Unexpected Revival by E L Roux
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was good. This is the first book of the series. Shannon was in a cryogenic sleep, then something woke her up. She discovered that Earth has been destroyed. Comes across a male who also happens to be an alien, and she is attracted to him. D’lane has his own mission to needs to complete.
Cam Creates a Hero by Dagmara Sitek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was fantastic! The kids loved it! This story is about a boy Cam, he lives with his foster mom and siblings. He has a heart that loves to help people. He saw a little girl on tv that was hurt, he had to do something to help. So he got his sibling to help him make a robot, that didn’t pan out. He decided to write a book that would help protect kids. He took it the hospital and all the kids loved it.
The Keeper by G.K. Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Keeper is the first book in the Fall River Series and revolves around the three Hunnicutt brothers, and it’s an excellent start to what appears to be a promising series.
Noah has just opened his very own business, a tavern. He has made some bad decisions in the past. He wants to prove himself by being responsible and putting those mistakes behind him. Hailey is a restaurant inspector who dreams of opening her own bookstore one day. One snowy night will put these two on a course that will change their lives.
After the two spend a night together in a snowstorm, sparks fly. Each of them has personal demons to deal with, and outside forces threaten to derail their budding relationship before it gets off the ground.
Both characters are relatable and likable. I enjoyed their mutual respect for one another, and I also liked that there was a friendship between them as well. They were both incredibly supportive of each others’ dreams and did whatever was possible to help the other fulfill those dreams.
I loved the quirky characters; the author did a great job of creating this special little town. I could clearly envision each shop and business. There was a dash of suspense thrown in as well. When you add in a loveable dog or two, it’s almost perfection for me. Give the little town of Fall River a visit. I hope you like it as much as I did.
The Men of Eden Cove Manor by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love a good book I can read in just a few hours. It’s even better when it can be seductive without all the messy details. The characters are fantastic. There were moments of suspense but in the end I finished with a laugh. I absolutely loved this story.
The Fixer by G.K. Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was a massive fan of The Keeper, the first book of the Fall River Series, and this second book did not disappoint!
It’s now Charlie Hunnicutt’s turn to tell readers his story. He is a passionate preservationist who sees every structure as a living thing with a story to tell. He takes great pride in his projects. Joy Holiday has come to Fall River to settle her late mother’s estate, and she intends to return to her life in the city as quickly as possible. She wants to sell quickly. However, she has to bring the building up to code, and this is when Charlie enters the picture. The two repeatedly butt heads over the fate of the building. As the two are thrown together to see this project finished, they begin connecting on a much deeper level. But, how can two polar opposites find their way to lasting happiness?
I loved Charlie when I met him in the first book. He’s definitely easy on the eyes, but as I read more of the book, that falls away. The only thing I saw was his sweet soul. I admit it took a little longer for me to like Joy, but as I got to know her better, I saw that under her tough exterior was a little girl with a broken heart. She has to face her childhood issues if she is ever going to find happiness as an adult. She longs to have a family who loves her, and if she would let Charlie past the iron-clad walls surrounding her heart, he could give her that.
I was so happy to return to Fall River to see the characters I have come to love. I can’t wait to return with the third upcoming book!
War Bunny: Book 1 of the War Bunny Chronicles by Christopher St. John
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shades of Watership Down! Set sometime after the year 2117, there is a new world order. Man, thanks to his ignorance to climate change, and to massive disease outbreak has been annihilated – at least within Million Acre Woods somewhere in Canada. The woods are now populated with a new world order. According to the History of the Known World, “at the end, the woods were full of animals. But the same winnowing that took the Dead Gods [Humans] took many animals too. Only six kinds of creatures are left for canids: deer, raccoon, rabbit, squirrel and moose.”
War Bunny’s focus is on the survival of rabbits. In the opening chapters we are introduced to the Blood Thorn Warren, in which our protagonist, Anastasia dwells. The runt of her litter, she is inquisitive, questioning, disobedient, has a touch of OCD “is not right in the head” and is barren. Instigated by her own mother (Olympia) and father (Darius), her perceived shortcomings become a cocktail for eviction from the warren. But is that the real reason for casting her out?
As her story progresses, we are introduced to a rigidly structured belief system, akin to human religious hierarchy. A system, dominated by the males of her species. In this system, “Dah” has written the rules for proper societal behavior. A rabbit must, at all times, be prepared to experience “the Giving” [surrender] and accept “Glorification” [death] to the “Blessed Ones” [Fox, Weasel, Hawk, Coyote] to enter “The Lucky Fields” where he/she will be able to romp forever. “There is no outrunning the mercy of Dah”, she is told, and yet Anastasia questions and wrestles with this and other truths she has been taught since she was a kit.
