Early Book Review: Awakened (Diablo Lake) by Lauren Dane

 Awakened is the third book in the Diablo Lake series by Lauren Dane. It is currently scheduled for release on October 26 2021. I have not read the previous books in this series. While I think this book can be enjoyed on its own, returning readers will get more out of it than newcomers. 

It’s autumn in Diablo Lake and the town is buzzing with preparations for Halloween, Samhain, Collins Hill Days, and the wedding of the newly elected mayor and her wolf shifter fiancé. Ruby Thorne can’t think of a better time of year to come back for good and open the health clinic she’s been planning for the last six years. Her connection to the town and its veins of magic have snapped back into place, flooding her with a power eager to jump to her call. She has a sense of rightness. This witch is exactly where she’s supposed to be. So it’s not much of a surprise that he comes back into her path just like he was meant to. Damon Dooley has spent the last few years learning how to run the pack at his older brother’s right hand. There’s been upheaval. Outrage. Violence. Old rules have created a silence so crushing it’s collapsed the fabric of not just the wolf shifters, but the town as a whole. And yet, Ruby has returned. Man and wolf agree she needs to be in their life regularly, and before long, things move from serious to something magically deeper. Bound to one another heart and soul, both committed to what’s best for Diablo Lake, Ruby backs Damon as he pushes for much-needed change. But when something falls into Ruby’s lap and she learns the whole, terrible truth, secrets need to be spilled. How—and by whom—becomes the only question.

Awakened is a book with several subplots that fans of the series will be eager to see move forward. Even as a newcomer to the series I was interested in the community drama and how things were going to play out. I thought that there was a great deal of character and world building that was very well done. The families and how everyone was connected and had unique personalities was very well done. That being said, I felt like the relationship between Ruby and Damon was a little too easy. They had the previous knowledge of each other, but spent some time getting to know how they had each changed. They were very open and communicated well about what they needed or wanted from each other, and their commitments to their families and communities and the interruptions that might take place. The majority of tension came from outside, the politics and past that the werewolf pack was dealing with. There just was no will they/wont they or how are they going to come back from this moments to keep me invested in the couple. It just did not grab me and make me care about Ruby and Damon, who were just a little two perfect on their own and together. 

Awakened is a must read for fans oft he series and author, but it just did not capture my attention like past books from the author. 

Early Book Review: Bat's Moonlight Feast by Gordon McMillan, Carly Allen-Fletcher

Bat's Moonlight Feast is a nonfiction picturebook written by Gordon McMillan and illustrated by Carly Allen-Fletcher. It is currently scheduled for release on November 1 2021. The tube-lipped nectar bat is the pollinator of a pale, bell-shaped flower found in the Ecuadorian cloud forests. First discovered in 2005, the bat is the only known pollinator of a pale, bell shaped flower called Centropogon nigricans . Due to the length of the bloom, no other animal can reach the nectar which rests at the flower’s base. This is the story of one such bat and her nocturnal search for this rare flower whose nectar sustains her.

Bat's Moonlight Feast is an absolutely beautiful book. I thought the artwork was extremely well done and did a great job of showing the details of the subject matter. The backgrounds were just as beautiful as the work done on the bats and flowers. I looked through the images several times simply to enjoy them. I also thought the text was well done, and easy to understand without being dumbed down. I liked the additional text that gave more information on the newly discovered bat and what we have learned about it. I think young readers will love this book, and animal and nature enthusiasts of all ages will as well. 

Early Book Review: Cows Have No Top Teeth by Kelly Tills

Cows Have No Top Teeth by Kelly Tills is currently scheduled for release on November 2 2021. In this light-hearted book, learn just how much cows like to chew, even without top teeth. They graze all day, then rest, and chew some more. Enjoy hearing your child shout out the answers to silly questions like "Does a cow drink through a straw?" This call and response format is a time-tested method for keeping kids engaged and interacting, instead of just chewing on the pages.

Cows Have No Top Teeth is a fun and informative nonfiction picture book. The illustrations are cute, and catch the eye to hold the attention of the youngest readers. I thought the facts chosen and the phrasing were accessible and interesting.  To be perfectly honest, I had no idea that cows have no top teeth, although I did know most of the other information. I liked that the whole concept of this series, that every one and everything has something different about them, and that difference is wonderful. 

