When a Lad Meets a Lassie: Review

dear readers,

Taking a trip to the Highlands...

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

HIGHLANDER MOST WANTED

(Montgomery & Armstrong: Book One)

Written by Maya Banks
genre: historical romance

4 STARS

When Bowen Montgomery storms into the McHugh Keep he is not expecting to meet a woman like Genevieve.  A strong woman who stands up for the McHugh clan even though most do not seem to care for her. Genevieve views herself as a shame to family and her will to live broken.  When Bowen enters her life and stands up for her she comes to realize she is starting to feel again. But Genevieve has a secret that could cause Bowen to not only abandon her but hate her forever.  Yet, not telling him would eat at her conscience.  She resolves to tell the truth and return to her plans before Bowen to live in an Abbey; and Bowen once he knows her secret knows he will be alone again.  Will anything bring the two hope of a life together?

I am a big fan of Maya Banks' Highlander series yet this one was not to the scale of her previous novels. While I liked Genevieve and Bowen I was not always sure they were soul mates.  There wasn't as much excitement as her previous Montgomery and Armstrong novel.  Then again I would still recommend this book, and the series, to any historical romance lover.

  

I was hoping that in the next novel that it would be Brodie Armstrong and Taliesan's story AND IT IS!!!

After Scotland’s three strongest clans forge a formidable alliance, an uneasy king plots to consolidate power. Knowing that true strength lies in possessing land, fealty, and hearts, he orders sweet Taliesan McHugh to submit to a marriage that will give him control of the coveted McHugh keep. A tender beauty, Taliesan accepts her fate, certain that her lame leg has made her undesirable to any man—until she is swept into the powerful embrace of rugged, devilishly sensual Brodie Armstrong, a warrior who vows to shield her from brutality at any cost.  

Fearless and bold, Brodie refuses his king’s command to stand down. Instead, he conspires to rescue the rare beauty whose bravery and innocence stir his blood as no woman ever has. As desperate power struggles reverberate throughout the Highlands, Brodie defies his king and devotes himself to the only mission that commands his loyalty, his blood, and his honor: winning Taliesan’s heart.

COMING SEPTEMBER 24, 2013!

Further Adventures with Chester Raccoon

dear readers,

More Chester...

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

CHESTER AND THE BIG BAD BULLY 

Written by Audrey Penn
genre: children, picture book

4 STARS

Chester Raccoon does not want to go to school and neither does his young brother, Ronny and their friend, Cassy.  Chester and Ronny's mother asks them why to which they reluctantly tell her about a big bad bully school.  She tells them a story about how bullies are just lonely.  Chester and his posse go to school and put their mother's advice to practice.

In an age of where bullies are becoming a major problem a story like this is just what kids need.  It is easier to see the good in others when they are young.  I recommend this book to all those who have kids going to school now or in the future.

A KISS GOODBYE

Written by Audrey Penn
genre: children, picture book

3.5 STARS

Mother Raccoon tells Chester and Ronny that they must move as their home is going to be cut down.  Chester does not want to leave his home, school and friends. Mother tells Chester that while it is sad to leave all they know behind this only means they will meet new people and see new places.  

A great book for kids who do not want to move.  

CHESTER RACCOON AND THE ACORN FULL OF MEMORIES 

Written by Audrey Penn
genre: children, picture book

4 STARS

Chester comes home upset that Skiddil Squirrel has had an accident and is dead.  Chester does not know what this means exactly so he goes to his mother.  She explains to him about death and how you keep a loved one in your memories forever.

A beautiful book for children and learning hard life lessons.  

A COLOR GAME FOR CHESTER RACCOON

This is a book for younger children about the different colors in nature.  A fun book for parents teaching their children about colors.

I Did Stay Home...Reading This Novel!

dear readers,

A trip down golden hollywood road...

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

I SHOULD HAVE STAYED HOME 
Written by Horace McCoy
genre: literary fiction

4 STARS

Ralph and Mona are down and out movie extras waiting for their big break into Hollywood. As Ralph's accent holds him back he becomes desperate to change his luck.  During a court trial of a friend Mona is held for contempt and leads herself and Ralph into Hollywood society.  Ralph finds himself being led into a world that will test his morals and desperation.

I immensely enjoyed my first novel by Horace McCoy.  McCoy's writing reminds me of Cormac McCarthy and James M. Cain's as it is straight to the point and gritty.  We always get the shiny happily ever after stories of the golden age of Hollywood.  In "I Should Have Stayed Home" it further opened my eyes to those who do not make as stars.  I was grabbed from the opening scene of a court trial to the end of the novel.  It was one of my read till I finish novels.  I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a gripping story.

