Spook Squad by Allan Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Loving this series. Abbey and her squad have their hands full with this one. I get little goosebumps reading this. I love this author’s writing. It’s wonderfully creative and I think it’s just right for his target audience. Deliciously spooky with wonderful teen characters. Being a GenX, I love the 80’s references. This is another winner in my book. Keep them coming.
Love and Fate by Loriana Cappello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was so well done. Trauma right off the start with drama put in later. Tommy and Angie have to deal with some very realistic problems coming at them from all corners. The story just pulls you in right from the beginning and you won’t want to put it down. Beautifully written characters that feel like they are your friends. They are so easy to relate to. The story has a wonderful flow even with all the drama in it. This has been a beautiful series so far. I hope to read more from this author.
Strings Attached by Loriana Cappello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really loved this second-chance romance. What a beautiful love story. It has a little of everything in it. A bit of worry, romance and, yet, they were somehow able to get through it. I found the writing to be very engaging. You felt like you were right there. You were part of the gang. The characters are easy to relate to. There is so much chemistry between those two. It’s a wonderful read.
Down By The River by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really sweet story. My kids loved the almost repeated verses/words. The illustrations are beautiful and my kids enjoyed looking to see what they could find on each page. We have enjoyed all of the books we’ve written by this Author. My 3, 6 and 8 year olds enjoyed the story a lot.
Betrayal by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m a sucker for books like this! Betrayal starts with tension, anger, lust, frustration, and of course a sense of betrayal. The author wrote a story that sucks the reader right in. The main characters may have started off as enemies but that quickly changed.
Hunter and Anna are both guarded people. They keep everyone at arm’s length. Letting someone close is how one gets hurt. Easier than taking the risk. But despite their business disagreement(Hunter ruined her plans), there’s a lust amongst the tension. A chance to make things right, Hunter goes to Anna & her boss, with a proposition. A proposition Anna is reluctant for them to accept. But as she peels back Hunter’s layers she softens towards him. A constant give and take of information between them, as their lust/feelings for one another increases.
But are they willing to take the risk?
Unfortunately there’s the unexpected twist that Anna is aware of Hunter’s father from her past.
Will he become more than Hunter’s problem?
All that and so much more as you navigate this story. I love the tension, but will you?
Night Sweats and Hockey Nets by Marika Ray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My only regret is not realizing this was the third book in a series when I started it! (Although, truth be told, I can’t find anything that made me think I needed to have read the first two books prior; I’m assuming there are some character cameos that happen, but plot lines weren’t unclear)
I love me a good rom-com story, and while hockey isn’t MY favorite sport (it is my bestie’s), you can’t go wrong with a good hockey rom-com! My favorites are the ones that bleed over into real life, when you feel like the characters could be real people, people you’ve met or are already friends with. While I can’t say I know what it’s like to be a wealthy athlete!, I can say I’ve met people with challenging divorce and child custody situations, and people trying to start over, professionally and romantically “later in life” (which sounds ridiculous, because 40 year olds aren’t old!)
I loved the reality of peri-menopause that was dribbled in the story as well. Not there yet, but gosh, it’s on the horizon, and the way the authors presented these life changes was so tastefully done, you can’t help but love everything about the story!
Mommy, Am I Indian Today? by Sheeba Varghese
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
We can all learn a thing or two about the cultures around us. Learning about our heritage and cultural identity is so important to our families. The more our children know the better we will all be. The author shares a question in this interesting story. I really enjoyed this story. It was informative as well as captivating. What a pleasure to find out such interesting information about my own niece and nephew. Family history is so very important in society today. Our children are our leaders and can learn from every story they are allowed to read. I hope to discover more from this author. A must read!!!
Review@cinful
Sarge: Going Deep by PhD Ledwith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Had no idea what to expect, but BUTTERFLY EXTRATERRESTRIAL??? 🤯🤯 A whole “guardian” group that keeps E.T.’s a secret! Mother, Sarge’s alien ship friend helps get the crew into a submarine below water!
Men on the submarine are affected by the Butterfly beings and essentially put in a coma, but somehow survive for FIFTEEN YEARS! They have to be rehabilitated back to health after being found!
