Witches Save the World – Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)

October 30, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Witches Save the World – Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)
Publisher: Gorgon’s Gaze Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Holiday, Poetry, Contemporary, Historical, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Covens. Cauldrons. And Curses.

The witch is a complex figure. Hero? Villain? Victim? Practitioner of a nearly-forgotten faith or just misunderstood? An elder who should be respected but is instead reviled? Or the member of an oppressed ethnic or sexual minority?

Witches of every sort appear in this anthology, and its companion volume, Witches Save the World: Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right. In some tales and poems, the witch embodies the primal forces of balance and karmic retribution, or they act in support of social justice, defending those who cannot protect themselves. Or they act in defense of Nature, calling to heel the corrupt governments and corporations that would strip the world in the name of power and profit. Or they are caretakers of their communities, mending minds and bodies, sometimes at the cost of their own freedom or even their own lives.

These are witches who do what must be done, because someone has to save the world.

Justice has many faces.

“The Blackened Grin of Justice” followed Agatha, the only healer in a town stricken with a terrible disease that was rapidly killing people. I enjoyed her character development in this piece, especially when it came to her devotion to her community and what she was willing to do to end the epidemic. Had this one been a full-length novel, I would have relished getting to know her even better than I already did.

I relish the challenge of reviewing anthologies given how many different authors and writing styles are typically included in them, although it can be tricky at times to choose a rating when I loved many of the stories but didn’t connect so well to other ones. That is something that happened to me again when I read this book, and “The Momentonomicon,” in which Sylvie took photos of roadkill and other deceased wild animals to commemorate their lives, was one such example. I struggled to understand why she thought this was a good way to remember them and would have found it helpful to explore her feelings on this topic on a much deeper level.

Sorrow was forced to become betrothed to a man she found repulsive in “The Witch’s Bridle” because her parents needed his money to keep the family farm running. This was one of my favorite stories due to how determined she was to find a way to evade this fate and how slim her odds were of getting out of this arrangement. She was an intelligent and resourceful young woman, and I never stopped hoping for a happy ending for her.

This is part of a duology that can be read in either order.

Witches Save the World – Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right was an empowering and deliciously scary read.

Filed Under: Horror, Poetry, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Witches Save the World – Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)

October 30, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Witches Save the World – Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)
Publisher: Gorgon’s Gaze Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Poetry, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Hags. Harridans. And Hexes.

The witch is a complex figure. Hero? Villain? Victim? Practitioner of a nearly-forgotten faith or just misunderstood? An elder who should be respected but is instead reviled? Or the member of an oppressed ethnic or sexual minority?

Witches of every sort appear in this anthology, and its companion volume, Witches Save the World: Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right. In some tales and poems, the witch embodies the primal forces of balance and karmic retribution, or they act in support of social justice, defending those who cannot protect themselves. Or they act in defense of Nature, calling to heel the corrupt governments and corporations that would strip the world in the name of power and profit. Or they are caretakers of their communities, mending minds and bodies, sometimes at the cost of their own freedom or even their own lives.

These are witches who do what must be done, because someone has to save the world.

Not everything can be described in black and white terms.

Madison had recently moved from Minneapolis to a rural community in that state for her first job as a new teacher and was struggling to make friends in

“Minnesota Comfort.” The plot twist in this tale was delightfully scary and made the beginning even better once I went back to reread it. There’s definitely something to be said for being surprised like this, so I will be keeping an eye out for what Ms. Thynes comes up with next.

Honestly, I wish I had enough space to mention a dozen stories here instead of only a few of them. I adored almost everything in this anthology, and it was incredibly difficult to narrow down my list while writing this review. With that being said, there were a few pieces that I thought would have been even stronger with a little more development, and “Weather Witch on the Main Portal” was one of them. As much as I liked Ebbie and Fletcher, I was a little puzzled by why they were the only witches who were trying to figure out why the magical storms had become so strong and why certain supernatural things in their universe that had been dormant for so long were now active again. These seemed like topics that should have interested every witch affected by them instead of just two of them. Had the explanation for this been longer, their adventure might have been my favorite one in this entire book as I thought both of these characters were well written and memorable.

“The Weaver’s Song” showed how a witch taught her students to repair cracks in the earth through music. So much attention was paid to the world building here that I nearly felt as though I were visiting another world while I got to know Nora and Opal as they made their dangerous walk home. This was an excellent example of how quickly a setting can feel three dimensional and how important it is to create characters that are equally well rounded.

