Review: Secrets in the Sand by Candice Poarch

Goodreads Blurb

Two-time divorcee Kristin Mayer moved to Wet Sands, North Carolina, to be near her sister. Her fixer-upper comes as a bargain due to an eight year old murder that stifles sales. But Kristin packs heats and she’s fine with a bygone crime. Chase Holloman is intent on protecting his grown daughter who as a child was accused of murdering their neighbor. Now, another murder has pulled her back into police crosshairs. Meeting Kristin rocks Chase’s world. Yet as Kristin plows through her home renovation, she finds mysteries deepening with every uncovered wall. Long-suppressed secrets come to life, forcing Chase and Kristin to reassess their live as bodies pile up. Can they clear Chase’s daughter and remove the obstacles between them and real love?

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wow, this book was amazing. It had me going all the way through. I kept on thinking that the murderer was the old ladies son since she was acting weird and he kept to himself. It’s very sad how someone so ignorant and selfless could ruin so many lives. Family, too , was just a manipulation of affection and had no feelings for no one. Blaming a poor young girl of murder is horrendous. He took her mom and her friend away from her, and she took the blame for something she wasn’t capable of doing. Loved that Kristin was not scared of anyone and that she was able to protect herself and others. She was a better detective. Conan was living life with rage that his mother was murdered and put the blame on Megan. His father was a drunk who didn’t really care about his children, especially after his wife was gone. Chase was so overprotective of his daughter that he forgot that Conan needed him since he was like a father to him. I liked how Candice started the book with Conan coming from school and that his dad was a drunk who was careless. Then, it automatically zoomed into action with Conan trying to harm Megan. It really took me off guard. I thought he was a smart young man with a future, and he was heading the same way as his father. Loved that there was romance between Chase and Kristin, but it also had mystery and action. I highly recommend this book.

Author Biography

Even as a child, Candice Poarch was a dreamer and created scenes in her mind. She quickly fell in love with writing stories centered around families and romance. The quest for love is universal, she says. Being familiar with rural Virginia, she portrays a sense of community and mutual support in her novels, many of which are set in small-town America.

Candice grew up in Stony Creek, Virginia, south of Richmond, but now resides in northern Virginia. She has been married for thirty years and is the mother of three children. A former computer-systems manager, she has now made writing her full-time career.

Review: Play with Me by Lisa Renee Jones

Goodreads Blurb

Kali Miller has spent three years reporting fluff stories for a small-town Texas paper, waiting for the opportunity to pen the article that will launch her career to new heights. That dream has never felt further away when she suddenly finds herself out of work, forced to take a job as an executive secretary at a Las Vegas casino. But that’s exactly where Kali meets the subject of what will surely be a shocking exposé: her boss, Damion Ward, the casino’s arrogant and undeniably sexy CEO.

Watching Damion make his cold, calculating business maneuvers, Kali is positive she’s doing the right thing. But after Damion invites her to help him plan a Thanksgiving charity event, Kali begins to see another side of the man. And when she surrenders to the exhilarating tension that’s been simmering between them since day one, Kali becomes part of her own story, which she hopes will have a happy ending.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lisa again does a slam dunk. Those spicy sex scenes in the office will be forever engraved in my head. I don’t think an office can be appropriate with Damion around. I liked that Kali stayed around and didn’t leave even after she was on lockdown for a potential breach. What took me off my seat was that Damion was described as looking like Robert Downey Jr. I love him. Couldn’t be happier. I loved the chemistry between them. They hardly knew each other but they couldn’t take their hands and eyes off each other. I was heartbroken about what had happened to Damion’s mother. I’m glad that he felt that helping the shelter out was the right thing to do for what they did for him in the past. Kali unfortunately had an awful father and ex-boyfriend. That didn’t stop her from looking for happiness. She went to another state to find a job that she felt she could grow and love. Love comes when you least expect it. Highly recommend this book.

Author Biography

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin’s Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Review: The Master Undone by Lisa Renee Jones

Goodreads Blurb

I told him goodbye, and I will not call him. I know if I do, it will be my undoing, and I’ll once again be caught up in his spell. I will once again be…lost.

