Review: Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed this journey through the Queen's life. The insights into her early life were fun to visit because in my lifetime I have only known the Queen to be older. I also liked looking into the time during Diana's death and how the royal family had to reshape after that. In between these times, I saw a glimpse of a very strong woman that tries hard to uphold her duties and is willing to change with the times. I very much enjoyed this read. After I read the text version I did that audio and I enjoyed the narrator's voice.

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Review: Desserts and Death

Desserts and Death by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love all of Harper's books. This is one of my favorite series that she writes. You can read any of the books as a standalone, but you will have lots of fun if you start from book 1 and read all the way to this one (#6). Amelia owns the cutest and very popular cupcake food truck....her ex is a louse that tries to take their kids away (she has primary custody but he and his new wife want them). She has a budding romance with a policeman and she tends to get into a lot of trouble. This one starts when LuAnn hires her to bake 100 plus cupcakes for a funeral. It is just as crazy as you think it could get! A fun "read at the beach" or on a plane book. I personally like these books whenever I just want to escape for a few hours.

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Review: Espressos, Eggnogs, and Evil Exes

Espressos, Eggnogs, and Evil Exes by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think the Cape Bay Cafe series is so fun. I love a good coffee shop. This is a part of a series, but you could read it as a stand alone, but why would you want to?

Fran's best friend and co worker is stalked by her boyfriend's ex...then the ex ends up dead. Who do think is the suspect? Sammy the best friend. Jump right in for some fun, some craziness and a nice way to spend a weekend. Bonus....there is a "killer" eggnog recipe in the back of the book.

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Review: This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today

This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today by Chrissy Metz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While it is written in the typical celebrity book style, it is also a sweet book. I did the audiobook so you can hear Chrissy's honest voice about the life events that shaped who she is. You hear the gratitude in her voice...which makes it different than the typical celebrity book. There was heart here. I also felt her belief in God which makes my heart happy :)

She talks about her mistakes, her successes and her dreams and tries to help you fulfill YOUR dreams by giving you life lessons based on what she has been though in this life.

I gave it 5 stars because she is AWESOME!!!!!!!!

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Review: Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning

Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning by Leslie Odom Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is written as Leslie talks and I adored that about the book. It was like sitting down and having a conversation with him. In this conversation he talks to us about mentors. That was the main thing that I took away from the text. Finding that mentor, listening to them and allowing them to help guide you into being the best YOU! The second thing I took away was being active in the quest for that better you. Being your own advocate...being active in searching your path, forging that path and using God to guide you. I loved how he was tight with his family, how his wife is his shining star and how he doesn't quit. The thing I didn't like was that he rarely touched on the role that made me adore him, SMASH. That is where I discovered him and started following him, but he made up for that a bit by talking about his role in RENT (oh how I would have loved to see him in that show) and of course how Aaron Burr changed him. Great book LOJ.

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Review: The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a tad obsessed with the play Come From Away since it was at the Ford's Theater the same time we were there in 2016. I have been trying to find something that would tell of what really happened over these days in Sept 2001. This book was short but provided some details as to what a small town did to make thousands of scared travelers feel safe and cared for. It is kind of emotional because you sort of have all those feelings you had on September 11, 2o01 and then you feel the terror of "the plane people".

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Review: My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton: Wife, Widow, and Warrior in Alexander Hamilton’s Quest for a More Perfect Union

My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton: Wife, Widow, and Warrior in Alexander Hamilton’s Quest for a More Perfect Union by Stephanie Dray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did adore this book. One hundred percent focused on Eliza and not Eliza as a perfect being, on Eliza as a woman that loves and has been hurt and betrayed, experienced loss and hardships and joy. It was so much like being a fly on the wall and being there during the events of her life. If you only know Eliza from Hamilton: An American Musical, this will take you deeper into what she could have been like.

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