Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Friday, September 27, 2024

Book Review: The Littlest Cells

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It's a dangerous, germ-filled world out there, and Little knows it. Little is a young white blood cell with a mission to protect The Human from any pathogens that try to cause infections. However, Little isn't as strong as the other white blood cells, and he's certainly not brave, either. Even his sister Tiny is not afraid of anything. They, along with their new friend Mike, soon discover a new virus that is trying to weaken The Human's immune system! Will Little, Tiny, and Mike be able to stop this virus before the immune system collapses?

While not published in traditional comic form, this comic is perhaps the better for it. The sturdy cover will hold up to many read throughs and I can guarantee that you won't be reading this book just once. With art and story by Lindsey Douglas, this book tells the tale of two white blood cells and their early adventures. Honestly, I loved it and even learned a little bit. It's perfect for anyone, kid or adult, who just wants a fun and dare I say it, educational, comic. The art is cute and the characters a lot of fun. 


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Friday, September 20, 2024

Book Review: Pro Gamer's Guide

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Introducing 'The Pro Gamer's Guide to Healthy Habits,' the ultimate resource for young gamers looking to take their skills to the next level. This book is packed with tips and strategies for maintaining good health and wellness while pursuing a career in competitive gaming. From nutrition and exercise to proper sleep and hanging out with friends, this book covers everything you need to know to stay at the top of your game. Join Brian on his journey to become a gaming superstar, with the help of his parrot pal Pauly. Whether you want to make it as a content creator or hone your skills in your favorite video game, this book has everything you need to become a certified Professional Gamer. An instant classic for any game room!
An adorable baby penguin wants to find friendship in a big city. Are you up to the challenge?

Leveling up your gaming skills is a tough task,but not if you have friends to help along the way. Where do you make friends? What should you say to break the ice?

Join Brian, Pauly, and Cecelia as they guide Cuddles the Penguin through an epic journey to foster friendships in Brick City. You’ll meet new Players, animals, and environments in Pro Gamer’s Guide.

Discover the “Pro Gamer Tips” for making meaningful connections in everyday life. This uplifting story of resiliency, positivity, and courage is suitable for all ages.




Bring life back to Brick City in Pro Gamer’s Guide to Coloring! Join Bricks ‘O’ Brian, Pauly the Parrot, Cecelia the Cat, and Cuddles the Penguin as they guide you through an all-new coloring adventure.

Enjoy 40 colorable pages from Pro Gamer's Guide, including original illustrations, character illustration tutorials, and never-before-seen artwork.

This book features artwork from Pro Gamer's Guide to Healthy Habits and Pro Gamer's Guide to Making Friends.
Normally, I would write three individual reviews for these books, but the reality is that when you buy one of them, you should just go ahead and buy all three. I sat down and read all three of these in one sitting. The art and colors drew me in immediately, but it was the storytelling that held me there. I know that these are geared towards children, but the lessons are really all ages. There's not one of us out there who doesn't have moments of self-care slippage or sometimes wonders if they can make a new friend. Plus, let's face it...coloring is for everyone. Honestly, I can't say enough good about these books. As an author/publisher, I know just how much work goes into making a quality book and you can just tell that quality matters to this team. Brian and Kevin know what they're doing and you won't be disappointed if you order these today. You can pick up all three on Amazon or on the Pro Gamer's Guide website . If you happen to order from their website, you can get autographed copies! 

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Friday, November 20, 2020

Book Review: The Road to Little Dribbling

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The hilarious and loving sequel to a hilarious and loving classic of travel writing: Notes from a Small Island, Bill Bryson’s valentine to his adopted country of England

In 1995 Bill Bryson got into his car and took a weeks-long farewell motoring trip about England before moving his family back to the United States. The book about that trip, Notes from a Small Island, is uproarious and endlessly endearing, one of the most acute and affectionate portrayals of England in all its glorious eccentricity ever written. Two decades later, he set out again to rediscover that country, and the result is The Road to Little Dribbling. Nothing is funnier than Bill Bryson on the road—prepare for the total joy and multiple episodes of unseemly laughter.


The Good:
I've been a fan of Bill Bryson's writing ever since I picked up a copy of A Walk in the Woods. This book is a trip around England and I fell in love with his ability to describe places in such a way that they made me want to visit and see if they're just how he makes me picture them.

