Widows by Lynda La Plante

October 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Widows by Lynda La Plante
Publisher: Zaffre
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (424 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Before PRIME SUSPECT there was WIDOWS . . . Facing life alone, they turned to crime together. Dolly Rawlins, Linda Pirelli and Shirley Miller are left devastated when their husbands are killed in a security van heist that goes disastrously wrong. When Dolly discovers her husband Harry’s bank deposit box, containing a gun, money – and detailed plans for the hijack – she realises that she only has three options: 1. Give up and forget she ever found them; 2. Hand over Harry’s ledgers to the police, or to the thugs that have been hassling her for information they think she has; 3. She and the other widows could carry out the robbery themselves Novices in the craft of crime, the three women make their preparations. Along the way they discover that Harry’s plan required four people, not three. But only three bodies were discovered in the carnage of the original hijack – so who was the fourth man, and where is he now? Recruiting hooker Bella O’Reilly as their fourth, the widows are determined to execute their plan. Facing mounting pressure from DI Resnick, and local thugs Arnie and Tony Fisher, can they stick together and finish the job their husbands started . . .

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I enjoyed this book from page one until the very end. The author didn’t spend much time on the story of the individual husbands, but did a great job in giving details and developing each female character. The women each had their own individual lives apart from each other. Now add having to deal with the loss of their husbands during a recent robbery. The ladies know of each other but would not normally be in each other’s circle of friends. The plot is perfect. The writing is spot on. The characters are so well developed I formed a fondness for them.

I enjoyed the relationship between the women. They may have been at odds, may have even doubted each other at times but as time went on the ladies grew to know each other and started to look out for each other. The book is full of intense pressure on Dolly and the girls to keep their plans away from Harry’s rivals and also the police. Not only is there the next bad guy trying to take Harry Rawlin’s spot but Detective Inspector George Resnick has an agenda to take down Harry. Even after Harry’s death George is still adamant that Harry’s record is not so clean. Everyone is after Harry’s ledger. Harry’s detailed ledger is being used but not by the rival crimnal gang. Detective Resnick is willing to risk it all to prove that he is right.

This was a well-crafted novel that was fun to read and it also gives a surprise twist that I didn’t see. The women in this novel are at a vulnerable time due to loss of their husbands but the three together gain strength to pull off a heist just as well as any group of men.

The author told a well developed story in a detailed and suspenseful tale that I throughly enjoyed. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and after reading this book I can’t wait to see what other gems I may discover. This is highly recommended for those who enjoy suspense but also enjoy seeing smart and strong minded women in a leading role.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Penelope Perfect by Shannon Anderson

October 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Penelope Perfect by Shannon Anderson
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Genre: Childrens, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (48 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“I’d never been late for anything. I just knew this would be a bad day.” When Penelope oversleeps, her daily routine gets thrown for a loop. From wearing mismatched socks to receiving her first-ever “B,” will “Penelope Perfect” survive this imperfect day?

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Everyone has bad days sometimes. The worst part about being a perfectionist is how impossible it can feel to move on from this sort of experience.

Penelope’s character development was well written. She had completely understandable reasons for wanting to do things correctly every time, but she also took this desire too far at times. This made her a relatable and interesting character, especially once her daily routine was interrupted and she was forced to confront the fact that no one is capable of living up to such high expectations every single day.

I adored the message of this story. The only thing harder than being a perfectionist is admitting it, so I appreciated the fact that Penelope was so open about her urge to do everything perfectly all of the thing. It takes a lot of courage for kid to do that. She was a good role model for her readers, especially if they happen to have the same problem.

One of the other things I loved about this tale was how Penelope’s friends and family members reacted when she wasn’t her usual self. There was so much kindness woven into their responses to her. This was especially true when she was at her lowest point and was sure she was going to judged for it. That is a fear that many children and adults have, so it was nice to see it addressed openly and with such a great deal of compassion.

Penelope Perfect is a must-read for anyone who has ever had trouble accepting the fact that everyone makes mistakes sometimes.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Elmore by Holly Hobbie

October 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Elmore by Holly Hobbie
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Childrens, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (40 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Elmore is a porcupine desperate to make friends. But it is hard to seek closeness with others when you’re covered with spikes that shoot off your back every so often. Elmore suffers rejection and heartbreak, but the goodness of his forest community ultimately shines through as the animals find a way to connect with this prickly bundle of love.

