Author Archives: Barb

Thank You, Next by Andie J. Christopher – Review & Giveaway

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Thank You, Next by Andie J. Christopher – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Alex Turner is never The One–but always the last one an ex dates before finding love–and now she’s determined to find out why in this hilarious new rom-com.

Single divorce attorney Alex Turner is watching reality TV when she sees her latest ex’s new fiancé picking out her wedding dress. Yet again, the guy she dumped went on to marry (or at least seriously commit to) the next person he dates after her. Fed up with being the precursor to happily ever after, she decides to interview all her exes to find out why.

Up-and-coming chef Will Harkness mixes with Alex like oil and vinegar, but forced proximity growing up means their lives are forever entwined. When Will learns Alex and her friends are going on a wild romp through Los Angeles to reconnect with her ex-boyfriends, he decides to tag along. If he can discover what her exes did wrong, he can make sure he doesn’t make the same mistake with Alex.

On this nonstop journey through the streets of LA, Alex realizes the answer to her question might be the man riding shotgun…

 

 

Review:

Thank You, Next by Andie J. Christopher is a standalone rom-com novel.  We meet our heroine, Alex Turner, who is a very successful divorce attorney; and has no plans to ever marry, as she loves her life as it is.   One night, she watches a TV a reality show, and sees her latest ex-boyfriend’s fiancée planning their wedding. She begins to realize that all of her ex-boyfriends (she has had quite a few) end up getting married after they break up with her.  Alex is determined to go on a quest (with some of her friends) to meet with all her exes to find out why they broke up with her, and how to work toward having better relationships.

Will Harkness, our hero, is an old friend of Alex, but in current time, they really do not get along.  Will is currently divorced, and is a well-known chef, opening a new restaurant.  Will decides to tag along with Alex and her friends, as she meets her exes, and is determined to prove that she has done nothing wrong, just not having found the man destined for her.  Will has always been attracted to Alex, but never explored any relationship, due to his fear of losing the only mother he ever had, Alex’s grandmother, Lexi.

It was an interesting concept and at times fun to watch Alex, with her friends and Will when meeting up with her exes.  Along the way, Will finds himself jealous of all the exes, and slowly, with a slight push from Lexi, begins to have strong feelings for Alex.  She too begins to see Will in another light, especially with his being very protective of her.  I did like Will, though I thought he was too distanced toward Alex for half way through the book.  I actually was not a fan of Alex for a majority of the time, with her somewhat changing closer to the last third. Their relationship was rocky from the start, and they really did not have much chemistry util much later.

Thank You, Next was a fun read, but I thought the relationship between Alex and Will took too long for the romance to start.  Thank You, Next was well written by Andi J. Christopher.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Andi J. Christopher’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of THANK YOU, NEXT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from  June 14 to 17, 2022

 

 

 

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The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis – a Review

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The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis – a Review

 

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Description:
Alone in the world, Tae Holmes and her mother April pretty much raised each other, but as Tae starts asking questions about the father she’s never met, April, for the first time in her life, goes silent. To make matters worse, Tae is dangerously close to broke and just manages to avoid financial meltdown when she lands a shiny new contract with an adventure company for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.

Her first big fundraiser event falls flat, but what starts out as a terrible, horrible, no-good night turns into something else entirely when Tae finds herself face-to-face with Riggs Copeland. She hasn’t seen the former Marine since their brief fling in high school, and while still intensely drawn to him, she likes her past burned and buried, thank you very much. Hence their friendship pact.

But when April oddly refuses to help Tae track down her father, it’s Riggs who unexpectedly comes to her aid. On a hunt to unlock the past, the two of them find themselves on a wild ride and learn a shocking truth, while also reluctantly bonding in a way neither had seen coming. Now Tae must decide whether she’s going to choose love … or walk away from her own happiness.

 

 

Review:

The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis is the 2nd book in her Sunrise Cove series.  We meet Tae Homes, our heroine, at the start, when she is in charge of a fundraiser that has turned flat, mainly due to terrible weather.  Tae has her own event planning business, and the fundraiser was to help Jake Copeland with one of his events (military, kid, disabled, etc.); Jake tells Tae she did well, and she should go home, as his AHQ (Adrenaline HQ) team will clean up.  While waiting for Uber to show up, Tae is shocked to run into an old friend, who offers her a ride home.

