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Dangerous Currents (Frank Dalton Thrillers, #1) by Jonathan Shipperley 

Pulse-pounding action and an intriguing murder investigation featuring special agents of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Dangerous Currents is the first book in Jonathan Shipperley’s intriguing series featuring U.S. Coast Guard Special Agent Frank Dalton. With its appealingly relatable, regular-Joe protagonist, compelling plot, and engaging storytelling, I was hooked from the very first page.

Frank Dalton is a chief warrant officer assigned to the Coast Guard Investigative Services and stationed at the Sector Command Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. With 18 years of service under his belt, he is feeling the wear and tear of the job and the ennui of the day-to-day. Kicking back on his annual leave, he’s beginning to feel the need for something new; he’s still in his 30s, after all. His sudden recall to duty by the special agent-in-charge, cutting his leave short, to investigate the accidental drowning death of a commercial fishing boat captain is all kinds of unusual, and the assignment of a new partner, recently out of the academy, to assist in his investigation doesn’t improve his mood.

Special Agent Jessica Carter, the fresh young ensign with a reputation that precedes her, is Frank’s new partner. While he was primary on the investigation and ordered to mentor Jessica in her new role, she had been told the case was her opportunity to lead. With their conflicting expectations, their initial partnering is frustrating, awkward, and was foundering. While immediately a fan of Frank’s, it took me a good minute to warm up to Jessica, but I eventually did in spades. I enjoyed the gradual way their relationship worked out, and they became a successful working team and more. I liked how both were able to tune in to their more intuitive perceptions of the world around them (i.e., they could feel someone had been on Frank's boat, Ghost, and had upset the subconscious feeling that it was a safe and protective place.)

Rather than a who-done-it, the plot involves seeking out the why and gathering the evidence needed to prove it and bring the bad guys to justice. There was a constant tension and an unnerving feeling that some hidden someone was watching their every move. Frank and Jessica are always about a half-step behind the perpetrators until they work out why. There are adrenaline-pumping, danger-filled action sequences with shocking twists that made me gasp out loud. I did not want to put this book down.

The Texas Gulf Coast and Corpus Christi descriptions were vivid and evocative, and specific details really brought the location to life. The author’s descriptions of the dry, flat topography further inland were dead on, and he nailed the impressions of driving down Ocean Drive and hanging out at the T-Head.

This book is a page-turner with a riveting mystery and an unrelenting and treacherous villain. I recommend DANGEROUS CURRENTS to readers of mysteries and thrillers, especially those who enjoy stories with a professional investigator or U.S. Coast Guard connection or Texas coastal setting.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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The Very First Amazing Adventure of Griswold and Christophe – Written and illustrated by Christian Bjone 

An entertaining retelling of the fairytale of Prince Gilgamesh.

The Very First Amazing Adventure of Griswold and Christophe by author-illustrator Christian Bjone introduces a new audience of children to the ancient Babylonian myth of Prince Gilgamesh. This fairytale retelling is whimsical and unique as it features a giant teddy bear and a toy soldier as the main characters.

After a disrupted toy parade leaves Griswold the Teddy Bear and Christophe the Toy Soldier completely alone, they naturally join together as friends for company and support. Hearing about the trouble at the Queen’s Castle, Christophe decides they must travel there to free the inhabitants from the Evil Ogre. Their journey commences, and they meet powerful and strange creatures along the way. They complete challenges to win the magic weapons they’ll need to defeat their foe. 

The story unfolds through short paragraphs, colorful illustrations, and maps. Much of the narrative, while lyrical and vivid, may fly over the heads of struggling or reluctant readers and will require adult interpretation. I enjoyed Christophe’s focus on their ultimate mission and smiled over his reaction to Red Fox and his various kindnesses throughout the story. I laughed about Griswold’s constant and appealing interest in food and eating rather than almost anything else. The result of Christophe’s kindness and bravery came as a twist, as did the surprising cliffhanger ending, which is to be continued in a follow-up retelling of the story of Ulysses and his journey home from the Trojan War.

I recommend THE VERY FIRST AMAZING ADVENTURE OF GRISWOLD AND CHRISTOPHE for older, more advanced middle-grade readers and teens and for reading aloud to younger children.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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Blink and Glow by Raven Howell, illustrated by Ann Pilicer

The kind, thoughtful message is depicted in lovely jewel-hued and summery illustrations. 

