Encoded Minds: A Biological Thriller by Kfir Luzzatto

Olivia (Liv) Scott discovered she had a unique ability when she was a child. She was able to see echoes of past events that had happened in different locations that involved strong enough emotions to cause echoes of them to be remembered by the place where they happened. It was not always a pleasant thing to know, as many strong-emotion events are not happy ones, and many are violent and terrifying. And as she grew up, she managed to suppress that ability. However, when her brother is accused of a murder he didn’t commit, that ability is the only thing that might save his life. And, as it turns out, it also makes her one of the few people who might be able to stop a pandemic from killing off the human race.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. After having made it through the Covid Pandemic, I can see how easily such things can be spread. And as happens to be the case in this story, the illness being spread sometimes kills, but other times causes the survivors to become part of a “hive mind”  controlled by a man who calls himself “The First.” He is attempting to create a new form of humans that will follow him as their leader by altering the natural bacteria the each person carries. The means for this is airborne, and spreads quickly from person to person.

The story felt very realistic given the deadly pandemic the world faced only a few years ago. And knowing that there will always be people who believe that they know what is best for everyone around them, makes this plot even more plausible.  But for me, the ending of this one-shot story seemed to come a little too quickly and easily. Even knowing that very likely the length of time it took between the beginning of the story and the ending was likely compressed a bit to allow the author to end the story in only the one book, it still felt to me like the bacterial influence controlling everyone was a little too easily and too quickly defeated. (I will admit that I do feel that "The First" got off a little too easily at the end of the story, but you'll have to read the book if you're curious as to how or why I feel that way.)

That being said, I did enjoy the story a great deal. And I believe that anyone who enjoys reading thriller novels will enjoy this book. I also believe that anyone who enjoys any of the other books by Mr. Luzzatto will likely also enjoy reading this book. It really t was a captivating and well written story and one that I enjoyed reading all the way to the end.

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Adopting Grace by Anna Jinja

Grace is a Korean woman who was adopted as an infant by an American family in Iowa who are of Norwegian descent. Her parents also had several children of their own, so she has always been part of a large family. She married in college after discovering she was pregnant, so never really had a chance to discover who she was as an individual. For most of her life, she has focused on pleasing and taking care of those around her: primarily her husband and her children. Now, she and her husband are separated; he has been having an affair with his high school sweetheart and wants a divorce. Grace is starting her own business as a seamstress/dressmaker, and must figure out not only who she is on her own, but what she actually wants her life to be.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. I will admit that it wasn’t what I had expected when I first started reading. I expected it to be primarily about Grace being adopted more than anything else, instead, this story was about a woman who was in the middle of a divorce she didn’t think she wanted and trying to discover who she was going to be if she wasn’t primarily Mark’s wife. There were a number of issues and difficulties that she had to face and come to terms with, but all of it made this seem to me to be a story about her actually discovering herself for the first time.

She was no longer Mark’s wife & the mother of his children, but Grace, a talented seamstress and clothing designer, a sister, a friend, and the mother to two wonderful daughters. It was a story about a woman truly finding herself for the first time. It was a fascinating tale of self discovery, and something that I really enjoyed reading. (I do need to mention here that this book does not appear to have a kindle version as I could only find it in paperback form on Amazon.)

This book drew me in and kept me wanting to read. In the beginning, I will admit wanting to tell Grace that her husband was never going to be hers again more than once as for a long time she seemed to think that he would change his mind and return to her and their daughters despite the fact that his girlfriend and her son were moving in with him. But as she came to that realization and acceptance of it, Grace also began a friendship with the woman that was going to be part of her extended family, regardless of any initial desire to dislike and/or resent her for having been "the other woman."

I believe that anyone who enjoys nonfiction stories about people and the lives they thought they wanted and then discovering themselves after something unexpected happens that forever alters the life and plan they had created. I also feel that anyone who enjoys stories dealing with blended families or adults who were adopted from foreign countries would enjoy this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Shades of Gray by Addie J King

Samantha (Sam) is a fairly new police officer. While out on her regular beat with her partner, Justin, she is attacked and bitten by someone neither of them managed to see.. What she only learns after recovering and beginning trauma counseling was that the man who bit her was a werewolf, and that she is showing signs that she has been infected and will soon experience her first change. She will need to take some precautions in order to keep her condition secret, but it is something that she will be able to manage. Of course, first she needs to believe that she will actually be regularly needing to turn into a wolf.

