A World Beyond by Marc Remus

A World Beyond is the sixth and final installment of the magical, fantasy, children’s book series Magora created by Marc Remus.

Holly O’Flanigan and her friends Amanda, Brian, and Rufus follow the evil Duke of Cuspidor and his army of Unfinished into a painting and enter a whole new world where a small group of creatures, the Cenamels, are hiding somewhere. These creatures are protecting a very powerful, magical item that may tip the scales in favor of Cuspidor and may cause the destruction of Magora.

Equally important to Holly as the future of Magora is the possibility of finding the double of her grandfather, Nikolas, who may hold the answers to Holly’s questions. Little does Holly know that there are far more shocking secrets waiting to be discovered.

More intense, more exciting, and more suspenseful than any of the previous five installments, this book offers fiercer and more matured Holly O’Flanigan. Moreover, it features more page-turning chasing scenes and more rousing battle scenes as well as scenes displaying advanced magic.

However, though I, immensely, enjoyed this final book in the series, it leaves me with a tiny pinch in my heart. First, I find Rufus’s participation very minimal compared with Brian’s and Amanda’s. Second, there are too many “how’s” and “why’s” that keep playing in my mind. Finally, I want to know more about what happened after. It seems like the author deliberately left it at that to give the readers the freedom to imagine how the story might have played out. If that were the case, then, the author successfully did just that.

Congratulations to Marc Remus (@MarcRemusArt) on such a great book! Though it would, undoubtedly, be enjoyed by young and old children alike, some scenes may be too horrid for very young children. For more books by the author, click HERE.             

The Woodspeople by Marc Remus

The Woodspeople is the fifth installment in the exciting and magical Magora Book Series by Marc Remus.

This is Holly’s and her friends’ final year at Cliffony Academy of the Arts. However, there are more pressing issues in Holly’s mind than which independent study classes to take. First, there are those unfortunate incidents concerning one of the professors and the Head of the High Council. Second is her discovery of the Hidden Hill. Third is the horrible condition of the former Unfinished Holly has completed. Fourth and not the least is her search for three Woodspeople whom she thinks survived Cuspidor’s attack and whom she believes can shed some light on the mysterious life of her grandfather, Nikolas.  

While the new members of the High Council are busy finding ways to protect the island from Curspidor’s army, Holly has her own preoccupations. There is Cookie’s suspicious behavior, then a note that leads them to the possible whereabouts of the Woodspeople they are looking for. There is also her discovery of the reason behind Rufus’ too grown-up attitude. Apparently, this is going to be a busy year for Holly and her friends.   

This is the exciting fifth installment and mind-boggling continuation of the Magora Book Series. The suspense and excitement begin at the first chapter of the book and never stopped until the last page. Overwhelming revelations are uncovered such as secret doors and decoys. In addition to the Anches which were introduced in the fourth book, another new creature, Quadler, is featured. The never-ending suspense and shocking revelations make the book a real page-turner. This, however, can be a little exhausting.

Needless to say I enjoyed this book immensely. For a die-hard Magora fan like myself, everything is getting more and more exciting. However, I’m not much into cliffhanger ending but for this one I’m happy to make an exemption. At this point in the series, I’m having mixed emotions. I’m deliriously excited about the ending but I feel somehow sad to say goodbye to Holly, her friends, and the entire fantasy world of Magora.

Congratulations to Marc Remus (@MarcRemusArt) on such a great fifth installment! I’m so looking forward to reading the last book. I’m kind of keeping my fingers crossed, but I don’t understand why J . For more books by the author, click HERE!

My 2019 Book List

I have read 118 books in 2018. Just like the previous years, most of them are by independent authors and are self-published. As a professional book reviewer, sometimes I feel like reading books become ‘work’ which, technically, in my case, is true. So, when writing reviews becomes too tedious and stressful, I read for fun. The following list is that of books that I chose to read for personal amusement.

1. Surprise Me by Sophia Kinsella

2. The Giver by Lois Lowry

3. Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by

4. Acceptable Risk by Robin Cook (reread)

5. Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts (reread)

6. Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon

7. IQ84 by Haruki Murukami

8. The Zahir by Paulo Coelho

9. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

10. Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell

11. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (reread)

12. Little Men by Louisa May Alcott (reread)

That looks like a short list, doesn’t it? Well, if you want, you may add your book to that list. Here is the list of the books I read and reviewed in 2018. Mainstream books, however, are not reviewed. They are popular enough as they are and some are even overrated and don’t need reviews for promotion.

