Book Review: Butterflies In Me by Denisha Seals

Butterflies in Me

by

Denisha Seals

Illustrated by Gabhor Utomo

 

An anthology bringing awareness to mental health 

 

Publisher: Boys Town Press

Publication date: 14th May 2018 - rereleased 2022

 

Genre: Children's / Middle Grade 

Pages: 92

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Smith Publicity

My review

 

Butterflies in Me is a collection of short stories that focus on some common, yet challenging, mental health conditions in children.

 

The book covers an array of circumstances children may find themselves in; such as domestic abuse, PTSD, bullying, anxiety, ADHD and depression. Seals uses simple language and short stories making them child friendly.

 

Denisha Seals includes coping skills in her stories and avenues children can go through if they need help.

I liked that the happy endings came eventually but not immediately, as mental health issues take time to work through.

 

Each story is written in 1st person, narrated by the children, which gives a stronger connection to the child, making it more relatable to children reading the book.

 

Javier and his mother are abused by his stepfather. he is offered help from a trusted source (in this case a teacher) and he and his mother are directed to people trained to help in these situations.

Kenya is disfigured and bullied. Her anxiety becomes all consuming. When she opens up to her father he takes her to see a doctor who helps her.

Abbas has ADHD. He can't concentrate at school and his self worth is destroyed. He is helped with a simple explanation of his condition and tactics to employ to help him stay focused.

Lulu falls into a deep depression after her beloved grandmother dies. When she see a therapist she is given coping strategies to see her through this time of grief.

 

Each story ends with the catchphrase "I am special, strong, and I did nothing wrong." 

 

The stories are enhanced by Gabhor Utomo's vivid watercolour illustrations from each child's life and images from their imagination.

 

Butterflies in Me would be an ideal book to be used in schools and for child therapists. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

DENISHA SEALS is an artist, filmmaker and author who uses the power of her pen to lift the voices of the marginalized and victimized. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse and trauma, she advocates for more awareness and understanding of the emotional toll abuse victims experience, particularly children of color. Her uplifting stories inspire readers to be strong, fearless and full of hope.

 

About the illustrator

 

GABHOR UTOMO was born in Indonesia. He moved to California in 1997 to become an artist. He received his degree from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and now works as a freelance artist. Gabhor, his wife, Dina, and his twin daughters live in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: Murder Most Fancy by Kellie McCourt

Murder Most Fancy

by

Kellie McCourt 

 

She really didn't mean to become a detective....

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

 

Imprint: HQ Fiction

 

Publication date: 5th January 2022 

Series: Indigo #2

 

Genre: Mystery

 

Pages: 464

 

RRP: $29.99 AUD

 

Format read: Uncorrected Advanced Copy

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

Socialite turned unwilling sleuth Indigo-Daisy-Violet-Amber Hasluck-Royce-Jones-Bomberg is back again in this madcap murder mystery.

In Murder Most Fancy Indigo literally falls over a body in her grandmother's garden. The man by all appearances looks to be homeless and Grandmother's neighbour, Dame Elizabeth Holly, asks Indigo and her personal assistant Esmerelda to unearth the man's identity so she can give him a decent burial. As the pair use their unconventional means of investigation the mystery thickens, and could someone be trying to kill them?

 

I haven't read the first book in this series, Heiress on Fire and I didn't feel like I had missed anything, so I would say this reads well as a standalone.

Murder Most Fancy is a fun read filled with humour and wry wit. A diverse cast of characters combine to deliver a story that's not all about high society and name dropping. Indigo is well portrayed as the overindulgent rich girl. However, she is perfectly offset with her sidekick Esmerelda, who is laid-back and unassuming. 

I found it hard to get a hold on Esmerelda's character. She was a whole bunch of contradictions. She quite often had no idea what was going on around her but she was street wise, tech savvy and intelligent. I think Kellie McCourt has done a wonderful job of writing such a complex character and I am sure she will be the favourite of many readers.

 

I loved the way each character had a partnering character with an opposite personality; Indigo and Esmerelda, also the two grandmothers, with Indigo's grandmother firm and no nonsense whilst Dame Elizabeth was softer and manipulated with kindness, showing opposites can get along and make lasting friendships.

At times I found the story was a bit too wordy however this could be easily overlooked when the wordiness was so funny.

Murder Most Fancy is an addictive murder mystery filled with a diverse cast of likeable characters and shenanigans that will have you laughing out loud.

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Credit: Harper Collins

 Kellie McCourt has worked as a national and international television anchor, scriptwriter, producer and reporter. Kellie is also an experienced print journalist and magazine editor.

She has a double BA in Journalism and Creative Writing from Curtin University, studied journalism in SE Asia and completed a postgrad scholarship program at UNSW. Alas, her mother is still waiting for her to 'get a real job', like a lawyer. Or an accountant.