The Bad:
I didn't find as much humor in this book as I have his other books. This was a bit more grumpy old man wishing that times didn't change. Honestly, I can relate to that, but it's not necessarily what I was looking for after reading multiple of his other books. 

The Summary: 
While I did enjoy this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I have his other books. Still, I expect that I'll read it again and any book that I would read more than once gets a pretty decent recommendation from me.





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Friday, August 28, 2020

Book Review: The Silver Bowl

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Unwanted at home, Molly goes to work for the king of Westria as a humble scullery maid. She arrives at the castle with no education, no manners, and a very disturbing secret: She sees visions, and those visions always come true.

One day, while she's working in the king's great hall, young Prince Alaric passes by. Molly finds him unbearably handsome—but also unbearably rude. But what does it really matter? She'll probably never see him again.

In time Molly is promoted to polishing silver and is given a priceless royal treasure to work on: the king's great ceremonial hand basin. But there's something odd about it. The silver warms to her touch, a voice commands her to watch and listen, and then the visions appear. They tell the story of a dreaded curse that has stalked the royal family for years. There have already been deaths; soon there will be more.

As tragedy after tragedy strikes the royal family, Molly can't help but wonder: Will the beautiful Alaric be next? Together with her friends Tobias and Winifred, Molly must protect the prince and destroy the curse. Could a less likely champion be found to save the kingdom of Westria?

~~~~~~~~~
A month or two ago, I snuck into the library to see what they had on their giveaway shelves. I had heard that they were doing a purge of their children's book section and I was curious. I didn't expect to find much, but man, I hit the jackpot! Old Nancy Drew books, a bunch of other books, and this gem. I took so many that I had to make two trips to my car. I'd feel bad if I hadn't put hundreds of books on those shelves over the years for people to enjoy. Anyway...

The Good:
Great characterization. Each character had their own personality, their own viewpoints. The story itself was also very entertaining with little twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Since this book was written for middle grade readers, I was happy to see that nothing was so complex that a child wouldn't be able to dig into this book and enjoy hours of happy reading.

The Bad:
The beginning of the book felt a little slow, but that's very short lived.

The Summary:
While written for middle grade fantasy fans, I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it so much that I went on Amazon to find the other books in the series. I'll be picking them up soon and will hopefully be reviewing them as well.  The library's loss was certainly my gain.



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Friday, June 5, 2020

Book Review: The Christmas Remedy

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When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.

Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?

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The Good:
This is a sweet story told in a way that you end up feeling as if you know the characters. I was pulled in and read this in one sitting.

The Bad:
Honestly? I can't think of anything. The characters are likable, the book moves at a nice pace and while short, I didn't feel as if it were cut off or that things were left out.

The Summary:
If you like sweet Amish stories, then I can't recommend this book enough. It's full of characters that the reader connects with, each in their own way. The pacing is great...and who can resist a good mystery?

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Friday, May 29, 2020

Book Review: When the Stars Fade

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When the Stars Fade
It’s the year 2236, and humanity can’t catch a break.

While we’re licking our wounds from a bloody civil war, two alien armadas stumble into the Solar System fighting one of their own. At odds are the fearsome Boxti Horde and their ancient enemies, the Nangolani.

Naturally, we can’t resist picking sides and joining the fight, but after several crushing defeats, we’re forced to open Pandora’s Box to win the war: A top-secret special forces program.

Meanwhile, a hotshot starfighter has his mettle tested when the war separates him from his best friend and favorite wingman.

Tech-savvy and full of action, humor, and intrigue, When The Stars Fade is the first in a six-book series, The Gray Wars.

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The Good:
I have to say that Adam Korenman knows how to build a world that's familiar and yet strange at the same time. There are touching moments, a lot of action, and the book doesn't stop until it's done.

The Bad:
There are a lot of characters and it can be overwhelming to keep track of them. The book also starts out a bit rough, but by the time you're less than a third of the way through, it pulls together.

The Summary:
If you enjoy military based books, this could certainly be one that pulls you in. This book was first released in 2013 and since then only one other book in the series has been published (2017). That makes me a little nervous for how long it will be before all 6 books in the series will be completed. Still, it's a good read and one that, even though military books aren't my thing, I ended up enjoying.






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Friday, April 10, 2020

Book Review: Desdemona and the Deep

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In Desdemona and the Deep, the spoiled daughter of a rich mining family must retrieve the tithe of men her father promised to the world below. On the surface, her world is rife with industrial pollution that ruins the health of poor factory workers while the idle rich indulge themselves in unheard-of luxury. Below are goblins, mysterious kingdoms, and an entirely different hierarchy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I need to start out this review by thanking my friend, Russell, for sending me this book in a care package a few months ago. He thought I'd like it and he was right...now, let me tell you why.

The Good:
