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Throwing the Curve (Playing for Keeps Book 2) by Lauren Fraser – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Throwing the CurveThrowing the Curve by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Terrific sports romance. Peyton dumps first class loser for an all-star. Peyton finds herself in a predicament with Ryan and has to go through fake dating with him for a bit. This story was quite entertaining because deny it (as they tried), the chemistry was there. They fell in love. The drama, hijinks, and watching Andy get whats coming to him is worth it. My favorite part is seeing Ryan help at the center. These two are wonderful. It’s a book worth reading. There’s action, baseball, and loads of fun. The characters are exciting. The writing is modern and keeps you engaged.

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Whispers in the Waters (Blood of the Fae) by Sarah Chilson – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Whispers in the Waters (Blood of the Fae, #0.5)Whispers in the Waters by Sarah Chislon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book left me intrigued. Jessa loves a good mystery. The interesting part is that she has to keep her emotions in check because of society. It can get her in trouble. I had a bit of trouble getting into the book. It is based in Victorian times. My issue was only because I don’t usually read a lot of this type of book. It took me longer to read but I loved it. I loved the whole supernatural air and touch of supspense to the story. The characters are well-written. They were each so different and tied in so well together. The storyline is perfect for the time period. I honestly am eagerly awaiting the next book. I have grown to love this series and think you should press that button to buy it too.

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Chasing Redemption (The Quimby Grove Series Book 2) by Shannon Nikole – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Chasing Redemption (Quimby Grove #2)Chasing Redemption by Shannon Nikole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my heavens! This is the cutest followup to Finding Starlight. Max and Marley’s story is the sweetest. A one-nighter that brings a surprise four years later. The chemistry is still their and the twins are absolutely adorable. Can’t tell you anymore. You have to read this book. Watching these two work through their relationship is funny and charming and romantic even with parenting issues. The characters, yes, old favorites make appearances, are still as charming and unique, yet just like out of a small town. The storyline feels real and you’ll find yourself relating to. I’ll be adding this to my favorites for 2023. The year is off to a wonderful start!. I can’t wait for the next book.

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Handle With Care (Chase Care Book 1) by R.L. Dunn – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Handle With Care (Chase Care Book 1)Handle With Care by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My first favorite book of 2023. A romantic suspense that will have you putting the DO NOT DISTURB sign on everything. Hunt, Selma, Flynn and the rest of the gang are involved in some deep drama and undercover adventure. I was drawn in right from the start and engaged with Hunt and Selma, they are a power couple that come with baggage, but work hard to power through it. With deadly antagonists to find and take out, the drama is real and can turn at a heartbeat. The romance is flowing. As Kieran says, it’s “the Chase flu” in the water (love the humor in the story. The characters are very relatable and easy to feel like you could know them. The plot line is thick and has a few subplots that magically all come right back together. I love the teamwork of the characters. The flow of the story is perfect. This book is fantastic and I loved it. It would get more than 5 stars if I were allowed.

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Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl, #2)Sharing His Nanny by Tori Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story kind of kind of felt like a modern Cinderella. We had the wicked stepmother and not only 1 prince, but 3. Stella is just trying to make her life work. It falls apart but she does falls into a dreamy situation. I found this to be an okay story. It’s very steamy. The story was good. I do love it when bad boys get their comeuppance and the good girl wins her dreams. Her struggle is real and the story does a wonderful job of showing it. It’s a good romance for those that love reverse harem romances.

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Things are Shaking (Invisible Magic Wand Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Things are ShakingThings are Shaking by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a winner in my house. Belinda and Caspian working their wands for the syrup and then the earthquake had my grandson giggling. The author has a way of making learning fun and entertaining. Caspian has become a favorite story at bedtime here. We used this one to talk about speed and movement and what to do in an earthquake. A favorite for sure.

