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A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2) by Tami Lund – Review by La Toya Lewis

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A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2)A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Way Out is Book 2 in the Rock Star series. The books are stand-alone, so there is no risk of confusion. The story follows Maria, who is fleeing to her sister’s house after she’s kicked out of her home by her recently divorced husband. Her sister is away preparing for her wedding but Maria stumbles upon Oz who is house-sitting. I really liked this story. It felt like a grown-up, realistic romance. We get to watch as Maria finally finds true love. Oz is such a kind and perfect man for Maria. The story had the right amount of romance and conflict. I fell in love with Oz. This is a very good romance.

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A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta Book 2) by Elsa Winckler – Review by La Toya Lewis

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A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta, #2)A Match Made in Montana by Elsa Winckler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Match Made in Montana is the second book in The Millers of Marietta series by Elsa Winckler. This was such a fun and sweet second-chance romance story. Although this book is the second book of a series, I had no trouble following the storyline. Annie Miller is a sweet and kind woman who moves to Marietta to be with her siblings and sets up a bed and breakfast after she gets her heart broken. Craig O’Sullivan is a workaholic that comes to Marietta from Portland to attend his cousin’s wedding and also gets some much-needed rest. I loved this story. Annie and Craig have great chemistry and a fun build-up. The story is written well and pretty realistic. I loved watching these two lower their guard and get to know each other. Also, lots of fun characters.

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Soul Redeemed (War of Destiny Book 5) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Soul Redeemed (War of Destiny #5)Soul Redeemed by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Soul Redeemed is the fifth book in the War of Destiny by Theresa Van Spankeren. This story finds Julia trying to learn how to control her powers so that she can prove to the resistance that she has rare gifts. When her plans are derailed by King Valentino she has to figure out how to learn enough control on her own to unify the resistance and save the villages that Valentino is holding hostage. I really enjoyed this story. I found the story to be confusing at first because I had not read the first books. When I went back and read the books in order, I understood everything much better and found great enjoyment in the book and series. The continued world-building even this far into the series is wonderful. It is very easy to get immersed in the story.

Julia is very determined to control her powers. She has to rely on her ka-tet to learn her powers. This story is very tense because she is also faced with trying to do all of this while worrying about her ka-tet being destroyed and learning fast enough to save the villagers. There is a great amount of action to keep you hooked. There is tons of magic and fun to be had. This has become one of my favorite fantasy stories.

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Helpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Helpful HudsonHelpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Helpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford is a children’s book about a very young man named Hudson. Hudson loves to help his family and friends but soon learns the importance of taking care of himself. This was such a good story. Children and adults alike can definitely learn from this book. Seeing Hudson take care of others is great but seeing what happens when you don’t take care of yourself is more important. I love that it shows from a young age that you have to take good care of yourself to be able to take good care of others. The illustrations were vibrant and fun. I love that Hudson’s family rallied around him when he was burned out. This was a great lesson to learn.

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Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters)Holding Up the Sky by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holding Up the Sky by Lois Wickstrom is such a fun book with a great lesson. Colleen’s dad is a giant that claims to hold up the sky. People fear her father and they don’t like him. Lois Wickstrom once again does an amazing job of teaching lessons in a fun and compassionate way. This story does a great job of showing children how to work together. It also teaches us not to fear someone because they are different and to have compassion. I also really loved the fun illustrations.

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Lap Baby by Amy Q. Barker – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Lap Baby: Emotional Women's FictionLap Baby: Emotional Women’s Fiction by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lap Baby by Amy Q. Barker is about 4 survivors of a plane crash. The story tells the survivors’ stories beautifully. The plot is very intriguing. The characters are rich and diverse. The author does an amazing job of pulling you in and experiencing the heartbreak and guilt that they all feel. Watching these women try to make it through life after an event that has devastated them all and how they handle day trials of being in survival mode is gut-wrenching. This is my first book by this author and it did not miss. This is a must-read story.

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Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Huff...Puff...Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Huff…Puff…Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Huff…Puff…Grind by Lois Wickstrom is a re-telling of The Three Little Pigs but with s S.T.E.M. twist. First of all, this book was so cute! The three little pigs ( Hal, Stella, and Brad) have all been to architecture school and have smartened up. They are able to outsmart the wolf and try to make him an ally. This book shows children how to rely on problem-solving and kindness to get things done. I also really loved the illustrations. This is another winner by this author.

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Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Living With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering ChoicesLiving With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering Choices by Toby Dorr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Living With Conviction is the memoir of Toby Dorr. This memoir is about how Toby made a bad decision that changed her life forever. Working in a program that she’d created training dogs in a local prison, Toby finds herself falling in love with an inmate named John. Toby helps him to escape and they go on the run together. This story tells how Toby serving her prison sentence leads to her turning her life around. This story was very up-front and honest. It is actually quite soul-bearing. Toby is able to make you understand why she did what she did and the lessons learned. I was especially happy to read about how she found redemption with the community of female inmates that she was in prison with. It took a lot of bravery to tell her story and by doing so Toby has inspired so many.

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The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella (Soulbound Journeys Book 1) by C. L. Schneider – Review by La Toya Lewis

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The Wandering Isles (The Crown of Stones)The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Wandering Isles is a novella that is book 1 of the Soulbound Journey series. It takes place after the Crown of Stones series. We are following Ian Troy as he sets sail for the Wandering Isles with his friend Jarryd Kane, believing them to be abandoned. As they get to the isles, they soon realize that there are other magical beings there and find themselves in a very unwanted position. This novella was a wonderful read. Going on more adventures with Ian Troy post-war was an immersive treat. Wonderful world-building, adventures, and character development are par for the course with this author. You feel like you are on this wondrous adventure with Ian and Jarryd. The writing takes you along with all the emotions that the characters experience. A great addition to the Crown of Stones saga.

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Obedience (Ties That Bind Book 1) by Liza Snow – Review by La Toya Lewis

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ObedienceObedience by Liza Snow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Obedience (Ties That Bind) is book 1 of the Ties That Bind series. The story is about Cassandra Blackstone. At 13 years old she loses her parents and the thing that she holds onto is the memory of the circus aerialist performance that she saw with her parents the day before they died. She becomes enthralled with the performer Chandler Monreau. Years later at age 25, she gets the chance to audition for Chandler’s family’s academy thus kicking off the attraction between the two.

I liked this book. The circus backdrop was awesome. This was the first story I have read with this sort of setting and it was a very fresh take on a romance. I’m not a fan of age-gap romance but I was comfortable with the way this one was portrayed. This was a nice slow-burn romance that really gave time for the characters’ chemistry to develop. There was also a nice little murder mystery, which is always a good thing. Although the pacing is a bit slow in the middle, the story has great romance and a bit of spice. I really enjoyed this story.

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Foxy Tails by Natalina Reis – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Foxy TailsFoxy Tails by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Foxy Tails is a fantasy romance by Natalina Reis. The story follows nine-tail fox Huli as he makes his way through a world that hunts demons like him. He meets divine healer Xiao Ying. When they meet, Huli is dealing with the pain of moving through the world unloved and Xiao Ying’s whole family has been murdered. This story has a rich fantasy world filled with danger and adventure. The world-building is great and the characters are fun. Ling Ling and Ye Ying are fun and funny. The romance between Huli and Xiao Ying is sweet and takes its time. I really enjoyed this story. It would be great to get book 2 so that we can get more development of Huli and Xiao Ying.

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Afflicted Love by Autumn Sand is the first book in the Rhythm & Heart series. This book was quite a ride. This was a very intense story of love and heartbreak. This story draws you in right away. This is an M/M romance that is steamy and romantic but also tumultuous. Kyle and Lyle met as young boys and found refuge in each other. When Kyle needs him the most, Lyle pushes him away and their love is severely tested. This story made my heart swoon and break. Some issues may be triggering but it is definitely worth the read.

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A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris – Review by La Toya Lewis

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A Curse of Ash and IronA Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris is a retelling of Cinderella. In Philadelphia 1876 Benjamin Grimm reunites with his friend Eleanor Banneker. He is saddened when he realizes that she has been living under a spell as a servant in her own home. This was such a fun take on Cinderella. The story balances magic and realism very well. It was nice to see old story beats mixed with new elements. The relationship between Benjamin and Eleanor is sweet. This was a very engaging story. A fun retelling with nice historical facts woven in. Very enjoyable.

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Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Teenage War Survival Book 1) by Nadija Mujagic – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Book 1) (Teenage War Survival series)Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Book 1) by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Heart-wrenching and Riveting War Memoir (Book 1) by Nadija Mujagic is a story about the author and her family living their lives in Sarajevo as it is besieged by war. This story is potent and heart-breaking as it shows how people have to go on with some semblance of life as they navigate death, destruction, and loss all around them. The author takes right along with her as she retells the story of her childhood that was stolen from her by the senseless violence of war. This is an amazing story of survival that everyone should read at least once.

