RESERVED OCT 15th

RESERVED OCT 12th

Nanny Ogg's Cookbook by Terry Pratchett #countdowntoHalloween2026 #magicalbeings #humor

About the book:

They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach which just goes to show they're as confused about anatomy as they gen'rally are about everything else, unless they're talking about instructions on how to stab him, in which case a better way is up and under the ribcage. Anyway, we do not live in a perfect world, and it is foresighted and useful for a young woman to become proficient in those arts which will keep a weak-willed man from straying. Learning to cook is also useful.

My review:

This is not just any old cookbook! Oh, no, this is a cookbook wrapped up in old time advice, and good ole' fashion humor. I loved it! Nanny Ogg is one if the local witches, from a fantasy world unknown to this reader, that dishes out some fine recipes around her town that honestly, she has pinched from other people...um, and other creatures. I do respectfully use this term loosely.

The "dishes" if you can really call them that, range from deep-sea blow fish (sans the blow fish) to recipe for a cheese sandwich that call to order out pizza.  She has no problem describing the people that are contributed to these delights' sans at times, not giving proper credit.

In addition to this already humorous book, one finds themselves learning about proper etiquette at different settings and who is to be invited to such events. She is clear to say that witches do as they like but that others must adhere to certain rules. These rules may include a good ole' fight complete with weaponry.

Overall, I laughed out loud many times as I read this book and maybe learned a thing or two. I especially learned that if you meet a troll, do not shake his hand. Rather you are to pound him on his head. I will then have a friend for life! Make sure you always bring a good ham roll.

5 Pumpkins!

Disclosure: The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

The Ghost Train by Cath Jones #review #chapterbooks #CountdowntoHalloween2026

About the book:

Dan loves trains, so when he and his mom move into an old railway station it's a dream come true! he's even more amazed when, one night, an ancient train signal flickers to life...and a ghostly steam train chugs by his window.

My review:

I am certainly a train lover and a ghostly Halloween enthusiast, so reading this book was a delight. What fun it would be to live in an old train station!

It was cute to find out how the kid, Dan, discovered family that he was related to by riding the ghost train that came every night. The whole story was about family, friendship, and somewhat about responsibility.

I would have liked to have seen a little more substance to the story but considering it is a chapter book; it was okay too. The pictures were cute and added to the story.

I give this book 3 1/2 pumpkins.

Disclosure: I obtained this book at a local library. The views here are 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network.

Find the author:

Amazon

A Light in the Autumn Night by Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O'Connor #childrensbooks #countdowntoHalloween2026 #Autumn

About the book: 

A gentle tale about overcoming fear, the comfort of friendship, and how even the smallest light can shine the brightest when it's shared.

My review:

This book is totally about facing your fears, in this case what goes bump in the night. The character of mole shuts himself in his cozy home in order to block out his fear of the dark. However, creatures arrive dressed in costumes not only asking for treats but for light to find their way. This shared experience prompts mole to go out and at the same time, face those fears.

What a beautiful book this is!  Even though the book is Autumn and Halloween centered, it gives such a greater message of being kind, sharing your wealth, and more importantly sharing yourself (the light) when possible. Children will certainly get the dual messages. It is a book to be shared by all.

Done in muted colors and Autumn colors this is a terrific book to add to your home and school collections. Such a winner of a book and great lessons!

5 big lighted pumpkins!

Disclosure: This book was obtained at a local library. The views here are 100% my own opinions and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Find the authors:

Amazon

Beastopia by Chrissie Sains #middlegrade #countdowntoHalloween2026

 

About the book:

The curse of the 10th birthday is about to strike when family pets disappear. But where do these animals go and why? Digby Griffin, his sister Mog, and best friend, Tai are about to find out and discover Beastopia.

My review:

When I began reading this book, it started out a bit slowly. It described the family and their pets and that they simply disappeared on the happenstance of a 10th birthday. Weird! As pages went on, a weird washer turned portal and kind of an underworld became apparent as to where these animals had disappeared to.

I enjoyed finding out about their alter status and how they remained it what was called Beastopedi The children had special roles and how those came about is the meat of the book. Of course I am not going to reveal that. Read the book!

A few illustrations in black and white are dispersed throughout the book. They do not really lend much to the book but are well placed. This book is meant for upper elementary. If you or your kids like fantasy creature and what they do, this book is for you!

I give this book 31/2 pumpkins.

