top of page
Search

Book Reviews 2025

  • P L Jonas
  • Mar 13
  • 5 min read

Updated: Mar 13

I haven't posted in quite sometime and that's because I've been writing and READING! Instead of creating an individual post for each of the book I've reviewed and rated, I'm listing them (to date) here. Check them out. You might find something irresistible. There are 10 book reviews! Be sure to scroll to the bottom.


January Reviews

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

YA Fantasy Romance

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me turning the page. I gave it four stars instead of five because I felt it could have been shorter and the narrative tighter. The quality overall is enough that i look forward to reading the second book.


The Lost Page: An Archaeological Thriller by Joe E. Morris

Historical Fiction

A Fascinating Read

I didn’t know what to expect when I decided to buy this book. Would it be about religion? How could it be a thriller? Among other questions I had. I found two stories: one told in 2011 present day, and the other years after the time of Jesus. Yes, there was the religious aspect, of course, about the Gospel of Mark and its unfinished ending. But, for me, I found the archaeological mystery my favorite part of the book. The writing is exceptional, particularly the historical storyline, which immerses the reader in that time and place.

Another review said it was not a Dan Brown adventure. I disagree. I could not help but picture the character Chris, portrayed by Tom Hanks, in my mind. I also like how Morris managed to squeeze in a bit of romance, too.


Elizabeth's Mountain by Lucille Guarino

Women's Fiction, Romance

A beautiful story!

I really love this book and didn't want it to end. So many emotions ran through me while reading as I connected with the characters. I don't usually read dual timeline stories, but this one completely drew me in. Elizabeth and Joe meet in 1953, and Amanda, Elizabeth's granddaughter, meets Jesse in present day. Both love stories are crafted beautifully by the author, Guarino, with flowing prose and descriptions that placed me in the story.

A truly uplifting and touching story.


Black Yéʼii: The Evil One by Joseph Lewis

Crime Thriller

A War Between Good and Evil

Lewis has assembled a diverse cast of characters in a complex storyline that fans of high-octane and brutal thrillers will love!

Lewis brings back characters and continues a story from an earlier book, which I hadn’t read, so it took me a bit to get into the story at the start. Beyond the savage crime of the M-13, it is a story of family, brotherhood, and deep friendship, which I found grounding. I appreciated that aspect.


Two Necklaces by Paulette Mahurin

Historical Fiction

A tale of star-crossed lovers who overcome unbelievable obstacles to be together. Christa, a teenaged Christian German, and Paul, a Jew, fall madly in love upon first they meet. The intensity of their attraction spurs Christa, who refuses to accept she may never see him again. This drives her to dangerous actions, not just for her, but for her whole family.

But what I found the most interesting about this book is the historical details about life for citizens of Germany during the Hitler Regime. Mahurin’s expert writing made me feel the stress and strain of their living in fear. It wasn’t only the so-called undesirables who suffered the threat of concentration camps or death if they didn’t do as they were told, the German population was also under the thumb of Hitler.

I couldn’t stop thinking about this story until I had finished it, but it will have a lingering effect on me for a long time.


Desire in Dairyland by Michelle Caffrey

Romance, Mystery

Thoroughly Enjoyable!

This book had me turning the pages while laughing out loud, enjoying the zany characters, and a mystery that kept me hooked until the twist ending. I particularly loved the slow-burn romance between the main characters Ruth and Tyler.

A well-written story in an unusual setting for me: an RV park and a retirement home. I was placed solidly in the rural Dairyland of Wisconsin during the summer months. The writing had me right there.

I highly recommend Desire in Dairyland if you are looking for a fast-paced, fun, and endearing story.


February

Journey to Everland Bay by Lynne Shaner

YA Fantasy

An interesting take on a magical world. Jemma, a fairy-fae-dragon mix, (how creative is this!) shines as the protagonist with determination to learn her craft and save the Everland Bay Institute from the rogue mages threatening the future of the institution.

If you love beautiful descriptions of magical creatures and the world they live in, you will love Journey to Everland Bay. I enjoyed the pocket fairies and the adorable luminescent dragon and would have loved more of her. Perhaps in the future books that are yet to come.


Mac: The Wind Beneath My Wings by Sherry Hobbs

Biography

A Dynamically Written Biography and True Life Adventure

I haven’t read books about wars unless they were required textbook reading for school. So, I didn’t know what to expect from this biography about a bombardier pilot and a WWII war hero. Surprisingly, author Sherry Hobbs took a potentially dry topic, for me, about WWII history, and turned it into an exciting adventure story. Hobbs’ brilliant writing brought her father Mac to life through energetic prose and vivid action details. There were scenes I felt I was in the cockpit with him flying through the skies. The book begins with Mac’s early life from youth to joining the Army Air Forces, flying B-23s and B-29s in the Pacific air battles, through his military retirement and becoming an Air Attache. Hobbs weaves her own story as his daughter, her family's world travels, and shows the wonderful father he was.

If you enjoy biographies about important war figures, and the history of the American Foreign wars, you will love Mac: The Wind Beneath My Wings.


Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Romantasy

Loved this exciting can't put it down book! Can hardly wait to see the TV series coming 2026!

Violet and Xaden are hot hot hot! I'm already reading Book 2 Iron Flame


Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers by S.M. Stevens

YA Fiction

Entertaining and Enjoyable!

It was a thoroughly enjoyable story. I love musical theater, and S.M. Stevens’s writing brought back fond memories of my theater experiences in high school and college. I’m also a fan of the Twilight film series, and the lyrics Stevens wrote to popular tunes as part of the stage show within the book were terrific. I was singing along with the tunes in my head. Great job!




Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating

© 2024 by P. L. Jonas Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page