In "The Everywhere Bear" by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb we get to take a look in a school. We visit Class One, led by Mrs. McAllisIn "The Everywhere Bear" by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb we get to take a look in a school. We visit Class One, led by Mrs. McAllister. Not only are there a bunch of great kids in the class, they have a very special friend- the Everywhere Bear. He sits on a shelf and he gets to go and have adventures with each kid. On one journey, he accidentally gets lost and we experience him going on an adventure that no one could have predicted.
One of the things I appreciate most is that each child is different. There are a variety of characters to relate to, each with differing appearance and hobbies. I really like that the Everywhere Bear gets to play with each of his friends differently. The text features a lot of rhyming which makes the story quite fun and I feel like it's very encouraging to try new things.
The illustrations are great! They give the readers a great view about the town and community. From the classroom to the sea, there are all sorts of brilliant scenes for us to view. We get see a lot of the action and, even though he's only a little bear, the Everywhere Bear sure goes on an amazing adventure!
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It's a lovely little story with literal highs and lows. I'm sure that any child will love this!
I was lucky enough to receive a free copy of this book thanks to Hip Little One & Pan Macmillan, but this is still an honest review....more
I've had an interest in sewing ever since I was a kid; my mother and nanna have always tried to encourage me to be creative. Though I don't necessarilI've had an interest in sewing ever since I was a kid; my mother and nanna have always tried to encourage me to be creative. Though I don't necessarily have the money to take it up as a full-time hobby, I still like seeing the stuff that can be created. I have Pinterest boards dedicated to crafting and I adore seeing all the complex things one can make. I would say that I'm an intermediate stitcher. Personally, I think it's best for people at a beginner or intermediate level. However, I do encourage anyone at a higher level to give it a read; there's still a ton that I'm sure you can learn. I think this book teaches users very well. It breaks down each stitch with photographic examples and shows you how to create each one. Towards the middle of the book, it also gives examples of scenes to create, with the back dedicated to templates for the creation of such scenes. They're mostly wildlife; animals and flowers. However, if you're creative enough, I'm sure you can suit the templates and stitches to whatever you want to make
I know, in the title, it specifies wool. However, you can possibly do it with other mediums, such as cotton. It just depends on the pattern/ stitch you're trying. For example, Page 41 has a tutorial on how to make pompoms. I would recommend wool for this; as it provides a fluffier result. But, if we go a few pages further to Page 44, there's a tutorial on Roumanian Stitching. For this, I reckon it would be possible to achieve with cotton embroidery thread. Another interesting thing is that the book provides little bits of information. Pages 44 and 45 have notes on "Why Wool Shrinks" and "Caring for Wool Embroidery" respectively. I think these are good things for people to know. I'm sure a lot of people will find these and the other notations to be quite useful.
Overall, I think it's definitely worth 5 stars. It's got some great information and it really gives me, as a user, the inspiration I need to create my own scenes. Obviously you won't get perfection on the first try, but keep on practicing and I'm sure you'll get better! I borrowed this copy from my mother; however it is certainly a book I would like to buy for myself in the future....more
The Dream by Cornelius Elmore Addison. Just as the title of the book suggest, we begin with a dream. The narrator finds themself out the front of MackThe Dream by Cornelius Elmore Addison. Just as the title of the book suggest, we begin with a dream. The narrator finds themself out the front of Mack’s One Stop Character Shop. Upon his entry he finds that, though even he doesn't know it, he's been looking for a gnome.
Mack, owner of the aforementioned shop, is quite the character! I appreciate the added quirks and all the items he sells. Norbitts is Mack's helping hand, a robot with a bit of an attitude. My favourite character so far is Lady Winter, a customer with several interesting requests. There are also a few illustrations so that people can visualise some of the characters.
I loved all the little trinkets and wares about the shop that the narrator takes notice of. It's interesting to read about so many unique things and how the characters interact with them.
I enjoy that the narrator position is left somewhat open so that each different reader might simply pop in and imagine themself in such a position. The personality traits, thoughts and actions are all understandable and I'm sure many will find the position to be relatable.
Do I think the book lived up to my great expectations of it? Yes, I think it has. The characters and scenery were all somewhat enjoyable. I think it's a great story for people of all ages. Plus, I think I'm really interested in reading the other books of the series as well; the author has quite the imagination and has left a lot of room for some pretty awesome adventures! Overall, it's great and, though it's short, it's definitely worth a read!
I was lucky enough to receive a free eCopy of this book in return for an honest review....more
Band-Aids, Bullet Holes and Bleeding Words is a selection of poems by Carina Pellius. They were written since age 11 to present day. Many of the worksBand-Aids, Bullet Holes and Bleeding Words is a selection of poems by Carina Pellius. They were written since age 11 to present day. Many of the works feature some sort of taboo topic, including (but not limited to) abortion, euthanasia and suicide.
There's no definite organisation that I can see and it kind of works well for the book. We begin the book with some fairly innocent poems, then we read into some eye-popping numbers, after which we go back to some fairly tame works. My favourite of the included poems is definitely "Who do you see?" on page 49 (it might vary in other editions, for future reference). It spans three pages and asks the reader to consider their appearance. How does it differ from the models and popular people that you might see on TV and in shop windows? It asks for you to consider how the media uses bullying to change and manipulate you. In my opinion, it has some honest and blatant points about appearance. I think the strangest poem is "I need to pee" on page 55. Though quite a real experience for many involved, it gave me quite a laugh. A bonus favourite is the untitled work on page 59 about long distance relationships; I appreciate the warm feelings it evoked from me. Not everyone thinks that long distance relationships will work, and I appreciate the happy and optimistic outlook on the matter.
