
It’s been too hot to do anything much in the garden, leaving me time to enjoy some great books this week from a variety of genres; fantasy, poetry, science fiction, and romance!
Click the covers to learn more.
I’ve been a fan of Craig Boyack’s for some time now, and after reading all the amazing reviews on Voyage of the Lanternfish knew it had to go onto my summer reading list.

When James Cutter’s fiancΓ©e is captured and locked away until he performs the task of starting a war with a rival kingdom, he decides to do things on his own terms with the help of an eccentric cast of characters.
Along their journey, James and his son-to-be brother-in-law, Dan, meet up with a mystical slave who turns out to be from a cannibalistic island, a woman in search of a better life, and some strange and remarkable root monsters who steal the show.
I love the author’s creativity and ability to make the unbelievable not just credible, but extraordinary.
A fun, swashbuckling adventure!

Slivers: Chiseled Poetry by Balroop Singh is a beautiful, emotive treasure trove of thoughtful prose.
I love how each piece of micro-poetry makes me sit back and take in the words; lyrical and lovely.
A couple of my favorites are:
I walk through darkness
stumbling and holding hope
of light and life
Singh, Balroop. Slivers: Chiseled Poetry (p. 15). Kindle Edition.
drowning in the sea of solitude
I looked around, shocked
even tears could mock!
Singh, Balroop. Slivers: Chiseled Poetry (p. 91). Kindle Edition.
I know I will be reading this collection over again and again- alluring!

Math genius Jo Rivers is lost without her gift. Home after a terrifying ordeal in China (told in book 1 of the series), Jo works with PSS- Prodigy Stealth Solutions- to rejuvenate her hidden talent through sims, made dangerous by a forbidden hacker who sneaks intel even as he seems to help Jo.
Can she trust his word, or is he out to use her?
This reads like a YA version of Mission Impossible with cool tech toys, exotic locales and dangerous ops to save the world from extinction.
Even though I hadn’t read the first in the series, it was fairly easy to catch up on what was happening. The characters are interesting, the plot complicated.
Overall, a page-turning read!

Sparkles of the Season is a heartwarming, second chances romance filled with delightful characters.
When Sonja finds a forgotten camera on the shelf of her deceased husband’s closet, it rekindles an urge to follow her dream of photography. She starts up a company and quickly gets a call to take pictures of children visiting Santa at the local mall.
Football star, Lars is injured during his team practice after receiving divorce papers from his estranged wife. She’s threatening full custody of their six-year-old, Jeff. The acrimony id hard to bear, but even worse is the thought of not being an integral part of his son’s life. When his father offers to bring Jeff home for the holidays, Lars gratefully accepts, frustrated with his inability to act thanks to his leg injury.
Anxious to show his son a good time while he’s there, the men take him to see Santa at the mall and Lars is entranced by the beautiful photographer who takes their picture.
There is not one, but two fledgling romances happening over the holidays, proving that an open heart is never truly alone.
I love this author’s ability to draw empathy and the message of positivity that shines through her words.
An inspirational read!
Have you read any of these books? Let’s chat!
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Thanks for sharing with your fans, Michael.
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You are welcome, Craig! Thank you as well, and have a beautiful week. xx Michael
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Thanks for the share, my friend!
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Thank you for sharing this great collection, Jacquie! Have a nice day! xx Michael
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Good morning, Michael. Thanks for stopping by!
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Great reviews, Jacquie! I’m looking forward to reading Balroop’s book. Thanks for the intro to the others.
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It’s wonderful, Jill. I’m sure you’ll love many of the passages π
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Terrific reviews, Jacquie!
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Thanks, Kymber. All are wonderful choices!
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Great selection, Jacquie. Craig’s was the only one I’ve read, but I wish all the authors much success. (As for his book, I’ve declared myself president of the Root Monsters’ Fan Club, so that should tell you how much I enjoyed it. I I I I !)
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You are their president, for sure. Thanks for the recommendation here.
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Lol, they are rather remarkable π
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A wonderful collection of reviews, Jacquie. I’ve read Craig’s Lanterfish book and Balroop’s collection of poetry and thoroughly enjoyed both. You really had a diverse assortment of reviews today. Best wish and congrats to all the authors!
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Thank you, Mae.
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I tend to read a chapter or three from one and then switch to another, and so on. It makes for some interesting dreams, lol
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Thanks for including me with these wonderful authors, and so glad you enjoyed the tale.
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I have to wonder where you get your inspiration. Your books are wonderfully unique!
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Maybe it’s a bad brain. I try to make the most of it.
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Lol, creativity is never bad π
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What a diverse group of books and authors, Jacquie! I loved The Voyage of the Lanternfish and am also a fan of Craig’s writing. There are some new authors here that I will have to check out based on your reviews. Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks for the nod, Jan.
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I’ve found some wonderful books through bogger’s reviews. Hope you enjoy the ones you try, Jan π
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I read Craig’s book and really enjoyed it. Loved the second one even more. Good luck to all of the authors!
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Glad to hear it, Judi. The final volume will be out this year.
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I have some catching up to do!
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Thank you for a lovely review of Slivers Jacquie, much appreciated. Congratulations to Craig, Nova and Susan. Thanks for sharing the work of these authors.
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I’ll be rereading many of your passages, Balroop- lovely.
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π₯°ππ»
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Great selection and reviews, Jacquie. Thank you for sharing! π
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I like reading in a variety of genres, Gwen. It broadens my horizons, lol
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Great reviews, Jacquie. I also enjoyed Voyage of the Lanternfish. Nice to see it reviewed here.
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Thanks for saying that here, John.
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π
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I get kick out of Craig’s creativity!
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Me too.
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Great reviews, Jacquie π I’ve read Craigs and Balroop’s books and loved them both for different reasons. Great selection and I’m with you about the heat and reading!
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Summer and books just go together, don’t they? π
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Thank you, Denise.
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I read Craig’s book and enjoyed the Root Monsters too. Congratulations and good luck to all.
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Thank you, Michele. Hope you’re having a nice summer.
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He’s so talented!
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A YA version of Mission Impossible? That seems amazing!
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You’d love it, Sophie!
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HI Jacquie, these are all super reviews.
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I haven’t been doing much writing, but the reading is going well, lol
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I am surprised to hear that. I think your not writing periods are everyone else’s normal writing. You are very prolific with your books.
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Thank you π
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Congratulations to Balroop, Craig, Susan, and Nova! Excellent reviews!
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Thank you, Mark π
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You’re welcome, Jacquie.
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