Book Review: River Bear (Blue Bear Rescue) by Terra Wolf

River Bear is the second book in the Blue Bear Rescue series by Terra Wolf. I have not read the first book, but feel like I did not miss too much.

Polar Bear Shifter Jake has always wanted a real family. People to love and care about him, nothing like his foster father who saw him as nothing more than a punching bag. He testified against the monster and put him away for good, or so he thought. Delilah is an orphan, she knows the struggle of being alone all too well, but when she meets Jake suddenly she has everything she ever wanted. Until someone threatens to take it all away. Jake has to defend his mate against his one true enemy. His own family. But will he be able to keep her safe, when he has to defeat his own demons as well? 

River Bear is an enjoyable, quick read. Delilah comes to the small town with the promise of investigating a case for a group of shifters, who have always fascinated her. She needs the money, and when she sees Jake she needs to work extra hard to keep her rule of no dating on the case. She is smart, determined, and self reliant- which always drives an overprotective were-bear crazy. She is fascinated by the job, and her partner while she hunts for the people behind the complaints and problems the rescue crew has been facing. Jake is worried when he sees Delilah, because of a vision a friend had of someone matching her description dying by his hands. he wants to protect her,. wants to keep her close, but also wants her at a safe distance so that the vision cannot come true- a combination that is not really possible. I like that the pair actually talk to each other, and share past traumas and issues that might effect them in the long run. While the romance wraps up a little too neatly at the end, that is not unexpected in paranormal romance involving shifters that include any mention of mates.

River Bear is a fast and fun story. I did think the final wrap up a little too neat and tidy, I still enjoyed the read and will be looking at other books from the author. 

Book Review: I am Not a Princess by Bethany Burt, Brenda McCallum

I am Not a Princess is a picturebook written by Bethany Burt and illustrated Brenda McCallum. Princesses get to wear fancy dresses and beautiful jewels. They live happily ever after with the prince of their dreams in a splendid castle in the countryside. Plus, they are never burdened with boring chores or unpleasant activities. Their only real job is looking pretty. But when Eliza, dressed in full princess fashion, tries to join in on the fun in her household and neighborhood, she is disappointed to discover that being a princess prevents her from doing many of the things she loves. She can t ride a bike, play baseball, help her father paint, or bake cookies with her mom. See what happens as her frustration builds.

I am Not a Princess is a look at identity, imaginative play, and stereotypes. Everyone knows that princesses have it easy, all they need to do is look pretty, stay clean, and have good manners. When Eliza dresses up as a princess she is firm in this idea as a princess, and is not willing to break that role- even when it means missing out on playing with her older brother, riding bikes with her best friend, or baking cookies with her mom. I like that her frustration eventually has her shedding the jewels and joining in the fun. I admire her gumption in sticking to the role as she saw it, her tenaciousness is admirable. However, I would rather she had changed the role of a princess and proclaimed that she can do both, act and dress as a princess while having any kind of fun she wanted. As far as I am concerned, especially while playing pretend, who is to say that a princess cannot play sports or bake cookies? I have long been a fan of princesses that wear what ever color they want and are willing to climb trees and play in the dirt rather than commit to a role that they can not fully enjoy.

Book Review: 3 of a Kind (Knightley & Son) by Rohan Gavin

3 of a Kind is the third book in the Knightley & Son series of middle grade novels by Rohan Gavin. This is a series that should be read in order, especially since the conflicts of this story are directly related to the previous mysteries.  Darkus Knightley is used to expecting the unexpected. An extraordinary solver of crimes, with immense powers of deduction, and regularly found bedecked in tweed, Darkus is anything but the average 13-year-old. But he is the person to call when strange goings-on are afoot! Despite trying to leave his detective ways behind to lead a normal teenage life, when his father's loyal housekeeper, Bogna, goes missing, Darkus must return to the family fold and follow the clues to America and the bright lights of Las Vegas. Alongside his father, Alan, and stepsister, Tilly, Darkus must once again face the deadly criminal organization the Combination and this time, all bets are off. With danger at every turn, Knightley and Son will need an ace or two up their sleeves in order to win this game.

3 of a Kind is full of mystery and character development. Darkus is not really interested in the family business after what happened in K-9, but is drawn into another mystery after the well being of other people is at stake. There is plenty of drama between Darkus, his father, and Tilly. There is also some other character conflicts, like those surrounding Clive and Bogna. The big mystery is as complex and dangerous as the other books, but it seemed a little over the top and more confusing.  I still enjoyed the characters and the wit inherent in the story, like in the previous book. It just seemed to be a little more, intangible maybe? I liked the inclusion of Tilly's technical skills and some of the twists. There was a lot of wonderful, I just did not connect with the story as much as I expected to.

