Cycles of the Phoenix by C. A. Nicholas

October 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Cycles of the Phoenix by C. A. Nicholas
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Heat Rating: Spicy
Length: Full length (470 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

C.A. Nicholas’s magnum opus symphony is about to begin and he’s reserved a seat for you. So come on in and I’ll lead you to your place of honour as the house lights dim. Yes, your spot is beside the maestro as he teleports you and he through various worlds to befriend diverse souls who’ll reveal the beauty of your life through their stories.

Hope, love, and perseverance infuse this art piece; ready to embrace anyone who feels lonely and enchained within the essence of a starless and moonless night. However, not all of his stories of fantasy, humour, and horror within may have happily ever afters though take heart in knowing that there is a humanity enriching purpose to any of the possibly devastating conclusions.

Besides being treated to a string of exploratory, emotional stories, readers of this collection are likely to enjoy the poetic, metaphorical way the writer tells his tales. C. A. Nicholas has a magical way with words, and one is sure to be presented with concepts in a fresh way.

The characters and their difficult situations inspire sympathy with the way they deal with their challenges. Rich details bring imaginary worlds to life. The relationships vary and are sometimes tender, sometimes violent, but always written in a way to make readers feel what the characters are feeling.

There is a section of the book from the point of view of those suffering from Depression and Anxiety, a common affliction, and it is written so well that those who do not suffer from these can gain an understanding, a real inside view. Also, the author takes into consideration the effects on sufferer’s loved ones. It’s very well-done.

There is a variety of stories, but they all reside in the world of fantasy, even as their underlying concepts, their moods, represent internal experiences for many people. Those who have suffered different types of losses could find comfort by reading these fictional tales, but high emotions will surely be felt, and one sympathizes with the innocent and gets angry at the victimizers. All this occurs in meticulously developed settings, rich with sensual details.

Some of the stories are even a bit shocking. Especially the last one. The book ends on a dramatic note and will have one remembering–and feeling–for some time to come.

If you want to be moved and read stories presented in a unique, lyrical way, this book would be a good one to try.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Rival’s Break by Carla Neggers

October 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Rival’s Break by Carla Neggers
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (320 pgs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Emma Sharpe is recovering from a shattering loss while her husband, Colin Donovan, is deep into his latest undercover mission. So they’re grateful to enjoy a peaceful autumn weekend together on the southern Maine coast to celebrate Colin’s brother Andy’s wedding.

But the peace is short-lived when Kevin Donovan, a marine patrol officer, receives a call to check on suspected food poisoning at a party aboard a yacht. Colin decides to tag along. He is surprised to recognize one of the victims as an undercover British intelligence officer, and it quickly becomes evident they’re dealing with something very sinister. At the same time a valuable painting by Irish artist Aoife O’Byrne—a friend of Emma and Colin’s—is missing from the yacht, and the connections make the investigation international and extremely personal.

Emma and Colin discover they are up against a deadly foe who plans to strike again. With the help of HIT, their small, elite Boston-based FBI team, they must foil an attack that will have devastating effects. It’s a case that will alter their lives beyond anything they’ve ever imagined…

This was my first book involving the characters Sharpe and Donovan. Rival’s Break is the 10th book in the series, however, I don’t think not having read the previous books took anything away from the story. To begin with the setting is in Maine and involves boats and/or yachts. Add a mystery and suspense and you have me hooked.

I will admit it seemed there were a lot of characters in this book and sometimes that can make a confusing read. I liked all of their personalities, I just wasn’t sure who was “who” now and then. However, I got the impression that some characters were known in previous books which would help immensely with character recognition. So, maybe this book is not totally a stand-alone, but rather should be read in series order.

I have obviously been remiss in not reading Carla Neggers books. If the other previous 9 books are like this, that means I will have 9 more books in a series to read. It’s not often you know you have so much reading ahead of you that you enjoy.

