Things We Hide from the Light: when the shadows one tries to hide and the one who helps them fight back

Things We Hide from the Light is the second book in the Knockemont trilogy by Lucy Score. Nash Morgan was the good Morgan, always with an easy smile and charm for everyone in town. Now Nash is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has given way to panic attacks, nightmares and missing pieces in his memory. While he tries to hide it, he is a brooding shell of himself and is desperate to keep his struggles from everyone. That is until his new next door neighbor moves in. Lina Solavita is smart, sexy and sees the shadows behind his forced smile. When she helps him through one of the worst panic attacks yet, he realizes that Lina may be the key to feeling like himself again. However, they both have secrets, secrets that could keep them apart for good; unless they are willing to fight their shadows for the simple chance at love. 

Things We Hide from the Light is a great continuation in the Knockemont series. While it doesn’t have the banter and tension that the first book had, it had its own struggles and sweet moments between Nash and Lina. Their story was definitely more slow burn, emotional and with psychological struggles. I loved to see Nash return stronger and more aware as he discovers issues within the department and moves to deal with them. I also loved the addition to his dog, Piper, and her own anxiety which in turn helped Nash with his. I liked Lina’s job as it was a bit unconventional and yet adds to the drama and adventure of the story. I also learned a lot about panic attacks and methods to calm them. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the third and final book in this trilogy. I highly recommend Things We Hide from the Light. 

Things We Hide from the Light is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

To Bind Fire: an engaging fantasy as one young woman learns she is destined to save the world, a world she doesn't know

To Bind Fire is the first book in the Empire of Ash and Song trilogy by D.E. Carlson. Iris is thrust into a foreign world she has never known. She knows little about her past and even less about her heritage. The only life she has known is the remote mountain cabin she lived with her mother and brother. When a tragedy brings her down the mountain, she learns the land has been torn by war and is now ruled by the powerful Fire Emperor. She also learns she has a terrible power, a power that can save the world or burn it forever. Besaun is the Crown Prince of the Fire Empire who has no desire for the throne. He has no patience for all the bowing, scraping, and politics. He just wants to tinker with his inventions. Little do they know, they are both fated to save the world. 

I discovered D.E. Carlson on TikTok and I was intrigued by her fantasy books. I decided to start with To Bind Fire. It has been described as “Perfect for fans of the faith themes of the Chronicles of Narnia, the powerful writing style of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the clean sweet romance of Caraval!” While I haven’t read A Court of Thorns and Roses or Caraval, I love the Chronicles of Narnia and looked forward to how Ms. Carlson weaved faith themes into her story. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, I was hooked on this story. There is action, adventure, intrigue and drama with a smidge of romance. I loved the faith elements with the fantasy magical system. While I was left with questions and suspicions, I can’t wait to finish the trilogy and Iris’s story. I highly, highly recommend To Bind Fire. 

To Bind Fire is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Sea Captain's Wife: a true story on the high seas

The Sea Captain’s Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love and Adventure at the Bottom of the World by Tilar J. Mazzeo. It is the true story of the first female captain of a merchant ship and her treacherous navigation through the deadly waters of Antarctica. In the summer of 1856, nineteen year old Mary Ann Patten sailed with her husband, Joshua. Both from seafaring New England families, they plan to win the race to San Francisco in order to fulfill their dream of building a farm and starting a family. However, the voyage is dangerous through the most treacherous waters. Their ship, Neptune’s Car, leaves New York Harbor and heads south down the coast of South America, and soon disaster strikes. Joshua becomes ill, the first mate is confined to the brig and begins to agitate for mutiny. Mary Ann sees no other options but to step up and captain the ship. Can she convince the crew to support her? 

With the California Gold Rush in full swing, there was big money for ships who made the journey quickly and it was an opportunity many attempted and few surviving. The Sea Captain’s Wife is Mary Ann Patten’s story. The first woman to command a merchant vessel and the fight she endured during and even after when the journey was complete. Through archival research as well as her own experience, sailing Mary Ann’s route, Ms. Mazzeo writes a tale that is thrilling, harrowing and heroic. Mary Ann is a woman who does what is necessary to survive for love. As I read, I kept reminding myself that Mary Ann was 19 years old during these events. Nineteen! I know it is a different time but I am not sure I would be able to do the same at 19. While the journey was nailbiting, Mary Ann’s life after the journey was equally thrilling. If you enjoy detailed, historical nonfiction, I highly recommend The Sea Captain’s Wife. 

