Review: Bachelor Remedy by Carol Ross

Goodreads Blurb

She’s the most unconventional woman he’ll ever meet…and the cure for a perennial bachelor?Raised by her healer grandfather, former army medic Ally Mowak knows her alternative approach to traditional medicine puts her at odds with most of her Alaskan town. That includes Tag James, the rugged transport pilot with the sprawling family and political ambitions. Ally couldn’t be more wrong for the aspiring senator. Then why does everything feel so right when they’re together?

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Carol truly knows how to write a novel filled with so much love and happiness. It had such a fun ending to a story filled with character. I loved how Tag and Ally first met and the disagreements they had while you could see the sparks flashing between them. It touched my heart that both characters had a 16-year age gap, and both felt the sparks but thought maybe the difference in their beliefs would conflict. I could relate with Ally and Tag’s age difference since me and my boyfriend and I have a 19-year age gap. I understood all the thoughts of what people would say or think. Everyone always has an opinion, but age is only a number. It that person makes you happy age is not something that should prevent the two people from dating or marrying. I love all the emotions I felt throughout the book. I almost felt like a teenager in love with all the emotional feelings and jealousy. Truly, a book that will make you see difference can be seen as positive.

Goodreads Author Biography

USA Today and national bestselling author Carol Ross grew up in small-town America right between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, in a place where you can go deep sea fishing in the morning and then hit the ski slopes the same afternoon. The daughter of free-range parents, she developed a love of adventure and the outdoors at a very early age. She’s grateful for the “research material” that every questionable decision, adrenaline-charged misstep, and near-death experience has provided.

Upcoming Book Event: Kate Golden

About this Event

Please join us in welcoming author Kate Golden as she celebrates the release of her newest book Half City. She will be joined in conversation with Hannah Bonam-Young.

Welcome to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense. Keep your daggers sharp, and your wits even sharper.

Viv Abbot is an average twenty-one-year-old girl. She lives in an expensive city where the rent is too high, works long hours at a thankless job, and is dating a guy she doesn’t even like in the hopes of winning her prickly mother’s approval.

She also happens to be a demon hunter.

Ever since her father’s murder, she’s been forced to hunt deviants alone, meaning everyone, including her family, sees her as an outsider…until the day she crosses paths with a dangerously alluring demon, Reid Graveheart. The reformed deviant tells her of a school for people just like her: Harker Academy for Deviant Defense. If she enrolls, she’ll learn to hone her craft, work with other hunters, and never be alone again.

But Viv has a deadly secret. One that not even her new friends at Harker can know about, not if the school might hold the answers to untangling the myster surrounding Viv’s father’s death. When strange occurrences begin to plague the students, Viv will have to figure out who she can trust, all while trying to ace her classes, avoid falling for a demon, and make it through her first year at Harker in one piece. How hard could that be?

Special Instructions

You can register for the event HERE
You MUST purchase a copy of the book Half City from our store location in order to gain entry into the event.
Kate will personalize your copy if Half City.
There will be a photo-op with Kate.

Review: Our Little Secret by Roz Nay

Goodreads Blurb

Roz Nay’s Our Little Secret is a twisted tale of love, pain, and revenge that will stay with the reader long after they turn the last page.

They say you never forget your first love. What they don’t say though, is that sometimes your first love won’t forget you…

A police interview room is the last place Angela expected to find herself today. It’s been hours, and they keep asking her the same inane questions over and over. “How do you know the victim?” “What’s your relationship with Mr. Parker?” Her ex’s wife has gone missing, and anyone who was close to the couple is a suspect. Angela is tired of the bottomless questions and tired of the cold room that stays the same while a rotating litany of interrogators changes shifts around her. But when criminologist Novak takes over, she can tell he’s not like the others. He’s ready to listen, and she knows he’ll understand. When she tells him that her story begins a decade before, long before Saskia was in the picture, he gives her the floor.

A twenty-something young professional, Angela claims to have no involvement. How could she? It’s been years since she and H.P., Mr. Parker that is, were together. As her story unfolds, it deepens and darkens. There’s a lot to unpack… betrayal, jealousy, and a group of people who all have motives for retribution. If Angela is telling the truth, then who’s lying?

