Review: Blue Lines

Blue Lines by Toni Aleo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was so ready for Erik and Piper that I skipped over #4 and went straight to #5! Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed. I love Piper - she is sweet, an adorable free spirit and not a woman to be crossed when preggers! Seriously, there is a scene in this book that had me laughing out loud - Piper has it in her to be a complete badass. Erik was hard to warm up to. He's a real player, and has played basically the whole field and then some. The redemption story is there though and when push comes to shove, Erik realizes that he has to be loyal and become the man that Piper deserves (and so does his little soon-to-be-child). I struggled a lot with liking Erik though, but by the end he won me over. And later in the series, I do really love this couple when they make guest appearances.

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Review: Empty Net

Empty Net by Toni Aleo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aaaaand book #3 of the Nashville Assassins hockey series is in the bag. Every progressive novel has gotten progressively more dramatic and this one did not disappoint. I loved Audrey from the past books - she was quirky and sweet, with an obvious secret. And that secret is rather terrifying to anyone who has ever been in a verbally abusive relationship. This one hit a little hard and all I wanted was a very happy ending for Miss Audrey. And that happily ever after was waiting in the tragedy-stricken Tate Odder. Poor guy! I really loved these two once they got their acts together, especially their playful banter and crazy antics. And Tate OODDDDEEERRR had me crying at the end. Another very sweet hockey romance for the annals.

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Review: Trying to Score

Trying to Score by Toni Aleo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a doozy to read as the second book in the Assassin's series! Honestly, it made Elli and Shea's relationship troubles look like child's play!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

I'm not usually one to enjoy a "had a baby but didn't tell the baby daddy" story - usually they irritate me because who does that in real life?!? But this one had me on the edge of my seat. Like some of the other reviewers, Fallon was on my nerves, to begin with, due to her VERY BAD judgment about her son, and keeping him from his father. But over the course of the book, she grew on me as she grew up mentally, and learned what forgiveness was. Lucas - well that man is a saint. Not only did he manage to forgive Fallon and continue to adore her, but he settled into being a dad with such heart-wrenching ease. Lucas is the reason I really enjoyed this second novel.

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Review: Taking Shots

Taking Shots by Toni Aleo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I kicked off the new year with this cute little novel. I love a good hockey romance, and this couple was perfect to kick off the series. Elli is adorable - sweet and sassy too. I love her story with Shea, the uber-masculine captain of the Assassins. Honestly, later in the series, I always giggle when these two crazy kids show back up because they are the heart of the Assassins family that grows. And I love that this author writes real women, with insecurities and not the "perfect body" that we get pushed all the time from Hollywood and media. The only thing wanting in this book was more of it!

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Review: Lahkoni

Lakhoni by Jared Garrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hold on to your butts, folks! Lakhoni has it all: Courage, action, mystery, vengeance, angst, and edge-of-your-seat suspense!

Open on Lahkoni, injured and assumed deceased, in the middle of the devastation of his home village. Alronna, his sister, has been taken by the perpetrators. Drawing from the courage and strength just building inside him, Lahkoni must take a journey of adventure, danger, intrigue and revenge. The genre this book would best fit into is a hero’s journey.

Heads up: this is not the happily ever after you might want - this does have a cliff hanger ending, in preparation for the next book. So don’t be upset - I warned you!

As I don’t like to spoil anything, I’ll just tell you about Lahkoni. He is spirited, loving, passionate and young. But he is also endowed with a private reserve of strength, tenacity and will to go on. Every obstacle he encounters is met with the same tenacity and courage. One would be hard put to not like this hero.

I also loved Shimra - the village healer’s daughter who Lahkoni develops a fancy for. I do hope she is in the next installment!

Only negatives: The setting is not specifically explained, but the villages are “primitive” and I pictured it somewhere in early central Americas. And also, this was not my normal book genre, but I wanted to try it out.

Audience: Young adults, adults who like adventures, fans of vengeance stories and plot twists.

Note: I received this product free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. 

Purchase your copy today! 

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Review: Stories of Love and Weight

Stories of Love and Weight by Adi Tsin Ben-Nun

As a curvy woman who struggles with her own self worth and body image, I came into this book with hope of confidence building. And I wasn’t disappointed.

This book is a collection of stories about how people can view themselves in everyday life. It talks of how weight warps the self image, and can cause failure and pain. I found it insightful and could easily see myself in the shoes of storytellers.

Sometimes, this even touched a nerve, but I powered through and ultimately gained the power behind the message: you are not alone. And the additional, empowering message - we can get through this.

I recommend this for any person struggling with body image and in need of support. I also recommend it for anyone with a loved one who suffers from these issues.

Note: I received this product free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

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Review: Dana Sibilsky's Tips to Successful and Profitable Blogging

This book is an excellent start to discuss the beginnings of using Social Media to get your blogging underway. It is geared to those wanting to blog for a living. It has great hints and is conversational. Some of the points are a bit conservative for today's social media, but still appreciated.

Check it out on Audible!

Note: I received this product free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.