The Monkey Island Murder: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Set in the 1930s, this cozy mystery is set during the Great Depression era. Monkey Island Murder is full of twists and turns, capturing your attention from the start. I enjoyed this mystery and hope to read more like it.
The Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Alchemist, Gaelan Erceldoune, creates an elixir to help cure cancer. When an acquaintance, physician Simon Bell, desperately seeks Gaelan’s help with his wife, tragedy ensues and Mrs. Bell dies. In hopes of following his wife to the afterlife, Simon takes the remaining liquid. Instead of dying, Simon becomes immortal like Gaelan. The story starts slow, but then picks up and I couldn’t put it down.
Reviewed by Terri Jo McAllister
From Darkness into Love by Sophie Bartow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a fast-paced love story. It was a sweet story to read. I loved Jessie and Cameron! I recommend this to anyone wanting to read a romantic book with a mysterious twist.
The Chaos Clock by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book had multiple writers who each wrote a chapter to the story. Each chapter was a short story about different characters that meld into one story. It’s not the type of book I would usually choose to read. It was creative and interesting.
“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD.: A mouse plans a trip to the moon. by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a cute, quick read! The illustrations were colorful and beautiful, adding so much charm to the story. The plot was engaging and held my sons’ attention. It was fun to see how the barn animals all worked together. Overall, it was a great book that we enjoyed reading together.
Word Play by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cute book and the art is so sweet! Joe is such a sweetheart, very unconcerned with anything at his new school other than learning to read. He has quite and adventure trying to find someone to help him read. The part where he gets to the salon and decides it’s the right place because they are ladies reading under helmets, that was funny and accurate! It made me chuckle they way Bea is drawn, chasing after Joe. I love that mom and Mrs. Richey explain to Joe that learning to read takes time, just like riding a bike or swimming, you have to learn and practice.
A Vampire in Disguise by Ava Silvers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hazel Goode is a young woman who is on a mission, her sister is missing and the last place she has been is Shadow Hollow, a small town near Bozeman, so that is why she is on a greyhound bus heading that way. As soon as Hazel arrives, she checks in at the local hotel and meets someone who may be able to help her, or at least that is what she hopes, but first she needs food and rest, however, in the middle of the night, she senses her sisters presence and knows that the worst has happened, her sister has died.
The next day, Hazel manages to find a place to start, her sister’s apartment, however, she is very surprised to see that there are Magicals living freely with Mundanes, and as someone who is a Fire Witch herself, it goes against everything she has been taught. As Hazel follows any lead she can find, she keeps hitting dead ends, however, she also stumbled upon some positives along the way, but one name is familiar, Corwin, a man surrounded in mystery who just happens to also be the Last Vampire on Earth.
When Corwin asks Hazel to help him solve a mystery of his own, she realises that it is also the same one she is currently investigating, but the motive is completely different and as they work together, they uncover long buried secrets and expose the dark underbelly of the Magical world, but will they find out who killed Hazel’s sister and what dangers will they face along the way? This is a cozy mystery set in a magical Midwest town with plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked throughout.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Wheel of Evil (Hani’s Daughter Mysteries) by N.L. Holmes
Wheel of Evil is the third book in the Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Series. Just when I thought the series couldn’t get any better the one flies to the top and wow’d me. This one is definitely my favorite yet. I’m a huge fan of this author and their style of writing along with amazing characters that brings the story to life. Her characters are developed and connectable. I highly recommend reading this fast-paced story to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading more from this Author.
Love Rinkside by G.K. Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
G. K. Brady’s Love Rinkside follows full-time consultant and part-time amateur hockey player Drew, and Katie, who works with his sister. They meet properly at a Halloween party, talk about how they are both rinkside as they are close to professional hockey players but don’t play professional hockey, and spend the next month trying not to fall for each other, as they both said they wanted to stay single. Neither of them manage to stick to this plan, and neither of them know how to communicate this to the other, which results in heated arguments and grand romantic gestures. I felt like the falling in love part happened fast, but it was probably because it was a short book. It’s also not as much of a hockey romance as I expected, as Drew plays amateur hockey and we only seem to read about one game, but either way it is definitely a short, easy, fun read!
Word Play by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Word Play by Tricia Gardella is a cute, illustrated children’s story book with a bit of an educational theme.
Joe is so eager to learn to read – but what happens on the first day of school when he expects to learn and ‘know’ how to read right away? Well, his impatience takes him on a little adventure, with some lessons to learn along the way.
The story is accompanied by cute illustrations which are bright, colourful, and engaging- helping the ‘adventure’ to come to life.
A fun story…
Happy Reading!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
The Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
2.5 – 3 Stars
The Veil is the first book in The Veil Realms Series by Karli Rush. I was so excited when this book popped up on my recommended book suggestions on social media- as it promised everything that I love to find in an engrossing read.
