City Of Dreams by Don Winslow

 Hollywood.

The city where dreams are made. 

On the losing side of a bloody East Coast crime war, Danny Ryan is now on the run. The Mafia, the cops, the FBI all want him dead or in prison. With his little boy, his elderly father and the tattered remnants of his loyal crew of soldiers, he makes the classic American migration to California to start a new life.

A quiet, peaceful existence.

But the Feds track him down and want Danny to do them a favor that could make him a fortune or kill him. 

And when Hollywood starts shooting a film based on his former life, Danny demands a piece of the action and begins to rebuild his criminal empire.

Then he falls in love.

With a beautiful movie star who has a dark past of her own.

As their worlds collide in an explosion that could destroy them both, Danny Ryan has to fight for his life in a city where dreams are born.

Or where they go to die.

From the shores of Rhode Island to the deserts of California where bodies disappear, from the power corridors of Washington where the real criminals operate to the fabled movie studios of Hollywood where the real money is made, City of Dreams is a sweeping saga of family, love, revenge, survival and the fierce reality behind the dream. 

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: City of Dreams: A Novel (City, 2): 9780062851239: Winslow, Don: Books

Don Winslow is the author of twenty-one acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including the New York Times bestsellers The Force and The Border, the #1 international bestseller The Cartel, The Power of the Dog, Savages, and The Winter of Frankie Machine. Savages was made into a feature film by three-time Oscar-winning writer-director Oliver Stone. The Power of the Dog, The Cartel and The Border sold to FX in a major multimillion-dollar deal to air as a weekly television series beginning in 2020. A former investigator, antiterrorist trainer and trial consultant, Winslow lives in California and Rhode Island.

26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse

 In her new role as Emergency Operations Center director for Fairbanks, Alaska, Darcie Phillips prevents disasters. But none of her training can prepare her for the terror that's coming.

As a cybersecurity specialist, Jason Myers is determined to ferret out any threats to the town he now calls home--and that includes his reckless brother and his ecoterrorist friends.

When an old woman's wild prediction--widespread destruction as soon as the Fairbanks temperature falls to 26 below--hits national headlines, neither Darcie nor Jason sees a real risk to anything but tourism.

Then the bodies start dropping.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: 26 Below (Alaskan Cyber Hunters, 1): 9780825447723: Woodhouse, Kimberley: Books

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than two dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she's shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family's story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel's Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in the Poconos with her husband of thirty years. kimberleywoodhouse.com

Find Kim on twitter and facebook:

twitter.com/kimwoodhouse

author fan page Kimberley Woodhouse

Warrior Mother by Victoria Riollano

 

Whether it's a battle of wills with their kids, a spiritual battle for their hearts, or a battle to wake up and take on another day of parenting, moms are faced with challenges every day. But what does it really look like to become a warrior for Christ, fully relying on his strength? How can moms find the energy to even step onto the field?

Victoria Riollano is determined to challenge and empower every mother who needs motivation. It isn't about new tricks to manage a child's behavior; it's about seeking spiritual transformation for mom! Warrior Mother offers an intellectual and spiritual deep dive that's practical and authentic, meeting mothers right where they are.

Warrior Mother is the playbook moms need to move from defeated to defender. It's packed with biblical insights to encourage, reminders of mothers in Scripture who are examples of faithful trust, encouragement to connect with our Commander through prayer, and reflection questions about past battles and reframing strategies for the future. Join Victoria and equip your heart for victorious parenting!

Pick up your copy here...

Warrior Mother: Equipping Your Heart to Fight for Your Family's Faith: Riollano, Victoria: 9780825447686: Amazon.com: Books

Who am I?

My name is Victoria Riollano, but I have the honor of being called mom by seven little people....

Wife of 16 years by Pastor Joe Riollano

Professor by my psychology students around the world!

Pastor by our lovely church members.

However, I love to call myself Victory! Why so, because I spent my life feeling defeated, trapped in comparison, and weary (while being an active church member ouch!)

