Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Scared to Move On by Leonnardo Andre

Scared to Move OnScared to Move On by MD Leonnardo Andre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Letting Go to Hold On…

So, Leonardo Andre's Scared to Move On... it gets under your skin. It’s about Francine and Leonardo, both carrying these deep bruises from betrayals past. Yet somehow, tentatively, they start reaching for the little light they see in each other. Picture them: huddled in quiet cafés, sprawled under starry skies. Francine’s built these towering walls, right? But Leonardo just... waits. Patiently. And slowly, right there in those ordinary moments, something shifts. Vulnerability becomes their secret handshake, their quiet language.

They fumble towards trust – not with grand declarations, but through stolen trips across Europe and conversations raw enough to sting. It’s messy. They discover this wild freedom, not in getting everything perfect, but in loosening their grip on their own desperate needs. Andre writes this dance between them with such aching honesty. Yeah, there’s heat, that undeniable pull, but it’s tangled up with something far deeper, something tender and terrifying.

Don’t mistake this for just another romance. It’s a quiet anthem to resilience. Watching Francine inch her way from fear towards trust? It feels achingly familiar, like looking in a mirror at our own tangles with intimacy and self-doubt. Those adventures – Amsterdam’s dreamy canals, places maybe a little too scandalous – they’re not just backdrop. They hammer home the book’s heartbeat: real connection. It demands guts. Pure bravery.

Andre, with his writing that cuts clean and beautiful, whispers a truth we need: healing blooms when we find the courage to just be, cracks and all. It’s a story that doesn't just tug your heartstrings; it shows how love can gently, fiercely, rewrite even the most broken narratives. Seriously, read it.

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Friday, May 16, 2025

Review: Max and the Mighty Hurricane

Max and the Mighty Hurricane (Navigating Natural Disasters Book 1)Max and the Mighty Hurricane by Chrissy Hobbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Stormy Adventure with a Big Heart...

Max and the Mighty Hurricane is a heartfelt and timely story about a kid facing one of his biggest fears: a hurricane heading straight for his home. Max’s emotions feel real and relatable, from his quiet worry to the big what-ifs swirling in his mind. But it’s not all heavy; there’s warmth, family, and a strong sense of community. It’s a great read for kids (and grown-ups) to better understand storms and how sticking together makes a big difference. Special mention also to Tanya Zeinalova for the excellent artwork. Highly recommended.


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Thursday, May 15, 2025

Review: Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana

Life as Seen in the Eyes of TatianaLife as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana by Monica Brosnan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A poignant, educational, and visually engaging tale for cat enthusiasts...

Monica Brosnan's Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana follows tenacious cat Tatiana from a neglected kitten to a beloved pet, mixing her story with feline care advice. Tatiana and owner Monica recount her challenges with bullying, health, and safety. Brosnan emphasizes endurance, trust, and the human-animal link through emotive storytelling and cat biology and behavior. The contrast between Tatiana's tragic past and her secure later life shows compassion's healing potential. Readers experience her worries, thrills, and curiosity in vivid words.

The book celebrates love's transformational power in pet relationships and offers warmth and insight. The hybrid style may not suit everyone, but cat lovers and rescuers will love its emotional story with feline psychology. Brosnan celebrates pet ownership's delights and responsibilities in a touching ode to cats' mystique, a must-read for cat lovers. Highly recommended.

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Monday, May 12, 2025

Review: Firehorse

FirehorseFirehorse by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Thrilling Eco-Paranormal Mystery...

In Firehorse, Mallory M. O’Connor throws you into a scorched Florida setting where drought and a strange horse plague are wreaking havoc. Psychic medium Epiphany Mayall is on a frantic mission to track down a stolen talisman that’s rumored to protect against ancient curses. It’s a wild mix of folklore and crime that builds from a slow simmer to full-blown, hold-your-breath suspense.
O’Connor’s world is both spooky and grounded, with a vibe that swings between urgent, snappy scenes and more lyrical, reflective moments. At its core, this is a story about hanging on—about resilience—when the world around you feels like it’s falling apart. If you’re into mysteries with a supernatural twist and a dash of climate chaos, this one’s a gripping ride. Highly recommended.


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Review: Xanadu's Cavern

Xanadu's Cavern (Epiphany Mayall, Psychic Detective Book 3)Xanadu's Cavern by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An eco-thriller that packs an environmental and supernatural punch...

Mallory M. O’Connor’s Xanadu’s Cavern is an eco-thriller that packs in environmental stakes and supernatural twists, flowing as seamlessly as the Florida springs it fights to save. In this third book of the series, psychic medium Epiphany Mayall and art-crime sleuth Maro Gaido team up to solve the disappearance of activist Piers Waldon—and stumble into a tangle of fossil smuggling, corporate backstabbing, ancient familial vendettas.

Xanadu’s Cavern will grab anyone who loves eco-fiction, ghostly mysteries, or gritty crime tales. Epiphany and Maro’s dynamic—full of unspoken sparks and genuine teamwork—gives the story extra heart, and you’ll be rooting for them long after the last page. O’Connor reminds us that protecting nature means facing our own dark side just as much as it means chasing the light.

If you’re into eco-thrillers with a supernatural edge or character-driven adventures, this one’s for you. Highly recommended.

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Review: Key to Eternity

Key to EternityKey to Eternity by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Psychic Detective’s Tale Ripe for a Netflix Series?

In Key to Eternity, psychic detective Epiphany Mayall solves mysteries with her unique skills. Her journey through the Epic of Gilgamesh begins with a startling vision of a fallen man intertwined with serpents. Epiphany's quest is full of mystery with stolen artifacts and a mysterious clay tablet. She chases shadows on a dark worldwide illegal market with the tenacious Maro Gaido and the FBI's art-crimes squad. They must uncover the tablet's mysteries before a billionaire's greed conceals it forever.

O'Connor's vivid tapestry transports readers to exotic places with cinematic flair from dark alleys. Epiphany's clairvoyant abilities and investigative tenacity keep the story tight. Short, explosive disclosures break up long, vivid descriptions, producing a gripping rhythm. Clever plot twists lead to a shocking but satisfying ending. This fascinating adventure merges myth and modernity for a thought-provoking and thrilling tale. Key to Eternity provides a brilliant, magical, globe-trotting adventure for readers. Highly recommended.

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Review: Epiphany’s Gift

Epiphany’s GiftEpiphany’s Gift by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Paranormal Eco-Thriller of Art, Spirits, and Corporate Shadows...

In Epiphany’s Gift, Mallory M. O’Connor weaves an exciting narrative where psychic medium Epiphany Mayall confronts chilling visions and a malevolent plot. Back in Ohio, she discovers a disturbing connection between art theft, murder, and earthquakes linked to fracking. The story throbs with tension, combining supernatural elements with serious environmental concerns. Epiphany’s ghostly interactions are intense and mesmerizing and drives a storyline that bends unexpectedly, capturing readers’ interest right from the beginning.

O’Connor is adept at combining significant themes with gripping thrills. Corporate greed conflicts with the delicacy of nature, but the narrative avoids falling into moralizing. Characters stand out, particularly Epiphany, strong and imperfect. It’s an unusual treasure: a supernatural suspense story with emotion and a keen ecological angle. Can't be missed.

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