Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis is the third book in the Lucky Harbor series. In this story, we see Chloe and her two soon-to-be-married sisters doing well with their inn. However, Chloe is still living close to the edge, and that does not go unnoticed by the town's sexy sheriff, Sawyer. As a reformed bad boy, Sawyer understands some of Chloe's actions, but his desire to make good for the town that help him straighten out his life give him more to contend with than his desire for Chloe. While Chloe's fear of rejection, need to be loved, and severe asthma each offer up their own obstacles as the two circle each other in alternating frustration and desire.
Read my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Book Review; Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Fool Moon Volume One
Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Fool Moon Volume One by Mark Powers and Chase Conley is the graphic novel that expands upon Fool Moon, the second novel in the Dresden Files series. This volume collects the first four issues of the eight issue series. The visual platform here clears away any of the negatives readers might have found in the original novel format of Fool Moon, which was full of categorizing, details, and history of different kinds of werewolves. The graphic novel Fool Moon Volume One gives readers everything they want, a fantastic story coupled with images that are dark enough to convey the feel of Harry Dresden's world without creating an image of a completely dark and ugly version of Chicago.
Read my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Read my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Book Review: The Devil and Ms. Moody by Suzanne Forster
The Devil and Ms. Moody by Suzanne Forster is a contemporary romance just released as an e-book by Open Road Integrated Media, but was originally published in 1990. This is a story that seems to be the simply good girl falling for a bad boy, but there is more involved in this tale. Edwina Moody is the quintessential good girl. She has given up her dreams, her future, her education in order to save her family from financial difficulties when her father runs off leaving nothing but debt and hurt behind. To earn the much needed money Edwina works to find heirs to let them know of the death and the inheritance that will affect them. In desperation for a larger amount of money Edwina gets a tough assignment, finding an heir that seems to have become a biker. Her search puts Edwin in danger, and directly in the path of the dangerously attractive Diablo. His honor drives Diablo to protect Edwina, but he cannot risk his place in the Warlord biker gang. The pair strikes a precarious partnership, and set off on a journey neither will forget.
Read my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Read my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Early Book Review: Skyfall by Michael Dahl
Skyfall by Michael Dahl is a children's fantasy novel ready for release on January 2 2012. It is the first book in the new Troll Hunters series. The story begins as a meteor shower peppers the sky above the small town of Zion Falls. Some are watching the display while others go about their normal night. However, as the shower takes place something much less pleasant stirs beneath the ground. Four children are caught in the middle as creatures begin a battle to gain control over the surface of the planet. This is a tale that is lightly creepy, with some more frightening moments and sepia toned illustrations that make a great addition to the flavor of the tale.
Skyfall takes a small group of children out of their comfort zone, one night meant to be watching a meteor shower ends with trolls and unanswered questions. Their friends and families are at risk, but they must survive the night before they can check on the other people they care about. I think that this book will appeal to readers that like adventure, mystery, and paranormal related stories. I think it will be particularly good for readers that want to read the more epic adventure stories but might be intimidated by the longer books. While the entire story seems like it might encompass many books, the single volume is not intimidating but will easily entertain.
Skyfall is a well-done fantasy story that is simple but enthralling for elementary school aged children. The story does have some frightening or suspenseful moments, so I would not recommend it for the youngest readers, or the most sensitive. However, my only complaint with the book is that it ended. I know that there are at least two other books planned for this series, but the ending of Skyfall left me wanting to simply turn the page and keep going. While that can be a great thing for series books, and will have me reading the next book which I believe will be titled Dark Tower Rising, in this case I found it frustrating that the last page felt more like a chapter ending rather than a book ending. Although, if the only serious complaint I can list about a book is that it ended too soon, then it must be worth reading. However, you might want to wait until you can have all three books in the series before you get started to spare you the discovery that the last page comes too soon.
Skyfall takes a small group of children out of their comfort zone, one night meant to be watching a meteor shower ends with trolls and unanswered questions. Their friends and families are at risk, but they must survive the night before they can check on the other people they care about. I think that this book will appeal to readers that like adventure, mystery, and paranormal related stories. I think it will be particularly good for readers that want to read the more epic adventure stories but might be intimidated by the longer books. While the entire story seems like it might encompass many books, the single volume is not intimidating but will easily entertain.