Here's the truth, as a preacher's granddaughter, I grew up as no stranger to basic Christian ideas. However, I truly spent many years confused about who God was and what it meant for me. At the age of 19, I accepted Christ and was baptized at Church of The Harvest International. My true passion is that every person I encounter experiences the love of Christ. I believe that God's desire is that every person become one who can walk in true victory. The defeated life that is lonely, confused, and lackluster is not for those who know who they are in Christ. My hope is that each moment of inspiration that the Lord gives me for this page will be to help YOU realize that you are victorious. And when you begin to walk in victory in your life, you can't help but tell the world! He has delivered me from being depression, suicidal thoughts, fear, and so much more...His love for me makes it impossible to keep quiet! My VICTORY SPEAKS!

Since then, I have served as assistant youth minister, middle school coordinator, MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) assistant coordinator, and more! My most rewarding ministry experience has been launching Enlighten Church in Stafford, Va alongside my husband Pastor Joe Riollano. I currently serve as the Co-Pastor and Worship Leader within our church. I am excited to say I have also begun recording music found on all available platforms!

In addition to my work in ministry, I have made education a priority in my life. I have attained a Bachelor's Degree in Developmental Psychology and a Master's in Child and Adolescent Psychology. I love learning about personality and behavior and recognizing how God created us all so intricately unique. This love has helped to become a Professor of Social and Developmental Psychology at Toccoa Falls College, Crown College, and Oral Roberts University. In addition, I have found a true love for speaking to local mom's groups and ministering to churches in the DC area through worship.

Let's connect more!

Find my work on Christianity Today, ibelieve.com, Christianity.com, and more!

Follow me on- Instagram- @myvictoryspeaks

Apple Music/Amazon- "Victoria Riollano"

Podcast- "Victory Talk With Victoria" available on all platforms

Facebook-www.facebook.com/victoryspeaks or www.facebook.com/vriollano

Rooted In Wonder by Eryn Lynum

 For a generation whose eyes are constantly trained on screens, encountering nature at all is increasingly difficult, much less seeing what it reveals about God. How can parents help children reengage with God's world that is full of amazement, creativity, and love?

Eryn Lynum is a certified master naturalist, Bible teacher, and mom of four who wants to help families encounter and understand the connection between God and creation. She shares her own story of putting her kids in front of nature, and invites other parents to consider a similar journey.

With practical sections that look at nature through the lens of the Bible and activities to integrate faith and the natural world, Rooted in Wonder helps parents instill within their kids an unshakable faith. Through the art of play, the drive of discovery, and the awe of adventure, children will gain a sense of wonder in their Creator that will last a lifetime.

Pick up your copy here...

Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: Lynum, Eryn: 9780825447617: Amazon.com: Books

Eryn Lynum is author of the book 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting. Eryn has been featured on FamilyLife Today radio as well as podcasts and radio stations around the world, Proverbs31 Ministries, MOPs International, Simply Wholehearted, and For Every Mom. She lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and four children. Every opportunity she gets, she is out exploring the Rocky Mountains with her family, and sharing the journey at www.936Pennies.com

Run Rose Run by James Paterson and Dolly Parton

 

THE #1 BESTSELLING THRILLER FROM AMERICA’S MOST BELOVED SUPERSTAR AND THE WORLD’S BESTSELLING AUTHOR.  COMING AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM REESE WITHERSPOON’S HELLO SUNSHINE.

A new singer arrives in Nashville. She calls herself AnnieLee Keyes, and she has more beauty, talent, and ambition than most -- and a dangerous past that she's running from.   Her performance of original songs at open-mic night at the Cat’s Paw Saloon downtown transfixes Ethan Blake, back-up musician for country star Ruthanna Ryder. 
 
Ruthanna may have retired—for deeply personal reasons—but that doesn’t mean she’s stopped writing music. Every day, she records songs she’ll never release. When Ruthanna hears AnnieLee sing, the legend decides to help the ingenue.  
 

