Book Review: Feel the Fire (Hotshots) by Annabeth Albert

 Feel the Fire is the third book in the Hotshots series by Annabeth Albert. While characters do carry over from the previous installments of the series, this can be fully enjoyed as a stand alone. 

Fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera goes where his job takes him. But when he’s assigned to an arson investigation in Central Oregon—the place he left his broken heart twenty years ago—he’s afraid of being burned all over again. Tucker Ryland had planned to join his first love, Luis, in LA after high school graduation, but life got in the way. Now a fire management expert and a divorced father of teen twins, Tucker’s thrown for a loop when he finds himself working side by side with his Luis, now all grown up and more intriguing than ever. Though consumed by a grueling fire season and family responsibilities, the two men discover their bond has never truly broken. Tentative kisses turn to passionate nights. But smoking sheets aside, old hurts and new truths stand in the way of this time being the start of forever.

Feel the Fire is a solid addition to this series, even as it can stand up on its own. I am not usually a fan of second chance romance, but here it really worked for me, and to be honest I think I will read everything in this series regardless of trope. I liked both Luis and Tucker, they are both smart and try to think about others before themselves. Both have grown up since their high school days and lived different lives. I liked that the connection was still there, but that they had real conversations and cared enough to get to know each other again rather than trying to ignore their feelings and attraction. I really liked the community and how important family and real communication was to the story, particularly in some hard conversations about choices and the future. I also liked that Albert did not wrap everything up in a neat little bow, because life rarely works like that. While the relationships were solid at the end, there are still tough spots, decisions, and more that will come about in the future- and that is not ignored here. I really want to see Tucker's boys find their way, and so many of the secondary characters from this series to be honest. I look forward to reading whatever comes next.

Feel the Fire is what I did not know I wanted for this series. Another must read for fans, and a great read even for newcomers to the author.

Early Book Review: A Good Bake: The Art and Science of Making Perfect Pastries, Cakes, Cookies, Pies, and Breads at Home by Melissa Weller; Carolynn Carreno

A Good Bake: The Art and Science of Making Perfect Pastries, Cakes, Cookies, Pies, and Breads at Home by Melissa Weller; Carolynn Carreno is currently scheduled for release on November 17 2020. 

In A Good Bake, Weller shares detailed recipes for producing delicious, and beautiful, baked goods. A chemical engineer before she became a baker, Weller uses her scientific background to explain the whys and hows of baking, so home cooks can achieve perfect results every time. Here are recipes both sweet (Pumpkin Layer Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream and Brown Sugar Frosting) and savory (Khachapuri with Cheese, Baked Egg, and Nigella Seeds); beloved classics (Croissants and Chocolate Babka) and new sure-to-be favorites (Milk Chocolate and Raspberry Blondies)--as well as Salted Caramel Sticky Buns, all written and tested for even the most novice home baker to re-create. With photographs by the award-winning Johnny Miller, and tutorials that demystify all of the stuff that sounds complicated, like working with yeast, sourdough starters, and laminating dough Weller's book is a comprehensive guide.

A Good Bake is a great look at the science and detail that can make or break our bake. I love getting down to the reason my muffins did not rise, or a loaf of bread did not turn out quite like I expected- even when I swear I did everything right. I am also the type of baker that after I do the same recipe a few time I like to switch up ingredients or eyeball amounts, and knowing what the key ingredients do for the final product, this kind of information is extremely helpful in having those experiments turn out successfully. Weller starts by giving the basic advice that we all know, but rarely follow- a careful reading of the recipe and planning of the bake based on its details. She goes on to explain some of the common pitfalls, tools and ingredients, and of course the tools and terms of the trade. While some more experienced bakers might just skip over this bit, I will admit to simply skimming it in most cookbooks, but I found it well worth a more thorough read in this case. I found the recipes to be very detailed, and nicely organized.  I liked the bits of extra information included in the recipes about how or why something happens or is important. Although, I will admit that I could have done without the  information about where she came up with a recipe or I also like that the measurements are given in both common cups and weights, giving even those unable or unwilling to make the switch equal opportunity to enjoy the recipes.  I found the variety of recipes, and the ideas included to be informative. I thought the photographs were a great match, and liked that there were some step by step photographs- which I found very helpful particularly with the shaping of some bread. No matter how good the phrasing is, sometimes a good picture is key to understanding the way a twist, plait, or fold is meant to go. A well written and informative cookbook that covers the hows and whys of a good bake.

A Good Bake is a great cookbook for bakers that like knowing the science involved in getting the perfect bake. 