Blink and Glow is a lovely new children’s picture book by award-winning author Raven Howell, and it is perfect for the upcoming summer season and the close of the school year. Its gentle and kind message is beautifully rendered in the evocative, jewel-hued illustrations of artist Ann Pilicer. 

The story features young siblings Leo and Lilly, who, watching the fireflies and salamanders in their early summer backyard, decide to catch and take some to show-and-tell at school. However, once the creatures are captured in jars, their intriguing blinks and glow begin to dim and fade. Grandmother steps in with gentle insight and offers alternatives to keeping these living beings away from their natural environment and families. The instructions for these fun craft ideas are included in the story’s resolution. 

BLINK AND GLOW is perfect for sharing at home, school, and after-school programs as a jumping-off point for a fun craft activity. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.

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The Journey of Bee Bea: A Preschool Yoga Book About Finding Calm (Shanti’s Yoga Yarns, #1) by Marta Lanfranco 

Cute picture book with simple pictures and activities that any parent can use. 

The Journey of Bee Bea by Marta Lanfranco tells the story of a little bee that works hard collecting pollen from the flowers on the balconies of the gray apartments in the gray city. When a storm blows Bea out of her neighborhood, a friendly rainbow lends a colorful helping hand to get her back to her home. With its simple story, cute characters, basic underlying message, and the added value of easy-to-do activities parents can use to enhance their child’s engagement in the story, this book would be a nice addition to the bedtime routine or story time rotation. 

Shanti, the little purple storyteller, appears on each page and offers questions parents can ask their children as the story unfolds, drawing out the enjoyment and making it easier for parents to really share the story with their child rather than just reading it at them. The author also explains that the illustrations were deliberately kept simple to allow children to trace the pictures onto paper to color for themselves. I loved the idea that the colors of the rainbow transferred onto Bea when she was being helped home, and once there, she could colorize the entire gray neighborhood. While the text is simple, sometimes it rhymes, and sometimes it doesn’t. I would have preferred the whole work to have been one or the other. My children probably wouldn’t specifically ask to have this one read again and again without having their interest re-ignited using the coloring activity.

 I recommend THE JOURNEY OF BEE BEA to preschool and younger elementary school-age children.

 

The Journey of Bee Bea: A Preschool Yoga Book About Finding Calm (Shanti’s Yoga Yarns, #1) by Marta Lanfranco is available HERE.

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Weight of the Kiss by Derek W. Whaley 

Absolutely riveting story of a unit’s military deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan. 

Weight of the Kiss by Derek W. Whaley is the compelling tale of a man’s military service during a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. While the story is fictional, it is based on actual events and real individuals. It is tough, raw, and eye-opening at times, and I experienced so many emotions while reading. This is a story that will stick with me for a long time to come. 

The story unfolds from the viewpoint of the unnamed Reaper and Bang units’ team leader. He describes daily life for his soldiers and the other service members deployed to a base outside of Kandahar, Afghanistan, in vivid and evocative detail. I got a much clearer image of the actual conditions, routines, and duties military personnel endure than ever before, and it is told with candor, humor, and seriousness. You can’t help but laugh with these young men at some of their antics and ways they pass the time, but in the back of your mind, you realize it’s not all fun and games; they are teetering on the edge of life and death supporting the mission. The bonds these men forge are unlike anything found outside the service, and many will face greater struggles with their mental health once out of the combat zone. I enjoyed their humor and was gutted when their mission went sideways. 

The author is a storyteller, and the unique voice of his main character drew me into his mesmerizing tale. I recommend WEIGHT OF THE KISS to readers of military fiction or non-fiction and stories of bravery, ultimate sacrifice, dedication to service, and love for your brothers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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The Lonely Australian of the Asian Night by Gregory Pakis 

A young drifter reflects on his past and anxiously awaits his future. 

