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<i>Oliver the Ornament </i>touched me in ways I cannot even explain. From the feel of the paper to the colorful illustration, to the thoughtful words. This book pulls you in and stays with you long after you have read it. Todd M. Zimmermann did a phenomenal job with the ideas he conveys in this book and I know it will be one I pass down for many generations to come.

   When I first picked up <i>Oliver the Ornament </i> to read, I expected just another book about Christmas. What I got was so much more. Oliver pulled me into his story with his friends and family so much so that by the time I was done I could not stop thinking about my own cherished Christmas ornament memories. The story was easy to read, although more of a 7+ age range in terms of page length, but so engaging and colorful. I loved the page layouts and enjoyed the twists the author/illustrator used to interactively engage with the audience. The themes of always having something positive to say to others, the consequences of bullying, and remembering to hold on to memories no matter how small they may seem combined made this an endearing story. I also am thankful for the author's thoughtfulness in providing a place to write my own ornament stories in the back of the book. But I cannot forget one of the most important interactive aspects of the story, Oliver the ornament himself! He is well made, heavy-duty, and when I look at my tree now, I am reminded that <i>“Every Ornament Tells A Story”</i>.

This is one of my favorite Christmas stories ever as it encourages remembrance, communication between parents and their kids, and the themes of forgiveness, dealing with bullying, and the art of storytelling. I <b>HIGHLY</b> recommend this book for any age to read and enjoy. 5 out of 5 stars.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
The New Enchantress (Alyssa McCarthy&#039;s Magical Missions #3)
The New Enchantress (Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions #3)
Sunayna Prasad | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Suppose you're looking for a good fantasy or girl hero for your middle-grade children. This book "The New Enchantress" is a good one to have. It is about a girl named Alyssa who gets caught with lasting powers that she can not lose.

The first two books are must-reads and introduce us to Alyssa and her adventures. This book is the third in the series and continues Alyssa's journey with her newfound powers. She seems to signify hexing with uncontrollable forces.

Will Alyssa learn lessons and find a way to figure out how to control her newfound powers? Simon tells her that she will need to learn how to control her emotions and her magic promo. Or she will be enslaved to Boo Champ Cory. Will she and her friends learn the lesson they need to know. Will their friendship end?

Alyssa occurs put to the test. How will the magical mission do and take for Alyssa to succeed? Or will Alyssa start to forget her loved one and never remember? Boo Champ Cory and allies seem to have a plan, but will it work?

The plot gets more interesting once the twist and turns start to happen. When chaos strikes, will Alyssa and her allies come out on top, or will they not. This book is excellent for teens and girls alike. There is some trouble that you will be hoping for Alyssa to figure out her problems but will see in time. Will she beat her enemies, or will she not.

The story starts slow, but it gets more entertaining as it goes. My rating remains based on that which is a 4.5 stars (Moons) rating. There are several twists and turns and somewhat starts at the beginning. I do wonder what will happen and if the author will add another book. This series is good to have on your teen bookshelves or middle-grade child or children bookshelves. It does seem to deal with what some middle grades need to deal with friends and even their own emotions and feelings.
  
Renovated (Chance Brothers #1)
Renovated (Chance Brothers #1)
Nikki Kiley | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Im invested in these people, and this is only book one!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Marisa needs funds to save her grandmother's building. Working with Levi and his brothers on a network renovation show, shouldn't be too hard, right? But the contract has a no sex clause, and the attraction between them is getting hotter by the second. Plus, there is the minor issue of totally redoing the plans for this renovation, within the time scale and budget already agreed. Piece of cake, right?

Oh! I've just made a discovery! This book is the first of this author, and I have to say, she proper nailed it!

I really liked this. It sprung some things at me I didn't see coming, but after, I saw the clues. I just didn't put them together fast enough!

I liked that the attraction between Marisa and Levi is scorching right from the start, and they are both fully aware that the clause in their network could cost them both this job and future ones, but they still give in to it. I loved that Levi was very quickly willing to admit he wants so much more, at least to himself. Marisa was slower, but when you know WHY, it makes a lot of sense.

It's that WHY that I've filed this on my "darker/grittier" shelf. Marisa past is not an easy read, but the full description is needed to get the point across. You need to know what happened to Marisa when she was just 13 years old, to see the woman she has become today, and what she does for others.

I loved Marisa's group of friends, and I loved Levi's brothers. I'm assuming that this series will be about either/or group finding love, given as Levi's brother and the producer of the show they are working on, are in the next book.

I'm invested in these people, and this is only book one. Keep 'em coming, please!

a steamy, but emotional, 4 star read!

**same worded review will appear elsewhere​*
  
A Lady to Treasure
A Lady to Treasure
Marianne Ratcliffe | 2023 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
very much fade to black and I liked that!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is, I think, the first I've read of this author, and I really enjoyed it.

I'm not afraid to say I like my books on the steamier and smexier side, you know I'm not but what I liked the most about this was the fact that there is NO smexy stuff!

Oh, don't get me wrong, there is love and passion and emotions all over the place but it's very much a fade to black book, and I liked that it was.

Louisa is in a tricky spot, having been sent by her father to secure a husband in England with enough money to save his business. Sarah is just trying to keep a head above herself; her sister; her father and stepmother and the waste of space that is her stepbrother.

Several marriage offers later, and a terrible attack on Louisa and the ladies realise that they need each other. But Sarah has been alone for so long and accepting the help and love that Louisa offers is hard and she pushes her away, often. Tragedy strikes and Sarah knows to where he must go for help.

I think the thing I struggled the most with, was how long this book is. There is a huge amount of back story, that seemed to drag on. Back stories are great, but I found myself skipping huge chunks. I didn't feel I missed anything by doing so, so maybe they didn't need to be there.

I loved the supporting cast. Eleanor especially, was a joy, even if she was shunned by most of "polite society" in those days.

I didn't feel anything from either woman about what might happen if they let themselves love on each other, you know? Neither were bothered by their feelings and what might happen. Found that a bit odd, given the time they lived in. The romance element sort of popped up too, there didn't seem to be any build up!

But all in all, a nice read, with some drama and some passion; some love and some danger.

4 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere