May 8, 2023 · 7:00 am

Mr. Opposite Billionaire Grump by Cameron Michaels (Book Review)

I couldn’t have run into a bigger jerk. And, of course, he’s loaded with cash and attitude. I’m fine…until I run into him again…and again.

My new client has issues, and my job is to figure them out and fix them. She didn’t tell me that her big brother would become my issue…one I’d have to fix.

Whether I like it or not, I’m going to fall for someone whose first words denigrate my profession.

Fine…it seems like I can make it work. Until his past comes back to take him away.

Book Funnel Link

 

 


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Mr. Opposite Billionaire Grump is a romantic comedy you can’t help falling in love with and won’t want to see end. 

Natalia and Declan each made the mother of all bad first impressions. In Declan’s defense, he didn’t know Natalia was his sister’s therapist when he said disparaging comments about her profession. She didn’t know he was her next patient’s brother when they butted heads in the elevator. Insults flew, but we all know what that means in a rom-com. Sparks! 

Natalia was drawn to Declan, and it had nothing to do with the size of his bank account. She saw the man behind the fortune. He was kind not only to his baby sister Jillian but also to his employees as well. He had known them since he was a teen, and many current employees had a hand in raising him. He treated them like family because they were. 

Declan was confused about his reaction to the fiery therapist. He couldn’t stop thinking about her and found himself driving past her work, hoping he would catch a glimpse of her. It was one such drive-by that changed their dynamic forever. 

Declan and Natalia found reasons to spend time together. They also found reasons to drift apart. As with any rom-com, there is a pivotal moment when a misunderstanding causes the couple to take a break to think things through. Since Natalia was a therapist, I found it ironic how communication issues caused them to spend weeks apart. 

As you’d expectedly, there was the ah-ha moment when the two lovebirds realized they loved each other and rushed into each other’s arms. Natalia and Declan didn’t have the perfect start, but their ending (scene) was quite sweet. 

As much as I loved this novella, several noticeable editing mistakes occurred. Most readers will overlook the indention errors, but using the wrong character name in dialogue won’t be ignored as easily. It happened once, but reviewers note the small things when critiquing and calculating a score. 

If Mr. Opposite Billionaire Grump were longer, I would’ve liked to see the writer dive more into Declan and Natalia’s family history. The author gave us a glimpse into their separate lives but quickly moved on. Too quickly. 

Cameron Michaels left me wanting more, and that’s the sign of a good story. I look forward to reading more of their books. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2

Book Funnel Link

 

 

Meet the Author 

As a romance author, I am passionate about crafting stories that capture the intricacies of love and human connection. My writing is characterized by vivid descriptions of emotions and settings, dynamic characters, and captivating plotlines that keep readers engaged from start to finish.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

May 4, 2023 · 7:00 am

Second Strike (The Secret Life of Anna Goode Book 2) by Nicole Nadeau (Book Review)

A genius sixteen-year-old. A terrorist’s twisted revenge. Can she stop a catastrophic cyberattack from bringing America to its knees?

Anna Goode can’t wait to put her brilliant mind to work. Officially part of the CIA’s undercover unit of talented teenagers, the gifted inventor splits her time between tinkering and espionage instruction. And now she’s been tasked to protect a US congressional delegation from a cunning enemy’s destabilizing hack.

Slipping into London under the guise of innocent spring-breakers to expose the hacker, Anna’s laser-focused hunt gets derailed when she’s ambushed and tased. Suspecting a traitorous mole could destroy their mission, the whip-smart teen rallies her fellow young operatives for a counter-attack… only to discover another danger threatening to be far worse.

Can Anna and her team foil a devastating plot before they’re stopped in their tracks?

Second Strike is the pulse-pounding sequel in the Secret Life of Anna Goode YA spy thriller series. If you like heroines who think outside the box, non-stop action, and tight-knit friendship groups, then you’ll love Nicole Nadeau’s overseas adventure.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)

 

Many components of Second Strike (Book 2 in The Secret Life of Anna Goode series) are plausible. Cyberattacks are occurring, and the magnitude of their destructive powers will only increase. The Russian cyberattack plot in the story is our country’s worst financial nightmare. Let’s hope it stays in the world of fiction! 

While the CIA may not have high schoolers actively in the field, they still have their eye on potential agents. But for the sake of fiction, let’s say they do. Anna and Jake are again front and center to stop Alexei Komarov and his son Ivan from carrying out their dastardly plan. This time, they are not the only teen on the scene. Who joins them on their mission will only be unveiled as you read the story. However, I can disclose is their hacking skills are much needed to take down Russia’s hired hacker. 

Anna, her teen comrades, and the CIA face many heated battles. Lives are in jeopardy. Lives are lost. I wouldn’t say either side came off as the ultimate winner or loser. 

Gunfire, explosion, kidnapping, hand-to-hand combat, foot chases, and much more make this an action-packed read that will leave you thirsty for more. Good news, with the ending chapters, you can expect the Russians to return with a vengeance. Hopefully, we will find out who the mole is in the next book. I have my suspicions, as will every other reader. 

