The Blue Cloak, a review

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Book Description

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History
 
True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.
 
Based on real events beginning in 1797 — Rachel Taylor lives a rather mundane existence at the way station her family runs along the Wilderness Road in Tennessee. She attends her friend’s wedding only to watch it dissolve in horror has the groom, Wiley Harpe, and his cousin become murderers on the run, who drag their families along. Declaring a “war on all humanity,” the Harpes won’t be stopped, and Ben Langford is on their trail to see if his own cousin was one of their latest victims. How many will die before peace can return to the frontier?

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

My local book club read The Gray Chamber last month which introduced me to this series. I like the idea of historical fiction set around mysteries or injustices of the past. When I saw The Blue Cloak centered around (the first) serial killers, I knew I needed to read it, although I wasn't sure if it would deliver the same tense suspense in a book set during modern times. Evil has always existed and though the time period lacks our modern conveniences, evil still existed in cruel and unthinkable ways.
It can be hard to write historical fiction that feels as if it is a true account (or as true as can reasonably be expected with limited primary sources to pull from) and McNear has done that. She includes all the key historical players while telling the story from the viewpoint of two fictional characters. She also manages to weave faith and God's grace in multiple storylines.

I will definitely look for more books in this series as well as read more from McNear.

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

My Long List of Impossible Things by Michelle Barker, A Review

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Book Description

A brilliant historical YA that asks: how do you choose between survival and doing the right thing?

The arrival of the Soviet army in Germany at the end of World War II sends sixteen-year-old Katja and her family into turmoil. The fighting has stopped, but German society is in collapse, resulting in tremendous hardship. With their father gone and few resources available to them, Katja and her sister are forced to flee their home, reassured by their mother that if they can just reach a distant friend in a town far away, things will get better. But their harrowing journey brings danger and violence, and Katja needs to summon all her strength to build a new life, just as she’s questioning everything she thought she knew about her country.

Katja’s bravery and defiance help her deal with the emotional and societal upheaval. But how can she stay true to herself and protect the people she loves when each decision has such far-reaching consequences?

Acclaimed writer Michelle Barker’s second novel explores the chaos and destruction of the Second World War from a perspective rarely examined in YA fiction—the implications of the Soviet occupation on a German population grappling with the horrors of Nazism and its aftermath.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

My Long List of Impossible Things offers a unique perspective in the World War II historical fiction genre. Our heroine, Katja, is older, a teenager, rather than an adult or a child/tween. While her family wasn't pro-Nazi, they were complacent in the sense that they did their best to stay out of the fray. The story begins after the Germans have been defeated and the Soviets are sweeping through, pillaging and seeking revenge as they restore order. Even though the war is over, Katja, along with her mother and sister, are forced to flee their home. They set off for a distant "relative"; they encounter hardship on the journey and the girls are forced to continue without their mother. They must rely on subterfuge to reach safety. Once arriving at their destination, they shroud themselves in half-truths in order to gain refuge. 

In the vein of The Tatooist of Auschwitz, this book tackles the question: What would you do to survive? Some will view Katja and her sister's actions with distaste while others will see the practicality in using whatever advantage one has. Every character in this book has flaws that shape their actions. Each of them have secrets and seem to approach their relationships with an attitude of what's in it for me? Which is interesting because I tend to think this attitude has only begun to exist since the 1980s. 

Katja is a pianist, who had much promise and big dreams. Barker effectively wove music through the story. I found myself pulling up the pieces she mentioned to play in the background. Katja keeps a running mental list of random, significant and insignificant things in her world. This was the other element that I enjoyed most in the book. 

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

On That Easter Morning, A Review

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Book Description

Rediscover the wonder of the first Easter morning...

Alison Jay has illustrated many books for children, and her beautiful paintings are instantly recognizable. In this book see the death and resurrection story of Jesus interpreted in her own unique style, using vignettes, borders and full page art to accompany a sincere retelling of the Easter story.

There are many intriguing people, animals and landscapes to look at along the way, bursting with new details to find with a young child, as you share the story of that special morning.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

This picture book does an incredible job telling the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. I appreciate that the Pasquali stayed true to the biblical text when writing this account for children. She is able to take biblical text, which is broken up into different "scenes" and weave them together into a story that flows well together. This is helpful for young children as they learn about the time leading up to Jesus' death and His subsequent resurrection. I believe it will capture their interest and keep them engaged in a much richer than if they were simply read the text from the Bible. 
I also liked how the author took phrases from the Bible that might be hard for young children to understand and phrased them in a way that will help them comprehend the story. For example, the Biblical text says the soldiers cast lots to see who would keep Jesus' clothes. Pasquali's account says the soldiers "played a game", which is a concept that young children will understand. 

