The Blog

Merry Hanukkah by Debby Caruso

August 21, 2018 by Leah Leave a Comment

The holidays are my favorite time of the year. As soon as the Hallmark Channel starts advertising their holiday movie lineup, I start programming the DVR. So when the author, Debby Caruso asked me if I would like an advanced copy of her newest book, Merry Hanukkah, it was an easy answer. Of course I did! Holiday movies are my favorite; reading is my favorite; combine the two into an epic holiday book…GENIUS!

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About Merry Hanukkah by Debby Caruso

From Amazon

Meet Rhonda, a semi-neurotic ad agent and Christmas fanatic, who decides she’s going to make a fabulous Hanukkah celebration for her new husband James and his family. In the midst of trying to create the perfect day, Rhonda meets with various roadblocks: a hostile mother-in-law who takes the joy out of any day, recipes she can’t seem to maser, a looming work deadline that’s sure to do her in, as well as an intrinsic belief that somehow the holidays are about something more…and that the “perfect” day isn’t always what it seems.

Merry Hanukkah is for all those celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas, and for the holiday Junkie in all of us. It’s a hilarious journey revealing the truth of what we value the most: faith, family, friendship, and love.

Merry Hanukkah

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved this book. Debby Caruso has done it again. Like Crossing Lex, Merry Hanukkah grabs your attention immediately. Within the first few chapters of the book, I instantly thought this would make an excellent Hallmark Movie. It just had that feel about it. I stayed up a few nights in a row and read WAY TOO late, just so I could finish the book faster!

This is the second book by Debby Caruso that I have read, and like the last one, she has done an amazing job developing the characters in this book. One of the things that got me into reading at such a young age, was the characters. I liked getting to know the characters as if I were meeting them in person. Debby Caruso does a good job of this. In fact, I really hope she writes more with Rhonda and the rest of the characters in this book!

Merry Hanukkah Crossing Lex

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

July 24, 2018 by Leah Leave a Comment

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I still remember when the Harry Potter series came out. My husband and I would actually buy two copies of the book because we would fight over who could read it first. The day my daughter said she was interested in beginning the series on her Kindle was one of the happiest days of my life! No joke. This is a series that every kid should read at least once (or twice or more…) in their life.

Image via Pexels

Harry Potter Series

If you haven’t heard of the Harry Potter series (or movies), then you have definitely been living under a rock. No worries. Once you are done reading this review, you will want to run out and pick up this series as soon as possible.

– From Amazon-

“Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter ‘H’.”

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)

The way J.K. Rowling writes, it draws you in and leaves you wanting more. I remember staying up late just to finish a chapter or the book! My daughter has stayed up very late all summer reading this series. She is excited to find out what happens next. I’ve never seen her so excited about reading before!

Fun Fact: The K in J.K. Rowlings name is a made up initial. She was told by her publisher that boys would not read about a boy wizard written by a woman!

Are the Books Better than the Movies?

Yes and no. Yes because I firmly believe that books are always better than the movies. In this case, J.K. Rowling does a good job of creating images with her words that you can totally picture in your head. I also say no because there is something magical about the movies, as well. It’s fun to see if what you imagined is the same in the movies. As my daughter finishes a book, she watches the movie. She gets very upset with all the little changes from book to movie! She’s definitely my kid!

Definitely add the Harry Potter series to your list of things to introduce your kids to. There is nothing cuter than seeing kids running around yelling spells from the books, wearing the robes, drawing scars on their forehead and waving their wands! Plus, once you’ve become obsessed with it, you can then visit The Wizarding Word of Harry Potter at Universal Studios!

Bundle – 3 items: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger Magic Wands Child Harry Potter Deluxe Costume Medium Rubies Harry Potter Broom Rubie’s Harry Potter Golden Snitch Costume Accessory Douglas Cuddle Toys Stuffed Wizard Snowy Owl

Check out other books for kids and see if there is something else you would like to begin reading!

The Voice Inside (Frost Easton Series) by Brian Freeman

July 7, 2018 by Leah Leave a Comment

Serial killers, FBI, police, psychological thrillers, suspense, and series books are all types of books I tend to gravitate to. If the book successfully scares me while reading it, I consider it a great book! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve read something and then convinced myself someone was in my house. For most people, that would probably stop them from reading that particular type of book. Not me! When I found out that there was a second book available in the Frost Easton series by Brian Freeman, I jumped all over downloading The Voice Inside!

