Reviews, Etc.

REVIEW: Sleeping Bronty by Christy Webster

REVIEW: Sleeping Bronty by Christy Webster

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

In this twisted take on Sleeping Beauty, a dinosaur princess is cursed by a selfish fairy who wanted to be queen. When the curse works and the selfish fairy takes the throne, Bronty’s fairy friends go looking for help and find a prince who has a unique solution to the problem.

Review

This is an adorable board book, book 2 in the Once Before Time series. The dinosaur characters are a fun twist, and the illustrations are colorful and cute. I loved the shift in the solution. There are no consent issues raised, and there’s no kissing. Just a yummy solution for our heroes who can stomach it.

Be sure to check out Sleeping Bronty, as well as book one, Cinderella Rex, for your favorite board book readers. I can’t wait to pick these up as gifts. Who wouldn’t love a dinosaur fairy tale?!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: February 25, 2020

BOOK NEWS: February 25, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last week of February. 2020 is zooming by! Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Count With Olaf (Board Book) – Book comes with plush, movable hands.
Balletball – A girl who loves ballet is “stuck” playing baseball in the spring, but discovers she might actually like it.
Don’t Feed the Coos! – She was warned what will happen, but the girl still feeds a pigeon. Then all of its little pigeon friends start following her every where she goes. I can not WAIT to see this in person!
Feast of Peas (March 1) – Jiva works so hard in his garden to care for his peas. And he can hardly wait to enjoy them. But every time he goes to take the ripe ones from his garden, they are already gone.
Mr Pig’s Big Wall – Hog is annoyed that after a hard day’s work he can’t just relax in his garden because his neighbor always wants to play. So he builds a wall to keep her out, not realizing that his wall will deprive him of what he values most.
Piper & Mabel – An adorable story of two dogs sent to “Happy Trails Ranch” instead of going on vacation with their people. I can’t wait to see this in person.
Supertato: Books Are Rubbish (February 27) – The evil Pea thinks books are rubbish, and the other vegetables are determined to prove him wrong.
Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote – The story of Alice Paul and President Woodrow Wilson’s battle over votes for women.
Free for You and Me: What Our First Amendment Means – Picture book exploring the first amendment to the Constitution.
Cats in the Crater – Book 3 in the early chapter book My FANGtastically Evil Vampire Pet series. The Great and Powerful Mark, and his vampire cat, are spending the summer at Evil Scientist Summer Camp. This sounds hilarious!
InvestiGators – First in a new graphic novel early chapter book series about super spy alligators. This. Looks. Amazing. I have this one on my list for this week, too.
Trouble at Table 5: The Candy Caper AND Busted By Breakfast – The first two books in a new early chapter book series from the author of the Stick Cat and Stick Dog books, Tom Watson. The stories focus on a set of three friends and the antics they get into as they help one another.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Finding Home – Book 2 in the Baxter Family Children series, a spin off from the adult Baxter family novels.
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! – Novel in letters. A girl on the autism spectrum writes letters to a baseball star sharing her own dreams of playing on the team. This one is on my list for this week!
A Home for Goddesses and Dogs (Older Middle Grade) – When a girl loses her mother and goes to live with an aunt and her wife, she struggles to find a place of belonging. Then the adults also take in a rotten, misbehaving dog. Wasn’t taking her in enough “rescuing” for them for awhile? This one is on my list for this week, too.
Village of Scoundrels (Older Middle Grade) – For older middle grade readers and teens based on a true story about teens in the French resistance in WWII.
We Could Be Heroes – A boy on the autism spectrum is suspended for a week because of his choices when his teacher makes the class read a really sad book. A girl has been looking for a kid just like him – someone with the gumption to help her save a dog with seizures. This is also on my list.
The Wonder of Wildflowers – A girl looks forward to when her family completes the path to citizenship so she can finally access Amber and the magic it provides and be an insider instead of an outsider.
The Opposite of Falling Apart – A YA story of two teens preparing to leave for college, one battling extreme anxiety and the other dealing with the fallout of “The Accident.” As they find each other, they also find a means of overcoming some of the obstacles in their paths.
Rebelwing – That cover is screaming my name! It’s amazing!! This book has it all – it’s dystopian, there are cybernetic dragons and smugglers, and it takes place in a near-future Washington DC. This one is already in my Amazon cart.
The Shadows Between Us – A girl with a murderous plan for the king needs to keep him alive long enough to make her queen before she takes him out. And plenty of others are trying to hunt him down.
The Sound of Stars – In a world where a misunderstanding led to the death of 1/3 of the population and takeover by an alien race, music, books and art are illegal and emotional expression can be grounds for death. But Ellie is keeping a secret library anyway. When one of the aliens discovers her secret, he knows he should turn her in, but his love of music compels him to keep her secret. This sounds fascinating.