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A Spot of Earl Slay (Tea Time Troubles Book 1) by Aubrey Elle – Review by La Toya Lewis

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A Spot of Earl SlayA Spot of Earl Slay by Aubrey Elle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Spot of Earl Slay by Aubrey Elle is book 1 of the Tea Time Trouble book series. We follow teenager Ella and her mother Naomi as they move to the small town of Fayette. The mother and daughter have moved into a house left to them by Naomi’s uncle, to start over after Naomi’s divorce from Ella’s father. As they get settled in the pair find the dead body of the town busybody in their shed. This was a fun cozy mystery that well…cozy. The neighbors are great and the small town atmosphere is spot on. Watching Naomi deal with the stressors of being newly divorced on top of the murder is very relatable. I also enjoyed reading about Naomi and Ella’s interactions. This was the best cozy mystery that I have read in a while.

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Amy’s Rebellion (Gemstone Massacre Book 1) by Julia Goldhirsh – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Amy's Rebellion (Gemstone Massacre)Amy’s Rebellion by Julia Goldhirsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amy’s Rebellion by Julia Goldhirsh is book 1 in the Gemstone Massacre series. This book was a fun read. It follows Amy who is on the run from her vengeful leader. Soon she realizes she has nowhere left to run and must fight back. There was a lot going on in this book as is typical at the start of fantasy series. I really enjoyed the world-building as well as the good amount of LGBT+ representation. Watching Amy come into her own and do what she must to protect herself was great fun. The story has a lot of adventure and is a page-turner. I feel like fantasy lovers will really enjoy this story.

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How to Make a Flying Carpet (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

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How to Make a Flying Carpet (Alex, the Inventor #2)How to Make a Flying Carpet by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How to Make a Flying Carpet (Alex the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom is a story about a young inventor who doesn’t like for anything to go to waste. When the refrigerator magnets break Alex uses her imagination to figure out how to turn it into something else. This is another fun book with gorgeous illustrations for young children to enjoy. It teaches children to use their imagination. It also teaches how fun it is to turn something old into something new. Such a great story.

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Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2) by Landra Graf – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2)Operation Escape by Landra Graf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Operation Escape is the second book in the Space Force Rejects series by Landra Graf. When Sera Kain goes to Markus Engle to help find her uncle, he is unable to refuse her. This is a sci-fi, fated lovers book and it had me hooked from the start. There is plenty of testing of loyalty, adventure, and twists and turns. I love when the heroine is the awkward party and Sera was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed watching Sera and Markus try to navigate their feelings for each other. This book is for all those who love sci-fi with a bit of romance.

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Other People’s Money (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 7) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Other People's Money (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 7)Other People’s Money by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Other People’s Money is the seventh book in The Madeline Dawkins series by Cynthia Hamilton. Although this is the seventh book in the series it can be read as a stand-alone book. Madeline and her team receive a couple of cases that need solving immediately. A missing bookkeeper and checking out a gold-digging, much younger fiance. This was my first book from this story and I really enjoyed it. The characters are well-written and the plot is well-developed. I enjoyed the character interactions and the mystery was great.

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Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Esprit de CorpseEsprit de Corpse by Ef Deal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal is a rich and wonderful paranormal story. I really enjoyed the twins Jacqueline Duval and Angélique Laforge. The twins are strong and brilliant. I also love the historical setting of Nineteenth-century France. There is something for everyone’s paranormal desires. This story is fun and well thought out. I had a lot of fun with this book.

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White Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson – Review by La Toya Lewis

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White Picket FencesWhite Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

White Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson is a heartbreaking story of Julie; a mom that has done her best to give her family the perfect life that she did not have. After Julie has one moment of weakness, her world falls apart. This was such a beautifully written story. I was able to relate to Julie so completely and my heart broke for her as she was enduring the events of the book. All the characters are very believable and it was very moving to see how they also endured their struggles. A very good story!

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Unexpected Entanglement (The Echo Series Book 3) by C.R. Alam – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Unexpected Entanglement (Book 3 of the Echo Series)Unexpected Entanglement by C.R. Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another sizzling romance story! Unexpected Entanglement is the third book in The Echo Series by C. R. Alam. Chris Sullens and Rowen Kelly are a really fun and steamy couple. Chris is a handsome and wealthy hotelier that finds himself entangled in a fake romance with sassy, beautiful Rowena that now runs the family inn. These two were so great together. I loved the witty banter and the passion between these two. Another plot that has you on the edge of your seat. Although I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, this one was my favorite!

