Book Spotlight: The Shadow of the Revenaunt by Paul E. Horsmon

SYNOPSIS

The night before his Coming-of-Age, Ghyll and his two friends escape their castle on a clandestine boar hunt that will forever change their lives. The hunt proves a disaster, and with one of them badly wounded, they return just in time to see their island castle destroyed by macabre warriors from a dragon boat, and by flocks of fire-breathing birds. Ghyll's eighteenth birthday turns into a nightmare as they flee into the night.

Now begins an epic journey to find out who is trying to kill them – and most importantly, why?

Fortunately, they can count on the help of new friends, including a sometimes overly enthusiastic fire mage, an inexperienced paladin and a young beastmistress who is also a ferocious mountain lioness. It soon becomes clear that not one but several sorcerers want to kill them. Are those blackrobes really followers of a terrible, long-forgotten organization?

SYNOPSIS

And whose cold hand reaches across the boundaries of space and time to crush weakened Rhidauna?

How did his parents and brothers die? Where their deaths really accidents, or were they killed? These questions young Ghyll Hardingraud must answer before he can ascend Rhidauna's throne.

Ghyll’s search for the truth leads him and his Companions on a journey back to the past as he slowly unravels a dark conspiracy.

Once crowned, the young King Ghyll still has to finish the mission his dead uncle imposed on him. The journey takes him and his trusted friends through inhospitable lands and dangerous swamps to the endless steppes of Zihaen, looking for the Voice from the West. He discovers he isn't the only one. His vindictive enemy pursues him, aided by undead forces.

PURCHASE

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The Author

Paul's  Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads 

Paul E. Horsman (1952) is a Dutch and International Fantasy Author. Born in the sleepy garden village of Bussum, The Netherlands, he now lives in Roosendaal, a town on the Dutch-Belgian border.

He has been a soldier, a salesman, a scoutmaster and from 1995 till his school closed in 2012 a teacher of Dutch as a Second Language and Integration to refugees from all over the globe.

Being unemployed and economically overage, yet still some years away from retirement, he is a full-time writer of epic light fantasy adventures. His books are both published in the Netherlands, and internationally.

Book Review: Smoke on the Water by Lori Handeland

Smoke on the Water is the third book in the Sisters of the Craft series by Lori Handeland. I have not read the previous books in the series, and while it might have given me a better grasp of the larger picture, I was still able to enjoy the story and understand what was going on.

Abandoned beneath a black willow tree on the banks of a northern Wisconsin creek, Willow Black spent her entire childhood in foster care. Her entire life she's had terrifying visions, and it is these visions that eventually land her in a psychiatric facility. And so Willow takes her medication and believes she is getting better. Until she meets a fellow patient who doesn't think she is crazy at all. She thinks Willow is a witch. Willow's new psychiatrist, Dr. Sebastian Crane, works hard to resist his feeling that he and Willow are destined to be together while also working to convince her that strange occurrences aren't the result of witchcraft. However, when he is thrown into the middle of a storm of supernatural events that can't be explained any other way they both need to come to turns with their connection and the events surrounding them.

Smoke on the Water is a solid and entertaining read. I think I might have seen more of the action coming, and understood more of the danger Willow and Sebastian faced. However, I still really felt for the characters and enjoyed how they connected with each other. Willow was a smart and introspective character that knew that she experienced visions in water, but knew enough to hide that fact and avoid having it happen as often as possible. Sebastian is equally smart and an interesting character, but I do not feel like I knew him as well as I did Willow, or her fellow patient Mary. Their connection was one they both fought against, and they both held on to common sense the majority of the time, which was nice. I found myself invested in Willow's life and how everything was going to play it. I will say that I expected at least one of the big surprises to happen, but most of the time I was eager to turn the page and see what would happen next.

Smoke on the Water reminds me of why Handeland was one of my must read authors before I started reviewing (and burying myself in books I have committed to reading). The characters just work, and the larger plots as well as the  immediate action are engaging and interesting. I need to go back and read the first two books in the series, since I am not sure how I missed them. A worthwhile read for fans of the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres. 

Book Review: Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

Please, Mr. Panda is a picturebook about manners by Steve Antony. What is the proper way to ask Mr. Panda for doughnuts? Patiently and politely, Mr. Panda asks the animals he comes across if they would like a doughnut. A penguin, a skunk, and a whale all say yes, but they do not remember to say "please" and "thank you." Is anyone worthy of Mr. Panda's doughnuts?

Please, Mr. Panda is a story that I immediately checked out and brought home to read with my kids after cataloging at the library. I am diligent about using my please's and thank you's, and am teaching my children to be the same way. However, while they are good about doing so with others- they are not so good at doing so with Mom and Dad. Like Mr. Panda, if please is not used then the potential recipient gets a big old 'no' from me, at least until they ask correctly. When I saw a picturebook modeling exactly what I do at home I smiled, and then checked this puppy out. Mr. Panda offers his doughnuts to every one he meets, but when his question is met with greedy answers he changes his mind. It is only when manners are used that he hands over the goodies, and mentions that he does not really like them any way. I love it!

Please, Mr. Panda is a great book for starting discussions about manners, or reinforcing the lessons children of every age have been taught. It is straight forward and fun, with charming illustrations that are simple but bold. 

Book Review: Wicked Charms by Janet Evanovich, Phoef Sutton

Wicked Charms is the third book in the Lizzy & Diesel series by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton. Lizzy stumbles upon another trail to a mystical stone, but accident of course. Murdered and mummified more than ninety years ago, bootlegger Collier “Peg Leg” Dazzle once found and re-hid a famous pirate’s treasure, containing the Stone of Avarice, somewhere along the coast of New England. While Lizzy would just like to live a quiet, semi-normal life, Diesel is all about the hunt. And this hunt is going to require a genuine treasure map and a ship worthy of sailing the seven seas, or at least getting them from Salem Harbor to Maine.

Wicked Charms is exactly what I expect from Evanovich. Lizzy and Diesel are on the hunt again, and the sexual tension between them has hit full force- and then some. The usual wacky characters are here, along with some new characters. There is the millionaire that might be the answer to Lizzy's publishing dreams but has his own motives and craves the Stone of Avarice for his own less than sane reasons. There is also an obsessed professor, coroner that has his eye on Lizzy, and a pirate speaking museum employee with an eye on Glo. Mayhem, magic, murder, and Carl the monkey all play their part in the chase for the stone. There is a little less humor in this installment, but an extra helping of both danger and mayhem. Not my favorite from the series, but a great weekend read.

Wicked Charms is a fun, fast read with more perilous situations than the previous books in the series, and a little less humor, in my opinion. however, it still provides what fans of this author and of this series are looking for. It is good entertainment and a solid weekend read. 

Early Book Review: Where do Fairies Go When It Snows by Liza Gardner Walsh, Hazel Mitchell

Where do Fairies Go When It Snows is a picturebook written by Liza Gardner Walsh and illustrated by Hazel Mitchell. It is currently scheduled for release on September 15 2015. This picturebook poses questions that many fairy lovers have had over the years. How do fairies interact with the plants and animals around the world, and what do fairies do during the different seasons, particularly during the winter. The book  uses rhyming question and charming illustrations to explore the idea.

Where do Fairies Go When It Snows is a whimsical, rhyming picturebook that will capture the imaginations of many young readers. Those that already love fairies and/or nature will enjoy, and the question filled minds will read eagerly just to find some answers. The illustrations are cute and charming, pairing pretty perfectly withe the rhymed questions and answers. I really enjoyed the activities and information at the end that encourages children to care for others, like the fairies care for nature, and how to help fairies and their friends weather the winter weather.

Where do Fairies Go When It Snows is a fun and entertaining picturebook that will keep many young readers entertained during multiple re readers. The themes of caring for the world and other living things that is intrinsic to the fairy's lives are great for readers of all ages to take in. While my daughter and I have already put a fairy garden together, however I think reading this will give her new ideas and have us making our backyard even more animal and fairy friendly.

Novels About Curvy Women; Fun Chick Lit and Romance Novels

These days models and actresses seem to be shrinking dramatically. It seems that marketing and the media is convinced that the smaller the dress size the more attractive a woman is. However, several authors out there are not buying it. They are bucking the trend and writing about women of realistic proportions and the issues of size in society. Here are some of my favorite fun reads from several romance sub-genres about women with curves.

The Corset Diaries by Katie MacAlister is a lighthearted romance novel. Tess is in serious need of money so jumps at the chance to be on a reality television show called A Month in the Life of a Victorian Duke. She gets to spend a month living like a duchess. However to take part Tess needs to act and dress like a duchess from the Victorian era, which includes a tight fitting corset. Thankfully, the hunk playing her husband on the reality show is distracting enough to take her mind of her wardrobe issues. A fun and quirky romance by one of my favorite authors, MacAlister comes through for her readers yet again.