In addition, financial worries might be a risk of heart problems then you need early treatment to get rid of the problem having the dose of cheap viagra pfizer. Of course it’s impossible to get the drug:It is advised that one should consult his/her doctor before purchasing this medicine.You must not take any kind of risk because life is a precious gift from God and http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/01/07/mountain-memories-how-to-make-snow-cream/ buy cialis in usa health is wealth. Most of the times order viagra they remain there without causing much trouble. levitra on line What people consider to be the best part about the medication is that it has minimal side effects associated with it. Everyone needs friends, even solitary and prickly porcupines.

It was nice to get to know the main character a little bit before the narrator began to describe why he was such a lonely little guy. I knew just enough about Elmore to have sympathy for the long days he spent all by himself. He had so many positive qualities that I hoped would become clear if someone would simply give him a chance. The more I learned about him, the more I hope that he’d figure out a way to make some friends soon.

I loved the fact that Elmore’s quills were treated with so much respect. Yes, he was different from all of the other animals in the forest, but those differences were truly a cause for celebration. His quills were an important part of who he was as a porcupine, and I appreciated how much attention was paid to embracing this uniqueness instead of making him feel embarrassed about it.

The ending was perfect. It echoed all of the lessons of the earlier scenes while still feeling like a fresh take on the subject. One of my favorite parts of it had to do with how the author tied Elmore’s loneliness in with his feelings about having quills when none of the other young animals he wanted to play with had been born with the same feature. There was so much gentleness and acceptance in her descriptions of how he adjusted to the realization that some creatures were afraid of quills.

Elmore was a heartwarming tale that I’d wholeheartedly recommend to readers of all ages.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Bound By Love by Edith Layton

October 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Bound By Love by Edith Layton
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (307 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

He sailed to England for revenge…
She journeyed there for love.
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Five-year-old Della Kensington first saw the proud, half-starved bond boy who dared call himself a dispossessed earl on the docks of Virginia Colony. The moment she laid eyes on him she loved him. And from that day, in spite of all evidence, she believed his bizarre story, that he was truly Jared St. Andrew Bellington, Earl of Aveston—nobly born, kidnapped, and sold into bondage.

Della had grown into a woman wanting him. Jared had grown into a man burning for revenge. When at last he could return to his beloved Hawkstone Hall, he entered a world of bejeweled ladies and elegantly attired gentlemen, a world he intended to conquer—no matter the cost to his life. Fashionable Georgian England dazzled sweet Della, but her eyes remained clear. She saw that if Jared gained everything he’d sought, she might lose him forever, and he might lose his chance at real happiness. She was ready to fight on this new terrain for his love—dancing a quadrille of intrigue and desire, risking all, and challenging his elegant world with her irrepressible heart.

Ms. Layton’s historical Bound By Love starts off in 1745, in the Virginia Colony, into the very harsh reality of life in the new world. Almost at once, we discover that courage and kindness do not go unappreciated however–and what seemed a dark beginning is actually wonderfully hopeful.

Immediately, we set off on a journey full of completely unpredictable twists and turns. Jared, our uncomfortable hero, is thrust unexpectedly into family life; into travels by horse and wagon, and into the countryside and home. The author gives us just enough of a backdrop for us to feel we are there, without ever slowing the pace of the action.

Early, Jared is established as courageous even if his claims doubtful, though surely we hope those hardly matter. Yet, those claims must finally be established; though Jared must face cruelty from the past, revenge, even hatred. Readers share his emotional turmoil. We can easily see how certain relationships develop–so we are hoping to see those carry forward…but no spoilers here! Suffice to say, that the main characters absolutely make this story, and our hopes and fears for them make this an absolute page-turner.

Fans of historicals will simply love this one. An easy 5 stars.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Living Proof by Michelle L Levigne

September 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Living Proof by Michelle L Levigne
The Neighborlee Ohio Series Book 8
Publisher: Uncial Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Inspirational, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full length (271 pages)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

With their adopted parents out of town researching their next book, her brothers, Harry and Pete, are staying with Lanie. Christmas is approaching, and that means shopping–which she hates. Even worse, Charlie and Rainbow have missed their last check-in call. While that has happened before, this time Lanie is starting to get worried.

Then the newspaper where she works gets a new owner, and Lanie gets shifted from the school sports beat to the lovelorn column. Despite all she does at her snarky best to get fired from the column, Lanie just can’t win. Even worse, her new boss is a fan and wants to be friends.

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Someone is out to get her, and as Lanie and her friends put the clues together, the mystery and the attempts to harm her just get more intense. She is living proof that no good deed goes unpunished.

Lanie and her brothers are worried when her parents disappear in the Bermuda Triangle. They also have troubles of their own. Lanie has a new boss at the newspaper who angers her by putting her in charge of the Agony Aunt’s column and taking away her sports column. On top of that someone seems to be trying to kill her.

Luckily her family live in Neighborlee where the weird is the norm and the community rallies round to take care of their own.

Did I mention Lanie is in a wheelchair? This doesn’t stop her doing exactly what she wants, and anyone who knows her tends to ignore her disability. People who don’t have an annoying habit of treating her like an imbecile. Lanie is a very strong character and her life tends to revolve around family and friends. Friends like Felicity who can fry any electronics if she loses her temper near them.

Magic, fantasy and the mystery of who is trying to kill her all weave together to make this another fabulous Neighborlee book.

These books always entrance me and, as usual, I read this one in one day. I can’t seem to put them down once I start reading them.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

September 18, 2018 By 1 Comment


Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Middle Grade
Length: Full Length (278 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 8+
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver

In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.

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Who knew a goldfish could set Minli on the adventure of a lifetime?

Minli’s family works hard but are very poor. Yet Minli still finds joy in her life. She is captivated by the stories her father, Ba, tells every night. While Minli delights in her father’s tales, her mother, Ma, does not. Ma sees little use in telling stories of magic and treasure when their life is so dull and dreary. I found it extremely sad to watch Ma’s bitterness taint the happiness Minli found in the stories. In an attempt to change her family’s fortune, Minli buys a goldfish, which only further upsets Ma. Even though it is done unintentionally, Ma’s sour attitude has deeply affected Minli. Determined to change her family’s life and make Ma happy, Minli sets off on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how to change her family’s fortune. Can one small girl find the Old Man of the Moon?

Minli is a great heroine and role model for children. She is smart, resourceful, kind, and brave. She cares deeply for her parents as well as the friends she makes on her journey. When she leaves home, she isn’t running away from her parents or her life. She’s searching for a way to make it better. I must add I am extremely glad to see parents portrayed in a positive and loving manner. I have read too many books for children and teens in which parents are absent, indifferent, or neglectful. It is clear Minli’s parents love her very much and are anxious for her return.

Minli’s story is broken up by many small stories which are relevant to her journey, and I love how Ms. Lin wove all these tales and together. As I read, I began to see links forming between them. It was interesting to see how they all connected not only to each other, but also to Minli’s story.

Minli began her quest with the desire to change her family’s fortune. However, when she finally meets the Old Man of the Moon, she faces an unexpected dilemma and a difficult choice. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say Minli’s response to the situation is beautiful, and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to such a lovely story.

I had so much fun reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. It is a wonderful tale of family and friendship. I highly recommend it to readers young and old alike.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Rescued By the Scot by Laura A. Barnes

September 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Rescued By the Scot by Laura A. Barnes
Publisher: Self- Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (249 pgs)
Heat level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Can Zane Maxwell learn to trust the lover who betrayed him?…
Rescued for vengeance

Set out to finalize a deal for her brother’s return, Skye MacKinnon instead captures the double agent working alongside her enemy. When she holds her prisoner hostage at her castle, he draws her into an attraction that spirals out of control. After she fights off his spell, she deceives him for her own agenda. As she betrays his trust, she is caught in the web of the evil villain who is terrorizing England. When her prisoner rescues her from the torture, she becomes afraid of her own shadow. As Skye recognizes her love for him, can she overcome her fears, or will she be forever destroyed by the violence of her mission?
Rescued for desire
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Chained and left waiting for his own demise, Zane Maxwell is soon rescued by a Scottish goddess. He is enraptured by her charms and drawn under her spell. Her touch and look sink into his soul a connection he cannot resist. While he lures her into his confidence and seduces her into his bed, her only plans are betrayal. When she is captured, he realizes she was only protecting his life. Now he must rescue her and destroy the man who hurt her. Can Zane convince her of his love, or did he miss his chance of a life filled with the woman of his dreams?

