Bye Bye Bully: a bully story gone right! by Isabel M. Peña
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book deals with bullying and centers on two young girls who are on opposite sides of this topic. Amanda, a victim and Mildred, a bully are both thrown into an unusual situation when Mildred loses her memories after being hit with a rock. Amanda and Mildred strike up an unlikely friendship after and learn about each other’s lives in a new way.
I liked the story for my daughter who is just entering that age where bullying is going to be a problem. This helps her visualize some situations and it also presents her with a view of looking deeper into a person’s reasons for their actions. Overall a good book for younger kids.


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Taming the Wish by Sava Buncic
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Based on the cryptic synopsis, I was expecting a postapocalyptic type of novel. What we got was more a thriller with an authoritarian twist on a global level. Petar, is a clinical doctor who routinely upsets his superiors with his inquisitive nature and his attention to detail. Moved into the scientific field, Petar finds a treatment for obesity, controlling the wish as he calls it and this sets him into the sights of dangerous forces.
While the story itself was interesting, Petar was very egotistical, absent minded and so detail oriented, that the pacing of this story moved very slowly. He was perpetually up against everyone else and he seemed a very selfish character. I also didn’t quite understand the ending, so that left me feeling a little dissatisfied


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Lover Girl by Stephen Kronwith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sammy from the first book opens his door and faces an assassin hired by her father to finish Sammy off once and for all. The two join forces though and set out to save a child all the while staving off another assassin bent on killing the both of them.
This book was better than the first one, a bit more serious and focused than the last. Thus, I enjoyed it more and am glad I picked it up. The writing and the plot are good, and Sammy is a more likeable character now that he is focused on one woman and Angelica is certainly a match for Sammy’s personality.


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Magnify Your Impact: Powering Profit With Purpose by Maggie Z. Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One big change for businesses today is the importance Consumers are placing on how you affect society around you, what social issues your business supports. This book will teach you how to take you business acumen and apply it towards the communities and problems that can be impacted the most. I found that this was a really good book to read, as a business owner, staying current on societal issues and figuring out what my customers most care about is important as it can directly impact my bottom line. I appreciated the authors attention to detail and the ease of understanding of the information here.

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Selling a Business Blueprint: Step-by-Step Guide with Forms and Agreements by Michael L O'Donnell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you ever considered selling your business this book is a must. Included in the guidelines are sample contracts, scenarios that you might encounter as well as a detailed account of each necessary step in the selling process. I am not going to sell my business right now, however, this book will be a valuable resource for when I m ready to do so. I really liked that the forms were able to be edited which makes them easy to use for each individual.

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Write a New Song: Discovering the Hidden Songwriting Skills Inside of You by Mateo Blae
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A book that helps artist break through walls and discover new artistic ways to create new songs. Having a good process to let out your inner thoughts and melodies is a good thing, and this book helps you get to new processes easily. I found this book really interesting, I thought that artist just wrote down what came to them, I never knew there was a whole process behind it. As such, even though I am not a songwriter, I found this to be enlightening and gives me more appreciation for my favorite song writers.

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Mayhem in the Moongarden by E.L. Seer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delightful book for emerging readers, Mayhem in the Moongarden takes us along with Grubner when he is allowed to finally take care of Mildred’s Moongarden when she is called away for business. Going up against Ravishers, Grubner must learn how to defend the gardens contents before they are all consumed.
My daughters both enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations were neat, and they said the book was really funny in some areas. Readers of the Ethan Fox series will love this new addition.


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Courage Alison: A Redemptive, Character-Driven, Contemporary Fiction Romance Novel by Heather Nadine Lenz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the fourth in the Courage to Rise series but as the other books, can be read as a stand-alone. Allison is living a pampered life full of luxury that comes crashing down with embezzlement charges that are levied against her husband. Allison is thrust into a much more rural lifestyle where she meets a handsome stranger and must decide where she wants to take her life.
Allison wasn’t the most likeable character in the beginning, but she has a good redemption arc in this book and I like how she had to come to terms with her changed circumstances.


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Stifled: Where Good Leaders Go Wrong by James G. Wetrich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Many leaders are great at leading their people but fail to recognize and foster talent within their people. Helping your employees better themselves will help the companies bottom line is many ways. The book takes a look at how the world has changed throughout the pandemic and how we as leaders should change with it. The examples and the information given really can help a leader with becoming better in how they work. As one myself I think this book is a great reminder to us to never forget to lift up our people.

