“The year 1974 was a special odyssey for me,” the journalist and photographer Betty Medsger wrote in the introduction to her book Women at Work: I traveled throughout the United States photographing and talking with women mining coal, running corporations, taking bosses’ letters, chopping down trees, stitching blue jeans and designing nuclear submarines. I did […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2022/11/02/pictures-at-work/

Sophia Rose is here with a Harlequin Heartwarming story, Her Marine Hero, by Jacquelin Thomas. Grab a cup of tea and check out her thoughts on this sweet romance….

Her Marine Hero
by Jacquelin Thomas
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Heat Level:

For fashion designer Renee Rothchild, a friendship with marine Greg Bowman was always safer than imagining a future together. The stress of dating a military man might trigger the panic disorder she’s worked so hard to manage. Greg says he’s ready to leave the military, but he loves his job, and she can’t let him give it up for her. Can Greg convince Renee that despite their differences, they do belong together?

{
“@context”:”https://schema.org”,
“@type”:”Review”,
“datePublished”: “2022-11-02T05:00:00+00:00”,
“description”: “Sophia Rose is here with a Harlequin Heartwarming story, Her Marine Hero, by Jacquelin Thomas. Grab a cup of tea and check out her thoughts on this sweet romance…. “,
“publisher”: {
“@type”: “Organization”,
“name”: “Caffeinated Reviewer” },
“url”: “https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/11/her-marine-hero-by-jacquelin-thomas.html”,
“itemReviewed”: {
“@type”: “Book”,
“name”: “Her Marine Hero”,
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Jacquelin Thomas”,
“sameAs”: “https://jacquelin-thomas.com/” },
“isbn”: “” },
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Kimberly”,
“sameAs”: “https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/” },
“reviewRating”: {
“@type”: “Rating”,
“ratingValue”: 4,
“bestRating”: “5”
}
}

Sophia Rose’s Review

A fashion designer with an anxiety disorder fears to start a relationship with a man who puts his life on the line in the military.  Small town, friends to lovers from a new to me author had strong appeal, so I gave into temptation.

Her Marine Hero is the third standalone romance in the Polk Island series.  I could see that the two previous stories were about the heroine’s cousins getting their romances and that Renee and maybe Greg had been introduced earlier, but I had no trouble diving in out of series order.

Greg Bowman returns after a few years.  He’s been serving in the Marines and made it into MARSOC, the Marine Special Operations regiment which was his goal.  But lately, he feels the pull to finish out his time and get out of the military since he never planned to retire.  He is considering taking his friend up on a job offer and if that offer puts him close to the woman who turned him down and put him in the friends category?  Perhaps he can persuade her to give him a chance once his job isn’t coming between them.

Her fashion designs and sales are a big success now and she feels a contentment for reaching the pinnacle of her success, but then a huge temptation arrives back in her quaint, pretty small town and stirs her up.  Renee Rothschild has had a thing for Greg since they met and went on a date. She put a halt to things knowing that her anxiety disorder would eat her alive dating a guy in the military gone on active duty and besides her ex did a number on her and she hasn’t come to terms with that issue.  But here is Greg and he’s well-nigh irresistible. They both have different dreams and needs though so how could it possibly be a good idea?

I settled into the author’s warm, tender, and gently-paced writing style right away. The setting sounds perfect- a small island community and family and friends supporting each other. The sweet time of friends who feel the sparkle of attraction and share some poignant moments made for easy reading and romantic feel throughout.  It wasn’t lacking in layers and some drama, either.

 The heart of the romantic conflict is the heroine struggling to get past her anxiety, her belief that she can’t handle a relationship with a person with a military career, and the pair of them struggling with the possibility that one of them will have to give up their dreams. I was cheering them on and admit to getting impatient with Renee for holding them back particularly when she seems to be making Greg pay for what her ex pulled on her, but she does deal with that, eventually. Also, I applaud her for seeing the hardship that a military relationship might be and her selfless desire that Greg not have to sacrifice his dream career. He doesn’t think he’s sacrificing, but there is a crisis when he needs to go back to duty for a friend and his desire to leave the Marines isn’t so cut and dry.

