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Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic

Rufus & Magic, #3

by

Marilyn Levinson

 

Rufus meets his Uncle Hector, a rich and powerful witch with an evil reputation whom he never knew existed, at the annual Samhain celebration.

 

Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic is the third book in author Marilyn Levinson’s fun and exciting children’s fantasy series, featuring 5th-grade magic initiate Rufus Breckenridge and his family and friends. When the Breckenridge family attends the annual Samhain night celebration, they are surprised when Hector, Rufus’s father’s brother, shows up during the evening’s fireworks display. 

Rufus realizes Uncle Hector has come to the party looking for him even though they’ve never met before. Hector leaves after making eye contact with his young nephew; however, on the way home, Grandma Lavinia and Aunt Ruth caution Rufus to stay away from the evil witch, and for good reasons. But later that night, Uncle Hector makes another surprise visit, this time outside Rufus’s bedroom window. 

Rufus finds his uncle charming and fun and is persuaded to pursue a relationship with him despite his family’s warnings and without his parents’ knowledge. Uncle Hector has a beautiful estate but soon expresses some ideas and uses some magical spells that are contrary to what Rufus has been taught are right. But has Rufus gotten too close to his uncle to come clean with his family and escape his evil demands? 

Except for his magical gifts, Rufus is the epitome of what regular fifth-grade boys are like, and it was easy to understand how he was persuaded to disobey his parents and embrace the lavish lifestyle his uncle offered him. He is tempted to try out spells on his friends, even though he knows it is wrong to take advantage of them in this way, and crossing that line causes him to rethink his choices. Young readers will find the relationship between Rufus and his little sister, Griselda, relatable, and even younger children will be able to understand the lessons presented in the book when read aloud. The chapters are short enough to provide easy stopping points, and even though this is the third book in the series, the story can be read as a stand-alone. Readers new to the series should have no trouble jumping into the story at this point. 

With its themes of friendship, respecting boundaries, the use of power, and respecting parental rules, there are numerous opportunities for further discussion and enrichment. I recommend RUFUS AND THE DARK SIDE OF MAGIC to upper-elementary and middle-grade fantasy readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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The Dream Lives On

by

Valeriya Goffe

 

Family secrets, a tense journey to safety, and hope for the future.

 

The Dream Lives On is a wonderful tale of adventure, romance, and family secrets that will seize the interest and warm the hearts of fiction lovers. As war comes to Ukraine, widower Viktor Yurchenko leaves his homeland for the safety of the United States with his large family, including three young children and his elderly mother. 

Viktor, a professor of finance at the local university, must put his personal desires to enlist in the military and defend his country from the Russian attacks; he’s the single father of three young children and the caretaker of his elderly mother, who has recently begun to decline physically. In the U.S., what Teresa Jameson thought was her happy family suddenly disintegrated when her husband of 16 years left her for the mother of his secret teenage daughter. In a surprising turn of events, Teresa agrees to open her home to a friend’s Ukrainian relatives fleeing the war, even as her shock and misery threaten to overtake her. 

The plot is riveting and well-paced as the various storylines converge. Long-held family secrets and plot twists galvanized the ensuing drama and kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how things would work out and what could possibly happen next. 

The author’s writing style and vivid descriptions make the scenes come frighteningly alive, such as the family’s journey to escape separation and the destruction of war and Maria and Olena’s scramble to get to safety when Kyiv comes under the attack of Russian forces. However, quieter scenes between characters are equally effective and, at times, intense, with emotions that leap off the page. 

With its frighteningly authentic portrayal of a country at war, exciting plot, and relatable and resilient characters stuck in the middle of it all, I recommend THE DREAM LIVES ON to readers of fiction, historical fiction, romance, and war-time stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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The Winter Sorcerer and the Summer Witch

by

D. Lieber

 

An “opposites attract” spark sets off a delightful slow-burn romance in this magical marriage of convenience tale!