The innocent ones are fairly simplistic and give a good example of youth and naivety. Others are kind of disturbing. I'm not offended by them, I would like to mention. However, they are fairly graphic and feature some strong themes such as domestic abuse, abortion, suicidal intentions and euthanasia (and that's just to name a few). I certainly do appreciate these works; I like the way Pellius has thought to include such startling examples of life and death. It's nice to see that she isn't afraid to write about such things or to try and hide away her feelings on the matters at hand. Mind you, I'd like to also point out that not everyone is going to agree with the themes or the way the characters deal with such situations. Just be warned that you might take offense or be upset by some of the opinions and events. In that respect, I also think it's good to show such a wide range of situations that many will relate to. These days, many people will have experiences with things like suicide and domestic violence. Even if not in person, many people have seen example of such things on television. Even if you can't relate to the poetry, I think that Pellius has written good stories of the scenarios. Many of these poems are like little short stories with special characters and she evokes some pretty powerful scenes from them.
Aside from the poems dealing with taboo topics, there are some really special portions. They are sweet moments that bring a smile to my face. Some of them are untitled and featured in between other works. There are also some very considerate poems such as “Sister”.
I think it's one of the more stark poetry books I've read over the years. It really does have some additions that make you think “aww” or "wow!" Many might be turned off by certain themes, but I really do appreciate the insights Pellius has to offer. The writing style the author uses is easy to understand and she uses some well contorted sentences that make many portions really powerful and emotional. Even if you don't read much poetry, the book is definitely worth a read.
I won a copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaways and these are just my honest thoughts on it....more
Coastal Chef is an interesting look into an ingredient that is culturally intertwined with many cuisines. Many people are likely to have tried it in sCoastal Chef is an interesting look into an ingredient that is culturally intertwined with many cuisines. Many people are likely to have tried it in sushi, but seaweed and algae can be used in so many different types of meals. It provides information about many authors and locations dedicated to showcasing such a diverse ingredient.
My first thought of the book is that it's really eye catching. There are beautiful photographs of scenery and recipes, showcasing the wonder of seaweed and algae. There are a wide range of colours and textures, with well-plated food. It is sure to inspire many a cook to give a recipe or two a try. The first thing the book does is take a short look at the history of the product and takes us through some of the health benefits. It also provides little explanations about several types and the locations where you might find them.
After we move on from the chefs and other introductions, we take a look at the recipes. In order, we can see seaweed and algaes featured in cocktails, accompaniments/ canapés, entrees, mains, and desserts. In addition to the range of meals you can feature it in, there are a variety of types of cuisine. Even if you chose not to use seaweed and algae in the recipes (either by choice or lack of product), you could still likely make the recipes using the ingredients you have available or try your own variants.
The only real problem about the cosmetic portion of the book is that the title font is a bit difficult to read in some instances, in my opinion. It's featured on most pages and isn't always legible. For example, the Accompaniments / canapés page- it takes a few moments to determine what it says and the same for some other instances as well. You might not be able to get some of the other ingredients, for example: pink Murray River salt, Thai basil, Vietnamese mint. Those, and several others, seem a bit obscure for me to obtain myself. Though, I'm sure you might be able to use other varieties depending on your need and the availability.
The seaweed and algae might also be difficult to obtain, depending on where you live and the complexity of shops in your area. I imagine that speciality shops might indeed have such ingredients available, or per request. So you could always try asking shop keepers if they could perhaps obtain some for you. Many of the recipes have the type specified, though I imagine there is some cost in trying to obtain it whichever you need. In addition, you might not be able to get it in the right form for each recipe, nor the right type of seaweed. Some recipes use whole seaweed, whilst others specify that they use specific powder or extract. Having said that, it might be possible to make our own powder or extract. If you dried certain types of seaweed and used a spice grinder to turn it to powder, it might be similar to the texture necessary. I've seen online guides on how to make ingredients into extracts before, for example something like vanilla. It might be possible to do the same for seaweed yourself.
I like a lot about the book and it's a very captivating introduction to a product I've never really tried before. I think these recipes are all very encouraging and I certainly will give some of these recipes a try in future. Though some feature products I don't necessarily like (fish, for example, but others might have different requirements), one can simply swap it for something they might agree with. The only major downside is that seaweed and algae isn't more widely available. However, I will be keeping my eyes out in future.
I won a copy of this book via a First Reads giveaway and these are just my honest thoughts on it....more
Prior to reading this book, I admit that I had not known much of the events of July, 1916. Nor do I think that I had known much of the Battle of FromePrior to reading this book, I admit that I had not known much of the events of July, 1916. Nor do I think that I had known much of the Battle of Fromelles. This book was an eye opening experience and an incredible look into such a devastating loss to Australia. Fromelles, a village in France, is the location of a battle that spanned from the 19th to the 20th of July, 1916. With 5,533 Australian soldiers dead in a matter of just days, there's a lot to be explained. Our Darkest Day discusses a lot of aspects of the battle in question, providing various evidence of the goings on. We can view numerous photographs, letters and other sorts of research. Not only does it take a look into the historical aspects of the battle, but also takes a look into more recent effects. My favourite example of this is the epilogue featuring the story Harry Willis, a soldier who was lost in the war and how his family found him.
In my opinion, I'm pretty impressed by the amount of information provided to me by this book. As I admitted prior, I didn't really know much about the battle before reading Our Darkest Day. I appreciate that the book took multiple peoples' perspective of the battle. It's interesting to see how such an event had such a huge impact on such a range of people. Even nowadays, people are still baffled by certain portions of it and some families are still missing loved ones. Overall, I found that the book was an emotional journey. Fromelles: Our Darkest Day provided me with a valuable look to Australia's past and an insight to our loss.
