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What Loretta’s Katydid Did (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

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What Loretta's Katydid didWhat Loretta’s Katydid did by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What Loretta’s Katydid Did is a fun children’s book about a young girl who receives an orange tree from her Grandmother. Loretta realizes her tree is in trouble from the aphids on it but does not want to kill them. When Loretta finds a Katydid on the tree a whole new adventure starts. This book is fun and encourages young people to learn via reading. The plot is fun and encouraging and the illustrations were cute and simple. This book would make a wonderful addition to your children’s book collection.

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Chicken Little Investigates by Lois Wickstrom. Chicken was one of my favorite books as a child and it was such fun sharing this retelling with my children. When Chicken Little gets hit on the head with an acorn she thinks the sky is falling until she and her friends investigate. I really enjoy how this story encourages young readers to investigate and do experiments to figure things out. Once again the writing is witty and cute. The illustrations are fabulous as always. My boys gave this one 5 stars and I fully agree!

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The Empty Box (Invisible Magic Wand Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by La Toya Lewis

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The Empty Box (Invisible Magic Wand)The Empty Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Empty Box (Invisible Magic Wand) by Lois Wickstrom is another cute and fun children’s story. Caspian is celebrating his unbirthday and receives another fun, silly gift from his grandfather. The box is empty when Caspian opens it but his grandfather says it is an invisible magic wand.

This book has a great lesson and cute illustrations. My sons really enjoyed the story. I feel like it really helped us fire up our imaginations. It also helped reinforce the lesson of waiting for rewards. I highly recommend this book to young children.

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Manipulator’s War (Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1) by Elise Carlson – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Manipulator's War (Ruarnon Trilogy, #1)Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Manipulator’s War is the first book in the Ruarnon Trilogy and the debut novel by Elise Carlson. This story sees Ruarnon trying to prove their worth as heir to Tarlah’s perfect King. Their parents get kidnapped and they find themselves ruling Tarlah with impending war and no allies.

I found this story very interesting. The book also has tons of diverse characters. Since there are a lot of characters it can be a bit overwhelming at times to keep up. The book has a lot of elements that YA Fantasy fans will enjoy like time travel and sea monsters. The book is action-packed and with the exception of some flow issues, is very fun and entertaining.

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How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by La Toya Lewis

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How To Write A Historical Novel And Love ItHow To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark is a must-have guide to writing a historical novel. This lays out a step-by-step how-to guide that walks you through how to produce that historical novel that you always wanted to write. I feel that the majority of the advice that the author gives is applicable to writing any book. In addition, TL Clark gives you information on what to do after you have finished your novel as well as helpful tips for self-publishing. I feel like this book makes it a lot easier to get started writing. Even if you are not a writer it will give great insight into the hard work that authors do to provide us with their wonderful finished works. I highly recommend this book to writers and readers alike.

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Real Movie Hero (Green Brotherhood: SEAL Team XII Book 2) by Debra Parmley – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Real Movie HeroReal Movie Hero by Debra Parmley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Real Movie Hero by Debra Parmley is the second book of the Green Brotherhood: Seal Team XII series. Although I had not read the first book of the series, I found it very easy to read. This book definitely works as a stand-alone. Reed and Christine are 2 strangers that meet at the movie premiere of Turn and Deliver. They find themselves facing an active shooter and Reed takes charge and protects Christine and the others. I found this story very enjoyable. Reed and Christine have great chemistry. I loved how at ease he made Christine feel. The plot was fun and action-packed. The story draws in and the writing is great. Time flew as I read this story. It is a definite page-turner.

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The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by La Toya Lewis

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The Exchange: A NovelThe Exchange: A Novel by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic is a psychological thriller about Sam Crawford, a small-town high school grad that goes to L.A. to pursue her dreams of being an actress. While Sam has trouble making it she meets a man named Corey who will open doors for Sam in exchange for her giving him a child. This book has a very interesting premise and I was very excited to jump into it. I have to say this story really has you going. There are so many twists and turns and not all that easy to figure out. Sam is a very naive character and as you go along this journey with her you really root for her. I found myself unable to put this book down. The author is very good at holding your interest. This was a very entertaining story.

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Shore Lodge by Susan Specht Oram – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Shore Lodge: A high-stakes psychological thriller (The Millersville series)Shore Lodge: A high-stakes psychological thriller by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shore Lodge by Susan Specht Oram is a very intriguing story of a recently widowed woman and her fight to reclaim her life. Watching Jacklyn Stone fight for her life that her son Dusty Stone, has so cruelly stolen from her is absolutely heartbreaking. You experience all of her feelings of anguish and betrayal. Despite all that she has been through, Jacklyn proves to be stronger than even she thought she could be. The story is beautifully crafted and keeps you on a rollercoaster of emotions. The characters are also well-written. Dusty is vile and Jacklyn is inspiring. This story pulls you in and keeps you hooked. This is a great psychological thriller.

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The Man in Black by L.R. Liverpool – Review by La Toya Lewis

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The Man In BlackThe Man In Black by L.R. Liverpool
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Man in Black by L.R. Liverpool is a wonderful and well-written story. I am not really a fan of westerns but this book was very enjoyable. The plot is incredibly well-written. The characters are well-written. They are very real and relatable. This story was such a page-turner and I really enjoyed the action scenes. The romance was very sweet and wonderful to witness. This is a very enjoyable story.

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Arrrgh! Me Hate To Wait! by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Arrrgh! Me HATE To Wait!Arrrgh! Me HATE To Wait! by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Arrrgh! Me Hate to Wait by Mary Bleckwehl is such a fun and cute story for children. Half-Pint Porky is an impatient piggy that is excited to start school but when the time comes she is nervous to start. This is such an engaging story for small children. The writing is cute and funny to small children and the illustrations are beautiful. My boys loved reading this story and it got cute a few giggles out of them. This is a book that the whole family can enjoy together.

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Grace Under Fire (The Anderson Sisters Book 2) by Jennifer Raines – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Grace Under FireGrace Under Fire by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grace Anderson is having a hard time. She has just lost her best friend to suicide and now she must buy out her parent’s farm ten years earlier than originally planned. Her neighbor and best friend’s brother Ryan Wilson comes back to town to flip his mother’s farm property and leave, he blames himself for his brother’s suicide and doesn’t want any attachments. Of course, fate has a hand and Grace has to turn to Ryan for help.

I really enjoyed this book. This is the second book in the Anderson series but I think you can read it as a stand-alone. Ryan and Grace are great together. They have amazing chemistry and I was rooting for them from the start. I really love how the author can weave romance and complex dynamics. This book is well written and a definite page-turner.

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Taylor’s Law by Jennifer Raines -Review by La Toya Lewis

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Taylor's LawTaylor’s Law by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After Ella Aderson’s sister, Chrissy dies she finds herself appointed to care for Chrissy’s young daughter, Tessa. Soon she also finds herself going up against Jacon Taylor, a lawyer representing Drew Browning’s, Tessa’s named father, parents who are seeking custody of the young child. Ella finds herself attracted to Jacob but doesn’t know how to handle the attraction being on opposite sides of this case. This book is well written and structured. I really enjoyed the characters. The complex themes in the story are handled beautifully. This was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed the chemistry between Ella and Jacob. Highly recommended.

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Evan (Billionaire Blind Dates Book 2) by Toni Denise – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Evan: A Steamy Billionaire Workplace Contemporary Romance (Billionaire Blind Dates Book 2)Evan: A Steamy Billionaire Workplace Contemporary Romance by Toni Denise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Evan is the second book in the Billionaire Blind Dates series by Toni Denise. This is a fun business partners to lovers book. Kayla is the owner of the Blind Date dating app. She can find it for everyone but has never found it for herself. Evan is a silent partner of the app and while he has seen it work for others, he has no interest in finding love for himself until his friends convince him to try it. I thought this was a great story with great chemistry between Kayla and Evan. These are two great characters and the story has great writing. This book is great as a stand-alone but I will definitely be reading the first one.

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Chatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Chatroom with a ViewChatroom with a View by Glenn Maynard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love thrillers and Chatroom With a View does not disappoint. This a captivating story about Troy Cullen and the killer gene passed down through generations of his family. Troy’s dysfunctional family and later his ex-girlfriend’s pregnancy cause Troy to lose control. This book is captivating and dark in equal measure. The characters are very well-written and while I found them reprehensible, I also understood their actions. The plot is great and I found myself unable to put this book down. I consider this one of the best thrillers that I have read in a while. This is a must-read for thriller lovers.

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The White Knight Cowboy (The Studs of Clear Creek County) by Stacy-Deanne – Review by La Toya Lewis

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The White Knight Cowboy Stacy-DeanneThe White Knight Cowboy Stacy-Deanne by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The White Cowboy Knight by Stacy-Deanne is an age-gap romance story about 19-year-old servant Lovely Jo and 40-year-old cowboy Dusty. This book is a sweet story about a grumpy but protective hero protecting a sweet young woman. As she helps him get out of town she ends up falling for him. This book was a romantic read with a great heart. The story is a quick read that you should definitely pick up if you like steam and romance.