 

The Winter Sorcerer and the Summer Witch by D. Lieber is an absolutely delightful tale combining an ‘opposites attract’ and slow-burn romance with a marriage of convenience storyline. I enjoyed this book so much that I’m still smiling about it days later! 

Winter sorcerer Whittaker “Whit” Crawford must marry before the upcoming winter solstice, or his grandfather is going to change his will and leave the ancestral home, the only home Whit has ever known and has lovingly restored room by room, to a cousin with children. As all the winter witches he’s familiar with tend to be very cautious, careful planners and loath to make any decision without time-consuming deliberations, time Whit doesn’t have, he puts his chances of marrying one before the deadline as slim to none. Depressed and in need of cheering up, Whit and his best friend secretly crash a Halloween party in the woods held by the summer faction. There, he rescues a summer witch named Clover from the annoying attentions of one of the other guests. He is surprised and intrigued when she rewards his actions with a kiss. The next day, he begins to wonder if Clover Bronwen might be the answer to his problems. 

Clover and Whit are an adorably fun and relatable pair, both with hopes and dreams that aren’t much different from each other, although she’s sunshiny and spontaneous while he’s deliberate and far from impulsive – usually. They are perfect for each other. Their interactions, as they got to know each other, made me smile from the start, and I was all in for them to overcome all obstacles on their way to a happy ending. 

While the plot has all the earmarks of several romance tropes, they are combined with an unusual backstory that makes them feel fresh, fun, and exciting. The existence of two factions of magic users, based on the seasonal solstices of winter and summer, was an intriguing element that set up a wildly different “mixed marriage” scenario. Their slow-burn romance progressed at a pace that kept me completely engaged, making me read “just one more chapter” again and again. 

I recommend THE WINTER SORCERER AND THE SUMMER WITCH to romance readers who enjoy a paranormal element in their stories and fresh takes on the opposites attract, sunshine/grumpy, marriage of convenience, or slow-burn romantic tropes. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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The Rise of the Mad March

by

Robert Espenscheid, Jr.

 

The birth of a punk rock band, where the music is the thing, but love and family are the results.

 

The Rise of the Mad March by Rober Espenscheid, Jr., is the story of the making, life, and times of a scrappy, groundbreaking punk rock band in early 1970s Iowa. Henry Hollins had sworn to himself that if he got out of Vietnam in one piece, he would follow his heart and pursue a musical career, but it wasn't until a chance meeting with two young female felons at a state-run halfway house for offenders that he would find his path to fulfill his dream. 

While the narrative follows Henry Hollins's journey, it is truly an ensemble tale as he builds his band with three talented young women, a novelty even today. Individually, each of his new band members has a tragic backstory, but together, they find the support and family they need to heal. Just like any family, they don't always see eye-to-eye, and there are some epic disagreements. But they always return to each other with love. 

The plot tells the story of the band's formation, early days, and eventual success. I was surprised by how much work went into getting them to a point where they could take the stage to perform in front of a live audience. One of my favorite storylines was about the significant impact a seasoned sound engineer can have on the success of a live gig. Several serendipitous encounters of this type made all the difference in the band's trajectory. The relationships among the band members were very fluid, but they ultimately formed into a family, which gave the women a place of safety, love, and trust where they could finally heal from the traumas they had experienced in their pasts. However, neither their safe place nor the band's success prevents life from throwing the members another curveball. 

The story is easy to read except for one issue I encountered. I did have some trouble with the flow of the dialogue. Early on, the exchanges between characters felt choppy; the replies didn't quite align with what the characters were responding to at the time. This was particularly true of discussions between Henry and his wife, Esther. Sometimes, I couldn't really understand what she meant. Still, I was riveted to the story until the very last page. 

I recommend THE RISE OF THE MAD MARCH to readers of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in the music industry and punk rock bands. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Light Roast Larceny

Coastal Coffee Mystery, #1

by

Kate Montgomery

 

Great characters and an intriguing plot combine for an absorbing tale of mystery and murder.

