4 More Entertaining Fantasy Novels to Add to Your Reading List

by MK French

Did we whet your appetite for fantasy novels with our reviews of the magical realism novel A Certain Kind of Starlight and romantic fantasy novel The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love? I have 4 more fantasy books for your reading pleasure.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

This Action-packed Spy Thriller is a Must Read

by Donna Huber

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, doing the same lawman's job his father once did now that he's returned home after decades away. With his twelve person department, they cover a large area that is usually very quiet, but not of late. One childhood friend is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, another childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local—local enough to call out Beck by name—and that means they are Beck's problem.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton ~ a Review

by MK French

Rival ornithologists hunt through England for a rare magical bird in this historical-fantasy rom-com reminiscent of Indiana Jones but with manners, tea, and helicopter parasols.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Add Some Magic to Your Summer Reading with This Great Novel of Magical Realism

by Susan Roberts

In the face of hardship, two women learn how to rise up again under the bright side of the stars Starlight, Alabama, appears to be a small town full of magic and friends and loving families but there is also a mean and sinister man who wants to own the town and take away the magic for his own benefit. What will win the ultimate contest - love and magic or greed.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Humorous Coming-of-Age Story is the Perfect Beach Read

by Susan Roberts

In this colorful and humorous tale, a hopeful young painter finds herself embroiled in the world of art heists…and possibly responsible for the counterfeits needed to cover them up.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

4 Psychological Thrillers Perfect for Your Late Summer Vacation

by MK French

Summer is winding down but there are still some great summer thrillers to pick up. If you have an end-of-summer vacation planned, these engaging reads are perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway or a week lounging on the beach.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Irish Child by Daisy O'Shea ~ a Review

by MK French

With her marriage over, Erin goes to Roone Bay, Ireland to start over and unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family’s ancient Bible. She wants to know more about her ancestor Nellie, both what drove her to leave for America as well as whether or not she ever found her daughter Annie. Erin doesn't know where to start looking, and former lifeboat volunteer and historian Finn finally agrees to help her after a rainstorm forces him to save her life. The two grow closer and share stories, and a devastating discovery makes her question whether this truly will be her forever home.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

TJ Devlin is the charming disappointment in the prominent Devlin family, all of whom are lawyers at their highly successful firm—except him. After a stint in prison and rehab for alcoholism, TJ can’t get hired anywhere except at the firm, in a make-work job with the title of investigator.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Capture Your Tween's Imagination With These Two Middle Grades Adventure Novels

by MK French

We are in the throes of the dog days of summer when kids may be bored with the regular schedule of summer time activities. Surprise them with a new book or two to keep them entertained until the new school year begins. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

11 Books for a Post-Apocalyptic Book Club

by Donna Huber

Last week my post-apocalyptic book club chose its next 11 books to read. We meet in person at the local library but also offer a virtual option. We have several people join us from other states, so if you are interested in discussing any of these books, let me know. 

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Civilisation Française by Mary Fleming ~a Review

by Susan Roberts

I'm drawn to books that take place in Paris - sometimes it ends up being a great book and sometimes it doesn't.  This one ended up being a great choice.  It's character-driven driven so there's not a lot of action but what marvelous characters exist in the pages of this book.  Plus there are references and descriptions of places all over Paris which really made me fall in love with it.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Under the Summer Sky by Debbie Macomber ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Can you have a marriage without love? Two unconventional love stories explore the role of lust, love, and duty in marriage.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

You Cannot Mess This Up by Amy Weinland Daughters ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

A True Story That Never Happened

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song ~ a Review

by MK French

The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Addicted to opium, he plans to marry her off to a man just as violent and vindictive so he can use her dowry. Taking matters into her own hands, Meilin disguises herself as a boy and joins the army. Training hard, she grows close to Sky, a prince who is her training partner. Meilin also begins to have visions of a sea dragon with his own agenda and meets an enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Fun Novel with a Strong Mature Female Protagonist

by Susan Roberts

 

