Book Review of 'Woodencloak' by Dawn Ford

Hello Bookworms!

The Band of Unlikely Heroes series was one of my favorites to read this year, and after finishing the series with Shadowcape, I remembered I never had the opportunity to read the first novel in the series. So, I am here now to go back and share my thoughts on how it all began!

I hope you enjoy and let me know in the comments if you've read any novels in this series or any fantasy recommendations you might have for me. I'm always on the lookout for a good series.

About the Book

Title: Woodencloak 
Series: Band of Unlikely Heroes #1
Author: Dawn Ford 
Publisher: ScrivKids 
Release Date: February 7, 2023 
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

Thirteen-year-old troll princess Horra Fyd’s life changes forever after an unexpected visit from the fairy queen and her two daughters. Tales of fairies gave Horra nightmares as a young troll. Before evening falls, however, a real nightmare unfolds. Horra’s father, King Fyd, goes missing. Her woodgoblin instructor is poisoned and uses his magic to revert to a seed. And a mysterious, gaunt man wearing a cape and playing a panflute joins the fairies in trying to capture her.

Horra flees but is instantly lost in a world she’s never had to travel alone. A letter hidden in her knapsack from her late instructor informs her that a power hungry Erlking seeks revenge against her kingdom and their allies for a two-generation old war. She is tasked with getting his seed to the Weald, a magical forest. There it can regenerate into a druid, the only creature with the power to hold the balance between good and evil, and who is able to defeat the Erlking.

However, the Erlking is always one step behind her. Horra must fight to protect herself, but she has no magic. She accepts a gift from a dead druid spirit of a charmed woodencloak to disguise her. But magic failed her mother, how can she possibly trust it?

Can Horra have faith and courage enough to trust a power she can’t see, and become a warrior heroine her foremothers can be proud of? Or will she allow fear to rule over her and lose everything that matters—including her life?

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Book Review of 'A Star Appears' by Addison Dixon

Hello Bookworms!

There is something magical about picking up a fantasy novel, particularly a young adult fantasy.  There is an air of innocence that permeates the narrative that always gives me the warm fuzzies and takes me back to simpler times.  I know I can't be the only one that feels this type of nostalga, can I?  Let me know in the comments if you get that same feeling when you read young adult novels as a more mature adult.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Young Adult Fantasy and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Star Appears by Addison Dixon, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Star Appears
Series: The Star & Cicatrix Legacy #1
Author: Addison Dixon
Publisher: Starstruck
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Sixteen-year-old Riley has never had the confidence to stand up to the school bullies—until one of them harasses his friend Caroline. But his act of courageous defiance causes a mysterious black star to appear at the corner of his eye, setting in motion a series of events that will change his life forever. 

The star marks Riley as the third star bearer in a prophesy that spans hundreds of years. Thrust into the otherworld of Leíso, he must defeat Iradocc, a demolic who’s intent on spreading Dark Magic through Leíso and the Human World . . . and who is determined to see Riley dead. 

The first two star bearers failed. Now, only Riley can stop Iradocc before it’s too late. If he doesn’t, the Dark Magic will permeate both worlds, and everyone will die. But can Riley overcome his fears and believe in himself enough to save the world and those he loves?

A Star Appears is the first book in The Star & Cicatrix Legacy series, a magical and enchanting fantasy about family, friendship, loyalty, and courage.

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Book Review of 'Resurgence of Dawn' by Brett Armstrong

Hello Bookworms!

Happy Friday!  Today I am mixing things up a bit and featuring a novel that is out of my normal genre pool.  This year has been about broadening my horizons and reading out of my comfort zone.  I'm not normally a fan of high fantasy, but Brett Armstrong drew me into this world and wow...what an experience!

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this epic novel and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours! 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Resurgence of Dawn by Brett Armstrong hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Resurgence of Dawn
Series: Quest of Fire #5
Author: Brett Armstrong
Publisher: Expanse Books
Release Date: December 12, 2023
Genre: Christian, Epic/High Fantasy, Young Adult

Haunted by tragedies and failures, Anargen and Jason each struggle to find their way. Night has fallen in the Lowlands and neither teen has an easy road ahead. In Anargen’s Era, Monarch Ilyron’s powers and influence grow, forcing Anargen and his dwindling list of allies to travel the length of the Lowlands in a desperate attempt to keep the Quest and all they hold dear from falling into ruin. 

Jason meanwhile must find Aria and her grandfather to help unite the Knights of Light from across the Lowlands against his brother, Dorian. But agents of darkness and painful vestiges of his past mix with vindictive new enemies to make the hope of seeing the dawn of the longed-for King’s Day ever so faint. If either teen gives in and surrenders, doom will come swiftly on their world.  

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Book Review: The Charade by Judy Corry

Series: Eden Falls Academy: Book 1

Publisher: Cherry Blossom Romance

Release Date: May 17, 2021

Genre: Teen & YA Romantic Comedy

My math tutor has one rule: he doesn’t date the girls he tutors at our private school.

But a fake relationship that’s beneficial to us both? That’s a different story.

Our agreement helps Carter get revenge on his ex while it helps me hide the real reason why we’re spending so much time together. Win-win.

