Book Review: The Summer That Shaped Us by Lori Wilde

Author: Lori Wilde

Title: The Summer That Shaped Us

Series: Hobby Island #1

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance, Mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Published: April 22, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Summary: 

In the Gulf of Mexico, near South Padre, sits a private island with a bit of a magic about the colors are brighter, the food tastes better, and turtles and cranes find sanctuary there. The billionaire heiress who built the thriving resort on Hobby Island exclusively for crafters, Eloisa Hobby, is as much a mystery as she is a mentor. Those with troubles are invited in the aftermath of an emotional turmoil, and with help from the other crafters on the island Eloisa acts as a sounding board while she gently and unobtrusively guides the visitors toward healthy resolutions in their lives. Only a few receive the honor of a golden ticket.

Luna, ever the pragmatist, is reeling in the wake of she’s just moved with her fierce, opinionated teenage daughter Artemis to her mother’s house, after they lost their husband and father. But her mother, Jeanie, artistic and sensitive, has faced her own troubles recently, and her home may not be the stable sanctuary the three women so desperately need.

When Jeanie receives one of the coveted tickets, inviting her and her family to Hobby Island, the blessing is one they can’t turn down, though both Luna and Artie remain skeptical of their eccentric host and benefactor. Together, the three of them will have to learn to trust one another again, accept help from those who love them, and embrace life—during a summer they’ll never forget.

Review:

Look at that cover!!! How could I not grab it up?

This island of relaxation and crafting paradise was created by an eccentric billionaire. You can only come to her island via invitation. Jeanie receives one of the coveted tickets and invites her family to come with her. They need this vacation and a chance to win some money after everything they have been through. 

I guess there is a mystery in here and some romance, but it didn't overwhelm the plot. Honestly....the two didn't even feel like it was there at times. This is just a people story to be fair. People talking and growing and just plain existing. 

What I would give to go to this island!! I'm not great at crafting but I do enjoy it immensely!!

I didn't take this book too seriously. When the weather was nice I just read it outside and enjoyed the warmth. There are some moral lessons sprinkled around....like forgiveness. Lots of quotable moments happened in the book. 

It was slow-paced and interesting enough to stick with it. There is some drama sprinkled around but nothing that wasn't easily fixed. Maybe too easily though. 

All-in-all, this was a cozy book for summer. I wish there had been a touch more mystery and/or romance involved, but oh well. 

3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Jeanie and Eloisa

Least Favorite Character(s): Nanette

 

Book Review: Yakimali's Gift by Linda Covella

Author: Linda Covella

Title: Yakimali's Gift

Genre: Historical Fiction, YA, Romance

Format: ebook

Published: July 28th 2014

Where I Got It: My shelf - Amazon

Summary: 

It’s 1775 in Mexico, New Spain, and 15-year-old Fernanda Marquina, half Pima Indian and half Spanish, can’t seem to live up to her mother’s expectations or fit into the limited female roles of her culture. While she tends her garden, matches wits with buyers and sellers at the weekly market, and avoids Mama’s lectures and the demands of Nicolas, the handsome soldier pursuing her, Fernanda grabs any opportunity to ride the horses she loves, racing across the desert, dreaming of adventure in faraway lands.

But when a tragic accident presents her with the adventure she longed for, it’s at a greater cost than she could have ever imagined. With her family, Fernanda joins Juan Bautista de Anza’s historic colonization expedition to California.

On the arduous four-month journey, Fernanda makes friends with Feliciana, the young widow Fernanda can entrust with her deepest thoughts; Gloria, who becomes the sister Fernanda always wished for; and Gloria’s handsome brother Miguel, gentle one moment, angry the next and, like Fernanda, a mestizo–half Indian and half Spanish. As Fernanda penetrates Miguel’s layers of hidden feelings, she’s torn between him and Nicolas, who has joined the journey in the ranks of Anza’s soldiers and whose plans include marrying Fernanda when they reach California.

But propelling Fernanda along the journey is her search for Mama’s Pima Indian past, a past Mama refused to talk about, a past with secrets that Fernanda is determined to learn. The truths she discovers will change the way she sees her ancestry, her family, and herself.