In this funny and inspiring novel, a mess of a heroine is desperate to resolve her past so she can finally rediscover who she was always meant to be.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

From the glamorous world of D.C. Intelligence to the sultry shores of the Straits of Florida, The Last Twelve Miles is based on the true story of two women masterminds trying to outwit each other in a dangerous and fascinating high-stakes game.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Confidence Games by Tess Amy ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Emma Oxley and Nellie Yarrow have reinvented themselves as thieves and con women who swindle men who deserve it. They often change their names and minimal digital footprints, and have a reputation as the most trustworthy swindlers on the European black market. To save Nellie, Emma will have to steal a priceless bracelet from a high-security exhibit. This will take a team to pull off, as well as allies willing to help them. She can only hope they make the right decisions along the way.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

When life rewrites the story, only friendship will see them through.

After years of hard work, four best friends—Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni and Leslie—are finally on the verge of opening the bookstore of their dreams. A place where their community can find solace with an intriguing new read, a comforting beverage and book-loving friends.

But before they can cut the ribbon, their worlds are upended.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Ready or Not by Andi Porretta ~ a Review

by MK French

Cassie and her three best friends have graduated high school, and she's the only one without a plan for what comes next. Marcy is an artist, Aaron plans to be a lawyer, and Nico is a musician. Before they separate in the fall, Cassie wants to spend August playing the game of dares and risks they invented as kids. It will hopefully cement their friendship and keep the connections between them because she's not ready for a future without them.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Wisdom of the Willow by Nancy Chadwick ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

This beautifully written debut novel is about the connection between family and nature.  It's about the seasons of growth and love and sorrow and how they affect a family.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne ~ an Audiobook Review

by Donna Huber

Lenny Marks is excellent at not having a life.

She bikes home from work at exactly 4pm each day, buys the same groceries for the same meals every week, and owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit (currently arranged by height). The closest thing she has to a friendship is playing Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Gellar while watching Friends reruns.

And Lenny Marks is very, very good at not remembering what happened the day her mother and stepfather disappeared when she was still a child. The day a voice in the back of her mind started whispering, You did this.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Intriguing Characters + Beautiful Descriptions = A Great Southern Fiction Beach Read

by Susan Roberts

 

A tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Brit-Com Stars Solve Murder in New Mystery Series

by Donna Huber

In 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom 'Floggit and Leggit', leading man Edward Lowe stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. But there's something about her that rings the faintest of bells in Edward's head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star John le Breton to investigate further. Crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the War. As the body count mounts, Edward and John face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer...

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest.

Ancient History, Family History, Historical Romance - take your pick!

by MK French

Today, I have a sampling of this month's historical fiction.  Whether you are looking for ancient history of the Greek gods, something a bit more contemporary, or prefer period romance - here are three novels to add to your reading list.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal ~ A Review

by Susan Roberts

 

Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal is full of eccentric characters who all live on a small, remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean.  It's about family and community and how to make a place feel like home whether it's your first time there or if you are returning after a long absence.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Murder and Shenanigans Abound in Verity Bright's New Cozy Mystery Novel

by Donna Huber

Lady Eleanor Swift has been eagerly awaiting her trip in a hot air balloon to take in London’s amazing sights. But what she witnesses instead is a murder!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

New Novel from Kristan Higgins is the Perfect Vacation Read

by Susan Roberts

 

A funny, romantic, and deeply moving novel about the unexpected rewards that come from life’s detours.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Keep Your Teens Reading With These 4 Young Adult Novels

by MK French

Are your teens spending too much time in front of screens? Or perhaps they are already bored with summer vacation. Or maybe they are avid readers who need suggestions of what to read next. Whatever kind of teen you have, I'm sure at least one of these young adult novels will keep them entertained.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Take a Long Break from the Summer Heat with Mary Kay Andrews's Beach Read

