When Sophie's at a convention, someone asks her for a secret meeting. Mitzi requests her presence. When Sophie arrives, she enters the meeting space a little early. Mitzi is not there, but another woman is on the floor. She's dead.
Denise was Mitzi's partner. They were updating the house for Denise and her husband. Mitzi is terrified that someone is coming for her next. She goes into hiding and asks Sophie for help. Is there someone after Mitzi?
My Thoughts: This cozy series has many installments. The 18th book talks a great deal about brunch and will make the reader crave baking something delicious for that occassion. Luckily, there are recipes in the back of the book. I love this series: for the foodie moments and for the characters.
* There is a fun cameo from the Paws and Claws Mystery series heroine.
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A fantastic series for your library
Mindy's grandfather dies; she and her family are heading to Korea. They will be there for the Mid-Autumn Festival. It's a tradition that honors family and ancestors. Of course, she's sad about the death of her grandfather. But, since it's her first official festival in Korea and she's determined to make it the best it can be.
My Thoughts: I love this series. I love how Mindy discovers more about Korea - the food and the culture. She has all the feels - sadness about her grandfather, happiness to see her family, and excitement over her first festival. I wish there were more traditions about family here. Mindy Kim is such a sweet girl with a big heart who enjoys learning and her family. I can't wait for more books about her.
Cover Thoughts: Charming and makes me hungry
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school or public library.
Ramiro's family is visiting Jules and company after the holidays. They are busy planning all sorts of outings. But one of those outings ends in murder.
And one of the main suspect's is Andy's friend. He asks Jules for her help in solving the murder. She can't turn him down.
My Thoughts: Although I love a good Christmas book, I enjoyed the fact that this book took place after Christmas and included New Year. I love this series - for the mouth-watering food and the characters. I enjoyed reading more about Ramiro's family - especially the moments between his mom and Jules. I liked the winter traditions in Ashland. It would be a fun place to spend a week! It's always fun to visit Torte and I can't wait to read what's coming next for Jules and her family.
* Now I'm finally caught up and ready for the next book which comes out in August!
After a wild first few months at school, Ben is looking forward to a normal summer. He's surprised to learn that spies don't get the summer off. Instead, he's headed to summer camp to learn survival skills.
But SPYDER isn't done with him. They infiltrate the camp and leave him a message. This sets off a chain of events that leads Ben into danger. Luckily, he has Erica to help him.
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation of Spy Camp. This is such a fun series - lots of action, danger, and funny moments. I love how Ben stumbles into everything. The characters surprised me in this one. Looking forward to more in this series. This book is perfect for this year's summer reading theme.
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public library
Abby was shocked to learn that Ava and Olivia are attending Saddlehill Academy. They seem excited to befriend her and happy to join the team. But things might not be all that they seem.
Abby's too busy worrying about her grades to deal with more team drama. If her grades don't improve in the next few weeks, her father will pull her from the riding team. Abby will be devastated if that happens, especially as she's waiting for word on the clinic from Sasha Silvers and Heather Fox.
My Thoughts: I love this series for the horses, the drama, the friendships, and the romance. Abby and Mila spend more time together in this book and couldn't be cuter. Even though I don't like the reasons, I love how the team starts coming together. I loved seeing Abby and Emery at their house and more family time due to Thanksgiving. I really love learning about the characters from the Canterwood Crest series. The drama in this book ends on a wicked Canterwood cliff-hanger. I need more books in this series!
Cover Thoughts: Perfect. I love these covers
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries
I'm chatting with the author later this week, be sure to check back in!
I'm such a fan of this series. I fell a little bit behind, but I'm catching up! There's so much to love about Mia and her saga, but these 5 things are my favorite!
If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it.
The rebel supers are beginning to understand just exactly what they are up against when one of their own goes undercover in the President's house. It's not looking good and they're beginning to lose heart.
They aren't prepared for a fight this big. Doubts creep in. Tensions run high. And people are beginning to wonder who to trust...
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this third installment of the series. Lots of action, danger, and plot twists and turns here. Lots of moments of doubt. Lots of secrets. And a very surprising ending. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade series for your school and public library.
Kerry and Thomas are getting married and the whole town is invited. But Kerry's father shows up unexpectedly and Kerry knows nothing will go smoothly. Unfortunately, she's right. One of the band members is murdered the morning of her wedding and her father's arrested.
The town pulls together to make it a magical day for the happy couple. Kerry and Thomas leave for their honeymoon after Kerry asks Juliet to help solve the murder. Juliet's determined to figure everything out before the couple returns.
