The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings ~ Review

The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings

By Jolie Taylor

Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Understanding feelings isn't easy at any age, but this book attempts to help young readers do just that. This book is aimed at ages 3 - 8, but it could be bumped up in the age. Some of this might be a little beyond the grasp of 3 to 5-year-olds just because of the words used. 

I like explaining feelings through a story (or poem). It is a well-thought-out concept and an excellent teaching tool. How often do we describe a feeling with a feeling? It's not the best way to explain to a child. I'm angry, which means I'm mad and upset. But what does this mean to someone who learning what feelings are?

The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings combines words and black-and-white drawings to convey feelings. I recommend this book for families with young children and classroom settings.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

40 fun poems that explore big feelings and emotions. This whimsical journey through verse and illustrations can help children recognize and understand their big emotions.

From the imaginative minds of Brandon Dorman, renowned illustrator of Goosebumps, Land of Stories, and Fablehaven, and Booktok creator Jolie Taylor comes a whimsical illustrated collection of poems about feelings for newly independent readers.

This beautifully crafted book of forty short stories in rhyme ranges from a dragon’s fiery bursts of boredom to the gentle tones of an older sister’s love for her sibling with Down syndrome. This creative collection of tales is not only a powerful resource for children who are fostering a lifelong love of reading—it’s also a delightful portal for them to understand and celebrate the richness of human emotions.

Spirits and Pacts ~ Review

Spirits and Pacts:

A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and 

          The Phantom of the Opera - Part 2
The Roumaterra Chronicles #3

By Erin Halbmaier

Before you read any further IF you have not read part one Songs and Spun Gold  don't read any further. Part one is a must read.

Five years ago Katy and Axel married after a rather difficult trial. Katy was forced to spin gold after her not so reliable father popped off at the mouth and criticized the king. Yeah not too smart. But it resulted in Katy and Axel marrying one another. 

But Katy made a deal that has her first born child's future out of her hands. The stranger who aided her in spinning all that gold has a claim on her child. But this child will also be heir to the kingdom's throne. Will Axel or the king ever forgive her if she has to give up her child? Of course she must first have a child and after five years the nobles are getting restless about this lack of an heir.

Axel's always been drawn to singing, to his father's displeasure. Five years ago the theater was destroyed by fire and his father refused to allow it to be rebuilt. Even worse Axel lost his mentor. After five years Lottie must be dead, but still Axel hopes to find her.

But something is happening within the kingdom. And that something is a danger to the throne. Until Katy and Axel along with those closest to them can figure out what is going on no one is safe.

I love how the author has carried the Rumpelstiltskin and The Phantom of the Opera theme into this third book in The Roumaterra Chronicles series. The reader is drawn into the story as Katy struggles with her childless state and what it means for her. This book allows Katy and Axel to further grow, but this time as a couple as they must face the choices that they have made. 

There are a few surprises along the way that add another layer to this book and provide a potential avenue for additional books in the series. The book is a clean read that retells two different stories that one would not think of working so well together, yet the author does so in a beautiful work that will engage your imagination.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

She married the man she loves. But at what cost?

Five years after the fire at the theater and Katy and Axel’s wedding, pressure is building because of their childless state. Katy’s feelings are mixed: the kingdom needs an heir, but the gold-spinning stranger can’t take a child she doesn’t have.

While Axel longs for the stage, he can’t ignore the fact that his kingdom needs him, little as he feels qualified. He tries to shield Katy from the trouble brewing in the council, but more accidents at the theater, a curse no one remembers until it breaks, and physical danger mix with the secret she is hiding.

Can Katy find a way to save their child? Or will the troubles in the kingdom pull her and her husband down with them?

Spirits and Pacts is part two of a clean, no-spice retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and The Phantom of the Opera. It is the third book in The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.

The Beauty and the Griffin ~ Review

The Beauty and the Griffin

Faraway Castle #6

By J.M. Stengl

It's sad, but true (thank you Disney's Little Mermaid) but this series has come to an end. I've loved the Faraway Castle series from the very beginning and each book is better than the last. This isn't to say that the story is necessarily, but rather that the story world that the author has created has grown. 

I love how aspects of Beauty and the Beast are woven throughout this book. In this book we finally get a chance to meet the Gamekeeper of Faraway Castle and get some backstory about the castle and some of the characters. 

And we met Beatrice de Callen who has a unique tie to the castle one that may determine the fate of the world. Beatrice first comes to Faraway Castle as a young girl and through a trick of fate, chance, or design meets a young boy. She forms an almost instantaneous friendship with this young man whom she never sees again. As she grows she forms a friendship with the Gamekeeper and has a series of dreams in which she forms another attachment. I know it makes one think of Sleeping Beauty's I Know You. 

Then there is the Gamekeeper who is mysterious and always hidden in some way. You guessed it he about to have his story brought to life. And what a story it is. Just saying anyone who has read the rest of the books in this series does not want to miss this one!