Once ostracized, Anastasia establishes a “warren” of colorful characters who both help and hinder her as she wrestles with the meanings of self, sacrifice, truth and faith. There is plenty of war, love, acceptance and action within War Bunny’s pages, as one little rabbit turns the entire rabbit world as they know it, upside down. Anastasia’s story is compelling, deeply thought provoking, and had me captivated until the very end.
Christopher St. John’s rich allegory is filled with nuances of politics, power, feminism and organized religion. It is book one thus far, of a trilogy that includes the books Summerday and City of Oom.
Beefy Goes From Bully To Buddy: Children’s Book About Bullying by Dagmara Sitek
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Beefy’s character is a wonderful character who is intelligent and does indeed change. The foster children are very sweet and supportive. I feel many people would like this book. From the bully to buddy aspect it is a fantastic story. However, the story continues and addresses other characters that I feel were represented poorly. I did not like the ending of this book.
The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I wanted to read the Trouble with Possibilities because the title and the cover stood out to me, and I’m glad I did. The story follows Del, who has recently lost her husband and has decided to finally do something with her life that she has always wanted to do. She signs up to volunteer at a school in Africa, and it’s probably the best decision she ever made. I love this aspect of the story as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as well, and I’m glad it acknowledges not only the positives but also the negatives, the hard parts. I didn’t love the romance aspect of the story as much as I feel like the audience doesn’t get shown the qualities Del appreciates about Ben, at least not until towards the end. I also feel like what stops the love interests from getting together, whilst it is a big deal, isn’t enough to cause a problem for as long as it does. It gets a bit tiring, particularly her childish behaviour which seems unfair on him at times. But nevertheless, it is well written, and the last few chapters are written exceptionally well and I did enjoy the ending. My favourite character was probably Mandi, even though we don’t see much of her, and my least favourite character was possibly David, although he does seem to redeem himself. I recommend this book because it is an inspiring story, and it’s always refreshing to see a romance centred on an older couple. “You do not have to erase the past to embrace the future, but you do have to loosen its hold.”
The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Delaney (Del) Harper has lost her husband, job and is having issues with her adult son. So she decides she needs to get away and goes to Africa to help the less fortunate children with schooling. Once there she tries so hard to keep her feelings and anxieties bottled up from everyone and everything that happened at home. Such a wholesome romance novel. Once I started this book I had to keep going. This book shows how grief can manifest itself and eventually you just have to let some things go in order to make peace within yourself.
Betrayal by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book three in the series and the first that I have read in the series. I will say that this book can be read as a stand alone or with the series. I didn’t feel lost or confused with characters by not reading the other two books first. I can tell that the characters do ebb and flow throughout the books because of the way they are written but if I’m not mistaken each book deals with a different set of characters. Speaking characters, these characters are really well developed and you can feel their emotions throughout this book. They even evolve throughout the span of the book, which I feel is amazing have in a book. This was a very quick read for me as I couldn’t put it down. There is the normal circumstances of contemporary romance which is each character has their own previous baggage and they are trying to see if it is worth working through that to be with one another. However, this book has a bit more to it. There is secrets and lies. The title is there for a reason and it had me turning pages to find out what happened next. There is that push and pull between he characters with their passion and angst. I highly recommend this book to any contemporary romance lover because they will love this book and get hooked into it right away. If you aren’t a contemporary romance lover, I feel like you would still enjoy this book because of the twists and turns it takes and the constant ability to keep you on the edge of each page.
Reviewed by: @bbohls
A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Honestly at first I thought the book was a little cringy. Now I did feel that her and Asher did have a good connection but still cringy. Do not let me saying that push you away from the book because it gets better! The characters are great; seriously the friendship was the best, Tenley was my favorite. Holland was a great main character, it was great that she could admit she enjoyed getting attention from both boys, who wouldn’t. I loved that she agreed about them acting like idiots, I was glad their “hotness” didn’t blind her in that area. And then I was so happy for her when she finally started to think about her own wants. Runway careers is such a cool idea, I wish my high school did something like this.
Overall the it’s a great read for younger readers/ya readers. It’s humorous, ambitious characters and a little romance. 100 percent recommend.
