Kate Cullen

FROM AMAZON: ‘Diary of a Wickedly Cool Witch’ contains a wonderful concoction of magical mystery, a squeeze of fantasy, a splash of realism and a huge dash of crazy humor, with a little bit of romance stirred in, and a good helping of life lessons on the side for older middle grade children and teenagers.

Life is tricky enough when you’re entering your teenage years and having to deal with friendship issues, boy crushes, horrible bullies, bossy parents, too much homework and the odd zit or two, but for twelve year old Lily, it’s completely chaotic and out of control. Because she’s not just your average seventh grader. Lily is also a good witch who has been sent to Earth to rid the world of bullies, and save people from disaster and calamity.
The problem is, she’s more interested in joining the cheerleading team and falling in love, and that keeps getting in the way of doing her real job properly.
In the first book of the series, Lily, the sassy, but adorable witch goes head to head with the school’s meanest cheerleaders in a bid to stamp out bullying, and there seems to be plenty of bullies at her school, spreading their spitefulness around like a noxious vine. But Lily’s on to it. She’s a pro at what she does, and nothing will get in her way, nothing will get in her way. That is, until she starts to notice one of the bully’s boyfriends just happens to be one very cute guy who seems to be showing more than a fleeting interest in her.… (more)

Short stories focused on Christmas. All of the stories were cute but my favorites were: The Fairies Who Saved Christmas, The Unhappy Elf, Santa's Naughty Cat, The Lonely, Little Tree, An Aussie Christmas, and Surfing Cindy.

The Fairies Who Saved Christmas has Santa sick on Christmas Eve. How will he get everything done?
I liked Flossie Fairy who spoke up for herself. She had a lot to say.

The Unhappy Elf does not believe his job is important and asks for another job. He then learns the grass is not greener and how important his job is.

Santa's Naughty Cat shows how the toys work together to teach Sooty a lesson he will not forget.

The Lonely, Little Tree has a small tree learning how big she can become.

An Aussie Christmas takes us to Australia to celebrate Christmas. I liked seeing how the warm climate does Christmas.

Surfing Cindy is a spin on the Cinderella fairy tale but with a surfing take on it. Fun!

The jokes at the end are Dad jokes and groaners. I liked the Christmas Thoughts at the end as it makes you think what you can do for others.

This is a book you and your children can enjoy through the years.… (more)

With my TBReviewed pile waiting only to receive the books I’ve won from the various giveaways I’m continuously entering, so I decided to peruse the various free downloads being offered on Amazon, and I’m pleased that I chose this as it didn’t disappoint me.

Anyone who reads this book MUST keep in mind that it’s not written like a regular book with defined dialogues and narratives; but instead it’s diary-based with the writings of a young girl’s trials and tribulations and her “secret” inner thoughts regarding them, which is why you’ll find explanations of things in the storyline throughout the book. Mothers should try to remember what they wrote in their diaries, if they had one.

While Lily [short for Lilymandra] appears to all who see her as being a cute little 12 year-old, blonde-haired girl with freckles, she is in reality a 286 year-old witch. Lily has the power to “physically” step into a friend’s shoes so she could be with a boy she likes, a boy her friend Krystal once had as a boyfriend. How many of you reading this wished you could have done that when you were young.

Lily knows what is right and what is wrong. So when she sees Tiffany, one of the school’s bad girl bullying her friend, Lily steps in, using her powers to tell the truth regarding another student while at the same time embarrassing herself. And in doing so the teaches about bullying, why it’s bad as well as what can/should be done to stop it.

The well-written storyline makes for a humorous/informative reading experience for girls between the ages about 9 – 13, and those who are still young at heart, which is why I’ve given Ms. Cullen and her book 5 STARS.

NOTE: A handful of words/terms uses the British spelling.… (more)