Early Book Review: American Sweethearts (Dreamers) by Adriana Herrera

American Sweethearts is the fourth book in the Dreamers series by Adriana Herrera, and is currently scheduled for release on March 30 2020. I have not read the previous books in the series, but it stood well on its own.

Juan Pablo Campos doesn’t do regrets. He’s living the dream as a physical therapist for his beloved New York Yankees. He has the best friends and family in the world and simply no time to dwell on what could’ve been. Except when it comes to Priscilla, the childhood friend he’s loved for what seems like forever. New York City police detective Priscilla Gutierrez has never been afraid to go after what she wants. Second-guessing herself isn’t a thing she does. But lately, the once-clear vision she had for herself—her career, her relationships, her life—is no longer what she wants. What she especially doesn’t want is to be stuck on a private jet to the Dominican Republic with JuanPa, the one person who knows her better than anyone else. By the end of a single week in paradise, the love/hate thing JuanPa and Pris have been doing for sixteen years has risen to epic proportions. No one can argue their connection is still there. And they can both finally admit—if only to themselves—they’ve always been a perfect match. The future they dreamed of together is still within reach, if they can just accept each other as they are.

American Sweethearts is a wonderful romance. I am not big into second chance stories, it is just not my favorite trope, but this book might have changed my mind. I loved that Juan and Priscilla know each other as well as they do from the start of the story. They come together with good and bad history and are both working hard to get what they need from life. Their love story is as much about coming to terms while what they each really want as it is about making it work together. Their honesty with each other, even when it comes down to knowing when the other is not ready for a conversation was extremely well done, and the open discussions of sex and what they want is something that should be a relationship goal for most couples. Even when things went sideways I could understand both sides, and it was all so real that I was completely lost in the story from page one.  I absolutely loved the cast of secondary characters, they were very well written, and I enjoyed getting a good look at the friendships and family bonds that shaped the characters so much.  I look forward to reading more, in fact I plan on going back to read the first three books in the series as soon as I get a bit further ahead in my reviews, because I have a feeling there will be some binge reading involved. 

American Sweethearts is a fabulous read. Fans of the author will need this book, and newcomers like me might just be adding a new name to their must buy list. 

Early Book Review: On the Corner of Hope and Main (Blessings) by Beverly Jenkins

On the Corner of Hope and Main is the tenth book in the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins and it was just released released on March 3 2020. I have not read the previous books, so there was a good deal of catching up to do, but I think other newcomers can fully enjoy the book without the prior reads as well, although I am likely to go back and read the whole series from the start now.

Citizens of Henry Adams, Kansas, know there’s never a dull moment in their small town. Trent July has been the mayor of this historic town for the past four years, but now he’s ready to let someone else take up the mantle. Barrett Payne, a former Marine, decides he wants the job. But when a surprise candidate also enters the ring, the town has opinions on who would be the best candidate. And of course that’s not the only drama, as Malachi “Mal” July continues to make reparations for the damage he’s caused and to the people he’s betrayed, especially his lady love Bernadine. Is she finally ready to forgive him and let the past go? As the residents of Henry Adams have learned, life will throw obstacles their way, but it’s how they come together and rise above these challenges that keep the bonds of their close-knit community strong.

On the Corner of Hope and Main is a book I requested from Netgalley without even reading the description. I had seen so much from authors I follow on social media about what a wonderful person and writer the author is that I knew I was missing out. I did not even read the description before starting reading, and it took me a bit to get into the story- mainly because I have no idea of the genre or that it was book ten in a series when I started. However, the book does a wonderful job of sharing the needed history to understand characters, their relationships, and specific interactions. Readers get the viewpoints of so many characters that the story is that of the town, rather than a single person or family, and I really enjoy it. The character work was so well done that even when a character was doing something shady or underhanded, when they were making a decision that I could not agree with, I still understood how and why they got to that point. Each of the characters had such depth, and the machinations of those who want power or money were completely on point. I just got lost in the depth and layers of the stories, and feel like the characters faced such real problems that I think that everyone can relate to one or more of the characters as they all just try to get through the day and do the best they can for their families and town. Isn't that what we are all doing, even if we don't have a crazy hog or greedy oil company at our door.

On the Corner of Hope and Main is a wonderful book with solid characters and a ton of heart. My only disappointment is that it took me so long to pick up one of the books from this series. 

