What You Wish For by Katherine Center

What You Wish For by Katherine Center
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars rounded up.

A lovely emotional read that combines pain with joy. Luckily joy wins in the end. This is definitely going on my re-read/comfort read shelf.

Although this book is a romance, there is no sex just heavy kissing. A fine change of pace from books that describe making love in minutiae.

I will be reading more from this author.



*ARC supplied by the publisher and author.


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SYNOPSIS: "From Katherine Center, the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel full of heart and hope.
Samantha Casey loves everything about her job as an elementary school librarian on the sunny, historic island of Galveston, Texas—the goofy kids, the stately Victorian building, the butterfly garden. But when the school suddenly loses its beloved principal, it turns out his replacement will be none other than Duncan Carpenter—a former, unrequited crush of Sam’s from many years before.
When Duncan shows up as her new boss, though, he’s nothing like the sweet teacher she once swooned over. He’s become stiff, and humorless, and obsessed with school safety. Now, with Duncan determined to destroy everything Sam loves about her school in the name of security—and turn it into nothing short of a prison—Sam has to stand up for everyone she cares about before the school that’s become her home is gone for good."

Other People's Pets by R.L. Maizes

Other People's Pets by R.L. Maizes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If I could only use one word to describe this novel, it would be unique. Oh, it was a bit trite in that it was about a dysfunctional family AND a dysfunctional relationship, but the dysfunctions aren't like anything you've ever read before.

For the most part, I enjoyed this book except for a couple of personal reasons. And those particular reasons are the only ones that keep me from giving this book a 5-star rating. Fist of all I have issues with those who 'rob from the rich because the rich person's insurance will cover it,' that the rich person has more than they deserve -to give to the poor. And in this case, the poor are La La and her father. My second objection is in a scene that describes pretty much in detail, of putting an elderly cat down. Since I am a lover of cats and have had to do this same thing many times, I did not appreciate the description of the act. As a matter of fact, the author does this same thing, but the next time it is with a dog that you had come to know.

Those personal reasons aside -this was a well-written novel with well fleshed out characters. Some of these characters you will come to love, and some you will come to dislike thoroughly, and I think that this was the author's intention.

Not a light read by any means, and keep the tissues handy.

*ARC supplied by the publisher and the author.


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SYNOPSIS: La La Fine relates to animals better than she does to other people. Abandoned by a mother who never wanted a family, raised by a locksmith-turned-thief father, La La looks to pets when it feels like the rest of the world conspires against her.
La La’s world stops being whole when her mother, who never wanted a child, abandons her twice. First, when La La falls through thin ice on a skating trip, and again when the accusations of “unfit mother” feel too close to true. Left alone with her father—a locksmith by trade, and a thief in reality—La La is denied a regular life. She becomes her father’s accomplice, calming the watchdog while he strips families of their most precious belongings.
When her father’s luck runs out and he is arrested for burglary, everything La La has painstakingly built unravels. In her fourth year of veterinary school, she is forced to drop out, leaving school to pay for her father’s legal fees the only way she knows how—robbing homes once again.
As an animal empath, she rationalizes her theft by focusing on houses with pets whose maladies only she can sense and caring for them before leaving with the family’s valuables. The news reports a puzzled police force—searching for a thief who left behind medicine for the dog, water for the parrot, or food for the hamster.
Desperate to compensate for new and old losses, La La continues to rob homes, but it’s a strategy that ultimately will fail her.
Other People’s Pets examines the gap between the families we’re born into and those we create, and the danger that holding on to a troubled past may rob us of the future. 

The Amish Schoolteacher: A Romance by Eicher, Jerry

Well maybe I am just difficult to please, but when it comes time to my Amish/Mennonite romance books I expect more than this. I have been reading Amish books for years and have never found a sect that acts as this one does. The language is very modern and so are many of the ideas and traits of the two main characters. This is not a 'fluffy' Amish romance as many of them are-this is way more solemn, the characters are very prideful which I had thought was against their teachings, there is a lot of pseudo-psychology used as part of the story-line.

I felt that it would be interesting to read one of my favorite genres written by a man this time, and not a female. It was not interesting although the story could have been. The male author seems to have invested a lot of time in trying to over flesh the female protagonist and lets the male protagonist flounder.

