Tween Tuesday Review: Wide Awake Princess

Due to a curse placed upon her sister, Princess Annie's resistant to magic. She's the perfect person to search the castle for any spinning wheels so her sister doesn't fall prey to one on her 16th birthday.  When a witch is found and the wheel destroyed, everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

But the danger isn't over. Soon the princess opens her gifts and pricks her finger. The kingdom falls asleep, all except for Annie. She knows that she must get help. She sets out to find a Prince, so he might wake her sister with True Love's kiss.

Even though she doesn't like her sister's boyfriend, she travels in his direction. Then she realizes that other Prince's might have a better shot and she gathers up every one she can find.  Will it be enough? Will someone be able to wake up her sister?

My Thoughts: I really really enjoyed this tale of blended fairy tales. I loved Princess Annie - she was intelligent, thoughtful, and determined.  I love the adventure that she went on - finding friends, helping others, and meeting other fairy tale characters. I really liked Liam and his role in the book (you really can't choose your family). The secondary characters added humor and depth to the story. Looking forward to the next chapter in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library

Review: I am the Mission

* Sequel to I am the Weapon (aka Boy Nobody) *

He's the perfect person for the job - no past, no ties, and no feelings. He's not supposed to have a future. He's an assassin; someone who follows orders without question.

His last mission went terribly wrong for the first time. He's having trouble getting over it. He's starting to think and to have feelings - which means he might no longer be the best.

He's not out yet, but he does have to prove himself.  He gets a new mission: a new objective and a new target. He's to take out Eugene Moore who owns and runs a military camp for teenagers. He's training them to be soldiers. On the surface, it seems legitimate, but when he goes in, he realizes it's anything but.

Nothing about the mission goes according to plan. He doesn't know who to believe or who to trust, including the Program. Will he complete the missions?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book; it's filled with action, danger, and a boy questioning everything in his life. I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what happened next. I felt bad for the way his life has been up until this point, coerced into becoming a weapon. I liked the mission - uncovering the truth behind the camps and understanding the people running it.  It's hard seeing people for who they really are, especially if you've been blinded.  The boy wrestles with himself and his loyalty, even in the midst of danger.  I loved Howard coming back, he allows the boy a softer side. The ending was amazing and now I can't wait for the third book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

 Source: ARC for review

Mysterious Saturday Review: Mark of the Midnight Manzilla

 * Book 11 in the Pink Carnation series *

Sally Fitzhugh isn't interesting the parties of the season until she wanders into a garden on a dare and meets Duke of Belliston. The man's rarely scene and rumors swirl around him.  They say he's a vampire. Sally knows this to be utter nonsense, but she can't help become fascinated with him.

She tags along with him to a midnight meeting during a ball, only to discover a girl murdered in the gardens. It's clear to Sally that someone is setting him up - especially since the girl looks to have died from a vampire bite.

Sally's hot on the trail, determined to figure out who's behind the murder and why they set up the Duke. 

My Thoughts: I love this series, and was so happy to have this extra novel. I love how the people of society felt the dangers of vampires because they were fascinated with a book: The Convent of Orsino.  (The book written by none other than Miss Gwen). I enjoyed Sally's determination not to let anything else happen to the Duke. A great addition to the series filled with romantic moments, action, danger, and a strong heroine.  On one hand, I do not want the series to end, but on the other, I'm curious to see how it all fits together - not to mention how the modern day story will end.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library  

Review: What are the Chances?

Rare plays in sports history

The Set-Up:
The stats are split up into four categories: Rare, Really Rare,
Super Rare, Almost Impossible, and Never Happened

Rare talks about the number of home runs in a season or touchdowns in one game or assists in a basketball game or blocked shots in basketball or goals in a hockey season.

Really Rare mentions passing yards in an NFL game, goals in a NHL season, steals in a NBA game, teams ranked #1 for an entire NCAA season, or no-hitters thrown by rookies in an MBL game..

Super Rare shows off comebacks from 3-1 in an NBA playoff series, 1,000 assists at the NCAA level, passing yards for a NFL season, and the number of aces in one tennis match.

Almost Impossible showcases a Women's and Men's team both the NCAA basketball champions, strikeouts in one game, goals in a World Cup soccer game, and points scored in a NBA game.

Never Happened I like the inclusion of this chapter- stats that almost happened, but never did.

The Good: Great stats, fantastic pictures, interesting trivia, and set-up in straight forward, easy to read chapters that are perfect for sports fans.

The Bad: Again, there are only a handful of examples for women's sports. Are they not rare enough? If I found them with a few moments of searching, should more be included??
What about these:
Mia Hamm played for a national team at the age of 15
Lisa Leslie was the first WNBA player to win the regular season MVP, the All-Star Game MVP and the playoff MVP in the same season (2001)
Candace Parker was the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament
Did Babe Didrickson not have any rare moments in sports history?

