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Monsters and Magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains by Stacie Green (Book Review)

Kindle is OUT NOW!
Hardcover Releases March 5th!

Monsters and Magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a journey into the heart of Appalachian folklore and childhood wonder. In this beautifully illustrated memoir, Stacie Green shares the stories passed down by her grandparents, filled with signs from nature, superstitions, and folklore of creatures that roam the woods. Perfect for young readers ages 7-12 and educators exploring regional culture. This book invites readers to discover the magic hidden in the everyday traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 Kindle is Out NOW – Hardcover Releases March 5, 2025

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Monsters and Magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains is an educational story divided into sections, offering insight into the Appalachian people, food, weather predictions, omens and superstitions, deaths and traditions, paranormal encounters, language, and influences/heritage. The writer also included an index and vocabulary section, resource lists, and festivals. But, before they dived into the mountain’s rich history, we learn what or, better yet, who inspired this book’s creation.

The author wrote Monsters and Magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains as a tribute to their grandparent and to preserve the Appalachian history for future generations. In the introduction, readers will discover how far the Appalachian Mountains stretch, its highest point, and which river measures the same length as the mountain range. The author graciously provides a map of thirteen states and details about this wondrous Blue Ridge Mountains. They also share a bit about their maternal grandparents, Howard and Lucy, and parental grandparents, Treva and Raymond. They taught Stacie Green (the writer) about the rich history of the mountains, how to be self-sufficient, and the importance of appreciating the beauty and abundance of nature. You can feel the author’s love for her family and gratitude for their teachings. Love and respect continue to be felt on every page of Monsters and Magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In Monsters and Magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll discover the magic hidden in the everyday traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Uncover the full spectrum of information, starting with what cultures and animals call the mountains home and how people survive on the land. We learn how observing animals and insects signals rain is imminent, expect an early winter, snow is coming, or alerting us about upcoming bad weather. Read and store this section’s helpful info because it can be useful!

Though I enjoyed the list and explanations surrounding omens and superstitions, especially those focused on “death,” my favorite sections dealt with the paranormal world—the “otherworldly” creatures that also call the mountain home. The Wampus Cat, half human and half feline, was most fascinating. I had no idea of its theorized origin. The same goes for the Bell Witch Legend. While I wouldn’t like to cross paths with a Wendigo, Mothman, or Dogman, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Brown Mountain lights in North Carolina.

After we unravel the Appalachian language, the author steps back in time and gives us a history lesson on the native people. These factoids would make great conversation starters! For instance, did you know that the making of moonshine can be traced back to the 17th century? This is merely the tip of the iceberg of all the fascinating information you’ll learn and want to share with your family, friends, or students!

The text presentation hit a snag on a few occasions. The (sometimes) extra spacing between letters made a single world appear as two. Occasionally, it looked as if there was an attempt to erase a handwritten letter, but it didn’t entirely erase, leaving behind a wisp of lines. Those minor glitches aside, I highly recommend you read Monsters and Magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll walk away from the story with a new appreciation for Appalachian culture, particularly the Blue Ridge Mountains, which the writer’s family and many others call home.

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

 Kindle is Out NOW – Hardcover Releases March 5, 2025

Reedsy’s Review Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Stacie Green is an author-illustrator based in North Carolina. She has written and illustrated several books featuring monsters including Monsters Need Breaks Too! and Monster Problems A to Z. Her illustrative style is richly colored, full of patterns, and brings nature and folklore together.

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A Migraine in the Light by Tony Peluso (Book Spotlight)

Tony Peluso began having migraines as a child but developed headaches every day in the year 2000, which have persisted to the present day. Living a life in and out of hospitals since he was a teenager. It is a life so surreal it is hard to imagine, and words are the only thing that can illuminate the invisible curse of chronic migraines, a disease for which the only diagnostic tool for any doctor will only ever be the patient’s voice. His disability covers the first quarter of the 21st century, and with it a unique Odyssey of failures, challenges, and changes in healthcare. It is a book that took him 14 years to write and is a path that has led him to a philosophy he calls The White Tower.

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Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I’m 39 and I’ve been disabled with chronic migraines for 24 years. My disability started at 15 when the pain became daily. After a decade of daily headaches, I began writing and it took 14 years to finish. The disease is invisible and complex, and the only diagnostic tool is a patient’s voice.

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Early Reader Workbook by Andrea C. McLean (Book Spotlight)

Open a world of wonder for your little learner with this engaging Early Reader Workbook! Designed to spark a love for reading long before pen meets paper, this delightful book builds on your child’s existing vocabulary and uses familiar pictures to bridge the gap between spoken words and their written forms.

Through playful activities, your child will embark on a delightful journey filled with:

  • Connecting Names and Pictures: Familiar objects come alive as children learn to associate their everyday vocabulary with words written on the page. The child no longer just hears the word “car” but now sees and understands “C-A-R.”
  • Upper and Lowercase Adventures: Letter recognition takes center stage! Children embark on a quest to identify both uppercase and lowercase letters, laying the foundation for future reading fluency.
  • Sounds and Letters Unite: The magic of phonics unfolds as children discover how letters connect to form familiar sounds, weaving together the building blocks of words they already know.
  • Coloring and Cutting Fun: Learning extends beyond the page! Coloring vibrant illustrations and carefully cutting out letters not only enhances motor skills but also fosters creativity and color recognition.

