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A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas and Melinda Harris – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

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A Forever Kind of ThingA Forever Kind of Thing by Melinda Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a sweet high school romance story! Sometimes we find the love of our life when we are young and then we lose them for a while. In this story we find Mina and Wes who reconnect after time has passed. Each has changed and gone through different things, but they never lost the spark within them for each other. My favorite part is that Wes can see the real Mina through her facade and brings her back. This is a great read for a young adult.

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Leaving No Traces (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome) by P.J. Mann – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

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Leaving No Traces (Commissario Scala #5)Leaving No Traces by P. J. Mann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do like a good thriller or mystery that keeps me guessing until the end. It isn’t my first genre of choice, but I did enjoy this book, which is a 5th book in a series. You gotta love a detective that loves coffee, food and figuring out the answer to a “who done it…” He wants to find the murderer while protecting the witness and not getting himself killed along the way. This story is engaging and has characters that are mostly fun to get to know. While you may not have read books 1-4, you can definitely get into book 5 without a hitch.

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Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

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Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was a little girl, I had a blankie that I took around with me. So did my youngest son. Lilly has a bunny. These are soothing items that have special powers to help us when we are anxious or scared. Lilly accidently forgets her bunny and when she gets to school she is full of anxiety. The school nurse helps her to learn some techniques she can use when she feels anxious. The story explains where the anxious feelings come from. This would be a great book to get if your child is anxious and needs to understand where those feelings come from.

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute children’s book about Shirley, who doesn’t like her name. She is sure she isn’t from planet Earth, so she contacts the Aliens to come to visit. Shirley and Eee-ahh have fun adventures on planet Earth together – they learn that although they are different, they can be friends.

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this middle grades adventure book. It was fun to meet Russell and his Grandpa. Rusty learns many lessons throughout this story = the importance of his grandpa, friendships and trust. When Grandpa takes Rusty on his first ride on the carousel, Rusty learns why his Grandpa loves to visit the carousel every day. Rusty continues to visit the carousel after his Grandpa has a stroke – he searches for his lead horse and finds Jimmy = the one that takes him to the most important time period of all.

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy TalesWhen Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love a good fairytale? This is a great collection of modern day fairytales. I wasn’t sure about the book to start with, but found that each story intrigued me to keep reading. I loved the back and forth writing in the first story Letters from a Wu and the last story was definitely my favorite. Bones of the Soul takes place in a Phx hospital. Nazar not only had a bone disease but a special gift – that came through in his drawing.

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Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

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Back to the 80'sBack to the 80’s by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun read for an 80’s kid! Brought back so many memories! The story is a cute rom com. Blaine and Eric find themselves in a situation that pits them against each other. I really liked how Blaine problem solved her way to saving her 80’s novelty shop from Eric’s deconstruction plan. Taking him on a trip back in time not only piqued his interest in her story and her, but it brought back so many memories for me! The 80’s were a great time!
I recommend this if you are looking for a sweet story that has great voice and good pacing with the romance, humor and fun throughout!

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Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this while traveling for work this weekend. It was a great airport/plane read. I really enjoyed the story line of the daughter helping her mother overcome a really difficult situation. Mental Health, postpartum depression, divorce, unplanned pregnancy, coming of age, friendship and transitions are all themes in this storyline. Claire finds herself realigning her future as her mom faces a very difficult time. She begins to understand the power of family, supporting one-another, asking for help and love. While it may seem a far fetched storyline, I think this happens more often that we realize. It is important to check in on one another and really dig for what is most important in our lives.

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful children’s book! The illustrations are my favorite part of the book – the colorful starfish and the cool crabs that show up on every page. A counting book with information on starfish at the end – one you can read with your child, count the starfish and learn about them all at the same time. If I still had littles, I would have this one on my shelf.

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How to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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How to Catch Little Boys and Eat ThemHow to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a story all about Jack and how he outsmarts the giant in the sky. It is a very interesting take on Jack and the Beanstalk. The illustrations are cute. I enjoyed how Jack turned on the giant – by tricking him, using his problem solving abilities to get himself out of a sticky situation. Cute story to read a loud ot your littles – would prompt good discussion in a classroom about right vrs. wrong.

