Book Review: Boundary Broken (Boundary Magic) by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Broken is the fourth book in the Boundary Magic series by Melissa F. Olson. You do need to read this series in order to fully understand some of the character connections and back story. However, this series and the related Scarlett Bernard series (which you do not need to read to understand this one) are well worth the time investment. 

Years ago, boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther made a promise to an alpha werewolf. Now, just when the supernatural community in Colorado is enjoying a period of hard-won peace, the alpha turns up at Lex’s door to call in his marker. Two of his pack members have disappeared in the Colorado sand dunes, and he needs safe passage to hunt for them. With her friend Simon Pellar along for backup, Lex ventures into the dunes to search for the missing couple…but what they find is only the opening move in an ambitious assault against those who hold power in the Colorado Old World. An old enemy has returned to tear their peace apart, and Lex is soon embroiled in politics she doesn’t understand, from a time before she had magic. To save her friends and her way of life, Lex will have to cross every line she’s drawn since learning what she is—and it may still be too late.

Boundary Broken is a wonderfully told story with lots of character growth, drama, danger, and hope for the future. Lex has been through so much, and all she really wants is to protect others- which is sadly not always possible. I felt like returning characters were even more complex before, and I can see hints of future conversations that really need to happen. I admire Olson's ability to make beven characters with a minor role in the action complex and interesting enough that I want to know more about them and their history. There is so much going on here, with undercurrents that hint at future emotional moments. However, even when there is a ton of things going on emotionally and physically with the characters it never hit the point where it was over whelming or confusing. Rarely can an author have this level of world and character building and action without something getting lost- but it balanced close to perfectly here. I will admit it took me a few pages , and reading my review of the previous book, to get back into Lex's story and remember not only where we left off but also everything that had happened thus far. However, once I was back into it I had trouble putting the story aside to do important things- like feeding the family and getting everyone out the door for school and work. I just love the story, characters, and writing style. As you might have noticed, I have said nothing about the actual action of the story- because I do not want to ruin it for returning fans and new readers should really start at the beginning of the series, or even better at the start of Scarlett's series to really enjoy the read. 

Boundary Broken is yet another engaging book from Olson. My main issue is that I read them too fast, so I have to wait way too long for her next book. 

Book Review: Chocolate a la Murder (A Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mystery) by Kirsten Weiss

Chocolate a la Murder is the fourth book in the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series by Kirsten Weiss. I highly recommend reading the books in order to fully understand the characters and their relationships.

It’s Wine and Chocolate Days in San Benedetto, and paranormal museum owner Maddie Kosloski has sweet dreams about her new Magic of Chocolate exhibit. Her latest attraction is a haunted Mexican whisk called a molinillo that rattles if someone lies. When Maddie visits the town’s new boutique chocolate shop, she finds one of the owners dead and covered in melted cocoa. Maddie’s determined to catch the killer, and she soon uncovers deadly dealings in the world of artisan chocolate. But the deception surrounding those dealings are enough to make the molinillo rattle all night. Will Maddie have to temper her passion for sleuthing before a killer makes her fate bittersweet?

Chocolate a la Murder is a fun read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. I could completely relate to Maddie's love of chocolate, and how quickly that could fade after finding her latest dead body. I think the mystery was very well designed and executed- and while I have some suspicions along the way, I had not guessed the full picture until it was revealed. I loved Maddie's curiosity, as always, and could sympathize with her curiosity being at war with not wanting to hurt or lie to the people around her. AS always, the character growth of Maddie and the development of the relationships and characters around her keep the series fresh and realistic. I also found the secondary mystery of the molinillo and the little hints of the paranormal keep readers engaged and guessing about what could happen next. I look forward to seeing just what that is myself. 

Chocolate a la Murder is a entertaining and engaging read, and I think I will continue on with this series as long as I can.

Early Book Review: Make Music: A Kid's Guide to Creating Rhythm, Playing with Sound, and Conducting and Composing Music by Norma Jean Haynes; Ann Sayre Wiseman; John Langstaff

Make Music: A Kid's Guide to Creating Rhythm, Playing with Sound, and Conducting and Composing Music is a fresh edition of this book for a younger audience by Norma Jean Haynes; Ann Sayre Wiseman; and John Langstaff. It is currently scheduled for release on April 30 2019. Music is for everyone — no experience required. This book invites kids and families to celebrate the joy of sound with a variety of inventive activities, including playing dandelion trumpets, conducting percussion conversations, and composing their own pieces. Kids explore rhythm with clapping, body drumming, and intonations. They learn to create found sound with kitchen pots and pans, the Sunday paper, or even the Velcro on their sneakers. And step-by-step instructions show how to make 35 different instruments, from chimes and bucket drums to a comb kazoo and a milk-carton guitar. 

