FREE TO BE ME by James Webb

Fiction, Thriller

4****

Blurb: Tawnya Davitakov is ordered to either convince the KGB’s US money launderer to begin work again or eliminate him. In her nine-year career, no one has ever been nice to her. Not anyone in Russia, Europe, or the Middle East. In her first assignment in the US, everyone is nice.
Weary from her dangerous and stressful work, she decides to quit and become an American. It seems easy. Not so much. She teams with an ex-fighter pilot to confront a Spetsnaz assault team, then travels to Russia one final time as an assassin.

THOUGHTS: I was reluctant to take this book on at first because I rarely read thrillers. I don’t like the overt violence and gore that goes with most of them. I’m glad the author convinced me otherwise. Yes, there is some violence in this, but it is not gory and did not give me nightmares. Ignoring that, this is a good story that starts with a bang and doesn’t let you go until the end.

Tawnya is a KGB operative assigned to a New York money launderer, but she discovers that she likes the freedom of America. Unfortunately, her handler doesn’t like that she wants to quit. He wants her back so he sends other agents after her. She gets help from an ex-military man and his friends and they show why they are the best. Unfortunately, she will not be free until she takes care of her boss, so they go to Russia. And gets free. Welcome to America.

I thought this was a well-written story, and yes, there is violence, but it is not graphic and the story ends well. The characters are interesting and there is a lot of action. I would read another book by this author.

Blurb: Student Autumn Haze’s motto is: no men until she completes her Bachelor of Nursing degree. Years before, Autumn learned the hard way men are just a distraction she can’t afford until she’s established her career and what she wants. While moonlighting as a Plus One companion pays the bills, she struggles to follow her rules after meeting her newest contract. Pediatric Hospitalist Jensen Edwards is still recovering from a bad breakup that left him the talk of the hospital. Now he’s receiving a Best Doctor’s award, but after he hires Autumn as his plus one, Jensen is on edge. If word gets out that he hired a companion, rumors are bound to circulate, making work unbearable-again. Their chemistry as a fake couple is undeniable, but can a chance at a real relationship override their fear of commitment?

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Bio: Amanda and Lisa-Marie are an award-winning, co-writing team of best friends who share imaginary worlds, including Men In Books Aren’t Better (September 29, 2024), Just What the Doctor Hired (July 9, 2025), and a short story, Shivers, published in Moments Between (February 28, 2022). Lisa-Marie Potter (BIPOC) is a mom of four who grew up in Nottingham, England, and now resides in Alaska with her husband and golden retriever. Amanda Nelson grew up in Maryland and moved to Arizona, where she attended ASU and currently lives with her husband and four kids. Both women are hopeless romantics, but Lisa-Marie also enjoys suspense novels, while Amanda’s second go-to genre is romancy. The duo review books on their socials, hike the Olympic National Park, and fight over the same fictional crushes.

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Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Sweet

4****

Blurb: Candice Cane agreed to sign the divorce papers under one condition, for four days, Jackson Frost must play Santa Claus in her chocolate shop. However, her Christmas miracle would crumble if Jackson knew the truth. Property developer, Jackson Frost, wanted to spend Christmas on a beach, instead, he’s home in snowy Redford Falls dressed in a Santa suit. The temptation of delectable chocolate and a second chance might lure him to stay.

THOUGHTS: This is a sweet contemporary Christmas story with all the tropes necessary for a good romance. Candice Cane owns and runs a chocolate shop that she inherited from her father. Unfortunately, it’s not doing too well, like a lot of businesses in their small town. She is trying to find a way to increase tourism and boost the other companies as well, but it’s not easy. And now that’s it’s Christmas, she wants to give at least the kids a little fun. Unfortunately, her Santa Claus called in sick and nobody else is available. Enter Jackson Frost, her old flame—and husband! He wants a divorce. She agrees, but only if he agrees to play Santa for four days.

Jackson goes from being a hard-core real estate investor to Santa not just for the kids (and enjoys it!), but for the entire town. And Candice goes from not-married to being in a serious relationship.

I enjoyed watching these two reunite after ten years and realize that their relationship is stronger now than ever. The characters of Candice and Jackson (yes, the names are too cutesy), are the best ones in the story. They both have issues and problems that they manage to overcome by the end of the story.

This is a short, quick read that will leave you smiling. Enjoy Christmas in July.

Recommended.

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Western

5*****

Blurb: When prodigal son Chance McCord returns home to the North Star ranch, he faces a tragic past and a family divided. When young widow Casey Girard decides to spend the summer working on the North Star near the Grand Tetons of Wyoming, she doesn’t expect to meet such a man as Chance, nor to fall so completely in love with him. They both must learn to trust in each other. Can Casey’s faith and love truly bring Chance home?

THOUGHTS: I’m usually not a fan of western romance, but this book just made me change my mind. It’s sweet, inspirational, and has a HEA ending that satisfies. The story is set on a ranch near the Teton Mountains in Wyoming. Chance and Casey are both looking for something, even if they don’t know exactly what. Casey is a widow and the mother of a seven-year-old boy. Wanting to get away from her “smothering” family for the summer, she joins her aunt on the North Star Ranch to help with cooking and to assist the owner with writing his memoirs. Chance is the prodigal son returning after ten years away. He lost his wife and son in an accident that he blames his brother for. While away, he ran the rodeo circuit, finally having to quit after a serious accident. The last thing either Chance or Casey has on their minds is romance, but fate has other ideas.

