Book Reviews – Page 18 – Sassy Reviews

June 22, 2025

I Swear by Azania

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: I Swear by Azania 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Shaakira Ally ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The author has done an impressive job with her debut novel. The title is well-chosen, and the language throughout the book is clear and accessible.

Adoni was born prematurely on the island of Tasmania to an Aboriginal mother. Tragically, his mother died in a fire, but Adoni was rescued by a firefighter named Leo Arkin. Later, he was diagnosed with pseudoachondroplasia. When offered a job as a circus clown, he accepted it, seeking a place where he could belong.

Elise was born during the height of Apartheid in South Africa, into a white family with deeply racist attitudes toward their Black laborers. Despite their very different backgrounds, Elise and Adoni eventually met and got married. Though they initially decided not to have children, Elise became pregnant. She hid the pregnancy from Adoni and gave birth to a daughter, Azania.

Azania grew up facing bullying and racism at school. After Elise’s tragic suicide, Azania was placed in the care of her aunt, Jasmine. The story follows Azania’s ongoing struggles with racism and discrimination in a deeply divided society.

This is a powerful and eye-opening narrative that sheds light on the harsh realities of racism and discrimination. The storytelling is smooth and engaging. I felt deep sympathy for Azania, who endured so much from such a young age. This is the first book I’ve read that explores the impact of Apartheid and its lingering effects in the post-Apartheid era.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 22, 2025

Written on the Mist

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Written on the Mist 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Naomi Rawlings ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Written on the Mist” by Naomi Rawlings is the first book in the Dawn of Alaska series. The story centers around Jonas Redding, a Texan who, after a tragic case that cost him both Harriet(his fiancée) and his mother, is determined to protect his sister at all costs. He escapes to Alaska under a new identity—Jonas Darrow—hoping to leave his painful past behind.

In Alaska, Jonas finds himself wondering if a fresh start can truly erase old wounds. When he steps in to defend a young boy, Ilya Amos, wrongly accused of theft, he is violently attacked by drunken men and left seriously injured. He is nursed back to health by Ilya’s family, which includes Kate, a skilled doctor; Alexei, Ilya’s half-brother; Evelina, a schoolteacher; and other kind-hearted members.

As the story unfolds, Jonas and Evelina develop a deep bond, but Jonas struggles with his feelings, fearing that getting close to her might put her in danger.

As he takes up the role of sheriff to solve the town’s cases, he might be getting into danger. Is someone from his former life still hunting him?

The novel features multiple engaging subplots that enhance the main narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book—Naomi Rawlings has crafted a compelling and fast-paced story with well-developed characters. The cover is also beautifully done. I’m looking forward to diving into the next book in the series!

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 22, 2025

The Wise One

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Wise One 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: K.T. Anglehart ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“The Wise One” is a captivating young adult urban fantasy novel by K.T. Anglehart. The story centers around McKenna O’Dwyer. Seán, an Irish artist who moved to Massachusetts in his twenties was her biological father. Seán fell in love with his immigration lawyer, Andre, and together they decided to have a child through surrogacy—leading to McKenna’s birth. This was the story Mckenna was told until now.

Since childhood, McKenna has been haunted by unsettling nightmares, including a recent one in which she is burned alive. As she begins to feel increasingly out of place, Seán reveals the truth about her birth mother, Abigail, and the mysterious letter she left behind. McKenna learns that Abigail was a mystic, and had asked that her daughter be named “Wise One McKenna.”

Meanwhile, a powerful High Priestess has long been searching for the elusive Wise One. However, Abigail had cast a protective spell over her daughter—making McKenna undetectable to all but Wise One. Now, as McKenna sets out on a journey to find her mother, the question remains: what truths—and dangers—await her?

This is an enchanting tale filled with memorable characters and a richly imagined world. K.T. Anglehart’s writing is engaging, and her creativity shines through every page. The cover art is beautiful, and the plot moves at a thrilling pace. I’m excited to read the next installment in this series!

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 22, 2025

Every Bad Thing

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Every Bad Thing 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Shannon Gill Burnett ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Every Bad Thing is an emotionally charged novel that traces the life of Danielle Smith, a woman from Green Bay, Wisconsin. In early December of 1986, 14-year-old Danielle’s world was shattered when her 16-year-old brother, Tim, died in a car accident on his way to buy egg nog. From that night on, everything changed for her family—and Danielle began to resent Wisconsin.

