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.

The Gender Game by Bella Forrest

"A toxic river divides nineteen-year-old Violet Bates's world by gender.
Women rule the East. Men rule the West.
Welcome to the lands of Matrus and Patrus.
Ever since the disappearance of her beloved younger brother, Violet's life has been consumed by an anger she struggles to control. Already a prisoner to her own nation, now she has been sentenced to death for her crimes.
But one decision could save her life.
To enter the kingdom of Patrus, where men rule and women submit.
Everything about the patriarchy is dangerous for a rebellious girl like Violet. She cannot break the rules if she wishes to stay alive. But abiding by rules has never been her strong suit, and when she is thrust into more danger than she could have ever predicted, Violet is forced to sacrifice many things in the forbidden kingdom ... including forbidden love.

In a world divided by gender, only the strongest survive..."

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Opening this book, (well tapping it open) I was really excited to jump right in it. On top of it being the first book I've read for pleasure since school has started up, it was also the first book I got with my Kindle Unlimited subscription, so it had double the hype to live up to; and let me tell you, it did not fail. I finished this thing in 2 days, and am writing this within the hour of finishing because it is that good. 

Now this series has been out for a bit, (this first book originally releasing in September of 2016, with the last in the series releasing July 2017) so some of you may have already read it, but if you haven't then you should! (The whole series is out so no waiting on a book release! ) It is dystopian, being set in the future where, after having to start over, the men and women had different ideas on how to run things...

Our main character here is Violet Bates, a 19 year old women who has been fortunate (???) enough to be born in Matrus, the peace loving city state ran by women. Men here are submissive and if they aren't, then they don't get to stay. The opposite being true for its counterpart, Patrus, where violence isn't necessarily looked down on. 

Its a fair paced book, each important character is unique with their own quirks and ideas. Violet herself is very true to herself, even when her life could be on the line, and while that gets her into trouble, it also helps her out. 

This first installment (out of 7!!!) gives us the basic background we need to understand some of the choices that our heroine and her companions make throughout the book. While she isn't set out to save the world, I have a feeling she may just change it!

It is rated Teen/YA, and contains kidnapping and violence in detail, and implied violence and rape. That being said, I would still be ok with my 13 and 16 year old sisters reading this, as it is all done in a very structured and careful way. 

Pages : 418

You can find the whole series HERE on Amazon.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

"As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers. Charlotte Bronte’s classic tale of morality and social criticism takes on an entirely new life in this Manga Classic adaptation of Jane Eyre."

The tale of Jane Eyre as told by Charlotte Bronte and illustrated by UDON entertainment. Part of the Manga Classics series, this novel brings Jane Eyre to life. Closely following the original book, ( but missing our Mr Rochesters favorite descriptor of dear Jane) it does a wonderful job at showcasing this truly beautiful work in a new light, making this long ( and for some, hard to read) novel accessible to those of us who enjoy some pictures, and maybe not 500 pages of words. This version hits on all the major scenes and themes from the original book. It keeps Jane's personality, independence, and strong will and let's it shine through.

Personally I found it a little fast, but I understand that they are trying to fit a large novel into the size of a manga; and that's not easy! Having read Les Miserables and The Scarlet Letter in this same format, you kind of get a feel for how the structure of the book has to change only so slightly to accommodate.

This novel is great for any reader. If this is your first time or your 20th time reading Jane Eyre, this adaptation is a great choice.

Page Count: 329 ( But it's mostly pictures I promise <3 )

Your can find it HERE on Amazon for Kindle, Paperback, or Hardcover!

Good Morning! So I know i just posted the other day about being back, YAY! And in that post I mentioned having just started a kindle unlimited account to keep books on my phone ALL THE TIME. Well I love this idea and will totally be using it, but I highly enjoy reviewing ARCs. Something about being able to read a book before its released is so exciting! So I am now on Booksprout too!

I will be adding all relevent info to the main page.  I'm still new to it but it doesn't seem to have profile pages that are accessible to readers, but that's ok! Ill be posting all my reviews here and on my bookbub and goodreads pages. I would love to add my reviews to Amazon, buy unfortunately I don't buy enough stuff from them to qualify?? So that's a thing.

