Good Luck Chestnut by Linda Gruenberg


Good Luck Chestnut: And Other Lucky Colors of the World by Linda Gruenberg
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy
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Good Luck Chestnut is a picture book full of colorful horses and colorful kids. In theory, the watercolor paintings illustrate horse colors, but in practice, they also capture the way children use horses as jungle gyms. The children sit backwards, hop on by leapfrogging, belly-flop off the horse into water, everything but sit forward in a saddle, riding-lesson proper. The names of horse colors are embedded in the text, while the various nationalities of the children visually round out the book’s concept. Any child should find themselves somewhere in the illustrations. This book is just yearning to be read aloud. The whole thing is a playground of rollicking slant rhymes hurtling itself toward the last simple message that every child deserves to hear.

Good Luck Chestnut: And Other Lucky Colors of the World is a delight to read, look at, and share. Delightfully dappled with cleverly combined words, the phrases all enhance the pictures. The book features horses, as one might guess, but also, features children! Smiling faces fill every page.

There is a bit of a clever ‘find it’ built into the pages, as certain items are mentioned within the sentences that can be located in the pictures. An unexpected item is often to be found decorating a corner or a t-shirt in the picture. However, the book is a collection of these delightful pages and does not build an actual story. Children won’t miss that if they take the time to enjoy each page and search out all of those subtle connections.

Good Luck Chestnut: And Other Lucky Colors of the World is a sheer delight and deserves every one of its 5 stars.

Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer


Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Publisher: Dial Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), LGBTQ, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family . . . and that’s LOVE.

Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what’s most important in each family’s life is the love the family members share.

Every happy family shares at least one thing in common. Keep reading to find out what that is!

Parents and caregivers show love for the children they’re raising in countless ways. I adored seeing so many different examples of what this can look like as people go about their ordinary daily routines. The author covered everything from comforting a child after they scraped their knee to baking a special cake for them on their birthday. The wholesomeness of it all shone out of every scene, and it was absolutely perfect for this age group.

Writing a simple but compelling board book for toddlers isn’t easy. Ms. Beer did an excellent job of plainly stating what she thought the smallest members of society should know about the beautiful diversity of family life while also including deeper meanings for the adults or older kids who will be reading this out loud to the little ones in their lives.

Just about every sort of family you can possibly imagine was included in this tale, including LGBT+, interracial, adoptive, and single-parent families. No matter who was being shown helping their child find a lost toy or having a tea party, the love that each parent felt for their child or children shone through in every scene. It made me smile to see how much effort the author put into focusing on what we all share in common no matter who we are or what we look like.

Love Makes a Family was a heartwarming read that I’d heartily recommend to families of all shapes and sizes.

When Mom’s Away by Layla Ahmad


When Mom’s Away by Layla Ahmad
Publisher: Second Story Press
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Things are changing for one little girl whose mom is a busy doctor. When her mom has to be in quarantine―sleeping on a cot in their garage to keep the family safe from the virus―the girl does her best to be brave. She and her dad spend time together, she goes to school online, and she helps her grandparents too…making sure to wave so they know it’s her! They join their neighbours outside to thank the doctors and nurses around the world for their hard work. But of course the highlight of the day is when mom comes home, and they wave to each other through the window. A great story to inspire hope and confidence in both little ones and big ones when times may seem uncertain.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been around for over a year now, but there are still lessons to learn from it.

This fictionalized account of it showed how a young girl dealt with being separated for weeks on end from her mother who was a doctor. I appreciated how much time was spent showing the parts of this pandemic that were still hard for the main character even though her family has gone through this separation many times before.

It was lovely to see how Ms. Ahmad portrayed so many different aspects of living through this historic event. Sometimes the main character was sad and lonely for perfectly understandable reasons. In another scene, she bravely helped her father deliver groceries to her grandparents so that they could remain healthy. The uncertainty of life at the moment was perfectly communicated to the youngest members of society.

The relationship between the main character and her father was also delightful. He was so kind and supportive of his child, especially when she missed her mom more than usual and desperately wanted their family to be together again. I couldn’t have asked for a better demonstration of what parenting should be like under such tough circumstances.

By far my favorite section was the ending. It provided the hope that we all need to keep going while also acknowledging that we’re not out of the woods quite yet. This was something I’d be thrilled to read to the little ones in my life who are trying to come to grips with what has happened to our species and when it might be possible to return to something close to normal.

When Mom’s Away was a wonderful read for anyone whose family has been separated due to this pandemic.

