The Adventures of Alex the Pirate: Treasure Island by Tom Oldaker

Alex is a young boy with a big imagination, Alex enjoys playing pirates. For him, this involves learning how to be a pirate, learning about ships and their parts, and discovering buried treasure. He has a lot of fun doing all of these things, and manages to learn while playing.

I received a review copy of this children’s book. And while it has been a very long time since there were young children in my household, I thought this was a very cute book with some interesting ideas. It includes games for the kids reading the book to play with their friends, while learning as they play.

One thing the reader does need to know about before trying to play the games is that the author is from the United Kingdom rather than the United States, and so when the book mentions football, it is referring to what we here in the US call soccer. It is something readers will want to keep in mind when setting up the games for energetic children to play as a group as if you call it “football” here in the US, the kids will think you are talking about a different sport involving a different type of ball than what they expect when hearing the same word in the UK.

Even though I do not have any young children in my household, I thought this book was cute and something that many parents who  have active children that possess an overabundance of energy will find to be a fun entertainment for their youngsters to engage in.

I do recommend, however, that this book be read either as a hard copy or on a color reading device. As my kindle is only capable of reading in black and white, some of the photos were a little on the dark side, making them sometimes a little difficult for me to see parts of the drawings for how to set up for the games. But I do think that younger children, who are likely not yet old enough for early chapter books, will find this book enjoyable, and the games a great deal of fun.

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Future’s Dark Past by J.L. Yarrow

In the distant future, the Earth is largely unliveable. There are pockets of humanity still alive, but life is very difficult for the survivors. There is a settlement on Mars, where a number of genetically modified humans are working on finding a way to change history so that the event that led to Earth’s destruction doesn’t happen, and a few people are sometimes recruited from Earth to try joining this program. Unfortunately, very few manage to survive the genetic modification process that will allow them to become time agents. The process to alter the DNA of those who volunteer for the program is unsuccessful more often than not, leaving most who attempt it among the dead. Kristen is one of the lucky few to survive the process. And now, not only must she and the others succeed, they must do so while another group is determined to see them fail.

This was an interesting book involving time travel, historically–based events, and fictional ones. Some parts of the book are set in the future while others are in different parts of the past. There is quite a bit happening in this book., and the reader will be jumped back and forth in time, depending on when in time any given scene is taking place. 

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. It covers a number of relevant issues that have been happening in the world today, any one of which has the potential to be a link in a chain of events that could lead to a catastrophic ending, or possibly, a new beginning. But one question remains, even with time travel, can the past be changed? Or has the future already been determined and will remain largely unchangeable in the end no matter which past events are altered? Only time will tell. 

This book makes one wonder about the fate of our own world and whether or not we are also doomed to near extinction, or if we as a society can change course enough to save ourselves. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, stories involving time travel and attempts to change historical events, TV shows such as either version of Quantum Leap, Time Tunnel, or any number of other time travel books, TV shows, and movies then you will likely enjoy this book. I’m looking forward to learning what happens in the next book in this series, and whether or not those seeking to change their present by changing the past can succeed or not.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Wagon Train Mail Order Bride by Florence Linnington

Amelia has been living in an unhappy marriage for a long time when she learns that she is finally pregnant. She hopes that her husband will be happy, but with the two of them living in a very poor area of town and just barely surviving, having another mouth to feed is going to make things even more difficult. But much to her horror, she soon learns that her husband has been killed. Now she has no husband, no money for rent, and no way to earn a living on her own. And in about seven months she’ll be having a baby. So she winds up doing the only thing she can… she answers an advertisement for a mail-order bride to accompany a man looking to start a family on a wagon train to California.

If you have read any of Ms. Linnington’s other books, then you are likely aware of the pattern for her mail order bride stories, with a little variation in each of them here in there. This one follows much the same pattern, making it a quick and easy read. But it is still a nice, relaxing way to spend a stress free day, for we know that whatever difficulties that Amelia and Ben will face, in the end, everything will come together for them somehow.

Now you may think that my review is a bit short and light on the details, but that is deliberate. As I mentioned, it is likely that you are already familiar with the pattern that most mail-order bride stories follow. But I always enjoy reading them nonetheless. There is something comforting in knowing that no matter what trials and tribulations one might face, that everything will turn out okay in the end. And that is one of the things that I enjoy the most about Ms. Linnington’s books.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Games and Goblins by Alan Berkshire

Jonathan is a thirteen-year old boy who lives in the United Kingdom and loves creating miniature models and dioramas. Unfortunately, it is a hobby that his father neither understands nor approves of despite Jon's obvious talent. When Jon's younger brother, Gavin, accidentally causes the destruction of something that Jon had put so much time and effort into creating, he takes a walk in the woods to be alone and to allow himself to calm down. There he finds a sparkly mud that he thinks might be used to repair his models, but little does he know what else the mud will do to them.

I read a review copy of this young adult horror novel and enjoyed it. When the models first come to life, they are smart enough to pretend that they are still simple models rather than the evil beings that they have become. But don't worry, if the figure that the magic mud brings to life is a formed to be a hero rather than a villain, the being that is brought to life takes on the personality of a hero, which is why Jon's first figurines sought to destroy any others who might stand against them. While this is often the basis of many horror books or movies, it is one that works well, especially as it is written here.