Review:

I've had my eye on this one for a while so I decided to bite the bullet and read it and make my book club read it too. Hehehe 

Fernanda is half Pima Indian and Spanish and she can't seem to live up to her mother's expectations or fit into the limited female role she must play. Between her mother's lectures and Nicholas who wants to marry her...she feels like she can't catch her breath. She just wants to ride horses and go on adventures. After tragedy strikes, she will be given a chance to get everything she wants. With her family, they join in on Juan Bautista de Anza’s historic colonization expedition to California. Along the way, she will meet new friends, find love, find herself, and search for her more information on her mother's past and culture. 

This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. There were some slow-paced parts for sure, especially in the beginning. 

For sure a YA but enjoyable and I think this would be a good one for kids in history classes to read. 

I liked Fernanda a lot. She was a sweet girl and I wanted her to have it all!

Boo to Miguel AND Nicholas. Okay...they have their pros and cons, but I didn't like either for Fernanda. Miguel was kind of a jerk which we learn WHY, but still. And Nicholas was too pushy and too rigid. Oh and a racist. Boo to both of them. I wish she had found someone else. Spoiler, not spoiler, she ends up with one of them. Personally, I do not think the romance was needed. I would've liked her just focusing on herself and searching for answers for her mother. 

I would love a sequel. That would be nice to see her years later. Maybe she goes back to the Pima tribe! IDK. Curious to see her live and help build California up. 

Other than that, I enjoyed it. It was slow-paced here and there, but I liked it. I'll give this 3 stars.

Book Review: The Time Collector by Gwendolyn Womack

Author:  Gwendolyn Womack  
Title: The Time Collector
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, and Romance
Pages: 352
Published: April 16th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



Roan West was born with an extraordinary gift: he can perceive the past of any object he touches. A highly skilled pyschometrist, he uses his talents to find and sell valuable antiques, but his quiet life in New Orleans is about to change. Stuart, a fellow pyschometrist and Roan’s close friend, has used his own abilities to unearth several out-of-place-artifacts or “ooparts”—like a ring that once belonged to the seventeenth-century mathematician and philosopher René Descartes, but was found buried in prehistoric bedrock.

The relics challenge recorded history, but soon after the discovery, Stuart disappears, making him one of several psychometrists who have recently died or vanished without a trace. When Roan comes across a viral video of a young woman who has discovered a priceless pocket watch just by “sensing” it, he knows he has to warn her—but will Melicent Tilpin listen? And can Roan find Stuart before it’s too late?

I was drawn in right away! The summary, the cover, and just the general idea of it. I was for sure a moth to the flame. 

The story follows Roan and Melicent. They were both born with amazing gifts. They both can perceive the past of any object they touch. Melicent's powers are not as good yet, but Roan is pretty good at it. Stuart, Roan's pal, has used his own powers to unearth several out-of-place-artifacts. There is a connection between all of them but what? When Stuart goes missing along with a few others with similar gifts, Roan is forced to figure out what is going on and warn the young Melicent. 

I have always wanted this power or something similar. I love history and antiques. Can you imagine?? That would be amazing. Like all powers, there are cons to having them. 

The whole ooparts is amazing to me and I loved the author's blend of this real-life oddity to the story! 

Roan was fun. I liked him. 

Same with Melicent. I liked her from the beginning. Her little brother was a snotball. Yes, I get the WHYS, but still. I wanted to kick him and shake some sense into him! Sun was awesome and so strong. I wish we had more Sun!

The author was amazing. I was hooked from page one and I didn't want to put it down. The mystery was intriguing and I had my theories but I was wrong. Kuddos to the big twist! It all made sense though. HOW DID I NOT SEE IT? Maybe it was because I really didn't want to? IDK, but I was surprised. Ooooo that baddie. 

The romance aspect seemed a touch forced and I didn't really see the chemistry there, but the romance isn't the main aspect so it wasn't a huge issue.

Overall, I really liked this book. It was super good. The romance aspect was my only little hiccup. Everything else was awesome. The characters, the story, the mystery, the jumps to the past, and the twist at the end. I'll give this a 4! 

Book 11 of 16/25

Audiobook Review: To Tame A Wolf by Susan Krinard

Author: Susan Krinard
Narrator: Suzanne Toren
Title: To Tame A Wolf
(Historical Werewolf #5)
Genre: Historical Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy
Pages: Audiobook
Published: 2005 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Her innocence destroyed, young widow Tally Bernard swore that she would never trust a man again. But when her brother disappears, she has little choice but to make a pact with the devil.

