The Amish Meddler by Samantha Price

Caroline has been staying with the Baker/Bruner family for quite some time. Most of the family has been happy enough to have her there, but Cherish has grown tired of her presence and wrote a letter to Caroline’s family. It was quite a surprise when Caroline’s parents arrived at the farm to ask about the girl who was staying with the family, the reason for this visit, and the surprising truth behind Caroline’s visit with the family.

This was the sixteenth book in the bonnet sisters series. And while I felt that it could have used one more pass by a proofreader to clean up a few more typos than I expected to see, it was still an interesting story and one that I enjoyed reading.

The Bonnet Sisters’ books are sweet Amish Romances, though there is almost always some sort of drama happening on the farm. In this book, the drama part of the story involves Caroline and why she has actually been staying with the family for so long. But that wasn’t the only plotline in this book. The other part of this story was about the changes being made on the farm, and what the entire family, including Florence, are trying to do in order to make the farm once again profitable after the poor harvest the previous year. It will mean a lot of work for everyone, and only time will tell if they can manage to make it work.

I always enjoy the vivid descriptions of the various characters and how their differing personalities affect each of the others within their family. The flaws of each of them are understandable and clearly reflective of who they are and how their family dynamics have affected them through the years. These flaws are a part of what brings both family drama to the story as well as what spurs the interest of the reader. And while in some ways it can push them further apart, it still often manages to bring them closer together.

Anyone who has enjoyed this series so far, or who enjoys Amish romances with a little bit of family drama added in, should enjoy reading this book as well. The Bonnet Sisters books are nice light reading and are stories that I have enjoyed reading when I just want something short to read that doesn’t require too much deep thought.

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Dog-Eared Delinquent by Molly Fitz

Angie and Octo-Cat have another mystery to solve. A new co-worker at her office seems to know about her ability to talk to her cat, though how he found out remains a mystery. There’s something about him that Angie just doesn’t trust, and it’s more than just his own ability to hear Octo-cat or his other secrets. And she’s not the only one that doesn’t trust him. On top of that, a a string of overnight robberies have been happening, all without setting off any alarms, and with the perpetrators appearing to disappear without leaving any clues behind as to how they managed to commit the crimes or how they got away.

This was a fun cozy mystery involving quite a few surprising revelations about how and why Anji can understand Octo-Cat. I really enjoyed reading this book. There is a point in the book where Octo-cat is told, by a dog shifter, that he is not special. That he’s nothing more than an ordinary tabby cat with no special abilities whatsoever, and due to the circumstances surrounding that event, he believes it and begins to slide into a deep depression. After all, he’s always considered himself very special, but at that moment it appears that he is nothing more than an everyday, ordinary, house cat. And that revelation seems to break his spirit.

That moment in the book broke my heart, as we have been having an issue in our household involving a new cat and some dominance issues. My poor cat lost that unexpected challenge to her household dominance, and has been hiding any time she even thinks there is a chance that the other cat will leave her gated room. Given that she had previously been the “top cat” in the household, this change has her sometimes in a similar state as Octo-Cat after his encounter with the pit-bull shifter. So I can fully empathize with how he felt. And I absolutely loved how Angie was able to help him rediscover how special he actually is, and to rebuild his confidence and belief in himself again. (You’ll have to read the book if you want to know what exactly happens.) Also, I believe that all cats are special, whether or not we as their humans may always be aware of how special they are.

I also enjoyed learning how Angie truly gained the ability to understand Octo-cat, and the set-up for future stories involving the pair and their endeavors as pet-related private investigators. I am very much looking forward to reading more of the books in this series.

I feel that this would be a good book for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, especially ones where the animals often take center stage in the story. While technically Angie is the main character, Octo-Cat is every bit as important as she is to this tale. Without him, Angie would not have been able to discover much of what she did learn nor would she have been able to solve the mystery of who had been committing the robberies or how. Anyone who has read any of Ms. Fitz's other books, both the ones in this series or any of her other series  would likely also enjoy reading this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Rootfingers by S. Alessandro Martinez

Wren’s family moved into the house once owned by famous artist Isidoro Cervantes. What they don’t know is that the house is not a good place. It was said that the artist had gone insane, and his life’s artworks were never found after his death. But when seven year old Wren’s family moves in, her artist mother discovers the hiding place of Cervantes’ lost paintings and begins restoring them. It may have seemed harmless at first, but when the madness that destroyed Cervantes takes hold of her, it seems that perhaps history will repeat itself.

I read a review copy of this book, and it is a rather creepy horror novel. It is not a long book, so it is a fairly quick read. The majority of the story takes place over the course of one night as Wren tries to both save her family and herself. But you’ll have to read the book yourself if you want to find out whether she succeeds or not. I really enjoyed learning that the chapters of this book were titled after artworks. It was very fitting for this story. And clearly the author knows quite a bit about works of art as well as writing creepy tales. This is not a long book, but it does draw the reader in and keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next. 