Meg Cabot's Size 12 is Not Fat is a fun mystery with a former teen singing sensation at the center. Heather Wells left behind screaming fans and was in turn left behind by a thieving mother and selfish fiancée. To make ends meet Heather becomes a Resident Assistant at a New York City college and doing clerical work for her ex-fiancée's brother Cooper's private detective business for room and board. However, strange things start happening around Heather and so she starts doing a little detective work of her own. This is the first book in an ongoing series.

Gerry Bartlett's Real Vampires Have Curves proves that while vampires might all be attractive and sexy, they are all not super skinny. Gloriana St. Clair was rendered permanently full figured when her Scottish beau turned her vampire centuries ago. Now or curvy heroine is struggling to stand on her own feet after overcoming credit and gambling problems. She starts up a vintage clothing boutique and works to become more independent and find her way through the twists and turns of romantic complications. This is the first book of an ongoing series.

The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands is a historical romance set in eleventh century England. Avelyn has more curves than she would like, and has been teased by her cousins about it unmercifully. She feels badly about herself and her size, so tries to hide her true proportions from her new husband. However, her attempts only make him think that she must be frail and prone to accidents, which make him worry and cause many misunderstandings. All the

characters are well fleshed out and entertaining. Surprises and laughs abound in this romance by another of my favorite authors.

Jennifer Cruise's Bet Me is a contemporary romance about Minerva Dobbs who is dumped by her boyfriend three weeks before her sister's wedding. Now she needs to deal with finding a new date on top of her overbearing but well-meaning mother that continually harasses Min about her size. When she overhears her ex-boyfriend make a bet that another man cannot get her home and in bed within a certain period she is beyond mad, but decides to make it work for her. Now she will have a date for the wedding, but can she resist the unexpected temptation she finds in Calvin? Sarcasm and good food abound in this delightful read.

To continue reading novels with pleasing plump heroines I suggest checking out Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones series, Jennifer Weiner's Good in Bed, Leanne Banks' Some Girls Do and Susan Donovan's He Loves Lucy. There are of course several more authors that write books feature larger women, but these are my favorites for how those women look at life, the world and themselves. 

Early Book Review: Snap by Hazel Hutchins, Dusan Petricic

Snap is a picturebook written by Hazel Hutchins and illustrated by Dusan Petricic. It is currently scheduled for release on September 22 2015. Who does not love a brand new box of crayons?  Evan is happily using them when, Snap! The brown crayon breaks in two. Then one by one, the others break, get crushed, are blown away, or simply disappear. Evan is frustrated, but scribbles using all the bits and pieces that are left and discovers new joys and uses for all of his crayons- regardless of the shape they are in.

Snap is a picturebook that makes readers think about emotion and creativity. When things do not go as planned Evan is frustrated and wants to throw things. instead he channels that energy and uses his not so perfect crayons in new ways, and in turns discovers new things. He combines colors, uses the crayons on their sides, and even finds use for the crumbling nubs. This is a good example for readers of all ages, not to let unexpected problems destroy our fun, creativity, or enjoyment of the day.

Snap is a delightful picturebook about moving past disappointment and finding the positive in life. Evan's brand new crayons break, disappear, and otherwise fail him. but, he moves forward and discovers new ways to use them that make him happy. I can think of many daily situations when we could all stand to follow in Evan's example- myself included. 

Early Book Review: Bound by Sin by Jacquelyn Frank

Bound by Sin is the third book in the Immortal Brothers series by Jacquelyn Frank. It is currently scheduled foresees on September 29 2015. This is a series I highly recommend to read in order, although the love stories of each book do stand alone, it is the bigger story of the struggles the brothers face that require reading as a series.

After being chained to a star to burn endlessly as punishment for stealing immortality from the gods, Jaykun has been unshackled to wage war alongside his brothers. But each night Jaykun must still suffer, his body burning from the inside out. One early morning, recovering from his torment, he encounters a beautiful stranger on the beach. Naked from her midnight-black hair down to her sandy toes, she approaches him with starry-eyed innocence and the unmistakable full body of a woman. His brothers fear he is blinded by her radiant beauty, that she has been sent by their enemies to seduce and destroy him. Jileana is indeed from another world, one Jaykun cannot begin to imagine. But will their passion burn brightly enough to light their way through the darkness that threatens to consume all in its path?

