COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR HEALTHIER BOUNDARIES by LaToya S. Gilmore
Nonfiction, Self-help, Psychology
4****

Blurb: In Communication Skills for Healthier Boundaries, Dr. LaToya S. Gilmore empowers you with the communication tools and strategies to build and maintain fulfilling relationships while honoring your own needs. Discover how to effectively express yourself, confidently say yes or no, and create the boundaries that support your well-being. Whether you’re looking to strengthen, relax, or establish boundaries, this book provides practical guidance to help you thrive in every aspect of your life. Embrace the journey to healthier, happier connections! This book features: REAL-LIFE SCRIPTS OF DIALOGUES to help readers practice asserting boundaries. VERBAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS & ACTIVITIES for building assertiveness, confidence, self-awareness, and more. COMMON BOUNDARY ISSUES that are addressed and explored using the skills and tools needed to navigate these challenges.

THOUGHTS: This was an interesting workbook to go through for review. I will be revisiting it at a later day to work through it more slowly. It encourages you to work through things that you may find difficult in order to become more attuned to what you need. Basically, how to “advocate for yourself while respecting the needs of others.” There are several levels to work through, but unlike some self-help books, the exercises in this one build on each other so you have to go through it from front to back and not skip around like you can in some workbooks. Each lesson tells you what you need for that lesson (including things like paper, pens, etc.), the time it takes for each lesson (from a few minutes to an hour+), and then gives you steps to follow for that lesson. It also encourages you to think about each one before moving onto the next one. I particularly liked the examples at the end of the book and the explanations with them. There are also lists of resources for more information and references.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and Zeitgeist Publishing for providing this ARC.

HOW (NOT) TO RENOVATE A HAUNTED HOUSE by Jenny L. Howe
Fiction, Paranormal, YA, Ghosts, Romance
4****

Blurb: In this spooky, small-town YA romance, an amateur ghost hunter and a supernatural skeptic team up for a haunted home renovation project. But is their relationship the real fixer upper? Amity Callaway is sick of being known as the weird girl. As annoyed as she is that her recently divorced mom just moved them across the country to the tiny, quirky town of Harlow’s Rest, Massachusetts, it could be the fresh start she needs. Until Amity discovers their absolute disaster of a new house is supposedly haunted. Theo Hargrave, amateur ghost hunter and son of the local general contractor, is a true believer. When he shows up on their property with his EMF reader in hand, Amity is ready to debunk all his theories. She’s definitely not staring at the small scar through his eyebrow or his ridiculously soft lips. But even Amity can admit their home renovation is doomed. Nothing is going right, from the paint that refuses to dry to the fixtures that keep coming loose. So Amity and Theo strike a deal—his family’s construction expertise for her help investigating the house’s supernatural secrets. Even scarier than ghosts, though? Amity’s growing feelings for Theo.

THOUGHTS: What a perfect story for this time of year! Ghosts, haunted houses, fall… all the right elements. And good characters that aren’t cutouts of standard teens. This one would be perfect for older teens getting ready to head off to college.

Amity and her mother move to a new town and into a new-to-them house…that turns out to be haunted. Amity already has enough issues with insecurity thanks to bullying, divorce, and more, and now she’s facing living in a haunted house. But it also brings her new friends, especially Theo who accepts her for herself and their friendship turns to romance. One thing I did find a bit hard to accept was Amity’s age – 17. At times, she seemed much younger than that. The side characters – including the squirrel! – were well-crafted and perfect for the story. Overall, an adorable paranormal (ghost-hunting) story with sweet romance, self-acceptance, and more.

Recommended.

A TAIL OF TWO MURDERS by T.C. LoTempio
Fiction, Cozy Mystery
4****

Blurb: It was the best of crimes, it was the worst of crimes, and Nick and Nora are dead-set on catching a killer without losing their heads . . .
When local police suspect that a dead body found in the woods is tied to an unsolved heist of rare gold coins, Nora Charles and her sidekick cat Nick are dying to get involved. But she’s got a catering gig to plan for at her friend Lance’s bar, and it looks like that might present a world of trouble all its own. The sleazy former owner of the bar has blown back into town and is aggressively harassing Lance to sell the bar back to him. Nora’s worried her friend is in real danger—until the former owner is found dead and Lance is pegged for the murder. Certain that her friend is innocent, Nora begins digging into the victim’s seedy past to figure out who would have wanted him dead. Then a sudden spark of inspiration tells her that the murders and the unsolved heist are all connected, and that someone is knocking off their fellow thieves to get all the loot for themselves. After tracking down every person even remotely connected to the heist, Nora’s still baffled by who’s behind it all. But that’s about to change, because now she and Nick are all that’s standing between a killer and a fortune . . . Includes mouthwatering sandwich recipes!

