jennifer Spredemann – Review by La Toya Lewis

A Christmas Amish Courtship (Amish Courtship #3)A Christmas Amish Courtship by Jennifer Spredemann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Christmas Amish Courtship is the third book in the Amish Courtship series by Jennifer Spredemann. This story is a second-chance romance that tells the story of Anne Eichner and Andy Stoltzfus. Anne and Andy have both had their hearts broken. Andy decides to take a chance and starts to write to Anne as her secret admirer. This was such a sweet and clean romance. I love Amish romance and this book was a welcome addition to my collection. I loved the interaction through letters and was so excited/nervous for Anne to find out who her admirer was. This book had such good character building and kept you interested in the romance of Anne and Andy. I was invested in them. This book is one for those who love a sweet, clean romance.

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Unexpected by Laylah Abrams – Review by La Toya Lewis

UnexpectedUnexpected by Laylah Abrams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unexpected by Layla Abrams is an opposite attracts, modern-day romance. Claire Morgan is an heiress who is far from the shallow air-head that she lets people believe she is. Nick Holden is a waiter/struggling artist who is about to lose his scholarship. These two feel that they have no future because of their class difference but act on their attraction anyway. Of course, there is more to them than the physical and now they must work backwards to see if they can make things work. I enjoyed this story. This is a reverse situation of the rich /poor dynamic and it is very interesting to see. The characters had great chemistry and it was fun watching them make things work. The inspiration and impact that they had on each other was wonderful. The story is very well-written and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. This was a fun twist on an old fairytale classic dynamic.

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Lela’s Choice by Jennifer Raines – Review by La Toya Lewis

Lela's ChoiceLela’s Choice by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lela’s Choice by Jennifer Raines is a story about a woman who has put her life aside to care for her niece and father. When Lela decides that she must ease her family off their dependence on her, she finds out that her niece has run off to Malta with her boyfriend. As she rushes to find her niece she meets child protection lawyer Hamish McGregor. They get off on the wrong foot because Lela thinks that Hamish is one of her father’s henchmen and her enemy. This was a very good story. Reading about Lela’s struggles with her family and her interactions with Hamish was very engaging. Hamish’s determination not to get close to another woman was heartbreaking but completely understanding. The detail in the plot was wonderful. The characters are relatable and I had fun getting to know them. This is a complex story with a lot of heart and passion.

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Dangerous Rhythm (The Echo Series Book 4) by C.R. Alam – Review by La Toya Lewis

Dangerous Rhythm (The Echo Series, #4)Dangerous Rhythm by C.R. Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dangerous Rhythm by C. R. Alam is a romance with a reverse protector angle. Lina Cheung has to protect Curtis Bissett from someone who wants him dead. The only problem is Curtis is someone that she cannot get past. They have a history and now she has to try to put that aside to keep him safe. I am an old-fashioned girl but I enjoyed the reverse roles in this story. I enjoyed how both characters are written. The plot is not new but refreshing in the way it is presented. This is an invigorating and entertaining read.

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Murky Murder (A Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery Book) by Hazel Smith – Review by La Toya Lewis

Murky Murder (A Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery, #4)Murky Murder by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murky Murder is a cozy mystery by Hazel Smith. Ivy is having a really good time of it lately. She has been promoted to head maid and she is going on a date with her boss Mr Humphrey. As Ivy and Max settle into their date, there is a commotion and they learn that they were in danger. I enjoyed the way this book wasted no time getting into the action. There are so many fun twists. The characters are all fun and fleshed out. I like Ivy and her group of friends. The author did a great job of keeping things interesting and the reveal was good. A very enjoyable cozy mystery.

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Dark Moon Secrets (The Witch Moon Series Book 1) by Lilliana Rose – Review by La Toya Lewis

Dark Moon Secrets (Witch Moon #1)Dark Moon Secrets by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dark Moon Secrets is a paranormal romance by Lilliana Rose. We follow Tanjie and Alaric in this story. Tanjie is an orphaned young woman. She lives on her own in an apartment bought after her parents died. Alaric is the alpha of shifters and he hates witches. When they are brought together we get a fun and adventurous enemies-to-lovers story. The story is well-written. The world-building is cool. The characters are well-written. I love the relationship that Tanjie has with Caleb and Mia. I also really liked the chemistry between Tanjie and Alaric. I had a lot of fun reading this story.

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The Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob – Review by La Toya Lewis

The Catford Catastrophe ZoneThe Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob is a sci-fi/dystopian story. Frankie is an undercover officer who is trying to get promoted. In order to help her chances, she reluctantly takes a mission to investigate a group of rebels in the Poverty Zones. Frankie tries her best to investigate the group without being pulled under. This is a very intriguing story. The world-building is great. A lot of thought and detail went into this world. The characters are all very interesting. I enjoyed reading about character types that I have not seen in any other book. The plot is very well-written. There is a lot of action and events to keep you hooked. This book was quite a ride!

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by La Toya Lewis

Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense About Family and Friendships by Susan Spect Oram is a cozy mystery about a young woman who takes over her grandmother’s cafe after a deathbed promise. Gigi raised Karina after her parents’ death. When Gigi dies she makes Karina promise to run her cafe and read her journal. When Gigi’s journal is stolen, Karina has to pull out all the stops to find it. This book showed a lot of promise. There were quite a few twists and turns. I wish Karina had made better decisions and had better boundaries. I feel like there was a lot of unnecessary blame that she placed on herself. I liked the way some of the town tried to help Karina. The relationship between Karina and Bernard was sweet. If you like cozy mysteries you may like this one.

