The Archcrusade: Tome One: The Archspawn – Pilgrimage & Prophecies by K.M. Hogenson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a fantasy novel. Readers are transported to another world, one of kings and kingdoms. It features different species. There are healers and demons, as well as an abundance of otherworldly drama. The author is a master at using descriptive language.
Family Ties Family Lies by Jacqueline Boulden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story revolves around a heartbreaking topic. As we age, so do our parents. The main character must grapple with her mother’s rapidly declining health, while accidentally discovering a never-discussed secret…as well as a half sibling she knew nothing about. A brother and sister learn to accept the past failings of their parents. Forgiveness is a key component to good mental health, and the characters in this story must decide what is most important to them.
Shadowed Deception: A Psychological Suspense Thriller by Mavery Ellscott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a suspense novel. The main characters are Americans in France. There is a classic story of good versus evil. This book forces readers to ask themselves what they would do? How far would they go to thwart pure evil? There is a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming!
Murder At Music Hall by A. J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As an English teacher, I am thrilled to have read a book that used one of our vocabulary words from last week- kowtow. One character wonders what a character is holding over a third character, that makes the third character kowtow to the whims of the second character. Information is power, and sometimes power is used for nefarious purposes. As an amateur musician, I love the backdrop of the symphony orchestra. As a reader, I enjoy the thrill of the whodunit genre.
Nessie and the Celtic Maze by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Return to the land beneath the lake, or in this case, lakes. An underwater maze connects a lake in Scotland to a lake in Canada.
The legend of the Loch Ness monster is featured in this tale. Children are chosen to be special helpers of a magical, mysterious underwater creature. Actually , in this story, more than one magical, mysterious creature.
The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Readers learn about Chinese New Year. Specifically, the author shares how Lunar New Year is celebrated in New York City by an Asian-American family. Witness the bond between two generations of sisters. Learn how an Asian-American community views extended family, as well as close family friends. View family discipline through a cultural lens.
Dark Sky at Dawn by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Featuring wonderfully diverse characters, this book seeks to explore a time in our nation’s history that can be uncomfortable. The main characters are progressive and forward thinking, particularly for their times. Readers wrestle with the theme of religion versus spirituality. How can dignity be brought into totally undignified situations? Is it possible for compassion to override the inhumane? Read to find out.
A Miracle In Muffin: A True Story by Darlene Duemo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A white cat goes missing in the snow, presumably never to be seen again. This is the catalyst which leads a sweet family to God. The single mom finds the strength to go to the nearby church. It is a church where she has noticed the people talking to one another outside. After two weeks of being missing, a coworker finds the white cat on her way to work one morning!
Savage Lies by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The teens in this series suffer from neglectful parenting. Many of the characters have been parenting themselves as well as their own parents. The sad fact is that this happens way too often in today’s world. Young people need direction when they are maturing yet these characters strive to do the best they can with what they have been given. A world of privilege does guarantee a happy life.
The Other Side of Together by Emily Cox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh, wow! This story could have come straight from today’s headlines! At the center is the budding romance between an undocumented immigrant and the son of a police detective. Both young people are hampered by family secrets- the ones they, as well as the ones they are unaware of. Family loyalty competes with the urge on the parts of the couple to forge their own path together. The end of the story is actually a new beginning.
Divinely Dramatic by Sandra L. Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The local community theater group is putting on a play. Vintage clothing is a key component to the success of the show. The characters from Divine Vintage are featured here, but this is certainly a stand-alone novel. There is romance, as well as a fifty-year-old mystery. Family values, and the value of family, are both explored. The main character learns to take a chance on herself.
The Rocklyns Collection: Contemporary Romance Boxed Set by Alicia Street
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a collection of novels, all featuring one family. They are good people, but certainly not perfect. Can they be manipulative? Absolutely. Overbearing? Without a doubt. But in the end, they will always have each other’s backs, and some of them may even experience growth and humility along the way.
Nessie and the Viking Gold by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another adventure with the legendary creature residing beneath a famous lake. The sibling duo has returned to the famous tourist attraction a year after their unforgettable first visit. During this visit, readers learn the difference between looking less childish, and the actions required to lead them on their pathways to adulthood. The main characters must battle their own selfish tendencies, and convince adults around them to do likewise. This is a great children’s book, and it features Celtic folklore as well as Celtic folk songs.
Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a short yet intriguing teaser to a series. The main characters are actually interesting. The author must be quite adept with character development. I want to know more. Now, I’m off to search out the series.
The Scent of Snow by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Return to the wine-making region in Portugal. Wait! What? Wine is made somewhere other than France or California? Before embarking on this book series, I had no clue that was true. Beloved characters appear, and readers are treated to emotional insights as well as closure for painful truths.