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network 

How to Scare Blue Monster by Petr Horadcek #review #childrensbooks #countdowntohalloween2026 #monsters

About the book:

When something HUGE comes clumping through the forest, all the animals are scared. But it's only their friend, Blue Monster. 

My review:

This has to be the most non-scary book about being scared that I ever read. The monster in the book goes around and scares all of his friends because, well, he is a monster. However, he has no idea what being scared means. So, his friends help him learn in a most unusual way.

Is it horrifying? Absolutely not. If anything, it is simply cute and that is what makes this book so adorable. As a soft Halloween kind of book, it can certainly fit the bill. I loved monster and all of his animal friends in the forest.

The illustrations for this book were large and in autumn kinds of colors which adds to the feel of the season. What makes them interesting and stand out is they are also done in a crayon resist and pencil drawing. The character colors do not necessarily stay in the lines as you would expect from children's books illustrations. It is different and I like it!

Go Blue for 4 pumpkins!

Disclusre: This book was obtained through a local library. The view here is 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Find the author:

Three Shades Called Horace by Jinx James #guestpost #spotlight #fantasycomedy

 

Hi everyone, I want to welcome to my blog author, Jinx James as a guest poster on my blog about the new book. Welcome!

About the book:

Fame is a curse—and on the Isle of Man, that’s literal.

 

Max Dalvert is a romantic at heart with a very simple plan: become a knight and avoid anything involving the word “viral.” But when he’s thrust into the mystical fog of the Isle of Man, he discovers that saving the girl means saving the “craziest paranormal show on earth.”

 

Pansy Peony and her witch mother have a hit on their hands with The SuperMoon Show, a viral sensation featuring three famous (and hilariously opinionated) ghosts. But where there’s a massive audience, there’s a shark. Ruthless media mogul Rollo Mansell wants the show for his global empire, and he doesn’t care who—or what—he has to crush to get the contract.

 

Now, Max must navigate a gauntlet of hitmen, corrupt empires, and a voodoo queen who didn’t sign up for this corporate circus. In a world of witchcraft, modern magic, and supernatural suspense, Max is about to learn that true serendipity is just a fancy word for narrowly avoiding a public disaster.

Q: Your new edition of your novel, Three Shades Called Horace, is set on the

mystical Isle of Man, but you live in Tasmania. How does living at the edge of

the known world; influence your writing?

A: There’s a distinct atmospheric magic to living on a rugged island like Tasmania.

When you are surrounded by untamed wilderness and the vast ocean, the line

between reality and the supernatural feels a little thinner. Even though Three Shades

Called Horace takes place on the opposite side of the globe on the Isle of Man, that

sense of island isolation and mystical fog felt entirely familiar to me. It allows me to

lean into both the eerie dread and the dark comedy of being stranded with things that

go bump in the night.

Q: Three Shades Called Horace blends paranormal thrills with corporate satire

and sharp comedy. What inspired you to mash up these genres?

A: I’ve always believed that the terrifying and the ridiculous go hand in hand. Think

about it—if a real ghost showed up on live television today, a media mogul wouldn't

run away screaming; they’d try to monetize it and make it go viral! I wanted to explore

that corporate absurdity. Giving a psychic medium a hit TV show featuring three

hilariously opinionated, ghosts felt like the perfect canvas to poke fun at modern media

culture while still delivering a high-stakes, fast-paced thriller.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration for your ghosts and supernatural

elements? Are any of them based on real experiences?

A: Absolutely! I actually spent about a year living in a haunted house in a place called

Pratt’s Bottom, in Kent, England. The house was built on top of an old Roman burial

ground, and sometimes the energy there got incredibly heavy and bad. But we also

had a resident house ghost we called Fred.

Fred was a bit of a character—he actually took a massive liking to my partner, who is

Irish. We later found out that before Fred passed away, he had a wonderful Irish

nurse, so he clearly retained a fondness for the Irish accent and presence even in the

afterlife! Living with that mix of heavy, ancient history and a quirky house ghost with

personal preferences is exactly what inspired the tone of Three Shades Called

Horace. I love exploring how the paranormal can be simultaneously unsettling,

historic, and yet completely normal, in a funny kind of way.

Q. How did you choose the three ghost characters who play such a big role in

Three Shades Called Horace?

