Hey! There Are Monsters at My House!

by

Marlene Thalman

A brave young duo searches their house for signs of monsters!

Hey! There Are Monsters at My House is a new children’s picture book by author-illustrator Marlene Thalman and features a young boy, afraid of the dark, who searches his house with his pet cat for signs that monsters are there. With its rhyming narrative and colorful illustrations, the story is perfect for sharing with children who are experiencing nighttime fears. 

Reggie is the bright-eyed redhead who is afraid of the dark. He and his sidekick, Rufus, team up to search the house – high and low – for the monsters they fear lurk in the dark, out-of-the-way corners of their bedroom, attic, and basement. I liked how the book showed what the rooms looked like with the lights on and then with them off so you see what was really behind the scary images, such as the high-contrast t-shirt in the bedroom closet with the white circles that resemble glowing eyes once the lights are out. 

Fear of things in the dark is a universal one affecting all ages and genders to some degree or another. For me, this commonality is perfectly depicted when Reggie and Rufus bravely descend to the basement, and the lights unexpectedly go out. The knobs and dials on the furnace, washer, and dryer could easily resemble eyes as they reflect any stray source of light. The story would be a fun way to calm children’s fears before bedtime, and I think this book would receive multiple readings. 

I did have a little difficulty clearly reading the narrative at times because of the font used or the placement of the words over some of the illustrations, but I still recommend HEY! THERE ARE MONSTERS AT MY HOUSE to those with children who are expressing fears of the dark. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

The Art of Farming

by

T.D. Motley

Warm and homey farm life of a retired art professor.

The Art of Farming is a new novel by T.D. Motley tells the story of an artist and former art professor’s second career following in the footsteps of his family as a farmer in North Texas. The narrative is warm and welcoming, imparting the main character’s obvious love of the land, nature, and his new life, with lovely imagery and surprising comparisons from art history and other unexpected places. 

Sam Barlett is a man with a diverse history. Although he came from a farming family, he pursued a career in the art world as both a working artist and a college professor. A four-year stint in the Air Force stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota further broadened his life experiences. For his encore, he’s developed a small farm in North Texas, growing and selling organic herbs and specialty vegetables. While officially retired from teaching art, he still creates his own and opens his farm up twice a year to visits from the local college art classes to learn about painting landscapes.

Farming is a 24/7, 52-weeks-a-year occupation, especially when raising livestock as well as growing crops. There is a menagerie on the farm, including a pack of well-loved dogs. Sam shares the sad story of losing a special dog, Murph, and it is absolutely like hearing about the death of a family member. 

The author includes details about the varieties of herbs and vegetables Sam grows or experiments with, and there are some extremely tantalizing discussions of how they are used in cooking. Sam’s partner, Annie, is a writer who researches food for her articles and an in-progress cookbook. She travels to locations where the cuisine featured can be authentically experienced but experiments with what she’s learned once she’s back home at the farm, leading to additions to the farm’s crop list. 

Sam often talks about artists whose work comes to mind when he’s describing his new life, chores, or the views he has on his property. Readers shouldn’t be surprised that Sam’s descriptions are vivid and evocative; he’s speaking from his heart and through the eyes of an artist. In addition, many intriguing facts pop up throughout the book, and I was frequently compelled to pause my reading and Google more about them. The topics were as diverse as an artist mentioned or objects such as an artist’s “donkey” or even the familiar Strategic Air Command. These searches, of course, inevitably led down rabbit hole after rabbit hole. I learned so much and enjoyed every minute. 

I recommend THE ART OF FARMING to readers interested in real farming (not hobby farming), rural life, organic gardening, and living a fulfilling retirement. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

The Spotless Giraffe

by

Peter Millett

illustrated by Alison Hawkins

Fun exploration of different exotic animals as Kipekee searches for her place among them.