Early Book Review: Eli And The Mystery Of The Hallowshine Dragon by Eve Cabanel, Ekaterina Ilchenko

Eli And The Mystery Of The Hallowshine Dragon, written by Eve Cabanel and illustrated by Ekaterina Ilchenko, is currently scheduled for release on October 23 2021. A moon elf’s journey to undo a dragon’s curse illuminates the power of friendship. Two courageous friends adventure through lands of unicorns, fairies, and magical rainbows to confront a terrifying beast with a surprising wish. In a beautiful enchanted forest lives a moon elf named Eli and her friend Luna. When Luna’s baby bunny is turned into hard rock candy by magical sugar crystals, the friends begin a journey to do the impossible to reverse the curse: confront the terrifying and legendary Hallowshine dragon for a drop of its healing saliva. In their race against time to find the dragon, Eli and Luna meet magical creatures and travel through various dreamy lands including the Abyss of Time, a marvelous unicorn’s kingdom, a whimsical fairy’s home, and a waterfall with enchanted golden shoes. A magical lesson is learned about how love, friendship, and acceptance can heal all if you have courage and believe in yourself.

Eli And The Mystery Of The Hallowshine Dragon is a fantasy picturebook. First, I need to say that my favorite thing about this book is the artwork. The illustrations are beautifully done, and worth a look all on their own. I looked through the book more than once simply to admire the artwork. I will be keeping an eye out for more from the artist. I was less impressed with the story. The plot and characters were cute, but I felt like the text and story line was a little inconsistent or scattered. There were a couple times that I had 'wait, what' moments or felt like something had been repeated. I think there was great potential here, and the framework for something amazing is here, but it just did not come together for me. Perhaps one more editorial pass would have pulled everything together and made it work more for me.  

Book Review: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation, Volume 4, by Misaki, Momochi, Sando

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation, Volume 4, by Misaki, Momochi, Sando is the latest volume being adapted from Misaki's  is original A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation light novel series by Momochi and Sando , who helped bring the series to life as a manga with their character designs and artwork.

Lizel and Gil finally flush out their mysterious attacker and settle the score with him, but it seems the assailant isn't quite the threat they initially believed him to be.Is it possible this former foe could actually be a new ally? Maybe so... but first he'll have to convince them to give him the chance he knows he deserves! Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually so he might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now.

The forth volume of A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation is a solid continuation of the story. Relationships continue to grow and characters get to grow quite a bit in the process. Fans of the previous volumes will want to read this and continue the tale, but this is very much a series that needs to be read in order. In fact, a reread of previous installments might serve readers well depending on how long it has been since they read the previous part. As someone that has read some of the light novel series, it took me a bit to figure out where I was in the story, which was made more challenging by some formatting issues in my digital galley- which I fully expect are fixed in the final version.  

Book Review: Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost , Volume 1, by Kaori Yuki

Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost , Volume 1, by Kaori Yuki is the start of a new graphic novel series. It presents the story of Belle and her beast as you've never seen it before, with sinister, creeping shadows suffusing a door to a wider, magical world. Young and rambunctious Belle insists on going out to play in the forbidden woods, but her adventurous streak abruptly ends when her mother is spirited away by a beast known to kidnap beautiful women. Twisted by the loss of his wife, Belle’s father keeps his daughter and her unusual violet hair locked away in an effort to “protect” her from prying eyes. Years later, news of the beast’s reappearance coaxes Belle back to the woods where it all began—but her desperate search for the truth may be more perilous than she could have ever imagined. 

Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost is a new and engaging story. First off, I loved the art style and think the graphics do a great job of illustrating the mood and action oft he story while adding a great deal to the story as a whole. I enjoyed the twist on the beauty and the beast idea, and think the characters, action, and plot are all well build and carries through out the story. I thought the emotional scars for Belle and the other characters were just as evident as their more obvious attributes. Belle and the Beast had me wanting to know more about them and how everything would come together right from the start, and I was disappointed to see the last page of this volume because it felt like all of the groundwork had been laid and everything was just about to get even more interesting. I must admit that there were a few moments where I got a bit lost as to exactly where the characters were, and how certain things came to pass, but those moments were definitely the exception rather than the rule. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to the second volume. 

Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost is a solid start to a new series, and I am intrigued. I look forward to following the story as it continues. 

Early Book Review: Oddball: A Sarah's Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen

Oddball: A Sarah's Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen is currently scheduled for release on October 12 2021. This is the fourth book in this graphic novel series. This particular collection of Sarah's Scribbles comics explores the evils of procrastination, the trials of the creative process, the cuteness of kittens, and the beauty of not caring about your appearance as much as you did when you were younger. When it comes to humorous illustrations of the awkwardness and hilarity of millennial life, Sarah's Scribbles is without peer.

Oddball is exactly what fans of the artist will be looking for from this book. Her art style and humor is consistent and enjoyable. The perils of living as an artist, introvert, or anxious individual are portrayed well, and in ways most of us that fall into those categories can relate to. While some of the pages were familiar to me, since I follow the artist on social media, others were new. The humor is relatable on several levels, even if some of the generational jokes pretty much ignored the existence of generation x- but everyone does. I think fans will want to pick this up, or at least give it a read through. 

