Review: Colors of Truth

Colors of Truth by Tamera Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me about this book, I'll tell you to read it.

Tamera Alexander really did her research for Colors of Truth. There were several different historical stories throughout this book: post Civil War reconstruction, Irish immigrants, counterfeiting, the beginnings of the Secret Service, and the McGavock Civil War Cemetery. While I knew the basics of some of these topics, it was very interesting to learn about the others.

When Catriona O'Toole immigrates from Ireland with her sister, Nora, she's faced with many challenges along the way. She has just lost all members of her family remaining in Ireland, and she's facing an unknown with the life of her brother, Ryan. Ryan was conscripted into the Confederate Army and fought in the Battle of Franklin in Tennessee where thousands of men died.

I really enjoyed reading the story and watching the relationship develop between Catriona O'Toole and Wade Cunningham. There's an initial distrust of Wade on Catriona's part, but they eventually decide to be friends. That friendship develops into strong feelings and eventually a happy ending with a marriage.

After reading this book, I decided to go back and read the first 2 books/novellas in the series. I look forward to reading the next book to come out as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader's Copy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Review: Girl With Three Eyes

Girl With Three Eyes by Priya Ardis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kira Shine has a gift, she just doesn't know it. Kira has a third eye in the middle of her forehead, but she believes it is useless until she wakes a boy from a coma and finds that she does indeed have some sort of powers. Her third eye allows her to sense the feelings and intents of people in three word snippets.

As a result of this new found power, Kira is whisked away to the country's capital. She's living with a "highborn" family and going to the Royal School. She's asked by the man who has taken her in to be a secret bodyguard for his son. Like a lot of stories lately, the school has "four houses" that students are assigned to. While in school, she makes new friends, and saves a few lives in the process!

The story definitely had some fun twists from the normal. There's a new sport we're all introduced to that appears to be a cross between jousting, flying, and snowboard! It sounds super fun and interesting, and I wish that I could participate.

This book would make a great movie.

I feel like the story ended on a cliffhanger, and now I can't wait to see if there's a sequel!

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Review: Dead Silence

Dead Silence by Robin Caroll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dead Silence by Robin Caroll was a great story of suspense and mystery.

Elise Carmichael "overhears" (via lip reading) a conversation that someone is about to kill her mother in law. She gets some news that throws that conversation out of her mind until she turns on the news the next morning and learns that her mother in law has been murdered.

I admit I figured out "who done it" pretty early in the story, but I was kept enthralled with the story of how it would be solved and what the outcome would be.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing, Inc. and NetGalley for a free Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review. 

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Review: The Kiss Quotient

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the story, but it was definitely not what I was expecting.

Based on the cover and the description, I was expecting a chick lit love story. What I got was some extremely steamy sex scenes. They were well written and pulled me more into the story.

While I couldn't completely relate to Stella, there were definitely parts of her that were totally something I feel at times. I liked getting to know her and Michael and the issues they were both working through. I also really enjoyed being introduced to additional characters that will go on to be featured in future books!

I can't wait to read the next one.

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Review: The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones

The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones by Daven McQueen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones makes you stop and think... about family, relationships, race, and racism. While set in the 1950s, the story line could easily be transposed into current times with only a few tweaks. When Ethan is sent to live with his aunt and uncle, he doesn't truly understand the impact the color of his skin will have on what happens in Alabama. No one has talked to him about race in America. He is shocked to learn of the laws in 1950s Alabama and what it means for how people in the small town will treat him.

He makes a friend in Juniper Jones when she, as another outcast in town, decides she wants a friend and Ethan it will be! They have their struggles, but their friendship sees them through some rough patches that summer. Juniper makes sure that Ethan sees the good things in her town. She's there for him during some tough decisions and events in his life.

While the ending was not what I was expecting, I think it brings more meaning to the story.

Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for a free Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

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