Lincoln by Alisa Jean


Lincoln by Alisa Jean
Los Angeles Quakes Hockey – Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

L.A. Quakes’ fans stomped their feet to cheers of “Caveman!” when I made incredible saves in the crease, leading the team to two Stanley Cup victories. I thought I could go on forever, but at thirty-six, the clock’s counting down even for Lincoln Cavanaugh. Social media and fan sites are filled with rumors of me being traded. Or worse. My future looks as uncertain as a loose puck on the ice.

My fate rests in the hands of Catherine Bishop, daughter of the team’s owner and a power to be reckoned with. And what fine hands they are, along with everything else about her. A chance encounter leads to sparks between us, but is falling in love with this incredible woman worth the risk?

Because with her by my side, I’m once again an unstoppable force between the pipes, and victories pile up like never before. However, our love is a ticking time bomb because Catherine has dreams of making history as the first female and person of color to own an NHL team. Sleeping with a player would make that all go up in smoke. I fear when the truth comes out, it will be the final buzzer for us.

A romance story where the hero is a hockey player? I had to read this book! I love hockey—I actually met my husband at a hockey game, and he used to play when he was younger. I put my phone on silent and read this book faster than it takes to make a trick shot.

It was easy to relate to Lincoln Cavanaugh because I understand what it takes to play a sport at a professional level. The dedication, commitment, and perseverance are never-ending. The physical toll is unimaginable, and the responsibility to the team, family, friends, and fans can feel overwhelming. The author, Alisa Jean, did a fantastic job writing a realistic and relatable character in Lincoln Cavanaugh.

I fell in love with Lincoln for many reasons, but the biggest was how he never lost sight of the joy he felt when he played hockey as a kid. He stayed grounded throughout his successful career and humbly gave back to his local youth hockey programs. Often, what begins as fun, competitive, and character-building sadly turns into a business, and players can lose the love for the sport—or worse, become arrogant. Alisa Jean also nailed this reality by creating some arrogant teammates on Lincoln’s NHL team, the Quakes, which added even more authenticity to the story.

Catherine, the heroine, was a perfect match for Lincoln. Their chemistry was strong throughout the story, and the drama between them kept me intrigued. I’ll admit, at first, I found Catherine a little selfish, and there were moments when I felt she wasn’t good enough for Lincoln. However, as their relationship evolved, I saw how they balanced each other out beautifully, and Catherine won me over by the end.

I’m so excited this is Book One in the Los Angeles Quakes Hockey Series because I’m already eager to dive into Book Two!

One thing that was new to me: at the end of the book, there was a QR code to scan for a bonus scene. To get it, you had to sign up for the author’s newsletter. I’ll be honest—I felt a little manipulated. I wouldn’t have downloaded it if I hadn’t loved the story so much. Thankfully, the bonus scene (which felt like an epilogue) was absolutely worth it and gave the book a truly satisfying happily-ever-after.

I’m officially a Quakes fan, and I’ll be eagerly stomping my feet and cheering for the second book in this series!

King of Hearts by M. Jean Pike


King of Hearts by M. Jean Pike
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

After keeping a secret promise to a friend, Harper Blessings’ s life is spiraling out of control. Her food truck barely pays the bills, she’ s raising her rebellious brother and caring for her forgetful aunt…and she’ s four months pregnant.

When Aunt Clara wanders off at a carnival and hires the carousel operator who rescues her to do odd jobs, Harper’ s house-of-cards life begins to topple. The last thing she needs is a handsome drifter complicating her already problematic life. Or so she thinks.

Drifter Dalton Kingston has a few secrets of his own. Growing up as a child of privilege, he wanted for nothing…except love. Then an unspeakable tragedy causes him to walk away from it all, pushing love as far away as possible. Until love pushes back in the form of a beautiful woman who desperately needs his help, and the God he’ s not sure he can forgive.

This was a wholesome, inspirational, and heartwarming romance set in a small town where everyone knows your name.

Harper, the leading lady, is doing all she can to keep her head above water. Dalton, the leading man, is simply trying to make it through another day. They’re drawn to each other by their shared compassion and natural instinct to care for others. It’s amazing how their faith in God allows them to open their hearts again after the heartbreak they’ve experienced from people who were supposed to love them unconditionally.