Desdemona herself. I love a good bad girl...and Desdemona starts out as the type of character you love to hate. She's rich. She's clueless. She's a prissy, spoiled heiress. Then, somehow, over the course of the book, you come to love her. She changes and maybe changes you a little bit in the process.

Then, there's the world building...not just one world, but three. It's a lot to ask of an author, but each one was its own reality and completely believable.

The Bad:
It felt a bit rushed. I understand that this is a novella, but I wanted just a little bit more to it.

The Summary:
If you're looking for a really good read that won't take you long, will pull you in and maybe even leave you a little bit breathless, then I recommend this book. I just found out that the author has at least two other books set in this world and I'm going to go wishlist them right now.






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Friday, February 14, 2020

Book Review: Invasion

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Aliens are invading.

The Earth is doomed.

The end of the world is a bad time to fall in love.

Joshy is a normal kid from an average town suffering through a mediocre road trip with his family. He's positive this vacation will be just as bland and uninteresting as every one that came before it.

Then he meets Debra.

She's everything he's ever wanted in a girl. She's smart, funny, and radiant. They love all the same things, right down to the same obscure comic books. There's a definite spark between them.

Literally.

The moment they finally kiss, a bolt of electricity from Debra's mouth knocks Joshy unconscious.

He wakes up to a shocking truth.

Debra is an alien.

Worse yet, another race called the Globorians are about to invade Earth and enslave all of humanity.

Now, Joshy and Debra must race against time to stop the Globorian plot and save the planet before it's too late.

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The end of the world is a bad time to fall in love. That line says it all, doesn't it? But since I'm a bit chattier than that, let's jump into the review.

The Good:
Characterization. Among the many things that Russell is good at, characterization is right up there at the top. He creates characters that you love or love to hate, but never that you're indifferent to.  Then, he pulls you into the story, leaving you guessing as to what's going to happen next, who you can trust, and whether Josh and Debra can save us all before it's too late.

The Bad:
The use of the name Joshy. The kid hated it so I hated it. Dang families who won't listen to your feelings on things like what you want to be called! 

The Summary:
If you love science fiction, I strongly recommend this book. Any book that can get me attached to someone who might be a bad guy is a book worth reading and this book did just that. Russell is an incredibly skilled author and I've yet to read any of his books that I wouldn't recommend. If you haven't checked him out yet, please do...you'll have hours and hours of enjoyable reading to look forward to. 

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Friday, January 31, 2020

Book Review: The Case of Too Many Clues

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The Case of Too Many Clues
Holy Catnip! With business booming, Cat Detectives, Buckley and Bogey, have their paws full when it comes to running the BBCDA — the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Agency. But just when they’re ready to take a little break, someone leaves them a clue . . . right on their own front porch! Naturally, the boys are suspicious, since they usually have to hunt long and hard to find any clues on a case. And things get even more odd when the clues just keep on coming — all in little glass jars with shiny black lids. Especially when one of those jars holds a bunch of sparkly diamonds. Holy Mackerel!

But clues aren’t the only things that land on the boys’ front doorstep. Soon their family takes in a few foster cats, including an energetic kitten with an overactive imagination. One who is determined to follow Buckley wherever he goes, even as the boys track clues all over town! And when clues just lead to more clues and yet more clues, it isn’t long before Buckley and Bogey realize there is something sinister going on in their little city of St. Gertrude. From creepy mansions to angry bees, and from rescue operations to midnight visitors, this case has way more danger than the boys ever bargained for. And before long, they learn the stakes could not be higher, especially when their family is framed for a crime. That’s when the boys have no choice but to add up all those clues in a hurry and crack the case . . . or else! Holy Catnip!

The Good:
I love the cats in this book...from Buckley to Trixie and every single one in between. The author does a superb job of giving each of them their individual identities and roles in solving the mystery. I don't know how Cindy comes up with these mysteries because they keep me on my toes every single page and I never know until the big reveal who it is.

The Bad:
I finished the book. Seriously. I feel as if these cats are somehow a part of my family and I miss them when there aren't new stories to read. I may need a trip to the cat cafe to get my fill of kittens soon!

The Summary:
Another great kitty mystery by Cindy Vincent. These are perfect for middle grade readers and if you're like me, maybe a few years outside of school. I can't recommend them enough for cat lovers and mystery lovers alike. Holy mackerel and holy catnip!



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Friday, October 25, 2019

Book Review: The Dollmaker of Krakow

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In the land of dolls, there is magic.
In the land of humans, there is war.
Everywhere there is pain.
But together there is hope.

Karolina is a living doll whose king and queen have been overthrown. But when a strange wind spirits her away from the Land of the Dolls, she finds herself in Krakow, Poland, in the company of the Dollmaker, a man with an unusual power and a marked past.

The Dollmaker has learned to keep to himself, but Karolina's courageous and compassionate manner lead him to smile and to even befriend a violin-playing father and his daughter--that is, once the Dollmaker gets over the shock of realizing a doll is speaking to him.

But their newfound happiness is dashed when Nazi soldiers descend upon Poland. Karolina and the Dollmaker quickly realize that their Jewish friends are in grave danger, and they are determined to help save them, no matter what the risks.

