Title and Author: Fire and Ice Cream by K. M. Carroll
Name of Reviewer:
Heidi Lyn

Rating: PG
Reason for choice of rating:
Off-Screen Murders, some mild violence

The Review:
I had sort of given up on cozy mysteries because I find they are usually very light on the mystery. A lot of times they are solved almost by coincidence and the characters spend more time worried about recipes or shoes or flirting with love interests than actually solving anything. I'm not sure if this is the norm, or if I just picked out a bad batch to start with, but after three that fit this pattern of "MC goes on dates and eats food then at the end is handed the answer without doing any legitimate crime solving," I decided the genre wasn't for me. 
However, I did have faith in both K. M. Carroll as a writer (due to her YA Paranormal series which I enjoy), and I'm a real sucker for anything dragon, so I had to try this. 
I wasn't disappointed. This is a sweet, satisfying dish of murder and moderate mayhem with a character who actually looks for clues ... and yeah, she also eats food and makes ice cream (doesn't really go on dates, but that's probably coming). Definitely worth the read if you like a gentle mystery with some fantastic elements. 
The only thing that struck me as a little odd was the fact that everyone in this very familiar world is okay with their being dragons. I'm used to the magical beings hiding so the average person doesn't know they exist (though in fairness, if your magical being is as big as a dragon, hiding would be pretty dang hard), so it was kind of a surprise when the dragons and drakes were just out and proud ... yet the world was basically ours. I'd think having actual dragons would change history enough that the world would be slightly different (how does warfare go down in a world with dragons? Do dragon/drake issues affect politics? Are dragons all rich and powerful because humans are afraid of them or have humans just adapted?) That actually could all be explored/touched on in later books (and would probably be out of place in this genre), but it did make me want to read THAT book later. 

Ideal Audience:
People who like Cozy Mysteries ... and dragons. 

Applicable Tags:
Paranormal, Dragon, Mystery, Shape Shifter, Contemporary 

Title and Author: Malicious by K. M. Carroll
Name of Reviewer:
Heidi Lyn 

Rating: 
PG
Reason for choice of rating:
Some zombie violence/bloodshed

The Review:
I really enjoyed this final installment of the Puzzle Box Trilogy. There's a lot to unpack (zombies, evil moms, characters with twisty motives), and it is pretty much non-stop action. The earlier books have some set up that takes some time, but in this one the world and characters are pretty established. so there's more time for running around, fighting zombies, and saving the world.

Over all a very satisfying conclusion to a tightly written and original series.

Ideal Audience:
Paranormal Romance Readers who are more interested than characters than "abs." 

Applicable Tags:
Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult, Zombies, Action, Magic

Title and Author: The Tethered World by Heather L. L. FitzGerald
Name of Reviewer:
The Book Dragon
Rating:
G
Reason for choice of rating:
Even though there is some violence, it is so mildly written, I don't believe it would be a problem for any reader, even a sensitive one.

The Review:
This is an imaginative, witty adventure reminiscent of Narnia and even has a similar Christian viewpoint. I love that the story features a homeschooling family (since we were one) with an autistic child who has a special destiny. There are Trolls and Ogres and other scary creatures in this subterranean magical world along with Gnomes, Dwarfs, Elves, Fairies, and Nephilim. It's fun to experience this story through the eyes of the MC, the oldest child in the family. Otherwise well-written with a steady, unfolding pace. I'm glad there are more books because this believable world and the loveable characters can easily support a larger story.

Ideal Audience:
This adventurous book will appeal to boys and girls ages 8 and up, and would make a great family read-aloud.

Books and movies you would compare this to:
The Chronicles of Narnia

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?
I really loved Brock

What mood did this book leave you in?
Satisfied and thoughtful

Applicable Tags:
Christian, Contemporary, Epic, Noblebright, Spiritual, Action, Adventure, Coming-of-Age, Fae/fairy, High Fantasy, Young Adult

POTENTIAL SPOILER ISSUE:
My only niggle is that the climactic battle ended too quickly and too easily!

Title and Author:
Dragon's Egg by Emily Martha Sorensen
Name of Reviewer:
Jolyn Safron

Rating:
G

The Review:
This story is short but it packs a lot into its 60 pages and I enjoyed it very much.
Rose is a college student who wants to be a paleontologist but is stuck with a father who doesn't think a woman in the 1920's needs to be anything other than a wife or a teacher. Henry is a biology major who loves kids. Rose and Henry never expected to discover a baby dragon who wants these two strangers to be his parents when they walked into the American Museum of National History. What are two college students and a baby dragon not yet hatched to do?
You will find some interesting questions to ponder about parenting and personhood, a lot of humor, some great characterization of both Rose and Henry and a good, fun story. Don't miss this little gem!
And then get ready to buy and read the next book in the series "Dragon's Hope" - that is what I am off to do LOL!

