Early Book Review: Roadside Assistance by Marie Harte

Roadside Assistance by Marie Harte is the second book in the Bad Boys and is currently scheduled for release on September 6 2016. You do not need to red the first book, Test Drive, to enjoy this one. However Test Drive was an equally good read, so you will only benefit from reading it first.

Underneath the axle grease and tats Foley Sanders is a gentleman. He always figured he would be content with a life of cars and casual hookups. Until a run-in with Cyn, a statuesque firecracker with a hate-on for men, leaves him bewitched and intrigued-much to her annoyance. Maybe Cynthia Nichols was a little hard on Foley, that muscular, tattooed, super-hot mechanic next door. But she's tired of feeling defensive about her size and has sworn off men. She's got a new job, new life, perfect plan. Foley has trouble written all over him-no way is she going to fall for his charms. What's a bad boy to do when the goddess of his dreams won't give him the time of day?

Roadside Assistance is well paced and has a great deal of character development, which always makes me happy. Foley has found his stride, good friends and no lack for physical relationships. When Cyn walks in his life everything is called into question. His less then stellar history and track record with the ladies are not exactly selling points. However, he is willing to work for a relationship with Cyn, because he knows she is worth it. Cyn has had some horrible relationships and is pondering a future alone, and a house full of cats is looking good. Foley is hard to resist, but has issues of her own to figure out. I like that while Cyn has some body image issues, she is open about them and actually faces them and an underlying source. Rather than the typical curvy girl "woe is me" bit she does (eventually) take some wonderful steps to help herself- and in turn her relationships with others. This is the best handling of the issue that I have seen in fiction yet, and I think the book is more realistic and hopeful because of it.

Roadside Assistance is another high octane romance from Harte. I liked the focus on the characters coming to terms with their own issues, and dealing with those around them. I cannot wait to see what happens in the Bad Boys series next!

Early Book Review: Fuchsia Fierce by Christianne Jones

Fuchsia Fierce by Christianne Jones is a picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2016.Fuchsia Fierce is a bold name for a bold girl, but she does not feel brave. Her parents send her to camp where she tries new things and finds confidence in herself. Thanks to her camp counselor, and her friends, Fuchsia finally learns how to live up to her name.

Fuchsia Fierce is a picturebook about breaking out of your shell and trying new things even though it is scary. I like that Fuchsia starts off as a shy girl and that even at Camp Confidence she is not forced into anything. Her camp councilors and fellow campers let her be herself, and join in when she was ready. They let her make her excuses and stand on the sideline until she is ready to take a chance on her own. as a adult that was a shy child and still dreads rooms full of strangers I could relate to Fuchsia.  When she was ready to join in, and face her fears, she discovered that while she might not be good at everything, she could only discover what she was good at by trying. I only wish my childhood camp counselors, teachers, and such had let me make those types of decisions at my own pace as well. I think this is a great read for shy children, and those that love them. While I do not recommend shipping your kid off to camp without talking to them first, giving them every opportunity to shine in their own way and time is wonderful.

Fuchsia Fierce is a great picturebook about being shy, coming out of your shell, and facing the fear that often comes when facing new experiences like school, camp, or activities. I think those that have children that are shy or reluctant to participate could benefit from the read as well, but understanding more about how the child feels and that letting them take steps at their own pace could be the best for everyone.

About the Author: Christianne Jones is an award-winning author of books for younger children. Her picture book Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker won a 2013 Gelett Burgess Award and was a Midwest Book Award finalist, and Hello, Goodbye, and a Very Little Lie was listed as one of the 100 best children’s books by popular parenting site babble.com. Christianne lives in Mankato, Minnesota, with her husband and three daughters.

About the Illustrator: Kelly Canby was born in London, England, but has lived in Australia since the grand old age of three, which is probably about the same age she started playing with pencils and crayons. And it was probably only a few years afterward that she decided playing with pencils and crayons was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. With a Bachelor of Art (design and illustration) from Curtin University, Western Australia, Kelly has been scribbling professionally, and much more neatly, since her early twenties, predominantly as a graphic designer and now as a freelance illustrator of children’s books.

Book Review: Outlaw Justice by Rebecca York

Outlaw Justice is a novella by Rebecca York is a novella that is the thirteenth installment of the Decorah Security series. It has been a few years since I have read a book from York, and I do not think any of them were from this series. Thankfully, this book can easily be read as a stand alone with no loss to enjoyment of understanding.

They used to be a hot item. Then Leah left town for college, met, and married the wrong man. Escaping a living hell of a marriage, she runs straight into the arms of her old lover, Steve Outlaw. He has been using a hidden talent to work with a special security firm. Passion flares again between them, but can he save her from a homicidal husband?

Outlaw Justice is short and intense story. Leah and Steve manage to get some serious character explanation and development in a mere 96 pages, including some serious moments of betrayal and danger. I like that Steve is a good mix of alpha male, bad boy, and gentleman as he struggles to do the right thing every step along the way. There was a solid plot, serious danger and action, and some very hot moments to boot. A well done novella. 

