Down By The River by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is such a wonderful book with lovely illustrations for children . It is about all the animals and insects and the activities which happen by the river and how the rivers and streams are vital in the life of these animals . It’s a great learning experience for children. I loved the book and would recommend it to all the kids , especially the younger ones .
Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn: An Ariadne Winter Murder Mystery by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was more Princess Bride meets Agatha Christie. A reporter, Ariadne, is sent to a small European Nation to interview the fiancée of the prince. There are layers of intrigue in the relationship of the star with the prince. On parallel lines, the Inn where she stays witnesses a murder. Nothing is what it seems to be. There are people with deep secrets, many motives for murder. Who did the murder. It is upto the police and Ariadne to solve the mystery. It is a fast paced story, I did feel it a little bogged down in between, but otherwise I liked it.
Sarge by Stuart Ledwith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sarge, going deep is a science fiction adventure story of Lieutenant Commander T J Madison, also called Sarge. I have not read the book about Mission 3047, where he was first introduced. This book is more about his personal life, his struggles, his character and his ability to overcome all challenges. With his determination and perseverance, he became a Navy seal, falls in love with a woman, marries her, comes to US and becomes a part of the secret Agency and the person he shaped himself to be in the Mission 3047. I did struggle a bit to understand the context but overall was able to grasp the bigger picture. I enjoyed the book.
Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Quest For Love: A Pride And Prejudice Variation Novelette by T.L. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The name “Georgiana Darcy” was enough for me to pick this book, it is a spin off sequel of the iconic classic, Pride and Prejudice. It is always a pleasure to read any variation of the classic. This book, however is a very short one, with just 4 chapters. It opens up directly into the P&P setting, happily married Darcy and Elizabeth , the shy and reserved Georgiana, who is still not brave enough to step into the society after her setback with Mr Wickham. She asks Elizabeth to help, and what can attract suitors better than a grand ball ! Will Georgina find her match amongst the suitors?
I loved this book, I only hoped that it could have been a little longer. As the setting builds up, the book ends and the reader is left craving for more.
But I will not let the length of the book obstruct the sheer joy of going back to the P&P era. It was unexpected for me and I loved every bit of it.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A fast-paced edge of the seat thriller, this book is about James Sheldon, a former detective who has fallen into a pit of deep despair. He has lost everything in his life, his career, his family and his home. Lady Luck keeps evading him quite a bit until one fine day she changes her mind. James Sheldon wins a lottery involving a substantial amount of money. But does money solve all his problems or in turn add more to his woes? Things turn worse when he has to battle enemies who emerge out of the blue for his money. This book is a very fast paced read, I enjoyed every bit of it. Highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller ride.
Murder in Prospect: An Eve Sawyer Mystery by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Murder in Prospect revolves around Eve, an amateur sleuth, who is drawn to a murder case while on a spring break. Her friend Bob is grieving the death of his uncle, who is supposed to have died because of natural causes, but Eve smells something fishy. She puts on her sleuth cap and journalism skills into action and starts digging into this murder mystery. As the case becomes difficult, another murder occurs and now it’s a race against time for Eve to solve the mystery and stop more people from dying. I love the cozy mystery genre; this book was a very breezy read. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Her Sapphire Blade: An Arthurian-Inspired Portal Fantasy Novel by Sarah Biglow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book to my surprise turned out to be a very interesting read, a creative spin to the Arthurian and Camelot lore. I am a fan of this genre and have watched quite a few movies which involve king Arthur , his round table ,his knights and the legendary sword, the Excalibur. Morgan LeFey, despite being repeatedly told by her grand mother that she has magical skills, turns a deaf ear to them until a stranger knocks on her door asking her to claim her destiny. When she is transported into the magical world of Camelot, the magic beckons her and she learns to wield it properly. But now she is up against the witches, the dragons and other adversaries only to take on Arthur for the throne.
This was such an engaging and delightful read. I cannot wait for the next in the series.
Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet: A book to explain how visiting the vet with your pets can be fun! by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love Oscar and Emmy series. In this book, Oscar and Emmy visit the vet, it is all about caring for pets and how to keep them healthy. It covers the topics on what to expect in a vet clinic and the procedures which the vet follows with the pets, their vaccinations, dental care etc. It has a lot of useful information, the story is simple, easy to follow and is complemented by a lot of colorful pictures. Highly recommend to all the children who have pets or planning to get a pet in their household.
The Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a rather complex book, which follows the characters through multiple story lines.
The two main characters, Doctor Simon Bell and his mysterious apothecary Gaelan Elcerdoune
drink the elixir of immortality and now they are essentially immortal. The plot follows these two
characters in different times, their interaction with each other and interaction with other individuals
set in that time. The plot deals with Alchemy, magic and science. It deals with love, lost love and
grief of Simon as he bereaves his wife and wishes to be reunited with her. Gaelan’s long lasting love
with Simon’s sister and a budding love between Simon and another lady he meets in the 21 st
century. Come 2016, a pharmaceutical company is behind their secrets and they have to do
everything in their power to protect their medieval Alchemy.