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen


Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen (Author) Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)
Steampunk Proper Romance
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border.

Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?

Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

This might be the first book written by Nancy Campbell Allen that I’ve ever read but it sure won’t be the last. Talk about a perfectly eerie Gothic Steampunk romance with mystery, murder, foggy surroundings, large oak doors that block gardens with a secret, and paranormal beings. There is so much going on that I’ve lost count as to how many edge-of-my-seat scenes I experienced.

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Lord Miles is exactly what you’d expect – brooding, grouchy, stern, scowly, big and burdened with guilt and secrets. One thing about the narrator, Ms. Maarleveld, that I kept thinking about as she did his voice was that by the time she was done with this novel, I truly felt her throat must have been hoarse. Her vocal range seemed strained while she voiced Lord Miles, but she was able to go deep enough to differentiate the hero from the heroine. I have no complaints; I just kept wanting to offer the narrator a glass of water.

Oh, I forgot to mention the ghost. I liked how the author portrayed the ghost and by the end of the novel, I was truly sad that the person was dead. I would have dearly enjoyed this person on stage because of the strength of character, devotion, determination and love that was truly powerful, even beyond the grave.

The ‘tons that are mentioned brought to mind a movie I’ve watched at least 15 times so far, I, Robot. Think of Sonny and you’ll know how I envision the maids, butlers and garage personnel in the story.

I enjoyed watching Miles thaw the more time he spent with Lucy. The longer she stayed in his castle, the more he saw her strength, her loyalty, her love for her cousin and family, and her unique passion that propels her to attempt escapades of daring do and investigations that definitely caused the hero a heart attack, or two. When she got him to laugh, I knew he was hooked.

As far as the romance, it’s sweet. The most action were kisses but oh, how wonderfully romantic they were!

There is a villain for sure but it turns out to not be who I thought it was. I really thought I had it figured out but of course, that was a red herring. As far as I’m concerned, the actual killer was mentally unsound, clever and vicious, but unsound. I can say for sure that the climactic scene was one that had me wide-eyed and on the edge of my seat. It was the not knowing how the defeat would come about and at whose hands.

The ending was very romantic and brought to mind the scene in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. More than likely, that was the author’s intent and if so, it worked. It was special and a nice way to wrap up a very well-told story. Beauty and the Clockwork Beast was an awesome read and easy to recommend in either print or audio format.

Just as I Am: A Memoir by Cicely Tyson


Just as I Am: A Memoir by Cicely Tyson
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Memoir, Non-Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

“Just as I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. In these pages, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and a mother, a sister and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by his hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.” –Cicely Tyson

Unvarnished and honest.

I never read much about Cicely Tyson. I knew she was an actress and beautiful, but it’s not until I got into this book that I realized how cool she is. I don’t mean cool as in hard to talk to, but cool as in: she’s awesome. She’s not pretentious and tells things how they are without being mean. This book was like reading something a friend would tell me. It’s just her life how she saw it and how she felt while it happened. Some might call it simple, but I consider it engrossing.

Cicely Tyson is definitely someone who deserves more air time. It’s brilliantly written and shows how much she cares for her friends and even past lovers. I felt smarter by reading the book. I also realized the empathy she has while writing this. Her life wasn’t easy. She had troubles and some of her hardest times are what she writes about so eloquently.

If you’re looking for a Hollywood autobiography, then this might be the one to choose. I’m glad I did.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren


The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Single mom Jessica Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. Raised by her grandparents—who now help raise her seven-year-old daughter, Juno—Jess has been left behind too often to feel comfortable letting anyone in. After all, her father was never around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn’t “father material” before Juno was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close, but working constantly to stay afloat is hard…and lonely.

But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands.

At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98 percent compatibility with another subject in the database: one of GeneticAlly’s founders, Dr. River Peña. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Peña. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we’ll pay you. Jess—who is barely making ends meet—is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the “Diamond Match” that could launch GeneticAlly’s valuation sky-high, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist—and the science behind a soulmate—than she thought.

Funny, warm, and full of heart, The Soulmate Equation proves that the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated.

What if the person you are destined to be with dislikes you? Dr. River Pena is developing a potentially multimillion dating app and he is surprised when he matches with Jessica, a woman who wants nothing to do with him.

I loved the The Soulmate Equation, it is a delightful surprise. It is an intoxicating, sweet and funny story filled with tender looks and two science geeks who like working with numbers more than people.

