Tag Archive | book-review

Book Excellence Award

Apr14

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/226759471-shadow

Book Link

You know that hush that falls when someone tells you something sacred? That’s what reading Shadow feels like.

It’s not loud or flashy. It doesn’t shout for your attention. Instead, it kneels down beside you—yes, you—and gently says, “This matters. Let’s talk about it.”

On the surface, it’s a story about a pet dog named Shadow who has passed away. But if that’s all you see, read it again. Shadow isn’t just about death—it’s about the moment children meet grief for the very first time, face-to-face, with no script and no armour.

What struck me most was the honesty. Schmidt doesn’t tiptoe around sadness. She doesn’t try to cover it in glitter or distractions. She simply invites children to feel what they feel—fully, freely, and without shame.

And then—oh, then—she offers comfort. The kind of comfort that isn’t a quick fix but a gentle holding of hands. Talking, drawing, planting flowers… small acts with big meanings. They don’t erase the hurt, but they honour it. And that’s where healing begins.

Illustrated with tenderness and accompanied by thoughtful parental guidance at the back, Shadow is as much a resource as it is a story. But more than anything, it’s a companion. A quiet friend for the quietest moments.

This is the kind of book you don’t just shelve. You keep it within reach—because you’ll want to share it when words fail and hearts ache.

Shadow is soft-spoken, but it will stay with you long after the last page—like pawprints in your memory and petals from a flower planted in love.

About the Book Excellence Award

This book is a winner of the Book Excellence Award, a tribute to literary brilliance and a celebration of books that stand out for their artistry, depth, and storytelling prowess. It reflects the mission of Book Excellence: to showcase outstanding literature that transcends time and genre.

So This Happened…

Mar21

Book Link

Hi Mary,

Great news!
We are pleased to advise that your book, Shadow, is a winner!
Book Award Winner – Congratulations!

https://beyondboundariesreads.wordpress.com/2025/03/20/shadow-by-mary-michaelschmidt/

Review:

Grief is a curious thing. It sneaks up in the form of a missing paw print, an empty corner where a bed used to be, or the silence where a bark once echoed. Shadow by Mary and Michael Schmidt is not just a children’s book—it is a gentle, necessary guide through the uncharted territory of loss.

Children often experience death for the first time through the loss of a beloved pet. But how do they process it? What words can comfort them when their furry companion is no longer there? Schmidt’s book does something many avoid: it acknowledges grief, normalizes it, and offers a way forward.

The First Goodbye

History shows us that humans have mourned pets for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians mummified their cats; Romans etched epitaphs for their dogs. The pain of losing a pet is not new, yet we often struggle to help children navigate it. Shadow provides a roadmap, teaching kids that grief is real, valid, and—most importantly—manageable.

Take six-year-old Emily, for instance. She loses her golden retriever, Max, and doesn’t understand why he isn’t coming back. Her parents fumble for words. “He’s in a better place” feels hollow. But then they read Shadow together. They draw pictures of Max, plant a tree in his memory, and talk about their favorite moments. Grief doesn’t vanish, but it transforms into something gentler.

A Story That Heals

The book’s approach is both practical and profound. It suggests creative ways to process loss—drawing, storytelling, and planting flowers—while offering much-needed validation: “It’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to cry.” Unlike many children’s books that gloss over hard topics, Shadow embraces them.

This is no accident. Studies show that children who learn about grief early are better equipped to handle future losses. A 2018 study by the Journal of Child Psychology found that children who openly discuss emotions form stronger coping mechanisms later in life. This book doesn’t just tell a story; it builds resilience.

Why Every Family Needs Shadow

Renowned psychologist Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross once wrote, “The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss… You will learn to live with it.” Shadow distills this truth in a way that young minds can grasp.

More than just a book, Shadow is an emotional toolkit. It reassures children that they are not alone. It reminds parents that silence isn’t always golden. And it teaches us all that love never really leaves—it just changes form.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child had a guide like this for life’s first heartbreak?

Beyond Boundaries Reads Book Award

Beyond Boundaries Reads Book Award

This book is a winner of the Beyond Boundaries Reads Book Award. The award honors exceptional works of literature that transcend borders—geographical, cultural, and imaginative. This award celebrates stories that connect us, foster empathy, and highlight universal themes while amplifying diverse voices from around the world. Spanning fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and youth literature, it recognizes books that inspire, challenge, and deepen our understanding of the global human experience. To nominate a book or for more details, visit our Beyond Boundaries Reads Book Award page.

