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The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee

by

Ellen Oh

 

Fantastic modern fantasy where the lines between an artist’s webcomic and real-life blur and crossover.

 

The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee is author Ellen Oh’s magical story of a young artist drawn into her own webcomic with unforeseen results. With relatable characters experiencing extraordinary situations in a remarkable setting, I was riveted to the story from start to finish. 

High school senior Mina Lee is a talented artist stymied in her desire to attend art school after graduation rather than going to college and preparing for what, in her father’s mind, is a more practical future. Mina’s artist mother had passed away a couple of years earlier, and both father and daughter are still grieving her loss. Mina’s father has thrown himself into work and business travel, leaving Mina alone often. Mina misses both her mother and her father but is a capable young woman with a good head on her shoulders with definite goals. She hopes a successful webcomic will help convince her father of the merit of allowing her to follow her dream. 

Mina is surrounded by a diverse group of friends and classmates in both her reality and the webcomic. There are a variety of personalities and physical types for readers to meet, especially in her alternate timeline, and the magical powers they display there are imaginative. 

The author is a wonderfully skilled storyteller, and she clearly conveys the intricacies of an alternate timeline: the mechanics, the collateral effects, and the rules of the new world, so I had no trouble understanding the action. The technical aspects were never overwhelming and were easy to follow. The grief the various characters experienced felt so authentic that some scenes were emotional reading. On the other hand, it was fun seeing the different storyline tropes identified and put into action as the story progressed. I thought the resolution/epilogue was amazing and was left wondering if there might not be more to this story in the future. 

The plot involves some serious scenarios, such as the death of a parent, the death of a child, and an abandoned child. These may be hard-hitting for younger readers or those sensitive to these situations. I recommend THE COLLIDING WORLDS OF MINA LEE to upper middle-grade, young adult, and adult readers of fantasy fiction. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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No Small Murder

Mini-Meadows Mystery, #1

by

Lena Gregory

 

A charming new series featuring a fun tiny home community and its delightful residents!

 

No Small Murder is the debut novel of author Lena Gregory's Mini-Meadows Mystery series and will surely delight cozy mystery readers with its tiny home theme. The main character, Emma Wells, has her own business assisting people in downsizing their possessions and easing their transition to smaller living spaces, many of whom become her neighbors in the tiny house community of Mini-Meadows. But when one of her clients arrives at their new home deceased and wrapped up with the furniture, Emma investigates to nab the killer before the murder is pinned on two innocent friends. With de-cluttering and downsizing being such trending topics, I was absolutely drawn to the premise and the plot. 

Emma is the likable and engaging heroine of this fun and compelling story. I liked that after she parted ways with her autocratic father, she made a success of her business, standing steadily on her own two feet. There are already more than enough barely-getting-by amateur sleuths featured in cozy series, so having one doing well, although still building her business, was refreshing. She has a fun group of "ride or die" gal pals, all of whom live and work within the tiny home community. Dialing up the action and entertainment is the sudden arrival of her much-loved and missed Granny Rose, who has come to move in with Emma in her less than 500 square feet of space. They all work together, supporting one another to clear the names of friends caught up in the murder mystery. 

The murder occurred early in the story, and the plot soon took some great twists and turns. There was little waiting for the action to take off. The murder victim was suitably unpleasant, and how the body was disposed of was surprising. There is quite a long list of people who had something against the victim, so there were many viable suspects to consider. I didn't know who the killer was until the reveal. 

This is the first book I've read by this author, and it was quite the page-turner. I got so involved in this story that distractions were no problem to ignore or put on hold for later. I recommend NO SMALL MURDER to cozy mystery readers looking for a charming new series featuring a fun tiny home community with a delightful group of residents. 

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

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It Takes a Forest

by

Jessie Todd Mayfield

Illustrated by Amanda Ravensdale

 

Warm and comforting tale of a community bolstering a mom’s sacrifice.

 

It Takes a Forest is a warm and comforting children’s picture book by Jessie Todd Mayfield that tells the story of a mother’s sacrifice to ensure her baby’s safety and how the larger community steps up to help while she’s away doing what needs to be done. Told from the perspectives of a mother wolf and her cub, the story has clear parallels in the human world. 

When a strong winter storm proves more than what the wolf den can endure, Mama Wolf seeks safety for her young cub with other residents of their forest. Finding room with the badger family, Mama temporarily leaves her baby in their loving and capable hands while she goes back into the winter landscape to improve the den, promising to return when all is well. 

