Wait for Me by Caroline Leech #BookReview

Title: Wait for Me
Author: Caroline Leech
Published: January 31st 2017 by HarperTeen
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The perfect blend of sweet romance and historical flavor, Wait for Me, from debut author Caroline Leech, brings a fresh new voice to a much-loved genre.

It’s 1945, and Lorna Anderson’s life on her father’s farm in Scotland consists of endless chores and rationing, knitting Red Cross scarves, and praying for an Allied victory. So when Paul Vogel, a German prisoner of war, is assigned as the new farmhand, Lorna is appalled. How can she possibly work alongside the enemy when her own brothers are risking their lives for their country?

But as Lorna reluctantly spends time with Paul, she feels herself changing. The more she learns about him—from his time in the war to his life back home in Germany—the more she sees the boy behind the soldier. Soon Lorna is battling her own warring heart. Loving Paul could mean losing her family and the life she’s always known. With tensions rising all around them, Lorna must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice before the end of the war determines their fate.

Wait for Me is a story about a small Scottish town that is experiencing the effects of World War II. The story takes place right before the wars official end.

There were so many different things I liked. I really enjoyed Lorna’s father. He is a strong and gruff man on the outside but extremely kind hearted. He reminded me of my dad and so I think that strengthened my bond to him. I like how he is quiet strength for Lorna.

I really liked the trials and tribulations of Lorna and Iris’s friendship. When you are young and you meet that first love of your life, sometimes you get lost in it. I was so mad at Iris at times but that is just what happens to friends. You always find your way back to each other.

I did enjoy the romance of Lorna and the POW Paul. It developed naturally and I thought the author note about these kind of relationships added to it. I like the idea of two people finding one another in the worst of circumstances but still forming a bond. I also liked that Paul is scarred. That sounds strange but I get tired of the flawless people in stories. Especially stories about war, this is what happens. People are injured and broken and have to find their way out of that.

Although Lorna’s brothers are not in the story for a long period of time. I liked how they both have different war experiences and how it affects them. Also Mrs. Murray is great character too to have, showing a mother’s grief at having your son be off at war. I would imagine it’s difficult to never know if you are going to lose someone. The emotions that run high with John Jo I thought showed that well.

I enjoyed the pacing of the book, there was a point that I was concerned I was about to hit a lull but it picked right back up.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson #BookReview

Title: Allegedly
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Published: January 24th 2017 by Katherine Tegen Books
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Mary B. Addison killed a baby.

Allegedly. She didn’t say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: A white baby had died while under the care of a church-going black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it? She wouldn’t say.

Mary survived six years in baby jail before being dumped in a group home. The house isn’t really “home”—no place where you fear for your life can be considered a home. Home is Ted, who she meets on assignment at a nursing home.

There wasn’t a point to setting the record straight before, but now she’s got Ted—and their unborn child—to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary must find the voice to fight her past. And her fate lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But who really knows the real Mary?

In this gritty and haunting debut, Tiffany D. Jackson explores the grey areas in our understanding of justice, family, and truth, and acknowledges the light and darkness alive in all of us.

Allegedly is one of those books that you go wow, this is different. The minute I was reading, I was completely absorbed and Tiffany Jackson's writing is definitely A+ for me. Wow. If you are a fan of shows like Making a Murderer, this book will blow you away.

I love the way the plot develops. I immediately feel for Mary. I don’t even care what she did, I just want to save her from her terrible conditions, which stops and makes me think. Wait of course I care what she did, allegedly!! It’s really interesting the way this book is able to play on different emotions. I also loved how Tiffany Jackson paired the present day narrative with different accounts and articles from when Mary was 9 and ALLEGEDLY committed her crime. As the story moves on we start to see more present day articles as well. Really this story is a rollercoaster of emotions. There were times that I thought one and times I thought the other. Little hints here and there to the real story that made you go hmmm. Some things I expected and some I did not but overall I couldn’t put the book down.

This is one of those books that I absolutely do not want to spoil anything but I can say that the relationship between Mary and her mother is definitely one of the many focuses. It’s interesting to see how the way their interactions and experiences shaped Mary. You despise her mother but there are also tidbits and hints about her as well. It builds the big picture in the end.

The reason Mary hooks up with someone is kind of similar to The Innocence Project is because she is now having a baby. She is concerned that they are going to take her baby away from her due to her past conviction and now she is going to do everything in her power to stop that from happening. This of course opens the can of worms that leads us down the rabbit hole of what is true and not true.

Of course we see the very ugly side of group homes as well. The other girls are all in there for different reason and it’s interesting to also see their stories as well. Especially New Girl.

So much I want to say! So much I can’t say! Ahh!

My mind is still turning over Allegedly. I’ve told all my friends to read it because I just want to talk about it. It’s one of those books, I can’t stop thinking about it still. It leaves a lasting impression.

Batgirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee #BookReview

Title: Batgirl at Super Hero High
Author: Lisa Yee
Published: January 3rd 2017 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Batgirl has always hidden in the shadows—but does she have what it takes to stand in the spotlight at Super Hero High?

Barbara Gordon has always been an off-the-charts, just-forget-about-the-test super-genius and tech whiz, and then she gets the offer of a lifetime when Supergirl recognizes that Barbara’s talents make her an ideal candidate for Super Hero High. Donning the cape and cowl, Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl, ready to train at the most elite school on the planet, next to some of the most powerful teenagers in the galaxy. She’s always had the heart of a hero… but now she’ll have to prove that she can be one. Good thing she loves a challenge!

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Batgirl at Super Hero High is all about girl tech power and I loved. I would have to say this is probably my favorite character so far. Although I am excited for Katana’s book too. Lisa Yee does such a great job with these books.

