Category: Book News

BOOK NEWS: April 6, 2021

BOOK NEWS: April 6, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy April! Hope you had a wonderful Passover or Easter (if you celebrate). Here are some of the books kicking off the new month of reading:

Books for Kids

The Little Butterfly That Could – A companion picture book to The Very Impatient Caterpillar (♥♥♥♥). A butterfly learns to persevere through migration challenges.
Labstah Gahden – Two rival lobsters team up to protect their ocean homes when pollution impacts their gardens.
Summer Adventure for Groot! – Rocket and Groot work to incorporate as much fun into their summer vacation as possible.
Max Meow Cat Crusader: Donuts and Danger – Book 2 in the Max Meow series. When Max and Mindy’s evil doubles show up, they cause lots of trouble, but the real Max and Mindy take the blame.
The Secret Explorers and the Smoking Volcano – Book 6 in the Secret Explorers series. Readers get to join Cheng, the volcano expert on the team, in this book where the kids go to watch an eruption and end up on a rescue mission.
She Persisted: Virginia Apgar – An early chapter book biography of the woman who developed the Apgar test for newborn babies.
The Story of Jackie Robinson  – An early chapter book biography of Jackie Robinson.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

  

Almost There and Almost Not (Older Middle Grade) – California has been dropped off with yet another unsuspecting relative, her great-aunt, Monica, who tries to keep California busy by having her research a somewhat-famous relative. A relative that is now a temperamental ghost.
Aru Shah and the City of Gold – Book 4 in the mythology-based Pandava series. Aru and her sisters are searching for their lost mentors in the City of Gold before war breaks out.
Avengers Assembly: Sinister Substitute – Doreen (Squirrel Girl) and her friends team up when a new group of teachers at their super school – including some that seem like super villains – makes it easy for some troublemakers to create chaos.
Buster – Buster is called into Dog Court for breaking their most sacred rule – showing humans how smart they are, including talking to one. But Buster is a therapy dog, and he’s willing to break the rules to help his boy, Tonio.
Dear DC Super-Villains – A companion to Dear Justice League. Kids ask DC villains questions about their lives.
Fearless – First in a new series. Monica has moved to Broadway for her big break, but the theater where she is understudy is in danger of closing. When problems start plaguing their production, Monica and her new friends start looking for a way to break the theater’s curse. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Great Peach Experiment: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie – Now that they are millionaires, the Peach family is planning to travel the country in a food truck, selling pies. Except none of them knows how to bake. This is at the top of my wish list for this week!
The Last Kids on Earth: Tales from the Tree House (Graphic Novel) – A short story collection from the  Last Kids on Earth series, in a graphic novel format. Includes 6 short stories from their monster/zombie adventures and a set up for book 7 releasing later this year.
The Messengers – Book 3 in the Greystone Secrets series. The Greystones’ friends in the alternate world send mysterious coins to signal that they need help.
Squad Goals – Magic heads to cheer camp hoping for some help in following in the footsteps of her family members who are legends in sports circles. But when it seems Magic didn’t inherit any of her family’s athletic talent, and a group of mean girls try to bring her down, she’ll need her new crew of misfits to make the most of Planet Pom Poms camp.
Switched – When Parker has to dog sit his sister’s chaotic goldendoodle, Boof, the dog does not exactly fit into the orderly life Parker is trying to arrange for himself. And then, when a game of tug-of-war goes awry, Boof and Parker switch bodies.
Thornwood – Book 1 in the Sisters Ever After series. Everyone knows the story of Sleeping Beauty. Briony has been watching her older sister, Rosalin, wait for the curse to kick in as they are powerless to stop it. But when Briony wakes up, it’s up to her to find out what is really going on and save her family and her kingdom. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Unicorn Famous (Graphic Novel/Comics Collection) – Book 13 in the fabulous Phoebe and her Unicorn series.
Whatever After: Good as Gold – Book 14 in the Whatever After series. Abby and Jonah find themselves in the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
History Smashers: Titanic – Book 4 in the History Smashers series from Kate Messner. Read the fascinating truths about the Titanic!
The Outdoor Scientist: The Wonder of Observing the Natural World – By Dr. Temple Grandin. Includes 40 projects for readers to try to learn about the world around us.
What Is the Story of Alice in Wonderland? – The history of Alice in Wonderland.

 

Books for Teens/Young Adults

The Cost of Knowing – A teen who has visions of the future sees something about his brother that sends him into a tailspin. I reviewed this last week. It’s one I highly recommend. You can read my review here.
The Flipside of Perfect – AJ is a controlled, high achieving student at a prestigious high school. Della spends her summers in Florida, footloose, fancy free, and wild. In reality, though, AJ and Della are the same girl, and when AJ’s sister crashes her summer in Florida, the dual life she lives gets a lot more complicated. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Go the Distance – A Twisted Tale, the 11th in the series, based on the Disney movie Hercules. By Jen Calonita. Once Hercules recovers his godship, Meg is told she can’t be with him because she is just a mortal. But Hera gives her a chance to become a goddess and get her happily ever after.
Hello Cruel Heart – The story of a teen Cruella de Vil. (There has been some negative buzz around the idea – not necessarily this book – of an origin story to humanize a villain like Cruella, so YMMV on this one.)
House of Hollow – Three sisters who disappeared for a month as children returned with no memory of their time away. And then they started to change. Now, 10 years later, when the youngest is trying to finish high school, one of her older sisters goes missing, leaving bizarre clues behind. The full description of this is SO intriguing! I have this one on hold at the library already.
The Infinity Courts – Nami has finished high school and has her whole future ahead of her, but she is murdered before she can explore any of it. Then she discovers that an Earth AI has taken over the afterlife as a queen, forcing the dead into servitude. This is on my list, too.
Kisses and Croissants – A girl who longs to be a professional ballerina encounters a ruthless rival, a cruel instructor, and love during her summer of study in Paris.
The Murder Game – Luke was only looking for a hook up in the woods that night, not finding a dead body and investigating whether his roommate might be a murderer. Fans of prep school stories might try this one out.
Pride and Premeditation – First in a new Jane Austen Murder Mystery series. Aspiring lawyer Lizzy Bennet goes looking for a murderer in order to prove herself to the doubters like that awful Fitzwilliam Darcy. I’m not an Austen fan, but the murder mystery element grabbed my attention. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Sky Blues (LGBTQ+) – A gay teen decides to go all out for his senior year and plans the perfect promposal for his crush. But when an anonymous hacker exposes the plan, the whole school chips in to expose the perpetrator. I have this one on hold at the library, too.
The Spy Who Raised Me (Graphic Novel) – A teen with gaps in her memory discovers she has been secretly trained to be a spy. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good – A serious girl with a serious boyfriend with serious plans for his life ducks out for a night of nerdy fun at Dragon Con. I am here for any fan convention story, so I will be tracking this one down.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask – A young readers edition of a book about Native Americans, including pieces about social activism and racism.

Books for Adults – Fiction

All that Really Matters (Trade Paperback) – A social media influencer who wants a new gig on a makeover show decides to pad her resumé with some service work with kids aging out of foster care. And the experience changes her perspective. This is on my list for this week, too.
Animal Instinct (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the K-Team series by David Rosenfelt. Corey and the K-Team investigate a murder that ties to a case Corey worked when he was with the police. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Big Little Spies (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 7 in the Paws & Claws mystery series. Holly is sleuthing when a pet detective is found dead while on the case of a missing pup.
Blackberry Beach (Trade Paperback) – Book 7 in the Hope Harbor series. A grieving coffee shop owner and his secretive new neighbor team up to rehab a home for foster children, and they find love.
Checking Out Crime (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the delightful Bookmobile Cat Mystery series. Minnie thinks she and Eddie have come across the victim of a hit and run, but when they start investigating, the case just gets more and more complicated.
Deadly Editions (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. Delaney is drawn into a treasure hunt with a grand prize of a first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But she didn’t count on a string of robberies, a kidnapping, or a murder being connected to the game.
The Duke Undone (Trade Paperback) – A young artist stumbles across an unconscious, naked man in an alley, so she calls for help. But when she can’t get him out of her mind, she paints him in all his glory. Then, when the rent comes due, she sells the painting. When the Duke of Weston gets word about the scandalous painting that could ruin him, he plans to buy it, burn it, and confront the painter. But when he meets Lucy, he is so captivated by her that he agrees to a scheme that could save them both.
The Intimacy Experiment (Trade Paperback) – The founder of a sex-positive start up and one of LA’s hottest bachelors – who happens to also be a rabbi of a struggling synagogue – team up to host a series on modern intimacy. She’s looking for a path to lecturing at the university level. He has three months to bring in enough congregants to save his synagogue. Neither of them expected to find love. This is such a quirky premise, I might have to check this one out!
Laid Out in Lavender (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Garlic Farm Mystery series. An app developer turned farmer, Mabel is renting out the lavender field for weddings when one of the guests at a wedding is killed.
Life’s Too Short (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Friend Zone series after The Friend Zone (♥♥♥♥½) and The Happy Ever After Playlist (♥♥♥♥½). Since her mother and sister never made it to 30, Vanessa is determined to live each day to the fullest. And she has millions of YouTube followers along for the ride. But Vanessa’s life philosophy never accounted for her half sister leaving Vanessa in charge of her baby daughter. I have absolutely adored the other two books in this series. I will definitely be picking those up for a re-read before diving into this one as soon as I can.
One Thing Leads to a Lover (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Love and Let Spy series after Who’s That Earl? which I have on my TBR pile. A widow looking for a little adventure comes into the possession of a mysterious book that puts her, and the spy who was supposed to receive it, in jeopardy. This is on my list, too.
Phantoms & Felonies (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Haunted Mansion Mystery series after Haunted Homicide (♥♥♥♥). Avery hopes to gain some new members for the Women’s Club by playing host to a local theater troupe, but when the lead is found dead, she and the Club’s ghost, Clemmie, are on the hunt for a murderer.
Star Wars: Skywalker, A Family at War (Hardcover) – A biography of the Skywalker family.
To Love and to Loathe (Trade Paperback) – Jeremy and Diana are so constantly at odds, no one is surprised when things escalate to a wager. Jeremy will wed within the year or Diana will owe him 100 pounds. But in private, Jeremy asks for a different sort of arrangement. His last mistress critiqued his skills in the bedroom. If Diana will help him out, he will improve and she can use the gossip to signal she is in the market for a lover. But they don’t count on this arrangement leading to real feelings between them.

