I have had a wonderful month of reading and discovered two new authors. To me, that is part of the joy of reading, to explore. All reviews are strictly my own opinion. I only post 4 and 5 Star reviews.
MY REVIEW:
A wonderful holiday story that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. Grace Donovan has moved with her six-year-old daughter, Cassie, to a new town. She is hopeful her daughter, who has Leukemia, can participate in a trial treatment program. What she hasn’t bargained for is the kindhearted school principal that sets her heart racing. Widowed, Grace has not considered falling in love again.
But Cassie wants to see her mother happy and her Christmas wish is for someone to make her mother smile again. Well, and she also wants a puppy.
I loved all the characters from Avery, who quickly befriends Cassie, to Kyle the handsome school principal, and his twin brother, Keith. They are all realistic and believable.
This story has all the elements to create a wonderful holiday tale. From children to puppies, a sleigh ride, and a romance, it has it all. This is a short two-hour read and well worth the time. Jacquie Biggar is a talented writer and has the ability to draw the reader into the story with the characters. I highly recommend this story for any time of year, but especially around the holidays.
MY REVIEW:
This is the final book in The Lanternfish Series, and I have to say it is an epic adventure from beginning to end. In this segment of the series, we see James Cutler go into debt to refurbish The Lanternfish and put her into service to help put an end to the horrible war between the Hollish and Prelonians. Only this time, his journey takes him from the high seas to a land war with adventures and mind-boggling risks galore. We see all of our favorite characters, Fala, Dan, Serang, Mal, Mule, Biscuit Bill, the Root Monsters, and the Palumbos play important roles in this part of the story. There is non-stop action from the time the Lanternfish sets sail until James returns to his home and wife. The author did a great job of wrapping up all the loose ends for each of the many characters, including the Root Monsters. While I enjoyed all the adventure, the final wrap-up, and many happy endings had me smiling through a tear or two, especially with the lovable Root Monsters. If you love fantasy, action, a little magic, and a whole lot of realism, you will enjoy this entire series. I do highly recommend you start with book 1 and work your way through the trilogy to fully understand the final segment. Kudos to the author for this tremendous undertaking!
MY REVIEW:
This is a very short read and highly entertaining. A theater constructed in 1917 was repurposed and turned into a college in Shreveport, Louisiana. Professor Aston Ross Goldsmith taught in the English department. Everyone had left the building for Christmas break. Professor Goldsmith was packing up to leave when the floor suddenly gave away under him and he fell into a sealed vault with a skeleton and a diary. Convinced he was hallucinating having received a concussion from the fall, he couldn’t believe the ghost of the skeleton was conversing with him. What a mystery that unfolded. I won’t leave any spoilers, but let’s just say the good professor’s Christmas was certainly not dull.
MY REVIEW:
Gisele is a warm and caring young woman who has moved to the Gingerbread Lodge nestled in the Pennsylvania mountains to help her aging aunt run the business. Even though Gisele’s mother (her Aunt Minerva’s sister) is disappointed that Gisele doesn’t want to remain a part of their hugely successful hotel empire, Gisele wants more meaning from life. And she loves her aunt, as well as the lodge where she spent many of her growing-up summers. This story reunites Gisele with a teenage sweetheart and despite the difficulties and obstacles they face, they know it’s fate that has thrown them back together. This is a heart-warming story that is just perfect for the holiday season. It combines all the elements of a gorgeous old lodge, loving aunt, long-lost love, a snowstorm, and a reunited family. If you are looking for a lighthearted read with a warm fuzzy ending, this is perfect for you. I could smell all the delicious cookies both Aunt Minerva and Giselle baked.
MY REVIEW:
A YA novel that every teenage girl should read! Cecilia (CiCi) is on top of the world. It’s her junior year in high school. She’s co-captain of the cheerleading squad, dates the hottest guy in school, Ryan, has a constant BFF, Dee, and lives with her mother in an upscale house. She has everything any young girl could want. Her world falls apart when her mother remarries. Now with a step-dad and step-sister, things change rapidly. The most compelling part of this story is the way CiCi attempts to deal with the horrors that are inflicted on her. The author did a fabulous job of staying in a teenager’s point of view, but at the same time giving CiCi some good coping skills and insights. I do not want to spoil this story for the reader, but it does deserve a warning as it deals with forced rape. What I took away from the novel is a deep sadness that rape happens way too often to teenage girls and that so often, they are terrified to say anything, afraid no one will believe them. The story has a warm and satisfying ending with immense character growth. Kudos to this author for tackling such a sensitive topic in an honest and tactful way. I highly recommend this book!
MY REVIEW:
Journey 9 begins with Haldis leaving Emlyn, Zasha, and Osabide trapped in a different realm within the lost library. There are floating doors to choose from and each holds danger as well as magical possibilities. The urgent mission is to restore Zasha back to herself and release her from the grips of Fotia, another life from centuries past. Thyrus the dragon is only one of the Listeners the trio meets in this realm. And it is Thyrus who restores Zasha back to her current self. At times, he seems helpful and other times he grows vicious. What I enjoy the most is watching Emlyn grow in confidence and strength throughout this journey. She is a far cry from the girl we met in Journey 1. In the meantime, the army of the dead is amassing and danger lurks around every corner. Magical and fantasy are words I would use to describe these journeys. I found more typos in this segment of the story than any of the others, but still not enough to keep me from turning the pages.
