Tag Archives: Short Stories

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November Book Reviews, and Portland’s Warzone

Before I dive into book reviews, I bring you a glimpse of Portland, Oregon’s “warzone” and the “violent carnage” outside the ICE facility. This is typical Portland. I love it!

We had an Emergency World Naked Bike Ride to protest the national guard deployment. Usually, naked bike rides happen in July, when wearing one’s birthday suit on a bicycle is more comfortable. Here’s a pic with limited visible skin.

Credit Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard

Finally, we had a 1980s Jane Fonda Workout Party in front of the ICE building. That seemed to do the trick, because the National Guard left a few days later.

Now, for some Book Reviews!

I read some fabulous new releases in October and November. You can’t go wrong with any of these during the idle holidays when I know you have nothing pressing to do (Lol).

Below are my reviews of a book about grief, a collection of short stories, a pair of revenge novellas, a historical romance, a suspense novel, and a post-apocalyptic thriller.

Click on the covers for Amazon global links.

*****

About the Real Stages of Grief, by D. G. Kaye

New Release

This book about grief is based on the author’s research and her personal experience after the death of her beloved husband. It adds another perspective to the broad array of books exploring a difficult journey that the vast majority of us will someday take, often more than once. It’s well worth the read.

My professional career was in counseling, specifically grief counseling, and specifically for children who were losing or had lost someone important. Kaye was clear that her advice reflects the experience of someone who lost a spouse, and I appreciated that she wrote many times that each grief experience is different, based on the relationship with the deceased, the circumstances of the death, one’s personality and coping skills, support systems, and other factors.

At the same time, experiences overlap, and the author shared her personal struggle, which many grievers will identify with. The book addresses the crazy-making experiences of loss: the well-known stages, emotional reactions, and triggers. She also dives into lesser-discussed topics of loss of identity, vanishing support systems, distractions, self-medicating, and boundaries. Death is a subject many people struggle with; therefore, the author’s advice on how to best support a grieving person was extremely valuable.

Finally, Kaye shares the gradual process of moving forward, making healthy choices, and forging a new life with grief as a companion. A highly recommended read for those seeking information for themselves, their loved ones, and the grievers in their lives. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Whispers of a Southern Moon, by Priscilla Bettis

New Release

I’ve read numerous stories by Bettis and was eager to pick up her new collection. That said, I know her as an author of horror stories and was a little nervous about her pivot into Christian-themed tales. Usually, I have no interest in that genre. But … this is Bettis.

I gave it a go, and I’m so glad I did. The author proved she can write anything, and this collection is loaded with wonderful stories, some so moving that they’ll stay with me for a long time. “Fix Your Face” is one such tale—a stunningly beautiful love story that ranks among my all-time favorite short stories.

The collection includes both stories and poetry. Most of them seem secular in nature, though traditional Christian themes abound: love, kindness, generosity, faith. Poetry follows each story, often as a reflection on the story’s theme. The poetry is freeform, and some poems reference biblical text.

Mother Bird

My worn-thin mother dreamed she was a bird
flapping above a field of fading flowers.
It was autumn, and leaves feathered her wings.
Seven woolly caterpillars warned
of a looming snowy winter.

When she rode a thermal to the sun,
her garments flickered fiery ocher and orange
before she shed her feathers, falling
to the ground to break her hollow dreams
and shelter seven caterpillars.

I read this collection in one sitting, unable to put the book down for a moment. The short stories were my favorites, and picking a few to highlight was nearly impossible. Here are three more that I thought were exceptional in addition to “Fix Your Face”:

“Earnest and the Dust Angel,” a gorgeous tale about loss, grief, and letting go.
“After the Fire,” another beautiful tale, this one about choosing an aging parent over a busy life.
“Prayers Heavy with Smoke,” a moving tale about kindness and redemption.

The author shares her “Testimony” at the end of the book, and this “story” is also worth reading. In it, she chronicles her faith journey as well as her writing one. If you have an afternoon with a few free hours and enjoy beautifully written short stories, I highly recommend this collection. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Served Cold, by Terry Tyler

New Release

I enjoy Tyler’s edge-of-the-seat writing and looked forward to this pair of novellas based on the expression: revenge is a dish best served cold. Revenge is the name of the game in these very different stories, and I read them both throughout one day, unable to stop myself from going back for more.

“The Steal” is the first story. Jodie has everything going for her – a beautiful home in a lovely town, a dream business, and a great husband. The only thing missing in her life is children. Then Alana moves to town, fabulous Alana, and little by little, all those wonderful things about Jodie’s life trickle away. It’s not fair, but what can Jodie do about it? This story has a great twist, and a valuable lesson for those who carelessly destroy other people’s lives.

“Lucky Star” is truly frightening, a revenge tale that edges into the horror genre. This one is a nail-biter. Stevie wakes up in a strange facility, an unwilling contestant on a game show with a small group of other, equally baffled, people. None of them can leave; all of them must participate, and each round just might kill someone. The truth about what’s happening, and why, comes slowly to light, and there’s a breathtaking twist at the end that I thought about for the rest of the day. Yikes!

The writing in both stories is compelling, and they move at a clip. The characters are richly drawn and likeable … until they’re not. If you like suspense, edge-of-your-seat stories, and great twists, this set of novellas is for you. Highly recommended.

*****

Wryson’s Eternity, by Shehanne Moore

New Release

In this 19th-century romance, Gil Wryson has lost his memory. He’s not even sure that’s his name, but he remembers flashes from his past, particularly a cottage where he seeks shelter. Only to discover someone has moved in, one Eternity Jones, a lady with a past that she’d just as soon forget. She’s fled her abusive husband, a Baron, and has been lying and “nicking” (stealing) what she needs to get by.

Gil and Eternity would both like to see the other vacate “their” cottage, and for half of the book, they’re trying to make that happen. Gil is being hunted and barely remembers why, and the man after him is threatening to tell Eternity’s husband about her whereabouts if she doesn’t help him trap Gil. Little by little, Gil and Eternity realize that helping each other might not be such a bad idea, and they plan a formal ball to joggle Gil’s memory with people who might also recognize him.

If this all sounds zany, that’s because it is. In typical Moore style, the book is loaded with rapid-fire banter, sarcasm, and wit, the characters’ out-loud dialogue peppered with copious internal commentary. The text requires a focused read since there aren’t any dialogue tags, POVs are loose, and visual cues are limited. There are action scenes, twists and turns, and an eventual meeting of the minds (including some lusty love).

The characters are wonderfully well-rounded, their personalities vivid, and the enemies-to-lovers story was highly entertaining. “O’Roarke’s Destiny” is the first book in the “Cornish Rogues” series, and though this book can be read without reading that one first, I was glad I did. It’s regularly referenced, and it added background to the current predicament.

Readers of Moore’s romances, especially those who enjoy her brisk style, will find more to love here. Highly recommended to romance readers who love snarky commentary, colorful characters, and plenty of wit. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

The Guilty Party, by Laura Lyndhurst

New Release

Many of us have probably attended a party with older family members (or perhaps you are the “oldie” who’s catching up with siblings, in-laws, and the younger generation. There might be cocktails, lots of chit chat, maybe a little gossip. So begins this book. But underneath the cordial camaraderie, there are currents of regret, annoyance, boredom, desire, and a few secrets kept for a long time, including murder.

During the party, and in the days following, the past is mused over, worried about, and it compels the characters to act and react, make changes for the better in some cases, and certainly for the worse in others. The “internal” nature of the narrative results in a moderate pace, but the story is engaging and held my attention without any difficulty.

Multiple POV characters share their thoughts, history, and choices. The book, by its nature, includes a lot of backstories, though there is a present-day danger complicating the lives of several characters. This is a character-driven novel, and readers who are fascinated by human nature may find it riveting. The characters are realistic, complex, and fully emotional people. Most are decent (but flawed) human beings, trying their best to navigate life—with mixed success.

Though readers may not relate to the specific details of these characters’ lives, the dynamics are highly recognizable. I enjoyed being a fly on the wall, observing the mess. It’s a fascinating peek beneath the surface veneer that people present to the outside world. Highly recommended to readers of character-driven novels who enjoy a bit of suspense in the mix. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

The Women of Wild Cove, by J. Kelland Perry

New Release

The future looks bleak for most of humankind. Almost 200 years from now, climate change has devastated the world—destroying food sources, breaking down societal norms, and allowing disease to spread. One part of the world is managing better than most – the island of Newfoundland in Canada.

There, a matriarchal society dominates, relegating men (called peons) to manual labor or to roles as consorts for breeding purposes. Once a day, they’re fed a serum that tempers their masculine natures. Women are fully in charge, allowing men few rights, chemically controlling them, and expecting full compliance.

Katrina (Kat) is eighteen and grew up believing that men are reckless, violent, and the cause of the world’s collapse. Then she meets a “rogue,” a man who slipped onto the island, seeking a cure for his three-year-old son’s disease. She must decide whether to turn him in or defy her community and help him. Kat and Marc (the rogue) are the most nuanced characters with the richest personalities and emotional backstories. They share the POV.

The plot is straightforward, and the story moves at a clip with some slower moments to get to know the characters and the island society, which includes a complete dismantling of the family unit. What I found most interesting was the author’s attention to gender-based power structures, including the obvious role reversals. Women, for so long treated as second class citizens and victimized by men, are now the oppressors.