THOUGHTS: I enjoy these books with Nora and her cat Nick. Even though Nora is the one with the (new to her) PI license, Nick is often the one who comes up with the solutions and even saves her life a time or two. Nora runs a small cafe where she puts out delicious sandwiches named after famous people. Her good friend Lance owns a bar and hires Nora to cater his engagement party – where things go horribly wrong as the nasty man trying to force Lance to sell the bar to him ends up dead – and Lance is the main suspect. Nora and Nick start sleuthing in order to exonerate their friend and find the real killer. Using Scrabble tiles, Nick provides the main clue, but Nora misinterprets it. Still, when things go from bad to worse, it is Nick who saves the day – and Nora’s life.

I love Nick, but I have to wonder… I guess there aren’t any health code laws in this town? I mean, Nick is all over the kitchen and jumping up on tables and counters. That feels a little…icky to me. But to each his own and Nick is important to the story, and is adorable. So I’ll let this one go.

Overall a fun story and a good addition to the series.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC.

HARD LEMONADE by Darlene Deluca
Fiction, Women’s Fiction
5+*****

Blurb: Her husband fails. Her marriage fails. Does that make Emily Sherridan a failure?
With high hopes and rose-colored shades, Emily Sherridan leaves her family and friends to build a new life with her screenwriter husband in sunny Los Angeles. There, she learns that love conquers all…until the rent is overdue, the rejections pile up, or the test is positive. As months, then years, go by and Eric’s career fails to launch, Emily is determined to hold everything together. But when he brings danger into their lives, it’s over. When the cops arrive at her doorstep, anguish mixes with anger. She wonders how low they can go—until one of the officers hands her the number to a women’s shelter. Broke and broken, her dreams are dashed and her confidence is shaken. With Eric’s taunt about running home pounding in her ears, Emily pushes forward though she’s unsure of her direction. She cannot give up. Her daughter deserves more. From rosy dreams to real-life roadblocks, Hard Lemonade is a compelling story of friends, family, and fierce sheroes.

THOUGHTS: Had I seen this book on a shelf, I probably would not have picked it up. It’s not my “usual” type of read. And that would have been a huge mistake because this is an amazing story. It drew me in and didn’t let go until the last page. The story is actually written from two points of view – the main character of Emily, and occasional bits from her mother. As a young woman, Emily fell in love with Eric, a hopeful screenwriter. They move from Chicago to California where the weather is beautiful – but life isn’t. Emily works hard to provide for them, but Eric refuses because “writing” is his job. Except he’s not getting anywhere. Her mother helps them furnish their tiny apartment. As things go from bad to worse, Emily tries hard to hold everything together and makes friends with the neighbors. When she gets pregnant, Eric goes from bad to worse. But when the baby comes along, he turns into a good daddy. But isn’t working. And isn’t writing. And when he brings danger home… Emily has had enough and, on the advice of the police, moves to a women’s shelter. While trying to get her life together, she refuses to let her parents know how bad things are. Then Eric dies. She tries to keep going, but eventually, she has to move home to Chicago, where she starts over, and turns her life around and into a success.

This is a highly emotional story. It could be hard for some people to read, but it is a beautifully written story with an uplifting outcome. It is definitely a story worth reading.

Highly recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

THE WRITE WAY TO CATCH A KILLER by Beth Prentice
Fiction, Cozy Mystery
5*****

Blurb: A cold case. A grieving family. A killer who’s been walking free for eighteen months. Cozy mystery author Aubrey Jackson thought the hardest part of her week would be trying to turn a blank page into the hopefully-bestselling follow-up to her debut novella. Then Detective Jacob Tate shows up with news that shatters what’s left of her family—her sister Emily’s fatal car accident wasn’t an accident at all. It was murder. And before Aubrey can catch her breath, the police pull her brother, Corey, in for questioning. Certain Corey is innocent, Aubrey starts digging through her sister’s old planner, half-forgotten emails, and a tangle of secrets that Emily had been keeping from everyone, including Aubrey. With her best friend (and secret crush) Spencer by her side, Aubrey uncovers a trail of stolen money, buried affairs, and a mysterious stranger with a spider tattoo who might hold all the answers. Only problem? Detective Tate—brooding, infuriating, and entirely too easy to fall for—keeps getting in her way. Or is it that Aubrey can’t stop thinking about him? Can Aubrey catch her sister’s killer…before they decide to write Aubrey’s final chapter? Or will digging up the past cost her everything she has left?

