Here are the great books I read in June that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.
Poetic Justice: A Rascal Todd Mystery Featuring Brody Thompson (Book 2 of 2: Rascal Todd Mystery)
by Dan Antion (Author), Willow Willers (Author)
Best-selling mystery author Brody Thompson is asked to help solve a real-life murder. Curious, Brody agrees to help Trevor figure out who killed his father and soon finds himself not only searching for a murderer but also in danger. After Trevor is attacked, Brody becomes more determined to find out what is going on. He runs across a character that held my attention or The Poet, who has been in hiding for years. The Poet communicates and leaves clues through poetry. Brody was a strong character who interacted with familiar characters from the past and met new ones, like Trevor’s mom. Journalist Rascal has a backup role in this story, but she is still there, along with her demanding kitty and the newsroom. The setting is woven nicely into the story, along with many delicious-sounding meals. I now want a pastry from the story. I found myself rooting for Brody and eager to find out more about The Poet. This can be a standalone read, but it’s nice to already be familiar with past characters. An engaging whodunit that had me guessing until the end.
Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt
“Ancient Voices” is a unique collection of poetry. Set in Ancient Egypt, each poem gives a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there. I could tell there was a lot of research that went into this collection and appreciated it. The fascinating setting provided both entertainment and learning. It’s hard to capture the essence of this book in a short review but here are three examples from the collection: “Love letter/buried in the sand/inscribed on stone/for eternal bliss…”—LOVE LETTERS, “Send me to my tomb with a blue lotus in my hair./My heart will dance with joy as I run through the Fields of Reeds,/Free of pain and disease. Limber as fallow deer, I will run,/Ecstatic in my youthfulness…”—THE BLUE LOTUS, and “I set out to write/The most beautiful poem in the world./Consulting the stars,/They quickly aligned/Into perfect letters of stardust/and cosmic dew…”—MOST BEAUTIFUL. A collection to be read more than once and one I can highly recommend.
I read and loved the Tetrasphere series and was thrilled to see the story continue with many returning characters set at a later date. Reading the previous series isn’t necessary as the author does a good job of bringing the readers into this world with beautiful settings and strong characters. Gabri, who was a baby at the end of Tetrasphere, is now almost sixteen years old. Something is after Gabri that her family and friends can’t protect her from, and is kidnapped and removed from all she loves. She finds herself on an unknown world imprisoned in a cold, damp cell by the enemy she calls the Shadow. Here her special abilities are gone and all she wants to do is go home. In the darkest of her moments, she gets unexpected help. This is an exquisitely described place where dragons co-exist with intelligent plants and there’s an ongoing battle between good and evil. Some questions are answered while others remain, and I can’t wait to continue the journey in the next story! A well-written YA fantasy that I can easily recommend.
Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge Seven!
Embrace your inner child by reading a fantastic book! D. L. Finn (Denise)
Congratulations to PTL, Dawn, and Dan! Great reviews. Thanks for sharing, Denise 🤗💗
Thanks, Harmony :),Happy to share the good ones!
Thanks Harmony.
Thanks for the temptations.
You’re welcome , Craig!
Great choices for reading, Denise. I had a lot of fitful starts in June for books–had trouble finding engaging ones. Was that why you only had three books? Or you were just busy with life?!
I’ve had months like that, Jacqui, where I put down more than I read. I would say, busy and tired, plus I read some books that I just rate and not review, like the one I’m reading right now, the more mainstream ones. I hope you have a better reading month in July!
Excellent reviews, Denise. Congratulations to Dan, Willow, Dawn, and P.T.L.
Thank you, John 🙂
Thanks John.
Thank you, Denise! I’m grateful for your wonderful review of Sanctum! “Poetic Justice” and “Ancient Voices” sound like fantastic books, too.
Blessings!
Patty
Happy to be sharing your wonderful story here, Patty 🙂 Blessings back xo
Congratulations to the authors on the excellent reviews! Sharing to help spread the word.
Thank you, Liz! Your sharing is always appreciate 🙂
You’re welcome, Denise!
Thanks Liz.
You’re welcome, Dan.
Great reviews, Denise! I’ve seen a couple of these around the blogosphere. Congrats to the authors!
Thank you, Teri 🙂 Yes, they do seem to be making their rounds.
I am knee-deep in Poetic Justice and enjoying following the bread crumbs. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it as well as the others, Denise. Congratulations to these authors!
There are lots of bread crumbs to follow for sure, Jan 🙂 Always happy to share!
Thanks Jan!
Enticing reviews, Denise! I think a poetry collection about ancient Egypt is SUCH a cool idea!
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 Yes, I agree and it was well done.
Thank you so much for this lovely review, Denise. I’m glad you enjoyed Poetic Justice. The other two books sound like worthy additions to my summer reading list. I hope you’re having a great summer.
I did enjoy it, Dan. Fun mystery with poetic clues. Yes, both good reads that would make for some fun summer reading. I am having a good summer so far, I hope you are too. Now to read your book about Pittsburg!
Hi Denise it’s great to see Poetic Justice here so great full for the review. I am so pleased you enjoyed it.
The other two books took my eye to so congratulations to Dawn and P.T.L. 💜😁
I did enjoy the story and your poetry, Willow. I can see why they caught your eye, good reads. xo
I shall be looking them up 💜😍
Wonderful, Denise, that you posted these great reviews. I think Dan & Willow, Dawn, and Ms. Perrin are happy.
Thank you, Timothy 🙂 And I’m happy to have been able to read them!
My pleasure, Denise. 😊
Great reviews, Denise! I also loved Sanctum! The other two books sound interesting as well. Thanks for sharing!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 It is a great read and world we’re brought into isn’t it? Happy to share. xo
Yes, it is! It’s cool to have been a part of it. 🙂
🙂
Such Great reviews, Denise!!!!
💓
Thank you, Cindy 🙂
You’re so very welcome, Denise!! Also, thank you so much for my review I just saw! I was so touched and will share it on time!-:)
🩷
Thanks, Balroop! I don’t think I’ll ever catch up with reading 🙂
Thanks, Lauren 🙂 Dawn’s book was a good one for sure.
Thanks, Sandra 🙂 All good ones!
Happy to share your collection. I really enjoyed it and hope it gets lots of new readers.
Thanks, Debby! Yes, temptations always abound for sure! Comments have been having issues and I don’t get a notifcation like I used to either. Thanks for always trying xoxoxoxo
Fabulous reviews Denise. Thanks for sharing. I have to catch up with reading! 😊
Thanks for the great reviews, Denise! I loved Dawn’s book, and the others sound great too. Congratulations to all the authors! 💞
Thanks for sharing your latest reads. Congrats to the authors.
xo
Thank you, Denise, for sharing your wonderful review of my book here. I appreciate it very much. All of the books look exciting!
Excellent reviews Denise. Temptations abound! Congrats to all talented writers! 🙂 xx (PS. I’m trying again, but I don’t think you’re getting my comments.