Monday Review by the Book Dragon: A Highly Original Snow White Retelling

As part of a special blog tour for Fantasy Month, all of Book Dragon's reviews this month will be fantasy books! Check out this site for more info on this special event.

The Book Dragon has read Lea Doue's fascinating Mirrors and Pearls: A Retelling of Snow White (Fairytale Dragon Riders Book 1) and gives it 5 claws!

My review: "4.5 stars for a delightful and highly original retelling of Snow White. I loved the dragons and the pixie and the squirrel. The characters were so much fun, I wanted it to be longer. The ending felt a bit rushed, but don't let that stop you from reading this quirky, magical tale. It's SO much better than the Disney version. Recommended!"

Here's a better picture of the lovely cover!

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Fast-paced murder mystery with witty dialogue

The Book Dragon has devoured the ARC of Exercise is Murder, a fantastic new mystery novella by ACFW author Bruce Hammack and gives it a resounding 5 claws!

My 5 star review: "I don't read many mysteries, but I may have to rethink that after reading this unexpected gem. The author's law enforcement experience shines through in this fast-paced, witty story with realistic, flawed, yet relatable main characters, an unlikely team of detectives. Their banter reminds me of Bogey and Bacall, and Max the cat is a stroke of genius. From the opening scene, the snappy dialogue alone grabbed this reader and compelled me to keep reading, and the many suspects kept me guessing until the final showdown. This is an excellent read for mystery aficiados as well as newbies to the genre, and I'm looking forward to continuing this new series to return to the blind, anything-but-washed-up former Houston homicide detective Steve Smiley and his young brilliant partner Heather McBlythe (and her cat)."

Here's a better image of the cover!

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Exciting cozy Christian mystery with genealogy!

The Book Dragon has reviewed One Leaf Too Many by Julie B. Cosgrove and gives it 5 claws!

My review: "4.5 stars for an exciting cozy mystery about one of my favorite subjects--genealogy! The characters are living and breathing; the good ones are loveable and the not-so-good ones are appropriately slimy. The plot is a twisty roller coaster ride that makes you laugh out loud, gasp with concern for the heroine and her friends, nod your head in agreement at Shannon's wise words and Chase's level-headedness, and sigh at the MC's stubborn quest for truth and justice that lands her in all kinds of trouble! Recommended for all readers of cozy mystery. If you're not into genealogy when you start reading One Leaf Too Many, by the end you may change your mind!"

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Norse Mythology meets Beauty and the Beast

The Book Dragon has finished When Ravens Fall by Savannah Jezowski and gives it 5 claws!

My review: "4.5 stars for well-written, original, and unusual combination of Norse mythology, Beauty and the Beast, and a feisty talking squirrel I first met in Jezowski's short story, "Well of Fate." The suspense was sustained at a tense level through the climactic scene, and the characters and their situation were clearly and believably written. The themes, which the author elaborates upon in her end note, shine through and strongly gird the story. Recommended!"

The 10 Best Books I read in 2018

This was a milestone year for me. I made it to the big 6-0, which I wasn't sure I would reach, and my family threw a fun party for me, including this AMAZING cake by my uber talented youngest sister.

In that bookish vein, I managed to read more than 55 books, including fantasy (almost half the total), science fiction, historical fiction, romance, nonfiction, and children's (and that doesn't count all the books I've read multiple times to my granddaughter). Out of these, ten rose to the top like fine cream, and it was difficult to sort them into numerical order. I loved them all! Several other 5 star books I read didn't make the final cut, not because they weren't good, but they didn't tug at the heartstrings, like these did.

So here, beginning with #10, are my favorites (and Book Dragon's) for 2018:

10. Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani

This fantasy had an exotic flavor to it, with gritty realism, great suspense, and a plucky main character who managed to get into SO much trouble! I love this author's writing style and plan to read more of her books!

9. The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder

This was a fantastic romp through a quirky, well-imagined steampunk universe. The main characters are unforgettable in this fantasy murder mystery!

8. Secrets: Visible & Invisible by 7 authors of Catholic Teen Books

This is one of the best anthologies I've ever read! Each story is well-written within a wide range of genres, from dystopian to historical fiction to mystery to contemporary.

7. Heartsong by Annie Douglass Lima

Having loved all of this author's fantasy stories, I was reluctant to read her science fiction, but I shouldn't have worried; this is a powerful story of conflict between races from two planets. The alien world is fascinating, and the main character extremely sympathetic and compelling. The "heart song" concept resonated with this reader, big time!

