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Christina swore she’d never return to her hometown of Hidden Creek, Georgia again. Her upbringing there could only be described as torture at best. She never asked for the unusual abilities she possesses, but was quite certain they would torment her the rest of her life. After spending years hiding and trying to escape the judgement and abuse of her family and the cruel people of Hidden Creek, she’s finally come to terms with her gift. But with her parent’s sudden passing, it now falls on Christina to return and take care of everything. With her parents gone, she finally hopes to close this dark chapter of her life and leave Hidden Creek behind for good. That is, until she finds herself mysteriously drawn to the intoxicating gentleman next-door, who seems to share a strange and unusual bond with her. 

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Review: Noelle

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog Named Christmas comes this heartwarming Christmas story about the power of family and the strength and love that comes from our pets. 

In this installment of the poignant stories of the McCray family and their lovable canines in rural Kansas, matriarch Mary Ann McCray is determined to shake up Christmas by accepting the role as Crossing Trail’s first woman Santa Claus. Mary Ann, always a bit of a rebel, is looking to offer a more progressive voice in the staunchly conservative town at Christmastime and has a few ideas up her red velvet sleeves. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Noelle by Greg Kincaid is a sweet holiday tale. One that pulls a family together and reunites them in a way that haven’t been. Happiness comes with time. A dog named Noelle does all the hard work. She’s a pretty Christmas dog that brings cheer everywhere she goes. The family mentioned inside also snatched my heart and soul. Everything felt so real. A beautiful emotional journey told by Greg Kindcaid. It’s memorable. An engaging story that hooks me right from the start. It kept me interested until the very end. Overall, I recommend reading, Noelle. 

Review: Home All Along

Synopsis:

Charlotte, an Englisher, is living in Amish Country, and she has formed strong and lasting bonds with the people in her new community. She has even fallen in love with an Amish man. But just when she is considering a permanent conversion to the Amish way of life, her world crashes around her. An unexpected death and a mysterious visitor unsettle Charlotte, and she begins to question her faith and her choices.
Daniel loves Charlotte and wants to share his life with her, even it if means leaving the only world he’s ever known. But as he walks alongside of her through her struggles, his own world is turned upside down when a loved one receives a grim medical diagnosis and a prodigal relative returns home. Will Charlotte and Daniel’s relationship succumb to the many pressures around them, or will their faith and the strong community around them allow them to weather the storms of their own lives in order to build a life together?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Home All Along by Beth Wiseman is sweet. The characters and their circumstances show what life brings and takes away. Struggles are hard to handle. A little faith, patience, and love can lead them where they should be. The entire story was believable. A young woman lost her brother. Somehow finding her way back home. Home being an Amish community. Outside influences threaten her hold on staying there. But what will be will be. I’m an active reader of Beth Wiseman’s books. Each one is heartfelt. This one, is not different. I was able to easily connect with the characters. I felt their doubts, fears, and hopes. Any story that can pull me deeply into its plot, is one worth reading. That’s exactly what Home All Along did for me. Overall, I recommend it to readers worldwide. 

Review: Colors of Christmas



Synopsis:

Celebrate the joyful hope of the Christmas season as characters find healing in the midst of heartbreak.

New from Olivia Newport!

 

Christmas in Blue

In the wake of a personal loss deeper than anyone realizes, Angela plans to bypass as much of the season as possible and get through her duties as the church organist by going on autopilot. Instead, she finds herself in charge of the town’s celebration. After a mysterious young man arrives, townspeople suspect he is the reason that one set of plans after another disintegrate until little is left of their traditions. Yet Angela warms to Gabe because she suspects they share a secret—his real reason for coming to town. Even when all they have to work with is a garish supply of blue Christmas decorations, Gabe helps Angela discover the hidden beauty of hope.

 

Christmas in Gold

After eighty years, change is nothing new for Astrid. By the time she was twenty, she survived the destructive Nazi regime, caring for her family under brutal circumstances, moving to America, and losing her husband. At forty she was widowed again and left to build a new life with her children. Now, when she faces a move into an assisted living community and meets a young woman on the brink of despair, she resolves to stir up hope through tragedy one more time. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport were inspiring tales. Two wonderful novellas about finding hope, forgiveness, and joy. Both stories were realistic. Each one featured a woman going through struggles. Real life issues with characters that were easy to connect with on every level. The pacing was steady sometimes felt slow. It felt a little dry in some areas of the plot. I wish there was a bit more of an emotional rollercoaster. Overall, good stories. 

Review: The Beast Within

Synopsis:

Forget everything you have ever read about addiction and substance abuse. The Beast Within unveils the raw truth that addiction lies within us all, ready to take control at any time. 
Ever felt so lost within your own mind that it’s as if someone else is controlling your body?
Ever felt so alone and filled with guilt, grief, that suicide felt like a viable option?
Ever thought that you would be stuck in one terrible moment, forever?
There isn’t much hope for escape. Or is there?
Is redemption really possible?
Author Daniel Thomas, Jr. writes from the heart in his book on overcoming drug addiction and hopes to help others who are seeking peace from The Beast Within.
With his sharp knack for storytelling, Dan shares:
– Why addiction is such a misunderstood issue in our modern society.

– His personal struggles with addiction and recovery.

– How to overcome your own inner demons.

Written in fiction format to protect the identity of real people, The Beast Within will spread bare the life of JT and a soul tormented by his own inner demons. It is a vivid reflection of an addict’s struggle with his own life, while grieving the deaths of friends and loved ones. 

The battle between angels and demons has never been more personal. 
Will JT be saved by the Angels of his faith? 
Will he succumb to the demons that haunt him? 
Will the “Beast Within” ultimately capture his soul or will he overcome his addiction once and for all? 
Is freedom from The Beast Within even possible?

Knuckle down, grab a chair, and find out by getting lost in the following pages.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Beast Within by Daniel Thomas Jr. is a dark yet truthful read. A journey most have gone through…yet many never come out of its darkness. Where I live, you wouldn’t think drugs were a huge issue. But they are. We didn’t know that until after we moved to the town. This book, showed everything. From falling into the demons to getting out of them…these paths were discovered. I couldn’t stop reading it. Drugs are an ongoing problem. One that swallows up humans day by day. Frightening words…but realistic. Overall, I recommend this book by this writer. 

Review: Christmas in Kilts

Synopsis:

Tis the season to fall in love! These five bestselling authors bring you great tiding of highlanders and romances this holiday season!

A HIGHLANDER’S HOPE by Terri Brisbin

A village harlot who would never dream she could have a different life meets a Highlander visitor for the holidays who brings with him an offer and hope!

LEFTOVER MISTLETOE by Lavinia Kent

What happens when a highlander finds himself stranded, maybe kidnapped, with an English lady around Christmas… maybe the mistletoe will help answer that question.

A SCOT FOR CHRISTMAS by Bronwen Evans

She’s ready to embrace her life and future as a spinster, he’s trying to have one last hurrah before he gives into his family’s wishes and proposes marriage to his neighbor, but fate has other ideas when the lady and the Scot meet at a holiday house party in the wilds of Scotland.

SWEET HOME HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS by May McGoldrick

A chance encounter between a ship’s captain and a desperate aunt trying to keep custody of her young niece leads to a little magic during the holidays.

A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS WAGER by Lecia Cornwall

When a snowstorm forces a charming lass hiding a broken heart to take shelter in a castle with three fine Highland lairds just days before Christmas, there’s a game afoot—who will be the first to win a kiss and maybe her heart. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Christmas in Kilts is a fascinating yet sexy tale full of Highlander romances. Every story was as enticing as the previous one before it. I couldn’t put this book down…too good. Heat, chemistry, and lovable characters. They pulled at my heart strings. Sweet, engaging, and funny, too. These writers have brilliantly captured my heart and soul with every page. 

A Highlander’s Hope by Terri Brisbin was good. Her hero falls for a woman of different standing. One that was considered below everyone in the clan. A herlot. The woman protagonist came from a mother who was a herlot. Her backstory of being rapped broke my heart. I felt sympathy towards her. Despite her position in life, she had good friends who supported her as an equal. That made me like the characters even more. Terri Bisbin created a beautiful heartfelt tale of overcoming obstacles and finding happiness. I recommend her story to all. 

A Highland Christmas Wager by Lecia Cornwall is funny and sweet. A young woman faces her past mistake from the age of eighteen. It haunts her still with the man who stole her virtue. He teases and pushes her in all the wrong ways. However, she’s not interested. The lady has grown up since that encounter. Strong, smart, beautiful and caring as ever…her grandmother is betting on her getting a husband. Yet, she’s determined not to wed. Tha was until a particular laird comes forth. Something about his kind eyes and listening speaks to her. Hishandsome features also make her heart beat faster. A few kisses in and both are wanting each other forever. Only, jealously and other problems get in the way. It was addictive to watch the characters fallhard and fast. I loved it. Lecia Cornwall can write well. Overall, I recommend her tale to all. 

A Scot for Christmas by Bronwen Evans is fun and addictive tale. The woman protagonist leads her own fate. I found that quite interesting. Tired of waiting for what may never come, the lady goes after her heart’s pleasure. It will cost her, her pride and maybe her friendship. But if she’s successful, all may be well. Loving a man whose wife died, is hard. He can’t let go. His wife never loved him and he only lusted after her. Not a great foundation for a marriage. Fate has brought two friends together in a way one of them never expected. Hot, sexy, and charming…Bronwen Evans delivers the most exciting Christmas journey ever. I recommend her story, A Scot for Christmas, to all. 

Leftover Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent is full of innocent love. A young innocent English woman is stranded with a Scot. His large form intrigues her. Thinking he’s asleep throughout the ride, she doesn’t push away from him too much. But little does she know, the Scot is very aware of her and her beautiful frame. His friend ends up bribing the coachmen to leave the pair stranded nearby a cottage filled with food, water, and drink. Christmas is approaching and the Heat intensifies with every page. Sexy, hot, and sweet. Both characters were charming. Their dilemma was interesting. Captivated me from the beginning to end. I couldn’t stop reading it. Lavinia Kent surely knew how to capture my full attention with every word. Overall, it was a perfect romance. 

