Shooting the Moon and Other Stories by Demetrius Sherman


Shooting the Moon and Other Stories by Demetrius Sherman
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Shooting the Moon: Schlemiel starts a war. Half a Beauty: A young woman’ with two wonderful lovers and her brainstorm to keep everybody happy. The Channel: A man is terrified of a program.
Also included: The Murder of Spring: A thought-provoking coming of age story.

One of the things I enjoy the most about the science fiction genre is how willing many of its authors are to explore the weirdest corners of the human mind. What could be better than throwing the rules out of the window and starting over every so often?

I smiled as soon as I read the title of “Shooting the Moon.” It explained Schlemiel’s plan perfectly, and I was curious to see how everything would work out for him. I do wish there had been more character development for him, however. This was especially true when it came to his motivation for wanting to shoot the moon out of the sky.

“The Murder of Spring” was something I understood better the second time I read it. There was some foreshadowing in it regarding something ominous the main character experienced that I wish had been explained more thoroughly. It was mentioned briefly, but the narrator never went into detail about it even though it was extremely important to understanding the plot. I wish I could go into more detail than that, but this was so short that it’s hard to say anything else without giving away major spoilers.

As soon as I read the description of “Half a Beauty” in the blurb, I couldn’t wait to find out more. This tale had some fantastic, if also sometimes violent, plot twists in it. Figuring out whether they were supposed to be interpreted figuratively or literally kept my brain busy, and that’s something I always enjoy doing. I only wish the ending had provided a little more of a resolution for the audience. While I don’t mind holding multiple possible interpretations in my mind at once, it sure would have been helpful to know a bit more about what the author was actually trying to communicate here.

My favorite story in this collection was “The Channel.” Tuber, the main character, on it was mindlessly flipping through channels while trying to avoid one of them in particular. His reason for doing so made perfect sense to me. Honestly, I’d be just as cautious if I were him! I also enjoyed reading the ending. It tied up the major conflict while still leaving room for a sequel if the author ever decides to write one. I would sure be interested in finding out what happened to Tuber next.

I highly recommend reading the “How These Stories Came to be Written” section at the end. It was informative and well worth my time.

Anyone who enjoys surreal science fiction might like Shooting the Moon and Other Stories.

Sweet Rogue of Mine by Shana Galen


Sweet Rogue of Mine by Shana Galen
The Survivors: Book IX
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A sharpshooter who’s lost his sight…

When a stray pistol ball from the battlefield took Nash’s sight, it also took his entire identity. He’s retreated to his father’s county home to lick his wounds, but his drinking and isolation have only made things worse. When Nash’s father, a powerful earl, threatens to send Nash to an asylum, his former brothers-in-arms call in one of their own to set Nash back on the right course. Nash fears he’s fallen too far and perhaps ending it all is the best solution. Until he encounters a woman in the garden singing a bawdy tune at the top of her lungs.

An outcast who sees too much…

Prudence Howard has traveled the world with her missionary parents. But after the scandal she caused in Cairo, they’ve foisted her on a vicar in the small town of Milcroft and sailed to the Far East to evangelize without her. Pru doesn’t mean to cause trouble; it’s just that being good is so very hard. When she meets Nash Pope, she’s instantly intrigued. He might be hot-tempered, but he’s handsome and unusual and arouses her interest and passion like no one she’s ever met. He might not know he needs or even wants her help, but Pru has a plan to save him.

Together they glimpse a brighter future.

Nash is bewildered by the unconventional woman who keeps turning up on his doorstep. She tries to teach him night writing, claims a feral peacock is a momentous sign, and makes his toes curl when she kisses him. She refuses to give up on him. But though Nash finds it easy to believe in Pru, can he ever trust himself again?

I am exceedingly glad that Ms. Galen chose Nash as the next hero to find his happy ever after. When he shot (wounded only) one of his good friends in the last book, I just knew he was a man that needed saving. What happened to him was horrible indeed, but what he’s chosen to do with his life is a tragedy. If anyone needed an intervention, it was Nash Pope. To say his ‘rescuer’ was unconventional is an understatement. However, Rowden was the perfect choice. He didn’t scare easily and was committed to his friendship with the hero, even though said hero threatens to shoot him. From the first chapter I’d come to the conclusion that the unusual and unexpected were the very things that could jumpstart Nash into living again. How he came upon Prudence and what she was singing not only got the hero’s attention, but mine too. The heroine is not typical or boring, which means she fit the bill perfectly. Prudence was a delight, fun to watch and she truly livened up the storyline.

Prudence wasn’t all sunshine and bawdy tunes – she has her own issues, ones that made me feel strongly that I wanted her to find happiness too. I wanted her to be wanted for herself and I wanted that spark of life within her to flourish. Well, I later found out that the heroine has a bit too much spark, if you get my drift. Yes, she’s sweet, and her personality plays off well against the grumpy hero, but she has a secret. Personally, I think the author was genius. It was a kind of role reversal – she’s not exactly what I expected but I can tell you, Nash ends up being so intrigued by her, even though he tries really hard not to be, that he just can’t help himself. I think the push/pull of their friendship and relationship was the best part of the story. I enjoyed watching it grow and I was definitely entertained by Nash’s inability to resist Prudence. I also was happy to see that the heroine was a really wonderful plot mover – she motivated some important secondary characters to get involved with Nash’s life, whether he liked it or not. The results were storybook perfect. And fun. And humorous at times. There were SO many scenes that made me smile and grin.

Mrs. Northgate’s role is as an important secondary character. She helps Prudence grow in confidence and skill. She also plays a vital role in the drama and serious scenes that occur later in the book. I like how the author portrayed Mrs. Northgate’s personality. She ended up as being one of my favorites, after Nash and Prudence of course. There are others but I won’t mention them. I’ll let readers decide who their favorites are. Oh, wait, there’s Clopdon. Okay, his addition to the story made me grin a lot too. And giggle.

There’s quite a bit of symbolism in the story too. For instance, peacocks. Now that I think back on those scenes I can clearly state that Ms. Galen not only has a way of creating a romance story worth reading, but in this book especially, she created a romantic feeling, a mystical, optimistic, sigh-worthy ambiance that fed into the feel-good emotion I felt while heading for the very satisfying and swoon-worthy happy-ever-after ending.

I know I’m being gushy about this book. I really enjoyed myself. It’s not all fun and lightheartedness though. There is a bit of villainy aimed at Prudence so that created drama, intensity and suspense. Then there is the threat that Nash might end up in an asylum. It’s a race against time to convince everyone that he can be saved. So many details, so many other aspects to this novel, it’s hard to avoid spoilers. This book is chock full of good stuff.

I’ll end my review here. I could go on and on because Ms. Galen packed a lot of depth and details within this book’s pages. Sweet Rogue of Mine is an excellent read, a great addition to the series and it’s going on my keeper shelf.

The Lost Winter of Lyla Strauss by A. H. Scott


The Lost Winter of Lyla Strauss by A. H. Scott
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Action/Adventure, Romance
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

In this coming of age story, set in the Yukon of the year 1850: fur trapper and orphan he raised come face to face with the transformative dimensions of their relationship, from tragedies through time’s passage. Escaping the world of his past, Dancy Ruelaix ventured into the solitude of wilderness. Wanting to evade opening his heart to another human being, he always thought he never needed anyone. But, there was one person who could not live without him. Her name was Lyla Strauss. A season of change comes in “The Lost Winter of Lyla Strauss”.

Yukon wilderness 1850.

Vibrant characters are thrown together in a wilderness in 1850, and we jump from one perspective to another in the scenes. The story starts off with Coulton Hollister being in a precarious position and isolated, but he is rescued by an interesting duo. A young woman was raised by an older man who becomes her father figure when her parents died in an accident. Their relationship is tender but deep.

The language is wordy and flowery but there are some missing words such as articles, however the vivid descriptions bring to mind the settings. Some of the phrasing is poetic. There is much telling though, instead of showing.

There is a theme of prejudice weaved within the tale. Another theme of innocence and the losing of it underlies the story. Graphic language appears and then a steamy scene. This is more of an adventure story than a romance. It has some great surprises in it, and the conclusion leaves a reader breathless with its pace and the perilous situation in which the characters find themselves. The ending is bittersweet and unpredictable.

The Witch’s and the Wolf’s Curse by Julia Pazdro


The Witch’s and the Wolf’s Curse by Julia Pazdro
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Mystery and Magic, creating a beautiful blend of words.

As the witch entered the woods, with her wolf close behind her, she knew that tonight was going to be difficult.

Today was the long-awaited day. After 12 long years, she is finally going to attempt to break the curse.

Will she succeed? What is the curse? Can she have a happily ever after?

Nothing is stronger than love.

There aren’t many witches out there in the fantasy genre that I remember being introduced to by a description of how they cried for an entire year. That was certainly a unique way to give the audience a glimpse into who Arabella was both as a witch and as a human being. I couldn’t help but to wonder what purpose her tears might serve and if she’d eventually find a way to dry them for good.

