Slash & Burn by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an amazing continuation on the Nite Fire series! The authors world building draws you in as if you are there experiencing it along with the characters. Just like the previous books, I love the main character Dahlia’s strong will and sass. With plenty of action, drama and suspense, it’s a must read for Fantasy lovers.
Exit Strategy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Just wow! A wonderful last book to this unforgettable series. I’ve never read anything else like it. Paranormal but with an original plot and fantastic world building. She doesn’t belong to our world, but kicks butt saving it. Looking forward to more series from this author!
Exit Strategy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The perfect ending to the perfect fantasy series! I was absolutely glued to this book, the author had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. The main character Dahlia is strong willed, sassy and bold. Do yourself a favour and pick up this series!
~ 
~ 
~ 
BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ 
Tamara Agha-Jaffar is a retired professor of English. She received numerous awards for her teaching and volunteer work and was named the 2004 Kansas Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation, receiving its CASE Award for the Advancement of Teaching. In 2010 she received The President’s Call to Service Award from President Barak Obama for her volunteer work in the community. She is the author of three novels and two books of non-fiction.
The Curse of a Faeblood by M.K. Lorber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars
The Curse of a Faeblood is the first book in The Faeblood Series by M.K. Lorber. This is the first book that I have read by this author, so I really didn’t know what to expect going in. But I am such a sucker for anything fantasy- and as this had such an interesting premise and intriguing cover, I immediately one-clicked myself a copy and dove right in.
I can honestly say that I am so happy I stumbled on this book (and author). I loved the story and am so excited to continue the series. I am also looking forward to a long love-affair with M.K. Lorber’s books over the coming years/decades.
This story is wonderfully woven, starting with the attention to detail and cleverly constructed world in which M.K. Lorber sets her story/series. There is definitely a lot happening in the book, the storyline is filled with lots of depth, layers, textures, and surprising developments- which the author choreographs beautifully. The whole thing flows seamlessly, and the whole way through there is evidence of the author’s imagination, creativity, and other magic touches that she has cast over each and every page- ensuring her readers are well and truly under her spell and completely engrossed. She doesn’t overcomplicate things or overload us with enormous info-dumps, even though there is a lot happening, with so many and varied characters in the cast, and lots of meaty story to sink our teeth into- there was never a moment where I felt like I wasn’t entirely invested in everything that was happening. I was completely immersed and eager to see what lay around the next corner (page). And for me that is the sign of a great author who knows how to craft a fantastic story.
If you love a great fantasy with adventure, danger, action, wonderful characters, agendas, politics, love, loss, and so much more- then you won’t want to miss grabbing yourself a copy of ‘The Curse of a Faeblood’ to explore, you’ll be so happy you did.
Can’t wait for the next book!
Happy Reading!
Thank you, M.K. Lorber!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
This Night Has Ended by Alexander Charalambides
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This Night Has Ended: A dark Supernatural Fantasy (Vampire State book 5)
By: Alexander Charalambides
Review by: Susan Ratchford
5 Stars
In this last installment of the Vampire State series Rowena continues to go through her transformation. Her body is wracked with pain, betraying her at every turn, and her humanity is teetering on an edge, all the while the empire is ripe with discontent and malice. Rowena’s fate and the fate of all of Sanguinia’s human population rests on one crucial election, it is Rowena’s final test.
This was a beautifully written end of the series and I can not wait to binge read the rest of the books! Alexander Charalambides brings a wonderfully creative new take on the Paranormal/Vampire story with a unique portrayal of vampires and their politics. It was engaging and powerful with dynamic characters like Rowena and Vincenzo who you can’t help but like. This book had me reading as fast as I could just to find out what would happen to them. The detail he put into this series gives it a sense of realism that anyone at any age can enjoy. This series has everything you could ever want with vampires, action, danger, and politics. Definitely worth it!!!
