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Saturday, June 27, 2020

Forgotten Magic Anthology

Forgotten Magic Anthology

Forgotten Magic (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 3) by [Melinda Kucsera, Joynell Schultz, Lee French, H.B. Lyne, Raven Oak, Alesha Escobar, Tiffany Shand, C.S. Johnson, Anela Deen, Erik Kort, Devorah Fox, Stephen Wallace, Gwendolyn Woodschild, Leah W. Van Dinther, Barbara Letson, C.K. Rieke, William C. Cronk, Majanka Verstraete, Toasha Jiordano, H.M. Jones, AR Johnston]

Book Description:

In the first two Magic Underground anthologies, our heroes faced the seen, the unseen, and the wayward in order to save us all. These same characters now find themselves in a continuing world of trouble because as we know, life can be dangerous!

 Forgotten Magic (Magic Underground Book III) concludes these characters’ stories in a breathtaking way as they face betrayal, family, and of course, magic. The stakes are deadly and growing deadlier by the moment! Inside you’ll find stories about:

  • An all-inclusive ren-faire with an enigmatic man who plans to destroy it all
  • A missing, teleporting chimera in danger of becoming someone’s lunch…or worse
  • An open portal that rains magic upon our world, meaning it may already be too late to save
  • A weakening magical spell that could lead to a reign of danger and chaos
  • An heir and an apprentice who must prove their innocence to keep their nation from plunging into pandemonium
  • A sister who must convince herself she’s enough to save the Earth from the wicked…after all, she’s all the Earth has
  • A woman who must choose between the mother who abandoned her and those who deserve her help
  • And more!

Authors in this anthology include: USA Today Bestseller Joynell Schultz, USA Today Bestseller Melinda Kucsera, Seattle Times regional bestseller & multi-international award winner Raven Oak, Tiffany Shand, Alesha Escobar, USA Today Bestseller Lee French & Erik Kort, H.B. Lyne, Anela Deen, Majanka Verstraete, C.K. Rieke, Devorah Fox, Leah W. Van Dinther, C.S. Johnson, Barbara Letson, Toasha Jiordano, Gwendolyn Woodschild, H.M. Jones, Stephen Wallace, AR Johnston, and William C. Cronk.

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

I'm reviewing The Mail-Order Witch Episode 3 by Joynell Schultz in the third anthology, Forgotten Magic. This is the final story and a happy conclusion. The overarching mystery of who has been sabotaging Ettie’s reputation and store gets solved. In this cozy magical mystery someone has been tampering with Ettie’s orders for magical items. Stock isn’t being delivered and her orders are being changed. The usual suspects are on her list, but then some new information leads to Ettie adding two people that she trusts! She’s trying to figure out her identity as an individual while also being a newly married couple with Roman. Her store takes most of her time and attention, which doesn’t leave much room for her marriage. Will she figure out how to balance owning a store with being married while catching a saboteur?

I'm also reviewing the short narrative serial “The Ones Who Choose” by C.S. Johnson in the Forgotten Magic anthology. This is part 3 and the conclusion to a heart-wrenching story. It’s possible to read it as a standalone as C.S. Johnson manages to catch you up in a few sentences. After Aidan helps Skyla save a boy bound by Bloodmagic, their utopian society begins falling apart rapidly. She couldn’t have predicted the terrible consequences that follow her act of mercy. Why would the boy that Skyla saves want to go back to his life of suffering? Is the benefit of having a utopian society worth it? Skyla must make a decision before things get worse. I didn’t expect the ending and it almost left me tearful!
More by Joynell Schultz:

About the Author:
Joynell Schultz

Joynell Schultz

Joynell Schultz manages the family zoo (literally!) and writes romantic speculative fiction in her (nearly non-existent) free time. She's a pharmacist by training (boring!) but prefers to hang out with zebras and bears or some imaginary characters.


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Nonfiction by C.S. Johnson:



About the Author:
C.S. Johnson

C.S. Johnson is the author of several young adult novels, including sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles series, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family.



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Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Father's Day and a Linky


We celebrated Father's Day last Sunday. Since we're still in lockdown in South Africa, we stayed home and spoiled a well deserving husband and father to our four kids. My hubby is always there for us. He's a rock that we can lean.

I made a fruit salad and crustless quiche for breakfast. For my quiche filling (the one cup of optional ingredients), I added an overflowing cup of cooked bacon and potato with finely chopped fresh green bell pepper.

For lunch (to have with our soup), Samantha baked artisanal bread. It's a no knead recipe and really easy to make! Amanda also got involved and baked chocolate chip cookies. We didn't have walnuts, so she skipped that step and chopped a slab of hazelnut chocolate instead. Check out the links to the recipes. They're really good!






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Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Life With Dogs During Lockdown and a Linky


Here are some more photos of us hanging out with our dogs in the front yard during lockdown. These photos were taken before it turned colder. We're in winter now below the Equator.

It's nice having my university daughters home during South Africa's extended lockdown. The South African school system runs on a calendar year, so my kids are in the middle of their school year. Amanda, who is in Grade 6, will start back at school this week. They will rotate the kids in 2 groups to come every other day to keep the classrooms at half capacity. She will also need to wear a mask and other measures are being taken.






