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Book Reviews

True Love Story – Crossing Lex by Debby Caruso

September 29, 2017 by Leah 19 Comments

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

About six years ago, I read a book that really affected me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. That book was The Shack. Literally, for weeks after finishing the book, I had that book on my mind. It made me think differently about things. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading a book like that since…until now. Crossing Lex, by Debby Caruso is a must read, true love story and one of those books that will stick with you, well after you read the last page.

debby caruso true love

About This True Love Story – from Amazon

It’s 1999 and Danielle is living the dream: working in New York City, creating a brand-new life for herself, and looking for romance. On the cusp of finding just what she’s always dreamed of, memories of past trauma threaten to interfere with what may be the love story of a lifetime. As she moves forward, she will have to decide if she is defined by her past, doomed by her past, or perhaps made better because of it.

Crossing LexCrossing Lex

We all have those memories that seem to pop up when we least expect it. Those moments in time that seem to shape us as a person. The picture that Debby Caruso paints of the main character, Danielle, is amazing. You immediately connect with Danielle and are willing her to push past her demons and have that true love story she is so desperately seeking.

Part way through the book, I started to suspect the ending. Sometimes that annoys me with books. Not with Crossing Lex. With this book it made me want to continue reading all the more. I think part of me was hoping I was wrong. The last few chapters will have you holding your breath as you read them. The imagery Debby Caruso’s words invoke is excellent and leaves you wanting more.


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance Tagged With: crossing lex, debby caruso

10 Books for Tween Girls

September 18, 2017 by Leah 18 Comments

Books are a huge part of our lives in our house. Growing up, I loved to read. Going to the library was one of my favorite things. Even to this day, as an adult, I love going to the library. There’s something about being surrounded by books. When she was younger, my daughter would only check out or ask us to buy her non-fiction books because she felt that if she was going to read, she needed to be learning something. Over the course of the summer, she started branching out and has found quite a few fiction books that she really enjoys! Here are her top 10 books for tween girls!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

books for tween girls

 

SistersSistersDramaDramaSmileSmile

10 Books for Tween Girls

Below are 10 books for tween girls that my 10, almost 11 year old daughter, really enjoys reading. There is definitely something for everyone! Pick up a few for Christmas and birthday gifts. I don’t know about you, but I always like to make sure I give the kids books as part of their gifts!

Among the Hidden (Shadow Children 1) 
Harriet the Spy
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
I Survived series
Warriors series
Roller Girl
Awkward
Kristy’s Great Idea Graphic Novel
Wonder
Who Was series
She definitely has an eclectic taste in books so there is surely something here for everyone. I personally am a fan of series books, so I like when I can find a good series for my kids to read. When you find a series they like, it ensures that they will have more to read and we want them to continue reading for pleasure! It makes having to read school issued books much easier!


So there you have it, 10+ books for tween girls. What books would you add to the list? I’d love to help my daughter (and other girls) find books they would love to read!

Filed Under: Book Lists, Gift Ideas, Kids Books Tagged With: tween girls

Serial Killer Book Series by Brenda Novak

September 11, 2017 by Leah 1 Comment

I’ll admit it, I have a very eclectic taste in books. One minute I will be reading the latest vampire series and the next minute I’m reading about a serial killer. Typically, I tend to gravitate towards thrillers and suspense novels. The first authors I really became interested in were Stephen King and Dean Koontz. While I sometimes need to read that happy ending type book, more times than not, I enjoy reading things that are so far from what my reality is. I really enjoyed this serial killer series by Brenda Novak.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

serial killer

From Amazon –

THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER
Evelyn Talbot knows that a psychopath can look perfectly normal. She was only sixteen when her own boyfriend Jasper imprisoned and tortured her—and left her for dead. Now an eminent psychiatrist who specializes in the criminal mind, Evelyn is the force behind Hanover House, a maximum-security facility located in a small Alaskan town. Her job puts her at odds with Sergeant Amarok, who is convinced that Hanover is a threat to his community…even as his attraction to beautiful Evelyn threatens to tear his world apart. 
BEGINS WITH AN ESCAPE FROM HER PAST
Then, just as the bitter Alaskan winter cuts both town and prison off from the outside world, the mutilated body of a local woman turns up. For Amarok, this is the final proof he needs: Hanover has to go. Evelyn, though, has reason to fear that the crime is a personal message to her—the first sign that the killer who haunts her dreams has found her again. . .and that the life she has so carefully rebuilt will never be the same…

Why a Serial Killer Novel?