A: I chose Horace Walpole, who is the first to appear to Pansy, because I enjoyed his

novel Otranto, the first-ever gothic novel to be published, and his 18th century gothic

revival house was the inspiration for the look-alike house that the ghosts inhabit on

The Isle of Man.

I also enjoy reading the classics, Socrates, Suetonius, and other ancient great men of

letters. Poet and satirist Horace Flaccus is up there with the best of them, plus he had

a wicked sense of humor.

Horace Silver is one of my all-time favorite jazz musicians and composers. When I

read his autobiography “Let’s Get to the Nitty Gritty”

I discovered his family originated in Cape Verde (another island story) and that he had

a keen interest in spiritualism. So, another personal choice to complete the trio. Sadly,

he died in 2014.

Q: Tell us a bit about your free reader magnet short story, and how it connects

to your main release.

A: The free short story follows a top fashion model named Silvia who accepts a

mysterious assignment at a secluded mansion, only to find her passion for dance

twisting into a feverish supernatural obsession. While Three Shades Called

Horace leans heavily into dark humor and corporate satire, this short story explores

pure gothic suspense and atmospheric tension. I wanted to give readers a bite-sized,

high-stakes introduction to how I handle supernatural threats before throwing them into the comedic rollercoaster of the main novel.

Thank you for visiting and talking about your book.

To find the author:

Bestselling dark humor fiction author Jinx James was born in the UK and lives in Australia. He

has worked in music and advertising, and has always been fascinated by charisma, satire, and

what makes people laugh He used to write comedy sketches for a well-known Australian TV and

film star, but that was after he was in the music game, as a performer. Later came writing and

producing music for advertising, and for big events like the Sydney Olympics. All that time he

was trying his hand at writing fiction, mostly humorous. Eventually it became his new way of

living while having fun. He writes under two author names. As Jinx James his dark humor draws

on his life in show business. As dog lover Kit James, his Mutt to Megastar series features Elliott,

a rescue dog who becomes a TV star.

Amazon

Giveaway:

The House on Via Magliocco

by Jinx James

Genre: Supernatural Dark Fantasy

To be beautiful forever. Would you turn down that offer?

A mesmerizing one-hour dark fantasy short read.

Silvia is a top fashion model who lives for the spotlight, but the camera's love is fleeting. When

she’s offered a mysterious assignment at the secluded House on Via Magliocco, it feels like the

ultimate canvas for her creativity and passion for dance.

But inspiration quickly twists into a feverish obsession.

As the mansion's haunting music bleeds from her dreams into her waking life, Silvia realizes she

hasn't just accepted a job—she has stepped into a beautiful trap. The house demands a

performance, the wealthy owner demands perfection, and the price of eternal beauty might

just be her soul.

Get this exclusive supernatural short story delivered directly to your inbox.

Get it FREE Here!

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fdp3yqd8v7

Something Wicked Fall Readathon 2026

 

 

Every year my friend, Michelle (I like that name 😉) hosts the "Something Wicked Fall: Castle Macabre" all October. This includes a readathon, and loads of Halloween themed books and graphics. I am pretty sure it is not too late to join in or at very least checkout her blog. There is always something lurking among the pages there.

Big Bad Dragon Club by Beach #childrensbooks #dragons

 

About the book:

Scorch, Grub and Fang think they are a rather fearsome gang. But when their attempts to cause mayhem somehow keep misfiring and actually HELP people, will these three bad dragons . . . turn good? 

My review:

I get a kick out of dragon type books. This book humored me a bit because these three dragons formed a club of sorts where they were going to be just bad. They stomped through the forest to cause havoc on the people they meet. Yet, one by one they found themselves being good until there was just the one. 

I loved that the overall theme is at least try to be a good person and take care of others when you can. It was a bit humorous to see something like a dragon doing good.

The illustrations, done by the author, were bold, cartoonish, and meant to be larger than life. All done in a variety of colors to make this an overall cute book. Uh, I do mean bad! ha ha

I give this book 4 stars more for the illustrations than the story.

Disclosure: I picked up this book from the local library. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network.

Find the author:

Amazon

Zombie Zoo by Melanie Abed #giveaway #spotlight #zombies

Adventures in Tub (Felix & Ninja, Book 1)

Upper Middle Grade

Date Published: 09-15-2026

Publisher: Oculus Print

Two orphan loners. One supernatural plague. When wood-eating zombies threaten their island, mismatched investigators Felix and Ninja must combine science and instinct to save Spinachi-before they're next.