I found their love story to be especially encouraging because it tackled the theme of forgiveness—-something that can be incredibly challenging. Several characters in the book demonstrate what it looks like to forgive others, and in doing so, offer hope that forgiveness is not only possible, but necessary for personal healing and the strength of relationships.

Aunt Clara is a standout character. She’s the glue that holds both her family and the town of Redford’s Crossing together. I’d even go as far as to call her an angel in disguise. Her presence is endearing and uplifting, and she brings out the best in those around her.

The writing style immediately pulled me in–from page one, when Aunt Clara wandered to the carousel and met Dalton. The plot is original, the pace is steady, and the ending is absolutely delightful.

This is the kind of story I could happily read more than once. I wholeheartedly encourage others to give it a try.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead


The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Publisher: Anchor
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Review by Snowdrop

When Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors. Elwood’s only salvation is his friendship with fellow “delinquent” Turner, which deepens despite Turner’s conviction that Elwood is hopelessly naive, that the world is crooked, and that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble. As life at the Academy becomes ever more perilous, the tension between Elwood’s ideals and Turner’s skepticism leads to a decision whose repercussions will echo down the decades.

The Nickel Boys is historical fiction. However, it is based on a true story of a reform school for boys located in Florida. The Dozier School for Boys was opened in 1900. Even with its rumors of abuse and cruelty as well as periodic investigations, this school changed the lives of or ended the lives of many boys throughout 111 years. The main character is a young black kid named Elwood. His journey through his time there made this seem very real. Sometimes it was hard to separate fact from fiction.

This brings up my need to say this is a hard book to read. It’s difficult to think such things could live in our society in front of our faces for so long. Whitehead is called a storyteller and there can be no question it’s the perfect description.

I think you could spend a long time mulling over whether this was a good or a bad book. I don’t think you will ever wonder if it is well-written because every page demonstrates what a talent this author has. In my mind it was a good book and one I needed to read; one everyone should read. A Pulitzer Prize book that needs to be added to the mandatory school reading list as a classic.

Difficult as some of this might be to face, don’t miss out on such an overwhelming yet special 5 star read.

The Spiral’s Edge by Michael Boss


The Spiral’s Edge by Michael Boss
Publisher: Schular Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Spiral’s Edge is more than poetry-it is a journey through unseen moments, a reflection on resilience, and homage to extraordinary individuals who navigate life’s complexities. I have witnessed in my 25 years of teaching, courage, creativity, and perseverance in ways that have shaped my perspective. This book is for those who exist on the margins, for voices often unheard. It captures the tension between fragility and strength, isolation and understanding. To the reader: may you find meaning, connection, and perhaps a reflection of yourself in these pages.

Some battles never end.

The metaphor of war was used in multiple ways, from describing cruel illnesses that gradually sap students of their strength to the never ending to-do lists teachers struggle with to non-educational stressors in life like a parent losing their job or a family not having enough food that can make it incredibly difficult for any child to pay attention to their lessons. I enjoyed taking note of the various ways in which this theme was explored as Mr. Boss talked about the difficult aspects of his profession. Teachers are on the front lines of all sorts of tragedies, both big and small, that often must be kept in mind no matter what else the class is studying that day.

Everyone has unconscious biases. “Her World of Touch and Sound” gently explored the narrator’s – or maybe the author’s – experience confronting their own assumptions about and unexamined biases against people who are blind. This was not a topic I was necessarily expecting to see covered, but it fit in perfectly and reminded me that we all have blind spots even on topics we might think we have all figured out. It takes a strong character to confront this, and the willingness to do so was one of the many reasons why this was an automatic five-star read for me.

I loved the level of detail that was included in this collection, especially in the poems that were shorter in length. If the right words are selected, it doesn’t take many of them to paint a vivid picture of what life can be like in special education classrooms. Some of my favourite moments included descriptions of students who rarely or maybe even never spoke but who still found all sorts of creative ways to communicate with other people. What beautiful and thought provoking scenes those were.

