Second Time Around

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, sending me this book to read and review. This book is my third read of this author’s. I really enjoyed The Happy Camper and Looking for Leroy. This was an OK read. A little to contrived. The premise was a little to unbelievable. Home designer inherits aunt’s tourist shop in ocean side town. She decides to start over her life… hence second chance. She remodels and reinvents her aunt’s store and 2nd floor apartment. Reopens the store as a home decor store and starts “romancing the home” for her new community. Romance occurs in other areas than just the homes.  

 

Everything Is Just Beginning

 

Everything Is Just Beginning 

By Erin Bartels

Thank you to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, for sending me this book to read and review. 

Another great read by a great author- 4⭐️

I love this author… that is why I wanted to read the book- didn’t even know what I was getting into. Erin Bartels blends historical fiction with a contemporary story telling style. This book did take place in the 80’s and bonus Detroit music scene vibe throughout. 

Michael’s dream is to tour with his/a band and get out of living in the trailer with his Uncle Mike- his namesake. This trailer is positioned across the street  from the Wheeler home- Deb Wheeler, former star/singer, her husband Dusty- music producer, and their daughter Natalie. 

New Years Eve brings Natalie and Michael together. From there the story takes the reader through the story of how music is made and through that music making Michael and Natalie find each other and find themselves. 

Alicia’s Happy Day

Sometime life just gets away from you… 1/26/23 was Multicultural Children’s Book Day. Apologies for my late review. I’ve had the honor to be gifted books in past years to read and review.

 This year my books comes from author Meg Starr and her publisher @starbrightbooks. 

This year’s book is a children’s picture book titled Alicia’s Happy Day. Through reading the story you come to realize it isn’t just any Happy Day it is Alicia’s birthday. The story line/writing was pretty short and to the point.  I would have liked more depth in the story. What I truly loved about this book were it’s rich colors that were present throughout the pages. Illustrators Ying-hwa Hu and Cornelius Van Wright have won numerous awards for books they have illustrated and this book is evidence of why. 

I was asked by publisher  @starbrightbooks to take a picture of me reading this book to a child. I hope the pics of Goose being read the story is OK. Both of my children are quite grown up and no longer can fit on my lap to be read too. 

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