Book Review: Super Structures by Ian Graham

Super Structures by Ian Graham teaches readers about some of the most amazing structures around the world. From the Ancient Pyramids to the Eiffel Tower, get ready to take a close-up look at some awesome man-made structures. This unique, interactive book traces the history of the world’s most impressive, man-made mega structures from ancient times to the modern age, but also explores the science behind these incredible engineering feats. Discover the science of architecture behind different types of super structures, including bridges, domes and towers, then use this knowledge to have ago at creating your own from the model kit! Using card pieces, plastic connectors and string, you can make the different types of constructions – including an Egyptian pyramid, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Eiffel Tower - and then conduct tests to see how they work!

Super Structures not only explores fantastic structures, but goes through the planning and work that is involved in going from an idea to completed project. The engineering involved in the structures is explained, and the dimensions and details of the materials is all given. The book explains everything concisely and understandably without talking down to the reader.  I will admit that I thought some of the pictures were aimed at a younger audience than the text and interest level, but that could have been because I was looking at a digital copy rather than the physical book. I like that the print copy of the book comes with the model kit, so the instructions and images that guide readers to build their own structions and test their skills and understanding show exactly what it should look like. In many building books the readers are supposed to use items they have or find, which makes proportions and whatnot more difficult. 

Super Structures is an interesting and well put together book. I think this could be particularly useful in classroom or homeschooling environment. I think this will be a favorite for young readers fascinated by buildings and building.

Book Review: Hard-Riding Cowboy (Kinky Spurs) by Stacey Kennedy

Hard-Riding Cowboy is the third book in the Kinky Spurs series by Stacey Kennedy. While each book can stand up on its own, the series is more fun and entertaining when read in order.

Megan Harrison is the owner of Kinky Spurs. She’s mortgaged up to her eyeballs and works long days and nights, but she’s living life on her terms, not on her wealthy father’s. She’s done being in the cattle rancher’s shadow. She’s got it all figured out, except for the part that involves Nash Blackshaw. He’s a sexy as hell cowboy whose smile can easily charm her out of her tight jeans. The only problem is—their fathers were business rivals, and Megan and Nash have been taught to hate each other since birth. Nash Blackshaw, a retired professional bull rider, has responsibilities on top of responsibilities. With his PBR career over due to back injury, and his focus narrowed on heading up the Blackshaw Cattle Company’s Guest Ranch, he shouldn’t have time to think about all the ways he wants Megan. But small towns have a way of spreading gossip like wildfire, and not everyone is happy about their relationship. Especially when Megan drops a bombshell on Nash after one heated night between them. As much as Megan and Nash want to forget the old feud between their fathers and lose each other in explosive passion, they can’t escape reality. They are meant to be enemies, and Nash’s sizzling, dominant touch might not be enough to keep them together.

Hard-Riding Cowboy is exactly what I was hoping for from this book. I loved the give and take between Megan and Nash, and how they had to both come clean and be honest with each other about the hard things- emotions and family. The attraction and connection has always been there. It is the honesty, and compromise that they each need to put into the equation. Watching the inner realizations and conversations as they find their way to a happy future, knowing that there could be bumps in the road, that really gives this book its heart. I loved the soft spots and vulnerability Megan and Nash had, and how hard they were each willing to work to make the future as loving as they could. I also thought that the hard moments- the crises that struck and the family conflicts, were perfectly balanced. They did not make this easy, but neither could they destroy a relationship that people are committed to make work. Watching these two characters that have danced around each other in the previous books in the series finally get their moment was very enjoyable and satisfying.

Hard-Riding Cowboy is another great read from Kennedy. I loved this series, and expect to see more about the sisters that run the local brewery in upcoming books, at least I hope so based on the hints I have seen this far.

Early Book Review: Heated Rivalry (Game Changers) by Rachel Reid

Heated Rivalry is the second book in the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid. It is currently scheduled for release on March 25 2919. While returning readers to this series will recognize some of the major players, each book also stands up well on its own merit.

Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night. Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great. As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option.

Heated Rivalry is not the boy meets boy that one expects. This book spans years as Shane and Ilya have a hidden relationship, and find their way toward more than secret meetings that are completely separate from the rest of their lives.  So much of this book is about Shane figuring himself out and what he wants, and Ilya doing the same as most of their time is spent apart, and on very different paths. I liked seeing them come together, and come to terms with what they need for themselves and from each other. This is not a straight forward or traditionally told love story. I found it to be more real in its emotional complexity and the real life obstacles that haunt our couple. I very much enjoyed seeing Ilya find a happy place, and look forward to reading more from Reid.

Heated Rivalry is different, but wonderful. I love Reid's work because books like this are about the characters being themselves and understanding themselves just as much as it is about finding their happy ending.

Book Review: Rough Trade (Woodbury Boys) by Sydney Bell

Rough Trade is third book in the Woodbury Boys series by Sydney Bell. I have not read the previous books, and aside from some character connections that returning readers will enjoy, this book stands up well on its own. 

Quick-witted hustler Ghost is no stranger to living dangerously; survival has always been the name of the game. He’s just always gone it alone. Now he’s got the wrong people breathing down his neck, and the only way out demands placing his trust in the unlikeliest of heroes: Duncan Rook, a gruff cop whose ethics are as solid as his body. Cozying up to a criminal is hardly what Duncan’s reputation on the force needs—especially when that criminal is temptation personified. Ghost is Duncan’s polar opposite, and the last person he expected to fall for. So then why does every imaginable scenario for taking down their common enemy end with Ghost in his arms?

Rough Trade is much more than  expected, and while having read the previous books would have made some of the secondary characters and wrap ups have more meaning to me, I still felt like i understood Ghost and Duncan fully and enjoy their story. I found the beginning hard to get into, but it was necessary to fully understand where Ghost was coming from and how he ended up in the situation that brings him to Duncan's door.  I found the banter and developing relationship between the two to be well done, and well balanced with the danger and issues that they had to face. I like that the traumas of their pasts were not glossed over, but the time and effort that it takes to deal with them is talked about and included in the story. I really enjoyed that while attraction and interest might have developed quickly, the relationship was not instant or ignoring problems. I think the confrontation of the issues is what made the relationship so strong in the end. There were a good amount of surprises, scares, and chase scenes- and a good deal of emotional moments. I think the story is realistic and well balanced character wise. It was a little heavier than my typical read- but I am glad I gave it a chance.

Rough Trade is a romance that deals with some hard, real issues. I liked that it was about the characters dealing with their own issues in the process of finding their way to an happy ever after.

Early Book Review: Astro Pea by Amalia Hoffman

Astro Pea is a picturebook by Amalia Hoffman that is currently scheduled for release on March 29 2019. Imagine what would happen if fresh veggies could go on a cosmic adventure! Well, blast off with Pete the pea and find out what he discovers outside his pod. Pete joins other curiously shaped vegetables such as an eggplant, artichoke, cauliflower, ear of corn, and mushroom as they each take a starring role in this creative tale of space exploration, daring, and friendship. Who knew healthy food could be so much fun? 

Astro Pea is a cute and creative story. A young pea goes on a vegetable laden journey through the stars, and I like that while he enjoys the trip still wants his home and family in the end. I think this is something people of all ages can relate to. No matter how cool the journey, we always want to find our way back to those that love us, and that we love. I think the use of veggies as the characters, ships, and so on was very well done. It was obvious o me what all the produce was, but young readers that are not too fond of eating their veggies might need one or two named for them. I loved the illustrations, chalk work on a black background. I think this color scheme will be helpful when reading in the dim light that goes hand in hand with bedtime stories.

