Dead Letter - Prelude to the Dragon Choir Series

Dead Letter
by Benjamin Descovich

About the Book:

Title: Dead Letter | Author: Benjamin Descovich | Pages: 202 | Genre: Fantasy | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

Prelude to the #1 Epic Fantasy Best Seller, Dragon Choir.

An outcast sorcerer is lost in the city of gold, boiling in a cauldron of lies.

Novice Kettna is commissioned to solve a string of robberies, but is haunted by a forbidden secret. Murder, blackmail and espionage drive her investigation into the shadows of danger where she must confront Bloody Agnus, the queen of the criminal underworld. Can a mage with failing magic discover the truth to find her lost love and save the city from itself?

Sword and Sorcery simmering with Mystery and Mayhem.

Dive into the magical world of Oranica and steel yourself for adventure. From the boundless imagination of bestselling author, Benjamin Descovich, comes a turbulent tale set in the City of Gold, Calimska. The daughter of the Archmagus has an impenetrable intellect, but her talent with magic is waning. To her shame, she is incapable of passing the trials of sorcery and is sent to serve on the city guard. With the help of a caustic, yet beautiful, guardian and a poor kitchen hand, Kettna uncovers a deadly conspiracy that threatens the great city. With enemies lurking in every shadow, can she survive long enough to bring evil to justice?

Only one thing can keep a secret buried, a Dead Letter.

Purchase on Amazon Kindle

My Review:

Dead Letter was my introduction to Benjamin Descovich's epic fantasy series Dragon Choir. He has gained my admiration with his literary skill. His writing style is formal, but not austere. It's intellectual, but not difficult to comprehend. He mixes politics, magic, wit, and the possibility of unrequited love. There is adventure, suspense, and mystery. Who is behind the worst crimes and what is a dead letter?

The content is young adult appropriate. Descovich's characters are well developed. His heroine, Kettna, is personable with weaknesses, strengths, driven by love and a sense of duty to her fellow Calimskan citizen. The conflict in her relationships adds further layers to the story. For example, her relationship with her parents isn't perfect, especially not with her mother, and her boyfriend is missing or not wanting to be found. There are twists in the story with a few loose ends at the end that will leave you wanting to read more! I am certainly looking forward to reading more books in the series.

About the Author:

Benjamin Descovich

Benjamin Descovich is the founder of ethicalwriter.com and works everyday writing the seeds to grow a better future. He is a passionate environmentalist, social justice advocate and holds a degree in Political Science. Born in Australia and well travelled through Europe and Asia, he has been spoilt with inspiration for his fiction. While the dramatic landscapes, political intrigue and epic battles will captivate your imagination, the dragons and magic take your breath away.

Join the adventure and

get a free ebook!

Website

Disclosure: I purchased this book from Amazon Kindle when it was on sale and this is my honest review.

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A Happy Street Dog and a Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #243!

Koda was a street dog when an animal shelter found him. He was thin, but otherwise in good shape. No one came forward to claim him and so he was put up for adoption. We've had him for almost a year. He is now a happy street dog! Wishing you all a great week!

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The Verdo

The Verdo

by Kimberly J. Smith

About the Book:

Title: The Verdo | Author: Kimberly J. Smith | Publisher: Lulu.com | Pages: 203 | Genre: Paranormal and Urban Fantasy | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

Death is so boring. At least that's how fifteen-year-old Callie finds being stuck "in between," until the day she discovers someone has left a newborn baby in the old gypsy wagon (or "verdo" as it's also called) in Wailing Woods. Determined to save the child, she tracks down Laney, the girl who barely survived the same car wreck that took Callie's life three years earlier (and whose mother's recklessness caused the accident in the first place). A mysterious connection between the two girls allows Callie to lead Laney into the spooky forest to save the baby. Laney hopes the newborn will finally help her family heal, but when Callie's grieving parents end up with custody, emotional wounds are deepened. Callie pieces together the mystery connecting the baby, the fleeting psychic powers Laney has had since the accident, and the too-good-to-be-true new guy in town. Could there be a reason Callie hasn't moved on to whatever comes next? Could she be the only one capable of putting things right?

