A Horse for the Heart by Jo Anne Barnes

In this YA story we find Stacy who's just head over heels about horses.

She's 14 and helps out at the stables nearby. Her father passed away and now her mother is seeing a man and they intend to marry soon...

She thinks David is trying to take over her father’s place... With help from David she is able to take on the care of a horse she has a liking for. With his help it goes a lot further.

She has support from others and she has to prove herself and the worth of the horse to keep him. Love the techniques used to make the horse do things, even underhanded they work. Persistent and positive and patience all play a part in healing the horse from its past fears. Lots of surprises in this one!

Light read but worth every minute reading it.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery

Like description of this story as winter is just starting here with the snow falling, nice time to read about summer places.

Starts out when Mickey is at her restaurant with her loving chef and she's notified that her grandmother is remarrying. She is up to her ears with bills and running the business and things are not going well.

She escapes to the island where we find her mother and grandmother. Story goes back in time over the years so you can understand why and how things happen in present day.

Love the cooking, tips about smelly fish and how to get rid of that before cooking *PRICELESS*, mention of her favorite author friends in acknowledgments, the island itself, island living and the cooking, redisgn of kitchen and how it all plays out at the end.

With so much turmoil it's any wonder the family moves on, sells house and calls it a day...

Descriptions of food, smells, atmosphere, sounds all come to the forefront for me as i am RIGHT there with them in the kitchen or walking on dewy grass at night...

Can't wait to read more from this author. So captivating.

Love multi generation of women and their effect on the island as they go through many stages over their lifetime. Beautiful ending, never saw it coming out like it did. Ends with acknowledgments and about the author.

Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press St. Martin's Griffin via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

#NetGalley

Stories from Puglia: Two Californians in Southern Italy by Mark Tedesco

This book is about the Sothern heel portion of Italy where we find the author has landed..

Love not only the conversations but the architecture, calmness of life and the locations.

Especially the insight into how others got there, from where, why they like it so much, and so much more.

I feel they found the Blue Zone and would live a very long happy healthy life from their adventures and living in Puglia.

Conversations I felt I was present because the words are just so precise and to the point. Love different ages and how everybody is at ease with one another.

LOVE the trees and all the legends and Bible stories that resonate with the story lines. SO entertaining.

The author really captures your attention but also what Puglia and surrounding areas are all about.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison

1942 and we find Hazel leaving her Kansas town and heading to CA. She not only saw her boyfriend off to fight in the war but she's looking for a job that will aide them getting back to the states.

She finds a job as riveter in the airplane factories and she feels a great part of all that happens. When the boys do return the women are out of jobs and she heads to Laguna where she is able to get a job as an artist assistant.

She becomes more than an assistant and learns so much of the industry. Appreciate the work done at the shows and getting ready for the artists displays. So many celebratities and like how she falls into the sea to find peace.

Medical issues occur and she heads back to the factory and knows she's made a mistake. She returns in time for the contribute to the artist and all he meant to the community and knows where she's at is really home.

So emotional as she becomes a young woman and then heads west to contribute to the war efforts. She seems so carefree and a wandering spirit...

Like the descriptions and there are not many characters. Easy to keep track of them all as their lives mesh together.

Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

#HotelLaguna #NetGalley.

Unforgettable Love: Unforgettable Wonders (The Unforgettables Book 30)

1-800-IRELAND: A Sweet Contemporary Romance Novella (Flipping For You Book 3) by Josie Riviera

Another great story from the author.

Have followed this series and enjoyed them all.

This one starts out with Kathleen who's relocated from Ireland to NC, a small town called Roses. She lives above her new store-a tea house serving real Irish bread to name a few items on her menu.

Candy, the one who set up the apartment and saw to all the new owners needs from the US side also has notified Rob, her friend in FL who bakes cakes and cupcakes in his own shop.

He's older and not quite the catch of the day-love this that he's just a regular guy and kinda out of shape.

kathleeen has it set in her dreams about her shop but Maureen knows she will need help. Rob needs time away from his own shop so travels there to see what it will need, in his opinion to make it a success.

He never expected to find Kathleen so charming! Like the challenge they take part it. So many lovely detailed descriptions, I can just picture it for real.

Loved hearing all about starting up the business-priceless information!

Some characters from the series make an appearance but you are given all details aobut them so you're not left in the dark.

This can be read as a standalone! Irish slang words are explained in the conversations they have.

Misunderstandings and you wonder if they will ever get back together to see if they have what it takes to be a couple.

