Category: Book Reviews

15 Women Scientists You Should Know…

Published on by macjam476 Comments

A powerful collection of minds.

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Excerpt from an interesting article on ‘A Mighty Girl’ website:

For centuries, women have made important contributions to the sciences, but in many cases, it took far too long for their discoveries to be recognized — if they were acknowledged at all. And too often, books and academic courses that explore the history of science neglect the remarkable, groundbreaking women who changed the world. In fact, it’s a rare person, child or adult, who can name more than two or three female scientists from history — and, even in those instances, the same few names are usually mentioned time and again…

To read the full article and find out more about these brilliant women, click on the link or logo below:

15 Women Scientists You Should Know…

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Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows

Published on by macjam4720 Comments

By Cynthia A. Morgan

 

Dark Fey Standing in ShadowsBook Blurb

Gairynzvl escaped captivity among the DemonFey, who had abducted him as a child through a daring act of treason and was rescued by Light Loving Fey.   Now, he wants to return to the dark realm of The Reviled to attempt a rescue of the innocent Childfey trapped there.

It will take more than one Fey to breach the borders of The Uunglarda and to slip past the legions of Dark Fey who abide there.  It will take magic and strength, courage and military strategy, and it will shake the foundations of everything The Fey of The Light have accepted as truth for thousands of years. But Gairynzvl knows the secret ways in and out of the dark realm; he is able to open portals and through his gifts of telepathic empathy he can find the Childfey standing, waiting, in the shadows.

Slipping into the darkness through darkness is easy.  Escaping out again with terrified Childfey is another matter.  If they are captured his band of liberators will pray for death long before it comes and their success could spark a full-scale war, unleashing the barbaric hatred and viciousness of The Reviled upon the peace-loving Fey of The Light.

Can Gairynzvl convince the Fey of the Light to allow him to return to the Uunglarda, the realm of The Reviled?  Who will join him to aid the Innocent Childfey trapped in the realm of shadows and fear? And Will the Fey of the Light risk a savage war to rescue them?

My Review

Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows is book number two in the Dark Fey trilogy.  Because Standing in Shadows gives light to the characters and the plot, I would recommend that Dark Fey: The Reviled be read first.

The story opens with an introduction to The Uunglarda and the torment found there inflicted upon Childfey by the Reviled, a grotesque, loveless, and evil population that lives in the realm of dark shadows.

On the other side, in the mystical realm of Jyndari, where the Fey of Light live, we learn of a former Dark One, who has undergone the Integration, the process to renounce the Reviled and join the Fey of Light. Gairynzvl enlists the help of the confidence of the Temple Elders and Ayla, a Guardian of Childfey, to rescue those kidnapped, neglected, and tortured Childfey living in The Uunglarda against their will.

What I loved about this second book is that the characters have developed greater maturity.  Yes, we see some jealousy between Marden and Gairynzvl, but they are able to rise above that and work together. Ayla has found an inner strength she didn’t previously possess for the sake of the Childfey.  The descriptions are rich and detailed though not to the point that the reader becomes bored. On the contrary, they give depth to the story so the reader can visualize Jyndari and The Uunglarda and those who live there.  I loved the easy flow of words in this and the previous book, which is so characteristic of the author, whether writing fiction or poetry or, just telling about her day.

What I didn’t like about Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows is the manner in which the Child Malefey and Shefey were treated, even though a lot was through intimation, such treatment was difficult reading, but this is my personal view and it does not impact my review. There are a lot of movies that I don’t watch for the same reason.  I won’t go into more detail to avoid giving away spoilers.

I recommend Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows to anyone who enjoys fantasy or young adult fantasy.  On a scale of 1-5 stars, I would award this book 4 ½ stars.  I am looking forward to reading book three in the Dark Fey Trilogy.

This is my honest review.

