Noah Zark by Susan Polk Van Dusen Book Review and Author Interview
Growing up, I had a hard time with change. Even something as simple as my family getting rid of an old car or throwing away old toys could be devastating
Category: Book Reviews
Book reviews from indie authors who send me a copy in exchange for honest reviews. Also, reviews of best sellers or new releases. There are also posts linking to books I’ve reviewed for LitPick.
Miranda Fights by Gail Ward Olmsted Book Review and Author Interview
As a children’s author and reviewer, I read a lot of picture books and chapter books aimed at readers who are decades younger than I am. And I love every
My Top 10 Books Read in 2024
The end of the year means another roundup of the books I’ve read this year. I got the chance to reread some books on my shelf, review loads of underappreciated
Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost by Colleen Olle Book Review and Author Interview
Conflict can be a tricky element to write in children’s books. You don’t want a conflict to become too scary or intense, but you also need it in order to
The Cat Who Chased Ghosts by Nic Minnella Book Review and Author Interview
A great ghost story needs the perfect mixture of a great setting, great backstory, and clear worldbuilding in order to make it stand out from the countless other ghost stories
WECU Inc. by Rick Stevens Book Review and Author Interview
Some of the best stories in children’s literature are friendship-based, and it’s always interesting to see how those friendships unfold and how the friends work together to solve a conflict.
Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose Book Review
Whenever I review indie books, I find myself being extra gentle in my critiques. Maybe it’s knowing that they don’t have a large team of people to help edit, design,
The Decision/A Novel of Germany by Karen A. Wyle Book Review and Author Interview
There’s a scene in Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans in which his main character, Sammy, is caught crashing his toy trains over and over again, fueled by the fear of having
Fashionably Fit, Fatally Flawed! By Sharon Kay Book Review and Author Interview
The mystery and crime genre can be a dark and gory world that can both attract and disturb readers. It’s addictive, but not always healthy, to dive into grisly murders,
Going Home by Marci Wilson Book Review and Author Interview
Romance novels are a literary comfort food. All you need are some familiar ingredients, likable characters, and a satisfying ending. The Cloverton series by Haven Saunders and Marci Wilson explores
What’s So Special About A Tree? By Susan Polk Van Dusen Book Review and Author Interview
Aside from animal books, the most popular type of picture book requests that come my way are nature-based. A lot of authors love to introduce children to peaceful and serene
Coco the Mooing Horse by Leila Summers Book Review and Author Interview
When I was a kid, my family had this collection of easy reader books that contained stories compiled of 50 or so beginning words. In the back of the book
The Whistling Kettle Book Club Into the Water and Blood Orange Tea
The Whistling Kettle Book Club pick for July 2024 is Into the Water by Paula Hawkins which has been paired with their blood orange tea. This mystery is packed with
The Demon Secret by Dan Gindlesperger Book Review and Author Interview
To me, there is nothing scarier than the idea of being possessed. A killer can brutally murder you. A monster can eat you. A vampire can suck you dry. But
Dickie the Dinosaur and His Best Pal Dot by James D. Robinson Book Review and Author Interview
Ask people their top five favorite topics as a kid, and you are likely to find dinosaurs on most lists. There’s something intriguing about these dragon-like animals from long ago