Book Review: Kitty and Dragon by Meika Hashimoto, Gillian Reid

Kitty and Dragon is a collection of three easy readers stories written by Meika Hashimoto and illustrated by Gillian Reid. Kitty and Dragon are best friends, even when one of them is snoring, being messy, or having a sad day. Even though they are quite different from one another, Kitty and Dragon have learned that there’s nothing better than being together, just the way they are.

Kitty and Dragon is a sweet collection of short, fairly simple stories about how Kitty and Dragon became friends and how they find solutions ad help each other trough things like getting sick or cleaning up. The illustrations are clean and bright, cute and easy to find little details that add to the story. The themes of friendship, compromise, understanding and looking past other people's expectations are in the book. However, the basic lessons never overwhelm the simplicity of the cute artwork and the main story of friends finding each other and working things out. I think there are many young readers that will enjoy this series of stories, but find that there is nothing that really made them stand out for me in the large number of cute, fun readers.

Book Review: Mistletoe and Mr. Right (Moose Springs) by Sarah Morgenthaler

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler is the second book in the Moose Spring series. I did not know it was part of a series until I started reading and realized the town and characters had already been explained in the previous book. I did catch up quickly, and think most other newcomers will be able to as well. 

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can't stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana's determined to prove that she belongs...even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town's hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into. The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it's not getting any easier now that his dream girl's back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it's clear she needs help, fast...and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It's an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong, together.

Mistletoe and Mr. Right is a book that captured my attention with the promise of quirky characters and a quirkier town. I loved the Santa Moose, taxidermy squirrels, and a town full of interesting but stubborn people. I found myself quickly caring about Lana and her struggle to balance family, business, and herself- particularly since family and business were so intertwined.  I was equally interested in Rick, his need to balance friends, business, and his nephew. I really liked the story building and getting to know some of the residents of Moose Spring. I will say that I think returning readers to this series will have a better understanding of most of the characters and the dynamics of the small town, going in. So they will likely enjoy the read more than newcomers like myself. I also found Lana's speech patterns a little distracting. I know some people use chosen words quite often, but her use of 'dearest' seemed odd to me. It just became distracting to me after awhile, particularly when being used towards just about everyone. I liked Lana and Rick together, and the cute animals involved even if they felt a little gimmicky in the bigger picture of the story. I found myself smiling often while reading because of them regardless. I was a little annoyed that I still do not know how everything with Lana's business side works out, and I have several unanswered questions about the town, the moose, and the resort. I hope those questions are answered as the series continues.

Mistletoe and Mr. Right is a fun romance with good characters and interactions. I was a good read, but will be even better to fans of the series.

Book Review: My Wild Life: Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer by Suzi Eszterhas

 My Wild Life: Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer by Suzi Eszterhas is a children's book about one person's journey to be a wildlife photographer. As a young girl, Suzi Eszterhas knew she wanted to be a wildlife photographer. But how did she go from snapping pictures of cats in her backyard to taking photos of cheetah cubs in Kenya? In this nonfiction picture-book biography, Eszterhas invites readers to find out what her life is like behind the lens. Photographs of animals paired with compelling anecdotes will instantly draw readers in. Each section of the book explores a unique part of Eszterhas’s job with energetic and engaging language. Along with photography tips and stories about life in the field, Eszterhas’s sections on conservation and treating animals with respect will enhance readers’ awareness of these issues. End matter includes answers to common questions Suzi has been asked.

My Wild Life: Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer is a wonderful and realistic look at what life as a wildlife photographer can be like. While there are stories about getting amazing pictures and some once in a life time experiences, like cheetah cubs getting so used to her presence on a shoot that they were playing on her jeep. She also talks about having to wear seven plus layers of clothing in the arctic, being charged by rhinos and gorillas, and having to sit in a blind long enough to have clearing labeled bottles for water, and well other things. I think Eszterhas does a good job here of showing the wonder and respect that the profession deserves, with the amount of dedication and hardship inherent in getting it right. I think the included photographs do a goo job of capturing the variety of the author's work, and that the endmatter with frequently asked questions are perfect additions to the book. I have to admit that I spent a good amount of this book thinking of my daughter, who has been saying she want to live with wolves or out in the wild for most of her life, and think I will have to show her some of the reality of such a life to see if it is really the path she wants.

My Wild Life: Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer is a great look at what is really involved in being a wildlife photographer; research, patience, danger, and all.

Book Review: All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know) by Kerrigan Byrne

 All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series by Kerrigan Byrne. You do not need to have read the previous book to enjoy this one, but it will make most of the characters and some of the set up easier to understand and give readers a bigger picture of the dangerous undercurrents of the series.

