Title: THE BLEED-THROUGH EFFECT (Periphery Series – Book Two of Two)

Amidst a complex web of love, betrayal, and the quest for power, morality is tested, and two soulmates must face the consequences of choices they make across multiple lives.

Charlotte and Simon are ready to move on with their lives after dismantling the black-ops agency known as Quantym. But when Charlotte begins suffering from nightmares and disturbing visions, she fears events on the Periphery—her parallel life—are impacting her and she’s suffering consequences of the bleed-through effect. In a dual timeline between the main reality and the Periphery, Charlotte and Simon must confront the blurred lines between strength and weakness, love and loyalty, and their past and future. As they struggle to regain control over their lives, a catastrophic secret is revealed, a vengeful lover on a quest for power closes in, and Charlotte must figure out a way forward…even when the past refuses to let go.

B&N: The Bleed-Through Effect by Aa Dasilva | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

AMZ: The Bleed-Through Effect – Kindle edition by Dasilva, AA . Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Author Bio: Born and raised in New England, AA DaSilva has a degree in clinical laboratory science and brings her love of science and writing together via science fiction romance. When she’s not working in the lab or writing, AA enjoys spending precious quality time with her husband, two sons, and pup Didi (who looks suspiciously like an Ewok). Her award-winning debut novel, Periphery, is a science fiction love story that explores fate, strength, and the choices that determine our destiny. For the latest updates on new releases, giveaways, and events, sign up for email updates at aadasilva.com and follow her on socials. AA DaSilva is an active member of the Association of Rhode Island Authors, and a member of the Paranormal Romance Guild.

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GHOSTED by Lori Matsourani

Fiction, Contemporary Paranormal Romance

4****

Blurb: When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship. Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.
Although Bethany wants a happily-ever-after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?

THOUGHTS: This was a cute contemporary romance with paranormal twists and a second-chance romance for the main character. Bethany is a sweet character with a problem. Her fiance cheated on her so she left Oklahoma City and went home to Worthington Cove, MD, the small town her parents left years ago, but her favorite aunt still lives there. And so does her ex crush, Nick. But he ghosted her ten years ago. Can she trust him now? She checks into the local B&B for a week to figure out what’s next for her. The inn is supposedly haunted but Bethany doesn’t believe in ghosts.

Until Samuel shows up. At first, he’s just in her dreams, but then… he leaves his hair tie wrapped around her wrist. And she learns to believe. Samuel wants her to find his body so history can be corrected and he can be buried in the family lot. Bethany and Nick go to work to solve the mystery. Then Bethany’s ex-fiance shows up.

Bethany is a well-done character who has a lot of problems. She grows and changes through the story showing that she actually does have a backbone. There’s not a lot to Nick, but he is the standard handsome teen crush who grows into a really nice man. Even the ghost, Samuel, grows and changes by the end of the story. And the setting is beautiful. The Chesapeake Bay, Maryland steamed crabs on butcher paper on a pier, historical homes… well-done!

I really enjoyed this story and there’s a HEA ending that satisfies.

Recommended.

Review: Guided Tarot for Teens by Stefanie Caponi

Nonfiction, Guidebook

5*****

Blurb: Adapted from the Amazon best-seller Guided Tarot with over 2400 reviews, this essential guide is a must-have for teens ready to embrace the wisdom of their inner voice through understanding tarot cards. With tarot, you have the power to unlock wisdom beyond your years. A tool for cultivating intuition, it allows you to celebrate your truth and release resistance, fear, or doubt. For beginner tarot readers, learning the cards—all 78 of them—and understanding how to use spreads may seem daunting. Tarot expert Stefanie Caponi explains that interpreting the cards is a blend of knowing the card meanings, listening to your heart, and trusting your inner knowing. In this fully-illustrated book, Guided Tarot for Teens, she offers easy exercises to nurture and grow your intuition, not only to understand the cards’ universal meanings, but to channel your own meanings. This comprehensive guide also shows you how to attune your energy to the deck for more accurate readings. With this book as a companion to your deck, you’ll learn more about yourself, get divine guidance with life decisions, and overcome obstacles in your relationships—all while celebrating your unique gifts and honoring your higher self.
THOUGHTS: This would be a good book for anyone wanting to learn more about Tarot decks and how to read them, not just teens. It is easy to read and to understand, though I will admit to being a little confused with the same key words for multiple cards. I appreciated that it was based on the Rider-Waite decks, but the author offers input on using other decks, and even creating your own deck.

