"The One" by John Marrs

In The One by John Marrs, five people take a DNA test hoping they will be matched with the perfect person for them.  They are all notified that the perfect match for them has been made--let the fun begin!  I thought this book was really good.  Loved all the characters and the five storylines to keep things interesting.  There is always something going on!  I LOVED IT!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Verity" by Colleen Hoover is So Good!

In Verity by Colleen Hoover, Lowen is on the brink of financial ruin when she gets a big break.  he is picked to finish a book series with a huge money upside started by Verity.  Verity cannot finish it because of health issues.  While at Verity's house, Lowen comes across a manuscript not meant for publication, but cannot put it down.  

Wow!  This book was so good!  It has a great story line and really good characters.  I found it hard to put down and the ending was fantastic!  Did not see it ending this way at all!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Crime Scene Connection" by Deena Alexander

Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander is about Addison who witnessed her mother's murder as a 3-yr-old hiding in a kitchen cabinet.  She wrote a murder mystery and now is trying to figure out who is doing real murders based on those in her book before other get killed, including herself!  She thinks it might be her ex-husband who is a dirty cop and who was abusive to her.  Jace, Addison's ex-husband's ex-partner, and his dog, Phoenix, try to protect Addison and in the process fall in love.  Although the romance part between Jace and Addison was predictable, I was surprised at who the killer was.  

This was a pretty good murder mystery with the personal journey of Addison and Jace learning to forgive and being drawn to each other.  It has suspense, mystery and romance all wrapped up together.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"The Last House on the Street" by Diane Chamberlain

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is about Ellie, a teenager during the 60s when civil rights was a very hot topic and the KKK was very active.  Ellie joins SCOPE against her parents' will which is an organization the canvasses Blacks to encourage them to register to vote.  In 2010, Ellie returns home from moving to California to take care of her sick brother and mother.  She meets Kayla, Ellie's ex-boyfriend's daughter and old memories come back.  The truth of what really happened to a Black guy named Win that Ellie fell in love with while working with SCOPE comes out.

This is a heartbreaking story about racial tension in the 60s.  It starts out pretty slow and goes back in forth in time alternately focusing on Ellie and Kayla.  It certainly has some surprising turn of events and shows a very dark part of U.S. history.  I was deeply engrossed in this book, but liked others by this author better.  This is a sad read, but interesting nonetheless.  (Karen's review, 4 stars) 

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Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer (the first of a series)

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer is told by two people--Tessa and Corrick.  Tessa is a young girl who wants her kingdom to take better care of the poor people.  She wants things to change.  Corrick is a young man who rules his kingdom with his brother.  They have a bond between them and both have a desire to improve things for their people.

This book is really good!  I loved both of the main characters and it has good action as well with a great story line including an early surprise that my wife nor I saw coming!  I look forward to book 2 in this series.  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)  

Karen's review, Oct. 27, 2021:

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer was an enjoyable read for me.  It is a fictional read about Prince Corrick and his brother who rule over the land of Kandara.  People are dying from an illness that is throughout the land and medicine is scarce and hoarded by the elite.  Tessa mixes the ingredients that Wes brings to her to make medicine and together they deliver it to the poor in need during the night.  Wes saved her life once and she loves him.  When a revolution breaks out, everyone is in danger!

I liked this book because although it is primarily character driven, there was enough action to keep it interesting.  I really liked the two main characters, Corrick and Tessa.  Corrick is the king's justice who is fighting his own personal battle.  (4 stars)

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"28 Summers" by Elin Hilderbrand is GREAT!

There are many different story lines in 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand, bu the main one is between Mallory and Jake.  Mallory is gifted a cottage by an aunt who passed away.  One weekend, her brother brings some of his guy friends with him to spend the weekend.  She is attracted to the one named Jake.  

I think this book is really, really good for several reasons:  (1) the writing, (2) lots of well developed characters, and (3) I never knew where this story was headed.  I LOVED IT!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)  

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"In Five Years" by Rebecca Serle is Wild!

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, Dannie is a numbers person and the numbers are working for her.  She works at a well-respected law firm and has a great boyfriend.  On her engagement night, it seems she fell asleep and is with another man and it's five years later.  How can this be?  When she wakes up, things are back to normal so she thinks it must have been a dream.  The man she dreamed about shows up in her life  4 1/2 years later.  What's going on?  

I think a woman would enjoy this book more than a guy; however, I give it 5 stars!  I loved the main character.  The book had good flow and kept me engaged throughout with a wild ending!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"The Witch's Heart" by Genevieve Gornichec (Author's first book)

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec centers on a witch left for dead and found by a man called Loki.  They fall in love and have three children; however, danger is coming.  Can this family survive?

