The Gods Will Sing Our Song: a World War II historical romance with magic, myth and the power of love

The Gods Will Sing Our Song by Autumn Krause is a sweeping World War II historical romance with magic, myth and the power of love. In 1942, the world is at war and two lives are set to meet and their lives will change forever. Seventeen year old Ren Hamada has a troubled past that seems to follow him. Violet Aratani seemingly has the perfect life with loving parents and a bright future with college in front of her. However, in May 1942, Ren, Violet and their community of Japanese Americans were rounded up and sent to the Manzanar Relocation Camp in the California desert. Ren and Violet have little in common except the family relics they prize. Together, they discover a god walks among them as his mortal form is tethered to the camp and only Ren and Violet have the power to release him. Would a divine favor be powerful enough to save them and their families? Will they have the strength and resilience to fight for their survival? 

I was first pulled to this story by its cover and then I knew I wanted to read it when the blurb. Inspired by the author's true family history of internment and resilience, The Gods Will Sing Our Song is a fast paced, intriguing story with emotion and tensions. The internment of the Japanese Americans during World War II is another horrible, devastating period of American history. Ms Krause describes the internment camp and its condition in vivid detail that my heart broke for these people who loved the US and their only crime was being Japanese. I enjoyed the mixture of history and Japanese mythology. Ren and Violet’s interaction with the god was fun and powerful as Ren is skeptical and Violet believes. I could not put this book down as tensions rose. I even loved reading the author’s note as she explained the inspiration for this powerful story. While this book is categorized as young adult, I highly, highly recommend The Gods Will Sing Our Song for everyone. 

The Gods Will Sing Our Song will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

on September 1, 2026

When the Moon Hatched: a romantasy that failed to live up to the hype

When the Moon Hatched is the first book in the Moonfall series by Sarah A Parker. When the Creators created their beloved dragons, they never expected they would fall and they punished those responsible. Raeve’s job is simply to kill. As a member of the rebel Fíur du Ath, she must complete her orders without being caught. When a well-known bounty hunter is employed by the Crown to capture members of the Ath, Raeve finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles who intended to use her as a political statement. Kaan Vaegor took the crown as king and continued his hunt for the moonshard when he stumbled across Raeve in shackles. As a song from the past begins to echo louder and louder, they learn of some truths that may be more dangerous than they ever imagined. 

When the Moon Hatched has been all over social media for a while with both rave and not so rave reviews. With a gorgeous cover and an intriguing premise, I was excited for the romantasy that story of “fast paced fantasy romance” with “witty banter and strong sassy protagonists.” The book is a beast at 576 pages and over 89 chapters. The prologue reeled me in; however, the rest of the book failed to keep me hooked. The author knows how to develop mood and atmosphere; however, I was bored and completely lost at times. There was so much going on with the magic system, the mythology and the politics that it was overwhelming. Overall, I was expecting to be taken to a magical world of action adventures and disappointed in this book. I do not recommend When the Moon Hatched. 

When the Moon Hatched is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Metal Slinger: a romantasy with action, magic and adventure

Metal Slinger is the first book in the Fire and Metal series by Rachel Schneider. With no memory of her origins, Brynn grew up among the Alaha. Even though she’s not one of them, she has been training to be a guard. The chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta is one every young guard looks forward to; however, Brynn does not count on breaking a century long peace treaty. One encounter with an enemy soldier threatens everything including what Brynn believes about herself and the people she thought she knew. Her loyalty to the Alaha is tested when the enemy soldier reveals her true identity and his mission to return her to her true home. Now she is in a fight for her life as she learns a whole new world of magic and fate with questions of loyalty, love and betrayal. 

With the second book in this series releasing in June this year, I was given the chance to read Metal Slinger. I usually do not reach for a romantasy book; however, I do enjoy a good fantasy book and a good romance book, so I decided to give this romantasy book a chance. The beginning of this story was a bit slow as the author built the world around these characters. However, when Brynn leaves the Alaha people and enters a world she knows nothing about, the story picks up speed. As the story went along and I thought I knew where the story was going to go, the last quarter left my jaw on the floor. It does end with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see how this story continues in book 2. If you enjoy romantasy books, I recommend Metal Slinger. 

Metal Slinger is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Seven Days of Christmas: can the magic and hope of the season bring two hearts back together?