~~~

The Good:
I absolutely fell in love with the characters. Each one is so well done that they become real people (and dolls) before your eyes as you read and by the time you reach the end of the book, it feels as if they're friends. Then, there's the story itself. This talented author created a world that I could easily imagine in my mind. I was pulled in and when the end of the book came, the reality of my bedroom was a bit startling.

The Bad:
Only that nobody warned me that I'd need tissues before the book came to its end.

The Summary:
This could easily be one of my favorite books that I've read this year and I've read some really good ones. The story will draw you in, the characters will become friends, and by the time you reach the end, you'll be praying for more of little Karolina. In fact, I would love to see a novella all about what happens at the end of the book. No spoilers here!





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Friday, October 18, 2019

Book Review: Cherry Ames - Boarding School Nurse

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This is another book in the Cherry Ames series. In this case she's gotten a job at a girl's boarding school which is basically down on its luck. There aren't many students, and most of Cherry's nursing problems are fairly minor. There is a mystery involving one of the girls, though, where she wants to find a formula for a perfume made by an ancestor of hers.

~~~~

I'm still not reading as much as I would like but I couldn't resist this when I spotted it sitting on my night stand. I read this series when I was a kid and fell in love with them. In fact, they're my bucket list book series. I only own three of them so far, but I'm always looking in thrift stores and at garage sales for more. That said, this is the one that always stuck with me...

The Good - 
This is a light, quick read akin to Nancy Drew. Cherry is a regular girl who struggles with a bit of insecurity, but who is always there for her patients and who has a quick mind.

The Bad -
These were written during a time period when nurses were often seen to be below doctors and not as important. Certain things like this are apparent within the book.

The Summary - 
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I suspect that now that I own it, I will read it over and over again. If you're able to keep in mind the time period that it was written versus getting offended, this is a great series no matter the age of the reader.






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Friday, September 27, 2019

Book Review: In the Garden of Rusting Gods

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In the Garden of Rusting Gods delivers sixteen tales from the imagination of multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated author Patrick Freivald. From time travel and broken monsters to glimpses into the minds of honeybees and ordinary people dealing with unbearable loss, Freivald burrows into the weird, dark places that lurk beneath the everyday to unearth twisted stories of our world and worlds that could be.

Freivald’s range is on full display with In the Garden of Rusting Gods. Here lies science, horror, humor, and the weird. Action, panic, and dread. Loaded with energy, you’ll be tapping to the beat from page one. –Josh Malerman, New York Times Best Selling author of Bird Box and Unbury Carol

Smart, funny, intriguing, horrifying; Freivald shows us the wide range of his talents. –Kaaron Warren, Aurealis Award winning Author of The Grief Hole

A haunting collection of beautifully desperate characters creatively mingled in the agony of their realities. –Kelli Owen, author of Teeth and Wilted Lilies.

