Mary Maiden, Mother, Matriarch by Ana Brigida Gomez

Rated:  5 star rating 

Trigger Warnings:

Violence and Death

I just finished reading Mary: Maiden, Mother, Matriarch by Ana Brigida Gomez, and it is a wonderful book. 

The story follows the life of Mary from her early days growing up in Nazareth, through the years of raising Jesus, and into her later role helping the early Christian community. To flesh out the history, the author adds creative details and conversations that are not found in scripture. A great example of this is a fictional character named Bethany, who is introduced as a close friend of Mary to help illustrate what daily life and friendships were like for women during that time period.

There is also a lot of imagined detail about Jesus as he grows from a young boy into a man, showing his everyday interactions with Mary and Joseph in their small town before his ministry begins.

 Even with these fictional additions, the book provides a very good rendering of the Bible, Jesus, Mary, and the rest of the family.  It treats the source material with great respect and successfully makes these historical figures feel relatable and human. I definitely recommend it as an engaging and inspiring fictional Christian read.

Thank you BookSirens, Astrogea Books, and author Ana Brigida Gomez, for providing me with this ebook review consideration, in exchange for an honest review.  

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Parables Up the Mountain A Seeker's Trail by Joey Doherty

Rated: 4 star rating

I recently read Parables Up the Mountain by Joey Doherty, and it was a really surprising read. Just to clear something up first, it isn't actually a nonfiction book, but it's a fictional story that teaches lessons about real life. The author is a real clinical counselor and wilderness guide, so he uses his actual background to tell a neat story about finding peace.

The story is about a guy called the Seeker who is totally sick of modern society and wants answers about life and God. He decides to climb up a huge mountain to find a legendary Master who is supposed to know everything. The Seeker wants to do this all by himself, but he runs into a very strange, peculiar guy on the trail, named Coyote. Coyote says he believes in Jesus Christ. I feel Seeker isnt sure what he believes, he says he doesnt believe in God. But, like his name, i believe he is seeking.

They end up hiking together, and Coyote keeps telling riddles and parables that challenge how the Seeker views the world. The characters are simple but they make you think about your own life.

The Seeker represents all of us when we get stressed out and want answers. Coyote is like that friend who makes you look at things differently, and the Master is the goal everyone is trying to reach. The mountain itself feels like a character because the author writes so much about nature and how being outside helps heal your mind.

It is a quick and easy book to read, but it leaves you with a lot to think about. It feels like an old folklore story, but it helps with modern problems like stress and fear of failing. If you feel burnt out by the world or just love being out in nature, I definitely recommend giving this one a try. I think this would be good read as an audio book, too.

Thank you BookSirens, Skyroot Books, and author Joey Doherty, for providing me with this ebook review consideration, in exchange for an honest review. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Curses, Critters, and Other Complications A Lancaster Witch Chronicle: Book 1 by Kat Farrow

Rating: 5 star rating

You are going to love Curses, Critters, and Other Complications by Kat Farrow. It fits into the adult cozy fantasy and contemporary fantasy genres, but it has that amazing young adult crossover appeal because it is such a clean, gentle, and universally relatable read.

The story takes place in the quiet town of Lancaster and follows a multigenerational family of witches who have hidden their magic from the world, and from some of their own family, for years. In fact, Sara has kept her mother's witchcraft a secret from her husband, Nathan, for nine whole years! Everything gets turned upside down during a weekend visit when Sara's daughters bring their pet guinea pig, Ralph, to grandmother Ellen's house. It turns out Ralph isn't a guinea pig at all, but a shapeshifter locked under a crazy, layered curse. To handle it, Ellen and her witch friend Margie secretly swap the real Ralph for a magically bespelled decoy guinea pig, triggering a giant domino effect of magical accidents.

Suddenly, the daughters' own magical gifts start rapidly breaking through, making the big family secret impossible to hide anymore.

The characters are incredibly lovable and fun. There is Ellen, the wise grandmother witch, and Sara, who is totally stressed out trying to manage the chaos. Nathan is a super perceptive dad who starts demanding real answers to all the unexplainable, weird things happening around the house. My favorite character is Murgawth, Ellen’s telepathic cat companion, who is the first to notice something is wrong with Ralph and has the most hilarious, sarcastic wit.