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The Road Home by Laura Tonwe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In New York City, Stephanie Willis is wallowing in her loneliness. She may live in one of the most populated urban cities in the world, and yet she suffers from acute loneliness. In her marathon session of rewatching VHS tapes, she starts to see the plights of various heroines in new ways and begins to see valuable lessons from them. This will give her the courage to stretch out her hand and take a leap. A story about courage, love, the determination of the human spirit and a woman’s journey to self-discovery, “The Road Home” will take you on a journey you haven’t quite seen yet.

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Take Six: Essential Habits To Own Your Destiny, Overcome Challenges, And Unlock Opportunities by Veta T. Richardson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overcoming Challenges, and unlocking opportunities are the essential theme of this book. The book is essentially a biography and a reflection upon her role as a mentor for many young professionals. Using her experience, Veta will help you to really maximize your potential in your career and she also helps you identify one crucial thing: what you want to achieve. Once you know this, she helps you figure out how to achieve it. I think this will be so much more beneficial in application than simply a career setting. I really felt the author’s words and how she had the mentor background. I enjoyed this book.

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Presence & Profitability: Understanding The Value Of Authentic Communications In the Age Of Hyper-Connectivity by Philip Kelley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a thoughtful approach to incorporating technology in a effective manner, as well as the importance in realizing and utilizing your customer base in order to expand your business and make a profit. The two authors really come together in their respective areas of expertise and this resulting book really will prove helpful if your business seems to be struggling in either the technology or customer outreach departments. I found it to be easily understandable and I liked how the information was presented.

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Swarm by John Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 4th in this series, Swarm is a continuation of the story and now Colonel Gabriel Thorn is realizing just how much DNI is controlling all the facets of his life. Frustrated and angry about each new revelation Colonel Thorn is still the only one that humanity has hope in when faced with otherworldly threats.
While I didn’t enjoy that last book as much as the previous two, this book seems to make up for it. I liken this story to some underplots of Star Trek, and I enjoyed the subtle nods to those genres. The author writes a compelling story surrounding Gabriel and his family which will draw readers in easily.


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Predator Moons by J.H. Ramsay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With a wild smorgasbord of characters, each unique and adversarial in their own right; the author gives us a Science Fiction blend storyline that is out of this world. Told in the first-person narrative for all characters, this book was very hard to follow at times which made the story drag. I am not sure if a regular ready would stick with the book, I love SciFi and found it to be a hard read, thus I am not sure about others. The author did a good job with making each character their own person though, they did not feel like copies of each other.

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Listen, Think & Speak Like a Doctor: Essential Skills for Medical School & Practice by Smiley Thakur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is a good bedside manner innate or learned? Dr Thakur, the author of this book shares with us his anecdotes and thoughts on what makes a good doctor, how he/she can be more effective in listening and understanding their patients, beyond what medical school teaches them.
I think this will be an effective book, I am not a medical professional, but I found many things here that will help me have a better relationship with my Primary Care Physician. This was certainly worth the read.


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The Outside Intervention by Andrew Orange
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kier sets out on a fool’s journey according to some. He is searching for a long-forgotten artifact, clouded in myths and mystery. He hopes using this will help save one of humanities largest cities from utter destruction. Kier must struggle against outside and internal adversaries if he wants to succeed.
I liked the story, Kier was a good nuanced character that grew throughout the story. I liked his struggles, that he wasn’t all-powerful like some authors make them to be. The pacing is slow in some spots, but it still flows well.


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Leaving Freedom to Find Peace: My Life's Journey by Donal H. Godfrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this to be a poignant and mesmerizing story. The biography of this authors journey to find peace, his agonizing decision to leave his home country he loves so much for a different country was easily able to garner sympathy and commiseration from me. (I myself immigrated from my home country). The book chronicles the deep roots of racism form the overt to the covert that is prevalent in the united states. This is a book that most should read, especially those who believe that there is no racism in the USA today.

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Revolutionizing Recruitment: How Recruitment Research Is Reshaping The Industry by Kathleen Duffy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recruitment is arguably one of the most important functions in a business, as an HR professional, I know that if you consistently hire the wrong people for a job, it will never work out long-term which can cost the business tons of money. This book was a very god source of information and out of the box thinking to revamp my recruitment practices. I was able to tell that the author really knew what she was talking about in this book. Very good advice in here.

