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BOOK REVIEWS (books listed in newest to oldest order)

The books listed below are in release order.... newest to oldest.  Click on the "Review it" button to go directly to the Amazon.com site to add your own review. 

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Say Their Names - NEW RELEASE

 5 out of 5 stars!​

 

Chris

November 17, 2023

Say Their Names, by multi-award winning author Karen D. Badger, is not only a story of the past, it is a statement about our future. Ms Badger excels in the historical, slightly paranormal genre. Her tasteful romantic scenes do not eat away at the story line. Indeed, they appear only within the storyline's flow of life which means this book could easily find a place on anyone's bookshelf. Travel the historic Underground Railroad with Tilly and Hanny, experience the emotional discoveries of Jo and Tam, along with their new-found friends Justine and Aamira. Learn about a history that must never be repeated. All these and more, deftly scribed with love and care.

 

Allison

November 17, 2023

I have been waiting for this book to be released since I heard Karen do a reading for it at GCLS. Something about that short reading grabbed my attention right away. From the start I loved that not only was I getting to read 2 loves stories in 2 time periods, but I was also getting so much information about an era in US history that we didn't go in depth into in the country I live in. I learned so much in this book and went on a wild and emotional ride with all these characters. I found myself laughing out loud, and sobbing at various points throughout. It did not disappoint. What a fantastic, heartwarming and heartbreaking at times, journey not only for Hanny and Tilly, but also for Jo and Tam, discovering these wonderful women that came before them. While it took a chapter or so to get used to the way fonts were used, it truly helped "hear" the story better. Bravo!

 

Jackie

November 5, 2023

Wow such a powerful & emotional book.  It really hits home about how evil the human race can be.
I’m so glad they did manage to escape and have their HEA.
I don’t know what else to say apart from everyone should be reading this book.

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The Fifty and One - The Continuation of 1140 Rue Royale
 4 out of 5 stars!​

 

GTeller

4.0 out of 5 stars The New Orleans Mystery Continues

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

This character-driven, plot-driven story wasn't as scary as the prequel "1140 Rue Royale", which was leave-the-lights-on-all-night scary. This book was more of an exploration of the voodoo underworld, the world of seances and spirits.

The characters, Eliot and Lia and Marissa and Julie return, along with Officer Randy, Voodoo Queen Bettina Thibodeaux, Leslie the genealogist, and Phoebe, who runs a mystical spirit shop. Phoebe also has a special knack of morphing into the form of Marie Laveau, past Queen of Voodoo in New Orleans.

The trouble begins when Lia finds out what the One and Fifty means, and especially what it means for her personally, and for the rest of the group of friends. A spell cast one hundred and eighty years ago has its target painted on the back of one of the circle of friends. The others must marshal their forces and talents to get one of their own out of the line of fire. The spell must be broken and soon! Will they be able to do what needs to be done in time?

This is an easy book to read and a difficult book to forget!

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Udder Nonsense - Book X of The Commitment Series
 4.6 out of 5 stars!​

 

This book has received a 4.6 star rating on Amazon.  Be the first to leave a written review!

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A Shadow in Love       Goodreads - Highly Recommended

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AnnMaree Of Oz rated it on Goodreads...

A really unique concept well executed. Highly Recommended!

Almost a reverse Avatar if you will? An all-female humanoid alien species is looking to make Earth home, because their planet is dying. It appears they have the ability to reproduce without male-counterparts. The main Alien in charge of this mission, Zangendar, is beamed down to investigate, get samples and do research in the area of Sedona Arizona. Where she spots Kenzie doing yoga and meditating.

Zan is wearing a cloaking device so she cannot be seen, but is immediately drawn to the Earth Female, and probes her mind, which enables her to discover Kenzie's language and past, but also extreme emotion like she and her people have never experience. Emotion in their world is illogical and seemingly irrelevant, but these new found feelings really make a mark on Zangendar. She has great empathy for Kenzie and what she has been through with being brought up in a patriarchal Religious order that told her that her gender and sexuality was inferior and wrong. She has also dealt with her first real heartbreak recently.

Zangendar finds herself looking for Kenzie each day, having close encounters and more brain-probing. She shares a bit of information about the emotional side, but only with a trusted friend back onboard. Because she knows the elders will not understand or accept feelings over facts.

I found it thoroughly amusing when the 'Aliens' were trying to come up with their "avatars" and composite features to add to themselves to change their look into being more human-female like, so they could start interacting on earth. One proclaiming that their mammary tissue should be much, much bigger. lol. Their logical way of thinking was adorable, really. It was interesting seeing humanity as the 'aliens' to this species, and them wondering about our behaviours and thinking us as peculiarities. It just charmed me!