1. Srepska by LucasSterling

2. You Can’t Pigeonhole Meby David M. Hood

3. Maggie ElizabethHarrington by D.J. Swykert

4. But My Brain Had OtherIdeas by Deb Brandon

5. Kitty Hawk and theIcelandic Intrigue by Iain Reading

6. Curses of Scale by S.D.Reeves

7. God is Alive and Wellby Dr. Robert Walker

8. Confessions of theHeart by Canaa L. Lee

9. Dawn of the Chrysalisby Sam B. Miller II

10. Sex and the Women byHeini Grunbaum

11. The Xeno Manifesto byBrysen Mann

12. Dodging Satan byKathleen Zamboni McCormick

13. Smith by Sam Miller II

14. Fiery Rivers by DaefydWilliams

15. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

16. The Bridge in the Fogby Marc Remus

17. The Simple Little Ruleby Mike Ellerkamp

18. The Witch’s Journey by Elaanie S.

19. Contract Pending by AlMarsiglia

20. A Chicken in the Windand How He Grew by Frank South

21. Madam Tulip and theBones of Chance by David Ahern

22. You Can’t Do That, YesI Can by Michael Attardi

23. Four Grams ofAffliction by Patricia M. Gunn

24. Brand Real by Vasken Kalayjian

25. Eyes Don’t Lie byCrystal Dawn Mason

26. Kitty Hawk and theTragedy of the RMS Titanic by Iain Reading

27. Marriage God’s Way byScott La Pierre

28. Tabikat by HarrietRedfern

29. Nightmares, The Lost Lullaby by Jason Segel

30. Pillow Talk: The Legend of Lorelie Begins by Daria J. Wagoner

31. Katseye by HarrietRedfern

32. Deadly Highway by J.Stewart Willis

33. Stop Whining; StartWinning by Tom Anslett

34. Driving in Reverse by LindsayWincherauk

35. Genna’s Ghost bySheldon Newton

36. Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs

37. Living with Uncertaintyand Still Enjoying Life by Karen Kay Dunn, M.A.

38. Patrick Kearney: TheTrue Story of the Freeway Killer by Jack Rosewood

39. The Manifesto Murders by Nick Airus

40. Invasion of the Ortaksby Sveinn Benonysson

41. That Place of Knowledgeby Phillip Shalka

42. The Wave and the Dropby Cindy Spring

43. The Golden Peacock byLauren B. Grossman

44. Hell Holes by DonaldFiresmith

45. The Fatness by Mark A.Rayner

46. Somewhere a Tree Growsby Kipling Keats de Magi

47. Voyage of Pearl of theSeas by Ruth Finnegan

48. A Distant Eden by LloydTackitt

49. Squelched by TerryBeard

50. Witchstone by VictoriaRandall

51. Bosnian Phoenix byMiljan Peter Ilich

52. The Language Thieves byMarc Remus

53. None Notches by TJSpencer Jacques

54. A Father Offers His Sonby Scott La Pierre

55. Kitty Hawk and theMystery of the Masterpieces by Iain Reading

56. American River:Currents by Mallory M. O’Connor

57. Angels among Us by Hannah Conway

58. World, Incorporated byTom Gariffo

59. Gone by Michael Grant

60. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

61. Revival from the Shoulder by Paul Juby

62. No Peace After War byClaire St. Hilaire

63. Highly EffectiveTeaching Strategies by Marc Hoberman

64. Fighting to Win byNicole Flockton

65. Eden Shrugged by EdmonMcGhee, Jr.

66. Tales of Gold by TLMarmon

67. Law of Attraction Masterby Steven Marie

68. Opus Singularis by RobertEarl Means, Jr.

69. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

70. When Angels Play Pokerby Maura O’Leary

71. Meditations from aPastor’s Heart by Jerome A. Jochem, M.S., M. A.

72. A Side of Faith byKrista Phillips

73. Templar Secrets byAndreas Economou

74. A Reunion in Time byRussell F. Moran

75. Spirituality in the 21stCentury by Frank P. Daversa

76. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

77. First Family by AliceLangholt

78. Chanctonbury by NatashaMurray

79. Accidents Happen bySharon Karaa

80. Empty Desk by JanetCall

81. Roadmap to the End ofDays by Daniel Friedman

82. McDowell by William H.Coles

83. Beyond Wealth to Long-Term Prosperity by Naseem Mariam

84. King of Time by SkySommers

85. Days of the Giants byRJ Petrella

86. A New Vision by MoriahMorningstar

87. The Ghost Writer byDamon Norko

88. Story Bends by S.D.Henke

89. The Crystilleries ofEcholand by Dew Pellucid

90. Garbageman by Erik Dean

91. Earthships, Book 2 byBonnie Jane Hall

92. Paralytic State bySteven Orlowski

93. Spin by Tina Sayward

94. Messed-Up Men of theBible by Tina and Dave Samples

95. For the Man in White byTyler Martin Sehnal

96. The Influence ofMilitary Strategies to Business by M. D. White

97. The Legacy of Job’sWife by Cynthia Koelker

98. Serpents and Doves byG. Lloyd Helm

99. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

100. The Easter Make Believersby Finn Bell

101. Vagrant by Janet Post

102. Chip’s World: Complex#31 and the Caretaker by Thomas Hill

103. Cyber-Thought Police byKyle Robertson