The Sea Captain’s Wife: 

A True Story of Mutiny, Love and Adventure at the Bottom of the World 

is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Miles and Miles of You: road trip adventures and romance

Miles and Miles of You by Jennifer Bonds is the first book in The Harts series. Lucy Gonzalez had had enough! She quits her job as a personal assistant to Miles Hart. She’s decided to take the jump and hit the road as a travel influencer. She hitches up her grandma’s vintage Airstream and takes a trip along Route 66 as @SoSavvyTraveler! Her plan is to show the best places to see and eat on a shoestring budget in two weeks. What she didn't plan on was company. Miles Hart shows up, determined to bring her back to Triada, his company with his brothers. He is also determined to prove to her that she can’t make it as a travel influencer. They make a bet. If Miles wins, Lucy will give up the influencer plan and come back to Triada. If Lucy wins, he will never bother her again. 

I actually read the second book in the series, Not Today, Cupid, last year and immediately placed Miles and Miles of You on my TBR list. Miles and Miles of You is a great story with fun banter, road trip adventures and a bit of spice. Lucy and Miles are great characters with personal past hurts that they struggle with and this trip helps bring them forth and works toward growth. Lucy’s grandma, Celeste, was a great source of laughs as she interacts with Lucy’s Instagram posts. While I did not enjoy Miles and Miles of You as much as I did Not Today, Cupid, I enjoyed this story. I laughed. I smiled. I closed the book with happiness and eagerness for the third brother’s story. If you enjoy a road trip romance with fun banter and great adventures, I highly recommend Miles and Miles of You. 

Miles and Miles of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Restarting Point: friendships, adventures and starting over

The Restarting Point by Marci Bolden is the first book in her new Chammont Point series. Jade Kelly is an accomplished woman. As a wife, mother of 2 and successful marketing executive, she can now add cancer survivor to her life. While everything seems great in appearances, she realizes that she and her family need to reconnect after the stress of her treatments left Jade and her husband, Nick, basically housemates and her children are almost strangers. Jade is determined to start over, to start fresh with her new chance at life. She schedules a family vacation at a lakefront carbon. When her kids bail and Nick stays home to handle a work crisis, Jade heads to Chammont Point alone. Her vacation turns into a life-altering moment as secrets, lies and old wounds open new adventures and new relationships for Jade. With the help of family and her new found friends, Jade learns that starting over isn’t always what you thought it would be. 

The Restarting Point is my first Marci Bolden book, although I have two of her books from the Life Without Water series on my To-Be-Read list. It is a great story with plenty of drama and humor. Jade was a hard character to care for as she is very blunt and rough, almost that there is no softness to her. I felt for her as she faced certain death and survived, only to be dealt a devastating blow. However, she is surrounded by a wonderful cast of colorful characters that start to soften her rough edges, especially the flashy and outgoing Darby and the flirty Liam Cunningham. She begins to see where she sacrificed too much and the price she paid for those sacrifices. Overall, I enjoyed The Restarting Point and I am looking forward to reading more in the Chammont Point series to find out what new adventures the residents of Chammont Point can get into. I recommend The Restarting Point. 

The Restarting Point is available in paperback and eBook. 

The House by the River: a family saga set in the country of Greece

The House by the River by Lena Manta is a family saga story set in the beautiful country of Greece. Living in a small village by a river at the foot of Mount Olympus, Gerasimos and Theodora have five daughters: Melissanthi, Julia, Aspasia, Polyxeni, and Magdanlini. When tragedy strikes, Theodora is left to raise her daughters alone. As they grow into beautiful young women, Theodora knows she can’t keep her daughters at home forever. They are too curious, too free-spirited with too much wanderlust to stay in their tiny village. But before each girl leaves, she lets them know they are always welcomed to come home to the house by the river. Theodora must endure the twenty-year silence from her daughters as they live their lives. They marry, travel the world, courted various romances, fame and their own tragedy. Will their own tragedy bring them back together to the house by the river?

