Book Review: Crochet Mandalas by Marinke Slump, Anita Mundt

Crochet Mandalas by Marinke Slump and Anita Mundt is a collection of 20 original patterns based on a mandala motif. The projects include homewares; like a table cover, coasters, rug, and cushion, along with a vest, shrug, and other wearable art. Each pattern is charted and accompanied by full color photographs of the finished product. Instructions include lists of supplies and abbreviations, plus explanations of special stitches and gauge. Skill levels range from simple to advanced, providing an exciting array of possibilities for novices as well as experienced crocheters.

Crochet Mandalas is a well organized collection of projects with clear instructions, patterns, and vibrant photographs. There were a number of helpful explanations and charts that would help less experienced crafters master the skills and have successful finished projects. While retro is in, again, I have to say that I found that some of the projects felt dated and there were only three that I would want to actually try. Sadly those three are ones that I have seen similar finished products and instructions for previously. I think the book is a good option for those that want to make this particular style or set of projects, but it is not one that I would recommend to every crochet fan out there. 

Book Review: The SEAL's Rebel Librarian by Anne Calhoun

The SEAL's Rebel Librarian is the second novella in the Alpha Ops series by Anne Calhoun. The first novella was The SEAL's Secret Lover, which I have not read. While there mention of the characters from the previous book, and their story seems to continue, I think they can each stand well on their own. 

Jack Powell never planned on leaving the Navy, but his final mission as a SEAL left him with a tremor and a bad case of nerves. He's home, taking some college classes and trying to figure out what comes next when he meets Erin Kent, a divorced college librarian with an adventurous bucket list and a mission to get her ex-husband's voice out of her head. Jack guides Erin through skydiving and buying the motorcycle of her dreams, blithely accepting Erin's promise that their relationship is purely temporary. But when Jack gets the chance to go back into the shadowy world of security contracting, can he convince Erin to break her word and join him on the adventure of a lifetime?

The SEAL's Rebel Librarian is a hot little novella. It is not quite erotica, but it definitely comes close to that line. Erin has just been through a divorce and is trying to do all the things that she could to do when married, like buy a motorcycle and skydive. Jack is a Navy SEAL dealing with PTSD and trying to get his life more together. Lust brings them together, skirting the rules of course. Their casual affair gets a little too real for both, and the dangers rise for both of them. I liked Jack’s honor and outlook, but parts of Erin’s personality bothered me on occasion. 

I originally picked this book up because I was curious as to how the librarian character would be portrayed. I was a little unimpressed, she is not the bun and cardigan wearing librarian, which is good. However, she gets a little too close to the fantasy “sexy" librarian that some think the only alternative. The canoodling in the library was a little much for me. As adults you could not wait? Beyond that, I have to say that a librarian that rides a motorcycle or wants to skydive is not as unusual as people might think. We are as diverse a group as any other profession. Although, that being said there most likely are some that might resemble the heroine as well. 

The SEAL's Rebel Librarian is a quick, sexy read. If I were not a librarian I think I might have enjoyed the read more, but that is more from having worked in both University and Public libraries than anything wrong with the author’s storytelling. The characters were otherwise believable and had me engaged in their future. 

Book Review: You and Only You by Sharon Sala

You and Only You by Sharon Sala is part of her Blessings Georgia series. Each of the books can stand on their own, but the like most small town settings there is plenty of carry over and cross over characters in each of the books.

Mike Dalton has secretly loved LilyAnn Bronte since they were all children together in the small town of Blessings, Georgia. But one fateful day T.J. Lachlan roars into town and starts showering LilyAnn with his charm, and Mike feels his dream of them being more than friends slipping away. LilyAnn, as anyone in Blessings will tell you, let herself go after her fiancée was killed in Iraq. A look at the handsome new guy shocks her into a revelation: she's ready to live again, and maybe the best is yet to come. The thing is, everybody in Blessings is sure it's Mike and LilyAnn who belong together-and they're willing to do whatever it takes to make LilyAnn realize the love of her life has been by her side all along.

