The Sunset Sovereign: A Dragon’s Memoirby Laura Huie

For a thousand years, the Dragon Vakandi has watched over and protected the people of Vakefored, watching them grow from a nomadic tribe to a large city. That entire time he has sought to protect them, though he has made some mistakes along the way. When the day arrives that an assassin sneaks her way into his cave seeking to kill him in order to free her people from his tyranny, he knows that his time is at an end. He makes a bargain with the would-be assassin to leave forever if she will listen to his side of the story before he goes elsewhere to die.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. Though, I will admit that I was doubtful in the beginning, as for a short time it seemed to sound as if this was someone simply writing what had happened in their home RPG campaign. (It was the mention of needing a critical hit that had me concerned, though I was pleased to see that after the opening, it felt less like a blow-by-blow RPG event and much more like a story I wanted to read.)

I enjoyed watching the would-be assassin start off determined to kill the dragon in order to free her people, to growing interested in his story, though still determined to see him either killed or gone from the area, to realizing that the story she had grown up hearing during her lifetime, was only from the perspective of those who felt oppressed by Vakandi’s presence. They often weren’t aware of the ways he had continued to help and to protect them over his long lifetime. And by the end of his story, many of her opinions had changed. I always enjoy reading books where you can see and feel the characters grow during the story. If there is no change or growth in some way, to me that story feels stale or boring. This book was not one of those. And because of that, I did enjoy reading it.

It is interesting seeing how looking at something from another perspective can often change how that event is perceived. And thus, it is never a bad thing to pause to listen to what someone else has to say. It might change how a person feels about something, so long as they are truly willing to listen and absorb what the other is saying.

This was the first book in a trilogy, and I am curious as to what will happen in book two. I can imagine multiple possibilities as to what the focus of book two might be, and I am curious as to what direction the author will decide to take this series next.

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.

Kingdom of Faewood Written by Krista Street Narrated by Kasi Hallowell

Ellowen is a fae with a unique power, she can travel through the veil and ask the shadowy creatures that live there to locate others that cannot seem to be found, or for other knowledge and information that the seeker does not have any other way to discover. These beings can let her know if those sought are alive or dead. And if she is powerful enough, with full control over her abilities she might even be able to control these creatures. It is a dangerous power, one that has caused her to be bound to a guardian until she reaches adulthood. This guardian has control of the collar which controls her ability to use her birthright powers. The promise being that once she has achieved a certain age, the supernatural courts will determine if she remains a danger to others. If not, she will then be freed, returning full control over the use of her abilities to her.

But after being kidnapped by a dangerous criminal known as the Dark Raider, Ellowen learns a number of truths that her guardian had neglected to tell her. The Dark Raider promises that if she will perform a calling for him, that he will find a way to help her gain true freedom from her guardian. It seems a simple enough task, and a reasonable trade, But there is much that neither of them know, and they have a long way to travel.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and enjoyed it. I often listen to audiobooks when working in my garden or exercising. This one was listed in the description as a spicy romance story, and though there were a few spots that could be considered mildly spicy, compared to other stories I have reviewed, the spiciness was what I would consider rather mild. I did enjoy the story, though. And have even begun listening to book two in this series, (and so far I am  enjoying that one as well). The narration in this audiobook was well done. The different character voices were distinct and it was easy to determine which character was speaking at any given time in the story.

I enjoyed the plot of this tale. Ellowen is not a shrinking violet, even when she has been kidnapped. I enjoyed the range of emotions that she and the others around her experienced. We get to see her grow as she learns more about not only her own life and powers, as well as the truth that has been deliberately kept from her over the years.

I think that anyone who enjoys books about various types of fae, magic, unique abilities, mysterious secrets, and fantasy novels in general would likely enjoy this book, whether you are listening to the audiobook version (as I did) or are reading the novel itself.

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.

Symphony for Walpurgis: A Collection by Remi Ungar

This book was a collection of horror themed stories, some longer than others, but all entertaining. Each one was unique. And while not all were designed to be extremely scary, there was at least a mildly frightening aspect to the ones that were not meant to terrify readers. I enjoyed reading each of these tales, enjoying the uniqueness of each story. Personally, I think I enjoyed the ones that were both frightening and sweet the most, though I think my favorite in this collection was one that felt more like a slow build to the outcome. The scariest parts of it did not come until the end.

