Misleading Miss Verity By Carolyn Miller

Verity Hatherleigh has a mind of her own--but her impulsive actions do not impress her viscount papa. When she gets into one scrape too many, he sends her off to the wilds of Scotland to rethink her headstrong ways.

Anthony Jardine relished his role as curate, but his new duties as laird of Dungally aren't always to his liking. Though he thought his new inheritance would be a blessing, somehow he's finding nothing but trouble on these estates. And the intelligent, compassionate, feisty lass who was sent to rusticate in his territory is one of the biggest problems. He's falling in love with her, but she doesn't share the faith that's his foundation--not to mention he's been lying to her about who he really is. For the truth-loving Verity, that may be unforgivable.

The tangled web these two have woven may spell disaster for their happiness--and for the tenants of Dungally.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Misleading-Miss-Verity-Regency-Brides/dp/0825445914/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1574447386&sr=8-1

Hi, I'm Carolyn Miller, author of 'The Elusive Miss Ellison'.

I live in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

I'm married, with four gorgeous children, who all love to read (and write!) as I do (except not in the Regency genre - funny, that!).

My favourite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but I also enjoy contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

I try to write stories that are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges we all face at different times.

I hope you enjoy reading my novels. Thanks for stopping by!

My Thoughts...

This is book three in the Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley.
 It can be read as a stand alone but I read the first two books and I recommend all three.
This is the last book in the series and the best of all three, in my opinion.
You don't want to miss this one.
I loved the ending, I can't wait to hear what you all think about it.
I gave this book 4 stars. Would make a great gift.
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Where Sleeping Dogs Lie By Luc Vors

Psychologist Dr. Alan Greene is no stranger to stepping across the line with his students, but when he sleeps with a patient of his, the results are deadly.

Alyson was the perfect test subject for a new treatment that deliberately creates multiple personalities. The method was brilliant, but when things heat up between her and Dr. Greene, new "unauthorized" personalities start taking over.

A monster awakens, the slaughter begins, and a secret is revealed in the crime scenes.

Alyson is a killer the FBI has been chasing for years.

Now, it’s up to forensic psychologist, Dr. Roni Price, to hunt Alyson down before she kills again, but with no leads and a witness who refuses to talk, it’s anyone’s guess as to how, or even if, Alyson will ever get caught.

A mind-blowing thriller, with twist after twist, Where Sleeping Dogs Lie is a journey into the psychotic wonderland of a killer whose innocence somehow remains intact.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Sleeping-Dogs-Lie-Vors/dp/0692054715/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1574448430&sr=8-1

Luc Vors is a native Texan with education in Art, Psychology, Biology and Music, and with advanced education in Clinical and Industrial Psychology. He describes himself as "an artist, first, and a scientist, second," and "obsessed with finding the truly unique."

"I kind of never stood a chance at being normal," said Luc, who champions his parents as creative and educated in multiple forms of science, computer engineering and art. "Growing up, I was constantly exposed to creative ways of thinking and seeing things. My father is a computer engineer, known for his inventiveness, and was instrumental in solving several computer programming problems that major industries are still using today. My mother, a potter and a nurse, comes from a long family history of artists and writers... and while they insist that they are boring and mundane, they are both quite weird."

Growing up, Luc's parents encouraged him to explore and experiment, whether in science, music, theater or art. As an artist, Luc has applied his talents to a multitude of media, including professional works in photography, graphic design, drawing and painting. And in science, he contributed to academic studies in human consciousness, free will, and creativity theory, furthering the understanding of such hot topics as synchronicity, ecological consciousness, aesthetics, existentialism and the fate versus freewill dichotomy.

Luc is currently working on his books, Tether, and The Prophet, and putting the finishing touches on two board games, Conspiracy and Quadrangles. 

My Thoughts...
I'm not giving anything away. So all I will say is read it. You will not see the ending coming. You will be sitting on pins and needles waiting on
Vors next book.
I gave this book 4 stars.
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 Gifts Beneath Your Anxiety By Pat Longo

Do you or does someone you know suffer from unexplained anxiety, panic attacks, or sadness?
 
Are you often overwhelmed with compassion for others’ pain?
Do people sometimes refer to you as being “sensitive” or “too sensitive?”
 
If so, you may be an empath—and a few simple tools could change your life.
 
