Sir Chocolate and the Ice Cream Rainbow Fairies Story and Cookbook
I love seeing Ms. Cheadle’s cooking creations on social media. They are always fun and creative. When it was time to buy my granddaughters a gift, I knew a book about fairies and cooking would be the perfect fit for my four- and five-year-old grandkids. Before wrapping the book up, I read it. I was charmed with the story, loved the recipes, and impressed mother and son wrote it. I look forward to reading this with my youngest grandchildren and then picking a recipe to make together. This is a great combination book to give as a present!
Myrtle the Purple Turtle
by Cynthia Reyes
I bought this for my youngest granddaughter for Christmas. I knew she’d love the bright illustrations and a story that involved a turtle. Before wrapping and placing it under the tree, I read it. I loved the message behind this story. A purple turtle wanted to be green like the rest of the turtles. This is an excellent lesson to accept yourself and others for who they are. I can’t wait to watch her open her gift so we can enjoy this wonderful story together. I highly recommend this young children’s book.
Hiding Cracked Glass (Perceptions of Glass #2)
This sequel has outdone the first book that I loved, “Watching Glass Shatter.” The story is based on a blackmail note found and a party. The name is unreadable on the envelope, so Olivia doesn’t know who the letter is for, adding another layer to the mystery. The story is told through multiple POVs, which gives insight into what is going on in this family. I found a couple of characters made me mad at how they were acting, and I had a lot of empathy for the young widow, Emma. The mother, Olivia, has grown stronger and wants to do the right thing if she can figure out what that is. The sons each have their issues, making them think they are the subject of this note, which kept me guessing until the reveal. As the plot weaved together and things were exposed, it made an exciting family drama that was hard to put down. I highly recommend this book, but start with the first one to appreciate this story.
Lords of Chaos (Unraveling the Veil Book 3)
“Lords of Chaos” is the last book in the Unraveling the Veil Series. It starts up where the last book left off. The beginning was brutal when Talin is in prison. It felt very real and equally disturbing what one being can do to another. The trio of changeling, elf, and goblin fights the destruction of their world while societies were still fighting each other. There was a lot of depth and insight into our current social situations, which are weaved into the story seamlessly. The Lord of Chaos wants to end what Alue, Naj, and Talin are trying to save. I love the relationship between Talin and Alue and how Naj fits into it. They have all grown, changed and learned not only about themselves but about the world around them. This is a fast-paced action tale where they are constantly fighting to survive, and the story and characters are riveting. This will be a series I won’t soon forget as it leaves a message to work together instead of fighting each other. Very timely. I highly recommend this fantasy series that was entertaining and thought-provoking.
Allies and Spies (Unraveling the Veil Book 2)
“Allies and Spies” is the second book in the Veil Series and the best so far. The story continues with the trio of unlikely heroes who are thrown together. An elf, goblin, and changeling try to develop a working trust that isn’t present in their world between their societies. With earthquakes and people disappearing, the blame and suspicion grow between the kingdoms. The group spends some time traveling together and apart to find answers. The continued relationship between the three is strained, with feelings right under the surface. Their connections grow as time goes on, but, it goes in the opposite direction too, but they all experience growth. Alue, Naj, and Talin can’t agree on what is going on, which adds to the mix as they try to survive. As soon as they seem to get an answer, more trouble arrives for them. They swear their allegiance to more than one kingdom, and there is some personal information learned that’s all blended into a beautifully created world. Chaos is determined to destroy it all, and the planet’s inhabitants make that fairly easy to accomplish, which reminded me of our current conditions in our society. These three are the only beings who can stop it, but their flaws make it difficult and almost impossible. I just started the third book and can’t wait to see how this ends for the characters I care about. I highly recommend this fast-paced fantasy but suggest you read it from book one because it is a world you want to learn about from the beginning.
by Teri Polen
“Subject A36” is a YA story set in the future. There is a divide in how people are treated. The Colony contains the people who have all the money and power. They harvest good genetic traits from the insurgents or the have-nots, a process that kills the donor. The insurgents rescue those who are picked up to do the harvests. It’s a time where having a certain color of eyes or being intelligent means death to those who don’t live in the Colony. Seventeen-year-old Asher lost his family to this horrible practice and found his place on missions to release people from certain deaths. I love his relationship with his team, especially Brynn, the one who holds his heart. The connections feel very real to me and all the complications that go with hidden truths. This is a fast-paced story told in first-person through different points of view, which added to understanding the complicated world in which Asher exists. There are a lot of twists and surprises for Asher and his team. A couple of times, I was so invested in what was happening, sleep became unimportant. Although this is a YA read, it’s a story for adults too. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!
