September 2025 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Leave No Trace

Title: Leave No Trace
Author: Randee Dawn
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: CAEZIK SF and Fantasy
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Lexi has been living in a remote stretch of the Rocky Mountain woods since her father dragged her there ten years ago, after her mother and baby brother were afflicted with a magical sickness. Her paranoid father thinks they’ve escaped the magic, and that as long as they never leave the woods, they’ll be safe.So Lexi never tells him about her friend Gil, who turns up sometimes in a birch copse that travels with him, and who is definitely not human. She especially doesn’t mention the magic he taught her, which can open a path to wherever she needs to go. After all, she’s been in the woods for most of her she can find her way without magic.

But when pop star TJ Furey hires them to help him hunt down a bear, Lexi’s secret is threatened. The bear he wants to kill is under Gil’s protection, and if Lexi doesn’t prevent its death, she’ll never see Gil again. But she can’t do so without risking her father’s wrath – and when it turns out that TJ’s manager is harboring a similar grudge of his own, Lexi feels trapped. If she wants her own life, she’ll have to find a way to break all their expectations.

Leave No Trace plays the clash of worlds – magic and technology, future and past, rural and urban – against the backdrop of a bear hunt.

Review:

This story is an intense magical realism story. Though the characters are teenagers and young adults, this is not a YA story. There were some graphic scenes, including scenes involving hunting animals. I liked the magic, or unseen, powers that the characters developed. This book would be a great book club read because there is a lot to discuss.

Leave No Trace is a thrilling magical story.

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, death of parent, hunting animals, death of animals, blood

Have you read Leave No Trace? What did you think of it?

Review: America ABC

Title: America ABC
Author: Judy Wilson
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Celebrate the spirit of America with America ABC, an exciting and whimsical board book that introduces young readers to the wonders of the United States in a fun, interactive way. Part of the best-selling Fun Flaps series, this colorful book features die-cut pages and thick, sturdy flaps that open in a star shape–capturing the essence of the American flag and making each turn of the page a delightful surprise.Designed to be both educational and entertaining, America ABC takes little explorers on a journey through the alphabet, with each letter showcasing an iconic American person, place, invention, or symbol. From the Statue of Liberty to the Wright brothers, from apple pie to the stars and stripes, your child will discover the rich history and culture of the United States in a way that’s easy to understand and fun to explore.The whimsical artwork brings American history to life in vibrant colors, making each page a joy to turn. With its thick, sturdy flaps, this book is perfect for little hands eager to engage with the content and learn while they play. Whether it’s learning about George Washington or discovering the invention of the telephone, America ABC offers a perfect blend of fun facts and interactive discovery.Just in time for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, America ABC is a wonderful way to introduce your child to the people, places, and inventions that shaped this great nation. It’s a perfect keepsake to celebrate this milestone in American history while fostering a love of learning.

Review:

This board book has words in alphabetical order that represent things in the United States. These include inventions that are associated with America as well as the names of people and places. This book has flaps that have fun facts underneath them. I think children and adults will enjoy reading this board book!

America ABC is a cute board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for sending me a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read America ABC? What did you think of it?

Review: Taming the Perilous Skies

Title: Taming the Perilous Skies
Author: Phil Marshall
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Self-Published
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anti-gravity could never fail. Until it does.

In the year 2076, humanity’s reliance on Brian Medlock’s anti-gravity technology, powered by Medlock’s unified Theory of Persistence, has brought forth a utopian society. Roads have vanished; energy flows from the very particles around us; and the world thrives under the guidance of a physics-based framework called The Fabric, a theory uniting quantum mechanics and gravity … and possibly divine order.

But on an otherwise ordinary morning, the impossible happens: aerial vehicles worldwide begin plummeting from the sky. Panic spreads. Caught in the catastrophe is Jack Woods – a mild-mannered bureaucrat, single father, and reluctant hero. When Jack’s young son is airborne at the moment of the disaster, Jack is thrust into a race against collapsing infrastructures, hostile government factions, and clashes of faith. Meanwhile, Olivia Martorana, leader of Transportation Technology, uncovers clues pointing toward a secret experiment that may have tampered with the Fabric itself.

As the quantum encryption grid destabilizes, the truth emerges: someone has been using Medlock’s theory to peer into the future – and possibly rewrite it.

Taming the Perilous Skies is a fast-paced hard science fiction thriller that weaves scientific discovery, aerial disaster, philosophical stakes, and deep moral dilemmas into a gripping story of survival and hope. As Jack, Olivia, and Medlock confront questions of free will, faith, and the ethics of technological power, they’re forced to navigate a world where quantum physics, divine prophecy, and political corruption collide.

