Book Review: Shadowed Souls edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes

Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes, is a collection of urban fantasy featuring short stories from Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, Kevin J. Anderson, and Rob Thurman. These stories offer nothing is as simple as black and white, light and dark, good and evil. Unfortunately, that is exactly what makes it so easy for the characters in these tales to cross the line. In Jim Butcher's Cold Case, Molly Carpenter—Harry Dresden's apprentice-turned-Winter Lady—must collect a tribute from a remote Fae colony and discovers that even if you're a good girl, sometimes you have to be bad. In Seanan McGuire's Sleepover finds half-succubus Elsie Harrington kidnapped by a group of desperate teenage boys. Not for anything “weird.” They just need her to rescue a little girl from the boogeyman, no biggie. In Kevin J. Anderson's Eye of Newt, Zombie P.I. Dan Shamble's latest client is a panicky lizard missing an eye who thinks someone wants him dead. But the truth is that someone only wants him for a very special dinner. In Rob Thurman's infernally heroic Caliban Leandros takes a trip down memory lane as he deals with some overdue—and nightmarish—vengeance involving some quite nasty Impossible Monsters. There are also stories from genre favorites Tanya Huff, Kat Richardson, Jim C. Hines, Anton Strout, Lucy A. Snyder, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and Erik Scott de Bie.

Shadowed Souls is a fine collection of short stories connected by characters forced to venture into the shades of gray in the process of trying to do the right thing, or what needs to be done. I really enjoyed the look into Molly Carpenter's mind, as I am a long standing fan of Jim Butcher. I also particularly enjoyed the contributions of Lucy A. Snyder, Kat Richardson, Seanan McGuire, and Tanya Huff. None of the stories stuck me a badly written, but some I just did not connect with as easily as I did others. In some cases it was because I had not read the books set in the same world as the short story, and some it was merely a matter of my personal preferences. However, I think collections like this are a great sampler for those looking to explore new authors without committing to an entire book or series.

Shadowed Souls is a nice collection for fans of the urban fantasy genre, and a nice way to visit the worlds of favorite authors as we wait for the continuation of their next book, and a fun way to explore the writing style of other authors that just might become new favorites. As with any collection, there were some stories that I enjoyed more than others. However, I think this is a great collection for anyone that enjoys reading about characters discovering how far into the dark side they might be willing to go for the greater good, or the good of those they care for most.

Early Book Review: All Birds Have Anxiety by Kathy Hoopman

All Birds Have Anxiety by Kathy Hoopman is a children’s nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on March 21 2017. Life as a bird can be stressful! From worrying about airplanes, windows, and getting enough worms to eat, it is clear that birds can be anxious beings. Through a light-touch, quizzical depiction of bird behavior, this book uses colourful images and astute explanations to explore with gentle humor what it means to live with anxiety day-to-day, and how to begin to deal with it.

All Birds Have Anxiety is a book that deals with anxiety, and how to cope with it. I like that the book pairs images of real birds with the explanations of anxiety- what it is, what it feels like, and how to mitigate its effects on your life.  This makes the book a great tool for children dealing with anxiety themselves, or for those that have seen it in others and want to understand. Even adults reading this with their children or a classroom might find little phrases from the book that bring home something they might have missed in understanding anxiety. I really like that the book offers the simple information, like how anxiety can make  you feel, as well as resources for those that need more tools to handle their own anxiety. I am thrilled that the book points out that everyone feels anxiety, but that some of us have more than others- and it is not fun but it is not something to feel ashamed or more anxious about. The tools and resources the book offers are very useful and I think the book offers humor and face in a package that can encourage understanding and empathy.

All Birds Have Anxiety validates the experiences of anxiety, provides understanding of the many symptoms associated with anxiety, and offers compassionate suggestions for change. The combination of humor, understanding, and resources make this a valuable introduction to anxiety disorder for those diagnosed with this condition, their family and friends and those generally interested in understanding anxiety.

Early Book Review: How to do Homework Without Throwing Up by Trevor Romain

How to do Homework Without Throwing Up by Trevor Romain is a children’s non fiction book that is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2017. Homework isn’t going anywhere, and kids need to learn to do it. This updated classic provides specific tips for starting, doing, and finishing homework—and maybe even laughing while they learn. Kids will also learn how to make a homework schedule, when to do the hardest homework (first!), the benefits of doing homework, and more—serious suggestions delivered with wit and humor because laughter makes learning fun. Refreshed to address modern distractions like the Internet and electronic devices, this updated classic (with hilarious full-color illustrations) helps kids see that they can handle their homework and emphasizes how terrific it feels when they finish.