 

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

Book of Hebrews Study (The Passion Translation – Paperback) – A study of the book of Hebrews.
Soundtracks (Hardcover) – The latest book from the fabulous Jon Acuff. Soundtracks are the messages we repeat to ourselves which can either lead to trouble or can be leveraged to help us achieve our goals. I am eager to read this one!
Woman Evolve: Breakup with Your Fears and Revolutionize Your Life (Hardcover) – Become the woman God intended through this look at Eve from the book of Genesis.

BOOK NEWS: March 30, 2021

BOOK NEWS: March 30, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Wow, I can’t believe the year is almost a quarter finished! Here are some of the new books releasing during this last week of March.

Books for Kids

Who Is Jane Goodall? AND Who Was Jackie Robinson (Board Books) – The Who HQ line (Who Was, Where Is, etc.) moves into board books with these two titles.
Bear Can’t Wait – A new addition to the delightful Bear series. Bear has a surprise planned for a friend, but he finds it hard to wait.
I’m a Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog (April 1) – Chewy is training to be a service dog, but he’s struggling with distraction.
The Critter Club: Ellie Tames the Tiger – Book 22 in the Critter Club series. Ellie and her friends try to keep a new kitten named Tiger under control while Ellie also deals with a dance partner who isn’t very friendly.
DJ Funkyfoot, Butler for Hire – First in a new series which is part of the Flytrap Files. DJ the butler can’t find a job other than babysitter for ShrubBaby who has a taste for adventure.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

All You Knead Is Love – Alba is sent to Barcelona to live with her estranged grandmother while her mother tries to leave Alba’s abusive father. While there Alba discovers a love of bread baking that leads her to take action when her favorite bakery is in danger of closing. This is on my list for this week.
Finn and the Time-Traveling Pajamas (Older Middle Grade) – Book 2 in the Finniverse series. Finn is saved by an older version of himself who needs Finn and his friends to help correct mistakes in the older Finn’s past.
Star Wars The Mandalorian Season 1 Volume 1 Screen Comix – Graphic novel-style retelling of the first four episodes of season 1 of The Mandalorian.
Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice – First in a new series. When Barclay breaks his community’s most sacred rule – don’t go into the woods – and bonds with a Beast, he is run out of town. He journeys to a community of Lore Keepers who have also bonded with Beasts to find out what to do next. This sounds fun!
The Death of Nancy Drew (Graphic Novel) When Nancy dies after taking down a crime organization, the Hardy Boys step in to investigate her death.
Prom Theory – In an effort to prove her scientific theories about love and attraction, Iris tries to get a newly single guy at school to ask her to prom.

Books for Adults – Fiction

Back in the Burbs (Trade Paperback) – The one saving grace after Mallory watches her marriage and her work life fall completely apart is inheriting a house in the burbs where she can start over. If only the house wasn’t a complete disaster. This reminds me of the premise of The Restoration of Celia Fairchild, but sassier, and I am here for it!
Bodies and Bows (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Apron Shop mystery series. Iris starts investigating when a local bad boy is killed in a hit and run.
Careless Whispers (Mass Market Paperback) – Part of the Jackson Falls series. Elaina has dreamed of nothing but taking over the family business. Instead, she is fired, and her father hires her nemesis Alex instead. When she tries to launch her own business, though, Elaina will need Alex’s help.
Death at the Salon (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Daisy Thorne Mystery series. When Daisy’s customer – and former high school foe – is found dead, all the evidence points to Daisy as the killer.
Don’t Rock the Goat (e-book) – Book 8 in the Bought-the-Farm Mystery series. Ivy’s rescue farm acquires some baby goats while Ivy acquires a new mystery to solve.
Duchess If You Dare (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Maidens of Mayhem Mystery series. Scarlett’s sleuthing into a missing seamstress brings her in contact with a Duke trying to solve his own mystery. Teaming up would help both of them out, if they can put aside the feelings that are growing between them. This series sounds fun!
Flight (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Texas Murder Files series. Miranda may have hung up her forensic photographer hat in favor of wildlife photography, but when she finds a couple of dead bodies, she can’t help but apply her skills to the case. If only the local detective would take her thoughts seriously.
Fresh Brewed Murder (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Ground Rules Mystery series. Sage’s coffee truck, Ground Rules, is the site of a murder, and she is the prime suspect. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Hiding Place (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Mercy Carr Mystery series. Mercy has her hands full when she inherits a 20-year-old cold case, her grandfather’s murderer escapes custody, her grandmother goes missing, and someone shows up claiming Elvis is *his* dog. I have loved the first two books in this series, so this is at the top of my wish list for this week.
Knitty Gritty Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 7 in the Knit & Nibble Mystery series. Pamela and her friends are investigating another murder when a local farm-to-table enthusiast is killed.
Murder at the Taffy Shop (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. Mac and her friends start investigating when the owner of the taffy shop is accused of murder.
Murder at Wedgefield Manor (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series. Jane and her aunt are spending time at Wedgefield prior to their return to America when one of the manor’s mechanics is killed in a car accident that turns out to be murder.
The Museum Murder (e-book, March 31) – Book 2 in the Epiphany Bloom Mystery series. Pip starts investigating when an important dress goes missing from a fashion museum.
Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Desert Flowers Mystery series.  The Desert Flowers Detective Agency is on the case when a social media influencer is killed in a way that reminds Poppy of the Pillow Talk Killer murders from her early days as an actress.
Under the Cover of Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. While Addie is supposed to be serving as the maid of honor at the wedding of the year, instead she is trapped on a yacht, investigating the two bodies that have washed ashore.

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

Emotionally Healthy Discipleship: Moving from Shallow Christianity to Deep Transformation (Hardcover) – New from the author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.  Tackles the issues that undermine serious discipleship. I have read some of the author’s other works, and he’s fantastic. This is on my list for this week.
Everybody Fights: So Why Not Get Better at It (Hardcover) – The Holderness videos have gotten me through some dark moments of the pandemic with a LOT of laughter. I have my fingers crossed that that same humor translates to their first book, Everybody Fights, about marriage and communication.
Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence  (Hardcover) – The author responds to the question she is asked most often, “How can you still be a Christian?” as people wrestle with disillusionment and disappointment with the Church and Church leaders. This one is on my list, too.
The Hill We Climb (Hardcover) – A gift edition of the poet’s inaugural poem from this past January. Foreward by Oprah Winfrey.
Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story (Hardcover) – A new devotional from Lysa TerKeurst, author of Uninvited and It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way (♥♥♥♥½).

BOOK NEWS: March 23, 2021

BOOK NEWS: March 23, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Let’s take a look at some of the new books out this week!

