Month: October 2020

BOOK NEWS: October 20, 2020

BOOK NEWS: October 20, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Cocoa’s Cranky Christmas (Board Book) – An interactive Christmas board book where readers try to help Cocoa find his Christmas joy.
Cozy – When a musk ox loses track of his herd and starts to feel lonely, he finds community when other animals decide living in his soft fur would make for a cozy winter.
How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners? – A new dinosaur book all about good manners like sharing and saying “please” and “thank you.”
Kitty and Dragon – There are three stories in this early reader starring Kitty and Dragon, two friends who are very different. From the author of The Magic Cake Shop (♥♥♥♥)
Pawtriot Dogs: Into the Storm AND On the Freedom Trail – Books 3 and 4 in the Pawtriot Dogs series where the dogs take on a mission in the Bermuda Triangle and then one in Boston Harbor.
Zoey and Sassafras: Bips and Roses – Book 8 in the delightful Zoey and Sassafras series. This time Zoey is using her science skills to save the magical roses that newborn hippogriffs need for food.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Flying Over Water – An Own Voices story. Noura’s family arrives in the US in January, 2017 from a refugee camp, days after the president’s Muslim ban. Jordyn’s family is helping Noura’s family through their church, but not everyone in their community is open to the new arrivals.
Klawde: Emperor of the Universe – Book 5 in the Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat series. (Book 1 – ♥♥♥♥♥) While Klawde’s efforts to conquer Earth have failed, he decides to set his sights bigger and instead conquer the universe.
The Last Mirror on the Left – Book 2 in the Legendary Alston Boys Adventure series after The Last Last-Day-of-Summer.  This time the boys are facing punishment for their previous misdeeds. But Missus Nedraw of the Mirror Emporium is willing to let things slide if the boys help her find a missing fugitive. I have this series on my wishlist.
Locker 37: The Ridiculous and Wonderful Rainbow Hat – Book 3 in the Locker 37 series. A magical locker hidden at an elementary school is always there to save the day for fourth graders in need (sounds like the Room of Requirement – brilliant!). Riley hopes to use the locker to pull off the most epic prank in history.
When Life Gives You Mangos – Clara has lost her memory of everything that happened last summer after experiencing a hurricane. While she keeps trying to fill in the blanks, this summer promises an adventure when a new girl comes to the village who is not like most visitors.
Among the Beasts and Briars – A new book from Ashley Poston. A teen carrying a curse from the dark forest where her friends and her mother were killed goes on the run with an irritating fox to find the Lady of the Wilds who holds the key to saving her home from the dangers of the forest.
Points – First in the Snow Ridge Chronicles series. After some disastrous dating situations, Bethany and Ash decide to use a point system Bethany’s brother developed to determine the perfect time to dump a date. The point system allows the girls to take more ownership over their relationships, but they discover there’s a fine line between justice and vengeance.
Poisoned – From the author of Stepsister comes a new take on Snow White. Sophie is in the Queen’s Forrest when the huntsman takes her heart. Seven strangers help her survive to discover her true enemy. I have this on my list for this week.
Rebel Sisters – The sequel to War Girls. In a future ravaged by climate change and nuclear disasters, Ify is living in the Space Colonies as a high ranking medical officer. Back on the wartorn Earth, a synth and a group of aid workers try to dig war details out of downed androids while the government wants to hide any evidence the war happened. But when a virus breaks out in the colonies, impacting children, Ify will have to return to Earth for answers. I have book one on my TBR.
Together, Apart – A collection of YA love stories set during quarantine

