Synopsis

 

Dying has its perks…mostly. Bullied teen, Ember O’Neill goes from the weird girl to the tyrant of her school when she is resurrected from a deadly prank. Now secretly supernatural, she dethrones the school drama queen and snags the hot new guy, but her reign is at risk when the Order, a heretical sect, sends an assassin to eliminate her. Ember must expose her powers, potentially losing all she has gained, in order to save herself and her friends as her killer closes in.

 

 

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Review

 

This YA fantasy brings together the angst of teens with the possibility of angels and demons fighting a battle to save this world.

Ember is an outcast for many reasons, mainly because teenagers can be mean. But she has a plan for her sophomore year, which includes a female best friend, a boyfriend, and being popular. It can be a daunting task, considering how her freshman year turned out, but she isn’t going to let it stop her.  Luckily, she has one good friend, Erick, and the addition of Hallee. This trio of friends can take on the world or at least try.

Ember is a relatable character. She might resonate with anyone who felt like an outcast in school. But as time goes on, she grows and becomes more confident in herself. It was really cool watching her become someone who could be looked up to or admired by other classmates.

As the story progresses, we learn more about a few secret societies and their desire to take out those they consider unworthy. It is hard to know who is working on what side, and I had my suspicions, but I wasn’t right on everything.

I enjoyed this story and had a hard time putting it down. I tried to work out the motives of the different characters but didn’t quite get them right. Or at least not all of them. I found myself rooting for some characters and wishing others would turn their attitude around.

The book did end too soon for me, and while there are some tragic moments in the final buildup of this book, there are still so many unanswered questions. I believe there will be a sequel to this book, and I hope so. I want to discover what Ember is up to and how the battle progresses.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kerrie Faye is a Gen X wife and mom who found her passion to write later in life. A graduate of Murray State University, she has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Raised in Western Kentucky, where her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, takes place, the author currently resides near the Rocky Mountain Flatirons in Colorado, where there is far less humidity but not nearly enough BBQ. Her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, will be published on February 26, 2024, by The Wild Rose Press.

 

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Synosis

 

Twelve-year-old James Rhyder is being hunted by people from a hidden world he never knew existed. Unlike most people his age, James doesn’t dream at night of becoming a hero. Rather, his dreams are filled with shadowy figures and cryptic warnings about the end of the world.

As these strange dreams begin to make James question if he’s going crazy like his mother, a quirky girl named Rheyna Anwen whisks him away into an unseen world where psychics, druids, and magic are real.

At first the enchanted cabins and unusual summer camp where new psions, known as psychics to the outside world, are trained feels unbelievable, like one of his mystifying dreams. However, James soon discovers a secret about himself which threatens to turn this new life into a nightmare: his dreams are a dangerous and illegal talent known as dreamwalking. When a mysterious man in blue -who’d been stalking James all summer- kidnaps one of his cabinmates, his strange dreams may be the only way he can save his comrade.

Now, James must learn to trust his new friends, control his illegal psion talent, and put aside his insecurities. If he can’t, much more could be at stake than just one missing camper.

 

 

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Review

 

While fantasy is not a normal genre for me, this story about a teen boy finding his place in this world was entertaining. The author does a great job of world-building, introducing us to other mythical beings and letting us wonder, “What if.”

James has some special abilities he isn’t even aware of until he is brought into a special summer camp to learn more about these abilities. There are those who want to see him succeed and others who want to harness his abilities for themselves. Each character in the book is unique and brings something different to the table. This creates a well-rounded novel for the reader.

I really love how James spends a lot of time in the library. He is my hero! His passion for books helps him find his path in life…or at least a path to start down. Perhaps with a little nudging from the friendly older librarian.

The camp is unique, which shouldn’t be surprising since it has magical abilities too. The cabin for all of the newbies is a wonder and the stories it could tell from past and future campers.

There is something about Rheyna that is endearing. Perhaps because she befriends James. I think that they are both looking for something and find it in their friendship.

