Thursday, December 7, 2023

Shannon's Review - Monsterland by Michael Phillip Cash








Title: Monsterland
Series: Not At Moment
Author: Michael Phillip Cash
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Vampire, Werewolves, Zombies
Publisher: Create Space
Received: Free From Publisher For Review
Release Date: January 2015
Pages: 223
Rating:



Author Michael Phillip Cash’s Official Websites:




Website:
http://www.michaelphillipcash.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelPhillipCash

Twitter/X:
None Found

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelphillipcashofficial/

TikTok:
None Found

YouTube:
None Found


Shannon’s Thoughts:

Teenager Wyatt Baldwin, his little brother, and his friends are invited to the opening of a new unusual amusement park. It is similar to Jurassic Park but with vampires, werewolves and zombies. It’s not just one park but many all over the world will open at the same time. What sounds exciting and fun soon turns scary and life-threatening.

This is my first time reading this author, Michael Phillip Cash, and I did enjoy it. It was written well and the characters were memorable. The amusement park was described very much like Disneyworld only much darker which I found funny. I could see this as a PG-13 movie.

I liked it but I did not love it, because it was predictable. I am not sure how it could have gone any other way than it did. It was okay.

It was a quick read and had some fun moments and I could see this book getting a sequel. It is certainly set up for one. I have a pile of books from this author that I will be delving into soon.

Monday, December 4, 2023

Shannon's Review - Felicity The Dragon by Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg





Title: Felicity The Dragon
Series: Not At Moment
Author: Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg
Genre: Children’s, Fiction, Fantasy, Picture Book, Dragons
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Received: Free For Honest Review
Release Date: September 2015
Pages: 32
Rating:




Author Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg’s Official Websites:




Website:
https://www.ruthiebriggsgreenberg.com/

Blog:
https://www.ruthiebriggsgreenberg.com/ruthie-s-view

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RUTHIEINC/

Twitter/X:
https://twitter.com/RuthieAuthor

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ruthiebriggsgreenberg

TikTok:
None Found

YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@ruthiebriggsgreenberg4908


Shannon’s Thoughts:

Felicity is a shy dragon, unlike other dragons. She does not breathe fire and her wings are too tiny to fly with but she likes being helpful to all species.

Felicity's story is cute and fun. It has some rhyming and words that little ones will find funny like the word hiney.

I am trying to figure out how I feel about the art. Some pages I liked others less. I do appreciate how much work was put into them and the illustrations are very detailed.

I liked this one mostly for the subject matter and cute writing. The art is okay but not what I will remember it for. I would be interested to see if the author plans to do more picture books.



Sunday, December 3, 2023

Shannon's Review - The Haunting OF Clandestine House by Celina Myers





Title: The Haunting Of Clandestine House
Series: Not at the Moment
Author: Celina Myers
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Supernatural
Publisher: Overcast Publishing
Received: bought
Release Date: March 2019
Pages: 149
Rating:



Author Celina Myers’s Official Websites:




Website:
www.celinaspookyboo.com

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter/X:
None Found

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/celinaspookyboo

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@celinaspookyboo

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/CelinaSpookyBoo




Shannon’s Thoughts:

A young woman, Hannah Watts, buys an old abandoned house with the hopeful feeling that she can fix up the house and enjoy life in a new town. She quickly learns that the house has a darkness that very few escape.


This is the first book I have read by Celina Myers and I enjoyed that she is not afraid to let her stories get dark and stay dark. It is a very quick read as it is only 149 pages.


The story needed to be longer. I wanted to learn more about the house and its former owners and the town people.


I will be reading more by Celina Myers. I like the way she writes because she has a way with scary stories.

Shannon's Review - White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter









Title: White Christmas Pie
Series: Not Currently
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction,
Publisher: Barbour Books
Received: Bought
Release Date: September 2008
Pages: 300
Rating:



Author Wanda Brunstetter’s Official Websites:






Website:
https://wandabrunstetter.com/

Blog:
https://wandabrunstetter.com/journal/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WandaBrunstetterFans

Twitter/X:
https://twitter.com/WBrunstetter

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wanda_brunstetter/

TikTok:
None found

YouTube:
Https://www.youtube.com/user/WandaBrunstetter



Shannon’s Thoughts:

A winter wedding is planned for the Amish couple Will and bride-to-be Karen. Will was originally born in the English world, but at 6, his real father left him with an Amish couple, Mark and Regina. His father had meant to come back for Will after a couple of months but terrible circumstances happened that kept him from writing or physically getting him. When he finally did come for him Will and his adoptive family moved and his father had no way of finding him. Will now an adult and soon to be married still has abandonment issues. After 16 years his father has found him and wants to reconnect. Will must find a way to deal with his anger and find a way to forgive.


