Tag: Book review

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann – August 2026 Book Fairs, Book Events, Book Publishing, Oh my!

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    August 2026

    By Chrissy Hartmann

    Howdy, All!

    Well, pull up a chair, grab yourself a cup of coffee, and settle in, because there’s been plenty happening around this little corner of the trail!

    First things first—Hayden, affectionately known around here as “Butterscotch,” is settling in just fine.

    18EF7D58-D60D-4B40-A743-076E93D85854

    When he’s in harness, he’s all business. But take that harness off and you’ve got yourself ALL PUPPY! He loves carrying his stuffed bone around, and—believe it or not—he has apparently decided that a stuffed coffee cup makes a fine puppy toy, too.

    Chris, Butterscotch, and volunteer Bob on the Braille trail

    We took a little venture at the end of last month to a Braille Trail at Hogback Ridge Park in Sunbury, Ohio, hosted by the American Council of the Blind of Ohio. Butterscotch absolutely loved it! It was a wonderful outing, and we had ourselves a whole heap of fun.

    The book festival season is officially back in full swing, and this cowgirl has plenty of irons in the fire. Not only am I participating in festivals, but I’m also helping with the marketing for three different events, including the BVI Lions Club ACB Ohio Fall Festival. Add in everything I’m doing for the book festivals, and you might say I’ve got my boots firmly planted in the marketing corral!

    And you know what?

    I’m having a blast with it. I even found a new app for my phone that lets me put text overlays on pictures. I’m still learning the ropes, but I’m having fun experimenting with it. And when I get myself into a bit of a digital pickle, there’s always my Eagle Scout to ride in and lend a hand  with photoshop every now and then!

    August 17th was a mighty busy day around here because two new books hit the trail!

    First up is my second short story:

     💕 Life Flight Kisses*

    This is Short Story #2,following Tacking of Hearts. Life Flight Kisses is now available in paperback, digital, and Kindle Unlimited, just like its predecessor.

    And then there was another little celebration…

    🖤 Whiskey Kisses

    My newest novella, Whiskey Kisses, also officially galloped onto the trail on August 17th!

    And let me tell you, Punkin was mighty pleased about the timing.

    Why?

    Because August 17th just happened to be National Black Cat Day!

    I certainly didn’t plan that little bit of magic, but I’ll happily take it. Sometimes the trail has a way of lining things up just right.

    So if you haven’t met Chet, Violet, and that mischievous little black kitten yet, saddle up and come on over to Whiskey for a little cowboy romance, kitten trouble, and plenty of kisses.

    You can find that broody cowboy, stubborn veteran, and ornery black kitten within the pages of  Whiskey Kisses  ! Don’t miss out!

    Now I need a little help from my trail hands.

    I’d love to know what you think about the covers for Life Flight Kisses and Whiskey Kisses. Which one catches your eye first? What do you like about them? I’d love to hear what you think! Want to make sure I’m on the right trail with them. Drop me a reply to this newsletter or send me a message through my website. I always enjoy hearing from readers.

    And here’s some good news for folks who’d like a signed copy of my books.

    You can now purchase autographed copies directly from my website! And because no good cowboy—or cowgirl—should ride away empty-handed, every book comes with some SWAG.

    So if you’re looking for a signed copy for yourself, a gift for a fellow reader, or just want to add a little more cowboy sparkle to your bookshelf, come on over and check it out.

    I’ve got another event coming up this month to help support PAWS and the Wayne County Dog Pound, and I may just try my hand at baking fresh dog biscuits right there at the event.

    Yep.

    Fresh dog biscuits.

    From my cookbook, The Grub Wrangler and Gruff: Dog Biscuit Almanac.

    Now, before anybody gets too excited, I should probably mention that this little baking adventure is still in the “we’ll see how this goes” stage!

    But I did find myself a brand-new toaster oven at a thrift store last month when I went thrifting a while back.

    So maybe the stars are lining up for some fresh-baked puppy treats!

    Treasuring Whiskey’s SalvationIs Almost Ready!

