Month: February 2019

REVIEW: Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

REVIEW: Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Amy and her choreographer boyfriend, Richard, have been as close as ever. But when he goes away for a weekend to a family event, things get strained. And Amy wonders if their relationship perhaps wasn’t all she thought it was.

When one of Richard’s dance students goes missing that same weekend, the police are very interested to hear Richard’s take on his relationship with the girl. The rumor is that she was seeing an older man. Amy just wants everything to go back to normal.

But that’s not likely. Amy’s ex, Charles, is back in town. He moved into a mountain home with his girlfriend – the woman he was seeing on the side when he was dating Amy. The girlfriend was recently killed in a hit-and-run. While Amy sympathizes for him in the loss, she wants no part of him in her life.

The missing student’s project supervisor, a local folklorist, is convinced some folks in town are up to no good, and she’s determined to expose their secrets unless she gets what she wants. Nothing good can come from that approach.

Review

This was an uneven story for me. And I really enjoyed the first two books in the series. I felt like there were too many story threads at work – especially in the early chapters – for me to have a good hook into the story to propel me forward.

I generally like the characters in this series, but Richard wasn’t very likeable early on. And I didn’t see a lot of reasons for Amy to be so forgiving after the way he treated her. I softened to him a little after reading what his parents were like, though. Ugh.

The mystery felt a little scattered to me, too. There was the missing student right away, but a murder didn’t happen until almost a third of the way through the book. It left me questioning where things were going for a lot longer than I generally prefer at the start of a mystery.

The ending, though, was satisfying. Lots of suspense for the wrap up of the mystery. Then there were several more chapters to wrap up the rest of the story threads – several more in addition to what I included in my summary.

If you already enjoy this series, give this one a whirl and see what you think. You may enjoy the various plot threads woven throughout the book. If you haven’t tried this series before, I’d suggest you go back to book one first and see if the characters and setting are a good fit for you. The character development in the series makes reading the books in order important.

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Blended by Sharon Draper

REVIEW: Blended by Sharon Draper

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Izzy was caught off guard by her parents’ divorce. When her dad moved across the country, she missed him like crazy. But when he moved back to Ohio, the new shared custody plan had its own flaws. Izzy spends one week with her mom and then the next week with her dad. Different homes, different beds, different expectations – different Izzy?

And if the different expectations and rules weren’t jarring enough, the two houses make Izzy even more aware of being biracial. With her dad and his Black girlfriend, Izzy seems to visually “fit.” When she’s with her White mom and her boyfriend, she notices how people look at her as though trying to figure out how she goes with them.

Then, as Izzy is trying to figure out what she thinks about all these differences in her life, she and her friends are also getting older. They’re more aware of the history of race relations in America – and they learn that some people want to hang onto the prejudices of the past.

Review

I knew this book was going to deal with Izzy’s blended family as well as her blended racial identity. But I didn’t expect some of the other race-related pieces of the story. They were very well written and totally appropriate for a middle grade audience.  I was just surprised. I loved Izzy and her insightfulness and observations about life and people and her own situation.

There’s a LOT here that would make for excellent discussion for families, classrooms and book groups. The racial pieces are an obvious discussion point, but I thought the divorce pieces in the story were also strong.

I wanted more at the end, but it’s pretty brilliant that the author ended things where she did. I was caught completely off guard by the ending. And I’m itching to talk with someone about it. I think kids will feel the same way. This would be perfect for getting kids talking about what happened in the book and what they think might happen next. Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: February 12, 2019

BOOK NEWS: February 12, 2019

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s Valentine’s week, and as we celebrate love in various forms, here are some new books you might fall in love with this week!

