Sketchy Tacos (International Adventures #1) by Meg D. Gonzalez | A Book Review

This is the story of Mila, an American who got to spend her summer in Mexico to improve her Spanish as credit for school. 

This is a coming of age story of a girl out to prove to her mother that she can be responsible, trusted and independent. In Mexico, she gets to know herself better and found strength to stand up to her mother. Only after being almost drowned in a flood, the object of rivalry between two friends, being outcast by Mexican girls of her age and sexually harassed. All these experiences force her to cling on to her faith and discover things about herself.

The theme of this story is universal. It speaks of every teenager in the world who wants to be given the chance to live life according to her terms, not her parents'. A person who painstakingly tries so hard to be appreciated by her parents and given credit for being a good kid and student. To be commended for her achievements and be allowed to pursue her passion and creative side. To decide for herself. To let her be accountable for her decisions, whether they are right or wrong. To allow her to grow and prosper.

I am not a parent yet but when I will be one, I will make sure or try my best to allow my kids to be their own persons. To let them know themselves and not restrict them with too many prohibitions. Being too strict always tend to make the kids rebel and do the opposite of what the parents want instead. To my experience, when I am treated as an adult, the more I act like a responsible one. Kids should be taught the value of integrity instead of being told they are lacking. It should be positive reinforcement instead of shooting kids down. I guess, some parents forget that they have this great power to break their children. Some do not realize this until they have crippled the spirit and broken their children's hearts. I am speaking for myself, I think in my age, I know where my parents have done their best and where they should have done more for me. 

Most often, it would take an unforgettable experience for a person to come to a realization. Like Mila's mother, it took a trip to Mexico for her to realize that Mila is a good kid and trustworthy. That she is ready to go out in to the world and go after her future. 

I give this 3/5 tacos. I like how Mila was empowered to be the person she wants to be. To pursue her art and use it for a good purpose. To realize her mistakes and atone for them. To choose her friends wisely and not worry about fitting in or pleasing anyone. To be just herself. 

If you seek perfection, you will not allow yourself to experiment. You need to let go. Revel in the mess. It's where true beauty lies.

- Meg D. Gonzales, Sketchy Tacos - 

Thank you, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the copy.

Wrong Side of the Grave (Mothman Mysteries) by Bryna Butler | A Book Review

Weirdly, this is the third story that has an unusual twist to the regular version of stories that I have read this week. The first one was the unusual heroine, next a taboo romance and this alien-vampire thing. I did not plan to read them one after the other but the review deadlines were a day apart, so it was all decided for me without having to think about them consciously.

Vampires are aliens. Eric Jansen is an alien too. He is the Mothman who feeds on the vampires. He keeps the vampire population in check so they will not overrun and wipe out humans. When he is not hunting vampires, he plays as a drummer in a band.

Huh? This is my first time to hear that vampires are aliens and all other mythical creatures are also aliens like the mothman. I have read of vampire stories with a Nordic mythology twist but never the alien version. This is a new story for me. I have never heard before that these night creatures are extra-terrestrials. I like this fresh new take. I like all new versions of anything, retellings and all.

The dead coming back to life is a scary thought. Yes, a lot of people will be interested in finding out how this phenomenon is possible. Surely, this would cause a lot of stir and chaos. People who have dead loved ones would definitely want to know if they could bring back their dearly departed back to the land of the living. It would be amazing and horrifying at the same time, as it is also against the natural order of things. I would prefer to be immortal than dying and coming back to life. I think there is something final about death and even if you come back from it, I think a part of you will never be the same. Let us leave the dead alone.

I enjoyed the plot and how things were done in this book. I like the Men in Black spin of the story, of the hunter becoming the hunted. Adding in the mothman to save the day and chase the vampires away. It's a good material for a movie. The sci-fi spin is so fresh and it made the story very interesting. 

I just thought the reason for all reawakening was very elementary and a bit cheesy. Well, a demented and delusional person could also set illusions of grandeur for himself. Who's to stop him? It was just so unexpected and quite a let-down to find out what his motives were for waking those resting in peace but I guess, it unbelievably worked. The ending was also surprising. Sad, in fact. But it also promises a next book which continues Eric and Bridget's adventures. The next story also introduces another alien who preys on the mothman like Eric. Hmmm, I wonder what type of creature this new predator that landed on Earth this time? This series is pregnant with characters of the alien food chain. Aliens eat aliens and the stage is the Earth. Sounds like this is fun. 