This was the first book in the Hochenwalt Files series. (The second book in this series has recently been released.)  I read a review copy of this book and really enjoyed it. (I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book in the series.) Ms. King did a great job of creating realistic police officers and showing the way that they respond to different situations, some dangerous and others (at least seemingly) not. I enjoyed the interaction between the two partners, as well as seeing their budding relationship. You can easily feel what they are going through, both Sam when she must learn to accept and deal with her new secret/condition, and Justin when he happens to be present to see her change form unexpectedly.

I also enjoyed the subplots in this book, dealing with people in positions of power, as well as the theme of wanting to help others and keeping those we care about safe. Sometimes that means knowing that the cost of doing so will likely be a high one, perhaps even more so than most would be willing to pay. It really makes you think about what you might do in some of these situations. And yes, we see characters who have to make such decisions based on each of their individual circumstances. Only one of which was the werewolf who bit Sam.

While this book is very different from Ms. King’s other books and series, I feel that anyone who has previously enjoyed her other stories would likely enjoy this one, too. I also feel that those who enjoy werewolf stories as well as stories that take place in what could be our own world would likely enjoy reading this story. (After all, how do we know that there aren’t werewolves hiding their dual nature and working  somewhere that we might see them on any given day? It’s certainly something to think about.)

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Niveous War: The Uncharted Horizon Serial By CR Buchanan and Jason Diamond

Once the dust had settled on their new world, humans and Dah’Sel were finally living and working together in peace. Those who had arrived as part of the first group had hoped that as more people arrived from their dying world, that this would be a fresh start for all of them. However, back on Kep-4b, the leader of the Uprisers has been broken out of the most secure prison on the planet and has begun recruiting more people to join his army of malcontents who refuse to be left behind on a dying planet. They have a plan to take over the last remaining transport ships that the Armada has built, and then take over the planet that humanity was trying to make a home on. But unlike those who went before, the Uprisers want nothing less than total control of everything. And no one, not even the planet’s natives, are going to prevent that. At least, they won't if the Uprisers manage to succeed in their plans.

I read a review copy of this book, and it was every bit as engaging and entertaining as the first book in the series. This book runs the full spectrum of what science fiction has always been, from advanced technology, to world-building, to communication with those who were on the planet before humanity’s arrival. There are both happy and sad times in store for the characters in this story, along with as a number of other emotions and decisions that must be made… including dealing with the outcome from those decisions.

The main question in this book seems to be whether or not humanity can overcome both the worst of their impulses and their own cruelest, most violent societal members to actually build a better world. One in which humans can live in peace and friendship with the Dah’Sel and Vee’Sel who have lived there for generations before humanity found its way to Wah’Lor. Or will the arrival of an invading force doom all of that before the dream of peace and harmony can truly come to fruition.

If you have read the first book in this series, you will want to read this book. And if you haven’t yet read the first book, I recommend beginning with that one as you might find yourself a little confused if you don’t. You will also likely enjoy this book if you enjoy series that have quite a bit of world-building in them, and a chance to see other worlds and creatures/people. This series is a great one for fans of classic science fiction, as it contains all of the elements of the genre that you could want. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Sky's Shadow by Ted Galdi

Tommy had been a firefighter, until his need to find the truth no matter the method or cost landed him in Jail for a crime he did not commit. After serving his time and having a felony on his record, he is no longer allowed to work as a fireman, so he takes any job he can. When his sister is killed, he sets off on  a personal mission to get justice for her and to enact vengeance on her murderers.

I read a review copy of this book, and while I did enjoy the overall story, I had a few issues with it as well. To be fair, I do not read many thrillers, and I am only as familiar with FBI procedures as what can be learned by watching movies on television. But I cannot help but feel that Tommy should not have been able to get away with many of the things that he did, especially as I can only assume he had limited funds due to his current employment status.

It seems to me that multiple times Tommy could, and likely should have been arrested for interfering in or obstructing an FBI investigation. The fact that he wasn’t felt a little too convenient to me. Though, at the same time, I also acknowledge that might be a standard of this genre. (As I said, I do not often read thrillers, so I am not as familiar with this genre’s usual patterns as I am some of the others that I’ve read.)

