#Review: Faces Behind the Stones Book5: Accusations by Fran Lewis #horror #cemetery #shortstories #adultfiction #bookseries

Book Details:

Genre: Horror
Published by: Fideli Publishing
Publication Date: December 2022
Number of Pages: 164
ISBN: 1955622302 (ISBN13: ‎ 978-1955622301)
Series: Faces Behind the Stones | Each is a stand-alone set

PURCHASE: Amazon 

Goodreads

My Review: 

I originally spotlighted this book on my blog, HERE but now, I have read the book and wow! I was not aware the book was part of a series when I began reading. In fact, this is book five and I cannot attest to books prior.

This book is written in a eerie fashion,telling the tales of people who are dead and most likely forgotten. Written as short stories, the author puts a "face" to the names written on cemetery stones. Some of these people have been wrongly accused, some not at all but revenge is the name of their game. 

As someone who likes to visit cemeteries, I was sucked right in and could not put this book down. I read this in one sitting. How often I wonder who the people are, what their lives were like, and who laid them "to rest".The author does a fine job of claiming who is buried, even if they claimed their own fate. Again, wow!!

TRIGGER WARNING I do want to note: In "John's Story" on page 63, there is talk of suicide.(There are a couple of other stories on the topic.) His story includes ways to see warning signs and ways to help those who are suicidal. It is a great resource for ideas. However, the author left out the suicide hotline numbers which has been vital for prevention. I actually wrote the text message number of 988 inside the book. I encourage the author to maybe include that as a back page source in subsequent books. 

Hint: book six is coming soon. I love this author and recommend this book! 4 stars.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the author. The review expressed here is 100% my own opinions and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

The Dragon's Breath by Carol Weakland #giveaway #childrensfiction #spotlight #bookseries

 

 

The Dragon's Breath Book

Magical Beings Book 1

by Carol Weakland

Genre: Children's Book

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be blessed by dragons?

This brand new book by award-winning author, Carol Weakland, is perfect for your children, grandchildren, and anyone young at heart to experience the special magic that awaits inside a dragon’s breath. If you want to be blessed by dragons, THE DRAGON’S BREATH BOOK will show you how.

Inside this magical book about dragons you’ll discover:

★ How to get in touch with your own Dragon Guide.

★ How to receive the blessing of the Dragon’s Breath.

★ The perfect times to call on a dragon to assist you.

The DRAGON’S BREATH BOOK helps you and your little ones enter the magical world of dragons. Learn what masters of magic they are and how they can help you. Find out how to access their blessing through breath made of a special kind of fire that never burns. Delight in astory of nature magic that can make you feel better than ever before. If you enjoy fantasy stories about nature and magical beings like dragons, you will love this book. THE DRAGON’S BREATH BOOK will take you into their magical realm to experience their breath and blessing.

Author Carol Weakland really does lives in a fairytale cottage complete with Fairies, Dragons, and Unicorns. She is a Gatekeeper to Everything Magical! One of her previous children’s books won the COVR Silver Medal Award for Best Children's Picture Book.

Amazon * Goodreads

Author Carol Weakland really does live in a fairytale cottage complete with Fairies, Dragons, and Unicorns. She is a Gatekeeper to Everything Magical! One of her previous children’s books won the COVR Silver Medal Award for Best Children's Picture Book, SECRETS OF THE FLOWER FAIRIES.  It is also a book in THE MAGICAL BEINGS' SERIES. Some of her other books include: the Romantic Fantasy Series: MORGEN OF AVALON. LAND OF THE TWILIGHT MIST. Young Adult Fantasy and THE ADVENTURES OF MAID MARIAN, HEALER OF SHERWOOD FOREST.

Please note that THE DRAGON'S BREATH BOOK is part one of THE MAGICAL BEINGS' SERIES.

SECRETS OF THE FLOWER FAIRIES is considered book two in the series.

Website  * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children Who Dance in the Rain by Susan Justice #review #multicultural #privilege #picturebooks

 

Book Details:

Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-8),  32 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Compassion Project Press
Release date:   May 2023.

Book Description:

Sophie gets bored quickly and won’t even eat her food without looking at her tablet. She’s thrilled to hear of her family’s upcoming trip to a magical place called India, a land she’s only heard of in stories. Once there, she quickly realizes that the underprivileged children living in the mud colony possess a joy and contentment she can’t explain. Sophie sets out on a journey of discovery, but what she finds may change her world forever. This tale about the true meaning of happiness and the power of gratitude is based on true events.

My Review:

In my mind, this book is timely. In a world where everything seems techno based, it is difficult to think that some people do not have the next best thing in their hands. Here we meet a girl who doesn't want to go to school, does not want to eat in favor of her tablet, and is annoyed when it rains. Boo hoo for you I think. 