Perhaps out of necessity, the elders of Wild Cove also exercise rigid control over the community’s girls and women, including Kat, who are assigned tasks and career placements with little or no input. To address a rise in infant mortality, teens are coerced into breeding. The female elders seem to think this is all for the good of humankind’s survival, and I’m curious to see how this plays out as the series continues.

Highly recommended to readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic and dystopian thrillers that raise some interesting questions about human nature, power, and control.

*****

Happy Holidays.

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Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour

I’m delighted to host my friend, D.L. Finn today, along with her latest collection of short stories. Denise’s short stories are always a delight and a wonderful way to dive into the holiday season. My review is below, but before you head there, I’m turning you over to Denise:

Thank you, Diana, for having me on your awesome blog today to share the release of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two. I’m filled with so much gratitude for your support.

Amazon Global Link

BLURB

Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.”She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.

After a War Comes Christmas: Story Inspiration

“After a War Comes Christmas” is a blend of many ideas, including history. When I wrote “Elizabeth’s War,” I found they almost canceled Christmas to save resources for the war effort. So that was woven into this story in a harsher form, or new leaders who allowed no freedom for the citizens. After fighting a civil war, neither side won, and they ended up with far worse. With the promise of food and stability, they took what was offered and regretted it. Stephen remembers what life used to be like, but his little sister can’t. Now they only get electrical power once a week for a few hours, and soon Stephen will be expected to become a soldier in training. Their father offered a solution, but it could be at the expense of his life and his family. On Christmas Eve, Stephen, his mother, and his sister gather around the fire and still celebrate and hope for the best.

EXCERPT: After a War Comes Christmas: anywhere, anytime, any town

The lights flashed on, and in practiced haste, Stephen filled the empty plastic containers with precious water from their power-operated well. The washing machine was ready to run, and his little sister, Lanie, knew to turn the machine on and then run the vacuum over the floors. Their mother focused on baking, including bread with the awful acorn flour she’d made. They never knew how long the power would stay on, so they worked from a list of priorities.

Even when the power wasn’t available, they were still some of the lucky ones. They had chickens that laid eggs and a cow who ended up being a mother and provided them with milk. This got them through tough times. Back when this all started, their neighbors were happy to trade goods; now, no one traded, and everyone kept to themselves. They may have survived the war, but little remained of what had been fought over.

Stephen robotically tightened the lids on the row of containers that would last them two weeks. He hoped they’d get extra electricity next week as a treat for Christmas. That was what modern conveniences had become: a treat. Unlike his sister, he remembered life before rationing, before communities fractured. It was a civil war no one won, especially the two sides that started it. A third party had come in and negotiated peace.  They celebrated the generous flow of money and supplies as the rebuild started. But that joy didn’t last long after the protective armies moved into their cities and towns and dismantled their government and defenses. Then the new laws came, and anything either side had been fighting about was gone.

His mom had once tried to sum it up in an old saying. “This new government has locked the stable after the horse bolted.” Mom added, “It trapped the rest of the animals inside. Unfortunately, Stephen, we are the animals, and that horse was our idea of freedom. I hope someday we get to know that freedom once again, but until then, be careful and don’t express that opinion to anyone but us. Understand?”

Stephen had nodded, but inside, he didn’t understand any of it.

His dad worked in town as the rebuilding began. All men and boys over thirteen with no disabilities were required to “help.” There was timid hope mixed with fear of the new leaders. Stephen was glad he was under the required age for what seemed like forced labor with limited schooling mixed in.

He had taken to listening to his parents talk from the top of the stairs when they thought he was sleeping. Two nights ago, he had to strain to hear their whispers.

“This cruel regime might be what brings our fractured country together. Joining together, we can fight what’s being forced on all of us, Laura,” Dad said in a grave tone.

“At least they gave us some power and are promising a food supply again, but you’re right about the cruelty. They rule by fear, and my concern is keeping our kids safe.”

Dad cleared his throat. “I want them to be safe, but they never will be under this leadership. Sometimes we have to fight for what’s right and our freedom.”

“I’ve had enough fighting and death. As for freedom, what good is it to us if we starve?” His mom’s voice quavered.

“I know, Laura. We’re in a difficult spot. I’m asking you to trust me and know I will do everything in my power to keep our family safe.”

“You know I trust you, Dan. I wish it didn’t come down to this so soon after our last war.” His mom sighed. “You have my support, but I ask one thing of you.”

“Thank you. I would do anything for you—what is it?”

“Make sure you don’t get arrested or killed.”

There was a long pause before his dad responded. “That’s the plan. Now let’s get some sleep—it’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”

Stephen went to sleep that night thinking about freedom. Safety and freedom for his family became his Christmas wish.

Universal Purchase Link

FUN FINN FACTS & A GIVEAWAY

  1. Reading by the fire on a cold winter day, there’s nothing better!
  2. My favorite Christmas cookie is a snickerdoodle.

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

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D. L. Finn’s Gratitude Store

To celebrate the release, I will be giving away three Amazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomly pick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. Good Luck!

And … My Review

This collection of eight Christmas stories kept me entertained for an afternoon while jumping between appointments. Each story is unique, though all include a ghostly visit from a spirit who offers kind help, protection, or a wish come true. The protagonists are in rough spots, dealing with poverty, grief, or danger. In keeping with the Christmas “spirit,” the outcomes are heartwarming, full of hope, and sometimes topped off with a promise of romance in the year to come. A feel-good read, for sure.

It would be hard to pick favorites, but some stories stuck in my mind.

The Christmas Train Mystery – I liked everything about this one: the train setting, a woman standing up for herself, danger, good choices, and a last-minute rescue.

Is there a Santa? – A forlorn widower struggles to provide for his sons and receives a dreamtime message from his deceased wife. I loved the way Finn used the sense of smell in telling this story, and dads who love their children always tug at my heartstrings.

She’s Home Alone – One of the scarier stories in the collection. A child is alone during a snowstorm, and a prowler is outside, trying to get in. Thank goodness for the ghost that helps her through the ordeal.

A Gift to Katie – a wonderful rags-to-riches story. Katie was easy to root for, and I enjoyed the message that even in dire situations, and regardless of past choices, kindness is always an option.

The stories are all well-paced and wrap up with a bow. There are cute kids and pets, and all the characters, even those with secondary roles, are three-dimensional and relatable. A collection I highly recommend, especially to anyone looking for a fun and heartwarming holiday read.

*****

Happy Reading!

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January Book Reviews: Part Two!

Happy Valentine’s Day! February is a good month to love up some books while winter keeps us home in the northern hemisphere, and those in the south are sipping iced tea on their hammocks. As promised, here are the last 9 of the books I read in January. If you decide to pick up one or two, you’re in for a treat.

Below are my 4 and 5-star reads from the second half of January. They include a poetry collection, two psychological thrillers, a fairytale-retelling romance, a women’s historical fiction, a children’s book, a murder mystery, a paranormal thriller, and a short story collection. Enjoy!

Click on the covers for Amazon global links.

*****

One Petal at a Time by Joni Karen Caggiano

Readers who gravitate toward lush, emotional poetry won’t want to miss this generous offering of over 80 freeform poems. Though I don’t often read Author’s Notes and Forewords, these heartfelt and eloquent introductions provided insights that enriched the collection, and I recommend starting there.

I took my time savoring these poems—the imagery is rich and evocative, and there’s nothing within these pages that can be hurried. This collection felt like an inner journey, a story of a soul’s transformation from childhood fear and helplessness into love. The poems about Caggiano’s experience of abuse as a child felt deeply personal, and they read like a mosaic, broken pieces meticulously glued together, which is often the way traumatized children internalize and try to make sense of their world. The “red bricks” of her home became the symbol that tied many of these poems together, and though not especially graphic, the suffering and fear is heartbreaking. It’s a privilege to read someone’s soul laid bare.

The book is divided into three sections, each introduced with a piece of exquisite poetic prose that gives an impression of what’s to come. The breaks aren’t explicit, because life rarely unfolds with sharp stops and starts. The pain, trauma, and dreams of childhood tend to course through our lives, and we hopefully never stop growing into ourselves. Such it is with the sections in this book.

As I read the poetry, I interpreted Section One as poems about Caggiano’s childhood, a time of pervasive trauma. Section Two seemed to travel into her teen years where the poet first experienced the wonder of loving another and being loved, a time full of hopes and tribulations. Section Three struck me as a surrender to love, making possible the miracle of healing. This is where the poet comes to love herself, to trust life, to embrace joy, forgiveness, and the profound love of another. It’s a remarkable journey conveyed through poetry.

In each section, there are poems that capture moments of solace Caggiano found in nature. For me as a reader, these poems were signs of hope, and a needed breather from the more difficult narrative, especially in the first part of the collection. Nature seemed, in many ways, to have provided the sustenance for survival, and was closely linked to God, an impression that grew and expanded toward the end.

I couldn’t pick a favorite poem. That would be impossible. The two examples below give a peek into the style and imagery of the collection. I highly recommend this book to fans of poetry who enjoy rich imagery, deep emotion, and a powerful story.

