Saturday, June 9, 2018

RI Author Month: Graphic Novel: Sour Grapes by Tim Jones

Welcome to RI Author Month



Synopsis: "SOUR GRAPES IS A COMIC ABOUT AESOP, A MISERABLY FUNNY DOG THAT CAN'T SEEM TO GET AWAY FROM THE MISFORTUNES OF LIFE, INCLUDING HIS COMPANIONS: MADDY, SLICE AND CONSTANCE, WHO JUST ADD TO THE PROBLEM. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE FOLLOWING EPISODES!"

My Rating: I have been seeing Tim Jones at the RI Author Expo for a couple of years now, and his comics have been in the newspapers and online for years, but now he finally has a compilation in print for me to add to my shelves!  I love the classic illustration style of his comics.  Aesop is such a grumpy and cynical character, and I definitely could relate to a lot of his comments. Definitely an entertaining read.

My Rating: I don't normally read comic strips but this is one that I found entertaining and I enjoyed reading a bunch of individual strips combined into one book. I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.


You can find out more about Tim Jones and his comic on his Website or Facebook Page.


You can also obtain your own copy of Sour Grapes on his Website or you can obtain this book in print format on Amazon.

Friday, June 8, 2018

RI Author Month: Bedtime Story: Monster Monster Wants to Roar by Eric Sturtevant

Welcome to the RI Author Month


Previous Books:



Synopsis: "Monster Monster REALLY REALLY wants to roar. The sun hasn't set and there's nobody home to scare, but he just won't wait! He's soooo ready and...well... slightly impatient. Will he ever stop making so much noise? 
   Told with simple rhyme and Eric's delightful illustrations, "Monster Monster Wants To Roar" is the newest edition to Eric's early reader board book series. Roar loudly with your little monster and enjoy it again and again!!"

My Review: We fell in love with Eric Sturtevant's books a few years ago and even though Munchkin is getting a little old for these simple board books, we still love reading them.  In this one Monster just wants to roar but doesn't seem to know the right time for roaring, and is just to impatient to wait for bedtime.  While it does feature the 'monster under the bed' it makes it a silly creature that will have kids laughing instead of being scared. 

My Rating: While Ducky Ducky Likes to Moo is still our favorite, Munchkin still really enjoyed this book.  He is now at an age where he can read the words and likes to participate in reading these books. We give it a rating of Four Paws!


You can find out more about Eric Sturtevant, his books and artwork on his Website, this is also the only place to get his books (unless you happen to catch him at an event for books and art throughout the year).


Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Thursday, June 7, 2018

RI Author Month: Eko by Loren Walker

Welcome to the RI Author Month



Synopsis: "Midnight in Osha: an injured woman is left at the gates of a commune. Eighteen-year-old Sydel, an apprentice hungry to prove her worth, is certain that healing the blue-haired stranger will finally win the respect of her community. But tensions spike when two men appear in search of their sister: Phaira, the woman in the clinic. And when Sydel’s experimental medical treatments prove successful, instead of offering accolades, her elders make the sudden decision to banish her. 

Guilt-ridden, Phaira and her brothers, Renzo and Cohen, offer shelter to the bewildered girl, and take Sydel with them into the violent, industrial North. Then the reason behind the expulsion comes to light: Sydel is an Eko, a being that can read minds and accelerate healing. And when word of her talents goes public, Sydel becomes a valuable prize to possess, with the siblings as her only means of defense. 

Set in the world of Osha, where free communication cubes come from vending machines, and hair color is changed with a CHROMA headband, EKO mixes the fantastical with the complexities of family, and will appeal to fans of paranormal, fantasy and science fiction, comic books and anime, world-building, fast-paced action, and psychic phenomena."

My Review: I downloaded this one after discovering the author is local. Science fiction isn't really my thing, but this one is more like a futuristic fantasy. It took me a while to get into it, I really had trouble wrapping my head around the concept and for a vast majority of the book the characters are left in the dark, and you as the reader are also in the dark. It has a very interesting magic system that only starts to be discovered and laid out in this first book, but it is clear there is a lot more to come. You do start to grow attached to the characters, especially the sub-characters, Phaira and Theron are both fantastic and I look forward to reading more about them. The pacing and world building was a little rough but by the end of the book I am hooked and am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

My Rating: While it was a bit of a rocky start, part of that could just be me struggling with the sci-fi/ futuristic aspects of the book, I really have a hard time picturing some of those concepts.  Once I became attached to the characters, I really became invested in the story. I give it a rating of Three Paws.



