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The Misery House (The House on the Hill Book #1) by David Kummer – Review by Angela Hayes

The Misery House (The House on the Hill #1)The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3 Stars

 

The Misery House is the first book in The House on the Hill series by David Duane Kummer. This book marks the start of a three-book series that promises lots of chills. This story had me intrigued from the moment I saw the cover and I didn’t have to know anything else before I snapped up a copy and dove right in to discover what happens. This has all the ingredients that I love to find in an engrossing story…
-psychological thriller
-peaceful small town
-small-minded townsfolk
-prejudices
-a creepy old house
-urban legends
-fear
-tension
-horror
-high stakes
-investigation
-sinister feel
-intensity
-mystery
-suspense
The only thing that I felt would have made this even better was I would have liked the story to have had a bit better flow, as it did seem to get bogged down at times which gave it a choppy feel. But this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that will lead us into the next book- so I am intrigued to continue the story in Book #2.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, David Duane Kummer!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Falling Again (Buckeye Falls Book 3) by Libby Kay – Review by Beverly Finnie

Falling Again: A Buckeye Falls NovelFalling Again: A Buckeye Falls Novel by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m happy to say it’s time we returned to Buckeye Falls. Falling Again is the third book in this series and probably my favorite. The way this book played out is different but felt so real. I understand that what the author wrote is fiction, but it’s very relatable. Being a workaholic myself I understand how one could get lost in their work and distance themselves from what matters most. It’s also easier said than done to overcome that hurdle to create balance. That’s exactly what these characters are doing in this story.
Natalie and Anthony are the face of the town, and though everyone believes they are perfect they truly are struggling inside. This book takes them on a path of self discovery for why they got married in the first place. To find their spark that’s been lost the last few years.
Which is why I said it’s relatable, marriage isn’t easy. But you need to make sure there’s balance. Work life and home life, communication, physical activities, because if you lose all that why stay together. Some people choose that time to walk away, others find a way to try and fight through before giving up. And that’s exactly what these two characters do, they fight to find a way.
Unfortunately something happens that deters that whole effort. Is it too late to fix it?
The drama that unfolds will have you rooting for the grumpy mayor from the previous two books to come out on top.
I hope this isn’t the end of this series and there’s more to come, because it’s one of my favorites.

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The Misery House (The House on the Hill Book 1) by David Kummer – Review by Toni Sellers

The Misery House (The House on the Hill #1)The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amazing psychological thriller. Grabbed me right from the beginning and kept me turning pages and wanting more, I didn’t want to put it down. Great suspense and good plot twists to keep you guessing. Characters are very well written. Remember this is the book one in a series, so definitely a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next book.

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House of Arsceneaux (Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures) by Caterina Novelliere – Review by Amanda Glaspie

House of ArsceneauxHouse of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The moment the book starts you know it will be filled with passion. Caitlin, must go to New Orleans on business instead of vacation; Evariste owns the company that Caitlin is inspecting. From the first moment the two interact, there is instant connection. Evariste knows that fate had to bring Caitlin to him as she appears to be his late wife. Caitlin doesn’t understand her intense attraction. This was an intense book with constant surprises. If you’re looking for a great fantasy with wonderful character development, definitely pick this book up.

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve – Review by Gabrielle

When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy TalesWhen Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting collection of stories. They give a new look into fairy tales. You will recognize many of the characters that give these stories a helping hand. They will remind you of tales that you heard as a child and when magic ruled. The author has brought the old and familiar into the present day. It was nice to see the way the stories evolved and tied together. I enjoy reding new and updated fairytales and this collection had some engaging reads. Some stories and characters stood out more than others abut as a whole this collection was a good read.

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The Misery House (The House on the Hill Book 1) by David Kummer – Review by Tonya Merritt

The Misery House (The House on the Hill #1)The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, David Kummer has made it on my favorite authors list for sure with this book. I can not wait to read the other books in the series! A psychological thriller full of suspense and twists. I could not tell what the secrets were until they were revealed. Just can not brag enough about this story and how well David told it.

