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. 

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

 Henry is living in China town in Seattle during the second world war. His parents are so proud of him because he was accepted into the white school, but his classmates bully him mercilessly. When a Japanese girl name Keiko starts attending the school, they quickly become friends. Henry knows that his parents would never approve of this friendship, his father is highly prejudice against the Japanese, but Henry can't help falling in love with this smart, quirky, and kind girl. She is the sun within his dark world. That all changes after the attack on Pearl Harbor however. It seems like the entire country fears anyone with ties to Japan, and eventually Keiko and her family are rounded up and sent to a Japanese internment camp. Henry is devastated to lose his friend and is terrified of what will happen to her. He has no idea if he will ever see her again, but he hopes that they will be able to keep their promise to find each other after the war. 

'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet', by Jamie Ford, is a heart warming story of two young people fighting against prejudice to keep their young budding romance alive. It explores the injustice of the WWII Japanese internment camps and brings to light one of the darker moments in American history. The complexities of this wonderful novel are well thought out and very well written. It immerses you into it's beautiful story that may make you shed a tear or two or a ton. The plot held me captivated and curious until the very end. This is definitely a must read for everyone. 

The Secret Life of Bees

 

After you read the last word of this book, you close it, hold it to your chest, and let the emotions wash over you again and again. Its impossible to jump right back into your reality once this story is a part of you - it's one of those books. A book that makes you a better person and increases your understandings just by living within its pages for a while. I would rank this right up there with 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and 'Small Great Things'. 'The Secret Life of Bees', by Sue Monk Kidd, is a necessary read for all. It is impossible not to fall in love with these women, to cheer them on, laugh with them, cry with them, and wish that their bright pink house was in your neighborhood so that you could be best friends with them. The words are beautifully written, almost poetic. The lush descriptions have you completely immersed, and the character development is phenomenal. So obviously, to say that I recommend this book is a huge understatement -- just make sure to have the box of tissues close. 

Lily Owens is growing up in South Carolina in 1964 with an angry, abusive father, and a black woman servant who was the motherly figure that she didn't have. Lily is haunted by the day her mother was killed when she was just four years old. She struggles to remember the details of that terrible day, and is too nervous to ask her father about it. So when a series of events forces Lily to frantically flee her little town, she heads to the only place that might hold some answers to her mother's past. She doesn't plan on finding herself living in a home with three black sisters, but she thinks they might hold the clues she so desperately seeks. 

The Fires of Treason

 

Princess Elizabeth idealizes her big brother, Greg, who is destined to be the king someday. Elizabeth would do anything for him, but when she tries telling him something he doesn't want to hear, he treats her cruelly and unjustly. His words are unforgivable. After Greg is banished from the kingdom, Elizabeth overhears something that she is not supposed to however, and she must warn her older brother. Even if she can't forgive him, she still loves him and doesn't want to see him get hurt. Leaving the lap of luxury to traipse after Greg in the wilderness is a lot harder than she thought it would be, and the adventure she finds herself on is never one that she could have predicted. 

Meanwhile, Greg almost feels relief that the pressures of being king are now off of his shoulders. He has no intention whatsoever to raise an army and fight for his birthright, but is that what is best for his kingdom? Greg has many followers who are both angry and scared that Greg will not be their ruler any longer, and some of them are willing to go to extreme lengths to get him back on the throne. 

In Michele Quirke's debut novel, 'Fires of Treason', two sibling's worlds are turned upside down and they must leave behind everything they have ever known. Their loyalty to each other, as well as to their country, will be tested in ways they never could have imagined. Choosing the right path has never been so difficult. 

I came across this novel through the means of social media, and thought that the storyline was intriguing so I decided to give it a chance. To be honest, I didn't have the highest of expectations for this book, sometimes authors first novels fall flat, but I love fantasy, especially ones that are about royalty, so I gave it a try. Boy am I glad I did! This book exceeded all of my expectations! The plot line hooked me immediately, the character development was well written, and the descriptions were clear and precise. The storyline definitely left me wanting more and I can not wait for the next one. This novel was fantastic and I highly recommend giving it a chance. 