When Beatrice is called upon to help protect two rare griffin eggs, she answers the call. Little does she realize just what she has gotten herself into - a war that could destroy everything she knows and everyone she loves. These rare griflets are very important to everything, but so is Beatrice and the choice her heart must make.

Did I say I love how everything comes together in this book? And yes you need to read the other books, in order, before reading The Beauty and the Griffin. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Three romantic dreams.

Two priceless eggs.

One hasty curse that may doom not only Faraway Castle but the world.

Beatrice de Callen, an otherwise sensible young woman, was foolish enough to fall in love with the benevolent yet shadowy mage known as the Gamekeeper of Faraway Castle. Worse still, she broke his heart.

But when traitorous mages steal a powerful fay artifact, magical war threatens, and the Gamekeeper vanishes, Beatrice promises her fairy godmother to help and soon finds herself escorting two telepathic griffin eggs and Winifred, their furious nanny, through a labyrinth of caves in search of the Forbidden Palace. Exhausted, Beatrice falls asleep while snuggling the gold egg and dreams of dancing with a stunning young king at his coronation ball. Have they met before?

Once the eggs guide their humans to the timeless palace, Beatrice is relieved to sense the Gamekeeper’s presence—but Win insists he is the monster that killed the last King of Adelboden!

Beatrice must not only help raise the lively griflets and watch over a girl who hates her, but also save Faraway Castle and the world by breaking a century-old curse.

Only the Golden Griffin can tell her how.

This final Faraway Castle book is an adventurous, humorous, and sweetly romantic retelling of “The Beauty and the Beast” that ties the series together.

The Cloverton Charade ~ Review

The Cloverton Charade

The Houses of Yorkshire #3

By Sarah E. Ladd

Olivia Brannon lives in the world of antiques. Her father stoked her interest in rare and unique pieces and promised her the chance to see the world. But since his death the family business has been in her uncle's less than capable hands.

When Olivia and the son of her father's former business partner are invited to the same house party a family/business feud is revived. Both are appraising parts of the Cloverton Estates vast holdings. But when some concerns arise Olivia and Lucas Avery must work together to determine what is going on. 

The Cloverton Charade is a delightful read. Deception and intrigue abound at this Regency House Party. Oh what a web has entrapped those who now call the Cloverton Hall home. There are twists that will keep you wondering just what is going on behind the elegant facade of genteel civility. 

Sarah Ladd can weave a story that will capture and hold your attention from cover to cover. Her stories never disappoint. This book is part of The Houses of Yorkshire series but it can easily be read as a standalone title. The book is a clean read in the romance department, a must in my opinion.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A long-held family feud reignites when two rival antiquities brokers arrive at the same house party in Regency England.

Olivia Brannon knows her goals are unconventional. As a young woman in Regency England, her best bet—according to society—is to marry well and secure a steady future for herself. But Olivia has never been interested in convention. She’d prefer to follow in her deceased father’s footsteps and journey to foreign lands in search of rare and valuable antiquities.

Eager to make a name for herself in the antiquities world, Olivia jumps at an invitation to join a wealthy widow at the famed Cloverton Hall to evaluate her private antiquities collection. Secrecy of the task is vital, and in order to conceal her efforts Olivia must pretend to be a house party guest to avoid suspicion and to explain her presence.

Lucas Avery, whose father was a rival of Olivia’s father, has also arrived at the Cloverton Hall house party, hired by the new master of Cloverton Hall—the widow’s nephew—to appraise the renowned Cloverton Hall collection. When Lucas discovers Olivia masquerading as a party guest while covertly conducting her own assessment, he’s keen to renew the family rivalry. But as their paths frequently cross, he’s unprepared for the effect the refreshingly honest—and beautiful—Olivia has on him.

Yet all is not as it seems. Both Olivia and Lucas are shocked by the astonishing discovery of counterfeit pieces, and when the unexpected occurs, everyone is a suspect . . . and Olivia and Lucas both must choose whom they will trust. Only the hidden treasure will allow Louisa and her sister to gain their freedom.

• Sweet Regency romance set in the same time period as Bridgerton
• Part of the Houses of Yorkshire series but can be read as a stand-alone novel
• Book length: 83,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

About the Book:

Sarah E. Ladd is an award-winning, bestselling author who has always loved the Regency period—the clothes, the music, the literature, and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period, and she began seriously writing in 2010. Since then, she has released several novels set during the Regency era. Sarah is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. She lives in Indiana with her family. 

Visit Sarah online at SarahLadd.com

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Lightshed ~ Review

Lightshed

The Gateway Trilogy #2

By Crystal Grant

The coveted Shadowstone is finally his. But what will it cost him?

This is the second book in The Gateway Trilogy and it opens with a glimpse into the past. We see again the incident that at its heart is the reason Mason Grey joined the troops of Emperor Jader. We don't see the death of Mason's brother, but rather the decision that resulted in a tragic mistake. We see it from Prince Eric's perspective and how his search for the Shadowpit had long-reaching consequences - pain and regrets. 

