Book Review: The Palm Tree Swingers Island Band by Lily Lawson

Take a tiger, an orangutan, an elephant, an eagle, a rhino, a dragon, a spider, and a turtle. Mix with music till loud – you might want to stand back.

Purchase Link

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

What a cute book! The Palm Tree Swingers Island Band consists of several animals including an orangutan on the drums, an elephant on the piano, a spider on the harp, and more!

The illustrations in this book are amazing. They’re bright and colorful and my grandson wants to pick out every detail in each picture every time we read it before we can turn the page. There’s not a lot of text so it’s a great book for very young readers.

About the Author

Lily Lawson is a poet and fiction writer living in the UK. She has poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction published in anthologies and online in addition to her poetry books:

My Fathers Daughter,

A Taste of What’s to Come,

and Rainbow’s Red Book of Poetry

and her kids’ books:

Santa’s Early Christmas,

The Palm Tree Swingers Island Band

and If I Were Invisible…

You can find out more about Lily and read more of her work on her blog.

Subscribers to Life with Lily are the first to hear all her writing news. You can sign up here.

Social Media Links –

https://www.instagram.com/poeticrainbow9/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20433114.Lily_Lawson

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lily-lawson

https://allauthor.com/author/lilylawson/

Audiobook Review: Wrong Exit N.L. Hinkens

Her life is about to change—if she survives the road trip.

Driving the I-40 coast-to-coast was never on Cora Dalton’s bucket list, until the day she finds out she has inherited a house in New York from a grandmother she has never met. Terrified of flying, Cora talks her best friend, Adele, into accompanying her on what they think will be a rip-roaring fun, 10-day road trip.

But when they pick up a teenage runaway at a gas station with a dark and disturbing past, things begin to go awry. Someone is following them—someone determined to finish the job they started. When their passenger inexplicably disappears at their motel one night, they find her diary in the back seat of the car. Everything in it points to murder.

But never believe what you read. The truth lies between the lines.

An edge-of-your-seat thriller with an earth-shattering final twist!

Audible

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Most of this story is told from Cora’s POV. She’s a fashion influencer who has been able to quit her “regular” job, has recently gotten married, and now she’s inherited a house from the grandmother she never met. Her life should be perfect, right? Unfortunately, that’s not so easy.

Wrong Exit is suspenseful but frustrating at times. Some of Cora’s decisions didn’t make a lot of sense to me.

The narrator was okay. Her timing was good. I’m not sure if she was trying to make the story even more suspenseful, but it sounded like she was whining throughout the book.

If you’re looking for a suspenseful thriller with a big final twist, I recommend this book but to read rather than listen to.

About the Author

NYT and USA Today bestselling author Norma Hinkens writes psychological suspense thrillers in domestic settings, as well as fast-paced science fiction and fantasy about spunky heroines and epic adventures in dangerous worlds. She’s also a travel junkie, legend lover, and idea wrangler, in no particular order. She grew up in Ireland, land of make-believe and the original little green man. In her spare time she retreats to rural Idaho to hike, bike and boat, but mostly to eavesdrop on mountain men and prepare for the apocalypse. If you like heart-stopping sagas, gritty heroines, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love her turbo-paced thrill-rides! Join her VIP Reader Club for hot new releases, stellar giveaways, exclusive content, behind the scenes and more!

Website

Book Review: Jana’s Brightly Colored Socks by Sall Fetouh

Cheerful text and whimsical illustrations bring alive this heart-warming story of kindness and inclusion featuring a character with Down syndrome.

When young Jana receives heaps of beautiful socks from her parents after learning how to put on socks all by herself, she can’t wait to show her friends at school. They are always kind and patient with Jana when they play together. Jana decides to share a pair of her new socks with each and every friend. This calls for a school sock parade! All of the children had so much fun showing off their colourful socks together that they gave a very special and huge gift for their kind and generous friend, Jana, a box of more socks!