The Seven Days of Christmas is a novella book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. After the events of The Problem Child, Flynn Barnes and his wife , Shannon, and their idyllic marriage seemingly has been destroyed by a dangerous secret. Shannon is unsure if she can trust him again. With Christmas and Cymbeline’s wedding fast approaching, the Barnes children band together to help Flynn gain Shannon’s trust and win her heart again by using each of the final seven days featuring one grand gesture after another. Flynn fears it is too late. The Barnes family knows how to stick together no matter what but also know that the Christmas season is a time for love, joy and hope. Can Flynn and Shannon find a way back to each other and be stronger than ever? Will Emerson Pass’s favorite tomboy be as magical as the Christmas season? 

The Seven Days of Christmas is a quick and enjoyable read. Flynn is a stubborn man who made a horrible choice and wants to wallow in the aftermath in the implosion of his life. Shannon is a woman scorned, newly postpartum and experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. It seemed to be a tall order for Flynn to win back Shannon’s trust and love. I thoroughly enjoyed Flynn as he worked through the issues he caused and sought forgiveness from not only Shannon but the people of Emerson Pass. The grand gestures were sweet and I loved seeing Shannon’s heart melt again for Flynn. I also enjoyed Cymbeline’s wedding and the events surrounding it. Overall, I loved this short read and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you have enjoyed the Emerson Pass Historical series, I recommend The Seven Days of Christmas. 

The Seven Days of Christmas is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

His Christmas Wish: rediscovering the joy and magic of Christmas after a loss

His Christmas Wish is the first book in the Mountain Rescue Romance series by Melissa McClone. Carly Bishop loved Christmas until tragedy struck that left her distraught and grief-stricken. Unable to stay in the small town of Hood Hamlet after the deaths of her brother and fiancé, Carly packed up and moved as far away as she could. Now, six years later, her family needs her. She reluctantly returns to help with her niece and nephew, hoping to survive the days until she can leave Hood Hamlet behind once again. Jake Porter is a Bishop family friend and a volunteer mountain rescue climber. He lives with the guilt that he could not save his two friends on that fateful day and the heartbreaking loss that Carly carries. When she returns to town, he is determined to make amends. As Jake and Carly help give the kids the best Christmas ever, can he help her rediscover her love of Christmas? Can he also help her open her heart again to love? 

His Christmas Wish is a sweet, emotional Christmas romance. It is a brother’s friend, second chance romance with hard hitting emotions. Melissa McClone does a beautiful job handling the sensitive topic of grief and guilt as life moves on. One of my favorite quotes sums up the story beautifully, “Life is about taking risks…and love makes those risks worth it even if we end up disappointed or hurt.” I loved Jake and Carly. They have a beautiful history together as they grew up together and have past crushes on each other that they never acted on. I loved their supporting characters, especially the niece and nephew as children can bring the infectious joy and magic of Christmas. There were a few tears as Carly confronted her grief. There are great moments of smiles and heartfelt connection between Carly and Jake. I loved this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy a Christmas romance with heart and real emotions, I recommend His Christmas Wish. 

His Christmas Wish is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

For She is Wrath: an romantic fantasy reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo

For She is Wrath by Emily Vega is a romantic fantasy retelling of the classic The Count of Monte Cristo (1846) as one Pakistani girl seeks revenge against those who betrayed her including Mazin, the boy she once loved. Framed for a crime she didn’t commit, Dania spent three hundred and sixty four days in prison plotting her revenge. When Noor, a fellow prisoner, has a plan to escape and a way to put Dania’s plan into action, they team up. Armed with dark djinn magic and a new identity, Dania puts her revenge into action. One by one, she brings down those who betrayed her. What she didn’t expect was that her feelings for Mazin still burned bright. As her game for vengeance intensifies, Dania is at risk of losing herself and her heart to the only boy she ever loved. Can she find her revenge without losing her humanity? 

I’m not a huge fan of romantic fantasy and retelling of classic novels can be hit and miss; however, I was intrigued by the premise and its gorgeous cover. I love The Count of Monte Cristo and it is a novel you don’t usually see reimagined. I was still a bit skeptical if this story could live up to the classical story. From the opening chapter to the closing page, I could see the elements of the classic novel in For She is Wrath; however, it has its own elements which make it a fast paced, action packed adventure. Dania is a woman consumed with revenge and yet she can’t help her connection to Mazin. She soon realizes that the plot against her, as Edmond Dantes does, wasn’t all she thought it was. I was hooked and could not put it down. I highly, highly recommend For She is Wrath. 