I read a review copy of this book and very much enjoyed it. As mentioned above, not all of the stories were meant to be terrifying, and I enjoyed that change to what many have come to expect a horror story to be. Just because the ending of a horror tale might be a happy one, it doesn’t need to mean that a “bad guy” was killed in order for the victims to escape. And seeing that possibility portrayed in at least one of these tales was a very nice change of pace. Yes, it had frightening aspects to the story, but that made the ending all the more unexpected and a delightful change of pace.

I also enjoyed the author’s addition at the end of the book explaining where he came up with the ideas for each of his stories. For me, learning about where he got his ideas from, and learning that many of them came from actual places, events, or things that he had seen in various parts of the country was eye opening. For example, I didn’t know that there were homes in one state that often had jail cells in the basement of the house. And that definitely lends itself to story ideas for a number of genres. I do need to mention, however, that there were some adult themes in a few of these stories. (Suicide, being one of the topics that might be triggering for some readers, though that was a necessary part of that story.)

I think that anyone who enjoys horror stories, both the ones that are terrifying and ones that aren’t as scary, would enjoy this book. And if the author ever decides to develop any of the stories from this collection into a full novel, I would greatly enjoy reading it. As I said above, I enjoyed reading these tales, and I believe that others would as well. 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.

The Cat Caper by Molly Fitz

Octo-Cat has gone missing at the same time that Angie receives a notice in the mail notifying her that the will giving him a rather large trust fund is being disputed. Unless Octo-Cat appears before the judge, it will be assumed that he agrees to arbitration moving forward. And if it does, he may lose the trust fund that allows for him to be kept in the manner to which he has been accustomed. Without that trust fund, Angie, her mom, and Octo-Cat will not be able to afford to remain in his home. Fortunately, Angie is now able to understand other animals as well as Octo-Cat, and with the help of a squirrel and a raccoon, the search is on to rescue him from whoever catnapped him.

I enjoyed reading this story, even though Octo-Cat did not appear until fairly close to the end of this story. I was highly amused by the peanut butter obsessed squirrel, and the raccoon who was Octo-cat’s biggest fan. I am looking forward to seeing how these new characters will assist in Angie and Octo-Cat’s future endeavors as private investigators. The expected human cast of characters from the previous books were also an integral part of this story, and seeing how their own lives intertwined with both Angie and Octo-Cat was always entertaining. Life going forward for all of these characters, and Angie’s mom’s newly adopted (at the end of the book) pet, promises to bring more fun and chaos into all of their lives.

This was a very fun cozy mystery that was a quick read. I have enjoyed other books from Ms. Fitz, and expect to continue enjoying reading other books in both this series and her others as well. I believe that anyone who enjoys reading cozy mysteries, enjoys stories where animals are among the main characters,  or who has enjoyed any of Ms. Fitz’ other books would also enjoy reading this one.

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.

Her Amish Farm by Samantha Price

Cherish is finally able to once again visit the farm that her Aunt Dagmar had left to her. She dreams of the day that she will be able to live there full time, but until she comes of age, the farm is being cared for by a hired farm manager. Cherish, and the two adults, who visit the farm with her have a wonderful time at the farm, and the visit helps to relieve some of the stress and worry that Cherish has been feeling lately. There is nothing she can do about the situation with the reporter Daniel, or the possibility of either him or Krystal publishing tales that would embarrass her family. The brief time away from her daily worries was exactly what she needed. While she is gone, there is still a fair amount of drama happening at the Baker / Bruner home and apple orchard, but the ime away helps Cherish to find a new perspective and to look at things in a new light.

This was book number 18 in the Bonnet sisters series, and as with the previous books, this one does contain a fair amount of family drama. It also shows how the family comes together to help protect and help each other as well as others in their community. I enjoy it, just as I have the previous book in the series. While there are serious and worrisome moments in the book, it is essentially a relaxing and quick read that will take your mind off of any of your own daily troubles or worries. This is a series that I have enjoyed reading from the start, and it is one that I often return to when I am looking for a quick book to read, one that won’t require a lot of concentration to get through. I find this series a nice relaxing break from many of life’s big worries.