ZOMBIE ZOO is Book 1 in a five-book middle grade adventure series for readers ages 8-13, blending paranormal mystery, zombies, unlikely friendship, and STEAM-powered problem-solving.

When 13-year-old aspiring naturalist Felix Fizzystyxx discovers that orphans at Wayward Amok Orphanage are transforming into wood-eating zombies, his quiet tree-fort observations are no longer enough. Someone has deliberately unleashed a strange plague on Tub's island town of Spinachi-and they're still out there.

To find a cure, Felix must team up with Ninja, a shadow-dwelling orphan who trusts her instincts and never backs down. Intense and razor-sharp, she notices what others overlook and lives up to her name as the island's most mysterious sleuth. With their eccentric mentor Doc Brunne compromised and the town's water supply contaminated by a glowing bioluminescent substance, the two mismatched investigators must combine scientific observation with sharp intuition to stop the outbreak before their island home is devoured.

Set on the fictional island of Tub, this fast-paced, humorous adventure naturally weaves in STEAM concepts-biology, chemistry, bioluminescence, water systems, pattern recognition, and the scientific method-within an age-appropriate supernatural mystery. Themes include unlikely friendship, identity, trust across differences, courage, and finding your voice when adults won't listen.

Featuring diverse protagonists, quirky humor, spooky-but-fun scares, and strong female and male leads. ZOMBIE ZOO is ideal for reluctant readers and fans of Max Brallier's The Last Kids on Earth, B.B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers, and Goosebumps. Comprehensive educator resources-including discussion guides, vocabulary lists, STEAM extension activities, and printable maps-support classroom use, library programming, book clubs, and make this title ideal for cross-curricular lessons bridging ELA, STEAM, and SEL.

About the Author

Melanie Abed is a behavioral expert turned story weaver. She believes dragons are real but hiding, and finds thunderstorms equally delightful and terrifying. A tea-loving bookworm, she champions young minds and writes to help kids discover their superpowers are real.

Contact Links

Website

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Instagram: @byMelanieAbed

Purchase Links

https://mybook.to/ZombieZoo

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B&N

Walmart

Dolly Day: thank you!

 Thank you for your commitment to promoting literacy for children. 

Fright Fall Readathon

 

Chow Chow: The Little Lion Puppy by Daniela Hristova #spotlight #childrensbooks

Children's Book

Date Published: September 14, 2026

Meet Dea — the little Chow Chow puppy with a BIG heart!

With her beautiful deep-blue fur, bright eyes, and sweet fluffy face, Dea is impossible to forget. But this curious little puppy has one special talent: finding trouble wherever she goes!

Luckily, Dea has Rocky by her side. Together, they discover that being brave doesn't mean never feeling scared. Sometimes, true courage means slowing down, being careful, and listening to those who love you.

But Dea's adventures are only beginning...

Beyond the garden are new friends, mysterious places, and unexpected surprises. And somewhere out there, a mysterious fox is watching.

Who is she? What does she want? And where will Dea's curiosity take her next?

Dea will be back... so hold on tight! Her next adventure could be even more exciting!

About the Author

 

 Daniela Hristova arrived in the UK with an English vocabulary consisting of little more than "teabag" and a background as a multi-media journalist, actress, and singer who had spent years working in television, radio, newspaper, and stage in her home country. With a diverse professional journey that later ranged from wielding a mop to building a career in leadership and court security, she has navigated life's twists with a steady faith, a sharp eye, and a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Channeling her unique experiences and cultural blunders into the written word, she has penned a witty tribute to the resilience it takes to start over. When she isn't writing or tackling new adventures, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Dea. Fluent in Faux Pas is her debut memoir.

Contact Links

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BookBuzz

Purchase Link

Amazon

The Desert Awakening by Gitanjali Bhagia #Giveaway #spotlight

Synopsis:

In a semi-abandoned haveli deep in Rajasthan, a woman on a social work project finds herself

drawn into an enigmatic bond with a man — and into the secrets the ancient walls have kept

for generations, discovering her own identity along the way. 

About the book:

In a semi-abandoned haveli deep in Rajasthan, the desert wind still carries whispers of the

family that once lived within its crumbling walls.