~~~~~~

Wow, where to start....I guess where I always do, eh?

The Good -
All of it. The entire book is incredible. I joked with the author that it was so good that it had made me reconsider my future as a writer and perhaps he didn't realize it, but I was only half joking. These stories are written with a skill that aspiring writers can only dream about. There wasn't a single one that didn't pull me in and make me wonder what's next. There was at least one that left me hoping that it'd be expanded out because I wanted to know more.

The Bad -
Heck if I know! Honestly, I usually don't struggle to find something in a book that just didn't sit right with me, but I couldn't find anything for this book. In fact, when I finished it, I kept hoping that the author will release another book of stories.

The Summary -
Sometimes you don't want to curl up with a good book. Sometimes all you want is a couple of stories to tide you over until morning. If that's the case, I can't recommend this book enough. The stories are just the right length to read before bed, while waiting in the car, or any of those times where you don't want to be pulled into a full book.

For those interested, In the Garden of Rusting Gods is currently available on Amazon.






 I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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Friday, September 13, 2019

Book Review: The Rose Girls

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Life With Katie - The Rose Girls - Victoria Connelly
Thirty-year-old Celeste Hamilton’s life is at a crossroads: she has just left a disastrous marriage, and her estranged mother has recently died, leaving the family’s rose business in jeopardy. Reluctantly, Celeste returns to the family home, a moated manor house in Suffolk, to help her two younger sisters sort out the estate and revive the business.

Having endured the fallout from her mother’s Narcissistic Personality Disorder when she was younger, Celeste is filled with self-doubt and crippling insecurities. But she must find the strength and courage to take charge and make some tough decisions to keep the old house from falling down around them.