He is first and foremost—at everything. A man who’s made his own way through ruthless cunning and sheer force of will. A strong and imposing Scot who can turn on the charm but does not suffer fools. His title: Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. His name: Cassius Gerard Ramsay. His mission: To investigate the goings-on at London's most notorious gaming hell, owned and operated by one of the most intriguing and desirable women he’s ever met. Cecelia Teague was an orphan facing a rather dire future—until a secret benefactor from her mother’s scandalous past swept into her life. Sent to a prestigious boarding school and later to university, Cecelia believed high society was at her fingertips...Then, from out of nowhere, she became the inheritor of a gambling establishment. Now Cecelia must live two lives: one as a proper lady who finds herself undeniably drawn to Lord Ramsay and the other as a savvy gaming hell owner trying to save her business from the very same man. He has no idea she is both women...and Cecelia would like to keep it that way. But what happens when consuming passion and escalating danger threaten to reveal the truth?

All Scot and Bothered is a romance that left me with mixed feelings. I liked the set up, and the characters, but something just never hit the mark for me. I really liked Cecelia's character. She was strong, smart, and sweet despite having gone through more than her fair share of trouble. Similarly, Ramsay has had a painful past, and as a result has some blind spots. I liked their banter when they were actually communicating, and their chemistry is off the charts and well done. I really liked that both Ramsay and Cecelia are so focus on protecting others but will admit to being more than a little upset with each of them during various moments in the story. I know there would not be much conflict between them if Ramsay was not so stubborn and blind when he focuses on something, most often the wrong thing. But, between that and Cecelia's crying, which she recognized in herself, I found myself annoyed. I thought the characters ad the larger story elements were very interesting, and I will keep reading the series, I just felt like the execution of the story did not hit my fairly high expectations for the book. I wanted to love it, and I did love some individual aspects of it, but as a whole I liked the read but was left wanting. 

All Scot and Bothered is a good historical romance with strong characters and a nice balance of heat, heart, and danger.

Early Book Review: What Breathes Through Its Butt?: Mind-Blowing Science Questions Answered by Emily Grossman, Alice Bowsher

What Breathes Through Its Butt?: Mind-Blowing Science Questions Answered, written by Emily Grossman and illustrated by Alice Bowsher, is currently scheduled for release on November 10 2020. Why is your elbow called your funny bone? How could you escape the grip of a crocodile’s jaw? Which animal can breathe through its butt? This book uncovers the amazing scientific explanations behind all sorts of questions that can pop into our heads. Can an egg bounce? How can a giraffe’s ridiculously long neck contain the same number of bones as a human’s? How much does the Internet weigh? With delightful interactive features that invite readers to guess answers to questions and make links between different scientific concepts.

What Breathes Through Its Butt? is a book that answers a number of the wacky and interesting questions that wee might never have thought to ask. Some of the information was very interesting and I learned a bit about things I never thought to wonder about. I found that the writing and illustrations were well paired, and aimed at readers that like silly or gross humor, and those with fairly short attention spans. I think this might be a great book for getting reluctant readers to read, and maybe reread. I feel like the author and illustrator worked well together on this book and the final product will certainly interest and entertain a number of young readers- and I can picture it being a regular check out in an elementary school library. For my tastes it just catered a little too much to the goofy and not quite as much on the encouraging further research as I would have liked. 

Book Review: The Love Study (The Love Study) by Kris Ripper

The Love Study is the first book in a series by thee same name by Kris Ripper. Declan has commitment issues. He’s been an office temp for literally years now, and his friends delight in telling people that he left his last boyfriend at the altar.And that’s all true. But he’s starting to think it’s time to start working on his issues. When Declan meets Sidney, a popular nonbinary YouTuber with an advice show, an opportunity presents itself: as part of The Love Study, Declan will go on a series of dates arranged by Sidney and report back on how the date went in the next episode. The dates are sort of blah. It’s not Sidney’s fault; the folks participating are (mostly) great people, but there’s no chemistry there. Maybe Declan’s just broken. Or maybe the problem is that the only person he’s feeling chemistry with is Sidney.