The Spiral’s Edge overflowed with compassion and joy for people who have special needs as well as for those who teach them.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods


The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Publisher: One More Chapter
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

‘The thing about books,’ she said, ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

What a great read. This is a read for booklovers, for mystery readers, and for plain old enjoyment. The beginning is about women who left homes on their own due to abuse and ill treatment. Though at different decades, both left at a time when a woman being alone was quite frightening. But there is much more to The Lost Bookshop. The players in this story are often in different decades. This creates many different conditions that each must face. We are allowed to live in each of these.

The generations of characters covered has as many twists and turns as the mystery of the bookshop does. And yet somehow, it all melds together. I am often not fond of chapter after chapter of varying characters, but somehow Evie Woods sews this all together in a seamless, beautiful story. Characters of generations apart are somehow intertwined and yet each has his or her own story. It was smooth when I thought it would be bumpy. It was just beautiful writing.

5 GIANT stars. You have to read this.

An Irish Vet in Kentucky by Susan Carlisle


An Irish Vet in Kentucky by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin, Mills and Boon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A PULSE-RACING ENCOUNTER…

Vet Conor lost everything when his wife and unborn child died. Now, working in Kentucky with a horse entered in the famous derby is the ideal distraction. He just didn’t expect to be in such close quarters with beautiful equine trainer Christina… After her ex destroyed her professional reputation, Christina is firmly off men. Until the Irishman moves into the room next door! Soon, their chemistry can’t be reined in. But as the finish line approaches, can they move on from their heartache and bet that this time they’ll win?

You can’t deny nature!

I have to start this review by saying I love the books of Susan Carlisle. As soon as I see a new one, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. This book was no different. The writing was crisp, it kept me on my toes wanting to know what would happen to the characters and had me rooting for them all the way. All with the backdrop of the Kentucky Derby. What more could you ask for?

I dove right into this book and immediately liked the characters. Conor has been through a lot and needs a fresh start. I liked that he wasn’t shy about his job or going for what he wanted. Christina has been hurt, romantically and financially, so she’s not interested in another relationship. I liked that these two were trying so hard not to get together. That’s what made me root for them more!

If you want a fast-paced story, with characters not soon forgotten, with the backdrop of the Kentucky Derby, then pick this one up. Recommended.

Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love – A Coffee Travel Guide by Steven P. Unger


Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love – A Coffee Travel Guide by Steven P. Unger
Publisher: Robert D. Reed Publishers
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

BLACK AS HELL, STRONG AS DEATH, SWEET AS LOVE: A Coffee Travel Guide, is the first and only book to trace coffee consumption from its origins in prehistory to becoming the world’s second-most-valuable commodity after oil—and to pair this history with replicable, affordable Coffee Experiences that provide a unique approach and added value to the readers’ destinations, no matter how many times they’ve been there before. This book is a multi-genre travel book with unique historical insights that immerse the reader in the culture of a country or city through the lens of the destination’s deep relationship with coffee. No other travel book has ever provided the kind of total immersion into a country or city—through histories, travel directions, one-of-a-kind photos, and recipes—that BLACK AS HELL, STRONG AS DEATH, SWEET AS LOVE: A Coffee Travel Guide, delivers in every chapter.

Coffee makes everything better.

Some of my favorite passages in this book were the ones that described how various cultures read people’s fortunes based on how the coffee grounds settle in the bottom of their cup. This was something I’d only ever heard about being done with tea leaves, so I was intrigued to find out what rituals and cultural expectations were associated with this form of predicting the future.

I also loved learning about what has been added to coffee both historically as well as in our current time. Milk and sugar were the most common answers, of course, but human beings are far too creative to stop there. As someone who prefers sweeter and milder doses of caffeine, it was interesting to read about the other options out there and how they’re ground up, dried, frozen, baked, or otherwise prepared for the perfect cup of joe.

Mr. Unger achieved the perfect balance of giving readers an overview of the history and cultural mores of coffee from all over the world while also keeping the pacing moving forward steadily. There were bibliographies provided at the end of each section for readers who, for example, might want to learn more about how coffee is served in Ethiopia or Hawaii in particular. This was a great way to share deeper information with readers who wanted it while also sticking to the highlights for those who preferred to read a little bit about every region featured here.

Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love – A Coffee Travel Guide made me want to run to the nearest coffee shop. Yum!

Whippoorwill Hill by Jules Parker


Whippoorwill Hill by Jules Parker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

After a rocky divorce, Leslie Downing travels to the small town of Rosemont, Kansas, to lick her wounds and help renovate her uncle’s newly acquired home. But when a handsome policeman comes knocking on her door, she soon finds out that Rosemont harbors some dark secrets–and that her own problems pale in comparison to the trouble headed her way. Ex-sheriff turned ex-con, Dane Chappell, has lost everything at the hands of Rosemont’s crooked mayor. In his quest for revenge, he doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process, not even the beautiful, stubborn newcomer who now occupies his home. When the temperature rises, can Leslie handle the heat? Or will Dane be the one going down in flames?

I almost didn’t pick up this book because the synopsis revealed so little—but that turned out to be its genius. I was intrigued by how a small-town sheriff could become an ex-con and even more curious about what would drive him to risk his freedom for revenge. Who was the mysterious outsider standing in his way, and why was she there? I was ready for a romance wrapped in a suspenseful mystery, and my imagination couldn’t have prepared me for what unfolded. The storytelling was incredibly creative, and now I understand why the synopsis was so vague—there would have been too many spoilers!

What I can share is that the heroine is Leslie Downing. Her eccentric uncle, Claven, bought a house in a small town, and she arrived early to get everything set up before he moved in. Leslie is intelligent, grounded, and guided by a strong moral compass; her special bond with her uncle adds an extra layer of warmth to her character.

As with any small town, there’s a full cast of quirky, interesting characters—but I’ll let you discover them for yourself. I love when a story makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a community where everyone knows each other, secrets simmer beneath the surface, and loyalty runs deep… mostly.

Then there’s Dane Chappell. Ooh la la. This former sheriff turned ex-con turned brooding hero is the strong, justice-driven character I couldn’t help but swoon over. The chemistry between Dane and Leslie was instant and electric, and their emotional tension kept the pages turning.

This suspenseful romance had more plot twists than I could’ve ever predicted. Just when I thought I had things figured out—bam! Another twist. I wasn’t even close to guessing the real culprit behind it all.

If you’re in the mood for a gripping mystery wrapped in steamy romance and small-town charm, this book delivers on every level. Just be prepared—you’ll want them to bronze the last cookie (inside joke), and you won’t want to put the book down.

8 Canterbury Tales by Albert Seligman (Editor)


8 Canterbury Tales by Albert Seligman (Editor)
Publisher: Dulace Books
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What the Canterbury Tales Are

The Canterbury Tales are one of the great classics of all literature. They were written by Geoffrey Chaucer, poet, warrior, diplomat and royal pensioner, about 1387, and are famous for the pictures they give of life in the 14th century. The tales were supposed to have been told by various members of a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral in England to while away the time. John Erskine, celebrated author of The Private Life of Helen of Troy, now relates these tales delightfully for the readers of The American Weekly, and Edmund Dulac, famed English painter and etcher, makes them vivid with his incomparable art.

These eight illustrations were published in The American Weekly magazine in 1942. John Erskine provided his interpretation of the Tales and his essay about the Canterbury Tales from his 1928 The Delight of Great Books is included.with additional illustrations. There is a further reading section which also includes illustrated editions from the early nineteenth century to the present.

The 8 Canterbury Tales included are-
The Student’s Tale of Patient Griselda
The Knight’s Tale of Emily’s Lovers
The Miller’s Tale of the Carpenter’s Wife
The Squire’s Tale of Canace and the Talking Falcon
The Wife of Bath’s Tale of the Amorous Knight
The Merchant’s Tale of the Doting Husband
The Man of Law’s Tale of What Happened to Constance
The Second Nun’s Tale of Saint Cecilia

All the original artwork for the covers has been restored, and a crop of each image follows the tales. This was a difficult undertaking for Dulac, who moved out of London due to the bombing during the war. The illustrations had to be sent by ship to America, and avoid Axis warships and submarines looking to sink any Allied vessel.