The Rose Girls is an uplifting, tender and romantic story of courage, perseverance and the healing power of family.

~~~~~~~~

It's been ages since I've written a review. Then again, it's been ages since I read a book that didn't belong to a client. It's felt really good to reclaim that bit of time each evening. I hope it's something I can continue because I've missed talking about books with all of you.  Now, for this review...

The Good:
Reality. This book felt grounded in reality. There was no insta-love, there wasn't grand drama. It was simply three sisters trying to find their own places in a world where things have changed. I think that we can all relate to that. Life happens even when we don't want it to. The characters also fell under this. Each one was unique and had their own personality, which I appreciated. No cookie cutter characters.

The Bad:
While there was no insta-love, I felt at times that things happened really fast within the book. Perhaps it's because the author never really mentions time passing, it just passes. Also, bits of the book felt rather predictable but that may just be to me. After all, I can never figure out a mystery before the big reveal, but I have friends who have sorted it out by page 10.

The Summary:
A really enjoyable, light read that's perfect if you're looking for some casual reading. I finished it in a couple of evenings and it's really reminded me how much I love getting lost in a book...and taking the time to smell the roses..erm..pages...






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Friday, November 2, 2018

Book Review: The Laird of Duncairn

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The Laird of Duncairn by Craig Comer
The year is 1882 Scotland, and the auld alliance betwixt king and fey has long been forgotten. Men of science, backed by barons of industry, push the boundaries of technology. When Sir Walter Conrad discovers a new energy source, one that could topple nations and revolutionize society, the race to dominate its ownership begins. But the excavation and use of this energy source will have dire consequences for both humans and fey. For an ancient enemy stirs, awakened by Sir Walter's discovery.

Outcast half-fey Effie of Glen Coe is the Empire's only hope at averting the oncoming disaster. Effie finds herself embroiled in the conflict, investigating the eldritch evil spreading throughout the Highlands. As she struggles against the greed of mighty lords and to escape the clutches of the queen's minions, her comfortable world is shattered. Racing to thwart the growing menace, she realizes the only thing that can save them all is a truce no one wants.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel like it's been quite a while since I read a fantasy novel so between that urge and the fact that this one was Gaelic in nature, I couldn't resist picking it up.

The Good:

I really enjoyed the plot of this book and the characters that I met along the way as I read it. This book isn't listed as steampunk but it definitely has those elements in it and I think that they added to what was already happening. I appreciated how the author worked the characters backstories in without it feeling intrusive or distracting from the overall plot.

The Bad:

I'm afraid that this book very much dragged at places and that the pacing felt off more than once. There is also at least one character that was introduced and I won't spoil what happens with him, but, in the end, he felt like filler and I found myself incredibly disappointed that we didn't see more of him. I think he could have been a great way to introduce more of the lore into the story.

The Summary:

Overall, I would say that this was a good first book to a series. I'm hoping that the author got his fidgets out and that book 2 will be even better. I enjoyed the lore and I'm hoping that there's more of that to come. If you enjoy steampunk, historical fantasy, or any mix of those two, give this one a shot. Just be warned that it's quite long and won't be a one evening read.






I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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Book Review: Pancakes and Corpses

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Book Review - Pancakes and Corpses - Agatha Frost
Anyone else hungry?
Soon to be divorced Julia South never expected to be caught up in solving a murder, until she discovered the body of her cafe's most awkward customer. With a new smug Detective Inspector in town who underestimates her every move, Julia makes it her mission to discover the real murderer, before her village friends are dragged into the frame, and more bodies are discovered.


A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe owning female amateur sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes.

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Sometimes you just need a no pressure, cozy book to curl up with on a rainy day and I found mine in Pancakes and Corpses.

The Good:

While this book takes place in England, I think that anyone from a small town can related to the characters and situations within this book. I enjoyed the uniqueness of each character and how the author portrays each of their individual personalities. The story moved at a quick pace and dropped just enough clues that the ending wasn't shocking, but wasn't predicted in chapter three.

The Bad:

I don't know why but I really dislike the name Barker Brown. It just rubs me the wrong way. Other than that, my other negatives are really minor. I spotted a few misspelled/incorrect words but they weren't enough to pull me out of the story. I think it would also be really nice if the author included a recipe or two at the back of the book. After all, the main character is a baker and from what I've seen, all of the books in this series has something to do with food.

The Summary:

A perfect rainy day read. The pace is quick but nothing feels glossed over. The romance aspect felt a bit obvious, but there's nothing wrong with that! I'm looking forward to picking up more books in this series and learning more about the characters. 






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Friday, October 26, 2018

Book Review: The Blood That Binds

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Book Review - The Blood That Binds - Jo Ho
I love these covers!
Blood never lies… unless what you’re seeing isn’t real.

A new urban fantasy series from the award-winning screenwriter of ground-breaking BBC TV series Spirit Warriors.

After a trip to a place of magic seemingly leaves the girls with more questions than answers, Tyler takes off to spend some much needed time with Ally only for danger to have followed them with potentially devastating consequences for the sisters.

