Dead Heat To Destiny by J. B. Rivard

My initial reaction to this book was annoyance due to the abundance of characters and jumping from story to story.  The story was interesting though and eventually I got the characters straight in my head and enjoyed the book.  It takes place in the years prior to WWI.   The characters intermesh in a complex plot that entangles citizens of a variety of nations.  It is a people story, not action or a thriller but story about people.

Will was my favorite character and not just due to his name.   His impulsive nature and perseverance resonated with me.

The conditions in the U-Boat made my palms sweat.

The political balderdash surrounding Will’s actions are indicative of the political nonsense that continues to this day.  Covering your butt, just doesn’t seem to change.

I recommend the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Bones Under the Ice by Mary Ann Miller

Sheriff Jhonni Laurent is faced with multiple alleged murders, an inimical press, a deceitful deputy, a historic secret, and feuding citizens.  If that isn’t enough she is faced with accepting her fifties with grace.  

 

Miller paints a very realistic portrait of a woman happy with her work and facing job stresses that are crushing.   I also like how she showed that small-town people aren’t as naïve and stupid as many big-city folks think.  Of course, that may be colored by living in a small town. 

 

There was a strong complex plot showing the good and bad of human nature.   I thought Miller did an excellent job in her characterizations.  

 

I recommend the book.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Grunt the Grizzly Learns to Be Grateful by Misty Black

Ana Rankovic illustrated this book and deserves a pat on the back for adorable critters.   Grunt is grumpy.  He wakes up grumpy, goes to school grumpy, and goes to bed grumpy.  Being grumpy is tiring.

Grunt lashes out at Punk the Skunk and is surprised that his friend isn’t grumpy in return. Grunt learns to count his blessings from his friends.

Grunt finds that he can pass on his lessons on grumpiness to his family.

Great moral, grumpiness can be contagious but counting your blessings can turn your frown upside down.  

From this book, I would extrapolate that the other Misty Black books might be worth picking up.  

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Ellen the Elephant: Based on Ellen DeGeneres and Her Show

Kindness is important

An interesting take on Ellen as well as a good value lesson. This a simplistic view of Ellen DeGeneres and her show that illustrates the value of kindness.

A word game and coloring pages make the book into a toy as well as a learning experience.

The book is well formatted for portrait mode on a tablet.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Hardy Belch and the Infamous Doan Brothers by William G. Bentrim

 

Ada and the Helpers: A Dancing, Deaf Fox and her Friends Find Ways to Help Each Other Overcome Challenges and Find Their Strengths by Travis D. Peterson

This book shows a variety of animals with issues, physical and emotional. Ada has hearing issues but her parents see that she has help with hearing aids.  Ada meets a bunch of peers and helps each one deal with their particular problems.  By helping others she earns their help and respect in her dance recital. 

Words are signed on some pages which is a learning tool.  Ada's helpers are her friends and her hearing aids. 

A good message with endearing illustrations.

ons.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned