The Winds of Happiness by Teresa Fiedler-Buss

The Winds of Happiness: Irie’s Adventures by Teresa Fiedler-Buss – Illustrated by Bailey Traxler

Synopsis:

Welcome to this crazy world called life!

Have you ever wanted to go on an adventure? Do you like taking selfies?

How attached are you to your electronics or tablet? Do you like robots and drones more?

Would you rather dance and have fun with bubbles? Or would you rather go out for pizza and a movie?

If you answered yes to one of these questions, then you will LOVE this book!

The Winds of Happiness will engage children in a fun and current way to learn important life lessons.

Your child/student’s values start developing with what is taught and learned in social and personal situations.
If you are a parent, guardian or teacher wanting to assist in making a difference in today’s society, this book is for you.

This book includes children discussions, interactive pages and teacher lesson plans which will help with
Common Core State Standard (CCSS) & Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

Review:

The Winds of Happiness: Irie’s Adventures by Teresa Fiedler-Buss is a cute and colorful narrative about an adventurous and laid back, but lively spirited dog named Irie, and her cheerful and energetic bunch of friends. This is a delightful must-read book for every child in your life.

Irie’s friends are always reminding her to be creative, make her own fun but most importantly always be herself! Irie goes on all sorts of fantastic adventures in The Winds of Happiness! One being an incredible day at a splash pad with a DJ and bubbles! Irie learns she doesn’t need technology to have a good time, she can create her own awesome day with musical inspiration and perseverance to “make it happen!”  Another adventure tells of Irie’s birthday at the movies and pizza with her friends Max and Bubba. Throughout the day, Max has issues with social anxiety and uses his tablet to comfort himself and keep his mind off crowded situations. But what he doesn’t realize is his actions start to affect the people and mechanics around him! Being the empathetic friend Irie is, she helps Max get through this troublesome situation with kindness and apprehension. A wonderful reminder to have patience with others and to try to see through someone else’s eyes. And how true friends always help each other out.

The Winds of Happiness touches on many different common and important themes to help a child with emotional growth and development. Such as; learning about coping with life changes, having goals and dreams, important lessons in manners and following rules correctly and responsibly. It gives clear instruction and details with a helpful outline guide that shows key points to be made while reading and how to integrate this book into a lesson plan. Which makes it the perfect book for all types of unit studies in the classroom and for homeschoolers.

I absolutely adored this lovable and wholesome children’s book that made my kids and I smile nonstop from the beginning to the end! Bailey Traxler’s bright and expressive illustrations went along with the story and told it perfectly. Giving it a vivid pizzazz no other children’s book has ever done with such a cool style.

With its unique cast of characters and an entertaining storyline I would greatly recommend The Winds of Happiness: Irie’s Adventures by Teresa Fiedler-Buss to all parents of kids looking for a feel good story full of positive vibes and undeniable contagious good energy!! This one has a permanent spot in our kid’s lit corner at our home!!
Reviewed by Beatrix Bloom for Chick Lit Cafe.

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Flow Like a River by Mark Guillerman

Flow Like a River by Mark Guillerman

Synopsis:

A bloody feud, brewing for seventy-five years, finally comes to its explosive end.

A wily Texas sheriff and a mythical Indian Chief are all that stands between the good people of a hill country community and a ruthless sociopathic killer and his gang.

William (aka the Prince) Laveaux leads his gang to Gary, Texas–a sleepy hill country town on the banks of the Guadalupe River–to exact a brutal revenge on Chief Running Wolf and his grandson Billy Cross. Wise-cracking Sheriff Bud Thomas (a former Rough Rider and Texas Ranger) overhears the son of the town doctor telling of his chance encounter with the Prince on the morning of his arrival at the town’s train station.

Following his gut instincts, the sheriff leads his deputies on a frantic manhunt for the gang as they weave a trail of murder and arson throughout the farming community.

On its surface, this novel pits the working class folk of a small Texas town against a ruthless gang boss intent on avenging the death of his grandfather. At its core, it’s a novel about the spirituality of the people and of the Native American culture that pre-dated their time in the land of the Sacred River.

Review:

Flow Like a River by Mark Guillerman is a fascinating 5 star read! The author’s suspenseful framing of the story in the prologue provides a meaningful reference point throughout the novel. You’ll be taken on a historical adventure tracing family ties from generations past – and learn the legend of the Chanas tribe’s four brothers.

You’ll be taken on the journey of Brenna Cross, her son Billy, and his grandfather, Running Wolf, the last of the pure bloodline of Chief Grey Wolf. An unusual motley crew thrown together by circumstances and family ties returns Running Wolf from Oklahoma to his tribe’s sacred ground in Gary Texas.

