Review: It Takes a Witch

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Darcy and her sister Harper are Wishcrafters; witches that can grant wishes assuming the wisher has a pure heart, wish is genuine, and does no harm. After getting a call from their aunt Ve, they've moved to MA and are learning about their abilities from their aunt. Ve owns her own business, As You Wish.
I liked the various magical abilities of various Crafters. They are able to live in plain sight and the "normal" human has no idea. Interesting town and townspeople. This is told in first person, from Darcy's POV and she is a likable character. Decent mystery, a lot of self discovery.
Nice twist at the end.

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Review: Coming Home

Coming Home by Brittney Griner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm on a roll with spectacular back to back reads.
I remember when Brittany Griner was arrested in Russia. This is her story of her captivity there and the trauma associated with it. Things she continues to deal with today. There were lots of details in this. Other women (and men) who were held for ridiculous reasons. BG also fully acknowledges other Americans held captive wrongly and who were still (and many others still are) captive at the time of her release. She was an advocate before, she is an even bigger one now. I admire her.
I LOVED the epilogue.
https://www.bringourfamilieshome.org/

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Review: On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service

On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service by Anthony Fauci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, wow, wow. I admired Dr Anthony Fauci during his appearances during the Covid pandemic briefings. I liked how he articulated the facts as he knew them to be at the time and kept the public updated as things inevitably changed. As we all know, things changed quite often as we learned more.
AF has lead a full life with a focus on public service. I wish more people had his mindset. It was interesting learning more about the AIDS/HIV, Ebola, MERS, SARS research during his tenure at the NIH (National Institute of Health) as part of NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases).
Anthony Fauci is a perfect example of what a NON-PARTISAN public servant who has worked with numerous Presidential administrations. And what we stand to lose should Trump win in Nov and Project 2025 is implemented (even partially). VOTE.

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Review: The Rivals of Casper Road

The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bram moved to WY from WA after a devastating breakup. He loves the outdoors and like to work with his hands, making many interesting things. Zachary and his family moved to Garnet Run for a fresh start after his sister's disappearance. Zachary has always been a loner and different, forgotten by his parents. He also is an architect and works from home dressed in a suit and tie. Zachary loves horror and Halloween and has won his neighborhood home decorating contest 6 years in a row.
Bram moved next door and they start a friendship that also turns into a prank contest with each other and a neighbor. That friendship gradually grows to more. With Bram's support, Zachary is able to eventually do what he really wants to do. It was incredibly sad that Bram was only the 2nd person to tell him he loved him (after his sister). Other characters from the Garnet Run series make appearances, this does work as a standalone.

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Review: Time Thief

Time Thief by Anna Hackett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Huh.  Minimal world building and I didn't particularly connect with (or like) either of the lead characters.  I thought Sean was a bit stupid (ex-military who decides to work for a crime Lord?  really?).  The romance was fast and I didn't buy it.  

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Review: A Queer Trade

A Queer Trade by K.J. Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Introduces Crispin and Ned. Crispin is an apprentice magician whose teacher died unexpectedly. He had paper with spells on them and Crispin needs to track them down before bad things happen. Ned is the waste seller that took in the papers (paper is reused; an example being wrapping for produce/meat).
Short, but nice pacing, and I could see these 2 together. Looking forward to the next.

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Review: Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World

Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World by Jen Psaki
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jen Psaki served on both Obama's and Biden's administrations. She was Biden's Press Secretary from 2021-2022. Super interesting reading about the backstage workings of a presidential administration.

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