Outside of my objections to some of what I consider a little too convenient or too easy for the main character, I did enjoy reading the story. The action is fast paced, and the twists taken kept me wanting to find out what would happen next. The ending of this book sets things up for the author to continue on with this character in a way that would make sense for him to be able to continue to get away with using the methods that I found a bit problematic in this story. So would I consider reading the next book in this series? Yes, I think I would.

I feel that those who enjoy thrillers, FBI and other military action stories, tales about finding justice for those who have been wronged, or solving a murder to find justice for the victims would likely enjoy this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Amish Meddler by Samantha Price

Caroline has been staying with the Baker/Bruner family for quite some time. Most of the family has been happy enough to have her there, but Cherish has grown tired of her presence and wrote a letter to Caroline’s family. It was quite a surprise when Caroline’s parents arrived at the farm to ask about the girl who was staying with the family, the reason for this visit, and the surprising truth behind Caroline’s visit with the family.

This was the sixteenth book in the bonnet sisters series. And while I felt that it could have used one more pass by a proofreader to clean up a few more typos than I expected to see, it was still an interesting story and one that I enjoyed reading.

The Bonnet Sisters’ books are sweet Amish Romances, though there is almost always some sort of drama happening on the farm. In this book, the drama part of the story involves Caroline and why she has actually been staying with the family for so long. But that wasn’t the only plotline in this book. The other part of this story was about the changes being made on the farm, and what the entire family, including Florence, are trying to do in order to make the farm once again profitable after the poor harvest the previous year. It will mean a lot of work for everyone, and only time will tell if they can manage to make it work.

I always enjoy the vivid descriptions of the various characters and how their differing personalities affect each of the others within their family. The flaws of each of them are understandable and clearly reflective of who they are and how their family dynamics have affected them through the years. These flaws are a part of what brings both family drama to the story as well as what spurs the interest of the reader. And while in some ways it can push them further apart, it still often manages to bring them closer together.

Anyone who has enjoyed this series so far, or who enjoys Amish romances with a little bit of family drama added in, should enjoy reading this book as well. The Bonnet Sisters books are nice light reading and are stories that I have enjoyed reading when I just want something short to read that doesn’t require too much deep thought.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Dog-Eared Delinquent by Molly Fitz

Angie and Octo-Cat have another mystery to solve. A new co-worker at her office seems to know about her ability to talk to her cat, though how he found out remains a mystery. There’s something about him that Angie just doesn’t trust, and it’s more than just his own ability to hear Octo-cat or his other secrets. And she’s not the only one that doesn’t trust him. On top of that, a a string of overnight robberies have been happening, all without setting off any alarms, and with the perpetrators appearing to disappear without leaving any clues behind as to how they managed to commit the crimes or how they got away.

This was a fun cozy mystery involving quite a few surprising revelations about how and why Anji can understand Octo-Cat. I really enjoyed reading this book. There is a point in the book where Octo-cat is told, by a dog shifter, that he is not special. That he’s nothing more than an ordinary tabby cat with no special abilities whatsoever, and due to the circumstances surrounding that event, he believes it and begins to slide into a deep depression. After all, he’s always considered himself very special, but at that moment it appears that he is nothing more than an everyday, ordinary, house cat. And that revelation seems to break his spirit.

That moment in the book broke my heart, as we have been having an issue in our household involving a new cat and some dominance issues. My poor cat lost that unexpected challenge to her household dominance, and has been hiding any time she even thinks there is a chance that the other cat will leave her gated room. Given that she had previously been the “top cat” in the household, this change has her sometimes in a similar state as Octo-Cat after his encounter with the pit-bull shifter. So I can fully empathize with how he felt. And I absolutely loved how Angie was able to help him rediscover how special he actually is, and to rebuild his confidence and belief in himself again. (You’ll have to read the book if you want to know what exactly happens.) Also, I believe that all cats are special, whether or not we as their humans may always be aware of how special they are.

I also enjoyed learning how Angie truly gained the ability to understand Octo-cat, and the set-up for future stories involving the pair and their endeavors as pet-related private investigators. I am very much looking forward to reading more of the books in this series.

