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Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category

The Kid’s Korner #37 ~ Sleep, Merel, Sleep

Posted: September 19, 2018 in Children's books, reviews
Tags: children's book, review

Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today I’m taking you on quest.

Sleep, Merel, Sleep

by Silke Stein

Genre: Children’s Book

My Review

Merel is miserable. Ever since her parents brought her sick baby brother home, she’s invisible to them. They’re so busy caring for him, they have no time for their little girl. Throwing a tantrum causes her sleep to leave. Now she can’t rest until she gets it back.

While picking up her things after her fit, Merel discovers a tiny violin. Thus begins her adventure to find her sleep and maybe find her place in the family again.

Merel was such a brave little girl. She set off on her own and faced many strange beings and some unusual situations in her quest. Every now and then I came across a nugget of knowledge, something that connected Merel’s problems on her quest with things she must deal with at home. The author cleverly wove them into the story and, after coming across one, I was on my own quest to discover more.

This was a story of adventure, hope, accepting and growing up. I found each chapter filled with fun and excitement.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes, indeed. I was charmed. Would I recommend it? With all my little girl at heart.

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Synopsis

Who wants to be awake forever?

Life has changed for eight-year-old Merel. Since the birth of her sick baby brother, her parents seem to have forgotten she exists. But when she finds a tiny silver violin in her bedroom rug, things take a turn for the worse.

Merel learns that her sleep has abandoned her and that she must embark on a perilous journey to recover it or stay awake forever. Together with her devoted toy sheep Roger, tired Merel sets out in search of Lullaby Grove. Before long, she finds herself haunted by a scary stranger.

Follow Merel into a surreal world. Meet a sleepy king with an obsession for feathers and a transparent old man on a night train going nowhere. Discover why the moonfish cry, why you should never walk across the Great Yawns ― and if poor Merel can escape her pursuer, win back her sleep, and realize what matters most in her life.

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

My Monday Minis #50 ~ Through The Fire

Posted: September 17, 2018 in audible, reviews, Romance, suspense
Tags: audible, review, romantic suspense

Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

Today I’m back with more thrills and romance from Katie Ruggle’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit. I know this is supposed to be a shorter review, but I just couldn’t keep it that way. The series ender needed to be crowed about!

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TITLE: Through The Fire

Rocky Mountain K9 Unit #4

AUTHOR: Katie Ruggle

NARRATOR: Callie Beaulieu

PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio

PUBLICATION DATE: August 28, 2018

FORMAT: Unabridged Audiobook

LENGTH: 11 hrs.

GENRE: Romantic Suspense

My Review

Having loved the first book in this thrilling series, I came to expect something more with the following ones. And after finishing each one I’d think, this is my favorite. I did get more than I expected with each book and each one did become my favorite. Guess that means the author will surely have to wow me again with this fourth book. And I won’t keep you in suspense. She did.

Kit Jernigan and Wesley March are the star character’s this time around. Kit is the beta to Wesley’s alpha. She may seem like the alpha in the beginning, as Wesley is a bit of a loner and prefers his time alone. But when the danger comes calling in the guise of one of their own, Wesley sheds his loner persona and steps right into his alpha role, making them a formidable team.

I like how Katie changed things somewhat, giving a female K-9 officer a leading role. And where usually the previous character’s have a more supporting role, this time they all come out to shine together. This worked gloriously. There were so many funny, adorable scenes, my face hurt from grinning. And my jaw hurt from clenching my teeth at the scenes of extreme danger and betrayal. Every one of my feels came into play and I couldn’t have asked for more.

The author wraps up her series with an ending that set me back on my heels. Whoa. I sure want to tell you all about it, but……..

Genuine character’s with flaws and insecurities have continuously stepped up to the plate throughout this series. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten their brave, true and most loyal four-legged partner’s and companions. Being a binge watcher, if this were ever made into a television series, I’d watch it over and over again.

Did I enjoy Through The Fire? Oh, yes. Every single bit of it. Would I recommend it? I gave it the highest rating allowed. That should answer the question!

Read by Callie Beaulieu

Callie does another superb job of narrating. I’ve enjoyed listening to her through the entire series.

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Synopsis

He’s tall.

He’s dark.

He’s brutally handsome . . .

And he may be her only hope.

Kit Jernigan despairs of ever fitting in with her new tight-knit K9 unit—they’ve been through too much to welcome a stranger. So when a killer strikes, it’s a fight to convince her fellow officers to trust her long enough to catch the woman she knows is responsible.

She can’t do it on her own. What she needs most is a partner: local fire spotter Wesley March.

Wes knows in his heart that Kit is right, and he’s willing to leave his lonely tower to help her prove it. But the more time they spend together, the hotter the fire smolders . . . and the more danger they’re in. A member of the K9 unit’s inner circle is determined to have her revenge—no matter who gets burned in the process.