Tulip Shining

deep down low in the dark damp earth
even the grubs and the moles dare not go
where earthly souls of frightened wee ones
afraid of the own parents sink to hide
their tender dark-blue souls hidden inside
wrapping ourselves in vibrant imaginings
seeking to turn the dark upside down
memories that hold the sunshine inside
tulips, lone bees will pry the flower open
for pollen and a word of kindness spoken

Sundry Cages

seeking refuge, sorrows spill
like drops of vinegar
in respite, I lay them down
on hairy green leaves, gesturing
upon a trellis of jasmine white
buds’ scent like heaven’s gate
a lion sleeps still this night
gorillas’ rough hands touch sadness
grooming air as I breathe
trees know my heart
prayers go up for me
the sins of the father
the sins of the mother
does my core rest redolent
of childhood innocence,
freedom form sundry cages
sorrow, regret, and grasping
all are guilty, so we raise
sluicing our own body’s sin
florets spring from fingertips
melodiously I lay me down
hands of the earth kiss me
peace beckons
hope is a songbird’s sound

(Available on Kindle Unlimited)

*****

You Know What You Did by Laura Lyndhurst

Amanda Roberts, a fabulously successful author, is superstitious, and when she publishes her thirteenth book, things in her life start going terribly wrong. For one, she’s acquired social media trolls and her books are being sabotaged with poor reviews. Though upsetting, she accepts it as part of her professional fame, but her bad luck doesn’t seem to end there. Someone is making her life miserable, and the danger is escalating.

Ah, but then there are the intermittent chapters in the POV of Amanda’s troll, someone who seems bent on ruining her life. I did not like this anonymous woman or the reality of how easy it is to damage someone’s character and career. Except … things aren’t quite that clear cut. Social media smells blood in the water, and Amanda’s mistakes (and a few peripheral choices) compound an already snowballing situation.

This book is full of twists, including some big ones that I didn’t see coming. The pace is speedy, but the hints at what’s happening are cleverly dropped, and they kept me wondering what was really going on until the final reveal. That was super fun and I couldn’t stop thinking about this story after I finished it. It’s one of those books that keeps you deliciously in the dark. I don’t want to give away too much so I’ll leave this psychological thriller with two thumbs up. Highly recommended.

*****

His Dark Song by Ada Jenkins

I enjoy fairy tale retellings, and this romance novella is a fresh take on the “Pied Piper of Hamlin.” Regan is a feisty, independent woman who doesn’t fit in well in her small-minded town. When the handsome Pied Piper, Jonas, is short-changed by the town’s council for getting rid of the rats, he has a plan for revenge, and Regan, intrigued by the handsome stranger, gets swept up into the plot.

Regan’s attraction to the stranger is strong, but in keeping with her disposition, she isn’t about to be coerced into anything and holds tight to her free will and ability to choose for herself. Of course, this only makes her more attractive to Jonas, who’s stubborn in his own right. I enjoyed the slow burn of this romance and Regan’s determination not to sacrifice her principles even to such an alluring man.

The pace moves quickly, and there wasn’t a dull moment between these two. They share the POV, which provides some fun insights into Jonas’s thinking as he tried to manage their relationship—or lack of one. They’re both likable characters, well-rounded and realistic, and easy to root for. The stakes are pretty high throughout, and the ending, as it should be, is as happily ever after as two independent-minded people can make it. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings, and romances with strong characters. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Wildwood Healer by Linda Broday

Sicily Rossi is an herbal healer in the Piney Woods of East Texas during the 1930s Depression. She’s the only doctor in her small town where hunger and poverty are taking a toll on the citizens. Sicily manages by foraging in the woods, keeping a small garden and chickens, and providing her services for a small fee—if not for free. She has a big heart and will do whatever she can to help others. Those others don’t only include the sick, but also those who are abused or orphaned. The trouble is not everyone is happy about her interference in their lives, and that includes the sheriff.

Sicily is a great character, an older woman, full of kindness and generosity, and feisty when her back is against the wall or she’s protecting those who are in danger. There are a few bad actors who would like to get rid of her for good, but she also has a lot of supporters who put themselves on the line to protect her. Secondary characters are three-dimensional, and I grew fond of many of them.

Woodlore and herbal lore, major contributors to Sicily’s healing prowess, are well-researched and detailed in the story adding a fascinating layer of authenticity that I enjoyed. The pace is just right, and the story ends with all loose ends tied up in an Epilog. This is a feel-good story about the power of kindness and what can happen when a community works together for the good of all. A wonderful message that would be helpful today, almost 90 years later. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy stories about kindness, caring, and good people finding a way to help each other despite the obstacles.

*****

Everyone Hates This Restaurant by Nicholas Rossis

This is a fun, light-hearted kid’s book about priorities. And when dessert is a priority, and the best desserts in town can be found in an otherwise awful restaurant, the awfulness is worth enduring for the vast assortment of delicious sweets.

The author’s young daughter is a “dessertarian” (def.: a connoisseur of desserts) and the book is dedicated to her. The restaurant is indeed horrible and it’s easy to see why it’s “hated.” The staff is rude, the mice whack each other with baguettes, the lobsters have terrible voices, the dishes are dirty, and the cockroaches provide the daily entertainment. But, the last pages show why none of that matters: the desserts are magnificent.

The children’s book (for kids 5-12) is wonderfully illustrated and a delight to read. Highly recommended for the young dessertarian in anyone’s family. (Paperback)

*****

Nine Black Lives by Resa McConaghy

This debut novel by costume designer Resa McConaughy provides a behind-the-scenes peek into movie production. Readers get an inside view of the frantic coordination, the hair and make-up trailer (“pretty place”) gossip, the personalities of the crew and cast, and most of all, the immense egos at play. This is a world that most of us won’t ever see, and in this novel, it’s a blend of privilege, self-absorption, dreams, stress, and a fanatical following.

It’s also a whodunit. Nicky Faime is a film star on top of his game, adored by his fans, fawned over and resented by his peers, and respected by his staff. He wants a serious role but settles for playing Detective Black in another action film. When Lucille Brookers, a retired costume designer from Nicky’s very first film, ends up dead, he takes his “role” as a detective to heart and wants to find out what happened.

The characters have a lot of personality and though the rapidly shifting POV provides insights into each one’s thoughts, Nicky is the one I came to know and empathize with the most. Carlos, Nicky’s anxious, perfectionist chef is another richly developed character and came in a close second. Despite Nicky’s movie-star life, he’s a likable and down-to-earth person. People (his girlfriend in particular) take advantage of him—one downside of being rich and famous. Another is the threatening letters he receives from a dangerous fan.

The plot is split between life on the set and trying to figure out what happened to Lucille. The end was a surprise and expertly entwined with the details of movie production. Note that the author has two different endings—one on Amazon and one on a download from her website. I read the more current downloaded version. This story is great for anyone interested in whodunits crafted with an entertaining peek behind the silver screen.

*****

A Peril in the Vines by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

I enjoyed the first two books in this series and looked forward to this one. Though it can be read as a stand-alone, there are some great characters that I appreciated having some familiarity with. And the first two books are well worth the time.

The book starts with a prologue and the point of view of a young girl caught up in the Armenian genocide that occurred in the mid-1920s. It’s heartbreaking and horrifying, but something powerful also occurred on that day, something which medium Daphne Moultre sees in a disturbing vision. She and her assistant Clover set out to investigate. The girl, Lousaper, now living near New Orleans, doesn’t remember what happened, and her doctor has a greedy gleam in his eye. Daphne’s determined to learn the truth and protect the child.

As I’ve come to expect, Geneviene’s imagination is in full gear, and Lousaper’s small town is full of colorful characters as well as mysterious pumpkin vines that move and grow in unnatural ways. The read is full of rich details from the 1920s and mystical Romani beliefs and myths. They all come together for a fast-paced and engaging read.

The backmatter includes a recipe for “Soup Joumou” (made with pumpkins, of course), and a glossary of real events and 1920s details included in the book. Highly recommended.

*****

Two Shorts and a Snort by Jan Sikes

I read this quick 30-minute collection of a short story, flash fiction piece, and a love poem during a brief interlude on a busy day.

“Obsessed” is a short story about Charlie Riddle, a man obsessed with the love of his life Nelda Sue. Only Nelda isn’t going to commit until she sees a big fat diamond ring on her finger. In the meantime, she’s living it up with Charlie’s rival Pete. Charlie, high on coke, will do anything to win Nelda Sue, including getting a ring that he can’t afford. He gets what he wants in addition to a solid helping of karma.

“Maggie” is a flash fiction feel-good short story about Jackson and Mary, a childless couple who finds just what they need when Jackson is looking for a lost longhorn on a snowy afternoon.

“Friends instead of Lovers” is a heartfelt love poem that reads like a tribute to a loving relationship that’s built on a solid foundation of friendship.

This is an entertaining collection of reads I can easily recommend, perfect for filling some free time or for enjoying with a cup of tea right before turning in. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

And Then You Were Gone by Ivy Logan

Nina is a best-selling author, reclusive and self-absorbed on the one hand and over-involved in her daughter’s life on the other. When daughter Sophie becomes the target of intense bullying at school, her mental health and happiness suffer, and the cracks in the mother-daughter relationship start to widen until they eventually break.

The structure of the story is interesting. Part One begins after the break. Sophie is “gone,” and Nina, in an effort to figure out what happened, reads Sophie’s diaries. The reader gets to look over Nina’s shoulder at the entries between observing Nina’s reactions and reflections on her own life. With her writing career at a standstill, Nina has an idea that might help her deal with her daughter’s experience.

Part Two is Sophie’s story, what happened to her, and how she dealt with it, or didn’t deal with it. She keeps most of her pain to herself for years. The devastating impact of bullying on adolescents is the strongest aspect of the story, and the author lays it out expertly. Then things take a turn, and Sophie meets someone who brings joy back into her life. The ending was a complete surprise with a blurring of reality and fiction where the reader is left to decide what’s real.

