Amanda Ross is on a school trip to Taos, New Mexico with several of her fellow creative students. She shares a room with Cleo, an anxious classmate who insists she sees ghosts. Although Amanda is determined to prove there is no such thing, she can’t seem to shake the feeling that something or someone is watching her.
Join Amanda, Cleo and their funny friend, Caleb, as they visit a rugged and beautiful landscape where a traditional hacienda, an ancient pueblo, and a haunted and spooky hotel all hold secrets to a wild and violent past.
Does Cleo really see ghosts? Can Amanda escape the eerie wind that follows her everywhere? Perhaps The Day of the Dead will reveal the mysteries of Taos in this latest adventure of Amanda’s travels.
My review
Amanda in New Mexico Ghosts In The Wind
It’s always fun to read an Amanda adventure. This one is set in the mountains, in Taos in New Mexico. I’ve read several in the series now and can recommend. This was a lovely halloween and anytime read for kids and educational too. In this book the other two main characters are Caleb, a cute, jokey boy, and Cleo who is afraid of ghosts. Amanda is our intrepid explorer who writes for kidblog. I particularly enjoyed the sections on The Day of The Dead, wild west characters, and the spooky bits! The ending had a nice uplifting touch which made me smile.
It’s always a joy to go travelling with Amanda!
Highly recommended for kids and sure their adults will enjoy too!
Read via Kindle unlimited
My rating: 5 stars
Author Bio
Growing up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, traveling the world, and meeting interesting people. She also believed in making her dreams come true. It’s no surprise she’s now the award-winning author of Amanda Travels, a children’s adventure series featuring a spunky twelve-year-old who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. When not traveling herself, Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with her husband and entertaining rescue dogs, Dot and Lia. http://www.darlenefoster.ca
Greed led them in. Destitution kept them there. Adam and Becky Hargreaves stumble upon a foreboding gothic-style property in the secluded Spanish countryside, and believe they’ve found the ideal business opportunity. But shortly after moving in with Nerea, their truculent teenager, Melissa, their baby daughter, and Rose, Becky’s infirm mother, a series of disturbing events shatter their dreams of success.
When ghostly orbs and manifestations of the dead roam the corridors threatening their business and their lives, steadfast Adam refuses to believe their home is possessed. As he withdraws from his family, Becky and her sparring stepdaughter Nerea must learn to work together to solve the ulcerating secret lying in the dark heart of the house before history repeats itself.
What happened all those years ago during Franco’s regime? Why are so many spirits of young children still wandering the halls of the retreat? And who or what evil being is keeping them there?
As rivers of blood run deep within the bowels of the property, the family finds themselves entangled in an age-old promise with the devil. Who can they trust? How can they discover what happened in the blood-chilling past before time runs out?
Only one family member will make it out alive. Who can outwit the black soul and his disciples lying in wait inside the walls of Raven’s Retreat?
This was a engrossing read from start to finish. Creepy, well plotted and intriguing too. Perfect for the Halloween season and for everyone who likes a good creepy and at times blood curdling story. It was darker than I expected and twisted in places too. So not a read for the faint-hearted. Expect creepy house, ghost, coven, sacrificial practices, care home wierdness, witch covens, and sexual scenes in keeping with the imaginative plotline. Excellent storytelling from Michelle E. Northwood. I’ve read her memoir Fishnets in The Far East which couldn’t be more different, shows great versatility as an author.
My rating 5 stars. Recommended read but check the trigger ⚠️ warnings.
Many thanks to the author for an ARC.
Buying Link:
Author Bio
Michele has a First Class Honours Degree in Modern languages, (English and Spanish) and also studied for a Master’s in Highschool Education. She currently lives in Spain, where she runs an English Teaching Academy. Michele shares her home with her Spanish husband, her dog, two cats and two terrapins. (Yes, she’s slowly building an ark!)