Sweet Home Highland Christmas by May McGoldrick is a stunning yet hilarious tale. A Scottish soldier and a young woman with her niece are brought together. But it wasn’t by fate…the source that brought them together will surely surprise readers! I couldn’t believe it…it was so cute. I fell in love with all the characters. The good ones anyway. Love, hope, and a lot of laughter are found on these pages. The entire tale made my heart melt. An aunt must marry in order to keep her sister’s child. Or else lose her niece. An arrangement to marry a terrible cousin, she has no choice. Until a certain soldier comes into her life, making her dream of happiness. The niece loves the soldier…

Review: Wallace Street

Synopsis:

A serial killer preys on young girls and the neighborhood is distressed and seeking justice or better yet revenge. Who will find the killer, the detectives, the mobsters, the beat cop or one of the distraught neighbors? 

Tension grows as the bodies pile up. The neighborhood is boiling over with rage 

Everyone in this hardscrabble neighborhood has secrets, but for some it’s the biggest secret – murder!

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Wallace Street by Tess Devlin is a dark story. It was showing what the life was like for these fictional characters during the time period. Everything felt real. I can actually see these characters as real people. The way the story was told, almost made it feel like memoir instead of fictional piece. Yet, it was entertaining. It caught my attention. My curiosity lead me to the las page. A crime haunting a particular neighborhood has everyone on alert. Murder, danger, and dead bodies everywhere. Wallace Street is intriguing and gruesome. Tess Devlin did good on the people in this tale. The mystery part needs a bit of improvement but otherwise, it’s still a great read. 

Review: Taerak’s Void

Synopsis:

Taerak’s Void

(Book One of Fantastica)

A new series by multiple award winning author, M. R. Mathias.
After finding a strange medallion and some maps with markings that no one in his village can understand, Braxton Bray decides to take it all to the Hall of Scholars in the kingdom’s capital. But greed is everywhere. Braxton and a tough young female caravan guard named Nixy are forced to run for their lives, for someone else wants what Braxton found and is willing to go to great lengths to take it from him.

With a hefty, kingdom wide, bounty on their heads, not even the great wizards of the Sorcerious can help them. Left with nothing but each other, Braxton and Nixy have no choice but to get on a ship and go on an adventure that will take them places they would have otherwise never imagined. Elves, dwarves, giant gothicans, and trolls, treacherous forests on distant shores, love, death, terror, and magic all await anyone brave enough to go along.

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

Taerak’s Void by M.R. Mathias is an adventure to behold. This novel, grabbed me by the collar and dragged me in deep. Action, danger, risks, and new worlds full of strange mythical characters…are found on the pages. A fantasy that engages a reader’s senses and leads them on an epic journey. Taerak’s Void is world that opens up to more worlds. I couldn’t believe all of the interesting characters and places discovered here. M.R. Mathias writes well. He had me hooked from the beginning. I also enjoyed following the protagonists as their adventure escalated quickly into a high action paced race. A race against the bad guys. Treasure that all want and only Braxton holds it. He won’t let it go to the wrong hands. Overall, it was the most fascinating tale I’ve read. It was way better than Tresure Island. 

Review: Diary of a Dead Dreamer

Synopsis:

A ghost. A killer. A man.

All three want to be a part of Elizabeth’s life… but for very different reasons.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Diary of a Dead Dreamer by N.C. Cummings is a dark read. It has a haunting theme. Action, consequences, and evil lies ahead. A young girl goes to college and her life falls apart instantly. Meeting one new girl, could destroy her completely. Elizabeth meets Sadie. There’s a lot of torture involved and many may not like it. Physical, emotional, and mental abuse happens on these pages. Nightmares that felt so real. The characters played their role just like they were meant to…however, I didn’t like them. I couldn’t like the girl who fell victim. Watching as she let her life fall apart was hard to do. I can’t stand characters who are crazy enough to let bad people torture them. The woman was at an age where she knew right versus wrong. Yet, she allowed herself to be hurt in a repetitive fashion. Chilling, frightening, and gruesome are the words I’d use to describe this thriller. As a reader, I couldn’t connect with the victim at all. That put me off from liking this title. Diary of a Dead Dreamer offers everything a thriller should offer. Overall, it was good but not my favorite. 

Review: Jobs for Robots

Synopsis: 

Robots are everywhere right now, but what will they mean for us? Automation, robotics, and future technology present tremendous opportunities — but also significant threats.The way forward is fraught with challenges, and we must bridge critical gaps between the present and the future to fully reap the benefits of tomorrow. Jobs for Robots puts this debate in a historical context and presents readers with actionable steps to robot-proof their professional lives. The book also includes a compelling discussion about the future of work, roboadvising, FinTech, and universal basic income.

Jobs for Robots was excerpted by Bloomberg News in a Bloomberg View article here: https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-06/how-to-survive-the-robocalypse

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Jobs for Robots by Jason Schenker presents the current discussion on robots taking over our jobs. Many argue that robots will take over jobs that humans deem unfitting for themselves. However, robots can continue working longer hours without breaks like us, humans. Thus, employers will look deeper into hiring robots versus humans. But then, there are still areas in which even the most advance technology cannot replace a human. Examples are editing software. They can catch what they have been programmed to catch, but still editing should be done by a human editor. The writer argues both sides of this robot debate. Yet, he still hasn’t made me feel any more confident about the future job loss ahead. Jason Schenker presents interesting facts but doesn’t fully go into further detail. Yes, we know technology can be both good and bad. In this book, I haven’t read something, that I didn’t already know about this current issue. The writer’s idea of where our future will head proved to be very bleak. 

Review: Love Held Captive

Synopsis:

After the War Between the States, a Confederate officer longs to heal the heart of a beautiful woman—but first he’ll have to right the wrongs that were done to her.
Major Ethan Kelly has never been able to absolve himself of the guilt he feels for raiding a woman’s home shortly before he was taken prisoner during the Civil War. He is struggling to get through each day until he once again crosses paths with Lizbeth Barclay—the very woman he is trying to forget.
Life after the war is not much different for former Captain Devin Monroe until he meets Julianne VanFleet. He knows she is the woman he’s been waiting for, but he struggles to come to terms with the sacrifices she made to survive the war.
When Ethan and Devin discover that their former colonel, Adam Bushnell, is responsible for both Lizbeth’s and Julianne’s pain, they call on their former fellow soldiers to hunt him down. As the men band together to earn the trust of the women they love, Lizbeth and Julianne seek the justice they deserve in a country longing to heal. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Love Held Captive by Shelley Shepard Gray is a beautiful confederate tale. A story full of loss, grief, trouble, and regrets. But somehow, through it all, there is also hope. That built trust between characters. In that something more came between them. Something called love. Love bears all. Troubles, risks, and forgiveness are found on every page. Strong women and men. Suffered from one man…who tormented them. Then, with a newfound courage, they plan to bring their enemy down forever. Death lingers near. Rap, lies, beatings, and war are discovered here. Shelley Shepard Gray has created a realistic story and believable characters. It felt as thought I had traveled back in time. I felt everything the characters felt. Love Held Captive is exactly that. Each character ends up as a captive of their love. Pain and healing are two major themes featured inside this novel. It was heart breaking and heartfelt at the same time. Bittersweet…overall, I recommend this historical book to all. 

Review: The Catalina Cabal

Synopsis:

A peaceful sail around Catalina Island takes an ugly turn as a professional bodyguard gets dragged into the middle of a violent human smuggling ring.

Badger Thompson finds the body of a young Chinese woman floating in the ocean. Stuffed in her life jacket is a large wad of cash, a fake ID, and the body goes unclaimed. He knows he should just walk away and leave it to the authorities, but it’s not in his nature, and when he keeps digging deeper at the mystery it sets off a chain reaction that brings him to the center of the storm, and a conspiracy that should have stayed secret. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Catalina Cabal by Bill Thesken is a thrilling crime mystery. Dark, deadly, and entertaining. A mystery comes afloat, and one man will keep digging no matter what. Bill Thesken has a novel full of danger. Every turn the protagonist takes, the danger closes in, around him. Risks are involved. I was intrigued. Hooked into it from the beginning. So many things to follow and my curiosity got the better of me. The Catalina Cabal is an enjoyable read. The writer knows how to keep readers like me entertained. I recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Keeper of Dreams (Volume 2)

Synopsis:

The second volume of The Keeper of Dreams explores questions of morality refracted through the prisms of dreams, the unlikely, and the surreal. “A House Burning” opens upon a crowd of the disaffected watching the ashes of their home smolder. As they turn away, one-by-one, they find their lives torn asunder – and brought into new meaning. “Time Stops For” follows a stoner man-child stuck in a metaphysical and metaphorical timewarp. Inspired by classic Russian surrealism (Nabokov, Bulgakov) and modern sci-fi and absurdism (Douglas Adams, a Kafkaesque Ray Bradbury) these stories and poems ruminate upon the moral decisions made at the human limit, and beyond. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Keeper of Dreams (Volume 2) by Matthew Keefer is an interesting set of poetry. Inside, the poems sweep over me. Sending me further into a darkness. Choices are left to be made. Each poem like the one before it, is addictive. Stunning, entertaining, and fascinating. I fell into this book. I didn’t want to come out…overall, I recommend The Keeper of Dreams to all. Matthew Keefer can definitely write well enough to suck anyone into his work. 