The Crown of Stones Complete Trilogy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bravo C.L. Schnider, I now understand why I have seen this series everywhere. While this boxset was not my introduction to this incredible author or Ian Troy, I finally understood so much more about his story and the author’s talent. Already a big fan of C.L. Schnider, I was introduced to Ian Troy through the two Soulbound Journeys books. Having finally had a chance to go back and see where it all began, I was left awestruck by all her had overcome and made it out the other side, yes more scared both internally and externally but it gives so much more depth to the world and characters the author has created.
Ian Troy is a Shinree soldier. Their one downfall is their addiction to magic. Book One starts with the battle that changed the very map of the world itself. But Troy buried the crown with his fallen lover and queen and became a bounty hunter. Only the crown wasn’t done with him. Book Two, two years have passed since the events of book one and Troy has been beaten down and enslaved. Only now, he finds himself as a leader and so many others look to him for guidance and freedom. Book Three, Ian Troy is in hiding, the resistance has fallen, and he’s left trying to find a way to help the realm and the people who inhabit it.
Can Ian Troy get a handle on his addictions to save the realm? Will he become too broken, or will that feed his determination more? This entire world pulls every ounce of your soul into it. C.L. Schnider captured the power of legends like Tolkien and created her own ever-growing complex world that keeps you coming back for more. I may have read things out of order in the world of Ian Troy, but I can truly say that’s not gonna stop me from now going back to read Troy and discovering his full backstory that leads to him becoming the warrior that he was in the beginning of this trilogy.
A Safe Place by Becky Flade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Kat is a 15 year old girl who is in the wrong place at the wrong time, but after losing her grandmother Kat feels abandoned and lost so as she is pushed from temporary home to temporary home she comes in contact with Maddi a social worker.
Maddi needs to protect Kat from who is looking for her, while trying to reunite her with her legal guardian her brother who is currently serving in the army and not aware of the situation that Kat is in or danger. Once her brother Nate is back and trying to look after Kat but also struggles with his feelings for Maddi and will she ever be able to give the love back to Nate.
This is the sixth book in the series and as all the books can be read as a stand alone story. The story is full of twists and turns and offers the read a chance to immerse themselves into the story and feel a part of it. I loved the character of Kat although seemingly a tough but had a vulnerability with was great to read.
The love story element between Nate and Maddi was a great layer to the story and with the twists and turns make this a thrilling story to keep you reading to get to the end. I can’t wait to read the next boo in this series.
Beefy Goes From Bully To Buddy: Children’s Book About Bullying by Dagmara Sitek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Helping my child deal with bullying right now made this book so special to us. I have read it to him a couple times and discussed with him how bullying is bad and sometimes they are troubled also. It’s got wonderful illustrations. It’s a cool story with a great flow. I was tickled to see Cam and his friends were in it. They teach great lessons. We are adding this to our library. We are also donating some copies to our Peer Kindness agency and Kinship group.
Shadows in the Dark by Anise Storm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you like
-Billionaire Romance
-BDSM
-Secret Society
-Dual POV
-Serial Killer
Then this is the book for you!!!
This was so good, filled with lots of mystery and BDSM.
The authors did a phenomenal job describing the scene.
Adrian is definitely a mystery. Brynn is such a vibrant character.
I was intrigued from the very beginning and couldn’t put this down.
What starts out as Brynn trying to figure out what happened to her sister turns into so much more when she meets Adrian.
This is part of a trilogy so it does end on a cliffhanger and I absolutely cannot wait for book 2!
The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie
The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie is a gripping paranormal romance that combines high-stakes drama, supernatural intrigue, and the tantalizing pressure of fate. At its core is Quinnlan Trinity, a character who has been given a rare second chance at life by the gods—on the condition that she finds a mate within three days. But this isn’t your typical love story. The intensity is amplified by the fact that if her chosen mate rejects her, it’s straight back to the afterlife, and her clock is ticking.
From the start, Valkyrie creates a world rich with paranormal creatures and trickster gods, blending romance with a dash of danger and mystery. Quinnlan’s sarcastic wit and her fish-out-of-water situation make for a thoroughly entertaining lead. Dropped in an abandoned motel with minimal resources and no clear path forward, her plight feels equal parts urgent and ridiculous in the best way—especially with Valkyrie’s dry humor woven into Quinnlan’s narration.
Things heat up when Quinnlan stumbles upon a wounded man, his life hanging in the balance after an encounter with wolf shifters. The decision she faces is heart-wrenching: Does she save him and risk rejection, or walk away to keep her slim chances of finding a mate alive? This moral dilemma sets the tone for the rest of the novel, as the romance develops in the shadow of impending doom.