Make Music is an engaging and informative read that offers information on a wide range of sounds, music, and how to create instruments and music of your own with things that are generally readily available. I like that cultural and historical references are included with the discussion of different sounds and music. I think those connections can help young readers and musicians feel more engaged. I think the message that making and enjoying music is for everyone no matter the skill level or style. I think finding a creative outlet, or enjoying the talents of others, is important. Parents, teachers, and caregivers of all kinds can share this book with the young people in their lives to help foster an appreciation for all kinds of music, and to create instruments and sounds together. I think this would be a great addition to a school, classroom, or home library because one can always return to the activities and projects and repeat them- or use them to inspire new ideas. Some of the concepts, like music notation, that are near the end of the book are particularly good for revisiting after some experimentation and practice.

Make Music is a delightful book for encouraging an existing interest in sound and music, or to help foster in interest. The activities and information offered is varied and should be engaging for a wide range of readers.

Book Review: The Trouble with the Twelfth Grave (Charley Davidson) by Darynda Jones

The Trouble with the Twelfth Grave is the next Charley Davidson book by Darynda Jones. You do need to have read the previous books in the series at this point, since the characters and backstory are getting to be very important and complicated. 

Ever since Reyes Farrow escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley Davidson accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that's not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings--some corporeal, some not so much--as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she's not uncovering a murder. This time she's covering one up. Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture--the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford--out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican's inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it's time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she's loved for centuries. So the question becomes: Can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she's worked so hard to protect? 

The Trouble with the Twelfth Grave is ramping up the drama and crisis level of the series up even more than I fully expected. There is an awful lot going on, and if you missed or skimmed any part other the series prior to this you might have a moment of two of confusion (this will hold true in the next book as well). There is just so much going on, so many keeping things close to their chests, and so many complications that this is not the light and amusing read that hooked me. It is an enthralling thrill ride with moments of humor, but so much danger and suspense that anyone could  die or switch sides at any moment. I love the read, but it is very different from the feel that hooked me into the series.

Once again, if you have read this far, keep going. The next book is the conclusion to this series. You need to keep going at this point.

Book Review: Sustainable Home: Practical Projects, Tips and Advice for Maintaining a More Eco-Friendly Household by Christine Liu

Sustainable Home: Practical Projects, Tips and Advice for Maintaining a More Eco-Friendly Household by Christine Liu is a guidebook to maintaining a more environmentally friendly household. Sustainable lifestyle blogger and professional Christine Liu takes you on a tour through the rooms of your home – the living area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom – offering tips, tricks and 18 step-by-step projects designed to help you lead a more low-impact lifestyle. Whether it is by making your own toothpaste, converting to renewable energy sources, reducing your consumption of plastic, growing your own herb garden or upcycling old pieces of furniture, there are numerous ways – both big and small – to make a difference. The desire to make small changes on an individual level is on the rise; this book will guide anyone hoping to make a difference, but who perhaps don’t know where to begin.

Sustainable Home was a mixed bag for me. Decluttering and trying to reduce, reuse, and recycle are things that I think anyone picking up this book already knows about, but they are necessary reminders and suggestions. I liked the suggestions about how to find items that have been made sustainably and by companies that are working to minimize their carbon footprint, and that of their product. The growing your own food, and increasing the amount of plant based food was good. I like that while the suggestions do offer some big options, it also mentions small things that people could do regardless of kitchen size and the possible lack of time or a yard that would be required for significant gardening. The ideas, instructions, and recipes for making things for yourself rather than buying them are good, and some I might even try. 

However, some of the suggestions are completely impossible for people depending on where they live. While some libraries and organizations are getting tool libraries, repair and make it spaces, and what not set up and available to the public. These tend to be in places where to local government has enough money to fund them and might not accessible to those with limited transportation options and resources, or those working many hours or multiple jobs to make ends meet which might make it next to impossible to make use of local options. Many of these kind of suggestions will only work for those privileged enough to have access to them, or the time to research options or make a special trip. 