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

About The Voice Inside by Brian Freeman

Imagine finding out that the serial killer that killed your loved one may get out of jail on a technicality. I would have to imagine that would make you very angry. Now imagine that you are the cop that not only had your sister murdered by this psychopath, but also the cop that finds out that evidence that put this psychopath away, was planted. This is the exact predicament that Frost Easton finds himself in. This book becomes a race against time to find the evidence they need to put this serial killer in prison for good, where he belongs, before he kills again.

The Night Bird (Frost Easton Mystery Book 1)The Voice Inside: A Thriller (Frost Easton Book 2)

These two books by Brian Freeman are the first two that I’ve read by this particular author. For more information on these books and other great books he has out, you need to check out his website. I have added several books to my “to read” list on Goodreads. Feel free to check out my Goodreads page! I rate EVERY single book I read. It’s fun to keep track of what I am reading and whenever people ask me for suggestions, I can quickly get the names of different books to recommend!

Reading on my Kindle Paperwhite is my favorite thing to do. I also LOVE having a Kindle Unlimited membership. The amount of books I am able to read with this membership is crazy! It’s how I found Brian Freeman’s book, The Night Bird. I highly recommend it! Your first month is free! You can use a Kindle Paperwhite (what I use) or you can use the Amazon Kindle app on your iOS or Android device!

Please leave me a comment and let me know if you read this book…or if you have a book I just have to read, tell me that too!

The Night Bird (Frost Easton Series) by Brian Freeman

July 3, 2018 by Leah Leave a Comment

It’s summer and so far I have spent more time than I care to admit reading. My son is doing summer school and I’ve been hanging out near the school (it’s 30 minutes from our house) reading most of the time he’s there. If you remember, series books are my favorite. I try to read them as often as possible. The book I just finished reading, not too long ago, is part of the Frost Easton series, called The Night Bird by Brian Freeman.

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

The Night Bird by Brian Freeman, is a book that I received as part of the Amazon First Reads program (formally known as the Kindle First program). The first line of the description had me hooked:

What if you had to relive your most terrifying memory…over and over?

For me, I need to be able to connect with the book somehow. Whether it be with one of the characters, the theme, etc. With this particular book, I couldn’t help think about what it would be like to relive my most terrifying memory over and over. I had to see what happened in the book.

About The Night Bird (Frost Easton series)

From Amazon –

Homicide detective Frost Easton doesn’t like coincidences. When a series of bizarre deaths rock San Francisco—as seemingly random women suffer violent psychotic breaks—Frost looks for a connection that leads him to psychiatrist Francesca Stein. Frankie’s controversial therapy helps people erase their most terrifying memories…and all the victims were her patients.

As Frost and Frankie carry out their own investigations, the case becomes increasingly personal—and dangerous. Long-submerged secrets surface as someone called the Night Bird taunts the pair with cryptic messages pertaining to the deaths. Soon Frankie is forced to confront strange gaps in her own memory, and Frost faces a killer who knows the detective’s worst fears.

As the body count rises and the Night Bird circles ever closer, a dedicated cop and a brilliant doctor race to solve the puzzle before a cunning killer claims another victim.

From the moment I started this book, I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t help but wonder, if given the chance, would I want the opportunity to erase my most terrifying memory? Is that something we should allow people to have the opportunity to do? After reading the book, I can honestly say, that is NOT something I would want the ability to do! As tempting as it would be to get rid of bad memories, I’m good with keeping them tucked away where I can remember them if I want to!

What Do You Think?

Interested yet? The Night Bird is free with Kindle Unlimited. Don’t have a Kindle Unlimited account? Well guess what…this is your lucky day! Right now, for Amazon Prime day, they are running a promotion that you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for just $0.99! Say what?!? Simply click on the banner below and get started!

For more books by Brian Freeman, visit his website at brianfreemanbooks.com. He has several sets of series books that I want to start reading! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this book!

The Best Summer Reading List

April 29, 2018 by Leah 18 Comments

We are FINALLY starting to get warmer weather here in Michigan. While it was cold this weekend (think winter coats and hats…not even joking), the forecast for next we has 80 twice on it! I am beyond excited for the warmer weather and plan on enjoying a pedicure tomorrow to celebrate! Since summer is right around the corner, and for some people, school is out in about 30 days, it has me thinking about my reading list for the summer. To me, summer reading is the best! It doesn’t matter where you are reading…when the sun and warmth is involved, it’s the best!

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

Image via Pexels

I have a very eclectic taste in books. My number one favorite book to read are series books. I get super invested in the characters and I always like to know more. I’m not going to lie, when a series comes to an end, I get sad. It’s almost like saying goodbye to a friend. That probably makes me sound pathetic, but that’s OK. That’s how invested I get in the characters.