Books for Kids

Duck Duck Moose – The three friends are playing a quiet game of cards when someone asks them “Where’s Goose?” which turns into an all-day hunt. I am eager to see this one in person.
I Am Not a Dog Toy – A toy bear insists he is a kid’s toy, not a dog toy. When the girl doesn’t want to play with him, but Dog does, maybe Bear will see who his real friend is.
Itty-Bitty Kitty Corn – Kitty thinks she might be a unicorn, but when she meets Unicorn, who is so amazing, she feels pretty plain.
Meanest of Meanies – When you are a MOM, sometimes being “mean” means “I love you.”
The Middle Kid – A middle child shares his story of the ups and downs of his place in his family.
Dog Man: Mothering Heights – Book 10 in the Dog Man series.
Doggo and Pupper – First in a new chapter book series by Katherine Applegate (Roscoe Riley Rules series, The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw). An older dog adjusts when a new puppy joins the family. This looks sweet!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Disney Monsters Movies in Comics (Graphic Novel) – The Monsters Inc. movies in comics form.
Flash: Legends of Forever – Book 3 in the Crossover Crisis series of the Flash novels where the Legends of Tomorrow help with the mission to save the multiverse.
Sherlock Bones and the Sea-Creature Feature (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Sherlock Bones graphic novel mystery series starring a skeleton from the Natural History Museum. This time, Sherlock and his friends are hunting down a swamp monster in the museum. I got such a kick out of this! I’ll post a full review soon.
Where We Used to Roam – Emma embraces a summer in Wyoming, away from her brother who has gone into rehab and from her best friend and the things that happened between them. This one is on my list.
Wonder Women of Science: Twelve Geniuses Who Are Currently Rocking Science, Technology, and the World – A celebration of women in STEM.
Fade Away – When a high school basketball star disappears right after winning the big game, the whole town weighs in on what they think happened. I have this one on my list.
Girls with Rebel Souls – The third and final book in the Girls with Sharp Sticks series. The girls of Innovations Academy aren’t done fighting for their futures or their freedom. I have this series on my wish list.
Lost in the Never Woods – When local children start to go missing in the woods, Wendy has to face the past she can’t remember in order to help them.
The Secret Recipe for Moving On – Getting dumped was bad enough. But now Ellie has to watch her ex with his new girlfriend in their life skills class while she is stuck in a group of misfits. This is on my list, too.
The Theft of Sunlight – Book 2 in the Dauntless Path series. Rae is named attendant to the princess which gives her freedom to look into the recent disappearances of local children.

Books for Adults

Midlife CatAstrophe (e-book) – First in the new Meno-paws Mystery series. (I know, the pun is awful. But I have my fingers crossed that the book is good.) Nell is looking for a fresh start after her divorce, but instead she finds a dead body and a talking cat. I’ll definitely be checking this one out.
Murder by Page One (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Peach Coast Library Mysteries series from Hallmark Publishing. Marvey, new librarian in town, teams up with the charming newspaper owner to investigate the body found at the local bookstore. This is another book for my list.
Stealing Time (e-book) – A physicist who invented the technology that terrorists used to steal time from the lives of children has gone into hiding after the thieves were found and the technology destroyed. But now children are going missing  and she has to know if her technology is being used again.
The Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles (Trade Paperback, March 25) – The 25th anniversary edition of this introductory book on the Enneagram.
Simple & Free (book AND Study Guide AND Guided Journal) – Jen Hatmaker has revised and updated one of her most popular books, 7. Now called Simple & Free, the book comes with a study guide and a journal. This would be fantastic for group study!

BOOK NEWS: March 16, 2021

BOOK NEWS: March 16, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

 

Rocket’s Puppy Friends (Board Book) – Rocket and his friends meet five puppies who show them around the farm. The illustrations really make these books shine!
Poojo’s Got Wheels – A sweet story about a dog, born without back legs.
June Almeida, Virus Detective!: The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus – A picture book biography.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Agent 9 Flood-a-geddon (Graphic Novel) – From the author of the fun Bird and Squirrel graphic novel series. Agent 9 is one of the best spies, but sometimes Nine’s solutions have unintended consequences. It’s why the agent is on probation when a supervillain takes over headquarters. Now, Nine is the only spy who can help.
The Amazing Beef Squad Never Say Die – A group of pranksters takes on their town’s power players.
The Losers at the Center of the Galaxy – When their father, Lenny Volpe, a former quarterback, disappears, his old team wins for the first time, making all their fans really happy. But no matter how much they say otherwise, the Volpe kids are anything but fine.
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories – Spooky stories with Rowley Jefferson.
Scaredy Cat – Two former shelter cats, threatened by a bully, decide they aren’t giving up their new home without a fight.
Upstaged – Shy Shira is cast in the barbershop quartet for her school production of The Music Man. She’s also asked to be the understudy for the 8th grade diva playing Marian, a character who inspires Shira. I absolutely adored the author’s previous book, Sidetracked, and I am thrilled to be able to review this one soon.
Exploring Gotham City – I love this infographics-type resource about the world of Batman. The sample pages I have seen look fantastic!
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? AND Who Is Ken Jennings? – Two new biographies from the Who HQ NOW series that looks at contemporary public figures.
Five Ways to Fall Out of Love – Watching her parents break up and experiencing her own public romantic disaster has left Aubrey pretty cynical about love. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Queen of Gilded Horns – Book 2 in the River of Royal Blood series. Eva is on the run with her sister and rival, Isa, in tow. Eva would rather find a way to peace than kill Isa for the throne, but her sister is less than cooperative.
Sword of Rage – Book 1 in the new Reigning Kingdoms series from the author of the fantastic Knights of the Realm series. Harley is determined to overthrow the traitorous king. Ackley never expected to find a love that would make him question his commitment to a life as an assassin.
That Way Madness Lies – A collection of re-imagined works of Shakespeare.

Books for Adults

Dangerous Magic: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (e-book) – First in a new series. Elizabeth Bennett is forced into an arranged marriage with an arrogant mage named Darcy so that their combined magic can help defeat Napoleon’s mages.
The Dating Plan (Trade Paperback) – Liam needs this fake relationship to be believable so that he can inherit according to the terms of his grandfather’s will. Daisy is in it to get her relatives off her back about her finding love which seems like it will never happen. I adore fake relationship stories, so I am thrilled to be able to review this one soon.
The Disappearance of Emily (e-book) – Book 2 in the Destiny Falls series after the fantastic Falling into Magic. Hayden is living in the secret land of Destiny Falls when someone is killed. A series of mysterious events seems tied to the disappearance of Hayden’s mother. I can’t wait to read this one. I’ll be reviewing it soon.
Drown Her Sorrows (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Bree Taggert series. Bree and Matt investigate a murder that was set up to look like suicide.
Firefly: Life Signs (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the series of original novels tied to the Firefly TV series. When the crew discovers that Inara left because of an incurable disease, they also learn that a doctor with a possible cure is on a hostile prison planet.
Hours to Kill (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Homeland Heroes series. When his estranged wife, a Homeland Security agent, is attacked and left for dead, ICE agent Mack Jordan rushes to her bedside. She remembers nothing of the attack – or of their life together. But when she is attacked again, they start working together to find who’s out to get her.
Mad About Ewe AND Give Love a Chai (e-books, March 18) – The first two books in the Common Threads series. In Mad About Ewe, Dawn and Mike have a second chance at love after both have endured difficult relationships and divorce. In Give Love a Chai, Tia has found love, but in order to marry the new man in her life, she has to track down her childhood best friend and get a divorce after that impulsive trip to Vegas ten years ago. I have both of these on my wish list.
Picture Perfect Frame – Book 12 in the Tourist Trap Mystery series. When a kerfuffle at a wine and painting event seems to turn into murder, Jill starts investigating.
Candlekeep Mysteries (Dungeons and Dragons resource – Hardcover) – 17 D&D mystery campaigns connected to the library fortress of Candlekeep. That sounds amazing!
The Enneagram Goes to Church: Wisdom for Leadership, Worship, and Congregational Life (Trade Paperback) – The pastor author shares how knowing the Enneagram could have helped him in his early years of ministry. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Gospels (Hardcover) – A new translation of the Gospels.