The book starts a little slow with Nina’s backstory, but it picks up significantly when Sophie’s tale begins. Her story, emotions, experience of bullying, and helplessness to do anything about it are heartbreaking. As often happens, the adults in her life are useless, including her mother. She pushes away her friends, even those who are loyal to her, leaving her without any support system. Her decline is realistic and riveting. She was the character that I connected with the most.

Readers who enjoy family dramas, psychological thrillers, and tales with a paranormal twist will find a lot to like about this story. It’s hard to put down. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Happy Reading!

by

January Book Reviews: Part One!

Happy February! I hardly had time to read a thing in December, but made up for it in January with 19 books, so many that I need two posts to share them. Post 2 is only a week or so away.

Below are my 4 and 5-star reads from the first half of January. They include two psychological thrillers, two poetry collections, a collection of short stories, an apocalyptic sci-fi novel, a crime thriller, a feel-good short story, and a memoir.

Click on the covers for Amazon global links.

*****

The Stranger in my House by Judith Barrow

This book was absolutely riveting. It’s not a short read, but it’s a page-turner throughout. I read until 2:00 in the morning and considered staying up all night. The chapters are short, so I couldn’t stop reading one more, then one more. Sanity won the toss-up, and I finished it the next day. It’s my favorite of Barrow’s books so far. It’s intense!

The story unfolds through the POV of ten-year-old twins, Charlie and Chloe. Their mom died a few years earlier and they live with their dad, Graham, and are doing relatively well until Graham remarries and brings Lynne and her two older kids into the family. Lynne is the epitome of manipulative and cruel, and Graham is the epitome of cowardly. The children pay the price.

The story follows Charlie and Chloe for the next ten years as they are at first helpless against the onslaught of cruelty, failed by an inept and careless system, and later try to carve out lives for themselves after years of trauma. The story doesn’t pull at the heartstrings, it rips them out of the chest. As a reader, I felt desperate for these children and couldn’t stop flipping pages. I just had to see them succeed. And as horrible as Lynne and Graham were, they were realistic too, and that was almost worse.

The pace was just right, the plot well-constructed. I was immersed and frequently forgot that I was reading a story. The end wrapped up pretty quickly, and though I would have enjoyed more time to luxuriate in the warmth, since I was so invested, all the elements of a satisfying ending were present. Highly recommended to fans of suspense and family drama, particularly stories told from a child’s POV. An exceptional read.

*****

What the Years Remember by Lisette Brodey

This is a riveting, fast-paced novel that primarily shares the POV between twin sisters Amber and Jade. When they were teens, Jade attempted to murder her sister, and as far as she knows she got away with it. Amber has changed her identity and lives a happy life with a husband and son. Her parents have also changed their identities. Now Jade is back, as dangerous as ever, and the whole house of cards is about to collapse.

Amber and those who love her devise an intricate plot to make sure that doesn’t happen. Things don’t always go smoothly, but there aren’t many twists in their plan. It’s Jade, who adds enough tension, unpredictability, and sociopathology to keep me on my toes. She’s violent, unremorseful, delusional, and a malignant narcissist. The POVs are wonderfully tight, almost stream of consciousness, which makes it scary to be in her head and hear her crazy rantings. There was barely a chapter where I wasn’t holding my breath as Amber and her team maneuvered to keep everyone safe, while Jade used violence, manipulation, and threats to obtain what she wanted.

There are some nail-biting twists as well as an attempt to humanize Jade with some backstory. The end of this fast-paced thriller is satisfying, and I highly recommend the story to fans of thrillers who don’t mind reading on the edge of their seat. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine by Dawn Pisturino

Pisturino’s “365 Sun Haiku” is a delightful read, with enough sundrops to last a year. I read them more quickly than that, over a gray January week, and the poetry brightened my mood.
Haiku is short poetry that originated in Japan and is traditionally composed of 17 syllables separated into 3 lines (5/7/5) with a seasonal theme. Pisturino includes both traditional and non-traditional forms in her collection.

The theme is singular—the Sun. But the poetry covers its broad nature, its impact on our lives, and the choices we make for better or worse. Though I could live happily with “snapshots” of seasonal sunshine in nature, there was more variety than expected, and I enjoyed the creativity.

The poems are numbered, and there’s even an additional section at the end for Leap Year. I earmarked dozens of poems including ones about drought, searing heat, and vampires! Here are just a few favorites:

12.
her ebony skin
soaks up the sun, and she glows
from the inside out

25.
autumn leaves rustle
in the wind—burned red and gold
by Apollo’s fire

279.
laundry on clothesline
sun-dried, wind-softened, scented
with fresh lavender

The collection closes with two bonus flash fiction stories and a longer free-form poem, also on the theme of the sun. The bonus story: “The Girl Who Hated the Sun” was a favorite and the poem “Summer Heat” was glorious. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy haiku and wouldn’t mind a good dose of sunshine in their lives. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

The Storm and Other Short Stories by Esther Chilton

I enjoy short stories and read this collection of 20 tales in one sitting on a rainy afternoon. There’s a lot of variety, from humor to grief, from touching love stories to terrifying ordeals. Some of the stories have great twists, some are painful, and others touch the heart with their beautiful poignancy. The author doesn’t shy away from the topics of death, depression, and abuse, but there’s also a lot of hope and love.

In many of the tales, the main character is a child, and I enjoyed the perspective, though not all of the tales are joyful, and sometimes the border between what’s real and what’s imaginary gets crossed. Readers who enjoy paranormal elements with find those as well.

• “Daffodils” was my favorite. This story about the loss of a child is breathtaking as it unfolds. The writing is beautiful and the tight POV kept me riveted throughout the slow reveal of what happened, right up to a tear-jerker ending that I loved.
• At the other extreme is “The Diary of Ellie Carter, Aged 6 ¾.” This one is delightful and the real-life twist at the end made me laugh.
• “Cream Scones” is a heartwarming story about kindness and love in places with people you’d never expect.
• “The Hacker” is a story that many of us wish would come true. If only….

An excellent way to spend a couple of hours; highly recommended to readers who enjoy a mix of short stories. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Infected (SFV -1 Series Book One) by Terry Tyler

My husband and I read this book as a buddy read. It took us a while to find the “together” time and the delays left me chomping at the bit to get back to it. It’s fast-paced, violent, and realistic enough to be scary as all heck—because this is probably how a horrible virus would take effect. Imagine one that destroys the rational part of the brain while activating the aggressive reptilian core.

The story definitely has a Walking Dead vibe, but with more realism. It follows several separate groups of characters at the very beginning of the virus when no one knows what’s going on. Communication breaks down fast. People are desperate to find loved ones and safety. Shelters set up and fail. The military is overwhelmed. Most, though not all, of the people are doing their best in a terrible situation. There are multiple POVs, including some where the characters are infected and begin to “turn,” giving the reader an up-close-and-personal viral experience.

One of the most interesting groups was a bunch of reality show contestants stuck on an island. Another was a group of survivors trying to set rules for a shelter that were all tangled up with ideas about fairness and political correctness, which I understood but made little sense. As I read, I could see all of this happening including the rise of the mysterious group called “The Keepers.”

The pace is gripping and the action non-stop, so readers won’t get much of a break (unless they’re waiting for their buddy reader). The book is the first in a series and covers only the first month of the virus, so it doesn’t conclude in a significant way. Rather, it invites the reader to continue, an invitation I’ll accept. Highly recommended to fans of apocalyptic zombie stories. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Five-Toed Tigress by T. W. Dittmer

I read Dittmer’s The Valley Walker and loved how unusual the book was – a mix of Laotian mysticism, Viet Nam war experience, and current day government task force thriller. I was eager to try his second book and wasn’t disappointed.

Preston Hawke (Press) is a new FBI recruit in Michigan, skilled at battle from his time in Cambodia, and on probation while he learns the ropes. His team has some intel about a plot to bring death and destruction to a large interfaith event, and their task is to find and stop the culprits.

The action starts immediately, and Press demonstrates his combat smarts from the start. The insights into his thinking, his tactical choices, and his training (through his POV) are mesmerizing and felt thoroughly authentic. Dittmer’s experience/knowledge shines, and the action was riveting—my favorite part of the read.

Another intriguing thread running through the narrative is the appearance of 5-toed paw prints showing up in key locations in Michigan. Press is familiar with them from his time in Cambodia. I loved the mystical element this added to the story.

Along with these two plot lines is a third—Press’s relationships with women: a female boss, a female partner, and a mysterious woman who shows up from his past. The book contains a lot of sexual flirtation, charged attraction, and difficult boundaries with these very different, but aggressive, women. Press is frequently distracted by butts and bras throughout the read and “responds” accordingly.

Characterization is excellent, especially for Press and the three women. Gundrum is one unique character who keeps Press on his toes. The pace is speedy during the action scenes and more moderate when the focus is on the relationships. The end wraps up nicely. A great read for fans who enjoy a mix of military action, sexual tension, and unique characters. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

A Christmas Homecoming

This sweet short story is about a 20-minute read and a lovely tale for the holidays. Mary is eighteen, and per the instructions in her adoptive parents’ will, she finally learns the names and address of her birth parents. Nervously, she flies across the country to pay them a surprise Christmas visit. Her anxiety is realistically high, and yet she’s determined to meet them.

