Bait (Order of the Spirit Realm, Book 1) by K.C. Blake (Kasi Blake) BOOK REVIEW

Bait (Order of the Spirit Realm, Book 1)
by K.C. Blake (Kasi Blake)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite 

When you have grown up all your life, moving from place to place all the time because there are real monsters hunting you, you sleep with a dagger under your pillow. Bay-Lee Bishop does, but on the night that she is visited by dead rocker Tyler Beck, she doesn't have a chance to reach for it. Good thing because they become the main characters of the story, Bait (Order of the Spirit Realm Book 1). After Tyler's visit, Bay-Lee is visited by a Reaper, and finally it is time for her to follow her father to his famous school for monster hunters, Van Helsing's Academy. Being the head guys daughter is not easy, and Bay-Lee enters school with a target on her back. She must learn to find and make friends, cope with a prophecy and deal with dead rocker Tyler Beck's alter-ego, Nick who turns out to be her mentor. Kasi Blake creates the story of two realms, the world and the spirit, and between them monsters, in the forms of werewolves, vampires and more cross over to destroy humans. Hunters are here to prevent that from happening.

Bait is a terrific blend of action and adventure, mystery and intrigue, and a little teenage romance tempered with parental conflict. Paranormal or fantasy, it is a compelling story that will keep readers of all ages turning the pages wanting to see what happens next. Kasi Blake gives the young adult-teen reader set a new world order to follow and find something to look forward to in the next book. Even though there is a bit of a teenage romance, there is no sex, perfect for this age range!

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Divided Against Yourselves by: Bill Hiatt BOOK REVIEW

Divided against Yourselves
by Bill Hiatt


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite 

Divided Against Yourselves is the second book in the Spell Weavers series, but unlike a number of series this book can be read on it's own without having read the first book and without feeling lost. Tal is a teenager dealing with reincarnation, in fact he is the reincarnation of the original Taliesin, a bard in King Arthur's court. Tal has successfully to this point merged his past lives together with his present life quite well. His best friend Stan is also a reincarnation, but his is not going so well. He past life as King David wants to take control too often. Even after defeating the witch Ceridwen last Halloween, Tal and the guys think they can relax and go back to normal life, only for Tal to be surprised by the appearance of Morgan Le Fay, who help Ceridwen at Halloween. Tal and his warriors work to figure out what Morgan wants and how to protect everyone at the same time. Bill Haitt does a wonderful job of weaving a magic tale into a modern day high school and making it work.

This is the first book I can remember reading that took on the reincarnation topic as a theme to the magic. It was novel of Bill Haitt to think of that plotline for a story, and it made this story compelling and interesting. It also opened a number of question that have me asking what is the next book after Divided Against Yourselves. I found the teenagers in the book to be real and remind me of my own teenagers at home, some of the bantering between the boys is stuff I hear coming from the boys in my sons room all the time. I felt the story was well developed and the action scenes would entertain and keep a good range of boys interested in reading. There is a puppy love vs. true love kind of thing, you know the kind that happens when you're sixteen through that along with the magic would keep girls reading. There are so many different side stories and themes in the book that are weaved together so well into a complete story that it will appeal to a great variety of readers.

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Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by: Andrea Cremer BOOK REVIEW

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
My Author Post
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wolfsbane is the follow-up book to Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. I couldn't wait to get my hand on this book, because if you read Nightshade, you know that we were left on a bit of a cliff. This book picks up on that cliff.

Calla awakens to find out that life as she knew it is over, and that everything she had ever thought was right was really wrong, that she has been lied to her entire life. The rules have changed and she has been on the wrong side the whole time. This is a big shock, and it takes awhile to sink in, but the first task is to rescue her pack and Ren.

Of course Shay is not all that happy about the Ren part, but he is for recusing all the others, and then Shay finds out all the things that he is going to have to do and what he has to be and it is a whirlwind.

When Calla returns to Vail with the Searchers to rescue the pack, you find some of the horrible things that happened the night her and Shay escaped. You also find out who is still loyal to Calla and the Nightshade and who has flipped over to the Banes.

This book is full of discovery, and fighting, and finding out who really is in your corner when it all comes down to it. I don't know what it is about the way it is written, but something pulls at me, and I just want to jump into the story and be friends with Ren and Calla and Shay.

This is so well written and the story flows so well that you will sit down to start reading and the next thing you know the book will be done. It is a great read. Again, since the main characters are 17-18 years old, it's marked young adult, but I think it is good for anyone. I even passed the series on to my 14 year old son, only because of the shape-shifters though but he is enjoying it.