Review: Fireworks in Paradise

Synopsis:

“Daley’s characters come to life on the page. Her novels are filled with a little mystery and a little romance which makes for a murderous adventure.” – Tonya Kappes, USA Today Bestselling Author of Southern Fried

While on vacation in South Carolina, Tj Jensen receives a call that her father has been left in a coma after a devastating car crash. Back home in Paradise Lake, Tj learns the accident that killed family friend Judge Harper and left her father clinging to life wasn’t an accident at all—someone cut their brake lines. To make matters worse, her friend and police contact, Deputy Roy Fisher, is working with a new partner who has no intention of letting Tj anywhere near the case. Facing an investigation more explosive than the annual fireworks show, Tj enlists the help of her best friends to unravel the mystery, all the while navigating a new romance and the thought her father may never wake up.

Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you’ll probably like them all.

Author Bio: USA Today bestselling author Kathi Daley lives in beautiful Lake Tahoe with her husband, Ken. When she isn’t writing, she likes spending time hiking the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. She has authored more than seventy-five books in eight series including: Zoe Donovan Cozy Mysteries, Whales and Tails Island Mysteries, Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mysteries, Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries, Writer’s Retreat Southern Seashore Mysteries, Rescue Alaska Paranormal Mysteries, and Seacliff High Teen Mysteries. Find out more about her books at http://www.kathidaley.com.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Fireworks in Paradise by Kathi Daley is an intriguing mystery. From the start, it grabbed my full attention. I was instantly feeling sympathy for the main protagonist. Her father was ill and his chances of recovering were fifty-fifty. It didn’t sound that good. Then, there was a murder case. I also liked the romance interest of Tj Jensen. Her guy seems to be perfect. I want him! There was humor, good family relationships, supportive friends, and some danger. I enjoyed following the characters both big and small. Each one had an important role. Overall, the plot was steady, exciting, and realistic. I loved it. I will definitely be watching out for more books by Kathi Daley.

Review: Judas Son of Simon

Synopsis:

Library Review, March 15, 2017 review: “In Molyneux’s skillful hands, the story comes alive in a new way that humanizes Judas and provides insight into the life of Jesus…Emotionally intense and intricately plotted, this provocative novel profiles Judas in unexpected ways.” 
Rome is waging a “culture war” against all things Jewish, seeking to wipe away Israelite identity, culture, and faith. Revolt simmers in Judea and Galilee, as common Israelites chafe under Roman rule. Conflict rages between the various Jewish parties. Plots swirl in the palaces of Pilate, Antipas, and Caiaphas, as they struggle to maintain their tenuous grip on power, worried that Jesus will lead the people to revolt against Roman rule.
The most influential and educated of Jesus’ disciples is Judas Iscariot. Israel is a thriving economic engine of wealth. Nazareth is a suburb of Galilee’s capital. Capernaum is a center of learning, taxation, and trade, on the world’s most important highway. Each chapter of Judas Son of Simon reveals new and starling surprises about Jesus, his disciples, and first-century Israel. Think you know about Judas’ death? You don’t!
Christian and Hebrew Scriptures provide the foundation for Judas Son of Simon, supplemented by the writings of Josephus, and numerous ancient and archeological sources. Join Judas, and the other disciples, on their perplexing spiritual journey. As you do, your understanding of Jesus will be transformed.
To find out more go to: https://www.amazon.com/Judas-Son-Simo…

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Judas Son of Simon by Daniel Molyneux is by far a great historical novel. The tale takes a deeper look into what, how, why Judas got to where he did. A better understanding of it came from reading this book. There are a lot of historical facts woven throughout the pages. Bringing the events to life. Faith, betrayal, hatred, violence, hope, and forgiveness are found here, as the main themes. The book needs some good proofreading. Other than that the plot was entertaining and enticed me to the characters’ journey. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend it to readers worldwide. Forgiveness is welcome to all you seek it. 

Review: My Interview with Beethoven

Synopsis:

It’s 1826, and young Virginia newspaperman George Thompson leaves his unhappy past for Vienna, “the city of music.” His mission: interview the famous composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. But George wants more than an interview. He wants to get close to Beethoven because he’s been told the musical genius is his natural father. George also needs to know what his mother, Hannah Bekker, had meant to Beethoven. While Beethoven tells George of his rise to fame, his tragic deafness, and the women he loved and lost, George wonders about Beethoven’s intimate relationship with Hannah-and how he is to confess his real reason for interviewing the moody composer. What transpires turns George’s life inside out, and forces Beethoven to reveal a disturbing, personal secret. Inspired by true events, My Interview with Beethoven is about a young man’s journey that leads him to right wrongs, find love in unexpected ways, and heal the deep wounds of those he touches. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

My Interview with Beethoven by L.A. Hinder Jones is a deep yet beautiful tale. I was instantly swept up in its current. Music, love, and choices. A heady combination making this, the best story I’ve read. I felt my heart pour, tear, and heal whole again. Heartfelt and heart breaking, too. L.A. Hinder Jones is indeed a talented writer. The words came off the pages and came to life. I enjoyed following as one young man goes about finding answers and healing. Love never dies. Overall, I recommend this novel to all. 

Review: Hello Again

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Evelyn Talbot, a psychiatrist at a maximum-security prison in Alaska, studies some of the world’s worst serial killers. But she’s about to meet her most elusive patient at Hanover House yet: Dr. Lyman Bishop, AKA the Zombie Maker given his fondness for performing ice-pick lobotomies on his victims. A brilliant cancer researcher, Bishop is either the most cunning psychopath Evelyn has ever encountered―or he is wrongly convicted.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CRIMINAL CAN SEE INTO HER OWN?

When a new ice-pick fatality occurs, it seems Bishop really was wrongly convicted. Except…Evelyn has a personal connection to the victim and that suggests the killer may be someone from her own past: Jasper Moore, her high school boyfriend who tortured her and left her for dead when she was only sixteen. Jasper also murdered three of her friends―and was never caught. Is he trying to send a message with this copycat crime? The only thing Evelyn knows for sure is that if Jasper is on her trail, she might not be able to escape again . . .

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Hello Again by Brenda Novak is the next best installment in this series. Psychopaths, danger, death, and a whole lot of risks. Plus, a serial killer is hunting the main protagonist down….it’s only a matter of time. 

Evelyn Talbots works in a maximum prison where the most dangerous criminals are brought. It’s there thatshe studies all about them unless they make it impossible. Enters, Dr. Bishop. A recent prisoner that has come to Hangover House. He claims he’s innocent and been framed. But Evelyn doesn’t think so…and she isn’t about to let loose a maniac. However, Dr. Bishop might just get his release after all…

Evelyn is still seriously struggling with the past events. Her boyfriend, a psychopath, tortured her almost to death. But she survived. He hasn’t been caught yet….and he’s still after her. 

Things get chiller with every page. Brenda Novak brilliantly makes a frightening reality and turns it into one of the most compelling reads ever. I can’t believe it’s fiction…

Evelyn is in love with her boyfriend, a local trooper. He wants marriage and kids with her. But with a killer like Jasper waiting to kill her again, Evelyn can’t move forward…it’s sad but totally understandable. 

Hello Again is indeed the perfect title. I almost wished Evelyn could have figured it out…one of her worst nightmares is right in front of her! And then, there’s her best prison study case…he’s clever and manipulating. Danger is always in the air. Death waiting in the air. Overall, Brenda Novak still proves to be the best suspense writer around…her book, Hello Again, sends shivers down my spine. Kept me captivated and hooked me right in…I highly recommend this novel to all readers. 

Review: A Chance This Christmas

Synopsis:

Growing up in the Christmas-crazed theme town of Yuletide was fun for fashion designer Rachel Chambers until a family scandal made her unwelcome. Eight years later, she’s home for a friend’s wedding and trying to go incognito… until her old flame spots her.
Snowboarder Gavin Blake wants to make things right with Rachel, and smoothing her way back in Yuletide seems like the best way to do just that. Making Rachel his date for a week of pre-wedding parties is sure to bring them closer. Except he underestimated how long a small town can carry a grudge–or how much the memory of a long-ago kiss could tempt him all over again.
As the wedding approaches, Rachel remembers all she loved about her close-knit, Christmas-loving neighbors. But even if she can win over the town again, will she be able to convince her footloose, mogul-shredding wedding date that they can find happiness beyond the holidays?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Chance This Christmas by Joanne Rock was another brilliant masterpiece. This lady, can write well. I have not once experienced anything but heartfelt tales and unforgettable characters. Immediately, this story swept me off my feet. Sent me straight into the book. I felt everything the characters said and did. 

A lot of past anger, regrets, and a bubbling romance are found here. I was cheering for the protagonists all the way. Their story started at the same time several big depressing events occurred. A young woman returned back home, and faced the past. At first, it wasn’t easy. But with some help, a lot of patience, and some holiday romance, it got better each time. 

Rachel was a young woman when her father embezzled money from their town. When her father did this, her past boyfriend proposed to her publicly. But she declined him. With that the town blamed her for her father’s actions and for hurting the town’s hero. However, that wasn’t all. Rachel was caught kissing her former boiyfriend’s best friend. And he did nothing to help her. Now, after all those years, Rachel has finally come back home. Facing the past, making amends, and then moving forward…until one man from her past jilts her world upside down again. 

Gavin has always liked Rachel. But since his best friend liked her, he stayed away. Until he found out the two weren’t together. But just as he finally got Rachel, all hell broke loose. Not once did he go to Rachel’s side defending her. Now, with Rachel back in town, Gavin planned to win her over and help her face their town. Nothing comes easy…

A Chance This Christmas is a charming tale about mending the past, forgiving, and second chances at happiness. Joanne Rock created characters that were easy to love. I enjoyed following them as they grew. The romance was hot, the chemistry was felt, and the emotions were everywhere. Even the small characters were believable and enjoyable to read. Overall, I highly recommend this contemporary Christmas novel to all. 

Review: Don Quixote Goes to Yale

Synopsis:

Michael has a secret–he knows where the treasure is.