Don’t expect much conflict. This is a feel-good short story, full of love and kindness, generosity of heart and friendly encouragement. It’s an example of adoption at its best. A great read for any time of year and a lovely pick-me-up for a gray day.

*****

What Leora Never Knew: A Granddaughter’s Quest for Answers by Joy Neal Kidney

This book opens and closes with poppies commemorating the loss of soldiers, specifically Joy Kidney’s three uncles who lost their lives in WWII. Leora Watson’s five sons all served in the war; three were pilots and never returned. Two of them were declared Missing in Action, and another died while in training.

When Leora passed away, the author became the family archivist and began sorting through her grandmother’s papers. She found a lot of information, but little about what actually happened to her uncles. Thus started more than a decade’s search for answers, for information that Leora never knew.

This read chronicles the military journeys of Dale, Daniel, and Junior Watson. It focuses on the author’s relentless research, sharing what the family knew—deployments, training, aircraft, letters from the War Department—and what the author discovered through correspondence, reading, and connecting with the men who served with her uncles. She received tangible items, such as medals that the War Department had never forwarded.

Most of the read is technically detailed, the account precise with places, names, and dates. There are a wide variety of photos of Dale, Daniel, and Junior, of the Watson family, and of the men who helped Kidney with her research. This isn’t an overtly emotional read, though the tragedies create a heartbreaking undercurrent that I couldn’t help but tune into.

It’s an excellent read for WWII history buffs and for those conducting research into WWII. The author’s goal, to commemorate her family’s sacrifice (and honor the sacrifices of other military families) was skillfully achieved. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Sunflower Tanka: Into the Light compiled by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen Chesebro

This beautiful and generous anthology of tanka poetry includes nearly 140 poems from 36 poets from around the world. The styles include the well-known 5-line tanka form, as well as variations including tanka-prose, rensaku, experimental tanka, garland tanka, and tanka puente.

In addition to their inspiration for the collection—“Into the Light”—contributing editors, Chesebro and Cheadle, introduce each form at the beginning of the book with examples chosen from among the submitted poetry. Each author has a short “chapter” of poems, and there’s a bibliography at the end should readers want to learn more about the authors and their work.

Usually, when I read a book of poetry, I earmark some favorite poems to highlight or share in a review. That was just about impossible to accomplish with this collection since the poetry is captivating from beginning to end. The interpretations and reflections on the theme covered a wide range of subjects, so there was no sense of repetitiveness. Each piece seemed entirely unique.

So, incapable of choosing just one or two to share, I decided to highlight one poem from each editor, to give a sense of the collection and the variety:

From Roberta Cheadle (South Africa)
Morning Hugs (tanka prose)

Bashful sun, awkward as a teenage boy, hesitantly touches wild grasses’ fluffy pink plumes. She giggles and flushes rosy pink as the golden light softly embraces her.

early morning light
cautiously approaches day
gently he wakes world
from heavy nighttime slumbers
with soft, golden hugs.

**
From Colleen Chesebro (United States)
tanka – untitled

silent guardian
owl—a speedy feathered wraith
caught in night’s embrace
moonlight dances across the lake
hunter takes to stars unseen

*****

Happy Reading!

by

August Book Reviews

Welcome to September! I’m delighted with the swing into autumn. Summer fun and chores are wrapping up, and I’m ready for the colorful, cooler weather. We haven’t lit the woodstove yet, but we’ve come close.

I had a great month of reading with lots of variety, and I’m delighted to share my reviews. All of these books were new releases in August. Below are my 4 and 5-star reads of a health-boosting book about weight loss, a collection of Arkansas short stories, a collection of haiku poetry, a horror novel, a mystery, and a contemporary paranormal western.

Click on the covers for Amazon global links.

*****

Size Always Matters: Don’t be part of a statistic, start losing weight today by Sally Cronin

New Release

If a reader wants to lose weight and keep it off by adopting a healthy lifestyle, this book can get you there. It’s not a fad diet or a quick-loss plan since those methods for losing weight are usually unhealthy and therefore unsustainable. It also doesn’t require getting a personal trainer, running marathons, or giving up the foods we love. Conscious care for the body’s nutritional needs, gentle adjustments to our eating choices, gentle increases in activity—with a goal of losing 1 pound a week—leads to a lot of sustainable weight loss over time.

And Cronin knows what she’s talking about as someone who’s worked with hundreds of clients as a nutritionist and undertaken the weight-loss journey herself. Her personal stories about her struggle with weight and diets will probably sound familiar to many. And her determination to understand the contributors to weight gain, both psychological and physical, is not only enlightening but empowering.

To me, this wasn’t a diet book as much as a “take care of your body book” which leads to weight loss and weight maintenance. I knew about the value of fresh food over processed food, and the nutritional advantages of eating a balanced diet with lots of vegetables. And the detrimental abundance of sugar in the modern diet isn’t anything new. But I learned a lot about how the body metabolizes food, its nutritional requirements, and what happens when those requirements aren’t met.

The book includes a comprehensive explanation of our amazing and complex biology related to food, as well as a great deal of nutritional science. I didn’t retain all the information on the first read, but the book is a great resource for future reference. Cronin’s strategy for weight loss makes sense and even better, it sounds doable! As a bonus, she includes a few recipes that are staples in her home. Highly recommended to readers who want to live a lighter, healthier life.

*****

Storytellin’: True & Fictionalized Short Stories from Arkansas by Jack Cotner

New Release

This is a delightful collection of 13 short stories set in the rural Ouachita Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley. First of all, I love stories set in places I’ve never been that are rich in regional culture, storytellin’ traditions, superstitions, and interesting characters, and these tales are full of that!

Prior to each story, Cotner shares his inspiration, usually an account from his youth, something that he experienced or a tale told by someone from his family or community. Many are funny, some are spooky, and all are entertaining. Normally, I don’t care about the inspiration for stories, but in this case, they’re tales in and of themselves, and I enjoyed them as much as the creativity they led to. So, don’t skip them!

There’s a lot of variety here, and many stories have an element of the supernatural in them—maybe. Superstitious characters may believe something supernatural is in the works when it’s not. That’s part of the allure that drew me in as a reader. Some tales are funny, some are creepy, and a few are moving. Every story is worth the read, but for the sake of this review, a few of my favorites were:

• Knuckle Down (the inspiration)/The King of Marbles – A story about kids playing marbles and a cursed shooter, a type of marble.
• Veterans (the inspiration)/ The Last Flight – A story about an airman returning home.
• Moonshine Madness (the inspiration)/ The Curious Tale of Gnarly and Enid – a sad one about destructive superstition.
• See a Penny (the inspiration)/ Pretty Penny – a poignant tale about wealth versus love.

Highly recommended to short story readers, especially those who enjoy rural storytellin’.

*****

Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right by Elizabeth Gauffreau

New Release

This lovely little book of haiku is about a 30-minute read, and every minute is worth savoring. Haiku is a traditional untitled form of syllabic poetry composed of three lines with a syllable count of 5/7/5. The author stated that she’d never written haiku until undertaking this collection, but I would never have guessed that based on the beauty of the poetry.

Each poem is complemented by a color photo from the author’s exploration of northern New England through the seasons. In a way, both are snapshots, one in words and one in images. All are glimpses of natural landscapes, and the poems often express a sense of the author’s connection to the places of her youth.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy haiku. The most cherished years of my childhood unfolded in Vermont, and the poems evoked memories and nostalgia as I read. Two haiku that I particularly related to:

old apple orchard
unplowed fields, collapsing barns
we take the back road

mountain foliage
milkweed open to the wind
monarchs on the wing

*****

The Ruins by Jonathan Pongratz

New Release

Tyler is on the brink of having his own paranormal investigation series on television. He just needs to submit one big investigative success to convince his sponsor to take the leap. That goal takes him to Peru and the cursed ruins of Ayar Kachi. He takes his boyfriend Gabe with him, and the two of them find more than they expected—an evil force with an insatiable desire for human life. This is a horror novel and, needless to say, things go from creepy to bad to worse fast.

The book starts with a couple of sex scenes, but once through those, the story gets tense fast, and the first visit to the ruins was riveting enough to make the hairs on my neck stand on end. The tension stays high as Tyler tries to defeat the evil spirit that follows him back to the US and starts attacking the people he cares about and their families. He too is marked for death.

Since Tyler is a paranormal investigator, in many ways the story resembles an investigation, following clues and searching for answers from those who know about the curse and how to battle it. Secondary characters are well-developed, and the action is well-described. The pace is strong throughout, and I finished the book in two sittings. Highly recommended to horror fans.

*****

Mateo’s Woman by Sandra Cox

New Release

This is the third book in the Mateo series. Mateo and Blair are engaged, and Blair’s mother visits them to help with wedding plans. But Blair, bitten by an evil wolf/shifter in the last book, isn’t feeling well, and her symptoms are making her dangerous to everyone. Most of the book deals with Blair’s aggression, her physical transformation, and the attempts to rid her of the destructive force intent on killing her. A second, unrelated plot line is complicating life for law enforcement in Grizzly—a poisoner is on the loose and some townsfolk are ending up dead.

The pace moves along well, and I read the book in one sitting. The POV is shared primarily between Blair and Mateo, and I enjoyed the inside look into the struggle going on inside Blair as she fights off the force trying to control her. The author did a seamless job of showing the internal as well as the external conflict. I loved connecting again with the secondary characters who play a smaller roll in this story but are still wonderfully three-dimensional.