Books for Kids

The Babysitter from Another Planet – Promoted as “ET meets Mary Poppins.” A pair of kids get an out-of-this-world babysitter when their parents go out for the evening.
Chicks Rule! – Nerdy Chick has been looking forward to Rocket Club, but when she gets there, a sign says “No Chicks Allowed.” I can’t wait to read this girl-power picture book!
Dragons Get Colds Too – Help for anxious dragon owners with sick little dragons.
The Good Egg – A little egg starts to crack under the pressure he feels to be perfect.
I Am God’s Storyteller – Highlights examples of storytellers in the Bible.
Molly Mischief Saves the World AND My Perfect Pet – New picture book series from the author of the Little Men books starring a girl whose best ideas usually end with at least a little mischief.
Pencil: A Story with a Point (February 15) – How can Pencil compete with Jackson’s new Tablet?
Kids Who Are Changing the World (You Should Meet) – Each chapter of this 48-page Early Reader highlights a real-life kid who is changing the world for the better. I can’t wait to read this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams – From the author of the fabulous The Charming Life of Izzy Malone. Three girls living in a town that has suffered tremendous loss each receive a note to meet an anonymous person at the annual Carnival of Wishes. 
Eventown – A struggling family moves to Eventown where the days are always sunny and everyone is always agreeable. But the tradeoff for this “easier” life feels too steep for Elodee. This is at the top of my list for this week!
How I Became a Spy: A Mystery of WWII London – When a young woman goes missing, leaving behind a coded notebook, three kids try to solve the mystery to keep a spy from helping the Nazis. Sounds like a great historical mystery!
Jasmine’s Quest for the Stardust Sapphire – An original Aladdin and Jasmine story that takes place after the original movie.
Right as Rain – A grieving family moves to New York hoping a change of scenery can help them in their loss, but Rain is convinced her brother’s death is her fault. While she holds her secrets close, a new friend may help her open up and shine the light of truth on what happened that night. This is on my list for this week as well.
The Simple Art of Flying – An African parrot in a pet store is committed to a reunion when he is separated from his sister when they are purchased by different people. I’ve heard great things about this one.
To Night Owl From Dogfish – Two girls who couldn’t be more different find themselves together at camp because their dads have fallen in love with one another. I have this one on hold from  the library.
Too Many Toppings – Book 6 in the Sprinkle Sundays series. Sierra says yes to a job and yes to sports and now she is being asked to be the lead singer in a band. How much is too much?
From Idea to Disney AND Nike – This new nonfiction series for kids focuses on the origins of companies that are now household names.
The Black Coats – In this new book for teens, the Black Coats are a vigilante organization that right the wrongs for women who have been hurt by men. But where is the line between justice and revenge?
The Blood Spell – Book 4 in the Ravenspire series. A Cinderella retelling about an orphan girl and a prince who can’t stand each other, but need each other all the same. I haven’t read anything in this series before, but this book is definitely on my list for this week.
Comics Will Break Your Heart – Miriam’s grandfather was the co-creator of The TomorrowMen, but he sold his rights for practically nothing. Now Miriam’s family has just that – nothing. And things get even more complicated when a cute boy comes to town and he happens to be the grandson of the man who defrauded her grandfather. Yep, this is on my list for this week, too.
Kingdom Cold (February 14) – When her kingdom is attacked, Princess Charlotte must turn to the prince she betrayed for help.
Watch Us Rise – Two young women start a Women’s Rights club at their school. When the trolls show up and things start to escalate, the principal shuts the club down. Are the girls willing to risk everything to have their voices heard? Yes, this is also on my wishlist for this week.
Feminism Is… – A collection of history, questions and arguments on feminism.

