Young Adult Novels to Read in 2022
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 8, 2022
Hidden Gems ARC readers, regardless of age, appreciate young adult novels. As an adult, there’s something so nostalgic about sinking into a YA, and for teens there’s usually a relatable theme in the storyline, or at least an opportunity to escape to another world. We’re certain you’ll want to add these highly rated YA reads to your TBR list this year. BFF: A Story About Bullycide by Lindsey Bell With an astounding, 4.9 star rating on Amazon and well-loved by Hidden Gems ARC readers, this story comes with trigger warnings for bullying and suicide. It examines heart-breaking consequences of struggles that teens face. The characters in BFF will stick with readers. Ann B. explains in her 5-star review, “This book ventures into areas that are hard to present to middle grade and young adult readers: bullying, suicide, sexual preference, race and culture. The tenderness and thoughtfulness put into the… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Ben J Henry
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 1, 2022
Today’s interview is with teacher turned author Ben J Henry. Ben writes fantasy full of wonder, inviting readers to explore lucid dreams. It was truly fascinating to hear from Ben about his writing process, inspiration and future projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? BH: My favorite works of fantasy hold a mirror to our minds. I was fascinated by His Dark Materials, and how Philip Pullman’s daemons represent our personalities. I was left asking: What animal would my daemon take? What would happen if someone had a split personality disorder? Great fantasy leaves you wondering not just about the plot and characters, but about yourself. These are the stories that I strive to write. HG: That’s fascinating. I understand your books center around lucid dreaming. Can you tell us more about what lucid dreams are and what prompted you to… Read More >
Top Mysteries to Read This Spring
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 22, 2022
Each and every week, subscribers to Hidden Gems are offered FREE books to download, read, and review – from any or all of over 15 different genres. Today we’re going to highlight five of the top mysteries that have left our readers raving and begging for more. If you’re looking for the perfect escape from reality you’ll love getting to the bottom of these page-turning mysteries. Boys and Ghouls by Sarina Dorie Clean, cozy, no sex or swearing, PG 13— this book is perfectly fine for teens or grandmas who like mysteries with magic. Boys and Ghouls is the 14th book in the Vega Bloodmire Wicked Witch Mystery Series. The book takes place at a magical academy, but these whodunnits are fine to be read in any order. “Another great installment of Vega Bloodmire,” raves Robin M. BG in their 5-star review. “The hospital bill that Vega put Malisha… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Gwyn GB
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 15, 2022
Today’s interview is with bestselling author Gwyn GB. Gwyn writes emotion filled suspense novels and gripping crime mysteries. It was lovely to hear from Gwyn about her publishing journey, writing style and exciting upcoming projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? GGB: I am an Amazon top 20 bestselling author of crime mysteries as Gwyn GB, and women’s emotional suspense novels as Gwyn Garfield-Bennett. HG: Tell us more about your transition to writing fiction full time. GGB: I am one of those people who has always written, and have to write or I get very grumpy. When I was about ten years old I told my parents I wanted to be a writer, but realized that I might need to live life a bit before I could achieve that aim, so asked them what I could do. They said journalism, and… Read More >
Recent Top Rated Love Stories
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 8, 2022
Romance is the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program and our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, it’s always a good time to crack open a romance novel. We’ve got one for everybody on this round-up of some of the recent love stories our readers enjoyed the most. Sheikh’s Surprise Son by Leslie North With nearly 150 reviews on Amazon, Sheikh’s Surprise Son is the first book in Leslie North’s Sheikh’s Wedding Series. Leslie North is a Hidden Gems reader favorite, and her love stories are always universally enjoyed. “If there’s one thing Leslie North knows, it’s how to craft a strong, sexy sheikh,” writes Megan in her 5-star review. “Her heroes are deeply rooted in tradition and her heroines are strong, caring, and never… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Charlene D’Avanzo
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 1, 2022
Today’s interview is with award-winning environmental mystery author Charlene D’Avanzo. Her novels tackle real-life issues, in the context of fast-paced mysteries. We were honored to chat with D’Avanzo about her self-publishing journey, writing style, and what inspires her. HG: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. You’re a marine scientist turned environmental mystery author. Take us back to the beginning… what led you to writing? CD: A single event, a lecture by climatologist Ray Bradley, changed my professional life. I expected Bradley to talk about his ice-core climate research. Instead, he described being harrassed and humiliated by a group of Washington, D.C. political climate change deniers. I left the auditorium very upset and feeling that I needed to “do something”. The compelling inspiration to write mysteries with climate-change understories came out of nowhere as I stood outside the auditorium. At the end of the semester I retired… Read More >
Science Fiction Novels To Ignite Your Mind
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on January 25, 2022
Great science fiction novels ignite a sense of wonder with imaginative and almost unimaginable tales. They take our mind to a place of what-if. From space exploration to post-apocalyptic survival journeys, these five science fiction novels were loved by Hidden Gems readers who got to read them for free. Star Binder by Robert Appleton Currently ranked in the Top 100 Amazon Teen & YA Space Opera eBooks, in Star Binder, a discovery made deep under the polar ice of Mars has profound implications for young Jim Trillion and his best friend, Sergei: two orphaned grifters scraping a living in the planet’s oases resorts. “Star Binder by Robert Appleton is an outstanding work of young adult science fiction,” writes Cheryl E. Rodriquez of Readers’ Favorite. “The writing style is smooth as silk and perfectly seamless. Caught in an unbelievable adventure, sailing into the dark sea of the unknown, Jim and… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: A.M. Kusi
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on January 18, 2022
Today’s interview is with wife-and-husband author team A.M. Kusi. Their romance novels tackle hard issues but always deliver a happily ever after. We were honored to chat with Ash and Marcus about their latest books, writing style and exciting upcoming projects. HG: You’re a wife-and-husband author team who writes emotional romance novels. Take us back to the beginning…how did you get started? Were you both writers before you teamed up? AMK: I (Ash) have always been a writer. I used it as a form of escapism as a child/teen. I didn’t really write much during college and when I met Marcus until a few years ago. I had a dream with a story line and got inspired. I wrote it out and showed Marcus and he was like, “We need to publish this.” He immediately dove in learning about story structure and the backend side of publishing books, found me… Read More >
Top Rated Picture Books to Enjoy With Your Kids
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on January 11, 2022
If you’re looking to spend some extra quality time reading with your kids this year, you won’t want to miss this list. We’ve rounded up five children’s picture books that Hidden Gems ARC readers have recently read and adored. With delightful illustrations and touching messages they can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Consider adding these titles to your shopping list the next time you’re buying for a child you love! Do You Want To Be A Ninja? by Mark Bacera This illustrated children’s picture book is for all the little girls and boys who love dressing up and playing make-believe. In this book you and your kids can explore the secret traits and techniques of ninjas. If you’re lucky, you may even find all of their hidden ninja tools. “So, so cute!” raves Ashley in her 5-star review. “In this story, author Mark Bacera asks, ‘Do you… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Heather Silvio
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on January 4, 2022
Today’s author interview is with multi-talented author Heather Silvio. Heather writes in a variety of genres but is known for her “fun, flirty, fantasy stories that make you smile.” It was an honor to chat with her about her writing style, interests outside of writing and upcoming projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? HS: I *mostly* write fun, flirty, fantasy romance & mystery, with a guaranteed happily ever after. Having said that, in the beginning, I was a bit of a genre-hopper, so I also have some nonfiction, a much darker psychological thriller/murder mystery, and a sweet romance with salty language romantic comedy, among others. My joke when I do book signings is that no matter what someone reads, I have a book in that genre. Not really true, of course, but I do have quite a few! HG: Okay,… Read More >