Overall it’s a very compelling read. The ending was a little open ended, am hoping there is a sequel.
I loved this book.
The End of Try Try Again: Overcome Your Weight Loss and Exercise Struggles for Good by Kristen Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very easy to read book describing the science behind weight loss. The book repeatedly stresses on the fact that it is the small changes which impact the mindset and inclination towards weight loss. It elaborates on the patterns and the approach to break down set patterns to make sure the weight loss is effective. I struggle with weight loss myself and this was a very informative book, personally to me. I would recommend it to everyone.
Tally and the Angel, The Sands of Time: Thrilling Middle Grade fantasy adventure where Greek Myths come alive! by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I picked up this book because I love Percy Jackson and there was Greek mythology involved. It is also a modern day tale mixed with mythology, this book is fourth in the series. But I was able to read it as a standalone. The protagonist Tally inherits a mysterious necklace , which houses an Angel, Jophiel. Together they embark on adventures around the world, in this case, the Greek islands and the ancient temples. There are stories inspired from the Greek myths, Greek customs and food. The story has suspense, drama, friendship, family and character building.
This is a perfect book for middle schoolers. I would recommend it for anyone. I am planning to pick up more from this series.
Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a precious book. I have read more books in this series and each book is a gem. Especially if you are a pet owner or love animals, you will find that the books in these series highlight subtle points which we might have overlooked in the past. Told from the point of view of two kittens, Oscar and Emmy, these topics raise awareness and urge the owners to be more responsible.
In this book, Oscar and Emmy encounter a hurricane. This book talks about emergency preparedness, and discusses in detail the disaster preparedness kit which has to be made ready for pets, especially you live in areas prone to natural calamities.
The kit should contain food, medication, dog collars, leash, potty bags etc which will be required for your pet.
This is such an educative book and told in such a light way to the kids, We adults have a lot more to learn too from this series. Highly recommend.
Opposite Day for Dinopotamus by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love all the books from this author. So, it is opposite day at school and the clever and enthusiastic Dinopotomus is tasked to bring a big box of things. Opposite day means that they get to break the rules and disobey instructions, but only if they get it right. When Dinopotomus is tasked with a challenge, he has to put his thinking cap on to think the problem through and solve it.
It is such a fun loving book for kids, they learn about opposites. The illustrations and bright and colorful.
I enjoyed this book very much.
Murder by Moonlight by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I simply loved this book. It is a very unique cozy mystery story. Cat is a night custodian of a Fairy Tale Forest amusement park. Zoe is a cat, who along with other feral felines is responsible for keeping the vermin out of the amusement park. When an unexpected death occurs in the park, this unusual duo set off to solve the mystery picking up a series of clues.
The book has unusual protagonists, the setting is unique. The book is fast paced and humorous. It is a clear winner. I will be picking more from this series.
The Monkey Island Murder: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I picked up this book thinking it is a easy read but was surprised to see the richness of the setting and the twists and turns in it . Eleven year old Sparky is supposed to be at school but when her boss gets entrapped in a murder case , she simply cannot let things be . When she sets out to solve the mystery one thing leads to another , and there is mayhem everywhere . Set in the depression era , this historic cozy mystery in Los Angeles has vivid descriptions of the societal norms and practices prevalent in those times . The characters are quirky and storyline is complex. Overall a very enjoyable read .
Italian American: Jack & Mariella’s journey continues… by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have not read the first book , Greetings from Asbury park . This book is a sequel where nine years after , the loving couple are in America . Mariella has left her family in Rome and she has to adjust to the new life in a new country. Jack’s mom isn’t welcoming either . Will she adjust to the new life ? This story treads on a familiar territory of people who move places and have to always go over that uphill task of adjusting to the new place , new culture and new traditions.
I did not read the first , but I thoroughly enjoyed the sequel . I might go back and pick up the first book now .
One-Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fun YA cozy mystery cum fantasy tale. Maddy follows the rules to the book, and stays away from the scissors. Her granny sends her a DNA test on her birthday and well, it so happens she is 25% villain in her genes. She is flabbergasted. And then begins her adventure with her dearest friend Leo who is also pulled into all the circus. Maddy becomes more mindful and self aware and starts doing things more selflessly. It is such a thought provoking tale. A very different kind of a book !
Loris Opens Up His Heart by Dagmara Sitek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of the most beautiful reads in the recent times. The story is centered around the emotions felt by a boy in a foster care, Loris. When he finally finds his forever home, Loris is reluctant and unwilling to run a charity cause. When they dig deeper, there are plethora of emotions, anger, fear of being left alone,fear and frustration. It is a very emotional read which tugs at your heart. I am going to reread this book again with my whole family.
Can I Keep Her? by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a cute story about a little girl Wynnie who loves her pet. One day she finds a magical egg. The egg hatches and out comes a dragon. Everyone wants the dragon out of the kingdom. But wynnie loves her dragon. The king gives her a day to train the dragon. Will she be able to train the little dragon? This story teaches all of us to stick to our beliefs if we think they are right even if everyone else is questioning it.
