Book Review: Secret of the Sonnets by Samantha Hastings

…“When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.” — William Shakespeare , excerpt from Sonnet 18 Summary This regency mystery centers around a woman named Miranda’s quest to find the lost manuscript of William Shakespeare. With theContinue reading “Book Review: Secret of the Sonnets by Samantha Hastings”

Storymakers Conference 2023: TBR’s

What a blessing it was to attend the 20th Anniversary of Storymakers Conference this month! I took advantage of opportunities to network with writers from Latter-day Saints who write in my genre, received instruction from experts in their writing field, and obtained feedback for my novel chapters. I also was pleased to learn the importanceContinue reading “Storymakers Conference 2023: TBR’s”

Announcement: Publication in Gladiator (2000) Anthology

I recently contributed an essay entitled “‘…But Not Yet’: Reflections on Juba, the Spirit Guide and ‘Eternal Echo’ of Gladiator” to a new anthology published by Vernon Press, which celebrates the anniversary of Ridley Scott’s seminal epic film Gladiator (2000). For those of you who are fans of this timeless film and the character JubaContinue reading “Announcement: Publication in Gladiator (2000) Anthology”

Series Review: Tales from the Haunted Mansion by Amicus Arcane, John Esposito, Kelley Jones

Being the fan of Disney’s The Haunted Mansion ride—and of ghost stories for all ages—that I am, I was ecstatic to hear from my aunt that she saw this collection at Costco. These four books each showcase short tales from the narration of the mansion librarian (who occasionally breaks the third wall and inserts hisContinue reading “Series Review: Tales from the Haunted Mansion by Amicus Arcane, John Esposito, Kelley Jones”

Book Review: Bloodline by Kathi Oram Peterson

This was a gem among the crime novels that I have seen at Deseret Book, mainly because it also had elements of historical fiction—a genre that I treasure. Summary Flight attendant Skye struggles to come to grips with her aunt’s sudden disappearance after she herself is rescued by a handsome Scottish stranger. However, after discoveringContinue reading “Book Review: Bloodline by Kathi Oram Peterson”

Book Review: To Die, To Sleep by Stephanie Black

Deseret Book sells far more thrillers than I would expect from a church bookstore, but each one I’ve read, I haven’t been disappointed. This one is no exception. It’s nice to read a genre that I like without the sex, swearing, and gratuitous violence that sometimes almost always seems to accompany the genre. Not toContinue reading “Book Review: To Die, To Sleep by Stephanie Black”

Book Review: A Revolution of Hearts by Rhonda Gibb Hinrichsen

I like to witness authors using familiar classics for the setting of their stories. Being the fan of The Scarlet Pimpernel that I am, I was intrigued that the author decided to tell her own story with this setting, so I decided to give it a chance. Summary Set in the backdrop of the FrenchContinue reading “Book Review: A Revolution of Hearts by Rhonda Gibb Hinrichsen”

Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

I’m not one for popular fiction or fantasy for that matter, so my expectations for this book were pretty low, given that I abandoned the City of Bones series only a few chapters in. However, after someone from my book recommendations Facebook group recommended this one to me after I mentioned that I was lookingContinue reading “Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare”

Book Review: The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

I came upon this audiobook by mere happenstance at a sale at my local library. 10 discs about a girl mystic hunted down by the friars of a medieval inquisition? Right up my alley. Medieval religious history is something that has always fascinated me as well as learning more about the martyrs of the reformation,Continue reading “Book Review: The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry”

Book Review: The Girl in the Locked Room

Book #1 in Mary Downing Hahn’s “Chilling Tales & Frightful Adventures” Collection It’s time to start the first book of my recent Costco investment, which is a collection of my favorite ghost-story children’s author’s ghost stories! I’ve only read one of Mary Downing Hahn’s ghost stories before, so I’m excited to delve into the restContinue reading “Book Review: The Girl in the Locked Room”