About the AuthorCynthia Morgan 2015

Cynthia A. Morgan is the creator of the mythical realm of Jyndari and author of the epic fantasy, Dark Fey: The Reviled, Book One of the Dark Fey Trilogy.  “The Reviled” draws the reader into a mystical realm of primordial forests, magic and the lives of Light-loving and Darkness-revering Feykind.  Not to be confused with pixies or “Tinkerbell” type fairies, the Feyfolk of Jyndari are winged beings the size of any human who live in a realm where tradition, magic, and spirituality are fundamentals of everyday life.  Reviews of Dark Fey continue to earn 5 stars by lovers of fantasy as well as readers who do not typically enjoy that genre.  Compared to a fantasy version of a play by Shakespeare, Dark Fey The Reviled is a brutally beautiful story of Love, Hope, and finding Peace in the Darkness.

Dark Fey:  Standing In Shadows, Book Two of the Dark Fey Trilogy continues the story of Gairynzvl, who escaped captivity among the DemonFey, who had abducted him.  Now, he wants to return to the dark realm of The Reviled to attempt a rescue of the innocent Childfey trapped there, but it will take more than one Fey to breach the borders of The Uunglarda and to slip past the legions of Dark Fey who abide there.  It will take magic and strength, courage and military strategy and it will shake the foundations of everything The Fey of The Light have accepted as truth for thousands of years.  Can Gairynzvl convince the Fey of the Light to allow him to return to the Uunglarda, the realm of The Reviled?  Who will join him to aid the Innocent Childfey trapped in the realm of shadows and fear? And Will the Fey of the Light risk a savage war to rescue them?

Morgan is also the author of the popular blog “Booknvolume” where her over 15K following is regularly treated to Morgan’s own brand of poetry, English Sonnets, and musings about life.  She is a current member of the Poetry Society of America; is ranked among the top authors on the Independent Author Network; has had poetry published on numerous poetry websites and is rapidly becoming an Author to keep your eye on.

Some of her other interests include a deep love of animals and the environment. She loves music; is frequently heard laughing; finds the mysteries of ancient times, the paranormal and the possibilities of life elsewhere in the cosmos intriguing, and Believes in the power of Love, Hope, Peace and Joy, all of which is reflected in her lyrically elegant writing style.

You can purchase both books in the Dark Fey Trilogy in these locations:
Dark Fey: The Reviled is available on Amazon and B&N  
Amazon/Kindle:    http://goo.gl/iRl5pZ
Barnes and Noble:   http://goo.gl/OxNr6M

Dark Fey: Standing In Shadows is available in e-book and paperback on Amazon
US –  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018HF4HSA
UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018HF4HSA

You can find Morgan through social media in the following places:
Blog:  www.booknvolume.com
Website:  http://allthingsdarkfey.wix.com/feyandmusings 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/booknvolume
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MorganBC728 & https://twitter.com/DarkFeyMorgan29
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/cynthey728

Publisher:  Kindle/ CreateSpace
Pub Date:  December 4, 2015
Page Count:  205 pages
Genre:  Fantasy / YA Fantasy

Links to the sample readings available on the author’s blog:  
http://wp.me/P3C4k1-304 & http://wp.me/P3C4k1-37q

Book Three:  Breaking Into The Light is currently underway.

Thanks for reading! To return to the FICTION WRITERS BLOG HOP on Julie Valerie’s website, click here: http://www.julievalerie.com/fiction-writers-blog-hop-mar-2016

Kindness is…

Published on by macjam476 Comments

What a beautiful reminder to all to be kind to one another.

Bette A. Stevens's avatarBette A. Stevens, Maine Author

Share the love…Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustratorhttp://www.4writersandreaders.com

Photo post by @jamesscarberry.

Source: Kindness is…

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Bookbub Promotion!

Published on by macjam473 Comments

amreade's avatarReade and Write

Secrets Of Hallstead House (eBook)

My first novel, Secrets of Hallstead House, is just 99¢ today on Bookbub! I hope you’ll help me spread the word!

Here’s the link: https://www.bookbub.com/books/secrets-of-hallstead-house-by-amy-reade?ebook_deal

Thanks for your time!

Amy

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AMAZING MATILDA: Monarch butterfly inspires children to follow their dreams!

Published on by macjam4711 Comments

A wonderful book for children and beyond.

Bette A. Stevens's avatarBette A. Stevens, Maine Author

AMAZING MATILDA, A Monarch’s Tale by Bette A. Stevens

Why write a book about a Monarch butterfly?