Books for Adults

Blow Dry & Die AND Hair Today Gone Tomorrow (e-book) – Books  2 and 3 in the Small-Town Mystery with Style series release this week. (Book 1 is Dead Ends Don’t Talk) Dee tries to help out a young girl, but when a body is found in her shop, the police turn their attention to Dee. And in the third book, Dee’s business card falls out of the pocket of a dead man. When she calls the number scribbled on the back, everything changes. All three books in the series are available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
Cottage on Gooseberry Bay Thanksgiving Past (e-book) – Book 2 in the series. Ainsley continues to pursue information about her past, but she also works with friends to investigate what happened to a family that disappeared 5 years ago.  This is also available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
The Gift of the Magpie (Hardcover) – Book 28 in the long-running Meg Langslow Mystery series. Meg is coordinating the Helping Hands Christmas outreach when one of her clients, “Harvey the Hoarder,” is attacked. You can read my full review here.
Happily Letter After (Trade Paperback) – What was usually a holiday activity becomes a regular occurrence when a woman starts granting the wishes of a girl who writes in for help. But when the woman gets a look at the girl’s father, she thinks it might be time to make a personal introduction. This is also available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
Mug Shot (e-book, October 23) – Book 7 in the Patricia Fisher Mystery series, a Christian cozy series. There’s murder at an anniversary party, but it isn’t clear who was the target. This is also available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
Snapped (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Playbook series after Intercepted (♥♥♥♥), Fumbled, and Blitzed.  When the star quarterback of the Denver Mustangs takes a knee during the national anthem, the team Communications Manager is assigned to “manage” him. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home (Hardcover) – The latest collection of stories and sermons from Barbara Brown Taylor.
Glory: Magical Visions of Black Beauty (Hardcover) – Over 100 pictures alongside a collection of essays celebrating Black beauty. This is a gorgeous book!
Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas (Hardcover) – Includes 45 recipes along with quizzes and decorating ideas, with pieces by some favorite Hallmark Channel stars.
The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World (Trade Paperback) – The 3rd edition of this book highlighting the best of the Disney parks in Florida.
Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks (Hardcover) – Over 1900 photos of the Disney parks around the world.

REVIEW: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater

REVIEW: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Alec and Walker Holland are spending their last summer before college with their cousins out in the country because of some… discord at home. For twins, the boys couldn’t have more different personalities. Walker is the extrovert, the life of the party. It’s not long before he knows everyone in town. Alec, on the other hand, is quiet and introverted. He’s far more interested in his plant-based science experiments than in people.

Some problems with Alec’s experiments lead to strange reactions in the local wildlife. And then in the people. But just when Alec finds someone to share his breakthroughs with, things escalate to a shocking degree.

Review

I am still stunned by where this story goes from start to finish. It’s an odd little story. And I loved it.

I have no history with Alec Holland or the Swamp Thing. I looked up the character’s history online, and wow! I liked the ways this changes the story. I liked the twin brothers angle to this a lot – the way they care for each other even when they are so different and don’t always understand each other.

I didn’t understand all of the plant science/science fiction in this, but I enjoyed it. The depiction of Alec connecting with a plant while his parents are talking in the background to the school personnel about his difficulties with people was beautiful and gave me a ton of insight into the character. That may be my favorite moment in the book. What happens to the local animal life after encountering Alec’s experiment was fascinating, too. Although not as interesting as what happens to the people.

The story and the characters here are supremely engaging. I would have loved a longer story, but I’ll settle for a sequel! Hand this to graphic novel fans and readers who want to dive into some of the lesser known DC characters. The way the author re-imagines this character really clicked for me. And the art work – while not my favorite style (just a matter of personal preference) – is lovely. (Language, sexual references)

You can read more reviews of books and graphic novels from the DC Universe here. DC has graciously provided some samples of the interior artwork for you to enjoy!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great. Might re-read.

REVIEW: Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

REVIEW: Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Marcus Caster-Rupp has just finished shooting his final season of Gods of the Gates. His public persona has always been on the “pretty but dim” side, and as an actor he can play that role convincingly. But now that shooting is done, maybe he could be something… more.

No one knows Marcus is Book!AeneasWouldNever!. He writes Gods of the Gates fanfiction. He loves the book version which is so much better than what the show runners have done lately with the characters. His favorite person on the fanfiction sites is UnapologeticLaviniaStan. She gets him and gets these characters. She will flip when she sees what the show runners have done in this next season. And not in a good way.

April, UnapologeticLaviniaStan on the fanfiction sites, is ready for serious life change. She kept her cosplay and fandom life secret at work in order to be taken seriously. And she’s never posted pictures of herself online in her cosplay because she doesn’t want to deal with fatphobic trolls. But she’s ready to take a stand and be 100% herself both in person and online.

When a beautiful cosplayer is trolled on Twitter, and Marcus is pulled into the conversation, he takes the high road, asking the woman out on a date (rather than eviscerating the trolls, which was his first instinct). But Marcus has no idea April is his fanfiction best friend, UnapologeticLaviniaStan. And if anyone finds out about his alter ego, Book!AeneasWouldNever!, Marcus’ career will be over.

Review

This was fantastic! It includes a fandom as well as a convention, which I always enjoy. (You can read my post from earlier this year about fandom and fan convention stories here.) There’s a You’ve Got Mail piece to this too where April and Marcus meet in real life while also having an online relationship hidden behind screen names. At first, neither one knows about the connection. The main difference here is that they are not antagonists in real life like in the movie.

But the real life relationship means Marcus has to break the online relationship and keep the connection a secret for the sake of his job. While he likes April, it’s too soon to know if she can be trusted or if she would even understand the risks he has already taken by writing fanfiction – and talking about the show- in ways that could jeopardize his job.

I loved April and Marcus, together and separately. They have fantastic chemistry together. They also have depth. The author does an exceptional job with the emotional pieces of this – the personal insights, the empathy, the descriptions of toxic family relationships, etc. I adored this layer to the characters and to the larger story.

There’s a secondary relationship that was teased in this book, but mostly took place off-page. I had hoped it would get it’s own book. It seems like that relationship will be the focus of the next book, out next year. I am absolutely here for that story. This is my first book by this author, although I own one of her e-books – Desire and the Deep Blue Sea – and its sequel is on my wishlist. I’ll be bumping her books up on my TBR.

If you enjoy fanfiction and fandom stories like I do, do NOT miss this one! It feels like an adult version of the Geekerella/Once Upon a Con series, which I love. (Language, sex, CW: fat shaming, disability shaming, toxic families/trauma)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great! Might re-read.

BONUS REVIEW: Ashton's Dancing Dream by the Pitts sisters

BONUS REVIEW: Ashton’s Dancing Dream by the Pitts sisters

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When Ashton’s friend, Rani, announces that her dad’s been offered a promotion that would move the family to London, Ashton starts looking for a way to help her friend stay. Ashton, Rani, and their friend, June, decide to be in their elementary school spring talent show. The show, and the preparation, can be their reason for why Rani can’t move yet. The girls will use moves from a dance they performed at Christmas for their dance school to help simplify the preparation.

But when their full group – five girls in total – gets together, they can’t agree on anything. They bicker over music, dance moves, and the showcase dancer. Ashton’s perfect idea gets more and more complicated. And while her dad supports the idea of the talent show, he asks Ashton to consider that God’s plans aren’t always in line with our preferences. But Ashton hopes God wants Rani to stay too.

Review

This is a solid story with a lot of friendship pieces and a focus on taking your problems and burdens to God. Ashton experiences a power struggle with one of the other girls in the dancing group. There are times when they all forget it’s about having this experience with Rani, too. But there are good examples of sincere prayers and interpersonal effort to make peace, apologize, etc..

Another factor to the story that I didn’t mention in the summary is the arrival of a new student at the girls’ Christian school. Jasmyn is in a wheelchair, and Ashton is asked to be her school “buddy” and help her get acclimated. I loved Jasmyn’s part in the story. Ashton is a great friend and helper both at school and at church.

I appreciated Ashton’s efforts to stand up for Jasmyn. Rani makes some poor choices out of jealousy of Ashton’s new friendship. But I wish Ashton’s response had been stronger. Ashton does address the issue without prompting from anyone else. And Rani does apologize in part. But I felt like the most heinous choice on Rani’s part was to run off to a second floor of the house deliberately because she knows Jasmyn can’t go with them. It’s a blatant act of exclusion.  Yet when Rani apologizes, it’s more for what she said (saying the crocheting they are about to do is dumb) than what she did which was far worse. I’m concerned some readers will be hurt that this issue wasn’t addressed more directly.

