As I arrived at the funeral home (for visitation of Ron Davis Sr.), Gerry and Judy Gebhardt were leaving. I’m an outsider in many ways, in this town. I did my junior and senior years only at EHS. I don’t have the connections that kids who attended this school district more years than me have. My kids did have those connections. My younger siblings had those connections. When my parents divorced, Debi and I decided to stay in Lyons and finish school. My sister, Margaret, went first grade to senior, and the others were in lower grade school so they knew kids, friends, teachers, and more from the start. I did not. I was an outsider. Debi chose to go to EHS for her second semester of her senior year. She wanted to be closer to Jerald. She was also one who questioned everything. It was always, “Answer this then” as she spoke to Mr. D. All I know is that Mr. Davis didn’t have to go the extra mile for me and he did. He never let me slip through the cracks and I graduated when I was slated to do so. Mr. Davis loved kids, teaching, sports and more. I guess I’m rambling but he deserves recognition for the person he was. I loved other lost teachers like Lindy, too, but Mr. D made sure I knew my material and he saved me. When my mother gave me up and into foster care, she didn’t want me in her home at that time, Mr. Davis sent me materials to fill out and reports to type up and the only way to pass was to know the material. He helped me. Excellent teacher. When my mother gave me up and into foster care, she didn’t want me in her home at that time, Mr. Davis sent me materials to fill out and reports to type up and the only way to pass was to know the material. He helped me. Excellent teacher. Here’s to you Mr. D!

From Amazon: A memorial of 2020 covid-19 pandemic. This book collaboration was written by a mother and son duo who were impacted during the most infectious disease to hit the 21st century. Join them as they journey through the major highs and lows of their experience as global citizens. This special piece which was written as a memorial reminds us to stay safe and strong. Now you and your family can possess this memorable keepsake too.

My Review: The story is relevant to the times, children can easily relate to the messages both written and illustrated within. The rhyming storyline is an added bonus. Five gold stars.

From Amazon: This book of poetry invites you to embrace hope through the pain. Verses filled with grief, loss, love, and ultimately peace. The essence of my very being is intricately woven throughout these pages. Follow me through my mental health journey out of the darkness and into the light. My wish is that you feel a sense of hope. Now, take a deep breath: That’s life. Your life. It’s precious. You are so loved.

My Review: What a wonderful poetry book filled with emotions of love, loss, mental illness and more. Beautiful and touching poetry that will soothe the soul. We are not alone. The best poetry book I’ve read in a long time. Five stars!

From Amazon: A book contract in hand from a publishing house, Constance Barnes has finally found her place in the writing world. Her public persona screams confidence and success, but behind closed doors, she’s a lonely woman still looking for Mr. Right. Mack Maiden, the owner of a lucrative pet store on the main street of Mill Lake, New Mexico, signaled into the fast lane of success at an early age. He should be happy with his life, but he’s missing the one thing he yearns for most—the love of a woman. Drawn together by their mutual loneliness, Constance and Mack find a new happiness together. Life is good, but Constance doesn’t see the plot twist headed straight toward her. It will be up to her and Mack to unravel the deception of one friend, and the revenge of another, before her book hits the bestseller list, and all hell breaks loose.

My Review: A new state, different world and ambiance of New Mexico sets the scene for this book by Mettner. By the way, Mettler has become my most favorite contemporary romance writer. Her books are delish. Back to this book, Mettler has two protagonists who are imperfectly perfect for each other. The nuances and hurdles to be over come, I leave for the next reader. I will say that Mettner wove into this story multiple murders in such a way that I thought she might stop writing happily ever afters, but she will keep writing love stories with complex characters and I will keep on reading them. Five gold stars!

From Amazon: Have you ever seen a pigeon tap-dance? Or heard of a pigeon that loves opera? THE TAP-DANCING PIGEON OF COVENT GARDEN is a charming story that will touch your heart and make you laugh. It’s all about Pigeon, who leaves the family nest and travels to London to find his passion in life and a place he can truly call home . . .

My Review: I loved this beautifully illustrated book for children. The story is unique and children learn that when the time is right, they can leave home with parents and find their own place in life. Children learn through a pigeon how to be watchful, carefull, and how to make new friends in a new area. Five stars.