Recipe included! Note from the author is included at the end.

Acknowledgements and about the author is included. Offer to join first readers group.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Excerpt from Maeve is also included.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Vanished by Nicole Morris

True stories from families of Australian missing persons

Tough read because we suffered the same events with our nephew.

Interesting to learn how things are done in Australia and tough facts about the technology they must send things to US to process.

What I hated to learn about was how things get so mixed up, communication never gets to where it needs to go to. If a sentence is stated others twist it all around so it's not the same thing that was state or printed.

Such hardships but like learning about the FB page to help others ask for help and with the agencies that handle it.

Like that there is information to report to authorities if you know anything about the person who vanished.

About the author and the organization information is also included at the end.

Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Magenta by John Payton Foden

Story of a journalist that travels to Sarajevo.

Descriptions are so detailed and precise, I can see what others have seen now as they served over there.

Story follows Stefan the war photographer and Silva as they make their way to find their friends during the war. Scenes are very detailed, it's horrid, horrendous, tragic and I don't know how they found words to describe and photograph the scenes.

No morals and no humanity in the soldiers that take charge.

Love travel to other countries and bit of romance and about the people of the country.

So brave to tell the real story.

Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Loving Miss Radio by Jo Anne Barnes

Enjoyed this read from the very start. I grew up on an island where they do hunt for deer but had never heard the phrase fire hunter.

Loved learning about that, Trey and his baseball, I am a fan, and Dean who is Jennabeth's brother.

Love twists and turns and just how capable they are. She fears he will just leave and never come back, especially when her brother takes a liking to him. She would hate that disappointment for him, just being a teen.

Love locations, things I learned, romance and story line where there are others in the town that you also learn about.

Would love to read more from this author, cheeks are not always rosy, love her words when she describes things.

adult situations.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Cajun Hideaway by Jo Anne Barnes

This story starts out with Callie and she's packed up her apartment and on her way to visit with her sister and her intended for three weeks.

The cabin is spacious and they all get along together well. Callie sees more in Hunter is fascinated with her but Callie reminds him that she's engaged to her sister.

Cathy heads off one day to schedule her college classes and brings Lance back. Love the Cajun atmosphere and history lessons about the area and also the Indian mounds. Am familiar with them as we have visited some in Ohio so was so cool to learn what they were going to do with them, after they received permission.

Things get heated until the car accident and relationships really change. You wonder who will end up with who.

Love the descriptions, details and plot of the story. SO many twists and turns, excellent read and can't wiat to read more from this author.

Her other works are highlighted at the end.

Adult situations.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

CHILDREN

Facts about the jellyfish by Lisa Strattin

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where chapters are listed.

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new creatures on our earth.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

We have some of these as we live closeby to the ocean.

Facts about the Tiger by Lisa Strattin

This book starts out with free ebook offer when you subscribe to authors website.

also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

Everything from the animals characterizes, appearance, life stage, span, size habitat, diet friends and if they are suitable as a pet.

There is SO much information, learning in a fun way.

Colorful children's educational fun book. We have seen these in the zoos and on TV shows.

Facts about the Fly by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book. This book starts out with free ebook offer when you subscribe to authors website.

also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

Everything about the fly is given, their life cycles, habitat, etc.

We occasionally see these around the house, outside mostly.

Facts about the Hamster by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book. This book starts out with free ebook offer when you subscribe to authors website.

also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

There is so much information, what they eat, where they live and so much more.

So fascinating to learn all about them. Have seen these as others have had them as pets, in the house.

Facts about the Manatee by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book. This book starts out with free ebook offer when you subscribe to authors website.

also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

There is so much information, what they eat, where they live and so much more.

Have seen these when we visited Florida back in 1985.

Facts about the Gerbil by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book. This book starts out with free ebook offer when you subscribe to authors website.

also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

There is so much information, what they eat, where they live and so much more.

Have seen these when we visit others houses.

Facts about the Chameleon by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book. This book starts out with free ebook offer when you subscribe to authors website. also information about box set of books and l st of what they include. Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

There is so much information, what they eat, where they live and so much more.

Have seen these at zoos we have visited.

Facts about the Lynx by Lisa Strattin

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where chapters are listed.

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new animals on our earth.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

Have never seen these, just in movies.

facts about the polar bear by Lisa Strattin

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new animals on our earth.

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where chapters are listed.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

Have seen these in zoos from east to west coast.

Fun facts about the West Highland terrier by Lisa Strattin

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new animals on our earth.

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where chapters are listed.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

Have seen these in movies.

