OYENTE

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Not Very Exciting

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-23-23

3.5 stars

((I listened to the audiobook version on Audible))

I appreciated how Four Steps Missed was a completely clean and biblical thriller. I also liked how topics such as abortion and adoption were addressed. On the other hand, the book itself wasn't very thrilling. I don’t usually read thrillers because I’d come across some that were quite dark in the past, but Four Steps Missed was exactly the opposite.

In some ways, this is nice because the themes and content don’t drag the reader down (as I mentioned before, it’s a Christian novel). On the other hand, the story didn’t even actually have anything thrilling. I think (?) the climax happened with the gunman coming along, but that barely even lasted five seconds. Even as someone who doesn’t prefer anything too suspenseful, this thriller fell short (it was neither thrilling nor suspenseful).

I do see that quite a few other people love this series, so I’m willing to read more books by this author. Perhaps it would’ve helped if I had started from the beginning of the series instead of from book 8. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a contemporary Christian novel involving some international politics and the CIA.

Please note that I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.

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Highly recommended if you like cozy mysteries!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-23-23

This was actually the first cozy mystery I've read since, like . . . forever. No kidding! I always knew I'd like cozy mysteries, though, and Murder Takes a Selfie didn't disappoint! This was a super cute and quirky story that's both clean and exciting. And talk about Parker's accent in the audiobook version! His voice alone was worth it all. 😏😂 I'm definitely looking forward to continuing with this series!

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author or publisher. I was not required to leave a review at all, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.

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Great Climax but Not the Best Performance

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
2 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-23-23

I had previously read Irene Onorato's Justice for Hattie Mayfair and adored it, so I think I'd try another one by her. Singapore Secrets wasn't nearly as good as Justice for Hattie Mayfair, but maybe only because the latter was exceptional!

One critique I have is that though the main character isn't always this way, sometimes she comes off as overly and rather unrealistically emotional. Crying is okay when it happens once in a while, but Julia cried in nearly every scene that was even only a tiny bit stressful. I also would've liked to have seen her be more proactive when she was in danger (e.g. at the climax!). Ladies, there's not always going to be a handsome guy to come and rescue you, so you gotta rescue yourself sometimes. I just wish this story had portrayed that more instead of sticking to the stereotypes.

However, when I ignored Julia's constant crying, the book felt more normal, and overall the climax was fun to read. I also loved the *plot twist!* I literally gasped, and my mouth dropped open when it was all being unraveled. Here's what happens when you enter a book thinking it will only be a simple romance when it actually has lots more to it. But knowing Justice for Hattie Mayfair, I should've except as much, haha!

With its fast pace, sweet romance, and dashes of action and suspense, Singapore Secrets makes for a great summer read. Both the print/ebook and the audio are great options. I personally listened to the audiobook.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book via StoryOrigin. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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Makes for a Great Summer Read!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-23-23

A tornado destroys her restaurant. Then Rachel Valentino's celebrity sister goes missing, and she is left taking care of her heartbroken niece. And what of her old high school crush, the handsome Seth Garrison, who has just now moved back to town?

Fourth of July at Barbecue Corral captures author Irene Onorato's signature style: sweet romance intertwined with the threads of action, tension, and conflict that I so love. Together with Rachel's restaurant suffering a terrible loss of assets after a tornado and her famous sister disappearing in the middle of a vacation, I was always wanting to know what would happen next.

I also loved Seth! He and Rachel together, along with the twists involving Rachel's sister and niece, were my favorite aspects of the story.

Fourth of July at Barbecue Corral makes for a great summer read for those who love Christian fiction and sweet romance.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via StoryOrigin. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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Can You See My Scars? Audiolibro Por Samuel Moore-Sobel arte de portada

Worth the Read

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-23-23

I am glad that I read this book. The author's journey hasn't been an easy one, but he was very brave to finally tell his story in full, and it's definitely worth the read!

When I first read the title, I thought that this memoir was going to be about a journey through self-harm or PTSD, and though it isn't, the book still deals greatly with mental health. I think anyone who has ever had a significant life disruption, ever thought about how unfair the world is, ever felt like they were lonely or don't fit in, will be able to empathize and also learn from Samuel's story of tragedy and learned resilience.