Anyways!!!! If you are wanting me to review any upcoming book, shoot me a comment, message or other and let me know! I'm sure i'll be able to find a copy somewhere! <3

Draw Manga: Step-by-Steps, Character Construction, and Projects from the Masters by Sweatdrop Studios

Inside Draw Manga, 140 color illustrations and easy-to-follow directions are divided into three sections: basic tutorials; how to turn raw ideas into finished comics; and projects from the masters, with exhaustive detail on producing professional-grade artwork.

Draw Manga covers not only traditional media such as colored markers, pencils, and watercolors, but also computer-generated manga. And there's advice on special techniques for drawing the distinctive eyes and hairstyles that are the genre's hallmark, as well as on character creation, developing a first sketch, using color and motion, sequencing, pacing, and more.

In Draw Manga, professional manga artists reveal their secrets for drawing individual character elements and creating an effective manga character!

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Draw Manga is divided into three parts. 1.) Basic tutorials 2.) Creations and 3.) Projects.

Part 1 Is a very quick descriptions on how to draw heads, eyes and other body parts. It is not kidding when it says BASIC tutorials. They are quick, and definitely not for the beginner as the book describes. Part 2 is supposed to be step by step creations. This part of the book is to put what you learned in part 1 into action. But its not step by step. In fact it is mostly talking about what is implied by the drawing vs how to draw it (how confident the character looks because of where his head is tilted). Once again this part is not for beginners.
Part 3 the projects. They seem like more complete version of part 2. Having backgrounds added in and shading. Very much not beginner friendly.

i would guess that it is maybe in the "Advanced Beginner" category, because it does expect you to know some stuff already, and it doesn't take the time I would have liked to explain everything. Me being a Non-Artist, I was hoping to gain something from this book, but I mostly got frustrated. The first sketch they expect you to do after Part 1 is a full body and face.

This Isn't to say this book is bad, as I don't believe it is, but, it isn't one I would have picked up had I known its contents ahead of time, and it probably would have been that book that sat on my shelf forever not being read, or being given to a little cousin who can draw better than me..... >.>

It is something I could see as useful for those who have some general skills in art and who have some previous knowledge with drawing Manga. I like this book as it is, if it wasn't marketed as a beginners book.

Pages : 128

Can check it out on Amazon Here 

Hello! And So sorry!

Hello everyone, I'm back! I know I took quite the hiatus recently and would like to apologize for that. With school starting up for both me and my biggest little, it has been crazy! The only books I've had time to read have been some that I don't recommend (unless you are majoring in Business and Accounting then they could be useful! XD).

Anyways, up until now I've been using Netgalley as my primary source for books to review. I will continue to use them as long as they let me( hopefully none of my ARC publishers are mad at me for taking so long.) But I just got Kindle Unlimited! So I will be reviewing books found there as well to fill up this blog!

So if there is anything you would like me to read PLEASE don't hesitate.

Love you all!💙💗💚💛💜❤

Knights Club:The Bands of Bravery by Shuky

"Introducing a new series of interactive, pick-your-panel graphic novels for middle grade readers, full of adventure, magic, and fun! Knights Club is a hilarious, medieval-themed quest for bravery and glory.

The year is 1012 in the kingdom of the good king Louilepou. Three brothers dream of joining the Royal Order of Knights: fearless adventurers, able to travel long distances, slay the most dangerous theives, and defend the valorous peasants. And one of these brothers is you!

But the road to knighthood is long. You must journey through snowy mountains, haunted lakes, and dark forests in search of the bracelets of bravery. During your expedition you will come face-to-face with a troll, an old wizard, or a warrior. You must solve riddles, discover hidden compartments, learn combat techniques, and gather magical objects. Your success depends on your choices alone, because the hero is you!"

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Originally published in 2012 in France as Chevaliers: Journal D'un Heros , this book feels like a throw back to the build-your-own adventure goosebumps books I read as a child. Couple this with me being an avid Dungeons and Dragons player and DM, I had a blast following this adventure! It has a few "game overs" and some surprises that break the 4th wall.... but all of this will keep kids coming back to this story. 

