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Review of...Tip the Piano Man by Rosetta Diane Hoessli   Six-year-old Piper

Six-year-old Piper is the innocent victim of unspeakable abuse. When Piper’s mother is found murdered, her absent father, Luke Callaghan, is located. Drawn back into Piper's life, Luke teams up with psychologist Dr. Madison Wagner to uncover the truth behind the murder and bring the perpetrator to justice. Their investigation plunges them into the dark and dangerous criminal underworld of drugs and child exploitation, forcing them to confront unimaginable horrors as they fight to protect...

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Review of...Three Waves One Ocean by Kathryn Beck Lauren and Taylor are

Lauren and Taylor are best friends, whose enduring bond others struggle to comprehend. This is a saga of friendship, woven over decades. Lauren, blessed with a grandfather's wisdom, embraces the present, while Taylor's ambition often obscures his true emotions. Through the joys and sorrows of life, their connection provides a constant anchor. This story delves into the complexities of love, birth, and death and the possibility of friendship blossoming into something more.

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Review of...Hidden Treasures by Kathleen Buckley This story is a historical

This story is a historical fiction set in Georgian England that is similar to a Charles Dickens’ classic. Upon the death of their father, two sisters, Rosabel (Rose) and Oriana (Ory), find themselves victims of a law that favors only male heirs. With Rose still shy of legal age and Ory even younger, they fall under the guardianship of Horace Stanbury, a distant cousin, who is overbearing and sinister. Meanwhile, Allan Everard, a Baron's illegitimate son, struggles to forge his own path,...

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Review of...Mine to Tell by Colleen Donnelly  For generations,

For generations, Annabelle's family has been ashamed of her great-grandmother Julianne's mysterious past. Determined to find the truth, Annabelle embarks on a mission to renovate Julianne's long-abandoned house and decode the secret messages hidden within. But as she delves deeper into her family's history, she finds herself torn between her unsupportive fiancé, who actively tries to hinder her progress, and the childhood neighbor who becomes her unexpected confidant and ally. As he wisely...

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Review of...The Cough of Birds (A Lyle Dahms Mystery Book 2) by Brian

Private investigator Lyle Dahms is back in the second in the series that takes place at the Renaissance Festival outside of Minneapolis. Lyle must come to the aid of his geeky friend Stephen Edgerton when a member of Stephen’s medieval armory circle is murdered, even if Steven doesn’t appreciate his efforts. Amidst the revelry, Lyle meets Naomi, a wench at the festival pub, and becomes entangled in a perplexing murder involving a crossbow on the festival grounds. Further murders follow and...

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Review of...The Shiver in Her Eyes (A Lyle Dahms Mystery Book 1) by Brian

The first in the Lyle Dahms series introduces a flawed yet endearing private investigator, his geeky friend Stephen Edgerton, and homicide detective Augustus Tarkof in this crime noir that Dashiel Hammet and Raymond Chandler fans will love. Lyle Dahms is a PI in Minneapolis – not Sam Spade of California - but with just as distinctive and unique of a voice. When Lyle goes undercover at a crime scene, he becomes involved in a murder investigation with mob ties. Carmen, an aptly named femme...

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Review of...Chance's Return by by Lucy Kubash  A sweet, modern western

A sweet, modern western romance

In the heart of Wyoming near Jackson Hole, an unlikely connection sparks between Chance, a weathered cowboy carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Casey, a gentle librarian seeking healing of her own far from her Midwestern roots. Their blossoming romance promises a fresh start, but their tragic pasts threaten to keep them separated. Bound by heartbreak, Chance and Casey must confront their pasts and decide if they're willing to risk everything...

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Review of...Women and Adversity – Honoring 23 Black Women by Jo Ann A.

After having read Women and Adversity – Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists, I downloaded Honoring 23 Black Women and read it in a couple of hours. It’s a fast read, plus I couldn’t put it down, reading about one remarkable African American woman to the next and the next, all the way to the end. Some names are recognizable. Others are obscure. Some have impressive accomplishments in math, science, literature, the arts and so much more. Others are amazing for their ability to overcome great...

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Review of...Women and Adversity – Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists by Jo

This book is an inspiring and informative tribute to the remarkable women, both historical figures and contemporary activists, who dedicated their lives to women's suffrage. Through carefully researched and thoughtfully written short pieces, the collection illuminates the diverse contributions of each woman, moving beyond mere facts to capture the spirit and dedication that fueled their struggle. Written with profound respect and care, this is a vital resource that belongs in every library...

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Review of...Charm City Spouse's Club (A Charm City Mystery) by Pamela Kyel

In the port city of Baltimore lurks a killer with a peculiar choice of weapon. Special Agent Laci Duvall of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations finds herself embroiled in another perplexing murder case when the president of a military spouse's club is found dead, stabbed by a pink flamingo. With a colorful cast of suspects ranging from rival club members to disgruntled neighbors and fair-weather friends, Laci and her trusty sidekicks embark on a hilarious and twisty investigation...

