Early Book Review: Soaring in Style: How Amelia Earhart Became a Fashion Icon by Jennifer Lane Wilson, Lissy Marlin

Soaring in Style: How Amelia Earhart Became a Fashion Icon, written by Jennifer Lane Wilson and illustrated by Lissy Marlin, is currently scheduled for release on February 1 2022. Long before Amelia Earhart became a superstar, she was a girl who longed to touch the stars. But the dresses women had to wear at the time made those dreams seem almost impossible. Amelia didn’t let that stop her. As a young aviator breaking records and expectations, she learned to fly her plane with flair. Later, she dared to create a trendsetting fashion line for active women like herself. Soaring in Style tells the groundbreaking story of how Amelia Earhart defied expectations in the air and on the ground to become America’s first celebrity fashion designer.

Soaring in Style is a well written, and beautifully illustrated, nonfiction book. I think the narrative style make for an engaging and accessible read. I was glad to see this book, and learn something new. Like most, I had heard plenty about Earhart's dedication to flying. I had not heard about her clothing designs, although her desire for clothes that are both functional and fashionable seems to be something many of us still seem to dealing with. I thought the text and illustrations matched well, and I loved the personality that seemed clear to me in all of the images of Earhart. I greatly enjoyed the read, and learned a few new things. 

Early Book Review: Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher

Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher is currently scheduled for release on February 8 2022. Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne, the man who broke her teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time. When old feelings make a reappearance—along with Violet’s magic—they both realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings. But there are old secrets and looming threats that could snatch away their happily ever after, again. One thing’s for sure: magic doesn’t make dating and love any easier.

Not the Witch You Wed is a book that very much reels like the start of a series with a good blend of romance and paranormal politics.Violet and Thorne are the stars of this story. I liked the combination of second chance and fake dating  tropes, and thought the conflicts and groundwork laid for future books was well done. I really liked getting to understand the dynamic between Violet and her sisters, and the connection they have with their grandmother. I thought the balance of characters devoted to happiness and greater good versus power and prestige was on point and fairly realistic. There were points when I got frustrated with the characters or saw something coming well before it happened. However, there were also moments when I was pleasantly surprised by an action or reaction and found myself grinning. I think the balance of this read was well done, and I will keep up with the series if I see it on Netgalley or in the wild. 

Not the Witch You Wed is a second chance romance with a magic twist. 

Book Review: Scales and Sensibility (Regency Dragons) by Stephanie Burgis

Scales and Sensibility is the first book in the Regency Dragons series by Stephanie Burgis. Sensible, practical Elinor Tregarth really did plan to be the model poor relation when she moved into her aunt and uncle's house. She certainly never meant to kidnap her awful cousin Penelope's pet dragon. She never expected to fall in love with the shameless - but surprisingly sweet - fortune hunter who came to court Penelope, either. And she never dreamed that she would have to enter into an outrageous magical charade to save her younger sisters' futures. However, even the most brilliant scholars of 1817 England still haven't ferreted out all the lurking secrets of rediscovered dragonkind, and even the most sensible of heroines can still make a reckless wish or two when she's pushed. Now Elinor will have to find out just how rash and resourceful she can be when she sets aside all common sense. Maybe, just maybe, she'll even be impractical enough to win her own true love and a happily ever after, with the unpredictable and dangerous "help" of the magical creature who has adopted her.

Scales and Sensibility is a delightful read and my only disappointment is that I let it sit in my TBR pile for as long as I did. I loved the characters, and was thoroughly invested in Elinor's adventures from the beginning. Discovering the personalities and secrets of the characters along with her was a engaging journey, although I admit that there were a few times that I would have loved to have known what was going on in the minds of other characters on occasion. There were many times that I suspected certain twists and was glad to see them play out, but there were just as many points of the story that had me very concerned as to how it was all going to work out. I thought the dash of magic was just right, and drew me further into the world of the story, and eager to ferret out even more information. The secondary characters, story, and world building were well paced and balanced. The story came to a satisfying conclusion, but left me wanting more. The perfect blend of each for a series starter- and I will eagerly continue with this series. 