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Happy Moms, Happy Homes


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Friday, June 12, 2020

Happy Moms, Happy Homes

Happy Moms, Happy Homes
Empowering Moms to Live in Victory
by Christina A. Morley


About the Book:

Title: Happy Moms, Happy Homes | Author: Christina A. Morley | Pages: 174 | Genre: Christian Inspirational

Book Description:

Feeling Stressed-Out, Left-Out, or Maxed-Out? Don't Miss-Out! During times of stress, loneliness, financial difficulty, or whatever troubles life may bring, moms can still lead a victorious life in Christ. This book is sympathetic to moms and the challenges they face, offering tools to overcoming their obstacles. With heart, wisdom, and understanding, Happy Moms, Happy Homes offers mothers of all stages advice and direction as they walk with God and share his love with their children and others.

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An Excerpt from Chapter Six:

One thing I’ve come to realize about us moms is that we are quick to take care of our kids and slow to take care of ourselves. It’s also possible to neglect our husbands when we’re so concerned about our children. We may think that if we sacrifice our own needs all the time that we’ll build a perfect home where everyone is blissfully happy. The truth is that until we get our priorities in the right order, we’ll all suffer for it.

I was a stay-at-home mom for about four years. It was hard being restricted to the house for most of the day. Raising demanding and crying tots almost full-time drove me crazy. I was stressed out of my mind and very unhappy.…

If you feel guilty about spending time on yourself, then remind yourself that God’s love for you is greater than the greatest love you could ever have for your children. Of course, He loves your children with that same powerful love. Therefore, He doesn’t want you to neglect yourself. Sometimes you have to deny yourself for your family’s sake, but if you do it all the time then your family loses something very valuable, and that is you! Your family needs the real you with your personality, not a robot! Remember, God loves you for who you are and not for what you do.

Christina with her husband and four kids

Christina A. Morley is the author of Happy Moms, Happy Homes. She’s also a blogger, volunteer reader at the Blind Institute, and co-founder of Light and Life Bible Ministries along with her husband.
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Friday, June 5, 2020

Forest of Firelight

Forest of Firelight

Forest of Firelight (The Riven Kingdoms Book 1) by [Shari L. Tapscott]

About the Book:

Title: Forest of Firelight (The Riven Kingdoms Book 1) | Author: Shari L. Tapscott | Pages: 304 | Genre: Fantasy Romance | Recommended Ages: Young Adult and Up

Book Description:

From the author of The Silver & Orchids Series comes a breathtaking tale of two kingdoms torn apart by magic and the star-crossed lovers who set upon a perilous journey to reunite them before they fall into ruin.

Enter the world of The Riven Kingdoms.

After the sudden death of her brother, Princess Amalia is charged with what feels like an impossible task—she must choose the next king. Youthful thoughts of love are pushed aside as she accepts her fate, setting upon a quest throughout the kingdom to find a man worthy of her father’s throne.

Little does Amalia know, someone has already set his sights on her.

Rhys is a man of secrets, and his mission is simple: befriend the princess of Renove. Coax her to trust him, convince her to follow him.

Betray her when it’s time.

All goes according to plan until Rhys meets the princess. Amalia is a disaster. Never has he met someone so drawn to trouble. Never has he met someone so irritatingly likable.

He’s not allowed to fall for her.

She could never entrust him with a crown.

But, unbeknownst to them, their unlikely partnership might be the key to saving their entire world from a darkness that’s slowly creeping from the wounded earth that separates one kingdom from the next.

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

Forest of Firelight is a delightful story with lots of feels, but has treachery too, which keeps it exciting. This is a truly entertaining read with some witty banter and danger at every turn. Will Amalia fall in love with her self-appointed guardian Rhys, or will she discover his secrets before her feelings grow too strong? This is a first in a series with some big reveals at the end. I felt that the ending was too rushed and that it was a bit of an information dump. However, at least it doesn’t leave you hanging and you know there will be more good feels up ahead!

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About the Author:
Shari L. Tapscott

Shari L. Tapscott

Shari L. Tapscott writes romantic fantasy adventure and contemporary romance. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing. She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.

Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and several extremely spoiled pets.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Birthday Girl and a Linky


This beautiful girl turned 22 today! Jessica is our oldest daughter. She’s smart, athletic, and kind. She has multiple interests, but I think her kind heart is her biggest strength. She’s good with people, including young kids and the elderly. She’s truly a blessing to others. This year has been tough on her with having to do her studies from home while South Africa is on lockdown. It’s her second year studying Industrial Psychology at the University of Cape Town (UCT), but she has also completed a 2-year Accountancy certificate through Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). She’s also one of the UCT cheerleaders this year, although that is on hold with the pandemic.

Jessica happened to be wearing clothes this morning that were in matching colors to her card. I actually bought the handmade birthday card months ago, so that was a fun coincidence. Her sisters baked her a gluten-free chocolate cake from an online recipe. The girls considerably reduced the sugar. The cake asked for 1 and ½ cups of sugar, but they used only ¾ cup sugar and it was still delicious and sweet. The frosting asked for 3 cups of powdered sugar and some shortening, but the girls used only 1 cup of powdered sugar and coconut oil (in its solid form) instead, which also worked really well and tasted like a mousse in the end.

I hope you are keeping safe and healthy during this pandemic! Enjoy the photos and be sure to visit me on Instagram!






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