January YA Reads

I'm mad for Madly, speechless for Soundless, and leery of A Thousand Nights.

Madly by Amy Alward is the first book of in the new series, Potion. It was a mix between modern living and fairy tale themes. A magic potion goes horribly wrong and the kingdom announces a hunt for the cure. It's a race against time and ingredients. Will synthetics work or are all natural items only work? Can hunters work together or will their tear each other apart?

What a great adventure! The mix of old and new was fascinating. The alchemist details of different ingredients all over the text were delightful to uncover. Friendship and family ties are tested. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

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Soundless by Michelle Mead is a standalone novel. An entire village is deaf. They communicate by sign language and painted news. Years have passed by and now the people are slowly loosing their sight as well. Something needs to change or everyone will be lost. Unexpectedly, Fei begins to hear. With a new sense, she can save her town!

I thought this story was fascinating. I loved the descriptions of sound. It's something I've never thought about describing sounds beyond the sound my car is making or the occasional "did you hear that?" I also liked the quickness of the book. It's a shorter story than the usual YA novel and it's was refreshing to read something in a couple hours.

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A Thousand Nights by E. K. Johnston is a new twist on the title of an old tale A Thousand and One Nights. The king continues to seek a wife because he's killed 300 of them. There is something inside of him that has taken over. A sister takes a stand when the king comes to her village. She wants to save her sister from such a terrible and brief life.

This was an okay story for me. The thing living inside the king is a demon that tortures him and feeds off his people and his past wives. There is an energy from his new wife that battles him and gives strength to his people. It's a battle of good over evil, smallgods and demons. 

Review: The Soup Club Cookbook

The Soup Club Cookbook: Feed Your Friends, Feed Your Family, Feed Yourself by Courtney Allison, Tina Carr, Caroline Laskow, and Julie Peacock


Two years ago, Soup Night: Recipes for Creating Community Around a Pot of Soup by Maggie Stuckey was published (Storey Publishing, LLC - 2013). I fell in love with that soup community builder. I shared it the friends with the intention of we should do that someday.

When I saw The Soup Club Cookbook by Courtney Allison, Tina Carr, Caroline Laskow, and Julie Peacock (Clarkson Potter, 2015), I knew I wanted to read it! It had to be similar to Soup Night with a new twist. And it is! Both books are about creating a community around soup (and other amazing dishes, sides, and drinks). While Soup Night revolves around one night of soup with bring-your-own-bowl fun, Soup Club is about continued fun throughout the year, or years.

Soup Club came from a small idea to share soup with friends. And quickly, a rotation was created between four friends and their families. The authors share the ins-and-outs of creating the soup club, then they share their soup (and other) recipes. Each recipe features a personal note which gives a little history of how the soup was brought to the group. Along the way, there are tips and treats to pair with the dishes. It's definitely a book that will make your mouth water.

Not all the recipes will suit your tastes, but the authors encourage cooks to adjust the recipes as they see fit. The recipes are made in large batches, because this book was intended to share soup with a group. It can be shared in batches to each club member or by make a large pot and hosting a soup night!

I cannot wait to share this book and the soup club idea with friends. I'm so happy that Courtney, Tina, Caroline, and Julie were discovered and created this cookbook together. Thank you, ladies!

Thank you, Blogging for Books for this review copy! I heartily enjoyed this delicious cookbook.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Additional information about The Soup Club Cookbook is available from Random House.

Review: Stealing the Preacher

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

The Archer brothers were legendary in their town. The previous title by Witemeyer, Short-Straw Bride, featured the eldest Archer and his brothers. Stealing the Preacher shares the story of Crockett, the Archer with a heart for God and hands for healing. He's on his way to begin his first post as a preacher, but suddenly is stolen off the train as a birthday gift!

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I loved Short-Straw Bride and the story of the crazy Archers. I wanted more stories about how the Archers grew up after realizing they could live outside their land when I finished Short-Straw Bride. I never realized Stealing the Preacher was following Short-Straw Bride. I picked it up because I loved Witemeyer's stories (and her cover art was fun). It was such a joy to read Crockett's name! I quickly read the story and enjoyed the comedy and faith journeys of the characters in Crockett's tale. You can read Stealing the Preacher on it's own, but it would be better to read Short-Straw Bride beforehand to understand the background story of Crockett.

Time Period: Western, 1885
Location: Burleson County, Texas, United States

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House!

Karen Witemeyer's Website
The First Chapter of Stealing the Preacher

Review: Under Texas Stars

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lucy March is at the end of her rope. Her parents are gone, she was released from her job, strangers are following her and she needs to protect her younger siblings. Mr. Stanton comes to her home and offers her an opportunity she cannot refuse. The next day, Lucy and her siblings are off to Texas to live with the Stantons on their ranch.