To add to this, there are a lot of grammatical errors, spelling errors, filler, run-on sentences, and endless paragraphs to be found.

*ARC supplied by the publisher and author.

SYNOPSIS: What will it take for Mary to let go of her pride and see Marcus for who he really is? A swift and heartwarming Amish romance, full of misunderstandings, tragedy, and the sweet satisfaction of young love.

Mary Wagler arrives in Adams County, Ohio for the new school term, ready to begin her duties teaching eighteen students at the little one room schoolhouse. Marcus Yoder, who lives next door with his widowed mother and his six younger siblings, is assigned the task of meeting the new arrival at the bus station. He is to transport Mary in his buggy to where she will board at Leon and Lavina Hochstetler’s home. Mary is sure Marcus has volunteered for the task to make an early play on her affections and dreads the nuisance he will be in the coming weeks.          Mary opens her first day of school with a firm determination. She will make a solid contribution to this small Amish community nestled on the banks of the Ohio River. When Marcus stops by occasionally to greet his younger siblings after school, Mary is convinced he felt snubbed by her lack of interest in his early affection, and that he's hanging around to critique her every move and make the school term miserable for her.
When sickness sweeps through the school, Marcus comes to Mary's aid. Mary blames herself for handling the challenge poorly, and is surprised by Marcus's gentle response. Perhaps he's not quite the nuisance she thought he was. But she's been so rude to him that surely he's no longer interested in her friendship. Or could she be wrong . . . again?

One to Watch: A Novel by Kate Stayman-London

One to Watch: A Novel by Kate Stayman-London
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up.

This book had a LOT of potential and I found that it just didn't live up to what it could have been. If you like books that repeat the same stuff time after time and play heavily on a woman's insecurities and not in a palatable way (and yes, I have the same ones she did so I understand) -then you will undoubtedly enjoy this book.

I understood going in that this wasn't going to be a light and fluffy read, that social media can be a bitch. I know that this is an important subject for both women and men. However, hearing Bea (our heroine) repeat the very same insecurities to almost all the men (25 of them) on this reality show got a bit annoying and started to feel like filler.


I did learn a lot about so-called reality shows, and I learned enough to know that I am supremely happy that I don't watch them.

*ARC supplied by the publisher and author.


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SYNOPSIS: "Real love...as seen on TV
Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers--and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television?
Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition--under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She's in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful anti-fat beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That's it.

But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She's in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale. In this joyful, razor-sharp debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men--and herself--for a chance to live happily ever after."

The Art of Dumpster Diving by Jennifer Anne Moses

The Art of Dumpster Diving by Jennifer Anne Moses
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 rounded up.

This was a fairy tale look at an extremely important subject matter - the death of your parents and staying out of foster care.


Why in the world did James (the elder brother) ever listen to his friend Gabriel? This was a plot device that made this go from an interesting book to a horror story. And perhaps that is what this book was supposed to be -a horror story. It sure did not entertain me, educate me, or leave me with anything uplifting. What this book did was horrify me. I think that is what this author was going for. Not all foster systems are like this and to have young teens read something like this, is irresponsible. But then, that is just me and my feelings.

*ARC supplied by publisher -and may I say that I was wondering why I didn't get approved until well after the publishing date -now I know why.



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SYNOPSIS: Sixteen-year-old James and his little brother, Danny, live in Crystal Springs, Louisiana, with their grandmother, mother, and first cousin, Lila. The family is working class, proud, strict, and church-going. When a big, clumsy boy named Gabriel moves up the street with his minuscule and mysterious “auntie,” James has a new friend who he loves and hates in equal measure. When Grandma dies and Lila runs away, James and Danny’s mother struggles to make things work, but something’s wrong, so wrong that one awful day, James finds his mother lying in her bed, dead. Panicked, he runs to the only person he can think of, his friend Gabriel. Gabriel insists that if the authorities know that there are no adults at home, they’ll send James and Danny away to foster care or worse, and ends up convincing James that the only way to maintain any kind of decent life for himself and his little brother is to carry on as if things are normal. The boys bury the body under an abandoned house, and, as James tries to make ends meet (procuring food from dumpsters) things become increasingly desperate.  