Its full color pages are engaging, and knowing where to go is easy with a quick three page "how-to" at the front. The digital copy I received had 6 character trackers that were dotted (unsure if they will be perforated or simply dotted and need cutting out) but could easily be copied onto lined paper, or in a machine if this book is bought for a classroom.

This story is set apart from other "choose your story books" by having you keep track of what you have done/earned and makes reading feel like a game. The puzzles in it add an extra layer of problem solving that isn't always there in a book, let alone a game.

I cant suggest this book for a Kindle read, as the way you read this book is difficult on a computer (how I received my ARC copy) and I imagine would be slightly frustrating on a small screen as well.

This book is set to release on September 4th 2018 on Amazon here And is now available for preorder!

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Here are a few of the pages from the book to give you an example of the artwork and how this choose your own story flows! (I purposely didn't get the frame # in that second picture as to not ruin the story! And please excuse the grainy quality, that is my phone not the comic!)

   

   

As you can see, your decisions have numbers attached, and you follow the numbers to whatever panel is next in the story progression. This means that sometimes you will visit the same page several times, and that each read through can be different than all the previous ones! You can also see how vibrant and colorful this comic is, and wonderfully detailed in ways it doesn't have to be but it is!

Shields Down, The House of Baric Part One by Jillian Bald

"Long before the time of the Frasers, Poldarks or Crawleys, lived the Barics—Mauro and Resi. Theirs was not an obvious love story, nor set in a place given a lot of attention in history. Croatia was a playground for the decadent Venetians in the lavish baroque era, and Mauro had just reluctantly inherited his father’s noble title of Baron Baric. Mauro’s impending marriage was arranged as a child by his father to settle a debt. Neither he nor his bride cared if the day ever came when Resi would be sent to Baric Castle in the Venetian Empire. When the summons finally arrived in Thessaloniki, it was met with dread. The saga begins as Resi leaves her Ottoman home to an unknown land to marry a stranger: Mauro. Her story—and those of the Barics, their friends, servants, and soldiers—is told in three parts, spanning a continent across empires, bringing together a group of unlikely friends and lovers in the eventful summer of 1649."

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A tentative love story set in the mid 1600's in Croatia. This story brings about a whole new world for those of us who have heard little in our lives of the history behind the country of Croatia. We get to follow the newly weds in this "slice-of-life" like saga, that follows Baron Mauro Baric, and his young bride, Teresa (Resi), as they navigate their (semi) newly found world of aristocracy. From grand balls to everyday life, Shields Down is a beautiful way to introduce a new up and coming indie author.


The first installment is well written, full of vivid description, and transports you to 17th century Croatia with its wordplay. While still being fiction, Jillian makes sure to add a history lesson at the beginning, so you can better understand what is at stake for our main couple, and put yourself into their shoes as far as the backdrop for the story.


In this first novel, you not only get to meet the Baron and Resi, but a whole castle worth of characters that help set up what is sure to be some big plots points in the next two books. While not so much an emotional ride, this series definitely intrigues and is not short on pages! With 612,146  words between the 3 books, you have plenty to read, and with the last book releasing just this past week(!!!) you have no reason not to jump in and read up on the Barics!

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Jillian Bald is an Indie author, new to the scene with her first book (TRILOGY!!!). You can read all about her, and even get a hold of her, through her website jillianbald.com . 
She is already working on her next novel and has some more ideas for 2 other books! So if she has become your favorite up and coming author, then you are in luck, and wont have to wait long to read more by Jillian Bald.

