Early Book Review: Ask A Scientist: Professor Robert Winston Answers 100 Big Questions from Kids Around the World! by Robert Winston

Ask A Scientist: Professor Robert Winston Answers 100 Big Questions from Kids Around the World! by Robert Winston is currently scheduled for release on June 11 2019. This science book for kids poses 100 real-life questions from kids to Robert Winston on every aspect of science. Questions cover all the popular science topics, including human body: "Why do freckles come in dots on your face?"; physics: "Could you jump off the world?"; Earth: "Why is the sky blue?"; chemistry: "Why are there bubbles in boiling water?"; natural science: "Do dogs cry?", and space: "Why will the Sun explode and make us extinct?"

Ask a Scientist is a book that balances information and images nicely to answer questions and keep the interest of readers. I found the selection of topics covered to be nice and broad, well rounded in a way that will appeal to a wide range of readers. The text is accessible and has some humor, while never talking down to the reader. Too often the text of children's non fiction is too simple or condescending rather than inspiring, but this book has a solid tone that answers without that feel. I like that there were some nice labels for the images and more detailed bits of information on the pages for the most interested readers, while the main body of text was more comprehensive and interesting to all readers. I think this book is a great resource and one that some readers will devour whole while others might return for information on the subjects that interest them most.

Ask a Scientist is a well organized, and written, book that deserves a place in public libraries, schools, and homes. I think it will answer many questions for readers, and inspire them to continue to question and seek out answers.

Early Book Review: My Best Friend’s Ex (Daring Divorcees) by Shannyn Schroeder

My Best Friend’s Ex is the second book in the Daring Divorcees series  by Shannyn Schroeder. It is currently scheduled for release on June 10 2019. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but I think returning readers will enjoy seeing characters from the divorcee support group come back in each book.

Trevor Booth’s life was just thrown a curveball. When his ex dies, he suddenly goes from an every-other-weekend, fun-time dad to full-time dad. The dad part he’s cool with, but life with two teens is like a roller coaster in hell. Thank God his ex-wife’s best friend, Callie, seems to have secret powers that allow her to deal with the chaos. Callie is devastated when Lisa dies and she’s determined to help the kids get through it. She’s concerned about how Trevor will adjust to being a full-time parent, but she’s having a tough time keeping her eyes off his ripped physique. Callie loves being a part of this makeshift family but no way she’s falling for her best friend’s ex.

My Best Friend’s Ex is a contemporary romance that deals with many real issues, and does it well. So many factors have influence over how we face grief, stress, and love. Trevor loves his kids, even if he did not spend every day with them. When his ex wife dies he goes from a part time dad to a full time dad of two grieving teenagers. His ex's best friend, who was once his friend to, is deeply involved their their loves. They fight their way through grief and forging new routines and a new life together. Romantic love was not something they were looking for or expected, but sometimes that is when it hits the strongest. Trevor, Callie, and the kids are all working towards a future, preferably together, and the details and stress of making that happen is the heart of that book. Coming to term with what they need, what they want, and how to make it work is a real and constant conflict here. Sharing those revelations and working towards those goals can be harder than realizing them, but that is what Trevor and Callie need to do in order to move forward. I love that no character was perfect, and that no solution could be. However, they acknowledged that and  moved forward with that in mind, and the willingness to lean on each other when needed.

My Best Friend’s Ex is a sweet, heart warming, and sometimes frustrating read because of the very real flaws and fears of the characters. I enjoyed the read and will be looking for more from the author and series.

Book Review: The Dictionary of Difficult Words: With More Than 400 Perplexing Words to Test your Wits! by Jane Solomon, Louise Lockhart

The Dictionary of Difficult Words: With More Than 400 Perplexing Words to Test your Wits! was written by Jane Solomon and illustrated by Louise Lockhart. ​What is a bumbershoot? Or a moonbow? And what does it mean when someone absquatulates? Find out all this and more in the Dictionary of Difficult Words. Test your knowledge with more than 400 words to amaze, confuse, and inspire budding wordsmiths (and adults). All of the words featured in this book are difficult to spell, hard to say, and their meanings are obscure to most children (and most adults)! Written with simple, easy-to-understand definitions by lexicographer Jane Solomon, this dictionary celebrates the beauty of the English language for family trivia time spent around the printed page.