The Impossible Quest

 

Wolfhaven Castle has been invaded unexpectedly. Every single resident has been captured and thrown into the dungeons. The takeover was done so stealthily there must have been someone helping them from the inside, but who is the traitor? And what were those monstrous beings that helped in the attack? Only four people managed to escape, but all of them are just children. How can they possibly manage to rescue an entire castle by themselves?  The witch of the castle has given them a secret spell that is said to awaken four sleeping warriors, but in order to cast the spell they need for impossible key ingredients first - the horn of an unicorn, the tooth of a dragon, the feathers from a griffin, and the scale from a giant serpent. The children don't fully believe that such creatures even exist, but one thing is for certain, if they are ever to see their loved ones again, they are going to need help. The future depends upon a pot boy from the kitchens, a witches apprentice, a knight in training, and the lady of the castle.

'The Impossible Quest', by Kate Forsyth, is a thrilling adventure that will capture the hearts of fantasy readers everywhere. These quick paced books are fast reads with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. With so many cliffhangers, you will literally not be able to put these books down, so do yourself a favor and buy them all at once! 

** If you are interested in purchasing these books from me, you can buy them here: 

https://d4538.myubam.com/p/6054/impossible-quest-the-complete-collection-5

The Giver of Stars

 

When Alice married an American man she was sure her life was about to be one big adventure. She was leaving her family, friends, and country behind for a man who was as dreamy as a movie star. However, Alice finds herself in a strange new land where she definitely does not belong. No one seems to like her, she can't seem to do anything right for her new husband, and her father-in-law is downright insufferable. So when news spreads in the small town of Baileyville, Kentucky that a library is opening up and all of the books will be delivered by women on horseback, she quickly volunteers for the job. 

'The Giver of Stars', by Jojo Moyes, is based on the  true stories of the pack-horse libraries that were set up by Eleanor Roosevelt to increase literacy throughout the United States. These women librarians would ride through all kinds of conditions, delivering books to people who lived in the furthest reaches of their communities. They were tough, brave, and strong women who were true literacy warriors. 

Being a huge book nerd, any book about other book nerds is bound to be an immense favorite, and this novel definitely did not disappoint! From the very first page I was hooked into a plot line so intriguing, suspenseful, and heartfelt I never wanted to stop reading and was incredibly sad to reach the end. There are rumors that this one is going to be turned into a movie so fingers crossed for that one! (They better not ruin it!) This story is one that I am sure I will be revisiting again and again. It was an instant favorite for sure!

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes', by Suzanne Collins, is another masterpiece in the Panem world. It is a prequel to 'The Hunger Games', and tells the story of Coriolanus Snow, an ancestor of President Snow.

Coriolanus is in his last year at the academy, an elite high school. He is a top student, is set to graduate with honors, and is on track to enroll into the university next year to complete his education and make a better life for his family. The Snow's have a long history of power, success, and wealth, but the war with the rebels has left them almost destitute.  The Snows are a proud family however, and are trying their hardest to keep up appearances of prosperity. Coriolanus having a good career is their only hope to make it to stay in the high social class in which they belong to.

Fortunately, Coriolanus has landed a spot as a student mentor during the 10'th annual Hunger Games. It is an honor since only 24 are chosen, two mentors for the 12 districts, one boy and one girl. His family status should get him a decent competitor, but when he is stuck with the girl from district 12 he begins to question his own worth and if his dean has a grudge against him for some reason. He absolutely has to receive one of the prizes awarded at the end of the games, so his hope is riding on an eccentric wild card from district 12.

'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' is both captivating and enthralling. I was glued to the pages and could not set it down. With so many cliff hangers, it was practically impossible to put down. My advice, don't read it when you have a lot going on because you will not want to stop reading! By the end of the book I was so invested in the characters I didn't know how I wanted it to end. It left me pondering life, sacrifices, love, and human nature at its core. It is tragic, beautiful, and heart-wrenchingly wonderful.