“Extraordinary Voyages” by Steven Paul Leiva

This book consists of multiple parts, all of which I found very entertaining. The first is a novella entitled “Made on the Moon.” The second is a number of poems written by the main character in the first story. The third part is a short story. And after that are some insights and information about the author. All of which I would recommend reading.

The easiest way for me to describe the first part of this book, is to ask a question. If you had always dreamed of going to the moon, even before anyone had ever thought it possible, what would you do to make your dream a reality? This story tells the tale of one man and his lifelong dream of going to the moon. There are some very interesting twists in this story, as parts of it touch on real life historical events, though others are purely fictional. And following this story are a number of poems written by the main character during his lifelong quest to visit the moon.

Following those two items is a short story involving Cyrano de Bergerac and Baron Munchausen travelling to Mars. It’s a fun little story that I found quite amusing. I think others will too.

But I almost think that my favorite part of this book was the two sections about the author that followed the fictional stories. Those two segments gave me an interesting and very entertaining look behind the curtain at the author and his life. If you read this book, I would urge you to not skip reading the author's history & bio at the end of the book. For me, they were every bit as entertaining & interesting as the fictional tales he has provided for us within these pages.

"Amish Joy" by Samantha Price

Florence has fallen in love with Carter Braithwaite. Unfortunately, he's considered unsuitable for her because he isn't Amish. But the heart wants what it wants, and the Amish man who had briefly seemed interested in her apparently had changed his mind and was no longer interested pursuing in a relationship with her. So her choices seem to be to find someone else to marry, live her life alone and unmarried, or to leave the Amish Community with Carter. Florence has so many unanswered questions, but can she find the answers she needs? Or will she need to make a lifelong decision without knowing any of those answers?

And in the meantime, her stepmother may be beginning a new relationship with a widowed man who wants to marry her. Also, her younger sister Joy is growing ever closer to a potential marriage proposal of her own. Things are certainly changing quite rapidly for all of them.

I enjoyed this forth entry in the Bonnet Sisters series. We get to learn a little bit more about this family and the past that surrounds them all.   It was a fun tale  and a very quick read. As with the previous books, I wanted it to go on longer as I was completely engrossed in the story & not yet ready for it to end. I wanted to know more. (I guess I'll just have to buy the next book in the series to find out what happens next.)

"A Midsummer Knight's Scream" by Nova Nelson

Sir Olivia is a knight in a cursed Renaissance Faire. Before that, she was an Angel who was framed for murder of a fellow Angel and banished from Heaven. After her fall, she found herself on earth where she soon got herself a job in the cursed renaissance faire as the Autumn Knight. 

But now, history seems to have repeated itself, and she appears to have killed a fellow knight during their morning joust.  Only this time banishment isn't an option as everyone who is part of the faire is cursed with immortality and to remain there forever. Instead, if she can't find the real murderer by the end of the day, she will be killed. But she isn't yet ready to have her existence ended.

I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. Ms. Nelson wove a fun and engaging tale that had me trying to solve the murder along with Sir Olivia. The story itself was quite interesting with a number of twists to keep the reader guessing along the way.

This was the last book in the Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries trilogy. So far as I know, there are not currently any further books planned, though I do hope the authors of this trilogy will decide to continue on with it as I found the series to be unique and a lot of fun to read.  I believe that anyone who has read the first two books in this series, enjoys renaissance faires or cozy mysteries will enjoy reading this book.

"Carols and Yule Perils" by Trixie Silvertale

While out looking to cut down a fresh Christmas Tree for the bookstore, Mitzy & Erick stumble across a woman's body, and thus a fresh murder for them to solve. And this one hits close to home for Mitzy, as the dead woman had been married to her employee/friend Twiggy's boyfriend. And thus placing Twiggy firmly on the list of potential murder suspects. But she couldn't actually have been involved in killing someone, could she?

This was the most recent book in the Mitzy Moon Paranormal Cozy Mystery series, and it doesn't disappoint. This book was well written and captured my interest from the beginning and held it through multiple plot twists all the way to the end.. 

If you've enjoyed any of the earlier books in this series, you'll want to read this one as well. We once again get to not only follow Mitzi as as she manages to solve another murder, but we also get to learn a few more surprising secrets about those closest to her. Even if like me, you haven't yet read the entire series, I'd still suggest giving this book a try. I certainly enjoyed reading it.

"A Simple Kiss" by Samantha Price

Two of Florence's younger sisters have found love. One was now married and the other has permission to marry in another year. Florence has been feeling an attraction to their neighbor, but with him not being Amish, he is considered unacceptable as a spouse. Now her "aunt" Ada has arranged for a Pig Farmer to come & meet Florence to see if the two of them might be a match.

It seems that life is moving quickly and bringing multiple changes for her family, but will Ezekiel be the right man for her? And what about the attraction that she feels towards her neighbor, Carter?

This was the third book in the Bonnet Sisters series of books, and a quick and enjoyable read. Each book has improved from the previous story and only deepened my desire to know more about this family. I find myself enjoying relaxing while reading these books. If you've enjoyed the other books in this series, amish romances, or anything else by Ms. Price, I think you'll enjoy this one as well. This one definitely left me wanting to know what happens next.

"Dead by Midlife" by Macy Dixon

Gwen works for "The Agency", a government organization that works to ensure that all magic is kept hidden from the human world. It isn't an easy job, and she's been living under a prophecy that says she will be dead by midlife, which for her is quickly approaching.

Encouraged by her grandparents to attend a speed dating event, she doesn't have high hopes for the night, which are realized when one of the men who she meets turns out to be a shifter. Things only go downhill from there. But what else can she do? It's her job to bring in wayward magicals attempting to hide among human populations.

I found this to be an interesting story and a quick read that I didn't want to put down. The only complaint that I had was that the glossary of terms that were unique to this series came at the end of the book rather than at the beginning. (I spent most of the book guessing at what the author meant when referring to a "Wycke." My guess was pretty close to right, but it would have been a lot easier if I had seen the glossary before reading the rest of the book. It also would have cleared up a few other questions I had along the way.)

Regardless of that fact, the book was very enjoyable. I've already bought the next book in the series. I think that anyone who enjoys urban fantasy with a paranormal twist will enjoy this book.

"Prince of Wolves" by Quinn Loftis

Just before the beginning of their senior year in high school, a Romanian foreign exchange student comes to stay with the neighbors across the street from Jacque’s house. Not only is he extremely handsome, but there is something more to him. It turns out that he is a werewolf and her true mate, though she hadn't been aware that werewolves existed, let alone that she was half wolf.

As a young adult novel, this book left something to be desired. To me, it felt like the author was trying too hard to make the teen girls sound young and ended up making them act and sound much younger than 17. (My 16 year old daughter read a few pages & commented that it reminded her of a wattpad fanfiction story.)

But if I look at the book as something meant for younger teens instead of as a young adult novel, my perspective changes a bit. While nothing in the story is unexpected, it should still appeal to younger teen readers as it is neither overly violent nor overly sexualized. Admittedly, one of the side characters seems to have a pretty bad case of "sex-on-the-brain" and an inability to prevent anything she thinks from being spoken, her comments are never graphic and are mostly just innuendo.

So overall, while I probably wouldn't recommend it for young adult readers (I had some issues with the story that I think older readers would quickly pick up on as well), I would suggest that younger teen readers interested in werewolves or wolf shifter stories might want to give it a try.