Years later, when Danielle told her partner Scott that she was pregnant, his immediate response was to ask if she would consider an abortion. Danielle refused. Scott wasn’t ready for fatherhood when their son Ryan was born, and as time passed—especially after the birth of their second son, Peter—the emotional distance between them grew. Life carried on, accompanied by their family cat, Lucy. But eventually, their marriage fell apart. Scott asked for a divorce and revealed he was seeing someone else.

In a moment of anguish, Danielle killed Scott’s cat to regain a sense of control and calm. Struggling with dark thoughts, she even contemplated ending her own life. But then she asked herself: why should she suffer, when she hadn’t done anything wrong? As Danielle begins to uncover more about Scott’s new partner, Mari, she is consumed with the thoughts of killing Mari. Read this book to know what happens next.

This novel is gripping and thought-provoking, filled with emotional depth and psychological tension. The fast-paced plot makes it nearly impossible to put down. With each page, the sense of unease builds, prompting reflection on the nature of pain, betrayal, and revenge. If you’re looking for a powerful read that lingers long after the final chapter, this is it.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

June 22, 2025

Finding Color

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Finding Color 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Candace MacPhie ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Finding Color, the first book in the Back in a Year series, is a hilarious, heartfelt memoir by Candace MacPhie. It’s a true story of her journey set against the backdrop of the 1990s.

After the loss of her mother, Candace found herself adrift, unable to fill the emptiness left behind. In a bold move, she quit her job and set off on a three-week backpacking trip to Greece. There, she met Josh, a fellow traveler from Colorado. Candace made plans to see him again in Crete and took a ferry to reach there.

Upon returning to Canada, her wanderlust—and emotional curiosity—took her to London to reunite with Josh. But things didn’t go as hoped. Things took a turn when Josh delivered some surprising and hurtful news about his travel plans and accomodation. Watching Candace navigate the ups and downs of job hunting and adapting to life abroad made the story even more compelling.

I particularly appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from sharing the low points of her journey. It made the memoir feel authentic and relatable. Her candid storytelling is inspiring, especially for anyone contemplating stepping outside their comfort zone.

I also loved the thoughtful design of the book cover—it perfectly captures the spirit of the story. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 21, 2025

The Boundless Energy of the Heart

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Boundless Energy of the Heart 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Rovena Kodra ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
This book encourages parents to become the best version of themselves for their children. It prompts thoughtful reflection on what it truly means to be a parent and to grow into the parent your child needs and deserves.

Rovena emphasizes that behavior shouldn’t be controlled through rewards, but rather that effort should be recognized and encouraged. She reminds us that parenting isn’t about control—it’s about guidance. I resonate with her perspective that we must model the behaviors we wish to see in our children.

The book offers valuable insights into effective communication, unconditional love, emotional intelligence, and more. It stresses the importance of understanding our children and how acknowledging their emotions helps them feel seen and heard. The chapter on healthy self-esteem clearly illustrates its crucial role in a child’s development.

I highly recommend this book to all parents. Its thoughtful insights make it a truly enriching read. The title is well-suited, and the cover is visually appealing. It’s a thought-provoking book that will inspire parents to rethink the way they connect and engage with their children.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

Book is available on Amazon

June 21, 2025

Moving Mountains for Motherhood

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Moving Mountains for Motherhood 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Erica Ferraro ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The author draws from real-life experiences and hard-earned wisdom to write this insightful book. The path to parenthood is not always smooth, and infertility can often come as an unexpected challenge. Unfortunately, in many cases, women are unfairly blamed. This book sheds light on male fertility and emphasizes that fertility issues can stem from either partner—or even both.

The author offers thoughtful advice for navigating emotionally difficult situations, such as attending baby showers while coping with fertility struggles. The book also provides clear explanations of various Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) that may be recommended based on a couple’s medical needs. These include Home Intercourse Cycles/Insemination (HIC), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), among others.