Though he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life on a ranch of his own, Simeon Kavanaugh can't escape the legacy of his werewolf father. The animal instincts that keep him from being fully human also make him a brilliant tracker, forced to survive on the desperation of people in need.

The attraction between these two wounded souls is immediate, primal, and dangerous. And if Simeon has any hope of saving Tally, he must do what he has always resisted and merge both man and beast within him. But if she cannot accept what he becomes, his choice may cost Simeon the only thing worth having - Tally's love....

I honestly was not looking forward to this one since Sim annoyed me earlier. However, I got the audio version to try instead. 

The story follows Tally who is a young widow with a dark past. She has been hurt by so many men including her own selfish brother, so her trust in men is...well...not there. Things happen and Sim comes into her life to help her find her missing brother and run the ranch. He's had a rough life so he is a rough man.

I started this off still hating Sim. It took me a while to warm up to him. He has had a rough life, sure, but he's still an ass. He is SOOOO rude and he is such a jerk. Eventually, I did warm up to him but he was an idiot for sure. I wanted to kick him! I'm glad he got better near the end when he realized he needed to change. 

Telly was sweet. I felt bad for her. She had been so misused and so abused. I'm glad she didn't let that break her. She was able to stand up on her own and be her own mistress. I liked her a lot. 

The side characters were adorable. I loved the little side romance. So cute. They both deserved happiness too. 

Now the story was interesting. SO many secrets, SO many betrayals. Everyone has their secrets and I honestly didn't know who to really trust including our "hero". It kept my interest for sure. I was so unsure on how everything was going to be resolved. I was especially worried about our lovebirds. Yes, it is an HR so of course, they get a HEA...but...it seemed so impossible.

The narrator did an amazing job. She had me hooked and I loved all her voices. You could tell who was talking. Each character (even side characters) had their own voices. I wouldn't mind listening to more. I honestly think she made me really hooked to the story. 

All-in-all, I did enjoy this much more than I thought I would. I didn't like Sim until near the end, but maybe that is the point? He has a lot of rough edges and he had to really work at redemption. Now...what to give this? Mmmm....I think I'll stamp it with 5 stars even though it took me a long time to like and think Sim deserved Telly. It oddly made this better. 

There were a few that this one could fall under...but I picked the animal one since that seems harder

Book Review: Mercenary by David Gaughran

Author: David Gaughran
Title: Mercenary
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Expected publication: June 4th 2014 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon Freebie)



Lee Christmas gets drunk and falls asleep at the throttle of his locomotive, plowing straight into an oncoming train. Blacklisted from the railroad and his marriage in tatters, he flees New Orleans on a steamer bound for the tropics. 

In Honduras, he begins a quiet new life. But trouble has a way of finding Christmas. With unrest sweeping the countryside, he's kidnapped by bandits. Soon, he finds himself taking sides in an all-out civil war--as leader of the rebellion. 

To my surprise...this is based off a real story. Huh. Learn something new every day. 

But yes Lee is a piece of crap. I say this with what I know from the book. Maybe there is more to the real story? Maybe not? But I am going based on the book here. Lee messes up his career for being an idiot drunk. Ruins every single marriage he gets and he KNOWS why, but doesn't do anything to fix it. The only thing he is good at is killing and leading an army. Oh and he is good at drinking too. 

The story was interesting enough. However, it was hard to really like the story because of Lee. Yes, yes, I always say I like complex characters and I do like a good baddie and a story about an anti-hero. But oh my goodness how I hated Lee. A drunk idiot. You can't label him as an anti-hero and you can't say he is complex. He was a simpleton who has no one to blame but himself for his misery in life. STOP MARRYING PEOPLE AND STOP HAVING BABIES!!! Just be content with being a mercenary! That is all you are good at. Sighs. 

The writing was good and I wouldn't mind reading more by this author. I should do some research on this Lee fellow, but ugh. I have a feeling this story was pretty on point. We shall see though. 

In the end...the story was an interesting read, but it was hard to really like it because of the main character. He was an idiot. I wanted to kick him. I don't blame his wives for dumping his butt. I'll give this 2 stars. 

Book Review: Twin Flames Rising by Maya El

Author: Maya El
Title: The Book of Angels -Twin Flames Rising
Genre: Fiction, Romance, & drama
Pages: 132
Published: September 10, 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest opinion)



A city on Lockdown. A nation in turmoil. A president promising to "Make America a Safe Place to Live Again." A secret so ugly, it could destroy everything. Nathalie Parker is the pastor's wife at the largest "black" Baptist church in Chicago. From the outside she seems to have it all: A gorgeous house, a beautiful pool, a powerful husband. But things aren't always as they appear from the outside. Nathalie knows something isn't right with her husband, and the truth is far worse than she ever dreamed... 