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Chase Greatness: Enlightened Leadership for the Next Generation of Disruption by Rajeev Kapur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the past, companies focused more on the customers and the products. Nowadays, they are beginning to see the importance of a low turnover rate and highly motivated employees that can make or break a company. This book takes the principles of leadership and tells you how you can use them to help your company become better and reap more profit. I think the author had some good ideas in here, and with a changing society, businesses must change as well, and this book gave some good insights.

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The Leadership Quotient: Practice Meets Theory by Tony Marolt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Regardless if you are a new leader or if you have been leading people for years, this book will be informative and helpful to building your skills, refining techniques, and broadening your abilities. Using examples, charts and more, the author built a strong set of principles and guidelines that will serve us all well.
I always like to get leadership books and this one had some interesting ways of explaining processes and important skills that need to be nurtured. A very good addition to my library.

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The Knackerman Who Salvaged The Stars by Caroline A. Connell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an odd book; it was almost an homage to various peoples experiences and their moments in life that were poignant enough to set onto paper. A global Disaster shakes the world and people are struck with the sense of survival in the face of death.
The unique media here, the inclusion of social media post-esque writings and tidbits, give this book a much more relevant feel to our current time. I did like the story, I like when an author strives to make themselves something that does not follow the usual plotlines.


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The Harpers’ Holiday Horror: A BBLS Story by Elena Southworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aaliyah Harper is back in the second book in the series. Her antics, along with those of her hilarious and hair-raising family members take them to the Grand Canyon on a family trip that is sure to be one of the most memorable events in Aaliyah’s 9 years of life.
Humor, puns, and a great sense of adventure will carry you through the book and will leave you laughing out loud in some spots. I truly enjoyed the story and will be passing this book along to my avid readers.


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Seraph by John Graham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Third in the series, Seraph brings us back to Gabriel. Finding out that the dozens of deaths from the last book were only a diversion, Gabriel is intent on tracking down the power behind the attack and they are determined to stop him. A deadly game of cat and mouse begins until some devastating truths come to light.
I really like the last two books and while I still liked this one, I found that Gabriel wasn’t as good as he was in previous book, he made some questionable decisions at times and that threw me off. Overall, it’s still a good book and I hope the author recovers his stumbles in the next book.


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Berlin 2039: The Reign Of Anarchy by Karsten Krepinsky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Berlin in the year 2039. The world is much more densely populated and only the rich can afford to live in comfort, peace and security. All others are living in slums, divided among racial lines and pushers work hard to keep the divisions going. Hauke, a pusher who is the main character in the story is not a likeable person and he echoes the views of the authorities in disquieting ways. I didn’t like the story as it reminded me too much of my history lessons in Germany of the lives during Hitler’s reign. If this Author’s vision is where we are headed as a society, we are certainly in more trouble than we know.

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Hellward by James Sale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

James Sale nearly dies when he is a patient of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Utilizing the poetic writing style by Dante, James Sale guides us through his experience with an artful flair. At times disturbed and others triumphant, this book certainly will be interesting to read.
While the story was certainly interesting, the style was reminiscent of a stage play for me. I am ok with poems and this one was ok but not something I’ll be re-reading again.


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Virgil by Samuel Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Virgil’s life has been a trail by fire. He has suffered many abuses and traumas that haunt him to this day. The book is set up as a conversation he has with you as you then dive with him into the memories of his past and explore the formative events in his life.
This was a very dark book, and even though there was some light, the detailed descriptions of the trauma will be hard for certain readers. You can use this book as a story of one’s journey to acceptance and a fight for a normal life. Well worth the read if you dare.


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The Missing Links: Launching a High Performing Company Culture by Phillip Meade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Columbia Space shuttle is arguably the most devastating event in NASA history and how they managed to prevent a repeat from happening is what this book is about. The authors are the ones who were consulted and reimagined the operational culture at NASA and they also give ways that others can use their knowledge to reimagine their own companies operational culture and behaviors. The importance of the person behind the task is a great concept to explore and I am glad I read this book to help me understand how it all works in greater detail.