    The book is formatted, and now all that’s left is to make those edits. Got only 22 chapters to edit. That won’t take long, right?

    If everything goes according to plan, there’s a good chance this one could still see publication before the end of this year!

    I’ve also got a great idea brewing for the cover. I just need to get it made.

    And Then There’s Another Story…

    Now here’s where things get downright difficult.

    I’ve got another story brewing. The outline is written. I’ve got my notes ready to go, and there are just a few edits to make before I can really get rolling.

    And this one?

    Well…

    I’m going to try writing a western romantasy!

    Yep. You read that right.

    A little western. A little romance. A little fantasy.

    And, of course, it takes place in Whiskey.

    I am already having way too much fun thinking about this one, and it’s just about killing me not to start writing it right now. But I’ve got to keep myself honest. Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvationneeds to be edited, and these festivals need to get finished first.

    Then?

    It’s time to saddle up and ride into a whole new story.

    I also just got word that I’ve been asked to chat up the Indie Authors for the Buckeye Book Fair!

    I suppose that makes sense. After all, I’m an indie author and I’m the social media assistant for the Buckeye Book Fair marketing team. SO I’m busy thinking up publicity  stuff for a few of the indie authors. At the moment, the director’s got me writing a few articles for the Buckeye Book Fair Bookmark newsletter. I guess they figure I know a thing or two about what indie authors need promoted! I’m looking forward to helping get the word out and giving our wonderful indie authors some well-deserved attention.

    And to top off my day, just got word, I’ve been selected to participate  on a panel  regarding  book marketing for the Canal Town Book Festival. I’m tickled pink over this honor. Yeehaw!

    Well, folks, that’s about all the news from my little corner of the trail for now. There’s writing, editing, book festivals, marketing, dog biscuits, new stories, new books, a puppy with a stuffed bone—and apparently a coffee cup—and somehow I’m having a mighty fine time keeping up with all of it.

    I hope you’ll join me and Butterscotch out on the trail sometime soon.

    And if you can’t make it in person, don’t be a stranger! Send me a reply to this newsletter or drop me a message through my website. I always love hearing from readers.

    Until next time, keep turning those pages, chasing those dreams, and leaving a little room for some cowboy kisses, messy hearts, and small-town sparkle with hope.

    And remember…

    💖 Don’t forget to saddle up for Whiskey Kisses! 💖

    Happy reading, all!

    Chrissy Hartmann

    • Contemporary Western Romance Author

    • Award-Winning Short Story Writer

    • Book Reviewer

    • Blogger

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy

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    Don’t miss out on the Whiskey Salvation Series…

    Where you’ll find  cowboy kisses, messy hearts, and small-town sparkle  filled with hope… So kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance … and more!

  • Prickle Forrest Chronickles Special Edition – Author Interview with Hailey Dickert

    PRICKLE FORREST CHRONICLES

    SPECIAL Edition

    Author Interview

    Welcome to the Prickle Forrest Chronicles, Hailey Dickert!

    It’s wonderful you could take the time to share with the Pricklers a bit about you and your writing.

    First, where are you from? How long have you been writing? What book is this for you? First? Second? Or too many it’s hard to remember?

    I’m from Fort Pierce, Florida but I currently live near Frankfurt, Germany. I have been writing my entire life. Previously I wrote songs and even had a blog at one point but The Sister Between Us is my very first novel.

    What type of romance do you write? What romances do you love to read? Do you have a favorite romance author that inspires you?

    I write contemporary sports romance. I also love to read any contemporary romance but I have a soft spot for hockey romance even though I know nothing about the sport. My favorite author is C.W. Farnsworth who inspires me through her work ethic and beautiful stories.

    In brief, tell us about your book, The Sister Between Us.

    The Sister Between Us is a childhood friends to lovers story about Leah (FMC) falling in love with her best friend’s brother, Jake (MMC). We get to see their journey through being friends, admitting their feelings, being in love, and how they will over come tragedy. Will they find their way back to one another even as everything is falling apart?