The House by the River is a long, in-depth family story. Separated into sections, detailing each daughters’ successes, failures, and tragedy. The stories started out strong. I enjoyed Theodora’s story as well as Melissanthi’s and Julia’s. Unfortunately, the other daughters’ stories were tedious and very unrealistic. However, the best part of the book is when the daughters, one by one, return to the house and in various ways find forgiveness and healing from their waywardness. Overall, I enjoyed the story. The imagery of the various towns and villages in Greece are stunning. However, it is hard to recommend because it is just so long and tedious to the point of repetitiveness

 

The House by the River is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Magic Treehouse series: great books for young readers

The Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne is a series of adventure stories featuring Jack and Annie, brother and sister, who discover a magic treehouse in the forest near their home in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. Magical books send the pair to far away places in times all gone. Originally published in 1992, the series which totals 28 books and spawned the Magic Treehouse Merlin Mission series and other titles has been beloved by young readers for almost 30 years.  The series is recommended for ages 6-9 and cane be read aloud or independently with short chapters. The books are educational and encourages problem solving as each book gives a clue to the mystery of the treehouse.

My daughter was introduced to the series by her kindergarten teachers who read the books to the class. Ever since she begged me for the “Jack and Annie” books. She received a set of the first four books for Christmas. We read a couple chapters every night and she eagerly listened to each story and asks questions about the setting of the book. The next step is for her to read them on her own. I look forward to getting her the entire set. I highly recommend The Magic Treehouse series for any family or classroom library.

The Magic Treehouse series is available at all major booksellers

Two great news books from Carol P. Roman

Today I have two new books from Carole P. Roman to review. First. One to Ten: Squirrel’s Bad Day. In a forest, Squirrel drops his acorns in the river and he is very sad. Rabbit teaches him how to deal with the problem. He tells Squirrel to rate the problem from one to ten. One being no so bad and ten being the absolute worst. Other forest animals give examples how they turned their different situations where it seems to be the wort and then they figured out how to turn it around. For example, when a game of baseball was interrupted by rain (a 10) turns in to a game of jumping in the puddles (a 1). I enjoyed this book as a story to help children deal with difficult situation and draw positives from it.

Second, If You were me and lived in…Israel is a journey through the beautiful country in the Middle East. The readers learn a brief history of the country as well as the modern day food, culture and life in Israel. Common celebrations such as Purim, the celebration in remembrance of Queen Esther. Is discussed as well as the unique reading form in Israel. They read from right to left as opposed to the rest of the world who reads left to right. This book is another great addition to an outstanding series.

I highly recommend One to Ten: Squirrel’s Bad Day and If You were me and lived in…Israel for any family and school libraries. They are highly educational, fun and enjoyable!

Both titles are available

on Amazon

in paperback and on the Kindle

Gramma Darling: memories of grandma

Gramma Darling by Lissa Schroeder is a beautiful story of nostalgia about grandmas. As seen through the eyes of a child, the memories that are created with gramma are treasured. The book is also beautifully illustrated by Doron Ben-Ami which brings the images to life with stunning realism. The adventures at Gramma’s house. The discovery as children exploring the rooms, finding treasures Time in the garden with the flowers and vegetables. Children helping pulling weeds and pull the wrong plants, opps! Watching the birds and wildlife around her house. And most importantly Gramma’s cooking and baking!

Gramma Darling is filled with the author’s memories of her own gramma. Reading her memories, reminded me of my own memories of my grandma and the adventures I had at her house. At the end of the book, the author included Gramma Darling’s Chocolaty Cherry Cake, which I will definitely try! I recommend Gramma Darling for its nostalgic feel and memories of wonderful grandmas.

Gramma Darling

is available at Barnes and Noble

and Amazon

Putter and the Red Car: a family's adventure cross coutnry

Putter and the Red Car by Kate K. Lund and illustrated by Ana Maria Velieu is the story of a family’s journey from Boston to Seattle. The story is told from the point of view of their dog, Putter, an Airedale terrier.

Dad has gotten a new job and the family must move from their home on the east coast to the west coast. Along the way, Putter describes the family’s activities at their various stops. First, Sturbridge. Massachusetts, then on to Pennsylvania, and Chicago to visit friends. Next to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore. But unfortunately it’s raining, maybe next time. Next stop, Buffalo, Wyoming to explore a real teepee. One more stop until home, Missoula, Montana. Finally, Seatlle! Their new home. 6 days and 3,000 miles!!!

Putter and the Red Car is a fun story about a family’s move across country. To hear the story from the dog’s perspective is fun and unique. Kate Lund is a licensed clinical psychologist and wrote this book as the first in a series. Her goal is to teach and help children adapt to change as well as build resilience and recognize the power of different possibilities. I think she’s off to a good start. The journey is positive and builds excitement for the family’s new home with each stop. I highly recommend Putter and the Red Car for any family or classroom library.