Riggs Copeland, our hero and Jake’s brother, as return home to help his brother for the summer. Tae and Riggs have not seen each other since high school, with Riggs now out of the military, planning to move at summer’s end to accept a job in DC. Though both were a bit uncomfortable, neither of them ever forgot about their relationship back then.  Tae doesn’t plan getting close to Riggs, as he hurt her; and Riggs doesn’t plan to stay too long, as his memories of his deceased abusive father were still buried in his mind.

Tae is very close to her mom, April, and together they have managed to make ends meet. April loved to take beautiful photos, and has not tried to promote that, until someone sees the pictures and pushes her to show them. April, has focused her life solely on Tae, having raised her daughter, being a single teen mother; as she was her world, but April did have a secret.  One day, looking through some papers, Tae notices her birth certificate that has a blank under father; she begins to investigate, since her mother told her that her father died overseas when she was a baby.

Though Tae and Riggs ended up constantly running into each other, they agree that neither will be anything other then friends.  A slow build romance will change their friendship pact, and I loved watching them fall in love.   Riggs was strong and protective, of Tae, as well as his brother, Jake.  The brothers shared ownership of AHQ, which was helping out Veterans, kids, and those with disabilities, and Riggs felt Jake did not need him past the summer.   Will Jake be able to convince Riggs he is needed here?  Will Riggs, who has fallen hard for Tae, hurt her again, and leave?

The Friendship Pact is an excellent, heartwarming story revolving around friendship, family, love and forgiveness. As Tae learns more about her father, will she be able to forgive both her mother and Riggs, who was protecting her, for not telling her the truth. The Friendship Pact was very well written by Jill Shalvis. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Her Frozen Cry by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Her Frozen Cry by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
The moon shines through the open window, bathing the woman in pale light. Blood-red wine from a shattered glass soaks into the cream blanket beside her, and her dull eyes stare vacantly at the framed photograph in her hand.

When beautiful wife and mother Alicia Gordon is found dead in a remote woodland cabin, Detective Amanda Steele is shocked to discover that she knows the husband. Amanda hasn’t spoken to Tony since she lost the love of her own life seven years ago, and seeing tragedy tearing her old friend’s family apart brings back so many painful memories.

Alicia was alone when she died, but she was so young, and Amanda can’t help feeling suspicious. Then she discovers that Alicia’s sleep medication had been tampered with, slowly poisoning her over several days. Amanda wants to trust that the sorrow on Tony’s face is real, but the more she digs into his marriage, the more it seems that he had opportunity, and motive…

Interviewing one of Alicia’s old colleagues, Amanda is shaken to her core when the woman suddenly collapses in her arms, dying in seconds from a lethal dose of the same poison that killed Alicia. But what could link this woman to Tony?

With her partner blaming Amanda for not arresting Tony immediately, she needs to prove that he isn’t the killer, or accept that the second woman’s death could be on her hands. She’s running out of time and leads when she discovers threatening messages sent to both victims. It’s the final clue to unmasking the most twisted killer Amanda has ever come up against, and to stop them she’ll have to risk everything…

 

Review:

Her Frozen Cry by Carolyn Arnold is the 5th book in her fantastic Detective Amanda Steele series. I have noted this many times, that I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Her Frozen Cry was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down.

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.  When a woman is found dead in a remote woodland cabin, Amanda and her partner, Trent are called to the scene.  Amanda is shocked that the dead women, Alicia Gordon is married to an old friend, whom she hasn’t seen since the tragedy of her husband and child.   She is suspicious, if this was murder or possible suicide; but in a short time, they will discover that Alicia was slowly poisoned

Tony Bishop, an old friend of Amanda, is devastated by the news, but both her and Trent suspect that he is hiding something.  Can Amanda be able to handle being objective dealing Tony? 