I was lost in this world from page 1.  The author does a great job of building this adventure.  I really enjoyed the characters and the story that flowed along nicely.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Mandy and the Missouri Man" by Linda Ford

Mandy and the Missouri Man by Linda Ford is an interesting western romance about forgiveness.  Mandy and her two sisters are called the Buffalo Gals and live together where they provide food to the gold miners. Their pa left and one day Mandy discovers Trace and his 16-yr.-old sister, Cora, whose face was burned in the fire that killed their parents.  She is very self-conscious about letting anyone see her face.  At first, Mandy wants them off "her" land but becomes friends as they race to build their houses.  Trace is full of hate for those who set the fire killing his parents and his "friends" who he feels betrayed him.  

I enjoyed this book because the characters were likable and it is a clean romance without any sex scenes.  There is humor and even a kitten!  It was fun seeing the relationship between Mandy and Trace blossom.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)  

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"Water from my Heart" by Charles Martin is About Second Chances

Water from My Heart by Charles Martin is about Charlie Finn, a successful gambler and drug dealer who decides to straighten out when he realizes his and his partner's business is negatively affecting his partner's son and young daughter who comes close to death.  He becomes attracted to three women, Shelly, Amanda and Leena but really only falls in love with one.  In Nicaragua, he has quite an adventure!

This book moved along quite slowly; however, I found myself liking and rooting for Charlie to succeed.  Things picked up when he went after Zaul in Nicaragua and met Paulina and Paulo.  I liked the story, but not the writing.  It jumped around in time too much for my taste and I almost gave up on it.  The only thing that kept me reading was knowing Charlie was going to have a change of heart.  The theme can be summed up by the line, "Love with Legs" meaning showing love with your actions.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 5:  I was attracted to risk and not attracted to anything resembling hard work that benefited someone other than me.  If you were going to be dumb enough to risk your money in a card game, then I was going to be smart enough to take it from you.

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"Where the Forest Meets the Stars" by Glendy Vanderah

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah, is an interesting story about love.  A very smart little girl claiming to be an alien shows up at Jo's cottage with a wild story, no shoes and dirty clothes.  Jo tries to find out her name, but the girl refuses to say.  After searching missing person websites with no success, she grows attached to the child.  Gabe, a neighbor, allows the girl to visit his farm animals and she also becomes attached to Gabe.

This is a good story but moved a bit slow for my taste.  I liked the girl though and it kept my interest because I wanted to see how things would turn out.  I liked the ending.  It's more than just the mystery about the girl though.  It's also about walls people put up and how even adults are sometimes afraid to let people in.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

In Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah, Joanna is doing graduate research in the forest alone, the way she likes it!  One day a young girl shows up.  Who is she?  Joanna goes to the police, but gets no help.  Looks at missing children files and finds nothing!  Joanna lets her stay until she finds out who she is.

I thought this book was very good!  I was into it the whole way and really cared about the characters.  It moved right along.  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Teaser from page 3:  Jo could see her eyes now.  The intelligent glint in her gaze was oddly shrewd for her baby face, and Jo took that as a sign that she knew it was all in fun.  "If you're an alien, why do you look human?"

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"A Heart So Fierce and Broken" by Brigid Kemmerer

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer is the second book of this series about Rhen, Grey and Harper.  In this book, the main characters are Grey, Lila Mara and Hunter's brother and friend--Jacob and Noah.  The focus is on Grey's secret and the efforts of Lila Mara's country to form an alliance with Rhen.  Will there be war or can a peace agreement be reached?  Will Grey and Lila fall in love, perhaps rule together?  How will Rhen protect his people?

I enjoyed this book as well, especially since I like Grey and this was all about him.  There was fighting, new relationships formed and a cliff hanging ending.  Can't wait to read the next book in the series!  I was somewhat disappointed in the small part Harper had in this book; however, I did like Lila Mara and found myself routing for her and Grey.  I also liked the scarver, Iisak who brought another facet to the story.  There was not a lot of magic in this one, just a little here and there.  I enjoyed Jacob's brother in this and the banter between him and Grey.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review:
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmererfocuses on Grey, the former captain of the guards protecting Rhen.  Lia Mara is the new character in this book that plays a main role along with Grey.  She tries to make a peaceful alliance with Rhen, but appears to have failed.  I thought this book was very, very good!  I enjoyed the interaction among all the characters.  The pacing of the book is very good also so I am looking forward to book 3!  (5++ stars)

See our review of the first book in this series, A Curse So Dark and Lonely.

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"Beyond Hope's Valley" by Tricia Goyer

Image from Goodreads

Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer is the last book in the Big Sky series about Mari's two marriage options.  Will she choose the good Amish man she grew up with or leave the Amish way for Ben, the man who captured her heart?  Ben pursues his music career in this book and Mari moves back to Indiana to help her brother and Naomi during Naomi's pregnancy. 