This story would have benefitted from stronger plot development. So much time was spent explaining how Arabella was trying to break the curse that I didn’t get to learn much about why it was placed to begin with. It also would have been nice to know something about how she discovered the spell that would potentially break it as virtually nothing was mentioned about that topic at all. Not having information like this dampened my interest in seeing how it ended.

One of the most interesting sentences was the one that described who else lived in the woods like these two characters did. It listed ordinary creatures like bats and owls that can be found in many different forests. What it mentioned after that point made me perk up and hope for more information. It’s always fun to discover new aspects of a world with brief, simple, but important lines like that one.

I also would have loved to see some character development in this piece. Despite being the only two characters who were actively part of the scenes, I didn’t feel like I got to Arabella or her wolf companion well at all. It would be hard for me to describe their personalities beyond a few generic comments about how persistent she was when searching for the spell she needed to break the curse. There was so much more room here for the audience to get to know both of these individuals.

The final scene was a good one. Without going into too much detail, it showed what happened after Arabella cast her spell and she and her companion returned home again. I enjoyed pondering the new questions it raised. It simultaneously left room for a sequel while also wrapping up the most important conflict in this tale.

Anyone who loves fantasy and romance should check out The Witch’s and the Wolf’s Curse.

In Search of Scandal by Susanne Lord


In Search of Scandal by Susanne Lord
The London Explorers, Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

London’s most coveted lady meets her perfect man… so why isn’t he falling for her charms?

A DARING EXPLORER IS NO MATCH FOR AN ADVENTUROUS HEART…

All of London is abuzz with the tale of Will Repton. The lone survivor of a massacre in Tibet has returned to England a hero, but the wounded explorer has no time for glory. Another dangerous expedition awaits. Nothing will deter him from his quest, and no one will unearth his secret—until Will meets Charlotte Baker.

Vivacious Charlotte Baker is on a quest of her own—the discovery of a heroic husband to raise the family name. When she meets Will Repton—quite literally, the man of her dreams—no other man will do. The only problem is, marriage is the last thing on his mind.

The mantel clock is ticking. The tides are changing. What if an explorer’s most perilous adventure doesn’t lie across an ocean, but within his own lost heart?

The heroine, Charlotte, has a big personality that takes most of the focus of this story. She’s innocent, lively, a dreamer, sunny and forthright. She has a tendency to go after what she wants and like the old child’s toy, the Weebles, she wobbles but she won’t fall down and stay down. She comes back every time because she’s willing to fight for what she believes is worth fighting for. The hero, Will Repton, is the man she’d been searching for and as soon as she sees him, she ‘knows’. The conflict rests with Will’s nightmares, the reason for them, and his way of dealing with his internal demons. He’s noble, honorable to the nth degree and is out of his depths when dealing with the heroine. The plot is basically Charlotte wearing down Will enough for him to look beyond the reasons for his nightmares, understandable as the case may be, and see that he does have a future, and that future includes both of them together. It takes the whole book with quite a few dramatic twists and fine secondary characters to get him to see the light.

Hugh is a secondary character that plays a role in the plot conflict. At first he seems like a nice, harmless yet earnest suitor. In the end, he’s turns out to be quite stupid. I’m totally serious. I think about his character and I roll my eyes. Still, as a plot mover and shaker, he did his job.

I enjoyed the dialogue, the descriptions, the relationship between Charlotte and her family, and even Will with his own family. Both protagonists come from loving households and the author did a wonderful job of sharing that with her readers.

I think the most well-written of scenes, where the author described it so perfectly, I could visualize the exchange, is when Jacob’s “stare was like a magnet”. I actually thought Will’s reaction to the 4-yr. old rather hilarious. It was also endearing in a way, completely charming.

I’m very satisfied with the happy ever after ending, and the epilogue was awesome. The part about her drawing brought forth a chuckle – a wheelbarrow – too cute! Also, I never in a million years would have guessed who George was. What a thrilling way to induce a reader’s curiosity into looking forward to the next book in the series.

All in all, In Search of Scandal was a fine read, provided great entertainment and was a fun romance story. Definitely worth checking out.

Counterfeit Viscountess by Barbara Burke


Counterfeit Viscountess by Barbara Burke
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Practical Caroline Saxon must travel to London for the season, when all she really wants is to stay in Ireland and breed horses. But a carriage accident leaves her unchaperoned at a posting inn.

Dashing Christopher Hawking just wants a bed for the night. He didn’t expect to find it occupied by a beautiful woman or to be caught sneaking out of her room. In the light of day, a London-bound member of the ton finds them together.

Attraction flares between the two in spite of themselves. But how will they save Caroline’s reputation and calm the storm of the ton’s gossip?