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My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats – Review by Shelly Kittell

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My Pearl HeartMy Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book turned out to be a wonderful surprise. A protagonist with a chance to take revenge but takes the high road. A sexy man of her dreams betrothed to another in a marriage of convenience but wants her. An antagonist who is a “witch.” This book had me laughing, and experiencing many other emotions as I read Jasmine’s story of love and betrayal. This is a fascinating story that will engage you from the start. You will find yourself on the emotions roller coaster as you read. I am a big fan of Jasmine as she came into her self-confidence and stood up for herself. I found the characters well-developed. You knew who the protagonists and antagonists were. It’s a quick read. I read through it on New Year’s Eve. Great read for snowy night’s with a comfy blanket and hot chocolate. Good read.

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Married Blind (King of Screen Book 2) by Morgana Bevan – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Married Blind: A Marriage of Convenience Hollywood Romance (Kings of Screen, 2)Married Blind: A Marriage of Convenience Hollywood Romance by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this book so entertaining. Reality TV marriage. Three months for Finn and Abi may have felt like a lot but with the sass and their friends, this sure sounded like a made for tv drama fest. Finn screwed up big time and was told he had to do this. I loved him because he kept trying to weasel out and the producer called him on it. Abi was just trying to help her life and her sisters. Could they get through this fiasco? Would they end making this phony marriage work? This is a fun and humorous read. It’s got some serious moments, a dash of steam here and there and some characters that will embed themselves in your head. The story line is fantastic. A definite must read romance. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. This Is one crowd that you won’t be able to forget.

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2)Delicious Death by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, Elinor is at it again. Though this time, she is on vacation and enjoying the culinary treats, she somehow finds herself mixed in trouble again. I love this series because Elinor can take care of herself but the good Duc d’Archambeau is there to assist her. Elinor’s ghost talking skills are called into use when someone is attacked again. I loved the story in this book of the series. The writing flows so well. The characters are well=written and just fit into the story. Elinor is so strong that it’s great to watch a strong female protagonist in a story during a time period where that is not common. I also find that her relationship developing with Duc d’Archambeau is quite entertaining. This is a very good read and another wonderful book in The Ghost Talker Series. You should definitely get out there and read it.

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Nite Fire: Exit Strategy Audiobook by C.L. Schneider – Review by Shelly Kittell

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5 out of 5 stars

 

Here we are at book 5, It’s the end! Dahlia is one of my favorite characters. She is part dragon but she is also strong, brave and resilient. The apocalypse has finally come and the poo has hit fan. She is trying to save the world. She has so many things going wrong all at once that would make most people collapse. Old enemies return while she is trying to find her missing team. This author has again written a terrific book. A fantastic finish to the series. There is lots of action from the beginning to pull you in and keep you going all the way to the end of story. The narrator does a fantastic job of pulling you in and getting you into the story. I was listening as I did chores and it made them much more exciting as I kept hearing bits about exploding dragon or monster bits all over. The action was detailed. The drama was plenty. A very powerful ending to one of my favorite fantasy series. I have loved this narrator and the author. A terrific combo that has made this a joy to listen to. I love the fact that the snark is in Dahlia. She gives as good as she gets. Her team does as well. I will miss Dahlia and her snark.

Underboss’s Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Underboss's Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2)Underboss’s Retaliation by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! The story of Dom and Em’s relationship is rocky, to say the least. This story is full of intense action, drama, mafia, romance, and suspense. I was hooked right from the get go. I am a fan of the this series and have been since book 1 with Salvatore and Adrianna. The characters are fantastic. The relationship has everything in it: trouble, conflict, solving problems, etc. It shows how things go. Seeing other characters from previous books is great also. It keeps the flow of the story smooth. The writing is contemporary and really engages the reader. You can feel each character’s emotion. I definitely recommend this series. You can read it as a stand alone or in order.

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The Hawke Family Complete Collection by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Shelly Kittell

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The Hawke Family Complete CollectionThe Hawke Family Complete Collection by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved reading this 6 book set of The Hawke Family.