Months away from a Yale degree and blessed with a well-connected girlfriend who is hell-bent on pulling strings for him, Michael should be reveling in his good fortune. Instead, he has made a new friend, Boomie, who is, Michael discovers, a picaresque angel on his shoulder. And there is a tiny hitch to their relationship: only Michael can see and hear him.

Now Boomie hints that the literary treasure Don Quixote is also a treasure map. Abandoning his prospects for a Wall Street job, Michael drops everything to trace Cervantes through La Mancha. Whether he’s on the quest of a lifetime or merely tilting at windmills remains to be seen.

But as Michael is about to learn, he is not the only one with a secret. Powerful people at home and in Spain are watching his every move, and will do whatever it takes to silence him. With only Boomie, Cervantes, and Don Quixote to guide him, Michael will have to keep his wits about him if he wants to find the truth, keep the girl, and . . . live to see graduation. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Don Quixote Goes to Yale by Eytan Halaban is one entertaining novel. He took history and turned it into an intriguing read. I was captivated by the plot. Plenty of humor was emmersed into this journey. From an invisible friend, to love, and a fascinating piece of history come alive on these pages. The main protagonist is a lit major. His personality was easy to like. He dislikes his teacher’s interest in his girlfriend. That was a bit creepy. Michael’s girlfriend, Liz, is another well-liked character. She’s in love with Michael just as much as he loves her. Their relationship was believable. Michael’s quest is to find a treasure, keep his relationship intact, and keep others from thinking he’s crazy. I enjoyed following him along this literary aka historical journey. Eytan Halaban created a crazy yet fun filled adventure that all ages can enjoy. 

Review: Across the Blue

Synopsis:

Set in Edwardian England and ideal for readers who enjoy Julie Klassen novels, this romance about an English aviation pioneer and the girl who falls in love with him is filled with adventure and faith.
Isabella Grayson, the eldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper magnate, longs to become a journalist, but her parents don’t approve. They want her to marry well and help them gain a higher standing in society. After she writes an anonymous letter to the editor that impresses her father, her parents reluctantly agree she can write a series of articles about aviation and the race to fly across the English Channel, but only if she promises to accept a marriage proposal within the year. When James Grant, an aspiring aviator, crashes his flying machine at the Grayson’s new estate, Bella is intrigued. James is determined to be the first to fly across the Channel and win the prize Mr. Grayson’s newspaper is offering. He hopes it will help him secure a government contract to build airplanes and redeem a terrible family secret. James wants to win Bella’s heart, but his background and lack of social standing make it unlikely her parents would approve. If he fails to achieve his dream, how will he win the love and respect he is seeking? Will Bella’s faith and support help him find the strength and courage he needs when unexpected events turn their world upside down? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky is an adventure that I shall not forget. It was enticing from page one. Immediately, the writer caught my full attention. The plot was exciting. Tensions rose, said the drama was set, and the intensity of winning the aviation race was fun. 

Across the Blue is a historical tale. One that brought me back to the times women were forced to follow society’s rules. Get married, have kids, and be a wife. However, Isabella Grayson isn’t ready to do all that. She wants more from life than what is expected of her. Her parents force her to choose….and that choice soon became complicated. Fate has a way of knocking a man onto her path. An aviator hoping to win the race. Chemistry sizzles between them. However, his background can’t win her family’s approval. But perhaps the race can help…

I was deeply engaged with this story. The characters were exactly opposites in backgrounds. When it came to adventure, both shared it. Pressure leaned on both protagonists pretty heavily. It was fascinating to watch them both roll with their fate. Intriguing, exciting, and a charming tale overall. I loved it. Both characters were easy to like. Their personalities made them both enjoyable. I highly recommend it to readers worldwide. Action, love, and adventure.

Review: Near Haven

Synopsis:

A forgotten shipyard at the edge of the world. Apocalyptic noise from the black-and-white television. A comet. A controversy. And a cat. 

1987. Tom Beaumont is a rural boat builder looking for reason in an age of blind panic. Even the remote town of Near Haven, Maine, can’t escape the tide of violence following news of a coming, global catastrophe. Doubtful of all but his own future,Tom turns to the sea, hoping to find a meridian separating human fictions from the objective reality beyond.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Near Haven by Matthew Stephen Sirois is a great apocalypse tale. Dark, haunting, and sad. I got to follow as madness erupted throughout the world. Death, loss, and anger. The plot was fascinating. Sucking me in deeper…the events were horrific. Imagine if those events actually happen one day to us all…it all felt so real. Captivating words. Matthew Stephen Sirois is a talented writer. I recommend his novel to readers everywhere. 

Review: My Four Hollywood Husbands

Synopsis:

Joyce Bulifant has lived the “Hollywood life” for nearly seven decades, and through it, experienced what few outside the entertainment world can imagine. While following the path of her own successful career, Ms. Bulifant managed to navigate the choppy waters of husbands’ alcoholism, codependency and an extended family of four marriages.

James MacArthur played Danno on Hawaii Five-0. Edward Mallory was Dr. Bill Horton on “Days of Our Lives.” William Asher was the famous director-writer-producer of “I Love Lucy”, “Bewitched” and the Beach Party movies. Roger Perry starred in “Star Trek” and over 300 TV shows and films. He has also composed music for Barbra Streisand and Bing Crosby.

Along the way Bulifant managed to command the spotlight for her own accomplishments. As Gavin MacLeod’s wife Marie on “The Mary Tyler More Show”, a concerned mother in the movie “Airplane”, dancing with Fred Astaire, and her reoccurring role on “The Match Game.”

My Four Hollywood Husbands is a rare peek into what happens off the screen. It’s a story of love, a lasting love that is woven through the fabric of the world of entertainment. It’s also a story about perseverance and overcoming obstacles—and that happy endings are indeed possible.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

My Four Hollywood Husbands by Joyce Bulifant is a memoir that shows how alcoholism can affect the individual and their loved ones. This, was a bit tough to read, because someone I knew died from alcoholism. It’s a real part of life. Scary when it happens someone we all know. The struggles are hard.  The entire book gave an insider’s view to this difficult journey. I also showed the consequences of the alcoholic’s actions on others close to the alcoholic. Then, there was the hope of getting through the addiction. Struggles are a part of life. We just have to battle them, until we get to where we need to be. I liked how Joyce Bulifant demonstrated this in her writing. Overall, My Four Hollywood Husbands is a great read. It’s an eye opener and one that I recommend to others. 

Review: The Han Agent

Synopsis:

A THRILLER NOVEL DRIVEN BY REAL SCIENCE…
In the 1930s, Japanese scientists committed heinous crimes in their quest for the ultimate biological weapon.
The war ended. Their mission did not.
Eighty years later, Japanese-American scientist Amika Nakamura won’t let rules stand between her and scientific glory. When the ambitious young virologist defies a ban on the genetic manipulation of influenza, she’s expelled from the university. Desperate to save her career, she accepts a position with a pharmaceutical company in Tokyo. Soon after, a visit to a disputed island entangles her in a high-profile geopolitical struggle between Japan and China. Applying her singular expertise with bird flu in a risky experiment may be the only way out. Little does she know that Japanese ultranationalists and a legacy of unpunished war crimes lurk in the shadows, manipulating people, politics, and science.
But DNA doesn’t lie. Amika uncovers a shocking truth: a deadly virus is about to put the “gene” in genocide.
PRAISE FOR THE HAN AGENT:

“Amy Rogers’s latest medical thriller, THE HAN AGENT, is as exciting as it is frighteningly realistic. It could be tomorrow’s headline. Here is a story fraught with taut tension, sudden explosive action, and threaded through with scientific accuracy and speculation that will leave you stunned. Read it…if only to prepare yourself for what might soon become true.”

—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sigma Force series. 

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

The Han Agent by Amy Rogers is a science thriller. The whole synopsis sounds way better than the plot itself. The realistic situation of what the main protagonist does as a scientist is unbelievable. She does things halfway through instead of being thorough. A scientist always likes being thorough whether they’re right or wrong. Another situation was how did Amika, the scientist, get to be the main character…it kept me wondering. It sounded like she was still in the process of learning her field. I didn’t believe that she could somehow stumble against a virus that deadly. Plus, even if she did someone above her would have taken the claim for such a discovery. Last, there’s her personality. Amika isn’t likable to me. She comes across as manipulating and devious. It is only right that she does get entangled into a geopolitical situation. I have to say Amika deserves what she gets. If Amika was created innacting more like a real scientist would her title as a scientist would have been more believable. It was like someone tossed her the job and she just rolled with it. Overall, it sounded better than it actually was. Some changes need to be made, once made, I think this would indeed be a great thriller. 

Review: Moonlight Over Manhattan

Synopsis:

She’ll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle… 
Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list—dealing with Madi’s temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry. 
Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi—how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple—he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there’s nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel. 
Ethan’s kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all—letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas?

Rating: 5-stars 

Review:

Moonlight Over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan is another perfect romance. This, contemporary has all the emotions to suck readers like myself deeper into the tale. From sweet caring characters to crazy matchmaking family members, I enjoyed this book. I laughed so hard and fell in love immediately. The characters both big and small made this enticing. It’s not every time, that I can honestly say, all the characters were amazing. But they were. 

Love has been something both protagonists have put on the back burner. Until recently…Harriet is a fun, kind, warm hearted woman. She works as a dog walker. Both the dogs and the owners love Harriet. After meeting her, I too, liked her. She can cook out of this world. Her personality goes from a shy woman to a woman not afraid of what happens. This, is due to two things. Her challenge Harriet list and the sexy doctor in her life. 

Ethan appears cold and grouchy. But he has a heart of gold. Working as an ER doctor, he has turned off his emotions. Can’t feel anything. Or so he thought. Then, his sister has him taking care of her dog…that’s where Harriet comes to the rescue. At first, their friendship is rocky but soon smoothed over into something much deeper. Love. 