Coble's first book in her new series, Under Texas Stars, focuses on control. Lucy wants to control her future. She wants to make sure everyone is safe. Life is unpredictable, but the Lord watches over His children.

The newly wed Stantons were interesting to follow. Lucy wants to show her strength and prove a city girl can make it on a ranch and be a helpmeet to her husband. I enjoyed the twist of a proxy wedding instead of a mail-order wedding. Nate's care for his unexpected family is heartwarming.

I hope the next book is about Margaret, Nate's neighbor and prospective bride before Lucy arrived.

Time Period: Western, 1870's
Location: Texas, United States

Reviewed from a library copy.

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Safe in His Arms by Colleen Coble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Margaret O’Brien assumed she would some day wed her neighbor Nate Stanton. When Nate's father returned home with bride Lucy, Margaret's life took a turn. With her expected marriage partner taken, she is determined to run the family ranch on her own. Mr. O'Brien doesn't agree and hires a new foreman, Daniel Cutler, to run the business. Not only does Margaret need to prover herself to her father, she also wants to out maneuver Cutler.

Coble's second book in her series, Under Texas Stars, focuses on accepting love. Margaret struggles with seeing herself as a beautiful women loved by others and loved by God. She wants to stand on her own two feet and prove to everyone she can do it. Friends, family, and the Lord help to open her eyes to love that surrounds her.

I loved that Margaret's story picks up right where Blue Moon Promise ends. Margaret's role in the first book was minor in appearance, but major in influence. She needed her own tale. Daniel's role was fun and mysterious. His brother played the minor, major character in this tale. Unfortunately, the brother swiftly disappeared near the end and I wanted to know what happened to him. Perhaps the next story will be about him.

Time Period: Western, 1870's
Location: Texas, United States

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Thomas Nelson!

Christmas Review: Kisses, Ciphers, & Dinosaurs

The Five Kisses by Karla Darcy

Christmas traditions vary with each family. Gillian's family always put up a kissing bough during their holiday celebrations.

Darcy's novella highlights Gillian's life with five kisses from the neighbor boy. It's not five kisses in a row, but five kisses every few years. Life changes, but something remain the same, included friends and neighbors. It's a sweet, short holiday read.

Reviewed from a Kindle copy.

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The Secret Christmas Ciphers by Carolynn Carey

Abigail waited to wed Derek, but he never returned home. When he finally came back for her, she agreed to wed him, but with a bitter heart. Derek came back with a bad reputation and secrets. He wants to return to a time where Abigail loved him, but too many secrets need to be kept for King and country.

Carey's Regency romance is also a mystery that brings the couple closer together and farther apart as they discover each other's secrets. The novel concludes at Christmas with a happy ending. The epilogue jumps to the future (2075) and the discovery of old ciphers from the book. That was strange and bit out of place. I prefer historical fiction novels that remain in their respective time period (unless the preface is the future or modern times and the future/modern times returns at the end).

Reviewed from a Kindle copy.


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Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea


ROAR! Dinosaur returns to see if he can tackle the holiday season and Santa Claus. Roar! Roar! ROAR!

If you are familiar with Bob Shea's Dinosaur, you know the delightful silliness and joy of shouting ROAR between every dinosaur action. If this is your first Dinosaur book, jump in and give a big shout!

Shea's books are short, but to the point and packed with fun for all ages of readers. This holiday read will be great for rambunctious readers who don't want to cuddle and read by firelight or tree-light. I would recommend reading it at the beginning or middle of the day vs. at the end of the day. Save Dinosaur vs. Bedtime for the end of the day.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Review Secret Letters

Secret Letters by Leah Scheier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to the Victorian age of England, the time of Sherlock Holmes, long dresses, and the hope of answers. Unfortunately, our lead character's dream of finding her father, solving her cousin's love letter problems and becoming a detective are slowly moving out of her hands. Luckily, she meets a young detective and they join forces to find some answers even if they cannot connect with her father.

I prefer historical fiction to modern time novels, so this book was a treasure to find. It read similar to Y. S. Lee's historical fiction pieces that I greatly enjoyed. If you enjoyed The Agency series by Y.S. Lee, this novel will also hold you in its grip as well. If you haven't read The Agency, this is an excellent start to historical mystery with a strong female lead. I am greatly looking forward to future stories about Dora by Leah Scheier.

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Disney Book Group!