The Spotless Giraffe is a new children’s book written by Peter Millett and illustrated by Alison Hawkins based on the imagined first day of “school” for Kipekee, the little giraffe born without the usual spots. She’s solid brown. Since she doesn’t have spots like the giraffes that student helpers have seen in the past, they aren’t sure what animal she actually is and end up taking her to classes for animals who share other common characteristics. As she has a brown coat like a camel, they first try to incorporate her into the camel class, or because her long neck reminds them of the llamas, they try her in their class. Each time, though, some other physical feature is missing, but thinking her missing element will come later as she gets bigger, they come up with a replacement to let her fit in and feel more comfortable. They’re rather big-hearted this way. However, when their alternatives don’t work out, they keep trying another group. 

Parents and children can enjoy this fun, simple story on more than one level. While there are humorous attempts to find Kipekee’s class, there is also the important theme of being oneself as they try to make the little giraffe into something she’s not. 

I recommend THE SPOTLESS GIRAFFE to parents of young children and for reading aloud in a group. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

The Duchess of Kokora

by

Nikhil Prabala

Good young adult fantasy and second-chance romance, filled with heart and humor.

The Duchess of Kokora by Nikhil Prabala is a new young adult romantasy filled with heart and humor. From the very first scene, I was hooked by the main character, her witty sarcasm, sense of what’s right, and gutsy attitude. I was a quick conscript to Team Phera. 

Phera Ylir Mdana, the titular duchess, is a kick-ass heroine with a sense of humor and a bit of a temper. She is in the neighboring country of Ryene to participate in the “Rounds,” a marriage competition with Prince Dominic as the prize. Her real goal, though, is to last long enough and score high enough in the game without winning. She hopes that the results will increase her marriageable status (and value) in the eyes of the parents of her true love, Rocelle Virae – another contestant. She and Rocelle had been on the verge of an engagement when a marriage proposal gone wrong left Rocelle’s parents unimpressed and both girls disappointed in the other. 

The plot follows the progress of the marriage game, but there is also political intrigue, a fight over Ryene’s class system of the elite “Signed” (magic users) and the lower class “Unsigned” (those without magic, a love triangle, and, of course, the second-chance romance. The author’s world-building is impressive and immersive, with a fully visualized fantasy world and a well-developed system of magic from the start. The storytelling is engaging, and I laughed out loud at the many gems in the sparkling dialogue. Thank goodness there is mention that this book is the first in a planned series because there is a cliffhanger ending. Hurry, Book Two! 

With its engaging main character, robust plot, and rich world-building, I recommend THE DUCHESS OF KOKORA to readers of young adult romantic fantasies.

See this and other reviews on Guatemala Paula Loves to Read.

Cayman Conundrum

Liz Adams Mystery, #3

by

Stacy Wilder

Liz and Brad’s romantic honeymoon trip to Grand Cayman turns into a busman’s holiday.

Cayman Conundrum is the third book in Stacy Wilder’s fun and fast-paced cozy series, Liz Adams Mysteries, but readers new to the story shouldn’t have any trouble enjoying it as a standalone. (However, you should know that the previous books are cozy mystery gold.) Engaging characters, a puzzling and dangerous mystery, and a romance from the past combine for an entertaining and satisfying story. 

Liz and Brad celebrate their nuptials with close friends and family before taking off for a dream honeymoon in the Caribbean only to discover that Tim, their friend who lives on the island, has gone missing. Rather than the romantic and restful interlude they'd planned, the newlyweds find themselves trying to find him. 

Ironically, weddings are the most stressful of events. I thought the low-key ceremony, in light of an absent friend, was a lovely choice, and Babs’s reception was the biggest surprise ever. Guests Tim and Becky’s reception interactions felt true to life. Why is there always a couple like this at weddings? 

The couple’s island sojourn becomes a working holiday as Liz and Brad work together to find their missing friend. The setting is tantalizing as the couple investigates and enjoys some of the local highlights, including a treasure hunt Tim had intended as a wedding gift. A romantic figure from Liz’s past appears to test the newly forged marriage and the emotions that surface are realistic and understandable. The story is fast-paced and compact, with twists coming one after the other. I was immediately drawn back into this series and read the story straight through in one absorbing sitting. 

I recommend CAYMAN CONUNDRUM to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy an island setting and fans of the previous books in the series. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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