Ten Zany Birds is a short, beautiful book by Sherry Ellis with amazing illustrations by Charu Jain! It tells the story of birds in a tree through rhymTen Zany Birds is a short, beautiful book by Sherry Ellis with amazing illustrations by Charu Jain! It tells the story of birds in a tree through rhyme. As we follow the events, we encounter visitors to their home and what happens, counting down as each bird leaves for various reasons. The pictures are just gorgeous and are brilliant displays of colour, sure to please any reader. The rhymes introduce the children to varying colours, counting and actions. Overall, it's a very enjoyable book....more
As a late Christmas present, my mother gifted me Duct Tape by Forest Walker Davis. It presents the reader with many beautiful and interesting ideas ofAs a late Christmas present, my mother gifted me Duct Tape by Forest Walker Davis. It presents the reader with many beautiful and interesting ideas of things to make with duct tape. From flowers and sculptures to wallets and belts, this book is guaranteed to give you some great ideas on what to make! With some portions, there are also short tutorials on how to create them, others with explanations on how they're made. Overall, it's a great little craft book, featuring an incredibly versatile product!...more
A Thousand Tears is a short story by J.C. Martin, 1780 words long. It's a very beautiful story, depicting a complicated relationship. It's very well wA Thousand Tears is a short story by J.C. Martin, 1780 words long. It's a very beautiful story, depicting a complicated relationship. It's very well written and shows us as much of the story as we need to know. As much as I wish there were more for us to read, I think the author has conveyed enough information to get a full picture. Though we don't know much about each character and their backgrounds, I think the author has left the majority of that to us where we can imagine our own characters and histories to them. Overall, it's very well done and quite enjoyable....more
The Transferred Ghost by Rafael Coira is a short story that I obtained for free from Smashwords today. It is an adaptation from a story by Frank R. StThe Transferred Ghost by Rafael Coira is a short story that I obtained for free from Smashwords today. It is an adaptation from a story by Frank R. Stockton, which I have not read, so I do not know the differences between that version and this.
The story is about a ghost. It comes to talk to one of the inhabitants of a house, one day and explains its situation. You see, it had taken residence in the home at the near death of another of the occupants. However, when that person lived, the awkward ghost had nowhere to go. It requests help and offers a little bit of advice in return.
It's an interesting little story and it runs at a reasonable pace. I really did quite enjoy it. My only problem is that the story ends quite abruptly when I feel like there's more to be told. Though it completes everyone's problems, I just don't think the ending is very fitting. Other than that, the characters and plot are all quite good....more
This book, by Caro Mundt, is about Tayla and features photographs of her adventure up Mount Taranaki (also known as Mount Egmont) with her aunt. It'sThis book, by Caro Mundt, is about Tayla and features photographs of her adventure up Mount Taranaki (also known as Mount Egmont) with her aunt. It's very encouraging to children, teaching them little bits about the area and also showing them the various scenery of New Zealand. I think it might be very inspirational to kids as well, and could help children to adventure about the areas about their own home. At the end of the book is a little bit more information about the area and a glossary for words some might not know the definition of. As for the difficulty level of the book, it's only 800 words. Even if your child mightn't understand the words, there are plenty of images to denote the events.
Overall it's a lovely little book. I'm sure that many children will love it!...more
Musiville, authored by Nicholas C. Rossis and illustrated Dimitris Fousekis, is a book about some incredible creatures! Within these pages are a groupMusiville, authored by Nicholas C. Rossis and illustrated Dimitris Fousekis, is a book about some incredible creatures! Within these pages are a group of animals, intertwined with musical instruments. It's an interesting little book, full of creativity and imagination. Not only does it introduce the reader to all sorts of interesting animals, it also presents them all sorts of interesting instruments. The illustrations are brilliant and really convey a great sense of artistic style from the illustrator, visualising the interesting animals of the story. At the end of the book, we even get introduced to each of the creatures and a little bit about them. My favourite is the Pandiano! Overall, it's a brilliant little book!
I read my copy for free on: http://nicholasrossis.me Edit: today on 28th January, 2016, I obtained a free copy from amazon.com.au...more
The Great Knitting Needle Hunt by Paul Geraghty features a young child and his gran. The grandmother is knitting something for him, but has lost a kniThe Great Knitting Needle Hunt by Paul Geraghty features a young child and his gran. The grandmother is knitting something for him, but has lost a knitting needle and can't finish her work. So, to help her out, he goes searching for it. Using his imagination, he looks all over the world; in the jungle, underwater and even in the plains of Africa. It's an incredible book. The theme is simple, but the illustrations really bring this work to life. It's a truly magical adventure and any child would be happy to experience it!...more
Wendy Barrett is an ordinary Australian. She has a family, a busy life and oodles of creativity to squeeze out. Grabbing the Muse by the Throat is a jWendy Barrett is an ordinary Australian. She has a family, a busy life and oodles of creativity to squeeze out. Grabbing the Muse by the Throat is a journal of the challenges she's set herself and many of the complications she's faced over the period of a year.
Wendy is fairly likeable and I'm able to relate to her well; she has so much creativity, yet she doesn't always have the time to put pen or pencil to paper, or even the confidence. It's written as a sort of diary, so there are a lot of things that one might not be interested in. For example, not every reader might be interested in the varying doctor visits or excursions of her children. However, I felt that it was a large, realistic touch to the book. Without her family and friends, she might not have had some of the inspiration to create certain works. It really puts a certain perspective to the art as well; she has a lot of stuff to do apart from the art and one has to admire her ambition to complete her many challenges. Yes, in some places, the family portions outweighed the art production, but otherwise I think it was reasonably interesting to read into another family's life like that.
Overall, it was a fairly interesting book and Wendy's challenges were very encouraging to my own creativity. I'd like to think that many other people would also take bits of inspiration away from the book as well.
Her blog is also worth checking out; there are examples of art and further inspiration to be obtained. There's also a newsletter sign up on the sidebar if you're interested in updates. I just signed up for it as well. :) http://www.wendybarrettpainting.blogs...
I won a copy of this book via a First Reads giveaway and these are just my honest thoughts on it....more
The Observances is a book of poetry by Kate Miller. The author presents many different types of poems, a varying range of emotions and incredible scenThe Observances is a book of poetry by Kate Miller. The author presents many different types of poems, a varying range of emotions and incredible scenes. Each work is like a little, unique story.
My first thought is that I've never read anything quite like this. I appreciate that the work is very complex. There are differing layers to many of the poems, some the obvious descriptions and those which we must consider further to understand the poetry better. The author seems to have an incredible respect of nature, giving notice to many things that others might overlook. One of my favourite works within the book is "The Hoopoes Have Come Home", a dedication to the personality and behaviour of the bird. In addition to nature, the author also discusses the various characters of poems. Another poem that I like quite a bit is "Minding The Antiquarian Bookseller's House"; I enjoy the personalisation of the characters. Though we are left with little detail, it is up to the reader to consider the reasons for the scene and events within the work.
