Sharon the Librarian

Early Book Review: Not Always a Saint by Mary Jo Putney

Not Always a Saint is the seventh book in the historical romance series, The Lost Lords, by Mary Jo Putney. It is currently scheduled for release on August 25 2015. This is a book that can stand well on its own, but reading the previous books might give a better sense of some of the secondary characters. I have only read one of the previous books.

Daniel Herbert has spent most of his life focused on his medical studies and his passion for healing. Viewed as saintly by those who know him, he never quite manages to live up to his own high standards. Daniel is appalled because the burden of wealth that comes with an unexpected inheritance, and the likelihood that it will interfere with his medical work. Warily he accepts that he must enter society and seek a wife, preferably a sensible woman who can oversee his properties, leaving him free to continue his work. Jessie Kelham’s looks have always been a curse. Now alone with a young daughter and a perilous secret, she is in need of protection. But dangerously attractive Daniel Herbert is not the kind of husband she has in mind. If he recognizes her, the demons of her past will surely erupt.

Not Always a Saint is an solid read, with my only complaint that it got a little too complicated and dramatic for my tastes. Daniel is a good, honorable man that loves his work and honestly cares about the welfare of other people. Jessie is a woman with many secrets, and two dead husbands. Rumors abound, and a greedy nephew plots to take over her daughter's unexpected inheritance- and he will stop at nothing to get his way. When these two run across each other in the ballrooms of London, each looking to marry for their own reasons, their plans all go awry. Neither planned for each other; but attraction, plots against Jessie, and similar needs draw them together against the odds. Marriage is only the start of their journey, as secrets from the past and that greedy nephew keep creeping up to cause danger and drama. I really enjoyed the honesty and banter between such honestly good hearted characters. Jessie has pretty much face every bad thing that could happen to a woman, and managed to stay a loving and compassionate woman. Daniel has faced hard times as well, and has focused all his grief and disappointment into helping others. While problem after problem arises, they actually talk things out and face everything head on. Most often, the conflict in romance comes from conflict between the main characters, rather than outside sources, so that was a change of pace. I also liked that they were not instant bed mates, although they got to that pretty quick, since the wedding is fairly early in the book.

Not Always a Saint is an entertaining read, with plenty of action and witty banter. I think everything got a little too complicated, with several 'big reveals' but I enjoyed the character's banter and connection. All of the big drama worked, but I did not think it was absolutely necessary, a few more deep conversations between Daniel and Jessie would have covered all the ground needed for their happy ending without so many near death experiences.

Book Review: All the Lost Things by Kelly Canby

All the Lost Things is a picturebook by Kelly Canby. Olive is not your ordinary girl; she is curious, thoughtful, and spunky. And one day when she goes for a walk in her grumpy, too-busy city, she finds some extraordinary things. Lured by a strange sound she ventures into a hidden space and finds a stash of lost things like memory, sight, and more. What Olive does with them will delight and inspire.

All the Lost Things is filled with delightful artwork including hand lettered words and bold strokes. Olive is a spunky and curious girl, lured through a man hole cover to explore what exactly was making a particular sound. She finds an old lady and boxes, jars, and more. Each box and jar is clearly labeled with the type of lost items that fill the container. When Olive finds jars holding memory, humor, the way, and hope she does something wonderful with each. Her thoughtfulness and love for others shines through her actions and makes this a great story.

All the Lost Things is a fabulous picturebook about finding the things we all seem to lose, but all need to hold on to and share with those around us. Olive’s thoughtfulness and the artwork are just about perfect. The artwork and the hand drawn lettering offer readers high action pages that capture and keep the attention and imagination of readers of all ages.

Early Book Review: Possession of a Highlander by Madeline Martin

Possession of a Highlander is the second book in the Highlander series by Madeline Martin. It is currently scheduled for release on August 11 2015. Brianna Lindsay's grip on the inheritance that is rightly hers hangs by a thread. If the town finds out her father has died Brianna will be forced into marriage with her loathsome cousin, Lord Robert, and will lose all of Edzell Castle and its lands. To protect her home, she'll have to trust a complete stranger, a brooding Highland barbarian who sweeps into Edzell with a small retinue and insists on replacing her Captain of the Guard. He proves his worth by defeating her men and she has no choice but to accept his offer. Though his motives are suspect, Colin MacKinnon has nobility in his blood and good intentions in coming to Edzell. He seeks his own kingdom and sets out to conquer Brianna in the best way he knows how, with seduction. Together, they must navigate a treacherous world of spies and intrigue, of legacy and fidelity, of love and betrayal, to find what is truly worth possessing.