I appreciated that she had written characters of service and duty like her cousins and the hero in civic and military service careers, but also of different abilities with the heroine’s cousin getting used to a prosthetic after military duty and the heroine dealing with mental health struggles. 

All around, this was touching and satisfying. I would definitely read more from the author and I was glad to see that there will be more Polk Island stories. Those who want a quick, but heartwarming sweet romance with solid character development should definitely give this book/series a try.

Amazon | Audible

Her Marine Hero by Jacquelin Thomas delivered a touching and satisfying small-town romance. #bookreview #RomanceNovels #SophiaRose
Click To Tweet

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/11/her-marine-hero-by-jacquelin-thomas.html

Eleven-year-old Aime Snave and her little brother, eight-year-old Oro, prepare for summer camp at the School of Fruit Learning. Accompanied by Aime’s best friend Gramon and Oro’s friend shy, little Violer, the foursome enters a mysterious world full of mystery and hidden magic. While at the school run by strict headmistress Mrs. Blackfruit, the children meet a new friend: inquisitive Semia, who is certain that all is not as it seems. Navigating the many teachers of the school, all of whom seem to harbor deep secrets, the five soon discover that they are part of something much larger than they ever could have imagined. History soon begins to repeat itself, with five young children caught in the middle of its deadly wake.

Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secrets of the Orchard by J.W. Nelson is an engaging read which focuses on a tightly knit group of five friends (the Pentagon) as they struggle to uncover the truth about the Hogwarts-style school and its mysterious past. The story is well-written, with substantial world-building and deep characters. There are no easy answers for brave Aime, her perceptive brother Oro, athletic Gramon, intrepid Semia, or sweet little Violer, who all find themselves in the midst of a mystery with far-reaching consequences. Instead, the Pentagon Pirates must work together to discover the truth in a world where uncertainty reigns supreme.

There is so much good to say about this book. Even minor characters and villains have depth, especially the malefic Mrs. Blackfruit and her paramour, Mr. Thornby. However, there are so many characters that it can be difficult at times to keep everyone straight. A bit slow getting started, the book truly finds its stride as the school sporting events begin, and the pace gets more intense as the plot thickens. A quick editorial brush-up to remove a few type errors and naming inconsistencies would make this highly intelligent plot shine even brighter. The complex mystery ends on a serious cliffhanger, leaving the reader dying to know what will happen to the Pentagon Pirates next.

A rich world with a myriad of mysteries at our fingertips, Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secret of the Orchard is suitable for readers 12 and up who love a complex setting. The book contains minor language, and children regularly find themselves in harm’s way. A deep setting with memorable characters, an engaging plotline, and unsolved mysteries that challenge the reader to think outside the box, this intrepid tale of friendship and unraveling dark secrets is an incredible beginning to the adventures of the Pentagon Pirate Gang.

Pages: 272 | ASIN : B09M4FPG9L

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/02/pentagon-pirate-gang/

Walls: Hell on Wheels, by SF Covell, follows the story of Lisa Pena and her neighbors, who live in a small community in northern Los Angeles. They face the frightening challenge of fighting against an unknown alien race, which is a war they’ve fought before. Unfortunately, the aliens have an agenda to increase the presence of religious extremists and bigots who wish to mold humans to their preferences, which has dire effects on most of humanity.

The story is fast-paced and develops quickly, with lots of moving parts and excitement as the characters embark on yet another journey to save humanity. There are vital elements of politics and power struggles, with the intense influence of aliens always looming in the shadows and plotting with and against humans. While the story may feel overwhelming at times, it doesn’t lack intriguing characters, which keeps the story moving excitingly.