Sarge’s crew must vet new nurses to help take care of them without spreading the secret that aliens DO exist!
Review by @fbelcher93
Detective Dylan and the Thief of Camp Leaf by M.J. Murray
Dylan, his sister, and their dog have been at camp for a few days and still haven’t had much fun due to some bad weather. When it finally clears up and they can start on camp games, they realize the camp trophy has been stolen. Dylan takes on this case with his trusty detective kit and his list of suspects grows and grows until suddenly the trophy reappears. This was a fun and engaging mystery story for kids. Can’t wait to read more from this series.
The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A second chance at life after being wrongfully killed, but with a twist, that is especially hard on a vampire with limited time, only being able to go out at night.
3 days to find a mate. If the mate rejects them, they get sent back to purgatory. This is a special event that only happens once every 10 years.
His mate needs help freeing his mother from an alpha that is using her, he also believes they killed his father to achieve her hand in marriage. He gets more surprises than he could imagine
Review by @fbelcher93
Quarterback Keeper: A College Sports Romance by Isla Vaughn
Absolutely loved Quarterback Keeper! It is an excellent quick read. Kylian, the QB/NFL hopeful is struggling to get out of his dad’s grips and fulfill his ailing mother’s wishes. Gia/Aurora is running from her past. The relationship blooms in front of both, without each other knowing. I loved the relationship between Aurora and Evalyn (Kylian’s mom). Definitely looking forward to Book 2!
Reviewed by @Kaitlyn McCarty
10/12/2024
Mommy, Am I Indian Today? by Sheeba Varghese
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Mommy, Am I Indian Today?* is a delightful and thought-provoking children’s book that elegantly addresses the complexities of cultural identity through the innocent lens of a child’s curiosity. The book showcases the vibrant journey of a family as they navigate their multicultural identity, emphasizing that one’s heritage extends far beyond clothing to encompass a rich tapestry of traditions, values, and cultural legacies. Varghese expertly weaves her family’s migration story into the narrative, providing readers with a context for the broader immigrant experience that resonates on multiple levels. By sharing personal anecdotes, she fosters a connection with young readers, prompting them to reflect on their own cultural backgrounds.
One of the standout features of this book is the stunning, vibrant illustrations that accompany the text. Each page is alive with color and detail, bringing the story’s cultural elements to life. These visual representations not only captivate young readers but also serve as a bridge to a deeper understanding of cultural attire and traditions, enhancing the overall reading experience.
HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS by Laurie Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Heaven Only Knows (A Silver Buckle Romance Series Book 3) by Laurie Lewis
Heaven Only Knows is the third book in the A Silver Buckle Romance Series. This is a wonderfully written Contemporary Romance that once I started reading I couldn’t put it down until I finished. I literally read in a afternoon. This is a emotional journey that had my emotions all over the place. It’s packed with drama, second chances, loss ,hope ,faith and finding who you are. I’m a huge fan of this author and this may be my favorite yet. Parts of the story wrecked me where other parts pulled at my heartstrings. But each story in this series is about a different Brockbank Brother. This is Barrett’s story, he is a lawyer just finishing up his Internship and the firm sent him to New Orleans. He’s not sure what he wants to do but he meets a woman but it seems something keeps coming between them. There is no denying the attraction between them as the secrets are. revealed and the hits continue. Can these two keep working together ? I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.
HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS by Laurie Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Heaven Only Knows by Laurie Lewis follows attorney Barrett when he is required to stay in New Orleans to help victims in a case. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but it is part of the Silver Buckle Brides series. This is a good read and there are ups and downs as Barrett gets acquainted with Agata, a beautiful singer. This book will entice feelings within you. For an entertaining read, I suggest you pick this one up.
Down By The River by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Down by the river by Tricia Gardella – 5 Stars
This is a cute outdoorsy book for little ones! Perfect for those adventurers of the surroundings of rivers and the uniqueness of what’s in them, around them and where they flow. The illustrations by Kristin MacLaren-Abbot are absolutely beautiful and capture your attention with the story!
A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Tale of Twp Crushes is a fun and clean YA romance. Holland Morriss is the new kid in school who finds herself with not one but two crushes. This was a fun story to get into. I could easily relate to Holland having been the new kid several times. The characters were entertaining and the relationships were great. The story was well-written and easily drew you in. This book is great for those who love YA and remember their high school crushes/experiences.
