On the longest day of the year, we head into a time full of childhood exploration. Summer is meant for swimming, cloud gazing, star dreaming, bike riding, BBQing, vacations, and ice cream. Most schools take a break and offer a bit of freedom from everyday life. It’s the perfect time to take a book along this wonderful journey. Each of these books sprinkles a bit of magic and some hard truths into our world. You might recognize them from previous book review posts, so there will be no reviews here today. These books deserve an extra look and a place in your summer reading. I’ve included a children’s book for those young at heart or have children to share the love of reading with. Happy Summer!
Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons
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Praise for Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons
“Prepare to fall in love with Cassie and be forever changed by her teachings.”
“The novel is a treasure and delight.”
“The story takes you on a journey and invites you to explore the secret to having your own amazing life.
“I felt joy and excitement building inside me as I turned each page.”
In the quaint Appalachian village of Divine, brooms sweep shop owners outside to trade tales of the latest Old Mountain Cassie sighting. Local lore claims Cassie holds the secret to a prosperous and joyous life…but only for seekers so destined.
Lacey Jordan’s fascination to meet the mountain sage intensifies as she eavesdrops on the latest Cassie chatter swirling around her outside Holsom’s Market. And a mystified Lacey believes if she can spend time with Old Mountain Cassie, the confusion and chaos that have plagued her life will lift.
What are these sacred and mystical lessons of Cassie’s that offer the keys to “living life amazing?”
How will Lacey ever find the mountain recluse tucked away in the woods?
Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons is an inspiring, tell-all-your-friends celebration to read. Cassie and the folks of Divine offer a special recipe for an extraordinary life. A generous portion of humor, an extra helping of insight, and a taste of mystery and romance will leave readers both fulfilled and hungry for the next story served up Mountain Cassie style.
Learn more about the author and upcoming books at: http://www.tonyawrites.com
Someone Close to Home
by Alex Craigie
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“The book is brilliant. It reads like a memoir and grips like great fiction should – beautiful characterization”
Viga Boland – Author – No Tears For My Father
Talented pianist Megan Youngblood has it all – fame, fortune and Gideon.
But Gideon isn’t good enough for Megan’s ambitious, manipulative mother, whose meddling has devastating repercussions for Megan and for those close to her.
Now, trapped inside her own body, she is unable to communicate her needs or fears as she faces institutional neglect in an inadequate care home.
And she faces Annie. Sadistic Annie who has reason to hate her. Damaged Annie who shouldn’t work with vulnerable people.
Just how far will Annie go?
‘Someone Close To Home’ is a story of love, malice and deadly menace.
Hues Of Hope: Selected Poetry
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Hues Of Hope is the collection of readers’ favorite poems from my poetry books. These poems explore the hope that lies within our heart, hope that whispers each morning to look at the horizon, hope that inspires us to look beyond the chaotic world and take the next step to vanquish the fears that try to fetter us. It promises to take us to an oasis of peace, unravels magical moments of joy, as beams of love calm our senses. It even guides us through dark alleys to show the streaks of light that shimmer through the clouds.
For the kids:
Following the Green Rabbit: a fantastical adventure
by Chris Hall
Chasing through Bluebell Woods after a strange green-furred rabbit, twelve year old Bryony and Bethany, her eight year old sister, inexplicably end up in the ‘olden times’.Life in the village where they find themselves is hard under the wicked lord of the manor. The two girls are thrown into a desperate struggle in which the evil lord will stop at nothing to hold onto his power over the village.Soon everyone’s hopes are pinned on Bryony and her new companions, Toby, who is under a ‘severe warning’ for humiliating the disliked village pastor, and Tommy, who mysteriously arrived in the village one day and can’t or won’t speak.Together they set out on a mission to bring help from a higher authority, but their journey is beset with difficulties. Will they be in time to save their friends from the hangman’s noose?A thrilling story for readers aged 10 and above, and for anyone who enjoys losing themselves in a fantastical adventure!
Some great summer reading here! I have Balroop’s HUes of Hope on my TBR pile.
Nothing like summer reading, Darlene:) I know you will enjoy Hues of Hope!
So do I, Darlene! One to bump up the TBR mountain.
Looks like fantastic summer reading! I loved Hues of Hope, and I shall definitely check out the other reads you recommend. Congrats to Tonya,
Balroop, Alex, and Chris.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Denise 💕🙂
Thank you, Harmony 🙂 Something special about summer reading and can’t go wrong with this group.