As a spiritual healer and teacher to some of today’s most well-known empaths—including “Long Island Medium” Theresa Caputo—Pat Longo has found that many of the individuals who have come to her with anxiety and related symptoms possess a heightened sense of perception and an extreme level of intuition—absorbing the energies, thoughts, and feelings that surround them and even experiencing them as their own. What’s more, most of these individuals had no idea they had these abilities.
 
The good news is that, in Pat’s experience, just beneath what feels distressing can be something wonderful. In this illuminating book, Pat guides you to become aware of, care for, and protect your spiritual self and energy; discover, develop, and strengthen the powerful gifts within; and in doing so, to eliminate and prevent related anxiety and other symptoms.
 
Using simple exercises utilized in her own practice, plus instructive and inspiring case studies, Pat will show you how to:
 
*Understand what an empath really is and determine whether you are one
*Learn simple spiritual healing steps to care for your whole self—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
*Connect to your inner spiritual self and the power within
*Protect and ground yourself spiritually and energetically
*Forgive and let go of past hurts
*Raise your energetic vibration
*Become aware of and develop your intuitive abilities with focused activities such as meditations, visualizations, automatic writing, psychometry, and other exercises
 
In an increasingly anxious world, getting in touch with our deepest healing abilities and achieving inner peace is more important than ever. With this invaluable book as your tool kit, you begin your journey toward finding that peace, becoming aware of and caring for your spiritual self and gifts, and healing your life.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Beneath-Your-Anxiety-Spiritual/dp/0806539437/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1574445055&sr=8-2

Pat Longo is a gifted spiritual healer and teacher. In working with thousands of clients around the world, Pat has helped facilitate the healing of countless men, women, and children. In conjunction with her energy healing process, Pat also guides her clients and students in spiritual development, giving them the tools to recognize, develop, and care for their innate spiritual gifts. Among her students are well-known mediums such as Theresa Caputo (the Long Island Medium).  Visit Pat’s website at patlongo.net. 

My Thoughts...

 So many people are suffering from anxiety. So a book to help us all deal with it was just the thing to make me sit down and dive right in. This book has so many helpful tools to help us help our selves.
I found some of it a little to "magic" helpful on the spiritual realm.
I am not into a lot of that stuff.
I gave this book 3 stars some of the tools are helpful so I would just use some of this advice.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Deadly Commitment By Kathy Harris

Will the truth about her fiancé be more unsettling than the stranger stalking her? 

As Danielle Kemp walks out of her downtown Nashville condominium, she gets the eerie feeling someone is watching her. As days go by, she becomes convinced the homeless man outside her building is stalking her. But after learning the real identity of the intimidating stranger, she faces something even more threatening―the truth about her fiancé.  

Deadly Secrets is a new fiction series with southern charm and big-city twists. Set in the author’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, it is filled not only with intrigue and suspense but subtle glimpses into how God is at work in the lives of ordinary people doing ordinary jobs . . . or maybe they aren’t so ordinary after all

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Commitment-Novel-Secrets/dp/1563093049/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1574446452&sr=1-1

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a divine detour into the Nashville entertainment business. She graduated with a Communications degree from Southern Illinois University and has spent the past several decades employed as a marketing director in the Nashville music industry.

She has contributed to a number of anthologies. Her first novel released in 2012. Her latest, Deadly Commitment, releases in October 2019. Kathy regularly interviews literary and music guests on her blog at www.divinedetour.com. Visit her website at www.kathyharrisbooks.com and/or follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/KathyHarrisAuthor), Twitter (@divinedetour), and Instagram (@kathyharris_author). 

My Thoughts...

From the very beginning I was in awe. This book is action packed and romantic and oh so unputdownable yes that is a word. Move along. Harris is not an author to miss. You get it all in one book. Harris writes books that you read in one sitting.
I gave this book 4 stars. I 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.

The prophetess By Evonne Marzouk

The Prophetess tells a modern story about Rachel, an American teenage girl called to join a secret community of Jewish prophets. The story weaves Jewish tradition, mysticism, modern Jewish American life, and discovery of Israel into a coming-of-age story of a girl discovering her power and purpose in life. The book is targeted at young adults but is also very appropriate for all ages.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Prophetess-Novel-Evonne-Marzouk/dp/161088504X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1574447759&sr=8-1

Evonne Marzouk grew up in Philadelphia. In 1998, she received a B.A. from the Writing Seminars program at the Johns Hopkins University, with a minor in Religious Studies. She founded and is the former director of Canfei Nesharim, an organization that teaches Jewish wisdom about protecting the environment. In 2008, Evonne was invited to join the ROI Community, an international network of Jewish activists, entrepreneurs and innovators. In 2009, she was selected as one of The New York Jewish Week's "36 under 36." She currently works as a communications specialist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Evonne has published numerous articles and stories in Jewish and secular publications, and is the co-editor of Uplifting People and Planet: Eighteen Essential Lessons on Judaism and the Evironment (2014). She lives in Maryland with her family.


