Beyond: A Short Story Anthology of the Paranormal by Lara MacGregor

May 12, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Beyond: A Short Story Anthology of the Paranormal by Lara MacGregor
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (102 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This is an anthology of paranormal short stories, including a time-traveling cat, trips to the astral plane, ghosts, time-skipping humans, a sentient rumor gone wild, reincarnation, and a prankster god and his animal goddess sister.

Weird is a complimentary term when it comes to these genres. Who wouldn’t want to be surprised by a plot twist!

Normally, I’d discuss stories in a short collection like this individually. Due to fact that all eight of them were pieces of flash fiction, however, I will only be mentioning the ones that I can talk about without giving away spoilers.

A set of brilliant quadruplets were the main characters in “The Invention.” Each one of them excelled in a different specialty, and they were now ready to come together and share their knowledge after all four of them had completed their PhD studies. I really liked the enthusiasm of these characters. They were so determined to use their knowledge and intelligence to change the world. With that being said, they were written in such a way that made them seem much younger than their actual ages. They were as impulsive as young teenagers at times for reasons I never understood. It would have been helpful to have an explanation for this whether it involved them being at least a decade younger than I assumed or their behavior being a side effect of their many gifts.

As someone who deeply dislikes setting my clock forward and back for Daylight Savings Time twice a year, I was immediately drawn to the idea of this having unforeseen consequences for Helena, the protagonist of “The Weird and Wicked Daylight Savings Mystery.” She was so shocked by what really happened when she moved her clock ahead one hour that I couldn’t wait to find out why her life changed so much between evening and morning. The explanation for that was interesting, but I do wish it had been explained in more detail. It felt rushed to me, especially once Helena began to dig deeply into why her memories of her old life so contradicted her new one.

Before you read any more of this paragraph, stop and savor the humor in a title like “The Hamster Who Outsmarted the Prankster God.” It’s a splendid foreshadowing of what is to come in this tale as a prankster god named Adeben met his match in the furriest and least likely of all foes. This was by far the best part of this collection. It was funny, unpredictable, and filled with twists that made me grin.

Beyond: A Short Story Anthology of the Paranormal should be read by anyone who enjoys short and delightfully odd science fiction.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

In His Dreams by Annie Harland Creek

May 7, 2020 By Leave a Comment


In His Dreams by Annie Harland Creek
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short story (134 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

When Dreamcatcher, Serena, is summoned to assist a traumatized warrior with his nightmares, she soon discovers that the depth of his despair can transcend the ethereal barriers that divide their worlds. The impossible becomes possible, but his pain, so real, so raw, threatens to bring her world crashing down around her.

Fin Wyght’s nightmares are transformed into beautiful dreams with the sudden appearance of the lovely Serena, but, are they merely dreams, or a wicked temptation sent to drive him insane with jealousy?

In a world that could either be historical or alternate reality, Fin is trapped in a nightmare because of all the wars he has been involved in. Serena is a dreamcatcher and Fin’s pain calls to her. The only trouble is, Fin can see and touch her. Something that doesn’t usually happen!

This is a good, solid story about good vs. evil with Fin the pawn in the middle. Serena does the best she can, sometimes to her detriment, but both her world and his seem to be against them. The characters in this story are all believable, but the old woman was my favourite. The setting was perfect for this story and nothing seemed out of place or too modern. There are battles of different kinds being waged in this story and it makes for a great read as the pages almost turn themselves.

If you are looking for a fantasy romance, then I have no hesitation in recommending this quick read.

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

Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

May 4, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (374 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Everything has a price . . .

Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough to satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything—or anyone—is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife—and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love—the one thing he can’t give.

Everything except her . . .

Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win.

When a newfound enemy nearly destroys Cassandra’s reputation, Severin seizes the opportunity he’s been waiting for. As always, he gets what he wants—or does he? There’s one lesson Tom Severin has yet to learn from his new bride:

Never underestimate a Ravenel.

The chase for Cassandra’s hand may be over. But the chase for her heart has only just begun . . .

At first, Tom, the hero, sounds like a stuffed and starched shirt – rigid, set in his ways and overly sure of himself. That is until he utters the most un-starched comment, “I’ll be your oyster.” In a very short amount of time, Ms. Kleypas provided me the measure of the man, so I’m well aware his statement is wholly out of character. That is also my ‘aha’ moment when I realize that the person doing the most growth, who is going to experience the most changes in circumstances and new awareness, is going to be Tom. My first thought after the first chapter? This, is going to be fun.