Dulac never before tried to illustrate either King Arthur, his 1940 American Weekly series, or Canterbury Tales, unlike many of his famous contemporaries. I would speculate that Hearst approved these two series to rally the Americans to help the English during their hour of need by showcasing two of their most well known and liked classics.

The classics are for everyone.

I enjoyed the author’s commentary on Chaucer’s work in both the introduction as well as sprinkled through the later sections. It felt like sitting in a university literature class and hearing what the professor thought of these famous stories. Sometimes he had sharp takes on certain characters or themes, and his strong opinions about them echoed in my mind as I read them for myself. There is definitely something to be said for knowing in advance what you’re getting into before diving into this collection.

I was surprised to learn how often these stories have been marketed to kids and teenagers over the years. Some sections showed rare pages from vintage youth-friendly magazines that printed them with gorgeous illustrations of the most important scenes. This wasn’t something I was expecting to find, but it made me read the sometimes-violent passages in a new light as I imagined what sorts of lessons young readers might be expected to learn from them. This is one of many reasons why I’m always excited to see new submissions from Mr. Seligman as he has consistently taught me all sorts of things about literature, art, and history that I was not previously aware of.

One of the things I liked the most about the Canterbury tales themselves were the glimpses they shared with the reader about medieval life. Yes, human nature has remained the same, but many social conventions and cultural expectations of how someone should behave have not. This was especially interesting when it came to things like explaining why some people were poor or why certain sexes or social classes were expected to behave in different ways than others were.

8 Canterbury Tales was a well-rounded introduction to these famous stories.

Lady Lost by Meredith Bond


Lady Lost by Meredith Bond
A Zodiac Regency Romance, Book 4
Publisher: Anessa Books
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

A lady with a secret past. A spy searching for the truth. A season that could change everything…

When Teodora Cesari arrives in London for her first Season, she is determined to navigate the glittering world of Regency high society while uncovering a long-buried secret about her father. Under the watchful eye of the formidable Lady Chadwick, Teo must master the art of polite conversation, society balls, and the delicate dance of courtship. But London is full of whispers, and some secrets are too dangerous to be uncovered. Yet, until she can discover her roots, Teo is lost.

Sebastian Clemens, Earl of Everston, is no stranger to secrets. As the leader of a covert intelligence network, his sharp mind and cool demeanor have served the Crown for years. Pressured to find a wife, he enters London’s social scene, only to find himself captivated by an outspoken, unconventional young lady who stirs his sense of duty—and his guarded heart.

As Teo’s quest for answers draws her and Sebastian closer, past secrets and present enchantment collide in London’s most elite ballrooms. But Teo’s search for the past may uncover a truth that could threaten Sebastian’s future. And he must decide if he’s willing to risk his heart for a woman who could upend his carefully controlled world.


Lady Lost
is the fourth book in A Zodiac Regency Romance series by Meredith Bond. While I haven’t read the previous books, I’m now tempted to remedy that! This novel works well as a standalone, but if the rest of the series is as captivating as this one, I definitely want to read them all.

This was my first Meredith Bond novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’ve undoubtedly discovered a new favorite author—her writing style drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end.

The synopsis immediately intrigued me with its promise of uncovering a long-buried secret about the heroine Theodora Cesari’s father. The hero, Sebastian, is no stranger to secrets himself. As they embark on a quest for answers, their journey draws them closer together, weaving romance into a world of whispers and danger. I was captivated by the mystery surrounding Theodora and Sebastian’s relationship and couldn’t wait to unravel the truth alongside them.

From the very first pages, I was swept into a journey I didn’t want to end. The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy to connect with them. The plot twists and secrets unfolded seamlessly, keeping me engaged throughout. The romance between Theodora and Sebastian was heartwarming—both were vulnerable in ways that tugged at my heartstrings, and their love story was tender and sweet.

If you enjoy historical romance with a touch of mystery, Lady Lost is a must-read. I can’t wait to explore more of Meredith Bond’s work!