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Ms. Barnett is back and she's done it again! Another fabulous park mystery with amazing characters and a twisty plot line, all filled with God's grace! I loved this one as much as the first one and I am so glad I read it!

Ms. Barnett takes us to the heart of Yosemite during the '20s. It was such a fun time getting to know the world back then, along with being introduced to Olivia and Clark. Both had decisions to make, both knew there was a lot at stake. Watching them throughout this novel was not only interesting, it was a fresh of breath air! I became a part of the story and loved feeling as though I was right there next to them! My son's grandparents travel the United States in their RV and visit some of the National Parks and I've heard them tell some great things, but they don't describe near like Ms. Barnett does! She truly is wonderful with her character creations and her descriptions!

This is definitely a 4.5 star worthy novel! Clark and Olivia come to life with each page turn, the romance is tender and the messages of truth and accepting God's will are strong through the entire story. From start to finish, Ms. Barnett had me hooked, and I never lost interest! If you are looking for a fun novel that will transport you back in history, then this is a novel just for you. Ms. Barnett's writing style will captivate you and you'll become a fan for life! I can't wait for book 3!!! Well done, Ms. Barnett!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
TP
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After reading Written In Love, I couldn't wait to get my hands on book 2. I finally did and let me tell you what. I absolutely adored it! Book 2 is wonderfully written and instantly captivating, just like book 1. Ms. Fuller once again takes us to Birch Creek where her readers get to fall in love all over again with past, and new characters. 

Roman and Leanna's characters really gripped me! I loved them both for different reasons. Roman's character really pulled at my heart, perhaps because I always felt like I couldn't please anyone know matter what I did. Watching him and seeing how he reacts to the letter from his grandmother, really tugged at my soul. I loved him! And sweet Leanna. Bless her. She's so different from your typical Amish women and I loved that about her! Ms. Fuller truly did a good thing with her character. Seeing Roman and Leanna together, following them through this story, was a wonderful time. 

This book is so full of messages of God's understanding and forgiving grace. I loved that. I felt His presence while taking this journey with Leanna and Roman and I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book to see what God's plan was for them. I was not disappointed! Ms. Fuller made it into a 5 star worthy book for sure, and it leaves me wanting book 3! I need more Birch Creek Amish and God's grace in these books. Hats off to a wonderfully talented, truly fantabulous Amish novelist who knows how to throw a curve ball and hook her readers! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/13980-revision-v1/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
OB
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow! It's been a long, long time since I've read a Kathy Herman novel. She was one my mom and I would read together and then talk about. We loved her writing style, the intenseness of her stories, the inspiring messages she would weave into the pages. Picking up this second book in her Ozark Mountain Trilogy was like meeting up with a long lost friend! I was instantly hooked, kept a part of the story as each page turned, and at the end, I wasn't ready for the results! I want more!

Ms. Herman has once again created wonderfully chiseled, heart capturing characters. She has created an intriguing plot line of twists, turns, ups and downs with Liam's story. Just when I thought I had Liam and his reasonings for doing things, Ms. Herman threw us another twist and really made the story play out like a movie. Losing my own mother unexpectedly 4 years, and my grandfather from Alzheimer's 8 years ago, this story just completely enveloped me and didn't let me go.

This is definitely one of the better murder mystery stories I've read in a long while. Ms. Herman knows how to throw the words out there and make them play out like a movie on the big screen. I have not read book one in this series but I was definitely not confused, and am looking forward to going back to book 1 and catching up on the other characters. This is most definitely a 5 star worthy novel. The suspense, the murder, the rollercoaster ride that you're taken on in this story of hope, mercy and intrigue is absolutely jaw dropping. Hats off to you, Ms. Herman! Can't wait for book 3!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
I absolutely love Maggie Brendan and her books. She creates wonderful stories filled with beautiful characters, lots of quirks, and a plot line that will pull you in instantly. Trusting Grace is the third book in this series, but the first one that I have read. I'm so glad that I did!

Grace, Robert and the children were all wonderful characters. They came to life instantly, pulling me in, capturing my heart. The interaction between Grace and Robert and Grace and the children left me smiling. The sparks that fly between Grace and Robert are endearing and I loved watching Robert come to terms with the way he feels about Grace.