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Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Amaleigha and the Big IdeaAmaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amaeigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt is such a fun and inspirational book for children. Amaleigha is a 5-year-old girl that loves nature and loves to explore. She enlists the help of friends and family to share the things she loves with the rest of the world. This is such a sweet book with lessons for young and old. It shows how you can enjoy the things you love even if others don’t agree. I love that in a social media-filled world, this book shows how children can enjoy the great outdoors. Such a wonderful story.

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After She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson – Review By La Toya Lewis

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After She Became a LadyAfter She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson is a nice historical romance/drama/thriller. Laurel Collingsworth is happy to marry her love Lord Robert but he is called away to war soon after. While he’s away mysterious things start to happen and Laurel also has to deal with her sister-in-law who believes that she should take the reins of Lord Robert’s estate. I enjoyed this story. I really liked watching Laurel come into her own. She steps into her power when realizing that protecting her family will have to be her responsibility. This story is well-written and engaging and Laurel is a wonderful heroine. I highly recommend this book.

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2)Delicious Death by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely adore Elinor! We are now in book 2 of the Madame Chalamet Mysteries series, Delicious Death. When Elinor attends the King’s Winter Feast, someone makes an attempt at the King’s life. When the Duke thinks he can find the suspect first, Elinor along with her friend, Dr. Charlotte, tries to find out who the culprit is. This book had more of the wit and fun from the first book. We got to see more of the friendship between Dr. Charlotte and Elinor. We also see more of the slow-burn romance between Tristan and Elinor and the issues that their difference in status may cause. This is a well-written continuation of the series and is able to be read as a stand-alone story.

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Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 1) by Byrd Nash – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #1)Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash is a fun and witty novella that starts off the Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries series. Elinor Chalamet is a medium that is searching for the person that killed her father. While she is hunting for his killer she aids the police when a dead body is found in a canal. This case puts her in the path of Tristan Fontaine, duke de Archambeau. There are nice sparks between Elinor and Tristan. I enjoyed their budding relationship. The writing is wonderful and the characters, are well-written. The ghost story is well-balanced. This was a very good read.

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Falling Home (Buckeye Falls Book 1) by Libby Kay – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Falling HomeFalling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Falling Home by Libby Kay is a small-town second-chance romance story. Ginny is back in Buckeye Falls to help her father recover from surgery. While she is there she is roped into helping with the Christmas Jubilee and her ex-husband, Max is her planning partner. I really enjoyed this story. Max and Ginny are awesome and I love the small-town Christmas feel of it all. Libby Kay is a wonderful writer that sets the scene beautifully and makes you fall in love with these characters. This book is like a comfort. It makes you feel warm and content. It is the perfect Christmas romance read.

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Minotaur’s Lair (Servant of the Gods Book 3) by Luciana Cavallaro – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Minotaur's Lair (Servant of the Gods, #3)Minotaur’s Lair by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Minotaur’s Lair is the third and final book of the Servant of the Gods book series. Evan and his companions must continue on their quest but they are entrapped by the Amazon Queen, Antioche. They must try to get free and retrieve the relic from the Minotaur’s Lair to defeat the Dark Master. This story continues to be phenomenal. There is plenty of adventure and action. The characters are as wonderful as in the previous book and the writing is wonderful. I really enjoyed the ending to this series.

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The Labyrinthine Journey (Servant of the Gods Book 2) by Luciana Cavallaro – Review by La Toya Lewis

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The Labyrinthine Journey (Servant of the Gods, #2)The Labyrinthine Journey by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Labyrinthine Journey is book 2 of the Servant of Gods series by Luciana Cavallaro. I did not read the first book but I was still able to follow along. The author provides ample background for the reader to catch up. This story has amazing world-building with wonderfully written characters. The descriptions are incredible. The story takes place in Ancient Greece, where we have Evan continuing to try to save the Olympian Gods from the God of Christianity. Evan receives a lot of help along the way and gains tons of respect along the way. I really enjoyed this story. It gives a lot of help in understanding the background of religion and the role we play to the gods.