It would be easy to give away plot spoilers, so I won’t. Just know that this could easily start a series with their adventures or the adventures of those who come to the camp. Only time will tell if the author has more in store for us.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

David Brooks is the author of over 100 middle-grade and young adult fantasy novels, only two of which have been written and released. That is to say, he is an author with an entire notebook bursting with ideas, and never enough time to get everything written. James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams was his debut novel.

 

 

 

Amethyst, The Shallows

 

by

 

Kellye Abernathy

 

YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Page Count: 296 pages

Publication Date: February 6, 2024

Scroll down for a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

“This is a night for being brave.”

In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.

When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America–all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth–a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.

Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.

Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.

 

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This novel is the follow-up to The Aquamarine Surfboard, which makes me happy because we see the return of Condi, Grand Ella, the Beachlings, and other familiar characters. However, one of the main characters in this novel is Lorelei. As with the first book, this is a coming-of-age story that brings in some of the mysticism from the first book and some unique characters with various personalities. Because many of the characters are teens, I feel like the author understands the issues and quirks of the young mind, especially when they have been isolated due to The Sickness. This mimics a certain event we saw happen in our world.

Another main character is Isaac. At first, I didn’t like him. He was sullen and angry at the world, but with time, he managed to redeem himself after experiencing a few life-changing events. Sometimes, it just takes a little time and experience to change a person.

Tad is another character that will capture your heart. He sees his emotions in colors and knows when he needs a calming color to feel safe. He is also a budding scientist who is passionate about the various sea creatures. He may be young, but he is mighty and learns to overcome some of his fears.

There are two animals that are integral to this story – Figament, an octopus, and Guardian, a parrot. Both animals bridge the gap between different characters and bring hope to the story.

There is love and loss, too. My heart hurt at the loss, and rejoiced for the love.

This book is probably geared more toward YA than middle-grade age readers due to some of the topics, but it will be enjoyed by those who care to delve into this mystical story.

We give this book 5 paws up and hope for another book in this series to continue the magic of the ocean and this band of friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!

 

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Synopsis

 

A supernatural journal. Two kids in over their heads. Can they lead a new Chicago police officer to success in the dangerous south side of the city?

Danielle and Noah’s curiosity gets the best of them when they find another magical diary about an officer’s second year in the country’s second-largest police force. While Dani comes to grips with being a minority female in a male-dominated profession, Noah joins the story as a phantom with unique magical abilities. They soon discover that their past trips have caused unforeseen historical consequences, including introducing an evil phantom with lethal powers.

They must now figure out how to return to the part of the story they interfered with, hoping to fix their mistakes. The kids seek help from the strange bookstore owner, but the spellbound solutions are risky and untested.

Can Noah master his newfound phantom powers to save the townspeople stuck in the books?

 

The Phantom Enforcer is the action-filled second book in the First Responder fantasy series. If you like adventurous kids, clever humor, and pages jam-packed with suspense, then you’ll love J.W. Jarvis’s blending of reality and enchantment.

3% of all book sales go to First Responders Children’s Foundation, which provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Excerpt

 

After taking the bus home from school, they grabbed their bikes and headed downtown. Even in late December, while the air was crisp and cool, a light jacket was all that was needed. They settled on a wooden bench in the beach park with a great ocean view. The bluff was about 25 feet above the waves.

“When was the last time you talked to your mom?” inquired Dani.

“Couple nights ago, why?”

“Does she still want you to move to Arizona to live with her?”

“I don’t know, she is buying a new, bigger house and asked me what color I want my room painted. I just don’t see the point of reserving a room for me when I might visit …”

Noah froze, and he could feel bumps rise on the sun-drenched skin of his arms. Dani’s eyes opened wide.

“Are you having a stroke, Noah? You’re a bit young for that.”

“Don’t turn around. I think we’re being watched.”

“Huh … where?” Dani started to turn her head.

“What did I just say? Sheesh! I think I see Mrs. Heks behind a tree at the corner of the park.”