Overall, I highly recommend Moonlight Over Manhattan. It’s the lastest installment by bestselling writer, Sarah Morgan. I don’t know how she does it every time, but she wields magic in her books. 

Review: The Criminalist

Synopsis:

“CSI–Without the makeup.”
A Russian model and a reluctant forensic scientist must join forces to fight a dangerous sex trafficking ring.
Paul Connert, just your everyday forensic scientist, keeps a dark secret as he combs through scenes of violent death. Then his world is rocked by the beautiful and desperate Vika Koslava, a Russian model who arrived in the US with her sister for an erotic photo shoot. When the sister disappears, he must join forces with Vika and use all his skills to stop a deadly sex trafficking ring before she meets a similar fate. The Criminalist is the story of forensic science at its best, and it’s all about teamwork, but can everyone on Paul’s team be trusted?
It’s been five years since PAUL CONNERT’S fiancEe died of a drug overdose and he’s never forgiven himself for not trying harder to help. Now he plans to atone. He seeks a woman who reminds him of his lost love and fantasizes about getting her into rehab, even if by force. But then he meets the feisty, alcoholic, VIKA KOSLAVA, a beautiful Russian model who was sent on an erotic website assignment to Santa Barbara with her heroin-addicted sister. When her sister goes missing, Vika is left homeless. Paul uses a clever means to meet Vika, but his intervention fantasy is quickly busted when he meets her, face-to-face.
Paul and his crime lab friends join forces to protect Vika by enrolling her in a secret clinical trial but also continue the search for her sister. We follow Paul and Vika as they go through their daily routines: Paul as he processes a murder scene, Vika as she is exposed to experimental nanoparticles as a part of her addiction therapy. When they get together and form a powerful alliance to fight the violent members of a sex trafficking ring, he will need to use all his scientific skills to keep her safe.
The Author says, “When I retired from a twenty-five year career as a forensic scientist in southern California, I took home a treasure-trove of story ideas. I’ve been there, I’ve collected that and I’ve weathered the subsequent cross-examination, too. When I cooked up The Criminalist, I wanted readers to feel what it was really like to work in a crime lab. I drew from the colorful personalities I had worked with and blended in scenes from real-life cases. The story includes several strong female leads and a plausible, suspenseful plot. There are a few graphic (but not gory) crime scenes and a dash of courtroom drama. Running throughout is an engaging, romantic thread.”

John Houde, author of the award-winning nonfiction book, Crime Lab: A Guide for Nonscientists, has had a career in forensic science spanning four decades. Now he draws upon his experience to spin an intricately woven adventure in the world of truth and lies, love and hate, science and crime…

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Criminalist by John Houde is an interesting crime novel. Forensic science lovers like myself will enjoy this read. Similar to CSI Criminal Minds this novel demonstrates forensic science in a realistic setting. The suspense builds up as I progressed through the pages. The plot was exciting. Crime, drugs, and a disappearance that kept me intrigued. I liked the forensic scientist, Paul Connert. He is a likable character. It is his duty to investigate the case of her missing sister. Intense, frightening, and very believable. John Houde has created a tale that sent me straight into the book. I was hooked. Visa is another main character, that I liked. Her personality is great. The book brought issues like drugs and sex trafficking out in the open. Overall, it stunning, and I recommend it. 

Review: The Proving

Synopsis:

Having left the Amish life for the English world, Amanda Dienner is shocked when she learns that her mother has passed and left her Lancaster County’s most popular Amish bed-and-breakfast. The catch is she has to run it herself for one year, acting as hostess. Amanda accepts the terms, but coming home to people she left behind won’t be easy.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Proving by Beverly Lewis is a beautiful Christian tale. A young Amish woman is to return home. Her mother just passed away recently and she alone has inherited the family bed and breakfast. However, there are conditions she must follow to keep it. After being away for five years, Mandy isn’t sure where she belongs. Being back home, is an emotional journey for her. Faith, love, friendship and new beginnings are featured on these pages. I was deeply engaged from the beginning. Theending was sweet. The plot’s pace was steady. Challenges are hard but here, I got to watch as the main character pursued hers. I enjoyed the hidden messages of wisdom. Beverly Lewis is indeed a great writer. Overall, I recommended The Proving to all. 

Review: Jurassic

Synopsis:

Welcome to the exciting land of Jurassic, a dinosaur graphic novel for all ages one hundred and fifty million years in the making – featuring the triumphant return of the Brontosaurs! For decades the beloved Brontosaurus was thought to have never existed and that its bones belonged to another dinosaur known as the Apatosaurus. In 2015, dinosaur fans were rocked as the paleontology community concluded that the Thunder Lizard (as the Brontosaurus is known) was indeed a species of sauropod! From the mind of Ted Rechlin, author and illustrator of “Tyrannosaurus Rex” comes a thrilling new prehistoric adventure whisking readers along a wild journey encountering many famous dinosaur species. 
Both educational and scientifically accurate, “Jurassic” centers around the survival story of a young Brontosaurus calf trying to maneuver through the golden age of dinosaurs. As deadly mega-carnivores prowl the forests and mighty whale-sized herbivores walk the land, “Jurassic” features illustrations ranging from the monstrous (and hungry) Allosaurus, Ceratosaurs, and Torvosaurus to the massive herbivore Brachiosaurus, the whip-tailed Diplodocus, the tree-top munching Camarasaurus, and the largest land animal in North American history, the Supersaurus.
From wild hunts and a congregation of Jurassic titans, to daring escapes and thrilling battles, witness the resurrected reputation of the Brontosaurus and watch one young calf’s journey to become the Thunder Lizard he was born to be. 
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Jurassic by Ted Rechlin is a super awesome read. The graphic drawings fit well with the adventure inside…a young dinosaur finds danger everywhere. Survival is a must for these creatures. Their size, color, names were fascinating to follow. Ted Rechlin made this historical journey back to the dinosaurs time, one brilliant adventure. I was excited, entertained, and educated along the way. The plant and meat eaters of this time period were explored. Children can easily enjoy this book. Overall, I highly recommend it to parents, educators, librarians, and to children worldwide. 

Review: Cutie Meets Mr. Lizard

Synopsis:

“Cutie Meets Mr. Lizard” is the first book of Cutie’s Big Adventures, a Cutie Book Series for children, written by Felicia Di John and illustrated by Terence Gaylor.
In this first book, we meet Cutie, a sweet, curious, adventurous chihuahua rescue dog who lives in a house in the desert. She is a little dog who thinks she is big. Her mom Ava Rose is six years old and loves Cutie very much. She would like to play with her all day, but she must go to school. Cutie is never happy when her mom leaves her for school because that means she will be home all alone. So today, Cutie decides to go outdoors by herself to play. She explores the desert around her, makes a new friend, and finds that some animals eat strange things. She is having so much fun that she almost forgets to get back home before her mom arrives. Luckily, she remembers, and Cutie makes it back just in time to greet her mom, Ava Rose. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Cutie Meets Mr. Lizard by Felicia Di John is a great children’s book. I loved the illustrations that went with the story. Fun, creative, and simple. The story itself was cute. Cutie is a chihuahua. She explores the world around her home. In this adventure she is looking for a different kind of food. But she soon realized that her puppy food is better than what she found. The story would have better if Cutie tried going for the food she had in mind…spaghetti. But instead she left home and found a lizard. Mr. Lizard eats live ants. Yuck! Both boys and girls could like this adventure. However, the children would have to be really young. The adventure was too simple for those in kindergarten and above. Overall, a fun read. 

Review: ACE Flash Cards

Synopsis:

Ascencia Test Prep’s ACE Personal Trainer Practice Tests: ACE Exam Prep with over 400 Practice Test Questions for the American Council on Exercise CPT Exam is a flash card book offering test-takers a full review of the subject matter covered on the ACE Personal Trainer exam. Ascencia’s ACE Personal Trainer flash cards cover:

• Exercise Science
• Nutrition
• Assessment
• Exercise Techniques 
• Program Design
• Client Relations
• Coaching
• Safety and Risk Management 
• Professional Development and Responsibility 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 
Ascencia Test Prep’s ACE Certification Review Study Guide 2017-2018 is a great study guide. Easy and simple to use. The flash card questions are well-developed. Cover all test information and they are well-detailed. The sixpze of the study guide was perfect. I can carry it anywhere. This test booklet, has over 300 plus questions to make studying easier for the student. Learning has never been easier. Overall, I recommend this book to all personal trainers and health professionals. 

Review: ACSM Flash Cards

Synopsis:

Ascencia Test Prep’s ACSM Certification Review Study Guide 2017-2018: ASCM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Resource is a flash card book offering test-takers a full review of the subject matter covered on the ASCM Certified Personal Trainer exam. Ascencia’s ASCM Certified Personal Trainer flash cards cover:

• Exercise Science
• Nutrition
• Assessment
• Exercise Techniques 
• Program Design
• Client Relations
• Coaching
• Safety and Risk Management 
• Professional Development and Responsibility 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

Ascencia Test Prep’s ACSM Certification Review Study Guide 2017-2018: ASCM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Resource is a great study guide. Easy and simple to use. The flash card questions are well-developed. Cover all test information and they are well-detailed. The sixpze of the study guide was perfect. I can carry it anywhere. This test booklet, has over 300 plus questions to make studying easier for the student. Learning has never been easier. Overall, I recommend this book to all personal trainers and health professionals. 