In looking up the books in this series, I noticed Carla Neggers is quite prolific. She has several series as well as some stand-alones. I also noticed there wasn’t one book that didn’t have an average of at least 4 stars. Great reading.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Other, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Mr. McGinty’s Monarchs by Linda Vander Heyden

October 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Mr. McGinty’s Monarchs by Linda Vander Heyden
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Genre: Childrens, Nonfiction, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Mr. McGinty and his dog Sophie love checking in on the monarch caterpillars and butterflies on their summer walks. But one day Mr. McGinty is shocked to find that all the milkweed in town has been mowed down! And monarch caterpillars, he explains, can’t survive without milkweed. Can Mr. McGinty come up with a plan to save the monarchs? This is a tale that is informative, a call to action, and a sweet story time pick.

Our world wouldn’t be the same without insects in it.

The protagonist, Mr. McGinty, was a genuinely kind person. He showed proof of this personality trait not only to the monarchs he rescued but in his interactions with his dog and everyone around him as well. I really enjoyed getting to know him and would happily read more stories about him if they’re ever written. There was so much more I wanted to know about him!

There were a couple of plot holes in this tale that I found distracting. They both involved how the main character tried to save the caterpillars after their home was destroyed. He needed a great deal of equipment and assistance from others to keep these little creatures safe, so I was surprised by how the narrator brushed all of this over. I certainly wouldn’t expect the same level of detail in the logistics of this that something written for adults would contain, but it would have been nice for him to briefly explain how it all worked.

While the plot itself was fiction, there were a lot of nonfiction elements to the storytelling that I found fascinating. Monarch butterflies are such a beautiful species. I’m glad the author took the time to explain a little bit about what they need to stay healthy and happy. That information was critical to the plot, and it was also just plain interesting to read as well.

I’d recommend Mr. McGinty’s Monarchs to anyone who loves butterflies or nature.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Lion Dance by David Seow

October 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Lion Dance by David Seow
Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di #5
Publisher: Epigram Books
Genre: Childrens, Holiday, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di are three siblings who love doing things together. Today is extra-special because they are going to see a lion dance. Doong doong chang went the lion dance band. Doong doong chang went the lion dance gong.

Doong doong chang!

But where is the lion? Is he still at the zoo? Or stuck backstage? When the siblings open the curtain to find the lion, they are surprised to see a lion costume. They decide to put on the costume and start performing for everyone. And no one is more surprised than their parents to see that the lion dancers were none other than Sam, Sebbie, and Di-Di-Di.

What could be a better way to celebrate the new year than with some dancing?

This tale did a wonderful job of explaining what the Lion Dance was to preschoolers. It gave exactly enough information to keep up with the plot without slowing down the pacing with details that kids this age probably wouldn’t appreciate. I loved the fact that it spoke to young children on a level they could understand while still treating the audience with respect. There were a few parts of this celebration that were left up to readers to figure out, but it was done in a very appropriate manner for little ones.

Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di were adorable kids. It was fascinating to see what they imagined this performance would be like before it began. They all knew what lions were, but they couldn’t quite figure out how such a creature would dance. I won’t give away what they discovered, but I will say that it was as endearing as it was heart warming.

There was a twist at the end that made it impossible for me to choose anything but a five-star rating. It was exactly the sort of thing that this age group might imagine, and yet it was also something that I wasn’t expecting to find. It was delightful to be surprised by it.

This is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone story.

I’d heartily recommend The Lion Dance to anyone who loves dancing or is interested in learning more about how the Chinese New Year is celebrated.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Duchess in His Bed by Lorraine Heath

October 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Duchess in His Bed by Lorraine Heath
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (320 pgs)
Heat: Hot
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

For a duchess with practical desires, falling in love is an inconceivable part of her plan…

As owner of the Elysium Club which caters to women’s fantasies, Aiden Trewlove is accustomed to introducing adventurous ladies to sin and vice. But he is uncharacteristically intrigued by the mysterious beauty who visits his club one night, yearning to indulge in the forbidden—with him. Drawn to her indomitable spirit, he breaks his rule of never becoming personally involved with his clientele and is determined to fully awaken her desires.