“You’re obsessed with this woman. Are you sure? She doesn’t seem like the type to go sunbathing.”

“Okay … here’s what we’re gonna to do. Take our trash and head toward the garbage can behind your left shoulder. It’s pretty close to the tree that she’s hiding behind.”
Dani immediately got up and quickly scooped up the snack bags and bottles. “Be ready to call 911; she might kidnap me,” she said sarcastically.

Dani moved nonchalantly toward the trash receptacles. Noah pretended to study and then glanced over the cliff on the left at the crashing waves below. Despite having his head turned, he strained his eyeballs to look right and keep Dani in focus. A hunched figure emerged from the tree 15 feet away as she tossed the items in the proper bins.

“Mrs. Heks, what a surprise seeing you here,” said Dani.

“I thought that was the two of you, but I wasn’t sure; my eyesight is not the best these days.”

“Do you come to the beach often?”

“Only the park, really; I don’t want to break a hip trying to get down that cliff to the sand. I pick up spices and flavors for my stews while I am here.” As she finished her sentence, Dani saw a brown beetle crawl out of her handbag.

“Noah is right over there.” Dani pointed in Noah’s direction, and he instantly tried to drop his shameful spy tactics. “He wanted to visit the bookstore later. Will you be there?”

“Afraid not, Child, I have some cooking to do at home of an unexpected guest. Did the finger treatment work?”

“You mean ‘for an unexpected guest,'” laughed Dani.

Mrs. Heks looked confused, then smiled, “Oh, yes, Child!”

Dani motioned Noah to come over, “Yes, the treatment worked well. That’s why Noah wanted to see you.”

Noah waved at the store owner as if it was the first time he saw her that day. He went to grab the book out of his backpack but hesitated. He didn’t have gloves on and quickly wondered if touching the book that punctured his friend’s finger was a good idea. Even if the book did prick him, he wasn’t reading it, so he was safe, right? He realized he was taking too long and just grabbed his whole backpack as he approached them.

His mouth felt dry as he spoke, “Afternoon, ma’am, how are you?” He never seemed comfortable around her, no matter how often they interacted.

“Your dear friend here said you had some questions. Perhaps it’s about the book in your bag there?”

“How did you know we have it?” asked Noah.

“My books are like my children. I always feel connected to them.” Noah stared down as he tried to process that response.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

J.W. Jarvis lives in sunny California but is originally from the suburbs of the Windy City. When he’s not thinking of ways to create inspiring characters for young minds, you can find him reading, golfing, traveling, or just sipping a hot vanilla latte.

 

Website * Instagram * X/Twitter * Facebook

 

 

Synopsis

 

A supernatural journal. An overwhelmed kid. Can he lead a crew of first responders to success in a series of dangerous missions?

Noah loves his nighttime reading ritual with his dad. Stuck in a small new town after the pandemic caused his parents’ marriage to fracture, the curious thirteen-year-old happily explores the peculiar local bookstore. But when the lonely youngster takes home a firefighter’s old diary, he’s amazed when it transforms him into the book’s owner and transports him across space and time to a blazing building.

Distracted by a close friendship he’s developing with a smart schoolmate, Noah is certain the heat and confusion were just a frightening dream. But when he sits down to continue the fascinating story, he realizes he’s facing scarily real life-or-death situations… and his actions could change history.

Can he master the weird magic and make sure no one gets hurt?

The Phantom Firefighter is the action-filled first book in the First Responder fantasy series. If you like adventurous kids, clever humor, and pages jam-packed with suspense, then you’ll love J.W. Jarvis’s blending of reality and enchantment.

 

3% of all book sales go to First Responders Children’s Foundation, which provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Excerpt

 

Noah and his dad heard a word whispered to them that they couldn’t understand, “Enciddugo!”

At that moment, Noah’s dad could see the burning building, hear the fire burning, and smell the heavy smoke. He looked down where his hands should be, but they weren’t there. Scared bystanders, large emergency vehicles, and busy firefighters surrounded him. He felt strangely attached to one of the firefighters, like he was floating above him. What had happened to his body? Was he dreaming this after reading about it in his son’s new book?