104. Ink by Amanda Anderson

105. The Mighty Blue SavedChristmas by M.A. Baer

106. Psychopath by JeffereyDawson

107. Chronicles of Pangea:Eve by Jay Mathis Horne

108. The Witch of Endor:Vampires by R.K. Wheeler

109. Unleash the Power ofYour Mind by Aaron Powell

110. At the Mouth of a Canonby Kevin Annett

111. Thomas Wildus and theBook of Sorrows by J. M. Bergen

112. Octavio and the Lotusby N. Pojk

113. A Bloody Book by ChrisBowen

114. The Watchmaker’s Doctorby G.M.T. Schuilling

115. The Uprising by MarcRemus

116. I Can See Peace by Julie Penshorn

117. The Woodspeople by Marc Remus

118. Of Zots and Xoodles by Zarqnon the Embarrassed

If you want to add your book on next year’s list, you may CLICK HERE. The blog author, however, reserves the right to refuse books that are beyond her field of expertise.  

I Can See Peace by Julie Penshorn

I Can See Peace is a beautiful children’s book written by Julie Penshorn and illustrated by Jeanine-Jonee Keith.

In this lovely and colorful book, the author shows the readers how peace can be found everywhere. It also shows how it can be interrupted by fights among people. Most importantly, however, the book shows that peace can be found from within any person because anybody has what it takes to solve things in a peaceful way.

It is a charming book for children that shares an important message, that peace can be found anywhere, and though peace is sometimes difficult to come by, it is achievable as long as we are willing to search for it and work for it. The colorful illustrations help young readers to internalize how easy it is to find peace and make peace.

Congratulations to Julie Penshorn (@sunbornstables) on such a lovely book.

The Uprising by Marc Remus

The Uprising is the fourth book in the magical children’s fantasy book series, Magora, created by Marc Remus.

Due to an unexpected and shocking discovery about her foster family, Holly, together with her friends Amanda, Brian, and Rufus, urgently goes back to the fantasy world of Magora.

While on their way, they spot a hoard of Unfinished at the banks of Lake Santima in addition to boatfuls of the same creatures heading for the island. As they take another route, they go through the dark forest and find the hidden city of the Woodspeople whom Grandpa Nikolas used to live with.

They arrive at Magora and are met with a series of ominous news. Holly is not just expected to help out, but she is depended on to defeat the Unfinished and save Magora, quite a responsibility for a child, even a powerful Gindar.

The adventure and excitement continue as Holly and her friends go back to Magora to keep the fantasy island safe from the Duke of Cuspidor’s army of Unfinished. The author keeps the magic and excitement on high levels as he gives away a glimpse of the city of the Woodspeople and a slice of the secrets that Professor Kasmera has kept from everyone including the headmistress of Cliffony Academy of the Arts.

As fans of the Magora Book Series go deeper into this fantastical young adult fiction, they witness not only Holly’s gradual transformation from a scared orphan to a strong and courageous leader, but also the transition of the story from an entertaining and delightful read to a more serious and more profound saga that includes unexpected and shocking twists that showcase the author’s creative mind and writing skills.

Needless to say I enjoyed this fourth installment as much as I did the first three books, and I am looking forward to reading the fifth which will be featured on this blog in the very near future.

Congratulations to Marc Remus (@MarcRemusArt) on this exciting and amazing book! For more books by the author, please click HERE.    

The Mighty Blue Saves Christmas by M. A. Baer

The Mighty Blue Saves Christmas is an enjoyable children’s book written by M.A. Baer and illustrated by Marita Gentry.

An elderly man in Alaska receives an unexpected visitor, a beautiful white kitten, one snowy night.  He names it Blue and it brings playfulness, excitement, and happiness into his life. However, there is more to little Blue than being sweet and playful, he can also pull a sled fast like a powerful white tiger.

Then, something very special happens and it reveals the true power Blue has and the man finally learns whose gift his sweet little kitten really is.

This is a sweet and enjoyable children’s book set at the happiest time of the year, Christmas. It depicts happiness people get from companionship and helpfulness. Most importantly, it shows that the best gift a person can have is a friend.

