Review: I'll Be Your Blue Sky by Marisa de los Santos

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With the year almost to a close, this being one of the last books I read this year, this has to be the best was saved for last. Oh my goodness. I can't express in words how beautiful and engaging gliding through this book was. This was my first book read from Marisa de los Santos and I seriously need to back read. Such beautiful writing she has and as much as I wanted closure to get the answers to the plot, I really didn't want the book to end.

We are introduced to Clare, a young woman who is about to make the mistake of her life until a mysterious woman decides to give the courage to be true to herself. To her surprise, a couple weeks later, upon hearing that this mysterious woman died, to her shock she inherited her house and the secrets that lie within. Even though their encounter was brief, when Clare entered her home, there was this magnetic emotional pull that she felt towards Edith. When she stumbles upon a couple of books in the house, questions arise to whom this woman was and piques her curiosity to learn more. During her search, Clare discovers secrets about her life that hit to close to home. Alternately from the 50s and now, I'll Be Your Sky introduces an intricate plot that comes full circle for the reader unraveling layer by layer giving the reader something worth waiting for in the end.

Overall, there isn't anything about the book that I would change. The progression of the plot has you hanging on every word. There is something special with the transition between Clare and Edith that gives the story its depth and with every layer peeled permeates the roots to grow into something wonderful. I loved it and I know you will too. If you haven't read it, add it to your TBR.

Review: Saving Tarboo Creek by Scott Freeman

Tarboo Creek has a rich history when it comes to salmon spawning. Located in the western segment of Puget Sound, its waters were once boisterous with spawning salmon. By the time Scott Freeman and his wife, Susan Leopold, both multi-generational preservationists, purchased a tract of land surrounding it, it had long since been channelized into a drainage ditch with a series of culverts that blocked salmon activity mid-stream. They joined with the Northwest Watershed Institute to revive the waters of Tarboo Creek to once again provide a home and nesting ground for salmon. Part science project and part ecological narrative, Saving Tarboo Creek: One Family’s Quest to Heal the Land tells their story and vies for humankind’s ethical responsibility to nature. Though dotted with endearing hand-drawn nature sketches, this is more than a feel-good environmental story. It’s clear that Freeman has done his homework as he namedrops from the vast community of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula; Lichens, Caddis Fly, Bushtits, Bracket Fungi, Sitka Spruce and of course, the Coho salmon to which the book and Freeman’s efforts are dedicated. Perhaps these species are mentioned not to show Freeman’s extensive knowledge, but because they are constantly mingling; living with and around and off of each other. They affect one another, rely on one another and as Freeman points out, none is more reliant or holds more power to affect, whether positively or negatively, this environment than we humans.

For the layperson, it can be difficult at times to navigate the hydrocarbons, photo synthesizers and carotenoids of his world. More than once I was reintroduced to words I hadn’t seen since a college ecology course, but it’s worth the effort; there is much to be learned here. However, if you are expecting a start to finish description of the stream restoration project, look elsewhere. Freeman’s story is a non-linear one and oftentimes, not even his own. He jumps from the life and times of his father-in-law (himself a preservationist), to the endangered mammals of 19th century American Northwest and back to the contemporary tropics of Borneo without batting an eye. The book is more informative than it is narrative and can be likened to reading the transcription of a Ted Talk. With the wrong expectations, it can seem roundabout and even as if Freeman is airing old grievances as he diverges from the salmon and their surroundings and begins to target an array of growing issues. In the end, Saving Tarboo Creek is a call to stewardship and every page is employed to ring that bell. It isn’t about one salmon creek or one family’s efforts. It’s a call to the collective. It’s about all of nature and all of humankind and the domestically violent relationship we have fostered for too long. It’s about change, and if you ask me —it’s about time.

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Review: The Candy Cane Kiss by Maggie Dallen

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The Candy Cane Kiss is an opposite attracts/fake dating young adult book set during the holiday season. The fake dating trope is one of the most overused trope out there, but it never fails to be entertaining.

Unfortunately, I didn't exactly enjoy this one. The biggest issue I had was pacing. Everything moved at hyper-speed. This caused the story to feel incredibly unbelievable & undeveloped. Like mentioned earlier, fake dating tropes are the most entertaining plotlines to have in a book. And one of the most beautiful thing about fake dating, is that you see the characters slowly fall in love. You witness them struggle at first and then eventually realize that they want to be together.

In The Candy Cane Kiss, there was no struggle between Lola & Lucas. On their first "date", they were practically already in love. It was all very instalove, especially since that had just met.

Lola was likeable from the start and Lucas grew on me as the book continued. And I think that if the story had progressed in a different way, I really would have enjoyed their relationship a little more. They had cute moments between them but it felt out of place and not earned.

Final Analysis 

The Candy Cane Kiss is a young adult fake dating story that unfortunately has a pacing issue. 

Review: The Edge of Yesterday by Robin Stevens Payes Book 1 & 2

I'll admit, when I first came across this series, it didn't pull something in me to want to just grab it and read. I came across it again and decided to give a chance. I'm so glad that I did. It was definitely a pleasant surprise.

I'm not usually into the time traveler theme but being since the heroine was a middle school girl, it gave the book a different appeal. She was smart, ambitious and what I found really interesting is how Leonardo da Vinci was her idol professionally. She admired his technical achievements and had been fascinated with how ability to achieve so many things. She comes across mature for her age and knows more than your typical teenager. It’s nice how we see a young girl interested in a scientific background wanting to pursue a future in it with the goals to want to accomplish great things. It was refreshing to see a young character in a book today that idolized someone with substance that actually had talent other than taking selfies on Instagram. My favorite part of her character was her third for knowledge to learn everything from someone who she believed could do it all and who was such a significant part of the Renaissance period.

