Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

 I was meandering around my local bookstore when I saw 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen', by Shea Ernshaw, sitting on a shelf. Loving all things associated with Halloween, there was no way I was going to just pass it by, especially since it was the last copy. My kids and I are die-hard fans of the movie (who isn't?!), but sometimes spinoff stories don't hold up to childhood nostalgia, so I went into this read with somewhat low expectations. Boy was I surprised when the author had me hooked from page one. Ernshaw did her homework on Halloween Land and I loved delving deeper into Jack and Sally's world. Exploring all of the other lands besides just Christmas Land was such a treat! The author does such a wonderful job at staying true to the mythical worlds that Tim Burton has created, and by the end of the book I was crossing my fingers hoping that this would be turned into a movie as well. 

The story begins with Jack and Sally's wedding. They decide to go to Valentines Land on their honeymoon and have a wonderful day exploring this new land together, for this is the only land that Jack has yet to visit, saving it just for this momentous occasion. They unfortunately can only stay away from home for 24 hours however since it very close to Halloween day and there is just so so much to do still. As soon as Jack and Sally re-enter Halloween Land they are both bombarded by holiday preparations. As the new pumpkin queen, Sally is overwhelmed by all of the new expectations that sit on her shoulders. She begins to have high levels of anxiety about being a ruler, and she desperately wishes she could just be "Sally and Jack", and not "Queen and King". When the witch sisters begin fitting her for a new royal gown, the pressure becomes too much for Sally, and she finds herself fleeing her home in desperate need for some time alone. As she is wandering around the forest, Sally discovers a hidden door that has a moon on it. Leaving the door open unleashes the beginning of a wild adventure for Sally that leads her to a shocking discovery about her past. 

This book will become a Halloween treasure that both you and your kids will enjoy reading together time and time again. 

Lemon Tart

 'Lemon Tart' is Josi Kilpack's debut culinary murder mystery novel. Sadie Hoffmiller is a widow, substitute teacher, mother, and your typical nosy neighbor who prides herself on knowing everything about her neighbors. When a young single mother is murdered in Sadie's cul-de-sac, she is determined to help the police find the culprit, even if that means crossing the line a time or two. The victim's son is missing and the clock is ticking to find him before anything worse happens to him. There are plenty of suspects and Sadie soon discovers that she might not know her neighbors as well as she thinks she did. 

I haven't read mystery books in a while, but I found this one very intriguing. I love when books keep me guessing until the very end and this one definitely kept those pages turning. It was also refreshing to read a murder mystery that wasn't gory, disturbing, or too scary. I am pretty sensitive to those kind of books, but love mysteries, so this one was right up my alley. 

The Valet's Secret

Rebecca Parker is a lonely widow whose only child is already grown and on her own. After her husband died she was forced to move back in with her abusive artist father and help him with his work to provide for her and her daughter. Her father has been drinking more and more, which also means he is becoming even more mean to her. She feels the future is dreary until one day when a valet named Malcom Henry almost runs her over with his wild out of control horse. In the moments afterwards she finds herself kissing this complete stranger, which is very unlike her. Rebecca believes that the love at first sight, fairy tale ending isn't meant for her, but she can't keep herself from thinking about Malcolm and the feelings that he stirs in her. She begins to fantasize about life with him and away from her father. However, when she helps serve at a dinner party for a rich family, she discovers that Malcom is a guest, and definitely NOT a valet, but the heir to an earldom. Rebecca is humiliated and all her day dreams of a better life come crashing down around her. 

Josi Kilpack is a proper romance genius. Reading her books is like reading a Hallmark movie. You know that the two protagonist characters will end up together, but you can't help being intrigued by the plot and the events that get them there. This book is all about second chances at love, overcoming trials and obstacles, hope, and of course, romance. It is an intriguing story that keeps the pages turning until the sun comes up.  

Hold On, But Don't Hold Still

 'Hold On, But Don't Hold Still' is an inspiring memoir by Kristina Kuzmic. Kristina shares her story of a life that didn't turn out quite like she planned, but through endurance and hope, turned out to be quite beautiful and fulfilling. When she winds up being a single mom with two small kids, almost destitute, and buried under severe depression, she has a hard time believing that life could ever get any better. She starts to believe that her children would be better off she just ended her life, but through an amazing therapist and lots of hard work, she comes to understand the truth behind that awful lie. 

I discovered Kristina on Facebook. Her witty and heartfelt videos were a source of joy and entertainment for me. I loved how real and raw she was, and that she was willing to discuss the hard truths of being a mom. I have felt the things that she has felt and she gave me hope on some of my hardest parenting days. When she announced that she was publishing a book I knew it was one I definitely need to read, and it did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of hers and promise you that this book is worth the read.