A recent widow, Selena Sheffield, Duchess of Lushing, has never known passion, not until Aiden’s slow, sensual seduction leads her on a journey of discovery and incredible pleasure. But her reasons for visiting the notorious club are not all that they seem.

As Selena’s motives become complicated by love, she finds herself with a most unexpected choice: forge ahead with a secret plan that could secure her future—or follow her heart which could prove ruinous.

Wow. This books kicks off in the most ugly way imaginable…far from what one imagines from the jacket; yet, it sets the scene for us to understand the duchess’ motivation.

The Duchess in His Bed seems like it should be a cheery and titillating story. After all, we’re given to understand that the most risque ‘ladies’ club and physical passion are absolutely central. And, though expectations are met in that regard, the real surprise is the Duchess herself. In fact, the depth and quality of all the characters keep this story riveting.

We meet Adien, as he meets the beautiful and previously, shall we say “undervalued”, Duchess of Lashing. Selena is not what she seems and she has some pretty specific goals, as well. Aiden thinks he knows those goals. He is confident in his assessment of women and what might bring them to his services. His surety is undoing.

Lena has a very specific desire but, almost immediately she discovers a conflict. And though she was prepared to pursue her own desires single-mindedly, suddenly, she trips over something like respect. Or is it more? The developing emotions stir the plot quite thoroughly!

Ms. Heath’s historical romance brings together incredibly realistic characters in an unusual and very unpredictable situation. We hardly know what to hope for, never mind expect, as the story charges forward.

Very worth reading; fun and intriguing.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

I Was a Gay Teenage Zombie by Alison Cybe

October 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment


I Was a Gay Teenage Zombie by Alison Cybe
Publisher: Deep Hearts YA
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (164 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“Y’know, if I was a sexy type of undead, like a vampire or something, I’m sure I’d have some kind of supernatural power to bring any guy I liked under my charismatic control. Best I can hope for is to not decompose over someone’s shoes. How romantic.”

And you thought it was hard coming out as gay… Jay was a perfectly normal teenager, like any other awkward, antisocial, gay teenager. Until he was bitten by a mysterious zombie boy.

Now, Jay has far more on his mind than he can handle. Not only is he struggling to keep his troubled family together and deal with his unfulfilled love for the hottest guy in school, he also needs to keep in check his urge to devour human flesh. All the while making sure his decomposition doesn’t show. As if he wasn’t already enough of an outsider…

This unique story offers a fresh and exciting new twist on the young adult LGBT coming-of-age comedy horror tale. Shockingly aware and witty, this thrilling tale by acclaimed horror and dark fantasy author Alison Cybe dishes up side-splitting laughter, stomach-churning horror, heart-rending drama and everything you’ll need to know about growing up when you just don’t fit in.

Some zombies are full of surprises.

Jay’s character development was marvelous. Like many teenagers, he dealt with moods that sometimes changed rapidly and often felt like no one in the world understood him. Ms. Cybe captured what it’s like to be a teenager perfectly. If that wasn’t enough, Jay also changed in all sorts of delightful ways as his body continued to look less like the person he’d been before he was bitten. He felt real to me, and that’s always something to praise.

There were some parts of the storyline that weren’t well developed. This was especially true when it came to some of the things the protagonist did to hide his injury, illness, death, resurrection, and undead afterlife from the people closest to him. I was surprised by how oblivious his parents were to all of these developments, and it would have been nice to have more reasons for them missing such blatant signs that something had dramatically changed in their son’s life. If they’d been included, I would have given this book a much higher rating. Everything else about it was great.

The descriptions of what it felt like to be zombie were well done. Every universe has their own rules about how this process works and how long it takes. This was definitely one of the longest transformations I’ve ever read about, so I was fascinated by how slowly Jay changed after he was bitten. It was also interesting to see all of the ways he didn’t conform to the typical stereotypes of this monster. Sharing specific details about them would give away too many spoilers, but the author did a great job of putting her own twist on traditional zombie lore.