Alicia Gordon was the wealthy owner of a successful business, with Amanda and Trent interviewing many of Alicia’s colleagues; which had me constantly guessing who is the killer.  Another death escalates the investigation, as this person was also murdered by the same poison, and the suspect list increases.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery that kept me unable to put the book down. There were so many suspects, and even surprises at the end. Amanda and Trent were at odds, when he suspects Tony, and feels she is not looking at the big picture; but with time running out, Amanda looks more carefully at the threatening letters sent to both women. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a great good story that needs to be read from start to finish, especially with so much going on that keeps us glued to the book.

Her Frozen Cry was a very good excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, intense, and kept us guessing who was the murderer to the end. Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective.  Her Frozen Cry was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

 


CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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Falling for the Doctor by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

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Falling for the Doctor by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
They were in it for the fun, but never expected the storm…

Life for hometown ER physician Dr. Max Lange has always been sweet. He loves his job and is dialed in socially with his family, friends, and community. But lately, something feels like it’s missing. When a visiting doctor pulls him in for a hot kiss and asks him to play along in order to avoid unwanted attention from a hospital administrator, Max knows exactly what he wants and needs—the lovely Dr. Mitchell.

After a tragic error shakes her confidence beyond repair, Dr. Lauren Mitchell has abandoned her career in cardiothoracic surgery and instead works as a lead medical consultant for a top cardiovascular technology company. She enjoys her simple life on the road—hotel rooms, room service, and no emotional entanglements.

When a violent storm throws her into service at St. Mark’s hospital, Max has only a few days to prove to Lauren that they belong together, while she must reevaluate her career…and her life. Will Max’s love be enough to make River’s Edge and Max her home?

 

 

 

Review:

Falling for the Doctor by Nan Reinhardt is the 2nd book in her The Lange Brothers series.  I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and happy to say Falling for the Doctor was just as great.  We meet Lauren Mitchell, our heroine, at the start, when she is discussing her consultant training on the new cardiovascular technology that the hospital purchased.  Lauren notices that the administrator is making her uncomfortable with his attention.  She notices a handsome doctor walking into the cafeteria, with kind eyes, and immediately jumps up to greet him with a kiss; Lauren whispers to him to please play along.

Dr. Max Lange, is an ER physician, living all his life in River’s Edge, and happy in the job he loves, and being with family.  When a strange woman gives him a kiss, Max happily returns the kiss, and finds himself attracted to Lauren, as she is to him.  A slow build romance begins, with Max learning all about Lauren, and her famous doctor father and grandmother; as well as why she no longer does surgery. 

Lauren walked away from surgery when she lost a young patient, and decided to be into a safer job, as a consultant and technical advisor to train doctors and nurses using cardiac surgery equipment. As their relationship escalates, Max tries to convince her to return to practicing medicine, using her excellent abilities.  When a tornado hits the town, Lauren is asked to help at St. Mark’s hospital, and finds herself in a past similar situation that will change everything. Max also pushes for Lauren to stay at River’s Edge, as he loves her, and they could work together, with her resuming her career.  Will Lauren be able to move forward, and stay with Max?

Nan Reinhardt gives us some wonderful secondary characters that were so likable, making this story even better.   The atmosphere of this small town was wonderful, as everyone helped one another.  What follows is a sweet wonderful romance between a great couple in Lauren and Max. 

Falling for the Doctor was a terrific story, that was very well written by Nan Reinhardt. I look forward to reading the next book in this fun series.  If you enjoy pure fun, enjoyable romance, wonderful couple, and great secondary characters, then you need to read both The Valentine Wager and Falling for the Doctor.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Stuck With You by Ali Hazelwood – a Review

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Stuck With You by Ali Hazelwood – a Review

 

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Description:
Nothing like a little rivalry between scientists to take love to the next level.

Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn…
 
Logically, Sadie knows that civil engineers are supposed to build bridges. However, as a woman of STEM she also understands that variables can change, and when you are stuck for hours in a tiny New York elevator with the man who broke your heart, you earn the right to burn that brawny, blond bridge to the ground. Erik can apologize all he wants, but to quote her rebel leader—she’d just as soon kiss a Wookiee.
 