It includes:
Savage Collision
Tortured Skye
Stone Sober
Building Storm
Tainted Saint
Steele Resolve

I found this collection to contain everything I love in a good romance: Suspense, drama, thrills, steam, mafia and wonderfully written characters that you can feel their emotions and everything they are experiencing. You can feel like you are right their watching yet. Yes, some of the characters can be downright annoying but they redeem themselves. I find that’s what makes them feel human to us as readers. I know plenty of annoying people. The stories were great. I loved how they built on each other. We had different main characters in each story but everyone was still there. The plots flowed fairly smooth. You can stay with the story pretty good. This is worth the investment. It makes an entertaining read. Once you start, you really will not want to put it down. If I had to pick favorites, I’m going for Storm and Landon. I loved their story.

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The Husbands by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Shelly Kittell

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The HusbandsThe Husbands by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I found The Husbands to be an interesting read. Dorian and Augustine came together through traumatic circumstances. Dorian then built the relationship around a lie. Can we really expect things to last with a foundation of lies? From there, it just goes downhill. There is some mystery mixed in with the romance. I found the subject (polyamourous) just wasn’t my thing so the story just wasn’t relatable. Some of the issues that the wives went through and Augustine went through felt relatable. The struggle felt real. It was a hard story story to get into. This is just my opinion. However, I do recommend it if this your type of romance. This may be your cup of tea. 🙂
Reasons I enjoyed this book:

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Joker’s Fool (Satan’s Devils MC #8) Audiobook by Manda Mellett – Review by Shelly Kittell

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5/5  stars

Satan’s Devils MC M/M romance. We learn about Joker’s history in this chapter of the series. Sad, yet beautiful emotions are shared. Lady is Joker’s light in the storm. We learn how these two came together and dealt with their relationship among the MC. This author does a fantastic job writing the stories. I’ve always felt all the emotions and with this being audio, you feel it even more. Logan, the narrator, does an incredible job, putting his all into it. He is my favorite narrator. The story comes to life being narrated with audio. I love the characters. They are salty with effervescent personalities. A wonderful listen, even with all the f=bombs and curse words. Lots of steam but if you can get past that, it’s an enjoyable story that you will enjoy.

Falling Home (Buckeye Falls Book 1) by Libby Kay – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Falling HomeFalling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this second-chance romance. Max and Gin are so made for each other. They fell apart and didn’t really divorce for the right reasons. Ginny came home for her dad’s hip surgery and life changed from there. Oh, you must read this book. The characters are entertaining and feel so very real. They feel like the town I spent my high school years in. Such a well-written book, you could feel their struggles. Love is hard and they have to work to get back to it. Well-written, clean, and entertaining to boot, it sure makes for one of the best romances to read for the holidays. I give it a heartwarming 5 out of. Loved it and recommend it all the romance lovers out there. Definitely a GAC or Hallmark worthy. I can’t say enough. I will be reading more from this author.

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The Taste of Light (The Winemakers Book 2) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Shelly Kittell

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The Taste of Light (The Winemakers, #2)The Taste of Light by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 2 of The Winemaker Series, this one was just as much of an emotional historical romance as Book 1, The True Purpose of Vines. There are so many feelings in the story from romance to heartbreak to the power of redemption. I found the characters to be so fascinating that I was hooked on the story upon starting it. This is not the story I normally get into but it truly had me engaged. The facts on Portugal, London Society and other historical items were fascinating and had you wanting to dive down the rabbit hole to learn more. It’s a very well written story that is truly a must read. Very well-done, author! I would give it more than 5 stars if I were allowed to.

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Son of Asmodeus by Barb Jones – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Son of AsmodeusSon of Asmodeus by Barb Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this was my first book with this author and I fell in love with this story. The first to a new series, Brother John is a character that will have you totally entranced by this story right from the start. There are many hidden secrets to be found. Brother John and Mick are on the hunt. These characters are well-developed and felt very real. The plot flowed well. All the drama, action, suspense has me just excited and waiting for book 2.