The romance between Caroline and Christopher was so sweet, I felt as if I had a sugar high and my face hurt from smiling too much. All their sweetness was mixed with members of the London ton who don’t do anything but gossip and speculate. The ton is very good at ripping people’s reputations to shreds, regardless if they are innocent or not. The ton was like eating a Bamboozle jelly bean which leaves a nasty taste in one’s mouth. However, the way Christopher handles the ton is like a refreshing sip of your favorite drink that rinses out the sour taste of the ton and restores the happy ‘in-love’ feeling. I was gushing over Caroline and Christopher’s love tale. They were well matched.

Counterfeit Viscountess is a fun read from beginning to end. I am tempted to read it again just because it made me happy. I felt it was well written, the characters were relatable, and the plot was unpredictable with several interesting plot twists. I can’t recall any hiccups that would typically take away from a reader’s enjoyment. I was swept away from reality for a few hours and I didn’t want to return when I finished the book.

I can easily recommend this romance book. Christopher is worthy of being added to my list of book boyfriends. I wouldn’t hesitate to put Counterfeit Viscountess on my keeper shelf. This novel is the epitome of a classic historical romance book.

Earl to the Rescue by Jane Ashford


Earl to the Rescue by Jane Ashford
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Who needs a knight in shining armor when there’s an earl at your side…?

Gwendeline Gregory doesn’t know what to think when she encounters the dashing Alex St. Audley, Earl of Merryn. She’s in over her head in London Society, trying to fend off a scoundrel who will stop at nothing to ruin her. On the brink of a devastating scandal, the earl arrives just when she needs him most. But are his motivations trustworthy? And can he avert ruin for both of them?

I don’t know if anyone if familiar with the Perils of Pauline, but Earl to the Rescue is very reminiscent of the series. Gwendeline is the heroine who gets into one scrape after another through no fault of her own. Just when you think she’s safe, she’s not.

I’m not sure if this novel can be considered a true mystery genre, but there is mystery and there is a lot of suspense because I never know when the heroine is going to get into another scrape and how in the world is she going to be rescued and by whom? On top of that are the mysterious notes and at least one villain on the loose. Just how many people are involved with her predicaments?

Through it all is Lord Merryn. Mysterious Merryn. I couldn’t figure him out. I believe that stems from the fact that this tale is strictly told from Gwedneline’s point of view only. I had to garner whatever clues I could from his reactions to things people told him, or how he always seemed to be there, sooner or later, when the heroine needed him the most.

I couldn’t judge their attraction by passion because this was a truly sweet story. The focus was definitely on the heroine, and she eventually figures out her feelings but it’s all because of their interactions, their growing relationship as the story went on, and what the hero and heroine learned about each other throughout the novel. I wasn’t exactly confident of their growing affections being real, certainly not from the vantage point of the hero. He was most proper. Powerful to be sure, but proper, so I have to say that I think this story played out within the strictures of the society of the period. At times the pace seemed slow, bogged down by the details of daily living, then it would speed up for a while, keeping those pages flipping, until it didn’t. Completing the book wasn’t a hardship by any means; I enjoyed Gwendeline’s stubborn refusal to accept what she was told because she intuited there was more to it – and she was right. The wrap up chapter was both exciting, dramatic and brought a happy ever after closure that seemed fitting for Lord Merryn and Gwendeline.

Earl to the Rescue was a nice story filled with adventures and surprises, a sweet romance and well worth reading.

The Dragon’s Song by Binh Pham and R.M. Clark


The Dragon’s Song by Binh Pham and R.M. Clark
Publisher: Intense Publications
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Action/Adventure, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Eleven-year-old Bao Dang remembers watching in horror four years earlier as Communist soldiers dragged his parents from their home. Now an orphan, he begins a journey to escape the oppressive government of South Vietnam. The owner of a small boat, paid in gold, smuggles Bao and his cousin, Binh Pham, down the Saigon River at night to the South China Sea, where he and over one hundred other “boat people” pack into a trawler designed to hold fewer than thirty. For six days, they face danger from the police, weather, and pirates, not to mention the constant threat of capsizing as they take on water while living only on dry, rationed rice.

Bao, Binh and the others hope a refugee camp in Indonesia accepts them, but there’s no guarantee. Word has it they may be turned away and even towed back out to sea to starve. Eventually finding a safe haven, Bao harnesses the power of music to heal and help endure months of harsh and dangerous living while he and Binh await word from relatives in the United States, hoping they’ll obtain the ultimate gift: freedom.

Nothing is more important than hope.

