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From CreateExploreRead Instagram
I love to read and I love to share about cool things. As for books, you can see posts on my ideas about books, whether it be their covers or what makes-or-breaks a book for me. For products, well - they usually come up in every-day conversation or in a blog or Facebook posts, because I love to share about stuff that makes life easier, is fun, or just tickles my fancy (whether that's a new app or a cute T-shirt). I thought I'd make things easy for you and keep my reviews all in one place.

You can also see many of the books I review on my Instagram page at: @createexploreread 

My rating system: Books
(Newly revised for 2020)

I share my reviews to Goodreads and B&N etc. and will usually round up to the next star. This is dependent on how strongly the book landed on that .5 rating.

DNF  Occasionally (read: extremely rarely) will I not finish a book. If that's the case, I won't review it or give it a negative review unless I feel my negative review would add something to the reading community. These books can be found on my DNF shelf on Goodreads.
1*      Really sad and disappointed I took the time to read it.
1.5*   Still sad and disappointed.
2*      Eh. Nothing to write home about, probably won't get a review from me.
2.5*   Eh. Ok. Not going to recommend.
3*      All right. There wasn't anything that really grabbed me, but it wasn't awful either. I wouldn't call this a definite recommend but it wasn't for me.
3.5*   I'd recommend it, but exactly highly, nor would I rave about this book.
4*      Great book. Solid ideas, characters, and plot.
4.5 *  Now we're talking. I'm almost all-out crazy for this book. Raving is happening.
5*      This is a great book! I would buy you this book just so you could read it and love it like I do.

My rating system: Products
(Newly revised for 2020)

For product reviews I follow similar ideas to my rating system above but tailored to a product vs a book. I post to sites when available as well. I review based on these things (where applicable):
  • Functionality of the product: Does it do what it says it does?
  • Use: Does it meet a need? Does it do it well?
  • Creativity: Based on other things I've had experience with, how does it measure up?
  • Design: What was good? What was bad?
  • Materials used vs price: Is it worth it?
  • Personal: Basically, did I like it.
Lastly: If you're interested in having me review one of your books or products, feel free to contact me (use the form on the blog home page). I can't guarantee that I'll read your book or review your product, and even if I do, I can't guarantee that I will like it, but I'm always open to hear from you!
_______________
As a note: I receive free copies of books and samples of products for review purposes, but am under no obligation to read the book/use the product or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in these reviews are honest and entirely my own.

::Reviewed Products::

Intersect DVD | Small Group Resource | 4*
Odyssey Adventure Club | mobile iOS app | 4*

::Reviewed Books::
(By authors last name)

A
Ahdieh, Renee: Flame in the Mist | YA Fantasy | 5*

B
Barritt, Christy: Desperate Measures | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Barritt, Christy: Dubiosity | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Barritt, Christy: Dirty Deeds [Squeaky Clean Mystery #4] | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Barritt, Christy: The Good Girl | Romantic Suspense/Mystery | 5*
Barritt, Christy: High-Stakes Holiday Reunion | Romantic Suspense |  5*
Barritt, Christy: Key Witness | Romantic Suspense | 5*
Barritt, Christy: Lifeline | Romantic Suspense | 5*
Bartels, Zachary: Playing Saint | Thriller | 5*
Biscof, Joanne: The Lady and the Lionheart | Historical Romance | 5*
Blackstock, Terri: If I Run | Romantic Suspense | 4.5*
Blackstock, Terri: If I'm Found | Romantic Suspense | 5*
Blum, Lee Wolfe: Brave is the New Beautiful | Devotional | 4.5*
Brandes, Nadine: A Time To Die (book #1) | YA Dystopian | 4.5*
Brandes, Nadine: A Time To Speak (book #2) | YA Dystopian | 5*
Brandes, Nadine: Romanov | YA Historical Fantasy | 5*
Breakey, Caleb: Dating Like Airplanes | Relationships | 4*
Breakey, Caleb: The String | Thriller | 4.5*
Bruce, Brandy: After the Rain | Contemporary Romance | 4*