For that reason, it’s not a unique romance story, but the author does an excellent job of allowing us to see the real emotions as Casey watches her young son take to the ranch life and become the happy boy he was before his father died. She also is learning about ranch life–like driving a stick-shift truck and riding a horse. Chance shows her that there’s a lot to love about the land, and him.

I love the characters but the real draw to the story are the descriptions of the land and the beauty of the mountains. Almost makes me want to take a trip out there!

Recommended.

DAUGHTER OF STARLIGHT by Molly M. Hammond

Fiction, YA Fantasy

5*****

Blurb: Luma was six years old when she was found wandering alone with no memory of a family or how she got the strange scars that crisscross her palms. Now, twelve years later, Luma is summoned across a magical bridge to another world: a world where the decimated population of elves suffer under the ruthless wizard army. Luma’s appearance is a ray of hope for the elves, who believe she is their prophesied “Daughter of Starlight”, the only one whose powerful magic can heal their broken defenses. Luma just wants to get back home, but the wizards discover her, and soon Luma is in the fight of her life. As she flees a mighty adversary, Luma struggles with hints of a strange power from deep within, a power that she can neither control nor deny any longer. Desperate for answers, Luma joins a group of elf resistance fighters on a perilous journey in search of the exiled elf mage. Along the way, Luma begins to realize there could be more truth to this prophecy than she first thought, and that just maybe, she has a family after all.  

THOUGHTS: Wow. This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go until the last. Luma is a good character, as are the others in the story. She is the one the elves have been looking for for twelve years—the one who will help free them from the wizards of another world who want to take over their world. There is action (a lot!), treachery, friendship, and even a dragon! She has to figure out how to come to terms with the fact that she is an elf and her life on Earth was an unfortunate accident of fate. She has no memory of before she got there, or of her powers, or how to use them, but everyone is depending on her to save the elf world. Unfortunately, there are just as many people who don’t want her to do it.

If you’re looking for a decent fantasy story with lots of twists and turns, treachery and friendship, long lost love, and a war that could end multiple worlds. Or help them. Then you need to pick this one up. Definitely worth reading.

And definitely recommended.

Fiction, YA, Mystery (Note: trigger – anorexia)

5*****

For Gabby Patterson, a dedicated but sometimes obsessive cross-country runner, junior year is her time to shine. She has to start thinking about the future college recruiters and scholarship offers. But today means beating her impossibly skinny rivals any way she can. Then eerie encounters in the woods and a cute secretive guy with the same quirky musical tastes interfere with Gabby’s plans. Sweet CJ is connected to the forest mystery and to what’s happening to Gabby. But hard truths aren’t that easy to run from…

THOUGHTS: This was written in first person/(mostly) present tense so you feel like you are really there with Gabby as everything is happening. Gabby is sixteen years old, in her junior year of high school, and a very intense cross-country runner. She is also 5’11” tall and obsessed with being as small as some of the other runners. Since she can’t do anything about her height, she goes about controlling what she eats so she can be the same weight as them. Which means she is basically starving herself. Though her parents, coaches, and friends are concerned, especially when she starts passing out at meets, she goes through the book denying that anything is wrong.

Until the ghost of her new boyfriend’s sister starts haunting her, especially when she passes a certain spot in the woods – then she finds out that’s where the girl died. Though it was ruled a suicide, Gabby is certain something else happened and goes about trying to prove it. All while trying to qualify for Districts/Regionals/States.

This is a really sweet YA story that shows all the angst teens go through bullying, trying to fit in, to be the best at something, to date, etc. It also shows how all that angst can lead to serious food issues, especially in female athletes. I especially appreciated how by the end of the story, Gabby got help (thanks to the ghost’s diary). And the mystery surrounding Hailey’s death (the ghost) comes to light. So a very satisfying ending.

Recommended.

Blurb: Luma was six years old when she was found wandering alone with no memory of a family or how she got the strange scars that crisscross her palms. Now, twelve years later, Luma is summoned across a magical bridge to another world: a world where the decimated population of elves suffer under the ruthless wizard army. Luma’s appearance is a ray of hope for the elves, who believe she is their prophesied “Daughter of Starlight”, the only one whose powerful magic can heal their broken defenses. Luma just wants to get back home, but the wizards discover her, and soon Luma is in the fight of her life. As she flees a mighty adversary, Luma struggles with hints of a strange power from deep within, a power that she can neither control nor deny any longer. Desperate for answers, Luma joins a group of elf resistance fighters on a perilous journey in search of the exiled elf mage. Along the way, Luma begins to realize there could be more truth to this prophecy than she first thought, and that just maybe, she has a family after all.  

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Molly M. Hammond is an award-winning author whose love of language and storytelling has shaped her life and career. She holds degrees in English and Communication, as well as American Sign Language Interpreting. Molly’s storytelling is informed by her deep empathy, sharp observation, and a vivid imagination that often strikes while she’s out on a run, a routine that both inspires her creativity and frustrates her with ideas that never quite leap directly onto the page. When she’s not writing or interpreting, Molly can be found adventuring with her dog, Bungee, and her two cats, Rose and Clover, or enjoying life in the scenic St. Croix River Valley of Minnesota with her husband and two sons. Daughter of Starlight is her debut novel and the first in a planned series. Want to learn more about Daughter of Starlight and the creative mind behind the magic? Follow her on social media to explore exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, upcoming projects, and more about author Molly M. Hammond.
Facebook: @molly.hammond.75
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