Early Book Review: What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows?: True Stories of Imagination and Courage by Heather Camlot, Serge Bloch

What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows?: True Stories of Imagination and Courage, written by Heather Camlot and illustrated by Serge Bloch, is currently scheduled for release on March 15 2020. What if the impossible were actually possible? What if we turned our dreams into action? What if our imagination could help solve real-world crises, like war, famine, and human rights violations? Through a series of seemingly whimsical questions, this middle-grade nonfiction book introduces readers to people and organizations that are subverting violence, war, and totalitarian power. What if soldiers refused to carry weapons? What if fighter pilots dropped seeds instead of bombs? What if music could be a creative force for democracy? None of these ideas are impossible—in fact, they are all true historical examples of ideas that have been put into action.

What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows? is an accessible look at how people that thought a little differently and asked the hard questions have been able to effect change. I liket hat while the questions are framed with a little humor the book does not ignore the dangers that some of these people faced in their efforts. Many of these stories were new to me, and even those I vaguely remember I was glad to read again or get more information on. I thought the text was well written and engaging. I think the illustrations were cartoony and fun. They did a great job of keeping some humor on each page, and keeping the interest for readers. Imagination, asking questions, and standing strong in your beliefs were key in each of these stories- and are great values to encourage in readers of all ages. It encourages readers to ask questions, especially the hard ones, and to try to find solutions that will help I like that the book also included a glossary and cited its sources in the backmatter. I might have liked a list of websites or reading materials for further reading, but that could very well be in the final version since I had a digital arc. 

What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows? encourages critical thinking and standing up for your beliefs and passions. I love the real stories from world history that are used to encourage readers of all ages to look past the obvious answers to find something more. 

Book Review: Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt: Egyptian Mythology for Kids by Morgan E. Moroney, Meel Tamphanon

Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt: Egyptian Mythology for Kids by Morgan E. Moroney features illustrated myths of incredible Egyptian gods and goddesses, these  twenty stories describe the magic each deity performed along the Nile. From the rising of the morning sun to the summer flooding of the Nile River, the ancient Egyptians believed powerful gods and goddesses ruled over every aspect of their daily lives. This Egyptian mythology guide explores the legends and how Egyptian mythology was a key part of ancient Egyptian culture, like pyramid building, the mummification process, and even the worshiping of cats. 

Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt is a book that helped me fill in some of my mythology knowledge gaps. I have read some Egyptian mythology before, but feel much less versed in it than Greek, Roman, Celtic, or even Norse.  Now I feel like I have a better understanding of the mythology, and I really enjoyed the read in the process. I thought the color choices for heading and text were bold, and as expected, and the illustrations by Meel Tampanon added a great deal to the read. I also liked the inclusion of photographs of artifacts from the culture, and photographs of the land. It really brought home the reality of the lives and beliefs of the people in ancient Egypt. I knew the basics of Egyptian mythology, and as I read I discovered new things and was reminded of details I had forgotten. While I still need to do an in depth look at the mythology to assuage my own curiosity, I think that this is a good introduction for young readers.I really appreciated the family tree, glossary, resources for further reading, and references that were included in the endpages. 

Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt is an accessible and engaging read. 

Book Review: Chaser by Rick R. Reed

Chaser by Rick R. Reed is a contemporary romance. Caden DeSarro is what they call a chubby chaser. He likes his guys with a few extra pounds on them. So when he meets Kevin Dodge in a bar bathroom, he can’t help but stare. As far as Caden is concerned, Kevin is physically perfect: a stocky bearded blond. But Caden gets tongue-tied and misses his chance. When Caden runs into Kevin on the train, he figures it’s fate offering him a second shot. Caden manages to get invited back to Kevin’s place for a one-night stand that turns into the kind of relationship he’s dreamed about. But the course of true love never runs smoothly—Kevin and Caden’s romance is no exception. When Caden returns from a few weeks away on business, Kevin surprises him with a new and “improved” body—one that fits Caden’s shallow friend Bobby’s ideal, but not Caden’s. Caden doesn’t know what to do, and his hesitation is just the opportunity Bobby was looking for.