This is a story of anger, love, letting go and moving on. A story of learning to trust again. God works His way into the story line, leaving the reader with messages of hope and faith in the end.

If you love a story that will not only warm your heart, but is filled with captivating characters, history, and hope, then look no further than this beautifully woven novel. This is worth 4 star praises and recommendations to all Christian fiction lovers. Ms. Brendan will leave you wanting more! I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in this lovely series.

Tell me, would you give love another shot and trust again, after being hurt? Leave a comment below for your chance to win a copy of one of Maggie Brendan's Virtues And Vices Of the Old West novels!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*<a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/revell-reads-review-trusting-grace-by-maggie-brendan/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
DS
Dragon Seed
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a new to me author and one I'll be reading again! Dragon Seed really pulled me into the heart of the story instantly. From the start I was completely engrossed and taken on a fast paced ride of what's right and wrong. That's saying something for this book as I'm not a huge fan of young adult reads. However, this book....oh, this book really hooked me!

As a mom of two teens, one of whom is troubled and angry often times, this book hit home with me in so many ways. It's so much more than a simple young adult read. It's a book filled with Bible lessons and messages of prideful ways and seeking more of Him. I loved that! These are the kinds of characters, and plot lines, that I want to see my children reading! Lessons of good versus evil, right versus wrong....all of it so gripping!

This book is definitely worthy of 5 stars. It's phenomenaly created, it's well rounded with complex characters and God's lessons. If you are looking for a laugh out loud book for your child/teenager, then this isn't quite the book for you. If you are looking for a fantabulously written book, that will leave them thinking over and over again, then yes. Definitely grab this book up. It's not only for children/teens, but any adult who seeks a better relationship with God or who struggles with pride. The book comes with devotionals at the end. I can't wait to pass this on to my kiddos to see what they think! Well done, Mr. Machowski! Well done!<a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/litfuse-blog-tour-review-dragon-seed-by-marty-machowski/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
I was super excited to partake in this blog tour and read this new Amish novel by a new to me author. It sounded like an intriguing read. However, upon receiving it and reading it, I found it to be a little slack in the gripping department. It was a bit of a slow start and took me a few tries to get into the book. But, that said, once I did get past the first several chapters, I was pleased to be able to enjoy the story line and make friends with the characters! 

The characters within this story all look forward to one thing: moving on. This story consists of two widowed souls who, after a time, are ready to seek God's will and new love. I've suffered the loss of my mother so I really felt for Leah! Though I'm older, I still often feel I need my mother here with me, so I can see why a mother was needed for Leah. And as a remarried woman, I can see the struggles that Samuel had with wanting to introduce his new frau to his family.

In the end, I did like the story. The book has some great messages of being patient and accepting what God has planned for you. It's worthy of 3.5 stars and I do recommend this book to those who enjoy Amish. Despite myself not being able to get into the story quickly, perhaps others won't have that trouble. I will also be giving book 2 in the series a try, as not every book by the authors will be the same. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/sg-publishing-blog-tour-review-a-mother-for-leah-by-rachel-miller/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
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Debbie (52 KP) rated Starworld in Books

May 4, 2019  
Starworld
Starworld
10
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
StarWorld
By: Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner
Candlewick Press
Teens and YA
Pub Date 16 April 2019
352 pages
#Starworld #NetGalley
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Even though this book took me awhile to read I really enjoyed it. It isn't the books fault for the amount of time I took to read it but family and activities that were happening. This book is already out and I highly recommend that you read this book.
At first I thought this book would be about space and wasn't sure about it but I was pleasantly surprised. This book is about a made up world called Starworld. This is a made up world that two teenage girls go to in text messages back and forth to take them away from their problems.
The girls names are Zoe and Sam. Zoe is adopted with a mom who has cancer and is in partial remission and a younger brother who has special needs. Sam is a girl who likes girls. Her parents are divorced and her Mom has a severe of OCD and Dad lives in London. Sam likes Zoe as more than a friend and Zoe only likes Sam as a friend. This book was hard to put down. I love the world they created and the way they interacted both on the phone and in real life together.
Sam and Zoe get along great and have some wonderful times together and things happen which make them look at themselves and to make their lives better.
  