Meanwhile, Marley has family problems of her own. Realizing that she has never known anything about either side of her family, she broaches the subject only for Paul to evade her questions. Why is he keeping secrets from her, what doesn’t he want her to know?

With the other girls preoccupied with their own issues, Eve takes the opportunity to try to mend bridges with Cassie. What should be a nice dinner out turns into an ordeal, however, when an unwanted chance encounter causes more antagonism between them. As Cassie tries to deal with the aftermath the only way she knows how, she just makes things worse.

Frustrated with the way things have gone down, Eve retreats home but finds herself confronted with the very secret she thought was dead and buried…

Will the girls be able to defeat their own personal demons before the real ones catch up with them?

Saving the world has never been this Twisted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm not a big fan of serials and yet, I can't stop myself from choosing this series over and over again. It seems that I need to know what happens next!

The Good:

I'm enjoying seeing more and more of the girls' backstories. They're interesting characters in themselves which is nice to see in a "group" setting.

The Bad:

I'm just not feeling the interpersonal relationships in this segment as much as I did the others. Also, while I'm enjoying the bits of the "original" four, I really would like to see more. I'm hoping that as we get further in, more of the backstory will be revealed.

The Summary:

I'm still really enjoying this series. I would warn you to read them as back to back as possible. I had to let a month or so go by in between this and the 3rd and found myself confused for the first bit as to who was who and what they were doing. 





I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments,and opinions are my own.

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Friday, October 19, 2018

Book Review: Swell Time For a Swing Dance

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Swell Time For a Swing Dance
December 31, 1941. Young Houston socialite Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I., can’t imagine a better way to send off the old year and ring in the new than by dancing through the night with her fella, Pete Stalwart. But a swell evening soon takes a terrible turn when a fellow dancer with moves like Fred Astaire ends up dead on the dance floor. And before the hands on the clock can point to midnight, a finger is pointed at Pete, accusing him of murdering the young man.

Then after Pete is hauled away in handcuffs, the night goes from bad to worse . . . and Tracy’s sweet grandmother is accused of stealing an ancient artifact from the museum. Now Tracy must team up with her boss and mentor, Sammy Falcone, in order to find the stolen statuette, unmask the real murderer, and restore the reputations of those she loves the most.

Yet as America becomes embroiled in another world war, the risks and sacrifices intensify—even on the homefront. And Tracy soon finds her own home invaded by a near parade of questionable characters, while unsavory suspects lurk in the shadows, and a ruthless reporter makes her life miserable. With time ticking against her, Tracy must be willing to swing past the setbacks and hop through the hazards if she hopes to solve a mystery that involves a lot of dancing . . . and a lot more danger.

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Y'all know that I've been a long time fan of Cindy's writing. I would read Buckley and Bogey all day, every day if I could. This is my first foray into her Homefront Mystery series though. In fact, this is book 2 and somehow I haven't read book 1 yet! Luckily, while reading book 1 may help with knowing the characters a bit more, this book completely works as a stand alone.

Outside of my son's love of Jazz, I don't really know a lot about the 1940s so seeing all of the references within the book really helped for me to feel as if I were alongside the characters as they worked to solve the mystery of who did what and to who! I love the individuality of each of the characters. It really brings them to life.

If I had one complaint, it would be that Tracy spends an incredible amount of time referencing her favorite book series. It got a tad old for me but as soon as I'd sigh, the story would move on and I'd be sucked right back into the pages! If you're in the mood for an old timey mystery, this series would be a great one to start with.

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Now for even more excitement! The author is doing a giveaway during this blog tour and you don't want to miss out on the opportunity to win some goodies, so be sure to enter! Oh! And silly me, I forgot to mention that she's made this book free on Kindle for the duration of the blog tour! Head on over to Amazon and get it today!



a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck and happy reading!



I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own. 

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Friday, October 12, 2018

Book Review: See No Evil

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The End of the world is coming yet Marley doesn’t even know what she is much less what she can do.

A new urban fantasy series from the award-winning screenwriter of ground-breaking BBC TV series Spirit Warriors.


With the First Seal broken, Marley and the girls finally learn what Michael is up to… and it isn’t good. Christian is more determined than ever that they put a stop to him but is avenging his mentor more important to him than the girls’ own lives?


Tyler finally starts her new job but gets quickly into trouble. Exhausted by everything she must do, she uses her power to secretly brew up her first potion. It’s just a little something to get her through the day, she’s positive it isn’t going to be a problem…


After Eve says some hurtful things, Cassie uses her powers to escape her own insecurities, but when a cute guy hits on her for the first time in her life, all bets are off.


While the others try to deal with their issues, Marley has some big problems of her own: specifically, the terrifying ghost that keeps coming after her until Marley decides to take drastic measures in a bid to drown out all of her unwanted visitors, a move which ends up leaving her in terrible danger.


All the while, Michael is making big moves towards his evil grand plan…


Saving the world has never been this Twisted!

Fans of The Mortal Instruments, The Vampire Diaries, and Pretty Little Liars will love this thrilling new series.