I feel that this would be a good book for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, especially ones where the animals often take center stage in the story. While technically Angie is the main character, Octo-Cat is every bit as important as she is to this tale. Without him, Angie would not have been able to discover much of what she did learn nor would she have been able to solve the mystery of who had been committing the robberies or how. Anyone who has read any of Ms. Fitz's other books, both the ones in this series or any of her other series  would likely also enjoy reading this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Rootfingers by S. Alessandro Martinez

Wren’s family moved into the house once owned by famous artist Isidoro Cervantes. What they don’t know is that the house is not a good place. It was said that the artist had gone insane, and his life’s artworks were never found after his death. But when seven year old Wren’s family moves in, her artist mother discovers the hiding place of Cervantes’ lost paintings and begins restoring them. It may have seemed harmless at first, but when the madness that destroyed Cervantes takes hold of her, it seems that perhaps history will repeat itself.

I read a review copy of this book, and it is a rather creepy horror novel. It is not a long book, so it is a fairly quick read. The majority of the story takes place over the course of one night as Wren tries to both save her family and herself. But you’ll have to read the book yourself if you want to find out whether she succeeds or not. I really enjoyed learning that the chapters of this book were titled after artworks. It was very fitting for this story. And clearly the author knows quite a bit about works of art as well as writing creepy tales. This is not a long book, but it does draw the reader in and keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next. 

If you enjoy horror novels, especially ones involving paintings or other artwork, stories about artists who seemingly went mad, as well as ones that involve a sort of “monster under the bed” theme to them, then you will likely enjoy reading this novel.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Priest’s Assassin by V.C. Willis

Dante and John must help to get Princess Sonja safely back to the Capital. With not only Fallen Arbor hunting and seeking to kill them before she can be returned, but also other dangers between the two locations, it will be a very dangerous trip. The head of the Assassins’ Guild and the princess’s knight protector will be travelling along with them. They seek to travel quietly, hoping not to be noticed, but that rarely seems to happen when Fallen Arbor is after someone. Dante has sworn to be John’s Sword and Shield, and to keep him safe at all costs. And in this mission, it seems that Dante must also pretend to be his missing brother, Ashton, a man whose appearance he closely resembles and whose name is widely recognized and in many places, feared.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. The author does a fantastic job letting the reader experience the tension, connection, and feelings the characters have for each other. In this book we are given a chance to discover more about both Dante’s and John’s family histories, as well as to explore the connection between the two of them. I do need to warn you that this book is a M/M romance and there is some graphic sex involved in this story. There is also a fair amount of violence. Dante is a bloodeater, but the only one whose blood he desires to taste is John. And at the same time, he worries about the possibility of accidentally taking too much and being the cause of his death. John is the love of his life, and he will not easily allow any harm to come to him … and especially not because of his needs.

This is not a book meant for younger readers, but for the adults who do read it, I believe that many of you will enjoy it. Ms. Willis is a talented writer with a multitude of very interesting books. If you have read any of the books she has written, whether they were in this series or not, you will likely enjoy this one as well.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

A Baby For Joy by Samantha Price

Joy and Isaac are expecting their first child. One would expect this to be a happy time for them, but all is not well in their household. Joy has admitted to shoplifting a baby dress, and Isaac cannot forgive her. His anger is so great that Joy is terrified that she has forever lost his love. And being Amish, divorce is not an option. No matter how bad things may become, their marriage is for life. Can they find a way to work through their problems, or will they both be unhappily bound together for the remainder of their days?

This is a short book, making for a very quick read. I’ve always enjoyed this series, and this story was no exception. It's interesting to see how each of the characters dealt with their problems. And one of the themes this time around seems to be about the importance of communication. Despite the complications each of the characters have run into, they seem to draw strength from family. And in the Amish community, family and faith are everything.

If you enjoy Amish romance, stories about the Amish, any of the other books in this series, or any of Ms. Price's other books, then you will likely also enjoy this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Pure Shore Club by Jason R Lady

Three middle school-aged kids who share nothing in common besides being new students at a boarding school receive invitations to join the Pure Shore Club. They were given no information about what the club is or does, and when they arrive at the teacher’s office to learn more, they overhear an argument in which they learn that the club was disbanded several years earlier and will not be reformed. It’s all rather strange, and when given a clue from the man who wanted to restart the club, the three band together to learn more and to solve this mystery.