This is the second instalment in a duology that does not need to be read in order.

Witches Save the World – Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right made me yearn for Halloween. Reading it was a treat!

Filed Under: Horror, Poetry, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Coffin Island by Kate Ellis

October 29, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Coffin Island by Kate Ellis
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Despite many years living in South Devon, DI Wesley Peterson has never visited the tiny island of St Rumon’s. That is until erosion from a storm reveals three bodies buried outside the local churchyard.

Two are ancient skeletons, but one is far more recent, and Wesley realises he has uncovered a case of murder. But whose remains are they? And who killed them?

The island has only a small number of inhabitants. Yet one resident keeps cropping up in Wesley’s investigation: the author and self-styled academic, Quentin Search.

Meanwhile Wesley’s friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, becomes fascinated by the remains of the island’s old priory. His discovery of a journal, written by a sixteenth century cleric, reveals an eerie tale of strange rituals and disturbing deaths.

As Wesley begins to wonder whether the past might be repeating itself, another murder occurs . . . There is a calculated killer on the island – one whose grip is as deadly as the rising tide.

DI Wesley Peterson and his team are called out to Coffin Island when heavy rains and local cliff erosion uncovers some bones from the church’s cemetery – and a rather recent corpse that shouldn’t be present in that area. While Wesley and his team try and identify the unknown woman, Neil Watson and his archaeology team are called to investigate the skeletal remains and assist in a dig at the local priory. Can they each find answers for their questions?

I have enjoyed this long running series for quite some time. I have always found these books to be a good blend of a British style police procedural mystery and an archaeological based mystery – usually one that winds the two storylines together in some way. This book was exactly that. While I do feel readers might have a stronger emotional attachment to both Wesley’s and Neil’s characters having read some of the previous books, this story really does stand very well by itself and I feel the book can easily be picked up and thoroughly enjoyed just be itself to new readers.

The murder mystery was quite well paced and a fair bit of the book was spent trying to identify the woman found. I thought this was well explored and while I could understand if some readers might find this not a fast paced or more action orientated style of mystery I enjoyed the police procedural aspect to it. I also thought this was well balanced with the more historical and the archaeology plot that was woven into the story in the same small island setting. I thought this was a good balance and readers who are new to this series can get a good understanding of what they can expect from most of the other books in this long running series.

While I admit readers looking for a fast paced or action style of mystery might not find this book really suits their needs, I enjoyed the slower pace to this murder mystery. I also greatly enjoyed the historical aspects and archaeology base to the secondary plot for this book. Readers who enjoy a slightly different police mystery should find this an interesting and refreshing read and good exposure to this series and all it has to offer. An enjoyable read and one I can definitely recommend.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ants Work Together by Mélina Mangal

October 29, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Ants Work Together by Mélina Mangal
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s (0-6 y.o.)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Awaken young children to the different roles we play in our communities

In Ants Work Together, two young children prepare for a summertime community picnic in their city neighborhood. They notice that ants are all around us, taking on specialized roles to make sure the whole colony has what it needs.

As cousins Kamali and Josiah help the adults pick vegetables, prepare food, tend the community garden, and take care of little ones, they reflect on how our own diverse strengths parallel those of ants. We all work together to get the job done.

Ants Work Together:

Connects Children to Nature: From picking vegetables and preparing food to watching over little ones, readers reflect on the similarities between our own roles and responsibilities and those of ants: we all work together to get the job done!
Features relatable Language for Little Learners: Simple text and vivid illustrations are used throughout the toddler book to help little ones connect to nature in a fun and easy-to-understand way.
Includes Helpful Tips for Parents & Caregivers: This children’s book features additional guidance and engaging toddler activities to help children learn more about ants in their own neighborhoods.

This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children―especially those in urban neighborhoods―to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like ants), one season (summer), and one social or emotional learning skill (working together). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Ants Work Together is a beautifully crafted book that immediately drew me in with its vibrant, inviting illustrations. The colors are rich and realistic, making every page feel alive and engaging for young readers.

