Early Book Review: Pies Are Awesome: The Definitive Pie Art Book: Step-by-Step Designs for All Occasions by Jessica Leigh Clark-Bojin
Book Review: True Dead (Jane Yellowrock) by Faith Hunter
True Dead is the most resent installment of the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter Yes, you really do need to read this series in order- and if you enjoy audiobooks this series is done wonderfully in that format.
Jane used to hunt vampires, but now she’s their queen. She’s holed up in the mountains with the Yellowrock Clan, enjoying a little peace, when a surprise attack on her people proves that trouble is brewing. Someone is using very old magic to launch a bid for power, and it’s all tied to the place where Jane was first drawn into the world of Leo Pellissier—the city of New Orleans. Jane is compelled to return to NOLA because someone is trying to destabilize the paranormal world order. And because she now sits near the top of the vampire world, the assault is her problem. She will do what she must to protect what’s hers. Her city. Her people. Her power. Her crown.
True Dead is exactly what I needed for the continuation of this series. Jane and her chosen family have been through a lot, and this book starts just as the next wave is about to roll in. I liked the continued character growth for Jane, and her growing awareness about how much is at stake, and how much rides not just on her choices but on her very survival. I was thankful for the moments of Jane's trying to figure out all the important players, and what is likely to come next, included her running through important bits from past books to remind me (and other readers) of moments that might have been forgotten or deemed less important. It helped me get back into the swing of the adventure and layers of planning involved in the larger story line. I was glad to see certain story arcs play out, and interested to see where some of the new threads lead us all. This is very much not for newcomers to the series.
True Dead is a great addition to the series, fans will want to pick it up and dive in.
Book Review: Would You Like To Be A Family? by Koyama
Book Review: Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure by Jeff Jensen, George Schall
Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure, written by Jeff Jensen and illustrated by George Schall, is a graphic novel inspired by the true story of Kate Warne, America’s first female detective and her signature achievement--cracking a plot by Confederate radicals to kill Abraham Lincoln. America is at a crossroads. Secession is spreading. And the nation’s newly elected president is the target of a conspiracy to assassinate him and trigger a Civil War. The safety of Lincoln and his family—and the future of the American experiment—hinges on the success of a new kind of lawman, known by a word still novel in the culture of the time: detective. But there was only one who would prove to be up to the task—an individual whose extraordinary cleverness and resourcefulness would alter the course of history from deep within the shadows of domestic spycraft. Her name was Kate Warne. This is the story of America’s first female detective, a trailblazing working woman trying to make a living and do some good in a tumultuous, sexist age, and whose mysterious life and tall tale exploits are truly the stuff of legend.
Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure is a historical graphic novel that shares a bit of history many might not know. The truth of female detectives and what women went through in that time is something people do not always know, or think about if they know. I found the story of Kate and her found family to be fascinating, and while I know much of it was likely embellished or altered for a good story, the important truths are in there as well. I thought the artwork was extremely well done, capturing the period and emotions of the story with great effect. My biggest issue with the story is that I wanted more about Kate and her group after the adventure with the Lincolns, but before the scenes that framed the story here. I need more about what happened with each of her group, because I found myself just as concerned with the secondary characters as the main players. I think this will be a hot with many readers, and might start some into researching more about the female agents of Pinkerton.
Book Review: America the Beautiful Cross Stitch: 30 Patterns of America’s Most Iconic National Parks and Monuments from becker&mayer! books
Book Review: Witchy Coffee by Erin Ritch
Witchy Coffee by Erin Ritch is a magical romance. A fanciful coffee shop run by magical women. A barista that’s still trying to figure herself out. And a small town named Windia where the residents drink coffee and get into everyone’s business. When a stranger shows up in town and puts her family’s coffee shop in jeopardy, Florence Mackenzie has to step in and do something to protect them, whether that’s an Espresso Off challenge, sabotage, or a good old fashioned banishment spell. But after the Mackenize women try to create a buzz by experimenting with a new blend of coffee beans, the residents of Windia suddenly start falling in love with each other. Florence chalks it up to the spirit of the holiday season, but when she starts falling in love (with the competition, no less) Florence starts to wonder if there’s something more bewitching in the air - or in the coffee?