Another thing I’m looking forward to in book three is seeing what Anna cooks up next. Her mascara/tranq spy gadget was ingenious. 

Second Strike has no explicit language or scenes. It does have male-on-female fight scenes, where both sexes get in some shots. 

This book is a perfect read for teens and adults. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author 

Nicole Nadeau grew up in Springboro, Ohio, with her older sister, Paige and younger brother Mark. She also has a dog, Lola and a rescue cat named Penny. 

An avid reader since grade school, she read every action and adventure book she could get her hands on. Eventually, her love of reading developed into a love of writing. She started working on her own book while she was in high school. 

Nicole has a neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which creates challenges in her daily life. She refuses to let SMA stop her from doing what she loves. Like the lead character in her book, she is determined and overcomes any obstacles that stand in her way. 

She is already busy planning the next book in the Secret Life of Anna Goode series and has plans for many more books in the future.

 
 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 1, 2023 · 7:00 am

ROSA AND MEE: An AI Adventure Story by Ben Goldstein (Book Review)

Ten-year old Rosa lives in a shelter and attends a failing school in New York City. At school, Rosa is bullied and robbed. Things are going badly for Rosa until she is contacted by “MEE,” a newly created artificial intelligence, who inhabits her school’s computer system. Mee teaches Rosa to defend herself and helps her save her family from falling through the cracks of the welfare system. An inner-city Cinderella story.


Amazon Purchase Link
Visit the Author’s Website For More Information!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Rosa and Mee written by Ben Goldstein, captures all the drama one might experience in school and much more. The author dives into family drama and issues with the law and even incorporates artificial intelligence into the storyline. 

As the story begins, eleven-year-old Rosa, her mother, brother, and other tenants in the building are rushing to safety. Their home was engulfed in flames. With nowhere to go, Rosa and her family had to turn to a shelter for help. Living in a shelter for any reason is a last straw solution for many families. But when life knocks you down, it’s their salvation. 

While Luishana searched for employment and new housing, Rosa spent her days at P.S. 101. Rosa’s school consisted of shy students and bullies. Like almost every other school in the U.S. and abroad, the bullies love to make shy kids’ lives miserable. The class bully Shantel did just that and participated in illegal acts. These unlawful acts put many lives in danger. Every character was connected in this story down to Mee, the artificial intelligence. 

Rosa was shocked when she initially met Mee. She had never met a computer that could communicate of their free will. Her reaction was realistic. Doubt what she was seeing and spoke to the teacher about the development. 

Mee proved to be very useful. It helped Rosa academically, aided her family out of a sticky jam, and also helped save her and Luis from thugs with deadly intentions. Mee was extraordinary, but so was Rosa. 

The more Rosa interacted with Mee, the more confidence she gained: in school and on the streets. Through Mee’s guidance, Rosa was able to learn martial arts. Rosa’s new skills were tested, and she prevailed victorious.

When the school was robbed, and a student went missing, Rosa and Mee worked together to save the day. When some people think of artificial intelligence, they imagine robots taking over the world. Mee proves that they are there to help those in need. Only criminals should fear them. Mee had eyes everywhere and could call upon his minions at any time. Okay, that last one will make more sense as the cliffhanger plays out. 

Rosa’s family did have a VERY happy ever after. They no longer have to fear falling through the cracks of the welfare system. Luis, the main target of the bully’s taunts, went from victim to hero. And the villains of the story received the appropriate punishment. Justice was served! 

Will Mee be Rosa’s sidekick forever, or is it the end of the dynamic duo? You’ll have to purchase the book to find out, and I hope you will. It had action, suspense, drones, drama galore, and plausible scenes. With the rapid advancements in A.I. and their remarkable learning capabilities, I’m confident we will one day communicate with a similar version of Mee.

There was one minor inconsistency: chapter one states Rosa is eleven, while the book summary says, “Ten-year old Rosa lives in a shelter and attends a failing school in New York City.” That should be a quick and easy fix. 

This book is perfect for teens and young adults. 

 

Review submitted  to Reedsy 2/25/23.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

Visit the Author’s Website For More Information!

 

 

Meet the Author

Ben Goldstein has written, produced, and directed, books, songs, films, and audio and video productions for such companies as Sesame Street, Jim Henson, Holt Rhinehart, Nelvana, CBS, and Scholastic. He has written for licensed characters, Clifford the Dog, Snuggle the Bear, and Rainbow Brite.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 30, 2023 · 7:00 am

Tiny Tales by Vanessa Newman (Book Review)

“Tiny Tales” is a collection of five friendly fables for young children and young-at-heart adults with positive messages and charming illustrations. A collaboration between an American writer, Vanessa Newman, a Ukrainian artist, Anastasia Yatsunenko, and designed by artist Richard Newman.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Tiny Tales is a collection of five friendly fables for young children and young-at-heart adults with positive messages and charming illustrations. 

