Early Book Review: Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke

Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke is a picture book which is currently scheduled for release on June 1 2016. Goblin, a cheerful little homebody, lives in a cosy, rat-infested dungeon, with his only friend, Skeleton. Every day, Goblin and Skeleton play with the treasure in their dungeon. But one day, a gang of "heroic" adventurers bursts in. These marauders trash the place, steal all the treasure, and make off with Skeleton―leaving Goblin all alone! It's up to Goblin to save the day. But first he's going to have to leave the dungeon and find out how the rest of the world feels about goblins.

Nobody Likes a Goblin meets the bar that I have set for Hatke’s picture books after the absolutely fabulous Julia's House for Lost Creatures. In this book our Goblin’s home is beset by ‘heroes’ that steal everything of his, including his best friends as the goblin hides in fear. He goes off to rescue his friend, and he discovers that the world outside have very strong feelings about goblins. Despite wanting nothing more than his friend back, you can imagine ow the people of the world react to a goblin inter midst. He has quite the adventure, only to discover that while hiding from the ‘brave’ people hunting the little goblin that he is far from alone. A fun, and wonderfully illustrated, story about assumptions, appearances, and friendship. I think children are already more willing to think outside the conventional norms or who is good or bad based on silly things like appearance but this book will only encourage them to think and look further than the surface of those they encounter.

Nobody Likes a Goblin left me with one complaint, that it was too short! Hatke is one of my favorite authors for children’s graphic novels, and picture books of course. This is a delightful read all around. I would recommend to anyone that loves great picture books and any of the author’s other work. 

Book Review: Waylaid by Kim Harrison

Waylaid by Kim Harrison is para junction of the Hollows series and Peri Reed Chrorincles. Since I have only read the Rachel Morgan books it took me a bit to catch up with the details of Peri Reed's world. However, I think fans of Harrison in any capacity will be able to catch on quickly.

The paranormal and the futuristic meet in a novella featuring  heroines from two of Kim Harrison’s most beloved series: the Hollows and the Peri Reed Chronicles. The magic of the Hollows runs full force into the technological sophistication of The Drafter when a device capable of carrying a city’s data stream pulls Rachel, the bounty hunter witch of the Hollows, between realities, marooning her in a world where the supernatural holds no sway. To get Rachel and Jenks home, Peri, the dangerous renegade of 2030, must decide what will chart her future: her blind trust in those who grant her power, or her intuition telling her to believe.

Waylaid is an intriguing novella. Rachel are Peri both strong but somehow vulnerable heroines in their own way. Both very different from each other, and very similar. Trust issues, independance, and self reliance about, and make their coming together was as exciting and interesting as I might have hoped. Rachel has to deal with being dropped in a world with no access to her magic and little connection to her support system. Peri honestly thinks Rachel is more than a little looney, at least at first. I like the the novella raised questions for both series, and left me wanting to catch up with both series. THe details of Peri's world is much more technological and and science fiction like than the fantasy world of Rachel Morgan. Finding a way to return Rachel to her own time and place involves trust and magic, both of which are difficult under the circumstances. There is even time for some character development for Peri squeezed in this fast paced, enthralling novella.

Waylaid is a nice union between two very different worlds, and one I really enjoyed. It inspired me to get reading the Peri Reed Chronicles. I have no idea when I will get all the great books out there read when I keep adding more to my lists...

Book Review: Grave Illusions (Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter #1) by Lina Gardiner

Grave Illusions is the first book in the Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter series by Lina Gardiner.  Lieutenant Jess Vandermire, New York City police officer, is uniquely specialized to recognize and fight an unseen threat. It's her job to forge a black ops team, an assortment of men and women who wouldn't be considered for the job under normal circumstances. For her, it's all about retribution until ex-cop John Brittain is recruited to her team. Suddenly, her priorities aren't quite so easily definable. John Brittain has a chip on his shoulder and is as tough as they come. But is he ready for the whole truth? When Jess tells him the truth about herself, will he stay and fight or will he turn against her and not only threaten their lives but destroy the fragile relationship developing between them?