Not even the most sophisticated of Sadie’s superstitious rituals could have predicted such a disastrous reunion. But while she refuses to acknowledge the siren call of Erik’s steely forearms or the way his voice softens when he offers her his sweater, Sadie can’t help but wonder if there might be more layers to her cold-hearted nemesis than meet the eye. Maybe, possibly, even burned bridges can still be crossed….

 

 

Review:

Stuck With You by Ali Hazelwood is a Steminist novella.  Sadie, our heroine, is a scientist, who works for a new firm producing safer products.  Within the same building, another firm is very successful, making things harder for Sadie and her boss. 

One evening Sadie, met Erik and it turned into a one-night stand, which she learns the following day that he is one of the founders of the other company.  Sadie feels that Erik betrayed her, when she finds out they took one of their customers away; now Sadie hates Erik.  Three weeks later, both Erik and Sadie get stuck in the elevator, with Erik trying to convince her that he did not betray her, and Sadie slowly begins to feel her attraction to him  

What follows is a quick story line, with POV’s switching back and forth from the one-night stand and them trapped in the elevator.  I have enjoyed Hazelwood’s previous novel, but not really feeling anything for this story, not to mention I thought Sadie was a bit weird, though I did like Erik. I also wasn’t crazy about the awful croissants that kept being brought up.  I will read the next novella in this series, and decide if I want to continue.  I did enjoy very much Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins – a Review

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Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins – a Review

 

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Description:
Lillie Silva knew life as an empty nester would be hard after her only child left for college, but when her husband abruptly dumps her for another woman just as her son leaves, her world comes crashing down. Besides the fact that this announcement is a complete surprise (to say the least), what shocks Lillie most is that she isn’t…heartbroken. She’s furious.

Lillie has loved her life on Cape Cod, but as a mother, wife and nurse-midwife, she’s used to caring for other people…not taking care of herself. Now, alone for the first time in her life, she finds herself going a little rogue. Is it over the top to crash her ex-husband’s wedding, dressed like the angel of death? Sure! Should she release a skunk into his perfect new home? Probably not! But it beats staying home and moping.

She finds an unexpected ally in her glamorous sister, with whom she’s had a tense relationship all these years. And an unexpected babysitter in of all people Ben Hallowell, the driver in a car accident that nearly killed Lillie 20 years ago. And then there’s Ophelia, her ex-husband’s oddly lost niece, who could really use a friend.

It’s the end of Lillie’s life as she knew it. But sometimes the perfect next chapter surprises you…out of the clear blue sky.

 

 

Review:

Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins is another one of her wonderful standalone novels. Lillie Silva, our heroine, is happily married, and soon with her husband, will be an empty nester; as their son leaves for college.  Just when she surprises her husband with plans for a vacation; she gets the shock of her life, as he tells her he wants a divorce, and has fallen in love with another women.  Needless to say, Lillie is not only heartbroken, but furious. I have to say her husband, Brad was an obnoxious idiot (I would say more, but you get the drift).   

Lillie is a midwife nurse, who helps women in labor, and very popular.  Her friends are appalled by what her husband has done, and are all loyal to her.   Seems the women Brad wants to marry, is very wealthy, and beautiful; but Lillie wants revenge against both of them.  Her plots against them were pretty funny, though somewhat over the top; a skunk in their new house, playing an angel of death in her all black garb at their wedding.  lol

Besides Lillie’s POV for most of the book, we do get Pov’s on Melissa, the woman Brad married.  At first, she wasn’t likeable, having a poor childhood, married a doctor, in a marriage that she was happy in, until he died, and becoming very wealthy upon his death.   Over time, we did get to like her better, especially when she becomes pregnant, and Lillie is the one who helps her.  By the last third of the book, Melissa became surprising sympathetic; seeing Brad in a bad light, as he really was a dork.  

 

I really did love Lillie, and how she helped the women through their pregnancy, and her wonderful loyal friends and family that supported her.  There was an amazing group of secondary characters, who were all so great.

