Natural Color: Vibrant Plant Dye Projects for Your Home and Wardrobe

When I decided to get this book for review I was thinking about doing some small DIY projects. I quickly found that not one of the recipes were simple and easy. Each one required lots of extra materials like PH neutral soap, strainers, heat resistant gloves, pots, and many other things. That said the book is very comprehensive, but each recipe requires money, work, and dedication. The book is well written it is just not meant for a quick DIY project, but rather a full out hobby. Each recipe includes detailed information and when additional prep is required it provides the page number to the page describing the prep procedure. I was sent this book for free for only my honest and unbiased review.

God Of War by Ian Thompson

God Of War by Ian Thompson is a fictional horror suspense filled novel. God Of War by Ian Thompson is a book that will appeal most to an audience made up of a mix of mature young adults and adults who enjoy the idea of being scared out of their own minds. God Of War by Ian Thompson is a novel filled with horror that started back during the Roman occupation when one Gaius Pertinax wanted to find something more, something really special for the gladiators. What he brought about was a horror that still exists in modern and is found by a group of cavers when they become hunted by it.

God Of War by Ian Thompson is a horror filled novel that will make even the strongest quake in their shoes; it is a book best read during the day as reading it at night is likely to give nightmares. God Of War by Ian Thompson is extremely well written with each scene described in fluent language that transitions beautifully from one scene to the next. God Of War by Ian Thompson offers multiple perspectives from different time periods and characters to really allow the reader to understand the horror, the events, as well as the characters themselves. Each character was well written; my favorite was the beginning of the book that focuses on John, Mary, and Melissa. I really felt for all of them and was sadden by the tragedy that was their lives. I finished God Of War by Ian Thompson feeling shaken and a bit worried about nightmares, but that is the mark of a good horror novel.

 "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Cannons and Corsets (A Civil War Novel) by Lee Wardlow

 Cannons and Corsets (A Civil War Novel) by Lee Wardlow is a historical fiction novel set during the civil war. Cannons and Corsets (A Civil War Novel) by Lee Wardlow is a novel that will appeal most to a mixed audience of adults and mature young adults who enjoy historical fiction centered on the civil war time period. Cannons and Corsets (A Civil War Novel) by Lee Wardlow follows Raven Truth, daughter of Joseph Truth (a plantation owner), unlike most young women Raven was allowed to grow up learning to shoot, hunt, and ride alongside her brothers on the plantation. Also unlike most plantation owners her father insures that all of his slaves are treated with respect and not whipped. This all changes when Marikha is named as helping slaves get to the Underground Railroad.

Cannons and Corsets (A Civil War Novel) by Lee Wardlow is a well written historical fiction novel on the civil war period. I really liked the fact that Raven Truth’s father was a kind man even if he was a slave owner. I found his view on slavery interesting as he saw it as a needed evil for his plantation to profit, yet at the same time saw his slaves as human beings worthy of respect. There were a few moments in Cannons and Corsets (A Civil War Novel) by Lee Wardlow where I felt like my heart stopped. I really felt for the characters and I was always sad whenever one of them was hurt.

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley

Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley is an 88 page long children’s book. Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley is a book that will appeal most to children aged six through twelve. Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley follows eleven year old boys Jared and Marcus who call themselves the Revengers; together they work to fill their spy camp fund by fixing the problems of others for profit. There first missions are Jared’s older sister’s boyfriend (who is a bit of a jerk) and a monster cat that is terrifying the neighborhood.

There are two new fixers in town and their names are Jared and Marcus together they can fix or solve any problem! Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley begins with Jared pretending to kill the boogeyman hiding in his younger sister’s closet this one heroic action leads to the creation of the Revengers. I really liked how the book began with such a simple and yet heartfelt act of sibling love. I liked the fact that Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley had some illustrations in it as children often prefer books that have some pictures in them; the first picture in the book is a sketch of Jared brainstorming and coming up with the idea of the Revengers. Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley was well written and had a simple plot that would pull children in without confusing them. I liked the fact that Steven Whibley kept all the words and concepts age appropriate. 

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan

This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan is a fictional book with the genres of mystery, thriller, and suspense all mixed together into one novel. This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan is a novel that will appeal most an audience made up of a mix of mature young adults and adults who enjoy suspenseful fiction on the cold war period of history. This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan follows Dr. Alexi Truskov as what he first thought was a ground breaking discovery that would lead to a peaceful ending of the cold war instead leads him down a dark rabbit hole that leaves him questioning his own loyalties. Dr. Alexi Truskov was first and foremost a scientist who devoted his life to “uncovering the fundamental truths of nature” yet in This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan he is forced to decide between betraying his country or betraying humanity as a whole; his decision will shape not just one country, but the entire world and all of humanity.

This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan reminded me a bit of the X-Men First Class movie in how both main characters have to weigh their own morals, their loyalty to their country, and the fate of humanity. I greatly enjoyed reading This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan as besides being remarkably well written its suspenseful nature refused to release my eyes from it. I felt like I simply could not stop reading This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan at any point as I simply had to know the fate of Dr. Alexi Truskov and the world; this caused me to finish the entire book in one sitting. While I enjoyed all of This Way Madness Comes (A Novel) by Robert Alan, my favorite aspect was the very beginning where Robert Alan gave me insight into Dr. Alexi Truskov beginnings as a scientist, a student, and a person. This insight allowed me to truly sympathize with Dr. Alexi Truskov and to understand him better as a character.

 "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts

          Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts is a general fiction novel. Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts is a book that will appeal most to adults, but some mature young adults may also find it intriguing. Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts is a bit like watching a train crash, you know it is something sad and yet you can still not pull your eyes away from it. Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts uses a somber tone to pull the reader in and to explore the concepts of love, loss, regret, and ageing. Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts is designed to not just open a person’s eyes to the reality of life, but to cause a person to question themselves, their lives, and their choices.

Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts is filled with metaphors; the first sentence of the book begins with metaphors; it reads “Time may be a river, but memory is a meteor shower, a staccato beat of energetic impacts”. The entire Quality of Quantity (Redemption of an American Expatriate) by James J Houts is filled with language like this that just flows beautifully on the page and in the mind. Every single word is chosen with flawless precision for the maximum effect on both the literature and the reader. My favorite aspect of the book was the formatting of each chapter with how each chapter occurred at a different time in the main character’s life; it truly allowed me to feel like I could understand the character without having to know everything instead the writing style allowed me to fill in the blanks using my own mind. 



