Book Reviews
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Review: THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER by H.G. Parry
A beautiful book about magic, family, and the happy endings that are worth fighting for.
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Book Review: The Two Bells of Christmas by Joanna Barker
I found the story to be a bit predictable, but it was enjoyable enough that I did not mind at all. The sweet scenes made me happy. It was exactly the sort of read that I needed on a cold December day.
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Review: Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro
“I’m looking for a really thick book,” I said, “one with a black cover…it was a fantasy…” At the bookstore, they stared at me blankly. “Where is the fantasy section?” I inquired (the bookstore was recently rearranged). I found the book quickly once I got myself there.
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Review: The Village Healer’s Book of Cures by Jennifer Sherman Roberts
I like that witches in literature can be good or bad. Some do follow the black magic tradition of curses and steaming cauldrons. Other witches, like the protagonist in the book I’m about to review, are healers whose reputations suffer from superstition.
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Books of Octobers Past
Since I’ve been trying to make a habit of writing, I can’t spend as much time hiding in other stories. Still, in my opinion, a good book is worth procrastinating with.
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Sealskin by Su Bristow
Purchase here! I write about Merpeople, so I enjoy finding books that take place near the sea. Of these, my favorites are those so well-written, I can feel the chill of the sea air and smell the salt in each breath. I can only hope to one day be able to describe things in such…
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In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
Stories such as this also teach us the endurance of the human spirit. When the only thing standing between a man and death is hope, how can a shipwrecked captain keep his crew hopeful? When it seems that the cry of land-ho will never come, how can a starving, thirsty sailor be troubled to keep…
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Vella Review: THE DARING ADVENTURES OF HONORIA PORTER (BOOK 1)
I have not yet read many mystery novels, my preferred genre being historical fiction. However, I’ve noticed that a mystery tends to be memorable if the protagonist—the sleuth—is interesting. Holmes and Watson are great sleuths! I scarcely remember the plot lines of those novels (I know, I know—due for a reread!) but I can remember…
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Book Review: THE DUKE’S GHOST BRIDE
Though ghosts and tales about them are popular, especially around the time of Halloween, nothing is really known about them. How would a ghost spend all of that free time? Does a ghost ever wish to have a biscuit or a conversation with the living? THE DUKE’S GHOST BRIDE by Fanny Finch is a charming,…
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REVIEW: The Blue Salt Road
I believe that humans are, by nature, fascinated by the ocean—and what is not known about her. That’s why so many legends of varying kinds have crept up over time. The best-known sea myths involve Mermaids and their cousins, Selkies. THE BLUE SALT ROAD is the story of an adventurous Selkie who, in an act…
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Book Review: THE DUKE’S WRITER
Sometimes, on a cool autumn’s evening, what we need is light-hearted romance with a happy ending! The book title, THE DUKE’S WRITER, is what first hooked me. All of those years ago, writing was an activity shared by all. Letter-writing was an art, and most people kept some form of diary. We don’t see these…
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Book Review: THE COURT UNDER THE SEA
Originally published in Vella format, The Court Under the Sea is a tale of suspense and magic. Protagonist Karina Starheart lives a quiet life with her parents and sister. Theirs is a happy family, united and strong. It isn’t the sort of family that would expect a large change or challenge. Perhaps Karina’s life has…
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 