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Calvin is a six-year-old who knows he is the center of the universe. Huh? How you ask. He has more than one answer to the question. Calvin is a smart kid, you see. This is the first book in the series and starts on a promising note.
While this Calvin does have a few cheeky similarities with the famous Calvin, he also seems to have his own personality. We’ll know better in the subsequent books.
The font and the illustrations are perfect for kids. The book is aimed at the 4 to 9 age group and has illustrations in vibrant watercolors (with light & shadow effects and swirling backgrounds). Calvin has a huge grin (with a missing tooth) most of the time. The expression reminds me of mischievous kids who are always up to something.
Each page has no more than 2-3 lines in a cute font and a solid size. No more squinting at the book to read the text. Kids can read the story for themselves (with a wee bit of help) as the words are simple and easy to understand.
To sum up, Calvin, Center of the Universe is a quirky book for little monkeys though it might give them a few more ideas for mischief. ;)
I received an eARC from Book Sirens and Doug Goterman and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While this Calvin does have a few cheeky similarities with the famous Calvin, he also seems to have his own personality. We’ll know better in the subsequent books.
The font and the illustrations are perfect for kids. The book is aimed at the 4 to 9 age group and has illustrations in vibrant watercolors (with light & shadow effects and swirling backgrounds). Calvin has a huge grin (with a missing tooth) most of the time. The expression reminds me of mischievous kids who are always up to something.
Each page has no more than 2-3 lines in a cute font and a solid size. No more squinting at the book to read the text. Kids can read the story for themselves (with a wee bit of help) as the words are simple and easy to understand.
To sum up, Calvin, Center of the Universe is a quirky book for little monkeys though it might give them a few more ideas for mischief. ;)
I received an eARC from Book Sirens and Doug Goterman and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Publication Date: 27th Sep 2022
3 Stars
One Liner: More Enjoyable for those who read the series
The book is a collection of three cozy mystery novelettes by three authors. The stories have a common theme-
• Christmas time
• Scarf as a part of the crime
• Small town setting
• A recipe at the end of each one
Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O'Connor
There has been a theft at the local nursing home. Siobhan O’Sullivan and Macdere, her husband, are called to handle the case. Before they can make much progress, one of the stolen items, a hideous long scarf, ends up as a possible murder weapon in the death of a young lad. Are the crimes connected? Who stole the items? Who killed the man?
It’s rare for me to come across a slow-paced cozy. Fortunately, the story was interesting enough. Siobhan Sullivan is the leading lady of the Irish Village Mystery Series. It isn’t mandatory to read the series (for the case), but it would help keep track of the names and characters we encounter.
The case, as such, requires multiple characters, and adding a whole bunch of family members to it made it a bit too confusing. I gave up trying to track them and went with the flow. Something tells me I’d have enjoyed this more if I read at least one book from the series.
This was an okay read – 3 stars.
Scarfed Down by Maddie Day
Christmas has arrived in Pans ‘N Pancakes, a delightful county store (plus eatery) set in a fictional town. Things go awry when one of the clients dies at home under mysterious circumstances, and the reason has something to do with the green scarf she’s been knitting. Robbie Jordan is not new to solving cases and looks like she has to step up again.
Like the previous novelette, this one also has characters and setting from an existing series, Country Store Mystery. Fortunately, it was a little easier to follow the relationships and stuff. The first-person narration comes in short chapters and keeps the pace steady.
The case is rather a little too easy. I know cozy mysteries are light stuff, but this is too light for my taste. The talk of baking and the quirky grammar kept me interested. Also, the scarf isn’t the central point in this one, and there was an inconsistency (or so it seemed). The author’s note explains why, though I’d have liked the scarf to have a bigger role.
Another okay read – 3 stars.
Death by Christmas Scarf by Peggy Ehrhart
Carys Walnutt has been strangled by her Christmas scarf. The handmade scarf was an auction at Arborville’s tree-lighting ceremony. It seems like a straightforward case, and soon an arrest is made. But is the case really solved? It’s up to Pamela Paterson to dig deeper and find the truth.
Right! So this story also has characters and setting from an established series. A Knit & Nibble Mystery has Pamela Paterson solving crimes and knitting with her club members. The novelette starts with a bang as the crime has already been committed.
The case is interesting, and so are the delicious cakes and cookies mentioned. There were too many characters to track, which reduced my enjoyment levels. However, the end was quite satisfactory. The author provided detailed instructions to knit a teddy bear along with a recipe.
One more okay read – 3 stars
To Summarize, Christmas Scarf Murder is a quick read if you want three different types of mysteries in the same book. No doubt, it will be much more enjoyable if you are familiar with the characters.
I'm tempted enough by the settings to check out the series soon.
Thank you, NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kensington Cozies, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#ChristmasScarfMurder #NetGalley
*****
P.S: Don’t you love the cover?