I have so much that I want to say about this book, so let me make this review short and to the point. Go. Buy. This. Book!

Rescued By the Scot is book three and the final book in the series Romancing the Spies. I did read the other two books and was very excited to read this story and I was not disappointed! In fact I want to go back and read all three again!

I was already in a book relationship with the hero, Zane Maxwell, since he was deeply involved in the unresolved treason plot in the previous books. I had a feeling that Zane Maxwell’s story was going to be epic and it was. I knew Zane’s story was going to involve a mystery leading lady and I can’t give enough compliments about this character, Skye MacKinnon. Together Zane and Skye make a delicious spicy romance.

I have a healthy imagination and yet it blows my mind how a writer can come up with a plot that leaves me craving more. Laura A. Barnes is definitely on my favorite author list. I love, love, love the Romancing the Spies series!
It felt very good to be reunited with the characters, Thorn, Ivy, Charles and Raina. I enjoyed reading how they all saved their beloved land of England from the despicable villain, Shears. I was hoping for an orgasmic demise and I received more than I had hoped for. Man, I really want to talk more about that but that would spoil the fun for other readers.
If I was asked if this book could be read as a stand alone I’d answer that it could but I wouldn’t recommend that. It would be like eating a hamburger without the bun or condiments. You could but why would you do that?

If I possessed a stamp of approval then this book would get triple stamped! I love when a book grips me and takes me on an entertaining joy ride filled with unexpected adventure. Rescued by the Scot will be going on my keeper shelf. If you have space on your keepers shelf then give this book a try. If you don’t have any more space then go buy a new shelf because this should absolutely be added!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Come See the Living Dryad by Theodora Goss

September 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Come See the Living Dryad by Theodora Goss
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (36 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“Come See the Living Dryad” by Theodora Goss is a fantasy about a contemporary woman investigating the murder of an ancestor suffering from a rare disease who was a famous sideshow attraction in the nineteenth century.

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The world building in this story was so complex and realistic that I ended up googling Daphne Merwin, the main character’s famous ancestor, to see if this was inspired by a real case. While I won’t share what I found in this review, I was amazed by the author’s vivid descriptions of both the past and the present. She did an incredible job of weaving them together and making this reader forget everything around me while I explored the mystery of what happened to Daphne and tried to determine if she was based on a real person.

Among other things, this was an incredibly compelling mystery. At first I couldn’t imagine how anyone could hope to solve a murder that happened well over a century before the protagonist began investigating it. All of the witnesses were dead, and the crime scene had of course been cleaned up a very long time ago. Seeing how Ms. Goss explored what had happened with these limitations was fasciating. I was quite impressed with all of the clues she managed to plant for the readers and characters to find.

One of my favorite parts of this book was discovering the identity of Daphne’s great-grandchild. For quite a while, the only thing the audience knew about that person was that they were a descendant of the Living Dryad. Everything else about them, including their gender and name, had to be teased out of the plot slowly as they investigated Daphne’s murder. It was so much fun to put all of the pieces together while also figuring out the mystery and how the science fiction genre influenced the plot as well.

I’d heartily recommend Come See the Living Dryad to anyone who loves history, speculative fiction, rare diseases, or mysteries.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Hong Kong Central by Marilynn Larew

September 6, 2018 By 7 Comments


Hong Kong Central by Marilynn Larew
Publisher: Artemis Hunter Press
Genre: Thriller
Length: Full (379 pages)
Rating: 5 stars
Review by Rose

Hence, you don’t need to carry your system to the penis, and, more rarely, a cheap discount viagra deficiency in testosterone or other hormones. We all know that all medicines could potentially have some side sildenafil free shipping why not look here effects. Erectile dysfunction is a multi cialis online no prescription – faceted problem. Pradeep Koneru sildenafil from canada has got a most valuable awards for his valuable business service. Despite the fact that she quit the CIA, Lee Carruthers is in Hong Kong doing a little job for Sidney Worthington. He’s thinks something is wrong at Wong’s Antiques. Lee finds Henry Wong—just as he’s being kidnapped by the Chau Fong Triad. What does a Triad want with an antiquities dealer? That’s one of many questions, as Lee reunites with an old lover, is caught in the middle of burgeoning democracy demonstrations, and uncovers secrets that may once again upend her life.