Books for Adults

Felicity Carrol and the Perilous Pursuit (Hardcover) – An intelligent young woman with little interest in the things expected of a Victorian woman plunges into a murder investigation when her mentor is killed and his King Arthur manuscript is stolen. Sounds like the start to a great mystery! First in a new series.
The Inn at Holiday Bay: Letters in the Library (ebook) – Looks like this is the second book in a series. When Abby starts some remodeling at the inn, she finds a stack of letters from 1954 in the wall. Even though she said she was going to focus on her own work, Abby gets drawn into the mystery of the letters as well as a homicide case from the summer. I’d love to check out this new series. Sounds like it has an interesting cast of characters.
Motorhomes, Maps & Murder (ebook – February 11) – Book 5 in the Camper and Criminals Mystery series. It’s murder, motorhome theft and a prison break for campground manager Mae West in this new mystery. Sounds like a great story!
Murder at the Palace (Trade Paperback) – First in the Movie Palace Mystery series. A woman fleeing her broken marriage discovers other film buffs, a ghost, and a dead body at the Palace. I will be reading this one for sure!
Murders and Metaphors (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the fantastic Magical Bookstore series by Amanda Flower. This time there’s a murder at a book signing. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Past Due for Murder (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. A hit and run, a missing woman, and rumors galore will keep Amy busy in this mystery. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Dog Club Mystery series. Lilly’s cranky neighbor accuses her dog of digging up his tulips, but what the dog really digs up is a dead body.
The Sisters Hemingway (Trade Paperback) – Three sisters return home harboring secrets as they try to determine what happened to their mother and their youngest sister.
An Edited Life: Simple Steps to Streamlining Life, at Work and at Home (Hardcover) – The author’s assertion is there is no one way to declutter your life. Instead it’s about “editing” your life. I am curious to see what this “editing” is all about.
Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service (Hardcover) – Actor Gary Sinise shares this memoir of his life, focusing on how his role in Forrest Gump drew him into a life of service for those who serve our country in the military and first responders.
Parkland: Birth of a Movement (Hardcover) – The author was one of the first at Columbine 19 years ago, and now he is chronicling the events at Parkland last year and the survivors-turned-activists.
Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls (Hardcover) – While anxiety levels in teen boys has stayed static in the last decade or so, the anxiety levels for girls has skyrocketed. Dr. Damour looks at why and what we can do to help. Great resource for teachers, parents, pastors and counselors.

REVIEW: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus

REVIEW: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Twins, Ellery and Ezra, are living in Echo Ridge, Vermont, while their mother is in rehab. While it was their mother’s home town, and their grandmother still lives there, the twins had never been there before.

Twenty-three years earlier, their mother Sadie’s twin sister, Sarah, had gone missing. She was never heard from again, and Sadie left town as soon as she could to try to escape the memories and grief.

Echo Ridge has a tough reputation for dead and missing girls. Five years before Ellery and Ezra arrived, another high school girl, Lacey, was found dead at the local amusement park. While no one was ever arrested, Lacey’s boyfriend was the prime suspect. Declan also left Echo Ridge, but for him it was to avoid the whispers and suspicious looks everywhere he went.

Ellery is a true crime fanatic. While she’s in Echo Ridge, she’d love to piece together what happened to Lacey and whatever happened with her Aunt Sarah. But before she can really get settled in her new home, Ellery and two other girls are targeted by a vandal whose actions indicate that another girl could suffer a similar fate as Lacey and Sarah.

Review

This was a terrific, twisty mystery! I loved the author’s first book, One of Us is Lying. This is just as good – clever, and meticulously plotted. There are several mysteries spanning the entire book – not just the two girls from the past and the current threats. Add to the actual cases Ellery’s many theories of what could have happened, and it feels like there’s a new wrinkle to consider every couple pages. I loved it! I never wanted to set the book down for very long because I had to find out what happened.

The main characters are Ellery, Ezra, Mia and Malcolm. They’re a great core group. Mia and Malcolm have the Echo Ridge background that Ellery and Ezra don’t, and they both have connections to Lacey who died 5 years before. Those connections layer really well on top of the deaths and disappearances.

I am writing this about an hour or so after I finished the book, and the solution keeps rolling around in my head. I can’t shake it. And I had the same reaction to the ending of One of Us Is Lying. Karen McManus is now a must-read author for me. If you love a good, twisty mystery, check this one out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

BONUS REVIEW: The Murder Book by Lissa Marie Redmond

BONUS REVIEW: The Murder Book by Lissa Marie Redmond

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book releases on February 8, 2019.]

Summary

Lauren and Reese were wrapping up a long day at the police station where they worked on cold cases. Lauren had a couple things to finish before leaving, but she told Reese he could turn off the light as he left since she’d only be a few more minutes. Her attacker probably thought the dark office meant everyone was gone. Finding Lauren there, with her back to the door, her assailant first stabbed her. Then he stomped on her head and left her for dead bleeding on the floor, taking the Murder Book from the office. Before passing out, Lauren noticed the guy was dressed like a cop.

Thankfully, Reese came back to the office and found Lauren and got her the help she needed. While she recovered, they worked on who would have attacked her. Why did the attacker take the Murder Book, a hard copy binder of the department’s cold cases? Why had he been trying to get into the records room? What would have scared someone into making a move like that – attacking a police officer in the police station – over a cold case? And why would a cop be involved at all?

Review

This is book 2 in this suspense series, but this was the first book I had read with these characters. There are many references to the events of book one, but I had no trouble following things without having read it.

The “mystery” in the story was fascinating. I loved how they were able to piece things together and then execute a plan to catch the culprits. I felt this was more of a suspense story than a straight up mystery as they had the who and the why figured out at least half way through the book.

This is a grittier story than the mysteries I usually read – more language and bloody descriptions/violence than a cozy mystery. There’s a little more distance with the characters than in a cozy, too. The characters were interesting, but there weren’t any except maybe the dog whom I especially liked.

If you like a darker mystery, one with police officers instead of amateur sleuths, and city settings rather than quaint towns, check this series out. I would start with book one as there are some characters who carry over and who may be players in a future book.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Good Ones by Jenn McKinlay

REVIEW: The Good Ones by Jenn McKinlay

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Maisy inherited her great-aunt Eloise’s lovely – but old – Victorian home and her overwhelmingly large collection of romance novels. In fact, the books are piled precariously throughout the house – stacked on steps, piled in rooms, and heaped in the living spaces. And Maisy’s dream is to turn the house into a romance bookstore and share her great-aunt’s favorite stories with her customers. As a literature professor with two Master’s degrees, Maisy is definitely qualified to run the store. And since her ex just snaked a promotion out from under her, it’s time to throw caution to the wind and follow her dream.

The first step in the process is to have an expert in to assess the work the house will need to update it and convert it into a book store. Enter Ryder Copeland. He’s far too good looking for Maisy’s own good. With his cowboy hat and rugged good looks, he looks exactly like the guy on the cover of her favorite romance novel.

No matter how much chemistry Maisy feels with Ryder, it doesn’t matter. The wedding ring on his left hand means he is off limits. But Ryder only wears the ring to discourage relationships. He’s been divorced for 3 years, but he’s not ready to tread into a relationship again. Right now, he has set a course for himself and his teenage daughter that will be taking them out of Fairdale. And that course has no space for the petite bookseller whose smile could break down his resolve.

Review

I have enjoyed Jenn McKinlay‘s mysteries for years, but after reading her Bluff Point books last year and this first book in her new Happily Ever After series, I think her romance books are even better than the mysteries! After finishing this book, I wanted to go re-read the Bluff Point books. That series is a lot of fun. I think I caught a sentence that ties this book to that series, as well.

I was hooked at the start when I realized this was a book book. The main character is a reader and a literature professor. The house at the center of the story is stuffed to overflowing with books. The goal is to turn it into a bookstore. I was sold on the story at that point!

And then I got to know the characters. After that, there was no putting this one down until I finished. Maisy and Ryder are fantastic together, but the supporting cast – including Ryder’s daughter Perry, and King George the cat – round out the story so well. There are some fun hints at potential future stories – including the relationship at the center of book 2, The Christmas Keeper, out in the fall of 2019. And I am absolutely here for those future stories! I highly recommend this funny, endearing romance. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Wedgie and Gizmo vs. the Great Outdoors by Suzanne Selfors

REVIEW: Wedgie and Gizmo vs. the Great Outdoors by Suzanne Selfors

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The family is on their way to a week-long camping vacation! A fun adventure, but not really a great trip for a corgi and a guinea pig. So they take Wedgie and Gizmo to a “pet hotel.” Gizmo is not impressed by the amenities and Wedgie just wants his “pack” back. Between the two of then, they manage to get kicked out of the pet hotel!

So Wedgie and Gizmo are off with the family to the great outdoors. Wedgie is convinced this is their new yard and he must defend their home from the “tiny squirrels” (chipmunks). Gizmo is hoping to convince all the forest creatures to pledge their loyalty to him and his evil schemes.

Meanwhile, the family is enjoying campfires, fishing, and hiking. Well, almost everyone is enjoying the trip. Jackson, the youngest kid, is feeling left out as his siblings won’t play with him and his parents think he’s too little to do anything. But Jackson may surprise everyone in the family on this vacation!

Review

I fell in love with Wedgie and Gizmo in their first adventure, and they are still some of my favorite characters in children’s literature. These stories are so fun! And this one especially was a hoot. I love Wedgie’s energy and enthusiasm for EVERYTHING. Gizmo is clever, and I loved how his story turned out in this book. (It was so great, I don’t want to give anything away.)

One of the things I love about this series – besides the characters and the humor – is the layered storytelling. The “front” story is the Wedgie and Gizmo activity. They tell their own part of the story (a great example of voice for young writers). But woven throughout their stories are conversations between the human members of the family. And there’s always a full story going on there, too, in the “background.” I’m so impressed by the writing in this series and how the author works the two stories together.

I think this is a series that works for both chapter book readers (and kids whose parents read them chapter books) as well as younger middle grade readers. I highly recommend the whole series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

BOOK NEWS: February 5, 2019

BOOK NEWS: February 5, 2019

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy February! There are TONS of great books releasing this month – in fact, there are so many, I split the Older Kids/Teens section into a younger band and an older band so it’s not too overwhelming. Let’s dive in and see what the first week of February has in store for happy readers.

Books for Kids

    

A Is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World (Board Book) – I love the latest trend in board book biographies. This one looks terrific! I can’t wait to see the illustrations in this one in person.
Bearnard’s Book – A bear discovers it’s okay to just be himself.
Fear the Bunny – A tiger who does not find bunnies very intimidating gets a big surprise in this new picture book. This looks adorable.
This Is NOT a Dragon Party – A girl’s birthday party turns into chaos, but when she chases the interlopers away, she misses them. This looks like silly fun!
Tooth Monsters – A girl who hates to brush her teeth and is afraid of the dentist meets a monster who explains the importance of tooth care – for monsters.
He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter – The story of Easter told by rock creations. I’ve seen a few of the pages, and they are fantastic.
Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor – The biography of Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood legend and inventor who changed the course of World War II.
I Am Billie Jean King – The latest in the Ordinary People Change the World series
Little People Big Dreams – Muhammad Ali AND Stephen Hawking – More picture book biographies
Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible – An illustrated children’s Bible. There are several Bibles like this for kids, but I think the illustrations in this one sets it apart. Those pictures are darling!
Mighty Marvels – Captain Marvel and Ms Marvel join Spider-Man in the latest adventure in this early chapter book series.
Narwhal’s Otter Friend – A new adventure in this early graphic novel series. In this book, Jelly wonders if his friendship with Narwhal can survive the addition of a new friend, Otty.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Best Babysitters Ever – Kicks off a new series about three girls who start a babysitting club.
Best Family Ever – Kingsbury’s Baxter family series branches out into children’s stories now, focusing on the Baxter children. I’m curious to see how this series works for kids. I’m not sure a lot of kids are familiar with the original series so the tie in may be more for adults who already read the series.
The Bridge Home – Four homeless kids make a family for themselves as they live near an abandoned bridge, but when illness strikes, will they continue to fend for themselves or will they have the strength to reach out for help?
Dragon Ghosts – Book 3 in the Unwanteds spin off series, Unwanteds Quests. I enjoyed the first book in the original series, but I haven’t been able to read through the whole collection, much less this spin off series. I have these on my library wish list.
Gogi’s Gambit – Book 2 in the Lost Rainforest series which combines animal stories with fantasy and magic.
Pay Attention Carter Jones – As Carter’s life is falling apart, a real life butler shows up on his doorstep to help out. I have requested this one from the library.
Song for a Whale – A deaf girl who is also a tech genius learns about a whale that can’t communicate with other whales, and she decides to find a way to “sing” to this whale. I am SO excited to read this! I have this on hold from the library already.
Starforce on the Rise – Before Carol Danvers was Captain Marvel, she was a Kree Starforce warrior named Vers. This is a story of a key Starforce adventure that will set readers up for the Captain Marvel movie that releases in March. I am eager to read this one, too.
Stick Dog Gets the Tacos – Book 9 in this fun series that has the look of Diary of a Wimpy Kid with funny animal antics.
Swap’d – Sequel to Click’d. Allie has learned from her mistakes and she is ready to develop another great app. And Swap’d is helping her friend raise money for a plane ticket, it’s getting Allie into conversations with her crush, and it’s her chance to beat her nemesis. What could go wrong? I loved Click’d and I can’t wait to read this one!
The Unspeakable Unknown – Sequel to A Problematic Paradox. Described as Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for older middle grade readers (ages 10+). Nikola is still looking for her kidnapped father, but she’s at risk of being abducted by aliens herself. I have to check out the first book so I can learn more about these interesting characters!
Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free – A kid-friendly layout with puzzles and quizzes and graphics along with solid teaching on the truths girls need to know for a life with God. There’s a mom’s guide to go along with this one.
Who Is Michael Jordan?