The Wish-Eater by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my gosh. This book has had made feel all the feels! All of Elois’s frustrations and heartbreak were mine, and every glimmer of hope she felt, I felt as well. I wanted to take her and wrap her in a warm blanket and never giver her away. Sébastien was literally meant for her! He brought her joy and kept all of her secrets. He goes on this adventure just for her. Seeing them grow together only made me root for them more! The writing was well done and I was pulled in from the start. I devoured this book in a day and still wanted more! I will definitely be adding this author to my reading list!!!
This Night Has Ended by Alexander Charalambides
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the fifth and final book in this series and I’m sad it has to come to an end. I found this story to be original which made it that much more exciting to read. This story is full of danger, vampires, twists and turns, politics, and great characters. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down, I kept turning the pages needing to know what was going to happen next. This book took me on an unexpected journey. The author did an exceptional job writing a great series and keeping me on the edge of my seat. Rowena has been through so much but she stays strong throughout. I can’t wait to read what the author gives us next. I recommend this book.
Bake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved taking the next step in Cat’s story with her! Cat talks her parents into a trip to see relatives so she can try to discover why her baking works the way it does. With the help of her cousin Robyn, Cat goes on a difficult journey of lesson learning and discovery. With help from their GG, they go on the hunt for all their answers. Little did they know, they may just help their family as much as their family helps them.
This story was so fun to read with my daughter. We enjoyed it just as much as we did the first book. There is so much detail in the story that you can picture it as you read. My daughter is ten, almost eleven and she could not get enough of this. It is relatable to younger and older readers alike. Cat’s curiosity and outgoing personality create a very engaging and fun character. We can’t wait to see where Cat’s journey takes her next!
Review by @nrl0522
Taming of the Few by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This beautifully written book is a treasure and I hope all fantasy fans get the chance to read it. The gorgeous cover had me hooked with the deep colors with a pop of brilliant gold in the center. This magical story starts with following Anna, a young woman who realizes she is in danger once her special abilities come to light and impacts her teaching position. Fate helped her escape the states and travel to Ireland for safety. She meets others like her with strange magical powers, all while trying to learn more about her own power, how to protect herself and others, as well as trying to make a decision about volunteering for a future position within the Phae organization.
Anna finds herself partially covered in scales with skin that screams for the water. She also has a spectacular affinity for somewhat controlling water. However, due to fear and discrimination of those who are not of Unhidden Blood.
The story also introduces other incredible characters such as Max, a military vet with a love of flying and the habit of drinking. He wasn’t thrilled about coming to Ireland, but fellow newbie Phae recruiter, Hiroki, successfully recruited him by making several promises, one of which was access to a new plane. Max is a grumpy old man, he has an impressive background and is a great pilot. He also has the magical ability to speak to the wind, which he is struggling with at the beginning of this book.
The Byrne family’s farm is one of the many training locations for the Phae and they welcome the new folks who have uncovered their Unhidden Blood talents. The family’s personalities are incredible, including the wonderful children. I truly enjoyed the way the author incorporated the different folks into the training location along with the Byrne family. With a large group of folks in one single location for any amount of time could prove to be interesting in any setting, let alone one where the Phae are often on alert for any type of attack from those who misunderstand and refuse to accept those with Unhidden Blood.
I cannot wait to see what the next book will have in store for the characters/story/plot.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
The Wish-Eater by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an adventure. This story was packed with life lessons, amazing characters, action and romance. Going on the journey with Elodie and Sebastian was absolutely fascinating and I couldn’t absorb the words fast enough. Elodie is an amazingly strong woman and I loved everything about her. I was sucked into this book from the beginning and it was impossible to put down.
This Night Has Ended by Alexander Charalambides
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Engaging, dynamic, intriguing, captivating and enthralling! Book five, the last in this series, really makes the final moments for this story come alive. I was entranced and caught in the throes of the action. I love Rowena’s final push and thoroughly enjoyed the dark romanticism and unique portrayal of vampires. Read these in order to get the most out of them!!! I will be re-reading them one weekend when I have time to binge!!