When Soma travels from her life in Mumbai back to the land of her ancestors, she isn’t looking

for love — she’s looking for herself. But the haveli has other plans. Drawn into an enigmatic

bond with a man as guarded as the house itself, she finds that every question she asks about

him leads back to a secret the ancient walls have kept for generations. As the line between

attraction and danger blurs, and the past refuses to stay buried, Soma must decide how far

she’s willing to go — through Mumbai’s crowded streets and Rajasthan’s sun-baked silence —

to uncover a truth that could unravel everything she thought she knew about her family, and

herself.

For readers of The Henna Artist and The Palace of Illusions, THE DESERT AWAKENING is a slow-

burn thriller-mystery-romance about identity, inheritance, and the secrets that outlive the

people who kept them — written by a debut author whose own grandmother’s stories from

Rajasthan inspired the novel.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0ejmsmaX

Goodreads:GOodreads

About the Author

Gitanjali Bhagia is a first-generation Indian American. She is not just a dedicated

ophthalmologist practicing in Northern Virginia but a storyteller woven from the threads of her

own diverse heritage. She finds inspiration in the rich tapestry of her ancestry, especially in the

legacy of her beloved grandmother, Vimla Bhagia, whose tales from her family's home in

Rajasthan, India, ignited her imagination from a young age.

Born in Pennsylvania and raised in North Carolina, Gitan's cultural roots became the fertile

soil from which her passion for writing blossomed. Her frequent visits to Rajasthan not only

connected her to her familial history but also stirred a deep appreciation for the mystique and

allure of the Indian subcontinent.

With her enchantment of the tales whispered by the sands of Rajasthan, Gitanjali weaves

narratives that transport readers to captivating worlds. Her writing carries the essence of her

cross-cultural experiences, inviting readers to explore the intricate nuances of identity,

heritage, and the human connection.

Giveaway

$20 Amazon or Paypal

Direct link:

https://gleam.io/WhSX8/the-desert-awakening

Safe Room by Sarah A Denzil #spotlight

 

Thriller

Date Published: 09-10-2026

When I was fifteen years old, I made a mistake. I trusted the warm smile of a stranger called Peter Harlow, and accepted a ride home in his car.

It would be the last moment of my life I’d ever feel safe again.

The trauma of what happened that night will never leave me—and it was only the beginning. For the last nineteen years, I’ve been trapped in a nightmare of blocked numbers, violated restraining orders, and the compulsion to scan every face in every crowd, waiting for the day when his will be among them.

But I've also spent the time preparing. My home has become a fortress, with reinforced doors, perimeter cameras, and a safe room in the cellar. I've even taught my seven-year-old daughter how to call for help. When I finally have to face Peter Harlow again, I’ll be ready.

Or so I thought.

Because on the night of a furious snowstorm, a terrified stranger arrives at my gate. Emily is barefoot, bruised, and desperate for help—claiming her husband just tried to kill her.

To let her in from the storm would mean breaking every rule I've made to protect myself and my daughter—but could I live with myself if I didn’t?

But what follows is everything I've lived in fear of for all these years. First, the lights go out. Then, the internet dies. Next, the phone line goes dead—and finally, I find myself trapped inside my own safe room, watching through a camera feed as the man who stole my life for two decades walks the halls of my home, playing happy families with my little girl.

I built this fortress to keep him out. Now, it’s the only thing keeping me from protecting my child.

 

The Safe Room is a heart-stopping psychological thriller by bestselling author Sarah A. Denzil, the "mistress of twists." Essential reading for fans of Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden, and Caroline Kepnes.

 

About the Author

Sarah A. Denzil is a million copy bestselling author of psychological suspense novels. Her books include number one bestseller Silent Child, which was a Goodreads Choice semi-finalist in 2017. Her books have been published in several different languages and have appeared on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list.

Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her husband and cats, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather. She loves to write moody, psychological fiction with plenty of twists and turns.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

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Purchase Link

Amazon

Mental Health and Me by Salvador Maldonado & Andy Glynne #review #teens #mentalhealth #guides

About the book:

Mental Health and Me brings together seven stories of teenage struggles, from body image issues to drug abuse, as experienced by real-life teenagers. First produced as animated documentaries by the BBC, each story has unique honesty and is brought to life with sophisticated, but accessible artwork.

My review:

This book is written as a graphic novel which makes it interesting to begin with. Targeted toward teenagers and those with mental health issues, the book follows along with seven teens who have very differing issues. The topics are: anorexia, self-harm, addiction, bullying, depression, and anxiety.