BOOK NEWS: March 9, 2021

BOOK NEWS: March 9, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Kiyoshi’s Walk – A boy and his grandfather go on a walk to discover where poems come from.
Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert, Is a Sports Superstar – The hilarious, oblivious Sophie Johnson is back, excited by a fun run. But she’s so caught up in her planning, she doesn’t think she has time to listen to any of the advice people try to give her. I get such a kick out of this series.
I Am Frida Kahlo – The latest picture book biography in the Ordinary People Change the World series.
Little People, Big Dreams: Malala Yousafzai – A picture book biography of Malala.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

City Spies: Golden Gate – Book 2 in the fantastic City Spies series. (You can read my review of book 1 here.) Australian spy, Sydney, is excited for her undercover mission, but it doesn’t go at all to plan. Then the team investigates a death in San Francisco as well as a potential mole in their organization. I adored the first book in this series, so this is definitely on my list for this week.
Starfish (Older Middle Grade) – Ellie has been living by the Fat Girl Rules since she was five. But now she’s ready to live her life unapologetically. This has been getting rave reviews, so it’s on my list for this week. I have a hold on this one from the library.
What Was the Age of Exploration? – A look at the explorers who helped lead us to an understanding of the geography of the world.
Who Was Levi Strauss? – A biography of the inventor of blue jeans.
It’s Kind of a Cheesy Love Story – A girl born in the bathroom of a pizza joint enjoys free pizza for life – and a job as soon as she turns 16. While she’d rather be with her friends, and her crush, Beck starts to feel at home at the pizzeria. Then disaster strikes. I have this one on my library list, too.
Perfect on Paper (LGBTQ+) – When Darcy’s secret advice service is discovered, she’s blackmailed by one of the hottest guys in school – one she can’t stand – into helping him get back together with his ex. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Sing Me Forgotten – Even though the townspeople tried to drown Isda at birth for being able to magically manipulate memories with song, she was saved by the owner of the opera house. There’s a fine line between “protected” and “imprisoned,” though, and Isda longs to escape. And a charming new singer might just be her chance.
When We Were Infinite – When Beth and her friends witness an act of violence in her friend (and crush) Jason’s home, they vow to protect Jason at any cost. But Jason’s choices could push their loyalty to the breaking point.

Books for Adults

Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Brown Sisters series. Where Eve goes, chaos follows. So when she applies to be the chef for Jacob’s B&B, the control-freak can’t say no fast enough. But before he even knows what’s happened, he has a broken arm, and Eve is determined to help out at the B&B anyway. I am fascinated by this premise, so this one is on my list for this week.
Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda (Hardcover) – A collection of Wakanda stories starring T’Challa, Shuri, Killmonger, Storm, and Monica Rambeau among others. This book is over 500 pages!
Deadly Chapter (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Castle Bookshop Mystery series. If it’s not bad enough that Shelby has found two bodies on Blye Island, home of the Castle Bookshop, this time she finds a body right outside her houseboat door. The man had been to the bookstore twice looking for information, so when his daughter comes to town seeking answers, Shelby agrees to help.
Fatal Fried Rice (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 7 in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. Lana might run her family’s Chinese restaurant, but everyone knows she’s an awful cook. When she signs up for cooking classes, Lana gets more than she bargained for – including a dead body.
The Girls Are All So Nice Here (Hardcover) – Ambrosia’s 10 year college reunion invitation comes with a menacing note about something Ambrosia and her former friend, Sloane, did freshman year.
Little French Bridal Shop (Hardcover) – Larisa is an emotional wreck when she walks past the Little French Bridal Shop so she randomly tries on the beautiful dress in the window. Before she knows what’s happened, the entire town is caught up in Larisa’s wedding plans. Too bad she has no idea who the groom is.
Spellmaker (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Spellbreaker series. Elsie has been trying to keep her illegal spell breaking power a secret. But when she refuses to team up with an assassin, they expose her secret, and she is thrown in jail. Her only option is a fake marriage as a path to legitimacy – and a path to finding the villain. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Windsor Knot (Hardcover) – First in a new series, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates. A guest is found dead in one of the bedrooms as the Castle prepares for the celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday (2016). But when MI5’s investigation points in the wrong direction, the Queen starts her own investigation. I cannot wait to read this!!!
#ChurchToo: How Purity Culture Upholds Abuse and How to Find Healing (Trade Paperback) – While sexual assault and abuse in halls of power have been getting more attention in the last few years, the abuses found in the Christian Church have some unique root causes that need to be addressed. The author has walked her own journey of abuse and recovery and shares her story and what she has learned here.
Enneagram Empowerment: Discover Your Personality Type and Unlock Your Potential (Hardcover) – A new Enneagram resource. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going (Trade Paperback) – An examination of the growing number of Americans who don’t identify with any sort of religious affiliation.

BOOK NEWS: March 2, 2021

BOOK NEWS: March 2, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy March! I hope 2021 is treating you well. It’s hard to believe we are two full months into the new year already. Here are some of the new books releasing this week:

Books for Kids – Picture Books

Chicks Rock! – The follow up to the delightful Chicks Rule! (♥♥♥♥) When Rocker Chick struggles with stage fright, her friends are there to lend a wing.
A New Day – Brad Meltzer (Xavier Riddle, Ordinary People Change the World series) teams up with Dan Santat in this picture book about what happens when Sunday decides to quit the calendar and the other days audition replacements. This looks delightful!
Bird Show – This book is on the list because the bird on the cover – the African Crowned Crane – is one of my all time favorite birds. I have no idea what is in the book, but I’d pick this up just because of the cover.
Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer – A picture book biography of the first female engineer at Lockheed.
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars – A picture book biography about the woman who created the CIA’s first cryptology unit.
Michelle’s Garden: How the First Lady Planted Seeds of Change – The story of First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House garden.

 

Books for Kids – Early Chapter Books

The Boxcar Children: The Secret of Bigfoot Valley – First in the new Boxcar Children Creatures of Legend series. The Aldens help a scientist investigate strange events at summer camp. A second book in the series, Mystery of the Hidden Elves, also releases this week.
Dragon Masters: Heat of the Lava Dragon – Book 18 in the Dragon Masters series. With Drake’s friends trapped in stone by an evil wizard, he and Ana set out in search of the Lava Dragon.
The Infamous Ratsos: Ratty Tattletale – Book 5 in the Infamous Ratsos series. When bullies start trouble for Ralphie, he has to decide which is the better strategy – telling an adult or dishing their behavior back at them.
Magic Tree House: Camp Time in California – Book 35 in the Magic Tree House (re-numbered) series. Jack and Annie are sent to Yosemite in 1903 for the most important camp out ever.
The Puppy Place: Biggie – Book 60 in the Puppy Place series. The family is fostering a new yorkie.
Unicorn and Yeti: Fair and Square – Book 5 in this Scholastic ACORN series with three new friendship stories.
The Wish Library: Snow Day in May AND Principal for a Day – The first two books in a new series about a school with a wish library – but the wishes don’t always go as planned.
She Persisted: Sally Ride – An early chapter book biography of Sally Ride.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Allergic (Graphic Novel) – A girl looking for connection in her busy family thinks a dog is the solution to her problems, but it turns out she’s allergic.
Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom AND Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless Waiting – The first two books in a new series about a kid who takes his fortune cookies very seriously. I’ll be reviewing book 2 soon.
Charlie Thorne and the Lost City (Older Middle Grade) – Book 2 in the Charlie Thorne series. This time Charlie is tasked with breaking a 200 year old code from Charles Darwin in order to track down a lost treasure. You can read my review of book one here.
Endling: The Only – The third and final book in the Endling trilogy.
Houdini and Me – From the author of the Genius Files, Baseball Card Adventures, and My Weird School series comes this new book about a Harry Houdini fan who gets texts from someone saying they are Houdini and offering him a chance to go back in time to experience the escape artist in person.
Rescue – A new historical fiction story from Jennifer Nielsen (The False Prince, The Scourge, A Night Divided).  A girl agrees to help move a German family across Nazi-occupied France to Spain in exchange for her father’s freedom from the Nazis.
Revenge of Magic: The Chosen One – The fifth and final book in the series. Damian is convinced he is the Chosen One, so he plans to summon the villains and destroy them once and for all. But Fort is pretty sure Damian is wrong and could be setting the world up for magical destruction.
Stella – While Stella was being trained to sniff out explosives, a mistake leaves her retired, anxious, and wondering about her purpose. Stella has another chance to prove her worth when she notices a chemical in her new owner’s body just before she has a seizure. But how can Stella warn her new family without them thinking she’s just having an anxiety attack from her previous experience?
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Graphic Novel) – The graphic novel adaptation of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery – The sequel to the amazing Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor. April and her friends are keeping Gabriel Winterborne’s secret, but when a masked stranger breaks into their home, the kids have a new mystery to solve in order to hold onto the life and family they have carved out for themselves. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Wings of Fire: The Dangerous Gift – Book 14 in the Wings of Fire series, book 4 in the most recent story arc from the lost continent of Pantala. Snowfall, the new Icewing Queen faces a unique challenge when a group of unfamiliar dragons comes to her territory looking for asylum.
Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers (Older Middle Grade) – A young readers’ edition of First Lady Michelle Obama’s autobiography Becoming.
Escape at 10,000 Feet: D. B. Cooper and the Missing Money (Graphic Novel) – First in the Unsolved Case Files series, this book focuses on the D. B. Cooper mystery.
National Parks Maps – Illustrated maps of the National Parks of the United States.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

The Castle School for Troubled Girls – A girl grieving the loss of her best friend is sent to an all-girls boarding school, but when she sneaks out, she discovers there’s a Castle School for boys as well. And she’s pretty sure the administration of both schools is hiding something.
Follow Your Arrow (LGBTQ+) – Cece and her girlfriend are social media influencers with a huge following that Cece is afraid of losing when her girlfriend breaks off their relationship. When Cece starts to fall for someone new, she’s afraid her online fame will ruin this new chance at love.
Infinity Reaper (LGBTQ+) – Sequel to Infinity Son. Brighton’s quest for powers has left him poisoned, and Emil will do anything to find the cure. But when he goes looking for solutions, he discovers he might be fighting against the wrong enemy.
Once Upon a Quinceañera – Carmen is stuck performing as a party princess in a ball gown, and that’s only the first problem in what is becoming a summer of disaster.
The Queen’s Secret – Book 2 in the Queen’s Secret series. Lilac’s ascent to the throne has separated her from her one true love, which means they are separated in their fight against dark forces.
Red Tigress – Book 2 in the Blood Heir series. Ana, the only surviving member of the royal family, must team up again with a crime lord in order to have any chance of regaining her throne, or even surviving.
The Secret Life of Kitty Granger – An autistic heroine joins a spy organization in 1960s London where her “peculiarities” become assets both to Kitty and to the organization she is serving.
The Stolen Kingdom – A vinter’s daughter discovers her magic is proof of a secret royal bloodline. But the current power-hungry rulers will do anything to maintain their hold on the throne.