If you are a reader who likes to judge a book as readable based on the blurb, a word of caution – I do not agree with the ‘chase being over’, nor that about Cassandra’s heart. I saw the reason for the chase present itself in the first chapter, and even after he received her hand in matrimony, it continued but not quite as the blurb leads you to believe. I perceive it’s not the heroine’s heart but the hero’s. Tom has a dearth of feelings, but Cassandra has an overabundance which will prove to be the hero’s undoing. The results are eminently readable, enjoyable, entertaining and positively delightful. Bazzle’s character is the litmus test – the evidence that the heroine is reaching and thawing Tom’s frozen heart. The twists and turns of their unusual courtship is pure romantic entertainment and very well written.

As for the enemy, again the blurb makes it sound like there’s going to be danger, as in – there might be spies, skullduggery or serious and menacing peril. No one is out to kill anyone, thank goodness. There’s nothing dark or stressful about Chasing Cassandra for which I am grateful. The external conflict puts the heroine in jeopardy; that is true. However, the form it takes is something historical romance readers will appreciate and accept because they understand the gravity of the threat. A nail biting event does exist and it revolves around Bazzle. That scene is where I was truly worried because I’d come to care about his character. How it is resolved gives me great satisfaction, and even while I’m writing this review I am still remembering and appreciating Tom’s actions. He’s a wonderful hero.

Tom eventually seduced Cassandra. Although it was spicy and well written, it also makes me grin from ear to ear. Why? Because I think he was seduced right back, and it confused him. It messed with his will-ordered and efficient mind and I liked that effect. It made the hero approachable, likeable and worthy of the heroine. I especially enjoyed the moonlight waltz. There’s something to be said for shoes that don’t fit.

I was entertained by the contract that Tom and Cassandra came up with. I liked how the author used it to benefit her characters while at the same time giving readers a greater insight into the couple. His reference to ‘tablemats with holes’, and what he thought of fringe, made me giggle. It certainly had me liking him all the more.

Chasing Cassandra was a perfectly delightful read. I have been a bit stressed lately and I can honestly say that the world fell away once I got into the story. I was able to forget the seriousness of life and escape to love, happiness, hope, optimism and laughter. I was treated to a well-rounded happy ever after with characters I really liked. I can easily recommend this a great read.

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

The Cold Hearth by Garth Pettersen

April 29, 2020 By 15 Comments


The Cold Hearth by Garth Pettersen
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (300 pgs)
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Rose

“The sons of Cnute are dead men.” The dying words of his brother’s assailant travel across the North Sea to the English Midlands.

Harald, the king’s second son, receives the warning while rebuilding a hall where he hopes to farm and lead a peaceful life with Selia, his Frisian wife. But as the hall nears completion, they learn the family who lived there before them all perished in a single night of bloodshed. Could the grounds be cursed?

Now the threat of unknown enemies casts a long shadow. Should they distrust the brooding Saxon neighbor or the two weapon-bearers they hired for protection? Should they suspect either of the two women they have taken on with the other hirelings? Only their Jewish warrior friend, Ravya ben Naaman, seems to be the only one above suspicion.

Once again, Garth Pettersen has wowed me. I somehow missed the second book in the series (though I have already bought it and can hardly wait to dive into it), but I still enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first book.

Harald and Selia are now married and taking up residence in Mercia– far from the king’s court and, they hope, from the various intrigues and machinations that thrive in political turmoil. Unfortunately for them (and fortunately for us) things do not go as smoothly as they would like.


Once again, I love the characters – especially Harald, Selia, Ravya, and Erral. They are wonderfully complex and multi-dimensional. It’s interesting to see how they overcome their pasts and strive to become the people they want to be.

It’s obvious the author has done his research, and I really appreciate all the small things he does to flavor the story, the small tidbits of the daily life of the period and the scattering of foreign words (clearly explained by the context of the sentence).

The story is fast-paced with enough twists and turns to hold the reader’s attention. Wonderful job, Mr. Pettersen! I can hardly wait to read further adventures in The Atheling Chronicles.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Indiana Belle by John A. Heldt

April 28, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Indiana Belle by John A. Heldt
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Time travel, Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full length (271 pages)
Heat Rating: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Providence, Rhode Island, 2017. When doctoral student Cameron Coelho, 28, opens a package from Indiana, he finds more than private papers that will help him with his dissertation. He finds a photograph of a beautiful society editor murdered in 1925 and clues to a century-old mystery. Within days, he meets Geoffrey Bell, the “time-travel professor,” and begins an unlikely journey through the Roaring Twenties. Filled with history, romance, and intrigue, INDIANA BELLE follows a lonely soul on the adventure of a lifetime as he searches for love and answers in the age of Prohibition, flappers, and jazz.

