Review: Steamed Secrets by Tonya Kappes

Goodreads Blurb

Welcome to the Bean Hive Coffeehouse where the gossip is as hot as the coffee!

Killer Coffee Cozy Mystery is a series about small town gossip, family, friends, and putting differences aside when troubles brews.
Do you love to read about family and friendships?
Do you enjoy holidays, festivals, and celebrations?
What about when life isn’t always rosy?
This series has all of that and more along with twisty turn mysteries that will have you rooting for the entire town of Honey Springs.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It’s a murder mystery with a twisted ending. The bonds of friendship are everlasting, and the jealousy between sisters can lead to murder. This story caught my attention when I saw that one of the characters was a model, and a bird helped solve this murder mystery. I went to modeling school and dreamed of becoming a model, but unfortunately, that didn’t quite happen. For most of my life, I have owned a bird. Our last bird, Beba, passed away over a year ago. She was feisty and only liked one family member. As I read the story, I imagined Beba acting exactly like Clyde. I think having Clyde in the story made this story entertaining.

Tonya knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats. You won’t see the twisted turn of events of who the murderer of Vanessa was. This story was so personal since Roxy’s best friend was murdered. I felt terrible when Roxy found her poor friend dead. For those who aren’t new to the series, know that Roxy will find the culprit at whatever cost. I had multiple suspects in mind, but I never saw that coming. I knew Adam was not to be trusted. Tonya’s storytelling is superb; I love how detail-oriented her novels are. You feel like you are in the story. The characters helping Roxy figure out the murderer are strong characters that help push the story along. I enjoyed this cozy mystery with many hidden secrets and twists and turns.

Author Biography

Tonya Kappes has written more than 180 southern cozy mysteries, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today . Best known for stories charged with southern charm, emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband in northern Kentucky. Now that her four boys have flown out of the nest, Tonya writes full-time in her camper!

Review: The Little Big Girl by Jack Thompsen

Goodreads Blurb

“I will not stop trying until I’m not so little anymore!”

Ever wanted something you couldn’t have? Or felt like everyone else has it easier than you do?

The Little Big Girl tells the story about a little girl who wants to grow up as quickly as possible. Everyone around her is bigger and stronger and can do the things she wishes she could do. Through a series of adventures she soon discovers being BIG isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and being little isn’t all that bad. She learns that everyone is unique and special in their own way.

Fully illustrated for early readers, this is a great teaching tool for children with older siblings who feel left out of the big kid fun and those struggling to understand their value.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What a perfect book for children to learn that growing up fast isn’t what it seems to be. We as children always look at those who are older, and we all want to be just like them. Independent, fun, smart, and of course older in age to have freedom. We, of course, don’t realize how important it is to love life at the moment and have friends and family with you. I loved the illustrations, and it was just an adorable book with great meaning. We should never give up and always find what makes us happy.

Author Biography

Jack Thompsen, also known as Not So Serious Jack, enjoys writing stories, traveling, going on adventures and making new friends. He is a full-time computer programmer and has been writing since he was a kid. He finds writing is one of the best ways of sharing exciting worlds and ideas. Writing is powerful. One of his biggest goals is making this world a better place and he hopes his children’s book series will be the first big step in that direction.

Review: Soul: No Saint’s Day by Michael Coast and Bill Jemas

Goodreads Blurb

The posse shoots to kill, but Ben survives. Too bad it’s all downhill from here. As the tale unwinds, Chief McClelland and the posse suspect that Ben may not be telling them the whole truth. And they might be right. Good thing Ben has a hard head. If at first you don’t succeed, die, die, die again.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

This was a comic novel about Night of the Living Dead, the movie. The characters and scenes are the same, but Ben doesn’t seem like he dies like he does in the movie. He keeps repeating different scenarios of him dying. I liked how the authors added information about life in the sixties compared to life today. It brings some history to the reader. The illustrations were very good. This was a very thought of book.

Review: Doctor Strange: Mystery of the Dark Magic by Brandon T. Snider

Goodreads Blurb

When Thor and the Avengers battle a group of enchantedbeasts that mysteriously appear at a Long Island Mall, they call the best inthe magic business to help them out-Doctor Strange. But the good doctor isoverworked and underpaid. These days he’s become the go-to hero for all thingsmagic and he’s exhausted. He’d really prefer to work alone since it’s not likejust anyone can understand his Mastery of the Mystic Arts. More bizarre attacks occur around New YorkCity and Strange finds himself seeking guidance from a number of mysticalallies despite his desire to remain solitary. And when the threats grow wildlybeyond his control, he may have no choice but to accept the counsel of hissuper hero comrades in order save his best friend and the world. This 128 pagechapter book, focusing on Dr. Strange will feature full-color interactiveillustrations throughout. And just in time for his new film!

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It’s totally a fun book for everyone to enjoy. Doctor Strange is a fascinating character. He loves to be on his own and doesn’t like to seek help from others who don’t know anything about magic. The world was turning upside down with magical creatures attacking humans. He had to seek advice from Marvel characters in order to help humankind. I loved the illustrations very colorful. Brandon did a lovely job of writing a story that brings a superhero to the rescue.

Book Club at Paramus Barnes & Noble

We’re so excited for our first Book Club of the year next Wednesday, January 29th, at 6 pm! We will be discussing our 2024 Book of the Year, James by Percival Everett. We will also have introductions, learn more about what everyone enjoys reading, and anything else you’d like to discuss!
Sign ups are not required. Just stop by!

