Tag Archive | book-reviews

The 12 Dates of Christmas

Jan14

Book Link

From Amazon:

How come you haven’t met Mr. Right yet? The quintessential question asked by well meaning relatives during the holidays. And the answer is usually the same, he hasn’t been struck in the bum by Cupid’s arrow. Either that or he is hiding. Rosemary, weary of searching, has called it quits. She refuses to participate in any holiday celebrations. At least that was her plan, her best friend, Kaye, had other plans. She dragged her protesting friend to her annual Christmas party at Emmett’s house. Rosemary stomped her way through the seasonally decorated yard like a humbugging Grinch, mumbling about wanting to be home in her comfy chair and attempting to finagle her way out of the party. She grumbled up until their eye catching host, Emmett, stood in the doorway. There were no sparks. Not even a hint of blossoming love. But next thing she knew, she was scarfing down the holiday meal, and being roped into the twelve dates of Christmas … the eye narrowing handsome host was chosen to be her holiday partner. We’re talking about living out the famous Twelve Days of Christmas Carol, including partridges, three French hens, and seven lords a leaping dating… and all before the big day. Can you imagine? The absolute choas that ensued. But lonely people do crazy things when they’re challenged. So, Rosemary, never one to back down from a challenge made one big … HUGE mistake. She accidentally fell for the unapproachable Emmett Robert.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2026

Format: Kindle

I loved this book by a new-ish author. Out of all the different people involved, all adults, each one changed for the better as they worked as couple and a group towards completing a goal to have 12 different dates before Christmas tied to each part of the 12 days of Christmas in that holiday song. People change. They grown into themselves more, they take chances on love, and lots of griping initially. How do each couple work out the issues? Read and find out.

Fracturing Time

Dec31

Book Link

From Amazon:

Fracturing Time (Stealing Time Series, Book 4)—A Time Travel Thriller Packed with Suspense and Nonstop Action

A hurricane is brewing, a deadly plague is spreading, and time isn’t what we think it is.

Ronnie Andrews knows he’s here. Jeffrey Brennan, the ex-boyfriend who has haunted her past, is lurking somewhere in the Puerto Rican hospital, waiting for his moment to strike. As bubonic plague fears sweep the island, the hospital descends into chaos—staff flee, Homeland Security locks down the facility, and a bioterror threat escalates. But Ronnie fears something even worse: that Jeffrey will use this moment of turmoil to send her hurtling through time once again.

The damage to her brain from previous time-travel events is already severe—one more jump could destroy her. But Jeffrey needs Ronnie and Mike gone before they expose his time travel device to the government.

Meanwhile, Mike—barely clinging to consciousness after a devastating mudslide crash—is about to be put into a medically induced coma. But he knows one thing: if he falls asleep, he may never wake up again. With time slipping through their fingers, can Ronnie and Mike stop Jeffrey before it’s too late?

Fracturing Time is the adrenaline-pumping fourth book in the Stealing Time series, packed with high-stakes suspense, time travel twists, and heart-pounding action.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2025

Format: Kindle

Now that I’ve read this book, the conclusion to all of the time travel and craziness with a bad ex-boyfriend, and more has come to tuition. I love that Ronniw finds true love, and Jeffrey will rot behind bars for life. The horrors of time travel, and splintering off shoots to start a new, and separate, timeline, what makes one truly fractured, the list is endless. Reality changes in the blink of an eye. Don’t miss this novel.

The Thanksgiving Child

Nov5

Book Link

From Amazon:

When Sadie Carter wakes up on a cold Thanksgiving morning in 1880, she’s now an orphan. Her brother will go with Uncle Lambert because Frank can earn his keep, and her prettier sister will be taken by a woman in town. But no one seems to want Sadie. When Mary Mohler invites her home, Sadie is grateful to have somewhere to go. The Mohlers are nice, but she hopes Uncle Lambert will keep his half-promise that he might come back to get her. In the meantime, she has to adjust to a strange family and their different ways of dressing and doing things. But as the months go by, she’s torn between longing for the family she’s lost and the one she’s beginning to love. The Thanksgiving Child is a story that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. It’s inspired and partially derived from the life of the real Sadie Carter who was born in 1872. Sadie was close in age to Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the Little House books based on her childhood. Laura’s life was shaped by a restless movement westward while Sadie lived until adulthood in Missouri. The Civil War appears to have had little impact upon Laura’s story and the opposite is true of Sadie. As the daughter of a Union soldier, she lived in Missouri, where supporters of both sides kept mixed feelings. Attitudes were also mixed toward the Dunkards, a group that included the Mohlers. They were similar to the Amish with plain clothes and strict ways. While this novel is written as fiction, it includes the facts and stories from Sadie Carter’s life.