Zan is enthralled with Kenzie, and vice versa. They seem to have an electric connection between them, And it isn't long before Zan is feeling more at home on Earth, and more human than anything else.

I really enjoyed the story and its twists and turns, and the reveals that came with all the friends, family and world-building that existed. I loved the side characters and their stories as much as the main. I was utterly enthralled! And totally rooting for them, all! So give it a go if you're into alien races falling in love with earthlings and learning our strange ways. 

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In the Blink of an Eye - A Young Adult Novel (Book IX of the Commitment Series)          5 out of 5 stars!

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By Loek:  - 5 STARS - Excellent!  This 9th installment deals with a very tough subject and serious issues. A tense, fast paced thriller/romance in an all too real setting of violence. The details in this book are so vivid that you feel like one of the eyewitnesses. Sometimes it was a hard read due to the subject matter. Fortunately, it's not just drama but also the start of a beautiful young love. I loved how the kids grew up to be beautiful young adults. Like all the other books in this series, it is well written and the author draws you in to the plot. I can highly recommend the Commitment series.

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Auntie A's FavoriteRecipes             5 out of 5 stars!

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By Danita Porter – 5 STARS –I know Aretta and have eaten her food.  I is delicious! So I knew I would want her cookbook. I bought two -one to give away. I made her Pecan Pie for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Yummy. I really like the way she put additional information in it, detailed instructions and all the Haha’s ! Thanks Aretta!

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Over The Crescent Moon           5 out of 5 stars!

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By Kieran York – 5 STARS – In author Karen D. Badger's literature, I find that I'm always learning a great deal. As well as being captivating, her work is accurate and authentic. I was educated on many fronts when reading Over the Crescent Moon. From pronouncing Hawaiian words, to fencing - both for sport, and later in earnest, and a glance at life on the islands, it was entertaining, and educational.

Ms. Badger is a natural story-teller. And in Over the Crescent Moon, we get to meet lovers Spencer and Makaya. They are on the National Fencing Team. They visit Makaya's homeland - Hawaii for her brother's wedding. Badger's characters are always well-defined and become the great supporting cast for her well-layered stories.

The reader is taken on Spencer's adventure. Just as her life with Makaya seems perfect, there is an unexpected turn of events. A water skiing accident leaves the beautiful fencer adrift on the deserted beach. She is in a coma, and she is lost. Suddenly her life winds back from 2019 to 1884.

Badger's attention to historical details, and her ability to create a perfectly executed plotline of time travel is intriguing. From the first suspenseful scene of realizing she'd lost her memory, Spencer finds herself in the midst of an insurrection.

There are multiple layers to this adventure. Brilliantly put together, the twists weave through the lives with the history of the island rebellions. The story moves quickly, and precisely. The scenes of intimacy are magnetic and exciting. The scenes of valor are gripping.

Over the Crescent moon falls back into the past, and leaps forward into today present with magnificent believability. We are allowed to travel along. I shall be rereading it, not only for the pleasure of it, but also to reexamine the extraordinary way it was constructed.

I highly recommend this book!

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Read more reviews for this book at:  https://www.amazon.com/Over-Crescent-Moon-Karen-Badger-ebook/dp/B07SWB1GRG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Karen+Badger&qid=1576945196&s=digital-text&sr=1-3#customerReviews

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Flashpoint - Book VIII of the Commitment Series              5 out of 5 stars!

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By Susan – 5 STARS – I know not every book can not have a happy ending. But dang I was on the edge of my seat on this one. I love this family thank you Karen. I definitely recommend this book. Oh I am not say it has a bad ending or a good.😄

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1140 Rue Royale          4.9 out of 5 stars!​

 

By Loek -Kindle Edition - A thrilling, poignant and gripping story  October 2, 2016 - 5 STARS - I was completely lost in this book and it was hard to put it down.  It's the most powerful and moving book that I've read in a long while.  Several passages brought tears to my eyes and left me with chills.  The author brings the history, the place and the people alive.  You can feel the horrific atmosphere which surrounded the main characters.  I love the addition of the detailed drawings of the haunted grand mansion.  You know exactly where every room is located.  This is such a fantastic book.  It always leaves you wondering what's going to happen next.  This story has it all:  the macabre aspects of slavery, history, mystery, suspense, horror, action, love and amazing enchanting well-developed characters.  I know I can't do justice to this book in my review.  You'll have to read it for yourself.  Thank Karen Badger for this excellent piece of work.  I want to experience this again and I'm going to re-read this asap.

