I grew up reading the Little House on the Prairie book series and watching the television series with my family, so I was excited to share this non-fiction chapter book for young readers! Learn about Carrie Ingalls: The Forgotten Sister and author Clarissa Willis! Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post! 

Non-fiction Chapter Book Juvenile Fiction

Date Published: 10-30-2025

Publisher: Solander Press

 Award-winning author Clarissa Willis writes children's books. She has authored four picture books and one chapter book. Bloomers on Pike’s Peak, the story of Julia Archibald Holmes, received a Will Rogers Medallion Award and was a finalist for the Women Writing the West 2025 WILLA Literary Award in Children's Picture Books. Her book Fast as the Wind: The Story of Johnny Fry Pony Express Rider won a Will Rogers Medallion in 2023. The Three Little Pigs and the Not So Big Bad Wolf, released in early 2025. It tells a familiar story with a new twist. She believes childhood is a journey and strives to make it joyful through her books and public speaking.

Clarissa loves traveling and has a special connection to the American West. She finds inspiration in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In fact, her next book, Not from Around Here, is set in Sedona and chronicles an unusual friendship between a young cowboy and his friend from far away.

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I love finding mysteries to share! This week, I have a thriller series that I'm reviewing--and, this morning, I have Avarice by Britt Lind in our book review spotlight! Learn about the book and the author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post! Check out the rest of the series below too if you missed those this week!

About the Book

“An awesome read that should be made into a film!” --Readers’ Favorite

​Rosemaria Baker loved being a cop even though at times she had to chase down pimps, drug dealers, and killers who inhabited the sleazy dark world and back alleys of Hollywood. She decided to become a prosecutor because she enjoys putting the bad guys away even more than arresting them. When she met Josh Sibley, a down and out singer songwriter, she had no intention of falling in love with a man with whom she had nothing in common and, even worse, he was a murder suspect in a case she was investigating. But life had other ideas and after a few ups and downs, most of them involving dangerous criminals, they discovered they were soulmates, and their differences became the reason why they fell in love.  Taking a long-awaited holiday in Pacific Beach, California, Rosemaria and Josh are enjoying the sun and each other, anticipating a few days of focusing on the good things in life. Josh is also looking forward to touring Europe with Joell, who is a world-famous singer, as well as being Josh’s friend and mentor. But rain clouds blow in from the ocean and bring a raging storm and an attempt on Rosemaria’s life. She escapes the two gunmen who come after her but is injured in the attack and hospitalized. Josh is adamant that he will not leave for Europe until the shooters are caught. Fortunately, Rosemaria’s former partner, Larry Coleman, whose parents are obscenely wealthy, comes to the rescue. After much persuasion, Josh agrees that Rosemaria will stay with Larry’s parents in their heavily guarded mansion in Holmby Hills, the most exclusive area in the city, until he returns. 

 

Rosemaria, of course, cannot be convinced by her friends to stay out of the investigation. She gets deeply involved in the case from the safety of her gilded cage in the mansion and later, after Josh comes back, amongst the wealthy denizens of Beverly Hills. Working with her ex-homicide-detective father, and her former partners, she helps track down the suspects as they flee California while all her instincts tell her that the person who wants her dead is much closer to home. 

​

My Review 

 

Excellent continuation of the Series. I enjoyed this entire series — but Avarice was probably my favorite. The author creates a well-paced story that delivers plenty of thrills and twists, keeping readers guessing and engaged. The author's storytelling style focuses on her characters, and the dialogue and scenes feel well-organized and true to each character's role.

 

Avarice Dives Deeper into the Characters. In earlier books of the series, I didn't "love" the romance between Rosemaria and Josh — but that relationship seemed better rooted and developed throughout this novel. As the mystery unfolds, other relationships and characters play stronger roles as well. This novel, as with Malevolence, would appeal to fans of television crime dramas.

 

Would I recommend Avarice by Britt Lind? I enjoyed the even pace of this novel, and I found myself "believing" the characters and the relationships a little more than I did in previous books. Avarice is very well organized, with well-written dialogue and scenes that create a realistic flow to the novel, while entertaining readers from beginning to end — even offering some surprises.  I would definitely recommend this series to fans of police procedural thrillers and mystery novels.

