Book Review: Run to Ground (Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit) by Katie Ruggle

Run to Ground is the first book in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series by Katie Ruggle. Grieving the death of his partner, Theo Bosco has no room in his life for distractions. Though his instincts scream that he should avoid Juliet 'Jules' Jackson, he can't seem to stay away. It doesn't help that Theo's new K9 companion has fallen head over paws with Jules's rambunctious family. Or that when he's with her, Theo finally knows peace. When Jules rescued her siblings, whisking them away to the safety of the beautifully rugged Colorado Rockies, she never expected to catch the eye—or the heart—of a cop. Yet as Jules struggles to fight her growing attraction to the brooding K9 officer, another threat lurks much closer to home, and this time, there's no escape.

Run to Ground is a contemporary romance that takes emotional wounded characters and helps them find love, and some peace. Theo lost his K-9 partner, and not long after his human partner. He is struggling with guilt, and trying to connect to the dog that has lost just as must as he has. Jules is trying for a fresh start, siblings in tow. A cop and a fugitive connect despite themselves, and I loved the slow burn and self doubt that is deeply woven into their story. I liked both characters, and adored Jules' younger siblings and the relationship they all had. I liked the connection Theo and Jules built, and how all of the town's regulars looked out for each other. I will admit that there are some important aspects to the ending that really bother me, although I do understand why things were left the way they were. However, overall I thought the balance of emotional and physical danger was nicely done, and I am more than a little eager to see what happens next.

Run to Ground is another engaging romance from Ruggle. It was not perfect, and I had a couple issues with it. However, I am still very much looking forward to the next book in this series and will gladly keep reading anything she publishes at this point.

Book Review: The Sad, Sad Monster by Delores Costello

The Sad, Sad Monster is a picturebook by Delores Costella. A sad monster is sad at school. He is sad because he doesn’t have any friends. Is there someone who can make him happy? 

The Sad, Sad Monster is a a book about friendship. The monster is sad because no one wants to be his friend, but he fails to see one young girl that never seems to be far away. Before long the pair become friends, sharing some of their favorite things and having fun together. The story is simple, with short sentences and basic vocabulary which makes it a good choice for the earliest independent readers, and those starting on the journey there. The illustrations are sweet and cute, with hints to what might be coming next. Monster loving toddlers, and those that just want to read on their own, will enjoy the read. 

Book Review: The Circle by Damon Clark, Alyzia Zherno, Sami Makkonen

The Circle written by Damon Clark, with artwork from Alyzia Zherno and Sami Makkonen is a graphic novel. It follows  Christian, a teenage boy, who moves moves to Shell bay with his single father after his mother dies only to be bullied as the new kid at school. He finds friendship with the "Weird" kids and unknowingly joins them in an occult ritual that allows a darkness to possess each of them. Through the help of his gypsy neighbor, Christian will learn that the only way he can reverse the ritual is by killing off his circle of friends before they kill him, or before the darkness takes over his soul. One by one he will face them all, and in the end he will have to make the hardest decision of his young life.

The Circle takes the typically hard time of moving and starting a new school with more specific issues like grief, loss, and bullying. It takes the non-unexpected route of the occult- and continues with some loosely explained motivations and reactions that did not quite resonate with me. Sadly, like the story, I found the majority of the artwork to fall short of my expectations. The cover art was nicely done, and is most of what had me request the title from Netgalley. However, the bulk of the book did not have the same appeal. It felt a little unpolished, but not in the dark Burton way that would have enhanced the read. There is a decent amount of action, significant gore, and more cursing that I have heard from any teenagers ( even when I was one). I was hoping for something more original and visually stunning based on the cover, but was disappointed. Perhaps readers that are a little younger, and not ones that have seen The Craft and read a large variety of books and graphic novels that have already covered similar ground will enjoy the read more than I.

Book Review: All You Need is Love: Celebrating Families of All Shapes and Sizes by Shanni Collins

All You Need is Love: Celebrating Families of All Shapes and Sizes by Shanni Collins is an important book for children and families. Families come in different shapes and sizes, but they are all special when they love and respect each other. These rhyming pages are a celebration of the diversity of families and encourage inclusion and acceptance in a child's relationships. These short looks at different families  support a positive approach to life at a young age, which fosters strong mental health and well-being. Each page is dedicated to a different family, with stories exploring adoption, fostering, disability, race, gender, and illness. Filled with humour and delightfully illustrated, children will love reading these stories with friends, family and in school again and again.