 

By Susan - Kindle Edition - Octiber 1, 2016- - 5 STARS  I have to say...holy cow, lol!  This book had me looking out my windows and jumping at little noises.  I loved the story line of the house.  Getting the history of it was great.  I had this book done in two days.  It was an easy reas - not fast, but not slow either.  The character were real. I was sad and nervous at the same time.  If you like story lines like this, this is the book for you.  I am definitely adding this one to my paperback collection.  I definitely recommend this book.

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Read more 5-STAR reviews here:  https://www.amazon.com/1140-Rue-Royale-Karen-Badger/dp/1945761008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496755958&sr=8-1&keywords=karen+d.+badger#customerReviews

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Tailspin - Book VII of the Commitment Series              5 out of 5 stars!

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By Susan – 5 STARS – Another beautiful adventure with the Charland clan. This had some new characters and old characters. I really like the storyline line with Shannon and Julie. But the storyline with Jen and Fred was really sad. All though what Jen said to cat about things happen for a reason really touched my heart. I definitely recommend this book.

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By Amazon Customer - 5 STARS - I love this series read each book looking forward to the next one and more, maybe even the kids as Adults and Cat and Billie as grandparents 🙂

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All My tomorrows - Sequel to Yesterday Once More          4.5 out of 5 stars!

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By Susan – 5 STARS – I don't know what to say. I really loved the first book. But this one answered so many questions. I really loved how we saw what happened after Jordan saved Maggie. The new characters Chuck, Jessica, Gina and Sam were an awesome addition to the storyline. Each one of the new characters played a role in Jordan and Maggie's future. Thank you karen for another great story. I definitely recommend this book.

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By Ganta- 4 STARS - I really liked this book, and found the time travel and spinal cord injury aspects really interesting. This book was better than the previous book, in that it addressed more of the practical aspects of time travel. I had questions from the previous book, and some were answered (not all). I still have questions about how the time travel affects history. Again, I really liked all the characters. Not much actual time travel occurs in this book, but it isn't needed. It is more about how Jordan makes a life in the past, given her future.

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By ticktoc - 5 STARS - Having read Yesterday Once More and knowing the happy ending this sequel completed the story of the couples lives together in an ideal way with the challenges and struggles they faced to achieve the happy ending. Yet another inventive story by Ms Badger delivered in a well-constructed story.

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Relative-ly Speaking - Book VI of the Commitment Series              5 out of 5 stars!

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By Susan – 5 STARS – I know my family reunions were always fun and exciting. But never like this one. It was fun getting to meet all the other family members that we just heard about. The storyline really shows that no matter what the outside looks like not all people are happy. It it looks like they finally leave at the end as a big family. Thank you Karen for another beautiful book. I definitely recommend this book.

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Sweet Angel - Book V of the Commitment Series              5 out of 5 stars!

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By Susan – 5 STARS – This one hit close to home. My niece had cancer and beat at the age of 5. I really lo ed how the storyline showed how each person dealt with skylar. I was sad through the whole hopping g for the best. This is a beautiful family book. If you haven't read the book series your missing out. I definitely recommend this book.

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Collective Identity - Book IV of the Commitment Series              4 out of 5 stars!

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By Susan – 5 STARS – This book is so heart warming storyline of family struggle and over coming them. It was great to meat Jo and Alex. What characters they are day and night. I am glad they didn't take the easy way out to find out if Alex and Billie were related. Doing the research to find bullies mother made the storyline so much meaningful. I definitely recommend this book.

The Blue Feather             4.5 out of 5 stars!​

 

By C.J. -Kindle Edition - An intriguing read!  August 2, 2014 - 5 STARS -This is rather different from the other books of Karen's that I've read, but no less enjoyable. As in her previous novels, the characters are interesting and draw you into the story. The story this time is set in both past and present and is a fast-paced and intriguing tale of good witchcraft facing the threat of evil. I thoroughly enjoyed this departure and hope they'll be more to follow.

 

By Bkkoniseuron - Kindle Edition - August 27, 2014 - - 4 STARS  Ms. Badger blends the past and present with a deft hand. Her care with dialect and language is admirable...oOverall a great read.

Happy Campers - Book III of the Commitment Series            5 out of 5 stars!

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By Happy – 5 STARS -  I loved all 3 of these books.I wish there was more of them. You can't help falling in love with the people in the book.

 

By Amazon Customer – 5 STARS - I Laughed out loud, I cried, not once, not twice but quite a few times. Great read. Some very real relationship issues.