Review: CSCS Exam Rapid Review Flash Card Book

Synopsis:

Ascencia Test Prep’s CSCS Study Guide 2017-2018: Test Prep Book and Practice Test Questions for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam is a flash card book offering test-takers a full review of the subject matter covered on the CSCS exam. Ascencia’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist flash cards cover:

• EXERCISE SCIENCE
• NUTRITION
• EXERCISE TECHNIQUES
• ASSESSMENT  
• PROGRAM DESIGN 
• CLIENT RELATIONS & COACHING
• SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT 
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESPONSIBILITY 

Rating: 5- stars

Review:

Ascencia has once more developed another great exam booklet. This one, covers the required information for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam. The information covered was very thorough. The answers were well-detailed. Over 300 plus, flash cards covering all topics for the examination. The CSCS exam booklet is small in size but is well packed. The content is amazing. Easy studying for preparation. It also explains the exam, what it’s about, and how it’s scored. I can carry this book around easily. The size makes commuting with it easier than most test booklets. Overall, I recommend this flash card exam book to all personal trainers and health officials. 

Review: Totally His

Synopsis:

Actress Sophie Birch is used to having to look out for herself. So when her theater catches fire and a big guy scoops her up into his arms to save her, she’s going to fight every step of the way. Even if he’s a cop. And really sexy. And his arms feel oh-so-good.
Finn Kelly can’t help but appreciate how good the woman in his arms looks in her sexy pink lingerie. Even if she’s currently resisting arrest. 
But as the two get to know each other, they’re both surprised by the things Finn is willing to do to get closer to her. And when Sophie’s estranged father arrives in town and starts causing trouble, the stage is set for disaster…unless Finn can convince her that, for once in her life, she has someone to lean on. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Totally His by Erin Nicholas is another believable tale. The characters really had me sucked into the plot. The pacing was steady. Felt slow in some areas. There were a lot of issues explored in this read. Issues like bad parenting, pathological liars, and anger issues. The main character, Sophie Birch is one I’ll never forget. She was easy to relate to as well as like. Her journey was hard from the beginning and got crazier with every page. I hated her father. He is a character that I’ll never like. If he was written out of the novel by the ending, I would have enjoyed it more. But he wasn’t. Frank Birch was nothing but a constant pain and torment to his only child. I cried for her. Her pain was so real. Erin Nicholas took the reality and unpleasantness of life and brought to life on these pages. I can totally see this novel being a movie. I know without taking a vote that her father is the most unlinked character of them all. Overall, it was a journey. Sexy, sweet, and heartbreaking all at once. I recommend this to all. 

Review: Bits and Peaces

Synopsis:

BITS AND PEACES could leave you thinking that what people believe in their own minds might be more powerful than reality; of course, members of all races and ethnicities are equal; don’t screw with the wrong guy; or it ain’t over till it’s over. 

The first section is comprised of six fiction stories of varying lengths that include primary characters such as Joey, a middle-aged man who believes he is en route to breaking the major league baseball lifetime home run record in softball batting practice; Michael Damsky, a fifty-year-old man pushed out of his twenty-one-year professional job, who continues to catch the same train to work each morning; and Richard Colucci, the retiree who returns to New York for his fiftieth high school reunion, worried whether anyone will recognize him, and if he’ll be asked to recount what he’d done all those years. 

Section II of Bits And Peaces consists of seven fiction stories narrated in first person by a character named Mitchell Graye – the author’s alter ego – each story about an unusual person he meets, his interaction with, and reaction to them. The characters include Amala who dials the wrong number two hours after the ringing in of a new year, seeking her psychiatrist because she wants to kill herself; Mildred, an elderly woman in a White Castle hamburger restaurant who lines up her twenty lipstick cases every thirty minutes, and speaks to nobody; Mel, a man in Panera’s restaurant with a scar down the side of his neck who takes his cell phone outside in any kind of weather each time it rings. 

The third section consists of several essays, including “Mr. Potato Heart,” about how people create their own fantasy version of other people based on what they want or need them to be. This collection of stories is aptly titled “Bits And Peaces,” rather than “Bits And Pieces.” 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Bits and Peaces by Mitchell Graye is an interesting book. It’s divided into three awesome parts. Part one, is a series of short fictional stories. Each one providing different kinds of characters. It was addictive to read. Never boring. Always caught my attention. The pages went by pretty fast. Before I knew it, I was already in part two. Here, there were more short stories but told in a different way compared to previous ones. I enjoyed the different point-of-view. A lot of action, emotions, and a variety of characters that gives it a refeshing taste. Last but not least, is part three. This section is a collection of short essays. It’s very deep, thought provoking, and interesting. Mitchell Graye spun a ton of short pieces and brilliantly wrapped them into a great book. I’m not usually into short stories or essays but this one was worth every minute of reading. 

Review: City of Angels

Synopsis:

Michael is a 17 year old amateur boxer living in a group home in East Los Angeles. With the help of his trainer, a former prize fighter and ex-convict named Jerry, Michael has overcome early childhood tragedy to become one of the top amateur boxers in the nation and earned an invitation to the Olympic trials.

As he awaits his final bout, an unforeseen incident forces Michael to move into a new group home where he meets Maria, a house manager with a heart of gold, and Lizzie, a newly arrived 6 year old girl who is struggling to adjust to her new reality. Over time Michael, Maria, Lizzie, and the other residents of the home come together to form what they all want most in life: a family.

Just when everything seems perfect, their world is turned upside down. And this time, Michael can see no way to save himself or the family he has grown to love.

City of Angels is an epic saga that takes you on an emotional journey that will touch your heart. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

City of Angels by K. Patrick is indeed an epic tale. Heartfelt, inspirational, and engaging. As I started to read, I became hooked. The characters immediately drew my attention toon to their stories. Sad, realistic, and believable. City of Angels is a beautiful novel about surviving and overcoming obstacles. Life isn’t easy nor perfect. K. Patrick has captured the meaning of life and wrote it in way that made me love it. A journey worth reading…

Review: Danny and the Dreamweaver

Synopsis:

Danny is a grumpy video-game junky. He daydreams in school and has a long-standing rivalry with his neighbor.
Yet Danny soon finds himself ensnared in a bizarre dream. Controlling his dream is Nostrildamus, an odd-looking creature with a huge nose and no eyes, yet can oddly see into the future.
Taken on a time-traveling hunt to solve an art-related mystery, Danny meets strange looking artists, like Hippopotamus Bosch and Michelanjello, while Nostrildamus tries to impart subtle pearls of wisdom.
Yet, what does it all mean? And what effect, if any, will all this have on Danny?

Find out in “Danny and the DreamWeaver,” an imaginative adventure of criminal intrigue, time travel, and art history, infused into a bizarre dream that will have you scratching your head and smiling, until the end! 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Danny and the Dreamweaver by Mark Poe is one of the most unusual books I’ve ever read. The cover also caught my attention. It was strange looking and made me wonder what it was about…

Inside this intriguing yet fascinating story, was a teen who meet a nose figure in a dream. From there, the main character, a teenage boy, learns a lot about famous artists as well as life. I love art and this story covered it in an interesting way. Mark Poe was creative. His book took me on an adventure. It was part fantasy and part time travel. Educational yet entertaining. I would recommend this book to YA readers everywhere. 

Review: My Nazi Nemesis

Synopsis: 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER International Book Contest.
Jack Goodwin is a clever and cocky CIA agent saddled with baggage. Haunted by a dark past for fifteen years, Jack finally tells all to his daughter Eleanor. 
As an OSS agent during the war, Jack’s traumatic past involved a series of near-death experiences, from failed sorties and secret missions, to a horrifying run-in with Auschwitz, to having met and married Eleanor’s mother, Veronika. But the flames of passion had died when a prying Waffen SS officer, Alois Richter, entered the fray. With an amorous eye for the bride and a suspicious plea to join the OSS, Alois had sent Jack’s world into a dark tailspin with catastrophic results. 
Fueled with revenge, father and daughter join forces to hunt down his long-time nemesis. But when disturbing evidence arises, Eleanor is forced to reevaluate the mission, as intrigue, murder, and suspense abound, leading to a climatic face-off that reaches terrifying and unexpected heights. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

My Nazis Nemesis by Rich DiSilvio is now, my new favorite historical WWII novel. His book brings my favorite topic to life. The awful Nazis. Deadly, frightening, and real. This thriller brings the time period when the Nazis were active and creates a suspenseful dark tale. The action is everywhere. Just opening the book, the first page catches readers attention. Like it did with mine. Deadly situation that can be the last, yet the main character seems to make it out…and the plot thickens. Rich DiSilvio has masterfully woven an entertaing war novel. One that both scares and lures me. I feel like a fly landing in the killer plant…only seconds will determine if I fly off to live, or if I’ll die. The same is applied to this novel. Hilarious, romantic, and stunning. My Nazis Nemesis will engage readers from the beginning to end. Rich DiSilvio knows how to draw readers into his book. Captivating. The main characters like Jack are believable. Reading this novel, was like watching the scenes come to life. I would love to see this story made into a big motion picture. Overall, I highly recommend My Nazis Nemesis to readers worldwide. 

Review: A Blazing Gilded Age

Synopsis:

A Blazing Gilded Age is the epic story of a volatile nation burning with ambition, yet bleeding with injustice. It was a time of profound change; boldly transforming from an agrarian backwater into an industrial powerhouse.

Center stage in this turbulent saga, are the Wozniaks; a poor coal mining family struggling to achieve the elusive American dream. Confronted by the evil ways of their ruthless and depraved boss, Archibald Desmond Huxley, the Wozniak family is thrust into utter turmoil, thus igniting a blazing journey of revenge and survival.

During the Wozniaks’ quest, the lavish lifestyle of Huxley and his fellow titans, including J.P. Morgan, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain and others, are woven into the story line, thus painting a broad and vivid canvas of 19th century America. Springing to life are legendary figures and historic events that accurately depict an era boiling with bravado, innovation and astounding progress, yet blistering with corporate greed, class warfare, and political corruption. After many unexpected twists of fate (some fortuitous and others heartbreaking), the Wozniaks emerge victorious, thus finally achieving the American dream, yet not without scars.