C
Cambron, Kristy: The Ringmaster's Wife | Historical Romance | 5*
Castle, Catherine: The Nun and the Narc | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Chase, Serena: Intermission | YA Contemporary | 4*
Chillemi, Nike: Darkest Hour [Sanctuary Point] | Mystery | 4*
Cobb, Hannah: Mortis | YA Fantasy | 5*
Coble, Colleen: Inn At Ocean's Edge | Romantic Suspense | 4*

D
Daniels, Georgiana: A Daughters Redemption | Romance | 4*
Darlington, C.J.: Advice for Novelists | Writing Tips | 5*
Darlington, C.J.: Out of Time | Short Story |  5*
Deese, Nicole: A Cliche Christmas | Romance | 5*
Dean, Ruthie and Michael: Real Men Don't Text | Relationships | 5*
Deering, Julianna: Rules of Murder | Mystery | 4*
Dekker, Rachelle: The Choosing | YA Dystopian | 3.5*
Dekker, Ted: A.D. 30 | Biblical Fiction | 5*
Dekker, Ted: Hacker | Thriller | 5*
Dickerson, Melanie: The Golden Braid | YA Lit | 3.8*
Donovan, Lynn: The Wishing Well Curse | Christian Gothic Paranormal | 5*
Durgin, JoAnn: Awakening | Romance | 4*

E
Eason, Lynette: No One To Trust | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Ella, Sara: Unblemished | YA Urban Fantasy | 5*
Ella, Sarah: Unraveling | YA Urban Fantasy | coming soon

F
Faubion, John: Friend Me | Suspense | 4*

G
Garber, Stephanie: Caraval | YA Fantasy | 3.8-4*
Gerlach, Rita: Beyond the Valley [book #3 in Daughters of the Potomac] | Historical Romance | 5*
Gray, Bonnie: Finding Spiritual Whitespace | Spiritual Growth | 5*
Green, Rob: Tying The Knot | Marriage | 5*
Griep, Michelle: Writer Off The Leash | Writing Craft | 4*
Guzman, Erik: The Seed: A True Myth | Fiction | 3*

H
Hammond, Michelle Mckinney: The Real Deal on Love and Men | Non-Fiction-Dating/Life | 4*
Hannon, Irene: Buried Secrets (Book 1 Men of Valor Series) | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Hannon, Irene: Deceived (Book 3 Private Justice Series) | Romantic Suspense | 5*
Hannon, Irene: Tangled Webs (Book 3 Men of Valor Series) | Romantic Suspense | 4.5*
Hannon, Irene: Thin Ice (Book 2 Men of Valor Series) | Romantic Suspense | 3.8*
Hannon, Irene: Trapped (Book 2 in Private Justice Series) | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Harris, Lisa: Fatal Exchange | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Harris, Lisa: Hidden Agenda | Romantic Suspense | 3.8*
Hauck, Rachel: A March Bride | Romance/Novella | 5*
Hauck, Rachel: How to Catch A Prince [ The Royal Wedding Series] | Romance | 5*
Hauck, Rachel: Once Upon A Prince [The Royal Wedding Series] | Romance | 5*
Hauck, Rachel: Princess Ever After [The Royal Wedding Series] | Romance | 5*
Hauck, Rachel: The Wedding Chapel | Romance | 4*
Hauck, Rachel: The Wedding Shop | Romance | 5*
Healy, Erin: Motherless | Supernatural Fiction | 4*
Higman, Anita: Summer's List | Romance | 2.8*
Higman, Anita: Texas Wildflowers | Romance/Novella | 4*
Higman, Anita: Winter in Full Bloom | Romance | 4*
Hybels, Bill: Simplify:Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul | Spiritual Growth | 3.8*


J
James, Steven: Blur | Young Adult | 4*
James, Steven: Singularity |  Suspense | 5*
Johnson, Sherri Wilson: Song of the Meadowlark | Romance | 3*
Jord Watches | Awesome product!