Books for Adults

Al Dente’s Inferno (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Tuscan Cooking School Mystery series. An American chef trying to launch a farm-to-table culinary school in Tuscany stumbles across a murder. Looking forward to this one!
The Body in the Bookmobile (e-book) – First in the new Millie Monroe Mysteries series. A law school drop out who takes on the job of driving the local bookmobile discovers a dead body in the van.
British Murder (Trade Paperback) – Combines previously published books 17 (English Tea Murder) and 23 (British Manor Murder) into one volume.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder (Hardcover) – Book 25 in the Hannah Swenson Mystery series. Hannah’s sister’s boyfriend is the prime suspect in a murder investigation.
A Cowboy to Remember (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Cowboys of California series. A chef who loses her memory in an accident heads to California and family friends who might be able to help her put her life back together again. There she sees the face that has been haunting her dreams even though she doesn’t remember the history between them. I already have this one on hold at the library.
Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series. When a Pirate Festival comes to town, bakeshop owners Jake and Ellie find a dead body instead of a boost in their bottom line. And then Jake becomes the prime suspect.
Death with a Dark Red Rose (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series. While Lena should be working on her next book with friend and author Camilla Graham as well as enjoying her engagement, she’s instead looking for one of her friends who has gone missing. I am two books behind on this fantastic series, but I’ll be catching up soon!
Dressed Up 4 Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series. Phee’s mom is consumed with showing her dog Streetman in the Precious Pooches Holiday Extravaganza costume contest. But a couple dead bodies could be a sign that someone is after the dog owners in the contest, including Phee’s mom.
Egg Drop Dead (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. Lana’s first ever catering event is a flop when a dead body is found at the event.
Finna (Trade Paperback) – A Swedish big box store is home to multiverse-spanning portals. And when an elderly customer slips through one, two minimum wage employees (who recently broke up) must go after her to save the company (and the woman). (LGBTQ+)
Here Comes the Body (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Catering Hall Mystery series. A dead body at the family catering hall is not what Mia needed at the bachelor party she planned as her first event back in town. Now she is sleuthing to be sure her father doesn’t end up in jail for a crime he didn’t commit.
The King’s Justice (Hardcover) – Book 9 in the Maggie Hope Mystery series. Secret Agent Maggie Hope is looking for connections between a missing violin and a series of murders.
Lupine Lies (e-book, February 27) – A Gray Whale Inn short story.
Murder Makes Scents (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery series. Coming home from a Paris perfume conference, Stella and her mom, Millie, have brought trouble home with them. Millie is attacked and a stranger accuses her of stealing a formula and smuggling it home.
On the Lamb (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series. While preparing for Easter and enjoying the annual Bikers on the Beach celebration a man is killed and Lucy’s friend is the prime suspect.
Pies Before Guys (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Pie Town Mystery series. A poet accused of plagiarism is found dead at the pie shop, and the Baker Street Bakers are asked to look into it.
A Silent Stabbing (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the A Lady and a Lady’s Maid Mystery series.  Lady Phoebe and her lady’s maid, Eva, are in a puzzling mess when their new head gardener is murdered. His brother is the most likely suspect, but Eva’s sister – her MARRIED sister – has been spending time with him while she’s on holiday. If she is his alibi, her reputation will be ruined. Phoebe and Eva know they have to investigate so the killer can be brought to justice.
Stayin’ Alive (e-book) – Book 10 in the Country Club Murders series. After all this time, Ellison has sort of come to expect that she’ll find a body any time there’s a big event – like the exhibit of Chinese funerary at the museum. She’s happy, though, to stay far from the investigation this time, until someone tries to kill her.
Who’s Dead, Doc? (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Jules and Bun Mystery series. Jules and her telepathic rabbit Bun are sleuthing again when someone is killed at a birthday party.
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot (Hardcover) – The author asserts that the feminist movement is too often focused on “increasing privilege for the few” instead of the basic needs – food, quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage – for the many. This is on my list of nonfiction books to add to my TBR.
The Illustrated Feminist: 100 Years of Suffrage, Strength, and Sisterhood in America (Hardcover) – Highlights 10 landmark moments for women from each decade from 1920 to 2020.
On the Bright Side: Stories about Friendship, Love and Being True to Yourself (Hardcover) – The latest from Melanie Shankle. How to anchor yourself to unchanging principles in a world gone mad.
Suffrage: Women’s Long Battle for the Vote (Hardcover) – History of Suffrage from pre-Civil War to now.