 

Light Roast Larceny is the first book in Kate Montgomery’s intriguing new Coastal Coffee Mystery series. With its likable and relatable characters and fascinating plot, I was completely absorbed by the story from start to finish and absolutely ready for book two. 

The main character, Graciella “Cici” Larkin, is a recently laid-off twenty-something with two feisty little dogs and Brad, her very supportive husband, and living in a well-established Miami suburb of long-term older residents. When Francine, an elderly neighbor, has her wallet stolen and encounters disrespect and dismissal by local law enforcement, Cici steps in to advocate for serious action. While at the police station, she meets new employee and Louisiana bayou transplant, Officer Chandra Boudreaux, and the young women’s friendship quickly grows over their shared love of coffee and the delicious local breakfast pastries. They soon discover there’s been a rash of petty thefts occurring in Cici’s neighborhood over the previous couple of months, all targeting elderly residents who are treated in the same disappointing manner as Francine, and all dismissed with the pronouncement that they’ve just lost or forgotten where they’ve put their missing items. 

I really enjoyed this story for its fun characters and plot revolving around the elderly victims. Cici is such a well-developed, relatable, and memorable character with her reactions to being suddenly laid off, dealing with her unpleasant, self-appointed neighborhood watchdog, Edna Sparks, and her daily struggle for inspiration and producing an edible meal for the dinner table each night. Brad is a joy as he lends his support to her joint investigation with her new energetic, go-getter friend, Chandra. All three are dedicated coffee and breakfast enthusiasts, and the descriptions of their various meals and ethnic pastries are mouthwatering and serve to introduce Chandra to a new love interest. 

While elderly victims are not new in fiction, this story takes this theme further, with the wholesale gaslighting of the victims taking centerstage. Readers ‘of a certain age’ or those with close relationships with older individuals will easily relate to these victims’ treatment. This tactic literally angered me as I read, and I could relate to the characters’ frustration and humiliation. These vital, competent adults were, within seconds of the start of their interview, discredited and deemed unreliable and unworthy of further attention because of their perceived age. 

The perpetrators are gradually revealed, and a key element of the case remained elusive until almost the very end. However, even after the final reveal, I had questions regarding the motive for the mostly petty thefts. There doesn’t seem to be much return on investment for the extensive setup, as according to the story itself, until Gerald, the values of the items involved were minor and many of sentimental value only. Still, the story was a page-turner; I had to find out how it would all turn out. 

I recommend LIGHT ROAST LARCENY to cozy mystery fans, especially those with an affinity for coffee or those who enjoy stories featuring more mature characters. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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Love and the Divorce Lawyer

by

Barbara Newhart

Clever plot, engaging characters, and a heck of an entertaining tale!

 

Love and the Divorce Lawyer is a new legal thriller by author Barbara Newhart and with its clever plot full of devious twists and turns and engaging and vulnerable characters, it is one heck of an entertaining tale. It's been four years since divorce lawyer Josephina Jensen appeared in a courtroom, which was when she was shot multiple times by her own client. Now, as a favor to her brother, Josie takes on a problematic case to compel a woman's stubborn ex-husband to comply with the court's orders for their divorce settlement. Unfortunately, the man's attorney is Richard Diamond, an old rival who handed her a most humiliating defeat years earlier and one of the best in the business. Reluctant to return to the work and place of her injuries, Josie also discovers her husband, one of the medics who rushed to save her life that awful day, is now cheating on her. 

Josie's past is tragic, but she persevered, healed, and built a new life as a law professor with her new husband. It was achingly sad when Luke's infidelity was revealed to her in such a spectacularly hurtful manner. The clients who come her way, too, have their own stories of betrayal and loss of love and shared futures. I liked how Josie's unusual and supportive family, her faith, and her synagogue work helped sustain her through her hard times. 