Thanks, Harmony! I have Hues of Hope and read your powerful Life and Soul last week and must post a review!
Thanks so much, Trish! Hugs 💕🙂
A nice selection, Denise. I read one of Alex’s books earlier this year and have this one on my radar.
Thanks, Joan 🙂 Its one I still think about, it taps deeply into one of my fears.
I’m afraid that’s why I wrote it, Denise, and also why I feel I can’t nudge people into reading it, despite the ending not being all doom and gloom! Many thanks for this lovely comment. ♥♥
It is an important topic to talk about. After reading I made sure my family understood my feelings on this subject. I loved the ending it filled me with hope 🙂
Thanks, Joan. I’m going to indulge in a serious bout of reading soon – it’s been one of those hectic times where my days have hit unexpected obstacles. I think I’ve crossed most of them now!
Nice varied collection.
Thank you, Craig. Something for almost any taste.
Great list, Denise. My best to all the authors.
Thank you, Staci 🙂
Thanks, Staci. I’m picking up some great recommendations.
They all sound like great reads but for different reasons. Old Mountain Cassie sounds particularly intriguing to me.
All good reads for different tastes. It was a sweet read full of life lessons set in nature. Pulled me right in.
Thanks, Priscilla.
Excellent reviews, Denise. Thank you for sharing.
I’m happy to share these good reads again 🙂
Thanks, John.
Congratulations, Tonya, Balroop, Alex, and Chris! Thank you, Denise, for sharing your wonderful reviews. 💗
Happy to give them more of a spotlight. All good reads.
Many thanks, Gwen. ♥♥
These all sound like wonderful books, Denise. I have picked Tonya’s book. I love stories set in Appalachia. Thank you for sharing! Great variety. Congrats to the authors!
Thanks, Jan 🙂 I love the spiritual journey and being set in nature a huge pull for me. Hapoy reading.
Thanks, Jan. I’m off to investigate Tonya’s book in a minute.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my latest book Denise. I am honored to be placed in the midst of accomplished writers. 🤗
I’m happy to be giving it a deserved extra boost, Balroop. I hope it finds a lot of readers this summer and beyond. Xo
Many thanks, Balroop! I have Hues of Hope on my Kindle and hope to read it very soon.
Thank you so much for including Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons. I’m beyond honored. Here’s a hug.
It was a book that has hung on to me. I like to believe she exists somewhere.
I agree and so do many of the readers. lol Cassie continues chattering to me about writing her next book of lessons. 🙂 I adore her and her wisdom. It’s made a difference in how I live life.
I hope to see more lessons from her. Living that way would make such a huge difference in our world.
Hugs right back to you xo
Many, many thanks for showcasing Someone Close to Home like this – I’m beyond grateful for this boost and to be here with these other authors. It does make a huge difference to my self-confidence. Bless you!
It’s an amazing story, Alex and so well told. I hope it gets a lot of readers, you are a wonderful writer! Thank you, blessings and hugs right back to you xo
I expect you can feel my happiness over the ether! xx
I sure can! Yay 🙂 xo
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You’ve got some great summer reading, Denise! I must read Hues of Hope soon. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Miriam. I know you will enjoy Hues of Hope! Happy reading.
I will, Denise. I’m doing the final proof reading of my next book. I can breath now and do more reading.
Congrats, Miriam 🙂 i look forward to read it xo
Thank you, Denise. 😊
Marvelous selections, Denise. I’ve already enjoyed these from Alex and Balroop. Not being a kid won’t keep me from enjoying this one from Chris. And Tonya’s looks very intriguing. Congrats to all. Hugs on the wing.
Thanks, Tegan 🙂 Not being a kid never keeps me away from the kids books either. xo Hugs back
Thanks, Teagan! I’m looking forward to reading the others, too. But first I have a journey to finish!
You just gave me a big smile, Alex. I hope you like the ending. Hugs.
Thanks for the recommendations Denise.. I have read and enjoyed Alex’s book and my review for Balroop going out tomorrow.. I will check out Tonya and Chris.. hugsx
Thanks, Sally 🙂 Can’t go wrong with any of these books. Hugs xo
HI Denise, thanks for sharing about these great books. I have read both Balroop’s and Chris Hall’s and enjoyed both very much. I had one of Alex’s books on my TBR.
Some wonderful looking books here Denise. I have Balroop’s and Alex’s book on my radar. Thanks for introducing us to some authors I didn’t know about. Hugs xx