***

After hearing the same, strange word whispered to him, Noah felt a tingly sensation on his skin. It was like the feeling you get with goosebumps but way more intense. Like his dad, he could now see a large building partially on fire and many people and firefighters running near him.

What was happening?

He also felt the weight of something heavy on his body and head. He looked down and saw that he wore gloves and boots, which he was not wearing before story time with his dad.

Just then, Noah heard someone call “Zach!” and his instinct made him look up to see the firefighter that said it was staring right at him.

“Zach, snap out of it! The captain needs help in the building!” firefighter Ray exclaimed.

“What do you mean, my name is…” Noah caught his words realizing that he had never seen this person before in his life, and for some reason, this guy thought he was a guy named Zach.

“We need to get inside right away. The captain went in to check for remaining building occupants, and something happened.”

“How do you know?” Noah asked while still trying to internally process his transformation into Zach, the firefighter.

“You didn’t hear on your helmet headset? Captain said part of the ceiling came down, and he needs muscle,” replied Ray.

“Got it. Do we need to bring anything?”

“Jeez, Zach, why do you think they call me ‘Rookie Ray?’ You’re the experienced one here.”

“Alright Ray, follow me!” Noah said, thankful that he knew the name of the guy he was going into a burning building with.

Noah motioned to Ray to follow him toward one of the entrances. Noah headed toward the building with a strange mix of both nervous and confident feelings. His firefighter uniform was much heavier than he’d expected, but it gave him some comfort to know it would help protect him from dangers. He became anxious since he was entering a burning building without knowing anything about being a firefighter. Yet, his body was somehow mysteriously trained on what to do next.

 

 

About the Author

 

J.W. Jarvis lives in sunny California but is originally from the suburbs of the Windy City. When he’s not thinking of ways to create inspiring characters for young minds, you can find him reading, golfing, traveling, or just sipping a hot vanilla latte.

 

Website * Instagram * X/Twitter * Facebook

 

 

Synopsis

 

In a race against time, the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of a group of young elementalists. With the malevolent White Queen on the verge of obtaining unimaginable power, these brave heroes must band together to thwart her evil plan. But as they face impossible challenges and formidable foes, they realize the task is far more daunting than they ever imagined. Armed with only their growing magical abilities and unwavering determination, they must protect their loved ones, track down powerful artifacts, and prevent the catastrophic spell from being cast. With two skilled wizard mentors by their side, the elementalists must push themselves to their limits and beyond. But when up against foes who can see into the future and harness otherworldly energies, will their training be enough to save the world from eternal darkness?

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ephie Risho has been writing his whole life. Inspired by his sixth-grade teacher to write a story every week, he enrolled in the writing program at his undergrad and has been writing ever since. He loves the outdoors, music, and opportunities to tell stories. He lives in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, where he works in software development and is active in various community groups.

 

 

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Synopsis

 

A Lost Scepter. An Ancient Map. And the Kraken.

It’s simple, they were told. Just go get the legendary Green Scepter from the Kraken to be able to take on the evil wizards and their vicious goblin armies. It’s a task, by the way, no one has succeeded in for the last two hundred years. After their great success against the goblin horde, the six young elementalists are up to the challenge. The first step: find an ancient dwarven map with clues leading across the world.

But as soon as they find the map, their troubles begin, starting with invisible strangers following their every move. Even if they do follow the map from Dragon Land to exotic empires, and succeed in taking the scepter from the Kraken, the evil wizards are moving quickly with plans of their own. Plans which very well may put the entire world at risk, and change life as they know it forever.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ephie Risho has been writing his whole life. Inspired by his sixth-grade teacher to write a story every week, he enrolled in the writing program at his undergrad and has been writing ever since. He loves the outdoors, music, and opportunities to tell stories. He lives in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, where he works in software development and is active in various community groups.