Kellie had a misspent youth as a wayward socialite, and loves shoes, friends, reading, shoes and baked goods.

Kellie is passionate about creating entertaining, gender empowering stories. She lives in Sydney with her two amazing young daughters, and two poodles. 

 

Giveaway

 

I have two copies of Murder Most Fancy to give away to two lucky readers.

Entry is open to Australian addresses only and close at midnight on 19th February 2022.

Entry via the form below. 

 

This giveaway is now closed and the winners were announced HERE

 

 

Book Review: I Hate Nothing About You by Ella Sparkle

I Hate Nothing About You

by

Ella Sparkle 

 

Publisher: Cherry Publishing

 

Publication date: 29th July 2021

 

Series: Stormy Love 2

 

Genre: New Adult Romance 

Pages: 242

 

RRP: $6.75AUD (Kindle)

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

I Hate Nothing About You is book two in the Stormy Love series. Book one Saying Yes was Jenna and Nick's story and Cassie is Jenna's best friend.

 

I loved Cassie, she was outspoken, zany and fun with a fondness for profanity. Her support of Jenna in book one endeared me to her. I knew life hadn't always been easy for her and was eager to read her story.

 

We know from book one that Cassie meets Mike at the pizza shop where Jenna is working, but we only get scant facts from Cassie talking to Jenna. Book two is from Cassie and Mike's alternating point of view.

 

 Cassie finds it hard to love someone because during her life love always ended in hurt. These feelings are portrayed through her talks with her therapist and she has a lot of trauma to work through.

 

Mike is a wonderful love interest, a nice guy and very respectful, although he lacked communication skills which caused some upsets. 

I Hate Nothing About You has everything I love in a romance; a bit of angst, the inevitable road hump, lack of communication and then finally the HEA.

Ella's writing is engaging and I Hate Nothing About You is a heart-warming story that tells us communication is essential to every relationship and there are always two sides to every story.

my rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

 

A life-long love of reading coupled with pandemic lockdown is what initially prompted Ella to finally take all the stories floating around in her head and put them together on paper.

Ella writes the kinds of romance stories she likes to read with sexy, funny, nice guys and strong, smart, sassy women... tossing in a healthy dose of awkwardness, a whole lot of drama, a sprinkle of comedy, a ride on the emotional roller coaster and a little bit of sparkle for everyone.

As a firm believer in true love, Ella's romance stories always result in a "happily ever after".... it's just an adventure getting there.

Ella is living out her own happily ever after with her Prince Charming. After seventeen years together he still gives her butterflies and makes her heart race. They live together with their children, small dogs, and a big black cat who has deemed herself queen of the castle.

 

   

Mailbox Monday - January 31st

 Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week (or month). I post my new books on the last Monday of the month. I'm late again with this post. It has been way too hot to sit at a computer.

Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday Blog

 

 

Happy Monday Tuesday!

 

It has been so hot and humid in Sydney this month I haven't spent much time at the computer and I haven't done much reading either. My thoughts are with my readers in eastern North America who have suffered devastating snow storms. Whether it be by heat, fires, storms or snow the weather can be unpredictable and destructive.

 

January is school holidays in Australia and below are a few pics of what we have been up to.

 

 Books I received during January for review

I couldn't resist buying these books simply for their vivid sprayed edges.

Do you ever buy books just for the cover or other exclusive features?

Blog Tour Book Review: A Secret at Tansy Falls by Cate Woods

A Secret at Tansy Falls

by

Cate Woods

 

Publisher: Bookouture

 

Publication date: 20th January 2022

 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

 

Pages: 222

 

Format read: Ebook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

About the book

 

As the summer sun sets over the sleepy Vermont town of Tansy Falls, Connie is reminded of how lucky she is. Every day, when she leaves the job she loves, managing the Covered Bridge Inn with her best friend Piper, she looks forward to returning to the farmhouse she shares with her husband Nate. At home, her flowerbeds overflow with day lilies and the weathered brick walls of her beautiful house glow in the evening light. The air is filled with the scent of the puffed apple pancakes she prepared that morning.

But one night, when Nate returns home, he is distant. He and Connie have been married for a long time, and while the laughter and lingering kisses have dwindled, Connie believed they would be together forever. So when a stranger arrives on their doorstep with a shocking secret about Nate, Connie’s life changes beyond all recognition.

