Reviews, Etc.

BOOK NEWS: October 11, 2022

BOOK NEWS: October 11, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week that I have on my radar:

 

Books for Kids

Star Trek: Trek the Halls – A holiday Star Trek picture book. Yes, please!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Playing Through the Turnaround – When a beloved teacher leaves because of budget cuts, his students band together to speak up for changes at their school. I love stories like this!
The Search for Sasquatch – First in a new nonfiction series. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Twelfth Grade Night (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. At her new school where she can dress how she wants, Vi falls for Orsino, but he is in love with Olivia and asks Vi to help him get her attention, assuming Vi isn’t into guys. I have requested this from the library – sounds like a fun Twelfth Night retelling!

Books for Adults

A Christmas Candy Killing (Hardcover) – First in a new Killer Chocolate Mystery series. Twin sisters who own a mystery bookstore with themed chocolates become murder suspects when a friend dies and their chocolates are found nearby. I love trying out new mystery series – especially book-themed ones! Can’t wait to give this a try.
Dashing Through the Snowbirds (Hardcover) – Book 32 in the fabulous Meg Langslow mystery series. When Meg plays Christmas host to some Canadian programmers working on a project with her brother’s company, she ends up playing investigator too when the programmers’ boss is murdered. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Dinosaur Philosophy (Hardcover gift book) – A new @DinosAndComics collection!
The Plot and the Pendulum (Hardcover) – Book 13 in the Library Lovers Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay. When Lindsey and the Crafternooners discover a skeleton that might be linked to a 30-year-old missing persons case, they start looking for a killer. I have this one on hold already at the library!
Santa’s Little Yelpers (Hardcover) – Book 26 in the delightful Andy Carpenter mystery series by David Rosenfelt. When a new Tara Foundation employee asks Andy to represent him in court because he found out a witness who once testified against him was lying, Andy agrees to take on the case. But when the witness is murdered and his client is arrested, Andy’s found more work than he bargained for. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Secret Lives (Trade Paperback) – A former FBI agent-turned-landlady finds herself investigating a murder when one of her boarders is killed. I pre-ordered this months ago – I can’t wait to read it!
The Socialite’s Guide to Murder (Hardcover) – First in a new Pinnacle Hotel Mystery series. Because of her agoraphobia, Evelyn hasn’t left her father’s hotel in over a year. But when a killer strikes and her best friend is twisted up in the case, Evelyn and her crush from the hotel staff team up to find the truth. Sounds awesome!
The Spare Man (Trade Paperback) – Inventor, heiress, and sleuth, Tesla must investigate a murder on the space liner where she was enjoying her honeymoon because Security has arrested her husband for the crime. Sounds fantastic!

REVIEW: The Most Magnificent Idea by Ashley Spires

REVIEW: The Most Magnificent Idea by Ashley Spires

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary and Review

What happens when a girl whose brain is an idea machine suddenly finds herself with no ideas at all?

This was as lovely as I hoped it would be. I ADORED the first book, The Most Magnificent Thing (♥♥♥♥♥). I think creatives will be able to identify with the journey of this character. First she had a great idea but struggles to create something that exactly reflects her vision. This time, she has no ideas at all – a complete emptiness where there’s usually more than she could use.

This would be a great read aloud for any classroom, but especially for creative subjects and clubs where kids can be encouraged to not give up when ideas are slow to come. The illustrations here are darling as always. You cannot go wrong with a book from Ashley Spires!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch

REVIEW: Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Theirs was a marriage of convenience. Emmeline offered to help William with his career in exchange for a whirlwind wedding to ensure she got to keep the family home. As the first to wed, she was guaranteed the house in the short term. To keep it, she needed to bear a child.

When that didn’t happen, Emmeline fed her family a series of… stories… about their son, Malcolm and daughter Flora, expecting (hoping) no one would ever find out the truth.

But now the family patriarch has called everyone to gather for his birthday. So Emmaline and Will need two children. Immediately. Preferably ones who know how to behave properly in society.

They have to settle for George and Rose, two orphans they take in on a “trial” basis. Once the family makes an appearance at the big birthday celebration, they should be off the hook forever more.

Review

This was an interesting story. Predictable in a lot of ways. There are no real surprises with this, except maybe the sheer number of lies the family resorts to over the course of the book. And the story is not really a romance in my opinion.

While William and Emmeline do discover a spark while they deal with her deception and their attempt to keep the house, most of it is conveyed in glances and internal observations for the two characters. It’s only a tiny piece of the larger story.