But a boost from a mega-star like Ruthanna may spotlight the talented newcomer’s secret. Now AnnieLee may not live long enough to realize her dreams of stardom—or for the world to learn her true identity. 

Pick up your copy here...

Run, Rose, Run: A Novel: Patterson, James, Parton, Dolly: 9781538723968: Amazon.com: Books

JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. His books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett and Private novels – and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers.

James is passionate about encouraging children to read. Inspired by his own son who was a reluctant reader, he also writes a range of books for young readers including the Middle School, I Funny, Treasure Hunters, Dog Diaries and Max Einstein series. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed author of adult fiction in UK libraries for the past eleven years in a row. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.

My Thoughts... This was such a fun read. It had Dolly's voice all over it. From the names to the country slang. I loved it and being a book lover and music lover, this was a must read for me. I highly recommend Run Rose Run. 5 stars two times. The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Reinventing Ruthie by Kate Lloyd GIVEAWAY!

 When Ruth Ann Templeton’s husband, Drew, leaves her for another woman Ruthie is devastated. She seeks solace at their beach cabin in Puget Sound where she meets Victor, a neurologist who has marital problems of his own. Their relationship blossoms just as Ruthie’s husband moves home asking for forgiveness. But can Ruthie trust and forgive him or any man?

Pick up your copy here...

Reinventing Ruthie: Lloyd, Kate: 9781735241166: Amazon.com: Books

Bestselling author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, the location of her newest novel, Reinventing Ruthie. A Lancaster Family Secret, follows but is not a sequel to A Lancaster Family Christmas. (Both are stand-alones.) Another captivating book is Stage Fright, a delightful story with twists and turns as a woman ventures through England with her church choir. From Rome with Love is an intriguing Christmas book that will keep you guessing. Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, and Forever Amish, the third book in the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, and also A Letter from Lancaster County and Starting from Scratch. Kate studied art, art history, and Italian in college. She has worked a variety of jobs, including restaurateur and car salesman. Kate enjoys travel and walking with her cairn terrier, Piper, who plays an important role in her last two novels.

Readers are invited to stop by Kate's Website: www.katelloyd.com

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/katelloydbooks

Instagram: @katelloydauthor

Giveaways on her Blog: https://katelloyd.com/feed

Pinterest: @KateLloydAuthor

Sign up for her newsletter on her website! Be one of the first to hear about the latest news on Kate's books, sales, cover reveals, and giveaways. 

My Thoughts...

Watch out readers, Lloyd has done it again. She just might have found her niche women's contemporary fiction. You are going to want to stop everything and run and grab a copy of this latest masterpiece.

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

 

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

From an author whose “writing coats your soul with heart” (E! Online), The Summer of Songbirds is a lyrical and unforgettable celebration of female friendship, summertime freedom, and enduring sisterhood—and a love letter to the places and people that make us who we are.

Pick up your copy here...

The Summer of Songbirds: Woodson Harvey, Kristy: 9781668010822: Amazon.com: Books

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of seven novels including UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY, FEELS LIKE FALLING and the Peachtree Bluff Series. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing, a finalist for the Southern Book Prize, her work has been optioned for film and her books have received numerous accolades including:

Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Beach Reads

Southern Living’s Best Spring Break Reads

Southern Independent Bookseller Association’s Okra Pick

Parade’s Big Fiction Reads Every Book Club Will Love

Entertainment Weekly’s Spring Reading Picks

Us Weekly’s Sweet Reads for Right Now

Woman’s WorldBest Books

PopSugar’s Ultimate Summer Reading

USA Today Happy Ever After’s Best Women’s Fiction

New York Live’s “Ashley’s A-List”

Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List

Raleigh News & Observer‘s “The Best Reads of Summer”

Charlotte Observer’s “Summer’s Best Books”

Bustle’s Books to Read and Discuss With Your Mom and Grandma

Huffington Post’s Summer Reading: Women’s Fiction Style

She blogs with her mom Beth Woodson on Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life. Design Chic is the inaugural member of the design blogger hall of fame, sponsored by Traditional Home, and winner of Amara’s Best Luxury Blog, as chosen by Roberto Cavalli. She also loves connecting with readers on kristywoodsonharvey.com.