Grave Illusions is an urban fantasy with a solid show or world and character building, and a good pacing. John is a well built character that kept my interest. I like that neither Jess nor John are perfect characters, or so completely flawed that redemption seems unlikely. The dangers they face, and the team they put together, and very well written and capture the attention and imagination. They face large challenges, but deal with them head on, forthe most part. My only problem with the book is that it felt like there might have been a prequel or relate series before it (none of which seem to exist) since some of the characters had such complex back stories and interconnected relationships which readers only get a glimpse of. However, I still greatly enjoyed the complex reveals of some of those pieces, and the depths of the characters and larger story arch.

Grave Illusions is a solid start to a urban fantasy series. The characters are story are intriguing, with some new twists to the well explored ideas about vampires and the law. I have added this series to my to be read list, and look forward to reading on. 

Blog Tour with Excerpt: Memories of a Mad Man by Don Spector

SYNOPSIS

Mad Men. Don Spector didn’t just watch them on television. He was one of them.

Starting in a Madison Avenue ad agency in the ‘60’s, he actually lived the life captured in the TV show. In "Memories of a Mad Man" he shares with us an unforgettable era filled with humor, brilliance, wonderful heroes and big, bad villains.

The funny and fascinating stories he tells uncover the reality of the ad world behind the show.
• What was it like dealing with celebrities of the era?
• How did the advent of computers spoil one of the greatest boondoggles that Mad Men—and Mad Women—enjoyed?
• The Three Martini Lunch. True or false?
• What's the real truth about truth in advertising?
The book answers these and many more intriguing questions in this unique look into a unique profession.

GOODREADS

 PURCHASE

AMAZON

B & N

KOBO

iTunes

ABOUT DON SPECTOR

Starting as a junior copywriter in a Madison Avenue ad agency in the ‘60s, Don Spector qualifies as a genuine Mad Man. Creating advertising for the agency’s high-profile accounts like Smirnoff Vodka and Tareyton cigarettes, he began his ascent up the creative ladder in several New York agencies. His commercials and print ads for advertisers like Xerox, the Yellow Pages and Jaguar ultimately led to an offer of a key position in Los Angeles-based BBDO/West where he was soon named Creative Director.  After moving to a similar position at Foote Cone Belding/Los Angeles, he eventually started his own agency where he served until his retirement.  The advertising he created for dozens of companies like ARCO, Absolut Vodka, Bristol-Myers and S.C. Johnson won numerous awards. But, more importantly, it generated millions of dollars in sales for them.

Follow the entire MEMORIES OF  MAD MAN tour 

Brought to you by Worldwind VBT

Memories of a Mad Man - an excerpt

I don’t know if it was like that before I entered advertising but by the time I did, the days of the fabled three-martini lunch were beginning to fade. And that was just as well because, frankly, I wasn't very good at handling my liquor. Even one glass of wine at lunch made me sleepy and, besides being unable to write much, I didn't relish the idea of someone coming into my office at three in the afternoon to see me snoozing at my desk. But I did occasionally make an exception. And once when I did, I learned a valuable lesson.

I went to lunch in a Madison Avenue restaurant with an agency producer I did a lot of work with. I don't remember what the occasion was but Ed suggested we have a drink and I agreed. I ordered a Bloody Mary while Ed ordered a scotch and soda. I was surprised.

“Ed,” I exclaimed. “When we get back to the office they’ll smell that booze on your breath. That's why I'm having a vodka drink.”

“Yes,” Ed said, “but you know that we're not going to stop at just one drink. And when we get back to the office, at least they'll know I'm drunk. They’ll just think you're stupid.”

I thought about his wisdom for a moment and called the waiter over. “Make that a scotch and soda.”

     And from that day on when I did have a drink at lunch I made sure it wasn't vodka. I’d rather be thought of as drunk, not stupid.

Book Review: Bite The Dust (Blood And Moonlight) by Cynthia Eden

Bite The Dust is the first book in the new Blood And Moonlight series by Cynthia Eden. When New Orleans Detective Jane Hart investigates her first official homicide case, she never expects to have her world ripped apart. The murder she’s investigating is part of a deadly war between vampires and werewolves, and now Jane is caught in the middle of the eternal battle, one that cannot end well. Werewolf Aidan Locke has been running New Orleans for years. It’s his job to keep the vamps out of the city. But when a Master Vampire comes to town Aidan knows it’s time to fight with all the fury of his pack. Beast versus vamp, until the last breath. Aidan knows that Jane is far more than she seems. Far more than she even knows herself to be. She’s important in the paranormal war, not a pawn to be used, but a queen to be won. And if he can’t keep her at his side, if he can’t stop the darkness from descending on the town, then Jane Hart will become not just a fierce cop, not some guardian, but something deadlier. Darker. Aidan will fight heaven and hell to change her fate. To change their fate because he is more than just a predator. 

Bite The Dust has a solid start and some unique takes on the now more common aspects of the werewolf and vampire lore. I liked Jane's character, and generally liked Aidan, even though the pair occasionally frustrated me with stubbornness or assumptions that they would be obeyed. I liked the level of action and suspense, even though some of the twist I caught on to fairly quickly, and suspected some of the rest. I think this is the start of a very interesting series, and I think it is set to hold its own in the talent rich genre or urban fantasy. Strong characters, rich plot with plenty of action and twists, as well as a solid world in which the story can bring the readers in a number of different directions.

My only problem with the whole book is that it seemed very familiar. Not in a plagiarism way, or even in a I have seen these situations used too many times kind of way. It was more like when you read too many books of the same author or series in a row, but I cannot remember having read any other books by this author- at least I have none listed in my Goodreads book list. I still cannot place what was familiar, perhaps Eden's voice is just similar to another author's. I just do not know, and that is not necessarily as bad thing.

Bite The Dust is a solid urban fantasy. While there was a familiar feel to parts of the story, it did not feel like it was covering old ground, rather more like making a new friend that offers conversations on favorite topics. 

Early Book Review: Rowdy: The Pirate Who Could Not Sleep by Darcy Pattison

The Pirate Who Could Not Sleep is a picture book written by Darcy Pattison and illustrated by Ewa O'Neill. It is currently scheduled for release on June 1 2016. Captain Whitney Black McKee is a rowdy pirate! After traveling the seven seas and fighting sea monsters, it’s time to come back to home port for a rest. But the Captain’s sleep has gone all awry. What’s a rowdy captain to do? She sends her crew out to steal a simple lullaby. But the rowdy heart doesn’t always know what it wants or needs. She won’t find rest, until her own dear Pappy arrives.

The Pirate Who Could Not Sleep is a rhyming picturebook about a pirate desperate for sleep. She sets her crew out to steal a lullaby, but how do you steal something so deceptively simple? A reward has the crew trying their best, but it is not until the cabin boy finds a particular buccaneer (Captain McKee's father) that the needed lullaby is found. I liked the artwork, we reminded me a little of Eric Carl's because of the color work. I also liked that the final answer was finding the captain's father, or pappy, to sing a loved lullaby. The family aspect and sentimentality was a nice touch. I did find some of the rhymes to be a little stilted or forced, so the text did not always flow as nicely as i hoped. Still a nice read for dads, granddads, and other male role models and young children.



The Pirate Who Could Not Sleep is a nice read, particularly for guys and the children in their lives. a good pick for bedtimes and quiet times. 

Book Review: Red: the True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtiff

Red: the True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtiff is a new middle grade to young adult novel. Red is not afraid of the big bad wolf. She’s not afraid of anything, except magic. When Red’s granny falls ill it seems that only magic can save her and Red is forced to confront her one weakness. With the help of a blond, porridge-sampling nuisance called Goldie, Red goes on a quest to cure Granny. Her journey takes her through dwarves’ caverns to a haunted well and a beast’s castle. All the while, Red and Goldie are followed by a wolf and a huntsman, two mortal enemies who seek the girls’ help to defeat each other. And one of them just might have the magical solution Red is looking for.

Red: the True Story of Red Riding Hood is a delightful take on the world of fairy tales. red is an adventurous young lady that loves her grandmother deeply and only really fears her own disastrous attempts at magic. It is only when her grandmother is ill that Red considers attempting magic again, and so sets forth on an adventure to do whatever necessary to save her grandmother. I like that Red is a character that is very capable, but also has her own flaws and fallibilities. She is no cookie cutter characters, nor are any of the other characters that she runs across on her journey. Goldie is a unique character that would have tried mt patience as much as she did Red's. The high adventure and twists to well known stories kept my interest high, as did the unusual characters and knowledge that nothing was going to fit preconceived notions. The self sufficiency of the characters and the running theme that nothing is quite what it seems, or what you expect it to be, made the read exciting and fun.

Red: the True Story of Red Riding Hood is a wonderful middle grade novel that will also appeal to older readers. I now need to go back and read Rump (which was already on my to be read list) and keep my eyes peeled for more from this author.