THOUGHTS: I had fun with this story. It’s actually a story within a story – sort of. Aubrey is a writer working on her second cozy mystery book. While she is at that, there’s a real murder mystery going on in her life. Her sister, Emily, died in a car crash eighteen months ago. A tragic accident–or was it? When Detective Jacob Tate shows up with suggestions that Emily might have been murdered, Aubrey’s life takes a deep dive. But when Tate suspects Aubrey’s brother of doing the deed… Aubrey is shattered. And determined to prove his innocence (at least in this–her brother isn’t exactly the poster boy for good behavior). And while she’s investigating, she’s also writing her second book – and you get to see excerpts from it. And even better, it’s a real book called “Shore to Kill” (which I read and reviewed!).

There are a lot of suspects in the story. In both stories. But with the help of friends and a lot of sleuthing on her own, Aubrey figures out what’s going on, but not without facing danger. And she has two handsome men who would like her to think they’re special. And friends who will always be there for her.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

ODE TO LOVE by Derrick Webber
Fiction, M/M Contemporary Romance
4****

Blurb: Braeden Byrne is starting his career as a third-generation art detective. The owner of Briarvale Estate in Surrey, England hires him to search for her great-granduncle’s missing poetry. Cyrus Pemberton, following in the footsteps of Oscar Wilde, dared to write of his love for another man. Imprisoned in the house by his brother in 1905, the question was his missing poetry hidden or destroyed? Dr. Anton Smythe, noted Cambridge literary scholar, is also keen to track down the lost work, but not keen to work with this young American upstart. He fights to resist his attraction to Braeden, only to discover that the attraction is mutual. Though they strive to remain professional, nights alone in the decrepit manor house ignite passions the two men cannot ignore. Will they discover lasting love alongside the missing verses of the Ode to Love?

THOUGHTS: At only 115 pages, this is a relatively quick read. Braeden Byrne and Anton Smythe are well-done characters who are on the search for the answer to a decades old mystery. For me, their hot romance was a little too quick, especially after the initial animosity between them. They are looking for the lost stanzas to a poem written decades ago by Cyrus Pemberton, the great-granduncle of the owner. Anton is a professor at Cambridge who specialized in Pemberton and Braeden is an art detective. Together, the two of them find a way to work together to not only find the missing poetry, but pieces of Pemberton’s life that have been missing as well – and save the estate in order to turn it into a museum. It’s a lot to take on, but they manage to do it and find themselves as a couple as well.

A nice romance, but as I said above, it was a little too rushed for me. But it is a good story with a great outcome.

Recommended.

SELF-GUIDED SOMATIC THERAPY WORKBOOK by Sasha Stok
Nonfiction, Health, Self-Help, Therapy
5*****

Blurb: Somatic exercises and therapy techniques to release stress, rewire the nervous system, and create lasting relief. Self-Guided Somatic Therapy Workbook offers a practical guide to regulating your nervous system and releasing stored stress, trauma, and emotional tension. With clear explanations and step-by-step exercises, licensed clinician and Somatic Experiencing practitioner Sasha Stok, PhD, helps you reconnect with your body, build emotional resilience, and process overwhelming experiences without reliving them. Inside you’ll find: Guided somatic exercises for everyday practice; Trauma-informed tools that prioritize safety and boundaries; Clear instruction from a licensed clinical psychologist; A self-guided approach you can use from home; Practical techniques that bridge clinical theory and real-life healing. Grounded in trauma-informed somatic therapy principles, this workbook emphasizes safety, pacing, and self-compassion. Organized in progressive phases—from building awareness and stability to processing and integration—it provides a flexible path toward greater calm, connection, and embodied healing.

THOUGHTS: I thought this was an informative and practical addition to work started in therapeutic counseling. The workbook contains step-by-step instructions for you to follow. And, though you can skip through the sections, the author says up front that you’ll get more out of the book if you go through it in a linear way.

The author explains that Somatic therapy takes the entire body into focus, including the brain and nervous system. This kind of practice gives you the ability to notice and interpret sensations throughout the body. She also stresses that you should see a physician first for a check up and to continue with your therapist.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Zeitgest Publishing and Netgalley for providing this ARC.

LET THE WOLF by Amy Lane
Fiction, M/M Romance, Action/Adventure, #2 in Covert Series
4****

Blurb: The Special Crimes Task Force (SCTF) recruits guys willing to disobey a bad order and put civilian lives ahead of their own. It is tighter than most units—when they’re not protecting innocent civilians, they’re protecting their pack. Gideon Chadwick recruits Joey Carlyle, who has worked his entire life to escape his mobster father. Learning fast, Joey loves his new job, and Gideon discovers the kid’s company doesn’t suck. Joey sees everything as predator or prey; Gideon sees every problem as having a solution. Between them, they mix instinct and reason into an increasingly volatile combination. When their passion finally erupts, it’s more explosive than either of them anticipated—and in their line of work, that could be dangerous. While Joey tries to keep up with Gideon in the “think first” department, Gideon tries to remember how to think at all. Their unit’s lives depend on them, and they can’t let their pack down because they’re tangled up in each other.