Song of Earth and Claws by Lena Abram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a fantasy novel. The characters include shapeshifters, magicians, and fantastically powerful fae. Nature, and the natural world, are featured prominently. Emotions are a force to be reckoned with. The bonds of family feature strongly in this novel.
The Cannibal Caper by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m loving this series! This mystery is set in Los Angeles in the 1930s. The main character is this scrappy little orphan who has been living on the streets. It is told in the first person, from her point of view. Although she now has a safe place to sleep and regular meals, she struggles to leave behind her life on the streets. She struggles with making good choices, which is something we can all relate to.
Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns: Wolf by R.C. Reigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A mystical and magical world. This is the first novel of this genre I have read that features a shapeshifting werewolf as a protagonist. I thought this was a little hokey at first, but I quickly became hooked! The title comes from the unification of many kingdoms into one. I can’t wait to read about some of the other portions of the kingdom.
Hope For A New World by Renee W Peek
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This novel is set in the future, a little bit more than a hundred years from now. It is an apocalyptic tale featuring Earth, and a sister planet. It features many indigenous characters. I really like learning snippets of other cultures. The characters have deep family relationships. Don’t skip out on this book!
Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This delightful children’s book focuses on character development. The main character becomes aware of his greediness and selfishness. He takes steps to overcome these flaws. The story also deals with the Loch Ness Monster, and a theory concerning said creature. Readers will learn that good people look out for others.
To Catch An Elf: Pennsylvania Fighter Pilot by Debra Parmley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I agreed to read this book, without knowing anything except the title. Honestly, I thought I was going to be reading a quick little children’s book. Imagine my surprise when I saw the cover! This was an amazing book! It was full of mystery, romance, and suspense. At the same time, it was not graphic. The story did not open with the viewpoint of a protagonist, or a neutral viewpoint, but rather from the viewpoint of the antagonist. There was humor mixed in throughout the book. And who can resist the antics of beloved canine characters?
The Befallen by Cambria Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book features a society that is beleaguered by an evil plague. One that is not spread by germs, yet kills groups of the living nonetheless. Legend says a hero will save them all. But what makes a hero? Who gets to decide what type of people have it in them to actually be a hero? Ultimately, this is a book about faith. The faith to believe, and the faith to become.
The Magic Man by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Return to the northwest with this series of novels. Leap into the world of the theatrical with this installment. When families intertwine, the drama ensues, and not merely the theatrical kind. There are so many sets of twins, you may lose your head trying to keep it all straight. Add in a modern romance, and this book is a winner for sure!
The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a mystery. It is told in the first perspective, from the point of view of a young girl living on the streets. It is set in Los Angeles in the 1930s. The main character finds herself needing to prove she did not commit a heinous crime. Along the way, she learns the importance of considering the feelings of others.
Knight In Peril by Alice Bienia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a missing persons case. It’s a cautionary tale for traveling tourists (are there any other types of tourists?). A suspense novel, yet it has a wisp of romance and fidelity running through it. Ultimately the mystery is solved, although not without treachery and tragedy. Overall, this reader was left with the warm fuzzies that accompany the reading of a good book.
Encounters with Old Coyote by Laura Koerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is quirky. It has an interesting hook: it’s told from the point of view of an atheist who is experiencing life following her own death. The characters are delightfully wonky. They go on adventures, and have philosophical discussions. I think they could solve many of the world’s problems- if only they were alive to do so!
Orenda by T.S. Simons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m so glad I got to revisit some of my favorite characters, in what has quickly become one of my favorite reading genres. Readers will learn how new societies form. What are the responsibilities of a new government? What so-called freedoms are people willing to give up, and what will they receive in return? All these issues and more, are explored within this futuristic tale.
Dumpster Dying by Michelle Bennington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ll be honest- it was the hazardous hoarding that piqued my interest. I have clutter. Now I’m wondering if I should examine my motivation whenever I am tempted to keep something even slightly sentimental. Throw in a mystery, and a ghost- I’m hooked! The fact that the story is set in my home state of Kentucky is an added bonus.
The Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I think I have become addicted to the dystopian genre. This book was really good. It was also scary. I could see glimpses of some of today’s cultural issues present as precursors to the plot of the story. With so much “fake news” abounding, how can one tell reality from fiction?
Mission Target by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I adore books with military heroes. And, what a treat to read this so close to Veterans Day! This could be a great stand-alone book, but I really enjoyed spending time with my favorite retired war dog. I adore dogs, too. Classic good versus evil book that will leave you feeling good about the future of humanity.
