A River of Crows by Shanessa Gluhm

 

A River of Crows by Shanessa Gluhm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this book down!!! I wanted to...to savor the story and have time to digest it but like an addiction, I just had to know. There are so many facets to this story about Sloan, Ridge, and the rest of the Hadfield family that it's hard to really put into words an adequate review without throwing in spoilers. I don't want to do that at all!!

Sloan returns to her hometown, in the midst of a divorce, to care for her mom who's being discharged from a mental health facility. Life for them hasn't been easy for the past twenty years when Sloan's brother, Ridge, went missing and was ultimately confirmed to be murdered. Those murderous hands, according to a court of law, happen to belong to Sloan's dad.

It's when a body is discovered that has ties to Sloan's childhood that she starts to do some more digging on her own. Maybe "Digging Up Bones" will leave her "No Stranger to the Rain" but will it help her and others in end or should she just let things go?

Sloan has a love for Keith Whitley and Randy Travis, two of my favorites as well! Her love of music might be the only thing to save her sanity throughout this mess of her family!

I'm very surprised by the level of depth in this book by a fairly new author. This is only her second book but I've already got Enemies of Doves added to my TBR list! I love a great book that I can read in one setting that will haunt me for a few days!

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Healing Kiss by Amanda Uhl

 

Healing Kiss by Amanda Uhl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What would you be willing to do to save someone you loved?

Lillian Milano is a healer. Yes, she's a nurse but she has powers that go beyond nursing. She's called to her sister's bedside when Hannah becomes deathly ill. However, she must come under the guise of being Zoey and looking different.

Tristan King is a billionaire, having built an empire in the gaming/technology space. He's got an ex-girlfriend who can't see to understand the "ex" part and only became interested in him again when he came into his fortune. Tristan happens to witness an event with Lillian and now he's intrigued. Tristan also has a family member suffering with an incurable disease. Can Lillian help him help her?

I loved this book and could hardly put it down. I really enjoyed the character development and how the story progressed. I'm excited to see where the next story might go, as I could see a sequel coming out of this (and I hope it does!). This was my first read by this author but I'll be looking for more of her work!

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Small Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson

 

Small Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Silas Fitzpatrick is starting his sixth grade year at Frederick Middle School. He's heard horror stories from Grandpa about the sixth grade. Silas has a pretty optimistic attitude about sixth grade and on top of that, at a new school in a new community for him. The first day of school, he finds his way to English class to have his teacher dismiss him immediately. You see, Silas is much smaller than most kids his age due to a growth hormone issue. Things just seemed to go downhill for Silas in his sixth grade journey until he decides to run for class president. A good friend that he makes along the day comes along to save the day and his birthday!

This book evoked many emotions as I read it!! I love the relationship that Silas has with his Grandpa and the emails that they send back and forth. They had an understanding of each other that no one else had with either of them. I love the band of misfits and I understood them all too well, as I am/was a misfit! (view spoiler)[I severely disliked Chad and Kyle but the actions of the English teacher had me incredibly incensed. The nerve of that teacher!!!! ACK!!! (hide spoiler)]

This book is going to stick with me for awhile. I'm not a fan of bullying at all! The medical complexities that this young man, who is inspired by the author's son, along with those of the Grandfather really tug at my heart. However, there is a happy ending on this one!

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones Book 3) by C.L. Schneider

 

Magic-Borne by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ian Troy is at his lowest low. The entire realm is falling apart and he's the only one who can do anything about it. Or can he?

This book features elements of time travel and hallucinations. I find that difficult to process when reading (or even in watching something). I struggled with keeping up with aspects of the story for this reason.

This is a series that definitely needs to be read in order as there is too much information carried over from previous books in this series. Fantasy adventure readers will love this series and hope for more!

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones Book 2) by C.L. Schneider

 

Magic-Scars by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's two years later and Ian Troy wakes up in a prison cell. He's been tortured and drugged, all to keep him from using his magic. Little did he know the price he'd have to pay for all this magic!! There are a lot of people wanting or needing him to be free so he's not without some help.

I struggle to write reviews on epic books because I never want to give anything away. Just know that you should read this but be prepared for the journey ahead!

