Delilah Dusticle

By: A.J. York. Format: eBook. Read: December 2013.

Delilah Dusticle has the special ability to remove dust from every crevice in a home. She has worked for the Fenchurch-Whittington house since she was sixteen and despite the rules, she has fallen in love with Charlie Fenchurch-Whittington the third. Unfortunately for Delilah, he returns home from a business trip with a fiancee. Delilah becomes so depressed that her magical ability reverses and everything she touches is covered in dust, even her own hair. Shortly thereafter, Delilah is forced to find a new home and a new job, which is very difficult for a person who covers everything in dust. Will she be able to find happiness and regain her ability to remove dust? Or will she fade away into the shadows forever?

Delilah Dusticle is a very, cute, chapter book for children. The author does a wonderful job of showing the importance of self-worth and how the things you believe about yourself, will begin to take hold. There were several grammatical errors in this book, but overall the chapters are short and easy to read. The moral of the story is definitely one that everyone needs to be reminded of, often. The ending provides closure for the story, while setting it up nicely for a potential sequel. Recommended for the third-fifth grade age range.

I have to say, as an adult, I kind of would like a magic power that would conveniently remove all dust… that or clean all the dishes. Hmm… What magical cleaning ability would you like to have?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Notes:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her work, please visit her website.

My Sister’s Books Review #34

The Union Street Bakery

By: Mary Ellen Taylor

Daisy McCrae was abandoned at the bakery when she was just three years old. Thankfully the owners of Union Street Bakery took her in and made her a member of their family, but she still doesn’t feel like she belongs. Now that she has lost her job in DC and thanks to a handful of her mom’s margaritas, she is back at the family’s bakery. Living in her old room, still haunted by ghosts, she is forced to face her painful past, while using her money management skills to save the bakery from bankruptcy. Things get even more complicated when an old customer passes away and leaves her a journal that once belonged to a slave. Daisy has to rely on the help of her sisters in order to solve the mysteries of this ancient diary and continue the legacy of the Union Street Bakery.

Mary Ellen Taylor weaves a graceful and poignant tale within a tale in this book. She manages to balance several characters’ lives from the 1800s to present day. Chocked full of metaphors, readers will laugh and cry as they experience life in the McCrae bakery. Mary Ellen Taylor makes sure to include her readers in on each fascinating detail as the characters discover new truths from the past. At the end of the book, it contains a few of the characters’ famous recipes. Readers will only be disappointed by the fact that this book has to end, because they will feel as though they are a part of the McCrae family. A must read for those who want a little bit of historical mystery set during modern times, with a few morsels of family drama.

Notes:

This review was written for My Sister’s Books.
Purchase Link:
http://mysistersbooks.mybooksandmore.com/web1/actions/searchHandler.do?key=BTKEY:0012120755&nextPage=booksDetails&parentNum=12564

Skipping Stones Blitz

Amazon Buy Link

Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Smashwords

Blurb:

They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Not everyone will grieve in this order, nor will everyone go through every stage. It’s during the stage of denial when Alex Hart meets Andrew Foster. He takes her one-step closer to acceptance: the stage when new, meaningful relationships are formed. The stage when the realization occurs that this is now the new state of normal.

Just when Alex thinks she is on her way to healing, she enters the bargaining phase. That’s the phase where you wonder what you could have done differently. You wonder “what if?” Specifically, what if the ones you loved hadn’t left you?

Leaving…this is what makes heading off to war so difficult and frightening for Alex. She knows all too well what it’s like to be the one on the losing end of life, which is why she’s made it her personal mission in life to save as many lives as possible. The extreme high she gets from treating trauma victims turns into Alex’s own form of therapy, or so she thinks.

When faced with her world being turned upside down, Alex may just find that her true therapy is in the one who has always saved her.

Author Links

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Website

A Note from J.B. McGee 

Bio:

J.B. McGee was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. After graduating from South Aiken High School, she toured Europe as a member of the 1999 International Bands of America Tour, playing the clarinet. While attending Converse College, an all-girls school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she visited Charleston often. It quickly became one of her favorite vacation spots. She met her husband, Chad, during Christmas break her freshman year, and they married in 2001 and she moved back to her home town. 