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Review of...Eternal Seas by N. Christine Samuelson Ella Rowe seeks a

Ella Rowe seeks a fun-filled vacation with her best friend, Janie, in Key West, only to bump into Navy pilot Daniel Ellsworth, a man who won’t give up in his pursuit of her. A series of fateful encounters draws them together, but Ella is caught up in a mysterious past she's desperately tried to outrun – a past filled with haunting memories, a deep-seated fear of the ocean, and echoes of past lives. Drawn to the Victorian house on Lighthouse Lane that some say is haunted, Ella begins to...

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Review of...Books & Bribes by Lucinda Race In the charming coastal town of

In the charming coastal town of Pembroke Cove, Maine, Lily Michaels' life takes an enchanting turn when she discovers she's a witch, a secret she shares with her eccentric Aunt Mimi. But magic isn't the only surprise in store. When a shocking murder occurs at the local library, just as Lily was settling in for an Agatha Christie movie, she finds herself drawn into a real-life whodunit. Now, while juggling newfound magical abilities, Lily must also unravel the mystery surrounding the crime,...

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Review of...From Ash & Darkness by J. L. Sullivan  Brace yourself for

Brace yourself for another chilling descent into the shadowy world of djinn with the sequel to "From Brick and Darkness." This installment ratchets up the tension, delivering a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat experience as we reunite with our three teenage djinn fighters (that means fighters of evil demons) as they save family, friends, and foes alike. Can’t wait for the next installment.

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Review of...From Brick and Darkness by J. L. Sullivan  J.L. Sullivan's

J.L. Sullivan's "From Brick and Darkness" throws a twist on familiar tropes when three high-schoolers confront beings from another plane. Imagine Harry, Ron, and Hermione (without magical abilities) thrust into the eerie world of Stranger Things. This young adult novel transcends its genre, delving into serious themes of good and evil, death, and greed. Despite venturing outside my typical reading preferences, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story and eager to read its sequel.

Here...

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Review of...A Murder of Convenience by Kathleen Buckley  This locked-room

This locked-room murder mystery that takes place in pre-Regency England offers a glimpse into a time when social constraints and the lack of modern forensics made solving crimes almost impossible. Magistrate Hugh Montgomery must unravel the mystery with cunning, observation, and persistence, to save Ellen, the chief suspect and his childhood crush.

Imagine being a woman in a time when your voice barely mattered and your power was almost nonexistent. Now imagine becoming the prime suspect in a...

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Review of...Out of the Shadows: Coming Home (Scoops and Schemes Book 4) by

In a departure from the familiar focus on Sophia, this compelling narrative centers on Silvia, a resilient 12-year-old rescued from a harrowing past. As the daughter of a former Soviet Satellite leader, Silvia suffers from neglect, having endured years of child labor. She finds solace and healing under the care of Dr. Giselle Czlewski. More than just a psychologist, Giselle becomes instrumental in Silvia's recovery, the rehabilitation of her fellow rescued girls, and even the vision of the...

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Review of...Cinnamon Bourbon & Deception (Scoops and Schemes Book 3) by

Nancy MacCreery has done it again! I've thoroughly enjoyed following Sophia, the ambitious journalist and PR maven, through her career moves and life changes, and this latest installment plunges her into a new workplace hierarchy ripe with challenges. Meanwhile, her steadfast boyfriend, Chuck, faces a crisis of his own, battling corporate wrongdoing within his very company that threatens both his employees and the environment. As both Sophia and Chuck reach their breaking points, the tension...

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Review of...Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox by L.B. Griffi "Secret, Shame,

"Secret, Shame, and a Shoebox" plunges the reader into the life of Hettie, a suddenly independent and somewhat naive young woman navigating 1957 London. Forced to find her own footing through employment and housing, Hettie's journey is further complicated by the mystery surrounding her parentage. Along the way, she encounters a cast of characters, both supportive and adversarial, leading her down unexpected paths. Having thoroughly enjoyed this prequel as a standalone novel, I'm eagerly...

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Review of...Whispers Through Time by Ronni Thompson A thrilling tale of

A thrilling tale of suspense, intrigue, and rekindled love.

In "Whispers Through Time," novelist Sierra Masters finds herself with writer's block while under contract to pen a family saga. Her creative drought leads her on an unexpected journey from Texas to South Dakota, uncovering a hidden branch in her family tree. As she delves into her heritage, Sierra experiences vivid visions that blur the lines between past and present, revealing secrets far beyond what she could learn in the modern...

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Review of...Shooting Sunshine by Wendy Rich Stetson  Get ready to be swept

Get ready to be swept away by a tale of gentle courtship and self discovery

Being Amish, he refused to have his photograph taken. Being a photographer, she wanted to take his picture more than anything. As Wendy Rich Stetson wrote, “Her life was a country song waiting to be written.” Follow Darcy’s journey from New York City to Pennsylvania where she meets Samuel, an Amish man yearning to break free from the confines of his upbringing. Will Darcy help him discover his true self or will Samuel...

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