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Joy’s Christmas Escape (The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride Book 1) by P. Creeden – Review by La Toya Lewis

Joy’s Christmas Escape: The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride Book 1Joy’s Christmas Escape: The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride Book 1 by P. Creeden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Joy’s Christmas Escape by P. Creeden is the 1st book in The Marshal’s Mail Order Bride Book series. Joy Stewart is a schoolteacher who has just lost the grandmother who raised her. She finds herself homeless and being harassed by her grandmother’s horrible debtors. She soon escapes to Virginia City to be a mail-order bride to Marshal Jack Bolling, a sweet, kind lawman. I really enjoyed Joy and Jack separately and together. Joy was such a warm but strong young lady. It was very easy to root for her. Jack was no-nonsense but kind and loving. They were perfect for each other. The story has a clean sweet romance. I really would have loved Jack and Joy. The side characters were also lovely. The way the town took care of each other was inspirational. This is a great story with a nice plot. I look forward to the other books in the series.

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Master Sardinia (Masters of the Consulate Book 8) by Sylvia Black – Review by La Toya Lewis

Master SardiniaMaster Sardinia by Sylvia Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Master Sardinia by Sylvia Black is the eighth book in the Masters of the Consulate series. Master Sardinia and the other vampires find themselves with traitors in their ranks while in the middle of the war with the shifters. During this time Master Sardinia comes across Madria and finds himself developing feelings for the infuriating young psychic. Madria finds herself just as attracted and no less infuriated by Master Sardinia. The book is good for those who like the enemies-to-lovers trope and those who like their stories spicy. The war between the shifters and vamps was interesting. There was good action and I really enjoyed a lot of Master Sardinia’s dialogue. He is a very intense and engrossing character. I would be interested in reading the rest of the series as it all seems very fascinating.

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Slay It With a Diamond (Diamond District Mystery Book 3) by Rob Bates – Review by La Toya Lewis

Slay It With a Diamond (Diamond District Mystery Book 3)Slay It With a Diamond by Rob Bates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Slay It With a Diamond by Rob Bates is the third book in the Diamond District Mystery series. Although this book is part of a series it is able to read as a stand-alone. Mimi Rosen is working in her father’s jewelry store when a former friend contacts her to sell a ‘cursed diamond”. Though Mimi and her father Max don’t want to believe the diamond they just acquired is cursed, things start to happen that make it seem that it may very well be. This was a good cozy mystery. The plot is well-written and keeps you engaged. The main character is relatable. There is humor and wit and some good surprises. I really liked reading Max and Mimi’s interactions. This book is good for mystery fans.

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Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series) by MJ Murray – Review by La Toya Lewis

Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail: A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book SeriesDetective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail: A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series by MJ Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Detective Dylan and the Case of the Missing Mail is the first book of the A Young Sleuths Chapter Book Series. This book is such a sweet chapter book about Dylan. Dylan is a young boy who is eager to put his Young Sleuths kit to use. We follow Dylan and his younger sister as they solve the case of the missing mail. This book has such a good example of teaching kids about attention to detail as well as problem-solving. It also encourages teamwork. The illustrations are also very cute. This was a very encouraging story for young children.

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Threads of Time (Toronto Time Agents Series) by C. N. Jackson – Review by La Toya Lewis

Threads of TimeThreads of Time by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Threads of Time by C. N. Jackson is the second book in the Toronto Time Agents Series. We follow Wilda Firestone as she travels back in time. The visit is to try to find terrorists that seem to be responsible for a bombing in the present time. This book was a nice adventure. Although I started the series with this book, I was not confused. The book does a nice job of bringing you up to speed on past events. The story contains a well-written plot and plenty of action to keep you intrigued. The author does a good job of holding your attention. I have to admit that I did not connect with Wilda. Despite this, I was still able to enjoy the story. This is a good story for people who enjoy time travel or historical fiction.

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The Men of Eden Cove Manor by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by La Toya Lewis

The Men of Eden Cove ManorThe Men of Eden Cove Manor by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Men of Eden Cove by Naomi Valkyrie is a paranormal romance story. We follow Lucifer, a young man who is intrigued by the rumors regarding the men who live in the haunted manor in Eden Cove. Lucifer is a little bit reckless but loving to Ren and it made me love him despite his recklessness. I loved the friendship between Ren and Luci. I also loved how the story developed between Lucifer and Mordecai. We also get a bit of intrigue and mystery surrounding the men of the manor. I feel like on all sides this story was really about friendship and the things we do for love. I found this to be a very cute and fun story. I chuckled quite a bit. The story is a quick read with some good dashes of paranormal and M/M.

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My Big Red Monster (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

My Big Red Monster (Giants and Monsters)My Big Red Monster by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Big Red Monster(Giants and Monsters) is a children’s book by Lois Wockstrom. In this story, we follow a young lady who has a monster under her bed. She tells her brother but he doesn’t believe her so she must figure out what to do on her own. This story is great for teaching young children problem-solving, imagination, and how to overcome their fears. The illustrations are fun as well. This is also a very good story about taking back your power.

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