    When you received your first copy of your newly published book, The Sister Between Us how did you feel? Did you flood social media with a book selfie? Celebrate with Champagne? Chocolate? Or pass out?

    The first time I received a proof copy of my book I danced around the room like a crazy person—then I started marketing it up in red.

    When you’re stuck with a scene, how do you resolve the trouble? Take a shower? Call your writing pals? Reenact the scene with your significant other?

    It depends on the scene. If it’s a spicy one, I drink a glass of wine. If it’s a normal one I usually chat about it with a close friend of mine and we always come up with a solution.

    Besides your computer, what can be found on your writing desk? Pictures of a hunky guy? Gorgeous woman? Coffee? Popcorn? Craft books? Empty wine glass? Chocolate? The latest issue of Vogue? The Writer’s Magazine? Or maybe a fluffy fur ball? In other words, what helps you write?

    I always have a candle lit, something to drink, and music playing in the background.

    What type of character populates the majority of your pages? What’s your favorite trope to read and write? After you’ve written your novel, ever get stunned by the fact that you wrote it?

    My favorite trope to read and write would be he falls first and harder. I often flip through my copy of The Sister Between Us and can’t believe that I’ve written and will publish it.

    If you write the hotter romances, when’s the best time for you to write those scenes? Does the writing come natural or do you make yourself blush? Have your parents stopped answering your calls? Buy you a gold-plated keyboard? Or have they signed you up for sex counseling classes?

    I like to write the hotter scenes when I’m alone and drinking a glass of wine. This way I don’t feel like anyone is around judging me and also so that I can really get into the mindset of the scene without distractions. In the beginning I used to blush writing the spicy scenes but now they are coming easier and more naturally. My Dad will (hopefully) never read those parts and my Mom wasn’t weird about it at all!

    So, say you want to do a box set with two other romance authors, who would you choose? What romance trope would you write?

    I would probably chose Hannah Grace and CW Farnsworth because they both write excellent sports romance. Regarding the trope? I have no idea besides that it would be sports romance.

    If you had the opportunity to promote one of your books from your backlist, which would you choose? Why?

    I don’t have a back list, but I do have my second novel ‘Return Policy’ coming out June 23! It is the first in my university series ‘Crystal Bay University’ and the female main character is a side character from The Sister Between Us.

    If someone were to make a movie based on your book, which actors would play the leading roles?

    Leah would be played by Abigail Cowen and Jake would be played by Danny Griffin. (Which is funny because they are currently dating in real life!)

    Do you have any blog tours, signings, or other upcoming events that you would like to promote?

    I will be doing a book signing on May 11 at 6pm at Sweet Haven Books in Miami, FL.

    Finally, we know you’re a romantic, right? So what is the most romantic thing you’ve ever had your MCs do to win the love of their life?

    Without giving away any spoilers, even during time apart, Jake was always supportive of Leah’s dreams and she see’s just how much once they reunite.

    Where can we find your book…

    Amazon: https://a.co/d/0SKtcmd

    Where do you socialize……

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaileyDickert/

    Twitter:

    Instagram: @haileydickertauthor

    YouTube: @haileydickert

    Tiktok: @haileydickertauthor and @haileydickert

    Other: http://www.haileydickert.com

    Big –big thanks to Hailey Dickert for taking the time to travel into the Prickle Forrest and share a bit about your writing and The Sister Between Us. And much thanks to our readers who make it all possible.

    “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

    Please don’t hesitate to comment, but better yet, check out Hailey Dickert’s newest release at https://a.co/d/0SKtcmd .

    Enjoy!

    Chrissy Hartmann

    Prickle Forrest LLC

    2021-2023© All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles – special edition –author interview with Sherri Lupton Hollister

    PRICKLE FORREST CHRONICLES

    SPECIAL Edition

    Welcome to the Prickle Forrest Chronicles, Sherri Lupton Hollister.

    It’s wonderful you could take the time to share with the Pricklers a bit about you and your writing.

    First, where are you from? How long have you been writing? What book is this for you? First? Second? Or too many it’s hard to remember?