Author Sally Fetouh was inspired to write this touching story by her own daughter who has Down syndrome, feeling it was important for her and other children like her to be able to see themselves in literature. Two years ago, after reading a different story about a girl with Down syndrome to her daughter’s preschool class, Sally says, “The children were so engaged in the story and asked questions. They were very accepting and loving of their friend—my daughter. I left with a heart overflowing with emotion and that inspired me to write my story.”

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from Rachel’s Random Resources. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Jana loves brightly colored socks so when she learns to put them on herself, her parents buy her a whole drawer full! All of her friends love her socks, so she shares them with her friends. Then, her friends repay her with a surprise!

I love that the author has shared this story starring her daughter, Jana, who has Down syndrome. Her friends accept her even though she’s a little different. We could all learn from those children. This is a great story that I’m looking forward to sharing with my grandchildren.

About the Author

Writing is very much a part of who author Sally Fetouh is as a human being. As a child, writing was a way for her to express herself and all of the stories and ideas she had in her head. Now, as an adult, she has been inspired to write a beautiful story of kindness and friendship, Jana’s Brightly Coloured Socks, a heart-warming picture book loosely based on her daughter who has Down syndrome.

It was important to Sally that her daughter and other children like her were able to see themselves represented in literature. The idea came to Sally when she visited her daughter’s preschool to read a story about a girl with Down syndrome. The loving, accepting, and inquisitive responses from her daughter’s classmates inspired her to write a story reflecting these caring friendships.

Sally believes a great book is one that has impactful characters and a story that provides a new experience or perspective to the reader that stays with them long after the book is closed. She hopes that her young readers with disabilities or those who are different in some way will be able to relate to the main character and see a little bit of themselves, while also aiming for other readers to gain insight into the world of Down syndrome and the importance and impact of kindness and friendship.

When she isn’t writing thought-provoking children’s books, Sally works as a lawyer and a photographer. She enjoys being in nature, hiking, and horse riding. She lives with her family in Sydney, Australia. Jana’s Brightly Coloured Socks is her debut picture book.

Social Media Links –

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallyfetouh/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089048475502

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/sallyfetouh

Alexis Schnitger is an artist and mum of three who lives in Brisbane. Her eldest son Jordan introduced her to the DS world, and she has become a fierce advocate, designing the T21 arrow which has been embraced around the globe. Alexis enjoys reading and is passionate about creating delicious food for family and friends. Her love of art is shared by her three budding artists. They couldn’t be happier than when painting with their mum.

Book Review: Her Dark Grave by Carolyn Arnold

Detective Madison Knight thought a midnight drive through the countryside would help clear her mind, but she thought wrong. Her car runs out of gas, stranding her in the middle of nowhere in pitch darkness. When she gets out to stretch her legs, the beam of her phone’s flashlight lands on a suitcase in the ditch. After she opens it, she’s sorry she did.

Tara Jackson was only twenty-one years old with her entire life ahead of her before she was stabbed to death and stuffed into a piece of luggage. Madison is determined to find her justice and soon uncovers that Tara was keeping secrets from those closest to her and suspects they may have gotten her killed. But while she’s exploring that lead, the body of another young woman is found in a sports equipment bag.

She looks just like Tara and is the same age, and Madison starts to wonder if the killer she’s after has killed before. Desperate, she turns to cold cases and missing person reports to see if she can dig up anything to further the investigation.

Madison finds eighteen-year-old Daphne Tucker, who was reported missing from the area three years ago. She’s a doppelganger to the other victims. Is the reason Daphne hasn’t been heard from because she’s dead too? And has her killer returned, hungry for more blood?

As Madison edges closer to the truth, someone is stalking her from the shadows, and she fears it just may be the twisted, demented killer she’s hunting. But can Madison outsmart him or her before she becomes the next victim?

e-book
Amazon.com | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play | Smashwords | Amazon Universal

Audiobook
Amazon | Audible | Apple | More Retailers to follow

Paperback – 4.25 x 7 inches
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Bookshop.org

Paperback – 5 x 8 inches
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million |Bookshop.org

Hardcover – 6.13 x 9.21 inches
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Bookshop.org

Paperback Large Print Edition – 6 x 9 inches
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Bookshop.org

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I’ve read several of Carolyn Arnold’s books, and I enjoy them especially for the police procedurals. Her Dark Grave is the twelfth book in the Madison Knight series. I haven’t read all of the books in this series, but they each stand alone.