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Broken. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Broken. (Green St. Girls #2)Broken. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Broken is a romance with a side of steam! Wow. Indigo is finding herself, healing herself, and making headway in love and business. Gideon is a great friend who is living with Indigo – he finds his way into her life both in business and in bed. Overcoming her past with Gideon is where Indigo finds herself while she is being threatened by someone – Gideon wants to keep her safe.
The friendships, the love, the hot romance, the danger all kept me reading. I really liked the friendship aspect of this storyline – women helping each other to be strong and successful. If sexy romance is your genre, this book is for you!

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Murder in a Gated Community by Laura Koerber – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Murder in a Gated CommunityMurder in a Gated Community by Laura Koerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a highly entertaining quick read! The characters were fun to get to know and to see how their relationships evolved. I giggled quite a few times. The gated community is very realistic – how people interact and pass rules and bylaws. I enjoyed the novella, it is a good Saturday at the lake book.

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Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Hole in the RockHole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This a good middle grades story. I really enjoyed the characters and the story line. Lizza learns the importance of being honest and open instead of trying to intervene to get what she wants. I liked that Lizza has a great friend that is there for her whenever she needs her. The fact that they move to a cave made me giggle – even though the reasons why they moved weren’t funny. The characters in this story all have empathy and kindness, even when things aren’t going exactly the right way. So from stealing ladders, to painting a president’s nose and giving him a nose ring, to sneaking animals into the house – Lizza has some action packed adventures that teach her some good life lessons!

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple MachinesGoldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great book to read with your children or in a school setting. It takes a well-known story and turns it into a learning experience about simple machines. What I love is that Goldilocks is a girl and knows a lot about how to use simple machines to fix things or solve problems she finds in the three bears house. Great illustrations, great story!

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Falling Again (Buckeye Falls Book 3) by Libby Kay – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Falling AgainFalling Again by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great airport/travel book – easy to read, story was great and the characters were totally relatable. It isn’t a surprise that a marriage can feel detached once you have careers and kids – it was fun to read how Anthony and Natalie find a way back to each other. Anthony is a sweetheart – and finds himself in a sticky situation after he and Natalie make some promises to put each other first. I was sure glad he figured out a way to get out of that one – with the help of his friends!! I believe this is part of series – I will probably read the others!

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Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Tanya Wall, July 2023

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Fetching DreamsFetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is one that I walked about thinking about after every reading session. There was hope, tears, celebrations and the gut wrenching realization that this is real for so many today. The story is told through a penpal relationship between two girls – one in America and one in Africa. Two girls, with two very different lives that learn they can have a voice to make a difference. There were times in this story that I was faced with big feelings knowing that so many go without the basic necessities like water, education and a childhood – while many take having these things for granted. I was glad there was a positive outcome even in the shadow of sorrow – and I will remember the power of raising one’s voice!

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Shalom Israel by Melissa Lavi – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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Shalom Israel: A place like no otherShalom Israel: A place like no other by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this peek of the different places in Israel. I loved the illustrations – a mix of drawings with real photos – they really gave me the vison of the places the book introduced me to. The story tells a history of Israel in a rhyme, it is highly engaging and educational – in a fun way!

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Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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Living With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering ChoicesLiving With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering Choices by Toby Dorr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great non-fiction autobiography. The experiences shared by the author are hearfelt and honest. The choices we make in life often have great consequences that we don’t think about, but also that we can learn from. Toby shows both sides of this statement in her book. How do you go on to live after making a mistake that has long term devestating consequences to reexamine and transform from that expereince?

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Ways to Improve Bailey by Cori Cooper – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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Ways to Improve BaileyWays to Improve Bailey by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute and funny young adult romance novel. I loved the setting up i Flagstaff, AZ – a great community for a setting! Bailey and her brother made me giggle – their relationship is a hoot – he really takes looking after his sister seriously. His list he has for her on ways to improve helped her to develop over the course of the book. Bailey learned a lot about herself, especially when she was set up with the weird guy who was always at the yogurt shop where she worked. She learns to not judge a book by it’s cover, for sure!

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A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi – Review by Tanya

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

All teacher’s teach from their heart – no matter what. This is a cute children’s book about teachers. Being an educator, this book spoke to me. It is so correct to say that all teachers are different, but they all have one thing in common – they teach from their heart. I liked the illustrations in this book. The story is an easy read aloud- it has good rhythm and a catchy cadence.