I found the story well-written and engaging, with an air of mystery paired with science fiction and fantasy. It’s an excellent read for fans of the science fiction genre, with themes of political corruption and action throughout the book. It’s a riveting read that keeps you guessing what will happen next. I found the story kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next and how each plot segment would play into the story’s direction.

Walls: Hell on Wheels by SF Covell is unique and creative, with interesting developments throughout the story. It’s an exciting read full of vivid imagery and plot twists, and it’s a fun read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling tale with lively characters. I look forward to reading more from the author, including more creative stories and exciting ideas.

Pages: 193 | ASIN : B0BFC43H8V

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/02/walls-hell-on-wheels/

If you are looking for an inclusive and educational first introduction to a blended family book for young children, this is absolutely a great start. Scoochie & Skiddles: Scoochie’s Adoption Story by Tom Tracy follows a young girl named Scoochie who is playing at the park with her friends and tells them her story of why her family looks different.

The author is able to capture to perfection the spirit of curious young children when they ask Scoochie the innocent question of why she has two dads. The character of Scoochie was incredibly well developed, and I connected with her emotionally; this is due to the exquisite writing skills of the author.

This story is such an important conversation starter and easy enough to follow for young readers. It gives lots of education on how adoption works and how different families look. It also shows how important it is to show love and respect to our children, whether it is biological or not, because all children and people deserve love and family.

I definitely would recommend this book to anyone thinking of adopting or who has adopted. I love that this story really displays positive attention to adoption and its process, and I hope it opens people’s minds and their hearts.

Scoochie & Skiddles: Scoochie’s Adoption Story is a beautifully written picture book that teaches children all about the adoption process in a language that young children can understand. It also sheds light on how all families look different, and that is okay and a good thing. This is an amazing story for families and schools to share about diversity and acceptance.

Pages: 33 | ASIN : B09RN18H11

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/02/scoochie-skiddles-scoochies-adoption-story/

The Tea Drinker’s Guide to Adventure by Andree Jannette follows the story of three older women; Cathy, Linda, and Bets. The women had met at a book club in their hometown, and although they come from different backgrounds, they quickly became acquainted. Their promise to a dear friend to scatter her ashes at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico leads them on a journey of adventure, friendship, and romance. Following a late-night incident that brings them into an encounter with an injured dog, the trio finds themselves in an RV community. After spending a few weeks in this community,  each woman’s life changes unexpectedly.

The Tea Drinker’s Guide to Adventure focuses on three older women. Andree Jannette did a fine job shedding light on the conditions that accompany humans’ aging process, including illnesses,  grief, and uncertainty. The novel presents the ups and downs of old age, a reality not often explored in literary works. It consists of colorful elderly characters as they retain the youth’s passion, adventurous spirit, and romance. The author refuses to present these characters as frail or dependent. Reading this helps one come to terms with aging and the end of life. The book is also incredibly heartwarming, with the inclusion of pet characters.

Jannette has written a comforting story of healing. However, at times I felt the storytelling was disjointed; secondary characters tended to overshadow the leading trio in the plot. Despite those things, this is a story of strength, of finding the spark and passion inside of oneself to face challenges and overcome obstacles. Life is full of the unexpected, and this novel teaches readers that even those moments, while they might look bad at the start, can lead to beautiful discoveries.

The Tea Drinker’s Guide to Adventure is a beautifully written women’s adventure novel. The bonds of friendship between the characters and the sparks of romance they feel will keep readers engaged and following the trio through this unexpected journey they end up on together.

Pages: 308 | ASIN : B0BD22NSLF

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/02/the-tea-drinkers-guide-to-adventure/

My book consist of Love poems, Comical Poems, Everyday Living, Respect for your mother and father, Better Relations with others, Making it through the Day, Job situations, Relationships, the truth and Christians Poems. This is my second book and my first book was titled Inspirational Poems for You and Me, written in 2005.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/02/poems-for-the-world-book-trailer/