Overall, I liked the book very much. The work has great depth and many layers, with interesting scenes and observations. Admittedly, there are words and references to things that I do not understand at the moment. However, I hope to re-read the book again in future, at which point I might understand and enjoy it better. Otherwise, I enjoyed the work and will keep an eye out for more work by the same author.
I won a copy of this book via a First Reads giveaway and these are just my honest thoughts on it....more
Betty Bee's Attitude is a series of children’s books by Jacquelyn S. Arnold. This one in particular features her meeting with Duncan, a dragonfly thatBetty Bee's Attitude is a series of children’s books by Jacquelyn S. Arnold. This one in particular features her meeting with Duncan, a dragonfly that she notices drifting in the wind one day. He looks sad and Betty does her best to cheer him up.
Betty is a very happy bee and I appreciate her dedication to help others, sharing her Bee Attitude and doing her best to cheer up Duncan. The book has a few different morals to teach. First, the book teaches that you shouldn't mourn the loss of a friend. Rather, you should feel blessed for the friends and things you still do have- or that you might seek out new friends in this troubled time. Another thing the book teaches is that we should take notice when friends are sad about something, and then do our best to help them. I think the book teaches these themes well. One of my favourite parts of the book is the bee-autiful illustrations. Any child will love them! Each scene has a matching, full page illustration to go with it. They feature both main characters, but often have some of the other wildlife such as the other insects, animals and plants that one might find surrounding Betty Bee's home. It's a truly beautiful setting that will, no doubt, inspire any youngster.
Overall, it's a brilliant book! Betty's Bee Attitude is very inspiring and I think the work will be uplifting to any child who reads it!
I won a copy of this book via a First Reads giveaway and these are just my honest thoughts on it. Just a note to people trying to avoid religion: this book includes religious references....more
Winter's Homecoming and Other Poems is a book showcasing eight works by Robert Zimmermann. The author has a great grasp of language, manipulating ordiWinter's Homecoming and Other Poems is a book showcasing eight works by Robert Zimmermann. The author has a great grasp of language, manipulating ordinary scenes into wondrous and poetry. The author's work is effective and adds a lot of character to scenery. For example, the titular work "Winter’s Homecoming" conveys ordinary feelings one might endure at winter. However, the author uses these occurrences to reminisce of those feelings. Overall, these works are well done. It is a short, perfect read for those looking to get a little bit of enjoyment.
With a coupon code, I managed to buy this free from Smashwords. My comments here are honest....more
This colouring book is a part of the Andee the Aquanaut series by Simon James House, with illustrations by Zoran Zlaticanin. Andee is a great kid whoThis colouring book is a part of the Andee the Aquanaut series by Simon James House, with illustrations by Zoran Zlaticanin. Andee is a great kid who does his best to help out the marine life. This book features a multitude of illustrations from the trilogy, action packed scenes which kids (or adults!) can colour in. Though it's just snippets of the trilogy, there is still text to describe what's going on in each scene. It's actually pretty interesting; it's like miniature stories, which I think is good because then kids can make up their own stories based on those scenes and prompts.
Overall, it's pretty awesome! It's a great little book with mini adventures and creative scenes! Any kid would love to colour it in!
I won a copy of this book via a First Reads giveaway and these are just my honest thoughts on it....more
The Changeling Detective by Phillip Berrie is about the unwanted case of a private detective. Whilst involved in another investigation our changeling-The Changeling Detective by Phillip Berrie is about the unwanted case of a private detective. Whilst involved in another investigation our changeling- John Adams, part of AAA Detective Agency- finds himself having bothered a crime boss.
The main character is a changeling who works as a private detective, as I'm sure you'll have worked out from the title. He was orphaned at a young age and, until now; he's never really had much of an idea as to how he's obtained these special powers. Within this novel, he primarily uses the name John Adams. However, he rotates through a variety of others names, depending on who he meets and talks to. I think that the author has thought that portion through well, in connection with the changeling aspect; the character has taken some very intelligent precautions to set up multiple identities and back up possibilities for his business- not just for his safety, but for any potential outcomes or failings. We meet Ruth Williams, an assistant manager who serves him a drink. It turns out that she's fairly important to the plot later and has an unwanted connection to one of the police officers involved. I think that she's a pretty good character. She does her best to help John. I appreciate that she's fairly calm and understanding when he reveals his secret to her. I find her to be very likeable and her motives within the book are fairly straightforward. Stephen Newman, plus his goon Bruno, are both great characters! Newman has made some understandable decisions for his criminal empire and, later on, I enjoy the portions of his identity and past that are revealed to us. I thoroughly enjoyed Bruno's loyalty and the effort he was willing to put in for his boss. For the characters, I think that there were plenty of good interactions between them. Though, there was also some information left out, which leaves us with a bit of curiosity about what happens next.
For those who don't know, Canberra is the capital of Australia, and a great location for The Changeling Detective. Much of the events occur within the inner city areas and I appreciate the nods towards local hotspots that tourists might want to visit. Another part that I really like is that it takes reference from old private investigator media such as the character of Sam Spade, played by Humphrey Bogart. That, and some pretty stylised writing, gives it the touches of a classic PI novel. The main plot had a lot of strong points and had a good structure about the main events. Right from the beginning, with Newman's misunderstanding, up until the end was all fairly understandable and everyone has their part to play. In some portions, it felt kind of weird. For example, after John got shot, I felt it to be kind of strange that he healed so easily, but that was later explained and I think most of the weird portions only seemed that way because I didn't have all the information yet. I kind of wish that there were more portions surrounding the investigation of the death of Ruth's father, though I can understand why much of that was left out; I assume that it's being left for a future book, assuming there's going to be another in the series.