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed learning more about Kerry - she hasn't been an open character. I as happy for her and Thomas for their big date, even though there was a dark cloud hanging overhead. I loved the conversation between Juliet and Carlos and what that might mean for future books. I was a little behind on this series, but I'm almost caught up. This is one of my favorite cozy series - for the characters, the small town, and the mouth-watering food.
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A series that should be in your public library!
Addie is the middle sister - and she feels ignored. It's hard being the middle sister. When a bracelet arrives in the mail for her, she puts it on. Without thinking, she makes a wish. Addie wishes she were no longer the middle sister.
And a Freaky Friday is pulled. She's immediately transported into her older sister's body. Her youngest sister is now herself and her oldest sister is now the youngest.
It makes like (especially homework) challenging. Addie's loving the relaxed rules. As Sophie, she has her own room. She has her own phone. But she misses her friends. Her older sister doesn't have any friends. That's when Addie decides to make her sister's life better. Addie's determined to help her sister gain friends and stop worrying so much about schoolwork.
But is that what she's supposed to do? How will they switch back and when?
My Thoughts: This is a super cute Freaky Friday story. I'm a fan of both Sarah Mlynoswki and Debbie Rigaud's book.
I love the moments between the sisters - when they were fighting and when they were trying to help each other. I liked the connections to Book 1 with Becca coming into the story. I'm even more curious about the woman who wants to steal the bracelet.
I can't wait to see where the bracelet ends up next.
Book 3 with a new co-author:
Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendations: A must have series for your school and public library!
Sophie and Nina are headed to a luncheon meeting at Gerrie's house. Lunch is cut short when a dead body is discovered on the floor of the dining room. No one knows the victim, or so they say. Sophie and Nina dig into the mystery only to discover that several people in the room didn't speak up.
There was bad blood between him and Gerrie's family. All of the family members were in and out of the house that morning. Any one of them could have murdered the man. Gerrie's worried that one of them did. She asks Sophie for a little favor...
My Thoughts: Another fun addition to this series. The idea of a ghost restaurant seems both strange and smart to me. As always, it's lovely to catch up with favorite characters and to read about the mouth-watering goodies they all eat. I enjoyed the plot twists and turns as Sophie and her friends tried to undercover the murderer's identity. I enjoyed getting to know more about Wong and my heart went out to her. Another fun read that kept me turning the pages.
Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: This is a perfect series for your library' cozy collection.
Eight years ago, May decided not to travel the world with Tom after graduation. She never told anyone the truth about that night and let everyone think he left her. Everyone in town turned against him, which wasn't a bad thing because he never came back.
Until his family needed him to come home and run the vineyard. But the vineyard is struggling. Tom needs the Northwest Food and Wine Festival to be a big hit in order to survive. He's willing to do anything to make that happen - including co-organize the event with May.
The more time May spends with Tom, the more she realizes that:
1. She was never brave
2. She should not have kept silent all those years ago
3. She's stuck in a rut
4. She might still have feelings for him.
Could there be room for a second chance?
My Thoughts: I enjoyed the second book in this four book series. Obviously, this is the Persuasion retelling. And I liked that May was the one in the wrong. The tight knit community might be a bit too tight in this one - I felt badly for Tom. He struggled with all the negative comments, but handled it well (much better than I would have.) I liked the moments between May and her father. Looking forward to book 3.
Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: Book sent for Review
Library Recommendations: Perfect for your Jane Austen fans and your Hallmark movie fans.
Welcome to the Explorer Academy: The Forbidden Island Blog Tour!
Follow along all week as we celebrate the release of The Forbidden Island — the heart-pounding final adventure in the hit Explorer Academy series —with behind-the-scenes looks from author Trudi Trueit, plus 5 chances to win the complete 7-book series and an Explorer Academy map!
New Series by Trudi Trueit
When you write a series, you spend a lot of time with your characters. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible not to think about them, even when you aren’t writing. I always hope that readers will come to care for them as much as I do. Cruz, Emmett, Lani, Sailor, and the Explorer Academy cast have been my close companions now for the past six years, and I am grateful to the readers, parents, educators, librarians, and book lovers around the world who look upon them as friends, too.
Sharing a bit about the writing life with students at Rancho Romero School in Alamo, CA
Meeting readers at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC
You’ve sent me letters, artwork, fan fiction, and photos of yourselves reading Explorer Academy in all kinds of locations, everywhere from the San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. (The Double Helix – yes!). I’ve met you doing school visits, bookstore signings, conferences, festivals, and even comic cons! You’ve told me what you like (codes and puzzles), what you don’t like (codes and puzzles that are super hard to solve) and what you want to see more (another series!).
You never know who will show up at Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, WA (love the blue guy!)
Having a few laughs with readers at Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond, WA
That’s why I’m delighted to share that a second Explorer Academy series is in the works! The new series features an explorer loyal readers will already know, so I’ll let her take it from here with a scene from The Forbidden Island told from her point of view. Thanks to everyone who has come along for the ride through seven books and I look forward to bringing back some old friends and introducing you to a few new ones. Dare to explore!
The Adventure Continues . . .
“M-Monsieur . . . L-Legrand!”
Hearing Cruz’s voice blare through her comm startled Sailor. She nearly dropped her paddle into the icy water.
“I see,” came the cool response from their teacher. “Alert your team.”
“Um . . . ev-everybody,” sputtered Cruz. “Cetacean sighting on the starboard side of kayak number . . . uh . . . uh . . .”
“Three,” chimed in Emmett when it became obvious Cruz was too overwhelmed to remember which tandem kayak they were in.
Sailor grinned. She was excited, too, but knew better than to make a sudden movement. Cruz and Emmett were in the boat behind them. If she whirled around to catch a glimpse of the animal, she’d risk capsizing her kayak. Dugan, sitting in front of her in the bow, would kill her if she dumped them into the frigid Weddell Sea. Lifting her paddle, Sailor ever-so-carefully swiveled her upper body. The sight of a massive, steel gray body gliding through the mosaic of ice made her gasp. A whale was coming alongside their hull! Dugan stopped paddling, too. As the kayak slowed, the whale matched their drifting speed.
“Magnifique,” whispered Monsieur Legrand through the comm link. “Minkes can be curious, but it’s rare to see them this close. They’re among the smallest baleen whales and quite fast. A minke can scoop, strain, and eat krill in less time than it takes for a humpback to open its mouth.”
Looked deeper . . .
Face your pain.
Sailor jerked away, setting the boat rocking.
“Hey!” yelled Dugan. He slapped the water with his blade to keep them from flipping.
“Sorry, sorry!” Sailor sat up straight to help them regain their balance. Her heart was galloping, her head spinning. She was breathing fast. Too fast.
The kayak settled.
“You okay?” Dugan had glanced back.
“Uh . . . yeah,” she rasped. “I’m just . . . cold.”
“Better check your O.S. band. Your hide-and-seek jacket could be malfunctioning.”
“Right. Thanks.” But Sailor knew that what she was feeling had nothing to do with her coat. Fortunately, the minke had was cruising toward the lead boat where Lani and Bryndis eagerly waited. It took a minute for Sailor’s pulse and breathing to return to normal. It took her brain a little longer to recover.
One thing was certain. She couldn’t let that happen again. Not here. Not now. Not ever.
A heart-pounding final showdown changes the life of Cruz Coronado forever in the seventh and final book in this thrilling fact-based fiction series.
Amid assignments that take the Explorer Academy recruits from the iceberg-filled waters of Antarctica to the bone-dry deserts of Argentina, Cruz Coronado is scrambling to complete the last piece of the cipher. With Nebula agents and the elusive explorer spy still out there, his opportunity to recover his mother’s world-changing formula is slipping away. But as Cruz has learned from his time aboard Orion, true explorers must never give up.
Even after completing dozens of high-risk missions and traveling to all seven continents, Cruz could never prepare himself for one ultimate surprise.
Explorer Academy features: Gripping fact-based fiction plot that inspires curiosity with new technology and innovations; amazing inventions and gadgets; a cast of diverse, relatable characters; secret clues, codes, and ciphers to track down within the text; vibrant illustrations; elements of STEAM; National Geographic explorer profiles in the "Truth Behind" section.
Check out the Explorer Academy website featuring videos, comic shorts, games, profiles of real-life National Geographic Explorers, chapter excerpts and more.
Praise:
"Sure to appeal to kids who love code cracking and mysteries with cutting-edge technology."
—Booklist
"A perfect blend of adventure with real science and technology!"
—New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan
The whale rolled onto its side and seawater cascaded off its body. Sailor saw deep skin grooves, the curve of a long, tapered snout, and a single eyeball that seemed far too small for such an immense creature. Sailor stared into the eye. It stared back. The black pupil surrounded by a silvery blue iris seemed to be drawing her in. She leaned closer . . .
"A fun, exciting, and action-packed ride that kids will love."
—J.J. Abrams, director and screenwriter of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lost, Alias
"Inspires the next generation of curious kids to go out into our world and discover something unexpected.”