THOUGHTS: This story was a lot darker than I usually read. At times it was too intense for me, but that just means it was well-written because it did evoke reactions. Joey Carlyle is a young man who is trying to escape his cruel, dictatorial father. He tends to separate people into the predator/prey line, which can be problematic at times. Because of his upbringing, he has always been a loner. He is recruited into a special crimes unit where he is teamed up with Gideon, someone who tends to think too much. But they bond over music, especially Bruce Springstein. The two of them become more than just partners at work, but Joey still has trouble accepting that he is part of a “family”. It’s only when he comes close to losing Gideon that he finally comes to understand what love and true family is.

I loved how Gideon’s family immediately accept Joey as part of their family, even though he doesn’t understand the concept (yet). But one of my favorite parts – and it was a lighter moment in a dark scene – was when Gideon asks his tormentor “Where do bad guys get help? From Minons-R-Us or Lackeys Incorporated?” Had to chuckle at that even though I cringed at the scene. I also loved how the entire unit takes care of Joey while Gideon is recuperating and he finally realizes what family is.

But… I will say that I was definitely confused in the beginning. I strongly suggest reading the first book in the series first – which I did not – so I was lost for quite a while, which made it hard to get into the story. But by the end, I did like the characters and their relationship, if not the action.

Recommended with the caveat of read the first one first.

DISENCHANTED by Lucy Jane Wood
Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Bewitched Series #3
4****

Blurb: Sage Hemlock has no interest in embracing her witchy side. Magic has betrayed her before, bringing nothing but heartache, and she will not let something so foolish happen again. Instead, Sage has thrown herself into her work and studies, running the local museum and largely preferring the company of her library and her cat to other humans. Her one goal is to fly under the coven’s radar so that she can finally shed her blasted powers forever. But when a strange historical book accidentally triggers a curse, Sage’s quiet, small-town life is suddenly overrun and magic is running rife. A beanstalk grows in her garden, and her friend and co-worker Casimir starts to look an awful lot like a handsome prince. Fairytales are coming true . . . Now, with the threat of the coven on her tail, Sage must confront the magic she’s always denied to solve the mysteries of the book and save everyone she’s come to love from being lost to a fairy tale forever. The question is, can she finally learn to be her own happily ever after?

THOUGHTS: Since Sage first gained her powers, she’s wanted to be rid of her magic and rarely uses it. Unfortunately, it pops out when least expected, frustrating her. Her best friend, and biggest headache, Casimir Everald, works in the local museum with her in Port Sylvan, which has a rich magical heritage. When Sage accidentally casts a spell from a historical book, fairy tales begin coming to life throughout the town. To keep the town from being permanently cursed, Sage has to confront the magic she’s spent years denying.

The curse’s origin was confusing or me. Sage seems to do everything she can to be a nasty type o person – wailing against her powers, giving tours that she seems to resent, and more. Her bff, Casimir, is the complete opposite as he is flamboyant, warm, and consistently supportive, even with Sage’s snark. Oh, and Sage lives with a ghost housekeeper, Maggie, who can appear solid enough to cook and clean for her (but can’t leave the house).

For me, the book was a little slow. I had trouble really getting into it, but when it really got going, I did enjoy it. If you’re into the series, definitely pick this one up.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and Ace Books for providing this ARC.

SHORE TO KILL by Beth Prentice & Aurey Jackson
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Saltwater Bay Secrets #2, Novella
4****

Blurb: Daphne Wright thought the hardest part about settling into her late grandmother’s beach shack would be finding room for all of her boxes. That is, until Saltwater Bay’s most cantankerous shopkeeper turns up dead—stabbed in his own store!—and Daphne realizes there’s more to this sleepy little town than meets the eye. But when her grandmother’s closest friend is hauled off in handcuffs, Daphne is dragged into a murder investigation that cuts far deeper than she ever expected. Can she sift through the secrets and navigate the murky waters of the seaside paradise before another body washes ashore?

THOUGHTS: This is a short (novella length) story of about 100 pages. It’s part of a series, but I honestly felt like I was coming into the middle of a story. I found the beginning rathe confusing, but it improved as I read. The book is set in the Caribbean Islands which automatically makes it exotic and fun. Daphne recently moved there when she inherited her grandmother’s beach shack. Her neighbor, Grayson, is someone who has issues with people touching him or talking with him, but he has developed a friendship with Daphne that goes both ways.

In this novella, a nasty shopkeeper is killed and Daphne’s grandmother’s oldest friend is arrested. Daphne is certain she didn’t do the deed and goes on the hunt for the real killer with the help of Grayson and other friends. On the way, she discovers that there may be more secrets than she wants to look at, but has to. I loved the connection between Grayson and Daphne, especially at the end. Nicely done.

Recommended if you’re reading the series.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”