Putter and the Red Car

is available on Amazon

in paperback for $12.95 and

on the Kindle for $2.99

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Book 1 The Sword of Summer is a great new book

Rick Riordan is back with a new hero and adventures with mythological proportions. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard places a hero within the realm of Norse mythology. Book 1 The Sword of Summer, which came out last fall, is an introduction to the myths and legends you may not be aware of.

Magnus Chase is sixteen years old and has been homeless since the sudden death of his mother two years before. He gets by with the help of two fellow homeless men, Hearth and Blitz. On the day of his sixteenth birthday, he is made aware that someone is searching for him. He finds his uncle, Randolph, who takes him to the Charles River in Boston and asks him to search for a special sword which has been lost there many centuries before. Magnus soon finds himself in a heated battle with unusual circumstances. He finds himself in Valhalla and a member of an elite squad called the einherjar. It is discovered that his father is a very important god and it soon becomes apparent that he is not supposed to be there. Magnus is sent on a quest to find the sword of summer and stop the evil giant, Surt from bringing about Ragnarok also known as Doomsday. His wild adventure takes from to the various worlds of Norse mythology and the Norse gods and goddesses themselves. Will Magnus be able to find the sword? Will he be able to stop Surt? And will he find his father?

If you are familiar with Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, then you will be familiar with the basics of this story. However, in this series, Riordan does something slightly different to keep it fresh and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus series. I eagerly awaited the release of this book. While it was a little different to read, mostly because I am less familiar with the Norse mythology than I am with the Greek and Roman myths, I still enjoyed this story. I loved the humor and the comradery among Magnus and his friends. Of course, we see familiar Norse gods and we see some not so familiar. I love the mystery and suspense as Magnus must decide who he will trust and who he will ignore. The second book of this series will be released this fall and I can’t wait to read the continued adventures of Magnus and the Gods of Asgard. 

Good the Goblin Queen: a great fun adventure story

Good the Goblin Queen by Becket and illustrated by Raven Quinn is the story of Good who has a strange family and one fateful night, she makes a wish on a falling star. That’s when her life changed forever.

Good is seven years old and she doesn’t like her life. She doesn’t like her name, she doesn’t like her parents (who are escaped orangutans from the New York Zoo), and she has no friends. One night she sees a falling star in the sky and she makes a wish. The next morning, she discovered that she didn’t just make a wish on a falling star but the wish was multiplied by a thousand falling stars. She discovers she could be in danger and she runs away. Good soon meets Mr. Fuddlebee, a ghost who is there to grant her wish. He gives her a crinomatic, a small compact mirror, which will grant her wish. She wishes to a queen. The cinematic soon makes her a beautiful dress with bows and shoes with sparkling jewels. She even has a crown and she discovers her skin is green. Good is soon joined by a group of goblins and they claim that she is their long-lost queen. Good joins them on the journey home to the Goblin Kingdom. Along the way, they meet dangers and obstacles, which Good teaches the goblins about thinking through the situation, being brave and the need to ask for help.

Good the Goblin Queen is a fun adventure story with great lessons about getting all the facts before making a decisions, about being brave and there is no weakness in asking for help. I had two quotes that really stood out to me as important to remember. First, the world isn’t coming to an end because you’re in a difficult situation and second, you cannot control the things that hurt you but you can control the healing afterwards. I love these words of wisdom that readers can apply to their own lives and the situations which they will encounter. I highly recommend Good the Goblin Queen. It’s a fun adventure with great lessons.

Good the Goblin Queen

Is available on Amazon

In paperback for $11.99

And

On the Kindle for $2.99

Lady Emma in her Land of Wonder: a story of adventure and strength

Lady Emma in her Land of Wonder by Martha M. Harrison is a beautiful poem about a young girl who learns to work out her problems by herself. She has the ups and downs of life as her father and her prince try to rescue her. She tells them she doesn’t always need their help but she does need their support.

I love this book. First, any book which is written in a beautiful poem with great illustrations is always great. I love the message of a young woman learning how to work out her problems and when to get help should she need it. It is a great illustration of the great adventure of life. I highly recommend this book for any family’s and classroom’s libraries.

Lady Emma in her Land of Wonder is available on Amazon in hardback for $12.95