Out of the Clear Blue Sky is a story that covers many facets of marriage, happiness, divorce, pregnancy, childbirth, forgiveness, family, romance and moving on.  Out of the Clear Blue Sky was so very well written by Kristan Higgins.  I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura – a Review

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In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura – a Review

 

Amazon

Description:
Meet Kara Hartman, a photojournalist who is hiding her magic from the world. Traumatized by her brother’s death, she wants nothing more to do with magic. But just when she thought she could neglect her gift, it becomes apparent that the universe has other plans for Kara. When she discovers that an old foe has broken out of prison, hellbent on destroying her new life, Kara has no choice but to embrace the only power that can stop her.

 

 

Review:

In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura is a standalone fantasy novel, which was different and unique. We meet Kara Hartman, our heroine, who works as a photojournalist and hides her magic from everyone.  Kara was friends with Charlotte, who began to use magic in evil ways; this led to her killing Kara’s brother, and sent to jail; with Charlotte determined to find a way to escape and kill Kara.

Kara and Dani work together, with Kara taking great pictures, and Dani writing the articles.  Though Kara does not want to use her magic, she always tries to help the injured people harmed by evil rogues.  Being in the middle of chaos, they will meet Selene, the demon slayer, who manages to defeat the enemies, as well as save Kara a few times.  I really liked Selene, as she was a fantastic warrior, who at first was cold, but in a short time, she began to train Kara how to use her magic.  Their friendship bonded, and their relationship escalated into a slow burn F/F romance; which was not over the top, as they were really great together.

In another part of this story was Reagan, who was one of the enforcers, who worked for John (the lead and Kara’s brother).  Reagan had teamed up with Thalia, and together they made a great team; until Thalia turned out to be bad, helping three others escaped from jail; which included Charlotte.   Reagan was beside herself at Thalia’s betrayal; determined to do everything she can to stop Thalia, from whatever she was planning.

In the Midst of Magic was an exciting, intriguing, tense, action filled story, with a bit of romance.   I really liked many of the characters, such as Kara, Selene, John, Reagan; the villains were also notable, such as Thalia, Charlotte, etc. This was a different kind of world especially with enforcers who protect humans, evil rogues who think nothing of magically killing, and the non-magic people who are in the middle. I did enjoy the story, which was well written by Christian Cura.   

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

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A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair – a Review

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A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair – a Review

 

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Description:
Hades, God of the Dead, does not take sides or bend the rules. He makes no exceptions to these values—not for god or mortal, even his lover, Persephone, Goddess of Spring.

Usually, fear prevents retaliation.

But not this time.

When Hera, Goddess of Women, approaches Hades with a plan to overthrow Zeus, he declines to offer help. As punishment, Hera sentences Hades to perform a series of labors. Each feat seems more impossible than the last and draws his attention away from Persephone—whose own tragedy has left her questioning whether she can be Queen of the Underworld.

 

 

Review:

A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair is the 2nd book in her Hades Saga series. I have read this author recently and loved her latest, but have not read her Hades or Persephone series.  A Game of Retribution, which is based on Greek mythology, did read well, as St. Clair manages to give us enough information to understand. In A Game of Retribution, Hades is the main lead in this story, as it was in his POV; the story does revolve around Hades and Persephone

Hades, the God of Death, rules the Underworld, as the lord who takes care of the all souls; he is selfless, and does not take sides or bend the rules. Hades is desperately in love with Persephone, the chemistry between them is very steamy. Persephone, is sweet, and caring of others, and she knows she has fallen in love with Hades. But though she means well, she doesn’t understand the decisions Hades makes in not helping her take care of friends and others. This causes a few fights, with Hades trying to explain that what she requests is not part of the rules, which he never bends.  Throughout the book, Persephone gets mad a number of times, which caused problems for Hades; as much as knowing she was a good person, I did get annoyed with her.

Hades plans to ask Persephone to marry him and become his Queen; but first he has to deal with Hera, who forces him to do some dangerous deeds, in getting her approval. I liked Hermes and Hecate, as they were not only friends, but also loyal to Hades; a well as him marrying Persephone. Hades and people, learn about an ancient relic that is lost, with a group secretly planning to cause a possible war. Hades must find out who will side with him. I expect the next book will be the start of the war to come between gods, monsters, demigods, and mortals.

A Game of Retribution was very well written by Scarlett St. Clair.  I enjoyed the book, but I may have liked it even better had a read some of the previous books. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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