I love the premise of the story, being outside in nature, observing the world around us, and recognizing how each of us plays a part in caring for our community. The book highlights family, unity, sharing, and awareness in such a gentle, accessible way. It creates a meaningful connection between children, their loved ones, and the natural world, showing how even small actions help keep the earth’s cycle in balance.

This story offers wonderful exposure for children to learn about nature, teamwork, and responsibility. It’s thoughtful, relatable, and full of heart. A truly delightful read that celebrates both community and the wonders right outside our window.

A perfect addition to any child’s library.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Izzy’s Dilemma by Robert Pais

October 28, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Izzy’s Dilemma by Robert Pais
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What If The Easiest Way To Belong Meant Changing Who You Are?

On the planet Mirron, your eye color determines your place in society.

Topaz are at the top. Emeralds and Sapphires occupy the middle. And Pearls are at the bottom.

Twelve-year-old Izzy Ashford is a Pearl.

Growing up in the wealthy Topaz community of Covington with her loving adoptive parents, Izzy has never thought her eye color should matter. But when bullying and prejudice begin to make her feel like an outsider, she starts to see Mirron’s color system in a very different way.

Then, during a family vacation, a mysterious stranger named Sam makes Izzy an extraordinary offer.

He can change her Pearl eyes to Topaz.

Permanently!

Suddenly, Izzy has a chance to become the person of interest Mirron’s society would accept without question. BUT there is a price.

And Izzy has only one summer to decide whether that’s a price worth paying.

At River Valley Camp, Izzy meets new friends, encounters people from every level of Mirron’s society, and begins to discover that the world she thought she understood may be far more complicated than it seems.

As secrets from the past begin to surface and her choices become harder, Izzy is forced to confront a question that goes far beyond the color of her eyes:

How much of yourself should you change just to be accepted?

Izzy must make a choice.

Change her eyes and finally fit in – or stay true to herself and discover what it really means to belong.

Differences should be celebrated.

One of the reasons why I like reading middle grade fiction so much is that the preteen years are often when kids begin to develop separate identities from their families. Some of the best examples of this genre in my opinion are the ones that explore what this separation means for their characters and give glimpses of the adults they will become in the future, both of which this story did incredibly well. Due to Izzy’s eye color, her adoption could never have been a secret to begin with, but now that she was a preteen the meaning of that difference began to impact her in ways that she had not previously thought about in as much detail. While she still had a lot of maturing to do, I thought the protagonist was already developing into a kind and compassionate young woman who was going to make her world a much better place. Bravo for that!

Judy and Tom’s parenting decisions about how and where they raised Izzy puzzled me. Obviously, this book was intended to be a metaphor for the racism in our own world, but I couldn’t understand why a couple would adopt a child they knew was going to face a lifetime of prejudice and then raise her in such a close-minded community when there were more diverse and welcoming neighbourhoods easily available to them. This was something that could have included some powerful messages about what it truly means to be an ally had more time been spent exploring the difference between what these characters said and how they actually chose to live their lives. As an adult reader, I can make those inferences easily, but I think the intended middle grade audience would have benefited from much deeper discussions on this topic due to how important it is both on Izzy’s world and in our own.

I appreciated how much time was spent exploring how it feels to be part of a minority group. While some negative interactions can definitely be overt and blatantly fueled by prejudice, what can be just as difficult to cope with over the longterm are the little moments where someone says something that could be interpreted in multiple ways or where a group gives the subtle impression that someone is not fully welcomed there. This can be a difficult topic to discuss with kids this age who may or may not have personal experience with it, so I’m glad the author gave so many examples of what these subtle slights can look like. Had the entire book been written this way, I would have happily given it a much higher rating.

Izzy’s Dilemma was thought provoking.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Solomon Dark – Blood and Bourbon by Erick S. Gray

October 28, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Solomon Dark – Blood and Bourbon by Erick S. Gray
Publisher: Black Odyssey Media
Genre: Paranormal, Historical, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Blood and Bourbon is a gritty supernatural noir set during the Harlem Renaissance—a tale of vengeance, forbidden love, and the fight to protect a city caught between jazz and justice, bullets and blood.

Harlem, 1927. The jazz is hot, the liquor is illegal, and the shadows are deeper than they seem. Solomon Graves is a Black vampire and former slave turned underground king, running a speakeasy empire in the heart of the Harlem Renaissance. After decades of drifting through a world that treated his kind—both vampire and Black—as expendable, Solomon has carved out his own piece of the night.

