Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier

     The big Easter egg hunt at Pine Point mansion was due to start any time.  Lucy Stone and her daughter-in-law, Molly, were taking three year old Patrick for the first time.  Everyone was to be dressed for the occasion and most were.  As they waited at the big gates to see the Easter Bunny come out of the house, questions began to filter through the crowd.  Where was VV?  Were they even having the Easter egg hunt this year?  Why were the gates locked?  Suddenly the Easter Bunny comes out the front door, then staggers.  He only gets a few eggs "hidden" when he drops to the ground.  Willis, the butler, was trying to open the gates when he turned and saw the bunny fall.  Terrific! Now all these children, ages 3-8, just witnessed the Easter Bunny's death.  Or maybe he was simply sick.  

     Quirky, fun and with a surprise ending you won't believe. This is one of the most fun books I've read lately.  I adore bunnies and was unsure about the title.  Rest assured it's not the REAL Easter bunny. (WHEW!)  With so many people involved and so many well executed twists and turns, you'll be guessing until the end.  There are some terrific Easter tips in the back of the book and yes I did try two of them. WONDERFUL!  For you mystery lovers, this one you need on your TBR pile and then in your Keepers pile.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 out of 5 cheers because I had fun following Lucy Stone around!

Sometimes Love Hurts by Marie Fostino

     Blake wasn't being quite as loving and affectionate as he had been earlier in their marriage.  Crystal was concerned he was cheating on her.  Things get worse because Crystal is due to have their first child any time now.  Worried and fearing the worst, Crystal goes to visit her parents.  After explaining things to her mother, she gets some much needed clarity on the situation.  The source would surprise Crystal and help her decide what to do.  

     Love takes work if it's strong and true.  False love will fade quickly.  Romantically sentimental and imparting some great advice, Marie Fostino once again pulls delicately  at the heart strings of her readers.  Ms. Fostino seems very comfortable with her style of writing and WOW are we the ones who benefit!  Well plotted out story and characters who are relate-able make this another hit for Ms. Fostino.  This one is a keeper!

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it tells a story in a different way. 

    

   

Gateway to Reality by Becca Campbell

     Wes Teague is college age man whose dreams are making him feel disconnected. He doesn't feel like his world is right side up. He isn't sure why until he wakes up in a new place. It looks sort of like the city he lives in, yet it isn't.  Looking for something familiar, Wes goes to the park and the sculpture there.  It's called "The Bean".  Something is different about it though. Trying to get through the crowd to see what's happening, Wes gets a look at this "new" world.  He's not expecting any of the information he's about to get.  But is this home or is home in his dreams? It might take some time to find out.

     Fascinating plot and full rich characters you'll really enjoy this book.  Becca Campbell pens another wonderful book that will keep you thinking for sometime.  What if it happened to you? Is it possible?  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for more from Becca Campbell.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it blew my mind in a terrific way. 

Links to the book on Amazon:

A #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy #ScienceFiction novel released today by @beccajcampbell: GATEWAY TO REALITY Grab it now! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUG7VP0

Grab this mind-bending topsy-turvy #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy #ScienceFiction novel GATEWAY TO REALITY by @beccajcampbell http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUG7VP0

Smash together #theMatrix and #Inception and amp up the heart and you have GATEWAY TO REALITY by @beccajcampbell http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUG7VP0

Links to the giveaway on my blog:

Win #Chicago-theme prizes and more! Enter the GATEWAY TO REALITY by @beccajcampbell #giveaway #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy http://goo.gl/G2Vlt

Like great #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy or #SciFi? Don't miss GATEWAY TO REALITY by @beccajcampbell Enter the #giveaway: http://goo.gl/G2Vlt

GATEWAY TO REALITY by @beccajcampbell is released today! Enter to win it and more at: http://goo.gl/G2Vlt #NewAdult #SciFi #UrbanFantasy

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

    As  she's dancing on her kitchen counter, she isn't thinking about anything but the fun she's having.  Then Emily Carson is watching the news. The plane her parents were on crashed!  The only thing left was a tray table with the words "EMILY PLEASE FORGIVE ME," in lipstick.  Now Emily is living in New York and everything is new.  Her new school's swim champ has his eyes on her.  Her chemistry partner isn't bad either.  Now her big worry is which one to choose. 

     This book hits hard with a very deep message to kids.  Jennifer Jabaley handled this subject matter with  grace and dignity.  The characters are ones you'd see anywhere in the world.  Emily is a very relate-able character and what she deals with, children handle every day.  

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this book 5 cheers out of 5 for originality and creativity.

Reviewed by Holly Baron age 12.

Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley

     While moving to Las Vegas was bad for Willow Grey, leaving her best friend, Max was worse.  To make sure he always stays her best friend, she hypnotizes him, but at age nine, she's not sure it will work.  Now that she's seventeen, her mom decides that they should move back to Georgia. She's going back to her home town, which means her best friend too.   
Willow realizes how much she admires Max and she wants to tell him.

     This book is very well written and speaks directly to preteens and teens.  Thought provoking and exploring young love in a very sweet book.  Characters your child will relate to easily and get excited about, keeping them reading even more.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I give this book 5 cheers out of 5 because it's something I'm sure all teen girls can relate too.
Reviewed by Holly Baron, age 12

A Rocky Mountain Christmas by William W. & J. A. Johnstone

     While waiting for the runways to be cleared at the airport, former Ambassador Rebecca Daniels Robinson is approached by a reporter. The reporter wants to know what her most harrowing Christmas was.  Several people are taking a train through Colorado at Christmas time.  The train gets trapped in an avalanche with 37 people inside.  With Christmas fast approaching, the children on board were hoping to be where they were going to spend Christmas.  One little girl is deathly sick and there are criminals holding the dining car.  Will the rescue train make it in time?

     A book for any time of the year.  The story stresses the importance of not judging others and helping each other in times of need.  Well written with full rich characters this is one you'll add to your keeper pile.  I recommend this book for men and women. It's a good old fashioned western story.

     I found the first three chapters or so move slowly. Keep with it and the end pays off for the slow start.

     I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because of the slow start.   

Princess Onyx " Precious Gems" by Clarissa Burton

      Jaydah is a very talented little girl.  She sings, dances and is a wonderful artist.  One day she comes home in tears and tells her grandmother a boy was cruel to her.  He tells her shes ugly because her skin is too dark.  Jaydah's grandmother tells her the story of Princess Onyx and Jaydah learns a valuable lesson.

     A beautiful story about dealing with unkind children.  I found the lesson in this story perfect for every child but it will speak loudest to children of dark skin. My daughters thought it was wonderful!  A book like this just reinforces good manners taught by parents. Get this for the child in your life.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it is spectacular!!