I read a review copy of this young adult novel, and it was a fun read. I loved the concept of a group of young people banding together to solve a mystery about the Pure Shore Club and why it was disbanded, and then learning and becoming more than what they ever thought was possible. This was a young-adult superhero story. And yes, it includes a bad guy with superpowers, and the appropriate explanations to go along with all of it. I truly enjoyed seeing how these three youngsters, who were so different from each other, also realized that their differences complemented them as a group. They were stronger together than they were alone, and they even managed to teach the adults around them a thing or two.

The Pure Shore Club is, in my mind, a story of developing friendships, as well as helping those around you, often quietly and without expecting praise or reward. The Pure Shore Club was represented as a community service club. And it was, though it also was so much more than just that. It was a way for young people who many considered outsiders and who often thought of themselves as being alone or outcasts, to become much more, to find friendships they never would have expected, and essentially to become a found family.

This was an enjoyable story that I believe would appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy some mystery, friendship and found family stories, and of course, superheroes. If you give this book a chance, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Forty Days by Morgan DeVivo

After a bomb explodes in a local mall where she had been shopping with her younger sister, Stella awakes with no memory of who she is or how she got there as she waits with a large group of other teenagers to be registered and assigned rooms in some sort of building. But where is she, actually? And why are they all given numbers and told not to tell anyone their name, just their number? It all seems rather odd. They also are told they need to follow the rules and not ask questions. But soon, what Stella learns is enough to convince her that these people do not have her interests at heart. She needs to find a way out, and she only has forty days.

This was a very interesting story from a first time author. I received a review copy of this book and very much enjoyed reading it. While not exactly a horror story, it is definitely a young adult, science fiction novel, with a touch of a thriller story in there as well. It involves what happens to people in a coma, as well as explores the state of being between life and death.

Miss DeVivo’s writing style differs greatly from her mother’s ( of whose books I have also read and reviewed several). And this debut novel is one that will keep readers wanting to know what happens next. A few times I thought I might have figured out how it was going to end, only to be surprised when I did learn what happened to the main character in this story. It is a shorter book than many that I have the chance to review these days, but it was a very enjoyable one to read.

I believe that anyone who enjoys reading young adult novels, science fiction, stories involving life versus death and the state of being between both, and those who enjoy mild thrillers will enjoy this book. I certainly enjoyed this first-time author’s debut novel, and am looking forward to seeing what she writes next. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Families Broken by PC Nottingham

Jab and Sanu are finally on their way back to their home island. Unfortunately, instead of the sought after peace treaty they had hoped to be returning with, they are accompanying the king and head of the Frenglese army who seeks to retake the island and the sacred city. While King Ridgerd may actually want peace, there is another king who has already arrived on the island with his own army, determined to retake the sacred city for himself. And he is not at all friendly to the Grovekeeper religion. He is a conqueror rather than one who seeks peace and harmony. So now Jab and Sanu, along with Sir Brouglas must find a way to save the island from not one but two armies, and if they are lucky, find a way to bring everyone to agree to a way where all three religions can live together in harmony and understanding.

I read a review copy of this book and very much enjoyed it. Of the three books in this trilogy, this book is the one that had me tearing up at times as I read. This book has some very emotional moments that are both heartwarming and heart wrenching. Jab and Sanu have faced so much pain in their young lives, and it seems that this book is one that will bring everything to a head, for good or ill.

I do not want to give anything away about this story, but if you have read the first two, then you really don’t want to miss reading this one. It is definitely the best of the trilogy. I’m going to deliberately keep my review of this book short, as I am afraid that if I don’t, I’ll accidentally give away too much of the story and spoil some of what happens for you. So I am going to end my review here, with the hope that you will give this one a try. While I may not have said much about the story itself, please trust that it is well worth the short time it will take you to read and enjoy this book. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Unbridled Reign by Chelsea Burton Dunn

Ash is a fighter who has been working as a trainer at the gym owned by the Lupo family. Before that, she had been forced into fighting for the Polish mafia when her father was killed while still owing them a great deal of money. Now, she works for the Lupos, suspecting, but not certain, that they are members of the Italian mafia. She is also physically attracted to both Sal Lupo and Adrian LaMartina. And when the man who becomes her new landlord turns out to be the same man that her father once owed a great deal of money to and refuses to renew her lease, her life becomes much more complicated.