Teens/Young Adults

 

The Antidote – A girl decides to use her secret magic to help her best friend the Crown Prince, but her magic attracts the wrong sort of attention. This sounds fascinating!
Between Before and After – A story told in two timelines explores family secrets and the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.
Dark of the West – A young man’s mother is killed, and his father is convinced it was ordered by his old rival, the queen of a distant kingdom. So the young man is sent to spy on the queen’s children and gain information to help his father avenge his mother’s death. He doesn’t expect to fall for the queen’s daughter.
The Deceivers – A girl is recruited to a school for con artists, and she jumps at the opportunity to go after corrupt politicians. But it seems the headmaster of the school has a personal vendetta he is chasing, and his students may get caught in the crossfire. I have already requested this one, too.
Enchantée – Magical fantasy meets the French Revolution in this story of an orphan trying to keep her family together and infiltrating life at the Palace of  Versailles. This sounds magnificent!
Fame, Fate and the First Kiss – A young woman tries to salvage her acting career on the set of a movie, but someone there is trying to sabotage her, and her tutor may become too distracting for her own good. I just read one of the author’s previous teen romances and really enjoyed it. I have this one on my wish list, too.
Higher, Further, Faster – This story for teens focuses on Carol Danvers in her life as an Air Force pilot in the 1980s. I have this on my list, too.
Lady Smoke – Sequel to the AMAZING Ash Princess. Theodosia’s adventures continue as she seeks to secure freedom for her people while she wonders who she can trust. If you haven’t read Ash Princess, you need to rectify that right away so you can dive into Lady Smoke as soon as possible. I already have this one on hold at the library!
Look Closer -A girl grieving the loss of her father discovers letters circled on her cereal box. Those lead her to people who are in trouble which sends her on a quest to try to save them. I’ve requested this one from the library.
No One Here Is Lonely – A girl who loses her best friend and her crush around the same time discovers a virtual version of her crush online. As she spends more and more time with virtual Will, will she lose track of the real-life opportunities all around her? This sounds great!
On the Come Up – New from the author of The Hate U Give. A girl who longs to be a rapper pours all of her angst and frustration into her first song and it goes viral, but for all the wrong reasons. This novel is going to be HUGE. Be sure to check it out.
Roam – A girl whose family is living on the streets and facing a Minnesota winter wonders if she can trust her friends at her new school when she needs help most. This is on my wish list, too.
We Told Six Lies – Lies. Police, Suspects. A missing girl. Yep, this is on my list, too.
Marvel Powers of a Girl – An exploration of the lives of the women of Marvel. Yep, I’ll be buying this one!
Renegade Women in Film & TV – An exploration of the lives of 50 women in film and TV.
Show Up For Your Life: What the Girl You’ll Be Tomorrow Wants You to Know Today – Encouragement for young women to  see their lives as unique and of high value. Would be great for small group study or mother-daughter study.