Bound by Sin is a goods continuation of the story, however I will admit that it was long enough since reading the previous book that I did not initially remember the particulars of how Jaykun joined his brothers. Thankfully, the story gets down to the nitty gritty pretty quickly. Jaykun and Jileana meet pretty quickly, and their attraction and agreement comes about with little trouble. Jillian is all wonder and wide eyed innocence, obviously different. Jaykun does not trust easily, and both wants to protect those around him and his own heart. While trying to gather control of the city he and his brothers have just won, the relationship between the two grows. Journeying to Jileana’s home adds a new level of conflict and danger to the mix. The pairing worked well for me, but I will admit that once they got to Jileana’s home the names got confusing, and some things got either too simple or complicated- they just did not work for me as well as I had hoped. I did still enjoy the read, it just did not hold up to me high standards for the author.

Bound by Sin is not my favorite of the series, but the set up at the end gives me high hopes for the forth. Even though I prefer the other books in the series so far, this book still had some really good moments and is worth the read, particularly for Frank fans.  

Book Review: Jampires by Sarah McInture & David O'Connell

Jampires is a picturebook by Sarah McInture & David O'Connell. The jam has been sucked out of Sam's doughnuts! Who are the culprits? Sam sets a trap to catch the jam thieves and gets a surprise! It's the Jampires, friendly little creatures whose love of jam and sweet things gets them into trouble! They fly off with Sam to their magical land sitting in the clouds, where doughnuts grow on trees, jam tarts sprout like flowers, and castles are made of jammy sponge cake.

Jampires is an imaginative picture book that will either ignite your young readers imagination, or at least get them giggling about the very idea of jampires scurrying around the world sucking the jam out of sweet treats. I really enjoyed the illustrations and the imagination that went into creating creatures like jampires and the sticky sweet world they come from. My only worry is that my sweet craving kiddos would try to pull crazy jam sucking schemes (if I actually kept any jam or jelly filled treats in the house).

Jampires is a silly and fun story for reading together during story time or as part of a bedtime routine. It would be fun to include donuts or danish in the next day's activities (with or without jelly) to continue the fun. 

Book Review: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

Midnight Crossroad is the first book in the Midnight, Texas series by Charlaine Harris. The audio book version is narrated by Susan Bennet. If you remember, I read the second book in this series, Day Shift, first and promised to go back and read the first. I am very glad I did. 

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It's a pretty standard dried-up western town. There's a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There's a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there's new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he's found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own). Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. That is far from the truth.

Midnight Crossroad made me happy very quickly. The set up for the tiny town, which appears to be a boring and dried up Texas town is a slow build up. Everyone in the town has some secrets and a past they do not want to share. Bobo is just about the most normal character in the town, and he has his own secrets. His grandfather was a white supremacists whose actions have lead those of similar mindset looking for Bobo in search of weapons. Harris fans will see references to the Shakespeare series in Bobo’s backstory (which made me very, very happy). Manfred is Bobo’s newest tenant- and our connection to the Harper Connelly series (and Sookie for that matter). He is a psychic looking for a quiet town and a place that does not ask questions. He has found that in Midnight, but he has also found many questions he wants to ask, but should not. After Manfred gets settled in a bit the trouble comes to town. Bobo’s missing girlfriend is found dead and the hunt for the murderer is on. Outsiders suspect Bobo, but no one in Midnight believes it. Readers and Manfred discover more about this town and its inhabitants than any of those inhabitants might like but answers are found. This has a closer feel to many of Harris’s mysteries than her Sookie series, so readers that became disenchanted with her writing towards the end of Sookie’s run- and after watching any True Blood- will be released with this new series.

A few caveats here. I am not sure who exactly the main character of this series is, although I think it is the town. Readers that do not handle reading books that switch between several points of view will be frustrated here. While this keeps the reader on their toes, it can be very frustrating. Most of the characters are given equal weight, and sketchy pasts. I think the only exception here Is Madonna and Teacher- I have yet to see much about their history. I think rendering the second first book was actually a good thing in this case, because I had a good grasp on who the main players were before I even started. 

Midnight Crossroad is the opening mystery to a series that could be fantastic. I am going to keep reading this series. I still want to know more about these characters, their town, and why they found themselves in Midnight. The changing points of view can be frustrating, but in a series that depends so much on secrets it just might be necessary.