C.J. Ives Lopez's Blog, page 12

High Achiever

High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life by Tiffany Jenkins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Reading this book, I felt more emotions than I had in a long time.

My sister was an addict for over twenty-five years. I never quite understood her journey, but we have talked about it. Reading Tiffany’sbook after following her on social media gives me significant respect for her and the journey to change her life.

My heart broke when she was left to make decisions that no one should ever make. The heartbreak she endured because of addiction and situations no one should go through was gut-wrenching. It’s a tragedy when you’re in the deepest part of addiction and feel you have no way out.

Many don’t realize the grip drugs have on your soul. The rawness of this story is amazingly beautiful. I am so thankful that Tiffany shared so much. There are addicts, family members, and those who have been hurt by an addict that needs to hear this.

The authenticity I felt from this will stay in my heart for years to come, and I would love to listen to a follow-up story of her life now because it is so beautiful.



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DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ reviews books independently based on what she enjoys reading. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for CJ’s review. CJ does not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. CJ’s reviews are solely at the discretion of her reading endeavors.

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Finding Emmaline

Finding Emmaline by J.R. Byers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have been so intrigued with this book that I couldn’t get anything done for the past week. From the beginning page to the last, my mouth has been open, and my eyes bulge with OMG, what is happening? The love, the passion, the timeless longing. What else could you want that JR Byers doesn’t give you in this book?

I love the characters and their strong personalities, but none are overpowering. They complement each other so well. I want to know so much about each of them that they could have their stand-alone books.

The storyline was one I didn’t see coming, but when I did, I found myself reading in a Scottish accent, and I am pure American.

I just fell in love and am anxiously awaiting the next book because I have to find out what is going on.



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Do you have a book review to share with The Authors Porch? Are you an avid reader who would love to share your reviews with an audience? Reach out to The Authors Porch at admin@theauthorsporch.com to see if we can collaborate on your review to be hosted on our blog. The world needs to hear more about great books, and maybe you are the person to introduce them to these books. Take a chance on yourself and your ability to influence the book world; who knows, and you may be the next great book influencer. Some of the things we are looking for are positive reviews and people who can articulate what they liked about the book. We do not accept spoilers or negative reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ reviews books independently based on what she enjoys reading. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for CJ’s review. CJ does not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. CJ’s reviews are solely at the discretion of her reading endeavors.

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Somebody Like Santa

Somebody Like Santa by Janet Dailey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


If you’re looking for a perfect Christmas book, this is the one.

Give me a wintery scene in Texas any day, and I’m in. I thoroughly loved this holiday book, and I dug my teeth deep into this beautiful story.

Janet Dailey knows how to keep her readers intrigued throughout the book and to make your heart swoon endlessly. These characters are relatable and fully developed; I wanted them to jump off the pages and become real.

I loved this book and can’t wait to see what other stories of Janet’s I can sink my teeth into. Grab Somebody Like Santa and hot cocoa, and turn on the Christmas lights. You will have a heartwarming time.



View all my reviews

Do you have a book review to share with The Authors Porch? Are you an avid reader who would love to share your reviews with an audience? Reach out to The Authors Porch at admin@theauthorsporch.com to see if we can collaborate on your review to be hosted on our blog. The world needs to hear more about great books, and maybe you are the person to introduce them to these books. Take a chance on yourself and your ability to influence the book world; who knows, and you may be the next great book influencer. Some of the things we are looking for are positive reviews and people who can articulate what they liked about the book. We do not accept spoilers or negative reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ reviews books independently based on what she enjoys reading. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for CJ’s review. CJ does not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. CJ’s reviews are solely at the discretion of her reading endeavors.

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Not That Kind of Ever After

Not That Kind of Ever After by Luci Adams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Not That Kind of Ever After is Brilliantly hilarious. from the first page to the last, I adored this book. The characters were perfectly intertwined, and the main character was my hero.

The rawness of the emotions and realness of situations captivated me down to the letter. I found myself reading passages to my husband, holding his arm, saying, “you have to listen to this. It’s hilarious.”

This book is for every woman who has ever gone through the dating scene, and I think that is 90% of us. The intimacy of the relationship with her best friend was endearing.

I could definitely see myself reading this again for the breakout, low, and comical moments.





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DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ reviews books independently based on what she enjoys reading. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for CJ’s review. CJ does not solicit reviews, nor does she accept review requests from any inbox. CJ’s reviews are solely at the discretion of her reading endeavors.

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The Rising Tide

The Rising Tide : Book 1 of The Begotten Trials Series by A.D. Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Reading this book took me back to my teenage years when I had such vivid dreams.

Noel’s journey was raw for me, yet so imaginative. I commend the author for creating a world that made me think of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and other fantastic tales I’ve read from my teenage years to adulthood.