I read a review copy of this book and greatly enjoyed it. Chelsea Burton Dunn is a wonderful author, and while this book differs in genre from most of the other books of hers that I have read, it is easily just as enjoyable as her other series are. This book does necessitate some trigger warnings, and with a fair amount of graphic sex in the story, it is clearly not meant for younger readers. Some of the themes that take place in this book include sex trafficking, violence, abuse, domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, and bisexuality. I found each topic to be handled carefully, but as these topics may be triggering for some, as a reader you do need to be aware that they are an important part of this story. It is a book that is very clearly meant for adult readers, due to the graphic sex and other themes running through this book and series.

Despite needing to include such warnings in my review, I have very much enjoyed reading this series. This was the third book in the series, and as there is at least one more topic that I am very curious about, I hope it is not the final book. And so I will be waiting as patiently as I can to learn whether or not there will be a fourth book (or even more than that) to come in this series. If you enjoy rather dramatic romance stories involving people and topics that seem like they should cause one to not enjoy a book, I would recommend giving this book and series a try. I will admit to being a little concerned when learning it was primarily about two mafia families, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I did enjoy this book and this series. As I said above, the difficult and sensitive subjects were handled quite well. And while they were a very necessary part of the tale, they were not the main subject of the story.

The main characters in this story are very well described, and while in some ways they could be considered forced into the life they now lead, they have made the best of it that they can in order to keep those they care about safe, without causing unnecessary harm to those who are innocent. While the mafia is in general often considered the “bad guys” in any story, here, we are shown that it is possible that in the case of the characters in this series, they are not actually the “bad guys.” They may not entirely be the “good guys,” given that they are members of two crime families, but they fall more on the side of good than the side of evil, in my opinion. So if you can give this book and series a try, I would recommend reading them. I know that I enjoyed reading them a great deal, and am hoping that there will be more of this series to come in the future.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher

Wizard Harry Dresden and his allies managed to win the battle that saved the world, though much of Chicago was destroyed in the process. The woman that Harry loved was killed, leaving him heartbroken. Yet, it was still up to him and his friends to defend the people of Chicago from those who would take advantage of the chaos and destruction around them. Mab has arranged his betrothal as her Winter Knight to Lara Raith, a Vampire of the White Court in order to forge an alliance. While it is not something either Harry or Lara truly wants, this alliance is necessary if they want to be able to help the people of Chicago rebuild and survive. Ghouls and others have come, brought by all the death and destruction. And alone, even Harry isn’t enough to save everyone important to him. But in order for this to work, he needs to find a way to overcome his personal heartbreak and pain. The question seems to be, can he manage to overcome the current challenges in front of him? Or will he succumb to the despair that he has been struggling with?

I enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, this story is about Harry’s healing from what seems an insurmountable amount of pain, both physical and emotional. He wants to keep helping his friends, family, and his city, while at the same time, a significant part of him just wants to give in to his despair and pain. He has quite a bit to overcome, and new challenges and problems keep arising that require his attention. But he also has friends who are there to help him, family who care about him, and his new fiancee and her people are there to help too. And more than anything else, he has a daughter who needs him. So he has quite a few reasons to find his way back to the man he once was.

The story itself is at times quite negative and painful. But that is the character’s state of mind at the beginning of the book when he feels he has lost pretty much everything he cares about, yet he must still find a way to not give in to despair. And as the story progresses, we can begin to see him finding his way back from the brink, slowly finding reasons to continue to fight for the good in the world, and to see that there are those who still love him and who are there to help him, if he will let them. And while yes, he hurts and likely will for quite some time, we can see that he is beginning to heal and to both find and see the good things that still exist around him. And that is why I enjoyed reading this book. Because no matter how dark the world may seem at the moment, it won’t always be that way.

When I began reading it, I was, myself, feeling in a somewhat dark place. The world around me has quite a few problems right now, and I was worried that a story with a main character who was in so much pain would make me feel worse. But as the story progressed and he began to heal, it helped me to also see that there is still good in the world. And that as we work to help those around us, things can and will become better for everyone. This book, to me, is saying that no matter how bad things may seem right now, that if you want things to get better and are willing to put in the work to make it happen, that the world around us can improve. It won’t happen overnight, and it will very likely take a lot of time and effort, but nothing is impossible.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Big Little: A Family Morris Story Story Written by Bennet Walker Art by Cal Hobbes

Shelly is a little girl who has both a big sister and a big brother. This story seems to be about what she wants to do one day.

