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Book Title: Blessed are the Peacemakers
Author: Mike Berenstain
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Pub Date: 9/2/14
Series: The Berenstain Bears
Discliamer: I recieved this book from BookLook Blogger for an honesty review.
Discribe: A new addition to the bestselling Berenstain Bears' Living Lights series that teaches simple Christian truths to children.

In the newest Berenstain Bears Living Lights book, The Berenstain Bears Blessed are the Peacemakers, Brother and Sister have a wide circle of friends at school and get along with pretty much everyone. But not all their friends get along with each other! As their friends clash during the school play, Brother and Sister have to decide whether they should "mind their own business" or get involved as peacemakers to try and calm the troubled waters.

The bestselling Berenstain Bears brand and Living Lights series continue its proven tradition of teaching children valuable lessons in a fun and creative way. Perfect for early readers and parents looking for engaging picture books that promote positive values, the Berenstain Bear family has become dear to the hearts of countless children and adults.

 
My Thoughts: This book is great for childern. They can learn about bullying an becoming peacemakers. Children learn how to deal with fighting. Though I hope they would go to a teacher or adult for help. Though they can try and be friends and make peace with them.
 
This book goes on about helping to pull two groups together rather then fight. Though you made see how it still is hard to do it. When adult start to fight it time to see if you can calm them down by saying from the bible.
 
This is a good book for children learning to read as well. Though that are just started learning to read.
  
Hades is Mine: Rise of Hades (Gods and Monsters #4)
Hades is Mine: Rise of Hades (Gods and Monsters #4)
Mila Young | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
187 of 250
Kindle
Hades is Mine: Rise of Hades ( Gods and Monsters book 4)
By Mila Young

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

I am a Legend. Born to fight Death itself. Sworn to act as Zeus' thunderbolt against the darkness.

And now I'm mortal.

Despite having Apollo, Poseidon, and Ares by my side I lost. I don't have any second chances. Ares trained me to be a stronger warrior, Poseidon taught me to be the wisest leader, and Apollo showed me passion to be a glorious champion. Each of them has entrusted me with their hearts, and I have given them mine as well.

And it's still not enough.

I need to convince Hades, Ruler of the Underworld, to help me. With his aid we stand the smallest chance, the slimmest of hopes. He's one hot mess of a God and the closer we get the further he pulls away, and the more it tears me apart. But I need to win him to my side, to our side, and make this brooding loner deity a team player too.

Can I even trust Hades with my heart, when I have already lost my soul to something darker?



This book was an emotional rollercoaster!! You know it’s a good book when you get that gasping and aching feeling that you can’t wait to see what’s written on the next page! Hades needed a slap for 3 quarters of the book. It was just a brilliant ending to such a good series. Mila Young has become one of my favourite indie authors and this series has me wanting to read so much more of her work. If you love Greek Gods and you love a bit of spice and spice done well I highly recommend this series. Just brilliant!
  
Time's Orphan (Odriel's Heirs #3)
Time's Orphan (Odriel's Heirs #3)
Hayley Reese Chow | 2023 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
TIME'S ORPHAN is the absolutely amazing finale in the Odriel's Heirs series and features the lost Time Heir, Emara. I won't go into the story apart from saying you absolutely MUST read this as a series. Although following different timelines and characters, it is all necessary to understand the overall story arc.

Ever since Jago in book one, the Time Heirs have been slippery characters - mentioned but not seen. There is a reason for this and, oh, but it's hard reading! Emara is a brave character, scared and alone for most of her life, but does she ever come into her own!!! Everything ties up here. All the other books, the story arc, Shad, it's all here and I was gripped by every word.

I was so happy to see Shad in here and to finally learn his back story. Absolutely perfect but I won't spoil it. In fact, everyone is in here, just what I wanted in the final book. That doesn't take anything away from Emara though. It is 100% her story and I loved it.