I enjoyed seeing Jon's realization that the figures he created were responsible for so much harm, and watching as he struggles to find a way to stop the evil army that he had unknowingly brought into being. After all, how does one explain to adults that the models you created were the ones doing the killing? When those models are smart enough to pretend to be nothing more than the "toys" the appear to be, what adult is likely to believe a teenager trying to place blame on a miniature model?

This was a nice little young adult horror novel that really tugs at the heartstrings while reading it. It's not a long book, and thus is A quick and easy read, but one that I think most might enjoy. It is not “Steven King” scary so those that enjoy really disturbing horror novels will likely find this book too tame for them, but it is just scary enough that I don't think it would be too much for younger readers to be able to enjoy. And as an adult reader, I myself did also enjoy the story. So I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is looking for something that is somewhat frightening, but not too scary overall.

The Long Way Home by Alex Bueno

After an EMP knocked out the power in North America and people realized that the power would not be back any time soon, as expected, people were left in shock as the attack was completely unexpected. Since then, John and his son Jack have been trying to make the long (approximately 200 miles) trek back to their home and their family, but everything has become far more dangerous the longer the power has been out. And when Jack becomes seriously ill along the way, John must find medical help or risk watching his son die.

And elsewhere, the president of the United States must find out who he can trust, who he can’t, and which countries can still be considered allies and which are now instead our enemies. Many alliances have shifted and war is imminent, but once the line is crossed that thrusts everyone into a world war, will anyone survive? And can any semblance of what was once a normal life return?

This is the second book in this series, and it is every bit as good as the first one. I read a review copy of this book, and was entirely drawn into each different part of the story being told here. There are many varying aspects of this tale, and each is just as vital and interesting as the others. Secrets abound, fear and violence have escalated, and as each new piece of information is revealed it adds more unanswered questions. 

This is a complex story with many moving parts, yet it is not difficult to keep track of any of it. And much like in book one, the reader should expect not just violence, pain, betrayal, death, but also kindness and hope. For yes, despite all else, there is still hope within this story. 

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories about what might (or might not) be the end of the world as we know it, then you will very much enjoy this series, though if you have not yet read book one, I would strongly recommend reading that one first. I have enjoyed both this book and the previous one, and I will be looking forward to reading book three in this series once it has been released. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Killers Never Die by Chelsea Burton Dunn

The war between the immortal races who are involved in the Masquerade (Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, and Chenja) is still very much active. In the past, the Werewolves were aligned with the Witches and the Vampires with the Chenja, but after the ceremony that was supposed to make the leader of the Werewolves into something more powerful than a mere Werewolf went so wrong, the alliances seem to be shifting. There is obviously something happening between the Werewolves and the Witches that appears to indicate that they may no longer be allies, and the Vampires have been unable to get a response from the Chenja, so it would appear that their alliance may be crumbling as well. But what is actually going on and how it will affect what happens among the various races remains to be seen.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. It involves Vampires and Werewolves, both of which most of us are already familiar with, as well as Chenja, which are a race of shapeshifters from Japanese mythos that I was unfamiliar with before reading this series. The main character, Ace, is the elder who runs the Vampire Coven in London. She is also the mother to the first ever born Vampire, Octavian. Her biological brother, Alexander, is the leader of the London Werewolf pack, and thus her enemy. And that's just the beginning of what's going on in this book. I will warn you that as these races are at war, there is violence and bloodshed involved in this story. And not everyone will have a happy ending. But if you are willing to give this book a try, I think you will enjoy it. I did.

I also enjoyed learning about Octavian and his unique circumstances within this story. Vampire children do not grow in the way human children do, so while he appears to at times age overnight, he is also a fair bit innocent, though very observant and intuitive for a young vampire. And for me, he was one of the more interesting characters in this book. Some of his comments and questions throughout really hit the mark and showed that he was not unaware of what others thought about him and his unique nature.

If you enjoy reading Vampire, Werewolf, Witch, and Chenja stories, then I would suggest giving this series a try. I would recommend starting with book one before reading this one though, as that will explain and answer some questions you might have if you were to simply begin with this book. But even if you decide to start with this one instead, there are enough clues throughout to allow you to guess at what you missed by skipping book one. It is a darker and more violent story than the author's other series (By Moonlight), but it is just as enjoyable in its own way.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Mountain Bride’s Surprise by Florence Linnington

Harriett was born a slave. Her mother was a black slave and her father a white plantation owner. After the civil war, when all the slaves had been freed by Abraham Lincoln, she traveled north to live in New York, where though her life was not easy, she was able to find work as a washerwoman. But it was a very difficult life and she was still treated very poorly, especially by the white women she often worked for. And then one day she placed an ad to become a mail order bride, hoping to change her life for the better.

I read a review copy of this book, and though it differs slightly from most mail order bride stories, it did retain the general plotline of a typical one. In this story, as a woman who was neither fully black nor fully white, Harriet had quite a few challenges to overcome. It was not common for white men to marry black women back at that point in history, and prejudice toward people of color was quite common, whether they were part white or not. But in true mail order bride fashion, you can expect Harriet to overcome the challenges and hardships set before her. And if you, like I do, enjoy happy endings (that may or may not have been realistic for this time period and setting), then you will likely enjoy this book.\

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.