In her private journals, Rebecca laid bare her soul, revealing her obsession for the one man whose erotic demands captivated her imagination–and enslaved her forever. Now, with Rebecca no longer in his life he is lost, questioning everything he thought he knew about himself and about control he holds in such high regard. One women will reach out to heal him and then turn away, leaving him haunted. She is nothing he thought he wanted and somehow everything he needs. He tells himself to forget her but he cannot escape his desire for her. He has to have more…

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I will say that the last chapter was hot and seductive. Another amazing book written by Lisa. Crystal works for Mark and is very attached to his mother. His mother gets ill and has to get operated, and Crystal is there for moral support. Mark doesn’t want to be around Crystal because she sees parts of his emotions no one has seen. He tries to put barriers up so that he isn’t looking for comfort, yet he craves it. His parents’ relationship was with many ups and downs, but if anything happened to his mother, his dad would be heartbroken. Crystal is temptation and danger to Mark. She is the one with the control, and he wants to be the master with control. She is very direct with her comments and has been having control at all times. He wants to show her who he really is. Their attraction is so intense that just a touch or a slight stare sends heat waves through their bodies. He describes it as “fire in my veins,” “it burns to kiss her, and it’s intense.” Oblivion is where Mark will take Crystal with those wild feelings. You don’t want to miss any book in this series.

Author Biography

Review: The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North

Goodreads Blurb

Dan Garvie’s life has been haunted by the crime he witnessed as a child—narrowly escaping an encounter with a notorious serial killer. He has dedicated his life since to becoming a criminal profiler, eager to seek justice for innocent victims. So when his father passes away under suspicious circumstances, Dan revisits his small island community, determined to uncover the truth about his death. Is it possible that the monster he remembers from his childhood nightmares has returned after all these years?

With his signature shock and suspense, Alex North brings us The Man Made of Smoke. In turn emotional, introspective, and utterly terrifying, this is a story of fathers and sons, shadows and secrets, and the fight we all face to escape the trauma of the past.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

“Nobody sees, and nobody cares.”

This mind-boggling, twisted psychological thriller will captivate your mind and transport you to the darkest corner of a serial killer’s mind game. Your nightmares will become a reality. Alex North has intricately written a novel with not one but two serial killers. You won’t see what’s coming at you until it’s too late. Readers will see firsthand the living nightmare families will live after The Pied Piper arrives in town and the making of a second serial killer in revenge for the built-up guilt of losing the one person he truly cared for.

The father-son team of ex-cop John Garvie and serial killer expert Daniel Garvie will guide readers through a wild goose chase leading directly to the killer. Dan’s father goes missing and is presumed dead. Dan’s father’s investigation will guide him through all the evidence he collected before his disappearance. The supernatural will also play a huge part in piecing this investigation together. Dan will use his specialty in conversing with the murderer and his father in his head to decipher this frightening puzzle.

I enjoyed this psychological thriller. The story was well-plotted, featuring a duo of serial killers and a twisted ending. I highly recommend you get lost in this frightening serial killer novel that will leave you thinking about what you would have done if you encountered a serial killer and his victim.

Author Biography

Alex North was born in Leeds, England, where he now lives with his wife and son. The Whisper Man was inspired by North’s own little boy, who mentioned one day that he was playing with “the boy in the floor.” Alex North is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name.

Please Support The Bread Devil’s Guide to Gluten Free Kickstart Project

My friend Jennifer Schiano has created the cutest bread devil you will ever see. She needs our help to help support her Kickstart project for her book The Bread Devil’s Guife to Gluten Free.

Below is more content on this adorable book and the link to the Kickstart project. You have a choice to do a one-time pledge or choose to order the book or book packages.

Meet the Bread Devil!
Your friendly neighborhood devil equipped with the expertise and quirk to bring awareness to Celiac disease.

You’re invited on an adventure to learn about the basics of Celiac disease and how to ease the challenges living a strict gluten-free lifestyle.

He may look a little scary but underneath the red cape and pointy horns, he’s just a silly, squishy soft piece of bread, here to help you on your celiac journey.

The Bread Devil provides practical tips for navigating daily life and expressing your needs, along with bite-sized facts about food safety, eating out and more.

Meet the Creator + Fellow Celiac

Hi, I’m Jen—a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, and member of the gluten-free community. I was formally diagnosed with Celiac disease in my late 20s after navigating a lifetime of health troubles and autoimmune conditions without answers.

Getting diagnosed brought relief, but it also opened up a whole new world of challenges. From battling cross-contact at home to being excluded from celebrations, and constantly needing to explain that no, I can’t “just eat around it”—my journey has been one of trial, error, frustration, and deep learning.

That’s why I created The Bread Devil—a cheeky, misunderstood character born from my personal experience and artistic exploration. What started as a doodle to cope with the pain of being “glutened” turned into a character that resonated deeply with others in the Celiac and gluten-free communities. From educational illustrations to pins, stickers, and a plushie, the Bread Devil has taken on a life of his own.

