Tag: SylviaKayRose

October Book Reviews! #DanAntion #PatriciaFurstenburg #DawnPasturino #SylviaKayRose #NicholasCRossi #LindaBroday #MaggieWatson #whattoread #mustreads #bookreviews #writingcommunity

Here are the books I read in September that I rated four or five stars.

The Museum Murders: A Rascal Todd Mystery

By Dan Antion

Rascal the journalist is back with a new mystery. She is pulled into a case where a woman’s sister disappears, and a man dies in an accident. The story has many twists and turns as Rascal tries to figure out what is going on. I love the setting and learning about Pittsburgh, including an old canal and the underground railway. There is lots of good food along the way, even for Bonkers the cat, and sports mixed in. Makes me feel like I’ve been to Pittsburgh, but I haven’t yet. Rascal is a favorite character along with Bonkers, and I love her relationship with both her boss and boyfriend. I changed my mind more than once about who I thought the killer was, but in the end I was surprised by how it all played out. This is a good cozy mystery that I can easily recommend!

 

Hermannstadt, 1241: The Mongol Invasion – A Short Story

By Patricia Furstenberg

I have been enjoying the historical fiction stories set in Transylvania. I was eager to read this short story that focused on the Mongolian attacks. Katharina and her family lived in a new settlement, full of hope. Rumors of village attacks circulated, but they dismissed them as gossip. Katharina spent time exploring the forest and met a new friend. Her new friend taught her which plants were safe to eat and where to find things. The setting was so beautifully presented that I could imagine being there with them, walking through the forest. The research is woven in so nicely that I learned and was entertained at the same time. I couldn’t put the story down as I had to know what happened to this girl and her village. This is a group of people that I would love to know more about. I can highly recommend this read!


The Punishment: A Gothic Horror Microfiction Story
by Dawn Pisturino

This is a very short Halloween read for a lunch break, during advertisements, or when you just need a quick break from what you are doing. This little story takes the throwing rocks at an old house theme in a new direction. I could easily imagine the setting, which was accomplished in very few but meaningful words. The ending surprised and upset me, which means it was able to touch my emotions. I couldn’t check out the interactive link on my old Kindle, but it’s a good idea to add that at the end of the story. A good scary read for the season.

Killer Compost

By Sylvia Kay Rose

“Killer Compost” cleverly blends sci-fi, drama, comedy, and horror in an apocalyptic story. On Earth, an apocalyptic war rages between humans and robots led by a human; meanwhile, the hidden space station Pharos houses scientists. The group works on a living compost to repair the damage the robots are causing as they try to kill or capture humans. When one of the scientists goes missing, things change quickly. While on Earth, Druscilla and her sidekick scientist, Leo, want to control the world. Leo is creating a huge robot to kill the pockets of humans they haven’t already put in camps to chip and control. Lance, a cargo and mercenary space captain, arrives at the space station with supplies and gets caught up in what is going on aboard the ship. In the mix is a hidden rebel base on Earth that works with the space station, trying to save humanity and the planet, plus pockets of the super-rich who found ways to survive. The story has a big cast of characters, but the ones that stood out to me were a helpful, lovesick android named Mary Lou and Lance, who kind of reminded me of Han Solo. I could sympathize with the compost, ERCA, as well. This is a well-written, entertaining read, and I was rooting for the good robots and humans to save the world and themselves. I can easily recommend this page-turner!

Infinite Waters: A Collection of Science Fiction/Speculative Fiction Short Stories

Nicholas C. Rossis

“Infinite Waters” is a short story collection tied together by the “Infinite Waters” story. In this story, a writer goes in to get her future read and advice. Her story is told between the other stories, making this a unique read. I won’t pick a favorite because I enjoyed them all. Although it was a quick read for me, there was a lot packed into those stories. Well written and hard to put down. I can easily recommend this collection!

Bright is the Light: A Christmas Novel

By Linda Broday

A former Civil War soldier, Calder couldn’t escape its horrors. He drifted from town to town, ending up in a Texas town called Jubilee right before a snowstorm was about to hit. He found a family renting out a room and only planned to stay a while before moving on. Kate is the daughter who is caring for her disabled mom and a younger brother, Micah, who most people believe is simple-minded and should be institutionalized. My favorite relationship that develops is between Micah and Calder, and of course, the pup. Both the family and Calder have been through trauma, and how they interact is so heartwarming. The story offers a chance to heal, second chances, and a realistic setting, but the focus on the lantern and the tradition behind it captured my imagination. What a wonderful tradition to try to recreate on Christmas Eve. This is a beautifully written story of broken people and hope. It is the perfect read for the holidays, and if you need inspiration, this is the story for you. I can easily recommend it.

Pieces of Me: A Collection of Poems

By Maggie Watson

“Pieces of Me” is a painful yet beautiful written collection of poetry broken into three parts that centers on mental abuse suffered in a relationship. The raw emotion paints a picture of how words can chip away at the soul. The words stirred so many emotions in me, including anger, sadness, and admiration for being able to not only move past it but share it. Here are some that touched me: “She was me, but she could have easily been you./Like a hunter, that stalk their prey before they choose their next victim./I don’t call myself a victim…”—SHE, “Her ink is the light on her darkest nights./It is her anchor when she is drowning…”—HER STORIES,  “For years, a marionette on a string./With sadness in her eyes./ A plea for freedom unheard by all…”—MARIONETTE, “A candle extinguished./ I relinquished my soul./The flame of my spirit I did forego…”—EXTINGUISHED, “Rivers of pain once eroded my spirit/while oceans of tears flowed from my eyes…”—FIGHTBACK, and “I am a leaf blowing in the wind./ I am a bird that soars and flies…”—I AM (BECOMING). Heartfelt poems that not only show what gaslighting is but make us feel it. I can easily recommend this.