Purchase on Amazon:

Kindle | Paperback

Barnes and Noble | Goodreads

My Review:

Death is final, but what if you were given the chance to put some things right? Kimberly J. Smith explores this idea in her paranormal and urban fantasy book about a teenager who unexpectedly dies in a car crash. Her name is Callie and she finds herself stuck on earth as a ghost. For a few years, she never bumps into other ghosts and people can't see or hear her. It can get lonely and boring not having anyone to talk to. But things start to change when she hears a newborn baby crying from the verdo, an old gypsy wagon in Wailing Woods.

The Verdo is a great read for teenagers and young adults. The story flows smoothly from character to character. There's mystery around the baby's birth mother and the family that has just moved to town. There's conflict between families and suspense that isn't too dark and scary. One of the underlying messages in the story is the importance of appreciating our families. Another message is that people of different races and backgrounds should all be treated with equal respect.

Related Book Review:
The Dragon Whistler

About the Author

Kimberly J. Smith

Kimberly J. Smith is an advertising creative director with twenty-five years of experience telling brand stories for companies both large and small. Her passion for storytelling extends into children’s literature where she loves to tell tales that are a bit more fantastical. A voracious reader, her favorite stories (both to read and to write) tend to revolve around those that put a magical twist on familiar legends to reveal the imaginary hidden within the folds of reality. Her middle grade books THE DRAGON WHISTLER and SYDNEY WAKEFIELD: INTO THE FARAWAY definitely fall into that category. WAILING WOODS, a young YA paranormal, releases later this year. Her current project is an alternative reality novel for teens called THE SUMMONER’S REBELLION.

Author Website

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.

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Crustless Quiche Recipe and a Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #221!

And Happy Mother's Day!

A quick and easy way to use
leftover vegetables:

I had leftover roasted veggies from a previous dinner and used them in a delicious crustless quiche. I heated the oven to 190 C/ 375 F and coated a square glass oven-proof dish with a non-stick cooking spray. The veggies needed a starch, so I peeled and boiled a large potato, which I then crumbled at the bottom of my quiche. Then I added my mixed roasted veg. with roasted garlic.

I lightly whisked egg and cream together with salt and pepper. You need about 8 eggs to one cup of cream or you can use grated cheddar cheese instead. Pour the mixture over the veggies and bake for about 30 - 40 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. That's it!

I have included my steps below in photos and two links to crustless quiche recipes that you might like to reference for more ideas.

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Food.Com Recipe

One Dish Away Recipe

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My Latest Book Reviews:


Everyone Has a Mother
Free eBook




The Bridge of the Golden Wood
Free eBook

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Happy Mother's Day!
Check Out My Review
of Paperless Post

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Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

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• Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
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The Bridge of the Golden Wood Free eBook

The Bridge of the Golden Wood
by Karl Beckstrand

About the Book:

Title: The Bridge of the Golden Wood | Author: Karl Beckstrand | Illustrations: Yaniv Cahoua and Karl Beckstrand | Publisher: Premio Publishing | Pages: 26 | Ages: 5 and up

Book Description:

(Entrepreneurship, business) “Masterful … An immensely appealing book because of its readable style … and its realistic but soft Asian-style illustrations.” – Crystie Cook, poet.

A child with a knack for solving problems helps some hungry fish and finds a treasure. Illustrated folk tale teaches how to spot opportunities to help others and make money; comes with ideas for businesses; money-making activities; and online resources on finding customers, managing money, job ideas and moving up in an organization (for ages 5 and up). Young children will be captivated by the story; older ones will want to apply the things they learn. Teach someone to fish: a how-to book on careers, small business, and learning how to serve/earn money. 530 words in dyslexic-friendly font by award-winning author Karl Beckstrand (Mini-mysteries for Minors [multicultural/bilingual series]), illustrations by Yaniv Cahoua and Karl Beckstrand; Asian characters, Chinese boy, red panda, 26-page business picture book (hard or soft cover and ebook), Premio Publishing & Gozo Books Sept. 2017 (see online resources, worldwide rights © July 2017) PremioBooks.com

Free on Amazon Kindle

My Review:

The Bridge of the Golden Wood is a beautifully illustrated children's book teaching entrepreneurship and helping others. Amanda (age 9) easily understood the message of the story. She told me that we need to work to earn money, that we should enjoy our work, and that we should be kind to others. This book also teaches children about responsibility. It's a unique picture book that offers resources at the end. I recommend it for children ages 4 - 9.