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ruanon is the heir of Tarlah, this involves lessons in fighting, history of the kingdom and more importantly how to run the Kingdom that will one day be theirs to rule. Because they are non binary, Ruanon works twice as hard to prove themselves to their father who is the current King.
The dangers of ruling over a Kingdom hits Ruanon in the face one night when their parents are kidnapped after a foiled assassination attempt. Now Ruanon is unsure of who to trust as they attempt to rule the kingdom and prevent war from a neighboring Kingdom.
Lihn finds herself in an unknown location while on a school trip to Australia. How did she get there? And more importantly, how does she get back home?
I really enjoyed this novel. It was fast paced and unpredictable. I couldn’t wait for both storylines to come together and how it would.
The main character being non binary is what cause my attention the most. It is not something I’ve seen before in the fantasy genre.
I saw that this is supposed to be a trilogy so I can’t wait for the next book.
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This isn’t my usual genre but I was up for a bit of change and a challenge and I must say that while I won’t easily be converted this was a good read ❣️📕
There were times I just had to stop , breathe and let myself absorb and process what I’ve read there’s alit of detail and that’s not a bad thing so that’s not critique it’s just me being out of my genre and I think if this is your thing you’ll love every page !
world and wind up another, you really feel like you are in the story as well at times. 
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Manipulator’s War ( Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1) by Elise Carlson is confusing and yet entertaining at the same time. I feel dragged into two different worlds but yet feel like I belong in both. It’s the first book that I have ever come across with a main character that is nonbinary. Not sure how or why the character became nonbinary but it does play a role in my opinion. You start off in one world and wind up another, you really feel like you are in the story as well at times.
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Manipulator’s War is incredibly detailed and I took some breaks here and there just to really wrap my head around what was happening. It was a bit difficult to get into the groove at first but once I did, I was completely enthralled!
Ruarnon is our non-binary main character and they must prove that they are up to many challenges, including finding their abducted parents and trying to end a terrifying war in their home of Tarlah. They need to decide who to trust and rely on internal instincts in the face of opposition. The four students from Australia are in for a life-altering experience as they attempt to navigate through this unbelievable world they stumbled upon. Will they ever find their way back to Australia or will Tarlah become their new home?
There are many emotions woven into this book and I enjoyed the multiple vantage points from different characters. I’m excited for the release of the second book in this trilogy, highly recommend for any reader interested in YA, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or LGBTQ+ Fiction!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Manipulator’s War (Ruarnon Trilogy) Book 1
By Elise Carlson
Review By Susan Ratchford
4 stars
After assassins try to strike the non binary Raurnon down, the heir to Tarlahs perfect King, and their parents are abducted, they must assume the throne and try to be the worthy ruler that they always challenged them self to be. In the face of untrustworthy allies and a war that has stained their entire history they know they need more than brains and battle strategies to end this war. To do this they need a bargaining chip.
After traveling through a portal Linh and her friends happen upon a strange world they do not recognize. No longer in Australia they are in the world of Ruarnon and the people of Tarlah. Trapped in a time of civil unrest and a growing plague of monsters Linh will do anything to find her way back to her own time and place. Even pretend to be someone she isn’t and travel to see the heir Ruarnon herself and risk a plan for home. Will Linh be exactly what Ruarnon needs to end this war and secure everlasting peace or will their plan fail and with it the fate of them and their people?
I loved this book and will definitely be reading the rest of this series!!!! I really enjoyed the inclusion of a nonbinary protagonist it made me focus on other aspects of the story that were so engaging and emotionally gripping! This book took me on an emotional roller coaster with every twist and turn. I felt like I was there with Linh and Ruarnon through every struggle! Elise Carlson did a wonderful job of creating a complex and detailed plot that is constantly surprising you as well as fast paced. This is definitely a great YA series that anyone can enjoy and highly recommend you give it a try!