Chaser is a romance that has characters with realistic and relatable issues and problems. I like that the characters all have their insecurities, because as much as people like to hide it I believe we all have them. Caden has doubts about his own desirability, and about who he is attracted to. I really like that he is aware of his issues and taking steps to make himself a better person for his own sake, rather than for someone else. Similarly, Kevin has insecurities and takes a completely different, yet still healthy, path to try and better himself. Like Caden I thought he was physically just fine in the beginning of the story, but getting healthier and being aware of your personal coping methods is not a bad idea. I have to admit that the tension of the story in the second half really got to me. I wanted to throw things as things went sideways, and while I love a good crisis and villian in a story I was way too tense to really enjoy this level of conflict. I think it was extremely well done, and too believable, which is probably why I found it so difficult to read at times. I read to escape the madness of the real world, and my escape was thwarted. Those that enjoy realistic crisis, betrayals, and so one will enjoy this much more than I. This comes from personal preference in reading rather than anything wrong with the writing or story- in fact, I think the fact that I found it as disturbing as I did goes to show how realistic the characters and story were.

Chaser is a realistic and well written romance. 

Book Review: Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1, by Tomohito Oda

Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1, by Tomohito Oda is a young adult magna. The journey to 100 friends begins with a single conversation. Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve! With the whole student body keeping their distance and Komi unable to utter a single word, friendship might be forever beyond her reach. Timid Tadano is a total wallflower, and that’s just the way he likes it. But all that changes when he finds himself alone in a classroom on the first day of high school with the legendary Komi. He quickly realizes she isn’t aloof—she’s just super awkward. Now he’s made it his mission to help her on her quest to make 100 friends!

Komi Can't Communicate is a graphic novel about finding your place in school, and I really like that it shows how different the way people feel can be from how they are perceived by others. I think readers of all ages can identify with Tadano on some level. He just wants to get through school unscathed, but things are not all that simple. In real life they never are either. Befriending Komi might not be good for flying under the radar, but it does help her start toward her own goals for school. I really liked that we get to see multiple perspectives, which gives the reader a bit of room to wonder how much of the story might be different from another view, and how much of their own worries or fears are fueled by similar assumptions and misperceptions. Aside from all that heavy stuff, there was also a good deal of humor and funny moments, and I found the read engaging and entertaining. I enjoyed the artwork very much, and think the line work did a great deal to add to the emotion and overall story through out. I thought the cast of major characters was well done and fun, and I look forward to seeing more. I did find the ending a bit abrupt, like maybe the last couple pages and back cover were missing from my digital copy, but that could have just been a clever hook to make me want the next installment even more. 

Komi Can't Communicate is a fun and engaging read. I think most middle schoolers through adults would find something entertaining and relatable in the read. 

Book Review: Cold Hearted Bastard (Bastard Series) by Jennifer Dawson

Cold Hearted Bastard is the first book in the Bastard Series by Jennifer Dawson. Meet Jackson McKay. There's only one thing you need to know about me. I'm a cold hearted bastard that will never love you the way you deserve. And I'm sorry to say, bastard beats nice guy, every time. I never lie. Never deceive. I lay out exactly what will happen. My only promise is that I'm a one-night stand. That this is will be our first and last time together. Then I stand back and let them walk. But they never do. Because they all want to believe they will be the one to change me. And, Gwen Johnson, the woman that will be his demise. There's only one thing you need to know about me. What I want, I get. End of story. I didn't come to own one of the best restaurants in the city of Chicago before the age of thirty by taking no for an answer. And what I want is for this cold hearted bastard, and culinary genius, to work for me. I don't care how difficult he is. I'm going to figure out what makes him tick, what he needs most, and then I'm going to go in for the kill. The way I see it, you either own it, or it owns you.

Cold Hearted Bastard is a contemporary romance that focuses on two successful adults that know what they want, and will not be sidetracked- at least not until they see each other. Everything has always come easy come easy for Jackson, and when he retreated to his hometown he still received offers to come work his magic for them. Gwen has worked hard and gotten to the point where most things come easy for her as well. When the two mean there are fireworks, verbally and physically. I like that they are honest with each other about the attraction and what they can offer each other, well for the most part. There was plenty of heat, but I like that they talked and did other things as they got to know each other. Jackson's big secret, as well as the fears and insecurities the two have, are well done and I was curious to see how they would come together. I really liked how honest they were with each other about how they felt, except for when they weren't because of the conflicts. There were moments that I wanted to kick one or both of them but while I disagreed with then or thought they were missing the big picture, the reactions in question were always in line with the character. I also liked the variety of secondary characters, some of which fans of the author will recognize from previous books. 

Cold Hearted Bastard is a romance that I think many contemporary romance fans with a love for stubborn characters will enjoy. 