Embrace that inner child by reading a great book. Then, give a gift back to the author by leaving a review! D. L. Finn
Excellent reviews, Denise. I agree with you on A36. Needs to get to Diana’s books.
I can’t wait for the next Colony book, John:) I’m never disappointed with Diana’s books.
😊
Fantastic book reviews, Denise! Several of them have caught my eye!
You have some good reading ahead, Jan:)
Thank you for sharing your reviews, Denise. Though I’ve not read Robbie’s cookbook, I am always in awe of her baking creations. I have Diana’s books on my Kindle and Teri’s as well. You’ve pushed them further to the top of my list with your wonderful recommendations. Congratulations to each of the writers! Happy Holidays to all. ✨🎄✨
Robbie’s creations are amazing. I’m lucky to get the frosting spread evenly on a cake, so this is a talent that impresses and inspires me. Both Diana and Teri’s series are fabulously created worlds that pulled me right in. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them. Happy Holidays to you and your family, Gwen xo
Great reviews, Denise. Congratulations to all the authors.
Thanks Staci 🙂
Great reviews of a wonderful collection of books by some fabulous authors! Jay’s is the only one I haven’t read yet, and it’s on my TBR!
It was a great reading month. I’m sure you will enjoy Jay. I got hooked on the Glass family.
Some great books and reviews here. Thanks for sharing, Denise 🙂
Thanks Harmony:) I found some of great series.
Thank you so much! I love the review. I am so grateful for your kindness! 🙂
I’ve become a fan of the Glass Family and loved the drama a single note caused 🙂
What a great surprise to find two books, Denise. Thank you for the great reviews. And I’m delighted to the share the post with such wonderful writers and their books. I’ve read Robbie, James, and Teri. I guess it’s time to pick up a book from Cynthia too. Thanks again for reading and reviewing! Hugs.
Your series was fantastic and left me thinking:) All good reads this month, Cynthia’s is a great book for kids and I want to read more of her work and all of the authors here including you. Xo
After reading your post, I bought Murtle. I needed something short to give me a chance of completing my reading challenge! Lol
Fun!
Starting it today. 🙂
A great lineup of books, Denise! I’ve read half of these and thoroughly enjoyed them. You’re review for Teri’s A-36 convinced me- I’m off to Amazon 🙂
Thanks, Jacquie:) I wish the second book in Teri’s series was available. Can’t wait.
Congrats to Robbie Cheadle, James J. Cudney, D. Wallace Peach, and Teri Polen on their books! I’ve read Robbie’s, have recently bought one of Diana’s, but I need to read James and Teri’s books now.
Above all, THANK YOU for what you do to uplift and promote other authors, Denise. This is a Christmas gift to me and all of us. Thank you.
You have two good reads ahead of you, Cynthia. Thank you:) I love reading and have found some amazing indie authors I’m now a fan of their work. I enjoy sharing my love of books with my grandchildren and I know your book will be a hit! Sending hugs xo
Thanks again, Denise!
Hi Denise, how lovely to find this wonderful review of Sir Chocolate and the Ice cream Rainbow fairies here. I am so glad you enjoyed this book. I have read and enjoyed Cynthia’s book and have another of hers on my kindle. I also have Jay’s book on my kindle and am reading Sunwielder by Diana Peach. I also loved Subject A36 and thought it was a unique and interesting approach to a genetic engineering storyline.
I have Sunwielder on my TBR list. A36 was a unique approach and I’m hooked. I’ll watch for your review. I know my youngest granddaughters will love your book and they will want to bake.
Congratulations to everyone – I know all the authors this month! 🙂
Yay! All good authors to know:)
Sorry I’m so late getting here, Denise – I’m thrilled you enjoyed Subject A36! I’m working on the sequel as fast as I can. I’ve read the first book in Diana’s series (loved it!), read Robbie’s short stories in anthologies and have her YA book in my TBR, as well as Jay’s first book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries. Cynthia’s book looks adorable – purple is my favorite color, lol. Thanks so much for posting a review!
Not late at all, Teri:) Happy to hear you are working on the sequel, can’t wait! You are going to enjoy the rest of Diana’s series. I enjoyed Robbie’s YA and read a middle book in Jay’s cozy series, so I need to go back to book one now and start catching up. You can’t go wrong with purple and a turtle!
Woo Hoo!!!! Yay!!!! Can’t wait to start this one. And a huge thank you, by the way.
xoxo
Yay! Anytime:)
Some great book reviews. Thanks for sharing them.
Thanks, Karen. Can’t go wrong reading any in this group.
Thanks Karen, I enjoyed reading them. xo
What a wonderful reading list, Denise. I’ve read several of these and thought they were marvelous. Hugs on the wing!
It was a fantastic reading month, Teagan. Hugs on the wing right back to you xo