"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Zombiekill: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Russ Watts

Zombiekill: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Russ Watts is a fictional horror, fantasy, thriller, and science fiction novel of a zombie apocalypse. Zombiekill: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Russ Watts is a novel that will appeal most to an audience of young adults and adults with a stomach for horror and gore in the extreme as well as a love of all things zombie. Zombiekill: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Russ Watts follows three main groups/families; one group is a family that barricaded themselves in their home, another a millionaire in his mansion, and another locked in a motel. The three groups all are waiting for the rescue promised from the zombies before the TV’s cut out; they tell themselves that the major cities are being cleared first and they just have to keep waiting, but how long can they wait for?

Zombiekill: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Russ Watts has all the needed parts of a horrifying zombie apocalypse story. Zombiekill: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Russ Watts is without a doubt a horror story with how the main characters live in fear, the detailed descriptions of gore, and the huge numbers of people who are dead or dying. Zombiekill: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Russ Watts also has it spots of sadness when fear is absent; during the beginning of the book there is a family of three living trapped inside their own house when the mother sees a woman fleeing from the zombies she runs to let her into the house and helped only to end up dead with the father hitting and blaming the daughter for his wife’s death. The book has a somber feeling to it in many of the moments that are not filled with horror; I personally found that these moments offered a good balance to the book. 

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Sins of the Warrior (The Grigori Legacy Book 4) by Linda Poitevin

Sins of the Warrior (The Grigori Legacy Book 4) by Linda Poitevin is a fictional science fiction, fantasy, supernatural book in the Grigori Legacy series. Sins of the Warrior (The Grigori Legacy Book 4) by Linda Poitevin is a book and series that will appeal most to an audience made up of a mix of young adults and adults who enjoy reading and watching supernatural and paranormal fiction. Sins of the Warrior (The Grigori Legacy Book 4) by Linda Poitevin begins with a prologue that is on Emmanuelle and Mika'el; specifically Emmanuelle’s decision to leave and Mika'el’s decision to stay. From there Sins of the Warrior (The Grigori Legacy Book 4) by Linda Poitevin jumps straight into the story plunging the reader right into the story with Alexandra Jarvis, Seth, the Naphil, and the other characters.

Sins of the Warrior (The Grigori Legacy Book 4) by Linda Poitevin remind me a bit of a mix of the TV show Supernatural and a cop show like Blue Bloods or NCIS. One of the main characters Alexandra Jarvis is a homicide detective while others are angles and demons. I did find the book a little confusing at first because I had not read books one, two, and three, but I quickly got a good grasp of the story and  then some of the confusion began to fade. I personally would recommend that all readers read the previous books in the Grigori Legacy series first. That said Sins of the Warrior (The Grigori Legacy Book 4) by Linda Poitevin was a well written book with a stead plot line, chapter cliffhangers, well devolved characters, dialogue that flowed smoothly, and good attention to detail.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Prasvapa by Chand Svare Ghei

Prasvapa by Chand Svare Ghei is a book that is in fact a collection of short fictional stories that explores the different layers that are set between what is reality and what are dreams. Prasvapa by Chand Svare Ghei is a collection of short stories that would appeal most to an audience made up of a mix of young adults and adults who enjoy short story collections with a sad under tone to them.

Prasvapa by Chand Svare Ghei is made up of numerous short stories on numerous different topics, yet each story has a sort of sad feel to it, some more than others. I have to say that while I found each story to be extremely well written with perfect use of similes, metaphors, and other types of language that I found them rather depressing. Simple black and white illustrations are used by Chand Svare Ghei to break up pieces of text; however I personally found the pictures to not have enough detail to be worth including in the book. A few of the stories lacked the background information needed to grasp the entire story, yet that does not detract from the stories as Chand Svare Ghei chose to leave off information in order to allow the reader to use their imagination with each story; this style of writing reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe’s works. My favorite story out of them all was the one titled “To kill a Christmas tree”; I liked the idea of a tree being alive and the child feeling remorseful for robbing the tree of its potential by cutting it down.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite" 

Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott

Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a fairy tale fictional picture pop up children’s book. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a book that will appeal most to an audience made up of children from preschool through first grade. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott follows a Sasquatch named Sid as he wishes to do more than watch human children from the shadows and hid away. A simple accident leads to Sasquatch Sid meeting human Ollie. The two boys are both from different species and both have very different skills, personalities, and families yet together they learn to appreciate their differences and become fast friends.

Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a book with beautiful illustrations of Sasquatch Sid, the Sasquatch family, and the two boys playing together. The illustrations are what really make the book worth reading for young children. The writing is kept both brief and interesting with only a few lines of writing on each page. This style of writing is often appealing to young children as it prevents them from becoming overwhelmed with a lot of words all at once. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott teaches children that everyone is different and that our difference is what makes us special; Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott also encourages children to be friends with people who are different from them and to show kindness. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a well written children’s book though especially young children may need help with sounding out some of the words.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott

Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a fairy tale fictional picture pop up children’s book. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a book that will appeal most to an audience made up of children from preschool through first grade. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott follows a Sasquatch named Sid as he wishes to do more than watch human children from the shadows and hid away. A simple accident leads to Sasquatch Sid meeting human Ollie. The two boys are both from different species and both have very different skills, personalities, and families yet together they learn to appreciate their differences and become fast friends.

Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a book with beautiful illustrations of Sasquatch Sid, the Sasquatch family, and the two boys playing together. The illustrations are what really make the book worth reading for young children. The writing is kept both brief and interesting with only a few lines of writing on each page. This style of writing is often appealing to young children as it prevents them from becoming overwhelmed with a lot of words all at once. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott teaches children that everyone is different and that our difference is what makes us special; Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott also encourages children to be friends with people who are different from them and to show kindness. Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a well written children’s book though especially young children may need help with sounding out some of the words.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) by Katie Rose Elwood

Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) by Katie Rose Elwood is a mixed genre book that has elements of the genres of fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and urban all mixed together inside it. Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) by Katie Rose Elwood is a book that will appeal most to an audience made up of young adults and adults who enjoy the science fiction and fantasy genres; those who have an interest in psychology will also find the book appealing. Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) by Katie Rose Elwood follows twenty year old Breeze Taylor as she works to get her degree so that she may become a psychologist; Breeze lives a difficult life with only her friends to support her since members of her family have died. Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) by Katie Rose Elwood begins to show the paranormal abilities of Breeze when she cuts her hand during a psychology class on a knife only to find the wound closed and the only evidence that she was even hurt was the blood left on her shirt. Breeze’s life get more difficult when she believes she is developing mental illness unware that she is being targeted by a demon.

Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) by Katie Rose Elwood was a very well written book that I found to be an enjoyable read. Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) by Katie Rose Elwood had amazingly well thought out plot points, psychological accuracy, and well developed characters. Katie Rose Elwood used different types of writing throughout Filled To Completion (Athanasia Book 1) in order to present the reader with a clear understanding of the characters, the scenes, and the settings. I found Katie Rose Elwood’s use of similes to be particularly helpful for creating a picture in my head. One of her similes was “the train, like a long, sleek silver bullet”. I found that these similes and metaphors made the scenes easier to picture in my head.  All in all I found the book to be very interesting and I can’t wait for book number two!

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar

No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar is a mix of the genres of: mystery, spy, thriller, suspense, espionage, and science fiction. No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar is a book best suited to an audience made up of young adults and adults who enjoy spy science fiction books/TV shows/movies. No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar follows Agent Ryan Raines as he begins his investigation into missing Agent Harley WahNoohi. No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar takes place in a universe that has been at peace for 15 years where the Authority has been rooted out and the peace is kept by the Alliance, yet when that peace is jeopardized the state of the peace is left in the hands of Agent Ryan Raines.

Move over Captain Kirk, James Bond, Anakin Skywalker, and Quill there is a new science fiction hero in town and his name is Agent Ryan Raines. No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar has elements from a James Bond like spy novel, a Star Trek science fiction feel, and Star Wars worthy scenes. No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar was a novel that started off with a steady plot pace only to speed once the action got started. I personally found No Gods In My Galaxy (A Ryan Raines Thriller) by Kevin Treaccar to be well written with a well thought out plot, amazing spy moments, realistic dialogue, amazing attention to setting details, and main characters that just pull you straight into their lives. 

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Eye of Ra by Kipjo Ewers

Eye of Ra by Kipjo Ewers is a fictional book that falls into the science fiction and fantasy genre. Eye of Ra by Kipjo Ewers follows Laurence Danjuma who began as a young man whose one wish to create a better life for himself and his father. Unfortunately for Laurence Danjuma fate rarely proves itself to be kind which leaves Laurence Danjuma a broken man close to death. However his family’s legacy awakens in his time of need to not only save his life, but to forever alter it. Laurence Danjuma is given as impossible legacy that leads him down roads that risk not only his own life, but the lives of many others.

Eye of Ra by Kipjo Ewers is a well written book, with only minor discrepancies that in no way detract from the story itself. The plot line moves at a fast pace for most of the book and the characters are all well written. I particularly liked the way that Kipjo Ewers wrote the dialogue between characters it always read like an actually conversation in that it flowed well and did not seem robotic. I really liked Laurence Danjuma as a main character because he was a regular guy with normal aspirations that was suddenly made into a hero type character. I believe that the way he responded to his legacy and destiny was realistic and his choice made sense based of off his personality. All in all I enjoyed reading about Laurence Danjuma in Eye of Ra by Kipjo Ewers.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright

                Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright is a paranormal fiction novel that is book one in the Noble of Blood series. Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright will appeal most to an audience made up of young adult and adult vampire fans. Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright follows Josaleene, a young woman who wishes to live forever, but soon discovers just what her wish may cost. Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright also follow Dartein, a male vampire who has been alive for many centuries. The hierarchy that has been in place for years is thrown into unrest when Dartein binds himself to Josaleene for the rest of their lives. Dartein soon finds himself working to save the life of his love without the expected help of his own father.

Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright reminded me a bit of the volturi from the twilight book series with how most place so little value on the lives of humans. Dartein reminds me a bit of Edward and Josaleene reminds me of Bella (though I have to say out of the two I found Josaleene to be the better character). I found myself pulled in further and further into Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright with every page that I turned. I actually ended up finishing the entire book in one sitting. Blood Price (Noble Of Blood) (Volume 1) by A L Wright was a well written book with a well thought out plot that left me wanting to read book two.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

The Dirt Bike Detective by Douglas L. Hoover

The Dirt Bike Detective by Douglas L. Hoover is a fictional young adult mystery novel. The Dirt Bike Detective by Douglas L. Hoover is a novel that will appeal most to an audience of young adults who enjoy a good paranormal mystery book. The Dirt Bike Detective by Douglas L. Hoover follows the perspective of twelve year old Oliver as he works with some of his friends and the new kid to retrieve his grandfather’s pocket watch which was confiscated at Raven Ridge Academy.  Oliver, Chase (the new kid), and a group of friends assemble to get the watch back, but they quickly tumble into more trouble than they ever expected as they are forced to deal with zombies, aliens, ghosts, and even secret agents. Will they ever get Oliver’s grandfather’s pocket watch back?

                Mover over Scooby Do, Sherlock, and Watson and make room for Oliver, Chase, and friends as they so you how a real paranormal mystery is solved. I have to say I was originally skeptical about whether or not Douglas L. Hoover could combine so many different paranormal elements in one book while still having a good plot line and character development, but Douglas L. Hoover really pulled it off. Douglas L. Hoover keeps all of the dialogue realistic for the ages of the children and other characters. I liked how the characters actually acted their own age none of the children acted like adults; instead they all acted like the children that they actually were. The plot line moves at a steady pace for the entire novel and there are a few twists and turns that kept me interested.

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Marked in Ink Adult Coloring Book

Marked in Ink Adult Coloring Book

Marked in Ink Adult Coloring Book is a great adult coloring book. The pages are one sided and very thick this prevents any sort of bleed through from pens or markers. The pages are each unique and different. Each piece of art could easily go on someone's body as a real tattoo. In face a person could color one of these exactly the way they want it and then take it to a tattoo parlor and show the artist exactly what they want.