AM Easter 2016

 

“I wanted readers of all ages, not only to learn about nature, but to learn from nature. Readers and listeners will discover facts about Monarchs and their habitat, all while they enjoy a tale filled with excitement and adventure. That’s the wonder of creative writing. Matilda and her friends not only teach lessons about patience and persistence, they show children that they can reach for their dreams and make them come true.”
~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

http://bit.ly/19Qr3Y0 “Look Inside” at YOUR Amazon…

Purchase Paperback any time and Download eBook version for FREE at YOUR AMAZON today!

Monarch butterflies and their habitat are threatened —author Bette A. Stevens advocates for their protection and conservation. Find out more about the author and her books right here on the blog.

[Explore Bette’s Blog]

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Ask an Author to Help, and this is what you Get…

Published on by macjam476 Comments

There is no time limit on helping kids. Please think about making a donation of books to the Storybook Project.

Michelle R. Eastman's avatarMichelle Eastman Books

When I learned that nearly 2/3 of children living in poverty do not own books, I started my literacy initiative, Picture Book Pass it On. My intention was to celebrate picture books and encourage people to donate books to kids in need. Fast-forward, a year later, and the grass-roots effort I began has grown into something truly remarkable.

PBPiO badge

Last March, I created a special initiative to collect books for children of incarcerated parents in Iowa. I reached out to friends, online and in person, to help with the month-long book drive called MARCHing Books to Kids. The books benefit the VNS of Iowa Storybook Project. Each month, the Storybook Project volunteers record incarcerated parents reading aloud to their children. The audio CD’s and books are then mailed to their children to keep.

In just one month, we collected over 350 books, 450 incarceration-themed Sesame Street book/CD sets, and…

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Thompson Road

Published on by macjam4723 Comments

By Scott Wyatt

ThompsonRoadEbook FINALBlurb

A sweeping, coming of age love story set in the Pacific Northwest on the brink of WWII. Rejected by classmates and accomplished swing dancer Sally Springs, high school quarterback Raleigh Starr remains desperate to win her heart. While walking home on Thompson Road, Raleigh catches sight of Mona Garrison, dancing at her bedroom window. He is mesmerized. Still determined to dazzle Sally, Raleigh asks the shy sixteen-year-old to compete with him at the state fair swing dance contest, and she agrees. Swept up in the war, Raleigh realizes too late what Mona has always known: that they are perfect for each other… but he is unaware of the terrible price she has paid for his attention. Thompson Road is a poignant, tender story that reminds us of the power of first love.

My Review

THOMPSON ROAD, historical fiction and romance, takes place during three major periods of history from the 1930’s and into the 1950’s, the Depression, World War II, and the peace year’s immediately following the war. Raleigh Starr, a high school junior, meets Mona Garrison, who though she is 15, is still in 4th grade.  She has been labeled feebleminded, but when Raleigh gets to know her, he knows she is not. Raleigh has fallen for Sally Springs, a girl in his class who has little interest in him. Raleigh devises a plan involving Mona to get Sally to drop her boyfriend and see that Raleigh is the one for her.  The stage is set for a myriad of events that change the lives of everyone concerned.

The author gives us a look at the practice of eugenics at an asylum, a practice that had previously been outlawed.  THOMPSON ROAD is a wonderfully written, face-paced story that clearly illustrates how our innocent (and not so innocent) actions can affect others, for the good, and for the bad. Throughout this heartfelt story, we will witness the growth of the characters from the star-crossed teen years to strong individuals who have learned the hard lessons of life.

Scott Wyatt writes a captivating and compassionate story, one that you won’t be able to put down.  THOMPSON ROAD is worthy of the highest rating. It is one book anyone who enjoys romance and historical fiction will find unforgettable.

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

About the AuthorScott Wyatt

I was born in Portland, Oregon in 1951 and grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho. I’ve earned degrees from Stanford University and the University of Washington, and have worked—full– or, as currently, part–time—as a lawyer since 1976.

In 1999, I founded the Companion Flag Project to elevate and sustain public awareness of all that human beings have in common, their differences notwithstanding. The underpinnings of this campaign are reflected in the closing arguments of attorney Jason McQuade in Beyond the Sand Creek Bridge, and again in “The Sanori Flag Debate,” the appendix to Dimension M.