Unexpected Revival by E.L. Roux
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really good sci-fi romance. The author has done an incredible job of world building really bring world thousands of years in the future to know. Giving the reader a glimpse of what the future may possibly look like.
This does have a romance element between our main character Shannon and alien called D’lane however there is so much more in this story. There are secrets, politics, dangers, and the threat of war against Earth to add to the story.
Shannon has been brought out of a Kyrogenic freeze thousands of years after her death. But why was she brought back? Finding herself in a time that she doesn’t know surrounded by people who aren’t human means Shannon has a lot to deal with. But that’s not all Shannon holds the secrets and information required to stop another attack on Earth but with her memories lost and not reappearing quickly will they be able to get the information they need before it’s too late?
As well as finding love unexpectedly there is also enemies that Shannon isn’t aware existed. Can she survive the new world she finds herself in? And can she Shannon and D’lane work together to save this new world?
I really enjoyed this story. I was captivated from the beginning and I wasn’t able to put it down until I finished. I look forward to reading more from this author
Spook Squad by Allan Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was good. I didn’t realize there were two others and I wish I read them before this. I liked the main character and thought she handled her obstacles well. The overall plot kept me engaged. I did read it from the lens that it was YA which is important if you’re looking for certain things within this genre. The 80’s references were good!
War Bunny: Book 1 of the War Bunny Chronicles by Christopher St. John
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story, War Bunny, is totally a different spin for me of what I normally read and I drifted out of my comfort zone as I definitely was intrigued by both the cover and the synposis of this book. I was surprised, in a good way, that this was an enjoyable story. Predator/Prey, survival of the fittest, love and getting past fear especially when you are made to leave your family due to being different and thinking in a different way.
In a post-apocalyptic world animals rule, but there are no humans…Anastasia happen to be the one that was ousted out of her own Warren, forcing her to start new. Why should a bunny become prey and feel the need to be ok with it. When an unexpected fate happens when prey overcomes and saves them-self over a know predator, what can possibly happen next. You know Mother Warren will be displeased believing you should be prey….
War Bunny is a story of growth, courage, fight for what right to overcome, and how society may see you even if the story based on animals. I am intrigued of what is to come in this series…
Sanctuary by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I thought the story started out pretty good. I felt it had a lot of potential. Petra was out to find out what truly happened to her brother. The premise of the story is good. It felt like there could have a bit more to it. It almost felt like a novella. This would have been great for the start to a series. I really enjoyed the detail in the story.
Mommy, Am I Indian Today? by Sheeba Varghese
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book. A little boy asked about his heritage and his mom told him. I love how it’s sweet, simple and age appropriate. It also leaves the door open for more questions and sharing about family. I enjoyed the sharing of the outfit that they often wear to celebrations. I believe our society should just share more about each other’s cultures like that. It’s kind of cool to learn about that .
Betrayal by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh, I love stories like this. They can resemble what life can throw at you. Anna promises her coworkers on-site daycare and finds the perfect spot. Life throws Hunter at her like a bad bone to block the door. Boy, do these two have some chemistry. The problem is that they have secrets too. I enjoyed this story sooo much. The back and forth between them, the sparks made the romance so much more fun. The little twists in the story kept you on your toes. The characters were well written and really fit into the story. I found that the story had a nice a flow. Overall, it’s a really entertaining romance.
Night Sweats and Hockey Nets by Marika Ray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Night Sweats and Hockey Nets (Hot Flash Hookups Series) by Sylvie Stewart and Marika Ray
Night Sweats and Hockey Nets is the third book in the Hot Flash Hookups Series. This is a Romantic Comedy that had me turning the pages till the end. I’ve read the other books in this series and this may be my favorite yet. The characters are fully developed, relatable and fun plus they make you feel like your apart of the story. He had no clue the the lady he kissed in the that bar was his coaches daughter but he knows now. He’s in the middle of a custody battle and almost ready to to give up his skates. She’s not afraid to flirt especially with the players . But when he needs a nanny prove he has the means to care for his daughter she steps up. Can they both get what they deserve I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I can’t wait to read more from these authors.