For She is Wrath will be available October 29, 2024 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Blessings on State Street: the healing magic of Christmas

Blessings on State Street is the first book in the Blessings Bay series by Rachael Bloome. Abigail Preston wants nothing to do with Christmas. Since her husband’s tragic death, she cannot face another holiday without him. When she discovers that her late husband owned a waterfront home in Blessings Bay, she realizes it’s the perfect hideout that she needs. Little does she know that her life is about to change. Former US Air Force pilot Logan Matthews has lived as a caretaker for his friend’s property after his medical discharge. Left brokenhearted after his fiancée broke off their engagement, he settles into a reclusive life. Abigail and Logan agree to be roommates for the duration of Abigail’s stay with two conditions: stay out of each other’s way and no celebrating Christmas. When a chance encounter with a little boy, Logan and Abigail find their agreement harder and harder to uphold. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Rachael Bloome’s Poppy Creek series and when I heard she had a new series, I jumped at the chance to read it. Blessings on State Street is so sweet with lots of smiles and fun encounters with the quirky residents of Blessings Bay. It also is filled with tears and emotional moments as Abigail and Logan open up about their painful pasts and current struggles. I also loved the residents who interact with Abigail and show her the true magic of a small town. It was a quick read as I was pulled into the story. I could not put it down! After I finished this book, I immediately added the next books in the series to my wish list and I can’t wait to read them. If you enjoy small towns, chance encounters, romance and the healing magic of Christmas, I highly, highly recommend Blessings on State Street. 

Blessings on State Street is available in paperback and eBook

A Wish in the Wind: a fresh start in a town known for granting wishes

A Wish in the Wind by Kay Bratt is the seventeen book in The Wishing Tree series. In the small town of Linden Falls, there stands a tree with wishes tied to its branches. Through magic, divine providence or a random act of kindness wishes are granted. Hunter Glen and his daughter, Ava, recently moved to town for a fresh start. One day, Ava insists on placing a wish on the tree, as he reaches to tie the wish, a gust of wind carries it away and out of sight. Nicole is a long term resident of Linden Falls who is looking to the new year as life changing. As she works as a waitress at the Crooked Porch restaurant, a slip of paper falls from the sky onto her tray. The simple message gives her the idea that fate isn’t done with her just yet. 

I love The Wishing Tree series and when the group of authors announced new books in the series, I was super excited. A Wish in the Wind is the final book of this new wave of books. It is a quick, fun read with great moments of hope and magic. I loved Hunter as a newly single father left blindsided following his sudden divorce and worrying about providing his daughter with everything she needs. I loved Nicole as a person full of hope for the future. As they keep crossing paths, even for a small town, something seems to bring them together. Readers do not need to read the entire series in order to enjoy this book. Although I highly recommend reading the entire series. It is an uplifting series full of hope, magic and wishes. I highly recommend A Wish in the Wind. 

A Wish in the Wind will be available in eBook on October 17, 2024

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms: a story of magic, danger and love

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg is the first book in the Whimbrel House series. In Rhode Island, 1846, Merritt Fernsby received a letter that he inherited a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Even though the house has been uninhabited for more than a hundred years, he is ready to call it home. Once inside, he realizes he cannot leave. The house won’t let him. The Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms sends Hulda Larkin to help figure out the source of the Whimbrel House’s enchantments. Armed with a set of magic tools, Hulda soon realizes that her work is cut out for her. As they delve into the house’s secrets and history, there is something darker, more dangerous lurking in the distance and it is getting closer. Can Hulda and Merritt calm the magic within the house and battle the evil that stalks them? 

With an interesting premise, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is a great ride with twists and turns. A slow burn story that builds into a raging fire with an action packed climax and finale, this story is more than just about magic, evil and danger but also love and finding a place to belong. Every character adds to the wonderful quirkiness of the story. I especially loved Hulda with her no-nonsense attitude and yet hides a deep hurt and desire. Even the house, especially once they discover what is going on and try to interact with it. The Whimbrel House gave me Casita from Encanto (2021) vibes as it has its own personality and adds to the humor and intrigue of the story. I am interested in reading more of Hulda and Merritt and will continue the series. I highly recommend Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. 