Possession of a Highlander is a historical romance with plenty of intrigue and conflict. Brianna has a loyal castle of retainers, but with the loss of her father and the wondering mind of her maid she is in need of help. When an effort to receive aid results in the loss of her Captain of the Guard and the arrival of Colin there is only more trouble on the way. Her relations are more trouble than help, and while Colin seems to good to be true, and she certainly does not trust him. I liked Brianna's spunk and dedication to her people, she wasn't just avoiding marriage to her cousin for herself, she also knew that he and his father were cruel and would be bad leaders for everyone involved. Colin might have come in with grand plans for himself, but he also proves to be smart and chivalrous. I like that on several occasions he proves himself even better than even he thinks he is, and is willing to risk his safety and pride for the sake of the greater good and Brianna's welfare. I really liked Brianna’s character, and Colin’s as well. I was a little less thrilled with some of the secondary characters, particularly the cousin and uncle that caused all sorts of issues. Perhaps that was because I felt like it dragged on a little too long with the series of complications. However, I still enjoyed the book as a whole and was glad to see the final resolution.

Possession of a Highlander is a complicated but enjoyable read. I liked the main characters, but was occasionally disappointed with the pacing. Despite that minor bump, I still am very happy with the read and would recommend the book to fans of the author and the genre. It might have been a little more complicated than most stories with a few extra layers of conflict, but it is well worth the read.

Book Review: Mina’s White Canvas by Hyeon-Ju Lee

Mina’s White Canvas is a picturebook by Hyeon-Ju Lee that is scheduled for release today, July 29 2015. When young artist Mina looks up at the cold winter sky, she is struck with an idea. She first draws snowflakes with her crayons and something magical begins. Her canvas expands to the snowy world beyond, a world in which Mina uses her creativity to help others, forge new friendships, and make memories to warm the heart for seasons to come.

Mina’s White Canvas is a beautiful picturebook that will speak to readers of all ages. Mina sees the dark and gloomy landscape and uses her artistic imagination to transform the landscape into a snowy wonderland. She in turns helps the creatures she discovers in the snow with further artwork. She assists a woodpecker, bear, frog, and a pair of rabbits all with her creative coloring and sweet heart. She only ends her good natured help when her crayons are ready to run out- and still she helps one more set of animals before returning home. She enjoys the artwork, and the memories of her adventures. The artwork is splendid, and looks like very detailed colored pencil drawings.

Mina’s White Canvas is a sweet and lovely picture book. The artwork and story are beautiful in nature and looks alike. I found the pictures just as lovely as the story and make the book worth the read on their own. The book can inspire creativity, the use of imagination, and kindness to others.

Book Review: Cody and the Fountain of Happiness by Tricia Springstubb and Eliza Wheeler

Cody and the Fountain of Happiness is a children's chapter book written by Tricia Springstubb and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. For whimsical Cody, many things are beautiful, especially ants who say hello by rubbing feelers. But nothing is as beautiful as the first day of summer vacation, and Cody doesn’t want to waste one minute of it. Meanwhile, her teenage brother Wyatt is moping over a girl, Mom is stressed about her new job as Head of Shoes, Dad is off hauling chairs in his long-distance truck, and even camp has been closed for the summer. Just when all seems lost, Cody bumps into a neighborhood boy named Spencer who is looking for a runaway cat. With a new friend and a soon-to-be-found cat, Cody is on her way to the fountain of happiness.

Cody and the Fountain of Happiness is a sweet and heartwarming story about a young girl that finds wonder in the little things, like ants, but faces a summer that is not meeting her expectations. Her big brother is moping and not spending time with her like she expects while her mother gets a fantastic opportunity that means better pay but more time away from her family. On top of it all her father is traveling for his job and her summer at camp is canceled. what is a girl to do? Well Cody goes out and makes a new friend, finds a cat, loses a cat, tries to help her brother, and has a grand adventure while finding happiness.