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Of Dreams and Shadow (Forget Me Not, #1) by D. S. McKnight BOOK REVIEW

Of Dreams and Shadow by D.S. McKnight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I belong to a number of book groups, writing groups and reading groups. In one of those groups, I was asked to read this book and write a review for the author. I agreed, because I love to read and write, but I made it clear that my review would be my honest opinion, they agreed and and I read Of Dreams and Shadow on my Kindle.

You might call it a Young Adult novel, since the main characters are teenagers in High School. I really didn't think of it that way, I barely remembered at times they were in High School because of the story. Even if you think you don't like anything labeled as Young Adult, give this a try, it's really not what you would think of as Young Adult, a little more mature.

The story starts with the disappearance of a bright little four year old girl named Sarah, that is witnessed by the next door neighbor boy, Chase also four, but no one can believe what he tells them. It's a mystery. Fast forward twelve years and a new family moves in next door to a teenage Chase, and they have a teenage daughter his age.

As Jenna adjusts to moving from the big city of Charlotte to the small town of Parson's Cove, in the middle of the school year no less, she makes friends and enemies. She thinks the boy next door, Chase is an enemy, but there is more beneath what he is thinking, every time he sees her he is reminded of Sarah.

The story plays out as Jenna and Chase learn to be friends, and learn more about the truth of what really happened to Sarah. It was just as Chase saw it happen, it is just that it doesn't make sense then, now at the older ages, and learning the things they do, it makes more sense.

I really enjoyed the book, it only took me two days to read, and that is only because I had to put it down and stop reading for awhile to take care of the family, or I would have read it straight through! I liked it! Young adult, ok they are teens, but it wasn't the annoying coming of age that a number of young adults have been recently. Paranormal, in a way but not as much as you would think. It's more about the idea that there is more than just life or death, but something in between.

I found it to be well written, to captivate my senses and draw me in. Yes, there were a few times when I wanted to smack Jenna in the head and say "Girl, are you dense?" but only a few, and then I had to remember she is suppose to be a junior in high school, so maybe I should cut her some slack.

This book stands on it's own, but from the ending, I can see where there is an opening to carry on with the books ideas and move into another story. I liked that it stood alone, that I didn't feel I needed another book to finish the story. It ends on a good enough note that you feel the closure of the story and you can move on, it's not a cliffhanger. I am so tried of reading books that end leaving you guessing and you have to read another just to get closure.

Overall, I gave this a high rating, and I normally don't do 5 stars, but it deserves them. It was just a good book that anyone can enjoy, not just young adults, trust me I have teens at home, so I am no spring chicken and I loved it!

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James Potter and The Morrigan Web (James Potter, #4) by G. Norman Lippert BOOK REVIEW

James Potter and The Morrigan Web by G. Norman Lippert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

James Potter and the Morrigan Web is the 4th book in the series. It is in a genre called fan-fiction, which means that is is based on the ever-popular Harry Potter series, but not written by the same author. This being the case, Norman Lippert does a wonderful job staying true to the charcters and the places of the original book.

Now, for my little soapbox speech, since this is fan-fiction, you can not buy these books. They are only available for free on his website. Yep, he doesn't get a dime for writing them, just our love of them. Anyone who knows writing or reading books, knows what it takes to write a book. Now, Norman is honest in that he would like to write the 5th book, already has a title, but is just not sure he can. My plea to everyone, if you have read any of the James Potter series, you read this review and you like it, buy some of this guys other books. They are all good. Let's support this guy though the works that he does get paid for so he can continue to write the ones that he gives us for free.

This book begins with the veil of secrecy being torn. when that happened the great Wizard city of New Amsterdam, which would be like New York City and just happens to be about fifty feet in the air above New York, so when the veil is gone, all the sudden, all these Muggles see this great city above them. Of course it freaks them out! Now, this of course brings out the different factions of people, the ones who want to repair the veil quickly and return to a world apart of wizards and muggles seperate, another that wants to make use of the tear and try to live together in harmony, and then the age old group that wants to enslave the muggles even if it means acting like they want harmony first.

I find this a history repeating itself theme, it happened in the Harry books. Voldemort rose, the next generation cme along and he was able to rise again, now with the next generation of James, the threat is rising again. But don't think it only happens it books, it happens in real like all the time. Let's see, Slavery in United States, Holacaust in Germany, genocide in Africa and on and on the list goes, we never seem to learn from our mistakes. The same things happen over and over again.

As a parent, this was one thing I loved about the Harry Potter and now the James Potter books. I could read them with my kids, and we could enjoy the stories and another world, but at the same time, the themes, the issues could be brought back and related to current events and things that are going on in our world today. It was a wonderful way to have a conversation with my kids. I think it is a great tool for any parent, and everyone knows that parents need all the tools they can get in keeping communication open with their kids.