I give this 3.5/5 pairs of drumsticks. Again, the-not-the-usual take on the mythical and paranormal creatures woven into sci-fi is very unique. I guess, Twilight has ruined the-vampire-falls-in-love-with-a-human story for everyone. I am thrilled that a lot of very talented authors are creating their own vampire stories that are too far from Twilight. I am excited to discover another author who will make another tale about vampires with an altogether different flavor. I liked surprising people than the one to be surprised but if they are in stories and books, I am all for it. Come on surprise me!

He's the missing piece, the skip between the heartbeats. So, even though he's gone, he's still part of us forever.

- Bryna Butler, Wrong Side of the Grave - 

Thank you, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the copy.

Winter Falls by Jacque Stevens | A Book Review

This is my second book by Jacque Stevens. The first one was also a fantasy story but totally different from this one. The Winter Falls is a retelling of the story of the Snow Queen. 

The story of the Snow Queen that I am familiar with is the one on the Chronicles of Narnia and Frozen. *Cue in background music for the "Let it go!" the sound track* I have also watched the movie where Emily Blunt played the role as Snow Queen opposite Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen. The difference between this story and other versions of the Snow Queens that were done is that on this version the Snow Queen is part of the four princesses that are responsible for the four seasons. This also included an alternate-universe-kind aspect--the real world and the fairy tale world co-existing in the same time and the portal to cross between these two worlds was through a broken glass shard.

What struck me most about this is the author's note. The author described how this story came about. This was written when she was going through hard times as cold and desolate as winter time. Then this book got published in summer which spelled a lifting of the coldness and the coming of warmth and good things in her life. What I love most about everything she said was that, like everything else, winter ends also. No matter how cold, bitter and desolate it could get, spring comes and melts all the terrible experiences and lingering feelings winter has brought. This is a story of hope.

In a lot of ways, I can closely relate to what the author is talking about. Winter--the all encompassing metaphor for the hardships, loneliness, separation and emptiness we experience trying to get through life. And like the seasons, life moves on and with it the changes that come forth. Some of these changes we should be willing to initiate to finally find comfort and warmth. Others we need to accept as challenges thrown our way. We may not like them but they bring some sort of blessing or force us to find strength from all the strangest places. Just like what happened in this story.

I enjoyed this! The part where the main character, Katie, ended up in another world was so exhilarating. In that alternate universe, she was able to confront her weaknesses and find her strength.  I think a lot of people can relate to Katie. We all have our own fears and frustrations. Most of us have built walls to not be hurt again. To protect us from getting our broken hearts from further crumbling to dust. We have fashioned full-body armors out of desperation and depravity as defense from all the foes whether human or otherwise. We walk around carrying these cumbersome armors in the hope of resisting pain and discouragement, all the while adding to our burdens. 

I give this book 5/5 mirrors. Knowing where this story came from has affected me most. It made Katie's character so relatable and got me so involved in her experiences. I guess, understanding what the author went through and having been through the same contributed to the depth and sorrow expressed in the story. Yes, reading this felt like winter--freezing, isolating, desperate and tormenting but also filled with hope, just like all other fairy tale stories. It's always darkest before the dawn but through it all, the morning sun rises with all its glory and melts all the darkness to oblivion. This also pointed out a lot of parallelism to real life. If you haven't known, fairy tales are taken from real stories. They just use a lot of symbolism. 

Whatever I had lost, had been missing for years and was certain to be gone for good.

- Jacques Stevens, Winter Falls -  

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the copy. Sorry for the delayed post. 

Also by Jacque Stevens:

The Stone Bearers

Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore | A Book Review

This is not my first encounter with Heather B. Moore. I have read two other historical fiction books of hers and had really enjoyed them. When I saw that she had another book up for review on ebooksforreview.com, I was faster than a bullet to get signed up.

Condemn Me Not is based on real events and people. The main character just happened to be the 10th great-grandmother of the author on her father's side. Yes, Heather B. Moore's great-grandmother was one of those that got accused and hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. This book felt very close to home to the author. It's not everyday that you get to write and talk about a subject, much more a relative, who went through something so controversial and with a lot of mystery surrounding it.