We also learn pretty quickly that Ralph absolutely despises a reclusive old hag living in the area and is doesn't want to be taken back to her, because he hates her.. However, as the family unravels the magical mystery, they eventually track down the old hag. When they find her, she finally explains the real history and truth behind their relationship, and they end up giving Ralph back to her.

What makes this book so special is how naturally the magic fits right in with everyday family chaos, chores, and domestic life. The ending wraps up with a great sense of closure, completely solving the mystery of Ralph's curse and bringing the family together for a emotional reconciliation where the family finally tell each other the truth. It leaves you feeling incredibly warm inside and perfectly sets up the story for the next book in A Lancaster Witch Chronicle series. I definitely recommend giving this one a read.

Thank you NetGalley, Lore Weaver Press, and author Kat Farrow, for providing me with this ebook review consideration, in exchange for an honest review.

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Last Day on the Blue Wonder by Les Carroll

Rated: 5 star rating

Please note that this book deals with heavy topics including sexual assault, drugging, military combat violence, physical peril, and the grief of losing a parent.

I really loved Last Day on the Blue Wonder by Les Carroll. It is an intense, gripping book about Andy Herring, an American soldier who retires from the military after a severe battlefield injury in Afghanistan that prevents him from deploying, so instead of taking an administrative or instructor type job, he decides to just retire instead. Just days after retiring, his mom breaks the devastating news that his father has passed away. Andy moves back home to Gloucester, Massachusetts, to honor his dad's dream by taking over his old tuna-fishing boat, the Blue Wonder.

Things get complicated when Andy runs into Amanda, the brave military medic who saved his life overseas. Amanda is escaping an abusive situation and a horrific trauma after a fellow military man drugged and assaulted her without consent. Andy tries to help Amanda and her young daughter start over, but they are followed by danger. Out on the ocean, they must navigate treacherous waves while escaping threats from their past. 

This romance and suspense thriller feels incredibly real because the author is a veteran. I won't give away the ending, but the final ocean chapters are amazing. You should grab a copy of this book. I felt it was a great read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Köehler Books, and author Les Carroll for this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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The Bachelor Spy A Freddie and Grace Mystery by Pepper Basham

Rated: 5 star rating

I just finished reading The Bachelor Spy by Pepper Basham, and it is a great, cozy mystery that is a must-read. The book starts off with intense action during a ship sinking, where a British intelligence operative named Stephen Blake is shot and survives. Months later, Stephen is sent on an undercover mission to Havensbrooke Hall, an English estate owned by his cousin Frederick. 

The estate has been turned into a World War I convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers while Frederick is serving on the war front. Stephen's top secret mission is to root out a dangerous German spy known as the "Midnight Angel" who is hiding out at the house. 

Things get highly complicated because Stephen's former spy colleague, Evie Montgomery, is also undercover at the estate disguised as a maid. In the meantime, Stephen and Evie try to figure out each other's secret motives. 

Frederick's wife, Lady Grace Astley, is running the hospital. Grace is such a lovable character with a spunky personality, and she is completely obsessed with reading mystery novels. Even with her soft heart, she becomes a force to be reckoned with. She notices that household items are being stolen around the mansion and starts her own parallel investigation. The espionage and the thievery plots collide in a surprising climax. 

The story is filled with exciting details like a kidnapping, cases of mistaken identity, a romantic closet scene, and a race against time through a crumbling subterranean tunnel beneath the old clergy house.  

It is a wonderful, lighthearted, and exciting book that keeps you guessing until the end. This ebook is a must-read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Barbour Publishing, and author Pepper Basham for this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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Decluttering at the Speed of Life Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White author and narrator

Rated: 5 star rating

I am so glad I found the audiobook for Decluttering at the Speed of Life. I absolutely love how the author, Dana K. White, does her own narrating because her voice keeps you interested to the very end. She is funny and honest about her own messy house, so you never feel judged while listening. It feels like you are just listening to a friend talk about controlling all the extra stuff taking over your home.