Some of the unusual sentence structure threw me off at the beginning, but once I adjusted all was well. Fans of the Mateo series will enjoy this book, which can also be read as a stand-alone. I’m happy to recommend the entire series. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

The Mystery of Folly’s End: two estranged sisters – a dead husband – a mysterious hotel – and a ghost? by Jaye Marie

New Release

When Charlie receives a stressed phone call from her sister Angie, she drops everything and travels to her sister’s home to help. Angie needs to bury her husband, Tom, and has no money. She also seems bitter and complains of memory loss, and more than that, she doesn’t know where her husband’s body is. Things don’t add up, and Charlie’s inquiries turn up secrets, deceptions, and murder with a twist.

All the characters are flawed, including Charlie. I wondered at several points why she stuck with her volatile sister, other than to provide some parenting support for her two young nieces. Plus, there’s a possible romance brewing with Tom’s business partner, Stuart, though he’s not a particularly kind person. It’s clear that there are secrets everywhere, and that Charlie is getting snared in the middle of all the deceptions. I did question Charlie’s cluelessness regarding one character but found the rest of the read plausible.

Despite her flaws, I liked Charlie as a character and thought secondary characters were well-rounded. The story kept me engaged, and I finished it in one sitting. Recommended to readers of mysteries and suspense, and to fans of stories with complex relationships and flawed characters.

***

As a bonus, I’m also visiting Marcia Ingrao over at Always Write with a post about POV. It’s an overview, but it also gets into the POV violations that mess up so many starting writers. If you’re interested in reading, here’s the link:

SCY3 # 2 Tips: Point of View (POV) by Diana Peach

Happy Reading!

by

May Book Reviews (Part 1) and a Blog Break

Spring came and went in about 5 days. The garden is demanding immediate attention as are a bunch of other chores that I’ve been delaying until the sun returned. I have my dad’s storage unit to empty and sort, and a deck to scrap and paint. And I suppose it’s time to move the spiders outdoors too. I’ll be offline for a few weeks and promise to return refreshed.

I didn’t want to get too far behind on sharing reviews, so I have some great reads to chat about today. So far this May, I’ve read a lot of books that aren’t published yet. Funny how things happen in bunches like that, so a short list to browse.

May’s (Part One) reviews include my 4 and 5-star reads of a self-help book, a cozy murder mystery, a historical fiction, a book of short stories, and a contemporary fairy tale.

Click on the covers for Amazon global links.

*****

Re-Create & Celebrate 7 Steps to Turn Your Dreams Into Reality by Cindy Georgakas

Note: This book is scheduled for release on May 20th, so close that Cindy asked me to share my review now rather than wait. Keep it on your radar. It’s worth waiting for. Here’s my review:

There aren’t many people who would turn down the chance at a happier, more fulfilling, and more productive life. Re-Create & Celebrate 7 Steps To Turn Your Dreams Into Reality lays the framework for a multi-approach personal journey.

Though the author shares her wisdom and some practical advice, stemming from her years working as a life coach, the focus of this self-help guide is to aid the reader in a deep exploration of the personal factors that get in the way of realizing our goals. Georgakas provides questions to ponder about ourselves, our beliefs, and our experiences. She offers frequent anecdotes about her own explorations and growth, as well as what she’s observed in clients.

The tone of this book is positive and uplifting, determined to empower the reader by suggesting that the answers to achieving our best selves lie within us. All possible if we can muster the courage to seek them and if we’re brave enough to examine the worn-out messages and ways of being that hold us back. A well-written and well-organized book that deserves a thoughtful read. Highly recommended to anyone seeking to overhaul or fine-tune their lives.

*****

Death by Ice Cream (A Pismawallops PTA Mystery) by Rebecca M. Douglass

JJ is outspoken and snarky, and her running commentary on her life is hilarious. But all is not well in this cozy whodunnit mystery when a dead body shows up in the school’s ice cream case, strangled with JJ’s scarf. JJ’s a suspect, a parent, and an amateur sleuth who can’t keep her nose out of the handsome sheriff’s investigation. She’s also a member of the PTA, suddenly saddled with getting the yearbook done… and all the photos are missing. Add to that, she’s a single mom negotiating a divorce who’s sworn off men… except that the sheriff has her imagination running on overdrive. And I should mention that someone wants her out of the picture.

This book has a lot going on, and JJ is in the thick of it. She’s a great character, extremely likable with a sharp wit, a wry perspective, and a big heart despite all the snarkiness. Secondary characters are equally engaging, with distinct personalities. JJ’s best friend Kitty is the perfect sidekick, and I loved the non-romance romance with the sheriff, Ron.

The pace moves quickly, clues are dropped along the way, and they tie up beautifully in the end, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There are plenty of threads to this mystery, and I didn’t know who the murderer was until the reveal. It wrapped up with a nice twist too. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy cozy murder mysteries with a high-energy main character, a tangled plot, and lots of wry humor.

*****

A Low Diving Bird by Libby Copa

This is a beautifully written and heartfelt historical fiction. The US Civil War officially ended a year ago, but for those who fought and for those left behind it continues with poverty, lawlessness, retaliation, and death. On both sides, the wounds of war are deep and lasting, and this is true in Missouri, in the home of Hester Cain.

She’s on her own, a young woman caring for three orphaned boys while her brother and father continue attacks against Union soldiers. She’s sold everything (everything!) she owns to put food on the table. And I’m not sure which was worse, the Union militia hunting down Confederate soldiers and sympathizers, or the rebels killing Union families. Hester walks a fine line to keep herself and her family safe. Then Eben, a Union soldier, walks into her yard and offers to stay and help. Her life improves in small steps until her brother returns home and all she’s gained may be lost.

There’s a tangible feeling of melancholy pervading this story. The war’s psychological damage is profound. Hester and Eben are sympathetic characters, as are the boys though their life’s wounds are slow to heal. Even Hester’s brother, despite his despicable acts, earns some sympathy. The author makes it easy to see the terrible misery endured on both sides of the war. The story ends with a dose of hope and it’s hard-earned. The writing is beautiful and well-paced. I highly recommend this read to fans of historical fiction, literary fiction, and books about the US Civil War, and to readers who enjoy an emotional and beautifully crafted story.

*****

Comes this Time to Float: 19 Short Stories by Stephen Geez

This is the first book of short stories I’ve read from this author, and I was impressed. The quality of the writing is excellent, and the 19 stories in this generous collection cover a variety of genres including a bit of speculative fiction. I was swept away by the many heartwarming tales of friendship, love, and loss.  A number of the stories have a “slice of life” feel to them, reminiscent of flash fiction, a style that I enjoy.

I had a lot of favorites in this book including:

Sidekick – an amazing tale about the power of friendship between two boys
Veneer – a story about two people who discover the truth about each other.
Lunatic – beautiful writing about an unusual being and a little boy
Halfway House – a tender story about second chances, full of twists
Vapor Girl – a wistful sci-fi love story with amazing descriptions
Ready for Company – a sci-fi tear-jerker
Kitty Makes Three – another love story. *Sigh*
Tailwind – a story about the friendship between two old men.

Need I say more? Obviously, I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to fans of short stories and beautiful writing and to readers who want to be moved by some memorable stories.

*****

Clay Tongue: A Novelette by Nicholas Conley

When Katie’s grandfather has a stroke, he loses his ability to speak, and his care becomes more than her mom and dad can handle, especially with a new baby on the way. Katie learns, through snooping in her grandfather’s old notebook, that in a forest cave, there’s a giant magical golem who grants single wishes. One night she sneaks from the house to find the creature. But that single wish is harder to make than she realizes.

This novella-length book read like a fairytale or fable with a powerful dilemma and message about choices and kindness. The plot moves quickly, and I read it in less than an hour. It kept me engaged throughout with lovely characters and vivid action. I’d recommend this book to any child ready to read (or listen to) a chapter book, as well as adults looking for a quick magical tale.

*****

Happy Reading!

See you in June!

by

February Book Reviews

This was a great month of reading, and I have some wonderful books to share. All but one of these books are written by indie authors, and I have to say, the talent in this community is amazing. Every month, I’m impressed almost beyond words. I hope everyone is up for some great reading.

February’s reviews include my 4 and 5-star reads of two dark short story collections, an international thriller, a romance novella, paranormal/occult fiction, a Christian thriller, experimental fiction, and an Edgar Allen Poe retelling.

Click on the covers for Amazon global links.

*****

At the End of it All by Suzanne Craig-Whytock

Have you ever, while reading a collection of stories, jotted down your favorites to mention in a review? And when you finish the book, you realize that you just jotted down the entire table of contents? That’s this book.

Craig-Whytock is a marvelous writer of short stories, and I couldn’t wait to read her new batch. I wasn’t disappointed. Each offering packs a powerful punch, especially if you’re looking for skillful storytelling, lots of variety, and a dark twist. The 27 stories in this collection are short, some closer to flash fiction, and the book is a little over a 2-hour read which I inhaled in one sitting.

The stories have a mesmerizing touch of darkness, but this isn’t necessarily horror, at least not the gory kind. There’s a mixture of creepy paranormal tales like “Amphitrite,” which ends poorly, and “Night Terrors,” which ends well.

The impact of chaos on children and their disordered thinking is evident in a number of stories, and my favorites were “Misophonia” and “Resurrection.” Revenge is satisfying in “The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep.” And madness rears its head in “Shelf Sitter.”

