Unscripted by Nicole Kronzer

Zelda is seventeen.  She's really happy to be going to improv camp.  She hopes her jokes will get her on a program she admires.  Then she finds her teacher is a really good-looking guy.  She hasn't had a boyfriend before.

Abrams Books sent me a ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published in April.

This book has gay boys and lesbian girls in it but it's done very tastefully.Her brother is gay and a pair of her roommates are lesbian.

There are very few women there and she's the only one on the varsity team.  Her instructor seems interested in her and she likes that.  Her brother warns her against doing things separately with him.  He manages to kiss her but she doesn't know how.  When they go on a walk together and he pins her against a tree.  She tells him no but he won't stop.  So she knees him in the crotch.

In the meantime he picks on her in improv.  He has her portray a prostitute or she's the dead body.  When it's time for her to write a script, he takes it away from her and rewrites it.  He still wants her to go on a walk with him but she's trying to not be alone with him.

In the meantime, she runs into some boy scouts.  They have a camp up there, too.  She develops a relationship with one of them.  When Ben finds out he calls her a whore.  She tries to report him to the management but Ben got there first and they don't believe her.

They end up having a public fight.  They tell her she must leave the school.  She tells them it was self-defense, but they don't care.  The nurse st the facility is from the boy scout camp and she takes her back there.

It's an awful situation to be in but she's not alone...

Murder on Pleasant Avenue by Victoria Thompson

Two men who used to be cops have become private eyes.  They will take the cases the police shrug aside.  They work in the areas of town that are dangerous.  It's common for people with money to suddenly have a wife or child kidnapped and they must pay a ransom to get them back.  If they go to the police, they will kill them...

Berkley and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 28th.

They are asked to find a young woman who went missing.  She just disappeared one afternoon and has been gone a few days.  The man asking them to look has hopes of marrying her.  They begin the search by asking a lot of questions.  Then they find out she has returned but won't speak to anyone.

When they discover where she was held, Gino goes to brace the man he knew took her.  He finds him in the room, dead.  And a cop comes in right behind him and arrests him for the murder.

His partner gets him out of jail and now they have to find the murderer to clear Gino.  They don't have a large staff.  There are the two detectives, a secretary, and the wife of the other detective.  But they accomplish a lot.

The man in love confesses to the crime but they know he didn't do it.  He's afraid his girlfriend might have done it.  So are the detectives...

Rebel in the Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander

Lenora finally finds her way back to the magical library which has every book ever written on its shelves.  But she's shocked.  The library is dark, there are empty shelves, the librarians she knew from her first visit are being fired!

Imprint and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 28th.

This book is full of fantasy.  There is a creature that looks like an octopus but is from outer space.  Her name is Rosa and she has tools of all kinds.  She can clean them up easily and she gives them a transporter to get around the library quickly.

It seems the Dark Ones have taken over the library and brainwashed the director.  Lenora is always fleeing from the Dark Ones since they want to eat her.

Can she outsmart the Dark Ones and save the library or will they win and destroy the library?

Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay Series: CUPCAKE BAKERY MYSTERY (#12)

Melanie is engaged to Joe and things are good in her life.  Her partner in the cupcake shop, Angie, has just found out she's pregnant and she's all hormonal.  One of their employees is thinking of leaving to become a chef.  And their regular customer, Peter doesn't show up his cupcakes he buys every week.  Then she learns Peter's wife is dead...

Berkley and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 28th.

Melanie was friends with Rene and her husband.  She can't believe she's gone.  What's worse is that the autopsy shows she's died of poison and one of the last things she ate was one of Melanie's cupcakes.

The police chief lets  Melanie know that she's a suspect.  Melanie has found so many bodies, the chief thinks maybe she's the one killing them...

Melanie starts her own investigation.  She knows Rene was acting odd but thought it was from overwork.  She was getting a large exhibit put together for display to the town.

She checks everyone out with no suspects jumping out at her.  Then Rene's assistant almost dies and she has her suspect.  But can she prove it?

