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Shadow’s Fall (Shadowstalker Series Book 3) by Natalie Johanson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Shadow's Fall (Shadowstalker Series Book 3)Shadow’s Fall by Natalie Johanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shadow’s Fall is Book Three in the Shadowstalker Series. Although it could possibly be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the other books in the series first. I started with the third book not realizing there were two other books prior to this one. I will be going back to read those ones and then rereading this one because it will make more sense knowing the full backstory. It is a YA fantasy story with action, suspense, mystery, intrigue, magic, drama, and danger. The story centers around the character of Rose who has become the newly appointed Chief of her clan. She is trying to deal with a lot of issues at once but at the top of her list is finding Gerik and stopping him from hurting anyone that she cares about. If anyone can possibly stop him, Rose can because she is smart, strong, fierce, and determined. As Rose sets off on her adventure King Micah returns to a world full of chaos and anger. He must try to find a way to turn things around and keep everyone happy. The two characters have their work cut out for them. The author creates a great story full of secrets, sacrifices, lies, magic, and adventure that keep you riveted until the end. Anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

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Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Mr. Barsins' Toy EmporiumMr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium is a chapter book designed for children between the ages of eight to twelve years of age. This book is a fantasy story that follows the adventures of several children as they discover magic, adventure, excitement, and perhaps a bit of danger while exploring Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium. In a magical room hidden from view is a place where all four seasons exist at once. In this room is where the elementals live, and each child is allowed to adopt one as their friend. Four children end up at the emporium for different reasons and each discover adventures with their new imaginary friend. Soon they are caught up in the fantasy worlds of dragons, gnomes, mermaids, and sylphs. This was an entertaining and fun storyline with interesting characters. I loved the illustrations that were sprinkled throughout the book. Anxious to see what this author comes up with next!

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Nightfall in Deptford (Crescent Moon Chronicles Book 4) by L.E. Towne – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Nightfall in Deptford (Crescent Moon Chronicles #4)Nightfall in Deptford by L.E. Towne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Tam Paradiso learns that the man she loves, Christopher Marlowe, has been sentenced to death she decides to risk everything to save him. There are only a few snags in her plan which she must work around to save him. The first hurdle is that Tam is in present day Philadelphia and Christopher is back in the year 1593. Not only must Tam time travel back to 1593 but she must find a way to rescue Christopher from the White Tower after he has been wrongly imprisoned there. It seems that Christopher has gotten himself wrapped up in the middle of a political conspiracy and the result has been his conviction of a crime he did not commit. His impending death has completely altered the timeline of the future, so it is imperative that he be rescued, and the timeline be corrected.

Tam is a strong woman who is used to fighting her own battles, but this time has no choice but to take someone with her to help. Tam has recently learned that she is pregnant which complicates time travel and risks the life of her unborn child. With few choices on who she can ask to help, Tam is forced to choose her ex-boyfriend Theo, a banished Fae warrior. Will Tam and Theo be able to save Christopher and correct the timeline of the future?

The author did a great job with the dual timelines in this book, and I felt as though I was there in 1593 with the characters experiencing the conditions as they were in that time. I could smell and almost taste the foods they ate. I could hear the sounds of the busy streets and see the decrepit conditions many lived in. Each scene was so vividly described that I felt as though I was right there in that time experiencing everything that Tam, Theo, and Christopher were doing. I loved the character of Tam and admired the lengths that she would go to so that she could save the man she loved. Even if that involved enlisting the help of an ex-lover that she wanted nothing to do with. Theo was also to be admired for stepping up to help his ex-girlfriend save her new lover. Christopher was someone that you could not help but feel bad for after being imprisoned in such horrific conditions. I highly recommend this book!

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