The Dictionary of Difficult Words is a fun, educational, and useful book for all ages. I love that the book starts off explaining the various ways readers can explore and enjoy the book. In the beginning there are also great explanations about kinds of words and how to decode intimidating words and how to pronounce them. These are things that will always be helpful, even if I know I mentally mispronounce things all the time- especially if I have only read them and never heard them spoken. I love the words that were chosen for this book. Some are adjectives and adverbs that are used sparingly, but are just great words. Some are just fun to say, like bumbershoot (which I proudly already knew the definition for). I learned a few new words, and am trying to figure out how to use bildungsroman instead of coming of age tale in a book review without sounding pretentious.  The artwork is fun and adds extra layers of understanding, fun, and style to the book.  

The Dictionary of Difficult Words is a great book to have in home, school, and public libraries. It can help teach the use and functionality of dictionaries, and get readers to broaden their personal vocabulary in fun ways. This book is a win all around, and I think I need to add it to my personal collection.

Book Review: A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman

A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman is a second chance, historical romance. General Mark Grimaldi has sacrificed everything for his military career, working his way through the ranks without the benefit of a nobleman’s title. Now, his years of dedication are about to pay off—with an offer for a prestigious promotion to Home Secretary. There’s only one condition: Mark must be married. Aside from the small matter of not actually wanting to be wed, Mark faces another troubling problem: he already has a wife. Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has spent ten contented years in France without her husband—and without regret. When Mark asks her to return to London and play the part of his beloved wife, she sees her chance. But neither of them is prepared for news that will throw Mark’s future into chaos…nor the undeniable desire they’ve rekindled. Maybe happily-ever-after can happen the second time around 

A Duke Like No Other is an engaging romance with dynamic characters. Nicole s lonely and wants someone to love her completely. Her estranged husband does not seem up to that task- so she tries t protect her heart while aiming for a child that will. Mark is an emotional mess trying to be strong and stoic- denying every attachment and emotion. Together again in order to reach their separate goals they are stuck dancing around family obligations and emotion in order to protect themselves. I liked the mystery aspects, and the combination of Mark and Nicole getting to know each other again and reliving the past was well balanced in the larger story. I greatly enjoyed the banter and the cast of secondary characters. As I was reading I often found myself grinning in the joy of the read and in reaction to some of the character's interactions. The book was simply fun and delightful reading, and I will continue reading books from this author.

A Duke Like No Other is a second chance story that I enjoyed. The trope is not my personal favorite, but it was well done and I loved the characters. 

Early Book Review: 28 Dates (Crazy Love) by Stacy Lynn

28 Dates is the third book in the Crazy Love series by Stacy Lynn. It is currently scheduled for release on June 11 2019. Each of the books in this series can be read on its own, but returning characters make reading the books together even better. 

 

Caitlin Pappas is a lifelong commitment-phobe. The closest thing she’s had to a relationship in the last few years was a friends-with-benefits thing that fizzled out because the guy wanted more. So when she and her best friend design a new app that promises to find “the one”, Caitlin is the perfect guinea pig. Little does she know that she may have already met her match. Jonas Reeves has tried his best to move on after Caitlin didn’t want take things to the next level. Now they really are just friends, without benefits. Caitlin’s even a regular at his bar, The Dirty Martini. But when he learns that Caitlin plans to beta-test a new dating app on his home turf, Jonas senses a golden opportunity to win her heart. Even if he has to slide into her DMs to do it. 

