The Librarian Book One: Little Boy Lost-I'll be reading this one to my grandkids

It’s a common theme for children’s book.  Classic literature coming to life.  So do we need more of this theme?  I say, sure!  Why not?

This first book I remember reading where classic literature came to life was “Seven Day Magic” by Edward Eager, my favorite children’s author.  In that book, as in this one, the world of Oz comes to life.  I loved the idea then and I love the idea now.  

Wesley and his class are on a field trip to the library and will find out who wins a essay contest.  Wesley’s was stolen by the class bully and submitted as the bully’s own so this day hasn’t started particularly well.  This particular library is quite old and has unusual artwork representing many classic children’s stories.  The librarian is a bit of a recluse with a mysterious past.  Ok, I’m already going to be hooked.  Wesley, who is the stereotypical much-bullied nerd, and his friend Taylor, the stereotypical popular girl that has befriended the nerd, decide to follow the librarian as the group is supposed to be reboarding the bus for home.  When they find one of the displays destroyed and an unusually dressed boy attacks them, the adventures begin.

This may not be the deepest book of its kind that’s ever been written but I would have greatly enjoyed it when I was 8 or 9.  I was a nerdy book girl and I read everything I could get my hands on so the idea of those worlds coming to life was always a dream for me. This book has the elements of adventure and friendship that I loved and the theme of Oz is well-known enough by most kids that even if they’ve only seen the movie this would be familiar territory. It leaves us on a cliff-hanger which most kids will be unable to resist.  I actually look forward to reading this to my granddaughters in a few years.  

More about Eric Hobbs

• Would I pay money for it?Yes.
• Would I read more by this author? Yes
• Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes

Purchased as a Kindle freebie June 9, 2013

The Boddy in the Snowbank-An entertaining little story

This publication shows how the changes in the publishing industry can promote new ways of telling stories and new ways for authors to get their work out to the public. This is a short story, 6 pages long, that began as a blog post from the 7criminalminds blog where they gave a writing prompt and different authors used it to create a short story. It's apparently always a freebie which would make sense at that length.  It is obviously a very quick read at 6 pages.  

The prompt was "The Clue characters are locked in a winter lodge. Mr. Boddy is found dead in a snowdrift with no visible signs of trauma. Who did it and how do you prove it using just the things in the lodge?” I don't know if the other blog posts were published for Kindle but if they were, I would read them.

I'm a huge fan of the game "Clue" so the characters were quite familiar to me but in a story as short as this there's no way to really develop them or give much backstory.  I found it an entertaining little read, reminiscent of the 1985 movie.

 

7criminalminds blog 

More about Jenna Bennett 

• Would I pay money for it?  No, too short
• Would I read more by this author?  yes 
• Would I recommend this to a friend?  If they like to read short stories, which some people don't

Dance of the Winnebagos-Big on humour, short on mystery

Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles

"Dance of the Winnebagos" is a light little romantic mystery, heavy on the heavy breathing, light on the mystery.

Claire has been sent with her grandfather when he goes to Arizona to stay in an RV park with his buddies in the hopes of meeting some women.  Claire's job is to keep him out of trouble.  She's pretty clear that's not going to happen.  But when his dog finds a human femur in the desert and Claire find the hunky nephew of the RV park owner, she's in a lot more trouble than her grandfather is.

The answer to the mystery is pretty obvious from the beginning and it's seems it's just a background for Claire and Mac to get hot and heavy together.  That's ok if that's what you're looking for.  I prefer a little more mystery in my mysteries but I will say that this was a fun couple of hours read.  The grandfather and his friends are spicy, the RV park owner's daughter is realistic and the characters are likeable.  I'm sure I'll read the next in the series just to find out how the various relationships progress.  But I won't be reading them for the mystery.



Would I pay money for it?Yes but I would have a fairly low limit

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Would I recommend this to a friend? Depends on the friend.  The language and the degree of sexiness would definitely not be appropriate for everyone.

The Girl with the Cat Tattoo-Like the fluffy frosting on a cupcake

This was quick to read and fun. A little mystery, some romance, some fun with a cat and a lot of quirkiness and whimsy. It felt light and fluffy and a great read for when you just want entertainment. No deep thinking here. It's actually a chance to let your mind relax and just go with the flow. Good escapism.

Would I pay money for it? Yes but it's short so it couldn't be too much

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes

Purchased as a freebie March 13, 2013

A Bobwhite Killing-A fun piece of entertainment

A Bobwhite Killing is quite a fun piece of entertainment!  It's cozy, it's funny, it's engaging and it has a decent mystery.

Bob White has decided to spend the weekend bird watching with Jack O'Keefe's birding group to escape his sister's relentless preparations for her upcoming wedding.  It's been reported that the Northern Bobwhite, which was thought to be extinct, has been spotted in the area.  It's enough to get any true birder's heart beating fast!  When he arrives, he finds that the leader of the birding weekend is now married to Bob's teenage crush.  When he later finds that leader murdered, it's clear the weekend won't turn out as he's planned.

This is pure escapism.  It has a gentle feel that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It had a lot of humour and I like the Minnesota setting.  I could feel the atmosphere of the forest. 

The only slight drawback to me was how many characters there were.  I had to go back a couple of times to see who was who.  I actually laughed when I read this sentence, "I think Billy called up Ben after he followed Jack to Kami's at Shana's request."  So many names!  I wondered if the author meant that to be humorous or if it just came across that way to me. However it was meant, this is an enjoyable cozy that gave me several hours of pleasure and I'm sure the others in the series will do the same.

Would I pay money for it?   Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes

Purchased as a freebie July 10, 2013

Artful Dodger-A fun, quick romantic mystery by Nageeba Davis

Artful Dodger is a quick fun read that introduces an interesting new heroine.  Maggie Kean is an aspiring sculptor living next door to a rich and influential woman who wants to help her with her art.  Finding that same woman floating in her septic system turns Maggie’s world upside down.  Meeting the handsome Italian detective running the case throws even more kinks into Maggie’s life.  This is a cozy romantic mystery that makes you want to curl up on the couch with a favorite beverage and hope no one interrupts you.

I think this is the beginning of what could be a great series.  These characters, Maggie, her best friend Lisa, Sam Vallari and his very Italian mom and dad, all seem like characters that could have excellent development.  I love the setting in the Colorado Rockies.

This book is fun, light reading.   I was fortunate enough to get this book while it was free on Amazon but it would definitely be worth the regular price of $3.99 and I’m sure I’ll be happy to pay for the others in the series.