Tag Archives: pirates

December 6, 2024 · 7:00 am

Grandma Marjorie and the Feathered Pirate by Melissa Robinson (Book Review)

You might not believe me… but my Grandma is MAGICAL!

Mel has always known that Grandma Marjorie was special, but one sunny summer day she learns just how MARVELOUS she really is! What begins as an ordinary day of baking brownies transforms into an extraordinary adventure.

Mel’s safe and cozy world turns into a whirlwind of excitement as she, Grandma, and Grandma’s parrot, Misty, embark on an action-packed journey through Mystic, CT.

Unexpected perils lie in wait and Mel discovers that Grandma has more surprises in store than she ever imagined.

A fun adventure story for younger readers celebrating the relationship between grandmother & granddaughter.

In the spirit of classics like Pippi Longstocking, Matilda, and Mary Poppins, this book will create shared cherished, magical memories that last a lifetime!

For Children Ages 3-12 years old and their parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles but especially Grandmas!

This book includes a Read-Along Audio Flipbook AND Coming Soon: A Descriptive Audiobook and Videobook with ASL Transcription.

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

“In the spirit of classics like Pippi Longstocking, Matilda, and Mary Poppins, this book will create shared cherished, magical memories that last a lifetime!”

 

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word grandma? Did you picture a little old lady with gray hair who moves at a snail’s pace? A purse containing butterscotch candies? An endless stream of tissues coming from her sleeve? Did you suddenly smell a batch of fresh-baked cookies or the cream for her aching body? These are stereotypical descriptions of a grandma. These do not describe Mel’s grandma, Marjorie Fish! 

At a young age, Marjorie Fish vowed never to grow up, and she kept that promise. Grandma’s outer form resembled an older adult, but inside, she had the spirit and energy of a young kid. I was most impressed that she could juggle and play the piano simultaneously! Amazing!

Mel discovered her grandma differed from other kids’ grandparents. Having a parrot is not such an out-of-the-box idea for a pet. Having a parrot that towers over an adult because the humans have magically shrunk is! Grandma and Mel soared around town on the back of Grandma’s feathery sidekick, Misty Morning Crimson Sunset (Misty, for short). They first landed on a lighthouse where trouble awaited in the form of seagulls. Seagulls are notorious for stealing people’s belongings, but Grandma wasn’t giving up the goods without a fight. You’ll have to read the book to discover how she bested the annoying birds. 

Grandma’s energy didn’t waver once during the adventurous ride. She soared through the skies, took on a flock of seagulls, nosedived off Misty, and still had the energy to make brownies. Phew. I hope I have an eighth of her energy when I reach her age! 

Grandma Marjorie and the Feathered Pirate celebrate grandmas worldwide and the joy and fun they bring us—evident in the entertaining storyline and rib-tickling illustrations. I recommend reading it the next time you visit your grandma! 

The synopsis states the book is intended for children 3-12. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

I’ve loved books since before I could read. My stories are inspired by real-life adventures, infused with a healthy dose of whimsy. I aspire to cultivate a unique storytelling voice that is both relatable and enchanting and to produce books that bring loved ones together.

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February 15, 2024 · 7:00 am

Kris & The Pirates: The Adventures of Kris by Art Blegen (Book Review)

It was supposed to be a fun day at the beach.

In the middle of the ocean, Kris finds an island with beautiful, sandy beaches. The ideal place to go swimming! Once she can teach the biggest, strongest sailor not to be afraid of the water, that is.
The perfect day is interrupted when a bunch of pirates appear out of the jungle. They capture the crew and chase Kris through the jungle. Now the pirates are trying to steal the ship and leave Kris and the crew stranded on the island.

Can Kris escape the Pirates?
Can she rescue the crew?
Can they steal their own ship back and get home?

Kris & The Pirates is the next installment of The Adventures of Kris, where imagination and friendship can overcome any obstacle.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Have you been so engrossed in a book that you felt like living it? Could you picture the characters and the locations or even hear a foreign accent as dialogue is exchanged? Kris, the heroine, gave new meaning to being immersed in a good book! In the real world, she was a typical kid, complaining about not wanting to do something a parent, her dad, asked her to do. In this case, that would be attending a costume party in March. She understood dressing up for Halloween, but a costume party in March was stupid, according to her. Kris would rather get lost in a good book. Me too! 