Book Review: The Haunted Pub by Melanie Tushmore

The Haunted Pub by Melanie Rushmore is a contemporary novel that will appeal to adult and new adult readers. Suffering from depression, and going through a rough time because of it, Fizz's misery culminates in his parents throwing him out, leaving him with two bags, twenty pounds, and nowhere to go. Desperate, he calls his brother, who takes him to The Queen Anne's Revenge, where Fizz winds up living in a room that hasn't had a human inhabitant for more years than anyone can actually count—a room that seems to already have an occupant.

The Haunted Pub is full of characters with flaws. Fizz has struggled with depression, and perhaps more, all his life. His parents have just kicked him out of the house, and the only place for him to stay is with his cousin at a pub that is rumored to be haunted- in the creepiest room to boot. The majority of the pub’s staff lives in the upper floors as well, and one roommate’s band also reverses there. The story is about the haunted inhabitants of the pub, and the connections the living inhabitants make as well. I really felt like I got to know five or six characters really well, and enjoyed reading about their interactions and growth individually. The ghostly aspected built slowly, but that was the perfect pace to make the big conflict at the end so real and high emotion. I became so enthralled with the characters that I really have not stopped thinking about them, and how they might be doing, since I finished the book. Since it is the characters that hook me, I know I will be looking for more from the author.

The Haunted Pub has a little bit of everything. Readers that are offended by LGBTQ relationships or characters will want to steer clear, but readers that do not care how the characters identify as long as they are well written and that their book is compelling will enjoy the read. There is a gothic feel, with plenty of adult angst and mental and emotional struggles to keep readers (and characters) guessing at every turn. I only wish I could read more about how the characters deal with whatever comes next, because life always throws something new at you when you least expect it. 

Early Book Review: What Color is a Kiss by Rocio Bonilla

What Color is a Kiss by Rocio Bonilla is a picturebook that was originally published in 2015, but has a new edition being published on December 6 2016. Sassy and intrepid Monica loves to paint and sees her world in every color of the rainbow, but the color to paint a kiss is a question that nags at her. She paints and paints, hoping to discover the answer. With the help of her mother, Monica discovers that kisses and love come in all colors.

What Color is a Kiss is a sweet and creative way to explore colors, concepts, and creativity. Monica loves to paint and create. Her current project is to paint a kiss, but what color should it be? She explores the positives and negatives of several colors- listing the good and bad things that she associates with them- not finding just the right shade in her exploration. When her mother stops in and gives a moment of affection Monica comes to realize than any color can be a kiss, and every color can show love. A simple and sweet story that is good for exploring creativity, self expression, and colors. 

Book Review: Shadow Rider (Shadow #1) by Christine Feehan

Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan is the start of the new Shadow series. Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate. While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now. With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her.

Shadow Rider is a return to the high action stories that I used to love from Feehan. Stefano is a dangerous man, with a gift and large, powerful family that make him even more troublesome. He is an extreme alpha male, with an overdeveloped need to protect those around him and lingering issues from childhood. Francesca is fiercely independent and running from trouble that she does not want to bring to anyone's doorstep. She comes to stay near her only friend because of a promised job, and gets far more than she bargained for when she catches Stefano's eye. Personalities collide and tempers flare, but Stefano always gets what he wants, and he wants Francesca safe and much more. His protective streak, her determination, and the danger following her collide in a suspense filled story. There is plenty of sex, and a whole bunch of bossing around. I was a little disappointed in Francesca's willingness to give up things that are important to her, but it is consistent with the characters. A much better showing by Feehan than I have read in the last few years, much closer to the books that had me enthralled in the beginning of her Carpathian series, but still not quite there. It leave me hopeful for this series.

Shadow Rider reminds me of the early books I read from Feehan. There are plenty of sexy times, a seriously over alpha male, and a sassy woman or three (prerequisites for her books) as well as the danger filled plot that kept me interested to see what they might face next, which I have found lacking in the last few books that I have read in the Carpathian, Ghost Walker, and Sea Haven series that I used to love. 

Book Review: The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks by Jen Swann Downey

The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks by Jen Swann Downey is the second book in the series. Now official apprentices of the Lybrariad, Dorris and Marcus have joined Ebba in the immense time-folding labyrinth known as Petrarch's Library for the Summer Quarter. Dorrie is eager to do well at her practicums, and prove her worth as an apprentice, but before she can choose between "Spears, Axes, and Cats: Throwing Objects with Precision and Flair” and "First and Last Aid: When No One Else Is Coming", mistakes made by Dorrie in the past cause trouble for the lybrarians. The Foundation, once nearly destroyed by the Lybrariad, now has the means to rise from its ashes, and disappear reading and writing from the world. To make sure it succeeds, the Foundation sets in motion a dark plan to increase the power of a cruel figure from the fifteenth century. To stop the Foundation, Dorrie, Marcus and Ebba will have to burglarize Aristotle, gather information among the suffragists and anti-suffragists of 1912 London, and risk their lives to wrest a powerful weapon out of the Foundation's hands - all while upholding the Lybrariad's first principle of protecting all writing, appreciated or despised. If they fail, reading and writing will only be the first things to disappear.