Scales and Sensibility is a charming start to a new series, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here.

Audio Book Review: Hot for You by Marie Harte, Narrated by Tatiana Sokolov

Hot for You, written by Marie Harte and narrated by Tatiana Sokolov , is a contemporary romance. Firefighter Reggie Morgan is done with love, done with relationships, and done with complications. But when he's called to the scene of a hit-and-run, he finds a scared little girl, a butt-ugly stray puppy, and an unconscious woman he can't get out of his mind. The girl and the puppy are a handful, but the girl's mother, Maggie, might just be the woman to melt his icy heart. He’s loved and lost before, and the pain nearly broke him. But when they can't ignore their unquenchable desire for each other, Maggie, a teacher by trade, is confident she can show him all about falling—and staying—in love.

Hot for You gave me exactly what I expect from this author. The characters are complex, each with flaws and an openness about them that I love. The secondary characters were just as complex and interesting as Maggie and Reggie. I thought the journey to HEA for Maggie and Reggie was well done, and I liked the frank and honest way they discussed problems, the past, and the work that could be involved in creating a future. I could tell that the book is part of or at least related to a series or maybe two- but while I have read several books by the author none of the characters were ones I remember. Newcomers to Harte will not miss anything by not knowing the characters either. I think fans of Harte and and new readers alike can really enjoy this read in their preferred format. The narrator did a great job and I enjoyed her tone and inflections. My only issue with the audio edition comes down to editing. I found the pauses between chapters to be slightly too long. I checked my phone and connection several times thinking something had gone wrong when it was simply a long pause.

Hot for You is a solid romance with great characters and a high heat factor. 

Early Book Review: Anyone Can Crochet Amigurumi Animals: 15 Adorable Crochet Patterns by Kristi Simpson

Anyone Can Crochet Amigurumi Animals: 15 Adorable Crochet Patterns by Kristi Simpson is currently scheduled for release on January 19 2022. With some simple stitches and a little stuffing, amigurumi is a charming style of crochet that’s great for beginners. A project guide for any crafter of any skill level, this book offers readers 15 crochet patterns, including a hippo, panda, unicorn, hedgehog, giraffe, and so many more. Opening with an introduction on the basics, each project that follows features easy-to-follow instructions, how-to crochet illustrations, photo step-outs for detail work, and other helpful tips and tricks. Also included are detailed sections on how to read an amigurumi pattern, as well as stitch guides. Have fun making the most charming plush toys, all while you fall in love with crochet!

Anyone Can Crochet Amigurumi Animals is a well written guide to crafters that are new to crochet, or just getting started in projects that require more small work than the scarf and blankets that most of us found our confidence and rhythm for crochet with. The instructions are clear and well written, and the tips and trick included will be helpful to many novice and beginner crocheters. I did not find the patterns to be terribly unique, but they did offer a good set of basic skills that will be useful as newcomers attempt more complex problems in the future. There was one formatting issue- that I have full faith with be rectified before final printing- that honestly made me smile as I read. All of the images in my electronic galley were upside down or sideways. Like I said, I am sure the final version will not be like this, but it made my read through just a bit more interesting and has no consideration in my review or number of stars granted to the book.

Early Book Review: How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan

How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan is the follow up to Ten Rules for Faking It, and is currently scheduled for release on January 18 2022. You do not need to read the books in order, but returning readers will be glad to see cameos and have a prior understanding of our hero and his brothers. 

Grace Travis definitely has it all figured out. In between finishing interior design school and working a million odd jobs, she’ll get her degree. She’ll have her dream job. And most importantly, she’ll have a place to belong, something her cold, manipulative mother could never make for her. When an opportunity to fix up—and live in—an adorable little house on the beach comes along, Grace is all in. Until her biggest roadblock moves in next door. Noah Jansen knows how to make a deal. A real estate developer with a knack for betting and winning big, he’s not one to let a good opportunity slip away. So when a beachside house with great bones is ripe for a remodel and flip, Noah doesn’t hesitate. Except in order to spruce it up properly (is it even a beach house if it doesn’t have a pool?), he’ll need to take over the house next door. The house with the willful and combative and way-too-intriguing woman living in it. With the rules for being neighborly going out the window, Grace and Noah are in an all-out feud. But sometimes, your nemesis can turn out to be the person who shows you that home is always where the heart is.