Oddball is not the first I have read from this collection, and hopefully it will not be the last. It offers humor and self awareness to all the socially awkward, anxious, and otherwise odd feeling introverts trying to survive day to day life. 

Book Review: Country Kitchen Cookbook: A Collection of Traditional American Home-Cooked Recipes by Jennifer Boudinot

Country Kitchen Cookbook: A Collection of Traditional American Home-Cooked Recipes by Jennifer Boudinot is full of recipes for anyone who is a fan of bacon, cheese, buttermilk, savory casseroles, the sweetest pies, or anything deep fried. With a flexi-bind format that stays open while you cook, Country Kitchen Cookbook provides  Perfect for hanging around at home or inviting guests for a late, light supper, there is a recipe for everything. Recipes include Strawberry Shortcake, Loaded Baked Potato Soup, Apple-Smothered Pork Chops, Beef Stew with Dumplings, Country Corn Fritters, Collard Greens and Bacon, Hush Puppies, Home-Fried Sausage Casserole, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, and more!

Country Kitchen Cookbook is well organized and full of southern inspired comfort food recipes and corresponding photographs. The recipes are divided by themes and are easy to navigate. This is not a collection for those that are trying to eat healthy or have dietary restrictions. However, for those that are looking to master some favorite comfort food recipes or to treat yourself (and/or others) to a down home meal this will hit all the notes you need. As someone that does not often indulge in this style of cooking, this would be a book I would gladly check out from the library in order to master a few recipes for special occasions or days that I just fill the need to treat myself or my friends and family to something special. I think this would be a great addition to most public libraries fr that very reason. Those that tend to cook this style of food more often, or want to learn how, just might want to add it to their personal collection

Country Kitchen Cookbook is a great collection of recipes for those looking to serve up some comfort food.

Book Review: Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert

Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert is a contemporary romance, and the start of a new series. It’s petty, but Naval Chief Derrick Fox wishes he could exact a little revenge on his ex by showing off a rebound fling. His submarine is due to return to its Bremerton, Washington, home base soon and Derrick knows all too well there won't be anyone waiting with a big, showy welcome. Enter one ill-advised plan. Arthur Euler is the guy you go to in a pinch—he's excellent at out-of-the-box solutions. It's what the genius music-slash-computer nerd is known for. So when he finds out Derrick needs a favor, he’s happy to help. He can muster the sort of welcome a Naval Chief deserves, no problem at all. Except it is a problem. A very big problem. When Arthur’s homecoming welcome is a little too convincing, when a video of their gangplank smooch goes enormously viral, they're caught between a dock and a hard place. Neither of them ever expected a temporary fake relationship to look—or feel—so real. And Arthur certainly never considered he'd be fighting for a very much not-fake forever with a military man.

Sailor Proof is a contemporary romance that uses some of my favorite tropes to great effect. The friend's sibling romance, the kind of friends to lovers, fake romance turned real, and my favorite twist- there's only one bed! Derrick and Arthur were each great characters with their own personal issues to work out. I empathized with Arthur as he struggled with family dynamics and his perceptions of the past and his place in the present. I felt for Derrick as he noticed Arthur's discomfort and his gifts even as he had to come understand some of those dynamics and what he wanted from life at the same time. Seeing them both struggle and then find their way hit just the spot I needed it to.  I absolutely love Arthur and Derrick together, they hit the perfect blend of communication, chemistry, and charm that had me rooting for them right from the beginning. 

Sailor Proof is another great read from this author. I cannot wait to see what they write next.

Early Book Review: Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher's Extraordinary World by Craig Foster; Ross Frylinck

Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher's Extraordinary World by Craig Foster and Ross Frylinck is currently scheduled for release on October 19 2021. Craig Foster and Ross Frylinck regularly dive together in the awe-inspiring kelp forests off South Africa, without wetsuits or oxygen tanks. In Ross, he found a kindred spirit, someone who also embraced the ancient methods of acclimating his body to frigid waters, but whose eyes had not yet adjusted to the transcendent wonder Craig saw each time they dove. In the stories that make up this book, readers swim alongside Ross as he grows from skeptic to student of the underwater wild. And in the revelatory marine science behind the stunning photos, we learn how to track sea hares, cuttlefish, and limpets, and we witness strange new behaviors never before documented in marine biology. We realize that a whole world of wonder, and an innate wildness within us all, emerge anew when we simply observe. 

I have to admit that I picked Underwater Wild to read because of the photography. Seriously, the images are stunning and well worth a look at the book all on their own. They are simply stunning. The text is well written and talks about much more than the marine life feature. The narrative style brings readers along for the ride, showing rather than telling about what has been seen and learned. It is about marine life, exploration, family, relationships, and more. When paired with the photographs, the text gives an extra layer of wonder and heart to the book as a whole. I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, and some will definitely be taking more time to enjoy the pictures than the text, no mater how moving or interesting the information shared.