Isabella Bride of Ohio, American Mail Order Bride by Debra Parmley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fun story! Historical romance is one of my favorite genres and this book fit right in! I do with the length had been a little longer as there wasn’t as much growth in character development and parts of the story felt rushed but it was a quick easy read perfect for summer vacation!
Caring for Kingsley, Believing in a Better Way When Canine Cancer Comes Crashing Into Your World by Alli Eldridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not too long ago we lost our dear cat, Butterscotch aka “Scottie”. He was my daughter’s therapy cat and best friend. As I read through the authors story and the lengths their family went through, I could easily identify the same emotions from our own journey. This book created a visceral response and helped me put into words the feelings I had with our pain when I was completely lost for words. It was well written and a very therapeutic read.
Distant Heart Sounds by Kate MacInnis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you are in the mood for a ghost story but want to keep it light and carefree this is a great book for you! The main character undergoes a medical procedure and discovers afterwards she has a psychic ability to see and hear ghosts at the hospital she works at. The other characters are so much fun. Highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a light paranormal adventure.
Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy by Tamara Agha-Jaffar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Greek mythology is not typically a genre I enjoy reading, however I loved the way the author put a new take on these three stories. It was not exactly a quick read however it did keep me drawn in and engaged the entire time. I enjoyed the amount of detail put into the beginning of each section so you could truly understand who is character was if you were not familiar with the original Greek mythology. Not necessarily a book I would put on my reread list but very enjoyable.
The Day the Librarian Saved the Galaxy by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fun book! I was extremely surprised at the length. I truly thought it was going to be a quick picture book but instead it was a decent length with lots of details, description and allowed for a good world to start being built.
As I was reading this book I couldn’t help but be reminded of Men in Black. This book felt like a very fun adventure designed for kids that would fit right along with the world created by MIB.
It was silly, it was fun, and it was entertaining so 4/5 stars well earned!
Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh this was such a fun book! Toby wants to be a good dog but The Cat next door just won’t let him. I read this book with my 10 year old and she absolutely loved and laughed so hard at the descriptions. It was very easy to visualize what was happening in the story. Highly recommend this book as a quick easy read aloud for families.
The True Purpose of Vines by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Historical fiction is probably my absolute favorite genre outside of clean romance books and this book completely merged the two into an amazing story. The author does an amazing job at not just the basic facts of the time period but really digging into the motives behind why people did certain things during that time period.
It was wonderful to read just how fierce Julia was in the way she protected her home and her sons legacy in a time when women were not accepted in the “man’s” world. The passion she has is evident from the very first time we meet her.
Griffin was thrown into adult responsibility way too fast and he is determined to make sure his mother and sister are taken care of, even if that means he isn’t being true to himself. He has a strong sense of honor and duty especially when it comes to doing the right thing for his family but to see his outer shell crack and his true self emerge is a wonderful transition.
The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is an amazing illustration of life not just for women but for the country after Pearl Harbor is hit. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this one did not disappoint. It was a very emotional story as the main character is put through tragic event after event. It was also based on the author’s own family history which helped to add to the realism of the story. I did wish to see a little more details in some of the time jumps but it didn’t take away from the story. Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
The Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was such a cute and fun book! I read it with my daughter and she thought it was so silly but also wanted to know if the pencil knew any other fun tricks. Definitely recommend for preschool to early elementary age read aloud.
Melodie Boxset by Laura Rossi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
These two books were so much fun to read. It was a quick read filled with wonderful characters that were just completely lovable. The author did a wonderful job writing a story that moved quickly but also gave great details. It was definitely a page turning and I could not put this book down. The world the author created was such a wonderful escape and had a very Hallmark channel vibe to it. The best part of a box set was not having to wait to see what happened in the sequel. The two stories flowed wonderfully together.
