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Rose's Thorn: A Joe Erickson Mystery

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 ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ Book: Rose's Thorn: A Joe Erickson Mystery Author: Lynn-Steven Johanson 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 My Thoughts: Rose’s Thorn presents a serious and grounded crime story that focuses on atmosphere, psychology, and careful investigation rather than unnecessary drama. The small town setting adds to the tension, making the crimes feel personal and deeply disturbing. Joe Erickson is written as a flawed but highly capable detective, and his emotional struggles make him feel human and relatable. The author takes time to build the story, allowing readers to fully absorb the weight of the case and its consequences. The writing is smooth and well paced, keeping the suspense alive without rushing key moments. As the investigation progresses, the danger feels increasingly real, especially with time running out to save the next victim. The emotional depth combined with a strong mystery makes this book stand out. It is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy thoughtful crime fiction that stays wit...

Scalawag's Rugrats!

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  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Book: Scalawag's Rugrats! Author: Crash Le Comique  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 My Thoughts: Reading children’s books to my kids is a regular part of our routine. This time, we picked up “Scalawag’s Rugrats!” and my little ones instantly fell in love with the character of Scalawag. His tiny rugrats are full of energy and ready to take on the world. I truly enjoyed reading about Scalawag’s journey from pirate to parent. The story is packed with meaningful life lessons, humor, and plenty of heart. Both parents and children will easily connect with the storyline and its emotions. This book beautifully highlights the importance of family, love, and togetherness. It’s perfect for children aged 4–8 and gently reinforces the idea that with love, anything is possible. The author and illustrator have done a wonderful job bringing this story to life. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Rating: 5/5

Santa's Audit

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  Book: Santa's Audit Written by: Crash Le Comique  Santa’s Audit is an imaginative holiday tale that adds a clever bureaucratic twist to the timeless magic of Christmas. Set against the familiar backdrop of Santa Claus and his legendary nice list, the story introduces the Federal Bureau of Gift Management (FBGM), an unexpected but hilarious authority that brings accountability, fairness, and inclusivity. The plot centers on an official audit that reveals a surprising truth: some genuinely deserving children have been excluded from Santa’s Nice List over the years. These children once labeled as little ruffians or overlooked due to rigid standards are finally given their due.  With the FBGM stepping in, Santa is required to update his list, ensuring that no child who deserves joy on Christmas morning is left out. This premise alone sets the book apart, blending humor with a meaningful message about fairness and second chances. I am glad to read this book to my nieces. Rat...

Havana Brown: A Joe Erickson Mystery

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 ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ðŸŒ¸ Book: Havana Brown: A Joe Erickson Mystery Author: Lynn-Steven Johanson 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 My Thoughts:  You can tell from the beginning that the killer is not easy to catch. That difficulty sets the tone of the entire book and keeps you curious about what will happen next. Joe Erickson is a strong lead character who is fighting both the criminal and his own limits. His exhaustion feels real and makes the story emotional. The investigation takes many surprising turns. Every time Joe gets close, something pushes him back, which keeps the suspense alive. The book ends with a powerful confrontation. It gives closure while still reminding readers how dangerous and clever the killer really was. Rating: 5/5 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

I Thought The Shame Would Kill Me: But Grace Set Me Free

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  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Book: I Thought The Shame Would Kill Me: But Grace Set Me Free Author: Rev. Dr. Tarasa B. Lovick 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 My Thoughts: For me, I Thought The Shame Would Kill Me is not just a book—it’s a quiet invitation to step into grace. Rev. Dr. Tarasa B. Lovick doesn’t write from a distance; she writes from the middle of her own healing. Her honesty feels like a breath of fresh air in a world that often hides pain behind smiles. She allows readers to see the messy, uncomfortable process of finding forgiveness and peace. The strength of this book lies in its simplicity. The language is easy to follow, but the emotions run deep. You can feel the truth behind her words, and that truth is what makes it so powerful. She shows that healing doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a slow and gentle unfolding that begins when we allow ourselves to be seen and loved just as we are. There’s a spiritual depth to the story, but it’s not heavy or complicated. It’s about real grace—the kind that meet...

Last Train to Snarksville

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  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Book: Last Train to Snarksville  Author: James Robinson, Jr. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 My Thoughts: “Last Train to Snarksville” is a delightful collection of stories that feel like conversations with an old friend — one who’s witty, reflective, and never short on clever observations. Each story gives readers a window into Robinson’s mind, revealing how he sees life’s oddities and everyday moments with both humor and heart. Robinson’s writing is light and conversational, yet it carries a certain depth that lingers. His humor doesn’t just make you laugh — it makes you nod in recognition. Whether he’s reminiscing about the past or musing on the present, his voice strikes a balance between warmth and playfulness. Stories like Out of the Woods, Beware the Toaster and The Road Less Traveled stand out for their sharp storytelling and effortless flow. I was left craving for more of the author's work as I finished reading this book. Rating: 5/5 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

The Orphanage on Cheswick Court

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  Book: The Orphanage on Cheswick Court  Author: Haule Voss  In The Orphanage on Cheswick Court: The Hollowbloods, Haule Voss introduces readers to a richly imagined world where magic, destiny, and sacrifice intertwine. The story follows fifteen-year-old Thaddeus Volkameria, an orphan shaped by loss and raised by a pack of enchanted wolves—a premise that immediately sets this tale apart from typical fantasy origins. From the very beginning, Voss captures the reader’s attention with the wild, untamed beauty of Thaddeus’s upbringing. When Thaddeus is summoned to the Enchanted Haven—a mysterious orphanage for children marked by dark magic—the novel shifts from a story of survival in the wilderness to one of discovery and transformation. The Enchanted Haven itself is one of the book’s strongest settings: eerie yet inviting, steeped in secrets, and perched on the edge of a cursed forest. Voss’s world-building is filled with a gothic atmosphere and moral complexity. Every child...