Another enchanting tale by Willard!
341139
I bought this because I had loved AUTUMN MAGIC by Triana Willard so much.  I thought it was a sequel, and it proved to be a prequel!  No worries there!  It just added another rich layer to a story I already greatly enjoyed.

Midori is a girl with a rough life, but a determined nature.  She has been bounced around from service to a witch, to an evil apothecary, to a wicked magical queen, but through it all, she shows an desire to help others.  I really liked the way her character developed because she had real insecurities, real hopes, and real purpose.  It's easy to cheer for her.

The magical elements in the story are so beautifully done.  Willard shows different types of magic--whether through potions, objects, spells or mystical songs--and how each fits the person's natural talents.  It's so subtly done that you really start to believe it's possible.

The ancient Asian flavor is so delicious in this story.  Willard includes details that don't clutter the narration, but rather paint a picture that transports the reader to another place and time.

Excellent work!  Now I want the SEquel!
1402104
Whimsical and enchanting are the best words to describe this absolutely delightful book! There is no Snow White, nor 7 dwarfs, but instead a cast of 8 extremely adorable children on a most precarious mission. This is a magical fantasy that envelopes the reader and holds tight to the very end! Although recommended for young to middle graders, my middle-aged self  was  intertwined and thoroughly engaged till the very end as the author led me on quite the wonderous journey! In my own opinion..I'm waiting for the movie..it's that fantastical!!
198044
MERMAID'S SISTER - by Carrie Anne Noble

This was indeed a very charming tale about two girls adopted and raised by a fae woman. Being a fan of mermaid stories and fairy tales, I could not pass the chance to read this book when I heard about it. So glad I did as the author's storytelling was enchanting and hopeful, despite the many different challenges that thronged the lives and paths of the endearing story characters. Thanks for sharing this wonderful tale, Carrie Anne Noble! Well done! I look forward to more enchanting young adult stories that she writes and publishes!
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Chanda Hahn has scored another winning tale.  Wilhelmina Grime suffers a variety of slings and arrows, but manages to triumph over the Fae set on her destruction.  Or does she? This second book in the series is a very engaging read that fills in many details about Mina's quest, but also leaves other questions unanswered.  What will the next book reveal, and how will she conquer the fairy tales she continues to have to face?
616680
To begin, it's only fair to say that I was a Dallas Willard fan before this book - The Divine Conspiracy and others by Willard are incredible - so when I saw this title by Willard, I knew it would be excellent - and it was! Willard tackles the question of what a life would look like if a person truly believed that God was sufficient, that God was their all-in-all, that the Creator of the universe could provide for them whatever they needed and that their only job was to trust and obey. What does this life of simple trust, this life of contentment look like in our crazy, messed up world today? If you're searching for peace, contentment, purpose and stability in the midst of trials, confusion and chaos, this would be an outstanding read for  you...actually, I think it would be an outstanding read for every Christian living in this fast-paced, me-centered world today. Willard doesn't disappoint with this gem - so glad that his pastor brought this great book to life even after the passing of this amazing spiritual giant.
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Darynda Jones continues to enchant us with her tales of Charley Davidson and her family.  They all face evil and heartache and yet we still have Hope.  I can't wait for the next story to be told.  Two thumbs up!
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What a charming story! Children and adults (like me who love to be with fairies among green moss and old, hollowed out willow trees) have found the right book. The author introduces the reader to the characters by means of successive stories which all tie up in the end.  From the start, when Tatty Moon (who has "freckles speckled" over her nose) and her friend, Willum Patch try to take off with a giant bottle full of milk - Mealy their mouse partner in crime; can't get the job done, especially when Delilah, a rather overweight cat also decides she needed a small treat before her actual breakfast - the mayhem starts.  Bert, the milkman has an accident; milk bottles break; he lies stunned and sees a cat - looking a lot like their Delilah - jumping over him; then a fairy, Tatty Moon sits on his arm, then a big shadow appears above him - no wonder Bert thinks he has concussion!
Other memorable characters are the elderly couple Hilda and George Parsons who wonder what would happen to "them" and Mould Cottage should they die; Marigold, Nan - the so-called, "Bigguns" all help to make this such a wonderful story, which could be read to younger ones every night at bed time.  They will look forward to a new adventure and learn more about the overall plot.
837031
What a wonderful tribute to imagination and life!!  The story captured me as quickly as it did my granddaughter.  And after the initial enchantment it rewards the reader by delivering a truly insightful and valuable allegory.  I am so happy to have read this and will recommend it to many.
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Dorothy Dunnett continues to impress me.  I'm a big fan of Dumas and his trilogies.  Dunnett comes darn close to his writing.  Her books are engrossing, weave a great story, and draw me in more each time I read another book.  This is the third in the Lymond Chronicles series.  It is  very well written.  I enjoy how the story stands on its own but also weaves  into the first two books.  If you have the time, read the entire series  from start to finish.  I'm looking forward to reading the next one!  I also  can't wait to get into her House of Niccolo series.  This book, and series,  is well worth a read!
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This charming fairy tale is a perfect curl-up for a chilly night with or without a child to read it to. From the first page, the reader wants to step into Peter's shoes and journey with him through the labyrinth of pleasingly odd characters and creatures and the obstacle course of clever passages and rituals. Completely enthralling and difficult to put down, you will not be sorry and will probably find some excuse to find a child to share it with. Very much reminiscent of C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this darkened wood. I can't wait to see what William O'Brien cooks up next! As a fellow author, I find his writing engaging and his imagination boundless. Becky Lyn Rickman, author of Grimm's Last Fairy Tale, When Renoir Loved Thomas Jefferson, and The Convict, the Rookie Card, and the Redemption of Gertie Thump
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Another wonderful tale by Garrison Keillor that holds a pride of place on by bookshelves and which I recommend all GK followers to purchase !
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Mouthy fairies, evil sorcery and true love! What more can an above average story ask for? Truly a tremendously fun romp from beginning to end!
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The adventures of Steamduck, begun in "Her Majesty's Explorer," continue in this wonderfully written and illustrated tale of setting a goal and persevering.