With a cast of vivid, often wryly flamboyant characters, and a tone that moves effortlessly between suspense, heartbreak, and scientific wonder, Taming the Perilous Skies is perfect for fans of Andy Weir, Dan Brown, and Arrival (Ted Chiang). This is science fiction at its sharpest – smart, subversive, and, at times, disturbingly prophetic.

Review:

This story is an intense sci-fi story set in the year 2076. Everyone travels in aerials in the sky, however, one day they all stop moving at the same time. Then they start falling from the sky. There were scientific and religious implications behind the tragic incident on that day. This story was intense and thrilling, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Taming the Perilous Skies is a thrilling sci-fi novel!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, death of parent, suicide

Have you read Taming the Perilous Skies? What did you think of it?

Review: Planes

Title: Planes
Author: Elena Sturgess
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Get ready for takeoff with Planes, the latest high-flying adventure in Taffy Tales’ Fun Flaps series! This interactive board book is perfect for young travelers and aviation enthusiasts, packed with colorful illustrations, sturdy flaps, and engaging facts that make learning about planes and airports fun and accessible.From jumbo jets to tiny gliders, Planes introduces children to a variety of aircraft, airplane parts, and the bustling world of airports. With every lift of a flap, little readers discover exciting details about cockpits, gates, luggage, and even the history of flight. Perfect for curious minds, this book sparks imagination while teaching early vocabulary and aviation concepts.

Review:

This board book tells readers all about the experience of going through the airport and getting on a plane. The little characters in the illustrations were cute animals. The fun flaps make the book interactive. This would be a great board book for kids who are interested in planes or are taking their first flight.

Planes is a cute board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Planes? What did you think of it?

Review: Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage

Title: Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage
Author: Travis Short
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Publish Authority
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 18, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anna is a touching story from an autobiographical memoir written of Anna Marie Gamble’s later years. It tells of a desperately impoverished life as an undernourished and sickly child, where she is protected by an older sister from her cruel alcoholic father and abusive mother. The sister’s deep faith is passed on to Anna who finds God at an early age and devotes her life to worship of Him. She inherits a love for music and her father’s gift of a beautiful singing voice. Her itinerant family moves forty times before Anna is fourteen years old. Her mother leaves home for long periods and is arrested for larceny and then for prostitution, but not before she attempts to poison Anna’s father. Desperate for money, Anna finds work in a silk mill when she is sixteen and becomes active in union problems. She is in constant prayer and faithfully attends prayer meetings and church services as a devoted Christian. In an effort to help take her out of a life of misery and poverty, Anna is nominated by her pastor to attend bible college despite her lack of formal education. While attending college, where she excels, she meets her future husband, also a dedicated Christian. After marrying, they settle in a small town in New York where they raise four children. Their lives are not easy, but they never lose faith In God. They are active in church and devote much of their lives to helping others. Her story begins and ends in a convalescent center in Michigan and is told by the author, who looks after her in her waning years. He is so blessed by their friendship that he writes this book as a tribute to a beautiful life of faith and courage.
Anna is an inspiration to all of us.
If you enjoyed “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls, you will also be touched by Anna’s story

Review:

This book tells the story of Anna, a girl who was mistreated as a child but found solace in her Christian faith. In the present day, a man whose wife has just moved into a nursing home meets an elderly Anna. He is curious about her life, so he’s happy to read her autobiography. Anna suffered a lot throughout her life, both physically and mentally, but she used her faith to keep going.

Anna is a powerful and emotional story about the power of faith.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: alcoholism, parental abandonment, parental death, childbirth complications, child abuse, death, gun violence

Have you read Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage? What did you think of it?

Review: The ABC Song

Title: The ABC Song
Author: Liana LaRocca
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Sing, giggle, and celebrate learning with The ABC Song! Mother Moose and her class are ready for their big performance–but with Mother Moose in charge, anything can happen! From A to Z, this hilarious board book follows the class as they attempt to sing the ABC Song, with playful surprises and giggles along the way. Kids will love spotting the silliness on each page while learning their letters in a fun, interactive way.

Review:

In this board book, Mother Moose performs the ABC Song on stage. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by an animal, except X, which has an X-ray. I really liked the of the illustrations. The last page had all of the letters with the animals, which is a good reference for kids to see it all together.