Cody and the Fountain of Happiness is a wonderful read about coming of age, finding yourself, and finding happiness in unexpected places. I loved Cody and her sweet but whimsical mindset, and how much she learns during one summer's series of unexpected events.

Early Book Review: Nightwalker by Jacquelyn Frank

Nightwalker by Jacquelyn Frank is the final chapter in the Nightwalkers saga. It is currently scheduled for release on August 25 2015. If you have not read the previous books in the series, do not start here. bonus points go to readers that have read other series by Frank, as you will see everything come together!

Kamen is a Bodywalker, an ancient soul reborn in one human host after another. He’s also a prisoner of his own kind and his own guilt because he is the one that released Apep, the deadly god who threatens the existence of their world. He just might have found a way to defeat Apep, but first he needs to convince the other nations of the Nightwalkers to set aside their centuries-old conflicts and band together. If he fails, all will be lost. Kamen makes first contact with a stunning, ghostly pale beauty named Geneviève. Part Wraith and part human, Viève shares the hunger for redemption and for connection. Her scintillating touch holds the kiss of death, and yet it makes Kamen feel more alive than ever. They find comfort, lust, and redemption in each other. However, they cannot lose site of the need to unite all the Nightwalkers and fast because Apep is ready for war.

Nightwalker tells the story I have wanted since first meeting the Bodywalkers, Kamen's story and redemption. he is filled with guilt, and redeems himself with hard work and putting the good of the world above his own safety at every turn. Vieve has always been looked down upon because she is a halfbreed, and finds acceptance and understanding in Kamen, who does not lie or mince words. the combination and quick attraction between them was very well done. As a whole i liked the book and that many questions were answered. Nightwalker brought all the Nightwalker races that we have met via Frank together in a single book. I think every character I have ever read about from her paranormal romances makes an appearance or gets a mention here. However, I was disappointed with the end, because there are still many questions and lives left hanging. I full expect a new, related series, to begin soon to pick up where this left off.

Nightwalker did a good job or wrapping up the Bodywalker story arc, but I think billing it as the conclusion of the larger series is a wee bit misleading. There are many newly discovered characters and stories that now need to be given some kind of closure. If you were hoping for a big splashy end, you do get the battle you are expecting. However, there are still many puzzle pieces not in their place and I am sure there will be a new series in the near future to wrap them up, or at least I hope so.

Early Book Review: My Highland Bride by Maeve Greyson

My Highland Bride is the second book in the Highland Hearts series by Maeve Greyson. This romance is currently scheduled for release on August 25 2015. I have not read the first book in the series, and while it might have made the acclimation to the premise and cast of characters easier, I felt like I could fully enjoy the story despite the lack. Kenna Sinclair seems like just another pretty Kentucky girl. But she can also read minds, erase memories, and jump through time; a skill set that comes in handy when her matchmaking granny sends her back to thirteenth-century Scotland on the pretext of visiting her older sister. When she encounters the clan’s womanizing man-at-arms, a single electrifying touch makes Kenna see that playing hard to get will not be easy. Bewitched by the first lass who could ever resist him, Colum Garrison will do anything to prove his devotion, even ask for Kenna’s hand in marriage, and swear off his chosen form of recreation until their wedding night. The match might be perfect, but Colum's pride just might open the door to more trouble than either are prepared for.

My Highland Bride caught me interest quickly, but lost me for a bit in the middle. The love interest between Kenna and Colum was quick, and backed up by the Sinclair family's particular set of gifts. I enjoyed Colum's character, and development but after the initial introduction to Kenna (which I really liked and got my hopes up for a strong character) I found her to be less dynamic and interesting as the story went on. I did like that they did not go straight to a happy ending, and when the big conflict arose in the middle I was on board with it.I thought it was just the kick in the pants Colum needed to kick things into gear. However, In I think the conflict as a whole was more complicated and hard on Colum than it needed to be. If it had come together a little sooner, I would have felt a little more connection with the final resolution- but because of the additional problems I found myself impatient for the conclusion. I also found myself more interested in the characters I expect to star in the next book than with Kenna and Colum.

My Highland Bride was a decent story. There were parts that I really loved, but was disappointed in Kenna’s character over all and became impatient with the story. I will be reading the next book, because this one did make me very interested to see what happens with two of the secondary characters which I fully expect to be the main players in the near future.

Book Review: Prudence by Gail Carriger and Moira Quirk

Prudence is the first book in The Custard Protocol series written by Gail Carriger. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Moira Quirk. This series can stand on its own, but Carriger fans that have already finished the The Parasol Protectorate Series and the The Finishing School Series will definitely be at an advantage. My personal disclaimer, I love the world Carriger created with her steampunk series. These books are my well loved and slightly addictive snack food, and I love them!

When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances, she names it the Spotted Custard and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?

Prudence was both exactly what I expected, and a complete surprise. I will admit that I did not read any of the descriptions or reviews of this book. I knew that it was focused on the daughter of the main characters in the Parasol Protectorate series, and that she was a metanatural, and hence able to steal the supernatural abilities of anyone she touches. Where she was heading and why, I left all that as a surprise as I listened to the story. I enjoyed that Prudence went where none of her parents traveled and met creatures that had not appeared in previous books. I loved the looks at the characters remembered or mentioned in previous books, as characters in their own right. The politics and balances are just minor points to me, but getting to know the characters that I had only seen as children previously as capable and very independent adults made me very happy. I do not want to talk too much about the plots or character interactions, because discovering them piece by piece is part of the joy in reading this book. My only disappointment is that now I will need to wait for the next book in the series.

Prudence is as much fun as I expected. I wished that I could have kept myself from listening to the audio book a little bit long, only so that my wait for the second book would be shorter. The reader does a great job with voices, accents, and inflection. This made the listening even better than expected.

Early Book Review: Tremaines True Love by Grace Burrowes

Tremaines True Love is the first book in the True Gentlemen series by Grace Burrowes. This historical romance is currently scheduled for release on August 4th 2015. Tremaine St. Michael is firmly in trade and seeks only to negotiate the sale of some fancy sheep with the Earl of Haddonfield. The earl’s sister, Lady Nita, is pragmatic, hard-working, and selfless, though Tremaine senses she’s also tired of her charitable obligations and envious of her siblings’ marital bliss. Tremaine, having been raised among shepherds, can spot another lonely soul, no matter how easily she fools her own family. Neither Tremaine nor Nita is looking for love, but love comes looking for them.

Tremaines True Love is another winner from Burrowes. Nita is a smart, strong woman that still has a vulnerable heart. She has been healing the people in her village for years, at great risk to herself, because of the incompetence of the actual doctor. She has also been dealing with the scorn of that doctor, the village vicar, and society as well as her families worry and disapproval. Tremaine is a strong and thoughtful man with no plans to marry and some childhood issues to deal with. He sees a kindred soul in Nita, but is reluctant to pursue it, but love in these cases often has a mind of its own, particularly when other people and their problems are close at hand. I really loved that all of the secondary characters had stories of their own, rather than just being lost in the background or stereotypes. It left me satisfied on several levels and looking forward to see the larger story continue and other characters find their own happy endings.

Tremaines True Love is exactly what I expect from Burrowes, and is a must read for her many fans. Her characters, dialogue, and grander story arch capture the imagination and captivate. I am still thinking about the characters, even though i finished it and have read other books since reading the final pages.

Books to Help Understand Social Media Safety

These days even the youngest kids have access to phones, computers, and tablets; and hence the internet. This means parents, teachers, caregivers, and children to to understand the dangers of being so connected with strangers, as well as the possibilities they offer for socialization, education, and entertainment. We do not want anyone to be afraid of the internet and its social opportunities, but we need to exercise caution and understand that not everyone and everything online is what it appears. Here are some books, a list of books to share with children and a list for parents and other caregivers, to master the tools they need to be safe and confident online.

For Kids:

Maintaining a Positive Digital Footprint by Jeff McHugh