The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks has a nice balance of humor, action, and mystery as Dorris and Marcus return to the Lybrariad. They want to get on with their studies, but first problems caused from their first adventure- and those that set it in motion- need to be dealt with. Meanwhile, Dorris continues to face the problems of self doubt and trying to fit in while Marcus needs to deal with his continued crush on Egeria. The sibling relationship is believable with equal parts support and teasing, as any real sibling pair I know has acted toward each other. There is some impressive rule breaking in the pursuit of doing good and staving off bigger trouble, but Marcus, Dorris, and Ebba pull it all of with a good about of humor and appropriately timed stumbles. My two minor quibbles with the book is that it started of fairly slowly, enough so that I had a little trouble sticking with it at first. Thankfully I remembered how good the first book was and kept going, and was rewarded for that tenacity. My second issue is, why is this boarding school so easy to sneak around? You would think that all this cray artifacts and doorways that it would be a wee bit harder to achieve all the sneaking around out heroes manage to pull off!

The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks was as good as the first installment, The Accidental Keyhand, and offers as much adventure and middle grade angst and character growth that one might want in a book. If you enjoyed the first installment, then hold on and keep reading. It starts slow, but picks up speed and then does not let go. 

Early Book Review: Herbie’s Big Adventure by Jennie Poh

Herbie’s Big Adventure is a picturebook by Jennie Poh which is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2016.Herbie is a little hedgehog who is perfectly happy at home with his mother. But one day Mommy tells Herbie that it's time to go exploring all by himself! Herbie is so not sure he is up for it, but ready or not as soon as he begins a westerly wind sweeps Herbie into the wide world and his adventure begins!

Herbie’s Big Adventure is a very cute picturebook. I really enjoyed the artwork, it had plenty of detail and emotion without being overwhelming or loud. Instead, it was subtle and realistic. Herbie the hedgehog loves to do all the things a young hedgehog should, especially enjoy the hugs and affection of his mother. However, as he grows his mother knows it is time for him to go out to explore and forage of his own. She trusts his skills and that he will come home to her, even when Herbie doubts himself. As he steps out the door for his big adventure the wind sweeps him further away than he wants, but he does all the right things and finds himself carried back home again. This would be a great choice for reading with more timid or dependent children in order to encourage to trust in themselves, particularly when their parents express their faith in them.

Herbie’s Big Adventure is a fun book about trusting in yourself and exploring the world. I loved the artwork and the sprinkle of imagination that is thrown in the mix. It will be a hit with many kinds of young readers, and caregivers alike.

About the Author/Illustrator: Jennie was born in England and grew up in Malaysia, in the jungle. At the age of 10, she moved back to England and went on to study Fine Art at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, as well as Fashion Illustration at Central St Martins. Jennie loves the countryside, animals, tea and reading. She lives in Woking, England with her husband and two wonderful daughters.

Book Review: Dragon’s Heart (Dragon Fey Saga #1) by Michelle Rabe

Dragon’s Heart is the first book in the Dragon Fey Saga by Michelle Rabe. Serena Harlowe always knew her place. A foundling placed with the tutor of Illedrian royalty, she grew to be a talented fighter. After rising to the rank of lieutenant in the royal army, she proves her worth and thwarts the attempted assassination of the man she loves. The selfless act will change her life forever and start a chain of events that will unlock her hidden past.

Dragon’s Heart is a multilayered start to a series that offer high fantasy, romance, and fierce female characters. Killian is the human prince, fierce and fair but tired of doing his family's bidding and dealing with the marriage mart when he already found the woman of his dreams. Serena is a foundling that has been raised around the palace and worked hard to become part of the guard that protects the kingdom. Neither know that the Dark Fey, which everyone assumes are gone, are pulling strings and trying to take over, while the Dragon Fey are not quite extinct either and both are much closer to things than anyone might expect. The characters each are multi dimensional, and have growth as the book progresses, this is true both the main characters and the secondary characters. Royal expectations, life, and love are all on the line as Serena's past comes to light and best friends turned lovers have bigger obstacles to over come than either could have expected. Secondary characters and the expanding world make this an extremely interesting and entertaining read. I am looking forward to seeing where all this goes next.

Dragon’s Heart is a solid opening to what promises to be an interesting series. I enjoyed the character and world building, and while many questions are answered there are some interesting options left open at the end of the book. The balance between satisfying readers and leaving them looking forward to the next book is done close to perfectly here.

Book Review: A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth Cummins

A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals is a picture book written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Once upon a time there was a very hungry lion and some adorable little animals. Slowly those animals seem to be disappearing. What do you think happened next?

A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals is a picture book with a few twists. When the book opens there is a hungry lion and a slew of smaller animals in a room. AS the other animals disappear the reader assumes that the lion has been eating them, but they were working together to surprise him. Then two more surprises keep readers on their toes, and cause a chuckle or two. The illustrations are understands and compliment the story wonderfully. It is fun and silly, and entertaining read that might have a few requests for repeated readings.