In 2005, the couple welcomed their first son, Noah. J.B. finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006. During her time studying children’s literature, a professor had encouraged her to become a writer.

In 2007, she welcomed their second child, Jonah, and she became a stay at home mom/entrepreneur. In 2009, the found out their two children and J.B. have Mitochondrial Disease. In 2011, a diagnosis also was given to Chad. Please take a moment and learn more about Mitochondrial Disease. Awareness is key to this disease that has no cure or treatments.

J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia, to be closer to their children’s medical team. After a passion for reading had been re-ignited, J.B. decided to finally give writing a shot. Broken (This Series), is her first book and first series. 

J.B. is represented by Stacey Donaghy with Donaghy Literary Group.

Girl Meets Underworld

By: Jess Watkins. Format: eBook. Read: November 2013.

Stella is severely depressed and alone, after losing both her mother and brother to an animal attack. Faced with no other choice, she decides to end her pain and reunite with her family, by jumping off the roof of a building. That is until a guy appears next to her, then jumps and survives! Turns out this guy, Conner is a vampire and even though he seems very friendly, Stella is afraid that a vampire is the one who killed her family. Still, there is something about Conner and she knows she can trust him. But things get a little crazy when her friends introduce her to a new guy named Will, who seems to be very inconsiderate and hot-tempered. Conner warns her that Will is dangerous, but he is just a human… Isn’t he?

This book is a very, fast and fun read. The pace of the book is very quick, especially in the beginning. Both the plot and the characters could have used more time to be developed thoroughly. However, the ending will leave readers shocked and gasping out loud. The plot also seems a bit too familiar at times, and it will have readers comparing it to other popular vampire novels. The setting is never clearly identified, but it seems to take place in Europe. Although the author’s writing style is very fluid and easy to follow. Overall, fans of the infamous Vampire-Werewolf love triangle, will enjoy this book.

Are you a fan of YA Vampire novels? If so, what’s your favorite series?

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her work, please visit her website.

A Sealed Fate

By: Lisa Gordon. Format: Paperback. Read: November 2013.

Valda just arrived in Dubai and is ready for a fresh start after a horrific breakup. She is ready to begin her new life as a singer in the nightclub, Flanagan’s. Things were going okay for her, until the night she met the club’s owner… Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khaimah. The Sheikh asks Valda for a favor, which she reluctantly agrees to and she is rewarded with a new car. Along the way, Valda realizes she may be too deep in the Sheikh’s business, so she consults a local astrologer. Larissa and Valda not only resemble each other, but they also form an immediate strong bond of friendship. Will Larissa be able to help Valda, before it is too late?

The author demonstrates how far friends will go to help one another in a time of need. She also uses her knowledge of astrology in this book to establish the connections between current relationships and the past. Unfortunately, the author uses a tremendous amount of exclamation points in her writing, which is quite distracting. For American readers, there are a few phrases and terms that are not as easily understood. The story is told mostly from Valda’s point of view, with an occasional short amount from Larissa which can be confusing at times. Overall the premise of this story is very intriguing, but the punctuation errors weaken the flow of the book.

I enjoyed the set-up of this book and the main plot-line. If you could move anywhere in the world, to start a fresh life, where would it be and why?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Notes:
The author of this book provided a copy for me to review. To learn more about this author and her work, please visit her website.

My Sister’s Books Review #33

The Girl Who Chased the Moon

By: Sarah Addison Allen

In the quaint town of Mullaby, North Carolina, Emily Benedict finally meets her mother’s father as she moves into her mother’s old room. She has never been to Mullaby before and she hopes to learn more about her mom and maybe even herself. However she finds herself in a town filled with secrets, where rumors about her family and her very, tall grandfather run rapid and strange lights appear in the night beckoning her to follow. As if this wasn’t enough to intrigue young Emily, her neighbor, Julia Winterson bakes the most heavenly desserts ever. Julia has several secrets of her own and her desserts carry the scents of love and dreams of a united, happier future.