    Hi Chrissy, thank you for having me. I live in eastern North Carolina and call it home. I’ve lived here most of life but was born in Louisiana. I have lived from Virginia down and around and out to New Mexico, but eastern NC is where my ancestors have called home for the past few hundred yearsand has always been home to me.

    I started writing at age ten when I penned my first romance called “True Love” in red ink. I come from a long line of storytellers and BSers so I think telling stories came naturally for me. Writing was my way of entertaining myself and was never meant to be shared. My librarian friend convinced me to let her read some of my stories. She pushed me to submit my work to a couple of contests and together we attended my first couple of conventions.

    I am currently working on three books each in different genres. I have published twelve novels, Trent’s Melody is number eleven, it was followed by my first historical cozy mystery The Americans are Coming. Both were published in 2022.

    What type of romance do you write? What romances do you love to read? Do you have a favorite romance author that inspires you?

    I write mostly contemporary romantic suspense but one of my works in progress is a sporty romantic comedy. I love to read and write stories with action and adventure, but with a deep romantic connection. My first love is historical romance and I’ve recently released my first historical cozy mystery. If the characters are quirky and strong, maybe with a bit of attitude, then no matter the genre, I’m probably going to love the book.

    Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle is one author who inspires me. She writes in three romantic genres and does it well. She failed under one name and reinvented herself twice, then found success under all three pennames. Meeting her is on my bucket list. Her characters are flawed and often failures in their family’s eyes (or by societies’ standards), but when they meet their one person, they find that their unique quirks are what make them perfect for each other. Together they find success/happiness. I aspire to write characters like JAK.

    In brief, tell us about your book, Trent’s Melody.

    Trent’s Melody combines my love of reality competition shows like The Voice and Rock the Block. It is the fourth full-length novel in The Harrell Family Chronicles series,but it is capable of standing alone.

    Trent and his bandmates are one of the last bands standing on Winning Nashville when he walks away from everythinghe’s dreamed of all because of a girl. Not just any girl, the girl he’d loved since elementary school. The girl his best friend and bandmate, Kyle just proposed to.

    Surprised to find Melodie on the plane to Cancun, Trent sings his way into her heart. When Kyle is found dead and they are blamed for his suicide, Trent leaves Melodie at the mercy of the media.

    Years later, they are both hiding from the world, Melodie Henries writing under a penname and refusing interviews, and Trent Harrell in a bottle. When they are asked to join their siblings in a renovation competition pitting an all-male crew against an all-female construction team, they each have their own reasons for agreeing.

    Alone, the couple find they are still attracted to each other but they’re afraid to take a chance. When a stalker ramps up threats against them, Trent and Melodie must discover who is threatening their last chance at happiness before it’s too late.

    When you received your first copy of your newly published book, Trent’s Melody how did you feel? Did you flood social media with a book selfie? Celebrate with Champagne? Chocolate? Or pass out?

    Trent’s Melody was a book I’d started several years ago but the timing wasn’t right. I recycled it and did a bit of reconstruction on it and brought it out with a song writing contest and a naming contest for the reality show. Getting friends and fans involved made it a lot of fun. The book came out with a bit of fanfare, but then I jumped into finishing my historical cozy. No rest for the wicked.

    When you’re stuck with a scene, how do you resolve the trouble? Take a shower? Call your writing pals? Reenact the scene with your significant other?

    When I’m stuck on a scene, I will do several things to get the creative juices flowing. One trick is the “what if” game. I ask what if this happens and then what… if no ideas come to me then I move forward to another scene or walk away and do something different like cleaning, dancing, or going for a walk. I also find that reading a book or having a discussion with friends will often get me going.

    Besides your computer, what can be found on your writing desk? Pictures of a hunky guy? Gorgeous woman? Coffee? Popcorn? Craft books? Empty wine glass? Chocolate? The latest issue of Vogue? The Writer’s Magazine? Or maybe a fluffy fur ball? In other words, what helps you write?