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite Book 4) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ashley Sugar

Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite #4)Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series so damn much! Each book just gets more amazing and intense! I can’t get enough of them. The drama, the thrill, the suspense, the angst, the SPICE 🥵 I will never stop suggesting this series. And this book captivated me just like the others. I could put it down because I just needed to know what happens next! READ THIS!

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Rise of the Hunter (Blood Prophecy Series) by Barb Jones – Review by Ayla Phipps

Rise of the HunterRise of the Hunter by Barb Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Details. While this isn’t the first book I have read by the incredible Barb Jones, it is the first Blood Prophecy book I have read. With that being said, I didn’t feel lost while reading the story despite it being the fourth book in the series, it is the first book in a new trilogy, the Tall Dark Man. Told from several perspectives throughout the book jumps around between varies times in ancient history, and in some cases creation itself and the present day.
The Tall Dark Man was long thought dead, but he is alive and is planning his revenge on the queen. Determined to keep the peace Queen Amber sets out on a new quest, to complete the task Michael was working on before his death. The Romani book chose her to continue the quest of finding all the missing pages, to succeed at stopping evil. Raven is given the task of finding the book while Arioch is given the task of finding Malakai and bringing him to their master. After being cursed by Raven, Malakai seeks help in hopes of being able to undo the curse without putting Amber in danger and returning to her side.
Will the Tall Dark Man succeed in getting his vengeance? Can Amber find all of the pages and keep the evil from getting the fifth stone? The author’s ability to put so much history into her work while keeping you guessing how it’s all going to play out is incredible. While at first, I found the multiple perspective jumps not only between characters but time frames difficult to keep up with. It was truly fascinating to see how the relevance was seamless as it all built upon the prophecies and what was to come. I was in a constant state of anticipation with each page as I was eager to discover how it would turn out. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what will happen next.

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The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Shannen Kern

The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my third book by this author because her writing style is completely addicting. She’s one of the few authors that I would pick up any book without reading the synopsis because I know I’m going to enjoy regardless. I love dark psychological thrillers so this one was right up my alley. We get to get inside the mind of a narcissistic professor, Mitch, which was pretty unsettling, but the mysterious circumstances he finds himself in are unbelievable. Without giving anything away, know that you are on a ride full of twists and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end! It just goes to show that the truth can only be buried for so long.

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Laura Jones

https://www.amazon.com/review/RJQVGPDF66OZ0/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book very much. It kept me second-guessing where I thought the story was going to go and the ending was quite a surprise. A definite whodunit thriller! It left me wondering how things would continue if there were to be a sequel. I can honestly say that I was surprised at how it ended, definitely not what I predicted would happen. It was easy to empathize with the characters in the book and understand how they would be feeling.
I look forward to reading more from Nadija!

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https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2222775792

 

A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2) by Tami Lund – Review by Shannen Kern

A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2)A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Way Out gripped my attention from the very first chapter to the very last! I enjoyed everything about this book. This author writes characters that you can relate to even if you’ve never been in their situation, which I find rare and intriguing. The story of Maria and Oz is anything but conventional, but I was still fully invested throughout the whole book. I loved their chemistry, and the flow of this story was perfect. It is part of a series (that I will be picking up) but I read as a standalone and didn’t feel lost at all. Pick it up and get lost in this spectacular contemporary romance for the day!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Rebecca Hill

The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, I just don’t know how I feel about this book. It absolutely had my attention, and I couldn’t put it down. But it was shocking and tragic. The story is about Mitch Wegner. Mitch works at Vermont University. He is intelligent and rather egotistical. But his life is shaken when a student dies. Evidence and circumstances seem to point to him being responsible. This starts him having strange thoughts and a general unraveling in his mind. There was a twist of sorts at the end, and it ended in a sad way. That being said, I read it quickly to find out what happened, so I give it 4 stars!