Early Book Review: Don't Check Out This Book! by Kate Klise

Don't Check Out This Book! by Kate Klise is a children's book currently scheduled for release on March 10 2020. Consider the facts: Appleton Elementary School has a new librarian named Rita B. Danjerous. (Say it fast.) Principal Noah Memree barely remembers hiring her. Ten-year-old Reid Durr is staying up way too late reading a book from Ms. Danjerous's controversial "green dot" collection. The new school board president has mandated a student dress code that includes white gloves and bow ties available only at her shop. Sound strange? Fret not. Appleton's fifth-grade sleuths are following the money, embracing the punny, and determined to the get to the funniest, most rotten core of their town's juiciest scandal. 

Don't Check Out This Book! is a read full of punny names, and a healthy dose of humor. I really enjoyed the letter based format, and think that it portrayed the personalities and intent of the characters very well. I liked how well the different tones and voices were done, even with variation in stationary and handwriting to make them each stand out. I like that while some of the personalities seem over the top, I have actually met people like most of these characters. The story seems simple, but covers a lot of ground. THere is the importance of following the rules, but knowing that there is a time to question them and follow your own heart and mind to do the right thing. There is supporting others in doing the right thing, the importance of the perfect book, and how some people crave power and prestige more than the good they could do with it. The balance of humor and important ideas is so well done that it does not feel like preachy or heavy handed, which can ruin a read for some readers (like myself). I hope just as many parents, educators, and school board members read this as children because there were moments that felt all to real. I really enjoyed the read and was reminded how much I have enjoyed Klise's work. 

Don't Check Out This Book! was a great story that I think kids and adults can enjoy on their own and to spark conversations. 

Early Book Review: Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling's Journey by Stephen R. Swinburne, Guillaume Feuillet

Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling's Journey, written by Stephen R. Swinburne and with photography from Guillaume Feuillet, is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. Follow a hatchling's treacherous journey from nest to sea in an engaging first-person narrative from the sea turtle's perspective. Photographs by Guillaume Feuillet capture the drama of the hatchlings' race to safety. Back matter includes information on the life cycle of leatherback sea turtles, tips for how readers can assist with sea turtle conservation, and recommended further reading.

Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling's Journey is a visually enchanting book. I love the photography, especially some of the pictures of sand covered turtles making their way to the water. The text was simple and accessible. The color choices for page backgrounds and text were nice and made everything pleasing to the eye and easy to read. I really liked that there was backmatter offering further information on the topic and ways families can help, and resources for further reading. My only complaint is that while I know this is a children's book and we do not need to be freaking out young or sensitive readers with turtles dying, something actually acknowledging the dangers turtles face during the trip could have been mentioned. Why would kids reading think turtles need saving if there are no dangers towards them mentioned. Yes, that there are birds and crabs on the beach is mentioned- but no mention as to why that is important. As far as readers of this book know all turtles that hatch make it to the water, which is far from the case. Perhaps this could be used as a discussion starter for adults reading this with their young readers.

Early Book Review: Rail Journeys by David Ross

Rail Journeys by David Ross is currently scheduled for release on March 14 2020. There is always a sense of adventure when going on a railway journey. Whether it is aboard the Orient Express from London to Istanbul, or travelling the Transcontinental railroad through the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific coast, or riding the Serra Verde Express through the Brazilian rainforest, With 200 outstanding colour photographs, Rail Journeys  takes the reader on a journey through some of the most unusual, romantic and remarkable landscapes in the world. Places where trains still offer romantic and astounding experiences of rail travel at its best.

Rail Journeys offers readers a combination of accessible text and stunning images of railroads and trains. Readers can glimpse the Coast Starlight, which carries passengers from Los Angeles along the Pacific coast to Seattle and all points in between. Then there is the 7,000 kilometre Trans-Siberian, crossing the entirety of Mongolia and Russia from Beijing to Moscow. Some many unique and fascinating images and details about train travel around the world. I found myself studying the images of landscapes, stations, tunnels, and trains more intensely that I thought I would. I was captivated by the images more than anything else, but when I took the time to read the text I found it to be interesting and informative. I am very much a homebody, but think train travel would be one of the few ways I would be glad to travel.  I just loved the photography so much that it over-shadowed the work that must have gone into that text even though it was well done.  

Rail Journeys is a book that I could see as a great gift for train and travel lovers alike. I know a could people that are train enthusiasts that I think would fully appreciate this book.