I loved the fact that this gripping adventure was inspired by the real experiences of Mr. Pham in the early 1980s. He suffered many physical and emotional hardships during his escape from South Vietnam and the many different refugee camps and other places he stayed during his long immigration process. There were moments when I wondered whether specific scenes were fictionalized or based on true events. So much emotion was packed into all of them that I couldn’t always guess where the line was between fact and fiction. I credit the authors for seamlessly moving between what really happened versus what could have happened. They did an excellent job of portraying what the fictional Binh and Bao went through as they risked it all for a safer and happier life.

The characters met all sorts of different people in this tale, from those who were violent and cruel to others who would do anything to help a stranger. It was fascinating to me to try to guess where any one particular character might fall on this scale. Since this was written for middle grade readers, I was glad that such a strong emphasis was placed on the many kind and helpful folks in the world while still acknowledging that not everyone fits that bill.

This book included several moments of joy and humor that were as unexpected as they were delightful. Some of them happened when Bao and Binh were in circumstances that were otherwise quite difficult. It was nice to see them smile and even laugh after all they’d been through. The trauma they endured was real, but those scenes gave me so much hope for their futures while I waited to find out if the United States would accept their applications to immigrate there.

I’d wholeheartedly recommend The Dragon’s Song to anyone who has ever been an immigrant or would like to read a detailed, empathetic account of what that experience can be like.

The Road to Hell Is Paved With Parsnips by R.J. Hore


The Road to Hell Is Paved With Parsnips by R.J. Hore
Housetrap Chronicles 10
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Randy’s old, sometimes good buddy, Charlie is accused of murder most foul and Randy and Bertha must stash him away from the fingers of the law and discover the truth. What they uncover are parsnip hijackings and strange goings-on, vegetable cartels, and demons.

While north to the parsnip fields Randy falls into the clutches of Freydis, the queen of the Huldufolk, who don’t usually take kindly to strangers. She’s willing to make an exception for Randy if he signs their agreement in blood. All he has to do is rescue several loads of parsnips from an army of villains, get the vegetables back to the city in time for the Annual Parsnip Festival, discover who the mastermind behind the hijackings is, and clear Charlie’s occasionally good name.

Vegetables are serious business in Randy’s world.

This mystery was well written. I had a good time playing around with the various clues about the possible identity of the killer as I tried to piece them all together before the final scene. It was also nice to see how the fantasy elements of the storyline played into the main plot. They added layers of depth to the characters and setting without ever distracting the audience from our primary goal of figuring out what really happened to the poor victim.

I had trouble keeping track of the large cast of characters, especially since some of them were introduced with little to no information about who they were or what they were trying to accomplish. It would have been helpful to have more detailed introductions of everyone. Even something as simple as one additional introductory sentence per character would have gone a long way to helping me remember who everyone was.

To be perfectly honest, parsnips aren’t a vegetable I’ve ever put much thought into at all. The fact that they kept showing up over and over again was delightful. This became even more true once I realized why they were such a common topic of conversation and how they were affecting the storyline in ways I wouldn’t have ever imagined in the beginning. The author did a wonderful job of taking something as ordinary as a root vegetable and turning it into fodder for an incredibly unique story.

This is the tenth book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone work.

The Road to Hell Is Paved With Parsnips made me smile from the first scene to the last one.

A Rose in Time by Laura M. Baird


A Rose in Time by Laura M. Baird 
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

If you had the ability to travel through time and start again on a grand adventure, would you?

As a lonely older woman, Rose escapes into her books. With the power from a forgotten heirloom and repressed magic, she finds herself in 17th century Scotland as a young maiden. Communicating with dragons. And encountering an appealing Highlander with every time jump.

Will Rose remain content with her solitary life, not chancing to upset the past, or will she make a leap through time for everlasting love?

It’s never too late to fall in love again.

This tale had a wonderful sense of humor. Some of the funniest scenes involved Rose’s reactions to her visits to the past. She could scarcely believe what was happening to her! The things that flew out of her mouth as she adjusted to her scenery made me giggle every single time she realized she’d once again been pulled out of her perfectly ordinary life into one that she thought only happened in storybooks.

I would have liked to see more time spent on the world building. There were certain details shared about it that were mentioned briefly once but never fully explained. I was intrigued by the glimpses into this world and wished I could have known more about them. This was especially true when it came to the connections between Rose’s world and the one she suddenly travelled to. There was so much more that could have been done with those scenes.

Rose and Connor were both witty, personable characters who were well suited for each other. I enjoyed getting to know them and taking note of all of the ways in which their personalities and interests matched up. Not only did they have a lot in common, they genuinely liked one another as soon as they met. It’s always nice to see characters hit it off like that from the very beginning.

I’d recommend A Rose in Time to anyone who has ever wished for some excitement in their life.