At the Mountains of Madness (Choose Your Own Adventure New Classics) ~ Book Review

 

AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS

(Choose Your Own Adventure New Classics)

BY JACOPO DELLA QUERCIA

Interactive Story / Middle Grade Fantasy / Adaption / Horror

Publisher: CHOOSECO

Publication Date: September 16, 2025

Pages: 208 pages

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Something sinister is unfolding at the bottom of the world in this interactive book where YOU decide what happens next! Packed with twenty possible endings!

Choose Your Own Adventure books–the 4th bestselling children’s series of all time–are back and as much fun as you remember. Kids and adults agree, these are the books that get nine to twelve-year-olds reading.

YOU are the child of two brilliant scientists and you've just spent your summer as a counselor at Camp Starkweather in Antarctica. Your time at the bottom of the world is coming to an end when you receive an emergency distress call from another camp nearby, where your parents have spent the summer doing top-secret research. Will you answer the call and go out into the frozen wasteland to face unknown dangers? Or will you stay at Camp Starkweather and hope that the ancient unknowable horrors won't come and find you next?

Kids who love monsters and mystery will devour this thrilling adventure story of survival on the ice. With every choice, you’ll take charge of your fellow campers and bring everyone home safe and sound … or else doom them all to a terrible fate!

BUY THE PAPERBACK ON AMAZON

BUY THE PAPERBACK ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

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BOOK REVIEW

I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the synopsis above.

HALL WAYS REVIEW: In AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS (Choose Your Own Adventure New Classics), author Jacopo della Quercia provides a terrific diversion from the regular reading rotation! This adaptation of one of my favorite H.P. Lovecraft stories kept me turning pages, making bad choices that abruptly ended the story, and then trying again. I wanted more!

"Something sinister is unfolding at the bottom of the world. Will you heed the call?"

I am not sure I ever was a reader of the choose-your-own-adventure books, so I went into AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESSwith no expectations of how it would work. The first path I took cut the story dramatically and tragically short. As did the second. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I ended up reading every page to to find the most satisfying and complete conclusion (or did I? *flip, flip, flip*). 

"From this moment on, you'll know the world is little more than a tiny island in an infinitely expanding sea of cosmic horror."

The map at the beginning and the accompanying comic-style illustrations are engaging and enhance the story, but della Quercia's well-written and imaginative descriptions stand alone, and readers will feel the coldness of not only Antarctica but the secrets it holds. And the Further Adventures section at the end of the book invites readers to expand their vocabulary and even try fan fiction. 

There's a good dose of humor and sarcasm to counter the darkness of the story -- and that helps since there are logically some sad, grim, and gory endings. I'd expect nothing differently! The intended audience is ages nine to twelve; however, with the main character being in the midst of his gap year, and the horrors within the pages of AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS, I'd recommend the book for mature middle grade readers and older. 

Lovecraft's original story has inspired and fascinated many to reimagine that world, and two of my favorites have been the movie THE THING and Texas author Joe Lansdale's short story collection, IN THE MAD MOUNTAINS. I'm adding Jacopo della Quercia's version to my list. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jacopa della Quercio is an award-winning educator, essayist, and novelist. His work has been featured on BBC America, Business Insider, CNN Money, ​Folger Magazine, The Huffington Post, Reader's Digest, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Slate, and Princeton University's Electronic Bulletin of the Dante Society of America, among others. As a writer, Jacopo strives to present otherwise obscure scholarly subjects in a manner more easily accessible and enjoyable for all audiences: a practice he honed in the classroom. His novels are The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy and its sequel, License to Quill, with many more to follow!

Born of Dirt and Dust: Speculative Flash and Short Fiction ~ Book Review

 

BORN OF DIRT AND DUST

Speculative Flash and Short Fiction

by Renee Coloman

Originally posted to Reedsy Discovery

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ABOUT THE BOOK: A hybrid of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, dive into a captivating collection of speculative flash and short fiction by Renee Coloman. 