Protective Instinct

Mar19

Book Link

From Amazon:

When self-absorbed, international bestselling author Sebastian Bartoli refuses to write the biography of the infamous, mob-connected Maximillian Fontana, the consequences turn deadly.

Sebastian (Bash) Bartoli is an international bestselling crime novelist. Maximillian (Max) Fontana, who is reputed to have ties to organized white-collar crime, has insisted Bash write his biography. Concerned for his safety, Bash’s friend/agent devises an elaborate plan for him to disappear to a secluded location on Guntersville Lake in Alabama. Being accustomed to having his comfortable life managed, Bash is irritated by the inconvenience of having to deal with his own affairs, not to mention the danger it might pose if he is discovered.

Morgan Skylar is a good-natured and unfiltered, southern kindergarten teacher. She is much more comfortable eating potato chips with Cheez Whiz and Louisiana Hot Sauce than champagne and caviar. After the death of her overly protective grandfather (Pops) who raised her in rural Georgia, she takes time off to grieve, ending up in a cottage next door to Bash. When mechanical issues arise, she seeks help from the renter in the main house. Bash is annoyed that his secluded hideout is apparently not so secret. Begrudgingly, he offers her assistance. This is where Morgan and Bash’s worlds collide. When suited, armed men show up at the lake house, Morgan’s trained survival skills take over, and she secures their escape by boat as bullets fly.

Morgan offers to provide a temporary sanctuary to Bash in her Pops’ remote Appalachian cabin. Upon arrival, she discovers a letter from Pops revealing his dangerous past that may now be coming for her. As the unwitting targets of dangerous men, Bash and Morgan fight to stay a step ahead of their pursuers, while seeking answers. Bonds are tested. Trusts are broken. Alliances formed. Agendas hidden.

My Review:

This book is full of romance and danger. Not only do we have a writer who allows others to control and schedule his life, but there are mobsters and a biker gang from LA hot on his backside along with the girl of his dreams coming into the story fast. The pace is frenetic and exciting. The protagonists souls are left bare. Gutwrenching scenes are prevalent as much as the ones involving the bad guys chasing them. The book is a wonderful story. I had problems with one protagonist being a kindergarten teacher then a first grade teacher, and back and forth. Ansel Adams is Ansel Adams. Four stars for need of edits. Will give five stars when I see edited book.

Genuine Deceit

Feb27

Book Link

From Amazon:

When a young woman finds herself unknowingly accountable for the past sins of her family, she must unravel their secrets and lies to stay alive.

When her grandmother is brutally murdered in her own home, Reagan Asher leaves her corporate job and rushes to her sleepy hometown in Ohio. She has barely entered the house before a second break-in attempt is made, prompting police to believe it’s not just a random burglary. Reagan’s lifelong friend Mattie asks Aiden Rannell, her brother-in-law and an ex-Navy Seal, to lend support and protection to Reagan as she navigates the investigation.

Aiden suggests a ring that Reagan’s grandmother owned may be more valuable than anyone realizes. Considering her frugal life growing up, Reagan dismisses the idea, showing Aiden an old pink box filled with similar colorful, ornate costume jewelry she and her friends played with as children. When they find a decades-sealed container with shocking contents supporting Aiden’s concerns, Reagan begs him to help her find the origin and if it is related to her Nana’s death.

Finding clues to solve a decades old mystery proves challenging as the threats to Reagan’s life escalate. Could the discovery of a water-stained, half-torn photo found in her grandmother’s safe deposit box be significant? Her mother’s suicide? Her father’s abandonment? Unanswered questions send Reagan and Aiden across the country in search of answers, with danger never far behind. With each new revelation of deception and lies, Reagan begins to doubt everything she ever knew about her life.

My Review:

Wow. York has written a book without smooth sailing. This book grabs your attention, then takes you a ride like a roller-coaster with unpredictable twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out, you find out you don’t. The emotions are palpable, the love and loss equally palpable. The lies are numerous and, frankly, heartwrenching. Well done.

Meet Sarah Tanburn

Feb25

Please welcome Sarah Tanburn to my blog. Hello Sarah, I’m glad you made it here this morning. Shall we have a chat?  

Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hi Mary, and thanks for having me here. I am a writer, reader, sailor, hiker and cat-servant living in South Wales, UK. I write essays, review books, memoirs and occasional poems. Fiction is my main love though: I write historical fiction, especially maritime based, fantasy and science fiction and some literary stuff too.

In my 50s, I went back to university and last year graduated with a PhD in Creative Writing from Swansea. For that I wrote a duology of novels, of which more in a moment. At the same time, I wrote the series of fantasy novellas now out in a collection called Children of the Land.

Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book? (If you are here as an invite to promo your small business, then please write your own questions and provide relevant photos and links, thank you.)

Yes – and no! As a child and young adult, I wrote a lot. The autobiography of my pet. The story of Boff. A screenplay for Prisoner of Zenda. Then, like so many people, life got in the way. I wrote lots of journalism and public policy material but not creative work.

In 2003 I took redundancy, sold my house and moved aboard my own yacht to go off sailing. Free of the career shackles, I started creative work again. That turned into a novel which I worked on in bursts for a long time. It won’t be published, but I learnt a lot writing it.

When I started the PhD I knew that it would be a novel. It ended up being two, telling the story of William Brown, a Black woman who served as sailor and spy in Nelson’s Navy. I am now querying the first, entitled Born of Courage.

Children of the Land was a surprise gift along the way. The first novella I wrote in that world was Hawks of Dust and Wine, which came to me in one long burst. The story came second in the Rheidol Prize, an important Welsh literary prize, which was great. I then started thinking of other tales set in the same world.

How difficult was it writing your first book?

Children of the Land, my first published book, was a joy to write in many ways.  My complicated, somewhat dystopian future Wales brings with it some important disciplines. For my characters, it is difficult to travel out of Wales and electronic communication is monitored. But compared to the rest of a very unstable world (climate change, geopolitics) it is safe and tolerant. People are not rich, but they are not starving either.

Each story picks up on some imagined creature of the land, a mythological character or fabled part of Welsh history. Some, like the water monsters of The Flow, have their roots in our tales, but others are my invention. I wanted strong women, real challenges and a bit of fun along the way.

The hardest part was probably ensuring the elements of the Welsh language, such as blessings or place names, were right. Fortunately, I have lovely friends who are fluent in Cymraeg and generous with their time and skills.

Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

I think we all want to give up at times. We fall out of love with a project, or it just doesn’t seem to want to make sense. Our words stop working. Maybe our shoulders hurt and our waistline out of control.

The stories and the characters and the sheer joy of creation always bring me back. I will be standing the shower and realise that this is why that outfit matters, or that of course Charlie would run into the battle – or whatever it might be. And then I am back, making stuff up.

That’s what I keep writing despite rejections and disappointments. The stories won’t let me stop.

Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

I must name two people. One is my wife, Sandra, who is endlessly supportive and engaged. She welcomes my creativity but also my efforts to be more strategic about networking and marketing. The other is Jon, my supervisor for my PhD, who has been a fantastic mentor, generous with his time and insights.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I hope they enjoy the unsettling, immersive world of Children of the Land. I ask some dark questions about where trends in our society are going, and how they might play out in a small country which is not rich, but which has a strong sense of social justice. At the same time, I had some imaginative fun with the spirits of place and what might happen if the moles decide to take over.

I should add this is undoubtedly an adult book, despite the title. The children of the land are born when the landscape itself starts taking a hand in what happens next; they are not always kind.

What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

Gosh! Pick one? As a writer (rather than a human being) I immensely admire Ernest Hemingway. In his Paris Review interview, he says two great things. One is to leave out what you know: ‘I have seen the marlin mate,’ he tells us, ’so I left that out.’ The other is always to stop for the day when you know what the next sentence will be. Both of those work for me.

(If readers would like more about icebergs, Eisenhower and greening, there is an excellent article in the New Yorker at https://bit.ly/4ix0s4H by John McPhee)

What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

Fans of Angela Carter, Ursula Le Guin and Neal Stephenson will all find elements to enjoy in Children of the Land. There are monsters, certainly, some in human form. There is heroism and strange happenings. Technology matters in isolationist Cymru, whether energy is generated, we communicate beyond our borders or move from place to place. These are fantasies, certainly, but feedback suggests they appeal beyond the bounds of genre.

The intellectual roots of Children of the Land included my ambition to explore the tales of future Wales. Many writers look back at our history, whether at dragons, or glorious resistance or King Coal. I wanted to take those elements of myth and modernity and ask where they might lead us. These tales should therefore appeal to readers of political fiction, exploring possibility.

Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

I worked with a book designer. He created the cover and an icon for each of the five novellas. He saw the stories as a pathway for the imagination, so took the stepping-stones that feature in some of the stories as the central motif.

I used each of those motifs to make postcards, with a pull quote from the relevant novella. These have been invaluable publicity and I have used them widely on social media.

