Adult Review: Lost and Found Sisters

After bumping into a strange at the coffee shop, Quinn's stunned to discover that woman is her birth mother. She didn't know she was adopted. Nor did she know about her younger half sister.

Quinn lost her sister two years ago and she's still healing. To discover she has another sister makes her heart happy - even if her sister doesn't want her. Quinn takes time off from her job to visit her half sister and see where she lives.

Wildstone is a small town where gossip spreads faster than wildfire. But it's also sweet and charming. Quinn now owns a house and a cafe. Could she have found a second chance?

My Thoughts: I loved how Quinn met her younger sister and respected her wishes, but didn't give up either. I loved Tilly. Their moments together were amazing. Of course Cooper stole the book for me, as dogs tend to do. I loved Mick. I especially enjoyed the first two meetings with Quinn.But I love his big heart and how his hometown still held a part of his heart. This was a classic Jill Shalvis book - full of sweet moments, funny moments, and romantic moments. I loved it all and can't wait to return to Wildstone!

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but doesn't entirely match the book

Library Recommendations: As the start of a new series, grab this one for your public libraries!

Review: I See London, I See France

Sydney and her BFF talked about traveling to Europe, but Sydney doesn't want to leave her agoraphobic mother.When Leela's boyfriend kisses another girl, she begs Sydney to travel with her instead.

The two have them have four and a half weeks in Europe with a starting point (London), some plans for France, and leave from Rome. But the rest of the trip is open.

Where will they go? What will they do? And which boys might they kiss?

My Thoughts: God I loved this book. It reminded me of my traveling days  (I did a semester abroad in Bath, England in college). I liked how they had wiggle room in their travel plans. I loved reading about all the sights. 

I loved the romance. 

Leela's behavior annoyed me at times. But I'm glad they took this trip together and had time to readjust their friendship. 

I felt terrible for Sydney and how she took care of her mother, sometimes putting her life on hold. 

I also love how these girls are in college.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your YA section. It's a must have for public libraries. 

Reading this book made me want to travel, so I made a top ten list of places I'd like to go (or maybe go back to).

Back to:

Wales

Paris

Rome 

Florence

Never Been:

London

Scotland

Greece

Netherlands

Austria

Switzerland

Where would you travel to?

Picture Book Review: If My Love Were a Fire Truck

All the ways a father loves his son.

I love the rhymes. I love how the father and son explore the world and find it full of love. I love the illustrations; they are amazing. It's a very sweet read perfect for all dads with sons and wonderful for libraries.  

Top Ten Tuesday: Road Trip Books

This week's topic is Book Recommendations. I'm choosing Road Trip Books -because I love them. There are several still in my TBR pile, but here are some I really enjoyed!

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

Teen and Middle Grade

Adult:

Giveaway: Percy Jackson Coloring Pack

The Percy Jackson Coloring Book

By Rick Riordan with artwork by Keith Robinson

Published by Disney-Hyperion

In Stores August 15^th, 2017

Disney-Hyperion sent me a copy to check out, and is partnering with me for a giveaway!

About The Percy Jackson Coloring Book

Demigods, brandish your pencils!

Over the past decade, millions of young readers, parents, and teachers have come to adore Rick Riordan's classic series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which made ancient Greek mythology contemporary, relevant, and entertaining as it turned kids on to reading. Now fans can literally color Percy's world with the amusing portraits, dramatic scenes, and intricate designs on every spread of this large format paperback. This book is a great way to introduce young children to the series, to allow older fans to reminisce, and to augment classroom units on Greek mythology. 

About the Author

Rick Riordan, dubbed “storyteller of the gods” by Publishers Weekly, is the author of five #1 New York Times best-selling middle grade series with millions of copies sold throughout the world: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Heroes of Olympus, and the Trials of Apollo, based on Greek and Roman mythology; the Kane Chronicles, based on Ancient Egyptian mythology; and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, based on Norse mythology. Rick collaborated with illustrator John Rocco on two best-selling collections of Greek myths for the whole family: Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods and Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes. Rick lives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @camphalfblood.  

About the Illustrator

Keith Robinson graduated with a degree in graphic design and illustration in 1992 and worked as an animator on some of the earliest digital media productions for clients around the world. He joined the BBC and was part of the R&D team that developed the corporation's first website. He later founded Codename, an award-winning media production company, before he became a freelance illustrator in 2001. His illustrations have been featured in children's books, magazines, television programs, and on postage stamps. He especially enjoys drawing fantasy, mythical, and historical subjects. He lives on the south coast of England.

The Insides:

The Percy Jackson Coloring Book is pretty cool. It basically tells the story of The Lightning Thief. Here are a few of my favorites.

A map of camp

Percy's Cabin

Percy Fighting

 

Percy's Dad                                Fluffy

Annabeth 

Key Links + Social Media

Visit ReadRiordan.com

Like Percy Jackson on Facebook

Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Rick Riordan on Twitter and Instagram

Hashtag #PJColoringBook

Demigods, Brandish Your Pencils!

One (1) winner receives:

• Copy of The Percy Jackson Coloring Book
• Percy Jackson-branded tin of colored pencils

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Graphic Novel Review: Swing it, Sunny!

Sunny's starting middle school and despite what she keeps telling her Grandfather, things are not fine. But she's determined to make the best of things and to be happy.

Especially when she sees her brother again and she finds that he's changed. Will he and Sunny be able to have a normal relationship again?

My Thoughts: Set in the 70s, this graphic novel is all heart. I love the setting and how it influences things - like TV dinners! Sunny's going through such a rough time and she's in middle school (the hardest year.) My heart aches for her, but I loved the ending and it's hopefulness. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: BEA Arc
Release Date: September 12, 2017

Review: Reluctant Queen

* Book 2 in the Queens of Renthia series *

Daleina ascends to the throne, but it cost her a terrible price. Now she's trying to hold on to her throne, but she keeps having blackouts. Her healer informs her, she's dying.With a heavy heart, she hurries to find an heir. Without one, the spirits will destroy her empire and everyone in it.

Daleina just became Queen and it would take years to train an heir. But she doesn't have that kind of time. She orders her champions to find someone - anyone to take her place. Could their be a candidate that can help save their kingdom?

Champion Ven finds a woman in the villages who has a tremendous amount of power. But she is untrained and has no interest in ruling. She only seeks to keep her children safe. Can she be convinced to save them along with the kingdom?

My Thoughts: I adored this book. I loved learning more about the kingdom, after Daleina becomes queen. Especially all the political drama and seeing inside the palace (I wonder what the library looks like). I enjoyed Naelin's role and how she found her confidence. I loved seeing favorite characters - like Champion Ven and Bayn. I adored Naelin's children - they were funny and sweet. Lots of danger, betrayal, and secrets. And of course the book ended on a note that makes me long for book 3 immediately! 

Cover Thoughts: Great - I love the colors
Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: An adult fantasy book that crosses over for teens. Grab this one for high school libraries and public libraries.