28 Dates is a romance with lots of heart, and emotion but less heat than I have come to expect. This is not a bad thing, it works perfectly with this story. If there had been more heat I think it would have destroyed some of the character and story building that made the tension and story itself so poignant. Caitlin has little faith in love, after having a less than stellar history with family and support. However, great friends have lowered some of her walls- and lingering feelings for Jonas confuse and worry her. Jonas is confidant that real love exists, and he wants a future with Caitlin enough to risk everything. I love the conversations they have, and how hard they work to keep the other around even when they think friendship is all they will ever have. I really loved the secondary characters and how everything comes together for our couple, in spite of themselves. This was a feel good love story that often had me smiling as I read.

The only thing that bothered me has nothing to do with the writing, but with the cover. Caitlin's red hair is mentioned many, many times in the story- but the cover model clearly is not a redhead. I know the author does not always have say in the cover image, but I would hope that someone along the way would check character descriptions against cover images. Just saying.

28 Dates is another novel with heart from Lynn. I love the writing style and depth of character. I think all fans of the author will be thrilled with this offering, and be waiting for what ever she does next. 

Early Book Review: Unicorn Day by Diana Murray, Luke Flowers

Unicorn Day is a picturebook written by Diana Murray and illustrated by Luke Flowers. The book tells the story of what happens to an impostor horse who tries to crash the most glittery day of the year, Unicorn Day. It is currently scheduled for release on June 4 2019. 

Unicorn Day is a cute and fun picturebook. It is colorful with bold illustrations that are just as sweet and cute as the story. I liked the story, a horse joining in the unicorn festivities, and how fun and friendship were much more important to the characters than the fake horn the horse was wearing. I enjoyed the read and art, but I have to saw that I was not really wowed by it. It was a good, but not amazing read for me.

Early Book Review: A Rogue by Night (Devils of Dover) by Kelly Bowen

A Rogue by Night is the third book in the Devils of Dover series by Kelly Bowen. It is currently scheduled for release on May 28 2019. You do not need to have read the previous books to fully enjoy this one, but returning readers will enjoy seeing favorite characters make their appearances. 

Baron. Physician. Smuggler. Harland Hayward is living a double life as an aristocrat by day and a criminal by night. As a doctor, Harland has the perfect cover to appear in odd places at all hours, a cover he uses to his advantage. He's chosen this life to save his family from financial ruin, but he draws the line at taking advantage of the honest and trustworthy Katherine Wright. Katherine thought she was done smuggling. Having finally convinced her ailing father and injured brother to abandon their criminal pursuits, she's returned to England to help them escape to a new life--once she helps them fulfill their last contract. And that means working with Hayward, even when her instincts tell her that becoming his ally may be a risk to her heart - as well as her life.

A Rogue by Night is a engaging historical romance, and I love how strong and independent all the women in this series are, and Katherine is no exception. She is an accomplished surgeon, with battlefield experience and an unusual set of skills and contacts that come in very handy. Harland respects women, and is well versed in how intelligent and unexpected they may be. I enjoyed watching these two find their way through danger and their less than stellar histories to find a way forward. I found both characters and their story to be compelling and entertaining. There were moments were my mind wandered, but I think that is more on me and the hectic nature of my week rather than an issue with the story.

A Rogue by Night is a good historical romance, and a nice addition to the series. I think it is a must read for fans, and a good weekend read for anyone else that enjoys strong women and their men.

Book Review: No Other Duke but You (Playful Brides) by Valerie Bowman

No Other Duke but You is the eleventh book in the Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman. They can each stand well on their own, although returning readers will be happy to see favorite characters making their appearances.

Lady Delilah Montebank has her marital sights set on the Duke of Branville. There’s just one problem: he barely knows she exists. But no matter, she’s got a plan to win him over with her charm, her wit—and perhaps the love potion she has in her possession wouldn’t hurt her cause. Lord Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley, thinks his best friend Delilah’s quest to become a duchess is ridiculous. He’s always said he’d rather give up all the brandy in London than commit to one person for life. Besides, he knows that Delilah’s love potion can’t possibly win over Branville since she accidentally gave it to him instead. But perhaps this is the excuse he needs to show her he’s always loved her. Delilah can’t believe she gave the potion to the wrong duke. Then again, Delilah could do a lot worse than win the hand of her handsome best friend. Could it be that the right duke has been before her eyes all along?

