Early Book Review: Ogres Awake! by James Sturm, Alexis Frederick-Frost, Andrew Arnold

Ogres Awake! by James Sturm, Alexis Frederick-Frost, and Andrew Arnold is a children's graphic novel currently scheduled for release on July 12 2016. while this is a return to the world of the Knight and her horse Edward, young readers do not need to read this series in any order. They are all good fun as stand alones or together.

The knight and her horse, Edward, have discovered that there are three huge ogres asleep at her doorstep! When they wake up, the kingdom is in big trouble because of course ogres like to rampage and destroy things when they wake up! The knight wants to prepare for a fight, but the king and his garden gnomes are all ready to protect the kingdom, not with swords and shields, but with potato peelers and spoons. It turns out that ogres are pretty friendly when they have full stomachs!

Ogres Awake! is another delightful read from the Adventures in Cartooning series. I love the enthusiasm of the Knight, the pragmatic calm of Edward, and the twists that keep things interesting. I like that stew, rather than warfare, was the answer. The idea of being smart and thoughtful being more important that being a great warrior is a repeating theme that seems to tie all these books together, and is one that I can get behind.

Ogres Awake! is another win for young readers.

Early Book Review: Ooko by Esme Shapiro

Ooko is a picturebook by Esme Shapiro that is currently scheduled for release on July 5 2016. Ooko has everything a fox could want: a stick, a leaf and a rock. However, Ooko wants someone to play with too! The foxes in town always seem to be playing with their two-legged friends, the Debbies. Maybe if he tries to look like the other foxes, one of the Debbies will play with him too. But when Ooko finally finds his very own Debbie, things don't turn out quite as he had expected! 

Ooko is a fun and quirky picturebook about finding friendship and being true to yourself. Ooka wants to be like the dogs he sees around, thinking they are foxes like himself. However, when he pretends to be just like them he is far from happy and does not enjoy himself. The changes he needs to undergo to live like those he sees around him simply are not worth it. It is only when he is himself and makes friends with another, who is not quite like him either, that Ooko is happy. The art work is attractive and subtle, and adds a wonderful feel to the story. It is simply enjoyable to look at, and contains humor and details that make the read even better.

Ooko is a wonderful addition top libraries and collections, and would make a good pick for storytimes and sharing. 

Book Review: Do Princesses Boogie? by Carmela LaVigna Coyle, Mike Gordon

Do Princesses Boogie? is a board book written by Carmela LaVigna Coyle and illustrated by Mike Gordon. This book is part of the Do Princesses...? series, and readers join their favorite princess as she and her family dance, boogie, and jam. The happy princess discovers that having the right beat and looking on the bright side is all a girl needs to make her a princess.

Do Princesses Boogie? is a short simple board book that will appeal to the youngest readers that already love to dance and look at colorful books. There is not much to the story, as it is a board book, and is more about catching the eye and brief attention of young children. I prefer the picturebooks in the series that show that a princess can not only play soccer or wear hiking boots, but do it with style. Perhaps this will get the youngest set started with the series so that they can move on to the others for story or bed time readings.

Book Review: Blood Stain Volume 1 by Linda Sejic

Blood Stain Volume 1 by Linda Sejic is the start of a graphic novel series that will appeal to new adults and older readers. Elliot Torres (Elly) has been looking for a good just since, well forever. Sher has takes just about every kind of part time job, and failed at them all. In her attempts to help her family stay afloat she finally considers a position a job with rumored mad scientist Dr. Vlad Stein.

Blood Stain Volume 1 tells the story of how Elly ends up working for Dr. Vlad Stein. I was intrigued by the characters, and quickly related to and then became sympathetic for Elly. She wanted to hold down a job, and worked hard at everything she attempted. However through bad luck, oddball bosses, and the economy nothing every really worked out for her. The graphic novel detailed some of this journey, gave readers some background on her family situation, and introduced a busy boyfriend. I liked everything I saw, and really loved the artwork and the additional information on the background of the comic. My only problem was the fact that I only had the first issue, and was left desperate to know how things progress with Elly's position with Stein. I will definitely be looking to continue the story! 

Book Review: Test Drive (Body Shop Bad Boys #1) by Marie Harte

Test Drive is the first book in the new Body Shop Bad Boys  series by Marie Harte. This contemporary romance series does connect to a previous series from the author, but I have not read it and think that aside from already knowing some of the secondary characters ahead of time readers will not miss out if they have not already read other books from the author.

Johnny, Foley, Sam, and Lou are the rough and tumble mechanics of Webster's Garage. These reformed bad boys are used to living fast, but it's the women in their lives who take them from zero to sixty in a heartbeat. Johnny Devlin's a charmer with a checkered past. He has had his eye on scorching-hot bartender Lara Valley for ages, but she's rejected him more than once. That doesn't mean he won't come to her aid when some dirtbag mauls her. When she asks him on a date as a no-strings-attached thank you, he can't say no. And then he's saying nothing but hell, yes.