It's really hard to give much about the book without giving it all away. Just know that all your favorites are there. Professors Longbottom and McGonnal, James, Albus and Lily, Rose and Scopious, Ralph and Zane. Of course it would be a Potter book without a visit from the old guard, Harry and Ginny, Ron and Herminoe and even Haqrid.

The story is well-written, it's captivating and entertaining. It keeps you wanting to read, and although it is completely different than the Harry Potter series, it doesn't feel that different, it seems natural that things would have grown and changed, although not much in the time that Harry has been away from school. It all just works well together.

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James Potter and the Vault of Destinies (James Potter, #3) by G. Norman Lippert BOOK REVIEW

James Potter and the Vault of Destinies by G. Norman Lippert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The James Potter series is a fan fiction book written by Norman Lippert in response to the Harry Potter series, taking up after it and following the next generation.

I have enjoyed the James Potter series, enjoyed catching up with the characters. I still liked this book, and although I thought it was well written, it was more of Mr Lipperts own though. This book took place in the United States at their wizard school, and I found that even as it was good, I really missed Hogwarts, there is just something magical about Hogwarts and England that the USA can't convey.

Still it was a great adventure and school ending, and it fulfilled a need to continue on with the story.

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James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1) by G Norman Lippert BOOK REVIEW

James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing by G. Norman Lippert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I found this book by chance as I had just downloaded the Goodreads App to my new phone and I was searching ebooks available through it, this came up and since I had loved the original series I knew I had to try this.

This is a book written not by the original author of the Harry Potter series, J K Rowling, but by another author and it is written in a genre call fan fiction. This was new to me but apparently there are a great number of these type if books written. The other thing I learned was that the author of this book does not make any money on this book because the characters are registered to another author, but he still writes them for the fans who want them.

This book follows Harry and Ginny's first born, James in his first year at Hogwarts. James finds his own adventures at Hogwarts even without Voldemort around to cause havoc. James has to deal with his own fears and expectations. He is worried about living up to his fathers expectations although his parents put no pressure on him, he still feels like a failure when he doesn't make the Quidditch team,

This book is well written and a tribute to the original books. It deviates from the original making this more his own but that doesn't bother me. The connection between the characters of the original and this book are wonderful and really make you feel it all goes together. It was such a joy to return to Hogwarts.


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AUTHOR: G. Norman Lippert

Author:  G. Norman Lippert

Goodreads Author Page
Author's Website                        

James Potter Series

1.  James Potter and the Hall of Elder's Crossing
E-Book Link                    My Review Link                   E-Book Link

2.  James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper
E-Book Link                    E-Book Link

3.  James Potter and the Vault of Destinies
E-Book Link                    My Review Link                   

4.  James Potter and the Morrigan Web
My Review Link

E-Books on Goodreads.com

1.  Harry's First Christmas
E-Book Link                    My Review Link

2.  Merlin's Gift
E-Book Link

3.  Petra's Getaway
E-Book Link

Other Books - not in a series

The Girl on the Dock - A Dark Fairy Tale
Author Website Link                  Amazon Link

The Riverhouse
Amazon Link

Ruins of Camelot
Amazon Link

Flyover Country
E-Book Link

***Please note****

The James Potter books are in a genre called FAN FICTION meaning they are based on another author's work, which means that this author can write the stories, but can not sell them. They are available on his website for free.  This means that it takes longer for him to write on, as he needs to write a book that does sell to pay the bills so he can write the FAN FICTION.  Once you read one you will understand why this is such a great thing, and why I am begging you to support this author so that he may continue to write the free FAN FICTION books.  Thank you!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) by J.K. Rowling BOOK REVIEW

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final book in the series. This is the build up of all the books to this final confrontation and the final battle, only one person will survive, the world will go one of two ways.

There has been so much build up to this book over the life of the series, would it fulfill the build up or would it leave readers flat?

The book is good, I still felt part of the story and I still cheered for each person. I would encourage people to read the book for that reason alone.

The seventh book should be following Harry, Ron and Herminoe in their seventh and final year of school at Hogwarts, but to say that things are not that simple is an understatement. Voldermort is back and in moire power than ever, no matter what anyone says. It's not safe to go back to school this year, so they are on the run.

Secrets of the past are revealed that change perceptions and beliefs that they held for long times about people. Their loyalities and trusts are put to the test and in the end, the true test of friendship, honor, and good vs evil will play out in the most epic battle ever.

I'm not about to give away anymore than that, but know that it is worth the read, at least once if not multiple times. I have had a number of deep and theological conversations with my kids during and after they read this book. It has been a wonderful conversation starter and I thank the author for that.

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) by J.K. Rowling BOOK REVIEW

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Half Blood Prince is the sixth book in the series, following Harry through the sixth year of school at Hogwarts. The basics are the same, we see the school, the characters in a new adventure, a new plot to kill Harry and take over the world, and a new reason to try to stop it. As all this is going once watch the human element, being the growth of each person, their own questions, the relationships changing and the shifting of alliances and emotions.

