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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