I applaud the author for writing about Susannah North Martin's life story. What made me so curious right after reading the first page of this book was that this was a real event. This was like reading an article on a newspaper. This is about a real person who went through hell and never survived it. I have heard stories about the Salem witch trials. I even read about one version that explained the possessions and bewitching caused by a fungus found on the food eaten by the girls that claimed to have been possessed. And then, there were other versions, too. As far as I know, the versions were mostly pointing more to the allegation that there were really women in Massachusetts that dabble in witchcraft and ways of the devil. I have watched movies of the same subject also. But what set this book apart from all those mentioned is that this was written by someone related to one of the accused. Well, a few generations removed but nevertheless I have never heard of any accounts of the stories of the persons personally accused of the said crimes. This story is as close as to the horse's mouth as we can get. The author made extensive research to get to know her descendant and to understand the controversies surrounding her life and death. This also exposed the horrors and cruelties suffered by the accused parties while being held in their filthy cells waiting for their trials. 

I think people have a lot of opinions regarding the Salem witch trials. Some people may believe that those hanged were guilty, others would say they were victims. I personally do not believe them guilty or not. I know for a fact those trials and hanging happened but there were a lot of circumstances and events that were not known. I think there was a monopoly of information. There was more that condemn those that were accused than those that seek to shed light on the circumstances and understand. And having only a few references that contain accounts of those found guilty to go by, there is a possibility that those trials were actually done because of personal vendetta. After reading this, I am more inclined to believe that those people hanged might just have been innocent. One other thing about this story is, as the author intended, this was about the life, family and circumstances of Susannah North Martin and some of the people hanged. It did not really focus on the trials but on the kind of life lived by Susannah--that she was a good sister, a caring mother and grandmother loved by her family, a loyal and dedicated wife that had a loving and faithful husband and a love that survived even after death.

I give this book 4/5 mandrake roots. This was a refreshing other-side-of-the-coin story. The fact that this is my first time to read about accounts of those hanged for being a witch made this even more a must-read. This was so brave of the author to admit to be a descendant of one of those guilty in the Salem witch hunt trials. Surely, your great-grandmother, Susannah North Martin, is so proud of you for telling everyone her story. I condemn you not, or even Susannah and the rest.

If you lie and accuse another of witchcraft, you are exonerated. If you tell the truth, you are imprisoned.

- Heather B. Moore, Condemn Me Not - 

It was unfortunate that I was not able to read this in time for the deadline of the review. This review was supposed to be out last April 1. I apologize to Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the delay and for not being able to give you a heads-up. I was running some errands these past few days, was home late in the evenings and had no energy left but sleep. I assure you this will not happen again. Thank you again for allowing me to review this book.

Also by Heather Moore:

Slave Queen by H. B. Moore
A Second Chance 1of 6 of the Blind Date Collection ( A Timeless Anthology #18)

Love's Shadow (Brothers Maledetti #2) by Nichole Van | A Book Review

This is one of those reviews that were due last week. Finally, I am able to slowly catch up with my overdue reviews. It was sad to not be able to do my book reviews and post on Instagram. I hope I won't get the flu ever and the laptop would not go crazy again. Well, it's still with the technician so it's still to be determined. I am using the other laptop which is painstakingly slow compared to the other one. Better than no computer at all.

Love's Shadow is a very good surprise. I am so in love with the very unique story and the D' Angelo brothers. I was so caught up in the twist, the history and the landscape. Who would not fall in love with the picturesque Italy? Its name alone makes me want for mouth-watering gelato, hand-made pasta and authentic Italian pizza. 

This book felt like a cross between a Steve Berry and a Clive Cussler. Yes, two of my favorite mystery and historical fiction writers. This story just had the complete ingredients of what I so love. History, archaeology, old legends, magic, powers and a love story that promises an unhappy ending. All these elements thrown in, mix well then stir and you will surely end up engrossed and unable to let go until the end. And the best thing? I just realized that this story is part of a series so I could have a few more helpings of this delightful and talented author. This is my first of Nichole Van and I am so impressed. You know what this means? I will be hunting for her other stories because I just can't get over the pleasure of having found this story and this amazing author.

Are you the type of reader who likes to guess what the story is just by looking at the title? I am one. It's not an exact science. Often I feel disappointed to not figure out why the story is entitled as such after reading it. And what an exhilaration it is to be able to grasp and understand why the title fits the story. For this story, I had no idea why it's called Love's Shadow. I don't have any theories. But after reading it, I totally get why the author called this one as it is and I totally agree with it. I book no arguments or any comments. I think the title is very curious. Just as curious as the story is.