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Highland Mist: magic, mystical romance setting in the Scottish Highlands

Highland Mist by Donna Grant is the first book in the Druids Glen series. Laird Connall MacInness was born into a clan that was charged with guarding the sacred Druids. A duty that was centuries old, he takes it seriously until his sister, a Druid priestess, goes missing and the very Druids he was protecting refused to help find her. When another Druid priestess is placed into his hands for safekeeping, Connall is torn between his duty to protect the Druids and his need to avenge his sister. Glenna MacNeil only wants to be free, to find a purpose for her life. When she is told to look for the dark laird that would free her, she eagerly goes with Connall. What she doesn’t realize is an ancient prophecy has been set in motion that will change the course of their lives and the future of Scotland. 

Highland Mist is a fast paced, entertaining story mixing magical lore, clan feuds, and the mystical settings of the Scottish Highlands. Once I got into the story, I could not put the book down. I enjoyed the main characters, Connall and Glenna as individuals and as a couple. Their personal demons, their struggles between duty and desire and their electric chemistry was powerful and engaging. I even enjoyed the side characters, especially the mysterious mercenary Gregor. I am looking forward to reading about his past and how his storyline plays out. Overall, I enjoyed Highland Mist and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. There was mild spice but great romantic moments. I was reminded of another great mystical Highland series of Karen Marine Moning with the mystical and magical elements. If you enjoy romances set in the Scottish Highlands, I recommend Highland Mist. 

Highland Mist is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wishing Beach: second chances, love and a little bit of magic

Wishing Beach by Heather Burch is the first book in the Wishing Beach series. Angela Reed-Baker’s life has been shattered. After a painful divorce from a narcissist, she has moved to the famous Wishing Beach Island, a destination known for granted wishes beneath the mysterious Banyan tree. As she begins to settle in, she discovers an old photograph of a young woman that Jesse Malone, the groundskeeper, carries around in his wallet. Angela discovers that the young woman was “The One” who left. As she digs into the past, she discovers a poignant love story. But what happened to the young woman? Why did she leave Jesse behind? With her handsome neighbor and new friend, mystery novelist Ryan North helps Angela discover what happened to the young woman and hopefully bring closure to Jesse. 

Wishing Beach is a cute love story of love, loss and second chances. Switching between present day and the summer of 1981, readers discover a story of young love, economic class differences and a political cover up. During her search, she discovers her own inner strength to move on from her ex-husband and forge her own path. Angela, at times, was hard to like. She seems to be strong and assertive and others seem to just follow along. I enjoyed the banter between Angela and Ryan. I see a possible romance between the two? I guess I may have to read book 2 to find out. Overall, I enjoyed Wishing Beach. It was a light, weekend read. It had a Notebook kinda vibe. If you enjoy stories about second chances, love and a little magic, I recommend Wishing Beach. 

Wishing Beach is available in paperback and eBook

The Wishing Tree: a great introduction to a new series

The Wishing Tree is book one in The Wishing Tree series by various authors. In Linden Falls, Vermont is that picturesque, idyllic small town. Within the charming street of a community of people who care about each other and in the center of town is the famous Wishing Tree. It is an old beautiful tree with wishes tied to the branches. From simple wishes and dreams to heartbreaking and devastating hopes. As tourists flock to town and join the locals to hang ribbons to the branches of the tree. Some believe in the magic of the Wishing Tree while others believe it is the hooky gimmick to bring in tourists. If it’s magic or not, there have been beautiful stories of love, forgiveness and happily ever after that brings people to the tree and taking a chance to hang a wish. 

Book one of The Wishing Tree series is an introduction to the rest of the series. With a wonderful prologue which introduces Neva Cabot, one of the oldest residents and leads into a brief introduction to the first six books of the series. I read a lot of reviews that were upset that this book is not a full novel itself. However, I enjoyed the brief introduction into the premise of the series and the first six books. As an added bonus, this book is a free eBook that if you are interested in the series, this is a great way to give a highlight of what to expect and the feel for the series. I have the next six books in the series and will be reviewing them soon. If you are curious about Linden Falls and their Wishing Tree, I recommend checking out The Wishing Tree. 

The Wishing Tree is available in paperback and eBook

In a Garden Burning Gold: a fantasy adventure about family, power and magic

In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power is a magical fantasy story about twins, Rhea and Lexos, who must find a way to keep their family in power against growing opposition. Rhea and Lexos have incredible magical abilities, along with their family, they can control the seasons, the tides, and the stars. Their magic also helps keep their father on the throne of their kingdom. However, over the past century, their father has become an unpredictable tyrant, with an ever growing temper, which has fueled a rebellion within their borders as well as attacks from rival nations. Rhea and Lexos now must fight to keep the kingdom, and the family, together while fighting treachery, deceit and drama that threatens the bonds they hold dear. Could their determination to bring peace find themselves on the opposing sides of the battlefield? 