Books for Adults

       

The Amish Candymaker (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Amish of Mackinac County series. Two individuals trying to find their way through difficult family situations in an Amish community may find what they need in one another. This story sounds terrific.
Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Supper Club series. A pastry chef is disappointed in the turns her life has taken lately. And even the fascinating man she recently met is planning to leave town soon. When new opportunities come her way, will she pursue them or give them up for love? This sounds like an interesting series.
A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder (Trade Paperback – Feb 8) – First in a new series. Not long before a knight’s death, Miss Emmeline was threatening him as she was rescuing a maid from his clutches. Now she needs to find out who killed him before she hangs for the crime. This is on my list!
The Good Ones (Mass Market Paperback) – I am a huge fan of Jenn McKinlay’s Bluff Point romance series. This is the first book in her new Happily Ever After series, and it is terrific! I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Good Riddance (Hardcover) – A young woman inherits an old annotated yearbook from her mother, which she later discards in a fit of decluttering. When a filmmaker finds the yearbook, all of it’s secrets and stories take on new urgency. This is such an unusual premise, I have to read this and find out what happens!
I Owe You One (Hardcover) – The latest from Sophie Kinsella. A young woman who has set aside any of her own dreams to care for her father’s store helps out a stranger in a coffee shop, and he gives her an IOU. True to type, she doesn’t use the IOU for herself, but for her crush. This leads to a series of IOUs between the woman and the “stranger.” Yep, I have to read this, too!
The Murder Book (Trade Paperback – Feb 8) – Book 2 in the Cold Case Investigation series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week as well.
Polaris Rising (Trade Paperback) – A princess flees an arranged marriage in this book that kicks off a new space opera series. After evading capture for two years, Ada is found and flung into a prison cell with a notorious criminal. But when her jilted ex tries to capture her, Ada may have to trust the criminal to help her escape. Yep, sounds right up my alley.
The Ruin of Kings (Hardcover) – First in a new series. A thief raised in the slums is claimed as the long-lost son of a traitorous prince, but he discovers that the life of a long lost prince is nothing like the storybooks promised. Yep, I have this on my list, too!
Sisters of the Fire (Hardcover) – Book 2 after Daughters of the Storm. In the first book, 5 sisters team up against their step-brother in order to save their kingdom. Now, the relationships between the sisters are fractured and each is in her own space dealing with the fall out from her choices or hiding from her secrets or her fate. I have both of these books on my TBR list right now!
The Truffle with Weddings (ebook) – Book 12 in the Annabelle Archer Wedding Planner Mystery series. A colleague is poisoned and a friend is the prime suspect in this wedding related mystery. Looks fun!
The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning and Life (Trade Paperback) – Encouragement and information for homeschooling families.
Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder (Hardcover) – This book on empowerment for women and girls is based on a popular TED talk. The line in the description that caught my attention was “What if, in every decision you faced, you took the bolder path?” I’m eager to read this one!
I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations (Hardcover) – A timely book for our current political climate. Two moms from opposite political view points show how we can maintain our relationships and listen to those who have different thoughts and opinions.
Made for This: 40 Days to Living Your Purpose (Hardcover) – A 40-day journey for women to discover their identity in God – their gifts, their passions, and their purpose. This is sitting in my Amazon cart right now.
Minor Prophets 1 (Lifechange) (Trade Paperback) – I love this line of Bible studies from Navigators.
A Mom’s Guide to Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free (Trade Paperback) – The Mom’s Guide for the book Lies Girls Believe
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage (Hardcover) – Based on the original book by Marc Batterson, this version focuses on prayers for your marriage.
Q&A a Day for the Soul: 365 Questions, 5 Years, 1825 Answers (Hardcover Diary) – I am a fan of these 3- or 5-year journals. There are blank ones where you can record whatever you want, and then ones like this with questions for you to answer – the same question over 5 years. A brilliant idea!
Ready or Knot: 12 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have Before Marriage (Trade Paperback) – Christian resource for couples preparing for marriage.

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Playing Catch Up!

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Playing Catch Up!

Posted on by Jaymie

When I got to the end of 2018 and started looking ahead to the books I had read but hadn’t reviewed as well as the new books I wanted to read, I felt overwhelmed. I realized I have some reviews prepared that I am never going to get to. So, today I’m going to do a quick review of some of these books so I can feel caught up once again. So, here are some of the books I read in 2018 (and one from this January), but didn’t get to review until now.