The Girl in White Gloves: A Novel of Grace Kelly by Kerri Maher

All I knew about Grace Kelly was that she was the Princess of Monaco and lived a fairy tale life.  Reading the fictionalized account of her life let's you know it wasn't like a fairy tale.

Berkley Publishing and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published today.

She lived a quiet life at home but when she went away to college things changed.  She found she enjoyed acting and she also enjoyed men.  She pursued an acting career and got one.  She had several casual affairs that usually ended when she found out they were still married.  When she found one she really loved, her parents wouldn't let her marry him.  So she moved on.

She had quite a few acting roles with older established male actors.  She enjoyed acting but her family didn't approve of that either.  Then she met Prince Rainier.  He's good looking, charming, and gentle with her.  She doesn't expect to be asked to be his bride, but she says yes.

Life is different for her now.  She's Royalty and has no privacy.  She finds he wants to tell her what to do. The first unfortunate thing is that he doesn't want her to act anymore.  She has three children with him and they are her life.

The longer they are married, the more they disagree.  She'd leave him but the contract she signed said the children would remain with him.  She bides her time.  She plans to move when the children are old enough to visit without his permission and she has another movie she will audition for.  She's found a happy ending but it's not meant to be...

The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-Mcginnis

What if you were still a child and your mother got Alzheimer's?  That's the main story line and it tugs at your heartstrings...

Bloomsbury Children's Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 28th.

Cassie remembers how her mother was and it makes her sad to see her forget things and get confused.  She does unusual things, like eat three potato chips at a time.  She didn't do that before.

Cassie's father has made new rules about what her mother can do.  He doesn't want her to go outside because she might not find her way home again or she might act funny and draw attention they don't need.  But when Cassie goes in the kitchen to get her a root beer, she finds the front door open.  She rushes out after her and they go for a walk.  It's not too bad.  It's so pleasant, Cassie falls asleep where they were admiring the clouds.  Her mother is gone again but this time she's sitting in a lawn chair a ways away.  Cassie sits with her a bit and then they wander home.  She better understands her father's point now.

More than anything she wants to take her mother to see some dolphins.  Her mother might not be able to remember her name but she'll never forget swimming withe dolphins in the ocean.  She has some money she saved and after her dad goes to work, Cassie sneaks her mom down to the bus depot and they head for San Diego to take in a dolphin show  It doesn't turn out like she planned.  Her mom swims with the dolphins and then wants to do it again when they put on their performance for the audience.  It takes both Cassie and the trainer to keep her out of the pool.

If your child is around anyone with Alzheimer's or Dementia, this story will give them an idea of what happens and what to expect.  It's harder to understand when you're young.

This is a good honest story but you can feel the sadness of the situation.  All you can do is love them and protect them as best you can.

Spark and the League of Ursus by Robert Repino

This is a fantasy novel in which teddy bears come to life and do all they can to protect their human.  There are monsters out at night, you know.  I still have my teddy bear I was given as a child and that was a long time ago.  I'm sure he protected me from monsters...

Quirk Books and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 21st.

As children age, some think they don't need their teddy bear any longer.  That's a mistake.  When Loretta lets hers sleep with her, a monster opens a portal and tries to take her.  Her bear fights him off.  But then they hear another girl in town is missing and no one can find her.

Then Loretta's brother is taken and the bears know he will come back to get her.  So they work on weapons they can use against him.  They also hope to get her brother back.

When the portal opens the monster is huge.  He's grown with each kidnapping.  Will the bears be able to beat him?  They will fight and if necessary they will die...

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

When the depression hit, both Ellie's parents lost their jobs.  The next thing to go was their home.  So they moved up the mountain and started building a home there.  It was slow and they didn't have much but the family of five has each other...

Dutton Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 21st.

Suddenly Ellie starts finding little figures carved from wood.  She thinks she sees someone but they are gone before she can even think of catching them.  She loves the little figurines and hides them away so her little brother won't take them.

Her father is in a coma, a tree hit him.  She tries all kinds of home remedies and whatever else she can think of to make him better.  Her mother and older sister get angry with her odd attempts.  She remembers that the hag at the top of the hill helped him with a different problem so she goes up to find her and chat with her.  The problem is that she's not well either and now Ellie has two patients...

She finds a boy about her age there, he was the one who did the carvings.They work on helping the old woman. As time goes on, she finds out the old lady used to be a nurse in town, that the young man is her grandson, and that her own son has died

Ellie is still trying to find a cure for her daddy.  Then the old woman gets worse.  She can't help them both so far apart, so she moves her with the boy's help and takes her home.  Her mother isn't too excited about that but she accepts it.  It's a hard row to hoe, but they work on it together.  Ellie even gets to keep the puppy she brought back from death.

This is a good read about simpler times.  It's also filled with herbal knowledge.

Mayowa and the Masquerades by Lola Shoneyin, Francis Blake

Mayowa is unhappy to hear they will be going to visit his grandmother.  Especially when he has to leave his computer home...

Cassava Republic Press and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 14th.

When he gets there, his grandmother introduces him to Denuyi, another boy around his age.  Denuyi teaches him how to play.  The boys chase grasshoppers, dip their feet into a stream, visit piglets, and climb a tree.  He joins in the masquerade parade and dances up a storm.  He's having fun!

And he's doing it without his computer...

Rival Magic by Deva Fagan

Antonia really wants to be a wizard.  But all her reading and learning have not given her enough power to be a good one.  The worst part is that the scullery maid has more power than she has even if she can't quite say the mage words right.  How embarrassing.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 21st.

When their master is accused of treason, they are determined to find out the truth.  The first thing Antonia finds out is that her friend isn't really a friend.  She is of the other party and they are on opposite sides.  But their magic is stronger together, can they get over their differences?  They will need to if they are to survive.  There's an evil man who is petrifying his enemies.  Can they beat him?

There's a lesson to be learned here.  We're all different and have different skills but if we work together it makes us stronger.  We can also accomplish a lot more.

This was enjoyable read and the turnips danced.  What more could you want?

Always on My Mind by Andrea Downing

She's a hippie and he's a cowboy.  She needs a place to stay after Cooper knocks Dave down to size.  He suggest his ranch.  He has a spare bedroom.  She agrees and begins cooking his meals for him.  In time, she's warming his bed.

The author shared a copy of her book with me for review (thank you).  It is being published today so you can grab a copy now.

She finds herself falling in love with him.  He teaches her to ride a horse.  He can be loving but he never tells her he loves her.  He's also made it plain he doesn't want any accidents and suddenly she finds herself pregnant.  She decides to move on.

The ending is sweet and this was a very enjoyable read, even if I wanted to pick them both up and shake them.  They finally got some sense by the end of the book.

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Carly knows very little about her aunt.  She disappeared thirty-five years ago.  Is she dead or is she hiding?  She decides to go to the town and see what she can find out.  She even signs on as a night clerk at the same motel...

Berkley and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It's being published today.

What Carly finds is that several women were killed in this small town.  Different years, just dead bodies to be found and no relationship between the women.  There was one witness who said she saw a salesman go up to the house but she never saw him leave.  Her aunt Viv (years ago) starts watching the salesman that use the motel.

Carly also finds that the motel is haunted.  She sees Betty, another dead woman dumped on the construction site before the motel was built.  She also sees a young boy that died in the swimming pool.  And she can smell the cigarette smoke of a previous night clerk that died from a heart attack.  He eventually shows himself to her, too.  They try to warn her of danger, but she doesn't understand.

With ghosts and killers from the past and in the present, it makes you wonder who is going to win.  It's a suspenseful read, with Viv and Carly sharing chapters.  Pay attention to which one you're reading about or you'll get confused.

The ending was something else.  I'm just glad Carly found herself a boyfriend.

One Minute Out by Mark Greaney

He's on a mission in Croatia but he never expected to find a human trafficking site.  They steal or talk young women into leaving their homes for a better life, but it's a lie.  They get turned into sex slaves...

Berkley sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published February 18th.

Gentry wants to help them but his handlers aren't interested.  Then he finds out that director of the sex trafficking scheme is useful to them and when he insists on helping the women, he's told not to kill the director.  He doesn't like that but he agrees.