If you like reading with a Kindle (I totally do), then you need to check out Kindle Unlimited. Right now, for NEW Kindle Unlimited subscribers, you can get a three month membership for just $1.99!! It’s normally $9.99 per month! This is a HUGE savings! Give it a try! There are a lot of great series books (and non-series books) available on Kindle Unlimited!

Summer Reading List

I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for a new book to read. Getting suggestions from others is one of my favorite things to do. Not only do I value other people’s opinions about various books, but it gives us something to discuss afterwards! Below you will find all the books I think you should read this summer. Some are books that I have already read, while others are books on my list to read!

A Shade Of Vampire

The A Shade of Vampire series is one of my favorites (and it’s FREE on Kindle Unlimited). Remember how I told you I like series books? Well this series currently has 59 books out!! Each book is a quick read. Pick up the first few copies for your next vacation and you will be sure to be entertained! The style of writing is also something I very much like. Each book is written from the viewpoint of each character. You know who’s “talking” because the author puts their name at the top of each chapter. Definitely give this series a try!

When I’m Gone: A Novel

When I’m Gone is an absolutely beautifully written story about a woman that began writing her husband letters on day one of her cancer treatment. She arranged to have those letters delivered to him periodically throughout the first year she was gone, sometimes on special days (holidays, anniversaries, etc). It’s through those letters that this husband starts to unravel secrets that makes him question if he truly knew his wife and the life they lived, as well as helped him to see that life does go on. I absolutely LOVED this book. I could not put it down!

Saving Noah

This next book was another that I could not put down and it made me want to read everything by this author. Saving Noah challenges you to think about the unthinkable when it comes to your children. Will you still love them the same if they commit an act so heinous it makes you sick to your stomach and cringe, had you heard it about someone else? Will your family be able to withstand something like this? If you haven’t read this book, or anything by Lucinda Berry, you need to. She is an excellent author!

Say You’re Sorry (Morgan Dane Book 1)Her Last Goodbye (Morgan Dane Book 2)Bones Don’t Lie (Morgan Dane)What I’ve Done (Morgan Dane Book 4)

It’s time for another favorite series of mine! The Morgan Dane series is one where you will instantly connect with the characters and become wrapped up in the book. The first three books of the series are currently out. While the fourth book, What I’ve Done, can be pre-ordered and is set to release in September. This series is about a woman who started her career as a prosecutor. After helping a friend out by defending her son who has been accused of murder, Morgan has jumped the prosecutor ship and teamed up with a P.I. firm to begin defending those she would have otherwise put in jail.

The Memory Watcher

If you like a book that has you saying, “wait…what?” in the middle and then causes you to stay up late until you finish the book, then this book definitely needs to make your summer reading list. I remember when I read this book. I was at a lacrosse tournament for my son. While the kids played in the pool, I read. I actually gasped out loud, causing my daughter to ask me what was wrong, when I got to a certain point in the book. From that moment on, I read every second I could. I had to see how this book ended and I had to see how it ended right that second!

Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross Book 1)

James Patterson is my absolute favorite author. I have been reading his books for many years now. While James Patterson has a lot of stand alone books, I believe his series books are where he excels. The Alex Cross series is my favorite. The first book, Along Came a Spider (which was also adapted into a movie) captures your attention and has you on the edge of your seat. Visit James Patterson’s website for more info on the order of the Alex Cross series. I highly recommend this series.

1st to Die (Women’s Murder Club)

While I am singing James Patterson praises, another series by the same author that you need to add to your summer reading list is the Women’s Murder Club series. Like the Alex Cross series, you will get invested in these characters and literally begin chomping at the bit for the next one to be released. This series follows the four main characters: a homicide detective, a lawyer, a crime reporter and the city medical examiner. Together they make up the Women’s Murder Club and they join forces to solve some pretty horrible crimes.

Do You Ever Read Anything Else?

I pretty much tend to gravitate towards the serial killer, suspenseful type books. However, I also like to read memoirs written by various celebrities, autobiographies, and non-fiction books. Some of those books can be seen below. Like I said, I have a very eclectic taste in books!

sTORI Telling Spilled Milk: Based on a true story Scrappy Little Nobody Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs The Stranger Beside Me Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography Fat Girl Walking: Sex, Food, Love, and Being Comfortable in Your Skin…Every Inch of It Escape

If you have read any of the books above, please leave me a comment and tell me what you thought of them! I truly hope you add one or some of these books to your summer reading list. Also, if there are books that you think I just have to read, please tell me! I am always looking for books to read. To stay up to date on everything that is posted here, please consider signing up for my news letter. Your emails are secure and they will never be sold or used for any other purpose than to send updates when I post something new.

I hope you have a wonderful summer and enjoy your summer reading!