Each page of the book, each step of the story is beautifully illustrated by Amanda Ravensdale, emphasizing the details of Mama’s decision, the young cub’s time with the badger, and how other creatures bring food or materials to make the badger den more comfortable as they accommodate their surprise but welcome guest. While the young cub yearns for his mother to return, the experience is made palatable by the badgers’ complete acceptance and inclusion of the young one, who is different from their own. 

Parents and foster parents will easily pick up on the parallels in the sacrifices that a parent may have to make on behalf of their children, while children will see the mother wolf fulfilling her promise to return after having reinforced the wolf den. Even taken at surface value, the story is a lovely one of everyone coming together when someone needs help. 

I recommend IT TAKES A FOREST for children, young and old, for one-on-one sharing or reading aloud to a group. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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The Queen of Cotton

Texas Brave and Strong, #2

by

Laurie Moore-Moore

 

Exciting, entertaining, and educational!

 

The Queen of Cotton is the second book in author Laurie Moore-Moore’s Texas Brave and Strong series, continuing the historical fiction story of Sara Darnell Brown. This new novel is about Sara’s camel cotton convoy that travels across the state of Texas to get their product to foreign markets at the start of the American Civil War, when the traditional routes were blockaded. This surprising tale is one of overcoming obstacles and hardships, exciting yet terrifying Indian and bandit encounters, rich in historical detail, and full of heart and emotion. 

Sara Brown must once again draw deeply on everything she’s got to get Dallas’s cotton farmers’ crops to market on her own when her husband, Benjamin, joins the Texas Frontier Rangers in protecting the state’s borders. The careful plans he’d made and shared with Sara before mobilizing to the frontier fell through as the men needed to make it work, also left for war. Sara, already fully occupied with getting her mercantile back up and running after the devastating fire in Dallas the previous year, is somewhat familiar with his business and is able to come up with an unusual alternative using camels left over from earlier experiments with their use on the Texas frontier. Although I was aware of the traditional views men held at that time about women’s roles, I was still surprised by some of the characters’ vehement reactions to Sara taking charge. On the other hand, I liked Jonah Watson’s characterization as a large, strong, and capable foreman with an unheard-of classical education. Viewed as a member of the Watson family, he was still enslaved. 

The plot is well-paced, with interesting historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the story, and I loved the appearances by actual historical figures. My emotions were immediately engaged by the leave-takings of the husbands, fiancés, fathers, and sons as they headed to fight for the Confederacy or serve with the Rangers. Many of the women had experienced this same type of separation years before, either during Texas’s fight for independence from Mexico or the Mexican-American War, not knowing if they’d see their loved ones alive ever again. However, they were not given much time to think about it, as their lives and those of their families depended on their continued efforts to move forward. 

I recommend THE QUEEN OF COTTON to readers of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy a story set during the Civil War or on the Texas frontier. 

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

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The Booker

Sam Quinton Mystery, #6

by

Kevin R. Doyle

 

A great new mystery adventure featuring the former pro-wrestler turned PI.

 

The Booker is the sixth novel in author Kevin R. Doyle’s fun and addictive Sam Quinton Mystery series, featuring the witty, straight-shooting former pro-wrestler turned gym owner and private investigator. If that description captures your imagination, then you’ll understand how it also appealed to a couple of Hollywood producer types who come knocking on Sam’s door wanting to make him a reality TV star. However, not long after delivering their pitch, one of the out-of-towners is murdered in their hotel room, and Sam sees his dubious chance at, honestly, reluctant stardom end up just as dead. 

Sam Quinton is back and finds himself involved with the case of the flaky John Carson when the man’s business partner, Wendy Truell, is found dead in her hotel room, with John suspiciously nowhere to be found for a day or so. Sam hooks the man up with an excellent criminal defense attorney, but ends up along for the ride anyway as questions that need answering arise. I loved that several familiar characters from the previous books return, including Sam’s friends Detective Sergeant Josh Nichols and Lieutenant William Santiago representing law enforcement, Talia Sanderson as Sam’s cool love interest, and the dangerous Sean O’Flaherty, who gets the ball rolling with some initial insight into what may be the impetus for the murder. 

The plot is well-paced and unfolds through Sam’s clever but self-deprecating narrative that keeps the story engaging and grounded. The story is not as straightforward as Sam’s delivery, and I was constantly questioning where it would end up. The author’s storytelling brought the action and settings to life, making it easy and satisfying to get lost in Sam’s adventures once again. 

I recommend THE BOOKER to readers of mysteries, crime fiction, and thrillers, and even though this is the sixth Sam Quinton book, readers new to the series can easily read and enjoy it as a standalone. 

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

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Elvia and the Gift of Passion

Tales by Moons-light, #3

by

Ruthy Ballard

 

Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with the entire family.