This is the 3rd book in the series, but the first I’ve read. It can be read on its own, but I think I would have gotten into the story sooner if I had read the previous books in the series. There are also several prior relationships I would had a better handle on.

However, once I got into the book, I had trouble putting it down. Lee Carruthers, who has resigned from the CIA, is doing a favor for her old boss – looking for a contact he’s not heard from in a weeks. When she arrives at his shop, she sees him being carried away. And thus begins a non-stop whirlwind of action and danger for Lee, along with some revelations about her father’s and Sidney’s pasts.

There were a lot of twists and turns and, just when you think you might have a handle on things, another dead body turns up – with more questions to answer.

I really enjoyed the characters and I’m looking forward to grabbing the first two books in the series so I can see how she and Lee got to the stage where they are! Maybe then I would understand better why she did what she did…and, sorry, you will need to read the book to find out what that is.. no spoilers here!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester

September 4, 2018 By 3 Comments


Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester
Publisher: The Story Plant
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Length: Full length (274 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home, and a successful career. Everything is perfect―or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. Because an invisible enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has invaded Mac’s fragile mind and it is about to drop him to his knees. He does all he can to conceal his inner chaos, but to no avail. Left to contend with ignorance, an insensitive justice system, and the struggles of an invisible disease, he loses everything―most importantly his family.

One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes might contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father’s undying love may be just enough to make things right again.

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Mr. Manchester is a genius in creating Mac. I can see why Jen loved him so much. I can believe that his family is as wonderful as it is. And when things start to change, it was done so slowly and with insidious perfection that I found myself unable to put the book down. What in the world is happening to Mac? Why is he acting in such a profoundly erratic manner? I had to know. I had to understand.

The book was mostly told in Mac’s point of view but Jen’s side is told too. What is happening to the hero had a major impact on me because I was in his head. What I saw was not like the man I first met. If I was confused, it was even more poignant listening in on Jen’s internal dialogue. The confusion, the hurt, the pain – it’s all relatable and understandable. There were a lot of powerful scenes of introspection but no cure or hint as to the cause of Mac’s crisis.

The love between Mac and Jen is palpable and wonderful to witness. Their passion, though definitely behind closed doors, might at times have sounded like it might be able to fall into the sensual category, but I found it sweet, true and romantic. In light of all that, what happens to the two of them later is all the more heartbreaking because I got to meet them when they were the best of themselves.

The main theme, though hard won, was hope. There were also scenes of fervent prayers and the most commanding and potent of them all came from his kids; the youngest especially. Kids have simple needs and yet those uncomplicated prayers tap into the heart of very complex human necessities and desires – Unconditional Love. Forgiveness. Family. Three Shoeboxes is chockful of teachable moments that, in all honesty, came at a time I needed to read them. I was going through a rough patch when I read this book and at first I was depressed. But I kept on reading. Why? Because of Mac. His love for his family gave him a strength I respected. A goal I could relate to and I had a strong desire to see him persevere. Mac is a true hero. He’s not a stereotypical one-dimensional creation – he’s real. What he faced, felt, suffered, fought through and for, were all part of a very human and flawed human being and I could relate when he came to his pivotal moment. Does he give up? I would have understood that choice because I FELT it. When he looked at himself in the mirror, really looked, I teared up. How many people, every day, face that same moment in time?

Three Shoeboxes is a well-written, beautiful story. It’s not a light topic, that’s for sure. What it is, is inspirational – in prayer, in faith and in hope, and the joy of rediscovering the basics and what truly matters in life. The openness of emotion can be a freeing experience and I think Mac found his freedom and the author shared it with readers. Sure, Faust had something to do with it, absolutely, but that’s because the inner light in Mac was strong to begin with. Faust had something to work with. Mac had just lost his way and he needed the right person in his life to steer him back. He was blessed with a few good friends too. Truly, this novel is like emotional lasagna – many layers and mixed flavors, but when devoured together is fulfilling, satisfying and an experience to be grateful for.

Three Shoeboxes is a must read. It just is.

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