This is without a doubt one of the best stories I have read this 2017. Stories like these are what I would die for. The marriage of the past and current events in this story was perfect. How the past events were connected to the present time in this story was seamlessly done. I just loved it. 

No questions asked, I give this book 5/5 pairs of leather gloves. This is just perfect for me. It fits like a glove. Nice to meet you Nichole Van. Looking forward to the next stories in the series.

Why did it have to be this man? Of all the men on Planet Earth? Literally, the one person who would be utterly off limits? Figured I would fall prey to some demented god who got off on cruel ironies.

- Nichole Van, Love's Shadow -  

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the copy. 

Other books in the series:

Gladly Beyond (Brothers Maledetti #1)

Lightning Struck (Brothers Maledetti #3)

Searching for Gatsby (Ronnie Lake Mystery #3) by Niki Danforth | A Book Review

This is my second time to read a Niki Danforth novel. The first time, I had a slight concern because the copy I got seemed to have been a condensed one. Fortunately, this time, this one is a full-length version. I was sent an email asking if I wanted to review this one since I seemed to have enjoyed the second book. Good thing I agreed because this was a really entertaining story.

This is the third book in the series. I had not read the first book but each story is different from each one. This third installment is about mysterious first book editions. The hero in this story, Ronnie Lake is a novice PI. She is like my favorite sleuth Mrs. Pollifax. The circumstances that pushed them to pursue a career in crime detecting or solving mysteries has something to do with the new chapters in their lives. Ronnie, just gotten divorced and is still dealing with the loss of his son, who was a soldier sent to Afghanistan. Mrs. Pollifax and Ronnie Lake, both wanted to do something they have not done before and they are both past their prime. Ronnie is in her fifties. If you are curious about who Mrs. Pollifax is, then you can refer to the following posts. Believe me, she is one amazing woman. You will definitely be addicted to her adventures.

1. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax
2. Mrs. Pollifax on Safari
3. Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station

Back to Searching for Gatsby. The title may not be obvious but it actually says a lot about what the story is about. It is literally searching for Gatsby. A first edition of The Great Gatsby. A unique edition issued to soldiers during the war.

I think of the two books I have read, this is the more engrossing and exciting one. This involved a lot of suspicious characters and will have you reeling who really is the culprit. Who is guilty? This story will have you theorizing and formulating your own hypothesis and come up with possible suspects. You will be so involved in this story that when the bad guy is caught you will also feel relieved. 

I give this book 4/5 old covers of The Great Gatsby. I am looking forward to the next assignments of Ronnie Lake. I actually like that the titles of the two stories. They are really catchy. The both pertain to very popular things. I hope the next book would also sport a very intriguing title.

...how well do you know anyone? You can think you do, and still, sometimes the nicest people turn out to be sociopaths.

- Niki Danforth, Searching for Gatsby - 

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com

Delilah (Ronnie Lake Mystery #2)

All By My Selfie by Jo Noelle | A Book Review

Again, this is one of those books that I was supposed to post a review last March 1st but was not able to because I was feeling a bit under the weather. 

I signed up to review this book because the title made me curious. It appeared to me that this might be a rom-com. But to my surprise, it was but not just all that. 

This book really surprised me. I didn't expect that this has a paranormal aspect to it. The story made me want to be cautious in taking my next selfies. I'm afraid something else or someone I don't want to see may be in it. Am I scaring you? Don't worry, this story was not scary at all. Like Gwen, I wouldn't mind meeting a handsome highlander, even if he may be from another time. 

I think this story was nicely written that the presence of two different times--contemporary and the past combined with the paranormal aspect worked together really well. It seemed that it could be plausible that this can happen in real life. Oh, what very lucky girl to inherit a mansion in Scotland and meeting your soulmate! Yes, this tale makes for a good wishful thinking. It's like inheriting a rich estate and then winning the lottery.

I give the book 4/5 hot guys wearing kilts. Phew! After reading this story, you will wish you have the same luck as Gwen. You will wish that you too will meet a hot guy in a kilt. Or even without the kilt, just a hot guy.

...like a ship you determine your fate, and not some evil wind.

- Jo Noelle, All By My Selfie - 

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com.

Paper Love (A Chicago Christmas #2) by Audrey Wynne | A Book Review

This review was supposed to be due March 1st, but I was not feeling well so I asked for an extension. 