How to do Homework Without Throwing Up is a simply written book that tries to get young readers to understand that while doing homework is not fun, it is necessary and fighting it only makes things worse. The ideas, suggestions, and tools that the book offers are all pretty simple to implement- setting up a routine and having a snack being among my personal favorites. The illustrations are fun and emphasizes the ideas that the text is trying to get across. This could be helpful for families struggling with big homework battles. However, I found that the text includes things that would only be relevant to older students, while seeming to be aimed at a younger audience. It felt a bit like those skits that school kids are forced to sit through in school assemblies- where the points being made are good but the delivery is a little to corny to really stick with the target audience.

Book Review: Highland Chieftain by Hannah Howell

Highland Chieftain is the twenty first book in the Murrays series by Hannah Howell. Each of these books can be read on their own, however having read at least one of the books in the series will give readers a feel for some of the surprises that the book is likely to offer. 

Responsible for protecting her younger siblings from their abusive father, Bethoc Matheson is in no position to rescue another soul in Scotland. Yet when she sees a bleeding man on the verge of drowning, that's exactly what she does, securing him safely in a cave where she can return day after day to tend to his wounds. Sir Callum MacMillan can scarcely believe such a slight lass as Bethoc could save him from the grasp of death. But he knows the telltale marks of an angry fist on her skin, and he knows she has the soul of a fighter within her feminine frame. Raised to be a protector of the weak by his Murray clansmen, Callum would prefer to be the one saving her—and save her, he will. If he can first survive the treacherous attack that led him into her irresistible arms.

Highland Chieftain is a return to a series that I feel like I have not read in a long time. While only vaguely connected to the books I had read, I still knew what to expect. Both Bethoc and Callum have been through horrible things, and are fighting their way through another round of trouble. However, even after facing abusive beginnings and having the issues that that can cause, they are both people bent on helping and protecting others. I love that Bethoc is willing to trust others, though not in a way that puts her more at risk. Granted she is a lucky Murray family member with a special gift that helps with that. Callum's history is more brutal, and described in less detail, but his fears and issues are so real for those that have experienced such abuse. While so much of the relationship could be solved early on with talk and working through their issues, I found the resolution and the people they interact with on the way to be an enjoyable part of the story- while it normally makes me antsy to get to the conclusion. It offered me exactly what I was expecting- a wonderful weekend read that I was able to escape into.

Highland Chieftain was a nice return to the story of the extended Murray family and Howell's writing style. I know I missed a few books from this series, but this is a nice comfort read for me. Yes, bad things happen- but love, understanding, and family win out and true love is the victor. Howell offers another enjoyable, quick read that I enjoyed.

Book Review: Even Ninjas have Nightmares by J.C. Rouses

Even Ninjas have Nightmares is a picturebook by J.C. Rouses.When a young ninja is confronted by a monster that hides under his bed, the boy must battle his own fears in order to understand that even the strongest people can get scared sometimes. He denies his fears, and wakes the house in his fierce denial even as he wakes up with nightmares and scares. Finally our ninja admits those fears and realizes that not only is he not alone, but he can still be a brave ninja even if he has nightmares.

Even Ninjas have Nightmares is a picturebook that takes the common fears, and attempted denial of them, and shows young readers that it is okay to be afraid. It is the admission of fear and facing them, and helping others face their fears, that makes you brave. I love the illustrations and the repeated awakens of the young ninja. The artwork is a perfect pairing to the story and offer extra bits of humor and details to the larger story. I think my favorite part was the end when the ninja comforts and helps his little sister face her own fears and nightmares. I think that added a special value to the lesson and might help young readers with understanding and empathy if they do not have nightmare problems of their own.

Early Book Review: Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence

Star Scouts is a children's graphic novel by Mike Lawrence, and is currently scheduled for release on March 21 2017. Avani is the new kid in town, and she’s not happy about it. Everyone in school thinks she’s weird, especially the girls in her Flower Scouts troop. Is it so weird to think scouting should be about fun and adventure, not about makeovers and boys, boys, boys? But everything changes when Avani is “accidentally” abducted by a spunky alien named Mabel. Mabel is a scout too, a Star Scout. Collecting alien specimens (like Avani) goes with the territory, along with teleportation and jetpack racing. Avani might be weird, but in the Star Scouts she fits right in. If she can just survive Camp Andromeda, and keep her dad from discovering that she’s left planet Earth, she’s in for the adventure of a lifetime.