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Megan Pesek

Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite #4.5)Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn is the start of Phoenix and Aspen’s story. This short prequel starts with a bang and does not let up! It’ll be tough waiting for the rest of their story. I need to know how it unfolds from here because Phoenix is resembling his own father’s path in this prequel.
If you’re just starting the Hidden Valley Elite Series you could start here, but I’d highly recommend starting from the very beginning to get the full effect of the plot lines and characters.

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House of Arsceneaux (Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures) by Caterina Novelliere – Review by Shannen Kern

House of ArsceneauxHouse of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first book by this author, but I love all things paranormal, so I gave it a chance. I always go into a book with an open mind, and I am simply blown away by this one! I definitely stayed up way too late finishing it because I had to know what was going to happen. The level of detail was just the right mixture before becoming overwhelming and the story flowed so well. I highly recommend picking this up and getting lost in the story of Caitlin and Evariste/Gage, you’ll be addicted too!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Crystal Jimmo

Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales #3)Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this retelling of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, instead of Goldilocks destroying the Bears home, she comes back to help fix the things that she broke using the simple machines she learned about. Everything from pully’s, inclines, the wheel, screws and the other simple machines she is able to right her wrongs that she did previously. Teaching about the six simple machines in a creative way is fantastic and adorable. My kids immediately wanted to try them out after they read this story and thought of different ways and little projects they could do.

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite Book 4) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Megan Pesek

Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite #4)Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the second half of Skylar and Damon’s story, they have been discovered in a compromising fashion. To say Gia is livid is an understatement. Gia is somehow still popular despite Damon not choosing to date her. Gia does all she can to ensure Sky’s life is as miserable as possible. Instead of seeking revenge, Sky has decides the only way to redemption is to stay away from Damon and endure Gia’s tormenting actions all while dealing with complications from her father.

Damon fights for Skylar and their happily ever after. Meanwhile, Skylar is making herself miserable by fighting Damon’s pull. Once Sky is honest with Damon about matters in her personal life, Damon will do all he can to keep Sky. Will Damon and Skylar get their happily ever after or go separate ways to find love?

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A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi – Review by Shannen Kern

A Teacher's HeartA Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My kiddos and I absolutely loved this story! The illustrations are beautiful and my youngest wanted me to linger on each page a little longer just to take them in. Every teacher is different with their styles and the way they relate to their students, but they ALL care so much about their kids year after year. Teachers love to watch their students finally grasp a concept or share knowledge they have with others in the class. I highly recommend reading this with the kids (and teachers) in your life!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4) by CR Robertson – Review by Carla Clemmons

Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4)Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series has been really good so far! This is the fourth book and follows Kimber, Tasha’s sister. This story really grabbed my attention and so far may be my favorite in the series. We meet Fabian in this book and he is a very interesting character. We learn so much more about Kimber and her background.There is a ton of character growth and I loved that so much. I really enjoy the way the author writes the characters and their feelings. I so enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

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My Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez – Review by Shannen Kern

My Goodbye GirlMy Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought the cover of this book was pretty cute as I love to travel, so I picked it up without paying much attention to the synopsis. I dove right in and found myself in love with Tessa and Simon, who seem to embody the ‘opposites attract’ theory we hear so much about. I found myself engrossed in all of the places these two keep encountering each other, and I would have had such a difficult time turning away after just the second meeting! The story flowed well, and I couldn’t read fast enough to see the ending through the emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend if you like deep emotions that bring out a tear or two!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy TalesWhen Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Magic Calls is a collection of fantasy paranormal fairy tales that will surely sweep you away to magical places that are a bit out of the ordinary. This collection will have you looking at things differently and wondering if perhaps there is magic all around us in our everyday lives, in the ordinary things we overlook. Places like a magical museum for instance, that almost seemed to appear out of thin air because nobody could remember it being constructed. Ordinary tales that have taken a bit of a darker twist into something paranormal. This collection was beautifully written with wonderful characters and interesting stories that draw you in and compel you to keep reading. The author did a fantastic job of creating modern fairytales that combine creativity with fun while adding a spooky element to them. I highly recommend this book!