There are two things that hit me with this story. First, was Origami. Yes, the Japanese art of paper folding. I am not really into this art form but this book mentioned something about folding a thousand paper cranes and if you are able to do it then that means your patience will be rewarded. Whatever you wish for will come true. I was thinking of doing the thousand paper cranes because maybe, just maybe, the stroke of bad luck or feeling lost would finally leave me. Believe me, I have tried so hard. But I am also aware that I don't have the healthiest or the strongest self-esteem though I have also tried to love myself more. I blame it all on the bad experiences that I had when I was younger. I realize I don't have that strong foundation of self-confidence growing up. Anyway, I know that my past is not all that I am and I am not letting it dictate my life but I can't help that there are just days that are harder than others.

Enough of me, the other thing that I can relate to in this book is it being set in Chicago. Fortunately, I have been to Chicago once. Some of the places mentioned in this book like the Millennium Park and Navy Pier are places I can remember and etched in my memory. Being in Chicago was one of the most unforgettable times in my life.

All in all, aside from the two things I mentioned, the story did not strike me as very memorable. It was not a very unique story. The main characters are good enough but I wished they had something more to make them unforgettable. So, I am giving it 2/5 paper cranes. The story wasn't bad but it was also not that unique or it could be the characters. Although I admit the guy here, Ben was memorable enough because of the paper cranes but the rest of the cast I think did not have that strong or striking personalities that stand out that would give them enough to recall.  This is just OK.

According to Japanese tradition, the person with enough patience and commitment to create a thousand origami cranes will be granted his most coveted wish.

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com. 

Look to the Stars (The Orien Trilogy #1) by Catherine Wilson | A Book Review

Look to the Stars. Looking at the title may make you think that this is just another love story but it is not. It may not seem like it but this was woven with magic. If you read the blurb, it is also unclear what genre the book is. It only hinted of kingdoms and of secrets. Well, maybe a fantasy? But when you start reading, the first two or three chapters do not even declare what is in store for the readers. Only if you stick it out and read on will you realize that magic and mysterious creatures are part of the story. And far more interesting secrets and mysteries are to be revealed which were much to my delight. Finally, I am assured that I am in for a wondrous surprise. No, my time was not wasted.

As I said, I didn't think this was a paranormal story with a mix of a fairy tale where a lost princess will save the kingdom from a tyrant and evil king. Yes, the title does not imply that. To me, the title hinted of a contemporary romance, not cursed beings and people waiting for a savior or a hero in a form of an eighteen-year-old girl who is none-the-wiser.

I was so relieved when finally, I came upon the chapter where more light was shed into the story. I did not in any way feel bad that the story started out as a little bit of a puzzle for me since I can't readily identify what the genre or figure out the plot. I certainly enjoyed the unpredictability the way the story unfolds. It was what I really loved about it. It's not often that I get thrown by a book because I can't divine it outright. The mystery was killing me but it also made me more curious and got sucked deeper into it.

Penelope Brave or Bravest. I just love that nickname. Yes, it sounds like an endearment because it is. I think if I would be called with such name, it would give me enough strength to be truthfully what the word means. We could all use more than enough bravery to fight all life's battles. And the nickname would sound a lot sweeter if it came from the lips of the one person you want to call you with it.

Bravest is a very feisty, stubborn and a lovable character. I think we all can see a part of ourselves in her. She's one who fights for the people she loves, especially her father. She will do anything, even sacrifice her safety just to get her father back home. There is just one flaw that I found in her character, she does not like to read. 

Capt. Aras Renn of Orien is one very loyal and devoted person. And like Bravest, I too was a bit irritated by his hiding so many secrets. He is not easy to figure out. Though it is so easy for him to annoy Bravest. His retorts were funny and were always right on the dot. 

I think Bravest and Aras make a very good pair. Their banter was always a delight. I give the book 4/5 journals. I liked how I could not easily figure out what this book was about. I love how the author paced the revelation of the secrets, one after the other without the reader anticipating them. They just come out of nowhere. I never saw them coming. I really liked that this book surprised me more than I could count. I just thought that the story ended way too soon but it can also be expected since this is a series. I also appreciated that it ended with a lot of opportunity for speculation. It promises the readers that the surprises are not yet over and you will never know what will come next.

This is a very good book first book. Congratulations Catherine Wilson!

I could look upon every star in the sky, but they'd all just lead me back to you.

- Catherine Wilson, Look to the Stars - 

Thank you again, Kathy, of ebooksforreview.com for the copy.