I read a review copy of this story meant for young children. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had any children young enough for a book like this, but the first thing that I want to talk about is the art that shows this story. It was perfect for the book. It was beautiful and clearly showed how little Shelly felt as the day progressed.

The story itself, however, I had a few problems with. I loved that the family was a blended family. But what bothered me was that the entire way through the book, the mother watched every member of the family tell Shelly that she was too little for what she wanted to do. And in each instance there was never any suggestion of what they could do to include Shelly or of something else that the little girl could do instead that would be just as much fun as what her siblings were doing.

I feel that this story could have used a developmental editor. I kept wanting the mother, or any other member of the family, to say or do something to include Shelly rather than just telling her she was too little. The further I got in this story, the sadder I felt for the little girl. (Again, I was impressed that the artist included the sad and disappointed look on Shelly’s face in each instance.)

While I do recognize that older / teenage siblings don’t always go out of their way to include a young sibling in what they are doing, why didn’t the mother notice how sad her daughter was getting after each time she was told she was too little. Maybe I’m reading too much into the story, but if this is a typical day for Shelly, the story seems to be saying that because she’s little, she can’t do anything. And I feel that is the wrong message to send a child.

For me, this book needs something that only Shelly is small enough to do. Turning the tables on her older siblings by having them be too big for something would have made the ending of the story much more meaningful and powerful. But while the ending does bring a big smile to Shelly’s face, it wasn’t something that she was the only one small enough to do. And for me, it didn't make up for all the negative “You’re too small” comments from every family member—including her mother—throughout Shelly’s Day.

I would rate the artwork for this book at four stars, but the story itself, for me, was only a one star because of the way it left me feeling disappointed and sad for Shelly rather than happy about her having something special that no one else could do because they were too big.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Home Shattered by PC Nottingham

Nasilid the Liberator has successfully retaken the city of ZelZaytun back from the Sprouters who had conquered the island two generations before and who had killed all the members of the Grovekeeper religion who lived there. But unlike the previous conquerors, this time, peace between all three religions, Grovekeeper, Sprouter, and Mulcher, is hoped for. A chance for all who seek peace and to spend time with the sacred Gnaverwood tree may do so.

In an effort to let the other kingdoms leaders know that this is what is hoped for, Nasalid sends Jab, Sanu, Sir Brouglas, and a few others across the ocean to meet with the Sprouter King and to bring this message of a sought-after peace between the three religions. Unfortunately, while the message is received, the country is in a bit of a turmoil with a new king and a religious head who is determined to force them into a religious war to retake the city and the sacred tree.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it as much as I did the first one in the series. Both Jab and Sanu grow as individuals and as their own squirrels throughout the book, learning a great deal about not only themselves, but the others they come across. There is much that they need to deal with—treachery, betrayal, worry—but each is stronger than they realized, and each one has their own strengths that they bring to the table when trying to help those around them find solutions to some very large problems.

I enjoyed reading this young adult novel. It was fun and carefully thought out. It shows that sometimes, we don’t always realize that those who may seem very young, might actually have viable solutions to some very large problems that they shouldn’t have to deal with at their age. We just need to be willing to listen and pay attention when they try to help rather than ignoring their suggestions from a mistaken belief that they haven’t the knowledge or experience to truly understand something. Quite often, they know more than we realize they do.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Pentimento Mori: An Art History Mystery by Valeria Corciolani

Edna Silvera is an art historian who appears to prefer her privacy to being in the public eye, even though she is a renowned expert in her field. When sent out by her boss to participate in a public ceremony, she stumbles across a dead body as well as an ancient piece of artwork, and finds herself in the middle of trying to help solve both mysteries.

I read a review copy of this book. It was the author’s first English-translated novel. I did enjoy reading it, though for quite a bit of the book I was confused as to why parts of it were told from the perspective of a chicken. It was quite a while into the story before I realized that said chicken was actually someone who seemed to spend most of his time pretending he was a chicken. (At least I think he was pretending, though it is possible that he actually believed he was a chicken.)