These powerful stories explore human struggle, survival, trauma, and emotional pain through a rich tapestry of diverse characters and settings. Vivid and emotionally charged, each tale offers a profound look into life's challenges and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. Experience narratives that will move you, provoke thought, and stay with you long after the last page.

BUY THE PAPERBACK BOOK ON AMAZON

Help support my retirement by using the above affiliate link to purchase your copy!

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HALL WAYS REVIEW: (Originally posted to Reedsy Discovery). For those who enjoy gritty, quick hits of fiction that will stick to your bones and invade your thoughts long after the last page is turned, Born of Dirt and Dust by Renee Coloman is a must-have collection.

“Mama chose to take her life rather than care for mine.” – from “Pretending”

Born of Dirt and Dust takes an overall darker tone and is brimming with nonconventional characters and situations that pop from the page. These twenty-three pieces run the gamut from uncomfortably real to fantastical. At times, the stories are horrifying in their realism; at other times, they are downright horrifying.

“Might be a good thing to offload the cemented weight of marital responsibility from his aching back. Might be a better path for his thinning wallet…” -- from “Haul and Demolished”

Coloman has a gift for world building and writing robust characters. “Cruel Irony” might not be for everyone but in it, the author provides a completely authentic, descriptive, painful picture we won’t soon forget of the main character’s duplicity. It’s truly the mark of a talented writer when so much is revealed in so few pages and with such huge impact.

“My heart felt like the earth and landscape around me. Empty. Dry. Parched and thirsty.” – from “At the End of the Road”

Many of the stories in Born of Dirt and Dust explore the shared experiences humans grapple with, together or alone: aging and teenaging, parent-child bonds, new or broken or severed relationships. Several of the stories drift into science fiction, sometimes unexpectedly, and throughout the collection, there are unexpected twists that will delight -- or trouble -- the soul. Though every story has some grimness, there is a greatly appreciated sprinkling of hopefulness (or delicious come-uppances), which helps to counter the melancholy.

“What footprint is left when nobody knows of my existence?” – from “The Pepper Tree”

My favorite, and the most poignant of the collection, is the light-but-deep, realistic fantasy, “The Pepper Tree.” (Yes, those are exactly the right words to describe it.) In it and all the stories, the writing in Born of Dirt and Dust is outstanding, and Coloman knows how to turn a phrase and pack a punch with it. Not every story gives readers the answers they seek, and not all are neatly resolved, but it feels that this is by the author’s design and only further contributes to the staying power of the collection. Don’t miss it.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Renee Coloman's work has appeared in Bright Flash Literary Review, Aether Avenue Press, 10x10 Flash Fiction, Livina Press, Hedge Apple Magazine, The Literary Hatchet, and others. Renee continues to write short stories while also in the process of completing two full-length manuscripts: a coming-of-age thriller and a middle-grade adventure story. Renee works full-time in communications for an international franchising organization.

 

Father Lost,Child Found ~ Great Escapes Book Tours Spotlight & Giveaway

 
FATHER LOST, CHILD FOUND

(A Chic Charlie Novel, #3)

by JANE ELLYSON

Australian Cozy Mystery

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stanley Press

Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 20, 2025

Paperback Print length ‏ : ‎ 236 pages

SCROLL DOWN FOR A GIVEAWAY!

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About Father Lost, Child Found

Galina-Elizabeta Ivanof’s father died in an accident on an oil platform, twenty-four years ago. During a speech at a funeral, doubts are raised about the cause of Aleksandr Ivanof’s death, sending Galina on a dangerous search for the truth. 

Charlotte Wyatt-Harmon has taken a break in cycling from Hua Hin to Phuket. While shopping at markets near the border with Myanmar, someone leaves a child in her basket, sending Charlotte on a frantic search for the mother. 

Mason Murray is a journalist with a personal interest in crop circles. Some believe these patterns were created by extraterrestrials and Mason is determined to find out for himself.