You and Only You is a read that had enough danger and frustration in it to have me clutching my Kindle a little harder than I should on occasion.  Mike and LilyAnn have been neighbors and best friends forever, and everyone but LilyAnn seems to know that Mike has loved her just as long. I had my fears in the beginning that this book was going to turn into one of the 'big girl finds love despite the fact she is big' romances, or the 'big girl transformers herself and catches the guy' kind of books. I was glad that LilyAnn turned out to be a smarter character than that, and was both independent and tough no matter what she had to survive. While I will admit to thinking Mike was a bit of a doormat on occasion, I like that he stepped up and acted like I hoped he would eventually. The book kept me interested and fairly consistently frustrated through the read, but I liked that Mike seemed to be well aware of the fact that the problems he faced was because of the lack of communication, and eventually too the steps to fix that. I also liked that in the opening of the book I was not quite sure if Mike was going to get his HEA, maybe because I so rarely read the summary if I have already read a few books from the same author. So the initial set up had me questioning which guy was going to be the hero and which was going to lose his mind. The big climax was bigger than I expected and began the resolution nicely. However, I found that there was a little too much extra after their avowals of love. It was nice and well written, but not really necessary.

You and Only You was more dramatic than I expected, but the love story and occasional, light religious tones were exactly what I did expect from Sala. It was a well written read, and one that I think fans of the author and small town romances will enjoy.

Book Review: Crystal Cadets by Anne Toole, Katie O'Neil, Paulina Ganucheau

Crystal Cadets is a graphic novel written by Anne Toole and illustrated by Katie O'Neill and Paulina Ganucheau. Zoe has always felt out of place; her foster parents are great and all, but she's long felt like something was missing. That is, of course, until she discovers a mysterious gem left to her by her birth mother and her whole universe gets flipped around! When the crystal grants Zoe mysterious powers of light she becomes the Diamond Cadet, and she's not the only one; suddenly she's meeting new friends who shoot flames and glowing green arrows. It's all fun at first, but when The Darkness possesses Zoe's foster parents her only choice is to join this wild group of action-hero girls, traveling the globe to defeat The Darkness and find a cure! 

The artwork was cute, but I felt it was a little inconsistent. I also felt like there were some jumps in the story that just did not make sense, but I think that was from the panel layout and rushed feel to the action more than anything else.  I never really felt like I got to understand any of the girls or the deeper mythology behind how all this happens. Motivation, emotion, and personality for the heroes and villains seem o be lacking for the most part, with occasional hints that left me feeling that something was missing. I feel like it was aiming for a Steven’s Universe or Sailor Moon type of vibe, but since I never had a chance to really get invested in individual characters or the larger picture that it just fell a little flat.

Crystal Cadets is a charming read with big potential, but I think it fell a little flat. Middle grade readers that are big fans of mystical girl hero series like Sailor Moon might enjoy the read, but it is not one I would highly recommend.

Early Book Review: Mug Shot by Caroline Fardig

Mug Shot by Caroline Fardig is the second book in the Java Jive series. It is currently scheduled for release on April 19 2016. The first book was Death Before Decaf. While the character and relationship set up from the first book was important, I think new readers could catch up quickly. However, I enjoyed the first book quite a bit and highly recommend reading it, and then the series as it is published.

Former musician Juliet Langley has barely had a day off since taking over management of the coffeehouse owned by her best friend, Pete Bennett. But there's always more to be done; like prepping for the annual Holiday 5K Race organized by Pete's snobby socialite girlfriend, Cecilia Hollingsworth. This year, Java Jive has a booth right at the finish line, and since Juliet and Cecilia don't always see eye to eye, everything has to be perfect. Nothing can go wrong. Nothing, like Juliet stumbling over Cecilia's dead body on the morning of the race.  When Pete is arrested for Cecilia's murder, Juliet sets out to clear his name. She'll do whatever it takes, even if it means standing up to the police, her ex-boyfriend, and the grande dames of Nashville. But there isn't enough espresso in the world for the greatest challenge in her path: infiltrating Nashville's high society to uncover the hidden hotbed of scandal without running afoul of the law herself. With her last dime staked on Pete's bail bond and her staff growing jittery, the last thing Juliet needs is for her trademark temper to land her behind bars. As time drips away, Juliet needs to crack this case before the killer comes back for another shot.

Mug Shot is just as much fun as the first book in this series. Juliet is a tough cookie with more going on in her head than those around her expect. I like how much she cares about her friends, even when it gets her into trouble. I like her character for the most part, really like Ryder and the complications with the other police detective. I even like Pete and Stan’s character, for what they are. I will admit that the book surprised me a couple times, and had me guessing through the whole read. My only issue with the series is the constant love triangle stuff. Either give the awkward moments and hints that romance between Juliet and Pete might happen a rest, or have something happen. Not every romance need the treat of a possible other partner. I love the characters, the action, the well done mystery, and everything else, except the Pete/Juliet/Ryder questions. 

Mug Shot is a solid cozy mystery, with plenty of character development and action. I like actually being surprised by the ‘who-done-it’ and Fardig does that very well here. A solid series that I will keep on reading as I am glad to see that a third book, A Whole Latte Murder, is planned for release in November of 2016.

Book Review: The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones

The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones is the ninth book in the Charley Davidson series. I have not read the previous books in this series, although I feel like I had a good handle on the book anyway. I do think that this is a series better read in order.

In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

The Dirt on Ninth Grave is a book that seems to bring a lot of previous plot set up together. Sadly, having missed that set up, the conclusion to the book was a little confusing for me- although I think steady readers of the series would have the knowledge that would have made it very important and dramatic. However, since the main character had amnesia for the majority of the book, I feel like I got a chance to see the major players without any preconceived notions or prejudice. I really liked Jane (Charley), and her combination of vulnerability and willingness to help others, even those that she did not get along with. Her co-workers, customers, and new friends dropped accidental hints about her and helped her as much as they could without unloading the whole crazy past and possible danger of the present and future. The romantic interplay was in the background for the most part, leaving Jane/Charley's sleuthing and risks to take the center stage. I was a highly entertaining and engaging read. I can only imagine that would be more true if I had more of an idea of the bigger picture as I read.

The Dirt on Ninth Grave is a solid urban fantasy, which made me really wish I had read the first eight books in the series. I liked the characters, and the action. Since I had not ventured into this series before I feel like I missed out on some serious world and plot building which would have made the book's conclusion epic rather than slightly overwhelming. I think those that have read the previous books will definitely get more from the experience than I did, but I still enjoyed the read. Guess I have another series to read up on.

Early Book Review: Mr. King's Machine by Geneviève Côté

Mr. King's Machine is a picturebook by Geneviève Côté which is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2016. When Mr. King the cat discovers that one of the pretty flowers near his home has been chewed by a caterpillar, he is not happy. He builds himself a Caterpillar-Catcher to track down the culprit who did it. Mr. King doesn't notice that the Caterpillar-Catcher is spewing nasty smoke into the air and knocking down the other pretty flowers in his path. Now it's his animal friends who are not happy. Will Mr. King be able to turn things around so everyone will be happy again?

Mr. King's Machine is a book with bight illustrations, and a multi layered lesson. Readers see that their actions can have unintended consequences, that we all need to take care of the environment, and that sometimes taking the time to talk about a problem and brain storm solutions is well worth the extra time and effort. Mr. King is a cat with a love of beautiful things an nature being orderly. When a lunching caterpillar nibbles on a flower Mr. King is  a little overly upset. In an over reaction that most kids can relate to, because most of us overreact (at least internally) over things daily, he builds a machine intended to help him discover and get rid of the caterpillar in question. Unfortunately his machine causes more damage that it could have stopped. I like there there is discussion of why caterpillars and other creatures are important, and how nature is a very interdependent. I liked the book, but found it to be a little heavy handed and while valuable in certain classroom or home lessons not something that was going to be a new favorite.

Mr. King's Machine is a good book for starting or carrying on discussions on how interconnected nature is, or how actions can have unforeseen consequences. It could also be used as a starter for a nature project in class, like seed planting or watching caterpillars become butterflies. This is the third book (but the first I have read) in Geneviève Côté's picture book series about a crown-wearing cat who always needs a little help from his friends to learn important environmental lessons. 

Book Review: The 39-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton, Stig Wemyss

The 39-Storey Treehouse is a children's book written by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton, and the audiobook is narrated by Stig Wemyss. Both formats have something to recommend them, but I will save that for the end of the review. This is the third installment in Andy and Terry’s book series about their ever-growing treehouse. While it is more fun to read in order, it is not necessary. The action and zaniness come through just fine without having read the previous book. The previous books are The 13-Storey Treehouse and The 26-Storey Treehouse.

Andy and Terry’s amazing treehouse has 13 new levels including a chocolate waterfall, a non-erupting active volcano, an opera house, a baby-dinosaur petting zoo, Andy and Terry’s Believe it or Else! museum, a not-very-merry merry-go-round, a boxing elephant called the Trunkinator, an X-Ray room, a disco with light-up dance floor, the world’s scariest roller-coaster and a top secret 39th level that hasn’t even been finished yet! Part of the unfinished treehouse is the "once upon a time" machine to help them meet their latest book deadline. But, as usual things go a bit awry and adventure ensues.

The 39-Storey Treehouse is the third installment of the series, and is just as funny as the previous adventures. I think the action in this book is actually a bit more intense than that of the previous books, although there is plenty of silly fun and entertaining illustrations (or wacky voice acting) as well. I got a kick out of the new inventions, and the new characters. The inclusion, and then un-inventing, of things like hot ice cream and a cross between frogs and hippos made my kids and I laugh more than once. I do not want to expose all the fun in this installment- just know that if you liked the humor and style of the first two books, this installment has all that and more.

The 39-Storey Treehouse is another winner for fans of silly reads with great action. If you (or your kids) liked the previous books and like illustrated chapter books then this book will keep everyone happy. My son keeps rereading this one, because he notices new or different details in the book every time!

Book Review: Last of the Giants: The Rise and Fall of Earths Most Dominant Species by Jeff Campbell

Last of the Giants: The Rise and Fall of Earths Most Dominant Species by Jeff Campbell is a nonfiction book for children and adults. Today, an ancient world is vanishing right before our eyes: the age of giant animals. Over 40,000 years ago, the earth was ruled by megafauna: mammoths and mastodons, saber-toothed tigers and giant sloths. Of course, those creatures no longer exist, due to the evolution and arrival of the wildly adaptive human species, among other factors. Many more of the world's biggest and baddest creatures—including the black rhino, the dodo, giant tortoises, and the great auk—have vanished since our world became truly global. Last of the Giants chronicles those giant animals and apex predators who have been pushed to extinction in the modern era.

Last of the Giants is a highly informative book that will appeal to readers that love animals, care about the environment, and see the connection between the two. I was glad to read about animals I had never studied before, and see the thorough and thoughtful way their existence and extinction. The use of history and biology together give readers a better picture of how thirteen large animals became extinct, or nearly so. I really like that the author includes some hope for readers that some of these creatures, and others on the brink of extinction, might yet survive. This hope includes information on conservation efforts, which just might encourage young readers to make some effort and changes to help locally or with the larger efforts already in place.

Last of the Giants is a very interesting and informative book. I learned new things, and liked how the author made what could have been fairly dry reading quite engaging. This will be a valuable resources for anyone that wants to learn about extinction, for the environment and people can greatly effect the world around them, and the creatures we share it with. 

Book Review: Gorilla Tactics (Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions #2) by Sheila Grau, Joe Sutphin

Gorilla Tactics is the second book in the Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions series written by Sheila Grau and illustrated by Joe Sutphin. This middle grade novel is just as good as the first, and I highly recommend reading the series in order, as the character development and relationships are important. However, if you feel the need to jump in now, I think there is enough hints to the backstory that you will still be able to enjoy this story.

Runt Higgins needs answers, fast. Someone cursed him to die on his sixteenth birthday, but no one seems to know who cursed him or why. Runt decides he must find the Great Library, where all true knowledge is hidden. Unfortunately, the only people who know the location of the Great Library are a covert network of librarian-spies who’d rather die than give up the Library’s secrets. And when one of Runt’s professors is attacked, it soon becomes clear that others are also out to find the Library at any cost. Meanwhile, Runt’s not the only one whose days are numbered. To save the floundering school from an inevitable sale, Dr. Critchlore takes some desperate measures. His master plan to save the school: a fashion show.

Gorilla Tactics is much more than the official summary gives it credit for. There are schemes and subterfuge at every turn, at multiple levels. Scheming teachers and administrators, bullies, teachers with an axe to grind, covert librarians, sirens and fashion shows, and so much more. I liked that Runt and his friends face the usual school issues; like bullies, popularity worries, and trying to pass important classes while still having to face bigger issues like the possibility of a school take over, death, and the most evil guy they can think of gaining access to the most complete library in the universe. Runt and his classmates all have some significant character growth, even the secondary characters like Rufus and Janet. I feel like even the most insignificant role in the larger story might come to be very important as the series continues on. There are problem solving, risk taking, and friendship struggles through out the story- and the action seems non stop. Even when Runt is contemplating his next move or how he is going to get through the current or next crisis the tension level is pretty high. I think that the combination of illustrations and high energy story telling will keep middle grade readers turning pages in this series. I liked that the book wrapped up the story nicely, while opening new questions to make us eager for the next book. It was a satisfying ending, with just a hint of "and then what".

Gorilla Tactics is a wonderful follow up to Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions, and I will be following this series as it continues. I am eager to see how Runt, and the rest progress through school, and beyond. I have many questions I want answered, and cannot wait to see how Grau answers them.