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His Forever Muse (The Echo Series Book 2) by C.R. Alam – Review by La Toya Lewis

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His Forever Muse (Book 2 of The Echo Series)His Forever Muse by C.R. Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

His Forever Muse is book two of The Echo Series by C. R. Alam. Brandon and Calliope have known each other since they were young and reconnected after many years. Calliope is trying to rebuild her life but her past keeps coming back to haunt her. I really enjoyed the story of Brandon and Calliope. I loved Brandon as Rae’s best friend from Book 1. He and Calliope are awesome together. Their chemistry is nice and steamy. They are really enjoyable together. Once again the characters are relatable and well-written. The plot is well-paced and keeps you hooked. Another great book.

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Echoing Hearts (The Echo Series Book 1) by C.R. Alam – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Echoing Hearts (Book 1 of The Echo Series)Echoing Hearts by C.R. Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Echoing Hearts is the first book in The Echo Series by C. R. Alam. Rae Allen is a woman that has vowed to never fall in love after watching her mother deteriorate after having her heart broken. Dean Rowland has sworn off women after being left at the altar by his fiancee. When the two inevitably meet, sparks fly. This was a very well-written story. The characters are real and relatable. The chemistry between Rae and Dean is amazing. I really enjoyed watching them build and navigate their relationship. I highly recommend this book.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones Book 3) by C.L. Schneider – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones #3)Magic-Borne by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne is the third book in The Crown of Stones series. With the resistance shattered, Ian Troy is in hiding and searching for a way to save the realm and free its people. This book is a highly emotional and well-written ending to the series. Once again the characters are amazingly written and Ian has a potent and incredible transformation as a character. All the action and detail from the first two stories are present. This was an incredible way to end the series.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones Book 2) by C.L. Schneider – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones, #2)Magic-Scars by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars is book 2 of The Crown of Stones series. Ian Troy is back beaten down and held prisoner. It is two years after the end of the first book and Ian has a lot of people looking to him for leadership. The stakes are higher and there is even more action. The same complex well-written characters from the first book are present. I found that this book had an even more emotional impact. There are some events that occur that are unexpected, that will definitely hit you where it hurts. A very enjoyable sequel.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price(The Crown of Stones Book 1) by C.L. Schneider – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Magic-Price (The Crown of Stones, #1)Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price is the first book in The Crown of Stones book series. This is a fantasy about Ian Troy a Shinree, a race of people who are inherently addicted to magic. The Shinree people are fallen and used as slaves. Ian finds himself in a situation where he must use his magic again which causes him to become addicted to magic again. Ian finds he has to accept the darkest parts of himself so that he may fight back. The world-building is complex and intriguing. I enjoyed following the character of Ian and his internal and external struggles. This story was a wonderful beginning to this series. The plot is complex and well-written.

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Under My Care (Chase Care Book 3) by R.L. Dunn – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Under My Care (Chase Care Book 3)Under My Care by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Under My Care by R.L. Dunn is a romantic thriller that is the third book in the Chase Care series. This book is able to be read as a standalone. We follow Pete Walker and Rowena Anderson as they come face to face after having a history with each other in Afghanistan. I really enjoyed this story. Pete and Rowena are great characters and have wonderful chemistry. The plot is intriguing and thrilling. This was a very moving story. I really enjoyed the action and the romance. A very fun story.

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Pulling Together by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Pulling TogetherPulling Together by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pulling Together by Lois Wickstrom is another wonderful children’s book with a great lesson. Lila’s Grandma knits her a poncho with three head holes and Lila is certain Grandma must have made a mistake. As Lila goes out to play she learns what Grandma meant by pulling together. It is a wonderful lesson that teaches how we can set children on the path and allow them to learn the lessons of kindness, gratitude, and “pulling together”. I really enjoyed reading this story with my children. The lessons are easy to grasp and the illustrations are beautiful. This is a winner of a story!

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The Traveler: Book 3 by Deborah Dugan – Review by La Toya Lewis

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The Traveler: Book 3The Traveler: Book 3 by Deborah Dugan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Traveler: Book 3 is the third book in The Traveler series by Deborah Dugan. We continue our adventures with Harry as he wakes up from stasis in a new configuration and must make his way back to Tristan. Harry must once again go through his journey as he finds himself in danger. This book is even better than the first two. All the thought-provoking events and the complex, emotional plot that you come to know from this series. I absolutely love this series and was so excited to once again see Harry and Tristan.

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