Review: Max and the Mighty Hurricane

Max and the Mighty Hurricane by Chrissy Hobbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Stormy Adventure with a Big Heart...

Max and the Mighty Hurricane is a heartfelt and timely story about a kid facing one of his biggest fears: a hurricane heading straight for his home. Max’s emotions feel real and relatable, from his quiet worry to the big what-ifs swirling in his mind. But it’s not all heavy; there’s warmth, family, and a strong sense of community. It’s a great read for kids (and grown-ups) to better understand storms and how sticking together makes a big difference. Special mention also to Tanya Zeinalova for the excellent artwork. Highly recommended.


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Review: Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana

Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana by Monica Brosnan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A poignant, educational, and visually engaging tale for cat enthusiasts...

Monica Brosnan's Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana follows tenacious cat Tatiana from a neglected kitten to a beloved pet, mixing her story with feline care advice. Tatiana and owner Monica recount her challenges with bullying, health, and safety. Brosnan emphasizes endurance, trust, and the human-animal link through emotive storytelling and cat biology and behavior. The contrast between Tatiana's tragic past and her secure later life shows compassion's healing potential. Readers experience her worries, thrills, and curiosity in vivid words.

The book celebrates love's transformational power in pet relationships and offers warmth and insight. The hybrid style may not suit everyone, but cat lovers and rescuers will love its emotional story with feline psychology. Brosnan celebrates pet ownership's delights and responsibilities in a touching ode to cats' mystique, a must-read for cat lovers. Highly recommended.

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Review: Firehorse

Firehorse by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Thrilling Eco-Paranormal Mystery...

In Firehorse, Mallory M. O’Connor throws you into a scorched Florida setting where drought and a strange horse plague are wreaking havoc. Psychic medium Epiphany Mayall is on a frantic mission to track down a stolen talisman that’s rumored to protect against ancient curses. It’s a wild mix of folklore and crime that builds from a slow simmer to full-blown, hold-your-breath suspense.
O’Connor’s world is both spooky and grounded, with a vibe that swings between urgent, snappy scenes and more lyrical, reflective moments. At its core, this is a story about hanging on—about resilience—when the world around you feels like it’s falling apart. If you’re into mysteries with a supernatural twist and a dash of climate chaos, this one’s a gripping ride. Highly recommended.


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Review: Xanadu's Cavern

Xanadu's Cavern by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An eco-thriller that packs an environmental and supernatural punch...

Mallory M. O’Connor’s Xanadu’s Cavern is an eco-thriller that packs in environmental stakes and supernatural twists, flowing as seamlessly as the Florida springs it fights to save. In this third book of the series, psychic medium Epiphany Mayall and art-crime sleuth Maro Gaido team up to solve the disappearance of activist Piers Waldon—and stumble into a tangle of fossil smuggling, corporate backstabbing, ancient familial vendettas.

Xanadu’s Cavern will grab anyone who loves eco-fiction, ghostly mysteries, or gritty crime tales. Epiphany and Maro’s dynamic—full of unspoken sparks and genuine teamwork—gives the story extra heart, and you’ll be rooting for them long after the last page. O’Connor reminds us that protecting nature means facing our own dark side just as much as it means chasing the light.

If you’re into eco-thrillers with a supernatural edge or character-driven adventures, this one’s for you. Highly recommended.

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Review: Key to Eternity

Key to Eternity by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Psychic Detective’s Tale Ripe for a Netflix Series?

In Key to Eternity, psychic detective Epiphany Mayall solves mysteries with her unique skills. Her journey through the Epic of Gilgamesh begins with a startling vision of a fallen man intertwined with serpents. Epiphany's quest is full of mystery with stolen artifacts and a mysterious clay tablet. She chases shadows on a dark worldwide illegal market with the tenacious Maro Gaido and the FBI's art-crimes squad. They must uncover the tablet's mysteries before a billionaire's greed conceals it forever.

O'Connor's vivid tapestry transports readers to exotic places with cinematic flair from dark alleys. Epiphany's clairvoyant abilities and investigative tenacity keep the story tight. Short, explosive disclosures break up long, vivid descriptions, producing a gripping rhythm. Clever plot twists lead to a shocking but satisfying ending. This fascinating adventure merges myth and modernity for a thought-provoking and thrilling tale. Key to Eternity provides a brilliant, magical, globe-trotting adventure for readers. Highly recommended.

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Review: Epiphany’s Gift

Epiphany’s Gift by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Paranormal Eco-Thriller of Art, Spirits, and Corporate Shadows...

In Epiphany’s Gift, Mallory M. O’Connor weaves an exciting narrative where psychic medium Epiphany Mayall confronts chilling visions and a malevolent plot. Back in Ohio, she discovers a disturbing connection between art theft, murder, and earthquakes linked to fracking. The story throbs with tension, combining supernatural elements with serious environmental concerns. Epiphany’s ghostly interactions are intense and mesmerizing and drives a storyline that bends unexpectedly, capturing readers’ interest right from the beginning.

O’Connor is adept at combining significant themes with gripping thrills. Corporate greed conflicts with the delicacy of nature, but the narrative avoids falling into moralizing. Characters stand out, particularly Epiphany, strong and imperfect. It’s an unusual treasure: a supernatural suspense story with emotion and a keen ecological angle. Can't be missed.

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Review: Misplaced Threats: Misplaced Humanity Chronicles

Misplaced Threats: Misplaced Humanity Chronicles by Alan Zimm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Witty Space Opera with Heart...

Alan Zimm’s Misplaced Threats drops readers into a messy galactic future where corporate bigwigs and genetically modified hotshots are clinging to control. Sixty years after Earth ditched seventeen struggling colonies, things are a total dumpster fire—wars over scraps, corrupt systems, you name it. Then, boom: weird aliens show up out of nowhere—are they here to help or wreck everything? Zimm mixes doom-and-gloom with clever humor, following everyday folks—think scrappy small-business owners, over-it academics, and blue-collar hustlers—as they face the ultimate “pick your poison” moment: fight a crumbling dictatorship or cozy up to it and lose their souls.

The book nails this wild mix of goofy humor (yes, there’s a sassy supercomputer) and serious digs at greed and power. Sure, there’s a ton of moving parts—side quests galore—but the real magic is how regular folks band together when everything’s falling apart. Zimm keeps things snappy and fun, whether characters are dodging asteroid fights or shady corporate schemes. It’s chaos with a heart—proof that sometimes laughing through the apocalypse is the bravest move. Highly recommended.

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