My time in Okarria might be over for now but it won't be the last time I visit. These books are now on my wish list to be bought as real-life copies. That way I can re-read whenever I want to and, if I don't want to re-read, I can gaze at the gorgeous covers.

A stunning series from the very beginning and HIGHLY recommended by me. 10 out of 5 stars for beings so utterly brilliant!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House
2018 | Horror
Fantastic thoughtul and moving horror
The much-hyped horror series, telling the story of the Craine family who lived in "Hill House" during an ill-advised renovation project until the mother died in mysterious circumstances. The story moves between the present day, when the 5 Craine children are all grown up, and the past when they lived in Hill House.
The bulk of each episode is more focused on the drama of the family, and less focused on the horror aspects. But in each episode there are moments of utter, heart-stopping terror - either through true unexpected jump scares (there are few of these, but when they come, they are effective) or just complete bone-chilling creepiness.
As is so often the case, the viewers reaction to the ghostly interactions relies heavily on it happening to a child, really hitting hard at times.
I'm not a fan of horror films going all metaphysical and time-travelly (Paranormal Activity for one) but it is reasonably well handled here and isn't a forced point.
The cast is decent, if not outstanding, especially the younger child actors who are fantastic. And there's still something about Carla Gugino that makes me feel all funny.
I got a little distracted looking for the hidden ghosts throughout the series (there are over 40 of them, some are pretty much impossible to spot, others catch your eye after a few seconds and totally creep you out).
The series is somewhat toned down horror, there is virtually no gore and the jump-scares are few but effective, with much more focus on the drama. For me this was a refreshing twist on the genre and made it a much more enjoyable series than if it were all-out horror. A nice alternative to American Horror Story.
  
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Merissa (13056 KP) rated The Reluctant Savior (Etherya's Earth #4) in Books

Mar 21, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)  
The Reluctant Savior (Etherya's Earth #4)
The Reluctant Savior (Etherya's Earth #4)
Rebecca Hefner | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE RELUCTANT SAVIOR is Evie and Kenden's story and is the fourth book in the Etherya's Earth series. Evie is Darkrip and Miranda's sister and one who suffered her father's attention in ways a child never should. Due to this, she fled to the human world and thinks herself beyond redemption. She didn't count on the Slayers though. With both Kenden and Miranda convinced there is good inside her, what will she do?

Now, I took some time to warm up to Evie. Not because she was evil. Nope, I liked that about her. What I didn't like was that she seemed so... blah about the possibility of having good in her. Now, I do realise that with her 'upbringing' thinking of having good inside her would be difficult, but it was like she dismissed it without even considering it. And when she has Darkrip as a brother, even discounting Miranda, then surely, SURELY it was worth consideration.

Anyway, it's a good job she had Kenden as he put up with her mood swings and challenged her too. He is as placid and scheming as ever, so the perfect foil for Evie! He doesn't like it when Evie out-schemes him but then takes pleasure in the fact she has outwitted him. He also makes sure he gets his own way mixed in with Evie's, even when she doesn't like not having it all her own way.

Now, as with all Rebecca Hefner books, you also get some added extras. Some we know from before, some we met briefly, and some we've only seen one side to. So happy for Nolan and Sadie, and I really hope I see more of them. One thing though - TALK TO EACH OTHER!! LOL But we also have Aron and Moira, plus another two I won't talk about! You can read that for yourself.

This novel finishes one part of the story arc whilst giving you a glimpse into the next. And boy, is it a doozy! I can't wait to continue this series and find out what's going to happen next.

Another jewel in the crown of this series and absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 15, 2022
  
Sassing Saul (Coletti Warlords #10)
Sassing Saul (Coletti Warlords #10)
Gail Koger | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sassing Saul (Coletti Warlords #10) by Gail Koger
Sassing Saul is the tenth book in the Coletti Warlords series, and whilst I don't think it completely necessary to have read all of the previous books, it would probably help.