As an early childhood educator, my one caution about this book is the length of the text. For young children, there is a lot of text. My initial reaction was hesitancy to purchase this book for our school. I am reminded however of how much our students love Bible time and are often at their stillest when listening to Bible stories. The power of God's word, coupled with lovely illustrations, I think actually makes this a book that would be enjoyed by children of all ages.

As an early childhood educator, my one caution about this book is the length of the text. For young children, there is a lot of text. My initial reaction was hesitancy to purchase this book for our school. I am reminded however of how much our students love Bible time and are often at their stillest when listening to Bible stories. The power of God's word, coupled with lovely illustrations, I think actually makes this a book that would be enjoyed by children of all ages.

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine

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Book Description

In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children.

Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.

In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

After the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series, which I enjoyed, I wondered if Caine would be able to continue the drama and danger that made the books so captivating now that the protagonist of the series was dead. Within the first sentence, it is clear that while Gwen no longer battles Melvin Royal, she will cross paths with another who is equally evil.

As in previous books, the Proctor family is flawed. Despite the trauma they have endured over recent years, they remain loyal to each and guided by a strong moral compass.

One of the reasons I enjoy this series is due to Caine's ability to pull you into the story in such a way that you feel as if you are actually the character, rather than an observer.

I finished this book just like I ended the others, satisfied that evil was at rest for moment, and anxious for the next part in story. (Write fast Rachel!)

*Note: This series must be read in order. If you haven't read the first book yet, go, right now, and pick up Stillhouse Lake. You're welcome.

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

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Book Description

Robin Windsor has spent most of her life under an assumed name, running from her family's ignominious past. She thought she'd finally found sanctuary in her rather unremarkable used bookstore just up the street from the marina in River City, Michigan. But the store is struggling and the past is hot on her heels.

When she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father's scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the long-lost summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. That book--a first edition Catcher in the Rye--is soon followed by the other books she shared with Peter nearly twenty years ago, with one arriving in the mail each day. But why would Peter be making contact after all these years? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she's about to be exposed all over again?

With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words--the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write--have more power than we imagine.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

This book was so much more than I expected. I saw books on the cover and thought, "Oh, I want to read that!", expecting it to take place in a bookstore and be a nice read.

It's so much more than that. Yes, there is a bookstore: that's all I was right about. Here are the elements I was not expecting out of a (what I thought would be) a fluffy read: a dying bookstore, a dual timeline, a grandmother that doesn't know what nurture is, convict parents. Oh, and let's not forget the crazy parrot.

That list is an odd mix - but trust me - they combine into a compelling story.  At times it seems hard to believe, and yet, we see it in real life all the time. To see Robin grow and finally face the truth about her parents and their crimes is gripping.  This isn't a thriller but it definitely had some plot twists that would rival the best of that genre.  Subtly woven throughout the story is the theme of forgiveness in addition to facing your demons and taking risks.

*Note: after reading this book, I flipped to the back cover and realized that I had read another Erin Bartels' book earlier in the year that also landed on my "best of" list for the year.  This author is now on my radar and I look forward to reading more of her work. 

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey

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Book Description

Selina Lennox is a Bright Young Thing. Her life is a whirl of parties and drinking, pursued by the press and staying on just the right side of scandal, all while running from the life her parents would choose for her.

Lawrence Weston is a penniless painter who stumbles into Selina's orbit one night and can never let her go even while knowing someone of her stature could never end up with someone of his. Except Selina falls hard for Lawrence, envisioning a life of true happiness. But when tragedy strikes, Selina finds herself choosing what's safe over what's right.

Spanning two decades and a seismic shift in British history as World War II approaches, Iona Grey's The Glittering Hour is an epic novel of passion, heartache and loss.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I remembered the first Iona Grey book I read and how much it impacted me so I did not hesitate to say yes to reading her latest.  Grey is a fabulous writer, able to capture human emotion accurately in the written word.  Read this book. It is likely that you will cry (I was sobbing at the end) but you will be better for it, for glimpsing a love and devotion that spans time and distance. 

Reviews for books that I loved at this level are difficult to write. I don't want to spoil anything and yet want to gush with all the details. One of the reasons I enjoyed this book is the language - Grey writes beautifully, which rich, enchanting words. It is so easy to picture the setting of each scene. This book features a dual timeline, which is also handled very well. 

If you enjoy Downton Abbey, this is a book that fits in with that era in history. 

I eagerly await Grey's next book - she has cemented herself on my auto-buy author list. 