I have four children and five grandchildren. My wife, Rochelle Wyatt, is a talented Seattle-area actress. Since 2009, we have lived in a beautiful cabin-like home overlooking Lake Sammamish, fifteen miles east of Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

Author’s website: www.scottwyattauthor.com

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Central

 

Where to Buy THOMPSON ROAD:

AMAZON (eBook and Paperback)

BARNES & NOBLE

iTUNES

#Books are Portals to Power…

Published on by macjam4719 Comments

Brilliant post from The Story Reading Ape

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Books can take us to lands, real and imaginary.

Books can educate or entertain us.

Books can give us knowledge.

Knowledge is Power.

OPEN THEM

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STEP INSIDE

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SEE WITH YOUR IMAGINATION

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SET YOUR IMAGINATION FREE

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Monogrammed note cards 

Published on by macjam475 Comments

Reeca at reecaspieces makes beautiful cards and bookmarks.  Check out these beautiful notecards.

I used spellbinders dies and cut the G with the cricut. Have no idea which fonts I used….I know…I need to pay more attention!  Thanks for stopping by!!!

Source: Monogrammed note cards 

Baby Girl

Published on by macjam4736 Comments

By Bette Lee Crosby

Baby GirlBlurb

When young Cheryl Ann leaves home, she thinks her path is straight…until she’s forced to make a choice she could never have imagined. The man in her life makes it clear: either pick your baby or pick me, he says. Suddenly, Cheryl finds herself at a crossroads. She makes a decision that will change her life forever, and that decision causes a chain of events that will lead Cheryl to a completely unexpected place.

Baby Girl is a mother’s story. It’s about the greatest sacrifice a mother can make when she wants only the best for her child. It’s about falling in and out of love, of losing and finding one’s self. It’s about the perilous journey from passionate young love to happy true love and understanding the differences between the two.

Baby Girl is a book that readers won’t want to miss because it’s a story they won’t forget.

From the AuthorBette Lee Crosby

This book is based on a true story…a story that is heartbreaking at times but will leave readers with a better understanding of what a woman will do to protect her child. When I first heard this birth mother’s story I was touched by it, so much so that I needed to know more. When I knew more, I knew I needed to write my novel. The result is Baby Girl.

My Review

Baby Girl is Cheryl Ann’s story about growing up with a mother who seemed incapable of loving anyone, even her daughter and husband.  When her father died, Cheryl Ann became more lonely than ever. Then things changed when Ryan Carter moved into her neighborhood.  Though still in her teens she and Ryan set out on their own, and complications in their relationship set in when Cheryl Ann became pregnant. Ryan did not want a baby, and Cheryl Ann was put in a situation of choosing Ryan or the baby she was expecting.

At times, this was a difficult read because Cheryl Ann was emotionally abused causing her to make decisions she didn’t want to make.  Eventually, she finds the strength to move out and on, but her troubles didn’t end.  The author created a complex character in Cheryl Ann. She was weak and easily led, but adversity is an unyielding teacher, and Cheryl Ann found her strength and determination to make a good life for herself and her children.

Reading this book, you will laugh, and you will cry. You will be angry, and yet be overjoyed. It is a heartwarming novel based on a real person’s story – her growth, her weakness, and her strengths and resolve. This is a book you don’t want to miss.

Baby Girl is the fourth book in the Memory House series. I have read all of them and you can find my review of Book 1 Memory House, Book 2 The Loft, and Book 3 What the Heart Remembers by clicking on the title of each book.  It is not necessary to read them in order, but some of the characters are presented in the previous books, and, therefore, enhances your reading and enjoyment if read in order.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

To find out more about Bette Lee Crosby, please go to her webpage or read about her on one of my previous links listed above.

Order BABY GIRL on

iBOOKS, BARNES & NOBLE, AMAZON, KOBO, or GOOGLE PLAY

 

Thanks for reading! To return to the FICTION WRITERS BLOG HOP on Julie Valerie’s website, click here: http://www.julievalerie.com/fiction-writers-blog-hop-feb-2016