    I’m not necessarily a sit at the desk writer, at least not since my desktop failed and I’ve become a laptop writer. Now my desk is my lap in my recliner after work or my desk in the back room at work amid an adding machine and other office supplies and a collection of junk. Usually, I have a glass or bottle of water or cup of coffee beside me, and some sort of snack. If I’m being good, it’s fruit or nuts, if not, it’s cookies.At home I also have a forty-pound Blue Pitt lap dog named Hazel and sometimes even my husband unless he gets to talking too much, then I banish him to the bedroom and his own computer.

    What type of character populates the majority of your pages? What’s your favorite trope to read and write? After you’ve written your novel, ever get stunned by the fact that you wrote it?

    I like to read and write flawed characters who could be your best friend or neighbor. The average guy doing extraordinary things or put into tough situations and have tofind practical solutions to survive or save the day.

    My favorite tropes vary with my mood. I love friends to lovers, fake boyfriend/girlfriend, one bed, and secret baby. But any trope can be cliché and overdone, or fresh and new depending on the author. I like any story that takes me out of my day and lets me live for a few pages in another place. Like a mini vacation without leaving my recliner.

    Completing a book is like giving birth, you look at that sweet little thing and think “I made this.” It’s a moment of pride and awe, then you have to send it out into the world, and you worry that it won’t be as beloved by others. After raising six boys, I shouldn’t worry about sending my books out into the world but sometimes, it’s hard not to fear how they will be perceived by others.

    If you write the hotter romances, when’s the best time for you to write those scenes? Does the writing come natural or do you make yourself blush? Have your parents stopped answering your calls? Buy you a gold-plated keyboard? Or have they signed you up for sex counseling classes?

    I write medium heat sex scenes mostly. Nothing too kinky, so far, but I had a few uncomfortable scenes in my sex trafficking series. My mom is one of my Beta readers, she was happy when I wrote something not quiet so graphic and coarse. She doesn’t like the bad language and says she doesn’t have a boyfriend to help after reading the sex scenes. Writing sex scenes doesn’t bother me, I have a lot of fun doing it and it really doesn’t matter when or where I write it, but reading it out loud during a critique or something, that’s when I blush. So far I’ve not been threatened with sex counseling but I have been challenged on a couple of my acts and I had to shoot them down with proof that it was possible.

    So, say you want to do a box set with two other romance authors, who would you choose? What romance trope would you write?

    As a member of RWA and my local chapter, Heart of Carolina, I have several good friends whom I’d adore writing a box set with. Reese Ryan, the former president of HCRW has the Bourbon Brother series which I fan-girl over. I believe, she and I along with Donna Steele, another member of HCRW who writes contemporary romance as well as sci-fi romance, would have a fantastic time writing a reunion-vacation trope. Three girlfriends rent a house for the summer, reuniting after years apart, former college roommates…make them about 40, this could be a grown folks romance. Oh Lord, now you’ve got me thinking about a new story idea.

    If you had the opportunity to promote one of your books from your backlist, which would you choose? Why?

    I would promote Chrome Pink, my first book. It is the book that started it all. My first series, The Leeward Files begins with Rae Lynne, a rape survivor who returns home to help her grandfather battle cancer. After his death, she risks losing her home to the man who made her life hell. After rescuing a stranger, Rae finds herself falling in love but when she is accused of killing her dates, she doesn’t know where to turn. Rae has to learn to trust herself and her friends in order to prove her innocence and stop a murderer.Will they be in time?

    Trent’s Melody is part of The Harrell Family Chronicles which is a spinoff of The Leeward Files.

    Do you have any blog tours, signings, or other upcoming events that you would like to promote?

    If you would like to join me, I will be speaking at the Carteret Writers Conference in Newport, NC Saturday, April 15th. https://carteretwriters.org/carteret-writers-quadrennial-conference/

    I will be one of several North Carolina authors at the New Bern Farmers Market Book Fair, Sunday, April 30th.http://newbernfarmersmarket.org/

    Next Chapter Books and Art of New Bern will host me for a class on Writing Faster by Layering, Saturday, June 17th. https://thenextchapternc.com/

    Finally, we know you’re a romantic, right? So, what is the most romantic thing you’ve ever had your MCs do to win the love of their life?