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price (The Crown of Stones Book 1) by C.L. Schneider

 

Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In book 1 of this series, the reader is introduced to Ian Troy, a self-imposed exile. He's a Shinree and those of his kind are drawn to magic. They become addicted to the use of magic. Ian is different though, after a tragic event changes the course of his life forever.

This book is full of adventure, mystery, magic, and so much more. I loved the character Malaq as he brought some levity to the story.

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Non-Verbal by Molly Zenk

 

NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautifully written book about the life of Emerson and her parents. Emerson lost her words at 15 months of age when diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This book chronicles the challenges and victories that she has, along with those around her.

This book had me experiencing a variety of emotions at any given time. As a parent of a young adult with ASD, I could recognize many of these factors that Emerson is going through. It's difficult to understand ASD at all but for those experiencing it, it's scary.

I hope and pray that this book can be used to inspire others who are on this journey to never give up on themselves or their loved ones. This ultimately is a story of triumph but shows the scars (literal and figurative) earned along the way.

This book is recommended for young adults with ASD and I agree but would also recommend it for parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, and friends of anyone with ASD.

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How to Make a Flying Carpet (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom

 

How to Make a Flying Carpet by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alex is a cool kid who's looking to turn something old into something new and useful. When a refrigerator magnet breaks, he takes the magnet and tries various things to see if he can create something useful with what's left.

There's a key that fell down in the floor grate. Will his magnet pick that up? What about the desk drawer? What will he pick up there?

Alex learns about different properties of magnets during this science adventure.

I love that Lois Wickstrom writes book with a STEAM focus. These are great for ages 4-8 but I enjoyed it as someone that's a grandma too! The illustrations are also very well done in these books and there is a guide at the end of the book for further learning.

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Unexpected Entanglement (The Echo Series Book 3) by C.R. Alam

 

Unexpected Entanglement by C.R. Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rowan Kelly has inherited an inn and she's super excited to host her cousin's wedding there. Everything has to be perfect and beautiful for the big day. Rowan can handle just about anything that is put in her way but having an extra hand or two never hurts!

Insert Chris Sullens. Chris is a well-known hotelier who is more than happy to dig in and help Rowan make this wedding the best ever. What he didn't expect is the role that he'd be asked to play in order this wedding to go off WITH a hitch!

This is probably my favorite book of this series so far! There is an overlap of some characters from previous books (it was good to catch up on them!) but this book can be read as a standalone easily. I look forward to seeing where this series continues to go!

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I'll Love You Tomorrow (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 3) by Julie Navickas

 

I'll Love You Tomorrow by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This trilogy comes to an end featuring Mavis, Josh, Austin, Casey, Lauren, and Mitch. Lauren, Austin, and Josh are all siblings, with Josh and Austin being twins. They were born into a wealthy, well-to-do family. Mitch and Mavis are also siblings having grown up bouncing back and forth in various foster homes. Casey is Mavis's former room mate from her Chicago days.

This book focuses on the relationship of Lauren and Mitch. They've been married for 7 years but things aren't going so well for them as of late. Both strongly desire to have a child but things just aren't working out that way for them. Communication is a core issue that they face, or more like lack of communication.

Mavis and Josh recently married and have just learned that they are going to be parents. This puts even more added stress on Lauren and Mitch but it's not their siblings' fault. How will this ultimately affect their relationships?

I strongly recommend reading this series in order, however they can be read as standalones. Reading them in order will give you a better context on the relationships between all of these people and will make some of the dynamics much easier to understand. While this trilogy has come to an end, there is a teaser at the end of this book that another character is getting her own story. I look forward to reading that one!

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I Love You Today (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 2) by Julie Navickas

 

I Love You Today by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In book 2 of this trilogy, the story of Mavis, Josh, and Austin is continued. Casey is introduced very briefly in book one and this book focuses much more on her, along with the aforementioned.

Austin is a successful lawyer and he's just witnessed the demise of his "true love" when his twin brother Josh proposes to Mavis. When he goes to Chicago to help Mavis pack up her apartment, he meets Casey, Mavis's roommate. He's heard some about her but she's heard a lot about him. It's pure torture to Austin to help with this task but maybe Casey can make it more interesting.

When he returns home, Austin is called into the office of his law firm. He's being asked to head up the new Chicago location and by doing so, it could lead to him making partner in the firm. What better odds since he's really been missing Casey since leaving Chicago. Can this work out in his favor?

