The longest day of the year has arrived along with thoughts of swimming in our lakes and rivers. It’s the perfect time of the year to lounge under the stars gazing at the possibilities while being serenaded by the crickets. Yes, summer is here, and when I’m not swimming or watching for a comet to streak across the sky, I will be reading and posting my reviews.
Today there will be a different look for my “Books That Changed Me” Summer Edition. I’ve changed the format and won’t be re-sharing my reviews for the books anymore. I want to focus more on the stories or poems that moved me enough to “change” me.
In no particular order the books and their blurbs:
by Linda C. Mims
Blurb
Murder, mayhem and suspense abound in this action packed page-turner set in 2087 Chicago. Our heroine, Dr. Noel Kennedy hears screams inside her head. They are the screams of her young friend, 20-year-old Zarah Fisher. She’s miles away and screaming for her life!
Noel knows the exact moment Zarah takes her last breath because Noel has a secret that not even her husband, handsome mayoral aide, Richard Kennedy, shares.
As the youngest Deputy Chief of Schools of Gang Territory, Noel has perfected her life. She is a solid, middle-class citizen from New Chicago, Incorporated. New Chicago and Gang Territory have become vastly different societies since the early Urban Wars. Now, year 2087 finds New Chicago’s military-trained police determined to enforce laws that keep “gang people” out.
Harlem Pierce, a New Chicago police detective, has been warned to stay away from Zarah Fisher’s murder investigation and he urges Noel to let it go, too. But a new killing involves Noel’s cousin and her boyfriend and links Noel to it in a startling way.
Who can Noel trust? Should she turn to Warren Simpson—the menacing, treacherous boss of Gang Territory? Or … could he be the killer?
If you like flying cars, robots, androids, dystopia and utopia mixed in with your thriller then this is the story for you!
The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles: Book 2, Finding Billy Battles Trilogy
Blurb
Billy Battles is definitely not in Kansas anymore.
As Book 2 of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy opens, Billy is far from his Kansas roots and his improbable journeys are just starting.
The year is 1894 and Billy is aboard the S S China sailing to the inscrutable Far East. Trouble is not far behind. He has met a mysterious and possibly dangerous German Baroness. He has locked horns with malevolent agents of the German government and battled ferocious Chinese and Malay pirates in the South China Sea.
Later, he is embroiled in the bloody anti-French insurgency in Indochina–which quite possibly makes him the first American combatant in a country that eventually will become Vietnam. Then, in the Philippines, he is thrust into the Spanish-American War and the brutal anti-American insurgency that follows. But Billy’s troubles are only beginning.
As the 19th century ends and the 20th century begins, he finds himself entangled with political opportunists, spies, revolutionaries, and an assortment of vindictive and dubious characters of both sexes. How will Billy handle those people and the challenges they present? The answers are just ahead.
by D.E. Howard
Blurb
Do you believe in magic?
Ellie Forrester didn’t.
Raised an only child by a mother who never hid her resentment Ellie learned from an early age to be self sufficient.
Finally moving away from her mother’s negative influence Ellie thought her small run down flat was a little piece of paradise.
The old book she found hidden away didn’t seem to be anything remarkable but Ellie soon discovered that it contained far more than just the words on the pages.
Ellie soon discovered that not only did magic exist but it was within her reach.
Do you believe in magic?
Ellie Forrester does!
Second edition of this book released July 2016 – now fully re-edited
Fairies, Myths, & Magic: A Summer Celebration
Blurb
Step into a world where fairies, dragons, and other magical beings converge in a collection of poetry and short stories inspired by the celebration of Litha, the Summer Solstice.
Meet Drac, a dragon cursed by his own poisonous deeds, and two pixies who help an old man remember a lost love. You’ll meet a pair of fairies with a sense of humor, and a young girl who fulfills her destiny after being struck by lightning. Learn what happens when a modern witch’s spell goes terribly wrong. Meet the Sisters of the Fey, a group of Slavic Witches who sign a pact with the Rusalki Fey to preserve their magic for the good of all.