Book Review: Eighth Gave After Dark (Charley Davidson) by Darynda Jones

 Eighth Gave After Dark is part of the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones.  I am still binge reading, and still recommend reading the series in order. Not only will it make the read more fun, but it is well worth the time.   

With twelve hellhounds after her, pregnant Charley Davidson takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can’t get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. But after months of being cooped up there, Charley is ready to pop. Both metaphorically and literally since she is now roughly the size of a beached whale. Fortunately, a new case has captured her attention, one that involves a murder on the very grounds the team has taken shelter upon. A decades-old murder of the newly-vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows is almost enough to pull her out of her doldrums. Charley’s been forbidden to step foot off the sacred grounds. While the angry hellhounds can’t traverse the consecrated soil, they can lurk just beyond its borders. They have the entire team on edge, especially Reyes. And if Charley didn’t know better, she would swear Reyes is getting sick. He grows hotter with every moment that passes, his heat scorching across her skin every time he’s near, but naturally he swears he’s fine. While the team searches for clues on the Twelve, Charley just wants answers and is powerless to get them. But the mass of friends they’ve accrued helps. They convince her even more that everyone in her recent life has somehow been drawn to her, as though they were a part of a bigger picture all along. But the good feelings don’t last for long because Charley is about to get the surprise of her crazy, mixed-up, supernatural life 

Eighth Gave After Dark is more emotionally charged than some of the previous books, and all the threads are coming together. I like that the characters continue to stay true to what readers know about them, even as new revelations and complications continue to arise. I think that this is really a turning point in the series were the goofiness of Charley's personality stops being quite so entertaining, and things are consistently more serious and complicated. Charley is still funny, but the really amusing bits seem further apart and the intrigue and danger really ramp up. The series is still a very engaging read, but the charm that captured my attention really seems to have faded a bit. I know it returns in the next book, because I have read ahead, and that all the serious moments are needed for the larger story line. However, this is where the series lost some of its shine for me. 

Book Review: The Art of Crochet Blankets: 18 Projects Inspired by Modern Makers by Rachele Carmona

The Art of Crochet Blankets: 18 Projects Inspired by Modern Makers by Rachele Carmona offers readers the chance to follow popular crochet blanket designer Rachele Carmona through her unique collection of crochet blankets inspired by the work of popular independent artists. The Art of Crochet Blankets will help you create your own colorful crochet blankets as unique works of art for your home! Inside this one-of-a-kind crochet blanket guide you'll find details on how to translate art to hook with 18 bold and unique crochet afghan patterns influenced by the works of their feature artist. Modern quilts, fabric designs, tapestry weaving, digital art, and more become the source of one-of-a-kind projects for a more artful home. Biographies and beautiful photos profiling 6 inspiring modern makers--Tula Pink, April Rhodes, Maryanne Moodie, Fransisco Valle, Maud Vantours, and Caitline Dowe-Sandes. 

The Art of Crochet Blankets: 18 Projects Inspired by Modern Makers is a lovely book with great designs, and stories that tell of how they were inspired and came together. Some of the designs were just not my style, which happens with any collection of art or designs, but others made me smile and think about what I might do in a similar vein. For instance, the Boho Desert, Abstract Blocks, and Layered Waves caught my eye, and I love them. I also enjoyed getting to know the artists and medium that inspired some of these designs. Seeing the beauty and creativity in the original, and how the shapes and colors were turned into something new was very interesting. I like how varied the starting points were, and in turn how different the end results turned out. While I am not likely to design my own blankets, I like reading or binge watching too much as I stitch, I do like seeing how inspiration can become a tangible creation and a design to share. However, I just might be giving one (or more) of these patterns a go.

I think this book would be a good addition to a personal library if you like creating and exploring new designs, and enjoy the inspiration of others that do as well. For those of us who are content to find a lovely pattern and maybe change a color, size, or so on I think this would be better borrowed from the library. It is wonderful and lovely to explore, but not a necessary addition to my craft room at this point. 