3 of a Kind is a interesting read and left me with a balance of closure and open curiosity of what might be coming next. A good, solid read, but not quite as good as the first two installments in the series. 

Book Review: The Bear Who Loved Me (Grizzlies Gone Wild) by Kathy Lyons

The Bear Who Loved Me is the first book in the Grizzlies Gone Wild series by Kathy Lyons. Between singlehandedly running her bakery and raising her teenaged nephew, Becca Weitz thought she had a decent grip on "normal." Then her nephew vanishes, and life as she's known it changes forever. Local legends are true: bear shifters exist and her nephew is part of their clan. As is Carl Carman, the sexy, larger-than-life man who has sworn to find her nephew-and the other young shifters who've gone missing.As the leader of his clan, Carl is surrounded by enemies. He's learned the hard way that keeping a firm leash on his inner beast is key to survival, though his feelings for Becca test his legendary control. Then danger stalks too close, and Carl realizes he must unleash the raging, primal force within to protect everything he holds dear. But can Becca trust his grizzly side with her life-and her heart?

The Bear Who Loved Me is a fun start to a series. I really liked Becca, and her need to be busy and useful regardless of what is going on around her. She is determined and strong, with a quick wit and good heart. Carl, or Mr. Max, is the alpha bear in his clan, and is struggling to prove himself as a powerful leader when violence and death is his last resort rather than his fall back for all conflicts. I like that we are introduced to a variety of clan members, some of which promise to be the stars of the future books (which I need to get my hands on). I liked the main characters, and the secondary characters very much. I found the personalities and reactions to be reasonably realistic, or as much as they can be when dealing with were-grizzly bears. I found them compelling and I was invested in their futures early in the book. The conflict of missing Theo- and the larger storyline that this will continue in the series- reminds me a little of the story found in Paige Tyler’s X-Ops series, but the idea is one I would actually expect to have happen if shifters were really discovered in the real world. 

The Bear Who Loved Me is a great start to a new series, and has me looking for the next books, License to Shift (recently published) and For the Bear's Eyes Only (to be released on November 15 2016). It is good fun with complex characters with plenty of room for more. 

Book Review: Margo Thinks Twice by Monica Arnaldo

Margo Thinks Twice by Monica Arnaldo is a picture book. Margo is an imaginative, adventurous little girl who has just one problem — worry has found its way into her life. She sometimes feels nervous and uncomfortable, especially inside the wild world her imagination creates. Whenever her mom gives instructions, Margo’s mind turns the everyday advice into worst-case scenarios. Mom tells Margo to be careful with the craft glue, and Margo imagines becoming stuck to all the furniture and decorations in her room. Mom advises Margo not to swing too high, and Margo envisions ending up on the roof.

Margo Thinks Twice is a picture book about a young lady that takes the words of her mother to heart. Every warning her mother gives leads Margo to consider the worse case scenario, the illustrations of which a fun and contain little clues toward the final conclusion. Now, I both really like this book, and have some reservations with it. I thin the illustrations are wonderful- they capture Margo’s very real worries while still including humor and additional important information. I like that at no point, even in the illustrations, are Margo’s fears mocked or belittled. Her worries are treated as legitimate and important by her mother, along with a solution that can help both of them worry a little less about everything being perfect.

I was not thrilled with the worries it left me, as a mom, that I might be causing anxiety in my kids with such simple requests and common phrases, and that they haven’t told me. Granted both my kids tell me everything, included things that I have no need to know, such as the exact number of goldfish they ate or left behind at lunch, so I am not overly anxious. However, it is not necessarily that it raised my awareness of how some seemingly simple things can be anything but to my children- or anyone really. Literature, and art of all sorts, is intended to get people thinking and maybe make them a little uncomfortable- or at least wake them up a little or insight emotion. So, that this mean the author has done their job. 

Early Book Review: Once a Gypsy (Irish Traveller) by Danica Winters

Once a Gypsy is the first book in the Irish Traveller series by Danica Winters and is currently scheduled for release on November 1 2016. Even for a clairvoyant, the future is never a sure thing. Helena has always struggled to fit in with her Irish Traveller family. It’s not just her opposition to getting married or her determination to attend university; Helena also has one talent that sets her apart from the rest of her clan, the gift of the Forshaw, the ability to see the future. Graham is the groundskeeper at a manor in Adare, Ireland. Though the estate appears idyllic, it holds dark secrets, and despite his own supernatural gifts, Graham can’t solve Adare Manor’s problems by himself. Desperate for help, Graham seeks out a last resort: Helena, whose skills are far greater than even she knows. When he promises to teach her to control her powers, Helena resists, afraid both of the damage her abilities might do and her increasing attraction to the handsome groundskeeper. Her entire way of life is at risk: Any involvement, especially romantic, with non-Travellers like Graham is forbidden. But Helena’s future is anything but certain, and fate has other plans for her family, her powers, and her relationship with Graham.

Once a Gypsy is a contemporary fiction book with a touch of romance and more than a hint of fantasy or paranormal. Helena is a strong woman, raised as a Traveller and proud of her heritage but not blind to its faults. In fact, she wants to break tradition enough to forestall marriage and go to school, which is unheard of. When her fathers is released from prison and they are both offered jobs at Graham's estate she is suspicious and cautious, which is a good idea because there is far more going on than she could know. Graham is a good guy at heart, but trying to keep the necessary secrets while helping his family. The attraction between the two is a complication for them both, and distracts them from the trouble that is surrounding them. There are a good number of twists and turns, many of which I saw coming, and lots of room for whatever comes next. I did feel that while Helena started as a strong woman, there were a few too many times where I felt like she let doubts or someone else make her decisions for her. I could understand that on occasion, but by the end of the book it was what I remembered most about her, which did not make me like her as much as I had initially.

Once a Gypsy is a decent start to a series, but it did not wow me. I thought the characters and cultures had the groundwork laid well for future installments, but some of the paranormal aspects and personal connections between characters did not completely reel me in. 

Book Review: The Cranky Ballerina by Elise Gravel

The Cranky Ballerina is a picturebook written and illustrated by Elise Gravel. Ada hates everything about ballet class, yet she still has to go! Then one Saturday, Ada pliés right out the door and into the hallway, smacking into someone who thinks her ungraceful moves are great! Her mistake might just lead to a wonderful new adventure for Ada.

The Cranky Ballerina is another winner from Gravel. The illustrations are wonderful, and the thought bubbles keep the flow and energy of the book at a constant level. Ada is an energetic and plucky young girl who wants to go her own way. she does not like ballet, and does not feel like she is good at it despite the rehearsals she is dragged to. I like that Ada dislikes ballet, not because of what it is, but because she just does not feel like it is right for her. She pits in an honest effort, and it just does not click with her. when she stumbles into the perfect solution I was delighted on several levels. I like that her new activity is not necessarily a 'girl' activity, but something that she takes to right away with no thought to gender roles. i have to admit that I see a bt of myself, and my daughter, in Ada's stubbornness and love for something other than what is the suggested activity for her.

The Cranky Ballerina offers readers a book in which the author clearly understands how her youngest readers feel, and offers them understanding and support through fun books that just might help their adults understand them a little bit better as well, and remember how they felt when they were younger themselves.

Early Book Review: The Fairy’s Assistant by Sasha L. Miller

The Fairy’s Assistant by Sasha L. Miller is currently scheduled for release on November 2 1016. Hayden typically enjoys his life, he gets to travel, he has a fairy in his pocket, and he helps her bring happiness to people who would otherwise go overlooked and continue suffering. The only problem is that magic is illegal and there's a certain stubborn, handsome knight determined to prove that Hayden deserves to be locked up. Between dodging the stubborn knight and the odious nobles he's currently working for, helping his fairy get a woman to a ball is going to be more difficult than their missions usually are.

The Fairy’s Assistant is a fun twist on the Cinderella style fairy tale. It started a little slow for me, but quickly captured and held my interest. Hayden is an all-around good guy. He is not afraid of hard work, does his best to stay out of trouble, and does everything he can to help the fairy Lily help others- even though he cannot understand a word she says. Sir Sydney, a very determined knight of the realm is on his trail in search of illegal magic users. Hayden gets a sable hand job in order to assist Lily's plan to help a woman named Renee find happiness. Everything is more than it seems, and so are the characters. I liked the personalities and depth of the characters, and the way that the romances happened very naturally, and if I was unaware of the LGBTQ label on the description I might have guessed the final pairings of differently. The major wins here were the complexity of the plot twists and the well written characters. The one thing I think I was missing was some world building. I wanted a little bit more information about the why's of magic being illegal and so on. However, the story over rode those issues enough that I was still a happy reader.

The Fairy’s Assistant is a wonderful novel, that I enjoyed more than I was expecting after a slow start. I am inspired to read more by the author, and hope that this world is revisited in other books they have either already written or that are yet to come. miller has a new fan. 

Book Review: Storm Watcher by Maria V. Snyder

Storm Watcher by Maria V. Snyder is a middle grade novel. It was published back in 2013, and I am not sure how I missed it since she is one of my favorite authors. I am beyond thrilled that it came to Netgalley recently for me to find!

Luke Riley is lost. His mother's recent death has set Luke and his family adrift. Even though his father, twin brothers, and their three Bloodhounds are search and rescue volunteers, they have been unable to rescue themselves and become a family again. The summer after sixth grade looms in Luke's mind as a long, lonely three months where the only thing he can look forward to is watching The Weather Channel. Luke is fascinated with the weather, but since his mother's death in a storm, he is also terrified. Even the promised 13th birthday present of a Bloodhound puppy fails to lift Luke's spirits. He would rather have a different breed - a petite Papillon, but his father insists he get a Bloodhound. When Luke decides to get the Bloodhound from Willajean, a dog breeder who owns Storm Watcher Kennel, he works out a deal to help at her kennel in exchange for the expensive dog. Thrilled to have a summer with a purpose, Luke befriends Willajean's daughter, Megan and together they plan how Luke can get a Papillon puppy instead of a Bloodhound. But nothing seems to work as they struggle with stubborn fathers, summer storms, unhelpful siblings, and hidden guilt. Can one little white dog really save both families?

Storm Watcher is a wonderful realist fiction novel that imparts all sorts of lessons without ever feeling preachy- a tough balance to hit. Luke is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his mother, and the related guilt he feels about her death. He loves his family’s dogs, but wants something a little different and will do just about anything to make it happen. He works at a nearby dog breeders to earn his puppy- though weather he gets the dog he wants or the bloodhound his father insists on is up for debate. Responsibility and perseverance are the name of the game as he works his way through the summer. Willajean and Luke’s father might not always seem nice, but through the story even when you disagree with their stance or actions you can tell they really care and are trying to do the right thing. All of the characters have moments of good and bad, including Luke and Wiglsjean’s daughter Megan. The complex and growing characters make everything so real that I was really engaged in their story, and still am long after finishing the book. The layer’s of Luke’s thoughts and fears bring everything home, his fear and fascination of the weather, his guilt and sadness in the loss of his mother, and his struggles relating to what is left of his family and the community he had pulled away from. Even when you think you know what another character is thinking, or how something must turn out, there are still some surprises and so much heart to this book that it stays with the reader.

Storm Watcher is a wonderful story about family, lose, and finding what really matters. Issues of guilt and fear are dealt with and can help children understand what others might be going through, and that they are not alone. Heartwarming, and heart wrenching, it brought tears to this stoic reader’s eyes.

Book Review: Isis Orb (Xanth) by Piers Anthony

Isis Orb is the 40th! novel in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. While I read this series like candy in the 1990’s, I have not read one in a long time, and can attest to the fact that some things are carried over across the entire series, each book can be enjoyed on its own as well.

In Xanth, everyone has a talent. But that does not mean everyone loves his talent, and no one understands that better than Hapless. Endowed with the ability to conjure any instrument he wants, Hapless could be an extraordinary musician if only he could play a tune that did not fall ear-piercingly flat. His one desire is to find an instrument he can play and maybe a girlfriend or three. But like music, women have never been his forte. When the Good Magician hears about Hapless's desperate desire, he sends the young man on a quest to find the elusive Isis Orb, a magical talisman that could fulfill his wish. But the mysterious Egyptian goddess for whom the orb is named guards the enchanted object and won t let anyone see it let alone use it. Setting out to achieve the impossible, Hapless meets an eclectic mix of creatures that join him on his journey. Like the musically challenged Hapless, they all have wishes they hope the Isis Orb will grant. But the only way they can control the orb is to capture the five totems from the regions of Xanth: Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and the Void. Together, this motley crew will heroically fight dragons, a six-headed griffin, and even a beautiful, seductive water gorgon who tries to rain on Hapless's parade.

Isis Orb is a good addition to the Xanth series. The puns and power of cleverness and hard work over power and greed runs as strong here as it did in the books I fondly remember reader. The characters are complex and well developed, even those we only see for a chapter or so. I like the idea of the stubborn and transparent Hapless leading the way. The puzzles, quest, and personality conflicts are very entertaining and kept the story moving while keeping the reader thinking. The collection of companions and the challenges they face were unique and well done, but after awhile the puns and word play (the point of the series) did begin to wear a little thin. I was surprised with a few twists, but the majority of enjoyment I got from the book was from the characters (particularly Hapless) and the interplay between the main players.

I think fans of the series will enjoy Isis Orb, and those that enjoy wordplay and logic puzzles will particularly enjoy it. I do have to admit that the book did not hold up to my remembered love of the series. This could be because my tastes have changed, because after 40 books even the brilliant Piers Anthony can fade a little, or because of a number of other reasons.