 

Elvia and the Gift of Passion is the third book in the imaginative and fun middle-grade fantasy series, Tales by Moons-light, by author Ruthy Ballard. With its dramatic yet engaging ten-year-old main character and adventuresome and whimsical storyline, this may be a perfect book to read aloud and share with the entire family. Elvia is fed up with her boring life and hovering parents and longs for some excitement. But when she uncovers a long-held family secret, she gets more than she bargained for and the adventure of a lifetime when she suddenly finds herself 64,000 light-years from Earth. 

The main character is Elvia Elizabeth Hill, a fun, typically self-absorbed, and oh-so-relatable pre-teen who is convinced she’s grown up in the wrong family. (And hasn’t everyone at some time during their childhood wondered if they had been switched at birth?) It seems to be a universal experience during adolescence to feel you don’t quite fit in with your crowd, are majorly different from your siblings, or are totally mismatched with the ideals of your parents. I loved Elvia’s total buy-in with the DNA results and her complete lack of questioning because it supported her suspicions. 

Elvia interacts with a variety of colorful and well-developed secondary characters, many with interesting quirks, backstories, motives, or agendas; it’s such a robust story! I loved Lacie’s part-time career as a “color appellation artist,” her inventive color names, and how she used this “trivial” strength to improve her performance as an “uppy.” 

The different settings introduced as the fantasy unfolds are creative and well-developed. Real Earth locations or part of the world of Urth, the descriptions are vivid and put me right next to the characters in the middle of all the action. There was an immediate and satisfying sense of place. In addition, the book includes delightfully eye-catching illustrations. 

The author’s easy-to-read writing style and perfectly sized chapters, along with its fast pace and engaging characters, make ELVIA AND THE GIFT OF PASSION a story that’s sure to please middle-grade readers, including those of a reluctant nature, and the family as a whole. 

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

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Hear Me

Dark Sides, #2

by

Lynn Crandall

 

Well-crafted world, much like our own, overlaid with a unique paranormal layer.

 

Hear Me is the second book in author Lynn Crandall’s unique urban fantasy series, Dark Sides, and is an intriguing story of light vs. dark and good vs. evil as modern-day descendants of the people of Atlantis strive to save this world from those who’ve chosen the Dark Side. With its suspenseful story, atmospheric setting, engaging characters, and tantalizing romance, the story had my attention from start to finish. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous book in the series first to experience the full impact of these satisfying stories. 

The Aeons of Auralia team up and coordinate their efforts to understand the goals of the Dark Aspects and to influence the choices these minions of the Dark Side make, especially Diane Butler, a particularly persistent foe and one of their own. Each of the remaining Aeons has an unusual ability or gift that they discovered when they were children and use for the good of all. The creepy Dark Aspects seemingly appear out of nowhere, adding to the suspenseful nature of the story. However, a unique element of the story was the ability of the Aeons to project their inner love and light to those lacking in goodness, such as the Dark Aspects, and I enjoyed their various reactions when they were impacted. 

This book focuses on the relationship between the couple, Ainsley and Keegan. They are both conflicted individuals who have known each other since childhood. As they’ve matured, so have their feelings for each other, but both have reasons for holding off from acting on them. The push-pull of their desires was a tantalizing one, keeping me wondering if they’d finally come to realize they would be better together. 

I recommend HEAR ME to readers of romantic urban fantasies. 

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

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Hammers and Homicide

Hometown Hardware Mystery, #1

by

Paula Charles

 

Excellent debut of a new cozy mystery series with a touch of the paranormal!

 

Welcome to Pine Bluff, Oregon, the idyllic setting of Hammers and Homicide, the first novel in author Paula Charles's new cozy Hometown Hardware Mystery series! In this excellent debut, long-time resident and small business owner Dawna Carpenter works with her youngest daughter, April, to discover who committed a murder in their family-owned hardware store. Not only has a family friend been wrongly accused of the murder, but the investigation and tragedy could put Carpenter's Corner permanently out of business. 

The story is told in the first person from Dawna's own viewpoint, and what a kind and interesting person she is. A widow of three years, Dawna has a secret past of seeing or sensing the presence of the dearly departed, and she suspects her beloved husband, Bob, is keeping an eye on her, though he has yet to manifest himself so she can see him. I liked how the author has Bob communicate his presence to Dawna through the scents of coffee and sawdust, as well as the occasional and fleeting glimpses in her peripheral vision. I loved that Lilac, the cat, was still visiting at night. Dawna is slowly working through her grief, and you can almost feel her love for her lost husband. I enjoyed how she held frequent conversations with herself, in case he was there listening, and she realized her actions may look crazy to her children. However, April realizes that, unlike what her elder sister and brother told her, her mother still has all her faculties about her. 