Fans of Jack Finney are in luck. John A. Heldt also writes time-travel stories that are hard to put down.

Indiana Belle starts out with a student, Cameron, who is working on his doctorate degree in history. He becomes enamored of a beautiful journalist who was murdered in 1925. Cameron follows the information to a professor who gives him the ability to travel to the past. But there is a condition, Cameron cannot interfere and change the past, for if he tries to save Candice, the journalist, he could prevent the professor’s grandparents from ever meeting. However, Cameron is determined and willing to take chances.

The style of the writing is straightforward and honest with the occasional humorous undertones mixed in. John A. Heldt is a skilled writer whose words flow naturally and bring the characters and the setting to life. This book is filled with all the cultural events we hope to see in the 1920s, both the good and the bad. It’s great to get a front seat into these things, but some will make readers cringe. Afterall, the twenties had their dark side, and this is explored here.

Readers are sure to enjoy the banter between Cameron and Candice. There are some surprises built in as well. This is another John A. Heldt book that doesn’t disappoint.

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

The Outlaw’s Second Chance by Angie Dicken

April 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Outlaw’s Second Chance by Angie Dicken
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Historical, Inspirational
Length: Full length (288 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Renegade on the run

When Cort Stanton and Aubrey Huxley try to claim the same land in the Oklahoma Land Run, Cort offers a deal—one that could help him keep his freedom. After taking the blame for his brother’s crime, Cort needs to lie low, so he gives Aubrey the land for her horse ranch…if she’ll hire him. Now he just has to avoid growing too close to the gorgeous seamstress, who can never know his secret.

Aubrey refuses to depend on any man, even one as handsome and kind as Cort. Yet, as they work together to make her dream a reality, it’s impossible to imagine life on the prairie without him. And though Aubrey knows Cort has secrets that stand between them, she can’t help but wish she could stake a claim on his heart.

I’m going to mail this book to my mother. She was the one that got me hooked on romance books and this is more her type of book than mine. She enjoys historical romances of adventure and faith. The kind of love story that warms your heart while inspiring your love for God. Tales that leave you with more than just a happily ever after. It’s one of hope, justice and redemption in Jesus Christ.

I know my mom would enjoy the characters that displayed endurance through hardships through prayer while showing discipleship to others. Her favorite television show was Little House on the Prairie.

The Outlaw’s Second Chance would meet all her expectations and more. Not only was it well written, it was also entertaining. I just know she’d recommend this book to her Christian friends.

Speaking for myself, I prefer a book with a little bit more sensual chemistry between the hero and heroine. Perhaps that’s why my mom prays for my soul, LOL. The hero, Cort Stanton, has a past that he’s running from. Aubrey Huxley, the heroine, is also running from her past but they are both running for completely different reasons and looking for different outcomes. They are both stubborn and pigheaded so it was interesting to see how they could overcome their obstacles, to be able to give their hearts to each other. Praise God they saw the light.

I have to be transparent. I obtained this book out of desperation. I forgot to bring a book on our camping trip. I found a lending library box at the camp store. It was the only romance paperback there and the cover looked aesthetically pleasing. The synopsis on the back sounded interesting so I snagged it. I didn’t even realize it was a Christian romance. I’ve read a few in my lifetime so I gave it a try. What choice did I have? I needed something to pass the time. The best thing about taking that chance was the outcome; I was pleased because it ended up being a good read. Yes, there was scripture written in the story but it wasn’t holier than thou, in your face, making me feel like a sinner who needed to repent, kind of book.

In conclusion, if you love innocent, sweet, Christian books then this one is a winner. I’ve never read a book by Angie Dicken before but I’d consider reading another book by her. I can easily recommend The Outlaw’s Second Chance.

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A Boy in a Park: Tales of Wonder and Despair by Richard Parkin

April 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment


A Boy in a Park: Tales of Wonder and Despair by Richard Parkin
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery, Horror, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Length: Full Length (188 pages)
Age Recommendation: 10+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The naive, misguided rascals in this charming collection of short stories wear their hearts on grubby, unwashed sleeves. From the boy who masters the art of conducting herons to the boy who just wants to be left to his daydreams, they long for a better life only to be led astray by talking animals, charismatic strangers, and their own too vivid imaginations.

