EstherMoonstomp – Author D.L. Finn

Here are the books I read in August that were four- or five-star reads!

The First Unicorn, Miracle on Wonder Island: A Faith-Based Fantasy Adventure for Ages 8–12 Inspired by Biblical Truth

This fun, insightful children’s read blends fantasy with Christianity. Aden is a white horse with a red mane, different from the rest of his herd. He is driven to help other animals, and he is rewarded for that. Here, he follows his heart. His journey is based on showing love, kindness, and helping where he can. It mirrors Jesus’s path in a way that children and adults can understand. I found the message of bringing love and light into the world very uplifting, especially with the division and fear so common now. The end includes questions to help readers study the message further, along with an explanation of the story. This would be good as a family read or for children reading chapter books who want to explore their faith more.

Enemies to Everything at Cornflower Cove: A heartfelt later life romance about small town love, second chances and starting over. (Cornflower Cove Romances Book 1)

by Lizzie Chantree

Recently divorced, Ali takes a break from her family’s hotel to help her best friend, Freddie. She throws herself into saving this oceanside resort when an ex-boyfriend, Nick, who broke her heart, shows up to help too. I love the friendship between her and Freddie, but the chemistry between her and Nick and an unresolved past showed why they had been together in the first place. The only issue was the lack of communication that plagued this couple throughout the story. While they worked through their problems, I was intrigued by the setting. I love the idea of a hotel with a reading room and books in each cottage, plus an ocean view—I would definitely stay there! There were a couple of twists that surprised me, and the romance followed a bumpy path that I did expect. I liked the progression of Ali finding herself and bringing some light to what she’d been dealing with alone. A fun romantic read that I can easily recommend.

Haiku: It Is Not Too Late To Restore Planet Earth

By Dan Costinaş

This is a collection of haiku poetry that tackles the serious subject of climate change. After a heartfelt introduction and history, this is broken into three sections: D for despair, H for hope, and E for experimental. In E, although the poems are written in the 5/7/5 format, they aren’t being called haikus. Here are just a few examples from the collection: “burning sands take flight/red wind dances on a dry breeze-/sun sets, choked in dust” D10, “nature’s gentle sigh/just silent woodland’s echoes-/anaemic shadows” D31, “a helping hand stretched/darkness fades, a new day dawns-/light guides us ahead” H12, “verdant shots emerge/nature’s promise fresh and bright-/hope’s soft, gentle hue” H25, “shadow softly dream/silent mobs of hidden thought-/guiding all we seem” H50, and “unbelievable/unconventionality-/determination” E4. This was a beautiful collection that not only focused on our current climate issues but also on the hope beyond them. I enjoyed all the poetry, but hope held a special place for me. I can easily recommend this for poetry lovers and those who are worried about the climate.

The Wife of Kronstadt: Medieval Mystery of Transylvania (Blood of Kings, Heart of Shadows)

by Patricia Furstenberg

“The Wife of Kronstadt” is a companion short story to “When Secrets Bloom,” which I loved. Set in 1421 Transylvania, it is a historical murder mystery where healthy women are dying. The town physician declares it a fever, but his wife Gertrude doesn’t believe that. She soon learns there is more going on than just simple deaths. The research and focus on details, mixed with the poetically described settings, is the standout in this story. Gertrude is a strong character with a husband who didn’t think much of women’s opinions. This quick read was a nice addition to this series, and I look forward to reading more.

Seasons and Crystals

By Balroop Singh

I have always enjoyed Ms. Singh’s poetry collections and was eager to read this one. The focus in this book is on syllabic poetry, broken down into different forms, like haiku or tanka. There is an informative explanation at the beginning of each section. It gives insight into the parameters within which this poetry was created. I’m a fan of this type of poetry and found many favorites as I was reading. Here are a few: “dark, windy winter/hisses like a venomous viper/cold light casts shadows” WINTER, “a light within her/illuminates dead desires/that gasp with the waves” LIFE, “A windy morning, humming the song of autumn, stretches its arms to kiss the dew on the grass. Young trees waltz, but the old oak watches steadily, blending his rhythms with the wind…” A MORNING WALK, “lustrous light of clouds/guides me into the future,/whispers words of faith/embracing self-confidence./I step forward in wonder.” TANKA, “A/long bridge,/flanked by/bamboo forest/arching over me;/a delusive journey….” BUT I WALK, and “A babbling brook held me captive/Transfixed to the path, I sang the same song/You went ahead, I am tied/to the moment…” A MOMENT. This is a beautiful collection of nature, seasons, and heartfelt emotions that is meant to be enjoyed more than once. I can easily recommend this!

Myths and Magic (Saffy’s Secret Quest Book 2)

By Esther Moonstomp

Saffy, her mother, her curious brother, and her living little statue dragon, Lily, take a trip to the museum. They are searching for clues to heal Lily and her world after a witch cast a spell on them. While Lily and Saffy search, Narla the witch tries to stop them. This is another fun adventure in the series as they work their way through the clues and hopefully to the outcome of healing Lily and Mandoreum. I look forward to the next book to see where the clues lead. A great children’s book for chapter readers or with their parents, as well as adults looking for a sweet story.