3 Stars
One Liner: More Enjoyable for those who read the series
The book is a collection of three cozy mystery novelettes by three authors. The stories have a common theme-
• Christmas time
• Scarf as a part of the crime
• Small town setting
• A recipe at the end of each one
Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O'Connor
There has been a theft at the local nursing home. Siobhan O’Sullivan and Macdere, her husband, are called to handle the case. Before they can make much progress, one of the stolen items, a hideous long scarf, ends up as a possible murder weapon in the death of a young lad. Are the crimes connected? Who stole the items? Who killed the man?
It’s rare for me to come across a slow-paced cozy. Fortunately, the story was interesting enough. Siobhan Sullivan is the leading lady of the Irish Village Mystery Series. It isn’t mandatory to read the series (for the case), but it would help keep track of the names and characters we encounter.
The case, as such, requires multiple characters, and adding a whole bunch of family members to it made it a bit too confusing. I gave up trying to track them and went with the flow. Something tells me I’d have enjoyed this more if I read at least one book from the series.
This was an okay read – 3 stars.
Scarfed Down by Maddie Day
Christmas has arrived in Pans ‘N Pancakes, a delightful county store (plus eatery) set in a fictional town. Things go awry when one of the clients dies at home under mysterious circumstances, and the reason has something to do with the green scarf she’s been knitting. Robbie Jordan is not new to solving cases and looks like she has to step up again.
Like the previous novelette, this one also has characters and setting from an existing series, Country Store Mystery. Fortunately, it was a little easier to follow the relationships and stuff. The first-person narration comes in short chapters and keeps the pace steady.
The case is rather a little too easy. I know cozy mysteries are light stuff, but this is too light for my taste. The talk of baking and the quirky grammar kept me interested. Also, the scarf isn’t the central point in this one, and there was an inconsistency (or so it seemed). The author’s note explains why, though I’d have liked the scarf to have a bigger role.
Another okay read – 3 stars.
Death by Christmas Scarf by Peggy Ehrhart
Carys Walnutt has been strangled by her Christmas scarf. The handmade scarf was an auction at Arborville’s tree-lighting ceremony. It seems like a straightforward case, and soon an arrest is made. But is the case really solved? It’s up to Pamela Paterson to dig deeper and find the truth.
Right! So this story also has characters and setting from an established series. A Knit & Nibble Mystery has Pamela Paterson solving crimes and knitting with her club members. The novelette starts with a bang as the crime has already been committed.
The case is interesting, and so are the delicious cakes and cookies mentioned. There were too many characters to track, which reduced my enjoyment levels. However, the end was quite satisfactory. The author provided detailed instructions to knit a teddy bear along with a recipe.
One more okay read – 3 stars
To Summarize, Christmas Scarf Murder is a quick read if you want three different types of mysteries in the same book. No doubt, it will be much more enjoyable if you are familiar with the characters.
I'm tempted enough by the settings to check out the series soon.
Thank you, NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kensington Cozies, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#ChristmasScarfMurder #NetGalley
*****
P.S: Don’t you love the cover?
4.5 Stars
Sasha wakes up early, ready to go for a swim with her best friend, Mr. Sloth. But Mr. Sloth likes to take his owwwnnn sweeett… tiimmeee to ready. Sasha is impatient as things delay her plan. Finally, she decides to swim alone but doesn’t enjoy it. She realizes swimming with Mr. Sloth is more fun than just swimming.
This is an adorable little book with a sweet message and wonderful illustrations. I love the detailing on each page and how easy it is to make a picture book inclusive without making it apparent. My favorite is the page where Sasha knits and reads and knits and reads when waiting for Mr. Sloth.
The font is neat and in a decent size. It is spaced around the illustrations, making it easy to read the story. Sasha’s expression sync with the text. She’s such a cutie pie! The story is a wee bit rushed towards the end, but the rest makes up for it. The moral is well-presented, with a touch of mischief and fun.
To summarize, Waiting on Mr. Sloth is a super cute book for little ones to sit and read instead of rushing from one place to another. ;)
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Capstone, and Capstone Editions and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#WaitingonMrSloth #NetGalley
Sasha wakes up early, ready to go for a swim with her best friend, Mr. Sloth. But Mr. Sloth likes to take his owwwnnn sweeett… tiimmeee to ready. Sasha is impatient as things delay her plan. Finally, she decides to swim alone but doesn’t enjoy it. She realizes swimming with Mr. Sloth is more fun than just swimming.
This is an adorable little book with a sweet message and wonderful illustrations. I love the detailing on each page and how easy it is to make a picture book inclusive without making it apparent. My favorite is the page where Sasha knits and reads and knits and reads when waiting for Mr. Sloth.
The font is neat and in a decent size. It is spaced around the illustrations, making it easy to read the story. Sasha’s expression sync with the text. She’s such a cutie pie! The story is a wee bit rushed towards the end, but the rest makes up for it. The moral is well-presented, with a touch of mischief and fun.
To summarize, Waiting on Mr. Sloth is a super cute book for little ones to sit and read instead of rushing from one place to another. ;)
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Capstone, and Capstone Editions and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#WaitingonMrSloth #NetGalley
Fast-paced crime fiction. An interesting read.