All You Need is Love: Celebrating Families of All Shapes and Sizes is a nice book to share as a family, or in a larger classroom or community setting. It celebrates that each family might be a little different, but each is special and wonderful. I liked how many different family combinations were shown, and how simply those differences were illustrated. I think the collection clearly shows that it is the love of a family, regardless of those that form it, is the most important part of any family. The illustrations and rhyming stories offer some humor and insights that will engage readers of all ages and bring home the importance of love and acceptance to any readers ready to take it in.The text following the stories can further support the adults trying to nurture those in various family make ups or explain changes. 

Early Book Review: How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green

How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on September 5 2017. What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren't looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you'll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you. 

How to Make Friends with a Ghost is a fun and original picturebook which outlines what you should to in order to meet a ghost and be a good friend to it. I liked the quirky information given, and think it could be a perfect book to give a child that is currently scared of the things that go bump in the night. The story describes ghosts as shy but loyal, with some interesting dietary favorites. A ghost friend likes most of the same things a child does, but needs some protecting in the world. I enjoyed seeing the ghost stick around the young girl as she grew up, had a family, and eventually grew old. The ending did have a slightly dark leaning, making it clear that a ghost will be a forever friend, but it worked for me. 

Book Review: Claiming Grace (Ace Security) by Susan Stoker

Claiming Grace is the first book in the Ace Security series by Susan Stoker. For Logan Anderson, moving on from a traumatic past means moving back to his hometown of Castle Rock, Colorado, to start a personal-security business with his brothers. But it’s not long before Logan runs into Grace Mason, his best friend from high school and the woman who never answered his letters during his Army years. Grace was pleasantly surprised to see Logan return to Castle Rock, despite their falling-out ten years ago. Everyone always assumed they would end up together, including Grace, who had eyes only for him. But as Logan eventually escaped their town, Grace got pulled further into her family’s controlling grasp—and farther away from the man she loved. Now, united by scars both visible and not, the two must fight to free Grace from the suffocating hold of her family. But the Masons won’t let go easily—and they’ll do whatever it takes to keep the couple apart.

Claiming Grace is a romance that takes some serious topics (like physical and emotional abuse) and frames them in a way that helps readers understand the toll it can take on people, and connect with the characters. I think Grace and Logan are well described and multilayered. At no point was anyone just a victim, or hero. The only people that were one dimensional were Grace's parents, who were pretty much pure evil. I like that Logan and Grace both went through a full range of emotion, and while some of their connection seemed easy, part of that was clearly because of their history. I found that while some of the danger and action seemed over the top, the way I have seen people treat others in the world lately has me fully believing that there are people capable of this kind of scheming and abuse. I liked that the secondary characters were also more than placeholders, and I would love to see more about Felicity, Cole, and Brad as the series continues on, even though I know they are not the stars of any upcoming books. 

Claiming Grace is a god start to a new series, which I fully expect to continue tackling abuse and emotionally scarred characters. I just might continue this series, in fact I just downloaded the second book Claiming Alexis which I am likely to read soon.

Early Book Review: The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins by Sandra Markle

The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins by Sandra Markle is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2017. The most recent addition to Markle's books about animals at risk focuses on the African penguins, which waddle around nesting colonies in lower numbers than ever before. Despite South African government efforts to protect the penguin colonies and their ocean fish supply, young penguins still struggle to survive. Fuzzy chicks waiting for food in open nests may overheat in the sun or become prey. Others simply may not get enough food to survive on their own once their parents leave. But new conservation methods, including rescuing and hand-feeding vulnerable chicks, are giving experts hope. Can volunteers and scientists help save Africa's only penguins before it's too late? 