Though, I still think that there was more to tell in this book; there are unanswered questions I have about it. The same with much of the changeling aspects. We got some fairly good information regarding his abilities and I think that the author has got a good basis so far, but I am definitely curious to know more about the condition. Though, having said that, a lot of the questions I had whilst reading the book were answered later on in other portions. I felt that the supernatural and fantastical aspects of the plot were fairly well dealt with, especially considering that it wasn't just one person with a set of magical abilities. I like that Ruth also has some unexplained powers to deal with. I like to think that there are reasonable amounts of other people in the city (and world) that have some sort of supernatural abilities. I think the changeling portions are done well. The author has obviously put time and thought into what the character needs in order to change (reasonably large space, mirrors, etc). Not to mention how these changes affect the character's life. Cleverly, the character uses things such as reversible clothing. I appreciate that the changing isn't exactly easy for him and that it takes time and a bit of effort to do. It's nice to know that it's not as simple as it could be in the magical world of fiction writing.
Overall, I think the thing that helps the story most is that the story is set up in an intelligent manner; the characters make some very smart decisions. The characters are fairly likeable and I'm left curious as to what happens to all of them in the future. I liked the supernatural parts and felt that they were completely intertwined with the story, an important aspect to the book. After reading it, I'm very happy with the way it turned out and I'm hoping that the author ends up writing another. It's definitely worth a read.
I was lucky enough to win a hard copy of this book from a First Reads giveaway, here on Goodreads. I began reading it the very same day though unfortunately, due to health problems, I was unable to finish it until now....more
Night of the Bonfire is the first novel in the Michael Quinn series by Kevin Scott Olson. Prior to this, I have also read one short story entitled "BrNight of the Bonfire is the first novel in the Michael Quinn series by Kevin Scott Olson. Prior to this, I have also read one short story entitled "Breakout" by the same author, which also features Michael Quinn. I'll begin by explaining Michael a bit. He's an American special operative, formerly Navy SEAL and now doing various tasks for the CIA. In regards to his work, he's very smart; he doesn't take unnecessary risks and does his best to keep any operation professional. Night of the Bonfire, we begin in the middle of an exciting operation in Mexico that he's been working on. From one assignment to another, we soon find ourselves following him to a new mission to find an old painting, thought to be destroyed by the artist. In present time, Marco Leone and Victor Orlov are two art collectors. They're both willing to do anything in order to get this piece. It's Michael's job to secure the artwork.
The main thing I like about Michael, the same in my experience with Breakout, is that he does his best to make the smart decisions in any given situation. Nor does he do things for any needless violence or adrenaline fix. In the beginning of the book, we can see this best; he has his part to play in the plan and then he takes a step back for others to do their own bit. It's something that's quite obviously missing in many movies and television shows; that in those cases, the characters just don't know when to take a break. Michael, however, doesn't do it for glory or attention. He does his part and knows better than to put himself in a dangerous situation unnecessarily. The other characters each have their part to play as well. Marco Leone and Victor Orlov were fitting foes for our main character. Both seemed intelligent and took reasonable risks to ensure that their operations remained functioning. Marco in particular; his security is fairly tight he tries to keep himself, his belongings and his party, safe at all times. Sienna is a great character as well. I appreciated that she's something more than just a brainless arm attachment to Marco. She has genuine intelligence; she was very cautious, she speaks well, she's multilingual and a former art student. I also like her history and felt that her past seemed somewhat interesting.
The plot is very well developed and the author has created a very structured book, with a mix of varying things for many audiences to enjoy. There are aspects of espionage, action scenes with explosions, a car chase and a few fights, a priceless painting thought to be lost for many years, plus a little bit of romance to bind it all together. The CIA operations are very functional. Though we only meet a few of the people involved in these plans, it's obvious that there must be heaps of other people involved. The same with the actual set up; there's obviously a lot of work and research gone in to the operation. I think that works well because we know that it's a huge operation, but the author doesn't clutter the story with needless scenes, research or people that we might simply forget in five minutes. I don't actually have any complaints that I can think of in regards to plot or writing. The only thing I'm really confused about is that Michael uses his own name during the operation. It just seems silly to me because, in theory, one might simply trace his name back to some aspect of his past. For example, pretty much anyone can discuss you at any given time. All it takes is for one, newly unemployed henchman to go to a new job, only to find Mr Quinn in a new operation which involves some sort of new cover identity. Of course, I'm sure any henchman would likely be swept up into custody of whatever agency is fitting, but it could be other people connected to the first operation that could be a problem; cleaners, lovers, anyone who met him at a restaurant or party. Having made that point, however, I can see why the author chose to keep Michael's name as is and simply edit his past. I'm sure it's difficult for a character to take on a new identity and that might only serve to confuse the book. Another thing that bothers me is that Sienna gives Michael a tour of Marco's home during a visit. Personally, if I were Marco, I wouldn't allow that to happen as anybody could use that information to do violate his privacy. Even if it weren't Michael to use the information, he might have still shared it with someone else who might use it.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the book, the characters most of all. They're smart and feel natural; many with past lives that we get to learn little bits about. The plot is thrilling and takes the idea of an art theft, mixed with a little espionage and action. The author writes well and develops both plot and characters without clutter. All of these aspects create a novel that is both original and exciting. I definitely would love to read more of Michael Quinn's life and eagerly await his next adventure.
I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review....more
Breakout by Kevin Scott Olson is a short story, part of the Michael Quinn series. We begin the story with an American prisoner in a Mexican prison. ThBreakout by Kevin Scott Olson is a short story, part of the Michael Quinn series. We begin the story with an American prisoner in a Mexican prison. Thought to be a tourist with a bad sense of direction, it is critical that he escapes prison before the authorities find out who he truly is. That's where Michael Quinn comes in. He's a special operative with the task of saving the guy.
Though it's a short story, I think that we get a good look into the operation. We don't get a full view obviously, but we get little bits of information, the planning, political aspects and waiting that go into such a rescue mission. I actually think that's one of the most valuable aspects of the book; that the characters are smart, patient and are not taking unnecessary risks. For that bit, I think it speaks highly towards Michael Quinn as a character; he's willing to go into a dangerous situation, but makes intelligent decisions to ensure that the plan is fulfilled. In the end, the plan went well and gave me a good impression of Michael Quinn.