This was an enjoyable read for the most part. I do recommend reading this series in order to know the history in these characters, as it plays a large role in the overall story. I was getting a little tired of the pet names for the girls though. Duchess, Princess, and Peaches got to be super annoying afterwhile. I feel this took away from the overall story. The first couple of times it was endearing but then became overkill.

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I Loved You Yesterday (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 1) by Julie Navickas

 

I Loved You Yesterday by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In book one of this trilogy, we are introduced to Mavis, Josh, and Austin as the main characters. Josh and Austin are twins from a fairly wealthy and well-known family. Mavis and her brother Mitch grew up bouncing from foster home to foster home.

Josh and Mavis were designed to be together from the first time they met. One day Josh wakes up to find Mavis is gone. He doesn't hear from her for over ten years. His brother Austin has heard from her though and he's known her the whole time.

This book involves a love triangle and secrets galore. Will the right guy win in the end? I'm still a bit conflicted as to how this one turned out. I'm not sure that the right guy did win but, since I've read the other books in the same time frame, I ultimately know it was the right guy.

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Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

 

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Penelope Snow is travelling with an acting troupe as an assistant to the lead actress, Narcissa. When Penelope starts to catch on to Narcissa's evil ways, she's abruptly taken out to pasture and left to die by Narcissa's right hand henchman.

Titus Kingsley is a Texas Ranger who's reeling from the loss of his brother, Tate. He's officially taken himself off the market after a woman led to Tate's demise. That is, until he sees HER. She's twirling around in a field with not a care in the world.

The seven men of Diamond D become super protective over Titus and Penelope when life brings them together unexpectedly. Can the lot of them keep the Evil Queen (Narcissa) away and let the Prince win his girl?

I LOVED this story!! Karen Witemeyer never disappoints with her stories! There are so many levels in this book and many raw emotions that come out. This is a loose retelling of the fairy tale of Snow White but on a much deeper level. This is a story of true forgiveness, of submission, and of love. I can't wait to read more books in this series!

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Little Red, the Detective (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

 

Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Little Red gets a call from her Grandma to come for a visit. Grandma is making a new sweater and needs to make sure it's going to fit properly. Grandma requests that Little Red pick up a certain flower to bring to her for making tea. Little Red has a book that will help her identify the proper flower. Along the way to Grandma's, Little Red comes across a wolf who tricks her with some flowers. These flowers are not in Little Red's book so she keeps looking while the wolf pays Grandma a visit.

I found this book to be cute. I even laughed out loud at one point. This book might not be for super young readers though as they may find the wolf too scary. I like how the focus is on using a book to identify different types of flowers. Grandma also uses those flowers to make tea. This is a great book for encouraging nature walks, flower identification, and using natural resources in ways that might not have been thought of otherwise.

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Breach of Trust (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 8 ) by Cynthia Hamilton

 

Breach of Trust by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Madeline Dawkins and company are at it again with another mystery or three to solve! Just when things seem to hit a lull, MDPI scores three new cases in a day to investigate.

Case 1 involves a girl who is missing. She has recently escaped a cult and is wandering around trying to find a place to fit in while trying not to be found by the cult members.

Case 2 involves a series of mystery letters at a local assisted living home. One of these letters led to someone taking their own life....or did they?

Case 3 involves a crazy soon-to-be ex-husband who is hiding all kinds of treasures from his soon-to-be ex-wife. She's the one who stands to lose everything but hopefully that can be avoided!

Things are getting a little busy so the team decides to split up to divide and conquer. This is going to take some coordination, lots of coffee, some patience, and maybe the rustling of some feathers to close these cases!

I have only read one other book by this author but she is quickly finding a way to my top list of authors. This book is fast-paced and full of adventure. I could hardly wait to see what was going to happen next with these cases. This book is part of a series but it's not necessary to read previous stories to appreciate this one. I need to go back and read the first six in this series! If you love a great mystery involving a private eye, this is for you!

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Noah's Not So Super Summer (A Super Series--Book 1) by Brittany Tucker

 

Noah's Not So Super Summer by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book starts off with a bang that will grab the reader's attention pretty quickly. Especially if said reader is a teenager. Even more so if said teenager is a male!

Noah is tired of all the bullying he's been subjected to. He's also tired of his dad nagging him and having to babysit. Then there's the mutant infestation and the Supers. Can life get anymore complicated while yet interesting?

