Clementine's Uncommon Scents by Jocelyne Lebon

I applaud this writer. From the first page, a wonderful magical Bouquet was handed to me and formed magnetism that gently led me within this special world of nostalgia. I felt as if I was within the pages of  Clementine and experienced all that she did. I cried, I laughed and I etched these memories within my own heart and mind just as she did; and they became mine also.
I grew up with Clementine through her memories, I felt the love one felt for her as a young child, felt her loss of him and feared with her over the pup, her special companion and I loved her parents their flaws and uniqueness and felt at home. The scents that she brought to me were scents that some of them, I had smelled before, and yet I had not smelled them as she did. She brought me a new appreciation that today brings her to mind when I pick up an orange. It becomes the sweet tangy citrus as she knew it and brought forth to me.  I adored the family and people she did and wondered at the quirky friend and fell in love, said good bye to a few and often thought back in time as she had. I felt her whole world stop at the lost of her ability. What cursed her, and gave her such struggle in life, was in fact what made her. AND I rejoiced in the end, of it all so expertly put together in the form of words on a page but which came from one’s mind, heart and spirit.
This was a book that I felt no need to race through, but to sit in the evenings with a cup of tea and a blanket and time to simply float within it. It is amazing and brings such emotions we all think we already know and yet it shows us in a new way how to realize that which is around us. This is a book I will read again and again and by far the best book I have read this year.
5 Stars!!!!!

Twist's Tales Vol. l by Michael Twist

This was an amazing book. This style of writing took me back through my years of twilight Zone and outer limits.. only it is of today’s world. I started reading and just could not put it down. The endings take you completely by surprise and yet fit so perfectly. There were some that I wished went on to a longer writing simply because I adore all the characters! The book is filled with several short stories that are filled with a lot of emotion and makes you really look at life and yourself. I cried, smiled, laughed and at times gaped with my mouth dropping open.
I received a digital copy from the author. It is one of those books I read on my kindle but shall buy a printed copy to share and enjoy over and over.
5 Stars!!

1930 Aryl's Divide by M.L. Gardner

This second book was filled with the same magnificent characters as the first book. The author kept the characters well within who they were when I left off at the first book. This book was good and an enjoyable read; that being said I was a little bit disappointed. This book didn’t address the ending of the first book until towards the end, and then it really didn’t give much more than what we got in the first book. My biggest disappointment was waiting over a year for the second book to come out. This book seemed a bit hurried and a lot of repetition from the first book. Very little has changed in their lives except more babies and we said good bye to a few favorite characters. I will read the third book as this series is fascinating and the writer can write one heck of a novel. I am in hopes I won’t have to wait over a year to continue on and that it brings something new to the lives of my favorite characters.
3 Stars

Jonathan's Cross by M.L. Gardner

This book was about more than just the collapse of the stock market and the depression, it was about family. A family that was formed by three couples whose friendship is something very few ever experience. These friends went from privileged and wealthy to bone soup poor. They stood by each other through it all and kept each other a float not only in food and a place to live but emotions and hope for a better future. Society had no use for them as they were not one of them anymore. This historical novel brought me characters I wanted to know in real life, to be a part of their friendship, hardships and blessings. From the beginning to the very last page I was in awe and lived in another world.
I am now reading book two and just as fascinated that my friends live on. The name of the second book is 1930 Book Two, Aryl’s Divide.
5 Stars!!!

The Great Escape: A Novel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I have not had the pleasure of reading the other books in this series but "The Great Escape" was a fine book on its own. The characters were developed well and stayed true to their unique personalities. Lucy the main character was full of emotion. She was bubbly at times, sad, lost and on the fence of life. There was a lot going on in this book, maybe a bit too much at times but it did not really take away from the story. Lucy is running and hiding from life, what she is expected to do, want and feel and yet she is determined as a person. The second character in the book Bree is actually my favorite and I have high hopes she will evolve more into a book of her as the main plot. Bree also with problems because of life and what was handed her, example: Toby a strong-minded boy left to her to raise .. and although she doesn't run and hide, she struggles to deal with any of it face front; until Lucy and her meet and absorb knowledge and ability from their strange friendship. Another character Panda, (didn't like the name personally, rather awkward in the reading), was a great character and not exactly what you think he is. A motorcycle, rough guy or is he? He helped Lucy flee from or was it flees to?
This book did seem hurried at some points and as if too much was stuffed in between the pages but it was an enjoyable read. Bree was the more realistic character and provided that magic which kept me reading.
I received this book via goodreads first readers and enjoyed the ability to read it and meet an author I had not read yet.
3 out of 5 Stars

(Child's book) Felini the Flea by Bruno Rossi

Such a wonderful delight!! My grandson simply loved me reading Felini the Flea to him. He love the name Felini and loves to say it.. He walks around saying? "Felini the Flea is fun to read, fun to read indeed." with him walking around and singing this.. my parrot also loves to say "Felini." It has fast became their favorite book to read. My grandson was a bit upset that he couldn't see a flea on the cat, but between you and me.. I am okay with that. The story line was excellent and giving children the life building blocks they need in life. You don't have to be just like everyone else to be successful and do what you desire to do in life. Feline has only one leg but the heart and will power to over come his differences from others.
The bright vivid art work is a joy to look at with the wonderful detail to a flea city that lives on the lazy sweet dog. The amount of words on each page allows for the child to really inspect this artwork. The amount of words in the book as a whole is just the right amount for a nice reading time. I shall definitely look for more books by this author for my grandchildren and maybe a second copy for my grandson as he loves it so much. He is borrowing it to take to school for reading time the last day of school.
I won this book via goodreads first reads and was thrilled to receive it.
5 stars out of 5

Castle Grey - A Katt and Mouse Mystery

Not just a book I could not put down but a world that I became involved with. The plot was large in a natural way and much better than anything you could see on T.V. it was written so well the characters become alive in your heart and mind and you are able to see them. The characters unique with each being very much their own person; moves the story along in a perfected pace.
Two agents coupled together in seeking and stopping a very clever serial killer; who alone scares you in the thought, one could be this cunning. Both agents have a brutal real personality but have compassion and even humor that leads them to a common ground that is NOT just catching a killer. Katt is very quick in intelligence, sharp with ability and simply gorgeous. Mickey knows all of this, can't keep her out of his thoughts, yet he isn't looking for love either. The division between the serial killer case and the new friendship romance is done with precision. Neither overtakes the other but compliments the story at large. The setting was fitting to the story and the perverse killer.
The tension between the agents and the mystery murders keep you on the edge of your seat and the lights on. This story will follow you into your dreams to relive again. The ending will shake your world as you know it now.
I was given this book via goodreads first readers and enjoyed the ability to read this author's voice.
4 Stars out of 5