Since the agency won't help, he visits a gangster and gets the name of gunman who will.  Gentry is an assassin and these men are killers.  He gathers them together and they start retrieving the girls.  They all have guards, so there's plenty of killing.

This story reminded me of James Bond.  No matter the odds, they keep going.They end up losing some men but they don't stop.

There's a young woman helping Gentry.  Her sister is missing and she's sure that these men have her.  He tries to keep her out of the action but it doesn't take long for the other side to decide her sister is a bargaining chip.  Now they have to be very careful if they want to get her back alive...

This is an action packed tension driven story.  He could die at any time but he doesn't.  I especially liked the ending.  The director is going to wish he never took him on.

ZooEscape by Rehan Riaz, James Lee Tully

Percy the Hunter is going to find jungle animals he can sell to the zoo.

Publishing Push and the author shared a copy with me so I could review this book (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

The first animal he catches is a fox.  She thinks about how she can get out of the cage and tells him if he sets her free, she'll help him hunt.  He agrees.

She finds him an elephant, a tiger, a monkey and a hippo.  Then they go to the zoo.  The gates are locked and no one comes to let them in.  Then the animals go into action.  The elephant breaks the gates down.  The monkey finds the keys to the cages and starts letting animals out...

Percy's dream doesn't come true, and I'm glad.  The illustrations are great.  Little ones will have fun with this book.

Make sure you watch the snake.  He gets around and he wasn't even one of the captured animals...

Crocodile's Crossing by Yoeri Slegers

Home isn't home anymore for the crocodile, so he sets out on a journey to find another.  Unfortunately much of the land is already developed and no one wants to share with a great big green fella with sharp teeth.  They run him off.  He keeps looking.

Flyaway Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to review this book (thank you).  It will be published April 14th.

He searches and searches until he runs out of food.  He's also very tired so he lays down to nap.  When he wakes up he's surrounded by mice.  The most amazing part is that they are friendly.  They offer him cheese, which he samples and likes and he asks if it would be OK to build a home there.  They say yes.  He even saves one from drowning, but he's still missing something.  Then he gets another surprise...

Overruled! Hank Davis (Edited by), Christopher Ruocchio (Edited by)

Court can be a boring place.  Everyone takes an oath and speaks in deference to the judge.  Have you ever wondered what it would be like in the future?  Read this book.

Baen Books and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 7th.

This is a collection of stories from the old masters to the newer sci-fi authors.  I love short stories so this was right up my alley.  The modern lawyers were very interesting.  One had robot aides that helped him win his case.

One man who was found guilty got a mark on his forehead that made him "invisible" to other people.  He'd sneak into places he couldn't go normally, like women's baths.  But once was enough.  No one would wait on him, so he helped himself to what he wanted.  Nobody would talk to him and he had to live that way for a year...

It seems everyone had decent attorneys, so there are interesting legal battles.  Sometimes the judge's ruling was given regrettably.  He had to follow the letter of the law, but he didn't like it.

The stories all have a little kicker in them somewhere.  I didn't find any of them boring.  If you enjoy science fiction/fantasy, you'll enjoy this read.

Australia Burns Volume One (Show Australia Some Love Book 1) by Wild Rose Press Authors

This book is the first in a series of three.  The authors are donating the proceeds to various Australian charities to help them recover from the fires.  This is an anthology of short stories.   The stories are varied.  It ranges from romance to murder and there's even a western in the batch.  They are all worth a read.