Books for Adults – Fiction

Accidentally Engaged (Trade Paperback) – No matter how perfect Nadim seems, Reena refuses to even consider a relationship with him since he works for her meddling father. But when she has a chance at a couple’s cooking contest with the prize of her dreams, she will consider a fake engagement. I *adore* the fake relationship trope, so this is absolutely on my list for this week.
Caught Off Guard (e-book, March 5) – Book 4 in the Samantha True Mystery series. When Samantha’s boss is accused of killing a football star, she starts sleuthing. I have book 1 from this series in my TBR.
The Conductors (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Murder and Magic series. A husband and wife team who used magic in their role as conductors on the Underground Railroad now find themselves solving mysteries white authorities ignore, including the murder of an old friend. This sounds fascinating! I’ve already requested this one from my local library.
Death at First Night (e-book, March 4) – Book 3 in the Deadly Paradise Mystery series. Mallory’s ex is in town because he says he wants her back. She is so not interested. But when he becomes the prime suspect for a murder, Mallory agrees to help track a killer.
A Desolation Called Peace (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Teixcalaan series after A Memory Called Empire. The inability to communicate with an alien armada means it’s time to call Mahit in for some diplomatic finesse. If she fails, millions could die. If she succeeds, it might not be much better. I’ve requested book 1 from my local library.
Float Plan (Trade Paperback) – Determined to still take the sailing trip she had planned with her fiancé, Anna hires Keane, a professional sailor who is also struggling with a future that looks nothing like he planned.
A Game of Cones (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series after A Deadly Inside Scoop. Win is fighting battles on two fronts – the aunt who wants to take over the family ice cream shop and the friend who is accused of murder. This sounds like a fun series.
Haunted Hibiscus (Hardcover) – Book 22 in the Tea Shop Mystery series. The spooky Halloween vibe is all too real when an author signing at a literary haunted house leads to murder and Theo’s boyfriend is shot while investigating.
Heart Smart (e-book, March 4) – Book 2 in the Work For It series after Street Smart (also releasing today). A scientist with an off-putting demeanor needs the help of a communications professional when he is up for a prestigious award.
Maybe One Day (Trade Paperback) – This is the US debut of a book about a woman who believed her one true love abandoned her – and their child – at the most vulnerable moment in her life. But she finds a stack of cards and letters hidden in her mother’s attic that tell a different story.
The Postscript Murders (Hardcover) – The elderly woman’s death seems typical at first, but when a series of novels are found with a curious postscript, and then someone tries to steal one and another person is killed, Detective Kaur has to take a second look. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Purled & Poisoned (e-book, March 5) – Tessa is juggling her craft store, her crazy family, and a couple of love interests when she stumbles across a dead body. Now she’s trying to sniff out a baby daddy and find a killer. I have the first book in this series in my TBR.
The Restoration of Celia Fairchild (Trade Paperback) – Celia feels this potential adoption is her last chance at the life she always dreamed of. But now that she has lost her job, her only chance to get it is to sell the home she inherited from her aunt, but calling it “a disaster” is actually an understatement. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Star Wars Alpha Squadron: Victory’s Price (Hardcover) – The third and final book in the Alphabet Squadron series.
Trusting Taylor (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Silverstone series. A woman with face blindness is dismissed by police when she witnesses a car crash. The tow-truck driver, a secret government assassin, is intrigued by her. But neither of them can see the danger that is pursuing them both.
An Unexpected Peril (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the Veronica Speedwell Mystery series. Veronica is posing as a missing princess for the sake of a crucial peace treaty while she and Stoker also try to uncover a murderer.
Unknown Threat (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Defend and Protect series about a secret service agent and an FBI agent who team up to discover who is killing members of the secret service.
Vanished into Plein Air (e-book, March 5) – Book 2 in the Fine Art Mystery series. Amanda is called upon to help a famous artist find his missing wife.

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

60-Day Enneagram Devotional: The Perfectionist AND The Guardian AND The Enthusiast – Three new devotionals based on Enneagram type. I have heard good things about this series, although I haven’t tried the book for my type yet. Books for 3s, 5s, and 8s will release later this year.
Dusk Night Dawn: On Revival and Courage – Anne Lamott’s latest about walking through dark times.

BOOK NEWS: February 23, 2021

BOOK NEWS: February 23, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last week of February, believe it or not. Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Mars! Earthlings Welcome – A new picture book from the fantastic Stacy McAnulty, book 5 in the Our Universe series. The planet Mars tries to convince readers they should come to visit by extolling all of its special features. This looks darling!
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: Welcome to Wagmire – Book 7 in the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty series. Itty visits Puppy Prince in Wagmire, but she wanders off and ends up lost.
Lily to the Rescue: Lost Little Leopard AND The Misfit Donkey – Books 5 and 6 in the Lily to the Rescue series.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Disney’s Tangled: The Story of the Movie in Comics (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel version of Tangled by one of my favorite GN artists, Alessandro Ferrari.
The Hedgehog of Oz – A hedgehog separated from his owner and his home at the Emerald City Theater travels with new friends as he tries to find his way home.
The Retake – The latest from Jen Calonita. A girl struggling when her best friend starts to drift away discovers a new app on her phone that allows her to go back in time to key moments in their friendship for a second chance. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Nubia: Real One (Graphic Novel) – A young Black woman with powers like Wonder Woman sees how her race impacts how people see her. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

