Smoke and Serenity (Everhart Family Book 1) by R.L. Dunn

 

Smoke and Serenity by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the start of a new series that is sure to be great! There are some choppy areas in the beginning, which gave it a slower start than I might have liked but soon, the pages were flying! This first book focuses on Olivia and Jackson, with Olivia's family being the Everharts. The connection between Olivia and Jackson is a bit of a gut punch and they use that experience to overcome new obstacles in their path.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

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Notebook Mysteries: The Twelve Days of Murder by Kimberly Mullins

 

Notebook Mysteries: The Twelve Days of Murder by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is very enjoyable to read and this little novella put me a little more into the holiday spirit. There are 12 days until Christmas and there is a murder to solve. Little does Emma and Jeremy know, there's a lot more to come with this murder! Emma figures out that this must be linked to the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", even though the timing is all off. Can they solve this murder and thwart others before they can occur?

As always, there are great little historical tidbits spread throughout this work of fiction. I love seeing how they are integrated by reading the author's notes at the end. It's also fun reading about the kids growing up!

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An Oracle's Handbook by B.E. Padgett

 

An Oracle's Handbook by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very enjoyable series and young adults will love the adventures that Jon and Frank find themselves taking. They go to a school for perceptually gifted kids and it's a pretty cool place. There are mysteries galore and this time is no exception.

I do recommend reading these books in order as they build on themselves. This series would make a great gift for the middle school reader!

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A Buckeye Falls Christmas (Buckeye Falls Series) by Libby Kay

 

A Buckeye Falls Christmas by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great little "family reunion" to pick up and read! I have absolutely loved this series and I'm sad to see it ending but I'm also feeling okay with it because it all ends up so nicely. There are some great sounding recipes in this book, along with a lot of love, laughter, and seeing how the relationships of the couple of Buckeye Falls have grown in the ebbs and flows of life. A great, short read that will put you in the holiday spirit!

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A Reluctant Bride (The Bride Ships Series #1) by Jody Hedlund

 

A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a truly enjoyable book to listen to! The narrator was very easy to hear and follow along with on this story of Mercy and Joseph. I probably shouldn't have listened to it while driving though because there was a spot or two were it started raining on an otherwise very sunny day! This book tugged at my heartstrings a bit. I could identify with Mercy's struggles as a nurse and the situation with Sara really got to me. I wanted to smack Joseph for not being more aggressive, but I also highly respected him for his actions as well.

Overall, very enjoyable and I look forward to reading other titles in this series!

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Three Days to Be Ruined: A Victorian Historical Romance (The Winemakers Book 5) by Giovanna Siniscalchi

 

Three Days to Be Ruined: A Victorian Historical Romance by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a lover of historical fiction and this one does not disappoint. I recommend reading this entire series as it's very well written and enjoyable. This story can be read as a standalone (as can all the books in this series). There are several characters from previous novels that make appearances in this story so having a bit of their background could add to the enjoyment of this story.

This one is set during Christmas time and features a ruggedly handsome Scotsman along with the beautiful Lady Beth. There is holiday spirit(s), some spicy romance, and a proposed marriage of convenience to keep you turning the pages on this one! I'm not a wine drinker so I was lost in some of the terminology and means but other than that, I enjoyed this book!

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Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued: A fun story about rescuing, adopting, and adding cats to your family by Terri Sabol

 

Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued: A fun story about rescuing, adopting, and adding cats to your family. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great book to read with kids of any age, but especially young ones and especially if you're looking to adopt a pet. Done through rhyme, this book tells of how Emmy and Oscar were born to a stray momma cat, then sent to an animal shelter, and then finding their fur-ever home with a new family.

The illustrations are also very well done and young children will enjoy seeing the playfulness of Emmy and Oscar throughout the story.

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Lights, Camera, Murder!!! by Kimberly Mullins

 

Lights, Camera, Murder!!! by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a page turning read! I have enjoyed this author's works and this one might be my most favorite read yet!

Merle and her sister Jean find themselves running to Hollywood in 1913. There they begin to look for jobs but Merle is looking for something, or someone, else.

Characters from previous books will pop in and make you chuckle while there is murder, romance, blackmail, sabotage, and more happening in the background.

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Santa Claws by Tricia Gardella

 

Santa Claws by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great book that could be read anytime of the year but especially around the winter holidays. Claws loves living at the North Pole. Who wouldn't, right? He gets a lot of attention and has Santa and Mrs. Claus to play with, as well as the reindeer and elves. It's magical and exciting, even in December. That's when the attention to him goes away and in fact, he feels ignored. He decides this year will be different though! Read the book to learn what happens!

The illustrations are wonderfully done! The colors almost jump off the page! Kids of all ages will love reading this story together with their family!

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Direct Threat (Protection, Inc. #1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson

 

Direct Threat by Kimberly Rose Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love finding a new series by a new-to-me author! This was a great start to this series and I look forward to reading more about Carissa (CJ) and her Protection Inc. Her first client is a young lady named Olivia who's just as feisty as CJ is. Her work is cut out for her with this one. Then Marc comes on the scene and fireworks ensue. Can the two of them together do what's best for Olivia and keep her safe from those who are out to harm her and her parents?

I did have a pretty good idea fairly early on who the culprit (or at least one of them would be). It still made the story very enjoyable though!

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Vanishing Act by Lois Wickstrom

 

Vanishing Act by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this newest book by Lois Wickstrom, we read about a boy who feels like he's invisible. Drake has an interesting appearance and he's a bit mystified by it.

This is a good book to start a conversation about noticing others. It's a bit quirky but could be a good starting point. I love the way this author incorporates some type of learning experience into each of her books.

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Silent Legacy: Midlife Romantic Suspense by India Kells

 

Silent Legacy: Midlife Romantic Suspense by India Kells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's nice to read a series that features "later in life" characters as the main focus. This is the second book in this series. They can be read as standalones. You'll feel like a part of the town in this story about Lena and Garrett. There is plenty of suspense, drama, romance, and more to keep you entertained until "the end".

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Rafaela (HeartStrings #5) by Brooke May

 

Rafaela by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fun series to read and I'm already looking forward to the next book! These can be read as standalones but you'll find yourself wanting to read about the others working with Cupid to bring people together. Rafaela definitely has her work cut out for her in this assignment and she's going to have to bring in some other resources and reinforcements to make this successful.

A quick, light hearted read!

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Loretta's Stick That Walks by Lois Wickstrom

 

Loretta's Stick That Walks by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loretta loves to be in her garden and in nature in general. She's enjoying watching the ants when she notices a stick that walks. I personally am a bit terrified of walking sticks but Loretta is not and shows the proper appreciation for this interesting design of nature.

The illustrations are very well done in this book. They are vibrantly colorful! This author places a focus on science in a way that is appealing to all ages and teaches many STEM/STEAM concepts as well.

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