These amateur sleuths learn that everyone is hiding something: a secret, a spy, even an alien presence. 

FATHER LOST, CHILD FOUND delivers a twisty-turny plot until the very last page.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon US * Amazon AU * Apple

Tolino/Thalia * Vivlio * Kobo

Barnes and Noble 

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About Jane Ellyson

Jane Ellyson has written six novels across the action, adventure, and romance genres. Having lived in Europe and Asia, in addition to her native Australia, her stories frequently visit beautiful locations. She currently lives at Possum Creek, just out of Bangalow in northern New South Wales, Australia – well she would if she was real – rather than being the pen name of someone who would prefer to remain anonymous. Previous novels include: 

Over Byron Bay ~ Substitute Child ~ Roman Roulette ~ Missing in Myanmar

Nonsense in the North ~ An Extraordinary Wedding ~ Alone with a Tasman Tiger 

Author Links:

X  Facebook  Threads  LinkedIn 

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

ONE WINNER receives a $10 US, Canadian, or Australian

Amazon Gift Card + a signed copy of

Father Lost, Child Found!

(ends midnight, EST, 11/27/25)

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 17 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
November 18 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 19 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 19 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 21 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
November 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 23 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 24 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
November 24 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT
November 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
November 26 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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Fracturing Time (Stealing Time Series Book Four) ~ Book Review & Giveaway!

 

FRACTURING TIME

Stealing Time Series, Book Four

by KJ WATERS

Time Travel / Science Fiction / Romance

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blondie Books

Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 26, 2025

Pages: 390 pages

Scroll down for a giveaway!

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ABOUT THE BOOK: A hurricane is brewing, a deadly plague is spreading, and time isn’t what we think it is.

Ronnie Andrews knows he’s here. Jeffrey Brennan, the ex-boyfriend who has haunted her past, is lurking somewhere in the Puerto Rican hospital, waiting for his moment to strike. As bubonic plague fears sweep the island, the hospital descends into chaos—staff flee, Homeland Security locks down the facility, and a bioterror threat escalates. But Ronnie fears something even worse: that Jeffrey will use this moment of turmoil to send her hurtling through time once again.

The damage to her brain from previous time-travel events is already severe—one more jump could destroy her. But Jeffrey needs Ronnie and Mike gone before they expose his time travel device to the government.

Meanwhile, Mike—barely clinging to consciousness after a devastating mudslide crash—is about to be put into a medically induced coma. But he knows one thing: if he falls asleep, he may never wake up again. With time slipping through their fingers, can Ronnie and Mike stop Jeffrey before it's too late?

Fracturing Time is the adrenaline-pumping fourth book in the Stealing Time series, packed with high-stakes suspense, time travel twists, and heart-pounding action.

BUY THE BOOK:

Kindle *** Paperback 

Add to Goodreads

CLICK TO BUY THE SERIES

(also available on KU)

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BOOK REVIEW

I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above.

HALL WAYS REVIEW: Reading Fracturing Time is like watching a juggling act, where author KJ Waters keeps multiple characters, multiple timelines, and multiple settings orbiting around her main character, Ronnie, in this action-packed fourth book in the Stealing Time series. 

Having not read any of the prior books in the series, I struggled a bit to understand the relationships and events that led up to Fracturing Time. Also, I imagine having been alongside the characters, living the moments with them from the get-go, would make a reader feel more connected and invested, and even repelled. Waters provides readers with a few good bring-to-dates and insights along the way, which helps. But, I won't recommend it as a stand-alone book. Instead, I recommend the series because you'll want to know all the delicious details, start to finish.

“Stephanie McKay studied the threatening sky, bracing herself for Orlando’s daily summer ritual, those few hours when Mother Nature threw her tantrum.”

Waters’s own experiences living in Florida surely aided her in creating such accurate and realistic situations for readers to experience (vicariously, thank goodness). However, it’s clear the author has done copious amounts of research into historical events, law enforcement procedures, medical conditions, and of course, weather events.  Sometimes scenes went on a bit long and one seemed intentionally ghoulish to me, but they definitely illustrated the deep research.