This book dragged a bit for me.  It seemed it could have been wrapped up quicker.  It became kind of repetitive and tiresome for me.  I did not like this one as well as I did the others. 
(Karen's review, 3 stars)


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"Along Wooded Paths" by Tricia Goyer

Image from Goodreads

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer is an enjoyable read about an Amish girl who has two men romantically interested in her.  One, is Aaron, the Amish man she grew up with in Indiana, and the other not Amish, Ben, who serves an Amish community in Montana.  During her time in Montana, she discovers God in a new way and realizes that even people who are not Amish can be close to God!  She begins to question some of her traditions she grew up with and does a lot of thinking.  This is book 2 of The Big Sky series.

I enjoyed this book very much.  The characters were well developed and were very believable.  It was also interesting learning some things about the Amish I hadn't known before.  I liked that the reader got to know Ben's and Aaron's thoughts and not just Marianna's.  I felt for the characters as I read.   
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 15, Loc. 249-50:  But the closer he got, the more he questioned if that would be the case.  Had the distance ruined any chance of the love he'd once counted on?

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"Beside Still Waters"--A Big Sky novel by Tricia Goyer

(image from Goodreads)

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer is an interesting Amish romance novel.  Marianna is an Amish girl who has always tried to do right and obey the Amish rules to be sure to not disappoint her parents.  Her two older sisters were killed in a buggy accident the day she was born and feels like she is a constant reminder to her parents of their deaths.  When her parents decide to move away from their Amish community in Indiana to Montana, she is very upset, as she is hoping to start dating Aaron Zook.  When she learns her mother is pregnant again, Marianna has no choice but to move with them to help.  To her surprise, she likes Montana and meets some very nice English people who begin to make her question some things she always believed.

I enjoyed this book but did not like how abruptly it ended.  I assume there must be a sequel which I will look for.  This is different from most other Amish stories I've read in that this one has the Amish interacting with the English in Montana instead of just being in their own little community.  I think anyone who enjoys stories about families would like this one.
(Karen's review, 5 stars) 

Teaser from page 42, Loc. 740-41 on Kindle:  Life in the Englisch world wasn't easy.  Some Amish didn't have birth certificates or Social Security cards.  Even harder was their lack of education, and work was hard to find.

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"REBEL" by Marie Lu

REBEL by Marie Lu is told by two brothers, Daniel (Day) and Eden. Eden is the younger brother and Daniel aka Day is a legend. They now live in Ross City, Antarctica in 2142 AD where the higher level you are, the better standard of living you have. Eden gets mixed up with a mob boss who would like nothing better than to get rid of the levels and run things his way. Daniel is an Antarctic Intelligence Service agent who goes after the criminals. The deeper Eden gets involved with the mob, even Daniel might not be able to save him! This book is so good! I loved being back with Day and June again from The Legend series. This book had a good flow to it and had plenty of action.
(Gerard’s review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review:
Eden, at an illegal drone race in the undercity. Eden is trying to become his own person and establish his place in the world away from his brother’s shadow. Daniel is still seeing Eden as his little brother who needs his protection.

I enjoyed this book, it just didn’t grab me like the others did. It was fun seeing the brother’s relationship develop as they both move into adulthood. The romance between Day and June picks back up and was kind sweet. I think if you enjoyed the prior books in the Legend series, you will enjoy this one as well.  (4 stars)


Teaser from page 13: Me? I’m the nerd with bad eyesight who likes building things and framing flowers. When I speak, my voice is higher and softer than my brother’s. He is the hero who never has nightmares anymore. I am the odd, quiet one that he still treats like a kid.



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"Making a Play" by Abbi Glines

Making a Play by Abbi Glines teen fiction about the romance between 18-yr.-old Ryker, an outstanding high school football receiver who uses girls and the quarterback's twin sister, Aurora, who is deaf and just starting at the school.  Ryker is immediately attracted to her and she finds him attractive and nice.  Although her brother and her friend warn her about him, she is determined to get to know him and make up her own mind.  The fact that she is white he is black does not bother her at all, but her dad has a different opinion. 

I liked this book better as it went along.  As Ryker changes to become more worthy of Aurora, the language improves.  I would have enjoyed more football action but that was just a backdrop.  The main story was about Aurora adjusting to a new school and fitting in even though she was deaf and how Ryker changed and started really caring for her.  Her brother was sweet to in how he wanted to protect her and look out for her.  I liked that chapters alternated between Ryker's point of view and Aurora's.  It went fast.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 32:  She knew he wouldn't accept me when he found out about my being deaf.  I was disappointed, but it was an emotion I knew well.  I would survive.  

