Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 1) by Byrd Nash

 

Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When the opening line of the book reads "Dead bodies interrupted my dessert course" the book can't be anything but good!

Elinor Chalamet is a "ghost talker" and she's been trying to solve her father's death for many years. When a local incident arises where a ghost talker might be helpful, she's summoned and finds herself at the Duke's residence...held prisoner. The Duke keeps getting in her way and preventing her from doing her due diligence with these ghosts. The Duke is also relying on Elinor's knowledge of precious gems to help him find a missing piece of the royal gems. Will the Duke move out of the way and allow Elinor to do what she does best?

This was a short little novella that I understand is part of a 6 book series. I look forward to reading more of Elinor's adventures and seeing where the love interest goes.

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After She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson

 

After She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

She's at the tender age of 17 years old but Laurel Collingsworth knows without a doubt she wants to marry Lord Robert Laningham. Her aunt is beside herself because this just isn't how things are done! However, aunt Betsy relents and Laurel and Lord Robert are married. Just as soon as they arrive at their manor, things start to challenge their marriage. First of all, Lord Robert failed to sharing his upcoming nuptials with his twin sister, Rhonda. Let's just say that Rhonda does not handle this news well at all because now there are two Lady Laninghams and Rhonda's not ready to share that title with anyone. Then, just mere days after their marriage, Lord Robert is called away to fight in the war, leaving his new wife with his hostile and, dare I say, crazy, sister. Will Laurel ever be able to adjust to this new life and deal with her sister-in-law?

This book was enjoyable and kept to a lot of historical speech. I found myself laughing at some of the language used, as it's not heard anymore and sounded funny. There were parts of this book that were never resolved but maybe that wasn't necessary because in the end, it's about Robert and Laurel. I'd have liked to known how certain situations would have fleshed out though. This is a fairly clean read with some romantic scenes, but they are not overly descriptive and could be appropriate for mature teen readers.

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Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom

 

Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.75 stars

I have read quite a few Lois Wickstrom books lately and she has become one of my favorite authors! Most of the books I've read by her were for the younger group but this one is more geared for 7-12 year olds. It's the perfect length for this age group and the story is very engaging!

Gwendolyn has a special inherited trait from her grandmother. When Gwendolyn falls asleep, she becomes a dream-shifter. If she dreams about elk, she becomes one with the elk. Most of the time, she wakes up as a human girl but one night, there is a fire alarm at her home. She's awakened suddenly to find her home on fire. Being awakened so quickly, Gwendolyn did not have time to revert back to her human form and is now stuck as an elk. She only has 3 months to fix this or she will be an elk permanently. Desperate for answers, Gwendolyn and her family start searching for any answers that might help them out, including finding the local wizard. Can she survive elk season and become the girl she was?

This book focuses on acceptance, love, and science, of which Lois Wickstrom puts into all the books she writes. It makes science more fun and interesting and this time, with a bit of a magical spin. I look forward to reading more of these longer novels by one of my favorite authors!

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Bycatch by Alexander Blevens

 

Bycatch by Alexander Blevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Bycatch": the portion of a commercial fishing catch that consists of marine animals caught unintentionally. -Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged.

Rex Thompson made a huge mistake while serving in Vietnam and Nguyen Duc Dung not only witnessed the mistake but paid a huge price for it. Many years later and a world apart, their lives would come together again.

Rex wasn't the best husband, father, employee, or friend and he's trying to change that. Or at least he thought he was. Ruled by the bottle, Rex ends up making even more mistakes and one day escapes his two teenage sons to try to make amends. Little does he know that Jake and Pigeon are going to follow in his footsteps in an even worse manner.

Dung ends up dead one day and everyone is pointing the finger at Rex, except that he's nowhere around. The only other logical conclusion is that his son's have sunk the boat that they fell in love with, but lost, when their dad ran away.

Rex finally returns home to learn of Dung's death and this stirs up many thoughts of the past. Did this have something to do with him afterall or is he just the bycatch?

This was an enjoyable novel full of mystery and intrigue. I found myself liking Rex from the beginning even though I knew he was not the most reputable person. This is a story of hatred and love, forgiveness and abandonment, of redemption and saving.

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The Dwarves' Dilemma (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

 

Dwarves' Dilemma, The by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Queen Mabel is regarded as the fairest in the Kingdom of Aleta. She judges fairness by using a mirror to see if the eyes of those asking for a ruling had the Sparkle of Fairness. Several people come to the Queen to see if she thinks certain situations are fair or not. One day, the Queen defers to Snow White, who is sent out to investigate the dilemma that the dwarves are having with Pippa. Snow White makes a discovery that alarms Queen Mabel. She vows from that day forward to make some corrections!

This is a super cute book that focuses on the science of mirrors, as well as the moral trait of fairness. The illustrations are very well done and young readers will recognize some of the characters from more popular fairy tales. Not to mention, there is a dragon! Another great read by this author!

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Soliloquy by Janet Fogg

 

Soliloquy by Janet Fogg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This beautiful novel reads like a well-mastered symphony. I was intrigued by the first page and could hardly put this one down!

Erin's aunt recently passed and she and her sister have inherited her wealthy estate. One day, a young man comes to Erin to deliver a box. Erin thinking that she's already received everything is very perplexed....even more so when she opens the box to find very beautiful dolls inside. What could her aunt have possibly meant by leaving these dolls behind? There is a note and Erin is still rather confounded by these dolls but soon, she'll be on an adventure that could change her life.

When one of the dolls falls and smashes to smithereens, Erin finds herself in another place and time. A place of danger, toil, confusion, love, and forgiveness. Erin's a prisoner but only so her friends can survive. She's willing to try to meet the demands of the Oberst but not willing to give up her beloved Soliloquy...or is she? Can Erin find her way back home where she belongs? What about those she might leave behind?

Arick is a pilot who's shot down that Erin and her friends come across. Do they take the chance to harbor him, knowing that if they're found out, they'll all be gone or do they send him on his way, injured and possibly without hope? What can Arick do to help this family, if anything? What about the fact that Erin feels like he should know her? So many beautiful angles here!

This is a new-to-me author and I'm hoping for a sequel to this book. I believe a door may have been left open for another story! The things that Erin experiences in this story are pretty realistic during that time frame of WWII. I enjoy reading these period pieces and this one has a time travel aspect to it as well.

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Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom

 

Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Albert is a turkey on a turkey farm and it's November. He's becoming very concerned that all the people looking him over see him as food and not a pet. Albert would love to live a long healthy life making people happy but not on the dinner table! Then, Albert sees some hope. The President has just pardoned a turkey and wished him a long life. Maybe, just maybe, Albert can be pardoned too!!

This is a super cute book that is very timely! It discusses how turkeys are traditionally eaten at Thanksgiving, which gives the reader and opportunity to discuss with others or think for themselves about other options for a meal besides turkey. It also discusses voting, which also happens in November. The illustrations are very well done with lots of vivid colors. This is one of my all-time favorite children's authors now that I've read several of her books. These are great to share with your kids/grandkids/daycare/preschool/etc and would make a great holiday gift!

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