I loved the characters, could visualize them and feel the emotions when they were feeling them. A lot was going on, yet it didn’t feel too much. I loved reading this and getting lost inside the world, and I hated that I would get tired because I didn’t want to come out of the world to sleep. I finished this book in time for the second book to be delivered to my inbox. Super stoked that the author is creating so many short stories about the characters, and looking forward to so much from her.



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DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ reviews books independently based on what she enjoys reading. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for CJ’s review. CJ does not solicit reviews, nor does she accept review requests from any inbox. CJ’s reviews are solely at the discretion of her reading endeavors.

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Falling Star

Falling Star by Randal Nerhus

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I found this book hauntingly beautiful. When I first started reading it, I didn’t realize the content was written in the mannerism what Native Americans would speak given the date range it was written in, so I had to slow down reading and take in words more. I felt that the author utilized that to give more feeling to the book and pay tribute to the authenticity of the story itself. At the same time, this book was a piece of work that felt real to me.

The characters in the book had so many details, and the scenes were well thought out that I felt it was a retelling of an exact location of history.

The sad truth is that you could tell so many scenes like this from history. I commend the author for writing such a book that makes a reader want to take the time to take every moment and slow down to be closer to the moments within the pages.



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DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ reviews books independently based on what she enjoys reading. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for CJ’s review. CJ does not solicit reviews, nor does she accept review requests from any inbox. CJ’s reviews are solely at the discretion of her reading endeavors.

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Talks Like Thunder

Talks Like Thunder by Randal Nerhus

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had the pleasure of reading Talks Like Thunder and never realized it was a genre or subject that I would connect with. I haven’t read books discussing Native American struggles, but I’ve watched Hollywood movies that sensationalize the journey and history.

Randal’s book takes you on a journey. I felt it did not sensationalize but gave raw, intimate details and made you understand the pain and destruction that the whole culture of people went through simply because they existed and were different than what their occupiers were used to.

I felt like I was going through this journey with the main character, and I couldn’t put the book down once I picked it up. I am pleased that a writer is utilizing the speech that the culture would use and making it authentic to the Native American culture.

Bravo on a fantastic book that truly captures the essence of an entire culture that does not get enough focus.



View all my reviews

DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ reviews books independently based on what she enjoys reading. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for CJ’s review. CJ does not solicit reviews, nor does she accept review requests from any inbox. CJ’s reviews are solely at the discretion of her reading endeavors.

Discover a new author Listen to the Podcast

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UNEXPECTED EVER AFTER

Unexpected Ever After by Silla Webb

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had the pleasure of reading Unexpected Ever After before it was released to the public, and let me tell you, it is everything unexpected.

I was deliciously surprised at the stories and how well developed, they were.

The exciting and compelling storylines sucked me in, and I couldn’t put down the kindle to save my life. I was hooked from the first story with the bartender who took a shot at herself til the end. You want this book, trust me.

You want to be fueled up with energy. You want your heart beating in your chest and your breath ragged. Trust me; you will unexpectedly smile when you least expect it and have perfect dreams WINK WINK.

If you get a chance to read Unexpected Ever After, grab it because you will want to be surprised, speechless, overheated, and left bewildered.



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THE HALLOWE’EN FOLK LEGEND OF WHITE HORSE HILL

THE HALLOWE’EN FOLK LEGEND OF WHITE HORSE HILL by Philip Gegan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


While reading this, I heard Sammy Terry’s voice, bringing me back to my childhood.

If you don’t know who Sammy Terry is, then you should go look up what we watched my whole childhood. I enjoyed this book and getting into the Halloween spirit early this year.

The play on words and how they carried throughout the book made me smile. Most poetry books are different poems, and this was a rhyming story, bringing authentic culture and other religions and beliefs into the mix.

I enjoyed learning about different traditions throughout my reading and chuckled at times while feeling I was reading a philosophical novel. It was a weird feeling but a delightfully odd feeling. I don’t know how to describe it, but I was left wanting to read it again.

It would be best if you were reading this to your kids around a campfire, during girl scout meetings or boy scout meetings, and having fun with smores. I highly recommend this to a school setting when wanting to learn about the culture and traditions around the holiday.

It’s not always dressing up, but putting that into play makes it so much fun—Bravo to the author for teaching the lesson with such pizazz.



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The Summer House

QOTD: What friends changed your life forever?

the summer house by Jude Devereaux

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was recommended to read The Summer House by a friend of mine. I picked it up in audiobook and listened to it while driving and cleaning the house, amongst other things.

I fell in love with these ladies and their stories, and I just wanted to sit on the porch and sip a cup of tea while listening to everything single detail about them.

I didn’t want to skip a single part because everything about them was endearing to me.

Their lives, what they gained, what they lost, everything about them I felt like was a part of me.

This book made me feel deep down in the pits of my heart, which was lost forever but regained again. I now want The Summer House.

Is it weird that I want to read it repeatedly (oops, listen)?

Can I now go and find more books by the author and become an instant fan because of this book? Is this what GREAT literature is?

Wow, Bravo and congratulations because only one other author has made me want to read everything they put to paper.



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