Break Every Rule packs a punch from page one. Tommy Miller hides in Florida, hoping his old life remains buried. That hope vanishes when kidnappers snatch his wife, Teresa, and infant daughter, Rosalita. Tommy taps his old skills as a soldier and member of a secret group called the Outsiders. Violence waits at every turn. He learns Teresa carries secrets of her own, tied to the murder of a British Royal tangled in a sex ring. Detective Lindy Jax investigates the abduction and suspects Tommy holds back key details. She has her own reasons: years ago she lost her brother without a trace. Brian Freeman, known for continuing Robert Ludlum’s […]
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Peanut Butter Chaos: A Whimsical Recipe for Laughs
Picture this: you’re starving. What better fix than a peanut butter sandwich? That’s when How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich in 17 Easy Steps arrives, accordion in hand, turning your snack craving into a woodland adventure. This isn’t your typical how-to guide. It’s a laugh-out-loud, over-the-top journey featuring a donkey in clogs stomping peanuts, an accordion-playing raccoon, and synchronized squirrels spreading peanut butter with a knife carved by a beaver. And, of course, there’s a skunk adding its own flair. For kids aged 4-7, including four of my grandkids, this book is perfect for giggles. The steps are hilariously absurd, and the story emphasizes teamwork and accepting differences. Each […]
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A Willy Wonka-esque Premise
Lucy Hart knows all too well what it’s like to grow up without loving parents. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found solace in books, especially the Clock Island series by reclusive author Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she shares her love of reading with her young students, particularly seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who tragically lost his parents and became an orphan. Lucy dreams of adopting Christopher, but she lacks the funds and stability to make it happen. Jack Masterson, the mega-bestselling author of the Clock Island series, quit writing under mysterious circumstances and for the past six years has been drinking himself into an early […]
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31 Ways to Be Rapture Ready
I didn’t necessarily learn anything new from The Great Disappearance, but it was a refreshing reminder of God’s promises as we approach the Tribulation. Dr. David Jeremiah’s latest book is both thought-provoking and uplifting, offering a clear biblical perspective on the next event on God’s prophetic timetable—the Rapture. This isn’t a book of fear or sensationalism. Instead, it’s full of hope and joy, guiding readers to see God’s plan unfolding and grasp the significance of prophetic Scripture. Dr. Jeremiah calls this “prophecy motivation,” encouraging believers to live with boldness and expectancy. The 31 short chapters are easy to read, each offering practical insights that connect biblical truths to daily living. […]
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A Journey Through Mongolia: Our Take on I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade
I read I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade with my 10-year-old granddaughter as a buddy read. While I appreciated the historical depth, my granddaughter’s feedback strongly shaped my rating—3 stars. As she put it, “It’s hard to compete with Harry Potter!” The story begins with Oyuna, a girl born on the Mongolian steppes during the reign of Kublai Khan, cursed with bad luck after a horse crushes her foot. Determined to prove her worth, she disguises herself as a boy and embarks on an incredible journey with her old mare. Along the way, Oyuna faces trials that lead her to the Khan’s palace, where she plays a key […]
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Power, Corruption, and Suspense: A Review of Thriller Absolute Power
I always enjoy Baldacci’s thrillers, so I went back and read one I missed from 1996. Some may find it far-fetched, but with today’s politics, who knows? Absolute Power grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. It’s gritty, clever, and full of twists that make you question everyone’s motives. The story begins with Luther Whitney, a career thief, witnessing a crime while robbing a billionaire’s mansion. But this isn’t a typical break-in gone wrong—it’s a murder that implicates none other than the President of the United States. Luther is a flawed but fascinating protagonist. Despite his criminal past, he’s a man trying to do the right thing in […]
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Adventures, Assassins, and Adrenaline in We Solve Murders
Richard Osman has done it again! We Solve Murders kicks off a brand-new series featuring an unlikely detective duo: retired police officer Steve Wheeler and his adrenaline-junkie daughter-in-law, Amy. Packed with humor, heart, and a fast-paced plot, this book will keep you hooked. Steve is living his best low-key life in a quiet English village with his cat, Trouble, and pub quiz nights. Amy, meanwhile, is in chaos, working as a bodyguard for best-selling author Rosie D’Antonio, whose latest novel has ticked off some dangerous people. When a murder frame-up puts Amy in the crosshairs, she calls on Steve for help. Cue a high-stakes, globetrotting adventure with Steve, Amy, and […]
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Secrets, Skeletons, and Supernatural Twists in The Last Daughter of York
3.5 stars For 11 years, her twin sister Caitlin’s disappearance has haunted Serena Warren. The discovery of Caitlin’s bones in an untouched 18th-century church vault thrusts Serena into a tangled web of family secrets, historical mysteries, and a relic with otherworldly power. Add in the Wars of the Roses, the Princes in the Tower, and a dash of paranormal intrigue, and you’ve got Nicola Cornick’s The Last Daughter of York. This dual-timeline novel spans centuries, weaving the stories of Serena in the present and Anne Lovell in the 15th century. Francis and Anne’s tale of loyalty and loss during the fall of Richard III is rich with drama, but Serena’s […]
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A Timeless Tale of Art and Family
Tracy Chevalier’s The Glassmaker feels like stepping into a kaleidoscope—colorful, intricate, and timeless. Set on Murano, the island of Venetian glassmakers, this novel captures the lives of the Rosso family, particularly the indomitable Orsola Rosso, whose spirit and skill defy societal expectations. The story opens in 1486, where Orsola longs to craft delicate glass goblets, but as a woman, she’s deemed fit only to make “inconsequential” beads. Those very beads save her family repeatedly as the novel skips through centuries of triumph, loss, and survival. From the Renaissance to plagues, Napoleon’s conquests, and even COVID-19, Chevalier vividly portrays Murano’s changing fortunes and the resilience of the Rosso women. The glassmaking details are […]
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A Magical Journey of Love, Loss, and Connection
The Lost Bookshop is a heartwarming blend of mystery, historical fiction, and contemporary storytelling, woven together through a magical bookshop brimming with secrets. The novel follows three storylines: In 1921, Opaline defies societal norms by escaping a forced marriage and finding refuge at a bookstore in Paris. In the present, Martha rebuilds her life after fleeing an abusive marriage, and Henry searches for a missing manuscript tied to the enigmatic bookshop. At its heart, the story centers on a hidden bookshop that transcends time and space, offering solace and second chances. Woods’ vivid descriptions bring the settings to life, from Dublin to Paris, and the bookshop itself, with its dusty […]
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