Books for Adults – Fiction

An Appraisal to Die For (e-book, Februrary 25) – Book 4 in the Parker Photography Cozy Mystery series. Someone is killed at an antiques marketplace and Jackie agrees to help the man who says he was wrongly accused of the murder.
Cold Reading Murder (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Bridge to Death Mystery series. When one of Wendy’s new bridge students is killed – a local psychic who had the group out to her home for practice and some “psychic readings” – she puts her investigative reporter skills to work looking for a killer.
Crimson Phoenix (Hardcover) – First in a new thriller series. Victoria Emerson, single mother and US Representative from the state of West Virginia, and her family survive a nuclear attack that devastates the country. Victoria is determined to do her part for recovery, but desperation makes the process complicated and dangerous.
Cufflinks in the Cappuccino (e-book, February 28) – Book 4 in the Coffee House Clairvoyant series about a woman who can read the past by touching  objects and who continues to find objects in her caffeinated beverages. But her latest case hits too close to home.
Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series. When they should be focused on a fun local baking contest, Jake and Ellie are drawn into a mystery with a dead curmudgeon and a series of fires.
Farm to Trouble (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Farm to Table series from Amanda Flower. Shiloh signs on with an investor to try to save her family farm, but when he is later killed, her nearest and dearest are suspects. I don’t know that you can ever go wrong with a mystery by Amanda Flower! This is on my list for this week.
Frothy Foul Play (e-book, February 25) – Book 9 in the Killer Coffee Mystery series. Coffee house owner and former lawyer Roxy is sleuthing again when a reviewer with a reputation for only scathing reviews is killed when he comes to town to check out the new spa.
Furbidden Fatality (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the new Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. A lottery winner  finds a use for some of her money as well as her passion and time when she discovers a down and out animal shelter in need of new ownership. But when the troublesome local dog warden is killed, she is at the top of the suspect list. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Hop ‘Til You Drop (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Jules & Bun Mystery series. Jules and her telepathic rabbit are helping out at an Easter egg hunt when they discover a dead body – and a fleeing Easter Bunny.
The Last Straw (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Jigsaw Files series. Charlie and Wyrick are working a locked-room missing persons case when Wyrick discovers something that puts a target on her back.
Long Island Iced Tina (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Catering Hall Mystery series. When the family catering hall plays host to Mia’s friend for her baby shower, no one expected a dead body or a stolen piece of art.
Love at First (Trade Paperback) – From the author of Love Lettering. A couple with a passing encounter 16 years ago meet again when he inherits her building. While he is planning to sell it quickly and get back to his life, she plans a little light sabotage to protect the community she has created with her neighbors. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Manor for Sale, Baron Included (e-book, February 25) – Book 1 in the new Romance of Rank series. A down-on-his-luck baron schemes to sell his manor to the charming, wealthy woman who wants to buy it – and then he plans to woo her into a marriage that allows him to have his family home back.  This sounds so fun!
Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. When the grand opening of her new bakeshop is derailed by protesters, her ex and his girlfriend, and a murder, Lindsey needs to find a killer and clear her name. Another fun mystery for my list.
Murder in an Irish Bookshop (Hardcover) – Book 7 in the Irish Village Mystery series. When a literary event at the new town bookstore ends in murder, Siobhán starts investigating.
Paws for Love (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Fur Haven Dog Park series. When Knox Donovan agrees to return to Miami Beach to see the condo project his brothers are working on, he doesn’t count on reconnecting with Danielle. While it’s been 15 years, the hurts between them are still there. But a retired greyhound in need of care could be just the thing to help old wounds heal.
Shucked Apart (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Maine Clambake Mystery series. Julia is already investigating a theft for Andie when her friend is killed, so she has a head start on her investigation into the murder.
A Side of Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the new Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series. When Sam starts over again in Cape Cod with an inherited house, a huge puppy, and a job writing restaurant reviews, she doesn’t count on murder being part of her fresh start. I may have an addiction to first books in mystery series. I always want to read them and see how the new character and their circumstances grab me.
Somebody to Love (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 11 in the Blessings, Georgia series. A veteran returns home at his mother’s dying request despite the secrets, betrayal, and lies that drove him from Blessings in the first place. A chance at love, though, is threatened by violence and more secrets, leaving him to wonder if he could ever belong in Blessings again.
Waiting for a Scot Like You (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Union of the Rakes series. A Dowager Countess finally free of a confining marriage is ready to kick up her heels and explore her new-found freedom. But she is being escorted by a stifling, rule-following soldier who finds her reckless. But a series of crazy events exposes an unexpected passion.
A Whole Llama Snow (e-book) – Book 5 in the Friendship Harbor Mystery series. Sophie feels like her life is finally clicking into place when a storm traps a group of skiers at her pub, and one of them ends up dead.

 

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

40 Days on Being a Seven AND 40 Days on Being a Nine (Small, hardcover devotionals) – Two new additions to this great devotional series based on the Enneagram.

BOOK NEWS: February 16, 2021

BOOK NEWS: February 16, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Let’s take a look at some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Chickapiglet, Who Lives Where? (Board Book) – Board book based on the fun-sounding Chickapiglet board game. I would love to see this in person – looks fantastic!
Rectangle Time – A cat notices changes in his family’s “rectangle time” (reading) as his boy gets older. This was a must-buy for me. My copy should be here tomorrow.
Seven Special Somethings – A picture book celebrating Persian New Year.
Headstrong Hallie! – A picture book biography about the first woman fire guard for the US Forest Service.
Dave the Unicorn: Dance Party – Book 3 in the Dave the Unicorn series. Mira and Dave might miss the school dance party when a class quest gets out of control.
Who Was? Workbook, Grade 2 – Reading passages and writing prompts based on historical figures from the Who Was series.

Book for Older Kids/Teen/Young Adults

Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found (Older Middle Grade) – When Kingston’s father, one of the world’s greatest magicians, disappeared, all of Echo City’s magic disappeared with him. Now Kingston is back in town and determined to figure out what happened to his father.
Who Was? Workbook Grade 3 – Reading passages and writing prompts based on historical figures from the Who Was series.
Amelia Unabridged – Amelia and her best friend Jenna have the opportunity to attend a book festival where their favorite author is appearing – a dream come true. But when Jenna gets a chance to meet the author and Amelia doesn’t, it leads to a fight between the girls. And before they can reconcile, Jenna is killed in an accident. Everything in Amelia’s life is upended. Then she receives a package that leads her back to the girls’ favorite author – and maybe a clue to something Jenna was trying to tell her. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

Books for Adults

A Court of Silver Flames (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Court of Thorns and Roses series, this one focused on Nesta.
Dewey Belong Together (e-book, February 18) – Book 7 in the Green Valley Library series. Green Valley librarian Maxine Peters may come across as mild-mannered in her day job. But online, she is notorious in her gaming community. But when her online nemesis shows up in her offline life, they have a lot of obstacles to deal with on the road to potential love. This series sounds so fun!
The Echo Wife (Hardcover) – When Evelyn Caldwell’s husband has an affair with Martine, her clone from her research, he’s soon dead. And Evelyn and Martine have a mess to deal with.
First Comes Like (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Modern Love series. When someone uses his identity to catfish a woman, Dev initially brushes off the drama. But he can’t stop thinking about Jia. When the paparazzi make their private business public, they agree to play at being a couple to calm the gossip.  But is it possible for something real and lasting to evolve from a fake, false start? I have enjoyed the first two books in this series, so this is definitely on my list for this week.
Like You Love Me (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Honey Creek series. Childhood best friends engage in a marriage of convenience that starts to turn serious.
Love in the City (e-book, collection) – A collection of 13 romantic comedies. I’m looking forward to trying this one. I find collections like this can be a great way to discover new authors.
The Minders (Trade Paperback) – In the fight against cyberterrorism, a new procedure stores the country’s secrets into the genetic code of five individuals. But only four of them can be trusted with these secrets. This sounds fascinating!
The Paris Dressmaker (Trade Paperback) – In 1939 a Paris dressmaker infiltrates the Nazi elite, designing gowns and gathering secrets. In 1943, a woman cataloging works of art headed to Berlin discovers a Chanel gown with a hidden message.

BOOK NEWS: February 9, 2021

BOOK NEWS: February 9, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Soosie, the Horse That Saved Shabbat – While Jacob and Soosie usually deliver the challah for Shabbat, this time, Jacob is sick. How will everyone get their challah in time?
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: I Am Abigail Adams AND I Am Confucius – New biographies tied to the Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum show.
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: I Am Mary Anning – New early reader biography tied to the Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum show.
Jasper & Scruff: The Talent Show – Book 3 in the Jasper and Scruff early chapter book series about a smart cat and a messy dog. This time, Scruff wants to team up for the talent show, but Jasper wants the attention all to himself.
Simon and Chester, Super Detectives! – Book 1 in this new series about a boy who teams up with a ghost to solve mysteries.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Of a Feather (Older Middle Grade) – A cautious and distrustful girl rescues a baby owl, and together the two learn from one another.
Stick Dog Takes Out Sushi – Book 11 in the Stick Dog series. Stick Dog has to work around several obstacles keeping him and his friends from some sushi.
Tell No Tales (Graphic Novel) – A female pirate and her crew work to solve the meaning of her recent disturbing dream when their major heist is foiled.
Zoo Patrol Squad: Run Monster Run (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Zoo Patrol Squad series. Fennlock and Penny team up again to protect the Fast and Furry racers from a monster.
Strong in Spirit: 5-Minute Devotions for Pre-Teen Guys – Devotional for middle grade boys.
As Far As You’ll Take Me (LGBTQ+) – Marty heads to London with his oboe and the money from his summer job to start his life fresh, away from his parents’ disapproval about his sexuality. But while pieces of his fresh start are going great – his first boyfriend, a circle of friends, and life in Europe, Marty’s running through his money and he’s overwhelmed with anxiety and homesickness.
Game Changer – The latest from the author of Scythe. A hit on the field sends a football player through alternate realities which give him insight into the original one. But if he’s not careful, his life in his own reality could slip away from him.
The Gilded Ones – Already something of an oddity, the discovery of Deka’s gold blood would usually mean a fate worse than death. But instead she is offered the opportunity to join the emperor’s army of girls just like her, near-immortals with special gifts. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Hot British Boyfriend – After a humiliating public rejection from her crush, Ellie joins her school’s study abroad group to repair her reputation and to find a hot British boyfriend.
A Pho Love Story – The children of rival families, each with a pho restaurant, are well aware of the family conflict. But when they meet for the first time, sparks fly. What can they do when their families are constantly at odds?
We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire – When Em’s sister’s rapist goes free despite the guilty verdict at his trial, Em is devastated. She finds comfort in the story of a 15th century noblewoman who was an avenging knight for rape victims.

