Winter Woes? Read a Book

I haven’t mentioned lately all the good books that are available (and some that are on their way). The ones I’m going to talk about today are all indie authored books. Support your indie artists – download a book and curl up to escape this weather or football (if you aren’t a football fan).

Let’s start with a great series:

Legends of Windemere – this series starts with Beginning of a Hero. Luke Callindor is introduced to us as he travels through Windemere looking for adventure. He attends (under false pretenses) a school to give him the training to be an adventurer. And adventures he does have. But then Prodigy of Rainbow Tower and Allure of the Gypsies continue the adventures. Charles Yallowitz spins a great tale and you could spend your time reading a great series – all for less than $5. These are well written and edited books that will change your mind about indie authors. And while you are at it, be sure and follow Charles’ blog

Another awesome series:

The House of Crimson and Clover – Sarah M. Cradit has crafted a paranormal romance series that is delightful and engaging.  The Deschanel family is a bit, well, different from most families. But you’re drawn in to their world. There are many different family members and their interaction with each other is unique. The book is set in New Orleans and offers great word pictures of the world they are living in. Follow Oz (not a Deschanel), Nic, Ana, Adrienne and many others throughout this series. St. Charles at Dusk is the prequel, followed by novella Anne: Beyond Dusk, Book 1 The Storm and the Darkness. Book 2 is Illusions at Eventide. Beyond Darkness: Shattered and Beyond Eventide: Bound are both novellas that will be released soon. I have read all of the books in this series and I have to say that they just keep getting better and better and I’m anxious for the next book. I don’t typically read from the romance genre but these books are so good that I forget about the genre and just relish the good writing. You will also find Sarah’s blog and her website informative and entertaining.

Red Clay and Roses by S. K. Nicholls  – here is the description from Amazon:

“A fictionalized true story of life in the Deep South during the time of Jim Crow Law, and before Roe vs. Wade. Women were supposed to keep quiet and serve, abortion was illegal, adoption difficult, and racism rampant. The discovery of an old ledger opens a window into the dynamics of the 1950s-60s. Unspoken secrets are shared between Beatrice, The Good Doctor’s wife, and Moses Grier, their black handyman. The Grier’s daughter, Althea, suffers a tragedy that leaves her family silent and mournful. Her brother, Nathan, a medical student, looks for answers from a community that is deaf, blind, and dumb. A summer romance between Nathan and Sybil, an independent, high-spirited, white woman, leaves more unresolved. Nathan is thrust into the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Sybil is torn between living the mundane life of her peers, or a life that involves fastening herself to a taboo relationship. Witness social progress through the eyes of those who lived it!”

This book introduces you to the times and troubles of the 60’s in the south. If you are as old as me, you remember these events, even if not personally. If you are younger, then this will show you how it really was (and times were much different then). If you followed Susan’s blog, you can learn more about the locales within the book. She certainly has done her research. Another well written book with a tight story that I recommend.

 

Other books are highly recommend are:

Yesterday Road by Kevin Brennan

Book of Lost Doors – Catskinner’s Book by Misha Burnett

Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen

Poe by J. Lincoln Fenn

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Ella MacNeal

The Rockin’ Chair by Steven Manchester

The Whisky Tide by M. Ruth Myers

Fly Birdie by Jo Robinson

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tesarro

Notes from a Small Dog: Four Legs on Two by Sue Vincent

And I am currently reading Corridor of Darkness: A Novel of Nazi Germany by Patrick O’Bryon and it is looking like an excellent book so far.  So many books, so little time (darn job keeps me from reading as much as I would like).

I could go on and on about a lot of really good books. The important thing is that you are reading and supporting authors.

 

 

Book Review – Prodigy of Rainbow Tower

Okay, you know I don’t give the book synopsis when I do the review. You can read that on Goodreads or Amazon. This is about how I felt reading the book.

Bottom line, I gave it 5 stars and recommend it highly. Have you read it yet? No? What are you waiting for?

As a non-fantasy reader, I jumped into Beginnings of a Hero in the Legends of Windemere series and really enjoyed it. So, it made perfect sense for me to read the next book in the series, Prodigy of Rainbow Tower.

The adventures continued – and I mean adventures, as in many adventures. Always with a twist and always fun. The humor in these books makes me smile – but the adventures were amazing. Luke and Nyx and the others jumped from one interesting battle into another. I know what you’re thinking – that they always survive unscathed. Not so, there were a couple of times that I was sure someone wasn’t going to make it with a healing potion in time. But that added to the heart pounding fun.