Even though there is magic in every scene of this book, the main characters feel real and readers will be able to relate to them. Readers will be moved by the emotional stories connected to both Emily and Julia. These two characters form an ever-lasting friendship as they each crave what they have never had. As readers read this chapter their hearts and taste buds will be set aflutter. Sarah Addison Allen oozes Southern charm with every word in this book, from childhood and high school football, to adulthood with past regrets and hope for the future. A poignant, emotional tale that will grip each reader’s heart and soul.

Notes:
This review was written for My Sister’s Books.
This review appeared in the November issue of Sasee Magazine.

Purchase Link:
http://mysistersbooks.mybooksandmore.com/web1/actions/searchHandler.do?key=BTKEY:0008971982&nextPage=booksDetails&parentNum=12564

And the Winner is…

Hi Everyone,

I was supposed to announce the winner of the Stacy Juba eBook giveaway on Wednesday, but sadly I was under the weather with a terrible migraine that day. Then, well yesterday proved to be an eventful Thanksgiving with no time to get online, which leads me to today. I want to thank everyone who participated in the giveaway. I would also like to give a special thanks to Stacy Juba for participating in the interview and offering a giveaway.

The answers to the Bonus Questions are:
1. Top Teenage Detective?
a. Nancy Drew
b. The Hardy Boys
c. Clue kids
d. Other

D. Trixie Belden

2. If you could have any one/two of the sixth senses, which would it be?
In Dark Before Dawn, I talked about the sense of psychic hearing, which I described as asking a question of the universe and hearing a response in your thoughts. I see it as an inner road map of knowing what to do so you can make the best decisions. I think that to some degree, we all have this ability, but first we need to clear our mind so that we can hear it, and second we have to trust it. I’d like to develop this sense some more. Not to the extent of Dawn in Dark Before Dawn though – I don’t want to hear anyone’s thoughts! Well, maybe that might be helpful to hear what people were thinking of me….no, I probably wouldn’t like that very much!

Since there were two people who entered in the contest, I went to Random.org and entered the parameters 1 and 2. Congratulations goes to comment #1. Congratulations, Claire!!! You have until December 7th at 11:59pm to contact me to claim your prize. You can select either Sink or Swim or Dark Before Dawn. Congrats!!!

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Welcome… Author, Stacy Juba!!!

Good Morning Everyone,

I would like for you all to help me welcome author Stacy Juba. She is a very talented author of several different genres that I have had the pleasure of reading. To read my reviews click on the title of the book: Face-Off, Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, Sink or Swim, Dark Before Dawn, Teddy Bear Town Bundle.

I hope you all enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

1. Hi Stacy, thanks for hanging out on the blog today. Could you please tell the followers here a little bit about yourself?

Thanks for hosting me! I’m a wife, mom, and former journalist for a daily newspaper. I have always loved to read books and write stories, and was writing my own “mystery series” in fifth grade. I have published books for adults, teenagers and children, and the one theme all the stories have in common is that the characters are at a crossroads in their lives. They are at a fork in the road where they can either stay on the safe and predictable path, which hasn’t been serving them too well, or take a new and riskier path toward a more fulfilling future. On my blog from time to time, the “reporter” in me likes to highlight resources that can help my readers to build their own characters, featuring topics such as meditation, parenting and self improvement. I have written a lot of health articles over the years for various publications, as health and wellness are personal interests of mine.

2. I read all sorts of genres, depending on my mood or what is on The List. What is it like for you, as a writer, to write various tales directed at different audiences?

I basically come up with book ideas based on the mood I’m in at the time. My upcoming novel, Fooling Around With Cinderella, is a light and sparkly romantic comedy/sweet romance. I just felt like writing something light and fun, and I see myself going more in that direction down the line. For Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, I wanted to write something more introspective with a “Wow” ending. I felt like surprising readers. With my reality TV mystery Sink or Swim, I wanted to write an entertaining and suspenseful beach read that was lighter than Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. The adult books come more naturally to me than the books for younger readers, but the teen and children’s books are a nice change of pace once in awhile. Writing about different characters and for different audiences keeps me from being bored. And if I’m having fun writing the story, I hope readers will have fun reading it.