Fantasy is one of my favourite genres, and add in some dystopian elements, action, and adventure- and I am hooked. So, I went into this with great expectation for all the promise that the synopsis held. And hello, look at that gorgeous cover!
But I have to be honest here and say, that while the ‘story’ component itself was quite intriguing, I just couldn’t find my ‘groove’ with the writing style- which was sooo disappointing, as I really wanted to LOVE this book so hard. Instead, I found it a very frustrating read.
Let me try to explain myself. The author has a VERY descriptive writing style, which is VERY heavy with adjectives. I mean, she has a VERY HEAVY hand when it comes to her adjectives, and not all of them were used appropriately for the context they were in. It made for a very frustrating and choppy flow – as well as being quite distracting from the ‘actual’ story that was being told. I find that writing that overuses adjectives, especially when they are not always correctly used, really makes the story ‘feel’ cluttered, and therefore, less impactful, because the excessive use of adjectives really ‘dilutes’ the overall impact of the ‘story’ and makes it much harder to read. I feel a little sorry for the author, as her editor could have and should have picked up on these issues and helped correct them- therefore letting the author down. This story could have been quite stellar- but unfortunately it misses the mark for me. See example below-
“Dashing through the enfeebling doorway, I race down the vine-covered steps, but before I can even reach the tree line, Rayden is chasing me down like a mountain lion on the hunt. Before I know it, I’m lying on the ground with him on top. Familiar with his kind of torture, I scramble to free myself. His hands grip my sides, pinning me in place, and then his malevolent fingers begin tickling me with no mercy in sight. My contagious laughter rivets throughout the silent woods as Rayden straddles over me. He taunts, “Do you give up?” Writhing beneath him, I try to speak, but it’s no use, so instead, I nod, confirming my submission. His controlled hands measure their way up my body, and his affectionate lips explore mine.”
-‘vine-covered steps’
-‘enfeebling doorway’ (does the doorway make you weaker by passing through it, or is it meant to describe a dilapidated, crumbling, rickety, or unsound doorway?)
-‘malevolent fingers’
-‘contagious laughter’
-‘Silent woods’
-‘controlled hands’
-‘affectionate lips’
I’m not saying that SOME of these aren’t appropriate to use – but using them ALL in such a short passage makes for a frustrating reading experience, for me. It felt like the author was ‘trying way too hard’. And the story reads like this, pretty much, the whole way through.
I also found that the ‘tenses’ chopped and changed in parts, was quite ‘wordy’, and there were a few other editing issues- which, again, distracted from the storyline.
Instead of feeling immersed in the story, all these issues made it hard to read, hard to connect with, or invest in the characters and/or their story.
As this is the first book in a series, I am really hoping that the author has better luck with her ‘editor’ (etc) for future instalments, as the premise does have a lot of potential.
But looking at some of the other reviews here, I seem to be the only one who had any issue with the book- so you should probably read the story for yourself and make up your own mind about it.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Karli Rush!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Murder the Tey Way by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book series keeps improving as each new book builds up the suspense with each new mystery happening to the club members. I was shocked that there were so many deaths and injuries this time, having the drama continue to build up and the suspense grows as I read each page. I had my suspicions and was happy to see I was right about who the guilty party was, but boy the author had me working to solve the mystery as there are so many different leads to follow about every character in the book club. We get to continue following the lives of our book club members from the first book in the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series as they explore their love for mysteries and Tey’s adventures. I am curious if the books that the group is reading are real because I’m intrigued to read them if they are, and if they aren’t then the author should consider writing them because the stories that the book club is reading have me just as intrigued as the story that I’m following along. This book is full of amazing past characters as well as lots of new characters that you get to know, guiding the reader to have even more suspicious characters to suspect of wrongdoings. I’m hopeful that this series will continue because I love a good suspenseful mystery with just the right amount of soft romance to add to the drama.
@Brandy Rymer
07/2024
Word Play by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Word Play by Tricia Gardella. This is a cute, fun book that would be great for kids about to start school. Its the story of a little boy named Joe who is starting school and learning to read. He just knows on the first day he will know how to read perfectly. When he gets to school and sees that it doesn’t happen that fast he learns what patience means. He also learns its not easy and sometimes frustrating. This book is aimed at children as young as 2 learning shapes and letters. It has very neat illustrations that go along with the story. A great read for all the young kids in your life!
The Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Apothecary’s Curse (The Apothecary Series) by Barbara Barnett. This is the second book in the Apothecary’s Series. Set in Victorian London, its part medical thriller, part fiction/fantasy. The two main characters are Dr. Simon Bell and his apothecary Gaelan Elcerdoune who have both drank the elixir of Immorality. Simon in trying to cure his wife’s cancer fixes up a potion and has her drink it thinking she will be all cured instead she dies, leaving Simon in a deep, dark pit of grief and guilt. Simon tries to kill himself by drinking the potion but it doesn’t kill him. Gaelan and Simon’s sister have a complex relationship as well and the book goes back and forth between the 2 men’s lives. There are multiple timelines and views that create a very deep and dark read. Its not a book you can just sail thru you need to pay attention to the details! A very moving and deep thrilling fantasy.
The Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an entertaining dystopian fantasy novel. The characters are well crafted, and the world was expansive and unique. Rush gives the reader a story full of twists and turns to keep the reader glued to the page. A worthwhile adventure!
The End of Try Try Again: Overcome Your Weight Loss and Exercise Struggles for Good by Kristen Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a quick read. I actually read it a few times. Most of the information seems like common sense but it still manages to frame the thoughts and actions suggested in a way that, for many, may be easier to accept. This allows you to implement some or all of the techniques given to put you on the path to a healthier you. I would absolutely reccommend reading this book. The information is well presented and easy to understand. All that’s left is the follow thru to be on the road to a healthier you.
“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD.: A mouse plans a trip to the moon. by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story. I love that mouse was really trying to prove himself to himself and the other animals. He was very much determined to reach his goal. And I liked how at the end even bird came together to help out a friend in need! I’m gonna read this to my 4 year old as I think this has a few good lessons to learn!
Lost Hollow : A Small Town Science Fiction Romance (Alienville Book 1) by Donna S. Frelick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow! What a wonderfully unique and well written story! I had no idea what I was getting into with this one, but I’m so glad I picked this one up!
The author crafts a story full of action and suspense m, as well as a little romance that keeps you turning the pages—it really has everything. The content is so unique and the characters are likable and the story is told from multiple points of view, which I loved. On her way to visit her sister, Claire ends up in a strange small town, Allenville and isn’t heard from again—her sister Moira goes to find her and things aren’t as they seem. Will the secrets of the town be discovered? What happened to Claire?
This was my first by the author and I’m so pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed this story. Run to pick this one up! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Neferet is one of the main characters of the story. She works in a very male-driven industry. Still, the author has Neferet written to be a very strong-willed independent character that as a reader you couldn’t picture her doing anything else. Except for maybe becoming a detective lol. When a business associate of her uncle comes up dead it piques Neferet interest. The only issue is whether Neferet or any of her loved ones could become the next victim. I loved the flow of the story and the storyline. I absolutely recommend that you read the prior books in this series to get the full story. I can’t wait to go back to read the first two books in the series.
Reviewed by @alape
A Vampire in Disguise by Ava Silvers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hazel has set out on a mission. Her sister Willow is missing and she was last seen in Shadow Hollow. Hazel was sent an anonymous note along with her sister’s stone necklace so she has set out for Shadow Hollow. In the letter she was told she could trust someone named Haywood and to watch herself as everyone was not out to help her. Hazel and her sister are from the Goode family, a long standing line of witches. Hazel has used a locator spell for Willow but it is showing like Willow doesn’t exist. Hazel isn’t exactly hoping for the best but she has to find out what has happened to her sister.
Very captivating story definitely had a hard time putting it down. This is second book but could be read stand alone. Strong characters that you will just love. This is a fast read that will have you wanting more. This book is full of drama and adventure. I recommend this to more mature readers but anyone who love romantic, adventure stories and everything that comes with it.
The Queen’s Dance: A Sizzling Slow Burn Fantasy Romance by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Very captivating story definitely had a hard time putting it down. This is second book but could be read stand alone. Strong characters that you will just love. This is a fast read that will have you wanting more. This book is full of drama and adventure. I recommend this to more mature readers but anyone who love romantic, adventure stories and everything that comes with it.
The Queen’s Dance: A Sizzling Slow Burn Fantasy Romance by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book two of a fantasy romance. This story involves lady Claire and her love Trian
Lady Claire has a unique ability of being able to tell the future of others. These vision episodes are triggered by touching other people and sometimes land her passed out on the floor which is rather embarrassing for her family so she wasn’t often in court and was stressed the entire time she was. She is looking forward to finally going home after supporting her sister when she ends up kidnapped as they thought she was her sister.
Caught in a foreign country and trying to get free her kidnappers realize her abilities and seek to use them to their own advantage. Claire must overcome so many things and stand up, be strong, overcome plots and intrigue and outsmart everyone around her so she can get free and back to the one she loves. Claire really grows as a character in this story and makes her a heroine you can’t help but fall in love with.
This book is well done with intricate details, well developed characters and a heroine to root for. I definitely stayed up late reading this one!!
Taste of Honey by Julie Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is made up of 3 short stories. The Gift, The Commander’s Club and Once in Love. All 3 are super fast paced Dom / sub or ( new to sub ) stories. Of course people have their favorites.