The ABC Song is a great board book for teaching children the alphabet!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The ABC Song? What did you think of it?

Review: Don’t Open the Zoo Gate

Title: Don’t Open the Zoo Gate
Author: Elena Sturgess, Katya Zolina
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Welcome to the Zoo… But Whatever You Do–DON’T Lift the Flap! The zoo is calm. The animals are safely behind their gates. The friendly robot tour guide is doing a great job keeping everything in order. There’s just one simple rule Don’t open the zoo gates! (Easy, right? …Right?)In this wildly fun board book, readers join a mechanical guide on a tour of the zoo. From the lion’s lair to the monkey house to the aquarium, each stop comes with a stern warning: Do NOT lift the flap. But with giant, tempting flaps on every page, how long can your little reader resist?Peek behind the gates and prepare for zoo-tastrophes galore–lions on the loose, lemurs in the lunchroom, and pandas hijacking the popcorn cart! The poor robot can’t keep up… and it’s all your fault (well, kind of).

Review:

In this book, readers go to Silly Zoo. The robot who runs the zoo tells readers not to open the gates and let out the animals, but when you open the flaps (and the gates), the animals are let out. This is a fun board book that teaches kids the consequences of not following the rules.

Don’t Open the Zoo Gate is a cute board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Have you read Don’t Open the Zoo Gate? What did you think of it?

Review: The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket

Title: The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket
Author: Mark Nutter
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: BookBaby
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Frustrated novelist Danny is resigned to writing material for trade shows, promoting garage doors and non-stick cookware. His ex-wife threatens legal action for non-payment of alimony. Danny never dreamed the answer to his troubles could be larceny.
But then wealthy, charming Packard Hale III reenters his life. He was Danny’s college roommate, and like Lupin and Raffles, he now fancies himself a gentleman thief. Packard hires Danny to write about his capers.
Danny follows Packard as they break into a mansion and steal, among other things, a priceless Chinese vase and a curiously valuable souvenir blanket from Branson, Missouri. However, it’s not Packard who is pursued by the police, but Danny.
Simultaneously, he struggles to please his client, a lawn-and-garden CEO with an erotic attraction to lawnmowers. Danny also endures abuse from Soren, a boozy has-been Vegas magician. He tolerates the mistreatment because of Crystal, the magician’s assistant. He’s falling for her.
When he learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.

Review:

This novel is a funny twist on a heist story. Danny is a writer who is convinced by his college friend to steal things from a mansion, in exchange for Danny writing about his friend’s capers. However, Danny ends up taking the blame for the theft. There were many laugh out loud moments, including with some bumbling detectives who were investigating the theft.

The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket is an entertaining story!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket? What did you think of it?

Review: Dogs by Day

Title: Dogs by Day
Author: Krista Howell
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What do neighborhood dogs do when their humans are too busy working to take them to the park? They take matters into their own paws! Dogs By Day follows a group of clever canines as they figure out creative ways to get to the dog park. From stretch limousines to unexpected modes of transportation, hilarity ensues with each turn of the page. This funny, original board book features cut-paper illustrations and is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Dogs By Day encourages laughter, imagination, and storytelling skills while delighting young readers with playful adventures. Whether at home or on the go, kids will love the chaotic charm of these clever dogs.

Review:

In this board book, all the dogs want to go to the park. It’s a sunny day but their owners aren’t home, so they have to make their own way to the park. I loved the cut-paper illustrations that made the images look like they were coming off the page.

Dogs by Day is a cute board book for dog lovers!

Thank you Taffy Tales for sending me a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Dogs by Day? What did you think of it?

Review: Cats at Night

Title: Cats at Night
Author: Krista Howell
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

What are cats doing at night while everyone is sleeping? Turns out, they’ve been on a mischievous crime spree. From sneaking a bit of tuna to swiping famous works of art, these clever kitties are up to all sorts of playful antics. Cats at Night is a funny, original board book with cut-paper illustrations that will delight young readers, spark laughter, and captivate curious minds.

Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this charming book encourages imagination, observation, and storytelling skills. Whether read at bedtime or during the day, kids will love following the cats’ nightly escapades―and may even beg to catch a glimpse of their next adventure.

Review:

This is an adorable board book for cat lovers! It shows all the things cats get into at night, such as walking on cars outside and stealing people’s food or socks. It has an art style of layered paper for the illustrations. The final thing that a cat steals was a cute surprise at the end!

Cats at Night is a fun cat-themed board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Have you read Cats at Night? What did you think of it?