Boo's Bad Day

Title: Boo's Bad Day

Author:         Penny Lockwood

Illustrator:    Deborah C. Johnson

Publisher: 4RV Publishing

Pages:         32 pages

Genre:         Children's book with pictures

This a wonderful story about Boo the kitten who sits by the window watching the bigger cats play in the snow outside. He wants to go and join them and his chance comes when his owner Timmy comes in the door. Unfortunately the outside world is not as wonderful as Boo expected it to be.

After reading this book I wished I knew children who were the right age to read it. I was fascinated by the story and illustrations, and believe it will catch and hold young children's attention. The author makes no attempt to humanize Boo. He acts and purrs like a kitten when he is happy, and meows loudly when he is frightened. His owners love him and he loves them. The only reason he got into trouble was because he was bored. Is there a message for young people there?

Well done and thank you Ms Lockwood for writing a gorgeous book. You also picked exactly the right illustrator for your story. Congratulations.

Coda to Murder by J.Q. Rose

Title: Coda to Murder

Author:         J.Q. Rose

Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

Pages:        151 pages

Genre:        Inspirational with murder and a hint of romance

Pastor Christine is horrified to find her church music director has been murdered - in the church! She is determined to find the murderer as the police methods seem antagonistic and at times ridiculous. On the other hand Detective Cole Stephens is very attractive and Christine begins to melt towards him.

At first this seems like an ordinary murder with romance, but J.Q. Rose has brought in her usual (or should I say unusual) sense of humor and we also have a cat, a pig and a kangaroo taking major parts in the story. Then there's the congregation who are still withholding judgement about a woman pastor. With her close friend Lacey, Christine gets into all sorts of situations, both dangerous and funny, when they try to solve the murder mystery.

I have read J.Q. Rose's books before and this is another good one. The author has that uncanny knack of putting together a serious situation with a touch of humor. Not too much, just enough to lighten the thread, without being insulting to the deceased. 

The way the author dealt with Cole's suspicions of the murderer being one of the church stalwarts, including Pastor Christine, at first made me think there was no chance of the two getting together. J.Q. Rose managed to make romance a believable possibility and for this I commend her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which says a lot as I don't usually read inspirational books, but this is a definite "can't put it down" book. Well done Ms Rose, can't wait for the next book from your writing desk.

Magic to the Rescue by James Hartley

Title:             Magic to the Rescue

Author:         James Hartley

Publisher:     MuseItUp Publishing

Pages:          152 pages

Genre:          Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Thank you Mr Hartley for writing Magic to the Rescue a sequel to Magic is Faster than Light. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and was delighted to see this one carried on several generations in the future.

A spaceship reliant on broomsticks and a cauldron drive, immediately tells you this is a magic book with a difference. When the descendants of the witches banished from Earth rescue a distressed space vessel, the religious fanatics who had them exiled in the first place. Over time the two newcomers begin to integrate with the witch community but it is never an easy alliance. 

The leaders of the magical community have long been planning a partial migration to another planet. They intend to send a second group back to Earth to see what has happened since their people left.

Mr Hartley's style of writing is refreshing and I was compelled to continue reading. Most books hit a low near the middle but the magic kept coming up with new twists increasing the excitement and desire to read further.

I believe there might be a third book to this series, at least I hope so as this Magic series is a winner.

Buy Link:  Magic to the Rescue