The gift is about a sweet librarian who starts receiving gifts from a secret admirer. There is a note in one of the gifts, to meet him at a hotel room and she actually goes. She has no idea who she is going to meet but Penelope goes anyway and when she finds out it’s none other then Vlad from the library she doesn’t know what think. She takes to her new sub role quickly and this one is very steamy.
My other favorite which I think was the best is The Commander’s Club. Courtney decides to go in undercover trying to find out what happened to her friend. Luckily she is assigned to Ty as her trainer. Ty is actually
Undercover as well but he’s a Dom in real life so he has no problems taking on a sub / slave to train. Ty and Courtney have off the charts chemistry but Courtney is so far from obedient that she can blow her cover and Ty’s very easily. Ty doesn’t go easy on her in training and gives her everything he would
Give any one he is training. After her training she is to be sold to the highest buyer but, Ty plans to get her out before that time comes. Ty and Courtney develop feelings for eachother im the short time they are together and don’t get to say goodbye before Courtney is rescued. Will Ty and Courtney see eachother again? This was definitely my favorite out of the trio.
review by @xchellex
The End of Try Try Again: Overcome Your Weight Loss and Exercise Struggles for Good by Kristen Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The End Of Try Try Again by Kristen Carter, MS – Review by Amanda Gray
This is an easy to read, straightforward book that takes a look at how to set new healthy habits. It takes a practical approach to change, make small obtainable changes and build on that success. This book does a good job of laying out the why, to help stay motivated while making lifestyle changes. It also helps to feel like you are not alone in wanting and struggling to make these changes, that it is a very human experience. It provides a simple and easy outline to follow as you work to make new habits for a healthier living.
The End Of Try Try Again, Kristen Carter MS, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Self Help, Non Fiction, Amanda Gray, July 2024
The Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Veil was such an exciting read for me, from the very first page. I loved how this story was completely unlike anything I had ever read before. It didn’t have that feel of a recycled story whatsoever. The characters were wonderfully crafted, the world was expansive and unique. The author did an excellent job giving me, as the reader, a visual of all the beauty and chaos taking place inside this fantastic tale. I love a good rollercoaster, and this story was nothing short of ups, downs, and twisty turns. I felt like this is a very strong beginning to this series, and I hope there’s many more to follow!
Blurring the Lines & Extras by Amy Kaybach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The minute I found that this was a rockstar romance, I was ready to jump in. Please as always make sure you check trigger warnings. Your mental health is important to you and to those around you. After finishing I realized that this is a prequel. Which I truly do not mind. It actually makes me more excited to read the others in this. We see each band member and the way they work with each other and against. This was a fun read for sure.
The End of Try Try Again: Overcome Your Weight Loss and Exercise Struggles for Good by Kristen Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this self help book interesting and informative whilst being easy to read and understand. The book aims to help you overcome your weight loss and exercise struggles for good. The author is obviously a professional and very knowledgeable, she promotes choosing an ‘acceptable lifestyle that balances desire with health’. The book helped me to feel more in control of my choices and allowed me to discover solutions that actually fitted into my life. I liked the fact that the book starts with an explanation of how our brains and bodies work, in order to work with them not against them. I was fascinated to learn how it can be our attitudes and beliefs that prevent us achieving something and the book gave me a new way of thinking about diet and exercise. The book uses extensive research to explain why making big changes can be complicated, but by using the ‘science of motivation’ we can achieve our diet and exercise goals. The book aims to give readers a clear and inspirational formula that can lead to life-changing results. I would definitely recommend this self help book as it has definitely helped me personally.
Taste of Honey by Julie Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Taste of Honey is a compilation of three spicy erotic novellas. The three stories follow the same storyline, a submissive woman meets a rich, dominant male and we join the women as they learn about BDSM. The women end up falling in love with the men and being submissive. The stories are very quick-paced; if you like hot, sensual stories, this book is for you.
Taste of Honey by Julie Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This series is a collection of short novella stories that are really hot and spicy to read. All of them are erotica books but all have a great storyline to go along with them. Each book is different from the last but has the same great writing style.
Each set of characters are really what pulled me into these books though. The author has really managed to draw out their connections, the chemistry. It felt like it is what the whole book centered around. These books are all enjoyable in their own right and make for a really great
The Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is such an interesting story. I knew I would enjoy it when I read the description but I didn’t expect it to draw me in so easily and so quickly. I enjoyed the way the author slowly built up the storyline. As each page passed I became more invested in the story and what was happening.
The mix of characters was really interesting to read about as well. They had a brilliant dynamic which fit well with the story. This is a new author to me and I really enjoyed the writing style. This book has piqued my interest in her work as a whole and I am looking forward to discovering more.