In her past life …. (okay, when she was a young woman,) she worked as a professional dancer, magician and fire-eater who toured the world for over twenty years in theatre, musicals and circus. During that time, she was in the Guinness Book of Records for being part of the world´s largest Human mobile, and worked as a contortionist with the Circus of Horrors as their first “Girl inside a bottle”. She has rubbed shoulders with Sting, Chris de Burg, David Copperfield, Claudia Schiffer and Maurice Gibb from the Bee Gees. She has also worked as a knife throwers assistant, assisted a midget in his balancing act, and took part in the finale of a Scorpions concert.
The author’s debut novel, ‘Fishnets in the Far East: A Dancer’s Diary in Korea’ has won two literary competitions. The sequel: “Fishnets and Fire-eating” has just been released, and the third book in the Fishnet series is due out soon.
Michele is concerned about climate change, the abundance of plastic pollution, and hates the way man-unkind treats the other species that inhabit this beautiful planet we are slowly destroying. Michele loves living in the countryside with views of the sea and likes nothing better than to sit on the terrace at the end of the day, look up at the stars and contemplate.
If you would like to contact Michele, she can be found at:
Claire Winters is heartbroken when her husband of many years says he’s found a new love and wants a divorce. While having a pity party with her best friend, Jade, they come up with a daring idea. Together, they construct a Voodoo doll and with the help of several bottles of wine, create a ceremony to bring the same heartbreak to Daniel Winters as he brought to Claire. But do they go too far? You decide!
MJ’ Book Reviews
A short halloween quick and enjoyable read about revenge and the mistakes and shortcomings we have as humans. Any action born out of revenge ain’t going to be a good choice! Not scary more relationship based with voodoo element. Thought the ending was a fun twist. I think the story could be interpreted in different ways but my take was her guilt manifesting.
My rating 4 stars.
Recommended for those who like to celebrate this season but don’t want to read a book which is full of gore, or is too scary.
Jan Sikes is also featured on Robbie Cheadle’s blog. Robbie is sharing a review for Voodoo or Destiny and Ghostly Interference:
I’ve been an avid reader all my life. I can still remember the excitement that surged through me the first time I realized I could decipher words. There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.
Oddly enough, I never had any ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music to match the time period of each story segment. In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.
Wrong!
The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain.
I love all things metaphysical and often include those aspects in my stories.
I am a member of the Author’s Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, Story Empire, and the Paranormal Writer’s Guild. I am an avid fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.
‘So inspiring, so heartfelt … the way Donna writes is beyond beautiful.’ Lisa Snowdon
Uplifting inspiration from the Sunday Times bestselling author of I Wish I Knew
Wild Hope is Donna Ashworth’s powerful new collection of wisdom to help us find hope, peace, self-acceptance and inspiration on the days we feel worn down, helpless or sad. Written with love and understanding, Donna reminds us that amidst our daily struggles and constant outpourings of bad news we have so much to hope for, and that every one of us can play a part, big or small, in making the world a better place.
With poems such as ‘That Thing You Do’, ‘Through the Wringer’ and ‘Rope Ladder’, Donna helps us to remember that most people in this world are good, and that acts of kindness and love within our individual spheres of influence, however small, all contribute to a better future. She also gently guides us, no matter how busy or overburdened we may be, to practice better self-care and self-acceptance.
Hope exists when nothing else can. On the darkest of days Wild Hope will help you find more light.
My review
Wild Hope leaves no hopeful stone unturned! There are so many poems in this collection and each one is so special. Donna’s poetry is simple to understand, and relatable. The considered topics are dear to my heart, such as: mother and daughter love, being proud of you, living life to the full, seizing each day, being who you are and living with nature, and the moon and the planets. Finding joy in the simple but memorable moments of life. There is an abundance of positivity, love, compassion, understanding and humour in this collection. At a time when we all need a boost so much!