What makes this book truly special is the inclusion of diverse personal stories. These real-life accounts introduce readers to a range of family-building options and remind us that we are not alone in this journey. I’m truly grateful to have read this book and highly recommend it to others. It offers invaluable insights that can help couples take their first steps toward parenthood with confidence and the right support.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 20, 2025

Shadow Man

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Shadow Man 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Vicki M. Taylor ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Shadow Man: A Short Story Compilation” by Vicki M. Taylor is a compelling and emotionally charged read. Among the collection, the title story “The Shadow Man” stood out as my favorite. It centers around a young girl on the verge of turning six, who stays awake long after everyone else has gone to bed—terrified of the mysterious Shadow Man. She fears that the moment she falls asleep, he will appear.

Her nights are filled with relentless terrors. As long as she stays awake, the nightmares can’t reach her. All she wants is peace from these haunting visions. Even in a state of intoxication, the night terrors continue to torment her. To discover how she ultimately finds relief and freedom from night terrors, you’ll need to read the story yourself.

I found myself absorbed in several stories from the collection in one sitting. “Mother’s Helper” and “Moments on the Beach at Sunset” were among my other favorites.

Each story is both gripping and emotionally resonant. For anyone facing dark times and searching for a sense of hope or a spiritual uplift, this book offers comfort and renewal. It reminds readers that light can be found even in the darkest of places, and strengthens faith in God.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 20, 2025

We Accept Her, One of Us

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: We Accept Her, One of Us 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Diane Goldie ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“We Accept Her, One of Us” by Diane Goldie is a powerful and emotionally resonant memoir. On the evening of New Year’s Day, Diane was visited by two police officers who informed her that her eldest daughter, Imogen, had died by suicide in Cambodia on December 31st. When Diane traveled to Cambodia to cremate her daughter, she received Imogen’s suicide note. Imogen was broken by living under neurotypical standards and expectations. It had caused her profound suffering, a pain she had endured since childhood.

While processing her grief, Diane came across Imogen’s sketchbook and other belongings. These revealed that Imogen had been wrestling with complex thoughts and emotions for quite some time. Despite the darkness, Diane uncovered traces of her daughter’s sharp, often dark sense of humor woven through her notes and drawings. As she delved deeper, trying to understand Imogen’s final moments, Diane unearthed not just pieces of her daughter’s life, but also hidden truths about her family and herself.

This memoir will resonate deeply with readers who carry shame from childhood experiences—especially those involving betrayal by adults who should have protected them. Diane also shares her own journey of self-discovery, revealing that she has self-diagnosed as autistic and ADHD, recognizing traits of herself in Imogen, Ollie and Erykah.

The themes explored in this memoir are sensitive and profound, touching on love, grief, neurodivergence, suicide, loss, and childhood sexual abuse. Diane’s writing is rich in detail, yet the narrative remains smooth and accessible. At its heart, the book is an offering of hope and healing for those navigating similar pain.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 20, 2025

Thank God For The Sinners

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Thank God For The Sinners 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Eric Magun ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Thank God For The Sinners – A Rick Price Novel” by Eric Magun is a compelling and intense read. The story revolves around Rick Price, a Jewish man from Long Island who has been traveling to China for nearly a decade to manage his family’s furniture manufacturing business. His Chinese business associate, Shu Shu, well aware of Rick’s fondness for women, consistently arranges hotel stays with best services.

During a recent trip, Rick was booked into a hotel called The Hiyatt. When he requested a massage and selected a particular girl, he was led to the VIP room. There, the experience took a dark turn — the massage girl began pleasing him in the shower and then she suddenly suffered what appeared to be a seizure or stroke and collapsed. Despite Rick’s attempts at CPR, she remained unresponsive. In a panic, Rick contacted Shu Shu for help.

Adding to the complexity, Rick’s younger sister, Mei Mei, is also his CIA handler, secretly tracking his every move. When Rick told her about the recent events, she suggested he do a few things.

The novel dives deep into Rick’s troubled past. He was born with multiple medical issues — a double hernia, undescended testicles, and hip dysplasia — requiring numerous surgeries in his early years. These traumatic childhood experiences left deep psychological scars, which continue to affect him as an adult.

Eric Magun delivers a strong debut with this novel. His writing is vivid, the title aptly chosen, and the cover art eye-catching. The plot is gripping, filled with suspense, and keeps the reader engaged throughout. With every turning page, I found myself constantly wondering what would happen next.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon