Book Review: My Family Tree and Me by Dušan Petričić

My Family Tree and Me is a two sided picturebook by Dušan Petričić. This book is a beautiful and simple introduction to the concept of family ancestry. It uses two stories in one to explore a small boy's family tree, the family story of one boy's family from his father's side starting from the front of the book, and that of his mother's side starting from the back of the book. Four previous generations are introduced for each, from his great-great-grandparents to his parents. The grand finale in the center of the book reveals the boy's entire extended family, shown in one drawing with all the members from both sides identified by their relationship to him.

My Family Tree and Me is a wonderful way to introduce the idea of a family tree, and the names for the various relatives, to readers of all ages. The artwork does a wonderful job of adding details and humor for each pairing of ancestors and allows children reading to look for clues and make connections. I really liked the fact that the family described is fairly culturally diverse. It includes European and Asian ancestors, and it is fun to see the melding and passing on of physical characteristics from each generation to the next.

My Family Tree and Me is a wonderful book for describing how family trees and generations of family are formed. It could be a great discussion starter for families or classrooms about what we call the members of our family, the cultural make up of our families, and how to build a visual representation of our own family tree. I think this book would be a great addition to classroom libraries and offers a wide range of common core and other activity tie-ins.

Early Book Review: The Peddler’s Road by Matthew Cody

The Peddler’s Road is a middle grade novel by Matthew Cody. This will be the first book in his new Secrets of the Pied Piper series, and is scheduled for release on October 27 2015. It is said that in the thirteenth century, in a village called Hamelin, a piper lured all but one of the town’s children away with his magical flute. Today tough, pink-haired Max and her little brother, Carter, are stuck in modern-day Hamelin with their father until they are also led away by the Piper to a place called the Summer Isle. There they meet the original stolen children, who haven’t aged a day and who have formed their own village, vigilantly guarded from the many nightmarish beings that roam the land. Their appearance may be the key to returning the lost children of Hamelin, and to going home themselves. However, in order to discover the secrets of the Piper, Max and Carter will have to set out on a mysterious quest down the dangerous Peddler’s Road.

The Peddler’s Road is the start to another great middle grade series from Matthew Cody. I really enjoyed the characters, Max is a spunky girl with a strong mind but growing through a period of many changes. Carter has always had challenges, and has faced them with intelligence and grace. Getting stolen away to the Summer Isle is no exception. The framework of folklore and magic woven through the story is wonderfully done, with each character getting enough detail and personality to bring them to life. My only complaint with the story is that when it ended I needed more. The story leaves so many loose ends, definitely a cliff hanger that need the sequels to complete the story in my opinion. I love series that give at least some resolution, while still urging readers to keep reading. I dis not feel that I got quite enough of that resolution to keep me happy, instead I got another layer of plot and complication that needs resolution in the future installments. 

The Peddler’s Road is as well written and engaging as I expect from Cody. I really liked the main characters, especially Max, and felt like they all had significant growth in the story. I was not happy with the inconclusive ending, but am likely to read the sequels because I need to know how they solve the huge problems they are facing.  

Early Book Review: First Time with a Highlander by Gwyn Cready

First Time with a Highlander is the second book in the Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands series by Gwyn Cready. This follow up to Just in Time for a Highlander is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2015. Although this is a sequel, the the story makes for a better read with the background of having read the first, you can easily catch on and enjoy this book without reading the first.

What do you get when you imbibe centuries-old whiskey-besides a hangover the size of the Highlands? If you're twenty-first century ad exec Gerard Innes, you get swept back to 18th-century Edinburgh and into the bed of a gorgeous, fiery redhead. Gerard has only a foggy idea what he and the lady have been up to, but what he does remember draws him into the most dangerous and exhilarating campaign of his life. Serafina Seonag Fallon's scoundrel of a fiancé has left her with nothing, and she's determined to turn the tables. If she can come up with a ringer, she can claim the cargo he stole from her. But the dashing man she summons from the future demands more than a night, and Serafina finds it easier to command the seas under her feet than the crashing waves he unleashes in her heart.