Engaging and interesting. Though I guessed the murderer early, it was still good enough to hold my attention until the end. The scenes at the perfumery are the best part of the book (though they are not really connected to the crime).
This is a lovely collection of poems I've enjoyed reading. They are vivid, introspective, and poignant. A lovely flow of words and verses that will tug your heart's strings.
*4.5 stars*
Death at Midnight is a small, yet packed thriller that deals with the psychology of people. It's not a psychopath thriller. I'm done with those for a while. This book is about the people around us. The kind we know, see on the telly, or gossip about. I'm going to try and avoid spoilers, so the review will be a bit vague.
One theme that stands out is the pressure on doctors to save a life and the repercussions they face when things go out of their hands. We've seen many instances in the news about families destroying hospitals because their dear ones weren't saved. People are always ready to destroy things that don't belong to them.
Many times, as audiences, we wonder and pass judgment on either party with little or no information. But do we really know what had happened? Do we know what each of them, on either side goes through? No.
This book deals with how one decision, one incident, and one action change the lives of the people connected to it. The writing is neat, clean, and straightforward. You won't find any drama, and that makes this book a hit in my view. When the reader is left to feel the pain of the characters in a simple and no-nonsense manner, it creates more impact.
Visualizing the characters is easy. I could see each one of them talk, move, cry, and think as I read page after page. The first few chapters deal with introducing the characters and establishing their traits. By the time the story is at a high point, we know how they'll react. The author doesn't plan any surprises to throw us off balance. Another plus.
So is there anything I wanted more from the book?
Yes. One character I thought would play a prominent role wasn't utilized to her full potential. I wished she was more involved during the later stages of the story. It doesn't take anything away from the story, though.
The ending is positive, assertive, hopeful, and leaves you feeling satisfied. Exactly, the kind of books I like to read. Considering that the author is a doctor himself, it's not surprising that he handled the theme with ease. I finished the book in less than 2 hours.
Death at Midnight is a small, yet packed thriller that deals with the psychology of people. It's not a psychopath thriller. I'm done with those for a while. This book is about the people around us. The kind we know, see on the telly, or gossip about. I'm going to try and avoid spoilers, so the review will be a bit vague.
One theme that stands out is the pressure on doctors to save a life and the repercussions they face when things go out of their hands. We've seen many instances in the news about families destroying hospitals because their dear ones weren't saved. People are always ready to destroy things that don't belong to them.
Many times, as audiences, we wonder and pass judgment on either party with little or no information. But do we really know what had happened? Do we know what each of them, on either side goes through? No.
This book deals with how one decision, one incident, and one action change the lives of the people connected to it. The writing is neat, clean, and straightforward. You won't find any drama, and that makes this book a hit in my view. When the reader is left to feel the pain of the characters in a simple and no-nonsense manner, it creates more impact.
Visualizing the characters is easy. I could see each one of them talk, move, cry, and think as I read page after page. The first few chapters deal with introducing the characters and establishing their traits. By the time the story is at a high point, we know how they'll react. The author doesn't plan any surprises to throw us off balance. Another plus.
So is there anything I wanted more from the book?
Yes. One character I thought would play a prominent role wasn't utilized to her full potential. I wished she was more involved during the later stages of the story. It doesn't take anything away from the story, though.
The ending is positive, assertive, hopeful, and leaves you feeling satisfied. Exactly, the kind of books I like to read. Considering that the author is a doctor himself, it's not surprising that he handled the theme with ease. I finished the book in less than 2 hours.
A good short book with a decent mystery that will keep you engaged. The beginning is slow but picks up pace as the story progresses.
**Honest review in exchange for a free book**
Nonfiction is not my regular genre. But, this was one book I did enjoy reading.
One, the title caught my attention. It reflected the change, maturity, and growth of a person.
Two, the narration is pretty simple to read and follow. There is no excessive use of superfluous words.
Three, the stories come straight from the writer's heart. The emotions are more evident in some places than the others.
Four, positivity is highlighted throughout the book. The power of positive thought and actions have been proved in the writer's case which makes others believe in it too.
What could have been better: The narration though simple tends to get a bit monotonous at times. A book which has so many interesting people from different countries, encompassing around 8 decades needs a taunt narration with a few more details about the history added in for all kinds of readers to understand easily.
Nevertheless, this book left me with positive vibes.
Nonfiction is not my regular genre. But, this was one book I did enjoy reading.
One, the title caught my attention. It reflected the change, maturity, and growth of a person.
Two, the narration is pretty simple to read and follow. There is no excessive use of superfluous words.
Three, the stories come straight from the writer's heart. The emotions are more evident in some places than the others.
Four, positivity is highlighted throughout the book. The power of positive thought and actions have been proved in the writer's case which makes others believe in it too.
What could have been better: The narration though simple tends to get a bit monotonous at times. A book which has so many interesting people from different countries, encompassing around 8 decades needs a taunt narration with a few more details about the history added in for all kinds of readers to understand easily.
Nevertheless, this book left me with positive vibes.