Reviews (Author-wise)

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The Winter of the Dollhouse - Laura Amy Schlitz - ★★.¾

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AUTHOR: Laura Amy Schlitz GENRE: Middle-Grade Fantasy PUBLICATION DATE: September 2, 2025 RATING: 2.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A middle-grade fantasy about a girl and a doll, with the narration in both their perspectives. Quite a few subplots, which makes the book seem disjointed at times. The non-human characters are interesting; the humans are more mixed in behaviour. Some good life lessons on what to do as well as what not to do. Minor ‘Toy Story’ vibes. Recommended, though not with much enthusiasm. Plot Preview: (The actual storyline is quite tricky. This is a barebones version.) One day, eleven-year-old Tiph saves an old lady named Szilvia from falling and assists her back home. After a chat, Tiph realises that she can help Néni (Aunt) Szilvia with certain chores, and in turn, Szilvia could help her fulfil a long-awaited wish. Will her parents be happy with the new arrangement? From a nearby shop window, a little antique doll named Gretel sees Tiph helping the old woman and immediat...
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The Keeper of Lonely Spirits - E.M. Anderson - ★★★.¾

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AUTHOR: E.M. Anderson GENRE: Paranormal Fantasy. PUBLICATION DATE: March 25, 2025. RATING: 3.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A horror-fantasy about an aged immortal ghost hunter solving a ghostly mystery and making new friends. Not as cozy as promised. Interesting diverse characters and a gripping storyline. Good use of the found family trope. The romance was a little cringeworthy and the writing, a tad repetitive. But on the whole, a good experience. Recommended, as long as you aren’t afraid of ghosts, and are ready to not overanalyse. Plot Preview: Peter Shaughnessy has been alive for more than two hundred years and is ready to die. Unfortunately, thanks to an encounter with an annoyed fey during his teens in Ireland, Peter is cursed to spend eternity wandering away from home. As the curse has given him the ability to see ghosts and talk to plants, he spends his time looking for angry spirits and sending them onwards. His roaming has now brought him to Harrington, Ohio, where he has hear...
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The Gift of Love - Andrea Hahnfeld - ★★★★

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AUTHOR: Andrea Hahnfeld ILLUSTRATOR: Anastasia Khmelevska GENRE: Picture Book for Adults RATING: 4 stars. In a Nutshell: A picture book for adults! Will work nicely as a companion gift for wedding showers or weddings. Story Synopsis: A newly married monster couple is quite excited about opening their wedding gifts. While they love most of their gifts, one of the presents leaves them befuddled. It is a plant that has almost entirely withered. There’s no sign of who gifted it as the attached note simply says, ‘The Gift of Love.’ As they can’t throw it away, they decide to do their best to nurture the plant back to life. Their results initially seem to bear fruit (or perhaps, I should say, ‘bear flowers’) but soon the growth takes a turn downwards, and the couple is forced to ask themselves some tough questions. I loved the story. It is a beautiful allegorical take on how it takes two to nurture a marriage. Both the husband and the wife are shown as equally concerned and equally involve...
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Women of a Promiscuous Nature - Donna Everhart - ★★★★.¼

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AUTHOR: Donna Everhart GENRE: Historical Fiction. PUBLICATION DATE: RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: A historical fiction based on true events. Excellent character and plot development. Fabulous atmosphere and research. Graphic abuse, though it’s never sensationalised. Compelling but also highly disturbing. Definitely recommended, but only when you are in a strong headspace. Plot Preview: 1941. Twenty-four-year-old Ruth Foster and fifteen-year-old Stella Temple find themselves enrolled at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women in Kinston, North Carolina. Stella views it as a kind of escape while Ruth considers it a prison. Stella believes she did something wrong and hence needs to be redeemed during her stay at the Farm; Ruth is clear that she doesn’t deserve to be in the institution and wants to get out asap. Superintendent Dorothy Baker, convinced that she is transforming degenerates and ”mental defectives” into morally worthy citizens, oversees all the training and treatment ...
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Our Treasures Within - Pope Francis with Paul A. Reynolds - ★★★★★

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AUTHOR: Pope Francis and Paul A. Reynolds ILLUSTRATOR: Peter H. Reynolds GENRE: Children's Picture Book PUBLICATION DATE: January 20, 2026 RATING: 5 colourful-rainbow stars! 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 In a Nutshell: A beautiful picture book containing a beautiful message and beautiful illustrations. Based on a message by the GOAT Pope Francis, but secular enough to be relevant to all. Much, much recommended! I am not usually one to pick inspirational books. But just a single glance at the key author’s name on the cover page ensured that I scrambled to get a copy of this picture book. Beloved Pope Francis 🥰, whom I have respected, admired and loved ever since he showed Catholics a new path towards inclusivity and acceptance, spoke about a metaphorical personal treasure chest to a group of youth in 2015. On his passing, the authors, twin brothers Peter and Paul Reynolds ( Love their apostolic names! ), decided to pen this picture book inspired by that message so as to make it reach and influence mo...
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