Reader's Choice

  Book: The Orphanage on Cheswick Court  Author: Haule Voss  In The Orphanage on Cheswick Court: The Hollowbloods, Haule Voss introduces readers to a richly imagined world where magic, destiny, and sacrifice intertwine. The story follows fifteen-year-old Thaddeus Volkameria, an orphan shaped by loss and raised by a pack of enchanted wolves—a premise that immediately sets this tale apart from typical fantasy origins. From the very beginning, Voss captures the reader’s attention with the wild, untamed beauty of Thaddeus’s upbringing. When Thaddeus is summoned to the Enchanted Haven—a mysterious orphanage for children marked by dark magic—the novel shifts from a story of survival in the wilderness to one of discovery and transformation. The Enchanted Haven itself is one of the book’s strongest settings: eerie yet inviting, steeped in secrets, and perched on the edge of a cursed forest. Voss’s world-building is filled with a gothic atmosphere and moral complexity. Every child...

  Book: Grythwood Chronicles  Author: Jeffrey Campos  Review: This isn’t your typical fantasy novel. Grythwood Chronicles – Book One feels like a fable resurrected from an ancient manuscript — epic, spiritual, and deeply symbolic. Campos builds his story around the hawk brothers Rigor and Berwyck, the devoted Xucca, and the noble Lieutenant Kaeleos, but behind their personal journeys lies something even grander: a meditation on faith, destiny, and the dangers of power. The concept of “magic as both creation and curse” runs throughout the book like a heartbeat. Campos’s world of Yarrow and Tyral is alive with tension — wars between kingdoms, spiritual relics, and creatures bound by ancient promises. Yet what lingers most are the quiet emotional beats: Xucca’s grief, Kaeleos’s code of honor, and the haunting idea that love can transcend both war and time. The dialogue between the characters feels formal, almost mythic, which suits the tone of a legend retold through generat...

  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Book: Reprisal Road: A Joe Erickson Mystery Author: Lynn-Steven Johanson 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Review: From the first chapter, Lynn-Steven Johanson sets the tone with a chilling murder scene that feels like it’s out of a true crime documentary. The roses, the Latin card, the way the victim is chosen—all of it builds an atmosphere that is both eerie and intriguing. Joe Erickson is the type of detective who makes you feel like you’re right there with him. He doesn’t always have the answers, but he keeps digging. His partnership adds balance too, making the investigation feel grounded. The plot doesn’t waste time. Each murder raises the stakes, and each revelation keeps the reader guessing. I never felt like the story slowed down, and the suspense was consistent throughout. By the end, what struck me most was how realistic the motive was. It wasn’t just about catching a random killer—it was about uncovering the twisted reasoning behind it. That’s what made the book stay with me afte...

  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Book: The Dark Lost Within the Light  Author: Sonnet Shepherd  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Review: This novel introduces us to Layna, a captivating protagonist watched over by her guardian angel, Alec. Bound by duty to serve mankind, Alec struggles with a secret—his tender affection for Layna, which he expresses through heartfelt notes and modest poems. His growing feelings put him in conflict with his divine purpose, creating a tension that runs beautifully through the story. As Alec battles his emotions, the looming threat of the dark overlord Hades adds a compelling layer of danger. Hades would revel in exploiting Alec’s weakness to bring about mankind’s downfall. At the same time, Layna begins to discover her own mysterious gift. The ending leaves readers at a cliffhanger, eager to know whether Alec and Layna will ultimately be united or torn apart by forces beyond their control. Overall, this is a well-crafted, emotionally charged story that blends romance, fantasy, and ...

  Book: The Stag Diary  Author: Doug Limbrick  Review: Doug Limbrick’s The Stag Diary – Passage to Colonial Adelaide 1850 is a compelling read. The book traces the voyage of roughly 260 emigrants who set sail for colonial South Australia in 1850 aboard The Stag. Most passengers travelled in steerage, including Francis Taylor, whose vivid reflection—“… you cannot by day or night enjoy one moment of solitude…”—captures the lack of privacy and difficult conditions on board. Limbrick highlights the challenges faced by the emigrants, from sleepless nights caused by the ship’s constant motion to the struggle with seasickness, particularly during the slow progress toward Plymouth in the early days of the voyage. The book enriches the historical record with illustrations, including depictions of The Stag itself, and carefully brings to life the emotions of the emigrants as they neared their destination. Through thoughtful narration and extensive references, Limbrick provides not ...

  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Book: Shaggy's Cheeseburgers Author: Ron Ladman  🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Review: Ronnie’s storytelling really shines in this book. He’s open, funny, and straightforward, which makes it easy to connect with his words. He talks about tough situations but never makes them sound hopeless. Instead, he focuses on what can be learned. I liked how he didn’t just focus on the good times. He admitted mistakes, challenges, and failures, which made his journey more relatable. Life isn’t perfect, and this book shows that even messy paths can lead to something great. The Katrina chapters were emotional and gripping. You could feel the chaos and the heartbreak, but you could also feel the strength of people who refused to let the storm define their future. Those moments give the book its depth. If you want a story that mixes humor, honesty, and hope, this book is a great choice. It feels real and stays with you long after you finish reading. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Rating: 5/5