I loved the story, am definitely going to recommend it to the younger kids.
Amese of Animalis by M.J. Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very enchanting tale ,a fun children fantasy story, book full of magic, elemental guardians who balance life and full of animalistic powers. Amese is a 13 year old who reluctantly steps up to be an elemental guardian. Now she is on an epic adventure understanding other animal cultures and traditions. In her growth and transformation, she has a feeling that she has many enemies who are waiting to shove her down, a feeling, we all very well can connect to. But her newly made friends help her see the way.
It is a wonderful story, I so loved it and was able to connect to it. Cannot wait to read the sequels.
Finding Cheer by Heather Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A very delightful fantasy with a blend of mystery and romance, this book follows the story of Sofia who lives in the magical land of Emerald Hollow. This is the second book in the series, I have not read the first one. But this was an easy read . Sofia has had a bad tryst with romance in the past, so when she meets a man with amnesia on a hiking trail, she is very doubtful . She tries to unravel the mystery about the past for him, at the same time trying to resist her growing attraction towards him. She does not want to be hurt again and who knows where he came from?
A very nice romance with a mystery element involved. I would recommend this book.
Stop That Lion: A Tale of Friendship Love and Peace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I was a kid, my grand mom used to tell me story about a sher, which wanted to eat a cow. But the cow said it has to tend to it’s calf and she will come back the next day. That was a story about trust. When I read this book, it reminded me of that childhood story. In this book, there is a lion which keeps crossing the border to eat the sheep. The king announces a reward to anyone who finds the solution to the problem. But when a little girl comes up with a solution, she is disregarded at first. But later the king allows her to try. This book is a reminder to everyone that we should not rush to judgement and anyone can make a difference no matter how little they are.
A wonderful story for the little ones. Loved it.
England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is more like a travel guide to England. If you are planning your trip to England, read this in advance. It has a lot of historic information and some hidden gems, which as a regular tourist guide, you might not know about. It is backed up with a lot of historic details, myths and legends. It’s more a guide to the off beat travelers who want to explore “the lesser known places”. The book has a lot of detailed information , few of them perhaps is obsolete, but nevertheless a very good guiding book.
Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate by M.J. Murray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a fun book to read . I pick up children’s books because they are so refreshing and this was such a good pick . Dylan and his sister Emily arrive at the baseball practice and find out from their coach that all the bases are missing . Dylan has his sleuth kit with him . Together they set out on a quest . After talking to various people in the park , they eventually figure out the mystery . This was such a cute book to read . I would recommend it to all young readers .
Dark Sky at Dawn by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My knowledge of American history is limited to my children’s social study academia. This was a very interesting read for me where the author takes us through the post Independence times with such detail. Through the eyes of the two main characters , Jed and Hannah, the author cruises through the struggles faced during those times, slavery, freedom, espionage, war and corruption. The story is set in early 1800s and a lot of research has gone into this book , and the author has done a wonderful job seamlessly blending the history with fiction. This was a very informative read for me.
Magic Wanda by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
There are so many wonderful things hidden in Grandma’s closet and Carrie keeps opening them one after another. This time, she picks up a wooden flower, these are magical flowers which do not like to be wet. Carrie seeks grandma’s advice but grandma wants her to explore on her own.
More than the magic itself, it is a beautiful bond between the grandma and the granddaughter which are a highlight of this story. The illustrations can be a little better . But the overall heart of the story is set in the right place. Children will love this story.
Beach Ball Blunder by G Pa Rhymes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very cute story for children to own up to their responsibilities even if things do not go right. Cray the seal loves to blay beachball. The beachball spins out of control and causes inconvenience to few of his friends. Cray initially lies that it was not his ball but later a blame game starts and things get out of control. Cray steps up and owns up his mistake which makes him a very brave seal. The rhymes are simple and meaningful and illustrations are really nice. I would recommend this book to all kids.
Sasha Smart: Short Stories for Girls by Shermaine Perry-Knights
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very insightful book which teaches the value of mindfulness and positive thinking to the kids.
Just yesterday I was at an event, and a lady casually questioned another lady “What’s your daughter good at?”. The other lady took a moment to answer and said “singing”. It took me an effort to suppress my answer “What if it is nothing?”. This book is an affirmation of the same message. The pressure to perform has its weird effects on children. This book promotes softer emotions like bouncing back after disappointment, appreciating differences, expressing oneself and handling peer pressure.
I liked everything about the book except the title “Short stories for girls”. I am a mother of two boys and I think this book is relevant to boys as well. Hope the author considers this review for the title of her next book.
A New Day For Cray by G. Pa Rhymes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very cute story about a crab who is very playful, bullies and pinches his friends. The story conveys a strong message to the kids not to bully others and it is the kindness which is the basic foundation of friendship. The illustrations are very beautiful and characters are adorable. I loved all the characters, the crab, Gull, tortoise, fox. I overall enjoyed the book.