***Disclosure: I was sent this product for free for test and review purposes for only my honest and unbiased review; I was given no payment or any form of compensation for this review. These views are 100% my own and were not influenced by anything, but the product itself.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sense of Touch by Rozsa Gaston

Sense of Touch by Rozsa Gaston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sense of Touch was an interesting book to read on the Anne of Brittany. The book was a historical fiction romance novel that incorporated both true historical facts and fictional elements that made the story more interesting. Personally I found the book to just be okay; it was an interesting book to read when I was bored, but it would not be my first choice due to the fact that the pace of the novel is somewhat slow. That said the characters were well developed and the romance seemed to develop in a somewhat natural manner (not one of those love at first sight/kiss things). If you enjoy historical romance fiction that is not a fast paced novel then you will enjoy this book.

I was sent a copy of this book for free for only my honest and unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp

Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp is a non-fiction self-help book that teaches people how to love themselves and everyone else. Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp is a book that will appeal most to an audience made up of young adults and adults who are interested in learning to live better in present times. Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp is written with the purpose of teaching people how to live better and how to experience life to the fullest, be understood by others, finding new solutions to life’s problems, being happier, etc.

               

Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp is a well written and well organized self-help book that does not overwhelm the reader. Some self-help books are badly organized or throw to much information at the reader at once; I was very glad to find that Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp did not do that. Instead Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp is written using easily understood language without any jargon and it is broken into small sections. Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else (Humanity's Handbook for Living Consciously in the 21st Century) Vol.1 by Lynda Lamp really was an interesting read for me; my favorite section was where I learnt about how I learnt how to love myself then others. However learning how to communicate from my heart effectively came in as a close second for me.

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy

Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy is a fictional novel set in the science fiction genre. Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy is a book that will appeal most to an audience made up of young adults and adults who enjoy science fiction, psychological thrillers, big reveals, horror filled moments, and of course robots. Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy is set in a time where humans live in an almost utopia with lots of time for relaxation where their lives are not dominated by work. Poverty, war, and hunger have been all, but eliminated thanks to Artificially Conscious Androlibra. Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy follows main character Grayson Cornel as he replaces Zoe Asher in The Libra Robotics and Cybernetics Corp. Grayson Cornel’s very first assignment leads to a bunch of lost robots, dead bodies, and a lot of questions. In uncovering what went wrong during his assignment Grayson Cornel’s life and beliefs are changed forever.

Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy reminded me of iRobot with how the robots take care of many everyday jobs and act as personal assistants. The plot of Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy is unique from iRobot, it is not a remake, but the general feel of the settings and environment is similar. Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy has well developed characters, scenes, and dialogue that keep the plot moving at a steady pace throughout the book. There were a few spots that I found horrifying and gross, but they were important to the storyline and not just added for the horror factor. I also really enjoyed the psychological feel of Bone Machine by CN James and Amy Joy as well as the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds Book 1) by J.K. Norry

Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds Book 1) by J.K. Norry is a supernatural or paranormal fiction book that is the first book the Walking Between Worlds series. Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds Book 1) by J.K. Norry is a book that will appeal most to an audience made up of young adults and adults who enjoy exploring different angles of the supernatural and the paranormal. Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds Book 1) by J.K. Norry follows main character Paul as his life is changed forever when he is brought into the secrets of the hidden world between worlds. However his entrance into this new world and way of living may mean losing the one person he truly loves forever.

Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds Book 1) by J.K. Norry reminds me of a mix between the TV show Supernatural and the movie Green Lantern. The settings of Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds Book 1) by J.K. Norry reminds me of Supernatural with the whole heaven and hell angle. While the main character Paul reminds me a bit of Hal Jordan in the Green Lantern with how both of their lives are changed and they gain new weapons. I have to say that I truly enjoyed reading Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds Book 1) by J.K. Norry once I was able to rationalize it as just fiction and separate my religion from it. The dialogues were all well written and the scenes blended together nicely in a way that did not leave any plot holes.

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

God Made You Just Right by Jill Roman Lord!

God Made You Just Right by Jill Roman Lord!

A bright and cheerful reminder that God made each of us special and unique

Here is a message that every parent will want to share with his or her child: You're brilliantly created and there s no one else like you! With easy-to-understand descriptions and simple, rhyming text, Jill Roman Lord shares the message that God created each of us in just the right way in a manner that even the youngest child will understand. Bright and engaging illustrations from Amy Wummer pair perfectly with the text and enhance the appeal of the book. Ages 2-5

About the Author

Jill Roman Lord won her first writing contest in first grade, and she's been writing ever since. Some of Jill's titles include One Night in Bethlehem and If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, three children, and their golden retriever.

My Review

God Made You Just Right by Jill Roman Lord is an absolutely adorable book that is perfect for ages two through five. The pictures are geared towards young children and the story is simple and easy to follow. The words are a decent size so young children who are just beginning to read can follow along. I personally feel that God Made You Just Right by Jill Roman Lord would make a good first reader book for new readers. I particularly liked the way the book involved God, but kept everything simple so that young children do not become overwhelmed or uninterested. 

I was provided with a free copy of God Made You Just Right by Jill Roman Lord for only my honest and unbiased review.

Mentors and Monsters by Mary Alderete

Mentors and Monsters by Mary Alderete is a fiction book in the horror genre. Mentors and Monsters by Mary Alderete is a book who will appeal most to a horror loving audience of adults who enjoy sitting at the edge of their seats as the wait for the next horror to occur. Mentors and Monsters by Mary Alderete follows Dylan a human who works at an accounting firm that is desperate for advancement and the demon known as Han who is a soul eater. Dylan’s desire for advancement caused him to sell his soul off to the demon known as Han. However Dylan’s time is coming to an end as time moves forward and with each second his soul comes closer and closer to being devoured. In a desperate attempt to save his soul Dylan enters a new and dangerous bargain where for each soul Dylan manages to get sold he gets more time with his own Soul.  