The author clearly knows quite a bit about ancient art, the techniques involved in creating the paints, and the symbolism used within the artwork itself. It was a rather impressive display of knowledge, and an integral part in solving the secondary mystery as well as the murder itself. There were a number of twists and turns in this story that led up to both the art mystery and the murder, and this was a story that I was not able to solve entirely on my own while reading the story. While all the clues were there, some of them were subtle enough that I missed seeing them. And that makes it much more interesting to me than a mystery that I was able to see what was coming well before the ending.

I will admit that at times, I was a little confused and a bit overwhelmed by the amount of art history knowledge within this story, but overall I did find it to be an interesting book that I did enjoy reading. I think that anyone who enjoys reading about art, art history, art symbolism or murder mysteries involving ancient art, would enjoy reading this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Brothers Divided by P.C. Nottingham

Two young squirrel brothers have just buried their parents. On that same day, they encounter a knight who is seeking to warn the townsrodents that he believes their town is in danger from suspected nearby raiders. He has come to offer the villagers safety in shelter in the town of Olihort (still called ZelZaytum by those of the Grovekeeper faith), under the Sapling’s protection. But given that many of the families can remember when their grandparents who lived in the town were slaughtered by the army that invaded to claim the sacred Gnaverwood tree as their own, no one from the town will believe such an offer is meant in peace.

That same day, the army of Nasalid the Liberator sets a trap for the armies who claimed the lands as theirs. As the two forces meet, the brothers believe they each see the other killed, unaware that their family member still lives and has been rescued by the opposing army. In turn, the brothers decide to aid the side that rescued them, hoping to find a way to restore peace to their land. But where religious differences are involved, is such a thing actually possible? Can multiple religions actually coexist peacefully together?

I read a review copy of this book and found it entertaining and thought provoking. And for a short book that is quickly read, it did manage to contain quite a bit of story and action. In some ways, it made me think (very loosely) of some of William Shakespeare’s plotlines. Though not truly the same, I could see vague similarities in several places.

There were both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments in this book, as each brother truly believed the other was killed, and they must cope with a very trying time, with a religious war looming and them being unable to avoid it. Many involved do seem to want peace, but unfortunately, there are also those who are determined to continue to provoke the other side in an attempt to justify a complete destruction of their supposed enemies, including those who are innocents.

I believe this young adult novel would be a good fit for anyone interested in reading fantasy stories that involve religious differences and that attempt to show how often peaceful solutions and coexistence are possible, if only everyone involved is willing to talk out their issues and find a compromise. I enjoyed reading this book, and found the ending hopeful, though clearly the adventures of the two brothers, Jeb and Sanu, are not yet over, as peace between this land and opposing kingdoms cannot be assured unless everyone is willing to accept a peaceful solution. I will be looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

GMC: Goal, Motivation, & Conflict by Debra Dixon

This book was required reading for a class that I am taking. And while parts of the topic seemed to be common sense to me, the book does have some very good ideas on how a writer can more easily not only discover their characters’ goals, motivations, and the conflicts they will face, but how to find ways to show each of those items to the readers as the story progresses.

If the writer doesn’t know what drives a character, or what lengths they are willing to go to in order to achieve those goals, how can they possibly express that to their readers? In order to help the writer with this concept, the author of this book has shown us some simple charts that will help to define both the internal and external things that drive a character, and make each of them unique.

I did appreciate these charts & the ideas behind each of them, as it makes the goals, motivations, and conflicts quite clear to the writer, and allows them to develop their plots accordingly. I also loved the  examples provided to us by Ms. Dixon. I may not have seen each of the movies that she used as an example, but even the ones I was unfamiliar with provided enough of a context for me to understand the intended story of those films.

In addition to these charts and examples, Ms. Dixon talks about the purposes of scenes, what makes for a good and useful scene, and what might be an unnecessary scene. Again, examples are provided for each. And there are exercises throughout the book that should be helpful for most any writer.

Another topic that is discussed involves query letters, and the recommended way to format one to encourage an agent or publisher to want more information about a story, thus decreasing the likelihood of a rejection. (This seems like a helpful topic for most writers.)

Overall, I believe this would be a very helpful book for writers, as well as editors (both copyeditors and developmental editors). The exercises can easily be applied to any book that has been written, whether it is one that has been published or one that is being edited prior to publication or submission for publication.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.