Feed that inner child by reading a great book! Denise

July Book Reviews! #TerryTyler #SylviaKayRose #LindaBroday #EstherMoonstomp #bookreviews #mustread #writingcommunity

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

May Book Reviews! #SallyCronin #SylviaKayRose #JanSikes #CSBoyack #writingcommunity #mustreadbooks #whattoread

Welcome! Here are the books I read and reviewed in April that are four stars or higher.

Tales From the Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces

By Sally Cronin

I loved the past Garden books with the fairies. The fairies have been gone for 200 years, leaving the Storyteller alone in his magical garden. His loneliness comes to an end when he finds a young man, Finn, who has lost everything and takes him in. From that moment, animals and more humans found their way to this beautiful sanctuary. Healing and hope take place there even though bad things are happening outside. I fell in love with all the new characters, including the crow, cat, dog, woman, musician, and boy, too. I found a sense of comfort that they could form a family unit together that went beyond the boundaries of the garden. Plus, as healing progressed, there was an opportunity for another chance at love, which I was rooting for. Although this could be read in one sitting, I forced myself to spread it out over two days, just so it didn’t end.  I highly recommend this uplifting read, especially when we are surrounded by such dark news, and a reminder that magic and kindness still exist.

Squirrels: Protect Your Nuts! 

by Sylvia Kay Rose

I found this book and author through a review and was taken in by the idea of killer squirrels. It is a mix of horror, some gore, and comedy. To make a cute little squirrel evil takes a lot, and within this story, it made sense. Ellie is a best-selling author needing some time alone to write her second book. She picks this quaint little town where a new peanut factory is about to open, but things start to happen. It is soon apparent that something is going on as people start dying and Ellie finds a dead body near where she is staying. Now, being a witness to a crime, she is told to stick around. While swimming, she meets Luke, a wildlife agent. There is a pull between them, even though she is engaged and has been planning a wedding. Her clueless fiancé, Marvin, shows up against her wishes. I found little to like about him, but I was rooting for Ellie to not only write her story but also survive. She becomes involved with figuring out what is happening with Luke. The humor nicely lightens the reality of the damage a squirrel can do, and it was my favorite part of the story. There were some really evil characters, like the owner of the peanut factory, Beverly, whose focus was on profit, no matter what it took. An entertaining read that not only has action, but a light romance and the results of human greed. I can easily recommend this.

Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics

By Jan Sikes, Rick Sikes,  Sydney Klein, and Dianne Rich (Editor)

“Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics” is a beautiful collection of short stories, poetry, and lyrics. Although I loved all the stories and poetry, I found the Fringes section to be my favorite. It started with a heartbreaking story, “A Foreign World,” about an elderly couple who take a walk. What happens to them is sad, but even with that, the end offers the hope I’m always looking for. My favorite story, “Yearning for Paradise,” follows a woman and her group as they try to escape their government to what they hope will be their paradise. I remember reading this story when Ms. Sikes first wrote it and appreciating the twist she took. I have thought about it since reading it the first time, and my second read was just as impactful, if not more than, before. There was a Christmas-themed story, “Magic,” that captured my heart as a boy tries to find a Christmas tree to bring his family some much-needed magic.  The poetry was the perfect way to end this collection, and it was special with her granddaughter’s and husband’s poems added in. There was so much emotion in Mr. Sikes’ poems that you could feel his passion through his words. Ms. Klein may only be fourteen years old, but her insightful words belong to an old soul. This blended well with the wonderful poems Ms. Sikes offered, including a song, which I could feel the music behind. A quick but satisfying read that I can highly recommend.

Article V

By C. S. Boyack

Jace and Destiny have been good friends for years and share a love of cryptids. Jace invests in an old trailer to use for their weekends away, trying to find proof of any cryptids’ existence. After Destiny gets off work as a janitor at a school and Jace from his union job, they take off. Their first night in the trailer had me laughing and cringing. I would have bought the biggest bottle of bleach and gotten to cleaning after. Current events were woven into the story with some truths that can keep one up at night worrying. Their innocent exploration put them in the middle of something that Destiny couldn’t let go of when she found some documents that weren’t meant to be seen. As the title of the book hints at, some bad characters are trying to make monumental changes to our government. The scary part is, when reading this, I could easily see it happening. Mixed in is Destiny, who is a child of a Cambodian refugee, worries about being deported, and Jace’s fight to keep the union from being weakened at his job. All very current concerns that I didn’t feel became political, just very real. I also appreciated the mentions from other books, along with the humor and the assassin. These were characters I loved, and I enjoyed how strong their friendship was, allowing them to explore something more.  This was a page-turner, and it left me thinking long after the last page. I can highly recommend this speculative fiction where humans, not cryptids, are the scary ones.

I also read Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I left five-star ratings and enjoyed my read, but didn’t review them.

Embrace your inner child by reading a good story. Denise