 

 

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I love finding mysteries to share! This week, I have a thriller series that I'm reviewing--and, this morning, I have Malevolence by Britt Lind in our book review spotlight! Learn about the book and the author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post! Stop back throughout the week as I feature other books from the Rosemaria Baker Hollywood Mystery series too! 

Book Title: MALOVENCE (A Hollywood Mystery) by Britt Lind
Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 359 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Bublish
Release date: May, 2022

Content Rating: PG: There is some bad language and very little sex​



About the Book 

 

Rosemaria must solve the murder of a young girl in Malevolence-A Hollywood Mystery. Politics play a part, but who and why will keep readers up at night! Highly recommended! -- Chanticleer Reviews


​Rosemaria Baker, a cop whose blood runs true blue, has become a prosecutor who now gets to put the perpetrators in jail instead of just arresting them. She is blissfully happy living with the love of her life, Josh Sibley, who is about to make a major breakthrough in his career as a singer-songwriter. But real life interrupts their perfect world when two girls who Rosemaria rescued from the streets of Hollywood become the targets of ruthless assassins after a third girl is murdered.

Rosemaria must arrange protection for the girls, continue working her caseload at the courthouse, investigate the murder, and deal with a coworker who seeks to destroy her career. Through it all, the love and support Rosemaria and Josh have for each other is unfailing. When it finally seems that some semblance of order is falling into place, Rosemaria faces an unexpected, terrifying threat, and she must depend on those who love her to rescue her from certain death.

 

​

My Review 

 

Well-Paced Mystery.  If you read my review of Deception, the first book in the series, you know that I struggled a little with the slow build, but loved Rosemaria's character. This novel is very well-paced, pulling readers in immediately and moving along quickly with character- and dialogue-driven scenes. This novel drops some clues for readers and some misdirection along the way, while still keeping the pieces of the puzzle engagingly hidden until the final few twists and turns reveal them.

 

Crime Drama T.V. Fans Will Enjoy the Novel. While I enjoyed the characters and the story development surrounding the actual mystery in Malevolence, I found myself preferring Rosemaria as an LA detective — and not settling into her career shift to the district attorney's office. Having said that, the plot is entertaining and interesting when read as its own story, without comparing it to previous books, and will undoubtedly appeal to those of us who love crime drama TV series.  

 

Would I recommend Malevolence by Britt Lind? I enjoyed the fast-paced mystery and setting of this novel, finding it much more evenly balanced and engaging than the first in the series. I still enjoyed Rosemaria's character — and found the characters and dialogue engaging and well-organized, creating a well-done thriller. I didn't find this novel realistic at times, but I loved the flow and storyline, and I look forward to reading more from the series and the author. 

 

 

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This morning, I have a lovely children's book in our book blitz spotlight! Learn about You Don't See What I See and author Ashley Sadrnoori! 

Children's Book

Date Published: April 14, 205

Publisher: MindStir Media

 A heartwarming rhyming story that teaches kids the power of kindness, confidence, and self-acceptance.

In You Don’t See What I See, children meet a group of charming animals who feel insecure about their unique traits. From floppy ears to bumpy shells, each animal believes their differences make them less special—until kind words from their friends reveal the truth: what they thought were flaws are actually their strengths. 

Through lyrical rhymes and beautifully illustrated pages, this story shows children that the way they see themselves is not always the way others see them. By encouraging gratitude, kindness, and compassion, the book helps kids celebrate their individuality and recognize their true value. 

● Encourages Positive Self-Talk – Shows how kind words can change negative thoughts into uplifting ones.

 ● Builds Confidence & Resilience – Inspires young readers to believe in themselves and appreciate their strengths.

● Fosters Empathy & Gratitude – Reminds kids to be kind to others while also being gentle with themselves.

● Engaging & Fun – Written in playful rhyme with vibrant illustrations that captivate young readers.

● Perfect for Families & Classrooms – A wonderful read-aloud that sparks conversations about self-worth, kindness, and emotional growth. 

Whether at bedtime, in the classroom, or as part of social-emotional learning, You Don’t See What I See is a book children will want to read again and again—while carrying its life-changing message with them forever. The book is ideal for ages 4-8.

