Moon Games is a cozy mystery that takes place in the North Carolina town of Black Mountain. Check it out and enter to win a copy.

Book Details:

Title: Moon Games by Shelly Frome
Category: Adult Fiction, 264 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Milford House Press
Release date: August 4, 2018
Tour dates: Mar 15 to April 30, 2019
Content: PG-13 + M for some mild language and mature content matter

Book Description: 

At the outset, Miranda Davis has nothing much going for her. The tourists are long gone by October in the quaint Carolina town of Black Mountain, her realty business is at a standstill, and her weekend stint managing the local tavern offers little to pull her out of the doldrums. When prominent church lady Cloris Raintree offers a stipend to look into the whereabouts of a missing coed, Miranda, along with her partner Harry (an unemployed features writer) agree.

But then it all backfires. A burly figure shambles down a mountain slope with a semi-conscious girl draped over his shoulder. Miranda’s attempts to uncover Cloris Raintree’s true motives become near impossible. The local police keep stonewalling and Harry is of little help.

Tarot cards left on Cloris’ doorstep only exacerbate the situation. Growing more desperate over the captive girl’s fate, Miranda comes across a link to a cold case of arson and murder. With the advent of the dark of the moon, she is summoned to “Tower Time” as this twisty tale continues to unravel.


Moon Games is a cozy mystery that takes place in the North Carolina town of Black Mountain. The setting of mountain ridges, foggy moonlit autumn nights, and a damp chilly Halloween season along with a colorful cast of bumbling characters makes this book interesting. I must admit though, I was confused and scratching my head a lot of the time, wondering if I had missed something as I read along.

I didn't get the sense that I "knew" any of the characters. I was always trying to figure them out. I'm not sure if this was intentional on the author's part and part of the mystery or if I just had to be patient as I tried to figure things out. Things became clearer as I got deeper into the book, but this was a complex mystery nonetheless and it was a slow start for me. Miranda was an unlikely but likable hero, although I thought she acted older than her thirty-six years.

If you like murder mysteries in a small town setting with scatter-brained and sometime humorous characters trying to figure things out, you might enjoy this one.

To read more reviews, please visit Shelly Frome's page on Virtual Author's Book Tours.

I love immigrant stories, hence the reason I wanted to read this book. Check out my review and enter the giveaway to win a copy!

Book Details:

Book Title: The Adventures of Wilhelm: A Rat’s Tale by Maria Ritter
Illustrator: Teri Rider
Category: Middle-grade Fiction, 210 pages
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Publisher: PartnerPress
Release date: August 2018
Tour dates: March 11 to 29, 2019
Content Rating: G (This is a clean children's book with no expletives, violence, sex or drugs.)

Book Description:

Young Wilhelm leaves home and travels the world. He not only discovers the value of different cultures and the importance of family and friendship, but he also overcomes obstacles with courage and cleverness. He returns home with deep respect for all creatures on this earth and a new sense of rat identity and purpose.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

From time to time, I'm drawn to read a book with a Western setting. I love historical fiction, and that cover with two lonesome cowboys was appealing. This is a clean read. Check it out and enter the giveaway to win a copy.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Some of you know by the books I feature on my blog that I take a special interest in books that address wellness or individuals that have strived to fight mental illness or addiction. So today, I'm spotlighting this memoir. I have not read it, but it strikes me as a good enlightening read. Scroll down to check it out and to enter the giveaway for the possibility to win a copy.

Book Details:

It's been awhile since I read a good self-help book. It just so happens that AMPLIFY turned out to be the perfect resource at this time in my life when I just started a new exciting job. Book Details:

Book Title: AMPLIFY: How to Grow Your Reputation And The Kickass Career You Love
Category: Adult Nonfiction, 180 pages
Genre: Women in Business, Entrepreneurship, Career
Publisher: NCM
Release date: November 2018
Tour dates: Feb 25 to March 8, 2019
Content Rating: PG (rated PG because the word "Kickass" is on the cover)

Book Description:

It’s hard to fit in when you work in a mostly male world, let alone achieve your goals. Women in tech - as in many areas of business - are in the minority in every meeting. It’s difficult to find our voices in a room full of men. Even when we’re ready to share ideas, we often have to shout to be heard, trusted, and respected. It’s time for that to change.

Holly Chessman has used her marketing and business experience to navigate mostly male waters. She's taught people how to build their reputations using online and offline tools - and now she wants you to gain that same success.