It’s the kind of poetry you could dip into whenever you feel the need. Or if, perhaps you are going through a particularly difficult time. The poems on grief, women and growing older were positive, and illuminating. I’m sure they would be a much needed anchor to those in need.
This is a real mood booster would highly recommend!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy which I read freely. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Beaton for his thoughtful review of Golden Healer, Book 2 in my ya fantasy The Curse of Time.
A review of Golden Healer The Curse Of Time Book 2 The Good | The Bad | The ugly
I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a new review and then like magic… that’s what happened! Thank you to Beaton for his review of Golden Healer, book 2 in my ya fantasy series. More about it via the link below…
That is the question Dawne asks herself when she stubbornly pursues her goal of trekking in the Sahara Desert to raise funds for Thrombosis UK.
As she battles excruciating back pain and slogs across the unforgiving desert landscape in boots held together with gaffer tape, will her determination to educate others to the perils of thrombosis drive her to achieve one of the toughest challenges of her life. Or will trekking in the Sahara prove a step too far?
All profits from book sales will be donated to the charity Thrombosis UK which works to educate the public and health professionals to ‘Spot the Clots’. Knowing what to look out for might save your life or that of someone close to you.
My review
Thank you to author Dawne Archer for a copy of her memoir Trekker Girl – Morroco Bound which I won. Here are my thoughts:
This is an inspiring memoir based on the author’s experiences with thrombosis, (and with reference to her father’s,) and her life long commitment to fundraising for Thrombosis UK.
Commendable, heart-warming and full of camaraderie and human spirit. Dawne’s memoir takes us along with her on her brave trek with fellow trekkers, including her mate Sarah. There are many health obstacles to overcome, added issues such as backache and stomach problems, and mirages!
Read this wonderful memoir to find out more about Dawne’s and fellow trekkers determination, and to understand the implications of thrombosis and meet her fellow trekkers.
Writing Through the Soul is a collection of poetry your soul can’t ignore. Author Brenda Marie Fluharty has put together a group of poems speaking to the souls of all mankind. These poems will make you laugh, cry, smile and even wonder why. The poems cover many aspects of the soul; from the questions, we all ask to the heartbreak of the loss of loved ones. Writing Through the Soul has poems giving you a better understanding of spiritual awakenings, growth, and meditation. There are even poems covering the many trials of having a writer’s soul.
Brenda Fluharty’s, Writing Through The Soul, an inspiring book of poetry, explores the human condition, our soul’s journey, how we strive for happiness, love, completeness and growth in life.
There are poems about her son, her mother in law, mother, husband, family, birds and nature, friends and strangers, Monday morning chaos and her great love of night time poetry crafting. And.. believing in yourself and your writing self!
It is a personal, spiritual and at times religious collection, where Brenda refers to her angels and love for her dear departed grandfather.
Favourite poem titles include: love yourself, the crow, birds following me, the forest heals my soul, writing helps you heal, through the eyes of a child, he and she, the stranger in the street, mother, mother-in-law!
A short excerpt of this lovely poem.
Medium
I can see things No one else can see. Hear spoken words No one else can hear.
Spirits from other places Come to me. I can see and talk to them.
If I tell anyone, They will think I am crazy. Maybe I am.
No one else I know does this. I am different I can see the land’s past. I can see the future for some. I am a medium!
Recommended for poetry readers who like spiritual, religious and personal collections. And writers who understand what it is to write, with the trials, tribulations and all!
“The world of Chasing Shadows is Steven’s creation and it’s as good a Steampunk world as you could wish for. Great airships ride the skies, gleaming locomotives power between cities. Coal dust is everywhere as is the detritus of developing technology.” – Richard Dee – author of sci-fi, steampunk and cosy crime novels
“Smith’s world-building, particularly regarding the various factions, is rich and convincing. Through this world, Captain Edison Crow’s motley crew leads the reader on a breakneck journey full of adventure and intrigue.” – A.K. Alliss – cyberpunk and fantasy author.
