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About Melony Teague
Melony Teague is a Freelance Writer, Author and Columnist. “I was born in South Africa and stepped onto a plane to bring me to a new life in Toronto, Canada in 1999 and have not looked back. It took me 38 years to figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up. Now I love what I do and do what I love. I uncover stories hiding in plain view, but they are remarkable nonetheless. I believe that everyone has a story to tell…and sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. These are the things I write about.” Learn more
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The Element of Love by Mary Connealy
I’m excited to begin the Lumber Baron’s Daughters, book one. Here’s my review: MY REVIEW The Stiles sisters and their mother are a force to be reckoned with. This story jumps right into action and keeps going until the last satisfying page. This book is the story of all three sisters, but mainly, we get to know the chemistry and science-loving Laura Stiles in The Element of Love. The sisters run from an abusive stepfather who is determined to marry them off for his own gain. Shudder, he is a nasty piece of work. Fall in love with this cast of characters and enjoy the quirky sisters who rattle…
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Authentically Izzy by Pepper Basham
Heads up, book gush incoming! MY REVIEW I have long been a fan of Pepper Basham’s romances, but this one is my all-time new favorite of hers. Drop everything, clear your schedule and get it now! (Okay well, pre-order it until November) Let me tell you why: This epistolary novel is full of swoony romance, heartache, self-realization, and literary, authentic bookish fun – not necessarily in that order. Family is a big thing in this book and both Brodie and Izzy’s families are quirky and adorable, with the obligatory difficult…er…misunderstood family member. This book will have you laughing out loud, sighing with happiness, and occasionally yelling at a character to…
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The Master Craftsman
This is the first Kelli Stuart book I’ve read. Here is my review: MY REVIEW I love a dual timeline story and The Master Craftsman did not disappoint. I also love it when a book transports me to a time and place that I didn’t know I needed to learn more about. Getting to know about the history of the house of Fabergé in the pages of The Master Craftsman was interesting and satisfying. The characters, both in the historical timeline and in the present-day timeline were fascinating and engaging. Although they all had obstacles to overcome, the culture and atmosphere of the day came through vividly. I had a…
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More Than My Scars by Kechi Okwuchi
MY REVIEW I had not heard about Kechi Okwuchi before I read this book. I hadn’t heard about the plane crash or the circumstances surrounding it, nor had I seen her on America’s got Talent, so it was with a clean slate that I began reading this book and wow, Kechi’s story blew me away. I’m glad I read the book before going to search the videos of her AGT appearances. Not only is More Than My Scars the journey of healing for Kechi as a severely burned victim, but her road to survival and recovery both in body, mind and spirit. Her faith journey is relatable and real. I…
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The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels
Wowza! This book packs a punch. Here is my review. MY REVIEW When a Very Disappointed Reader sends her a letter, Kendra Brennan, a novelist moves to Hidden Lake to do something about how the letter has affected her. This book and the story are intertwined through friendships and relationships that span three generations. Tragedy and triumph are at a tug of war as the story behind these characters, both in her novel and in real life are revealed and the story unravels. Bartels is a master at giving us just enough information to keep us wanting more with each page, I could not put this book down. Touching on…
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Shaped by the Waves by Christina Susann Nelson
I’ve read Christina’s Swimming in the Deep End, and was impressed by her powerful storytelling. I’ve just finished reading Shaped by the Waves. Here is my review: MY REVIEW Shaped by the Waves is such beautiful and heart-wrenching story about origins and destinations in life. Where life begins and where it ends. Cassie George comes home to care for her aunt Shasta and we get to know their unique story. When a manuscript shows up in a brown manila envelope things get interesting. In a way this is a story within a story that comes to a satisfying end. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I…
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In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh
A swoony romance? Yes, please! MY REVIEW There has been a lot of anticipation in the book world for this book, and I could not wait for my copy to arrive! Well, let’s just say, from the first pages, I was invested and this book did not disappoint. In Search of a Prince is a delight and at some points, I just could not read fast enough to find out what the outcome would be. I read late into the night. Would Brielle get her happy-ever-after ending? Why do I need to sleep anyways? When I woke up, the book was straight back into my hands. The hero of this…
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Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin
MY REVIEW Let’s talk about the cover first. All of Sarah Sundin’s covers are gorgeous, but this one makes me want to get on a plane and head to Europe, STAT. Until Leaves Fall in Paris is a page-turner and had me thoroughly entertained. When the world around me these days is a little crazy, I like to escape into a historical fiction novel. This one, although set in Paris during the Nazi invasion was an eye-opener. Seeing Europe in those days through the eyes of a ballerina was delightful and also stirred up the right amount of empathy for people living in those times. Lucie experiences the change in…
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Provenance by Carla Laureano
I’m a huge fan of Carla Laureano’s since I read Five Days in Skye. If you have not read it, DO SO NOW! But I digress, I’m here today to review her latest, Provenance. MY REVIEW First, let me say that my review pertains to the audiobook since that is the form in which I enjoyed this story. The audiobook was exceptionally well done. This story explores what it means to belong, to find your place, and what family can mean, even if it doesn’t quite look like what we’d imagined it to. Provenance is another winner and kept me listening. I was rooting for Kendall and Gabriel and…
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Lights Out by Natalie Walters
Lights Out is the first book in the SNAP Agency Series. Here is my review: MY REVIEW Lights Out is the first book in the series and we get to know Brynn Taylor and Jack Hudson. Both with history. For readers who like to actually breathe between chapters, this romantic suspense is engaging while keeping your heart rate at a steady pace. Dealing with National security and presidential safety all the puzzle pieces slowly fall into place to give an engaging story while we get to know this cast of characters. I really hope we get to read Kekoa’s story next. If you read this book, you’ll see why.…