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson is confusing and yet entertaining. It took awhile for me to get into this book. I really had to concentrate to keep up with the story line. It’s the first book that I have ever come across where the main character is non binary, and if you’re not paying attention at first…it is a little bit confusing. You start off in one world and wind up another. This was definitely a one of a kind book.
Reviewed by: Mary Espinoza, May 2022
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ruarnon is the heir of Tarlah, the first non-binary heir as well. They have to work a lot harder because of this. Others believe they will not do well as the next heir as they have only ever been ruled by Kings. The current king, Ruarnon’s father, believes they can be the next ruler as long as they try their best. Another king had a peace treaty with the kingdom of Tarlah but as the king of that kingdom died and his son took over, there were people against keeping the treaty alive. Resulting in going behind the current king’s back to take out the royals of Tarlah. One day, Ruarnon’s parents are abducted in the middle of the night.
Ruarnon has to take the throne of their kingdom with the help of their uncle. They have to make a lot of decisions and trust no one as people don’t like that a non-binary has taken the throne.
Meanwhile 4 teenagers are on a school trip. As they are walking along the beach, they see a trail in the woods that would make walking back so much faster. Once they enter the forest they are literally teleported to another place and time. The teens try to backtrack, only realizing the beach is completely gone. With no way back, they venture further into this new place.
Can Ruarnon find their parents and prove to everyone that they can be ruler with no problem?
Can the teenagers make it back home?
The book itself had all the elements to be something extremely interesting to me but it was kind of hard to keep track of who, what, where and when. Because of this I had trouble completely immersing myself in the words.
Bake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In a delightfully done YA Fantasy sequel this explores what happens when you mix baking with magic.This is the second book in the series and continues with the main character Cat in a bakery competition after traveling to the family bakery in arizona…. but what happens to her baking when you add magic? Youll have to read to find out! The added bonus is recipes that you can try yourself!
This series was great YA angst type children’s chapter book that was wholesome, engaging and quirky and I really enjoyed it. For parents this is definitely a safe book to choose for your kids and tweens/teens for a fanstasy/magic escape
Bake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was looking forward to Bake Off and I wasn’t disappointed. I enjoyed reading about Cat again – the author has a wonderful writing style and makes her writing so engaging and fun to read. I loved the recipes sprinkled in again – I think I really felt the family vibe and the fun banter between each other in this book.
This was another fun and light hearted read that both young adult readers and older ones will like. There is something for everyone and with the fun way in which it is written you will be flipping the pages to find out what will happen next.
I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author again in the future.
BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 
Jay Veloso Batista is a published author of Historical Fantasy and Supernatural Suspense, technical non-fiction, poetry and role-playing games. The Forerunner Series includes ‘Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse,’ ‘The Vardoger Boy,’ ‘On Viking Seas,’ ‘Kara, Shieldmaiden of Eire (2022),’ ‘Mauraders in Jotunheim (2023),’ and ‘Voyage to Cordova (2024).’ Jay loves history, cycling and hiking, and good craft beer! A frequent traveler for business and pleasure, Jay has visited all 50 states and all of the continents except Antarctica, and the places he has frequented support his story craft. A father and grandfather, Jay lives on the eastern Delaware shore with his wife where they can kayak, swim in the ocean and eat lots of blue fin crabs! You can learn more about Jay at www.jayvelosobatista.com or on his Facebook Author page.
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very good YA fantasy that was enjoyable to read and my first book with a character that was non-binary. There were parts that I had to really piece together and pay attention for sure. There is mystery, adventure and twists along the way as we meet Ruarnon….. assassination attempts are happening and Ruarnon has to take over the kingdom. Mix in some combining of worlds and you really have a good fantasy story with some great character development. Looking forward to book 2!
Taming of the Few by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The characters were interesting. The plot was alright. I found there was good descriptions throughout the book. If you are interested in the subject of the Fae, you should give this a read.