I am a fan of Amish fiction for two reasons: One is because they are light-hearted, cozy, and don’t need much brain power. Two my mother really liked them and now that she has passed away they make me think of her. This one was one of the last ones she had read. It was a comforting read. The back and forth between the Amish families and then Will’s English family felt different than some Amish fiction and I liked it because of that.


I was hoping for it to take place during Christmas but in reality, it doesn’t get to the holiday until the end of the book. I was also surprised there was no recipe in the back of the book for the pie because I have seen books that do put the recipes in the end.


Even with the holiday misdirection I still like Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish fiction more than others because I feel her books are always lite.

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Shannon's Review - The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin





Title: The Children’s Blizzard
Series: No
Author: Melanie Benjamin
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Barbara M. Bachman
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, American History Fiction,
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Received: Purchased
Release Date: January 2021
Pages: 355
Rating:



Author Melanie Lynne Hauser (aka Melanie Benjamin) Official Websites:




Website:
https://melaniebenjamin.com/

Blog:
None found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Melanie-Benjamin-Author-208671032480607/#

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MelanieBen

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melaniebenjamin_author/

TikTok:
None Found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

On an unusual day in the Dakota territories in January of 1888 a blizzard strikes. Two teenage sisters who are also school teachers in different towns are tested beyond their measures to keep their students safe. One will succeed and one does not. Another young woman, a servant, hopes for love to reign in the disaster. All based on a sad true story that has betrayal, death, and hope.

I love Melanie Benjamin's historical fiction because she seems to be able to jump into each character’s mind so easily. The characters' emotions feel true and their reactions to things that happen just make sense.

This book did jump around to the 3 or 4 characters often. I did get confused about which sister was which. I think that is just me. I have horrible short-term memory and names don’t stick in my head.

I will continue to read Mrs. Benjamin’s books because I love them. She has a new one called California Golden either out now or soon. I look forward to it and future releases.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Shannon Review - In Every Generation by Kendare Blake (#1 )









Title: In Every Generation
Series: #1 In Every Generation
Author: Kendare Blake
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Series, TV Series, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Vampires, Fantasy, Thriller
Publisher: Disney - Hyperion
Received: Free For Honest Review
Release Date: January 2022
Pages: 400
Rating:




Author Kendare Blake’s Official Websites:




Website:
https://www.kendareblake.com/


Blog:

https://www.kendareblake.com/blog/


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kendare.blake


Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KendareBlake


Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kendareblake

TikTok:
Not Found



Shannon’s Thoughts:


It's been 13 years since Buffy Summers the vampire slayer and her friends did a spell to awaken all slayers worldwide. Now Buffy's best friend Willow and her daughter Frankie Rosenberg may be what's left to save the world. It looks like all the slayers including Buffy may be dead. We find out Frankie's parentage is a mystical one. Her mother Willow is a great witch her father, if you had to describe him, was mystical energy. Frankie has trained as a witch under her mother and now seems she is also a Slayer…? Frankie and her best friend Jake who is also Oz's nephew are looking for a way to help all the Slayers including Buffy.

This book takes place after season 7. This history does not follow the same as the comic books it's a whole new take. However, it does have regulars from the series like Willow, Oz, and Spike.


While I don’t think this is canon like the Dark Horse comics are this is an interesting way to go. I like the idea of Frankie’s parentage. Not sure how I feel about the return of Oz. I like Frankie as a character. The other characters are…okay.


On the downside, I don’t feel there was a lot of plot. It was mostly an introduction to the new characters. I also don’t feel this book would bring new readers or new fans. I think it would make sense to those of us who have watched the show but confusing to those who have not watched it.


I hope they keep writing books and comics to keep the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series alive. I know there are going to be 2 more books in this series and that there are 2 other prequels out now (one on Spike and the other on Tara). Anything that keeps the series active I will enjoy.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Shannon's Review - The Saint Of Dragons by Jason Hightman







Title: The Saint Of Dragons
Series: Simon St. George #1
Author: Jason Hightman
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Vince Natale, and Hilary Zarycky
Genre: Fiction, Juvenile, Fantasy, Dragons
Publisher: Eos
Received: Bought
Release Date: September 2004
Pages: 291
Rating:




Author Jason Hightman’s Official Websites:


(borrowed from Goodreads.com)


Website:
None Found

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter:
None Found

Instagram:
None Found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

A young man, Simon St. George, has spent his life thinking of himself as an orphan until his father comes to the private school and claims him. His father reveals he and Simon come from a long line of dragon slayers. Simon thinks his so-called father is nuts. Together they go on an adventure unlike any other.