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series Book 1) by Isobel Reed – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series, #1)Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book feels like a Hallmark movie in a good way! Love Tools is a story about Lily, who moves from London to Bluestone when her father dies. She decides to reopen her father’s hardware store and meets Jake along the way. Jake is a player but decides that he wants to settle down with Lily right when she suddenly can’t decide what she wants. These two have very cute interactions. It was a very fun read and I really enjoyed both characters. This is the first book in the Bluestone Series and I very much look forward to reading the next book.

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Freedom Rings (The Circle Book 3) by Brenda Hardwick – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Freedom Rings: Book Three of The CircleFreedom Rings: Book Three of The Circle by Brenda Hardwick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Freedom Rings by Brenda Hardwick is the 3rd book in The Circle book series. I advise reading the first 2 books first. This story is a nicely written good versus evil story that beautifully touches on modern-day issues in a fantasy-type setting. Soroya is the new leader of The Circle. She is bringing the group back together with a plan to take them on the offensive in a world where people are being targeted for removal because of the color of their skin. I really enjoyed this story. It has multiple point-of-views which I usually dislike, but which worked beautifully in this story. The characters are well-written and Shawn and his company are very good antagonists. This book grabs hold of you and does not let go until the very end.

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Revenge Never Rests (Tallie Brown Suspense Book 2) by Laurie Lewis – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Revenge Never RestsRevenge Never Rests by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Revenge Never Rests by Laurie Lewis is the second book in the Tallie Brown Suspense book series. I do recommend that you read book 1 of the series. This book is one of revenge, suspense, and love. This book is a major page-turner. I found myself unable to put the book down. I found the story incredibly intriguing and well-written. I fell in love with Tallie Brown. She was a capable and amazing young woman. There are plenty of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat!

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Murder on Oak Street ( A South Shore Mystery Book 1) by I.M. Foster – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Murder on oak streetMurder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder On Oak Street is the first book in the South Shore Mystery series by I. M. Foster. This is a historical mystery that has former New York coroner, Daniel O’Halleran moving to the small town of Patchogue and investigating his first mystery. He approached to investigate a two-year-old mystery that leads him to investigate a second more current mystery. I found this book very engaging and I really enjoyed the character of Daniel. I also enjoyed all the twists. The book has a bit of a slow start but really starts to pick up and becomes quite the page-turner. This is a great book for mystery and/or historical fiction fans.

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If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by La Toya Lewis

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If I had a Magic WandIf I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi is a very sweet children’s book. This book is very well-written. I wish I had this book when my children were babies. I found the story to be very uplifting. I read this with my autistic boys and they very much enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to parents and children alike.

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National Parks: An Angsty Second Chance Multicultural Romance by Laikyn Meng – Review By La Toya Lewis

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National ParksNational Parks by Laikyn Meng
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

National Parks is a beautifully written story about a couple that has a second chance at love. Phoebe and Enzo are a couple that loves each other deeply but is not ready for the love that they truly desire. The story takes you all over from Montana to Japan. You get to see this couple fall in love in these beautiful places. There is a lot of angst. There are also the themes of self-love and friendship, which I absolutely love. It is hard to read about this couple that loves each other so much going through so much heartache. I was delighted to see Phoebe and Enzo get their happy ending! There are strong themes in this book dealing with suicide, but if you enjoy angst and happily ever afters, you need to read this book.

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Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by La Toya Lewis

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Revenge HoneymoonRevenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Revenge Honeymoon is a Rom-Com by K. J. Gillenwater. Emily offers to go on her best friend Ruby’s Caribbean honeymoon after Ruby is left at the altar by her fiance. After the two pose as a married couple on the cruise, Emily meets Max and there starts the dilemma. Will Emily risk possibly being kicked off the cruise to pursue Max? I liked the relationship between Emily and Ruby. It was nice to read how Emily was there for her best friend during her heartbreak. Emily and Max’s interactions were cute, but I felt they moved a bit too fast. If you enjoy stories of female friendship, this is an excellent story for you. It was fun and heartwarming.

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More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by La Toya Lewis

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More ThanMore Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More Than by Diane Barnes is a very relatable story about a mother who finds herself as her children leave home. Peggy is the stay-at-home mom of twins. She is still grieving the loss of her husband 14 years later. As her twins prepare to leave home for college, they give her a gift certificate for a 12-week boot camp. We go along with Peggy as she goes on the journey to lose weight and rediscover herself. While Peggy can come off as selfish and judgemental at times you can see that it’s all about her insecurities. It is a good look at what happens when you allow yourself to wallow in self-pity. Peggy was incredibly relatable and you want to see her win. I greatly enjoyed rooting for this character. I highly recommend this book!

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