Witchy Coffee started strong for me. I enjoyed the set up and the combination of witchy romance, enemies to lovers, and small town vibes. That all worked really well for me. I liked the complicated relationship between Florence and her family, and of the town she had left behind. I really enjoyed the secondary characters and how most of the action in the small town played out. I was engaged and invested in how every thing would come together and turn out. The family connections were fantastic, the small town support and quirks made me happy. The added drama of a noisy reporter and an ex just made things more interesting, even if they each had a couple odd moments for me. Then it felt like things went a bit off track. The last third of the book just felt different from the rest, it just felt like all the subtle magic was not enough and a resolution to the romance needed to be created quickly, so everything went into warp drive and it just did not fit in with the mood of the rest of the book. Then the final chapter wrapped everything up way too closely and neatly- in ways that just did not necessarily make sense to me but succeeded in getting everyone what they needed.
Witchy Coffee is a fun and interesting romance.
Early Book Review: Tidesong by Wendy Xu
Tidesong by Wendy Xu is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on November 16 2021. Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother pressure her to attend the Royal Magic Academy—the best magic school in the realm—even though her magic is shaky at best. To train for her entrance exams, Sophie is sent to relatives she’s never met. Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan seem more interested in giving Sophie chores than in teaching her magic. Frustrated, Sophie attempts magic on her own, but the spell goes wrong, and she accidentally entangles her magic with the magic of a young water dragon named Lir. Lir is trapped on land and can’t remember where he came from. Even so, he’s everything Sophie isn’t—beloved by Sophie’s family and skilled at magic. With his help, Sophie might just ace her entrance exams, but that means standing in the way of Lir’s attempts to regain his memories. Sophie knows what she’s doing is wrong, but without Lir’s help, can she prove herself?
Book Review: When Will Ayumu Make His Move? Volume 1, by Soichiro Yamamoto
Book Review: Rules for Heiresses by Amalie Howard
Born to a life of privilege, Lady Ravenna Huntley rues the day that she must marry. She's refused dozens of suitors and cried off multiple betrothals, but running away—even if brash and foolhardy—is the only option left to secure her independence.Lord Courtland Chase, grandson of the Duke of Ashton, was driven from England at the behest of his cruel stepmother. Scorned and shunned, he swore never to return to the land of his birth. But when a twist of bad luck throws a rebellious heiress into his arms, at the very moment he finds out he's the new Duke, marriage is the only alternative to massive scandal. Both are quick to deny it, but a wedding might be the only way out for both of them. And the attraction that burns between them makes Ravenna and Courtland wonder if it'll truly only be a marriage of convenience after all.
Rules for Heiresses is a romance with a great deal going on. I liked Ravenna, and thought she faced a great deal of growth in recognizing her own privilege and wanting to understand and grow. Courtland did not grow quite as much, but the couple was fun to watch as they tried to figure out what they each wanted, and how to achieve it. I liked the mystery and danger aspects of the story. I did feel like there were moments that moved way too fast, skipping weeks here and there to get right back to the action. I am not sure what I would have like to see done differently but since the couple knew each other already there way a great deal of the normal get to know each other stuff that was just kind of skipped and that might be part of what I was hoping to see. I think race and prejudice was handled fairly well, and I liked that Ravenna making the effort to grow and learn was part of the journey. I rather wanted to see more of some of the secondary characters. I thought Rawley was a great start to a fascinating character- I would have loved to have seen more interaction with him and Courtland as well as Ravenna. If he is such a trusted person, and has such an important role in just about everything then he should have had more of a chance to have his say. I feel like he could have straightened everything out much quicker and more efficiently. That being said, I did enjoy the read, but had a few moments that I would have liked to see go a bit differently and follow a slightly different path after an extremely strong start.
Rules for Heiresses is a solid historical romance.