You can find out more about Loren and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.


You can also obtain your own copy of Eko (and the rest of the Nine series) in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  Psst: Eko is currently available for free on Barnes & Noble for digital download, so give it a try!

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

RI Author Month: Sweet Dreams, Sweet Death by P.K. Norton

Welcome to the RI Author Month



Synopsis: "Everybody loves Chef Garcia’s key lime coconut petit fours. Some even say they’re to die for. When four guests die at a wedding at the Beaux Rêves Hotel, the famous petit fours are blamed.
Insurance investigator Amy Lynch flies from Boston to Key West to prepare for a wrongful death suit, her first trip to the island since her fiancé died there three years ago.
Amy’s investigation is beset with problems from the get-go. The hotel management is pushing for a quick settlement regardless of fault. The local police are calling the event a tragic accident. Most potential witnesses are missing, deceased or unhelpful. The ghost of Amy’s fiancé haunts her as she fends off pressures from all sides and copes with uncertainties concerning her new relationship.
She encounters death at every turn. The health inspector who monitored the hotel kitchen dies in an auto accident; the reporter who covered the incident for the local paper turns up drowned; even a homeless woman Amy befriends is found dead. And deceased wildlife crosses her path more than once.
As she forges on in the face of these obstacles, Amy wonders if Key West is the tropical paradise of the travel brochures or a petri dish of death."

My Review: I picked this book up at a local author event, I loved the contrast of the cover and couldn't pass it up even though I am not a big mystery fan. It was a pretty enjoyable read, it would really appeal to those who are familiar with Key West as it includes a lot of local spots and traditions. As far as the mystery part, I appreciate the fact that we are given all the facts throughout the story and while I was able to figure out 'who done it' fairly early, it was still the how that kept me reading. There was definitely an interesting cast of characters that kept everything pretty light and entertaining even with the darker subject matter. This is a fun read and would be great for the summer with the setting and the easier reading.

My Rating: I am the first to admit, I am not a mystery fan, but I was rather entertained with this book. Mystery lovers might enjoy it even more, but you will really love it if you are familiar with Key West.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.


You can find out more about P.K. Norton and her books on her Website.


You can also get your own copy of Sweet Dreams, Sweet Death in print or digital format from Amazon or print format from Barnes & Noble

The next book in the series was just released on June 1st too, so you can continue the series right away!

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

RI Author Month: Emma's Dream by M. Lee Prescott

Welcome to the RI Author Month




Synopsis: "A woman is the last thing on Ben Morgan’s mind as he comes home to Morgan’s Run, his family’s ranch in Saguaro Valley. Doctor’s orders, he’s home to heal, but the sooner he can get back to Santa Barbara, the better. Then he runs into Maggie Williams on Main Street, prompting vivid memories of a magical night, and Ben’s ailing heart skips a beat. 

Father of her beloved five year old daughter, the eldest of the Morgan sons is the last person Maggie expects to have crash into her car and back into her life. For years, she has struggled to forget him and to make a life for herself and her daughter, Emma, the mirror image of a father, who is unaware of her existence. Now, here he is, looking more gorgeous than the day he ran out of town. Maggie swears Ben Morgan will never break her heart again. " 

My Review: I have read a couple of Prescott's books in the past and they were okay but this one sounded like it was a good fit for me. I really enjoyed the setting and the family connection and basis of the story. I did struggle a little bit with some of the decisions Maggie makes, but it is of course fiction so no need to get worked up. Some of the push/pull between Maggie and Ben felt a little forced and the relationship does seem to rush a bit at the beginning. I really enjoyed the different side characters introduced throughout the story and look forward to reading their stories. The conflict in the middle of this story will definitely tug at your heart strings and it is definitely where the book really shines and takes on a more real feel to it. The reactions of the characters and the struggles are a lot more real than many of the romances I have read. Definitely read all the way to the end and have the tissues ready!