I found these stories to be interesting, and hopeful and the way they were presented to be quite more entertaining than a general blah kind of book on mental health. As a side note: I do want to note that the topic of bullying is not a mental health issue on its own but leads to such issues. In any case it is never okay but putting it in a "mental health book" I am not sure it actual fit. 

However, as a guide in how to recover and move forward after recovery, this book is not so helpful and fell short. Generally, at the end of each story, the "advice" was to see a therapist. Although good advice, some issues take much more therapies. What is truly missed in the book is that all people are not the same and it takes great effort to want to seek recovery more or less remain on a long journey that may take years.

Overall, I can only give this book 3 stars as I did like the way it was presented but fell short in other ways.

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

Where to find the authors:

Amazon

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers #review #friendship #picturebooks

About the book:

What is a boy to do when a lost penguin shows up at his door? Find out where it comes from, of course, and return it. But the journey to the South Pole is long and difficult in the boy’s rowboat. There are storms to brave and deep, dark nights.To pass the time, the boy tells the penguin stories. Finally, they arrive. Yet instead of being happy, both are sad. That’s when the boy realizes: The penguin hadn’t been lost, it had merely been lonely.

A poignant, funny, and child-friendly story about friendship lost . . . and then found again.

My review:

This adorable picture book tells the tale of a penguin who shows up at a boy's door. At is one that maybe first the boy tries to find out where the penguin belongs but eventually finds a life friend.

The cute story that accompanies this book is a lesson that some adults in our world could learn. That is, just be a friend, learn to get along with people that may be different from you.

Honestly, if I had a penguin to cuddle up with, I would read them this story!

4 stars.

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

Where to find the author:

Lost and Found: Jeffers, Oliver, Jeffers, Oliver: 9780399245039: Amazon.com: Books

The Library of Second Chances by Molly Reid #review #libraries #fantasy

About the book:

Chloe''s life feels like a book with a missing chapter. Stuck in a rut and back in her quiet hometown of Wellbridge, Chloe finds that she has traded big-city dreams for her childhood bedroom, working at the local library and hiding behind the pages of her favourite books. But one stormy night when she seeks refuge in the library after a disastrous date, everything changes.

My Review:

It’s not in my nature to read a romance novel, but this title intrigued me because, well... I love books. It was almost as if this book was calling my name.

The irony of that is the subject of the book itself.

The whole story revolves around an enchanted library that literally comes to life through its books. Characters hop right out of the pages and interact with the humans who open them—and sometimes even a cheeky cat finds itself up against one!

Trouble is definitely to be had, but romance blossoms throughout. Although the romance itself isn’t much of a surprise, there are a couple of twists, right up until nearly the end, that I absolutely did not see coming.

This book was really terrific, and I couldn’t help finding myself wishing I could be a librarian in this particular library, just so I could discover a glowing book or two of my own.

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

Where to find the author:

Amazon

My Thoughts and Gratitude for Dolly Parton: Rest in Peace Dear Lady #ImaginationLibrary

photo credit

As many people around the world have spoken about the passing of Dolly Parton, I wanted to share my own thoughts. We all know she was this amazing, larger than life person who never forgot where she came from. She created things to help her fellow human beings. Many of her ideas came from how she grew up and wanting to make life better for her own family.

One of those ideas was "The Imagination Library" due to her dad who could not read or write. She wanted other kids to learn how to do so and with her dad's help and blessing, it happened. 

Two of my grandchildren, and now coming up on a 3rd, benefited from this idea for many years. They received books every month and enjoyed reading with me and their mother. A couple of books even had their name on it which brought even further joy. I like to think that Dolly herself might have read that same book before it was even given to my grandchildren or another child. I like to think she sat down with her own dad and helped him read those books too.

Dolly Parton's legacy will always live on, and I am truly grateful that I got to see the benefit of it. Rest in peace dear lady. You will be missed by the world.

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Hope in a Ballet Shoe by Michaela & Elaine DePrince #Review #ballet #hope #overcoming #diversity

About the book:

A heart-breaking, inspiring autobiography by a teenager who shows us that, beyond everything, there is always hope for a better future.

My review:

I truly admired this story of a woman who came from a war-torn country to the United States as a child. Her story is tragic from the beginning as she sees and endures many things a young child should never see which includes abuses and even murder. 