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The Master of Demise by Nadja Mujagic – Review by Anna Hirsch

The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Master of Demise by Nadja Mujagic
3 Stars

I don’t usually read thrillers. I came across this book and the blurb drew me in. I was intrigued. Mitch has a good life. He’s married to a woman whom he loves very much. He’s an accomplished scholar and professor at a university. He also has a blown up sense of self importance. I struggled to like him. You find out that his childhood wasn’t the most pleasant. I kind of felt bad for him but I believe in karma so he got what he deserved.

The story has many twists and turns. The author did a good job keeping the reader guessing “ who done it”. There were times that I was confused because there are two characters talking in the first person but the chapters didn’t differentiate between the two. I also found the story to be a little slow at times. Honestly I was disappointed with the ending. The book started off really well then took a slow nosedive.

Review by @Anna Hirsch
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Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Maria Colon

Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3)Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just sweet and steamy. This is my first time reading Bree Kraemer and all I can say is that I am now a fan.

This is book 3 in the series but can be read as a standalone.

Heath is your all star pitcher who has had a great career but realizes he is at a standstill in his personal life. Well until he encounters Grace, someone he didn’t know he wanted until he realized he was lying to himself. Grace is from the part of time someone like Heath shouldn’t want someone from. Grace is smart, bossy and has goals.

This story was sweet, steamy and frustrating all in one for me. I absolutely love the character buildup and the banter between characters. You get a full story that is not rushed. You get front row seats to them being vulnerable, their relationships with their friends, family and pets. It is definitely a great read and I can’t wait to read more stories by this author.

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The Misery House (The House on the Hill Book 1) by David Kummer – Review by Rebeca Elliott Figueiras

The Misery House (The House on the Hill #1)The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the House on the Hill series. The concept of this book appealed to me, put psychological thriller and haunted house in the same blurb and I’m in.

The writing was descriptive, painting a vivid picture of both the scenery and the characters. The tension built throughout as more and more occurs to unsettle the residents and us as readers. I felt this was done very well, especially with the twists in place, throwing you and what you thought you knew.

I thought telling the story through differing points of view was interesting, it’s not something I’ve come across too often in this genre, but it’s not a bad thing. I think it worked well for this story.

This book ends on a cliffhanger which is frustrating, but only because I am now desperately waiting for the next book to be released to find out what happens and I’m very impatient!

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A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2) by Tami Lund – Review by Tia Martel

A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2)A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maria has finally gotten something she wants: a divorce. Unfortunately, that divorce leaves her with no plan and no house. Her family is a traditional, no nonsense nuclear unit so going home won’t work. Her next best option is going to LA to spend some time with her sister the rock star.

Except, she’s not in LA. She’s run off to Missouri to plan a wedding that Maria is supposed to be at.

Thank goodness for Oz Garcia whose house sitting for her and lets Maria crash while they’re away. Suddenly he’s offering to go to Missouri with her for the wedding, she’s offering to sleep with him, all the while, Maria is now financing Oz’s band…so she’s his boss.

Things are about to get messy…

This was a fun, upbeat and romantic rock star romance with a second chance vibe. I found it to be a whole lotta fun, and I’m excited to see what else this series of books can bring to the table.

Highly recommend if you love fast read romances and rock star tropes!

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A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2) by Tami Lund – Review by La Toya Lewis

A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2)A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Way Out is Book 2 in the Rock Star series. The books are stand-alone, so there is no risk of confusion. The story follows Maria, who is fleeing to her sister’s house after she’s kicked out of her home by her recently divorced husband. Her sister is away preparing for her wedding but Maria stumbles upon Oz who is house-sitting. I really liked this story. It felt like a grown-up, realistic romance. We get to watch as Maria finally finds true love. Oz is such a kind and perfect man for Maria. The story had the right amount of romance and conflict. I fell in love with Oz. This is a very good romance.