Ideal Audience:
I think this is written for young adults/college age who might be struggling with the thoughts of becoming parents but those who have already gone through parenthood will really appreciate looking back on the issues addressed as well. Dragon-lovers, of course, need to read this book.

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?
I thought Rose would be my favorite character after readying "Dragon's First Christmas" but Henry ended up being my favorite. He really has a heart of gold and is so kind both towards the baby dragon and Rose.

What mood did this book leave you in?
The story was so sweet and I definitely want more!

Applicable Tags:
Contemporary, Dragon, New Adult

Title and Author:
Joss the Seven by J. Philip Horne
Name of Reviewer:
Jolyn Safron

Rating: 
PG
Reason for choice of rating:
Typical super hero typo stuff with fights, eminent danger, injuries but no graphic details. Some deaths but no gory details.

The Review:
Well written story about a young man just completing eighth grade who has to learn how to deal with his newly discovered special abilities. He also has to figure out why he has these powers and who he can trust.

Lots of action and good supporting characters keep this story interesting and moving along. As an adult reader of this story, I appreciate that the parents are not doofuses and get involved (even though they are not happy with everything that has taken place prior to the time they become informed). So many stories leave everything up to the kids - regardless of whether that is realistic or wise.

Ideal Audience:
Good story for middle schoolers

Applicable Tags:
Shape-Shifter, Contemporary, Action, Coming of Age, Superhero, Juvenile

Title and Author:
Magic Weaver by K. M. Carroll
Name of Reviewer:
Heidi Lyn

Rating:
PG

The Review:
I was able to dive right in, despite not having read previous installments in this series. There is a little bit of catch up with characters who obviously have a lot of history, but it was inserted naturally and quickly enough that things kept moving. 

This world has believable characters and an extremely complex magic system. It moves at a quick pace, and leads to a satisfying ending, with some "this'll be resolved later" threads but no major cliffhangers. It's also kind of good, quirky fun to see our very normal world mixed with elaborate magical systems and other worldly areas ... plus I'm a sucker for a mechanical cat. Did I mention this has a mechanical cat?
I received an ARC in return for my honest review.

Ideal Audience:
People who like complex magical systems and quirky characters

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?
I DID mention the mechanical cat?

Applicable Tags:
New Adult, Contemporary, Urban, Epic, Magic, Portal

Title and Author:
The Collar and the Cavvarch by Annie Douglass Lima
Name of Reviewer:
SDCB

Rating:
PG
Reason for choice of rating:
A few fight scenes. Also, the issue of slavery might be upsetting for very young readers.

The Review:
I actually read the books out of order, so I read this after the Gladiator and the Guard. It was definitely another great read from this author. It's easy to get swept away into the fantasy/futuristic/dystopian world she creates. I love the main character, Bensin, who is wise beyond his years but also has a heart as big as the sky. His love for his young sister is admirable, but he is also a completely believable character who wins some and loses some. His coach is probably my favorite character: a man wrestling with his conscience against the evils of slavery, while also treating his slaves as well as he can. Of course, Ellie is as cute as can be, and there are some great action scenes. I would recommend this book 100% to any teens or adults. Can't wait for Book #3 in the series!

Ideal Audience:
Good for young boys, possibly ages 10+ especially, because the hero is a boy, but I think girls would enjoy it too!

Books and movies you would compare this to:
Of course parts of it remind me of Gladiator.

Applicable Tags:
Adult, Christian, Contemporary, Epic, Coming-of-Age, Juvenile, New Adult, Young Adult

Title and Author:
The Horse Dreamer by Marc Secchia

Name of Reviewer:
Heidi Lyn B. 

Rating: PG-13
Reason for choice of rating:
Content wise, there is a bit of high level flirting, some intense moments (basically they get the worst out of the way right off the bat as the character endures a catastrophic car accident within the first chapter ... but other traumatic incidents are peppered within) and there is some incidental nudity (characters shift between worlds, arriving without clothes) but more on the awkward side than anything else. Probably for me this would be a PG13 but it depends on a young reader's sensitivities. 

The Review:
This feels like it will be almost impossible for me to review coherently because this book has a LOT going on. Seriously, a lot a lot. It provides an extremely elaborate world, backed up by our own world but across two continents, with multiple fantasy races (humanoid and non-humanoid) with their own factions ... and a breathless busy style with a rambunctiously voiced heroine who quips constantly.
I really enjoyed it. 

Ideal Audience:
Teen readers who like a little bit of edge but in a safe way. 

Books and movies you would compare this to:
Good Eragon, like what Eragon could've been.

What mood did this book leave you in?
Impressed

Applicable Tags:
Animal, Dragon, Contemporary, Portal, Shape-Shifter, Young Adult