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Gloria Smiled by Hazel Pacheco

November 24, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Gloria Smiled by Hazel Pacheco

Unlock your imagination, venture to a land of enchantment, and hobnob with the gregarious quails of the Southwest!

In this jaw-dropping episode, Gloria is determined to celebrate, but a mysterious sorpresa in the clearing threatens to ruin her plans. With optimism and determination, Gloria sets out to save the day, but will she be able to overcome the odds? Join Gloria as she travels through the woodland known as the bosque (boss-kee) to uncover the secret of the sorpresa.

If you enjoyed the perseverance in The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires and the birthday bustle in Bear Can’t Wait by Karma Wilson, then you will love Gloria Smiled. This read-aloud, read-to-your-child book is sure to capture the hearts of children ages 4+ and might even gain the notice of some adult kids as well.

Beautifully illustrated with Kim Sponaugle’s vibrant watercolors, Gloria Smiled increases vocabulary, while delivering a subtle faith-inspired message about selflessness and resilience.

Bonus glossary and activity page included!

This book three of the four-book Henry and Friends series.

Federico Exaggerated by Hazel Pacheco

November 17, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Federico Exaggerated by Hazel Pacheco

Unlock your imagination, venture to a land of enchantment, and hobnob with the gregarious quails of the Southwest!

In this incredible episode, the flamboyant Federico captures the attention of his spectators with an inflated story of his bravery. But without warning, an announcement of ripe hackberries leaves him without an audience. Alone, he accidentally stumbles onto something that might recapture his friends’ attention—something fantastic—unbelievable—something even he could not have imagined! Find out if Federico can convince his friends he is not exaggerating.

If you enjoyed the moral of The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot by Scott Magoon, or the Southwest flavor of The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell, then you will love Federico Exaggerated. This read-aloud, read-to-your-child book is sure to capture the attention of children ages 4+ and might even gain the notice of some adult kids as well.

Beautifully illustrated with Kim Sponaugle’s vibrant watercolors, Federico Exaggerated presents an educational, humorous tale that delivers a subtle faith inspired message about honoring the truth.

This is book two of the four-book Henry and Friends Series.

That’s How It Was by Hazel Pacheco

October 28, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

That’s How It Was by Hazel Pacheco

A slyly funny and heart-warming tribute to childhood before technology. . . .

Childhood adventures on the family farm come alive in That’s How It Was.

On the last day of a family trip to grandma’s house, Sarah discovers a bit of family treasure – her dad’s letter diaries from many years ago. Through his musings on animals, faith, and career choices, readers join ten-year-old Randy Ray on a journey of exploration and discovery as he contemplates whimsical and not-so-whimsical career choices.

Rise of Dresca by Tim McKay

August 7, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Rise of Dresca by Tim McKay

What evil intended to harm you…

… can become something far more terrible.

Enter a world of fantasy where evil parasitizes the meek and arrogant alike. Where limitless power and knowledge can be yours for a price, not of your soul, but of your mind, your will, and your resolve to be free.

In the land of Naevoroth, a new power is rising.

And it’s yours for the taking.

Within and Without Time by D. I. Hennessey

August 3, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Within and Without Time by D. I. Hennessey

***** Hundreds of 5-Star reviews! *****

“Experience the Origin of a Prophet … A boy is caught up in a miraculous adventure that transforms his life and changes the world! – A Powerful book!

When a sixteen-year-old boy is suddenly caught up in a series of miraculous encounters, it heralds the start of a profound journey. For Jimmy Moretti it is the beginning of an adventure that will forever transform his life, rock his town, and trigger events that will ultimately change the world!

Befriended by a powerful angelic warrior, Jimmy finds himself in the center of God’s plan for Earth’s final Great Revival. The beginning of God’s amazing harvest at the End of the Age. Like an intense roller coaster, the journey he experiences is exciting and unpredictable. Heartwarming, as well as heart-rending. God prepares him for a mission more extraordinary than anything he could have imagined, placing him in the rare company of ancient prophets and apostles alike.

WITHIN & WITHOUT TIME, melds powerful Biblical truths with an imaginative and engaging story that envelopes the reader in an intense range of human experiences. Be prepared to laugh and cry, to be inspired, and find your heart rejoicing as Jimmy experiences the most profound truths of God’s immense power and immeasurable love.”

Death by Chocolate by Sally Berneathy

July 1, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Death by Chocolate by Sally Berneathy

Over five thousand five-star reviews! Lindsay’s only secret is the recipe for her chocolate chip cookies, but she is surrounded by people with deadly secrets. Suddenly she finds herself battling poisoned chocolate, a psycho stalker, and a dead man who seems awfully active for a corpse. She will need more than a chocolate fix to survive…but that’s a good start. Come for the cookie chip cookies, stay for the murder, mayhem and fun!

Abroad: A Novel of Cross-Cultural Encounters by Greyson Bryan

June 25, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Abroad: A Novel of Cross-Cultural Encounters by Greyson Bryan

Come along for the ride with this “supremely readable” coming-of-age story about clashing cultures and complicated relationships. ABROAD follows Skip, Maddie, and Rex as they travel overseas and navigate romantic loves and friendships during the cultural upheaval and sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s.

Booklife praises ABROAD saying, “In this literary novel centered on travel and the lessons we can learn from crossing borders with an open heart, Bryan, author of the Big thriller series, weaves an ambitious, globe-crossing narrative of interconnected lives and loves.”

Travel to Mexico and Paris, take a steamship to Europe, crisscross Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia all in one story. Read ABROAD and bring adventure with you wherever you go.

Dared To Bare by Lori Laidlaw

June 23, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Dared To Bare by Lori Laidlaw

This steamy, romantic novel follows Polly and Derek as they explore the passion and pleasure of over-the-knee spanking. When Polly’s coworkers dared her to ask her husband to partake in this activity, she was hesitant but Derek greeted the idea with enthusiasm.

As the two of them navigate the joys of erotic spanking, Derek succumbs to darker desires. They must work together to overcome a difficult moment in their marriage and come up with six role-play scenarios that bring them closer together. Will they be able to get past this hurdle in their marriage? Find out in this steamy romance novel.

If you enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey, you will also enjoy this spicy novel. Get it now! priced under $3 to buy, KU subscribers read for free. Get it now!

“This one works – really really works – and the spanking really works as a turn on. Everything about it works.”

Within and Without Time by D. I. Hennessey

June 22, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

Within and Without Time by D. I. Hennessey

*Over 300 Five-Star Reviews!*
Experience the Origin of a Prophet … A boy is caught up in a miraculous adventure that transforms his life and changes the world! – A Powerful book!

The Oldest Word by Johnny Firic

June 17, 2023 By Book Review Matchmaker Leave a Comment

The Oldest Word by Johnny Firic

The story opens with the discovery of a mysterious box from the distant past. Its makers are five orphaned friends who hope to help civilizational knowledge survive disruptive climate change centuries in the future: the ending of the Ice Age. The bar is continuously raised as the box traverses more than a dozen settings to the present day. Readers are tacitly encouraged to partner with the author and fill in the blanks by considering their metaphorical boxes, lessons for the future from their past.

Exchanges between cultures and generations highlight human transience. Adoption is the preeminent motif, many characters being orphaned, or having adopted, or both. Nature’s agency is felt throughout the story, with animals, plants and landscapes presented as respected partners rather than resources to be exploited. Nothing can fully reconcile human contradictions, and true equilibrium must come from a transcendent perspective. Plural identity followed by association with all humans, past, present and future, is only a good start. Can we progress beyond all life forms? The book ends on the question: what can you do but hope?