This Is How You Lose The Time War Book Review

Title: This Is How You Lose The Time War

Author: Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Romance, Time.

Plot: The Time War is slowly and meticulously waged in the tiny moments of each day, stretching years into the distance. A small tweak here, a snip there and the ripple effect takes over. Each side is convinced that they will win in the end and only Time will tell if that claim is true.

Red is the best at what she does. She was built for this war, in many ways, but she is more than her design. She is thorough and does a good job. Commandant is pleased. But one day she finds a letter in the rubble and unknowingly sets off on a path that will burn across the threads of Time itself.

Blue is also the best at what she does. She was grown by Garden and lovingly cultivated at arms' length to be the best. She matches Red stride for stride and taunts her with her words spanning across the echoing distance.

Each is convinced that they will win the war, but who will lose it?

Likes/Dislikes: This book was amazing! It was shorter than I expected it to be (novella length) and so breathtakingly gorgeous that I read it in one day and haven't fully recovered. I told my husband he has to read it and buy me a copy for my personal library. I liked both protagonists which rarely happens. I loved everything about this story! Trust me, you have to go read it!

Rating: PG-16 and up, mainly for reading level and content (some talk of sex but in the same vein as eating or sleeping).

Date Reviewed: February 6th, 2020

A Royal Pain Book Review

Title: A Royal Pain


Author: Rhys Bowen

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Series, Romance, Action/Adventure, 1930s, England, Royalty

Plot: Thirty-fourth in line for the throne might hold sway in Harrods department store but not in the areas where it counts. Georgiana is twenty-two and living on her in the family house in London and just barely getting by. She makes a half living by opening people's houses for them when they come to town but the season is ending. Furthermore, her family wants her to marry a prince she doesn't care for and she has fallen madly in love with a very unsuitable Catholic Irish boy.

As if all of that wasn't enough on her plate already, the Queen decides that Georgiana is the perfect person to play host to a young German princess just out of a convent school. The Queen is hoping to pair the princess with her wayward oldest son but needs to do it subtly. Unfortunately, Georgi has no money, no maid and this princess talks American like a real gangster. On top of that, people start dying all around her. So inconsiderate of them.

Likes/Dislikes: I'm not entirely sure why I like this series as it is rather girlish in character and wording. Most of Georgi's problems irritate me since I can see several different ways for her to get out of them. But I like Darcy and I really like Belinda. I wish Belinda was in the stories a lot more than she actually is. She just kind of flits in and out with a new boyfriend every few chapters. There was one spot in this particular story where Georgi is almost raped but it isn't graphic and she gets away. It still should be mentioned for trigger warnings. This is the second book in the series.

Rating: PG-16 and up, mainly for content (talk of sex, attempted rape, murders)

Date Review Written: March 15th, 2019

The Innkeeper's Daughter Book Review

Title: The Innkeeper's Daughter


Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance,

Plot: Johanna Langley is 25 and runs the Blue Hedge Inn with the occasional help from her ailing mother and rambunctious ten year old brother. Business isn't exactly booming and the inn has seen far better days but Johanna is determined to keep it afloat because if she doesn't, she could end up in the workhouse and separated from her family who depend on her heavily. With this type of stress on her shoulders, Johanna doesn't have time for Alexander Moore.

Alexander Moore is an officer in the Bow Street Runners and has accepted an incredibility dangerous undercover mission to expose a high stakes plot against the British crown. His life depends on his mission and he never thought a pretty face would complicate things quite so much as Joanna's pretty face does. While he would love nothing better than to swoop in and save the day for her, his crucial mission must come first or a great many lives will be lost.

Likes/Dislikes: 1808 in England is an exciting time for historical fictions and this story does not disappoint. It does take a little bit of a slow boil at times and is a squeaky clean romance so if you want something a bit more passionate then best look elsewhere. On the flip-side I would have no problem letting my tweens and teens read this if they wanted to. All in all, a nice little story. This is the second in a series but it is a stand-alone story which is so nice.

Rating: PG-13 and up, mainly for reading level.

Date Review Written: November 3rd, 2018

I received a copy of this for my honest opinion courtesy of Barbour Publishing group. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

A Sherlock Holmes Devotional Book Review

Title: A Sherlock Holmes Devotional

Author: Trisha White Priebe

Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Spiritual

Plot: In a world filled with devotionals for everyone in every walk of faith at every age and written for every schedule type, there are a few that stand out as unique and this is one of them. Using the classic mysteries which have entertained and fascinated us for over a century, Trisha Priebe delves into the mysteries of God with a detective's enthusiasm and comes up with some surprising insights into our favorite detective as well as some words of truth and encouragement which have stood the test of time.

And since this is such a unique devotional, it is perfect for the novice Sherlock reader and the die-hard fan alike as well as fitting in perfectly with a season of time with the Lord or a unit study on Sherlock Holmes and the Victorian era.

Likes/Dislikes: While I didn't finish this book (I had a baby which can really take away from book reading, sadly), I did enjoy the first half and fully intend to revisit it again. And when my kids are older, I'm going to go all homeschool mom on them and incorporate this into their Sherlock Holmes/Victorian era faze for maximum benefits. I liked how there were new insights into Sherlock which I missed or didn't remember when I read the mysteries. So cool.

Rating: PG-12 and up, mainly for reading level. Geared more toward teens and adults.

Date Review Written: August 24th, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Blameless Book Review

Title: Blameless

Author: Gail Carriger

Genre: Steampunk, Victorian England, Romance, Action/Adventure, Drama, Humor

Plot: Everyone knows that werewolves can't produce offspring, but what few people know {until the news is leaked to the press anyway} is that Lady Alexia Maccon is pregnant with her werewolf husband's baby. And that is the cause for his sudden change in attitude and behavior, not to mention the tiny fact that he kicked her out. Alexia has been living with her horrible family for a few weeks in relative peace but when her family finds out her secret, she is suddenly homeless and goes to one of her remaining friends for shelter. Coincidentally, he might also have the answers she seeks but inconveniently, Lord Akeldama has left town in a hurry.

As if her current troubles weren't enough, Alexia finds herself under attack from a swarm of killer ladybugs. Shaken by this experience but uninjured, Alexia decides its time for decisive action and for answers. A quick meeting with her allies and she's off to Italy with her trusty Floote and Genevieve. Pursued across France by vicious vampires bent on killing her before she ever gives birth, Alexia wonders if the Templars will be any worse. Meanwhile, poor Lyall wonders if his Alpha will ever recover form his own drunken stupidity.

Likes/Dislikes: This was an exciting book to read and kept me at the edge of my seat for the two days it took to read {would've been less if I were still single and childless but that's okay}. I didn't like the handful of scenes with Genevieve {whose last name I can't remember how to spell}; it was far too distracting and unnecessary. And I personally would've stayed angry with Lord Maccon for a lot longer. If my husband pulled the stunt he did, I'd be spitting mad for weeks. Still, you can't have something like that too drawn out and it wrapped up beautifully in the end so no worries.

Rating: PG-18 and up, mainly for content {mostly just married couple hints and one scene at the end, and one crazy scientist dude who should've been killed}.

Date Review Written: February 9th, 2016

Changeless Book Review

Title: Changeless

Author: Gail Carriger

Genre: Steampunk, Victorian England, Humor, Fantasy, Romance, Action/Adventure

Plot: Blissfully newlywed Alexia Maccon is rudely awakened in the late afternoon by her werewolf husband yelling at the top of his lungs before dashing off into London on a mission, probably BUR business and possibly caused by her. Curious and unfazed by his behavior, Alexia receives a summons to attend her usual meeting as the queen's preternatural adviser and sets off on her own toward London as well, stopping only long enough to relocate the dotting of army tents from her front yard to her backyard, meet her husband's rather rude Gamma and pick up Ivy who seems to have gone and gotten herself engaged - of all things!

Of course, these little worries are soon overshadowed by the bigger mystery that covers London and had Lord Maccon out of bed at such an early hour. And this mystery grows, causing first Lord Maccon and then his undaunted wife to head to Scotland in search of answers. What they find is surprising and just a little more than Alexia bargained for.

Likes/Dislikes: This is the sequel to Soulless and picks up the thread of the story beautifully just three months into the unusual marriage of Maccon and Alexia. They're a hilarious couple, though after awhile, all his amorous attentions would've gotten on my nerves if my husband behaved like that. *wink* The scene where a secondary character is changed into a werewolf is very bloody and a bit graphic but passed fairly quickly. All in all, a fun romp in the pages. For such a big surprise "twist" at the end, I really wouldn't have placed the cover model's hand so suggestively. I guessed it without reading the book. Still a wonderful exciting read!