                Move over Abaddon, Crowley, Meg, and Yellow Eyes there is a new demon in town who goes by Han.  Mentors and Monsters by Mary Alderete reminded me a bit of the Supernatural TV show with how Han bargains for souls much like the demons in Supernatural do. I enjoyed the moral dilemma of the book with how the only way for Dylan to save his own life was to convince his coworkers to enter the same disastrous bargain the he himself regrets. My favorite part of Mentors and Monsters by Mary Alderete is the part where Han and Dylan compete to see who can get a person to sell their soul the fastest. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the final game as there was so much left on the line for both the human and the demon. While I found Han terrifying at times I also really enjoyed the demon as a character. I found Mentors and Monsters by Mary Alderete to be well written with particularly well thought out dialogue between the characters.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

The Keeper (Crossing Realms Book 1) by Rebecca E. Neely

The Keeper (Crossing Realms Book 1) by Rebecca E. Neely is a paranormal fiction book with romantic elements to it. The Keeper (Crossing Realms Book 1) by Rebecca E. Neely is a book that will appeal most to an adult audience who enjoys paranormal fiction with hints of romance. The Keeper (Crossing Realms Book 1) by Rebecca E. Neely follows Nick Geary, clan leader of human guardians, and Libby Klink, an accountant who is scared of her own intuitions. Nick Geary has saved Libby Klink many times and has fallen in love with her, yet as a guardian the humans he comes into contact with are left with no memory of him; meaning his love Libby Klink has no idea who he is. That all changes when the Watchers send a transmission stating that Libby Klink is the only hope of defeating the Betrayers. Nick Geary and Libby Klink are forced to work together to destroy the Betrayers and save the day.

Nick Geary and Libby Klink are such a tragic romance with how Nick is doomed to love Libby without her even knowing who he is. My favorite part of The Keeper (Crossing Realms Book 1) by Rebecca E. Neely is when the pair begins to work together and Libby begins to fall in love with Nick. The Keeper (Crossing Realms Book 1) by Rebecca E. Neely truly has an amazing story line that is both unique and intriguing. When I finished reading The Keeper (Crossing Realms Book 1) by Rebecca E. Neely I was left feeling excited at the prospect of a book two in the Crossing Realms series. 

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Riptide Betrayal of Blood (The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3) by Claudette Melanson

Riptide Betrayal of Blood (The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3) by Claudette Melanson is a young adult paranormal fiction book. Riptide Betrayal of Blood (The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3) by Claudette Melanson is a book that will appeal most to a young adult audience who enjoyed books one and two of the Maura DeLuca Trilogy as well as young adult paranormal fiction fans. Riptide Betrayal of Blood (The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3) by Claudette Melanson follows young vampire princess changeling named Maura as she fights to survive and uncover the mystery surrounding her life. Maura is left mostly only as she is forbidden to see her friends, her parents remain distant, her cousin wants her dead, and parts of her family have been ordered by their king to not ever initiate contact with his daughter Maura.

Move over Twilight, Supernatural, and Bitten and make room for Riptide Betrayal of Blood (The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3) by Claudette Melanson. Riptide Betrayal of Blood (The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3) by Claudette Melanson is a book that holds an entirely new and different world within its pages this world has all sorts of supernatural creatures ranging from vampires to fae, to angels, to elves, all the way to pixies. I have never read as book that ad this many different supernatural creatures inside it that gives detail to each race without taking away from the book itself. My only regret is that I read Riptide Betrayal of Blood (The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3) by Claudette Melanson without reading books one and two frist this left me a bit confused on some of the plot points and character interaction. 

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Navy One by Pedro Vasquez

Navy One by Pedro Vasquez is an action adventure fiction novel with a unique take on a terrorist attack at sea. Navy One by Pedro Vasquez follows President Margaret Benson as she and her family plan to take a trip on a US navy ship to California. This all changes when the ship is hijacked by terrorists who quickly take out the crew and the secret service agents. President Margaret Benson is left to try and stop World War three with limited help from the outside, her own husband held captive by the terrorists, and her unreliable son for help.

WOW! The first thing that came to mind as I read this book was that President Margaret Benson was like a female Jack Bauer, with less gore involved. Right from the very beginning Navy One by Pedro Vasquez starts off with a bang and keeps moving at a fast pace for the entire book. I have to say that I finished reading Navy One by Pedro Vasquez in one sitting as I could not make myself put it down. I loved the fact that Pedro Vasquez has the main character not only be the President of the United Stated, but a female President as well. President Margaret Benson is no stay at home Mom instead she is a woman who is strong and willing to take risks to save her country. I sincerely hope that Pedro Vasquez decides to write a sequel to Navy One as I would love to read more!

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

DNA: The Awakened (Demons and Angels Book 1) by Neo Jade

                


DNA: The Awakened (Demons and Angels Book 1) by Neo Jade is a young adult book on the topic of the paranormal. DNA: The Awakened (Demons and Angels Book 1) by Neo Jade is a book that will appeal most to a young adult audience who enjoys reading and watching on the topic of the paranormal, angels, demons, monsters, adventure, thriller, science fiction, and/or fantasy. DNA: The Awakened (Demons and Angels Book 1) by Neo Jade takes place a long time after a war between angelic host and the demonic legions was ended through the power of the Earth’s defender’s. The end of the war forced a sort of peace over the two and the blood feud slowly began to wane. 1,000 years later an invasion is coming to Earth and the only hope the planet and its people have are a boy, a girl, and a dog. This trio must work together to save the planet and end the war before all is lost.

Move over Same Winchester, Dean Winchester, Castiel, and Crowley there are some new humans, angles, and demons in town. I have to say that DNA: The Awakened (Demons and Angels Book 1) by Neo Jade reminded me of a twist between Supernatural and Twilight. DNA: The Awakened (Demons and Angels Book 1) by Neo Jade combines the elements of the paranormal together in a way that truly pulls the reader in deeper and deeper into its pages not to mention the trio of heroes who have their own unique personality. I have to say though that  DNA: The Awakened (Demons and Angels Book 1) by Neo Jade is without a doubt a young adult book, with how the protagonists are not adults and the add in of a dog as a hero as well truly makes it a great read for young adults. 

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan

Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan is a nonfiction novel on true crime specifically three incidents that left six people murdered in the late 19^th century through the early 20^th century.  Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan is a book that will appeal to true crime fans who are interested in real crime in Australia. Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan follow the murders of Alfred Hill, Michael, Norah, Ellen Murphy, a policeman, and a station manager. Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan serves to highlight the abysmal conduct of the police when dealing with the murders and raises the question about whether the guilty were ever actually punished.

Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan has an intriguing cover that that truly matches conveys the purpose of the book. Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan is a well written non-fiction book that has a reference for every piece of information complied for the novel; the reference made me feel comfortable in the knowledge that the book was truly non-fiction. Cheryl Fagan uses photos and images in her novel in very appropriate places that helped me to truly understand that I was reading about real people who had been brutally murdered not just fictional characters. While Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan is a non-fiction book Cheryl Fagan managed to write it in the style of a murder mystery novel which allows the reader to truly become interested in what happened and not bored by dry history. I truly enjoyed reading Murder & Misconduct by Cheryl Fagan and I look forwards to reading more of Cheryl Fagan’s books on the real murders that occurred.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

The Sockkids Say No to Bullying

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the children's book The Sockkids Say No to Bullying written by Michael John Sullivan and Illustrated by Alexandra Gold. The tour will run from July 18 - August 15, 2016

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About the Book

 

Title: The Sockkids Say NO to Bullying | Authors: Michael John Sullivan and Shelley Larkin | Illustrator: Alexandra Gold | Genre: Children's Picture Book/Social Issues | Number of Pages: 56 | Publisher: Insider's Report, Inc | Publication Date: June 7, 2016

 

Book Description: The SockKids focus on educating children and adults how bullying affects us all and what we can do about it.

Do you know where your socks go when they go missing in the washing machine? Well, the SockKids know! The SockKids are a mismatched family of socks that sometimes time travel through the spin cycle, teaching universal lessons of love and kindness, and focusing on creating a greater awareness of the many social issues that children are faced with today. The SockKids help to educate and encourage children from 2 to 92 to find solutions in helping to make this a better world.

In this story, Sudsy and Wooly discover their human is being bullied at school and team up against bullies with Ethan’s newest friend, Olivia. They discover bullying hurts everyone and staying silent is not an option.

More Inside! Children’s counselor and licensed therapist, Jamie Ross, gives adults and children guidelines on how to handle bullies.

Take a look inside the book...

About the Author: Michael John Sullivan

Michael John Sullivan is the creator of the SockKids. Constantly searching for his socks, he wondered whether the missing foot comforters had found another pair of feet to warm. Before his interest in socks, Sullivan started writing his first novel while homeless, riding a NYC subway train at night. Sullivan returned to his subway notes in 2007 and began writing Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness (Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books imprint). Library Journal named Necessary Heartbreak one of the year’s best in 2010. His second novel, Everybody’s Daughter (Fiction Studio Books, 2012) was named one of the best books of 2012 by TheExaminer.com. Sullivan has written articles about the plight of homelessness for CNN.com, The Washington Post.com, Beliefnet.com, the Huffington Post, and America Online’s Patch.com service.

My Review

The Sockkids Say NO to Bullying was a very interesting read. As an after school counselor I am always on the look out for new books to read to me kids. This book was a great book for all kids as it teaches children valuable lessons about bullying in a kind and interesting way. The adventures of the socks is a very cute way to tie the topic into bullying and the socks themselves were all very cute. I have to say that so far this book is by far my favorite book on bullying because not only does it have valuable lessons, but it also has an interesting story that make kids want to actual read the book. The picture were also very cute. I loved the little sock characters.

***Disclosure: I was sent this product for free for test and review purposes for only my honest and unbiased review; I was given no payment or any form of compensation for this review. These views are 100% my own and were not influenced by anything, but the product itself.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4) by Judith Lucci

Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4) by Judith Lucci is a mix of multiple genres known as: thriller, fiction, mystery, medical drama, suspense, action, and terrorism. Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4) by Judith Lucci is a book that will appeal most to as adult audience who enjoys fast pace thrillers with terrorist elements mixed in; it will especially appeal to those who enjoyed books one through three of the Alex Desephano series. Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4) by Judith Lucci focuses on both the heroes and the villains of the plot to wreak havoc at Congressman Adam Patrick Lee’s country estate that is located in Virginia during a party. Congressman Adam Patrick Lee also happens to be the grandfather of the main character Alex.

Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4) by Judith Lucci is a book that can pull in any reader no matter if he or she had read the books that came before it in the Alex Desephano series. I have to say that my favorite aspect of the book was how Judith Lucci did not just write on the perspective of the good guys and heroes, but also on the bad guy villains. This made it possible for me to understand the motivation of some of the bad guys and even feel sympathetic for some of them. However at the same time Alex most definitely remained my favorite character because of the way Alex handled the situations and interacted with the other characters. When I finished reading Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4) by Judith Lucci I was left feeling like I wanted to jump into the previous books in the Alex Desephano series so I can learn more about Alex as a person.

 "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Oil Painting Essentials by Gregg Kreutz

Oil Painting Essentials by Gregg Kreutz

Oil Painting Essentials by Gregg Kreutz has some beautifully stunning art work in it that truly takes your breath away. However what Oil Painting Essentials by Gregg Kreutz is not is a beginners book. Oil Painting Essentials by Gregg Kreutz teaches the reader some of the finer aspects of oil painting like how to do portraits in a realistic fashion. However it does not walk you through everything from drawing it to painting. Instead it just gives you the important tips on how to improve. So while Oil Painting Essentials by Gregg Kreutz is a good book for those with a grounding in oil painting it is not for a complete and total novice oil painter. 

***Disclosure: I was sent this product for free for test and review purposes for only my honest and unbiased review; I was given no payment or any form of compensation for this review. These views are 100% my own and were not influenced by anything, but the product itself.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Adventure for the Joyful Spirits! (The Legend of Three Faithful Heroes) by Adam Lynch

Adventure for the Joyful Spirits! (The Legend of Three Faithful Heroes) by Adam Lynch is a Christian science fiction fantasy novel that blends aspects of both genres together perfectly. Adventure for the Joyful Spirits! (The Legend of Three Faithful Heroes) by Adam Lynch will appeal most to a young adult Christian audience.  Adventure for the Joyful Spirits! (The Legend of Three Faithful Heroes) by Adam Lynch follows the three heroes known as Asmund Cranit, Tait Astron, and Eydis Virtue as they quest to defeat Lord Xuohs before he uses is abilities to conquer all of the lands with his evil and deceitful ways. Each of the three heroes has their own power or gift; Asmund Cranite has the sword of the spirit, Tait Astron is able to use the astronomical miracles from above, and Eydis Virtue is known to be able to summon three heavenly beasts.