In a city full of lies, cover-ups, and injustice, can Nathalie uncover the truth in her own marriage before it's too late? And what about the hauntingly seductive mystery man who keeps appearing in Nathalie's dreams?


A quick story, but filled with a lot of cultural concepts. There are the racial discrimination issues, being stuck in an abusive relationship, dark secrets, and true love. Nathalie is stuck in a city in turmoil and a relationship that looks perfect on the outside, but she is really a prisoner to a terrible man who is more horrible than anyone realized. 

I felt so bad for Nathalie. It is so easy to say JUST LEAVE LADY! But when your hubbie is a powerful man and beloved by the city and it a manipulator it is not so easy. Where do you go? How do you go? Poor girl. Not an easy situation. On top of all this, there is racism and bad cops harassing and killing innocents. Power is a terrible thing. See what it did to her hubbie and some of the cops? Power can truly corrupt anyone. During all this, Nathalie is having crazy real dream about this random guy. A little hope at the end of the tunnel! Always hope. 

Like a mentioned, it was a quick story. This could've been longer in my opinion. There was so much that needed to be expanded! So many good ideas shoved into 100 or so pages. Overall, it did seem to generally work so short, but I think it would've been even better longer. 

I wanted to learn more about Nathalie. Maybe some backstory? I was rooting for her to get free of that terrible man. UGH! I WANTED TO PUNCH HIM! I also wanted to punch that Becca girl. UGH!!!! I also wanted to punch some people at the church who are SO blinded!!! For heaven's sake, one of them overheard Nathalie talking ill about Carson, her hubbie, and how she wanted to leave him. The lady kneeled down and started praying that God would help Nathalie wake up and realize Carson is AMAZING and realize she needs to stay with him. WHAT????? You crazy lady. Also, darn those bad cops! You are an embarrassment to the badge you wear. I have cop friends and they would ashamed of those racist jerks. I think all departments that have these issues need to be re-evaluated and punish/fire those bad eggs. 

There was a scene that had me fuming. Kuddos to Nathalie and her friend for keeping it cool...I don't think I would've been able to. 

My only issue with the story was how black-and-white this could be. I always have issues with stories like this be it white/black, German/Jews, Japanese/Chinese, Natives/Americans, and etc. Yes, there is racism on both sides of all conflicts. However, it bothers me when it is SO just simply put. Whites and cops are ALL evil and bad, while blacks are just victims of evil. Yes, there are HORRIBLE white people and EVIL cops. All of them need to be thrown into prison to rot! Yes. However, there are amazingly kind whites and nice cops. I think the author realized this near the end and tried to show that it is not so simple and that there is more complexity to this issue of racism. People of any color can be evil or good.

Speaking of the ending.....I had zero ideas about one thing happening. Cannot say, but I did not expect a character to do something. I also wanted cry at one point. Made me feel super bad. Trying not to give away any spoilers ;)

I go back and forth on the romance. I liked it and I liked the guy. However, I felt it was SO rushed. Thus why I wanted this to be longer. It felt rushed and unrealistic. I LOVED them together, but I wanted to see it slowly build to be something amazing. He was a hottie, so I don't blame her for wanting to get that off the market quickly. Haha. Maybe in the next one we will be able to see more of them grow and bound even deeper. 

This was an interesting book for sure. I enjoyed watching Nathalie try to make it in this terrible town and marriage. Poor girl went through a lot. I wonder if the next book will still be about her? I'm curious to see! In the end, I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

Book Review: Across Borders by Lee Ducote

Author: Lee Ducote
Title: Across Borders
Genre: Fiction 
Pages: ebook
First Published: February 2016
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by publisher and/or author for my honest and unbiased opinion)