Evertaster: The Delicious City (Evertaster Series) by Adam Glendon Sidwell | A Book Review

As the title suggests, yes, this book will take you to the Delicious City. My mouth watered and I had this strong compulsion to eat ice cream. I imagined pistachio, mint chocolate, dark chocolate cinnamon and matcha green tea flavored delectable ice cream. But since, I was reading this in the middle of the night and we don't have any ice cream in the fridge to satisfy my craving, I just opted to reminisce those wonderful days of eating gelato. Yum!

Warning: You should not read this book on an empty stomach. This will definitely make you hungrier, if not Hangry!(Combination of Hungry and angry) A lot of delicious food and mouth-watering desserts are mentioned here. Your stomach will doubtlessly react violently to the sumptuous menu prepared and served in this story. 

This story is both entertaining and hilarious. Especially, characters that were named after food. I also liked the fact that Guster, the main character loves cinnamon. I so love cinnamon too. Once, I had tried eating cinnamon rolls everyday for breakfast for more than a week. It felt like I had eaten my year's supply of cinnamon. I actually did not eat cinnamon rolls for months after that. I found out that cinnamon should be taken in little doses to be more enjoyable. I still love it and still eat it sparingly. As much as I can get it, any food with cinnamon, just not everyday.

Back to Guster. This adventure of his is probably the most delicious adventure of all. If being an evertaster is true, I would like to be one. I would like to taste the emotion felt by the chef or person making the food. It would be both fascinating and scary at the time. I think it would make me appreciate more the amount of effort put into creating the gastronomical creations. Not to mention, the amount of love and dedication extended to find exotic ingredients. It would be good to know where the food came from. What obstacles the farmers or the merchants had to undergo to get the vegetables and other products to the end users. It would be a lesson not to waste anything. 

I admit, I am a foodie. I love dining out and trying new food and restaurants. I love to travel too and love to try other cuisines. I also love street food but after I was hospitalized for gastroenteritis, I had been a little careful after that. So, this book undeniably caught the foodie in me. If my copy were a paperback, I would have probably nibbled on the pages of this book.

I give this book 5/5 ice cream cones. I am looking forward to the next culinary adventures of Guster and his family. This made me want to continue to learn to bake. Not that I have given up. I just realized that baking is a relaxing activity for me and I would prefer doing it without any distractions. I want to be able to put all my attention and focus on the pastry. I'd prefer to bake alone or be left alone. Besides, I follow the instructions of tried and tested recipes on the internet which so far have worked for me. One thing I know is that the quality of the flour and other ingredients would matter on how the goodies would turn out. 

Wish you well. May wonderful tastes always find you.

- Adam Glendon Sidwell, Evertaster: The Delicious City - 

Thank you again, ebooksforreview.com, for the copy.

A Country Christmas (A Timeless Regency Collection) by Various Authors | A Book Review

Just ten more days to go before Christmas. Weeeee! Are you excited? What are your plans for the holidays? How do you wish to spend it? 

This book is about spending Christmas. There are three stories which are all really good ones. My favorite would be the second one by Carla Kelly --The Christmas Angle. Here are the stories included in this country Christmas collection.

Saints and Sinners by Josi Kilpack

The Christmas Angle by Carla Kelly

The Perfect Christmas by Jennifer Moore

These three stories are all sweet and warm which make me want to fall in love this Christmas and all Christmases to come. The stories promise a cheerful and more meaningful holidays if they are spent with loved ones. 

I enjoyed The Christmas Angle best because it was a story made more interesting by its characters. I love Master Six. I wish I had his photographic memory, too. Can I wish that this Christmas? If I had a photographic memory, I think it would make things easier for me. I do have a sharp memory but it would be a very impressive ability if it would allow me to read a book in just minutes instead of hours or days. I think, I would have no problem going through my TBR pile. Aside from that, it would also allow me to try to do something else like pursuing a different career which would pave the way for me to really fulfill my passions. Oh, how amazing that would be? Another thing why I find this story very engaging was how arithmetic was shown that it could be a fun and easy subject to learn if taught by a very creative and talented teacher. If I were to teach Math, I wish I could make it appear as enjoyable and as easy as playing pickup sticks.

The other two stories have their own lessons to give also. The Saints and Sinners story proclaims that the best foundation for a good relationship or marriage is friendship. Yes, I know, everyone seems to already know this. It's not new but it is still good not to forget that some of the best and successful marriages are based on friendships. The Perfect Christmas tells us that the spirit of the holiday season is not in the trappings, decorations, the expensive food and the new clothes but the warm, generous and loving company we spend it with. The food may be simple but the love of the family and close friends will make us full.