I believe that anyone who is looking for a quick, easy read, has enjoyed any of Ms. Price’s other books or series, or who enjoys reading Amish Romance novels, even the ones that do not focus on a new or existing romance, but instead seem to be a bit more about the daily lives of a family would enjoy reading this book. I know I did.

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.

Binary by CR Buchanan & John Lewis

Having just completed earning another degree from The Institute, Alexis receives an unexpected job offer from someone who can’t identify themselves and will only identify what she would be working on as “The Project.” And though the man that raised her is very suspicious of the job offer, when she speaks with the woman in charge, Alexis cannot pass up the opportunity they offer her. Even with the secrecy and mysterious conditions surrounding the position, it is too good of an offer for her to pass up, regardless of the danger taking the job seems to place her in. The promises of answers to a forgotten past is more than she can turn down.

I read a review copy of this science fiction novel and very much enjoyed it. This book has the main character working with an AI held within a robot body. But this AI seems different. It appears to be self aware. One of the things that Alexis is tasked with is to determine if it actually is self aware, or is it simply an extremely advanced form of AI that can imitate life better than any that have been developed so far. This was an extremely interesting book with quite a few twists and turns along the way. I read a large number of books every year, and while I often can figure out the ending before I reach it, this one surprised me. I came close to guessing what was going on, but did not completely figure the entire twist out. And with the number of books I read and review, that fact alone impresses me.

I did enjoy reading this book, though I was left with one unanswered question. But I’m not going to ask it here as my question does not actually have anything to do with the plot of the story itself. It was simply something that caught my attention and that I wonder about. (Perhaps if I ever meet the authors in person, I will get the chance to ask them someday.)

Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is a fascinating look at what actually makes someone or something alive and sentient. Can an AI ever truly be sentient, and if so, does that make it a living creature as we understand them to be or something completely new? I think that anyone who enjoys science fiction with some philosophical questions thrown in will enjoy it. I also think that anyone with an interest in artificial intelligence, robots, and novels with a fair amount of action will 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.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Murder by Trixie Silvertale.

Cindy Claus is back in another new Christmas Catastrophe novel. The Christmas Carnival has not been held in Silver Shoals in many years, not since a collapse of the ice castle had caused the death of a young girl. This year, the city council voted to once again hold the carnival and added a number of additional security precautions and inspections before opening the event to the full public. But during the trial “soft opening” event, there is a collapse of the ice castle, killing the councilwoman who cast the deciding vote that allowed the festival to be held once again.

I read a review copy of this book and very much enjoyed it. One of the most amusing aspects for me about this book was the fact that not only do we get to enjoy Cindy Claus and her arctic fox Artikoa, but this book is a crossover story in which Mitzy Moon and her husband Sheriff Erick Harper happen to be vacationing in town and visiting the festival when everything happens, so we get to see a team-up of Cindy and Mitzy as they work together to solve this mystery, using all their special skills and abilities to do so. And as a fan of the Mitzy Moon books as well as the Christmas Catastrophe series this book was even more fun than either series on their own has been so far.

I really enjoyed seeing familiar characters from both series working together in this book. And getting to learn a bit more about the backgrounds of their furry companions (Artikoa and Pyewacket as well as Pyewacket’s association with Mitzy’s mentor, Silas) was a nice bonus for me. I hope that we will get to see another crossover between these two series at some point.

As with Ms. Silvertale’s other books, this one was a very fun read. I actually finished it in two days, barely being able to put it down so that I could sleep at night. (In other words, I really enjoyed reading this one.) It was fun, with enough twists and appearances of characters from both series to keep me curled up and reading long past my usual bedtime. And one of the best parts was the delicious sounding cookie recipes that were included at the end of the book. I have not yet tried making any of them, but they sound absolutely delicious and easy to make.

This is a book that I believe anyone who has read any of Ms. Silvertale’s other books, and especially either the Mitzy Moon books or the Christmas Catastrophe books will enjoy. I know I absolutely loved reading this one, and am looking forward to whatever this author writes next.  I would strongly recommend this book, especially during the holiday season so you can try baking the cookies to share with your friends and family.