K
Kastner, Deb: Redeeming the Rancher | Romance | 5*
Kastner, Deb: The Soldier's Sweetheart | Romance | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Accelerant | Fantasy | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Beowulf: Explosives Detection Dog [A Breed Apart] | Romantic Military Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Conspiracy of Silence | Military/Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Embers | Fantasy | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Falcon [Quiet Professionals] | Military Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Hawk [Quiet Professionals] | Military Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Operation Zulu Redemption: Overkill - The Beginning | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Operation Zulu Redemption: Collateral Damage - Part 1 | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Operation Zulu Redemption: Out of Nowhere - Part 2 | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Operation Zulu Redemption: Hazardous Duty - Part 3 |5*
Kendig, Ronie: Operation Zulu Redemption: Act of Treason - Part 4 | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Raptor 6 [Quiet Professionals] | Military Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Talon: Combat Tracking Team [A Breed Apart] | Romantic Military Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Thirst of Steel | Romantic military Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Titanis | Novella | Romantic Military Suspense | 5*
Kendig, Ronie: Warriors Seal | Military/Suspense Novella | 5*

L
Lee, Tosca: The Legend of Sheba: Rise of A Queen | Historical | 5*
Lee, Tosca: The Line Between | YA Dystopian | 5*
Levenseller, Tircia: Daughter of the Pirate King | YA Fantasy | 4.5*
Liparulo, Robert: The Judgement Stone (Immortal Files Book 2) | Spiritual/Action Adventure | 5*
Locke, Thomas: Emissary (Legends of the Realm Book 1) | Fantasy | 5*
Locke, Thomas: Merchant of Alyss (Legends of the Realm Book 2) | Fantasy | 4.5*
Lucado, Max: Pocket Prayers | Devotional | 4.5*

M
Machowski, Marty | Dragon Seed | Young Adult/Devotional | 3.5*
McMillan, Rachel | The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder | Mystery | 4*
Mehl, Nancy: Deadly Echoes | Romantic Suspense | 3.5*
Mentink, Dana: Secret Refuge | Romantic Suspense | 4*
Meyers, Pamela S.: Love Finds You in Lake Geneva Wisconsin | Romance | 5*
Moynihan, Tim: No Greater Love: An Afghan Memior |  E-Short | 3.8*

N
Nappa, Mike: Annabell Lee | Suspense | 4*
Nappa, Mike: The Raven | Suspense | 4*

P
Pettrey, Dani: Cold Shot | Romantic Suspense | 4.5*
Phifer, Rachel: The Language of Sparrows | Fiction | 5*

R
Robbins, Sandra: A Lady's Choice | Historical Romance | 5*
Rosenberg, Joel C.: Without Warning | Thriller/Suspense | 5*

S
Smile Brilliant Electric Toothbrush | Worth it!
Stockton, Tessa: The Unspeakable | Suspense/Intrigue | 4*
St. Amant, Betsy: Love Arrives In Pieces | Romance | 4*
Stevens, Amanda G.: Seek and Hide | Dystopian | 5*
Strong, Kristen: Girl Meets Change | Devotional | 4*
Sundin, Sarah: Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom book 3) | Historical Romance | 4*
Sundin, Sarah: On Distant Shores (book #2) | Historical Romance | 5*
Sundin, Sarah: In Perfect Time (book #3) | Historical Romance | 5*

T
Tagg, Melissa: From the Start | Romance | 5*
Tagg, Melissa: Keep Holding On | Romance | 5*
Tagg, Melissa: Like Never Before | Romance | 5*
Thelen, Nancy: The Color of Light | Women's Fiction/Romance | 3*
Thompson, Janice: Every Bride Needs A Groom | Romantic Comedy | 4*
Tyndale: A Prayer and Praise Journal | Coloring Book | 5*
Tyndale: Girls Slimline Bible NLT | Bible | 5*
Tyndale: Morning Pocket Prayers | Bible | 4*

V
Vogt, Beth K.: Somebody Like You | Romance | 5*

W
Wade, Becky: Love in the Details | Romance Novella | 4*
Weber, Mary: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow | YA Sci-Fi | 4*
Weber, Mary: Siren's Fury | YA Fantasy | 4*
Weber, Mary: Siren's Song | YA Fantasy | 5*
Wegley, H.L.: Hide and Seek | Romantic Suspense | 4*
West, Catherine: Hidden in the Heart | Women's Fiction | 4*
West, Catherine: The Things We Knew | Women's Fiction | 4*
West, Catherine: Yesterday's Tomorrow | Historical Romance | 5*
White, Linda J.: Words of Conviction | Suspense/Thriller | 5*
Wilson, Steve: Red Sky At Morning | Military Suspense | 4*

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