Do not get me wrong, that is not what I admired. However, what I did see is a young girl who wanted to live a better life and had a dream. Her dream kept her alive and the support of a loving family made it happen!

She writes her story along with her adoptive mom almost in a child-like manner even though she is now an adult. You cannot help but feel her pain and her joy as she moves through her writing as much as she moves through her ballet. It is a delicate dance and one you want to hope for her.

This is not only a book of survival but a book of true hope and worth reading. I will caution you to bring some tissues along with you as you read.

4 stars.

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

Where to find the author:

Amazon

The Ledger by Steven Manchester #review #bookseries #novel

About the book:

Set in a medium-security penitentiary in the mid-1990s, The Ledger is a faith-based story that pulls back the curtain on prison life, allowing the reader a safe peek behind the wall.

Although told from three alternating perspectives—officer, inmate, and sergeant—many of the same questions are asked: Can light be found in the deepest darkness? What about forgiveness, redemption, and grace? And if the code is clear, “loyalty above all things except honor,” when should an officer cross the blue line to police one of his own?

My review:

I need to begin my review by saying that I love this author and everything he has written. This particular book. the second in a series, is a departure from what I have read before. The book needs to have a trigger label on it. If you have a family member that is incarcerated or is employed by a correction facility, then be forewarned. The book as a whole is fictional but it can read and feel personal.

Having said that, the author's writing style immediately places you right in the heart of the story. His original book in this series made you feel good and you were left with Hope and fuzzy bunnies.

This book also left you with Hope but not feeling necessarily so great. However, the overall message here is redemption. Do some of us human beings deserve redemption from the atrocities we have caused once we have left this world?  Does God forgive everything? The "ledger" shows it all, tells all, but does God still love us? 

Again, I felt as if I had been plopped in as one of the characters, but I was viewing both sides: the seedier side of the inmates incarcerated and the side of those who worked there. Depending on what was happening behind the walls of the prison depended on how I was able to review.

The characters were well developed but also open and raw. There were times when I had to swallow hard and plow through the book or just had to put it down because the scenes were horrific and unfortunately, repetitive. This was not a reflection of the author and his writing but a nuance that described what happened before inmates arrived and after they arrived, many to start life sentences. But the book also described what could and likely did happen for those that worked there as well. Some succumbing to being no better than the ones that "lived" there. Others, upstanding.

As I pointed out earlier, what this book was really about was how do we serve God. In the beginning we are given choices alongside of what those choices can bring. We are given free will and what we do with it is up to us. We can use our free will for goodness and spread light into the world, or we can use it for darkness. God does not intervene until we are called "home" and the "ledger" accounted for.

Note: the only part of this book that seemed like it should have been maybe a novelette was the conclusion. Even though it was tied to a part of the book, it felt more like a tally of maybe things the author himself had witnessed as a correctional officer. He had noted early on that this was employment that he actually had done in his former life before becoming an author. The fact is, even though this book was fictional, I have no doubt that the author had seen some extremely cringy things and the ending was a culmination of those things but fabricated into a great story.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publicist. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.  4 stars

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Hope in a Jar by Deborah Marcero #review #childrensbooks #bookseries #hope

About the book:

Llewellyn the bunny and his friends dream of many things. Some of their dreams are small, like learning to ice skate, visiting a friend, or acting in the school play. And some of their dreams are big, like going to the moon, or becoming a ballet dancer or a wildlife photographer. Their dreams feel so precious that the bunnies place them in jars for safekeeping. But when a storm comes and destroys their collection of jars, Llewellyn and his friends wonder: what's the point of dreaming if everything could be lost?

My review:

All people dream of doing special and not so special things. It seems appropriate to want to bottle those things up and hope they come true. The problem has always been, what happens when those dreams are shattered, just like in the book? What then?

I loved that that answer was addressed in this book for children. It did not sugarcoat the fact that not all dreams can come to fruition, but it did allow the dream of them. That is what is most important here. If children (and adults) cannot dream of something, hope for it, what is the point. The book makes it clear that even if something you hope for does not come through, let go of it and redream.

This book was an excellent read. The author also did the illustrations which made for a complete and wholesome book.

5 stars in a jar!

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

Where to find the author:

Amazon

How to Catch a Daddysaurus by Alice Walstead & Andy Elkerton #review #series #childrensbooks

About the book:

The How to Catch Kids are at it again! This time, they're out to trap the Daddysaurus―a mystical creature capable of such amazing acts of kindness, bravery, brilliance and humor. The kids try to trap the creature with all his favorite activities, but will they succeed? Maybe all they need is a little sweetness to make this awesome Daddysaurus appear! 