When Kris cracked open her current read, she found herself smack dab in the thick of things. She felt the breeze on her face, watched in amazement as dolphins played, and moved around the ship as easily as she did her bedroom in the real world. Kris’s biggest problem was the captain’s annoying son, James. That soon quickly changed when they went ashore, and they were given an unfriendly welcome by several stranded pirates who were ready to leave.

As Kris searched for food, her path crossed with several talking animals. Stevie, the sloth, spoke as slowly as he moved. Sam, the snake, stretched out every “s” and gave kisses. Kris met Michael, king of monkeys, who was always in the mood to play a game. Other animals were present on the island—some who aided Kris and one particular animal that was just plain mean, like those awful pirates. 

Kris and The Pirates was two stories in one. In the pirate world, Kris seeks help from the multiple talking jungle animals she met while searching for food and a hiding spot! The real world was not as exciting as the island, but one encounter did cause her to scream in fright. How and why will only be unveiled if you read the book, and I highly recommend you read the book!

After I finished the story, I wondered if Kris’s time as a sailor was real or if it was just a person’s imagination gone wild. Whatever the answer is, I (again) recommend you read the book. Why? Because it’s that good! It has action, suspense, humor, and (let’s not forget) talking animals! 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Art Blegen is the author of imaginative chapter books for readers from 6 to 10 years old. He is an advocate for children to ensure they have a balance of positive examples in their lives. Wholesome stories and a healthy imagination can lay the foundation they will use for the rest of their lives.

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February 20, 2023 · 7:00 am

Ferryman (Creepy Creations) by T.B. Phillips (Book Review)

A coastal town faces dark magic in this spine-crawling thriller by T.B. Phillips!

Here is a gripping novel blending historical fiction, set in the New England town of Newport, Rhode Island. In 1695, this haven for pirates boasted names like the notorious Thomas Tew and William Mays, each among the wealthiest pirates in history. Taking place not long after the Salem Witch Trials, witches were abundant in the colony as well, and dark magic had made its way up from the West Indies via Africa.

As a coven hides its rituals beneath a rocky shore, Curtis Charles, a young man terrified of the sea, stumbles upon family secrets. Swept into a tempest of betrayal, lies, and schemes, the fabric of his world rips apart while pirates and witches compete over a sinister treasure. Their greed will be judged when the Ferryman comes…

A full length-novel adaptation of the Ferryman Tales comic series created by Chris Hays and McLain McGuire.

Written by T.B. Phillips, Master Storyteller of Pirates, Science Fiction, and Fantasy.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Ferryman (Creepy Creations) by T. B. Phillips is based on the Ferryman Tales comic series created by Chris Hays and McLain McGuire. I haven’t read their comic series, but after reading this book, I want to. 

First off, the cover was sensational. It was spooky and mysterious, sparked fear, and the Ferryman’s eyes were mesmerizing. I could see a person becoming lost in them while their body trembled in fear over his arrival. When the transporter of the dead comes for you, you best be prepared to answer his riddle or your dues. Those who can’t pay are cursed to drown for 100 years. Not a fate I would want to live.

Many characters in the Ferryman (Creepy Creations) faced judgment day, and they had to answer for their sins. Greed and power were the roots of evil expressed. This story hammers home the point of not letting greed corrupt your soul.

Besides the hypnotic cover, the story had other elements that kept me engrossed to the ending credits. First, the story’s broken up into parts that contain different points of view from key characters such as Curtis Charles, Mary Griggs, and Captain Thomas Tew. Scenes were replayed but viewed through their eyes. We got to witness how they interpreted the events and who caused the train of events that would bring about the arrival of the Ferryman. Curtis’s POV was filled with unimaginable pain and unthinkable sights. Mary’s scenes were the most horrifying, in my opinion. She saw things of pure horrors and ghostly figures. Visions that would drive anyone insane and did. 

I hope a movie studio discovers the Ferryman (Creepy Creations) and works its cinematic magic to bring it to life. If they do, I will be there on opening night! 