Here is a list of the stories:

A Solicitous Wife by Madeleine McDonald
No One Knew by Larry Farmer
Pinochle by Brenda Whiteside
The Tuesday Night Meeting by Peggy Jaeger
911, What's Your Emergency? by D. V. Stone
Tall Tales by Laura Strickland
Fare Gain by Alexandra Christle
The Note by Stephen B. King
Three Ghosts by Julie Howard
Detective Paws and Lip Gloss by Maureen L. Bonatch
The Ring by Margaret Ann Spence
Portrait of a Gunfighter by Hywela Lyn
Six Hours or So by Lisa Wilkes
Prussic Acid by Melody DeBlois

Tall Tales by Laura Strickland is about an old man who uses his tales for extra income.  That one tickled me.  Detective Paws and Lip Gloss by Maureen L. Bonatch was a fun tale to read and even gets her the job she wanted.  I love animals in stories.  And Prussic Acid  by Melody DeBlois is a grisly tale that is finally brought to light.  It's sad but justice prevails.  That's just a sampling of the various tastes of the stories.

There's a prize that will be given away:  
 
The publisher will give away a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway HERE.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found HERE.

The Big Finish by Brooke Fossey

He's eighty-eight and living in an assisted living unit with his friend and roommate, Carl.  He's totally amazed when some young girl climbs into their room in the middle of the night.  When Duffy asks her what she thinks she's doing.  She says she's looking for her grandfather.  Carl never mentioned anything about a granddaughter...

Berkley and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 14th.

Duffy soon figures out the young woman is an alcoholic.  He's been one in the past and he wants to help her.  She doesn't want his help.  They can't hide her in their room.  She says she has no where to go.  Carl asks her where her mother is.  She tells him she died two weeks ago.

They get some help from the cook and find a room they can put her in.  Duffy visits as she goes through the stages of withdrawal.  It's hard but she's trying to clean up.

Then her boss shows up.  He wants her back.  But the grandpas don't want to give her back.  They tell him she's not there.

They have to hide her from the nurses, the boss, and gossipy folk.  It's a chore.  Then they see her boss again.  He tells them she wrecked his truck and she owes him for that.  They agree to meet him to get her clothes and to get her mother's ashes.  That doesn't go as well as it should but they get rid of him finally.

I spent time with both sets of grandparents in my younger life.  Never assume old people are dumb and they are often stronger than you know.  This book is a good example of that.

Blue Skies by Anne Bustard

Glory Bea believes in miracles.  Her grandmother plays matchmaker and has matched up thirty-nine couples so far.  Since her father went missing in action in France, she's still waiting for his return...

Simon & Schuster sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).   It will be published on March 1st.

When her father's friend comes to visit, she decides she doesn't like him.  Especially when he starts dating her mother.  She refuses to believe her father isn't coming back.  Maybe he has amnesia.

Then France is sending gifts to thank the US for its help in the war.  She decides her father will be on that train.   He's not.  Her father's friend is the one who finally makes her believe he's not returning.

This is a somber story but it ends with comfort from an unexpected source.  Gory Bea's skies will be blue again...

The Ice Cream Man & Other Stories by Sam Pink

These stories are free form.  It's a bit like poetry.  Some don't seem to make sense but I think how you view the stories has to do with where you are in life.  One that seems silly to you might make perfect sense to someone else.

Soft Skull Press sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published March 3rd.

My favorite read was The Ice Cream Man.  He's on a new job ans establishing his routes.  He's looking forward to his first paycheck.  Then he finds out he has debt to pay off before he gets it.  His customer used to work there.   He calls them to verify that.  They tell him they can discuss it when he returns.  I just love what he does next...

These stories are unusual and a bit odd but they do keep your attention.  It was an interesting read.

Death of a Bean Counter by Sandra Balzo

Maggy loves their coffee house and how successful they are.  But when her partner tries to talk her into selling luxe espresso machines, she's not sold on the idea.  Why take customers away from themselves?  It gets worse when her barista is arrested onn suspicion of murder...

Severn House and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 7th.

Maggy didn't even know Amy was dating the victim.  Then she finds out she was the last person to see him alive and they had a huge fight before she left.  He surprised her with a marriage proposal, very public, and she said yes rather than embarrass him in the restaurant.  But once they got back to his place, she gave him the ring back.  They'd only been dating three weeks, she wasn't ready to  commit to anything yet.  There were witnesses to their shouting match.  Amy swears she didn't kill him.

Then they learn he was stealing money from his customers at the bank.  That opens up a lot more suspects.  Even his children might have done it because he was going to change his will and give his house and assets to Amy.

