Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen by Samantha Wilcox

She was the mother of Henry VIII and wife of Henry VII, but who was Elizabeth of York? Raised as the precious eldest child of Edward IV, Elizabeth had every reason to expect a bright future until Edward died, and her life fell apart.

When Elizabeth's uncle became Richard III, she was forced to choose sides. Should she trust her father's brother and most loyal supporter or honor the betrothal that her mother has made for her to her family's enemy, Henry Tudor?

The choice was made for her on the field at Bosworth, and Elizabeth the Plantagenet princess became the first Tudor queen.

Did Elizabeth find happiness with Henry? And did she ever discover the truth about her missing brothers, who became better known as the Princes in the Tower? 

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Historical fiction is quickly becoming a favorite genre for me, with books like this one paving the way. While Plantagenet Princess was released back in 2015, I only recently became aware of it, and the author.

In this novel you follow the life of Princess Elizabeth of York. Now if you have a hard time keeping all of the Elizabeths' and Edwards' and Henrys' of old England straight, join the club. Going into this I had a vague about WHO I was going to be reading about, and I try not to do any research beforehand so I can get a feel of the fiction part without having that nagging voice that says "Thats not what happened!"

This book is a fairly easy read, and Samantha adds in small details to make it clear who the main character is referencing when so many people of the same name exist. The only thing that made me stop reading on occasion was the P.O.V. changes. They were occasionally abrupt, and made me have to reread it for clarity. I do have to say that the author has a way with surprises. There were several times in the book where I reread the paragraph because I could not believe what I had just read. I am excited to continue my journey into historical fiction with some more of Samanthas' work.


Buy it on Amazon Here

Pages :448 

Connect with Samantha at samanthawilcoxson.blogspot.com or on Twitter @carpe_librum  Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PlantagenetEmbers/

Sota's Knife by Kei Honjo, Yuichiro Sueda

Sota Kitaoka, 20 years old, working at Ginza's famous "Tomikyu" under a strict but passionate boss, struggling and aiming to be a chef.  One day he will make food that reaches peoples' hearts...

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Sota's knife is a fun filled manga, based around food! Sota wants to be a great chef one day, and is trying to work his way up, so he can go home and help his family. So he starts out as a dishwasher in a famous restaurant.

The illustrations are very detailed, and there are footnotes (translation notes??) for various things that help the reader identify what is being drawn. I was expecting Toriko or Food Wars style and happily got a Slice-of-Life feeling from the experience. I would recommend this to most people. Its a pretty laid back read, but I am personally excited to read the next one!

This Manga released on July 4th 2018. You can find it on Amazon

along with the 19 that have been released since then! 

Stephen Hawking by Isabel Sanchez Vegara

New in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Stephen Hawking, the genius physicist and author.

When Stephen Hawking was a little boy, he used to stare up at the stars and wonder about the universe. Although he was never top of the class, his curiosity took him to the best universities in England: Oxford and Cambridge. It also led him to make one of the biggest scientific discoveries of the 20th century: Hawking radiation. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the brilliant physicist's life.

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This adorable little book gives us a brief history of Stephen Hawkings life. (Do you get the joke??) Its written in short simple sentences, with full color illustrations. Perfect for reading to pre-readers, and to extend the library of a little one whose in the throes of learning to read.

It talks about all parts of his life, including about his "rare disease" and its affects on Hawking; including that at the time, the doctors gave him only 2 more years to live. While this style of writing towards kids may seem harsh to some parents, I prefer books that are blunt to a point. And this book walks that line of being blunt enough so that children can get the full effect of the words and the implications behind them, without scaring them. 

I was very surprised and excited when I got to the end of the book, and was given a timeline of Hawkings life, as well as a few actual photos and a couple paragraphs that used his age when referring to certain events. The ending also lists some extra resources to look into if your child becomes especially interested in Hawking.

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This book is part of a series of children's books called Little People Big Dreams. Here is some info on them. 

 Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games, and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

The end of the books lists several board books, and several hardcovers so I will be reviewing as many of those as I can and im even going to add LPBD as a tag since there are quite a few that im hoping to read!

This book is already out! It released on the 5th of February 2019!  You can find it on Amazon, Target, or Barnes and Nobles for about 11 dollars.

Dinner in a DASH by Nancy S. Hughes

Keep your body in tip-top shape with the one diet that all doctors love—and with the speed and convenience of pressure-cooking! The DASH Diet, developed at the National Institutes of Health in the US, is a low-salt, low-sugar, low-fat diet that is good for everyone—but especially for people with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or excessive weight. That's a lot of us!

Until now, there has been no cookbook for tasty and fast DASH meals in the Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker (or "multi-cooker"). In Dinner in a DASH, veteran healthy-cookbook author Nancy S. Hughes delivers 75 recipes that get you from here to a nutritious and delectable dinner in a flash. You'll get all the minerals and proteins you need without an excess of saturated fats, salt, or sugar.