If your reading tastes center on mythology, witchcraft, dark magic, or the paranormal, you must read Ferryman (Creepy Creations). It’ll hook you from the “Prologue,” where the Drake sinks, to the ending scenes when the Ferryman delivers the souls to their final destination. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

T.B. Phillips debuted in 2019 with his award winning series Dreamers of Andalon, a cautionary science fantasy set in the age of sail. He is a former sailor and educator, teaching English and History before becoming a public school administrator. He resides in Fort Worth, Texas.

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February 12, 2023 · 7:00 am

Orientella by Elisabeth Vildstjärna (Book Review)

 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 

I’ve been captivated by magical carpets ever since I first watched Aladdin. While the magic rug, known as Carpet, in the blockbuster movie was fascinating, it does not hold a candle to Orientella. She’s the Rolls-Royce of carpets with her 24-carat gold threads, made from the finest worms Angelland. While she is masterfully constructed, her uniqueness comes from her ability to speak and express emotions. She cares for her owner/roommate/friend deeply, so when Madame Algarine Castel gets abducted, she doesn’t give up until they are reunited. 

As one would imagine, flying on top of a magic carpet comes with potential hazards, which the characters experience. But, being a magical carpet has its dangers as well. To perform at its best, the wondrous rug has to stay tightly woven. In addition, it has to avoid villains who want to own and control them. Speaking of villains, I love the last name choice, Tarantula. 

All the above came into play, but luckily Orientella wasn’t alone on her journey. She has acquired new friends: a talking church mouse (Walter), a sometimes cranky kitty (Frizzle), and a young neighbor (Emilia), plus additional help along the way. 

Orientella by Elisabeth Vildstjärna was a glorious, imaginative, magical read containing suspense, shocking disclosures, and the legendary Loch Ness Monster. It’s a story that could benefit from more images strewn throughout because readers will want to see Persley, the pirate ship, the castle, and more action and adventure shots. The cover illustration by Henry Johannes Matilainen, though, was spectacular. I adored Frizzle’s facial expression. He looked like a true scaredy-cat, whereas Walter, the mouse, appeared to enjoy the ride of a lifetime. 

I could see this story appealing to three-year-olds, possibly four if it had more images. As it stands, I would recommend the book to school-age children. 

Buy the book; you won’t regret it! 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Meet the Author

Elisabeth Vildstjärna is an author from Sweden who writes fantasy for middle graders.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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August 2, 2021 · 7:00 am

Mara’s Awakening: The Mara Files (Book One) by Leo Flynn (Book Review)

The first in an explosive science fiction series of short stories, this is an action-packed and addictive book from an emerging author.

 

Mara Keres. A trained warrior and formerly highly respected peacekeeper.

Note “formerly.”

Once, she had her life under control. Once, she had the trust of the galaxy.

Now she rots in the same prison she used to sentence people to. Solitary confinement for six years. Would’ve brought anyone else to their knees.

Not her.

Then an offer resurfaces, almost too good to be true. Ghosts of her past and demons come back to haunt her, will she ever make it out alive?

Sometimes, facing your worst memories is worth the risk.

 

Featuring a badass anti-hero, secrets, betrayals, twists and turns, this gripping story will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more.


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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)

 

While the writing was a bit choppy, overall, it was a nice start to a series. There was suspense, action, deception, revenge, and a prison break. Oh, and I mustn’t forget there was a wicked cool weapon — Skyfall Swordbow. As you probably surmised, it’s a weapon used as a sword or a crossbow. That weapon wasn’t the only tool at Mara’s disposal. She also could fire bolts from her hands.

She’s a lethal weapon, one that used to be on the side of justice before wrongfully incarcerated. I look forward to reading what trouble awaits her while she’s on the run. And, I hope to see more backstory on Mara and other key characters. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Kindle Purchase Link

 

Book Two

Kindle Purchase Link

 


Leo Flynn writes poetry & gripping, action-packed SciFi, like The Mara Files, his debut, an exciting science fiction short story series. Other galaxies, reading, talking too much about writing and music consume his waking hours.

 
 
 

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