Happy Reading! <3

Being Alpha by Aileen Erin

"For the first time since Tessa met Dastien, life is quiet. The evil witch, Luciana, is six glorious feet under, St. Ailbe's is closed due to human trespassers, and people are finally getting used to the fact that supernaturals exist in the world. It seems like the perfect time for a honeymoon.
After traveling to Dastien's house in Provence, clubbing in Paris, and attending Meredith and Donovan's Full Moon Ceremony in Ireland, Tessa and Dastien head to the Caribbean. Their trip is turning out to be the honeymoon that fantasies are made of-sunset cruises, long walks on the beach, and every romantic cliché you can imagine. Tessa couldn't be happier. Except that Tessa's visions are on the fritz. She hopes that means that nothing is brewing. That everything is quiet because all is well. But Tessa's never been one to assume anything.
When she's magically attacked and nearly dies, Tessa knows she can't ignore the signs anymore. Something huge is going on. As much as she doesn't want to call an end to their six-week honeymoon, it's time to head back to Texas.
Whoever messed with Tessa is in for a rude awakening. Because if there's one thing fighting rogue witches and werewolves has taught her, it's how to be Alpha. "

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Book 7 of the Alpha Girl series. I haven't read the first 6, so going in I was ready to not know ANYTHING about this world. and to see just how much I could garner from the book, I didn't even read the description first, but that didn't matter. Aileen does an amazing job with summarizing what has happened in previous books in a natural way. Within the first couple chapters I knew most of what I needed to, to fully grasp what was going on; and while I continued to gather new information through Being Alpha, about previous books in the series and the history behind the current events, it was a natural process that didn't make me feel overloaded or confused. This process was so subtle and well worked into the book that I could probably go back and read the first 6, and be (mostly) surprised.

This being an early copy of the book, I did find a significant amount of grammatical errors, but more often than not, some smaller words were simply missing. The meaning still came through but it was a little distracting. This should be fixed by the time the book is released, for all I know this is a very early copy and hasn't been through as many edits.

Being Alpha was so easy to get into. Everything is so well described that it leaves you with no questions on what you should be seeing or focusing on or what Tessa is feeling or thinking(or Dastien for that matter, because ya know, werewolf mate bonds.). The pacing is nice, if not a little slow in the beginning.

The relationships involved feel real, and for the most part, are an example of healthy ones. Tessas' marriage to Dastien is supportive both ways, and while that loving "mine" feeling is there, Dastien isn't this possessive "get your hands off her" wolf that is typically seen in books featuring werewolves.

Over all I highly enjoyed his novel and will probably be going to go find the first 6 as well as Lunar Court, which is listed as the 8th book in the series but follows a different character.

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Book1: Becoming Alpha  Book2:Avoiding Alpha & Coming out July 17th 2018 Book7:Being Alpha 

Sheets by Brenna Thummler

"   Marjorie Glatt feels like a ghost. A practical thirteen year old in charge of the family laundry business, her daily routine features unforgiving customers, unbearable P.E. classes, and the fastidious Mr. Saubertuck who is committed to destroying everything she’s worked for.
Wendell is a ghost. A boy who lost his life much too young, his daily routine features ineffective death therapy, a sheet-dependent identity, and a dangerous need to seek purpose in the forbidden human world. When their worlds collide, Marjorie is confronted by unexplainable disasters as Wendell transforms Glatt’s Laundry into his midnight playground, appearing as a mere sheet during the day. While Wendell attempts to create a new afterlife for himself, he unknowingly sabotages the life that Marjorie is struggling to maintain. Sheets illustrates the determination of a young girl to fight, even when all parts of her world seem to be conspiring against her. It proves that second chances are possible whether life feels over or life is over. But above all, it is a story of the forgiveness and unlikely friendship that can only transpire inside a haunted laundromat."

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A look into the life of a child who has to take on more responsibility than she should have to, when she loses her mother. This story of a strong willed young teenager, helped (and even a little hindered at first) by an old friend, while she tries to cope; and help her family cope, and the story of  little ghost who finds himself needing validation that the other ghosts cant give him.

Its a wonderful story, and could easily be adapted to use in a school setting, or counselors office, to help children deal with and understand grief and loss, depression, and alcoholism in themselves and their friends. Perfect for late elementary and middle school children, possibly for younger depending on the child. The artwork is different, but good. It works well with the story.

Definitely not for everyone, very slow (which works for the story) but I had trouble relating with Marjorie, but I am looking forward to the next Thummler novel.