I give the book 4/5 beautiful Christmas trees. Hope we may all remember the real reason for the season -the season of giving and forgiving. Merry Christmas!

...the worthy poor.

...what constituted the unworthy poor. 

The poor are poor, and worth has nothing to do with it. They have hopes and dreams, too. I know they do, because I am one of them.

- Carla Kelly, The Christmas Angle - 

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com, for the copy.

6th Grade Revengers: Cat Crimes and Wannabes by Steven Whibley | Book Review

I am no stranger to children's books or stories for much younger people. I am in my thirties but I still enjoy reading stories that appeal to the child in me. The story I am reviewing today is a middle grade series.

6th Grade Revengers: Cat Crimes and Wannabes is the first of the series. This involves two 6th graders, obviously. Jared and his partner revenger, Marcus, who happens also to be his best friend. Jared, is a spy-wannabe. He wanted to attend a spy camp and has to come up with the money. He came up with the idea that he will help people who wanted their problems to go away --like a bully or an annoying boyfriend. So, together with Marcus, he set up a website where people can hire the services of the revengers anonymously. Their first assignment was to get rid of a cat that terrorized a street in their neighborhood.

This was a fun read. Jared and Marcus' intentions were very noble and a very creative way to raise money on their own without resorting to anything illegal, immoral or cheating anyone. Instead of Jared asking for money from his parents to fund a hobby, he opted to find his own way. I wish all 6th graders are like these two. I think their first job was to be considered a success after numerous tries and their persistence was just admirable. Their second project, which was Gunner, turned out to be better than what they have wanted. Their plan did not work out the way it was intended but it was ridiculously amusing and a chance of a lifetime Gunner has been waiting for. I could say, these two had a future of making this business venture work. Not to mention, they are actually really good in helping people solve their problems. That purpose alone was bound to make these two successful and worthy of imitation.

Granting that this was a book written for a younger audience, I was glad that I still find this amusing and entertaining. It wasn't written in a way that an adult won't find the story boring or less stimulating. It was a really good adventure and I was rooting for the boys to get rid of the cat. This felt like a Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew kind of book except, the cases the boys handled were not as complicated and criminally-inclined. The cases for the Revengers were trivial and more commonplace yet required a lot of cunning, creativity, and persistence in getting them resolved. 

I give the book 4/5 evil cats. This book screamed creativity and persistence. I guess those two traits are what most people forget when we become adults. Some of us become too carried away by the business of adulting that we sometimes had to set aside our creative side and become too preoccupied to even stop and smell the roses. Persistence, for most of us adults had turned into obsessions. The obsession to excel, to succeed, to get rich and so on. We are too obsessed of getting what we want that we don't care if we hurt people on our way to the top. This two boys will help remind us that we can still do what we most to achieve, at the same time help people, earn praise or money to enable us to further reach our goals.

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com, for the copy.

To Move the World (Power of the Matchmaker #10) by Regina Sirois | A Book Review

E pur si muove. This is Italian for --And yet it moves. This is a quote from the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei. The sentence above plays a very important role in To Move the World by Regina Sirois.

The story is set in the year of 1939, on the brink of the 2nd World War. The heroine, Eve Brannon, is torn between her love for the gentle and quiet farm hand Alan, and the sweet, generous and rich Jonathon Doran. Whom will she choose?

I was so caught up in the delicious language of this prose. Very alluring and sweet. I wanted to devour and get drunk in it. This book contains the most melodious lines and words I have ever encountered. They were so tantalizing and mesmerizing. If it were a buffet, I would have been a glutton who never wanted to leave the table.

The story was simple enough but what made it interesting was the skillful weaving of the words. They were done beautifully that the story was made to appear more than it was. It ceased to become just simply a story between two men in love with the same girl or a love triangle but rather a colorful and amusing tapestry of Eve's life and courtship with the backdrop of an impending war.

To Move the World is a story which tackled the confusion and fear associated with loving a person who is so familiar and comfortable to the possibility of falling in love with another, who was supposedly just a friend who happens to be always there when Eve was in dire need. Of the choice between breaking someone's heart or get your heart broken by the possibility of rejection. It also mirrored the hard life of toil in a sheep farm. The heartbreak of losing one's livelihood and the promise of a better future.