River and Jessica are very smart and they appear confident but are vulnerable and often uncomfortable around people and social situations. They are perfect for each other, but it takes them a while to figure it out. I liked everything about this slow burn story filled with scorching looks and captivating characters.

River is a rigid, uptight, perfectionist who doesn’t have time to date. At first, he seems arrogant, but as the story unfolds it is easy to see, he is a nice guy who is distracted and in his head a lot. River has been working on a dating app for years and is excited that it will finally be ready for the open market and that is all he can think about, until he meets Jessica.

Jessica’s life is the exact opposite from River’s. She is a freelance statistician and a single mother trying her best to do it all. She is so busy, she never has a moment to indulge herself and she certainly doesn’t have time to date.

I adored the characters in this story. Both River and Jess stole my heart; they are nerds and perfect for each other, even though they find each other in an unconventional way. Their story is uplifting and I wanted River and Jessica to get the HEA they deserve. I think the writing in The Soulmate Equation is flawless and the plot is refreshing. This feel good story has some entertaining secondary characters which add to the story. I wholeheartedly endorse The Soulmate Equation.

Instamom by Chantel Guertin


Instamom by Chantel Guertin
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

In this #funny, #wise, #emotionally compelling look at modern love and finding your true path, a proudly kid-free influencer meets the ultimate #dealbreaker . . .

It’s the influencer’s golden rule: know your niche. Kit Kidding has found hers on Instagram, where she gets paid to promote brands and share expertly curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life. Kit likes kids just fine, but she passionately believes that women who choose not to become mothers shouldn’t have to face guilt. Or judgement. Or really hot chefs who turn out to be single dads.

Will MacGregor is aggravating, sexy, persistent, averse to social media, and definitely a bad idea. As soon as Kit learns his parenting status, she vows to put their scorching one-night stand behind her and move on. But Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, and the more time she spends with him—and his whip-smart, eight-year-old daughter, Addie—the more difficult it is to stay away, much less sustain what Will so cleverly calls her “Resting Beach Face.” Kit’s picture-perfect career path is suddenly clashing with the possibility of a different future—messy, complicated, and real. Which life does she truly want? Will she have to re-invent herself? And will love still be waiting by the time she figures it out?

Instamom is a fast-paced romantic story but so much more. Kit is a social-media influencer, posting pictures online that represent her supposedly wonderful, free life. Will is a professional chef. When the two meet, they are drawn to each other and have a steamy night.

This is a good thing for Kit. She does not want complications in her life. She’s a career woman who not only does not want children, but she is a leader and champions the cause of a child-free life to many women—has even written a book about it.

Kit really likes Will; then she discovers that he is a single dad and a widower. Disappointed, she decides that even though he is a great guy, his child makes this a no deal. Will manages to charm her anyway. Their interaction becomes ever more deep, passionate, and painful for them because Kit is adamant about remaining child-free.

How could this couple ever find happiness? Will challenges Kit’s phony online life, but Kit challenges Will as well. Added to this complexity is Kit’s relationship with Will’s daughter, Addie. A different type of turmoil is created as Kit has to interact with her. Afterall, Kit and Will have to work together for a while.

Kit’s friends and family add their two cents, and her exchanges with them reveal a lot about Kit’s values. Her ex-boyfriend, and his friend who wants more add tension to the story. There are ups and downs in this novel, and different types of love are explored.

It is a story about introspection, friendship, love, parenthood, careers, friendship, and facing one’s self to get at the truth. It is an entertaining story, and I would happily recommend it to others.

She’s the One Who Gets in Fights by S. R. Cronin


She’s the One Who Gets in Fights by S. R. Cronin
Publisher: Cinnabar Press
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

It’s the 1200’s, and the small realm of Ilari has had peace and prosperity for generations. That doesn’t mean every citizen is happy, however. Sulphur, the third of seven sisters, is glad the older two have been slow to wed. It’s given her the freedom to train as a fighter, in hopes of fulfilling her lifelong dream of joining Ilari’s army. Then, within a matter of days, both sisters announce plans and now Sulphur is expected to find a man to marry.

Is it Sulphur’s good fortune her homeland is gripped by fear of a pending Mongol invasion? And the army is going door to door encouraging recruits? Sulphur thinks it is. But once she’s forced to kill in a small skirmish, she’s ready to rethink her career decision. Too bad it’s too late. The invasion is coming, and Ilari needs every good soldier it has. Once Sulphur learns Ilari’s army has made the strategic decision to not defend certain parts of the realm, including the one where her family lives, she has to re-evaluate her loyalty. Is it with the military she’s always admired? Or is it with her sisters, who are hatching a plan to defend their homeland with magic?