 Ashley Sadrnoori – Author, Teacher, and Advocate for Children’s Growth

Ashley Sadrnoori is an educator, author, wife, and mom dedicated to inspiring children to embrace their uniqueness. With over 12 years of experience as a middle school English teacher on the North Shore of Massachusetts, she has recently transitioned into a new role as a K–2 ESL teacher. Her mission is to help young learners build strong language skills while fostering confidence and self-expression. 

Ashley’s classroom philosophy centers around creating safe, supportive spaces where every child feels valued. She believes that when children are encouraged and cared for, they flourish academically and personally. 

Her journey into writing children’s books stems from a lifelong love of literature and a desire to use stories to teach important life lessons. Inspired by her own struggles with self-doubt and the transformative power of kind words, Ashley wrote You Don’t See What I See to help children develop self-belief, resilience, and empathy. 

At home, Ashley is a proud mother of energetic twin boys and the family’s beloved dog, Raven. Parenthood has deepened her understanding of the emotional needs of young children and strengthened her commitment to writing stories that uplift and empower. 

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I love finding mysteries to share! This week, I have a thriller series that I'm reviewing--and, this morning, I have A Fate Worse than Death by Britt Lind in our book review spotlight! Learn about the book and the author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post! Stop back throughout the week as I feature other books from the Rosemaria Baker Hollywood Mystery series too! 

Book Title:  A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH (A Hollywood Mystery) by Britt Lind 
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 yrs +),  118 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Bublish
Release date:   Aug, 2021
Content Rating: PG: My book has some bad language and mild sex

 

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About the Book

As a homicide detective, Rosemaria Baker is known for her street smarts, her feisty personality and her ability to nail the bad guys.

 
Being the daughter of a cop and an actress gave little Rosemaria a dichotomous view of life. Her mother was inclined to get lost in her fantasies while her father had to face the harsh realities of a world filled with murder and mayhem. Nine-year-old Rosemaria loved both her parents and admired her mother’s talent but even at a young age she felt drawn to her father’s work as a detective, constantly begging him to share with her every detailed description of the dangerous criminals and close calls he survived while chasing the bad guys.

 
Whatever Rosemaria did she did it well; be it hitting baseballs, shooting baskets, writing school papers, she put her all into every endeavor. When tragedy invaded her world at the tender age of ten, she survived because of her innate ability to compartmentalize her feelings and move forward.

 
While still in college she was faced with a terrifying situation where she had to use all of her mental and physical capabilities in an effort to save her father’s life. Ignoring what would have been safe and expected of her and asking no one’s advice, she risked everything to find him and bring him home alive.

 

 

My Review 

 

Quick, Fast-Paced Mystery. The author offers a very fast-paced story in this short prequel to the series, but also creates a complete, engaging story that holds the reader's interest from beginning to end. With interesting dialogue and a well-crafted mystery with some twists and turns, readers will get to know Rosemaria Baker--and understand the series' main character's backstory going forward through the novels. While the story wraps up somewhat quickly, it offers the reader insight into Rosemaria's motivations and her family's story. 

 

Read this Prequel First in the Series if You Can. As usual, I didn't realize that this was a 'prequel' and read "Deception" first. I would have liked to have gotten to know Rosemaria through this story first--but it was still okay to read out of order!  

 

Would I recommend A Fate Worse than Death by Britt Lind? I love Rosemaria's character and the way that Britt Lind develops her mystery storylines. This prequel is very character-driven, with realistic dialogue and character interactions that bring readers into Rosemaria's past and the motivations and history that created her. If you enjoy light mysteries with strong characters, this series is proving to be a great read. Begin with this prequel--and then read the series--but, if you missed the prequel, go ahead and read it to get a stronger appreciation for Rosemaria Baker. 

 

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Book Title:  DECEPTION (A Hollywood Mystery) by Britt Lind 
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 yrs +),  281 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Bublish
Release date:   May, 2020
Content Rating: PG: There is some bad language and sex scenes that are fit for teens

 

 About the Book

"Britt Lind has written an intriguing mystery filled with twists and turns that takes place in a world she knows well from every perspective." - Carlyne Grager - Talent Representative and Owner of Dramatic Artists Agency Los Angeles and Seattle.
​
The battle between good and evil is ill-defined in the land of Hollywood. Rarely do kind, compassionate souls win the spoils of war which makes their rare victories all the sweeter.