The Last Cabin Girl: A totally gripping thriller full of twists by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It is very rare for me to give a book a 5 star review and really wish I could have given it more! This book was by far one of my favorite reads so far for 2022! From the first chapter to the last page turn, I was so excited to keep reading! I devoured this book and kept wanting more! I can’t wait to read other works By this author. This thrilled has so many twists and turns I can not recommend it enough.
the mermaid and the rainbow by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was our bedtime story tonight and I had my 10 year old who struggles with reading, read it with me tonight. I also asked what they thought of the book and anything they would want to share and this is what they had to say :
“The pictures were beautiful! I really loved all the different tricks they showed. I wish there had been more of a story instead of just the tricks. I want to know more about Trezzie’s treasure chest!”
I would recommend this book to any family looking for a fun read that includes a little bit of “magic” aka science. While I wished they would have explained a little more of why the tricks worked, it was a fun book.
Weep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
When I first saw this book it was the cover that pulled me in. It was a short read and the description sounded very Intriguing. However this book did not keep my attention and I struggled to stay focused while reading. I did push through and in the end I was able to enjoy the story that was being told.
I did wish there was more details in certain areas and felt other story details were overly explained. Some parts were hard to follow and I feel as if we as the reader were missing something.
Faithful in Love by Cecily K. Wolfe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a wonderful, clean Christian romance that wasn’t just a quick to marriage story. Faith has grown up a part of one of the more well off families in town but her connection to the First Step shelter has kept her humble. Her best friend turned adopted cousin Thomas and her love to help their uncle with his architect business. During one of his commissions he decides to bring on an apprentice who shakes things up for the family. Will Thomas and Faith’s friendship be able to withstand the trials that come when a theft is discovered? Will love win out? Is family truly more than just blood?
The Worry Knot by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don’t know that I was ever able to put into words the angst I felt as a middle schooler quite as wonderfully as this author has. She has opened up a window into the minds of middles schools so perfectly. Rourke is about to start 7th grade and he is so excited for the best school year possible but things just aren’t going his way. Carson is his older autistic brother who just loves his younger brother. Rourke wants to be a great brother and protect Carson but he also wants to be a kid.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a middle schooler or ever went to middle school.
Depending On You by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was a very quick read for me! I absolutely loved the back and forth banter between the characters even though there has been 5 years since they last saw each other. The relationship reminded me of my relationship with my best friend. We would drop everything to help one another out even though we live 16 hrs apart.
Patti and Cate are the best of friends and when Cate needed her, Patti showed up. Highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Divine Vintage by Sandra L. Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Talk about a book I couldn’t put down! I personally love all things vintage and then this book added suspense and mystery. From the very beginning of the book you can tell there is something special about Tess. She is connected to the past in a way that’s unique and powerful.
This was such a wonderful story and the character development was amazing! When I was finished with this book, I kept wanting more!
The Clockwork Solution by Michelle D. Sonnier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Arabella has returned and this time she is off on an adventure along with her sister. I was very excited to see a situation we were presented with at the beginning of the first book became the main focus of this book.
The author once again does a great job at create a world where technology and magic must try and work together. However again like the first book I really couldn’t fall in love with it. It’s still a solid story and the characters really help bring it to life but it felt a little slow to me.
The Clockwork Witch by Michelle D. Sonnier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I tried to love this book. It had so much potential but it never fully came to the point where I just loved it. I will say based on the world building aspect and the deep internal battles I will give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
As I was reading this book, I experienced a whole rainbow of emotions. The MC mother and older sisters angered me at their treatment of Arabella just because she failed at being magical which she had no control over. The relationship between her and her mother was one of extreme abuse and very degrading which led me to feel sadness for the MC.
I look forward to reading the second book in this series to see if we find answers to some of the questions left at the end of this book.
A Bride for Noah by Cheryl Wright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was such a fun sweet story! It’s a very quick read and a welcomed escape from life. Noah must find a bride or lose his home, Mary must find a way to get out of Angel’s Pass or lose her life. They both agree to marry without even meeting each other. It was a very sweet story and I can’t wait to read more stories by this author!
Wild Hare’s Daughter by Laura Koerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! From the first page I was hooked! I couldn’t put this book down! I absolutely loved how the story is laid out so you know exactly whose point of view you are following at every stage. Growing up in a small town, it always felt like you couldn’t ever have a secret because everyone knew everything but this story showed it is still possible not to know everything even if you think you do.