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Ladybugs for Loretta (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Ladybugs for Loretta (Loretta's Insects)Ladybugs for Loretta by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful book that is fun and teaches about ladybugs and their role in the environment. I learned things I had forgotten. Such a very interesting book. My grandson and I will be reading it again this spring with our gardening unit for school. The characters are lovely. The story is very fun, and gives facts while maintaining interest. I enjoyed the story as my grandson did also. I think other kids will enjoy it also.

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Minotaur’s Lair (Servant of the Gods Book 3) by Luciana Cavallaro – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Minotaur's Lair (Servant of the Gods, #3)Minotaur’s Lair by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book 3 and the final book of the trilogy. I found it quite exciting and the adventure will pull you in from the beginning. It picks up from where book 2 left off. Evan and the gang are on the Amazon warrior island. The drama kicks back off there and just doesn’t end until the very end of the book. I found the characters quite intriguing. It’s a good book for historical fiction. I did find myself wishing that the plot was a little less glitchy with transitions. In moving around the story, I felt it was a touch rocky. Overall, the drama and the characters will pull you in. The books really need to be read in order so I would start with book 1.

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The Labyrinthine Journey (Servant of the Gods Book 2) by Luciana Cavallaro – Review by Shelly Kittell

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The Labyrinthine Journey (Servant of the Gods, #2)The Labyrinthine Journey by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 2 of the trilogy is quite exciting. That naughty Zeus is at it just doing what he wants to get what he wants. Evan is thrown into the story and gets deep into the drama as he and the others are looking for the sacred articles to save the Gods. Are the Gods selfish much? This was an entertaining story as it gives an interesting perspective at what the Gods would do to survive a threat to their lives. I found the Gods to be quite full of themselves. The other characters were well-developed. They each played a very important role in the story. Evan is probably the most relatable character. His struggle is so real (from the modern world. Sleep disorder? Tumor?) This is where I came into this trilogy and I’m looking forward to reading book 1 to see how it began. It’s a fascinating book in the historical fiction genre.

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Much Ado About Dying (Guardians of the PHAE Book 2) by Rowan Dillon – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Much Ado About Dying: An Irish Urban Fantasy Novel (Guardians of the PHAE #2)Much Ado About Dying: An Irish Urban Fantasy Novel by Rowan Dillon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 2 will knock your socks off. The characters in this series, particularly, Roisin, will have you gripping the arms of your chair in anticipation of their next move. Nothing like some plagues, bombs, Gods bringing war. There’s nothing like a series that brings it all. Ireland is still trying to recuperate. I’m loving the plot of this series. It does have a few slight glitchy spots but they do all come back together. You really need to read this series in order. It will make more sense. I can’t wait for the next book.

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The Coin Audiobook by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra – Review by Shelly Kittell

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5 out of 5 stars

A fast-paced tale of romantic suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat. I found the narration to be quite fascinating. His voice was perfect for adding the right tough of suspense. That plot, the author wrote one that flows until BAM, there’s a twist and it continues through the story. I love stories like that. The characters were well developed and written into the story well. I found myself engaged into the story from the beginning. The only thing missing was my ear buds so I could listen to this all the time. Excellent story.

Where Do Pirates Go on Vacation? by Kim Ann – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Where Do Pirates Go on Vacation? : Fun pirate story that encourages imaginative and creative thinking. Ages 3 to 8, preschool to 2nd grade.Where Do Pirates Go on Vacation? : Fun pirate story that encourages imaginative and creative thinking. Ages 3 to 8, preschool to 2nd grade. by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fun and entertaining read that kids will enjoy. The rhyming will make reading quite a joy for the beginning reader. It will also spark conversation among the child(ren) and person reading. Colorful pictures. The story is in little snack bites. I’ll be adding this one to our reading library. A fun addition that any parent, grandparent, or teacher should add to theirs.

