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The Red Door Inn: Prince Edward Island Dreams #1 by Liz Johnson

The Red Door Inn: Prince Edward Island Dreams #1 by Liz Johnson

As a general rule I tend to stay away from heavily faith-based reads that are the bread and butter of Christian fiction readers. I prefer not being preached to or at, and avoiding that has been a default option for me more often than not. But a book set on Prince Edward Island is too much to resist, so the first book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series by author Liz Johnson, and narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley is on the blog today. Please read on for my review of Read more of this post

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

Spelled by Betsy Schow with Excerpt

Spelled by Betsy Schow with Excerpt

’m not a fan of The Wizard of Oz (flying monkeys anyone?) but I do love my mash-up stories and Betsy Schow promised to have plenty thrown into the mixing bowl.  There are pop culture references (Wrong Direction, Hans Christian Laboutin shoes) as well as influences from Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Jack and the Beanstalk and even Frozen, the influences and insets are frequent and often bring a giggle.  No flying monkeys from the rather insecure wicked side – no it’s a flock of flying puppies, far easier on the imagination.

Spelled

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Powerless: The Hero Agenda #1 by Tera Lynn Childs &Tracy Deebs

Powerless: The Hero Agenda #1 by Tera Lynn Childs &Tracy Deebs

Allow me to introduce book one in The Hero Agenda series by Tera Lynn Childs and Tracy Deebs. If you were a fan of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, you’ll find plenty to love in this new series! Please read on for my review and an excerpt

Powerless

I was excited by the premise of this story: finding strong female characters who are also able to kick butt and take names is always a joy, and Kenna certainly fits in that group. Read more of this post

First, Last, and Always by Kim Lehman

A lovely story about friendship, finding yourself, confidence and first love, this title from Kim Lehman manages to present a story that feels real, possible and hopeful.

First, Last, and Always

Charlotte is a freshman in high school, a bit of a romantic dreamer, with an annoying and not so likable sister.  A bit on the chunky side, Charlotte deals with schoolmates unkind remarks daily: not quite in the popular crowd, she’s a bit reserved. What hit me harder, for Charlotte, was her family’s dismissive and often demeaning attitude toward her, calling her fat and being “embarrassed” to be seen with her.  Read more of this post

Seeker: Seeker #1 by Arwen Elys Dayton

A title that takes more than a bit of patience, Seeker arrives with a unique premise and world-building, but the narration, third person, omniscient and presented by four different characters leaves readers with a remove and slows the pacing considerably.  When it does pick up, I’m happy to say that the story becomes more engaging, although many of the basic questions are only answered vaguely.

Book Review:

I’ve seen this before: synopsis comparisons to mash up highly popular titles written by those who have not (apparently) focused on the pages before them. Read more of this post

The Evolution of Emily by Kate Scott

The Evolution of Emily by Kate Scott

Book Review:

I was hoping for a ‘smart’ story, with a character that, despite the issues in their life was moving forward, growing and learning. Not having read Scott’s earlier book, I was unfamiliar with her style and storytelling, and was surprisingly pleased with this gem of a book. Read more of this post

Waistcoats & Weaponry: Finishing School #3 by Gail Carriger

Waistcoats & Weaponry: Finishing School #3 by Gail Carriger

Wrapping up a really fun steampunk series for teen readers from Gail Carriger I present Waistcoats & Weaponry.

Book Review:

A fun series wraps up with the final installment from Gail Carriger.  In earlier reviews I have mentioned the wordplay, the clever insets of characters from all walks of life: robots, vampires, werewolves, and the never-ending action that keeps you on your toes. This book brings all of that and more: Sophronia and her raggle-taggle group of fellow student and friends are embroiled in even MORE action and adventure, and the consequences are greater. And the girls, in their final year of finishing school have mastered the arts of gracious living as well as the additional skills of detection, spying, fighting and extricating themselves from sticky situations. Read more of this post

AudioBook Review: A Hunka Hunka Nursing Love by Kathryn Maeglin

AudioBook Review:

Surprisingly layered with deeply realistic characters and situations that many are facing, Maeglin’s debut offering is clever, heartwarming and full of situations that range from laugh out loud funny to tear-inducing.

Valerie has just celebrated her forty-fourth birthday with a husband who needs a break, an aging mother who is requiring more care and supervision, a thriving business and not enough hours in the day.  When her mother’s health requires her to have some additional help around the home, she flatly refuses. But a brainstorm had Valerie thinking that handsome, qualified and referenced male medical care workers would encourage her mother’s cooperation, and perhaps be a viable business, everyone deserves some eye candy Read more of this post