Plus, flirting with the hottest guy at school is kind of fun.

As long as the feelings stay as fake as the show we’re putting on, there shouldn’t be a problem. Right?

The Charade is a forbidden romance about the new girl and the guy who everyone sees as untouchable.

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Book Review: The Heart Casts No Shadow by Susan Holt

Publisher: Inlet Publishing

Release Date: February 9, 2020

Genre: Teen & Ya Dystopian

Will Rhonwyn free her heart and her people, or become the pawn of the most dangerous man ever seen?

When her skill at a complex strategy game gives her a way into the palace, Rhonwyn becomes the eyes and ears of the Resistance.

She’s there to help bring down the evil King Risick – the man who seized control and forced her people into his mines. The man who killed Rhonwyn’s father before her eyes, breaking her heart and fracturing her sanity.

Everything changes when she meets a vibrant man who’s also trapped in the palace. Rhonwyn’s not so alone now and her soul begins to heal. But his dangerous secret forces Rhonwyn to choose between the freedom of her people and the love she’s finally found.

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Book Review: Esme's Gift by Elizabeth Foster

Publisher: Odyssey Books

Release Date: November 30, 2019

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Terror was within. Terror was without.
Like her mother, she was at the water’s mercy.

In the enchanted world of Aeolia, fifteen-year-old Esme Silver faces her hardest task yet. She must master her unruly Gift—the power to observe the past—and uncover the secrets she needs to save her mother, Ariane.

In between attending school in the beguiling canal city of Esperance, Esme and her friends—old and new—travel far and wide across Aeolia, gathering the ingredients for a potent magical elixir.

Their journey takes them to volcanic isles, sunken ruins and snowy eyries, spectacular places fraught with danger, where they must face their deepest fears and find hope in the darkest of places.

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Reviewer Tour: Selah's Stolen Dream by Susan Count

Welcome to the Reviewer Tour for Selah's Stolen Dream by Susan Count, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Selah's Stolen Dream

Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations Group
Genre: Clean Youth Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2020 

One girl’s victory is another’s tragic defeat.

Thirteen-year-old Selah’s perfect life unravels when her beloved horse is stolen. Then ten-year-old Emma buys the dream of a lifetime at a horse auction. When she learns the horse was stolen, even removing her hearing aid won’t drown out the voice telling her to make it right.

But two girls can’t divide the horse they both adore. So will life surprise them with an answered prayer?

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Reviewer Tour: Love You, Truly

Welcome to the Review Tour for Love You, Truly by Susan L. Tuttle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Love You, Truly
Author: Susan L. Tuttle 
Publisher: Candlelight Romance
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance  
Release Date: December 15, 2019

Blake Carlton, the camera-shy son of Hollywood’s Darling, dodges the invasive limelight and scripted relationships that so often accompany fame.  But when his mother’s popularity declines and she falls into a depression, he offers himself up as the next bachelor on a reality show, hoping to reignite interest in her career while creating a way for them to finally connect.

After her fiancé dumps her for her best friend, aspiring photographer Harlow Tucker is done with romance—until her beloved, disabled sister requests her aid to start a nonprofit.  Harlow agrees to do whatever is needed to raise funds, even reluctantly costarring on a dating show with a notorious womanizer who distrusts anyone behind a lens.

As Blake and Harlow navigate the superficiality of a reality show, their preconceived notions of love are challenged.  Deciding to trust each other feels like the ultimate risk, but taking that chance could lead to a love truly picture-perfect, worth both of their hearts.

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Hidden Women

With the release of Hidden Figures in 2016 many have realized the importance that mathematicians, or "human computers" as they were otherwise known, were in the Space Race in the 1950's and 1960's.  There were exceptional women who worked behind the scenes.  They were the Hidden Women.

Hidden Women is the incredible story of four women African-American mathematicians who were momentous in the NASA program and the space race.  They worked behind the scenes, fought to overcome sexism as well as racial strife, and overcame it all, becoming instrumental in the NASA program.

As I read this book I was awe-struck by the strength that each woman incapsulated.  To go through what they went through and do what they did is so inspiring!  They helped put a man on the moon as well as broke barriers not only for their race but also their gender.  After reading this book I wonder how different the journey to the moon would've been without these incredible women.

Hidden Women is well written, fast paced, and incredibly informative.  It is geared towards an 8-12 year old audience but I believe older audiences would also enjoy it.  Highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Capstone and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Assassins' America

Over the years there have been numerous assassination attempts on the President of the United States.  According to Wikipedia, there have been more than 30 attempts on the president's life and four attempts were successful.  Being from Dallas, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is still talked about to this day in our area, and everyone knows about President Abraham Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre, but what about the other two presidents that were murdered in cold blood while in office, and what about the men that assassinated them?

Jessica Gunderson and Joe Tougas tackle this tough subject, wanting to "examine the lives of each killer and his victim," in Assassins' America.

Published by Capstone, this book targets children ages nine to fifteen, but is still informative for an older audience as well.  It is extremely well written, well researched, and does not diminish the violent acts in which each presidents was assassinated, or the depiction of their killers.  There are a few little facts that are left out but they are nothing that takes away from the validity of the each individual stories.  The book is laid out in an easily readable format, which could be used for teaching as well as casual reading.