I am hoping to read McCoy's most popular novel They Shoot Horses Don't They set in the Depression Era.  Stayed tuned for a review...

Horace Stanley McCoy (1897–1955) was an American novelist whose gritty, hard-boiled novels documented the hardships Americans faced during the Depression and postwar periods. McCoy grew up in Tennessee and Texas; after serving in the air force during World War I, he worked as a journalist, film actor, and screenplay writer. He also wrote five novels, including They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1935) and the noir classic Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye(1948). Though underappreciated in his own time, McCoy is now recognized as a peer of Dashiell Hammett and James Cain. He died in Beverly Hills, California, in 1955.

love,
kris

Revisiting with Chester

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

THE KISSING HAND
(Chester Racoon: Book One)
Written by Audrey Penn
(originally published: 1993)
genre: childrens, picture books

4.5 STARS  

Chester Raccoon's mother tries to ease his anxiety of the first day of school by sharing a family secret...the kissing hand.  She tells him that he needs to be strong and kisses his hand telling him she will always be with him.  Chester think about this and then kisses his mother's hand so she will have him around when she misses him.

What a sweet story about separation anxiety as a child prepares for the first day of school.  I wish this book would have been around when I was worried about leaving my mom for the strange place called school.  This is a book that I think will be around for generations as the underlying emotions will not change.  And the way in which Penn presents it makes it a loveable classic.

love,
kris

Review: KRAMER VS. KRAMER

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

KRAMER VS. KRAMER 
Written by Avery Corman

3 STARS

After some years of marriage and parenthood Joanna Kramer walks out on her husband and son.  In the note she tells Ted she needs more than being a stay at home mom.  Now Ted is a single father trying to understand how Joanna could leave their son, Billy and what he has to do next.  As Ted and Billy start to get used to their new life Joanna returns and wants sole custody.

I have been wanting to read this book since I first saw the movie Kramer vs. Kramer in the early 90s.  I enjoyed the novel which expands on backstory of the Kramers yet lacks the personal touch.  This novel feels like an author telling a story rather than the characters.

Avery Corman (b. 1935) is an American author best known for his novels Kramer vs. Kramer and Oh, God!, which inspired classic feature films. Born and raised in the Bronx, Corman worked as a freelance writer for most of his early career before his first novel was published in 1971. Corman has written powerfully of family relations, divorce, and midlife crisis. 


http://www.openroadmedia.com/avery-corman


love,
kris

Munsch is now available in Ebook!

dear readers,

I loved Robert Munsch as a child and am proud to say I still do! (I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE

3 STARS

"When Allashua disobeys her parents and goes fishing on the sea ice, she has to use her wits to escape and to further trick the Qallupilluit when she promises to bring her brothers and sisters back to them." (From Amazon)

Great artwork that befits the story.  I remember reading this story as a child and the artwork has still stayed with me.  A heartwarming story.

MOIRA'S BIRTHDAY 

4 STARS

Moira wants to invite Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, and Grade 6 aaaaaand Kindergarten but her parents tell her she can only invite 6 friends.  As she goes to school the next day she ends up inviting Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, and Grade 6 aaaaaand Kindergarten without her parents knowing.

Such a fun little story.  A true dilemma all children have when they have a birthday party...and every parents' nightmare.

THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS

5 STARS

Princess Elizabeth is set to marry Prince Ronald until he kidnapped by a dragon.  Elizabeth not having any of that goes after them.  Through quick thinking she tries to outwit the dragon.

My ABSOLUTE favourite of the Munsch books! A great re-telling of a princess story. A princess role model for all girls.


love,
kris

REVIEW: When She Was Wicked - Anne Barton

dear readers,

I have come upon another fabulous new author - historical romance...(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

WHEN SHE WAS WICKED
(Honeycote: Book 1)
Written by Anne Barton
genre: historical romance

4 STARS

Working in a dressmaker's shop allows Annabelle to be invisible and listen into the gossip of the wealthy.  To support her ill mother and sister (who must stay home to care for their mother) she turns to blackmail.  Unfortunately, this time she picked the wrong man to extort and finds herself working for him and his unmarried sisters.  As Annabelle becomes friendly with Owen's sisters she realizes that the gossip she heard was not entirely true but could still harm them.  Not only can his family be involved in a scandal but her passion for Owen can also cause her ruin.

A fun little regency tale.  I really enjoyed this story and loved Owen's two sweet sisters.  Owen is a strong quiet hero and Annabelle is just what he needs.

love,
kris