The book opens up with Simon meeting his father for the first time so of course, the relationship is estranged. Simon's father believes he fights dragons. Although Simon believes his father is crazy because how could dragons be real? But Simon will soon realize that his father is not crazy as they deal with dragons, magic, and so much more. I enjoyed the way dragons were modernized. Regular people who couldn't see magic only saw a regular person but those that were more magically inclined saw the dragon for what he was, an evil being that wanted power.

I can't think of anything that I didn't link about the book. there was magic there was a twist it pretty much had everything. Including a love interest for the father.

It is a series I would like to continue I know there are a couple more books in the series. I'll see if I ever get to it as I have so many books to read but this was enjoyable. The writing was good and I did like the twist at the end

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Shannon's Review - The Magic Of Friendship Snow by Andi Cann





Title: The Magic Of Friendship Snow
Series: Not At Moment
Author: Andi Cann
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Andi Cann
Genre: Fiction, Children, Picturebook, Winter
Publisher: Mindview Press
Received: Bought
Release Date: Sept 2008
Pages: 32
Rating:



Author Andi Cann’s Official Websites:



Website:
https://www.andicann.com/

Blog:
https://www.andicann.com/blog/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/andicannbooks/

Twitter:
None found

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/andicannbooks/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

A little girl that has a hard time making friends find a snowman to talk to. He is a unique snowman that helps children like her make friends with other children.

Even though this book is based in the winter it has a message that can be used year-round. As a child, I was very like the little girl, Jo Jo. What I would have given for a magical snowman or a whimsical scarecrow (The are no scarecrows in this book, I was just using it as an example) to help me make friends.

I wish that the snowman, Puddles, could have stayed longer to help JoJo. Puddles, like Frosty, could only stay in the snowy part of the year. I would like to see a story like this but with a character that hangs out year-round.

It is a very sweet book that is great for all children, especially those that are going to start school soon.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Shannon's Review - Shaman, Healer, Sage by Alberto Villoldo Ph.D.








Title: Shaman, Healer, Sage
Series: Not at the moment
Author: Alberto Villoldo Ph. D.
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Lauren Dong
Genre: Non-Fiction, Spirituality, Holistic Medicine
Publisher: Harmony
Received: bought
Release Date: December 2000
Pages: 243
Rating:



Author Alberto Villoldo Ph. D Official Websites:



Website:
https://thefourwinds.com/

Blog:
https://thefourwinds.com/blog/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AlbertoVilloldo

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/albertovilloldo

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/albertovilloldo_thefourwinds/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Author, Dr. Villoldo, writes about how his path in life led him to be a healer that heals with energy medicine.

I enjoyed reading this and it was written in a nice quick flow. The doctor’s history with the many different communities where he practiced energy healing with was interesting.


If you are looking for a book that teaches you how to be a healer then this is not the best book. To be honest I don’t remember too much of the lessons. The author does have his own classes but for myself, I don’t have that kind of money. It is not a bad read, I just wanted to learn more about how I can become a healer and this made me like it might be out of my reach.


I would read more books by the author just because this was well written. It might be good for someone who is researching holistic healing but they have read nothing about the subject before.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Shannon's Review - Marvel Adventures Hulk: Defenders Vol. 2 by Paul Benjamin






Title: Marvel Adventures Hulk - Vol. 2: Defenders
Series: Marvel Adventures Hulk
Author: Paul Benjamin
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: David Nakayama and Steve Scott
Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Marvel, Hulk, Fantasy, Superheroes
Publisher: Marvel
Received: Bought
Release Date: April 2008
Pages: 96
Rating:



Author Paul Benjamin’s Official Websites:



Website:
https://paulbenjaminwrites.com/

Blog:
None found

Facebook:
None found

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/thepaulbenjamin

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/paulbenjaminwrites/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Dr. Bruce Banner tries to keep his cool except when his friends or the world needs help he gets angry and becomes the big mean green Hulk. Banner’s friends Rick and his pet monkey help the Hulk anyway they can even though they have no real super power. Trouble always seems to follow the doctor and it is usually some really bad evil being trying to take over earth.