Review: Sew Iconic

Sew Iconic by Liz Gregory

 Fashion is more than people wearing cloth. Fashion offers a statement and a feeling. On a bad day, I prefer yoga pants and a comfortable t-shirt. When I go out on the town, I hem and haw over what fantastic outfit I want to wear. Fashion is good feeling.

Liz Gregory shares classic fashion icons with sewers. She shares more than just a pattern and sewing tips. Gregory shares information about the actress, the movie, the designer and the dress. With all the work put into these classic looks, the details should not be overlooked! No need to worry about this pattern book containing only text, the author includes photographs, illustrations and movie stills to highlight the narration and instructions. Any sewer, amateur or professional, will enjoy this book.

Happy sewing, everyone!

Reviewed from Baker & Taylor Publishing Group via NetGalley

Review: Snow in Summer

Snow in Summer: The Tale of an American Snow White by Jane Yolen


It's the well-known tale of Snow White set in America's Appalachia. Yolen takes readers on an adventure in West Virginia where folks make a living by hunting and gardening. She shares the story of the Lem Morton family who reside in deep mourning. The daughter, Snow in Summer, wants to be free and return to the time where Papa interacted with who love him. All too soon, a beguiling woman enters the scene and becomes Stepmama. Papa falls under Stepmama's spell and Summer turns to Snow. Summer's life of work becomes a life of servitude. She needs to run before someone dies.

I love a retold fairytale. I selected this book because of that fact and didn't bother to read the description. I was taken aback to read the author's note about her sources about snake-handling sects. Just like in Yolen's Snow White, I am not a fan of snakes. I couldn't see where the story would lead with a setting around the Depression era in Appalachia including a section on snake faith. It was quite a journey following Snow in Summer. Yolen's title of "the Hans Christian Andersen of America" is appreciated. She weaves in the love of fairy tales (along with the beloved Anne of Green Gables) within her book. The time period and location are unique and will be enjoyed by readers. The set-up of the story takes about 3/4 of the book while the classic storyline will be recognized toward the final 1/4 of the novel.

Time Period: Early 20th Century
Location: West Virginia, USA

Reviewed from a library copy.

Review: Summer of Promise

Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Amanda Cabot's new series "Westward Winds" opens with Abigail Harding in Summer of Promise. Abigail is the middle sister who sensed a need to visit her older sister, Charlotte, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming. She hopes to visit her sister and then return to her beau and teaching position in Vermont. After all, Wyoming is a boring place with nothing to do.

I love a Western novel. Cabot offers a new look at the West. Her focus was on the final days of the fort, after the Civil War and after the great migration. It was a pleasure to imagine life in the Fort without the hubbub of people passing through it. At the end of Cabot's novel, she shares that her next novel in the "Westward Winds" series will be coming in Spring of 2013. (It's so hard to wait!! Patience is a virtue and there are so many books to read in one year!) Don't worry, she also shares that a novella will be coming in the Fall. Thank you, Ms. Cabot! I look forward to reading it.

Time Period: Western, 1885
Location: Fort Laramie, Wyoming, USA

Reviewed from a library copy.

Review: Swirl by Swirl

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Swirl by Swirl is getting heaps of attention, but I didn't care to find the book. My co-worker passed it to me and said, "This is a great book. It looks like your type of storytime book." Okay. I'll give it a chance.

It's wonderful! A beautiful piece that weaves non-fiction and fiction together. Swirls surround us every day if we look closely. They protect and comfort. They are powerful and beautiful. Swirl by Swirl can be a fantastic storytime book. The colors are dark and detailed (another reason I did not seek out this book). The publishers kindly shared the artwork medium - scratch board. Scratch board? Wow! WOW! I appreciate this read for it's wonderful story that can be shared with all ages and the amazing talent of a scratch board artist.


Reviewed from a library copy.

Review: Secrets, Monsters, and Magic Mirrors

Secrets, Monsters, and Magic Mirrors: Stone Arch Fairy Tales Volume 2 by Donald B. Lemke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Graphic novels are one of my favorite reads. They lend themselves well to the adaptations and retellings. Editor Donald Lemke gathered together a solid collection of fairytales that include Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina and Snow White. Each story is retold by a different author and illustrated by a different artist. Readers will delight in the different stories brought to life in pictures. I look forward to discovering Volume 1 in Stone arch Fairy Tales.

In particular, I enjoyed illustrators Jeffrey Stewart Timmins (Rapunzel) and M. A. Lamoreaux (Princess and the Pea). I also appreciated the added historical information at the end of each story. History behind the stories are fascinating. It's wonderful to know that stories don't spring up from under rocks. Stories are created, edited, shared and recreated.

Digital copy received from Capstone. Thank you, Capstone!

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