Book Review: Marco's Seeds by Nathan Smith

Marco's Seeds

By Nathan Smith

Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction. Scifi

Book Description:

Marco is a little quirky. He never knew he lived on a spaceship. Or that he had a special mission. But one day, when space debris ripped a hole in his section of the ship, he learned.

He and the other children scramble to fix the damaged ship. The other kids were taught useful repair skills, but all Marco knows about are plants and farming. Not very useful when trying to repair a broken spaceship.

To the other children, Marco is strange and useless, but soon they will learn that he is critical to the mission’s success. 

Book Review:

Marco's Seed is a really nice children's novel. As someone who is not a child reading it, some things did make the book unenjoyable at times like the fast pace. Everything was just action action action, it never stopped. Don't get me wrong Marco is an adorable and pure character who is just in love with nature and art. I love the message of that, but there was a lot of unnecessary thoughts and dialogue that made that fast-paced adventure novel a bit boring. 

I will admit I love the idea of the Eden program and how each child has a special skill. Andy and his pet rock Peter were my favorite, he was just so sassy. I did feel Dr. Stacy was a little dark for a children's book with opening up stuff animals and seeing them "tick". A little weird, but it made her role stand out. I do wish that Mr. Smith would've concentrated on the children and concentrating on developing their characters instead of it being about Mom and Dad. It just got really repetitive. Overall I give Marco's Seeds four stars. 

Author Bio:

Writing is an addictive thing, especially when you start young. I started writing when I was sixteen. A friend convinced me to write a zombie survival story. When I wrote a foreword for my unpublishable zombie book, I accidentally wrote the best sentence of my life. “As a scribe sold to my mind as a slave I am free.” This sentence sums up my work and why I write. I hope you enjoy my stories. You can get a hold of me through my DM on Instagram @nathanrsmithwriting or my contact page at nathansmithwriting.com. I’d love to connect and say “hi.”#abookforadream 

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This book is FREE for teens!  Visit the author’s website and use the online form to write a goal you have for your life: https://www.nathansmithwriting.com/marco-s- seeds

Book Review: In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree by Michael McLellan

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree

By Michael McLellan

Genre: Historical Fiction
Book Description:

Henry was born into slavery; his young life spent working in tobacco drying sheds on Missouri plantations. Freed at the onset of the Civil War, he’s alone, starving, and on the run from Confederate militiamen.

Five years later, Clara Hanfield, the daughter of a powerful New York shipping magnate, escapes her tyrannical father and travels west in pursuit of John Elliot, the man she loves. John, a U.S. Army lieutenant, was sent to the Dakota Territory where he discovers a government conspiracy to incite an all-out war with the Indians; a war meant to finally eliminate them as an obstacle to the westward expansion.

Henry finds himself caught in the middle.

Aided by Clara, John, and his native ally, Standing Elk, Henry must battle hatred, greed, and the ghosts of his past during this turbulent and troubling time in American history.

Book Review:

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree is one of the most intense and thrilling novels I have ever read. The writing is graceful and just amazing. The story is full of in-depth detail, created a new level of emotion. At times I felt that I was overwhelmed with all what was going on.

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree is developed really well. I love all the cultures and races that were brought up in this novel. It's fascinating to me. You don't see those touchy subjects in books nowadays. It's rare. I love that uniqueness to In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree. Mr. McLellan is a very talented and inspirational writer. He has potential and talent to get big. I personally feel that this novel should be read by book lovers because it's just packed and packed with emotion. Overall I give In the the Shadow of the Hanging Tree four stars.

Author Bio:

Michael’s love of books began with Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle when he was seven-years-old. Later influenced by the works of John Steinbeck, Harper Lee, Stephen King, and Cormac McCarthy, Michael developed his style of storytelling. A self-proclaimed blue-collar writer, he draws on his experiences and observations to bring relevant and compelling topics to life.

Michael lives in Northern California, and when he’s not writing, he can usually be found wandering around the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges.