Later in the book, this same girl takes a trip to India with her parents. There she meets children who do not have or barely have basic necessities. It is a wake up call as she learns that these children are grateful for what they do have and rejoice in when they dance in the rain.

This book, apparently a true story, teaches all about privilege and how we should never take for granted what we have and to appreciate what has been given.

Coupled with awesome, bold, illustrations this book,mostly a picture book, is a winner. 5 srars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as part of a book tour. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Amazon 

Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Susan, a legal advocate for children’s rights, has long harbored a dream of crafting a tale that would empower young readers to understand and champion the rights of their peers. Drawing upon her own experiences as a young person comprehending privilege, she was inspired to write a book that would not only entertain but also inspire her readers to consider pressing social issues and to actively strive to make the world a better place for all children.

connect with the author: website 

Enter the Giveaway:

Win signed copy of CHILDREN WHO DANCE IN THE RAIN by Susan Justice (one winner) (USA only) (ends June 9)

CHILDREN WHO DANCE IN THE RAIN Book Tour Giveaway

#Review: If You Were Me and Lived In... Australia/Peru/Israel/Kenya/Cuba by Carole P. Roman #bookseries #childrensnonfiction #CarolePRoman #multicultural #Diversebooks

 

I love the "If You Were Me and Lived In..." series of books by Carole P. Roman. I am privileged to have almost the entire collection from around the world. This conglomerate of a review is for five more books in the series: Australia, Peru, Israel, Kenya, and Cuba.

As with all of her books from this series, she follows a general format which includes: city capital, name for parents, names for children, money used,foods eaten, places to visit, school name, holidays, and glossary of terms in the back.

Check out below the summary for each and what I have to say about each of these award winning books. Each of these books are 5 star books to me.

Disclosure: I received these books in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Australia

Although I already knew this, one of the interesting tidbits about Australia is that it is not only a country but a continent. I did not remember however, that its capital is Canberra. You can swim in the Great Barrier Reef. 

Peru

Peru is home to many different climates and old civilizations. Machu Picchu is one of the more famous places that many people from around the world visit. Potatoes are a main staple and there are 4000 varieties.

Israel

Israel is home to several religious sects. It is considered a Holy place and visited by many.It goes by two other names. (Find those in book page two.) Just one of the many places to visit would be the Dead Sea. It is also interesting to not know how things are written and read.

Kenya

In Kenya, people visit wildlife reserves. There is a famous one on page 12 in the book. The game of cricket is a favorite pastime. Other countries enjoy this game too. (See other reviews in the series.) Carnival is another similarity.

Cuba

The city of Havanna is one of the oldest in Cuba. It is a major port city.Games are important to the country and many strive to be good at some kind. Carrnival is also is a well loved celebration.

This is one of the special things about this series of books. Information like this helps children to learn but also extend their learning. The consistency with each book is awesome as well as the glossary of terms in each. This author's series is invaluable and highly recommended. 5 stars+

Spotlight: Accusation by Fran Lewis #Horror

 

 

Book Details:

Genre: Horror
Published by: Fideli Publishing
Publication Date: December 2022
Number of Pages: 164
ISBN: 1955622302 (ISBN13: ‎ 978-1955622301)
Series: Faces Behind the Stones | Each is a stand-alone set

PURCHASE: Amazon

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

A funeral can evoke sadness on the faces of those attending, especially when they reach the cemetery. Looking at those faces, I begin to wonder what they are thinking, and possibly what they are hiding.

As I scan the tombstones, I contemplate whether many of the faces behind these stones were wronged during their lives and I can hear them speaking to me. They want to tell me how they ended up here. Were they guilty of great evil in their lives, or were they wrongly accused?

Listen as they tell their stories, and chills will run down your spine as you learn: What lies behind the
stones, because each of these voices was silenced in life by the evil of others.

Hear their words…
understand their reasons…
and then decide:

Were the Accusations wrong?

MY REVIEW: FORTHCOMING

Author Bio:

Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three master’s degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and Who’s Who of America’s Executives from Cambridge.

She was the musical director for shows in her school and ran the school’s newspaper. Fran writes reviews for authors upon request and for several other sites.

Catch Up With Fran:
Goodreads
Instagram – @berthatillie49
Facebook – @fran.lewis1
Fran Lewis’ BlogTalk Radio Show

 

Review: The Portal Through by Rebecca Fletcher Gale #memoir #historical #ageofawakening

I  enjoy reading memoirs from other people as I like to hear/ read the stories of others lives. This book sounded interesting so, I picked it up. However, this book is not a complete memoir but story telling too.

The author weaves a tale told from a box of letters that she found in an old cabin she was renovating. It tells of spirit guides, love, and identity. The author is a good story teller and keeps things interesting for the most part.

This book is worth the read especially if you are interested in the age of "awakeness" or historical places.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network