The Lonely Australian of the Asian Night by Gregorg Pakis is a compelling short story of a young drifter, quickly approaching middle-age and who has been hiding out in his Siem Reap, Cambodia, hotel room to hopefully to fly under the radar of the local authorities and INTERPOL. Having fled his hometown of Melbourne, Australia, just ahead of the police, who have an interest in him for mostly petty offenses, he traveled to India and eventually other Asian cities seeking cheap living conditions and easy marks for his penny ante thefts and robberies. With a lot of time on his hands, he reflects on his past and while he clearly recalls his life as taking advantage of opportunities to profit from others, he fails to dredge up any remorse for taking the low road. 

The author’s writing is compelling and easy reading; I was absolutely drawn into Paul’s version of self-reflection. The descriptions of the places he traveled, and his experiences were absorbing and evocative. I would welcome a longer book with more of this character’s trainwreck of a life story. 

I recommend THE LONELY AUSTRALIAN OF THE ASIAN NIGHT to readers of crime fiction, travel tales, and literary fiction. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

 

FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers HERE!

 

For More Information or to purchase, click HERE!

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Alexander Finds a Home (Alexander’s Adventures, #1) by Vicky Ann Meier: Illustrated by Mantari 

This cute picture book promotes embracing being your own unique YOU! 

Alexander Finds a Home is the first book in a new children’s picture book series by author Vicky Ann Meier and illustrated by Mentari. It features Alexander, a young kitten, and his two siblings, who go to a cat shelter to find their forever home. All the kittens at the shelter are different from one another: various colors, long fur or short fur, large and small. One by one, each kitten is picked by a visitor to the shelter to come to live with them at their home, except Alexander. Each prospective owner has some features or characteristics they are looking for in the new pet: a specific color or gender or even whether they have a sibling they can adopt as well. But one day, a girl comes in, and in her eyes, Alexander is exactly the kitten she’s looking for. 

The story is upbeat, and the kittens are optimistic about going to the shelter. Alexander does get a bit anxious when he begins to think he may not ever get selected, but the happy ending comes quickly. The narrative is simple and easy to follow, so even younger children can enjoy this one. The illustrations are clean, clear, and adorable. I am delighted to see this is a planned series of Alexander’s further adventures. 

I recommend ALEXANDER FINDS A HOME for young children and lovers of picture books featuring kittens. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via “Netgalley.”

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Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War by Talia Aikens-Nuñez 

They were assigned the toughest tasks and outperformed the rest! 

Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War is the amazingly clear and well-presented history of this special group of brave and patriotic fighting men, whom most people have never heard of before. Organized and celebrated for over 100 years ago, the infantry regiment’s incredible and spotless record was besmirched during their long service in the Korean War. Only in recent years were they exonerated. 

The 65th was a segregated all-Puerto Rican infantry regiment in the United States Army with a ferocious reputation. Many of the soldiers spoke Spanish, creating a communication problem with some of their English-only officers. There even existed a lot of prejudice against these men by their white officers. However, in the years the 65th fought in Korea, they were given some of the toughest, nastiest, and most hopeless assignments, and they still produced numerous examples of outstanding personal and regimental heroism. Still, near the end of the war, when the 65th was at the limits of its trained personnel and resources, they were tasked with the impossible and, perhaps, the ill-planned, and some of the men had had enough. 

As the author mentions, the Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War,” probably because it followed closely behind two world wars and preceded VietNam. The study of this conflict barely got a mention in any U.S. history course I ever took, and I would go so far as to say most people’s knowledge of the Korean War is whatever they gleaned from the television show M*A*S*H. 

The author’s writing style is easy to read, and the storytelling and research are compelling. While the book targets a young adult audience, I think even older readers will find it fascinating reading. I know I did. 

I recommend MEN OF THE 65TH: THE BORINQUENEERS OF THE KOREAN WAR to non-fiction readers interested in this little-known part of history. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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A Priest, A Rabbi, and a Baptist Minister: The Murders at Windy Meadows by Janet A. Brown 

Three clerical detectives use their special talents to solve a thrilling murder mystery set in a senior living facility! 

A Priest, A Rabbi, and a Baptist Minister: The Murders at Windy Meadows is a suspenseful and uniquely fun new mystery by author Janet A. Brown, and the title reveals the intriguing premise. The three clerical sleuths do their best to assist the lead detective in gathering clues at a senior living facility that is the scene of a brutal murder. 