Madison is not my favorite protagonist, and she seems to be getting worse. I like when characters are flawed because they’re more realistic, but Madison is aggressive and even rude (more than usual). Her partner, Terry, often has to smooth things over, and he is getting tired of her treating him and others poorly. He’s also having trouble dealing with the job. Despite Madison’s flaws, she’s fiercely independent and talented and gets the case solved with the help of Terry and forensics.

In the last quarter of the book, Madison returns to her old self. She’s still not personable, but she is tolerable. The ending was really good.

About the Author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy mysteries, police procedurals, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Follow Carolyn Arnold on social media:
Facebook: Author Carolyn Arnold
Twitter: Carolyn_Arnold
Instagram: authorcarolynarnold

Book Review & Giveaway: Children Who Dance in the Rain by Susan Justice

Book Title:  Children Who Dance in the Rain by Susan Justice
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-8),  32 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Compassion Project Press
Release date:   May 2023
Content Rating:  G for all kids.

Sophie gets bored quickly and won’t even eat her food without looking at her tablet. She’s thrilled to hear of her family’s upcoming trip to a magical place called India, a land she’s only heard of in stories. Once there, she quickly realizes that the underprivileged children living in the mud colony possess a joy and contentment she can’t explain. Sophie sets out on a journey of discovery, but what she finds may change her world forever. This tale about the true meaning of happiness and the power of gratitude is based on true events. ​

Buy the Book
Amazon 
B&N 
​(coming soon)
add to goodreads

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Sophie doesn’t appreciate how easy her life is. When she goes to India to visit her grandmother, however, she meets children who live in squalor. One girl works hard just to feed her brother. But these children have a strong faith, and they know how to celebrate life. When Sophie goes home, she’s a changed girl. She realizes how lucky she is and eventually becomes a doctor and goes back to India to help underprivileged children.

This is a sweet story with colorful illustrations by Lena Bardy. It teaches children about another part of the world where children aren’t as privileged as the children here, but they still do their best to get by. I thought the ending was especially compelling. Maybe a child will read this and be inspired!

About the Author

Susan, a legal advocate for children’s rights, has long harbored a dream of crafting a tale that would empower young readers to understand and champion the rights of their peers. Drawing upon her own experiences as a young person comprehending privilege, she was inspired to write a book that would not only entertain but also inspire her readers to consider pressing social issues and to actively strive to make the world a better place for all children.

connect with the author: 

website ~ instagram ~ instagram

Giveaway

Enter to win signed copy of CHILDREN WHO DANCE IN THE RAIN

(one winner/USA only)

Gleam

Follow the Tour

May 15  Cover Lover Book Review  book review / giveaway
May 15 – The Momma Spot – book review / giveaway
May 16  Liese’s Blog  book spotlight
May 16  Rockin’ Book Reviews  book review / guest post / giveaway
May 17 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
May 17 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review
May 18 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
May 18 – mamof9 – book review
May 19 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
May 22 – Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s – book review / giveaway
May 22 – @allthingsbooksandababy – book review
May 23 – @enjoyingbooksagain – book review
May 23 – My Reading Getaway – book review / giveaway
May 24 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
May 24 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review
May 25 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 25 – Reading Authors Network – book review / giveaway
May 26 – Reading is My Passion – book review / giveaway
May 26 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
May 30 – Books With a Chance – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 31 – FUONLYKKNEW – book review / giveaway
May 31 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
June 1 – Bizwings Book Blog – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 1 – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review / giveaway
June 2 – @regallywritten – book review
June 2 – Diane’s Book Journal – book spotlight / giveaway

Book Review: Colton the Corgi by Erin Stucker

Colton is a cute little corgi, just enjoying his day when he hits some trouble on his way home. He was only trying to squeeze through the fence, but his big corgi butt is now stuck! His friends all show up, from the peacock to the poodle, to help get Colton and his booty un-stuck. Follow along this fun tale to see how everybody works together to save the day, or at least to save Colton.