I will say there were many points in the story where I was shocked or thrown. It was not as predictable as I initially thought it would be! I loved it!
A Hundred Wishes by Marianne Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I first read the synopsis of this book, I was excited to read about this amazing Army sergeant who has left due injuries and turned to crafts such as quilts, and jewelry. I did not realize this was the third book in a series until after I started reading it and I am looking forward to going back and reading the first two books in order to get a little more of the back story. The story written here was detailed enough I could keep up and enjoy the book, but I feel I will love the characters even more after reading the first two books.
It was a very easy read, the story starts right from the first page and instant you are drawn in. A very light care free story that didn’t require a lot from the reader. It was a fun story with depth I was not expecting.
Apocalypse Thoughts by Kendra Griffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I first started reading this book, I was so drawn to the story about a post pandemic world while living in an active pandemic world. As the story went along, I was more drawn to the character of Kella’s brother, Huck and how he interacted with the world around him. The details of the entire story not just the visual world but the internal thought process and emotions she was experiencing as she was traveling with her cousin, younger brother and other trail hikers helped me fully submerge into the store. This is a great book!
The Traveler by Deborah Dugan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! Really there is not much I can fully put into words to describe the journey you go on when you read this book! When I first stumbled across this book, I was intrigued by the premise and wanted to know more. From the very beginning of the book, the author tosses the reader feet first into her world. She truly builds a world where the reader can picture exactly everything that is happening. There are so many questions and every time we find an answer more questions come up. This was an amazing story and it has a sequel I can’t wait to read!
Exiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was such an awesome way to end my year and kick off the start to 2022! The writing style allowed the book to flow like a conversation between friends. I could not put this book down. It was a quick read and I can’t wait to see what else this author writes.
This book is the story of a mid aged lady who has found herself suddenly widowed and her entire life as she knew it shattered. In order to find herself again, she decides to return to her roots, to learn more about the heritage she came from and discover who she truly is. There is raw emotion and not everything she discovers is positive.
Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Holiday Hope is such an uplifting story full of wonderful characters. The story starts out with Cora Lee and Anne traveling out west as mail order brides. They develop an amazing friendship during their travel along the train line into Holiday, a small mining town that has started to expand.
As soon as they get off the train we meet amazing lovable characters. This was a story where I didn’t want to put it down. I was so excited to continue reading and being able to be apart of their stories. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Holiday Express series.
The Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I absolutely love a good historical story but when you add on the twists and turns of psychological thriller it’s just amazing!!! The author does a wonderful job of sharing just enough to keep you interested and then throws a twist into the story. This was a book I could not put down. It also kept me guessing and thinking long after I finished reading it. If you love mind games and historical stories you will love this book.
No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
No names to be given is a story that centers around 3 young ladies in the late 1960’s. While their story travels different roads they all land at a maternity home. As we travel with them on their journeys we get to meet Faith, a young lady whose entire dream is to be the youngest Christian recorded artist, Sandy/Candy a local stripper who ran away from home to get away from her stepfather, and Becca a young lady who fell in love with a man not acceptable by her family.
You will cry, laugh, and feel like you are living their story with them. If you enjoy historical fiction or stories based on true events you will love this one!
Priscida Finds Greatness: In Herself and in Others by Constance Mays
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Priscida is an alley cat who ends up being adopted by a wonderful family. The writing was a little choppy however it was very easy for my 10 year old with dyslexia to read through. Each section is maybe 3-4 short sentences and the illustrations were very kid like. My daughter loved it! As a Children’s book, I can see this being a huge hit in a classroom especially Kindergarten to 3rd grade level or those struggling to read.
Sometimes an audiobook helps to bring a story to life and other times it makes it more difficult to fully enjoy the story. In this case it definitely helped bring the story to life. Right from the start the listener (reader) is captured inside a world full of wonder. The main character is a Shinree, a race that has the ability to use magic but it comes at a cost. Any time they use magic it costs not only life around them but it feeds the individuals addiction. The main story takes place 10 years after the war in the prologue and shows the world after the cost has been paid.