REVIEW: Break in Case of Emergency by Brian Francis

REVIEW: Break in Case of Emergency by Brian Francis

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When Toby was a kid, growing up with her mom, she was fascinated hearing her mom talk about her absent father. It didn’t happen often. She showed Toby one picture of them together, and she talked about his singing. She said he was “magic.”

Toby’s mom cycled through dark moments and neutral ones. The voices would become incessant and drive her to the quiet of her locked bedroom. When Toby was 10, she came home from school and found her mother dead by suicide.

Now, at 15, Toby lives with her grandparents. Her grandparents rarely speak about Toby’s mother. And her father is a non-factor in her life. Toby fights her own darkness. She has to force herself out of bed in the morning. She’s convinced everyone will be better off when she is gone. She’s almost ready for her plan.

Then, out of the blue, her father calls. He’s going to be in the area. He wants to meet Toby.

Her grandparents don’t want him to come. Toby’s not sure she wants him to visit either. Where has he been all this time? He didn’t even come for her mom’s funeral. And when she hears more about him – that he’s gay and a drag performer – she’s even more confused than ever. Her plan is postponed for the moment – she’ll wait to check out this “father” who wants to meet her. But the darkness still stalks her.

Review

This is heartbreaking. The early chapters were dark and sad. Toby’s depression and her struggles are so well described it was almost hard to read.

Really, the whole story has a dark edge to it, but the heart develops alongside the darker pieces, and I was captivated by the story. There’s so much pain here. Toby’s loss is tragic, and she’s never been able to talk to anyone about it. Her father never felt at home in the community. His family turned him away. Toby’s grandparents carry their own grief. The pain of it all was raw and conveyed so well.

The mental illness pieces of this are well-written. I do wish there was more therapeutic follow up for Toby. Her needs were not going to just magically clear up. But I did enjoy the ways Toby starts to grow from her experiences – the new ways she sees her mom, her dad, her friends, and her experiences.

This needs an intense trigger warning for suicide and depression. I would caution readers to be in a good, safe, and healthy emotional place before reading this one. This left me in tears multiple times. Toby’s emotional state and her suicidal plans are well described and sensitively handled. But this could be triggering for some readers. (Language, sex, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: Microphones and Murder by Erin Huss

BONUS REVIEW: Microphones and Murder by Erin Huss

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

After several years as an engineer on a successful podcast, Liv pitches the idea of her own true crime show, Missing or Murdered. But the “talent” says she doesn’t have the experience or the gumption to do it well. So Liv quits her job.