Book Title: Raid of the Wolves

Series: (Ormstunga Saga, Book 2)

Author: Donovan Cook

Publication Date: 15^th November 2021

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length: 362 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Twitter Handles: @DonovanCook20 @maryanneyarde

Instagram Handle: @coffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/2021/10/blog-tour-raid-of-wolves-ormstunga-saga.html

Book Title and Author Name

Raid of the Wolves

(Ormstunga Saga, Book 2)

By Donovan Cook

(Blurb)

The only thing that kept him going were the voices of his ancestors, screaming for blood…

Ulf and his shield brothers are sent on a raid against an old enemy — Francia, a mighty kingdom to the south, now ravaged by civil war. During the perilous sea voyage, Ulf can only focus on one thing. He demands closure: to find the man who slaughtered his family — Griml.

A hidden enemy stalks Ulf and his warriors through Francia, striking mercilessly when they least expect it. Soon the hunters become the hunted. The Norse warriors must make the ultimate choice between defying the king or angering the gods. Both could end in fury.

But there is another threat lurking in the shadows. One that Ulf could never anticipate.

Ulf is not the only one who wants vengeance.

Buy Links:

Available on #KindleUnlimited

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09JN4DRQB

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JN4DRQB

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09JN4DRQB

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09JN4DRQB

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raid-of-the-wolves-donovan-cook/1140547105

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/raid-of-the-wolves/donovan-cook/9781838300821

Author Bio:

Even as a young child, Donovan loved reading stories about Vikings and other medieval warriors fighting to defend their homeland or raiding in distant lands. He would often be found running around outside with nothing other than a wooden sword and his imagination.

Now older, he spends his time writing about them. His novels come from his fascination with the Viking world and Norse Mythology and he hopes that you will enjoy exploring this world as much as he did writing about it.

Born in South Africa but raised in England, Donovan currently lives in Moscow, Russia with his wife and their French Bulldog, where he works as an English tutor. When he is not teaching or writing, he can be found reading, watching rugby, or working on DIY projects. Being born in South Africa, he is a massive Springboks fan and never misses a match.

Social Media Links:

Website: www.donovancook.net

Twitter: twitter.com/DonovanCook20

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonovanCookAuthor

BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/donovan-cook

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Donovan-Cook/e/B08PC3BDRX

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/20887374.Donovan_Cook

From Amazon: ‘This book is a treasure. Ten pots of gold.’ July 2021. ‘Lille herself avoided mirrors. They startled her with their frankness: her white froth skin, her too green eyes, sea thrift lips, and hair which shifted and tumbled like the yellow dunes.’ Runner up in Graffiti Magazine 25th anniversary short story competition 2020. ‘Provisioned with nectar of orange cordial, and slices of the softest bread filled with white and gold fragments of egg and carried in elf-made baskets of satiny tupperware, hunger could not call us away for hours at a time.’ Winner of the Ottery St Mary adult section writing competition 2020. Cheryl Burman is an award winning writer of short stories, flash fiction and novels. Here she has gathered a collection with fairytale, myth or fairytale-like themes of varying length and gravity. A short read.

My Review: Great short stories with a nice mix of folklore and fairy-tale life and more. Interesting mix of characters and takeoffs from other books. Any paranormal or folklore will love this book.

From Amazon: Read the cult-favorite coming of age story that takes a sometimes heartbreaking, often hysterical, and always honest look at high school in all its glory. Also a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a funny, touching, and haunting modern classic. The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky, Perks follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. A #1 New York Times best seller for more than a year, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2000) and Best Book for Reluctant Readers (2000), and with millions of copies in print, this novel for teen readers (or “wallflowers” of more-advanced age) will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps feel nostalgic for those moments when you, too, tiptoed onto the dance floor of life.

My Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower ~ too bad this wasn’t available for me to read as a freshman in high school. My life would have been more enriched as some choices I made would’ve been different, activities I chose not to participate in would’ve happened, being involved would have been good for me, etcetera would’ve changed my whole world.