Both powerful and poignant, “A Blazing Gilded Age” serves as an entertaining and enlightening read of how and why America has gone astray, and why it became a world leader. While on a personal level, it imparts the harrowing, yet triumphant, tale of a family’s struggle to survive in an age that, in many ways, was as dark and rough as coal, and, at times, could be as blazing as Hell. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

A Blazing Gilded Age by Rich DiSilvio is a talented writer. His characters both big and small came alive on the pages. The plot was deep, heartfelt, and thorough. History mixed in with fiction. Made this a new favorite. America wasn’t always great…a lot of bad went with the good. Here, inside this tale, I got to explore the depth in which Americans suffered. Suffered for survival. Power, greed, corruption and progress we’re just several themes mentioned in the book. 

One particular family of low class is mentioned in great detail. They’re not famous. They work like slaves. Slaving for the bigger guys. Hard labor, suffering, and agnogy just to make a few pennies to survive…barely surviving. A Blazing Gilded Age is dark, haunting, and heartbreaking. Child labor, poverty, and loss are featured here in great detail. I felt like I traveled back in time to the late 19th century. Overall, Rich DiSilivio’s latest book is a must read for all. I highly recommend it. 

Review: Henry and The Hidden Treasure

Synopsis:

Henry and the Hidden Treasure is an imaginative adventure a young child has in defending his pocket money against his little sister. Henry constructs elaborate defensive measures that he is sure will stand up to the clever ambitions of Lucy. Little does he know, Lucy has a few tricks of her own.
With a focus on introducing children to the use of ordinal numbers, Henry and the Hidden Treasure also draws out some important qualities of being a kid – such as creativity, the value of listening to parental advice, and of course, being nice to your sister.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Henry and The Hidden Treasure by B.C.R. Fagan is educational, inspiring, and entertaining. I loved the colorful illustrations and meaningful messages. The plot is enticing. Engaging children to follow along as they read or being read to…the main theme surrounding sibling love was beautifully done. Overall, this is one children’s book that I recommend to readers everywhere. 

Review: Humanity’s Way Forward

Synopsis:

“The echoes of those scars can clearly be heard in Edge of the Known’s music. But one can also discern, quite distinctly, that other inexplicable thing that is within us all, the undying flame that transcends our wounds and sufferings…” 

Brandon Chane had always seen life through the eyes of an outcast, a misfit, a young man at odds with the world and with himself. Now they’re calling him a wounded healer; a shamanic Pied Piper for the throngs of alienated youth; a thief of fire. 

He wonders if he and his band can escape the claims that the world has suddenly laid upon them. But what about the cherished dream that he’s struggled so desperately to fulfill, the dream that finally seems to be coming to fruition?

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Humanity’s Way Forward by Seth Mullins is epic. His novel depicts a group of young men wanting to become a famous rock band. Here, I got to watch them bond like family, sacrifice things in order to make their dream come true, and how fame hit them hard. Each character felt real. Their band was good. They worked hard and played hard. Yet, being famous sometimes isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. They soar and fall throughout the pages. The plot was entertaining from the start. I was hooked immediately. It was one emotional rollercoaster ride after another. Seth Mullins did an excellent job in writing this novel. He protrayed humans at their weakest, worst, and best moments. Overall, it’s a worthy read that I recommend to all readers. 

Review: Christmas at Carnton

Synopsis:

A novella to launch a brand new three-book series . . .

In the midst of war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas, the cost of love . . . and of loving again.

Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son. About to be evicted, she sees an advertisement for the Ladies Aid Society Auction and applies for a position—only to discover it’s been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity. And friendship. But can she trust him? Is Jake Winston the man he appears to be? Having lost everything once, Aletta is determined to guard not only her own heart, but also her son’s.

Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffers a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Ladies Aid Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of “crinolines” isn’t his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies—one, in particular—is far more than he bargained for.

Set against the backdrop of the real history of Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored . . . at Christmas.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander is a story of great loss and of great hope. The engaging historical tale was easy to read. I enjoyed following the characters. A woman lost her husband due to war. She’s carrying their second child. The first child is eager for Christmas. But all hope for a good Christmas ends when, Aletta looses her job. Then, the bank gives them two weeks to find a new home. A soldier injured from war returns back home doing work he doesn’t like. But then, fate brings Jake and Aletta into each other’s path. A chance for love, hope, healing, and new beginnings. Christmas approaches the characters and it was exciting to see where their future went.  Christmas at Carnton was believable. Entertaining and sweet. I recommend this novel to readers everywhere. 

Review: A Seaside Escape

Synopsis:

All work and no love can make for a dull life. But cupid’s arrow has a habit of striking when you least expect it… A heartwarming, feel-good romance to curl up with this winter perfect for the fans of Marian Keyes and Veronica Henry.

Mallory Westerman is the successful proprietor of Le Petit Cadeau, a gift shop extraordinaire in thriving Leeds.

Concentrating solely on her business, she has almost given up on finding someone to love. That is until she literally falls into the arms of a handsome, intriguing stranger who becomes her Knight in shining armour.

The whirlwind romance that ensues changes her life-path irrevocably. However, the road to true love is never smooth and things don’t always turn out how you expect…

*Shortlisted for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year 2014*

This book was previously published as A Bridge Over the Atlantic.

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

A Seaside Escape by Lisa Hobman is a great read. An emotional journey of a woman losing her loved one. It was easy to relate to her loss, grief, and to understand some of her actions. A heartbreaking tale that felt realistic. I felt sympathy for Mallory. I can’t imagine how hard it was for her. But at the same time, her journey seemed to drag. It was stretching the grief out as though it were a rubber band but without it ever breaking. There had to be an earlier time to let go of her past memories in order to move forward a bit faster. There was also, another main character who suffered the same loss. Their connection was entertaining to follow. Again, I wished she, Mallory, would have realized that sooner. Other than that, the book overall, was good. Heartfelt, sweet, and believable. 

Review: The Right Kind of Rogue

Synopsis:

Can two star-crossed lovers come together—until death do they part?

Viscount Hart Highgate has decided to put his rakish ways behind him and finally get married. He may adore a good brandy or a high-speed carriage race, but he takes his duties as heir to the earldom seriously. Now all he has to do is find the right kind of woman to be his bride—ideally, one who’s also well-connected and well-funded. . .

Meg Timmons has loved Hart, the brother of her best friend, ever since she was an awkward, blushing schoolgirl. If only she had a large dowry—or anything to her name at all. Instead, she’s from a family that’s been locked in a bitter feud with Hart’s for years. And now she’s approaching her third London season, Meg’s chances with him are slim to none. Unless a surprise encounter on a deep, dark night could be enough to spark a rebellious romance. . .for all time?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Right Kind of Rogue by Valerie Bowman is one sensational tale. I loved this journey. Epic, sweet, emotional, and teasing. Valerie Bowman created the right elements when writing this piece of literature. I felt right at home. The scenes were vivid and felt real. The characters were beyond believable. Beautiful souls inside and out…two opposites with a heart of gold. I loved these characters. Meg Timmons and Viscount Hart Highgate are my new favorites. 

Inside this novel, I got to explore one young woman’s journey as she dealt with her parents. Parents who didn’t love her. A father who drinks and gambles everything away. A mother who never liked her own daughter. Then, there was her life as a wallflower thanks to her parents. With no money and everything she owned needing repair, Meg had no chance of scoring a husband. Let alone, one for love. Meg has always loved her best friend’s brother, Hart. Hart stood up for her at her parent’s home. A place where no lady should need rescuing. Yet Hart never hesitated to stand up for her. From the moment onward her heart belonged to him. If only she could make him see her as the lady she is. Only her poor life and Hart’s own sister are preventing from encouraging the two together. 

Hart is a dashing Viscount. His father wants him to marry. Everyone he knows is marrying. Finally, deciding to get it over with, Hart agrees to look for a wife. But despite how rich and beautiful the women of the ton are…none make him want to marry. Then, there’s the kiss he and Meg shared. Hart can’t forget her or that kiss. Soon, choices have to be made…that and Meg is now, pursuing a husband of her own. 

I loved the emotional feelings from both characters. Moments of frustration, lust, love, anger, and fear. Both battle with their inner feelings and what society wants them to do. Being together feels right. The chemistry is there. However, confusion comes between them casting a net of bad feelings. Can these two overcome their obstacles? It was definitely fun to watch as they transformed. The plot was enticing. Humor, romance, and intrigue all wrapped into one marvelous read. I loved it. Overall, Valerie Bowman has satisfied my reading experience and made me hungry for more. The Right Kind of Rogue is a must read for all. 

Review: Professor Ladybug Teaches Basic Cursive

Synopsis:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Professor Ladybug! This workbook provides hundreds of cursive writing practice pages. These exercises are perfect for helping children practice their letters and simple sentences in traditional cursive (also known as longhand or script). This helpful resource includes practice pages for all 26 letters of the alphabet, uppercase and lowercase review, proper nouns, sentence practice, and number words. The simple activities will provide hours of educational fun for your child. 

These worksheets are perfect for home or school. Presented in an easy-to-use format, this workbook is designed primarily for early learners. 
Skill areas include: 

• Cursive Practice
• Memory Recall
• Drawing Skills
• Simple Sentences

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Professor Ladybug Teaches Basic Cursive is another excellent source for both teachers and parents alike. Their easy and big page layouts make this a must-have workbook. Every page can be colored. There are plenty of fun activities that help the children learn how to write in cursive. Writing, reading, and analyzing are required of children throughout this book. I loved how engaging the activities were. They made learning fun and entertaining. A good dose of English grammar and punctuation are taught here. Tons of pages for the children to complete. This, creative workbook teaches it all. I would highly recommend this to all teachers, parents, and guardians. 