She gives up her life to move to Santa Maria where Amelia Clark lived before she disappeared in 2008. Liv is accompanied by her enthusiastic younger biracial step-sister, Camry. Camry’s great aunt, Hazel, lives in Santa Maria and is letting them stay with her while they launch the podcast and learn everything they can about Amelia.

Liv’s early investigation goes poorly. Witnesses are hard to find or reluctant to share. Her primary source is only able to give them some files on the case before he’s no longer able to help. The area where Amelia’s car was found has changed a lot in 10 years making it hard to get clues in that space. There’s a reason this case has gone unsolved for so long. Liv starts to wonder if she’s made a BIG mistake.

But when an apple comes crashing through the bedroom window at Hazel’s, the sisters have to wonder if they have more information than they realize, and if they have gotten too close to a killer desperate to protect their secrets.

Review

This was OUTSTANDING!! I was pulled into the story form the first page. I loved the characters! By the end, there’s a little group of 5 working on the podcast and the case, and they are delightful. Liv and Camry are sisters, but by marriage, which makes for an interesting dynamic. Hazel, Camry’s great aunt, looks like Mrs. Claus, but sounds younger and sexier when she’s recorded for the podcast. Oliver is a Deaf YouTube star with millions of followers. He speaks as well as signs. As his grandmother, Hazel signs as does Liv who studied ASL in high school and college. This dynamic made for some fun moments in the story. And Austin is a reporter with a stutter, a crush on Camry, and some contacts around Santa Maria that the sisters really need. I loved how they all came together as a group and how they worked together.

The case was top notch! They got breakthroughs at reasonable moments where just the right question or contact opened a new avenue for the investigation. The pacing was terrific. There were early roadblocks to test Liv’s commitment to this path. And future discoveries came in a way that never pointed to police incompetence – they just didn’t find the right information in the right combinations to put all the pieces together. There were reluctant witnesses and others who never knew they had relevant information before. And the overall resolution was very satisfying!

I can’t tell you how often I laughed while I was reading. Between the humor and the great characters and the fantastic plot, I was in mystery-lover bliss with this book. I cannot recommend this highly enough! I noticed a couple details that were inconsistent, but I trust those were worked out in final edits. I’ll definitely be picking up my own copy of this now that it has released. Mystery fans and podcasting fans should not miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan

REVIEW: 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

The Bible holds a sacred place in the hearts of those who base their lives on the words and concepts in its pages. It also holds a sacred place in the history of the United States of America. The author states, “I am not commending all those whose stories I tell in these pages, but I am commending the BOOK they held in their hands.” This is a pivotal assertion for readers to remember.

This book contains 100 stories of moments in American history where the Bible has figured prominently. Stories include:

  • President George Washington kissing the Bible after taking his oath of office.
  • Friar Antonio de Montesinos preaching a blistering sermon to Spaniards who were enslaving indigenous people in the “New World” which the author tied to Matthew 3:3’s reference to a “voice calling in the wilderness.”
  • Early settlers surviving based on Biblical principles like 1 Thessalonians 3:8 addressing idleness and Ezra 8 where the pilgrims identified with the Israelite exiles returning to the Promised Land.
  • Tales of women like Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Fanny Crosby
  • Contemporary examples from Ronald Reagan, the elder President Bush, 9/11, and Presidents Obama and Trump.

Review

I expected more evidence of 100 Bible verses and principles that went into the formation and work of the nation. That is not what this is. This felt more like a devotional than a scholarly, historic work (although sources are cited like you would find in a scholarly piece). This might be a good resource for readers who enjoy faith and history, but at a lighter, breezier level.

Not every story is as anchored to the scripture given as others. Sometimes the scripture listed was used in a sermon or in the speech or letter referenced. Other times it seems as if it was chosen by the author to convey the theme he wanted to emphasize with the story or the character of the historical figure referenced.