This book is a quick and easy read with plenty of action. Not all aliens are good guys, and Annie is involved in fighting the bad guys as much as she can. With her psychic powers, she is very good at what she does, and gets herself a reputation as the Grim Reaper. Unfortunately, this allows her husband to track her down and try to sell her. She makes her escape and finds her way to a different town, where she gets a new job. This has the knock-on effect of bring her to General Saul Jones' attention.

Now, this is where it lost me. Saul and Annie spend most of the book apart, and he does insist on treating her like a defenseless female, when he knows first-hand just how capable she is. There was no attraction between them either before or after the mind-wipe (which I didn't like at all.) A lot of new (to me) characters are introduced to Annie in quick succession and she immediately has an amazing bond with all of them. This was okay, but it all happened so quickly I was unable to fully 'get to know' these new females before the action kicked off again. This is where reading the previous books would help!

All in all, it was a good read that kept my attention throughout. I have no hesitation in recommending it, but I would also go to the next step and say to start from the very beginning of the series, as I think this will only help with your enjoyment.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
A very odd mix of stories that feature a harvest moon and only the first by Lackey fits the cover, of which makes me think of fairies and moonbeams.
Overall: <b>3.5 stars</b>

<i>A Tangled Web</i> by Mercedes Lackey (Light Fantasy)
A retelling of the Greek myth pertaining to Persephone and Hades, with some added Norse mythology. A cute story, if a little thin on actual plot. I'll probably forget it by next week.
<i>2.5 stars/5</i>

<i>Cast in Moonlight</i> by Michelle Sagara (Fantasy/Urban Fantasy hybrid)
Fascinating mythology and world-building, intriguing characters and races. If I hadn't already been interested in reading the Chronicles of Elantra series, this would have done it. Pretty much a perfect story that stands alone quite well.
<i>5 stars</i>

<i>Retribution</i> by Cameron Haley (Urban Fantasy)
A solid short story dealing with a sorcerer and enforcer for a mob boss. Has some interesting ideas and is a promising beginning to a new series. While it does have cursing, it feels authentic and fits the scenes and characters. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart.
<i>3 stars</i>
  
Kings of the Wyld
Kings of the Wyld
Nicholas Eames | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I can't emphasize enough how much I love this book! From the minute I read the synopsis a couple months ago I absolutely could not wait to read it. Having just finished it, I can't come up with any sort of criticism for the purpose of this review lol it was truly a superb fantasy adventure. The author went above and beyond creating a world so richly detailed and immersive that I half expected to see some of the creatures running around outside any time I was forced to put the book down. The characters were all well developed and relatable. The writing style was great, it had me hooked from the start and was detailed without being bogged down with unnecessary information and had me laughing out loud numerous times. The story develops at a nice pace, everything falls into place without feeling rushed or drawn out and the action never lets up. Kings of the Wyld is definitely one of my all time favorite fantasy adventure stories! I would love to see it as a tv series. Super excited to read the next book in the series!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!*
  
A Literal Mess
A Literal Mess
J. C. Kenney | 2019 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Strong Debut
Allie Cobb has returned home to Rushing Creek, Indiana for her father's funeral. While his death wasn't a surprise, it has still hit her hard. She's not prepared for tragedy to strike her small town a second time when the body of Thornwell Winchester is found. He was one of Allie's father's literary clients, and also the father of Allie's best friend, Sloane. When Sloane becomes the police's chief suspect, Allie steps in to find out the truth. Can she do it?

This book is more serious in tone than many of the cozies I read, but given what brings Allie home, that is completely appropriate. I never found that overwhelming, and the book doesn't dwell on it. After all, this is a mystery, and it isn't long before we are off meeting Thornwell and the potential suspects. I was intrigued by the red herrings and enjoyed the twists as we headed toward the logical climax. The suspects are strong, but I was really impressed with the series regulars. They have pasts and baggage that brought them to the page fully formed. I'm interested to see how that dynamic plays out as the series progresses.