Maggie's boyfriend is the sheriff but he's not sharing much with her.  She decides to investigate herself.  But she better be careful...

Blood Countess by Lana Popvic

This is a fictional story of a woman called Countess Dracula.  She murdered at least 600 women before she was imprisoned.  It's also the story of a girl who became her chambermaid and more...

Abrams Books sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been oublished and you can get a copy now.

Anna met the Countess almost by accident but they clicked.  She admired the Countess and she felt like they knew each other. The next day, a knight calls at her house and says the Countess wants her for a chambermaid.  Her father won't let her go, he wants more money.  Then a horse kicks him in the head and he dies, so Anna sets out for the castle determined to help her mother and siblings survive.

When she gets there the countess tells her she's already added a chambermaid, so she'll have to work as scullery maid.  That's backbreaking work but it does provide a bit of money.  Eventually she gets to be chambermaid.  The countess lets her share her bed when her husband isn't there.  Anna can't believe the things she does and how much she enjoys hurting people.  She treats her servants as disposable.  She doesn't care if they die.  And Anna has to be careful.  If you disagree with the Countess, you may be the next victim. Can Anna get away alive?

Star Pig by Delilah S. Dawson, Francesco Gaston (Illustrated by)

In the future you'll want to think seriously before sending your child off to camp.  That's where Vess is headed when their ship hits an asteroid body and disintegrates...

IDW Publishing and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read and review this book (thank you).  It will publish March 10th.

As she watches the other passengers die, she says her final farewells to her family.  But when she wakes up again, she's safe. A gigantic, space-faring water bear has grabbed her and is keeping her alive.  They get rescued by a spaceship but the being it isn't friendly.  As she fights him, she falls and hurts her head.  The water bear (who more closely resembles a pink pig) takes her to the hospital on the next planet, she meets a boy she is immediately taken with.  He offers her and her bear passage home.  She accepts.  But he's not a boy.  He's a shapeshifting alien that wants to eat them!  Will they get away?  Will they ever get to go home?  Read it and see.

This is a graphic novel with vibrant colors and great imaginations for how the aliens will look.  It's a fun read the young adults should enjoy.

Go Get 'em Tiger! by Sabrina Moyle, Eunice Moyle

This is a children's picture book that is full of encouragement.  It's almost like a cheer leading team  on each page!

Abrams Books sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be pumlished March 10th.

Not everything runs smoothly, life isn't like that.  But you don't give up, you just learn a lesson and move on.

The illustrations are vibrant and the book has more than one good message in it for young readers.  This book was very well done.

Binkle's Time to Fly by Sharmila Collins, Carolina Rabei

Binkle can't wait until he gets his wings!  But when he does, they are damaged.  He can't fly.  So he hides under a leaf.

Flyaway Books and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published February 4th.

Two butterflies say they can help him.  They introduce him to spiders and silk worms who work on strengthening his wings.  Other animals give him colors for his wings.  He's afraid to look but the butterflies encourage him.  He's amazed!  He can fly now.

A share of the sales proceeds will go to help research on the author's child's disease.  This book has good lesson about if we all work together, things can be accomplished.  Buy the book for your child and help another.

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes, Elizabeth Zunon

This is a sweet little tale of a young girl who doesn't want to go to bed.  She thinks there are monsters under her bed, but her Mom chases them all away...

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and Edelweiss allowed me to download and read this book.  It has already been published, so you can grab a copy now.

First, she gets up for a glass of water.  Then she gets up to use the bathroom.  When Mom and Dad go to bed, they hear a little voice asking if she can sleep with them.  When she gets in bed all the animals she's imagined crawl in as well.  And everyone goes nighty nite...

The illustrations are colorful and fun.

Rough Justice by Matt Hilton

Tess Grey is a private investigator.  When a plane crashes in the woods killing the pilot and the co-pilot, there's a rumor that a woman was on board and survived.  She's sent to check it out.  She takes her lover with her.  He invites a fellow trying to hide from gun runners.  Who's going to look in the woods for him?

Severn House and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 7th.