Crunch the Shy Dinosaur – An adorable picture book where the dinosaur “reacts” to the reader. Simple text and a lot of fun. Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

 

 

 

The Dinosaur Expert – I love this whole series of books about a teacher, Mr. Tiffin, and his class. In this book, one of the girls is a dinosaur expert, but one of the boys laughs and questions if girls can even be paleontologists. Kimmy’s reaction to the comment is immediate withdrawal, but Mr. Tiffin, in his firm but quiet way, saves the day. Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

 

 

Princess Pulverizer: Grilled Cheese and Dragons – Princess Serena is nothing like her name, and she’d rather be training with the knights than the princesses. The King assigns her eight acts of service to complete before she can go to knight school. I didn’t find this one as funny as the author’s Magic Bone series, and Serena was a little abrasive for me in this first book, but I’m eager to see how she develops as she completes her Quest for Kindness. Rating: ♥♥♥

 

 

Monsters Beware! – The third graphic novel in the Chronicles of Claudette series about Claudette as she seeks out adventure and monsters and her friends just try to survive their encounters. I got a kick out of all of the books in this series. Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

 

 

Mr. Gedrick and Me – A family suffering through grief is in desperate need of some intervention. Stanley fills out a web ad for a nanny, and his family gets more than they bargained for – and exactly what they need.  This was absolutely delightful! I adored Stanley. This Mary Poppins-esque story is just light enough for a middle grade audience (3rd to 5th grade) while still introducing the topic of grief. Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

 

Crime Rib – Book 2 in the Food Lovers’ Village mystery series. A TV show is in town for the Annual Summer Food and Art Fair including the main event, a Grill Off. But the festivities take a dark turn after a hit-and-run and then a murder. I love the setting for this series and the characters. It’s been awhile since I read the first one, but I fell right back into things easily.  This is a series I want to stick with in 2019. Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

 

Elementary, She Read – Book one in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Gemma runs the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium in West London Cape Cod, and her best friend runs Mrs. Hudson’s Team Room next door. When a woman stashes something in the bookshop during a busy day and then dies, Gemma is on the case. I really enjoyed this one – Gemma is like Sherlock with a eidetic memory, which is handy for a sleuth but can be annoying in other settings. After reading two of these in a row, I did need a Gemma break. She can be a little abrasive, not unlike Sherlock. But the mysteries have been great fun, and I know I will get back to this series. Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

Snowspelled – I requested this book from the library as the author is a “friend” of mine on Goodreads, and we enjoy similar books. I loved this alternate fantasy world full of magic, but even more I loved the political shifts. In this world, the women are the politicians and decision makers and the men have magic. Add to that a strong main character who once had magic (a shake up in her culture) and then lost it, and an elf looking for trouble, and I was hooked. Frankly, the mystery/elf portion of the story was the weakest part for me, but the characters and the world and the relationships sucked me in completely. Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 

 

Spellswept – After Snowspelled, I read the prequel, Spellswept, and it was even better! This story focuses on the sister-in-law from the first book who is dealing with the fall out of her attachment to this “unnatural” family. This book tells that story, and it was excellent! Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

 

Split Second – Book 1 in the King and Maxwell series. My husband and I watched – and enjoyed – the short-lived TV show based on this book series, so when he challenged me to read the first book, I was looking forward to it.  This is longer than a lot of the books I read, but that just meant there was time for a TON of twists and turns in this mystery. I really enjoyed the characters, so I will be coming back to this series, too. Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

 

 

Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden’s Syndrome – This reads like a non-fiction book – and it is stellar. I had to keep reminding myself that this is “nonfiction” backstory on a FICTIONAL series. I have already enjoyed the two books in the series – Lock In and Head On (4.5 stars – so good!); I didn’t need this backstory to understand and enjoy the world Scalzi developed for the series. But I’m so glad I have that backstory. It really added some things to the experience. And it made me want to re-read the books again. Rating: ♥♥♥♥½