The chemistry between Quinnlan and the mysterious man she saves is palpable, though tension arises from their mutual uncertainty and the weight of her choices. Valkyrie balances action and romantic tension well, keeping readers invested in both Quinnlan’s personal growth and the outcome of her supernatural quest. The sense of urgency—two days left to secure her future—hangs over every encounter, drawing readers in as they wonder: Will she be sent back to purgatory, or find true connection?
What sets The Final Bite apart from other paranormal romances is not only the fresh twist on the second-chance trope but also the depth of the world-building. Valkyrie infuses her story with gods who meddle for their own amusement and dangerous beings who blur the lines between friend and foe, giving the book a larger-than-life, mythological feel.
For fans of paranormal romance, The Final Bite is a fast-paced, fun, and tension-filled story. Naomi Valkyrie has crafted a thrilling narrative about fate, love, and the hard choices we make when the stakes are high. Quinnlan’s journey is one of survival, self-discovery, and maybe—just maybe—finding love when it seems impossible.
Sanctuary by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Sanctuary by Bree M. Lewandowski is a wonderfully woven fantasy that had me invested right from the get-go. This isn’t the first book that I have read by Ms. Lewandowski, but it is another favourite of hers. Ms. Lewandowski has a knack for telling engrossing stories, as this one proves, yet again. It definitely had all the ingredients I love to find in a captivating fantasy. From mystery, adventure, action, intrigue, magic, drama, danger, tension, suspense, politics, agendas, family, duty + responsibility, emotion, romance, destiny/fate, angst, push-pull, secrets, and much more.
When Petra’s brother, Aldney, is killed, she is determined to discover what happened. But to do so means finding a way into the palace- which is no easy task. The indignity she suffers in order to acquire a position there really made me feel for her right from the get-go. But gaining entry is just the beginning. Add in an ancient incantation, fate, mystery, secrets, and chemistry – and the story takes an even more intriguing turn.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Bree M. Lewandowski!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Knight On Edge: A female detective mystery by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars
Knight On Edge is the seventh book in the Jorja Knight Mystery series by Alice Bienia. This is a very engrossing mystery with plenty of tension, suspense, action, adventure, danger, crime + investigation, secrets, lies, deception, personal turmoil/crisis, whodunnit feel, twists, agendas, and a tangled web of mystery.
Again, we join Jorja Knight, who we met in the previous books, as she takes on a simple infidelity case which takes a deadly turn. Untangling the shocking truth will test Jorja far more than she imagined when she signed up for the case, especially when she has her own personal struggles to contend with as well. What happens makes for another gripping read.
Even though this is the seventh book in the series, you can read it as a standalone without feeling like you are missing anything. Having said that though, the other books in the series make for great reading too- and contain their own intriguing mysteries for Jorja to solve. They also provide more character information, background stories, and other interesting details which, all combined, will definitely enhance your appreciation of this book, as well as the series as a whole.
Looking forward to seeing what Jorja gets up to next!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Alice Bienia!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Sanctuary by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Petra is determined to find the truth of her brother murder. Not believing the circumstances that was told to her. She proves herself when the opportunity presents itself work wise. She needs to rise in rank. This is a very interesting book I highly recommend.
Midnight Deception: Later-in-Life Romantic Suspense by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a great 5 star read. I really liked Sabrina, she is a strong woman and was a great character. She works as Brent Fraser’s secretary and works at a nightclub. With a twist, Sabrina and Brent end up working together to bring down his former colleague. As these two start to spend more time together, feelings start to ignite. Both of them have some history that they are trying to overcome. Overall I enjoyed this read. The author does a great job of pulling you in with her writing. All of the characters added a great element to the story. I look forward to reading more from this author and series. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
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The Fixer by G.K. Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Fixer, a book title that could be taken literally and figuratively where this book is concerned. The author brings us a story with love, hate, animosity, admiration, and so much more. With two very strongly independent main characters that constantly butt heads. An intriguing story that sucks the reader in from the get go. Making it a great story to navigate especially with the growth and self discovery displayed throughout. One I would definitely read again!
Joy needs to deal with her mother’s estate. The quicker the better. Only one problem: the building her mother’s home and shop is in is protected by historical structure laws. So she can’t tear it down, but she can’t sell it without putting work into it as well. In comes the annoying contractor(not so much annoying but to Joy he is.) Charlie gives her the rundown, while trying to push for a full restoration. In the end, as much as she infuriates him, it’s her decision in the long run.