I enjoyed the story, but there were moments when the writing pulled me out of the flow. This is a first person point of view book. But occasionally Ashton would look at someone and “know” what they were thinking either about themselves or even one time about a third character. First person can’t pull off all of that. I am hopeful that these moments were addressed in final edits.

This is book two in the series after Ansley’s Big Bake Off which focuses on Ashton’s older sister. Book 3, Amber’s Song, releasing in April 2021, will focus on Ashton’s twin sister. The characters have an older sister, Lena, who had her own series, Lena in the Spotlight (which was written by the authors’ older sister and their late mother, Wynter Pitts).

If you are looking for books for your middle grade reader with a blatant spiritual message, be sure to check out both series by the Pitts sisters. (CW: Unkindness to a person with a disability)

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥=Good/solid/fine

REVIEW: Max Meow: Cat Crusader by John Gallagher

REVIEW: Max Meow: Cat Crusader by John Gallagher

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When Max Meow accidentally leads an evil robot to his scientist friend Mindy Microbe’s secret lab, it leads to trouble. The robot tries to steal a weird space meatball Mindy has been studying, and in the process, Mindy’s lab is destroyed.

And then Max accidentally eats some of the weird meatball. And he becomes a super hero.

Review

This is Max’s origin story. He’s a regular cat who ingests a bit of space meatball and gains super powers. He can fly, he has super strength, and he can zap things with his tail. This is all very timely because Agent M and his evil robot minion are trying to steal the meatball for their secret boss.

The story is pretty standard for the genre. While Max gets powers, he also gets cocky which causes trouble with his friend Mindy. He learns he’d be better off if he listened to her.

Max needs to repair his friendship, learn to be a better hero, and face Agent M. Standard superhero/villain battles ensue. The setting of the putt-putt course made for some fun moments. Fans of these sorts of graphic novels will enjoy this one. There are instructions for drawing Max in the book, so kids who love creating their own art will enjoy that feature. There are a couple nice reveals at the end that set up book 2, Donuts and Danger, which will release next year. This doesn’t have the heart or the humor of something like the Hilo series (book 1, The Boy Who Crashed to Earth – ♥♥♥♥♥), but I think kids will get a kick out of this one.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Good/fine/solid

BOOK NEWS: October 13, 2020

BOOK NEWS: October 13, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Let’s take a look at the new books releasing this week – including several Christmas titles!

Books for Kids

  