The characters in Fracturing Time are fleshed out and are written so that we hear the lilt in Steph's and Ian's voices, the seething in Jeffery's, and the time stamp of 1752 in Appleton's, to name a few. This lends an extra level of authenticity to the characters and the intriguing, even outrageous subplots in which they are involved.

I read an ARC of Fracturing Time and found some editing issues, but I assume those have been cleaned up in the final version available for sale. For this new-to-the-series reader, some re-reading of passages was required to try to grasp what was happening, which is pretty mind blowing and imaginative; but it works. Plus, having scenes told from multiple viewpoints (including one from a highly-medicated character) gives us a better understanding of the bigger picture. BONUS: if like me you love when a cover and book title tie-in to the story, you'll be pleased.

In the “A Letter to My Readers” section at the end of the book, author KJ Waters says, “I’ve wrapped up the storyline in the fourth book in the series, but I have at least two others in the works. I’m also going to write some spin-offs.” Hooray! In Fracturing Time, there are definitely some set-ups for more books. While Waters is writing, I’ll backtrack to book one and read current to be ready for more adventures. Standing by!

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

Think you can outwit time itself? Good. You’ll need that kind of nerve to survive this giveaway. Enter daily and maybe—just maybe—you’ll walk away with the loot before Jeffrey ruins everything.

Once you sign up, check your inbox for secret codes, bonus content, extra chances to win $5 Amazon cards, and probably a hurricane warning or two. Every code means more entries. The more you play, the better your odds—unless, of course, time fractures again. In that case… good luck.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

(Giveaway runs through 10/10/25)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KJ WATERS is the author of the four book, thrilling Stealing Time Series, the short story, Blow, and Blondie in the Water: True Tales of a Water Loving Mom. Currently, she's working on a new magical realism series set in Twisted Oaks, a small town in coastal Virginia.

In addition to her writing, she runs KJ Waters Consultancy and is the co-host of the podcast Blondie and the Brit (now making a comeback on TikTok). She also provides author consulting services covering branding, social media, and publishing.

She holds a Master of Business Administration degree and has over twenty-two years of experience in the marketing field. Before quitting her job to raise a family and work on writing, she was the director of marketing and communications for a national behavioral healthcare company.

Sign up for her monthly newsletter here to get sneak peeks and more updates on her work, and visit her website to learn more about her books and to connect with her on social media.

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The Calendar ~ Lone Star Lit Campaign Book Review & Giveaway!

THE CALENDAR

By WM Gunn

Science Fiction / Speculative Fiction / End of Times

Pages: 302

Publication Date: April 3, 2025

Scroll down to win a copy in the giveaway!

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SYNOPSIS

Long-range monitors detect a massive rock plunging through space on a path toward Earth. Will it miss our planet, deliver a glancing blow, or destroy Mankind? And how will people react to an uncertain future? Or will they be told?

What if everything and everyone you cherish vanished in a heartbeat? What if you knew the very day your world would cease to exist? What if you could not save those you love? What if all your dreams and hopes of a brighter tomorrow would never be realized? How would you react if there was nothing you could do to delay it or prevent it? What would you do?

Prepare yourself for the upcoming end of all that is right and wrong. Prepare yourself for the fear and uncertainty of the unknown. Prepare to feel the tension grow and grow.

Prepare to read The Calendar.

CLICK TO PURCHASE 

AMAZON | BOOKBUB

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BOOK REVIEW

I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above.

HALL WAYS REVIEW: In The Calendar, author WM Gunn provides readers with a fully unique spin on the end-of-days trope and leaves us digging deep and seeking our own answers to the ultimate what-if scenario.

