Home Safe by Elizabeth Burg

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy Elizabeth Burg and this book about a woman (an author) who has lost her husband, is grief stricken, and pondering why she and her daughter are at odds was a great read. I loved the plot, what did deceased husband, Dan, do with the $850,000 that he took from their account? Helen's insecurities, isms, and her forays into author appearances and teaching a writing class were all so interesting in getting to know who Helen really is and how she is grappling with life after Dan. I loved the character, Tom Ellis, and would have loved to have more of him in the book. Her daughter, Tessa, reminded me of how my sisters and I speak to our mom-"Mom, Mom, Mom!" Helen annoyed me often, but I saw how I am now too with my mother. A quick beach read!

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My Plain Jane (The Lady Janies #2) by Cynthia Hand

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this 2nd book & listened to the audiobook in The Lady Janies series! Narrators, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows continue to thrill in this series that is laugh out loud, mysterious, and ghostly!!! Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre are friends in an orphanage where they do not get enough to eat, are cold all the time and many are dying from the "disease" and reprehensible Mr Brocklehurst makes life hell until he is poisoned, but his ghost is still around to taunt them. The mystery surrounding broody Mr. Rochester is resolved and Charlotte & her interest in becoming a member of Society for the Relocation of Wayward Spirits is fun and Jane's friend, Helen (who is a ghost) brought a lot of humor and drama to Jane's predicament! I loved this new take on Jane Eyre, there was so much to be thrilled with-ghosts, friendship, the Victorian Age, and lastly a jolly, rollicking good read and listen!!!

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Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this Colleen Hoover book and I wasn't sure I would because the main character, Merit was such a mean girl. But as I read, you find there is a lot more going on in this book with Merit, her family, and extraneous people living in their home. I loved how Sagan and Luck were able to speak honestly to Merit which was so important to her since her family had soooo many secrets and they were literally consuming Merit. I also loved the dog aspect too, changed the dynamic of the story too. Merit and her family, the dysfunction, unhappiness, anger are all too real; I loved how Hoover unpeeled the layers, and slowly page by page began the healing after Merit's scathing letter (and other devastating events that night) opens wounds, enemies, and angry secrets. How will Merit survive? Will she? Will her family? Such a great read, I was very satisfied with the ending and I was so afraid I would hate the ending:)

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Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Jennifer L. Armentrout books but have never all her books - so this series really has me intrigued - teens, aliens, high school drama, and lots of tension between the 2 major characters: Daemon who is the alien (Luxen) does not want Katy being his Dee's friend at all---he is mean and arrogant but also has Katy swooning with his shirt off half the time, fighting the bad guys and leaving his trace on her that will attract the alien killers. But Katy is a heroine who rises to the challenges and fights back to protect Dee. I can't wait for the 2nd book in this series- two teens who annoy each other but are drawn to each other has all the makings for an emotional roller coaster series!!!

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A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses 3.1) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this novella so much- Fayre and Rhys were vey busy getting ready for the Winter Solstice which consists of enjoying one another, snowball fight traditions and giving gifts. Since this is Fayre's first Solstice as High Lady she is learning so much and becoming familiar with life at the Manor and renewing her passion for art trying to mend sister relationships and bringing her love with Rhysand to a much deeper level (loved the sex scenes!) I enjoyed learning more about Mor, Cassian, & Azriel (he is such a mystery man). I want to know more about Elaine and Nesta (and their mates) too. There is so much great character development but I think this book is leading into some major drama for the next book and I can't wait!

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Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga #3) by Kiersten White

Bright We Burn by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this final audiobook in the Conqueror's Saga- Fiona Hardingham's narration continued to weave such a taut spell-murderous Prince Lada will do anything to prove to the world that her country, Vallacia will not be a vassal state to anyone. She has also gained the fierce love and protection of her people by ruling them with honesty, land, love and the will to survive. Radu is my favorite character and I am so very happy he finds Fatima and unites her with Nasira---when Cyprian appears at the castleOMG- loved that scene. I felt sorry for Mehmed & Lada - they were both powerful but lonely people. Because Lada was constantly fighting against being a woman in their world; she would never have a life with Mehmed or Bogdon. White's book was adventure filled & character driven with chapters bursting with beauty, intrigue, and murderous battles. Such a agreat series; I will miss these characters and their world; highly recommended!

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The Traitor's Game (The Traitor's Game #1) by Jennifer Nielsen

The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A new series full of fantasy, political ambition with lies and treachery, and 2 main characters who fight against each other despite their attraction. Kestra is one tough princess who has been banished by her father and is now being called back. On their way back, rebels capture Kestra, Darrow and Celia and force her to plot against evil, magic Endrick and her father. But they do not know what Kestra is capable of and what lengths she will go to, all the while scheming, lying & pretending. Simon knew Kestra from their younger years in the castle until she lied about him and put him in prison to die. He is a committed rebel and Corack who is forced to guard Kestra and she does not make it easy for him---a rip roaring great audiobook, narrated awesomely by Jesse Vilinsky, Michael Curran-Dorsano I could not stop listening, finding more and more time to listen to this spellbinding book!!!