This charming workbook is much more than just an alphabet primer. It’s an invitation to embark on a magical journey to discover the world of words. Watch your child’s face light up as they make the remarkable connection between spoken words and their written forms, taking their first step on the exciting path to becoming a lifelong reader.

So, grab your crayons, unleash your inner explorer, and prepare to be spellbound by the wonder of language with this interactive Early Reader Workbook!

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Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a board-certified life, career, and executive coach. She is a global leadership coach and mentor focused on developing women leaders in corporate and university settings. Andrea has a spirit of encouragement and a passion for inspiring others on their journey toward achieving personal transformations. She can be reached at andrea@acmcoachinggroup.com and you can follow @andreacmclean on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more inspiration.
 
 
 

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My Life Should Be a Reality Show: Act One and Act Two by Donna Glass (2 Book Spotlight)

Have you ever thought your family would make an excellent reality show? I sure have!

In My Life Should Be a Reality Show: Act OneI’ve shared some of my favorite tweets, texts, snippets of conversations, short tales, and photographs surrounding the comical happenings of my lovely family.

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As you read My Life Should Be a Reality Show: Act Two, you might find yourself thinking or saying wtf or omg. You might even lol. Ultimately, I hope the nonfiction, comedy book makes your day a little brighter.

So, get comfy and enjoy the antics of my humorous household with real-life short stories, tweets, texts, and photographs.

Content warning: A few adult words are not intended for younger audiences.

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(ACT ONE) Kris ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:  I thoroughly enjoyed this act! This book needs to be a real show!! The real life situations and topic make it so relatable!!

(ACT ONE) Adecco Stanton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I laughed at Donna’s funny stories for an hour or so. This book is beneficial for cheering up and having stories to tell friends. Absolutely recommended reading

(ACT TWO) Nancy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:  This is what I needed! After being stressed out and working long hours I grabbed this book. It was so good that I didn’t want to put it down. “Pooh Bear has come out of the honeypot tree” This was one of my favorites! I kept remembering and started laughing again…I recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a good laugh! (but be prepared to keep reading until you finish it because it is very good).

(ACT TWO) Jordan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:  This book had me laughing since the very first page. The book is a perfect match for the ones having family. Some of the author’s life incidents were my favorite ones such as :- “Here’s your cake, BITCH” Incident showing their craziness for “Breaking Bad” Series, “YOLANDA” dream , Kitties, and the conversations between them over texts. I highly recommend this book. Hope to read more books from this author.

ACT ONE Purchase Link

ACT TWO Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Donna Glass is an award-winning author who loves to laugh. And, wow, her laugh is boisterous! In her free time, she’s either reading a book or playing a game with the family.

For more information about Donna’s current and future books, follow her social links.

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Goodreads Link
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Sweet Love by Iman Osman (Book Review)

Sweet Love is a compilation of classic desserts handed down from one generation to the next. It is the way Iman’s family connect, sharing and making new memories. The intention behind this book is to revive bonding, love, appreciation, and connection throughout generations of families through the love of baking.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

“Sweet Love is a compilation of classic desserts handed down from one generation to the next. The intention behind this book is to revive bonding, love, appreciation, and connection throughout generations of families through the love of baking.” – Iman Osman

The author’s intent with Sweet Love is to bring her kids and her mother together over our shared love for food, for the timeless desserts that her grandmother has passed down to them. I couldn’t wait to see what seasonal and nonseasonal desserts Iman had shared. 

Iman Osman did not only offer recipes; they also shared tips. For starters, they instructed readers on what to use in place of ghee, how to properly cut and store a vanilla bean, and dividing a cake. As a fan of cooking and baking shows, I’ve seen bakers (professionally and home cooks) attempt to do the perfect split. I haven’t tried it myself, but I think it’s time to try it using Iman’s instructions. 

Iman Osman’s family recipes look divine. Oh, how I wish I could reach inside my laptop and pull out the beaters. I bet the chocolate ganache tasted delicious. 

My family loves raspberry jam, so I know they will be thrilled if they see me making fresh jam for them. With only three ingredients, the recipe will be easy on the wallet. Since I have never made fresh jam before, I appreciated all the “Tips and Tricks” and the storing information. 

The “Linzer Cookie” also looked yummy and activated my sweet tooth. I will have to try it this winter. Thank you, Iman, for the “How to assemble a Linzer Cookie.” You took the guesswork out of the process! 

There are numerous mouth-watering recipes in Sweet Love. Chocolatey, fruity, custards, pudding, biscuits, cheesecake, cookies, nutty—Iman has that and much more! 

This book contained recipes for desserts that I have tried before in my home and through travels. It also had desserts I’ve only seen on television and longed to try, such as “Granita” and “Kunafa.” With Iman’s how-to images, tips, and suggestions, I feel empowered to take them all on. My family will thank you; my waistline, not so much. 

Sweet Love is the perfect book for any time of year. So, grab your apron, and let’s serve something sweet for your family tonight! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

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