Herakles by Edouard Cour

"Author Edouard Cour revisits one of the greatest Greek myths by painting the often-heroic Herakles as, well . . . somewhat of a jerk. Crude and stubborn at times, in little glimpses we meet a man-half-human, after all-with a psychology more complex than he appears, entangled in guilt over the ghosts who have haunted him since childhood.

A mournful sadness seizes him as he crosses the fleeting silhouettes of a woman and her three children. "Friends or foe, all those who cross his path end up stiff and worm food," ??comments Linos, the ghost of his childhood music teacher. Brimming with pathos and dark humor, this portrait of Herakles is a graphic whirlwind leaving little respite and often revealing beautiful surprises."

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Edouard Cours' take on Herakles is more than worth it. Notably different than the Hercules you are used to seeing on the Disney Channel, Herakles is meant for the adult reader as it follows the mythos. With nudity and the humor to match, this is probably not something you would want you kids to get a hold of, but oh boy should YOU! Just the artwork alone is incredible. the colors were dark and gritty in a good way, helping set the tone for the comic and giving you a sense of how Herakles sees his world.

The story is done well, taking the legend that is Herakles and adding to it. The language used is modern,which makes this an easier read, though you can go pages at a time here and not see a single word and still have the story progress.

The Taco Tuesday Cookbook by Laura Fuentes

"The Taco Tuesday Cookbook is the cookbook your family’s been dreaming of, because if there’s one thing we all can agree on, it’s that tacos are awesome. They’re customizable. They’re quick. They’re tasty. And most importantly, they make us all happy!"

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So I haven't ever reviewed a cookbook before but who can pass up Tacos?? I mean they are tacos! The most awesome thing in the world.

So first off, it is exactly what it says it is : A cookbook about tacos. This book gives you 52 taco recipes so you can literally have a different taco every Tuesday for a whole year. It also provides sauce and drink recipes to add to your amazing main dish! One of the more interesting parts is the recipes for gluten free, vegetarian and paleo options, which means that dietary restrictions shouldn't stop you from 1.) purchasing this book and 2.) eating some freaking tacos on Taco Tuesday!

I did learn something from this book. I have had breakfast burritos before, but until this book I hadn't thought about breakfast tacos, and that alone made me so very excited to keep browsing this book. (Yes browsing, its a cookbook, I'm not going to read every single recipe) Also, the my daughter caught me looking at the breakfast tacos and we ended up having them for breakfast (Totally recommend the black bean and queso breakfast tacos!) and insisted we have tacos for breakfast this morning.

The last thing I would like to say about this cookbook, is that you dont have to have a ridiculous amount of time or money to make these tacos. The breakfast one we had actually said "1 can black beans" because this author KNOWS that soaking beans overnight just for breakfast tacos isn't always something someone can do when you have kids. These are easy recipes that would make a great edition to anyones house.

Hanger by Hirotaka Kisaragi

"In a futuristic Neo-Tokyo, crime is rising rapidly in the wake of a new generation of super-drugs capable of enhancing the user's physical and mental abilities. Hajime Tsukomo is a new recruit on a federal task force trained to go after these powered-up criminals. Now he must team up with Zeroichi, a so-called Hanger looking to reduce his own jail sentence in exchange for helping to take down these chemically-boosted bad guys."

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What appears to be another hit from Kisaragi, Hanger is set up to be a great new manga series that is a must read for fans. Unfortunately I had a hard time reading it due to format issues, which hopefully will not translate out into the actual novel copies.

Hanger jumps right into the action with a nice opening scene presenting us with both main characters front and center. It gives us readers a sense of Zeroichi (01) and Hajimes' relationship and sets us up for great character development throughout the series. The backdrop for this relationship is well thought out and (even if a tad cliched) seems to work well with Kisaragis' style.

The Peoples Awards by Lily Murray

"Welcome to the People Awards! The ceremony is about to begin. Who will win the Best Hat award? Who will be named Bad-Tempered Musical Genius? Who gets the Stand Up For What You Believe In prize?

A celebration of 50 famous people from around the world who made history and changed the world for the better, with stunning art from award-winning artist Ana Albero."