I am loving this series because my daughter is a big superhero fan and it was hard to find things for her that appealed. She always liked the boy superheroes better because they had more action. Since this series has come out in all its forms she has absolutely loved it. I love that each girl has a special ability that shines through and being that I work in IT, well Batgirl is close to my heart.

Hooray for the techie. I liked how Batgirl is a tech genius and has moved from the role of IT worker to Super Hero High attendee. The transition isn’t the easiest as she get’s used to her new persona and feels the need to prove herself to not only her classmate but to her father as well. All the gadgets she creates and works on are fun and interesting. She has to learn to deal with being in the spotlight and not taking on too much for other people. It’s basically finding a balance between her life and her Batgirl life. As well as dealing with her dad’s over protectiveness.

The villain's name was cracking me up. I’m not sure why but it did. My son asked me the name and he laughed hysterically when I told him. Which I think is absolutely perfect. I also liked that the battle at the end is not a physical one it’s more of a mental one.

I liked that Barta was included in the story and a little bit of her struggle to adapt from Villain world to the superheroes world. I also really liked how Batgirl is trying to get more freedom from her father but gets jealous when he seems to be investing in Barta. I think that happens often in families.

I was really annoyed with Harley Quinn in this book. She was definitely being a bad friend but at the same time I was thinking in my head….well you know she is normally a bad guy. She might not be the best of friend at times but she’s not the worst either. I remember having friends like that where you were friends with them….but you wouldn’t necessarily trust them with the important stuff.

I really enjoyed this installment of Super Hero High. I love how great these books are for my daughter and my son.

Windwitch by Susan Dennard #BookReview

Title: Windwitch
Author: Susan Dennard
Series: The Witchlands #2
Published: January 10th 2017 by Tor Teen

Sometimes our enemies are also our only allies…

After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.

When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her—yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Now they must work together to cross the Witchlands, while constantly wondering, who will betray whom first?

After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. Alone in a land of pirates, every moment balances on a knife’s edge—especially when the pirates’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.

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I didn’t think I could love a book more than Truthwitch but Windwitch does it. It manages to top the first book which is such a fantastic thing because you often have that sophomore slump. If you follow Susan on social media outlets you know that the she struggled with writing this story but I saw none of that as a I read. Windwitch is executed beautifully and is an absolute perfect second book for the Witchlands series.

One of my favorite things about Windwitch is that it takes all the things you know about the characters and shows you the other side of the coin. Every story has two sides or even more depending on the how many people are involved. You find yourself feeling for characters you didn’t expect and look at characters you love with a side eye. I love love when a story gives me that.

Audean and Iseult were my two favorite characters in Truthwitch and continue to be so in Windwitch. I loved every scene they were in, it didn’t matter if they were alone or with other people. They just play off one another so well! I need more! More!!

I felt like Safi was sidelined a little bit so we could really get Merik’s story. Not that she didn’t have big parts because she did. I also loved the introduction of Vaness. I hope to see some of the story told in her perspective in future books but Merik needed to grow. Which meant he needed space to grow. He changes so much in this book, some for the better some for the worse. We really see how is relationships with other people have influenced and of course that other side of the coin scenario again. We do get to see Vivia’s perspective and I was ready to hate her. Seeing their story play out I am more intrigued with everyone now instead of hating them. I want to know both “good” guys and “villains” better.

The plot pacing was perfect, the world was perfect and the story was addicting. I’m still waiting for the awesome amazing video games and manga based off this series because their needs to be video games and comics for it. Maybe some action figures, legos, funkos…….Oh yes so back to the back. It has my heart as does this series. I can not wait to see what happens next.

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet #BookReview

Title: A Promise of Fire
Author: Amanda Bouchet
Published: August 2nd 2016 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Kingmaker Chronicles #1

Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

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I had actually meant to read A Promise of Fire a while ago and then it somehow got lost in the shuffle. I’m grateful I waited though because I loved it and fortunately now I don’t have to wait for the second book. What an amazing all consuming fantasy romance.

The story is told in the point of view of Cat, it’s solely in her view so we don’t get inside the other characters heads. I really liked it this way and the fact that we never know what Griffin is thinking. It adds another layer. Cat is such a great main character because she is strong and saucy. She has been abused and tortured and finally escaped to adopted family of the Circus. She grows as the plot develops and doesn't just instantly open up because she meets this hunky warlord. She actually despises him in the beginning half and her only thoughts are on how to kill him. She is hoarding many secrets that she does not want to get out.

Griffin is a warlord who conquered a kingdom with his eyes closed...practically anyway. As the story progresses we find out exactly how Griffin managed this and what is true character is. He sets out to rule with kindness and prosperity for all. One of the key things about Griffin, Beta Sinta, and his family is that they possess no magic. Unlike the royals of all the other kingdoms. Which upsets what is considered to be the balance of power.

I loved the plot and the world building. Although most of the story takes place in the Southern region, as they head for the Sinta Castle. Cat educates her captors about the other regions. Being she is appalled by how little they know and what they have gotten themselves into. She also starts to see each member of the Beta Team for who they are as people rather than just another enemy. This is what causes her feelings for Griffin to gradually change. Although it is with much effort, especially on his part. There are just so many interesting things about the magic system and the politics of each kingdom.

This is a great fantasy romance and I felt that the writing was pretty flawless. I never felt like the pace was too slow or dragging. There was the right balance of action and down time. All the characters are great and interesting. The ending resolves some things but also leaves you anticipating the next book.

If you enjoy fantasy romance books. I would say definitely pick this one up.