Really, I don’t typically read these kind of books. But I highly recommend these. They are well written and very entertaining. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to be released.

Thanksgiving Project – Why Didn’t I think of that?

Today has been a totally relaxing day for me. I stumbled from bed to breakfast, then to my recliner. I read for a bit, then started tackling some of the work I brought home this weekend that I didn’t finish yesterday.

I’m about ready to finally crawl back in my recliner and read some more. At the rate I’m going, I will never finish Charles Yallowitz’ Book 2 in Legends of Windemere series, Prodigy of Rainbow Tower. It is really good and I want to read. I need to find out what is going to happen with Nyx and Luke. Oh, and you should check Charles’ blog out here

But I put something new (to me) in my crock pot today. I found a recipe but it can only cook for 4 hours so that is difficult for me on a work day. But I put Mac ‘n Cheese in – it was pretty tasty. Warren really liked it and he is hard to please. Plus it is a cool fall day so it was perfect comfort food.

But what I’m most thankful for today is whoever invented those crock pot liner bags. Those things are just incredible. I hate spending the money, but I always am glad I do. No clean up. No mess. They are a godsend to those of us who hate scrubbing the inside of a crock pot or just don’t have the time to deal with it. Thank you whoever invented those. They are the best!

Oh, and if you are interested in the recipe – it was super easy (again, remember I don’t like to cook so it has to be easy).

2 cups skim milk
1 can evaporated milk (I used the fat free variety)
1 egg
salt and pepper

Whisk together and add 2 cups of already shredded cheese and 2 cups of dry macaroni noodles. Cook on low for no more than 4 hours in a well-greased (yes, even in the liner bag) crock pot.

See? Told you it was super easy. I think next time, I will add just a touch more cheese and double the recipe so I can have more leftovers. Although this will make two meals for us. Enjoy

Book Reviews of Legends of Windemere Series

I reviewed these books some time ago, but thought they were good enough to warrant posting those reviews again. Keep in mind, my reviews are based solely on my impressions of the books – I don’t give you the synopsis of them – you can find those on Amazon. But Charles Yallowitz has written some good books in this series. I highly recommend all of these books. Even if you think you are not a fantasy reader, I think you will enjoy them. They are well written and have sold well. So, what are you waiting for? You can buy all three for less than $5.

Beginning of a Hero is Book One. And I gave it five stars. It is selling for only 99 cents!

I won’t go through the synopsis. You can read that on your own.

This was a good book. No, it was a great book. There was adventure, a teensy bit of romance, great characters who were described in wonderful detail, and a story that kept you wanting to read more.

I’m not a typical fantasy genre reader. In fact, I bought this book and read several books before this one. I was putting it off because I was sure I wouldn’t like it. What a surprise. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the book. I was nervous partly because I dislike reading books where I can’t comfortably pronounce names. My preconceived idea that that would be the case with this book was thrown out the window. Okay, so all my preconceived notions were false.

This is the first book in a series. Definitely read this book. You won’t be disappointed. I loved it and have already downloaded #2, Prodigy of Rainbow Tower.

Prodigy of Rainbow Tower is Book two in the series. And again, I gave this book five stars. This book is only 99 cents!

As a non-fantasy reader, I jumped into Beginnings of a Hero in the Legends of Windemere series and really enjoyed it. So, it made perfect sense for me to read the next book in the series, Prodigy of Rainbow Tower.

The adventures continued – and I mean adventures, as in many adventures. Always with a twist and always fun. The humor in these books makes me smile – but the adventures were amazing. Luke and Nyx and the others jumped from one interesting battle into another. I know what you’re thinking – that they always survive unscathed. Not so, there were a couple of times that I was sure someone wasn’t going to make it with a healing potion in time. But that added to the heart pounding fun.

Really, I don’t typically read these kind of books. But I highly recommend these. They are well written and very entertaining.

Book Three in the Legends of Windemere series is Allure of the Gypsies. I gave this book five stars also. This book is $2.99.

I started reading this series not long after it was released. Beginning of a Hero reeled me in to Windemere. Prodigy sucked me even further in to the characters and events. Allure of the Gypsies was more engaging. There was great character development and as we follow Luke back to his home town, we learn more about his history and why he does things and thinks the way he does. Add in Nyx and now Sari, stir in the Lich and Trinity and Kalam and Isaiah and you have the makings of a great book. There are plenty of adventures thrown in to spice it up.

If you are looking for a grand fantasy book (series), I highly recommend Legends of Windemere. They are easy books to follow and I know I can’t wait for the next book in the series. You should also check out the author page for Charles Yallowitz and look at his other books.