The Love Study is a romance that does a good job of capturing the anxiety that is so much a part of daily life for so many, especially in the context of dating. Declan has fears, doubts, and all sorts of issues when in comes to confidence in himself and in his ability to have a successful relationship beyond those in his established freindgroup. Sydney is nonbinary with anxiety and worries of their own. I really enjoyed getting to know both of these characters, and the group of supportive people that are in their lives. This story felt so real, because the anxiety was more real than anything I remember reading in other romance. The conflict is not caused by outside forces, and something a simple conversation could fix forever in ten minutes. Instead the conflict is real emotion and self doubt, anxiety and fear of causing and feeling pain, and the solution is ongoing communication and commitment. I think this was more visceral and real than anything else. I think just about everyone has felt some of this, or had a similar internal dialogue to Declan at some point in their lives. I also liked how honest and real the discussions about gender, language choices, and consent were handled. This book was hard to read now and then, because I could physically feel Declan's anxiety in several situations. However, there were also moments that made me chuckle or smile at the sweetness and respect inherent in the characters. I am eager to read the next book in the series, The Hate Study, because two of my favorite secondary characters get to find love next.

The Love Study is a fabulous read that hits all the fears and handles anxiety, gender identity, and consent in the best ways.

Book Review: Immortal Angel (An Argeneau Novel) by Lynsay Sands

 Immortal Angel is the 31st book in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. I lost track of this series ten books or so ago, but saw it on Netgalley and figured I would give it a read. You do not need to have read the series to enjoy this book, but having read a few of them will help understand the worldbuilding that has been done and some returning characters.

For almost two centuries, Ildaria Garcia has been on the run, a trouble magnet with a knack for taking down bad guys. Lately, her vigilante tendencies have drawn unwelcome attention to her fellow Immortals. Forced to relocate, Ildaria is supposed to lay low in a new town. Instead, she quickly entangles herself with six and a half feet of muscular, tattooed trouble. Joshua James Simpson Guiscard, aka G.G., knows a lot about Immortals—enough to make him wary. Yet from the moment Ildaria walks into his club, he feels desire stronger than anything he’s known. Accepting the fact that they might be life mates is disconcerting. But when her past catches up to them, G.G. faces a choice—confront his demons at last, or lose a passion that’s hot as hell.

Immortal Angel is exactly what I remember from reading this series years ago. Ildaria is a strong person, dealing with trauma and fear in her own way. Her biggest fault is her difficulty in accepting, never mind asking for, help. G.G. is equally strong and independent, with a matching need to protect those around him. I liked watching these two get to know each other and find their way to happy compromise  before the dangers even really arise. Although there was on point at which his decision making without her input, or any communication at all really, bothered me tremendously. I thought the danger elements were well done, but to be honest I fully expected another twist or attempt to hurt one or both of them to pop up. The story did not need it, but I was still half expecting it. As a lapsed reader of this series, it was nice seeing a good number of the characters I remember take supporting roles here.It was an enjoyable and nostalgic read for me. 

Immortal Angel is a good addition to a long running series that long time, returning, and new readers can enjoy.

Book Review: Watch Me (Phoenix) by Stacey Kennedy

Watch Me is the first book in the Phoenix series by Stacey Kennedy. Zoey Parker has a three-step plan for revenge. First, gain entrance to the ultra-exclusive, upscale sex club, Phoenix. Second, act out her wildest fantasy in front of powerful old rivals, proving that they didn’t break her. Third, disappear and never return. The only kink in her plan? Rhys Harrington, the owner of Phoenix and the one man she needs to stay away from. Rhys’ high-end clients pay extravagant amounts to watch his stars indulge their desires. Rhys’ only rule? Watch, don’t touch. But one look at Zoey and Rhys decides to participate in the show himself. And when an undeniable passion ignites between them, Rhys knows he wants more. Except Zoey is determined to run and he is determined to find out why. When Rhys discovers Zoey’s secret, he shocks her by offering his protection… and a no-strings-attached relationship. But Zoey knows there will be more on the line than just her pleasure. Because Rhys’ sizzling touch doesn’t only capture her body, it also commands her heart.

Watch Me is seriously steamy, but knowing one of the main characters owns a sex club should give all readers a clue to that before they even open the book. However, it is also emotionally engaging and is about healing and hope as much as the heat. Zoey has been hurt, and is working on reclaiming her life and confidence. She is not completely sure of her path, but she has plans to find her way and is determined to have a better future. Rhys did not intend to be part of that plan, but after unwittingly finding himself a major play he discovers that he wants to help he continue her healing. I love that these two strong, intelligent individuals work to heal themselves and each other. I love that found and blood family have their roles to play, and that the importance to people you can trust is so important to the characters and the story. The secondary characters, and the communities of friends in this story made me happy and stayed with me as I read the story and after I read the last page. I look forward to continuing the series and finding out how the others make their way to their own happy ever afters.

Watch Me is a steamy romance that has all the feels. Fans of Kennedy will want to dive into this series starter.