Father Brendan O’Clery’s favorite niece, Detective Maureen McNeely, is the first-time lead on the investigation of the murder of a well-liked female staff member at the Windy Meadows senior living facility, where her own grandmother, and Brendan’s mother, is a resident. One of the only female detectives in the department, Maureen’s investigation is being hampered by her misogynistic division captain, who is withholding the necessary manpower and resources needed to do the job. Uncle Brendan, with a background in military intelligence prior to coming to the religious life, is volunteered by his older brother, the diocese’s archbishop, to lend Maureen a hand, at least with corralling their cantankerous and interfering 80-year-old mother. He seeks out the assistance of his two closest friends, Rabbi Ezra Lieberman and Pastor Langdon Boothe, as they, too, have contacts among the Windy Meadows residents. They know the residents would be more forthcoming talking to them than to the police about what they may have seen or heard at the time of the murder. 

Brenda, Ezra, and Langdon, despite their different faiths, have a nice camaraderie and work well together under Maureen’s direction. I enjoyed that each faced a special struggle at Windy Meadows: Brendan – his mother, Langdon – an overly flirtatious former member of his church, and the widowed Ezra – an unexpected crush on the attractive niece of former members of his temple. I enjoyed how they played their differences off against each other and their teasing, but they still played to their strengths when they could. 

The chilling opening with the horrific assault on Jocelyn Whittier had my heart in my throat and set the tone for subsequent acts of violence. The story is told from multiple viewpoints, mainly Brendan’s but also that of the vicious killer. There were many residents at Windy Meadows in the vicinity of the crime at the time of the murder, so there are numerous possible witnesses to process. Clues to the identity of the killer are slow to come to light, but Maureen, Brendan, and his friends do the best with what they have. There are hints throughout that point to the resolution, so sharp-eyed armchair detectives may be able to develop a successful theory before the investigation comes to a close. Still, ruling out the red herrings and navigating the surprising twists in the plot will keep readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. 

I recommend A PRIEST, A RABBI, AND A BAPTIST MINISTER: THE MURDERS AT WINDY MEADOWS to readers of mysteries and thrillers, especially fans of more mature protagonists or sleuths with a religious vocation. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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A Vengeful King Rises (House of Croft, #1) by Sophie Barnes 

Suspenseful and dark, a serial killer stalks the ballrooms of London. 

A Vengeful King Rises is the first book in author Sophie Barnes’s new historical mystery series, the House of Croft, and it is a fabulous debut. With engaging main characters pitting their wits against each other, a suspenseful plot, and a darkly atmospheric London setting, I was completely absorbed in the tale from its shocking opening to the final resolution. 

Adrian Croft turned his back on the family’s shady but lucrative business as soon as his father died. But when his younger sister becomes the mistaken victim of a serial killer stalking the upper-class debutantes who have developed “a reputation,” he decides to resurrect his father’s old organization to find the killer. Chief Constable Peter Kendrick, the lead investigator of the murders, has hit a brick wall, and his superiors are feeling the heat from even higher-ups. Rumors about the Croft family ‘business’ have circulated for decades, and more recent ones have hinted at its possible involvement in the deaths of the young society women, so Kendrick is tasked with ensnaring the new head of the family. The chief constable is more inclined to stay on the trail of the serial killer, and this smokescreen to divert attention from his lack of progress goes against the grain. 

To assist him in uncovering Adrian’s secrets is Miss Samantha Carmichael, a specially trained undercover operative and the perfect tool to gain Croft’s trust. She’s a fascinating main character, a modern woman, with her early childhood spent in an orphanage before being adopted by a member of the upper class. The result of her secret training has made her a clever and deadly foe of whomever she has in her sights. 

The plot hits the ground running, and the pace never slackens, with shocking twists and revelations complicating the intriguing mystery. The author tells a mesmerizing story, incorporating two different Londons: the privileged, high-flying one of the nobility and the dark and shadowy London of the poor and desperate. I felt like the killer was breathing down my neck as their thoughts became part of the narrative, someone obvious but hidden in plain sight. 

With its great characters, tense plot, and non-stop action, I recommend A VENGEFUL KING RISES to readers of historical mysteries and thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.