Posts

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price Audiobook (The Crown of Stones Book 1) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Christin Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Magic-Price (The Crown of Stones, #1)Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ian Troy is a Shinree addicted to magic. He stumbles across an instrument of immense power and pays for it dearly, though it was done with the best of intentions. He trades addictions from magic to debauchery and travels alone through the land until he is forced by an enemy to return to magic to save his land.
I liked this! There was solid world building skill and the book moved fast. I will keep my eye on this author.

View all my reviews

The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds of West Hills) by B. E. Padgett – Review by C. L. Schneider – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds of West Hills #2)The Secrets of Arkaim by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s Jon & Frank’s second year at West Hills School for the Perceptually Gifted and they are ready for the Zodiac Games, a competition between the houses. They are training to be the champions, but everything seems to be working against them and sinister forces are trying to keep them from winning the games – or worse.
This is a sweet fantasy series for tweens. It is great for vocabulary and reading and the story is fun enough the kids won’t even know they are learning.

View all my reviews

Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Amaleigha Makes a New FriendAmaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was in school, I made a pen pal friend from Chile. I learned so much about culture and daily life differences that I “corrected” my teacher about something obscure. This book brought me back to that year in school and reminded me how important it is to know people who are different than you. This story about Amaleigha and Vova is important with current events, making a difference and friendship.

View all my reviews

Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscarand Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5.Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic book that explains illness and euthanasia and makes it understandable to children as young as five. Nobody wants to talk about these difficult subjects and it helps so much to have a book to open the door to a discussion.

View all my reviews

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love all of Lois Wickstrom’s books, this was no exception. The story points out how we can feel like we are different and don’t belong, but if we look long enough we will find ways we are alike and belong together. The illustrations are adorable.

View all my reviews

Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic book and aimed for kids a little older than the cover seems to show. This book tackles really heavy stuff like illegal immigration, racism and multiple cultures. It also keeps it fun with magic ants and school projects. I have read quite a few of Lois Wickstrom’s books and this is by far my favorite and the most needed.

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful story about anxiety that offers kids tools to handle anxiety immediately. I think more adults should read this, too

View all my reviews

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend by Terri Sabol – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-ReturnOscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a sweet story about a stray cat that hides in bushes and searches for food. As a woman who spends a considerable amount of time trapping and releasing the feral cat colonies, I love that this book explains that feral and strays deserve love and patience and the importance of spaying and neutering. In this story the stray cat remains a stray cat, but learns he is safe and fed by the family and becomes friends with them all. All cats need love, not just lap cats.

View all my reviews

Fortune’s Favorite (Soulbound Journeys Book 2) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Fortune's Favorite (Soulbound Journeys #2)Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a dark ride into a magical realm and beautifully written. I enjoyed it more than the first in the series because I felt I knew the main characters a little better than the first book and the adventure was even better. Twisty and suspenseful, I read this one cover to cover. I really love this author and am going to go back and read some of her previous work. Highly recommend!

View all my reviews

The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella (Soulbound Journeys Book 1) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella (Soulbound Journeys #1)The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn’t realize this was a spin off series from A Crown of Stones and wish I had read those first. I enjoyed the book, it was well written and full of adventure. I read it on one day and was entirely sucked into this fantasy world, but I felt like there was inside knowledge that I lacked about the characters.

View all my reviews

Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Hole in the RockHole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As an animal lover, I enjoyed every page of this book. Liza hates that her father is a taxidermist and works behind the scenes to convince him to change career paths. But with every stunt she pulls the consequences get higher! When her family moves into a tourist trap she is horrified again with her family’s livelihood and only wants to live in a normal home! Every scheme she comes up with causes more and more problems and things just don’t ever seem to go right for Liza.
I rescue animals and had a start just like Liza, with dragging things home and exasperating my family. I loved Liza and enjoyed this story.

View all my reviews

Oathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Oathbreakers AnonymousOathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oathbreakers Anonymous was written with me in mind! It’s an epic adventure with some very unlikely heroes who are all trying to retain favor of the Gods. Aren’t we all, eh? I thought it was hilarious and read it in a day. I can’t wait to see more!

View all my reviews

Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Fetching DreamsFetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a story of two young ladies from opposite ends of the world. One girl lives in poverty and without water, while the other has all the modern comforts but trouble with her health and family. They support and encourage each other and develop a meaningful, important friendship.

View all my reviews

A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

A Teacher's HeartA Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a sweet illustrated books that emphasizes how all teachers have a big heart. Despite all the differences in personality and style, each teacher is a person that wants to help others. The artwork is adorable, this is a lovely book.

View all my reviews

Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Holding Up the SkyHolding Up the Sky by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Colleen’s dad has a very important job – he holds up the sky! Unfortunately, the townsfolk don’t understand or appreciate what he does and he is bullied. This is my first book by Wickstrom but I love how she built into a lesson without taking away from magic and adventure. The illustrations were adorable – I loved this little book!

View all my reviews

Shalom Israel by Melissa Lavi – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Shalom Israel: A place like no otherShalom Israel: A place like no other by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a lyrical story that describes Israel in pictures and prose. The story highlights the beauty of the land both naturally and culturally. The illustrations are within photos and make each page inviting and fun. My favorite part is the glossary in the back, it even helped me with some terms, and I am an adult! Adorable book!

View all my reviews

Talks Like Thunder (Red With Native Blood Book 1) Audiobook by Randal Nerhus & Marjorie Carter – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Talks Like Thunder (Red With Native Blood: Novella One)Talks Like Thunder by Randal Nerhus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of Desert Flower, a young girl who is living through the worst horror in our native history. Set in 1871, her life as an Apache begins with losing both parents to smallpox. As she grows she survives through wars, boarding schools, reservations and famine. In spite of the hardships she was born into, she becomes a strong and proud young woman who fights to save her family, her tribe and her land.
This is a beautiful novella that only hints at the devastation inflicted upon our native tribes told through the eyes of an Apache teen. Family, honor and tragedy all form the development and growth of a girl to maturity. Five stars!

View all my reviews

Ghosts of Alda (The Obscured Throne Trilogy Book 2) by Russell Archey – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Ghosts of Alda (The Obscured Throne Trilogy Book 2)Ghosts of Alda by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I began this series in book two and was lost, so to really enjoy and understand I had to leave this book and start with the first. I am so glad I did because this is one of my new favorite series and will give all of Russel Archey’s works a chance, hoping he dazzles me like he did with this series.
It began in book one with a tear in the sky that allowed a much darker world to leak into Alda. Book two is a continuation of the chronicling of the dying world told from all different characters. There is so much dread and adventure in this series that you can’t shake it from your mind just because it is finished. I only wish I had book three out because I keep reliving my favorite tales and impatiently waiting for more.
This is one of my new favorite authors in my already favorite genre – a rare find!

View all my reviews

Editor Kill Fee (The Taylor Browning Cozy Mysteries Book 3) by GG Collins – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Editor Kill Fee (Taylor Browning Cozy Mysteries #3)Editor Kill Fee by G.G. Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun little mystery with all of my favorite things – cats, book clubs, and wine! A touch paranormal, a hint of monsters and a drug smuggling operation meets a book club, a famous restaurant and a publishing company. There are hints all over this story and once you think you have it figured out it takes you in an opposite direction! This was my first G.G. Collins novel but won’t be my last!

View all my reviews