There are a reasonable range of characters that are provided. Michael is the primary character, an intelligent and cautious person. Gabriella is the beautiful waitress and dancer he meets at a bar. Jenkins takes the political approach to the situation. I do like that, even though we don't have a complete background on all of the characters, I think it was nice that the author gave little bits of information on them. Like Gabriella's potential dancing career, for example.
Overall, the book was well written and I think that the book has been well planned; everyone has a part to play and they do it as well as possible. The book is predominantly in English, but with a few Spanish comments and phrases. I did three and a half years of Spanish in high school, so I understood those terms and the phrases/ words used are fairly common so I imagine that most people with a basic knowledge might understand. Otherwise, I look forward to the rest of the series, Michael Quinn and the rest of his exploits.
I was lucky enough to receive a free hard copy in return for an honest review....more
Momma Days, Mommy Days by Isabella Moreno is a wonderful little book about a child experiencing divorce. It's told from her perspective and, through hMomma Days, Mommy Days by Isabella Moreno is a wonderful little book about a child experiencing divorce. It's told from her perspective and, through her eyes, we get a guided tour of what's she's feeling. It begins with how happy she is with her two mothers and that they're a family. Soon, she finds out that they don't want to be together anymore and she takes notice of the changes this decision makes. She begins new experiences with each mother and finds that there are good things to be experienced with divorce, even though part of her family is missing.
The most fantastic bit of this book is, of course, the imagery. The full page pictures are semi realistic and each scene has a beautiful image attached. I like that both Momma and Mommy have different roles to play in the book, like any parent would have in any family across the world. The little girl's confusion at divorce is understandable within these pages; the author has made the decision to keep very little details on the actual reasons, that it's simply an "adult" decision. I think that makes a little bit more relatable because there are so many reasons for a marriage to break up and simply not explaining a reason leaves it very open for interpretation. I also like that the little girl is making new friends because of this experience; it gives the divorce a happier note. Though she doesn't get to be with both mothers, at least she'll meet new people and get to go new places. The only problem I have with characters is with the grandparents, they don't really hold much relevance in the book as I don't believe that we actually meet them. We are simply told that, one morning, the girl looks for one mother and finds her to be in the grandparents' room. I felt that it could have been a little more open, especially considering we don't meet the pair; that she (the mother in question) might just be sleeping in a different room of the house, rather than making specifics (as many children don't have grandparents living with them).
The plot is great. It takes the complex issue of divorce and makes it a lot more understandable for children, while offering many examples of what a child in a similar situation might experience. It's sad, but I believe that it has a very hopeful outlook. The little girl makes friends and we get to look at her experiences as a new adventure, where she'll go to new places and meet new people. In the same respect that it could be for many children, I think that this book can also be helpful to children who don't have divorced/divorcing parents. It can be helpful if they don't understand why a friend(s)' parents are breaking up, for a child moving to a new home, or even in the situation that one parent might need to go away for a while (work, taking an important trip, etc).
Overall, I think it is a fantastic representation of what might happen in a child's life. Whether it is a girl, a boy or the parents are LGTB or not, I think that it gives very good examples of things a child might go through in such a difficult time. The author has kept the book simple with very open events. The images are beautiful and perfectly convey each passage. I think it will be a valuable aid to any parent trying to help their child understand a divorce.
I received a free copy of this story as a prize from the FirstReads program in exchange for an honest review....more
Return of the Pack is the second volume in the Sierra Moon series by Claire Ryann. In the first book, Quest of the Alpha, we were introduced to severaReturn of the Pack is the second volume in the Sierra Moon series by Claire Ryann. In the first book, Quest of the Alpha, we were introduced to several of the important characters of the series. Lane and Diego are brothers who need a new breeding pair for their wolf pack. That is, until Lane came across Tara, a hiker in the woods. They developed feelings for each other and soon Lane tries to break the news to her about his predicament and his true intentions. In Return of the Pack, we follow Lane and Tara as they join the pack. Though she's not immediately accepted, Tara does her best to mingle with the pack and acquaint herself with the other members.
I think the thing I appreciate most about Tara is that she's fairly upbeat. Though she's afraid in some portions and confused as well, I think it's great that she still has some level of happiness throughout it. She looks at a scary situation and finds herself grateful for it and the opportunities it gives her, which I like because it really does show some level of character development. I also liked the small back stories of the pack. For the new characters we're introduced to, I enjoy that many of them have varying personalities. In between the little exchanges, they all balance each other out, for example; Geordin's patience with Prinn and Reylinn. I think the thing I appreciated most was the author writing in ties that many of the wolves still hold to human community and culture. I think it's an important part because it does make many of their characters seem just so much more relatable. I still like Tara and Lane as a couple. I can see that she's uneasy about the things he needs from her and the level of commitment, but I think it's kind of the same as any normal relationship and what might be expected from any young woman.
The development of this part of the series is fairly interesting. There's a lot going on, but I think it's all very well paced. I appreciate that not too much of the plot is revealed at once and there are still some mysteries to the book. I felt that the end of this part was somewhat appropriate; that Lane was willing to change for a life with Tara.
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this part of the series. The characters are all fairly well developed with various personalities and reactions to the situations presented. I felt that the plot was steady and built up the story well.
I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review....more
Grizzlies & Glaciers by Zoe Dakota begins the story in 1989 with our main character, Delilah, returning home to Fjords, Alaska. She soon comes acrGrizzlies & Glaciers by Zoe Dakota begins the story in 1989 with our main character, Delilah, returning home to Fjords, Alaska. She soon comes across a car accident and, having recently become a doctor, does her best to help out. Miles, an ex-boyfriend from high school shows up to help as well and they find themselves wanting to hang out together again. However, unfortunately for the pair of them, the town's bear shifter pack is involved in something and it might just need Delilah's help.