 

 

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Synopsis

A massive goblin army approaches humanity. When Amber, Basil and Theo see it from afar, they scramble for ideas. Little do they know, they’re up against not just the goblins, but the evil wizards controlling them.

With Sage the wizard missing and no better ideas, they decide to seek help from the unthinkable . . . a ferocious red dragon trapped by a wizard’s spell: Crodor the Ancient.

Even if they succeed, will there be time to uncover the diabolical strategies behind the invasion and create a big enough defense?

Not if the fiendish White Queen gets her way.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

About the Author

 

Ephie Risho has been writing his whole life. Inspired by his sixth-grade teacher to write a story every week, he enrolled in the writing program at his undergrad and has been writing ever since. He loves the outdoors, music, and opportunities to tell stories. He lives in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, where he works in software development and is active in various community groups.

 

 

Website * Facebook

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

When a flying creature suddenly sets fire to their home, the villagers scramble to help. But for Amber, a twelve-year old daydreamer, it’s just the beginning. At the urging of the mischievous pixies, she decides to risk everything in search for answers. If it really was the normally-friendly phoenix who started the fire, why would it do that?

She sets out armed only with a bit of advice and her archery skills, only to find there’s far more going on than her sleepy village can handle. Evil wizards and their sinister plot begin to unfold before her the further she travels. What started out as a seemingly simple task quickly reveals a far greater challenge facing the entire kingdom. And time is running short. If she can’t figure it out soon enough, the entire coast will burn.

An epic coming-of-age fantasy adventure for young and old readers alike!

Fans who love Gregor the Overlander and Wings of Fire will love this novel, book 1 in The Elementalists series.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

About the Author

 

Ephie Risho has been writing his whole life. Inspired by his sixth-grade teacher to write a story every week, he enrolled in the writing program at his undergrad and has been writing ever since. He loves the outdoors, music, and opportunities to tell stories. He lives in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, where he works in software development and is active in various community groups.

 

 

Website * Facebook

 

 

Synopsis

 

Dying has its perks…mostly. Bullied teen, Ember O’Neill goes from the weird girl to the tyrant of her school when she is resurrected from a deadly prank. Now secretly supernatural, she dethrones the school drama queen and snags the hot new guy, but her reign is at risk when the Order, a heretical sect, sends an assassin to eliminate her. Ember must expose her powers, potentially losing all she has gained, in order to save herself and her friends as her killer closes in.

 

 

Barnes & Noble * Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

“I love that.” He reached up and pulled a piece of hair away from her cheek. “I love your innocence. I love your hair. And those eyes…don’t get me started.” He ran his thumb gently across her bottom lip. “And these, right here.” His voice dipped low. His tongue darted across his lips as he looked into her eyes.

“Can I kiss you, Ember O’Neill?”

Finally. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Slowly, she nodded her head. She had been waiting for this moment. Ever since she let her guard down and began trusting him, she had imagined what it would be like to kiss his perfect lips.

Logan reached up, placing one hand under her hair at the base of her neck. Electricity buzzed throughout her body. With his other hand, he cupped her cheek, pulling her closer.

She held her breath as his lips parted and pressed against hers with the lightest touch. In an instant, their bodies became one. The world melted away. It was just Ember and Logan on the dance floor. Her greatest wish for the night was coming true. She was kissing Logan.

Too soon, he pulled away. Eyes sparkling in the disco light, his thumb dragged across her bottom lip. She wondered if he could feel her racing pulse.

The kiss was sweet. Perfect. Ember smiled, remembering to breathe.

Both dimples asserted themselves as his lips shifted into a devilish grin. “You taste better than I imagined.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Kerrie Faye is a Gen X wife and mom who found her passion to write later in life. A graduate of Murray State University, she has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Raised in Western Kentucky, where her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, takes place, the author currently resides near the Rocky Mountain Flatirons in Colorado, where there is far less humidity but not nearly enough BBQ. Her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, will be published on February 26, 2024, by The Wild Rose Press.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok * X (Twitter)