Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: Spindrifts by A-M Mawhiney

Synopsis (Taken from Amazon)

Racism, climate change, and violence are in the past. The new world values respect and collaboration with others. But are there secrets lurking in the shadows of the Land of Hope? What truth about the past is being covered up?

When fifteen-year-old Fania returns from Immersion, she is shattered to learn that the next phase of her education is at home with Alicia, her granny. She had hoped for something far grander that would prepare her for an important role with the Earth Project. Their two strong personalities clash as Fania begins to learn more about the past and her family’s role in it.

As Fania grows in confidence and power, she starts to wonder exactly what secrets Alicia is keeping in her underground lab. After Fania discovers the truth, she finds her calling: one that has the power to change everything.

Spindrifts

Review

The book’s concept holds important messages that the author has woven throughout the story. A-M Mawhiney does a great job sharing valuable life lessons about caring for the Earth, discovering your own gifts and strengths, and learning to love and accept people for who they are. This is the type of book that could be shared in classrooms, helping spark conversation.

One of my favourite parts was how the author explained the plagues during the homecoming event. Instead of simply telling readers about them, the information was incorporated into an event within the story, which made it more engaging.

The book contains a lot of detailed descriptions, so there wasn’t as much dialogue as I typically enjoy, and the pacing felt a little slow at times. However, the slower pace allows readers to absorb the lessons and themes the author is presenting.

If you enjoy a book with great description and life lessons, this is the book for you.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for your support).

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Review: Sugar Plums and Death’s Intern by DC Gomez

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

What’s the worst way to spend a weekend with your quirky, magical team?
A team-building retreat, of course.

When Constantine drags the crew to Hochatown, OK, for some “bonding,” no one’s thrilled. Bob’s only focus is the bake-off, which is already shaping up to be a recipe for disaster. But when a group of thieves launches a high-stakes heist in the middle of their supposed downtime, things go south faster than you can say “sugar plums.”

Now, it’s not just about surviving each other’s company—it’s about surviving in a town where the dead have a nasty habit of showing up, and everyone has a secret. Between eccentric family reunions, a string of bodies dropping like flies, and a magical showdown that’s anything but ordinary, the team will have to navigate the chaos or risk becoming part of the mess themselves.

In this hilarious, fast-paced urban fantasy adventure, Sugar Plums and Death’s Intern proves that sometimes, the real danger comes from the family you never asked for—and the enemies you never saw coming.

Sugar Plums and Death’s Intern is book nine in The Enchanted Woods Cottagecore Series.

This book is set in the Reapers Universe. A stand-alone misadventure from the Intern Diaries. You don’t need the full files to survive this story. If you enjoy Supernatural and True Blood, the crew of Sugar Plums and Death’s Intern will keep you turning pages while wishing you were in your own cottage sipping tea.

Sugar Plums and Death's Intern: An Urban Fantasy Adventure

Review

This story takes place in the Reaper’s universe, and just like the first book I read in this universe (Death’s Intern), I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The author does an excellent job balancing the pacing between major plot developments and meaningful character interactions, keeping the story engaging from beginning to end.

I love the entire concept behind this universe. The author’s idea of using the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and giving them interns is creative. It’s a premise that immediately stands out and creates plenty of opportunities for both humour and adventure.

The diverse cast of characters gives the book a lot to play with, each bringing their own unique skills and personalities to the story, from fighting abilities to baking talents. The friendships feel authentic, and the dialogue flows naturally as the characters joke around, tease one another, and share more serious moments when it counts.

My favourite character again is the old talking cat. As an animal lover, I couldn’t help but adore him. His personality perfectly captures that bossy, opinionated cat energy while still showing how much he cares about his family.

If you enjoy a fun, fast-paced story with memorable characters and a unique universe, this is the book for you.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for your support)

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Review: Forsaken Souls: Fourth Novel in the Callum Walker Series by J. M. Shaw

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

ANCIENT HATRED NEVER DIES.

For two centuries, the Der’geron have waited.

Exiled after the great elven war, they have nursed their vengeance in silence. Now, as unrest fractures the Northern Kingdom and alliances weaken, the long-shadowed enemy begins to rise.

Callum Walker never asked for destiny.

But when he and his companion Jax attempt to repair the failing veil between realms, they are captured and dragged into the hellish grotto beneath Elfarian. Forced to labor or die, Callum uncovers a terrifying truth:

This will not be a war.

It will be a reckoning.

Tempted by dark magic and haunted by his own buried anguish, Callum must decide whether to embrace a power that may save the realm—or destroy his soul.

For readers who love epic fantasy with political tension, reluctant heroes, and magic that comes at a cost.

Forsaken Souls: Fourth Novel in the Callum Walker Series

Review

Being the fourth in the series, this book easily picked up where the previous installment left off. There was no lengthy rehashing of events, which allowed me to jump right back into the story and reconnect with the characters almost immediately.