What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

There’s always more than one project on the go. I am (at the time of this interview), working on a novel, Wildwood, a standalone story set in the same world as Children of the Land, about rewilding the temperate rainforest. It is a love story between Gwen, perfumier and mother, and Hwni, spy and healer for the forest of the Upper Tywi Valley. At one point Gwen and her father are summoned to the capital, Aberytstwyth, and Hwni is looking after Gwen’s baby daughter Fidán. She takes the child into the woods.

The next morning dawned bright and dry and silent. No news came from Gwen in Aber’ so Hwni put Fidán back in the papoose and set off into the hills. She walked up the path Gwen had taken with Dafydd ap Morgan and Rhys ap Owain. Men bearing the names of their fathers. Humans love asserting family ties: maybe Fidán would help her understand. All the while she chatted to the baby, describing the plants along the way. The worts and the polypods, the lichens, lolling hart’s tongue everywhere beneath ivy-berries and the shaped lobes of oak leaves. At the orange fungus Morgan had attacked, she stopped and laid a finger on the stumps left behind, which were sprouting again. On the other side of the path the two pieces Gwen had placed were thriving, and she stroked them gently. ‘There’s a blessing for them, Fidán cariad,’ she said and continued upwards, still reciting the litany of the forest.

Any last words before we wrap things up?

I am very grateful for this chance to talk about my writing. There is always a great deal to learn from such clever questions, and from other writers who talk to you. I want to add that I write in lots of genres and forms: that may not be always the most commercial approach, but it allows me to tell tales of strong women and big themes the way I choose. I urge writers and readers to go beyond their usual comfort zone and find something new.

Bio

Sarah Tanburn is a writer living in South Wales after living afloat for a decade. The hidden stories of women at sea under sail fascinate her, and her work recovers their voices and agency in complicated worlds. She is also enmeshed in environmental concerns and passionate about a future, safer world. Her short stories, essays, memoirs and reviews have appeared online and in print across various outlets, for instance www.nation.cymru, Superlatives and [wherever] magazines, Ink, Sweat & Tears and the Iron Press anthology Aliens.

Social Media

Website: www.ladyturtlepress.cymru

Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/7wnB8Cb

Twitter: @workthewind

Bluesky: @sarahtanburnwriter.bsky.social

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-tanburn-0a10a13

Hashtags:  #Fantasy #WelshFantasy #HistoricalFiction #WomenInHistory 

More Red Roses in Verse

Feb6

Book Link

From Amazon:

The love poetry collection, More Red Roses in Verse, is the perfect way to express your love on those romantic evenings with your special someone. Each word of love contained within these pages will help you convey the depth of your feelings, whether it’s under the glow of candlelight or any time of year. This companion to Twelve Red Roses In Verse is a beautiful addition to any collection of poetry and is sure to warm the heart of your loved one.

My Review:

Top reviews from the United States

Mary Schmidt5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and tender true love

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2025
  • Verified Purchase
  • This is another beautiful poetry book by Derek King. I’m not reading them in sequential order, yet that is part of why they are mesmerizing to me. Derek and Julie live an ocean apart and love each other deeply. The words are sensual and actually are the same as making sweet love to one’s true love. Not only that, but this love transcends time itself. The yearning for each other. The deep love. Everyone should come to know this level of sublime love.

Heart of Evergreen!

Jan27

Book Link

New Review From Literary Titan

Heart of Evergreen by Mary L. Schmidt is a psychological thriller that masterfully delves into the unraveling life of Kim Dailey. A devoted wife, Kim’s seemingly perfect marriage takes a chilling turn when she discovers her name linked to a hit list on her husband Steve’s laptop. This revelation propels her into a whirlwind of doubt and fear, where every moment becomes a high-stakes journey to uncover the truth. As Kim confronts the possibility that her husband may be a covert assassin, the narrative explores themes of deception, resilience, and the lengths one will go to protect their family.

One of the novel’s standout strengths is its seamless blend of suspense, mystery, and romance. Schmidt crafts a deeply personal and intimate story, grounding the tension with the raw, emotional depth of her protagonist. Kim’s love for Steve, even amidst her mounting suspicion, and her compassionate observations of him as a father figure to her children, create a poignant duality that resonates. A particularly haunting moment arises when Dmitry’s death is contemplated—a scene so viscerally portrayed that it lingers long after reading. Schmidt juxtaposes the brutal finality of loss with the tenderness of grief, making it both heartrending and unforgettable. The story’s backdrop is a festive celebration overshadowed by the threat of an unseen assassin that creates gripping tension, while the richly layered characters bring authenticity and nuance to the narrative. The novel’s exploration of human relationships is deeply resonant, capturing moments of heartbreak, love, and hope with equal finesse. A notable strength lies in its portrayal of women’s resilience. Whether navigating life-altering choices or enduring harrowing trials, the women in Heart of Evergreen shine as embodiments of strength and grace. Balancing its weighty emotional themes are heartwarming glimpses of Kim’s moments of joy, particularly with her children. These scenes lend a warmth that counterbalances the darker aspects of the plot, offering moments of reprieve amidst the tension. The crescendo of the narrative, the poignant demise of Dmitry stands out as a masterfully written moment, weaving hope and heartbreak into an unforgettable climax.