The park can be a marvelous place to live.

It was easy to forget that these tales were about ten separate boys because every one of them had the same naive, mischievous, and insatiably curious personality. Not only that, the background details of their lives were either nonexistent or so vague that one boy’s life story often blended into the next. Even their names were a mystery. I’ve never read a collection like this and truly enjoyed jumping from one world to the next while knowing that the protagonists would always be comfortingly predictable.

One thing I do wish the author had been more clear about were the time periods everything was set in. Some characters seemed to live centuries ago when orphans were left to live on the streets in large cities and fended for themselves from very tender ages. Other characters had a much more modern feel to them. Even these were educated guesses, though, as the narrator was always reluctant about explaining background information clearly. That made it hard at times to picture who the protagonists were and why they were so alone in the world.

There were so many genres represented in this book that I’d be hard-pressed to narrow it down to only one. Some of the boys lived in gentle fantasy worlds. Others were more firmly rooted in the horror, paranormal, or mystery genres. It was pretty interesting to move between all of these different types of storytelling as well to shift from what appeared to be the past and the present.

A Boy in a Park: Tales of Wonder and Despair was a mesmerizing collection that I’d recommend to anyone who loves being given a lot of freedom to come up with their own interpretations about what’s happening in a plot.

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

Treasure of the Blue Whale by Steven Mayfield

April 22, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Treasure of the Blue Whale by Steven Mayfield
Publisher: Regal House Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (175 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In this whimsical, often funny, Depression-era tale, young Connor O’Halloran decides to share a treasure he’s discovered on an isolated stretch of Northern California beach. Almost overnight, his sleepy seaside village is comically transformed into a bastion of consumerism, home to a commode with a jeweled seat cover, a pair of genuinely fake rare documents, a mail-order bride, and an organ-grinder’s monkey named Mr. Sprinkles. But when it turns out that the treasure is not real, Connor must conspire with Miss Lizzie Fryberg and a handful of town leaders he’s dubbed The Ambergrisians to save their friends and neighbors from financial ruin. Along the way, he discovers other treasures in the sometimes languid, sometimes exciting days of that long-ago season. He is rich and then he isn’t. He learns to sail a boat and about sex. He meets a real actor. He sneaks into villainous Cyrus Dinkle’s house and steals his letter opener. He almost goes to jail. He loves Fiona Littleleaf. He finds a father. And best of all, he and little brother, Alex, reclaim their mother from the darkness of mental illness.

What would you do if you suddenly became wealthy?

The characterization and character development were handled marvellously. This book had a large cast of characters, but I felt like I got to know everyone intimately because of how descriptive the author was when he talked about their appearances, habits, personalities, and personal histories. Everyone I met in this small town was a unique, three-dimensional human being, including the folks that sometimes acted like villains!

There were a few times when I thought have a ten-year-old narrate this story wasn’t necessarily the most realistic choice. Conner was raised by a single mom whose mental illness meant that she gave both of her kids far more responsibility and freedom than many children have at their ages. Even still, Conner was regularly privy to conversations and adult interpersonal conflicts that weren’t meant for people his age. This was particularly true when it came to the adult’s solution for how to deal with a notorious swindler. As amusing as it was to see his reaction to this, it was something that a child really shouldn’t have been included in. With that being said, I still enjoyed reading the now-adult Connor’s interpretation of what happened during that period in his life.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much humor was packed into the plot. While the main storyline and setting were serious, Conner found plenty of opportunities to share the lighter side of life in Tesoro during the Great Depression. Honestly, these scenes were instrumental in my decision to give this a four star review. Those small moments of unexpected humor endeared me to the characters and made me even more eager to find out if they’d find a way to avoid utter financial ruin for their small, close-knit community.

Treasure of the Blue Whale was a thoughtful book I’d recommend to anyone who loves small towns, nostalgia, or watching characters seek justice in unconventional ways.

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The Hands of Time by Irina Shapiro

April 21, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Hands of Time by Irina Shapiro
The Hands of Time: Book 1
Publisher: Merlin Press LLC
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Time Travel, Historical
Length: Full length (247 pages)
Heat Rating: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

When a young woman vanishes without a trace from a quaint fishing village on the coast of England, only one person knows the truth, but he remains silent allowing the authorities to search for her in vain.