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 Dawn Chorus by Karen Menezes

The Lightbender has survived the events that took place in the borderlands of Capherayna, though the trauma he experienced during that time remains. He has avoided dealing with his own pain, though he continues to travel and help the sick or injured wherever his journey takes him. This time, it has taken him to one of the cities that he has usually avoided. And in this book, he makes new friends, lovers, and even attempts to see what life might be like if he were to stay in one place. But staying put or even forming a long-lasting romantic relationship seems to be against his nature.

I read a review copy of this book, and while I enjoyed it more than I did the first book in this series—now that the worldbuilding was completed in the first book, it was easier for me to get into the story—I still feel that it lacks something. The writing and editing were good, but there was no rise or fall of action within the plot. And as near as I can tell, this book seems to be about The Lightbender helping others who are hurting, sick, or traumatized, yet when it comes to his own emotional pain and trauma, he appears to simply push it aside and try to ignore it. Or maybe he is simply trying to pretend it is not there at all?

While the tales told during this story are interesting, it feels like everyone other than the Lightbender, with his help, manages to grow and improve, though he is the central character of this book and what ties everything together. He does not seem to allow himself to heal or seek out or find someone who can help him through his own trauma. He simply seems to keep on as he always has … helping those around him and not allowing himself to truly become tied to any person or place. I did at one point think that I had run across a subplot that would allow him to confront the parts of himself that he kept seeking to hide or avoid, but that tidbit seemed to go nowhere, or maybe simply fell to the wayside. (And no, it doesn’t involve the temporary romances he has in this story.)

I have hope that it will come about in the next book and be resolved there, but with nothing changing and him not appearing to grow/heal in any way, for me it made the book feel rather flat. There was no rise and fall of action, and though he did seem to help those around him, more than once I wondered, where this story was going. Yes, we learn more about what happened from the king about what he suspects was going on during the events of the first book, but that was more stories being told without anything actually happening. As interesting as what I read was, I wanted to know what the point of it all was. As I mentioned, The Lightbender was clearly the central figure that drew everyone else around himself together, but for what purpose? Was it so that he could heal them while still avoiding dealing with his own pain? I’m still not certain I know the answer to those questions.

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.

Civil Unrest by C.R. Buchanan and Jason Diamond

This third book in the WolfStar series begins with tension growing between the Armada humans who have befriended the Dah’Sel and the Vee’Sal who view humans as demons. It’s hard to blame the Vee’Sal for this opinion, given that the Uprisers from Kep Four managed to steal one of the interstellar ships that brought humans to this world and proceeded to attack everyone they could. The Uprisers desire to destroy the members of the Armada and any intelligent life on this planet in order to claim it for themselves. But unlike the Dah’Sel, the Vee’Sal view all of humanity as one. And as far as they are concerned, if the friendships and the growing ties between the Dah’Sel and the Armada are not broken, war between not only the humans on this planet will be inevitable, but also between the two native clans will break out for the first time in generations. The Vee’Sal want all humans gone from their lands.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it just as much as I did the previous two books in the series. It says a lot about the members of the Armada who have befriended the Dah’Sel and have sought not only their help, but to help them wherever they can as well. The Armada has not sought to force the Dah’Sel to submit to them, nor have they tried to change them. Rather, they have sought to learn the ways of this new world and to try and live accordingly. But with the interference of the Uprisers, it has become clear that not all of humanity seeks to change and belong. Too many seek to dominate and rule. And this is causing a great deal of conflict and damage to this once peaceful world. It makes one wonder if the nature of humanity is conflict? And if so, can that be changed somehow?

There is a lot happening in this book. And not all of it is about conflict, for one member of the Dah’Sel and one member of the Armada have been growing closer. So a secondary theme in this book seems to be about the power of love and friendship. But is a relationship between the two even possible if the other clan is so determined to see the humans---all of them---gone?

This is a book that is both entertaining and gives one a lot to think about when it comes to the nature of humans. The characters were very interesting, and the differences between the two native clans was clear. Yes, there were similarities between the clans, but when I think about it, I can see that it isn’t solely humanity that can have a combative nature. It’s more about how each individual chooses to live, peacefully and in harmony with those around us, or against those who are different, whether or not those same people may seek to befriend and help others. And of course, there is the issue of trust. And that might be at the heart of at least some of what happens in this story.