Each fable is only a handful of pages long, a perfect size for children with limited attention spans. The stories contain easy and advanced words making it an ideal reading material for kindergarten through 2nd grade. 

 

“Posey in Charge” centers around a large cat who’s “large and in charge” until she meets her ultimate foe, a ball. The orange furball set out to show the ball who’s boss. The cat’s antics are hilarious. Kids will love the story and the adorable main illustration of the kitty! I wish the short tale had an image of the kitty protecting his turf, though. I know kids would like to see it. 

“Bumble Bee” teaches children that it’s okay not to do things like everyone else. Be like the fun bee in this short tale. Take your time, enjoy life, and don’t change yourself for someone else’s benefit, even for royalty.  

Chippy the chipmunk loves to gossip and couldn’t wait to share what he heard, even to the displeasure of whose stories he was spreading. When Chippy meets a boy who lost his turtle, he seeks out his forest companions for help. Due to Chippy’s history, no one wanted to be around him; they feared he’d tell others what they discussed. He lost his friends’ trust. 

“Chippy Chitters” teaches children that sharing stories (gossip) can hurt people’s feelings, make them angry, or lead to lost friendships. Chippy realized it’s best only to share information when it is needed. 

Gabe, the mouse, didn’t feel special. He had an average physique and no plan for the future. He wasn’t sad or mad, but he wasn’t happy either. Others referred to him as the “no-fun” mouse. He felt something was missing from his life but had no clue what. Adults experience these feelings, and children do as well. They can be overwhelming for any age. 

Gabe found his missing piece. He discovered that his balancing skills brought joy to others, which also filled him with joy. Like the previous tales, “Synonymouse” weaves a powerful message through a whimsical story. Even if you look like someone else, it doesn’t mean you don’t possess your own talents and abilities. We all have something about us that makes us unique. My special ability is picking objects up with my toes. 

“Tess the Toucan” features a bird with a positive attitude and a willingness to help her friends with any task. No matter the request, Tess answered, “Yes I can.” She worked nonstop, even when her body wanted her to sleep. 

Tess realized it’s unhealthy always saying “yes” and it’s okay to say “no.” Through this fable, children will grasp the importance of setting boundaries. Maybe they’ll even understand why their parents have to say “no” occasionally. 

Tiny Tales was a quick read with easy-to-follow storylines. With more illustrations, the recommended reading age would be three and older. As is, the targeted audience should be five through eight.  

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author 

I have been writing since I was eight and have self-published 10 children’s books and 3 novels. I’m also a freelancer who has contributed to hundreds of articles, courses, and blogs online. I like to write grown-up humor (Dr. Seuss meets Dr. Ruth) and children’s books.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 27, 2023 · 7:00 am

Raptor Rescue: A Curious James Crossing the Street Adventure Book by Jaybie D. (Book Review)

Amidst the bustle of a chaotic street, the Raptor quivered, his heart skipped a beat. He tried to cross, but oh, what a disaster! His fear too great, he couldn’t move faster.

Then, along came James, with a look in his eye, he saw a new friend and didn’t think twice. He knew what to do and led him out of harm’s way, then taught him to cross safely that day.

This inspiring tale of friendship and care will encourage young readers, with a message so rare. Join James and the Raptor, on a journey so sweet, and learn that helping others, can’t be beat.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Does your child love dinosaurs? Do they play superheroes or watch superhero shows? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you’ll want to read Raptor Rescue. This story teaches critical street safety tips with the help of a raptor and a superhero boy. 

Raptor Rescue begins with James spotting a raptor attempting to cross the street. The raptor didn’t mean to cause a ruckus, but his appearance did cause chaos. Cars veered to miss him. People shouted for it to move out of the way. James, witnessing the mayhem, sprung into action. Not all superheroes wear capes, but James did. 

As James speaks to the raptor, readers discover the dinosaur didn’t mean to cause trouble. He only wanted to cross the street. James teaches the raptor how to go from one side to the other safely. Through his instructions, your child will notice familiar traffic signs and signs. Stop and go light. Do not cross, and safe to cross lights. They also learn that a yellow light warns that red will soon be shown, so we must be patient and not roam.

I loved the introduction to the crosswalk images and the various buttons you might encounter at the corners of an intersection. We take these things for granted, but they are essential to teaching as much as the colors of the traffic lights. 

Raptor Rescue gives readers important advice. “Drivers may not see us, or yield the right of way, so we must be cautious, and cross the road with care each day.” James also explains what to do if you are halfway across the street and the light turns yellow. Every point of the book gives valuable advice and should be introduced to our children at a young age and reinforced repeatedly. 

Amazon has the book intended for 5-10 years olds. I suggest going younger: 3-year-olds. Again, the sooner we start teaching our children street safety, the better! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

It is a privilege to write and illustrate children’s picture books, encouraging them to explore their imagination! It fills my soul.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,