My Thoughts...

I don't know much about the Jewish culture so this was a leaning read for me as well as a book to enjoy.
I am not really sure about prophets  either. so this book was a learning read all the way around.
It was different for me. But I like change sometimes.
I hope that you will grab a copy and see what you think about it.
I gave this one 3.5.
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Amish Front Porch Stories By Wanda Brunstetter

Come and sit awhile as you enjoy 18 fictional short stories of love, joy, and the peace found in Amish country.

Amish Country is known for an atmosphere of peace and quiet, perfect for front-porch sitting with a good book. Join New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, as they share 18 heartwarming stories from Amish Country. These fictional short stories include journeys we can all relate to as we seek how to live led by love, joy, peace, patience, and other Fruits of the Spirit. Meet Anna, who struggles to show love to a cantankerous neighbor; Laura, who endures infertility; Nora, whose pride threatens to consume her life; and other women who walk in their faith each day.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Front-Porch-Stories-Simple/dp/1643521896/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1573961744&sr=1-2

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of almost 90 books with more than 10 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda's fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda's desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda's novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda's primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern "Englishers." Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: www.WandaBrunstetter.com

My Thoughts...
I was very unsure of how I was going to feel about this book. I have always read Brunstetters books so reading a little story had me very worried. I was not a huge fan as I started reading the stories. I came to realization that they were just very short essays so then my mind got out of the what that's all mode and I started to enjoy them.
Little pieces of love each story was.
So I ended up giving these 18 short stories 4 stars and I may read them over again.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Shine! By Chris Grabenstein

Everyone deserves to shine in this sparkling new book from the New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, Chris Grabenstein, and coauthor J.J. Grabenstein--just right for fans of Word of Mouse and The Fourteenth Goldfish.

"Who do you want to be?" asks Mr. Van Deusen. "And not when you grow up. Right here, right now."

Shine on! might be the catchphrase of twelve-year-old Piper's hero--astronaut, astronomer, and television host Nellie Dumont Frisse--but Piper knows the truth: some people are born to shine, and she's just not one of them. That fact has never been clearer than now, since her dad's new job has landed them both at Chumley Prep, a posh private school where everyone seems to be the best at something and where Piper definitely doesn't fit in.

Bursting with humor, heart, science, possibilities, and big questions, Shine! is a story about finding your place in the universe--a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Shine-J-J-Grabenstein/dp/1524717665/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1573960515&sr=1-1

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY, MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY OLYMPICS, THE ISLAND OF DR. LIBRIS, WELCOME TO WONDERLAND: HOME SWEET MOTEL and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous fun and funny page-turners with James Patterson, including I FUNNY, HOUSE OF ROBOTS, TREASURE HUNTERS, and JACKY HA-HA. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., two cats, and a dog named Fred. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com.

My Thoughts...
Young readers ages 8-12 are going to love this one. Teach your kids nothing is more important them loving everyone and being yourself all the time.
 So many people can learn from this. But the little ones are going to want to read this book over and over again all the while learning a valuable life lesson. This should be under every 8-12 year old Childs Christmas tree.
I gave this book 4 stars and 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.

Full Circle By Andrea Barber

She grew up in front of the world on the beloved sitcom Full House, but then actress Andrea Barber abruptly left Hollywood. Why did she leave and what did she do for twenty years out of the spotlight before returning to television? This is her funny and inspiring memoir of fame, heartache, resilience—and the reboot of a lifetime . . .
 
When Kimmy Gibbler burst into the Tanners’ home on Full House in 1987, audiences immediately connected with the confident and quirky pre-teen character, played by ten-year-old actress Andrea Barber. During an eight-season run on one of the most popular series of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Andrea came of age in front of millions. But she was as far removed from her character as a girl can get. The introverted young star was plagued with self-doubt, insecurities, and debilitating anxieties that left her questioning her identity after the show’s cancelation. Andrea wouldn’t return to the public eye until 2016, for Fuller House. So what happened in those intervening decades that Andrea jokingly calls “the lost years”?