The murders are committed at the hardware store, and the scene is shut down until the perpetrator is brought to justice. Mother and daughter are compelled to investigate when they feel the police chief is going in the wrong direction. Their reasoning for getting involved felt legitimate, and they did a pretty good job of stirring things up to prompt the killer to show their hand. The killer was someone that I'd pegged early on, but couldn't quite piece together a solid motive on my own. The big reveal is tense and dramatic, with a surprising twist in its resolution. 

As this is the first book in a new series, the author must do all the heavy lifting of world-building, creating the small town of Pine Bluff, and providing backstories for the main characters. A lot of information is woven into the story, and I thought the author introduced just the right number of townspeople, neighbors, business owners, and city officials to make the town real and robust without dragging the story out unnecessarily. When all was said and done, I was still left with a strong desire to find and try Pine Bluff's famous barbecue French fries. 

I recommend HAMMERS AND HOMICIDE to cozy mystery readers, especially those who like a touch of the paranormal in their stories or small-town settings in the Pacific Northwest. 

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

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The Bulls of Bashan

by

Jodi Lea Stewart

 

High-energy adventure spurred on by a mysterious mission of global proportions.

 

The Bulls of Bashan by Jodi Lea Stewart is a gripping, high-energy tale of action and adventure, set in the early 1950s. Young waitress Savannah is swept up into the adventure of a lifetime when two strangers to her small west Texas town recruit her to join them on a lucrative, exciting, but mysterious mission. Having recently come to realize she wants more out of life than to own the diner she manages, she agrees. Still, the specifics of their upcoming journey and duties remain a murky secret, all engineered from afar by the unseen Mr. A. What follows in a great adventure story that finds her traveling around the world with a team of three additional people: Malone, a former military officer and their leader, the only one in contact with Mr. A., Reno, a handsome, charismatic rogue, and Shifrah, a spoiled socialite, with a secret or two in her past. 

Savannah is a delight as the main female protagonist. Disenchanted with her current life, she does the unthinkable and jumps at the chance to join Shifrah and Malone as they travel to, literally, parts unknown to complete tasks undisclosed. Malone (and Mr. A) take "need-to-know basis" to new heights. It was a little unnerving how much Shifrah, Malone, and Reno knew about Savannah at the book's opening, having thoroughly vetted her background, all without her knowledge. Yet, she knew nothing about them. Naturally, I was delighted when she was able to surprise them with skills they didn't know she possessed. 

My other favorite character is Shifrah. I love a fun fish-out-of-water trope, and this certainly fits the bill. Just like Savannah did, I enjoyed Shifrah's sophistication and fashion sense (loved the descriptions of all the clothing selections), and the hints about secrets in her past had me glued to the page waiting for an eventual reveal. 

The plot moves fast; it's an absolute whirlwind of action as Savannah and the rest of the crew would be mobilized at a moment's notice to strange and exotic locales to fulfill the next task. The author's descriptions of their surroundings are vivid, and the ensuing plot twists were riveting as danger soon entered the picture. I was literally out of breath after some scenes, but I enjoyed every minute! 

I recommend THE BULLS OF BASHAN to readers of thrillers, mysteries, and action and adventure. 

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

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Silent Killer

by

Tracy Burnett & Ross Weiland

 

An unconventional, autistic, and unrelenting protagonist.

 

Silent Killer by Tracy Burnett and Ross Weiland is an exciting, suspense-filled novel featuring Special Agent Gordon Stone of the Food and Drug Administration, a dedicated and relentless investigator whose autism is both a curse and a gift. While his gift is hyper-focus and the ability to see the important details others overlook, the difficulties he encounters, the anxiety in social situations, and his emotional struggles were a tough reminder of what he had to overcome just to show up and function.

When an FDA investigator is ordered to close his current case involving what appears to be one of those ubiquitous African charity scams, he has a gut feeling that this time, there's more to what's going on than meets the eye. Gordon Stone is autistic, and, oftentimes, he accurately identifies connections that no one else can. This time, his perception compels him to go rogue and follow the clues. 

The plot grabbed me from the beginning, and I really enjoyed how the authors employed multiple points of view to tell their story, even though there was considerable setup required to get everyone in place. The authors do a great job developing their characters into real human beings, and their depiction of the manifestations of Gordon's autism was realistic and emotionally affecting. Having said that, he makes for an engaging and memorable main character I enthusiastically rooted for. 

I recommend SILENT KILLER to readers of mysteries and thrillers, especially those with an interest in a unique protagonist or representations of autism. 

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