Lawson Caine, an eight year veteran of the Border Patrol, is stationed in Presidio Texas with legendary lawman Capt. James Garrett. Lawson, who is from a long linage of lawmen, has gained the respect and reverence from his team, Dale Chanson, Terry Bennet, and the crazy member, Alex Sweeny. Together as a team their mission is to protect the US by patrolling the borders of Mexico for illegal aliens and the never ending drug trade. 
James Garrett, who goes by the name Cap, has trained many young rookies from the academy and served as a father figure before turning them over to other stations within the four states that border Mexico. Their greatest task and personal vendetta is to capture a famous smuggling lord who is barbaric and callous leaving many Mexicans to die in the rugged terrain of West Texas. Over the last few years Lawson and Sweeny have built a brotherhood and together they work through the struggle of Sweeny becoming a widower and raising his eight year old daughter all while keeping a guarded eye on the border. 
Lawson never expected anything to come between his dedication with the Border Patrol and his brotherhood with Sweeny until he meets local pharmacy owner, Lia Gonzales. Against her father’s wishes and the dissension she causes with her family Lia continues to see Lawson not realizing the inevitable consequences. Love blind, Lawson leads his team into a dangerous situation with Lia’s brother, who works for the smuggling lord, and loses more than his relationship with Lia. 

This is my first read from this author and I couldn't wait to read this, because it is so different. Yes, there is an impossible love story mixed in, but the characters were refreshing and the plot new. 

I loved Cap and his team members.They were fun. I was worried that all those extra side characters would not be done well and would be 2D, but the author did a wonderful job giving them in depth personality and traits. This is hard to do, but it was done well. I'm not sure how I felt about Lia. I liked her in the beginning, but then some of her decisions bugged me. Totally GET her hesitance, but still.

Honestly, I'm glad there was romance and action in this. It seemed really balanced and realistic. This would make a cute movie. 

My only real big complaint was the beginning. The beginning was really sloooooowwwwww; it felt like nothing was going to happen. I will be honest...I almost gave up. However, I pushed through and after 25 pages or so - it got so much better and I could hardly put it down. It's also an easy read, so once I was hooked and I flew through it. 

I can't really say much else - but one part really made me sad. :( 

Overall, this was a fun read. Something new and refreshing. The characters were fun and the drama/action was intriguing. The beginning was sloooooowwwwwwww, but it did get better. One part made me walk away for a minute, but I love when books make me feel like that. I would recommend this to those who need a quick read, but something interesting. I stamp this with 4 stars.

Movie Review: No Country for Old Men (2007)

Length: 2 hr & 2 min
Released: 2007
Genre: Drama, Action/Adventure, & Mystery
Rating: R
Where I Got It: On Netflix

SUMMARY:
When a Vietnam veteran discovers two million dollars while wandering through the aftermath of a Texas drug deal gone horribly awry, his decision to abscond with the cash sets off a violent chain reaction in a stripped-down crime drama from Joel and Ethan Coen. Llewelyn Moss has just stumbled into the find of a lifetime. Upon discovering a bullet-strewn pickup truck surrounded by the corpses of dead bodyguards, Moss uncovers two million dollars in cash and a substantial load of heroin stashed in the back of the vehicle. Later, as an enigmatic killer who determines the fate of his victims with the flip of a coin sets out in pursuit of Moss, the disillusioned Sheriff Bell struggles to contain the rapidly escalating violence that seems to be consuming his once-peaceful Lone Star State town.



TRAILER:

REVIEW:

Second time I've sat down with this movie. The first time I fell asleep, but that was in 2007. So its been a nice while since my last attempt and boyfriend wanted to watch it, so might as well.

Again...the acting was fabulous. The baddie was scary and of course I loved Tommy Lee Jones. 

However, there were so many slow parts that seemed too slow for an action movie. I wish there had been fight scenes between the baddie and the guy who found the money. There were many intense moments and even though I knew what was going to happen, I was still worried for the main guy, the cop, and the main guy's wife. I get that the money belonged to the baddie, but what a psycho. Honestly, its only 2 million dollars...I would've left it after I knew the crazy, murderer was after me. But what do I know, I guess.

Oooh the ending. The biggest flaw to me. I still am unsure of what happened. There were so many loose ends and it was kinda cliffhanger-ish. Not a fan. Maybe if they made a second one then I'd be content, but its been YEARS since it came out. 

In the end, this was an okay movie. Maybe more of a guy movie honestly. There were a lot of slow parts and I excepted more action or dialogue. The ending had lots of loose ends and I'm still not sure what happened to a couple of the characters. The acting on all ends, though, was fantastic. 

I shall stamp this with...mmmmm....2 stars. Nearly a 3, but the ending forces me to take away .5 stars. 

Re-watch?: mmmm prolly not.