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Smooth Hoperator (Love on Tap Book 2) by Sylvie Stewart – Review by Sheri Schrader

Smooth Hoperator (Love on Tap, #2)Smooth Hoperator by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Smooth Hoperator is the second book in the Love on Tap series. This can be read as a standalone book, but best enjoyed after reading the first book in the series. Carter left his life behind in DC, and his family is unsure of the details. Sunny is a quirky librarian who can’t take her eyes off Carter during his frequent visits to the library. I always enjoy reading books by this author, and this did not disappoint. The story is a bit slow-burn but definitely worth staying with the story. Carter and Sunny are a great pairing in this book. I love how they are opposites and the interactions this creates. There are some suspenseful moments, but they are an integral part of the story. I won’t give away more because I don’t want to wreck the story for anyone. I look forward to reading more from this series and this author in the future.

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve – Review by Rebeca Elliott Figueiras

When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy TalesWhen Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a unique collection of stories with a creative twist on the classic fairy tales. Trying to decipher which fairy tale inspired each story was an additional layer to my enjoyment while reading.

I think what I loved most was how the stories weren’t just modern retellings, some ‘origins’ were very difficult to decipher. By the author’s own admission in the beginning of the book, the stories went through many iterations of change to become what they are now, and I think it’s amazing what they were able to achieve.

Another thing I found impressive was the author’s ability to switch between different styles in writing. Each story was unique not only in storyline, but in the way it was written. Timelines were different, 1st person/3rd person narratives were used, some written as letters and so on. The author clearly has a lot of range and it’s brilliant.

I hope to read more from this author in future as I absolutely loved this display of the author’s talents!

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House of Arsceneaux (Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures) by Caterina Novelliere – Review by Amelia Stansell

House of ArsceneauxHouse of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was fantastic! Caitlin is so ready for vacation, but her boss has other plans. He sends her in another assignment. It’s not just any assignment this time. She looks just like Evariste dead wife. Evariste has been mourning his wife for over 300 years. Past secrets are revealed as they fight for their lives as they are being hunted.

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The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Amanda Swindle

The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Master of Demise follows Mitch Wegner, a well rounded and respected college professor. He is happily married to Emily, who owns her own yoga studio with regular clients. Everything seems to be absolutely normal and perfect. Even with the ideal life, Mitch is just somehow unlikeable. I found myself disliking him early on, and can not pinpoint why. When a student takes his own life, and his journal shows a strong dislike for the professor, suspicion falls onto Mitch. This creates a downward spiral of events for the professor. His students no longer respect him, his wife becomes distant, and he suspects she may even be having an affair with her yoga partner. With flashbacks from a traumatic experience in his teen years, things seem to be making a full circle right back to him. As things continue he becomes paranoid, feeling framed, and increasingly aggressive and self absorbed. He was already an unpleasant character, but his personality really amplifies as time goes on and you really do not like him at all. I even began thinking maybe he DID have some involvement, just because I did not like him that much. After all that has happened, can Mitch save his marriage and career? WAS he framed, and if so, by who, and/or why? Once you get to the big reveal, you will be shocked and realize the author strategically gave you hints along the way. I have never read anything from this author before, but I will be checking into her other work! 5 out of 5 stars!
Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi – Review by Nina Maes

A very delightful book, well written. Gives your child a look into what diversity really looks like. Great rhythm when it comes to reading out loud. Fantastic why to introduce your little ones to school and the teachers that they will encounter. Recommend this for early readers and preschoolers.A Teacher's HeartA Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very delightful book, well written. Gives your child a look into what diversity really looks like. Great rhythm when it comes to reading out loud. Fantastic why to introduce your little ones to school and the teachers that they will encounter. Recommend this for early readers and preschoolers.

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