I enjoyed the book a lot, not only the mystery that surrounds Blue but also the colorful pictures that grace every page.

Congratulations to M. A. Baer on such a beautiful and enjoyable book!   

The Bridge in the Fog by Marc Remus

The Bridge in the Fog is the exciting third installment in the Magora Series created by Marc Remus.

Holly, together with her friends Brian, Rufus and Amanda, is back in Cliffony Academy of the Arts in the fantastical land of Magora. Her return is fired by her burning desire to learn more about her Grandpa Nikolas and her gripping fear that she might be the rumored daughter of the Duke of Cuspidor. Her search for information about her grandfather leads her to the mythical and enchanted bridge said to be closed forever and is hidden behind an eternal fog by its creator, the Wise Man himself, her Grandpa Nikolas.

This third book in the series, though not as suspenseful as the second book is, I can say, much more eventful and therefore just as intriguing and exciting. The search for the Woodspeople and the Land of the Ledesmas through the Bridge in the Fog, the rumors about Cuspidor’s daughter; and a photograph of a library from another world are among the things that the readers will look forward to in this installment. Moreover, the author introduces new characters including Professor Amranranputran and Professor Parsidor, new creatures like the Woodspeole and the Halogumpters in addition to a lot of surprising revelations.

However, I’m not a fan of cliffhangers but I suppose the ending of the book is necessary for a smoother transition to the next and much anticipated Book 4, The Uprising.

Congratulations to Marc Remus (@MarcRemusArt ) on yet another exciting and magical book. For more books in this series, visit the Art World of Marc Remus. 

My 2018 Book List

I have read 135 books in 2017. As a book reviewer, most of those books are by independent authors while a few are mainstream books which I read for fun an amusement. This year, I made a short list of only 10 books to give space for other and most likely books by indie authors. If you are a book author, you may want to add your book on this list. 

1. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

2. Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs

3. Gone by Michael Grant

4. The Girl on the Train by Tate Taylor

5. The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom

6. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

7. The 9th Life of Louis Drax

8. The Lost Lullaby by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

9. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray 

10. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Yes. There are two classic novels on my list and yes I seriously want to read them. 

Anyways, here is the list of books I read in 2017. You may click the title for the review of a particular book. Mainstream books, however, are not reviewed, basically because I do believe they don't need it.