6. The Last Motley by D. J. Edwardson

This is a beautifully written epic fantasy about my new favorite reluctant hero, a cursed child, and an assortment of allies and enemies on their quest to find a way to undo the curse.

5. Common by Laurie Lucking

I really liked this fantasy romance because of the POV character, Leah, who was such an endearing person, I HAD to follow her story and find out if she overcame the unfair situation that befell her!

4. Aerisian Refrain by Sarah Ashwood

I didn't think I'd connect with the main character, who is a world-famous singer, but she was such a real and amazing human being, I was sucked into her perilous journey into a beautiful and dangerous fantasy world. I loved that the magic was tied to music, as well as the Native American elements!

3. The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney

This book has won all kinds of awards, with very good reason. Stellar historical fiction about the struggles of an Italian immigrant family in 1925.

2. The Nameless Soldier by Annie Douglass Lima

Though much shorter than the other stories I've read in this author's Annals of Alasia fantasy world, this is an almost flawless, deeply emotional story of a young soldier's unexpected experiences during an invasion. The reader can FEEL his pain and despair! I connected with him so much! And one line near the end is one of my favorite lines in fiction!

1. Spice Bringer by H. L. Burke

This book is powerfully written fantasy with an Asian flavor, memorable characters, and fantastic world-building. But the thing that makes it one of the favorite books of my life is the connection I felt to the main character, who is living with a fatal disease. She is so honestly written and so strong, she inspired me not to give up in a low point in my life. This book has a powerfully written line that spoke directly to me. For so many reasons, Spice Bringer is my favorite book of the year, and in the top five for my entire life.

I've reviewed all these books here on this blog, and hope you'll give some of them a try. Let me know what you think about these or other great books you read in 2018!

Huge Sale on Clean Indie Fiction Black Friday thru Cyber Monday!

I’m excited to tell you about a HUGE sale that is going on this weekend! There are over 150 titles available and they are all either $.99 or FREE! There is also a long list of paperbacks for sale at incredibly discounted prices as well! And the good news is they are all clean reads! Be sure to go check out this amazing sale here.

There is also an amazing giveaway going on! Grand Prize winner receives 20 paperbacks and the 2^nd place winner gets 20 e-book titles from the sale for free!

You can sign up for the giveaway here.

Giveaway runs from November 22^nd till November 26^th @12AM ET Grand prize open to US winners only. 2^nd place prize is open Internationally.

2nd Place Winner Receives 20 E-books

Gather Round the Fables by Erika Matthews

The Case of the Tabloid Tattler by Perry Kirkpatrick AudioBook

The Twelve Cats of Christmas by Perry Kirkpatrick Audiobook

Coffee Shop Christmas Ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

The Land of Cotton ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

Entertaining Angels, Entertaining Angels Book 1 by Emerald Barnes

Secret’s Kept by Jennette Mbewe

The Firethorn Crown by Lea Doue

Beyond Broken Pencils by Julie C. Gilbert

Ashlynn's Dreams by Julie C. Gilbert

Soldier On by Vanessa Rasanen

Burning Rose by Hope Ann

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

Imani Earns Her Cape by Bokerah Brumley

October by J. Grace Pennington

Disowned by Sarah Addison Fox

My Compass Home by Michaela Bush

Summer Shadows and Necessary Evil by Killarney Traynor

Grand Prize Winner Receives 20 Paperbacks

Mythical Doorways by Jenelle Schmidt

Faith is the Victory by Faith Blum

Kiera by Kate Willis

Because Anonymous Diana L. Sharples

After: Book One in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Specter: Book Two in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Leandra’s Enchanted Flute by Katy Huth Jones

Eagle Eyes by Tammy Lash

London in the Dark by Victoria Lynn   

When Beauty Blooms by Victoria Lynn

Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset by Sarah Ashwood

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

There Was Always Laughter in Our House by Sarah Holman

Bridgers: A Parable (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Love Blind (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Code by Angie Thompson

Christmas Eve at the Backdoor by Rebekah Morris

The Seven Drawers by Kendra E. Ardnek

He's Making Diamonds: A Teen's Thoughts on Faith Through Chronic Illness by Sara Willoughby