If Winter Comes, Tell It I’m Not Here – A boy’s sister tells him to enjoy all of his summer fun because winter will come and be awful. But he discovers he likes it. (I am vibing the title of this one!)
I Am Anne Frank AND I Am Benjamin Franklin – The latest picture book biographies from Brad Meltzer and the Ordinary People Change the World series.
I Am George Washington Carver AND I Am Eleanor Roosevelt – The latest book tie-ins from the Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. (George Washington Carver is a favorite at our house!)
Cat Ninja – First in a new graphic novel series from the author of the fantastic middle grade Supers of Noble’s Green series. By day, Claude is a pampered house cat. But when trouble arises, he becomes Cat Ninja, the city’s secret protector.
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Cloud Race – Book 5 in the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty series. Itty Bitty Princess Kitty and her friends are finally old enough to enter the Cloud Race, but she overhears another racer talk about cheating.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Time Castaways: Forbidden Lock – The third and final book in the Time Castaways series from the author of the Fairly True Tales series (Rump – ♥♥♥♥♥).  The villain, Captain Vincent is now able to change time, and his goal is to wipe out the Hudson family all together. But the kids get help from an unexpected source. This series sounds so fun!
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World – Book 3 in this story collection series. This is a gorgeous book with brief biographies of influential women along side beautiful illustrations. Terrific addition to home and classroom libraries.
Daughters of Jubilation – In the Jim Crow South, Evalene comes into her magic – what her family calls Jubilation, the magic Black women have used for years to help them survive.
A Golden Fury – A young alchemist is on the run after she watches her mother destroy their work on the Philosopher’s Stone in a fit of madness, a curse on those who would try to create the Stone.
In the Study with the Wrench – Book 2 in the Clue Mystery series based on the board game.  In the aftermath of Headmaster Boddy’s murder, half the student body have chosen to stay home. Among those who returned are “the Murder Crew.” When another staff member is found dead and the Crew is threatened, secrets begin to come to light.
Lightbringer – The third and final book of the Empirium Trilogy after Furyborn and Kingsbane. The queens at the center of this dual timeline book reach the climax of their story. I have this series on my TBR list.
Long Way Down (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the novel in verse which tells the story of Will, whose older brother has been shot, and his trip down an elevator where each floor puts him face to face with folks who speak into the situation and Will’s quest for revenge. (Long Way Down – ♥♥♥♥)
Swamp Thing: Twin Branches (Graphic Novel) – Alec and Walker Holland are staying with extended family. The new school and rural setting push the boys further apart into their own interests – Walker’s interest in the local social scene and Alec’s interest in his scientific experimentation. I’ll be reviewing this soon.
This Is All Your Fault (LGBTQ+) – Three teens show up for their shift at Wild Nights Bookstore expecting the same old shift. But when they hear that the store will be closing, their day at work becomes something no one expected.
The Truth Project – This story, told in emails and text messages and poems, focuses on a teen completing what should be a simple senior project about her ancestry. But when her DNA test shows that the man who raised her is not her biological father, everything she thought she knew about herself comes into question. This sounds fantastic!

Books for Adults

Jingle All the Way (Hardcover) – The latest Christmas novel from Debbie Macomber. A workaholic is given the month of December off to get a break and some perspective. But her vengeful assistant books her on a cruise of the Amazon rather than the beach vacation she was supposed to be on. But the unexpected trip might be exactly what she needs.
Joy to the World (Trade Paperback) – Three Regency Christmas romance novellas.
On the Run (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Guardian series. Nolan, a new Guardian, is charged with protecting a journalist who stumbled across a deadly conspiracy.  (I have book 1, Failsafe, on my TBR!)
A Princess by Christmas (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Royal Wedding series by Julia London (Book 1 is The Princess Plan). After three years of mourning and working to develop her late husband’s gossip gazette, Hollis decides she wants to pursue real investigative reporting. And she’s going to start with a rumored coup and a mysterious stranger.
A Princess for Christmas (Trade Paperback) – A New York cab driver raising his younger sister comes to the aid of a real-life princess like he’s living in some sort of Hallmark movie. You can read my full review here.
Silent Bite (Hardcover) – Book 22 in the fabulous Andy Carpenter Mystery series. Fresh off of a vacation he didn’t want to take, Andy finds himself defending a friend of a friend who has been accused of murder. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Simmer Down (Trade Paperback) – A food truck rivalry in Maui leads to a winner-takes-all wager with a side of romantic sizzle.
Star Trek Voyager: To Lose the Earth (Trade Paperback) – A follow up to Star Trek Voyager: Architects of Infinity. Admiral Kathryn Janeway and the crew of the Full Circle Fleet search for a lost ship and discover new revelations about Species 001.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas (Trade Paperback) – Kate signs up for a dating event where she will be matched with 12 dates in the weeks leading up to Christmas. You can read my full review here.
Billions of Besties: A Celebration of Fascinating and Simply Exceptional Friendships (Hardcover) – Highlights 100 real and fictional friendships. The artwork in this is outstanding!
A Path to Redeeming Love: A 40 Day Devotional (Hardcover) – A 40-day devotional based on the novel Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
Pieometry: Modern Tart Art and Pie Design for the Eye and the Palate (Hardcover) – I don’t know that I have the patience for these recipes, but the photos and descriptions make this read like an art book! The sample pages I’ve seen are beautiful.
Quiet Times with God Devotional (Hardcover) – A year-long devotional from Joyce Meyer.
Reindeer Food: 85 Festive Sweets and Treats to Make a Magical Christmas (Hardcover) – Part of the Whimsical Treats series with Unicorn Food, Mermaid Food, and Fairy Food. I don’t know how many of these recipes I would actually try, but I would pick these books up – all of them – just for the photos. This new Christmas book looks like the best of the bunch to me. Amazing!!