I can't wait to listen to this method and use it while I clean. Her main rule is the Container Concept, which means your closets and shelves are only meant to hold so much, they are the container. If your things do not fit, you have to get rid of stuff until they do. She also talks about using the one in, one out rule to help control the container that is filling up. She gives you a plan where you start by tossing real trash, moving things that already have a home, and getting rid of obvious junk. If you get stuck on an item, she says to ask yourself where you would look for it if you lost it. I plan to repeat, repeat, and repeat this process every time until it becomes second nature for me. 

This book is perfect if you feel completely overwhelmed by your house. It is simple, it makes sense, and it is the best book I have found to help you finally clear out your rooms without getting stressed. This is a great book for decluttering and you definitely need to get this audiobook

Thank you, NetGalley, HCCP & HCF Audio, author and narrator Dana K. White, for providing me with a copy of this audiobook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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This is a review of the audiobook.

Return to Sender A Novel by Stephanie Parente

Rating: 3 star rating

I just finished Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente. This story has graphic sexual content alongside heavy emotional themes like grief and the death of a parent. The main characters include a queer teen female and two bisexual adults. LGBTQIA+ content.

The story is a classic grumpy meets sunshine romance mixed with a cross-country road trip, but it also deals with some really heavy family stuff. It follows a twenty-six-year-old woman named Violet, who suddenly has to raise her rebellious fourteen-year-old sister, Phoebe, after their dad tragically dies in a car crash. 

Violet is drowning under the stress of overnight parenthood, especially after her fiancé heartlessly dumps her right after the funeral. They sell their fathers house in Rhode Island and move into a tiny new apartment in Boston to get a fresh start. They receive a romantic love letter that shows up in their mailbox marked return to sender. Phoebe, who is a witty but depressed queer teen navigating terrible grief, opens the letter. Seeing the mystery behind it is the first thing that makes her smile since the accident, so Violet is willing to do absolutely anything to keep that smile on her face. To keep her sister happy, Violet tracks down the guy who wrote the letter, a brooding, prickly, and heavily guarded guy named Benji "Dex" Dexter. He works at a local center for at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth, which shows he secretly has a huge heart under his harsh, quiet exterior.  

Phoebe somehow convinces Dex and Violet to all jump into a beat-up car together for a cross country road trip to deliver the letter to Dex's long-lost ex-girlfriend, Catalina. As they drive farther west, sleeping in cheap motels and eating diner food, the close quarters force Violet and Dex to lower their defenses. They start building an undeniable, slow-burning chemistry, which gets super complicated since they are literally driving toward the woman Dex originally set out to win back. When they finally reach their destination, everyone is forced to stop running from their pasts and face reality. 

The ending doesn't feel like a fairy tale but gives you a realistic, happy romantic ending. Even better, it focuses a lot on how the sisters heal from losing their dad and how they finally learn to move forward together, which was my favorite part. 

If you like slow-burn romances with a lot of feelings and a good road trip vibe, you will love this ebook. It is an easy, fast read that will make you laugh and cry. But some of the content I personally did not agree with, so i only gave it a 3 star rating, but others may not agree.

Thank you, NetGalley, Random House, author Stephanie Parente, for this free ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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Fortune's Price A Gold Rush Odyssey by Frank Nissen

Rated:  5 star rating

Fortune’s Price by Frank Nissen is a really great book about a 14 year old kid named Pegg who is trying to make it during the California Gold Rush.  After his dad dies of a fever, on the way out west, Pegg gets stuck with the lousy partner named Fred Hoyt.  

Hoyt is a total jerk who just drinks, gambles, and hates on the Chinese miners, so Pegg dumps him to work on his own.  Pegg gets help from some good Chinese friends, Sun Shu and Chen Yi, who look out for him and his dog Bugle. To keep his gold safe from Hoyt, Pegg has to hide his money in tobacco tins, use fake names, and get tips from a smart bank clerk girl named Lila.  

He works hard digging in the river with older miners like Harvey and Osher, all while finding out from his mom's letters that Hoyt had cheated his family back home, too.