—James Cameron, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and acclaimed film-maker
TRUDI TRUEIT has written more than 100 books for young readers, both fiction and nonfiction. Her love of writing began in fourth grade, when she wrote, directed, and starred in her first play. She went on to be a TV news reporter and weather forecaster, but she knew her calling was in writing. Trueit is a gifted storyteller for middle-grade audiences, and her fiction novels include The Sister Solution, Stealing Popular, and the Secrets of a Lab Rat series. Her expertise in kids nonfiction encompasses books on history, weather, wildlife, and earth science. She is the author of all the narratives in the Explorer Academy series, beginning with Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret. Trueit was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and lives in Everett, Washington.
GIVEAWAY
Five (5) winners will receive the COMPLETE 7-book Explorer Academyseries and an Explorer Academy map, showing all the places around the world that Cruz and his classmates visit over the course of the series!
US/Canada only
Ends 10/23 at 11:59pm ET
Enter via the Rafflecopter below
Visit the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!
Dr. Barnabus Milligan has always felt called to help people, whether that means setting a broken bone or rescuing the impoverished women of London from their desperate lives on the streets as part of his work with the Dread Penny Society.
Three years ago, he helped rescue Gemma Kincaid by secretly marrying her to protect her from her family of notorious grave robbers.
But six months after Gemma and Barnabus exchanged vows, she realized her love for her new husband was unrequited. To protect her heart, she left, telling Barnabus to contact her if his feelings for her ever grew beyond a sense of duty.
When Barnabus sends a letter to Gemma inviting her to return home, she hopes to find a true connection between them. But unfortunately, he only wants her help to foil the Kincaids, who have been terrorizing the boroughs of London, eager to gain both money and power.
Heartbroken, Gemma agrees to help, but she warns Barnabus that she will not stay for long, and once she goes, he'll never see her again.
Yet as the couple follows the clues that seem to connect the Kincaids to the Mastiff, the leader of London's criminal network, Gemma and Barnabus realize they might make a better match than either of them suspected. Perhaps the marriage that had once saved Gemma's life might now save Barnabus—and his lonely heart. - summary from the publisher
My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series and I can't wait to see what happens next, especially after that cliffhanger of an ending! I love learning more about the Dread Penny society - and its members. I also enjoy the penny dreadful writings that break up the story. I enjoyed the romance between Doc and Gemma. Gemma was a breath of fresh air - who knew so much about criminal activities. I loved her role in the end.
Source: Sent for review
Library Recommendation: A great series for your romance and/or mystery collection. Highly Recommended.
Mindy's father is getting married! She's so excited. She wants the day to be magical. Mindy works really hard blending the cultural traditions of both sides. She can't wait to be the flower girl. And she's been working on a surprise - training her dog to be the ring bearer. Hopefully everything goes smoothly!
My Thoughts: Another great book in this series. I love how the Korean and Chinese traditions played a huge role in this book and how the families came together. The moments with Teddy were priceless - he really does steal the book sometimes. Another great chapter about friendship and family in the Mindy Kim series. Can't wait to see what's next for Mindy and company.
Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: Book Sent for Review
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries.
Also May is AAPI month (Asian Pacific American Heritage Month)- perfect for displays and showcasing this series among your displays.
This one is a mini review because it's hard to talk about the book without spoilers.
There's a LOT that goes on in this book.
It does have the usual Sarah J Maas elements:
Friendship, banter, smart heroine, danger, action, lots of trouble, secrets, double crossing, traps, snark, romance, and that twist you never see coming.
That last twist blew my mind.
So first, I'm a huge fan of the author. I will read whatever she writes. But I know that I need a large chunk of time to read these books. Because once I start, I'm not going to want to stop. Her books are addicting!
A must have series for your public library's adult fantasy collection.
* Book sent for review
While this list is for the COURT series, these similar reads hold true
Clare wakes up on a bench in Washington Park with no memory of the last several years. She believes her divorce is recent and that her daughter is still young. It's a shock to her to discover the truth - she's lost her memories.
To make matters worse, the police want to question her for the disappearance of a woman. Clare might have been with the woman when she vanished. The authorities are convinced she knows something, but Clare doesn't understand. She doesn't remember her past investigations.
Clare needs to figure something out and fast - before the authorities or someone worse captures her.
My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series - and I'm not a coffee drinker. But I do love the atmosphere of the coffee shop and the characters. This one was a great addition to the series - I enjoyed watching Clare struggle through her memories and reexamine her life. I had come around to Matt and this book soured me on him a little again. Looking forward to the next book in this mouth-watering series.
Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: This is a great cozy for your public library's collection.
Bookstagram:
Just a little thought about what the coffeeshop might look like....
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