But peace never lasts.

When Nyah, an ancient African vampire queen, arrives in Harlem seeking revenge for the husband Solomon killed back in 1850, the city becomes a battleground. Nyah doesn’t want justice—she wants to destroy everything Solomon has built, and the woman he’s come to love, a jazz singer named Eve Moreau.

As Nyah’s war escalates, Solomon must confront the sins of his past, the weight of centuries of trauma, and the darkness within himself. Torn between the man he wants to be and the monster he was made to become, Solomon has one choice: fight for Harlem—or let it all burn.

Caught between a brutal turf war with the mob and a supernatural vendetta centuries in the making, Solomon must confront the monster within and reckon with the sins of his past.

Erick S. Gray’s Solomon Dark presents a unique historical-supernatural premise, but while it had moments I enjoyed, the execution left me with mixed feelings. The novel introduces Solomon, a warrior who refuses to be emotionally and mentally bound by the chains of slavery, and Kaiser Adelberg, a German vampire hunter and member of a brotherhood pledged to protect humanity.

The part of the story I enjoyed the most was the exploration of what freedom means and the various paths people took to achieve it. This clash between the characters was a compelling theme that kept me reading. The book felt inconsistent due to a lack of detailed character development. For example, the character Akasha seemed driven by anger and vengeance, which was understandable; however, his actions came across as reckless and unplanned. This made it hard to connect with him. Although he had the means and ability, he lacked the skills to plan more successful attacks, resulting in animalistic behavior. I liked that Solomon wasn’t afraid to stand up to Akasha, and his character was strong in both mind and body, showing true leadership.

Overall, the narrative favored fast-paced action and focused heavily on scenes of slavery, while neglecting to provide enough depth for the characters. As a result, the story felt somewhat flat. I would have liked to read more about the enslaved individuals and their thoughts on being vampires versus being slaves. Additionally, I was interested in learning more about how Kaiser began his role in fighting evil.

While the book concludes in a way that suggests a continuation, I was hoping for a more memorable experience. As a fan of history and suspense, I felt the book had great potential, but it was just an “okay” read for me.

Note: The book contains explicit language and descriptions of violent sexual acts that may be triggering for some readers.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dina Gets Lucky by Uzma Jalaluddin

October 27, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Dina Gets Lucky by Uzma Jalaluddin
Publisher: Lake Union
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

At a sumptuous family wedding, two former friends rediscover their own love story and the lies that tore them apart in a chaotic and swoony second-chance romance by the author of Yours for the Season.

Toronto attorney Dina Haq is looking forward to her influencer sister’s lavish South Asian wedding. She wouldn’t dream of overshadowing the event of the season by revealing her carefully guarded secret: Her own marriage has gone bust. She just needs to make sure her odious ex keeps his mouth shut, too. Complications arise once she discovers that the groom’s best man is none other than Luqman “Lucky” Latif, a law school crush who ghosted her six years ago.

Forced to abandon his lawyerly ambitions to help his struggling family in Chicago, Lucky rebuilt his life, and a successful contracting business, and has moved on from past hurts…or so he thinks. Then he sees Dina again, the woman who not only rejected him but also had the nerve to marry his best friend instead. He’s not sure his heart can survive another encounter.

As the wedding festivities unfold, Dina and Lucky rediscover their connection and begin to unravel the part her manipulative ex-husband played in their almost-love story. The past isn’t quite what they thought, but is it too late to imagine a new future together?

Even etiquette eventually has its limits.

As soon as I met Dina in the first scene, I knew I was going to love her due to her deep connections to her family and community and how much effort she put into maintaining those ties. She was the sort of character who would do anything for a friend or relative in need without hesitation, so I was curious to find out if she’d learn to balance that admirable personality trait with her pressing need to take care of herself as well. Women are so often socialized to put others first, even to their own detriment, that I always cheer on female characters who try to push back on those cultural scripts and think about what they want out of life as well.

It would have been helpful to have more character development in this novel, especially for the antagonist. While there were some revelations about him later on in the plot that softened my opinion of him a little, I still would have liked to see more time spent explaining why he behaved the way he did and what his positive qualities were. Everyone has their own combination of virtuous and destructive traits, after all, and knowing about all of them helps to create a well-rounded characters.