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Amaleigha Loves a Good Story by Janice Pratt – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Amaleigha Loves a Good StoryAmaleigha Loves a Good Story by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

She has become a little role model. I love reading her stories to my grandchildren. She has wonderful ideas and the author always posts tips and items about her ideas in the back. I loved this story. I am a bookworm myself and love the Little Free Libraries. Making a bilingual box was a fantastic idea and she had some amazing ideas to go along with how to do it and get it put together. She knew how to ask for help and to do this. I enjoyed reading the story. It’s fun and the kids are learning while being entertained. It’s also a conversation starter. That’s my favorite item about these books. They open the lines of communication between adult and child. I can’t wait to find more of these to read and add to my grandchildren’s library.

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Spellbound Seduction (The Brightley Sisters Book 2) by Halley Larkin – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Spellbound Seduction (The Brightley Sisters Book 2)Spellbound Seduction by Halley Larkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This a terrific second-chance romance. The story of Thomas and Bella is one that just kind of rips your heart and yet, warms it also. They have gone through so much. Through the story, you watch their characters work so hard at trying to get the relationship to work but their so many issues in the way. I found the characters in the story charming; some irritating and annoying (Thomas father is one of them). The plot was doable for the time it was set in and flowed nicely along with what I remembered from Book 1 of the series. I love these sisters. They work so hard to keep their independence but have to give up a bit because of the time they are in. That truly takes massive courage. Great book.

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What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose – Review by Shelly Kittell

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What Actually Happened to Isaac MooreWhat Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book to be quite entertaining. There were adventures that left you feeling all the emotions. I found myself laughing, crying, etc. Each chapter brought a new tale. I thought the story line was quite enthralling. I know it grabbed my attention from the beginning. The characters were just that. Some big personalities in this book. I really enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to others also.

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series Book 1) by Isobel Reed – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series, #1)Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

City girl, Lily, meets country boy, Jake. This was a fun romp through the relationship between them. Lily came back to take over her father’s hardware store. Jake is a macho stud with an attitude. The chemistry is there but Lily is from London so through in some culture shock and you have a bit of the funniest romance. Lily has some issues to take care of. She has some family that has guilting down to a T. Jake has his won issues. Watching them develop this relationship shows how love takes two and the right tools to make things work. Will it work? Can they move forward through their issues? Gotta read it to find out. I loved the storyline. All the characters in this story are fantastic. Definitely fit the small town personalities. The plot ran fairly smooth. It’s a terrific tale that is a quick read for the romance lover.

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Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions Book 1) By Via Mari – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Degrees of Innocence (Prestian Series, #1)Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is phenomenal. This is a book that you must read. I can’t tell you much without feeling like I’m giving you spoilers. Kate and Chase come together when she’s designing a building for him. This is the start of some mysterious happenings for these two. Someone is trying to kill Kate. This is one of the best romantic suspense I’ve read. There Is plenty of steam. It is delightful to see their relationship grow and work through the growing pains. These two give off sparks and chemistry from the start. The antagonist is written so well that you can’t help but be creeped out by him. I will be diving into book 2 of this series so that I can continue to see what happens. This is a fantastic romantic suspense. You should one-click and read it. I highly recommend it.

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The Sneaky Kitten (Invisible Magic Wand Book 4) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shelly Kittell

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The Sneaky Kitten: Invisible Magic Wand Book FourThe Sneaky Kitten: Invisible Magic Wand Book Four by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun book! I love the hot cocoa socks. Caspain uses them to rescue the kitten, Stuck, stuck in the tree. Between the kitten and the “frisbee”, Caspian and his grandpa have a fun little adventure. The story is fun and entertaining. The pictures are bright and joyful to look at it. Another winner for this other. Caspian’s stories are a joy to read and a fun series to have for story time.

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Freedom Rings (The Circle Book 3) by Brenda Hardwick – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Freedom Rings: Book Three of The CircleFreedom Rings: Book Three of The Circle by Brenda Hardwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a spellbinding story that will capture you from the beginning. It is book 3 of the series. I came in at this part of the series and I have to say that I will be going back to read books 1 & 2. The characters really grab you and twist you into their world with the exciting plot going on. There is constant action going on, which is something I love in a story. It is truly a story that you should take a look at.

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