As captain of the airship Arcos, Edison Crow and his childhood partner in crime, Selah, lead their crew in search of a big payday. When it comes to the pursuit of wealth, nothing is out of the question for this band of charming rogues. Smuggling. Theft. Embezzlement. It’s all part of a daring game.
But all is not smooth sailing when you’re a high profile thief with a target on your back. A job gone wrong will thrust Edison, Selah and those aboard the Arcos upon a journey straight to the heart of the shady United Republic of the High Commission in pursuit of the truth.
Troubled by his own personal demons, Edison must navigate dark skies if he hopes to gain answers. Will it be enough to help the infamous Captain Crow clear his and his crew’s names? Or will he end up Chasing Shadows?
My review
I don’t read steam punk books very often but when I do I enjoy!
This is my introduction to Steven Smith’s writing and the promise of an adventure onboard an airship with loveable rogues and shadow wraiths drew and kept my attention.
The mystery of the shadow wraiths were woven throughout various parts of the story and later were explained in a way I would not have guessed! I better not say anymore as this is definitely a spoiler.
I enjoyed the characterisation, especially of Crow, and his female partner Selah, both of whom were so well crafted and described.
The ending seemed a little sudden to me. Though, I am pleased to say there is a next story in this series which will no doubt fill in the gaps.
The fascinating aspects, and at times beautiful writing makes me curious what may happen in book two. I liked the intrigue about the poor children and the kindness shown by Maisie.
Recommended for readers who enjoy steam punk, adventurous and mysterious stories with some exciting and imaginative scenes, a burgeoning romance, an underlying political aspect, (the tyrannical United Republic of the High Commission,) and fantastic characters.
An enjoyable and engaging read – would recommend.
My rating 4 stars
Buy Link:
Steven Smith lives in Bedfordshire, in a small town just under an hour train ride north of London. He has a passion for books. He owns and runs a book blog called Books and Beyond Reviews. Stop on over there and take a look! He reviews books there, as well as the occasional author Q and A, guest post, cover reveal and his weekly feature, Friday Face-Off. So in case you hadn’t worked it out, he is an avid reader.
Having spent a lot of time reading and writing his blog, the next obvious step for him was to write fiction of his own, rather than always commenting on the works of others. His first book is Chasing Shadows, a steampunk adventure following roguish airship captain Edison Crow and his childhood friend Selah as they battle through a life of petty crime to tackle a threat to their very safety and that of their crew.
Aside from books, he is a lover of music, films, a range of sports (mostly from the sofa) and video games. He has an interest in all things historic, from ancient to modern.
Thank you so much to Brenda for this wonderful review of Bloodstone. Truly makes me so happy!
Bloodstone: The Curse of Time by MJ Mallon is a captivating and unique young adult novel that blends contemporary fiction with elements of fantasy and mystery, resulting in an engaging and imaginative reading experience.The story follows the life of fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott, who finds herself swept into a world full of secrets and ancient prophecies after the disappearance of her father. As she delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding her family, Amelina discovers her own hidden powers and begins to unravel the secrets of the bloodstone. In a race against time, she must navigate her way through a web of riddles and challenges, while also facing personal dilemmas and forging unexpected alliances.
Brenda Marie Fluharty is a Spiritual Life Coach, dream interpreter, a past-life therapist, a freelance writer, blogger, poet, art lover, pet owner, and author. Brenda is a Reiki Grand Master and energy healer. She has studied several Spiritual practices. Brenda has a Master’s Degree in Metaphysical Science from the University of Metaphysics. Brenda loves to share her knowledge, wisdom, and life experiences through her writing. She has been blogging for over 20 years. She is the author of several dream journals and Writing Through the Soul. View all posts by Brenda Marie Fluharty
It’s the big question. Where do we go, when it’s all over? What happens to our unfinished business? At 20:08, Detective Ian Gisbon is murdered. At the same instant as he dies, on the other side of the country, Suzan Halford is born. Nobody could have guessed that locked in her head is the key to unmasking Ian’s killer. All Suzan has to do is grow up and remember it. Before she’s aware of her knowledge, a chance discovery sets an unstoppable chain of events in motion, and Suzan’s life spirals out of control.