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Picture Book Roundup

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Book Description

Mother and Father Koala are suspicious of the “other bears.” They don’t like the panda bears’ looks and they don’t trust the polar bears. The black bears are too noisy and the brown bears have big teeth . . . . But all their grumpiness melts away as they watch the littlest bears play together and realize that their similarities and common needs far outweigh their differences.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

What a delightful book with a big message! We have a bear theme at our preschool each year and I'm always looking for bear books outside of the Winnie the Pooh family. This book went straight into my Amazon cart; it will be perfect to add to our shelves during that unit. I'm a sucker for wonderful illustrations and Thompson did a remarkable job. There is so much detail and culture represented with each bear family leading to even more topics of discussion and discovery. I love that each page has a little hidden teddy bear that adds another fun element of investigation to the book. The end papers highlight different species of bears noting where they are found and a fun fact about them. I would introduce one each day of our unit. Finally, this book is more than great illustrations - the message packs a powerful punch! The Koalas are distressed by all the new, "other" bears and focus on their differences. The Koala children however focus on what elements they bring that are positive, such as their games, stories and songs. It's a beautiful picture of how to welcome in newcomers. I can see great discussions being fostered around the idea that we are all different, but we all contribute to life and we should appreciate that and treat each other kindly. 

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

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Book Description

Nancy knows she's forgotten something. Something important. When she tries to remember, she thinks of all kinds of other things instead. She remembers things she knows and things she doesn't quite know. She remembers things one way, then another. Sometimes she remembers with her ears or her stomach or even her heart. But Nancy knows she's still forgetting something. It's only when Nancy stops thinking altogether that she finally remembers the very important thing she's forgotten. Nancy Knows is the charming story of an elephant who remember lots of things, except the very thing she is trying to remember. Each spread of this whimsical, arresting picture book features fantastic miniature paper sculptures within expressive outlines of a puzzled pachyderm. It's a book not to be forgotten.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

My name is not Nancy and I am not elephant but I can relate! I fell in love with this book because of the artwork. It has the feel of an I Spy book but with sophistication. Young is a talented paper artist and each page reveals her creations: some recognizable and some abstract. There is something to catch the eye every time you read it. 

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

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Book Description

A reassuring and hilarious look at a child’s trepidation about meeting his first babysitter then realizing he adores her! When Ollie’s parents hire a babysitter, Ollie’s cuddle buddy Stubbs imagines the worst: what if the babysitter sprays them with stinky perfume . . . what if the babysitter only cooks yucky green vegetables? But when Ollie and Stubbs meet Ella . . . what happens next just might surprise you! Anke Wagner’s pitch-perfect story and Anne-Kathrin Behl’s humorous illustrations will comfort and entertain!

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

The unknown is often unsettling, no matter what age we are. For young children, this is especially so as they encounter the bigger world around them. This book explores the process of confronting our fears. Ollie's bear imagines the worst possible scenarios, that seem ridiculous from an adult vantage, but are likely to be on target for children. Of course, the babysitter ends up to be a delightful young woman who plays with them and cares for them. 

Bringing in a babysitter can be a tough for parents and children alike; this book will open the conversation about what to expect. 

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

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Book Description

Edie is known for her great outfits and stylish flair. She and her best friend Andrew spend a lot of time playing dress-up. The school hall is their runway. Edie loves the compliments and whispers of admiration, so much so that she begins dressing in increasingly outrageous outfits to get even more attention. No outfit is too bizarre, no costume too flamboyant for Edie. She's so busy coming up with her newest eye-catching ensemble that she doesn't even have time for Andrew anymore ... until one day Edie creates an outfit so weird and so big and bulky that she gets stuck in the doorway. Will anyone notice that this budding fashionista is in trouble?

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

Edie is the most fashionable deer in her school. She enjoys expressing herself with her outfits and loves the attention she gets. I love the confidence she and her best friend have in looking their best.  Edie is compelled to create even more outrageous outfits in an attempt to keep the likes coming. 
For younger students, this is an excellent book to remind students that they should pursue their passions and be themselves. For older students, it can be used to spark discussions revolving around social media and finding value in who you are and not what people say or notice about you on social media. 

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord, A Review

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Book Description

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I hoped to like this book - I thought the cover was adorable and the title drew me in with the social media reference.  I expected to like it, and I did. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, which is a refreshing change to my reading of YA literature. 

This book was utterly adorable! Pepper and Jack and their friends reminded me of the students that I used to teach when I was in the high school realm. Lord captured the world of studies, friends, parents, love and the future perfectly.  It was a little hard for this Texas mom to believe that Pepper's mom was gone all the time but I figure it's NY and a story element. She was the one character that I really didn't connect with. Pepper and Jack are the stars of the show and they both shine brilliantly.  

It's hard to imagine life without social media these days. I thought the Twitter war was a fun way to explore how we interact with each other, how our perceptions of people change, how a screen persona is just a fragment of what makes up a person. It was very well done. Jack's app is a wonderful idea although a bit idealistic. I wish all teens could behave so positively to each other in an anonymous world.

I love working in preschool. But there are times when I miss the days I worked and taught in high school. Teens are a special community and I loved my years I spent working with them. This book made me yearn for those days. 

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it