How to Love Your Neighbor is a romance that starts of with a favorite trope of mine, enemies to lovers, but quickly loses the enemies bit. Grace is an independent woman, working hard to make it on her own and with more than a little difficulty accepting help. All of that is something I can relate to. I liked her drive, and the way she looked for the silver lining in just about every situation. Noah is struggling with settling into a new place, figuring out what he wants from life, and getting out from his father's control. The battle between Noah and Grace over selling her house quickly sparks other fires, and the book quickly goes down that path. I did not really get the grumpy neighbor or bickering that I expected. However, their friendly banter and open communication was well done and fun to read. I liked the design descriptions and watching them grow closer, but I will admit to waiting for a big conflict to spur things into action, but when it all came to a head I was a little underwhelmed. For those interested in heat level, I will let you know while the chemistry between the pair is very well done and sizzling but all intimate moments are closed door or fade to black. 

How to Love Your Neighbor is a sweet book with some charming and humorous moments. Fans of the author will not want to miss it. 

Book Review: Not a Love Song by Veronica Albright

Not a Love Song by Veronica Albright is a contemporary, second chance romance. It is the debut novel from Veronica Albright, a pseudonym of Jess Michaels.

International pop star Bree Lane needs a break. After a wildly successful album release and a year of grieving, she just wants to spend the holiday by herself in a friend’s swanky penthouse in New York. But a blow up at a morning show brings up old pains and a topic no one can ever seem to leave alone: her actor ex-boyfriend, Colin Gabriel. Her angry reaction sends the internet wild and her into hiding. When Colin sees the interview, he can’t resist coming to check on Bree, telling himself it’s just about her welfare. But the results are explosive, passionate and utterly unexpected after hearing her talk about how little the relationship meant for the last eight years. But he’s never been able to resist her and he isn’t about to start now. Reunited lovers, exploring every desire together as they hide away in a secret world…only there are undercurrents of emotion that are always waiting to change everything…including their future together.

Not a Love Song is a solid romance, with a good set up. The characters are good, even if Colin seems a little too perfect at times. I love that consent, birth control, and if tastes have changed are brought up and discussed at several points. I find checking to and that kind of respect to be very sexy and something that should be the norm rather than something of note. The amount of caring between Bree and Colin, even when they wont admit it is nice and well written. I thought the emotional conflict and resolution as well done as well, and I liked the way it all come together. However, for some reason I just never connected with the characters and became invested. I cannot point to anything wring with the writing, it could very well be it just was not the right book at the right time for me. I think fans of honest, high heat romance will really enjoy this read. Particularly is second chances is a favorite trope. 

Not a Love Song is a sweet second chance romance with a nice balance of heat and emotion.

Early Book Review: Good Enough: A Cookbook: Embracing the Joys of Imperfection, in and out of the Kitchen by Leanne Brown

Good Enough: A Cookbook: Embracing the Joys of Imperfection, in and out of the Kitchen by Leanne Brown is currently scheduled for release on January 4 2022. After writing and launching Good and Cheap, the cookbook with a social purpose that has over 500,000 copies in print, Leanne Brown went into a tailspin. She was burnt out and depressed, and fell into a pattern of using guilt and fear to get herself back into facing the day. Her dream of becoming a cookbook author was turning into a nightmare. Something had to change. What changed, and how, is the journey of Good Enough, a deeply personal cookbook with a profoundly uplifting, relatable message.  A generous mix of essays, stories and nearly 100 dazzling recipes, Good Enough is about self-compassion, and knowing it's OK to have a cheese plate for dinner. About the practice of gratitude, and ten breakfasts to start your morning right, like Creamy Hands-Off Scrambled Eggs. About cooking as self-care, and healing your spirit with a comforting Salmon Dinner Pie. About overcoming barriers like social anxiety, and embracing entertaining with Smoky Honey Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Fennel Slaw. About knowing it’s hard but you’re completely worth it—and indulging yourself with My Spicy Umami Noodles. About giving yourself permission to feel great—so go ahead, have another Sticky Toffee Cookie. There are no judgments here. And ultimately, it's about embracing the joy of imperfection to find peace and happiness in and out of the kitchen. Because good enough is great.