Participating Authors

Kate Willis

Hope

C.B. Cook

Vincent Trigili

Malachi Cyr

E. J. Willis

Diana L. Sharples

Sarah Addison-Fox

Annie Douglass Lima

Marc Secchia

Katy Huth Jones

Savannah Jezowski

Kandi J Wyatt

Joan Lightning

Angela Watts

Ava Mallory

Sara Bourgeois

Jaye L. Knight

Sarah Ashwood

Killarney Traynor

Zanna Mackenzie

Valerie Howard

Bokerah Brumley

Kat Bellemore

Faith Blum

RJ Conte

Abigayle Claire

Tayla Alexandra

Kristen Iten

Emily Selby

Stephanie Damore

Erika Mathews

Frances Hoelsema

J. Grace Pennington

Rebekah A. Morris

Frankie Bow

Martha Fuller

Lena Karynn Tesla

Allison Tebo

Sarah Monzon

Victoria Lynn

Sonia Parin

T.I. Lowe

Lia London

Tammy Lash

maria grazia swan

Deany Ray

Paige Sleuth

Jenny Berlin

Annie Louise Twitchell

Jordaina Sydney Robinson

Kelsey Gietl

Kendra E. Ardnek

Frances Hoelsema

Stacy Juba

Laura Guenot

Michaela Bush

Tricia Mingerink

Hailey Rose

Ryana Lynn Miller

Angie Thompson

Nadine C. Keels

Kellyn Roth

Angie Thompson

Vanessa Rasanen

Julie C. Gilbert

Jennette Mbewe

C. S. Johnson

Amy Williams

April Lynn Newell

Lauren Lynch

Lea Doue

Kelsey Bryant

Avery Daniels

Sarah Holman

R.M. Archer

Emerald Barnes

Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

Cathy Perkins

Laura Jackson

P.D. Workman

Emily Hinkle

Hannah Loviisa

Claire Banschbach

Rebekah Jones

Faith Potts

Sara Willoughby

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Presenting the Fellowship of Fantasy's Fun Feline Anthology!

Whether you are a cat lover or just love to read a good story, you're sure to find something purr-fect in the Fellowship of Fantasy's fifth anthology, Paws, Claws, and Magic Tales! Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a paperback of this magical collection!

Here are the story blurbs to whet your appetite:

The Witching Hour by Savannah Jezowski: As shadows encroach on the city of Lite, one cat stands between humanity and the hounds of darkness. Will true love save the day?

Tale of Two Kitlings by Sharon Hughson: Two kitlings. One tail. A mother's sacrifice and a brother's betrayal. Who will survive the Siamese curse?

Black Knight by Laura L. Zimmerman: When a jingly bell goes missing, there's only one supercat to solve this crime--the mysterious Black Knight.

Sulfur and Sunshine by Grace Bridges: How to Handle a Dragon, Feline Edition. On a volcanic shore, the accidental appearance of a local fire-guardian has unusual consequences for a street cat.

The Magic of Catnip by A. J. Bakke: An impulse purchase of catnip leads to unexpected shenanigans.

The Secret Treasons of the World by J. L. Rowan: When Braelin stumbles upon an outlawed Guardian, she must choose between his safety and her own--and the cost may be more than she can bear.

The Poor Miller and the Cat by Leila Rose Foreman: When a poor miller rescues a cat, it promises to make him a wealthy man. But what is true wealth?

Alex the Cat and Alex the Prince by Ace G. Pilkington: The prince's parents are telling him he has to marry for money, and his cat says it could cost him his life.

Whisker Width by H. L. Burke: Get a cat, they said. It'll be fun, they said. No one mentioned the portals to a mysterious realm opening up in Kara's bathroom.

The Honorable Retrieval of Miss Sunbeam Honeydew by Pamela Sharp: When two princesses of the realm claim the same cat, how far will their loyal retainers go to see that each princess gets her way?

The Witch's Cat by Rachel Harris: Walk under ladders. October the 13th. A black cat. Perhaps the only way to bring two lovers together is through the worst luck.

The Cat-Dragon and the Unicorn by Janeen Ippolito: Ademis the cat-dragon only wants his freedom but must graciously help a scared unicorn girl who should be glad of his benevolent assistance.

Destined for Greatness by Jenelle L. Schmidt: Kendall knows he is destined for great things. The problem is, the Fates--even if they exist--don't seem to agree.

Sammy's Secret by Karin De Havin: A ring is lost. A friendship is ruined. A cadre of cats is on the case!

Death Always Collects by Jeremy Rodden: Loki, a regular old Siamese cat, finds Death looming to take his human. Bargain as much as you want, but remember: Death always collects.

The Wild Hunt by Naomi P. Cohen: When an immigrant violinist's music enchanted a Cait Sidhe, she's entangled in the secret world of the New York Fae.

Purchase links: Amazon or Books to Share

Find on Goodreads or request an ARC copy

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