From a homey and comforting Marinara Chicken with Parmesan to an adventuresome plate of Shrimp-Stuffed Poblano Peppers, and from an elegant Salmon on Spinach with Tarragon Mustard Sauce to a casual and carefree Flank Steak with Mushrooms, you'll do your body a world of good while enjoying every minute. Each of the recipes comes with complete nutritional data, and the book opens with a wealth of tips and tricks for mastering the Instant Pot and other electric pressure cookers. For fast and easy dinners full of flavor and nutrients, this is an indispensable book.

Starting off, the title is a play on words for a specific diet type called DASH! It stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. I had not idea this was even a thing until I got a hold of this book. But the introduction does an amazing job at explaining what you'll be getting out of this book in reference to this diet, in easy to understand words. We are taught some of the basics (low salt, high nutrients!) of the Dash diet and how we can use our handy-dandy pressure cookers (or Instant pots) to get healthy, easy, dinners that are not time consuming ('cause you and I both know that once we read that a recipe takes 3 hours of labor we usually decide on something else. XD)

After the Intro, the book has 7 chapters:

Chapter 1: Wraps, Sandwiches, and Tortillas

Chapter 2: Substantial Salads

Chapter 3: Soups, Chilis, Stews and Bowls

Chapter 4: Pasta and Egg Noodle Dinners

Chapter 5: Grain, Rice and Bean Dinners

Chapter 6: Protein and Vegetable Combos

Chapter 7: Fruits and Desserts

The one thing I noticed, which made me enjoy it even more, was that it didn't have a thousand crazy,hard-to-find, never-gonna-use-again herbs, spices, or ingredients. I personally have a decent sized her and spice cabinet, that covers a little more than basic. For someone whos' spice cabinet only contains salt, pepper and paprika, you MAY need to go shopping a bit, but really you should do that whether you buy this book or not. There was almost no fresh ingredients that I couldn't get at my local Walmart, 

Another cool thing about this book is that at the end of each recipe it lists the nutritional facts. Including calories. Which is helpful to anyone on any kind of diet.

So basically if you are someone who needs to be on the Dash diet, or even if you just realllly love your pressure cooker, this book is an awesome addition to your cookbook collection!

This book is set to release on March 12th 2019. I will post a link to where you can buy it when I have one!

The Queens Wings by Jessica Thorne

‘I was born to fly,’ I told my brothers. But it isn’t true. I was born to be a pawn in the great game of royal houses, married to someone – anyone – my family deems suitable. If I’m lucky, he’ll be my own age and bearable. If I’m very lucky, he’ll be someone who understands my need to fight, and to fly...


Bel, born to nobility, would do anything to spend her days alongside her brothers – soaring through the heavens in her beloved flyer. She’s faster than any of them, but she knows her days in the skies are numbered.
When a surprise attack on the palace lands Bel’s father on the throne, her life is forever changed. In order to secure her father’s empire, Bel must travel to a distant land to marry the recently widowed young ruler, Conleith.


But Bel’s new home is less than welcoming: compared to the refined ladies at court, Bel seems like a wild woman, and assassination attempts, treason and mystery threaten her at every turn. With a growing attraction to Con, her life is further complicated by the attentive leader of her bodyguards – a warrior called Shae whom she has loved since childhood…
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Hello again! So todays' review is an upcoming novel set to release in late November 2018. The Queens Wings is a Sci-Fi Fantasy Romance fit for those who love Star Wars, (or at least those who enjoy space travel, and alien life forms) have an itch for something akin to Game of Thrones, but enjoy the flit of romantic undertones ( well ... under and overtones.)

We get to meet Bel, or Belengaria, as we find her true name is, on her home world of Vairian. A strong people they are. Warriors, in a galaxy where most want peace. Looked down upon by most as barbarians who only desire war. We get to meet her briefly before her world is ripped apart, throwing her into a future she had never imagined for herself, but as the warrior she is, she faces this new battle head on, as best as she can.

Honestly, I read 78% of this book( according to my kindle app) before my tablet died and I was forced to stop reading for the night. I resumed it the next morning with a full charge, and let me tell you, I am in love with this world. Thorne does an incredible job and bringing life to the worlds we visit in The Queens Wing. The history she adds in and the culture she had created for each one is dazzling and so easy to slip into and imagine that you are there among the beautiful greenery of Anthaeus. She brings to life the tech of the realms as well, each distinct and flavored, hinting to the culture that created them.