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

wow, what a beautifully written novel filled with secrets, hurt, jealousy, and revenge. Roz is an amazing storyteller who marvels each characters words while twisting the lie with the truth. I loved how the story is built off from the beginning she met HP and how the plot twisted at the very end. It kept the readers intrigued at this love story that doesn’t always have a happily ever after. Sometimes, the ones you love the most are the ones that hurt you the most. A thriller that will keep you from putting the book down.

Review: Batman: Vol 6 Bride or Burglar? By Tom King, Mike Janin and Joelle Jones

Goodreads Blurb

The path to the altar has never been so dangerous!

Not long after Batman announces his engagement to Catwoman, he and Wonder Woman are called to honor an old commitment requiring them to fight for Earth in a distant, magical realm. But time flows strangely in this new land, and an hour in our world could be years there. The storied friendship between two great heroes begins to unravel–while the universe itself does the same around them!

Next, the Bat and the Cat find themselves isolated as Poison Ivy seemingly takes over the rest of the world, including the Justice League! Can they nip Ivy’s plans in the bud before the whole world falls under her dominion? After all, there’s still a wedding to plan…

The big day approaches in these stories from Batman #38-44, from author Tom King (Mister Miracle) and artists Mikel Janín (Grayson), Joëlle Jones (Supergirl: Being Super) and Travis Moore (Fables: The Wolf Among Us).

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Will we finally see a wedding between Batman and Catwomen? To be continued. Love the illustrations throughout the comic. The romance between Batman and Catwoman is romantic. Love how Superman is always fighting with Batman. Poisob Ivy illustrations are great. Her character grows through each scene. Comic has romance, fights, death, and flashes of the future. Will love catch the bats’ heart, or will he turn to the dark?

Review: Super Late Bloomer by Julia Kaye

Goodreads Blurb

A highly personal collection documenting the early months of artist Julia Kaye’s gender transition.

Instead of a traditional written diary, Julia Kaye has always turned to art as a means of self-reflection. So when she began her gender transition in 2016, she decided to use her popular webcomic, Up and Out, to process her journey and help others with similar struggles realize they weren’t alone.

Julia’s poignant, relatable comics honestly depict her personal ups and downs while dealing with the various issues involved in transitioning—from struggling with self-acceptance and challenging societal expectations, to moments of self-love and joy. Super Late Bloomer both educates and inspires, as Julia faces her difficulties head-on and commits to being wholly, authentically who she was always meant to be

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

It is a powerful comic that lets us experience all Julia went through with her gender transition throughout a year. This comic collection gives you first-hand account of how a transgender view themselves, struggle, and worry, but through it all, they stand strong and help others see they can. You see the happy moments and the sad moments that can bring you down. Julia is a strong woman who stands tall and does what makes her happy. Thank you for sharing your story, and please continue to share it.

Goodreads Author Biography

Julia Kaye is an award winning artist and illustrator whose webcomic Up and Out has garnered hundreds of thousands of readers and wide critical praise. Her commitment to activism has led to collaborations with non-profit organizations such as The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline. Her work has appeared on Webtoon, GoComics, Buzzfeed, and the Disney animated show Big City Greens. Julia lives in Los Angeles.

Review: The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr

Goodreads Blurb

Grisha is a dragon in a world that’s forgotten how to see him. Maggie is a unusual child who thinks she’s perfectly ordinary. They’re an unlikely duo—but magic, like friendship, is funny. Sometimes it chooses those who might not look so likely. And magic has chosen Grisha and Maggie to solve the darkest mystery in Vienna. Decades ago, when World War II broke out, someone decided that there were too many dragons for all of them to be free. As they investigate, Grisha and Maggie ask the question everyone’s forgotten: Where have the missing dragons gone? And is there a way to save them? At once richly magical and tragically historical, The Language of Spells is a novel full of adventure about remembering old stories, forging new ones, and the transformative power of friendship.