If you enjoy horror novels, especially ones involving paintings or other artwork, stories about artists who seemingly went mad, as well as ones that involve a sort of “monster under the bed” theme to them, then you will likely enjoy reading this novel.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Priest’s Assassin by V.C. Willis

Dante and John must help to get Princess Sonja safely back to the Capital. With not only Fallen Arbor hunting and seeking to kill them before she can be returned, but also other dangers between the two locations, it will be a very dangerous trip. The head of the Assassins’ Guild and the princess’s knight protector will be travelling along with them. They seek to travel quietly, hoping not to be noticed, but that rarely seems to happen when Fallen Arbor is after someone. Dante has sworn to be John’s Sword and Shield, and to keep him safe at all costs. And in this mission, it seems that Dante must also pretend to be his missing brother, Ashton, a man whose appearance he closely resembles and whose name is widely recognized and in many places, feared.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. The author does a fantastic job letting the reader experience the tension, connection, and feelings the characters have for each other. In this book we are given a chance to discover more about both Dante’s and John’s family histories, as well as to explore the connection between the two of them. I do need to warn you that this book is a M/M romance and there is some graphic sex involved in this story. There is also a fair amount of violence. Dante is a bloodeater, but the only one whose blood he desires to taste is John. And at the same time, he worries about the possibility of accidentally taking too much and being the cause of his death. John is the love of his life, and he will not easily allow any harm to come to him … and especially not because of his needs.

This is not a book meant for younger readers, but for the adults who do read it, I believe that many of you will enjoy it. Ms. Willis is a talented writer with a multitude of very interesting books. If you have read any of the books she has written, whether they were in this series or not, you will likely enjoy this one as well.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

A Baby For Joy by Samantha Price

Joy and Isaac are expecting their first child. One would expect this to be a happy time for them, but all is not well in their household. Joy has admitted to shoplifting a baby dress, and Isaac cannot forgive her. His anger is so great that Joy is terrified that she has forever lost his love. And being Amish, divorce is not an option. No matter how bad things may become, their marriage is for life. Can they find a way to work through their problems, or will they both be unhappily bound together for the remainder of their days?

This is a short book, making for a very quick read. I’ve always enjoyed this series, and this story was no exception. It's interesting to see how each of the characters dealt with their problems. And one of the themes this time around seems to be about the importance of communication. Despite the complications each of the characters have run into, they seem to draw strength from family. And in the Amish community, family and faith are everything.

If you enjoy Amish romance, stories about the Amish, any of the other books in this series, or any of Ms. Price's other books, then you will likely also enjoy this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Pure Shore Club by Jason R Lady

Three middle school-aged kids who share nothing in common besides being new students at a boarding school receive invitations to join the Pure Shore Club. They were given no information about what the club is or does, and when they arrive at the teacher’s office to learn more, they overhear an argument in which they learn that the club was disbanded several years earlier and will not be reformed. It’s all rather strange, and when given a clue from the man who wanted to restart the club, the three band together to learn more and to solve this mystery.

I read a review copy of this young adult novel, and it was a fun read. I loved the concept of a group of young people banding together to solve a mystery about the Pure Shore Club and why it was disbanded, and then learning and becoming more than what they ever thought was possible. This was a young-adult superhero story. And yes, it includes a bad guy with superpowers, and the appropriate explanations to go along with all of it. I truly enjoyed seeing how these three youngsters, who were so different from each other, also realized that their differences complemented them as a group. They were stronger together than they were alone, and they even managed to teach the adults around them a thing or two.

The Pure Shore Club is, in my mind, a story of developing friendships, as well as helping those around you, often quietly and without expecting praise or reward. The Pure Shore Club was represented as a community service club. And it was, though it also was so much more than just that. It was a way for young people who many considered outsiders and who often thought of themselves as being alone or outcasts, to become much more, to find friendships they never would have expected, and essentially to become a found family.

This was an enjoyable story that I believe would appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy some mystery, friendship and found family stories, and of course, superheroes. If you give this book a chance, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Forty Days by Morgan DeVivo

After a bomb explodes in a local mall where she had been shopping with her younger sister, Stella awakes with no memory of who she is or how she got there as she waits with a large group of other teenagers to be registered and assigned rooms in some sort of building. But where is she, actually? And why are they all given numbers and told not to tell anyone their name, just their number? It all seems rather odd. They also are told they need to follow the rules and not ask questions. But soon, what Stella learns is enough to convince her that these people do not have her interests at heart. She needs to find a way out, and she only has forty days.

This was a very interesting story from a first time author. I received a review copy of this book and very much enjoyed reading it. While not exactly a horror story, it is definitely a young adult, science fiction novel, with a touch of a thriller story in there as well. It involves what happens to people in a coma, as well as explores the state of being between life and death.

Miss DeVivo’s writing style differs greatly from her mother’s ( of whose books I have also read and reviewed several). And this debut novel is one that will keep readers wanting to know what happens next. A few times I thought I might have figured out how it was going to end, only to be surprised when I did learn what happened to the main character in this story. It is a shorter book than many that I have the chance to review these days, but it was a very enjoyable one to read.

I believe that anyone who enjoys reading young adult novels, science fiction, stories involving life versus death and the state of being between both, and those who enjoy mild thrillers will enjoy this book. I certainly enjoyed this first-time author’s debut novel, and am looking forward to seeing what she writes next. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.