Skyfall is a well-done fantasy story that is simple but enthralling for elementary school aged children. The story does have some frightening or suspenseful moments, so I would not recommend it for the youngest readers, or the most sensitive. However, my only complaint with the book is that it ended. I know that there are at least two other books planned for this series, but the ending of Skyfall left me wanting to simply turn the page and keep going. While that can be a great thing for series books, and will have me reading the next book which I believe will be titled Dark Tower Rising, in this case I found it frustrating that the last page felt more like a chapter ending rather than a book ending. Although, if the only serious complaint I can list about a book is that it ended too soon, then it must be worth reading. However, you might want to wait until you can have all three books in the series before you get started to spare you the discovery that the last page comes too soon.
Early Book Review; Forever and a Day by Delilah Marvelle
Forever and a Day by Delilah Marvelle is a historical romance novel due to be released on Dec. 27, 2011. This regency romance begins in New York City with Roderick Gideon Tremayne on an urgent task, but is distracted by a pretty woman on the street. That woman is Georgia Milton, a widow trying to retain her dignity and reputation despite her current situation. His attempt to spend time with Georgia, and help her, ends with an accident which results in injuries and memory loss. When he wakes up with no knowledge of who he is, Georgia takes it upon herself to see that his family is found, and that the obviously rich man survives long enough to remember himself. Georgia takes Roderick home with her, in order to protect him of course, and in the dangerous Five Point District they fall in love. The path is not easy, and everything is at risk when Roderick discovers who he is, and what he has done in the past. Neither fits in the other's world, and neither wants the other to change themselves for love. Can the two rise above the class differences, responsibilities, and fear of painful possibilities to keep the love that they have found?
Read my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Read my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Early Book Review: The Sneezy Wheezy Day by Sharon Cramer
The Sneezy Wheezy Day by Sharon Cramer is a picture book from the Cougar Cub series. It is due to be released on January 2 2012. The story is about two small cougar cubs, one of which is feeling ill. Brother cub has a cold and his sister is worried. They go around the forest seeking advice from their friends. They get many suggestions, some of which are quite silly. None of the suggestions help, but finally a nap and some love from his sister works wonders for brother cub. The illustrations are cute and vibrant, with images that will make readers pause between page turns so that they will not miss anything.
I loved the illustrations and thought behind The Sneezy Wheezy Day. However, I think that the story and illustrations are aimed at the typical picture book audience, while some of the words were much more advanced. Words like saraphine and crystalline are used, which might confuse young readers and have adults reading with their children struggling to correctly explain the definitions of the words. The flow of the phrasing was not as smooth as I normally like, but the illustrations and theme of love overcomes the negatives in the text, still leaving me happy with the book.
I do recommend The Sneezy Wheezy Day to fans of the Cougar Cub series, and those that enjoy the work of Sharon Cramer. Children that like to delve deeply into the illustrations rather than pondering the words too closely will certainly enjoy this story. My children liked looking for the bonus creature on each page and telling their own additions to the story in relation to the illustrations. Those with independent readers that get easily frustrated with harder vocabulary, or readers that like to dissect the text might want to skip the book for now.
I loved the illustrations and thought behind The Sneezy Wheezy Day. However, I think that the story and illustrations are aimed at the typical picture book audience, while some of the words were much more advanced. Words like saraphine and crystalline are used, which might confuse young readers and have adults reading with their children struggling to correctly explain the definitions of the words. The flow of the phrasing was not as smooth as I normally like, but the illustrations and theme of love overcomes the negatives in the text, still leaving me happy with the book.
I do recommend The Sneezy Wheezy Day to fans of the Cougar Cub series, and those that enjoy the work of Sharon Cramer. Children that like to delve deeply into the illustrations rather than pondering the words too closely will certainly enjoy this story. My children liked looking for the bonus creature on each page and telling their own additions to the story in relation to the illustrations. Those with independent readers that get easily frustrated with harder vocabulary, or readers that like to dissect the text might want to skip the book for now.