My Rating: While I don't really agree with the premise of this particular story or the character's decisions, I do like the setting and the characters themselves and the side characters, so I do plan to continue the series.  For this book in particular I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.



You can find out more about M. Lee Prescott and her work on her Goodreads Page or Website.  Admittedly, she is technically from Massachusetts, but she is right over the border, and is a part of the Rhode Island Author Association, so I have included her in the RI Author Month.


You can obtain your own copy of Emma's Dream in digital or print format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.   Psst: Emma's Run is currently Free for digital download on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble right now so great time to try it out!

Monday, June 4, 2018

Rhode Island Author Month Kick Off!

Welcome to my 4th Annual Rhode Island Author Month/Feature!

I am running a little behind schedule, as I usually host this month in April; however, I usually obtain all my new books in December at the annual RI Author Expo and there just wasn't enough time for me to read the books and get ready for the month until now. 



I do have quite a few new books and authors to share with you this month, I think I have a little bit of something for everyone.  I will be featuring books from Children's Books to Romance, from Mystery to Non-Fiction, Fantasy to Graphic Novels and so much more. 

I will also be interviewing an author or two and at least one giveaway later this month. 

I love supporting my local authors and I have really love seeing the local author events growing each year and meeting all them!  I hope you will enjoy the variety of books I have selected as well as getting to know more about the authors from this smallest state in the US!

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

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
Shake, Waggle & Roll by Susan Wiley (Bedtime Story) - RI Author


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

Princess Princess
Circe
ABC-3PO
Sunny
Eko
Diapers Daycare & Deadlines
Rhode Island's Happy Faces


Currently Reading:

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - Audio - 32%
House of Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory - Print - on page 141 of 340
Grace of Kings by Ken Liu - Multiple Formats - 6%




Pages Read/ Time Listened
262:46 Hours Listened (12:15 listened this week)
18,993 Pages Read (822 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
We Have Always Lived in a Castle by Shirley Jackson
To the Sky Kingdom by Tang Qi
Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher
Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry
Luck Love and Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Terrier by Tamora Pierce
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Reflections of Yesterday by Debbie Macomber
Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson
Eko by Loren Walker
Caging the Merrow by Heather Rigney
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Opel
The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
Greedy Pigs by Matt Wallace
Lustlocked by Matt Wallace
Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
The Scandalous MacKenzies by Jennifer Ashley
The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
The Stolen Mackenzie Bride by Jennifer Ashley
Frankenstein Alive! Alive! Trio by Steve Niles
Frankenstein, Alive! Alive! #4 by Steve Niles
Hard to Serve by Laura Kaye
Mastering Her Senses by Laura Kaye
Theirs to Take by Laura Kaye
Nightblade's Vengeance by Ryan Kirk
Circe by Madeline Miller
Tomorrowland by Steven Kotler
The Wolf by Leo Carew
My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran & Larissa Zageris
Beyond the Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake
Defiant Heir by Melissa Caruso
True North by Marie Force
The Sorting Room by Angelina Singer
Lost Stars by Claudia Gray
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire
Frankenstein Dreams by Michael Sims
The Belgaraid by David Eddings
The Rhode Island Short Story Club presents The Club
Death Sworn by Leah Cypess
Sherlock Holmes and the Army of Dr. Moreau by Guy Adams
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
Prince of Persia by Jordan Mencher
Zenith by Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Onyx & Ivory by Mindee Arnett
Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
The Marriage Arrangement by Jennifer Probst
Fight for Everything by Laura Kaye
Catching Stars by Cayla Keenan
Light as Air by Mari Carr
Furyborn by Claire Legrand
Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper
Half Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Gosh, I really cannot believe that it is June already (it might also have something to do with the fact that I have the heat on)!   It was a bit of a hectic week last week and I am behind on reading, reviews, scheduling posts and emails, surprise surprise.  But I did have a very productive weekend so am hoping to get caught back up this week.

In other news, I have kicked off my RI Author Month, I have a lot of great authors and books to share with you, some of them you have seen in years past and some are completely new!  I hope you will stop by throughout the month and check some of my local authors out!

Hope you all have a great week!