Graphic Novel Review of Tiny Titans: The First Rule of Pet Club by Art Baltazar & Franco

 

Synopsis: "These all ages tales from the DC Universe, beautifully written and illustrated by Art Baltazar and Franco, will entertain new readers and seasoned fans of comics. In this new collection, Wayne Manor has been overrun! There are penguins in the tub and bunnies in the bedroom, penguins in the freezer and bunnies in the fridge, penguins and bunnies everywhere - they've even driven the bats out of the Batcave! Poor Robin is caught in the middle of the bunny-penguin turf war and has to figure out how everyone can live together peacefully!"

My Review: This is what I remember comics being like when I was a kid. Bright colors and a lot of randomness. The comics in this one don't really seem to make a cohesive story line but they are definitely fun for kids. Some silly comedy and crazy stories. I think the Tiny Titans comics are great for kids, but don't really seem to be graphic novels.

 

My Rating: This didn't seem to be so much a Graphic Novel as a collection of comics. It didn't really tell a cohesive story but it would be great starting point for kids. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

Bedtime Story: Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

 

Synopsis: "As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! With irresistible artwork by best-selling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and sweet, rhyming text, this book will have truck lovers of all ages begging for more."

My Review: This is an insanely cute book for little boys. My Hubby was very happy that they used proper names for the equipment (he hates when children's books call an excavator a digger). The drawings are large and the trucks really stand out. We like how you get to see what each of the trucks/equipment do during the day before shutting down and sleeping for the night. This may well become one of Munchkin's favorites, especially when we pull out the old Tonka trucks ;)

 

My Rating: We adore this book, even Hubby was happy to read it to Munchkin! I give it a rating of Four Paws!

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

From the Review Pile #15

 

 

 

From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.

The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review (or if you don't receive review books, any book that you own and really want to read/review) but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

I know that a lot of you have a huge pile of books that you want to read/review, but it understandably takes a while to get around to reading them all - here you can give a book (or two!) some of the publicity that it deserves, even if you haven't read it yet!

 

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Synopsis: Artist Kate Abernethy is trying to put her life back together after the death of her boyfriend. At first, moving back in with her mother seems like a good way to sort out her finances and re-evaluate her life-instead it proves to be a minefield of doubt and recrimination. Floundering, she pushes herself to take new opportunities so she can rebuild her life and have a second chance at happiness.

 

After Dark Review of Lords of Deliverance Compendium by Larissa Ione

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

 

 

 

Synopsis: "They're here.

They ride.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . .

THE LORDS OF DELIVERANCE COMPENDIUM

With an all-new exclusive short story!

New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione brings readers behind the scenes with this definitive guide to her latest imaginative, epic series featuring the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With character descriptions, key player background information, a handy glossary of terms and special abilities, a Q&A inspired by reader questions, and an all-new, exclusive short story, this is a must-read for every Larissa Ione fan. As an added bonus, this compendium includes an extended sneak peek at the next book in the Lords of Deliverance series, Lethal Rider."

My Review: Well that cleared things up for me! I wish I had the first half of this book in paperback so I can flip through while reading the Lords of Deliverance series. I knew I was missing a lot of the back story because of not reading the Demonica series and this really helped me get the demons straight and get some of the other characters stories without reading the whole series. I also enjoyed the short story about Lilith and Yenrieth and the conception of the Horsemen. It really gives you some insight into how manipulative and evil Lilith really is and made me even more curious about the Horsemen's father. I now have a couple of ideas as to what happened to Yenrieth and who he is, and I really can't wait to read the rest of the series to find out if I am correct!!

 

My Rating: I kind of wish that this was turned into two separate books, one that I could buy in print as a reference for all the demons and characters and the other Yenrieth and Lilith's story.  I give this one a rating of Two Paws.