Given the subject matter of The Calendar, and who’ll be impacted if there’s an impact by Goliath the asteroid, it makes sense that Gunn includes a huge cast of international characters, and multiple languages are sprinkled throughout the story, lending authenticity to the overall plot and premise. While there are a few main characters, including the Aggie (Gig 'em!) president of the United States who is an absolute treasure, there is a multitude of minor characters as well. Readers pop in on the lives and thoughts of all of them, and we get peeks at how all walks of life might deal with a crisis of this magnitude. Especially given the division of the times we are in now, I appreciate that the author sided with goodness and kindness as how most of us humans would ultimately react. I’d like to think that’s not fiction.

The setting seems contemporary, but in the story, they use cell phones, but emergency alerts aren’t sent out via them, and we’ve been enjoying that ten or fifteen years now. However, a song lyric from 2003 was quoted, so I’m guessing The Calendar is set somewhere in the 2000-2010 range. I would have liked this to be clearer so I didn’t have to sleuth so much to figure it out, but admittedly, I may have missed something that gave more specificity.

Most of us have surely given the end-of-times concept a thought or two, but I was impressed with the societal and logistical issues that Gunn conceived and explored. Fascinating brain fodder, which days after finishing the book, is still noodling around in there. Not only will readers find The Calendar thought-provoking, for this reader it evoked a number of feelings including some that really hurt my heart and others that made it swell with joy. I always give credit to authors who can make a reader feel, and Gunn has this gift.

The science of The Calendar – especially at the conclusion – would indicate that Gunn has done an enormous amount of research to be factual. I recognized a smattering of terms I learned over my schooling years, but whether or not the science is accurate doesn’t really matter. It is believable, it works, and honestly, that is enough for me. Similarly, the author has clearly researched world military and politics, as there is a lot of precise detail given – a little too much for my liking, and I found myself skimming when all the rankings and titles and weapons models kept popping up again and again.

Gunn adds a few touches that make this book even more appealing. The book is organized as a countdown, January to December, to the anticipated arrival of the asteroid, and each chapter has an engaging graphic of that month’s calendar. It enhances the doomsday feeling. Also, within each chapter, Gunn includes snippets of song lyrics apropos to the mood and then provides the full list and snippets again in the Musical Acknowledgments section at the end of the book. The artists range from Jim Croce to Johnny Mathis to Muse, with lyrics penned from 1931 to 2003. It’s quite an eclectic collection, and I’d love to have this playlist built on Spotify.

From an editing perspective, repetitious sections are one of more than a few issues in The Calendar. For a final copy, there are also too many typos, errors, and awkward passages for me to be able to give the book my highest rating, and I'd probably rate the book three stars on execution. If you’re a regular reader of my reviews, you’re aware that blessing or curse, my eye is drawn to errors, and I'm persnickety about that. Many readers don’t notice or care, and I want them to know The Calendar is a really good novel, but a thorough professional edit would make it a top-notch one.

Despite my desire for more editing, in The Calendar, Gunn’s writing is provocative and inventive enough that I’ll read more of his work. He is a talented writer, and I want readers to get acquainted with him – myself included. In fact, I’ve just purchased his novella, Holmes, Moriarity, and the Monkeys (KU or $3 on Kindle) to get another taste. WM Gunn is an author worth watching.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLTheCalendar on your preferred social media platform.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WM Gunn is a native Texan who spent many years in the pharmaceutical industry in sales, sales management, and training and development. He is active in writing groups and volunteering with non-profit groups. He lives in his hometown with his high school sweetheart bride of many years.

To date, he has written hundreds of short stories, three novellas, and two novels. Holmes, Moriarty, and the Monkeys and Chasing the Sun are two novellas released in 2024. His debut full-length novel The Two Terrors of Tulelake was released in October 2024, as an e-book and as a paperback. The Calendar is his newest novel.