Here the characters are older, they are coming up on the last years of school, the return of Voldemort is public knowledge and the world has changed in strange ways. Families are pushed in ways that no one would have thought. This year sees differences, and it ramps up for the coming final struggle.

The book is written so that you feel part of the story, part of the characters lives, wanting them to succeed and do well. It is a mark of a great author who can make you feel like you belong in the story.

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) by J.K. Rowling BOOK REVIEW

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book in the series, and follows Harry through his fifth year of school at Hogwarts. The book continues to follow the friendships and romances of Harry, Ron and Hermione as they continue to grow and find their way in the world. There is a new adventure, new secrets and old relationships that all intertwine and effect everything in their lives.

This year Harry is not so well liked in the wizard world, because no one wants to believe that Voldemort is really back and that Harry and Dumbledore are telling the truth. This sets in motion a series of events that puts Harry on the outside looking in this school year, yet at the same time he finds who his real friends really are.

Again the book is well written, it had me yelling at people not to keep secrets, to tell the truth, to give some credit to the other person,I felt completely in the story. Every book she writes has me doing that and it only comes from a truly great author and enjoyable story. This is definitely one of this authors and stories.

I have read this book to my children, with my children and for myself. I find something different in the story each time I read it and with each child I read it with I find that they key in on different things. I find that such a joy and love the conversations that we have had over this book, and the rest of the series. I recommend it to parents and children all the time.

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4) by J.K.Rowling BOOK REVIEW

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series, and follows Harry potter through his fourth year of school at Hogwarts. The fourth year brings us a new adventure, a new attempt on Harry's life and more friends, growing friendships, budding romances, new teachers, and new enemies.

Each book brings greater attempts on Harry's life as he grows older. He is more capable of defending himself in each year, and yet each push him to the limits of what he should or does know at that point in his schooling. It takes the work of Harry, Ron and Herminone together to make it through, and that is part of the joy. This isn't just Harry saving the world, but real teamwork and working together.

As always, the book is well written, the story captivates you, pulls you in and finds you rooting for Harry, crying at the mistakes and cheering for more. I am always amazed at each book at how well the author is able to make each book new and to grow the characters in each book that it feels like real life and you want to continue reading to see where they all end up.

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) by J.K.Rowling BOOK REVIEW

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Prisoner of Azkaban is the third book in the Harry Potter series, which follows Harry through his third year of school.

As with the other books in the series, we watch Harry through a year of school. He, Ron and Herimone continue to grow their relationships and find the friendship that they each need so much and find their places in life.

In this story Harry is faced with an escaped prisoner on the lose And many stories of the man, but which is true, is he out to get Harry or is something else going on, how will he find the truth, and will he find it before its too late.

As with the whole series, the book is well written and engages you and pulls you into the story and you want more and want to read more.

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Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone (#1) by J.K. Rowling BOOK REVIEW

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Some days you just have to go back a read a good book again, and that has been me in the last couple of weeks. I watched the Harry Potter movies on tv with the kids, and it just gave me a desire to go back and to read the books, so much is edited from the movies, and I understand that, but that is another reason I love the books so much more that the movies.

Everyone knows that this is the first book in the Harry Potter series, and it begins with some brief information about how Harry came to be living with his Aunt and Uncle, and not so much as to why they hated him so much, but a little. It also starts the story of Harry learning more about his parents and the truth about who he was and what he was, a wizard. I really love the beginning sequence with the Durdsley's trying to prevent and later run away form the owls that are delivering Harry's school letters. That is one of my favorite parts.

This book also introduces Ron Weasley, his soon to be best friend, and Hermoine Granger to Harry. It builds that bond between the three that will continue to course through all the books, growing and changing and they grown and change. Harry meets the Weasley family quite by accident, and yet it is probably the best family he could have hoped to met. Could imagine how the book might have been different had it been a different family that helped Harry onto the train, say the Malfoy's for example?

Another thing I really like about reading the books, is the backstories, the filling in of facts, what happened before that is in the books, but only skimmed over and revealing the bare minimum in the movies. I love hearing that. In fact, I know the author is done with this series, but I would love to have a book on the whole series from Hadrig's view with his backstory included, and one from Snape, and Dumblevore and even Professor McGongall, and how about Mr and Mrs Weasley, now that would be a story!

This is a great book series for kids and adults alike. If you have a child that doesn't like to read, says books a boring, then sit and read this story with them, even if you are the one doing all the reading, that is what I did with my son, reading it to him a little at a time, and he became so engrossed in the books, that by the time I finished reading them to him, he went back and checked them out of the library and read them to himself! And this was a child that struggled with reading! This book has my full endorsement!

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