Beyond that, Can You See My Scars? also gives good practical advice. Samuel was very young when he got into the accident that marred his face and could've even killed him, and the entire time, I was thinking, "My goodness, this really could've happened to any of us when we were young." I am glad that the author has since learned to stand up for himself and to tell his story confidently.

Please note that I listened to an audio copy. It is read by the author himself, and I would definitely recommend it!

Extra Note: There are some faith elements in the book. The author grew up as a nondenominational Christian and in the book, he includes various aspects of how faith and other Christians played a role in his life (not all of it is positive, but he ends on an uplifting note). He also has a relevant chapter quote at the beginning of every chapter, and he quotes from The Holy Bible at least a couple of times. However, I am unsure if he is still a Christian. I would hope so as I truly believe that God loves the guy and has been watching out for him, but I got the feeling that the author left out some of his more controversial thoughts as he was going through his journey of healing and adjusting.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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One of my favorites by this author!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-23-23

One and Only is now a favorite of mine from Irene Onorato! The author's humor is at its best in this novella (goodness, I really laughed out loud at the twist-tie scene!), and I can only wish that Ben and Juliette's story had lasted longer.

Ben was soo sweet, and he and Juliette are truly perfect together. Kendra was also such a good side character to complement the other two, and her "serial killer" jokes were hilarious!

It was also pretty cool how the author brought Juliette's old boyfriend back into the story for a while (I could really feel the tension then), and the conflict that comes up near the end also gave me shivers because of how well the author had formed the parallels between that situation and one from the main character's past.

However, I am glad to say that the story ends happily, and I enjoyed every single minute of One and Only.

Also. The audiobook reader is FANTASTIC! She is very professional, she does the dialogue superbly (I love the voice she gave Ben; it's so swoon-worthy!), and I would love to see more audiobooks by this author read by this particular narrator.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through StoryOrigin. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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Fast-Paced Modern Retelling With a Feminist Twist

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-24-22

Isla Emerged is a fast-paced modern retelling of The Little Mermaid with a feminist twist. The writing was a little clunky at times, but the audiobook narrator read everything perfectly. Moreover, the climax and action were exciting, and I was never bored while listening. Alistair was such a sweetheart, and I almost wish <spoiler>Isla liked him and ended up with him</spoiler>! Kaia/Kaya? was vibrant and exciting and contrasted beautifully with Isla's more restrained personality. Anita was the perfect balance of wisdom to the younger women. Baron was a huge <spoiler>brat and such a creative villain</spoiler>. So entertaining! I also immensely appreciated that King Ezekiel didn't end up being a one-dimensional character. His "redemption" and heartfelt words were sad and beautiful to hear, and I wish I as a reader had gotten to see more of his pain and his side of the story. Notes on the audiobook: The narrator was wonderful! Her diction and pronunciation were clear and concise. Each of her characters had a distinct voice. She even narrated different accents for Isla's mermaid people and the humans on land. I'd recommend this one to YA readers who'd like the idea of an unconventional and empowering fairy tale retelling. Content warnings: Recommended for readers 13+. Multiple uses of "damn," "bitch," and variations of "ass" (e.g. "badass" and "asshole"). One character's father is angry and a little abusive. The same character is naked in one scene after being deposited on the shore and attempts to cover herself when discovered. Another character is described as having curves. A mermaid-turned-human wonders at the use of the "extra hair" she has. Many female mermaids are captured, chained, and sedated for experiments. Mermaid-human hybrids are mentioned quite a number of times, and human characters nearly succeed in carrying out a plan to put "specimen" into female mermaids so they will reproduce. Men behave rashly and often have little respect (except for Alistair, of course! Alistair is great.) One man runs his hands over a mermaid's tail and pulls on her hair before requesting that his specimen be used for her specifically. Another man is shot from behind by a protagonist after she speaks with him. A pool of blood is mentioned. More people are shot and killed. One protagonist is shot in the abdomen. Two people are stabbed, one in the neck and the other in the heart. Another person is slashed across the stomach, and more people die as battle rages. One character attempts to choke another. Another character is shot and dies, and the blood is mentioned with moderate detail. One final character drowns. Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book via Storyorigin for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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The PERFECT winter read