​Josh Sibley, singer/songwriter, is handsome, talented, smart and headed for oblivion. Alcohol provides relief when his demons threaten to overwhelm his every effort to break free of his past. When his friend Jennie Seger arranges for him to write songs for a multi-million-dollar feature, all his doubts and fears fall away, and he embraces the opportunity like a starving man who has found a bounteous feast during a famine.

Lightning strikes his lonely heart in the form of singer/actress Lila Levy who is married to the producer of the movie and flaunts her sexuality at Josh knowing her breathtaking beauty more than makes up for her lack of talent. Knowing his love for Lila is doomed from the start, he overlooks her shortcomings and keeps his feelings under wraps as he teaches her to sing his songs.

But this is Hollywood, and nothing is as it seems. Lila has secrets that Josh cannot begin to fathom and doesn't want to know. When her husband Stan is murdered, Lila disappears and Josh is confronted by the woman determined to track her down - Sergeant Rosemaria Baker of the Beverly Hills Police Department. Rosemaria is the opposite of Lila; she hates show business and considers Josh a delusional loser. When the cops track down Lila and bring her in, Lila declares herself innocent and the fight for the soul of Josh Sibley begins.

 

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Book Title:  MALOVENCE (A Hollywood Mystery) by Britt Lind 
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 yrs +),  359 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Bublish
Release date:   May, 2022
Content Rating: PG: There is some bad language and very little sex​

  

About the Book

Rosemaria must solve the murder of a young girl in Malevolence-A Hollywood Mystery. Politics play a part, but who and why will keep readers up at night! Highly recommended!                                                                        --  Chanticleer Reviews


​Rosemaria Baker, a cop whose blood runs true blue, has become a prosecutor who now gets to put the perpetrators in jail instead of just arresting them. She is blissfully happy living with the love of her life, Josh Sibley, who is about to make a major breakthrough in his career as a singer-songwriter. But real life interrupts their perfect world when two girls who Rosemaria rescued from the streets of Hollywood become the targets of ruthless assassins after a third girl is murdered. 

 

Rosemaria must arrange protection for the girls, continue working her caseload at the courthouse, investigate the murder, and deal with a coworker who seeks to destroy her career. Through it all, the love and support Rosemaria and Josh have for each other is unfailing. When it finally seems that some semblance of order is falling into place, Rosemaria faces an unexpected, terrifying threat, and she must depend on those who love her to rescue her from certain death.​

 

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Today, I have a thriller in our book blitz spotlight! Learn about The Lonely Prisoner and author Michael J. Kundu! 

The Michael Fletcher Series, Book 1

An Award-Winning Psychological Thriller

Date Published: February 26, 2024

Publisher: MindStir Media

 

 

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affiliate partner. 

About the Book

At just 25 years old, Michael Fletcher is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to 26 years in prison. Despite his desperate pleas of innocence, the system turns a blind eye, leaving him trapped behind bars. But Michael refuses to surrender to fate. Within the sterile confines of his cell, he educates himself, mentors others, and clings to the hope that justice will one day prevail.

Upon his long-awaited release, Michael embarks on a daunting mission to uncover the truth behind his wrongful conviction. Yet, freedom is not what he expected. The world has changed, and shocking revelations force him into a battle against corruption, deception, and the scars of his past. Can he reclaim the life that was stolen from him?

Award Winner in the Psychological Genre of the International Firebird Book Awards

Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Michael Connelly.

Keep reading The Michael Fletcher Series with Accused Again – Freedom Was Just the Beginning

 

About the Author

 

 Michael J. Kundu was born in London, Great Britain, in 1969 to an Indian father and a German mother. He has lived in various places in Europe. His love for reading has prompted him to write this book giving this crime novel more than an edge of mystery and suspense, but also a contemporary perspective on life.

 

He has a great passion for learning languages and travelling across the globe. He enjoys spending time with his family and lives in Luxembourg with his Italian wife and two teenage children.

 

My multinational background, coupled with my marriage to someone of a different nationality, has endowed me with a wealth of diverse experiences. Having traversed the globe, speaking multiple languages and immersing myself in various cultures, the profound value of each individual has become a cornerstone of my worldview. These multicultural encounters have not only fostered a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of every person but have also instilled in me a commitment to promoting mutual respect, free from the shackles of prejudice related to color or religion. In composing my book, these experiences have permeated not only this narrative …but also the forthcoming sequel. 

 

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