Often you can fall into a pattern when reading, where you can guess everything that is going to happen. This is not one of those books. The surprises throughout this book are truly surprises, and it is what kept me hooked and gripping my tablet for 4 straight hours when I should have been sleeping after 1. I know I've said this before for my favorite female protagonists, but Bel stays true to herself through the entire book, even when she didn't know who that was. Her personality stayed the same, while her ideas and thoughts morphed; as they should; as she grew into the story. 

The Queens Wing is a novel that I feel most could enjoy. Battle and war, love and loss, fear and fire and triumph and loyalty. From teens to adults, and across several genres, this book has something for everyone. 

Pages :  353, but it feels like more, in a good way. 

You can order it here on Amazon!

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OK! So About Jessica Thorne..  Its a penname for the wonderful Ruth. You can find her at http://www.rflong.com , on Goodreads and Twitter under Jessica Thorne, she also has a presence on T
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Betrothed to The Dragon by Kara Lockharte

I like to pretend I’m just another immigrant trying make her way in New York City. You’d recognize the story I tell my human friends: fleeing persecution, a desperate relative brings baby me to America with nothing more than the clothes we wear. Hard work, study and persistence brings prosperity and now I’m on the cusp of starting my museum curatorship career. It’s not the entire truth. Though my family may look human, we are not. We have been called many names, gods, demons, fae, yokai, rakshasas, but we are shen, the wielders of Earth’s magic.We sought asylum in America to escape an immortal monster the Devourer, who is determined to find and eat the magic of every last shen in this world, including me.Even though I am the worst sort of shen, a shen with no ability to use magic. My grandmother’s magic can no longer to protect me.And now, just now, she tells me about the bargain she made with the dominant non-human power of New York to save me.Marriage.To a DRAGON.Monster or not, magic or not, there’s no way I’m marrying a man — a dragon, I don’t know. Even he turns out to be the sexiest panty-melting hunk of a suit I’ve ever seen. Absolutely not. I mean it. Seriously. 

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This is not a book for kids. Just throwing that out there. It is a story of one womans search for safety while and evil being that can destroy worlds is after her, and her subsequent fall into love (and the arms of) her betrothed, a Dragon. It is a harrowing adventure full of magic, and monsters, and detailed fight scenes, and sex. There are lots of twists, some that i guessed ahead of time, and others that took me completely by surprise.

If you aren't into the the sex part, (Or are really wanting the sex part) you should know that there are only 2 major scenes where sex actually happens, as well as a few smaller scenes that involve light foreplay. The major part of this book is the action and the storyline. And let me tell you, Kara has some stuff hidden up her sleeve for this series. She has added some background that has just been hinted at, and I cant wait to see what she does with it.

It is on the short side, I read it in one night. But its fast paced, and a page turner for sure. I'm looking forward to reading the second one here in a few nights (assuming its about the same length as this one.) 

Overall, if you are looking for something new, this could be a god place for you to start!

Pages : 134 

Can be found on Amazon Here for your Kindle, or using Kindle Umlimited.

The Real Witches of New England by Ellen Evert Hopman

Reveals the origins and history of the New England witch hysteria, its continuing repercussions, and the multilayered practices of today’s modern witches 
• Shares the stories of 13 accused witches from the New England colonies through interviews with their living descendants 
• Explores the positive role witches played in rural communities until the dawn of the industrial age, despite ongoing persecution 
• Includes in-depth interviews with 25 modern witchcraft practitioners, interwoven with practical information on the sacred calendar, herb lore, spells, and magical practices 
Exploring how the perception and practices of witches has evolved and expanded over the centuries, Hopman also includes in-depth interviews with 25 modern-day practitioners from a variety of pagan faiths, including druids, wiccans, Celtic reconstructionists, and practitioners of the fairy faith. Emerging from their insights is a treasure trove of practical information on the sacred calendar, herb lore, spells, and magical practices. Bringing together past and present, Hopman reveals what it really means to be a “witch,” redefining the label with dignity and spiritual strength.

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Ok, so first off, as a Pagan, I was super interested in getting my hands on this book. As someone who is married to a history buff, I was even more excited. Now being that I have read a lot on this subject out of curiosity and a craving for how someone like me could have had to live before the 1st amendment, I did still learn some new things from this book. 

On top of providing essential information for any practitioner on our history, it also gives some unique looks into the ritual practices of some more famous modern day practitioners of various faiths. While there are a ton of books written by various authors on their own practices, you are usually get only 1 view per book. The Real Witches of New England gives us multiple views, and to me that is very important to include when speaking on a lifestyle that is so diverse. 

This book has obviously been well researched, and considering that its a historical text, it reads almost like any other book you could pick up. The interviews and the stories presented inside give it that "novel" feel while still keeping it all very informative.This makes it easy to read and makes it a must have for all practitioners, history buffs, and anyone with a piqued curiosity.

Pages : 400

It comes out on September 18th 2018 guys! And you can get it on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, or you can find it at your local bookstore using IndieBound.