This book has good information and suggestions in it. However, I feel like it is for people with a little too much time and money on their hands rather than the average person or household. I feel like there are good intentions here, but a lack of understanding of what life is like beneath a certain income bracket, or in areas without the resources so casually mentioned in the book.

Book Review: The Body in the Attic by Judi Lynn

The Body in the Attic by Judi Lynn is the first book in a new mystery series. House-flipper Jazzi Zanders and her cousin Jerod have found their latest project. The property, formerly owned by the late Cal Juniper, is filled with debris that must be cleared before the real renovation begins. But a trip to the attic reveals something more disturbing than forgotten garbage—a skeleton wearing a locket and rings that Jazzi recognizes. Tests confirm that the bones belong to Jazzi’s aunt Lynda, who everyone assumed moved to New York years ago after breaking up with Cal. Soon enough, the whole family is involved, sifting through memories and rumors as they try to piece together what really happened to Lynda—and the baby she gave up for adoption. In between investigating and remodeling, Jazzi is falling for the old house’s charms—and for her gorgeous contractor, Ansel. But with surprises lurking in every nook and cranny, a killer might be waiting to demolish her dreams for good.

The Body in the Attic was and engaging read and had a good balance between introducing a wide variety of characters and telling a compelling story. I liked the characters, I found Jazzi and her family and friends to three dimensional and interesting. I thought the mystery was well built, and while there were a few good red herrings it did not get overly complicated. I will say that I am thoroughly sick of mystery solving ladies always needed a relationship, but I will let it slide here because he was more support for Jazzi than taking over the mystery or her life. The mystery, characters, and story as a whole made me happy and I found myself grinning often while reading. I did spend a couple chapters expecting one more horrible thing to happen, and fully expected one more moment of danger or an injury or something. I liked the way readers discovered the mystery and followed along with Jazzi as helped solve the case, and learn more about her family in the process.

Now for something that kind of bugged me. I got a kick out of how Jazzi and family say they are not rich but can buy houses to flip with cash and can buy the quantity and quality of food they do without even batting an eye. Furniture shopping, landscaping, supplies for renovations are not exactly cheap and they just go out on a whim to buy a king size sleigh bed and a slew of stuff. Their version of wealthy and mine vary greatly.  I loved the recipes and amount of cooking Jazzi does in the book, but my grocery budget would have been decimated for at least a month just by buying the ribs for one of her dinners.  I wish I could shop and cook like her.

The Body in the Attic was a good start to a mystery series. It was not perfect (what is?) but I really enjoyed the read and fully plan on continuing to read this series as it is published. 

Book Review: Risky Play (Red Card) by Rachel Van Dyken

Risky Play is the first book in the Red Card series by Rachel Van Dyken. What else can a virgin do when she’s ditched at the altar? Seattle heiress Mackenzie Dupont is treating herself to a single-girl honeymoon in Mexico and a desire to relinquish her innocence to a gorgeous one-night stand. But when she wakes up alone, Mackenzie realizes just how much anger is left in her broken heart. Suffering a tragic personal loss, pro soccer player Slade Rodriguez has his reasons for vanishing without a goodbye. Right or wrong, he’s blaming the beautiful and infuriating stranger he never wants to see again. They’re both in for a shock when Mackenzie shows up as his new personal assistant. And they both have a lot to learn about each other. Because they share more than they could possibly know, including a common enemy who’s playing his own games. 

Risky Play was an entertaining read, with plenty of humor vand heartbreak. I liked that Mackenzie and Slade are dealing with personal tragedies and trying to move forward with their lives.  While neither makes consistently good or bad choices. They are fully humanized- making good and bad choices in turn and dealing with family and relationships in realistic ways. Although I will admit to being significantly angry with Mackenzie's father more than once, I think family and friend dynamics were realistically portrayed and well written. I like that there was no magic bullet, but that every character had to stand up and deal with their issues-   and that even with the proclaimed happy ending it was clear that life would be real rather than perfect and that in working things out they would be stronger. I am interested to see where the future takes some of the secondary characters and will be keeping my eye out for more from the author. 

Risky Play is a solid contemporary romance with a good balance of humor, heat, and heart. I will be following up with more reads from this author.

Book Review: The Cowboy Next Door (Montana Strong) by R. C. Ryan

The Cowboy Next Door is the second book in the Montana Strong series by R. C. Ryan. I did not read the first book, and I think each can stand up well on its own. However, returning readers are likely to have a better understanding of some of the secondary characters and enjoy seeing Ben and Becca's story continue. 