This was such a funny and lighthearted story in general. I adored Dina’s relationships with her relatives and friends, many of whom had heartwarming quirks that made me smile. Given the more serious nature of later chapters, it was also nice to have some comedic breaks now and again as Hania’s wedding approached and then began to be celebrated.

Dina Gets Lucky made me want to read more from Ms. Jalaluddin. What a charming tale!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Strange Death Of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham

October 27, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Strange Death Of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham
Publisher: Orion
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A woman starved to death in a remote Welsh cottage. A computer guy left to bleed to death, his hands brutally hacked off at the wrist.

When DC Fiona Griffiths and her colleagues realise they’re staring at one of the world’s most audacious robberies, she’s asked to take on the challenge: will she go undercover to penetrate this criminal gang from within?

When Fiona says yes, she has to give up her old life entirely. She becomes Fiona Grey, a homeless woman struggling to get her life back together again. When the criminal gang adopt her as one of their own, she’s totally alone, vulnerable – and dangerous as hell.

DC Fiona Griffiths is desperate to be a real member of Planet Normal, to be just like everyone else. But after completing the police force’s undercover training in an exceptional manner, the lure of undercover work is too strong for her to resist. Especially when what was thought to be a minor level of payroll fraud is shown to be the tip of a very large criminal iceberg and two dead bodies are connected to it, Fiona finds herself wading as far as ever from her regular life and all those links to the normalcy she craves.

I have been very much enjoying this series and found this to be an exceptional book. Fiona is a very non-standard character. I love that she is extremely complicated and multi layered, and with her dual persona’s – her “real” self as well as her undercover self – that is even more exacerbated than usual in this book. I thought this book was quite gritty and even hard/difficult in places. Fiona is a complicated woman even under good circumstances, so under this kind of pressure and case there are a number of parts where I felt for her very deeply. Somehow even with this difficulty there seems to be a spark that keeps the book from feeling too bleak of uncompromising. I love how the author very carefully navigated this as a whole.

While I admit I loved this book, I strongly feel this won’t appeal to all readers. Readers looking for something a bit more cosy, or even a bit more regular police procedural might find some of the complexities a bit too grey for them. I have always found Fiona’s character to be opaque and nuanced and that is very much more strongly present in this book. Being undercover this “shades of grey” sense is even more front and centre than it usually is and I’m not sure that makes for very comfortable or easy reading. Readers should absolutely be aware of this going in.

I do love though how even when things are complicated I never held any doubt that Fiona wanted the bad people put away and wanted justice for the dead. Having that as a strong and solid guideline helped keep the worst of the shadows at bay and helped keep this book from being too dark, in my opinion. Knowing that this was at the core and instrumental in all of Fiona’s actions helped me ease back a bit and enjoy the ride, bumpy though it was.

Readers looking for a very different style of edgier and darker mystery book should find this as gripping and enjoyable as I did. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

October 26, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
Publisher: 37 Ink
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Ginger

Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American Officer, is living in Occupied Germany in the 1950s. After discovering a local orphanage filled with the abandoned mixed-race children of German women and Black American GI’s, Ethel feels compelled to help find these children homes.

Philadelphia born Ozzie Phillips volunteers for the recently desegregated army in 1948, eager to make his mark in the world. While serving in Manheim, Germany, he meets a local woman, Jelka, and the two embark on a relationship that will impact their lives forever.

In 1965 Maryland, Sophia Clark is given an opportunity to attend a prestigious all white boarding school and escape her heartless parents. While at the school, she discovers a secret that upends her world and sends her on a quest to unravel her own identity.

Toggling between the lives of these three individuals, Keeper of Lost Children explores how one woman’s vision will change the course of countless lives, and demonstrates that love in its myriad of forms—familial, parental, and forbidden, even love of self—can be transcendent.

If I had to summarize Keeper of Lost Children, I would describe it as a stunning and phenomenal novel that uncovers a hidden chapter of history.

Keeper of Lost Children is a deeply moving and beautifully written historical fiction novel that gives voice to a neglected part of post-WWII history: the abandoned, mixed-race “brown babies” born in Occupied Germany to local women and Black American GIs. This story not only educates but also lingers in your mind long after you turn the final page.