Opposing counsel Richard Diamond is a complex and driven man. Coming from a hard childhood, he's determined to create the most successful and lucrative practice possible. His clients come from the wealthiest sector of society, where failure is not an option, so many of his strategies seemed downright cold. Many of his clients are calculating jerks, bordering on unhinged. Unknown to most of his acquaintances, Rich is also Jewish and is a new member at the same synagogue as Josie. 

The plot is deceivingly clever, with twists and turns at every corner. There are attacks and dirty tricks aimed at Josie that could have come from more than one possible suspect; trying to intimidate her from acting on more than one possible case had me on the edge of my seat, and Luke's deplorable behavior and text messages had me seething on Josie's behalf. And then there was the mysterious reappearance of the former client to puzzle out. I could not stop reading this book and finished it in just one evening, staying up late with zero regrets. This is perhaps one of the best books I've read this year. 

I recommend LOVE AND THE DIVORCE LAWYER to readers of legal thrillers who enjoy twisty, turny plots, strong female protagonists, and slow-burn romantic attractions between characters. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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The Calendar

by

WM Gunn

 

A suspenseful tale of an asteroid on a collision course with the Earth.

 

The Calendar by WM Gunn is a suspenseful end-of-times tale about the approach of a giant asteroid on a trajectory that will cause it to collide with the Earth or pass so close that the planet will be destroyed in less than a year’s time. The story is filled with how humans, once they know of their impending annihilation, react to the news. 

The author creates numerous diverse vignettes written around a main storyline, stories within the story, featuring the scientists who discover the approaching asteroid, the world leaders who must decide whether or to alert the populace and, if so when the optimum time to do so would occur, and how several regular families or couples or single individuals choose to spend their final days. Each is a special capsule of human emotions and choices made. 

The plot evolves quickly as scientists and politicos scramble for solutions or safety for themselves in some cases. Heroic attempts to divert the terminal event are launched; their participants are fully aware that they are making the ultimate sacrifice so humanity will have a chance at survival. On Earth, while some take advantage to wreak havoc or settle old scores, many more choose to face destruction with courage, kindness, and compassion for their fellow man. These stories are uplifting and hopeful, even as the end comes. The stories are relatable and felt so authentic I couldn’t put the book down; I had to know what would happen to these people. 

With its suspenseful plot of inescapable doom and vignettes of hope and redemption, I recommend THE CALENDAR to readers of apocalyptic and end-of-times tales. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Wined and Died in New Orleans

Vintage Cookbook Mystery, #2

by

Ellen Byron

 

Another fun and delightful cozy mystery from the pen of Ellen Byron/Maria DiRico!

 

Wined and Died in New Orleans is the second book in Ellen Byron's Vintage Cookbook Mystery series, and it is a fitting follow-up to the fantastic debut novel, Bayou Book Thief. After only two books, I've become an ardent fan of this series and know I will be recommending it to friends and family while waiting for the next in line to be born. 

Ricki James-Diaz is such an engaging and relatable character; you can't help but like her and become invested in her success, both with her shop, Miss Vee's, and in her amateur sleuthing. She's endured some hard knocks in her life, starting with her birth. She consciously must work to overcome her anxiety, using positive affirmations, yoga, and calming mantras. I love how she's loyal and protective of her friends and coworkers, and I enjoy the descriptions of her vintage household business, old cookbooks, and kitchenware of times past. In real life, we would probably be bidding competitively against each other! 

The plot is solid, exciting, and flavored by the New Orleans setting, a massive number of recurring and new characters (Don't worry! The author provides a handy cast list at the beginning of the book), and the unrelenting presence of avarice. Jean-Louis, a newly discovered Charbonnet cousin, is a creepily oily and smarmy antagonist that you won't mind disliking and makes for a great antagonist in the story.  He is not the only one, as there are a couple of new faces that will attract a "Dislike" as well. As the plot progresses, there are several good suspects, each with a motive for killing the victim. There are twists in the story that really make things interesting. Additionally, some of the dialogue was so deliciously good that I laughed out loud. 