Atmospheric and haunting, the prose and poetry, will rewrite the mythologies of the past bringing them into the future.
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book this summer! D. L. Finn
Excellent choices and fantastic reviews! Thank you, Denise. 🙂
Thanks, Gwen 🙂 I always struggle to narrow the list down. I keep reading so many great books. Xo
Fantastic reviews, Denise! I’ve read a few of these, but not all and your reviews makes me want to drop everything and read them! 🙂
It was a hard pick again, I’ve read so many good ones lately, which is why I keep doing this! You won’t be disappointed with any of them.
Excellent choices. I’ve read, Ron and Linda’s books and now need to get to work on the others. Good Job, Denise.
Thanks, John:) Yes, both fantastic reads. The other two not only brightened my mood but entertained me too.
I have read Spirit of the Book and really liked it. Colleen’s fairies are a fascinating read. Thank you for sharing some wonderful books Denise. Enjoy the summer.
Thank you, Balroop:) I found both of those reads uplifting and thought we could all use a bit that now. I hope you enjoy your summer too!
Interesting choices. I haven’t read any of these. You have inspired me.
Thanks, Jacqui:) There is something for all reading tastes here. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
We are celebrating our shortest day of the year, down under. It’s so c-c-c-cold. I’ve read Ron and Linda’s books and loved them, and both of the others sound just great. Thanks for sharing these with us, Denise.😊
Happy shortest day of the year to you! It’s hot here…too hot. So we are at the extremes. Stay warm xo
One bonus of it being so cold is the joy of snuggling down under the covers and reading. Stay Cool, my friend. 😁 ☮✌🕊
Great choices, Denise! Happy summer solstice!
Thank you, Jacquie:) Happy summer solstice!
Thanks so much for including me in this amazing list – I need to check out my companions as they sound like great reads 🙂
It needed to be on the list:) you can’t go wrong with any of these reads:)
Ooh. These sound like wondrous picks. Thanks for sharing. Hope you are happy and well, my friend, and that your HH has a wonderful Father’s Day. xoxoxoxoo
Thanks, Sandra;) I’m doing well and hope you are too! Should be a great day for hubby, hope it is for yours too xo
Some good-looking books here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Denise 😊
Thanks, Harmony:) Happy to share those books that were able to move me.
Denise, I’ve just gotten to Twitter and found this post! I’m overwhelmed with emotions. Thank you for including me in your “books that changed you edition.” I’m so honored! ❤️🙏🏻
It was a wonderful read that I hope more get to enjoy. Xo
I’ve read Neon Houses and Spirit of the Book, and found them both engaging stories. Colleen’s is on my Kindle and my TBR. Nice choices, Denise!
Thanks, Mae:) Colleen’s book is a perfect summer read, especially lounging in the pool!
Denise! I’m surprised and quite honored. I hoped that readers would like my tale, but a writer of your ilk presenting me like this has me smiling from ear to ear. I’m motivated and encouraged to finish my next project because of your post. Thank you and congratulations to everyone you’ve chosen. I’ll be happy to read them.
How exciting to hear you have a new project in the works! You book needed to be here 🙂
Yay! You can’t go wrong with any of these reads.
Excellent choice of books, Denise. I have Ron’s book on my Kindle, and I’ve read and reviewed Colleen’s book.
Thanks Miriam 🙂 I know you will enjoy Ron’s book!
I’m sure, Denise. Look forward to reading it! 🙂
Excellent selection, Denise. I’ve read Colleen’s book and have a couple of the others on my kindle. Yay. Happy Reading!
Thanks, Diana:) I’m sure you will enjoy them. Yay to happy reading!
I have read Colleen’s book and really loved it, Denise. The other books all look great and I was pleased to see Ron’s book here. I am keen to read this series.
I’m sure you will enjoy it, Robbie 🙂
I love your choices. I have read each of them except one.
Thanks, Karen:) It’s always hard to pick, but definitely all good ones xo
Great reviews, Denise! These are all on my kindle…moving them up! Thanks.
Thanks, Bette:) Happy reading !