His body of work includes the 2014 novel After and Again, the 2015 novel American Flowers, and the shorts Joe Price and Anywhere But Here.


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Book Review: Forests of the Fae: The Raven Queen by K. Kibbee

Forests of the Fae: The Raven Queen

By K. Kibbee

Genre: YA Fantasy

Book Description:

A summer spent untangling a century-old mass disappearance, communing with ghosts, fleeing dark Fae Folk, and enduring her nefarious cousin Lexie would seem like tribulation enough for 13-year-old Anne, and yet her struggles have only just begun.

Though she’s closed Devlin’s Door behind her, something sinister has followed Anne from the other side. Her dearest friend Grace is not as she would seem. Something dark has taken hold of the girl . . . something not of this world. Ravens surround her, people mindlessly do her bidding, and wickedness drips from her lips. It’s only a matter of time before Anne uncovers her secret and with it, her vengeance.

Meanwhile, somewhere deep in the Forests of the Fae, the real Grace struggles to retain her humanity and escape the revolting Faerie body that imprisons her. With pet raven Onyx at her side, she is heralded a Queen, and worshiped by the very creatures that she despises. Set atop a throne of thorns, she feels all is lost, until a stranger with human eyes and a sorted past is shackled at her feet.

Though worlds apart, both girls must race against time if they hope to unravel the mysteries of the Fae folk and unmask The Raven Queen.

Book Review:

Forests of the Fae: The Raven Queen did not disappoint! It was full of adventure and mystery. My favorite part about Kibbee's writing is how she can create this intense thrill in her novels which I think is awesome since Forests of the Fae: The Raven Queen in a YA novel. It's hard to find a great intense book which is suitable for young audiences. I read the first book of the Forests of the Fae, and I loved it and I'm so happy I had the opportunity to read The Raven Queen. This author sure can bang out a quality and intriguing book. Overall I give Forests of the Fae: The Raven Queen five stars!

Author Bio:

K. (Kristine) Kibbee is a Pacific Northwest writer with a fascination for all things literary. Kristine’s passion for creative writing began in her early youth and led her to the doors of Washington State University, where she earned a degree in Humanities, with a focus in Professional Writing. Kristine followed her scholarly pursuit of writing with published works in The Vancougar, The Salal Review Literary Review, Just Frenchies magazine, and S/Tick Literary Review. She is presently a regular columnist for Terrier Group magazine.

Kristine’s novella, “The Mischievous Misadventures of Dewey the Daring,” was her first and only self-published release, and is still currently available on Amazon.com. Her middle-grade fantasy novel, “Whole in the Clouds,” was released in November 2014 and is being re-released by Incorgnito Publishing Press, with additional material, in October of 2016. The first installment in her YA fantasy series, “Forest of the Fae-Devlin’s Door,” was released in early 2016 with Incorgnito.

Kristine anticipates following the release of book two in the “Forests of the Fae” series (“The Raven Queen”) with a third and final installment, which will tentatively come to print in early 2018.

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Book Review: On the Beach by Steve Schmale

On the Beach

By Steve Schmale

Genre: Literary Fiction

Book Description:

Lenny Decker is fleeing the American Dream while trying to comprehend its reasons and rules after being rattled from an exposure to its possibilities. Set in the mid-1990’s in a quiet California beach town, populated with a cast of unforgettable characters, and replete with examples of some of life’s crueler—yet hilarious—ironies, ‘On the Beach’ is story of what happens when one young man’s dreams bump up against reality.

Book Review:

On the Beach is really good. The writing of the book was steady and it had the perfect pace for this particular novel. The pace of On the beach lead to a great character development of Lenny, you were with him the whole time he was growing up. It made the reader connect and bond with the character. I thought it was awesome to see this young guy grow up and face the harsh reality of this world and experience new things. I did see a few grammatical errors throughout the book, but it wasn't concerning enough that it turned me off from enjoying this book. I just think another editing run would be perfect for this book. On the Beach is a classic fiction novel and it's a nice change from what I usually read. Overall I give On the Beach four stars!