For starters, Andrea never stopped working. But it was on a series of life-changing transitions: earning a college degree, then a Master’s, building a career in international education, getting married, and starting a family. She also faced some unforeseeable transitions: navigating a sudden divorce after nearly twelve years of marriage, and second-guessing her capabilities as a single mother. But it was her devastating bout with post-partum anxiety and depression that derailed Andrea’s life—and became a crucial turning point.
 
Full Circle is a raw, refreshingly honest look into the life of a celebrity who has never been fully comfortable in the spotlight. Here Andrea shares her deeply personal struggles with mental health in a way she has never done before. She opens up about fighting her way back and finding solace—while finding herself—all before her life came full circle with her costars and lifelong friends on Fuller House. Sharing her journey from child star, to champion of mental health, and back to stardom, Andrea writes in a way that feels like catching up with an old friend.
 
You’ll laugh, reminisce, and finally get to know the woman behind the zany next door neighbor.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-Hollywood-Real-Again/dp/0806539887/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1573956917&sr=8-1

Andrea Barber is best known for her role on the sitcom Full House as Kimmy Gibbler, the best friend of D.J. Tanner, which she played from 1987 to 1995. After Full House ended, Barber retired from acting and started focusing on her personal life. In the years since, she has become an advocate for mental health awareness and an avid runner. In 2016 she literally found her way back to the Tanner family home in the spinoff series Fuller House, the #1 family show on Netflix, and continued to make millions laugh as our favorite zany next door neighbor. 

My Thoughts...
Let me tell you all, I can't recommend this book enough. If you have anxiety and or depression then you can relate to most of this book. You will see you are not alone.
Barber is a voice for those of us that have mental illness. She shares so candidly what she went through and is still fighting.
I hope that everyone fighting anxiety and depression will see that are not alone and listen to Barber. She gives great advice in this book.
I gave this book 5 stars two times. 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.

Street of Storytellers By Doug Wilhelm

Luke is an American kid, in a place he doesn't understand.

In this multicultural thriller, a teenager who's passionate about rock and reggae music angrily blames his parents' divorce on his dad's obsession with finishing a book about a lost ancient civilization in a dangerous part of Asia. But Luke's father has him over Christmas vacation, and desperately wants his son to understand -- so he brings Luke to Peshawar, an age-old crossroads city in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier. To punish his dad, Luke refuses to visit the ruins or learn anything about the project ... and instead he is drawn into the strange, intriguing Old City, where a violent new extremism is on the rise. Luke is dazzled by the beautiful Danisha -- but if they're ever seen together, she could be killed. He's recruited by a group of jihadis -- but he also bonds with Yusuf, an Afghan refugee who knows what could happen. Then there are the musicians Luke befriends, and a mysterious Sufi teacher who opens his eyes. Set in 1984 at a pivotal time and place in history, Street of Storytellers is about three families across two cultures. It's about an ancient true story the world has almost forgotten. And it's about learning to think for yourself -- even if that puts your life at risk.

This is Doug Wilhelm's 17th book. His acclaimed novel The Revealers has been the focus of reading-and-discussion projects in over 1,000 American schools.

Pick up your copy here..
https://www.amazon.com/Street-Storytellers-Doug-Wilhelm/dp/1578690161/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1573958372&sr=1-1

Doug Wilhelm is a full time writer and editor in Weybridge. His 16 previous books include The Revealers, a novel about bullying that has been the focus of reading and discussion projects in well over 1,000 schools, and continues to be part of the curriculum in middle schools across the country.

As a young journalist in the early 1980s, Doug left his newspaper job to spend two years in Pakistan, India and Nepal. He traveled, wrote, taught English and worked on what he originally planned as a nonfiction book about his experiences, which years later grew into Street of Storytellers.

Along with The Revealers, Doug’s other books include three more young-adult novels, a biography of Alexander the Great for young readers, and 10 books for the Choose your Own Adventure series.

Doug is also a working musician—he plays conga drums, percussion and harmonica in several Addison County musical groups. https://www.dougwilhelm.com/

My Thoughts...

This was a quick young adult read. It had a little of everything. Suspense, Historical, and coming of age. Everything young adults and well us big kids love to read in a book. Action packed read for sure.
I gave this book 4 stars and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.