Harvey is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism and holds a master’s in English from East Carolina University, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including Southern Living, Traditional Home, Parade, USA Today, Domino, Our State and O. Henry. She has been seen in Today.com, Women’s Health,The Washington Post, US News and World Report, The Huffington Post,Marie Claire’s The Fix, Woman’s World, Readers’ Digest, Bustle, New York Live and North Carolina Bookwatch, among others.

She is a proud member of the Tall Poppy Writers, serves on the board of Beaufort Historical Association, and is a member of the University of North Carolina’s Women’s Leadership Council. She is a frequent speaker at fundraisers, book conferences and private events. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and seven-year-old son where she is working on her next novel. 

My Thoughts...

I loved every minute of this book. Harvey has done it again and who does like a story of lifelong friendships. This is one to add to your summer reading list. You won't be able to put it down.

I gave this 5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend it.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten

 When discussing period pain or mood swings, hormonal imbalance or fertility issues, and all the “down there” concerns, vagina owners everywhere consistently ask their doctors one thing: Is this normal?

Whether it was from her patients or her hundreds of thousands of social media followers, Dr. Jolene Brighten has heard this simple question more times than she can count. With only eighteen states (yes, really) requiring medically accurate sexual education, it’s no wonder that so many have serious questions that need answers.

In Is This Normal?, Dr. Brighten candidly shares what your sex-ed teacher should have said but didn’t. TMI isn’t a term in her world. She answers all those “lady parts” questions you’ve always wondered but might not have felt comfortable asking, including topics as wide-ranging as the menstrual cycle, postpartum health, libido, acne, the orgasm gap, and vaginal discharges. No topic is too gross, gooey, or OMG to be off-limits.

Featuring a twenty-eight-day plan to take back your cycle and dozens of charts, checklists, and diagrams that help keep it real while keeping you educated, Is This Normal? is the Our Bodies, Ourselves for the social media generation and women everywhere will benefit from this honest, easy-to-understand guide to their bodies. 

Pick up your copy here...

Is This Normal?: Judgment-Free Straight Talk about Your Body: Brighten NMD, Dr. Jolene: 9781982196394: Amazon.com: Books

Jolene Brighten NMD, FABNE, is an internationally acclaimed hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine. She is board certified in naturopathic endocrinology and trained in clinical sexology. A fierce patient advocate and completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and their hormones through her website, DrBrighten.com, and social medical channels. Dr. Brighten is an international speaker, clinical educator, and medical advisor within the fem-tech community. She lives in Puerto Rico with her husband and two boys.

My thoughts...

After reading this book and now rereading it again I can say there is not a better advocate for us women. This book has brought so much to light and helped me in so many ways.  Family Doctors just don't know what to do when you are sitting there telling them everything going on with your body. They don't have the answers. I don't want a Band-Aid  I want a solution to the problems. So take control of your life!

This Book, I mean women's Bible gives you so much information so many solutions you have to read it slowly and take lots of notes. Then reread it.

I gave Is This Normal? 5 stars and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

You Are a Raccoon! By Laure Ann Thompson

 

The second in an adorable, STEM nonfiction picture book series that encourages very young readers to learn—through gentle interactivity and play—about the animals who share their world

Crawl, cling climb! You may have seen a raccoon scurry up a tree or across the road just before dark. Did you know that raccoons stay up at night playing, hunting, and eating when you go to sleep? From birth to first stripes and beyond, discover all that goes into being a raccoon in this charming picture book, the second in the Meet Your World series.

This playful and informative series invites you to take a closer look at the amazing animals that live right alongside you in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes across North America. In each book, words and art inspire you to act out animal actions that are not so different from your own habits. And robust backmatter offers even more facts and fun. From the animals’ families and foods to their environments and behaviors, let’s meet your world!

