Sorry!

I am sorry that this is the second day sans book review. I have three regular book reviews to write, and a pile of picture book reviews to do. I hope to get back on the ball and posting again starting tomorrow, definitely by Monday.

Early Book Review: Candy Experiments by Loralee Leavitt

Candy Experiments by Loralee Leavitt is a non fiction book set for release on January 3 2013. This book is full of experiments inspired by the author's daughter asking 'what would happen?'. Since then Leavitt and her family have tried many experiments, publishing many elsewhere. This book has 57 experiments, 29 of which have never been published before, broken down into nine chapters based on the scientific properties explored in the experiments. The book is intended for children between 7 and 10, but children younger and older can enjoy the experiments as well.

Candy Experiments can get any child interested in science, while willingly destroying their candy. The experiments do require adult supervision, and any involving heat and some ingredients do need adults to take an active role in the process. The safety and scientifically relevant information is included with each experiment, so that the candy fun can teach as well as entertain. Brightly hued photographs help clarify what young scientists should, or should not, be seeing as they try each experiment.

I recommend Candy Experiments for children, parents, and teachers that are interested in getting hands on with science together. The experiments are fun and explore interesting concepts about candy, sugar, and chemistry that both entertain and inform scientists of all ages. I think I will be trying out some of these experiments when my kids get a little older, most likely after a holiday that includes candy distribution.

Picturebook Review: Lovabye Dragon by Barbara Joosse and Randy Cecil

Lovabye Dragon, written by Barbara Joosse and illustrated by Randy Cecil, is the story of a young girl longing for a dragon for a friend, and a dragon who dreams of befriending a girl. The young girls silver tears lead the dragon to her, and a fantastic friendship is born. The dragon is loving, protective, and gentle as it plays with his new little friend. The illustrations are fun and match the words and theme of the story perfectly.

Lovabye Dragon made me wish I had a dragon of my own. The young girl and the dragon start of craving a true, loving friend. Their longing and pairing is heartfelt, obvious in both words and the illustration. The desire and caring for a true friend, in dragon or other form, is something that every adult and child can relate to. The fun of the pair at play is just as obvious and relatable through the story as their initial longing. The illustrations are well paired with the words and give deeper insight into the moods of the characters.

I highly recommend Lovabye Dragon for storytime or one on one reading. The vivid illustrations and well formed phrases work together to draw children and adults into the emotion of the story, and remind us to value friendships regardless of if they are old, new, or not yet made.

Book Review: Forbidden (The World of Nightwalkers) by Jacquelyn Frank

Forbidden is the first book of the new The World of Nightwalkers series by Jacquelyn FrankNightwalker series. Docia Waverley is a secretary that is short on money and family. All she really has left his her bother, a dediocated police officer, and an old family friend that is like another brother to her. One day, on a walk to work, she is almost killed, and in the process falls into the world of the Nightwalkers as she become host to a BodyWalker. Unfortunately, this means that the danger surrounding Docia only increases, as the people that initially tried to kill her want to finish the job, and she is now a key player in a Bodywalker civil war. Can the hunky and duty-bound Bodywalker Ram protect her, and is love part of the bargain or betrayal waiting in the wings?

Forbidden starts a new chapter in Frank's Nightwalker books. I have read a few in the past, mainly dealing with the vampire and demon branches of the Nightwalker world. Bodywalkers are reincarnated souls that are reborn when a living person is at deaths door. The two minds share the body, for good or ill. Docia is a good girl, just barely making ends met and worried about her brother, who just lost his canine partner on the local police force. Almost dying, and all the trauma that follows, brings her directly into Ram's sights. Ram is convinced that Docia holds the soul of his queen and must be protected and reunited with his king. Sparks fly, and not only do they need to appease Docia's brother, avoid killers, fend off the opposing faction of Bodywalkers, but they also have to deal with their undeniable attraction in the face of Ram's duty to his king.

