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Picturebook Review: Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers

Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers is a picturebook that follows one white rabbit with a problem. No matter where he goes, a black rabbit follows him. It is only when the rabbit enters the dark wood that his mysterious companion disappears, but he also finds a much more threatening foe. Thankfully, when the black rabbit reappears he is more friend than foe.

Black Rabbit is a fun story about discovery and friendship. While it might be obvious to readers of all ages that the black rabbit is really just a shadow, the fun of playing with one's shadow is something young readers will relate to. The story is just great fun, and gives children the feeling of being in on a secret, which is always fun. Most kids will enjoy the story for its fun playfulness, and because they can recognize themselves in the feeling and play of the little white rabbit.

I recommend Black Rabbit to picturebook fans of all ages. The illustrations wonderful, and the story is fun. I liked this book particularly for my son, who like the rabbit seems to be afraid of things he has no need to fear, and likes to run from his own shadow and imaginary monsters of his own creation for fun.

Book Review Accidentally Dead, Again by Dakota Cassidy

Accidentally Dead, Again is the sixth book in the fun paranormal romance Accidentally Friends series by Dakota Cassidy. Sam McLean was planning on a night of fun with co-workers, but wakes up with missing memories of the night and a sudden need to drink blood. He wakes up in in the office of OOPS- where Wanda, Nina, and Marty help new members of the paranormal fold deal with their new status. Soon, Phoebe Reynolds was looking for her half-sister, Nina, and found her only to land tush first on Sam's new fangs  Not only do the newly changed pair need to come to terms with their new lifestyle, they also need to figure out who changed Sam and find a way to stop a crazed scientist from creating his own paranormal posse.

Accidentally Dead, Again is a fun and easy read. Sam is a solid character, with much more to him than I really expected when I started reading. Phoebe, like Nina, has a combination of spunk and honor that made me like her instantly.Nina, Marty, and Wanda are all fun characters that held true with past appearances, but are secondary characters here for the most part. There are plenty of witty exchanges throughout the book, and readers might find themselves smiling as Phoebe or Nina rails at someone. The mystery and suspense of figuring out the mystery of who turned Sam and how they came came to be vampires themselves is just the beginning. Stopping more experiments and just who is behind them is a huge factor in the story, as is the full disclosure of the secrets stored away by both Sam and Phoebe.

Accidentally Dead, Again has the same combination of warmth humor, and action that I remember from the other Accidental Friends series. Although, I will admit that it has been awhile since I read the last one and it took me a little while to remember everything from the past books. I think that readers that have not red the earlier books might miss some of the details about the individual characters, but would still be able to enjoy the action, mystery, and romance involved.

I recommend Accidentally Dead, Again to fans of Cassidy's work and this series in particular. Those that like fun paranormal romance with aspects of mystery and action will find some enjoyment here.

Picturebook Review: Perfectly Percy by Paul Schmidt

Perfectly Percy is a picturebook that is written and illustrated by Paul Schmidt. Percy loves balloons, and who doesn't, because balloons are great fun. But Percy has a small problem. Everytime he tries to play with balloons, they pop. This could be because Percy is a porcupine.He tries some things to solve his problem, and finds solution to allow him to play with his favorite toy.

Perfectly Percy is a great picturebook. The illustrations are fun, and show the trial and error Percy goes through in his search for a solution. I like that this prickly little guy does not give up, just keeps working until he finds the perfect solution. Nothing is to hard to solve if determination and a big heart are involved.

I highly recommend Perfectly Percy to picturebook fans of all ages. I think this story would work great in a home setting, story time, or classroom. It could serve as  a conversation starter about perseverance, differences between people, and seeking unique solutions to fit unique individuals or situations.

Book Review: The Self-Sufficiency Bible by Simon Dawson

The Self-Sufficiency Bible: Window Boxes to Smallholdings - Hundreds of Ways to Become Self-Sufficient by Simon Dawson is a all around book about how to live a life in a self-sufficient manner. This book can guide in in all aspects of homesteading, from animal husbandry to crafting your own beauty products and apple cider. For those that want to depend on the grid as little as possible, this is the guide to have, even if you are not going to go as far as slaughtering and preparing your own meat.


The Self-Sufficiency Bible offers readers exactly what the title suggests, a comprehensive guide in living a life that is as close to self sufficient as possible. Whatever the reason you might want to learn these skills; going green, decreasing your carbon footprint, saving money, not trusting store bought foods, or just wanting to learn survival skills, this book will can you started. Making beer, cider, crafts, natural cleaning products and beauty products were the portions I had interest in, but there is much more here for interested individuals. I have no interest in the animal husbandry, slaughter, and meat preparation however I have family that have raised a few head of cattle and might have been interested in this portion of the book. It is certainly packed with information and a useful tool. However, I did find the tone and wording to border on condescending. Which almost made me stop reading on more than one occasion.

I recommend The Self-Sufficiency Bible to those that are serious about homesteading of living a self-sufficient lifestyle. However, if you are not interested in raising and slaughtering your own meat, I say borrow the book from a local library rather than buying it, since a good portion of the book will not be of much use to you.

Book Review: Undertown by Melvin Jules Bukiet

Undertown by Melvin Jules Bukiet is a young adult novel full of adventure and discovery. Timothy and Jessamyn have each lost a parent, and are thrown together when their parents begin to date. A simple prank to annoy their parents while towing a sailboat through Manhattan on the way to the harbor sends the pair of teens on an unexpected adventure in the underground. Lost in the sewer system of New York City, the pair navigate the narrow tunnels and discover the subculture of those that spend their time in the twisting tunnels. There are the frightened homeless, the street artists, and a criminal element that scares some of the toughest men. I will never look at the storm drains the same again!


Undertown is a fast-paced story of adventure that feels like it could really happen. Timothy and Jessamyn are both smart, and both do not really fit in with their peers, and share the loss of a parent. Despite the similarities prior to being thrown together in their adventure, they do not really like each other, or really even know each other. The combination of shared grief, fear, and necessity forges a solid friendship between the pair. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the pair, and the secondary characters that cross their path. I did find myself less than thrilled with the depiction of girls and women here- with no women on the police force, as members of the press, or officials, or anything else of authority. The only female authority figure is terrifying, but partially because of her overblown femininity and insanity rather than because of her power.

The underground tunnels of the sewer system are vast, and  not even completely known to the officials and engineers in charge of their maintenance. There are waterfalls, rapids, as well as water and man-made alterations throughout the tunnels. I would not doubt that a crime ring of thieves and crazy super-sized critters could be thriving there. I think the possibility of the elements found in the story could be true, could really happen on some level, that made the story stick with me the most.

I highly recommend Undertown to tweens, teens, and adults. Although, there are some frightening moments that might make squeamish readers uncomfortable.There is adventure, drama, friendships forged, and emotional understanding forged through the book which can speak to every reader in some way.

Early Book Review: Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace by Nan Marino

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace by Nan Marino is a children's chapter book that is schedule for release on April 16 2013. Elvis Aaron Ruby is a musical prodigy, and at eleven has decided that he needs a break from the spotlight. The only place he can hide is with his aunt and cousin at Piney Pete's Pancake Palace in New Jersey. Cecilia is a girl that likes to sneak out and roam at night, and cannot seem to stop blurting out whatever is on her mind.When she discovers the secret behind the new boy's arrival she shares her need to hear the fabled music of the pines, which was said to have been heard when she was born.

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace is a story about finding yourself, and liking yourself, even when you are hiding. Elvis, or Aaron, is hiding from the paparazzi and himself by working at the Pancake Palace. His stint on Tween Star, think American Idol for tweens or Star Search, has left him disillusioned and unhappy. Music is part of his life, in his soul, but in his efforts to hide he tries to lock the music away. Cecilia is looking to keep the magic in her life, the joy and innocence that seems to be fading away as she gets older and her parents begin to doubt the story about the music of the pines.

There are moments told by several different characters throughout the story, but I found that it kept the action going and the story moving forward when another character might have shut down emotionally. Revelations about a failed performance and its root cause are perfect, and might just cement peoples views on television based talent contests. The tidbits about the Jersey Devil, and area folklore, were nice additions to the story and added a special flavor to the conclusion.

I recommend Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace to readers around nine and older. Tweens, teens, and adults can all easily lose themselves in the story and recognize something of themselves in the at least some of the emotional aspects of the story. Finding yourself, and your personal song or rhythm, are important to the story, which will leave readers of all ages a little more aware of how they seem themselves, and in turn how they see and treat others.

Book Review: My Ex from Hell by Tellulah Darling

My Ex from Hell is the first book in the new young adult series, The Blooming Goddess Trilogy, by Tellulah Darling. Sophie Bloom is a sixteen year old boarding school student with a smart mouth and snarky attitude. She has few worries in the world, mostly dealing with a trio of popular girls and surviv
ing school probation. A prank ends with an earth shattering kiss, that awakens bits of the past, revealing that Sophie is really Persephone, and that at least part of Greek mythology has a basis in reality. Now she needs to master her powers, and figure out how she figures into the war between Olympus and Hades. Not to mention the fact that the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

My Ex from Hell turned Greek mythology on its ear, and I do not mind. Being a mythology fan, many times books that have a thread of mythology hold a familiar feel, and I can see where the story is going to take me. Not so here. Sophie is a ball of snark, and I love that. She is smart, quirky, and independent. Her best friends Hannah and Theo, are fantastically built characters. Hannah and her intelligence, particularly the strange and unexpected, and Theo who has their backs at all times, make the trio something to contend with and high in entertainment value. Kai, Sophie's 'Ex' is the son of Hades, and the love of her life from the past. He is the very definition of a bad boy, complete with a god's view of the world, and a plan of his own design. Bethany is the resident mean girl, but Sophie is not one to sit back and take it, so enjoy the sparks the conflicts bring.

There is suspense as we discover just who the players from mythology are, and how they differ from the traditional tales. I like the twist on the Persephone myth, and the interaction of the characters. Do not expect traditional Greek mythology to hold true here, the desires of the gods to be powerful remains, but the specifics are very different. Figuring out who is who, and what Sophie cannot remember from the past, while figuring out where they need to go and what they need to do now, makes for an enthralling plot. I am a big fan of character development and interaction driving a story, and here there is a solid blend of that and some serious action.  I think the blend will keep all readers interested and turning the pages. The conflicts and larger picture are extremely well fashioned, and left me eager to find out where the story goes from here.

I highly recommend My Ex from Hell to readers that enjoy young adult novels with strong characters, books with roots in mythology, coming of age stories, action and adventure, and journeys of self discovery. There is plenty of adventure, snark, humor, and god-like power to keep teen and adult readers entertained, and eager for the next two books. Unfortunately there will be a wait, since the second book My Date From Hell is not scheduled for release until October 31 2013.

Book Review: Sex, Doug, And a Rocky Road by Michele Bardsley

Sex, Doug, And a Rocky Road by Michele Bardsley is a contemporary romance that deals with divorce and finding a new beginning. Ellie Johnson has been reasonably content as a housewife and mother for fifteen years. After becoming suspicious of her husband Stan’s late nights she hires a detective to check up on him. The story opens with Ellie learning that Stan's late night activities include a buxom Australian named Rose. Feelings of betrayal, getting pulled over by an ex-boyfriend, divorce, and a custody battle lead Ellie on a personal mission to figure out where she goes from here.  Add in an alcoholic mother, a great friend with a seemingly endless supply of alcohol, and that ex boyfriend that would not mind renewing their relationship and Ellie will take readers on a ride of emotional ups and downs, including a few good laughs.

Sex, Doug, And a Rocky Road is not heavy on the romance, it is more about Ellie coming into her own. Her finding a path outside of being a housewife and mother that seems to do all the compromising to make a happy home. The soon to be ex-husband, Stan, is the very image of the controlling husband with no respect for Ellie, never mind her opinion or wants. I found myself getting tense and angry whenever he made an appearance, firmly reminding me of an ex of my own that I am glad to never have married. Doug, Ellie's ex boyfriend that makes an appearance on the scene when pulling over an inebriated Ellie, seems to be a sweet and witty man with a perfect mix of bad boy and hero. However, the romance take a backseat to the  adventures Ellie has drinking with her best friend Cindy, cleaning house, and moving forward.

I have read quite a few books from Michele Bardsley, and enjoyed them all. I liked Sex, Doug, And a Rocky Road, but not as much as I enjoyed her paranormal romances. I liked that Ellie had a journey to discover what really makes her happy, rather than what she felt like she should do. Many of us find ourselves in that trap, doing what we suspect we should to make everyone else happy rather than being happy. However, I do have some doubts that a woman with an alcoholic mother would take to recreational drinking in stressful times, especially when it did have such an impact on her own life. Although, a bottle of wine and some serious ice cream sound good to me.

Sex, Doug, And a Rocky Road is a read full of self discovery, wine, and good fun. The humor is well done, as it the devastation and realizations that Ellie goes Readers that enjoy Bardsley's style will find it here, but heavier on the character growth and lighter on the romance and fun.

Picturebook Review: No Bears by Meg McKinlay and Leila Rudge

No Bears written by Meg McKinlay and illustrated by Leila Rudge is a fun picturebook in which young Ella declares that she is going to tell her own story. What will make her story the best, is that there will be absolutely no bears in the tale. There will be princesses, funny things, pretty things, magic things, and exciting things, but no bears! The story elements are fun and brightly illustrated, rich in irony as a bear plays some very important parts in the story.

No Bears is a fun story about an imaginative child taking charge of where that imagination takes her. She loves princesses, castles, and all the things that tend to make for a good fairy tale. For some reason, she does not think bears fit in a good story, so wants to leave them out. However, the watercolor illustrations show readers that a bear, much like a parent that makes things happen for their child regardless of whether it is appreciated or even noticed, tends to play an important role in the story. The book is fun, and has something special for readers of all ages.

I highly recommend No Bears to readers of all ages, particularly for those that have active imaginations. The idea of making up your own story, and living it, is something my children are already well versed in. But, this might just insight those a little more timid in engaging their imagination to dust it off and put it to work.