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-17-22

☐ Young Adult ☐ Portal fantasy ☐ Christian allegory ☐ Winter settings ☐ Vibrant worldbuilding ☐ Fairy tale ☐ Good vs Evil ☐ Debut novel ☐ Part of a series ☐ Powerful themes ☐ Amazing as an audiobook ☐ Reminiscent of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland Please note that I listened to an audio copy of this book. This means that some spellings of names and places may be incorrect. A Soul as Cold as Frost is the perfect winter read. 🎄 The story will grab you from the very beginning and not let go until you are finished. The world is beautiful and immersive, the characters are delightful and varied, and the underlying themes and symbolism are phenomenal. The story combines allegory and fresh characters with classic winter stories to make a fantasy retelling bursting with truth and light. I actually found myself binge-"reading" this story and just had to re-read it all again right after finishing the first time! I'm sure different readers would notice different hidden gems in this book, but I for one found ones for Santa Claus and Jack Frost, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Snow Queen, and Alice in Wonderland and The Polar Express! What fun it was! Helen is a hilarious protagonist. She's just a normal human being like most of us are (hopefully) who is thrown into a crazy world of wicked rulers and warring kingdoms. I do love how Jennifer Kropf made her character so endearingly realistic and hilariously "modern" at times. Zane, on the other hand, seems to represent the magical world as opposed to the normal one. I love him SO much. Zane's character alone makes this entire story worthwhile. And like another reviewer explained, their chemistry was adorable. I don't want to say that a "forced proximity" trope was used because there's no actual romance in this first book, but I can't get over how much I loved Zane as Helen's protector! Mara Rouge ("bitter red", huh?) was a sly and intimidating antagonist, one who was surely inspired by C.S. Lewis' White Witch and Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen. I do really wish that the Quarrel of Sword and Bone had lasted longer and that we could've seen more of the mental and spiritual war that Mara Rouge was supposed to wage on Helen, but this is just a small shortcoming surrounded by many triumphs. My only other critique is that the scenes seemed a little jumpy and random at times. Maybe it was purposeful and meant to be another quirky part of the story and the world, but I personally think I would've liked a streamlined approach more. The longing for Book 2 is real. After finding out that there's a larger, more sinister villain behind it all (I'm getting shivers just thinking about it!), I feel like I need more of the characters and more of this world that Jennifer has created! A Soul as Cold as Frost gets only better and better as it goes, and the "The End?" chapter wrecked me! Kropf sure knows how to speak the truth through her writing. I'm recommending this book to all of my reader friends, and I wish more people in general also knew about it! Notes on the audiobook: If you are considering reading ASaCaF, I would highly recommend the audio version. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw truly brings the story to life, and she made some moments unforgettable for me. (And Zane is that much more amazing with the accent she gives him!) I received an audio copy of this book from StoryOrigin for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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Suspenseful & romantic!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-02-22

I definitely recommend this book! Justice for Hattie Mayfair had both sweet and romantic moments that would make you smile as well as tense and suspenseful moments that would bring a shiver down your spine. **spoilers in this next paragraph!** As the prologue will tell you, the main character, Lexi, (no, her name isn't Hattie), went through awful experiences at a young age when she watched her psychopathic brother kill her best friend, Hattie Mayfair. Threats were issued, silence was promised, and the body was buried in a shallow grave. Both siblings have since grown up, but what happened that day in the woods had still been kept a secret. That is, until the past begins to catch up, and those secrets begin to unravel. Characters: All of the characters were interesting, unique, and vibrant. Lexi was perhaps a little too innocent, but I took that to be a part of her personality. That aspect of her was actually very endearing (as was her Southern accent!). Corbin Taylor, the guy she ends up falling in love with, is also pretty amazing, and his family (family is something that Lexi lacked growing up) is also a big part of the story. Finally, the rumors and mystery surrounding the main antagonist made it clear that he was a cold-hearted villain, and I love how the author had him involved only indirectly until it was nearing the climax. Narration: I'm super grateful I had the chance to listen to the audio version of this story as (in my opinion) the reader was exceptional and did Lexi's Southern accent perfectly. The narration was clear and engaging. If anyone is reading my review and is considering picking up a copy of the story, I'd highly recommend the audiobook. :) Please note that I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from StoryOrigin for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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DNF @50%

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 07-06-22

Writing was fine. Characters were great. I would love this story if it weren't for the language and the bedroom scenes. Just not for me. The recording of the narration sounded a little unprofessional, but the narrator herself was fine.

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