The Wish-Eater by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Honestly, I don’t know what to say first, because when I started reading this book, I was immediately enthralled. This author brilliantly wove this amazing world with characters that are so relatable! I wanted to know them, interact with them, and see their world. Elodie in particular is an amazingly strong female lead, who has excellent role models both in Pepa and Agathe. Willum’s story made me ache for him, but I truly wanted to meet Sebastian. His and Dion’s friendship was so genuine and I loved it as much as Elodie and Josephine’s sisterly relationship. The relationships within the family and town, the doubt within the characters’ normal lives, and the hope brought by a story were just truly beautiful. It’s a story that gave me Inkheart vibes, so if you liked those stories, I’m sure you’d enjoy this one.
Bake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bake Off is the second book in The Bake Believe Trilogy and it follows the same wit, humour, and challenges the first novel encompassed. With strong characters who hold relatable personality traits, Bake Off provides a wholesome YA experience for readers. The family history, uncovering powers behind baking, and normal teenage drama, ensure readers are held captive to the pages. The exploration of recipes is probably my favourite part of the novel. A great YA read!
Taming of the Few by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A multiple POV read leads you through the lives of numerous characters, each with their own prejudice and opinions about what the world is. Each marked with an ability that some view as a gift and others a curse, the reader is led through multiple tiers of struggle, betrayal, romance, sense of duty, and longing for acceptance. The journey for each began in a part of the world where their “kind” is far from accepted. With abilities that must be hidden or face extreme prejudice and belittling circumstances, the reader is taken along the journey of found family and development of powers to quite literally, save the world they know.
The author draws deep both historical and religious contexts to portray a story that truly draws out the horrors of what human beings are capable of. The blanket of fantasy adds a foggy glass through which the reader is able to view the world, but the pinpricks of realism draw all the nearer with each new revelation. A captivating read deems you into a hold that the pages fly by, and the world comes alive around you.
All the characters, despite their numerous backgrounds and stories, all merge together in a singular plot for their survival against genocide. A reader can do little more than root for each new POV that is splayed across the pages, their emotions sometimes in stark contrast to one another. It is oftentimes that I found myself loving one character through a viewpoint, and then hating them upon a switch. It just proves the talent that the author portrays.
The Wish-Eater by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was so excited to pick up a new book by this author. And when I read the description of this story I knew I was going to love it. From the moment I started reading I was completely hooked. The book was well developed and intriguing. I loved how the author made it feel quite exciting and mysterious.
The characters fit with the book so well. They were interwoven in a clever way and really keep your attention. This author has firmly become one of favourites and I never hesitate to pick up a book she was written. This is yet another example of why.
Taming of the Few by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Personally I have never read something by this author before, but this was an interesting read for my first time. This book was full of so many wonderful things, and was overall a great story. While the story and the plot were both fantastic, I did find myself getting lost a couple of times because of all of the different characters and their abilities. But overall it is a well thought out book, with plenty of action, great characters, and more. So if your looking for a complex but interesting read pick this one up today.
The Traveler by Deborah Dugan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s all come together now. I am so very glad that I came back and read the first installment in this set. I made the mistake of reading the second installment prior to this one, and it makes a lot more sense now. This author is an immaculate storyteller, and this is one story that you don’t want to miss. It’s completely different than anything else I have ever read, and the characters, the travels, adventures and connections are all sewn up in a few cute packages. I thoroughly enjoy the way that the novel is written in parts, dividing the different stories so that the reader doesn’t get lost along the way.
I felt as though I looked at this life differently after following the friendship of the Traveler and Tristan, and how overcoming your fears, even with a little assistance, can clear your outlook on life and appreciate the little things that are everywhere, every day. I will be going back and reading the second installment of The Traveler, as I’m sure that even more will become clear, and will be an immersive adventure once more. Do set aside time to really dig deep into these stories, as the more you put into them, the more you’ll get out. Highly recommend!