Once Steamduck determines he wants to fly, nothing will deter him until he's taken to the skies.

Author Emilie P. Bush and illustrator William Kevin Petty once again bring mirth, life, and most of all heart, to Steamduck, destined to become as beloved a children's character as -- dare I say? -- Winnie the Pooh.

Not since Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio has a man-made character been brought so masterfully to life.  Bush and Petty's vision of Steamduck takes the next step in "Steamduck Learns to Fly," staying true to the soul of Bush's SteamPunk roots while giving readers a real hero for whom they may openly cheer.

In this tale, Steamduck takes the next step toward setting up a home in children's -- and parents' -- hearts for years to come.

All fire, no smoke, for "Steamduck Learns to Fly!"
1565423
Enchanted, is a single story mad up of snippets of other stories, all woven into one seamless tale. Algebra Kontis does a wonderful job of incorporating many fairytales into a single family that is full of, "love, despair, anger, insanity" happiness and thoughtfulness. The Woodcutter family becomes easy to love and hard to leave in this inspiring tale full of tough choices and a well earned happy ending, or should we call it an intermission? As I am sure this is only the beginning of the Woodcutter family and their magical exploits !
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Corvidae
Edited by Rhonda Parrish
**5 Stars**

Corvidae is an Anthropology by multiple authors. It's the second in Rhonda Parrish's Magical Menageries series. I love Reading multiple short stories based off of one single topic! So many of the authors took the subject matter to the next level!  Whether the magical birds were allies in a time of need for maddening creatures who drove you crazy the worst possible time I enjoyed them all. These are five of my favorite stories in this anthropology:

Whistles and Trills by Kate Otis
Set an a time of war when humans weren't the only ones to rule the world.
If humans knew what was good for them, they would be content to fight over earth and leave air to the corvidae, water to the leviathans, and frost to the giants.
Morgaine find herself in an adventure while navigating during a deadly storm.

The Valravn by Megan Fennell
This is a story told from the point of view of a 14-year-old girl who has an unexpected visitor on a stormy night.
My eyes were first drawn to his cloak. Even sodden, it was a spectacular thing, bright robins egg blue mottled with large silver diamonds.
Klara will hear the story of a lifetime from this flamboyant traveler!

The Rookery of Sainte  Mere  Eglise by Tim Deal
Birgit expects this Saturday to be like any other Saturday. But the Rooks have left her a present today.
Birgit saw the rooks chattering on a nearby oak, preening and busy on the branches. She pulled the button from her pocket and held it up.
She went to meet her friend at their favorite meeting place when her unlikely adventure began.

The Tell-Tale Heart of Existence by Micheal M. Rader
This corvidae tale is base from Poes original Tale and while it takes many cues from Poes version it has its own spin.
I was never kinder to the old man than in the following weeks. I matched every smile of his in kind; I laughed at every jest.
I love Michaels  version of this tale but I won't spoil it for you!

Flying the Coop by MLD Curelas
This short story has a fun steampunk feel to it! Clockworks, Cyborgs and magic packed all into one short story!
Jenny was mostly black and white, with streaks of blue on her wings and taila magpie. One of her legs was artificial, brass, by the look of it, with miniscule gears and cogs serving as joints. One eye was also clockwork.
We follow a clever smuggler as she tries to get a stolen bird out of the city without getting caught!

It seems Rhonda Parish has an eye for beautifully written stories! Each of these stories set my imagination wild and I began to create more to each story in my head. This anthropology would be a great read for people who need inspiration or a quick retreat from the hectic world! You will find short stories and poems that will take you many different places. I'm giving this beautiful anthropology five stars. Each one of these authors and the editor were worth the follow!
1485587
Brlliant as always! Brian Rathbone paints this tale with rich texture which leaves you feeling as though you are there with the characters.
354798
The story is utterly charming and the character of Lady Gwendolyn Muir is welcome after her appearance in several previous books. She and Lord Hugo Trentham are a wonderful couple.  The narrator, Rebecca deLeuw, is wonderful!  Her voice makes this story even more enchanting.  I wish she read for all of Mary Balogh's books.