Just like your favorite TV series, Twisted consists of many episodes. See No Evil is episode 3. A new episode will be released every eighteen days!
Free to read on Kindle Unlimited.

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Things are heating up! This episode has the girls all over the place, but still not really coming together as a team.

The Good:

The characters are still uniquely individuals and the story keeps rolling along. I start reading and I don't tend to stop until I reach the cliff hanger that is sure to come at the end of each one of these episodes.

The Bad:

Without knowing just how long this title is going to be once all of the episodes are going to be released, I'm a bit concerned with the pacing. Since I don't know though, everything could be just fine!

The Summary:

Still a fun read if you're into the paranormal at a young adult level. Be aware though that this is a serial so there's no telling just how many episodes and just how long it's going to take before you get the entire story. At the writing of this post, only one has been released and another four are available for pre-order. I hope that gives you some idea of what you're in for!





I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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Friday, October 5, 2018

Book Review: When Through Deep Waters

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Alicen McCaffrey finally has the life her mother always dreamed for her: beautiful home in Santa Monica, successful husband, adorable daughter. Then tragedy blows her carefully assembled facade to pieces. Worse yet--Alicen feels solely responsible. At rock bottom, she decides to accompany a childhood friend back to Red Lodge, Montana, where they spent summers together as kids.

The peaceful mountain landscape, accented with lush forests and small-town charm, brings back happy memories of time spent with her beloved, eccentric Grandma Josephine. Alicen begins to hope that perhaps things could be different here. Perhaps the oppressive guilt will lift--if only for a moment.

But when Alicen starts hearing voices and seeing mysterious figures near the river in the woods, she begins to fear she's completely lost her sanity, as it's rumored her grandmother did. Or might there be more to Red Lodge than meets the eye? Could the voices and visions be real--and her only means of finding the healing she so desperately needs? Or will they prove to be her final undoing?

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Sometimes you pick up a book and you have no idea if it's going to be a good fit for you or not. That's part of the reason why I write up book reviews. I want to help others find books that they're going to love.

The Good:

Ms. Dekker writes amazing lead characters. She does such a wonderful job of sharing Alicen's grief and the dive into depression. I could relate to Alicen and the struggles that she had after watching her "perfect" life fall to pieces. I felt as if I were walking right alongside her as she struggled. This was made easier by the wonderful job that the author does at setting the scene. I could see the woods, the small bookstore, the house, and all of the places that Alicen finds herself. 

The Bad:

This book is completely labeled as the wrong genre. It isn't really a mystery or a thriller. I would have tucked it more under paranormal fiction, if anything. Also, while it didn't bother me, some may be bothered by the theme of self-forgiveness due to their beliefs that only God can truly forgive. Like I said, this wasn't an issue for me but I wanted to give y'all a heads up in case that sort of thing may be an issue for you.

The Summary:

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The fact that it was listed as a thriller worried me but as I said above, it really isn't a thriller. It's really a book about finding yourself again after the world has taken your light away. For me, I am very glad that I took a chance and picked up this book. I hope you will too.





I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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Friday, September 28, 2018

Book Review: Beware the Signs

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Beware the Signs - Jo Ho
Her worst nightmare has come true and it's still only her first day of college.

A new urban fantasy series from the award-winning screenwriter of ground-breaking BBC TV series Spirit Warriors.

With death on her hands, Marley is haunted by her actions and terrified by her new powers. Christian won't let her forget what she has done but worst than that, there's the terrifying ghost who keeps coming after her, right when she is at her most vulnerable. What does she want with her?

After almost causing another terrible accident, Tyler knows they must learn to control their new powers - whatever they are - or risk killing again, but a self-taught lesson doesn't go as planned, leaving the girls more fragmented than when they began.

Cassie's weird hang-ups make it hard for the others to connect with her, while uninterested in being part of the team, Eve leaves them to fend for themselves.

When one of them is attacked by something less than human, it suddenly becomes clear just how dangerous their world has become.

Will Marley and the girls be able to set aside their differences and work together before tragedy strikes again?

Saving the world has never been this Twisted.

Fans of The Mortal Instruments, The Vampire Diaries, and Pretty Little Liars will love this new series.

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The one bonus with this serial is that when I picked it to review, the next two sections were also available. So let's dive into the second part!

The Good:

Another quick moving section and as a reader, I could start to see the story itself starting to come together. The girls are still very much individuals and dealing with their own insecurities and issues while trying to figure out what's going on. It can be hard not to have characters blend into one another so I appreciate their differences.

The Bad:

I find Christian to be a bit on the overwhelming side. I understand his emotional intensity but he's a bit much for me. I think it revolves around the way that he has to communicate. 

The Summary:

I found this to be another quick read and I'm already eager to start the third part. I sincerely hope that the author continues to put her books out for review because I would like to see where this goes. My only fear is that because it's being written in an episodic format that it might continue on far past where it should end. The only way to find out though is to keep reading!






I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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