Delilah is an interesting main character. I think that she's fairly relatable and seems fairly genuine. Up until the phone call memory of her father, who mentioned that she only cares about herself, I didn't really consider her to be selfish. Afterward, there were one or two instances of her being a tad self-involved, but I thought her to be reasonably practical. She was doing the best to ensure her own survival or what she considered to be the optimal solution for situations. In the same way, I think that her personality was fairly developed; she seemed fairly mature and she showed some practical decision making. Miles seems like a fairly nice guy and I really appreciate that he was doing his best to help the situation in the beginning. Furthermore, I think he showed himself to be a fairly mature character as well. Not only did he try to do the best for himself, but he tried to do the best for other people as well. I think that the relationship, both prior and current, between Delilah and Miles was kind of sweet. I didn't quite like the way Delilah tried pushing him away; it didn't really make sense to me. I know she was intending on leaving town, but something about the "will they/ won't they" aspect seemed a tad awkward. However, I appreciated the way the relationship turned out for them. I think the epilogue was sweet and felt they were right for each other. Many of the other characters are interesting as well. For many of them, I would have appreciated a little bit more information and events about them. Such as Roy and Nathan; they both had portions in the plot, but I kind of feel like their stories remain unfinished.
I really quite liked the beginning of this book. Delilah's return home to the town seemed somewhat pleasant. The explanation of events was well written and I got a good grasp of what was going on. I think that the earlier events of the book were a practical decision by the author. Though it's a little bit coincidental that she's just come to town at the right time and is in the right place, I think it was the best way for the author to give us an example of Delilah's abilities and for her and Miles to re-meet. To move on with that same point, in some ways, the plot is just a little bit cliché; a townsperson returning home and feeling like an outsider. However, I think the way it's been written, the author has presented a fairly unique story with some interesting events. To talk about the supernatural and fantastical elements, I think that they were mostly well input to the story. The bear shifting and pack explanations were introduced a little bit weirdly in the beginning, but it's fairly easy to follow. The shifter aspects of the book were well used. I think that the author used them well.
Overall, I liked the story a lot. The characters are fairly well developed and the plot is well built.
I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review....more
In Little Bear's Cookie Day by Limpid Kenneth we visit a forest where Little Bear lives with his parents. Upon reading a story book, Little Bear decidIn Little Bear's Cookie Day by Limpid Kenneth we visit a forest where Little Bear lives with his parents. Upon reading a story book, Little Bear decides that he wants to eat cookies. With the help of his mother, he learns how to make cookies. First they get out the ingredients. Then she shows him how to properly mix together the ingredients. Once they're shaped (into fish!), they're baked and Mother Bear explains the way the heat affects them in the oven.
It's fairly interesting and I enjoy that the author tries to teach the children something within the book. Not only does the story teach them about cooking, but Mother Bear's explanation of the cooking process gives children a very basic view of the science of it as well. The story is fairly sweet; essentially Little Bear takes inspiration from reading a book and it encourages him to take on an activity in real life. Hopefully such a story might inspire children who read this book to take on some sort of new hobby of their own.
Overall, the book has plenty of adorable images and aims to give kids a bit of insight to learning something new. I imagine that many children will find this book to be a great read!...more
Artist Mandarin Duck by Limpid Kenneth is the story of a duck that can draw. One day, when it is soon to be eaten by an eagle, the duck announces itsArtist Mandarin Duck by Limpid Kenneth is the story of a duck that can draw. One day, when it is soon to be eaten by an eagle, the duck announces its secret. It can draw! In exchange for not eating the duck, the eagle wants to be drawn. Though, the duck tries and can't get it right. After several attempts, the eagle starts getting other creatures for the duck to draw and the practice helps the duck improve.
It's a very interesting story. I enjoyed the moral of it. I think all of the pictures are very beautiful. During the sketching phases of the duck's work, I think the illustrations really capture the duck's artistic attempts well. They're sure to give a child a good visualisation of some of the steps of drawing a picture and improving it. I also enjoyed that the duck's drawings helped bring many animals of the forest together and made the eagle somewhat nicer to them.
At first, I admittedly didn't realise what the eagle was trying to do when he brought all of the animals; I just sort of thought that it was trying to gauge whether the duck was better at drawing other animals. Though, I thought it sweet that it was essentially practice for the duck and he was then able to present the eagle with a completed drawing. Some of the word usage doesn't seem proper, for example when the eagle will grab an animal, it will say: “Do my model.” Another example is when a deer approaches the duck to see what he's drawing; the narration mentions the duck being "ashamed". I think the term "embarrassed" might be more appropriate as he oughtn't be ashamed by his work.
Overall, it's a lovely book which children might find very useful!...more
Tiger Has a Garden by Limpid Kenneth is a book about two tigers, Burton and Caroline. Burton has a garden and he one day receives Caroline as a visitoTiger Has a Garden by Limpid Kenneth is a book about two tigers, Burton and Caroline. Burton has a garden and he one day receives Caroline as a visitor. She joins him for tea and a trip around the garden that Burton is so proud of.
I quite like both tigers. They show kindness to each other and their friendship is very adorable. I very much appreciate that their continued time together isn't hindered by conflict. The end result is that we have a very warm, uplifting story about two tigers enjoying a few cups of tea together in a beautiful garden.
I also enjoyed that the story even aims to teach the skill of making mint lavender iced tea, like they drink in the book. Though just as a note for parents, I think it would be best if adults supervised children making it and, even without supervision, some children might need a bit of help getting it right if they don't know how to make tea.
Overall, it's a beautifully illustrated book. The story is charming and both tigers are a pleasure to spend time with. Any child is sure to enjoy this book!...more
Bone Box by Jay Amberg is about the major archaeological discovery of an ossuary, a box of human remains and a few scrolls. With the suspicion that thBone Box by Jay Amberg is about the major archaeological discovery of an ossuary, a box of human remains and a few scrolls. With the suspicion that these remains belong to Jesus of Nazareth and that the scrolls pertain to his teachings, a lot of people are willing to do questionable things to get their hands on the contents. The book revolves around two main characters, Sophia Altay and Joseph Travers. Sophia is the primary archaeologist and the one responsible for the dig site where the bone box was uncovered. Joseph has come to Turkey to evaluate the dig site. Together they do their best to save the artefacts from those who would kill to get their hands on them.
