Blog Spotlight: Book Review: Meet Reba by Stephanie Wheeler (Author), Annika Chambers (Illustrator)

  Author wants more reviewers, interested? leave me a message jbarrett553@gmail.com   Thanks

 About the book:

Reba is brave, strong, and fiercely independent—she can do almost everything on her own. But when it comes to learning how to ride a bike, she discovers that accepting help doesn’t make her any less capable. It just means she has someone cheering her on.

Inspired by the natural symbiotic relationship between rhinos and oxpeckers, this heartwarming story celebrates both self-reliance and the quiet magic of friendship.

Every illustration was lovingly created by hand over the course of several months, bringing Reba’s vibrant world to life with warmth, whimsy, and thoughtful detail.

About the author and illustrator:

 

Stephanie Wheeler is a wife, mom, writer, and co-founder of Spinning Wheel Stories. She lives in whimsically-weathered Massachusetts, where it can snow in April but be in full bloom by June.


Stephanie holds a BA in English Literature from Bucknell University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. She has published several short stories in literary journals, and her debut picture book will be released in October 2025, with additional titles to follow.


When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys making pottery, baking, trying new things, and going for bike rides with friends and family. She also spends plenty of time happily wrangling her three teenage children and two energetic dogs.

Author's website:  https://stephaniewheelerwr.wixsite.com/storiesbystephanie

About the Illustrator:

Annika Chambers is an artist and illustrator living in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. She spent her childhood in South Africa, where she was homeschooled and grew a deep appreciation for art and nature. She currently has a BFA in painting and drawing from Arizona State University. Besides designing loveable characters, Annika enjoys thrifting for clothes, baking banana muffins and spending time with her family. This is her first published book.

MY REVIEW:

Meet Reba by Stephanie Wheeler (Author), Annika Chambers (Illustrator) 

Colorful, educational, children's' fun book to read and learn

The story starts out with Reba she is a rhinoceros. She is so empowered to try to.. Do things. Even if they are difficult she still attempts to try it and keep trying till she gets it right. In the case of her riding a bike,  picture this: a rhino riding a bike. Good thing she has all her friend Olive to help in this task. This part is for kids. The next part talks about the rhino and oxpecker and how they are companions to one another.

There are also fun facts about these 2 animals as they help each other survive in the wild. The author's website also has more fun things to learn about these 2. Check it out. What a really great story to not only read to your kids but it's also education.  The pictures tell you what the words are saying. I can't wait to see what the author has selected for the next animals in this series.

 

Book Review: The Vagus Nerve Fix: Easily Master Stress, Calm Anxiety, and Boost Mental & Physical Health with Proven Holistic Exercises and Nutrition in as Little as 10 MINUTES PER DAY by Lorraine Miano

  

 The Vagus Nerve Fix: Easily Master Stress, Calm Anxiety, and Boost Mental & Physical Health with Proven Holistic Exercises and Nutrition in as Little as 10 MINUTES PER DAY by Lorraine Miano

This book contains a lot of introductory material about what the nerve is, where it is, how it affects you whole body.

Parts I like the best at diet and nutrition and also yoga exercises. So helpful to cure some things that go wrong with your body, rather than using pills all the time.

So much more is included.

Great book to keep handy. Referencesw are included at the end. 

Book Review: the cowboy's claim by Sinclair Jayne

  

 
  

the cowboy's claim by Sinclair Jayne

 This story Calhoun and he picked his task to finish for Jace who didn't make it back. He's to head to Marietta where many of his brothers in arms have also relocated to, to finish their tasks.

Story also follows Dr. Jory and she works at the local hospital in Marietta. She's selling the family ranch and the family hope to move to CA but she has a meeting with her boss, first.

Cal is following up with Kai, the dog that was the teams warrior. 

The rest of the team want Cal on board for the big plan they have going right there in Marietta. He's not so sure he even wants to stay. Maybe just give them some land and money and head himself otu of town.

There is an incident where there is a malfunction with the condom and it was only to be one night stand....

So many things up in the air for them all and deicidng which to choose it on them.

Great end of the teams stories, super series.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via BookSprout and this is my honest opinion. 

Book Review: My First Grade Reader: Captivating Short Stories for 1st Graders to Boost Reading Skills with Read-Along Audio & Easy Comprehension Questions by Mateo Sommer, Little Big Page

  

 
 My First Grade Reader: Captivating Short Stories for 1st Graders to Boost Reading Skills with Read-Along Audio & Easy Comprehension Questions by Mateo Sommer, Little Big Page  

Book I got I thought would've been like Dick and Jane from my first grade years. This to me was an older child's book. Enjoyed the stories and with the audio you can follow along if you can set it slow enough.  There are questions also to make sure you are understanding what you are reading.

Great starter book for family reading.