The relationships between the characters continue to evolve, and it’s interesting to watch them grow and change throughout the story. As always, the dialogue was a particular highlight for me. Conversations felt natural and engaging, helping to deepen both the characters and their connections to one another.

I really liked that the main characters don’t magically know all the answers; they had to actively seek out information, make mistakes, and work through obstacles. It made the story feel more believable and kept me invested in their journey. Especially how it integrated mental health themes. These elements were woven into the narrative in a very natural way; they never felt forced or overly emphasized but instead became part of the characters’ lived experiences, which adds realism.

The readers are introduced to new characters, new forms of magic, and fresh struggles for the protagonists. The change of scenery was refreshing, and I enjoyed learning more about the realm’s history. Expanding the world added another layer of intrigue and made me eager to discover what comes next.

If you are looking for a fun fantasy, with a growing world and deep characters, this is the book for you.

Get your copy here (affiliate link). Thank you for your support.

Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: Hygge and Homicide: A Hygge House Cozy Mystery by A. L. Jensen

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

She came home for a fresh start. She found a body instead.

After a divorce, an empty nest, and a life that no longer fit, interior designer Minna Halonen returns to the lakeside town she grew up in — ready to trade city stress for flickering candles, pine forests, and the quiet rhythm of Nordic living.

Taking over her mother’s beloved home décor shop and transforming a rundown lakeside property into Hygge House — a cozy retreat for workshops and gatherings — Minna is finally building something that feels like hers.

Then a body turns up on her doorstep. On opening morning.

With whispers spreading through Lakewood’s tight-knit community and her dream business under suspicion, Minna has no choice but to put her designer’s eye for detail to a very different use. Because someone in this charming little town isn’t as cozy as they appear.

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, Laura Childs, and anyone who loves a mystery wrapped in hygge warmth.

The Hygge House Mystery Series — where Scandinavian comfort meets small-town secrets.

Hygge and Homicide: A Hygge House Cozy Mystery

Review

From the start, the dialogue and character interactions felt natural and engaging. The main friendship stood out, as the personalities contrasted well. You can see why opposites attract.
  
The author does an incredible job of describing the scenery, particularly the home’s interior design. The details are vivid without becoming overwhelming, which makes it easy to picture every room and setting clearly.
  
The mystery itself has a strong “whodunit” feel, with random little clues scattered throughout the story that keep you guessing. Some clues seem small or insignificant at first, but they help build the tension. Hugo the dog completely steals scenes whenever he appears (because – dog!).
  
A few minor issues interrupted the reading flow, but they didn’t ruin the story; instead, they occasionally pulled me out of the moment.
  
The ending has a perfect twist, with a satisfying, heartfelt conclusion.
  
If you enjoy a great cozy mystery, this is the book for you!

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for your support)

Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: Ranger’s Oath (Fall of Radiance, Book 1) by Blake Arthur Peel

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Experience the beginning of a thrilling epic fantasy series in RANGER’S OATH, where friendship fights failure – and the monsters thought to be only legends.

The barrier between worlds is broken. Only he knows the truth…

Magic has protected Tarsynium for a thousand years, shielding its people from being ravaged by bloodthirsty demons. When a young ranger’s apprentice named Owyn Lund discovers that the Arc of Radiance has been breached, he tries to warn anybody who will listen.

But legends aren’t supposed to be real.

When a village is mysteriously destroyed, rangers, mages, and rebels all point the finger, blaming each other for the demons’ brutality. However, Zara Dennel, a mage’s ward, has heard Owyn’s tale—and she’s inclined to believe him.

Together, they must prove that friendship is greater than intolerance, unity is more important than division, and that even the most powerful magic can sometimes not be enough.

Failure means the end of all things. A second—and lasting—Doom.

Experience the beginning of a thrilling Epic Fantasy series suitable for all ages.

Review

I really enjoyed how this book was structured, with each chapter alternating first-person narrative between the two main characters. Getting both perspectives kept things fresh and made it easy to stay invested in what was happening on both sides. It was especially interesting that one character is a ranger and the other is a mage. The two roles are basically raised to distrust each other. That tension adds a subtle layer to their interactions and keeps you wondering how things will play out.

The pacing worked well, the battle scenes didn’t feel overdone or dragged out, and they pushed the story forward. There’s just enough description to clearly picture what’s going on, with a lot of dialogue.

I also liked that the story surprised me. I had a suspicion about one of the characters early on, and while I was partly right that something was off, the full reveal wasn’t what I expected. 

By the end, the main storyline wraps up nicely, but there’s also a small tease of what’s coming next.

If you enjoy a fun, fast-paced young adult read, this is the book for you.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for the support).