Book Review: Dark Hero (Reluctant Hero) by Lily Silver

Dark Hero is the first book in the Reluctant Hero series by Lily Silver. Elizabeth is a survivor. Her existence has balanced on the edge of a knife for much of her life--a knife held by her cruel stepfather. Betrayed, kidnapped and more, she awakens on a ship bound for the Indies, in the bed of a stranger claiming to be her husband. Soon the gift of the seer emerges; the ability to see and speak with the dead. A descendant of druids, Elizabeth knows she must hide her strange gifts as her new husband could claim she's insane and commit her to a madhouse. Can Elizabeth trust this Dark Hero conjured from the Gothic romances she once devoured? Donovan survived betrayal, imprisonment and torture. Deception and subterfuge are the weapons used to keep people at a distance. He maintains separate identities--the terrifying Count Rochembeau, a reclusive nobleman rumored to disfigured, and the amiable Mr. O’Rourke, the count's servant. Donovan’s penchant for deception may be his undoing when his bride awakens after her rescue and doesn't know him. As he struggles to rekindle their love, he fears he may be locked in a prison of a different kind; a loveless marriage to a woman who fears him and cannot abide his touch. 

Dark Hero is a Gothic romance with all the expected tropes. There is the abused heroine, who has survived much but is still naive. There is the tortured hero, still hurting but loving and over protective to his lady. There are siblings, secrets, betrayal, and of coarse some ghosts and magic to make things more dramatic and dangerous. My only problem with the book is that sometimes there is just too much. Readers get the complete background of the courtship between Elizabeth and Donovan, so there is no wondering if he is lying. I also felt like there was a little too much focus on Elizabeth being weak or ill as she recovers from the trauma she endures (that you need to read the book to discover). Yes, she has issues, but did she need so many? With seeing ghosts and leaving family, and all else that she had to face did she really need to be so "ill". I did like some of the twists and turns that the story took, but others made me cringe a bit- which were mostly choices Donovan makes in order to protect Elizabeth. In the end, I found myself eager to get back to the book when ever I had to put it down, but occasionally frustrated with the pace and what I saw as unnecessary complications. 

Dark Hero is a solid Gothic romance. It offers everything a fan of the genre is looking for, and then some. I think it also does a good job of introducing the characters that will be the focus of the next two books in the series. I think it just tried to do too much in one book.  

Book Review: Wait Till It Gets Dark by Anita Sanchez and George Steele, Illustrated by John Himmelman

Wait Till It Gets Dark is a children's non fiction book written by Anita Sanchez and George Steele, and Illustrated by John Himmelman. It’s night. It’s dark. It’s time to go indoors—or is it? The outdoors at night can be a scary place, but this book will help young readers investigate the mysterious nature of night. To explore the night, it would be great to have eyes like an owl, the sensitive nose of a deer, and feet that can move as silently as a fox. Humans aren’t quite as good as nocturnal animals at navigating the darkness, but we can come surprisingly close. Our senses are much sharper than we realize, if we learn how to use them. Some scientists are even researching the sensory abilities of human hair!

Wait Till It Gets Dark is a fun and interesting look at what happens outside after dark. I like that the book is broken up into chapters which each focus on a different animals. Readers get a detailed look at how the creature uses its senses and adaptions to explore the night time. The book also explores the senses and abilities of humans, and invites young readers to explore their own abilities. I enjoyed the experiments, and the focus on animal senses, and the colors used in the accompanying artwork. The art work was good, but there were some pieces that just did not meet my expectations, but that could have been more a matter of personal style than anything else. I think the book was geared towards younger kids than I expected, so it would be useful for discussing why you do not need to be afraid of the dark, in preparation of a nighttime walk or camp out for the younger set, as well as the senses and animal skills. 

Book Review: Pit Perfect (Barkside of the Moon) by Renee George

Pit Perfect is the first book in the Barkside of the Moon series by Renee George. I downloaded this book immediately after reading the sequel, The Money Pit, because of the writing style and character work. 

When cougar-shifter Lily Mason moves to Moonrise, Missouri, she wishes for only three things from the town and its human population. To find a job, to find a place to live, and to live as a human, not a therianthrope. Lily gets more than she bargains for when a rescue pit bull named Smooshie rescues her from an oncoming car, and it’s love at first sight. Thanks to Smooshie, Lily’s first two wishes are granted by Parker Knowles, the owner of the Pit Bull Rescue center, who offers her a job at the shelter and the room over his garage for rent. Lily’s new life as an integrator is threatened when Smooshie finds Katherine Kapersky, the local church choir leader and head of the town council, dead in the field behind the rescue center. Unfortunately, there are more suspects than mourners for the elderly town leader. Can Lily keep her less-than-human status under wraps? Or will the killer, who has pulled off a nearly Pit Perfect murder, expose her to keep Lily and her dog from digging up the truth?

Pit Perfect is a fast moving and fun mystery. I liked Lily's character and the complications that she brings with her to the small town. I liked her efforts to fit and and to get to know the town inhabitants. Finding her uncle and making friends in the new town started fairly easy, at least until the dead bodies start appearing and throwing suspicion on those that have been helpful. I really enjoyed the character development and the groundwork laid down for the rest of the series. My real complain, read for it, is that the book was too short. It felt way too short. I want more of this set of characters and Moonrise Missouri. A good start to a series, leaving me wanting more.

Early Book Review: Tricky by Kari Rust

Tricky by Kari Rust is a picturebook about the Duke and his dog, Tricky. It is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2017. This pair spend their days making trouble. They cheat, steal, and play pranks on their neighbors, just for fun. But one day, somebody new comes to town and gives Tricky a treat that melts his mischievous heart, and sets him thinking about the effect his actions have on others. Inspired to change his ways, Tricky decides to set things right the only way he knows how with tricks! Tricky’s ploy might just lead The Duke to reconsider his ways.

Tricky is a great picturebook that shows Tricky and his master playing tricks on just about everyone. When someone shows Tricky kindness he starts to question what he has been doing. I like that The Duke shows that while he likes to play tricks he does not respond well to being on the other side, and Tricky learns not to play mean tricks of others. My favorite thing about this book is that it is the act of someone else being kind, rather than a harsh consequence, that helps Tricky see the error of his ways. Readers, even the youngest, will see that sometimes offering a simple kindness to others can make a big difference. They also get to see that more often than not, people that are being unkind can change or will often move on when things change in their lives. The stylized artwork and bold colors make the story pop off the page and feel a little more alive to the audience. I greatly enjoyed the read, and think it is both a fun read and one with a great message to share.

Book Review: Leo Loves Aries by Anyta Sunday

Leo Loves Aries by Anyta Sunday is a lovely new adult romance. Theo Wallace usually laughs at the horoscopes his mom sends. Still hung up on his ex-girlfriend and practically friendless, this one begs him to reconsider. Because a friendship that stuck, that thrived. Well, that would be a reason to leave past pains behind and look to the Bright Future. When his sister Leone challenges him to find her the perfect date for a spring wedding, Theo uses it as a chance to make new friends. Theo’s ex economics tutor and newest roommate Mr. Jamie Cooper seems to be a possible and convenient match. Real convenient. Like written in the stars, convenient. All he has to do is make sure this Jamie is good enough. Could really be The One for her, and the friend for him.

Leo Loves Aries might catch readers by surprise, just like it catches one of the main characters. I loved Theo's journey of self discovery, and the cluelessness he has about the world around him. He is just so good hearted and blind to some aspects of those around him that he constantly made me smile. He is not stupid, far from it, but just does not see everything he should. I know so many people like that, which made the character feel even more real to me. I loved that friendship is so important to the story, and that Leone is such a smart, capable, and strong character. She often sees things he cannot, even is she is blind. Meanwhile, Jamie is a nice balance between them, smart and aware. I loved the developing friendship that happens between all the major players, and how the dynamics between them grew and changed through out the book. I just loved the read, and will be looking for more from the author.

Leo Loves Aries is a new adult romance and coming of age story that had me smiling as I read. I just enjoyed the characters and the read that much. While some readers might not enjoy the story simply because it is a same sex romance, I found the characters and the journey to be charming and enjoyable.

Book Review: Geology Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Explore Rocks, Gems, Geodes, Crystals, Fossils, and Other Wonders of the Earth's Surface by Garret Romaine

Geology Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Explore Rocks, Gems, Geodes, Crystals, Fossils, and Other Wonders of the Earth's Surface by Garret Romaine is a non fiction book for middle grade readers. It features 52 simple, inexpensive, and fun experiments that explore the Earth’s surface, structure, and processes. This family  and classroom friendly guide explores the wonders of geology, such as the formation of crystals and fossils, the layers of the Earth’s crust, and how water shapes mountains, valleys, and canyons. The book leaves no excuses for boredom as it contains a year’s worth of captivating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities.

Geology Lab for Kids is a great resource for classrooms, homeschooling families, and kids that just love science and experiments. The photography and explanations of the experiments are very well done, accessible to young readers and the adults by their side. In the book there is information that will help readers identify the most common rocks and minerals, maintain and display a rock collection, understand insects are trapped and preserved in amber, understand how geysers and volcanoes form and erupt, understand how layers of rock reveal a record of time, and how to pan for gold like a real prospector. The activities are creative and fun, including some edible (and plenty on inedible) experiments and projects. I think that this is a perfect resource for getting children excited and engaged in science. 

Book Review: The Money Pit (Barkside of the Moon) by Renee George

The Money Pit is the second book in the Barkside of the Moon series by Renee George. I had not read the first book, but George did such a great job of dropping in important information about the first book that I felt like I had. 

Cougar-shifter Lily Mason is trying hard to live as a human in Moonrise, Missouri. But renting a garage apartment from Parker Knowles, her boss at the Pit Bull Rescue Shelter, is making it difficult to keep her secret. Lily makes an offer on a “fixer-upper” with a checkered past and begins work on getting the place ready for her and her dog Smooshie. The sweet pitbull proves primed for demolition when she scratches a hole in a wall and yanks out a human bone. The investigation brings Lily unwanted attention from the local police chief who has an ax to grind and a murderer desperate to keep the past in the past. Lily needs Smooshie and Parker more than ever if she wants to keep her secret and prevent another killing! 

The Money Pit is a charming mystery with great characters. I enjoyed Lily's character, she is smart and strong with secrets she needs to keep, and innate skills that lead to her knowing other people's secrets. I loved the animals, Smooshie and Elvis were special characters all their own. I think the mystery was well formed and kept me guessing through the book. I was certainly surprised with a couple twists, but in a good way. I greatly enjoyed the read, and will be checking out the other books from George as time allows. The writing style and character development made me happy, and the other authors mentioned in the acknowledgements are some of my favorite in the genre, so that could be part of the feel. 

The Money Pit is a fun, fast paced cozy mystery for dog lovers and mystery fans alike. Rich characters and a unique small town come together for a highly entertaining read. In fact, I bought and downloaded the first book after reading this one, not because I needed the background information, but because I loved the characters so much I wanted more.

Book Review: The Capybara Conspiracy by Erica S. Perl

The Capybara Conspiracy is a middle grade novel by Erica S. Perl.  Seventh-grade playwright Olive Henry is frustrated by her middle school’s lack of appreciation for anything but sports. While the principal drones on and on during morning announcements about the sports teams’ victories, all non-athletic club meetings are relegated to the school basement, never to be mentioned on the loudspeaker. So Olive and her best friend, Reynaldo, hatch a plan to kidnap the school’s capybara mascot, planning to return it, heroically, just in time for the school’s pep rally and claim a reward: permission for their drama club to practice in the auditorium. And, hopefully, some overdue respect for the school’s non-athletes. But when an animal-rights student activist and an undercover athlete with murky motivations join in the conspiracy, their plans—along with Cappy the capybara—veer wildly out of Olive’s control.

The Capybara Conspiracy is written in play format, which is not my favorite, and took me a while to get used to. I liked the idea of kids being creative, and liked the amount of humor and twists involved in kidnapping a capybara. I also liked the information in the back of the book, which gives ideas for kids group reading the book because of the format. I enjoy the idea, and think many reader would find it to be fun and satisfying to do so. However, I think many of the characters were either underdeveloped or based off of less than flattering stereotypes. I get that it was part of the gag, but with the current state of the country with immigration, and the amount of girls that still think dumb and pretty is the way to go, I was not amused. Although, I was not the target audience either- so maybe I was just not in the right headspace to enjoy the read.

The Capybara Conspiracy is  a book with humor, and wacky escapades. However, it also has some standard stereotypes (some of which are proven untrue about the specific characters) that I just did not enjoy. I think there are some readers that will enjoy it, but between the stereotypes and the format I was not one of them. 

Book Review: Never Dare a Dragon (Boston Dragon) by Ashlyn Chase

Never Dare a Dragon by Ashlyn Chase is the third book in the Boston Dragon series. While having read the previous books will give a reader a better grasp of the secondary characters and the mythology, I think new comers to the series will still be able to enjoy the read.I did read the first two books, and they certainly gave me a head start when things started to get complicated.

Jayce Fierro is part of a legendary Boston firefighting family of phoenix shifters. Hiding his true form makes being in a relationship rather difficult. Meeting the beautiful Lieutenant Kristine Scott of the New York City Fire Department and knowing he can't have her only makes things worse. Dragon shifter Kristine can't stop thinking about fun, flirty Jayce and his teasing smile. A relationship could never work-not with the distance between them, and definitely not with her shifter secret. But when Kristine lands herself in a blaze of trouble and secrets are revealed, Jayce will do whatever it takes to help-whether or not the feisty, stubborn New Yorker wants him to.

Never Dare a Dragon is both what I expected from Chase, and a little disappointing. I think a good amount of time was spent on the danger and conflicts of the book were very well done. The danger to Kristine and her mother felt very real, as did Kristine's need to resolve the problem and keep Amy safe. Although, I will admit that I kept expecting a member of her fire station to be in the pocket of the bad guys, and was a little relieved that it never came to pass. The continuing thread about the dragon families and muses from the series might not make sense to newcomers, and while I enjoyed that continuity I think it felt like an afterthought rather than a necessary part of the book. My biggest issue with the book is that I never felt really connected with Kristine or Jayce. Their romance just was, I never really felt that it built up or grew. Perhaps it just depended on the aspect of paranormal characters that find a perfect mate and just know rather than getting to know each other and work through relationship issues. I get that the action of the story made doing that hard, but some of it could have happened prior to the danger and action coming into play. I still liked the book, and I still felt it was important to the larger story arc, but I have come to expect more fun and character depth from Chase.
Never Dare a Dragon is a good addition to the series, and I found some of it very good. However, it just did not capture me the same way the previous books in the series did. 

Book Review: Saint George: Rusty Knight and Monster Tamer by John Powell

Saint George: Rusty Knight and Monster Tamer by John Powell is a collection of short stories that left me wondering about the intended audience. The tone is fun and humorous, suitably silly for young readers that might enjoy it, but some of the humor seemed to be geared towards adults. The short stories tell of an impoverished knight in old England who discovers a way to tame the great variety of monsters that roam the land in the days of Good King Freddie the Umteenth and his prime minister Merlin the Whirlin.

Saint George: Rusty Knight and Monster Tamer is humorous and silly, with each of the short stories able to read one their own. This might make it a good pick for readers looking for short fun reads, because it is easy to read a single tale and put it aside until you are ready for more. I found the tone to be a bit childish, but at the same time there were bits about private parts and getting drunk, making it not quite right for some younger readers. To be honest, the stories really did not hold my attention well. Which made the fact that I could read a bit and the put it aside a good thing. I can see the appeal for some readers, but it just never grabbed me.