Book Review: Pirate's Persuasion (Sentinels of Savannah) by Lisa Kessler
Early Book Review: One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks
Early Book Review: Inventors: Incredible Stories of the World's Most Ingenious Inventions by Robert Winston
Book Review: The Makeup Artist (Coffee) by Sophie Sinclar
Sarah Bowen’s life is nothing like she thought it’d be ten years ago. She runs a successful lifestyle boutique with her two best friends, she’s the makeup artist to one of country’s hottest bands, and she’s in love with a womanizing heartthrob who doesn’t give her the time of day. After years of pining after Lex Ryan, she decides it’s finally her turn, even if it might ruin everything she’s worked for. Lex Ryan is the sexy Irish lead guitarist for the hottest country band in the States. He’s known as a serial dater, a commitment-phobe, a player who prefers one-night stands. His wild heart has zero plans of settling down—not even with the band’s makeup artist, Sarah Bowen. He’s vowed to keep his heart from falling for her. Until the band travels to Ireland where his past suddenly crashes into his present. They say wild hearts can’t be tamed. They never said they can’t be broken.
The Makeup Artist is a well written romance, and a perfect follow up to Coffee Girl. Sarah is such an honestly nice character, with more strength than anyone gives her credit for. I enjoyed getting to know her, and her history, as she finds her footing with Lex. I do think that new comers to the series will see less depth in the relationship between Sarah and Lex than returning readers who have seen the time they have spent on tour together and some of their interactions. I thought that the obstacles that both Lex and Sarah have dealt with in the past, and their fears about the future are well done, and come together with their new conflict well. I like that respect for each other and their feelings runs so strong trough this series. Even when they do something based on fear, or simply foolish, concern for each other is part of the process. There are a few laughs, a few moments when I shook my head and mourned the choices being made, but I was fully engaged and invested in the journey.
Book Review: Pawsitively Swindled (Witch of Edgehill #4) by Melissa Erin Jackson
Pawsitively Swindled is the fourth book in the Witch of Edgehill series by Melissa Erin Jackson. I do recommend reading this series in order, although the author does include a nice summary in the beginning of the book. Even as a returning reader, I found this very helpful to remind myself of the particulars so I could get into the book more quickly than I normally would.
Amber Blackwood, Edgehill’s secret resident witch, recently found her parents’ grimoires and the powerful time spells within. Amber must find an impregnable hiding place for the grimoires, though she has no clue where to start looking. When her cousin Edgar suggests the game of Magic Cache, a magic-infused version of geocaching played by witches all over the world, Amber agrees to learn how to play. After all, a weird plan is better than no plan. In the process he gets caught up in a murder investigation where one man is dead and a second one framed for the crime. To complicate matters, the framed man’s condescending daughter, Bianca, wants Amber’s help—and Bianca just happens to chair Marbleglen’s Floral Frenzy Flower Festival Committee, the rival to Edgehill’s own Here and Meow Festival Committee. The two women are thrown into an uneasy alliance. Amber works to unravel the mystery to ensure the right culprit ends up behind bars and Marbleglen’s safety is restored. But Amber knows that even if Marbleglen’s mystery is resolved, a bigger danger lurks in the shadows. If the Penhallows claim the grimoires of Amber’s late parents, they’ll use the books’ time-reversal spells to try to stop the curse from ever having poisoned their clan—and, in the process, possibly rewriting history.
Pawsitively Swindled is a solid mystery with significant character growth, and the introduction of more characters. I enjoyed seeing Amber, Edgar, Jack, and Kim continue to grow in their individual lives and as a group, and I liked the continual growth of connections and other characters- like Chief Brown. I thought the introductions of characters in Marbleglen offer more depth the the mystery, and more options the the future of the series. The mystery of who framed Simon for murder is very well done, and woven seamlessly into Amber's larger story and growth. There are a great deal of personal relationships forming, or growing, in the story and it was highly engaging. As I read I wanted to know the who done it, and the hows and whys involved. However, I was equally interested in the personal relationships of the characters, what the Penhallows were up to, what Connor and Molly were investigating, and the particulars of the magic dead zones. There is a whole lot going on in the book, but it was so firmly woven together that it never felt like it was too much, which sometimes happens. I am really looking forward to seeing what comes next. I will definitely continue following this series.
Book Review: A Dark and Stormy Knight (Victorian Rebels) by Kerrigan Byrne
A Dark and Stormy Knight is the seventh book in the Victorian Rebels series by Kerrigan Byrne. Each book can stand on its own, but those that have read one (or all) of the previous books will enjoy seeing past characters make their appearance.
Sir Carlton Morley is famously possessed of extraordinary will, singular focus, and a merciless sense of justice. As a man, he secured his fortune and his preeminence as Scotland Yard’s ruthless Chief Inspector. As a decorated soldier, he was legend for his unflinching trigger finger, his precision in battle, and his imperturbable strength. But as a boy, he was someone else. A twin, a thief, and a murderer, until tragedy reshaped him. Now he stalks the night, in search of redemption and retribution, vowing to never give into temptation, as it’s just another form of weakness. Until temptation lands—quite literally—in his lap, taking the form of Prudence Goode. Prim and proper Pru is expected to live a life of drudgery, but before she succumbs to her fate, she craves just one night of desire. On the night she searches for it, she stumbles upon a man made of shadows, muscle and wrath, and decides he is the one. When their firestorm of passion burns out of control, Morley discovers, too late, that he was right. The tempting woman has become his weakness. A weakness his enemies can use against him.
A Dark and Stormy Knight is a good stand alone, and an even better continuation of the Victorian Rebels series- since I wanted more of Morley. I liked his character, and while he is flawed he is also a thoughtful and good guy. Pru is in a terrible position, and Morley's is not much better. I found their individual worries and struggles to be well done, and their journey towards a happy ending even better. The new secondary characters, and returning players were equally complex and well done. I liked the mystery aspect as well, and can honestly say that I thought someone else would be involved, but the climax and conclusion was entertaining and had me surprised and thoroughly engaged. I really enjoyed this read and finished it way too quickly.
A Dark and Stormy Knight is an entertaining historical romance, and fans of the author and genre will want to pick it up.
Book Review: Seer (Titanomachy) by S E Welsh
Early Book Review: Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James, Matthew Rivera
Early Book Review: Witch Hunt by Cate Conte
Early Book Review: When Darwin Sailed the Sea: Uncover how Darwin's Revolutionary Ideas Helped Change the World by David Long, Sam Kalda
When Darwin Sailed the Sea is a book that offers readers a look at Darwin as a person and a scientist. The book does a good job of explaining his interests, determination, and how he collaborated with a variety of people. The information was accessible and interesting.I found the accompanying artwork to be lovely to look at while also adding meaning and detail to the text as appropriate. I learned quite a bit about Darwin, and liked the narrative tone that I think works very well in this format. I will admit that I was not expecting it to be as text heavy as it was, but the style and substance balanced that out. I am hoping some young people reading this will see how hard Darwin worked to follow his interests and be inspired. I really liked the timeline, further information on the people Darwin worked with, and additional information included in the endpages. Good use of this section always makes me happy- and this book delivered.
When Darwin Sailed the Sea would be a great addition to school, classroom, and public libraries. Some readers will want it for their personal collections as well.