After weeks on the trail, Sam Monroe is looking forward to a hot bath, a home-cooked meal, and a real bed. In that order. But he's greeted by something even better when he opens the door to his family's ranch house. Seems the new housekeeper is a gorgeous young woman who cooks like an angel and wrangles his family like a pro. If only she didn't dislike him so much. Penny Cash is down on her luck, and the last thing she needs is a flirtation with a wild, carefree cowboy. Sure, he's funny and sexy, but they're as different as whiskey and tea. And she'll be leaving town as soon as she finds a full-time teaching position. But when trouble comes calling, Penny will find out how serious Sam can be when it comes to protecting the woman he loves.

The Cowboy Next Door is a solid story. While a contemporary romance, because of the location there was a slight historical flavor. I liked Penny's determination and strength, and how hard she worked to do right for everyone around her. I liked the idea of Sam's character, but I felt at times that he was not fully fleshed out. Readers learn about his past, and how he tries to live his life, but I was still left feeling like his character could have been more three dimensional. Penny and Sam are clearly attracted from the moment their eyes met, and I connected with Penny right away, even when I did not agree with her choices. On the other hand I felt like Sam was fascinated with Penny because he should not be, and because she was a challenge. While he did things to prove otherwise, it still felt off to me in some way. While he went to great lengths to protect her, and do the right thing for his family and her, it felt almost calculated at times. Too often he made decisions for her good or that affected her without discussion, which would have driven me crazy in her place.  Perhaps it is just my own personal issues that colored this part of his character, but it still irked me. As did the fact that once at no point in their private moments did anyone mention or use birth control- or I missed it somehow. Two responsible adults that had less than stellar childhoods should have at least spoken about this.

The Cowboy Next Door is a good romance with cowboy and small town flavors. There was also a religious undertone, but it only really made itself known a few times. 

Early Book Review: Hey There, Earth Dweller!: Dive Into This World We Call Earth by Marc ter Horst

Hey There, Earth Dweller!: Dive Into This World We Call Earth by Marc ter Horst is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on April 9 2019. This is a journey into everything young readers would want to know about the planet we call home, and the universe around us. Readers are invited to learn about what makes up the many layers of the Earth—from the core to exosphere—traveling all the way out into the solar system and our many neighboring planets and moons. The content is offered in a vibrant mixed medium design that combines original illustrations with photographs of everyday items, allowing readers to engage and grasp scientific concepts covered, while encouraging them to inquisitively uncover the answers to all of their planetary questions.

Hey There, Earth Dweller!: Dive Into This World We Call Earth is a well balanced non fiction book for young readers. The information is laid out in an easy to understand way, without talking down to the readers, but with humor and fun illustrations to keep the attention of readers that might otherwise lose interest. The book does not go into great depth in any subject, but gives a good foundation on a large variety of subjects. I think this book might peak the interest and curiosity of readers and inspire them to research further on a topic that interested then more than others, or help them discover what topics they have the most interest in for further reading. I enjoyed the read, and some of the humor made me smile. While there were no new facts for me, some of the mnemonics and hints for remembering were- which might come in handy when trying to help my own kiddos with their homework and projects.

Hey There, Earth Dweller!: Dive Into This World We Call Earth is an engaging and informative read. I found it well balanced and interesting.

Book Review: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight (Charley Davidson) by Darynda Jones

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight is the next Charley Davidson book by Darynda Jones. You do need to have read the previous books in the series at this point, since the characters and backstory are getting to be very important and complicated. 

A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, missing people, errant wives, philandering business owners, and oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people. As a part time Private Investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. In this eleventh installment, Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, maybe Charley can find a way to have her happily ever after after all.

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight is  a solid continuation of Charley's story. I feel like the story is starting to get a little out of Charley's control and things are getting increasingly hard for her to stay on top of everything. Her friends and family all have their own issues going on, and no one (including Charley) seems inclined to share their individual worries and issues. Just like in real life, trying to handle everything yourself or shield others from problems tends to lead to bigger issues and complications. Charley tries to keep up the humor and flippant manner that has worked for her so well in the past, but even that seems to be falling out of her control. However, things are coming together, and I can see a conclusion on the horizon.

If you have read this far, you are going to want and need to finish off this series. You are almost there and I think the ride is well worth it.