Thrillers to Get You Ready for Halloween
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 18, 2022
The seasons are changing; as the leaves turn and the weather changes, it’s time to carve pumpkins, pick out costumes, or read scary stories. However you celebrate Halloween there are tales that will thrill you and keep you turning the pages. Today we’re focusing on hidden gems that our readers loved that do just that, and hope you will enjoy them just as much. The Sinister by David Putnam Currently marked as an Editor’s Pick on Amazon, with 60+ reviews and a 4.6 star average, The Sinister is book nine in the 10 book Bruno Johnson Crime Series, and can be read out of order. This book promises to be an unrelenting thriller, recommended for fans of Michael Connelly and James Lee Burke. In Lou J.’s five star Amazon review, he raves of this installment, “…David Putnam proves to be a masterful storyteller as he weaves an intricate and convoluted… Read More >
Children’s Books for Back to School
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 4, 2022
Do you have a young reader in your life? With back to school in full swing, we have a list of books to add to your reading list! Our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the following titles, and we bet your young reader will, as well. Gugulu, The Little Bear Dares by Srividhya Lakshmanan Gugulu is recommended for readers 4-8 years old, although some reviewers noted that they would consider it more for the younger end of that age group. In this story, readers follow Gugulu, as he tries to walk himself to school, and discovers the dangers of running away from his parents on his walk to school. Laura S. shares in her five star Amazon review, “…Gugulu The Little Bear Dares is an adorable book that teaches a lesson about listening to your parents while introducing readers to a group of unique animals that don’t usually appear in… Read More >
Romance Novels to Spend Fall Nights With
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 20, 2022
If you’re a regular on the Hidden Gems blog, you’ll know that romance is the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program. Our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. We’ve got one for everybody on this round-up of top rated love stories from recent months. Villainous Kingpin by Eva Winners With 360+ ratings and a 4.7 star average, Villainous Kingpin is the first book in the two book Kingpins of the Syndicate series. If you have read other books by Winners before, you’ll be familiar with the characters who are spotlighted in this series, but you don’t need to have read her other books to enjoy this one. When Basilio meets Wynter, worlds collide with intoxicating, and potentially dangerous, results. Reviewers warn that this tale has a dark side with some violent moments, but… Read More >
Fantasy Tales to Distract You From the Real World
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 6, 2022
If you are looking for an escape from the real world, this list is for you. We’ve got one for everybody on this round-up of recently top rated fantasy novels that our Hidden Gems ARC readers raved about. Immortal World by Lauretta Hignett With 130+ reviews and a 4.8 star average, Immortal World is a fantasy tale worth adding to your TBR list! This is the third novel in a five book series, which follows Imogen Gray, an immortal being who is on a mission to find the answers to the origins of her immortality. Imogen is a force to be reckoned with, and readers will find the process of trying to keep pace with her adventures immensely enjoyable. Janine M. raves in her five star Amazon review, “…Imogen blooms even more in this action and mystery packed paranormal romance. It’s a found family book that grips your heart and… Read More >
Mystery Novels To Keep You Guessing
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 23, 2022
If your detective cap and magnifying glass are always at the ready to figure out “whodunit,” this list is for you. We’ve got one for everybody on this round-up of recently top rated mystery novels that our Hidden Gems ARC readers raved about. Murder in the Gardens by Colette Clark With over 400 ratings and an average of 4.5 stars, Murder in the Gardens is a must read. Set in New York in the height of the Jazz Age, Murder in the Gardens, is the fourth in a five book series following Penelope Banks. Tasked with solving the murder of the owner of a swanky new hotel opening in New York City, the sassy protagonist will thrill readers. Abbigail H. writes in her five star review, “Pen reminded me of Fryne Phisher which I adore and the atmosphere of the story is similar: Penelope is maybe rich and belongs to… Read More >
YA Books for Summer Reading
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 9, 2022
Are your young adult readers looking for books to fill the summer break? Our Hidden Gems ARC readers recently loved the following YA books, and we bet the young adult reader in your life will, as well. Who knows – you may find yourself a fan of the following titles, too. The Five Shields: The Sands of Infinity by Ilan Dvir With 27 ratings and a 4.8 average star rating, The Five Shields is certainly a hidden gem. Per the Amazon listing, this is suggested for ages 12-17, and is the third volume in The Five Shields series. The series is described as a fantasy series which combines history, science, mythology, philosophy, adventure, magic, adventure, and humor. “The threads of storytelling are so expertly woven in this fantasy adventure that it guarantees the attention of the reader,” Piaras raves in their five star Amazon review. “Skillfully constructed, this creative… Read More >
Self-Improvement Books To Help Achieve Your Goals
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on July 26, 2022
For most people, New Year resolutions have long been abandoned by the summer months. No matter your goals, or your progress, we are certain that there’s a self-help book out there for you within this broad category. With those thoughts in mind, today we’ve rounded up the self-improvement books our Hidden Gems readers loved the most recently. Raising Backyard Chickens: A Beginner’s Guide to a Healthy Flock, Boosting Egg Production, and Fresh Eggs for Life! by Daniel A. Hart With 147 ratings on Amazon, and a 4.8 average star rating, our readers were not alone in their interest in raising chickens. As the title implies, this book is meant to help a beginner chicken owner understand all aspects of this popular sustainable living trend. Ladonna M. shares about her experience in her five star review, “As a new chicken mama, I found this book extremely helpful. I wish I would… Read More >
Hot Romance Novels For a Sizzlin’ Summer
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on July 12, 2022
If you are a regular on this blog, you’ll know that hot romance novels are the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program. There are bad boys, enemies to lovers, second chance romances, and so much more in this list. Our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. We’ve got one for everybody on this round-up of recently top rated romance books. Stone Cold by Winter Renshaw With over 1500 Amazon reviews and a strong average rating, this one from Winter Renshaw is a must-read and loved by our readers! Stone Cold is the story of Stone and Jovi, and follows them on their slow burn, enemies to lovers, second chance romance which is kicked off with a social media snafu, which propels their journey to romance. Melissa G. is one of the readers that… Read More >
Sci-Fi Novels You’ll Love This Summer
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on June 28, 2022
It seems that now more than ever, science fiction has taken center stage in mainstream entertainment. So if sci-fi novels full of wonder are up your alley, and you’re in search of your next futuristic adventure, take a peek at these titles our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved recently. Taken: Arcadia Book Two by Mary Brock Jones With an astounding 4.9 average star rating on Amazon, Taken is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered! It is the second book in a three book series, and reviewers note that you do not need to read the first book in order for it to make sense, but you most likely will find yourself scrambling to read its prequel, Torn, after devouring this sci-fi novel. Rann provides a rave five star Amazon review, as well as an excellent summary, “Taken is not merely a great sci-fi adventure. It combines a futuristic… Read More >
Children’s books to add to your story time rotation
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on June 14, 2022
Are you looking for new stories to add to your nighttime reading routine? Maybe you’re looking for books to occupy young readers while traveling for summer vacation. Our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the following titles, and we bet the young reader in your life will love having them added to their story time rotation as well. Nelican’s Lemons by Riya Aarini Nelican’s Lemons by Riya Aarini is recommended for readers aged three to seven. This new release with cheery illustrations tells the story of Nelican, a pelican who lives on the island of Welican. Readers will enjoy following along with Nelican, as he and his friends try to find a way to enjoy the sour lemons which have appeared on their island. Paul Y. highlights in his five star Amazon review, “There is an old saying about lemons and this engaging and delightful story by Riya Aarini plays on… Read More >