The author walks you through understanding what Tarot is – and isn’t, how to do a reading, different spreads (all nicely illustrated and explained), and what the cards are from the major arcana to the minor ones. In the back, there is a reference guide and resources to explore further.

I liked how she went into detail on purifying your deck and setting your intentions. Throughout the book, the author encourages the reader to trust their own intuition.

The writing is clear and almost conversational, thus easy to understand and follow. And although it says it’s for teenagers, I believe this would be a great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about Tarot.

Definitely recommended.

Disclaimer: 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 Zeitgeist Publishing for providing a copy of this book to me.

@penguinrandomhouse #partner #zeitgeistpublishing

WHISPERS THROUGH TIME, By Rosetta Diane Hoessli

She’s single and content – until her world collides with the past to change her life. The only man Sierra Masters has ever loved appears with a proposition that could alter her future. She turns him down, but then after experiencing a foretelling dream, decides to take a risk in order to uncover the truth. Hunter Davenport realizes the evidence he’s shared with Sier could indeed destroy her – but it could free her as well. The decision is yanked from her hands when the past and present collide through a historical portal on sacred Native American land. Will she take the gift that is offered? And will Hunter do what he didn’t do twelve years earlier – stand by her? Only time will give them their answers.

BUY LINKS for both WHISPERS THROUGH TIME & TIP THE PIANO MAN:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098278M38

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/whispers-through-time-6

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-through-time-rosetta-diane-hoessli/1139719243

Rosetta Diane Hoessli (Ronni, to most) never set out to write comfortable stories. She writes stories that reach deep, the ones that demand courage, healing, and hope. Ronni has a background in journalism and a lifetime of storytelling. Her debut novel, Whispers Through Time, is a sweeping family saga woven with secrets, second chances, and a love story that never quite lets go. She believes in second chances, fierce characters, and storytelling that dares to be raw and redemptive. An only child raised in a military family, Ronni credits her unconventional childhood with her love of writing, music, and the different cultures she was fortunate enough to directly experience while she was growing up. Married for more than 50 years to her staunchest supporter and best friend since they met in high school, Ronni is a proud Texan, a mom, a lover of strong coffee and quiet truths, and a believer that humor might just be what saves us all. You can find her at https://www.rosettadhoesslibooks.com, where she blogs about writing, memory, womanhood, and why aging is nothing to fear – it’s where the best stories come from.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

https://www.ronnihoesslibooks.com

https://www.facebook.com/Ronni.Hoessli

https://www.facebook.com/RosettaDianeAuthor

https://www.allauthor.com

https://www.instagram.com/Thompd2011/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21788498.Rosetta_Diane_Hoessli

Review: HELLO GOODBYE AMORE by Andrew Grey

Fiction, Contemporary Gay Romance, Italy, Level 4 Heat

4****

Blurb: In college, Chase Anderson and his twin sister, Elaine, met Antonello Glorioso and became best friends. Chase fell in love with him—but so did Elaine, so he kept quiet. Then heartbreak they graduated, Antonello returned to Italy, and Elaine died, leaving Chase to raise her son as his own. Returning to Florence to run the family business had felt like Antonello’s only option. He did his duty to his legacy, but he’s been second-guessing that decision since he got on the plane. Still, he doesn’t know what he could’ve had until it shows up on his doorstep. Chase never wants to see Antonello again. His departure tanked the business the three of them had planned to start and hurt his sister deeply. But his engineering project needs specialized metals, and the Glorioso firm is the best supplier. Reluctantly, Chase agrees to head to Italy for a few months to oversee production, hoping he’ll be able to keep a low profile… only to run into Antonello the first day. As Chase and Antonello spend time together, old hurts fade, replaced by renewed friendship and the possibility for a love they’ve only fantasized about. But duty, family, history, and big secrets could topple any possibility of a future.