Now, I’m bringing him to the page in a fully illustrated children’s book:
The Bread Devil’s Guide to Gluten Free — a heartfelt, humorous, and educational story that helps kids (and grown-ups) understand the complexities of living with Celiac disease.

This book is designed to:
Empower children newly diagnosed with Celiac to feel seen and supported
Educate friends, family, and the public about the realities of cross-contact, and how to avoid them
Replace shame and isolation with humor, understanding, and advocacy
I’ve poured my heart into writing and illustrating this story. The manuscript is complete, and most of the artwork is done—I just need your help to bring it to life.

Link to the Kickstarter Project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jenniferschiano/the-bread-devils-guide-to-gluten-free/description?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLFW1hleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp2fBjp16VKk-SBtbV40niR5kZAv2BEnsf61ufx3-RBZeSZ01GyZH1TvYsxs5_aem_BjnQF3qctb1v_tEymG6jAg

Review: The Christmas Ranch & A Cold Creek Holiday by RaeAnne Thayne

Goodreads Blurb

A NEW Cowboys of Cold Creek story from New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne! Hope Nichols has never felt as if she belonged anywhere except her hometown of Pine Gulch. So when she hears that her family’s property, Christmas Ranch, is set to be shut down forever, a determined Hope heads home. She refuses to let anything ruin her holiday-this will be the most memorable ranch Christmas ever! And thanks to hunky former navy SEAL Rafe Santiago and his adorable nephew, she might just pull off that miracle. Plus a heartwarming RaeAnne Thayne favorite from the Cowboys of Cold Creek series, A Cold Creek Holiday, also included in this book! “A richly plotted story with characters that are easy to care about, this one is as emotional as it is funny.” -RT Book Reviews on A Cold Creek Holiday.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What an amazing book. RaeAnne left me with happy tears after reading another fantastic book. Both stories were really hard to read since losing a family member is so hard. The Christmas Ranch plot was so lovely. Loved that Hope was able to bring Christmas back to the ranch and teach her family that life can move on and that giving up on Christmas wasn’t the right thing to do. It brings joy and family together. Both stories had a military man with beautiful features who both needed a little push in life and see that life happens for a reason. The stories both had emotional events, but I was happy with the outcome of each ending. I learned that life will bring some good days and some bad days, but that you have to try your best to make it through. Family is the best medicine for a broken heart. Christmas is a time to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful memories with your family. You don’t want to miss this book.

Author Biography

I’m not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all — through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor — I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try — their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I’ve come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the “that’s-it!” feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can’t imagine my life any other way.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com

Review: Peas Let Her Be a Princess by Diane E. Keyes

Goodreads Blurb

Once upon a castle bed, lay a maiden’s dainty head…So begins this new twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. The prince is in love with a beautiful red haired maiden. But is she a genuine princess? Can she pass the princess test? Will she feel the pea through the mattresses piled high? With the help of a friendly mouse and a faithful knight, can the prince be sure his love will wake? Leaving nothing to chance, this prince is willing to go to new heights for love! Rhyming text by Diane E. Keyes and whimsical illustrations by Hannah Mericle bring this classic fairy tale to life with hysterical and surprising results.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Won this book from Goodreads. I truly enjoyed it and laughed my socks off. It was so funny. The prince takes advice from a mouse. Wasn’t expecting what happened in the ending. Great cover and illustrations. A perfect book for all to read, plus a purchase of this book, will give 10% proceed for The Literacy Alliance.

Author Biography

Diane E. Keyes was born in Gainesville, FL. She received undergraduate degrees in Art and English from Principia College and a MLIS from the University of South Florida. She is the president and founder of The Literacy Alliance, a Central Florida nonprofit (see below), a Youth Services Librarian for her nearby county library, and the mother of three. Diane lives with her husband, two dogs, and two cats in sunny Florida. Peas let her be a Princess, (Puddle Press, 2015) is her first published children’s book.

Review: His for Christmas by Skye Warren

Goodreads Blurb

I stand very still, holding a pen I shouldn’t be touching, in the office of a man I’ve never met. The man who’s standing behind me now. The man who has his hand on my hip.

He’s my new boss.

I could fight him, but then he might ask questions. He might find out about my criminal record, the one I didn’t mention on the job application. So I let him make me come, but he wants more. He needs more, and for some reason I want to give it.

But if he finds out about my lie, I’ll be out on the streets—or back in jail.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This was a short, naughty, and intense book. I was shocked a few times as I read. I normally don’t read the synopsis on the back of the book because I like being surprised. The author did a great job with joining two characters with completely different backgrounds. Was very happy with the ending of the book.