My Review:

Life is hard for many people and the main character in this story lived a hard life that became a good life. Things were tough in the 1880s and post civil war pitted neighbor against neighbor due to the side one’s family fought for. Sadie is representative of many children during that time, of the ones who had their mother pass away and their dad sick with tuberculosis. A hateful stepmother didn’t help. Yet Sadie thrived, for real, as evidenced by the fact she grew in size for shoes and clothing. Living in one extreme of very little to eat to being in another where food was plentiful, especially when raised by a family who worked hard to preserve foods grown for the coming winter. Sadie realizes that being with a family unlike any she’d known, was the best thing for her.

Righteous Allegiance

Oct31

Book Link

From Amazon:

A Divided Nation A Deadly Plot A Man Caught Between Two Worlds

Will Manley is a rising star in the U.S. Government’s clandestine services–an undercover agent tasked with stopping a domestic terror group bent on reshaping America. But as he immerses himself in their radical ideology, he faces a battle more personal than he ever anticipated: a choice between his government career and the legacy of his Native American roots.

At the heart of the struggle is Elias McArdle, a brilliant and ruthless former U.S. Army commander. With a clear vision for a new world order–one where white supremacy reigns–McArdle manipulates powerful forces, orchestrating a series of calculated events to bring the U.S. Government to its knees.

But Will isn’t the only one with a stake in this fight.

Ron Shortridge, a highly respected FBI agent, works tirelessly to counter the threat, unraveling a complex web of hate, lies, and hidden agendas to brace for an impending act of terror that would change America forever.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Hurney, a wise Lenape elder, offers a path of healing through ancient wisdom, but time is running out.

A mysterious red fox, secretive and resourceful, who may be more than he appears to be.

Can Will find the strength to stop McArdle before it is too late? Or will darkness consume them all?

Filled with suspense, mystery, and political intrigue, RIGHTEOUS ALLEGIANCE is a gripping work of thriller fiction with complex characters and thought-provoking action that will appeal to young adult and mature audiences alike. Fans of Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan will be hooked from the first page.

My Review:

This thriller/espionage book by George Yuhasz takes the reader into the deep world of spies and times of planning strategy withing and outside of one’s unit. Politics and survival draw the characters into a myriad of feelings and decisions. Great pace and the characters are written such that you feel what they feel.

Thieving Shadows

Oct21

Book Link

From Amazon:

Surviving in Rookfall depends on rank or thievery, and no one can be trusted.

Genevieve is a master thief: one of the renowned Shadows, instilling fear into the elites. One night, an easy job to steal an automaton ends in confusion.

Waking three years later in the presence of Matthew Tilcott, a lesser, in a city turned unfamiliar, she sets out to discover what happened that night and why she can see things others can’t. As she searches for answers, she unearths a conspiracy to find and use the powerful Star. When Genevieve learns of why the elites and the lessers seek it and its corruptive nature, she determines no one should wield such power. It should be destroyed. But to do so, she must eliminate the last personal connection to her old life.

Will she help this corrupt city and start a new life with Matthew, or only look out for herself?


If you like a strong female lead, Gaslamp adventure, and the Victorian era, you’ll love this steampunk mystery thriller standalone novel.

My Review:

I found Thieving Shadows to be an exceptional steampunk thriller. Something was always going on and this story showcases elite versus lessers (poor people), the class system, and a ton of gadgets that worked in ways I’d never thought of. And not just gadgets, there are automatons of most any type and the characters are strong and decisive. Suspense was happening in every single chapter in more ways than one and this is my first steampunk novel to read. I loved it. The female protagonist is strong and witty, nimble and great at thieving. Yet she has a soft side, a side with anguish and fear, sorrow and love. It’s rather hard to fight love. The world in this book is interesting and not all are who they portray to be.