Colton the Corgi is a fun and enjoyable read for toddlers and young children. The alliteration, easy rhyming pattern, and strong vocabulary words are perfect for early readers to learn and grow all while laughing at Colton and his friends! Whether at home, or in the classroom, Colton and his fluffy and furry crew are sure to be a new favorite with your kids!

Amazon

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

What an adorable book! It has rhyming text and cute illustrations with colorful characters. Colton gets stuck in a fence, and all of his friends show up to help him. Not only is it a fun book to read, but it teaches about working together.

My grandson loves this book! He laughs so hard when it gets to the page when Colton’s butt is stuck.

I definitely recommend this book. It’s fun, short, cute book that your child will want you to read over and over. I know it by heart already.

About the Author

Erin Stucker is a Florida native who spends most of her days chasing after her two young boys, which is where most of her stories are started. She writes and illustrates for a young audience with the hopes of making them laugh, be inspired, and develop a love for reading.

Book Review & Giveaway: The Wayward Target by Susan Ouellette

Genre: Espionage Thriller
Published by: CamCat Publishing
Publication Date: April 2023
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780744308723 (ISBN10: 0744308720)
Series: The Wayward Series, Book 3 | Each is a Stand-Alone
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | CamCat Books

When a price is placed on her head, Maggie must face the terroristic mastermind to save her lover’s life without betraying her most loyal friend.

Evil Triumphs Only if Good Women Do Nothing

A year after hunting down the terrorist who killed her fiancé, CIA analyst Maggie Jenkins finds herself with a price on her head. In retaliation for chasing and killing an elite member of a terrorist cell, Maggie now is on the hitlist of the mastermind behind numerous terrorist attacks.

With Maggie’s movements severely restricted by the presence of a round-the-clock security detail, it’s up to her boss, Warner Thompson, and CIA officer Roger Patterson to find and eliminate the terrorist who stalks her. But when a shadowy Russian operative surfaces and presents Maggie with intel that might lead her to the man who orchestrated her fiancé’s death, she can no longer watch from the sidelines. Is she willing to risk her growing relationship with Roger, Warner’s career, and her own life to finally get justice and bring down a major terrorist cell?

Amazon – https://amzn.to/3HVQyc5
Barnes & Noble – https://bit.ly/3HXrxgI
BookShop.org – https://bit.ly/3xpaJKB
Goodreads – https://bit.ly/3jQiINH
CamCat Books – https://bit.ly/3Koojpp

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Maggie Jenkins finally got her revenge on the terrorist who killed her fiancé, but now she’s on a hitlist by the assassin’s terrorist cell. Of course, being Maggie, she has to take matters into her own hands.

The action is nonstop in The Wayward Target, but I still have reservations about Maggie going off on her own and not being punished for it. I would think that if her boss, Warner, is going to continue to let her go rogue that he would at least get her some training just in case.

I like how Maggie’s relationships have developed over the last three books, especially her relationship with Roger, an agent with the CIA.

Although this book definitely stands alone, it is better if you read all three books, of course.

About the Author

Susan Ouellette was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston, where she studied international relations and Russian language and culture at both Harvard University and Boston University. As the Soviet Union teetered on the edge of collapse, she worked as an intelligence analyst at the CIA, where she earned a commendation for her work done during the failed 1991 Soviet coup. Subsequently, Susan worked on Capitol Hill as a professional staff member for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).

It was there in the Capitol Building, during quiet moments, that Susan conceived of Maggie Jenkins, an intrepid female character thrust into a dangerous situation borne of tragedy. Next came the threads of a plot, and from that blossomed her first espionage thriller, The Wayward Spy.