Overall:  Besides the lack of women mentioned, I really enjoyed reading this one, so I can see how easily readers will flock to this book and love it for the stats and the photos and they will enjoy talking about the numbers with others

* This book was sent for review

Review: National Geographic Kids Cookbook

A fun cookbook great for kids from Barton Seaver (a master chef and National Geographic Explorer)

The Set-Up:
The book follows the months of the year with several dishes to try. The recipes are easy to understand with clear instructions. Sidebars give cooking tips, details on different cuisines,kitchen skills, people profiles, cooking challenges and more.  Pictures and color blocks make this a very attractive book

The Good:
The range of recipes from main dishes to desserts to appetizers to cultural dishes makes this a diverse book for foodies. The book touches upon entertaining, going green, and eating healthy.

The Bad: I don't know which recipe to try first

Overall: 
A fantastic fresh cookbook that kids and teens will enjoy reading and testing out the recipes.

Recipes I want to try
(either with teens at the library or just because it looks yummy!
Raspberry Yogurt Parfait
French Puff Pastry Napoleon
Zucchini Bread
Awesome Oatmeal Cookies
Fruit Smoothies

Books I'm Dying to Read: November Edition

After all the books coming out in October, I know I won't be caught up. Still there are a few I can't wait to read this month too.

 

 Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover: LOVE this series! Can't wait for Chase's story. Plus the cover is amazing.
The Job: Fun, flirty series with lots of action and great cons

Captive: I really loved the first book in the series, can't wait to see what happens next.
Killer Instincts: Second book in the series - Cassie profiles for the FBI - supposedly cold cases, but a new serial killer hits the streets with a familiar MO and the teens get pulled in.

Map to Everywhere: Pirates - Wizards -Adventure
Everblaze: 3rd book in this amazing series where Sophie fights back with possible deadly consequences.

Walled City: There are three rules in the Walled City: Run fast. Trust no one. Always carry your knife.
Name of the Blade: Ancient gods in modern day London and one girl awakens them.
Mortal Heart: LOVED this book (review coming soon).

On Borrowed Time: Adore this mystery series set in a small town with a library focus -a holiday story about the heroine's missing brother.
By Cook or by Crook: First in a new series where Val's life changes drastically. Now she might have more time for all those things she thought about doing, like writing a cookbook - until a murder happens in town.

Taste of Home - Ultimate Comfort Food: I love these cookbooks - so looking forward to winter of experimenting with new dishes.

Guest Post: Spice Up Your Wardrobe Easily

Happy Fashion Week. On Monday, the cover reveal for Carina Axelsson's new book 

Model Undercover: New York was displayed. And a contest went up on the blog. You can check those out here. I'm  happy to have Carina give us some tips on fashion.

As a writer I find it all too easy to forget about the state of my wardrobe – even if I do write mysteries set in the fashion world!

Thoughts of sequins and cashmere, hemlines or heel heights, become seemingly irrelevant when I’m holed up at my writing desk, typing away, deadlines looming, research beckoning.

Speaking of which, for me research involves the occasional dip into the fashion waters. For instance, I’m writing this while in London, on a London Fashion Week research trip.

So, while packing for this trip, did I have a panic attack when I accepted a last minute (it seems fashion is always last minute!) invitation to visit London’s premier modeling agency, Storm? Did I break out in hives at the thought of seeing the fashion show of the lovely and oh-so-quintessentially-English fashion designer, Alice Temperley? And what about the prospect of meeting up with the fashionistas at Mulberry to check out their latest handbag designs? Did the thought make me break out in a cold sweat? 

Yes, yes, and yes!

•          Accessorize! If you’re really desperate, perhaps the easiest way to update a look is with a new handbag or scarf. Find one within your budget (the high street make fabulous bags nowadays that don’t cost an arm and a leg), and then keep the rest of your outfit muted and chic so that your new accessory stands out!
•          Jeans! Like a lot of people I live in my jeans – and nothing screams dated more than a pair of old jeans. Treat yourself to a new pair of jeans as often as you can; it’ll instantly update your outfit in a way a blouse or jacket simply can’t. 
•          Nail polish! I know, I know, hard to believe…but trust me, like I said, it’s often the little things that count. And when your nail varnish is so trendy, so bang on NOW, the rest of your outfit will suddenly look quaintly vintage – if people even notice it! Just make sure your hands look lovely!

        So that’s it – my quick and easy tips for spicing up your wardrobe. Milan starts at the end of this week, with Paris to follow. So get going, add some fresh style to your closet – then head on over to the shows!

Thank you Jennifer for this chance to distill a few of my fashion thoughts!

Carina x