 

By Cotyluv96  -5 STARS - I loved it! I've enjoyed the entire series. Fun, sexy, the kind of friends and family everyone wishes they had!

Unchained Memories - Book II of the Commitment Series              5 out of 5 stars!

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By TerryB "Lesfic fan" – 5 STARS – Excellent second book in the Billie/Cat Series.  I love Karen's writing. The characters are heartfelt and warm. Although this book has a serious theme, there is also a great deal of humor too, which takes the edge off the angst and makes it a more comfortable read. A hard hitting story of family life, the difficulties of illness and how love can win through against all odds.  The third book in this series can't be published quick enough. These books will always have a place on my shelves.

 

By bug – 5 STARS -  Well worth it!  I reviewed the first book in this series and I must say that this second book well made up for what was missing in the first. The reader is really able to connect with the characters.  I immediately started reading the second book even though I had doubts and quickly realized that the author was allowing the emotions and more depths to be played out for the reader in this one. Good job and I will definitely put this series on my "to watch for" list.

In A Family Way - Book I of the Commitment Series           3.5 stars out of 5!

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By TerryB – 5 STARS - Highly enjoyable. This is another excellent book by Karen D Badger. A highly enjoyable read covering some serious topics. I first read this online ages ago. It is even better now. I look forward to the next book in the Commitment series.

 

By bug – 3 STARS - The characters all move emotionally fast in this and at times I kept finding myself saying `really!?' Normally I can lose myself easily in a book but I had some difficulty here. I really did like the characters though alot and I find I want to read the second book so if you can over look some of the things listed you will enjoy it.

 

By Sage320 – 4 STARS – Enjoyable reading.  There is a lot going on in this story, but it captures a picture of what lesbians go through in trying to gain acceptance for their families.  Karen Badger has experience as a writer from stories she has posted online and previously published books. She knows how to create characters and to make a story flow. She has created a book that makes for pleasant reading.

 

By Susan Lucas – 4 STARS – Doctor, Lawyer and Three Indians.  I enjoyed the book very much. The Charland family endured many real life disasters. Their love endured and kept them together. I would recommend this book to my friends.

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Yesterday Once More          4.5 stars out of 5!

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2009 Golden Crown Literary Society Award Winner for Best Speculative Fiction

 

By Sage320 – 4 STARS – Romance through time.  Badger is a skilled writer and knows how to write realistic dialogue and control the flow of a story. Some material might have been eliminated, but the fullness of the characters would have been affected.  Overall, this is a romance that is made to be satisfying for lovers of  the Speculaative genre. It has all of the elements that are expected by the fans, the story is well told and it is believable if the reader accepts the science involved. It's an easy and enjoyable read, but allow yourself an extended reading period.

 

By  K. Johnson – 4 STARS - This, Badger's second published book, is a quite enjoyable read. It's also long, so you won't finish it in just a day or two - you'll get to enjoy it for a little while.  Bottom Line - Futuristic or not, this is a solid offering from Badger. Highly recommended by this reader.

 

By Arran H. Kendrickon - 5 STARS - Karen Badger is an excellent writer. Her thought process boggles my mind, and I'm not easily boggled. Character development, story lines, execution... it's all there, and it's all good.

On A Wing And A Prayer           4 out of 5 stars!

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By Kathi Miller "Kisserman"  - 5 STARS - One of a Kind- Thought Provoking Romance.  On a Wing and a Prayer is a well written story that many of us can relate to because the internet is so omnipresent in our lives. Badger skillfully composes an exceptional romance that has us believing in the notion that love can conquer all. I highly recommend this one of a kind romance.

 

By C. Mahoney – 4 STARS - Classic Romance -Thrilling Ride!  This book brings up very real issues that come up in today’s internet world. Can you fall in love with someone that you have never met and when you do come face-to-face with them, what if it is not what you expected? I highly recommend this wonderful book! It is an easy, enjoyable read. You won't want to put it down!

 

By Marguerite A. Fowler – 4 STARS – A good lesbian love story.  I enjoyed this modern lesbian love story. It was fun to see the reactions that each new email provoked as the internet romance grew.

 

By K. Johnson – 5 STARS - Love Comes In All Kinds Of Packages.  I truly liked this book and highly recommend it. Experiencing the unexpected twists through Rox's eyes is interesting and it's intriguing to watch her wrestle with her newfound feelings. Cass is so stoic in her reaction to the situation; it's hard not to feel her angst. The story is one that reinforces the idea of falling in love with the person instead of their chromosomes and is well worth the time to read and enjoy.

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