Adventure for the Joyful Spirits! (The Legend of Three Faithful Heroes) by Adam Lynch is a book that immediately reminded me of the final fantasy video games and the kingdom hearts video games due to the way the characters quest and behave during the quest. I really liked how Asmund, Tait, and Eydis understood the importance of their quest, but still had time to enjoy it and have fun on the way to saving the lands from Lord Xuohs. My favorite aspect of Adventure for the Joyful Spirits! (The Legend of Three Faithful Heroes) by Adam Lynch was actually the settings; I absolutely adored the differences between the lands and the way Adam Lynch described them really allowed me to create the perfect picture in my head.
"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

First Shadows (A ShadowLight Alliance Novel) by Vera Raven Snow

First Shadows (A ShadowLight Alliance Novel) by Vera Raven Snow is a young adult paranormal animal novel. First Shadows (A ShadowLight Alliance Novel) by Vera Raven Snow is packed full with Wolf-Shifters, deaths, animals, and paranormal elements. First Shadows (A ShadowLight Alliance Novel) by Vera Raven Snow is a novel that will appeal most to a young adult audience who enjoys magic, shape shifting, mysteries, and the paranormal. First Shadows (A ShadowLight Alliance Novel) by Vera Raven Snow kicks off when thirteen year old Stormie Lorcan is abducted with only her two siblings as witnesses. This leaves Sabrina, eighteen years old, and Johnny, seventeen years old, wanting their sister back and wondering who to trust.

Mover over Jacob, Edward, Sam, and Dean and make room for a new group of paranormal characters. I have to say my favorite character ended up being Wolf-Shifter Erick Holt, founder of The Knowing. I found his character to be very interesting especially once he begins to become aware of the suspicious deaths surrounding The Knowing. The Knowing was something that intrigued me from the very beginning as the author, Vera Raven Snow, slowly wrote more and more about the group. While I enjoyed the entire book the ending was my favorite part as all the pieces of the puzzle began to make sense to me. First Shadows (A ShadowLight Alliance Novel) by Vera Raven Snow was an enjoyable read and has inspired me to seek out more of Vera Raven Snow’s books.

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Fast Food Kills (A Madge Franklin Mystery) by Kate McLaughlin

Fast Food Kills (A Madge Franklin Mystery) by Kate McLaughlin is a fictional murder mystery novel inspired by the author, Kate McLaughlin, and her husband’s stories. Fast Food Kills (A Madge Franklin Mystery) by Kate McLaughlin follow retried couple Madge and Paul Franklin as they simply enjoy a retired life. The couple lives in their RV which they use to travel all across the United States of America. For the last six years the couple has enjoyed a leisurely time traveling as both simple tourists and as volunteers; this calmness ends when they are recruited by a government agency to track a mad scientist. This particular mad scientist is a suspected killer who is believed to be using fast food restaurants as his weapon of choice. Fast Food Kills (A Madge Franklin Mystery) by Kate McLaughlin is a novel that will appeal to both adult and elderly audiences who enjoy murder mysteries.

Move over Serlock, Watson, Gibbs, Hotch, and Gordon and make room for retired travelers Madge and Paul Franklin as they show you how to solve a real murder while enjoying life. I found myself really enjoying the characters of Madge and Paul Franklin; they had an interesting relationship with each other both as husband and wife as well as partners in this clandestine operation. The decision to have a retired couple as the main character is something unique in murder mystery novels, so I found the concept to be intriguing and entertaining. My favorite part of the book was the Death Valley National Park scene near the end of the novel. Just WOW what an ending!

"Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Odes on Ali (A Tribute to the Greatest) by David A. Bates

Odes on Ali (A Tribute to the Greatest) by David A. Bates is a non-fiction sports poetry novel written on the sport boxing. Odes on Ali (A Tribute to the Greatest) by David A. Bates specifically follows boxer, Muhammad Ali, through his pre-fight antics, conversion to Islam, how his religious beliefs affected his life, his matches in order, and his career. The poems are all created using four-line stanzas. Odes on Ali (A Tribute to the Greatest) by David A. Bates take the reader on a poetic journey through Muhammad Ali’s life as a boxer and through his career and public service. Odes on Ali (A Tribute to the Greatest) by David A. Bates is a book that will appeal to poetry lovers who are fans of Muhammad Ali.

                Odes on Ali (A Tribute to the Greatest) by David A. Bates is an accurate portrayal of Muhammad Ali’s life, choices, and religion throughout his fame. I personally found a few of the poems required a second reading in order for me to grasp the full meaning of each stanza. Each stanza is composed with intent and care which shows in the way each line connects to the next. I particularly enjoyed reading on Muhammad Ali conversion to Islam and how the conversion changed and affected his life and career. Odes on Ali (A Tribute to the Greatest) by David A. Bates was an entertaining read that truly serves to teach more about who Muhammad Ali truly was both as a person and as a boxer while utilizing flawlessly written poetry.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Reader’s Favorites

The Brotherhood of the Blade: Volume 1 (Cyfandir) by Andrew Zabriskie

                The Brotherhood of the Blade: Volume 1 (Cyfandir) by Andrew Zabriskie is part of a Christian series that is a mix of fantasy and science fiction. The Brotherhood of the Blade: Volume 1 (Cyfandir) by Andrew Zabriskie is a book that will appeal most to a young adult Christian audience, however adult Christians would also find the book entertaining.  The Brotherhood of the Blade: Volume 1 (Cyfandir) by Andrew Zabriskie follow two twin orphans called Daryn and Arec who have lived a difficult life. Daryn and Arec’s lives are forever altered when they go out fishing a meet a priest very near to death’s door. The priest leaves behind an amazingly well-crafted golden key and many questions for Daryn and Arec. Daryn and Arec set out on a quest, with their friend Chay, which is filled with adventures as they work their way all the way across Aveliria. The group of questers are put in danger by the Azrahteran empire attempting to conquer Aveliria.