Meanwhile, Valerie Crane finds herself transported to the year 1605. Terrified and confused, she turns for help to the Whitfield brothers, who take her in and offer her a home. Both Alexander and Finlay Whitfield fall in love with the mysterious woman, who shows up on their doorstep, creating a love triangle that threatens to consume them all. Valerie must make her choice, deciding between the brother who will lead her down the path of destruction, or one who will give her a love she couldn’t find in her own time.

When a woman accidentally travels back in time several centuries, things are not what one would expect. Valerie, a modern-day woman, finds herself back in the year 1605, in England, during the time of James I/VI. She meets two charming, handsome brothers who show interest in her.

Interestingly, she chooses one rather early in the book but is still close to the other brother. Valerie marries her new love and becomes pregnant; then tragedy strikes. Her husband becomes involved in the Gunpowder Plot, a plan to blow up the king and parliament because of repressive policies toward Catholics. What happens next is a tearjerker and makes this novel not so much a romance as a time-travel story with heavy romantic elements.

Valerie and one brother have to make a hard choice, and they find that being related to a “traitor” has terrible repercussions. They must leave England forever. They get on a ship and head to the primitive Jamestown settlement in Virginia (Note: the author used a little artistic license with the historical dates here, but it worked).

Throughout the story, Valerie’s sister tries to find her missing sister in the present. Working in the art field, she comes across an old portrait of her sister from the seventeenth century and is shocked. She will make a decision carrying heavy risk and try to find her sister, setting up a nice transition into the next book.

The twists and turns keep things moving swiftly. The setting is well-written, rich with historical details, and the characters are realistic and likeable. This is an entertaining read.

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

A Rebellious Echo of the White Cockade by Elizabeth Rodger

April 16, 2020 By Leave a Comment


A Rebellious Echo of the White Cockade by Elizabeth Rodger
But For Freedom, Book 2
Publisher: Lillibett Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (350 pages)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Following Across the Sea Beyond Skye, the saga of the MacKenzie family continues.

With the father, Donald, emancipated from indenture and offered employment by the benefactor, the social and economic fortunes of the family advanced. Yet, despite their prospering, they were mindful of their displacement and London’s propensity toward despotic cruelty. They aired little surprise on hearing the contemptuous responses of the throne and Parliament to colonial complaints and predicted arrogance encroaching on the rights and freedom of others would finally arouse the oppressed to be free of the domination and oppressive taxation.

Both sons graduated from William and Mary, the elder, Robbie, to pursue law. He delayed his advancement professionally to be commissioned and serve in the Virginia Militia during the French and Indian War. Kenneth, the younger, attended the first medical school in the colonies at the University of Pennsylvania. On graduating with MD, encouraged by Benjamin Rush, he returned to Scotland to study surgery under the best at Edinburgh University. Between semesters, he traveled north to his birthplace to find the glens quite deserted.

The storyline elaborated the enormous influence diminutive Scotland, the poorest and yet most literate country in Europe, had with the influx of academicians from its shores expounding the ideas of the Enlightenment providing fuel in the movement toward independence. One such educator was the young William Small, Professor of Moral Philosophy at William and Mary, who exposed his students to the writings of the brightest philosophers in Edinburgh. One young mind that became captivated with the egalitarian concept of natural rights was that of Thomas Jefferson.

This book picks up right in the middle of an exciting moment, directly from the point book one left off, but there is a synopsis at the beginning to catch you up if you need that. The first book was great, and this book is just as entertaining if not better.

Elizabeth Rodger is a talented writer who excels at recreating a world of the past. Her vivid details illuminate the setting so well that readers can imagine they’re there. This only makes the exciting storyline unroll all the better. The characters are lovable, and the things they go through will have readers nervous for them.

Though it’s set in commonly-known historical episodes, one will wonder how the characters will be personally affected by the chaos going on around them. Where book one dealt with the brother who became a lawyer, book two features his younger brother who becomes a doctor. It’s fascinating to get an inside look into medical training in the eighteenth century, and the doctor here goes further and researches Native American medicine. Things get even better when he goes to a famous medical school in Scotland to learn to become a surgeon. Hearing about the school that has an historical reputation is very interesting. What readers will learn about the school and the town could be surprising to many people.

The doctor’s adventures in Scotland and then in America again will keep pages turning. The added bonus is discovering just how much Scottish people beneficially affected the birth of a nation (The United States). They played a bigger role in this than many might suspect.

Our characters get involved first with the French and Indian War in America then see the beginnings of the American Revolution. The doctor is friends with Thomas Jefferson as a young man and offers great insights into his thoughts. Even romance is thrown into this story. Those who love history are sure to enjoy this adventurous tale.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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