I am not sure these 100 examples are enough evidence to support the author’s claim that “the Bible is the cornerstone of American history.” I think it’s certainly a huge piece of our history – and I’m grateful for it. But if we take an honest look at un-scrubbed American history, we will see too often that we failed to live up to Biblical principles and the high calling of Christ. We will see many times when Scripture was twisted to make it say what we wanted it to say. We will see plenty of key decision makers using other means and standards to drive their choices for the country.

I could see someone using this as a devotional or as a gift for someone who enjoys historical faith stories. I found fascinating stories throughout the book. But this would not be something I could recommend for history students or others looking for an in-depth look at the Bible’s influence on American history and politics. I feel like the rating for this one suffered in part because of the clash between reality and my expectations. Readers who go in knowing the  survey-nature of the book might be more satisfied with the reading experience.

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Zatanna and the House of Secrets by Matthew Cody

REVIEW: Zatanna and the House of Secrets by Matthew Cody

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

It’s almost Halloween, and Zatanna’s been having a rough couple of days. She got into an argument with some bullies at school because they were harassing her friend. And it was SO weird – at one point, they all turned RED! Not like a blush, but their skin changed color. So strange….

Then Zatanna’s best friend ditched her, acting like Zatanna is too immature or too weird. Then Zatanna blew off her only other friend AND found out her dad lied to her.

And then, some crazy woman calling herself “the Witch Queen” broke into her house, used MAGIC on Zatanna, fought her dad, and then they both vanished.

With Pocus, a talking rabbit/animal spirit as her companion, Zatanna has to figure out how her father’s backward-words magic works and find him in this wonky House of Secrets before the Witch Queen takes the house away from their family and uses it for her own evil purposes.

Review

This was cute! I’ve seen this House before in an episode of Young Justice. It was fun to see it again in a new context. The library scene and the sphinx were my favorite parts of the story.

Zatanna changes a lot in the story. She learns things about herself and her family that she couldn’t have imagined at the very start. Her biggest challenges came from losing the “adult” characters who had always advised or protected her. She had to make her own way – although she did get help from a source she wasn’t expecting.

My only “complaint” is that the talking bunny had to be called a “familiar” which will put off some readers/families because of occult connections. I am not 100% familiar with Zatanna’s full history, but I know one of the villains has a “familiar,” so maybe that is part of the character’s history and would never be changed. But I feel like the bunny could have just been a magical talking bunny and left at that.

I love the confidence Zatanna has by the end – in herself and in her magic. She understands where she fits and she stands up for herself with Witch Boy. She also seems more confident in her own skin by the end. She’s found her footing and her purpose!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: February 18, 2020

BOOK NEWS: February 18, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy President’s Day! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids

Evolution for Smart Kids (Board Book) – Theories of evolution presented in story form.
Dream Big, Little Scientists  – Introduces 11 branches of science in a bedtime story.
Friday Night Wrestlefest – A family gets ready for Friday night bedtime in the style of a televised wrestling match.
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring – A boy and his dog on a walk notice the signs of spring. Part of a series.
The Music of Life  – A composer with writer’s block is inspired by the sounds around him.
The Paper Kingdom – When the babysitter cancels, a boy has to go into work with his parents at night, but they turn the job into something magical and fun.
Tickled Pink: How Friendship Washes the World with Color – A flamingo is sad when a zebra and panda say they will only play with animals that are black and white. I’m eager to see this identity exploration in person.
Equality’s Call – Learn the history of voting rights.
God the Father and the Best Day Ever – A rhyming story about Easter and God’s love.
Frankie Sparks and the Lucky Charm  – Book 4 in the awesome Frankie Sparks series. Frankie and her classmates build Leprechaun traps, but Frankie is having trouble with her designs.
Miss Blake Is a Flake! – My Weirder-est School, book 4. The kids learn survival from an odd scout leader.
Born Curious: 20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists – Brief biographies of female scientists and mathematicians.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Fire in the Star – Book 3 in the Unicorn Quest series. Younger sister, Claire, finally gets a chance to lead in an adventure that might be their most important and dangerous yet.
Marvel Action: Spider-Man: Bad Luck (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the Marvel Action: Spider-Man series. Peter, Gwen and Miles are working together against a new villain and her bad luck powers.
Middle School: Master of Disaster – Book 12 in the Middle School series sees a team up between the stars of several Patterson series. Rafe and Jimmy are working on a huge celebration of books and reading when they team up with Jamie Grimm (I, Funny – ♥♥♥♥), Jacky Ha-Ha, the Kidd family (Treasure Hunters) and Max Einstein. I love the whole idea of this!
Star Wars Adventures: Defend the Republic (Graphic Novel) – A prequel adventure. Collects issues 18-20.
Taylor Before and After – A story told in journal entries in two timelines – before and after a tragedy as a girl negotiates changes at home and at school. This sounds really good.
Zatanna and the House of Secrets – The latest graphic novel for kids from the folks at DC. Zatanna discovers some mysteries about her family and her home in this fun, magical story. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
A Black Woman Did That – A celebration of women of color in history.
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid – A self-identified feminist who thinks prom is a prime example of the gender-based issues in her school finds herself on the planning team for the event. So she convinces the team to change things up this year. I have already requested this one from the library.
Foul Is Fair – A group of teen girls who tend to “rule the school” – and any other environment they find themselves in – experience something new and unexpected when they crash a party for a local prep school. But these girls know their power, and when one of their own is assaulted, they fight back with a vengeance. A bloody, violent and dark Macbeth retelling about rape. Sensitive readers should approach this one with care, but the reviews for this are overwhelmingly positive.
Miss You Love You Hate You Bye – When her strong, leader best friend starts cracking under the strain of family issues and develops an eating disorder, the quiet, blend-into-the-background best friend has to find a way to speak up.
Of Curses and Kisses – From the author of When Dimple Met Rishi and There’s Something About Sweetie (♥♥♥♥½) and the upcoming 10 Things I Hate About Pinky (June 2020). A princess and a lord from feuding families meet at boarding school where she is determined to make him love her and then break his heart for what his family has put her family through, but where he is just waiting for his cursed future. This is at the top of my list for this week.
The Seventh Sun – First in a new series based on Aztec and Mayan legends. A young prince feels unprepared to take the throne after his father’s death, and his family’s connection to the sun seems to be fading. He is presented with six noble women from which to choose his bride, but the gods seem to be working against the prince and the young woman he would choose – and they both know any woman not chosen will be sacrificed.
The Upside of Falling – A YA fake-relationship story! I love these! Tired of being hassled for not having a boyfriend, a girl claims she already has one. A guy nearby steps into the role so he too can get people off his case. What starts as pretend starts to feel pretty real when the two teens realize how much they have in common. I already have this one on hold at the library!