Website ◆ Instagram ◆ YouTube ◆ Facebook

BookBub ◆ Amazon ◆ Goodreads ◆ Newsletter

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The Poppy Fields ~ Audiobook Review

THE POPPY FIELDS

A NOVEL

by

Nikki Erlick

Speculative Fiction / Grief / Relationships

William Morrow 

320 Pages

Expected Publication Date: June 17, 2025

PRE-ORDER NOW WITH MY AFFILIATE LINKS

and help fund my retirement

or from your favorite local indie bookstore

HARDCOVER *** KINDLE *** AUDIOBOOK

*** LARGE PRINT PAPERBACK ***

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SPONTANEOUS READ! I'd never heard of this author or this forthcoming title, but the cover and premise grabbed me as soon as I saw it on one of the gazillion bookish newsletters to which I subscribe. It was available as an ARC audiobook, which made it a no-brainer, right-now-read since I can multitask while reading a book with my ears. I realized after the fact that the days I listened, I was really operating in a cloud of gloom. THE POPPY FIELDS is that powerful. Though a quick trip to Walt Disney World did help me shake that mood, I'll be jumping to a light and lovely children's picture book next...and next...and next. Read on for my audiobook review. 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal.

Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of loss to sleep through their pain...and keep on sleeping. After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed. But only if they’re willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects.

On a journey to this mystical destination are four very different strangers and one little dog: Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. As they attempt to make their way from the Midwest all the way west to the Poppy Fields—where they hope to find Ellis, its brilliant, enigmatic founder—each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their voyage.

A high-concept speculative novel about heartache, hope, and human resilience, The Poppy Fields explores the path of grief and healing, a journey at once profoundly universal and unique to every person, posing the questions: How do we heal in the wake of great loss? And how far are we willing to go in order to be healed?

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MY AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

HALL WAYS BLOG: AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: 3.5 STARS. I was drawn to the cover and the premise of THE POPPY FIELDS, and though Nikki Erlick is a new-to-me author, I saw that her debut novel received a lot of praise. So, I thought I'd take a chance on reading her forthcoming release when I saw it offered as an audiobook ARC on both NetGalley and Edelweiss.

“Grief is an individual journey; everyone navigates it differently.”

To be able to feel grief means to have loved and cared about someone or something. THE POPPY FIELDS touches the surface in exploring how far we are willing to go to relieve heartache. In our society, we can pop a pill or take an injection for all kinds of physical ailments, and of course, there are drugs for plenty of psychological issues as well that numb pain, guilt, anxiety, and grief. But going completely comatose for a month? Two months? Waking up with time lost that can't be recovered and having those -- and potentially other feelings – muted or even wiped out permanently? Worth it? Worth the risk?

I had hoped and expected the book to be about The Poppy Fields (The Fields) facility, but the novel is actually more about how the existence of the facility affects people. We share in four strangers' journeys as they travel there together, and we share in the founder's journey of establishing and continuing to run the facility on her terms as long as she can. Additionally, there are a bunch of pop-in perspectives from podcasters, influencer, news and science papers, candidate interviews, and more. These give readers insight into wider views of The Fields, but these journeys and perspectives are full of grief and pain, and that made reading THE POPPY FIELDS heavy.

Throughout THE POPPY FIELDS, readers feel they are building to something big. While there are two surprises, there’s no big climax or full resolution – the stories of our five characters kind of just fade out, with a small epilogue-type conclusion -- courtesy of a character who really seems unnecessary other than for the purpose of one, last bring-to-date. While I feel empathy and sympathy for what the characters are feeling, I can't connect with them more deeply, despite sharing common experiences. That may have been the author's intent in not fully fleshing out each of them: she wants readers to connect with the shared experience of grief, regardless of who is carrying it.

ABOUT THE NARRATION: There are ten narrators listed, but I didn't really notice changes from the primary narrator except when the pop-in perspectives happened. Those narrators are more expressive and some even lively, depending on context. It's well-done, and the voicings are natural and seamless from voice to voice. I was never startled by a new voice, the narrators' pacings were perfect for listening at regular speed, and the files were glitch-free. This was the first and probably last time I'll listen to an ARC audiobook from Edelweiss, though. It required me to download sixty-three individual MP3 files, and I couldn't figure out how to get them to auto play one behind the other. Cumbersome, and probably added an hour to this nearly ten-hour listen.