REVIEW: Running by Natalia Sylvester

REVIEW: Running by Natalia Sylvester

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Mariana Ruiz’s father is running for president. He’s been in the state legislature before, and he’s currently a US Senator for Florida. Mariana knows what politics means for their day-to-day life. But she hasn’t really registered that his run for the Republican nomination means this election is at a whole new level.

Joe, her father’s assistant, is dictating her comments for TV spots and interviews. Her bedroom gets made-over like an elementary school classroom, complete with motivational posters, against her will because reporters are going to be seeing it. The whole family will be interviewed. No matter how many times Mariana asks to be left out of things, no one listens. So she disappears before the interview and goes to a friend’s house. That’s the first time Mariana pushes back. But it won’t be the last.

Review

This was excellent! No only does the book look at big issues like politics and the environment and activism, but it also drills down to interpersonal issues like family unity, teenage autonomy, family obligations, and political identity. For most of Mariana’s life, politics was just what her father did. It was background noise like other parental jobs might be for teens. But her father’s run for president amps up all the pressure over appearances and media scrutiny. Mariana’s discomfort starts there.

Then, a school assignment converges with a friend’s personal issues and raises her awareness about real life factors – things that impact people she loves. Things that used to just be political talking points. Mariana connects with students at her school who are more politically aware and engaged. She sees her father’s voting record, and it doesn’t line up with what he’s always said he believes. The more she learns, the more the idealized picture of her father fractures.

There are no easy answers offered, which I loved. This is Mariana’s coming-of-age story where her assumptions are torn down and what she rebuilds is a new comprehension of not only her family but also the larger world. And she realizes she has a place in it, and she has a unique platform where her voice can be heard. I loved this! (Language, LGBTQ+, TW: gaslighting)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

BONUS REVIEW: The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation by A. J. Sherrill

BONUS REVIEW: The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation by A. J. Sherrill

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary and Review

The author’s goal with this book is to help readers see the Enneagram as a means for spiritual growth rather than being reduced to a number and a collection of behaviors and motivations. The book is laid out with some introductory material and then the spiritual growth pieces.

I enjoyed two of the chapters. One looked at two spiritual practices per type – one “downstream” practice that would come naturally to the type and one “upstream” practice that would be a useful challenge. For example, for Type Ones, the author recommends journaling for both the downstream and upstream, highlighting journaling that will come easily as well as ways to use it to dig deeper into areas that might push against the personality. This chapter also recommends a season or event in the Church calendar that might click with a particular type. The other chapter I liked chose Bible passages that can be instructive for each type, as well as a piece of scripture to memorize. For Type Ones, the author recommends reading about the Apostle Paul in Acts.

I read the sections for my type in the book and felt they were on target for things I would enjoy doing as well as things that could help me grow. I could see Spiritual Directors and/or therapists using these chapters to add to their repertoire of responses to individuals of various types looking for growth. And I definitely appreciated the approach that one size does not fit all when it comes to spiritual practices. It’s okay that certain ones don’t click for you or that some come more easily than others. You aren’t a spiritual growth failure if a particular practice isn’t your jam.

Unfortunately, other than these two practical chapters, I didn’t find much here that was new or that I didn’t already have in other resources. If someone were to ask me for a reference for spiritual growth, I would highly recommend Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram. It’s one of my top Enneagram recommendations anyway, and it gets at some of these same ideas in more detail.