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: You Are a Raccoon! (Meet Your World): 9780593529720: Thompson, Laurie Ann, Fleck, Jay: Books

Laurie Ann Thompson grew up in rural northern Wisconsin and enjoyed a career in software engineering prior to becoming an author. She now lives between the mountains and the sea in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and spends her days writing for children and young adults to help her readers--and herself--make better sense of the world we all live in. She is co-author
 of the Two Truths and a Lie series
 and author of several award-winning nonfiction books, including: the Meet Your World series; Be a Changemaker, a teen guide to saving the world; and Emmanuel’s Dream, a picture book biography about Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, which was the recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award and was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a CCBC Choice, among other accolades. Visit her online at lauriethompson.com.

Simply Lies by David Baldacci

 Mickey Gibson, single mother and former detective, leads a hectic life similar to that of many moms: juggling the demands of her two small children with the tasks of her job working remotely for ProEye, a global investigation company that hunts down wealthy tax and credit cheats.  

When Mickey gets a call from a colleague named Arlene Robinson, she thinks nothing of Arlene’s unusual request for her to go inventory the vacant home of an arms dealer who cheated ProEye’s clients and fled. That is, until she arrives at the mansion to discover a dead body in a secret room—and that nothing is as it seems.   

Not only does the arms dealer not exist but the murder victim turns out to be Harry Langhorne, a man with mob ties who used to be in Witness Protection. What’s more, no one named Arlene Robinson works at ProEye.  

In the blink of an eye, Gibson has become a prime suspect in a murder investigation—and now her job is also on the line until she proves that she was set up. Before long, Gibson is locked in a battle of wits with a brilliant woman with no name, a hidden past, and unknown motives—whose end game is as mysterious as it is deadly.  

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Simply Lies: A Psychological Thriller: 9781538750636: Baldacci, David: Books

David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she'd given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.")

David published his first novel, ABSOLUTE POWER, in 1996. A feature film followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 44 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into over 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.

David is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across the United States.

Five First Chances by Sarah Jost

 A life-affirming debut that blends a poignant exploration of friendship and loss with a truly unforgettable love story.

What would you do if you had one more chance for the life of your dreams?

Lou feels like she is stuck on the wrong path: alone, in a city far from home, watching other people be happy. When the man she's in love with announces his engagement to someone else, Lou is consumed by 'what ifs'.

That's when she finds herself slipping back in time to a night two years ago, where one small decision changed everything...

Suddenly, Lou has a chance to fix her mistakes. But as her choices lead her down roads she never could have imagined, she finds herself stuck in a time loop of her own making. And with each slip, Lou notices her life intersecting with one person again and again. A friend of a friend who once lived on the periphery, who is slowly becoming the one person who makes her feel like she might finally be on the right track.

Lou is about to realize that our greatest love stories aren't always the ones we expected, but are the ones we choose to fight for.

For anyone who has ever felt stuck on the wrong path comes a stunning, time-bending love story that challenges what it means to get things "right." This is a book that will pull at your heartstrings and make you realize that our world is full of inspiring people poised to change everything...and you might just be one of them.

Pick up your copy here...

Five First Chances: A Novel: Jost, Sarah: 9781728262703: Amazon.com: Books

Sarah Jost was born and grew up in Switzerland, against the backdrop of Lake Geneva and the Alps. She moved to the UK in 2008 to learn English for a year and somehow didn't manage to leave. She now works as a French teacher and pastoral manager in a girls' school, which she considers an immersive course in character study. Her debut novel One Last Chance (UK) / Five First Chances (US) is out in April 2023. Some of her favourite themes are art, empathy, female protagonists with space to grow, love stories in all shapes and quirky animals. Sarah lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Luke and their adorable (and hard to keep up with!) golden shepherd Winnie. 

My Thoughts...