Books for Adults

The Devil Comes Courting (e-book) – Book 3 in the Worth Saga. Amelia Smith is the reclusive genius who has discovered a way to slash the cost of telegraphic transmissions, but she initially wants no part of working with the ambitious man who has come to her for help.
The Future Is Yours (Hardcover) – Two friends invent a computer that can connect to the internet one year in the future and show you not only what’s happening in your own life, but also in the world. Stock prices. Sports scores. And an apocalypse? This sounds fascinating!
Hiss H for Homicide (e-book) – Book 4 in the Nick and Nora Mystery series. When a friend asks Nora to intervene when her writing partner threatens to go public with her dark secrets, Nora agrees. But she finds the woman dead, and now her friend is the prime suspect.
Hit Me with Your Best Scot (Mass Market Paperback) – While Coll’s mother despairs of him ever settling down, Coll himself has met the perfect woman. But Persephone is not looking for a man. In fact, her top priority is evading the people who would see her dead to claim her inheritance. I had to laugh at first at the great title for this, but I find the plot intriguing! I’ve got this one on my list.
A Lady’s Formula for Love (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Secret Scientists of London series. When Lady Violet’s secret society of female scientists is in danger, she will team up with her bodyguard to find the culprit while denying her feelings for the man charged with protecting her. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Murder with a View (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the House-Flipper Mystery series. When Whitney scores a run down motel that she can convert into condos, she feels like she has won the lottery. Sadly, her big win includes a squatter and a dead body. Complicating things even further, the body is that of an up and coming country superstar. And his groupies want to turn Whitney’s property into a shrine.
The Path of Leashed Resistance (e-book, February 13) – Book 1 in the Addie Walker Mystery series about a veterinarian whose return home ends up with her as a murder suspect.
Slay Misty for Me (e-book) – Book 2 in the Matchmaker Marriage Mystery series. Gladie hopes to stay out of all of the craziness that has erupted around town, but when she finds a dead body that might be connected to some of the local shenanigans, she starts to investigate.
Wild Rain (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Women Who Dare series. An escaped slave turned reporter heads west for an interview, but instead he’s captivated by the man’s sister, a rancher who is not looking for a man in her life. This series sounds terrific!
The Witch’s Heart (Hardcover) – A witch, punished by Odin for not telling him the future, has lost her power and fled to the forest. There she meets and falls in love – with Loki. When her powers start to return, she foresees danger for her three unusual children, and maybe for all of existence. I am intrigued by this one!
The Epic Air Fryer Plant-Powered Cookbook: 100 Incredibly Good Vegetarian Recipes that Take Plant-Based Air Frying in Amazing New Directions (Paperback) –  Includes breakfast options, snacks, desserts, and main courses. (The cover shown here is the one for the Kindle version. Amazon is showing a different cover for the print version.)
Hearing God Speak: A 52-Week Interactive Enneagram Devotional (Trade Paperback) – Hear from God in the unique language of your Enneagram type.  I can’t wait to check this one out in person!
I Love My Instant Pot 5-Ingredient Recipe Book: From Pot Roast, Potatoes ,and Gravy to Simple Lemon Cheesecake (Paperback) – 175 quick and easy recipes that are fast and affordable.
My Wynter Season: Seeing God’s Faithfulness in the Shadow of Grief (Trade Paperback) – Pitts shares the journey of loving and losing his wife Wynter and raising their girls on his own. This will be powerful.
Star Trek Deep Space 9/Defiant Illustrated Handbook (Hardcover) – An illustrated deep dive into the space station and ship from TV’s Star Trek Deep Space Nine.

BOOK NEWS: February 2, 2021

BOOK NEWS: February 2, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy February! There are a TON of new books releasing this week. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Books for Kids – Board Books and Picture Books

Blankie AND Bubbles (Board books) – Two new board books celebrating imagination and friendship from the author of the Narwhal and Jelly series.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Board book) – A board book version of this classic story.
Flashlight Night: An Adventure in Trusting God – When a boy wonders why God isn’t answering his prayers, his mother uses their prayer wall and a flashlight to teach him  about faith. This looks lovely!
A Girl’s Bill of Rights – A declaration of the rights for every girl and woman.
The Great Passover Escape – Animals escape from the zoo to search for a Seder they can attend. This looks darling!
Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket – Sadie and her stuffed animal crew plan for a trip to Mars!
What About X? – When the alphabet goes on a camping trip, X can’t think of something to bring that starts with x.
Grace Banker and the Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators – The true story of Grace Banker’s role in the Signal Corps in WWI.
Little People, Big Dreams: Megan Rapinoe AND Stevie Wonder – Picture book biographies.
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre – The story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre from 1921.

Books for Kids – Chapter Books

Diary of a Pug: Pug’s Got Talent – Book 4 in the Diary of a Pug series. Bub has to work with his arch nemesis, Duchess the cat, to save Bella’s pet talent show.
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly: The Coldfire Curse AND Shadow Hills (Graphic Novel) – The first two books of the Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly series are given the graphic novel treatment.
Give it a Try, Yasmin! – Four new Yasmin stories.
King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring – Book 7 in the King and Kayla series. When their friend Asia loses her ring in the snow, King and Kayla are on the case.
Owl Diaries: Eva at the Beach – Book 14 in the Owl Diaries series. When Eva goes to the beach with her best friend, she is afraid to go into water.
Pup Detectives: The First Case AND The Tiger’s Eye (Graphic Novel) – The first two books in the Pup Detectives graphic novel series. Pup Detective Rider Woofson learns there are other puppy sleuths at his school, so they all team up to solve mysteries. This looks darling!
Super Turbo Saves the Day AND Super Turbo vs the Flying Ninja Squirrels (Graphic Novel) – The first two Super Turbo books get the graphic novel treatment.
Flash Facts (Graphic Novel) – Flash and other DC heroes talk about science and technology. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
She Persisted: Claudette Colvin – Before Rosa Parks protested unfair segregation, teenager Claudette Colvin took a similar stand.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Brightly Woven (Graphic Novel) – A talented weaver and a young wizard team up to dodge a dark wizard and deliver vital news to the capital to avert a war.
The EngiNerds Strike Back – Book 3 in the fun EngiNerds series (EngiNerds – ♥♥♥♥). The alien who appeared at the end of Revenge of the EngiNerds tells the kids that he’s there to scope out Earth as a site for a new galactic billboard. But if Earth is chosen, the planet would be destroyed to make space.
Girls Just Wanna Have Pugs – When Kat’s parents say she has to pick up an extracurricular activity, she decides to start a dog walking business with her friends.
Ground Zero – On September 11, 2001, a boy is visiting his dad on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center when the planes strike. On September 11, 2019, in Afghanistan, a girl finds an injured American soldier after battle erupts in her village. From the author’s track record, this will be a book you won’t want to miss.
The Hatmakers – When her father goes missing and the magical peace items made by the local guilds cause the opposite of peace, Cordelia is the one who goes searching for answers.
Hilo: Gina, the Girl Who Broke the World (Graphic Novel) – Book 7 in the outstanding HiLo graphic novel series. Book 6, All the Pieces Fit (♥♥♥♥♥), wraps up the initial story arc for the series, so this book launches a new arc starring Gina. Magical beings are showing up on Earth, hunting the Nestor, but only Gina can see them. And Gina is torn between helping the Nestor and walking away from magic all together. I’ll be reviewing this one soon, but the fact that this was in my most favorite of favorites list from 2020 will tell you how much I adored this one!
I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the original I Survived book.
The Last Bear – There aren’t supposed to be any more polar bears on Bear Island, but one night April sees something distinctly bear-shaped.
The Magical Reality of Nadia – First in a new series. Nadia is looking forward to winning a contest to design a museum exhibit, but a new classmate throws her off her game when he teases her about her Egyptian heritage. But the ancient Egyptian amulet she wears is concealing a secret that could help her confront this other kid and also win the contest.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother) – Aidan was missing for six days. When he returns, he tells an outlandish story no one believes. The harder he is pushed on the story, the stronger he sticks to it. Aidan’s brother, Lucas, wants to believe him. And he’s getting worried about Aidan’s response to the conflict. But how can you believe in your own brother’s story whenever everyone else is telling you it can’t possibly be true? I am intrigued by this one!
Rome Reframed (Older Middle Grade) – Book 1 in the Wish & Wander series. Lucas is in danger of failing 8th grade. His family has been traveling the world, and Lucas doesn’t want to be there; he’d rather be home. The school work he is submitting from the trip is subpar. At their last stop in Rome, Lucas has one final chance to submit a stellar project and fix his grades. And help comes from a magical coin that teleports him to ancient Rome. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Shuri: The Vanished – Book 2 in the Shuri series by Nic Stone (Dear Martin – ♥♥♥♥). When Shuri hears of young, gifted female scientists going missing around the world, she is determined to find them. I enjoyed the first book and will be eager to dig into this one.
Strange Academy: First Class (Older Middle Grade – Graphic Novel) – A comics collection of the first six issues of the Strange Academy comic series about Marvel’s first school for sorcerers.
Ultimate Gamer Career Mode (Older Middle Grade) – A handbook for making a career out of gaming including game development, Twitch streaming, and eSports.
Who Was Catherine the Great? AND Who Was Walt Whitman? – New biographies from Who HQ.
You’re God’s Girl Prayer Journal – From the late Wynter Pitts. Devotional thoughts with space to write responses and prayers. The sample pages of this look lovely.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Crown of Power (e-book, February 5) – Book 4 in the Hidden Mage series. Verene and Darius try to focus on finishing magic school while also protecting their future kingdoms.
Fat Chance Charlie Vega – Discovering her crush asked out her best friend first is the final straw for Charlie Vega who is ready to speak out and stand up to a world that tries to tell her she should be thinner, whiter, and quieter. This one is on my list for this week.
Love in English – An Argentinian teen longs to return home after her family moves to New Jersey. But finding potential love at school AND in her English as a Second Language class is almost as confusing as the rules of English.
Love Is a Revolution – Nala tells a few lies to make herself sound like she has more in common with the activist she meets at Open Mic Night. But as she falls further and further for Tye, her lies start to spin out of her control.
The Obsession – Logan doesn’t think he’s a stalker – he’s “romantic.” But that video camera he has trained on Delilah caught her killing her step-father. And he’s not about to let her forget what he knows. But Delilah is DONE with men controlling her life.
The Project – When their parents died, Lo went to live with a great-aunt while her sister joined The Unity Project. Lo is convinced it’s a cult. And when a man shows up at her newspaper claiming The Unity Project is responsible for the death of his son, she thinks she finally has a chance to prove it. The group’s charismatic leader tells Lo she can investigate and try to prove her suspicions. If she can’t, she has to leave them alone once and for all. But what Lo finds will turn all of her ideas and theories upside down.
Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark – Padawan Reath Silas would rather work in the Jedi archives than go on a mission to the edges of civilization with his master.  But when disaster strikes, Reath and his traveling companions find themselves on an abandoned space station where strange things start happening. I shared my thoughts on the first three chapters of this book here. Hardly any of the action of the story was touched on in those three chapters, so while I wasn’t impressed with the beginning, the rest of the story sounds fascinating.
A Taste for Love – Liza agrees to help with the family bakery’s junior competition to show her mother she is not “rebellious” or “stubborn” or any of the other usual complaints. What she doesn’t know, though, is that her mother has chosen young men to compete that she wants Liza to date. This one is on my list, too.
This is Not the Jess Show – In 1998, Jess is trying to deal with the crush she has on her best friend, her overprotective parents, and her sister’s declining health when she discovers a mysterious device with an apple logo that leads her to question everything she thought she knew. This thriller is also on my list for this week.
Yesterday is History (LGBTQ+) – Andre’s new transplanted liver comes with a side effect of time travel. When Andre travels to 1969, he is drawn to Michael, who is everything Andre wishes he was. When he returns to the present, though, Andre is drawn to Blake who is teaching him to use this gift while grieving the death of his brother, the source of Andre’s liver. Andre will have to figure out where he belongs before the impact of his new gift catches up with him. A fascinating premise!