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The Proxima Plague by Robert Thornton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dr Hope Allerd is a genius, one that frequently consults with other doctors around the world. This time, her patient is terminally ill and the disease takes on a paranormal cast. Hope is determined to find the source and find a cure, all the while she is fending off supernatural creatures that are intent on stopping her.
This was an interesting take on the genre and I really liked how the author put it together. The Heroine, while smart was not irritatingly so and her character development throughout the story felt real. I liked that the pacing was consistent, I was not bored reading this story, it certainly kept my attention which is great.


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His to Bedevil: by Stasia Mars
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A con artist attempts a daring heist: steal form a dangerous Mob Boss in Havana. Little does she know that she’ll be caught, and he won’t simply let her go. He must set an example and he knows the perfect way. Will there be an HEA or will Irma be left to pick up the pieces of herself alone in the end?
A thrilling ride which will leave you guessing at the twists as they come around. I really liked Irma’s defiance and determination, and her eventual surrender was well written. Alejo was intimidating and that bad boy we all love to hate. Great story!


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Battered Doctor Syndrome by Eugene Wrayburn MD
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really intriguing book about the hidden state of Ireland beyond the dreamy tourist draw it portrays itself to be. Statistics, examples and harrowing accounts of homicidal violence that is pervasive in Ireland will give you the sense that in Ireland, things are not as well as they seem, and this should certainly provoke serious though about reform and routing out corruption within the system.
I found this to be an eye-opening book and one needed in our society today. I’ve always wanted to see idyllic Ireland and now I would be able to see everything beyond the rosy picture.


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A Beckoning Hellfire: A Novel of the Civil War by J.D.R. Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a vivid description of the brutal and harrowing realities of war. A young man heads out into the Civil War, full of romanticized ideas about his ability to seek revenge for his father’s death. He comes face to face with death on the battlefield as well as off of it and his world will be forever changed.
A tumultuous time in our history, the book does a really good job of showcasing the harsh life people led during the war. A really good book to read.


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Awakening: Ladies, Leadership, and the Lies We've Been Told by Areva Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How effective can breaking the Glass ceiling be, if the entire building is built upon a framework of oppression of those that do not fit a narrow set of criteria? Making her case for an entire restructuring of the business models, Awakening is the author’s chance to show us exactly how society and the existing corporate system is keeping women in pigeon-holed roles and preventing them from succeeding at equal levels of men.
The statistics in this book were really eye-opening. I found that the writing here was very accessible and I was able to connect to the personal stories of some of the women and really see how I went through similar situations.


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My Alien Manumitter by Isla Noir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting story

Libby is rescued from a Zoo by an Alien God. They find out they are fated but it isn't just so easy. Libby suffers mentally from her time in captivity and Reid, the God is cursed. With so many obstacles to overcome, will they ever have their happily ever after?
While the premise was really interesting, and put a unique twist on the "fated mates" trope, the writing was at times awkward with the word choices the Author made and at other it wad rambling on. As such, the pace of the book is very slow and can be hard to read. There is a scene of assault against the main Heroine, that may trigger some people as well.

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Soul Seed by Randy A. Rutledge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Remembering your childhood dreams, those gifts and talents that made you, well you, is one premise in this book. There is a gentle guidance here, from the author that will help you realize that sometimes it is okay to not simply follow along with what everyone else in society is doing. Personal growth is more the goal here, than using this for a professional growth. I think that the emphasis on curiosity, and discovering your own unique talents again is a great focus and the chapters on this are really profound. Obviously the author knows how to talk and write about this and her guidance here is really helpful.

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Dairy Hollow Echo by Charles L. Templeton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a collection of short stories from the online magazine eMerge, they each showcase a different interpretation of love, self-reflection, self-growth and so much more. I really think the group of authors were able to bring a collection of works that, while individually unique, still promoted a collective joy of the beauty in the human spirit. This was a very sweet book to read for me and I enjoyed the diversity in here very much.

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1960s purple sex gas by Erick Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book and after reading the first I knew I had to read on. Daisy Daryl is back, along with her Ex and her misfit crew. While she only wants a peaceful life after the events from the past book, Daisy’s orders are to transport some toxic gas on a humanitarian mission. Hilarious hijinks ensure and Daisy attempts to stave off mutations, fix problems and obey her orders as best she can. I think that if you liked the first book, you will certainly be entertained by this one.

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