Forbidden has many great characters, and a lot of detail into the people that are likely to play important roles in the rest of this series. I enjoyed learning about most of the characters, and am eager to see where some of them go from here. Docia and her brother have a tight relationship, which I seriously love. Ram and Docia have an instant attraction, but do not fall into bed immediately, and I was glad to see that there were some serious discussions and airing out of exactly who and what they are before they call it happily ever after.

I recommend Forbidden to those that enjoy Frank's writing. The characters and new branch of the Nightwalker world are well built, and draw the reader in. If you have not read any of the earlier Nightwalker related books, have no fear! You can start here, and the only moment you might be lost is in the very begin where the groundwork is laid in the discover of more kinds of Nightwalkers than fans might already know about.

Happy, Hot, Holiday Giveaway from Romance at Random

Romance at Random is hosting a Happy, Hot, Holiday blog hop. The contest begins tommorow, December 1st and runs through December 10th 2012. The giveaways from Random House include:

• Grand Prize $25 Gift Certificate to a retailer of your choice!
• 10 print copy winners of RELEASE ME, must be 18 or older!
• 15 Net Galley Preview copies of RELEASE ME, must be 18 or older!

 

Links:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Really Weird Removals.com by Daniela Sacerdoti

Really Weird Removals.com by Daniela Sacerdoti is a children's fantasy book suitable for ages around 8 through 12. Luca and Valentina never knew they had an Uncle Alistair, and his appearance is only the beginning of the mysterious events there are about to encounter, since they can see the ghost that he brought with him. The fact that they share the 'sight' with Alistair's side of the family, and they want more information on the incident that drove a wedge between Alistair and their father, brings them to spend more time together. They become part of Alistair's business, Really Weird Removals', which relocates supernatural creatures for their safety, and ours. However, the biggest mystery of all is what happened to divide the family, and if the activity can solve the rift or cause even more damage.

In Really Weird Removals.com Luca and Valentina are fairly normal kids. There have to deal with homework, bullies, and all the stuff that goes along with growing up. It is made a little harder because their father is a writer often lost in his own world, and their mother loves cooking and is a age style consultant to the locals. But, when Alistair arrives he brings with him adventure and escape from the mundane. They encounter ghosts, kelpies, selkies, werewolves, mermaids, and Nessie! However, even in the midst of excitement, the family dynamics are not lost. Luca still craves his father's attention and approval just like his eccentric uncle. Luca, Valentina, and Alistair are well constructed characters and I hope to see more from the author in the near future.

I recommend Really Weird Removals.com to middle grade readers that crave adventure, and enjoy supernatural and fantasy based tales. Readers that have enjoyed books like the Sisters Grimm series will particularly connect with the story. It is funny, with moments that are very suspenseful.

Early Book Review: Hands-On Healing Remedies: 150 Recipes for Herbal Balms, Salves, Oils, Liniments & Other Topical Therapies by Stephanie Tourles

Hands-On Healing Remedies: 150 Recipes for Herbal Balms, Salves, Oils, Liniments & Other Topical Therapies by Stephanie Tourles is a useful guide scheduled for release on December 4 2012. Remedies, recipes, and information for just about everything you might want to treat yourself is listed in alphabetical order by aliment type. Here is the information and instruction you would need to make and use your own liniments, salves, balms, aromatherapy tools, and so much more. Natural alternatives to specific commercial products are included, along with why you might want to switch to all natural treatments rather than some of the heavily chemical products we use unthinkingly.

Hands-On Healing Remedies is a ease to use, and completely understandable resource for those of us that create our own products for home use. I will admit to having already changed up some of my most often used recipes because of the ideas and explanations Tourles shared in the book. I really enjoyed that the book was in depth, so completely suitable for those that have never tried making home remedies before, but still offered solid and sometimes new insight to those of us that have been dabbling for quite some time.

Hands-On Healing Remedies is a valuable resource for crafters, families, the curious, natural health enthusiasts, homesteaders,  and anyone looking for a more natural approach to common first-aid and therapeutic needs. If you are interested in making your own first aid, aromatherapy, or cosmetic products, then this book would be a valuable addition t a home library. If you are just interested in learning a little more before committing to buying the  book, then borrow it from your local library, then give in and purchase it like I know will.

Early Book Review: Cursed Pirate Girl by Jeremy Bastian

Cursed Pirate Girl by Jeremy Bastian is a graphic novel for children, around age 8 and older. This book collects the issues of volume one and is scheduled for release on December 25, 2012. This tale is a high sea adventure with a fearless young pirate girl taking a mystical trip in search of her father, who is side to be a Pirate Captain in the Omerta Seas. The story is a thrilling and whimsical trip through a nautical rabbit hole. The artwork is all black and white, and stylized, adding a special component to the tale.

Cursed Pirate Girl is a fun, and sometimes crazed tale. The people and creatures in the story are as stylized as the artwork.While the story start in Port Elisabeth, Jamaica in the year 1728, it quickly shifts to a mythical realm of pirates and imaginative creatures, both above and below the water line. The story is whimsical and fun, leaving you eager to read more. My only issue with the electronic version I read was the stylized lettering. It was sometimes hard to read on a screen, and enlarging the page past a certain point would only lead to distortion.I think this is an issue that would only effect electronic versions of the book.

Cursed Pirate Girl is a fun and easy graphic novel to lose yourself in. The creatures are imaginative and fun, rather like a trip through Alice's Wonderland, only with pirates.

Picturebook Review: My Snake Blake by Randy Siegel and Serge Bloch

My Snake Blake, written by Randy Siegel and illustrated by Serge Bloch, is a funny book about a boy and his pet. One day a young boy's father gifts him with a pet. Is it a puppy, cat, guinea pig, mouse? No, his father has brought home a large green snake. Of course the young boy is thrill, but his mother is not. She worries he might bite or squeeze. But soon Blake the snake shows just how smooth and smart he can be, and becomes a loved member of the family.

My Snake Blake is fun, and delightful in showing that animals, and in turn people, can be much more than they appear. Although some parents that are a wee bit squeamish around less expected pets might not like the ideas that this book might put in their little one's head. The snake is not slimy or dangerous. Instead Blake spells out words like relax, and is a great help to have around. I think the story can be used to deal with not getting what you ask for, since the other option might just be better, and not to judge people or pets based on assumptions. You never know what hidden talents a snake, mouse, or new kid in school, might have hidden beneath the surface.

My Snake Blake can be used to help kids with reptilian fears, sad about not getting what they want, or those that just like a fun and colorful picturebook. As a mom, I do not want to fend off pet snake requests that this story might trigger, but my acceptance of lizards and all sorts of wacky pets might just curtail those desires. The story works well as a story time or classroom reading book, to encourage independent reading, or in a one on one setting.

Book Review: The Warrior by Margaret Mallory

The Warrior by Margaret Mallory is a historical romance and part of the The Return of the Highlanders series. Duncan MacDonald fell in love with the chieftain's daughter, but was forced to leave his true love behind. He felt himself unworthy of her love, because he is the bastard son of a servant, and has never felt that he had risen above his birth. After fighting to protect the clan for years he is a proven warrior and has the chance to see his love again. Moira is that love, married off to another shortly after she is left behind. Her married life has been far from ideal, and she thinks escape has come, until she sees Duncan. Can the two regain their love, or was everything doomed when they were separated. Danger looms on every shore, and unexpected betrayals and truths will change everything.

The Warrior is a story that is wonderful in its setting, and the feelings of the characters. Moira and Duncan are madly in love through the whole story- but are caught up in the tumult of the time and their own fears about being hurt again to take the easy path to happiness. Instead they fight against scheming players seeking power, each other, and their own wants. Everyone can relate to struggling against or simply not accepting good things simply out of the fear of it not working out. The larger story lines, the fighting among clans over power and land is extremely well done, and held as much interest to me as the romance story line. I look forward to reading other books in the series to see just how different dynamics play out.

I recommend The Warrior to readers that like historical romance, particularly those featuring Highland men. Duncan and Moira are strong characters, not blindly following attraction or their hearts (at least as adults) and the depth of the story reaches far beyond their relationship. I am a sucker for well researched historicals with real depth, and The Warrior delivered.