This time, it’s personal.

Amazon / B&N / Tantor

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #278 and The Sunday Post

Posted: September 14, 2018 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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Some chit chat.

Gah! My yard and flowerbeds are a mess. The lawn is mowed. I have someone who does that every week. But I do all of the weeding and trimming. The overgrowth is out of control. After tending it faithfully all summer, I’ve run out of gumption. LOL It happens every year. Nothing is slowing down yet so I figure I’ll clean it up one more time and then wait to winterize the delicate things.

And guess what I saw today. Blue skies with not a hint of a cloud….all day long! That hasn’t happened once all summer. Guess what I did? I shucked plans for working in the yard and spent all my time in the pool. The days are blistering hot with heat index warnings for 110 plus degrees. Even though the water temp in the pool is around 91 degrees, it still feels cooler than the air. Got sunburned too as I’ve been losing my tan due to so many rainy days. Heading back out there now. Toodles!

Have a fabulous Sunday and brand new week!

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My new books this week.

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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.

Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.

~~~~~

Click on the covers to check out this week’s reviews.

Short review week. I do have a ton written and some will be posted this month. Got a bunch of horrors and thrillers I’ll be sharing for my October Thrills and Chills feature.

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Freakin Fridays #67 ~ The Mouth Of The Dark

Posted: September 14, 2018 in horror, reviews
Tags: Arc, Horror, review

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today’s book is hard to describe. You’ll see!

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The Mouth Of The Dark

by Tim Waggoner

Genre: Horror / Paranormal

My Review

Egads. That best describes my thoughts on this one. I knew from the description it was going to be out there, but this was such a strange read.

It all begins with a man searching for his daughter. That’s the only thing normal about this story. It quickly turns into a bizarre story of finding himself, plunging him into a strange world of demonic sex toys (AKA: Pink Demon) and just plain weird experiences.

Now, I’m not that squeamish. I can take gore, hideous death scenes and terrifying paranormal or supernatural elements. The author took me beyond that into a strange and shocking experience with character’s I struggled to warm up to. That would normally make this a three star read for me as long as the writing was good. It was good. Even the parts that made me flinch. What made it four stars for me was the fact I couldn’t stop reading it. I didn’t even skim past the parts that turned my stomach, scenes I shuddered to picture. I was compelled, held captive until I finished it.

As for the ending. Well, it was an interesting one.

Did I enjoy it? Yes. Even though it made me squirm, my curiosity wouldn’t let me stop reading it. Would I recommend it? Yes. To those who enjoy the darker side in their reading experience.

Thanks so much to Author Tim Waggoner and Flame Tree Press for a complimentary copy.

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Synopsis

Jayce’s twenty-year-old daughter Emory is missing, lost in a dark, dangerous realm called Shadow that exists alongside our own reality. An enigmatic woman named Nicola guides Jayce through this bizarre world, and together they search for Emory, facing deadly dog-eaters, crazed killers, homicidal sex toys, and – worst of all – a monstrous being known as the Harvest Man. But no matter what Shadow throws at him, Jayce won’t stop. He’ll do whatever it takes to find his daughter, even if it means becoming a worse monster than the things that are trying to stop him.

Amazon / B&N / Flame Tree Press

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #277 and The Sunday Post

Posted: September 9, 2018 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

This is my own version of a weekly book haul and all things new on fuonlyknew.

I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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Some chit chat.

I said last week that I don’t know where my heads is at. Still don’t! LOL I didn’t watch television last weekend and completely missed something important. Luckily I got a hurricane warning alert on my phone Sunday night. Ran out and got what I might need. Went to work Monday and then ran home to store all the outside furniture and bring in loose items. This is the first storm this year and I wasn’t looking forward to it. Figures it was coming in Tuesday night. I hate it when they come in after dark. Luckily, it blew through fast and wasn’t that bad. Mostly torrential rain for a couple of days.

This lucky guy made it through okay.

20180903_163352

Do you see it? The big banana spider hanging in the middle of the picture. He’s bright orange and green though you can’t see that in the picture. Huge too. As big as my hand! They have super strong silk and the storm huffed and puffed but he hung in there.

I was surprised when we didn’t lose power. Good thing too as I watched some shows and had the volume up high to “drown” out the noises from outside. LOL When I checked in the morning there was no damage. Just a very water logged yard and some branches on the ground. Hopefully, we won’t get any more before hurricane season ends in November.

I’ve been scrambling to visit posts I’ve missed because I unplugged during the storm. If I missed you, sorry, and I’ll catch up!

Have a fabulous Sunday and brand new week!

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My new books this week.

Went a little eBook crazy on books this week! I couldn’t help myself.

And check these out. Got them for $1.00 each at the Dollar Tree.

20180904_161702

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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.

Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.