I was refreshed on my knowledge of Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy, both their lives and their deaths, and learned a lot about Presidents Garfield and McKinley, who's lives and assassinations I knew very little about.  What's heartbreaking is how public each assassination was.  I cannot imagine what the spectators of these horrific acts experienced.  I also found it extremely interesting that this book delved into the killers minds and circumstances during that time.  Years later my heart still hurts for these presidents and my mind wonders how different America would be if any of them had lived to carry out their terms.

Assassins' America is currently only available for purchase through Capstone and is actually broken down into four individual volumes, each focusing on one president.  I highly recommend this book for young adults as well as teachers and libraries.  Wonderful resource! 

*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Capstone and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Grace in the Mirror

Who doesn't love a good fairy tale?  What about a fairy tale with a contemporary twist?  That's exactly what you get with Grace in the Mirror by Kristy Tate.

Grace James is a sixteen year old girl who's life has been turned completely upside down.  She is having to move from her home with her mother, older sister, and younger brother and live with her mother's parents in Santa Magdalena, away from her friends.   Grace's father has been deployed which adds to the difficulty her family is facing but then there is the transition to a new town with a new school where she doesn't know anyone.

To help out her family financially, Grace takes a job at an antique shop and soon strange things begin to happen to her.  She starts to hear voices, tiny men are following her everywhere she goes, and she is continuously mistaken for someone named Blanche.

Grace makes friends quickly and adjusts to life in Santa Magdalena, and dealing with her selfish grandparents, as more oddities continue to happen.  The entire story is definitely geared towards a teen audience but intermingled is fairy tale hints which keeps the reader intrigued.

Grace and Brock (the antique shop owner's son) are two characters that you easily fall in love with and root for the entire story.  There is enough mystery to keep you turning the pages, but the ending leaves you with more than a few questions than answers.

All in all I say this was a fun read.  It's definitely a young adult book but it was cute.  The only thing were a few of those unresolved issues that I hope will find resolution in the next installment.  If you love fairy tales and innocent romance with a touch of suspense you will like Grace in the Mirror.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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The King of Average

My last few review books have been more on the serious side.  There's nothing wrong with wanting books that challenge your mind but every once in awhile you want to read a book that is just fun to read.  I thought it would be fun if my next book could be a book that both me and my eleven year old son could read and review together.  The King of Average by Gary Schwartz was perfect for both of us!

From the beginning of the story my son E said he could relate to the main character, James.  I completely agree.  Your heart goes out to this poor young man especially when you read about his relationship with his mother.  James was never wanted and his mother continuously reminds him of that fact.  E thanked me for always showing him love and never being like that with him.  I even got an "I love you," and a kiss on the cheek.  Such a precious moment!

James is an eleven year old boy who wants nothing more than to be average.  So much so that he is suddenly whisked away to a magical land who needs a king, a king of Average to be exact.  As the story unfolds you fall more in love with James and each of his companions who accompany him on his journey to Average.

James is a wonderful boy with an amazing heart despite living with the pain of his father leaving him at a young age and his mother constantly reminding him that life would be better without him.  It seemed to both me and E that the more James wanted to be average the more he realizes that he was not average at all!  His journey to Average shows him that he is not what his mother says.  He is someone special!

There are some wonderful illustrations throughout the book by Nicole Armitage that really help capture the characters.

E is a slower reader than his mama and is still reading but I cannot wait until he's done to find out what he thinks of the ending.  For the most part, I loved the ending.  My only wish was that there would've been more of the story with James returning from Average to his normal life and to see if the dynamic between him and his mother has changed now that he had grown so much as a person.

The King of Average is a wonderful story with fantasy characters and places that parallel true to life people and circumstances that we all face one time or another in our lives.  All of us have been at that place where we struggle to believe in ourselves but as The King of Average shows, with faith, perseverance, and support you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

ETA: After posting my review on Amazon the author commented on my review to let me know that he is currently working on a sequel to explore the mother/son relationship further in the book, Realm of Possibilities.  I can't wait! 

I received a complementary copy of this book through Reading Deals in exchange for an honest review

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First Light

When I walk into a bookstore or browse Amazon looking for my next book to devour my first place to venture to is not to the romance section.  If you've heard one love story you've heard them all, am I right?  I'm more of a suspense, mystery, or non-fiction gal myself but after reading First Light I might have to give love a chance again. 

I have to admit when I started reading I wasn't really sure if I was going to like this story but was pleasantly surprised.  I figured out quite quickly that I was reading a fairy tale that felt extremely familiar yet different at the same time.  I quickly fell in love with Adrielle, the main character, as well as numerous other enchanting characters including fairies and a prince! 

I love how simple the authors writing style is yet I could see every scene in my mind's eye.  I ended the book with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.  I can't wait to see where the next book in the series is going to go.  It is suppose to develop another characters story, Cecelia, who just happened to be one of my favorite characters in this book.  Can't wait!

Even if you're not into romance but would like a fun, easy read this is for you!

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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