While this book does bring a potential conclusion to this part of the story, I expect that there will be more to follow. The ending of this book leaves us with the perfect setup for a new or continuing part of the characters’ stories. And I, for one, am looking forward to learning what is next for the humans, the Dah’Sel, and the Vee’Sel who live on Wahlor. I believe that anyone who enjoys reading science fiction, stories involving multiple cultures trying to coexist near each other, stories involving fighting for not only survival but what the fate of those living on the planet will be, or who has read and enjoyed the previous two books in the WolfStar series will likely enjoy this book as much as I did.

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 Assassin’s Saint by V.C. Willis

Dante and John are “laying low” in Terahime. John was gravely wounded as they escaped from Fallen Arbor after having returned Princess Sonya to the Capitol where she can secure her crown and remove those who are against her being crowned as Queen Sonya after the death of her father, the king. Though they have found somewhere safe where he can heal, John cannot seem to shake the infection that has been ravaging his body. While they are trying everything to help, Dante is working every job he can in order to pay for their place to stay and the medicines to try and help John heal from his near-fatal injury. Dante begins fighting in the Blood Exchange as a means to earn some extra coin and to gain experience in another fighting style. The winner of the tournament will be declared the Blood Champion of Terahime.” That title will open more doors for both Dante and John, as well as bringing them more support in their continuing battle against Fallen Arbor. That is, if Dante can win and they can both survive to continue their journey.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. I will start out with a content warning, as this is not a book meant for younger readers. It does contain some graphic M/M sex scenes as well as a fair amount of violence. But for all that, it is a very interesting story, especially if you have read the previous books in the series. I enjoyed learning more about what happened to Dante’s older brother Ashton as well seeing as some of the little easter eggs hidden within the pages of this book. (Hint: if you are familiar with the names of some of the other 4 Horsemen Publications authors and staff members, you will find some of them hidden as characters in this book, just as you will in the previous books in this series.)

While there is a fair amount of violence in this story (Dante is a Guild Assassin, after all), there are also stolen romantic moments between John and Dante, showing their humanity and the depth of their feelings for each other. Dante is a good man, one who would do anything in order to keep the love of his life safe. And John would do the same for him.  I enjoyed seeing this side of the two of them, as well as watching them grow as individuals and doing what they needed to do to survive, all while not forgetting about those they promised to help along with those who have helped them along the way.

I especially enjoyed some of the advice from those who came to know the two men during their stay in Terahime. Whether or not they knew who Dante and John really were didn’t truly matter, they were both respected for the help and caring they showed to others in the community. And in return, they were given advice that I think could easily apply to many of us reading these books … if we are paying attention and realizing that it is meant for more than just the characters in the story.

I think that anyone who has read and enjoyed any of the previous books in this series, as well as anyone who enjoys romance (especially if they do not mind that the romance is between two men and includes some graphic sex), would enjoy this story. I know I found it to be an enjoyable tale to read and am looking forward to reading the next book 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.

Shadowrun: Through the Decades Edited by Jennifer Brozak and John Helfers

This book is an anthology of Shadowrun stories whose settings span the decades. The first story in the book is set in the 2020s and each following story jumps forward to the next decade. Some characters did make appearances in multiple stories, though as expected, not as the main characters in the stories written by other authors.

It has been a very long time since I last read a Shadowrun novel or played the Role Playing Game and had forgotten how much I enjoyed both. So for me, this one was a great reintroduction to the Shadowrun universe. These stories were very well written and quite enjoyable to read. I loved the progression of stories through time, including getting to see some of the characters make appearances in multiple stories. I recognized a few of them from when I last read and played Shadowrun, and I look forward to reading more of these books in the future.

I believe this book would be enjoyed by anyone who plays (or who has played) the Shadowrun role-playing game or has enjoyed reading any of the books in the past. If you haven’t read the books or played the RPG before, this book is a great introduction to the Shadowrun universe.

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.