The book was about a teenage girl who was inspired by an exhibit, a science fair, and a dream to build what she believes is Leonardo da Vinci's design for a time machine. An accident happens, and she finds herself at the center of her curiosity back 500 years right next to Leonardo himself. She just gets thrown into the past with the uncertainty of what will happen leading us hanging there jumping into book two.

In the second book, the story picks up from where it left off in the first and you get to know the key players around da Vinci. There are similarities with the people she encounters in the past versus the people in her life in the present. Trying to adjust from her modern life to the expectations of that time is definitely a learning curve for her. One thing that was very interesting is how her modern technology (table and phone) is her lifeline that is proving to be a good thing and bad. Once she found a way to connect with her modern life, she has to be careful to follow the rules so she can be safe. It will be up to her to figure out the key that will unlock the mystery to get her back home.

Overall, this was good so far. The more you read this series, the more you are fascinated by where it will lead. The uncertainty is making you want to flip the pages faster. It looks like there will be a third book but it was definitely worth picking up. Carlotta is extremely likable and fun to follow along. I loved how the book incorporated important images that correlated with different parts of that historical period. The book is interactive where you can go online and do fun things to follow her journey. It was an interesting concept and I can't wait to see where this series goes. I'd definitely recommend this series as one that is positive and adventurous and definitely keeps the curious interested.

You can get your copy on:

Book One: The Edge of Yesterday - Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book Two: Da Vinci’s Way - Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary Book One:

When thirteen-year-old geek-girl Charley Morton decides to build what she believes is Leonardo da Vinci’s design for a time machine for the middle school science fair, she has two thoughts in mind: to win first prize and to travel back in time to meet her idol, Leonardo. Her goal: to find out how the Renaissance artist, engineer, scientist, musician, anatomist, and inventor managed to do it all.

Summary Book Two:

In this second book of the Edge of Yesterday series, Charley Morton, girl inventor extraordinaire, is determined to hack time. When her model for a time machine accidentally ignites, Charley’s sent whirling back 500 years, coming face-to-face with her Renaissance idol, Leonardo da Vinci. It’s a perfect scenario for the Renaissance-girl wannabe. Until the news: Her mother is gravely ill. Charley must get home! Can she reverse-engineer time travel . . . and what future will she encounter if she succeeds?

Review: My Mistletoe Mix Up by Judy Corry

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My Mistletoe Mix Up was a cute, innocence young adult romance novella. It delivered on all of the promises and managed to be sweet and entertaining.

My Mistletoe Mix Up centers on Raven Rodgers. At a party, she accidentally mistaken her crush, for his twin brother- the brother whom she dislikes. As the novel continues, she begins to realize that she might have fallen for the wrong brother. It is set in Christmas time which provides an extra dose of joy. It felt like a feel good Hallmark movie.

There was a serious topic that was mentioned within the book. The majority of the book is playful, and the serious topic was not introduced in an offensive nor humorous way. It was respectful.

Another thing that I enjoyed about My Mistletoe Mix Up was that there were no “villains” nor any unnecessary drama. It was a pretty straight to the point novella, that did not waste time on any unnecessary things. For example, if there was a misunderstanding, it was cleared up fairly fast without dragging it on.

Characters

Raven and Logan were cute characters and likable characters. Logan was not the typical YA “bad boy”, he was sweet and there was an extra layer about him. I really liked the fact that he was not a jerk.

Final Analysis

My Mistletoe Mix Up was a cute, quick, and fun Christmas read.

Review: Once a Midwife: A Hope River Novel by Patricia Harman

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Patricia Harman's Once a Midwife brings the reader to the homefront during WWI. Pearl Harbor has been bombed, Hitler is on his terrible reign in Germany while war looms through Europe. Along the homefront in Hope River, the residents supporting the wartime effort find themselves on the divide among each other when it comes out that one of their beloved residents, Daniel Hester, is a conscientious objector and is prosecuted for his beliefs. There is more behind why he isn't but in the eyes of others, he's labeled a draft dodger and doesn't love his country. His wife, Patience, no matter how much she is loved, finds herself caught in the middle of trying to find hope to hold onto to her life, family and dealing with the consequences of their divided beliefs.

This is my first read from Patricia Harman. There is more to the story than what I just mentioned but that covers much of the angst within the book. From what I've read in other books, this is the first time I've come across the subject of objectors during this war period. We usually hear about the propaganda, the rationing, the collection of raw goods for manufacturing war products and the strong swifting patriotic spirit. This was an interesting perspective especially coming from a character who was a good family man, well respected and never had issues. Not that you have to be a bad person but it softens the negative perspective that being opposed meant you hate your country. Diving into the why's of not wanting to participate in the draft as a result of his previous time served gives the reader into a different insight. You were automatically labeled unpatriotic buy no one talks about the effects of going to war and how it affects your life. I know it's easier to say now since the draft isn't prevalent in our lives but when you hear the reasoning of why not, it presents a dilemma. You sympathize but at the same time, his family's hardship could've been avoided had he complied with the expectations at the time.

The heart of the book was the midwife, Patience. I loved everything she represented in the book. Here is a woman who embodies strength and is trusted by so many women not only being a midwife but as a wife and mother. Her beliefs were strong and progressive for her time, the role she played in her community and her life was an important one. The challenges she faced with the backlash of her husband's belief along with the internal conflict of her opposition to his beliefs, loving him and hating him for what they had to endure as a result of his "lack of patriotism" gives readers a nice story that they will have much to talk about. The supporting cast of her friends brings a wholeness to their lives that only enhance the novel. In particular, her beautiful friendship with Bitsy was one of my favorites. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Beyond their situation, you experience beautiful friendships, loss, love and just the spirit of what it means to be an American. This is a nice one that you will just get swept away in. I'd recommend checking this one out.