Category: book review

November 12, 2025

Totally Possum

Possum just wants to dance, and she is prepared to DAZZLE! But will one moment change all of this?

About Totally Possum

Possum just wants to dance, and she is prepared to DAZZLE! After an embarrassing moment shatters her dream of performing in the school talent show, she decides to run away deep into the woods. Will she ever dance again? An early reader chapter book, Totally Possum introduces children to the world of independent reading, while addressing the prevalent emotions of adolescence. Additionally, glossaries are provided to help readers grow their understanding of performance terminology and connect to Chikashshanompa’ (the Chickasaw language).

My Thoughts

Being comfortable and confident in ourselves isn’t easy. It is a skill that takes time to develop and it can be easy to falter and be fearful. I strongly believe that these skills are so important for our little ones to learn, as it is these skills and words that will stay with them as they become adults. This provides them the courage to try new things and to embrace both our strengths and the areas that we aren’t as strong in.

I loved how this book explored how Possum wants to be themself in the beginning – they don’t want to be compared to their siblings and others. They just want to dance and be free to be who they are. But this can be scary when we make a mistake. Possum has the tools (box breathing) to try to work through some of this anxiety, but it can be daunting when something goes wrong and you feel scared and embarrassed.

Possum goes through all of these emotions and more during a performance when they freeze. Possum just cannot escape being frozen and becomes angry, sad and just unhappy and they escape to the woods. Possum goes on a special journey and discovers that this part of them (freezing) is not a weakness, but something that makes them special. After reflection and speaking with other animals, Possum realizes how truly special they are and has the courage to try again. This time Possum is able to find the courage to work through their fears and put on quite the show!

This was a wonderful early reader book for children that teaches us that what may be a perceived weakness is actually what makes us special. It is our own special power to embrace and showcase for the world to see and love.

You can pre-order a copy on Amazon.

About the Author

Trey Hays grew up in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and has been heavily involved with theater, including productions at Murray State College in Tishomingo, East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, Tishomingo’s Way Off Broadway Players, and Ada Community Theater. He enjoys, singing, playing the Native American flute, ukulele, guitar, and leading group drumming activities. He also has a love for wildlife and enjoys spending time outdoors. He currently teaches general music at Tishomingo Elementary and believes that fostering a love of music and creative expression makes the world a better place.

About the Illustrator

Eli Corbin has been artistic from a young age. He received his certification in graphic design from Kiamichi Technology Center in Durant, Oklahoma, and enjoys spending most of his free time drawing. Little Loksi is Eli’s debut into the world of book illustration.

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post, all opinions expressed are my own.

October 27, 2025

Sister Acts

Sister Acts: Four sisters. Four clashing personalities. Four different ways of living in the world.

About Sister Acts

Four sisters. Four clashing personalities. Four different ways of living in the world.

Sister Acts explores the impact of loss on three generations of one family –- in particular, the degree to which, to paraphrase Phyllis Chesler, women are capable of inhumanity toward other women. At times heartbreaking and at times hilarious, the novel illuminates the resilience that can come from knowing one’s roots and the estrangement that can result from trying to escape them.

Sophie Malinsky’s sudden death leaves her Left-wing Jewish family in disarray. Rather than bringing her young daughters closer, the loss creates a tangle of jealousies and recriminations. Rose, the eldest, recognizing their father’s limitations, at first tries to become a surrogate mother for her three sisters. But they resent her efforts, each one channeling – or repressing – her grief in a different way. In the absence of Sophie’s love and guidance, two sisters lose their way. Naomi moves to Mexico and tries to shed her Jewish identity. Betti ends up in Nashville pursuing a dream, never realized, of stardom as a rockabilly musician. A fourth sister, Marla, strives for dominance from an early age. Her jealousy of Rose leads to a toxic rivalry that persists well into middle age, affecting their own daughters as well. Lurking behind the conflicts is a family secret that Sophie had planned, but failed, to reveal. Decades later, when Rose finally uncovers it, the Malinskys’ saga finally comes into sharp focus.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and B&N.

About the Author

Sharon Adelman Reyes is a writer, editor, and equestrienne in Oregon, living on the slopes of an extinct volcano and looking out on an active one. During a lengthy professional career, she has published various works drawing on her experiences in multicultural teaching. Sister Acts is her first novel.