This is volume 2 in Hulk adventures. I have not read the first volume and I feel like there might be some important info that I am missing but not a lot. I enjoyed the comic relief friend, Rick, and monkey.

I was a little confused when the silver surfer showed up as a good guy because I really thought he was a villain. I have not read a lot of Hulk comics before but I have seen the movies and tv shows with the character. Rick and monkey have not been in the movies as far as I know so that might be part of the storyline in volume 1 that I missed.

These mini adventure books are great for kids starting to read and for those who may not be ready for novels. Graphic novels like these are short and sweet. I will be reading more of them as they come my way.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Shannon's Review - Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch by Richard Hine




Title: Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch
Series: Not At Moment
Author: Richard Hine
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Humor
Publisher: Amazon Encore
Received: Free for Review
Release Date: October 2010
Pages: 300
Rating:



Author Richard Hine’s Official Websites:




Website:
https://www.richardhine.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/RichardHineAuthor/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/richardhine

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/richardhine/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Russell Wiley’s path is hitting a sharp turn on the rollercoaster of life. His wife is less interested in him and his job is failing.

The writing flows well enough and Russell’s problems were interesting at first.

As the story goes on all I kept thinking is “Okay where is this going? Where is the plot?” Unfortunately, I never found one, or I did not get what it was. The book was pretty boring. In the beginning, I felt bad for Russell, but then somewhere near the middle, I stopped caring. I read other reviews that this was humorous. I did not laugh once.

Maybe if you have worked in an office with a job like Russell you would like this more than I did and find it funny. Sadly, I did not like this book.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Shannon's Review - I Don't Want To Go To School by A.J. Cosmo






Title: I Don’t Want To Go To School
Series: Not At Moment
Author: A.J. Cosmo
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: A.J. Cosmo
Genre: Fiction, Children's, School, Picturebook,
Publisher: Thought Bubble Publishing
Received: Free for review
Release Date: August 2013
Pages: 38
Rating:



Author A.J. Cosmo’s Official Websites:




Website:
https://ajcosmo.com/

Blog:
None found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ajcosmokids

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ajcosmokids

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ajcosmokids/



Shannon’s Thoughts:


A little boy shares his thoughts and fears about going to the first day of school. His mother tries to ease his dark thoughts the best she can.

The art is cute and the story is a good idea for kids entering their first day of school.

The questions that the mother tries to ease by saying that most of his fears won’t happen would have not worked for me because a lot of his worries actually happened to me as a kid. I was not a fan of elementary school as you can guess. The flow of the book was a little awkward and although the art is cute it doesn’t work sometimes.

Elementary school was hard for me and I don’t know if this is the book for any kid who has had these troubles. It is probably best for the first day of kindergarten.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Shannon's Review - Castle Roogna by Piers Anthony (Xanth #3)




Title: Castle Roogna
Series: Xanth #3
Author: Piers Anthony
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: unknown
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Series,
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Received: Bought
Release Date: Jan 1979
Pages: 329
Rating:





Official Piers Anthony Websites:





Website:
http://www.hipiers.com/

Blog:
http://piersanthonyblog.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPiersAnthony/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/piersanthony

Instagram:

None found






Shannon’s Thoughts:


The third installment in Piers Anthony’s Xanth series. We meet the son of the previous main characters, Bink and Chameleon. Dor is a young boy of twelve who has magic and is being raised to someday be King. Most heroes of Xanth have to go on quests and Dor must as well. With his “babysitter”, an ex gargoyle, and a spell from the wizard Humphreys he goes back hundreds of years in time to find a cure for a girl and her zombie.


I find over the years I like series that are family sagas. Probably why I like genealogy as well. I really like the Xanth books for the magic and the humor. I had started this book 2 other times and then lost the book because we moved. The start of the story never left my mind which is rare for me to remember anything I have read for very long. I was happy to finally get to finish and find out how Dor’s first quest went.


Dor's quest seems fairly hard for a 12-year-old but he finds friends and helpers. One friend in a spider he calls Jumper. I mention this because if you are not a friend of spiders you may not like this story as he is in the book for most of it. I don’t love spiders and I don’t hate them either. Jumper was much nicer than Aragog from the Harry Potter series.


I can’t wait to read the next book, Centaur Aisle. I have also read other series from Piers Anthony and I do recommend his books for fantasy lovers.