Noah's summer is full of adventure and friendships of a very unique kind. Hopefully his whole summer won't stink!

I loved this book and read it in a matter of a couple of hours. This will appeal to younger readers as well as those of us still young at heart! There is humor and adventure throughout!

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Right in Front of You (Morris Valley Gang Book 1) by Brooke May

 

Right in Front of You: Volume One Brinley and Adrian by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brinley and her friends make a blood promise pact as kids that they would always keep in touch and always be friends. Brinley's parents move her to Texas for her mom's work and this pact was made minutes before she left the only home she ever knew.

Fast forward a few years and Brinley has completed her military service and is an Olympic athlete. She's just coming off tour when she has a stalker that just won't leave her alone. Brinley decides to go back to her hometown and catch up with her friends. Not much had changed in her hometown except the addition of Adrian.

Adrian is a tall drink of water and is also super quiet and reserved. He's a rancher who prefers to stay to himself but when he sees Brinley and she's hanging out with his friends, he has to get to know her. He never predicts just how much they need each other, but especially Brinley when her stalker hunts her down.

I loved the mystery of this book! It made for a pleasant story with a good plot line. This is the first book in a new series by this author. I look forward to seeing where this series goes!

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Pulling Together by Lois Wickstrom

 

Pulling Together by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grandma is knitting a poncho for Lila but it's no ordinary poncho. This one has three heads! Lila is confused but Grandma keeps saying, "We all pull together!" Lila goes out to see her friends. They aren't as kind as they should be about her poncho but when the things get tough, the poncho will pull everyone together.

I love how this story features a grandmother knitting her grandchild something! I am a crafter and I can appreciate this sentiment so much! Many times things are gifted that aren't immediately appreciated but then something happens and the thing that the receiver thinks they didn't want becomes a treasure. I love the relationship that Lila has with her grandmother too! There's nothing like a grandmother!

This is a great book to read with your favorite youngsters about friendship and bullying. It's also a great lesson in respecting those around you, including elders. I highly recommend this one!

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Other People's Money (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 7) by Cynthia Hamilton

 

Other People's Money by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mike and Madeline Dawkins are faced with a new case to solve. As they begin to investigate the case of the missing bookkeeper who's also embezzled money, other cases start to land in their laps too. Jane is concerned for the business she and her husband run when their bookkeeper and tenant has disappeared over the weekend. She was last seen with a man driving a black Range Rover.

George and Daphne are ready to go get hitched but George's son has an inkling that Daphne may not be on the up and up. She is, after all, thirty years younger than George. Mike and Madeline are hired, along with their team, to investigate who Daphne really is and try to prevent this union from taking place.

Stacey has insider information when her company is about to go public and she begins shorting her shares of the company. Then she disappears. It seems she may have more than one love interest so could one of them be the culprit?

With all these cases going on at once, Mike approaches Madeline to see if they might want to employ more help in their PI business. As if Madeline needed anyone stress in her life...or could this be a help to them?

This is book 7 in a series that is new to me. I have not read the previous six books but I thoroughly enjoyed this one enough that I will be seeking out the previous books. I felt like this was able to be read as a standalone even though this is part of a series. I enjoyed the writing style of Cynthia Hamilton and how she weaved together multiple cases and tied them all up in the end with a bit of a twist. Several times I thought I had figured out the case but I was wrong!

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Fallen Soul (War of Destiny Book 4) by Theresa Van Spankeren

 

Fallen Soul by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lane has pretty much been a loner since he was turned. He's been on the run for quite some time after ticking off the Vampire King Valentino. There are orders by the king to kill Lane on sight and many vampires believe him to be insane.

Lane is currently in Rome but is longing to go home to Ireland. However, many factors are preventing him from making the trip. One of those factors is a female vampire who does not shy away from him upon their first meeting. She and her group are unlike any other vampires that Lane has seen. This group pretty much violates every law that Valentino has set up. What a group of rebels!

Will Lane always be alone or has he found allies in Julia's group?

This is book four of a series and this one could technically be read as a stand alone. However, this series is one that every book should be read!! Lane is a character that doesn't come into play really until this book but other characters and their backgrounds are developed in previous books.

Some content may be too intense for younger readers so please bear this in mind when gifting or recommending for a younger reader.

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