They take weapons with them and a bit of backup ammunition because there are bears and other wild animals in the area they'll be in.  They see no sign of the woman.  They talk to the forest service personnel in the area but they say there were no survivors.  Tess doesn't believe them.  As she keeps working on them, the youngest one tells her he can see men in the woods around them on his tracking device.  Tess' lover, Po, heads out to stop them.  He returns with them.  They were after Pinky, who has retired from gun running.  But there are more guns coming...

Two undercover DEA agents are after each other.  One has stolen papers to prove higher ups are dealing in drugs.  The other is trying to stop her.  Tess and the forest rangers are in the way.  So are the town residents.  The one after the papers intends to kill them all...  She didn't realize Tess and her friends can take care of themselves.

There is a lot of killings, mostly in self-defense.  There is justice in the end but the woman who took all the risks isn't there to see it.  I bet Tess will ask a few more questions before taking on another government job...

Changing the Equation by Tonya Bolden

This is a fascinating look at what black women bring to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in America.  They may be immigrants in the past or present but they add to our knowledge.

Abram's sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published March 3rd.

This book is written for young readers so it's much less dry than adult non-fiction.  There are also lots of pictures to help you envision the era and the challenges they faced.

The early pioneers in this field were scorned for wanting to know the sciences since they were women..  They were also felt to be inferior because they were black.  It's hard to go on in schooling when no one likes you and they all keep telling you that you will fail.  Maybe some did but these women ignored the naysayers and even went so far in their education they got P. H. D.'s.

They looked hard at the sciences and took the time they needed to work out the mysteries.  The white men didn't have to work that hard.  The women had to if they wished to succeed.

I found this to be an enjoyable read.  I enjoy reading stories of those who fought the odds and won.  I graduated from college at forty and that took some effort, too.  I was working fulltime, sometimes had night meeting but I took night classes and made the dean's list.  Sometimes you have to fight for what you want.

Magic Required by Obert Skye

When Ozzy's parents are kidnapped, he advertises for a wizard to get them back.  The Wizard he gets, Rin, is sort of hit or miss but he's the applicant.  Ozzy has a special power his parents gave him but it's not very useful.  But Ray, a nasty man, wants to capture Ozzy and steal his blood so he can have those strange powers.  He wants to rule the world!

Shadow Mountain and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on April 7th.

Ozzy is friends with Sigi, Rin's daughter.  They are on the run from Ray.  His thugs show up everywhere.  Ozzy has a mechanical raven that warns him and defends him from trouble.

There's danger everywhere.  The police are trying to protect Ozzy but that's hard to do when he sneaks off.

Ozzy finds out his father is dead but his mother is still missing.  He loses his bird to the thugs that work for Ray.  Rin saves him from Ray but Ray isn't giving up.  They meet in a public place and then Rin does a big magic trick.  Even Ray is caught unaware.

Ozzy finds out where his mother is.  He also finds out he has magic!  Things don't end so well for Ray...

The Light After the War by Anita Abriel

They were on a train going to work camp run by the Nazis.  Vera's mother come up with a plan to save them.  The two girls jump from the train but their mothers don't make it.  For a year they live in a barn.   Then they get brave enough to venture out...

Atria Books sent me a copy of this book to read and review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

This story is based on true historical events.  The author heard this tale from family members and created this tale.

The girls manage to find work.  Vera is working at the US Enbassy while Edith is working for a seamstress.

Vera falls in love with her boss.  Edith loves anyone that loves her and has a busy social life.  Vera wants to marry Anton but he had mumps as a child and is sterile.  She would marry him despite that but he thinks she would resent not having children.

Eventually her father and mother are reunited with her.  She thought they were dead.  Unfortunately, Edith's fiance and mother both died.

Vera marries her new boyfriend and then finds out how jealous he is.  When he shoots her for sitting with some men at the diner and then kills himself, she finds herself pregnant and alone.  She goes to live with her parents.

Despite the travails of being a Jew and losing her husband, Vera has a happy surprise coming that will make her and you both smile.  Her life is going to turn out alright...