It’s Gabriel who comes up with a “master plan” to find a woman who looks enough like the boys’ mother that she can pass for her---and get money out of the bank. They recruit Lucetta from a soup kitchen, and she moves in. For a while, things begin to look up---and then they fall apart completely. But in the process of losing everything, James and his brother Danny gain a new family, one based on grit, faith and hope.

Outsider (Kate Burkholder #12) by Linda Castillo

Outsider by Linda Castillo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you have been reading this series, you will quickly find out that this book does not fit this author's norm. It takes a significant step back from the crime being committed by an Amish person or to an Amish person. This book is about Gina, a woman Kate knew when she left the order and went to Police Academy with. A policeperson who did not stick to the straight and narrow. And now that Gina is in trouble, she is going to Kate in Ohio to seek help.

This book really kept me on my toes, wondering who the heck that 'bad' guys really were. Did Gina really do what her teammates are claiming? Has she committed some very heinous crimes? Is Kate helping out and hiding a murderer? What repercussions will Kate take because of her actions? Will Kate live through all of this and what will it mean to her and John.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I suggest that you try to read at least the first book in this series.

I loved every bit f this book and would recommend it highly to those that love taught mysteries, thrillers, and learning about other cultures.

*ARC supplied by the publisher and author.


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SYNOPSIS: "Linda Castillo follows her instant New York Times bestseller, Shamed, with Outsider, an electrifying thriller about a woman on the run hiding among the Amish.
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder's past comes back to haunt her when she receives a call from Amish widower Adam Lengacher. While enjoying a sleigh ride with his children, he discovered a car stuck in a snowdrift and an unconscious woman inside. Kate arrives at his farm and is shocked to discover the driver is a woman she hasn't seen in ten years: fellow cop Gina Colorosa.
Ten years ago, Kate and Gina were best friends at the police academy, graduating together as rookies with the Columbus Division of Police. But the reunion takes an ominous turn when Kate learns Gina is wanted for killing an undercover officer. Gina claims she's innocent, that she was framed by corrupt officers who want her gone because she was about to turn them in for wrongdoing.
Kate calls upon state agent John Tomasetti for help and with a blizzard bearing down, they delve into the incident. But no one wants to talk about what happened the night Gina allegedly gunned down a fellow cop. Even Tomasetti is stonewalled, his superior telling him in no uncertain terms to back off.
With whisperings of corruption and the threat of rogue cops seeking revenge, Kate and Gina hunker down at Adam Lengacher's farm. As Kate gets closer to the truth, a killer lies in wait. When violence strikes, Kate must confront a reality that changes everything she thought she knew not only about friendship, but the institution to which she's devoted her life."

American Demon (The Hollows, #14) by Kim Harrison

American Demon by Kim Harrison

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars rounded down due to repetitiveness, uber angst, overdramatic descriptions, and lack of character growth.

And here I was thinking that for the last 6 years that this series was over. Silly me. I grabbed this as an ARC thinking it was going to be something new and fresh and what I got was pretty much the same old stuff.

There were so many plots going on and loose ends to tie up that I kept getting distracted. Yes, it was nice and comforting to revisit old friends and to make some new ones, but this book feels more to me like the entire series is going to start up again. That perhaps the author just doesn't have it in her to create something fresh and new.

It was creative with all of the spell casting but it was kind of boring listening to them being invoked and discussed ad nauseam.

There is a tiny cliff hanger.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.


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SYNOPSIS: 

"A thrilling return to the #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series, continuing Rachel Morgan's story.
RACHEL MORGAN IS BACK--AND THE HOLLOWS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
What happens after you've saved the world? Well, if you're Rachel Mariana Morgan, witch-born demon, you quickly discover that something might have gone just a little bit wrong. That the very same acts you and your friends took to forge new powers may have released something bound by the old. With a rash of zombies, some strange new murders, and an exceedingly mysterious new demon in town, it will take everything Rachel has to counter this new threat to the world--and it may demand the sacrifice of what she holds most dear."

The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John

The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was quite a novel. For the first half, I was quite tempted to not finish it and just review what I had read, and that would have been a mistake. Most of this book seemed geared toward a very young audience, and perhaps it was supposed to be. But I persevered, and I am happy that I did so.

This was a multi-layered read, and you just don't see it until you are near the end when everything comes together. The mystery ends up being fantastic. While the back and forth through time (not by much mind you, just enough to give extra back-story) can seem a little annoying, they are essential.