The story has awesome action, like Pegg tracking Hoyt's crutch prints through the bushes. It all ends in a crazy, dangerous fistfight right in the middle of a rushing river.  Hoyt gets violent, but Pegg fights him off in the deep rapids, saves Fortune’s Price by Frank Nissen is a really great book about a 14-year-old kid named Pegg trying to make it during the California Gold Rush. After his dad dies on the way out west, Pegg gets stuck with a lousy partner named Fred Hoyt. Hoyt is a total jerk who just drinks, gambles, and hates on the Chinese miners, so Pegg dumps him to work on his own. Pegg gets help from some good Chinese friends, Sun Shu and Chen Yi, who look out for him and his dog Bugle. To keep his gold safe from Hoyt, Pegg has to hide his money in tobacco tins, use fake names, and get tips from a smart clerk girl named Lila. He also works hard digging in the river with older miners like Harvey and Osher, all while finding out from his mom's letters that Hoyt had cheated his family back home, too.

The story has awesome action, like Pegg tracking Hoyt's crutch prints through the bushes. It all ends in a crazy, dangerous fistfight right in the middle of a rushing river.  Hoyt gets violent, but Pegg fights him off in the deep rapids, saves his gold, and finally beats the bad guy. This a great book that you need to check out.

Thank you, NetGalley, Black Rose Writing, and author Frank Nissen, for providing me with a copy of this ebook for book review consideration.  All review opinions are my own.

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Leaving Marinella An Italian Immigrant Family Saga, from Sicily to America by Christopher Amato

Rated: 5 star rating 

This book is absolutely incredible. It is a huge family story that starts in the fictional town of Marinella, Sicily, back in the late 1800s and goes all the way to modern times. 

The story begins with a couple named Saverio and Rosa, but after a tragedy, their young son Tommaso ends up coming to America alone as an orphan in 1900. He has a really rough time moving between places like New York, Detroit, and finally Norfolk, Virginia. He changes his name to Thomas and tries so hard to just be a regular American that he lets go of his Italian roots just to survive.  

Then, the book jumps way into the future to his grandson,Tony. Tony ends up going back to Sicily to figure out his family history, learn the language, and he falls in love with a local woman named Michela. 

It is amazing how the story comes full circle. The author knows Italy really well because you can practically smell the food and see the beautiful coast when Tony is exploring.  

I loved how this book showed the difference between the grandpa who had to give up his culture to survive, and the grandson who got to go back and find it. It makes you really think about your own family history. It is a beautiful, emotional, and easy to read story that keeps you interested the whole time. 

If you love a good family story, with beautiful settings, and historical details that feel real, you have to read this book.

Thank you, NetGalley, Black Rose Writing, and author Christopher Amato, for providing me with a copy of this ebook for book review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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The Dragon Mountain by Mathieu Pierloot author Illustrated by François Maumont

Rated: 5 star rating

I just read The Dragon Mountain by Mathieu Pierloot, and it is such a cute, fun little fantasy book. The digital version looks awesome because the pictures by François Maumont are full of bright colors that really make the story pop. 

The story is about two young witch nieces named Lilith and Medusa. They are out in the woods looking for potion stuff when they run into a boy named Julian and his pet duck. They look in his bag and find out he stole a huge dragon egg from some sleeping robgoblins. The kids end up naming the baby dragon Fabulous, and they find out he is actually a legendary Stormbringer's baby. 

Since a mad mother dragon will be looking for her little one, the kids have to team up, cross a magical lake, and get Fabulous back home safely. The characters are great together. Their uncle Otto is a goofy wizard who helps a bit, but the kids have to do the heavy lifting. Lilith and Medusa are really smart, Julian is brave even though he is in over his head, and the duck is super funny. The writing is simple and makes you laugh out loud.  

Overall, it is just a nice, happy adventure about friendship and doing the right thing. It is not dark or scary at all. It is perfect for kids starting chapter books or for a sweet bedtime story. I highly recommend it if you want something fun and easy to read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Publisher Spotlight Post Wave, and author Mathieu Pierloot and Illustrator François Maumont, for providing me with a copy of this illustrated ebook for ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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