As they get to know one another and peel back each other’s layers they realize maybe they were both too quick to judge. Charlie is loved in his small town and Joy is a nobody. A nobody who’s discovering who she truly is along the way.
But what about the feelings that start to creep in?
Neither wants to truly acknowledge the attraction to the other.
Will that become a problem?
Also what will Joy decide about the building?
She was given options. She’s also had creeps trying to undermine her contractor in favor of them.
Will they become a problem?
If you like novels that are filled with self discovery as well as romance. This book is definitely for you!
It’s Cool To Be Kind: A Children’s Book on Kindness and Friendship by Shermaine Perry-Knights
Night Sweats and Hockey Nets by Marika Ray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really loved this book! It has steam, love, actual problems, and of course sports. Two adults facing life’s issues. Niko, is living life as a single dad, in a custody battle, and is a hockey player. Chloe doesn’t want a relationship and is the coaches daughter. Chloe agrees to be Niko’s nanny for his daughter. Sparks fly all over the place while she is living with them. This also the second book of the series.
Hi Little Brother, I Love You: A Sweet Gift Keepsake Book Welcoming a New Baby Brother to the Family. by Deniese Dennis
Railway to Murder by Danny J. Bradbury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is my first read by this author. I grabbed it up as I enjoy a good historical read and I also enjoy westerns to a point. The chapters are relatively short, making this seem like a quick read. The characters are believable and you almost feel as if you are in the pages of the book with them at times. I love a good murder mystery too, and this one will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.
Whisper by Kay Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a wonderful and exciting book to read. The author is not only excellent at worldbuilding but the characters are very relatable and delightful. Whisper is a page-turner full of curses, death, hope, fantasy, mystery, suspense, plot twists and excellent characters. Kay Ross, the author, has such skill in the way she delivers this unique story. Everyone loves a good curse book, but I absolutely devoured that the curse in this book becomes sentient, it is BRILLANT. Whisper provides you with a story that is full of emotion. Such a masterpiece and I am very excited for the next book!
The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I hadn’t read any books by this author before, so I was unsure of what to expect. The cover drew me in, and the synopsis piqued my interest, prompting me to give it a try. To my surprise, it turned out to be much more emotional than I anticipated. I found myself relating to the main character, Del, in numerous ways. As a fan of second-chance stories, this book felt like the perfect fit.
What stood out to me is how the author transcends the typical second-chance romance trope. Their writing style is captivating, creating a seamless flow that kept me engaged throughout. The characters are richly developed and relatable, making it feel like I was reconnecting with friends from the pages. The narrative captures Del’s fierce desire to reinvent herself. The chemistry between her and Ben crackles and creates a very tense setting. The author’s exploration of themes such as grief, resilience, and the complexity of human connection is both insightful and engaging. While this book is undeniably raw and heart-wrenching, it also shines with uplifting moments. If you’re in the mood for a fantastic rom com that delves into deeper emotions, I highly recommend giving this one a read!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Gadrella by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely love anything written by this author! The illustrations are amazing and colorful. The story is engaging. Every story I’ve read has been 5 stars.
In this story we meet a little witch named Gadrella. She is burned out on the routine of her peers. They always have the same outfits, same spells, same everything. One night she gets an idea to change things. She makes her own outfit, creates a new spell, and trades her broomstick for a bicycle. Will her friends still accept her? Read and find out
Tasha and the Biologist: A Heartwarming Small Town Birding Romance by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a sweet story – I loved Tasha and Caleb. Tasha is a nurse who loves birds but has a dark past and bad history with men. Caleb is a biologist and the new IFC at the wildlife refuge that Tasha often tours and is recently divorced. There are sparks from the beginning, when Tahsa meets Caleb on a Wednesday tour of the whooping cranes. I love the silly bird banter. I loved the setting and would love to visit just to hear the birds and watch them take flight. I loved the connection and love story. I loved how they shared thoughts and feelings, including all the dark things from the past. They were meant to find each other so they could help each other overcome the darkness. I also really liked the side story of Tahsa’s friends who are struggling to get pregnant. I can’t wait for more of this series to come out.
Night Sweats and Hockey Nets by Marika Ray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Marika Ray and Sylvie Stewart are new to me authors this year and I have loved both of their writing. Them coming together kn this series was something I really looked forward to and enjoyed. I also absolutely love the single dad, grumpy/sunshine tropes. Chloe and Niko meet in a bar and sparks fly but they find out soon after that Chloe is Nikos coaches daughter and is “off limits”. Will they come together or keep pushing each other away?