Books for Adults – Fiction

18½ Disguises (e-book) – Book 7 in the Maizie Albright Star Detective mystery series. Former TV teen private eye Maizie Albright is still waiting for her own PI licence, but that doesn’t mean she won’t start investigating when an old friend is killed. I am intrigued by this character!
All Fall Down (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Max McLean series. Black Ops British agent Max McLean finds himself framed for murder and on the run.
Beneath the Keep (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Queen of the Tearling series, this is actually a prequel to the original trilogy about an exiled princess returning to her kingdom and facing off against a sorceress. This book tells the story of the princess’s mother. I have heard great things about the first two books in the trilogy, so I am going to give that a go before diving into this prequel.
Bubble Gum and Blackmail (e-book) – A military vet and former assassin launches a new life as a candy maker. But when bodies start dropping, she can’t help but investigate, even if her former superiors have insisted she not do anything to draw attention to herself. Yes, please! This sounds fun!
Farewell to Murder (e-book, February 4) – Book 2 in the Deadly Paradise Mystery series. (Amazon says this is book 1, but there is an earlier book/prequel, Death in the Afternoon.) Mallory Hemingway, cousin to Ernest Hemingway, is excited to start a new job as the night caretaker at the Hemingway museum. But a series of incidents, including a dead body, cost her the job and leave her the prime suspect in the murder. There are plenty of other suspects, though, so Mallory starts investigating.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (Hardcover) – A struggling novelist discussing the plot of her new book with her agent is mistaken for a contract killer and offered a job. Soon, she is tangled up in a real- life murder. Yes, please! I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Firefly Junction: A Crafty Killing (e-book) – Book 10 in the Firefly Junction Cozy Mystery series. Sunni is covering the Firefly Junction Craft Fair when one of the crafters is killed.
Girls with Bright Futures (Trade Paperback) – When Stanford announces it only has one spot for a student from the high profile Elliott Bay Academy, three mothers discover how high the stakes are when one of the girls is nearly killed in an “accident.”
The Hiker’s Guide to Murder (e-book) – Book 2 in the Southwest Exposure Mystery series. Outdoor guide Andie Sullivan is racing against local law enforcement to find a killer and save the tourist season for her business and her community. Frankly, I want to read these just because the covers are amazing!
Killer Content (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Brooklyn Murder Mystery series. A Bayou transplant adds “sleuth” to her list of new roles when she moves to Brooklyn and a coworker is killed. This sounds great!
The Kindest Lie (Hardcover) – A Black woman on the verge of starting a family decides she needs to make peace with the child she gave birth to as a teen. This takes her back to her hometown where her family harbors secrets they want desperately to keep. While she searches for answers to her personal questions, racial issues in the town threaten to ignite.
Knitted & Knifed (e-book, February 5) – Book 1 in the Knitty Kitty Mystery series. Tessa Wakefield has moved back home to recover from her broken marriage, but she is quickly drawn into her weird family’s antics, helping at her grandfather’s yarn store, and trying to prove her brother innocent of murder. I pre-ordered this weeks ago. It sounds great!
Make Up Break Up (Hardcover) – Her app – Make Up – is all about conflict resolution and repairing failing relationships. His app – Break Up – is all about high efficiency break ups. These rival app developers who once hooked up in Vegas find themselves in direct competition for an award she needs to keep her business afloat.
Much Ado About You (Trade Paperback) – An English holiday – including a temp job at a quaint book store – is just what Evie needs to get some perspective on her life. She doesn’t expect to be so caught up in the lives of the locals, including an irresistible, flirty farmer. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Transformers vs the Terminator: Enemy of My Enemy (Paperback Graphic Novel) – In 1984, the time traveling T-800 goes toe-to-toe with a deadly race of machines.
Trial and Error (Trade Paperback) – When Buddy Smith’s wife took their young daughter and disappeared, he turned his focus to work and built a law practice that specializes in finding missing children. When a local teen goes missing, Buddy partners with a new PI in town as well as the clerk of the county court to find the girl, and he discovers hints about his own daughter’s location along the way. This sounds great!
Winter’s Orbit (LGBTQ+, Hardcover) – When Prince Kiem, the Emperor’s least favorite grandchild, is promised in marriage to a widower who is a suspect in his first husband’s murder, the two will need to work together to discover the truth. The success or failure of their efforts – and their marriage – could impact the survival of the empire. I love the combination of a science fiction/space story with the royal intrigue, so this one is on my list.

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 (Hardcover) – A history of African America, edited by Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be Antiracist and Stamped from the Beginning, and Keisha N. Blain, author of Set the World on Fire. Ninety writers take successive blocks of history and approach their years in a variety of ways. This sounds incredible. It is on my list for this week!
Gluten-Free Cooking for Beginners (Paperback) – Includes a sample meal plan, over 100 recipes, and tips and tricks for gluten-free eating. But to be honest, the book is on my list because of that cover. Yum!
The Gospel for Peacemakers (e-book/Paperback) – Last summer I posted a review for The Gospel for Achievers, a devotional for Enneagram 3s. Now the author has a second volume, this time for 9s. I can’t wait for him to get to books for the numbers represented by my family!
That Sounds Fun: The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, And Why You Need a Hobby (Hardcover) – I read my first Annie F. Downs book last year (Remember God – ♥♥♥♥), and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I am looking forward to this new book which is an invitation to embrace fun. This is also on my list for this week.
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation (Hardcover) – As these three Black women, born at the start of the 20th century, raised their families in light of the racial conditions in society, their lessons, their experiences, and their resilience influenced the Civil Rights leaders of the 1950s and 1960s.