Licking the Spoon by Candace Walsh

This was an interesting memoir of one woman’s life experiences and her relationship with food and family through the years. Within her life story, we see her evolve from a young girl who goes through a great deal of life difficulties into a woman who has found happiness and a healthier relationship with food as she grows and changes through the years. I found this book to be well written, and at times both heart-wrenching and heartfelt. The author clearly had a very complicated life, as well as a love of cooking.

At times, I found her story hard to read, mainly because it seems to me that she was abused while still a child, and as she grew up she seemed to be developing an eating disorder that was complicated by her love of cooking a wide variety of types of foods. And though she didn’t appear to ever seek help for the eating disorder or have it too negatively affect her life, she did seem to overcome the triggers that caused her to experience the same pattern of eating problems while seeking therapy for some other personal issues.

I wanted to bring this up here because the patterns of abuse and eating disorders may be triggering for some readers. And while I felt for the author, as she struggled to overcome both these issues and the circumstances that periodically seemed to repeat and bring them back, it did make some parts of the story difficult for me to read. Those sections happened during what seemed to be some of the darkest points of her life. And again, she did find her way through and emerged stronger and healthier by the end of the book. And for that, I do applaud her.

The book is not entirely dark or depressing as she does have a number of happier memories and times that are talked about in her story. And the ending of the book is one where we do get to see her happy, healthy, and with something that should put a smile on anyone’s face.

During this book, the author talks about a number of cuisines that she grew up eating and cooking over the years, and those recipes are included in the last chapter of this book for anyone who would like to try them. (They do look like they would be quite tasty, so whether or not this book is one that is right for you, the recipes at the end still make the book a worthwhile read.)

I feel that this book would be a good choice for anyone who enjoys reading biographies about real people and the issues that they must overcome during their lives. It would also likely be enjoyed for the variety of recipes at the end of the 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 Unsuitable Amish Bride by Samantha Price

Cherish Baker has a problem. The reporter that she thought was her friend has threatened to publish the story of Caroline/. Between that and the other stories that he has learned about Cherish’s family through conversations they had shared, she doesn’t know what to do; those stories would create a scandal among the Amish community. After calling her elder brother Earl to ask for his help, Earl and his fiancee Miriam come to the Apple Farm for a visit and to secretly try to help Cherish find a way to convince the reporter not to publish his stories. Miriam is older than Earl, and as such, Wilma and her friends believe that she is not a good bride for Earl and seek to find more appropriate partners for both Earl and Miriam.

As with the previous books in this series, I greatly enjoyed reading this book. There is a good deal of drama happening throughout both plotlines, intertwining them beautifully to keep readers wanting to know what will happen next. Much of the conflict and ensuing drama was only to be expected, given what we have previously learned about the various members of the Baker/Bruner family. And to be fair, the problems were of their own making. After all, when a family member brings home his fiancee to meet the family, trying to break them apart to match them with other people that his stepmother might feel were more appropriate is never likely to go over well, no matter how well-intentioned Wilma’s motives might have been.

And as for Cherish, it has always been her inability to watch what she says and to whom that gets her into trouble. Though to be fair, we do see some personal growth for her in this book. She is finally beginning to learn when not to say things that will only cause more conflict or drama.

Anyone who enjoys stories about the Amish, Amish romances, or who has read any of the previous books in the Bonnet Sisters series will 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.

My Apologies

Good morning. I know that with this being Monday that I should be posting a book review today. However, I am unfortunately suffering from a bout of second-hand food poisoning. (Note: If you are helping to take care of someone who has food poisoning, please remember to put on a pair of disposable gloves before cleaning up an area where they couldn't keep even liquids down. I didn't and woke up the next morning suffering from the same symptoms and with the same results despite not having eaten anything from the restaurant they had.) 

I'll be over it before the Origins Convention, but it currently has me unable to post a book review for this morning. I should be able to have my regular Flashback Friday review for you later this week, and expect to have a new review for you to enjoy next week. In the meantime, please spread some kindness and happiness to those around you. And if you will be attending the Origins Game convention in downtown Columbus, Ohio this weekend, I'll may see you there. Have a good week, and again, I apologize for not having a book review for you this morning.

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.

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.

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.