With its iconic Big Easy setting, an engaging amateur sleuth, vintage kitchen tools, and a puzzle of a murder mystery to resolve, I recommend WINED AND DIED IN NEW ORLEANS to cozy mystery readers who would enjoy a culinary-themed story with a vintage flair and those who enjoyed the first book in the series. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Only in September

by

Cynthia Flowers

 

Sweet and sentimental, sad but ultimately hopeful.

 

In the novella Only in September, Jacqueline French discovers her inner strength to make positive changes in her life while vacationing on a small tear-drop-shaped island off the coast of Rhode Island. She and her spouse, Stephen, have been drifting apart for some time; he is increasingly and happily absorbed in his career, and she is left alone, craving his love and attention until, eventually, it is no longer important to her. While on a week-long stay on Block Island with their dog, Bailey, she slowly comes to realize their interests and visions for their future have diverged, with Stephen’s being the only ones important to him. As Stephen sleeps in every day, Jacqueline and Bailey head to the beach for long, playful walks, where they meet Michael, a kind and handsome older man, and his dog, Serendipity. A comfortable companionship quickly evolves, and it is renewed each September during Jacqueline’s now annual and solo Block Island weekly sojourn. 

Jacqueline yearns for her husband’s attention but eventually realizes that the life they had been building had gotten hijacked somewhere along the way by Stephen’s complete immersion in his work. As she heads toward separation and divorce, her self-worth and value are nourished by Michael’s gentle interest. However, she is confused by his mixed signals about taking their relationship any further and his reluctance to share any information about himself other than his current life and vacation activities on the island. Jacqueline tends to be the pursuer in their relationship and is gently rebuffed and diverted at almost every turn. While I was sensing red flags, all is revealed in the end. 

I recommend ONLY IN SEPTEMBER for readers of women’s fiction. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Shattered Sight

Jackson Davis Mystery, #1

by

Liz Milliron

 

Excellent character-driven police procedural.

 

Shattered Sight is the first book in veteran author Liz Milliron’s new Jackson Davis Mystery series and features experienced Niagara Falls police detective Jackson Davis returning to his normal assignment in the homicide division after spending six months on light duty following an on-the-job accident that ended his partner’s career. Partnered with a brand-new rookie detective, their first case together is the investigation of the death of a successful local businesswoman whose body was found on the bank below the rapids in Niagara Gorge. But as he and his partner work out what happened, they also grope to find a comfortable working relationship with each other, and Jackson struggles through his lingering PTSD from the accident. 

Jackson Davis felt he was past ready to return to his job as a homicide detective but was still unprepared for the rush of emotions and memories that met him when he actually went back to work. The man had suffered a great trauma, one he felt guilty over, and his reactions and feelings to returning to his old routine without his partner, Max, were relatable and heart-wrenching. On top of this, Jackson and his wife, Amy, have a new baby, and life at home is stressful as well. His new partner, Rodney Kirke, has his own private issues, but he’s a go-getter, chomping at the bit to be seen as a fully competent detective from his very first day. Together, they walk a tightrope, with Rodney trying to fit in, not make any mistakes, solve the case, and gain his partner’s acceptance, and Jackson needing to rein in Rodney’s headlong rush to conclusions without quashing his spirit or enthusiasm. It is a realistic scenario, and they are not always successful in dealing with one another. 

The plot is well-paced, and the storyline is compelling as the two detectives set out to cover all the bases, reconstruct the victim’s final days, and develop plausible theories about how and why she ended up in the water of Niagara Gorge. Secrets come to light, and clues are followed with never a slow moment. This book completely kept my interest, and I read for several hours without a break. 

I recommend SHATTERED SIGHT to mystery readers, especially those who enjoy police procedurals and more character-driven police detective murder mysteries. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.