We then move forward twelve years; Mason now wears the Shadowstone, and with its added strengths, he would make the Stewards pay for their actions. But one thing tugs against his mission of revenge and devotion to the Emperor - Seria Gayle.

Seria and Mason find themselves on the wrong side of the clash between their people. Both feel guilt about their feelings for the other and wish to bring the other over to what they feel is the right side of the conflict. This one line sums it up so well: How could something feel so wrong and right at once?

The coveted Shadowstone is finally his. But what will it cost him? This is the question Mason Grey must answer as he carries out the will of Emperor Jader, which is in contrast to his feelings for Seria Gayle. How can he reconcile his need for revenge with the love he feels? In a world caught in a destructive conflict, Mason and Seria find themselves at the heart of everything. This is a world you will want to visit more than once. Some layers and complexities slowly reveal themselves with each reading, allowing one to notice something new. Like when you finally realize something that has been out in the open forever, but it was lost in the surroundings because it was just there not flashy and showy, just present. This is similar. This series has an epic feel to it, and often, these are the stories that need to be read through with a desire to know what's next and, on the second time, a slower, more thoughtful enjoyment to savor all the flavors more fully.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Empowered by his new role as Shadowman, Mason Grey has strengthened his resolve against the Steward Army and the prince he has sworn to kill. But his heart is torn between justice for his brother and desire for the girl who stands with his enemy. Determined to bridge the gap, he risks everything he’s worked for to try to win her over to his side.

Convinced there is still good in him, Seria Gayle makes up her mind to point Mason to the truth, even if it means betraying the Stewards she has befriended. When the dark Emperor Jader turns his sights on the Gateway between his realm and theirs, Seria makes a bold decision that takes her far from home and into enemy territory. But standing between light and darkness comes with a price, and she fears the cost for Mason’s salvation may be too high to pay.

As tensions heat up on both sides of the Gateway, Mason is given a challenging assignment that will strengthen his master’s army for years to come–but it could mean losing Seria forever. To make matters worse, his abilities as a Reader begin spiraling out of control. Will this mission of vengeance bring him the closure he needs…or destroy him from the inside out?

So True A Love ~ Now Available

 Joanna Barker's So True A Love is now available!

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

A Lady Most Engaged ~ Review

A Lady Most Engaged:
A Grimm Regency Romance
By Audrey Glenn

This was a delightful read. Thanks to a series of misunderstandings, the two main characters find themselves engaged to perfect strangers. 

Bram, Lord Rosedale, has had his presence at a house party demanded by his mother. FYI, Lady Rosedale is a tyrannical monster in the personality department. Said house party has been arranged so Lady Rosedale can have a say in who her son marries. Bram's need to marry soon has just become realized. If he hopes to inherit, he has to do so within three months. Surprise!

Harriet Thornhill, is at the house party only because she is accompanying her cousin. But when she accidentally finds herself in an innocent accident with Lord Rosedale, propriety demands that they marry. If Harriet doesn't agree to marry, her cousin and younger sisters will be tainted by her shame. Note to self: only try to awaken a sleeping person if you have witnesses to the event.

I loved the subtle nod to Sleeping Beauty in this story: the roses, the spindle, the cottage. This is a truly unique and enjoyable Regency romance. And if for no other reason than the cover, you should pick up this book. I loved Harriet's character; she could not be forced into anything until she could weigh the effects of her choices. And I absolutely loved Harriet, and it was evident that she was the person one would want in their corner. Perfect for Bram if he could get rid of the overbearing mother. Lady Rosedale makes Lady Catherine de Bergh look like a saint!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Sometimes it takes more than a kiss to wake a sleeping heart...

Harriet Thornhill prides herself on propriety and sense of duty. The last thing she ever expected was to find herself at a house party in a compromising position with the Earl of Rosedale. Now engaged to a man she barely knows, Harriet must navigate a precarious balance between duty and her own happiness.

Lord Rosedale has spent years avoiding his domineering mother. In his absence, she’s run his estate precariously close to ruin. But when circumstances force Bram into an engagement with the spirited Harriet, he begins to see the world—and himself—in a new light.

As Harriet and Bram's reluctant alliance blossoms into something more, they must contend with the schemes of his manipulative mother and the neglect that threatens the estate and its tenants. Can Harriet learn to put her own happiness first without hurting those she loves? And can her determined spirit awaken Bram’s courage to defy his mother, or will the curse of least resistance doom them both?

This sweet Regency romance presents a gender-swapped reimagining of Sleeping Beauty. It's an enchanting story of love, self-discovery, and the courage to fight for one's own happily ever after that will make your heart flutter without venturing into steamy territory. At around 40,000 words, it's the Goldilocks of books - not too long, not too short, but just right for a fun and immersive read!