Wired Courage by Toby Neal

Wired Courage by Toby Neal

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Toby Neal is not your ordinary author. She is not afraid to make the reader upset. At one point in this book, I hated her. What she did to the story was necessary and true to form, but still upsetting. This plot is unique as all of her other stories. One will enjoy all the Wired series. I am guilty of reading them all, but not writing as many reviews as I should. Take the time to read this and the Lei Crime Series. You won't regret it and I hope you love them as much as I do.



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The Secret Ingredient by Nancy Naigle

The Secret Ingredient by Nancy Naigle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Really loved this book. It should be made into a Hallmark movie and come out at Valentine's Day. The characters are precious and delightful. One of the best ideas in this story or for any other is the addition of G.R.A.Y. He is quite precocious. You will have to read the novel to find out who and why he is. The plot is different and exciting. One can't wait to find out what happens next. Will Alex and Kelly repair the damage that one of them has done to the other? Will the secret ingredient mess up their contest? What is the contest about and who will win? Amazing story. One shouldn't miss it.



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Moody and the Ghost: Batten Down

Moody & The Ghost: BATTEN DOWN: A Ghostly Mystery by Kim Hornsby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Don't miss this series. I had to give it a four star, because I don't like cliff hangers. Actually isn't one; it concludes, but I NEED to know what happens next. It is just like the first in the series. The plot is very creative. Characters are real. As I have said before, a ghost in a story usually scares me, but in this series, the ghosts are unusual and while mean at times, they are just short of hilarious. In fact parts of the book are quite funny, especially how Moody interacts with her mother. It was a quick and very interesting read. One will enjoy this lighthearted book.



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Moody and the Ghost: Dead Ahead

Moody & The Ghost - DEAD AHEAD: Moody Humorous Mystery Series by Kim Hornsby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kim Hornsby has created a unique paranormal story. The plot is very creative. Characters are real. Having a ghost in a story usually scares me, but in this one, the ghosts are unusual and while mean at times, they are just short of hilarious. In fact parts of the book are quite funny, especially how Moody interacts with her mother. It was a quick and very interesting read. The only disappointing fact was that the book is too short, which is the case in most of Ms. Hornsby's novels, but being a series redeems that. One will enjoy this light hearted book. On to read the next one in the series.



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Home For Wounded Hearts

Home for Wounded Hearts by Ashley Farley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ashley Farley has created PERFECTION in a spin-off of her series, The Sweeney Sisters. It can be read as part of the series or as a stand-a-lone. There is romance in the continuing marriage of Mike and Faith, compassion, mystery, and love between friends. It has an excellent plot with well-developed characters. The characters' personalities are real, not the figment of an author's imagination. The only thing wrong with it is one does not want to think I can start this before I sleep, because at 4 a..m when you finish the book, you'll realize the time. While you are reading, you are engaged in the story and won't even think about putting it down. I highly recommend this story, plus all the others Ms. Farley has written.



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The First Noel at the Villa des Violettes

The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes by Patricia Sands

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow! Patricia Sands has developed her characters, Kat, Phillipe, and Simone to the next level. They are delightful and so alive. This is not just a Christmas novella. It has a fantastic plot filled with intrigue, romance, well-developed, friendships, kindness and a general good read. Even the pups are enjoyable. The setting is described to the point that the reader feels like they are travelling in France in reality. When shopping in the markets, one can feel the excitement and hear the noise. I suggest that everyone read this and become a die-hard fan of Ms. Sands.



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A Year of Extraordinary Moments

A Year of Extraordinary Moments by Bette Lee Crosby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is the sequel to The Summer of New Beginnings. It is just as great as the first in the series. The plot is well written and although it is done in several voices, one does not get lost. A feel good story in the end. The characters are believable and one falls in love with them. There is mystery and surprises. I highly recommend it.



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Previously Loved Treasures

Previously Loved Treasures by Bette Lee Crosby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is an excellent story about family, especially how people that aren't related by blood become family. The plot has mystery, romance of sorts, and crime. It is written in different voices, but is easy to follow. There is a uniqueness to the novel with a touch of the paranormal. Well written as usual. This is Bette Lee Crosby's voice at her finest.



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Nell and Lady

Nell and Lady: A Novel by Ashley Farley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ashley Farley has written an excellent book again about the life of a family. The family's composition is unusual, consisting of different races, and how they handle both grief and happiness. Time is a spread of thirty some odd years, through teen angst, marriage, divorce, and cancer. There are three generations involved in the plot and the story is told through each ones eyes in different chapters. The plot is unique in some ways and in others, what one might expect. Characters are believable, as are the situations they become involved in. If you want ordinary this isn't for you, but none of Ms. Farley's stories are ordinary.



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Husbands And Other Sharp Objects

Husbands and Other Sharp Objects by Marilyn Simon Rothstein

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Pining For Another

Funny and endearing. Characters are charming. Plot is unique and well written. One can't put the book down. Hopefully the story will continue, at least the escapes of Jon and Marcy.