Connie never thought she’d need to start over and live a life without Nate by her side. But as her heart breaks, Piper and the team at the inn are ready to help stitch it back together, with thoughtful advice washed down with warm spiced cider. As Connie begins to feel whole again, distraction arrives in the form of olive-skinned, broad-shouldered newcomer James. Nate has taught Connie that she doesn’t need a man, but James’s arrival helps her discover that she can follow her own dreams too. But as more secrets come to the surface, Connie wonders if she’ll ever truly be able to leave behind her past for good…

 

My review

 

We are back in the picturesque town of Tansy Falls with book 2 in the Tansy Falls series. Connie is the main character of this story. She is the manager of the Covered Bridge Inn owned by Piper and Spencer.

 

Connie is worried her husband has become distant since he lost his job and she feels her 20 year marriage is at an end, her father has a new girlfriend that is a decade younger than her and she is trying to organise a publicity weekend for the inn.

Cate Woods has piled dilemma after dilemma onto Connie as she struggles with her marriage, her job and her father's new relationship.

 

I really enjoyed book 1 with Nell's story and following her character growth. Nell's story was relatable however, Connie's story didn't affect me the same way. She wasn't likeable and her lack of communication with her husband was frustrating.

 

The imagery is vivid as Tansy Falls and its surrounds are described throughout the story. Characters  from book 1 have very brief appearances and I would have liked to have seen more of them.

Woods highlights the consequences of making assumptions and jumping to conclusions, along with the need for communication in marriage.

 

I have fallen in love with the beautiful town of Tansy Falls and even though the plot of book 2 didn't resonate with me I am looking forward to book 3 to see what's in store for this town and its residents.

 

My rating  3 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Cate Woods made the most of her degree in Anglo-Saxon Literature by embarking on a career making tea on programmes including The Big Breakfast, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and French & Saunders. After narrowly missing out on the chance to become a Channel 5 weather girl she moved into the world of magazine journalism, then ghostwriting and now writes novels under her own name. She has written two best-selling romantic comedies, Just Haven't Met You Yet and More Than a Feeling - and a festive novel, The Christmas Guest, under the name Daisy Bell. Cate lives in London with her husband and two children.

 

 

Winner of a copy of Unforgiven by Sarah Barrie announced!!

 

Once again I would like to thank everyone who entered my giveaway for a copy of Unforgiven.  The giveaway closed on the 20th January and the winner was randomly selected (using Random org) from all correct entries. 

Congratulations to........   Billyjean

The Instagram winner was @jocelyn_maree

 

 The winner has been notified and has seven days to provide a mailing address.

 Please look under the giveaway tab for more chances to win great books.

Giveaways coming soon....

Coming in February...

 

Book Review: The Order of Time and Odin's Door by Scott P. Southall

 The Order of Time and Odin's Door

by

Scott P. Southall

Publisher: Seaview Press Holdings

 

Publication date: 20th January 2022 

 

Series: Order of Time #2

 

Genre: Fantasy / Young Adult

 

Pages: 270

 

Format read: paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

About the book

 

The orange light bathed  the snow-covered fields as the fiery globe began to dip below the horizon. It was strange that something so beautiful could signal the arrival of something so evil. One thing twelve-year-old twins Anastasia and Edward Upston knew for sure was that when mortals were caught between two bickering gods nothing good would come of it. Surviving the Viking Age may be the hardest thing they ever do, if they can.....

 

My review

 

Twelve-year-old twins Anastasia and Edward are back in the second action packed adventure in The Order of Time series.

The twins travel from their hometown of Washington DC to London where they are to attend a disciplinary hearing for their good friend and mentor Dr G.

With this series I think it's imperative to read Book 1 The Order of Time first to get the full background on The Order and how the twins became involved.

The Order of Time and Odin's Door is another fabulous time travel adventure filled with amazing characters. Anastasia and Edward are transported to the world of the Vikings and Norse Mythology. They again use their different strengths to solve problems by working together. In this story they  band together with Vikings, Soren and Eric the Red, who are on a mission to save their village from the dragon Nidhogg.

I was totally captivated by this whole story firstly in London as we learn all about The Order and the academy. Not everyone in The Order is keen for the twins to join and there is treachery at play. As we move to the Vikings the action heats up when they come face to face with a giant kraken, an army of zombies and a malevolent dragon. This mythological tale had me on the edge of my seat.

The Order of Time and Odin's Door has superb world building, unforgettable characters and confrontations aplenty.

The Oder of Time is a tremendous series and the scope for new stories has no bounds. I'm hooked!

Recommended age 11+

Undead zombies (descriptive scenes)

moderate violence 

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Credit: Goodreads

 Scott is an American author and banking executive who lives in Sydney, Australia. He grew up in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and attended Georgetown University.

While he loves his job as a global banker, his true passion is making up stories with his children. His debut novel, The Order of Time, reached #1 in it’s category on Amazon and was the 2021 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Children's – Mythology/Fairy Tale genre.