THOUGHTS: Take two men (one of whom is a rich, handsome Italian) and one woman (twin to the other man) and you have the makings of trouble. Antonello, Chase, and Chase’s twin sister Elaine are best friends in college. They’re so close, they decide to go into business together. Then Antonello gets called home by his family—and you do not go against family. Meanwhile, Elaine has a baby – yep, you guessed who the father is—but when she is killed in an accident, Chase becomes Ricky’s adopted father. Then his company sends him to Italy for five months to oversee a project and he is assigned to work with Antonello.

Ready to hate the man he once had a huge crush on, Chase discovers that he can’t. Especially when he understands why Antonello had to leave. But there is a lot to atone for. As the two become closer, Antonello realizes that he has been hiding who he really is and needs to break out from under his mother’s dictatorial thumb. But it’s not easy, especially when she discovers that the boy, Ricky, is Antonello’s son.

The two men have to figure out how to live their lives together with Ricky and without bowing to the dictates of the mothers.

A nice, hot romance with a satisfying HEA ending.

Recommended.

Review: Word Search Puzzles for Brain Fitness by Matthew Stock

Nonfiction, Word Puzzles

5*****

Blurb: Ready to boost your brainpower and improve your focus? Get a daily dose of mental exercise with Word Search Puzzles for Brain Fitness, a 90-day challenge of word search puzzles that progress in difficulty. Some words will be easier to spot, while others will be harder to find! With fun themes to keep you engaged and bonus puzzles to keep your good habit going, you’ll marvel at the growth in your processing skills, concentration, and vocabulary in just three short months. Don’t wait—start your journey to better brain fitness now! 90 days of word searches—and bonus puzzles. Crafted by a puzzle expert to help you build a daily habit of exercising your mind. Creative and entertaining themes for every puzzle. From witty wordplay and pop culture to nature, history, and the arts, there’s something for everyone. Large, clear text. A comfortable puzzle experience with large, easy-to-scan word find grids. Answer key in the back. So you can easily check your answers.

THOUGHTS: This is a really good set of puzzles that start out easy and gradually grow more difficult. Each day has a theme and they are varied and lots of fun. Each search has a complete list, and there is an answer key at the back of the book. I especially loved that they were larger print so easy for older eyes to read. The book opens with descriptions of the puzzles and hints on how to do them. If you’re looking for some good relaxation time with word puzzles, this book does it.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Zeitgeist, 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”

#penguinrandomhouse#partner “Thank you for the free/gifted book, @penguinrandomhouse”

Review: Dragonborn by Struan Murray

5*****

Blurb: The electric new fantasy series for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief and Impossible Creatures, perfect for readers aged 9-12. Life is no fun for Alex Evans. Ever since her dad’s death, her overprotective mother has smothered her with unbreakable rules and unspoken fears. When the frustration inside Alex finally gets too big to bear, it rushes to the surface. And flames spill from her mouth. Because Alex is a dragon. One of the many who live among us, unless something awakens their true nature. Led by the mighty Oliphos to the legendary island of Skralla, Alex must now train alongside fierce, frightening dragon children, if she is to unlock the power of her birthright. But other dragons are rising too. Drak Midna, the greatest dragon of all, is preparing a war against the human world, and Alex has to be good enough for this fight, or we all will burn . . .

THOUGHTS: Because of her over-protective, strict mother, Alex wants nothing more than to run into the nearby woods and scream! Which she does. And that’s when her entire life changes because she is a dragon! She is whisked away to a special island called Skralla where she meets lots of other kids like her. I loved the names of the different ages of kids from the Ashlings (youngsters) to the Emberlings like her. But Alex has trouble shifting into her dragon form. Her friends, teachers, and the bully all try to help her, but nothing works. But she does have a special power – she can hear the spirits of dead dragons. And that leads to trouble.

The settings are unique and well-written. You can “see” Alex’s room, the big house where they meet for meals, and more. The characters are unique and have real-to-them problems, especially Alex.

This is a story full of action, emotion, betrayal, secrets, and more. There are also giants, fairies, and, of course, dragons. For a YA, it is fast, intense, and full of adventures. If you like fantasy with great world building and characters, pick this one up.

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 the publisher for providing a copy of this book.