Review: The Language of Butterflies: How Thieves, Hoarders, Scientists, and Other Obsessives Unlocked the Secrets of the World’s Favorite Insect by Wendy Williams

Goodreads Blurb
Butterflies are one of the world’s most beloved insects. From butterfly gardens to zoo exhibitions, they are one of the few insects we’ve encouraged to infiltrate our lives. Yet, what has drawn us to these creatures in the first place? And what are their lives really like? In this groundbreaking book, New York Times bestselling author and science journalist Wendy Williams reveals the inner lives of these “flying flowers”—creatures far more intelligent and tougher than we give them credit for.

Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year from Canada to Mexico. Other species have learned how to fool ants into taking care of them. Butterflies’ scales are inspiring researchers to create new life-saving medical technology. Williams takes readers to butterfly habitats across the globe and introduces us to not only various species, but to the scientists who have dedicated their lives to studying them.

Coupled with years of research and knowledge gained from experts in the field, this accessible “butterfly biography” explores the ancient partnership between these special creatures and humans, and why they continue to fascinate us today. Touching, eye-opening, and incredibly profound, The Language of Butterflies reveals the critical role they play in our world.

My Review: Rated 3 out 5 stars

The most fascinating and colorful insects, the butterflies, are amazing creatures that help drive our ecosystem. The Language of Butterflies explores how butterflies fight to survive and coexist in a rapidly changing environment. These resilient creatures are intelligent from the moment they emerge as a caterpillar. This book shared impressive information regarding Lepidoptera, which are insects with wings, and those obsessed with butterflies the Lepidopterists. Wendy mentions a poor stone carver Herman Strecker, who had the most amazing collection of 50,000 specimens for someone who didn’t have a physical home. When you are fascinated by something, you do all you can to preserve it. I enjoyed learning about the people who help preserve the many species of butterflies that are extinct so we can learn more about them. Maria Sibylla Merian is renowned for her hand-painted images of butterflies in their natural environment.

It was fascinating to discover that butterflies evolve to adapt to an environment that has changed significantly. This book examines various observations made by scientists regarding how the environment, weather, sunlight, and plants affect the way butterflies react to these changes. Monarchs, being one of the most long-distance travelers, are very picky with the plants they eat and which they lay their eggs. Milkweed is their preference for survival. Milkweed is not only their survival but can also be their demise. Monarch caterpillars are so smart that even ants are fooled into taking them into their lair. I had never heard of the Florissant National Monument and the fossils buried for millions of years. I was shocked to learn that a place that looks like a desert today, had once housed lakes, trees, flowers, insects, and animals. This place is fascinating to visit, and I am glad it was preserved along with its hidden secrets. I learned many wonderful things about the beautiful butterflies I see fluttery about and have always had an appreciation for these colorful, adaptive creatures.

The book was slow to start, but it provided a clear context about the life of butterflies and those who research them.

Author Biography

Wendy Williams is a journalist whose work has appeared in The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Christian Science Monitor, among many other publications. She is the author of several books, including Kraken and Cape Wind, and is a lifelong equestrienne. She lives in Mashpee, Massachusetts.

Below are pictures I took of butterflies 🦋.

Book Event: Chelsea Conradt in Conversation with Rachel Harrison

I have heard rave reviews for Chelsea Conradt’s new release, The Farmhouse. It’s a horror novel that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Goodreads Blurb

Every woman who has lived on this farm has died. Emily just moved in.

When Emily Hauk’s mother dies, it’s time for her and her husband, Josh, to finally leave San Francisco. A farm in rural Nebraska is everything they want for a fresh start: clear skies, low costs, and distance from the grief back home.

They should have asked why the farm was for sale.

Three years ago, a teenage girl went missing from the farm. Soon afterward, the girl’s mother mysteriously died. The deeper Emily digs, the more stories she uncovers of women connected to her new home who’ve met their own dark ends.

With each passing day, Emily’s sanctuary slips further away. The barn seems to move throughout her property as though chasing her. Her mother’s favorite music drifts across the cornfield. She swears she saw blood in one of the farmhand’s trucks. And the screams that wake her are not fox howls, no matter how many times her husband says they are. If she wants to claim this place as her own, she’ll have to find out the truth before whatever watches from the cornfield takes her, too.

Author Biography

Chelsea Conradt (she/her) writes twisty speculative thrillers. Her books are packed with both murder and kindness because we can be more than one thing.

When not writing stories that make you question what’s real, she is likely watching a baking show or a true-crime documentary. She is nothing if not on brand. Chelsea lives in Texas with her husband, son, and two big dogs.