Early Book Review: Salt Water Taffy Volume 5, Caldera's Revenge Part 2, by Matthew Loux
Salt Water Taffy Volume 5, Caldera's Revenge Part 2, By Matthew Loux is a graphic novel set to be released on December 14 2011. This is part of a graphic novel series suitable for children, around seven and older, and adults alike. The setting in Chowder Bay Maine is not the dull place that brothers Jack and Benny expect when they set off for summer vacation with their family. To their surprise, Chowder Bay happens to be one of the most mysterious places on earth. The boys discover a new world that is full of strange moments and they encounter a series of amazing adventures. This volume is the final chapter in two part story arc that began in volume four, Caldera's Revenge Part 1. Readers witness Jack's awakening on the ghost ship Nutmeg. The ship is on the hunt for the whale Caldera. Benny and Angus need to repair their ship and somehow find and rescue him. Benny discovers the hidden truths within The Hidden History of Chowder Bay, managing to get to Caldera and the Nutmeg in time to save Jack with a little help from an old friend. The story is fun and exciting.
The artwork is black and white, and well done. It illustrates the action and emotion with clean, crisp lines that are artful rather than bleak. There is a classic or even retro feel to the artwork, reminding me of some of the comics I saw growing up. My only disappointment with the book is that I had not already read the previous volumes. I will be on the hunt for the earlier volumes to fill in the background of the story. I still understood the tale, but knew that I was definitely missing nods to characters that had been previously detailed.
I recommend this volume, and the entire Salt Water Taffy series to children, young adults, and adults that love adventure graphic novels without violence or unnecessary moments of blood and gore. The story is unique, and the setting of the East Coats will strike a special cord in those that have lived their or even visited for a short period of time. It is a fun and entertaining read for all, and a slightly nostalgic read for some.
The artwork is black and white, and well done. It illustrates the action and emotion with clean, crisp lines that are artful rather than bleak. There is a classic or even retro feel to the artwork, reminding me of some of the comics I saw growing up. My only disappointment with the book is that I had not already read the previous volumes. I will be on the hunt for the earlier volumes to fill in the background of the story. I still understood the tale, but knew that I was definitely missing nods to characters that had been previously detailed.
I recommend this volume, and the entire Salt Water Taffy series to children, young adults, and adults that love adventure graphic novels without violence or unnecessary moments of blood and gore. The story is unique, and the setting of the East Coats will strike a special cord in those that have lived their or even visited for a short period of time. It is a fun and entertaining read for all, and a slightly nostalgic read for some.
Early Book Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder is the first book in a new series due for release December 27 2011. Fans of Snyder's previous novels will delight in this new series. Avry of Kazan is a healer, a magic user in serious danger. Since a plague spread over the land people blamed the healers and most were killed in retaliation. Any healers left, including Avry, need to hide their nature in order to survive. But taking on a young girl's illness and healing her instead of letting her die earns Avry nothing less than a death sentence. Then a band of rogues rescue her from her cell it is her healing ability that they prize her for, hoping that she will heal their prince. She is left with little choice, stay and die or travel with the men in order to save the life of a man that she despises. No matter the choice, Avry is certain that death is in her future. Power plays, mercenaries, unexpected friendships, and a crazed prince willing to pervert nature in order to rule the world make the decision easier to make but increasingly difficult to carry out.
See my complete review here on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
See my complete review here on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
Early Book Review: The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark
The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark is a new novel due to be released on December 27 2011. The story is labeled as paranormal romance, but there is more of a Gothic flavor to it than the description suggests. The unexpected flavor of the story might disappoint those readers looking for something that more closely fits the paranormal romance or urban fantasy label, but I think the Gothic flair will delight others and leave them wanting more.
See my complete review here on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
See my complete review here on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
Book Review: Ghost Story by Jim Butcher
When readers finished the last Dresden novel, Changes, our insolent wizard was most certainly dead. In Ghost Story, Harry is recruited by ghostly detectives to find his own murderer. But, he is dead and as a spirit cannot do much. His magic is non functional in spirit form and his beloved Chicago, and the world in general, is not doing very well. Several varieties of nasty creatures seeking power have started fighting to fill the void left behind when Harry's spell wiped out the Red Court Vampires in Changes. None of this stops Harry from getting in over his head, mouthing off, and doing everything he can to protect the people and city that he cares for. But without a body, without his power, and without the ability to communicate with the majority of the world Harry is in big trouble. Many of our favorite characters from throughout the series make an appearance, and some are in as much trouble as Harry. Before he can concentrate on his own death, Harry has several other missions to save others. Each puts Harry in a harder position and the pressure keeps building. To make matters even worse, it is not only innocent lives at stake, but Harry's very soul.
See my complete review here on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
See my complete review here on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
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