  

Dec 5 The Montana Cowboy's Christmas Homecoming Book 3 of Cowboys of Honor by Sinclair Jayne

  

 

The Montana Cowboy's Christmas Homecoming Book 3 of Cowboys of Honor by Sinclair Jayne

Rohan returned to Marietta to deliver a letter to Ginny's father. He had no idea the man had passed away in his absence serving as a Special Forces guy. He gives it to her but she's in the middle of going through his garage to clear it of debris. She's surprised to see him and he assumes the child she has, 10 years old now Lucas is his. It's not but he takes a liking to the kid and realizes he's a bit slow at some things. The rest of his family shows up to help her get rid of the trash in the garage and house so it's livable. They all decide to go hunt for Christmas tree and I love hearing about the adventures for the kids and adults.

Love how his family welcomes her into the fold. Love hearing about the scenery and festivities in town and how they all are onboard. The relationships amaze me and are so magical.

Will she discover what the letter is all about, in time....?

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion. 

Dec 3 Long Lost Winter Book 3 of A Western Edge Mystery by Nicole Helm

  

 

Long Lost Winter Book 3 of A Western Edge Mystery by Nicole Helm

Have enjoyed this series and find it so fascinating to learn about the Bennett family.  Now that the father has been charged with their moms murder they can't wait to go to court to see it to an end.

Sam, the local PI agency runs it with Nate Bennett. Love hearing about their relationship and their work as separate cases and combine cases they work together.

Love family dynamics and how they are all so different. The family runs the ranch and tends to the animals and chores. Love haring from the eldest woman who hasn't spoken in years til she attends the trail also and calls out liar to Ben when he's on the witness stand.

There is also a loner who wanders in looking for work in turn to get help to find his real family that he thinks is in Marietta. The DNA test might prove who he really is. What mysteries come to light. Scary at times to learn the truth and why things are as they are.

Love that Cal is getting help and it's working for him.

Can't wait to read about the family.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion. 

Dec 1 Bramble House Chronicles: Books 1-3 Bramble House Chronicles by C.J. Carmichael

  

 

Bramble House Chronicles: Books 1-3 Bramble House Chronicles by C.J. Carmichael

Trilogy of the first three books all about Bramble House, it's magical.

...

Promise Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 4) by C.J. Carmichael

This story starts out with Amy and she's just become owner of the B&B in Marietta. She's been educated enough to run it but finds problems with the help all quits because of some changes she wants done. So now we find her doing it all, maintenance, housekeeping, baking, bookkeeping.

Story is also following Chet and he is in the rodeo, that is having events this week.  Love how they meet and the legacy of his grandmother's Handkerchief.

The documentary film crew is also staying at the B&B. Love to hear how friendly some of the neighbors are and their offers.

Chet and Amy get to spend most sunset time together on the proch talking over their troubles. His father is back in town.... and mostly wants money, but something else.

She is concerned that her father will turn her dwon after she informs him who she is. Learned so much from this book, especially baking tips due to altitude change and a lot more about rodeo and events that take place. Love the community and hearing of all the charity work.

Such tragic moments and there are even more romantic and down earth caring. Love setting and learning how to ride a horse, something I've done just once myself.

Never saw it ending as it did, things could've gone sideways at many times during the book.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

Christmas at Bramble House

 

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A Merry Bramble Christmas by CJ Carmichael

Love this book because of not only the characters but the location and it's Christmas.

Story starts out with Chet and Amy, the owners of the Bramble House and they have just right amount of staff to help with the guests that are checking in during the holiday season.

Oliver arrives and he's looking to locate his long lost sister and her family. Their mother had passed away and it was her dying wish to reach out to Trish and her boy Sawyer. He learns her spouse Dan a firefighter is now deceased.

Story also follows Gemma who's left Denver and just wants peace and quiet. She's known as the runaway bride as she left her spouse and doesn't even want to marry him. More details come to light during the book.

Story also follows other guests and the B&B and it's easy to keep track of everyone. Things don’t always go according to the plan, there are obstacles and situations and love the outcomes. 

Love hearing of all the festivities and the town happenings. We also learn of others who live  and work in town, love catching up with them all.

Such an awesome read for the holiday season.

A Baby at Bramble House by  CJ Carmichael

What I like about this series at Bramble House is the guests that stay there. their career are so diversified and some have a link to Marietta and have come back to claim it.

Some are getting over a loss and some have PTS and trying to get back to normal things: hikes along river walk, window shopping etc. Mix that in with the owners are having a baby and the testis are guests are there and room for baby isn't ready... Love catching up with townsfolk.

Love this read and can't wait to read more about careers of those that stay there. So much to learn.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing  and this is my honest opinion.

 

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A Baby at Bramble House by  CJ Carmichael

What I like about this series at Bramble House is the guests that stay there. their career are so diversified and some have a link to Marietta and have come back to claim it.

Some are getting over a loss and some have PTS and trying to get back to normal things: hikes along river walk, window shopping etc. Mix that in with the owners are having a baby and the testis are guests are there and room for baby isn't ready... Love catching up with townsfolk.

Love this read and can't wait to read more about careers of those that stay there. So much to learn.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing  and this is my honest opinion.