If you are in practice where you work with individuals on their Enneagram types and spiritual development, consider checking this one out in addition to Spiritual Rhythms to develop recommendations and resources for each type to pursue growth and health.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥=Good/Solid/Fine

REVIEW: Well Played by Jen DeLuca

REVIEW: Well Played by Jen DeLuca

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

At the end of the summer’s Renaissance Faire run, Emily is engaged and Stacey is feeling stuck. She gave up a career and a life in New York to help out her mom with a health scare. Her job feels like a dead end. She lives above her parents’ garage. And the only relationship she’s had is her hook up with Dex from the Faire.

After an evening of melancholy – and wine – Stacey messages Dex and lays out her loneliness. The next day, she’s mortified over her boldness and vulnerability. But he actually responds! Soon they are messaging back and forth, and she realizes he has more depth than she ever gave him credit for. Occasional messages turn into regular emails and then daily texts. And Stacey’s feelings for Dex grow.

Until the moment, a week before the Faire begins the new season where they will be in the same town for a few weeks, when Stacey realizes she’s been texting with Daniel, Dex’s cousin, for the last year and not Dex.

Review

It’s so good to be back at the RenFaire! I loved the first book in this series, Well Met (♥♥♥♥♥), and I was eager to see how things were going for Emily and Simon while digging into the new relationship at the center of this book.

I enjoyed Stacey and Daniel’s story. While I didn’t feel they had the same spark as Emily and Simon, I liked them together. In a lot of ways this is Stacey’s story alone. She feels trapped and resigned to her situation. I was eager to see how she was going to change over the course of the story.

The main conflict here – Daniel’s identity – has some layers. And it’s prickly when everything comes out. The lying is bad – he should have just told her the truth from the start. But then there wouldn’t be much of a story. So in some ways it was a plot device to give tension to the romance. But the romance is warm and sweet in the end, so you can forgive a lot.

I don’t think these books have to be read in order, but I think it’s more fun that way. Then you can see how the first relationship is growing while the second one is getting started. Book 3, Well Matched, is scheduled for next year, and I’m excited to read it. It will star Emily’s sister, April, who is a prickly character in the first book, but she softens a little in this one. I am extremely curious to see how my image of her changes as I get to know her from her own story.

I love the RenFaire setting for this series. It’s really what keeps bringing me back. Romance fans and Renaissance Faire fans should check this out. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½=Good+

BONUS REVIEW: Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

BONUS REVIEW: Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Myrtle Hardcastle is the daughter of the local prosecutor, and a scientist, her late mother. So she comes by her intellect and her curiosity honestly. So can anyone be surprised when she uses the telescope to look in on the neighbors or when she reads about poisons?

When Myrtle notices a change in the daily patterns of her neighbors at Redgraves, she looks into things on her own and then notifies the police. They discover that the lady of the house, Miss Wodehouse, has passed away.

Everyone says it was her heart, but Myrtle is convinced it was murder. Myrtle and her governess, Miss Judson, do some of their own investigating at Redgraves, talking to the presumed heirs as well and hunting for clues. In fact, Myrtle eventually convinces the powers that be that it was, in fact, murder. Now, all she has to do is find the killer.

Review

This was excellent! I loved the characters in this. Myrtle is a delight – brilliant and confident. And the cast around her is equally fantastic. I would snap up book 2 – How to Get Away With Myrtle – which also released this week. This was terrific!

The characters are what would keep me coming back to this series. I’m already excited about their next adventure. But the mystery in this is also excellent. There are several suspects and some nice surprises. Mystery fans are going to love this! Crimes include a suspicious death/murder, fraud, and kidnapping.

Do not miss this new mystery series for older middle grade readers (ages 10+) or the amazing Myrtle Hardcastle. I’d hand this to kids who enjoy mysteries like City Spies, FRAMED, Aggie Morton, The Westing Game, Capture the Flag, The Parker Inheritance, or Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor. (You can read about other middle grade mysteries here.) I think they will fall in love with Myrtle.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½=I loved it! Would re-read!