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With full color illustrations, and pages brimming with information on everyone involved, The Peoples Award is a wonderful introduction to history both recent and not so recent, for curious kids! This book introduces you to a historical figure with a 2-3 paragraph blurb of what that person is famous for and gives you 4 great reasons that they have received their award at the bottom of the page. A cartoon representation of each person is given "portrait style" along with a quote. The second page devoted to each person is full of "snapshots", or illustrations of events that happened in that persons life as if a camera had been thee to see it. These are all followed up with descriptions.

Some awards have multiple earners, such as the Trailblazer Award. These pages contain 4 award recipients each who have a kind of "sub award"(ie: the shoot for the stars award) and a short description is given for each person.

Overall this book is a great addition to any curious kids bookshelf, or even a supplement to a history lesson in a school!

A List of all people featured: Albert Einstein • Wangari Maathai • Abraham Lincoln • Valentina Tereshkova • Leonardo da Vinci • Marie Curie • Mahatma Gandi • Trischa Zorn • Pablo Picasso • J. K. Rowling • Vincent Lingiari • Tim Berners-Lee • Ellen de Generes • Nelson Mandela • Mary Anning • Alfred Nobel • Frida Kahlo • Louis Pasteur • Gabriel Garcia Marquez • Olaudah Equiano • David Bowie • Anne Frank • Confucius • Cleopatra • Pelé • Beethoven • Maria Montessori • Tegla Louroupe • Malala Yousefsai • Isaac Newton • Erno Rubik • Sejong the Great • Jan Amos Komenský • Katherine Johnson • Roald Amundsen • Hanae Mori • Eva Peron • Joan of Arc • Sir Donald Bradman • Queen Anna Nzinga • Rosa Parks • Muhammed Ali • Antonia Rodrigues • Simon Bolivar • Rigoberto Munchu • Antoni Gaudí •Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • Hans Christian Andersen • Sappho

The Night Dragon by Naomi Howarth

"“I wish I could fly, and breathe fire, and fill the sky with great grey, sooty clouds,” Maud said to her friend, Mouse.

Maud is picked on by the other dragons, so stays cooped up in her cave, sad and lonely. But when the chance comes, will her friend Mouse help her pluck up the courage to fly? A beautiful picture book about individuality and friendship from Naomi Howarth."

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Bright, brilliant, and intuitive, The Night Dragon is a perfect book for bedtime. Its a very "wind down" style of writing that keeps a kid engaged in the story without riling them up with excess excitement at the crucial point in the night.

Its presents kids with a You-Can-Do-It story, (especially helpful in a time where kids are being faced with bullies more often than not) that shows them that, it doesn't matter what other people say, as long as you believe. It is also a reminder to always stick up for and encourage your friends, because you'd be surprised at what they can do with your support! 

Its nicely paced. The pages do not have a ridiculous amount of text, (which is a deterrent if you have a kid that wants 3 or more stories at bedtime!) and the text is set so that it doesn't detract from the wondrous almost watercolor like illustrations. Definitely recommend.

Welcome Back!

Hope everyone had a great 4th! I know I did! Lots of sun and swimming and a TON of explosives! So I've set up a bunch of stuff today. I've created a profile on Goodreads specifically for this blog. It has a "Currently Reading" section that I will try to keep up to date, and since I can post from here directly to GRs, It will be updated daily(ish) as well!

I also created a Facebook page that is empty at the moment, but everyone uses it so I figured I would need it at some point! XD It also occurred to me today that I had this blog listed as mine on Netgalley using my real name as an ID, so I changed that, Lol. And I will be going by my middle name, Anne, for anything that requires a name for now.

I added 2 more pages that can be found up top there ^ and one reads "Socials". You can find all links there for now. The other reads "Comics" and is blank. It is gonna be that way for now, but i'll let you know when there is content for your perusal!

10 Reasons to Love...a Lion by Frances Lincoln Children's Books

"Lions are magnificent animals! Did you know that lions are the only big cat to live in groups? Or that their roar can be heard for miles? Discover ten reasons why lions are amazing and five ways you can show they love them in this gorgeous picture book. A must for any young animal enthusiast and a fantastic introduction to environmental issues."

