The Timestone Key by Pamela Hearon

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Book Info:
Genre: Romance, fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Press

As a young child, Halley made a deal with Merlin by accepting a white feather from an owl visiting her room one night. Although she has no memory of the exchange, all her life she’s been drawn to King Arthur and unable to settle down and get married. Finally she decides to live out her dream and visit England for a trip back into the past. Torn between a mysterious vision of Arthur, a Manor Lord, and a doting finance, I read ahead eagerly to see which one she would end up with!

Ms. Hearon weaves history and an age old legend with a modern day fairytale. I’ve always dreamt of going back to the days of King Arthur and meeting all of the characters in the legends. By reading the Timestone key, I got to live out my fantasies through Halley and I learned more about King Arthur at the same time.

Sensual and spiritual, The Timestone Key is a wonderful journey of self realization that ends in pure bliss.

Firefly Beach by Meira Pentermann

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Genre: Mystery, Commercial Fiction
Publisher: Lyrical Press
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After the death of her mother and a disappointing divorce, Beth moves to a small cottage in Maine to restart her life and pursue a dream she’d buried in her youth as an artist. She follows a firefly down to a secret beach and finds the journal of a teenage girl who disappeared years ago. Her story leads Beth on a journey that brings her into the pasts of all the townspeople. At first the young girl’s writing inspires her painting to new levels and then it challenges Beth to face her own past.

The details of Firefly Beach give Beth’s story meaning and make it come alive. Ms. Pentermann transports the reader to a cozy town on the breathtaking shores of Maine. As a New Englander myself, I can say her descriptions are spot on and vivid. Underneath all the beautiful description is a mystery that unravels slowly and powerfully. Her novel is about personal relationships and how people are shaped by their past and the decisions they’ve made throughout their lives.

I very much enjoyed sharing in Beth’s success as she overcame her past and her dream as an artist took shape. The townspeople were three dimensional, interesting characters with their own pasts and triumphs and tribulations. The story was a beautiful puzzle to put together and remained a mystery right up until the very last pages where it unwound in profound emotions and truths that came full circle. It was not the way I thought it would be, in fact, the ending pages were far more satisfying!

Firefly Beach is a soothing read that heals at the same time. I recommend it to anyone up for a good mystery and in need of a vacation in which to escape.

Ink in the Blood by Chandra Ryan

Book Info:
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Publisher: Lyrical Press
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Isabella has special abilities to change her appearance, but she’s going to need more than her magic to confront her past demons. After a stint in rehab, she’s back on the streets working for the DEA to find local drug sellers. She’s willing to face her past in order to seek revenge on her half brother who’s caused havoc in her life. What she doesn’t expect is falling in love with the human assigned to her brother’s case. Now she has to keep him alive while resisting temptation.

Ink in the Blood is a dark and edgy urban fantasy where potions and magic are considered deadlier weapons than hand guns. There’s a constant, lurking danger that stalks Isabella throughout the read, creating a suspenseful atmosphere that kept me scrolling down to read more. Her chemistry with the human, Jacob, is sizzling and well paced. Their love crosses the boundaries between Asura and human, and cop and former addict. They have a lot to overcome and the tension is palpable. I found myself wondering how Jacob will react to the truth of what she is and how the two of them can outsmart a man that can turn a normal woman insane.

Chompy by Ralph Piccolo

Book Info:
Genre: Children's, Fantasy
Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
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Anna is a vibrant little girl that likes to explore enchanted forests with her best friend, Mike. They have wonderful adventures with hide and seek underneath tall mushrooms and through thick trees. Mike is her “Dark Knight” of the Pentacle forest and she enjoys pretending to be a princess that he saves. Suddenly, Anna gets sick. Her only hope is a mythical creature hidden deep within the forest. Mike must journey by himself to prove that he truly is her knight and save her.

Chompy is a charming story told in the style and rhythm of an age old fairytale. Although it has magic and a furry little animal that squeaks, it is also very serious with a real life message for children and adults alike. I enjoyed reading about all of the details of the forest and my heart clenched for Anna as she was forced to eat only soup and take x rays at the doctor’s office. The ending left my heart shining.

The Forest of Hand and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Book Info:
Genre: YA, Horror, Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: Delacorte Press


Mary lives in a secluded village surrounded by wire fences that keep out the Unconsecrated, an army of living dead. Ruled by the Sisterhood and the Guardians, the village may be the last one of its kind. Life is not about love and risk, but commitment and adherence to the policies dictated by the Sisterhood. Betrothed to a man she doesn’t love and tempted by her best friend’s intended, Mary has trouble believing in the Sisterhood’s rules. Even more, she craves what lies beyond the village walls, seduced by her mother’s tales of a vast ocean beyond the forest of hands and teeth.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth is gruesome and dark with love at its core. Set in a post apocalyptic society of religion and fear, the story draws on freedom verses imprisonment and predestination verses choice. Ryan weaves a complex web of passion, love, and jealousy. Filled with tension, strained relationships, and lots of teen angst drama, this tale is hard to put down. A great sense of irresolution keeps page after page turning at light speed. But if you want answers, this book is not for you. Written in a literary style with elegant prose and poignant descriptions, Ryan is more focused on the journey than the end result. Perhaps she will give us more answers in the second installment, The Dead-Tossed Waves.

The Sidhe and the Dragon-Lost Jewel by SilverValkyre

Book Info:
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
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Mahshon, the immortal prince of the elves, must protect the land from all things, including dragons. His duty brings him to faraway glens and lodges, ancient passes, and magical forests. Along the way he meets beautiful young women but only one lovely lady has captured his true heart. And that special woman is no where to be found. As he answers a tricky dragon riddle, he finally understands what she meant to him. But does his realization come too late?

SilverValkyre weaves an enchanting tale that flows like lyrics to a love ballade. Her prose is graceful and ornately decorated with rich description. Each word is a jewel to marvel at and savor. The story whisked me away to another land. I could almost feel the wind on my face and catch a glimpse of the ravishing elfish prince as he turned my way.

The Sidhe and the Dragon is an indulgence in magic and passion, a real treat to read.

Shades of Green by Rhonda Parrish

Book Info:
Genre: Fantasy/sci fi
Publisher: Sam's Dot Publishing
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Rescued by Reptars at a young age, Z’thandra is the last swamp elf of her kind. A cataclysmic event called the Curse rattled her land. The elves died of fever, and the Reptars’ technology and advanced society crumbled. Now all they have is a mystical stone, rumored to be a dragon’s egg that hovers in their council hall, their last ray of hope.

Z’thandra lives a life plagued by prejudice from her foster sister and the untrusting villagers in the Reptar council. Driven by ignorance, the Reptars are fierce and quick to condemn. After a chance meeting with a handsome human in the swamps surrounding her village, Z’thandra is faced with the decision of her life. Will she leave the only home she’s known and doom the Reptars to extinction, or will she suffer for their own sins and lead them to a better life?

Set in the fantasy world of Aphanasia, Shades of Green is a unique and unsettling tale of life after an apocalypse. The descriptions are exotic and fun to read, and I felt for Z’thandra’s plight throughout. Amongst all of the prejudice and hatred she is able to forgive, and that is truly heroic. The ending is unexpected and left me with much to think about. This is no fluffy fantasy tale, but a powerful and emotional journey with a profound message at the end.