Susan lives on a farm outside of Washington, D.C., with her husband, three boys, cats, chickens, turkeys, and too many honeybees to count. In her spare time, she loves to read, root for Boston sports teams, and spend time staring out at the ocean on the North Carolina coast.

Catch Up With Susan:
www.SusanOuellette.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @susanobooks1
Instagram – @susanobooks
Twitter – @smobooks
Facebook – @SusanOuelletteAuthor
YouTube – @susanouellette-author6477

Giveaway

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Susan Ouellette & CamCat Books.

The giveaway is for:  physical copies of The Wayward Target by Susan Ouellette

https://kingsumo.com/g/wuexxg/the-wayward-assassin-by-susan-ouellette

Follow the Tour

04/11 Podcast interview @ Blog Talk Radio
04/11 Review @ Just Reviews
04/17 Guest post @ The Book Divas Reads
04/18 Review @ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
04/18 Showcase @ Im Into Books
04/19 Review @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
04/20 Showcase @ 411 ON BOOKS, AUTHORS, AND PUBLISHING NEWS
04/21 Review @ Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
04/24 Showcase @ Books, Ramblings, and Tea
04/25 Interview @ Hott Books
04/30 Showcase @ The Mystery Section
05/02 Review @ sunny island breezes
05/03 Review @ elaine_sapp65
05/04 Review @ mokwip8991
05/11 Review @ Celticladys Reviews
05/11 Review @ Melissa As Blog
05/12 Review @ Bound 4 Escape

Book Review: The Wayward Assassin by Susan Ouellette

Although told to stand down now that the Chechen rebel who killed her fiancé is dead, CIA Analyst Maggie Jenkins believes otherwise and goes rogue to track down the assassin. Soon it becomes clear that failure to find Zara will have repercussions far beyond the personal, as Maggie uncovers plans for a horrific attack on innocent Americans. Zara is the new face of terrorism – someone who doesn’t fit the profile, who can slip undetected from attack to attack, and who’s intent on pursuing a personal vendetta at any cost.

Chasing Zara from Russia to the war-torn streets of Chechnya, to London, and finally, to the suburbs of Washington, DC, Maggie risks her life to stop a deadly plot.

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Maggie is obsessed with finding her fiancé’s assassin, Zara. Knowing that Maggie is an analyst and hasn’t been trained to deal with pursuing terrorists made it difficult for me to get too involved in Maggie’s quest. The fact that she doesn’t want to accept help from actual agents made no sense to me.

Despite not caring for the main character, this book moves quickly most of the time. It starts with a terrorist attack at a school in Russia, moves to London, then the US. Maggie not only wants to find Zara, but she believes that Zara is going to be involved in another terrorist attach which she wants to stop.

There are some twists and it had a more satisfying ending than the first book. I’m ready to start the next book in the series! I’m sure it will be action-packed, and I’m hoping it’s a little more believable as far as Maggie is concerned.

About the Author

Susan Ouellette was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston, where she studied international relations and Russian language and culture at both Harvard University and Boston University. As the Soviet Union teetered on the edge of collapse, she worked as an intelligence analyst at the CIA, where she earned a commendation for her work done during the failed 1991 Soviet coup. Subsequently, Susan worked on Capitol Hill as a professional staff member for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).

It was there in the Capitol Building, during quiet moments, that Susan conceived of Maggie Jenkins, an intrepid female character thrust into a dangerous situation borne of tragedy. Next came the threads of a plot, and from that blossomed her first espionage thriller, The Wayward Spy.

Susan lives on a farm outside of Washington, D.C., with her husband, three boys, cats, chickens, turkeys, and too many honeybees to count. In her spare time, she loves to read, root for Boston sports teams, and spend time staring out at the ocean on the North Carolina coast.

Catch Up With Susan:
www.SusanOuellette.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @susanobooks1
Instagram – @susanobooks
Twitter – @smobooks
Facebook – @SusanOuelletteAuthor
YouTube – @susanouellette-author6477