1. The Key by Marianne Curley

2. Now I Know It's NotMy Fault by Laurie B. Levine

3. Beyond Acts by PaulR. Finch

4. Enchant: Beauty andthe Beast Retold by Demelza Carlton

5. Striking Blind byLonna Enox

6. Sapphire Ice byHallee Bridgeman

7. The Pharaoh'sBuilders by Heather Perrywinkle Smith

8. Get on Board LittleChildren by Victoria Randall

9. Faith, Grace andCancer by Stephanie Hoff Rodrigue

10. Winter by Marissa Meyer

11. EndSanity by JerryL. West

12. Strangers in AnotherCountry by G. Taylor

13. Agony of the Gods byTom Wolosz

14. Come on Home,Children by Victoria Randall

15. Whiteland King byAdrain G. Hilder

16. Stacked Case by AndyGruse

17. The Dark Companionsby M.A, Kassel

18. Ad Majorem by TomBeattie

19. Embellised by KarenGlista

20. Brainwalker by RobynMundell and Stephen Lacast

21. Betrayal of Faith byMark M. Bello

22. Yuri and the Legendof the Seventh Sea by Denis Boytsov

23. Bad War by SummerCooper

24. The Accelerating Worldby Emmanuel Cassimatis

25. City of HiddenChildren by Victoria Randall

26. Indeath by Cornelia Funke

27. Coffee-Drunk orBlind: An Alaskan Homesteading Adventure by Elle Knowles

28. The Seer by JDStanley

29. Alpha Wolves by JDSwykert

30. Me: AnecdotalEvidence that I Existed by Dan Reed

31. Bride of the Dragonsby Selina Cofey

32. Timmy, The FlyingMouse

33. The HackerChronicles by Patrick Oster

34. Lost Time by DLOrton

35. An Arabian Night byGaron Whited

36. He is With You byYnes Paulino Accilien

37. Dead Time by DLOrton

38. The Shadows of Olympus

39. Thrown Away bySheldon Newton

40. The Mark of theBeast Revelation 13 by Ezra Celestin

41. Nightlord Sunset by Garon Whited

42. Loss of Reason byMiles A. Maxwell

43. Deep Well of Time byMichael Dorer

44. Contingent UponMagenta by C. Drying

45. For All the CarolsOut There by Karyl Maier, M. Ed.

46. Lost and Forgottenby Maurice Barkley

47. Let No One WaitOutside Your Door by Lou Kief

48 Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

49. Hell Will Rise bySkyla Murphy

50. The Apostates Book Three: Lake of Fire by Lars Teeney

51. Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer

52. Blood Moon by JohnDavid Bethel

53. Chakaura by MicheleC. St. Amour

54. The Bordello Kid byKendall Hanson

55. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

56. The Necromancer by Michael Scott

57. There Was a LittleGirl by Edith Foote Carpenter

58. Justice by ScottHughes

59. The Dramen Lore by Mukta Sharma

60. Grey Areas by BradCarl

61. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

62. Role Reversal byIris Waichler, MSW, LCSW

63. 10 Step Plan to PromoteYour Book by Scott Hughes

64. The Old Guitar andOther Stories by KS Agustin

65. Science DeepensFaith by Thomas McAvoy

66. The Golden MapleTree by Marc Remus

67. The Afterlife:Hereafter and Here at Hand by Giulia Jeary Knap

68. Aaru by David Meredith

69. Domestic Violence in Lebanon: A Depth Psychological Perspective by Maysar Sarieddine

70. Ronaldo: TheReindeer Flying Academy by Maxine Sylvester

71. The Sleepwalker Tonic by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

72. Dear Maude by DeniseLeibig

73. The Power Experimentby Stephen Dimery, B. Sc.

74. _Shift by Brain Q.Webb

75. God Without Religion: An Alternative View of Life, the Universe and Everything by Dr. Michael Arnheim

76. Bullets and Babiesby Richard Ballo

77. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

78. Kitty Hawk and theCurse of the Yukon Gold by Iain Reading

79. Madam Tulip: AnIrish Cozy Mystery by David Ahern

80. Furthermore by Tahere Mafiti

81. Neostoicism 2.0 byRobert Woolston

82. Ronald: The PhantomCarrot Snatcher by Maxine Sylvester

83. God is a Woman byMichael Tavon

84. Living in Light, Love and Truth by Kaye Iliopoulos

85. Washed Away by NikkiDuBose

86. Harry the Happy Mouse by ngk

87. The Last Child ofLeif by Chris Pridmore

88. Men, Wars and Sex ofthe 60s by Lowell Hamilton

89. 2020 by Casey Dorman

90. Forged in Fire byFraser Scott

91. Pluto's Ghost byB.C. Chase

92. Have Amber - WillTravel by Keith Vlasak

93. We Are the Ants by Shawn David Hutchinson

94. Redemption: TheAdvent by Kimon Alexander

95. Madam Tulip and theKnave of Hearts by David Ahern

96. Holding Hope in OurHands by Kristin Skenderi

97. Origins by Dan Brown

98. Refugees by R.A.Denny

99. A Burning in theDarkness by AP McGrath

100. Hunting Nora Stoneby Colin Weldon

101. The Adventures ofFawn: 'Til the Last Snowflake Falls by Al E. Boy

102. We Won't Forget YouMr. McGillicuddy by Ira L. White

103. Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

104. Flames of Solsgardby Luke Manly

105. Brave and FunnyMemories of WWII by Lyndon Shubert

106. Kitty Hawk and theHunt for Hemingway's Ghost by Iain Reading

107. Johnny Quantum byTom Pawlik

108. The Hands of Ruinby Dylan Lee Peters

109. Frozen MomentsRevisited by Md Taslim

110. The Divinity Bureauby Tessa Clare

111. Midnite's Journeyby Dana Silkiss

112. My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

113. The Burgas Affairby Ellis Shuman

114. Programmed to Killby David J. Murray

115. Change; Become aWinner by George P. Boulden

116. SERIAL K by BrianGallagher 

117. Myth and Punishmentby Anoop Chandola

118. Seasons Change SoCan You by Alfreta Sailor            

119. Why We Crave Loveby Olympia Walker

120. The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom

121. A World WithoutColor by Bernard Jan

122. A Life Before byJulien Ayotte

123. The Yoke by DarrellDunham

124. Woman: The FailedMale by Dr. Geraldine Sharp

125. Hatching thePhoenix Egg by Joel Horn

126. Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin

127. Prayer Plus FaithEquals Miracles by Sharon Crittenden

128. Crossing the Lineby Elle Knowles

129. Superhighway by Alex Fayman

130. ImmaculateAssumptions by Cornelia Scott Cree

131. The Seduction ofReligion by Paul Singh

132. Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

133. The Golden Helm by VictoriaRandall

134. Da-Vid by StevenLancaster

135. The Bellringer byWilliam Timothy Murray