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Writing, Reading, and Rural Life With a Border Collie

Category Archives: Book Reviews – Fiction


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XMAS BOOK BASH #4: Will New Xmas Story Go Down in History?

The Greatest Reindeer

By Greg S. Paris, Indie author (2023)

Genre: Fiction/Children’s Christmas Tale

Pages: 199 (Paperback)

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen… But do you recall the greatest reindeer of all, Kris’s closest friend and protector, Cedric? He didn’t have a shiny nose, but Cedric shines bright in the pages of this expertly crafted blend of magic, myth, legend, and a betrayal that changed everything.

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XMAS BOOK BASH #2: New Twist on Old Christmas Tale in ‘The Bishop’s Knight’

Deck the halls with steak and T-bone, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!

What? Did I leave something out? That nice, juicy cheeseburger just sitting there on Mom’s plate? Well. Somebody had to eat it.  But I think Mom’s forgotten about that. So let’s not remind her, okay? 

Anywho, we’re ramping up on our holiday spirit with another Christmas book-ish review. It’s called The Bishop’s Knight. It’s kinda unsual-ish. (New word I just made up.) I’ll let Her Royal Momness fill ya in:

The Bishop’s Knight: A Christmas Story

By Mark Ready, Indie Author (November 2023)

Pages: 84

Genre: Fantasy/Christmas

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You won’t find a miniature sleigh or eight tiny reindeer in Mark Ready’s fantasy novella, The Bishop’s Knight. But this nimble ‘Christmas story’ is a quick and compelling read.

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‘Maggie and the Mountain of Light’ Shines Bright

Maggie and the Mountain of Light: A Wayfinder Girls Novel

By Mark Snoad (Monarch Educational Services, 2023)

Genre: Fiction/Middle Grade

Pages: 212 (Paperback, incl. Epilogue)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Light the path, lead the way…”

The Basics

Twelve year-old Maggie Thatcher gets more than she bargained for when her weekend at camp turns into a giant all-or-nothing race to save the world from a fate (and Fae?) worse than death in this charming middle grade fantasy.

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Babylonian Saga Not Our Cuppa

Son of Babylon

By Daniel Pugsley

Indie author, 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 335 (paperback); 385 (Kindle)

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is set in Babylon during the tumultuous reign of King Hammurabi. The story revolves around one of the king’s sons, Bani, and his quest to become king. There’s lots of palace intrigue and court politics in between. Also betrayals, lies, spymasters, treachery and double crosses. When Bani’s mother is murdered by a jealous rival and he is shipped off to another country as a “hostage,” the stakes get even higher.

A prophecy foretells that Bani will some day hold the fate of his nation in his hands. But Bani’s not so sure. Frankly, neither are we.

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Wrapping Up ‘Silverskin’

Silverskin

By Caitee Cooper

Laughing Elk Press, September 2023

Genre: Fiction/Thriller/Supernatural Fantasy/ Romance

Pages: 336

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“They only have as much power as you give them.”

“Aaaaaaargh!”

Kimber: There goes Her Momness again, articulate as ever. We just finished this thriller-ish book. And have conflicting opinions. I’ll let Mom fill ya in:

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“Saintly Imp” & A Bridge in Barstow

 

The Saintly Imp

By Zwahk Muchoney, Indie Author

Published: September 2023

Via: Author Request

Pages: 52

Genre: No idea

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A tiny demon is trying to escape the pit of hell and avoid a return trip at all costs. So Jarilhil “the saintly imp” is sent to earth to “save” Francesco di Pietrodi Bernardone.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

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Full Speed Ahead in ‘The Halcyon Crisis’

The Halcyon Crisis

By Drew Harrison

Indie Author, August 2023

Genre: Fiction/Thriller-Suspense-Action/Adventure

Pages: 295 (incl. Epilogue)

Via: Author Request

Note We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Ahoy, mateys! This is your Kimber speaking. Hands off the New York steaks and no one gets lick-ified!”

What? I’m just trotting out my best impression of “Mr. One,” aka: “Captain One” in this adrenaline rush of a thriller on the high seas thingy. I’ll let Her Momness fill ya in:

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Historical Fiction Weighs Anchor in “Wind Rises”

The Wind Rises

By Timothée de Fombelle

Europa Editions – August 2022

Genre: Historical Fiction/Children’s African History Fiction/Children’s Africa Books/Action & Adventure

Via: Library

Pages: 410

“The things that really matter are those that only one or two people know.”

Once up on a time there was a valley. Lines of elephants dotted its distance. Wind rippled its grasses. Singing insects and swaying giraffes crowded its plains. Hidden by treacherous cliffs, the valley saw the birth of three children: A girl, Alma, and her two brothers, Lam and Soum. There was also a zebra with no stripes. And a little boy who runs away.

“The only reason everyone else in this game are winners is because they’ve lost everything. Everything down to their names and the names of their villages that no longer exist. They’ve lost their children. They have nothing left. And yet they pay for everything.”

 

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‘Blanco and the Starry Night’ Shows Promise

Blanco and the Starry Night

By Calvin Clay

Indie author, 2023

Genre: Fiction – YA/Fantasy

Pages:  243

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Blanco is a thirteen year-old graffiti artist in Los Angeles. He’s a ward of the state. In foster care. Blanco loves art. Paintings. Sculptures. And Van Gogh’s Starry Night, aka: Swirly Sky. All he’s ever really wanted, from as early as he can remember, is a family that wants him. Will a mysterious underground art community fill the bill? And what about the kids in this community who are “saving” art from the evil Master of Shadow? (Think Voldemort and Inkheart’s The Shadow.) Is the “forbidden wing” really haunted? By whom? Why? And what’s up with Smirk?

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OH YEAH! Adventure Abounds in YA ‘Mystery at Sea Edge’

Mystery at Sea Edge: A Monterey Adventure

By: J. Margaret Bell

Publisher: Indie

Genre: Children’s Historical Fiction/Mystery

Pages: 143

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Most of you already know how Mom loves the mountains. All that fresh air. Nature. Hiking. Peace and solitude. Good smells. But Mom also loves the beach and the ocean. Crashing breakers. Squabbling sea gulls. Salt air. And one of her most favorite-ish ocean-ish places in the whole wide world is California’s Monterey Peninsula. (I hear they serve a mighty good clam chowder thereabouts. Remind me to make a note of that, okay?)

Chillin’ at the beach!

So when Mom found this young adult novel that combines Monterey, the beach/ocean, mystery, history, and surfboard loads of adventure, it was like, Cowabunga Dudes and Dudettes! (Don’t tell her I said that, okay? Let’s just keep that our little secret.) I’ll let Mom fill you in. Like this:

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