I give the book 4/5 gray dresses. The gray dress represented the choice Eve has made. A choice she was willing to risk even if it will mean her heart will get broken. The gray dress also means that the heart moves. It continues to beat even if it changes its rhythm --beating in symphony to a new sound, instead of the song that it was so familiar and used to.

Our hearts move just like the Earth--circling, circling. It is as hard to change their orbit as it is to move the world.

- Regina Sirois, To Move the World - 

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com, for the copy.

Between Hope and the Highway by Charissa Stastny | A Book Review

I had friends from Manila who came over to Cebu to relax for the Thanksgiving holiday. They work for US-based companies, so they were off last Thursday and Friday. I showed them around so I was also off from reading and writing reviews. We had a really great time catching up and reminiscing our funny experiences and misadventures together. I was reassured that no matter where I am, I have really great friends who are always there for me. I am thankful for all these life-long friends and sisters from another mother that I have found. 

Between Hope and the Highway is a story about moving on, literally and figuratively. This is the story of Lizzie Ruthersford. She moved to Montana to get over a lot of things. You could say, she ran away from a heart-breaking experience, from a mother who suffocates her and to find herself. But in Montana, Lizzie's heart is threatened to be broken again. Will she take to the highway once more?

Yes, this is a story of hope, of love and redemption. And I loved it. I fell in love with Liz and Rawson's characters. Their characters were portrayed as close to people in real life. It did not feel like they were just figments of the imagination. They could easily be you, me or anyone. Very relatable characters that had me clutching my heart and aching for them. Their problems and fears were so real, I felt them too. 

This is one of those stories that is so heartbreaking but was laid out very subtly. It broke my heart little by little as the story unraveled. There were a lot of very witty exchanges between Liz and Rawson that made me teary-eyed with laughter. This book  was filled with really accurate metaphors. I think my e-book copy is riddled with blue all over because I highlighted them all. The smart banter between these two made the story more captivating. It was my favorite part of the book.

Aside from the two main characters I have mentioned, I also love Ben. If I ever have a little brother, I wanted it to be Big Ben. I learned a lot from his character. He is brave and so honest. If teenagers are like him, then the world has less to worry about the future.

Between Hope and the Highway is a story of forgiveness. Of coming to terms with past mistakes and taking responsibility for all the consequences. Of finally, pulling that thorn that had been buried deep within one's chest and coming out clean. This story gave voice to all our endeavors of trying to make the most out of our lives. Of trying to go back into grace, for those who have lost their way. Of changing life directions.

I give this book 5/5 galloping horses. The story has a way of holding on to you. You won't get out of its tight grasp until you reach the end. And it will leave you with so many thoughts. This book discussed very current concerns like bullying, psychological disorders and conditions like bi-polar and down-syndrome and addiction.

Thank you again ebooksforreview.com for the copy.

Delilah ( A Ronnie Lake Mystery #2) by Niki Danforth | A Book Review

Delilah is a story about a cold murder case. Ronnie Lake is a PI-in-the-making (private investigator). Steve Lyla wants to grant his old father's wish to find his aunt's killer. The cold case is assigned to Ronnie. Will she be able to solve the murder that happened about thirty years ago?

Ronnie Lake's character reminds me of my favorite senior citizen spy Mrs. Pollifax. Mrs. Pollifax is a character created by the late Dorothy Gilman. They are both very resourceful and have very strong intuition. It is probably because they are both women and women are known to be more in touch with their intuition. I am always fond of women detectives, spy or PI's. Like Veronica Mars, Rizzoli and Isles, Agent Kensi Blythe and Siva of NCIS and Detective Katherine Chandler of Beauty and the Beast. It is always refreshing to see kick-ass women excel in a profession dominated by males.

This is a very well-written short story which I really hoped was longer. I had no idea who the killer was and Miss Lake was so smart to be able to connect the clues that she has. I never would have figured it out. There was no obvious hint. I liked that even though the story was short, the suspense was never in shortage. It was feat to be able to keep you readers guessing in just a limited time. Other writers do that in a full novel. Good job Miss Danforth! I had my nose in the book the whole time and I was a bit sad that it ended but the ending was good. 

I give the book 4/5 microphones. I wish it were longer so I could see more of Ronnie Lake in action. Guess, I will have to read the prequel to this book so I could get to know more of Miss Lake. I think she is one of those unassuming and amazing characters that I would like to follow. We'll see where her next assignment would take her.

Thank you ebooksforreview.com for the copy in exchange for an honest review.