Hello, friends! I’m sharing the books I read in February. I only post 4 and 5 start reviews. All opinions are my own.

First up is a wonderful children’s book from fellow Story Empire colleague, Nicholas Rossis.

MY REVIEW:
This is a delightful children’s book with perfect illustrations for the story.
It is the tale of a child who loves a restaurant everyone else hates just because the desserts are fabulous.
I loved the rhyming dialogue and the way the parent tries to redirect. But the child is firmly set and adamant that they must go to that restaurant regardless of how horrible everyone thinks it is.
The child has her priorities and that includes wonderfully sweet desserts. The author dedicates the book to his daughter and has coined the phrase, “sweetatarian.” Or in other words, a dessert connoisseur. It makes me want to go find this restaurant and try one of each of these delectable desserts!
It’s well-written, beautifully illustrated and perfect for young children.
I highly recommend it!

MY REVIEW:
How do I begin? This book is the perfect mix of history, paranormal, futuristic, time travel, Angels, and a mission as big as the world!
I met Sam and James in the first book in this series, The Eternal Road. The premise of all of these stories is that when we die, we have a guide to help us on our journey to find our final resting place. Sam was James’ guide.
In this story, the famed racecar driver, Dale Earnhardt is assigned to take Billy Ray Chitwood, another famous racecar driver, to his final resting place. Only he doesn’t show up. We first meet Billy Ray as an old man stuck in the 19th century old Tombstone Arizona where he meets Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Then, Sam and James are called upon to help find the missing soul of Billy Ray.
It’s hard to describe the journey this mission takes them on, but I will say it is a whirlwind of time travel backward and way forward into the future where World War III has decimated the planet. But since that event is in the future, Sam and James must do what they can to prevent it.
The author’s knowledge of the middle east, the languages, and the concept of time travel is stellar. But the final twist in the story is jaw-dropping. The wisdom shared by Archangel Michael blows all religious theories out of the water and I love it! Well-done, Mr. Howell. If you’re ready for an adventure, pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.

MY REVIEW:
I’ve never read a book like this in all my 73 years, and I’ve read thousands of books. It is listed as fiction, but in truth it is more like a memoir.
The story is told through Eshile’s point of view. She is the middle child in a mixed family in the 1970s in Africa. The apartheid is a constant threat to all of their well-being. And the strong lines drawn between whites and blacks are heartbreaking and create devastating circumstances.
This book begins when Eshile is six and continues on through age ten. The author shares many of the native customs and ceremonies and I find them fascinating.
I love how Eshile longs for a good education, for books without torn or missing pages, like the ones in the white schools. Her strongest desire it so be a journalist and expose all the corruption.
The family suffers insurmountable losses as the story unfolds.
But the author leaves it on a hopeful note. This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and can say this book is very well-written and extremely well researched. If you’re looking for something different and thought-provoking, this story is for you.

MY REVIEW:
This book had every element I love in a story. First of all, the setting was so well defined, I felt like I was there. It is set in the small town of Knife’s Edge, Alaska in winter (as the title indicates). I bundled up in a blanket on the couch and read, wishing I’d waited until summer for this one.
Secondly, I loved all the characters. There are so many secrets and unsolved mysteries in the story.
Ophelia is an FBI agent, sent to Knife’s Edge to solve a murder. Brock Osprey is an ex-Navy SEAL who has returned home after serving. He is an intriguing and complicated character, and it’s the same with his three brothers. The man who adopted and raised them as brothers, Hank Osprey, is dead and someone at the FBI wants to know why.
As the story unfolds, the chemistry between Ophelia and Brock is powerful. It’s only natural that they act on that.
As more murders are uncovered, the plot thickens. I was surprised at the reveal and never guessed who had killed the man. And, the author left some threads hanging, so I know there are more stories coming from Knife’s Edge and I’ll be anxiously waiting! If you love a high-stakes adventure in the Alaskan brutal winter, with a strong dose of romance, you will love this book.