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10 Reasons, is a childs' book with full page color photos. It educates the reader on lions using text and images! The text tells you facts, IE: They are social cats. While the images present locales, and other animals, as well as plants that might be found in a lions habitat. This was my favorite part of the book honestly. The facts were something I would look up if a had a question about lions ( which you often have random questions you need to answer if you have kids!) But the illustrations brought the book to life with me.

The facts in the book are well presented and geared towards a 1st or 2nd grader, but are very child friendly even for the younger child.


10 Reasons releases on July 5th 2018!

Mae Vol 1 by Gene Ha

"Mae's beloved older sister, Abbie, has been missing for years. Mae has her theories about where Abbie might be. But nowhere in her wildest imagination do those theories encompass a fantasy world full of terrifying monsters, power-hungry nobles, and nefarious scientists. That is, until Abbie suddenly reappears in Mae's world. And not alone."

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This fully colored novel, has its roots in what has to be some of the Author/Artists fandoms, while still being its own book. Its' hints at Dr Who, Oz, Narnia and others make it a comfortable book to get into. The artists rendering is beautiful and its no wonder way hes won awards for previous work. I feel like Gene Ha is in a unique position because of his many talents, to be able to match the text to the illustrations and vice versa. The pictures and text play well together, and enhance your journey with Mae and Abbie.

With the semi fast pace, you kind of feel rushed to take everything in, but it wasn't a deterrent to keep reading. If anything it made me want to keep reading.

Despite it being a pretty great read, I doubt I would buy it. I usually buy books that I can't stop thinking about, and this one is one that hasn't particularly crossed my mind since reading it.

Mae releases soon July 10th 2018! You can get it here

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It has come to my attention as I was grabbing the Amazon link, that this is a new printing/ new artistic rendering?? of Gene Has' comic released February 2017.

Les Miserables

So after writing my review for Manga Classics The Scarlet Letter, I found the Manga Classics Les Miserables, is curretly released for Free Comic Book Day!, You can find it Here . I will eventually change this page to a review of the book, when I get done with my current list. XD

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, SunNeko Lee, Crystal S Chan, Stacy King

"Nathaniel Hawthorne's powerful tale of forbidden love, shame and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. When Hester Prynne bears an illegitimate child she is introduced to the ugliness, complexity, and ultimately the strength of the human spirit. Though set in a Puritan community during the Colonial American period, the moral dilemmas of personal responsibility and consuming emotions of guilt, anger, loyalty and revenge are timeless.

This manga retelling of Hawthorn’s classic American novel is faithfully adapted by Crystal S. Chan and features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into this tragic saga of Puritan America."

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This is my first time reading "Manga Classics" and when I first realized what it is, I got really excited. Classical novels, in manga form?  Heck yeah! How awesome would that be? So I checked it out.

Crystal Chan does a wonderful job bringing this classic tale to life. While missing some content, it keeps the structure and integrity of Hawthornes' original story. Its easy to read, and flows well, which makes it ideal for those in a classroom setting; or those who do not enjoy the lengthy prose of the classic; but it is by no means a perfect replacement. It does feel a bit rushed in some places and slow in others, and it lacks some of the depth that you get when you read Hawthornes version.

 SunNeko Lee is a wonderful artist, making sure each character has their own image, and are easy to identify. Her backgrounds are beautifully detailed and intricate.

The one thing I found funny was that it read exactly like a manga. Anyone who has read a physical one before knows that you start at the "back" of the book and read right to left towards the "front" of the book. Well this digital copy made me start at page 312 and move forward from there. It confused me at first, because I had expected it to read normally (it being a digital copy and all), but that was definitely a nice touch.



The Scarlet Letter released earlier this year and you can find it Here

Fizz Boom Bath by Caroline & Isabel Bercaw

"Have you ever been at a store and found yourself staring longingly at a table full of scrumptious-looking bath bombs, shower melts, or lotion bars and thought, “Gee, it would be fun to make these at home, but where the heck would I begin?!” Well, we’re here to take the mystery out of bath and body recipes and give you all the tools you need to crown yourself Archbishop of Bathtopia. We’ll hold your hand every step of the way, and then we’ll exfoliate it with some sugar scrub when we’re finished! This book will teach you how to create all kinds of delightful, natural, homemade treats. From fizzers to scrubs, masks to soaps, bubble bars to shower melts, we’ve got you covered."


