Watching Over You (The McKenzies of Ridge Trail, Book 3) by Lori Foster

Watching Over You by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The hot McKenzie family is back stalking bad guys involved in prostitution and trafficking. Madison is the super sleuth using her awesome abilities on the computer. Following a cop (she is very interested in) Madison foils a burglary/shakedown. Det. Albertson is less than happy with her interference. I love how quickly the plot follows Madison, Albertson and their sizzling interest in each other. Both have things to hide and bad guys after them. The plot kept me turning the pages as the McKenzies worked to help Albertson and his family while also foiling a murder plot. I love all the McKenzies and enjoyed the addition of Silver, Hailey, and Albertson and the tension and steam kept on coming! Another awesome romance by Lori Foster!

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The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this audiobook narrated by Amy Landon; there is someone stalking teens in Ella's small town and she is attacked by whoever this evil person is, dressed with a clown face and a wig, Ella is attacked and barely survives. She learns how to protect herself with the help of old friend and flame Jensen. Other girls go missing and Ella feels someone is following her, taunting her. Things really get bad when one of the girls is found murdered, then another, and still Ella is being stalked. I loved this mystery!

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My Time Will Come : Amemoir of Crime, Punishment, Hope and Redemption by Ian Manuel

My Time Will Come: A Memoir of Crime, Punishment, Hope, and Redemption by Ian Manuel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As Just Mercy floored me, so did Ian Manuel's gripping biography about his young life in Florida in the slums and with no guidance. Beloved by his grandmother, a father not around and a drug addicted mother, Ian suffers at home, in school and in his neighborhood. With a group of boys at age 14, he holds up a white man and woman in a parking lot, shooting the woman in the face and continuing to shoot as she runs away. Given life without parole, he spends the next 20 years in many jails and many of those years in solitary confinement (enduring unimaginable abuse). Ian's words are harrowing, powerful, beseeching, powerful and he loses hope many times but through reading a bible, writing poetry, he dreams of a day he will go home. I could not put this book down, everyone must read this and they will be changed. Highly reocmmended!

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Evelyn Hugo's story is mesmerizing and spans the 50s through the 90s, Hollywood movies, and the cut throat nature of the business. Through it all, Evelyn ruthlessly plans her dream to become a famous film actress using her sexuality (boobs and sex) and along the way, many marriages. She is flawed but a strong character and Monique grows as a result of her daily interviews with Evelyn. I read this awesome book in one day; it was compulsively complex.

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Our Violent Ends (Our Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 2nd book, and Chloe Gong kept the high crime, mystery and adventure pounding as Juliette guards a secret that could destroy her position as heir of the Scarlet gang---not that she wants to rule but she doesn't want her sick twisted cousin to bump her out. And by keeping this secret, Roma now hates her, wants to kill her and has changed. The monsters are still a threat but now the Communists and Nationalists also vie for Shanghai! The worldbuilding, the strong characters and the intense plot all combine for a thoroughly awesome story in a city that is becoming more and more dangerous and evil. What will happen to Roma and Juliette; YA readers will love this final book in These Violent Delights! A must read and highly recommended!

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Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whtehead

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Dion Graham; I loved Graham's many voices, his sighs, his pitch was totally perfect as he tells Ray Carney's life in Harlem in the 1960's. Ray grew up with a bad news father but he studied hard and graduated college, won the girl (much to her parent's dismay) and now owns a furniture shop. And while Ray would like to stay growing the furniture shop, things, like his cousin Freddy and white cops murdering a black boy causing riots that have Ray doing some side work that is questionable (but it will make money). I loved the colorful characters, Ray's somber humor, the mishaps and missteps thrown in Ray's way. But most of all, I loved the way Ray thought, he was able to wriggle out of the "bad stuff" with well thought out connections and scenarios. I loved the time period, the culture, and the tight community as well as the vibrant Harlem life. A must read!

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Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper

Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Melody, from Sharon Draper's first book, Out of Mind, is older and has a caring neighbor who makes her learn and question things. She also has a voice synthesizer that she uses to communicate since she can't verbalize, but her brain is still intelligent and wants to break out into the big world. I loved Melody's family and their deep commitment to one another. When Melody finds out there could be a summer camp for disabled kids, she does her research and presents it to her parents; Green Gables really knows what they are doing according to the website, they fill out the dense application and wait to see if Melody is accepted. When she gains approval (someone dropped out) they have 2 days to prepare. Once at the camp, Melody's world opens up she rooms with 3 others and their counselors (each camper has their own counselor) and Melody's counselor, Trinity, has spent summers here. Each counselor knows their camper inside and out (the dense application) and the fun begins with trying things like swimming, zip lining, horseback riding and the evening camp fires are the best. Melody becomes friendly with her roommates and meets a boy. The camp experience changes her and I can't wait for a high school adventure with Melody! A must read, highly recommended!