Author Bio:

Steve Schmale is the author of the book of stories ‘Nobody Bats a Thousand’ and the novel ‘On the Beach’. He is a native of California where he still resides.

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Book Review: One Man's Spiritual Journey to Healing with Color Energy by Lee Hillberg

One Man's Spiritual Journey to Healing with Color Energy
By Lee Hillberg
Genre: Spiritual, Inspirational, Self-Help

Book Description:

In this world, color is all around us, and it has the power to change our lives. Author Lee Hillberg has been using the healing properties of color to make a difference not only in his own life, but also in the lives of others. In this book, he shares some of his most moving and spiritual experiences.

Readers will learn:

• How color affects their everyday lives
• How listening and paying attention to nature provides insight on the future
• How the application of color can be used to lift depression, shrink tumors, provide pain relief, and more

The techniques and advice given in this book have been frequently utilized by the author and could make a difference in readers’ lives as well. Hillberg is an ordained minister, has been a student of metaphysics and spirituality for many years, and is eager to help people using everything he has learned in any way he can. He is a self-professed naturalist, Native American historian, and lover of all parts of nature. Most importantly, he is passionate about harnessing the power of God’s creation to effect serious change in the world.

Book Review: 

One  Man's Spiritual Journey to Healing with Color Energy is an interesting and informative novel. Mr. Hillburg has clear and straight forward thoughts that can help one with connecting with God and becoming one with him. Although I wouldn't necessarily read this myself since I have different views and ideals, I feel like I've learned a different perspective and I appreciate that. 

Lee's writing is very calming and has a nice slow but steady pace that makes the reader comfortable. One  Man's Spiritual Journey to Healing with Color Energy is a novel to help one who wants to become more at peace and have a positive life. Overall I think that One Man's Spiritual Journey to Healing with Color Energy is four stars.

Author Bio:

Lee Hillberg was born and raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After high school, he attended advanced-study programs at Dakota Wesleyan University, University of Chicago, and Duke University.

He spent four years in the US Air Force in national defense. Later, he established himself in the corporate world with a Fortune 500 company specializing in national security and commercial electronics. He travelled worldwide in this position and retired as a vice president in 1996.

Lee has always had a keen interest in nature, Native Americans, and spirituality. As a naturalist, he has a strong love for all of nature. As a Native American historian, he occasionally gives lectures on their culture at local venues. He has been a student of metaphysics and spirituality for a number of years and is now an ordained minister. He lectures and conducts energy healing and spirituality workshops. Lee now lives in a rural area of Georgia, enjoying his daily nature walks.Lee Hillberg was born and raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After high school, he attended advanced-study programs at Dakota Wesleyan University, University of Chicago, and Duke University.

He spent four years in the US Air Force in national defense. Later, he established himself in the corporate world with a Fortune 500 company specializing in national security and commercial electronics. He travelled worldwide in this position and retired as a vice president in 1996.

Lee has always had a keen interest in nature, Native Americans, and spirituality. As a naturalist, he has a strong love for all of nature. As a Native American historian, he occasionally gives lectures on their culture at local venues. He has been a student of metaphysics and spirituality for a number of years and is now an ordained minister. He lectures and conducts energy healing and spirituality workshops. Lee now lives in a rural area of Georgia, enjoying his daily nature walks.

Book Review: Snap to Grid by DK Reed

Snap to Grid

By DK Reed

Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Book Description:

Sixteen-year-old Red identifies with legendary warrioress, Red Sonja, as a coping mechanism for the difficulties of teen life with ADHD. But even her inner warrioress is a little nervous about moving into Uncle Alistair’s old mansion after seeing an eerily beautiful “Viking ghost” in an upstairs window shortly after his disappearance. And, she soon notices a crow acting strangely and feels like she is being watched. 

