Operation Blackbird by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Miriam is a CIA operative after the war. This book tells about how Miriam helps a rocket scientist escape East Berlin. During the escape, not everything goes as planned and Jake gets left behind. Miriam must do what she can to find him and get him to safety. A very good historical fiction book.
A Crossbow Christmas by Ann Swann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Carina is not feeling the Christmas Spirit this year after caring for both of her ill parents and then her own battle with Covid. Carina is unhappy that only one of her children and a member of her online support group are planning to celebrate Christmas with her. She would really love to have all her kids, grandkids and husband together for an old fashioned Christmas. This story touched the heart. I laughed and cried. Such a good book!!
Better Gnomes & Gardens by Casey Cardel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was such a fun cozy mystery! Bob has recently moved to Mysty Haven and is a journalist. His story about Bigfoot gets him fired. So, when a local man asks for his help in finding his missing gnome, Charlie, Bob agrees to look into it. Bob learns a lot about not only his fellow townspeople but about himself as well.
The Second View by Leon Stevens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the trilogy. April and Thomas return to the wold they discovered in the first book. They have found an exit they missed the first time. More adventure awaits.
Shadow and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In the second book of this series, the Fae and mortals are in battle with one another. Chloe is in the Faerie realm to help win against the mortals. Chloe meets Quintus and is not so sure she wants to leave. Chloe has to use her magic to try to win this battle to protect the lands. The author has done a great job developing these characters and this world. Looking forward to the next book!!
Divided Lives by K.R. Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lottie is living a life that is divided. She shows one side to those involved in her work life and another to those who know her best. This life leads her into a situation involving blackmail and murder. This book kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next. Hoping we will see more of Lottie, Patrick, Frank and the others in a sequel.
Grave Digger Academy II by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Grave Digger Academy is not the place anyone wants to end up. Last year did not go well and they need to win the inter-academy competition to keep the academy open. Makayla and her friends need to win, but something is wrong with the competition. This book was a quick enjoyable read.
River Witch by Cheryl Burman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hester is a farmer’s daughter who wants more out of her life. Hester meets Aaron who teaches her how to use herbs to heal. Hester is soon labeled as a witch by a man who feels he has been done wrong by her. She must save herself as well as others. This story drew me in more and more as I read it.
Notebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Christmas time does not stop ghosts nor death. Emma decides to look into a death that has been ruled a suicide by the police. Emma’s own life may be in danger as more bodies begin to stack up. This fast paced novella was a great addition to the Notebook Mysteries series.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Angie Taylor was out with friends when a man kidnapped them. Angie escaped but her three friends were murdered. Angie is helped by an FBI agent and a dog handler and his dog as they try to rescue more women who were kidnapped by the same man. This thriller kept me hooked. I had to know how the situation would be resolved.
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Logan is happily married and enjoys playing Bella. Because of her love of animals, she decides to become a volunteer at a wildlife refuge. Logan is learning a lot and enjoying her volunteer work when she walks in on the scene of a murder one day. Logan puts herself in danger when she decides to investigate this death.
Notebook Mysteries ~ Unexpected Outcomes by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I could not put this book down!! I was on a cruise when I began this one and finished it on the way home. It was so good!!! Emma and Jeremy are in a train wreck and find there is a mystery to solve. Throughout the book, they are working on several mysteries both together and apart. I love the characters who have become friends during this series.
Bake Happy by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Such a good ending to an enjoyable trilogy. Cat loves baking, but things change after a surprise dinner with family. Nate is family but Cat cannot stand him. After the dinner, Cat and Nate both have their lives changed. Cat wants things back to the way they were but in the end learns a valuable lesson.
Something About Aimee by S.E. Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Aimee lives on the streets of New York City and works for a courier service. Aimee rides her skateboard everywhere. She spoils an assassination attempt while she is delivering some very important documents. This sets up Aimee and Qadir for a wonderful story of love and loss. This is the first book in the Girls from the Street series and I plan to read the rest!
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bobbi is a debutante who is beginning her career as a police detective. She has to prove that she is tough and can handle what is thrown her way. There is a serial killer on the loose and he has a type…Bobbi’s type.
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Nikola Tesla keeps his workshop a secret. Cora is chosen to work with him and discovers there are mysteries to be solved. This was a good book that kept me reading. I plan to read more by this author.
Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Roxanne takes a job as a ghost writer for Claudette who is a best selling author. Roxanne lost her husband and son in a horrible car wreck. She continues to have trouble dealing with their deaths. Things begin to change for her as she hears the stories that Claudette wants her to write. Such an amazing story!!
The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the third book in this cute series that mixes science with mermaids. Trezzie finds rocks that have patterns on them and her friend Fig teaches her how to make a magnifying glass to see them better. The pictures in this book are very pretty.
No Pistol Tastes the Same by Jacob Paul Patchen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a great read. JP is a Marine who has returned from the war in the Middle East. He has trouble coming back to his life with his wife and his son. As he struggles to adjust, everything he holds dear is threatened. PTSD is experienced by many men and women who serve. This book helps us see these struggles through the eyes of JD. Such an emotional and important read.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oliver is adopted and mad at his parents. He dreams about all of the things he could be doing if he were with his biological parents. After a conversation with his parents, he realizes he is exactly where he belongs.
Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such a cute book about learning to overcome fear. Jake is scared of something he smells in the woods. He and his friends set out to find what has scared him and learn a valuable lesson. The illustrations are very pretty.
Deadly Sommer by Nicholas Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book immensely!! Nora is a rookie constable who is taken and forced to complete tasks to save the life of a woman who has been kidnapped. If Nora completes all four tasks, then she and the hostage will be released unharmed. This book was a page turner and I am looking forward to the second book in the Nora Sommer Caribbean Suspense series!!!
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book for children combines mermaids and science. The mermaids learn about ice cubes through a cute story that will keep kids interested. I love books that are able to teach kids without them realizing that is what is happening!!
Bake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bake Off was such a good book! Cat bakes at the family bakery and has some questions about her abilities. When her family gets together, GG is ready to share the stories of the family. The book is so much fun and has a recipe at the end of each chapter.
The Last Cabin Girl by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such a great book!! This is a new author for me and I will definitely be reading more. Josie is a single mom who is just trying to do her best for her kids as a pandemic begins to spread around the world. Josie sees a dead woman in the lake but is afraid to report it because of what happened when she was younger. When a body is found down the shoreline, she knows she wasn’t dreaming up the body. This book was full of twists and turns.
The Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a cute book that teaches kids about caring for others and about apples. My grandchildren will enjoy this book when I read it to them. I am looking forward to reading more books like this one.
The Sound of Murder by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Melody Street Players are ready to perform The Sound of Music, but murder puts a stop to the performances before they can even begin. Ruby decides to solve the murder of fellow cast member Diane. This was an enjoyable page turner and I am looking forward to the release of Book 2 in this series!
Shamrock & Clover: Fields Apart by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was truly a book I could not put down!! Shamrock is the king of single men. He can have a one night stand with any woman he wants to but is beginning to wonder if there might be more to life than this. Clover is struggling with pain in her life and looking for more. This was such a fun read!! I plan to read more by this author.
the mermaid and the rainbow by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a cute book! The mermaid teaches readers about science. This book will capture a mermaid lover’s attention. I plan to read it with my granddaughter.
Notebook Mysteries ~ Changes and Challenges by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
loved this story and could not put it down!! Emma and her friends stumble upon a case of children being kidnapped for nefarious reasons. The group deals with personal issues as they try to save the children and keep this from continuing. I love the characters and feel like I know each of them personally. I want MORE!!!