What’s happening is impossible, it’s destroying her family. And driving her crazy.
There’s only one person she can turn to, the only one who can help. But they’ve been gone for years. Finding them will mean that justice can finally be done.
How the story came about
The whole thing came from my childhood, as do so many of my ideas. As an only child, although I had friends, I was on my own a lot. I had an imaginary friend, who I used to talk to when nobody else was around. My parents knew and while they didn’t discourage me, they never let me get away with blaming them for anything naughty that I might have done. I lost touch with them as I grew up, I guess that I didn’t need them anymore.
Without giving too much away, the whole idea for the novel comes from that part of my childhood, enhanced for dramatic effect with a few twists and turns.
And a short extract.
I was shaking when I woke, in my room, in the dark. The dream had felt so real, as if I had been there, on that night. The scary thing was that it felt like I had been seeing things through the eyes of the man in the picture. I knew he was a policeman, my waking mind told me that my dream must have been brought on by seeing the newspaper in the box and reading about him in the article. My imagination had made a story up and the dream was my subconscious mind acting it out.
I lay in bed and shook; I could feel myself sweating and suddenly felt cold.
I guess I must have shouted something as I woke; the door crashed open, making me jump again and my mother came rushing into the room.
“Suzan, are you alright?” she shouted, her voice full of concern. She lay on the bed and hugged me. “You called out, you’re sweating,” she said. “Do you feel ill?”
“I’m OK, Mum,” I said. “It was just a bad dream.”
She stroked my hair. “Poor you, do you want to talk about it?”
The idea of going through it all again scared me. “No, I’m OK now.”
“Well, if you need us, you know where we are.”
She hugged me for a moment, kissed my head and went back to her bedroom. I could hear a muttered conversation, my father asking what the matter was, my mother’s reassurance that it was just a nightmare.
I was almost frightened to go back to sleep, the power of the mind to make a story out of a picture on a scrap of paper had amazed and frightened me. But I must have, the next thing I remembered was the sun shining on my face through a gap in the curtains and the smell of bacon frying.
Book Review
Great idea, very inventive story, don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it before! Characters are intriguing.
I’ve been privileged to read a number of Richard’s novels and there are a great variety ranging from crime capers, fantasy, sci-fi, etc, whatever he writes I am always impressed by his breadth of imagination and great character building.
This is so different! Imagine the trauma when you realise you are not dead, but are stuck in the mind of newborn baby girl!
This is a murder mystery crime thriller extraordinaire! Detective Ian Gisbon knows who the killer is but how can he convey this? Cry? Scream?
It is frustrating, to be a part of this other person’s life and she is female… so he remains in her head for years… growing and shaping her as she gets older. Hoping one day to bring justice.
Great read, which I beta read. Fabulous.
Here are the links for Amazon sales and the Goodreads page.
Richard Dee is from Brixham in Devon. Leaving school at 16 he briefly worked in a supermarket, then he went to sea and travelled the world in the Merchant Navy, qualifying as a Master Mariner in 1986.
He has also worked as an Insurance Surveyor, Lockmaster, Harbourmaster and Ships Pilot, taking over 3,500 vessels up and down the Thames, passing through the estuary, the Thames Barrier and Tower Bridge.
Since the publication of his first Science Fiction novel, Freefall, in 2013, Richard has written another eighteen novels, a textbook and a selection of short stories. He has been featured in several anthologies, including 1066 Turned Upside Down and Tales from Deepest Darkest Devon.
He writes Science Fiction and Steampunk adventures and also chronicles the exploits of reluctant amateur detective Andorra Pett.
Richard is married with three adult children and five grandchildren.
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 