There are wrenching tales of indifference as well as those that reflect deep empathy, such as “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” and “The High Seas.” Then there are tales of death and loss that pull at the heartstrings like “Fist Full of Dirt,” and the intense (tissue-alert) tear-jerker that I just loved: “Heading for Shore.”

The author also includes a three-part story “Nomads of the Modern Wasteland.” I wouldn’t have minded if this dystopian story had a lot more parts! And finally, one that left me chuckling: “Mr. Death comes to Town.”

See what I mean? So many stories to enjoy. Highly recommended.

*****

Feeling Human by Sheri J. Kennedy

Jac has a hyper-sensitivity to the emotional energy of other people, a barrage so intense that he spent much of his youth screaming. His life settled down when his mother abandoned him at his grandfather’s isolated ranch, leaving yet another set of psychic scars on his young mind.

When his grandfather dies, Jac inherits an alien book that steals his body and installs his consciousness in the mind of another person, then another and another, passed from body to body through touch. Thus begins a fascinating journey through the lives of multiple strangers, male and female, young and old, loving and lost, where Jac learns to understand the depth and complexity of human lives and emotions.

The alien rationale for the book’s existence was a little convoluted for me, but that part is only a few pages. Once Jac begins his journey, the book is riveting and extremely well written without the slightest confusion, a feat since Jac is constantly switching hosts. Along with Jac, readers get to observe each host’s thoughts and emotions, but we also get to feel Jac’s reactions.

Every character is deeply drawn, and the result, for me, was a pervading sense of compassion. Except for one unusual case, Jac is incapable of communicating with or influencing his host. His role is to observe and learn, and often he’s transferred to the next person before we find out what happened with the last. I really liked all the open-ended possibilities. They relate beautifully to the ongoing stories of real people we come across every day as we go about our business.

I can’t help but think that the construction of this book was an ambitious undertaking, but the author pulls it off with flying colors. The genuine humanness presented in the array of characters, their circumstances and emotional experiences, is moving. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy a deeply human story and want to try something different. (KIndle Unlimited.)

*****

A Peril in Ectoplasm by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

This was a super read. Daphne is a medium, engaged to a Spanish count, cared for by her loyal housekeeper Maisy, and plagued by the demanding Mrs. Smith, a grieving mother who insists that Daphne contact Smith’s deceased child. Under pressure from her fiancé, Daphne proceeds with multiple seances even though something isn’t right and each contact drains her health. A young woman joins the household with a connection that just might hold off the forces of darkness and save her employer’s life.

The pace is snappy, and I read this book in two sittings. Geneviene writes vibrant characters and these are no exception, their personalities distinct and engaging. Maisy was my favorite, an eavesdropper who, despite her station, is a powerful ally to Daphne. Even Count Crespo, who isn’t particularly likable, is nuanced.

Descriptions are rich with a strong sense of place, in this case, a mansion in Coral Gables, Florida. This writer is also talented in applying details and dialog that point to a particular era, and I found the read highly visual. I have no qualms about recommending this book to readers who enjoy paranormal/occult stories with fun characters and a fast-paced plot.

*****

With this Heart by Jacquie Biggar

Romance fans are going to love this novella. It’s got bridesmaids, beautiful dresses, and wedding plans. It’s got cute kids, loving dads, and even a baby Bambi. But there’s also some drama, and despite the best of intentions, happily ever after isn’t guaranteed.

Jaden and Annie are engaged, and with their wedding a few weeks away, Jaden takes his ten-year-old son, Chris, fishing. He wants to enjoy some bonding time with the child he didn’t know he had. What starts out as an adorable outing ends up as a harrowing experience, and worried about her son, Annie loses it. The wedding is off.

This is a fun way to spend an hour. Biggar writes a good tale with engaging characters, and the kids in her stories are frequently irresistible. For fans of her Wounded Hearts series (which I’ve read end to end), it’s a welcome chance to visit with most of the characters of Tidal Falls and see how their lives are going. Highly recommended to romance readers looking for a quick read. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Story of a Stolen Girl by Pat Spencer

Eighteen-year-old Darby Richardson and her college roommate get an invite to a private gambling club. Darby leaves to get breakfast with one of the patrons and disappears into the world of human trafficking and sex slavery. Her mom, Nina is beside herself with fear. She begins a relentless effort to find her missing daughter that includes law enforcement agencies, private investigators, social media, and television. Her story reaches the highest office of the US government, and yet no one seems able or willing to get the job done. The only recourse she has is to rescue Darby herself.

The book is a thriller with a definite time crunch. The action is frighteningly realistic but most of the coercion and brutality (and all of the rape) occur off-stage. There isn’t any graphic sex or violence, so readers can focus on the complexities of the investigation and ultimate rescue. It’s a tough subject, so I appreciated the way the author handled it.

The story does go into some detail about a drug called Devil’s Breath used in kidnappings. It’s scary stuff that leaves its victims compliant and without memories of what happened to them. The perfect drug for the slave/sex trade. And it was convincing enough to make me look it up. Yes, it’s real. That alone will give a reader the creeps.

This is a page-turner with a strong plot and engaging characters. I appreciated Darby’s guts even though she wasn’t able to free herself. Nina’s daring was admirable, and her ultimate plan wasn’t as easy to execute as she thought it would be. I liked that everything kept going wrong for her.

The author makes a strong statement about human trafficking with some frightening statistics about its prevalence in all corners of the world. One of her points is that this could happen to any family. She reinforces her warnings and outrage in an afterword with a call to arms. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Vampire of the Midnight Sun by Priscilla Bettis

I read the two short stories in this book in under an hour, and it was a great way to pass the time. The first story, “Vampire of the Midnight Sun,” was my favorite, a thriller loaded with suspense as two friends are stuck in the Alaskan wilderness and attempting to walk to civilization. One of them is falling apart physically. The other is physically strong but desperate for human blood. The tension in this tale escalates until the last line. I was riveted and late to an appointment because I HAD to read to the end before leaving the house.

The second story, “The Fire Witch and the Cowboy,” deals with the threat of wildfires on the Texas plains. As a fire approaches the town of Dusty Bend, Henderson, the local coward, convinces the widow Vandermeer to let them use her train to fight the flames. She agrees, but they have history, and things don’t go as planned. I connected more with the characters in the first story compared to this one, but the tale is intense, the chaos easy to follow, and the fire scenes are truly horrifying. Readers who are looking for a couple of short horror stories can’t go wrong with this selection. Highly recommended.

*****

Redemption: A Father’s Fatal Decision by Gwen M. Plano

Lisa and Trace’s father was an abusive murderer and an international criminal, but when he’s killed, they begin a hunt for answers about his secret life and the reasons for his death. While their mother recovers from gunshot wounds in the hospital, she feeds them clues, and together with their childhood friend Ryan, they begin unraveling the mystery, finding secret messages and puzzle pieces everywhere they look.

The trio has one ally, but otherwise, they don’t know whom to trust, including law enforcement. Their mother’s home is ransacked, their hotel room is bugged, and they’re constantly tailed. They make a good team: personable, supportive of each other, and easy to root for. They’re also smart, their efforts highly successful and conclusions rarely mistaken. At one point they’re referred to as “The Sherlocks,” which I thought was perfect since, for me, the read leaned more toward a “cozy” thriller than an all-out nail-biter. There’s plenty of tension, but modest danger and minimal violence.

This present-tense story is told from the third-person perspectives of the three main characters. The pace is speedy throughout the book with short intermissions for Lisa and Trace to reflect on their childhood and how it impacted their lives. Themes of family dysfunction, redemption, atonement, and forgiveness unfold in these moments, setting the stage for further revelations and a heartwarming conclusion. The book has a Christian slant during these scenes, but it’s not preachy. Recommended to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, sleuthing, and thrills, and like a solid message about letting go and healing from the past.

*****

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

This is one creepy tale. It’s not in-your-face horror, but it definitely makes the skin crawl. The book is a retelling of Poe’s short story “The Fall of the House of Usher,” which the author didn’t think was long enough and didn’t answer all her questions. I haven’t read the original and now I might.

Alex Easton arrives at the Usher home after receiving a letter that his childhood friend Madeline Usher is unwell. She not only looks on the verge of death, but her brother Roderick is also suffering, and the house…well the house is falling apart, damp and peeling, invaded by mold and a strange spreading fungus that looks like fish gills. There’s a creepy pond on the property as well as creepy animals dragging themselves around. Did I mention this book is creepy? It gave me the heebie-jeebies.

Alex enlists the help of an older woman who studies mushrooms and an American doctor residing in the home to care for Madeline. Time is of the essence to figure out what eerie malady is consuming the Ushers and their home, as well as to prevent it from spreading.

The writing is excellent and the pace moves along quickly. Alex carries the first-person POV, and he’s the driver behind finding answers to all his questions. The other characters are fully drawn with a range of distinct personalities. The biology of fungus gets a fair amount of attention, and I found it fascinating (and creepy, of course).

This is an entertaining, well-crafted afternoon’s read, and I highly recommend it to fans of Poe, and readers of atmospheric horror and plain old creepy stories.

*****

Happy Reading!

by

January Book Reviews

My first book reviews for the new year! I hope everyone is up for a great year of reading.

January’s reviews include my 4 and 5-star reads of a memoir, literary fiction, a paranormal adventure, a poetry collection, a collection of short stories, a collection of poetry and flash fiction, and three short reads on Irish Mythology

Click on the covers for Amazon global links.