Heart of Evergreen is an evocative tale that will captivate readers who enjoy romantic family sagas infused with elements of crime, desire, and emotional complexity. Fans of Ian McEwan’s Atonement will be drawn to its layered storytelling and profound exploration of the human spirit. This is a novel that lingers in the mind, leaving readers both moved and reflective.

Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0DR69LRC2 ~ Literary Titan

When Darkness Falls

Jan17

Book Link

From Amazon:

Are serial killers mad or evil?
Follow the amazing journey of Tracy Bennett, an average, middle of the road woman working in a make-up counter in a York department store.But Tracy is not who she wants you to believe….“I was unable to put it down as the character is so driven, ghoulishly fascinating and wickedly humorous.””Kathleen Harryman’s portrayal of a mind warped horribly out of shape is a compelling plunge into the abyss.”Kathleen Harryman’s When Darkness Falls is a gripping account of a psychopathic killer. Written from the killer’s perspective, the story’s intent is perfectly compelling and holds the reader enthralled. Make assumptions, draw your own conclusions and then find your theories debunked as the story unfolds. When Darkness Falls is a book that you will not be able to put down until the last page is turned. A testament to the human fascination with the criminal mind. Get your copy!

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder most bloody

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025

Verified Purchase

Oh, Tracy. So misunderstood. This story blew my mind. The psychology behind the main character just exploded with more twists and turns than I had any idea of. I won’t write spoilers, though. Suffice it to say that the novel is deep and the one who murders has a penchant for using knives in an artistic manner as the person has the notion they create a masterpiece as they cut and design creations in the victims skin, deep or not, and they especially loved the creations of blood spatters on the walls and such. Don’t get me wrong, this book is not all about gore at all. The substance of real friends and people are just as important as the one who commits the heinous acts.

Hunted Book One

Jan5

Book Link

From Amazon:

Secrets can kill you…

For twenty-five years, Alice Quinn, believed she was human. That was until a fire demon killed her mother, and her father walked back into her life. As a vampire, being dead is not an acceptable reason for staying out of Alice’s life.

Forced to accept her heritage and the dormant power she possesses as half-vampire and witch, Alice becomes submerged into a world of danger, where deadly forces threaten to strip away her humanity.

Stuck with a newfound family that doesn’t understand her. A ghost who doesn’t want to be dead, and a grumpy gnome, sent by her grandfather from Faerieland, to spy on her, life is more than challenging.

Alpha werewolf, Ethan Jefferies, has a choice, bring Alice back from the Ghost Plane or allow her to die. Ethan’s wolf has its own agenda, claiming Alice, he binds them together. But Alice wants more—she wants the man.

My Review:

This was a unique read for me and this book is perfect for those who like reading otherworldly type of book. The pace is frenetic pace. Alice thought she was normal as a human, then it is thrust upon her that she is a combination of several things including vampire and witch. Without training and not knowing her powers, life turns deadly for those who are of mixed blood such as Alice. This is otherworldly racism. There are those set out to kill all mixed blood leaving a clean lineage of each being. Danger is everywhere. Alice is very angry when her true self comes out. She must learn how and when to use powers she possesses. Love finds her and Alice grows into becoming the one she was meant to be.

Mambo and Murder

Jan4

Book Link

From Amazon:

Three ballroom dancers had been murdered over forty-years ago. Wow, that’s one old cold case. What’s more, the murderer thought to have been killed during a police chase has resurfaced in Pittsburgh. Yikes! How can that be?Worse, ballroom dancing simply isn’t Detective Nathan Landry’s forte. After weeks of practice, Nathan still has two left-feet. Can Fiona step in to guide Nathan through this dancing debacle or will it take forty-years for the detective to find his footing? Double yikes!Join Fiona and Detective Landry in this high-stepping whodunit!

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Dance competitions and more

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025

Verified Purchase

This book was a fun read. I’ve read many, many books by Ms. McDonald and none in the order they were written. That said, I love not reading them in order. Once you know a bit of backstory, the rest falls into place. That said, I loved the antics with the ballroom dancing and the murder aspect with an Italian connection was great. Another great read.