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Lap Baby by Amy Q. Barker – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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Lap Baby: Emotional Women's FictionLap Baby: Emotional Women’s Fiction by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish I had known up front that this was based off a true story! Wow! This book takes you through an emotional timeline that starts with a plane crash. It follows several survivors and shows how they each work through the trauma and move on in their lives – or not. I enjoyed the story from the very beginning – it was intriguing and made me want to keep reading. I found myself thinking about the grief and guilt one most endure when making decisions that result in consequences we don’t know will happen or think are possible. How do you move on after giving directives that you are required to give that result in innocent lives being lost? It also made me reflect on how we cope after a trauma – it looks different for so many.

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Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters)Holding Up the Sky by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great children’s book with a message to not be fearful and to work together is better – at least how I read it! The illustrations are gorgeous. It is a good read aloud that takes you through the story of Colleen, her dad and the community. Being fearful and nonbelieving at first, the community was not sure about Colleen’s dad holding up the sky. But in the end, it all comes together when they realize holding up the sky was an important job, dad wasn’t scary and they could all pitch in and help.

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The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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The Messy KidsThe Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What happens when your kiddo doesn’t want to clean up his messes? Well, he can get some cute little alien guys to come to help. But then, they don’t really help the right way! This book is so cute – the story and the illustrations. This would make littles giggle and make for a good discussion starter!

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Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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Huff...Puff...Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Huff…Puff…Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a GREAT take on the story of the big bad wolf and the three pigs. The pigs are great problem solvers and come up with a solution to the problem of the wolf trying to blow their houses down. It’s a good thing for the wolf – and so everyone wins in the end! Shows that if you think through the problem, there might be a better solution!

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Editor Kill Fee (The Taylor Browning Cozy Mysteries Book 3) by GG Collins – Review by Tanya Wall, June 2023

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Editor Kill Fee (Taylor Browning Cozy Mysteries #3)Editor Kill Fee by G.G. Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book can be read as a stand alone- even though it is part 3 of a series. GG Collins does a great job with describing the setting – you can vividly picture New Mexico where it takes place. This is a great little mystery that made me laugh in quite a few places! I liked the main character and I liked her cats! I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this book due to the cover – it didn’t intrigue me, but I’m glad I took the chance.

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Helpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford – Review by Tanya Wall, May 2023

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Helpful HudsonHelpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a GREAT children’s book about self care. We teach our littles to be helpful to others, but we forget to teach them to know how to take care themselves because if we don’t take care of ourself, we can’t help others! The illustrations and overal theme of this book is fantastic! LOVE!

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People Safari by Feather Chelle – Review by Tanya Wall, May 2023

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PROOF: People SafariPROOF: People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a GREAT book – looking at humans from the animal point of view. Just as we, humans, go to watch wildlife in their habitats, a group of deer joing their tour guide to see the life of humans. They encounter dwellings, buses, dogs, clothes, etc. And just as we humans have questions, the deer have questions – valid ones that question why we do what we do!

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, May 2023

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the Beans (Science Folktales)Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the Beans by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a take on Jack and the Beanstalk. In this story, Jacqueline falls for the old trick of giving her cow for some magic beans. She figures out how to make the trick work to her advantage and get her family the food they need for the winter. This is a cute retell, great illustrations and it is nice to see the girl outsmart the giant!

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The Guardian of Whispers (The Reeds of West Hills Book 1) by B. E. Padgett – Review by Tanya Wall, May 2023

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The Guardian of Whispers (The Reeds of West Hills #1)The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This middle grades book is a great one for kids from 4th- 7th grade and beyond. The characters – the twins, Jon and Frankie are likable. It was fun to read about their discovery of their own special gifts, going to boarding school, and making new friends! I liked that each student of the school had their own special teacher based on their specific gift. I know Jon wasn’t too happy with his teacher at first (cleaning the house and yard were not his gift!), and he had a hard time with learning how to control his gift and the nightmares were not fun. And while all this is happening, Jon and Frankie are still just typical kids – wanting friendships, playing soccer and missing their mom, dad and brother.

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, May 2023

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the Beans (Science Folktales)Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the Beans by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a take on Jack and the Beanstalk. In this story, Jacqueline falls for the old trick of giving her cow for some magic beans. She figures out how to make the trick work to her advantage and get her family the food they need for the winter. This is a cute retell, great illustrations and it is nice to see the girl outsmart the giant!

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