#barnesandnoble #bnparamus #bookrecommendations #bnbookclub #bookclub #booklovers

Review: Z-Men: All The President’s Men by Jeff McComsey and Bill Jemas

Goodreads Blurb

Dead and/or alive. LBJ orders the Secret Service to bring him back a zombie. This should be easy.

My Review: Rated  4 out of 5 stars

It is a comic novel that brings the living dead to a new light. The secret service fights against the zombies in hopes of keeping everyone safe. The illustrations were perfect for the story. Perfect book to read for this spooky month of October.

Review: Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere by Elise Gravel

Goodreads Blurb

Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere is jam-packed with fun: vibrant illustrations, word bubbles, quirky humor, olgamus facts, and plenty of excitement for readers who love making discoveries and meeting new friends. Olga is a charming combination of independent, curious, and smart—making her the coolest girl scientist around—perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Captain Underpants.

When Olga crosses paths with a weird creature and becomes the first kid to discover the species olgamusridiculus, she is ecstatic! What does an olgamus eat? How does it poop? Why does its burp sound like the word rubber? With her trusty observation notebook and the help of a librarian, a shopkeeper, and some friends, Olga sets out to do science—learning the facts about her smelly, almost-furry pal and searching for him when he goes missing. The scientific method is the best way to discover anything!

My Review: Rated 5 out of 6 stars

Olga wants to be an animal scientist who finds an animal who she can’t identify. The book has funny illustrations that go through her observation lab. It was such a fun book for young children, especially if they love science and animals. Olga is hilarious and very smart. The author did a great job to bring a book that will teach kids about science and the love of animals. If you need a laugh, you will want to read this quirky book.

Review: Sci-Fi Junior High bg John Martin and Scott Seegert

Blog post

This gleefully illustrated space adventure is a laugh on every page. That’s a lot of laughs!

Kelvin Klosmo isn’t just the new kid at school — he’s the new kid in the galaxy! Welcome to Sci-Fi Junior an inter-galactic space station with students of all shapes, sizes, smells, and . . . slime content.

As the son of Earth’s two most famous geniuses, Kelvin isn’t just the smartest kid in the world . . . he’s the smartest kid in the Universe . At least, that’s what everybody at Sci-Fi Junior High thinks. So, maybe Kelvin lied a little about being a genius to fit in. And maybe a mad scientist is about to take over the universe unless Kelvin can stop him. Maybe everyone is doomed.

Well, at least Kelvin won’t have to worry about math homework anymore. Sci-Fi Junior High is an out-of-this-world story about friendship, accepting our differences, and the fight against evil . . . bunnies. Yes, evil bunnies — don’t ask.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

It’s such a fun book. I enjoyed the illustrations. It made the book come to life. Kelvin has a super genius mom and dad. Everyone at his new school in space thinks that he is brilliant, while in reality, he is average. His new school has creatures from all over space. He and his family are the only ones from Earth. It was great to have an evil villain trying to conquer a world. The plot for the book was thought out very well. It is funny and interesting. All readers of all ages will love it.

Review: Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I just love Madeline. The books take place in Paris, the city of lights. The illustrations are so spectacular that it makes me think I am there. It is truly a great book for all children to read.

Author Biography

Ludwig Bemelmans was an Austrian author, an internationally known gourmand, and a writer and illustrator of children’s books. He is most noted today for his Madeline books, six of which were published from 1939-1961. A seventh was discovered after his death and published posthumously in 1999.

Review: Clara Humble and the Not-So-Super Powers by Anna Humphrey

Goodreads Blurb

Clara Humble may seem like your average fourth-grader who doesn’t look before she leaps, but she has a secret: she thinks she might have superpowers. Which is convenient, because things aren’t going so well for Clara. Students from rival R. R. Reginald are moving into her school for the term, and Clara’s favorite neighbor, Momo, is moving to a faraway retirement home.

Together with her best friend, Bradley, the winsome and overconfident Clara becomes convinced that her knack for making liquids spill, overhearing her parents’ conversations, communicating with her pet chinchilla, and maybe even mind-controlling teachers could be used to put a stop to these injustices.

Told in Clara’s clever, funny, and strikingly authentic voice, this novel kicks off a new series by inviting readers into this memorable character’s inventive mind to share in her misadventures. Annotated with Clara’s comic sketches, it’s a fast-paced read with a spot-on perspective of life as a 10-year-old that kids will surely relate to.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Sometimes, superpowers aren’t always real. Clara has been dealing with students from another school who bully her and her friends all the time. Sometimes, trying to fix what the bullies have done to you doesn’t always lead to a right. Clara thought she had superpowers just like her make-believe @Cat, who is a superhero cat that she draws, and all her thoughts and courage are shown through the cartoon. Her life at school and at home have become extremely difficult, so she tries to make everything change with her superpower. It is a great book for children to learn about bulling and that, at times, we as the victim can make things even worse. I enjoyed Clara’s adventures and @cat.

Author Biography

Anna Humphrey is the author of Rhymes with Cupid (HarperTeen, 2010), Mission (Un)Popular (Disney/Hyperion Books for Children, 2011), Ruby Goldberg’s Bright Idea (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014) and Clara Humble & the Not-So-Super Powers (OwlKids Books, 2016)—all books for young readers. She lives in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband and kids.