OTHER BOOKS READ THAT I RATED FOUR OR FIVE STARS!

Storm Warning (Dez Limeric, #4) by James Byrne (Thanks, Sandra!)

Embrace your inner child by diving into a great book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

Here are the books I read and reviewed in June that are four or five-star reads!

Jess’s Reckoning: (Book 3 Sweet Western Romance) The McIntyres

By Linda Broday

I have read the first two books and loved them, but was eager to get to Jess’s story. Jess McIntyres seeks revenge for his parents’ deaths. He has been hunting down the killers under an alias name and is accepted in the outlaw world. He is pursuing the most dangerous one, Lone Wolf and his gang, but he is also being followed by Abigail. She is a determined journalist who runs her own paper and not only wants his story, but to keep him safe. He takes her to a town, believing she’ll be safe there. Jess makes it into the place run by Lone Wolf, who controls everything and everyone there. Plus, there is one sibling left to find after the kids were scattered following the parents’ murder. Jess passes Lone Wolf’s approval when someone from a past gang recognizes him. What he quickly learns is that once you are there, you can’t leave. Unfortunately, he hadn’t deterred Abigail from following him. She shows up with some women who offer their services to the men. Lone Wolf puts Jess in charge of the group and begins to learn that this isn’t just about his revenge. There is a town hidden behind doors, and a woman he doesn’t want to care about to consider. Abigail and Jess are strong characters who both have a deep sense of justice. There are a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting, plus secondary characters who were equally as strong and easy to root for. Surprise allies were in the mix, along with a dog I couldn’t help love. The settings were so vivid, and the family’s history really added depth to the western romance. I can highly recommend this and the entire series!

Giant Shrews from Outer Space

By Sylvia Kay Rose

“Giant Shrews from Outer Space” reminded me of the old black-and-white B-movie creature movies I used to watch as a kid. Along with that, this felt more modern, with the added gore and cell phones. Sixteen-year-old Claire is being driven by her mom, Linda, to visit and stay with her dad, Conner. They broke down in a small, old mining town, Abundance. They try to call Conner, but he’s buried in his work as he always is, so they end up being stranded there. The town takes advantage of Linda and Clare’s misfortune while their own citizens are being brutally killed. When Claire and her new friend, Andy, try to warn the town to stay away from the mine because there are giant killer shrews, they are ignored. The multiple POVs are not all human perspectives but include the shrews and ghosts. There is humor, especially from the shrews who view humans as cattle, while unexpected heroes emerge as the town becomes isolated. This dark fiction has sci-fi, horror, a bit of romance, greed, and family dynamics. It was an entertaining read!

The Secret Dragon

By Esther Moonstomp

“The Secret Dragon” is geared towards young readers. It is the first of six in a series where the story continues into the next book. Saffy is bored. She was on a break, but her family was unable to go anywhere. It has been raining, and she decides to go outside to her backyard when there’s a break in the weather. She finds a ratty-looking little dragon statue on a bench. When she picks Lily the dragon up, the fantasy part of the story begins, and a mysterious world needs her help. It’s a cute, fast-read fantasy with dragons, royalty, and witches. I was curious what would happen next, as her journey has only begun and continues in the next book. Fun for kids or for parents to share reading experiences with their children.

Two Graves (REVENGE Book 3)

by Terry Tyler

I have been enjoying this revenge series and was eager to read the third one. The two stories focused on two women’s marriages falling apart, but they handled it in completely different ways. In the first novelette, “The Torment of Frances Cullen,” Fran put aside her desires as a young girl to marry her sweetheart. She thought she had the happily ever after, but it soon became clear she was there to make him look good at all times and follow his plan. Although she didn’t get the education she wanted, she had her family, job, and house. They moved up to a gated community and socialized with women she didn’t care for. Then, everything changed, and her husband was tossing her aside. Fran couldn’t recover from this rejection, and the story took a dark and surprising twist. In the second story, “The Content Creator,” Jennifer is a journalist who lands her own local show. Her marriage gives her a child, Lydia, but also a betrayal she discovers later. Her husband moves on to his second wife, who is a great stepmother for Jennifer’s daughter. It all seems very civil. Then the ex moves on to a younger woman, Sook, a content creator who impresses Lydia. When Lydia confides in her mother, Jennifer makes a decision that changes her and others’ lives. The twist at the end was a surprise as the truth was revealed. Another great addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the next one. I can easily recommend this.

ALSO READ: Here I left a four or five-star rating

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! Denise

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September Book Reviews! #KathleenJShields #LizzieChantree #DanCostinas #PatriciaFurstenberg #BalroopSingh #EstherMoonstomp #whattoread #mustread #Writingcommunity #readingcommunity