Everywhere she turns, someone is counting on her to fight for what’s right. But what is?

This book is the third story in a series of seven sisters, but it can definitely be read on its own. Each of the sisters have a different talent, and Sulphur is a fighter. In fact, she has been her entire life. She felt it was her place to protect and defend her sisters.

The world building is remarkable. There are a lot of different words and concepts to keep straight, but the author makes it easy to keep up with everyone.

And the character. I absolutely loved her. She was definitely not a stick character, but a fully fleshed out character with faults and doubts and issues. All of these made her real and enjoyable to read about.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the stories about the rest of the sisters and discover if they will be successful in their plan to help their country.

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Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett


Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett
A Detective by Day Mystery, 1
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

The Surprise Hit of the Season!

Actress Dayna Anderson’s Deadly New Role: Homicide Detective

Dayna Anderson doesn’t set out to solve a murder. All the semifamous, mega-broke actress wants is to help her parents keep their house. So after witnessing a deadly hit-and-run, she pursues the fifteen grand reward. But Dayna soon finds herself doing a full-on investigation, wanting more than just money―she wants justice for the victim. She chases down leads at paparazzi hot spots, celeb homes, and movie premieres, loving every second of it―until someone tries to kill her. And there are no second takes in real life.

Dayna is an actress looking for work and wanting to help her parents who are about to lose their home. One night when she’s out with friends, she sees a woman get hit by a car and killed. The driver flees. There is a large reward offered to find this person.

Set in Hollywood, the investigation begins. Dayna follows the leads and finds herself dealing with celebrities. She goes to the places they do and finds damning evidence. She calls a tip line leaving information about whom she believes is the killer. However, the story is just beginning. She got the wrong person and must continue her search. It seems fun at first, but then someone goes after her. Now it gets real.

Dayna is intelligent and spunky. Her sassy humor is great and adds layers to her characterization. It is enjoyable seeing things through her eyes. Watching her follow clues will spark one’s curiosity and creativity. Can the reader solve the crime before Dayna or the police?

Dayna makes a great amateur sleuth with strengths and charming flaws. Her friends make for good support or foils. They go about within this glamorous world, with its superficial values in order to achieve a commendable goal. Hollywood Homicide is compelling, and I would highly recommend it.

I’m Going to Start Here! by Raye Springfield


I’m Going to Start Here! by Raye Springfield
Publisher: Stonebrook Publishing
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

After twenty-five years, I’m Going to Start Here! is the delightful response to the very popular Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Like that best-seller, this book appeals equally to the young, those in the middle and to the ones who do not accept that a number defines age. With humorous verse and vivid pictures, it encourages kids, and kids at heart, to step out and reach for the stars. I’m Going to Start Here! invites you on a journey that’s fun, upbeat and inspiring. And chances are you’ll discover that indeed you already have within all you need to succeed in life. Now, everyone, get ready, get started and Come Fly with Me on this great adventure.

I’ll walk across that stage and go out with a bang.
I’ve learned my lesson. I’m ready to spread my wings
I have the power to make this life a stupendously, beautiful thing.

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One of the most important things one can do in life is decide who to surround themselves with and count on for emotional support. Ms. Springfield mentioned this topic more than once and gave her audience some age-appropriate tips on how to decide who would make a good confidant. The repetition of it was a great choice for these age groups, especially on the pages that had slightly different but complementary messages for older and younger kids. That isn’t an easy thing to accomplish, but there is definitely something to be said for writing a picture book for kids of all ages that also appeals to adults.

I also appreciated what the narrator had to say about failure, doubt, fear, and uncertainty. Everyone must deal with these things at some point in life. There are many good coping techniques out there to handle setbacks and disappointments, and the narrator shared a few of them. It was the positive attitude they encouraged their audience to cultivate that was most important, however.

It was delightful to see how the characters struck a balance between reaching for the stars and remembering where they came from. The lines that talked about reaching out to home and keeping in touch with the people who have always loved you made me smile. This was definitely something that is just as important for kids to hear as it is for adult readers.

While the narrator never mentioned self esteem specifically, they did have some important things to say about knowing one’s worth and learning to trust one’s gut when trying to make a decision. Yes, it’s good to ask for advice from trustworthy people, but there’s also something to be said for listening to one’s intuition as well.

I’m Going to Start Here! was a delightful read for people of all ages. I can’t recommend it highly enough.