Rating: PG-18 and up, recommended for mature readers only for content {happily married couple stuff, innuendos, the wolf changing scene}.

Date Review Written: February 9th, 2016

The Books of 2015

I read a lovely grand total of fifty-seven books in 2015 {possibly fifty-eight; we'll see if I finish my current book before the New Year begins}, and some of those books admittedly were baby books but I still had to read them. I only counted them once though; the other twelve times were the baby's doing. *wink* So I'm putting all the books here, like I did last year and you can also see the neatly organized Year in Books that GoodReads put together for me. Happy Reading!

The Unassisted Baby by Anita Evensen

Read from December 27th, 2014 - January 3rd, 2015

Little Bunny's Bible by P.J. Loyns

Read in January

Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt

Read January 8th-14th

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Read January 14th-19th.

Four books read in January {one baby book}

Tiny Bear's Bible by Sally Llyod-Jones

Read in February 2015

Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Alyssa Satin Capuilli

Read on February 12th

One Fish, Two Fish by Dr. Seuss

Read on February 14th

Turn Up the Heat by Dr. Kevin Leman

Read from February 12th-20th

Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life by Marta MacDowell

Read from February 11th-23rd

Spot Goes Shopping by Eric Hill

Read in February

Six books read in February {four baby books}

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Read in March

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

Read in March

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley

Read from February 6th-March 5th

The Prepper's Pocket Guide by Bernie Carr

Read from March 27th-28th

Four books read in March {two baby books}

Dinosaur Roar by Paul Stickland

Read on April 12th

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Read on April 12th

Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Read on April 13th

Nobody's Cuter Than You by Melanie Shankle

Read from April 18th-23rd

Four books read in April {three baby books}

Miss Manner's Guide to Domestic Tranquility by Judith Martin

Read from April 30th-May 4th

Smith of Wootton Major by J.R.R. Tolkien

Read in May

Dragon Hunter by Charles Gallenkamp

Read from August 20th, 2014-May 17th, 2015

The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter

Read from May 19th-27th

Four books read in May

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

Read from June 4th-10th

What is Love Biscuit? by Alyssa Satin Capuilli

Read in June

Thumper's Fluffy Tail by Laura Driscoll

Read in June

Three Little Mermaids by Mara Van Fleet

Read in June

Good Dog Carl by Alexandra Day

Read in June

Five books read in June {four baby books}

A Year of Pies by Ashley English

Read in July

Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

Read from June 16th-July 4th

Who-ology by Scott Cavan

Read in July

Three books read in July

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Read in August

I Love You, Goodnight by Jon Buller

Read in August

Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen

Read from August 3rd-4th

The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd

Read from July 23rd-August 5th

Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

Read from August 7th-9th

God Bless Our Fall by Hannah C. Hall

Read in August

Biscuit Loves the Library by Alyssa Satin Capuilli

Read in August

Seven books read in August {four baby books}

Biscuit's Pet and Play Christmas by Alyssa Satin Capuilli

Read in September

Happy Thanksgiving Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Cauilli

Read in September

Biscuit's Snowy Day by Alyssa Satin Capuilli

Read in September

Thumper Counts to Ten by Kitty Richards

Read in September

Hot Mama by Kathi Lipp and Erin MacPherson

Read from September 6th-8th

But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton

Read in September

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Read in September

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Read from September 17th-21st

Eight books read in September {six baby books}

Goodnight Manger by Laura Sassi

Read in October

Annabeth's War by Jessica Greyson

Read from October 13th-18th

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Read from October 21st-23rd

52 Ways to Love Your Body by Kimber Simpkins

Read from October 27th-30th

Four books read in October {one baby book}

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas by Kathi Lipp

Read in November

The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Read from November 6th-9th

Call Me Maybe by Ellie Cahill

Read in November

Three books read in November

Doctor Who: Deep Time by Trevor Baxendale

Read from November 10th-December 2nd

A Baby's Guide to Surviving Dad by Benjamin Bird

Read in December

The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews

Read From December 4th-8th

Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

Read in December

The Time Chamber by Daria Song

Read in December

Five books read in December {one baby book}

Stick around next year for 2016's books!