Fantasy is not a genre I generally read but In a Garden Burning Gold, with its gorgeous cover and intriguing premise, had me taking a chance. At the core of the story is a family who must test the bonds of their family, to see how far they can bend before they break. The story itself is beautifully written with flowing language. However, the story was like a roller coaster of slow building anticipation to the sudden free fall of action. The slow parts were almost painfully slow which I found myself spacing out. The villain reveal was a bit surprising but as I looked back on the clues leading up to the reveal, it did make sense and was very predictable if I had paid closer attention. If you are a fantasy reader, I would recommend In a Garden Burning Gold. 

In a Garden Burning Gold is available April 5 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

 

River of Lights: a fun adventure for young readers

River of Lights by Melanie Dobson is the first book in the Magical Mortal series. Katie Andrews doesn’t fit in with the other girls at her French boarding school. During a field trip in Paris, Katie falls into the river Seine and discovers a colorful fairy world hidden below. In the mysterious Land of Light, all is not well. An evil wizard named Gaul has captured the queen and stolen the fairy light. With the help of her new friend, Princess Lilly, and the firefly fairies, Katie discovers there is an ancient prophecy that can help defeat Gaul and save the Land of Light. In the process, she discovers a secret that will change everything she knows about her family. 

With a Narnia-like journey, River of Lights is a great introduction to a new magical series. A book for young readers, particularly girls, filled with fairies, princesses and evil wizards. It is a sweet and fun adventure and as a fairly easy and fast read, I see younger readers really enjoying this series either reading independently or as a family. I look forward to introducing these books to my daughters. If you enjoy magical kingdom adventures, you will enjoy River of Lights. 

River of Lights is available in paperback and eBook. 

Celia and the Fairies: a sweet story for all ages

Celia and the Fairies by Karen McQuestion is a story of magic, imagination and the power of kindness. Ten-year-old Celia Lovejoy  is excited to learn that her Grammy will be moving in with her family. She no longer has to go to Paul’s house, her neighbor, after school anymore. Grammy has the best stories filled with magical fairies that live in the woods behind their house. She believes that they are just stories until she receives an unexpected visit from Mira, a real, live fairy! Mira needs help. Celia’s house and the woods are in danger of being demolished. The person who is behind this horrible danger is someone who holds a grudge against Celia’s father. And while fairies can fight against evil, they need Celia’s help. With Paul’s help, Celia starts her danger-filled journey that takes her deep into the woods at night and faces her greatest fears. 

Celia and the Fairies is a fun, sweet story filled with magic and the message that every day kindness can help change the world. It is the first book of The Watchful Woods series. It is written as a Young Adult novel but I think readers of all ages would enjoy this story. Celia is a little girl whose parents have not allowed her to believe in imaginary things like the Easter Bunny or any sort of magic, rather teaching her the realities of the world. When her Grammy moves in, Celia learns that magic does, in fact, exist and it can help with the realities of the real world. I enjoyed the story as it has the message that even the smallest child can affect change. Change starts close to home before spreading to the wider world. Kindness to others is a simple change we can all do. I recommend Celia and the Fairies. 

Celia and the Fairies is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

 

 

Girls made of Snow and Glass: an excellent retelling of the Snow White tale

Girls made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust is the re-envisioning of the classic Snow White tale. Told from two perspectives, Lynet (the Snow White character) and Mina, her stepmother (the Evil Queen character). Lynet is the spitting image of her mother who died when she was born and everyone treats her with kid gloves as if she was so fragile, she would break. Mina came into her life when she was a young child when her father, Gregory, a magician and alchemist, came to live at the castle at Whitespring from the south. Lynet’s father, King Nicholas, marries Mina and she and Lynet become close as a mother and daughter. Until a terrible secret is revealed to Lynet and everything she believes to be true is all a lie. Who can she trust now? When a promise is broken to Mina and a tragedy occurs, Lynet and Mina are pitted against each other. Will they become bitter enemies? Or will they join forces when a greater enemy reveals itself?

Girls made of Snow and Glass is an excellent story with a new twist on Snow White. Lynet and Mina are both strong character who aren’t the typical female characters. They are both a bit of damsel in distress and strong females who don’t need a man to rescue them. It was filled with action and surprises at every turn. I could not put it down. There were a couple questions that came up that I feel the story doesn’t answer. However, the book is a great story and young adult and adult readers will enjoy this new Snow White story. I recommend Girls made of Snow and Glass.