Love and Fate by Loriana Cappello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love and Fate is an amazing second chance at romance between a rockstar and the girl he loved but pushed away due to his insecurities. This romance has everything you could ever want in a story, from an exciting rock band with cool members to love and loss and, of course, regrets for decisions made throughout life. I love that there are so many great lessons to be learned from the characters in this story, and they most definitely do, some good and some bad outcomes but in the end, love will always win out. You get to experience what life is like for parents in the music industry and how there must be a deep-seated trust between both parties in a relationship to make things work and be faithful. There are some deeply sad parts in this story, but those must happen so that the characters may experience the life lessons that come with these rough patches in life. This book was well-written and kept my interest the entire time I was reading it. I am so excited to find the first book and see what I missed out on by starting on book 2 of this series. Happy book hunting my friends! Give this book a read, you won’t regret it, it’s an amazing example of fate winning out in the end.
@Brandy Rymer
10/2024
Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 3rd book in the Match made In Montana series. This is another slow burn romance with a western feel. Even though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. However the character and story about the town and the rivalry between the founding families run through out so you would get a better understanding if you read them in order.
This is Amy and Joe’s story.
At first they don’t get on. There is something about the other person that rubs them up the wrong way and even though Amy tries to be friendly she can’t break Joe’s cool exterior.
Joe is very suspicious of Amy. He senses she is hiding something but he doesn’t know what it is so he is always on his guard around her. However, he also can’t stop thinking about her.
When they have to work together on two big events for the town the ice between them starts to melt and feelings start rising to the surface that neither of them expected.
However their journey won’t be easy. Amy is hiding a secret and it is a huge one. One that could tear apart all the friendships she has built and also destroy any chances of a relationship with Joe.
These stories are moving and captivating. You can’t help but be invested in the characters and their lives.
Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Each chapter of this book is from the view point of a character. This brings the backstory of the characters together. I was so engrossed in the story that I forgot about the mystery it started with! Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Inn has a strong female lead that I enjoy connecting with. There are several phrases and words that I had to look up due to not knowing the meaning. When reading the novel, I wasn’t sure what time period the seeing was in. There were some hints with fashion and some character actions that reminded me this is more of a historical cozy mystery. I read the novel in one sitting and enjoyed it.
The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Trouble with Possibilities
by Nancie Abuhaidar
OK so this book wasn’t quite my cup of tea. I had trouble connecting with most of the characters in the book. The characters were a little too complex for me. Because of the complexity of the characters, it brought a certain amount of tension between them. On saying that this book has hope, emotional drama, family, friendship and some sense of loss and the possibilities of a different life. While this book was not my cup of tea, I found the writing style of the book was great. For someone, this book is going to be a great read, so please get yourself a copy and find out for yourself. Nancie thank you for putting your thoughts into this book. I give this book a 3.5 rating.
The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Proof that dynamite comes in small packages ! Got an hour & need a pick me up ? This book is the perfect fit , start to finish . Exciting , romantic , satisfying . Bite size perfection !
The Keeper by G.K. Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book one in the Fall River series. This reads like a Hallmark movie, but with much more depth. I LOVE these types of books and movies. Small town, boy and girl in trouble. Boy saves girl while she also saves him. There is much more to it than this though. That is a very quick summary. There’s more trouble and drama than that. So much at work to keep these two apart. It’s witty, fun and a little steamy. Perfect for a cozy read.
Betrayal by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Anna Turner was on the cusp of achieving the impossible, a day care center for co-workers to help show how valuable they are. Everything comes to a complete halt when a takeover happens to the building she was about to sign the lease for. She meets Hunter Thompson, the man responsible for taking over the building. Anna tries to appeal to him to let the lease she was promised push thru only to end with her fury toward the man.
Hunter knows not everything in life is fair and he feels bad about Anna’s situation, but business is business. He didn’t expect the attraction to be there, he wants to spend more time with Anna but they are not on the same page when it comes to what they want. Can they find their way into each others heart with out breaking their own on the way?
This had a few twists to the story . Hunter and Anna have more in common than they are aware. I enjoyed the banter between Hunter and Anna. Several surprises in the story that surprised me.