    In Titanium Blue, Tar quits the Marines and becomes a deputy for the town of Leeward for a second chance with Jenna and their son Toby.

    Where can we find your book…

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YPGG7P6

    My website https://sherrilhollister.com/shop/

    Googleplay https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAECCZSUltM&pli=1

    Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1620620964

    Kobo Books https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/trent-s-melody

    Barnes and Nobel https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trents-melody-sherri-lupton-hollister/1141381607;jsessionid=EB159349D11EEB51168EB362D699D37E.prodny_store01-atgap11?ean=2940166204004

    Scribed https://www.scribd.com/book/571153295/Trent-s-Melody-The-Harrell-Family-Chronicles-4

    Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1246467

    Where do you socialize……

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjlhollisterwriter/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jeanelia1964

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suspenseshewrites

    Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suspenseshewrites

    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherri-hollister-a0132b4a/

    Website: https://sherrilhollister.com/

    Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sherri-lupton-hollister

    Big –big thanks to S L Hollister for taking the time to travel into the Prickle Forrest and share a bit about your writing and Trent’s Melody. And much thanks to our readers who make it all possible.

    “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

    Please don’t hesitate to comment, but better yet, check out Sherri’s newest release at https://books2read.com/u/bM7MjX.

    Enjoy!

    Chrissy Hartmann

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles Knocks it out!

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Special Edition – Book Review

    By Chrissy Hartmann

    Title: Things We Never Got Over

    Series: Knockemout Series – Book 1

    Author: Lucy Score

    Pages 599

    Well, in two days or less I knocked out this 599+ page contemporary romance by the highly successful Indie Author, Lucy Score. If, you haven’t heard of her, well, read below. And please don’t hesitate to leave your own comments about the book. I’d love to hear your opinion. And suggestions on other books are welcome too!

    sunshine and Grumpy? No, more like Grumpy and Grumpy, which I’m not opposed to at all. Well, for the most part. Just at least make the guy like “the Viking” a little more grumpier, which Lucy Score did.

    Only “the Viking’s” grumpy endearing character propelled me to read on. and the other? At first, a “likeable” bitchy tude, but then turned into a wilting daisy for the most part.

    Didn’t quite follow the sunshine trope if that’s what the author intended. The grumpiness worked though, especially one with a great heart.

    I will have to admit somewhere after Lucian had been introduced I started to daydream about him… and I’ll admit, lost interest in the MMC, Knox whenever he entered the scene. Oops! Disappointed will need to wait until book three comes out to read his story with Sloane.

    Had a little trouble believing Knox having the what I like to call “authority,” “command,” or whatever you want to call it that he had over what seemed like the town folk with only being a tatted up barber and lottery winner. Hmm? In almost 600 pages would like to have seen more about that side of him come out than some of the other stuff. But, hey, maybe, I just missed it. I’ll reread it, maybe? I. Doubt it, but maybe.

    Naomi, I liked… at first. Liked her attitude when she tried to get her coffee. I really thought, hey, now here’s someone different. I’m going to like her. After all, I might act this same way when I’m in need of some coffee. But nope, she just seemed to get worse. And no, you can’t blame the lack of caffeine on her character. How anyone might think at the start she’s the sunshine I’ll never understand.

    The supporting cast are the ones to keep an eye on. Well, except if you’re the dog. I only suggest next time, the author NOT name the dog similar to one of the supporting characters. Got too confusing to keep track of who was who. But the Way and Way’s relationship warmed my heart. Well done!

    and speaking of the supporting cast, Nash, I’ll read, but only because it gets me one step closer to Lucian. Good Lord, I hope Lucian’s not a disappointment.

    Stef, the parents, the bar crew and coffee shop drinkers definitely added flavor to the story and can relate to some of those characters in a small town, which Knockemout had no lack of and which made the whole small town setting believable.