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"Under Currents" by Nora Roberts

Under Currents by Nora Roberts is a very interesting read about overcoming domestic violence. Zane, 14, who dreamed of becoming a pitcher for the Orioles, and his younger sister Britt are physically and emotionally abused by their well-respected parents and comprise the main story line which follows them into adulthood.

 I really liked Zane and his sister as well as their aunt Emily. Another subplot is Darby who divorced her abusive husband pretty quickly and after her mother died in an automobile accident, moved to Walker Lakeside Bungalows in North Carolina to buy her own home and start up her landscaping business. Darby took self-defense classes after her divorce so knows how to defend herself. (Zane and her are my favorite characters so was happy when they became an item.) The third subplot is about Clint and Traci Draper, another domestic violence situation where Clint’s family lives all around and spies on Traci constantly. This book has bright spots though too, it is not all fighting. I enjoyed the addition of Zod, the ugly dog and liked learning some about a landscaping business. I also enjoyed the happy family interactions.

I liked this book a lot because it was interesting to me how people helped those who were in the abusive situations. It has some violence, action, love, family, romance and mystery. It is contemporary fiction and one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about relationships and family issues. It could also be considered inspirational for anyone who is suffering from domestic violence or abuse.
(Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review:
Under Currents by Nora Roberts centers on Zane Bigelow.  Zane has a rough childhood as he has an abusive father who gives beatings to everyone in the family!  Zane feels he has to do something to put a stop to this.  He also deals with this when he grows into manhood.  The book is divided into four parts.  The first part is very good and action packed.  The fourth part is also very good and has good action in it. 

The second and third parts I did not enjoy as much.  The author has a good flow to this book and keeps things moving along.  I liked Zane, Darby and Zod the best!  On the strength of the first and last parts, I give this book 5 stars.

Teaser from page 390 (Large print version): “All of them, every one, had played a part in ruining his life, in humiliating him. He would ruin theirs, every one.”


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"Queen of Sorrow" by Sarah Beth Durst (Book 3 in Queens of Renthia Series) Great Series!

Gerard's review:
The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst is the final book in the Queens of Renthia trilogy.  Queen Aleina wants peace for her land and now with Queen Naelin at her side, things look bright for the future!  But, when Naelin's children are taken by other spirits, she has reason to believe that Queen Merecot is behind it and Naelin wants her children back!  If it means war, then so be it.  This book is really, really good just like the previous two.  The writing is very good as well!  This is one you get into right away and hate to put down!  I loved the interaction among all the characters and was glad to see the wolf, Bayn, back in this one.  Love that wolf!  (5++ stars)


The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst is a wonderful finish to the Queens of Renthia trilogy, my favorite fantasy trilogy of all time! I loved this story so much, I was disappointed to see it end—even though I liked the ending. Queen Merecot had Naelin’s children kidnapped and brought to her castle in Semo and also got rid of the wolf Bayn, having her spirits chase him into the untamed lands! Merecot enters into a power struggle with the Queens of Aratay in the hopes of getting enough “spirit” power to change the spirits for good. We also meet Ven’s family, Queen Daleina’s sister, and Cajara, a new heir candidate. There is much death and some sadness in this but it is well balanced with joyful occasions, humor and happiness.

I liked all of the queens in this book and enjoyed their negotiations and scheming as well. I was pleased with Naelin’s decision in the end and enjoyed her journey! What a trip! I am normally not one for politics, but really was drawn into the political aspects of this book. I really hope the author comes up with some more books about Renthia! I want to know what happens with Merecot, Arid, Ven and Naelin, Hannah and of course, Queen Daleina. The characters are so well developed and the writing is amazing! I liked that it has so many characters without being confusing. Sarah Beth Durst has officially become my favorite fantasy author!
(Karen's review 3/22/19, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 32: As she flew, she flung her mind out like a net, catching every spirit within fifty miles and driving them toward Semo. SAVE MY CHILDREN! ATTACK!

See our other reviews for this series:  The Queen of Blood and The Reluctant Queen

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"Watching (The Making of Riley Paige--Book 1) by Blake Pierce

Watching (The Making of Riley Paige—Book 1) by Blake Pierce is a thriller about a couple murders on a college campus Both victims were friends of Riley Sweeny, who tries to figure out who the killer was on her own by pretending to get into the killer’s mind by re-enacting what the killer probably did. Riley, a senior psychology major becomes a target herself.

This book has a lot of grammatical errors and moved along fairly slowly. I thought it was okay but did not care for all the bar scenes, and the story line wasn’t very believable. I don’t know if I want to continue reading this series or not.
 (Karen's review, 2 stars)

Teaser from page 9: And Riley could see at least one thing that was wrong. About halfway down the hall, a girl was collapsed on her knees, sobbing.


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