Pages & Paws

Writing, Reading, and Rural Life With a Border Collie

Category Archives: Read


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‘Song of Silence’: Startling, Stunning Must-Read

A Song of Silence: A Gripping Holocaust Novel Inspired by a Heartbreaking True Story

By Steve Lee (Blue Zoo, May 2024)

Genre: Historical Fiction/WWII fiction

Pages: 384

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“My friend, we live in a world where if good people do nothing, the things bad people do will only get worse and worse.”

That’s a central theme in Steve N. Lee’s latest historical fiction release, A Song of Silence: A Gripping Holocaust Novel inspired by a Heartbreaking True Story. It’s 100% riveting!

Here’s why:

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‘Groundworld Heroes’ Digs Into Unexpected Adventure

The Groundworld Heroes

By Adrian So (Monarch Press, 2024)

Genre: Fiction/Middle School/Animals

Pages: 149

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I know. I’m AWESOME!

So there we were. Her Royal Momness and I. Hanging out. Chasing frisbees. Munching on extra crispy bacon. When that stupid ping thingy pings. Telling She Who Must Be Obeyed she has email. Seems a fourteen y.o. in Canada or some other foreign country has a debut novel coming out about animal heroes.

Well. Who can resist that? So here’s the scoop:

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Sink Your Teeth into New Box Book

Three – Inch Teeth

By C.J. Box

(Putnam, 2024)

Genre: Fiction/Crime Thriller

Pages: 369 (Print)

Via: Library

If you’re ever in a tight spot in the wilds of Wyoming, Joe Pickett’s your guy. Especially when facing down not one but two rogue killers – human and animal – in this riveting new crime thriller by Western author C.J. Box.

All is not well in Twelve Sleep County, Wyoming. A rogue grizzly bear has gone on a rampage, killing, among others, the potential fiancé of Game Warden Joe Pickett’s daughter. Meanwhile, ruthless con Dallas Cates is released from prison. Joe put him there years ago. Cates makes skunks look good. He has a special list tattooed on his skin. Has Cates really figured out how to kill the people he blames for ruining his life and make it look like a grizzly attack?

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Suspense Thriller a Rousing Ride

By S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Fiction: Thriller/Suspense

Via: Kindle

Pages: 345 (Kindle)

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Buckle up and hold on tight for a white-knuckled ride through murder, mystery, money-laundering, and mayhem with S.F. Baumgartner’s latest suspense thriller, Tangled Secrets.

Is a strange car following school teacher Grace Benson home from work? Why? Sheila Mitchell is middle-aged wedding planner. Her ex-husband is FBI agent Ron Peters. Their son Kyle is also an FBI agent. Sheila enlists their help when she suspects her current hubby, Doug, of espionage. Is Doug living a double life? Why?

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Fiction & Non Two-Fer!

She Who Must Be Obeyed (sort of) says we’re doin’ a ‘two-fer’ today! I’m thinkin’ bacon and more bacon! Or peanut butter! But nooooo! Her Momness says we’re doin’ two books by two different female authors. One fiction. One non. Both have strong female characters or POVs.

They are She Left Me the Gun: My Mother’s Life Before Me by Emma Brockes (non-fiction). The other is On Mystic Lake. By Kristin Hannah.

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THIS MS Fiction Will Knock Your Socks (and Phone) Off

Alone in the Woods

By Rebecca Behrens (Sheridan Books, 2020)

Genre: Middle School Fiction/Children’s Friendship/ Children’s Action & Adventure 

Pages: 301 (Hardback)

Via: Library

Cold. Defenseless. Hungry. Bleeding. Sick. Lost.

It’s not a good day for two middle school girls lost in the vast untamed wildness of Wisconsin’s Northwoods during the shank end of summer. The two ex-best friends must find a way to put their differences aside and work together in order to survive. Can they? Will they?

Uh-Oh

Jocelyn (Joss) and Alejandra (Alex) have been BFFs since kindergarten. But after two weeks at summer Spanish camp with uber cool Laura Longbottom hanging on her every wood, Alex isn’t interested in brainy and “nerdy” Joss. But their families have been taking joint vacations to “Allard’s Roost” family cabin on Wisconsin’s Buttercup Lake for years. So Joss hopes that their upcoming trip will provide an opportunity to restore and rekindle the friendship.

Will it?

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Perspicacity Prevails in ‘The Perilous Voyage’

The Perilous Voyage

A Professor Goodsteam Adventure

By Michael Wegner (Indie author, 2023)

Genre: Fiction – Historical Fiction/Action & Adventure/Steampunk Fiction

Pageg: 331 + Epilogue (Paperback)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“But it’s only a two-day trip. What could possibly happen?”

The answer is plenty in this lithe and lively combination of travel, technology, geography, adventure, romance and levity by Michael Wegner.

Mom: With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be…

Kimber: Earth to Mom. Come in, Mom. Methinks you’re in the wrong season.

Mom: Well, let’s not get picky here, okay?

Kimber: Speaking of “picky” – sort of – The Perilous Voyage thingy reminded me of that story where Caractacus Potts rebuilds that old race car for his littleuns after buying it for thirty shillings to prevent the car from becoming scrap metal.

Mom: You mean the book by Ian Fleming?

Kimber: Naw. I was thinkin’ more the movie with that Dick van Dyke dude.

Mom: Funny you should mention that. I was thinking Jules Vernes’ Around the World in Eighty Days.

Kimber: With Phileas Fogg and Passepartout?

Mom: Exactamundo!

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Why a Good Book is Like Filet Mignon

“Eureka!” says Mom the other day, coming home from the library. With both arms full of books. And then some.

I have no idea why Mom says this. But she says it a lot. Especially when she’s lugging home another truck load of “books” from The Book Place.

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The BEST Book We’ve Read All Year?

Help Is Here

Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit

By Max Lucado

Genre: Christian Non-Fiction

Pages: 216, including Notes

Via: Library

Stressed out? Worn out? Bummed out? Feeling fearful or frustrated? Uncertain or overcome? Helpless?

What if there’s help?

What’s if there’s someone to walk with you? Guide you. Shoulder the load. So you don’t have to go it alone. What if this help was sent from above? Not someone who, like us, is prone to getting worn out, stressed out or bummed out. But a “heavenly helper” who’s ever strong and powerful. Never tires. Is always near. Unhindered by what hinders us.

Interested?

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Tales From a Rogue Ranger Scores ‘Bow-Wow Boogie’

Tales From a Rogue Ranger

Rosanne S. McHenry (Indie author, 2024)

Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir/Outdoors

Via: Blog Tour/Author Request

Pages: 236

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We didn’t think our favorite ranger, Ranger Rose the PAWsome, could top her last book, Trip Tales: From Family Camping to Life as a Ranger. Which we like, totally love-ified. (See our brilliant review: Outdoor Memoir Delights in Trip Tales.) 

Just shows you what we know.

She’s Baaaack!

Cuz Ranger Rose is back! With as much insight, info. and entertainment as ever! In fact, her latest book, Tales From a Rogue Ranger, Totally Rocks. In fact again, Her Momness almost dropped it in the sink. Reading while teeth-brushing. Cuz Mom couldn’t put it down!

Silly Mom. (Like that’s new. Insert Kimber eye roll here.)

Anyway, here’s the scoop on Ranger Roses’s latest magnum opus:

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