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Lift And Separate

Lift and Separate by Marilyn Simon Rothstein

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Funny and Engaging

Excellent story. One laughs almost the whole time while reading, which sounds weird when the book is about serious issues. One will have to read to find out what the issues are. There is one minor drawback to the story which is that one wishes the novel would be finished with all the characters reaching a conclusion instead of the reader having to surmise what the future holds for each of the main characters. Thankfully there is a continuation of the story in Husbands and Other Sharp Objects.



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The Bridge Club by Patricia Sands

The Bridge Club by Patricia Sands

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is amazing. It is delightful, funny, heartwarming, and the plot is unusual. Where does this author get her imagination? It is unlike any other. There is a mysterious end to the novel that I have never seen in all my years of reading. Everyone should read. It is Woman's fiction at it's best.



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The Season of Silver Linings by Christine Nolfi

The Season of Silver Linings by Christine Nolfi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Christine Nolfi is a master storyteller. Great story-line. This third book in the Sweet Lake series is well-written, enjoyable, hard to put down, a romance, mysteries, and of course the Sirens. One has to love the Sirens. I want to be one. I suggest one begins reading this in the morning as you cannot put it down. The reader has suspicions on what is going to happen, but there is also surprises along the way. This might be the best in the series, but hopefully there will be more down the line. I suggest one read all of Ms Nolfi's books. They are excellent reads.



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Lovers Like Us by Mary Campisi

Lovers Like Us by Mary Campisi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received this book as a gift. This being the third in a series of novels I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Sometimes series disappoint and don't keep true to the context, but this one doesn't. Mary Campisi takes the reader on a unique read. The story line is delightful; full of mystery, romance and just enough twists and turns to keep one interested. The author has also developed the previous characters in the earlier novels to become a more well rounded and even more realistic. There is a plot twist that you don't see coming. One must read to find out how these lovers make up part of the Donavan and Alexander families and create havoc within the family.



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Breaking The Story by Ashley Farley

Breaking the Story by Ashley Farley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This follows the book Merry Mary from Ashley Farley. It is a well written sequel and delves into more of Scottie's life and misadventures. There is romance and mystery intertwined with danger and a political election year with a chance to upset the Democratic candidate. It really is two weeks in the life of a photojournalist full of twists and turns. Good guys and bad guys abound. All in all, it is another interestingly different plot written by a great storyteller.



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Beyond the Garden by Ashley Farley

Beyond the Garden by Ashley Farley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow! This book came out this morning and I was busy with the release party on Facebook when I decided to read a chapter or two. Three hours later, I am finished. Could not put it down. What an amazing story of love, kindness, and mystery, with unique sub plots throughout. This novel starts out seven months after Julian and Ella get married and quite a lot happens in a short period of time. You will want to laugh with the characters, cry with them, and even warn them of the danger lurking around them. There is even a surprise ending on the last few pages. I adored that part. Can't tell you anything about it, because that will give away too much. Be prepared to read this in one sitting. Ashley Farley weaves a great tale that sucks you in and will stay with you long after you are finished.



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Saturdays at Sweeney's by Ashley Farley

Saturdays at Sweeney's by Ashley Farley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Having pre-ordered Saturdays st Sweeney's, I thought I would read it as soon as I received it. I didn't cause I was bummed about it being the last of the series. After reading it, I realized that the author chose the perfect place to end the chapter on the Sweeney sisters. It couldn't have ended any better and all the mysteries were tied up neatly. There were new dilemmas so it wasn't the same old, same old, but lots of familiar faces that I came to love. Each of the sisters faced separate tragedies and one that would affect the entire family right down to little Bitsy. Excellent plot. It grabs you and won't let you go until the last sentence. The characters are real. The locations perfectly described. I would like to live in Prospect. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.



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A Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby

The Summer of New Beginnings: A Magnolia Grove Novel by Bette Lee Crosby




The Summer of New Beginnings is Bette Lee Crosby's best work so far. The story is real, highly believable, and grabs you from the moment you begin reading and doesn't let go of the hold the words have on you long after you are finished reading. it. The plot is unique. It has sadness, joy, romance, and surprises all through the book. One needs tissues and don't start it like I did with plans to read a few pages, because you can't put it down. You will want to read it straight thru. This is a five star read in my estimation. I know that it will be in yours.



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Liars Like Us by Mary Campisi

Liars Like Us by Mary Campisi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of the best Mary Campisi's novels in my estimation. There is a bit of mystery and a whole lot of romance within the pages. While I wasn't too keen on the first book in this series, I loved this one. Charlotte and Tate are well developed characters with a realism that one appreciates from this author The plot is exciting and new. I found myself not being able to put it down until I finished it. I didn't even mind the fact that there are a couple of cliffhangers because the main story is neatly wrapped up. Oliver and Jennifer's relationship is one of the cliffhangers and who is the mystery father of the child. I think I know, but cannot be certain. This is a must read for all fans of Mary Campisi. "I voluntarily reviewed this ARC in exchange for an honest review."



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