Her Darkest Nightmare (Dr. Evelyn Talbot Novels)Her Darkest Nightmare (Dr. Evelyn Talbot Novels)

Why not a serial killer novel? I mean, when we choose movies, we don’t go for the same type all the time. The same holds true when I’m picking a book. I think my love for these types of novels started when I was a kid and read The Silence of the Lambs book and then saw the movie. That book and movie was a favorite of mine for years. I even took a few psychology classes in high school and college because of that book and movie! If you are looking for a really good psychological thriller, then you will want to read Her Darkest Nightmare by Brenda Novak.

My Thoughts

I literally could not put this book down. Typically, I will read every night before bed and whenever I have to sit at my kids sports practices. I found myself staying up later and later because I could not put this book down. As I was writing this post, I found out that their is actually a novella before Her Darkest Nightmare called Hanover House. That makes sense. Halfway through the book, I had the impression that I was missing something. At first I thought I just missed it while reading, but now I know it’s because there was a book before this one! I definitely recommend this series! The third book comes out on October 3, 2017!


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Mystery, Series, Thrillers & Suspense Tagged With: brenda novak, serial killer

Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale

September 9, 2017 by Leah Leave a Comment

One of my favorite things to read are series books. I get extremely invested in the characters and want to read more with them in it. The more books in the series, the better. A new to me author, Kerry Lonsdale, wrote a book that I read a few months ago called Everything We Keep. I really enjoyed the book. After I finished it, I remember wishing for more. It didn’t feel done to me. Thankfully for me, Kerry Lonsdale didn’t think it was done either and she published the sequel, Everything We Left Behind.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

kerry lonsdale

About Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale

From Amazon –

Two months before his wedding, financial executive James Donato chased his trade-laundering brother Phil to Mexico, only to be lost at sea and presumed dead. Six and a half years later, he emerges from a dissociative fugue state to find he’s been living in Oaxaca as artist Carlos Dominguez, widower and father of two sons, with his sister-in-law Natalya Hayes, a retired professional surfer, helping to keep his life afloat. But his fiancée, Aimee Tierney, the love of his life, has moved on. She’s married and has a child of her own.

Devastated, James and his sons return to California. But Phil is scheduled for release from prison, and he’s determined to find James, who witnessed something in Mexico that could land Phil back in confinement. Under mounting family pressure, James flees with his sons to Kauai, seeking refuge with Natalya. As James begins to unravel the mystery of his fractured identity, danger is never far behind, and Natalya may be the only person he can trust.

Everything We Left Behind: A NovelEverything We Left Behind: A NovelEverything We Keep: A NovelEverything We Keep: A Novel

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved the fact that Everything We Left Behind picks up where Everything We Keep left off. The first book was all about Aimee and her quest to find out the truth about what happened to James. Once she learns the truth, she has to make the difficult decision to return to her life and move on. She gets married and has a daughter. Six years later, Carlos wakes up…only he is no longer Carlos. James is back.

Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale is an utterly gut wrenching story that is written with so much emotion. While reading this novel, I felt like I was right there feeling everything that James was feeling as he uncovered more and more about his life. The ability to make characters come alive like that is a sign of a great author.

Have you read any Kerry Lonsdale books?


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Mystery Tagged With: everything we left behind, kerry lonsdale

Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale

August 31, 2017 by Leah 12 Comments

Every little girl dreams about her wedding day. She dreams about exactly what her dress will look like; what flowers she will carry; whether she will be getting married in a church or outside; and sometimes, even who they will marry. Now imagine, instead of walking down the aisle on your wedding day, what is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, you are attending your fiancés funeral. That is exactly what happens in Everything We Keep a mystery novel by Kerry Lonsdale.

kerry lonsdale

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

Everything We Keep is a debut novel for Kerry Lonsdale and it’s a really good one! The twists and turns throughout the novel keep you reading and wanting more. Something I really like in a good mystery novel. When I finished Everything We Keep, I was bummed, I wanted to know more. The last thing I wanted was for the book to be over. Little did I know at the time, Everything We Keep had a sequel! I won’t tell you how long after I read the book that I found out about the sequel…it’s a tad embarrassing!

Everything We Keep: A NovelEverything We Keep: A Novel

Right now, you can purchase this debut novel on sale at Amazon. If you are a Kindle Paperwhite user like I am AND you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, you can pick up this novel for FREE with your subscription. Better yet, join Kindle Unlimited for free for 30 days. Read this book (like it), read the sequel (like it) and then read this series and you will be a Kindle Unlimited junkie like me! I’m not even joking! Kindle Unlimited is one of my absolute favorite things I’ve ever subscribed to.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial

Have you read Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale yet?


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Mystery Tagged With: everything we keep, kerry lonsdale

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Hi!! My name is Leah Kanaan and besides being with my husband and kids, my greatest pleasure in life is reading! I am an aspiring author and would love to have my books published one day! Take a look around and hopefully you find a new book to read and enjoy!
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