Uncle Alistair’s graduate student, Erik, trapped in a ghost-like state by means of one of the stones, can only watch her.  Unable to be seen or heard, he’s now more like an essence or spirit.  Though Red has never been popular, her heroic goodness lends to the beauty of her essence and Erik is quickly smitten.  He uses the limited tools available to try and reach her, including his crow friend, Moon.  But, will he get to her before the cult?  Can she solve the mystery and save him?

Book Review:

Snap a Grid is a really awesome YA book! Nowadays it is hard to find an original and thoughtful YA book, since everyone is always writing the same thing since it's the "trend", but Snap a Grid does not and I love that. What I love about this book is Red, she's a quirky teen who isn't perfect, but she's perfectly relatable. This book is full of mystery and suspense but with an eccentric vibe.

The overall writing and plot of Snap a Grid is great! The story flowed and I wasn't disappointed which makes me happy since I love YA novels. I'm excited to see what the next book will be like in the series. Overall I give Snap to Grid five stars!

Author Bio:

Reed grew up on a farm in the misty Clinch River valley of the Smoky Mountains. She now lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters (when they aren’t away at college), two dogs and two cats and loves to hike near the Potomac River. 

Reed loves the natural world both as a hiker and scientist and this figures heavily in her books.  She loves exploring the “what ifs” of science and tries to make the science fiction in her novels plausible and logical.  She has a doctorate in biology and has taught students from middle school to college.  She is an award-winning technical writer/editor and has co-authored/edited dozens of ecological risk assessments and other scientific books and articles.  While she views her work as an applied scientist as problem-solving fun, what she really loves is to explore imaginary worlds and share her intriguing stories. 

A few years ago, a serious illness caused her to look at her life afresh.  She decided to focus her time and attention more on spiritual growth and joyful living.  This led her to return to an earlier love, fiction writing—having fun with science. She spent the next few years honing her fiction writing skills and transitioning into her new career as a sci-fi-fantasy/supernatural romance writer.

"Life is better if you do what you love and share your joy with others.”

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Book Review: HEROINE by A.S. Bond

HEROINE

By A.S. Bond

Genre: Thriller/Action & Adventure

Book Description:

HEROINE (A Brooke Kinley Adventures Novella #2)

While paddling in their canoe in northern Minnesota, Brooke and her brother rescue a trafficked Russian child. But will the price of Brooke's heroism be her own life? In this short prequel to the "mind-blowing" bestseller PATRIOT, HEROINE introduces investigative reporter Brooke Kinley as a young woman. HEROINE is an action-packed novella that will appeal to anyone who enjoys adventure, mystery or crime, as well as Brooke's many fans! "A. S. Bond has an uncanny ability to create images for the reader and thrilling action. " GOODREADS review ..".a fast paced, non-stop action novella with a worldwide problem at its core. Very quick, enjoyable read." Amazon review. This novella is book #2 in the bestselling Brooke Kinley Adventures series. The first title in the series, "Patriot", reached no.1 in the fiction charts on both sides of the Atlantic and won several awards. 

Book Review:

Heroine is one of the best novellas I have ever read. I'm very impressed with Ms. Bond's writing. It keeps you on your toes and you're hit with adventure after adventure. The writing is so lively that it feels like you can visualize every single thing happening. I find that novellas or prequels are slow paced, very texted heavy, informative, but Heroine is basically the opposite. The story is very faced pace, it blew me away how drawn in I was. I'm very impressed with the overall story, seeing that it involved two complex countries and a killer plot. Overall I give Heroine five stars!

Author Bio:

Bond is an internationally acclaimed travel writer and journalist and her own adventures have taken her around the world, from the cloud forests of Central America to D.C.'s corridors of power. When writing the Brooke Kinley Adventures, A.S. Bond draws on her own travel experiences, including leading an award-winning canoe expedition in Labrador, later the subject of Lost Lands, Forgotten Stories; A Woman's Journey to the Heart of Labrador, published by HarperCollins (written under the name Alexandra Pratt). The first book in the Brooke Kinley series, Patriot, was a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic, a finalist at the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and one of Shelf Unbound's 'Notable Books of the Year', 2014.

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