The salvation of this for me was how likable the children are – and Will and Emmie, too. And I especially enjoyed how the household staff responded to the situation.

If you like stories with endearing children and a ton of hijinks, you should definitely pick this up. If you are looking for a romance, this one may be a disappointment. Lower your expectations and focus on the family story instead, and you might get a kick out of this one.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

BOOK NEWS: October 4, 2022

BOOK NEWS: October 4, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

We’re back! I am feeling refreshed and ready to dive back in to regular blog content, starting with some of the books releasing this week! Let’s take a look.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Bhai For Now – Twins separated at birth meet up at school and decide to swap places to get to know the parent they’ve missed out on all their lives. This sounds fantastic! I love The Parent Trap.
How to Heal a Gryphon – When her older brother is kidnapped by witches while her parents are away, Giada has to find a way to rescue him.
In Myrtle Peril (Older Middle Grade) – Book 4 in the Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series. Myrtle’s latest case has her father in the cross hairs. Hospitalized in the middle of a case himself, Myrtle’s father witnesses a murder. Now Myrtle has to solve it before her father becomes another victim. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, and I can’t wait to read this new story.
Sisterhood of Sleuths – When a box of vintage Nancy Drew mysteries is left at her mom’s thrift shop, Maizy discovers a picture in the box of her grandmother as a girl, along with two other young women. When her grandmother insists the photo is NOT of her, Maizy starts investigating. Yes, please! I love middle grade mysteries, and this one sounds fantastic.
By the Time You Read This I’ll Be Gone (Murder She Wrote) – First in a new series for teens. When Beatrice Fletcher’s best friend goes missing, she decides to solve the mystery herself just like her great-aunt Jessica, the mystery writer. I’d give this a shot just to see how it’s put together – sounds interesting!
The Christmas Clash – A new holiday romance from Suzanne Park. The children of rival restaurant owners team up to try to save the mall where they work in order to save both businesses.
Prince of Song & Sea – First in a new series of books focused on the princes in Disney’s classic tales. Have you ever wondered what Eric’s story was before he encountered the Little Mermaid? Now is your chance to find out!
Scions – A prequel to the Starcrossed trilogy. A daughter of Zeus and a son of Apollo are drawn together into a cycle of destruction that has already engulfed their ancestors.

Books for Adults

All I Want for Christmas (Trade Paperback) – When two singers on a TV competition make sparks on duet week, the powers that be insist on them keeping up the ruse that they are a couple in real life. Unfortunately, they can’t stand each other!
A Cat Café Christmas (Trade Paperback) – A veterinarian has to set aside her reservations and trust the marketing guru who wants to help her save her cat café.
Extra Witchy (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Fix-It Witches series. Leanne decides to run for city council, but it looks like she needs the right husband if she wants to launch a successful political career. But Trevor hardly seems like the right choice considering his long list of failures. I have book one for this series on my TBR.
Out of Love (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in The Switch. When a farmer and a businessman discover they are twins, they decide to switch lives (Strictly Business). But when the farmer tries posing as the businessman, he discovers a plot to take down his brother’s company. I have this series on my TBR list, too.
Station Eternity (Trade Paperback) – First in the Midsolar Murders series. An amateur detective has fled Earth for an alien space station where she thinks she can avoid the murder cases that seemed to find her on Earth. But once she’s on the space station, visitors start dying. I can’t wait to dig into this one! It sounds right up my alley – scifi AND mystery!
When Life Gives You Vampires (Trade Paperback) – When a simple date leaves her with vampire fangs, Lily has to team up with Tristan to save them both. I already bought this one – I am fascinated by some of the personal aspects of this story.
You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Boy Meets Boy series. Spoiled Matthew Prince discovers the limits of his parents’ good will when his latest PR disaster means they ship him off to stay with his grandparents for the holidays. He agrees to help coordinate a charity gala in the hopes of an “early parole” from his exile. This sounds delightful – and Hallmark movie-ish!
The God Shot: 100 Snapshots of God’s Character in Scripture (Nonfiction) – A 100-day devotional focused on passages from the New Testament that reveal God’s character.

 

SABBATICAL: Wrap Up

SABBATICAL: Wrap Up

Posted on by Jaymie

And that’s a wrap on another sabbatical month. I think I might just do this every year – plan one month where I don’t accept any review requests. Yes, I still have to create content. But a good bit of it comes from the hundreds of posts from the past 6 years, and I don’t have to invest the hours of reading before I can write the post.