My review:

The "How to Catch A..." series I admit I have never read before so I have no books for comparison. Again, admittedly, I thought this book was cheezy but I absolutely see why kids love the series!

Who couldn't love all the ways the kids creatively try to catch this amazing creature? Who wouldn't love knowing about why this creature is so worth catching? I was intrigued and you would be too! Afterall, isn't Daddysaurus a rare breed?

The illustrations make this book. Done mostly in primary colors, the illustrations are bold and a bit larger than life. Again, kids will love it as I did. I found myself wanting to help them figure it all out. In the end though, they did and that is why the cheeziness left and became a terrific book.

5 stars.

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

Where to find the authors:

Amazon

Source Books

Don't Splash Grandpa by Julie Gonzalez #review # childrensbooks #summer

About the book:

While one grumpy-looking grandpa chaperones a pool party, a group of friends enjoy racing, basketball, pool games, and cannonball contests. As the day progresses, the excitement grows, and the splashes get closer and closer to an unamused grandpa. And what happens if he–KERSPLASH–gets soaked? Don't Splash Grandpa is the perfect summer repeat read-aloud for any fun-loving grandchild or grandpa, or anyone who loves a pool day!

My review:

Grandpa, with his strawberry hat, lawn chair, and book, take his plethora of grandchildren to the pool. There he sits as the kids play but the one rule, do not splash him, such the title of the book. 

Written in rhyme, I got a kick out of everything the kids do in the pool, all summertime fun. I also got a little giggle of how they tried not to break the one rule, including a cute page where they are measuring a pool water puddle so close to grandpa! Everything is going great until...(spoiler) a shark attack! What happens next is just plain funny and totally unexpected, even more than a shark in a pool. Of course, I can't tell you and you will have to read the book, but I guarantee, you will be surprised.

I loved this book with the multitude and multi-cultural kids in tow and grandpa being well, grumpy. There are a few characters and loads more kids that show up at the pool for a fun read. The illustrations of them are adorable and as splashy as the book itself. The fact the book rhymes is simply a sunshine-ing plus!

5 stars.

Disclosure: This book was given to me by the publicist. The views here are 100% my own opinions and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Sourcebooks

My First Dad and Daughter Journal: An Activity Book for Girls and Dads Together by Katie Clemons #review #journals #dads

About the book:

As your little girl grows up and learns to read and write, the two of you can catch special memories in this journal as you swap stories, compare ideas, and explore things you love with each other! 

My review:

Did you ever wish that you had written a love letter to your daddy? I wished I had! This journal is one of those things I wished was around when I was a little girl to have shared with my own Dad.

The journal is meant for girls age of around 3 to 8 years old. With 143 pages to fill out, young girls can spend much time with their dads finding out different things about each other. The book is not meant to be done in one sitting but over time.

Each page features something different from coloring to likes and dislikes to favorites and yes, love letters. All the pages are colorful and totally immersive. Rainbows, unicorns, and stars are just about on every page too. There is even a page to mark when the journal began and when it ended. Although this journal could be a time capsule, so I would start another as daughters and dads get older. This is a must have for any daughter/daddy duo and certainly timeless.

5 unicorn stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this journal from the publicist. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author: 

Sourcebooks

Amazon

Bebe Ama A Papa...Baby Loves Dad by Chela de La Vega #review #boardbooks #multilanguage

About the book:

Bebé Ama a Papá / Baby Loves Dad is a sweet and charming exploration of family love, creating a rich and engaging experience for babies and toddlers. Through charming illustrations and simple, expressive text, the book celebrates the special bond between babies and their fathers and features a diverse group of dads from various backgrounds throughout Latin America and the United States.

My review:

This baby board book features a multitude of dads doing everyday things with their babies. From making toys to reading books while lying on the floor, these dads and kids love each other.

The written words are few but are written both in Spanish and English making this book a good beginner reader for both languages. The biggest win of all for this book is the illustrations themselves. The pictures on each page are not only colorful but bold and beautiful. Movement is shown almost on every page and that is not an easy thing to accomplish.

Overall, an adorable book for babies and to celebrate Dads. 4 stars.

Disclosure: This book was given to me from the publicist. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Sourcebooks