Book Review - Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

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Finn and Layla are a young couple who went on vacation to celebrate their love. On the way home, Finn decides to use the restroom at a nearby service station. He leaves Layla in the car and locks the doors behind him. When he returns, Layla is gone. That was the story that Finn told the police after Layla's disappearance. However, that isn't the whole story.

Ten years after Layla's disappearance, Finn is engaged to Layla's sister, Ellen.  They share each other's grief over Layla's disappearance. Even though they are engaged, Finn feels that he doesn't know everything about Ellen. There is something about her that he doesn't trust.

After running an ad announcing their engagement, one of Finn's old neighbors claims he saw Layla.  Then a memento from Layla's past shows up on their doorstep. Shortly email comes in claiming to know secrets from Finn's past. Is Layla still alive? What secrets is Finn keeping?

This was my first novel from B.A. Paris and it was quite disappointing. I didn't really care for much of the characters. I thought the ending to be far fetched and some parts were predictable. None of the main characters really appealed to me. I thought most of them to be dull and annoying.  I might give her other books a try but, maybe after the sour taste of this book is gone.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

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Ivy and Tabitha are twin sisters but, only Tabitha was lucky enough to be blessed with magic. Ivy likes to believe that she is okay with not having any magical abilities but, deep down she is envious of her sister. She wishes that she can be like her gifted twin sister instead of being a mediocre private investigator.

When a gruesome murder occurs at The Osthorne Academy of Young Mages, Ivy is bought in to help solve the murder. Ivy is reluctant to accept the case because her estranged twin sister teaches there. While investigating the murder, Ivy is pulled into the world of deadly secrets and dangerous power. Ivy desperately wishes she was a part of this magical world. Will be Ivy be able to solve the murder without losing herself or her sister in the process?

When I first saw this cover, I knew this book was for me but, sadly it wasn't.  I felt the novel focuses mostly on Ivy trying to become something she wasn't then the "magic" aspect. She had this self-pitying attitude that was annoying. I wish she was more confident in herself and her abilities. I was a bit disappointed in the ending. It felt like a letdown after being tension built up earlier. Overall, the novel had great potential but, it kind of fizzes out to a "meh" feeling.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

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In 1950, Idlewild Hall is the place for girls that no one wants. It is home to troublemakers, the outspoken, and illegitimate girls. In the small town, the boarding school  is rumored to be haunted and when one of the young boarders suddenly mysteriously disappears nothing will be the same again.  

In 2014, it has been twenty years since journalist Fiona Sheridan's older sister's death, but Fiona is having a hard time letting it go. She makes frequent trips to the overgrown fields where the ruins of Idlewild Hall sit. When Fiona hears that someone is buying Idlewild Hall and reopening the school, against her better judgement Fiona decides to take on the story. While researching her story, Fiona comes across a shocking discovery that someone would do anything to keep buried. Who is behind the murders of the two young women?

I love how interesting and thrilling this story was. It was a modern day ghost story and the fact that two young women lost their lives around a school that should serve as sanctuary made this gruesome tale even more delicious. I love the strong female friendship along with the many plot twists. A highly recommended read for anyone who loves thrillers. Also, if you are reading this at night, be sure to keep a flashlight handy. ;)

**Disclosure - I won a free unedited copy of this book and was not requested or required to leave a review**

Book Review - Mercy Triumphs: A Contemporary Novel by Jana Kelley

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Mia and her family are American Christians who are living in Sudan under Islamic law. They face harassment, persecution and danger as part of their everyday life. Halimah and Rania who were formerly Muslims were forced to leave Sudan if they wanted to continue practicing Christianity.  Together the trio search for God's mercy to help guide them.

The last novel in the trilogy, Mercy Triumphs is about tying up lose ends in each character's stories and development. While leaving out religion in my assessment in this book, I found this book unnecessary. I felt like the author stretched the story out without actually adding anything to it. I felt that this portion of the book could have been added to the first two books to make the story meatier for the other two novels. I definitely felt that there could have been more to this book and was disappointed that there wasn't more. While I did enjoy reading Kelley's novels, I am not sure I would go out of my way to read more if the last novel is just going to be fluff pieces.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Light Up New York By Natalie Grant

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"Light Up New York" is the fourth book in the Faithgirlz Glimmer series. Twins Mia and Maddie, along with their little sister, Lulu travel around the country solving mysteries along finding new adventures. The Glimmer sisters travel with their famous singer mother, Gloria Glimmer, their father, and their information packed nanny, Miss Julia. Along the way, the sisters discover the true meaning of friends, family, telling the truth and forgiveness. In the latest book, the Glimmer family heads to NYC to perform a charity concert in Time Square where the whole family joins in the concert. However, right around the time of their visit, something mysterious happens that the whole family gets involved. Who is the Snow Angel? How would the girls learn sympathy?

Each of the book in the series can be read as a standalone. I have not read any of the other books in the series. The novel is great for  grade schoolers and tweens as it doesn't have any questionable content and it encourages children to kind, truthful and to think of others. The girls also have a healthy relationship with their parents with mutual respect, trust and love. I found the book to be a quick and easy read while being enjoyable. I thought it was a decent book but my younger female cousin enjoyed the book and wanted to read the rest of the series.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Cherished Quilt (An Amish Heirloom Novel) by Amy Clipston

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Christopher Hochstetler leaves Ohio after a family tragedy. He is heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and guilt. When he arrives in Bird-in-Hand, he puts up a cold exterior and tries to keep to himself as he tries to work in his uncle's leather shop. However, that doesn't stop Emily Fisher from trying to befriend him. Their budding friendship slowly turns to love when Emily and Chris share their secrets with each other.  Emily decides to make a quilt as a token of their friendship, however Chris leaves for Ohio after a family emergency without telling Emily.  When Emily sends Chris the complete quilt, would Chris be able to accept the token of her love? Will Chris join the church so  they can be together?

The third novel in the series was beautifully written and fun to read.  I like that the author included a family tree and a dictionary for Amish translation. My only qualm with the novel is that I felt like the quilt was an afterthought and not much of the story revolved around it. A good read  for anyone who likes happy light reading Amish novels.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Secret Language of Sisters by Luanne Rice

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A heartwarming tale of two inseparable sisters coping when a tragedy strikes leaving one of them paralyzed. Tilly's text message is the reason for Roo being in the hospital bed. Roo and Tilly are not only sisters but best friends. They are able to read and understand each other when no one else can. When Roo is lying in the hospital struggling for someone to understand her; Tilly is able to tell that her sister isn't in a coma and needs help. Roo went from being the independent older sister who takes care of her younger sister, Tilly to relying on others.  Will Roo and Tilly be able to to move past this and be together again? Will they be able to keep their bond intact?

I never had a sister but reading this novel made me wish I had one. Not to say growing up with a brother was horrible (although, the endless days of torturing...) but I sometimes wonder if I would have a strong bond as Roo and Tilly. But having a sibling, always does give you this bond of knowing someone will there for you even if you are at each other's throat. The special bond knowing you are never alone and growing up in the same house and sharing the sam experiences but turning out completely different. The book made me realize sometimes we just don't realize how lucky we are to be alive and we are holders of our future and actions. No one can't make us do something we don't want to do and we are responsible for the outcome of our actions.

**Disclosure - I received an uncorrected copy of this book from a giveaway for my honest opinion**