No Other Duke but You is a historical romance that had me giddy and grinning through the majority of the story. I loved Delilah's character, I found her to be earnest and brave even when stuttering over social niceties and dealing with a less than loving mother. Her friendships and big heart had me hooked from the start. Thomas is equally charming and sweet, trying to give Delilah the time and space to make her own choices and looking out for her happiness over his own. I knew from the first chapter that these two were meant for each other, and the journey to get there was full of silliness, twists, and plots gone wrong.  This was an engaging and fun read, and I was very glad I picked it up.

No Other Duke but You is a must read for fans of the author, and for those that love a historical romance with plenty of humor ad heart.

Early Book Review: Kickin' It (Red Card) by Rachel Van Dyken

Kickin' It is the second book in the Red Card series by Rachel Van Dyken. It is currently scheduled for release on June 11 2019. Each of the books can be read on its own, but there are returning characters so it is simply more fun to read as a series.

Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them? Parker plays soccer with her heart and soul. But after the events of the last year, she’s shaken. She’s already seen what a powerful man can do to a female athlete’s career. And her beloved dream is in the hands of a sexy, gorgeous man with the uncanny ability to slip past her defense and into her heart. Now Matt and Parker are about to learn that when it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule they know. And by playing nice. Real nice.

Kickin' It has some great laughs, and some very hard moments, which balance the book. I love the banter and spark, not just between Parker and Matt, but with the entire group of friends and family that make up the main characters. I liked the set up, and simply love Willow and the way Jagger and Slade offer their own quips through the story. I think that the support offered to Parker through the entire book was fabulous, and I thought that her anxiety and self doubt were very realistic and sadly something that many will be able to relate to. I think her battle and strength will help readers that have been in similar situations embrace their own inner strength and stand up for themselves and others. More importantly, it might show someone who needs to know it that they are not alone, and that it is certainly not their fault no matter what. I enjoyed getting to know Matt and Parker's characters more, and getting to see them find happiness and peace. 

Kickin' It is the second book I have read from this author, but it will not be the last. She delivers contemporary romance with heart and tackles some tough topics.

Book Review: The Man Who Knew Everything: The Strange Life of Athanasius Kircher by Marilee Peters, Roxanna Bikadoroff

The Man Who Knew Everything: The Strange Life of Athanasius Kircher is a biography written by Marilee Peters and features illustrations by Roxanna Bikadoroff. Athanasius Kircher was a 17th-century German Jesuit and scientist. He was one of the modern world’s first scientific celebrities—the Einstein or Stephen Hawking of his time. In 1638, Kircher was lowered into the smoking crater of Mt. Vesuvius to observe how volcanoes work. After thirty years, he published an 800-page volume of his findings—along with theories about fossils, geography, the Earth’s core, dragons, the location of the lost city of Atlantis, and more. Kircher has been described as the last Renaissance man, the first postmodernist, and “the man who knew everything.” This book celebrates Kircher’s insatiable curiosity, his willingness to ask questions and to suggest answers, even when he sometimes got it wrong. 

The Man Who Knew Everything is well written and researched. I liked the straight forward but somehow playful tone of the book, and found that the illustrations added interest and humor. I loved how Athanasius's curiosity is framed in a way that show both how valuable it is, and the way others sometimes reacted to it. This could help young information seekers understand that while their questioning and answer seeking might not always be well received- it is important and could lead to interesting discoveries and adventures. I also like that the dangers, and mistakes that he made were touched upon as well.  This could help adventurous young readers think through some of their explorations a bit more, and to show them that everyone makes mistakes and that is part of learning. I thought the text was accessible and would be interesting to readers from middle grade on up through adults. 

The Man Who Knew Everything is a dramatic retelling of one man's fascinating life.