The Maypop Kidnapping by C Surrisi

Quinnie enjoys living in the little town in Maine.  Her mom wears many hats here.  She's the police chief, the real estate agent, the post master and the chief of police.  Her father owns Gusty's where he serves Gusty burgers and you can get a side of lobster fries.  She gets privately tutored.  What could mess up her life?  A missing tutor, that's what.

Carolrhoda Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published March 1st.

When Quinnie tries to make her mom take a missing persons report, she tells her it's too soon to do so and the teacher probably just forgot her appointment with Quinnie.  Quinnie is not buying it.  She has decided that she must have been kidnapped.

This was an entertaining read because Quinnie is a determined detective.  She's willing to sneak around and do her own investigation (with the help of friends, of course).  She accuses one man and then another of kidnapping her because they had an interest in the missing woman.  While Quinnie is snooping and accusing, some odd folks have come into town.  They eat at her dad's restaurant but she doesn't trust them.

With gang-like members in town and two nuns speeding through, it really turns into quite a story.  I enjoyed the story and it has a sweet ending.  Quinnie makes a good detective even if she drives her parents nuts and was all wrong.

Hinges Book 2: Paper Tigers by Meredith McClaren

Orio is back again with her buddy Bauble.  She still hasn't figured out what Bauble is but he is helping her.  She's found her calling with stitching and mending and life is going better now.  But it doesn't stay that way...

Image Comics sent me a copy of this story for review (thank you).  It's being published today and you can get a copy HERE.

Orio loses Bauble and tries to follow him.  What she finds is that there is wall around the town.  No one talks about it.  As she heads back home, the police take Bauble from her and tell her he's no odd.  She'll have to pick a new one.  She's not going to do that and she decides to approach the magistrate and ask for his return.  Instead, she steals him back.  And now she has to go out beyond the wall...

She and Bauble roam the wilderness hoping to find another town.  What she finds instead is Abernathy.  He's left his city behind and was trying to find hers.  She tells him it's not a good place to be and that's what he tells her about his town. When the paper tigers come to visit, they end up following them and find a forgotten city.  

This story had a bit more text to it and I understood it better than the first one.  I'm still not sure where the author is going with the story but I am sure I'll read the installment when it comes out.  The illustrations appeal to me and the story is magical.  I like it.

A Friend for Mole by Nancy Armo

Mole comes out of his hole to check things out and then can't find the hole again.  He decides to take a nap and doesn't wake up until it's dark outside.  Oh no, now he'll never find it!

Peach Tree Publishers and Net Galley allowed me to read this picture book for review (thank you).  It will be published March 1st.

This is a delightful story with cute creatures.  Mole is small and hairy and hid in some bushes for his nap.  When Mole comes out from behind the bushes and meets the night, he also meets Wolf.  He's a pup and he loves the night but he's afraid of the day.  Mole tells him the day is fine but he is afraid of the night.  They decide to be friends and agree to help each other face their fears.

The illustrations are luscious.  Wolf takes Mole home and tells him he's doesn't live far away.  They agree to get together and play in the future.  Everything is better with a little help.  This was a very cute story that touched my heart.

Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions: Gorilla Tactics by Sheila Grau

Runt always seems to get in trouble, even when he's trying to do something good.  He's working on being a good minion but seems to be lacking in the evil department.  He does have friends and he has a real concern, too.  He's been cursed and will die on his 16th birthday if the curse isn't lifted.  Of course, no one knows who laid the curse or why or how to fix it...

Amulet Books sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published on March 1st and so you have time to read the first book in the series before it's published.

I enjoyed the first one and found this one even better to read.  Runt has settled down and doesn't think he's a werewolf anymore.  He doesn't know quite who he is, but he does know that.  Now he just has to adjust to being human.  That's not easy to do in Minion School.  

Ms. Grau throws in gorillas, an evil school principal, a secret library system, a fashion show and more in this story.  It's busy, has many layers, and I keep wondering when Runt is going to find out about his curse.  The tale rolls and rollicks across the pages and will keep even young readers' eyes on the pages.

The ending is well done and sets the stage for another in this series.  That's good; I'm ready to read the next one.

Little One by Jo Weaver

Mama Bear and her cub come out of the cave after winter is done and explore their world together.

Peach Tree Publishers and Net Galley allowed me to read this picture book for review (thank you).  It will be published March 1st.

The little one is full of wonder.  It's such a big world and there so many new things to smell and eat.  The illustrations are simple but very expressive.  Mama Bear takes good care of her cub and shows her the land and what's safe and what isn't.  

This is a short book with the tale of a year in the life of the cub.  It's mellow enough to be read at bedtime.  You can make the covers on the bed into a "cave" for your child.  When Mama Bear and cub go into the cave to hibernate for winter, you can cover up your child and give them a kiss goodnight.

Surf's Up by Kwame Alexander

Here's a book that talks about two things I love:  Books and the beach.  This is a very cute story with lovely illustrations.  Would you put your book and go surfing or would you take the book with you?

North South Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It is being published today, so you can grab a copy now.

Bro and Dude are both frogs (who look very cute in their swimming trunks).  Dude is all anxious to go surfing but Bro is finishing up his book.  To keep Dude happy, he reads his book on the way to the beach.  As he goes, he cheers and yells and tells Dude just enough to make him curious.  Dude started out thinking he was silly for reading.  By the time they reach the beach, Bro is done with his book and hits the beach.  Dude hits the book and starts reading.

My Mom and I read a lot.  Whichever one of us started the book, the other one waited anxiously for our turn.  I think maybe Bro has started something here.

Serpents in Eden: A British Library Crime Classic edited by Martin Edwards

This anthology caught my eye because not only is about rural mysteries, it had some previously unpublished stories in it.  I'm always in the hunt for stories I haven't read yet.

Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published March 1st.

I found a nice mix of authors I knew and ones I didn't in this collection.  Some were a bit slow and dry, some were really mind twisting, and some were a good romp in the country.  I enjoyed them all but I found the one with Mr. Fortune gratifying.  I enjoy that character.  There are a couple of others where brain power is the deciding factor in finding the killer.  That's another story type I enjoy.

You'll find con men, greedy relatives, angry husbands and more in these stories.  They all get what they deserve in these stories.  Some European mysteries don't end as neatly tied as these did and they bother me.  I don't like seeing the bad guys getting away.  Of course, I'm sure they paid in the end.  What goes around comes around from what I see in life.  My grandpa was more direct.  He said if you laid down with dogs, you'd get up with fleas.

This is a very pleasant group of short stories that are easy to pick up and set down.  I read them all in one sitting because I enjoy them.  I bet you will, too!