You can connect with Sharon on Goodreads.

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 20, 2025

The Quest for Freedom

In The Quest for Freedom, four hundred and seventy-three years later, Fletcher Rush starts his journey to free his kind and conquer the planet.

About The Quest for Freedom

Affer was once a peaceful planet, until a war broke out between its six inhabiting species. The humans, who were once the mightiest force on Affer, were massacred in droves, and the ones who survived the onslaught were reduced to mere slaves. The five other species divided the humans amongst themselves and returned to their respective kingdoms.

The years passed, turning into decades and centuries, without any change. Eventually, the humans had accepted their fate as slaves. All except one. Four hundred and seventy-three years later, Fletcher Rush starts his journey to free his kind…and conquer the planet.

You can purchase the book on MattDeVitt, Amazon, B&N, and Bookshop.

About the Author

I enjoy writing and bringing worlds to life. After years of practicing my craft, I have finally applied all my skills to create Conquest. A story that is nonstop action and was inspired by my favorite fantasy stories.

I find no greater joy than making stories that people enjoy reading.

You can connect with the author on their website, X, Instagram and Goodreads.

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 15, 2025

One Foot in the Ether

In One Foot in the Ether, the living and the dead must unite, recovering the lost knowledge of their craft as they learn that some spirits don’t rest easy, and in Pendle, they’re clawing their way back from the past.

About One Foot in the Ether

Death wasn’t the end.

More than two hundred and fifty years after the infamous Pendle Witch Trials, the spirits of rival witches Demdike and Chattox remain tethered to their bloodlines—watching, waiting, and bound by unfinished business.

Now, in the late eighteen hundreds, a pragmatic midwife and a troubled young psychic—descendants of the two witches—are drawn into a haunting legacy. An ancient being is stirring—an angry god of the old world, hungry for vengeance and ready to consume the future.

To stop it, the living and the dead must unite, recovering the lost knowledge of their craft. Whilst facing age-old problems and new foes. Some spirits don’t rest easy, and in Pendle, they’re clawing their way back from the past.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Enter to win a signed copy of the book here (US only).

About the Author

Kayleigh Kavanagh is a disabled writer from the North-West of England. Growing up in the area, she learnt a lot about the Pendle Witches and launched her debut novel around their life story. Her main writing genres are fantasy and romance, but she loves stories in all formats. Kayleigh hopes to one day be able to share the many ideas dancing around in her head with the world.

You can connect with her on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 5, 2025

It’s Time for Halloween

Perfect for Halloween lovers of all ages, It’s Time for Halloween is a celebration of one of the best times of the year.

About It’s Time for Halloween

An ode to Halloween and the joys of trick or treating, this colorful, chunky, die-cut board book is meant to be displayed face-out on nursery bookshelves.

Follow along for trick-or-treating through the neighborhood on Halloween night!

“Grab your hat, vampire bat
Fill your tummy, mummy

Dress it up, little pup
Howl at the moon, big baboon”

Every page turn reveals a new layer to Kathrin Fehrl’s adorable illustrations of kids dressed up as ghosts, pumpkins, cats, witches, mummies, and fairies, with a fun seek-and-find for each scene. Perfect for Halloween lovers of all ages, this sweet story is a celebration of one of the best times of the year.

Our Thoughts

Halloween is by far one of my favourite holidays of the year. I love the colours, the pumpkins, the costumes and the excitement that you can feel building up in your neighborhood.

This was an adorable hardcover book for young children. I loved the simplicity but impact with the words that were chosen to tell the story. I had so much fun with our little one being able to change the tone of my voice as we turned each page and explored Halloween night with different costumes and treats. Each page also included an activity, such as which costume is your favourite, how many pumpkins can you see? This encouraged participation from my older son, who wanted to participate in reading time with his littler sister.

The illustrations are just lovely and bring the spirit and magic of Halloween to life. Some of the images are slightly raised and sparkly, our little one enjoyed running her hands over the images and the sparkles gave this spooky holiday a bright and whimsical feel.

It’s Time for Hallowe’en is a wonderful addition to your home library for your little one as you work up this magical night.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Kathrin Fehrl is an illustrator who has worked with Ravensburger, Cottage Door Press, High Five Magazine, Imperial College London, Westminster City Council, and more. She is based in Germany.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.