I felt that both main characters, Sophia and Joseph, were fairly realistic. The thing I like most about them is that they have very relatable worries and concerns; they both have interests in the bone box and I feel like their obsessions really drive them to do the best they can for its benefit. I think that they also have very interesting back stories as well. Sophia's past with her parents and fascination for archaeology has led her to become a very intelligent woman. The best thing about that is that the author can really back that (intelligence) up with the writing; she uses common sense and makes smart choices. Joseph's back-story is also somewhat important for the plot; the tale of his children leads him throughout the plot and, to me, it also seems like his character is fairly well developed. My favourite character, by far, is Abrahim; he has an amazing depth to him and I really appreciated his loyalty throughout the plot. His emotional investment, as well as his devotion, is quite apparent. For the background characters, I think all are well developed and I appreciated that we got a good look into their motivations.
As for the plot, I think it was somewhat unique. I enjoyed the theme of the bone box; I've heard of them before, but admittedly I don't know much about them. I felt that it set up the events well and worked great for the book. The events and scenes were fairly well paced. Some of the portions are slow, but in those bits there's a lot of information to be revealed so it's not a problem. I really appreciated the descriptions of the scenery and surroundings; there were some beautiful scenes presented and the author gave us a good look into the surroundings of each scene.
Overall, it was a book that kept me completely enthralled from beginning to end. The characters work well and they each have unique storylines and special parts to play in the book. The theme of the book was relatively new to me and I felt it was certainly very interesting.
I received a free eCopy of this in return for an honest review....more
Quest of the Alpha is the first in the Sierra Moon series by Claire Ryann. We begin the book with a pair of brothers, Lane and Diego. They have a probQuest of the Alpha is the first in the Sierra Moon series by Claire Ryann. We begin the book with a pair of brothers, Lane and Diego. They have a problem; they need a breeding pair for their shifter pack of wolves. Tara, a lone hiker, has come camping and is unaware that the new partner, Lane, she's been hiking with is a wolf shifter. They develop strong feelings for each other and soon Lane needs to find the right way to explain to his situation to her.
For a female alpha, I think the author has done well with Tara. From her internal narration in the beginning of her portions, Tara has a strong personality. She strives to do what she feels is best for her. She kind of lacks confidence when it comes to her weight, but I feel like the author can develop her well in that area in future, if she gets the right kind of encouragement from Lane or other characters. She's fairly strong willed and I think that she could do well as a female leader of a pack. For Lane, I think that his character is reasonably well developed considering the past we've been presented. I wouldn't call him a true alpha (in anything but the eldest of the pack) as we haven't seen enough of his strong personality. However, from the past we've seen, it seems that he didn't come to the position out of strength in the first place. Regardless, I think that he's a fairly interesting character. I appreciate the past with his wife and the potential of his relationship with Tara. I think that the relationship between Lane and Tara is fairly innocent and very sweet. It's obvious that, right from the beginning, they have feelings for and are reasonably attracted to each other. I also think that they feel quite natural together. To me, I certainly don't feel like their relationship is forced. It's very pleasant to have such a warm relationship. As for the other characters, I don't think we've seen enough of them yet, but I think there are some interesting characters to look into for the future of the series.
I think that the plot is interesting and their problem- lack of a female alpha- presents a sort of realistic crisis for that sort of situation. In a way, the problem was solved a little bit too easily and gives the title a misleading aspect; there isn't a "quest" for the alpha female as one of the pack just goes for a walk and happens upon her. However, on that point, I appreciate that getting her back to the pack proves to be a bit harder. I also liked that near the end, we got a sort of glimpse into the potential problems for the future of the series, introducing the mountain lion and possibly some rivalry / enemy. I know that not everyone appreciates a cliff hanger, but I think the author has presented it well in this situation. The supernatural aspects with the shifting seemed fairly well integrated to the book and I thought it interesting to present the idea of some of the other women in the pack to be "more wolf than woman" and that they weren't good options as a mate because of such a thing. It certainly gives me curiousity as to the past of some of these other characters Though Lane and Tara are the primary people, I would like to see a bit more about the others and what led them to this pack.
Overall, I liked the story. It was fairly well developed, kept me interested and I am certainly looking forward to reading more of the series.
I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review....more
Unraveled is a prequel to the Soul Shifters series by Sennah Tate. It begins with the story of Preston Waters, a man who is madly in love with a womanUnraveled is a prequel to the Soul Shifters series by Sennah Tate. It begins with the story of Preston Waters, a man who is madly in love with a woman named Elena. He would do anything for her and, when the time comes, he fights to get her back. In this world, there is darkness and shadows. The people doing their best to fight it are The Soul Shifters, men and women who have paranormal abilities.
First off, I'll be blunt: I was very impressed with this book. I think that it's brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really liked the characters; they were quite original. Even better than that, I think that they all worked well within the events of the novel. For example, I can really feel that Preston Waters has a lot of passion for Elena and his obsession with her is well founded. I really liked Elena as well, though she only had minor appearances; I think the author used her well and she didn't need to be in it more than necessary. I actually liked her personality as well; I could really see her side of the situation and point of view. I feel like, though Alina is in a tough situation, she has a great personality and I really do want to read more about her and her problems. So far, she seems like an impressive young woman and I'd like to see her character and powers strengthen. I liked the plot of the book as well. Though there isn't a lot of information about these shifters yet, I think that the author presented a decent amount, enough for me to have a basic knowledge of what was going on within the universe. I think that the author has presented an interesting scenario so far with the paranormal people fighting some sort of darkness; I would like to read more into it. The same with the continuation of the Preston plot line; I'm intrigued by what the author has to offer on that matter.
Overall, I'm pretty impressed with such a short novella; the author has presented some important storylines to set up the universe and the rest of the series. I enjoyed all of the characters and felt that there roles were all important within the book. I definitely will continue reading the series.
I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review....more
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