I love a good friendship/romance read and this one was on point. I will be honest it had a little bit of everything. Jost has a way of weaving the words to break your heart, but she helps put it back together at the same time.

I highly recommend this one.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong

 A modern-day homicide detective is working as an undertaker's assistant in Victorian Scotland when a serial poisoner attacks the men of Edinburgh and leaves their widows under suspicion.

Edinburgh, 1869: Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is adjusting to her new life in Victorian Scotland. Her employers know she’s not housemaid Catriona Mitchell―even though Mallory is in Catriona’s body―and Mallory is now officially an undertaker’s assistant. Dr. Duncan Gray moonlights as a medical examiner, and their latest case hits close to home. Men are dropping dead from a powerful poison, and all signs point to the grieving widows… the latest of which is Gray’s oldest sister.

Poison is said to be a woman’s weapon, though Mallory has to wonder if it’s as simple as that. But she must tread carefully. Every move the household makes is being watched, and who knows where the investigation will lead.

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong is known for her exquisite world building, and this latest series is no exception. The Poisoner's Ring brings the intricacies of Victorian Scotland alive as Mallory again searches for a 19th-century killer as well as a way home.

Pick up your copy here...

The Poisoner's Ring: A Rip Through Time Novel (Rip Through Time Novels, 2): Armstrong, Kelley: 9781250820037: Amazon.com: Books

Kelley Armstrong believes experience is the best teacher, though she’s been told this shouldn’t apply to writing her murder scenes. To craft her books, she has studied aikido, archery and fencing. She sucks at all of them. She has also crawled through very shallow cave systems and climbed half a mountain before chickening out. She is however an expert coffee drinker and a true connoisseur of chocolate-chip cookies.

You are a Honey Bee! by Laurie Ann Thompson

 The first in an adorable, STEM nonfiction picture book series that encourages very young readers to learn—through gentle interactivity and play—about the animals who share their world

Swish, swoosh, fly! You might have heard the words “busy as a bee," but what do bees actually do each day? Did you know bees clean their rooms, help feed baby bees, and build the hive they live in? From birth to first flight and beyond, discover all that goes into being a bee in this charming picture book, the first in the Meet Your World series.

This playful and informative series invites you to take a closer look at the amazing animals that live right alongside you in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes across North America. In each book, words and art inspire you to act out animal actions that are not so different from your own habits. And robust backmatter offers even more facts and fun. From the animals’ families and foods to their environments and behaviors, let’s meet your world!

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: You Are a Honey Bee! (Meet Your World): 9780593529690: Thompson, Laurie Ann, Fleck, Jay: Books

Laurie Ann Thompson grew up in rural northern Wisconsin and enjoyed a career in software engineering prior to becoming an author. She now lives between the mountains and the sea in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and spends her days writing for children and young adults to help her readers--and herself--make better sense of the world we all live in. She is co-author
 of the Two Truths and a Lie series
 and author of several award-winning nonfiction books, including: the Meet Your World series; Be a Changemaker, a teen guide to saving the world; and Emmanuel’s Dream, a picture book biography about Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, which was the recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award and was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a CCBC Choice, among other accolades. Visit her online at lauriethompson.com.

This is super cute and so fun.

The Words we Lost by Nicole Deese

 

Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell--the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters--offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia's last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love?

Pick up your copy here...

The Words We Lost (A Fog Harbor Romance): Deese, Nicole: 9780764241185: Amazon.com: Books

Nicole Deese is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestselling author of hope-filled, humorous, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels. When she's not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once. She’s a hoarder of sparkling water, a lover of long walks and even longer talks with friends, and a seeker of fun and adventure at all times. She lives in small-town, Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two freakishly tall teenage sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.

Find her online at www.nicoledeese.com. 

My Thoughts...

 You had me at manuscript. Then throw in friendship and I was there. This was such a moving read. Wow how you grow and rethink, this was such a good read.

I am going to say add this to your list to read. I would run not walk to grab a copy.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.