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Pax, Journey Home (Pax, #2) by Sara Pennypacker

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this 2nd Pax book was so awesome; I ached for Peter, Pax, and Pax's young kit. Pennypacker's beautiful plot kept me on edge but kept pulling me back with her message of love and letting love in was both wondrous and beautiful. I jumped up and down with the surprise ending, thankful for the deep details, adventures, and trials Peter and Pax challenge themselves to survive. Told from the alternating perspectives of Pax and Peter, the chapters deal with families, the after effects of the war, the devastation of the land and water, and the new friendships Peter forges. This is such a heart warming read; highly recommended!

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Besties: Work It Out by Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino, illustrated by Kristina Luu

Besties: Work It Out by Kayla Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beth and Chanda are 6th grade best friends in this graphic novel that tackles friendship and the ups and downs it takes as they housesit and dog sit for Mrs Langford. Older sister, Lisa, offers solutions but also helps them out when they get themselves into a jam. I loved the dog, Baxter, and both girls loved animals so much, with Chanda desperately wanting to show her parents she can take care of a cat. There are many situations these friends find themselves in and it is how they work them out that middle grade readers will relate and enjoy! The message about friendship is important and positive even during tough times.

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The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my sister in law, Donna Gola for recommending such a great book! I listened to this amazing audiobook narrated by Alana Kerr Collins & Jason Culp and could not stop as the reader is swept into Sophie's life and hardships. Sophie is Irish and living miserably in a NY tenement when she answers a mail order bride ad place by a Martin Hocking. Sophie ran from Ireland and now runs to California marrying a man she does not know but he has told her he is a widower and has a young daughter, Kat. She meets and marries him a few hours later and settles into life in a nice home with a husband who travels selling insurance (Martin barely provides any information about his job and travels) and a daughter who does not speak (why?). Sophie falls in love with Kat and spends all her time coaxing her to daughter to speak. The day before the famous 1906 San Francisco Earthquake hits, Sophie's life is thrown into chaos with the arrival of a pregnant woman on her steps. Such a great historical fiction novel about the fierce love of women, the bonds of friendship, and the mess of marriages. Highly recommended!

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Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this book (thank you to my friend, Michelle Romash and Jean Norman) flawlessly narrated by Robin Miles. This is a must read but a difficult read. Isabel Wilkerson's research was thorough, she also used narratives in history, and the dates and data were so important too. Wilkerson discusses race and caste (in the United States, Germany and India) and it's effects throughout history. It is honest and very painful. Highly recommended.

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Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman

Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh how I loved Gayle Forman's middle grade book! Bug looks forward to her summers at the beach with her brother, Danny while her mom works for the mayor's office. But during this summer of 1987, there is a serial killer on the loose in California. Now Bug's summer has changed and she is so not happy about it. But with the arrival of Frankie, a few years older, Bug's summer expands. Dealing with cultural and social issues; the friendship of Bug and Frankie has many highs and lows. I loved Phillip, Bug's neighbor who is colorful, loves to cook, and calls his friends by their full names, no nicknames, thank you very much. Danny is a very supportive older brother, which Bug knows but she does not understand why they can't go to the beach everyday like they used to and why does he need to be called Daniel anyway? I loved seeing the Venice beach and characters through Bug's eyes and I cheered for Bug's demand to know what secrets her family is keeping from her. I could not stop turning the pages of this lush, lovely book that needs to be read by everyone.

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Curse of the Wolf King (Entangles with Fae, #1) by Tessonja Odette

Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this awesome take on Beauty and the Beast! I loved Gemma's spunk and King Elliott's journey as they both work together to save the the wolf king from the curse that will claim his life. The world building was so awesome, the characters so interesting, and the plot new and refreshing. I will certainly be reading the other 2 books in this series!

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How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air, 3.5) by Holly Black

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series book in the The Folk of Air, since I have read all of the books in the series, this latest companion which retells stories lushly and provides wonderful illustrations! I particularly enjoyed the retellings of the boy with the heart of stone, told from different characters point of view Seeing the characters from the series and also adding new characters, providing another look into Cardan's life. There was danger, romance, and adventure in this return to Elfhame!

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The Guilty (Will Robie, #4) by David Baldacci

The Guilty by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 4th book in the Will Robie series was very enjoyable--Will ran from his Mississippi and his father's beatings and never looked back. Now Will is having trouble; a bad shoot cripples Will's confidence---on his next job he hallucinates and now the Blue Man is asking Will to take a leave ---just as this happens, his father is arrested for murder---should Will return to his father? The twists and turns were so suspenseful and I was glad when Jessica Reel finally joined forces with him again. A totally exciting read! I will be totally upset when this series ends, I love Will; he is such a great character!

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These Silent Woods by Kimmi Cunningham Grant

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my Twitter friend, Sierra Dertinger @3SDlovestoread for your awesome recommendation of These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant! Wow what a great suspenseful read with authentic, flawed characters and a beautiful, stark setting. I could not stop turning the pages; the mystery being slowly unfolded as my heart constricted with worry for Cooper and his daughter as his history is revealed. The suspense was taut, Cooper's fear palpable and I just loved his daughter, Finch---she was refreshing, honest, and caring. What both of them become exposed to was hair raising. An awesome, exciting read! Highly recommended!!!

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