“Ellis felt something stir…the sparking of an idea – an illuminated fuse at the very start of its crackling journey, still in search of its destination.”

THE POPPY FIELDS is somber reading and forces contemplation; honestly, it really holds too much grief for me to read without a balance of more lightness. I realized that the book was affecting me outside of its pages: I was crabby and felt overwhelmed until I finished, then it was like a weight lifted. This is a nod to Erlick's writing ability that she could evoke such feelings.

I think there are plenty of readers who will enjoy THE POPPY FIELDS, and it does have staying power after the last page is read. However, for me, it pulls too hard on my heart that’s suffering grief of its own. I crave and need hopeful, happy stories that have nice, neat conclusions that leave me feeling uplifted. 

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Left: A Novel ~ Lone Star Lit Book Campaign Spotlight

 
LEFT: A NOVEL

By Paul McGrath

Fiction / Satire / Humor

Publisher: Stoney Creek Publishing

Pages: 232

Publication Date: March 14, 2025

SYNOPSIS

A Sci-Fi Satire of Alien Espionage, Southern Charm & Chaos on Earth!

First-time novelist Paul McGrath delivers a sharp, witty, and wildly entertaining sci-fi satire that asks: What if an alien held up a mirror to America—and we didn’t like what we saw?

Anton-7—aka Roy McDonald—was supposed to observe Earth, not get stuck on it. But after missing his ride back to planet Xylodon, he decides to make the most of his exile in Hernando, Mississippi. Breaking the number-one rule of alien espionage—never interfere—he dives headfirst into human affairs, finding friendship, romance, and the simple joys of a good cup of coffee and a highly anticipated trip to Buc-ee's.

But when tragedy strikes, Anton-7 takes matters into his own hands, setting off a whirlwind of chaos that shakes both Earth and Xylodon.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

AMAZON | B&N | BOOKSHOP.ORG

 To learn more about the book, look for #LoneStarLitLeft on your preferred social media platform.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul McGrath is an award-winning journalist and educator whose career spans five decades. He spent thirty-seven years working at the Houston Chronicle after stints in Conroe, Lubbock, and Lockhart, Texas. He currently teaches at Texas A&M University.

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The Two Terrors of Tulelake ~ Lone Star Lit Book Campaign Spotlight & Giveaway!

 

THE TWO TERRORS

OF TULELAKE

By WM GUNN

Historical Fiction / Science Fiction / Thriller

Pages: 320

Publication Date: October 15, 2024

Scroll down for the fabulous giveaway!

SYNOPSIS

The horrors of World War II shocked the world. Americans believed it could never happen here in our own borders…until it did.

Ichiro Hisakawa and his family were part of the American culture – living the American Dream – until February 19, 1942, when President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 that branded them “the others.” Taken from their homes and stripped of their citizenship due to their ancestry, they endured deplorable conditions in the “relocation camps.” Typhus ran rampant through the camp, and riots were a daily occurrence. And for the first time, America was scornful. Life was difficult, and the Hisakawa family did their best to endure it all.

However, sixteen-year-old Ichiro wasn’t prepared for the betrayal, murder, and escape that was waiting for him. And how did Bobby King, a sixteen-year-old from 2017, find himself in 1942 and friend to Ichiro?

Read The Two Terrors of Tulelake, a story based upon historical facts of which many Americans today are unaware.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WM Gunn is a native Texan who spent many years in the pharmaceutical industry in sales, sales management, and training and development. He is active in writing groups and volunteering with non-profit groups. He lives in his hometown in Texas with his high school sweetheart and bride of many years.

To date, he has written dozens of short stories, novellas, and novels. Holmes, Moriarty, and the Monkeys and Chasing the Sun are two novellas released earlier in 2024. 

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