by Donna Huber

Everyone refers to the St. Cecelia as “the Saint.” If you grew up coming here, you were “a Saint.” If you came from the wrong side of the river, you were “an Ain’t.” Traci Eddings was one of those outsiders whose family wasn’t rich enough or connected enough to vacation here. But she could work here. One fateful summer she did, and married the boss’s son. Now, she’s the widowed owner of the hotel, determined to see it return to its glory days, even as staff shortages and financial troubles threaten to ruin it. Plus, her greedy and unscrupulous brother-in-law wants to make sure she fails. Enlisting a motley crew of recently hired summer help—including the daughter of her estranged best friend—Traci has one summer season to turn it around. But new information about a long-ago drowning at the hotel threatens to come to light, and the tragic death of one of their own brings Traci to the brink of despair.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 Fun Romance Novels Perfect for Summer Reading

by MK French

If you are still looking for a great romance novel to read this summer, definitely check out these two fun reads.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Spend the Summer on the Cape with Pamela Kelley's New Novel

by Donna Huber

Brooklyn-based Hannah is a bestselling author struggling to write her second book after personal losses. Her older sister, Sara, still lives in Chatham, Cape Cod, where they grew up, and is married with four children. Once a dedicated librarian, Sara dreams of reviving her love affair with literature, but instead, she is stuck with too many family responsibilities and a fizzling marriage.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

3 Novels for Fans of Romantic Fantasy

by MK French

If you are looking for a book to lose yourself in this summer, check out these romantic fantasy novels.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Shan Serafin Takes Readers on a Wild Ride in Debut Thriller

by Susan Roberts

The glittering world of high finance conceals a dark underbelly of corruption and abuse. And the powerful men at its heart will do just about anything to keep their secrets from being exposed.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Books and Stories and Filigree in the Great Smokey Mountains

by Donna Huber

I just got back from Naturalist Camp at the Great Smokey Mountain Institute at Tremont in the Tennessee mountains. I went last year in the pouring rain, but this year the weather was gorgeous. I spent a lot of time hiking (I think I went on 4 different hikes), bird watching, identifying insects, and river snorkeling. I knew I would be doing all things nature but I was expecting so many bookish activities.

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Middletide by Sarah Crouch ~ a Review

by MK French

Dr. Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree on failed writer Elijah Leith's property. It looks like suicide, but closer inspection shows that it's murder and parallels Elijah’s novel. He had returned to his childhood home to restore it and rekindle an old relationship, but the town is turning against him as the real killer is set on framing him for murder.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Adanne is a make-up artist working on a movie that is filming in her home city in Alabama.  She is working hard to help save her parent's legacy plus make life easier for her brother so that he can spend more time with his son who has leukemia.  She had been working on secondary actors but one day is asked to do the makeup of the main actor John Pope.  He isn't her favorite person because he got her fired from a movie in Hollywood three years earlier when she missed work because her mother was sick.   Even as she tries to make the best of the situation, there's a lot of tension between them.  John is recovering from substance abuse and has just endured a painful breakup - which the tabloids keep writing about.  He turned his life over to God and started rebuilding his career.  The tension between them turns into sparks of interest.  Can a small-town girl and a Hollywood star make a life together?  The answer is NO if it's up to John's manager.  But decisions are being made by a much higher power and their relationship will flourish or end based on God's leading.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim ~ a Review

by MK French

Kim Hani hides her past as the Scarlet Fox by working as a barista. Seokga the Fallen is the trickster god exiled from the heavenly kingdom of Okhwang and working on his redemption. When a powerful demon escapes from the underworld and threatens to end all of humanity, Okhwang’s emperor offers Seokga a bargain: kill the demon and the Scarlet Fox, and he can go home again. Hani teams up with Seokga as his assistant, hoping to keep her identity safe. The two bicker and are drawn to each other, but the investigation has its own potentially lethal consequences.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Great Transition by Nick Fuller Googins ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