All in all, this is an excellent beach read.


*ARC supplied by the publisher and author.


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SYNOPSIS: A dream vacation on a luxurious yacht turns deadly in this pulse-pounding beach read and perfect book club pick about glamour, friendship, romance, and betrayal on the Riviera.

Belle likes to think herself immune to the dizzying effects of fabulous wealth. But when her best friend, Summer, invites her on a glamorous girls' getaway to the Mediterranean aboard her billionaire boyfriend's yacht, the only sensible answer is yes. Belle hopes the trip will be a much-needed break from her stalled acting career and uniquely humiliating waitressing job, but once aboard the luxurious Lion's Den, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems.

The dream vacation quickly devolves into a nightmare as Belle and the handful of other girlfriends Summer has invited are treated more like prisoners than guests by their controlling host, and Belle comes to see Summer for what she truly is: a vicious gold digger who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Belle soon realizes she's going to have to keep her wits about her -- and her own big secret close to her chest -- if she wants to make it off the yacht alive.

The Menopause Support Group by Heather Wardell

The Menopause Support Group by Heather Wardell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up. This is book 17 in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone, I did.

If you are in your twenties and needing a hysterectomy, in your middle years, and going through the change, or finished with your change, this is going to be an interesting and informative read for you.

I will admit that in the first 50% of this book I really didn't like any of the characters -oh don't get me wrong! I sympathized and empathized with them-I just did not like them. However, the more I read, the more I understood why these women were the way they were and I ended up loving each one of them.

This was a very informative read for me since I found out that I am still exhibiting some of the odder symptoms of my change. And I applaud the author for do such wonderful research.

I would recommend this book to any women who have gotten to 'that' age or has had early medical issues that will not allow them to have much-wanted children.

I would like to add that the author does take the time to explain all of the research she had done for this novel.

*ARC supplied for review by the publisher and BookSirens.


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SYNOPSIS: Three women, one menopause support group, and a whole lot of hot flashes.
Emily's perfect plan for becoming a mommy in her twenties has just been shattered by a cancer-removing hysterectomy, and her anger is all-consuming.
Michelle's been laser-focused on getting a promotion... until early menopause (at thirty-nine??) hit her hard last year. Now that she can't have a baby, she's obsessed with them. And also with getting that promotion.
Sixty-four-years-young Brenda takes care of everyone, whether they want her to or not. She's actually finished with menopause, but she's faking symptoms so she won't lose the group and the opportunities for "helping" others it provides.
The three of them and their fellow group members work through career crises, marriage disasters, and the world's worst birthday celebration as they learn together what it means to be a woman in menopause and beyond.

The Order of the Key by Justine Manzano

The Order of the Key by Justine Manzano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was a very entertaining read not only for the young adults that this book was intended for but for adults of all ages.

As I said, I enjoyed this greatly...for the most part.

This book hits all the right points for me. It was a very creative plotline; it had good character growth, a bit of romance and mystery, evil creatures, and even some very emotional areas. I loved the good VS the evil trope too among the humans also.

The only thing I took issue with is that so much was crammed into too few pages, so much information was given, that I had a difficult time keeping up with everything going on and everyone's powers.

I would recommend this book for those that like comic-book style action-adventure novels. I would also recommend this book to those that enjoy kick-butt heroines.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, author, and BookSirens.


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 3.80  ·   Rating details ·  10 ratings  ·  8 reviews

SYNOPSIS:

Jacklyn Madison never expected to be attacked by a beast on an evening snack run. Add a rescue mission enacted by a trained regiment of teenaged warriors, and her night officially becomes just like a scene from one of her beloved comic books. Turns out, her parents were once members of the Order of the Key, gifted humans that protect humanity from creatures spilling through inter-dimensional rifts. Unable to control her newfound abilities, Jacklyn and her family rejoin the Order.
After an attack on their headquarters leaves Jacklyn questioning their leadership, Kyp--the boy who led her initial rescue--reveals a darker secret. The Order's leader may be corrupt, and Jacklyn's questions could put her family in danger. Drawn into the search for proof, Jacklyn must use her guts and magical brawn to protect her family, her friends, and herself from the monsters spilling from rifts, and those hiding within the Order.