    And let’s not forget the “bad twin” Tina. glad to see she’s not so horrible Now, she, would be an interesting character to develop into her own book with a “bad girl” and “nerd” trope once of course she gets out of prison and reunites with her family, but at her age, might have to tone down the sex and develop the storyline in order to compensate for her age. What, she might be 50+ once she gets out of jail? Right? Would have loved to see these characters a little younger, not by much, but a few years might have helped with the whole “sunshine and grumpy” approach and a story for Tina. But if anyone could write a fun romance for Tina and some unsuspecting Knockemout” guy, then I have every confidence that Lucy can write one without too much trouble with the logistics. She’s got the talent to do it.

    All in all, it was a fun read, but to be honest, not the trope I would have gone for. The Sunshine Grumpy thing just didn’t work here. I’d say a strike out, but, with Knox’s appeal, I think he got a walk. But, hey, Nash is on deck and Lucian’s in the whole. So will I keep going with the series? You bet your bottom dollar. Authors tend to get better with their series and I have every confidence in Lucy on hitting a grand slam by the time she’s done. And if a book can make me laugh more than once, I’ll be happy to give the other’s their time on the field. And let’s not forget the Lucian factor. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read a romance about a mysterious bad guy and a librarian? Hmm?

    Now to crack the whip! After all, my novella, a contemporary western romance, Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation comes out February 14th on KDP and KU.

    For more info on Lucy’s books you can find her on Amazon and probably tons of other places Plus you can go to https://lucyschore.com.

    For me, check out my website, https://chrissyhartmann.com

    And even sign up for my newsletter, which you do automatically get my special blog updates. Just click on the link below to sign up.

    https://chrissyhartmann.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d0f01c8348dea41f224ec4ca7&id=cc4adb5682

    Thanks Pricklers!

    Chrissy Hartmann

    www.chrissyhartmann.com

    chrissyhartmann

    Don’t miss out on Chrissy’s debut novel now available on digital and paperback…

    RESCUING WHISKEY’S SALVATION

    What could possibly bring a cosmetic heiress and a land developing cowboy together, yet at the same time… destroy them? A “dead” uncle? A closed shelter? Maybe an unruly Troupe of clowns? Or all three?

    Only one way to find out…

    Amazon

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737928817?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

    Prickle Forrest LLC 2023©

    All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest CHRONICLES – AMERICAN BRUSH-OFF BOOK REVIEW

    PRICKLE FORREST CHRONICLES BOOK REVIEW
    By Chrissy Hartmann
    February 14, 2020
    TITLE: American BRUSH-OFF
    AUTHOR: Max Willi Fischer
    PUBLISHED: January 29, 2020
    FORMAT: EBook(Kindle)
    GENRE: Young Adult
    PRICE: $2.99

    So you don’t believe a government would turn on their own citizens?
    That’s what Lud Mueller thought.
    No its not 2020, but it is 1942 in Max Willi Fischer’s novel American Brush-Off.
    The author crafts a story of an All-American senior high school boy from Cleveland when the USA’s culture became entrenched in Anti-German and anti-Japanese sentiment. Instead of playing football, hanging with friends, kissing his sweetheart, and enjoying his senior year Lud travels on a heart-aching journey that no American-born citizen wants to travel.
    He must make a horrible sacrifice to reunite with his emigrant German parents and the rest of his family, And all for what?
    A secret plan by the Democratic FDR administration to help end World War II.
    You’ll find your curiosity growing with each of the 354 pages with a story worth being told.
    Not many know about the American-Japanese internment camps and less about the American-German ones here in the USA during the second world war, but they are real. Real just like the death camps of the Third Reich. Fortunately for Lud, and the other 11,000 imprisoned it didn’t mean death, but the loss of one’s own identity, liberty, and happiness which comes in a distant second. The plot engages the reader to keep going always making you wonder if Lud brushes off his five year experience and return to his “normal” life in Cleveland or go on to help others who might encounter the same situation.
    To the author’s credit, he’s done his homework. The scene descriptions place you inside Lud’s house in Cleveland… Living in the group home in Chicago… and finally riding the train to Crystal City. The dialogue carries the reader further into the scene and the emotions that Lud experiences pulls at your own heart making the reader wonder how a progressive-thinking government could betray its citizens. This is a book well worth the read that will teach the reader that bigotry exists for everyone, innuendo destroys, all are innocent until proven guilty, and there are those who work deep within the government that have their own secret plans. Kudoes to the author for revealing a truth lost in history. This is one book of history I think my teenage son will thoroughly enjoy. Well worth your time to read and it deserves Two thumbs up and a five star rating. Looking forward to the author’s next book.