MY REVIEW:
The first thing that drew me to this eclectic collection of short stories is the imaginative and compelling cover.
Then I open the book and the stories take me on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Most of the stories are told from a child’s point of view, and many of them are a bit dark. Some illuminate the loneliness of a child and the need for imaginary friends, or as in the story “Fairies,” actual fairies. I think the overall arching theme throughout this collection is how children are victims of whatever calamities their parents are experiencing. Adults often fail to acknowledge how their actions are affecting the children.
It’s hard to pick out favorites from the twenty stories, but “Daffodils” really stands out. It is a tale of complete and utter tragedy turned into hope.
“A Child’s Dream” is another instance of a child’s world upended in the worst and most painful way when both parents die and the child is forced to go live with a grandmother who is not kind and scary. But somehow things have a way of working out sometimes. That’s all I’ll disclose.
“The Hacker” gives a view into the sick and twisted mind of a computer hacker who gets his just reward.
The stories run the gamut and are entertaining, if not thought-provoking. If you’re a fan of short stories and don’t mind a trip to the dark side of life, this collection might be what you are looking for. Each one is well-written and easy to read.
That’s it for February. Short month. 🙂 Still got lots of good reading in. I hope you found something you can’t live without.
Fantastic reviews, Jan! Thanks for sharing!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
My pleasure, Yvette. Thanks for visiting!
Some great reviews for some awesome books. xo
Thanks for stopping by, Darlene!
You have several books that are new to me but look like good reads. I am familiar with John’s latest and that was an excellent read. I don’t read at nearly your pace, but I enjoy reading, so it’s always good to know what’s out there.
Anonymous is me, Dan
I’m glad you enjoyed these book reviews, Dan. And there are definitely some great reads out there! Thanks for stopping by!
Wonderful reviews to share, Jan! Thank you and bravo to all!
Glad you enjoyed the reviews, Natalie. Thanks for visiting!
Wonderful reviews, Jan. More books added to my reading list. Thanks!
I’m happy you stopped by, Mary and that something caught your eye. 🙂 The reading list NEVER shrinks. Have a great day!
Such a lovely review, Jan. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with your readers. Congratulations to Nicholas, Pat, Esther, and Rebecca
My pleasure, John. I enjoyed this journey with Sam and James. Thanks for visiting!
Hi Jan
thanks a lot for your reviews. What hardly ever happens is that we are interested in all these books except Pat Spencer’s. We’ll have a look at them.
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment, Klausbernd! I’m glad these books caught your attention.
Sticks in a Bundle catches my eye. The setting, the point-of-view from a young person, even the cover. It looks like you had a good month of reading, Jan!
I’m so glad Sticks In A Bundle caught your attention, Priscilla. The story was unlike anything I’ve ever read and it often felt more like a memoir than fiction. Yes, I had a great month of reading. Thanks for visiting!
Thank you, Priscilla! If you chose to read Sticks in a Bundle, I’d love to hear what you think. Are you an author?
Thank you, Jan. I appreciate your kind words and support. It is a pleasure to be among such fabulous people.
Thanks for stopping by, Pat! It was my pleasure to share your books with my readers!
Fantastic reviews, Jan, and wonderful of you to share them here! Congratulations, authors!
I’m always happy to share great reads, Tim! Thanks for stopping by!
I think all except one are Indies. That’s spectacular!
True! I love supporting Indie authors and music artists! Thanks for visiting, Jacqui.
Fantastic reviews, Jan! I enjoyed the first two and completely agree, John knocked it way out of the park with that ending. I have The Storm waiting for me in my Kindle. Xo
Wonderful, Denise. I think you will enjoy The Storm. Thanks for adding your recommendations!
Brilliant reviews Jan and agree with you recommendations for John and Pat and thanks for the introduction to the others.
Thank you for stopping by, Sally. Glad you enjoyed the reviews! 💕
You wrote great and very helpful reviews. I’ve read the two first ones and I certainly agree with your reviews.
Wonderful, Thomas. So glad you enjoyed the reviews and thanks for adding your recommendations!
Hi Jan, you’ve read some great books. I also enjoyed Esther’s and Nicholas’s, John’s is in my TBR.
Fantastic, Robbie. You are in for a treat!! Thanks for stopping by and adding your recommendations!
My pleasure, Jan
I’ve seen wonderful reviews for Nicholas’s and John’s books (waiting on my Kindle). Esther’s cover really grabs my attention. Congrats to the authors!
The new book from Nicholas is a super quick and fun read, and I love that it was inspired by his daughter, who he declares is a “sweetatarian.” 🙂 Esther’s cover was what drew me to the book. I hope you enjoy if you should pick it up. It’s on the dark side, but entertaining. Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoyed the Nicholas Rossis book. I have John W. Howell’s on my Kindle. Fantastic reviews, Jan.
Thanks for stopping by, Beem! And thanks for the added kudos for Nicholas’s newest!
I, too, can highly recommend Detour on the Eternal Road. The other books sound compelling as well! Sharing.
Fantastic, Liz. Thank you for stopping by and adding your recommendations!
You’re welcome, Jan!
A wonderful bunch of reviews, Jan. I’ve read almost all of these and share your thoughts – fantastic reads. “Dead of Winter” is the only one I haven’t cracked open, so I appreciated the thoughtful comments and recommendation there most of all. Kudos to Nicholas, John, Pat, Rebecca, and Esther on the excellent reviews!
Thanks for adding your recommendations, Diana. I learned about Esther’s book from your blog. 🙂 Dead of Winter is a wonderful read, but as I said I wish I would have waited until summer to read it. 🙂
Lol
All great reviews by talented writers, Jan. I read Nicholas’ charming children’s book, and completely forgot to do the review. I am so far behind on my TBR, list I don’t know how I’ll catch up!
Thanks for stopping by, Joy. And I am right there with you about the TBR. In fact, I mentioned that in my post today. I’ll never get through it in this lifetime. 🙂 What a problem to have, right?
A great selection – and thank you so much for including my book here. “Sticks in a bundle” looks particularly relevant to today’s context. Thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks for visiting, Nicholas. I was happy to include your new children’s book in these reviews. Sticks in a Bundle is an eye-opening read.