Book Review: Slothilda: Living the Sloth Life by Dante Fabiero

Slothilda: Living the Sloth Life is a collection of comics by Dante Fabiero. Are you a fan of carbs, the internet, and naps? Slothilda is your spirit animal! From former Simpsons animator Dante Fabiero comes this all-too-real comic series about an adorable little sloth who's driven by her desire for self-improvement. Slothilda explores an inner conflict we can all relate to―the desire to succeed and grow, while paradoxically dealing with the ever present temptation to sloth. With themes related to work, fitness, food, shopping, and pets―this book shows that you're not the only sloth at heart.

Living the Sloth Life is a cute, fun read. I had not seen the comics from the blog previously, so it was all new to me. I related to some of the images and thoughts, but not all, which  is usually the case with collections. However, I really like the artwork, I thought Slothilda was very cute. I liked the inherent honest the author has in sharing the desire we all have to eat and rest as often as we want, and the over exaggeration of the lack of motivation made it funny while making the reader feel better about the things they do and their choices. I am feeling much more accomplished with the amount of work, cleaning, and reasonably healthy eating I do after seeing the sloth version of such activities.

Early Book Review: Little Monsters of the Ocean: Metamorphosis under the Waves by Heather L. Montgomery

Little Monsters of the Ocean: Metamorphosis under the Waves by Heather L. Montgomery is a children's nonfiction title that is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2019. Everyone knows that butterflies and frogs go through metamorphosis. But a number of sea creatures do too! Experienced science writer Heather L. Montgomery explores wacky details in the life cycles of some of the world's most bizarre and fascinating ocean animals in this fresh spin on a highly curricular topic.

Little Monsters of the Ocean is a fascinating look at how some ocean life changes as it grows. Most people know insects and amphibians change as they grow, but I never thought much about creatures in the ocean. I had no idea how much crabs changed, and I know my children have no clue (at least until they read this)! THe text and images do a good job of explaining the vocabulary and processes involved without talking down to readers or oversimplifying the topic. I was completely enthralled with the read and learned so much about these ocean creatures as an adult, I think interested readers of all ages will be just as amazed as I was. While even scientists that study these creatures still do not know all the answers about how and why these things happen as they do, most of the answers we do have are included here. I like that the author also points out that we do not have all the answers, and that more study can answer some of them we might never know it all. I am hoping this mixture of science facts and explanations, and our unanswered questions, will help readers understand just how wild the world is and encourage them to study and explore further. I also like that the author included a metamorphosis cart, glossary, and further resources for readers to explore in the endpapers. Extras like that are always a great addition to a book, and help interested readers continue their explorations.

Little Monsters of the Ocean is well written, informative, and simply fascinating. Whenever you start to feel like you have a good understanding of nature, take a look at the crazy life forms in the ocean in books like this, and you will see just how little we all know. 

Early Book Review: Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects by Salena Baca; Danyel Pink and Emily Truman

Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects by Salena Baca; Danyel Pink and Emily Truman is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2019.  This book has patterns that can all be started and finished in a day or less. From wearables like cowls, hats, slippers, and even a poncho, to home items like place mats, dish cloths, and baskets, every item will crochet up fast! Its patterns are fast and fun, and do not require a large time or yarn commitment. Perfect for using up stash yarn or to create something from that perfect skein you were saving, these patterns are creative, colorful, modern, and stylish. 

Crochet in a Day solid collection of patterns that are quick, and relatively simple. I think collections like this are great for using up yarn left over from larger projects, or that you have in your stash and simply cannot remember why. I like the variety of projects offered, and I thought that the instructions and photographs were well done and put together. My only issue was that not of the projects really struck me as terribly unique. So, while the collection is good I think it would be most helpful to those that are not used to browsing sites like Ravelry for crochet or creative inspiration, or the backlist of crochet magazines at the library. Maybe I am the only one that does that though.  This was a good but not great collection, and while it would be a good resource for some, it is not a must buy for many.