I Feel Pretty (2018)
I Feel Pretty (2018)
2018 | Comedy
More like I feel shitty
#ifeelpretty is a dull, unfunny #film with so many mixed messages and conflicting tones that it just ends up being a massive waste time. First off I may not find #amyshumer #funny but she is a without a doubt a #pretty woman, so trying to sell me on the fact that she's not just didnt work at all. Then there's the message about believing in yourself, being yourself and having more #confidence in who you are and what your capable of but this is then cancelled out by a the message that so called 'pretty' people are all selfish, arrogant nasty and horrible people that dont work hard for anything and are just out to make us 'ugly' peasant lives miserable. I also just didn't get what it wanted to be tone wise either, its to serious to be funny but its also to #silly to be serious and it doesn't really succeed at either. Acting is alright over all its just the story plods along at such a dull place with nothing really happening that these characters just become uninteresting. #Music and directing are both also completely forgettable and with a run time of nearly 2 hours (of which we stayed just over an hour) the film seemed to be going nowhere interesting and thus failed to hold our attention any longer. I didnt expect this film to be a good one but I at the very least expected a bit of fun and a half decent message. With nothing to offer I can't really recommend this lifeless film to anyone and you'd probably have more #fun seeing #sherlockgnomes instead. #odeon #odeonlimitless #weekend #sunny #sundayfunday #sunday #workout #beautiful #comedy #lifestyle #coffee #girls #cinifile #cinema #hot #body #sexy #ifeelprettythemovie
  
Next Victim (DCI Rachel King, #1)
Next Victim (DCI Rachel King, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Exhausted, overworked and trying to deal with two teenagers with little help from her ex; what Rachel King doesn’t need is an early morning call to a murder scene. Added to her complicated life is a series of text messages from an ex-boyfriend/lover who wants to reconnect with her. She loves him but a major problem is that he is a well-known villain, active in an around Manchester.
Leaving the chaos of her home behind her, she arrives at a grizzly scene. A young man has been tortured, cut up and burned then tossed into the canal. There are few clues, a homeless man who heard the cries of the young man while being tortured can give them no help.
And then another body appears on the scene. The only apparent link is that they are gay, beautiful young men.
While all this is happening, Rachel’s younger daughter is kidnapped but there is nothing to suggest where the murderer might have taken her. Meantime, Rachel is trying to keep her relationship with the crime boss a secret from her team but relies on him to help find her daughter.

This is the first book in a new police procedural series, featuring DCI Rachel King and her sidekick DS Elwyn Price, set in and around Manchester. The novel is a police procedural with lots of action.
You will find plenty of twists and turns in this thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The characters and plot are well developed and I couldn't read this fast enough as I was so gripped with the story.
I think this is gonna be another great series from this fabulous author.
Many thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for my digital copy.
  
The Hairy Hand
The Hairy Hand
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A gothic adventure for 8 -12 year olds, full of jokes, magical familiars and a gruesome cast of characters. When Septimus inherits a magical, treasure-finding Hairy Hand from his uncle, life suddenly becomes a lot more exciting - and dangerous!
Septimus feels out-of-place in his village where everyone else his age is called Darg or Smerg or Blaarg. Good, honest names that sound like you are have just swallowed something pointy or are sneezing into custard. Even his parents make him feel like a complete stranger. Especially his parents. Then he inherits something strange and frightening from his uncle. A Hairy Hand. It has the magical ability to find buried treasure which suits his parents (thieves by trade) down to the ground. However, instead of making his life better, it suddenly gets a lot more dangerous.
So, it is up to Sept to find out what else the Hand knows and put things right.

I enjoyed this humorous and moderately gruesome read which, I think, will appeal to its target audience.
There’s an amazing cast of ghastly characters, including Sept’s parents, Plog the Sneaker and Gertrude!
A fun and adventurous fantasy story of good versus bad, determination and resisting temptation.
The Characters and story line are varied and kept me guessing, laughing my way through the book at the antics and mishaps throughout, with a few cleverly woven in messages for those reading it.
If you are looking to introduce your children to Fantasy Adventure or yourselves or just as gift for someone then this truly would make someone very happy!
I highly recommend this fun book!!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Monster Books and Robin Bennett for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.