The Great Penguin Rescue is a well researched and written non fiction book for children. Markle has included full color photographs, information that is interesting and accessible, and opportunities for readers of all ages to continue their own research on the topic. I expected nothing less, following the other books of hers that I have read about creatures that are endangered around the world. I like that she shows has natural and man made problems effect the world, and these penguins in particular, but does not stop there. Readers also get a look at the steps that have been taken in order to help the population of the African Penguins grow and thrive, as well as things that are in the works for the future. I believe Markle strikes a good balance between bringing awareness to the serious problems people have had a hand in, and offering hope and encouragement for the future. 

The Great Penguin Rescue is a great read for any reader that loves animals, cares about the environment, or wants to learn more about efforts people are making to help endangered animals. I recommend checking out all of Markle's books, so do not stop here.

Early Book Review: How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace

How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on September 1 2017. The book is about a young boy emboldened by his karate class and ready to face the monster in his closet. He plans on trapping and scaring the monster that has scared him so many times. However, once he succeeds he discovers that the monster's intentions are not what he expected.

How to Catch a Monster is a book that encourages young readers to face their fears head on, and shows them that things they do not understand might be scary, but are not always worthy of fear. Once our character captures his monster he discovers that the monster just wanted a friend- and it is hard to play with someone who is asleep. So, all the scary wake ups were simply attempts to be friends. Once he gets to know the monster, and his family, he is no longer afraid and has a new friend. I think this is valuable lesson both in learning about the unknown and facing fears. Taking the time to understand things that scare you often makes them less scary, and sometimes valuable friends of resources. The artwork is fun and bright, but not quite as polished as I would like. However, it is still a wonderful book.

Book Review: ABC's of Physics by Chris Ferrie

ABC's of Physics by Chris Ferrie is not your average board book, and it is not a simple alphabet book. Instead, this book introduces a new physics concept for every letter of the alphabet, all the way from Atom to Zero-point energy.

ABC's of Physics is an introduction to physics for all ages. Everyone can get something out of it. I finished this little book and had a much better understanding of many physic concepts. My elementary school age children found it accessible, and I think that toddlers and babies could all get a little something from it. I think the biggest market will be gag gifts for scientists, and shower gifts from or to scientific minded individuals. What an intriguing little book, and one that I wish I had seen before the last shower I went to. 

Book Review: Preying Game (Decorah Security) by Rebecca York

Preying Game is the fifteenth book in the Decorah Security series by Rebecca York. I have read only one other book in this series, Outlaw Justice, but find that the books can easily be read as stand alones and newcomers can catch up pretty quickly.

 

Jonah Ranger was restoring an antique 1955 Chevy when he heard a woman’s voice on the car radio pleading for help. She said her name was Alice Davenport, and a man was holding her captive, forcing her into a grueling workout routine so she’d be a proper challenge when he hunted her like big game on his private estate.  As they talked, her voice shifted from the radio to inside Jonah’s head. Born with telepathic abilities, he’d helped Decorah Security rescue kidnap victims, but never had he felt this personal connection to one of them. Calling on psychic resources he didn’t know he possessed, Jonah was able to project himself to Alice’s location, where he could hold her in his arms, touch her, kiss her, and plan. 

Preying Game is a mystery and romance with a twist. Alice is a prisoner, being forced to train and get in great shape so that her kidnapper can hunt her. Jonah works for a firm that hires people like him, those with an little extra skill. Jonah is on a mission to save Alice after hearing her pleas for help. I know that this kind of danger and connection make emotional and adrenaline run high, but I found how quickly they acted on attraction a little off putting- I mean really. A ghost-like guy that you are not even sure really exists shows up in your room and you make out?  Okay, sure. I liked the effort Jonah and his team put into planning and working toward finding Alice and saving her, and I liked that while Alice was trapped she still kept thinking and doing what she could to survive another day. Then, just when I think we are ready for the wrap up- lets make it more complicated and mess with time travel a bit more. I still expected one more twist, and thought the police run ins would amount to something more. Perhaps that was ground work for something that will pop up in the series later.

Preying Game is a nice romance with a paranormal twist. I found it to be a good weekend read, but never really connected with the characters or the story. So, a good but not great read. Fans of the author or series are likely to enjoy it more than I, but I was left unimpressed but I was interested during the actual read.