Review of Death by Jade Varden

 

Here are my reviews of Book 1: Justice and Book 2: Tower

 

Synopsis: "All In

I never wanted to get in this deep, but I did go looking for the truth before I was prepared to handle it. But how do you close the lid on Pandora’s box? You can’t unlearn something, or forget a dark secret once it’s been revealed.

I have no choice but to do my part to bury the truth again -- this time, someplace no one will ever be able to find it. But that’s the problem with lies. Once you start pulling threads, everything unravels.

No one is who they seem to be...not even me."

My Review: I don't know how Jade Varden keeps these twists and surprises coming! I totally did not see Seraphina coming (and you will have to read for yourself to find out who or what that is). I really like how Rain remains true to character, she doesn't suddenly become grown up or to understand everything, taking it easy. She is truly naïve and thinks that even when she catches someone in a lie that they will still do the right thing when she confronts them. I am actually happy with where she ended up at the conclusion of this book, I think it is the best place for her at the time, but I really can't wait to see what is going to happen in Judgment!! Will all the lies be revealed or will they all be swept under the rug like usual?

 

My Rating: This is definitely another solid Four Paw book for me! Some of the characters did get on my nerves (Sawyer) but they are consistently true to character. This is definitely a series that is difficult to put down, you just can't wait to see what happens next.

Review of The Rockin' Chair by Steven Manchester

 

Synopsis: "Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.

Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy Grandpa John calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN' CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read."

My Review: Yup another emotional journey from Mr. Manchester! I was tearing up after only 7 pages and got chocked up several time throughout the book. I loved the characters and the setting, both were so rich (and I kind of want another book about John & Alice's life and how they met because I adored them both). There are so many little life lessons in The Rockin' Chair that you could spend hours highlighting them but you forget to because you are too absorbed in the story. Some of the lessons that Grandpa John gives are ones that you don't fully comprehend until they smack you in the face. I do love Grandpa John's tough love but non-judgmental approach to issues that arose in the family, reminds me so much of my own grandfather and my parents. I think there is at least one character in this story that each reader can relate. I would also like a follow up story for Evan, I want to know what he accomplishes with his writing! I could probably follow the McCarthy family through all their paths and never get tired of reading about them.

 

My Rating: I guess this is a classic case of leave them wanting more! I so enjoyed the story and characters that I want more of them, more time with them, and more of their stories.  I had a hard time putting this book down (even while at work and having to hide the tears and sniffles as allergies). I give it a rating of Four Paws.

 

 

The Rockin' Chair was sent to me by the author for an honest review.

 

You can find out more about Steven Manchester and his work on his Website, Facebook and Goodreads.

 

You can also obtain your own digital or print copy of The Rockin' Chair on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

 

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

Before the Fairytale: The Girl with No Name by Iscah
Faceless by Dustin Sanchez (After Dark)
I am a Dump Truck (Bedtime Story)

Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

The Rockin' Chair
The Eye Book
Faceless
Death
 

Currently Reading:

Dark Chatter by Andrew Branch - Kindle - 17%
The Tale of the Taconic Mountains by Mike Romeling - Nook - On Page 32 of 389
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - PB - on Page 40 of 383

 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione (Series Challenge)
Wyoming Fierce by Diana Palmer (Audio Challenge)
Water Harvest by Eric Diehl (Requested Review)
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore (Graphic Novel)
Juliette Immortal by Stacey Jay
Judgment by Jade Varden


 



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It has been another good reading week :D  Although I have been getting distracted from the books already in progress by other ones that catch my eye. That's okay though, as long as I am reading and making progress! My TBR shelves are starting to haunt me, I organized my Kindle while at work this last week and discovered that I have 316 books to be read (curse the free downloads that I can't resist)! I am sure that I have another 20 or 30 on the Nook and I don't even dare to count the print ones that have been hanging around my shelves!

On another note, only a couple more weeks until my little Munchkin turns one!! I can't believe that it is already here and even though I am usually a very unemotional person I am getting a little choked up that the first year is already coming to an end.