July Book Reviews! @teagangeneviene #writingcommunity #mustread #readersoftwitter #bookreviews #readersoffacebook

Here are the books I read in June that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for an Amazon link.

The Rabbit Hole: A Short Story

By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

“The Rabbit Hole” is a fresh adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland.” Liddie is in a strange place but finds guidance through her friends, Catty, and Loco Hatley. A special tea helps her clear her head as they go out into this reality. I was a big fan of not only Liddie but Catty and Loco too. Although a fast read, it doesn’t feel incomplete. It’s a fantastic take on a classic with a modern twist. I can easily recommend this well-written story!

Lunar Gazing Haiku

By Dawn Pisturino

“Lunar Gazing Haiku” is a collection of 62 haiku poems that cover subjects including season, moon gazing, supernatural, and emotions. While I enjoyed all the poems, there are a couple that stood out to me, such as: “Passion burns, hurts, scars/The tender flesh of my heart/Feeling life again.”—Passion, “leaves rustle in the trees/withered gold-brown-red treasures/blowing far away.”—Leaves, “Words sprinkle across/The paper like fairy dust/Shining with magic.”—Words, and “Monsters lurk in dark/Corners where nightmares come true/Frightened children scream.”—Monsters. This chapbook is meant for endless reading. If you’re a fan of poetry, I can easily recommend this to you.

The Last Pilgrim

By Noelle A. Granger

“The Last Pilgrim” is an amazingly detailed and well-written story focused on Mary Allerton Cushman’s life. Four-year-old Mary and her family were on the Mayflower, wanting to start a new life with the freedom to practice their religion. They squeezed together below deck with many other families, enduring limited food, water, and no hygiene. The boat faced various obstacles, such as sickness and scurvy, but upon reaching land and finding a suitable place, the survivors had to hastily construct a shelter for the cold winter. They were a hardy group who not only pulled together to accomplish their survival, but I found it captivating how they pieced together a group of people with a dream of a better life into a functioning society. What caught my attention was the strong women with limited voice or rights. They were equal in the colony’s success as the men and, at times, surpassed them. Some medical treatments and punishments given to lawbreakers made me cringe. Mary’s daily life and the surrounding people were as fascinating as the politics and religion. Although a long read, I didn’t even notice because I was so drawn in. I can highly recommend this historical fiction!

“Telling Sonny” is a heartfelt story set in the 1920s. Faby is a bored small-town girl who catches the eye of a vaudeville performer, Slim White. They enjoy each other’s company for the week the show performs there. Despite things going too far on the last night, Faby moves on as he promises to stay in touch. He doesn’t, and she finds herself in trouble. Although Faby finds him, and he does the right thing. Now, Faby is married to a stranger and they are currently traveling together. The attention to detail pulled me deep into this drama. Faby is relatable, and I was rooting for her. Even though the book starts with an older Faby having to relay unwelcome news, the story goes back and relives her life up to that point. I couldn’t stop hoping she would find happiness on her journey, but it quickly became clear that Faby was just along for the ride as she explored new places. An exceptionally written coming-of-age, historical fiction, that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Congrats to my Blog Tour Winners: $10 Amazon Gift Card goes to Jan on day 3 (John W Howell’s Fiction Favorites) and $5 Amazon Gift Card goes to Debra on day 4 (Jacqui Murray’s Word Dreams)!
Thank you to all who stopped by and offered your support on the tour 🙂
Read a good book and embrace your inner child, D. L. Finn

79 thoughts on “July Book Reviews! @teagangeneviene #writingcommunity #mustread #readersoftwitter #bookreviews #readersoffacebook”

  1. Your recommendations sound amazing, Denise. How wonderful.
    I also have enjoyed Dawn’s book and highly recommend it. A great read. Bless you. 🤗

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    1. Thank you, Selma, for adding your recommendation of Dawn’s collection:) Can’t go wrong with any of them.

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  3. Thank you, Teagan, for your wonderful review and including me with the other talented authors. I am honored! Hope your birthday was a whizz-bang celebrations!

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    1. Haha. I knew there was somebody falling down that rabbit hole behind me, Jacqui. Of course, it was inspired by Carroll’s book, and I peppered the story with quotes. The short story is my own slant on what a modern trip to Wonderland might be. Thanks for commenting. Hugs.

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    2. Thank you, Jacqui:) I’m a big fan of Wonderland and Teagan took us on a fun journey there! I’m always looking for tips getting out of the rabbit hole too.

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      2. Hi Liz, I couldn’t leave a message on your site, but I can host you Friday Aug 9 if that works for you.

  9. Great reviews, Denise. Thank for sharing! Congratulations to the talented authors!

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  10. Hi, Denise. Congrats on a successful book tour! Wishing you huge success with the latest book.
    Woot! I’m taking your review as a birthday present. <3 I'm so happy you enjoyed this little story. I'm in such grand company too, with Liz and Noelle. I've been getting more and more interested in Haiku (although I'm still no poet), so I'll have to check out Dawn's book. Thanks for this introduction to her. Big hugs.

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    1. Thank you, Teagan 🙂 It was a successful one, thanks to all the amazing support! Happy birthday to a fellow Moonchild! I got interested in haiku a couple of years ago and have enjoyed their world ever since! I’m glad to make the introduction! Big hugs back, xo

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      2. Thank you. I’m on the 20th 🙂 Definitely a moon girl too.

  12. All great sounding reads! I listened to Teagan read The Rabbit Hole on Rebecca’s Reading Room… or part of it anyway. I thought it was all of it. I’m just about to start reading “The Delta Pearl”!
    Thank you for the reviews, Denise!

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    2. The Rabbit Hole was a fun one, and so was Delta Pearl. I followed along on the blog series but can’t wait to reread it.

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  17. Hi Denise, lovely reviews. I enjoyed Telling Sonny and The Rabbit Hole. I have the other two on my TBR.

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    1. Thank you, Sally, and for the recommendations. They did bring the past to life. Xo

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  20. Excellent reviews, Denise. I enjoyed Telling Sonny and The Last Pilgrim and need to pick up Dawn’s and Teagan’s books. Some engaging reading ahead, it seems. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and recommendations. Congrats to Liz, Noelle, Dawn, and Teagan. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Diana 🙂 I always find new reads through reviews, especially yours.

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  22. GREAT recommendations and reviews. I just downloaded The Rabbit Hole in my Kindle. I like the idea of these short shorts that can be purchased easily and give us a fast read. Teagan is clever, and I’ve liked everything she writes. I’m fascinated with Liz’s book and wonder where she got the idea to research and write about Faby. Oh, and I’ve downloaded one of Noelle’s cozy mysteries. So much to read, so little time. So much talent in our blogging community!

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    1. There is so much talent in our community, and definitely not enough time to read all of the books I want to! I agree about Teagan and never disappointed in anything she writes. I have been enjoying Noelles cozies too. I love well researched stories and Liz did that with a captivating story. Happy reading, Pamela! Xo

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  25. Pingback: D.L. Finn’s Review of “Lunar Gazing Haiku” | Dawn Pisturino's Blog

  30. Great reviews, Denise. Teagan’s book is quite enticing her enriching twist. Dawn’s is sitting waiting for a read and I’m hearing great things.. Great authors! Thanks for sharing!❣️

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    1. Thanks, Cindy 🙂 Teagan has a way with intriguing twists. You have some good reading ahead! Xo

      Reply

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