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

A magical story with dragons, sorcerers, and humans. A dragon named Grisha was turned into a tea pot and lived many years with no mobility but hearing and seeing. He was released from the spell, but after being free, other rules had to be obeyed. Dragons were divided and hidden with a sleeping spell. Grisha and Maggie work together to free the dragons, but by doing so, Maggie had to give up something she cherished. Garret is a good storyteller. It is an easy read for young readers. I loved the illustrations.

Goodreads Author Biography

Garret Freymann-Weyr (rhymes with ‘I’m on fire”) is a novelist and teacher whose seven books have been banned, translated into a multitude of languages, and included in college curricula. She is a Printz honor award recipient and her short stories have been published in the Greensboro Review, the now sadly missed Christopher Street, and the anthology Starry Eyed. Her next book will be published under the name Garret Weyr (Divorce. Painful. Don’t ask.)

She is a native of New York City and now lives with a large cat and a sweet dog. She reads too much, drinks too much tea, and loves listening to readers talk about their passions. She is studying Spanish. Has anyone else read “Buenas Noches, Luna?”

Review: Chocolate Me! By Taye Diggs

Goodreads Blurb

The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is.

For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!, a book based on experiences of feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves.

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

A book about race and how other children bullied him for his differences. It teaches children to accept everyone no matter how different they are. It took the boy to see and accept his differences in order to teach others that he is just like them. Great illustrations.

Happy 250th Birthday, Jane Austen

The photo was posted by the Jane Austen Festival

I can’t believe 250 years ago, the amazing Jane Austen was born and delighted us with her books, especially the most captivating character, Mr. Darcy. Below are some photos from the Jane Austen exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum. I was very happy I got to experience this exhibit and got to see Jane Austen’s ring, hair, and letters.

For halloween, I dressed as Jane Austen.

Review: A Is For Apperdoo by John Barkhimer Jr.

Goodreads Blurb

When a child’s imagination takes hold and creates a world of fascinating creatures, you get an Apperdoo. This book is meant to be a captivating journey through the creative mind of an eight-year-old, as he builds a field guide describing the 26 mysterious creatures he encounters in the wild. Take a rhythmic trip with your little one and discover the power of the imagination as you bump into a Lingendue, Treestope, and many other magnificent and colorful animals.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This is a must-read for children. Mr. Barkhimer is truly gifted. The illustrations are superb, and the names of each animal are hilarious and inventive. Loved the idea of using the alphabet to create these amazing creatures. The story had me laughing, with hilarious illustrations and words. The most fun is how each animal acted differently and unexpectedly. I highly recommend everyone to read and laugh your way through the pages.

Review: Wicked Nix by Lena Coakley

Goodreads Blurb

Mischievous woodland fairy Nix is up to no good. His beloved fairy queen has gone away, leaving him with a very important job: He must protect the forest from a most dangerous enemy—humans.

When a determined invader trespasses on his territory, Nix’s skills are put to the test as he invents several wicked tricks to chase the sorry fellow away. But when his efforts don’t go quite according to plan, it becomes clear that this intruder—and this sprite—may not be at all what they seem.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Wicked Nix is a fairy full of tricks. The protector of the fairy forest will stop at nothing to rid himself of a human. Nix uses many tricks and spells to scare the human away. Halfway through the story, you are surprised to find out the human is family and the Nix is not a fairy. Nix and the human go to Fairy Meadow to see the fairy queen. Nix realizes she isn’t who he thought she was. Nix and the human work together to get Rose back to her mom. The cottage Nix was protecting was his past home and is reunited with his family. A fairy-tale full of tricks and courage.

Goodreads Author Biography

Lena Coakley is the Toronto Star and Globe & Mail bestselling author of Worlds of Ink and Shadow, a YA portal fantasy about the young Brontë siblings and the imaginary countries they wrote about in childhood. It made both the CBC and Quill & Quire’s Best Books of the Year lists.

Her previous novel, Witchlanders, was called “one stunning teen debut” by Kirkus Reviews, won the SCBWI Crystal Kite award and was a White Pine Award honouree.

Her first middle grade novel, Wicked Nix, will come out in October of this year from Abrams and Harper Collins Canada. She lives in Toronto.