Murder by the Seaside

Oct6

Book Link

From Amazon:

Portobello, Scotland. Grace McKenna is just back from a hearty breakfast at The Espy seaside pub when a perplexing mystery arrives at her door. Glamorous widow Sylvia Gordon is determined to find the truth about the death of her husband, Paul. Once a local celebrity with supposed psychic abilities, Paul is now the talk of the town after a deadly fall from the tower at a nearby college. The locals believe it was a tragic accident, maybe even a consequence of dabbling too deep into the psychic realm? But Grace has a feeling there’s more than meets the eye…

With the help of Tobias Sloan – a dashing English journalist with a keen appetite for mysteries – Grace starts unravelling the puzzle of Paul’s last days. As she digs deeper, it becomes clear that plenty of people had reason to want Paul gone. Both his work and home life were rife with long-held grudges… was one of Paul’s trusted friends actually his murderer? Then, Grace’s search takes a frightening turn when another body is found – this time in the changing rooms of the posh local golf club.

Uncovering a shocking secret linking the two deaths, Grace finds her professional and personal boundaries beginning to blur. She is left to face not only the ghosts of her own past, but also the prospect of a killer stalking the cobbled lanes of Edinburgh. Can Grace uncover the truth before another innocent life is taken?

My Review:

This novel is the first in a trilogy by Baldwin. I felt many emotions, especially for the main protagonist who lost her son to suicide. The guilt a parent faces is tremendous. Many characters are not who they appear to be. Betrayal is a hard pill to swallow and betrayal hits most everyone in this novel one way or another. Too many people could have killed a man, or it may have been suicide. Undercover work us extremely dangerous and thus book has all things romance, hurt, betrayal and lies spring forth in copious amounts.

The Sum Of Our Sorrows

Sep6

Book Link

From Amazon:

In an idyllic suburb in Northern California, tragedy strikes the Sheppard family when Abby, the mother of three daughters and wife to Dalton, is killed in a car accident. Charlotte, the middle daughter, is in the car with her mother and survives without physical injury but remains deeply scarred on the inside.

Dalton tells Lily, his eldest daughter, that she must sacrifice long-awaited college plans and put her life on hold to take care of her sisters. Lily is torn between her devotion to family and an increasing need to find her place in the world — but how can she leave, knowing her family may crumble? Will her presence eventually cause more problems than it resolves?

The Sum of our Sorrows reveals how the aftermath of a family tragedy can precipitate sorrows never imagined. It is a tale of grief, hope, healing, coming-of-age, friendship, and survival. It is also a love story of two broken souls living through pain in search of better days and the renewal of one’s spirit.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I write characters as I hear them speak to me. Some of these stories contain non-gratuitous expletives and sexual references. This book also contains some situations that may be triggering to some readers. If this is not to your liking, please don’t read this book. Thank you.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sum of All Sorrows

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2025

Verified Purchase

This book is profound, and the writing is superlative. We start with love and loss and how it affects loved ones still living. Let me say right now, everyone has their own vision of Loss and how they coped, healthy or not. The one constant in this story is family and family isn’t always blood. Family includes those you want in your life. The book is epic in length, but still an easy read. I do love how hope and love of family brings everyone together in a full circle. Alcohol is not the answer to huge loss, and making your daughter into a surrogate mother isn’t real. I have one trigger warning for those who could be affected and that is one scene of attempted rape, and one of rape. The monster who did this, the rape itself, are not a full read into the scene, but the character who was raped was verbal at the time, and in severe nightmares. The actual act is not in this book. So you may not be triggered. Overall, the psychology of each character is amazing to think about. I do love a good love story and this novel has several to say the least.

Success at Barnes & Noble!

Aug25

On August 23rd at the Bradley Fair Barnes and Noble in Wichita, Kansas, I had another successful SNOW: CURSED author signing. It was a pleasure to be at such a wonderful B&N book signing, with so many stellar authors there, along with making new connections with readers of all ages, genres, and interests. This is an event I will never forget and always cherish. The support of the individuals that attended blew me away. The thought that so many people are interested in my dreams and writing journey filled my heart with an indescribable joy. This signing motivated me in particular to give readers more of the SNOW SAGA, and other various novels that they have yet to experience. From each of the other writers, I learned something special. It was interesting to see how they all expressed themselves differently, yet in unique ways. Be on the lookout for upcoming author book signings from me, Willa R. Finnegan. Thanks again readers and authors for your amazing support! See you next time.

Snow can be found here: Snow

Not only was Willa at this book signing, but so was I, Mary L. Schmidt. I had four books for kids and it was a flurry of activity. Everyone was cordial, authors and buyers as well. I had the high honor of presenting Willa to a great friend of mine. She is a mom of four children, and she believes in literacy. Her children love to read. She bought all of my books, Willa’s and many other writers. Reading is so important and my friend has a heart of pure gold. She holds book reading groups in her home for kids! While I was introducing Willa, two members of Kansas Authors Club were at my table, and I wasn’t able to introduce Willa as by the time we were done taking photos with my friend and her children, they were gone. I’m sorry. Catch up next time?