Star Scouts is a wonderful graphic novel about a young girl named Avani. She is not into boys and the popular music, she is different and stuck in the rut of wallowing in her unhappiness, so much so that she does not notice other peoples unhappiness. Then she meets Mabel and her group of Star Scouts she finds a great group of friends, and a fellow outsider in Mabel. They face challenges, including the classic battle with a bully in a fresh form, and find out a lot about themselves and friendship on the way. I think readers of all ages can empathize with Avani and Mabel, with the way they feel left out or not good enough. Even adults still face these feelings, and seeing others going through it in books and movies helps us all feel a little less odd. I also enjoyed the artwork very much. I think readers that will identify with the characters, and even those that feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin, can get a lot out of that part of the story. Oh, the adventure and danger portions of the story was awesome to, but I just identified so much with the emotional aspect that it is what stayed with me the longest. It was bright and colorful, and very detailed. 

Star Scouts is a well drawn comic about adventure, finding yourself, and friendship. I really enjoyed the book and think that it will hit the sweet spot with many readers. 

Book Review: Renegade Dragon by Lolita Lopez

Renegade Dragon is the fourth book in the Dragon Heat series by Lolita Lopez. I have read two of the three previous books, but think newcomers could enjoy the read without the full back story, but as always knowing a bit more of the mythology and about the main players always helps. The previous books are Dead Sexy Dragon, Red Hot Dragon, and Wicked Dark Dragon. 

When her best friend goes missing during Spring Break, bio-engineering student Eris Jones refuses to believe Ivy is dead and follows the trail of clues to a mysterious, secluded estate. Locked away in the lair beneath his home, dragon shifter Niko Drakon suffers terribly from a massive overdose of a synthetic drug that forces his body into the mating heat. When her sweet, alluring scent hits him, Niko's dragon overtakes him and he breaks free from his bonds. Captured by the snarling, winged creature, Eris thinks she must be hallucinating when her touch transforms him into a human male-a dangerously sexy and highly seductive male. After one taste of Eris, Niko realizes a single week will never be enough. He wants her forever by his side and in his bed. But convincing the human to take a chance on a dragon won't be easy and suddenly Niko is faced with the hardest choice in his centuries of life.

Renegade Dragon is a high action, and entertaining read. I like that Eris an independent, smart woman. I did not like her immediate acceptance to Nico and all the weird that goes along with having eaten a mythical apple and being chased down by a dragon slash man after having broken into his house in search of her missing best friend. Yes, mates and pheromones, and mystical whatever, but there was no real adjustment or freaking out, or anything. she just kind of goes with it even after all hell breaks loose. That always bothers me. Not that I want a woman (or man for that matter) to freak out and get hysterical, but some actual concerns or safety attempts might be a better option than sleeping with the random dragon guy. Just saying. Niko is a good guy, a bit one dimensional but it has been so long since I have read anything from the series that I have forgotten any previous knowledge of his character and why he had himself locked in a dungeon while pumped full of a synthetic drug that strengthened his urge to mate- which strikes me as a really bad idea-  but I am reasonably certain there must have been a reason. Once you get past logic and desire to survive, the story is a lot of fun. It is high action, with some high drama moments. The inclusion of a bit of mythology was fun, and I liked the touch of science as well. A good read for staying warm on a snow day, which is when I read it.

Renegade Dragon is a good paranormal romance, but the insta-love and acceptance that is so important in getting mates together her, and the shrugging off all the weird is what makes the series less than perfect for me. Great for a hot weekend read, but not a series that I would hunt down or re read. 

Book Review: Courting the Countess by Jenny Frame

Courting the Countess by Jenny Frame is a contemporary romance. Professor of Archeology Henrietta “Harry” Knight becomes Countess of Axedale upon her father’s death and takes a sabbatical from Cambridge University to begin refurbishing the long-neglected and run-down Axedale Hall. The child of a loveless marriage, witness to her father’s infidelities and her mother’s pain, Harry has no intention of ever falling in love. Annie Brannigan is a survivor, remaining positive through hardships. As an agency housekeeper, she moves from post to post with her daughter Riley, taking care of people who have everything she will never have. Annie’s greatest wish is to find her happy ever after. Can love restore the countess’s heart and the crumbling Axedale Hall, or will the first foundations of love turn to dust?

Courting the Countess is a realistic, contemporary romance novel. I will admit that it took me a bit to get into the story, and to decide that it was contemporary. The use of Countess and the responsibilities of such a role in modern times was unusual for me. I liked the character building and thought Harry was a well defined, fairly realistic character. I really loved Anne's character- and the tension between the two. I did enjoy the relationship that grew between Harry and Anne's daughter, and felt like that was one of the things that helped Harry the most, and was just solid story writing. I think there was a lot more build up than there was actual movement in the relationship between Harry and Anne, and I know that most of it was necessary to impart the growth that Harry had to make and to reveal the unhappy past for Anne, but there were moments where I just wanted to hit fast forward and get to a confrontation, realization, or conversation that would significantly move things along. It did happen, it just took longer than I wanted. Some of this was my own impatience rather than somethi9ng wrong with the book- it just was not the kind of read I was looking for at the moment. It all came together well, but it was just a little slower paced than I was looking for. However, I can think of many readers that would absolutely love the story and writing style.

Courting the Countess is a solid story, with well defined characters and an interesting premise. My main complaint is that there was more of the characters worrying to them selves and other people talking about them than there was actual conflict or action between them. However, the characters were portrayed realistically, which can atone for many faults.

Book Review: Lord Sebastian's Secret by Jane Ashford

Lord Sebastian's Secret is the third book in the Duke’s Sons historical romance series by Jane Ashford. I have not read the previous books, which might explain some of the issues I had with the book, but perhaps not.

Lord Sebastian Gresham is a battle-tested soldier and brilliant strategist. Yet all his life he’s had to hide his complete failure to decipher letters. In his own mind, he’s just stupid. What a miracle it is that he’s found the perfect bride. Lady Georgina Stane is beautiful, witty, and brilliantly intelligent. Sebastian is head over heels in love, proud as a peacock, and terrified. If she finds out his secret, will he lose her love forever?

Lord Sebastian's Secret begins with Sebastian coming to stay with his fiancee's family to get to know them and prep for the wedding. Perhaps their meeting and initial courtship was in one of the previous books, but it is not here. I feel like I was missing something, or the pair was missing a real connection, when the action began. I like that Georgiana's family is unorthodox, however I think that was occasionally overstated in the narrative. Sebastian is a practical man, a soldier with what would be dubbed street smarts and an ability to memorize things because of his secret. As usual, the internal doubt of worthiness that could be solved with a conversation is the cause of a distance between the pair- but since I never really believed in their closeness I just kept mentally telling him to speak up. I did like the bit of action and activity at the end, but found that I never really connected to the characters or felt like they connected to each other. I do not plan on going back to read the previous books in hopes to catch up to what I missed.

Lord Sebastian's Secret held a lot of promise to me, and I was excited to read it after reading the blurb. Unfortunately, I felt that too much background was missing and the bulk of the book somehow also had me wishing it would get to the point. So much potential, but I feel like it missed the mark for the most part.

Early Book Review: The Fearless Traveler’s Guide to Wicked Places by Peter Begler

The Fearless Traveler’s Guide to Wicked Places by Peter Begler is a middle grade novel currently scheduled for release in March of 2017. Twelve-year-old Nell Perkins knows there is magic at work that she can’t yet understand. Her mother has been taken by witches and turned into a bird. Nell must journey to get her mother back, even if it takes her deep into the Wicked Places, the frightening realm where Nightmares resides. There she must break the spell and stop the witches from turning our world into a living nightmare.

The Fearless Traveler’s Guide to Wicked Places has a wonderful concept with a consistent amount of fantasy and imagination woven through the tale. The concept of the two realms and the threat the witches pose to all were very well done. I liked the characters of Nell and her brothers, as well as the complexity of the set up and major players. I thought the characters were complex enough not to fall flat, but the sheer volume of craziness happening and the danger brewing go to be a little overwhelming at times. I was often flipping pages eagerly and holding my breath, but I feel like I lost steam part way through. The magic and world building felt complete, and the information shared at a good pace, so that there was a limited amount of that information dump feel. A good pick for a middle grade reader looking for a complex fantasy with a good combination of adventure and coming of age. Nell's growth and self awareness was one of my favorite parts of the story, although the family relationships were another high point as far as I am concerned.

The Fearless Traveler’s Guide to Wicked Places was an interesting and entertaining read. I found it to be a great idea, but a bit long for my current reading mood.