~~~~~

Click on the covers to check out this week’s reviews.

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The Bad Neighbor by David Tallerman

Posted: September 8, 2018 in reviews, thriller
Tags: review, thriller

I was thrilled to receive this ARC of The Bad Neighbor by David Tallerman provided by Flame Tree Press. Doesn’t that cover give you all kinds of shivers?

The Bad Neighbor

by David Tallerman

40774578

Genre: Thriller

My Review

Ollie comes into a bit of money and, on impulse, he buys a rundown house in a seedy neighborhood. In no time he has run ins with the neighbor. The music coming from next door plays into the wee hours. So loud he can’t sleep. And the parties spill over into the back yard, getting on his last nerve. When he finally decides to do something about it, the description of a bad neighbor gives this story a whole new twist.

Ollie went from annoyed to out of control in a heart beat. I wanted to grab him by the collar and shake the crap out of him. He was impulsive, reckless. Ever watched a movie or read a book where the character does something that makes you wince? You don’t want to see it or read it, but you can’t stop? Well, this guy is all kinds of are you nuts and shy in the smarts department.

After a slow start and accepting the fact I wasn’t going to warm up to the main character, things picked up and I settled in to finish the book. Some twists and suspenseful scenes made it worth pushing through to the end.

Thanks so much to Flame Tree Press and Author David Tallerman for this thrilling book.

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Synopsis

When part-time teacher Ollie Clay panic-buys a rundown house in the outskirts of Leeds, he soon recognizes his mistake. His new neighbor, Chas Walker, is an antisocial thug, and Ollie’s suspicions raise links to a local hate group. With Ollie’s life unravelling rapidly, he feels his choices dwindling: his situation is intolerable and only standing up to Chas can change it. But Ollie has his own history of violence, and increasingly, his own secrets to hide; and Chas may be more than the mindless yob he appears to be. As their conflict spills over into the wider world, Ollie will come to learn that there are worse problems in life than one bad neighbor.

Amazon / B&N / Flame Tree Press

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Mixter Twizzle’s Breakfast ~ Children’s Book Review

Posted: September 5, 2018 in Children's books, Fantasy, reviews
Tags: children's illustrated book, fantasy, friendship, review

Mirror World Publishing presents a 1-week book tour for Mixter Twizzle’s Breakfast. Written by Regan W.H. Macaulay and Illustrated by Wei Lu!

Follow the book tour HERE.

My Review

Mixter Twizzle is a naughty little demon. He lives under the hen coup and comes out to steal their eggs. But then something happens to change the little red guy and a new story begins.

I just loved Mixter Twizzle. He’s a little cutie but he can be very pesky. It took something magical to change his ways and I really liked how that worked out.

Fun for little ones but I enjoyed it too. The story is not too long or too short. Just right. And the illustrations are very colorful and fun.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. That little red imp charmed me. Would I recommend it. Very much so. A lesson about friendship and a fun adventure.

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About Mixter Twizzle’s Breakfast:

Mixter Twizzle is an odd, red, round-shaped, mischievous creature. He lives in a hovel, beneath a rustic barn, underneath the chicken coop at Riverdale Farm. He’s a snoozing sneezer and a snoring barker—a peculiar sort that both annoys and pleases. At first, Mixter Twizzle is thrilled by his egg-gorging fests, delighting in his own wickedness, but he soon realizes he is lonely. He longs for companionship, but the hens will have nothing to do with him. Can this fiendish creature learn to make friends at the farm?

Genre: Children’s Picture Book; Fantasy; Friendship

Publish Date: September 3, 2018

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing

Publisher Website: https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Mirror World Publishing

Meet Author Regan W.H. Macaulay:

Regan W. H. Macaulay writes novels, short stories, children’s literature, and scripts. Writing is her passion, but she’s also a producer and director of theatre, film, and television. She is an animal-enthusiast as well, which led her to become a Certified Canine (and Feline) Massage Therapist. Other award-winning picture storybooks by Regan W. H. Macaulay include Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese, Sloth the Lazy Dragon, and Tamara Turtle’s Life So Far. She is also the author of The Trilogy of Horrifically Half-baked Ham which includes Space Zombies! (based on her film, Space Zombies: 13 Months of Brain-Spinning Mayhem!—available on iTunes and on DVD), They Suck, and Horror at Terror Creek.

Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Amazon US

Meet Illustrator Wei Lu:

Wei Lu is an illustrator and graphic designer residing in Toronto. She grew up in China before studying at Nova Scotia’s College of Art and Design. She loves animals and make-believe characters of any kind and can bring them to life with a pencil and paper.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

The Siren and the Specter by Jonathan Janz ~ Bringing the boo

Posted: September 5, 2018 in horror, New Release, reviews
Tags: Arc, Horror, review

Do you enjoy reading about hauntings? I sure do. Have a huge stack of books to share in October.

I was thrilled to receive this ARC of The Siren And The Specter by Jonathan Janz provided by Flame Tree Press. A beautiful book with thick pages and a spectacular cover.

The Siren And The Specter

by Jonathan Janz

Genre: Horror

My Review

I can’t resist a haunted house tale and this had all of the ingredients required to keep me glued to the story. There was the curiosity. The kind that killed the cat. There was the atmosphere heavy with dread. And multiple cases of mysterious activities.

And I love a skeptic. David Caine is the perfect example. He refuses to believe what is happening right before his eyes. Reminds me of the movie, Room 1408. The main character, played by John Cusack, cannot allow himself to believe something is really happening and suffers for it. Big time.

The author fleshes out his characters, starts the build up of suspense through some serious hair raising atmosphere, and then lets the spook out. And he provides more than one haunting. What’s in the house is big and bad. What haunts the grounds is just as deadly. Some serious twists and ulterior motives going on too. Never a dull moment with this one.

Did I enjoy this book. Oh, yeah! Would I recommend it? Very much!

Thanks so much to Flame Tree Press and Author Jonathan Janz for this thrilling book.

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Synopsis

When David Caine, a celebrated skeptic of the supernatural, is invited by an old friend to spend a month in “the most haunted house in Virginia,” he believes the case will be like any other. But the Alexander House is different. Built by a 1700s land baron to contain the madness and depravity of his eldest son, the house is plagued by shadows of the past and the lingering taint of bloodshed. David is haunted, as well. For twenty-two years ago, he turned away the woman he loved, and she took her life in sorrow. And David suspects she’s followed him to the Alexander House. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launching in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

Amazon / B&N / Flame Tree Press

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

My Monday Minis #49 ~ A little bit of vamp

Posted: September 3, 2018 in horror, Monday's Minis, reviews
Tags: Arc, Horror, review

Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

Today’s book is an ARC I received from Flame Tree Press.

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Thirteen Days By Sunset Beach

by Ramsey Campbell

Genre: Horror

My Review

I was intrigued by the synopsis for this book. Dove in all excited. But I stumbled right out of the gate. The writing felt a bit bumpy and the plot felt slow. I also didn’t care much for the characters. I persevered and got quite a good read after the bumpy start.

While this moved slowly and didn’t really scare me, it had plenty of atmosphere. And once my imagination kicked into gear it had me turning the pages to see if I was correct about what was actually occurring and to see the outcome.

I’m thinking I would have enjoyed this more as a movie.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes, after it got going. Would I read this author again? Yep. Even though it didn’t wow me, I still had a good read.

Thanks so much to Flame Tree Press and Author Ramsey Campbell for the opportunity to read this book.

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Synopsis

It’s Ray’s and Sandra’s first family holiday in Greece, on the newly developed island of Vasilema. The family weren’t to know that the skies are cloudier above the island than anywhere else in Greece, and they’re mostly intrigued by the local eccentricities and customs—the lack of mirrors, the outsize beach umbrellas, the saint’s day celebrated with an odd nocturnal ritual. Only why are there islanders who seem to follow the family wherever they go? Why do Sandra and the teenage grandchildren have strangely similar dreams? “I was in this huge place with no light and I didn’t want to see. Something sounded… huge.” And has Sandra been granted a wish she didn’t even know she made? Before their holiday is over, some of the family may learn more than they can bear about the secret that keeps the island alive…

Amazon / B&N / Flame Tree Press

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #276 and The Sunday Post

Posted: September 2, 2018 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

This is my own version of a weekly book haul and all things new on fuonlyknew.

I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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Some chit chat.

I don’t know where me heads been lately. I left work Friday telling everyone I’d see them Monday. This drew some shocked looks. They were kind enough to remind me we were closed Monday for the holiday. LOL Glad they did as, knowing me, I would have drive into work!

So I plan to read some, swim a bunch, take some naps and binge shows and movies on the telly. I’ve been watching the show, Heartland, from the beginning for the past few weeks and almost finished. Such a fun, sweet show and I’m really loving it. I always dreamed of living on a horse ranch but never did come true. Now that I’m older I’m content to just ride other people’s horses. LOL

Just finished watching Annihilation last night with my son. We both really enjoyed it. Talk about going Into The Out Of. What a wild idea. We turned out all the lights, cranked up the surround sound and were amazed at the visual effects. Have you seen it? What did you think?

Have a fabulous Sunday and brand new week!

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My new books this week.