Books for Adults

Dead to the Last Drop (e-book, February 21) – Book 8 in the Killer Coffee Mystery series. When Roxi’s Aunt Maxi gets involved in community theater, Roxi gets involved in another murder. This is free to read for subscribers to the Kindle Unlimited program at the time of this writing.
Ghost-Spider, Volume 1: Dog Days Are Over (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Gwen Stacey travels from Earth-65 to the Prime Marvel Universe to go to school. This looks fascinating! I have been interested in this characters since the Spider-verse movie came out in 2018.
Harley Quinn & the Gotham Girls (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Five issue mini series. Catwoman steals something thinking she is helping the lion preserve only to find out she is working for Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
Highway to Hel (e-book) – Book 2 in the Vikings of Virginia Mystery series. When the goddess of the underworld shows up in Freya’s town, she figures she’s just there to check out the Asgardian retirees. But then Loki goes missing and it’s obvious Hel is up to something. I am SO intrigued by this series! I have book 1 waiting on my TBR. Both books are free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.
Isaiah’s Legacy (Trade Paperback) – A young girl tutoring the child-King Manasseh starts steering him away from obedience to Yahweh. The king’s road to ruin starts to take her with him and leads her to seek out Yahweh for herself and her people.
Lawless Litter (e-book, February 20) – Book 11 in the Pet Whisperer series. A litter of kittens is left on the porch, their paws covered in blood. This cozy mystery series looks so fun!
Queen of Raiders (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Nine Realms series. The exiled princess is compelled by spirits to join a group of rebel raiders.
Here for It: How to Save Your Soul in America (Hardcover) – A memoir-in-essays exploring identity as well as the current political landscape, asking the question, “Why should we bother when everything only gets worse?” (LGBTQ+)
I Still Believe (Trade Paperback) – A memoir by Jeremy Camp. Christian singer Jeremy Camp shares his journey of losing his first wife months after their wedding.
Loving Well in a Broken World: Discover the Hidden Power of Empathy (Trade Paperback) – Jesus said to love our neighbors, but that would be a lot easier if they thought and believed and acted just like us. Readers can learn to leverage their empathy to help us put Jesus’ words into practice.
Star Trek Voyager: 25th Anniversary Special Book (Hardcover) – A celebration of the 25th anniversary of the science fiction show.

REVIEW: Freaky in Fresno by Laurie Boyle Crompton

REVIEW: Freaky in Fresno by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Ricki is into classic horror movies, monster makeup and saving the Starlight drive-in theater with her crush, Jake.

Lana is an online/social media influencer with her makeup videos. She has an online competition with another influencer who calls herself Her Highness, and an online relationship with Erik who has his own prank show. Lana is preparing for a huge appearance at Digifest in LA.

The girls are cousins. Their Aunt May announces she is giving them a joint gift – a Buick Skylark convertible. She knows the girls have been growing apart, so she insists that they learn to share the car, hoping it will help their relationship.

Lana is convinced that if she drives the car onto the stage at Digifest, it will launch her to the next level of stardom. Ricki is certain Lana is being selfish and will try to keep the car for herself. So she refuses to give Lana the car so that she can drive it to the Starlight’s grand re-opening. As the girls physically fight over control of the car, they get shocked and everything around them goes crazy. When everything goes back to normal, they shake off the weirdness and head home. But the next day, each wakes up in her cousin’s body.

Review

This was so fun! It made me want to watch both of the Freaky Friday movies; it’s been ages since I have seen them. This was a fantastic homage to the movies while standing on its own with contemporary conflicts. At first, I was frustrated with both girls, and I didn’t like either one. But as the story developed and we saw more of the girls’ inner lives, I came to appreciate them both.

My favorite moments were when Ricki experienced Lana’s anxiety. She didn’t know what that heavy feeling was at first. Lana loved the feeling of freedom she had while living in Ricki’s body. This whole piece of the story was well-done.

I was fascinated that the author chose to have Ricki tell the whole story rather than tell this with dual perspectives. In some ways, Lana had a LOT more to process, and the reader is able to dig into that through Ricki’s perspective. I’m not sure there would have been as much story to tell from the other direction, unless the author wanted to address how Ricki felt watching her mother connect so much with Lana. The story really didn’t directly address that dynamic.

If you enjoyed Pretty in Punxsutawney, if you love Freaky Friday stories, or if you just like novels that explore identity, fame, mental health and anxiety, and changing perspectives, you should check this story out.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells

REVIEW: Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Caleb Donovan was the only one among his brothers who stood by their dad until the end of the trial. At first he took pride in his loyalty. But in the end, he knew what everyone else knew before him. His dad was guilty, and the business empire was finished. But Caleb’s grandfather has a property – the Dorothy. If Caleb can convince his brothers to work with him on it, they could develop the property and start the Donovan real estate business over again.

Riley had built her career at Donovan properties until she was laid off after the trial. She’s been working at her grandmother’s building – the Dorothy – as the building manager, just trying to get her feet under her again.