  • The Apprentice Stone…Book Review

    Another  page from The Prickle Forrest Chronicles…

    A Prickle Forrest Book Review

     

    BOOK:             The Apprentice Stone

    (Shadows of Time Book 1)

    AUTHOR:       Darrell Newton

    PUBLISHED:  October 2017

    PUBLISHER:   Fire Smyth  Press

    FORMAT:       Digital

    PRICE:            $4.99

    AVAILABLE:  https://www.amazon.com/Darrell-Newton/e/B006OD3A0Y

    Book Trailer:    https://www.amazon.com/Darrell-Newton/e/B006OD3A0Y

     

     

    Do you love  Star Wars? How about  Guardians of the Galaxy? Then my guess is you’ll love THE APPRENTICE STONE.

     

    The one unique  thing that sets  this book apart from the others is the element of time travel. A major factor  in this tale…but there’s a twist. You can no longer travel back in time, only forward. The adventure begins with Francisco, a young medieval  Spanish boy whose inherited  a healing stone…only to be used for good  otherwise you chance damaging the stone.

    Francisco   is challenged  with living on the streets of Toledo Spain and hiding  from his uncle.  As if this weren’t enough for the young  healer to deal with he’s now tempted to join  up with the  Sittiri or KEY’ARI to help  save the world by  full filling an ancient prophecy   or taking a different path  and becoming powerful creating a new destiny for all those involved.

     

    The author has crafted  a very believable world  with sticking to true life events  and detail of setting. How one wouldn’t believe they were not running with Francisco and a group of teens  in medieval Spain , fighting in the battle  of Las Navas de Tolosa, or being sold  in a 14th century   slave market, I couldn’t comprehend after reading these pages.

     

    The authors use of historical facts and Sci-Fi blend beautifully. The aspect of Sci-Fi works well especially  the time travel.  I’ll be honest. Time travel baffles  me…the concept and mechanics of it all, but after reading  the Apprentice Stone  I’ve got a better handle on it. It’s the fact that the author’s approach is not  overbearing and so far out there that it helps make it more understandable and believable. You’ll wish you had your  own oclocks  or  Plexus bed.

     

    All I can say is Wow! Wow! Wow!

    If all Sci-Fi were written this well and entertaining  my bookshelves  would be filled with them.

     

    My only problem seemed to be  picking a favorite character. All had a unique voice. All had a unique story of their own. All  created a unique  problem for me to root for just one. So I took a unique  approach and  am rooting for all of them! From our hero, Francisco  to the  bad guy, Ceowolf  I can guarantee  there won’t be a character  to dislike. Each are written  with their own    Joie de vis.

     

    I highly recommend this book and look forward  to the next edition to this series.

     

    The only question I have for the author and his well crafted novel…Aare you in any way related to Sir Isaac Newton?

    Lucky if you are, wonderfully written  if not, but all in all, brilliantly done!

     

    Kudos to Mr. Newton!

     

    My Rating:  4.5 stars. 4.5 Douglas Firs. 9 Oreo Muses Review.  This book is highly recommended .

     

    Author Info:    Darrell Newton

    SciFi & Historical Fiction Author website:         http://darrellnewton.com/

    amazon author’s page    http://www.amazon.com/Justin-Tyme/e/B006OD3A0Y/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

    twitter         https://twitter.com/DarrellAlNewton

     

    ChrissyHartmann ©October2017

    PrickleForrestChronicles ©October2017