Written by the two sisters that brought us DaBombFizzers ; and helped spark the popularity of the bath bomb; these teenage "Archbishops of Bathtopia" have a deep understanding of the process and ingredients involved, and the ability to transfer that knowledge to you in book form!

They list everything you could need right up front, both ingredients and equipment. The next part of the book a recipe for a basic bomb, then a whole ton of variations that they actually sell in stores. The last part of the book has all kinds of other "self care" products, such as body scrubs, shower jellies,(which are easier to make than I thought!) and a setting spray I am excited to try.

The artwork is full color, and beautiful renditions of their product ( and what yours could look like!) My daughter is loving this book (even if its on a computer right now) and Im pretty sure she is going to make us buy one when it comes out, and I am waiting for that day.

Release is scheduled for August 7th 2018 here!

Hunters by Maybury, Tierney, and Valderrama

"Famed warrior Azarias has gathered a small army of varied adventurers on a quest to gather the dust of a distant island god in order to save the life of their king. Along the way, they encounter numerous beasts and monsters all in the process of gathering artifacts necessary to locate the island god before ultimately defeating it."

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Hunters is a beautiful comic with new ideas in a throw back to the traditional Fantasy adventure.

 The artwork is detailed, stunning, and in full color you really get to know the world being presented to you. One thing that both surprised me and made me enjoy this more was that each chapter is drawn by a separate artist. You get to see so many different styles and tones for the adventure. The art does  distract from the story a bit at first, (When you get used to one style then get swung into a new one out of no where for the first time) but overall I enjoyed the differing styles.

Hunters is available now on Amazon in Kindle or Paperback edition.


The full roster of talent contributing to this epic tale include Paul Maybury, Josh Tierney, Miguel Valderrama, Carlos Valderrama, Devin Kraft, Anas Awad, Meg Gandy, Jared Morgan, Irene Koh, Kyla Vanderklugt, Benjamin Marra, Alexis Ziritt, Travel Foreman, Carlos Carrasco, Vlad Gusev, and Ramon Sierra.

Truth Seer by Kay L. Moody

"Egypt, 2121. Imara Kalu knows how she wants her future to go: Become a police interrogator in Kenya and then graduate as a truth seer in her last semester of the summer training program. But her plans fall apart when a group of terrorists take over the school and carry out a desperate kidnapping. Devastated that her sister is among the victims, Imara leads a rescue team and descends into the dangerous catacombs where the hostages are rumored to be hidden.

Although suspicious of others because of the truth she sees, Imara knows the rescue team will need her help as a truth seer to bypass the lethal illusions laid by the abductors. But as the terrorist traps escalate, Imara realizes how much truth she’s been ignoring and that holding back could get her sister killed. Throughout the journey, Imara confronts her past and amplifies her abilities as a truth seer only to discover that her sister’s kidnapping is just one piece of a much darker secret."

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When I fist read the Synopsis above, I didn't know quite what I was getting myself into. It didn't sound like something I would normally read. Personally I would class this book as Dystopian Fantasy. Its Universe is not overtly fantastic and borders real life. Its set a hundred years in the future with new tech and most humans have developed a new power known as hila. But this book does deliver. The author is obviously skilled at developing multifaceted characters who do grow and change with their environments. They react and speak how you could imagine someone similar, reacting and speaking. Imara, the main character is given this immense ability that gives her an almost omniscient view of the world and people around her, but she is still in the process of learning to wield it properly which becomes a major source of distress in her life. Her voice is strong and wavers when it makes sense. She has her ticks, and her own quirkiness that makes her relatable, 

I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend this read, to anyone interested in the Fiction genre. Its easy to read, suitable for older children as well as adults. It is part of a Trilogy and I am really excited to be able to read the next two. 

To order your copy from Amazon follow this link! (Opens in new window) : Truth Seer