I Was a Gay Teenage Zombie should be read by fans of the young adult and horror genres alike.

Filed Under: Horror, Other, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Seacity Rising: A Tale of Unwatery Adventures by Elika Ansari

October 9, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Seacity Rising: A Tale of Unwatery Adventures by Elika Ansari
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Genre: Middle Grade, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (232 pages)
Age Recommendation: 10+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When the underwater animals of Seacity pond learn that their home is in danger, they decide to investigate further by doing something no one has ever done before – go up to land to seek the answers they need. An unlikely team of two royal turtles, a genius goldfish and a timorous frog are then assembled to embark on a series of adventures. Whether they are racing the fastest tortoise on earth, falling in love with travelling mice theatre, or bringing peace to warring ant colonies, each unique experience is taking the group of friends closer to the heart of what is really going on. But will they make it back in time to save Seacity before the Winter’s Slumber?

Failure isn’t an option. The only way to save Seacity is to complete this quest and get all of the answers the citizens of that pond need to survive.

This book was filled with plot twists. I was impressed with how imaginative they were, especially as Babak the Frog and his friends went further into their journey to discover why their home is in danger and what they should do to try to keep it safe. It was fun to be surprised by all of the wonderful and sometimes frightening things they learned along the way.

There were pacing issues in the beginning. While I liked getting to know all of the pond inhabitants so well, this didn’t leave as much room as I would have liked to see for plot development. I had trouble remaining interested in what would happen next because of that. The pacing did eventually pick up, but I do wish the beginning had been easier to get into.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about this tale was how much empathy the characters had for each other. Life wasn’t always easy in the pond or the land that surrounded it, but so many of the creatures who lived there were committed to helping each other when they had troubles. I’m always interested in reading about characters who are that compassionate and kind. Luckily, there were plenty of them to be found here!

I’d recommend Seacity Rising: A Tale of Unwatery Adventures to anyone who cares about animals.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

A Fist or a Heart by Kristin Eiriksdottir

October 9, 2019 By Leave a Comment


A Fist or a Heart by Kristin Eiriksdottir
Publisher: Amazon Crossing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (188 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Elín Jónsdóttir lives an isolated existence in Reykjavík, Iceland, making props and prosthetics for theatrical productions and Nordic crime flicks. In her early seventies, she has recently become fascinated with another loner, Ellen Álfsdóttir, a sensitive young playwright and illegitimate daughter of a famous writer. The girl has aroused maternal feelings in Elín, but she has also stirred discomfiting memories long packed away. Because their paths have crossed before. One doesn’t remember. The other is about to forget.

Soon they’ll discover all they have in common: difficult childhoods, trauma, and being outliers who have found space to breathe in creative expression. Yet the more Elín tries to connect with the young woman and unbox painful memories, the more tenuous her grasp on reality becomes.

This story brings things down to a nitty-gritty level, with a stream-of-consciousness quality about it. It allows a reader to experience the unfolding of an entertaining story up close, providing a more acute feeling than one might have in a more distant recalling of events.

It is also fun to see into the life of a woman with an unusual career. Readers go along on her journey, watching the protagonist do her creative work and reflect upon her life and interactions with other unique characters. She is an older lady who creates props for the theater and is slowly losing her cognitive abilities. Watching as her world grows increasingly confusing is sad. One must really pay attention to follow what’s going on, but it’s worth it.

The other protagonist is a young woman in her late teens who writes a play and has it performed at the local theater. She has a rough life. We get to experience her pain through her eyes and through the perspective of the prop-developer.

Sometimes their lives link, and it’s not always pleasant. This is an intelligent story not really meant as escapist reading, but rather to give readers an experience. The writing style is unique and quite apt for its purposes. It’s enjoyable to read about an exotic locale as well.

If you’re in the mood for a different type of story with interesting characters, why not give this one a try?