Book link for Shadow, my best selling one at the signing.

Helena’s Diary

Aug24

Book Link

From Amazon:

Gabriella Carson had always believed that every grand adventure in life begins with a sealed envelope, a promise of mystery and discovery wrapped within layers of anticipation. However, nothing could have prepared her for the moment she pried open the tarnished, ornate locket left behind by her late mother—a small, delicate relic, its intricate filigree design whispering tales of the past. Accompanied by a cryptic diary entry filled with swirling emotions and half-revealed truths, the locket became the key to a world she never knew existed. She had no inkling that this path would lead her to unravel long-buried family secrets and place her life in grave danger.

The diary’s pages were alive with her mother’s vivid, almost poetic descriptions of a passionate first love, painting a portrait of youthful ardor and longing. Gabriella found herself irresistibly drawn to the piercing, soulful gaze of the young man immortalized within the locket’s delicate frame, his eyes holding secrets of their own.

Compelled by the weight of her mother’s final wish—to return the locket to its rightful owner—Gabriella embarked on a journey to Madrid, the city of her mother’s youth, a vibrant tapestry of cobblestone streets and sun-drenched plazas, with only the diary as her enigmatic guide. Little did she know, hidden within those pages lay a second, even more perilous request her mother had made, lurking like a shadow over the path she was yet to tread, threatening to unravel the very fabric of her existence.

My Review:

I’ve read many books by Prather, and this one took off in a different vein than those I’ve read before. Awesome romance is one theme. Diary pages could most likely bring a woman to orgasm if only a few more sentences were added. Who would want more than Spain, a castle, and a handsome man riding a stallion? I know…that psychopath that lives next door to the estate. I do wonder if she really can’t remember where she leaves people, or if that part is the devil inside her.

The Moonshine Murders

Aug15

Book Link

From Amazon:

In this young adult mystery set in 1970, a family tragedy prompts Christi, a shy and studious teenager, and her mother to travel to rural Roselyn, Mississippi. Christi’s Uncle Bill, the county jailer and a deputy sheriff, is critically wounded while investigating a moonshine still that a local farmer found on his property. As the deputies approach the scene, they are ambushed by four assailants, resulting in the death of the farmer, then vanish without a trace.

Convinced the history of local mistrust of ATF federal agents will hinder the investigation, Lily, the jailer’s daredevil teenage daughter, is determined to find the culprits who shot her daddy. She just needs to persuade Christi, her scaredy-cat cousin, and her best friend Troy, the son of the investigating detective, to join the hunt. Living in a house connected to the jail, Lily thrives on excitement and pushing boundaries. Rule abiding Christi and Troy have been entangled in Lily’s misadventures before and suffered the consequences of lying, spying, and sneaking into forbidden place. With Uncle Bill’s life on the line, Lily manages to convince them this time will be different. What harm can a few questions and a little information gathering do?

Lily’s first assignment brings them face to face with a bootlegger brandishing a shotgun. Christi and Troy quickly realize Lily has once again left out critical details of her plan. When the trio meet Jake, the undaunted teenage son of the murdered farmer, he offers to take them to the location of the ambush. The horrifying scene they stumble upon has them running for their lives. The deeper the foursome digs to uncover the truth, the more the danger escalates, and the threats become personal. Will they back off and let the authorities handle it? Or will their stubborn doggedness result in another disaster?

This fast-paced southern mystery also has a coming-of-age theme. In their efforts to find justice, the four teens discovered the importance of loyalty, being their genuine selves, trust, and taking responsibility for their actions. There is also a sweet romantic first love theme to the story. Adult mystery lovers will enjoy the many twists, turns, and surprises that will keep them guessing. The historical elements of the 1970 setting will also give a nostalgic feel of a time past for some adult readers.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Teenage mystery and crime novel

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2025

Verified Purchase

This book is a teenage murder, mystery, crime, moonshine novel set back in the day when many counties were dry. I remember some counties being dry as a young child, but never saw a still or moonshine being made. No one is the same at the end of the book as all lives are changed in many ways, some to death. Murdered actually, and the story weaves around a smallish town, and the countryside. Tack in some people from Chicago, bad men, dangerous men, and mix that with four teenagers and you have a plot in which the teenagers are in more danger than they realized.