3. What was the first children’s book you remember re-reading as a child?

I remember reading a Bobbsey Twins book called The Dune Buggy Mystery and thinking that I had to reread it as soon as I finished. Then I realized it was a series. I read all the series books I could find, such as The Bobbsey Twins, Happy Hollisters, Dana Girls, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Judy Bolton, and Trixie Belden books as I could keep revisiting the same characters again and again. I also had a fondness for Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books and read those more than once.

4. Who are on your top list of must-read mystery authors?

I always look for new books by Lisa Gardner, Iris Johansen and Heather Graham. They fall more along the lines of romantic suspense. I also like Joann Fluke’s Hannah Swenson mysteries as they are light and quick reads (and they inspire me to bake!) and I’ve read most of Denise Swanson’s Scumble River Mysteries and Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow series .

5. What can readers expect to see from you in the future?

They can look for my romantic comedy/sweet romance novel Fooling Around With Cinderella in 2014, and I plan to write spinoff stories featuring minor characters from the book. I also plan to work on my Face-Off sequel, Offsides, which I wrote when I was a teenager and need to rewrite, as well as finish a mystery novel that was a recipient of the William F. Deeck Malice Domestic Grant which was presented at the Agatha Awards. I have a lot of ideas to keep me busy!

Bonus Questions:

1. Top Teenage Detective?

a. Nancy Drew

b. The Hardy Boys

c. Trizie Belden

d. Other

2. If you could have any one/two of the sixth senses, which would it be?

Links:
Website: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Juba/100155471301

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacyjuba

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2988212.Stacy_Juba

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/stacyjuba/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Juba/e/B002OXLSDE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/stacy-juba

Giveaway Time:
For your chance to win a copy of Sink or Swim or Dark Before Dawn, just leave a comment below between now and November 26, 2013 @ 11:00pm EST. Each comment will count as one entry, if you decide to answer the bonus questions, any correct answers will count as 2 entries. Winner will be selected using Random.org and announced on November 27, 2013. Good luck everyone!

My Sister’s Books Review #32

Dance Hall of the Dead (Navajo Mysteries #2)

By: Tony Hillerman

The Zuni religion has been dealt a powerful blow, when the chosen Little Fire God is murdered and his best friend is missing. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn has to work within both the Navajo and Zuni beliefs, in order to help the New Mexican police force find the missing boy, before it is too late. As if balancing this delicate line wasn’t hard enough for Lt. Leaphorn, there is an archeologist determined to excavate the earth and change humankind’s history.

Tony Hillerman writes with an exquisite passion in this novel. He mixes several layers and different stories in the hunt for the missing boy, by representing the Navajo, Zuni and American traditions. The majestic background of New Mexico comes to life in Hillerman’s details and readers will feel as if they are on the same journey with Leaphorn. Though the ending is a tad predictable and there are several supplementary characters to keep up with, this is an exhilarating tale. This book is an excellent, fast paced page-turner.

Notes:
This review was written for My Sister’s Books.

Purchase link:
http://mysistersbooks.mybooksandmore.com/web1/actions/searchHandler.do?key=BTKEY:0008974338&nextPage=booksDetails&parentNum=12564

My Sister’s Books Review #30

Come Home to Supper

By: Christy Jordan

Christy Jordan’s latest cookbook is dedicated to families in today’s world. This cookbook is crammed full of delicious recipes that are made up of affordable ingredients. She focuses on making things easier for her readers by offering differing ways to cook in the same recipe, i.e. slow cooker versus oven. The recipes are organized by the main ingredient and cover wide variety of cultural favorites. Christy Jordan includes anecdotes from her past and uplifting quotes throughout the book. This is a wonderful cookbook for busy families who are looking for easy recipes to bring everyone to the table.

Notes:
This review was written for My Sister’s Books.

Purchase Link:
http://mysistersbooks.mybooksandmore.com/web1/actions/searchHandler.do?key=BTKEY:0013403120&nextPage=booksDetails&parentNum=12564