Review: A Brush with The Beast

Synopsis: 

First book in a new series.
You will laugh, cry, and cling to the edge of your seat as you follow this thrilling, international adventure, and epic battle between the ultimate good set against the ultimate evil.
A brilliant and exceptionally talented IT executive, Nick Gooseberry, is at his wits’ end trying to rid himself of chronic debilitating pain. In desperation he turns to The Order, a shadowy organization that promises him freedom from pain and much more. With The Order’s help behind the scenes, Nick lies and blackmails his way into the highest levels of government while plunging into the blackest corners of hell until he sets his sights on ruling the world.
Sarah Johnson is a thirty-something ex-con that the system abandoned in a small town in Texas. As a dime store cashier, her biggest worries are what to eat and what to wear, but she’s always late for work. Her boss decides to get rid of her for good by sending her back to prison, enticing her with a shortcut to riches. She meets the Lord along the way and manages to escape from the authorities, but the fact that she’s pregnant attracts the attention of the Beast. After being whisked to the other side of the planet, her biggest worry becomes surviving.
A Palestinian schoolboy who witnessed the death of his parents grows into a world renowned terrorist driven by his thirst for revenge on his family’s murderers. He hates Israel and their number one ally, the United States. Known by his Arabic nickname, Fanak (the Fox), he orchestrates terror on every continent never realizing that he’s a puppet of the Beast.

The gripping plot, tender moments, plights and ambitions of each character will draw you in to this page turner you won’t be able to put down.
Rating: 3-stars

Review: 

A Brush with The Beast by Richard Sones is quite a dark tale. Destruction, destiny, and a darkness covers the entire book. The language would set most readers away from the book. However, it has a three person viewpoint that is interesting. I see three different characters each with their own tale that comes winding together. Sad and intense…every page only adds to the level of darkness. A struggling woman, an ambitious man, and a revengeful young boy make this a thrilling read. I did not like the characters. It felt like each were drowning in their own ways and then only using others like puppets. I didn’t care for that. I couldn’t feel a connection to the characters directly. Despite the language, it was still an adventure that entertained me. 

Review: Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe

Synopsis:

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe from New York Times bestselling author, Melissa de la Cruz, is a sweet, sexy and hilarious gender-swapping, genre-satisfying re-telling, set in contemporary America and featuring one snooty Miss Darcy.

Darcy Fitzwilliam is 29, beautiful, successful, and brilliant. She dates hedge funders and basketball stars and is never without her three cellphones—one for work, one for play, and one to throw at her assistant (just kidding). Darcy’s never fallen in love, never has time for anyone else’s drama, and never goes home for Christmas if she can help it. But when her mother falls ill, she comes home to Pemberley, Ohio, to spend the season with her family.

Her parents throw their annual Christmas bash, where she meets one Luke Bennet, the smart, sardonic slacker son of their neighbor. Luke is 32-years-old and has never left home. He’s a carpenter and makes beautiful furniture, and is content with his simple life. He comes from a family of five brothers, each one less ambitious than the other. When Darcy and Luke fall into bed after too many eggnogs, Darcy thinks it’s just another one night stand. But why can’t she stop thinking of Luke? What is it about him? And can she fall in love, or will her pride and his prejudice against big-city girls stand in their way?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa De La Cruz is a hilarious yet sweet tale. The pages were very entertaining. I couldn’t get enough of Darcy and her nemesis Luke. Real relationship struggles, friendship, and love. A family that has been close grew apart. Now, after so many years they might find some closure. Then, there’s Darcy who doesn’t think she needs a relationship, is highly successful, works like crazy, and only wants to marry for love (if she does marry). Melissa De La Cruz brought a lot of humor to life, here. The banter between best friends and between potential lovers were amusing to follow. At first Darcy seems stand-offish but after exploring her backstory, I can understand her attitude. It seems that coming back home for her mom has set off a lot of events from the past that will now collide with her future.  Watching her transform through the pages was exciting. Everything felt real. I got sucked up into the plot instantly. The other characters only added more depth to the story. Sending sweet emotions to sweep over me. Overall, it was a great read. I recommend it to others. 

Review: Professor Ladybug Teaches All About Me

Synopsis:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Professor Ladybug! This simple workbook is designed for children to explore and record facts about themselves, as well as their friends and family. 

These 80+ pages are also a great way to build self-esteem and confidence in any young child. Watch them get more confident through exercises that help them explore their favorite things as well as their own family relationships. 
The simple activities will provide hours of educational fun for your child and are perfect for home or school. Presented in an easy-to-use format, this workbook is designed primarily for early learners. Even the most reluctant learner will love exploring and learning with Professor Ladybug. Skill areas include: 

• Self-Esteem
• Reading Readiness
• Memory Recall
• Drawing Skills
• Simple Sentences

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Professor Ladybug Teaches All About Me is an excellent workbook for young children. It creates a wide variety of activities that keep them busy. Engaging them to learn, think, write, create, and draw. I love it. The pages cover everything that the children will need to learn more about themselves, their families, pets, friends, and teachers. Color and trace activities inside as well. Creative with a great page layout. Certificates in the back to award to the children upon completing their learning tasks. I wish children’s workbooks were more like this one when I was little. Overall, I highly recommend this one to both teachers and parents alike. 

Review: The Two of Us

Synopsis:

Heartwarming and Touching New Contemporary Romance from Victoria Bylin.

After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she’s focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who’s pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia’s plans. 

Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He’s poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who’s asked him to be his best man at his wedding. 

Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn’t expecting Jake. And Jake, who can’t help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he’ll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake’s courage and Mia’s caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love. . . . 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin is a stunning heartfelt piece. Once more, this writer, has created another tale to love. It’s a woman’s tale. Full of surprises and intrigue. Themes of acceptance, trusts, and love are explored. Victoria Bylin’s piece was inspiring, romantic, and a good clean Christian read. I felt excitement as I rushed through the scenes. The pages flew by fast. The plot was well-developed. Characters were great. I was rooting for them with each page. 

The Two of Us features a story of two sisters. The older one went through a rough patch. Her hesitation to love like her younger sister creates friction. A good man, Jake, loves her. But her heart isn’t as ready as I nor Jake would have wanted her to be. But it was understandable. I could easily relate to her inner struggles and sympathize with her. Mia is a tough woman. She handles responsibilities beyond any character I know. The two sisters, Mia and Lucy are wonderful people. Their love is warm and contagious. Many lessons are learned in this tale. Mia and Jake may finally find what they needed and want to have. Overall, Victoria Bylin has done a superb job with this novel. I recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: Professor Ladybug Teaches ABC

Synopsis:

The simple activities in this workbook will provide hours of educational fun for your child. These worksheets are perfect for home or school. Young learners will have a blast learning the alphabet with our fun and creative exercises. Presented in an easy-to-use format that allows children to trace, draw, write, and explore simple words and sentences, this illustrated workbook is designed primarily for early learners (ages 3-5). 

Skill areas include: 

Reading Readiness, Simple Sentences, Beginning Sounds.

These workbook pages are also a great way to build self-esteem and confidence in any young child. Watch them get more confident through exercises that use common animals, foods, and every day objects to make learning easy. There are bonus language games at the end of the workbook to give your learners a little extra practice. Even the most reluctant learner will love exploring and learning the alphabet with Professor Ladybug. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Professor Ladybug Teaches ABC is an excellent workbook for teachers and parents to use. The workbook is full of activities that engage children ages 3-5. Every page can be colored by the student or child. Fun games that require the learning of the presented alphabet letter are also on every page. I liked how numbers and letters were combined. Counting, tracing, and writing are able to children in these grades. The only added thing that I would have liked to see was a bit more space for students to practice writing words beginning with the designated letters. The space already provided only gives students a one time chance to practice writing the new words they learned starting with each alphabet letter. Overall, it was well-done, creative, and enjoyable to read. I would recommend Professor Ladybug Teaches ABC to all. 

Review: The Sunlight Pilgrims

Synopsis:

The stunning new novel from the highly-acclaimed author of The Panopticon
It’s November of 2020, and the world is freezing over. Each day colder than the last. 

There’s snow in Israel, the Thames is overflowing, and an iceberg separated from the Fjords in Norway is expected to drift just off the coast of Scotland. As ice water melts into the Atlantic, frenzied London residents evacuate by the thousands for warmer temperatures down south. But not Dylan. Grieving and ready to build life anew, he heads north to bury his mother’s and grandmother’s ashes on the Scottish islands where they once lived.
Hundreds of miles away, twelve-year-old Estella and her survivalist mother, Constance, scrape by in the snowy, mountainous Highlands, preparing for a record-breaking winter. Living out of a caravan, they spend their days digging through landfills, searching for anything with restorative and trading value. When Dylan arrives in their caravan park in the middle of the night, life changes course for Estella and Constance. Though the weather worsens, his presence brings a new light to daily life, and when the ultimate disaster finally strikes, they’ll all be ready.
Written in incandescent, dazzling prose, The Sunlight Pilgrims is a visionary story of courage and resilience in the midst of nature’s most violent hour; by turns an homage to the portentous beauty of our natural world, and to just how strong we can be, if the will and the hope is there, to survive its worst.

– NPR “Best Books of 2016” – Family Matters, Identity & Culture, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Tales from Around the World 

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

The Sunlight Pilgrims by Jenny Fagan was interesting. I thought it might be as epic as The Day After Tomorrow. But it felt flat. The characters were the best part of this book. I liked the whole apocalypse idea except it didn’t seem as threatening in this book as it should have. Instead, it was more focused on the emotional journey of the characters as they lived through the storm. Climate change comes quickly. It’s a topic that nails my attention immediately. Winter storm brewing…into the worst disaster. A doom lingering near but not close enough. Meaning it was happening…the effect just didn’t hit it quite well. The struggles of the characters kept me reading. The plot dragged. This book, was my first impression of Jenny Fagan as a writer. While she had a great idea, I just didn’t feel sucked into it like I should have. I have heard her other books are good, so I will not give up on this writer’s work. If you enjoy reading disasters that are more detailed on the characters internal conflicts, than this is a must read. Overall, The Sunlight Pilgrims was okay.