First Time with a Highlander is a solid sequel with great characters. Gerard is a modern man that pulls no punches. He has significant charm, and is used to getting his way all the time. He regularly uses his modern ideas of branding and marketing to help those around him, while garnering some profit for himself. However, he is not a wholly selfish man, he is dynamic and interesting as he tries to piece together what has happened, and what he would like to have happen for his future. Serafina is outspoken and unconventional, while trapped by the confines of the time. Everything she had, including her reputation have been taken from her by her former fiancee, and she is desperate to regain what is rightfully hers. Very little goes as planned, and there is plenty of adventure and suspense as the trail for her cargo leads her and Gerard into more trouble than anyone expected. I really found myself invested in the characters and eager to see how they found their happy ever after. I loved their bickering and heated interactions, although their more intimate moments were not as intense at their verbal exchanges. 

First Time with a Highlander is a satisfying read, with a good cast of characters and use of time travel. My only real complaint on finishing the story is how much I want the next book so I can see how Undine finds her happy ending. 

Book Review: Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in my... by Adam Mansbach, Alan Zwiebel

Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in my... by Adam Mansbach and Alan Zwiebelis is a middle grade novel. This is the start to a most unlikely pen pal relationship between thirteen-year-old Franklin Isaac Saturday (Ike) and Benjamin Franklin. Before the fateful extra credit assignment that started it all, Ike's life was pretty normal. He was avoiding the popularity contests of middle school, crushing hard on Clare Wanzandae and trying not roll his eyes at his stepfather, Dirk-the-Jerk's lame jokes. But all that changes when, in a successful effort to make Claire Wanzandae laugh, Ike mails his homework assignment to Ben Franklin and he writes back. Soon, things go awry. After Ike has an embarrassing moment of epic proportions in front of Claire involving a playground, non-alcoholic beer, and a lot of kettle corn, Ike decides he needs to find a way to win Claire back. With some help from his new friend, B-Fizzle, can Ike get the girl and make his mark in history?

I really wanted to like Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in my... but I had some serious issues with it. I might be out of touch, but I do not think the middle grade set is sneaking out of the house with stolen alcohol or having parties that include alcohol pilfered from their parent's liquor cabinets and games of spin the bottle. These things are framed in a way that makes them look normal at best, part of the cool kid activities at worst. The book is being marketed for 10 to 14 year olds, and I just do not think that this is quite appropriate. I would not want to even encourage this or normalize it for high school students, who are much more likely to have exposure or heard talk from friends about similar activities.

Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in my... has some elements that I did like. I liked the idea of mailing a letter with an time appropriate stamp and having that mail reach a person from that time period. I liked that through the majority of the book readers, and the characters, are on the fence about if it is really happening or is someone, somehow is playing an trick. I like that Ike learns that he needs to be himself, and true to himself, in order for the people most important to him to trust him, and want to spend time with him. However, I found the disrespectful tone Ike often used, and the activities I found to be not age appropriate, really ruined the read for me. I think the concept has promise, and could have been done extremely well, but it failed here.  I was further frustrated when I pushed myself to finish the book only to have it end on a cliffhanger. 

I would not recommend Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in my. I found it frustrating on several levels, and rather sad because of it. 

Early Book Review: A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford

A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas is the first book in the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series by Kim Redford. It is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2015. Trey Duvall, a rancher and local firefighter, is out of luck. His ranch has suffered from several 'accidental' fires and there is no explanation in sight. All he wants for the upcoming holiday is to get to the bottom of this mystery, but what he gets instead is hotter than any ranch fire when he meets city-girl Misty Reynolds. Misty is there to investigate the fires as well, but for another party. Neither are looking forward to Christmas, but they just might find some real holiday joy. 

A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas is a fun and suspenseful read. We meet the two main characters in a fast and intense battle against a fire, and readers quickly get to feel like they know them. I really liked the characters, and that they were both very dynamic. Misty has some serious issues surrounding fire and Christmas, so she is struggling from the get go as she comes to a small town to discover who might be setting fires on her client's property. Trey is a victim of the far too frequent fires, and happens to be one of the local volunteer firefighters. He is not only working to protect the safety and property of his neighbors, but his own family's ranch as well. There are several suspicious characters and lots of fun romance to be had. A page turn and great read for a cold autumn or winter night. 