Test Drive is fast and furious. Johnny has not always been the best guy, but he does have a sense of honor and is upfront with he women that enter his life. Lara is trying to build herself a better life, going to school and working hard to make sure she does not spend the rest of her life saving pennies like her parents. She is thankful for the love and support they have given her, but she wants more. The help she gives her family brings more trouble into her life and Johnny steps up to help, and in the process proves that under the tattoos and muscles he is a real softy while Lara proves to be smarter and more assertive than expected. My only real trouble with the book is a couple more intimate scenes seemed over the top to me, but that is my own personal preference and expectations. Others might enjoy the moments that made me pause a little. As a whole I liked the characters and the story- there was enough suspense and action to balance out the lust and sweet moments.

Test Drive is a fast and sun read. Johnny and Lara are great characters and I really liked the set up of characters with less than perfect pasts and families finding their happily ever after in each other. i think I am going to keep on with this series, and as time permits I will check out other books from Harte. 

Book Review: The Toothless Fairy by Timothy Jordan

The Toothless Fairy is a picture book by Timothy Jordan. Every parent knows the problem – Halloween is over, but the issue of how to handle too much candy has just begun. The question of what to do with an excess of sweets each November 1 provided the inspiration for the book. Conceived by Skeeter Buck and written by Timothy Jordan, the story allows parents and caregivers to explore with their children feelings of being different, the importance of friendship, how to share and care, and even how to create a new family tradition, all while reveling in the magic of Halloween.

The Toothless Fairy is a picture book that might be useful to parents trying to get rid of Halloween candy that might be overflowing in their home, by introducing a new tradition. I was distracted by the formatting issues that were part of my digital galley (which I assume were fixed before the final release). I was not overly fond of the artwork, it looked like the cgi cartoons that drive me crazy, but that is my personal preference rather than anything that might bother other readers. I read through the book a few times, and thought the intent and ideas were good. I was just not a fan of the execution. Others might be more willing to add another mystical creature and tradition to their home, and this could be the perfect book for them, it just did nothing for me.

Book Review: Long Night Moon by S.M. Reine

Long Night Moon is the third book in the Seasons of the Moon series by S.M. Reine. Something is killing innocent people around Rylie Gresham's town. The police think it's a wild animal, but she has other suspicions. There are new kids at school, and they have a lot in common with her: gold eyes, super strength, and a habit of turning furry. It seems Rylie's not the only werewolf around anymore. It's up to Rylie and her werewolf-hunting boyfriend, Seth, to stop the killings. But saving lives doesn't come naturally to a monster, and territory battles could risk the life of her sickly aunt--not to mention her own. Rylie has no choice but to stand her ground, protect her home, and stop the murderers before anyone else gets hurt.

Long Night Moon is a good addition to the series, with plenty of action and twists to keep the reader guessing. The violent deaths in the area have everyone worried. New werewolves come to town, Seth’s brother is acting stranger then usual, Rylie’s aunt is not doing well, and a meddling doctor comes to town there are just so many things going on that both Seth and Rylie are struggling to figure out what is going on, and what they should do next. There are unexpected complications and some normal teenage angst all mixed together to keep both the characters and the readers on their toes guessing to see what might happen next. I was on edge and only saw a few of the twists coming- and those I was unsure about until the very end. 

Long Night Moon is another book that goes by a little too quickly. The book has a satisfying conclusion, it was just over before I was ready to leave Rylie and her new world behind. I will be diving into the conclusion of this quartet as soon as possible.

Early Book Review: Too Many Moose by Lisa Bakos

Too Many Moose is a picturebook by Lisa Bakos which is currently scheduled for release on July 1 2016. When Martha gets an unusual pet, she’s delighted by all of the fun things they do together! The shared an umbrella, They sipped maple tea.They carved hearts and ‘Ms on a mulberry tree. If one moose is this marvelous, then more must be better! So, Martha quite merrily orders one more, then one more and one more and one more and so on until she’s in a major mess!

Too Many Moose is a rhyming picturebook that flows very nicely. It did not run into the trouble that comes from forcing rhymes, it just worked really well. Similarly the illustrations with very well done, the colors and details added a great deal to the story without being overstated or distracting. I really liked how Martha did plenty of research before picking a pet, and that she picked something unusual and fun.I love the details about the activities Martha and her moose do together, and the eventually understanding that more is not always better. Martha thinks that if one moose, or two, or more is great; than even more must be even better. It is only when the moose overrun and destroy everything else she cares about that she sees that one mail order moose is enough.My only worry is my daughter now wanting a moose, thankfully I think that would be a short argument because I think moose are not nearly as cuddly as the pets we already own, or those she will really push for in the future.

Too Many Moose is a silly, fun book that would be great for reading together one on one or sharing during storytime. The rhymes and artwork are wonderful, although I worry for animal fans and real moose because moose are really not the best of pets. 

Book Review: Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply by Terry Spear

Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply is the latest romance by Terry Spear in the Silvertown Wolf series. Wolf shifter and park ranger Eric Silver is committed to his job policing spectacular San Isabel National Forest, and he’s hot on the scent of some mysterious wolves who are up to no good. When Eric’s investigation leads him to cross paths with forester Pepper Grayling, he’s fascinated to learn this she-wolf is her pack’s leader. She is strong, independent, and definitely not looking for a mate. With unknown dangers on the prowl, Pepper is tempted to give in to her attraction to Eric and align her pack with his. But Pepper’s been pursued by many an alpha male out to take over her pack and gain her hard-won territory, and Eric is a born leader. How does Eric earn the trust of a she-wolf who’s been betrayed so often in the past?

Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply is an interesting and fast paced read. Pepper is tired of defending her pack from make werewolves that think mating her is the easy way to take over her pack and territory. She has already lost one mate, and is just looking to do the best for the pack and herself. Eric is tracking werewolves that are using the National Park to grow weed and find their illegal activities. He runs across Pepper and her pack while hunting for the perpetrators and needs to continue his work, and make sure that Pepper’s pack is not part of the problem. Suspicion and guarded hearts on all sides, with the complication of Pepper’s unwanted suitor and the illegal activities in the forest make everything more interesting, but shared interests and teamwork save the day- both in the action and romance that are woven through the story. 

Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply is  a solid addition to the series, but works well as a stand alone book as well. It meets my expectations of quality and interest from the author. If you like Spear’s work. and paranormal romance with characters that are interesting and complex then get reading.

Early Book Review: Prisoner of the Mind by Susan Staneslow Olsen

I am very fortunate to know a number of authors, which thus far I have avoided reviewing for because I did not want anyone to think positive reviews were biased, or if I did not like a book I was worried about hurt feelings or other complications. I am glad that I was asked by one such author, a coworker, to review and I agreed. Since we have fairly similar taste and fandoms I thought I would give it a go. Now I am both glad I did and disappointed that I did not read her work earlier. Finding another series to read is a double edged sword.

Prisoner of the Mind by Susan Staneslow Olsen currently scheduled for release in July 2016 and is the first book in a series. Rumors about the Kerasi and their violent society abound. Frustrated parents warned their children to stay in bed or a Kerasi might get them. They played marbles with real eyes, ate live toads the way decent people ate peanuts, and executed people just for walking down the street. The worst things Kerasi did didn’t kill you, but you wished they did. Aila Perrin knew that for a fact. A Union operative had been caught on Kerasím. The Kerasi returned him without incident. His mind had been tampered with, erased, until he didn’t have the sense to feed himself. When thirteen year old Aila finds herself abducted by the Kerasi, she has every right to be terrified for her life. But even bad things aren’t always what they seem, and as Aila is drawn deeper and deeper into the Kerasi’s plot, she can’t help but wonder who the worst offenders are; the patriots fighting to free their own people, or her own precious Union that wants to keep them down. Can Aila forgive her captors and save a race of people without sacrificing her own?

Prisoner of the Mind is the first in a series, so there is some serious world and character building.  For some reason the world building reminded me a bit of Jim Butcher's style, even though the world and plot are nothing like his works. Aila is an outspoken, intelligent girl that takes her privilege and independence a bit for granted. The Kerasi culture is one that depend heavily on a caste system, and women are typically thought little of. When Aila is kidnapped the two worlds collide and the reader gets to see both sides of the coin, the pros and cons of both the Union and Kerasi way of life. I liked that we get in the heads of several people, giving us a good glimpse of the big picture.  The cultures and personalities were very well described, but at no time was it overwhelming of boring. Aila grows up quite a bit in the story, as one tends to when held hostage, but she is not the only character that grows and changes. I think the connection she makes with those she comes in contact with, some of which were technically her enemies, and her understanding of the larger picture even though she is fairly young was somehow both realistic and hopeful. In fact, I think the state of the societies in the book show a realistic pairing of the fear and hope that seems inherent in humanity and politics. While there is a huge, important social statement here, the story is not heavy handed or preachy (which often happens) instead it is a fantastic story that just happens to say something huge to readers that are willing to listen.

Prisoner of the Mind had me think about the character and world long after I finish the book. I actually had dreams about the characters and had trouble letting go of them enough to get into my next read. I highly recommend the book, and cannot wait to see where the story goes from here. It is an all around great read that is both entertaining and thought provoking.