Good Enough is a cookbook that embraces mindfulness and kindness, toward ourselves and others. We all have moments of being overwhelmed, burned out, depressed, or just out of it enough that putting in the effort to feed ourselves (and/or our families) seems like it is too much. This book offers a judgement free look at how we can be prepared enough to already have most necessary ingredients around so that we do not have to make an extra trip to the store, and the understanding to know that a dinner of snack like foods is just fine if that is what we want or all that we can handle on any given day. It gives great recipes and tip to make cooking less stressful, and offers readers the sense of forgiveness and kindness that so many of us offer others while failing to provide it for ourselves. The majority of the book is not the recipes, but essays and suggestions for self care and taking care of yourself even when it might feel like it is too much effort. Looking at the last two years, I think this book could be a helpful and interesting read for many. I would have preferred more recipes, preferably with more photographs of the food. I also had some serious issues with formatting in the digital galley- however I am going to hope that formatting will be a non issue with the final version of the book.

Good Enough is a book about self care and kindness towards ourselves, with a selection of recipes and cooking tips to make the process more mindful than stressful.

Early Book Review: Where Did We Come From?: A Simple Exploration of the Universe, Evolution, and Physics by Chris Ferrie

Where Did We Come From?: A Simple Exploration of the Universe, Evolution, and Physics by Chris Ferrie is a nonfiction picturebook currently scheduled for release on January 4 2022. Discover how our universe came to be; first the quark then the particle, first atom then the molecule, first the sun then the solar system, first the earth then the life, first the love then the child. Little scientists will learn all about how the universe evolved in this unique science book for kids from the creator of the Baby University series, Chris Ferrie. The "first/then" pattern provides a deceptively simple introduction to the beginning of life, evolution, scientific inquiry, and more! It's the perfect love letter for science-loving families.

Where Did We Come From? is a perfect picturebook for science focused family. The language pattern is simple enough for the youngest listeners, but I think some of the vocabulary will need to be explain (there is a glossary in the back) for many young readers or listeners to get some understanding.I like that the artwork used bold lines and colors, making this a good book to read together, either one on one or in a group settling.  I think this is a fun gift book for scientist parents, and those looking to start science and physics discussions with young children, at home or in school, but it is not likely to be a requested reread.  

Book Review: Heroes (Royal Academy Rebels) by Jen Calonita

Heroes is the third book in the Royal Academy Rebels series by Jen Calonita. I highly recommend reading this series in order, and perhaps reading the Fairy Tale Reform School series first as well, because the two come together in this installment. 

Princess Devin didn't come to Royal Academy for fame, glory, or a crown. All she's ever wanted is to be a Magical Creature Caretaker. Just when Devin gets up the courage to ask about following her passion, disaster strikes. The evil Rumplestiltskin and Alva cast a curse that nearly destroys Enchantasia, a new villain is on the rise, and the students of Royal Academy find they now have to share their castle with the delinquents from the notorious Fairy Tale Reform School.Devin feels stuck—how can she think about going her own way when her kingdom clearly needs her now more than ever?

Heroes is an entertaining and engaging read, and a wonderful addition to the series. Devin is still trying to find her way to being an animal caretaker, but the world still seems to be in danger and everything seems to be problematic. She does not know who to trust, including herself. I liked that she has some serious character development in this book, even if she really frustrated me at many, many points in the story. I enjoyed getting to see Anna and Tara more in this book, but would have enjoyed more character development or depth from the rest of the group. I thought the mystery and danger aspects were well done, and thought there were some surprises in play, for instance some that I thought would be involved with the big bad were not, and some that I did not suspect at all were. I liked the way the story and world were build and grew. I think fans of the two series thus far will need to read this, and that this series might just be a favorite for a large group of middle grade and teen readers.

Heroes is another great installment to the series and world that Calonita has created. I hope to revisit this world and its characters again soon.