Girls made of Snow and Glass

will be available September 5, 2017

in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

The Bone Witch: a fantasy world of magic and monsters

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco is a story in a mystical world where bone witches are feared for they can raise the dead and have very powerful magic. Tea is a young girl who lives with her parents in Knightscross, a small village in the kingdom of Odalia. Her older sisters are respected witches of water and forest. One day, without meaning to, Tea raised her brother, Fox, from his grave. Another bone witch, Mykaela, comes to see Tea and informs her that she needs to leave her home and train with other ashas or witches. When Tea arrives in Ankyo, the capital of the kingdom of Kion and enters The Willows, the home of the most powerful asha, Mistress Parmina, she is thrown in a world of lessons and intense training. During her training, she visits an oracle who tells her she is hovers between being a force of good and a source of evil. She will change the world. Will Tea heed the oracle’s warning? Will she strive to be a force of good? Or will she turn to darkness?

The Bone Witch is an interesting premise and story which certainly opens itself to multiple books. It was a bit slow at points with no real action until about 75% into the book. However, the descriptions of this world draws you in. The reader learns with Tea as she deciphers the oracle’s message. I can't discuss too much of the events as it would give away too much information, If you enjoy fantasy worlds and the realms of magic and adventure, I recommend The Bone Witch.

The Bone Witch

Is available on Amazon

In hardcover and on the Kindle 

Saving Mim: a fun adventure into a magical land

Saving Mim by Nan McAdam is an adventure story about a young man who is awkward and often bully. Charlie Kadabra is 12 years old and he was left on the doorstep of a church as a baby. He was placed in foster care and has become low on the social ladder at his school until one day.

Charlie has a run in with his science teacher when he experiences strange sonic waves coming from his fingertips. He is soon whisked off to a magical land called Mim. He learns that he is the last of the Magicians when his parents sent him away and they disappeared. He learns from Alfreda, an old seer, that he is Mim’s last hope to defeat the evil Dr. Pi from destroying the magic left in Mim. He is joined by Fen, a Haroon, his guardian as well as his dragon, Galza. Together, they must retrieve the five magical stones and replace them in the magician’s staff and defeat Dr. Pi. While on his quest, Charlie will learn the history of Mim, the origins of Dr. Pi and the mystery that surrounds his parents’ disappearance. Will he gather the stones in time to defeat Dr. Pi? Will he finally find out what happened to his parents?

I enjoyed Saving Mim. It was a fun adventures will magical and mythical creatures will great lessons in the story. My favorite line is “The power of a bully thinks he has is given to him by the person he is bullying” (page 111). This is an important lesson to convey to the young readers because bullying has become an epidemic and kids and adults need to know that bullies only stop when you stand up to them. The story of a young man who discovers that he is much more important than he thinks reminds me of the Percy Jackson series. Saving Mim is a wonderful adventure story and I look forward to read more adventures of Charlie in the magical land of Mim.

Saving Mim

is available on Amazon

free for Kindle Unlimited

and in paperback for $10.99

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

The Forgotten Knight: a new twist on a knight in shining armor

The Forgotten Knight by Emilie DeRitter is an adventure about a knight named Sir Christopher of Calidore who has been cursed to travel from kingdom to kingdom, doing good deeds until the end of his days. His traveling companions are a sorceress named Aurora of Beldain and his faithful horse, Jonathan.

The story opens with a cry for help. Sir Christopher and his companions follow the sound to find Princess Gwenyth trapped in a mirror. They defeat the evil wizard, Varuk, and rescue the princess. They agree to take the princess home. On the journey to Gwenyth’s home, they save a family from a burning barn, they rescue a band of centaurs from a Cyclops, and they save a kingdom from an ogre. Duke William of Romalia is grateful for the heroes’ efforts and offers them a place to stay. While they are there, Princess Gwenyth falls in love with the duke. Sir Christopher leaves her there as he continues on his task. Along the way, he meets new dangers, new friends, and battles an old enemy. Will Sir Christopher ever be able to break the curse and live happily ever after?

I enjoyed this book as a great adventure with fast paced battles of mystical beasts and knights in shining armor. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and I loved the ending which I can’t reveal but it’s very sweet and touching. I recommend this book for young readers who are looking for a great adventure story with knights, magic and battles.

The Forgotten Knight by Emilie De Ritter

Is available at Amazon.com for the Kindle $6.99

and on paperback $10.95