Sadeqa Johnson expertly weaves together the lives of three distinct individuals across different decades:

Ethel Gathers (1950s, Germany): As the proud wife of a Black American officer, Ethel is compelled to help find homes for the mixed-race orphans she discovers, a mission known as the “Brown Baby Project.” I found this historical detail fascinating.

Osbourne (Ozzie) Phillips (1948, Germany): A volunteer in the newly desegregated army, Ozzie’s forbidden relationship with a local German woman, Jelka, creates a ripple effect across generations. I particularly admire Johnson’s choice to include a male character’s perspective, which added depth to the story. Ozzie’s voice was essential, and it enriched the narrative significantly.

Sophia Clark (1965, Maryland): Sophia is a young woman navigating the challenges of integrating into an all-white boarding school, her journey of self-discovery is triggered by an explosive secret. My two favorite characters were Sophia and Ozzie, as I deeply empathized with them and wanted the best for their futures.

The novel is a hard-to-put-down read, unfolding in a way that grips you. It features smooth writing and strong, relatable character development. Johnson masterfully employs these three perspectives, ensuring that by the end, the reader cares about each character. The book’s greatest strength lies in how the three timelines converge with emotional impact and purpose. The connections between Ethel, Ozzie, and Sophia feel both surprising and incredibly inevitable, demonstrating the historical forces of racism and discrimination, as well as the way others’ decisions can shape or shatter entire families. The ending, which nearly brought me to tears, perfectly ties together the realities of love, loss, and belonging. While the book acknowledges sadness and lost time, its overall tone remains uplifting and hopeful. Keeper of Lost Children is a transcendent story about love in its many forms, familial, parental, and self-love.

This eloquently written novel brings much-needed historical context to light. My only complaint is that I wanted more details about the lives of Walter and Max! Could there be a sequel that covers their story? Keeper of Lost Children is a stunningly phenomenal work of historical fiction that I highly recommend.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Keys to a Happy and Healthy Marriage by Joyce Meyer

October 26, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Keys to a Happy and Healthy Marriage by Joyce Meyer
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Whether you’ve been married for thirty days or thirty years, you want a marriage that outlasts difficult times, grows in love and intimacy, and matches God’s perfect plan for relationships. But our marriages don’t always look the way we thought they would—you may be suffering through a marriage crisis, financial difficulties, or spiritual attacks. Or perhaps you aren’t struggling in your marriage, but you want to make your relationship as strong as it possibly can be. In The Keys to a Happy and Healthy Marriage, you’ll hear from beloved Bible teacher Joyce Meyer about how to unlock powerful truths from God’s Word for you and your marriage, overcome roadblocks to healthy relationships, live in peace with an insecure person, and take the focus off yourself and your spouse and instead look to the Lord.

Along with her lifetime of biblical wisdom, you’ll benefit from Joyce’s practical and personal experience that will help you grow in your marriage. Regardless of what stage of marriage you are in, you can experience hope and courage in God’s promises of healing, restoration, and a life full of His goodness!

Joyce Meyer’s book, The Keys to a Happy and Healthy Marriage, is a motivational and uplifting guide that offers a refreshing, faith-filled perspective on building a strong relationship. While much of the advice may feel familiar, the book serves as a valuable reminder of basic principles that can be easily forgotten in the day-to-day married life.

What makes this book so effective is Meyer’s transparent and down-to-earth writing style. It feels less like a formal lecture and more like a one-on-one counseling session. By openly sharing the ups and downs of her marriage, she makes it clear that no marriage is perfect and that every individual is a work in progress. This relatability enabled me to recognize that the challenges I face are common and that meaningful growth begins from within. The writing is also structured in an easy-to-follow way, with an outline that breaks down topics into digestible sections.

The book’s strength lies in its ability to connect marital advice with spiritual practice. A particularly impactful moment for me was the line: “Christ came as a servant to us, yet we find it hard to serve one another.” This simple yet profound statement highlights a common obstacle and encourages a change in perspective. The book consistently emphasizes that genuine love can only be given when it is first nurtured within oneself.

While not every piece of advice will fit every relationship, the core message of the book is universal. Its foundation is that by seeking guidance from God and striving to embody Christ-like virtues, we can develop patience and understanding for our spouse. This is a great read for both married couples and those preparing for marriage, as it offers a solid foundation for handling challenges and growing together as one.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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