MY REVIEW:
In this segment of the Journey, Emlyn, Zasha, and Osabide face intensely unimaginable adventures, from the shocking death of Haldis to being separated from the rest of their party. The responsibility now lies completely with these three to rebuild the veil. Hallr, the King of the Dead, passes the third and missing staff to Emlyn and what a personality change he undergoes. With Emlyn’s guidance, the three pass through the painting of Pergesca on the wall inside the library, and into the realm of the dead where they are met by a giant venomous snake. Thyrus, the dragon comes to their rescue, but there are some very tense moments. Emlyn is overwhelmed by the city of Pergesca once they arrive. It is beyond anything she’s imagined. She enjoys the food that is different from anything she’s ever had. She’s never seen a restaurant. I am worried for Zasha as she left Osabide and Emlyn to go to the hall of the Daes Matres, but she hasn’t returned. I can’t wait to see what adventures await these three next. And what a gorgeous cover this book has! As others have said, I do recommend that you start with Journey 1 if you decide to read this fantasy. Otherwise, you will be lost.
That’s it. I hope you found something new to pique your interest!
Thanks for sharing your reviews Jan. You always help me fatten my Kindle, lol 🙂 x
Lol, Debby. We wouldn’t want our Kindles to get too lean. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Great reviews, Jan! I’ve read most of them and agree they are great reads. I see one I need to add to my reading list 🙂
Thank you for stopping by leave a comment, Denise! And, I’m glad you found a new one.
Fabulous reviews to share, Jan! Bravo to all, and happy new year, too! 🙂
Thank you, Natalie! Happy New Year!
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Great selection Jan.. I have The Wreck of the Lanternfish waiting for me… and looking forward to it.. reading Jacquie’s at the moment..congratulations to all the authors…Happy 2022.. ♥
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, Sally! And thank you for reblogging!
Pleasure Jan.. great selection…♥
Hi Jan. Congrats to everyone else. I’m glad you like the series. After reading your remarks about Journey 9, I asked two people to go back and find those typos you mentioned, and they couldn’t find them. If you could please let me know where and what you mean, I’d very much like to fix them. Quality is important to me.
Happy New Year.
Hi, Teagan. I will have to find the time to go back and wish I had marked them, but for you, love, I will do it. Love the series and Emlyn’s journey is amazing! I love seeing her growth. Happy New Year!
I tried posting this before, but I guess I had some technical difficulties. 😉 Thank you so much for your incredible review of HYPE. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. All of your reviews were great! Great post, Jan! 🙂
You are most welcome, Yvette! I loved the story and meant every word of my review. Thank you for chiming in and Happy New Year!
Fabulous reviews, Jan. A wonderful reading December.
Thank you, Robbie, for stopping by! I appreciate your support!
Great list. I’m already familiar with many of these, but you have me intrigued with a couple of new ones. Happy reading and writing in 2022, Jan!
That is always good to hear, Pete! Thanks for stopping by!
A great list, Jan. I’ve read and enjoyed Jacquie’s book and have some of the others on my radar. Happy New Year!
Thank you for stopping by, Joan. I’m glad you enjoyed the reviews. Happy New Year!
So many great reviews, Jan. I read and enjoyed Jacquie’s book and a few of the others on my Kindle and TRB. Congratulations to all the authors!
Thank you for stopping by, Mae. My long TBR list grows faster than I can read. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Great reviews, Jan. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure, John. Thanks for stopping by!
😁
Thanks for making my day, Jan! I see a few new books to add to my 2022 (can you believe it??) reading list, as well. Happy New Years!
Lol, Jacquie. Yes, I can believe it. My reading list stretches backward several years. One day I’m going to get them all read! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Love Me was such a good story!
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
I came home from a snow adventure to find this wonderful review for Love, Me! Thank you, Jan Sikes, for making my New Years brighter!
Thank you for reblogging, Jacquie!
I see some familiar names and some new ones! Thanks so much for sharing your reviews, Jan.
Always a pleasure, Mar! Thank you for stopping by!
Great reviews, Jan! I’ve read Jacquie’s book and need to add the others to my tbr. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, Kymber. I’m glad some of the books grabbed your attention!
Awesome reviews, Jan! I’ve got most of these waiting for me.
Thanks for stopping by, Teri! I’m glad you enjoyed the reviews and hope you enjoy the stories as much as I did.
Great reviews, Jan! Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed Jacquie’s book…looks like more to download on my packed Kindle!
Lol, Jill. I totally understand. I just know someday my Kindle is going to balk and refuse to add any more books. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
I’ve wondered if there is a limit to how many books the Kindle will hold. 🙂
Thanks for including me with these stellar authors. Glad you enjoyed Lanternfish.
My pleasure, Craig. You did a great job of wrapping up this trilogy!
Oh my, more great books for my kindle! Thank you for sharing these excellent reviews, Jan. 😊
Lol, Gwen. I totally understand. I am afraid my Kindle will one day tell me it’s reached its capacity. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and sharing!