Can You Count the Monkeys?: Count the Monkeys I Spy Book for Kids Ages 2-5: Monkeys Picture Puzzle Book for Kids: Activity Book About Monkeys (Counting ... for Toddlers) by Lisa Strattin

colorful children’s educations and fun book about monkeys and counting, starts with nameplate then it starts the puzzles.

They give you something to find on the page, starts with find 3 monkeys that are the same.

next page shows the answers. These are not very difficult but very educational.

hank you note from the author and they request a review.

Facts about the swan by Lisa Strattin

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where chapters are listed.

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new birds on our earth.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

Have seen these in parks when we paddleboat.

Facts about the Mouse by Lisa Strattin

These we have seen, usually dead because a cat cuaght one.

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where animals are listed.

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new creatures on our earth.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

Facts about the Horse by Lisa Strattin

We had several on the farm growing up but they were not really ours, just the relatives. Several years ago we did ride horses, a bucket list wish for me.

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where animals are listed.

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new creatures on our earth.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

Facts about the leopard by Lisa Strattin

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where chapters are listed.

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new animals on our earth.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

Have seen these in a zoo behind fences.

Facts about the jellyfish by Lisa Strattin

This book starts with offer of free ebook, image credits, bundle sets and TOC where chapters are listed.

Fun, education, colorful, children's and adults book. Super fun to learn all about new creatures on our earth.

So many facts about where they live, what they eat, their friends, size, and so much more.

We have some of these as we live closeby to the ocean.

Moral Stories – Pearls of Wisdom by Vedika Agrawal, Kunal Das

This colorful, educational, children's story, Animal Kingdom series.

Entertaining stories for children and adults, just a few pages for each story.

Enlighteiing and fun things to learn about: patience, self love and honesty in a fun way.

Match page is inlcuded at the end, scramble words, note from the authors, and about them.

Take One More Step, Try One More Time by Vedika Agrawal, Kunal Das

Colorful, rhyming, inspirational, educational children's book, Animal Kingdom series.

This tory starts out with Bird Dippy and their mother feeds them but they are just sad. So fearful of falling and NOT being able to fly.

They encourage Dippy to just try, one step at a time...

Follow their progress and there are fun things to do at the end of the story.

Fun entertaining story.

Game for two, Dippy in the Sky, note from Dippy and the authors.

The Monkey Who Wished To Be A Deer: A comical children's book to promote self-love and confidence for kids aged between 3-8 by Vedika Agrawal, Kunal Das

Colorful, rhyming, children's picture story books, educational and easy to follow along, Animal Kingdom series.

Book starts with nameplate and then the story. We fin a monkey kobu and he likes playing around.

He notices a deer and what they do and he finds his life boring and he wants to be a deer. As things go along he is promised a few wishes and he gets what he wants.

Is the monkey turning into a deer really what he wants?

Follow along to find out what happens next...

What I really like is that I can enlarge the page and words so I can read them to the children.

Beautfiul realistic pictures. Bonus features are there are coloring pages at th eend, secret message puzzle, and icons showing pistiive affirmations.

Note from the author and about the authors ends this book.

Grandma and Her Missing Goat: A children's book for a child that loves pets for kids ages 3-8 by Kunal Das, Vedika Agrawal

Colorful, educational, childrens story, Animal Kingdom series.

Grandma lives with her goat Dolly and she's concerned that they live hear the jungle....

One night it's dark and cold out and grandma goes to bring Dolly in but they are NOT there....

Many different animals she's approached have not seen Dolly but give her food for her journey in the jungle.

They urge her to go back home...

She arrives home and is so unhappy and sad that she can't find Dolly....

Great ending, didn't see it happening this way.

Maze puzlie is inlcuded at the end, coloring page, note to fill out: I love my Pet and things about them.

About the authors and a message from them and about Doon Tales.

Good Touch - Bad Touch: A children's book to understand personal boundaries and stay safe for kids ages 5 to 10 (Let's Learn Picture Books 2) by Kunal Das, Vedika Agrawal

Thie story starts out with a nameplate, and story starts with Sandra and Reema who's just returned to school and want to talk about their summer vacations.

Her uncle had played games with her but she didn't know how to explain it....

This is a very personal story about what to look for when someone else is in your space and they've gone beyond the boundary...

Colorful, children's story that needs to be shared with everybody. Love later part of the book where it shows where is ok to tuch and where it is NOT .

Puzzle games at the end, differences in the pictures, about the authors and message from them.