How it began? Brenna received a letter after her husband’s death in the big war from the owner of Bingham’s Country Store in Gary. His promise of a job was the catalyst for the family’s move from Ireland, to finding her husband’s father, Running Wolf, then crossing the rough terrain to meet him and accept his offer.

They settled in the cabin provided by Mr. Bingham with Running Wolf making his camp near a small stream a short walk from Brenna and Billy’s cabin. Billy made friends, attended school and worked at the general store. Things were looking good for the family until the prince, William Laveaux IV, of the Laveaux crime family came to town to avenge his great-grandfather’s murder at the hands of Silent Wolf, of the Chanas tribe.

Having been told the family’s story by his grandmother, he promised vengeance on the descendants of the Chanas tribe. His mother went from high society prominence to a poor outcast from the community. She’d died from drinking herself to death. He vowed the Laveaux name would again be feared and become the leading crime family.

Reading the newspaper story about the Ghost Rider Sighting in Central Texas, south of Goliad, he knew the spirit of the warrior and the white mustang horse was Chief Running Wolf of the Chanas Tribe although the sheriff, Buddy Thomas, denied the claim. He sent his brother Cory and Buck Tills the strongman, and the Peret brothers, along with Bobby Styles and Dalilah Morgan ahead to Gary, to set things in motion. He then booked his train passage along with the cargo marked Crescent Moon Trading Company to carry out his revenge.

With a showdown and dramatic conclusion, in the captivating story of Flow Like A River, author Mark Guillerman’s words “flow like a river” smooth and unobstructed from the pages to the readers mind. A dynamic deliverance of a multi-generational historical adventure. Highly recommended by Artisan Book Reviews.
Reviewed by C J Bowen for Artisan Book Reviews

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High Flying by Kaylin McFarren

High Flying by Kaylin McFarren

Skylar Haines has struggled with personal demons most of her life, going to dark extremes to subdue anxieties rooted in her tragic past. On a perpetual hunt for the next adrenaline hit, she discovers a passion for flying and becomes a hard-edged stunt pilot, verging on obsession. In the sky, following her most daring airshow, she encounters a mysterious storm and almost collides with another aircraft, sending her into a perilous dive. Guided by a mysterious voice, she manages a safe landing but finds herself transported to another time. Eight months before she was born. One week before her father was murdered. Though baffled by her circumstances, Skylar soon arrives at a single certainty: Before her lies a remarkable chance to change her family’s destiny drastically for the better — or possibly even worse — depending on the choices she makes, before her window of opportunity closes.

Review:

High Flying  by Kaylin McFarren is an enthralling, suspenseful thriller. Readers will be on the edge of their seat while devouring this electrifying, 5 star novel and story.

Starting with a punch we open the first page and meet Skylar Haines, immediately entering into her dark world.  Skylar, despite her awful upbringing, is a dynamic young woman who we can instantly root for.  What caused her psychological need to hurt herself is unfolded, like layers of an onion, throughout the book.

With an absorbing, fast-paced plot that keeps you turning the pages quickly, and Kaylin McFarren’s strong writing style you will find it hard to put this book down.

Time travel stories can be confusing, but not so with High Flying.  The story only covers three time periods, which are clearly defined and easy to follow.  As with all great time travel tales we are presented with second chances and an opportunity to right a wrong.  What I loved about Skylar’s adventure wasn’t so much the chance to change the past, but an opportunity to accept the present.  Will understanding the past help her to embrace herself in the future?  Will the pain of the past bring enough healing into the present to allow her to love in the future?

Skylar is such a strong character and seems so self-reliant, and yet the need for affection and a loving touch is always just under the surface making her so endearing. There are other remarkable main characters in the book, like her father Dylan, holding the male-lead. He is a complex person, and I couldn’t make out if he was good or bad… until the end.  Very clever writing!  There is a good mix of supporting roles, but Skylar is the star who shines brightest.

Most of the book takes place in 1997 in Chino CA and revolves around drug smuggling.  Skylar finds herself in-between police and criminals and ends up in some tricky situations.  All she really wants to do is save her friend but this seems impossible as she is sucked into an adrenaline packed caper with ruthless killers.

This story is a gripping, page-turning, adventure thriller, holding your attention until the very last page. With outstanding well-developed characters, an exciting storyline and plot and the author’s unique expressive writing style, High Flying by Kaylin McFarren is an absolute must-read novel and highly recommended by Chick Lit Café.
Reviewed by T.N. Traynor for Chick Lit Café

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