A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas is a highly entertaining read. I found myself invested in both the main characters, as well as the entire town. This was a great first book for a new series and I am looking forward to seeing who is next up to find romance. 

Book Review: The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne

The Highwayman is the first book in the Victorian Rebels series by Kerrigan Byrne. Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred, hard-hearted, Dorian will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who’ve wronged him. The widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception, and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands. But Farah is no one’s puppet. She possesses a powerful secret, and when being held captive by Dorian proves to be the only way to keep Farah safe from those who would see her dead, Dorian makes Farah a scandalous proposition: marry him for protection in exchange for using her secret to help him exact revenge on his enemies. But what the Blackheart of Ben More never could have imagined is that Farah has terms of her own, igniting a tempestuous desire that consumes them both. Could it be that the woman he captured is the only one who can touch the black heart he’d long thought dead?

The Highwayman begins with Farah as a child in an orphanage, giving the readers a deep look into her personality and first love. Quickly readers see her as an adult, making her own way in the world and quite respectfully. When Dorian and Farah meet it is not under the best of circumstances, and they do not get better for a significant part of the book. This works well because we get to see Farah as an adult, a strong minded and intelligent one to boot. We also get to see glimpses of Dorian and his men, and peeks into the past that have a huge influence on the pair’s present. I really enjoyed the interactions and practicality of both characters. I will say that I though the obvious twist was done in a way that had me doubting my assumptions through our the book, even though I was positive that I was right. The story was very well told, and had me very eager to see what would happen next. While the story concludes with no cliffhangers, and pretty perfectly, the writing style and story have me watching for the next book in the series.

The Highwayman is a solid and entertaining read. I was so involved that I read it very quickly. I wish I could have slowed down and enjoyed it a bit more, but the promise of more to come keeps me happy. The story is not perfect, but its characters are very well done, and I was deeply invested in the story.  

Book Review: The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

The Princess and the Pony is a picturebook by Kate Beaton. Princess Pinecone knows exactly what she wants for her birthday this year. A big, strong horse. A horse fit for the warrior princess that she is! But when the day arrives, she doesn't quite get the horse of her dreams.

The Princess and the Pony is the story of every girl raised in a rough and tumble environment but is treated like a breakable princess. While the other warriors (both male and female) get armor and weapons young Princess Pinecone gets fuzzy sweaters. for her birthday she desperately wants a big, strong war horse. Instead she gets a rolly, poly pony with occasionally crossed eyes! It makes me chuckle just thinking about the illustrations of the pony, especially since it was too short for even the young princess to ride. When a big battle comes Princess Pinecone hopes the pony will prove itself worthy, and ends up winning the day in a completely unexpected way. So, we see that cuteness can be a weapon and that it is foolish to judge a warrior by their apparent fierceness or a pony (or princess) by its cuteness. Each is powerful in their own way, and deserve cuddly sweaters as well as respect for their strength. I just loved the pony, and the turn about at the end of the story.

The Princess and the Pony is a laugh out loud picturebook that deserves to be shared with readers of all ages, and all dynamics. Be prepared to be charmed, laugh a bit, and fall in love with an unforgettable pony. 

Early Book Review: A Silver Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear

A Silver Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear is the seventeenth installment in the Heart of the Wolf series. C.J. Silver is eager to help the new she-wolves in town renovate the old hotel in time for the holidays, especially if it means spending time under the mistletoe with the alluring Laurel MacTire. The bustle in the long abandoned hotel attracts the attention of human ghosthunters out to prove the place haunted, but the bigger problem is keeping them from discovering the werewolves in Silver Town. CJ and Laurel have to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. Working together is a surprisingly hot holiday treat for two attractive and clever wolf shifters.

A Silver Wolf Christmas might be late in a series, but each book can stand on its own. While having read many (but not all) of the books in the series I recognized some of the characters. Knowing the background of side characters and the werewolf pack add a second layer of enjoyment to the story, but it is not necessary to dive into and enjoy this (or any) installment of the series.

C.J. is a good guy doing his part to keep the town, and his pack, running smoothly. The addition of three eligible sisters to the community is welcome, especially because of the chemistry between him and Laurel. He wants nothing more than to get to know Laurel, but she has other plans. Laurel and her sisters are trying to figure out what happened to her aunt years ago in the Silver Town. Buying and taking on the hotel she is rumored to have been living in is the best way they have to find the truth. However, the community has been very welcoming and the girls do not know who to trust. If something horrible happened to their aunt then it happened ere, and it was likely done by someone with family still in town. Meanwhile, a trio of ghost hunters are sniffing around the hotel with their own agenda. With all that going on with the sparks between Laurel and C.J. help or hurt the search for the full truth? 

A Silver Wolf Christmas is a solid read, and while long time fans of the series will relish the return to Silver Town, I barely remember the last time the series brought me here. I really enjoyed the main characters, and the introduction to many new to me characters. There is plenty of new ground to cover in this series, and I enjoy the balance of connected stories and the ability for each book to also stand well on its own.  

Book Review: Digby O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery by Shirley Hughes, Clara Vulliamy

Digby O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery is a children’s chapter book written by Shirley Hughes, and illustrated by Clara Vulliamy. This is the second book about the adventures of Digby and his best friend Percy, but the books do stand on their own. This time Digby and Percy are off on a special vacation by the sea, but instead of the relaxation they expect, they find themselves in the midst of a grand adventure involving a pop star, a stolen necklace, and exploring caves with a new friend.

Digby O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery is a great adventure for young readers. So many books for new readers are overly simple or silly, but this series is smart and interesting. Zigby has no interest in pop stars, although Percy is more than a little awestruck. The pair walk the scenic routes, making a new local friend. When the pop star is robbed the friendly pair accidentally stumble across the solution to the mystery of the stolen necklace. Once again their good natures and honesty serves the pair well and they are significantly rewarded for their positive traits. 

Digby O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery is another early chapter book that offers readers an interesting, solid story paired with a lesson in being a good person. I would definitely recommend this book for young readers as well as more advanced readers that want to enjoy the tale.  

Book Review: Taming a Highland Devil by Kimberly Killion

Taming a Highland Devil is a novella by Kimberly Killion. Laird Magnus Sutherland loves women. His prowess in the bedchamber has earned him the name Devil of Dunrobin, but no woman has ever stirred his heart. Magnus needs to provide his clan with an heir, which is the only reason he agrees to marry the neighboring chieftain's sister. When his betrothed arrives, he discovers the chieftain has two sisters. If Magnus must bind himself to one woman, he intends to discover which is best suited to be his wife, for he wants more than a body to plant his seed. He wants a mate for life. There are three reasons Lady Effie Reay refuses to vie for Laird Sutherland's affections. For one, she is thirty-two and would surely lose a competition to her beautiful, younger sister. Secondly, Laird Sutherland is a well-reputed rake, and she holds no desire to wed another faithless man. And thirdly, the sight of him makes her tingle, shiver and ache. Will Effie be successful in thwarting Magnus' advances, or will her body succumb to a temptation that can only lead to heartbreak?

Taming a Highland Devil is a short, and sex heavy, romance. I was a little thrown when the story begins with Magnus and two women having a good time in bed. When Effie and her family arrive is seems like it is mere moments before Effie’s sister and Magnus are getting to know each other rather intimately. For such a short book there is a whole lot of bedsport. The slow evolution of Effie coming together with Magnus, and the near miss at the end make for a good story. I would dub this much closer to erotica than the historical romance that I expected. I think the details of the story could have been used, and elaborated on, to create a full length novel.  However, since about 2/3rds of the story involves someone in bed (and not having vanilla sex), I worry what a full length novel might involve.

Taming a Highland Devil is a short read for those looking for a hot and sex filled story. The main characters are interesting, and their story is well done, but I could have done with less sex. Wow, dd I really just say that?