In the near future, humanity hasn’t avoided the worst of climate change—wildfires, rising oceans, mass migration, and skyrocketing inequality have become the daily reality. But just when it seems that it can’t get any worse, remarkably, a movement of workers, migrants, and refugees inspires the world to band together, save the planet, and rebuild a society for all. This is The Great Transition.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Great Start to New Steamy Romance Series from Catherine Bybee

by Susan Roberts

The story of a reluctant billionaire who takes on his father’s empire, its dark secrets, and a fiery assistant he can’t get out of his head.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Read the First Two Books in Kritika H.Rao's Hard to Put Down Epic Fantasy Series Today

by MK French

Are you reading Kritika H. Rao's epic fantasy series The Rages? It was a new-to-me series, so I read Book 1 The Surviving Sky, which came out last summer, before picking up Book 2 The Unrelenting Earth, which comes out tomorrow. 

Amazon affilate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

A poignant and inspiring memoir that will resonate with women today

by Donna Huber

Stress Test joins a growing body of work by women physicians. This memoir takes place at a time when women were still years away from comprising half—or more—of medical school students, and when the second wave of feminism was surging; but many of the fears, griefs, and struggles that women in medicine face today are the same ones the author grappled with decades earlier.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Beautiful Civil War Story Based on True Events

by Susan Roberts

Inspired by true events of the Civil War, a coming-of-age survival tale about two sisters and the harrowing journey that will change their lives forever…

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi ~ a Review

by MK French

Andrew Larimer left behind his small town upbringing to live in New York City as a lawyer with a wife about to give birth. When a former friend Dale calls him for help, he returns to that small town, lying to his wife about it. He reunites with his former best friends, facing the disaster in the present and memories of the night that drove them all apart nearly twenty years ago to the day. Somehow, this secret doesn't seem to be staying dead.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Gail Ward Olmsted's Novel Captures Katherine Wormeley's Inspirational Journey

by Susan Roberts

I enjoy books with older main characters and Katharine's Remarkable Road Trip by Gail Ward Olmsted really met that goal.  It's 1907 and Katharine Prescott Wormeley takes a road trip by herself to drive from her old home in Rhode Island to her new home in New Hampshire.  It's only 300 miles but the roads are poor and Katharine is 77 years old - too old in some people's opinion to be undertaking such a long drive.  But Katherine had lived an extraordinary life -- she was a nurse during the Civil War and opened a school after the war.  She never married and had a lot of friends who cared about her. She planned an uneventful 8-day drive but her road trip was full of adventure and new people.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Take a Peek into the Lives of the Rich and Famous in Michelle Gable's New Novel

by Susan Roberts

 

Set against the glamorous 1960s Jet Set—a failed debutante's new job as assistant to society photographer Slim Aarons takes her into Palm Beach’s inner circle, and into a beguiling friendship with the star at its center, fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer.

 Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

4 Books to Keep the Tweens Entertained

by MK French

Have your kids complained of being bored, yet? Not only is it important to keep up their reading skills during the summer, books are a great way to keep them entertained. Whether they are looking for an adventure, love robots, or are into graphic novels, there are plenty of new books to choose from this month including these 4 stories.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Fantastic Page-Turner Full of Tension

by Susan Roberts

Someone knows what the twins are up to. And they’re closing in.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Atmospheric Mystery Novel is a Compelling Read

by Donna Huber

One peaceful morning, in the small, Puget Sound town of Point Orchards, the lifeless body of Dr. Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree on the property of prodigal son and failed writer, Elijah Leith. Sheriff Jim Godbout’s initial investigation points to an obvious suicide, but upon closer inspection, there seem to be clues of foul play when he discovers that the circumstances of the beautiful doctor’s death were ripped straight from the pages of Elijah Leith’s own novel.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Fantastic Page Turner with Mystery, Suspense, and Love

by Susan Roberts 

An achingly romantic novel about chance meetings, buried secrets, and the multiple facets of love and family bonds.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Perfect Weekend Read with Sweet Treats, Charming Characters, and MURDER!

by Donna Huber

The Fairy Tale Cupcakes crew helps two professional football players in knead when the athletes are suspected of murder and their dream of opening a bakery is crushed.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.