Disclosure: I grabbed a copy from Amazon Kindle when it was for free. This is my honest review.

Please Note: The price was correct at the time of posting. Please check as the price can change.

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Everyone Has a Mother Free eBook

Everyone Has a Mother
by Sally Huss

About the Book:

Title: Everyone Has a Mother | Author and Illustrator: Sally Huss | Publisher: Huss Publishing | Pages: 38 | Ages: 2 - 8

Book Description:

From cats and dogs and birds and squirrels and goats and turtles to llamas, sheep, cows, chickens, bears and elephants, hippos, rhinos, even giraffes, frogs and fish – all have mothers.

Whimsical illustrations of animals, insects, reptiles, as well as people, bring home the message that everyone has a mother. The idea is amusingly stated in rhyme to delight any small child and honor any mother. Over 30 happy and colorful illustrations dance across the pages.

Free on Amazon Kindle

My Review:

Everyone Has a Mother is a sweet story about animals and their mothers. Amanda enjoyed how there were all kinds of animals, from giraffes that are tall, to fish that are small, to some having tails like whales, and how leopards have spots and ladybugs have polka dots. I liked the friendly colors and I enjoyed the bits that rhymed. I thought it was clever at the end to describe all the different kinds of human mothers from foster mothers to great-grandmothers. This is a cute picture book for young children.

About the Author:

Sally Huss

"Bright and happy," "light and whimsical" have been the catch phrases attached to the writing and art of Sally Huss for over 30 years. Sweet images dance across all of Sally's creations, whether in the form of children's books, paintings, wallpaper, ceramics, baby bibs, greeting cards, purses, clothing, or her King Features Syndicated newspaper panel "Happy Musings."

Before graduating from USC with a degree in Fine Art in the 60's, Sally had already become a champion tennis player, having won the Wimbledon and U.S. Junior titles and been a Wimbledon semi-finalist in the Women's Division in both singles and doubles. Through her tennis connections she ended up working in television for Ralph Story, and then in film for Samuel Goldwyn, Jr. Eventually, she transitioned into running Paul Simon’s music publishing company, Charing Cross in Beverly Hills.

Keeping her hands on her tennis rackets, along with her brushes and pen, Sally operated in two arenas.

Through her work with dance therapist Joan Englander, Sally created a unique method of playing and teaching tennis based on relaxation. It was highly embraced by creative people of all kinds and her roster of students included: Larry Hagman, Joel Grey, Barbra Streisand, Jill St. John, Helen Reddy, Milos Forman, Jack Jones. She eventually wrote a book on this “Zen-like” approach published by Harcourt, Brace.

With her husband Marv Huss, former head of Advertising and Promotion for Hallmark Cards, they developed the renowned Aspen Club in Colorado, a luxury health spa and tennis facility, opening the club with a Battle of the Sexes match, pitting Sally against the self-proclaimed ultimate chauvinist Bobby Riggs. She was one of the first female head tennis club professionals in the U.S.

Returning to California in the 80’s, the Husses embarked on building a string of 26 Sally Huss Galleries across the country (also one in Switzerland and another in Tokyo) offering Sally's art, writings, and licensed products.

Through the galleries, Sally's creations have found their way into millions of offices, hotels, and homes, including those of Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, Joel Gray, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Mitt Romney.

Sally has also been inducted into the Kern County Sports Hall of Fame and the Occidental College’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Presently the Husses reside in Solana Beach, California and Sally continues to play social and league tennis nearby at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. Besides this, Sally indulges herself in her life-long passion of writing and illustrating her own books. Her collection of books now numbers over 80 and many have become top-sellers on Amazon. The majority of her books are for children, while others touch on her expertise as a tennis champion, and still others reveal her positive philosophy of life. Her creations are still "bright and happy, "light and whimsical" after all these years!

Website

Disclosure: I grabbed a copy from Amazon Kindle when it was for free. This is my honest review.
Please Note: The price was correct at the time of posting. Please check as the price can change.

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Fire in the Valley and a Linky Party

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #242!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the images to see them at their best.

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Road Trip and
Picnic - Part 2

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My Latest Book Reviews:

Meet Your Match




3 Free eBooks by K.C. May

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(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

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to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

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Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
• If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

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