I hope you have found something fruitful from the posts over the last few weeks. Next week we’ll be back to normal with a Book News post on Monday, and a new review on Wednesday and Friday.  Until then, Happy Reading!

SABBATICAL - Must Read Authors

SABBATICAL – Must Read Authors

Posted on by Jaymie

Back in the early weeks of my blog, I did a post called 8 Authors I Buy Automatically. I thought 6 years was plenty of time to try that list again and see what’s changed.

One thing that has changed is I have fewer authors I “buy automatically.” I don’t know if that’s because I have been burned on books I just didn’t like from some of my former go-to authors or if it’s because my own reading tastes have changed. It was far easier to come up with lists of my must-read series the last couple weeks than it is to come up with a list of auto-buy authors. That said, though, here is my list:

Jennifer Lynn Barnes – JLB has been a must-buy author for me for ages. I don’t think I have EVER bought a book of hers and not enjoyed it. From The Naturals series to The Fixer (FAVE) to the Debutantes  to the Inheritance Games. All winners for me.

Ally Carter – This is another author I have read for years and followed from series to series – Gallagher Girls, Heist Society, Embassy Row, Not If I Save You First, Winterborne Home. All terrific!

Donalyn Miller – This is a tricky one, because Donalyn is primarily a teacher rather than an author. But when she publishes a book, I pay attention and pick it up – The Book Whisperer, Reading in the Wild, The Joy of Reading, Game Changer, Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library. I don’t even teach anymore, but I can’t get enough of her philosophy of reading and teaching readers.

Jennifer Estep – While the author’s Elemental Assassin series didn’t grab me, her books set in Bellona/Andvari/etc. (Crown of Shards series, Gargoyle Queen series) are perfect for me, so I buy those the minute I know there’s a new one available.

Jessie Mihalik – I have loved both the Consortium Rebellion series and the new/in process Starlight’s Shadow series, so I have also purchased – but not yet read – the author’s Rogue Queen series.

Suzanne Stabile – Suzanne is my favorite Enneagram teacher, so while I might be more skeptical of other books until I can look at them first, hers I pick up automatically.

 

BOOK NEWS: September 27, 2022

BOOK NEWS: September 27, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last week of September – the year is zooming by! Here are some of the books releasing this week.

 

Books for Kids

I Am Batman AND I Am Superman – The folks behind the Ordinary People Change the World books have launched a new line of Stories that Change the World. This week the first two books release with a focus on two iconic DC heroes. I can’t wait to read these!
The Big Adventures of Babymouse: Once Upon a Messy Whisker – Babymouse is getting a new series in full color. In the first book, Babymouse is feeling self-conscious about her messy whiskers and that shows in all of her imaginings. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
A Very Mercy Christmas – A holiday picture book starring Mercy Watson. Stella Endicott would love to go caroling for Christmas, but she struggles to find people who want to go with her.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Foul Lady Fortune – Two spies – including one who has become immortal – pose as a married couple to find the culprits behind a series of murders.
How to Succeed in Witchcraft – A teen witch vying for a scholarship might have to rely on her nemesis for help when the head of the scholarship committee starts acting inappropriately.
Mere Mortals – Two expelled vampires making the best of their new mortal life – in high school – have a chance to regain their immortality, but only at the expense of their new friends.
Well, That Was Unexpected – A YA debut from Jesse Q. Sutanto. Sharlot and George’s parents pretend to be them online in an effort to match-make the two teens who are not living up to their parents’ expectations.

 

Books for Adults

The Duke Not Taken (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Royal Match series. A reluctant princess is whisked off to a matchmaker before she does something to embarrass the Crown, but the only sparks she seems to find with anyone she meets are ones of irritation and annoyance with the Duke next door.
A Ghost in Shining Armor (Trade Paperback) – A ghost is given a second chance at life if he helps a woman find her long-lost sister. But falling for the woman is against the rules. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Gone for Gouda (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Cheese Shop Mystery series. When a visiting vegan chef is unveiled as a liar – and a carnivore – and then murdered, one of Willa’s friends is the prime suspect.
Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Mrs. Claus Mystery series. April’s friend is visiting the North Pole, and April wants to make a good impression, but striking reindeer, missing elves, and murder are going to make that difficult. I have gotten such a kick out of the first two books in this series! I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Seams Like Murder (Hardcover) – First in a new Sewing Studio Mystery series. A newcomer to Hideaway Grove becomes a suspect in the hit-and-run death of the local librarian. While she waits to be cleared of the crime, Abbey takes up a new hobby and tries to find the real killer.
Witchful Thinking (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Elemental Love series. A woman in a magical community, wishing for “more” from her life accidentally casts a spell that leaves her helping her high school crush/neighbor unjinx his house so he can leave town – just when she’s finally gotten to know him.

 

SABBATICAL - Must Read Series, Part II

SABBATICAL – Must Read Series, Part II

Posted on by Jaymie

I am on a “sabbatical” from my blog this month, so I am sharing some posts that compile information my readers might find useful.

Last week I posted what I consider my “Must Read” series that are still growing. These might be books I buy or books I get at the library, but either way, I am NOT missing a book in these series.

This week I am focusing on some completed series that were must-reads when they released. Some of these I will re-read because I know I am going to love them.

 

Completed Series

Crown of Shards series – Kill the Queen, Protect the Prince, Crush the King. I discovered the first book in this trilogy in my quest to find something I love like the Kitty Katt-Martini/Touched by an Alien series, and these are right up there. This series is fantasy rather than science fiction, but the main character is exactly what I am always looking for, and the stories are ones I happily re-read when I need a little comfort reading of something I know is amazing.
Consortium Rebellion series – This science fiction series kicks off with Polaris Rising, my favorite book in the series. This trilogy is the closest I have come to finding a series like the Touched By an Alien/Kitty Katt-Martini series which is my all-time favorite.
Sons of Destiny series – This 8-book fantasy/romance series kicks off with The Sword. I remember when I first discovered this series. I would stalk my local bookstore looking for the rest of the books. I *needed* to have them all. This is another series I will re-read, although not as often as I do with Kitty. I loved the hook of 8 brothers looking to overcome a family curse and find love (The even numbered books are my favorites). The magic of the world is outstanding.
Reluctant Royals series – This romance series (three full-length books with some e-book novellas) completely captivated me. I haven’t re-read them, but I would in a heartbeat. The first book in the series is A Princess in Theory.
Bookish Boyfriends series – This YA series kicks off with Bookish Boyfriends/A Date with Darcy and is 4 books long, and each one is a delight.  Lovely romance with a touch of magic and ties to literature. I wish there were going to be more of these!

BOOK NEWS: September 20, 2022

BOOK NEWS: September 20, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Books Aren’t For Eating – A bookstore owner tries to find a book his new customer – a goat – won’t eat.
Standing in the Need of Prayer – A picture book based on the spiritual. I have been hearing rave reviews about this one!

 

Books for Teens/Young Adults

The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers – Something new from Adam Sass. A boy too shy to ask someone out has instead crafted a social media account around (imaginary) meet cutes. But after 99 imaginary interactions, Micah is ready for #100 to be real, but the first prospect disappears before he can get his number. But the guy leaves a jacket behind, so Micah and his friends use clues they find in the coat to try to track down the boy from the train. I’ve already pre-ordered this one!

Books for Adults

The Kiss Curse (Trade Paperback) – A sequel to The Ex Hex. Magical rivals have to team up to discover why Gwyn’s powers are fading when a new group of witches comes to town.
A Merry Little Meet Cute (Hardcover) – An adult film star is cast in a family-friendly Christmas movie. Keeping her alter ego a secret is almost as tricky as keeping her hands off her co-star, an ex-boy band member who is supposed to be cleaning up his image. I hope to review this one once my sabbatical is over.
The Road to Christmas (Trade Paperback) – A young woman invites her family to her new home for Christmas – her parents, who are secretly contemplating divorce; her grandparents, possibly driving farther than they should for the weather conditions; and her sisters who get stranded at a ranch on the way. I’ve asked for the library to pick this one up – it sounds so fun!
Something in the Heir (Trade Paperback) – A fun spin on the fake relationship trope! William and Emmeline are comfortable in their marriage of convenience (even if William wished it were something more), but he has no idea she has told her family they have two children in order to meet some inheritance requirements. So they take in two orphans to pretend to be their children for Emmeline’s family. I can not wait to read this! I plan to review it after my sabbatical.
Top Notch (e-book) – The sequel to Double Twist. Mia is back, this time trying to defend another new friend from a murder rap. I can not wait to read this one!
When in Rome (Trade Paperback) – A fresh take on the movie Roman Holiday (a frustrating movie with an unsatisfying ending). A burned out pop star runs away to Rome, Kentucky to get lost for a bit. But when her car breaks down, she’s taken in by an overwhelmed guy with no time for pop-princess problems. While the two warm up to one another, they both know it’s only a matter of time until she has to go back to her real life. I have my fingers crossed for a more satisfying ending to the book, so I have this one on hold at the library.