                Move over Bilbio, Frodo, Sam, Legolas, Aragon, and Thorin and make room for twin brothers Daryn and Arec as well as their friend Chay as they show you a new way to complete a quest. I have to say The Brotherhood of the Blade: Volume 1 (Cyfandir) by Andrew Zabriskie really reminded me of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit with how there is a quest, a journey, and all sorts of danger. I liked the fact that the questers were of a younger age as it made their mistakes seem realistic. I also greatly enjoy the Christian aspects of The Brotherhood of the Blade: Volume 1 (Cyfandir) by Andrew Zabriskie. I finished the book with a feeling of excitement because a book 2 is coming!

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

The Caregiving Season

I personally found myself not really liking The Caregiving Season. I originally got it with the intention of giving it to my mother who has elderly parents that she cares for. However after reading the book I got the feeling that it would only make her feel guilty for not doing more even though she already does as much as she can. I think the book should have given more thought to the caregiver instead of just the elderly parent. 

***Disclosure: I was sent this product for free for test and review purposes for only my honest and unbiased review; I was given no payment or any form of compensation for this review. These views are 100% my own and were not influenced by anything, but the product itself.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Our Darker Angel by Mr. Michael Segedy

Our Darker Angel by Mr. Michael Segedy is very much a psychological thriller on the topic of fictional terrorism. Our Darker Angel by Mr. Michael Segedy is a book that will appeal to an adult audience who enjoys fast pace stories involving terrorism. Our Darker Angel by Mr. Michael Segedy follows FBI agent Richard Clark as he works to hunt down the leader of terrorist group ARC—Anarchists for Real Change with the assistance of a forensic psychologist called Dr. Marty Robin. FBI agent Richard Clark investigates ARC—Anarchists for Real Change while forensic psychologist Dr. Marty Robin works to create profiles of those involved with the plot so as to better understand them and their motivations. Two partners, two approaches, and one ARC—Anarchists for Real Change terrorist leader; who will succeed?

Mover over Jack Bauer, Ryan Hardy, Mike Weston, and Chloe O’Brian and make room for partners Agent Richard Clark and Dr. Marty Robin. The partnership of Agent Richard Clark and Dr. Marty Robin adds an interesting element to Our Darker Angel by Mr. Michael Segedy as both characters are very different people with very different back and approaches yet they work well together. I personally really enjoyed the elements of Agent Richard Clark’s past, it reminded me of Jack Bauer from the TV show 24, and it was interesting how Dr. Marty Robin was able to pull him out of his past and into the present. The dynamic of the two main characters is truly the best part of Our Darker Angel by Mr. Michael Segedy.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Reader's Favorite 

The Train from Outer Space by Alan Sproles and Lizanne Southgate

The Train from Outer Space by Alan Sproles and Lizanne Southgate is a young adult science fiction novel that follows two young boys as they journey to save planet Earth. The Train from Outer Space by Alan Sproles and Lizanne Southgate is a book that will appeal most to young adults who enjoy stories on aliens. Brady is a young boy that is barely coping with the loss of his father; Brady’s grief has caused him to push away the people that care about him most. This all changes when Brady’s dog steals a mysterious glowing tube off of a bio-mechanical train that almost runs Brady over one night. This one event causes the renewal of Brady’s friendship with Franky as the two boys try to figure out what happened, however they only uncover more mysteries as they soon find an actual alien life form on Earth. Their discovery begins that game that leaves planet Earth hanging in the balance.

Move over Captain James T Kirk and General Jack O'Neill and make room for Brady and Franky. The Train from Outer Space by Alan Sproles and Lizanne Southgate is a perfect book for a young adult audience as the main characters are the same age as the audience so it makes it easier for the readers to relate to the characters. The Train from Outer Space by Alan Sproles and Lizanne Southgate is filled to the brim with all sorts of plot twists and turns that keep the reader guessing the entire time. My favorite part was when Brady and Franky first discover the alien called Lil Dude as this is the moment that the alien adventure really kicks off.

           "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

Pop Manga Coloring Book

A Surreal Journey Through a Cute, Curious, Bizarre, and Beautiful World

by Camilla d'Errico

Manga artist and Pop Surrealism superstar Camilla d’Errico presents her first ever adult coloring book, filled with portraits, patterns, and the stunning artwork her fans and collectors have come to love.

This one-of-a-kind book offers you the opportunity to collaborate with d’Errico, adding your colors to her gorgeous black and white linework. Featuring everything from haunting and surreal character portraits to pages filled with patterns and designs all rendered in d’Errico’s inimitable style, Pop Manga Coloring Book is guaranteed to provide hours of coloring fun and excitement.

My Review

This was my first time using a magna coloring book and I thought that it would be boring, but it was not. Each page had a different picture to color, which was amazing! Also that book has about 80 pages to color which is more than most adult coloring books have. I found this to be a nice change as this book will last longer for me than most do. I was sent this book for free for only my honest and unbiased review.

The Brodsky Affair: Murder is a Dying Art by Ken Fry

 "Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite"

The Brodsky Affair: Murder is a Dying Art by Ken Fry is a thriller fiction novel that takes places across Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France. The Brodsky Affair: Murder is a Dying Art by Ken Fry will appeal to both young adults and adults who enjoy murder mysteries in the art world. Jack Manton is an art dealer that ends up the target of an assassination plot along with his partner Tamsin Greene when they begin their journey to track down the lost paintings of Mikhail Brodsky. The lost paintings are worth millions to the right buyer and that level of heat brings the partners in a world of dangers, assassinations, and intrigue that they were not prepared for.  Berezin is a Russian criminal who has committed both murders and thefts throughout his criminal past who has been set on the trail of Jack Manton by an ex-Soviet agent to steal the lost paintings of Mikhail Brodsky no matter what it takes.

The Brodsky Affair: Murder is a Dying Art by Ken Fry is a novel that reminds me of the Mummy movies with how the main characters are trying to track down a piece that is worth millions when they run into more danger then they could have possibly have predicted. The Brodsky Affair: Murder is a Dying Art by Ken Fry is a very fast paced novel that has a riveting storyline that pulls the reader in further and further with each page turn. The Brodsky Affair: Murder is a Dying Art obviously took Ken Fry a good deal of time and effort to write, yet that effort clearly pays off with how the characters are all well written and the plot flows together without any plot holes. The Brodsky Affair: Murder is a Dying Art by Ken Fry is a book that I hope Ken Fry will write a sequel to.