*****

River Ghosts by Merril D. Smith

I can’t remember when I picked up this book of freeform poetry, but I finally got around to reading it, and I’m so glad I did. I highly recommend it.

The book contains about 70 poems. I read it over a few evenings, savoring the quiet mood and tone and depth of the feelings this collection conveys. There are poems about joyous moments of gratefulness and love, and poems straight from the imagination. But my favorites were those that struck me as reflective, exploring loss, tender memories, and some of the harder moments of finding one’s way. These are the author’s “ghosts,” and I found them relatable as well as beautifully penned. Here’s one such poem:

Dark Matter

How do we see the unseen?
A ghostly presence felt,
this dark path between stars

The Milky Way, a pearly spiral,
and we with limited vision,
star-created, star-drawn,
unable to see the tenebrous beauty
of bent light.

*****

Menagerie by Joan Hall

This collection of thirteen short stories is not only entertaining with its compelling characters and variety of plots, but highly accessible with its straightforward language. Clean romance, spooky paranormal events, and limited violence make it an enjoyable collection for readers from pre-teens to their grandparents.

Characters are consistent, well-rounded, and believable, and the variety in the stories not only applies to plots but to settings and time periods. Many of the stories incorporate a paranormal or romantic element, and quite a few include both. It’s a generous collection but a quick read, and I buzzed through it in a couple of afternoons. The variety makes it hard to pick favorites, but I was especially fond of:

“Mystery Woman” and the way it ventured into the subject of past lives
“Friends,” a feel-good romance set against a murder investigation
“Lone Wolf,” a beautiful tale of a connection between a man and a wild wolf
“Hot August Night,” for its family relationships and the unfolding mystery
And “Storm Rider,” a gentle paranormal story with some good advice.

Highly recommended to readers of all ages who enjoy feel-good short stories. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

The Last Drive by John Howell

This book follows the adventures of Sam and James of The Eternal Road, but it stands alone perfectly well with the same level of imagination and detail. Spirits James and Sam return to the Eternal Road to search for Ryan, a recently deceased pilot, and his guide Eddie. The two men have gone off track while looking for Ryan’s eternal home. Lucifer has his fingerprints all over this book as he’s determined to have Ryan “join his team.”

Similar to the first book, the search takes Sam and James, and eventually Ryan and Eddie, to quite a few major events in time including the first Super Bowl, the California gold rush, 9/11, the sinking of the Titanic, and the horrors of Auschwitz. Some places they travel to on their own, but in most cases, Lucifer sends them there, wanting them to trade Ryan’s soul for a reprieve.

In some ways, Sam and James are on a quest, tasked with challenges they need to puzzle out as they operate in the past without changing the future. The directive not to fiddle with the future generates some heartbreaking scenes and tough moral decisions. Howell’s research into the tragedies of the past is notable, and there are some brutal scenes including sexual abuse.

Any heaviness in the book is initially countered by Lucifer. He’s sarcastic, snarky, and completely without verbal restraint, at the very least. His banter, particularly with Sam, was entertaining, though it became easier and easier to completely dislike him toward the end. The plot doesn’t follow a straight line, nor is it always logical, but it’s highly imaginative and recommended for fans of fantastical stories about the afterlife. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

The Girl Who Taught Herself to Fly by Kwan Kew Lai

I enjoy reading memoirs of all sorts, but if there’s a book that transports me to another part of the world and a culture vastly different from my own, I’m usually entranced, as I was with this book.

Most of the book tracks Kwan Kew Lai’s childhood on Penang Island, a diverse community where racial and ethnic status determines where a family lives and who they associate with. Kwan Kew’s family is Chinese, ranked far below the Eurasian elite, but above their Tamil neighbors on the other side of a drainage ditch. There is plenty of play and mischief, as well as accounts of community, family, and school life from this observant little girl.

Her family is a large one (ten girls and two boys), and at a young age, she sees the toll their circumstances, often plagued by inadequate food and housing, takes on her mother. It’s a life where women’s choices are few and the work is endless. She decides early on that this life isn’t for her. As she ages, the book veers away from childhood into adult concerns of war, political unrest, and ultimately finding her way to college in the US.

Descriptions are captivating with just the right amount of detail to create a rich sense of place. The characters, including her parents and several key siblings, are deftly described from Kwan Kew’s point of view, and the sibling relationships had a familiar feel, full of nuance. Characters are sympathetic, as this is a human and, in many ways, a universal story about hardship, resilience, choices and the lack of them.

There is some repetition of information, and on occasion, I lost track of Kwan Kew’s age as the story seemed to move forward and backward in time, but on the whole, this was a fascinating and uplifting account of a determined child and young woman. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy memoirs, especially ones that explore different cultures in other parts of the world.

*****

The Waiting House by Lisette Brodey

The Waiting House is an unusual book of literary fiction with one of the best uses of an omnipresent POV I’ve read in years. Conrad Daniel Beauregard Shintz is the story’s host, the grandmaster, someone who has lived in the Waiting House for decades. He has a distinct voice and personality, and unlike most characters in genre fiction, he possesses the omnipresent ability to view the private lives, thoughts, and feelings of the building’s other residents.

The novel is a series of glimpses into the histories and daily lives of the house’s inhabitants narrated by Conrad. The chapters are almost like character studies that little by little begin to intersect as the overall story unfolds. Conrad’s tone is formal and appropriate for the era and setting, but he’s also emotionally engaged and has a witty sense of humor. The residents of the Waiting House are all brilliantly unique.

The pace is quite leisurely, and like a lot of literary fiction, action is secondary to the character development and a slow reveal of the plot. In keeping with the genre, the prose is beautiful with rich language, vivid and detailed descriptions, and wonderful imagery.

This is an excellent read for fans of literary fiction who love beautiful language and fabulously distinct characters, and are comfortable with a moderate pace. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Asunder, Baby by Steven Baird

Steven Baird is one of my favorite authors of fiction and poetry, and this generous collection of fifty flash fiction stories and poems was crafted with the same beautiful language, fresh imagery, and gut-wrenching emotion as his full-length novels. His characters are distinctive with rich voices and complex lives informed by poverty, loss, disillusionment, and love. Each one gripped me and didn’t let go.

There are too many excellent pieces to list the ones that moved me, but four of my favorites were: The Gopherwood Box, Rhapsody, Your Father’s Delta 88, and a short poem titled Brewer’s Mills 1971. A highly recommended collection for readers who enjoy beautifully crafted and deeply felt writing.

Brewer’s Mills 1971

There we were
burying a goddamn horse
all the clouds smashing
against a depthless sky
we waited in strained attentiveness
for the sound of a moon
to howl back at us
we knew this was
the distance we were
from kings

(Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Irish Myths in Your Pocket by I. E. Kneverday

This is the first book in a set of three pocket reads about Irish myths, legends, folktales, and fairytales. I polished this one off in an afternoon as a research project, wanting to learn more about the stories and characters I encounter in books and movies. I wasn’t disappointed.

Irish Myths starts with some background. It describes the differences between myths, legends, folktales, and fairytales as well as some of the major gods and heroes, and how they changed over time under the influence of English Christianity, which was determined to wipe them out. Thank goodness the effort mostly failed.

After that introduction, the book goes on to tell stories about 20 of the most powerful weapons of Irish mythology. It also shares tales about the god of love, and how music was a skill that all the gods possessed. The second half of the book is a competition, moderated and decided by the author, to decide who is the greatest hero of Irish mythology, Cú Chulainn or Fionn mac Cumhaill. The competition takes twelve rounds (chapters) and pits one ancient tale against another.

The style of the book is conversational, and Kneverday has a wonderful sense of humor that he injects into his discussions. The most challenging part of the book is the names, which have myriad spellings and to Americans (like me) are almost unpronounceable. The author does a good job of sorting it all out, but still…

Highly recommended to readers who love Irish myths and legends. I’m off to read the next book in the series, Samhain, a short book about the origins of Halloween. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Samhain in Your Pocket by I. E. Kneverday

After finishing Kneverday’s book Irish Myths, I went straight into this one, book two of his pocket series. I’m well versed on the fun to be had by modern kids (and some adults) on Halloween, but didn’t know the origins of jack o’ lanterns, dressing up in costumes, or trick-or-treating. I think kids would love learning the roots of this holiday as much as I did.

The history of these traditions (and many more) reach way back to the ancient Celts. They’re delightfully shared in this two-hour read that also elaborates on the Irish gods of death and tells tales of Stingy Jack (Jack of the Lantern) and numerous headless horsemen. The rich meaning behind Samhain (and how to properly pronounce this most important of celebrations) is detailed in the book with a lot of humor and respect. A highly enjoyable read. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Irish Monsters in Your Pocket by I. E. Kneverday

This is the third book in Kneverday’s Irish pocket books, and one that I was most looking forward to reading. I suspected that there would be a great many Irish monsters, but the author chose to go deep on about eight varieties rather than broad on many more. As he did with the two previous books in the series, he approached his storytelling with a great deal of conversational humor that made this book another enjoyable read.

The book dives into Irish dragons, werewolves, vampires, banshees, headless horsemen, giants, the púca (a mischievous creature), and Balor of the Evil Eye. For each type of monster, there’s some history, a dose of speculation, and descriptive tales from Irish lore. Another highly enjoyable, pocket read for fans of Irish and Celtic legends. (Kindle Unlimited)

*****

Happy Reading!