Today is the day you start making the small changes you need to grow your voice and, consequently, your career. Small steps with big impact - that’s what it’s all about. Between the tips in this book and the straightforward, step-by-step exercises in each chapter, you’ll see your life change for the better.

As you go through this book, you’ll learn about the Defining You methodology, the exclusive system for accelerating reputation and career growth. You’ll get the step-by-step guidance to reach your goals faster than ever. You’ll develop the means to realize the success you’ve always envisioned: Speak up in meetings. Get the raise you want. Find a job that satisfies you. Do what it takes to meet the goals that are right for YOU.

Take control of your career TODAY and define the “you” you want to be.


It's been awhile since I read a good self-help book. It just so happens that AMPLIFY turned out to be the perfect resource at this time in my life when I just started a new exciting job. I was surprised by not only how useful this book is but how pertinent it is for any woman who wants to be successful at what she does for work. The advice is spot on.

First, I love that cover. It is simple but represents the topic well. This book is about girl power, truly encouraging and celebrating women's empowerment, independence, and confidence in the work field. I enjoyed Chessman's first person narrative as she shared her personal work experience, but mostly wrote in a friendly but expertly way about how to grow your voice and your reputation at work.

The book is easy to read and divided into chapters filled with practical exercises that clarify, define and help you to practice what you need to do to achieve the success you want in your career.  Not only does the author explain well these exercises but she follows up each exercise with examples of what you may want to achieve because sometimes you just need that direction. I loved how clear she made everything she talked about in her book.

I was so motivated by this book that I bought a notebook and set out to write out my long-term and short-term goals and the steps to achieve them. I am following the advice in this book and feeling much more confident because of the exercises that I've done. I haven't yet done all the exercises as this is one of those books that gives you lots of practical advice that you can use over and over and at different stages of your work life.

If you feel stuck at work, need a change in your career, want to improve your set of work skills, feel the need to prove your worth, want to build your reputation and expertise or advance in your company, then this book will help you achieve that. As the author states, it's not about working harder, it's about finding a way to let others know about the work you are doing and the results you are achieving. This is what she teaches you.

This is the perfect book for the young woman starting her career or the mature woman wanting to up her game.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

I want to thank you all for your well wishes last week on my new position. I love my new job and feel this is a turning point in my life. Change is good. And in my case, it was time for a new challenge. My reading week was good and I hope yours was too.


Do It Again! Otra Vez! by Ann Morris #ReadYourWorld (Review) Showcasing this picture book as part of Multicultural Children's Book Day, an event whose mission is to raise awareness of kids’ books that celebrate diversity

I found a company that publishes personalized books with the choice of having the story in one or two languages, so I decided to have a book created for my 4-year-old nephew Stefano. If you're looking for a unique gift for a child, check this out.

Today I am thrilled to be showcasing and reviewing Do it Again! Otra Vez! as part of Multicultural Children's Book Day, an event whose mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves. This is the third year I participate. Because of unexpected family responsibilities, I was unable to post in January but I am happy to be featuring this book today. Book Details:

Do it Again! Otra Vez! by Ann Morris
Illustrated by: Vanessa Alexandre
Published: Sept 4, 2018
Published by Mascot Books
Hardcover picture book: 38 pages
For children ages 4-6
Content rating: G

Book Description:

Three-year-old Amy is off on an adventure-a sleepover at her aunt and uncle's house! Jump into this bilingual book and join Amy on her most exciting day, all while learning another language! When you finish reading, you will no doubt want to do it again!
Ann (Ana) Morris writes in English and Spanish about children and their experiences with positive adult role models. Every child needs to feel included when reading her books. Do It Again!/Otra vez! is her first to include both English and Spanish in the same book. The books are suitable not only for children but the adults who read with them too.

Ann (Ana) Morris is an Iowa, USA, native. Her goal is to promote education that demonstrates acceptance and peace among all people. Morris has been honored by the Purple Dragonfly Award, Mom's Choice Award, CLIPPA, and Reader's Favorites. She also won the award for Best Translation from English to Spanish by International Latino Awards. This award was for a children's book by Janet Balletta, which Ms. Morris translated. International Latino Awards has granted her the honorary title of Latina de Corazn.

Crystal King has creatively written a novel loosely based on the mysterious life of historical figure Bartolomeo Scappi, one of the most famous chef of the Italian Renaissance. Check out my review and enter the giveaway to win a copy!