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Crossing the Line by Simone Elkeles

Crossing the Line by Simone Elkeles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book so much but HATED THE ENDING!!! Ryan and Dalila are such great characters- opposites in most ways- Ryan has a mother who has never been there for him and is now married to a bully sheriff who hates Ryan. Dalila lives in Mexico, has lots of money and friends and when she and Ryan meet sparks fly but also anger. Their eventual romance is swoon worthy. The drug cartels are fighting for power, is Dalila's father involved? Dalila is determined to find out the truth, but at what cost? I love Simone Elkeles books and this book does not hold back about the darker side of life in Mexico.

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Puddin' (Dumplin' #2) by Julie Murphy

Puddin' by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Julie Murphy's 2nd book in the Dumplin' series- the story, the characters all resonated as real and authentic. Humorous, serious and containing the drama of high school students- Millie & Callie are 2 very different girls- one fat and one a cheerleader and one act of anger and damage brings them together and oh what a great story! You will root for Millie's dreams and the way she can bring together people by her niceness. A feel good book, so enjoyable!

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Sadie by Courtney Summers

Sadie by Courtney Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for the advance reader copy Sadie by Courtney Summers in exchange for an honest review. Summers’ Some Girls Are and Cracked Up To Be were always being passed around and constantly checked out by students. Sadie is a compelling, tense novel detailing Sadie’s self-hatred for failing to keep her sister safe. After her sister, Mattie, is murdered, the reader follows this tense mystery from Sadie’s point-of-view and through a podcast, The Girls, narrated by famed journalist, West McCray, as he searches for Sadie. I could not put this book down; Sadie’s life is hell; her mother is drug addicted and derelict. Sadie has a severe stutter and suffers from abuse; I rooted for her as she used her wits to follow clues. Mattie was the center of Sadie’s life and when her mother takes off; Sadie takes over the care of her little sister. With the police no help, and an absent mother, will Sadie find her sister’s murderer? Will McCray find Sadie? Courtney Summers has written an explosive, riveting novel.

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Mr. November by Lori Foster & Riding the Storm by Brenda Jackson

Mr. November & Riding the Storm: Mr. November by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This bestselling author collection featured Mr. November by Lori Foster and a second romance by Riding the Storm by Brenda Jackson. Amanda Barker has all the firemen she needs for the calendar fundraiser except Josh Marshall, who has consistently dodged her calls and requests. Getting into the locker room gets Josh's attention, what will it take to get him to pose for the calendar. I really liked Josh, how he cares for Amanda and tries to help her overcome her fears. A quick read, I loved this beach read!
Riding the Storm by Brenda Jackson was an exciting read because the sparks flew immediately between Storm and Jayla, but since they want no commitments, sparks fly when they meet in New Orleans, will this be the beginning of a relationship or just a short affair? I loved the sparks between Jayla and Storm!!!

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Real Friends by Shannon Hale

Real Friends by Shannon Hale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just loved Shannon Hale's graphic novel depicting her horrible years in middle school, being bullied by her brother and sister, having fairweather friends (bullies too) and feeling totally insecure. A must read!

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Dance of Thieves (Dance of Thieves #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the advance reader copy Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson in exchange for an honest review. From the first page, Mary Pearson had me with her drama, daring do and taut suspense! Just as I loved her Remnant Chronicle Series, I am captivated by Dance of Thieves which has characters appearing from the original series! Not only is the plot full of intrigue, tension, and political drama, the characters are strong and believable---lying, cheating, and being protective of family and determined to investigate Vendan land settlement atrocities. Kazi is one of three Rahtan, an elite guard of the queen, who must steal a killer and bring him to stand trial. Jase is just recently become, Patrei, the head of the Ballenger Dynasty which has not been recognized by the Queen. When Jase and Kasi cross paths, first there is a knife to a throat, just as quickly followed by being captured by trade hunters and chained together. Forced to work together to survive, they begin to learn about each other through riddles, folklore, lies, and humor, only to become further intrigued (romance ensues). How will they remain true to themselves and each other? Pearson enthralled me from page one as conflict, family, politics, and danger throw Kazi and Jase together- an action-packed fantasy and adventure I did not want to end. I am so excited about the next book in this series! Highly recommended!

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The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B. Cooney

The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B. Cooney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A brutal read based on actual events about the forced kidnapping and march of captured Deerfield residents for 300 long, cold, merciless miles. Mercy and her brothers and others are scared to death but the brutal march, hunger and cold vie with memories of her family and the now horror of just trying to survive. Cooney showed how the children are sold, assimilated into Indian culture, some adopted into families, others to the French BUT the older children suffer from angst (only Ruth shows anger the whole time) as they leave their Deerfield families behind (some hope for ransom) and forge a new life. It was sad, sad, sad but true, true, true.

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The Fates Divide (Carve the Mark #2) by Veronica Roth

The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this final book in the duology! There was danger, secrets, political sparring, oracles, fates all kinds of exciting drama once again but I have to say my favorite part(s) were Cyra and Akos, their relationship and arguments on fates, family, and saving their world. I totally enjoyed the ending, kudos to Veronica Roth for a great storyline, characters, and awesome worldbuilding!

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