At least, Riley thought her grandmother owned the Dorothy. But now Caleb Donovan is there, looking all too handsome for her own good, saying he’s turning the Dorothy and the adjacent empty lot the residents call a “dog park,” into his next development deal. Riley’s dog might love Caleb, but Riley is not about to let another Donovan destroy her life again. And the rest of the neighborhood dog owners aren’t letting their dog park, such as it is, go without a fight.

Review

I love romance books with great animal characters, and this is a fun one. The complexity of the housing development situation and the history between Caleb’s and Riley’s families was perfect, creating several moments where everything teetered on the edge of disaster.

I especially liked Caleb. I wanted more for him – a better family situation, more with his brothers, and for him to have all the things in life he always craved. Riley was a great blend of strength and self-sufficiency alongside her own neediness. She lost everything and was still grieving her job and her dreams when Caleb showed up. Caleb was only one piece of her journey to community and connection.

I have to wonder about the cover art chosen for the book as it doesn’t match the main dog. There is a black Lab in the story, but it belongs to a secondary character. The choice to put that dog on the cover of this story was odd. It should have been a toy poodle like LouLou.

This is the first book in the Fur Haven Dog Park series. Book 2, Tail for Two, which will focus on one of Caleb’s brothers, will release this summer. I can’t wait to see what role Riley and Caleb might have in future stories, and I am thrilled to get more information on Caleb’s brothers. If you enjoy romance stories, and stories with great animal characters, don’t miss out on this one. (Sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Revenge of the Red Club by Kim Harrington

REVIEW: Revenge of the Red Club by Kim Harrington

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Riley Dunne’s school life seems to crumble overnight. First, her middle school newspaper is shut down. She writes one article about the cafeteria’s “gluten free” chicken nuggets – which aren’t actually gluten free and make her friend sick – and the principal shuts it down indefinitely.

Then the school starts cracking down on dress code violations. But the rules only target the girls and leave them feeling like they should be ashamed of their bodies. Even the boys are finding the rules insulting. Like they don’t have enough self-control to see a bare shoulder and still concentrate in class.

But the biggest disruption is when the Red Club is shut down. The Red Club is a support group for the middle school girls who are getting their periods. Someone puts supplies in an empty locker as well as several pairs of sweatpants for accidents. And the girls get to meet in the library every week and encourage one another, answer questions, and help each other when they’re hassled by boys or have embarrassing moments at school. It’s one of the best parts of Riley’s week. And it too gets taken away.

The final straw is when one of the girls is dress coded from attending a dance. She was one of the event planners, but her dress was deemed “inappropriate,” and she was barred from the event. Riley is in the exact same dress. But because she doesn’t fill it out as well, she’s not dress coded. It’s one more attack on the girls at the school. And they’ve decide they aren’t going to roll over and take it any more.

Review

This was fantastic!! I LOVE a good girl power story (Moxie, Ban this Book, Suggested Reading, Maybe He Just Likes You, The Hate You Give, Slay, etc.), and this one is terrific! Riley’s family tells her that her superpower is how she uses her words. Cue the heart eyes! (I would have loved to have Riley’s articles included in the book to showcase that.) But the “girl power” isn’t just the rebellion that is kicked off at the school after the changes to policy. It’s the way the girls support one another – recognizing their individual gifts (business, writing, gymnastics, fashion/make up) and supporting them ALL.

And if the great girls aren’t enough, there are also great guys in this. I love the ones who see and understand what the girls are trying to do – and then they show up and take action! Fantastic!

Then there are the adults, both the ones who support the girls all along, and the ones who catch on later. They’re all great! My favorite scene was when Riley and her mom meet with the principal. It’s perfection.

This book is brilliant. The story is a delight – an engaging tale, characters you want to cheer for, and a chance to see some wrongs righted, even if only in fiction. The only thing that could have made this better in my opinion would be the addition of Riley’s articles as well as instructions for readers who want to start their own Red Club. Outstanding!! Do NOT miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