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Stone Soup by Heather Forest

October 8, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Stone Soup by Heather Forest
LittleFolk
Publisher: August House
Genre: Childrens, Historical
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Two hungry travelers arrive at a village expecting to find a household that will share a bit of food, as has been the custom along their journey. To their surprise, villager after villager refuses to share, each one closing the door with a bang.

As they sit to rest beside a well, one of the travelers observes that if the townspeople have no food to share, they must be “in greater need than we are.” With that, the travelers demonstrate their special recipe for a magical soup, using a stone as a starter. All they need is a carrot, which a young girl volunteers. Not to be outdone, another villager contributes a potato, and the soup grows as others bring corn, celery, and other vegetables and seasonings.

In this cumulative retelling of an ancient and widely circulated legend, author Heather Forest shows us that when each person makes a small contribution, “the collective impact can be huge.” Susan Gaber’s paintings portray the optimism and timelessness of a story that celebrates teamwork and generosity. This story about community teaches readers the importance of sharing, generosity and vegetables!

Not everyone can turn a pot of plain water into a nourishing meal.

I thought the two main characters were clever men. The fact that they chose not to reveal anything about their backstories only made them more intriguing to me. It was easy to imagine a few of the places they might have first learned how to create stone soup and why it’s something that can only be done after you’ve made everyone irresistibly curious about what this meal is and why it’s a little magical.

The message of this retelling was heavy handed, and I’m saying that as someone who really enjoyed the traditional story it was based on. This sort of soup can only exist if its made with more than just physical ingredients. Spelling out what those things were wasn’t necessary. The plot itself made it very clear. As much as I liked seeing how the author approached this topic, I do think it would have been more effective if she’d allowed her audience to come to their own conclusions about the meaning of it.

With that being said, I did enjoy the multicultural take on this tale. The original version didn’t mention the ethnicities of any of the characters involved. Even if it had, I always find it interesting to see how a familiar plot might unfold if it’s transplanted from the culture that created it to an entirely new home altogether. Ms. Forest did a good job of showing how the same twists could happen anywhere.

Stone Soup should be read by anyone who enjoys retellings of famous legends

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Long Island by Drew Beckmeyer

October 8, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Long Island by Drew Beckmeyer
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Genre: Childrens, Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Short Story (64 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Some of us like the comfort of familiarity—staying close to the home we’ve always known, making a life, building a community. For some, the intimacy of the old routine is satisfaction itself. But the known is not for everyone. When our 5 protagonists get to wondering what’s on the other side of their island, they can’t stop until they find out. What follows is an epic journey of discovery, danger, imagination, and ultimately, bittersweet fulfillment. Is this sophisticated picture book about man versus earth? Man versus man? Or man versus self? Like our protagonists, every reader will find their own right answer in this haunting and deceptively simple modern fable.

Adventures can be found anywhere you roam.

This was one of those tales that can appeal to adults as much as it does for the age group it was originally written for. That’s something I always appreciate finding in a picture book. It’s just rare enough that it’s a real treat to read something that will mean one thing to an elementary-aged reader and quite another to an adult who looked at the same words.

There were barely any explanations at all about what was going on in this plot. I’m comfortable reading about nameless characters, but not knowing anything about them at all was tricky. They were described in such a way that it was impossible to know their ages, genders, or any other details that could round them out as individuals at all. The fact that this pattern repeated again with the plot only made it harder for me to get into it. While I appreciated the attempt to create something that anyone could relate to, I personally need at least a few concrete details in order to connect with the characters and become invested in what will happen next in the storyline.

With that being said, I did enjoy the questions the characters asked about whether it’s best to stick to the places you know or move on to seek adventure somewhere else. Not only will the answer to this be different for each person, what someone wants in one stage of life could easily flip a few years or decades later as their circumstances change and they yearn to reconnect with their roots or explore a new place. It was nice to see such an open-ended approach to what makes for a good life.

The Long Island should be read by anyone who enjoys coming to their own conclusions about the meaning of a story.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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